Tuesday, September 14, 2010

More Reader Reactions...

Deanna Hall had this to say via Facebook:

"I finished A Soul Less Broken on Friday. I highly recommend it but you will have a hard time putting it down and want to read from start to finish in one sitting! I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Monica Smith had this to say via email:

 
"I read the book this weekend! I couldn’t put it down. I think you definitely need to do a sequel! I need to hear more about their relationship. They finally got together and the book ended! And yes, I cried. I want to know if they adopt the little girl and live happily ever after!"

Deanna and Monica, thank you so much for your comments! Hearing what my readers think of the book is so touching. I continue to be humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude for how well A Soul Less Broken is being received.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Making a Difference

To all my current & future readers of A Soul Less Broken - you will be helping to make a difference! 10% of the profits from the sale of the book will be donated to charities related to violence against women and brain cancer. When the specific charities are chosen, I'll update you with the details. In the meantime, continue to spread the word and tell your friends & family to purchase A Soul Less Broken - the more books that are sold, the sooner it will be profitable and the sooner we can start making a difference! Thanks for your support!


September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Its hard enough to deal with the idea of adults being diagnosed with cancer ... but imagine being the parent of a child and hearing that diagnosis being given for them? Imagine being the child and how frightening it must be. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and while the character in A Soul Less Broken that battles brain cancer is an adult, I wanted to draw my readers to these statistics about childhood cancers:
  • Approximately 12,400 children under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
  • About one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before the age of 20. (The distribution of boys and girls diagnosed varies by type of childhood cancer.)
  • The incidence of childhood cancer peaks in the first year of life. Neuroblastoma is the most common type of infant cancer (28%), followed by leukemias (17%) and central nervous system cancers (13%). Germ cell and soft tissue tumors were each about 6%.
  • Incidence is also higher for children ages 15-19. The most common types of cancers in ages 15-19 are Hodgkins disease 16.1%, Germ Cell Tumors 15.2%, Central Nervous System Tumors 10%, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 7.6%, Thyroid Cancer 7.2%, Malignant Melanoma 7%, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 6.4%.
  • The types of cancer most often found in young children (neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma, and hepatoblastoma) are very uncommon in adolescents (ages 15-19).
  • High grade brain tumors, like the type referenced in A Soul Less Broken, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBMs), are the most common lethal tumors in adults, but also occur in children. Due to the location of the tumor, these patients may have seizures and significant paralysis at the time of diagnosis. As with adults, the treatment involves surgery (if operable), chemotherapy, and radiation. Fewer than 1 out of 3 children with these tumors become survivors.
The information listed above was provided by Cure Search for Children's Cancer. To learn more or make a donation, please visit their website.

Friday, September 10, 2010

My Hope for Readers

I realize now why I'm so moved by my readers' reactions to A Soul Less Broken. It is my greatest hope that even though they've read a fictional novel, that each of my readers will come away from the story feeling inspired, empowered, and strong enough to tackle whatever challenges they may be facing. I hope that each reader realizes, possibly for the first time, that no matter what is going on in their life, no matter how bad it may seem, they still have a choice in how they respond. And I hope they realize that they do have a chance for love in their life, even if they believe it has long ago passed them by. Love is out there for everyone - sometimes we just have to let it in. That is my hope for all my readers...

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Latest Reactions from Readers...

Jennifer Johnson had this to say via email:

I got the book and I stayed up late last night and finished it! Cat's story is SO compelling. I considered stopping half way through, but I just had to know how things turned out for her. Her strength is inspiring. Thank goodness I don't share the attack with Cat, but we've all been through hard times and come out on the other side and I just found a lot I could relate to. Loved, loved, loved her friendship with Madeline and of course Alan. Also found comfort in knowing that Sam would be OK.

Lisa Granskie posted this on Facebook:

"It's very good!! Can't wait for the sequel.  Someone should make that into a movie!!"

Thanks Jennifer and Lisa - so glad you liked it! Hearing your feedback almost makes me want to do a cartwheel ... I say "almost" because unlike the girl in the photo, I'm afraid my own attempt at doing a cartwheel would probably be quite tragic ... lol

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Help Victims of Sexual Violence

Please click on the link below and Vote to help RAINN receive a $250,000 grant from Pepsi. RAINN provides free, live, online crisis help to victims of sexual violence. You will have to give some basic information when you vote the first time, but it's a worthy organization! For those that read my blog, you know that I have done several posts referencing RAINN. The voting goes through Sept 30th and you can vote once a day! Thanks!
VOTE FOR RAINN