Blog Archives
Giving Abuse Victims A Voice
Karma Two follows a boy born into poverty who, while living on the streets, gets a chance to change his life for the better and help others in the same situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup for the story was that I wanted to find a way to keep true to the storyline from the first novel, while giving a voice to many abuse victims I have encountered throughout my actual life. Having lived a life where I endured my own share of abuse, I met many that had even worse abuse than me. I wanted to loosely incorporate scenarios where I had either experienced or witnessed the horrible treatment myself or tell the stories of those I encountered in nursing school on a psychiatric ward or the abused women and addicts I’ve helped along the way. As difficult as the material may be to read, the unfortunate part is that some of these situations have people with real names behind the made-up characters. When I read this book I remember my friends and family and our fight to make a better life from the little we were given to work with. While not everyone made it out, I am honored to tell their stories for them.
AJ was dealt a hard hand in life and he turns it around before setting out to help others do the same. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Coming from a life of poverty and abuse it wasn’t a far stretch to imagine a character who, like me, just knew there must be more to life than what he was born into. I knew if I wanted to see change that it would have to start in me. I would need to find a way to forgive my betrayers to push forward on my own new path with a lighter heart. Having been from the scenario I was raised in, I found compassion for those who by choice or the luck of the draw are in less-than-optimal circumstances in life. I wanted to create a character that showed even the harshest of lives don’t have to break you. Within my own healing journey I have found ways to give back to those who are still struggling in aspects of their lives and through this I’ve further continued to heal myself. I wanted to incorporate those traits into my character as well, to give him relatability and compassion for others that the reader would feel is always present.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the most important themes I wanted to incorporate within my storyline were: to keep a stark contrast between the two AJ characters, to incorporate spiritual concepts that would intrigue the reader to get them thinking, and bring awareness to several key causes that are dear to my heart as well. I wanted to highlight certain important character traits in my characters such as determination, perseverance, loyalty, generosity, accountability, integrity, hard work, and honesty, to name just a few.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a Hospice Children’s Line of sorts that should be starting to be published and ready for purchase by the end of the year. Colleen’s Bereavement Line will be ready before you know it so keep an eye out.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | Website | TikTok
In Karma Two, the conclusion to the story begun in Karma One, AJ is given the chance to right past wrongs and find the happiness that has eluded him in previous lifetimes. With the help of spiritual guides, AJ tries to break free from the cycle of greed and power that has haunted his family. Will he be able to overcome his past and create a brighter future?
Karma Two
Karma Two by Colleen Hollis takes readers on a remarkable journey alongside Arizona Sunshine Jackson, also known as AJ. From a perilous childhood marked by danger and prostitution, AJ faces separation from his mother and younger brother, enduring a series of adversities that test his resilience. However, despite his name, AJ’s life remains far from bathed in sunshine. Loss after loss burdens him, yet he perseveres, ever determined to overcome his circumstances.
When a glimmer of hope appears, offering an escape from the streets, AJ seizes the opportunity for a better future. However, this newfound chance at a transformed life leaves him grappling with a fundamental question: Does he truly deserve it? In the wake of his tumultuous experiences, AJ harnesses his fresh start to extend aid and support to others who, like him, have endured physical and spiritual suffering.
The initial impact of this novel is undeniably devastating. Its weighty themes delve unflinchingly into the realms of drug use, prostitution, and abuse. Hollis fearlessly confronts the harsh realities of addiction and the reverberations it engenders. Yet, while the story’s power and captivating narrative are undeniable, prospective readers should approach it with awareness of its potentially distressing content.
Karma Two serves as a thought-provoking exploration of redemption and the transformative influence of spirituality on our journey toward a better existence. AJ’s resolute quest to right the wrongs of his past, coupled with his profound conviction of being chosen by a higher power to aid others, proves profoundly inspiring and compelling. Through his experiences, readers are compelled to introspect, contemplating the repercussions of their own actions on those around them and the immense significance of their treatment towards others.
This riveting book radiates a message of hope, underscoring the boundless potential for personal metamorphosis through spiritual growth. Karma Two is a work that lingers in the mind, leaving an indelible impression on its readers. For those seeking a profoundly engaging and fascinating tale that tugs at the heartstrings, look no further than this remarkable narrative.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0C37S1BMJ
A Pain in the Gut
A Pain in the Gut by Joseph C. Way provides a different and distinct approach to changing unhealthy behaviors. In many cases, unhealthy behavior stems from the mismanagement of emotions and taking the wrong approach to easing pain in the gut, which can become the beginning of addiction or abuse. Every human has addictions, and their severity depends on the pain and what alleviates it. The author discusses how love is the solution to all problems, and only after the removal of pain and learning to manage our emotions can we begin to heal.
