Sunday, January 31, 2010

This Week...

Join me and learn a little more about me, and DELIVER US FROM EVIL, as I visit the following blogs this week:

Today, Sunday, I'm answering some personal questions over at RELZREVIEWZ
Monday, February 1st, I'm playing with my buddy, Cara Putman
Tuesday, Feb 2nd, I'm visiting with my good friend, Lena Nelson Dooley
Wednesday, Feb 3rd, I'm sharing an article on story ideas on Novel Journey
Thursday, Feb 4th, I'm visiting with my crit partner, Ronie Kendig
Friday, Feb 5th, I'm hanging out with Tim George
Saturday, Feb 6th, I'm sharing a funny pet story with Roxanne Rustand

Come by and visit...be sure and leave a comment. Some are giving away copies of DELIVER US FROM EVIL!

Monday, January 25, 2010

A New Organization to Stop Human Trafficking

When I was researching and writing my new release, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, I found a lot of wonderful organizations dedicated to bringing awareness to the horrors of human trafficking, and striving to bring this modern day slavery to a stop.

Since researching and writing the book, I've kept up on these organizations, as well as discovering new ones. One such one is DNA. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have formed a new organization to help stop human trafficking and modern day slavery. You can learn more about it from their website.

Together, we can all help bring an end to this travesty of our times!

Friday, January 22, 2010

As recent as 2009

As I researched for my novel DELIVER US FROM EVIL I often ran across some really good statistics and details, but very outdated.

Here is a wonderful report by the FBI, as recent as the last quarter of 2009.

Don't forget, it's still human trafficking prevention month. Learn the facts. Get involved. Together, we CAN make a difference!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Child Trafficking Information

One of the things I discovered while researching my book DELIVER US FROM EVIL was that there is a LOT of information out on the web on child trafficking. Verification of these sites was timely and often tedious. Here's one to check out that's put up by OUR government.

It's still Human Traffcking Prevention Month...let's all band together to stop this tragedy of our time.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Child Trafficking Statistics

I'm heartbroken about the tragedy in Haiti. Have been making donations and praying for those poor people. But I'm just as heartbroken about the tragedy that occurs every single day...child trafficking.

When doing research for my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, I was appalled at the statistics of child trafficking in the United States. This is happening RIGHT UNDER AMERICANS' NOSES!!!!!!!!!!!

Want to read some staggering statistics? Visit the data sheet by the Polaris Project.

What can we do? The first step is awareness. I hope that I help bring the tragedy to people's attention in my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The second step is to learn the facts. I've been trying to post up information and links regarding facts on my blog during January, since it's Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The third step is GET INVOLVED. You can find information on how you can get involved in various ways by visiting the organizations I've featured on my blog this month.

Together, Americans can make a difference in the fight against child trafficking!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Someone Making a Difference against Human Trafficking

In talking about my new release, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, my good friend, Cheryl Wyatt, told me about a ministry that's helping in the fight against human trafficking. From their website:
"Stella's House in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau provides refuge for teenage girls forced to leave the orphanages at age 16 -- these girls would otherwise face a dangerous life on the streets, prey for sex traffickers and other criminals.The first Stella's House opened in November 2006. Stella's House 2 opened it's doors in 2009 and Stella's House 3 is expected to open early in 2010."
To learn more about this ministry, and ways you can help, check out their website here.

Together, with people willing to take a stand, we CAN make a difference.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Another Travesty of our Times

And while I'm on the subject of modern slavery, let's talk a minute about abuse by those who are supposed to love us the most. Yes, I'm talking about the hot topic of domestic abuse. To that avail, I'm pleased to talk about fellow B&H author, Jamie Carie and her new book, Angel's Den.


“Not everyone who looks like an angel . . . is one.”

Emma Daring can’t believe Eric Montclaire loves her. Not only is he a successful businessman, he’s known far and wide as the “most handsome man west of the Appalachians.” But her husband’s angelic looks mask a self-serving, monstrous soul—one that warps Emma’s dream life into a horrifying nightmare. Her only hope? Her husband’s upcoming expedition to the west. Not even Eric would take a woman on such an arduous journey.

Cartographer Luke Bowen is delighted when Eric Montclaire hires him for an expedition. And not just any expedition. They’re to follow the trail Lewis and Clark blazed a few years earlier to the Pacific Ocean. But something’s not right. Why has Montclaire insisted his wife accompany them? And why does Emma Montclaire seem so…haunted?

When the dark truth comes to light, it’s too late for Luke or Emma to escape what has become a twisted path of lies, theft, and murder. Only God can show them the way out…”




Dear Readers,

When I began Angel's Den I had no idea what God would reveal to me about abused women and the complex relationships that surround domestic violence. In 1808—Angel Den's setting—women who were emotionally and physically abused had little recourse. The law didn't recognize their situation as a problem, the church gave them little support, even society as a whole (including friends and family) looked the other way and hoped the woman would figure out how to be a good wife and stop making her husband frustrated and angry.

I learned the sad truth that while today's laws have changed to better protect the abused, the church and society still grapples with answers for this rampant problem that destroys lives.

Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000)

In the face of such a statistic there's only one thing I'm sure of. God has an answer for every case. In Angel's Den I was surprised by how God saves Emma. I had it planned one way, but God had another "landing place" in mind. 1 Corinthians 10:13Amplified Bible) "For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently."

In the midst of the devastation of our sin toward one another, our Heavenly Father stretches out his hand of hope and salvation. This book impacted me in ways I never expected. My prayer is it brings hope to those who have suffered in this way and brings awareness to us all.

Jamie Carie

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

I'm so pleased that our government is taking the step and making this month Human Trafficking Prevention month. Awareness is the first step in stopping this horrible travesty.

I've told the story of how my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, about child trafficking came to pass...because I watched a documentary on child trafficking.

To get an idea of what I saw, check this out. It's one of the documentaries I watched. Warning.....it will turn your stomach.

Human trafficking....get aware, learn the facts, get involved, and together, we CAN make a difference!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Today is the national human trafficking awareness day! Obama declares January 2010 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Read more... here
I became aware of the horrors of child trafficking while doing research for my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL. But being informed is the first step in stopping child trafficking. Learn what you can, then get involved. Together, we CAN make a difference!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

FACE

One of the best organizations my research on child trafficking for my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL found was FACE.

From their website: "FACE’S activities and objectives include:

monitoring of child abuse cases through the judicial process,
working to solve the problem of child trafficking across border,
lobbying for laws which will better protect children and the closure of loopholes in existing legal mechanisms
campaigning publicly to raise awareness through educaiton and mass mesdia
documenting cases for research and publication
networking with government and non-government agencies and officers in other countries to coordinate the arrest, prosecution and conviction of child sex offenders and traffickers."

How can YOU help? Be aware. Get involved. Together, we CAN make a difference!

Saturday, January 09, 2010

UNICEF-Child Trafficking

Looking for news on child trafficking? Check out this site, sponsored by UNICEF. The information is horrifying, as I discovered when doing research for my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL. But being informed is the first step in stopping child trafficking. Learn what you can, then get involved. Together, we CAN make a difference!

Friday, January 08, 2010

Stop Child Trafficking NOW

Another organization I researched while writing DELIVER US FROM EVIL who is raising awareness of child trafficking is Stop Child Trafficking Now. How can you get involved to stop child trafficking? Get involved in Stop Child Trafficking Now's walks. From their website: "On the weekend of, September 26-27, 2009, over 7,900 individuals, corporations, religious organizations, communities and student groups came from all over to participate in the inaugural Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk! This global event occurred in 39 communities, and involved students from over 80 college campuses. The successful event has, to date, raised over $558,000 to end child slavery. Click here to see a list of the top 2009 SCTNow Walk Fundraisers. Year two planning is underway.
When Weekend of, October 2-3, 2010
What Flagship Walk in NYC, Community & Campus Walks
Where Throughout the World
Who Thousands from around the world
How Walking to raise funds to Stop Child Trafficking Now"

Sign up now! Visit their site for more information!

YOU CAN get involved and help!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Blue Heart Campaign

While doing research on child trafficking for my book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, I came across several worthy organizations who strive to help these children. One such organization is the Blue Heart Campaign. From their website: "UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto, assists States in their efforts to implement the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol). The Blue Heart Campaign raises awareness of the problem and inspire those with decision-making power to effect change. Learn more today and help us work to stop human trafficking in the future."

More on good organizations raising awareness and helping against this horror can be found in the sources section in the back of my book. I'll also continue posting information here on my blog. The more people who become aware of this heart-breaking situation, the more who'll be willing to get involved and help! Spread the word!

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Travesty in our Times

According to UNICEF, An estimated 2.5 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion dollar commercial sex industry. This is a true travesty of our time. And as someone posted on my blog yesterday, this happens so much, but not many are talking about it. I couldn't do that. When I watched a television special on child trafficking with my husband, I couldn’t stop the ache in my heart. I couldn’t get the image of these poor girls’ faces out of my mind. The horrors these children endure in their own poverty-stricken country is horrible enough, but to be brought to America and be further exploited and abused is appalling. When my outrage settled deep inside me, I began researching this travesty and just became sick. I knew then I had to write a story about this most serious issue. Thus, DELIVER US FROM EVIL was born. It releases February 2010.

The horrors of child trafficking for sexual exploitation is staggering. Want more information? Visit here. Together, we can help. Ways you can get involved are coming soon.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Outraged

Did you know that according to the US Department of State, approximately 600,000 – 800,000 people are bought and sold across international borders each year; 50% are children, most are female. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade. For more details such as this, visit this site.

I watched a television special on child trafficking with my husband. As a mother of three daughters, I couldn’t stop the ache in my heart long after the show was over. I couldn’t get the image of these poor girls’ faces out of my mind. The horrors these children endure in their own poverty-stricken country is horrible enough, but to be brought to America and be further exploited and abused is appalling. When my outrage settled deep inside me, I knew I had to write a story about this most serious issue. Thus, DELIVER US FROM EVIL was born. It releases February 2010.