A Day in the Life

Originally posted on Between the Beats:
It was 7:00 AM and my husband was up and getting ready for work; time to get my daughter up and make breakfast. I pulled on my thick robe in spite of the warm morning, making certain I was properly covered before going into my daughter’s bedroom. The blinds were closed against prying eyes, but I could tell it… Continue reading A Day in the Life

Homelessness and the Holidays

Over half a million people in the United States are homeless; living on the streets, in cars, in shelters, on the couches or floors of friends or family, or in limited transitional housing. A quarter of these are children. Fifteen percent are “chronically homeless”; chronic homelessness is defined as “an individual who has a disability and has experienced homelessness for a year or longer, or … Continue reading Homelessness and the Holidays

“Magnolia Secrets” by Beth Hale

  Addressing the issue of domestic abuse is a challenge in fiction. Beth Hale handles the subject honestly in her romantic thriller “Magnolia Secrets”. From the first chapter in this compelling book I was firmly hooked.     The story revolves around Lainey Holley, her husband Chief of Police Evan Holley, and newly hired Officer Walker Bell. Beginning with a hot sexual encounter between Lainey … Continue reading “Magnolia Secrets” by Beth Hale

As I Get Older: My MS Story

Having hit something of a block while finishing up my latest book, I found myself visiting my past. I have had quite an interesting life. In my very early years (those delightfully dark days of teenage-dom) I didn’t anticipate living past twenty-five. That may sound morbid but I was a rather gloomy teen. There were times during my first violent marriage when I thought I … Continue reading As I Get Older: My MS Story

History of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

I am a domestic violence survivor and thriver. I lived in an abusive marriage for ten years. During that time I had three children and one miscarriage. I was daily insulted, debased, physically and mentally abused, emotionally torn, and debilitated to the point of contemplating suicide rather than continue. That was over thirty years ago. I have since remarried, earned college degrees, worked in social … Continue reading History of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

“Torn From the Inside Out” Sara Niles

Torn From the Inside Out by Sara Niles My rating: 5 of 5 stars In “Torn From the Inside Out” Sara Niles takes the reader through the escalating cycles of abuse. Watching her grow from a lively and curious child to a tortured and demoralized wife and mother is a compelling if painful journey. This is not a book for the squeamish but it is … Continue reading “Torn From the Inside Out” Sara Niles

Violence Is Not Love

February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Approximately one in every five female high school students (aged 13 to 19) reports having been physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. To put this in perspective, imagine a high school class with 20 female students: four of those students have probably been abused in a relationship. … Continue reading Violence Is Not Love