News and update..

As many of you follow me on twitter or Facebook, this news will not come as a surprise to you but thank you for reading anyway.

I have had a lot of people asking when they can expect Burning Up to be released. I don’t have a date set yet as I am still writing. The release was set for spring but due to unforseen circumstances, I’ve had to delay this. I’m happy to reveal that the reason for my delay in writing is because I am expecting my first child.

 

The first few weeks were very stressful and I was hospitalised several times due to complications. However, I am pleased to announce that baby and I are doing very well and will be meeting in person November this year. I am only now into my second trimester and I am hopeful that my health and energy will now keep increasing and therefore allow me to write more productively.

 

I appreciate how frustrating it is to be waiting on a book that you are keen to get your hands on (I’ve been there!) But I would much rather take my time and deliver you a novel that I can be proud of and pleased with rather than one that has been rushed to meet demand.

 

I am so grateful and touched by all of your well wishes and will keep you updated as much as I can on the progress of Burning Up.

 

With my heartfelt love and gratitude to all my friends, fans and family…

 

Marie and bump.

Abuse, Neglect and the Mistreatment of those with Autism MUST STOP.

Many of you know of my support and fundraising for autism charities. As someone with experience and a loved one with autism, I  am finding myself, once again, saddened by events I see in the media. Michael Garritson and Matthew McDuffie were arrested in September 2012 on multiple felony counts of abusing a dependent adult.

Garritson was acquitted of second-degree murder in a 1979 case involving a 13-month-old boy who died of a skull fracture while being baby sat at Garritson’s  home. During a 1985 trial, prosecutors alleged that Garritson threw the child down some stairs. However, his wife testified that she accidentally dropped the baby while her husband was out jogging. In 2002, Garritson was arrested after police found 160 dogs in his home, which he was illegally running as a kennel. The animals were being kept in filthy conditions and some of the dogs had to be euthanized. In 2003, Garritson pleaded guilty to one felony count of animal abuse. And yet he was allowed to retain his nurses licences! How is this justice!?

Garritson and McDuffie had been caring for this poor man for almost two years. It sickens me to imagine just how long this helpless individual was subjected to cruel and twisted abuse at the hands of the people he should have been able to trust. People who were supposed to care and support him. I have been unable to find out the outcome of the trial but at the time of arrest, the sickened and angered judge, stated that both Garritson and McDuffie were to be held on a $1million bond.

This harrowing case is just another reason why I campaign and fundraise for Autism. Funds raised ensure that carers like this, are given the harshest punishments and it also pays the wages of a fully trained, dedicated, supervised and criminal records checked, charity worker to care for children and adults with autism. It pays for homes, hospices and care centres where people can leave their loved ones, safe in knowledge that they are being well cared for and treated with dignity and respect. I cannot stress enough how strongly I feel about this issue. I sobbed after watching this footage. There is an epidemic of abuse against vulnerable adults and children with autism recently and I, for one, WILL NOT BE SILENCED! I WILL NOT SIT BY AND ALLOW IT. I WILL NOT SIMPLY SHRUG AND DO NOTHING. I WILL CONTINUE TO SHOUT, HOLLER AND SCREAM ABOUT IT UNTIL EVERY GOVERNMENT STANDS UP, MAKES A STATEMENT AND PROPERLY ENSURES THE CARE OF THEIR PEOPLE. I WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS AND I WILL NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I appreciate your support in this matter.

Marie
Read more about this case at : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2206111/Caregivers-beat-severely-autistic-man-unable-talk-hundreds-times.html#ixzz2LcxcgsJp

Jared and Layla

I had an email the other day from a wonderful fan. Stephanie Whittmore….is a genius! She sent me an awesomesauce trailer, depicting the love story between Layla and Jared. Cheekily, I asked her if she could do me one for Ollie and Layla and…..she totally came through! So, here’s Jared’s

Ollie and Layla

I had an email the other day from a wonderful fan. Stephanie Whittmore….is a genius! She sent me an awesomesauce trailer, depicting the love story between Layla and Jared. Cheekily, I asked her if she could do me one for Ollie and Layla and…..she totally came through! So, here’s Ollie’s.

Important News Regarding The Second Book In The Bound Together Series!!!

So, how badly have you all been obsessing over the next book?

Breaking into sweats? Hyperventilating and dreaming up all sorts of naughty and nice?

Good! I’m proud of you!

 

So here is the news.

 

After much consideration and deliberation, I have renamed the title of the second book. Though Torn Apart was the orginal name given, I have, since then re-examined the story and manuscript. It now has a hot and shiney new name and that is…………

 

 

Wait for it

 

 

 

How bad do you want to know?

 

 

 

 

Scared yet?

 

 

 

 

Torture huh?

 

 

 

 

Okay here it is….

 

 

 

Burning Up

Burning Up, is the brand new title of the second book in the Bound Together series! There is still no set release date but as soon as I have news…I will update you all. So who’s still scared about the next book?

Authors, Bloggers and Readers for Jemma

A whole group of authors and bloggers have got together to bring this fundraiser to life!
We will be giving away a whole heap of goodies and here is a very important reason why:

Over Christmas and New Year, My friend had to rush her daughter to the ER. After tests and observation she was diagnosed with RSV. The RSV turned into pneumonia and then Jemma developed a staph infection in her blood (MRSA) But the little fighter, just keeps going! With her mom by her side she is fighting hard to beat the illness.

But recently she developed a moderately collapsed lung. After much deliberation, doctors ordered a scan to be done on little Jemma but there was a complication. She was incubated for the scan but her blood pressure dropped, they inserted a line for continuous epi because she needed several doses to stabilize her. She is now in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator. Her hospital stay got substantially longer in a matter of minutes. And the pain and stress for the family also increased.

Unfortunately, and rather harshly, this pain has been worsened. Jemma’s mom was told that her job may be in jeopardy due to her time off to be with her daughter. As you can understand, she is not willing to leave her child for the sake of her employer but to lose her income at this time, would be awful.
A reprieve came, when she was told that if she returned to work within 90 days, her job would be secure. Putting a deadline on someone to leave their sick child is not only cruel but also very stressful.

To add insult to injury, she is now officially without health insurance unless she is able to pay half of what her now-nonexistent paycheck would be. At this point though, her daughter’s care is very expensive and her priority is to protect and care for her sick child. The bills are piling up.

Anything we raise goes straight to the family and to a sick little girl.

It may only be enough to help with travel costs, food costs, things to add some comfort to their hospital stays and maybe a nice gift for Jemma, but either way, every little bit helps!

By Donating, you are AUTOMATICALLY entered into the raffle to win one of the amazing prizes kindly donated by authors, bloggers and readers! Your donation will be cross checked with the rafflecopter to ensure your entry and donation are matched. If you are a winner you will be notified by email. So please remember to leave your name with your donation!!

Here’s what is on offer!

Pack 1

$20 Amazon gift card from Have Book Will Read  Book Blog

$25 Starbucks Gift Card from J. Sager Hall

Signed copy of A Song For Julia and a Signed paperback of Just Remember To Breathe by Charles Sheehan Miles

Signed paperback copy of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

 
eBooks:

Bound Together by Marie Coulson

Running  On Empty by L.B Simmons

Collide by Gail McHugh

Disastrous by E.L Montes

Bouquet Toss  by Melissa Brown

Champagne Toast by Melissa Brown

Captive In The Dark by C.J Roberts

Seduced In The Dark by C.J Roberts

Schooled by Deena Bright

 
Special gifts

Rock The Heart by Michelle Valentine

Tiffany King signed swag bag of goodies.

Signed bookmark from C.J Roberts

Pack 2

$20 Amazon gift card from Flirty And Dirty  Book Blog

Paperback Copy of Bound Together with signed bookplate by Marie Coulson

Signed paperback copy of A Beautiful Lie by Tara Sivec

 
eBooks

Wounded by Jasinder Wilder

Rock Stars by Jasinder Wilder

Running  On Empty by L.B Simmons

Collide by Gail McHugh

Disastrous by E.L Montes

Schooled by Deena Bright

Rock The Heart by Michelle Valentine

Gift certificate for a novel of your choice by JA Dennam

Naked by Raine Miller

All In by Raine Miller

Walking Away by Adriane Tait Boyd

Miss Me Not by Tiffany King

 
Special gifts

Signed bookmark from C.J Roberts

Signed bookmark, bookplate and postcard from Marie Coulson

 T-Shirt from Rhonda Dennis

Handmade festive quilt from Jamie Desjardins & Friend

Pack 3

$20 Amazon gift card from Jackie Yeadon

Signed paperback copy of Disastrous by E.L Montes

Signed copy of Back to You by Pricilla Glenn

 
eBooks

Bound Together by Marie Coulson

Wounded by Jasinder Wilder

Rock Stars by Jasinder Wilder

Collide by Gail McHugh

Gift certificate for a novel of your choice by JA Dennam

Rock The Heart by Michelle Valentine

Walking Away by Adriane Tait Boyd

Miss Me Not by Tiffany King

 
Special Gifts

Signed bookmark from C.J Roberts

Signed bookmark, bookplate and postcard from Marie Coulson

Crochet Scarf. Choose from a variety of color’s from Jen Atchison

Pack 4

$20 Amazon from Kay Miles

Signed paperback from the Green Bayou Novels Collection by Rhonda Dennis

Signed copy of Easy by Tammara Webber

Signed paperback of  Love Evolution and Love Revolution along with concert bracelet and BS tattoos from Michelle Mankin

 
eBooks

Bound Together by Marie Coulson

Collide by Gail McHugh

Disastrous by E.L Montes

Gift certificate for a novel of your choice by JA Dennam

Rock The Heart by Michelle Valentine

Relatively Famous by Jessica Park

From Manhattan With Love by Christopher Smith

I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker

 
Special Gifts

Signed bookmark from C.J Roberts

Signed bookmark, bookplate and postcard from Marie Coulson

Knitted scarf in any color from Wendy Neuman Wilken

Pack 5

$10 Amazon gift card from Bonnie Hill Burgess -

Signed paperback from the Green Bayou Novels Collection by Rhonda Dennis

Signed set of the Timber Wolves trilogy (Destiny Binds, Time Mends, and Fate Succumbs) by Tammy Blackwell

Signed copy of Ten Days Of Perfect by Andrea Randall 

eBooks

Collide by Gail McHugh

Disastrous by E.L Montes

Bound Together & Last Christmas by Marie Coulson

 
Special Gifts

Signed bookmark from C.J Roberts

Signed bookmark, bookplate and postcard from Marie Coulson

STAR PRIZE
Signed glossy tri-fold promotional flyer for the original, self-published edition of Bared to You by Sylvia Day. Donated by Fred LeBaron.

To enter you MUST donate to the fundraiser. The rafflecopter requires you to do this and names will be cross checked with donations. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR NAME AND EMAIL WHEN MAKING A DONATION

DONATION PAGE LINK: http://www.indiegogo.com/forjemma/x/2072717?show_todos=true

RAFFLECOPTER LINK: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Autism Awareness and Fundraising

Many of you know my continuous campaign to raise awareness and funds for Autism. I thought I’d link you all my brand new fundraising page.

I’m an author, therapist, daughter, friend and most importantly I am a sister.

My brother has Aspergers Syndrome and my nephew has autism. Aspergers is a form of autism. The autistic spectrum is a very large umbrella and huddled beneath it are dozens of types of autism.

So, what is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways

1 in every 150 people in the world is Autistic.

A lot is misunderstood about autism and a stigma has become attached to the condition. This must stop.

The National Autistic Society works with other organizations all over the globe to support and reach out to those with autism and their families.

 

Why am I asking you to donate?

 

I want a world where all people living with autism get to lead the life they choose.

This means a world where everyone living with autism:

• gets the support, education and training they need
• lives with dignity and as independently as possible
• feels part of their community and wider society
• is understood by all professionals who support them
• is respected for who they are by a knowledgeable public.

The Autistic Society are a charity, and they rely on the support of people like you to help improve the lives of people living with autism.

So how does your donation help?

Family support – post-diagnosis

• help!
  Support for parents and carers of school-age children, young people and adults who have a recent diagnosis of autism. NAS offer a range of one-day seminars for up to two parents/carers per family, which provide timely information and advice.

 

• EarlyBird
  Training for professionals who help parents post-diagnosis.

 

• Healthy Minds
  Training for professionals to equip parents with information and practical advice to improve both their own and their child’s mental health.

 

School age 11-16

School IT

Assistive technology including:

• intelligent devices and enhancements for independent living

 

• software which enables teachers to develop teaching material using widgets

 

• and online befriending services for people with autism.

 

Transition 16-25+

This involves supporting people with autism in the transition stage from school to adulthood.

Employment
Provide pre-employment training and support to people with autism as well as help in the workplace.

 

Aging adults 50+

Our Autism in Maturity project looks at providing information for older people and carers as well as advocacy.

 

Other technologies

Network Autism
An online community for professionals supporting people with autism, providing a virtual space to connect, network and exchange ideas and resources.

Learning Zone
Online training, using skills and expertise of people with autism.

 

Autism Helpline

Education, employment and challenging behavior advisers
Provide impartial, confidential information, advice and support for people with autism, their families, professionals, researchers and students. Includes casework services, volunteering and branches, befriending and mentoring, and advocacy and training.

 

This page is to help raise funds for The National Autistic Society. Thanks for checking it out.

Donations can be made in a GBP – £, Euro - € or USD – $

http://www.indiegogo.com/marieforautism/x/2072717?show_todos=true

Win one of 3 eBook copies of Bound Together and Last Christmas!

The New Year will soon be upon us. It’s been an amazing winter for me. I wrote a novel and a novella and have met some truly amazing people. Not only other authors, blogger and reviewers but also fans of the books. Torn Apart is in progress now and I can’t wait to share it and my other novel with you in the new year. So 2013 is fast approaching and to celebrate…I’m going to be gifting 3 copies of Bound Together from smashwords and 3 copies of Last Christmas also from smash words. So..what do you need to do to win? Many wonderful blogs took part in my blog tour and they’re just not getting the following they should. So. I want you to go like one or more of the pages listed in my rafflecopter giveaway!

Giveaway will run till January 6th 2013

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

Click the link below and enter! The more pages you like…the more chances you have!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aspergers Syndrome and other Mental Health

I am personally DISGUSTED by the accusations and hurtful comments that some people have made against people with Aspergers. I have experience with autism, Aspergers and other mental health disorders. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people paint everyone with the same brush. I understand a need for blame, grief and the pain people feel at this time but to use a condition that people are born with as a reason for violent behavior is not only immoral but misleading. It causes public unrest and feeds in to the negative stereotypes, that as a united world, we have fought hard to eradicate.Certain media organizations should be ashamed of themselves in this instance.

Having a mental health problem doesn’t automatically make you dangerous. A lack of understanding, support, medication, help and other emotional or circumstantial problems can drive people to the very edge. And if, when they get there and they stand alone in the dark, no one reaches for their hand to pull them back in to the light. It is then that they become lost to us. It certainly leaves us with something to think about as a human race.

So I am not willing to be silent. I must make a stand and use the voice god gave me. I will stand up for those who perhaps don’t have that voice and raise awareness of this important subject. This stigma must end.

My name is Marie and I have a mental health problem. I have had it almost all of my adult life. I will say it loud and proud. I am NOT and WILL NOT ever be ashamed of my condition. I love you all and thank you for reading. ♥

For more information on Aspergers Syndrome please visit:

Asperger’s Awareness Community

http://www.facebook.com/aspergersawarenesspage?ref=ts&fref=ts

Kicking off the blog tour! M and O Style

Marie: Okay. Kindle?

Ollie: Yup

Marie: Pen and paper?

Ollie: Yup

Marie: Ebooks?

Ollie: Yup

Marie: Clothes, shoes and purse?

Ollie: Yup

Marie: Vibrators, spreader bars and handcuffs?

Ollie: Yup…Wait what?!

Marie: Oh, so you are listening to me. Get your shit together Ollie. You promised you’d help me with this tour! I’m going out of my freaking mind and you’re sitting there on Facebook!

*Throws cushion at Ollie.*

Ollie: Hey! I’m here aren’t I? I’m dragging your shit around all week aren’t I? Quit whining at me. It’ll be fine. Besides, it’s me they really wanna see.

Marie: Oh yeah, course it is stud.

*Ollie sits up and winks at me, clearly pleased with how his fan base is growing. He holds his cell phone up to face me.*

Ollie: You see this? 130 likes! Suck on that Garrett.

Marie: Oh…yeah… I meant to talk to you about that.

*Ollie gives me a suspicious look and raises his eyebrow at me.*

Marie: Jared’s joining us on the tour.

*I duck for cover as the cushion fly’s back at me.*

Ollie: You are fucking kidding me right?

Marie: It’ll be fine! I’ve arranged it so that the two of you do interviews at least ten minutes apart. You never have to cross paths. But if, for whatever reason, you do…Please be good.

*I give him my sweetest. Pleading look.*

Ollie: Fine. But I’m doing this for my harem of fans. Not you. Well, maybe you a little. Will D, Nic, Karen and the girls all be there? I cannot wait to hang out with those crazy chicks. That reminds me…I need to pack some jello.

Marie: Jello?

*Thinks about the women he’s referring to. Rolls eyes. Gives him a disapproving look.*

Ollie: Hey, I’m just giving the people what they want and if it also gives me something I want…Win, win. Someone is wrestling in that jello. All else fails, you be skins and we’ll do ourselves.

*He winks at me and gives me that cheeky Ollie grin. I swat him around the head.*

Marie: Douche.  Are you ready to go or what? I see no bags or luggage of any kind.

Ollie: Looks like I’ll be skins then. I travel light.

Marie: Come on asshat. Let’s get this show on the road.

Ollie: Yes ma’am.

*Loading up the car*

Ollie: Remind me, were doing this because of the book you wrote about me?

Marie: Yes but the book isn’t just about you. Though I’m sure a lot of your fans wish it was. It’s about Layla. It’s her story. Her journey of self discovery, figuring out who she is and what she wants. It’s about the constant struggle she faces between listening to her head and heart and the feeling of being torn between a hot, playboy business man and a sizzling tattooed, pierced rocker. I know I wouldn’t wanna choose.

Ollie: Throw in some bad ass music, two crazy friends like Mel and Amy and you have yourself a best seller right?

Marie: We can only hope.

Ollie: Hope? Damn! Any book with me in it..best seller guaranteed.!