Author: Catherine Lyon Author/Writer

I’m Happy And Pleased To Welcome Wellness & Recovery Coach, “Lesa Densmore” As My Recovery Guest…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , ,

Hello And Welcome Friends, Recovery Supporters, And New Visitors,
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Today I’m very excited to introduce a wonderful recovery coach and speaker of Problem Gambling. And those of you who are in recovery from addicted compulsive gambling, this is an awesome treat for all us!

Please meet my guest ‘Lesa Densmore’, Recovery Wellness Coach, Speaker, and Advocate. Lesa and I met through LinkedIn’s professional media site. We had so much in common that I thought, “this girl needs to be shared and spotlighted on my recovery blog! Lets learn more about who Lesa is, and all she does to help others recover from compulsive addicted gambling….

My story begins here,…


Lesa Densmore
(Story Courtesy Of http://www.iamrecovery.com/spotlight10/Densmore.cfm/

I am Lesa, 38, Wellness Coach and recovering compulsive gambler.

My life has been full of successful athleticism. In all my years of competing, nothing compares to the 7-year battle I had for life from my gambling addiction and the sense of accomplishment I have today being in recovery. The flirting began in my teens with bingo and lottery tickets and spending hundreds of dollars a week. By my late twenties, I had a problem gambling with internet poker and spending hundreds of dollars a day at casinos. By age 31, I had a full-blown addiction spending thousands of dollars a week.

Explaining the seven years would take pages. Lying, manipulating, stealing, followed by pain, shame and guilt and I couldn’t stop. I was living in NY State.
My family was in Maine. There are strong stigmas, so I didn’t talk about my gambling problem. When I found that gambling was recognized as an addiction, a weight was lifted, but it also gave me an excuse. From the ages 32-35, I was out of control. Food, alcohol and relationship abuse complimented my gambling. I spent hours going to casinos. I had my belongings repossessed, had no home, was living in a tent, couldn’t pay my bills, was writing bad checks and lying my way through it all. The problem was known, but no one knew how bad. Financial, legal, personal issues were building. I disconnected and sunk deeper into the addiction.

In February 2006, I got professional help with counseling and outpatient services. It helped temporarily, but I fell back into full cycle. The fall was bad and no one knew. I spiraled out of control. In January 2009, I had a near suicide, but found strength to pull it together. I called my family and the N.Y. Council again. By this time, I was an expert on the illness and knew it would kill me. I had after all studied it for years while living each phase and progression. It was agreed that residential treatment was needed again. My family pulled together the funds and finally I was going to rehab.Today, after treating the illness causing the gambling, I am strong in recovery.

I can breathe, laugh, hope and help. After rehab, I was asked to go back to implement a Health Management Program and worked with the clinical/executive directors on intervention and business development. My focus now is here in New York state. I am trying to be a face behind the illness, to advocate for the best treatment and funding. I feel compelled to help those who are trying to help us, do the best job they can. I also want to help break down the stigmas. It’s not easy, but we are being heard and supported. Life after addiction can be good and it does improve. I am a compulsive gambler, and I am recovery!
My name Lesa, and this is my story.

What’s Your Story?

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Now I know when I read her story here on, “I Am Recovery”,  I thought this girl has been through so much, just like I had with my own addiction. I feel when we share our personal testimonies of what we have been through with our gambling, we tend to find, even though our paths maybe different from one another’s, we all go through the same type of feelings and symptoms of this cunning disease.

As Lesa stated in her own story, we all feel the shame, guilt, the stealing and lying, and hiding what we were doing within our addiction. I myself had a recovery coach/addictions specialist help me for a year, and I have to tell you it made all the difference in my recovery! He would not release me until I could site to him every part of the “cycle” of my addiction to gambling. Here is a little more of how Lesa helps others in recovery from addicted gambling today! She has a new blog that is a wee bit under construction, but has really good information about how she helps others from gambling addiction, so keep her blog link handy here: http://controlyourgambling.com/ and give her a visit.

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Lesa Densmore

Lesa Densmore

Professional Recovery Coach / Speaker, Consultant and Resource on Problem Gambling, and all areas of Crisis or Addiction.
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You Are Not Powerless…
My name is Lesa Densmore. I successfully help individuals and families recover from crisis and addiction. If you or someone you care about has problems associated with gambling activity, I can help. I have been there, I am now on the other side, and it is what I do.

