Don't Stop Now

It may be the end of February but that doesn't mean the conversation needs to stop about healthy relationships. Keep communication open with you friends and teens and let's say #nomore to dating abuse.

I've compiled a list of books that relate to teen dating abuse. Sometimes a good book can help start a great conversation:

This isn't a complete list by any means, but it's a start. Have you read any other YA books about dating abuse? Let me know- I'd love to add to my list.

As February comes to a close, let's make sure we keep the conversation going.

Best to all,
Becca

#TeenDVMonth Break From You, an excerpt

Break From You available at Amazon.com

Do You Know the Facts? Teen Dating Violence

...With his hand at the base of my neck, he pulled me close and kissed me on the forehead. Moving his hand to my jaw line, he raised my chin. I met his eyes.
"I love you," he repeated. "I would never hurt you." He stepped back and smiled.
When he walked away, I was left standing there, wondering why I believed him when my arm was throbbing in pain.

Break From You (available at Amazon.com)


The only statistic I'm going to throw at you is this one...

Mostly because this is shocking. 1 in 3 you ask???? Yep, 1 in 3. And that is way too many.

Some teens don't know the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship. Do you?

Being able to tell the difference is not easy. And maybe that's because most of us don't talk about it. But it's time to talk. 

Let's start with some of the most common warning signs...

• Checking cell phones, emails or social networks without permission
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Constant belittling or put-downs
• Explosive temper
• Isolation from family and friends
• Making false accusations
• Erratic mood swings
• Physically inflicting pain or hurt in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling someone what to do
• Repeatedly pressuring someone to have sex

It isn't always easy to tell if you/or someone you know is in an abusive relationship. And I know it's hard sometimes to start that conversation. But we need to. 

Dating Abuse doesn't always look like this:

So let's chat.

Best to all,

Becca

If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, please get help.

Visit loveisrespect.org for more information

Let's Chat About Healthy Relationships

Let's chat about healthy relationships.

Sometimes we can get caught up in a relationship, lost in the dizzying sensation of being head over heels, or in one for so long that it's all we know.

I've talked and written a lot about abusive relationships, and my book, Break From You is about a teen girl who can't seem to get out of a very unhealthy and abusive relationship, but today I thought we take a turn and talk about what goes into healthy relationships.

Some key points of a healthy relationship...

1. Communication is the key to any good relationship. 

2. Speak up about what is bothering you or how you feel

3. Compromise and equality and know how to admit when you are wrong, but don't lose yourself in the relationship

4. Respect each other

5. Be honest and truthful

6. Build trust

7. Support each other

8. Give and take

9. Keep individuality 

10. Take responsibility

Come check out It's Time to Chat on my new You Tube channel!

Love is not abuse!

Learn what a healthy relationship is.

for more go to 

loveisrespect.org

breakthecycle.org

kidshealth.org/teen

Best to all!

Until next time,

Becca

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month- February 4th is Time to Talk Day

This month gives us an opportunity to shed light on a very devastating epidemic. 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating violence this year. 

And dating violence can happen to any teen, any race, any place, any time. 

Dating violence can be emotional, sexual, financial, digital, stalking, verbal, and/or physical.

And Today is Time to Talk Day:

Conversations about healthy relationships are happening all across the country on NO MORE Silence: It's Time To Talk Day! 

Get Involved:

• Pledge to have a conversation with a young person in your life about healthy relationships on It's Time To Talk Day, Feb. 4, 2014. See where conversations and events are happening nationwide
• Tell two people about It's Time To Talk Day, and encourage them to do the same! Tools to help start the conversation
• Become an advocate: Join the Love Is Not Abuse Coalition, a group of thousands of healthy relationship advocates who have made it their mission to bring education and other dating abuse prevention resources to their families and communities. Click here to join.
• Attend (and invite friends to) a Talk-A-Thon near you! Break the Cycle will host a national Talk-A-Thon in New York City that anyone can participate in and support. Click here for details and to RSVP!
• Host an It's Time To Talk Day Talk-A-Thon in your community!These dynamic conversation events will bring groups of parents and advocates, large and small, together to learn, share and talk about this important issue. The Talk-A-Thon Guide has everything you need to host your own.

