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Standing Her Ground
Jodi Nelson's parents force her to a pray-away-the-gay session at their church after she comes out to them. Pastor Haverty, the lead pastor at their church, takes Jodi downstairs for a private consultation when Jodi breaks down during the session. Jodi starts to leave the Church after Pastor Haverty left her to gather herself. She is grabbed and dragged into one of the rooms and raped.
Three years later, Jodi is happily raising her son, Bryan as a single mother. Suddenly, a strange woman starts stalking her. Her parents show up and demand to see Bryan after not hearing from them since she left home. When she refuses, they try to get custody of Bryan.
Jodi goes to the ACLU for help. Her case is given to the former family judge, Jean Carlisle, who gladly takes the case pro bono. With Jean's help, Jodi is going to stand her ground against the people who would hurt her son and her. She will prove that a single lesbian can be a perfect mother.
As the case to keep Bryan in Jodi's custody progresses, secrets, lies, humiliations, and fears will be revealed.
Three years later, Jodi is happily raising her son, Bryan as a single mother. Suddenly, a strange woman starts stalking her. Her parents show up and demand to see Bryan after not hearing from them since she left home. When she refuses, they try to get custody of Bryan.
Jodi goes to the ACLU for help. Her case is given to the former family judge, Jean Carlisle, who gladly takes the case pro bono. With Jean's help, Jodi is going to stand her ground against the people who would hurt her son and her. She will prove that a single lesbian can be a perfect mother.
As the case to keep Bryan in Jodi's custody progresses, secrets, lies, humiliations, and fears will be revealed.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2015
25 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
M.E. Tudor
17 books102 followersM.E. Tudor lives in south central Kentucky with her cute dog, Ruby and cat, Chesher. She has an Associates Degree and Bachelor's Degree from Western Kentucky University and works as a librarian. When not working or writing, M.E. loves to travel, camp and hike.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 12, 2023
This book started out so strongly as a powerful 'pray away gay' indictment and story of the persecution of Jodi through her parent's church. Unfortunately by the second half, the story became a parody of the evils perpetrated against people who live a different lifestyle than their 'Christian' beliefs. The book was tense as Jodi ran away from her church and parents after a 'pray away gay' session her pastor and parents had organised, where Jodi was raped by unknown assailants.
There was a lot of tension after Jodi was found living with her son Brian by her parents a couple of years after the church event, who tried to take him away from her to be raised by a 'good christian family'. Once Jodi found some supporting and strong friends to take on her case and defend her, the fear left, but unfortunately the story descended into farce. All good in the end, but a very good story could have been much better handled. Too bad as I have enjoyed Ms Tudor's books in the past. Powerful story poorly done. 3 stars.
There was a lot of tension after Jodi was found living with her son Brian by her parents a couple of years after the church event, who tried to take him away from her to be raised by a 'good christian family'. Once Jodi found some supporting and strong friends to take on her case and defend her, the fear left, but unfortunately the story descended into farce. All good in the end, but a very good story could have been much better handled. Too bad as I have enjoyed Ms Tudor's books in the past. Powerful story poorly done. 3 stars.
July 6, 2016
Tricky!
What I mean by this, is that the subject matter is horrific. But M. E. Tudor tackles it with sensitivity and compassion. We meet some old friends and make some new ones. This author has a great writing style and keeps you hooked from the first to the last word. Enjoy, I did. Now I want more.
What I mean by this, is that the subject matter is horrific. But M. E. Tudor tackles it with sensitivity and compassion. We meet some old friends and make some new ones. This author has a great writing style and keeps you hooked from the first to the last word. Enjoy, I did. Now I want more.
November 29, 2015
Astonishing, overwhelming story!
Oh my god, this cut through my heart. I felt the pain, my heart was beating in my throat. I wanted to shout, I was so angry and I felt the helplessness. It was like I was part of this story, it felt so real that I did have to remind myself that this was fiction and to calm down. It was heartbreaking, intense emotional and so much more. At one point things got uncomfortable, you did't want to keep reading but you could't stop reading and not knowing for sure what happens. I did take a deep breath, did get my pulse down and went on reading. And I'm glad I did. The subject was very sensitive, rather tense but insightfully handled. I wept for Jodie, for all she had to endure. And no, it was not a depressing story. Despite the topic I really enjoyed it. This is an amazing piece of work and I will read it again and again.
