Giveaway & Sexy One-Liners from Blood of the Demon

Today is the re-release of BLOOD OF THE DEMON by Rosalie Lario. To celebrate this, 10 bloggers are posting some "Sexy One-Liners" from the book. Be sure to check out the giveaway below for some awesome prizes.

Quote #9

All you have to do is visit the blogs below, pick your favorite quote, and enter by filling out the Rafflecopter. 

Quote #1 -     Book Flame   -    www.bookflame.blogspot.com
Quote #2 -     Stuck in Books    -    http://stuckinbooks.com
Quote #3 -     Once Upon a Twilight     -    www.onceuponatwilight.com
Quote #4 -     Good Choice Reading    -   http://www.goodchoicereading.com
Quote #5 -     Book Soulmates    -    http://www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com
Quote #6 -     AwesomeSauce Book Club     -    http://awesomesaucebookclub.com
Quote #7 -     The Book Rat   -     www.thebookrat.com
Quote #8 -     I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!   -    www.sithereandread.com
Quote #9 -     Confessions of a Bookaholic    -     www.totalbookaholic.com
Quote #10 -   My 5 Monkeys    -    http://www.tableforseven-Julie.blogspot.com

 Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a a swag pack including a Blood of the Demon pen, magnet, stickers, and bookmarks. The winner can also choose between an ebook copy of For Love of an Angel or Angel's Desire from Rosalie's Fallen Warriors series.

Rules: 

• You must be at least 17 to enter.
• Shipping Requirements: US/Canada Only
• Contest ends August 21st.
• Enter by filling out the rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (April 10th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 380 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Shadow Falls, #3
Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers.  Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean.  But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together.  Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

Review:

*sigh* this series just gets better and better. In Taken at Dusk Kylie is desperate to find out where she came from, what she is, and who is her family. She holds on to any hope she can that the puzzle will start to come together but first things get a bit more complicated. Kylie is trying to find her grandparents (her dad's adopted parents must be found first) so this takes her through a lot of emotions. Then a mysterious ghost shows up who just gives her a cryptic message but doesn't remember anything else about her past. 

On top of that, Kylie is still trying to decide where her heart is -- with Lucas or Derek. Derek leaves for camp for a while and Lucas is determined to be right by Kylie's side. He knows she is who he wants so now he just has to persuade her to decide the same. But even that isn't easy because Lucas's pack isn't fond of them being together. There are quite a few obstacles standing in the way. 

This book was wonderful because slowly things are coming together and questions are getting answered. It's a process, but Kylie learns more about herself each step of the way. There were a lot of surprises in this book, a new character I hated to like (actually 2), and a lot of angst. 

Along with the massively intense plot, the characters are really what continues to grab my focus. Kylie's friends - Della, Miranda, Perry, Derek, Lucas..and all the others are each so well developed. They have their own plot-points going on as well so it isn't all about Kylie and what she's going through. They are a big group of teenagers so it's obvious that a lot of fighting and drama occurs. 

I am still Team Lucas! And usually you can tell who a character will end up with but I am really not sure this time. Both characters are so strong, sexy, and caring. 

If you haven't picked up this series yet, do it! It has everything you could want in a paranormal series. I can't wait to get my hands on book 4! C.C. Hunter is a master of tapping into the teenage mind and capturing the emotions that exist there. Each character in this series is so perfectly imperfect that it's easy to fall in love with them all. 

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Cover Reveal: POWER by Kristie Cook

Power by Kristie Cook

Date: August 24th

Series: Soul Savers, book #4

Here is an excerpt from chapter one of the book! 

I never heard the rest of Tristan's sentence—what he didn’t want me to think. The handsome guy thought I’d nodded to him and had me by the hand, stumbling over his own feet as he dragged me to the dance area. As soon as we stepped onto the sunken floor, his hands were on my hips, pulling me close to him. For a brief moment, I forgot about all the mind signatures, the twirling lights and pounding music and could only think about how strange it was to be that close to a man other than Tristan.

But only for a brief moment. Before I could even do anything, a growl ripped through the music—or maybe just through my head—and Tristan was suddenly between the guy and me, his back to me and his arms out protectively. The drunk guy swung without even looking, and Tristan caught his wrist in mid-air. With the pain of the grip, the guy finally looked up into Tristan’s face. His eyes grew wide and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped. He gave me an apologetic frown as he carefully stepped away from the dance floor.

Tristan turned back to me and wrapped his hands around my waist, pulling me to him as he swayed to the music. I looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You can talk to girls all night but I can’t dance once?”

His nostrils flared. “There’s a difference. His hands were all over you.”

“I had things under control.”

He leaned closer to me and growled in my ear. “I didn’t like it!”

To make today even better, it just happens to be Kristie's birthday! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIE! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of surprises!

For more information on the Soul Savers series you can go to...

www.KristieCook.com or www.SoulSaversSeries.com

Deleted Scene: Dreaming Anastasia series by Joy Preble

Joy Preble is here today to share a deleted scene from book 2 in her Dreaming Anastasia series -- Haunted.

Deleted Scene from Haunted

Here is a bit of background on the scene from Joy:

“The Haunted scene takes place after the Cub's game. Anne and Ethan go to eat and then see Viktor but before then I had envisioned this sexual tension/comic but serious scene where Anne is angry at Ethan for having turned her life upside down but she doesn't want to say it and he doesn't want to say he loves her since he's come back to find Ben in the picture. So instead, Anne eats. And eats. And it wasn't really working for me, but it's funny.”

Thursday, 4:30 PM, Ethan

                “Are you going to finish that?” I point to the remains of the enormous pile of onion rings that Anne has consumed along with the cheese and sausage pizza we just split at the little hole in the wall pizza place so close to the El that you can feel the trains rumbling by overhead as you eat. We’re in Evanston where I’ve rented an apartment. But taking Anne there felt like a mistake. A restaurant seemed safer. Pizza seemed safer.

I just had no idea that she ate like this.

                “Well, yeah. You need to try some, Ethan.” She plucks one off the plate, shoves it into my hand, then passes me the bowl of ranch dressing. “And dip them in this. It’s killer.”

                I try it. It’s not half bad.

                We both chew some more, both pretending that this isn’t awkward and that we don’t both remember being chased by Baba Yaga and Viktor and Dimitri to these very El tracks not that long ago. Or that it was on one of those trains that Anne figured out how to work the magic lacquer box that let us access Baba Yaga’s forest and open the door to her hut so we could save Anastasia. It doesn’t take much for me to remember how Anne looked when Viktor almost killed her that day.

Or how I felt realizing what a fool I’d been to trust him.

                It’s easier to eat pizza and onion rings and talk about what I’m going to study now that I’m back. Of course we both know that’s not really why I’m back. But neither of us has worked up to the truth.

                “See. I knew you’d like it.” She dips another ring in the bowl of ranch, opens her mouth, pops it in, then closes and chews.

                “Remember when you made me tea? You still do that? The whole loose tea, tea pot thing?” she asks me around her mouth of onion ring.

                “Yes.”

                “Well that’s good to know.”

                “We need to talk, Anne.”

                “We are talking, Ethan.”

                I frown at her.

                “I’m being difficult, right? That’s what you’re thinking. Anne’s being difficult.”

                “Possibly.”

                “That’s what Tess keeps telling me, too. Well, maybe she doesn’t use that specific word. But that’s what she means.”

                “Anne.”

                “Ethan.”

                I signal the waitress for a check. This is going nowhere. I need to find out what’s really been going on with her. I need to tell her what I’ve seen. What I suspect. Everything I’ve kept from her in hopes that maybe I could keep it from coming. I am, it seems, no less foolish than ever.

                “You know they make great cannoli here,” Anne says as she stabs her fork into the last onion ring and dunks it in the bowl of dressing.

                I fish some bills from my pocket and hand them to the waitress who’s returned with the check.  “You’re all set,” I tell her. I stand, pull Anne from her chair while she’s still chewing and guide her from the restaurant. Another train barrels by overhead.

                “Let’s go out by the lake,” I say. “We’ll walk. I’ll talk. You’ll listen. And we’re going to figure this out, okay. Really. We are.”

                “Ben loves me, Ethan. Did you know that?”

                Her face is suddenly serious. Somewhere all this onion ring eating has been about this.

                “Does he?”

                “Yeah, he does.”

                She pauses, clearly on the verge of saying something more. It occurs to me, certainly not for the first time, how very young she still is.

                “I’m sorry that he’s been dragged into this, Anne.”

                “He has, hasn’t he?” She swallows. I catch a glimpse of the Anne I really know – as much as I can say I know her. The one who’s smart and funny and brave. The one I kissed a number of times before I left for Europe and who is now seeing a boy named Ben she says loves her.

                “Sucks to be him, huh?” she adds.

                Actually, I think, it doesn’t.

Anastasia Forever by Joy Preble
Publisher: Sourcebooks (August 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Series: Dreaming Anastasia, #3  

Stories within stories. Secrets within secrets. In accepting powers from the legendary witch Baba Yaga, Anne must tackle a complex set of missions: Discover the secret of their enemy's newfound immortality; decide whether she can kill him to free her family from a vicious curse; come to terms with the magic that now resides inside her; and finally find true love with Ethan. The riveting conclusion to the trilogy that began with Dreaming Anastasia.

 Website      |     Goodreads     |      Blog      |        Twitter   

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Stand Up Against Abuse: Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Today we have author Jennifer Shaw Wolf with us to round out our week dedicated to standing up against abuse of any kind. While Lisa and I have taken the last week to talk about the sensitive subject with some generous authors, a week is never enough. Use these days, posts and tools to help prevent an abusive relationship. Use these words in these posts & books to continue talking. Never stop talking!

What made you decide to share a story involving relationship abuse?

This is honestly one of the hardest questions Iíve had to answer in an interview. I had to think about it for a long time because I didnít start out to write a story about relationship abuse. I just wanted to write a story. As I was writing, it evolved into a story about relationship abuse. There were times when I had to sit back and ask myself if this was really the story I wanted to tell. I kept thinking, ìWho am I to write about such a hard subject?î In retrospect, Iím glad BREAKING BEAUTIFUL came out the way it did. Allie is a fictional character, but I hope her story can help someone who is real find hope, find help, or stay safe.

What do you think teens should know in order to stay safe in a relationship?

I wanted to make sure that this was sound advice, so I turned the question over to a professional. The capable ladies at SafePlace*** womenís shelter in Olympia, Washington were happy to help. The following question was answered by their Community Services Coordinator, Michelle Dixon-Wall.


Maintaining individuality is a challenge for teens if it is against the grain of their peer group. Feeling pressured to change or conform is a regular occurrence in middle and high schools. This means that when we are teenagers, we are more susceptible to change to meet the needs of our dating relationship or our sweetie's expectations. We are more likely to stay in relationships that are not really working for us because "everyone has a BF." We are inexperienced in relationships of all kinds. Even our friendships can be abusive and manipulative (i.e., gossip, rumors, the constant breaking of trust, the many pains of not being popular.) Staying true to oneself can help keep us out of abusive relationships. To stay safe, we have to focus inward-- focus on our gut feelings and meeting our own needs and desires. Adults and parents often perceive teens as selfish but in reality they have given of themselves completely to the whims of their peer groups.


Teens need to recognize that extreme jealousy and threats of desperation or suicide are BIG warning signs and not romantic Twilight notions.


***Note: Here is the website for SafePlace of Olympia. http://www.safeplaceolympia.org/ SafePlace is the shelter that I did a donations drive for in conjunction with my book launch. They have been very helpful and supportive of me during my launch and also for this interview. The people there are truly angels.*** 

What do you hope teenagers take from reading BREAKING BEAUTIFUL?

I want teens to be aware of the horrors of abuse, so they can avoid that situation, or be able to recognize it if a friend might be in a bad relationship. Ultimately I would like any of my writing to help teens realize that no matter what situation they may be in, there is hope, and there are ways out.

There was a lot of mystery in this book as well. Why did you decide to include the fact that Allie was struggling with remembering the night of the accident?

Iíve always loved a good mystery and I think that wrapping an important message in an interesting story is a great way to learn about important issues and be more empathetic. I also felt Allieís slowly returning memories was the right way for story to unfold. After everything that happened to her, I could see her shutting down that part of her memory to protect herself. She needed to relive her past a little at a time. She needed the chance to get stronger before she could really face what happened the night of the accident.

What was the most difficult part in writing this book?

