Allure Van Sanz's Blog, page 2

To Write Love...a Blog about Depression (CC Winners)

Anyone who sees me on a normal day will recognize this bracelet dangling from my wrist. Other days, you'll probably see me sporting a "To Write Love On Her Arms" tee-shirt. I'm a huge fan of the organization and all they do for people who suffer from depression and families/friends of suicide victims and survivors (including families and friends) of suicide attempts. I can't tell you what they mean to me. And I also can't tell you how I suffer. The words don't always come out the way I want them to, and I fear talking about the dark days--as if even mentioning what I go through might send me back into the pitch. So who better than J.S. Wayne to stand with me and bring about awareness with his experience and gift with words. If you've never met him, never read a word he's written...it is my most sincere honor to introduce you to J.S. Wayne.






I would like to believe that I am unique. In many ways, I am. I can take a great deal of pride in knowing that I have done things and been places that most people have never done, been, or seen. I’ve had a rich and full life so far, and I hope that it continues to be so.

But in one way, I am not unique at all.

I am one of nearly forty-two million Americans, or 16.5% of the total population, who suffers from depression.

We’ve all seen the commercials featuring the (mostly women) sitting on her couch looking sad while the world passes her by. “Depression hurts,” is the tagline for these commercials. And there’s a very good reason for that.

But before we get into the whys and wherefores, we first have to set a working definition of depression. So:

The DSM-IV, the gold standard in diagnosing mental illness among the psychological/psychiatric community for decades, defines depression as a complex of symptoms stemming from a biochemical imbalance in the brain that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s inability to function normally in a job, relationship, or other social or private matters and lasts more than two weeks. The symptoms include insomnia or needing excessive amounts of sleep, depressed mood during most of the day, loss of interest in activities that normally the person enjoys, significant weight loss or gain (equal to or more than 5% of the person’s normal body weight in a one-month period), apparent inability to move or think quickly as observed by others, fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or irrational guilt (“I’m sorry I was ever born, look at all the trouble I’ve caused”), diminished ability to think or concentrate, and recurrent or obsessive thoughts of death, suicide, or a specific plan or attempt to commit suicide.

To be considered depressed, one must exhibit at least five out of the nine traits listed above; and this is only for ONE type of depression (major depressive episode); the DSM-IV lists out NINE specific kinds of depression or depressive disorder. At least one of the five traits exhibited must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.

At one point or another, I have exhibited Every. Last. One.

Frightening, isn’t it?

Depression is not just in a person’s mind; according to the National Institute for Mental Health, suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people ages 15-24. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression; but men are THREE TIMES more likely to attempt or commit suicide as women.

People experiencing depression will often know they are acting irrationally or “out of character,” but can’t seem to figure out why. They may be lethargic or capable of running for days on end on an amount of sleep that a healthy person would find wholly inadequate. Depression is often linked to physical complaints such as joint or back pain that are untraceable and undetectable upon physical examination. So, yes, when the commercials say that depression hurts, they mean to be taken very literally, in a wide variety of senses.

Depression hurts the sufferer; it also hurts the people who care about and rely on the sufferer. Billions of dollars are lost in worker productivity and medical expenses each year as a direct result of depression. It tears families and lives apart. People lose their jobs, their houses, and even, tragically, their lives because of depression every year, in mind-boggling numbers.

If you just read the symptom list I gave above and said, “Hey, that sounds like me,” and you’re still reading this, you need to be on the phone or the web, getting in touch with your family. A friend. Your doctor. Your priest (or equivalent religious figure or aid). Anyone you love or trust enough to be honest about what you’re feeling, and why. And then you need to get help.

Some people find that medication works well. Some people alter their habits and lifestyle in a healthy way with remarkable results. Active meditation is the best way for some, while others find classical treatment from a qualified therapist works. Whatever YOUR best way is, find it. Don’t keep it to yourself. Don’t suffer in silence. Don’t let yourself become another tragic statistic.

It takes a lot of courage to ask for help. It may be the hardest thing you’ll ever do.

But it may save your job, your marriage, or even your life.

Weighed against that, isn’t it worth it? It won’t be comfortable; it won’t be easy. I’m not going to tell you it is.

But I swear on everything I hold sacred that it is worth it. And it’s not your fault. It’s not a failing or a weakness. It’s not something you see coming, or that you can say will never happen to you. But there is help. There is hope. And there are a hell of a lot of people out there who’ve been there and understand.

You’re talking to one of them now.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any or all of the symptoms I listed above, do your homework. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. And call or visit any of these resources. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate.

