It has been a lot longer than I realized since I have posted on the blog. Sorry about the long absence. Since I last posted, I took a management position in my "real" job and needless to say life has been crazy busy! On the writing front, this month is the one year anniversary of Cat's Eye Marble. I cannot believe how fast the year has flown by! To celebrate, I am doing a special through the end of the month. Get an autographed copy mailed directly from me! Paperbacks are $10 and hardbacks are $15. There is an additional $3 charge for shipping and handling. Hope over to the book's facebook page and Inbox me if you would like one. https://www.facebook.com/catseyemarble2012?ref=hl
More exciting news: I am currently working on the sequel to Cat's Eye Marble! There was much debate about whether Dani lived or died on that airport floor. My blog readers are one of the first to know, she lived :) But how does she keep going after everything and will the long arm of the law reach her? You'll have to wait and see how the rest of her story plays out when Mirrors is released.
Trying to stay warm and toasty in Alabama,
Leeann Smith
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Latest review of Cat's Eye Marble
Cat's Eye Marble
2.27.2013
Author: Leeann Smith
Publisher: Friesen Press
Publication Date: November 2012
Book Description:
Dani learned much too young that fairy tales do not exist for some kids. With an abusive, alcoholic mother that blames her daughter for her own shortcomings and a father that turns a blind eye in order to maintain his own sanity, Dani’s only means of survival is to escape within her mind. After five years of living in hell, Dani finally catches a break. A new family, a new home, and a new life give her the childhood she never had. Just as it seems her life has turned around, fate has other plans. When it all unravels, a teenage Dani sets out on her own. With nothing left, she finds an unlikely hero ready to rescue her from herself and her past. Will Dani be able to put her ghosts to rest or will the past force her to a last resort—revenge?
Cat’s Eye Marble is a heartbreaking journey showing the power of a child’s mind to survive the unspeakable as well as what happens when the walls of defense come crumbling to the ground.
Idgie Says:
The first thing you think when you finish this book is "Thank God it's fiction". Unfortunately there's far too much of this same story out there in the world.
This child goes through absolute hell and when she finally finds salvation with a good family, that unexpectedly turns on her like a rabid dog also. That someone who was so loving and kind could change their stripes so completely took me aback and at first I felt the story went too far, but then I thought about how many people have surprised us all with hidden personalities until it was too late.
It's a heart-wrenching story that's appalling and horrific and you feel so much anger towards so many of the characters - for their cruelty, the lack of caring, the avoidance of the obvious. A young girl mistreated by so many, with so little years of joy and peace. The end is violent and unexpected, but in reflection not unrealistic.
But saying that - the fact that you feel this anger and horror means that the author has done an excellent job of bringing these characters to life.
Good job.
http://todaysdeepsouth.blogspot.com/2013/02/cats-eye-marble.html
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Why write a book about this subject manner?
"Child sexual abuse is a global public health problem and can no longer be considered a taboo that societies are reluctant to address." Excerpt from the Afterword of Silent No More: Victim 1's Fight for Justice Against Jerry Sandusky.
I just finished the Kindle version of this book, of which I highly recommend, and it reminded me why I wrote Cat's Eye Marble. I think almost every one in America has heard at least something about the Jerry Sandusky case in the past couple of years. I had never heard of the man, not that I remember, until it hit the media. I have never been a Penn State fan so the impact it had on me was different than what it would be for those loyal to the Nittany Lions. What struck me was the incredible sadness for his victims and the amazing courage it took for those young men to come forward. Victims of child abuse, even as adults, often fear not being believed. These young men not only had to take on their abuser in court but a portion of the nation as well. Thankfully, they succeeded legally. But does that mean their fight is over now that their abuser will spend the rest of his life in prison? Sadly, they are still left with the burden of overcoming the scars left behind.
Child abuse is an epidemic with devastating consequences. Statistics on child abuse vary from organization to organization but the general numbers are that one in three girls and one in five boys are sexually abused during their childhood. These numbers are based on REPORTED cases. Stop and think about that a moment. The next time you are in a restaurant with your friends or family, take a moment to look around. How many people sitting in the room with you had their life altered by abuse? And keep in mind, there are many victims that do not report their abuse. I wrote Cat's Eye Marble in honor of all survivors of child abuse but especially those that never told. Prior to writing the book and after its release I have had many people tell me their stories of child abuse. Most of them endured long term abuse and more than a few began their story to me with, "I've never told anyone this before," I wanted to convey for them, the horrors of abuse, not only physically but also the emotion price that is paid. Many that have read the book have told me the characters seemed so real that they cried for Dani and despised other characters in the book for what they had done to her. Although the book is fiction, sadly, many of Dani's experiences are reality for an enormous number of children.
