Priceless

The hot walkway burned into the bottoms of James’ sneakers and he felt like he was melting into the concrete. With every word he said to C. J. he was getting deeper into a dark world he was going to be hard put to find his way out of.

But it was too late to back out now. And with Antonia and Maria trapped in it – too wrong to.

Book: Priceless by Nancy Rue, Joel and Luke Smallbone, Worthy Publishing, 2016

Genre: Modern Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Adult Men and Women

Subjects: Human Trafficking, Loss, Hope, Love

Summary: Gone. It’s all gone. Everything worth living for, everything with any meaning is gone from James’ life. First his wife dies in a horrid car accident. Then he loses his job. Then in an attempt to care for his daughter, he dares to do drug dealing – and gets caught and thrown in jail for a year. Then he loses custody of his daughter. Now, he foolishly accepts an offer from the same source that got him into trouble the last time, but this one is simpler – just haul cargo from one place to another. He doesn’t have to mess around with drugs or anything, just drive a truck and agree to not unlock the back of it to see what the cargo is. James has every intention of obeying until a minor accident causes him to stand near the truck as the cargo inside cries out in fear. Even when he discovers two young women in the back, he chooses to turn a blind eye, assuming it’s nothing more than illegal aliens sneaking into the country. What is it to him if they want to go work at some hotel? Never mind the angry glares he receives from others familiar with this practice, never mind the many women pouring out of the hotel room in various states of undress, never mind that the women were handed roses rather than information about jobs. James ignores it all, until he can’t, until the thoughts rummaging around in his mind finally demand to be let out and the pieces fall together, making him realize, he has just delivered them into the industry of human trafficking to be sex slaves. Then comes the decision point: will he risk everything for the sake of these girls? How much are they really worth?

Notes: Human Trafficking and prostitution are very tragic and increasingly common realities in our world. These three authors all have a passion for seeing healing and restoration come to those trapped in this world. Nancy Rue has previously written a series on the issue of prostitution (Reluctant Prophet Trilogy). Joel and Luke Smallbone, Christian recording artists (For King And Country) have produced a movie of this same story and title as well as leading the “Priceless Movement” to remind women of their worth and encourage men to respect the worth of women. This book sets up a scenario where a man unknowingly assists the human trafficking movement and starts to become attracted to one of the women he is trafficking. When he realizes what he is taking her into, he and one other make the choice to do whatever it takes, risking their very lives, to save this woman as well as the others in this particular group. James, the main character, does not have a faith in God to turn to, but Antonia, the woman he is attracted to has a very strong faith and encourages and challenges James. Then the man who assists him in attempting to rescue the women encourages and challenges him as well. James has determined that the tragedies he has experienced prove God is not there or involved in his life. After all, James can’t see Him. But when it is pointed out that James’ daughter is not alone because she has a loving father even though she can not see him, James realizes that he is not alone because his heavenly Father is there for him and loves him. Then at the climax of the book when James has to decide what to do, he finally turns to God and receives the wisdom and direction he is searching for.

This book does do an excellent job dealing with the theme – human trafficking and the great worth and value of human life. However, I also highly recommend it simply as a great story with great spiritual encouragement.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J;-)mi

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Information on the Priceless Video: http://pricelessthemovie.com/
Nancy Rue's Website: http://www.nancyrue.com/books/
For King And Country's website: http://forkingandcountry.com/