Meet Torri Melhart

Meet Torri Melhart, a 14-year-old Country singer/songwriter from Philadelphia. Her voice is honest, vulnerable, and fresh. She cares deeply about others and the issues facing them today. Her debut video, "Letting Go", released in early March, was written/made by Torri and addresses the issue of bullying. Her beautiful music and heartfelt words are set to images that involve bullying. From her website, she states "The video is meant to bring focus to the powerless feeling of being bullied, the sadness that those who are being bullied must endure every single day, and the hope that endures that someday we can put an end to bullying in all forms, forever."


I connected with Torri one evening on Twitter. (Gotta love social media!) And immediately loved her youthful voice, sweet demeanor, and desire to raise awareness on bullying through her music. Her song, Letting Go is amazing and I had to share it with all of you! (I can't believe she is only 14- wow!)

Here is Torri's debut single, Letting Go



Connect with Torri Melhart on...
Twitter
Website  
Facebook  
You Tube

Christine's Odyssey by J.L. Campbell is Now Available on Amazon!

Today is the day! It's the anticipated release of J.L. Campbell's Middle Grade novel, Christine's Odyssey.

A domestic dispute.

A family shattered.

A shocking discovery.

A girl on a quest.

A life changed forever.

And here's a note from Christine: Howdy. I’m glad you’ve stopped in. My name is Christine and although I’m only eleven, I’m what some adults might call precocious. A lot has happened in my life, some of it bad, but like my dad used to say, good things can result from the bad stuff that happens to us.

To help me celebrate overcoming my challenges, a great gang of authors have teamed up and will be giving away copies of their books. Sweet, yes?

For a chance to win a pair of the books listed, you can do anything included on the Rafflecopter below or on Facebook. However, for those who’d like to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Voucher, hop on over to the Jamaican Kid Lit Blog to enter for that.

Anyway, I tend to talk a lot, so before I carried away, here’s my story:

Raised in a hotbed of arguments and fights, eleven-year-old Christine Simms is the victim of her mother's cruelty. A domestic dispute ends in tragedy, sending the family into a tailspin.

A shocking discovery sends Christine on a quest to find the stranger who left her behind in Jamaica. Determined to unravel the mystery of her birth, Christine uses every tool at her disposal and treads with courage where no child should.

Thanks so much for dropping in! I hope you win the novels of your choice. I should tell you that you get to choose books based on how the Rafflecopter does the drawing of the winners. So, if your name comes up first, you get to say which pack you want.

 
 

J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican, who is always on the hunt for story-making material.
She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the also the author of Contraband, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Giving up the Dream, Retribution and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).
Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbell.com

You can get Christine's Odyssey at Amazon 

Enter the giveaways for your chance to win some amazing books...and a gift card! Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My So-Called Teenage Life

Today I'm in joining in on the 2nd annual My So-Called Teenage Life blog hop hosted by christaramblesandwrites.blogspot.com

The rules:

Step One: Sign up

Step Two: Dust off those old sappy diaries bursting with teenage angst or high school notebooks filled with bad poetry*

Step Three: Skim through them until you find something share-worthy

Step Four: On Monday, March 25 POST IT on your blog

Optional: We love seeing old photos, so if you have one lying around of you as a teen, post that, too. 

(*Didn't write in a journal or compose poetry as a teenager? Have no fear! Counterfeit entries are welcome. Pretend you're a teenager and write whatever you feel. Just make sure you're using your teenage voice. And if you're still a teenager, hey, you're going to basically rock this blog hop.) 

So here goes!

I wrote regularly in a diary growing up, and although I continued to journal throughout high school, I spent a lot of time writing poetry in those teenage years. I was very dramatic, emotional, mostly positive, and sometimes dark and edgy. Here is one of those (more positive) poems...

To Live

To whisper is to dream,
To hear is to realize,
And to feel it all is to believe.

A flower comes into a hazy world.
It comes in without hesitating.

With each petal it feels sure and confident
as if it can handle anything.

And each storm blows in.
And each rain drop falls.

It may lose a petal here or there,
Or it may tear a leaf.

But it stays strong,
And holds itself up with all the strength it feels.

And the flower makes it through,
Not knowing what each day brings,
Or if a storm in the future will make it fall.

The flower keeps its strongest feelings,
And all its dreams held close

Because to feel it all is believe,
And to believe is to live.
 

Love, Forever Always, Rebecca Green (1992)

Did you write in a diary/journal, or some poetry during your teenage years? 

Hope you enjoyed!

