Tahitian Pearl by Esauren Phyer

Tahitian Pearl by Esauren Phyer

From The Gritty Dune To An Oasis In The Sun

 Explore the pages of this wonderful, witty, sometimes gritty novel. Follow Naiyah Harland and her family through life’s many challenges (Infidelity, Deception and Much More…) and see where they end up. If you know God is always around and will show up on our behalf – good, you won’t be surprised. If you don’t – good, you’ll be blessed. This story is one of redemption.

We find at times, Life to be a real messy mess. It is, has been or will be. There’s no escaping it. We all experience on one level or another, the untidiness, disorder and dirt of life – Life’s Messes! Some of us don’t mind the drama, trauma and maladjustment of the mess, but many of us recognize the need to be “set free” therefore, realizing that in doing so, love wins. Tahitian Pearl (from the gritty dune to an oasis in the Sun) is a compelling story of family drama, where the messes of life (infidelity, drugs and more) demonstrate how we judge, misjudge and drift.

However, grace and mercy can set us free and let love win. This book, because of its multidimensional and complex characters is ideal for book clubs as it provides endless discussion possibilities.

Esauren Phyer is available for Book Club Discussions and Speaking engagements. Contact her at: Ephyer@envisionsofesauren.com  or visit her website at: http://www.esaurenphyer.com/

Tahitian Pearl 5 Star Amazon Reader Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Naiyah. Your book gave me reason to pause and evaluate my life expereinces and my reactions to them. After reading the book I had dinner with a friend who was having a personal crisis. She expressed how she was trying to put her faith in the Lord and then the words from your book just started to spew from my mouth. I told her to quit trying to give up the issue and just do it.

Let the Lord take control of the situation and accept the direction that was presented to her. After much discussion, she realized the error of her way of processing her situation and decided then and there that she would follow the Lord’s lead.

Funny how there is this trickle effect in life, you affect readers who affect those around them. You are the embodiment of following the direction the Lord has presented and for that I thank you. — Reviewed by Nancy – The Blonde One (Catonsville MD)

About Esauren Phyer, author of Tahitian Pearl

Meet Long Island, New York native Esauren Phyer. She’s a prolific writer of fiction, short, stories, newsletter bylines and personal journaling. She graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and holds a degree in sociology and a certification in Christian counseling. By day she’s an information technology specialist and a creative writer by night.

Ms. Phyer, an avid reader for most of her life, dreamed of becoming a published and well read author long before her Humanities Pro-fessor at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania suggested she do something with her writing over thirty years ago. Ms. Phyer is committed to living free, free from other people’s opinions, free from drama, free from sickness, free from her own prejudices and hang-ups and has written a novel that is replete with messages of “setting oneself free,” particularly when we find ourselves immersed in the grit and messes of life.

Her book, Tahitian Pearl, focuses on a young woman named Naiyah, whose life is fraught with personal traumas designed to keep her from the joy and blessings God has for her. The moment Naiyah is born, her grandmother knows that God is going to work in her life in a special way, but the enemy of God has other plans.

Purchase Tahitian Pearl by Esauren Phyer

From The Gritty Dune To An Oasis In The Sun

ISBN-10: 0984218807

ISBN-13: 978-0984218806

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Intimate Conversation with Nikki Coe

Intimate Conversation with Nikki Coe

Join me in welcoming author Nikkie Coe. Nikki Coe began writing as a hobby. Employed by the USPS for nearly twenty years in several different capacities and locations, Nikki Coe is an expert on the postal experience. An avid reader, Nikki is familiar with the types of literary works that appeal most to women and she writes to that appeal.

Nikki has created characters that people talk about; characters that endear and emotionally involve the reader. Her characters experience common problems that are solved in unorthodox ways. Visit her website at: http://www.nikkicoe.com/.  

Please read the interview below and consider giving this book as a gift this holiday season. Are you a bookclub, think about making this a book-of-the-month!

BPM: Introduce us to your latest book Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail.

What’s really going on at the Post Office? The main characters in Postal Blues meet at a safety briefing and form an unlikely friendship that working together night after night reinforces. Bailey Jenkins, Lisa Johnson, Tonya Elson and Jackson Andies, take the reader on an amusing trip thru the United States Postal Service as they deal with irritating co-workers, inept management and postal violence. In their private lives, newly found love, single parenting, an adoption gone wrong and broken hearts keeps the reader turning the pages.

There are no secrets in the post office. Yes there is, and Lisa, Tonya and Jackson guard Bailey’s at all cost. The sequel to POSTAL BLUES, RAIN, SNOW, SLEET OR HAIL takes over where Postal Blues leaves off while remaining a stand-alone book in its own right.

RAIN, depicts a more mature Lisa as she becomes a full-time student while still working hard at the post office. Her first day in class she’s shocked to find out that her ‘harrrd’ law professor is no stranger.

Love and Jackson have changed Bailey but their relationship is everything but smooth because his ex refuses to let them live happily ever after. A now expectant Tonya will soon be the mother of two but her adopted three year old is not feeling her…at all.

Tonya wants to send her back but she is the apple of Michael’s eye and he’s having no part of it. And yes, the irritating co-workers have pushed it up a notch and are more irritating.

BPM: What specific issue or crisis in society prompted you to write Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail?

Two things prompted me to start writing. I was growing tired of reading books that left me disappointed at their completion. Tired of hearing me complain about the books I’d read, my husband urged me to “write something better” so I began taking writing classes. The first thing that you learn in writing classes is to write what you know. Being a postal employee, (a stressed out one) I began writing what I knew. That solved two problems; one, what to write about and two, it released a lot of work related stress.

BPM: Who are your favorite characters in your books?

It’s unusual but my favorite character in both books, POSTAL BLUES and RAIN, SNOW, SLEET or HAIL is actually a side-bar character whose name is Carla. She has been on every diet known to mankind yet she continues to gain weight and she doesn’t know why. Carla can always be found with a muffin or a fast food bag in her hand. Sweet as the donuts that she can’t resist, she takes the constant ribbing about her diets with a smile. I like her because she doesn’t take herself too seriously and because she represents the inner struggle that a lot of us have with will power.

BPM: Are your characters derived from real people?

No. I’ve developed my characters around events rather than actual people.

BPM: How much of what you write reflects your outlook on life?

A lot. There is plenty of humor in my books. I hear all the time that, “this had me cracking up” or “I couldn’t stop laughing when I read that.” There isn’t too much life that I can’t find humor in. My writing reflects that.

BPM: What do you think of the increasingly gratuitous sex in African American literature?

I think it takes away from the talent of the author. Not only is there too much gratuitous sex, but the over abundant number of sexual book covers depress me. When I see those covers on book shelves it makes me realize that some of my people are still falling in line with the perception that other races have of us. It makes me wonder if the author is aware of the impact that their cover may have on us as a race. But sex sells and this is a hard business to break into so I understand the method behind the madness, I don’t agree, but I do understand which leads me to my next answer.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book for you to write?

Difficult not powerful … In POSTAL BLUES one of the main characters goes through a “transformation” in the bedroom to make her husband think that she’s having an affair. In order to accomplish that, I had to write some pretty graphic sex scenes. It was difficult for me. I had to pump myself up, lock my office door and forget that my brother may someday read what I had written. Even after having three children I didn’t want him to know that I knew how to have sex.

In RAIN, SNOW, SLEET or HAIL I didn’t put myself thru that torture; I wrote about making love without actually writing a ‘How to’ manual on it.

BPM: Ultimately what do you want readers to gain from Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail?

People read fiction for entertainment. Does my book have any life changing revelations? No. If my writing prompts readers to consider a new way to handle a common problem, great, but I write to entertain. When someone finishes POSTAL BLUES or RAIN, SNOW, SLEET or HAIL I want them to think, “Wow, that was entertaining, or “Wow, that’s a book I wouldn’t mind rereading…”

Postal Blues by Nikki Coe

GENRE: Fiction

ISBN: 9781934248591

https://nikkicoe.com/products.php

Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail by Nikki Coe

GENRE: Fiction

ISBN: 9780578040219

Purchase: https://nikkicoe.com/products.php

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EDC Creations Holiday Gift Guide

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EDC Creations Holiday Gift Guide

Please take a moment and visit our holiday gift guide for suggestions on great books!  We have author interviews, holiday interviews, bookclub showcases and tons of inspiration for our readers. Our Thanksgiving issue of Black Pearls Magazin is one of our best ever!  Go to Black Pearls Magazine now. 

Intimate Conversation with Literary Legends
Go On Girl! Book Club

BPM: Share with us the Go On Girl! history and chapter details. Share your founder(s) introduction. 

Go On Girl! Book Club was founded in February 1991 by Monique Greenwood, Lynda Johnson and Tracy Mitchell, three co-workers from New York City. The organization grew as members moved to other states and wanted to begin GOG chapters in their new cities. Today, Go On Girl! Book Club is one of the largest national reading organizations in the U.S. for black women with over 300 members in 31 chapters in 13 states including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.   (Photo taken by Ella Curry June, 2009 at Black Bookclubs Rocks Award. GOG won the Literary Legends award.)

 Meet Lynda M. Johnson, Co-founder Go On Girl! Book Club

Lynda M. Johnson is co-founder and chair of the largest national reading group for African-American women, the Go On Girl! Book Club. Lynda spear heads the organization and its popular annual traveling Author Awards Weekend taking place in Washington, DC in 2011.  In addition she co-authored The Go On Girl! Book Club Guide for Reading Groups by Hyperion with co-founders Tracy Mitchell and Monique Greenwood. 

Mrs. Johnson grew up in Syracuse, New York the city that helped nurture her love of literature, fashion and wanderlust. After graduating high school she studied fashion journalism and media studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Fordham University which led her to a career as a fashion journalist where she travels extensively covering fashion here and abroad. She has received numerous awards, including two Atrium Awards for her fashion journalism coverage and an Art Direction Magazine Award for her styling of fashion photo shoots.

Mrs. Johnson is a partner in an online content based website for the children’s industry with Go On Girl! co-founder, Tracy Mitchell called http://www.kidstylesource.com. She also teaches journalism and advertising and promotions at her alma mater, the Fashion Institute of Technology and works as a freelance fashion journalist/stylist. She lives in Harlem, New York where she is slowly restoring an 1892 townhouse with her husband, musician, Alonzo Wright.

Meet Tracy Mitchell,  Co-founder Go On Girl! Book Club

For nearly 20 years, Tracy Mitchell covered the children’s product industry in various editorial roles at Fairchild Publication’s Children’s Business magazine. From 1996 to late 2005 (when Children’s Business closed its doors), Mitchell was at the helm of the monthly magazine.

Under Mitchell’s direction, Children’s Business developed and produced a consumer shopper magazine as a viable supplement, entitled Spree, The Ultimate Guide to Shopping for Kids; negotiated an agreement with Nordstrom to distribute Spree in 90 stores nationwide; introduced two quarterly supplements – Kid Luxe and Tween Business – in response to the lack of public information available on these emerging trends in the kids’ business; and launched a weekly e-mail alert service to provide additional information on fashion and market news to Children’s Business subscribers.

A children’s market expert, Mitchell has been quoted and interviewed by mainstream press, including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times, Reuters, Chicago Tribune and CNN, on children’s business topics, ranging from luxury children’s wear and tween style trends to plus-size children’s wear and industry developments. Mitchell straddles the other side of the fence as a major consumer of children’s products as well. Mother to a toddler, a tween and a teen, she is well acquainted with the issues and concerns shopping parents encounter in the aisles and online.

KidStyleSource.com   represents Mitchell’s second entrepreneurial endeavor. In 1991 she helped launch what is now the #1 reading club targeting African-American women – The Go On Girl! Book Club (www.goongirl.org). She co-authored The Go On Girl! Book Club Guide for Reading Groups for Hyperion in 1999.

BPM: What is the mission of the Go On Girl! Book Club? What are your group goals? 

Key among the Go On Girl! goals is encouraging the continued publication of works by authors of African descent. The reviews to the authors and their publishing houses ensure the club’s message is heard: “African-Americans do indeed read, so keep the quality books coming. This is not just a trend!”

The mission of Go On Girl! Book Club is to support the development of literature by authors throughout the African Diaspora. To that end we maintain on-going communication with authors and publishers of each book on our reading list to let them know our praise and and rage for each title. Go On Girl! Book Club’s chapters support their respective communities through book drives, reading to the elderly and incarcerated, breast cancer walks, charity fundraisers as well as organizing Jr. Go On Girl! Book Club chapters for young girls.

The following support our mission:

– GOG Literary Magazine – 7th edition will be distributed in 2011

– GOG Website – being redesigned; will feature advertising

– Jr. Go On Girl! – Encouraging good reading habits in young girls

– GOG National Archives – Capturing GOG’s history for future generations

– Writing Awards – Two monetary awards given to an amateur scribe and a student at an historically black college

– Annual Author Awards – some past winners include Jewell Parker Rhodes, Lawrence Hill, Tananarive Due, Lawrence Hill, J. California Cooper, Sonia Sanchez and many others.

BPM: What legacy do you think Go On Girl! Book Club will leave for those watching in the community?

We believe that Go On Girl! Book Club’s legacy will be the support and guidance that we provide to black authors and publishers and the inspiration that our longevity and size gives to other bookclubs. In 2009, Go On Girl! Book Club won the Literary Legend award from the Black Book Club Rocks Foundation for 18 years as a national reading organization for black women. In 2011, Go On Girl! Book Club will host its 20th anniversary celebration at its 19th annual author awards event. The festivities will take place from May 20 – 22, 2011 in Washington, D.C. at the Marriott at Metro Center. All authors, bookclubs, publishers, bloggers, journalists who love black literature are invited to attend, For more information visit http://www.goongirl.org.

BPM: What types of monthly activities do you enjoy as a group? Do you travel?

Go On Girl! Book Club hosts an annual author awards event in a different city. In 2009 we travelled to Houston, Texas and in 2010 we were in Birmingham, Alabama. Each awards event features the winners of our Author of the Year and Best New Author Awards as well as Life Achievement, and Unpublished Writer and Scholarship Award winners. We are also joined by local authors. Some of GOG’s winning authors include Lawrence Hill (Someone Knows My Name), Jennifer Baszile (The Black Girl Next Door), Sonia Sanchez (Morning Haiku), J. California Cooper (Life is Short But Wide), Stephen Carter (The Emperor of Ocean Park), Jewell Parker Rhodes (Douglass’ Women) and many others. For our 20 year gala in 2011, 11 awards will be given to authors representing each genre reflected on our reading list in addition to the Author of the Year, Best New Author and writing award winners.

BPM: What adventures did GOG have in 2010? What will GOG do for the 20th anniversary in 2011?

2010 has been a tremendous year for Go On Girl! Book Club. We celebrated our 18th Annual Author Awards event in Birmingham, Alabama with authors Lawrence Hill 2009 Author of the Year (Someone Knows My Name), Jennifer Baszile 2009 Best New Author (The Black Girl Next Door) and Sonia Sanchez 2009 Life Achievement Award Winner (Morning Haiku). Special Guest authors included Vanessa Davis Griggs, Patricia Haley, Chaundra Sparks Taylor, Tina Kay and A. Faye Boykin.

