Unwrapped: Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller

 Intimate Conversation with author Vanessa Miller

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions. Vanessa’s latest release, Yesterday’s Promise, was #1 on BCNN April 2010 bestsellers list. View here.

Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming.  Yesterday’s Promise, a Christian romance, was released in April 2010 by Whitaker House Publishing.  Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

•Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award 2003
•Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction 2004
•Nominated for the NAACP Image Award (Christian Fiction) 2004
•Essence Bestseller’s List March 2008; May 2008 (Former Rain)
•Essence Bestseller’s List September 2008 (Rain Storm)
•Black Expressions Book Club Alternate Selection 2007, 2008 & 2009.

Vanessa originally self-published, then in 2006 she signed a five-book deal with Urban Christian/Kensington. Her books can now be found in Wal-Mart, and almost all major bookstores, including African American bookstores and online bookstores such as Amazon.com.

Vanessa is a dedicated Christian and devoted mother. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. In 2007, Vanessa was ordained by her church as an exhorter. Vanessa believes this was the right position for her because God has called her to exhort readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.  Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews.

BPM:  Vanessa, introduce us to your book and the main characters.
Yesterday’s Promise is a Christian romance about Melinda Johnson and Steven Marks. Melinda feels called to the ministry, but Steven doesn’t believe that women should preach. This disagreement between the two causes Steven to break off their engagement. But now, after ten years, Steven is back in Melinda’s life as the new bishop over her fellowship and he wants a second chance with Melinda. However, Melinda can never marry a man who doesn’t respect the call of God on her life. To love one another, the two must knock down the walls that separate them. But can the bishop finally do that for his lady or will Melinda be forced to leave Omega Christian Church?

BPM:  Who were your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
I loved Melinda’s character because she was so complex. She was a preacher with issues of unforgiveness that stemmed from broken promises that had been made by her mother, ex-fiancé and her father. She was an interesting character study. I enjoyed watching as she resolved her issues and gave love a second chance.

Although Yesterday’s Promise is not about real people, it does deal with a real controversy in the Christian community. Not everyone believes that women should preach, but Melinda Johnson is determined to change minds and win souls.

BPM: Where do you find your inspiration to write?
I find inspiration for my novels in stories that I read in the Bible, conversations that I have with family and friends, or something that I watched on the news. I have awakened from dreams with the beginning of a storyline for a novel… inspiration comes from many different sources, but my main goal is to make sure each of my books glorify God.

BPM:  Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
Since all of my novels a meant to lead the reader back to or closer to God, I believe my legacy will be that I spread the good news of the gospel with thousands upon thousands of people… and many of them found strength in the inspiration they found between the pages of my books.

BPM: What specific revelation prompted you to write your book?

I was doing a book signing at the Indiana Black Expo and the lady next to my table was signing copies of her book that talked about the struggle for women to preach. Since the bishop of my church is a woman and we have women preach at my church all the time, I had never thought anything about any struggle that women faced when it came to preaching. But then a man walked into the room where we were signing our books. He took one look at Pastor Notoshia Howard’s book and started screaming at her. He told her that she had no business trying to preach to men and that women were not allowed to preach. That’s when the idea of Yesterday’s Promise was dropped in my spirit. I wanted to write a book that details the struggles women who have been called by God have to deal with in order to preach the gospel.

BPM: What are two major events taking place in the book?

The major events in this book deal with Melinda’s struggle to preach. In several scenes she is forced to fight against her father and her ex-fiancé to prove that God has called her to preach. Yesterday’s Promise also deals with the issue of broken promises. Melinda struggles with this issue and finally allows God to heal her heart.

BPM:  Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?

Women between the ages of 35-65, Christian women and Christian women in ministry would enjoy this story of romance and ministry.

BPM: How will reading your book shape the readers lives? I believe that Yesterday’s Promise will give readers a better understanding concerning women in the ministry and will also help them understand a little bit more about the benefits of forgiveness.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book?

Although there are many chapters in this book that will speak to the reader, in my opinion, chapter 22 is the most powerful because this is the chapter where Melinda learns to forgive.

BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?I want readers to close the book on Yesterday’s Promise believing in themselves and in love again. Sometimes the world beats us up so much that we put aside the things we know we should be doing, in order to do the things that make the most sense – but if God called you to it, He will bring you through it.

BPM: What do you think makes your book stand out?Although Yesterday’s Promise is Christian romance, it is one of the first romances to address the issue of women in the ministry. So, I believe that readers will find that aspect of the book interesting as well as the romance between Melinda and Steven.

BPM:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I have four books releasing this year and another book due into my publisher by September. So 2010 is pretty busy for me. My 2010 titles are as follows:
Yesterday’s Promise April 2010
Forgiven June 2010
A Love for Tomorrow September 2010
Long time Coming November 2010

BPM:  How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.

My web address is: http://www.vanessamiller.com my facebook page is: www.facebook.com/vanessamiller01  or readers can check out my Facebook fan page by typing in Vanessa Miller.

2010 Book Club Contest

Book clubs and ministry groups have been a lifeline for my novels. Therefore, I am constantly trying to think of ways to say thank you for your continued support. I have begun a new contest for the release of my new novel, YESTERDAY’S PROMISE and this contest is only for book clubs and ministry groups.

YESTERDAY’S PROMISE releases April 6, 2010. I would like for your book club or ministry group to add Yesterday’s Promise to your April, May or June reading list.

If your book club or ministry group adds YESTERDAY’S PROMISE to your reading list from April thru June 2010 here is what you will receive:

1. Group entered into a drawing to receive book discussion and dinner w/Vanessa Miller – you bring the questions and I’ll pay for the dinner.

2. Group entered into a drawing to receive FREE T-shirts with all my 2010 books on the T-shirt.

3. Group entered into drawing to receive FREE 2010 book release tote bags

To be entered into the drawing all you need to do is email a few details to: vmiller-01@earthlink.net.  Vanessa will need to know: Book club name, number of members, date you plan to discuss YESTERDAY’S PROMISE, city/state and contact info such as telephone number and email address.

Winners will be announced in late April, 2010 so hurry and enter here today. There is still time!

Also, if I’m not coming to your town during my tour in 2010, I can still attend your book club meeting. Simply Skype me in. If you are not familiar with video conferencing through Skype, click this link ( http://www.skype.com/ ) to find out more, join Skype then email me with the date of your book club meeting.

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Unwrapped: My Mother’s Child by Dwan Abrams

Intimate Conversation with Dwan Abrams

Dwan Abrams is a full-time novelist and freelance editor. She currently writes for Urban Books/Kensington. She’s the award-winning, best-selling author of My Mother’s Child, Married Strangers, Divorcing the Devil, Only True Love Waits, and The Scream Within. Her sixth novel will be released by Urban Books/Kensington in 2011.

She’s the founder/facilitator of the Just Write! Workshop. Additionally, she’s the founder, publisher, and editorial director of Nevaeh Publishing, a small press independent publishing house. She was inducted into “Who’s Who” in Black Atlanta in 2006 and again in 2010.

BPM: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
My relationship with God makes me powerful.

BPM: Who are your mentors?
I have some literary big sisters, namely Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Marissa Monteilh. Where do you find your inspiration? My inspiration comes from so many things. I’m inspired by fascinating people that I meet, my marital relationship, and close friends and family members too.

BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…that I was here and I had something to say.

BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters.
My Mother’s Child is the standalone sequel to Divorcing the Devil. Nigel Fredericks made his debut in Divorcing the Devil, and he will give readers insight into his psychotic world. Lyric Stokes has the misfortune of becoming the object of Nigel’s obsession. Lyric’s husband, Michael, finds himself going through great lengths to protect his family. Ultimately, someone pays with their life.

BPM: Who were your favorites?
My favorite character in My Mother’s Child was Lyric’s dad, Henry. I liked him because he took ownership of his past mistakes and changed his life. He also loved his daughter. Are your characters from the portrayal of real people? Not in this book.

BPM: What specific situation prompted you to write your book?
Divorcing the Devil prompted me to write My Mother’s Child. Readers wanted to know more about Nigel, so I gave them what they wanted.

BPM: What are two major events taking place?
Two major events in My Mother’s Child are Nigel stalking Lyric, and Lyric’s pregnancy. A whole lot of drama surrounds those events.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
I want to reach as many readers as possible. My Mother’s Child takes readers on a suspenseful journey that will have them wanting to flip to the end just so they can see how it’s all going to pan out.

BPM: How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
I actually had a reader state the lessons they got from My Mother’s Child. The reader’s opinion was so insightful that I thought I’d share…

• You must be very careful who you let into your life
• Just because somebody seems nice doesn’t mean they are.
• God will fight your battles if you let Him.
• True love conquers all.
• Everything that glitters isn’t gold.

BPM: What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Lyric Stokes seems to have a charmed life, yet she’s unfulfilled. No matter what she has materially, it can’t fill the void inside of her. She has daddy issues that she hadn’t addressed, and to top it off, she’s having a hard time getting pregnant. My Mother’s Child will make readers believe that unconditional love does exist.

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
Be careful what you ask for. And don’t ever lose faith.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others in the same genre?
The plot twist for sure. There’s nothing predictable about the story. Also, one of the topics isn’t something that a lot of people even knew was possible until recently. If there’s another fiction book that has addressed the topic, I haven’t heard about it.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I’m conducting a workshop on quitting your day job at the 2010 Black Writers Reunion and Conference. I’ll be representing my publishing company, Nevaeh Publishing, at the 2010 Faith and Fiction Retreat pitch session. We have three books being released in April, including a children’s book. I’m also releasing an ebook on publishing.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
I’m all over the web. My author site is http://www.dwanabrams.com, and my publishing web site is http://www.nevaehpublishing.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter. My books are available wherever books are sold, including online at Amazon.com, bn.com, and Black Expressions.

Connect with Dwan Abrams
Best-selling Author/Freelance Editor/Publisher/Speaker

My Mother’s Child Available wherever books are sold
Divorcing the Devil Available wherever books are sold
Married Strangers Available wherever books are sold

Follow Dwan Online:
http://www.dwanabrams.com/
http://www.nevaehpublishing.com/
http://dwanabrams.blogspot.com/
http://nevaehpublishing.blogspot.com/
http://nevaehpublishing.ning.com/

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Unwrapped: The Only Way is Up by Folake Taylor MD

 Intimate Conversation with Dr. Folake Taylor

Folake Taylor, MD was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian-born parents in the early 70s and was raised in both countries before settling in the United States to live the American dream. She is a 2006 graduate of the Internal Medicine Residency Program of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Taylor obtained her initial medical degree from Nigeria. Taylor is a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

She has always loved to write but never dreamt of actually writing a book. She would write sixteen page letters to her friends in boarding schools as a teenager which was always eagerly anticipated by the recipient and shared with those around! Perhaps being the daughter of a writer had something to do with it. Prior to her debut as an author, she had medical publications and conference presentations to her credit.

Folake loves to have fun, especially with her favorite people, her husband and little girl. She loves to travel, loves water sports (though a non-swimmer) and she loves to read and watch great movies. Guess what else she loves? Go carts and Six Flags!  She believes in making the world a better place, one person at a time, one good deed at a time. And she has faith that it is possible if only we try. She communicates this message as she debuts on the literary scene with “The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant.” This is a book about empowerment and hope, especially but not exclusively for women.

She hopes to embark on more writing projects in the future. Her website is http://www.theonlywayisup.net/  and she can be reached at ft@theonlywayisup.net.

The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant
Genre: Non-fiction; Culture; Immigrant Overview
EDC Rating:  4.0 / 5 stars

This book features the author’s experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States. The objective is to empower women though the greater part is of relevance to a general audience. The book provides insight and solutions for a variety of common issues in our society including issues with identity, weight, health, nutrition, finding a mate, relationships in general and gender roles. It also gives insight into borrowing from other cultures. 
Buy the book at Amazon today.

BPM:  Folake, what makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
I would say my global exposure and my background as a medical doctor makes me powerful as a person with my message. As a writer, I would say the fact that I have written all my life and always gotten positive responses. I have always been able to capture people’s attention with my writing but I just never planned to do it on this scale. Also, my mother is a writer. She’s written 3 books, one of which was published by Africa World Press and was read in American Universities (Womanism and African Consciousness). It is still listed on amazon.com today. I must have inherited those genes!

BPM: Who are your mentors?
My parents most importantly, especially my mother who taught me to be a strong black woman but still keep a marriage and family together. They are still waxing strong. If anyone had told me twenty years ago I would someday name my mother as my mentor, I probably would have said, “Shoot me”! But we live and learn. I also admire Michelle Obama for what she represents for women in general but most especially the black woman, how she supports her man, how she stands by him and uplifts him.

BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers: Empowerment and family values.

BPM:  Introduce us to your book, The Only Way is Up.  How does society, history or current affairs influence the story?

The Only Way is Up is a book mainly about the restoration of family values. The book also gives a proper perspective on what our priorities should be in life. It manages to do this without being boring or judgmental. Though non-fiction, it is a fun and easy read that touches on both triumphs and personal failures as well as everyday events that we can relate to. It even has elements of humor scattered throughout; a reflection of my spirit, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. It of course also has information about other cultures, tolerance, continual self-reflection and introspection. It chronicles how I learnt from my mistakes–it does not tell you about a perfect life at all!

Being well aware of the fact that people do not necessarily want to read a memoir about a previously unknown author except you just discovered the cure for AIDS or something like that, I did not set out to write a biography or memoir. It was however necessary to introduce me, who I am and what I do so the book does start off with that. I also often draw on my life experiences and upbringing in different parts of the book so as to draw a parallel and paint a picture of what could be if certain decisions and choices were made differently. In other parts of the book, I am purely expressing an opinion and linking to events around us that we can all relate to. I in no way just throw lists of things to do or not to do at you. It has been described to me as reading like a laid back conversation between friends about life. As a person who would not typically buy how-to or self help books, that exactly was my aim.

BPM:  What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
I believe God gave me the inspiration, however. It came primarily from watching my husband and daughter interact which took me back in time to my relationship with my father and his role in my success as the man in my life from the beginning. Not to underestimate the value of a mother in one’s life which is not quantifiable but I believe a lack of understanding of the role of fathers in their children’s lives (both male and female alike) is responsible for many of the downward trends in our society now. Kids grow up without the balance from both parents and for the most part, both sexes.

Also, having a responsible male role model while growing up painted a picture of what a man should be in my life and I was not going to settle for less. It became clearer to me just how much young people growing up without both parents are missing. 70% of African American families presently are single parent homes. Staggering statistics such as this make me ask myself questions like “How do we fix this?” and “What can I do to help?”

This was buttressed by a Larry King Live special titled Women & Self Worth: Defining One’s Self Could Be the Key to Complete Success. That was the magical moment. “I have a message,” I thought. It was literally like “Ding, dong!” I picked up my Blackberry and started to type….

Having a happy childhood that was full of love has a direct relationship to who I am today. I make the distinction between wealth that is superficial (material), and wealth of the mind and spirit in the book. It saddens me as I look around daily and realize certain life lessons I took for granted growing up were not taught to many and the so called “common sense” is actually quite uncommon.

Being an MD, I frequently share these views with my patients. I just never dreamt I would be a published writer. I have always written for fun however. When I was young, I would write sixteen page letters to my friends in boarding schools and they would report back to me that they eagerly awaited my letters and read them with their peers. More recently, it was Facebook notes and the likes.

BPM:  Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
My target audiences are women, African Americans and immigrants. That however does not preclude someone outside of those demographics from benefiting from the book as my readers have demonstrated. The message of hope is of relevance to a general audience. All the men I have heard feedback from have had a very positive response to the book. My reviewer from Midwest Book Review was actually a man.

BPM:  How will reading your book shape the readers’ lives?
It will shape their lives by giving them the confidence to start to take control of their situation and stop feeling like victims of circumstances, regardless of their background or their past. The book communicates a can-do attitude. It’s about empowerment, hope, faith, possibilities and constantly improving ourselves in life, hence the title: The Only Way is Up. It paints a picture of just what we can achieve if we start by conceiving it in our minds and then taking action which ultimately brings about a change in our situation. It’s really more about an initial change in attitude which then translates to a renewed confidence and an eventual change in actions. It’s uphill from there.

BPM:  What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?

To give a clearer picture, some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:
· Identity & Gender roles
· Health & Preventive medicine
· Finding a mate
· Relationships & Family
· Single parenthood
· Teenage pregnancies
· Diet & Nutrition
· Global exposure
· Positivity & Loving yourself
· Spirituality and faith
· Life outside the United States

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book?
I think that’s different for everybody. For me, it was the parts of the book where I discuss my past failures, be it in relationships or otherwise. But it really depends on who is reading it I would say!

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I want them to feel empowered. I want them to feel they can do anything and everything because they can. I want them to take control of their situation and make things happen because they can. Yes we can!

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others in the same genre?
I believe these are mainly two things. I have not come across any self help book that addresses as many issues as I do in this book that is written by an immigrant. There are a lot of amazing self help books out there written by wonderful people but usually, there’s a 400 page book about dating, or a 300 page book about spirituality or another separate book about finance. Also, the books I have seen written by immigrants are mostly either a biography or fiction. What I have done is like a summary book so to speak. It’s about a change in attitude and perception. For that person that does not have the time or the resources to buy ten different books on each subject matter, my book is it. Another factor is the fact that I was born in the UK, raised in both the UK and Nigeria and have lived in the United States for 10 years. It gives me a global view; a view from within and without. Now, that’s priceless wouldn’t you say?

BPM:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Midwest Book review gave me 5 stars. I had a free book giveaway contest on Goodreads for a week (I just joined actually) and 616 people were interested. My signings are going well and the bookstore workers often make comments like, “I have never seen an author sell that many books in an hour.” This happened on a day after we had 3 inches of snow in Atlanta which meant most people never stepped out of their house! So yes, the response has been very positive and the challenge is getting the word out there about my book. I already know there is a huge market for my message. I just need to continue to strive to connect to my audience better.

BPM:  How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
ft@theonlywayisup.net
http://www.theonlywayisup.net/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/F-Taylor/238094610556
http://twitter.com/folaketaylor

Empowering You, the official blog for The Only Way is Up: http://theonlywayisupblog.blogspot.com/

This ‘n’ That blog, my writer’s blog: http://folaketaylor.blogspot.com/

MBR review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KLKIOVHL4BKP/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Amazon.com link:  http://www.amazon.com/Only-Way-Up-Journey-Immigrant/dp/1448618010?&camp=212361&linkCode=wey&tag=thnthwrsbl-20&creative=380725

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Intimate Conversation with Tamika Newhouse

Intimate Conversation with author/publisher Tamika Newhouse

Tamika Newhouse is the award winning selling author of The Ultimate No No. She is also known as the creator and President of African Americans on the Move Book Club, which is an online book club catering to avid readers across the nation. She is currently the CEO of Delphine Publications and literary consultant. In March 2009 Tamika was announced the Women of the Year by Alive Magazine. She recently won Author of the Year with African American Literary Awards.

Tamika can be heard on the syndicated AAMBC Radio, where she interviews new and seasoned authors. The show showcases many of the author’s talents and their current projects.

Tamika created the national tour group called Literary Sistah’s, where she and authors tour all over the nation. She is currently living in San Antonio with her husband son, and daughter and attends University of Texas. She is currently working on her third novel Cookie: A Fort Worth Story and plans to release her fourth novel He was a Bad Idea following Cookie.

EDC: How did you get your start in the publishing industry?
In February 2008 I was sitting on the bed watching my husband pack for his second tour to Iraq. Already staying in a new city of San Antonio, I felt alone and bored. I simply stated to him I wish I was in a book club. Just out of nowhere in that instance an idea of starting a MySpace page and to post up books I read came across my mind. I thought it would be a great idea to just talk with people over the internet. In that same month I started to get emails from authors I had never heard of who wanted me to read their books. I said to myself, wait I should read their books and post my thoughts on them. Not knowing that it was going to grow into something so large. This is how African Americans on the Move Book Club were birthed. I later birthed AAMBC Radio and Delphine Publications.

EDC: Did you have any formal business training?
I had absolutely no business training. I didn’t know anything about blogs, book reviews, how to publish, how to market, or any of that. I started with posting up my views on the author’s book and I asked people to read them. I believe this totally came from God’s doing. I was blessed to have met so many authors through MySpace and learn from all of them all at once.

EDC: What separates you and your firm from the competition?
I honestly didn’t know of any other format when I started my company. So the fact that I launched something clueless to the industry excites me. The ideas and concepts I started in which I continue to do all began when I knew nothing or no one.

EDC: How would you describe your experience as a female entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur is tough, time consuming, and adventurous. You take complete control and meet so many people. To think that I am here in this position is a blessing because I didn’t start to read novels until 2006. But I was always a writer since the day I could write a sentence. Being your own boss has its blessings and sometimes I find myself so obsessed over my work that I can’t stop. Ideas come one after the other. So I enjoy being an entrepreneur because I control my destiny. Well me and God that is.

EDC: What do you like most about your profession?
I design my concepts, I promote my concepts, I develop my concepts, and I can stop when I want to. I enjoy having control over what I do, when I do it, and how.

EDC: What is your biggest challenge in business? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is that with success come trials and tribulations. I am a fan of myself but somewhere down the road you meet others who are not. It can be because of what you do, what you’ve accomplished and so forth. I use that as my motivation. So how I overcome the negativity is to use it as my gas to keep it moving. A business such as any other industry requires tough skin so I put my game face and enjoy my work.

EDC: What advice would you give someone just starting out in your industry?
To never enter an industry you don’t know anything about. I know that’s funny seeing as though I was an ammeter when I started. Thing is I took a crash course and learned the industry through others and research. Google is a great engine. Use it. Go to seminars and conferences and speak to veteran authors. Always research and as long as you’re living there is always something to learn.

EDC: What do you hope to offer your clients or customers to shape their lives?
I hope to give people I work with skills and knowledge. Anyone can show you how to do it but learning it for yourself empowers you. Within AAMBC I give authors exposure and I explain how to self promote. On my radio show I offer authors the opportunity to speak on the things they love while exposing themselves to potential readers. With my publishing house, Delphine Publications, I teach my authors how to hustle and grind. If you love who you are you would work as hard as you can to make sure you reach your highest potential and, even then, shoot for more.

EDC: What are 3 things all leaders possess?
A Strong foundation, common sense, and a creative mind.

EDC: How does your mission or vision keep your business growing?
I simply want to help others. My mission is to expose the independent writer so that they too can have a national fan base. Although I do converse and speak to national best sellers my main focus is the new authors. Because of this I have grown in more ways than I could ever imagine. I expect my reach for my company to reach more than triple the current reach within the next year with keeping the same mission and goals. When we started I could count the amount of members AAMBC had and with our new website I am able to keep track of over 1200 members worldwide.

EDC: Tell us about the people you help. How is your organization or company impacting the public? What social issues or causes do you want to address?
The authors I connect with on a daily bases are usually new authors on their first book or have recently self published and want more exposure. I offer them that. The purpose of getting your book exposed is very important. You want your name and novel to become a familiar product. My goal is to help them become more familiar. Some issues that occur are when an author knows to little about the industry and marketing. It can delay the process of promoting their novel. All authors must know that they have to self promote whether they are with a publisher or not. I always state that the author must self promote and do a lot of research. This is always important to any writer who wants a long term career in writing.

EDC: What’s new in your company?
AAMBC has become more active in virtual tours since last spring; our radio show has a consistent concept with on average two shows a week. We started annual events such as Holiday Book Bash, Valentine Showcases, Holiday Book Drive, College Scholarship Fund, April is our Poetry Month, and we have our annual conference which will make its home in Dallas starting in 2011. AAMBC Radio has a new co-host Anna Black who is also signed to my label Delphine Publications. I am constantly thinking and developing new concepts and online events for our members. I will never rest I know that for sure.

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Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman

Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman

by author Tinisha Nicole Johnson

Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman is a book into the culture of black women. The author addresses key issues such as: self-worth, self-love, what some black women tend to think the definition of true happiness is, and the five most common types of black women. “I wanted to create a book that addresses the most top ten lessons that I’ve personally had to deal with and overcome, or issues I saw other black women struggling with. I wanted to let the world know regardless of how it was perceived, that black women are beautiful, unique, and are excelling more than ever. Statistics alone don’t tell the true story behind the black woman. And although this book is catered towards a specific race of women, the concepts in my book would benefit most any woman.”

About the Author
Tinisha Nicole Johnson resides in Denver, Colorado with her family. Besides a career in writing, she also hosts political teleconferences. She began writing as a hobby at the age of eleven; mostly poetry, which in later years turned into short stories and then novels.

Her debut novel, Searchable Whereabouts was released February 2008 by Xpress Yourself Publishing. Tinisha also collaborated in the poetry anthology, Step Up To The Mic: A Poetic Explosion, which included some of HBO’s Def Poets and in the inspirational anthology Somebody Prayed For Me released December 2008, Xpress Yourself Publishing. In addition, her short story, “Mother and Son Moment,” was published in the Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. Her non-fiction, self-help title, Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman was released in February 2010.

Learn more about Tinisha and her books at her official web site. While you’re there, you can also sign up for her free newsletter: http://www.tinishanicolejohnson.com/.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson was interviewed LIVE on Chicago’s major TV station WGN-TV on the Midday News. (Channel 9 in Chicago).  She discussed her non-fiction, self-help book Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman. The book addresses ten life lessons into a woman’s most intimate and professional life. The book is being called “The Revolutional Book into a Culture of Women.” Although the book is catered towards black women, most any women can benefit from the tips and inspirational message the book conveys.

Here is the Link: http://www.wgntv.com/videobeta/7f648802-be9d-40d4-9899-2b8afad7a2dc/News/Author-Harvey-Mackay

Purchase your copy today at XYP
http://xpressyourselfpublishing.org/lessonslearned.htm

Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 1615
Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
http://www.xpressyourselfpublising.com/

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Unwrapped: Five Thin Slices of Truth by Adolphus Herndon

 Intimate Conversation with author Adolphus Herndon

Meet Adolphus Herndon, author of Five Thin Slices of Truth. Born and raised in northeast Texas, Adolphus Herndon spent many years of his adult life doing nothing but surviving day to day. Working mediocre jobs and reared in an environment where people thought a couple of dollars above minimum wage was “making it”, he wasted time doubting his abilities of becoming an author. When his frustration factor finally eclipsed his fear factor, he said a little prayer and started scribbling and scrabbling to fulfill his life-long passion. Five Thin Slices of Truth is his first published book.

BPM:  What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
I love this question!  What makes me powerful is my stubborn, persistent attitude. If any of my family and friends hear this, they would laugh and nod their heads in agreement. Also, my faith. True-to-life example: I am a new self–published author. Before I realize all the work that it takes to get published, I truly believe that my book will do very well. Now one may call that over confident, but I understand that in order for me to back those words up, I will have to be on my grind.

To be totally honest, I have discovered that the real work was not the creation of my stories, (the editing, re-editing, rewriting, photo and cover designs, structure and organizing). No, no, no, the real work is the business side of getting it out to the masses. This means I will have to uncomfortably meet with media, attend events, and speak out to do all the PR and marketing that is totally essential for success. The bottom line, I believe all artists prefer to do their art more so than all the administrative, managing, accounting and all the pieces of business. Business is not the art, it is the necessity to continue the success of the art. Self-publishing is very fatiguing and cumbersome, however, I sometimes don’t realize it because I am so on fire, doing that which I actually like.

BPM:  Who are your mentors?This leads me to the second part of the question as to what makes me a powerful writer. Simply, I love to write good fiction and I like to image where in the world, time of day and type of persons actually reading my works of fiction. As of now and as an independent writer, I have more of a lee-way to write without much big-publication interference. Now I cannot say that will always be the case in the future. What makes me a powerful writer is my desire to write and the fact that I am motivated by readers who are tantalized for more of my talent.  My mentors: My unofficial mentors are, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, and the legendary author, Walter Mosley.

BPM:  Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… insatiable and  “edu-taining”  fiction.

BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters.
Five Thin Slices of Truth is not your typical novel because it is not a novel. It comprises three short stories plus two novellas. Each story is independent and exclusive but the entire project is spawned from controversial real-life issues dealing with sexuality, religious dogma and faith, psychotic behavior, self-denial, racism and patriotism.

BPM: Who were your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Of course since this is not a typical novel it would be unfair to say which of “my children” are my favorites. My sister and mother have read my book—and they are not avid readers period—anyway, throughout their readings they’d call me and ask if this situation of that character is real, or if it was me. I laugh it off because I believe all fictional stories derive from [to pun] “slices of truth” from all authors, whether that truth is direct, tanglible experience, or indirect. I must say that I have an extremely vivid imagination and have been blessed with the ability to grossly exaggerate a situation, an event, a news story, or even a phrase. For the sake of my book, Five Thin Slices of Truth, all my characters, situations and settings are by and large fiction.

BPM:  What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
To write has always been a desire. I feel it has been a calling that I have been ignoring for years. I believe it was when I turned thirty that I practically woke up everyday asking myself, “Is today the day you will began to write?” Some years later after thirty, I went to the church at the time I was a member and I received my revelation. I was sitting in the pews amongst approximately 200 congregates, and I could almost swear the preacher was speaking directly to me. His sermon or teaching was about staying focused, conquering fears and fulfilling life destiny. He stated that too many Christians are satisfied with less and denying their God gifted talents, yet they are eewing and ahhing over people whom they believe are lucky and more fortunate.

He broke it down and basically said, while most people would watch the idiot box for hours, run the streets, or gossiping, those who did not indulge in those unproductive behaviors became successful because they worked what God had placed inside of them, their gifts. Therefore, we are in awe of their results when it should be us.

BPM: Take us inside the book, Five Thin Slices of Truth.
When you crack open the book, I intentionally created stories that would make it difficult to put the book down. Instead of just two major events, the reader will journey into five different worlds dealing with sexuality, self-identity issues, spirituality and faith, racism and stereotypes and patriotism. All five stories are exclusive and independent. They have their own alphas and omegas.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
I created the stories based on situation that I desire to influence an outcome: Story 1, Me and My House: Upon the conclusion, one would have to question their own spirituality and religious commitment.  Story 2, Before the Morning After: The bottom line is be yourself or else face the consequences.  Story 3, The Rant of Roymon Bivens : The reader will interpret many different messages from this is story. However, the bottom line is don’t be quick to judge because the enemy can use those stereotypes to deceive the masses.
Story 4, Purple Hurt: This novella has two messages.

First, it is about patriotism and heroism from an unlikely person. Second, the don’t ask, don’t tell policy doesn’t matter. How ironic that I’d write a story and publish at a time where our President of these United States is working on a plan to repeal the policy. This story is chic and hot, and I really believe it is unique to the current political climate.

Story 5, Angel on a Fire: This story is basically about doing for others results in the ultimate pleasure and satisfaction. To deny that fact means picking up bad habits, addictions and bad philosophies about life and people.

BPM:  How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
People will either see themselves, someone they know, or both. Either way, they will enjoy it because it is in-your-face entertainment.

BPM:  What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Religious dogma and faith, self-denial and trying to play cards that have not been dealt to you, the desire to serve this great nation should not be limited based on sexual orientation, and there’s no reward in being self-centered behavior; and be careful when judging people.

BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
To be entertained and to understand that although the issues are based on slices of truth, please enjoy good fiction.

BPM:  What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
For a debut publication, I have a compilation of various genres and subject matters: thrill and suspense, dark comedy, melo-drama all into various subject matters (sexuality, religious, identity, etc.).

BPM:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
This is just published, approx. 3 months ago and I pray for its success and I pray for it to be nominated for awards. We have also released an eBook version of this book that can be read on a Kindle, PC, iPhone, and iPod touch. The eBook is titled Five Thin Slices of Truth: Kindle eBook Edition and is available at Amazon.com for only $9.95 compared to $14.95 for the print edition.

BPM:  How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
You can reach us through  www.adolphusherndon.com, buy the book and post comments on amazon.com and follow me at  www.twitter.com/AdolphusHerndon   and  www.myspace.com/adolphusherndon

Contact Information
Adolphus Herndon
c/o Czar Struck LLC
P.O. Box 2254
Center, TX 75935
info@adolphusherndon.com
http://www.adolphusherndon.com/

Purchase from Amazon.com:  http://amzn.com/1449571670
eBook edition:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030ZRMP8
Website estore: http://www.adolphusherndon.com/e_store.html

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Unwrapped: What a Woman’s Gotta Do

Intimate Conversation with author Evelyn Coleman

Evelyn Coleman, the Edgar nominated, award winning author writes across genres from pictures books, young adult novels to adult thrillers. Her latest books, Freedom Train and the American Girl doll Addy’s new mystery, Shadows on Society Hill have garnered rave reviews. Visit “storylineonline.net” to watch James Earl Jones and Amber Rose Tamblyn reading her books, To Be a Drum & White Socks Only. Coleman is a former Georgia Author of the Year, Atlanta Mayor’s Fellow, Parent’s Choice Award and Carter G. Woodson Honoree and past President of Mystery Writers of America, SE and a member of International Thriller Writers.

BPM:  What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
Hmmm the word “power” doesn’t always appeal to me because it implies other ideas I don’t much like but I prefer to think of myself as meaningful. As a writer I hope to bring energy to readers to accomplish things they dream of doing in their own lives. To understand that change is going to happen whether you do what you want or not, so you have nothing to lose when you take chances.

BPM: Who are your mentors?
My mother, my deceased father, my daughters….my granddaughter and grandson, many, many “play” sisters and brothers have all mentored who I am.

BPM: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… to look behind closed doors, to think deeply about your environment, to take nothing at face value and to know your own path.

BPM: Introduce us to your book, What a Woman’s Gotta Do, and the main characters.
What a Woman’s Gotta Do — Trying to find out why her man did her wrong and who did him in, this woman isn’t waiting to exhale–she’s ready to fight back.

Patricia Conley considers herself to be a brother’s worst nightmare. A lifetime of hurt has made her fierce. A lifetime of victories has made her proud. And a whole lot of hope keeps her going. Now Patricia’s most daring stab at happiness has come up bad: The man she was supposed to marry has stood her up. Last seen holding hands with another woman, Kenneth Lawson has vanished.

Still reeling from Kenneth’s disappearance, Patricia is stunned by a series of macabre discoveries. Her car is found bathed in blood. A woman is found dead. And another too-good-to-be-true brother is offering his services. Suddenly the tough-talking Atlanta journalist doesn’t know who to trust. Because in a collision of murder, religion, love, and race, Patricia has learned some extraordinary secrets–some about Kenneth Lawson, a few about herself, and one that the whole world needs to know.

BPM: Who were your favorites in What a Woman’s Gotta Do?
All the characters appealed to me in one way or the other. Are your characters from the portrayal of real people? No, not really, they are all made up, of course, they are similar composites of people that I have known in my life on some level reflected in this story.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
I have always loved “espionage thrillers” and that has been the books I read the most but when it came time to write my own book it seemed everyone was in love with Terry McMillan’s style….(not to infer that this was her only style) so I sat out to mimic that style. When I gave it to one of my best friends and readers Pat Carr, she scoffed. “You are so far from Terry McMillan – sorry but you have penned another thriller type story.” At first I was sad that I couldn’t do the more popular type book, but then I shrugged and begin to just write what I know…. Espionage type thriller books.

BPM: Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place?
Patricia Conley, a journalist doesn’t believe in love or marriage so when she falls for her live-in lover and accepts a proposal of marriage, she is as surprised as her friends… But on her wedding day, her lover stands her up and is spotted shortly after in a restaurant holding hands with a woman…. This begins the spiral of betrayal, mystery and adventure for Patricia as she tries to unravel all the obstacles to find her man. The second major event is her going to the monastery.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
I want to reach all people who love a good thriller. One of the best compliments I received was from a dissatisfied reader on Amazon. I paraphrase here but essentially she complained that the book moved too fast, too many twist and turns and you don’t find out what is the problem until the end of the book. Duh.

BPM: How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
Hopefully it will open minds to all the scientific experiments and discoveries that are taking place under the radar, ones that will ultimately affect their lives.

BPM:  What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
How science affects our daily existence. How much the Dogon in Africa contributed to our understanding of the world. And how important it is to pay attention to not only what you do but what others you don’t know do as well.

BPM:  What was the most powerful chapter in the book?
Hmm. I suspect the last chapter because until that chapter I doubt you can guess the full ramifications of the events of the book and how they could change the world.

BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
Insight, inquisitiveness, thoughtful reading habits and a better understanding of martial arts and the Dogon of West Africa.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
There are no other thrillers on this subject. In fact when I contacted Marcel Griaule’s daughter Genevieve (both French anthropologists who studied the Dogon extensively) she cried, stating she had been waiting all her life for an African American to take more interest in the Dogon. Of course, she meant popular interest I’m sure as there were already a few African American scholars who studied the Dogon. And one of the happiest moments of my career was to hear from a Dogon scholar who said I truly “nailed” the Dogon in this book and their cosmogony.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I am pondering what to write next. I have to have a subject matter that is not widely known, intriguing and has the potential to affect the world at large. It has been over ten years since I wrote What a Woman’s Gotta Do and I still hear from readers asking me when I am writing another book. All I can say is when the time is ready the story will come….I sure hope it’s soon though.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Share with us your online contact info. http://evelyncoleman.com/Evelyn_Coleman_Thriller_Pages.htm  or http://www.evelyncoleman.com/

There are still great reviews about What a Woman’s Gotta Do online at http://www..writerswrite.com/journal/apr98/coleman.htm  and at  http://aalbc.com/books/whata.htm

My latest book, The Freedom Train is available in bookstores. Get your copy today! Also pick up, Shadows on Society Hill, American Girl, Addy’s new mystery….nominated for an Edgar Award. What a Woman’s Gotta Do, my adult thriller, is still available at http://www.randomhouse.com/.  White Socks Only, To Be a Drum and the Riches of Oseola McCarty all are also availabe.

Also check out my friends Angela Benson, Angela Medearis, Nancy Tolson, Linda Trice, Eleanora Tate, Irene Smalls & Margaret Johnson Hodge’s books. Looking for a storyteller try LaDoris Bias Davis at ladorisstoryexpress.com. If you get a chance pass on the word about my granddaughter’s group and visit Vistoso Bosses.

For artwork or opportunties for wonderful music played/guitar and original songs, see Sankofa (my daughter).  One more thing, check out my jewelry Ekstasi Designs and my friend’s jewelry at Lady Lucia Designs.  Need something for your hair Saniyyah Naturally provides the best hair care ever. Want something manufactured…. Atlanta Sewing and Patternmaking Service.

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Breaking Organizational Ties by author Dr. Daryl D. Green

Breaking Organizational TiesHow to Have a More Fulfilled Life in Your Current Job
by author Dr. Daryl D. Green

(Peek inside the book and read a few chapters)

Over 9 million people want to work full-time but can only find part-time employment. According to a Yahoo survey, a third of American workers are anxious about their job security. Breaking Organizational Ties provides practical strategies for employees attempting to cope in jobs or environments which they hate.

While most managers are only concerned with the bottom-line, they leave their employees vulnerable to the casualties of competitive markets. This book will enable readers to (a) learn how to survive and even enjoy your time at work even in a hostile environment, (b) gain greater confidence in your ability to grow while in a downsizing organization, and (c) discover the insight to go beyond your limitations by breaking the barriers of your self-doubt.

Look at what others are saying:

“Many issues affect why we don’t reach our fullest potential. As a human resources professional myself, Daryl Green has hit the nail on the head.”
—Daphine Glenn Robinson Human Resources Manager and Inspirational author of Brotherly Love and Betrayal

“…I recognized sound validity in Dr. Daryl Green’s business insights and the resulting impact change has on its workers.” —Dr. Stephen M. Doty Strategic Initiatives Manager National Grid USA

“Simply a must read.” — Marcus J. Glasper Executive Manager Washington State

“This is a must read for those who continue to work for others but have entrepreneurship dreams.”
—H. Frank Shanklin, Jr. President/C.O.O.

Product Details
Paperback: 124 pages
ISBN-10: 1450511317
ISBN-13: 978-1450511315
Purchase the book today at Amazon.com

About the Author
Dr. Daryl Green has helped thousands with his lectures, seminars, and columns. He has been noted and quoted in such media organizations as USA Today, American Urban Radio, The Bev Smith Show, BET, The Hallerin Hill Show, Black Pearls Magazine and Ebony Magazine.

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Unwrapped: Heaven & Earth by J.M. Benjamin

 Intimate Conversation with author J.M. Benjamin

J.M. Benjamin is an award winning and Essence Best Selling author from Plainfield, New Jersey. In 2006, he quickly made his presence felt in the fast growing genre of Urban Literature with his freshman novel Down In The Dirty published by Flowers In Bloom Publishing. In Feb. 2007 he released his sophomore novel My Manz And Em independently. His third novel, Ride Or Die Chick was released Dec 2007, earning him a spot on the Essence Best Seller’s list and Black Expressions. In addition, in Oct. 2008 his book Ride Or Die Chick was released through iTunes on audio book. He is currently working on several projects including Ride Or Die Chick 2, Heaven & Earth, and a non-fiction motivational book titled From Incareration To Incorporation.

J.M. Benjamin is the founder and CEO of A New Quality Publishing. Since being introduced to readers in the anthology, Menace II Society with the short story titled Keeping It Gangsta he has secured a position in the Urban Literature genre and become a major asset when it comes to making a difference in the minds of his readers. He is also a contributing author to the anthology presented by Nikki Turner, Christmas In The Hood, and a non-fiction book titled Changin’ Your Game Plan.  J.M. Benjamin still resides in New Jersey and is a motivational speaker. Visit J.M. Benjamin on www.myspace.com/jmbenjamin_author.

BPM:  JM, tell me about your publishing company?
A New Quality Publishing was launched to attract an array of aspiring and talented writers and authors of quality. Not only quality material- but quality workers. We seek writers and authors who are passionate about and will be dedicated to their work and A New Quallity Publishing’s plight. Our goal is to publish titles by writers and authors who will stand by and get behind their products that A New Quality will publish for them. We intend to contribute to the saying, “No one can push your product better then you,” in the literary world of all genres. A New Quality Publishing intends to build a T.E.A.M.(Together-Everyone-Acquires-Money), of not only authors, but hustlers who know the true meaning of the word. And Most Importantly…Represent in a professional manner… Quality!

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write professionally?
I started writing while I was incarcerated in federal prison. Writing started out as therapy for me. A means to learn about myself and contribute to bettering myself. Ultimately something which was intended to be therapeutic wind up becoming my profession and life.

BPM:  Introduce us to your new book, Heaven & Earth.
Meet Heaven– (The Brains) & Earth (The Muscle). Heaven inherited her beauty from her mother but her inheritance from her father, which was her street smarts, was more valuable to her.

Earth was raised by her mother, who was a gay single parent and a force to reckon with in the streets. Impacted by their upbringing the two find themselves in prison where they meet and form a bond that spills over into the streets of New Jersey.

BPM: Who were your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
I equally enjoyed creating them both. They are both a combination of women I’ve encountered and continue to. All of my characters are based on real people-I write reality fiction.

BPM: Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place?
Something happens to one of the main characters and the all throught the book you’re trying to figure out who did it, but you don’t find out until you get towards the end. Meanwhile there is a relationship building between the other main character and a co-character that forces her to make some quick decisions towards the end of the story.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?This is a reader for both genders of all walks of life from teens to adults. If you come from this, then you’ll be able to empathise with the charcters more and possibly re-evaluate your own life style and if you don’t come from this the you will learn valueable lessons without having to go through what the characters had in their lives.

BPM:  How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
This story like al of my other stories are wake up calls. I call what I write edutainment, educational and entertaining at the same time.. I’m sure whether my male or female readers actually experienced what takes place in the story they will still walk away with the substance of the story. You have, struggle, money, love, choices, decisions, betrayal, loyalty, lust, murder and death all incorporated into this book. The same things that makes the wrold go around.

BPM:  What was the most powerful chapter in the book?
Probably the epilogue of the book. There are so many chapters that have meaning but when you get to the end I feel readers will be left with dep thought.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
I don’t think too many male urban lit authors create female characters with roles that male characters normally possess. you would expect this type of story line to be lead bymale characters.

BPM:  What makes you powerful as a person and a writer? Who are your mentors?
I pour all of me into my writing. I hold no punches so that my readers may feel what it’s like almost to the point of living it themselves. Not to take away from anyone else, but I write from the heart and soul. I am inspired by writers like Claude Brown, Sydney Pointier and Donald Goines for many different reasons.

BPM:  A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… a testimony to the fact overcoming life’s adversities is possible, doable and that there are no limitations to creativity.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I just released my second author FiFi Cureton’s book Have You Ever…?  under my publishing company A New Quality Publishing.

I also just opened a lit lounge and accesory boutique for women called A New Quality Literary Lounge & Boutique located downtown in my home town of Plainfield New Jersey 112 Watchung Ave.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
A New Quality Publishing,  PO Box 589,  Plainfield NJ  07061
Website:  http://www.anewqualitypublishing.com/  or facebook.com/jmbenjamin.author  or  Amazon.com

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I STILL DO – A Celebration of African-American Weddings

Intimate Conversation with author Kea Taylor

Kea Taylor is the founder of Imagine Photography, a professional photography studio in Washington, DC specializing in special event, portrait and architectural photography. Her work has been featured in the British News and Observer, Black Enterprise, Ebony/Jet, The Source Magazine and various newspapers, book covers and publications.

I STILL DO – A Celebration of African-American Weddings
ISBN 9780615313207
EDC Review Rating:  Beyond Excellent  5+ / 5 stars

This new coffee table photo book showcases photographer, Kea Taylor’s most beloved images from ten years of photographing African-American weddings. The 120+ page book features over 300 full-color photos of African-American weddings from all over the United States and Caribbean. Includes glossary of African-American cultural wedding rituals and anecdotes from married couples about challenges and triumphs of building a successful marriage in the new millennium.
 
 
BPM:  Kea, how do you feel about marriages today?
I think that the institution of marriage in the U.S. is truly being threatened. Not just in the Black community, but in every community. I think we are turning into a more misogynistic and narcissistic society than we’ve ever been—and that doesn’t suit marriages well.

But I believe in the power of love and I am committed to promoting love and encouraging love in spite of what anyone else is doing. And I’m encouraged in my line of work because I’m reminded constantly that I’m not alone. There are lots of people that feel the way I do.

BPM: What makes you powerful as a person, mate and a writer? What makes me powerful as a person is that I have God in me and I believe that I can do anything God puts on my heart to do if I put my mind to it. I’ve always been that way. 

As a mate, I think my power comes from my faith and my open-ness to change and genuine desire to want to be a better person and pleasing to God and my husband.

As I writer, I think I’m most powerful when I’m being honest. I think that’s when I have the most power to inspire and truly touch other people.

BPM: Who are your mentors or loyal supporters?
My mentors, as photographers, are my photographer friends—local photographers in the Washington area. As a self-published writer, Trice Hickman (who is one of my clients) has helped and inspired me tremendously.  I’m sad to say that I don’t really have many mentors, in the traditional sense of having an ongoing relationship with someone for the sole purpose of helping me develop my skills. There are many photographers that I have admired from afar for different reasons…James VanDerZee, Addison Scurlock, Gordon Parks, Kwaku Alston, Sharon Farmer, Carrie Mae Weems, Annie Leibowitz, Henri Cartier Bresson. I’ve also learned from other photographers and people that I’ve worked for.

My former boss from my  “past life” working in the world of finance, Michael Hodge was a great mentor for me in terms of teaching me how to carry myself professionally. There are countless older women that I admire and attempt to emulate with respect to their class, femininity, strength and humility. But I would have to say that my only long-term mentors have been the women in my family. My mother, Cynthia Prather…my grandmothers, aunts and cousins who always possessed those traits I mentioned above.

BPM:  A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… proof of a legacy of commitment to family, community, mutual respect and love.

BPM:  Introduce us to your beautiful book and the message you created with photos.
It’s truly a pleasure to introduce my book, “I Still Do – A Celebration of African-American Weddings”. This book gives the reader a rare opportunity to see Black love in the new millennium through my eyes as a professional wedding photographer. It’s a keepsake, coffee-table book of the most inspiring moments, images and couples from my nearly ten years capturing African-American weddings that truly speaks to that place in all of us that needs to be reminded that Black love still exists.

The photos in the book are so powerful that I couldn’t begin to put into words the message they convey. The images truly transcend, inspire and demonstrate the beauty of Black love and that despite seemingly insurmountable odds, we are still falling in love and getting married.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
Well really, I would have to say it was a series of prompts. I believe when God wants you to do something, you start getting these hints…they start out small and just get bigger and harder to ignore. So there were a series of prompts, but perhaps the largest was during now-President Obama’s campaign when images of he and First Lady Obama started popping up all over the media and they looked so genuinely in love. People were forwarding these images to me almost daily, sharing how nice it was to see a Black couple in love. I was amazed that their images seemed to have such a transformative power.

It was painfully clear to me after the ninth or tenth email that we, as Black people, have been bombarded with depressing images and messages about the state of our relationships for so long, we were just starving to see that there was at least one happy Black couple in the world somewhere. And don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the images. (I mean, the Obama’s are an undeniably a handsome couple and they clearly share mutual respect and tenderness for each other—and we knew their story). But these images were nothing particularly new to me because as a photographer that shoots weddings, I see Black people in love all the time. But I had an “aha moment” and realized, that my experience seeing Black people in love is actually quite rare. And it really got me thinking how blessed I am to be exposed to such beauty on a regular basis and how it positively shapes my view of the world and my own marriage.

So ultimately, I wrote the book because I really wanted to share the beauty that I see in our people and inspire Black people to continue to believe in love.

BPM: Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place?
There are two wonderful things going on simultaneously in the book. You have these stunningly beautiful, romantic, truly heartwarming images of Black couples in love and getting married all over the world. And Ms. Curry, images are powerful. They effect you viscerally in ways you can’t imagine or control. So without reading one word, anyone that picks up the book will feel the excitement, happiness, pride, anticipation and sheer joy that each of these couples and their families felt on their wedding day.

Opposite these powerful images, are candid interviews with some of my most inspiring couples. And they are so honest and real, they’re really refreshing and funny and they truly ground the book, making the images even more real. You start to actually put stories behind the images. You hear couples talking about how they couldn’t afford their wedding ceremony but wanted to get married so bad, they secretly eloped until they could save up for an actual ceremony…women being honest about how they didn’t want to date their husband initially because he was too young or didn’t have a college degree. They talk about the fights they had in the first years of their marriage over not answering the cell phone, growing up in a female-dominated household, feeling guilty about not being able to cook.

But what’s most inspiring, I think, is that each of them shares how they’re overcoming and learning to love in spite of the challenges. And that makes the pictures even more meaningful.

BPM:  Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
The very first page of the book is the dedication page and it reads, “For little brown girls everywhere who have never seen themselves in love.”

I meant that dedication literally and figuratively. This book is for women of color of all ages. For the young women of color who have been raised on a misogynistic diet of music videos, reality shows, and don’t have examples of a successful marriage in their circle of life – I just wanted to present an alternative. For new brides and married women, I wanted to show how beautiful we can be when we just smile, humble ourselves and commit the act of loving and being loved. I can’t think of anything more powerful in our community than a Black woman with a genuine smile that radiates love. For the older women who may married or want to pass on the values of commitment and family to their children – I wanted to provide a piece that they could pass on to their children and grandchildren/nieces and nephews without preaching.

Most importantly though, I want this book to speak to the little girl in every woman and remind them that in spite of the negative statistics and seemingly insurmountable odds, that Black people still are falling in love and getting married.

At the risk of complicating this answer too much, I think it’s important to point out that I was very careful not to imply that marriage is for everyone (a theme mentioned multiple times in the book), because I think it’s cruel to indoctrinate little Black girls with the vision of their Black prince coming to rescue them because statistics do show that that may not happen. But I also think it’s equally as cruel to deny our little girls the right to have that dream. A minute percentage of our little boys will become professional basketball players, but we don’t stop them from dreaming. For many little girls, their dream of being married will still come true.

For a coffee table book, we really touch on some profound and, I think, common and universally challenging issues for Black women. The importance of communication, personal responsibility, professional and income disparity between couples, defining relationships, sexual promiscuity before marriage…are all discussed in the couples’ interviews.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book?
I think each chapter will resonate more powerfully to different readers because every Black woman will see herself in at least one of the interviews. But if I had to choose, I would say the last chapter is the most powerful and it’s called, “Completing the Circle.” It’s an interview with a couple that just encompasses so much. The groom had seen six divorces between his parents, the bride grew up in a single family home, but this couple talks about how, in each other, they found someone with a shared purpose. And that purpose was ending the dysfunctional cycles in their family…of failed relationships, uncompleted education, lack of financial planning…So years later, they’ve committed to staying married no matter what, they’ve both completed graduate degrees, they started an asset acquisition company together called NexGen, LLC (for Next Generation) and they have a beautiful son with possibly another on the way. Their story alone demonstrates how powerful we are when we commit to seeking and following our purpose and richly successful and fulfilling it can be when we decide to do it with a partner.

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I just want people to be inspired to love. I want to remind people that Black love is still alive.

BPM:  What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
Well I think whenever we hear about Black marriages these days, we usually are discussing how few people are getting married or trying to identify who to blame for why that is so. This book is markedly different. There are over 300 images of undeniably happy, married Black couples. As one of my readers wrote me, “The whole concept of Black love is nothing new to us, but you’ve so eloquently captured it in a way I have never seen.”

It’s also different from other wedding idea books, guides or magazines because when we’re normally featured in those publications, we are marginal. We’re thrown in to add a little color. It’ll be us and an Indian couple. And they write as though jumping the broom is the only tradition African-Americans celebrate. My book will tell you the history of the Electric Slide and the Soul Train line to the Yoruba tasting ceremony and the symbolism of cowry shells in your bouquet.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
Please drop me an email and let me know what you think about the book at: kea@istilldoweddings.com 
or check out the website for the book at: http://www.istilldoweddings.com/. Send me a tweet. I’m @ ImaginePhotog

Kea Taylor owner of  Imagine Photography
Kea Taylor (Author and Lead Photographer) is the owner of Imagine Photography, a professional photography studio in Washington, DC specializing in event, portrait and construction photography (http://www.imaginephotographyonline.com/).

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Unwrapped: From Vixen 2 Diva

Intimate Conversation with author Marlon McCaulsky

Marlon McCaulsky, originally from Brooklyn, New York, is the best-selling author of The Pink Palace and the novella Love & Life and contributing author on the anthology Romance For The Streets. His goal is tell entertaining stories and to become a full-time novelist. His new book From Vixen 2 Diva is his second full-length novel. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

BPM: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer? Who are your mentors?
Wow… I’m not sure I’ve reached the level of being called a powerful writer yet. But I do have a unique voice and point of view when I write and I try to express that with every story I create. The author I think I look up to the most is Eric Jerome Dickey. I admire his work and his career as an author.

BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… of my generation. I mean my generation wasn’t really thought to read books for enjoyment. That’s why we had TV, video games, and movies. There weren’t to many books that spoke to us or that we could relate to so we didn’t read. People say to me “I don’t like to read books” but that’s not true. They just haven’t found something they would enjoy reading. And I hope with my books I can relate to not just book lovers but folks who have never considered reading a book for enjoyment.

BPM: Introduce us to your book, Vixen 2 Diva, and the main characters.

My new book “From Vixen 2 Diva” is what I consider to be a Hip-Hop love story. It stars Beata Douglas an up and coming video model from Harlem with desires to get into the music industry. She runs into a familiar man from her past called Kane who’s trying to get a record deal. Because he’s not already successful Beata disrespects and dismisses him until he actually gets a record deal and becomes a multi-platinum rapper. Beata tries to seduce Kane in order to get a record deal but ends up getting played. Without giving too much away she finds away to get on and now these two music stars are on the same label and can’t stand each other.

BPM: Who were your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Beata was my favorite character to write. She was based on a few people like Ashanti, Karrine Steffans, and Beyonce. But I also gave her, her own flavor. Beata being a video model automatically makes folks judge what type of person she is and in some ways she does live up to those stereotypes. But I also wanted to dig deeper into her character and show she has layers like an onion that you have to peel away to see the real person she is. She really grows a lot from the little girl she is in the beginning to the grown woman she is by the end of the story.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
The situation that prompted me to write “From Vixen 2 Diva” happened while writing “The Pink Palace”. Beata and Kane had a small part in that story and I knew that they had a story to tell as well. Plus I always wanted to write a story that had Hip-Hop as a backdrop and FV2D provided me with that perfect setting.

BPM: Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place?
The first major event is the murder of a main character by Beata’s ex boyfriend Roc. Roc is also a friend of Kane who becomes an unwilling participant and witness to the crime. This starts a rift and rivalry between them that plays out until the end of the book.

Another major event that takes place is with Beata making a sex tape with her boyfriend that comes back to haunt her later on. I think a lot of young women do things when they’re young and don’t think about what the long term affects of their actions will be on their lives.

From Vixen 2 Diva by author Marlon McCaulsky
EDC Book Review Rating:  3.75/ 5 stars
Purchase the book today from Amazon

Contact info: mccaulskymarlon@yahoo.com

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Awesome Wonder: The Gift of Remembrance

Intimate Conversation with author M. Ann Ricks

M. Ann’s upbringing in Elizabeth, NJ was quite structured. She is forever grateful to her parents for their prayers and close reign over her young life. Writing was always a “hidden” love. When she resolved to reconnect with the Master, the aspiration to write was unearthed and she became confident that it was her gift. As her need to know God on a personal level increased, her desire to write became stronger and strangely, to her surprise, a need. After receiving the needed confirmation from the Lord, she arrived at the conclusion that writing is the path that God has placed her on. She is determined to tell the world how wonderfully awesome Jesus Christ is and can be in our lives if we just allow Him to be. She is honored to be used by God to spread His message with the stories she creates with the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing that He will provide her with the words that will draw all men to Him.

Awesome Wonder: The Gift of Remembrance by M. Ann Ricks
Awesome Wonder, is a Christian Fiction novel that takes a look at the duplicity of the “church” through the eyes of the heroine, Paige Covington as it brings to light the hypocritical stigma that has attached itself to the “church”, specifically the African American church.

Many people are looking for answers and believe they can find those answer in the church. Unfortunately, the failure of those who “talk the talk” to “walk the walk” has kept many from a true relationship with Jesus Christ. In many instances, the people that we aspire to be or hold in high regard because of their position in the church or “supposed” knowledge, disappoint, and we find that they are not the Christians that we thought they were. Unfortunately, this may result in the babes in Christ that now feel misled, to retreat from Christ with the misconception that all Christians are bogus and that Christianity is a sham. Awesome Wonder tells an honest, triumphant and relatable story of how God never stops loving his child as the Holy Spirit speaks to us to remind us of His unending and unfailing love. It confirms that the relationship between God and man is what is most important and that man should not be used as a barometer for Godliness and holiness.

Paige Covington knows there’s a God and had accepted Christ as a young girl but witnessing hypocrisy and un-Christ-like behavior by the people in her church and family has caused too much pain resulting in her turning back on the love of Jesus. Memories from her youth begin invading her psyche and to make matters worse, she begins to hear a voice. The voice sounds familiar and tells her things as those memories and truths are exhumed. Hurt, confused but searching for answers, she decides that too much has happened. There have been too many disappointments and too many lies. Key people in her life have made it clear that there doesn’t seem to be any honor in being “Christ-like”. She hasn’t any idea that she is chosen as all children of God are. Will Paige allow the word that has been hidden in her heart provide the answers to all of her questions and give her the peace she so desires?

BPM:  What inspired you to write this story?Awesome Wonder is a novel that I believe that I had to write because people need to know, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”Matt. 7:21-23.

Every other day we are hearing about a “fallen” man of God or “so-called” people of God spewing scripture and then living a lifestyle that is not honoring God behind closed doors. People are missing God because they haven’t seen Him in the people that are supposed to know Him. Now more than ever, true believers need to be walking epistles of the Lord Jesus Christ and live holy. It is up to us, true believers, to be the real example of the love of Jesus Christ. We can’t shout Hallelujah in church one minute and then curse someone out right after service. Many are saying that Christians are phony and fake because of what they see. Believers and true followers of Christ have to understand their responsibility to live a life that is Christ-like. Someone who is unsaved or unfortunately on their way to hell may be depending on not what we say but how we live. We don’t want to cause anyone to fall because of our misdoings but day in and day out the curtain is being pulled back to show the ugliness of the “pretenders” of Christianity.

Believers have been called to reconcile others to Christ and the only way we can do this is to live a life that is exemplary of the God in us. We can’t let traditions or religion dictate to us. The world is watching and we should be the “ people” that right the ship and point them in the direction toward Christ! Many realize that there is a void in their lives and are trying everything but God to fill it; just like Paige. The world is full of Paige Covingtons. A career, possessions or material things won’t make someone feel complete or whole. Only God can fill the void. I pray that when reading Awesome Wonder, the Holy Spirit begins to speak and the reader will dedicate or rededicate their life to Jesus Christ as that is my ultimate goal; augmenting the Kingdom of the Most High God.

BPM: Who did you write this book for? Why?
Awesome Wonder was written for the man or woman who has been hurt by “so called” Christians. I want to encourage someone through my novel, who has turned their back on Jesus because of the lack of true Godliness being exhibited by people in Christendom and in the body of Christ. That man or woman needs to know that regardless of what the world is displaying, God is in control and He does expect His people to walk, talk and behave just like Him. They need to know that there were hypocrites, liars and false prophets when Jesus walked the earth and Jesus warned us about them. If they existed over 2000 years ago, they will most assuredly exist today, even in our churches and families but we can’t let their behavior and their misrepresentation of God cause us to miss out on the truth and reality of Jesus Christ.

There are lives that are broken and people are walking around without hope, not believing that Christ is THE ANSWER because many in leadership have falsified Christ by the way they treat one another. There are lives that were eager to learn about Jesus Christ or were sold out for Christ but are now damaged, angered and even spiraling out of control because the people that they thought were the embodiment of Christ-like living have disappointed them, resulting in the disillusionment of who Christ is. People in Paige’s life seemed to be the epitome of Christianity but once she saw the truth behind the mask, she was spiritually injured like many people that I have known throughout my life.

Those wounds don’t heal easily and they begin to effect other aspect of one’s life especially when a real desire and zeal to learn more and be more like Christ is/was genuine. In Paige’s situation, it began to take a toll on her marriage, the relationship with her siblings and even her own child because at the core, something was missing. Awesome Wonder was written to tell the world that God has nothing to do with the foolishness one may see when watching the news but He is the God who is faithful. He is the God that sent His son, Jesus, to die for the world. He has nothing to do with crazy ministers that steal money from their parishioners or sleeps with the church secretary. God is LOVE and wants people to know Him in spirit and truth. Believe Jesus Christ through His word, not the world. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

BPM: What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
It seems, “ it is, what it is” has become the statement of the year. Christians for some reason have accepted and adopted that lingo and in doing so, have allowed all matter of un-Christ like behavior to find a home in the house of God and sadly enough, into their lives. No, It is NOT ,what it is.

The world is hurting because many don’t know Jesus; not really. They think they do but really don’t. Awesome Wonder sets itself apart from other Christian fictions novels because it allows the reader to understand that many seem to think and really believe that they are Christians because they are saying and doing all of the right things; giving to the poor, visiting the sick, etc. This is done while people are watching. Who are they behind closed doors? Sadly, there is a stark contrast. Many Christians can quote every scripture in the Bible but will not demonstrate the love God to their own wife or husband or even children. It is all a show? For many, it is. No one is talking or writing about how we are losing our African American youth or youth in general. As soon as they are able, they refuse come to church because of all that they’ve witnessed when growing up in the church. They have seen the lying and backbiting. They have heard adulterous innuendo and observed unforgiveness. Paige, is an example of the generation that has decided that Jesus was not all He was cracked up to be.

Awesome Wonder, like no other novel, shines the spot light on the damage that can be done when hypocrisy is allowed to run rampant in the house of God. People are no longer being fooled by the “Sunday Saint.” Those who think they want to know Christ are being wooed by the enemy because the church and leaders in the church can’t or won’t exemplify holiness. Whether anyone believes it or wants to write about it or not, people are falling away from Christ because of the misrepresentation of Christ in the church. Traditions and arguments when not “rightly dividing the word” has caused many to walk out on God. Awesome Wonder looks at the church, it’s leaders, family and its impact on one’s life. Awesome Wonder stands alone as it Illustrates the damage religious insincerity and unChrist-like behavior can cause while interweaving the everyday realities of life. It is a novel that is daring those who love Christ to stand up and be real. It is welcoming those who want to know Christ or reconnect to Him but have been hurt to not to look at the world but look to Him. Awesome Wonder says blatantly what no one else in the genre has said, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8.

M. Ann Ricks contact information:
With regard to M. Ann Ricks Literary Creations, LLC links…the one that may be used is simply my website address and it is: http://www.mannricks.net/    M. Ann Ricks’ e-mail is: godsauthor@mannricks.net  and may posted as well should anyone desire to contact me for literary dialogues, speaking engagements or simply to dialogue about my novels.  M. Ann Ricks’ novels may be purchased via the website and or at any literary establishment, i.e.: Borders, various bookstores Amazon .com and the like.

M. Ann Ricks Literary Creations, LLC
Website:  http://www.mannricks.net/

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Unwrapped: Melody of My BitterSweet Blues

Meet Mel Bancroft – Inspirational Author, Poet & Songwriter

Ms. Mel Bancroft  has written poetry and articles on a wide range of subject matter: self-help, spirituality, marketing, business, family, and relationships. Notably, the poem “Jena Six: Our Strangefruit Is Still Hanging,” emphatically questioning how far African Americans have come, was published in TRIBES Magazine. She is a contributing writer for Healthy News and Regal Magazine, the preeminent online magazine for African American men.

Introducing Debut Memoir: The Melody of My BitterSweet Blues
The Melody of My BitterSweet Blues is a riveting, true story which is narrated through the eyes of a woman who has endured sexual abuse as a child, struggled through coming of age, finding herself in abusive relationships as an adult. Not only is the story told candidly and graphically, revealing the secrets that lurk behind abuse, the narrator takes the reader inside a journey of spiritual healing and unbridled courage through poetic enlightenment and poignant imagery.  Listen to the interview with Mel Bancroft on BAN Radio.

What led you to create this book?
Actually it was God-inspired. As someone who has survived several forms of abuse, it has been on my heart for many years to share my strength with others who may still be trying to find their own empowerment.

Who should read The Melody of My BitterSweet Blues and why?
There are several groups, I believe, that can benefit from this book: adult survivors of abuse, victims of spousal abuse, even those who have been perpetrators of abuse who aspire to change how they deal with problems. This book serves as a reminder to those who have suffered from such dysfunction, that they are not alone, and encourages them to seek their own healing.

What issues in today’s society have you addressed in the book?
Many issues such as coming of age, teenage depression and attempted suicide, generational patterns of abuse, as well as drug addiction are covered, along with a range of obstacles that contribute to questioning one’s ability to overcome what appears to be utter hopelessness.

What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
I’m not familiar with everything that’s published in my genre. However, from what I have noticed about some depictions of abuse is that often we don’t get to see the process of overcoming abuse as closely as we could or the systemic foundation of abuse, such as how families are broken down for generations as a result of the code of silence. These elements are critical to understanding the role everyone plays in allowing abuse to exist. I think my book makes an honest attempt to really focus on that as well as show the methods of therapy that were utilized—the emotional and spiritual mechanics behind the process of healing that the main character underwent to find her way through the pain and out of darkness.

What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
There are several, so I’d have to say one of the most powerful scenes is when I realized that my teenage crush had become an extremely abusive man. It was too late, after I had married him, and I nearly died.

The Melody of My BitterSweet Blues by Mel Bancroft
http://www.melbancroft.com/
mel@melbancroft.com

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Unwrapped: Holy Seduction by Jessica A. Robinson

Intimate Conversation with author Jessica A. Robinson

Jessica A. Robinson  is a fresh, new author from Ohio. She’s also one-fourth of a national Hip-Hop group named Carnival who’s slated to release their sophomore CD in 2009.  She has always been an avid reader but came into the wonderful world of writing by accident. Upon losing her father when she was ten to pancreatic cancer, she began journaling as a form of therapy. The emotions and thoughts expressed on paper turned into short stories and continued to evolve from there.

Coming from such a rich background in the church of having twelve ministers in her family, she writes about the things she’s went through and the things people have gone through around her. Her spiritual heritage was the breeding ground for her very own genre, “Church Dramedy.”

Introducing Holy Seduction by author Jessica A. Robinson
ISBN: 978-0-9819631-0-5
Genre: Church Dramedy (Church, Drama, Comedy)

Thirty-five year old First Lady Denise Tate is a woman who has it all. She is living the life most people dream of; a beautiful house in the suburbs, luxury cars, shopping sprees, and a husband, Randy, who is ready and willing to keep her laced in nothing but the best. Even though she has everything a woman could ever want, she’s still not satisfied and firmly believes she can have her cake and eat it too.

Randy Tate has his work cut out for him as the Senior Pastor of Oakdale. Baptist Church, the largest in Youngstown Ohio, yet, he humbly embraces the challenge. Denise has more time on her hands than a clock and she uses this and her endless cash flow to her full advantage. In addition to playing the good, little, church wife, First lady also juggles three other men on the side. She executes the game with such expertise – effortlessly, until one of her lovers decides to flip the script on her.

Relentlessly determined not to be found out, Denise decides not to admit a dark secret that has the power to destroy her cozy life as she knows it.  Eventually, all good things come to an end and the wrath of God is delivered that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Holy Seduction’s premise is this; you may play the game well, but, remember there is always someone who plays the game better than you.

Lies, drama, and deceit are front and center in this novel with a plot so sneaky and so seductive you’ll swear it’s a sin. Jessica A. Robinson pens an infectious and addictive tale of a woman who is living a double life. Full of twists, turns, and surprises, Holy Seduction is a groundbreaking tale of infidelity and drama in the church.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
Well in Holy Seduction the main characters are Denise and Randy Tate. Randy is the Pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church which is a very large church in Youngstown, Ohio and he truly has his work cut out for him. Denise happily claims her throne as the First Lady and enjoy all of the perks that come along with it. If I had to pick a favorite character it would definitely be her, she’s the woman you love to hate and I had a wonderful time creating her. She will be the one that makes you want to throw the book across the room and keep reading at the same time.

Q: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
There are certain characters that are definitely inspired by real people. I can say that Randy has alot of attributes that my late father possessed while Denise is purely a figment of my imagination! She’s so evil and I don’t know anyone like her (however there are a few people who come quite close) LOL.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
The most powerful chapter in my book is in chapter 20 when Randy finally discovers that the life he has built with his wife has all been shattered by her lies and deceit. It stands out to me the most because sometimes we can be so in love with a person and how our relationship appears to be that we can ignore important warning signs that are right in our face. Love has a way of making one blind to the truth and this chapter is so identifiable with so many people who may find themselves in the same situation. There have been numerous people including myself who have been involved in something that you thought was right and one admission can reveal that it was indeed all wrong.

Q: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
No, I don’t write full time. My writing schedule is pretty consistent. I write all the time. Sometimes there isnt enough hours in the day to get a little writing in when I work so I make sure I write on my lunch breaks.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not creating my next masterpiece, I like to read books, write music, and travel across the country with my group Carnival.  My next book “Pretty Skeletons” will be released in early 2010.

You can check me out on my website, http://www.jessica-robinson.com/ and my publisher’s website, http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com/  and to learn more about the musical side of me, http://www.carnivalhhh.com/

Holy Seduction by author Jessica A. Robinson
Website: http://www.jessica-robinson.com/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/jessislyric
Blog: http://wwwjessicalyricrobinson.blogspot.com/

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Unwrapped: Blackface by Q. B. Wells

Intimate Conversation with author Q.B. Wells

Q. B. Wells is the author of Blackface and Doughboy. Currently he is the editor of Urbania Magazine and the C.E.O of  Art Official Media, LLC. He resides in Baltimore where he enjoys meeting readers, discussing life and spending time with family.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
Blackface  is a coming of age story that involves four young males. Two of the central four characters are “Black” and “Face.”  Face was my favorite character because while all the characters are frustrated and angry because of their plight in life, Face is the only one of the characters that has a plan and puts forth an effort to see it through. The problem is his plan is anger driven, vengeful and murderous. He is my version of Bigger Thomas.

Q: What issues do you bring to the reader’s attention?
Issues explored in Blackface are self-hatred, gang culture, racism and police brutality. Blackface is a different type of  “cautionary tale” because at its core it is about being a young black male in America and the anger that exist due to a multitude of reasons.

Anger is natural. Everybody gets angry. However, it is not natural to shoot someone, punch them in the mouth or use violence because you disagree. Blackface involves a sect of young people who have not
learned or had the positive resources to redirect their anger or dreams. They believe you can settle disputes with fist and guns. They learn from each other. And they have enumerable opportunities to do negative acts for quick profit. They don’t think about paying consequences for their acts.

The caution is to the world. If the world doesn’t embrace the young culture, there will be a problem. For black culture and the world.

Q: What inspired you to write this story, Blackface?
I had very few stories that I had read in middle/ high school that had African American teenage boys as main characters. As a result I was uninterested in the majority of school readings. I gravitated to movies until I learned that most movies I liked were based on books. Then, I learned to write a book. I thought it would give at-risk youth, specifically black males the confidence to complete the read and enjoy experiencing a black male protagonists that were stereotypical but unique. Then they would read more books.

Q: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
Write full-time?  I wish!  I’m involved with literature all day. I teach writing classes and publish / market other authors in the genre. I write about an hour or two a day. Whenever and whatever I can squeeze in.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing I like to watch films, especially indy films. My goal is to shoot films so I watch a lot.

Q: What does your family think of your writing?
They love it. My family remembers my life before books and thank God I’m still here. To better the situation, I’ve found something positive that I enjoy and won’t land me in jail.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Build a readership and platform BEFORE you decide the method to publish your book. Keep writing for yourself and your audience.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I have a new release Doughboy that will be published in October 2010 and One Hundred Miles and Running, the sequel to Blackface will be released in late December 2010 as a Digital Download for mobile
reading devices.    Buy the book from Amazon – Bookseller

More information can be found on online.http://www.artofficialmedia.com/
http://www.urbaniamag.com/
http://www.urbanbooksandmedia.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/qbwells
www.facebook.com/qbwells

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Unwrapped: Luck of the Draw by Anna Black

 Intimate Conversation with author Anna Black

Meet Anna Black, author of Now You Wanna Come Back, Luck of the Draw and Split Image
Talented and inspiring is the best way to describe this Chicago Native. Now You Wanna Come Back is her debut novel and it has done its duty to deliver a page turning introduction for Anna. She has showed herself to be ready for the literary world with her first release and is anxious to release her second novel Luck of the Draw in April 23, 2010. Her love for writing began about ten years ago with poems and short stories and now she is ready to wow readers with her page turning plots, while she gives readers stories that will make them laugh, maybe cry, but definitely reflect. This new authoress is here to make a mark in the literary world, so readers get ready. She currently lives in Texas with her husband Chris and her daughter Tyra and it is her pleasure to share her written words with you.

Introducing Luck of the Draw by Anna Black
EDC Review Rating: 4 / 5 stars
ISBN: 978-0982145579
Romance/Drama/Suspense

Friends come and go, but the good ones are hard to let go. Kennedy and her best friend Cherae were like “two peas in a pod,” Kennedy’s daddy would say because they were tighter than a large man in a medium suit jacket. Although they were totally different in size, personality and back ground, they had been friends and loved each other since the second grade. Tables turned for their friendship when that evil word ‘jealously’ came between them over a sexy club owner named Julian Roberson.

One night led this duo down an ugly road that Kennedy never wanted to travel on and a road Cherae never imagined she’d lose on. Cherae opened up a can of pain on Kennedy and after over twenty-five years of friendship, one man caused it to fall apart. Not knowing what to do or who to trust, Kennedy sought support from her true friend Teresa, who had tried to warn her about her life long pal Cherae many times before. When the smoke clears and the truth finally comes to light, they learn a lesson in friendship, love and loyalty.

BPM: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
My main characters are Kennedy, Cherae and Julian. Kennedy is a young, wealthy, single, plus sized woman who has shied away from love because her dad warned her, how heartless men could be, but she wished he had also warned her about friends. Her best friend Cherae was like a sister to her and Kennedy was a little naive when it came to Cherae and didn’t realize that she secretly envied her life although she was the one blessed with the beautiful face and body. Julian is my favorite character because he is the man that all women dream of having. He is loyal and is the total opposite of what Kennedy’s dad raised her to believe. Although most men would break, he stays true to the women he loves and as tempting as Kennedy’s best friends offer was, he stood his ground and didn’t let her succeed in her mission to seduce him behind Kennedy’s back. He shows readers that all men are not the same and sometimes who you trust maybe the one to hurt you the most.

BPM:  Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
Yes, my main message is self esteem. My books caters to every day women, like myself that are not picture perfect. My leading lady and majority of my stories are plus sized, curvy, or voluptuous women. I try to portray stories with realistic characters that today’s readers can say, “hey that could be me,” verses the perfect size five always having the happy ending.

BPM: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
My tip for new authors is to definitely invest in editing. A good story can be ruined if there is no professional editing.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Right now I am with Delphine Publications, Now You Wanna Come Back was released under Delphine November 20, 2009. My next book Luck of the Draw was released April 23, 2010. You can watch the trailer for both and read the excerpts for both of my books at http://www.annablack.net/

Additional information at:  http://www.delphinepublications.com/.  My next release Split Image will be in the fall of 2010. My book can be purchase everywhere books are sold and at http://www.amazon.com, http://www.b&n.com, http://www.thedockbookshop.com/  and  http://www.jokaes.com/

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Unwrapped: That Was Then, This Is Now by Paulette Harper

 Intimate Conversation with author Paulette Harper

Paulette Harper is a bestselling author, Christian Inspirational Speaker, Licensed Minister and workshop facilitator. Paulette is a sought after speaker with a passion to lead people to a clear and precise understanding of how life challenges can become one’s ultimate source of victory. Paulette Harper’s literary achievement includes her first published non-fiction inspirational book: That Was Then, This Is Now This Broken Vessel Restored  (Tate Publishing & Enterprises)  Co-Author for Victorious Living for Women, (Suber & Pullins Publishing) Paulette resides in Northern California.

Introducing That Was Then, This Is Now  by Paulette Harper
EDC Review Rating 5 / 5 stars

Non-fiction Inspirational
ISBN: 978-1-60462-554-7

How could God have a purpose for me amidst this mess? Why do such bad things happen to good people? If you’ve recently asked yourself these questions, Paulette Harper’s That was Then, This is Now has the answers. Struggling to recover from a broken marriage and disappointed dreams, Paulette Harper gropes for meaning and understanding, and through her searching, God reveals Himself to her in ways she never before imagined possible. By sharing her struggles with transparency, she illustrates how a heart attitude of surrender allows God to use a broken vessel for His ultimate plans of glory.

In your non-fiction title, who should read this book and why?
My book That Was Then, This Is Now was written for those who are facing some of life challenges. Those readers who are having a hard time coping with changes in life from divorce, the lost of a love one, financial hardship, unemployment and so forth. That Was Then, This Is Now will minister to the hearts of readers by sharing how one can overcome those difficulties by trusting and having faith in God.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
One of the tips I would give new authors is to be patient. Connecting with your audience and branding yourself will take time. Especially for new writers the market is flooded with books for readers to choose from so by keeping this in mind you must be able to patiently wait your time to shine. If writing is your passion you will continue promoting and marketing your books even when it appears like no one is buying.

What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
I believe chapter three Identifying Strongholds is the most powerful chapter in That Was Then, This Is Now. I say that for several reasons. First, in that particular chapter I’m open, honest and transparent about the issues I faced while going through my divorce. Some of those issues almost cost me my life. Suicide, depression, oppression and low self esteem greeted me everyday for almost two years. The desire to die outweighed my desire to live many days. I had to recognize that what I was experiencing could only be conquered by faith and the Word of God. I give biblical examples with supporting scriptures that helped me turn what I considered a tragedy to triumph.

What was your primary quest in publishing this book?
My primary quest for publishing That Was Then was out of a desire to share with the masses that life’s problems no matter how difficult can be overcome and conquered by having a strong spirit to endure. I wanted my life to be an example of a survivor. Although everyone will not read my book, it is a book full of inspiration, encouragement and one that will empower the reader.

Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I have one title coming out in the summer of 2010 called  “Completely Whole. ” 
Completely Whole will be release through my own publishing company Thy Word Publishing. I’ll be working on another anthology with Victorious Living for Women entitled “For Moms” will be released right in time for Mother’s day. “For Such a Time as This” is set to be released in 2011. I will be conducting workshops beginning in Jan. Keynote speaking engagement, book signings and all events will be posted on my website.

Awards for That Was Then, This Is Now This Broken Vessel RestoredThat Was Then, This Is Now This Broken Vessel Restored (Tate Publishing & Enterprises) has been ranked consecutively for months on the Top 50 Black Christian Book Distributors Independent Publishers Bestsellers List for Non-Fiction, a finalist in the Religion/Religious Non-Fiction category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Contact info:
Website: http://www.pauletteharper.com/
Website: http://www.victoriousliving4women.weebly.com/
E-Mail: paulet_harper@yahoo.com

Social network:
http://www.pauletteharper.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/paulette.harper2

Paulette Harper Best Selling, Award Winning Author
Book: That Was Then, This Is Now, This Broken Vessel Restored

Completely Whole-Coming 2010
http://www.pauletteharper.com/
http://myspace.com/pauletteh
http://www.pauletteharper.blogspot.com/
http://www.victoriousliving4women.weebly.com/
http://www.facebook.com/paulette.harper2

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Unwrapped: Heaven’s Hell by Pamela Chapman

Intimate Converation author Pamela Chapman

Pamela Chapman, author, motivational teacher, self-esteem life transition certified coach, and blog talk show host is founder and president of  iAscend Programs, LLC, a limited liability company.

iAscend’s mission, as a web-focused service, is the empowerment of women, and their children, by showing them how to break through their perceived limitations and maximize their potential and purpose while nurturing their esteem.

BPM: Introduce us to Heaven’s Hell by Pamela Chapman
EDC Review Rating: 4/5 stars
Heaven’s Hell, The Beginning is a powerful, spiritual book based on the real-life experience of its author…Nissi Clark (a pseudo name). The novel depicts the life of a young girl who experiences domestic violence in her home. While depicting the fear, abuse, and the pain, this powerful novel also breathes hope, healing, and inspiration between its chapters using New Living Translation scripture, affirmations and declarations. Subliminal messages of hope and healing are spread throughout the pages. True-life journal entries are incorporated. The book digs deep into the soul asking life-changing questions provoking life-changing thought. Either you learn about yourself and why you do the things you do or don’t do; or, you understand why that friend or family member behaves the way they do. It is both entertaining and life-changing and leaves its reader craving more.

BPM: What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this book?
Domestic healing is my passion. Domestic violence numbers are increasing in our community and something is still very wrong. I know what it is to be the product of low self-esteem and low self-worth due to the violence—always needing validation. I found myself in twisted relationships not just with men, but I found myself in very sick life relationships. I am now healed, but there was nothing there to assist me in my healing. At least, I wasn’t aware. I believe when we speak truth into the real  “hell” of a situation and infuse light, the darkness will subside and the problem will dissipate. I believe Heaven’s Hell, The Beginning does just that.

BPM: What impact will this book have on the community?
Domestic violence is at the forefront of our community. There isn’t a week that doesn’t go by and we don’t hear something about it. Heaven’s Hell is not just a story about victimization, but a book of healing. The series will assist women in turning their adversities into victories. The author share’s her journal pages as an adult. You realize how her child-hood victimization perpetuated the struggle, the low self-esteem and low self-worth regardless of her accomplishments, achievements or letters behind her name. This book gets its readers thinking about their behaviors and triggers the desire for real healing.

BPM: The cover of Heaven’s Hell is quite unique. Can you share the inspiration for its cover?
Heaven’s Hell is divine in all its creation. I had asked my very talented son to create the cover. After one year of attempting to create a cover depicting a woman burning in hell, he and I both were quite frustrated. Nothing met his satisfaction. While visiting me last Thanksgiving, I chided him to come up with something before his returning to California . He bought new water colors and after two days of failed attempts, I grabbed his paint brush and started throwing down water colors onto his art paper. As I threw down the colors, my son, Jamal, saw her manifesting. He said, “Mom, there she is.” He then outlined her features and hence, the subtle picture of a woman in hell.

BPM: What was the primary quest in publishing this book?
My primary quest was to assist in the healing of the nations, in particular, the women and the children of all nations on all economic levels.

BPM: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
I want my readers to realize they are precious, they are jewels made in the image and likeness of an all powerful Creator and they are good. He desires all of us to live happy, abundant, and prosperous lives. You can turn your adversity into victory and be true over-comers not just in talk. I want them to know our Creator believes in them and so do I.

BPM: What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
Heaven’s Hell is a fictional, self-help trilogy. It depicts real-life pain; it entertains, it heals, and leaves you wanting more. The second book, Heaven’s Hell, the Journey, due to be released in 2010, continues the saga but deals with the adult life of twisted love relationships, life relationships, and more self-loathing. Heaven’s Hell, the Redemption speaks of just that…the redeeming of the lost soul in its main character. The main character finds true love by loving herself first and the story infuses the pain of her healing. The journal entries from the two earlier books catch up to her present-day adult life in the third book. Heaven’s Hell, is a powerful, life-changing entertaining trilogy. A workbook can be purchased along with Heaven’s Hell, The Beginning—the novel.

BPM: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Find a great editor. Editing is everything, but don’t let anyone change your voice or your style. Speak your heart, live your dream, and never, ever give up!

CONTACT INFO
Pamela C. Chapman, CTACC, CDVS
iAscend Programs, LLC
EMAIL: services@iascendprograms.com
WEB: http://www.iascendprograms.com/
Live Talk Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/iascend-programs

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Unwrapped: Fireflies by Joan Early

Intimate Conversation with author Joan Early

Joan Early became an avid reader at an early age and began her writing career with a first place win in Ebony Magazine’s literary contest. She became a member of the Genesis Press family with a January 2009 release, Look Both Ways, followed by her latest book, Fireflies.

Introducing Fireflies by Joan Early
Fireflies is the story of lasting friendships, strong family connections, and finding love in the most unexpected places. The story is set in post-Katrina New Orleans and contains factual accounts of life in this intriguing city, both before and after the destruction. Fireflies illustrates the many paths our hearts can take in finding that perfect match. It mixes deep passion with mystery, danger, the music and magic, as well as the shady side of one of the greatest cities in the world.

Tell us about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
The main characters in Fireflies are Whitney Underwood, a prosecutor with the New Orleans DA’s office, her childhood friend, Kyle, and Leander Perry, a musician who steals her heart. Whitney is my favorite because she a strong, confident career woman with a deep love for family.

Are your characters from a portrayal of real people?
The characters are purely fictional, but Whitney is a composite of the things I most admire and hope to achieve.

What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this story?
First was my love for a city that created many happy memories in my life. New Orleans has a rich cultural history that offers tremendous excitement and inspires romance. The character of Whitney Underwood was inspired by my unrealized dream of working with the district attorney’s office.

Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
I wrote full time for the last seven years, but recently became active in real estate in my north Houston community of Kingwood. I write whenever I get a strong idea. I’ve never had an exact schedule. Thoughts and ideas sometimes pop into my head in the middle of the night. When this happens, I often spend the entire morning at the keyboard, still in my pajamas.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I like preparing meals for my family and spending quiet time with my husband.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Believe in your work, even when you have enough rejects to cover your bedroom walls.

Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I am very excited about each of my books and really looking forward to the release of my next book, Oak Bluffs, which is set in historic Martha’s Vineyard where African Americans and Native Americans have always had a strong presence. In addition to book stores, my books can be found at Amazon.com and Genesis Press.com.  My website, http://www.joanearly.com/, contains a list of my books and upcoming appearances, as well as my email address. I welcome and appreciate comments and suggestions from our readers, and thank them for their continued support.

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Unwrapped: Serving Justice by Jacqueline Moore

Intimate Conversation with author Jacqueline Moore

Jacqueline Moore  is a Christian author who offers spiritual words of encouragement daily on her website at http://www.jacquelinedmoore.com/.  She has contributed to several anthologies and is the 2009 African American Literary Show romance author of the year for her first novel, “Serving Justice” under the Peace in the Storm imprint.

Introducing Serving Justice by Jacqueline Moore
Christian Fiction; ISBN: 0979022274
EDC Review Rating: 4.0 / 5 stars

What happens when a prominent and successful Chicago Judge falls in love with her driver? Angela Jenkins decided as a child that she would become a lawyer. Fighting injustices perpetrated against those who could not or would not fight for themselves ran like passion through her veins. Growing up, Angela was taught that putting God first in her life, respecting the rights and choices of others, and working hard, were the most important things a person should strive for. While in pursuit of her law degree, Angela meets Rhonda, Theresa, and Darlene who are there reaching for the same goals. Over the next two decades, an unbreakable bond forms and friends become sisters.

Angela finds the more successful she becomes, the more she begins to lose her connection with God and starts conforming more to the world, than to the word of God. When love enters her heart, she must decide if having a relationship is more important than what others, including her friends, have to say. Angela is forced to look at what’s important in her life and has to choose between allowing others to shape who she is or conforming to what God wants her to be.

BPM:  Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
I would say Tony. Tony is the epitome of what I believe most women look for in a man. However, I do show that Tony is flawed as we all are. He made some really crucial mistakes in his past but rather then succumbs to the errors of his past; he overcame them and learned to move on. I believe when we look for relationships we tend to overlook someone because they are not perfect and I want the reader to ask themselves are they too judgmental and can they learn to move on and look at those things in their lives that are most important.

BPM: What inspired you to write this story?
A question a very good friend once asked. The question was “Why is it that professional women won’t even give me the time of day?” Now this friend just happened to be a very successful business owner who dressed like his employees, blue collar. Women took one look at him and made assumptions about him and what he did for a living. Had they taken the time to get to know him, they would have discovered so much more about him instead of automatically assuming that he was beneath them. That and I got tired of women saying that they couldn’t find a good professional man. How about just a good man?

BPM: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
There are actually several. The foremost lesson is that we have to stop listening to the world around us and seek out that still small voice within; the voice of God. Success is futile when it’s not tempered by the word of God. We all make mistakes but we serve a God of a second chance. Finally, each of us needs to examine our reasons for believing in the things we do. Do we serve the greater good, our friends or ourselves?

BPM: What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
My book is a love story that just happens to have several Christian messages. People can relate to the characters because I don’t color them holier then thou. I write from the heart and from the emotional frame of mind of the characters and I relate my stories to real live situations.

BPM: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
If writing is your dream; don’t stop, keep going. Perfect your craft and find outlets for your work. Don’t let rejection or criticism deter you. Keep in mind that everyone won’t like your work but that’s okay. When you find your niche, you will find your acceptance.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.

Wow, 2009 was a whirlwind year for me. “Serving Justice” is available at several bookstores including borders where I did several signing and met so many wonderful readers. I had the pleasure of going on my first cruise this year “Cruising for Christ” with Kendra Norman – Bellamy and participating on my first authors panel as a result. And in September I traveled to New York for the first time to attend the African American Literary Show award ceremony where I won an award in the romance category for “Serving Justice.”

I am currently working on my next novel “Caught in the Middle” which will be available from Peace in the Storm Publishing in May of 2010.

You can find me online at Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogger.com and on my website http://www.jacquelined.moore.com/   and  http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com/.  I can also be reached via email at jackiemoore@virtuousliving.com  and at  mamajacq618@yahoo.com

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Unwrapped: Another Memory by Pamela Ridley

Intimate Conversation with author Pamela Ridley  

Pamela Ridley’s  first published piece was a play about the Dred Scott Decision that she wrote in fourth grade. The play was well received by the PTA of Riddick Branch Elementary School.Since purchasing her first computer in 1995, she has written five novels (three of which are published) and several short stories.Ms. Ridley currently resides in Maryland. http://www.pamelaridley.com/

Introducing Another Memory by author Pamela Ridley
Forty-two year old Chelly Whitaker has shut down her emotions to protect herself from pain, which means she’s shut herself off from feeling anything, including love. Then Sean Price enters her life. He’s ten years younger, but despite the age difference and the stress surrounding their relationship which includes a murder, Chelly makes strides toward losing her sorrow, learning to feel again, and in doing so, creates another memory.

Q. What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this story?
It’s been established that horrific things happen; that at any given moment, life can turn tragic, but then what? How can we go on and what happens next? That’s what I wanted to address through the life of the main character in this book. If you stop living as a result of a tragedy, if all you do is go through the motions, then, in essence, all you are doing is waiting to die. Another Memory is about how Chelly struggles to reclaim a life where she is able to feel again.

Q.What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
One was when Chelly had to tell Sean, her potential love interest, that she saw and spoke to her deceased daughter. You can imagine that’s a tough conversation to have. As a writer, it was fun to see how Sean would handle it.

Q.What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m wishing I was. I’m afraid the muse will take a permanent hiatus and if it does, then what form of creative endeavor will I undertake because I believe an expression of creativity is essential for living a balanced, sane life.

Q.What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
When you find yourself writing for hours at a time, and it feels like only five minutes have passed, then you’ll know writing is a passion, and that’s a good thing! With passion comes drive and persistence. Those are the things needed to stay the course.

Q. Who should read Another Memory and why?
Read this book if you believe the lines between this world and the next can blur. Read this book if you believe life can steal every wisp of joy and still the human spirit will not relinquish hope. Read this book if you believe our elders teach us to celebrate life–every bit of it; the good and the bad. Read this book if you believe in the power of love to transform. Visit my website to read excerpts: http://www.pamelaridley.com/

Purchase Another Memory by author Pamela Ridley
•Paperback: 288 pages
•Publisher: Genesis Press
•ISBN-10: 1585713678
•ISBN-13: 978-1585713677

Black Expressions ;  Amazon ;  Borders ;  Barnes and Noble

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Unwrapped: Fixin’ Tyrone by Keith Thomas Walker

 Intimate Conversation with Keith Thomas Walker

Author Keith Thomas Walker is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English. He enjoys reading, poetry, and music of all genres. Keith currently works in administration at one of the city’s largest hospitals. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and two children. Fixin’ Tyrone is Keith’s first book.

Introducing Fixin’ Tyrone by Keith Thomas Walker
Fixin’ Tyrone is one woman’s struggle to find peace and fulfillment in a life that seemed to be flowing perfectly until her son’s thuggish father is released from prison. Mia thought she had it all; two smart and beautiful children, a well-paying career and classy suitors, some with million dollar portfolios. Her wild days of college are far behind her, and Mia’s only regret in life is the thugs and hoodlums she once loved. All she got from her old lifestyle was two fatherless children and a lifetime worth of heartache.

It took six long years to rebound from the mistakes of her past. The new Mia is strong and confident and thoroughly uninterested in anything a thug has to offer her, but that all changes when she gets a letter from prison. Tyrone, the father of her oldest child, is getting out, and he wants to get back in his son’s life. Tyrone wants to get back in Mia’s life as well. Mia would have to be crazy to take him back… but this time, it seems the tiger really has changed his stripes. Or at least he’d like her to think he has.

Q. What impact will this book, Fixin’ Tyrone, have on the community?
I hope my book will cause the community to be introspective about drugs, thugs, prison, family and second chances. I would like the community to be aware of the thin line between recreational and hard drug use, and I would also like my readers to be more open-minded and less critical of black men going to or leaving the penitentiary. I would like my readers to believe in true love again and be willing to make sacrifices for the love of their life.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
My main character is Mia. Mia is a successful executive at an investment firm. Mia is smart and witty. She’s assertive and firm and fair. She is a good mother and a good friend. Mia is also vulnerable and passionate. She is definitely my favorite character. Another main character is, of course, Tyrone. Tyrone went to prison for six years, during which time he claims to have changed his life. Tyrone is freed from prison at the start of my book, and he immediately tries to make things right with his child’s mother, Mia. Tyrone is handsome and sexy, and he’s also honest and determined. Tyrone is strong, yet vulnerable. He’s a hard-worker, but he’s also disadvantaged because of his environment and the felonies on his police record. His dilemma is very familiar to me, and he is my second favorite character.

Q: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Tyrone is a portrayal of countless black men I’ve met throughout my life. I have many friends and relatives who went to prison for drug dealing, so this aspect of black culture hits very close to home. And like most incarcerated black men, Tyrone has dreams and aspirations that go well beyond his reach. Like Tyrone, all of my incarcerated brothers have told me they want to do positive things once released from prison. The prisons are full of good intentions, but these dreams often fade once the convict is released. Tyrone experiences his share of turmoil when he returns to the “free world,” and it’s interested to see whether he’ll fall back into his old lifestyle or if he will make the changes necessary to stay out of jail and revitalize a relationship with Mia.

Q: Who did you write this book for? Why?
I wrote this book for women, mainly. Growing up, most of what I wrote was about manly topics and from a man’s point of view. One day a friend challenged me to write a book for women. I thought it would be difficult because I never got into the head of a woman for any of my stories, so I brainstormed a few ideas that would not only interest women, but topics that were common to them, yet still intriguing. I think it helped that I have always been somewhat of a sensitive brother, and I have a lot of empathy for nearly every situation. When I got started, I enjoyed looking at different scenarios from a woman’s point of view, and this new insight has also been beneficial in my everyday life.

Q: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
I’m not an activist, per se, but there are many messages in my book I would like the readers to grasp. The first would be to be wary of the individuals in your life and always remember that your personal safety is much more important than any relationship. Readers should also learn that not all people can be judged by their circumstances, and it’s not right to give up on anyone who truly wants to change. I also stress the evils of drug use and the troubles crack cocaine in particular has caused our communities. Lastly, I hope my readers learn that true love is important. It may not conquer all, but sometimes it is worth fighting for.

Q:  What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
The first thing that sets my book apart from others in my genre is the fact that I am a man, and most romance novels are written by women. I won’t say I’m better than all of those women, but I do believe my maleness adds a certain perspective they cannot fully provide. Also (and I don’t mean to insult anyone in particular) I’ve found that a lot of writers, especially in the urban fiction genre, really don’t know what they’re doing. It’s one thing to have an interesting story to tell. It’s another thing to have the education and creative writing training to tell this story beautifully. According to my website, Keith Walker is THE MASTER OF ROMANTIC SUSPENSE AND URBAN FICTION, and I believe this title sets me apart from all others.

Q: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
It is my dream to write fulltime, but, alas, I’ve only published one book so far. I work fulltime at one of the largest hospitals in Fort Worth . I work the graveyard shift from ten p.m. to six a.m. I work in an office, and I have a computer, and… Well, let’s just say it’s not always terribly busy here. Don’t tell my boss, but if I were to seriously calculate it, I’m pretty sure I do 60% of my writing at work.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like to read and go to the movies. I like to play video games, either alone or with my kids. I love music of all genres. I like to take the kids to the park to fly kites or toss the football around. I love to eat! I like restaurants – either fancy or fast food, it doesn’t matter. I like to perform at open mic or poetry slam venues, and I like to watch others perform as well. I went on my first cruise last summer. That was wonderful. I would like to do that again one day. If I had enough money, traveling would probably be my favorite pastime.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
The best advice for any aspiring author is to never give up. I’ve signed three contracts so far, and for each of those books, I have a dozen rejection letters. When you put your dreams in an envelope and send them across the country, you’re left in a rather vulnerable position. When a rejection letter comes back, you can either let it break your spirits, or you can try harder. The problem is you never know who’s going to open your package at those publishing companies, and you may not know what they’re looking for. You might get a rejection letter because they didn’t like your query letter, or you might get one because the editor was sleepy the day she/he opened your package. There are thousands of publishing companies out there, so unless you have thousands of rejection letters, it’s not time to give up.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
My second novel is How to Kill Your Husband. It will be published by Genesis Press in June 2010. Here is a back cover blurb for How to Kill Your Husband:

Claire is a happily married mother of three. Her life seems picture perfect until she suspects her husband of sixteen years is having an affair. With the help of her quirky friends Becky and Melanie, Claire gets to the bottom of it, but they uncover much more than she bargained for. When she believes she has sufficient proof, Claire decides on the most obvious course of action: She must kill her husband.    The book has been reviewed by celebrity reviewer Ivory Tabb, read it here.

Visit http://www.keithwalkerbooks.com/  or send an email to kwalkerbooks@yahoo.com

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Unwrapped: Sexaholics by Pynk (Marissa Monteilh)

Intimate Conversation with author Pynk

Marissa Monteilh (Mon-tay), a former model, talk-show host, Fox-TV news reporter, and commercial actress, is the best-selling author of eight mainstream novels and two novellas. Marissa also writes erotica, Erotic City, and Sexaholics, under the pseudonym, Pynk. Originally from Los Angeles, she lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit Marissa at http://www.marissamonteilh.com/  or at  http://www.authorpynk.com/

  

Introducing Sexaholics by Pynk (Marissa Monteilh)

Miki, Valencia, Teela Raye, and Brandi share one thing…they are all addicted to sex. United through Sexaholics Anonymous, these women try to recover from their dependence on wild, spontaneous, and even sometimes, dangerous sex. From whips an chains, to sex in public, they have done it all! Led by Dr. Rachel Cummings, each woman takes the first step to recovery by sharing her biggest sexual act with the group. Sexaholics, set in Los Angeles, takes readers through the outrageous experiences of four sex-drunk women, on their long path to rehabilitation.

Q: What issues in today’s society have you addressed in the book?
Issues of addiction, be it alcohol, shopping, overeating, gambling, or sex, are very popular today. We have a new reality show about sex addiction, and many celebrities, usually male, have admitted to being sex addicts. Sexaholics gives you an inside look into the world of four women who are all addicted to sex. Their stories are dramatic and sometimes shameful, yet they could be your next door neighbor . . . or you.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
The most powerful chapter in Sexaholics is a scene where one of the women crosses the line and allows her demons to alter her thinking to the point where the results change her life forever. I cried when I wrote this scene. That’s only happened one other time in Something He Can Feel, and that scene was the one readers talked about most. It is my hope that this portion of Sexaholics, along with the rest of the book, will paint a vivid and valid picture of the shame and impact of reckless lust.

Q: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
Yes, I write full-time. I wake up at about 8:00 a.m. and check emails, promote, follow-up on projects, etc. I usually write in the afternoon until late evening. I try not to write on the weekends but depending upon deadlines, a Tuesday is the same as a Saturday. I do make a point to spend quality time with family. That is a priority.

Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, not at all. Actually, because there has been so much talk in the media regarding sex addiction, I usually take notes on the situation or when a professional speaks on the subject, just to make sure I’ve conveyed the causes and various choices of treatment as accurately as possible. I think it’s important to show consequences for certain behavior so that sex addiction is not glamorized, though sometimes, just as in real life, some characters do not pay the price nor do they learn from their mistakes. Remaining unchanged is very common. And sometimes, that’s just the way it is.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
My next Pynk book is called Sixty Nine, which is about three best friends, Magnolia, Rebe, and Darla, all born in 1969. They are about to turn the big 4-0. These women are sexually repressed, so whereas Sexaholics covers the over sexed, Sixty Nine shows us the undersexed lifestyles. On New Year’s Eve, they vow to go beyond their narrow boundaries and thoughts about sex, which have kept them repressed, and experience their sexier sides. Sixty Nine comes out in March of 2011. Also, the long-awaited sequel to Hot Boyz, The Housewives of Ladera, hit the shelves in October 2010.

You can reach me at authorpynk@aol.com , and also check out my website at http://www.authorpynk.com/

SEXAHOLICS is available now at  http://www.authorpynk.com/ ;  Purchase from Amazon today.

Awards for Pynk (Marissa Monteilh)
Winner of the YOUnity Literary Legends award as the Fastest Rising Literary Star
EROTIC CITY was voted one of the Top Reads of 2008 by Black Expressions
EROTIC CITY – finalist – 2009 African American Literary Award in the category of erotica

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Unwrapped: Ever Changing by Rhonda Herring Dent

Intimate Conversation with author Rhonda Herring Dent

Author Rhonda Herring Dent  was born and raised in Goldsboro, N.C. She is a Senior Program Analyst for the Department of Defense and has worked for DOD for 23 years. She holds a BS Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Administration. She is married to Timothy and they live in Northern, VA.

Book Synopsis: Ever Changing by Rhonda Herring Dent starts at the beginning of a life that seemed so insignificant by circumstances. A single mother raising her children presses to instill morals and values, strength and courage in them. As the story unfolds the child who seemed less likely to succeed and faced the most adversity took a stand and changed the course of her life. Plagued with a lazy eye and 2 eye surgeries at 10 years old that did not fully correct the problem, an absentee father and becoming a mother at 18 years of age, her life and destiny seemed bleak. As an adult she carries you through the senseless act of greed that resulted in the death of her beloved brother and the illness that led to the death of her younger sister, the issue in her marriage that lead to a dysfunctional home life, a divorce, literally homeless at one point, uneducated and seemingly hopeless.

Through the adversity she cultivates a deeper relationship with God as the prayer she memorized as a little girl resonates in her. Through her trials and tribulations she learns the true meaning of the prayer. She realizes that she has spent countless years trying to change the one thing she absolutely cannot change. In her triumph she went to undergraduate and then graduate school. This landed her a position with the Department of Defense in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

Walk with her as she experiences the death of co-workers and friends and comes to grips with the tragic events of that day. Experience the course of events that were pivotal in her Christian walk and how the life that seemed so painful actually led her to find the true meaning of life, love and success. How God took her ashes and turned them into something beautiful. How she learned the true meaning of the prayer that was instilled in her as a little girl and how it sustained her through her trials and tribulations. She finds the courage to change the things she can and the “wisdom” to know the difference. Therefore, as she reflects on her past she realizes her future. A God centered future that embraces her as she dares to make a difference.

BPM: Rhonda, what specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
I have always loved to read and write and thought at some point I should write magazine articles, etc. I began to write in a journal in 1992. I was compelled to write down my thoughts and experiences. I kept several diaries as a child and always wrote in them, although I do not know where my childhood diaries are today. In the beginning I had no idea what I was going to write. I just had the desire to write, so I began to write about my issues and to communicate with God. I had a vision of “Change” several years prior to starting my journal. I had no idea what it meant but I understood that at some point in time God was going to use me to promote change. At the time I did not relate my journal entries to my vision.

When I finished graduate school I began to get restless after about a month. In my family we are not folks who sit around idle. We have to much restless energy for that. Nor do I watch a tremendous amount of television. I was in school in one capacity or the other for countless years, raising children and working a full time job. With the extra time I decided to type my memoirs on my computer. As I typed my memoirs things from my childhood and past began to come to my mind. I typed those memories as well. I often woke up in the middle of the night and wrote down my thoughts on the pad I kept on my night stand. As I typed, a story began to unfold before me. After I realized the correlation of my writing to my vision I realized that this book was being birthed. It took approximately 2 years to compile and complete this manuscript. It is only in God’s strength that I could complete such an amazing work of art. I prayed continuously about exposing the intimate details of my life and each time I got confirmation to press on.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
I have read so many wonderful books on the same subject. The difference is that the story is one of the boldest testimonies ever written. It actually gives a bold account of spiritual development and maturity and the struggles that come along with growth. Not to many of us like change but we really need to embrace it and realize that change provides opportunity for growth and development. Ever changing will compel people to seek change in their own personal lives. It is a step by step account to finding and developing the most important relationship any one could ever have. It will motivate any one to look within and search the very core of their being to find purpose. Most of all it is the intimate details of my relationship with God and how he sustained me even at my weakest moments. I like to call my book a trilogy, a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme. Ever changing is definitely a different kind of love story.

BPM: Give us a detailed profile of the one primary type of person you want to reach with your book. What are some of their specific needs or problems that need answers?
The profile of the one primary type of person I would like to reach is the person who does not quite understand what or why they are going through the things/changes that they are going through. Their specific need or problems are healing, motivation, faith, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding and the need to embrace the inevitable and the need to understand the importance of change and how it affects our relationship with God. Also, to look high beyond any circumstances and have the blessed assurance that God will work everything according to His Will. They will learn to ask God for His Will to be done and not seek their own personal desires.

BPM: How will they benefit in a practical way from reading your book (how will their life change)?
Ever Changing is the ultimate life changing reading experience. It is a bold testimonial of the journey toward Purpose. It is a bold testimonial of change and a road map that leads to the growth and maturity. The benefit is to hear the story of how one woman submitted herself under God’s Will and how He sustained here even in her darkest moments. Another benefit is that the reader will follow the true interaction between God and one of His Children with no underlining motive. Ever changing was birthed out of a personal journal and no other guidance but to continue to write. Amazingly enough a story was being revealed unbeknownst to the author that it would one day, years later would be the core of her first book.

Readers can read excerpts from the book at my website is: http://www.e-rhonda.net/  and contact me at: everchanging@e-rhonda.net
I am currently promoting my book by doing speaking engagements. I am an inspirational speaker bringing my message of hope, healing and reconciliation to hurting souls, 2010 guest columnist providing 2 editorials and 1 devotional each month to StreamingFaith.com, maintain an active website and Blog page EC Blog) and have done numerous book signings, radio interviews for 2009. I am currently planning my 2010 itinerary to speak at churches, do book signings and do radio interviews, telephone and/or personally appear at book club discussions and am currently coordinating a city to city book tour in MA, VA and D.C and much more.

To receive an autographed copy of Ever Changing please order from http://www.e-rhonda.net. Ever Changing is also on http://www.amazon.com and featured on http://www.gazelle-press.com. Comming soon to a book store near you!

Rhonda Herring Dent
http://www.e-rhonda.net/

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Unwrapped: When Lightning Strikes!

Intimate Conversation with author Michele Cameron

Michele Cameron, a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a graduate of North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro with a B.S. degree in professional Writing and English Education. Ms. Cameron currently teaches high school English in Orlando, Florida.

Cameron’s first novel, Never Say Never an interracial deals with sexual harassment in the workplace (Genesis-Press, Inc., January, 2008) Her second novel, Moments of Clarity… touches on themes of adultery, adoption, and the betrayal of someone close to you and how to overcome the hurt. (Genesis-Press, Inc. October 2008)

Her third novel titled When Lightning Strikes! -August 2009 and touches on the Brown vs. Board of education decision that ruled separate but equal in the school system is unconstitutional. Her second interracial novel titled, Unclear and Present Danger was released February 2, 2010. This highly anticipated novel deals with the love between an African-American woman and Arab-American policeman living in New York City. It deals with the social question, What is a true American?

Introducing When Lightning Strikes! by author Michele Cameron

When Lightning Strikes!  is a contemporary romance that sizzles from beginning to end deals with a deep, committed love triangle between one woman and two men. Grace Foxfire had given up on ever finding the love of her life. A not so chance encounter in a nightclub in Atlanta whereas she literally falls into the arms of Livingston Lockhart. From the moment she set eyes on him she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The icing on the cake was that he was an Omega Psi Phi fraternity brother to her play brother Jethro Newman.

Grace’s life is complete with the reuniting of Jethro but he’s a changed man. Gone is the timid youngster who she grew up with and she finds herself fighting and having to come to terms with the special love she has always had in her heart for him. When Lightning Strikes! deals with a woman who has to decide what to do;  if lightning does indeed strike twice for a woman and the two wonderful men who cherish her and want to build a life with her. This realistic novel deals with the social themes of betrayal by in-laws, and coming to terms with baggage from an embarrassing childhood.

BPM: Who did you write When Lightning Strikes! for and why?

I wrote this novel for all the women in the world who have given up on finding Mr. Right. I wrote this novel for all the women in the world who refuse to settle down with Mr. Wrong. I wrote this novel for all women who feel they’ve been betrayed by relatives or someone you felt close to. I wrote this novel for all women who have become dependent on something and feel as if they can’t get rid of their demons. I wrote this novel for all people who have had a rough childhood and just can’t seem to let go of the demons. I wrote this novel because there is so much of me in it.

BPM:  Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite and why?
Grace Foxfire, the heroine is a teacher in Atlanta. I also teach school. Grace has a love in her heart for children. Because of that I feel an affinity for her character. I don’t have any children but for some reason even when I’m not working I am surrounded by them. Grace leaves her job in order to recuperate from tragedy and somehow she finds herself raising another person’s child. I can see that in my future.

Livingston Lockhart loves Grace from the moment he laid eyes on her. He can’t believe that she’s single and swoops her up changing his life to be near her. I like a man that know what he wants and who he wants. His Alpha personality is to die for.