This is a blog hop, so make sure you take some time and check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

1.	Christa Writes	2.	Amy Sonnichsen
3.	Rebecca Green Gasper	4.	Alexis Bass
5.	Carrie-Anne's Magick Theatre	6.	Maybe It's Just Me
7.	Stacy Uncorked	8.	Second Blooming
9.	mimiindublin	10.	Not Just Another Mother Blogger!
11.	KO: The Insect Collector	12.	Melodie Wright
13.	Melissa sarno	14.	Janet Johnson
15.	Suzi @ Literary Engineer	16.	Writer's Block
17.	A.J. Locke	18.	T.L. Bodine
19.	Jeannette @ FolioRoad	20.	Philipscom - Ariel's Jottings
21.	Dr. Crankenfuss's Blog	22.	Susan Oloier
23.	The Real Sheldon Of Orange County	24.	Nicole McLaughlin
25.	We Band of Mothers

Some Upcoming Events- A-Z Fun, Memorial Day Concert in Honor Of, Blogging News

Monday, March 25th I will be joining in the 2nd annual My So-Called Teenage Life blog hop hosted by christaramblesandwrites.blogspot.com

The rules:

Step One: Sign up on the linky below

Step Two: Dust off those old sappy diaries bursting with teenage angst or high school notebooks filled with bad poetry*

Step Three: Skim through them until you find something share-worthy

Step Four: On Monday, March 25 POST IT on your blog

Optional: We all love seeing old photos, so if you have one lying around of you as a teen, post that, too

Wednesday, March 27th is the anticipated release of J.L. Campbell's MG fiction book, Christine's Odyssey. She will be having a fun contest and giveaway of some amazing book packs. Susan Oloier's Outcast and my book, Break From You are included.

 

April will bring us the A-Z blogging challenge. Susan Oloier and I have decided to team up all three of our blogs (Susanoloier.blogspot.com, moxiewriters.blogspot.com and my site) and blog under the same topic...Teen Issues/YA Causes.

Moxie Writers site will give an overview of the teen issue and along with great resources and organizations relating to the issue.

Susan's site will have a song that relates to the teen issues.

My site will have characters and books that relate to the teen issue.

Should be loads of fun!!!

On Memorial Day, the Stagecoach Saloon in Franktown is honoring Max Donahue and other fallen military and K-9 heroes by hosting a concert, BBQ and silent auction. All proceeds will go to support Freedom Service Dogs of America, located in Englewood. For more information, please email me at rebeccagreengasper@gmail.com.     www.freedomserivcedogs.org

 The Blinker Fluid Band will be preforming. 

Someone's Always There

When you think there's no escape
And you feel like a prisoner of the rain
Just turn around
There will be someone there with a smile on their face

When the anger rushes in
And holds you down
With a chain of steel
Don't worry,
Someone will be there with a key

When there's too much joy to hold inside
There will be someone there to share it

No matter how you feel
There will always be someone for you to comfort your thoughts...

You just have to open your eyes and look.

Rebecca Green
May 1990

I wrote that when I was a "very emotional and dramatic" teenager. (Although I still admit to being pretty emotional--especially in my writing--some things never change.) This piece reminded me of how, as a teenager, sometimes I felt like no one was there for me, like I was all alone in this big crazy world.

This piece was a reminder that no matter how alone I felt there was someone there for me, as long I was willing to look. Whether it be a parent, a teacher, a friend, sometimes it's just a matter of turning around and opening up your arms to let them in.

There are so many places to go for help...sometimes we just need a reminder that they are out there.

I'm sure a lot of you know that I'm co-contributor over at Moxie Writers...but just in case you didn't, I wanted to let you know (or remind you) of a fun and wonderful site. Susan Oloier (author of Superstitions, Fractured, My Life as a Misfit, and Outcast) and I started up Moxie Writers last fall. Our mission is to speak out, raise awareness, advocate for parents and teens, and provide information and places to go when someone feels alone.

If you haven't already...head on over, check it out, and say hi. We share personal stories, news stories, connect teen issues with books, movies, music, art, and so much more.

Moxie- (n. slang) The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage. Force of character, determination, or verve.

 

Moxie Writers

Where YA comes to life. Blogging about tough teen issues using YA books, movies, music, &more. moxie- (n. slang) To face difficulty with spirit and courage.

Co-authored by: Susan Oloier, author of Fractured, My Life as a Misfit, Superstitions, and Outcast. And Rebecca Green Gasper author of Break From You.

Fun on Monday- an Interview at Leigh Covington's, J.L. Campbell's Upcoming Release, and a Deal on Break From You

There are so many wonderful things going on today!