In 2011, Go On Girl! Book Club will celebrate 20 years as an organization at our 19th Annual Author Awards gala. The festivities will take place from May 20-22nd in Washington, DC at the Marriott at Metro Center. We are looking for a tremendous turnout! Every author on our reading list will be invited to attend along with publishing professionals, bookclubs, bloggers, journalists – anyone who supports black literature. In addition to our 2010 Author of the Year and Best New Author, we will give 11 awards in each of the genres that Go On Girl! Book Club reads throughout the year.BPM: What is your favorite genre of books? What are the key factors that make a book remain on your mind long after you read the last page?

Go On Girl! Book Club reads a book from a different genre each month so that our members are exposed to a broader view of literature. The genres are: anthology, autobiography/biography, classic, historical fiction, international, mystery/suspense, new author, science fiction/fantasy, short story, novel/popular fiction and social commentary

BPM: How do you feel about electronic books such as downloads for Kindle or iPad, etc?

Go On Girl! Book Club supports new technology as long as the works of all black authors are readily available on these devices.

BPM: How may we find out more about Go On Girl! Book Club? 

To find our more information about Go On Girl! Book Club, please visit our website at http://www.goongirl.org/. 

Please Give the Gift of Knowledge by sharing this newsletter with your family today, click here!

Inspiration for the Holidays!

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Create a Thanksgiving Pact by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Happy Thanksgiving from Stacy Hawkins Adams

Hi Friend,
I issue this greeting with the hope that you’re preparing for your best Thanksgiving ever! Let’s face it, though: We’ve all got “issues”; and during this time of year, which can be the most festive and joyous, sometimes the circumstances, people, or things that challenge us most threaten to sap our gratitude.

This year, however, why not make a “Thanksgiving Pact” with yourself to find the roses among the thorns?

* When you want to complain, hold your tongue and think of something positive.

* When you’re feeling overwhelmed or gloomy, turn on some music with an uplifting beat or inspirational lyrics.

* When you’re distracted by what you lack, reflect on your life and rejoice in all the good things (material and intangible) that you do possess.

Decide how you personally want to spell “Thankful” and tuck these words on a piece of paper or in a journal that you can return to throughout the holiday season.

Here’s what I’ll be reflecting on during Thanksgiving 2010:

T = Trusting God Always

H = Honored to Share My Journey with You and Others

A = Aiming for Excellence

N = Never Alone

K = Keeping the Faith

F = Forever Grateful for God’s Love

U = Uplifted By His Grace and Mercy

L = Living Fully the Life He Gave Me

Choose your own phrases and give thanks in advance for where your transformative words will take you.

I’m thankful for YOU and for your continued support of my writing and speaking endeavors.

Here’s wishing you a Thanksgiving in which you can recognize simple blessings and be grateful that another day is yours to experience.

Happy Thanksgiving and Warm Regards!

Stacy Hawkins Adams
Bestselling Author / Inspirational Speaker
Igniting Hope that Fuels Your Dreams

About the Author

Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning author, speaker and freelance writer. Her six nationally-published women’s fiction novels weave faith, social issues and personal growth themes into creative plots. Her nonfiction book gives women practical tips, scriptural guidance and inspiration on how to connect more deeply with God.
Stacy’s fourth novel, The Someday List, maintained a steady presence on the Essence bestseller’s list throughout 2009, and soared to #7 on the Kindle bestseller list earlier this year. The Someday List was nominated for a Library of Virginia fiction award.
Her latest novel, Dreams That Won’t Let Go, hit bookstore shelves in January 2010 and continues to receive critical acclaim. Who Speaks to Your Heart? is Stacy’s first nonfiction book. It was released in May 2010 and serves as a devotional guide for busy women from all walks of life.

She recently launched a group coaching service called Author In You (www.AuthorInYou.com), through which she and a select group of professional authors provide personalized motivation and advice to fiction and nonfiction writers seeking to complete a manuscript. She occasionally provides personal “purpose coaching” that empowers women to recognize their relevance and purpose, and succeed at a personal or professional goal.
When she is not writing, speaking or coaching, Stacy devotes considerable time to promoting child advocacy as a writing and marketing consultant, and community volunteer. Stacy lives in a suburb of Richmond, Va. with her husband and two children.

Connect with Stacy Online:
http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/
www.Facebook.com/BooksByStacy

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Thankful to be counted amongst the living!

Thankful to be counted amongst the living!

by Electa Rome Parks

I am a worry-wart.

I always have been and probably will remain so until the day I take my final breath. It is what it is. Ironically, I don’t worry that I am a worrywart. Possessing that title has its rich rewards. For one, I’m always on my “A” game—making sure I cross all my t’s and dot all my i’s. There is always a Plan B in place, just in case Plan A doesn’t work out.

So. . . the spill-off or residue from being a worrywart is that I’m super organized and highly efficient in most all I do. I try to retain control in all I do, as much to the degree that is possible. You guys read between the lines. Okay, I admit it, I can be picky, a control freak and a perfectionist to a fault.

Over the quickly fleeing years that pass by in the blink of an eye, as my spiritual level and maturity has grown, I have come to realize that I should always come with my “A” game, but also realize that with God all around me—guiding, leading, directing and instructing my footsteps—I can eagerly give up my title, confident in the knowledge that I’ll be alright. In fact, I’ll be better than alright, I will be safe, sound, happy and secure with my place in this world. He always makes a way, even during our darkest moments. When you think you can’t take another step, he’ll do one better and carry you.

As we move towards holidays, I pause to reflect on all the wonderful family and friends that I have in my life. I have a loving husband, children that I am very proud of, people who love and care for me with a passion, just as I am. They accept me with faults, imperfections and even when I’m in worrywart mode. Plus, I’m living my dream each and every day. I’m creating the reality of my dreams and that in itself is magic. Magic surrounds me and I bask in its glory. I have my health and my strength and my sanity. What more could I possibly ask for or need in my life?

No, my life hasn’t been without struggle and hardship. I’ve lost so many people over the years to death in my immediate family, but I’m still standing, solid as a live oak; I’ve never had anything simply handed to me on a platter, I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve achieved and appreciated it even more; I’ve had moments of doubt and uncertainty only to be given crystal-clear clarity; I’ve looked at the “other side” and thought the grass was greener only to discover it wasn’t, it wasn’t even green, more of an imitation shade; I’ve asked the question, many times, “why me, Lord?” only to receive the answer, “Why not you, my child?”

In the past, I’ve been hurt by men because I love deeply and they didn’t appreciate my true worth; hell, I’ve been hurt by my family, blood; even hurt by my so called best friends forever, but I still rise; I’ve been down, down, down, but I’ve also been up, so high I could almost reach the sky; I’ve been disillusioned to the point of despair, but I’ve also been inspired by the goodness of people who care; I’ve cried buckets of tears, but I’ve also rejoiced in splendor at the beauty of the human spirit.

The green-eyed monster of jealousy has visited me a few times and I’ve fought him off tooth and sword because I learned a long time ago to truly be happy for other’s good fortune; God has your back and your day is coming. What’s meant for you is truly meant for you and no one, no thing, no situation can take that away from you. I’ve had my moments when I took to my bed, in a state of depression, sleep as my refuge, but I always got back up stronger and resilient with a fire burning deep within my soul. I’ve been to the mountaintop and it is a beautiful thing, but I’ve also been in the valley a day short and a dollar late.

All this to say: Life can be hard. Life is full of strive and struggle. But you know what? I’m so thankful! Thankful to be counted amongst the living. I’m thankful! Thankful to have a voice, thankful to make a difference, thankful to have a platform to speak, thankful to know all I have to do is see it and believe it for it to happen.

I’m so thankful that my reality doesn’t have to be my destiny. I’m so thankful that I have a fire that burns deep within. I’m so thankful that all I have to do is listen and he will speak. I’m so thankful that all I have to do is ask and then I will receive. I’m thankful God moves through me which enables me to move people.

I AM SO VERY THANKFUL!   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

About the Author

Electa Rome Parks currently resides outside Atlanta, Georgia. After successfully self-publishing her debut novel, The Ties That Bind, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group, bought the rights. Electa signed a three-book deal with New American Library.

All three books were immediately chosen as Black Expressions Book Club main selections and embraced as Books of the Month by book clubs across the country. Dubbed a “book club favorite,” avid readers have embraced Electa’s true to life characters that tackle prevalent and heavy hitting issues.

Since then Electa has become a bestselling author of several other mainstream (Loose Ends and Almost Doesn’t Count) and erotic (These Are My Confessions, Ladies’ Night Out, Diary of a Stalker and True Confessions) novels with Penguin Group, HarperCollins and Kensington.

The self-proclaimed, Queen of Real, Electa has been a frequent guest on radio shows, has been nominated for many industry awards and has been interviewed by newspapers, AOL’s Black Voices, Vibe Vixen, Upscale Magazine, Today’s Black Woman, Rolling Out and Booking Matters, to name just a few. With a BA degree in marketing and a minor in sociology, she is following her true passion and working on her next novel and first screenplay.

To find out when and where Electa will be in your area, check out her website at http://www.electaromeparks.com/.

To share your thoughts with Electa regarding her work or to schedule an event, please e-mail her at novelideal@aol.com.

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7 Ways to Empty The Cup by Talayah Stovall

7 Ways to Empty The Cup  by Talayah Stovall

There is a saying, “Empty the cup. Every time you empty it, it comes back twice as full.”
Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude and appreciation for our many blessings. Real weath begins with giving. Here are several ways that you can make a difference this holiday season by pouring into the lives of others:

1. Give Your Time – Babysit for someone who can’t afford to hire a sitter. Take food to someone who is sick. Visit a nursing home. Send a note to brighten someone’s day. Volunteer at a local shelter for whatever cause you support – women, children, the homeless, even your favorite animal shelter.

2. Give Your Talents – What can you do that would make a difference in someone’s life? Can you knit? Style hair? Sing? Do you like to clean and organize? Extend yourself this holiday season by using your gifts to help and cheer others.

3. Give Your Blood – Every two seconds someone in America needs blood. Currently, only 3 out of 100 people give. Every pint of blood can save up to three lives. Contact the Red Cross for information.

4. Give Your Organs – Leave a lasting legacy. Register with your state and sign the donor form on your drivers’ license.

[ READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT BLACK PEARLS, HERE ]

About the Author

Talayah G. Stovall, Pres., TGrace, is an author, keynote speaker, radio host, life purpose coach and Managing Director of Vision Catalyst Consulting.

For information on speaking or coaching, as well as her motivational audio CDs, “P.U.M.P. It UP! and 7 Secrets to Ignite Your Dreams, her book, Crossing the Threshold: Opening Your Door to Successful Relationships, eBook, 150 Important Questions You Should Ask Before You Say “I Do”, or newsletter “EmPOWERed to…”, please visit   http://www.talayahstovall.com/.

Use Your Passion to Tap Into Your Purpose!

Talayah G. Stovall
Author, Speaker, Life Purpose Coach

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Black Books Weekend on the BAN Radio Show

Black Books Weekend on the BAN Radio Show

Black Books Weekend will open Black Friday, November 26, 2010 with live readings and live Twitter and Facebook chats with 80 of the most talented writers on the shelves, from all genres. Readers can possibly WIN one of 50 books being given away by calling into the show nightly! Read on…

Friday, Nov. 26 – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

Readers Join Us Nightly:  646.200.0402
Party Totally Online at: http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/
BAN Chatroom : www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network

 

The 3rd Annual Black Books Weekend, hosted by Ella Curry of EDC Creations features four nights of readings and discussions with noted authors, bookclubs and poets. Our mission is to get folks to buy great books for gifts this holiday season, from our featured authors, publishers and their imprints.

Join us from the comfort of your homes, using your phones, and share the spirit of Sankofa with EDC Creations! This event is a bookclub and avid readers paradise!

We have confirmed appearances by: Carol Mackey, Mocha Ochoa, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Earl Sewell, Bernice L. McFadden, Pamela Samuels Young, Electa Rome Parks, Naleighna Kai, Moses Miller, William Ashanti Hobbs, Pat G’Orge Walker, Mari Walker, Kai, Fiona Zedde, Michelle Janine Robinson, Aleysha Proctor, Yasmine Harrison, Samara King, Jamise Dames, Dwayne S. Joseph, Denise R. Coleman, Twala Meju, Junnita Jackson and many more.

50 Book Giveaway Returns!
There are three major gift bag promotions for the readers who join us November 26-29, 2010 on the phones, in the BAN Chatroom and at the Twitter chat. Please tell your network and fans about this wonderful weekend and give them The Gift of Knowledge!  Readers, call into the show nightly at 646.200.0402  and speak to the featured authors. BAN Chatroom guests are eligible to win one of the featured books, by entering here nightly: www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network

Black Books Weekend Schedule
Featured Panel Discussions, Author Showcases and Bookclub Parties.
Special holiday Twitter Chat on Monday Night 9-10pm! Details below.

* Friday, November 26, 2010 at 8-10 pm EST
Theme: Freaky Friday – Adult Books, Romance, Erotica,Gay/Lesbian
Location: Black Authors Network Radio Show
Connection: Call into the show at 646.200.0402

* Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 8-10 pm EST
Theme: Urban Lit, Thrillers, Mystery, Poetry and Mixed Genre Fiction
Location: Black Authors Network Radio Show
Connection: Call into the show at 646.200.0402

* Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 8-10 pm EST
Theme: Christian Fiction, Non-fiction, YA Readers, and Religious
Location: Black Authors Network Radio Show
Connection: Call into the show at 646.200.0402

* Monday, November 29, 2010 at 9-10 pm EST
Theme: Sankofa Bookclub Summit Twitter Chat
Location: Black Magazine Blogspot and TweetChat.com
Follow us on Twitter or at TweetChat with hashtag: < #blklitsummit >
Giving away (2) $250.00 gift bags, filled with books for holiday reviews

WIN GREAT GIFT BAGS AND REVIEW BOOKS
Readers, call into the show nightly at 646.200.0402 and speak to the featured authors. If you win a book, email Ella Curry immediately at:  edc_dg@yahoo.com, so she can send you the instructions. Listen for your area code during the show, your phone line will be opened and you can speak to the authors.

BAN Chatroom guests are eligible to win one of the featured books, by entering here nightly: www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network  Join Ella and the other readers in the BAN Radio Show chatroom nightly to answer trivia questions, play games and share your thoughts. Registered chatters are eligible to win one of 5 books given away nightly. The two bookclubs with the most members in the chatroom each night will win a $50.00 gift bag! 

AUTHORS AND POETS
November 26-29, 2010 we are celebrating heritage, culture and creative forces! After the broadcasts, the shows feeds out to 118,000 RSS feed listeners, creates its own newsletter, is posted to130 blog and podcast directories. I will send it out to personal database of 133,000 readers in a holiday eblast. WE will spread the word to the masses!  If you would like to promote your book during Black Books Weekend visit our website and check out the packages here: http://www.edc-creations.com/publicity.htm

READERS AND BOOKCLUBS
You are invited to participate in online reading sessions, contests, bookclub giveaways, radio interviews and guest blogging sessions. Meet us online from the comforts of your home. Invite your friends, co-workers and social network members. Please consider the books showcased for your “book of the month” or to give as gifts all year long. Visit Black Pearls Magazine today to find those rare literary gems at: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/!

Thank you,

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations

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Join the 11/22 BPM Literary Legacy Panel

 

Celebrating the Legacy of Black Literature

Black Authors Network Radio with Ella Curry

Readers Listen Here Nowhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network/2010/11/23/evening-with-ella-series

We are discussing literature, love of community and our literary legacy! This is a community discussion and we want to hear from YOU.

In honor of Thanksgivings, the Sankofa Literary Society (SLS) will host a empowering discussion panel on the legacy our books will leave future generations. This phenomenal online experience will highlight African-Americans in the literary world including radio hosts, educators, authors and publishing leaders. We invite you to call into the show and share your opinions of  “The State of African American Literature” and the legacy we are leaving.

Are you proud of the books that we are producing today?

Are the books published today creating a impact on the readers or merely entertaining the masses? Join us and speak up and out!

 

Black Pearls Literary Legacy Panel Discussion

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Mocha Ochoa

Web: http://www.theoraclegroup.net/

Facebook: Facebook/inthecafewithmocha

In the Café with Mocha Literary Talk Show

Mocha Ochoa is the CEO of The Oracle Group, a nationally recognized agency that specializes in producing literary, educational and outreach campaign development. Connecting authors with events that engage and uplift the local, national and global community. The Oracle Group specializes in producing A-List Author Launch Events, National and Community Book Fairs, Educator Appreciation Series and Literary Campaign Development.

Mocha, host of the In the Café with Mocha Literary Talk Show co-founded the NAACP Author Pavilion at their Annual Convention and has also organized book events for Barnes & Noble, The National Book Festival, The National Press Club and the National Council of Negro Women. She the founding member and implementing partner of the Reading Across Continents initiative, an interactive cross-cultural literary exchange project connecting students, teachers and authors via technology. Participating countries include Ghana, Nigeria and the United State.

Judine Slaughter

Websites: http://bwgpg.org/   and  http://eybooks.com/

Books: Clear Skinned and Do-It-Yourself Publishing

Exective Director United Black Writers Association

Judine Slaughter is the Executive Director of the United Black Writers Association. She has previously been the editor of several newsletters, taught three online classes on publishing/marketing and has presented writing workshops. Ms. Slaughter supports the nurturing of literary talent, because everyone has a story.

Go On Girl! Book Club
Website: http://www.goongirl.org/
Lynda M. Johnson – Co-Founder, Go On Girl! Book Club
Willette Hill – Corresponding Secretary
Evalyn Rose Hamilton – Historian
Tracey Y. Smith – Nat’l Media & Author Relations, Founder More Than Words

Go On Girl! Celebrating the Legacy of Black Literature® — With more than 30 chapters in 12 states, The Go On Girl! Book Club is the largest African-American women’s book club in the country. Founded in 1991, members meet in their homes in their respective cities to discuss the club’s reading selection of the month. Feedback on each selection is shared with the authors and publishers. The chapters come together annually to honor authors and celebrate the legacy of Black literature. Through the years, literary luminaries such as Gloria Naylor, Bebe Moore Campbell, Jill Nelson and Pearl Cleage have come in person to receive their Go On Girl! Author of the Year award.

Shalema McGhee
Blogger, Authors In Color
http://authorsincolor.blogspot.com/

Shalema K. McGhee is founder and blogger of Authors In Color. Her main goal is to promote and support books by authors of the African diaspora. She is also a member of Go On Girl! Book Club, where she currently serves as facilitator of the founding chapter.

Cora Coleman-Dunham

Website: http://www.vivoclub.com/

Musician, Mentor and Author

Book: G.A.G.U. – Gathering a Greater Understanding: The Ultimate Life Guide for Youth

Cora C. Dunham, is the Vice-President and CEO of The Vivo Club. Drummer, writer, photographer, director, clinician, mentor and designer, Cora received her Bachelor of Music degree in 2004 from Howard University (Washington, DC). Cora has performed with Pink, Lalah Hathaway, Goapele, Richard Smallwood, Il Divo, Elton John, Frank McComb and is currently the drummer for Pop artist, Prince.

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

Website: http://www.nanaekua.com/  

Book: Powder Necklace: A Novel

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond has written for AOL, Parenting Magazine, the Village Voice, Metro and Trace Magazine. Her short story “Bush Girl” was published in the May 2008 issues of African Writing and her poem, “The Whinings of a Seven Sister Cum Laude Graduate Working Board as an Assistant,” was published in 2006’s Growing up Girl Anthology.

A cum laude graduate of Vassar College, she attended secondary school in Ghana. Powder Necklace is loosely based on the experience. POWDER NECKLACE chronicles the seminal years in the life of a teenage girl as she is shuttled both physically and emotionally from London to Ghana to London again, and finally Long Island.

Karen F. Brundage-Johnson, Ph.D.

Book: Beyond the Body! Developing Inner Beauty

Professional Women Woman Speakers Bureau – http://www.protrain.net/  

Karen Brundage-Johnson, PhD is President of Your Image Matters, a consulting and training organization. As a business leader, Karen has overseen training &development for thousands of employees implementing programs in professional development, empowerment, and diversity.

Karen is co-author of “Beyond the Body! Developing Inner Beauty”, a book for women focused on emotional, mental & spiritual wellness.

In 2004, she founded the Readers Journey Book Club Network bringing book clubs together in Atlantic County New Jersey to fellowship and experience author discussions and in 2008 featured in Essence Magazine with author Gloria Naylor.

Karen also writes jazz performance reviews that accompany the jazz photos taken by her husband, noted jazz photographer Ben Johnson for Jazz Time Magazine online.

Tina McElroy Ansa

Book: Taking After Mudear
Novelist, Publisher, Filmmaker and Journalist
Websites: http://www.tinamcelroyansa.com/  and  http://www.downsouthpress.com/

Tina McElroy Ansa is a novelist, publisher, filmmaker, teacher and journalist. But above all, she is a storyteller. She calls herself “part of a long and honored writing tradition, one of those little Southern girls who always knew she wanted to be a writer.”  She grew up in Middle Georgia in the 1950s hearing her grandfather’s stories on the porch of her family home and strangers’ stories downtown in her father’s juke joint, which have inspired Mulberry, Georgia, the mythical world of her four novels, Baby of the Family, Ugly Ways, The Hand I Fan With and You Know Better.

In March 2007, Mrs. Ansa launched an independent publishing company, DownSouth Press, with its focus on African-American literature — fiction and nonfiction. Her fifth novel, Taking After Mudear, a sequel to her bestselling Ugly Ways, will be the lead title on DownSouth Press’s first list in the fall of 2007. DownSouth Press will publish established as well as emerging literary voices.

She and her husband, AFI (American Film Institute) Fellow filmmaker Joneé Ansa are currently adapting Baby of the Family for the screen in a feature film starring Alfre Woodard, Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Vanessa Williams, Todd Bridges, Pam Grier, and Tonea Stewart. The author is collaborating with her husband on the screenplay for Baby of the Family, which he will direct and shoot in her hometown of Macon, Georgia. Mrs. Ansa is executive producer.

She and her husband, Joneé Ansa, have lived on St. Simons Island, Georgia since 1984. Together they produced and directed the 1989 Georgia Sea Island Festival, a 30-year-old grassroots festival that seeks to preserve the crafts, music, slave chants, games, food and spirit of the African-American people who lived and worked as slaves on the rice and cotton plantations along the Georgia coast. Ms. Ansa is an avid birder, amateur naturalist, and gardener. She always has collard greens growing in her garden among the black-eyed Susans and moonflowers.

Ella Curry, EDC Creations

Website: http://www.edc-creations.com/

Magazine: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Ella Curry is the president and CEO of EDC Creations Media Group. She brings more than 20 years of PR and marketing experience to clients in film, music, publishing and corporate event planning. Her expertise as well as her love for all things literary, dynamic contacts, and collaborative approach with clients have earned her a reputation as a respected leader in the publishing industry. Ella has enjoyed an extensive tenure in media promotions and book publicity. She started out as a corporate event planner and website developer; later becoming a buyer for the legendary Karibu Book Store chain. Her career now includes services such as blog tour coordinator, book coach, video journalist and literary publicist.

She has interviewed community leaders and celebrities such as: The View’s Emmy® award-winning co-host, comedienne/actress Sherri Shepherd, Byron Pitts Emmy® award-winning journalist for 60 Minutes and chief national correspondent for CBS Evening News, American film director of Secret Life of Bees, Gina Prince-Bythewood, literary legends Dr. Maya Angelou and Sonia Sanchez, along with award-winning actors and actresses such as Hill Harper, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, Tristan Wilds, and International motivational speaker Lisa Nichols of the Secret DVD and author of No Matter What. 

Ella Curry is the host and producer of the Black Authors Network Radio Show, sponsored by EDC Creations Media Group. Ella has interviewed MochaMoms® and other community leaders along with bestselling authors Terrie M. Williams, Sue Monk Kidd, Farrah Gray, Breena Clarke, Carleen Brice, Nathan McCall, Mary B. Morrison, Francis Ray, Walter Mosley, John Kremer, Lutishia Lovely and Donna Hill.   

Ella Curry is the publisher of Black Pearls Magazine, a professional blogger and literary reporter on http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com where she publishes her popular Intimate Conversation Interviews with today’s hottest authors, business owners and community leaders. In the Spring of 2011, Ella will release her first book on how to effectively market and promote your book with social media while on a budget.

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Thankful by Doris Washington

Thankful  by Doris Washington

Let’s be thankful for the times we come together
Not only for the holiday feast,
The Turkey,
The dressing,
And the pumpkin pie,
But also to cherish the time
In seeing each other again,
Till the time we come together-Again.

Let’s be thankful
And remember it’s the moments we share,
The Love we give,
The Love of family,
The Love of friends,
Near or far.

Let’s be thankful for every moment,
For each day,
And remember as we give to others in need,
We too will be blessed.

For its the Love of family,
The Love of friends,
And the Love of Giving.

Let’s Be-
Thankful

Thankful copyright (c) Doris Washington, November 2010. All rights reserved.

About the Author/Poet
Doris Washington is a spiritual writer, author, poet, and disability advocate who resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband and son John. Doris takes the inspiration from her poetry from an unfortunate incident that involved her 18-year-old son with autism, and two police officers in December 1993. This incident impacted Doris’ life greatly. She was empowered to advocate for a statewide program for police officers to be aware of and recognize persons with special needs. And it was through this period of Doris’ life her writing began.

Her son is her inspiration to write. She has written over 450 poems about her closeness with God, spirituality, autism awareness, inspirations, positive thinking, social issues in our world, and greetings. She is an entrepreneur of  DORIS’ POEMS. She does poetry readings at nursing homes, and residential home facilities, churches, and the community. Her poems continue to inspire many. Her desire hopes that her poetry will be an inspiration for the world.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Trice Hickman

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Trice Hickman

Trice Hickman, is the award-winning, bestselling author of Unexpected Interruptions, which was selected as a Black Expressions “Dynamic Debut.” The novel also won the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association’s 2008 Afr’ Am Literary Award for Best New African American Voice, and the Best Romance Novel Award at the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show. Her latest novel, Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies, was released June 2009, and has received praise from readers, literary reviewers, and book clubs across the country. Her third novel, Playing the Hand You’re Dealt, was released summer 2010.   Website: http://www.tricehickman.com/

  

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?

Christmas at my maternal grandmother’s house was always fun! One Christmas that stands out for me was when I was seven years old and she gave me my first watch!  I’ve always been fascinated by time and could read a clock when I was four years old!  Knowing how much I loved time pieces (at such an early age), my grandmother gave me a Mini-Mouse Timex with a pink leather band! I LOVED that watch!  You couldn’t tell me that I wasn’t stylin’ that Christmas! 

How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the “traditions” for your family?

The holidays are my favorite time of year, so from November 1, through January 2, it’s on!  I cook tons of food and have family, friends, and neighbors over to help celebrate throughout the season. One tradition that has been passed down from my grandmother has been to decorate the house from top to bottom for the season. My grandmother had a true flare for putting a stylish touch on simple Christmas decorations, turning everything she into a holiday masterpiece. My mother used to get fresh pine needles from the trees in our back yard and decorate the house with them; the smell was wonderful! And now, two generations later, I decorate my house from top to bottom in full holiday grandeur!

What are you most thankful for today?

I’m thankful for so many things, most importantly, for my loving and supportive family and friends who always give me inspiration and encouragement. God has been very good to me! 

What message does all your books have in common?

The singular message that my current books (and future books) have in common is this: it’s not about the mistakes you make, it’s about how you recover from them. We are all going to make mistakes along the way, so don’t sweat it. Instead of concentrating on what went wrong, work on how you are going to rebound from the situation. The characters in my novels are good people who sometimes make bad decisions, but it’s in how they deal with what they’ve done that brings about life’s interesting learning lessons.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Lutishia Lovely

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Lutishia Lovely

 Lutishia Lovely grew up in a small Kansan town, and often had to rely on her own creativity and imagination for entertainment. Her childhood habit of long conversations with imaginary friends and fantasies of traveling the world have evolved into a satisfying career that allows her to indulge her passion for spontaneous jet-setting to parts unknown. She’s visited forty states and more than a dozen countries.

Since childhood, she’s also had a deep-seated belief that dreams can come true. This is what gave her the courage to take her self-published novel to a conference attended by 25,000 people, give one book to one editor, and get a book deal. She says that magic can only happen, when we believe…

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?

My favorite holiday memory is from when I was eight years old. Christmas was coming, yet on Christmas Eve, there were only two or three presents under the tree, and none of them had my name on them! I was VERY concerned, and shared this anxiety with my mother. “Well, maybe Santa won’t come this year,” she said. “You’ll just have to go to bed and see what happens.” I tossed and turned, but sleep finally came. Seconds after opening my eyes the next morning, I threw back the covers and flew into the living room! Presents abounded under the Christmas tree! “He came! Santa came!” I shouted to my parents. I was soooo excited! My parents beamed, as my joy became theirs.

I don’t even remember what I got that Christmas, and I think it was the following year that I found out that Santa Claus’s real name was Mama and Daddy. But that for one Christmas, I believed that anything was possible, and that a total stranger thought enough of me to drop off gifts at my house. It remains my favorite holiday memory. And I still believe… 

How do you celebrate the holidays? 

What are the “traditions” for your family? For the past several holidays, I’ve begun making my own traditions. One of them is to give gifts to the homeless on Christmas morning, instead of receiving. Myself and a couple friends buy essentials and treats: socks, underwear, toiletries, etc., and also candy, toys and BOOKS, wrap them, load up the car, don a Santa hat, and drive around the streets of Los Angeles looking for people living on the street.

We don’t go to organized places such as Salvation Army, rescue missions, etc. We find people sleeping on the street, tap them on their blanket, and when they come out from under the covers blinking away sleep, we smile, hold out the gift and say “Merry Christmas.”   I can’t tell you how special these people feel, and how much joy I’ve gotten from this inexpensive act. They’ve been some of the best Christmases of my life.

What are you most thankful for today? 

To be who I am, an awake, aware human being, and a published author! What message does all your books have in common? That Spirit is Love, and that while my books are about the drama in romantic relationships, our relationship with Spirit, and to who we really are, is the most important one of all. The miracle you’re looking for is in your mirror. Website: http://www.lutishialovely.com/ 

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Gail McFarland

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Gail McFarland

Gail McFarland is the published author of more than 100 short romantic confessions and stories and seven novels including: SUMMERWIND (BET/Arabesque), WHEN LOVE CALLS (BET/Arabesque), BOUQUET (with Roberta Gayle and Anna Laurence, BET/Arabesque), LADY KILLER (LULU Books), and ALL FOR LOVE (LULU Books). 

A dedicated wellness/fitness advocate, Ms. McFarland is currently an active fitness instructor and consultant. She happily admits that DREAM RUNNER is the first of her novels to combine her love of sports and fitness with the passion of romance. DREAM KEEPER, the sequel to this well received novel, is slated for December, 2009.   Also in 2009, Ms. McFarland returned to her romantic roots with short stories and confessions, in conjunction with Lady Leo Publications, and readers can look forward to her contribution to the February 2010 anthology, CAN A SISTAH GET SOME LOVE? A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. McFarland now makes her home in Atlanta, Georgia. Website: http://fitwryter.tripod.com/

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?

I absolutely LOVE Christmas, and I love it for more than the gifts. I love the connectivity and tradition of it all. Oh, and snow. Everybody should have snow for Christmas. My favorite Christmas was my 16th — it was my first real glimpse of “growing up”. I got a driver’s license, permission to date, a cute boyfriend, a very sweet kiss in the snow, and there was a bunch of other stuff under the tree (but you can see where my priorities were …) 

How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the “traditions” for your family?

Because my family is so small, I usually celebrate with friends. Two of my favorite traditions are the cooking, and all of the food. Something about being in that kitchen, with everything smelling so good is both soothing and relaxing for me. One of my favorite Christmas family traditions is that everyone who visits has a gift under our tree: there are no strangers in our home, only family.

What message does all your books have in common?

I write romance, so this one is kind of easy. I believe that what is meant for you is truly for you. My books explore themes of love, redemption, and determination, drenched with passion, sensuality, and intimacy, always powered by fate. Love is a good thing. 

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Avah LaReaux

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Avah LaReaux

A writer inspired by the human condition, Avah LaReaux uses the power of the written word to captivate and entertain her readers. She has a talent for penning stories that focus on the lives of everyday people while conveying messages of empowerment, optimism, and inspiration.

Avah LaReaux’s work and prose has been featured in various anthologies including In-Between Days and Under A Quick Silver Moon in the United States and abroad in the United Kingdom in the anthology Theatre of the Mind.

Her current novels What’s Done In the Dark and Song of the Siren are the first two installations of six in the Lost and Found saga series.
Website: http://www.avahlareaux.com/  

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?

My favorite holiday memory is from my childhood when my mom and sisters and I would gather in the kitchen to cook Christmas dinner. The event always started on Christmas Eve and I remember being so excited to go on winter break at school and come home to start cooking. While we worked, there was always music (Motown, of course) and egg nog. Most times, my sister would bake some type of scrumptious dessert and we would spend the entire day cooking, laughing, and telling each other to go easy on the cake.

How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the “traditions” for your family?

In our home, the holiday season begins with the first day of autumn and ends after the Super Bowl. We celebrate with decorations and music and, of course, food. From decorative squash and dried corn to the annual tree raising ceremony, we use every minute to laugh and reflect and enjoy each other.

What are you most thankful for today? What message does all your books have in common?

I am very thankful for the opportunity to do what I love full time. Writing has long been my dream and to be living that dream is absolutely amazing. It is the realization of hope I carried in my heart long before I realized I could really be an author. That message of hope, for dreams, for love, for a better life, is the common thread in all my books.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Geri Morris

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Geri Morris

 Geri Morris was born in Washington, DC . She is a former professional singer, model and avid poetry writer. Residing in Alexandria, VA., she is a mother and grandmother. Wanting to prove that you can become anything in life, she says that her grandchildren are the reason she decided to pursue a career as a published author. Check out her first novel, All That Glitters Just Ain’t,  Here.

“To see the smile and honor on their young faces when they saw my picture plastered on a book was priceless.”   Presently, Geri is busy working on the sequel to “All That Glitters…, and her next upcoming novel, “Three Shades of Blue. ”  Website: http://www.myspace.allthatglittersjustaint.com/  

What was your most memorable holiday from the past? 

My most memorable holiday from the past was actually when I was a little girl. The actual year is a little blurry. Being a member of a large family, five sisters and five brothers, I was the youngest girl. My father had unfortunately passed. My mother did the best she could raising so many children.

There were many Christmas’ when we had nothing. As a child, I remembered the closer it got to Christmas the more depressed I would become knowing that mama couldn’t afford to buy us anything. “Show & Tell” at school after the holidays was always embarrassing because I’d have nothing to share.

One year — it was Christmas Eve actually, news had gotten out in the neighborhood that the lady with all those kids needed food for her eleven children. That Christmas Eve night, I remember hearing the sweet voices of carolers singing outside our door. I think I was around 8 or 9 years old at the time. At first, I wasn’t quite sure if I were hearing things. I remember my mom or sister walking over to look out the door. When the door opened, I peeped around her and saw all these people standing outside hugging these large baskets that were filled with food and presents. My eyes nearly popped! Suddenly feeling hunger pangs, I thought to myself…. “is that for us?  Wow, we sure got a lot of food!”  LOL!

In the living room, we had a small Christmas tree but nothing else. The people came in singing, placing the baskets of food and presents down on the bear living room floor. We all stood around smiling in disbelief, my mom’s eyes full of tears. For sure, God had sent his angels to our home. That night when I went to bed, my stomach full, I feel asleep right away. In the middle of the night, I awoke. Looking out the window, I thought for sure I saw Santa and all the reindeer riding across the sky! In the morning, me, my sisters and my brothers all flew downstairs. There were toys and gifts for everyone! Even Mama! That is a Christmas I will never forget!

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Vonda Howard

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Vonda Howard

Wife of 13 years and mom to 2, native Washingtonian (DC), Vonda Howard has been writing since she was 10 years old. She currently still resides in the DC area with her family. She has 3 books to her credit so far; her first self published novel, “Diamond Lives, Platinum Lies.”

Her second self published novella, “It’s always the Pretty Ones”, and her upcoming novel under Anexander Books, the first installment to her “D-cup Divas” series. She is currently the owner and lead designer of her own graphic design firm, Cupcake Creative Studio which services scores of well known authors and business owners. Website: http://www.cupcakecreativestudio.com/

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?
Christmas is always the most memorable for me. My younger brother and I never got a wink of sleep! We would drift in and out all night long! My mom made it clear that were not allowed to go into the living room until at least 6 am. We would always try to peek, but my mother (don’t ask me how), would always get it to be pitch black in the living room so we couldn’t see a thing! I sometimes miss sitting in the room with my brother talking about what we think we got.

