Fallen

I've always had a morbid fascination with the sex industry. For some reason I enjoy reading the unsettling "better them than me" memoirs and biographies of
artists, druggies, eccentrics, murderers, pimps, cults, gang members, whores, criminals, musicians, alcoholics, inmates, porno stars, Mafiosi, etc. My fascination with the not so squeaky clean, sordid stuff of life ensured that I enjoyed this story of sex, lies, and redemption.

Annie Lobert didn't have a perfect childhood, it wasn't bad but it wasn't great. Instead of attending college she moved to the city and worked on acquiring money. Instead of staying at secure office job, she and her friends set their sites a little higher. When they learned how easy and profitable it was to turn tricks they entered into a life of prostitution. From Hawaii to Las Vegas, Annie honed her trade eventually taking on the name of her alter ego, Fallen. She was the best in the business but the years of abuse by her pimp, degradation, and multiple arrests began to take it's toll. It took her years to get out of the trade, battle her addiction and find God. Her story isn't easy to read but it's empowering that she was able to battle her demons and turn her life around. She founded a ministry in Las Vegas called Hookers for Jesus and currently helps other women escape sex trafficking. As this memoir can testify, the truth is usually scarier than fiction.

I received this book for free from First Look Bloggers in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

This was a touching story about an old man who lost it all (although he never really had it to begin with) and got it all back by opening up and actually living his life. Harold and his wife Maureen have been unhappily married for many years; they hardly speak, sleep in separate bedrooms, and do their best to stay out of each others way. That all changes one morning when Harold receives a letter from Queenie, an old friend. He hasn't spoken to hear in nearly 20 years and is dumbstruck to discover that she has inoperable cancer. Desperate to right his wrongs he writes a letter to Queenie but soon realizes it's not enough. On his way to mail the letter, he decides to keep walking. He will walk over 500 miles to save Queenie and do something with his life. Armed with nothing but his wallet and yachting shoes he sets off across England in this funny and moving novel about life un-lived, forgiveness, and redemption.

Never Judge A Book By It's Cover

After reading a heavy duty romance I was due for a light-hearted sappy read and this fit the bill. It's a story about hope and redemption and looking beyond the surface, it's a great feel good read.

The story follows Sasha, a 37 year old world famous ballerina who has just suffered a life altering fall and will never be the same again. Sasha decides to retreat from the world, her fans, her friends, and her husband by going back to her hometown to re-cooperate and learn to walk again. The thought of never dancing again throws Sasha into a deep and miserable depression, enter Evelyn. Evelyn is a bright young girl who is happily engaged and does odd jobs around town to save up for her wedding. Everyone in town (especially her parents) is disappointed that she chose to turn down college for her fiance (who has questionable morals and is seemingly marrying Evelyn to get in her pants, something she staunchly refuses to do before marriage). Evelyn takes a job as in home care for Sasha and the two constantly butt heads. In time though they begin to depend and rely on each other. And the roles momentarily flip when Sasha starts to heal and Evelyn's life is turned upside down. The unwilling pair make an unlikely duo as they struggle through life's challenges together.

It was a cute read and it took no time at all to plow through it. Definitely a beach read :)