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Captive: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero by Ashley Smith with Stacy Mattingly Book Review







In Captive, Ashley Smith opens up about how she survived being held hostage. Ashley had just moved into her new apartment in Atlanta. She was busy unpacking boxes and didn’t stop until 2 a.m. She was trying to finish unpacking before she left the next day to go see her daughter, Paige. She realized that she needed more cigarettes so she decided to go to the local gas station. As she was leaving, she noticed a dark blue truck parking and thought nothing more of it. She made it to the store and when she returned she realized that the truck was now parked behind where she was originally parked. She exited her car and tried quickly to make it back to her apartment. The guy grabbed her and she dropped her purse. He forced her back to her apartment and she begged for him to not harm her life for the sake of her daughter. Luckily, Paige was staying with her aunt who had custody of her.

A couple hours earlier, Brian Nichols shot and killed a judge, a court reporter, a deputy, and a federal agent before escaping in a vehicle. This same person was now holding Ashley Smith hostage. He eventually tied her up and she was afraid that he would kill her. She tried sharing parts of her story where she could try and related to him. In the book, she reveals what they discussed and readers will get to see some of Nichols past. She also shared her past, how she lost her husband, how she became addicted to drugs, and how God changed her life.

I would recommend this remarkable book to anyone who enjoys reading a dramatic story about survival and how God used her. I remember the day Brian Nichols shot a number of people and escaped and was on the loose. It hit close to home because I live north of Atlanta and I recall the late breaking news on all local networks and some national stations. I love reading about Ashley Smith’s survival story. Her personal story was very inspirational and seeing how she finally beat her addictions to drugs will encourage readers that with God’s help all things are possible! I also liked how The Purpose Driven Life played a part in her survival and how it helped influence Brian into surrendering. I can’t wait to see the movie that is coming out to theaters soon!

Overview
CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives.  When Brian Nichols - on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son - takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s best-selling inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life.  While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be killer each face crossroads where despair and death intersect hope.  

The movie stars David Oyelowo, who played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the recent film, Selma.
Click HERE for a special greeting from David Oyelowo.



Paperback; 272 pages 




Please join the conversation and answer these questions on social media using #FollowYourPurpose : 

We’ve all faced circumstances that have held us captive in some regard.  What has held you captive?  How did you find your purpose?  




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"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
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