The bestselling, devastating account of three sisters, torn apart and forced to suffer abuse and exploitation at the hands of a community that robbed them of their childhood. They reveal three lives, separate but entwined, that have experienced unspeakable horror, unrelenting loyalty and unforgettable courage. From as early as 3 years old, Julianna, Celeste and Kristina were treated by their 'guardians' as sexual beings. They were made to watch and mimic orgies, received love letters and sexual advances from men old enough to be their grandfather, and were forced into abusive relationships that barely went unhidden. They were denied access to formal schooling, forced to wander the streets begging for money, and were mercilessly beaten for 'crimes' as unpredictable as reading an encyclopaedia. Finally, unable to live with the guilt of what had happened to her children, their mother escaped with Kristina, cutting herself off from her remaining children in a bid to save at least one child. Desperate to free her remaining sisters, Kristina eventually returned to the place of her torture to free Celeste and, after many years, Julianna, who was only able to break free with the knowledge that the child she was carrying would be subjected to the same fate if she could not find the courage to escape. Now the three sisters have finally come together to reveal in full and horrific detail their existence within a group that has destroyed the lives of so many. Their stories intertwine throughout the years, revealing a community spread throughout the world whose legacy of anorexia, depression, drug abuse, suicide and even murder are impossible to erase. Lives that follow parallel paths are ripped apart and painstakingly mended with a shared strength that finally enabled the sisters to free themselves from the shadows of their past.

About the Author

Kristina, Celeste and Julianna were all born into the cult The Children of God to the same father, David Jones, who remains a member of the organisation. Kristina and Celeste share the same mother. The three girls were separated from each other and their mothers at an early age and lived in various missions throughout the world under the 'care' of various foster parents. Both Kristina and Celeste were eventually able to escape the cult and study psychology at university. Julianna remained in the cult until well into her twenties, when falling pregnant provided the catalyst to make her escape. Julianna now works in Uganda, where she remains in contact with her remaining siblings in the cult.

Prizes

/ Key title The devastating account of three sisters, torn apart and forced to suffer abuse and exploitation at the hands of a community that robbed them of their childhood. They reveal three lives, separate but entwined, that have experienced unspeakable horror, unrelenting loyalty and unforgettable courage. / This book is a shocking and moving real-life story that moves the inspirational memoir into fascinating new territory, exposing the world of religious cults. / Written from the unique viewpoint of three sisters - a new approach in inspirational memoirs. / The hardback sold over 10k copies in the first month of publication and reached number 5 on the Sunday Times bestsellers list. / The hardback received extensive publicity and further interviews, reviews and features will appear in women's magazines and other national and regional press on publication of the paperback. / Juliana is taking part in a BBC TV documentary currently in development. / We will work with the author's website to promote the paperback. / Competition: Little Prisoner by Jane Elliot (978-0-00-720893-7 pb); Don't Tell Mummy by Toni Maguire (978-0-00-722374-9 hb); One Child by Torey Hayden (978-0-00-719905-1 pb)

Reviews

'A chilling account of life in the grip of a sinister madness.' Daily Mail.