Healing is love; we can begin the process with ourselves or receive support from family, friends, and others. Comprising twelve chapters, the book is short, precise, and effective, giving the reader tools to recognize and address unhealthy behaviors. Instead of focusing on theories and general statistics in detail, the book aims at a more practical approach to simplifying how we handle pain and improving how we heal ourselves.
I enjoyed how the author uses models to illustrate the link between unhealthy behaviors and addiction, to make the process simple and easy to understand. The writing flows in a smooth, informative style, which makes it easy to follow, with real-life and hypothetical instances that readers can relate to personally. Joseph C. Way narrates the story from his perspective, which makes it credible, as he has worked forty years as a pastor, therapist, and counselor. He includes numerous examples and anecdotal stories from patients, addicts, and others dealing with various situations.
A Pain in the Gut by Joseph C. Way is a compelling read, and I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with unhealthy behaviors or addictions. It’s a refreshing read that helps individuals tackle challenges in life by offering quick, effective ways to manage the pain in the gut.
Pages: 196 | ASIN : 097006151X
Move Forward And Find Healing
Being Transparent tells your story about dealing with your son’s drug addiction and how you found the strength to move forward in life through your faith in God. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important for me because I wanted to reach out to someone in a similar situation and bring hope and encouragement by letting them know that there is light at the end of the tunnel if you don’t lose hope and faith. I also wanted to share how important has been my faith in God to be able to move forward and find healing.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I think the hardest part to write about was how I felt like a failure as a mother and my mixed feelings at that moment about raising my grandson.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
Take one day at a time, yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promise.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
With God all is possible! And by this I mean that we might not get what we want at a specific moment or for a hard situation to be change the way we want to, but God will provide at the moment what we need if we put our trust in Him. And as we put our trust in God, we will be change for the better.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
My Story: Facing my son’s drug addiction
Are you facing what seems like an impossible situation in life that has had you asking, “Why, God?”
Do you feel like screaming or running away just to escape from the challenges you face everyday?
Are you wondering if you will ever see the other side of the situation and finally find victory in your season?
Facing her son’s drug addiction, Wilda has asked herself all these questions and more. In excerpts from her journals, she shares the raw truth of her experiences with denial, anger, and depression, as well as the steps she took to find peace in trusting in God’s plan for her life. Acknowledging that God’s ways may not be her ways, Wilda shows us that being transparent with God, others, and most importantly herself, is an important step in the journey of healing.
What Wilda offers here is more than just a timeline of events and series of facts that may feel familiar to those who have watched a loved one battle addiction. She gives us an unfiltered, honest and vulnerable account of her thoughts and feelings as she navigated through one of the most difficult seasons of her life. And she leaves us with a simple but powerful truth that has been one of her core convictions-God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is with us through it all, present and working in every moment. Those of us that know and love her are deeply appreciative that her readers will have the opportunity to benefit from the powerful life lessons she has conveyed to so many of us.
Growing Up In Addiction
The Silence in the Sound is a provocative novel detailing the devastating effects of growing up with addiction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Inspiration for the book came from plenty of things, but if not for William Styron, the Pulitzer-prize-winning author probably best known for his book Sophie’s Choice, I’m not sure I’d ever have had the courage to write a word. Writing had always been my passion since I could remember, but having grown up in the inner city, blue-collar and with lesser means, it wasn’t something encouraged. Like many inner-city kids, I was shown early on that paying the bills was the priority. My mother, a nurse, and father, a truck driver, seemingly wanted my brother and me to pursue our passions, mine being art and writing, but encouraged a career that fed us and put a roof over our heads; that was first and foremost. Dreams could come later. After becoming a nurse, like my mother, and succeeding at putting a roof over my head, I felt satisfaction and honor in helping people, but there was always something missing, although I wasn’t sure what. While having the privilege of caring for Mr. Styron on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard as his nurse at the end of his life, I saw a man and a family existing for art, and I breathed it in along with the crisp salty air, feeling alive and inspired. I spent years with a talented, complicated, deep, and melancholic man at the end of his life, reading his books across from him in one of the most stunning places in the world. His friendship and fascination with the darkness of humanity and himself led me to explore my darkness, which was growing up in addiction, my father an alcoholic, and later falling in love with someone with the same affliction, both having succumbed to the disease. Mr. Styron showed me through his life and work not to be afraid to find my meaning.
