Author Spotlight

~ Elise Brooke

My story from survival to thrive

 My name is Elise Brooke, I grew up in Hawkes Bay NZ.  My parents moved to NZ from England and South Africa to create their New Zealand Dream, this quickly turned into my New Zealand nightmare. I have written and published two autobiographies in my book series, "The New Zealand Dream,” by Sheila my pen name, I wrote this book to inspire and give hope to others.  

    Writing is a very powerful healing tool, sharing your story can  help others as well as help you on your healing journey. I am a writing mentor who can help people write their own story or with any writing project they are creating.

My passion is creative writing, I’ve been writing for 24 years in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and content. I have published many articles and guest posted on various sites. I conduct interviews on my website which I built from scratch to help promote my fellow writers and host guest postings to collaborate with other writers.

My website is mynzdreamblog.com. One can follow me on Instagram at mynewzealanddream, facebook at fb.me/mynewzealanddream or join us in the group “A Journey of Transformation.”

A brief about my books

    “The New Zealand Dream” is a story and account of my life so far.

You take a journey from birth, growing up in a beautiful countrytown. Moving to the suburbs, discovering New Zealand’s underground in book one; "The Seeds are Sown." Life has been astruggle and a uphill climb, I was born with learning difficulties that caused me challenges every day. My mother, who single-handedly raised my brother and I suffered from mental health problems. Idove into the drug and alcohol scene at a young age, growing up surrounded by violence and gangs. I escaped a religious occult, got married and had children. In book two; "Growth and Destruction,"before I hit the age of thirty, I was a divorced single mother. My support network passed away, and I sank into a world of abuse. I stayed trapped in an abusive relationship for over eight years untilone night he nearly killed me and I finally escaped.  Within these books  you will meet characters you may relate to and characters that will shock you.  "Come on read my story, it is aimed to assist and attest to one being able to cope with setbacks and bounce back."  Elise  

Visit me at my blog if interested in being mentored or just want to collaborate. I have other writers share their work and post, you can too @ mynzdreamblog.com

A message from Susan B. Anna, I met Elise via FB and was instantly a fan. Can't wait to read her work and continue to collaborate and grow with her leadership and guidance. As writers/authors it is important to continue to uplift and support fellow artists.  Thank you Elise for sharing your work with Bella Newsletters, Reviews & more. Interview coming soon as can't wait.  ~ Susan

All rights reserved ~ Susan B. Anna 

True Colors Behind Top Ladies in the White House

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is once again under attack, but then again, so is every top female player in the White House since Rob Porters resignation following past domestic violence complaints brought to light by two of his ex-wives.

     Some cannot be surprised! These women have a job to protect and no I am in no way their advocate as I hate all things about our present government status and those who support it. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is just a pawn caught up in the web of a scrupulous, male chauvinist, egotistical; moron we call number 45 because labeling him as our President is just too nauseating.

Rob Porter is just another person within their ranks that ultimately got caught, but he surely will not be the last. Politicians have gotten away with sexual harassment and or adulterous relationships for centuries. Their dirty laundry was just kept under wraps till after their deaths or the victims felt they couldn’t come forward as no one would believe them.

Colbie Holderness

     Today sexual harassment, domestic violence and lack of support is making headlines, and no one is safe. Ivanka Trump, “senior adviser,” reportedly showed Trump a picture of Colbie Holderness, Porters first wife with a black eye, but has not publicly come out in defense of the victims. A self-proclaimed feminist who advocates for women she is certainly not. It is evident who her loyalty is to and that is her father. Anyone who sweeps this under the rug so blatantly should not be deemed worthy of respect or admiration.  

     Domestic Violence has been an ongoing issue for decades. I grew up in a household of abuse and witnessed first-hand what my step dad made my mother endure during their years together. As Holderness expressed in her op-ed. Domestic Violence is something no one can detect. Relationships begin nicely, and the abuse gradually begins, verbally at first, then progresses to physical abuse. To me this issue is very serious and must be addressed. Porter resigned, but President Trump still wished him the best in his career. It is evident he didn't care about the victim as he repeatedly said "he wished him well in his future endeavors." 

     We know where the latest has taken us, and we know the Republican lackies stance. They will make excuses to just about anything with a straight face or a smirk. I am glad we have journalists such as Margaret Sullivan in their faces. They need to remain on their toes, so I hope to God the press doesn’t back down. Let them continue to make fools of themselves as the voters learn the truth. Every woman in the White House should be disappointed in themselves for supporting this. Most of you have children, and they should learn that abuse is never tolerated.

Porter (center) with Gary Cohn & Ivanka Trump. Chip Somodeville/Getty

     The cycle once woven sadly continues. My sister fell into it, the relationship lasted two years before she broke free, but the damage remained. She is to date incapable of demonstrating love, and with this her daughter, now thirty-four has also fallen prey to being abused. Her abuser has even come as far as hitting her in front of her children and telling them “he is hitting their mom because she needs to be disciplined.” Her children as well as my niece are now in need of therapy and homeless because being homeless was her only way to break free. They were not married, and NYC shelters will not let you obtain a room as a family unit if you aren’t married or provide them with domestic partnership documentation. Believe it or not she contemplated obtaining such document with his coaching, but she finally did the right thing, fought against giving in and they finally parted ways.

     As she now struggles to get her life back in track, her three children have no stability and she is now also pregnant with her fourth. The child of course, the abusers. I normally do not share such personal circumstances as a writer, but this weeks resent press focus touched a nerve. All abusers should be mandated jail time. Today, pictures say a thousand words, and abusers should be sentenced with one month for each year of abuse if not one year. Preferably the latter.

     Attached below are links of definite interest. Colbie Holderness, I commend you for coming forward. I wish you comfort and strength as you continue to make yourself whole; and Margaret Sullivan, you are so desperately needed, so never back down.

Colbie Holderness

Margaret Sullivan~Columnist

All rights reserved~ Susan B. Anna

Domestic Violence

We all hear the stories and some of us have lived it. Falling prey to someones abuse, whether verbal or physical can be difficult. One can find themselves trapped and see no way out so they stay, and some find the courage to pick up and leave. Those that escaped however, are far from free. They forever look over their shoulder and fear they may run into their abuser. It isn't easy to totally break free, the scars remain and the nightmares continue.

Abusers instill fear, they belittle, threaten and beat their mate and later apologize and make excuses to why the abuse was warranted. No one deserves to live in fear of someone they once loved and trusted. Break free, if you do, and even more so if you have children. Think about their future and don't let them grow up thinking this behavior is normal.

If you are being abused, don't stick around. Nothing you do or say will change one who chooses to verbally or physically hurt you. Please seek help and do so as soon as you can. The following links are added to help you accomplish just that. You can do it... 

Safe Horizon   

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a pattern of abusive behavior that keeps one partner in a position of power over the other through the use of fear, intimidation and control. It may manifest itself as physical, sexual, verbal, emotional spiritual and financial abuse. Gender violence, interpersonal violence, child abuse, teen relationship violence and elder abuse are all examples of domestic violence. Domestic violence is pervasive and occurs in all groups, regardless of race/ethnicity, income, age, education, religion, immigration status, or sexual orientation. It is rooted in sexism, racism and a culture of permissive violence.

Since this is an ongoing issue I faced as a child and continues today, only a bit more widespread, I was very happy to assist a friend with spreading the word as her organization, "Divas & Damas,"  launch their very first fundraiser with the focus of Domestic Violence in mind.

Violence within the home front by someone you love and trust is a constant occurrence and one that sadly many face on a daily basis. To make matters a bit worse for the victims the Police Department has come up with a new directive that will cause the police to do background checks on both the victim and the abuser and with it the possibility of bringing the victim in on charges if they happen to have a warrant or unpaid traffic tickets.  This will undoubtedly cause the victim to think twice about calling the police if being abused which only adds salt to the wounds they may be trying their best to heal.

I strongly believe that Domestic Violence must end.  Victims should not be victimized any longer and they deserve all the help and support one can provide.  

The attached flyer contains information on the 1st Annual Fundraiser sponsored by the "Divas & Damas," organization so if you find yourself in the area and can join them in their cause to prevent domestic violence by either attending the Bowling Event, or making a donation, please reach out to the email/number noted above.  All donations will go to assist in the cause and below you will find the link to Safe Horizon and "Domestic Violence, the Cure" just recently released and written by Benjamin Janey.  



Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Hotline

Please click on image to be directed to buy site for "Domestic Violence, The Cure... 

Copyright (c) 2013 ~Susan B. Anna