You may save a life.

Still need more convincing? Stop over to J.S. Wayne's Blog and read Melissa's Secret. Everyone should read this story! It can really open your eyes.

1-800-273-8255 is the number for the Suicide Prevention Hotline in the US. Check your directory for the appropriate number for your locale. Make this your first call, especially if you have ANY reason to believe that you or the person you’re concerned about may be thinking about suicide.

Online Resources:

American Foundation for Suicide PreventionDepression and Suicide Resources and Information


[image error]
To Write Love On Her Arms (clickable picture link)Resources and Assistance for Sufferers of Drug Abuse, Depression, Suicide Attempts, and Their Families
 

Giveaways:
Allure Van Sanz T-shirt
Allure Van Sanz Ebook (Your choice of any Noble book)
Erotic author J.S. Wayne's copy of Angels Would Fall
Erotic author J.S. Wayne's copy of Angel of the Morning


Colon Cancer Awareness Giveaway Winners:
AVS Book - Mona Risk
Patti Shenberger Print Book - Wendy S. Marcus
Avril Ashton's Ebook - Neecy

Trip Around the World Winners

I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the Trip Around the World Blog Hop, and especially those who visited my blog. LOL

Look for Party Til Your Heels Come Off Blog Hop coming in June for more chances to win a bunch of stuff! I'll be throwing a Luau and giving away more freebies.

I hope to see you then.

In the meantime, the three vacation package giveaway winners for this blog hop are:

Rhonda
Lisa Kumar
&
mmbourassa

Congratulations!

And for those who weren't chosen, I hope you consider coming back to this blog. In addition to the Blog Hops, I just love running giveaways!

Be Well and Live the Dream

Best,
AyVee
Allure Van Sanz

Colon Cancer Awareness and Red Cross Winners

You don't have to be an erotic author to talk about the bum. In fact, if we all did a little more talking and a lot less blushing, we could save many more lives. Here to tell us all about her experience is an advocate and colon cancer survivor. Welcome my buddy, Patti Shenberger.



Welcome, I'm the Priestess of Poop. Bet that got your attention now didn't it? I actually called myself that for a brief period of time when I was diagnosed with colon cancer back in the fall of 2006. Wasn't exactly one of the better times in my life, let me tell you.

You see I'd just gotten a raise that was literally double my previous salary, had a new job I loved, sold two romance novels and three short stories and life was looking pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Then…wait for it…you guessed it, my streak of good luck came crashing down around me in leaps and bounds.

I knew something wasn't right with my body but put it off to stress (the new job), fatigue (burning both ends of the candle with my writing), and not eating properly (no good excuse for that one). But after seeing something that didn't look right in the porcelain goddess and making a quick call to my family doctor, my worse nightmare quickly became a reality. Had my first colonoscopy two days after my 46th b-day. Woke up to find the doctor, nurse and hubby all staring at me and received the news there was a tumor. Yup, the first tremors of my world coming unglued kicked in. Three weeks later, I took a leave of absence from the job, notified my editor and publisher that I would do everything possible to get my edits done for them and retreated from life for a while for surgery and chemo.

Now if you can imagine this (and gals I know you can) my first day of chemo started off with a bang. I literally got my period, had to quit caffeine (Pepsi is my drink of choice) and had my first treatment of chemo. I have to admit there wasn't a suckier day on the face of this planet for me!!! (LOL) And that would be a false statement because as chemo progressed, the days did suck worse to the point of my mind going to the dark side and I couldn't find a bright light at the end of the tunnel till about 1/3 of the way through my treatment.

Those of you that know me know I'm a fighter. I've never met a challenge I couldn't nip in the bud until cancer. I'm also a Type A personality (just call me anal to a fault – literally (G). So I was bound and determined cancer would not win. And since I'm writing this you know that it didn't beat me, I beat it!

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. It is also the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. If caught earlier, it's also the most treatable. I was floored when my doctor told me the tumor was probably in my body close to ten years! Can you imagine that? I had no clue. This year alone colorectal cancer is expected to claim the life of 49,830 deaths. But, more than a million people are survivors of this deadly disease as well.

While I don't physically participate in the Relay for Life that is held in my community each year, I can say that I donate a nice chunk of change to the cause during the auction portion. For me June 4 at Friendship Park in Lake Orion is my Relay for Life survival day. I'll reconnect with the doctors who treated me, the nurses who knew when I needed a shoulder to cry on or another bowl of soup (where I had my treatment had free lunch days a lot), and I'll walk the survivors lap around the park, share lunch with family and friends, and more importantly know that I have made it through another year.

So on that happy note; I'll leave you all for today. Thank you for stopping by and thanks for sharing my story with me. And remember, the Priestess of Poop says "Don't forget your own colonoscopy." Think of it this way, you get to lose a lot of water weight with the prep and get a great nap during the procedure. Best part – you know you've taken care of your body by scheduling the appt.

My love to all, Patti

* Statistics from The American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org

Thank you so much for coming by and telling your inspiring story.

Colon Cancer Alliance <~~~Donation Link


Giveaways:

Author Allure Van Sanz Noble Ebook, your choice

Author Patti Shenberger giving away a print copy of The Laird's Lady

Erotic author Avril Ashton's EBook Secret Cravings


Red Cross Winners: (Please emails allurevansanz@aol.com if you did not leave your email or you don't hear from me in the next few days T-shirt and Print winners will need to email their addresses for the prize. If shipping winners are outside of U.S. their prizes can be swapped for ebooks. Thank you!)


Allure Van Sanz T-Shirt - Therese G.

Erotic Author Em Woods Print Book Saddle Up N Ride - Helen

Erotic Author Brindle Chase EBook copy of The Grass is Always Greener - Marilyn B.

Erotic Author Megan Hussey EBook copy of Love Revisited: Judith and Prince Valentin - Madelina

Allure Ebook of your choice: Everyone else who commented on the Red Cross thread!! Please Email me with your choice of book from the ones listed on this blog in the sidebar.

Thank you everyone!

Relief for Joplin and All Over

I've changed the regularly scheduled Awareness for today to add in the American Red Cross. I'm pretty sure the authors won't mind at all.

In case you're a lot like me and barely listen to the news--a tornado hit a few different spots in the midwest yesterday, one spot--Joplin--was decimated. So far, there are 89 people dead and many more missing.

I urge everyone who comes to the blog today to donate to the relief effort there. Please send this blog out, help me draw awareness to the need of the families, and in return, I'm offering all the people who visit and comment a free book today and tomorrow only.

DONATE TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Giveaways: (Winners will be announced on Wednesday.)

Paranormal Romance and Erotic Romance Author Allure Van Sanz (Any book you choose.)
Allure Van Sanz T-Shirts
Erotic Author Em Woods Print Book Saddle Up N Ride
Erotic Author Brindle Chase EBook copy of The Grass is Always Greener
Erotic Author Megan Hussey EBook copy of Love Revisited: Judith and Prince Valentin


Winners from these Giveaways

NYSVARA Winners:

one (1) .pdf ebook of Hyphema - Sun Singer

one (1) .pdf ebook of Final Sin - Em Woods


It Gets Better Giveaway Winners:

Erotic M/M author Em Woods EBook - Eyre

Erotic M/M author Stephani Hecht EBook - AKell

M/M Regency era Author Ava March eBook His Client - David L


Domestic Violence Giveaway Winners:

Erotic Author Megan Hussey eBook Angel on Fire - Debbie Laurie

Erotic Romance Author Nichelle Gregory is giving away a free ecopy of Hearts & Diamonds - Dawne P

Erotic Romance Author Em Petrova is giving away a free ecopy of a book in her Immortal Series titled Runes and Trefoi - Talina Perkins

Six Sentence Sunday Lovin'

Shyin Long, aka Ice, is discussing her newest target over the phone with her wingman Clyps: (Taken from the 0.99 novel Murder Creek available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble)

"He always waited three weeks after the third murder. It's time. He'll be coming back to Third, trust me."

She didn't.

"'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son'…"

H--wha? "Did I just blink and you found Christ?"






Head back to headquarters, where other awesome authors await:
Six Sentence Sunday Blog

Meet Vic of Murder Creek for Sample Sunday

Meet Vic from Murder Creek, a 0.99 full-length novel on sale now at Amazon (click picture link) and Barnes and Noble.




The downtown cityscape of Murder Creek looked the same from his window as it did behind bars. Messy. And the smell was no more pleasant.

Victor Ramsus Graves peered through the dingy glass at the park across the street and sighed. Everything in this town could be described like the swings in the distance; used and abandoned, fodder for the archeologists of the future to dig up.

This town needed a nuclear-holocaust to clean the streets. But without that option, they'd have to settle for him.

Surveying his lost territory, he ground his teeth.

