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Reclamation
As the reader is pulled into a compelling story, they are exposed to the reality of a crime that is growing globally.
After Mallory Shields graduates from college in her idyllic Midwestern hometown, she embarks on an adventure with her best friend Jenna, taking a gap year to explore the other side of the world. Their journey quickly takes an unexpected turn, and the two young women find themselves in danger and exposed to crime, abuse, and the most dehumanizing conditions possible.
Forced into the horrific world of human sex trafficking, and fighting to return to their lives and families back home, the women struggle navigating a corrupt system and injustice beyond their control. Faced with the loss of time, betrayal, and extraordinary guilt, Mallory learns she must conjure strength she never knew possible and make hard compromises to become her true self.
This thrilling tale follows their individual experiences as captives and how those circumstances impact the future and relationships they long to return to.
The determination and strong will of the leading characters gives the reader a sense of how honesty, regret, time, and redemption work together to bring hope to a difficult situation as the characters discover what friendship and reclamation really mean.
I've been in a relatively unique position of dealing with the counselors, social workers and to a lesser degree the actual victims. . .and even through the stories I've heard, I've never felt the panic, the horrors, and the relentlessness that victims feel of being held and trafficked and sexually assaulted like I did while reading this book. This story needs to be told to a wide audience!" - Karen Marks, Agape International Mission.
After Mallory Shields graduates from college in her idyllic Midwestern hometown, she embarks on an adventure with her best friend Jenna, taking a gap year to explore the other side of the world. Their journey quickly takes an unexpected turn, and the two young women find themselves in danger and exposed to crime, abuse, and the most dehumanizing conditions possible.
Forced into the horrific world of human sex trafficking, and fighting to return to their lives and families back home, the women struggle navigating a corrupt system and injustice beyond their control. Faced with the loss of time, betrayal, and extraordinary guilt, Mallory learns she must conjure strength she never knew possible and make hard compromises to become her true self.
This thrilling tale follows their individual experiences as captives and how those circumstances impact the future and relationships they long to return to.
The determination and strong will of the leading characters gives the reader a sense of how honesty, regret, time, and redemption work together to bring hope to a difficult situation as the characters discover what friendship and reclamation really mean.
I've been in a relatively unique position of dealing with the counselors, social workers and to a lesser degree the actual victims. . .and even through the stories I've heard, I've never felt the panic, the horrors, and the relentlessness that victims feel of being held and trafficked and sexually assaulted like I did while reading this book. This story needs to be told to a wide audience!" - Karen Marks, Agape International Mission.
398 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Clonch Tschauner
4 books8 followersLisa Clonch Tschauner is an educator, business consultant, and researcher who has previously written and published non-fiction, business-centric work including “The Small Business Guide to Customer Service Business Relationships.”
She is the owner and founder of Open for Business Magazine, a regional publication. Tschauner is also the founder of the RE-Write online writing community featuring pieces of prose, poetry, essays, and reflections. “Reclamation” is her debut novel.
In addition to writing, she works in the field of entrepreneurship education and leadership studies. Her education includes degree in organizational communication and management, and human sciences with a leadership specialization. Tschauner is interested in how the world is changing through the lens of emerging generations and the global influence.
She has attended different writing workshops and seminars. Although more of an academic and non-fiction writer professionally, her personal writing inters include compelling fiction that creates a platform and addresses relevant topics. Tschauner lives in Nebraska and is the mother of two dynamic, young adults who inspire and evoke curiosity, leading her to tackle difficult topics that appeal to a wide-range of readers.
She is the owner and founder of Open for Business Magazine, a regional publication. Tschauner is also the founder of the RE-Write online writing community featuring pieces of prose, poetry, essays, and reflections. “Reclamation” is her debut novel.
In addition to writing, she works in the field of entrepreneurship education and leadership studies. Her education includes degree in organizational communication and management, and human sciences with a leadership specialization. Tschauner is interested in how the world is changing through the lens of emerging generations and the global influence.
She has attended different writing workshops and seminars. Although more of an academic and non-fiction writer professionally, her personal writing inters include compelling fiction that creates a platform and addresses relevant topics. Tschauner lives in Nebraska and is the mother of two dynamic, young adults who inspire and evoke curiosity, leading her to tackle difficult topics that appeal to a wide-range of readers.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 16, 2021
A compelling and moving book ~ !
Lisa Clonch Tschauner is a true gem at crafting a fictional piece of work that takes the reader from the heartland of the Great Plains and an innocent time of youthful celebration, to the dangerous intersections and grippingly terrible crime of sex trafficking a world away.
Mallory, Jenna, Ryan and Renee really seep into your soul as you peer into the interior landscape of their hearts, minds and relationships. Not only becoming entrenched in these characters disbelief and trauma, but also touched by the honesty, courage and resilience that lies at the heart of this story.
At times, this book is a difficult read, as all books dealing with difficult subject matter are,
but it is important to not turn away from this world
and to keep going as the characters in this story keep going.
Notable also is the author's attention to the well-researched sources at the back of this novel; from Statistics & Facts, to Learning the Signs of a Victim of Trafficking, How to Get Involved, and
What to Do if You're Traveling.
Reclamation takes down the veil between worlds, skillfully placing the reader alongside its characters and illustrates how extraordinary human beings truly are.
Lisa Clonch Tschauner is a true gem at crafting a fictional piece of work that takes the reader from the heartland of the Great Plains and an innocent time of youthful celebration, to the dangerous intersections and grippingly terrible crime of sex trafficking a world away.
Mallory, Jenna, Ryan and Renee really seep into your soul as you peer into the interior landscape of their hearts, minds and relationships. Not only becoming entrenched in these characters disbelief and trauma, but also touched by the honesty, courage and resilience that lies at the heart of this story.
