Raising Awareness, Giveaways, Reviews, and More

The Speak Out Against...Book Tour continues over at Tammy Brewer's blog Oh, The Books You'll Read. She is joining Susan and me in raising awareness on teen dating abuse and bullying.

And she's having a giveaway. 

Enter to win a copy of Outcast by Susan Oloier and my book, Break From You.

Tammy also gave an amazing review on Susan and my books.

 Tammy's review:

Outcast by Susan Oloier

Break From You (by me)

Thank you, Tammy for supporting our tour and for speaking out against teen dating abuse and bullying. 

Stand up, speak out!

 

Tammy Brewer is a mother of three beautiful girls. She lives in New Market, Tennessee where she was born and raised. She loves to read and review book. She reads just about anything, but young adult is her passion. Her teenager and her often share books.

Speak Out Against Teen Dating Abuse and VOTE

1 in 3 teens have been in an abusive relationship.

Dating abuse might be one of the most common forms of violence among young adults, but it isn't common for people to talk about it. Now is our chance. Love is Respect/Break the Cycle has been nominated for the Chase Community Giving Award. There are 25 amazing charities nominated for the award and it's sad we have to pick just one, but I urge you to vote for Break the Cycle. It could mean $1 million to help raise awareness and end dating abuse. And most importantly, it could help start the conversation about dating abuse on millions of couches. Let's stand up and speak out against dating abuse.

Break the Cycle (loveisrespect.org) believes everyone--no matter who they are, where they’re from or who they love--has the right to safe and healthy relationships.

VOTE NOW    

and watch the awards on Dec. 8, Saturday 8/7c on NBC!

Through Chase Community Giving, Chase has donated over $28 million in grants to thousands of charities across all 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The American Giving Awards showcases the important work of many of these charities.

Join me in standing up and speaking out against dating abuse

and bullying

 

The Speak Out Against...Book Tour Continues

Head on over to C. Lee McKenzie's blog The Write Game where she is featuring the tour and our books. After spending some time there, make sure you continue on to Robyn Campbell's blog, Putting Pen to Paper. Robyn is interviewing Susan and me on bullying, dating abuse, and our books.

Thank you, C. Lee McKenzie and Robyn Cambell for standing with us and Speaking out against bullying and dating abuse!

Putting Pen to Paper, The Journey of Picture Book and Middle Grade Author, Robyn Campbell.

The Write Game by C. Lee McKenzie is a writer who captures the pulse of adolescent confusion in her Young Adult fiction, Sliding on the Edge and The Princess of Las Pulgas. She just published her first Middle Grade fantasy titled Alligators Overhead.

Sharing Words Through Music

The Speak Out Against...Book Tour 

Continues at Julie Flander's site. 

The characters for Outcast and Break From You are sharing their playlists of songs that inspire them.


 

Julie Flanders is a librarian by day and a writer all the rest of the time. Her debut novel Polar Night will be published by Ink Smith Publishing in 2013. When not writing fiction, she loves to write about animal-related issues and she write several columns about animal news for the Examiner.com.

Thank you Julie for hosting us today!

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. 

 Victor Hugo

 

 

Set Free by Eddy J. Free

The Trevor Project

 

 The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. (LGBTQ)

The Speak Out Against...tour is over at Moxie Writers today where we are talking about bullying LGBTQ youth and individuals. Get the facts, know what you can do, join the cause, and stand up, speak out against bullying.

Regardless of your beliefs...no one deserves to be bullied...EVER!

Speak Out Against...bullying!

Speak Out Against...bullying and

 self-harm

1 in 4 kids are bullied. Bullying can lead to depression. Depression can lead to self-harm and suicide. It is said that 1 in 20 teens self-harm. Over 630,000 visits to the ER every year is due to self-injury.

Give love to The Butterfly Project, a blog style, open forum that deals specifically with bullying, self-harm, and suicide and has given cutters and those that self-harm a way to change themselves and the world.

The Butterfly Project

THE RULES: 1. when you feel like you want to cut, take a marker or pen and draw a butterfly on wherever the self-harm occurs.
2. name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
3. NO scrubbing the butterfly off.
4. if you cut before the butterfly is gone, it dies. if you don't cut, it lives.
5. if you have more than one, cutting kills them all.
6. another person may draw them on you. these butterflies are extra special. take good care of them.
7. even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. if you do this, name it after someone you know that is suffering right now, and tell them. it could help.

The butterfly project on facebook. 


Supporting The Butterfly Project is a way to spread awareness and create change. Join me and draw a  butterfly on your wrist for those who are bullied, who self-harm, who debate suicide. Stand up, speak out.

And the tour continues...as Linda Jackson

Speaks Out Against...bullying

The Speak Out Against...Book Tour continues over at Linda Jackson's blog Writers Do Laundry, Too. Join her as she shares with us her experiences with bullying. Thank you, Linda for hosting us today!


Linda Jackson is the author of the middle grade novels The Lie That Binds and When Lambs Cry, the sequel to The Lie That Binds. In addition to her own books, she published What's The Matter, Mr. Giraffe? (2003) by Gloria Menifield, There Are No Blankets On The Moon (2004) by Angela Gill and Blynda Kellner, Keys (2004) by Jennifer Goodwin, and Field Trip Around the World (2009) by Chloe Jackson and Blynda Kellner. She is a frequent contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul, with stories in Just for Teenagers, Here Comes the Bride, and The Power of Positive. She has worked as an independent contractor, developing stories for reading assessment for educational publishers.

Welcome, Kendra Merritt

Today the Speak Out Against...book tour is over at my good friend and writing buddy, Kendra Merritt's site. Susan and I are over there, talking about our writing process and how we came up with the ideas for our books, Outcast and Break From You.

But before you go...

I would like to welcome my good friend and writing buddy, Kendra Merritt to my blog today.

 

Hello Kendra, How are you?
I'm good. 

What inspired you to write your first book?
I read a lot as a child and started getting stories in my head. I was affected by all the books I read and wanted to see if I could write the same stories that I loved. 

What inspired you to write about characters with disabilities?
I didn’t start writing about people with disabilities until I was twenty-one. That was when I had a second scoliosis surgery and a bad reaction to an epidural which resulted in partial paraplegia. While I was in rehab learning to walk again, I realized that all the heroic characters I read about could run and jump and swing a sword. I never saw any that looked and walked like I do now. And then it occurred to me: why didn’t I write some? Maybe if I wanted to read about fantasy heroes who live with disabilities, other people might too.

Do you have a specific writing style?
I try to blend in humor with adventure and heavy emotional themes.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
You can be who ever you want to be.

What books have most influenced your life most?
Pretty much anything by Tamora Pierce because they were the books I grew up with. They taught me what is meant to tell a story.

What are your current projects?
Catching Cinders, a retelling of Cinderella. Cindy must decide to accept the way the world sees her or to prove she's someone worth fighting for.
By Winged Chair, a retelling of Robin Hood where Maid Marion gets to kick butt from a wheelchair

Skin Deep, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Working Title- The Robber Bridegroom, a retelling of the Robber Bridegroom about a 17 year-old cop with OCD who has to reconnect with her vigilante father.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The editing process.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Just write. Stop thinking about writing and write.

Thank you, Kendra for joining us today!
  
Make sure you head on over to Kendra Merritt's site.

About Kendra
Kendra is an author and avid reader living in Denver with her very tall husband, about 1300 books, and a goofy black monster masquerading as a service dog. She likes to talk about writing, reading and life with a disability - and how those three mix. You can find Kendra at her blog, www.kendramerritt.com 

I Am Thankful For...

Each day I am thankful for...

my family

my boys

love

smiles

sisters
my moxie writers partner 
my writing buddies
my friends

mornings

food

water

today
tomorrows

sleep

dance

music
sunrises
sunsets

likes 

comments

my followers

...

Speak Out Against Tour...and Wish You Were Where? Wednesdays

The Speak Out Against...book tour is over at Theresa Milstein's blog today. Theresa is featuring our books, so head on over there and check out her blog.

