Never Ever Give Up Hope

Maggie C. Romero, M.A., taught English as a Second Language in northern Virginia for seventeen years. She and her partner retired from full-time teaching and moved to New Mexico where they have lived since 2009. Maggie is a member of SouthWest Writers, Story Circle Network, based in Austin, Texas, and National Association of Memoir Writers.   Maggie knows the pain of addiction and in this interview will bring awareness to a subject many don't want to discuss.  Yet, it is around us wherever we look. It can affect any one of us.  Rich or poor, educated or not, it can strike anywhere.   Maggie shares her daughter's story. Before addiction, Angie was a world-class gymnast, a gifted artist and graduated from university with a B.A. in Journalism. But at 21, it all fell apart.   Maggie's purpose in writing her story was to heal from losing her daughter, Angie, to the Living Death of Heroin Addiction. She was determined to save her child from addiction and bankrupted herself in the effort to do so, had a breakdown and was forced into early retirement.   In the words of Jenny Jerome (Churchill)...   "Life is not always what one wants it to be.   But to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy"   A Mother’s Story   A Mother’s Story is a searing and intimate portrait of addiction and how it has been passed down in Maggie Romero’s family from generation to generation. Maggie is herself an addict, and when Angie’s drug addiction, at age twenty-two, became apparent to her, she jumped into a recovery program to cope with her daughter’s illness. The subsequent thirteen years have proven to be a powerful and poignant redemption journey, as she has gradually come to claim recovery for herself even as she’s watched her beautiful daughter continue to struggle.    This award-winning memoir is a story of hope and recovery that will resonate with many people as epidemic as addiction is in our society.    The book is brutally honest and leaves very little to the imagination

Denise Seegobin is a blogger who teaches people how to save money on things we use every day. Her blog's focus is on ways to spend smarter and how to harness your creativity. She also works with companies in reviewing products and sharing those findings with social media, including giveaways. Denise knows the pain of losing your family.  Her parents died suddenly and then she lost her younger sister and her best friend. When asked how she coped with that, Denise said "I got my strength in knowing that they would not want me to give up. That no matter how many trials and tribulations, we have, life is a gift and we have to honor it by being the best we can be."   Denise loves researching and her blog is all about how to save YOU money.  She will research products for you and has dozens of products on her website she has researched for the best price and sometimes, free GIVEAWAYS.   Here is her informative interview about her website and she also shares her incredible story of tenacity and strength through trauma:  

Being diagnosed with cancer can be frightening, but it also gives you license to get away with a lot of things you wouldn't do otherwise. Laugh With Kathy takes you on a journey through breast cancer and finding humor in the diagnosis, treatment and survival of the disease.    Kathy Lariviere uses humor to overcome any difficulties she encounters in life - including cancer.  Why? Crying gives her a headache.  Therapy is expensive.  But...laughing always makes her feel better.   If you know anyone who is going through difficulty, especially with a cancer diagnosis, they will thoroughly enjoy this interview with Kathy.     In her words: "Even though I didn't have a choice in the diagnosis I received, I did have a choice on how I got through it, and how I let my family and friends see me handle it." She manages to find the humor in the worst of circumstances. Here is her list of positives that came from her experience with cancer: I got to relocate my bustline (it has been moving south for years) I didn't have to shave my legs for months It took a lot less time getting ready in the morning I had a great excuse for buy new lingerie especially when all the pretty bras come in the smaller sizes I didn't have to buy any more expensive hair products - I didn't have ANY hair For the rest of my life, I got to blame forgetfulness on "chemo brain." You can shame bad drivers with your bald head   Laugh with Kathy as you listen to her   humorous and inspiring interview and why it   is a GOOD to smash pumpkins and    throw eggs:

Phyllis Clemmons is a best-selling author of several books. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's in Management, Human Resource Development and Leadership. In life, each of us has a common goal:  To get through life's challenges, troubles, and trials as if it were a medicine that brings us to a healthy state of being.  A state of being that promotes strength, wisdom, resourcefulness, creativity, determination, and hope. Phyllis states that it takes those trials to make our lives meaningful, colorful and complete, driving us to be creative, resourceful, determined, hopeful, and open. Each of her books has a common thread: There is triumph after pain There is a key to unlock every door There is a small voice whispering behind every choice we make   You will not want to miss her challenging and inspiring interview:  

Jenna Forster is the founder of Women That Lead, an organization designed to help professional women achieve some really groovy things. Jenna is an Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author of two books. Jenna came to a point in her life when she was forced to deal with a physical diagnosis that changed everything.  As a result, she immersed herself into the field of neuroscience and is now a trainer certified in the Study of Brain and Neuroplasticity.In addition, Jenna is: Executive Coach Leadership Development Expert  Brain Science Expert Director of Operations and Training for the Executive Coaching University Has 13 years of Executive Coaching experience and has trained Executive Coaches in 38 countries Has 11 years of senior level management experience Is classified as one of the Top Executive Coaches worldwide Leading expert in combining Coaching and Neuroscience Passionate about the power of Women  Here are some of her valuable and challenging quotes that which she explains in her interview: Simplify the complexity STOP....LOOK....and Listen  Give yourself permission to be REAL Take ownership of yourself There is ALWAYS one constant in our lives -- Ourselves Learn how to connect to yourself                             Jenna's Motto: Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Organizations

Robyn Hill is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She has a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. Robyn has her own private practice where she provides culturally and spiritually sensitive counseling specializing in depression, anxiety, and trauma recovery.   Robyn is also an author of books to educate on developing coping skills to improve emotional wellness, including A Healing Conversation: Beginning Steps Towards Dealing with a Painful Past.   Robyn has recently launched her new radio show “Mind Healing Conversations” where she discusses various life stressors affecting mental wellness and also to inspire healthier habits for improving quality of life.   In her interview, Robyn shares tips and coping skills for those who don't know where to start on their journey to better mental health.  You will sense her empathy and compassionate desire to help those who are struggling.  Her organization reaches as far as women in Uganda who need an education and assistance in becoming self-sufficient.   In her interview, she talks about not allowing the GUILT factor control your thoughts when you think of past mistakes you have made.  In the words of Maya Angelou: "When you know better, you do better"   Her current two self-help books help people with depression and anxiety.

Marie Lavender is an award-winning best-selling author of 22 books, including Second Chance Heart.   She has been writing for over 20 years in a variety of genres.   Second Chance Heart and A Little Magick  placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series, though she has several others in the works. Marie is also a blogger and moderator for three guest author blogs: Writing in the Modern Age, Marie Lavenders Books! and the I Love Romance Blog.

Dana Goodman is a published author, grief counselor and inspirational speaker.  Her memoir is entitled, In the Cleft, Joy Comes in the Mourning, which won top novel at the Wildsound Writing Festival.   Dana's life was hard and unpredictable.  No mother should have to bury her 13-year-old son, at the same time her husband and mother-in-law died.     Yet, Dana found love again and remarried.  Shortly after, her new husband was diagnosed with the same life-threatening cancer.     It is one of the rarest cancers in the world and there have only been 200 known cases.  How could one woman lose three family members and yet, find her joy once again?   You will enjoy her interview as she shares how we often live in tension - beautiful and ugly mixing together like paint -- pain and joy kissing each other.     Dana never thought it would be possible but somehow seeds of love and hope have spread like a tsunami in her life.  Pain has a way of being a lighthouse for others to find their way back to the shores of hope.   In the words of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths....beautiful people do not just happen!"   Her story will inspire you and help you find hope when it seems like all hope is gone.  

Dianna Corcoran, Australian-born singer, guitar player, song writer, producer, musical entrepreneur and two time Golden Guitar winner in the Australian Country Music Awards including Artist of the Year, is one of Australia's most distinguished vocal and songwriting talents.  She has earned over 400 awards with numerous #1 hits including an upcoming Hollywood movie opening theme. This hard-working, genuine country girl has an almost 7th octave vocal range, an infectious personality, and brings a fresh sound to country music. She has driven over 46,000 miles, by herself, to promote her music and meet her fans in small towns across America.    She has an unusual view of competition in this business, that can be related to any business.  She is in one of the toughest industries yet has accomplished incredible success - through tenacity and determination.  Humility and warmth are often foreign to achievement in the music industry, yet it is in her nature.   You will not want to miss this young star's interview and her encouraging words to anyone working towards achievement -- in whatever you set your mind to do.

Maya Hope Kitwana wrote her memoir, Breaking my Silence, to share her powerful story but also in hopes of comforting those who have suffered in silence.  She shares why it is important to:             Share Your Story           Forgive Your Abusers            Face Your Abusers             And......   FORGIVE YOURSELF   Many victims of abuse have a difficult time to forgive but also to love themselves.  They must, realize they have NOTHING to be embarrassed or ashamed of -- they were the abused and often just little children.   She offers tips on how to break that cycle of abuse that many families endure.   She shares how your past helps you to be the kind of parent you desire to be.   Breaking My Silence tells the story of survival after a troubled childhood of rape, incest, and abandonment. After carrying the weight of her past for over thirty years, Kitwana began therapy and writing in a journal.  This developed into her memoir -  the beginning of her healing process. She hopes to encourage other victims of abuse to take a stand and share their stories. Breaking My Silence is a graphic, yet fearless look at Kitwana’s journey and her movement toward hope, healing, intimacy, and love.