I’m happy to be part of the Poughkeepsie Blog Tour. I’ve heard amazing things about this novel by Debra Anastasia, and I can’t wait to read it.
This is a story about homeless man and the young woman he meets at the train station. Her smiles sustain him though she has no idea of her impact on him.
I actually worked at a homeless center during my graduate training in counseling psychology, and I’d like to share that experience for the Poughkeepsie blog tour. At the homeless center, I did counseling, psychological testing, and led an anger-management therapy group.
One thing that struck me was the similarity between myself and individuals living at the center. Warmth, intelligence, and talent abounded in homeless people. One man was a gifted musician and another woman had gone to extreme efforts to protect her children from her abusive husband. But one big difference between us was their lack of safety nets. When times got hard for them, they didn’t have friends or family to bail them out due to poverty, substance dependence, mental illness. I know that if I lost everything, my family and friends would have my back. Homeless people don’t have that luxury.
My internship director taught us that when we encounter homeless individuals on the street, it’s up to us whether or not to give money. But one thing we should do is show respect by looking them in the eye. I know my brother-in-law will often buy food from a convenience store and hand it to a homeless person in Chicago, and I try to keep an energy bar in my purse or car to share with those in need.
The homeless center where I worked was famous for helping its residents work toward owning their own home. It was so inspiring to witness such rebuilding and redemption.
There are 2 eCopies of Poughkeepsie to give away on the blog today. To enter, please leave a comment and a valid email address.
Poughkeepsie in Kindle and Print Amazon Kindle Amazon Print
Poughkeepsie Book format allromanceebooks.com
Today is day three of my own blog tour for The Conduct Series, romantic suspense with a psychological twist. There are two stops today:
Bookworm Lisa has an excerpt of Bad Behavior and a giveaway HERE.
A Girl and Her Diary has an excerpt of With Good Behavior and a giveaway HERE.
Leave a comment to enter the giveaway, and give Poughkeepsie a home!
Jennifer Lane Books 
I would love to give Poughkeepsie a home 🙂
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I am super hoping to win a copy of this book!! Thanks for sharing your experience! sunnydae13@comcast.net
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You will love this when you get to read it. I couldn't put it down. I was walking around, bumping into furniture and spent a sleepless night clinging onto my kindle. 🙂
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Can't wait to read Poughkeepsie
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Carol, what a rousing recommendation! Good luck to all entrants for the giveaway.
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One of the biggest things that struck me in the summary of Poughkeepsie was that a smile could make such a difference, so I love your advice to look them in the eye. I think out of guilt or discomfort, it's almost instinct to look away, but I won't anymore. I'm also going to keep in mind to bring some energy bars in my purse next time I head into the city. Thanks for the tip. 😉
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Nicki–way to tie together Poughkeepsie and my post!
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I would love to give Poughkeepsie a home too. :)Thanks for the chance!sabina(dot)dezman(at)gmail(dot)com
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Just added Poughkeepsie to my to-read list on Goodreads. The description alone brought tears to my eyes!You raised such an important point about making eye contact. Too many people never do. The homeless are treated like they're invisible, like maybe if we don't look at them they will go away. (And we won't feel guilty for not helping them.) Also, what you said about the safety net is something too many people don't think about. We have a big problem with homelessness here in the Tampa Bay area. I wish I could help them all. I do what I can and always do my best to treat them with respect.
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Thanks for entering guys! and Jennifer, you are an inspiration. Respect might be the biggest gift one human can give to another.
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About the smiles… It's actually stayed with me, how important a smile can be.I'd love to read the story again.swedensara75 (at) gmail.com
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This sounds like a wonderful book with a valid message especially this time of year. I'd love to win a copy. Email address is karenjonesgowen@gmail.com
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This sounds like an incredible book; and what a wonderful person you must be to intern at a homeless shelter, kudos!I would LOVE to give an eCopy a home!rachelalexandrat@gmail.com
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I read it when it was just a ff and fell in love with it, can’t wait to read it as a original story Fenixmjr@gmail.com
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I loved it when i read it as a fanfic and I'm sure that I'll love it now. Can't wait to read it!!sammiejo0890@gmail.com
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I would so love to read this again. An inspiring story about how much true love is worth.taylor.warmoth@gmail.com
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Can't wait to read it! :)sandra.zg.13@gmail.com
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I loved this in its first iteration as a fanfic…can't wait to read it as a published, original story!mad4hugh@gmail.com
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thank you for hosting a stop for debra's blog tour. i really appreciate you putting two copies up for grabs and hope one lands in my home this holiday season!m.a.lurker@gmail.com
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I also try to give back to those people that are homeless in whatever way i can either my time are by financial means,so i wholeheartedly support you. I really hope I'll be a winner. rshereifa at yahoo dot com
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This book sounds so good! Looks like Debra came up with a wonderful story to lose yourself in!–Hedyautumnciela @ gmail . com
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I've already had the chance of reading Debra's first book Crushed Seraphim, and I enjoyed it very much. I'm sure I will love this one as much as I did the previous one! Debra's such a talented author! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!Madalina-madalinagherzan@hotmail.com
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