About Theresa Milstein- 

"I write children's books. Most of my manuscripts are YA, but I've written for middle grade as well. My manuscripts have a paranormal twist. I have several small pieces published in anthologies and journals. My short story "Daisy" is included in the 100 Stories for Queensland anthology and my story "Allured" is included in the YA vampire anthology, Fangtales. 100RPM published my flash fiction piece "Violet's Hill". My vignette "Left Behind" and poem "Catty-Corner" were in the April and July 2012 issues of Vine Leaves Literary Journal. I'll also have a short story "My Moment" in From Stage Door Shadows, released on September 29, 2012. I'm a member of SCBWI and active in the New England SCBWI branch."

 

 

 

And now for...

Wish You Were Where? Wednesdays

 

 

 

Wish You Were Where? Wednesdays is a weekly meme over at Moxie Writers. In order to participate, answer the following questions, either in the comments section or on your blog and link back to Moxie Writers.

1. What is your most current read?

2. What is the setting?

3. Tell why you wish you were there...or not.

1. My current read is a travel memoir by a dear friend and writing buddy. Four Points in Time and Place by Shirley D. Meier

2. The book is memoir about her travels to Mexico, Germany, South Dakota, and China.

3. I think it would be great to see all those places, although I'm not a big traveler- I don't like it very much. Instead, I like to read stories about other people's travels, living vicariously through them instead.

 

 

 

An Interview...at Susan's Blog

Today I am over at Susan Oloier's Blog. Susan is my "Moxie" writing partner over at Moxiewriters. She's the author of Outcast, a story that takes you deep into the world of bullying. A must read. Susan is an amazing writer and extremely inspirational. I am so glad to have met her and teamed up with her. Make sure you head on over to Susan's site and check out the interview.

Speak Out Against...Book Tour Continues at Susan Oloier's blog.

Stand with us and Speak Out Against...bullying and teen dating abuse.

Ways to Get Involved Online

The Speak Out Against...book tour continues with Brooke (Break From You) and Noelle (Outcast) and ways to get involved with online campaigns.

Hi everyone! It’s me, Brooke, from Break From You and Noelle from Outcast. We're here to raise awareness on dating abuse and bullying

Brooke from Break From You says: "As a victim of dating abuse, I know how important it is to speak out against these devastating issues. Breaking away from an abusive relationship is hard and it’s important to know that there are people and organizations out there to help. I’m amazed at how common dating abuse it. I just found out that 1 in 3 teens are in an abusive relationship. I thought I was the only one. So I'm here to share with everyone some ways to Speak out and get involved with online campaigns."





Noelle from Outcast says: "It's not always easy to stand up to bullies. Believe me, I know. But it's absolutely essential that you advocate for yourself anyway. Whether you're bullied at school, at home, or on the Internet, you can stand up for yourself by breaking the silence. Reach out to friends and family who understand. Or, connect with others through organizations or online chat groups. Don't make the same mistakes I made."





It's important to Speak Out Against...dating abuse and bullying. You can do so by joining an online campaign.

NO MORE Campaign 

 
NO MORE is a groundbreaking symbol designed to galvanize change and radically increase the awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.
Let’s end the shame and stigma.
Get and share our symbol. Join the domestic violence and sexual assault movement in saying NO MORE…


 The Love Campaign 

 

The National Dating Abuse Helpline, in partnership with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, have launched The LOVE Campaign. The Campaign:

• Raises awareness of healthy dating behaviors to prevent dating abuse among 13-18 year olds.
• Connects parents and schools to the National Dating Abuse Helpline.
• Helps high schools meet the requirements of Texas House Bill 121.

I Choose Campaign



The “I Choose” campaign is a challenge and movement for change. It’s about recognizing bullying for what it is: a choice. What you say or do to someone has the power to affect that person’s life. The campaign challenges people to stop, think and remember that their choices matter.

NO Matter Campaign
 

Stomp out Bullying.
Because NO MATTER
what you look like, what your race is, what your
sexual orientation is ....
NO ONE deserves
to be bullied!

Speak Out Against...Tour Continues

 Teen dating violence and bullying is on the raise. We need to stand together and speak out.


