Free Cyntoia

My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System

By: Cyntoia Brown-Long

Narrated by: Cyntoia Brown-Long

NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Biography/Autobiography

In her own words, Cyntoia Brown-Long shares the riveting and redemptive story of how she changed her life for the better while in prison, finding hope through faith after a traumatic adolescence of drug addiction, rape, and sex trafficking led to a murder conviction.

“Those...years in prison hadn’t just turned me into woman. They transformed me. The girl who desperately wanted to belong, who felt powerless, who clawed, and scratched her way out of every corner she was backed into, was gone.”

At the age of sixteen, Cyntoia Brown, a survivor of human trafficking, was arrested for killing a man who had picked her up for sex. Two years later, she was sentenced to life in prison.

Brown reflects on the isolation, low self-esteem, and sense of alienation that drove her straight into the hands of a predator. Once in prison, she attempts to build a positive path and honor the values her beloved adoptive mother, Ellenette, taught her, but Cyntoia succumbs to harmful influences that drive her to a cycle of progress and setbacks. Then, a fateful meeting with a prison educator turned mentor offers Cyntoia the opportunity to make the pivotal decision to strive for a better future, even if she’s never freed.

In these pages, Cyntoia shares the details of her transformation, including a profound encounter with God, an unlikely romance, an unprecedented outpouring of support from social media advocates and A-list celebrities, and her release from prison. A coming-of-age memoir set against the shocking backdrop of a life behind bars, Free Cyntoia takes you on a spiritual journey as Cyntoia struggles to overcome a lifetime of feeling ostracized and abandoned by society.

Excellent!!!

Cyntoia Brown-Long gives her account of her life and how she was trafficked for sex but had no idea what she had been put through truly until after she was already sentenced to life in prison after killing a man who sought out to abuse her when she was 16 years old. She had been called a "teen prostitute" instead of a trafficking victim. She tells about her time in prison, how she worked hard to get a degree, found Jesus, found love, and was given freedom! What a captivating story and amazing journey! I am glad that her book came out so quickly too after her freedom, so I could learn more about her life. It is crazy to think how many petitions were signed for this to happen, and she totally deserved it!

Amazing!

In my professional life I work with justice-involved individuals so Mrs. Brown-Long story is all too familiar to me. This was such a good read and story of my two favorite things that God grants us Grace and Mercy.

Although it was a serious story it still had moments of humor which I enjoyed. Again, really good story.

What a Beautiful Testimony!

This book is outstanding! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Such a courageous and honest portrayal of the events that have shaped this young woman’s life... from tragedy to triumph, and the realization that God is always with us, no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem. And the unexpected love story was icing on the top of the cake! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious about Cyntoia Brown’s story, but also any woman who had made a mistake that she thought would define her. 5 stars all the way around!

An Example of God's Power, His Grace & Mercy

This book has certainly blessed my soul. Although pur stories are different, they are also quit similar. Thanks be to our Father and Savior Jesus Christ for using Cyntoia as an an example to show that He's still in the business of miracles, rehabilitation, compassion, mercy and love. In this book, you'll discover how evil can plague you long before you're birthed into this world. However, through the works of God you'll also understand that nothing comes to pass without the permission of God. All of which happened to Cyntoia needed to happen, not just for her sake, but for each one of us whom have followed her story and read this book. I believe this book has given me the inspiration that I need to do what I need to do in order to bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior.

What an incredible testimony

I throughly enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to hear about miracles, forgiveness and redemption in modern time. I had a hard time containing my emotions, from anger and sadness to joy relief. Thank you for sharing your story and continued advocacy.