Happy Holidays to All

It has been quite a year! From Forever Sunshine being nominated in the Heart Press' Best Women's Fiction poll, to the raving compliments I've received from my fairytale romance, Hannah's Blessing, to topping the charts with my new release If We Dare to Dream, I feel as though 2011 has not only been extremely fortunate for me but also hopefully a sign of what is yet to come. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be an international Kindle bestseller, I would have laughed aloud. However, here I am today, still reeling and stunned to see my books selling over in England, even a few in Germany, France and Spain. Wow. Hanging out in the top 100 for the US and England has been awe-inspiring for me.

Writing has always been my dream. If you have viewed my brief bio, you would have read that I have been writing my entire life. I always kept it private, for when I did express my dreams to others most of the time I was met with derision and mockery. But I was suddenly granted the opportunity to go public with my writing, and with my close friends' and family's support and encouragement (and at times, force) I did it. It's been a busy year, a lot of hard work, a lot of learning and fumbling my way through, but I did it. And I have never been happier. What makes it all worth it is that people like what I write. How much better can that get?

So for the rest of 2011, I will continue to watch those numbers and hope more and more people jump on the Collette Scott bandwagon. With The Evans Family, Book One selling so well right now, I am polishing up Book Two, Through Winter Skies, and will strive to keep that date set for February 14, 2012 as planned. Book Three (as yet unnamed), has a tentative date in June 2012, and Book 4, Kat's Last Chance is set for October 2012. So come along and read about Zach and Emery, Hayden and Dani, and Ian and Kat over the next year. I hope you enjoy those as well.

To finish up the year strong and hopeful is a great feeling. To all my friends, old and new, and family, thank you so much. To my readers, you have given me purpose, and I hope I can continue to grant you a great ride in the upcoming years. My wish to all who visit my blog is that you have a safe and happy holiday season. May 2012 be happy, healthy and prosperous. My thanks and best wishes!

Happy Holidays!

My Domestic Violence Awareness Month Donation - Please join me:

October is designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this month I would like to give to a cause I feel strongly about. I have blogged about domestic violence on a couple of occasions already, primarily when Forever Sunshine first came out in April. Since then, I have heard from multiple domestic violence survivors, and each and every one of them told me that Forever Sunshine was not only very real to them but also hopeful for those still in a situation to get out. Naturally, that was part of the message I was trying to send, but I also wanted to draw attention to the issue itself. Often domestic violence is a hidden matter, a family matter that no one truly understands or wants to get involved with. For emergency personnel, it is also a cause for concern. During my time in the Emergency Medical Services, scene safety was our first priority. When responding to a domestic violence call, we often required the backup of police personnel to ensure the scene was safe before we could enter.

There was one call where the husband was drunk, injured and required transport to the hospital, and though he was arrested the police officer followed the ambulance rather than riding in the back with me. As senior medical personnel I treated the patient, while my EMT (who was male) drove. The patient looked at me midway through the ride to the hospital and said, “I could kill you with my bare hands right now.” I must admit that I was a little unnerved, even though I reminded him coolly that we had an escort and a burly EMT up front. But that is how these people control their victims, through fear and intimidation. If a stranger would talk to another stranger so angrily, can we imagine how he must have spoken to his family?

Please do not get me wrong. Men are not always the offenders. Domestic violence can occur via women as well. The main point is that it is a problem for all involved, but there are means of escape and ways to get help for both the victim and the offender. Most importantly of all, there are opportunities to show that there is nothing to be ashamed of; there is help out there.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in honor of this important milestone I am putting together a donation for every sale of Forever Sunshine to a cause that I believe is worthwhile. I have contacted a national domestic violence organization and am working with them on this plan. Though I would love to give to more than one organization, this time around I have chosen one site to focus on. Depending on the success of my venture, I will certainly branch out because this is a serious endeavor.

The Hotline is a 24/7 non-profit organization that operates nationwide in the United States. They offer crisis intervention, advocacy, and information to victims or possible victims. Their database includes referrals to over 4,000 programs and shelters, so they work hard every day trying to pass on the means and education to help others. In these difficult financial times donations are harder to come by, and this is why I am hopeful that by buying a decent story of hope, healing and survival others can find a way to pass a day and give back to those who need help. My latest blog review has been completed by Book Reviews by Tima. Please take a look to learn more about my story. The eBook Forever Sunshine is only $2.99 on Amazon; the paperback just $14.95. For my UK readers, please click here. Remember, you do not need a Kindle to purchase an eBook. If you would like to read on your computer or smartphone, Amazon offers an e-reading application. Get yours here.

So please join me in my attempts to give back to those in need and help me spread the word.

If you are in need, do not hesitate to call 1-800-799-SAFE or visit TheHotline.org for immediate assistance. All it takes is one call to get the ball rolling.

Thank you all, my good readers!

Forever Sunshine:

Young and naïve Cherisse Bridwell had focused solely on completing her college degree and beginning her career until one hot summer evening when her frightened older sister, Shelly, arrives looking for help. Cher's carefully ordered life quickly comes to an end. Trapped in an abusive marriage, Shelly is terrified and has nowhere else to go but to her overworked and oblivious sister. Though Cher is not prepared to handle the effects of a controlling and violent husband, fate delivers help via police sergeant Brandon Nicholson. With his strength and guidance, he shows Cherisse and Shelly how to survive and how to live life to the fullest. As both women find their inner strength, Cher and Brandon fall in love and build a future together. However, life is full of ups and downs, and through it all Cher and her family must continue to face every day with a feeling of hope and optimism, even when it seems as though all hope is gone.