AUTHOR EVENT FOR DOG LOVERS! LEARN ABOUT COMFORT DOGS

Have you ever wanted to meet an author and ask questions about a book you've read? Or ask questions about what goes into the writing process? Come to my author event!

"VANILLA GRASS" is the story of a Vietnam Veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Golden Retriever he rescues that changes his life. John Carrows finds Sage abandoned, hurt and afraid. He realizes she needs his help to survive and from that moment their mutual healing begins.

It's recognized that trained service dogs can help veterans and others with special needs, especially trauma survivors with PTSD. Comfort dogs are a different kind of dog. They're pets that provide emotional healing to their owners or give comfort to children and adults in hospitals, and survivors of any major disaster. LCC Canine Comfort Dogs is one organization that has licensed Golden Retriever comfort dogs fly all over the United States to provide comfort wherever needed. There are many other comfort dogs who accompany their handlers either on an individual basis, or with other organizations.

In "VANILLA GRASS" Sage is John's personal comfort dog. She brings him back from the deep depression and emotional isolation he has been living since his return from Vietnam. Sage accepts John as he is. She has no expectations and his flaws don't matter. Her love is unconditional. As their bond deepens, he trains her through the Pet Partners Therapy Program to become a licensed comfort dog. They visit wounded veterans in the hospital and then . . . well there's so much more to the story! You'll have to read the book to find out how they change the lives of many.

"VANILLA GRASS" is available through the usual online retailers and can be ordered through your local bookstore.

http://www.amazon.com/Vanilla-Grass-Leslie-Bratspis/dp/1611701961/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438566245&sr=1-1&keywords=vanilla+grass+by+leslie+bratspis

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vanilla-grass-leslie-bratspis/1120803033?ean=9781611701968

"VANILLA GRASS, A novel of redemption"

My new novel is finally released! In fact, it's re-released. I had some issues with the original publisher and was able to cancel my contract and publish elsewhere. While arrangements were being made I updated the Kindle, notified the Library of Congress of changes, had a book signing, ate too much chocolate, and somehow managed to remain sane! 

"VANILLA GRASS, A novel of redemption" looks at some important and timely issues: Veteran PTSD and the need for post deployment reintegration into society; comfort dogs and service dogs, and the important roles they play in emotional healing; 22 reported veteran suicides daily and some measures being taken in hope of stopping this tragedy; at risk teenagers who abuse sex and drugs while talking slang and lacking motivation; domestic violence and alcohol abuse.I know this sounds serious--and it is! Yet my book is a fast read and entertaining. I know this because I hear from readers:

"It made me laugh and cry. I loved it."

"I read your book in two days. I couldn't put it down and I didn't do anything else except stop to eat."

"I haven't gotten any work done because I can't stop reading your book."

Here are some early reviews:

"This book kept me going from page one to the end. The author has developed the characters so deeply that I felt I knew each one. It taught me about many important aspects of life that I had not given much thought: the horrific physical and mental burdens returning soldiers suffer, the healing power of dogs trained to give solace; the redemption of wayward teens when someone cares enough to teach them their worth, and the importance of speaking up when peers attempt to lead you in a dangerous direction. Congratulations to Bratspis for this thought-provoking book with a plot I could not only immerse myself into, but I could even smell it."

"Every character in Vanilla Grass touched me in some way. The characters are developed through precise dialog and very realistic circumstances, whether an isolated Vietnam veteran or an alienated teenager. This novel brings to life not only the essence of redemption but does so through exploration of some very complicated and humanly challenging circumstances. The effects of war on life and identity are very real . The struggles of disenfranchised young adults and the search for connection that we all struggle to achieve jump,out of every page. The healing power of dogs not only brings together the commonality of the characters but highlights the essence of what really pulls our characters through PTSD and other live traumas. This is a very sensitive and important story. It is about all of us. It is about healing."

"This turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. Growing up through the Vietnam era, I know that some of our soldiers came back with debilitating conditions. While having heard of "service" dogs, I had not heard of "comfort" dogs, and I found this story to be so touching on so many levels. Leslie's characters all had an amazing depth to them, and made me feel more like I was IN the story, rather than just reading it."

To read more, go to the Amazon website.

http://www.amazon.com/Vanilla-Grass-Leslie-Bratspis/dp/1611701961/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thank you for your support. STOP 22!

Leslie Bratspis

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leslie-Bratspis-Vanilla-Grass/1459047377684683?ref=hl