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Dare to Survive: Based on the true story of a woman conned and imprisoned in South America for drug trafficking
Two friends. One Amazing vacation. A deadly betrayal.
San Francisco businesswoman Cathryn Prentis’ dream of visiting Peru’s Machu Picchu turns into a living nightmare on October 21, 2003 when she is arrested in the Lima airport and charged with transporting cocaine.
Advised by DEA agents, Peruvian lawyers, family and friends to plead guilty and do anything she can—legally or illegally—to escape Peru, Cathryn must should she plead guilty or should she maintain her innocence and risk a deadly prison sentence?
And can she overcome a foreign culture she can’t trust, a language she doesn’t speak, corrupt political systems, and politicians with their own agendas?
Based on a true story!
What readers are saying about Dare to Survive ~
“Inspiring, harrowing, and enticing.”
“I couldn’t put it down!”
“Fast-paced, taut, hooks the reader to press on…”
“A clear picture of what a person goes through in foreign prisons.”
“Her eventual triumph is worthy of applause.”
“Amazing story of survival.”
“What a compelling story!”
“A chilling tale extremely well-written.”
“Simply riveting reading from start to finish.” – Midwest Book Review
DOWNLOAD IT NOW & LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!
San Francisco businesswoman Cathryn Prentis’ dream of visiting Peru’s Machu Picchu turns into a living nightmare on October 21, 2003 when she is arrested in the Lima airport and charged with transporting cocaine.
Advised by DEA agents, Peruvian lawyers, family and friends to plead guilty and do anything she can—legally or illegally—to escape Peru, Cathryn must should she plead guilty or should she maintain her innocence and risk a deadly prison sentence?
And can she overcome a foreign culture she can’t trust, a language she doesn’t speak, corrupt political systems, and politicians with their own agendas?
Based on a true story!
What readers are saying about Dare to Survive ~
“Inspiring, harrowing, and enticing.”
“I couldn’t put it down!”
“Fast-paced, taut, hooks the reader to press on…”
“A clear picture of what a person goes through in foreign prisons.”
“Her eventual triumph is worthy of applause.”
“Amazing story of survival.”
“What a compelling story!”
“A chilling tale extremely well-written.”
“Simply riveting reading from start to finish.” – Midwest Book Review
DOWNLOAD IT NOW & LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2017
About the author
Carolyn V. Hamilton
28 books22 followersCarolyn V. Hamilton is a multi-genre author, free-lance journalist, workshop leader and Success Coach for Memoir Writers. Professionally trained as an illustrator and graphic designer, she spent over 3 decades working as a marketing executive and copywriter in the real world of “Mad Men.”
In 2009 she founded www.adventuress-travel-magazine.com, the digital magazine “for women over 50 doing fun things”, focusing on essay stories from women about their personal travel adventures.
Carolyn V. Hamilton is a graduate of Antioch University Seattle and her other adventures have included two years’ service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and a stint (in her “younger days”) as a Playboy Bunny.
When she is not traveling, she resides in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Visit her writers' website at www.carolynvhamilton.com and her publisher's website at www.swifthousepress.com!
In 2009 she founded www.adventuress-travel-magazine.com, the digital magazine “for women over 50 doing fun things”, focusing on essay stories from women about their personal travel adventures.
Carolyn V. Hamilton is a graduate of Antioch University Seattle and her other adventures have included two years’ service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and a stint (in her “younger days”) as a Playboy Bunny.
When she is not traveling, she resides in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Visit her writers' website at www.carolynvhamilton.com and her publisher's website at www.swifthousepress.com!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 15, 2025
the western world is blind to these cases
Such a harrowing story about Cathryn’s awful experiences in Peru. I found myself getting so frustrated for her by the amount of time it took for anything at all to happen. This is the third book I have read about Europeans or Americans who end up in jail in another country and 2 of the stories, the authors were totally innocent. This is such an eye opener to what can happen to anyone. Cathryn I hope you are having an amazing time being free, I hope you got to speak to congress about the difficulties you had, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. You deserve everything good x
Such a harrowing story about Cathryn’s awful experiences in Peru. I found myself getting so frustrated for her by the amount of time it took for anything at all to happen. This is the third book I have read about Europeans or Americans who end up in jail in another country and 2 of the stories, the authors were totally innocent. This is such an eye opener to what can happen to anyone. Cathryn I hope you are having an amazing time being free, I hope you got to speak to congress about the difficulties you had, I hope you are healthy, happy and safe. You deserve everything good x
February 11, 2018
Dare to Survive!