I hope that all readers that became so emotional reading the book do not forget those emotions. I want you to hold onto it and use what you felt to help a child. Did you cry? Did you hurt for Dani? Did you want to rescue her? Did you hate and become enraged at her abusers? Did you wonder why no one saw what was happening to Dani and come to rescue her? Did you wonder how one child could endure so much? I don't have the answer to how to make child abuse extinct, unfortunately, but I do know that everyone has the power to make a positive difference in a child's life. If you suspect a child is being abuse, please do not turn a blind eye or assume that someone else will report it. Please do not assume that because someone is a pillar in the community, allegations could not be correct. If nothing else, I think the Jerry Sandusky case has hopefully taught us, that child abusers don't have a certain "look" that tells us they are dangerous people for our children to be around. Many are masterful at fitting in society and fooling the adults around them. They live life with multiple personas. This is why we must keep a watchful eye open for our children.
Today is the day to make a difference in a child's life,
Leeann Smith
p.s. As always, I welcome any and all comments.
I just finished the Kindle version of this book, of which I highly recommend, and it reminded me why I wrote Cat's Eye Marble. I think almost every one in America has heard at least something about the Jerry Sandusky case in the past couple of years. I had never heard of the man, not that I remember, until it hit the media. I have never been a Penn State fan so the impact it had on me was different than what it would be for those loyal to the Nittany Lions. What struck me was the incredible sadness for his victims and the amazing courage it took for those young men to come forward. Victims of child abuse, even as adults, often fear not being believed. These young men not only had to take on their abuser in court but a portion of the nation as well. Thankfully, they succeeded legally. But does that mean their fight is over now that their abuser will spend the rest of his life in prison? Sadly, they are still left with the burden of overcoming the scars left behind.
Child abuse is an epidemic with devastating consequences. Statistics on child abuse vary from organization to organization but the general numbers are that one in three girls and one in five boys are sexually abused during their childhood. These numbers are based on REPORTED cases. Stop and think about that a moment. The next time you are in a restaurant with your friends or family, take a moment to look around. How many people sitting in the room with you had their life altered by abuse? And keep in mind, there are many victims that do not report their abuse. I wrote Cat's Eye Marble in honor of all survivors of child abuse but especially those that never told. Prior to writing the book and after its release I have had many people tell me their stories of child abuse. Most of them endured long term abuse and more than a few began their story to me with, "I've never told anyone this before," I wanted to convey for them, the horrors of abuse, not only physically but also the emotion price that is paid. Many that have read the book have told me the characters seemed so real that they cried for Dani and despised other characters in the book for what they had done to her. Although the book is fiction, sadly, many of Dani's experiences are reality for an enormous number of children.
I hope that all readers that became so emotional reading the book do not forget those emotions. I want you to hold onto it and use what you felt to help a child. Did you cry? Did you hurt for Dani? Did you want to rescue her? Did you hate and become enraged at her abusers? Did you wonder why no one saw what was happening to Dani and come to rescue her? Did you wonder how one child could endure so much? I don't have the answer to how to make child abuse extinct, unfortunately, but I do know that everyone has the power to make a positive difference in a child's life. If you suspect a child is being abuse, please do not turn a blind eye or assume that someone else will report it. Please do not assume that because someone is a pillar in the community, allegations could not be correct. If nothing else, I think the Jerry Sandusky case has hopefully taught us, that child abusers don't have a certain "look" that tells us they are dangerous people for our children to be around. Many are masterful at fitting in society and fooling the adults around them. They live life with multiple personas. This is why we must keep a watchful eye open for our children.
Today is the day to make a difference in a child's life,
Leeann Smith
p.s. As always, I welcome any and all comments.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Free Read Alert!!!!!
Financially tapped out from Christmas but still want a good book to read? Here's your chance! Get your IPhone, IPad, and IPod Touch ready! In celebration of my youngest daughter's birthday, Cat's Eye Marble will be FREE to download on Wednesday, January 16!!!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/
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