Georgette is a compelling and well-defined character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
Georgette (George) grew up with an alcoholic father she loved, but his chaos affected her much more than she realized. She’s insecure and feels unsafe, longing for stability, but she doesn’t know what that is. She formed an armor long ago as a child in living in her unpredictable home and thinks her toughness can get her through life. She knows better than her mother as a teen and young adult, she feels, as much of us do at that age, but in the running away from her family and pain to the island, her safe place, she finds she can’t run from herself. She must learn to love on her own, both herself and another person, in a healthy way which she doesn’t have the foggiest idea how to do. She must learn who she is and accept life on life’s terms. She’s spent her entire life fighting this—fighting them and the disease that’s affected all of them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Of course, addiction. It’s odd, though, because I didn’t intend for this book’s premise to be about the effects of addiction. It was supposed to be there but in a much more subtle way. This all changed as I wrote about Georgette’s relationship with her father and found I could go back in time and tap right into my feelings of being a child and a young and new adult navigating his disease. My father was an alcoholic, so I have a significant amount of experience regarding this, but this was not supposed to be the central theme. Sometimes as we write, we have to see where the story takes us, and it took me here. So many readers have said I’ve helped them see the addicts they love in their life as more than their disease and that I brought humanity to my addicted characters. Because someone is flawed and broken in some way does not mean they are unlovable, and the people who love them should never be shamed for doing so. There is much shame in this disease, and while we often have to detach from the people we love who are suffering from this in our lives, often to save ourselves, it does not mean we suddenly love them any less. There is enough pain in this affliction, so it’s important to me to help end the shame children and anyone who loves those suffering feel because of our societal ignorance.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m well into my second novel. I hate to be cryptic and loathe people who are, but I’m going to be here. I was working on another book when something happened just outside my family’s inner circle. It’s another dark subject and one that I don’t have any personal experience with but have many friends who do. There was a trial, and two best friends, young girls, were broken by another’s act. The story is written from the perspective of the victim, which is not as obvious. In so many crimes, there are a vast number of victims, not just the ones directly harmed. I listened to this trial and became utterly fascinated. I want to do this story justice in every way, so I’ve been listening to other trials and performing interviews. I’m about halfway through, and I hope I can get it out much faster than my debut!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Life has not been kind to Georgette. Growing up with an alcoholic father and an enabling mother, she clings to the loving memory of a childhood trip to Martha’s Vineyard to help see her through the bad times; and now, as an adult, she returns to the island to start her life over. Soon she becomes the private nurse for a prize-winning novelist. As the two become friends, he opens her mind to new possibilities.
But everything changes when she encounters the mysterious Dock. Georgette isn’t quite sure about him but finds him irresistible. She quickly loses herself in her relationship despite the inherent dangers that come with him. Torn between her own future or spiraling into a life she tried so hard to leave behind, Georgette must make her most important decision ever.
Sometimes escaping the past isn’t as easy as it appears.
The Silence in the Sound is the provocative debut novel by Dianne C. Braley detailing the devastating effects of growing up with addiction.
Drunks: An Alcoholic Drama
Drunks by Ken Fry is a tale that’s deeply personal and dramatic and is an ultimately inspirational story that is told with an infusion of romance. This story is narrated by Alan Markham, the main character, and his journey and experiences with alcoholism, marriage, and learning to conquer and control addiction. Alan and his wife, Chrissy, appear to have the life everyone wants – Alan has a successful career, and Chrissy lives a free, luxurious, and enjoyable life. Still, just below the surface, there’s trouble in their marriage.
As both Alan and Chrissy struggle with their marriage and lives together, they share a common addiction, alcohol. While the couple attempts to keep an illusion of normalcy in their lives, they quickly descend into severe alcoholism, which impacts every level of their lives, from Alan’s career, their marriage, and financial stability. The author does an exceptional job of highlighting the compound impact of an alcoholic couple and how dangerous their health and lives become within a short time.
I enjoyed Ken Fry’s narration as Alan Markham and the gritty and realistic story that unfolds. It’s both sobering and inspirational. It does a fantastic job of stripping away the glamourous façade of sipping martinis and cocktails in upscale lounges and reveals the dark and tragic lives of alcoholics and their various struggles.
The author gives his characters interesting layers and shows how they appear successful and prestigious in their upper-class lifestyle while suffering from their addiction and dysfunction. Maintaining the appearance of perfection and success takes a toll on the couple, who eventually must face their inner struggles, and this dueling lifestyle makes for a compelling drama but a tragic life.
Ken Fry’s Drunks is a poignant yet inspirational story that focuses on the reality of what many couples face and how financial success can mask alcoholism. It’s an entertaining read that gives the reader an in-depth look at how codependency impacts people, even when they appear to be self-sufficient and content.
Pages: 336 | ASIN: B09HP26Q76
LITERARY TITAN 