Carole Brown: Stirring Readers To Act With A Heart

Everyone's Story welcomes debut author Carole Brown. I enjoy darker type of stories with several complexities, wondering just how the characters are going to get through it all--similar to life many a times. Carole weaves such a story, yet offers hope. During her visit here this week I'm pleased she's reaching out to others by sharing insights to abuse and what to do about it. Plus, Carole is offering her novel as a Giveaway. Both she and I are looking forward to seeing your comments. May peace be with you during the holidays, and always.

Book Giveaway:
Carole is offering one copy to one randomly chosen commenter either a printed or Kindle version of her novel THE REDEMPTION OF CARALYNNE HAYMAN.The winner will be announced here on Friday, December 20th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!

Some Books Are Downright Disturbing by Carole Brown

When my husband came up with the plot for The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, I knew it would be a tough topic to address. I didn’t want too many details, yet I wanted it real and emotional, so that the reader could understand that as far-fetched as it seems, it is a real and evil, pertinent topic in today’s world.

Abuse is an ugly word. We don’t want to face the fact it exists in our world. Most of us would rather settle for the noncommittal life of NOT having to take a stand against something so horrible. It’s so easy to shut our eyes and to avoid addressing issues that make us wince or uncomfortable.

Those trying to encourage/rescue those abused, see so many lost opportunities. Restrained and hindered from achieving their dreams or possible potentials, many will face death without ever experiencing the fulfillment, which every person should. It’s a heartbreaking task, and sometimes with less than satisfying results.

We must never give up though. Even one person saved will be worth any effort we put forth. In writing The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, I hope I have stirred readers to act: to act with love and more understanding and to offer a God-like sympathetic heart to the hurting ones in the world. 

Courtesy Google Images

 It’s Everywhere; We Can’t Escape!

 Yet most of us approach it, if not every day, then often in our own lives. Let me give you some amateur examples:

·      Some abusers are stupid, and what I mean by that, they don’t learn. Let me clarify even more. Many times, abusers WILL NOT stop. They’re not going to quit abusing. They can’t. Most of them have suffered abuse and grow up to become abusers. Why stop what you know? What you’ve become?

·      Then you have the abusers who learn HOW to abuse. In other words, they hide their abuse. Once caught by the law, they know enough to hit and/or speak their abuse without the signs being evident. Women or men who’ve gone through the broken bones and bruises now appear as normal people. That’s because, the abuser has learned to “punish” in a way that’s not visible. 

Creatures, Seen and Unseen:

Abusers are often times invisible. They could be your banker, your insurance agent, your minister (yes, that’s what I said!), or anyone else you meet on a monthly, weekly, daily basis. They’re dressed well, earn a nice income, are friendly and likeable.

Other times they’re very much visible. The person who yells in public at their child, smacks them unreasonably in public, or who neglects them with the proper food and clothing. You can’t always assume the parents are abusive. They may just be having a bad day. But a continual demonstration of these acts could very well be a form of abuse.

Is It Ever Right to Correct a Child?

Let me stress here I’m not against punishment, even physical. BUT, punishment on a child MUST ALWAYS be administered correctly, with love. Angering your child or letting him grow up resentful (of his parent) is not a good thing. The old saying, This hurts me worse than you, really should be true if a parent appropriately cares and loves his child. A child does need to know why and be encouraged to understand why they are being punished. Angry, spur-of-the moment corrections will seldom do you or the child any good.

There are all types of abuse in the world.

·      Country abuse, meaning dictators and rulers who impose their rule, against the people’s wishes

·      Medical abuse

·      Elderly abuse

·      Children abuse: sex trades, sex molestation from family, friends, and associations, and ordinary home abuse where the child suffers ridicule and little encouragement to grow up as a beneficial citizen and person.

·      Spousal abuse. Both men and women.

Is There Any Help Anywhere?

Of course.

·      Online you can find many groups and professional organizations that can give the proper care, advise, and treatment to those suffering from abuse and to those, who are willing, who administer abuse.

·      Check your yellow pages for local businesses who offer help. Ask your doctor or local Chamber of Commerce. Even the police might have a recommendation.

·      Encourage the abused and the abuser to talk with a minister. They need help, and love, and encouragement to seek help. Realize it’s hard to break out of a life-long pattern. The abuser is doing what he’s been taught to do. The abused is living what they’ve always experienced, or believe they deserve it, or are afraid. It’s a horrible situation to live.

Pray. God loves both the abused and the abuser, even as ugly as the act is.

In my soon-to-be-released novel The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, Cara and Dayne, the protagonists, have grown up in a cult who habitually abusers women and girls. Is it a disturbing book? Yes. Is it a book to make you think and feel? Yes. It brings to life the topic of abuse. Here’s a brief blurb:

How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?

Amazon Kindle Special: through December 16th THE REDEMPTION OF CARALYNNE HAYMAN is on sell for $0.99 (link)

Carole's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Carole Brown on Everyone’s Story: Some Books Are Downright Disturbing (Tweet This)

Carole Brown: abuse is ugly, but you can do something about it. (Tweet This)

#BookGiveaway of THE REDEMPTION OF CARALYNNE HAYMAN by Carole Brown. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

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