A high level psychological story based on non fiction
a story which is actualy not a pleasure to read but a very sad story but
just a very important theme nowadays as this can possibly happen to every one traveling to foreign countries, and happens far to much at todays date, in that way a must to read for every one as well!
highly emotional,! and throat gripping story and for me it was a page turner
being glad i have red it and know more about this matter by now!
thanks to the author!for letting me read this book for free!
A high level psychological story based on non fiction
a story which is actualy not a pleasure to read but a very sad story but
just a very important theme nowadays as this can possibly happen to every one traveling to foreign countries, and happens far to much at todays date, in that way a must to read for every one as well!
highly emotional,! and throat gripping story and for me it was a page turner
being glad i have red it and know more about this matter by now!
thanks to the author!for letting me read this book for free!
May 15, 2022
Dare To Survive Book Review:
What a riveting book! I literally couldn't put it down.... The personal hell that this woman went thru.... It's amazing & the strength she maintained to get her thru her " own personal nightmare"!!!! What a corrupt powerful system in Peru.... Money changing hands like water running thru them...How can anyone be trusted over there.... You don't know till you are caught up in a horrible situation.... An incredible book based on a true story.... God Bless 🙏 her now and I hope she has blessings in abundance.... 💜
What a riveting book! I literally couldn't put it down.... The personal hell that this woman went thru.... It's amazing & the strength she maintained to get her thru her " own personal nightmare"!!!! What a corrupt powerful system in Peru.... Money changing hands like water running thru them...How can anyone be trusted over there.... You don't know till you are caught up in a horrible situation.... An incredible book based on a true story.... God Bless 🙏 her now and I hope she has blessings in abundance.... 💜
October 16, 2022
Good, but taut and depressing
The writing is superb in telling a true tale of the horrors an innocent American suffered as a result of betrayal, and as such, it is also an extremely depressing story. Usually I would have simply quit and gone on to another book, but I was so caught up in the misery, I finished the story. I'm still not sure if I am glad I finished the book or if I am relieved to be done with it. Good writing, no, excellent writing, just a terribly depressing story.
The writing is superb in telling a true tale of the horrors an innocent American suffered as a result of betrayal, and as such, it is also an extremely depressing story. Usually I would have simply quit and gone on to another book, but I was so caught up in the misery, I finished the story. I'm still not sure if I am glad I finished the book or if I am relieved to be done with it. Good writing, no, excellent writing, just a terribly depressing story.
May 31, 2022
Excellent
Thoroughly enjoyed this open and honest story of a woman and her experience in a jail in Peru. Her story will frustrate you and at times make you ashamed of our government. She fought and fought and a braver woman would be hard to find. Excellent read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this open and honest story of a woman and her experience in a jail in Peru. Her story will frustrate you and at times make you ashamed of our government. She fought and fought and a braver woman would be hard to find. Excellent read.
July 27, 2023
tedious
I skipped through so much of this book. I’m glad she made it out but the writing is terrible. I only finished to see hat happened.
I skipped through so much of this book. I’m glad she made it out but the writing is terrible. I only finished to see hat happened.
January 7, 2025
Great read
An honest, captivating read of a women's fight for survival. A story of betrayal at the hands of a 'friend'. I really enjoyed reading this book.
An honest, captivating read of a women's fight for survival. A story of betrayal at the hands of a 'friend'. I really enjoyed reading this book.
November 8, 2025
Amazing
I really enjoyed this story and read it very quick. I found it hard to put down. Scary stuff at airports. Is anyone safe.
I really enjoyed this story and read it very quick. I found it hard to put down. Scary stuff at airports. Is anyone safe.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews