What happens when a child is taught that fear is love and survival means silence?
 
In Raised in the Fire, Jessie Gripp tells her story of growing up in the shadow of psychological abuse, manipulation, and betrayal at the hands of her adoptive father—a man who convinced her that her real father was dangerous, that shadowy government agents were watching her, and that every choice she made could mean life or death.
 
Torn between parents, Jessie was groomed into believing she was part of a secret mission. She was given code names, sent to spy, and forced to choose between truth and loyalty. By age twelve, she had survived forced separation, a traumatic “therapeutic” boarding school in the Utah desert, and a court system that punished her for being afraid. Through it all, she held onto one thing—her bond with her mom and baby sister, and a quiet voice inside her that refused to disappear.
 
Raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal, Raised in the Fire is not just about the horrors Jessie endured—it’s about how she found her way back to herself. It’s a survivor’s story of gaslighting, coercive control, family court failures, and the resilience of a girl who refused to be erased.
 
This is not just a memoir.
 
It’s a warning.
A hand reaching back.
A promise that healing is possible.