Australian actress and author Vanessa de Largie is a survivor of domestic violence.
Don’t Hit Me is the true diarised account of her time living with an abusive man. The story is conveyed through poems, journal entries and fragments of lyrical prose. The book is a snapshot of domestic violence in real time. Raw, poignant and brave – it’s a tale that will stay with you.
*What People Are Saying About It*
#1 Amazon Bestseller
# Winner of the 2014 Global eBook Award Bronze (women’s studies)
# Winner of the 2014 Honourable Mention Award London Book Festival (memoir)
# Five-Star Review Midwest Book Review
# Five-Star Review San Francisco Book Review
# Five-Star Review #1 Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer – UK
# 3 out of 4 stars Official Online Bookclub
*Where To Buy*
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
*About The Author*
Vanessa de Largie is a multi-award-winning actress and author basedin Australia. Her most recent book ‘Don’t Hit Me!‘ is a book about her journey through domestic violence. The narrative is conveyed through journal entries and fragments of lyrical prose.
Join me in welcoming Lisa C. Miller to Highlighted Author.
Lisa C. Miller is an author of inspirational poetry. Through her writing she seeks to uplift others. She’s with us this week sharing her latest title, Inspirations from Heaven’s Gate.
Welcome, Lisa. Please tell use about yourself .
Hi,
I live in the beautiful state of Alaska with my family where the spirits of animals and men roam free. I am married to a wonderful man and we have three children and foster girls who bring us joy. I am currently a full-time college student and I write inspirational poetry.
I enjoy reading, writing, blogging, walking, family, social networking, scrap booking and photography.
I started out in a military family. My dad joined the Air Force when I was little so the world has been my playground. It is where I learned to get along with other people and accept myself.
What books do you have out?
I have published two books so far, Godly Inspirations for the Troubled Soul and Inspirations from Heaven’s Gate. Both are books of poetry with bible verses sprinkled within. They can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
What do you hope to accomplish through writing?
I am able, through the help of The Holy Spirit, to write about the beauty and simplicity of life. Through words I want to reveal the beauty of Christ to the broken and lost spirits of humanity. Through pouring out my heart and tears and trying to be transparent I want to encourage people to see we are in this together.
When did you decide to be a writer and why?
I am very comfortable with books and pens and paper. I sometimes feel like I was born with a pencil in my hand and I started writing at six years old and it has just expanded from there. I have never passed a library or used bookstore that I haven’t liked. As you can tell I am very chatty about my life, books and writing.
Go right ahead and be as chatty as you like. *smile*
I am a Christian lady who comes from a Christian background and family. I came to know the Lord on a personal level when I was 17 years old. Since then I have been on a quest to learn more about Him and myself. On my journey I have come to realize my purpose in life is to write what is on God’s heart and encourage the broken and lost souls of humanity with it.
Here are two quotes I think sum up my writing life: “I am a little pencil in the hand of writing God who is sending out a love letter to the world” by Mother Teresa and “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart” by William Wordsworth.
Inspirations from Heaven’s Gate
blurb
This is book of poetry with bible verses sprinkled throughout the book. Written with the help of the whispered power of the Holy Spirit and daily guidance of the Lord. I do my best to listen to for the Lord’s instructions on a daily basis and write what is put on my heart to share with the broken and lost souls of humanity to help them with their daily struggles.
Excerpt
Prayer is a pathway to a rich & meaningful life in which time has no meaning.
Once someone starts a life of prayer they are changed forever.
There is no going back.
The insights gained from the world around them are so powerful it is consuming.
When you have a life of prayer you have a huge responsibility for those around you.
Prayer is the first line of defense for the heart and soul.
Otherwise they are left bruised and bleeding on the side of life’s highway.
Prayer is to the soul what oxygen is to the heart life.
Whether we realize it or not we are actually comforted in the knowledge that someone
We hold dear those who hold us up to the throne of heaven.
They care for us so deeply that they will seek daily solitude to strengthen their own relationship with the Lord.
In doing so they touch heaven for us.
Our lives become more clear and focused.
Throughout their lives they have learned to slip their hands into the Fathers hand.
They help us to not drown in our daily struggles.
Our family, friends, and neighbors uplift our concerns as much as possible.
Prayer will bring healing & strength to those who are weary.