Jethro Newman is a one of a kind man. He is Grace’s play brother and has always known that his love for her was not one of family but one for lovers. Despite his love for her, he steps aside because he puts her happiness in front of his. But when tragedy strikes he becomes her knight in shining armor saving her from all harm. My favorite character is Jethro Newman. Not only is he a wonderful man like Livingston Lockhart but he doesn’t let a tragic childhood stop him from being a keeper.

BPM: Are your characters portrayals of real people?

Yes and no. The main characters are fictitious but the setting and events cited in the novel are real. The setting is Lake City, South Carolina the birthplace of my parents. During the fifties, Reverend DeLaine, a minister and principal is the small suburb of Summerton initiated with Thurgood Marshall the petition that separate but equal school system is unconstitutional. After the KKK found out they burned his house down and the family moved to Lake City. There his son B.B. DeLaine, met my parents and became their friend. I use Lake City as the setting because it is the home of my family ancestry and very dear to my heart. Also I want to emphasize to readers that in order to make changes in the world and make it a better place you can live anywhere.

Also, in the novel one of the social themes that I address is prescription drug addiction. One of the main characters fall into a deep depression after a tragedy and without warning becomes hooked on sleeping medication. This is a common occurrence in today’s society with all the daily stress of trying to cope and make it in today’s tough world. Another social them I deal with is family counseling. Every person that I know has baggage from childhood. Some more than others and this can stop one from being the happiest they can be in adulthood until they deal with the issues that haunt them.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?

The main character has a recurring dream. Every time there’s a loss of someone important to her in her lifetime she dreams the identical thing. In the novel she tries to warn her loved ones to be careful but they dismiss her worries. I think that there are times in every person’s life when they know that something bad is going to happen and because there isn’t concrete evidence people dismiss their fears.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.

My fourth novel Unclear and Present Danger-Genesis-Press, Inc. was released February 1, 2010. Solange Montgomery- an African American woman living in New York is the manager at Microsysterms Computer. She is happy and in love with Ali Marks, a New York City policeman who was born and bred in Brooklyn. Problems arise when Ali decides to follow his father’s dream and goes to Florida to enroll in sniper school. Meanwhile, Solange becomes weary of traveling back and forth to visit him while trying to balance a career that she loves and hates as she has to deal with corporate downsizing because of the recession. The minute they seem to get things back on track when Ali’s relatives from Iraq visit. Ali is torn between his love for Solange and his mother as she seeks approval from family members that are strangers to him. The question, Is their love strong enough to withstand another crisis?

BPM:  How may our readers contact you online? Do you blog or use Twitter?

I can be reached at http://www.michelcameronblog.com/

 

WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES! Book Reviews

Romantic Times Book Review–Four Stars

Cameron’s lovely story has an interesting twist, and readers will enjoy watching two beautiful and successful people find love at first sight and ask themselves if lightning dies indeed strike twice. This book will bring tears to your eyes and revive your belief in happily ever after.

Summary: When Grace Foxfire literally runs into Livingston Lockhart in an Atlanta nightclub, their chemistry sizzles. Eventually, they buy a home together and plan their storybook wedding, yet Livingston’s best friend and fraternity brother, Jet Newman, secretly wishes he was the one who held Grace’s heart.

The night before the wedding, disaster hits. With all hope lost, Grace must deal with greedy in-laws. Jet tries to help her get through her grief, but will his feelings for her be reciprocated? Will her sisterly love for him change into something more?  — Leslie Frohberg, Romantic Times

 

The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Grace Foxfire’s life was struck by tragedy at an early age. Her mother used alcohol as a way to deal with her father’s tragic death, which essentially robbed Grace of both of her parents. Her best friend, Jethro, lost his father in the same accident as Grace’s dad. Jethro’s mother stepped in to help care for Grace, which in turn transformed Jethro into her play brother. Jethro harbored a crush on Grace for as long as he could remember but as a teenager he was way too shy to act on his feelings. But adulthood brought a newfound confidence to Jethro, as well as shorter name, Jet, and he’s decided to finally go after his first love.

As a grown woman, Grace still finds herself unlucky when it comes to love. At a chance encounter in a nightclub, Grace meets the man of her dreams in Livingston Lockhart. Livingston just so happens to be Jet’s frat brother and Jet can do nothing but sit back and watch as Grace and Livingston begin to build a life together. An unfortunate tragedy befalls Livingston that puts Grace at odds with Livingston’s family. Grace must now rely on the only family she has left for support.

Jet tries to assist Grace in her time of need but finds it very difficult. It’s not only the feelings he still harbors for Grace that stand in the way, but it’s also the wall Grace has built around herself. The constant tragedy of losing everyone she’s ever loved has hardened Grace’s heart. She’s not only unwilling, but unable to let Jet into her heart for fear of losing yet another loved one.

Michele Cameron skillfully takes a simple romance novel and develops it into so much more. Although the plot may seem cliché, the realism contained within the main characters and their actions especially those of Grace, Jet and Livingston’s sister Delilah added depth that will keep readers enthralled. Fans of contemporary literature who usually shun romance novels will also be won over by WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES because it successfully combines romance with the drama romance books are usually devoid of.

— Reviewed by Delonya Conyers, for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

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Unwrapped: Rhythm Can’t Keep Time

Intimate Conversation with author Deondriea Cantrice

Deondriea Cantrice started writing to improve her penmanship. It quickly advanced into a passion and expression of her active imagination and inner thoughts. Deondriea aspires to engage, entertain, educate, and inspire her readers with tales of true life. She aims to have a positive impact on everyone she encounters through effective communication, veracity, and affirmative interaction. Deondriea believes, “with direction and discipline, accomplishment is attainable.”

Introducing Rhythm Can’t Keep Time by Deondriea Cantrice
EDC Rating: Adult Content – 4 stars

After experiencing betrayal after betrayal, Sterling put his heart under lock and key. Will he be willing to grant Sheridyn access to the one place no one can enter? Or, will he be afraid of another disappointment? After Sheridyn’s first love left her broken hearted; she vowed to never love again. Can Sterling convince her the give love a second chance? Or, will her song remain a solo? When Sterling and Sheridyn’s worlds collide, will they be able to control the passion between them? Or will their harmonic rhythm laced in humor and vicarious personas cause this seductive dance to burn up in flames? Sheridyn poised herself for a place in Sterling’s life and in his heart, but settled for a place in his bed. Will his bed become the gateway to his heart? Just when Sheridyn thought she was gaining ground with Sterling , he would disappear from her life, each time resurfacing in synch. Their on again off again song lasted 10 years. Just when you think the rhythm and time are in synch, Sheridyn realizes songs are timeless, melodies may be the same, but dances never last forever.

Q: What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this story?
In addition to needing healing from an unhealthy relationship of my own, I have met so many women that have made not just poor decisions but life-altering decisions based upon great sex. I wanted to write a story that was challenging but not confrontational to inspire readers to establish healthy romantic relationships.

Q: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
More than anything I would like for readers to grasp the meaning of true love. Love is a verb not an adjective. Love requires work. The subtitle of my book is Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough, which means love without commitment, loyalty, support, understanding, trust, and communication is not enough to sustain a healthy relationship. Before one can give or receive love, they first must love themselves.

Q: What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
I believe what sets Rhythm Can’t Keep Time from other erotic books is that it distinguishes the difference between love and sex. My book explores how passion can divert your attention away from your needs and cause you to chase a feeling. There are only four or five sex scenes in the book, and they are HOT. But the scenes support the storyline of how a feeling can dull the other senses by causing a person to become deaf and blind to the obvious. I also took a non gender-biased approach to writing the book so it would appeal to both men and women.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
Chapter 11 is my favorite chapter. Sheridyn is confronted by Sterling ’s mate Victoria. Victoria admits to Sheridyn that she takes comfort in knowing that Sterling is loyal to her despite his love for Sheridyn. Victoria knows Sterling is a dog, but “he comes home every night.” Sheridyn walks away from the confrontation feeling good knowing that Sterling still loves her. Sheridyn shares the confrontation with her best friend Madison and Madison tells Sheridyn that she would not want to be Victoria and wake up next to a man for the rest her life knowing she was his second choice, that love was in fact better than loyalty. This is my favorite chapter because it invokes thought and causes the reader to examine his or her thoughts about love. All three women had their own perception of what was good, although good, none of their thoughts were healthy.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I am not writing, if you don’t catch me at the mall shopping, you can always find me snuggled up on the couch watching a movie.

Q: What does your family think of your writing?
My family is extremely supportive of me being an author. My children offer the greatest amount of support by marketing and attending my books signings as professional staff. In fact, my 22 year old son is waiting for me to “get rich” so he can come work for me fulltime. Yes, he would make an awesome manager/publicist. However, my family was extremely shocked that I wrote erotica. Most of them didn’t even know I knew some of the words in my book.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Writing is easy, being an author is work! The best advice that I can give any aspiring authors is, first and foremost know and understand your craft. Simply put, read books by other authors, understand the publishing process, connect with a mentor and/or other authors, and learn industry standards and expectations.

Secondly, I would advise him/her to be prepared to invest in themselves. Which means have a website, purchase promotional material, seek marketing opportunities, blog, join social networks, and most importantly SOW. Support the vision of others by sowing time, supporting other’s events, and treat others how you want to be treated.

Finally, be prepared to accept feedback. Some people will love you and others will hate you, so don’t take reviews/feedback as a personal attack. Evaluate the information and use it to challenge your ability and sharpen your skills.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I will be releasing the Rhythm Can’t Keep Time Companion Book, which is a guided journal to help you define your expectations of your relationship. Although the companion book compliments Rhythm Can’t Keep Time, it can be used even if you have never read the book. Look for my second book entitled When Emotions Lie in February 2010. (Sorry it is not erotica, it is drama)

To learn more about me, purchase a copy of my book, or view my schedule of events visit me at http://www.rhythmcantkeeptime.com/   or  http://www.deondriea.com/ . You can find me with screen name Deondriea on Facebook, Ning sites, or on other major social networks.

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Unwrapped: Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain

Intimate Conversation with author A. Life…

‘Author-preneur’AISHA (A.Life…) GANT’s love for writing goes beyond just putting pen to paper. It’s a part of her life’s make-up. And having gone through life’s many struggles, she chooses to display in her work, characters of triumph. She considers her works not to be ones that push Christianity but words that flow from the mouth of a Christian author’s pen.

Introducing Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain by author A. Life…
EDC Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain by new author A. Life…  is a novel about four women: Charlene, a church-going woman who is married to an adulterous preacher;  Denise, an exotic dancer who eventually finds out her ‘best customer’ holds the title of her rapist; Michelle, the wife of an abusive, jobless, porn addict; and Katrina, a successful businesswoman who secretly has abortions to maintain her status. All of them lead totally different lives while unknowingly wearing the same mask. Each woman believes no one else can see or feel what she is going through, but will individually find out that the painful wounds she is experiencing are deep enough to be seen and felt by the world.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Charlene Brown is a wife of a minister and a mother of two, who takes care of not only her actual family but her church family as well. She is also a successful businesswoman who ironically, failed to take care of the business of keeping track of her husband’s infidelity. She hides behind the false sense of security that her life’s many jobs give.

Denise McLeod is a single mother of five who is also an exotic dancer. Her life’s downward spiral began at the age of 13 when she was raped. She hides behind the mask of false strength because after all, she has to do so for her children.

Michelle Baker is a newlywed who married an abusive man because she didn’t want to be lonely and because she thought ‘a piece of paper’ would change his ways. Her decision to marry such stems from a painful childhood and she hides behind the pain of abusive love that repeatedly says, “I’m sorry.”

Katrina Dangerfield is a young woman who has it all together. She has taken care of herself financially without the help of a man. Yet, because her childhood too was painful, she didn’t and wouldn’t allow anyone to get close to her; to the point of having one abortion after another, just so she could continue to hide behind her fear of failure.

My favorite character is Denise. Although I can relate, in one sense or another, to all of the women; she has gone through individually what the others have experienced collectively and has triumphed though all odds were stacked against her.

Q: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
All of my characters portray real people but not dead on;  I may use characteristics from five different people to create one character in the novel. I believe when and if you can make the character more life-like; it makes not only the character more believable to the point of relating to the reader; but it also makes the book as a whole; a better read.

Q: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
Depending on the book, I try or I will always try to indirectly relay a message. In the case of Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain; the message I think I want the readers to grasp is the fact that we all at one point in time, wear and have worn masks of fear to cover our ‘open wounds’ brought on by life. But in order to be healed we must be willing to remove the mask-like band-aid, so the air of life can act as a healer and ‘SWAHP’(swap) the wounds for scars of remembrance, so one maybe able to give God praise for all he’s done.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
I honestly believe there is more than one powerful scene in the book but one of the most powerful scenes to me is the ‘SWAHP SUMMIT’; when all of the lead characters colorfully describe the different ways that lead them to the putting on of the ‘masks’, why they wore them for so long, and how with the help of God; they were able to remove them.

Q: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
I do not write full time but because my time is so full I write all the time, sporadically! I wear so many hats that I am grateful for spell check because without it, I probably would misspell the word ‘time.’ (LOL)

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I am a salon owner/operator, a product designer, and a fitness trainer, but more importantly, I have two reasons to get up every morning! Being a mother of daughters is a task in itself but it keeps me doing what I do!

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Just write but be authentic! Be truthful to who you are as an author and don’t try to mimic others because when it’s all said and done, the truth will come out in the wash!

Contact A. Life…:  http://www.eborya.com/  ; aisha@eborya.com  ; gantaisha@yahoo.com

AISHA (A.Life) GANT,AUTHOR AND ENTREPRENEUR
http://www.eborya.com/ 
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/lifegant
http://www.alifegant.blogspot.com/

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UnWrapped: Damage by Kia DuPree

Intimate Conversation with author Kia DuPree

Kia DuPree, a former assistant editor at St. Martins Press, received the Fiction Honor Book Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association for her debut, self-published novel, Robbing Peter, in 2005. Kia’s short story, Lost One, was recently included in #1 Essence bestselling author Shannon Holmes’ anthology HOOD 2 HOOD, which was released in March 2008.

Kia holds a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, as well as an M.A. in English from Old Dominion University. Kia currently resides in Washington, DC.

Introducing  Damage by Kia DuPree
EDC Rating: 4/5 stars

Camille Logan feels trapped. After she is sexually and emotionally abused by her foster parents, she turns to the one person she knows she can trust–her boyfriend Chu, a mid-level drug dealer. But when life finally starts looking up for Camille, Chu is brutally murdered. Again feeling abandoned and helpless, and refusing to return to the system, Camille finds herself living with a stable of women in a tiny run-down apartment building in Washington, D.C., working for Nut, a deranged pimp. Fed up with her life, Camille is forced to right her wrongs, and slowly learns that her past does not necessarily determine her future.

Q: What inspired you to write this story?

I was inspired after viewing a documentary about teenaged prostitutes. I wanted to write about how I felt these young girls ended up on the streets, desperate and lacking guidance from loved ones. I thought about my own sister and worried if I didn’t continue being a positive force of encouragement and support, if she too, could’ve ended up in the same situations as these other girls.

Q: What was your primary quest in publishing this book?
I’ve always loved to write and read, and I realized a common thread in the stories that drew me. Most of the stories centered around family, and the multiple disjointed parts of broken homes and hearts. When I began writing DAMAGED, although I’d never experienced such trauma as the protagonist Camille, I felt like she was a real person, someone who I cared about deeply and I wanted her to overcome the tragedies in her life. I believe people who come from adverse circumstances can overcome their obstacles, with adequate support, be it emotional, financial or physical. DAMAGED tells of a girl who never gave up.

Q. What impact will this book have on the community?
I hope Damaged will shed light on two serious problems in our community: Sub par foster care systems that exist and the horrible effects of child abuse. Although there are thousands of loving foster parents, sometimes negligent and monstrous ones slip through the cracks and prey on children who in turn feel the repercussions over a lifetime.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing I enjoy spending time with my family, just relaxing and living life. Although, I’ll admit I’m a sucker for reality TV shows. There’s something intriguing about the interactions of people forced to live with each other after being thrust into the homes of millions.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
The best piece of advice I have, is one that was given to me over and over from prolific authors I’ve met: read, read, read. And don’t just read what you LIKE to read, open yourself up to new ideas and experiences from other genres. Also, don’t call yourself an “aspiring” author, once you put ink to paper, you are officially an author. 🙂

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Please visit me at http://www.kiadupree.com/  for more information. Readers can email me at info@kiadupree.com

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