Vaneka's VIP Literary Services: Domestic Violence Awareness Spotlight

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Thank you Cynthia for visiting us today and sharing your book with us. It was a pleasure to have you here. Now everyone, please go show your support and purchase this awesome book.

If you or someone you know are in danger PLEASE CALL 911. For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

#DomesticViolence Awareness #BookSpotlight Capable Series by T.S. Brumsey @tsbrumsey

Good Morning! Today we are back honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month by spreading awareness through books. If you missed yesterday’s feature, make sure to go check it out. Again, we will start off explaining what Domestic Violence is.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. (via NCADV)

Today, our spotlight will be on Fallen I, II, III and True Love I of the Capable series written by Author T.S. Brumsey. This series is not based on personal experience and is totally fiction.

Q&A

What type of domestic abuse does this series touch on?
The stories touch on physical, emotional and sexual abuse among college students.

Why does the character(s) become abusive?
The abusers partly become abusive because they can't get what they want and have lost control of what they desire.

Can you tell us a little about the victims in this series?
The characters who are abused in the story deal with shame and self-blame. They're so ashamed that they are unsure about reporting what happened to them.

What made you decide to include these domestic violence issues in this series?
My purpose for embedding domestic violence and sexual assault issues within the Capable series characters' college years is to assist with spreading awareness. Domestic violence and sexual assault issues are ones that I've had to assist clients with throughout my 15 year career. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Domestic violence occurs quite frequently among college students, even high school students. Someone might read the novels, relate, possibly remove themselves from an abusive situation, and actually seek help.

How do you help support the cause of Domestic Violence Awareness?
I assist in spreading domestic violence awareness almost daily because I'm the Family Advocacy Program Manager at the military installation in Wiesbaden, Germany. Family advocacy spreads domestic violence and child abuse prevention awareness throughout the installation. We facilitate trainings pertaining to domestic violence and child abuse to Soldiers, their family members, and various organizations on post. We organize events that spread awareness as well. Especially for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February), and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month (April). We offer classes within our program that help prevent domestic violence and child abuse. We have anger management, stress management, couples communication, parenting classes, and the New Parent Support Program. If clients need more intense clinical services, they are referred to Behavioral Health and/or Family Advocacy Clinical for therapy. Clients are also referred to ASAP (Army Substance Abuse Program) if necessary because an abundance of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault incidents involve alcohol use, abuse, or dependency. If a person is the victim of a sexual assault, they're referred to SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention) for assistance.

To obtain the full story of the characters, it might be helpful to read the first three books in the series that describes the characters' high school years.

The Books

Fallen I
Author T.S. Brumsey
Genre New Adult Fiction, Romance
Publisher Self Published
Print Length 202 pages
Publication Date April 28, 2016

Blurb

Close friends Candice, Brandy, Natalie, and Sabrina realize that they are capable of falling, whether it’s falling in love or falling into a web of sticky situations. They’re continuously dealing with the highs and lows their lives are hurling at them.

Candice’s relationship with her boyfriend, Kelvin, is very testy. Jealousy and rage ensue especially when her other love interest, Jacob, is around. She can’t seem to figure out whom she wants to be with, and Jacob isn’t making it easy. Who will it be?

Brandy has to decide if she wants to remain with her love interest, Mitch, or if she wants to be single because she finally notices Brice, but does he stand a chance of stealing the heart that Mitch has so diligently conquered?

Natalie is having difficulty maintaining her Christian beliefs because she’s curious about going all the way with her boyfriend, Ezekiel. She knows she’s supposed to wait until marriage, but that’s easier said than done. Will she hold up her virtue or allow temptation to get the best of her?

Last, but never least, Sabrina is thoroughly enjoying being with the love of her life in many more intimate ways than one. Can she truly trust that he won’t break her heart, especially after going to the point of no return?

