Guest Post and Giveaway: Once Burned by L.A. Witt

We’re so pleased to have author L.A. Witt stopping by today on the tour for her latest release, Once Burned, book six in the Anchor Point series. She’s talking about veterans today, and there’s also a giveaway so be sure to check out those details below.

Welcome, L.A.!

Deported Vets

Around the time I was writing Going Overboard and thinking about the plot for the next book (which would become Once Burned), I read an article about military veterans who had either been deported or were in danger of being deported. Since the military life—particularly the sacrifices service members and families have to make—is near and dear to my heart, you could definitely say this article had a lasting impact on me. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I mean, how can you justify deporting a military veteran from the country they served?

So I dug deeper. It turns out this isn’t just a fluke, something that happened to a handful of people because of clerical issues. It’s a big enough problem that charities and organizations exist solely to address it. While it would seem like a no-brainer that someone who has served honorably would receive automatic citizenship, this isn’t the case, and especially after being discharged, a veteran who hasn’t been naturalized may very easily find themselves vulnerable to deportation.

Ironically, undocumented veterans are eligible for their VA benefits, but showing up to collect those benefits (i.e., at a VA clinic or hospital) can put them on the radar for ICE.

The entire situation is horrifying to me, and I felt powerless to actually do anything about it until I realized there’s two things I can do:

    1. Raise awareness
    2. Donate money

Using Once Burned, I intend to do both – raise awareness of the plight of veterans with undocumented status, and also donate money to an organization that helps veterans in this situation. So, half of the royalties I receive for this book will be donated to such organizations. In particular, Deported Veterans Support House.

The organization is located in Tijuana and was founded by Hector Barajas, himself a veteran deported to Mexico. From their website:

“The Deported Veterans Support house operates under the direction of founder Hector Barajas who served with the 82nd airborne and was deported in 2004. The house operates as a shelter and resource center for veterans who need assistance, as well as office for our political advocacy efforts in the realm of immigration reform. DVSH also raises awareness about the deported veteran cause through social media, public outreach, and community events.

The Deported Veterans Support House (DVSH) knows that when someone is deported, that person faces immense fears and numerous obstacles in adjusting to the life that was thrust upon them. This relates to circumstances such as separation from family, disorientation, feelings of abandonment and lack of hope. Many turn to self-medicating to alleviate the feelings of emotional turmoil that they face. The Deported Veterans Support House staff works diligently to ensure that DVSH is a place of security and a place of new beginnings. The DVSH can provide for immediate needs such as temporary safe shelter, clothing items, food and assistance getting on solid footing; DVSH can also help the Deported Veteran obtain local identification, which is of the utmost importance for effective residency in Mexico. Many deported Veterans need legal assistance with their various immigration cases which most hope to appeal, as well as psychological counseling and file for VA benefits. We seek the help of trained professionals in Mexico and the United States to help with these long term needs. DVSH understands the need to maintain contact with family in the United States and helps Deported Veterans establish solid methods of communication through phone and/or internet. Additionally, If a deported Veteran is suffering through afflictions and dependency issues, or expresses a desire for spiritual support, we can help connect the person with appropriate resources in the area. Ultimately, we aspire to provide hope, to build confidence, and foster independence among the deported veteran population in Tijuana. DVSH has an open door policy. Anyone at any time is welcome and encouraged to visit us, stay with us, learn with us and grow with us, including volunteers or interested visitors.”

Hopefully there will come a time when DVSH is no longer needed. In the meantime, I’ll be helping to raise awareness and money so they can continue to help deported veterans.

About the Book

Captain Mark Thomas’s world has been tossed on its head: A long overdue but still unexpected divorce. A promotion out of left field. Last-second orders to a ship where careers go to die. As the dust settles in his new home, he barely recognizes his life, but he sure recognizes the loneliness creeping in.

Diego Ramírez wants nothing to do with the military or its men. Not after the Navy burned him both literally and figuratively, costing him his career, his health, and ultimately his green card. Now working illegally in an Anchor Point bar, he keeps the military and its personnel at arm’s length.

But after a single moment of eye contact across the bar, Mark and Diego can’t resist each other. As a one-night stand quickly turns into more, Diego knows he’s playing with fire. Now he can stick around and let things with Mark inevitably fall apart, or he can run like hell and wonder what might have been. One way or another, Diego knows he’s about to get burned. Again. 

50% of the author’s royalties from this book will be donated to charities supporting US military veterans who have been deported or are at risk of deportation.

Buy the Book: Amazon || Barnes and Noble || iBooks || Kobo

About Anchor Point

Welcome to Anchor Point!

Nestled on the northern coast of Oregon, this small town is home to Naval Air Station Adams. On base, you’ll find freshly minted Sailors who’ve just graduated boot camp, salty officers counting down till retirement, grounded pilots who’ve landed behind desks, and everyone in between—and they’re all looking for love. Well, not all of them, but that won’t stop love from finding them.

So pull up a barstool, grab a beer, and get ready for some sea stories as these men in uniform—or not—navigate the waters of love and life in the military.

Anchor Point stories can be enjoyed in any order. Hop in wherever you’d like!

About the Author

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

L. A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Once Burned, L.A. is giving away reader’s choice of two eBooks off of her backlist! (Excludes Once Burned.) Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on April 14, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!