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.
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| 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?
Find Carole on the Web:
