My captivity has nothing on Ashley Smith's experiences from 2005. She was held captive in her own apartment by a man who had escaped prison and had been on a killing spree in the process.
Her book, also written in 2005 has been made into a movie by the same title, "Captive" and was released on 9/18/15.
Before I received the book to review I had heard this story but not in full detail. Ashley had actually spoken at one of my church's women's retreats, but I had not attended. I was intrigued by her story, but never got a chance to read or hear more. I was excited to finally read her book. I read it while at the beach with my family and I could not put it down. It was an easy read, and I wanted to continue to read to find out what would happen next. I knew that Ashley survived her captivity but I didn't know how or why.
I honestly felt like I was in her apartment with her, pleading with Brian Nichols to let her go, let her go see her daughter. Let her turn her life around. I was trying to find ways to help her escape, help her break away but in all honesty, Ashley needed Brian as much as Brian needed her.
Reading her book makes you question your own lifestyle. Are you purposeful in what you are doing?
Overview
CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives. When Brian Nichols - on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son - takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s best-selling inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life. While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be killer each face crossroads where despair and death intersect hope.
The movie stars David Oyelowo, who played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the recent film, Selma.
Click HERE for a special greeting from David Oyelowo.
I have already read the book that helped her get through her captivity, A Purpose Driven Life but I want to go back and re-read it and see if I am able to pull more out of it. My lifestyle (aka kids) has changed a lot since I first read this book.
You can follow along with all the below links:
AUDIO BOOK BYTE (Audio excerpt from the audio book format of CAPTIVE (chapter 1), read by the author, Ashley Smith.)
If you have not read Ashley's book yet, please do, it really is a must read. Once you have read the book, then head out to the theater and see the movie version. I cannot wait to see this movie myself!
I leave you with some questions to ponder....
We’ve all faced circumstances that have held us captive in some regard. What has held you captive? How did you find your purpose?
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this book for my review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
