For your enjoyment I've posted the first chapter to read: 1st Chapter FREE
Watch me on YOUTUBE
Normally on the back of the book you will find a teaser, something that tells you a little bit about the story and makes you want to read more… I wrote Mariah’s suicide note. I thought it was a good idea ~ so far no has disagreed.
To Whom It May Concern:
This world is not cruel—it’s the people in it! And I’m tired of feeling so alone with nothing to live for. God knows I’ve tried to find some glimmer of hope—some brief happiness. But don’t worry about me. Now that I’m here, I’m more at peace than I’ve felt in a long, long time.
Mom, I know that you are really busy, so you won’t miss me much. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to clean your house any longer—but perhaps with the money you save you could hire a maid. At least now you won’t have to be disappointed about how fat I’m getting.
Dad, you left long ago—so you may not even get this news. Nevertheless, I hope you’ve found the happiness you lacked when you lived with us.
And Jake, I know you’ll probably miss having me to boss around. Yet I’m certain you’ll find someone else soon enough.
If I had friends, I’d suggest you give my stuff to them—but I don’t have any. So just give it all to charity. Or sell it, if anything it valuable. Then you can turn my room into an office. Lord knows you need the extra space for all your work.
Well that’s it, I’m done.
Goodbye,
Mariah
My Inspiration for ‘Safe’:
If you’ve read the dedication at the front of the book you’ll know it was my daughter... But she was not the very beginning. I was (as I’ve been advertising) a misfit – but that is a soft way to say I was almost completely rejected when I was a teen. I missed things and was a bit too forceful putting myself out there. I either came off too strong or like the biggest wimp. I was picked on and made fun of and bullied by a large portion of the population at my school...
At the time all I wanted was a friend, someone who would never leave me. I had the vision of a boy, just the outline of him watching a news report about a major accident (a plane crash), and he stood in my living room... I kept this vision to myself, fumbling around with the idea of the story for years.
Then one day I was driving my daughter somewhere... We were traveling down Glenmore Trail and I was telling her about my own suicidal thoughts as I was a teen. I was an angry teen and I wanted to teach those bullies a lesson, I’d think, “they’ll be sorry if they drive me to my own suicide!!!” And I was laughing about that with her – because I now know they really wouldn’t have cared, they didn’t care one ounce about me, so why would they think twice about my death...
That’s when I shared Mariah’s story with my daughter – you see, now that I was older and could see my youth more clearly I didn’t need a friend that was stuck to me no matter what. I had needed someone who could have pointed out those things that I missed; like teen-age-hood doesn’t last forever; or if I didn’t try so hard I might have an easier go at it; and; it doesn’t matter what other people think of me – what counts was what I thought of myself... Important truths that I missed...
My daughter said I needed to write that story. After we got through her suicidal thoughts (with the help of a counsellor) I decided to write this book for her, if for no one else. She loved it, and over time I started to look towards making this available for others who may find themselves in similar feelings and places in their lives.
I hope it helps!
=>> Aviva B.
A Synopsis is like an outline of the story, so in reading this you will get some spoilers, but not everything 
~ Synopsis for SAFE
Here is my original idea for the cover of Safe, drawn up by my sister Tami B. I admit that it is sort of rough, but I really liked this scene ~
This picture not only shows so clearly (to me) the outcast girl and the boy who is there but isn’t – it is also a rendering of the apartment I lived in with my mother and sister when I was 15 years old.
This is where I first envisioned the idea of Toby and Mariah ~ this was the scene I played in my head as I worked towards the book. But I was advised that this picture didn’t portray enough action and so it wouldn’t draw in my readers like I was looking for. Because of that I scrapped the idea and started to seek out a new one... Within a few days I came up with the one you now see on the cover of my book. I am not unhappy with the new cover art, in fact: I quite like it. But I never stopped liking the original, and for that reason I wanted to share it with everyone here.
If you are interested in sending me your opinion/review to publish on my site or you just want to let me know what you think - I encourage you to drop me a line...
Some links on this page require a PDF reader.
Other Books
Stuck - Facing Forward
Upcoming Books:
Chip
Malicent
The Quista Series
I have my first Magazine review!!! They love me. Read all about it in: YouThink.
Just out today: Friday Nov. 13/09
My second official review from CM Magazine “Canadian Review of Materials is an electronic reviewing journal.” ...so I’m thinking it’s more for teachers and parents....
Because the actual review gives away far too many spoilers I’m just quoting a small portion of what was said:
Grades 9-12 / Ages 14-17.
Review by Ann Ketcheson.
**** /4
Safe describes only 23 days of Mariah's existence, but it could be a lifetime... Mariah and Toby have a great deal to handle in just over three weeks together. Mariah has self-esteem issues, especially about her appearance and her weight, and so is a target for bullies who torment her verbally and physically. As well, she has to deal with a brother who is abusive to her and a drug-dealing gang member. Her mother swings from neglecting Mariah entirely to treating her like an unpaid servant whose job it is to keep the house clean and do the laundry and grocery shopping.
This novel will appeal to many young adult readers for both its supernatural and all too lifelike qualities. Despite its nearly 400 pages, the book is never tedious. The plot moves quickly from one crisis to another, reminiscent of a fast-paced movie. The characters are convincing and range from the very nasty group of bullies at Mariah's school to the small circle of friends...
In typical 15-year-old fashion, Mariah is on an emotional roller coaster which only Toby (her alter-ego?) seems able to calm.
The high school setting certainly tends to focus on what may be the grim reality in many schools. Teen readers will undoubtedly relate to some, if not all, of the gritty details.
Safe raises questions about how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. Given the chance, for what parts of life would we wish to atone? What actions would we wish undone?
"Highly Recommended."
Ann Ketcheson, a retired teacher-librarian and former teacher of high school English and French, lives in Ottawa, ON.
If you want the full review, spoilers and all, go to CM: Magazine
And now a word from the fans:
~ I would love to have other submissions to add to this 
There is also several people who have submitted their reviews on the Chapters site: you are welcome to look or add your own there ~ Chapters.ca
Submitted Aug. ‘09
Well, I finished your book about three days. So now here I am writing you so I won’t forget. About your book…
I have to say first of all: Wow. Wow a thousand times over.
This was a book that I couldn't put down. The last time I read a book that I couldn't put down was "Twilight" and in my mind, this was better than "Twilight." By a long shot. I think it was because it was on a more real basis and the problems that Mariah (I know I spelt it wrong) went through are problems that aren't so foreign to people.
And Toby.
Well Toby was the most interesting character. I loved how Mariah thought that she may have had feelings for Toby, when it turned out to be only a very deep closeness. But perhaps my favourite part of the book was how Toby would react to Mariah's feelings when she was self conscious, thinking it was all her fault, or even when she felt good about herself. I thought that that made the whole "attachment" idea seem more realistic. Now, I read the chapter that you posted on your website and I am really excited to read that book.
All in all Aviva, I am deeply impressed and I think I have found a new favourite author.
You keep writing, and I will DEFINATLY keep reading.
~ Thank you K.W. 
I will keep writing... - Aviva B.
Submitted Sept. ‘09
I’m not sure if you remember meeting me, we met at Sunridge.
I just wanted to let you know that I read your book and I only have 1 complaint.. IT ENDED WAY TOO SOON!!!
I just wanted to keep reading and reading,
so now of course I am going to have to seek out
your other books.
Thank you A.W.
Submitted Oct. ‘09
I don't know if you remember me but I met you on Saturday at your book signing at Sundridge (4 days ago)... You told me to tell you what I thought of the book. I just want you to know that I really could not put it down once I got into it. I love that things weren’t what you thought initially, it was one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. I also want to tell you thank you for convincing me to buy it. I had to let you know as soon as I finished it! I read some other e-mail things and I TOTALLY AGREE with them. It was the first book since twilight that I could not put down. And if you saw my room you would know how much I love twilight. I also agree with that it ended to soon - I just wanted to keep reading and see what happens with all the characters you created!
Thank you Brittany 
Sometimes I lose sight of these thing. It's a hard business to be in: book writing/publishing. It's people like you that make my day and help me to keep going when things feel tougher than I think they should. -Aviva B.
Submitted Nov. 2009
Hello, Aviva,
What a WONDERFUL ending! You wrapped it up quite nicely. It is a story that would help get teens out of their 'Dark Days', and I know that they will love it. I certainly do! I hope you start writing a new one soon. I love the way you write.
L. H.
Well, L.H. I have written another book it is called 'Chip', check it out: Coming soon ~ Chip
Aviva B.
Submitted Dec. 2009
Hi,
I just wanted to say hi.
I bought your book today at a Chapters in Calgary. I got in the car and finished ‘Impulse’ so I could start ‘Safe’. I've been reading ‘Safe’ since then, and I'm almost done.
YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB. This book has inspired me SO much. The second I'm done 'Safe' I want to start on my own book, and hopefully work and mould it into something remotely readable.
Thank-you so much, for both writing this book, and for writing such inspiring words in it.
Yours Truly,
Courtney.D
You are welcome Courtney ~ I hope that one day I'll be coming to see you and get my signed copy of your book!
Submitted Dec. 2009 – by Michaela 14 yrs.
Hi Aviva! I just wanted to email you,
I think your book is absolutely amazing!! I started to read it and thought it might be one of the best books I've ever read. So far, I give it an amazingly high thumbs up. I am soooo worshiping your writing skills right now hahaha!
And I wanted to say how I thought that Mariah is an awesome character, I can really relate to her and its always a good trait of characters when you can relate to them. Everybody has people in their lives that bring them down, and people willing to help, and that’s a good message to portray. I hope you get a chance to email me back, and that we get to talk again because you're a wicked amazing writer and its cool talking to somebody who has a published book
Michaela
Thank you Michaela, I enjoyed meeting you too and look forward to our future conversations. 
Aviva B.
If you are interested in sending me your opinion/review to publish on my site or you just want to let me know what you think - I encourage you to drop me a line...
Early Praise
This book provides an insightful journey into the tough issues youth must face with their peers, their families and in school. Poor Mariah must struggle through a litany of these issues, however the book provides a very positive outlook for youth as they realize that they are not helpless victims and can with the support of friends, family and teachers get through and in fact shine. This book was really engaging and will capture the attention of youth as they navigate through their teen years. ~ Katharin Pritchard, BSW, MSW, RSW
Katharin Pritchard is the Director of Youth and Community Services at Aspen Family and Community Network in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
She has worked at Aspen Family and Community Network for the past 20 years and has worked with youth and their families for over 30 years. Katharin is also a part-time instructor at Mt. Royal College in Calgary.