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Fallen II
Author T.S. Brumsey
Genre New Adult Fiction, Romance
Publisher Self Published
Print Length 220 pages
Publication Date June 6, 2016

Blurb

The college years are upon close friends Candice, Brandy, Desera, and Sha. They realize they are capable of falling - be it falling in love or falling into a web of sticky negativity. They are continuously learning how to deal with the highs and lows their lives are hurling at them.

Candice’s relationship with Kelvin becomes emotionally and physically violent. Jealousy and rage is still prevalent amongst the couple. Will Candice finally gain the strength to move on, or will she remain in their tumultuous relationship?

Brandy decides to give Brice a chance and goes out on a date with him, despite still being in love with Mitch. Where will things lead with Brice, and can she possibly be into two guys at once? Does Brice stand a chance of stealing the heart that Mitch diligently conquered?

Desera is smitten with the mysteriousness surrounding Tyrone. He sweeps her off her feet and immediately captures her heart. She’s excited about their future together and wonders if he will ever reveal any of his past criminal indiscretions to her. She also prays that he’s truly a changed man and has left his treacherously dangerous past behind him.

Sha becomes insecure about her relationship with Delvin. She wonders if taking their relationship to the next intimate level will guarantee security and loyalty between them. Will her possible irrational thoughts end with her going to the point of no return with Delvin? She can’t help but worry about her close friend, Candice, and the major issues that she’s enduring with her boyfriend. Will Sha contribute to her friend making healthier choices, or will she stand by and allow Candice to go down a path of destruction?

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Fallen III
Author T.S. Brumsey
Genre New Adult Fiction, Romance
Publisher Self Published
Print Length 228 pages
Publication Date July 11, 2016

Blurb

Candice, Brandy, Sabrina, and Desera realize they are capable of falling, be it falling in love or falling into a web of sticky negativity. They are continuously learning how to deal with the highs and lows their lives are hurling at them.

Candice’s relationship with Kelvin is finally over, despite Kelvin desperately wanting the opposite. Will she take Kelvin back after he emotionally, physically, and sexually abused her, as well as cheated on her? Or will she heal and move forward with Jacob, who is deeply in love with her?

Brandy and Brice are a couple now, and she’s falling hard for him, but she’s still in love with Mitch. She oftentimes wishes she were still with Mitch. What will she do: end things with Brice, or continue to hold on to her strong romantic feelings for two different guys?

Sabrina is thoroughly enjoying being with Steven in more intimate ways. Will she have any regrets regarding how close she has allowed Steven to get to her? Will she resist the hold he has on her heart because of her insecurities, or will she choose to be happy and carefree within her relationship with him?

Desera is smitten with the mysteriousness engulfing her boyfriend, Tyrone. He sweeps her off her feet and immediately captures her heart. She wonders if it’s Samar, who is deceased, whom he’s longing for through her, since she strongly resembles Samar. She prays that he’s truly a changed man and has left his treacherously dangerous past behind him.

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True Love I
Author T.S. Brumsey
Genre New Adult Fiction, Romance
Publisher Self Published
Print Length 230 pages
Publication Date September 2, 2016

Blurb

Desera, Melody, and Brandy are capable of experiencing true love. But are they ready for what all comes along with it? Desera is head over heels in love with Tyrone, and she truly believes that he is a changed man until she witnesses a different side of him one night after they've taken their relationship to another level. Will she distance herself, or will she continue to stay by his side, regardless of the fears she has about him?

Melody is smitten with Christian, but taken aback by something he does right after they graduate from high school. She knows Tyrone's reputation, and that Christian is close to the once treacherously known kingpin. She's starting to witness exactly why they act like brothers, and she's not sure if she can handle it. Will she let Christian go because of the trouble their relationship may prompt him to get into, or will she stand by his side, despite the mysteriousness of whom he really is?

Being into two guys has finally caught up with Brandy, causing her and Brice to come to a horrific point in their relationship. He does the unthinkable to her. Will Brandy be able to trust and love again? Or will she give up on love all together?

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Connect with Author T.S. Brumsey

Thank you T.S Brumsey for visiting us today and sharing your books with us. It was a pleasure to have you here. Now everyone, please go show your support and purchase this awesome series. Also, True Love II was just released today!

If you or someone you know are in danger PLEASE CALL 911. For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233.

Monday, October 24, 2016

#DomesticViolence Awareness #BookSpotlight Visions of My Past by Vette Wilson @Vette_Wilson

Hello all & Good Monday Morning! As most of you all know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness, I decided to do my part and bring awareness through my love of books and authors. Yes, I know I started late but a current issue that I just dealt with open my eyes wider and prompt me to share these stories with you all. Therefore, each day until the end of the month, books that deal with the issues of Domestic Violence will be showcased on the blog.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. (via NCADV)

Our first guest, Author Vette Wilson, would like to share her story with you. She’s a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse and documented her experiences in her book, Visions of My Past.

Vette’s Story

Visions, tells my real life story of sexual and domestic abuse, mostly domestic. I was introduced to this way of life very early. After a while, I had gotten use to the beatings and the rape from my then boyfriend. After the death of my first born, 5 month old baby boy, I turned to cocaine and alcohol as a way to escape. I was only 15 when this all began. Each relationship after that seemed to go in the same direction: abuse, drugs, alcohol. Some I was prone to. I finally had gotten tired and with the birth of my 7th baby, I finally begin to fight back. I never knew my own strength. I escaped the hell I was living in and today I'm a published authoress, a single mommy of six and I have yet to end my story.

Q&A

What made you decide to share your experiences in your book to the world?
I decided to share my experiences because it was time. For so long I was a prisoner of my own past. I would harbor hidden anger, pain, regret and self-hate and that was unhealthy for me.

Everyone asks this question because they usually don’t understand why individuals stay with the abuser. In fact, most believe it’s so easy to just leave. Tell us, why did you decided to stay for the length of time that you did?
It was a mind control thing. In my book I word my reasons. Many that have read my story say it was low self-esteem but to judge my situation you'd have to walk in those shoes. I stayed because I was young. I was lost. I figured everything my abuser said to me as far as no one else wanting me or needing me was true.

What gave you the strength to finally leave?
After the death of my first son, that was a wakeup call. That was means my strength to escape the hell that he had created for me even the one that I had so seemingly created for myself.

How do you help support the cause of Domestic Violence Awareness?
By telling and sharing my story I hope to help many young girls and women who feel like they are alone. My story tells the raw and unheard sides of all forms of abuse and I've endured them all. This will show them that they are not alone.

The Book

Visions of My Past: Torn and Broken
Author Vette Wilson
Genre Women’s Fiction, Domestic Life
Publisher Diamante Publications
Print Length 176 pages
Publication Date October 14, 2016

Blurb

Between dealing with sexual abuse, alcohol, toxic relationships, and drama, I would often wonder whatever happened to my happily ever after? I guess this is what growing up in a dysfunctional family where sexual abuse and even rape were both part of my everyday life. Somehow, this cycle would continue as I entered into my teens and became a 15-year-old mother. I thought being beaten and pregnant by the father of my child had taken everything out of me, but that sadly changed when the death of my baby boy took what little spirit of hope I had left.

The encouragement of getting out of this nightmare suddenly settled within me, but it would forever leave me with the need to fill a void. His name was Elijah Romeno. He was much older and very married. I thought he loved me, but the mind of a child is so gullible. His love instantly turned into rage and at this point, I was finally convinced that my birth was no more than a curse.

Turning to drugs, sex, and alcohol as a means to escape the hell I had seemingly created for myself, I would continue to go left instead of right. As I sit and glance out the window I wonder will I ever get my happily ever after or should I let go of this false hope as the visions of my past continue to haunt my memory.

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Signed Paperback