Surrounded by Strangers

by Josi S. Kilpack

Gloria Stanton and her children have disappeared! To protect her children, Gloria left everything behind-her home, her family and her friends. She started a whole new life with a new name, a new background-and a new understanding of the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through it all she had absolute faith that her greatest responsibility was her children. Now Gloria keeps a low profile by working as a night waitress. Among all the realities of her new life are two rules she must not break-she can't afford to contact anyone from her former life, and she can't involve herself in anything that will reveal her true identity. But time is running out. Can she keep her children safe and keep her faith alive? Can she resist falling in love with a man who has risked so much to help her? Or will she fail, despite sacrificing nearly everything?

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Romance, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Religion

Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Reviews

[Josi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second published novel and I think it reflects a lot of growth in my overall writing. I felt this was a second chance to establish myself as an actual novelist and I feel like it helped me accomplish that goal. It's about a woman who kidnaps her children in order to protect them from an abusive situation. I expected people to say it was unrealistic and what she did was horrible, but I've never had anyone relay anything negative about this book. The overall theme is basically if you had to leave everything behind, your possessions, your relationships, your religion--what would you have left? If it was the only thing you could do to protect your kids, would you do it anyway? Perhaps I underestimated too many mothers, because everyone seems to agree that they would absolutely do whatever it took to protect their kids. Good for us!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The topic of child abuse is a sensitive one. Josie does a great job in this story of making it clear that abuse has occured and the type of person capable of doing such a thing.
She did an even better job of not making the reader live through the horrifying moments of abuse that make 1 out of 2 women squirm in there seats. It was artfully handled--so that reading the story was a pleasure from beginning to end with realistic characters that show faith amid realistic problems.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally thought this book would be super cheesey. But due to the very real subject and the devasta ting subject matter of protecting children from abuse, it actually was a book worth recommending to others. Heart breaking at times. Clean enough to be a true YA book.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good read, I like Josi Kilpack's books. Unfortunately this book was probably the most poorly edited books I've read. I have a difficult time with errors and typos. When I'm struggling with errors in editing it's hard to fully enjoy the book.

[Abdmoody · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. could have been 4 but toward the end I felt like the author kept throwing in unlikely plot twists just to extend the story.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner. I finished it in a few hours and couldn’t put it down. I even had to read the ending when I was still in the middle of the book to see how it would end.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pornography addiction and sexual abuse are addressed in this book in case those are triggers for someone.
This was a hard rating for me to decide on because the subject was so heavy for me that it was difficult for me to objectively look at the writing. I knew a woman in a similar situation who had to flee suddenly with her children to get them away from a physically and probably sexually abusive father. They continued to come to my mind so this was a difficult book to get through and I honestly had to skim some parts but I do think it’s an important subject to address and this author has done well at doing so tastefully.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited awhile to get this book from the library and it was worth the wait. Great book about protecting children from abuse when the court system doesn't work for the good and mothers have to trust in themselves to do what is right no matter the costs. Gloria Stanton has been on the run for 2.5 years with her two children Nicolas and Katie because the courts didn't find conclusive evidence to substantiate that her daughter had been sexually abused by her husband. When after all was decided she was ordered to give her children unsupervised time with her husband, she just couldn't do it and went into hiding. She was used to a pampered life and made adjust with her lifestyle and spending to allow her to support her little family under false names. She was a night shift waitress who kept to herself and didn't reach out to anyone, but a choice to attend the LDS chapel she found was too much to resist. She only stayed for sacrament meeting, but it was enough to be touch by the spirit and the words of the speaker, Bryan. Bryan was a convert to the church 4 years earlier, but now was the ward mission leader and noticed "pamela" in the back and was touched by her emotional display. He remembers her from Church when he sees her again at the cafe, but denies that he feels an attraction because he has a girlfriend. He invites her to a Church activity and she slowly learns to trust him with part truths. When the FBI closes in on the underground network helping to support runaways and a PI hired by her husband makes contact and tells her to leave town quick, she does, but when her car breaks down she has to trust Bryan again to leave town. He helps her, but when he discovers she is running from the law he struggles with what the right thing to do it. After deciding to help her, he finds that she is doing what is right for her children and ends up falling in love with her. After obtaining more evidence to help in court, Gloria decides it's time to return home. She takes her daughter to the hospital and registers her under her own name,which she knows will put out red flags. The police come and take her away. After returning to Utah and court, the children are put in her mother's custody, but when her husband gets this overturned she doesn't want to chance the repercussions and is set to run, Bryan goes too not willing to be left out of the decision this time. Coincidence happens when another woman with past abuse from David, Gloria's ex-husband, is at the same hotel as Gloria and tells her story and her desire to come forward to testify. They also find evidence on David's girlfriends' computer and it isn't looking so good for David. Gloria decides to go back and turn herself in. David gets wind and goes after his girlfriend and then after the kids. Everything works out in the end as Bryan comes to the rescue after Katie makes a smart decision to fake her consciousness. With a little community service and 7 months Gloria is ready to trust someone with the truth, her heart and her children and that person is Bryan.

[Jon Niu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books can be “translated” into movies. Surrounded by Strangers was written as if it already has been. Though it is written in a third person perspective, the author does a good job of making it feel like first person. The author, Josi S. Killpack, makes great use of imagery as she describes the events, in great detail, of the broken life of an abused housewife.

It is apparent that the author has been influenced by the writings of John Grisham. The reader will find familiar sensations if they have read any of his novels. There is an underlying component of mystery that continues to spark the readers interest throughout the book.
What is also apparent is the author’s attention to fact in this fictional novel. She has, no doubt, done her homework on these secret organizations that exist to aid a woman fleeing from an abusive relationship.

There are many stories being told at the same time in this novel. There is the story of a man who had it all and lost it to his anger, pride, and sexual exploitations. There is a story of a woman who travels to hell and back to protect her children. Another story is told of an unwavering faith that endures hunger and fatigue. There is also a story of a friendship that gradually progresses into a love unending.

What interested me the most was the draw from LDS culture and beliefs. The struggle that Gloria has to keep her faith while not being able to practice her beliefs is a great story of triumph. On the front cover it says, “Choices are rarely black and white,” this is exemplified through all of Gloria’s choices throughout the book.

Killpack has done a wonderful job of creating a story that is able to connect to nearly every emotion in the human experience. This enthralling tale is a great book for any reader.

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book! This is Josi Kilpack's second book, and, again, she has created a page-turner novel with characters that you feel you know and care about. In fact, one woman who reviewed the book said that she almost included the characters in her prayers because they were so real. I didn't pray for them, but I know how she felt.

What would you do to protect your children? Gloria Stanton had to kidnap hers in order to protect them from abuse because the system couldn't protect them, leaving behind a supposed storybook life and everything and everyone she loves in order to do so.

Again, minor editing problems bugged me, but, overall, I loved this book and the faith-strengthening messages it contains.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pamela Bennion isn't who she pretends to be. Working as a waitress in a low-end truck stop, she's desperate to hide her children from their abusive father--and to keep the law from finding her before she can build her case against her ex-husband. Although she has a few safe contacts, she has maintained her distance from all others, trusting no one. But when Bryan Drewry sweeps into her life just as her children's safety is at risk, she finds it necessary to rely on him more than she would like.

A mixture of romance and mystery, this book has a good plot, with a mother who will do anything to protect her children and an evil, powerful villain. The romance develops a bit quickly for my tastes, but overall, it was an intriguing concept.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Josi Kilpack's style of writing. The characters are clearly defined and believable. This was a disturbing topic of abuse by a father. The mother runs away from her privileged life to save her children from further abuse at the risk of her own life being affected by the lawlessness of her actions. I feel I may have chosen this route in this situation but it showed how much sacrifice and courage it takes to make this kind of choice. This also showed the fine line between choices and standing alone/trusting those around you in a desperate scenario. Hard to read about abuse but she threw in a nice romance to balance the difficult subject.

[Camille Stanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book about a mother trying to protect her kids from her ex-husband.The tension comes from her fear of being discovered and having to give up her children. I was satisfied by the ending, and felt like there was a lot to be learned from the book.

I will note that this is not the type of genre I regularly read, and is more of what my mother reads, but I still liked it. I do wonder however, if I was desperate for something to read, otherwise I wouldn't have picked this book up. I wasn't even intending to read it when I started flipping through the pages.

[Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, LOVED it! Kilpack has a way of artfully weaving a really serious plot (child abuse) into a believable story. Again, her characters are really believable. I liked how her characters had to hide the fact that they were LDS--and I could really feel the emotion behind that decision. As is true for all of her books, once started, I couldn't put it down. The house would have burned down around me.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read books by LDS authors very often, I struggle with the predictability of them. But my sister has being trying to get me to read this for a while now and then my Mom picked it for book club so I sat down and started it. I read it in one day. It was good, it was slightly predictable but it got me thinking. It got me thinking about how much faith I would have in the middle of a trial and what I would do for the safety of my children. It was intriguing and she is a good writer.