 

Although I service all areas of crisis and addiction, I specialize in Problem Gambling and Gambling Addiction. I am a Professional Crisis and Recovery Coach, National Keynote Speaker, Educator, and Recovered Gambling Addict.

 

I have a history of success helping individuals and families get life back to manageable again after being in the throes of Problem Gambling or Gambling Addiction.

Recovery Coaching is cutting edge, unique, and person focused. It provides the one-on-one guidance and assistance needed to help individuals and families overcome the obstacles and barriers that stand in the way of life because of crisis, addiction, or problems associated with.

My Recovery Coaching Approach is un-biased, and straight forward. Realizing that there are multiple pathways to dealing with problem gambling, I assist an individual in a direction that supports their core values, goals, lifestyle, career, and family.

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So now we know a little more about Lesa, and how she helps many with recovery. It’s what she loves to do, and is very passionate about her work. If you or someone you love has a gambling problem, here is how you can contact Lesa Densmore at:
LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lesadensmore/
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For more information about her ‘Wellness Recovery Coaching’, send her an Email at idassociated@live.com
I’m sure she’d be happy to aid you in your recovery. You can also Google Lesa and find some wonderful speaking engagements she has done for TV News, National Conferences, and YouTube. Here is a news link to see Lesa in action, speaking to others about problem and addicted gambling.

http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Understanding-addiction-helping-others-199245081.html?m=y&smobile=y  An Interview With A Local News Station.

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As a Wellness Coach, National Speaker, and Educator about Problem Gambling, I want to Thank Lesa for giving me the pleasure of sharing all she does with all my recovery followers & my readers! Maybe together she and I can change lives together!
And just a little advice Lesa?…. Get A Book Written Please! Thanks everyone for visiting today.

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Happiness & Blessings,
Catherine Townsend-Lyon
Author Of “Addicted To Dimes”…

I’m So Pleased To Welcome “Author, Russell Warnberg” And His New Book Titled, “The Chalk Line Killer”

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , , , , , ,
Hello And Welcome Friends, Readers, Book Lovers,

 

We are in for another treat with a very special ‘Guest Author’ today, and his new book! I’m honored to introduce you to, “Author, Russell Warnberg” and his new book titled, “The Chalk Line Killer.” It is the next book from his book series, “Edge Of Redemption”.

Now I just added his book to my GoodReads ‘want to read book shelve’,  and I so recommend you all do the same. I met Russell through a mutual group we are in together on the Professional media site LinkedIn. He checked me out, then I went and checked him out,….LOL and BAM!, we connected on LinkedIn. I meet so many wonderful, interesting, and talented writers and authors there. And my new friend “Russell” is no exception! Here now is a little more about him as a writer, author, and ‘Man Of Mystery’…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Russell Warnberg

 Lifelong Teacher  * Artist & Woodworker *  Writer

With his new published book offering, Author Russell Warnberg originally grew up in Minnesota. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he settled in Maine where he currently resides. Having earned an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, he continued his studies and achieved a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Maine.

Russ spent his years teaching History, English and a few other subjects while working in public and private schools
in both Minnesota and Maine.

He currently resides in Maine with his wife, Elaine.
His son, daughter~in~law, and grandchildren live nearby and are the light of his life.

Contact the author at:
rwarnberg@roadrunner.com
Connect with Russell on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/russell.warnberg

Purchase his new books at:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/420834

His new book just released is titled, “The Chalk Line Killer” and here is a little more about the book:
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The Detective Cole Sullivan Series continues…

Detective Sullivan and his team in Maine, join forces with Detective Tweed and his team in Minnesota, when murders begin happening in both states with the same MO. Each murder victim has a chalk line drawn around their lifeless body.

People are being murdered. The police have very few clues and are running into dead ends trying solve the crimes.

The chalk lines appear messy and unsophisticated… until… it becomes clear that the chalk lines are not messy after all… they are messages. The police have to follow the clues and work fast to catch the killer before another victim dies.

Book 1 of the series it titled, Edge of Redemption
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Edge of Redemption
Edge of Redemption
by Russell Warnberg

Finding the old man was a shock but nothing compared to the madness that was to follow.

An experienced detective in Augusta, Maine, Cole Sullivan begins investigating the death of a schoolmate’s father, Joe Winslow. But when suspicion is cast on Winslow’s children, John and Kate, Cole cannot protect John from the evidence stacking up against him. Soon the homicide investigation Sullivan leads becomes even more complicated when Kate’s husband is murdered and a rash of seemingly unrelated killings breaks out. Russell Warnberg’s novel offers readers a glimpse into the killer’s mind as he turns himself ever more fully over to evil. As Sullivan seeks to solve the mystery, his own position comes into danger as the state government works to resolve the case as soon as possible, even though that may leave the true killer free.
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Now BOOK REVIEWS always tell us a book is Worth The Read!

Excellence with a unique flair.
June 8, 2014

 This review is from: The Chalk Line Killer (The Detective Cole Sullivan Series) (Volume 2) (Paperback)
This book has everything that may not fit the normal “structured pattern” of the thriller of the week. Yet, it adds so much more, with characters struggling to live, love and survive. Even though you haven’t an idea who the bad one(s) are, you find that they are also fully fleshed beings. You don’t want to meet them, but they are filled with motive and intrigue, as are the ones hunting them. Who is hunting whom? This has a wonderfully colorful landscape with imagination, cruelty and heart. It stands out because it is not the standard, often packaged bestsellers.

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So, many of you know me as NOT  a “James Lipton” from “The Actors Studio”….LOL,  so I only ask 2 simple questions to all my ‘Guest Authors’,  as I don’t want them to feel any pressure when I share a little about their craft! So here are the 2 questions I asked of ‘Author, Russell Warnberg’ and how smoothly he answered them…

1.) Was there anything in particular that made you decide to become a novelist and writer?

I had wanted to write ever since my college days at the Univ. of Minnesota, but never had the self-discipline to follow through.  Oh, I wrote some poetry and a short novella years ago, but could never quite pull the trigger. It was just too hard to find the time to dedicate to it.  As I was about to retire, I was presented with a laptop computer and that made all the difference.  I had learned to type in high school and found I could still do it rather well.  It was the computer that made it possible for me to actually follow through with my dream.

The first day I had the computer on my lap, I wrote out the first paragraph of my first novel, not knowing at the time that that’s what it would be.  After reading it over a couple of times, I thought this might make for a good crime drama, so I dedicated myself to the task, wrote nearly every day and five months later, the rough draft was complete. The rest is history, as they say.


2.) Has there been anyone exciting thing that has happened to you since the releasing of your books you’d like to share?

I can’t say that there has been any thing that has excited me about the release of my novels.  Of course, it was a thrill to sign that first contract and then hold a copy of the finished novel in my hands, but aside from that it has been rather anti-climatic. The old saying about it being the journey that is the best part, rather than the destination, I have found to be largely true.
Maybe the best thing is that I have found a second career that can occupy me for the rest of my life, if I choose. Being able to get up each day and have something meaningful to do is the key. To have a lot of people read and enjoy my work would be the icing on the cake.

So I’d like to Thank Author, Russell Warnberg for letting me share his craft of writing and authoring books with all of you today. You can also connect with Russell on Twitter! @RussellWarnberg  and on his website here http://russellwarnberg.com
And also check out this website to view his awesome book trailer and another interview courtesy of, “Fountain Blue Publishing and Author Services”
http://www.fountainbluepublishing.com/russell-warnberg.html

And as always when you give him a visit? Tell him Catherine Lyon sent you!

Happiness & Blessings All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

Yes, Russell’s New Book Is Also On Amazon!

 

Today’s Blog Tour Stop Is Sizzling For ‘The Hot Box Thriller Release’!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Blog Tours , , , , , ,

Hello Friends & Readers!

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I’m hosting a Fabulous Blog Tour Stop for the ‘Hot Box Thriller Release’ today by my awesome friend & cohort, ‘Wendy G. Ewurum’ of “Fabulosity Reads & Book Tours”… http://www.fabulosityreads.com
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As all my book & author friends know that Wendy IS your go to girl to get your book noticed! She does it well, and all her clients just ‘Rave’ about the fab job she does for them! So make sure you check out her website that’s listed at the end of my post, and see how she can make your BOOK LOOK GOOD!

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Wendy G. Ewurum
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OK Readers,…. Here we Go!

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The Hot Box Set with Karen Perkins

Sizzling Thriller Hot Box Release: Get Yours on June 14th

8 Sizzling Thrillers From 8 Best-Selling Authors

Amazon

Smashwords (99c)

Good Reads:

Authors

Steven Bannister – Fade to Black

John Paul Davis – The Cortes Enigma
C R Hiatt – Sanctioned Kill
David Leadbeater – The Razor’s Edge
Andy Lucas – Race Amazon
Karen Perkins – Dead Reckoning
C K Raggio – Heron Park
Mike Wells – Wild Child
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Steven Bannister – Fade to Black
Allie St Clair is young and brilliant and today she’s been promoted to Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard. But the time for celebration is short. Something is wrong in rain-swept London. Very wrong.

John Paul Davis – The Cortes Enigma
1581: It appeared in the west as the sun was setting, a distant silhouette like a fire on the water. Twelve hours later it appeared again, this time much closer to the mainland . . . Who was on board or where they came from remained a mystery . . . No trace of the vessel was ever found . . .

C R Hiatt – Sanctioned Kill
Destined for Danger. Sanctioned to Kill.

David Leadbeater – The Razor’s Edge
Trent, Silk and Radford are the Razor’s Edge and the best spy team in the business – until the government they toiled, served and bled for, disavowed them.

Andy Lucas – Race Amazon
James Pace, ex-RAF helicopter pilot and amateur cameraman, is still trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life when a child’s bullet nearly kills him.

Karen Perkins – Dead Reckoning
A historical adventure of piracy, love and revenge in the Caribbean in the seventeenth century.

C K Raggio – Heron Park
A small Long Island town erupts in a panic when a woman and her dog are found savagely murdered on a popular hiking trail.

Mike Wells – Wild Child
A fast, suspenseful thriller with an ending that you’ll never see coming.
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Large Hot Box - cover - lr

Get it today:

Amazon
Smashwords (99c)

Good Reads

 

Tour Stop Schedule

Lisa Day http://lisaday.weebly.com/now-blogging
Anette Gisby http://agisby.blogspot.co.uk/
Mismatched Book Ends http://mismatchedbookends.blogspot.com/
Mel U http://rereadinglives.blogspot.com/2014/06/sizzling-thriller-hot-box-release-get.html
All Booked Out http://www.allbookedout.com/
Nicholas Rossis http://nicholasrossis.me/
Sue Reveals and Promotions http://suesrevealsandpromotions.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/beyond-count-by-margo-bond-collins.html
Effrosyni’s Blog http://effrosinimoss.wordpress.com/
Renee Giraldy  http://wp.me/p2vpp9-3rT
Cassandra Loskot http://closkot.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-blast-hot-box-sizzling-thrillers.html
JGRWriter http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com/
Words Words Words http://margobondcollins.com/
Lilly’s Blog http://lillianmackenzierhine.com/
Blue Chrysalis Book Promotions http://bluechrysalisbookpromo.wordpress.com/
Haven Malone http://suemvan.blogspot.com/
Room With Books roomwithbooks.com
Owen Habel http://owenhabel.blogspot.com/
Xhosa Chick On A Budget http://xhosachickonabudget.blogspot.com/
Scarlet Rapshodys https://scarletrhapsodys.wordpress.com/
Mirriam Smythe (http://wp.me/p1htEp-1Qf).
Kinky Vanila Romance http://kinkyvanillaromance.blogspot.com/2014/06/sizzling-thriller-hot-box-release-get.html
Reaching Out With Reviews http://www.marytkincaidauthor.com
A good book can change your view for life… http://twinkle-sugandha.blogspot.in/
My Cultural Cocktails myculturalcocktails/wordpress.com

The V Mirror

Author, Catherine-Townsend-Lyon

 http://www.vmirror.wordpress.com

http://anAuthorandWriterinProgress.wordpress.com

Thanks All for joining me in this Awesome Hot Box Set Release! And remember, for all your Book Blog Tour, contact Wendy! She does Book Blog Tours Right!

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Advertise On This Space For $20 monthly.
Book Today!
http://fabulosityreadsbookpromotions.blogspot.com

Happiness & Blessings All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon :-)

“It’s My Pleasure And Honor To Welcome Author, Cate Stevens & Founder Of Addictionland & Her New Book”

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , ,
Hello Recovery Friends, Seekers, and All New Visitors,

 

I’m so honored and happy to introduce to all my readers, recovery friends & supporters to a wonderful friend of mine, Author, Cate Stevens.
She is the founder of the ‘Best Addiction & Recovery Website’ in cyber-space with helpful information about all types of addictions on her website Addictionland. She was the very first high-profile addiction specialist who offered me to be a ‘Guest Expert Blogger for Gambling Addiction’  for the whole month of October, 2013 on her fantastic website!
I never told her that just being on her website had opened so many other media doors for me since then. People began to see that I was very serious about my 7+ years in recovery, believed in my mission & life purpose and  “Message Of Hope” to other addicts who are still suffering. Those addicted gamblers being held hostage on the cunning ‘Cycle’ of Compulsive Addicted Gambling.
Since being an expert on her site I have been invited to guest speak on many radio shows, done several guest interviews, and a few articles done about my own personal hell that I went through with addicted gambling & alcohol. And much of that is a big thanks to Cate for allowing me to be an expert on her site ADDICTIONLAND ~ http://www.addictionland.com
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Cate Stevens
Cate Stevens 
Now let us meet this *Fabulous* woman to find out more of how she helps others in recovery, a little more about her, and her new fantastic book titled, what else?  ADDICTIONLAND!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cate Stevens. Founder of Addictionland.com, has over fifteen years of recovery from food, drug, alcohol, cigarette and unhealthy relationship addiction. Cate’s approach to recovery is based on the 12 steps, as well the practice of spiritual principles, exercise, good nutrition, and meditation. Cate’s personal, ongoing recovery process has benefited tremendously from the free sponsorship of other women.

Cate has successfully coached hundreds of women to develop specific, daily action plans to support their personal and professional goals. Cate majored in journalism and communications and is the author of “Addictionland: Key Lessons from My Rollercoaster Ride to Freedom from Food, Drug, Alcohol, Cigarette and Unhealthy Relationship Addiction”, a series of powerful vignettes.

As a motivational speaker, educator and coach, Cate is highly effective and inspirational. Cate leverages her experience from premier sales, management and leadership training programs to teach her clients how to be sober, productive and fulfilled.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Addictionland is a memoir about an upper middle-class girl voted best looking and most likely to succeed who develops and overcomes multiple, life-threatening addictions. Addicts struggling to get help because of the stigma of addiction will connect to these powerful vignettes.

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BOOK PROLOGUE: 

Addictionland: Key Lessons from My Rollercoaster Ride to Freedom from Food, Drug, Alcohol, Cigarette and Unhealthy…

I know the need to take the edge off.  Things will never get better. Things will always be the same.  This is as good as it gets.

I know the self-talk.  I can stop whenever I want.  I’m not as bad as everyone else.  I don’t use every day. I have a job. I have a family.

I know the attempts to control.  I will cut down. I will cut back.  I will do less.

I know the impossible promises to keep. This will be the last time.  This will be the last one.  Never again, this is it!

I know the puzzled looks from family and strangers. Do they know what I am hiding? Are they watching? Can they tell? I know how it feels to be disconnected from your goodness.

I know how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin.  I know the sound of hateful words as they crash against your skull.  You are a loser.  You are an embarrassment. You don’t deserve.

I know what it’s like to be dragged around by a craving. I know what it’s like to expect the worst. I know what it is like to have your dreams plucked out one eye lash at a time.  My life is a nightmare. I will never be normal.  I will never be happy.   I know your pain.  I know your addiction.

I know a way out…
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About Addictionland

amusement park

YOUR TICKET TO INSIGHT AND FREEDOM FROM FOOD ADDICTION, DRUG ADDICTION, ALCOHOLISM, CIGARETTE ADDICTION, SEX ADDICTION, GAMBLINGADDICTION, SHOPPING ADDICTION, CO-DEPENDENCY AND ANY OTHER ADDICTION YOU FACE.
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Addictionland welcomes all types of addicts, professionals, therapeutic resources and recovery paths.  Addictionland’s main purpose is to offer its members a place to blog/discuss on any topic on their mind without facing judgment or unwanted personal exposure.  Addictionland is a place to share secrets, express pain, ask questions, seek solutions and connect with other recovering people and/or professionals.
Use Addictionland’s blog or discussion boards to identify the haunting thoughts which hold you back from the life you want.  A miracle of healing is experienced when the truth comes to light.  I know this because for years I suffered in silence from multiple life-threatening addictions. The  stigma of addiction prevented me from speaking honestly and asking for help. I wanted to change my life, but I didn’t have the education on my disease that A&E’s Intervention or the Internet provides.
It took a drug and alcohol-induced seizure to convince me I couldn’t beat my addiction alone.  I credit my personal transformation to the community of people I met in the rooms who led me by example, and to the array of outside professionals (therapists, coaches, advisors) who offered me additional forms of treatment.
Today, I have over a decade of rock solid recovery and I enjoy my life as a mother, wife, friend, and co-worker/volunteer. I never imagined how my life experience would benefit the life of other addicts or their families. You, too, have experience, strength and hope that can change the lives of many people, including your own. Let Addictionland be your bridge to freedom and insight.  From the bottom of my heart, I hope to hear from you soon and I thank you for your contribution.

 

Here are a few more places you can connect with Cate!
On YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/Addictionland
On Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addictionland/100525326671947?ref=
On Twitter @Addictionland
And of course on Addictionland! http://www.addictionland.com/cate-stevens.html
I want to sat a big ‘Thank You’ to Author, Cate Stevens for letting me share a little about her today! You can also find me on Addictionland blogging Community ~ under ‘Gambling Addiction’ and my blog link is:  http://www.addictionland.com/kitcatlyon
I really don’t think there could be a place where you can find good information from many addiction experts of many different types of addictions in one place. What makes Addictionland so ‘Unique’ is that you can even ask questions of the experts, follow their blogs, and even interact with them for awesome recovery support! So why not go give Addictionland, and Author Cate Stevens a Visit Today.
Much Happiness And Success In Your Recovery My Friends!
God Bless,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

 

I Welcome Guest Author, “Agathe von Kampen” To My Writers Blog Today!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , , , , ,

Hello Readers, Friends, And New Visitors,

 

Today I have the honor and privilege of introducing you to a good friend of mine, who happens to be a fellow author and the best ‘Story Teller’ I know, Author Agathe von Kampen- (Turrell). S he is a delightful woman who has been through so much than any one woman should have to endure in one lifetime!  She inspires me as a writer and author truly.

We first met through our publisher, as we both are from ‘The Kodel Empire Publishing family’  http://kodelempire.com/ in So. Oregon where she resides. I was given a copy of her current book, “The Chocolate Bar” and when I began to read it, and I seriously could not put it down.
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I was so taken aback about what Agathe had gone through in her life, that I quickly learned she was one wise and a strong woman. I’m so inspired by her true story her life she was brave enough to share with the world, and I know she will also inspire all who read her book.

Here is a little more about Agathe and her wonderful book “The Chocolate Bar”…
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The Chocolate Bar
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Book Information:

The Chocolate Bar ~ by Agathe Von Kampen

“With no point of reference for a life of “normalcy,” seeking acceptance and security in a country not accommodating to immigrants, the author relied only on survival instincts, leading to her years of co-dependency, self-doubt, and utter despondency. She finds herself seeking refuge in controlling religious factions and abusive relationships.
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This life struggle reminds her constantly of her experiences in WWII where she spent her first six years on the front lines in Russia and as a refugee in Hitler’s Germany. Her lullabies were the sounds of gunfire and exploding bombs. Her arrival at Ellis Island was promised to be the beginning of freedom,  instead, it was only the continuation of abuse and control-intimate and personal relationships of psychological warfare.
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This is a compelling account of life as it was back “then” and how this child of war endured as she did, blossoming into a young woman, in a new land called America. A life’s journey, as told by the author with such honesty, innocence, joy, humor, lessons and revealing horrors and sins,  is it any wonder how this broken soul did in fact, survive.”
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book_cover
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

“After the first ten years of my life as a refugee on the front lines, I had survived unspeakable horrors and was looking forward to immigrating to America when I was a teenager. Having heard stories about life in the United States from the American G.I’.s occupying Germany, giving me hope that I could achieve the American dream too.

But, with good intentions my mother married me off to the first American man who showed an interest in me. With unexpected, horrible results, at sixteen I found myself married to a diagnosed sociopath. After living in emotional hell for thirteen years I found myself having to support two small children without the benefit of an education or any job skills.