The flashbacks of the abuse were definitely the hardest pieces to write. I wanted to make it real, but not overly dramatic. I had to show why Allie was so broken, but also why she thought she was in love in the first place. I wanted to make it into a real portrayal of abuse and of an abuse victim. I agonized a lot about whether I was overdramatizing or making light of a serious situation.

What were some startling statistics you found during your research?

The actual stories struck me more than the statistics, especially those from parents who had lost a child to some form of relationship violence. I remember coming across one on youtube, late at night, when I was looking for something else. It was a mother and father from the UK who were talking about their daughterís murder. I could see them aching with guilt that they hadnít realized what was happening to their daughter. (Unfortunately I canít find the clip.)


The statistics are pretty disturbing too. Here is a good compilation that I found at loveisrespect.org (http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/dating-violence-statistics)


          -   Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
          -    One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
          -   One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
          -    One quarter of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
          -    Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence -- almost triple the national average.

How has writing this story affected you and/or those around you?

Through writing this story Iím definitely more aware of stories of abusive relationships, whether theyíre in the media or whispered about behind closed doors. I heard a story just yesterday that cut me to the core. Right after I finished BREAKING BEAUTIFUL someone close to someone who is close to me was murdered by an abusive spouse. That definitely made me step back and look at what I had written.  At that point I decided to do more research to be sure my portrayals were accurate and that I wasnít belittling a serious issue. My heart aches for victims of abuse, and for anyone who feels helpless in the situation theyíre in.


Iím also more aware of how teens and relationships are portrayed in the media. The sulking, jealous, obsessive, romantic hero you see in many books and movies is not the best role model of a healthy relationship.

And lastly, if you could, would you share what are your hopes for Allie would be if she was sitting in front of you right now?

I would want her to know that there is help available and that she isnít alone. I would want to tell her that she has the right to move on with her life and be happy, no matter what happened in her past. I would want her to know that she is strong and beautiful and worth being treated with respect and love. (This is a message I would like to send to my daughter and all teenage girls.)

Title: Breaking Beautiful
Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Publisher: Walker Children's, 354 Pages (April 24th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accidentóincluding her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what sheís kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Find the Jennifer Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook









Book Trailer:

Remember to check out THIS PAGE to sign up to win a copy of this book and the other books mentioned during "Stand Up Against Abuse" week. Help spread the word about the links and phone numbers listed on that page. 

Tour: Guest Post - Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule

I am thrilled to be a tour stop for Sherry Soule's newest book, Moonlight Mayhem (book 2 in the Spellbound series). Sherry has a post for us featuring some of her favorite moments from the series.

 

Hi everyone, I’m Sherry Soule—waving from Castro Valley, California, where it gets foggy even during the summer months. But even with the fog burning off by afternoon, I’m relaxing on the sofa and blabbering on Twitter about my life-long obsession with books.

It’s a real honor to be a guest here today as part of my Moonlight Mayhem Blog Tour this summer and meet all of you awesome booklovers.

For those of you who haven’t heard about my epic blog tour it’s not too late to join the fun!

Hashtag Twitter - #MMBlogTour

Okay, today’s entertaining post has a special feature from author, Sherry Soule! She has complied a few of her favorite moments and quotes from the first two YA books in the thrilling Spellbound series, BEAUTIFULLY Broken and MOONLIGHT MAYHEM. *pg numbers are from the mass market paperback edition*

Now let me introduce this turbulent, yet starry-eyed couple:

Shiloh Ravenwolf and Trent Donovan.

Quote from BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN – pg 14 “Initial Glimpse”:

Trent turned his head, his gaze capturing mine. My face flamed, interrupting my ogling. His eyes widened, then narrowed. His arms dropped to his sides. Once those hypnotic green eyes seized mine, the atmosphere shifted, and for a moment, my heart ceased to beat. His gorgeousness silenced the thoughts and whirling emotions inside my head. The lingering anxiety from earlier vanished.

Finally, Trent turned away. I exhaled. He kept his head down like he had something to hide. Something he didn’t want people to see. Something he didn’t want me to see.

Quote from BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN – pgs. 77 -78 “Meet Charm”:

I leaned out the window and lifted the kitten. She purred and I rubbed her soft fur against my cheek, tension that had snapped my spine straight when I’d heard the eerie cry easing with the each rumbling purr. “Ah, poor baby. Are you hungry?” She loudly meowed.

