My friend and former Mid-Michigan RWA(MMRWA) chaptermate, until she moved to Montana, Connie Bretes shares some startling statistics.
DOMESTIC ABUSE
by
Constance Bretes
The National Domestic Violence Hotline says that “On
average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or
stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million
women and men over the course of a year.[i]”
I don’t know about you, but in this day and age, I find that
information staggering. This is just one segment, listed under “General”
statistic information at the
http://www.thehotline.org/,
Sexual violence, Stalking, Children, Teens and In The Workplace all have their
own statistical information, which is equally appalling. I thank my God every
day that I am not a victim of any kind of domestic violence. My parents
protected and sheltered me, and I have a wonderful husband and extended family.
Others are not so lucky or blessed, and my heart bleeds for them. My book,
Blue As Sapphires, is a contemporary
romance about a woman who struggled and got out of a horrible situation of
domestic violence, and eventually, fell in love with someone who appreciated
her for who she was and loved her unconditionally. My desire in writing this
book was to be an inspiration and encouragement to other men and women who face
this kind of abuse. There is hope. There is a way to escape, and a chance of
finding your happy ever after.
After reading the statistics, and writing this book, I
decided to donate sales from this book to the National Domestic Violence
Hotline. You can donate too, by going to this website:
http://www.thehotline.org/. Maybe,
together, we can give these abused victims help, and hope.
Blue As Sapphires by Constance Bretes
Tagline: Marissa's
home was her haven, until Riley invaded her space.
Back Cover
Blurb:
Escaping from her abusive
ex-husband, Marissa Simpson returns to her hometown to start over. She spends
her days working at the local jewelry store, and the rest of her time is
dedicated to mining along Red Rock River, searching for precious gems. Marissa has
no intention of getting involved with another man, or with the community she
left behind all those years ago. That is until Riley McCade shows up.
Riley is the Sheriff of Quartz
County. He loves his community and goes out of his way to protect and serve.
When he meets up with Marissa, he's bound and determined to get to know her
even though she insists she's not interested.
The more Riley learns about
Marissa's past, the more he concludes that she may be in danger. When her
ex-husband shows up, can Riley protect her? And can he earn her love in the
process?
Content Warning: contains some
sexual content
Excerpt:
“Hello, Sheriff.
What can I do for you today?”
“I thought you
would have listened to me and reconsidered trying to make this place livable again.”
“Nope, I’m going
to try to make a go of it.”
Riley splayed his
hand on the back of his neck and gave her a small smile. “You need to go to the
county office and get an inspector to come out here and determine what needs to
be taken care of before you make this your home. The house has to be up to
code.”
“And if I don’t?”
she said evenly.
“I’d have to
serve you with a notice and remove you from the premises until the house meets
the building code.”
“Really,” she
replied in a low voice, taut with anger. “I guess I’ll contact the inspector
tomorrow and see when I can get someone out. Is that all, Sheriff?”
“For now. Tell
me, Marissa, how have you been?” Riley asked. “You haven’t been here
in a long time.”
“I’m doing well.
Thank you,” she replied icily. A suggestion of annoyance hovered in her eyes.
“So, are you
married? Do you have children?”
“No, and no, and
why?”
It seemed to
Riley that Marissa was being evasive and noncommittal. She sure was an
attractive woman, maybe a little too thin, but she had a lovely face and
perfect rose-colored lips. Something about her piqued his interest.
“I just wondered
how you were. Is this the first time you’ve been back to Frankenburg since high
school?”
“Yes.”
“What brings you
back?”
“I wanted to come
back.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
He was aware of
her annoyance, he tried to coax her into a better mood, but failed.
“Marissa, if
you’d like, I could make you an offer on the twenty acres of land. That would
give you enough money to buy a nice home in town and live more comfortably than
you would here.”
“Why are you so
bent on me leaving this house?” Marissa shot him a cold look, uncrossing her
arms and squeezing her hands into fists.
“I’m not bent on
anything, but I told you before I think the house is dangerous to live in.”
“Well, it’s my
problem, so I’d appreciate it if you would mind your own business.”
“Why are you so
testy? We’re a tight community here in Frankenburg, you know that. We look out
for each other and try to help when we can. I’m only trying to be neighborly
and keep you safe.”
“I’m not
interested in you being neighborly and keeping me safe. I’m capable of taking
care of myself, and I don’t need any help.”
“All right,
Marissa, but you get that inspector out here as soon as possible.” Riley’s
voice was smooth, but insistent.
“Yes, Sheriff.”
She spat out the words contemptuously, did a mock salute, whirled around,
walked into the house, and slammed the door in his face.
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Constance Bretes Bio
I started writing
contemporary romance and contemporary romance suspense fifteen years ago, and
after multiple rejections, got my first contract for Delayed Justice, released
in 2014.
I lives in Basin,
Montana, where three feline furballs own me and my husband, and a dog that
lives next door named Sara, who thinks she also lives with the Bretes family. I
love the mountains that surround my home, I love basket weaving, jewelry
making, and just visiting all the folks in the small community we live in.
I currently have
seven books published, and a number of other ones in various stages of edits.
Right now, I’m working on a new book, called Roadside Love. A murder
mystery/romance is a small town in Wyoming. I have two other books that are at
the end of their editing days and now at critique partners, the books are
Elkhorn In The Moonlight and Rocky River Gold. Both are small town romances.
I can be reached
through the following media.
Be sure to visit
my webpage, navigate to the News & Things, and enter the monthly
rafflecopter at the bottom of the page. Join my newsletter mailing list also at
that site, and you will get my newsletter, once a month and only occasionally,
anytime the rest of the month, if I suddenly have something that has come up
after the newsletter was sent out.
