"A character-driven thriller, brutal and beautiful, that explores the dark psychology of control and survival. A gritty, compelling story of strength and sisterhood." - Michael Lister, New York Times bestselling author "Rather than portraying captivity through familiar images of chains and locked rooms, Praise God for Pasties examines the invisible mechanisms of psychological control." - BookLife Prize Critic's Report, 8.75 out of 10 Rebecca Coleman thought she knew how far she'd go to survive. She was wrong. Rebecca escaped her suffocating small-town life and controlling mother to reinvent herself as Bella Valentina, a burlesque performer who finally found freedom and sisterhood. But one reckless decision at an abandoned nightclub changes everything. When a photoshoot turns into a nightmare, Rebecca and her fellow dancers are kidnapped and sold into a human trafficking ring. Trapped under the control of Mr. Rainaldi, a ruthlessly powerful trafficker, and his manipulative accomplice Antoinette, Rebecca faces psychological warfare designed to break her spirit and destroy the bonds between the women. The gaslighting and coercion she endures mirror the trauma of her past, forcing her to confront years of manipulation that taught her to doubt her own worth. To survive, she'll have to become someone new. Someone darker. Someone willing to do whatever it takes. From America's sweetheart to her villain era, Rebecca's transformation will either save her or destroy what's left of her soul. Inspired by a presentation from Freedom 180, an anti-trafficking organization, poet and educator Pamela G. Holmes brings dark humor and gritty realism to a Florida-set literary thriller about how trafficking actually works: through manipulation, gaslighting, and the slow erosion of identity. Perfect for readers who love dark psychological thrillers with complex female protagonists, literary fiction that tackles difficult social issues, stories of sisterhood and survival, and the novels of Gillian Flynn and Alex Michaelides. Content warning: This book contains depictions of human trafficking, sexual violence, physical abuse, psychological manipulation, and strong language. Includes statistics and resources for trafficking survivors.