Nikki Hansen is a typical Midwestern girl with big dreams; she looks forward to moving to New York City and making a name for herself. Three days after her sixteenth birthday, her world collapses when her mother dies. Nikki moves in with her Aunt Sheila and Sheila's brother, Elton. Between the two, her aunt and uncle have seven children. Nikki ends up becoming the chief caretaker for all the children and believes that her own dreams are dead. Working at a clinic and in her off-hours watching over the kids, Nikki befriends a young woman at the clinic named Frankie, and the two begin to lean on one another during trying times. When her aunt and uncle vanish from the picture, Nikki has to fend for the children all by herself. Will it ever come time for Nikki to pursue her own happiness? With My Hands Tied Behind My Back is a powerful story about challenges and hope. Judy Simmons is originally from Milwaukee, but now calls Bartlett, Tennessee, her home. She is working on the sequel. Publisher's website: http: //www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/WithMyHandsTiedBehindMyBack.html