God’s love will flow from your heart to theirs to show that they are highly treasured.
His love has supernatural power and will bring life to those who honor Him.
Knowing the Father is always available.
It is a beautiful gift He bestows upon us.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved & those who are perishing.” 2 cor. 2:15 (niv)
LCM 3/2009
Get your copy of Inspirations from Heaven’s Gate here:
Join me in welcoming Nate Spears to Highlighted Author.
Nate Spears is an inspirational poet who also works with the University of Florida Jacksonville healthcare team. He’s been nurturing a talent for writing since he was quite young. He hopes to inspire others to find joy even in the midst of life’s most difficult challenges. Nate’s debut title is a book of poetry titled Inspiration 2 Smile and he is currently working on his second book, Main Street Poems, which is set to release in 2012.
Welcome, Nate. Please tell us about yourself.
I’m Nate Spears, a 31-year-old poet from Jacksonville, Florida. I began writing at the age of seven. My love for writing started with fiction short stories, and developed into a love for poetry and greeting card writings in my teen years.
The game of football stole me away from writing for several years. My dream was to finish college, enter the NFL draft, and become a professional football player.
After a few seasons with the Edward Waters College Tigers and Duval Lions (Semi-pro), in 2008 I decided to pick up the pen again and make a return to writing by inspiring and uplifting a few souls through writing inspirational poetry.
What brought you back to writing?
My love for poetry grew intense in 2008 after reading The Rose From The Concrete by Tupac Shakur. I was impressed by his poetry and how he used his poetry to heal himself and heal others around him as well. I decide to assemble my own collection of poetry after reading Mr. Shakur’s title, which later became Inspiration 2 Smile by Nate Spears, a book that’s designed to inspire and uplift souls across the world.
What are you working on now?
My 2nd collection of poetry, Main Street Poems, is set to release in 2012.
My Write 2 Work Facebook page is a page that consists of popular job search engines, and it’s designed to inspire, empower, and assist Facebook users with returning to the United States workforce. (www.facebook.com/pages/WRITE–2–WORK/156843954404952).
My YouTube channel, Black Bandit 210, is committed and dedicated to bringing some of the most inspiring content to the web and social sites all over the world. The channel consists of everything from spoken word poetry, music videos, books, commercials, and much more. (http://www.youtube.com/user/blackbandit210)
I have many more collaborations and projects lined up and being set to release in 2012 as well.
Would you share an excerpt of Inspiration 2 Smile with us?
Inspiration 2 Smile
back page blurb
Inspirational poet Nate Spears is on a mission: to make you smile! In this his first full-length poetry collection, Nate’s poems spread joy even in adverse times. Nate uses poetry to motivate readers to keep on going no matter what the circumstances; his message is one of empowerment and positivity. Includes Nate’s Pushcart Prize nominated poem Daily Double. Cover image by Amy Alley.
Click Image To Purchase!
Excerpt
Fight 2 Win
Sometimes you fight, fight, fight
But you run out of gas
You fight, fight, fight
Until you have nothing else to give
Nothing else left inside to fight with
Then you start to question
Is this even worth the fight?
It is
Keep fighting
Never give up
Keep fighting
Until the casket drops!
Inspiration 2 Smile
Book trailer
Thank you for being with us, Nate. Is there anything you’d like to add?
I wrote a poem that I really love and would like to share with everyone.
Death Of A Rose
By Nate Spears
The onion blooms this summer
With a essence of pleasure
The rose brings the smell of death, as
X marks the spot
I ask why?
The letters reveal everything
As my fortune grew wheels
I became Bankrupt
I hope you’ll see the guiding in my light
The struggle in my fight
Each and every day
I deal with in this life
My soul is sun burned,
my life has washed ashore
Times two, my son’s bring me more light
Breathing life in my flesh
Excellent vision
Allows me to see failure at its best
In all four corners of this ring
On my finger, destroying my dreams.
Victory stands bold in the middle, so
Who’s the real champion?
Tears and sweat are only separated
by the point in which they are released
Beauty lies deeply within the heart
Of the beast
One moment for the momentum that destroys the cells of venom
ess and author Vanessa de Largie is a survivor of domestic violence.
Prayer is a pathway to a rich & meaningful life in which time has no meaning.