Oh my god, this cut through my heart. I felt the pain, my heart was beating in my throat. I wanted to shout, I was so angry and I felt the helplessness. It was like I was part of this story, it felt so real that I did have to remind myself that this was fiction and to calm down. It was heartbreaking, intense emotional and so much more. At one point things got uncomfortable, you did't want to keep reading but you could't stop reading and not knowing for sure what happens. I did take a deep breath, did get my pulse down and went on reading. And I'm glad I did. The subject was very sensitive, rather tense but insightfully handled. I wept for Jodie, for all she had to endure. And no, it was not a depressing story. Despite the topic I really enjoyed it. This is an amazing piece of work and I will read it again and again.
November 27, 2015
Amazing book!
It is no surprise that this book is number one! The writer provides a thoughtful yet gut wrenching view of reality into the practice of pray the gay away mentality in a lot of conservative churches. Not to mention the awful practice of "corrective" rape that goes on unchecked and unpunished.
The supportive way that Jodi's friends treated through the her ordeal was also well done.
A very good book to read. Job well done!
It is no surprise that this book is number one! The writer provides a thoughtful yet gut wrenching view of reality into the practice of pray the gay away mentality in a lot of conservative churches. Not to mention the awful practice of "corrective" rape that goes on unchecked and unpunished.
The supportive way that Jodi's friends treated through the her ordeal was also well done.
A very good book to read. Job well done!
November 6, 2022
Superb
An absolutely fabulous book although it deals with many difficult and and harrowing events it does so in a sympathetic realistic way and the bonds formed between all the characters are believable , not a light read but give it a go it's wel worth a try.
An absolutely fabulous book although it deals with many difficult and and harrowing events it does so in a sympathetic realistic way and the bonds formed between all the characters are believable , not a light read but give it a go it's wel worth a try.
March 15, 2018
This is a complex, often painful, but ultimately uplifting story. The protagonist, Jodi, is an extraordinary character. Her strength, perseverance, and resilience are amazing, as is her ability to maintain her faith in religion after the way she was abused and betrayed by her family and the people of the church they attended. The supporting characters are also very strong, in particular Jean Carlisle, the former judge who takes on Jodi's case, pro bono, to help her fight the people who are trying to take Jodi's son away from her, and another character that shall remain nameless in this review to avoid spoilers, but was extremely well depicted and an amazing source of strength for Jodi in the second half of the story.
While the incidents that occur in this story are extreme, they are not out of the realm of the possible in terms of what is happening to LGBTQ+ teens in extremely religious families. It is a real problem.
While the incidents that occur in this story are extreme, they are not out of the realm of the possible in terms of what is happening to LGBTQ+ teens in extremely religious families. It is a real problem.
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November 15, 2015After dealing with her parents putting her through a pray away the gay meeting and being raped, Jodi leaves without speaking to anyone. Although her parents know where she is they don't reach out to her for 3 years. When they do Jodi's life becomes a series of court battles and harassment! The twists in the story were a bit predictable, but the story made sense. There were some editing mistakes. He were there would be she, a couple times the misuse of a name. But not to distraction. Other complaint was that it was rounded in a few paragraphs at the end. Could have had more substance to the ending.
February 4, 2019
An Amazing Book!!!
“I have an amazing best friend, who has been by my side through everything since ninth grade. I have an adopted mother who always has my back.”
“I don’t know how either of us would have made it this far without your mom. And, I have my faith. I know God loves me no matter what.”
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters then the more I became invested in their journey of revealing pieces of themselves & exploring each other— hostages to the pleasure & pain, intoxication & desperation of both unconditional & unrequited love.
It was just so realistic & relatable. I appreciate the rawness, vulnerability & sincerity of how these sensitive & difficult topics were presented without distorting &/or diminishing from the themes or their impact!! Awesome & Amazing!!
