Well, this was a VERY interesting book. For anyone considering reading this though, I will warn you that it's some pretty rough reading. It's Flora's story of her life in the FLDS cult. I got interested in the subject after first reading Carolyn Jessop's story in the book Escape, and then I read Elissa Wall's story in the book Stolen Innocence. I thought both of those books were pretty rough because of the content, but neither compare to the abuse in Flora's story.

I was turned off a little by Flora's cursing. However, the worst is in the first half of the book, and I will say she is probably struggling with the story itself. She was sexually abused from a young age, and managed to escape as a teenager. From there she was wild as all get out for a bit, but was finally able to not only settle down, but she became an advocate for others trying to escape the cult.

I especially liked that, in the end, she learns that the real God is nothing like the one that the FLDS teaches.

Absolutely fascinating...will keep you up at night trying to finish the book so that you can see what happened next!!

This has to become a bookring or ray. It's too important of a story not to share.

This book has become a bookring. Here's what I've got so far...subject to change without notice!
(1) dvg, New Jersey- USA/Canada shipping
(2) dabercro, Utah- USA shipping
(3) Unwritten Libra, Maryland- International shipping
(4) Elmindreda, Hungary- EU shipping
(5) Icila, France- International shipping
(6) Wendyv, Australia- International shipping
(7) Toyjoy, Singapore- International shipping
(8) sarkiegirl, California- USA shipping
(9) spoiledrotten, New Jersey- USA shipping
(10) guinaveve, Ohio- USA shipping
(11) ????

The order probably seems a little crazy to most, but that's okay. Rarely do I do the logical! ;-)

The rules:
(1) Like most bookrings, JE as soon as you get this book.
(2) Try to read it in a month, but don't panic if you get behind. Just pm me so I know what's going on!
(3) When you are close to being finished, pm the next person in line to get their current mailing address.
(4) JE when finished with the book and release it to the next in line.
(5) Questions?? Contact me, nattabee.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off on a trip around the world and back, and it's starting with dvg in New Jersey! Happy travels!!

Arrived safely in New Jeresey today! The envelope was stuffed with lots of little surprises for its readers from our wonderful host! Thank you Nattabee for sharing this book. I know it will be moving quickly. Contacting next in line now.

I read this in two sittings, I just couldn’t put it down and the only time I did was because I was reading in bed and woke up after the book hit me in the face! I had to share that so you would know that this is one amazing woman whose fight for freedom and fight against child abuse right here in America must be shared. Thank you, nattabee, for sharing it with me.

Like nattabee, I have read Carolyn Jessop’s story Escape and Elissa Wall’s story in Stolen Innocence. Similar to the other stories, it was hard to read because of the abuse of children and women under the guise of religion (namely FLDS). Flora Jessop suffers at the hands of the very people who should be protecting her ~ her parents. (I won’t give it away, you will read and understand.) She runs away, bravely telling her story to be brought back home again. After more suffering she is married to her cousin who takes her out of the cult community where she gets a taste of normal life…her fight only just begins.

I applaud Flora Jessop. For being brave when she was so young, to have the knowledge of right and wrong, to question and fight authority for her freedom. I am applauding her as I sit in awe of her continuing fight to help these children of the FLDS escape the cult to which they were born.

Near the end of Flora’s story, she reaches out to the mainstream LDS church for support and assistance for these children. The mainstream LDS church makes the choice not to be involved. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Despite how the mainstream LDS want to wipe away their part in the polygamy history, it is there and always will. If they acted, they could turn a chapter in their own history books as well. I say this because they could play a huge part in the rehabilitation of these people with understanding that only can be provided by a faith that shares a portion of that history.

It is my humble opinion these stories need to be told. American people need to understand what is happening right here in our own country. Knowledge is power. Now that we know, how can we not share these stories? We need to step up and let our government know that this is not acceptable in our country. Polygamy is illegal. Child abusers should be prosecuted. That this is happening under the pretense of ‘religion’ still does not make it excusable or something to be ignored. It is still illegal. If it happens once, it can happen under other ‘religions’ as well. How widespread will it become? I’m serious. Just give it a thought because it is still happening.

This bookring is continuing its travels to dabercro! (Some powerful reading here.)

Received in the mail yesterday. I will start reading this in the next couple of days.

Like the previous readers, I have also read Escape and Stolen Innocence. Each woman's story is similar yet different. These are stories that need to be told and I admire Flora for her fight to help other abused women and children escape the horrors of the FLDS. Living in Utah, much of what she writes about in the later chapters of the book has been on the local news channels here. I remember the "breaking news" when Warren Jeffs was found. I also remember watching the Primetime show that Flora writes about.

Thanks nattabee for sharing this important story.

I have the next participant's address and will get this sent in the next few days as my crazy work schedule allows me a chance to get to the post office.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to the next participant, UnwrittenLibra in MD.

Received on a beautiful day here in Baltimore, Maryland. Thanks, dabercro! I'm within twenty pages of finishing one bookring - two more to read and then I'll be onto this one. This one looks especially good though.

A great read. Hard to put down!

Sent off to the next reader today via Pikesville, Maryland, USA!

Sorry Ring members for signing in so late! The book arrived safe and sound. I will start reading it soon. Thank you for sending it on!

This was a very intense book about a lifestyle that should not be allowed to exist. The more I read about the FLDS, the more I'm amazed how all that abuse can be overlooked in the US.
Also, burocracy makes me mad. Fight on Flora!!

Thank you for including me in the ring!

I sent the book to France, to Icila a week ago. It should be arriving soon!

It was waiting for me at home. Thanks.
I have a few TBR rings ahead and not much time to read these days with the grandchildren to care. Please be patient but don't hesitate to contact me if you need to.

It's my first book about the FLDS cult, the Mormons as we call them here. They are known to have been polygames but at the time of the Olympics, when they were under the light of the press, it was said that this time was over. And I was very far away to suppose abuse was part of the package.
I don't know if its a fundamentalist part of the cult. I wasn't aware of this tragedy.
I just read "Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life " It's pity to read about the deprivation of rights for women and kids but nothing like that.
How is it possible in USA today under the eyes of two states ?

Thanks for sharing.

Wendyv, too busy, asked to be skipped.
PMing Toyjoy

On its way to Singapore.

Sorry for the late journal! Had been travelling! Will get to it soon!


24/01/2011
Moving the book to sarkiegirl, pming for address.

sarkiegirl allows me to the sending, I'll take the chance to give it a shot!

I guess this book is lost....unfortunate because it could have been shared with more. Very irritating. Guess I know of at least one bookcrosser who is going on my "do not participate" list.