When Angels Fight: My Story of Escaping Sex Trafficking and Leading a Revolt Against the Darkness

by Leslie King

"Powerful. . . . This book is not about the darkness, but about the way Leslie found the light and the grace-filled God who walked with her every step of the way." --Jo Lembo , Director of Faith Initiatives and National Outreach at Shared Hope International


Leslie King was only 15 years old when she was trapped in a life of prostitution. She became one of the thousands of sex-trafficked individuals in the United States, often invisible to "regular" people who know nothing of the seedy underside of that life. Sold by men who promised love but delivered only heartache and caught in drug addiction to escape from the pain, Leslie's life offered little future and no hope.

Then God spoke.

And Leslie answered his call, putting all her trust in God to deliver her. She got clean, got off the streets, and started rescuing other prostituted individuals. Today Leslie is a passionate and heroic advocate for trafficked women and girls in her community and across the country.

More than a gritty, no-holds-barred deliverance story, When Angels Fight also includes stories from those Leslie has encountered in her work--police officers, judges, and other advocates and activists. Leslie also arms you with what you need to fight alongside her to make a difference in your own community. Walk this hard road with her, and you'll grieve, you'll be empowered―and you'll never be the same.


"The world of sex-trafficking is dark and filled with things you think can only be on television. Leslie helps you to understand that sex trafficking can hit close to home and that any family can be impacted by it." -- Senita Lenear , Third Ward Commissioner, City of Grand Rapids

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Cassandra Goerge · Rating 4 out of 5]

as someone who lives in GR, I really enjoyed reading about her life growing up on the streets of GR- there were a lot of places mentioned that I know very well! inspirational and powerful story.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Angels Fight
My Story of Escaping Sex Trafficking and Leading a Revolt Against the Darkness
by Leslie F. King
Pub Date 28 Feb 2022
Kregel Publications
Biographies & Memoirs | Christian


I am reviewing a copy of When Angels Fight through Kregel Publications and Netgalley:


At the age of fifteen Leslie King, ran away from an abusive home , looking for a better life and longing for real love. What she found instead was a man who wooed her just long enough to trap her in a life of prostitution. She became one of the many thousands of trafficked individuals in the United States, a number that continues to rise in the biggest cities and in the most idyllic towns.



Leslie What she found instead was a man who wooed her just long enough to trap her in a life of prostitution. She became one of the many thousands of trafficked individuals in the United States, a number that continues to rise--in the biggest cities and in the most idyllic towns. After years of hopelessness, Leslie decided to take her own life, until God spoke.


What she found instead was a man who wooed her just long enough to trap her in a life of prostitution. She became one of the many thousands of trafficked individuals in the United States, a number that continues to rise--in the biggest cities and in the most idyllic towns.


When Angels Fight is a gritty, no holds barred deliverance story! It includes powerful advice from Leslie and those she's encountered in her work--police officers, judges, and other advocates and activists. She also shows you what YOU can do to make a real difference in your own community. Her call from God includes marshaling others to the cause and equipping them to fight alongside her and the angels who battle for God's children--just as they once fought for her.


I give When Angels Fight five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work with trafficked individuals, this is a MUST read. If you want to be compassionate to prostituted individuals, this is a MUST read. My heart is bigger from reading Leslie's book and learning more about her journey.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCEPTIONAL!

This is a much needed book! The active nature of the literature is priceless! The value is in the content for ALL types of readers. Those who have experience with street life and those who don't will be able to identify and relate to each chapter!

You are missing out if you don't read this!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking for books about human trafficking, especially from a Christian perspective and stumbled upon this one. This is an excellent resource, not only about victims of human trafficking, but other types of abuse as well. It provides a great insight into what individuals might be going through and thinking (this coming from someone who’s experienced emotional abuse, and I can tie in similarities in my own life). One thing that bothers me, is the author using the phrase “men, women, and transgenders” a couple of times and that kind of rubs me the wrong way. However, it’s not enough to ruin the book for me and I think the resources in this book make it truly worthwhile.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... When Angels Fight is an absolute eye opener to the world of addiction and prostitution. Leslie King truly is an angel to do the work she does and to put her story out there for us to read. She had so many struggles in her young life, but with lots of hard work, and the grace of God, she overcame them, and then turned her experiences into a way to help others who are victimized. This is a fantastic resource, and a must read for anyone in a field where you interact with people who may be victims of prostitution. Definitely not a light read, but so, so worth it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read! Leslie is honest and real about her childhood, when she was trafficked, what it took for her to leave the life and how she now leads an organization for women who have been trafficked. The book is powerful and gives you a picture of what sex trafficking in the United States actually looks like. She writes a letter to the reader after every chapter and I really appreciated this. She encourages us to compassion and to act on what we are reading. Get your copy today!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Leslie F. King's powerful story of sex trafficking and her fight to end it. She not only saved herself, she continued to help others. She got clean from drugs, and reached behind her to help others do the same. She continues in her fight to help others and hopefully, one day end sex trafficking.

[Wendy Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Leslie King at a volunteer event which was the reasons I wanted to read the book. She is such an an inspiration to so many people through her life experiences. At the volunteer event she shared that the evening before she saved a girl out on the streets who was being beaten nearly to death by a man. Thank you Leslie for sharing your story.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just shows the brutal honesty and humanization of the women who are sexually exploited. Leslie’s memoir of how she overcomes sex trafficking by the power of God is an empowering story, especially as she is a Grand Rapids native. This book shows the horrors of the women who are currently being sexually exploited, and the resources in our community to help them. Powerfully written.

[Liz Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hearbreaking and inspiring all at once. It's a short read but will get you to your core. Leslie's ability to turn her trauma and experiences into an avenue for change and to help others to escape this terrible secret world is truly amazing. I was able to hear Leslie speak at a training for work and she is truly incredible.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. I laughed , cried and cheered all the way through this book. Ms. Kings voice comes through every word in this beautiful work. Everyone can learn something from this book, read it now, you won't be sorry!!!!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Leslie is an amazing woman who really understands the world of human trafficking. I highly recommend listening and learning from her story!

[Nick Kondyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie’s such a powerhouse and we’re so fortunate to have her advocation in GR—a huge human trafficking hub. Her story kicks ass and brings hope to people everywhere

[Ann Micheletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and impressed that she started “ Sacred Beginnings” in Grand Rapids for victims of human trafficking. No one is immune to human trafficking.