The dregs of Neuhaven ended up here, the city's cesspit, where the suburb circle dumped their human trash. Drug dealers, pimps, organized criminals, and freelance hitmen lived in the nicer blocks of Murder Creek. The poor souls they preyed on, collected in the heart of hell, huddled in run down Victorian homes only a shadow of their finer days.

Survival saw two or three families packed together, hacking out an existence in three bedroom one bath houses still using knob-and-tube electricity.

Local industries kept a few decent people in Neuhaven, but in the Murder Creek center, crime was a way of life. No matter how good you were born, sooner or later you'd turn. Everyone broke and bent the law to suit their needs, whether the culprits were Christian mamas sheltering their 'gone-wrong' wanted children, or grocers who didn't bother to ask where the cheap fruit came from.

The corruption-saturated inner city never seemed to get out from underneath the pall. Even the smog blocked all but the most energetic of the sun's rays, covering most mornings in shades of gray. And if a tourist had an irrational itch to visit, they'd probably return to their picket-fenced half acres in Middle-class-ville addicted to anti-depressants.

If they returned at all. Murder Creek had the ability to swallow people whole.
And he should know. He'd been waiting a long time in the bowels of the beast to be shit out.

Vic turned from the window and scanned his single room studio apartment as if something to help ease his boredom had magically appeared while his back was turned.
Nope, still jack to do and shit to look at.

The place wasn't much. In fact, it wasn't nothin'. A small television stood on top of a milk crate in the living room, perched in front of an old seventies buffet chair with metal legs and maroon vinyl stapled to the cushions. In the corner, a mattress sat lonely on the floor with a couple of old sheets thrown on it along with a crocheted afghan his buddy Grey's grandma made for him as a 'getting out of jail' present.

The apartment wasn't exactly what he'd call furnished, but he didn't exactly get much notice to pick out curtains and wallpaper. He could barely wrap his head around the fact he'd been released at all.

One day he was sifting through a nudie magazine, plotting a way to survive the gas chamber, and the next, he received a pardon and a kick in the ass to the street.
Luckily, before anyone could hurl a bullet or a fireball at his head, Grey hustled him this hole to lay low. Here, no one asked questions, and the landlord didn't care how much blood was on the money as long as it came in on time. What more could he ask for?

Walking to the fridge, Vic already knew there wouldn't be much to see: A couple of ketchup packets and a six pack Grey left behind. Bleh. Never mind.

He fished an old fast food cup out of the sink, filled it with water, and carried it over to his chair. He sat down and flipped through the four channels he received, only one of which had less snow than the Himalayas.

Sighing, he flipped to another foggy channel and listened to the news.
His body jerked, and he was aware only that he'd fallen asleep and awoke alert with a nagging feeling, like he'd left his guns in the car.

But he didn't have his guns right now—Grey did—and he didn't have a car either.
As his blurry gaze slowly focused, his weary brain struggled to comprehend what he was seeing—a giant ass coming straight for him.

"Oh Shi--Unghh!"

He hammered his fists against the outer thighs of the sumo-wanna-be holding him pinned to his chair. Weren't wrestlers supposed to let go when someone tapped out?

"Ge'…off!" he choked. The man just chuckled.

The more he fought him, the more pressure the gorilla applied. Vic turned his head to the side—to avoid being smothered in back fat—and came face to face with a sneaky piece-of-shit he'd hoped to never see again.

Gato's smug smile could only be described as oil-slick, proud of himself for tracking Vic down. There weren't many people living who knew what The Rattlesnake looked—and in Gato's case smelled—like, and when Vic got his hands on the bastard, there would be one less.

"How's it goin', ese?" Gato asked, making a great show of dusting off the sleeves of his Armani suit. Vic had one just like it—if he survived this reunion he'd burn it. "I was worried someone was gonna hose you before I had the chance to collect on that favor ya owe me, eh?"

Vic sucked in a breath but couldn't respond.

"What favor you ask? The favor of not telling your enemies where I found ya, ese. I figure—ya owe me for that and I'm thinkin' ya don't wanna be telling me no about now." Gato's grin practically slithered across his face. "Ain't that right, Paulo?"
Paulo looked over a mountainous shoulder at him. "I had eight cheeseburgers and three orders of chili cheese fries."

Vic struggled harder.

"Right then." Gato squatted, resting his forearms on his bended knees. He enjoyed his bullying a little too much for Vic's tastes. "You see I have this problem: This wart on m'culo that needs a bit of learnin'. And she's good. Almost better than you, Man. Definitely harder to track," Gato thumbed his nose as if gloating over his ability to sniff Vic out despite his precautionary measures.

"You might still be better on the kill than her, but you been locked up for a couple years and she's been takin' your shift, so t'speak. I thought I'd get her t'work for me yanno? Word on the street is that she guns for The Agency, so ya know she's whacked. And whacked is what I needed t'get the job done."

Vic nodded absently, trying to absorb what Gato babbled on about but his chest was pushing through his spine and he couldn't keep his eyes open.

"Yo, Paulo, ease up a little, we're having a conversation here!"

A continent drifted and the pressure changed, allowing Vic to draw a life saving breath.

Gato punched him in the arm. "Pay attention, Man. So look, this whore…her name's Ice. I contracted her to steal some stones and now she ain't givin' 'em up. That's why she needs to be taught a lesson, ese. No one crosses Gato. No one!" Gato stood and paced like a lost schitzo. "But everyone I've sent to collect hasn't come back. Ricky, Cuervo…my best wolves, man. Dead and torched! She gotta die, ese, and die hard. I already put a little bit of love on the streets for her tonight, yeah? Something temptin' she ain't likely to pass up. All you gotta do is the smearin'."

Vic blinked to clear his vision, catching what he could of the conversation through the pain haze.

"But, don't off the bitch before you get m'goods! Shit's hardcore and I wan'em back. You do this for me, and I won't tell every hired freak out there where to find your ass, yeah? I'll keep all of my Lobos from contractin' to track you down for the hit squads and, because I can be a generous man, I'll pay ya good." Gato surveyed the empty apartment then scoffed. "Looks like y'could use some green. Are we understandin' each other?"

"Right. Stones…dead bitch." Vic choked out.

"Ya disappoint me, and I unleash the hounds, yeah? C'mon Paulo."

Once Paulo lifted his huge derriere off him, Vic rolled from the chair onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath. A loud squeak, like air seeping from a defective tire, brought Vic's gaze to Paulo as he deflated from sumo-size to runt-of-the-liter. Clothes that once fit him snug, now hung off the Hawaiian's scrawny frame.

Dark eyes twinkling, he gave Vic a two finger salute. "Welcome home, Vic." Paulo chuckled.

Turning Away from Domestic Violence

Today I'm highlighting two Domestic Violence Shelters/Organizations in attempt to bring awareness to just how prevalent domestic violence really is. Did you know, according to my ob/gyn, 40% of women have been subjected to domestic violence? I don't have any statistics on men, as they don't often report it out of fear of being considered "unmanly". But I wanted to recognize that DV DOES happen against men, too.


However, DV is so common with women that, in the delivery room, doctors try to give pregnant women 20 minutes without their significant other in the room while they ask certain questions so the women aren't pressured by their SO and can seek help if help is needed. This is a great policy to have...but unfortunately, out of the women who are abused, very few come forward or seek help. Those who do are usually in fear of the lives of their children (not so much themselves). Horrifying isn't it?



Allow me to introduce you to Megan Hussey.

"Making a Difference for Abused Women."


I remember her warmth, her humor and her intellect. I remember her beauty and her strength. And I remember the day she was murdered.

One of my earliest memories in life involves the death of a beloved cousin of mine, who was senselessly murdered at the age of 31 by a stalker.

My cousin Ivetta was a mother, career woman, political activist and a true and gentle soul. She brought so much joy to my family and we miss her every day—and it is to her I dedicate my lifelong efforts to stop violence against women.

No, I'm not among those brave people who run domestic violence shelters—but I do write news articles to generate funds and attention for these very same agencies. And in small ways, many of my romance stories address these issues. In my stories Mauve Christmas and Behold the Beauty, my heroines rescue and seek help for women in abusive households. In my Nuit series (Angel on Fire and Under Cover of the Night) and in Wild Sirens, ladies leave their emotionally and in some cases physically abusive mates for more sensitive, loving men. And in Noelle's Nocturne, a woman saves her male partner from an act of violence and intimidation.

Sure, I do what I can; but to me the true heroines and heroes are those on the front lines of this battle, serving and protecting its victims and survivors each and every day.

I urge everyone to join this fight by supporting a domestic violence and sexual assault center in their area, just as I support Sunrise of Pasco Inc., my Make a Difference beneficiary. For my cousin and millions like her. For all of us.


Thank you for your story Megan.
Sunrise of Pasco Inc Donation Link



Megan's cousin is just one of many tragedies every minute. Which is why I asked my next visitor to shed a bit of light on what one of these shelters does for the women and children they protect.

Please Welcome, Ruth Seitelman and her charity Shelter Our Sisters.

Shelter Our Sisters.

Shelter Our Sisters (SOS) is the only private, non-profit agency dedicated to sheltering Bergen County's women and children who are victimized by domestic violence. Shelter Our Sisters provides a comprehensive umbrella of support services to help women and their dependents attain safety, build a strong foundation for healing, gain self-reliance and stop the cycle of violence. We provide a 24 hour hot line, emergency shelter program and transitional housing program helping women and their children get back into the main stream.

We have a children's program designed to stabilize a child's environment and to counteract the effects of abuse by addressing the anxiety, depression, anger, aggression, self-esteem problems, and impaired social skill development that result from exposure to violence in the home. Together with Project Self-Sufficiency and our Follow-Up programs, women are empowered with the tools they need to manage themselves and their family.

Shelter Our Sisters is founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to be safe, empowered, and free from violence and the fear of violence. Central to this belief, Shelter Our Sisters seeks to eliminate domestic violence. Additionally, the agency aims to reduce related social problems, such as child abuse, sexual assault, substance abuse, sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression.

Shelter Our Sisters' mission is to assist women and children who are victims of domestic violence, including emotional, economic, sexual and physical abuse. The agency provides emergency and transitional housing, emotional support, and a diversified continuum of services focused on safety, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Through community partnerships, Shelter Our Sisters raises awareness, provides services, and educates community members about domestic violence.

Shelter Our Sisters <~~~~ Donation Link!

Ruth would love to give away a nice tea cup and saucer to anyone who'd like to jump over to her blog and leave a comment mentioning SOS. Ruth's Blog



Other Giveaways:

Erotic Author Megan Hussey eBook Angel on Fire.
Erotic Romance Author Nichelle Gregory is giving away a free ecopy of Hearts & Diamonds
Erotic Romance Author Em Petrova is giving away a free ecopy of a book in her Immortal Series titled Runes and Trefoi


All winners from Thursday's blog to today's blog will be announced on Monday's blog. Thank you!

Making a Difference for Abused Women

Today I'm highlighting two Domestic Violence Shelters/Organizations in attempt to bring awareness to just how prevalent domestic violence really is. Did you know, according to my ob/gyn, 40% of women have been subjected to domestic violence? In the delivery room, doctors try to give the pregnant women 20 minutes without their significant other in the room while they ask certain questions so the women aren't pressured by their SO and can seek help if they need it. This is a great policy to have...but unfortunately, out of the women who are abused, very few come forward or seek help. Those who do are usually in fear of the lives of their children (not so much themselves). Horrifying isn't it?



Allow me to introduce you to Megan Hussey.

"Making a Difference for Abused Women."


I remember her warmth, her humor and her intellect. I remember her beauty and her strength. And I remember the day she was murdered.

One of my earliest memories in life involves the death of a beloved cousin of mine, who was senselessly murdered at the age of 31 by a stalker.

My cousin Ivetta was a mother, career woman, political activist and a true and gentle soul. She brought so much joy to my family and we miss her every day—and it is to her I dedicate my lifelong efforts to stop violence against women.

No, I'm not among those brave people who run domestic violence shelters—but I do write news articles to generate funds and attention for these very same agencies. And in small ways, many of my romance stories address these issues. In my stories Mauve Christmas and Behold the Beauty, my heroines rescue and seek help for women in abusive households. In my Nuit series (Angel on Fire and Under Cover of the Night) and in Wild Sirens, ladies leave their emotionally and in some cases physically abusive mates for more sensitive, loving men. And in Noelle's Nocturne, a woman saves her male partner from an act of violence and intimidation.

Sure, I do what I can; but to me the true heroines and heroes are those on the front lines of this battle, serving and protecting its victims and survivors each and every day.

I urge everyone to join this fight by supporting a domestic violence and sexual assault center in their area, just as I support Sunrise of Pasco Inc., my Make a Difference beneficiary. For my cousin and millions like her. For all of us.


Thank you for your story Megan.
Sunrise of Pasco Inc Donation Link



Megan's cousin is just one of many tragedies every minute. Which is why I asked my next visitor to shed a bit of light on what one of these shelters does for the women and children they protect.

Please Welcome, Ruth Seitelman and her charity Shelter Our Sisters.

Shelter Our Sisters.

Shelter Our Sisters (SOS) is the only private, non-profit agency dedicated to sheltering Bergen County's women and children who are victimized by domestic violence. Shelter Our Sisters provides a comprehensive umbrella of support services to help women and their dependents attain safety, build a strong foundation for healing, gain self-reliance and stop the cycle of violence. We provide a 24 hour hot line, emergency shelter program and transitional housing program helping women and their children get back into the main stream.

