Where Did It Begin?“How did abuse affect my life? Where did my self-image’s downward spiral begin?“I was already on shaky ground by age six, but that’s when I experienced the biggest blow. My father sometimes hit my mother, and I guess she finally had enough. Without warning, she left him – and me. Once I realized she wasn’t coming back, a sense of abandonment settled on my heart. I thought my mother loved me. Why would she leave me behind with a father prone to violent outbursts? I concluded that I just didn’t matter enough. I felt worthless and scarcely human. My mother had discarded me as if I were only a material possess
Book IV...Mike ExcerptFrom chapter two of The Circle of Friends, Book IV...Mike:Standing in the kitchen doorway, Mike surveyed the party crowd from a distance. In the dim light, the room appeared quite full, and the loud music vibrated off every wall, adding to the confusion. Electing to brave the throngs of people, Mike began weaving through the crowd, navigating drunken college students like a car in an obstacle course. Feeling disorientated by so many bodies, he moved quickly to reach the other side.As he sidestepped a couple locked in a passionate kiss, Mike came face to face with Sarah. Her hand around a bottle of beer, she looked up at him in surprise. P
Writing From a Male POVWriters are often challenged to write from the point of view of the opposite sex, and many struggle with this exercise. Viewing the world from another perspective requires that we abandon our natural instincts. Since each book in my series, The Circle of Friends, contains both a male and a female lead character, I had to fully understand the differences.This involved some research. I read dozens of relationship books, seeking to comprehend the distinct qualities of the male gender. The books that provided me with the most insight were Men Are From Mars, Women From Venus and the Connecting With Your Husband/Wife series. Men and women really
Book III Teaser 2Excerpt from The Circle of Friends, Book III...JamesChapter VITraffic was unusually heavy. Every car moved slowly and there were few opportunities to pass. James was used to congestion, but he did not like to be late for any reason. When the next light turned yellow, he reluctantly stopped. At least he would have a clear shot when the light changed.He glanced at Maria and noticed her blank stare. “Hey,” he said, drawing her attention away from the road. “You’re awfully quiet today. Is everything okay?”“Yeah, I just got a lot on my mind,” she answered.“Anything I did?” James asked.Maria
Book V Special Excerpt 3The Circle of Friends, Book V...HeatherFrom Chapter Two...Tentatively, Heather reached for the handle and opened the door. She half expected trash to dump onto the pavement. Matt's cars had never been particularly clean on the inside, looking more like a wastebasket than a nice vehicle. However, the interior of Mark's vehicle appeared immaculate. Almost afraid to touch the clean leather seats, Heather carefully slid behind the wheel. She examined the dash, her eyes scanning the instrument panel, and felt confident she could locate the proper controls. Closing the door, Heather fired up the engine, and the Spyder roared to life.She took
Book V Special Excerpt 2The Circle of Friends, Book V...HeatherFrom Chapter Two..."She preferred the Corolla," Dietrich informed him, sliding the information across Mark's desk. "And Patrick is test driving her Nissan right now."Heather sank into the chair across from Mark, mentally preparing herself for battle. Matt might have requested he give her a good deal, but that did not mean Mark would comply. He finished at his computer and spun around to his desk, eyes falling on the form in front of him. Scowling slightly, he reached for the sheet. Heather warily watched as Mark leaned back in his chair, silently inspecting her selection. Lowering the form, he peer
Book V Special Excerpt 1The Circle of Friends, Book V...HeatherFrom Chapter II...Heather pulled into the Toyota/Mitsubishi dealership at nine the next morning. She eyed the assortment of vehicles with trepidation and feared most would reside out of her price range. Parking near the main entrance, she leapt from her rattling old car. Slamming the door in disgust, she strode into the showroom. Several salesmen noticed her abrupt entrance and she scanned their faces expectantly. She did not see Mark in the showroom and scowled impatiently. Finally, a short young man tentatively approached."What can I do for you today?" he asked.Heather stared down at the man an
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