“I have an amazing best friend, who has been by my side through everything since ninth grade. I have an adopted mother who always has my back.”
“I don’t know how either of us would have made it this far without your mom. And, I have my faith. I know God loves me no matter what.”
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters then the more I became invested in their journey of revealing pieces of themselves & exploring each other— hostages to the pleasure & pain, intoxication & desperation of both unconditional & unrequited love.
It was just so realistic & relatable. I appreciate the rawness, vulnerability & sincerity of how these sensitive & difficult topics were presented without distorting &/or diminishing from the themes or their impact!! Awesome & Amazing!!
May 14, 2020
The fact an author is brave enough to write about such a painful and difficult situation is to be thankful for because sharing this kind of stories is so very needed. For those who, like me, are not really aware of what can happen with these extreme groups that hide behind religion the ride has been shocking and if you have gone through something similar to what Jodi’s lives, you are a hero and the young woman portrayed here a great example.
My only hope is that rising awareness will make these practices a thing from the past.
About the book itself, I felt deeply for Jodi and was really grateful for those who were willing to help her so I felt invested in the character, her story and the process those who hurt her got to be punished.
My only hope is that rising awareness will make these practices a thing from the past.
About the book itself, I felt deeply for Jodi and was really grateful for those who were willing to help her so I felt invested in the character, her story and the process those who hurt her got to be punished.
March 30, 2023
This is one hella of a strong story of a woman’s journey to empowerment!
M. E. Tudor has written such a clear statement of justice, love and empowerment of women here. I loved the style of writing, the strength of her characters and the interactions of the women. She has written a clear statement that the men in this story got what they deserved without bashing all men. This can be a really difficult line not to cross given the circumstances of the situation. It is a book that many young women should read and learn from.
M. E. Tudor has written such a clear statement of justice, love and empowerment of women here. I loved the style of writing, the strength of her characters and the interactions of the women. She has written a clear statement that the men in this story got what they deserved without bashing all men. This can be a really difficult line not to cross given the circumstances of the situation. It is a book that many young women should read and learn from.
February 18, 2019
This book left me in awe and I can’t wait to read more by this author. M.E Tudor tackled the sensitive topic of rape, church and gay conversion therapy with such a sensitivity that made up for the hard topic. It cut through my hard and made me feel the pain Jodi must have felt - about the possibility of losing her son, reliving her rape, being confronted with the people from her past.... this story has many facets and all of them are hard to think about.
April 3, 2022
Oh my goodness!! This book was so fantastic! Ahh man I can't cope it was soooo good!! READ IT!
August 6, 2022
phew!
Damn that was a sad story to read and I’m glad it did have a happy ending. Keep up the good work.
Damn that was a sad story to read and I’m glad it did have a happy ending. Keep up the good work.
September 23, 2018
A good story but a lot of mistakes in the book, including incorrect character names at the wrong times and spelling/grammar that frustrated me when reading. I enjoyed the story though.
November 8, 2015
Great read!
I really enjoyed this book. Very well written. You can feel for the young girl being persecuted. It's hard to read about the pray-away-the-gay, and believe it still exists in America.
I really enjoyed this book. Very well written. You can feel for the young girl being persecuted. It's hard to read about the pray-away-the-gay, and believe it still exists in America.
December 11, 2015
Want more
I hope there's a sequel. I want to visit these characters again and see what happens next. Normally I would take a star the numerous errors, but I liked the tale too much to be that critical.
I hope there's a sequel. I want to visit these characters again and see what happens next. Normally I would take a star the numerous errors, but I liked the tale too much to be that critical.
January 9, 2016
Hard to put down
The twist and turns made this a hard one to put down. Jodi is inspirational and the relationship progressed nicely between her and Kaitlyn. The fact that the relationship was not the focus of the story was refreshing.
The twist and turns made this a hard one to put down. Jodi is inspirational and the relationship progressed nicely between her and Kaitlyn. The fact that the relationship was not the focus of the story was refreshing.
March 12, 2016
This book is fast pasted and keeps you wanting to know more. Even though the subject matter is heavy, it's handled with such care and class.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews