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Victoria Washington—sophisticated and elegant, owner of Victoria’s House of Fashion, designer of haute couture gowns for the wealthy and elite of Denver, a brilliant and successful business woman in her own right. Tory, as she is known to her friends, is also a supporter of Palmer House—a most extraordinary refuge for young women rescued from prostitution. Deceived, kidnapped, and beaten into submission, the girls of Palmer House had been held captive in Corinth, the little mountain village above Denver, forced into an occupation not of their own choosing, until freed by the combined efforts of U.S. Marshals and Pinkerton detectives. Through no fault of her own, Tory was one of those girls—also rescued from a life of shame and degradation. And Tory’s past hides more than one dark She was born in the deep South to Adeline Washington—a negress, the daughter and granddaughter of slaves, and the “kept” woman of a wealthy, married white man. Tory’s mixed blood, her illegitimate birth, and the shame of her exploitation follow her down the mountain and haunt her, even to the cusp of her success. What will happen when those who hate Tory expose her secrets? Will her business and reputation survive the scandals? Or are the rumors a cover for a more sinister plot? Is Tory’s life also in danger? And, if so, why? Girls from the Mountain Book 1: Tabitha Book 2: Tory Book 3: Sarah Redeemed A Prairie Book 1: A Rose Blooms Twice Book 2: Wild Heart on the Prairie Book 3: Joy on This Mountain Book 4: The Captive Within Book 5: Stolen Book 6: Lost Are Found Book 7: All God’s Promises Book 8: The Heart of A Short Story (eBook Only) Nanostealth Book 1: Stealthy Steps Book 2: Stealth Power Book 3: Stealth Retribution Book 4: Deep State Stealth “Vikki writes the kind of faith-filled fiction that hooks you within the first few pages, will not let you go until you have finished, and leaves you wishing for more.” —Janis Braun, Seattle, Washington “Her books are not just for 'chicks'! I was amazed how engrossed I became in the lives of Vikki's characters, and how much I could relate to their situations.” —Ed Dunne, Los Angeles “Be prepared to put life on hold. That's all I have to say!” —Rebecca H., New Jersey “You will laugh, you will cry but, most of all, you will be uplifted.” —LaTisha Holland, St. Augustine, FL
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2017
141 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Vikki Kestell
54 books211 followersVikki Kestell’s passion for people and their stories is evident in her readers’ affection for her characters and unusual plotlines. Two often repeated sentiments are, "I feel like I know these people," and "I'm right there, in the book, experiencing what her characters experience."
Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.
Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.
Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.
Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 9, 2022
This was a rough one for me.
As much as I love Vikki Kestell's writing, as much as I LOVE the way she weaves Christ and His gospel so beautifully into her books, as much as I want to continue a book to see the wonderful and honoring outcome, I have to say, this was too rough for me.
A while back I read a Kestell book called Tabitha (The first book in this series). I gave it five stars, so I must have really liked it. Now, it was years ago, so I don’t really remember it, and my tastes and tolerances have changed some since then. I just read my review of Tabitha including the synopsis I hid. Apparently Tory ran along the same lines with a difficult life and being basically sold into prostitution, and the pure evil in the house, or "gentlemen's club" as in this book.
At 60% I had to skip ahead to a part where Tory got out of her situation because it was just too hard to read.
Of course, in Ms. Kestell's inimitable no-holds-barred approach, the Gospel and Christlike living is unabashedly shared, which redeemed this book for me.
I still like Ms. Kestell's writing, (her Nanostealth series was a delight) but I cannot continue this series if there’s more of this sad life for women.
As much as I love Vikki Kestell's writing, as much as I LOVE the way she weaves Christ and His gospel so beautifully into her books, as much as I want to continue a book to see the wonderful and honoring outcome, I have to say, this was too rough for me.
A while back I read a Kestell book called Tabitha (The first book in this series). I gave it five stars, so I must have really liked it. Now, it was years ago, so I don’t really remember it, and my tastes and tolerances have changed some since then. I just read my review of Tabitha including the synopsis I hid. Apparently Tory ran along the same lines with a difficult life and being basically sold into prostitution, and the pure evil in the house, or "gentlemen's club" as in this book.
At 60% I had to skip ahead to a part where Tory got out of her situation because it was just too hard to read.
Of course, in Ms. Kestell's inimitable no-holds-barred approach, the Gospel and Christlike living is unabashedly shared, which redeemed this book for me.
I still like Ms. Kestell's writing, (her Nanostealth series was a delight) but I cannot continue this series if there’s more of this sad life for women.
November 2, 2017
Tory
Lord Jesus, I thank you for grace and mercy, I thank you that you look beyond all of our filth and see our needs, and I thank you that we don't have to carry our own burdens. I can hear your sweet voice saying to all the Victoria Washingtons of the world, "come unto me and rest." I can hear you saying, "though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow." My beautiful sweet beloved, I love you and I will never leave nor forsake you.
What is one to do when life tosses you around like rag doll, and you have become so numb that you don't know if you will be able to express any emotions? This story had me on edge because I could feel Tory's pain, sorrow, and fear. I felt it so deeply that I was scared to read, but God reached deep into the darkness of Tory's life and turned everything around. He restored the years.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for grace and mercy, I thank you that you look beyond all of our filth and see our needs, and I thank you that we don't have to carry our own burdens. I can hear your sweet voice saying to all the Victoria Washingtons of the world, "come unto me and rest." I can hear you saying, "though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow." My beautiful sweet beloved, I love you and I will never leave nor forsake you.
What is one to do when life tosses you around like rag doll, and you have become so numb that you don't know if you will be able to express any emotions? This story had me on edge because I could feel Tory's pain, sorrow, and fear. I felt it so deeply that I was scared to read, but God reached deep into the darkness of Tory's life and turned everything around. He restored the years.
November 3, 2017
Tory is such a moving and wonderfully written story by Vikki Kestell. This story touched my heart in many ways. Tory lived a life if ease until she was about 10 years old. After that, her life was filled with much tragedy and difficulty. Stuff I cannot imagine, but it happens, even today. An important person in her young life briefly mentioned Jesus to her. She wondered about Him throughout her life, and He eventually drew her to Him. Tory is an amazing story of God's love, forgiveness, and redemption.
December 1, 2017
Loved this riveting , eye opening book!
This is a great story with many twists and turns. It is never boring. Characters accomplish much, and overcome much evil by faith in God.
This is a great story with many twists and turns. It is never boring. Characters accomplish much, and overcome much evil by faith in God.
February 23, 2019
Absolutely wonderful
This is one of those reads that you hate to see end. I was absorbed in it from the first few pages. A wonderful read in every way.
This is one of those reads that you hate to see end. I was absorbed in it from the first few pages. A wonderful read in every way.
June 11, 2023
Tory…A Wonderful Read!
Tory, is the second book in the Girls form the Mountain series by Vickie Kestill. I stumbled upon the books by this author and have devoured first her Prairie series and now the Girls from the Mountains books. TORY is an incredible tale of a mixed race child born in Louisiana to a negro mother and a wealthy white man. Tory leads a quite sheltered life on an estate ten miles from New Orleans for the first eleven years of her life when. Her life is then turned upside down when her father announces that he will no longer visit nor offer financing support to Tory and her mother. Her mother immediately becomes I’ll and dies within days. Tory is forced to leave the only home she has ever known and strike out on her own. Time after time she reaches safety only to have security ripped away. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Tory, is the second book in the Girls form the Mountain series by Vickie Kestill. I stumbled upon the books by this author and have devoured first her Prairie series and now the Girls from the Mountains books. TORY is an incredible tale of a mixed race child born in Louisiana to a negro mother and a wealthy white man. Tory leads a quite sheltered life on an estate ten miles from New Orleans for the first eleven years of her life when. Her life is then turned upside down when her father announces that he will no longer visit nor offer financing support to Tory and her mother. Her mother immediately becomes I’ll and dies within days. Tory is forced to leave the only home she has ever known and strike out on her own. Time after time she reaches safety only to have security ripped away. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
April 28, 2022
This is an amazingly good novel of resilience and coming to know Jesus through racism, contempt for illegitimate birth and human trafficking. Some people comment on the brutality described during Tory's forced introduction to prostitution. But there wasn't then and there isn't now anything pretty about human trafficking. It was ugly and then its ugly now.
Wonderful novel by an excellent author that I have read this series and others by before and will continue to do so.
Wonderful novel by an excellent author that I have read this series and others by before and will continue to do so.
March 1, 2022
Soul searching
Great development, life story. Painfully accurate in places, but enough positives to overcome and endure the negative. I am old enough to have personally seen some of the prejudice described and to see it being renewed today in different forms. Accurate reliving should help us avoid the same sins of our past...for those willing to grow in Christ.
Great development, life story. Painfully accurate in places, but enough positives to overcome and endure the negative. I am old enough to have personally seen some of the prejudice described and to see it being renewed today in different forms. Accurate reliving should help us avoid the same sins of our past...for those willing to grow in Christ.
July 31, 2025
Coming Full Circle
This story is about how lives can come full circle. Tory is a story of how one woman's life can change many times over time. From a young girl. Then from one life, to another. Each part changes her. They gave her hope, sorrow, acceptance, and joy. In the end it gave her strength.
This story is about how lives can come full circle. Tory is a story of how one woman's life can change many times over time. From a young girl. Then from one life, to another. Each part changes her. They gave her hope, sorrow, acceptance, and joy. In the end it gave her strength.
April 29, 2021
Tory
Another wonderful read by ‘‘this author. Not only are her characters and story mesmerizing, but I so appreciate her fait filled fiction. The scriptures and tales are very encouraging.
Another wonderful read by ‘‘this author. Not only are her characters and story mesmerizing, but I so appreciate her fait filled fiction. The scriptures and tales are very encouraging.
December 4, 2017
What a great story! Part of the series, but can be read alone.
April 19, 2019
Really liked this one
September 2, 2020
Fantastic
Simply wonderful and moving, inspirational. The story of faith, trust, acceptance and love is truly a great journey in this book.
Simply wonderful and moving, inspirational. The story of faith, trust, acceptance and love is truly a great journey in this book.
December 26, 2020
Break into song: I am redeemed
Throughout these stories the redemption of Christ is evident in all the story lines. I appreciate when a “good person” realizes they need Christ.
Throughout these stories the redemption of Christ is evident in all the story lines. I appreciate when a “good person” realizes they need Christ.
August 23, 2022
Difficult story about prostitution slavery. Rated G
January 8, 2025
Good storyline and characters. I would have rated this 5 stars if not for the stilted dialog.
November 25, 2017
Not disappointed!
Vikki Kestell is one of my favorite authors. These stories of Rose, Joy and the girls from the mountain are beautifully written. I could read them again and again.
Vikki Kestell is one of my favorite authors. These stories of Rose, Joy and the girls from the mountain are beautifully written. I could read them again and again.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews