Brenda Youngerman was a single mother who raised her 3 children in southern California when they were not
living with their father. She has first hand knowledge of what emotional trauma can do to a family as she was
the product of a broken home.

She was the youngest member in a very large family and always felt like she was on the outside looking in. She
believes that is how she learned to observe life swirling around her and that has given her the edge to write
"Fiction With a Purpose," novels about real people in real life situations. She tries to paint a picture of life as it is
to give her readers that ability to see situations from a different point of view. Her goal as an author is to have
ONE reader pick up a novel and see a similarity in his or her life and see an opportunity to do something to
make their life better.

When she goes out and speaks to large groups the subjects of her books are normally brought up. Her first three
books touched on the subject of domestic abuse. "Unfortunately, domestic abuse is a subject that literally affects
every family in this country, and throughout the world. There is not one person that I have spoken to that does
not know a member of their family tree that has been touched by domestic abuse. Be it physical, emotional,
mental, sexual, alcohol or drug related. All of these forms of abuse can be boiled down to domestic abuse as
they alter the way a family lives and behaves.

"Domestic abuse is a quiet demon that affects all walks of life: rich or poor. It is often kept hidden and the
victims are ashamed of their fate.I write to shine the light so maybe someone will see that victims are not to
blame. I weave a tale incorporating a story of average people getting involved in average issues that they cannot
control. My hope is that someone will pick up one of my books and realize that they are not alone, that there are
thousands of people available to them, to help them. I do believe that one person can make a difference.

"I have been asked, more times than I can count, "How can you tell if someone is in an abusive relationship?"
Please do not take that I am an expert, but here are 10 signs to look for and if you or someone you know can
say yes to 7 of these, you might want to take a good look at the relationship.

How to know if you are in an abusive relationship:

1  You are making excuses for your partner.  Behaviors that are unacceptable (such as lying, cheating, stealing,
or hitting) become defendable in your eyes.
2  You slowly lose touch with your family and friends.
3  Your partner is your only means of social interaction.
4  Your partner is extremely jealous of any conversation you have with the opposite sex; might even grill you
after you get home from work.
5  If you have children, you will be berated for not being good enough to be their parent.
6  Confidence you once had in yourself will be gone.
7  You will no longer be looking others in the eye when talking to them.
8  Your partner will have you convinced that no one else will want you and that you will never make it without
him/her.
9  You no longer take pride in your outward appearance.
10 Home becomes more of a prison than a sanctuary.

This breaking down of a human being takes a period of time, it does not happen overnight. Even the most
experienced abuser needs time. If a controlling person can persuade someone into their lair, the victim never
sees it coming, and is not aware that their own persona is gone.

Her fourth book discusses the issue of the homeless and the 'invisible layer' of society. Brenda is still very
involved with the Missionaries of Charity and the feeding the homeless in Los Angeles. She believes that every
person deserves the right to be treated as a human being, and that everyone has a story. "We, all of us, are just
one paycheck away from any one of the people living on the street. What gives anyone the right to judge?"

In her fifth book the subjects of teen suicide and domestic abuse are brought up again and then in her sixth book
racism and social classes are touched upon. "I don't feel that any social injustice is 'untouchable' when it comes
to being written about. As far as I'm concerned whenever there is an issue, there is a novel!"

Please enjoy the books, and if you have any thoughts or feedback, please feel free to send me a message.


Brenda Youngerman
Brenda Youngerman   

Fiction With A Purpose


One Person Can Make A Difference