The wonderful Sharon Meyhew is hosting us on our tour at her site, Random Thoughts.

Make sure you head on over to her sites and leave a comment. See you there.

Thank you Sharon for Speaking Out Against dating abuse and bullying with us!

Sharon Meyhew

Iowa, United States

I'm a mother, wife, former elementary teacher and writer. I'm an alumnus of the Highlights Foundation Summer Workshop and a SCBWI member. I usually post on Thursday. I read blogs most night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. instead of watching TV (unless a reality show is on).

Day 3 of the Speak Out Against Tour

Today we are over at The Frog and the Princess with Samantha Verant.

Samantha Verant is speaking out with us against bullying and dating abuse. The statistics are shocking. The consequences are grave. Samantha gives us a look into bullying and teen dating abuse and shares with us the story of Amanda Todd.

Make sure you head over to Samantha's site and join her in speaking out against teen violence.

Thank you Samantha for hosting us and for speaking out against bullying and teen dating abuse! 

About Samantha-  Self-proclaimed princess. Love adventuress. Aspiring authoress. Super-powered step-mom. Mildly neurotic, but not dangerous. Unless you touch my frog. Wait. That sounds weird. If I haven't scared you off... stick around! There's something for everybody!

Speak Out Against...Tour- Day Two

Today, Angela Brown is joining us in speaking out against bullying and dating abuse.

She also is sharing with us a touching and emotional story of loss and love in her segment on unhappy endings. 

Head on over to her site. She's having a giveaway. You don't want to miss it!

Thank you Angela, for hosting us!

 

 

Don’t forget about our Moxie Writer's GIVEAWAY for a free e-book copy of Break from You and Outcast, as well as some fabulous bookmarks!

Angela Brown is the author of Neverlove




Angela's NEVERLOVE explores the path where heartache and secrets abound for a pair of teens fated for forbidden love.  It has a Gothic appeal with heaven and hell agents reminiscent of Constantine

Speak Out Against...Book Tour Begins

1 in 3 teens are victims of dating abuse.
1 in 4 kids are bullied.

Today marks the start of our Speak Out Against...Book Tour.

Stand with us and Speak Out Against...
Teen dating violence and
Bullying

 

I'm excited to be traveling around the blogosphere with Susan Oloier, chatting about our new releases, Outcast (YA contemporary fiction on bullying) and Break From You (YA contemporary fiction on dating abuse.)  Hop on the tour and join us in speaking out against the devastating issues of teen violence.

Today, we are over at Amanda Fanger's site, talking about ways to speak out against bullying and dating abuse. Please head on over and join us.

And make sure you check out Amanda's blog while you're there. She's an amazing and talented writer. 

Thank you, Amanda for hosting us.

To celebrate the release of our books, Outcast, and  Break From You, we are holding a giveaway. 

For the giveaway, updates, and a complete schedule of the tour, go to www.moxiewriters.blogspot.com

In Honor of

A couple weekends ago, I had the opportunity to meet the amazing and inspirational Julie Burget Schrock at a local author event.

My oldest son and I made an instant connection to her. I was drawn to her friendliness and immediately admired her strength and courage.

Julie's book Missing Max, Finding Hope After My Marine Son's Death, is a compelling story of her journey as she recalls the extraordinary events surrounding the death of her Marine son, Corporal Max W. Donahue.

 
(photo courtesy of Julie Burget Schrock, Missing Max)

Corporal Max W. Donahue was a Military Dog Handler for the Marines. In her book, Julie describes Max as outgoing and charismatic. He was someone who stood up for others, always, and was never afraid to fight for what was right.

Max was killed in Afghanistan in August of 2010, and his death is a loss to us all. Those who value their freedom know that it comes at a cost. Max sacrificed everything to protect our freedom. Max is a hero. I stand to honor him. I stand to honor all of those who have and are fighting for our freedom.

I can't tell you how great it was to meet Julie. I was very moved and inspired by her and her story. Missing Max is an amazing book. I read it, some parts two or three times, and felt every emotion she shared. Julie is an extraordinary person, and I am so blessed to have met her. I will never forget her story and what it has meant to me. I will never forget Max.