We have a children's program designed to stabilize a child's environment and to counteract the effects of abuse by addressing the anxiety, depression, anger, aggression, self-esteem problems, and impaired social skill development that result from exposure to violence in the home. Together with Project Self-Sufficiency and our Follow-Up programs, women are empowered with the tools they need to manage themselves and their family.

Shelter Our Sisters is founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to be safe, empowered, and free from violence and the fear of violence. Central to this belief, Shelter Our Sisters seeks to eliminate domestic violence. Additionally, the agency aims to reduce related social problems, such as child abuse, sexual assault, substance abuse, sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression.

Shelter Our Sisters' mission is to assist women and children who are victims of domestic violence, including emotional, economic, sexual and physical abuse. The agency provides emergency and transitional housing, emotional support, and a diversified continuum of services focused on safety, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Through community partnerships, Shelter Our Sisters raises awareness, provides services, and educates community members about domestic violence.

Shelter Our Sisters <~~~~ Donation Link!

Ruth would love to give away a nice tea cup and saucer to anyone who'd like to jump over to her blog and leave a comment mentioning SOS. Ruth's Blog



Other Giveaways:

Erotic Author Megan Hussey eBook Angel on Fire.
Erotic Romance Author Nichelle Gregory is giving away a free ecopy of Hearts & Diamonds
Erotic Romance Author Em Petrova is giving away a free ecopy of a book in her Immortal Series titled Runes and Trefoi


All winners from Thursday's blog to today's blog will be announced on Monday's blog. Thank you!

It Gets Better!

I'm not going to bog my blog down with a huge introduction. I'll only say that one of my most favorite people and her son, are incredible for sharing their story to spread awareness for a cause that has touched my heart and made me laugh and cry...and want to smack ignorant people around. So without further yammering from me--Stephani Hecht sharing her wonderfully strong son Cody's story.



I was both honored and humbled when asked to blog on this day. Not only is The Trevor Project a wonderful and much needed organization, but I have a personal connection because I am the mother of a gay son.

Before I go on, let me preface this by saying I have his permission to share this story with the blog world. Coming out can be a difficult and very personal time in an individual's life. But, if Cody is anything, he's brave and he's always willing to put himself out there and take risks in order to help others.

Looking back, I now realize I always knew Cody was gay. Not because of anything he did or said, but because a mother just always has a way of knowing these kinds of things. The truth became even clearer last summer when he was getting his senior pictures taken.

The photographer was an older man and while he was really sweet, he had no ability to read body language. Cody was having trouble loosening up for the pictures, so the gentleman kept urging Cody to "think of some cute girls" to make him smile. While I'm certain the man didn't mean any harm, the look on Cody's face whenever he said it, nearly broke my heart.

I wanted nothing more than to reach out and give Cody a great big hug. To tell him that's it's okay. That I understood him. That I would always love him no matter what. There was just one problem, Cody hadn't come out to me yet. So I had to hold back and hope that he would soon fell comfortable enough to confide in me.

That happened a mere two weeks later. The rest of the family went to bed, while Cody and I sat up and talked. Our discussion went on until the early hours of the next morning. In the meantime, we looked at various websites, PFLAG and The Trevor Project were just a few. It was four in the morning when Cody finally turned to me.

"Do I need to say it?" he asked, his voice wavering just a bit.

"I already know, but if you want to practice on me, that's okay," I replied.

He took a deep breath and said, "Mom, I'm gay."

I gave him a hug, told him I'm so damn proud of him and we've been so much closer ever since. Over the course of the next few months, Cody came out to all of our family. Everyone took it in stride and there was no hate thrown his way. Even better, I've never seen Cody more relaxed and comfortable in his skin.

I only wish coming out was that easy for all kids. All too often, however, the exact opposite happens. Teens are bullied, harassed and thrown out of their homes, all for being gay. One of the local GLBT youth centers, Affirmations, even has a shower and clothes donation room set aside to aid those kids who have no home. The Ruth Ellis Center is another Detroit organized dedicated to helping out GLBT homeless youth.

As for Cody, this has been a great year for him. Not only is he happy, but he founded the first ever Gay, Straight, Alliance at his high school. While he's had some slurs thrown his way, on the whole, he's really well liked at school. He also has a strong core of friends who've supported him all along this journey.

Many people have told me that Cody is so lucky to have such an accepting mother. I would like to argue that I'm the one who is lucky. My son is smart, sweet and most of all he's brave as hell. I couldn't ask for a better kid.