Click here for more information on Time to Talk Day

About the Day:

Hosted by Break the Cycle's Love Is Not Abuse Campaign, It’s Time To Talk Day is an annual awareness day that aims to generate conversations about healthy relationships and prevent teen dating violence and abuse.

Starting a conversation about a tough topic can be hard. Sometimes a good book can help start the difficult discussion. Break From You is a young adult novel that focuses on teen dating abuse.

Click here to check out the discussion questions for a book group or classroom. 

Join me throughout the month of February in raising awareness. 

The history of Teen DV month:

For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating abuse. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating abuse was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The following year, Congress followed the lead of dozens of national, state and local organizations in sounding the call to end dating abuse. Both Chambers declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week." Then in 2010, they began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. 

D-Dating Violence and Characters in YA Books

ating Violence






1 in 3 teens are victims of dating violence.

Dating violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and control over another. It can be in the form of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, digital, financial, and/or stalking.

Some are some characters from YA books that focus on dating violence.

Brooke from Break From You by (me) wants to believe she has it all: the perfect guy, the perfect relationship, the perfect life. She wants to believe it so much that she's willing to overlook the fear, the isolation, and the pain her boyfriend has caused her. She knows it isn't right but tells herself that love isn't always easy.






Natalie Jarrett from Damaged, Natalie's Story by Talia Jager is a seventeen-year-old girl who falls in love with the wrong boy. When she finds herself in the hospital after one of his violent attacks, she can no longer turn a blind eye. Suffering from severe injuries, her doctor tells her she will never be the same again. She struggles to heal as she blames herself.





Paul from Things Change by Patrick Jones is a hansom, troubled seventeen year old senior. He begins dating Johanna. When he starts to hit her, he knows it is wrong, but promises to change. He pins the blame on his violent father who has died years before.







Don't Forget about the power of three!!!

Head over to Moxie Writers for more on the YA cause/tough issue and organizations that help.

Head over to Susan Oloier's site for a song and lyrics that pertain to today's issue.

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. 

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.

Excerpt from Break From You and Giveaway

Break From You 

(ya contemporary, literature & fiction, romance, tough issues)

He took a step forward, and I took a step back, so he stopped. “Please,” he said. “Please, I am so sorry.”

I let him walk up the stairs. I wasn’t sure why. I was still furious with him. But I was also in love. Sometimes love has a way of winning.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned against his chest. I could feel his warmth radiate through me, but I didn’t feel safe. “I love you,” he said into my hair. He kissed me on the top of my head before he lifted my chin and kissed me on the lips. When he pulled away, he said, “I love you more than I have loved anyone. You mean everything to me, and I don’t want to lose you. What we have is amazing, and we can’t let what happened tonight overrule all the good times we’ve had.”

What he said hovered in the air as I remembered back to our first date, how he picked that rose. I remembered the torn-out magazine pictures, the drawings, the hugs, the kisses. I remembered the soft words, the strong embraces. He made me feel wonderful, incredible. It was hard to forget. It was hard to let go.

“Please, give me another chance. I won’t let it happen again,” he said as he touched my face and kissed me again.

And even though I knew I shouldn’t, even though something deep down told me not to, I did. I gave him another chance and I believed him. I believed him when he said it would never happen again.

“I love you,” he said.

And I believed that, too.

Because sometimes…love has a way of winning.

Don't forget about the giveaway!!!

Giveaway to Raise Awareness on Teendvmonth

February in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

and to raise awareness on teen dating violence I am giving away

an ebook copy of Break From You

Love shouldn't hurt this much...

Brooke Myers wants to believe she has it all: 

the perfect guy, the perfect relationship, the perfect life.

 She wants to believe it so much that she's willing to overlook the fear, the isolation, and the pain her boyfriend has caused her. She knows it isn't right but tells herself that love isn't always easy. However, when a fire destroys the restaurant during homecoming dinner, she forms an instant bond with the boy who saves her, one her boyfriend wouldn’t like. 

With the pain of a concussion reminding her of how bad things can get, she is forced to re-evaluate the relationship she has with her boyfriend and face the ghosts that haunt her. Brooke once believed love was all it took…but is it enough?

 Is it truly love when you've lost yourself in it?