Destiny of Choice: I was beaten as a slave by my father, I escaped from home at the age of 12, I stole to live, I was trafficked, I survived.

by Mary Jordan, Carina Buckley (Editor), David Mossop (Translator)

At just twelve years of age, Ionna has already experienced a life filled with unimaginable horrors. After years of savage beatings and severe emotional abuse, she has finally left her parents’ house behind. But life on the streets can be cruel—especially for a young, beautiful girl. With her newfound freedom, Ionna discovers that new dangers lurk around every corner. This includes the thriving human trafficking trade—a multibillion dollar industry surviving on the exploitation of children and women all over the world. Vulnerable, starving, and struggling for survival, Ionna is just the type to get ensnared in the flesh trade’s despicable practices—and as she wades through the seedy underworld of organized crime, the future begins to look even more bleak. Inspired by a true story, the award-winning author Mary Jordan pens a dark and compelling narrative that gives a voice to the millions of victims of the human trafficking trade. In partnership with several organizations, Jordan has pledged 50 percent of this book’s royalties to ending forced prostitution. KIRKUS REVIEWS - One of the most trusted and authoritative voices in book industry "Ionna never had a very peaceful “My father was particularly inventive in his punishments and in his beatings had no equal.” She ran away from home after suffering “things that would make your hair stand on end,” and eventually falls in with a young criminal named Krasi and his gang of miscreants. They steal from foreigners in seaside resorts, and their operation is small but very successful. However, the waves of excitement and spending come to an abrupt standstill when Krasi kills someone and must flee the country. After refusing to go with him, Ionna is left with limited money and a broken heart. She eventually finds herself part of a sex trafficking ring and becomes a prostitute in an upscale hotel catering to wealthy, foreign men. Her work is often painful and grotesque (“Even the memory of what that pervert did to me makes me feel ashamed”). How will Ionna survive such an existence? Jordan provides insight into the types of traps that might face a girl like Ionna, but although the young woman’s actions are clear, much of her interior life remains opaque. Occasional flashes of personality offer captivating details (such as when Ionna encounters a videocassette “…soon the film was beginning. It was called ‘Ghost’, a marvellous story about love, death and human morality”), but she can feel, at times, like any other girl stuck in hard times. The book succeeds in illuminating a broad picture of shady dealings and the people swept up in them"The book was first published in English by Dolphin Marketing Press ltd www.dolphinmarketingpress.com

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2014

Reviews

[Mae Koh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't putit down...

I chose to give it 5 stsrs because even though i never intended to buy this book. I was intrigued by the title and decided to check it out. By the tie I finished the preview. I was hooked so bought the book and spent the next 4 hours devouring it. I don't usually like this type of novels, but found myself enjoying the story. Maybe it was so honest in the telling and many would say it was too unbelievable, however, I find it very plausible. Anyway it fascinated me and I could hardly put it down long enough to walk the dog or even fix lunch. Hope you enjoy readimg it too. It's definitely a book for women. Especially for those who enjoy stories like "PRETTY WOMAN".

[Deb Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!!

Awesome book that I would highly recommend... I did recommend it to a friend who is going to download it. Thanks for a great true story book.

[steven smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sad book

I would definitely recommend this book it is sad but with a happy ending can't wait to read the sequel

[Moris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sad and touching book, it brings me to tears every time I read it. Currently reading the sequel which is a quite intriguing already.

I recommend it to everyone who have empathy and understanding of the real life stories. Before judging the character I'd like to say a twelve year old girl with that past cannot have different mindset.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not even sure of what i read

First of all the grammar in this book is beyond horrible, which made it hard to follow. This book seems to sensationalize prostuiton which is appalling!! I am guessing this is a work of fiction and I am also assuming the authors is foreign, due to the continuous grammatical errors. Save your time and read something else

[briege mcclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basis narrative

The story was interesting, but a little childish in the wording. The end was predictable and unsurprising. I would not recommend.


2 stars

[bob hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

Books 1&2 are very good reading and have a gripping storyline found it hard to put the book down would recommend them to any one

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book.

[Gina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Keeps you turning to the next page. Could not put it down. Starting part 2 as soon as it downloads.

[tracey morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good easy reading


Enjoyable although upsetting. Incredible how people get away with things and the damage they inflict on others. Brave young lady.

[J.C. Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculous title. Beautiful story.

I loved this book. It was touching, and the characters seemed to have a life of their own. I am definitely going to read part two next.

[sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't Bother, waste of time

Based on a true story? I think not. It's not that I don't believe these things happen and are very real. I do. This just doesn't come across as the real deal. There are better books out there to read. I'll be deleting this from my library.

[Andrew D Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book

Very interesting read! This book is a definite page turner. Very suspenseful and entertaining. Kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read found hand to put down

[Amy Selvidge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This is a heartwarming story that brings to light how easy it is to get caught up in bad choices and that new beginnings can always be found

[j murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating

The 2 books had me captivated and found it hard to put down. Few spelling mistakes, and there were a few words that didn't make sense. But It didn't spoil the story.

[stephanie perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I couldn't put down book 1 and it was the same with book 2. I loved Ionna and Krasi. I loved their connection and the way he always looked out for her. The story made me wish for a Krasi in my life. Thank you for helping me escape my stress and sadness and find enjoyment comfort and love in your story.

[latifa mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Fantastic read and couldn't put it down till I got to the end which was not as expected, happy thougb

[Bridget Holbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

This book did hold my interest. The only reason i gave it a 3 star rating is because i believe it's a book of fiction and not a true story as advertised.

[steven smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tidy

Really enjoyed the book with lots of twists and turns well worth a read if you like these sort of books

[Scott Darbyshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

Couldn't put it down, just like the first book!! Recommend this book . can a woman have such bad luck but with a happy ending!

[Nicole Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

I like both books a lot. Not sure if the story is 100% true but a good read either way.

[Doris Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

I really liked the characters. They were well written. The main character went through many things in life. There was romance, sexual abuse. She came out ok in the end.

[Bridget Holbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Good book, holds the reader's interest. The story seems exaggerated though. Does not read like a true story. The author is quite the heroine.

[stephanie perez]

Awesome book.

Awesome book.
So sorry for what she had to go through.
Can't wait to read book two.
God bless ,hger