Missing Max, Finding Hope After My Marine Son's Death by Julie Burget Schrock


Missing Max is a compelling story of one mother's journey as she recalls the extraordinary events surrounding the death of her Marine son, Corporal Max W. Donahue. On August 4, 2010, Max lost both legs and his right arm after being hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), and then succumbed to his wounds on August 7. Julie takes us with her as she first gets word of Max's injuries received while he was a working dog handler in Afghanistan. You will share her despair, fears, tears and finally, her hope as she moves through the days, weeks and months following word of Max's injury, and then his death. Missing Max is a must-read for anyone who has lost a child to war. It will encourage the reader to live a life that is focused on making their lost loved-one proud. She writes of moving through the grieving process and, through her faith and the love of family and friends, begins the healing process and going forward with her life. Julie challenges the reader to examine their thoughts on the afterlife, as well as their faith. Questions are posed such as, "What do you believe happens at death," "Where would you turn for strength in the case a loved one died," and "What are your thoughts about Jesus?" Knowing the answers for herself have had a profound effect on her ability to move forward. Julie's hope in writing Max's story is that it will provide strength, hope, courage and faith to those who need it. And she hopes that Max, and all fallen soldiers, will never be forgotten.

Julie Burget Schrock has experience and training in a variety of fields, none of which are traditional qualifications for writing a book. What qualifies her to write THIS book are her experiences as a mother of a Marine son deployed to and killed in Afghanistan. On that topic she is a subject matter expert.

You can reach Julie at missingmax2011@gmail.com
You can order Missing Max at amazon.com and from Advantage books.

Wish You Were Where?

Wish You Were Where? Wednesday is a weekly meme at Moxie Writers. To participate, answer the following questions...

1. What is your most current read?
2. What is the setting?
3. Tell why you wish you were there...or not.
4. Either post at your blog and provide a link or post in the comment section.
5. Link back

Here are my reads...

What is my current read?

Outcast by Susan Oloier



What is the setting?

Arizona

Tell why you wish you were there...or not.

I love Arizona, but I hear it's still hot there, and I am enjoying the cooler fall weather here in Colorado. I might not think the same thing when it starts to snow this weekend, though.


I'm also reading...
 How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Conner





What is the setting?

An old car because the main character's family is homeless.

Tell why you wish you were there...or not.

I think I will have to pass on the car and be grateful for my warm bed.

 

What are you reading? What's the setting? Do you wish you were there?

Check out moxiewriters.blogspot.com 

A Rose...

...the symbol of love.

Flowers are given for all kinds of reasons. They are used as a way to show appreciation, love, friendship, grief, loss, and so much more.

In Break From You, Brooke's favorite flowers are Asters. She believes they "bring brightness to the world, like a bunch of stars." Drew, on the other hand, would prefer to give roses. He feels that roses are a sign of affection and are a way to express your love. 

My favorite flower is a daisy, followed closely by sunflowers.













 What's your favorite flower?


I am excited to announce that Break From You is now available in paperback at amazon.com and the create space estore

The ebook is available at amazon.com, smashwords, and Barnes and Noble

A Little Country

As the Country Music Awards come to a close and Blake Shelton's name is announce once again, the music for Footloose plays in the background. 

And I am reminded of the power of music. 

Music can heal, excite, rejoice, energize. Music awakes all kinds of emotions in people.Blake Shelton demonstrated this when he shared honors with his wife, Miranda Lambert for their song "Over You". Bringing his wife to tears, he explains how he wrote the song for his dad about the lose of his brother.

Music also plays a part in Break From You. I can hear Footloose playing as Brooke and her friends enjoy a night out attempting to line dance at the local dude ranch. And Brooke's dream is to be a singer/songwriter. She loves to play her guitar, and throughout Break From You, she shares her emotional journey with us through the words of a song.

I can not break from you
I can not let you go
I've learned to hold too tight
I can not win this fight

I can not win this fight

Your love won't fill me up
I always knew
In an endless massive space
I will fear you

Don't miss Break From You on sale at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and now available in print at the create space estore.