What's going on? 
This is where you can visit to find out what's going on in my life. I'll update often and fill you in on any exciting news I have about my books. To start with-
My publisher has accepted my second book for publication! They received my manuscript on April 26th and I got the good news on Saturday, May 22nd. Here's a sneak preview- 
JOHN HORN-Legend of a Lumberjack
Deep in the forest along Lake Michigan's Manistique River, a simple wooden grave marker says, "John Horn-April 1897." Why is it there? Who was John Horn?
More than 100 years ago, Manistique was a booming lumber town owned by the Chicago Lumbering Company. Thousands of immigrants worked there, some living in company homes, some in the logging camps. Steamers docked daily at the busy Manistique Harbor, met by a local Indian chief, Ossawinamakee. Into this town came John Horn.
Step back in time to the late 1800's where you will meet John Horn and the woman he loves, Lily, the preacher's daughter, the girl with the moon in her eyes.
You'll also meet Moonwater, John Horn's sister and owner of Ravenwood, a boarding house shunned by the townspeople, as well as their nemesis, a fur trader with a mangled hand and surprising identity.
Come take a walk through the streets of a logging town and the deep Michigan forests where you'll meet Chief Bittenear and you will want to visit time and again. This is one adventurous historical love story you will not want to miss. . .
I will be sticking with a black and white cover. I've decided to make that my signature for cover designs, that is if I continue to have my books accepted for publication!
Samantha Mitchell, a Manistique girl with the most beautiful blonde hair I've ever seen, was gracious enough to let me use her for the cover.
I'm also including some black and white photographs throughout the book. It should make for an exciting and entertaining read.
What else is going on?
Well, Mark Wirtz, a composer/artist/author from Savannah, Georgia is composing music for a Christmas poem he invited me to write for him. It will be included on his 2004 "Christmas Wishmas" album.
Mark is very well known in London and has worked along side the Beatles and Pink Floyd! I can't tell you the name of the song yet but when it's all set to go, you'll be the first to know.
Click on Mark's book cover, Love is Eggshaped, and you can take a peek at his website. I haven't met him personally yet but we've emailed back and forth. I'd sure love to go to Savannah!
I've also sent a copy of I Promise Not to Tell to Katy Conklin. She is the staff attorney for the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Hopefully she will be able to use my book in her work.
When I'm not working, reading or writing- I'm here!
If you haven't guessed- I'm a GEMINI! 
I received my first award for my site, I love it! Thank you Heleca from Sweden.
Claire Reeves, President and Founder of Mothers Against Sexual Abuse (MASA) a National Organization, and Author of Childhood- It Should Not Hurt! has agreed to review my book! What an honor to have this famous author agree to read an unknown author such as myself. I'll post her review when I hear from her.
Dr. Ruth E. Heidrich, Ph.D. who has a Master's in Psychlogy, has agreed to review my book. Funny story- I emailed her mixing her up with "the other" Dr. Ruth and she was gracious enough to accept my invitation for a review. She is also an author and specializes in nutrition, fitness and preventive medicine. Check out her website. I'll post her review when I receive it! Thank you Dr. Ruth! Her review is in and posted on my Reviews page.
I am now listed with this great organization from Colorado. Thanks Lauretta! 
Dr. Ruth Heidrich has sent me her review, read it under the Book Review link. It's awesome! She also shared some information with me that I'd like to pass on to you-
"You may be surprised to learn that I believe diet is responsible for sexual abuse, whether in children or adults. When children are fed a diet high in animal foods, they automatically get a diet high in the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for the sex drive and when children are fed these hormones, they develop physically way before they develop emotionally.
Young boys can't handle the urges because they lack the maturity and self-control that adults are supposed to have. A high animal food diet in adults, besides causing heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, arthritis and much more, also can have the same effect.
Children and adults get the sex hormones from the animals and those hormones works the same way on humans. We also know that animal foods cause precocious physical development in children.
Girls in countries which eat a plant-based diet don't start their periods until they're 16 to 18 and boys are similarly late in their development. Obviously, at the later ages, they are much better able to handle sexual urges and the adults are more balanced in their drive as well."
Angie Panos, Ph.D. from Utah has agreed to read and review my book. She is a Mental Health Professional Therapist that specializes in trauma and grief. She has 20 years of experience in helping survivors. She is also a board member of Gift From Within. (Angie's review is in and is now posted on my reviews page.) Thank you so much Angie!
I just received word from Recovery World (New York) that I Promise Not to Tell has been chosen as one of the two Summer Reads for the year! WOW- what a great honor! I'm stunned. They have a new section called Summer Reading. Visit there site and click on the link to the page where my autobiography is listed. Thank you so much Joe C.
I Promise Not to Tell is now listed on eNotAlone. You can find sample chapters under the Sexual Abuse section and for right now I'm featured on the opening page. Thanks Arman!
I received word from Mark Wirtz on 7/19/04 on the progress of his Wishmas Album (the one I wrote the song/poem for). He has started pre-production on the album but it is unlikely that he'll be able to start in-studio production until mid-September which is too late for a 2004 Christmas release. He expects production to take at least 3 months or longer so he has put plans on hold for its release in 2005.
Mark says, 
"This is a special project, designed not to only carry my trademark, but to be a perennially meaningful and marketable product for many Christmases to come (like the Phil Spector Xmas album)."
I am featured as Author of the Month for November 2004 at this Book Club in Highland Ranch, Colorado. Thank you Literary World and Lauretta Pierce! 
Michael F. Craig, founder of Heart of the Family has listed my book in his Gallery for recommended reading. I sent Mr. Craig a complimentary copy of I Promise Not to Tell after finding his site. He lost his daughter Nichole and a son Brian, both to domestic abuse.
Keven Bouchard has reviewed I Promise Not to Tell and has given it a 
ranking. Read the review by following the link to Bookideas. Thanks Kevin!
L.C. Martin, author of Caught in the Rain, has interviewed me for her Author's Spotlight at her Author's Den. I'll be in the spotlight for the month of December. Thanks L.C. 
I will be featured in the debut issue of Twilight Inc. Author's Monthly Magazine (online). This is a venture by Theodis Moore Jr., author of Calvary- Hell's Seed, to be released in January 2005 by Publish America. February 8 is the first issue date. Thanks Theodis!
Shades of Romance Book Club will be featuring I Promise Not to Tell in April, 2005
LaShaunda C. Hoffman/Editor/Publisher of Shades of Romance Magazine was kind enough to feature me, even though my autobiography is not about romance. Thank you LaShaunda!
Check out my Brenweblog, a new Blog for my ramblings on domestic abuse or relationship issues, or just about anything I might want to ramble about. NO SECOND CHANCE
A new review from Joslyn Sherry of WomenWriters for I Promise Not to Tell in the Special Book Reviews Issue for Winter 2005
December 10, 2004 I've sent out more complimentary copies of my autobiography-
(One of these days I'm going to send it to someone who knows Oprah and if I get on her show, I will be telling the world!)
Angela Shelton- Film maker/Documentary/In Search of Angela Shelton
Dr. Kathleen Brooks- Host of the World Talk Radio program, Darkness to Light-Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence
I received word on New Years Day that I Promise Not to Tell was chosen as the 1st Runner-up in the Nonfiction category for the 2005 Book of the Year Awards by JADA Press.
I will receive the exquisite 
JADA trophy, extensive Internet exposure, Press Releases to 2 newspapers of my choice and award winning labels for my book.
I was absolutely stunned by this wonderful news. I never thought in a million years my book would be deserving of such honorable recognition. Thank you to Glenda and Jake Ivey, owners of JADA Press in Orange Park, Florida. 
Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter will be publishing Book Marketing from A-Z with Infinity Publishing, to be released in February of 2005.
The book is a compilation of the best promotional strategies of more than 300 authors who represent all genres and levels of expertise.
In alphabetical format for ease of use, Book Marketing from A-Z contains the pleasures and pitfalls of authors in their own words, whether their books are self-published, print-on-demand, e-books or published by a traditional house.
Brenda M Weber is one of the authors included in this book.
Helaine from 
The Montel Williams Show ran across my website, read an excerpt from I Promise Not to Tell and had this to say- "I can't even imagine how you have dealt with everything so well over the years. I would love to speak with you more about your book and to find out if you are interested in speaking publicly about your life. Please get in touch with me ASAP" 
My book and information is on its way to NY. Cross your fingers 
wish me luck and plan to see me on a future show!
January 24, 2005- 
Today I received my token First Dollar from Publish America for my 2nd book, John Horn-Legend of a Lumberjack. This means that my page proofs are not far behind. I should receive them in about 3 weeks. I'll keep you updated. It is getting closer to reality!
February 9, 2005-
I received my page proofs! Now, I have 2 weeks to make any last changes 
before it goes to print.
March 2, 2005
Virginia just finished the final editing of John Horn. My book is going to look fantastic thanks to her! In about 4 weeks I will hear from the Cover Designer for last minute changes then- John Horn-Legend of a Lumberjack will be a reality!
March, 2005
I was able to have a 5-generation picture taken with Gramps, my dad, myself, my oldest son Richie and his daughter, Alivia. What a special feeling that was.
John Horn-Legend of a Lumberjack is now available through Publish America, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other online booksellers. April 2005.
This is a view of the historical Water Tower in Manistique, overlooking the Manistique River. The tower was re-dedicated this summer and I was there selling my books. I thought I'd leave this picture because it is such a beautiful view.
WTIQ RADIO INTERVIEW-
I will be interviewed on my local radio station by Robb Lucas on Tuesday July 12, 2005
I have an article published in the Our Voices section on the Boomer Women Speak website: Death Be Not Proud
Thanks Dotsie!
August 8, 2005
Dr. Kathleen Brooks of Darkness to Light, an internet radio show called Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence, is going to interview me on an upcoming show. I'll post the date when I know for sure.
How exciting! I sent her my book, I Promise Not to Tell, some time ago and am honored that she wants to interview me for her show. There are over 10,000 listeners worldwide!
My interview with Darkness to Light will air LIVE! on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 2:00pm (Pacific)
Listen to the Archived interview here-
bravenet.com