Now, a little bit about the It Gets Better Project. This year, in response to the rash of gay kids committing suicide, Dan Savage started a YouTube campaign. He uploaded a message on YouTube, directed at GLBT youth. In it he told the kids that, not only did he understand what they're going through, but he urged the kids to hold on because things DO GET BETTER! The project took off like crazy and soon thousands of "It Gets Better" messages were uploaded to YouTube. I decided to share, both the Google Chrome commercial that highlighted the project, plus my favorite "It Gets Better" message. It was compiled by some employees from Pixar. Both videos are moving and always manage to bring a tear to my eyes.

-Stephani Hecht


It Gets Better-Google Chrome commercial


Pixar employees-It Gets Better


Donation Links:
The Trevor Project- http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
PFLAG National- http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?...
PFLAD Detroit- http://www.pflagdetroit.org/
Affirmations- http://www.goaffirmations.org/site/Pa...
The Ruth Ellis Center- http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/
It Gets Better Project- http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/
Mathew Shepard Foundation- http://www.matthewshepard.org/
GLSEN- http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all...
FCKH8- http://fckh8.com/SchoolLaw/ABOUT_FCKH...
Human Rights Campaign- http://shop.hrc.org/
All Out- http://www.allout.org/

Giveaways:
Allure Van Sanz T-shirt
Erotic M/M author Em Woods EBook.
Erotic M/M author Stephani Hecht EBook
M/M Regency era Author Ava March eBook His Client

We love NY!

While doing awareness for human conditions, I received an email from a very nice woman who had a very special request. She wanted to draw attention to The New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association. Even though it isn't awareness in support of a disease, these people put their life on the line for others. How can I say no to that? I can definitely make room during May Awareness for people who save lives without a paycheck incentive! So allow me to introduce you to one of many great people, putting themselves out there--Chelle Cordero. She's going to tell you all a bit about her organization, and for listening, she's offering up some books! See? Told you she was great. Thanks for visiting, Chelle.


There are more than one-million-six-hundred-forty-five-thousand calls for emergency medical assistance every year in New York State; a substantial portion of NYS certified emergency health providers are volunteer. Their training is equal to career EMS professionals, but their volunteer status helps keep tax bases lower. (*career/paid responders often ride many more hours weekly than their volunteer counterparts and are often necessary in high call volume areas)

The New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association is a statewide not for profit, 501(c)(3) membership organization, active since 1939. The NYSVARA's mission is to promote and assist the interests of the state's community volunteer and nonprofit EMS/First Responder/First Aid sector. The association continues to keep pace with the challenges facing EMS, First Response and Rescue today. Members include: independent volunteer ambulance companies, fire district and fire related ambulance services, college and school based services, first response medical squads, rescue squads and teams, tax based ambulance and rescue companies, combination services (volunteer/career) and organizations wishing to support the spirit of community/volunteer EMS/Medical first response service as well as individual CFRs, EMTs, AEMTs, rescue workers, instructors, specialists, nurses and firefighters affiliated with these services.


NYSVARA is an information conduit with an EMS video library, samples of Standard Operating Procedures and other administrative paperwork. The organization is a frontrunner of advocacy for EMS-related legislative issues and services. They monitor bills introduced in the legislature, propose legislation and comment on regulations affecting volunteer and nonprofit emergency services.
NYSVARA also encourages education and sponsors a yearly statewide conference (Pulse Check) offering Continuing Medical Education credits, EMS products and supplies, and drill competitions. Pulse Check also provides an opportunity for recognition and camaraderie among EMS responders. Youth participation is encouraged. Learn more at http://www.nysvara.org/

National EMS Week 2011 is May 15 thru May 21. Please help support the organizations that support the people who are there when you need them most.

Contact and/or send donations to:
New York State Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Assoication, Inc.
PO Box 254
East Schodack, NY 12063
Or email at: Sponsors(at)NYSVARA(dot)org


Giveaway:


one (1) .pdf ebook of Hyphema
one (1) .pdf ebook of Final Sin


Everyone is welcome to download a FREE .pdf ebook Nature's Gifts 2011 http://bit.ly/jXAL0s


Autoimmune Winners:

Romance and Erotic Romance Author Allure Van Sanz EBook (Your choice of Noble Books)- CJ Archer

Indie Author Dana Taylor giving away a copy of her EBook Devil Moon - Liz

Author Elaine Cantrell giving away an EBook copy of A New Dream - Helen