I wanted to talk to you guys today about a subject that I am all too familiar with, and that is Domestic Violence and Stalking.  If you've read my first book, you know that Jesse Prescott is Skye Morrison's ex-boyfriend turned creepy stalker.  Well, what you don't know is that Jesse's character is very, VERY loosely based off of someone from my past. 

I have personally dealt with domestic violence situations and have had that person stalk me after the relationship ended.  Nothing is scarier than being physically assaulted by the partner you love and nothing is as damaging as the hurtful words they say.  In my case, the physical signs of abuse went away very quickly, but the emotional scars from their physical and verbal assaults lasted for years.  To me, the verbal abuse was the most damaging.  It took me from the happy, carefree spirit I was and turned me into someone who had ZERO self esteem, who apologized for everything (even when I did absolutely nothing wrong), someone who was afraid of their own shadow, and was a person who no one recognized...not even myself.

If you've ever been in a similar situation, you know that one of the scariest and HARDEST things you will ever do is leave your abuser.  Why? 

1. Packing to make a quick getaway is pretty much heart attack educing.  
   
2. Sleep, for weeks afterward, is basically non-existent because you fear your abuser is going to find you and/or harm you and drag you back.  (I personally had the worst nightmares of my life.  My abuser haunted me...even in my sleep.)
   
3. In my case, my abuser controlled EVERY aspect of my life.  Contact with my friends and family was discouraged and as for money, well...basically, i had none because they controlled that, too.  I depended on family and friends to help me when i left, but couldn't tell them why i had left my abuser for fear of them judging me or looking down on me.  (I, like many in abusive relationships, hid my abuse from EVERYONE.  I was so ashamed.  No one...absolutely NO ONE...knew until years after i left that person and I finally felt comfortable enough to speak up.)  I had people try and convince me to go back to my abuser and i had to field these thoughts/questions/advise on a daily basis for months.
4. Feeling like you have no one but yourself.  (During the first few months after i left was THE absolute loneliest time of my life.  I didn't know that there were resources and support groups out there to help me.) 

Why am I blogging about something so dreary and depressing this morning?  Well, I had an all-too-familiar nightmare last night and when i woke up, i wondered how many people out there STILL have nightmares because of past abuse.  And, how many out there are currently dealing with abuse.  Sadly, many of the abused will never speak up...never seek help, and never tell another living soul.  This is my first time publicly speaking about what happened to me.  I guess the reason why I chose to do this this morning is to let others in similar situations know that you are not alone.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

There are many, many resources out there for you.  There are places that will help you with shelter, counseling, schooling,  clothes, bills...you name it.  These organizations are all about empowering you to again be the person you once were before your abuser came along and destroyed you.  There is help out there, if you want it.

My abuse ended a decade ago, save for the stalking.  I'm still dealing with what that person did to me...and like many formerly abused...i think i could benefit from some counseling.  (Sadly, I still haven't gotten any.)  The one thing that saved me and brought me back to my former, happier, livelier and full self was my amazing and loving husband Kenny.  If i hadn't have met him, God only knows what would have happened to me.  I probably would have entered another unhealthy relationship and repeated my mistakes like many abused do...or have gone back to my abuser.

If you need help, here are some links with life saving information.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.SAFE
• Stalking Help
• Safe House - Emergency Shelter
• Safe House 24hr Crisis Hotline 1.800.341.1830
• All victims should read this!

Never be ashamed, because it's not your fault.  No matter what, you don't deserve to be abused...physically, verbally, mentally, emotionally.

If you ever need to talk lovelies, I will always be here for you.  Click here to email me.

xoxo,
Jenn

It's been well over a month since I last updated you via my blog, so allow me to sincerely apologize.  I'm not very good at this blogging thing, and that is something I am going to try and work on in the future.  Not only for you guys, but for myself.  I do want to let you know that I have a much more active presence on Facebook and I encourage you to Like my page to follow all of my latest news.  I update my Facebook Author page at least once a week.  I really look forward to seeing you there and I absolutely love hearing from you guys!  (www.facebook.com/authorjlmccoy)

Now, for the news... 

• (Don't forget, lovelies!  If you have read the book and left a review on Amazon or Goodreads, please click here to request your free Blood of the Son bookmark!  I want to give you guys a small token of my appreciation for your support!)
• Book 2, Sins of the Father, is complete!  I sent it off to my editor, Sandy, last week and we are ahead of schedule for the August 7th release!  I've got my fingers crossed that I can get it out even earlier for you guys.  I can't promise, but I am going to try my damnedest...
• We did the photo shoot for the second book cover a few weeks ago.  My gorgeous sister Kellie was, once again, my model and I brought in a new photographer, Patrick Conlin of Conlin Photography to shoot this go'round.  We went out to the oldest cemetery in Austin, the amazing Oakwood Cemetery, to get the shots I was looking for and I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I am! The photos he took turned out absolutely amazing!  There are so many perfect pictures to choose from, so I am really going to have a tough time choosing which to use for this cover.  On the plus side, we got so many pictures that I have enough for at least four more book covers!  It's so hard working around everyone's crazy schedules and it's a true miracle when we actually do get together to do this type of thing. 
  
• I want to take a quick second to thank everyone who who worked on the shoot:  Patrick Conlin, Kellie Albanese, Eva Lee Phillips-Friedman, and Rick Friedman.  I can NOT imagine working with a greater group of people!  You guys are completely amazing, true professionals, and such a blessing to me.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of your hard work and patience.  I absolutely adore you guys!
• Book 3, (currently untitled), is in the works.  I started it a week ago and am hoping to have it finished in a couple of months.  I'm shooting for a late October 2012 release date for it, fingers crossed.  Some crazy things will be happening in book three and I am so stoked!!!  Writing this book is going to be an absolute blast, I can just feel it. 

I'd like to share one outtake from the photo shoot with you guys.  (If you'd like to see more, please visit and like my Facebook Author page.) 
Kellie saw this headstone next to the Mausoleum that we were shooting at and was just messing around, but man, the photo came out amazing!  She is stunning, don't you think?  :)

(Fun Fact:  My sister Kellie was totally my inspiration when I was developing Skye's character...right down to the clothes, which are all her's BTW!  A lot of Skye's personality is my own, but physically, she's all Kellie.  Pretty hot, huh?  LOL!)

Remember, I LOVE hearing from you guys!  Don't be shy! Have a question for me about the series or just want to get to know me better?  Contact me here, find me on my Facebook page, or email me here.  I'll answer pretty much anything, as long as it isn't about future book spoilers. (Where's the fun in that?)  ;)

Thanks for stopping by, lovelies!  I hope you all have a great Summer and I'll update you again soon!

XoXo,
~Jenn