Trent returned with a bowl of milk and set it on the floor. I lowered the kitten and watched her greedily lap the milk.

“She’s cute,” Trent said. “What should we name her?”

The ball of fluff raised her head, licking white drops off her mouth.

“Charm.” I hoisted the kitten and cuddled her in my arms.

Trent scratched her under her white chin. “Charm?”

“Yeah. It’s perfect.”

He scratched the cat behind her ears. “I’d rather have a dog,” he teased.

“Shhh, Charm will hear you.” I covered the cat’s pointy ears with my hands.

Trent grinned, taking the kitten from my arms and surprising me by kissing Charm’s head.

Quote from BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN – pgs. 86 -87 “A Kiss”:

I went to snatch my hand away, but Trent caught my hand in his, startling me. I looked up to see warmth on his face. His smile held the promise of happiness. He scooted closer and held my gaze for a breath, glanced down. He leaned forward, as if he had no control over his actions. I inhaled his nice, soapy-clean scent, and all coherent thought left my head.

His hands gripped my waist and Trent yanked me against him, his mouth covering mine in a deep kiss. The caress of his lips was softer than I’d imagined. An unfamiliar rush of excitement engulfed my senses. My hands wrapped around his neck, fingering his silky tousled hair. His moist lips seared a path from my lips to my neck, igniting a blaze of desire that flooded my skin everywhere his lips and roaming hands touched. Boys had kissed me before, but not like this. Never like this.

Yes, yes…this is what I want and yearn for—affection. To fall in an impetuous head-over-heels kind of love. Let myself go. Surrender my heart…

Quote from ARC of MOONLIGHT MAYHEM – pgs. 85 -86 “Nervous Belly”:

Luna Pizza wasn’t super busy yet, when the door opened and swoon-worthy Trent Donovan sauntered into the restaurant with a guy I didn’t recognize, which meant I had no place to hide. I felt the air whoosh from my lungs. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them, I swear my body froze. My heart stopped beating. A volatile, relentless thrill shot through my veins, and I shuddered. Messy blond hair, startling emerald eyes, cocky grin on his face…

Quote from ARC of MOONLIGHT MAYHEM – pg 224 “Hero Intercedes”:

His hands flickered upward, and before I knew it, they were cupping my face. So, damnably fast now. Demonic-like fast. Trent reeled me closer. Our foreheads joined. He held me, while I trembled in his arms. I was vaguely aware of Evans and Maxwell watching, although it didn’t seem important. Nothing seemed important whenever he did this. It felt like we were enclosed in our own personal bubble made only for the two of us. Trent murmured something in my ear. We stood like that until my shaky legs gradually regained strength. I shut my eyes and pretended my body wasn’t sizzling with heat-lightning because Trent stood so close. My hormones always decided to rebel whenever he put his arms around me. And it wasn’t totally awkward and uncomfortable. No, it felt like the best thing I’d experienced since before Dad’s death. And that’s saying a lot.

Quote from ARC of MOONLIGHT MAYHEM – pg 224 “Zombie Encounter”:

Her pale brow furrowed. Her skin veiny and colorless. Sheesh, she’s a hot mess. Zombie Girl tilted her head and raised her arms. “Ashley—hag!”

“What! Did that corpse just call me a hag?” Ashley sounded more like her usual bitchy self.

“No, I think she means hug. It’s zombie lingo. I’ve read online that zombies can be affectionate, but hugging one often leads to, well, having your brains eaten,” I said.

“Yuk!” Ashley backpedaled, scrunching her thin face. “Beyond gross.”

Zombie Girl giggled, but it sounded choked, a mere gurgling rumble in her throat. She had these nasty bloody scrapes on her arms and legs. Her right calf had deep teeth marks. Her feet were dirty and bare, her movements jaunty and slow.

Hope you all enjoyed this post. Now go feed your mind and read a book! Preferably mine. 

Book Blurb:

Otherworldly Creatures. Dazzling Magic. Fiery Romance.

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the strange events in Whispering Pines, until the full moon brings another surge of supernatural threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, so Shiloh needs to gain control of her magical abilities—fast!

It sucks that she has a crippling fear of the dark, which for a demon hunter can be an epic problem.

When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious creature and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace. Except that's not all Shiloh has to worry about. She’s battling a different monster within herself and struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

 

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…

Moonlight Mayhem is the second novel in the epic Spellbound series

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:

Official Blog: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com/

Official Spellbound Series Universe: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com/

Twitter @WriterSherry: http://twitter.com/writersherry

Book Trailer/YouTube: http://youtu.be/5uqVXKygvUs

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4925996.Sherry_Soule

Amazon     |      Barnes & Noble

Stand Up Against Abuse: Warning Signs and Resources

Hello again and welcome to day four of our "Stand Up Against Abuse" Week. What we say in the banner above is true. Relationships Shouldn't Hurt. It's been a great week talking about such a sensitive subject that needs more attention. I hope that through the last four days we were able to make a difference in even just one persons life. Remember, this is only the beginning of the discussion. Do the most important thing of all... JUST KEEP TALKING! Enjoy the second to the last day and remember the important information you'll find in today's post. Thanks.

Resources & Signs of Abuse from author Holly Cupala

What are the resources for teens that you would recommend? (websites, phone numbers, groups, etc.)

One thing I learned that really struck me as I researched homelessness and relationship abuse for DON'T BREATHE A WORD was that wanting to leave bad habits is not a motivation to quit finding purpose and meaning is. One better choice can make the difference between a hopeful outcome and a grim one.


There are some wonderful organizations, both locally and nationally, to help teens in abusive or dangerous situations:


The National Runaway Hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY, is dedicated to helping teens stay safe and off the streets.


LoveisRespect.org is such a great site with info on relationship warning signs and getting help, and they launched a dating abuse hotline: 1-866-331-9474 or text 'loveis' to 77054.


Glamour Magazine launched the Tell Somebody campaign, including 10 Surprising Warning Signs You're Dating an Abusive Guy.


What do you feel are the top warning signs that a person may be abusive?

Some of the warning signs? When you feel bad or sad or small or ashamed whenever you're around that person. When it's all about them. When they aren't interested in what is important to you. When they blow off your concerns about their behavior. So many more, but it can be so hard to recognize when you're in the middle of it.


Abusive relationships aren't just about physical abuse: abuse can be verbal, emotional, and psychological. If you sense you are in a relationship that hurts you or demeans you, listen to that inner voice. Tell a friend, get help. An abuser's words have power, and so do yours.

 Resources & Signs of Abuse from author Angela Carling

Hi there, my name is Angela Carling and I am the author of Unbreakable Love (a tender love story) and Shackled (a powerful story of love and control). I dedicated Shackled to my sister who survived an abusive relationship. There is a post on my blog if you want to know more about that http://www.angelacarling.blogspot.com/


Today the lovely lady that hosts this blog has asked me to provide information that I might have found when researching Shackled. Before I pass on the actual websites and phone number I need to warn anyone who might use the information below to get help- that they should avoid using any computer that your abuser might have access to because the abuser can check your viewing history putting you in further danger.  These websites recommended making phone calls or doing research on a friend or families computer, maybe even going down to the library to use their computers, so please be careful.  That is why I have listed correlating phone numbers with each website below (if I could find one). Without anymore blabbing from me, here are several resources to help you learn more or get out of an abusive relationship. All my love and the best of luck to each of you.


This was the most comprehensive website I found. It also gives hotline numbers for men, in addition to women. I also liked that it had a nationwide map(USA) of all the shelters available.


http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_treatment_prevention.htm#help


This was an excellent catch all, easy to remember hotline 1-800-799-SAFE. Below is the correlating website.


http://www.thehotline.org/


This site provides legal help to abuse victims.  The phone number is 1-800-427-1460.


http://www.laawstl.org/


This website provides guidance and assistance all over the world and for almost all languages. The toll free number is 1-800-799-7233 and it is available 24hours a day 365 days a year!


http://www.kismetwtg.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=117


This site is awesome to help you find an immediate, emergency shelter and protection, anywhere in the U.S.


http://www.womenshelters.org/


My focus today is on Shackled and even more specific, the why behind Shackled.  While this saucy little story definitely addresses the patterns and traits of abuse, it does not wallow in the darkness of it.  Instead, I wrote the book hoping to show my readers how to punctuate the problem before it gets out of control.  Let me explain. I have a psychology degree and in my field of study, we learned goofy words like PUNCTUATE. Most negative behaviors are actually part of patterns that go round and round until they destroy us. Just like a period marks the end of a sentence, when we punctuate a problem or bad behavior, we mark it mid pattern and stop the destructive cycle. See all that money on college wasnít wasted after all. In Shackled, we walk in Lucy's shoes, breath Lucy's breaths and hear Lucy's every thought.  While Lucy's experience is fascinating to read about, it also teaches us the critical warning signs of abuse. While I hope you read Shackled (it has a very cool, surprising ending), I also want to list here, the five most important signs of abuse to watch for.  If you are in a relationship and you see any of these signs, it may be time to look seriously at your relationship and decide whether it is healthy. In other words, punctuate the pattern.  If it is not a healthy relationship, get out!!!! Abusers can't hurt us if we don't let them. In fact, ironically, they are powerless without you as a victim, so don't fuel their sickness. You are powerful and precious, and deserve to feel safe and respected. Oh yeah, warning signs. Here they are.


1.    Abusers typically come on very strong at the beginning.  They can be charming and often tell you they love you earlier than you would expect.  They 'sweep you off your feet' and ask for a commitment early in the relationship.


2.    Very intrusive or controlling-an abusive person must know where you are all the time. They also want complete control even over simple things like what you wear or how you spend your money.


3.    Won't take responsibility. It is always someone elseís fault that an abuser is angry or upset. Abusers are famous for turning it around on their victims and making it 'their fault'.


4.    They isolate you from others, particularly family and friends, often insisting you spend all your time with them. They are very jealous and constantly question you. They call is showering you with attention. This gives them more control and keeps you subdued.


5.    Abusers often use intimidating body language and/or some form of belittlement. This may include anything from rolling their eyes when you talk to actually calling you stupid or hitting you. Anything to make you feel lower than them. This can happen in public or in private.


I hope this was helpful. I hope everyone reading this can find the sweet gift of a healthy relationship in your lives. Thanks for your time and I wish you all the best!

 Resources & Signs of Abuse from author Jennifer Shaw Wolf

The answers to these questions are also from Community Services Coordinator, Michelle Dixon-Wall, at SafePlace.

What are the resources for teens that you would recommend? (websites, phone numbers, groups, etc.)

http://www.loveisrespect.org/

http://www.facebook.com/LoveIsNotAbuse

http://www.thatsnotcool.com/

What do you feel are the top 5 warning signs that a person may be abusive?

1. Extreme jealousy, possessiveness- At the beginning of a relationship an abusive person will always say that jealousy is a sign of love.  Jealousy has nothing to do with love; it's a sign of possessiveness and lack of trust. An abusive person will question you about who you talk to, accuse you of flirting / cheating or be jealous of time you spend with family, friends, or children.  As the jealousy progresses, an abusive person may call you frequently during the day or drop by unexpectedly.  An abusive person may refuse to let you work or go to school for fear they will meet someone else, or even do strange behavior such as checking the car mileage or asking friends to watch you.

 2. Controlling behavior- At first, an abusive person will say this behavior results from concern about the your safety, your need to use your time well, or to make good decisions, etc. An abusive person will be angry if you are 'late' coming back from the store or an appointment.  An abusive person will question you closely about where you went or who you talked to.  As this behavior gets worse, the abusive person may not let you make personal decisions about the house, clothing, or going to church.  An abusive person may keep all the money or even make you ask permission to leave the house or room.

 3. Quick involvement- Many people who have experienced abuse knew their abuser for a short time before they entered a relationship with them. An abusive person comes on like a whirlwind, claiming, 'You're the only person I could ever talk to', or 'I've never felt loved like this by anyone'.  An abusive person will pressure you to commit to the relationship in such a way that later you feel guilty if you want to slow down the involvement or break it off completely.

 4. Blames others for their problems and/or feelings- An abusive person will blame you for almost anything that goes wrong. The abusive person will tell you, 'You make me mad' or 'You're hurting me by not doing what I want you to do', or  'I can't help being angry.'  It is really the abusive person who makes the decision about what they think or feel but they will use those feelings to manipulate others.  Less obvious blaming statements are claims that 'You make me happy,' or 'You control how I feel.' An abusive person is easily insulted and claims that their feelings are 'hurt' when really they are very mad. An abusive person will 'rant and rave' about the injustice of things that have happened and things that are really just part of living such as being asked to work overtime, getting a traffic ticket, being told some behavior is annoying or being asked to help with chores.

 5. History of violence- (criminal or not) This person may say they have abused people in the past but that the person made them do it.  You may hear from relatives or ex-spouses/partners/dates that this person is abusive.  If someone has been abusive in the past, they have the potential to be abusive again (unless they have done intense interpersonal work with a professional around their abusive behavior.)  Abuse can appear much later than the warning signs. Situational circumstances do not make a person abusive or prevent a person from acting abusively (i.e., they are sober now, they were unemployed then, etc.) Physical / emotional violence in general is a warning regardless of the relationship with the person on the receiving end of the abuse- being violent with animals, children, other people, neighbors, gang related violence, or sexual assault. Emotional violence can also include racial slurs, sexist remarks, homophobic comments- blame or hate for those different than themselves.

We can't thank Holly, Angela & Jennifer enough for taking the time out of their busy schedules to talk about something we should all be talking about more. Abuse isn't going to simply go away if we don't walk about it. Talking about abuse is something we need to do to empower those with a way to fight against it. Talking is the first step. This week has been all about the first step. Lets all continue to take further steps in prevention together.

Remember to check out THIS PAGE to sign up to win a copy of the three books mentioned during "Stand Up Against Abuse" week. Help spread the word about the links and phone numbers listed on that page AND this page as well.

Stand Up Against Abuse: Angela Carling

Today we have author Angela Carling as our guest in Standing Up Against Abuse. It's a pleasure working with her and having a chance to talk to her about about Abuse and how to help prevent it. Another author standing up... how about you? Are you standing up with us too?

What made you decide to share a story involving relationship abuse?


I go to a lot of Jr. High and High schools. I think teenagers are amazing! At the same time, I know they are also extremely vulnerable.  They don’t always know what is normal in relationships because it’s the first time they’ve experienced it. In short, I wrote about relationship abuse because if a boy or girl knows what’s not right or normal, they can get out of bad relationships before they become it becomes long term or even reaches marriage. In short, I wanted to lessen the pain for all those beautiful, smart girls out there that might be caught unaware.


What do you think teens should know in order to stay safe in a relationship?


First, get educated. Know what is healthy and what is not. Next, set your boundaries and stick to them.  For example, if your boyfriend wants you to do something you are not ready to or don’t feel comfortable with, tell him and then stick to it.  Either he will respect how you feel or he’s not worth the hassle. This is the only way Real lasting love will grow and isn’t that what all of us hopeless romantics really want. Third, if you are belittled or controlled in any way, get out of the relationship as soon as you realize it’s not good. You have control over your choices and especially your body, and no one has the right to take that away.




Was the process of developing the idea of this book emotional for you? Were you ever afraid of getting too graphic with the details? 


Yes, this book was emotional, partly because my sister was beat repeatedly by an abuser and partly because I know there are beautiful, talented women out there who are needlessly suffering. In fact, sometimes when I was writing I would have to take a break because my heart and sometimes my stomach would ache. That being said, I never intended to make this a graphic book about abuse. I hate that stuff. This book was written to, in sneaky way behind-a-super fast paced-and-majorly-engaging storyline teach you what to run from so that you never even got close to the graphic, abuse stuff. That is what inspired me as I wrote this story. I see Shackled as very hopeful and empowering story and hope you do too.


What do you hope teenagers take from reading SHACKLED?


I want them to know that true love, aka good healthy relationships do exist and not to settle for anything less!!!

Title: Shackled
Author: Angela Carling
Publisher: Acacia Publishing, 204 Pages (June 1st, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads 
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naïve and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Website    |      Goodreads     |     Twitter

Amazon      |      Barnes & Noble

Remember to check out THIS PAGE to sign up to win a copy of this book and the other books mentioned during "Stand Up Against Abuse" week. Help spread the word about the links and phone numbers listed on that page.