This led to a lot of poor choices since I had never learned to choose for myself – only to follow orders.
Through a lifetime of errors I corrected one mistake at a time until now, at age seventy-eight I am finely living the dream I’d always hoped for!

I am married to a very kind and loving man who treats me with the respect I deserve – as any human being has a right to. I live life in beautiful So. Oregon, in a lovely home, nice community, and have the pleasure of my children being respectable, contributing citizens of society.
It has been a long journey but worth it.
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I hope you will read my book, take the journey of my words with me, and see how much one ‘Human Being’ can endure…”

As you can see, Agathe has lived an interesting life.  Like I said earlier, she is a very strong woman and has been through a lot. She now continues her life story, and what she is up to these days all on her blog: http://readthechocolatebar.wordpress.com
and it’s worth the visit. She has just began to start blogging again with a new post, but in her earlier blog posts she shares more of her thoughts and feelings of all she has endured in life.  She also enjoys sharing excerpts of her book as well. Some other places you may connect with her is on her ‘New Facebook Author Fan page’! http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAgatheVonKampen/
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Your can purchase a copy of her book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble: http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Bar-Agathe-von-kampen/dp/1624850146/  or  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chocolate-bar-agathe-von-kampen/1116294467?ean=978
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SHE will also be The Guest Author on award-winning author and historian, “The C.L. Gammon Program on Blog Talk Radio!
So come tune in and hear Agathe share her story here  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/clgammon/

Agathe von Kampen talks about her book The Chocolate Bar’

The CL Gammon Program

The CL Gammon Program  ~Just click this link and tune in on Sat June 14th 7am PT 10am ET!

Saturday June 14th  at 7:00 am PT Reminder

Call in to speak with the host

(347) 989-8948

I hope you all will tune!

I want to say Thank You to my good friend, Author, Agathe von Kampen ( Turrell ) for letting me share her, her book, and all the happenings going on for her now! Please visit her sites listed above, and when you do? Let her know *Author, Catherine Lyon* sent you!

GOD BLESS FRIENDS!
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

What Happened To “We Leave No Man Or Woman Behind”? Is He A Hero or Deserter? Some Say Both!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer News Around The Web , , , , , ,

Welcome Visitors & Readers,

 

Who and what are ‘Americans’ to believe about our last soldier in captivity being released?
I think I’d like to know your feedback, feelings, and thoughts on this blog post & story. We have finally have our last military personal freed. He gets a “Hero’s Welcome,” but should it really be one? Many are saying he “just walked away from his post & platoon.”

Image: Bowe Bergdahl (© IntelCenter via AP)
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl (courtesy of NBC)…
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HERE ARE JUST SOME HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WEB!…

“Not Everyone’s Hero: Soldiers Question Bowe Bergdahl’s Bravery”

“The 28-year-old sergeant vanished from a military base in Eastern Afghanistan with little more than a compass and a bottle of water. Considerable resources were diverted to try to find the missing man, and several of his fellow soldiers were killed trying to find him.”I was pissed off then and I am even more so now with everything going on,” former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl’s platoon when he went missing, told CNN. “Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him.”

“Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined to comment on reports that the sergeant had walked away from his unit. Such matters “will be dealt with later,” Hagel said.”

“Bergdahl Begins ‘Reintegration’ at U.S. Medical Center in Germany”

THE FAMILY of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was overjoyed when President Barack Obama personally called them Saturday and gave them the news they were desperately hoping to hear: Their son, captured by the Taliban in 2009, was still alive. And he was finally coming home.“We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our only son,” Bergdahl’s parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, said in a statement, thanking supporters and those who helped secure his return without a single shot fired.”
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“Bergdahl disappeared when he reportedly walked away from a U.S. military base in eastern Afghanistan in June 2009, carrying only a compass and a bottle of water. He was the only U.S. service member ever to be held captive by enemy forces in Afghanistan.”
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@Martin_Dempsey  OnTwitter

“It is our ethos that we never leave a fallen comrade. Welcome home SGT Bowe Bergdahl.”

9:39 AM – 31 May 2014
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“The cost of years of captivity to Sgt.BoweBergdahl and his family is immeasurable,” added Secretary of State John Kerry.””Kinzinger ‘VeryDisappointed’OverTermsofBergdahl Swap

Rep. AdamKinzinger, R-Ill., talks about America exchanging five Taliban prisoners for Sgt. BoweBergdahl””Not Everyone’s Hero: Soldiers Question Bowe Bergdahl’s Bravery”
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“Bowe Bergdahl’s Hometown Hailey, Idaho, Celebrates Release”
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Image: A sign of support of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl is seen in Hailey, Idaho
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“In a press conference Sunday,Bergdahl’s mother and father,Jani and Bob, thanked the residents of Hailey for standing by their son.””Jani Bergdahl, teary-eyed, spoke directly to her son from the podium: “I think you may be very surprised at the number of people who have gathered you into their hearts, at home in the Valley here, all over Idaho, across the country, and around the world.”

Bob Bergdahl, who grew a long beard in solidarity with Bowe, compared his son’s return to a scuba diver coming up for air after a dive.

“Bowe has been gone so long that it’s going to be very difficult to come back,” said his father. “If he comes up too fast, it could kill him.”

Jani encouraged her son to follow all the instructions given to him by the hospital staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where Bergdahl is currently being treated. “Give yourself all the time you need to recover and decompress. There is no hurry. You have your life ahead of you,” his mom said.”

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See, the reason I ask if you feel Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is a ‘Hero or Deserter’ is this. My father spent 24 years in the Air Force, and when he came home from the Vietnam war, he didn’t come home to clapping and cheers or even people telling him, “Thank You” for your service to your country. No, all he got were angry hippies, war protesters yelling and screaming at him that he should never have went over there. My father did his tour of duty at the main base in Vietnam at Da Nang. He said later, when us kids got older that his base was always being bombed and attacked because it was one of the main drop off points by plane to leave troops coming to help fight the war.
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All I can say to that is, those people who did that back in the day should be very ashamed of what they did to those ‘Vietnam Soldiers’ when they came back from the war. The subject that really puts a claw in my arm is the facts of what’s been going on here at our ‘Arizona Veterans Medical Center.’ Our vets having to wait almost a year to get medical and mental health services! WTF? And when my father came home, they didn’t really have anything in place like the military does now. The soldiers coming back from war are evaluated and re-introduced back into active duty or civilian life. Why didn’t my father get that luxury when he came home from Vietnam? And what about the countless missing & Pow’s still left behind in Vietnam? What about them and their families who never got closure, or even a body to bury? What about them? Now I understand I’m not a famous or well-known person, I’m just a nobody out here asking our government for answers to these very important questions.

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Yes, I may not know a lot about our military, but I do know this, my father should have been treated like a hero when he came home from the Vietnam War! He deserved much better than what he came home to, and all the other soldiers of all our wars past. Now if you’re a history or war buff, then I have an excellent book to recommend for you. It is written by a woman who lived on the battlefield literally. Her name is “Agathe von Kampen,”  and her family had to take in and let the German Soldiers bathe, feed, and house them while Hitler ruled with an iron fist! It was expected of her family to do this or they would have been killed. She grew with guns and rifles blazing, and bombs going off all around her. She even had to many times, while at school, dive into bomb shelters when the fighting was right outside. She lived it, seen it with her own eyes, and now wrote her Memoir of all it, and more abuse when she and her finally made it America.
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Her book is titled; “The Chocolate Bar” by: Author, Agathe von Kampen… http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Bar-Agathe-von-Kampen/dp/1624850146/
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Now that I strayed a little, my thoughts of  ‘Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’ is this, even if he just took a bottle of water, a compass, and just walked away as some of his past platoon soldiers say, he still got caught and held captive for 5 years. Anyone who goes through that experience may not be a hero, but they still deserve a huge ‘Welcome Home’ don’t you think? Regardless of the surrounding how’s of this story, he was set free and he still deserves some kindness, Caring, and Support for what he went through in those 5 years. Don’t you think his family also deserves to have him back? If it comes to finding that he really deserted his platoon, then I’m sure he will be punished properly for it later. But never under-estimate the power of GOD, as him getting captured and help captive was God’s way of giving him his penance? Maybe or maybe not, but it’s how I will see this story for myself.

So how do you feel about this story? Let me know in my comment section if you’d like to add more about how we should look at this story. It’s what makes us ‘Unique’ from one another as human beings, and I always love a good debate! We all have different views on the same topic. However, I will wish Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl all the best in his recovery. My thoughts and prayers to him and all his family to be blessed that they have him home…

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God Bless All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

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Soldiers Of World War II

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