RAMONA CARSON is extremely opinionated, even judgmental, especially toward homeless people and those on public assistance. She keeps everyone at a distance with the help of her sarcasm and self-righteous attitude except for LIZ SHELTON, her coworker. While enjoying lunch in the park with Liz, a dirty, smelly homeless man interrupts, asking for food. Talk about treating someone really bad and kicking them when their down. Ramona belittles and insults him, and Liz offers the man an apology for Ramona’s rude behavior.
However, things are about to become interesting. Seeing him over the next few weeks, Ramona engages him in brief conversations, and learns his name is GARY DAVIDSON. From their very first encounter, she has no idea just how much he would affect her world and shatter her preconceived notions. She realizes that her words not only hurt so many people but added to their pain.
They say pride comes before a fall… so, watch out! One afternoon spent in an abandoned lot compels her to reevaluate the morals, values and beliefs she previously prided herself on having. Now she’s forced to see how cruel and hurtful she has been to so many people and ask for forgiveness while finding love for herself. MAYBE.
Guest Post:
From the character’s perspective: How did it feel to live in a world where people seemed to not care? Did it bother you?
by Valarie Lovelight
It was heartbreaking and added to my pain. I didn’t like when people were belittling, rude, demanding, or ungrateful before I became homeless. Then once I became homeless, I experienced it differently. The way people treated others and me with their words or actions was horrible. It hurt to be judged because of the way I looked and smelled. People had no idea how others or I ended up in that situation, but they assumed that it was all our fault or choice. In some cases, it was true, but definitely not in all. Some were victims of circumstance, even neglect, from an early age.
As for myself, I was never one to judge because it never seemed right, and I was raised to show love and compassion to others. However, because of my inability to handle the pressure and my personal life, I made some bad decisions and choices. I had no one to blame but myself, and I didn’t blame anyone else. Sure, some people didn’t care about me, but others did. However, at some point, I stopped caring about myself and gave up.
On the streets, I found myself being taunted and seen as inhuman, and was treated like dirt. No one ever bothered to talk to me except for those in similar situations. I became invisible in a world full of people. Very few people showed care or concern. I understood the apprehension on their part, but it still hurt. People struggling still want to feel like they matter to someone. I know I did. I had to realize that I lived in a world where people have become afraid to reach out for fear of becoming a victim of a crime or attacked.
That’s why I don’t say all people don’t care because it wouldn’t be a true statement, and it’s just my opinion. Then my actions would be one of judging, and that’s not the type of person I want to be. Living in both worlds has taught me why it’s wise not to judge people or their situation. I’m only seeing the result of someone’s life, but I don’t know how they started off or how they will end up with a little help.
Isolation is the worst feeling to experience even for someone who wants to be left alone. Loneliness is more of a state of mind than about who’s around you. A person can feel lonely in a room full of people they know. Accolades mean nothing when you’re empty inside. It took the streets, patience, love, and concern of a stranger—and the possibility of death—to open my eyes and restore my faith in people, and even in God.
So, to answer your question in short, I felt abandoned until I realized that first I need to care about myself, before I was able to see that someone did too.
Interview:
1. If you could travel back in a time machine, would you go back to the past or into the future?
However, things are about to become interesting. Seeing him over the next few weeks, Ramona engages him in brief conversations, and learns his name is GARY DAVIDSON. From their very first encounter, she has no idea just how much he would affect her world and shatter her preconceived notions. She realizes that her words not only hurt so many people but added to their pain.
They say pride comes before a fall… so, watch out! One afternoon spent in an abandoned lot compels her to reevaluate the morals, values and beliefs she previously prided herself on having. Now she’s forced to see how cruel and hurtful she has been to so many people and ask for forgiveness while finding love for herself. MAYBE.
Guest Post:
From the character’s perspective: How did it feel to live in a world where people seemed to not care? Did it bother you?
by Valarie Lovelight
It was heartbreaking and added to my pain. I didn’t like when people were belittling, rude, demanding, or ungrateful before I became homeless. Then once I became homeless, I experienced it differently. The way people treated others and me with their words or actions was horrible. It hurt to be judged because of the way I looked and smelled. People had no idea how others or I ended up in that situation, but they assumed that it was all our fault or choice. In some cases, it was true, but definitely not in all. Some were victims of circumstance, even neglect, from an early age.
As for myself, I was never one to judge because it never seemed right, and I was raised to show love and compassion to others. However, because of my inability to handle the pressure and my personal life, I made some bad decisions and choices. I had no one to blame but myself, and I didn’t blame anyone else. Sure, some people didn’t care about me, but others did. However, at some point, I stopped caring about myself and gave up.
On the streets, I found myself being taunted and seen as inhuman, and was treated like dirt. No one ever bothered to talk to me except for those in similar situations. I became invisible in a world full of people. Very few people showed care or concern. I understood the apprehension on their part, but it still hurt. People struggling still want to feel like they matter to someone. I know I did. I had to realize that I lived in a world where people have become afraid to reach out for fear of becoming a victim of a crime or attacked.
That’s why I don’t say all people don’t care because it wouldn’t be a true statement, and it’s just my opinion. Then my actions would be one of judging, and that’s not the type of person I want to be. Living in both worlds has taught me why it’s wise not to judge people or their situation. I’m only seeing the result of someone’s life, but I don’t know how they started off or how they will end up with a little help.
Isolation is the worst feeling to experience even for someone who wants to be left alone. Loneliness is more of a state of mind than about who’s around you. A person can feel lonely in a room full of people they know. Accolades mean nothing when you’re empty inside. It took the streets, patience, love, and concern of a stranger—and the possibility of death—to open my eyes and restore my faith in people, and even in God.
So, to answer your question in short, I felt abandoned until I realized that first I need to care about myself, before I was able to see that someone did too.
1. If you could travel back in a time machine, would you go back to the past or into the future?
Seeing how love has been downgraded to the physical, like the way sex and concern for others have become selfish acts, I would go back to the past to see where we went wrong and try to change it.
2. Night owl or early bird?
Night owl
3. Skittles or M&Ms?
3. Skittles or M&Ms?
Skittles
4. Please tell us in one sentence only why we should read your book.
4. Please tell us in one sentence only why we should read your book.
If you believe yourself to be a good person, it will make you question your actions toward others and open your heart and mind to seeing people differently.
5. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
5. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
Yes, I have a few books I’m working on and looking forward to publishing another by December. I’m also teaching on the importance of love, and will at some point do a training session on the various types of grief.
6. What inspired you to become a writer?
6. What inspired you to become a writer?
I always loved to read different types of books when I was a child, as well as to journal. I would mostly write poems and short stories. I always wished I could write but never thought about writing until 2002. I actually wrote a nonfiction book but never published it. I didn’t decide to follow through with my desire until 2009.
7. What is your dream cast for your book?
7. What is your dream cast for your book?
I think because I my book is about people forgotten and unknown, I would like a cast made up of those who are either forgotten or unknown. I understand names sell and draw people, but I’m for the underdog who can be just as gifted and talented.
8. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
8. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
My books were Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mysteries and Harlequin.
9. Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
9. Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Perri Sisters “No Place to Go” or Michael Jackson’s “In Our Small Way.”
10. What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
10. What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Being that I’m one of those aspiring authors, I can only say: do your research and connect with other authors and writing groups. First, find out what not to do. It will save you a lot of headaches, time, and money in the end.
11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would go to an island or isle, or somewhere where I could look outside and see the beauty of life.
12. What is your favorite quote?
12. What is your favorite quote?
"Love never fails.”—the Bible
13. When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
13. When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
A nurse
14. How did you know you should become an author?
14. How did you know you should become an author?
I had something I wanted to share with others.
15. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
15. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
Yes, I see a little of myself in all of them.
16. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
16. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
The obstacle standing in your way is you and your lack of confidence in your ability.
17. What is your favorite food?
17. What is your favorite food?
Authentic Italian
18. What was your favorite children’s book?
18. What was your favorite children’s book?
Bambi
19. How do you react to a bad review?
19. How do you react to a bad review?
I don’t take it personally. I understand not everyone is going to like what I write. But I do read every review to see why they may not like it to make sure it’s not something other than taste and/or preference.
20. If you were a bird, which one would you be?
20. If you were a bird, which one would you be?
A lovebird
21. You have won one million dollars. What is the first thing that you would buy?
21. You have won one million dollars. What is the first thing that you would buy?
Nothing. If I had any debt, I would take care of that first, then sit back and think about my next step.
22. What do you do in your free time?
22. What do you do in your free time?
Aside from reading and writing, I make time for friends or just relax and do a jigsaw puzzle and cook.
23. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would it title be?
23. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would it title be?
Hmm, hopefully “Love in Action” or “Learning to Love on Another Level because that’s what I’m always trying to be and do.
24. What is your favorite season/weather?
24. What is your favorite season/weather?
Spring is my favorite season. That’s when life is revived and emerges in color. It’s a reminder that no matter how things look, nothing is dead—just dormant for a while.
25. What is your guilty pleasure?
25. What is your guilty pleasure?
Massages. I don’t know about guilty, but it is definitely a pleasure.
26. In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to coauthor a book with?
26. In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to coauthor a book with?
There are so many great authors, but for right now with my writing I’d say Hill Harper. His desire for people to develop open and honest communication in relationships is needful in building stronger families and children.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre – Christian Fiction
Rating – PG
More details about the book
This Tour is hosted by Orangeberry Tours.
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