First off, I am over at the amazing and talented Leigh Covington's blog today. Leigh is hosting an interview with me. Make sure you head on over there and check it out.


Second, I am gearing up to help J.L Campbell with the release of her new middle grade book, Christine's Odyssey. The release date is set for March 27, 2013.

A domestic dispute.

A family shattered.

A shocking discovery.

A girl on a quest.

A life changed forever.




In addition to the release, J.L. will be having a contest and giveaway of some amazing book packs. Check out the packs below. To find out more about each of the book or to help spread the word, head on over to J.L. Campbell's site now!

 
 

And Finally, I had a wonderful time at the Local Author Showcase this weekend. We were all on edge, fearful that the event might get canceled due to the blizzard that blanketed the Denver Metro area with snow on Saturday. Luckily, the storm blew out before midnight, and in true Colorado fashion, we woke up to bright blue skies. The roads were clear and dry by late morning.

As a promotion for the event, I gave away coupons to buy my book, Break From You for $0.99 at Smashwords. I am extending that offer to all of you to say thank you for being such wonderful blogging friends and followers. If you are interested in reading my book, Break From You and would like to download it today for $0.99 then go here to Smashwords and enter this code at check out- SC62S. Hurry, this offer is for today only!











Hope you all have a wonderful and bright Monday!

Announcing the Local Author Showcase

The event will be this Sunday, March 10, 2013

I am excited to be part of this amazing event hosted by Douglas County Libraries. Although Douglas County Libraries are my local libraries, they are by far on the cutting-edge when it comes to their ebook catalog and promoting their local authors, so being a part of this event is a huge honor. I am also excited to share that they have both a paperback copy and an ebook copy of Break From You available for check out in their system.

 

Here is a list of the amazing authors and their books that will be featured this weekend. Even if you are not local- make sure you check out these great authors and their books.

 

Ernie Carwile's the Magic of Creativity. Incorporating creativity into your life and work.

Anthonette Klinkerman's Battle of the Grandmas. A children's picture book about the value of spending time together. 

 

Kristen Debeer's I Believe in You: A Mother's Message to her Son with Learning Differences. Everyone learn differently

 

Michael Hanna and Tami Leino Hanna's Crazy: A Creative and ersonal Look at Mental Illness. Definitions, essays, poems, stories, and artwork from those living with mental illness.

 

Quinn Kayser-Cochran's Glorieta. A young couple's worlds collide during the Civil WAr. Based on true events and set in America's Southwestern frontier.

David Colten's The Assassin Dominic Monroe. A young woman is swept into espionage and murder.

Rebecca Green Gasper- Break From You. Brooke is willing to overlook her "perfect" guy's temper until tragedy strikes For young adults.

 

Robin Nolet- The Shell Keeper, A group of women overcome life's odds and learn they are survivors.  

Mark Stevens' The Asphalt Warrior and Ticket to Hollywood. Both books, featuring Denver Cab driver Murph, are by Pushcart Prize winner Gary Reilly, who passed away in 2011.

 

 

Pat McNulty- Great Music Radio.com. Two love stories unfold 130 years apart, with radio broadcasting as a backdrop.

Inspiring Others Through Blogging

I am honored to have received a shout out from Leigh Covington for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you so much, Leigh. I can't tell you how much this means to me. I am so humbled to know that I am inspiring others on my writing journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have just recently met Leigh and was instantly drawn into her amazing blog. She is very inspirational. Make sure you head on over and check her out. You will like her!

As part of accepting this award, I must share seven things about myself and then pass the award on to another wonderful, inspiring blogger.

Amanda Fanger gave me a shout out back in December, (read that post here) and instead of boring everyone with the same information, I will tell you 7 new things about myself. Here goes...

1. I love the outdoors. I like to go hiking, canoeing, camping and rafting. In fact, right after college, I was a raft guide on the Salmon River in Idaho for a couple of summers.

2. Not only did I teach high school, but I was a recreation instructor and taught people of all ages with special needs how to swim.

3. I love sunshine. Which is why I love Colorado. It is almost always sunny here.

4.  I love being by the pool. I love the melodic sound of swimmers doing laps.

5. I hate to travel. And you would never find me on a cruise. It sounds like the most miserable thing ever.

6. I am energetic and happy most of the time.

7. I try not to let what other negative people say, feel, think, or do get to me. It isn't easy...but I try.

Finally, I'd like to extend this award to Daniel Alexander. I just recently met Daniel through the blogger, google plus, twitter communities and am very inspired by him and his story.


Thank you again to Leigh Covington for this wonderful award and shout out!