At times, this book is a difficult read, as all books dealing with difficult subject matter are,
but it is important to not turn away from this world
and to keep going as the characters in this story keep going.
Notable also is the author's attention to the well-researched sources at the back of this novel; from Statistics & Facts, to Learning the Signs of a Victim of Trafficking, How to Get Involved, and
What to Do if You're Traveling.
Reclamation takes down the veil between worlds, skillfully placing the reader alongside its characters and illustrates how extraordinary human beings truly are.
May 25, 2021
I really liked this book and couldn't put it down. I wanted to see what happened to the characters. Very well written. I can't wait to see what Lisa writes next.
September 7, 2021
WOW. I hardly even know where to start. This book was fantastic, well written, emotionally wrenching and thought provoking.
As a mother it would also be my worst nightmare to have this happen to any of my kids.
Lisa has definitely done her research and it shows.
The details, while difficult to read, really draw you into the story.
It's not a story for the faint hearted, and also could trigger some, but it's a story more people need to hear. Sex trafficking happens, it's a definite problem, and this book really brings it to light.
I also liked that it dealt with the aftermath too, rather than just leaving the story at the rescues.
Lisa has done a great job leading us through the girls thoughts and emotions during and after their ordeal.
I highly recommend
As a mother it would also be my worst nightmare to have this happen to any of my kids.
Lisa has definitely done her research and it shows.
The details, while difficult to read, really draw you into the story.
It's not a story for the faint hearted, and also could trigger some, but it's a story more people need to hear. Sex trafficking happens, it's a definite problem, and this book really brings it to light.
I also liked that it dealt with the aftermath too, rather than just leaving the story at the rescues.
Lisa has done a great job leading us through the girls thoughts and emotions during and after their ordeal.
I highly recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
I can't even fathom or imagine what it would be like to be in or survive this type of situation, but in my opinion this book did a good job of covering some really hard topics.
It's not a light read, but I think the topic is important and needs to be talked about more.
There were some aspects I didn't like about the story but overall, would recommend.
It's not a light read, but I think the topic is important and needs to be talked about more.
There were some aspects I didn't like about the story but overall, would recommend.
July 14, 2021
Lisa pulls you in right from the beginning and never lets you go. This is a riveting story about the real life crime of sex trafficking. Truly a best seller that is a must read for every parent!
July 5, 2021
Sensational read!
Amazing book. Sex trafficking has become larger than drugs not only in the US but globally. It's time we all stand for these victims.
Amazing book. Sex trafficking has become larger than drugs not only in the US but globally. It's time we all stand for these victims.
September 9, 2021
I highly recommend reading this book!! Lisa draws you in to the story and you won’t want to put it down until it’s finished. It is such a scary, but necessary topic to read about and she did an excellent job portraying such a horrible problem occurring each and every day in our country and all over the world. Buy this book. You won’t regret it!
May 28, 2022
While this was a stomach-turning read at times, it is also a sensitive and emotionally intelligent book on the ripple effects of trauma and violence on individuals, their loved ones, the communities around them, and larger cultures that struggle against systems of violence.
I appreciate the pacing and structure of the writing, and the ease of following perspective shifts from different characters’ chapters. I found it easy to relate to the actions and reactions from various characters when faced with difficult situations; the development of layers of real-life complexity felt authentic and engaging. The way the author navigates the reader through this was a joy.
I’m grateful this book is in the world, giving an access point for me and other people who might not have otherwise had the chance or opened themselves up to learning about human trafficking. I recommend this book as a careful and insightful depiction of a story that is important to hear.
I appreciate the pacing and structure of the writing, and the ease of following perspective shifts from different characters’ chapters. I found it easy to relate to the actions and reactions from various characters when faced with difficult situations; the development of layers of real-life complexity felt authentic and engaging. The way the author navigates the reader through this was a joy.
I’m grateful this book is in the world, giving an access point for me and other people who might not have otherwise had the chance or opened themselves up to learning about human trafficking. I recommend this book as a careful and insightful depiction of a story that is important to hear.
April 13, 2022
This is one of the most powerful books I've read. There are plenty of places in it that I was close to tears. It's the story of 2 American college students kidnapped on a trip to Thailand and sold into the sex trade. The book follows what they are put through and the long slog to recovery once, years later, they are freed and returned to their families. The language is spare. I didn't find myself skipping over paragraphs and whole pages as I've found myself doing with some other authors. I can not recommend this book too highly, especially since it seems to describe things that are really going on.
January 1, 2026
this is such an important, heartbreaking, and human story…which is why it is so incredibly disappointing that the writing was so poor. giving it 3 stars out of respect for the very true realities this fiction is based in, but it was so challenging to stay engaged when the majority of the book felt like middle grade writing - constant repetition, basic sentence structure, lack of trust in the read to understand implication and fill in gaps…it also lacked editing with outright errors, and almost felt like it was translated with strange grammar and word choice/phrasing. very disappointing given the gravity of the topic.
March 13, 2022
This book is so important. It can be hard to read at times because the content matter is so real and horrific. But the in-depth look at how we deal and help others with the trauma of human trafficking is exactly what needs to be put out there. You keep fighting for those you love. Absolutely wonderful and heartbreaking.
December 6, 2021
This book brings light to a challenging subject in a thoughtful, powerful, respectful manner. The author truly brings the fictional characters to life leaving the reader hungry to know more! A true page turner!
December 6, 2021
This book opened my eyes to human sex trafficking. I fell in love with the characters and I had to keep reading ... just one my chapter. Reclamation definitely is now on my list of HIGHLY RECOMMEND books!!!! I hope to see it on Netflix someday!
January 1, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
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February 3, 2023Absolutely terrifying.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews