Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning is a Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient

“Tornado Warning is an excellent first person account of intimate partner violence. As a pediatrician who has cared for girls who have been affected by dating violence and as a mother of 3 girls (ages 15, 13 and 12) this book tackles an emotionally challenging topic, yet something that must not be ignored.   One theme that rings true in the book and in my observations is that dating violence can affect anyone, and young women are especially vulnerable. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who was interested in understanding the dynamics of initmate partner violence. By having a better understanding, we may be able to work towards prevention and early intervention.”

                                                             —Dr. Heidi M. Sallee

Pediatric Program Director, St. Louis University Dept. of Pediatrics

Tornado Warning is the naked portrayal of the effect that living through an abusive relationship had on a woman’s life. The story is told from two voices, that of the younger girl Elin Stebbins Waldal was and who she is today.

The reader experiences the first steps of falling in love, the slow erosion of self that follows, and continues as the story weaves between pages of utter despondency, and reflections of a woman who against all odds broke away, rebuilt, and committed to a life time of healing born from forgiveness.

Tornado Warning explores a myriad of questions from surviving, to healing, and what that means for Elin’s own children, as well as the children of others.

A limited number of author signed copies of Tornado Warning are available now exclusively on this website.

“To say that I admire the courage Elin exhibits in unlocking the pages of her journal and sharing them openly with the world would be an understatement. She has taken a tattered part of her personal history and sewn it back together with unflinching and loving honesty that it will no doubt awaken all parents out there to the insidious nature of abuse in teen relationships.”

From the Foreward by Jess Weiner, Self-Esteem Expert and Author of Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds from Now and A Very Hungry Girl

Praise for Tornado Warning:

“This book gripped me from the first page. Read it now for the inside story on Teen Dating Violence and what to look out for. Elin’s honesty, compelling experience and simply beautiful writing deliver a message every parent and grandparent needs to get. Don’t wait.”

-Nancy Gruver, author of How to Say It to Girls

“A beautifully written must read for young women on discovering their immense inner power and unshakable fortitude.”

-Kate Whitfield, author of The Empowered Gal’s 9 Lessons

“Elin Stebbins Waldal’s amazing courage in not just surviving domestic abuse but also sharing her story serves as both an incredible inspiration and a testament to the strength of a woman.”

-Loren Slocum, author of Life Tuneups and The Greatest Love

“Tornado Warning upends readers’ preconceptions about teen dating violence and reinforces the need to understand the nuance behind ‘regular’ teen drama versus unhealthy, controlling toxicity so often mistaken for ‘caring’ and positioned as normative in media messaging today.”

-Amy Jussel, founder of Shaping Youth