[April Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read two of Josi Kilpack's books now, and I'm glad to find an intriguing LDS author. I love her writing style, and that she chooses important issues and weaves meaningful stories around them. The only downside was careless editing - some of the typos were no-brainers. This novel handles the issue of parental child abuse in a sensitive and suspenseful way. The characters were human and easy for me to relate to. I'm sure I'll be reading more of her books in the future.

[Ellen Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story of a woman giving up everything important in her life for the two most important things in her life- her children. After the court decides to grant her ex-husband visitation rights with her children, she kidnaps them in order to protect them.

I really liked the main character in this story. She was tough and willing to do whatever was needed to protect her children. I liked the romance and all the drama. It was a great book!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this was a pretty typical LDS fiction book. The storyline wasn't particularly believable for me, but it was interesting. It is about a mother who kidnaps her children in order to keep them away from their father because the court ruled in his favor. An interesting dilemma to think about (heaven forbid I'm ever in a similar situation) and it cemented for me how often decisions aren't just right vs. wrong. (I did like this book better than the Lemon Tart mystery she wrote).

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this book at the library and since I enjoy the author's "culinary mysteries" I decided to read it. While it is of a darker nature than her other books (for some reason, books containing recipes and with a side focus on food seem more light-hearted to me) it had the same level of good writing. I was really glad I found it. It caused me to consider what I might do to protect those I love.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Gloria discovered that her husband was raping her 6-year-old daughter, she kicked him out and called the police. She was sure justice would be done, but she discovered her slick lawyer husband was much more devious than she ever expected, and the courts awarded him part-custody of the children. The only option she could see that would keep her children safe was to disappear with them and start a whole new life. But with her husband and the FBI looking for her, how long can she hide?

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Gloria Stanton has taken her children and disappeared, in order to protect them. She goes into hiding, but is constantly on guard. Can a new friend help her return to her former life? Can she protect her children from harm?

"A very intense book about abuse, with a message that we can have hope through the gospel. Good, but the one fault I would find is that the characters [themselves] weren't my favorite." (My review from 1/16/2005.)

[Ann Crowther]

I absolutely love Josi Kilpack's books. They're one of only a few series that captures me to the point that I avoid anything I can't do while reading. ie: sleeping, working, school work, TV, anything except snacking. She approaches somewhat controversial issues for LDS people in a way that is also palatable for people not of that faith. And she's my cousin. Love her.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous. I loved the main character and the struggle she had going against everything she had known and believed in, to protect her children. It was thought provoking and had many elements of faith throughout. It made me wonder what I would do in the same situation, and I thought about who I could rely on. Loved it.

[Melyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. The more I read about the 'father' the more I disliked him and I already disliked him from the beginning. The romance could have been done a bit better....maybe a bit more intensity to it? It just felt very junior high to me. Liked it enough to read more books by Kilpack.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and written well - it just isn't one I would read again since I didn't enjoy reading the subject matter (child-abuse). Basically a single mom has gone into hiding to protect her children, specifically her daughter, from their father. She eventually finds proof to confront her husband in the courts with and comes out of hiding to do so. This is an LDS book.

[Angela Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read this book. I liked how real this mother was. She did her best to make the best of difficult choices. When the life she thought she built wasn't wonderful,she does everything, and I mean everything she can think of to correct it, and protect her children. Good way to look at my choices and what they would be doing to my children in the long run.

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was entriguing - what would I do if I were in the main character's position?? There were just a couple things in the story line that made me think, "Huh??" - like when Bryan is all mad at Gloria because she never told him she had a hysterectomy - I didn't see that their relationship was to a point that that would've been discussed yet & he just looked like a jerk.

[Heather]

Great story about a woman who kidnaps her children when the courts allow them unsupervised visits with her ex-husband, who had been molesting her daughter. The character is very well-rounded and struggles with the decision to face the consequences of her choices. And the romance is really sweet.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind of predictable, modern issue, LDS book. Although, I must say that I enjoy the way this author writes a lot more than another popular LDS author. Her stories are more believable and don't depress me.

[Pam Engman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child abuse is such a hard thing for me to read about or comprehend. I really liked this book and like Josi's writing. It's hard to imagine being on the run and the book kept my interest from start to finish