I had this book shelved in Cults, because it was on a list of books about cults. I am not sure I would really call this a book about a cult. The mother in this book was a grade A "holy roller" (which is not a complimentary term here in Tennessee, at least), and they certainly lived in a "Christian" area. She was obsessed with her standing in the Christian community, and adopted two black kids to make herself seem like a compassionate woman of the Word. I personally know people like this, and I can't stand them. I am certain I would have not been able to stand this mother. One of the adopted children did terrible things to the author, though she did have a good bond with the other adopted child. She was sent to a Christian type of military school, which you can imagine did not make her want to have a relationship with anyone's God. The physical and mental abuse that this girl went through is revolting to me. I've seen a couple of reviews with people complaining about the author using these particular words for her title because they "mean something different to people with a value system" and her language in the book "not being very Christian or ladylike" which is literally the entire point of the book. I sincerely hope that a lot of the people mentioned in this book had a hot date with karma and are now living the lives they deserve. (Also not a compliment.)