To Disappear

Orphaned at eleven Amanda Granger grew up navigating the streets of Chicago where predators lurked in plain sight and violence against women was ignored by those meant to protect them.After a childhood marked by trauma Amanda escapes to Salt Lake City, but her past follows her and Amanda is sold into the high-stakes world of two and three thousand dollar a night call girls. Now, she has to find a way out before she becomes just another statistic on the ten o'clock news. And she has to learn to trust. But, in this world, trust is a luxury.Haunted by betrayal and determined to escape, Amanda forms fragile alliances and discovers the power of compassion – for herself and for others whose choices have been shaped by their circumstances. She also finds hope, resilience, and courage. Raised in Idaho with outdated morals and manners, my mother instilled in me the desire to always be better and do better than yesterday. There is always room for improvement. If you ever find yourself in a place where you don't like the person you see in the mirror. Find out why and change that. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.I have been privileged to meet wonderful, strange and unique people in my travels across this great country. I have learned from every person I have met, every place I have lived, and every job I have worked. I have had the pleasure of living in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Chicago (I consider Chicago a state all its own), Florida and Georgia.I have worked as a waitress, cashier, bartender, cocktail waitress and danced on bars, participated in wet t-shirt contests and danced until four a.m. I have also worked in Catalog Design and Layout, as an order picker, shipping clerk, bookkeeper, customer service representative, receptionists, and as an assistant manager and manager in different retail environments.I taken writing classes and been told I was in the top 5% of the people the instructor coached. I have been a reset specialist, a roofer, a journeyman electrician and sold insurance, but my love has always been writing. I will spend hours crafting the perfect 'Thank You' note or 'Birthday' greeting and have thrown away countless beginnings to such. Why? Because nothing has the power to make or break like a word.I hope you enjoy reading the fruits of this passion as much as I have enjoyed putting them onto paper.