How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the “traditions” for your family?
Well now that the kids are older we can really start some traditions. This year we’ll be making some cookies. We always watch “The Christmas Carol” together. On the 23rd I read “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas” by Natasha Wing and Mike Lester to them, and on Christmas Eve I read “The Night Before Christmas.”

What are you most thankful for today? What message do all your books have in common?
I am most thankful for my family. They have consistently been my soft place to land and keep me grounded. They have all been so supportive of me in pursuing my goals and dreams. I love them all so much. I think the message that stays true in all my books is: trusting yourself and your own intuition. Many times we ignore that little voice in the back our heads that God gave to us to help us make good decisions.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Brittani Williams

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Brittani Williams

Brittani Williams authored Daddy’s Little Girl and Sugar Walls (Urban Books) and served as a contributor for two anthologies Fantasy (Urban Lifestyle Press) and Flexin’ & Sexin’ (Life Changing Books) all in one year, 2007.  The Cathouse (QBoro Books, June 2008) and Black Diamond (Urban Books, Dec 2008) were her next releases.

In April 2010, Brittani released the highly anticipated sequel to Black Diamond, titled Nicety and will also debut Black Diamond the stage play in her home town Philadelphia, in June 2010.  Brittani has been featured on bestsellers lists, nominated for awards and been interviewed for numerous magazines, newspapers and radio shows. For more information on Brittani visit her website: http://www.brittaniwilliams.com/

What was your most memorable holiday from the past? 

My most memorable holiday would have to be my son’s second. I had to work that Christmas morning but I woke him up around 4:30am so he could open his gifts. I pulled him out of bed and said “Wake up, I have a surprise for you” his response was “I don’t want no surprise!” I laughed, it was hilarious but once he saw all of his gifts and his eyes lit up he couldn’t get to every thing fast enough. I hated that I had to work but it put a smile on my face.

How do you celebrate the holidays? 

Normally, with my mother. We have dinner and sit around watching movies together. Our holidays are very relaxed. What are the “traditions” for your family? Cooking! The women in my family love to cook, especially my mother. So cooking a huge soul food dinner even for just immediate family is pretty normal around the holidays.

What are you most thankful for today? 

For my son. I believe that without him I wouldn’t push myself as much as I do. I am always striving to do more because of him and I definitely feel that it’s a blessing to have him.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Mimi Renee

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Mimi Renee

Mimi Renee is a California native born in Compton and raised in Long Beach California. Mimi Renee recalls that reading and writing has always been her passion from as far back as she could remember. As a young girl she read aloud to herself and others for fun and enjoyed volunteering to stand up to and read out loud in front of class as much as she could.

During her sophomore year in high school at David Starr Jordan High in north Long Beach, Mimi learned that she was pregnant and was soon transferred to a continuation school to finish her high school term at Will Reid Continuation, in a special program for pregnant minors. Getting her life on track as a mother and not able to hang out with friends like she had in the past, Mimi reclaimed her passion for reading. Going back to her grass roots of scribed art suddenly Mimi had become inspired to put her passion for writing into action. After writing her first line on the page of her notebook, she was hooked. She has continued to write manuscript after manuscript and enjoying every minute of it.   Website: http://www.johnsonpublications.biz/

What was your most memorable holiday from the past?

My families first celebrated Kwanza holiday, back in 1997…To me it was a very meaningful and joyous experience, one that I will never forget…

How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the “traditions” for your family?

My holidays are always spent with family and friends. For Christmas, my family’s traditions are quite the norm. We pot luck and cook together on Christmas Eve and drink eggnog, while listening to soulful Christmas carols. We always exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and open them up at 12 midnight. All other holidays are also spent together, always cooking, reminiscing, laughing, joking, playing games and importantly inspiring and loving one another.

What are you most thankful for today? What message does all your books have in common?

I’m always thankful for the lord waking me, my family and friends up each morning, allowing us to have another day to make it happen-. And I’m definitely thankful for my craft of writing. My books all carry a lot of hurt and pain and show the actual reaction of these emotions. My message is always to forgive in order to move on and to pray in order to make that happen.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Tracie E. Christian

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude

Tracie E. Christian

 Tracie E. Christian has for several years worked as Children’s Fair Coordinator with the hugely successful Detroit Festival of the Arts. Receiving wide acclaim for her urban fiction book series, The Black College Sabbatical, Christian has taken her literary endeavors to higher ground by creating the SAY IT LOUD…I’M BLACK COLLEGE PROUD Youth Seminars, a fun, entertaining, traveling seminar series for junior and senior high school age youth. The seminars are intended to spread the positive word about educational opportunities offered at historically black colleges and universities! The 3rd installment of the trilogy, The Black College Sabbatical – SPRING QUARTER is slated for release in mid-2010. 

What is my most memorable holiday from my past?

My most memorable holidays are Christmas. My mother would set our house up to be the last stop for the carolers in our neighborhood and the adults, would eat and drink while the kids played. Then they’d hang out with the kids singing, dancing and listening to music all together until the kids had to go to bed.

What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for my family, My Husband, Daughter, Son & Mother, and my friends. This is a rollercoaster ride and I feel very blessed to have the strong support system to brave the twists and turns of building a business from the ground up with. I am thankful to God for making me stronger everyday and surrounding me with people who encourage me to get healthy. I love and am thankful to my Literary Partner, Adra Young. I have grown so much with her presence in my life! I can never thank her enough.

What message does all your books have in common? 

My book sheds a different light on the black college experience. It demonstrates the heritage taught there, the traditions fostered there, the humility and life lessons encountered there from the prospective of people who have never been away from home before.

It shows a dynamic passed the bands, fraternities and sororities, even passed the classroom. It teaches courage, perseverance, ambition and loyalty, as well as, the realities of betrayal, lust, selfishness and heart break.

It preaches the necessity for forgiveness and friendships. 

Website: http://www.tracieechristian.com/

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Kaution

Voices of Thanksgiving AND Gratitude
Kaution

The writer and artist doubly known as “Kaution” made her entry into the literary realm of Urban/Street literature with her first novel “Nothing Short of A Rainbow” a gay, urban fiction novel. Known for going one step further when spinning street tales of love, lies, deceit and heartache she brings with her own style of urban storytelling. With believable characters, real life drama and everyday issues, she writes to capture the realism of black lesbianism by giving it a distinct hallmark stamp of her unique style of urban fiction.

Kaution resides in Baltimore, Md. where she works, writes and play. The release of her first novel, “Nothing Short of A Rainbow” which follows the lives of a diverse group of lesbians who find themselves facing many issues found in the black, lesbian subculture. Her future book releases are: She, 360 Degrees of Difficulty, Don’t Wanna Be a Playa which will also feature poetry from her protégés “gHeTTo PhiLosoPheR” and “Verbally Beautiful” two up and coming talented writers in their own right are set to be release in 2010.  Website: http://www.kaution-online.com/

What was your most memorable holiday from the past? 

My most memorable holiday was my first Christmas with my daughter who was 12 at the time. I had begun getting her for six months gifts that I felt were meaningful and unique to her personality. On Christmas day I watched her opened so many gifts it took over two hours to unwrap. After she finally finished unwrapping her gifts she looked at me and said I didn’t have to get her so many things that the greatest gift she had was me just being there and that Christmas for her was every day. That meant a lot to me because I had stopped celebrating all holidays for about 15 years.

How do you celebrate the holidays?  What are the “traditions” for your family? 

My family is basically a “new” family; we have been together for close to four years so we are still establishing traditions. One thing we do as a family is cook both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner together as well as go spend a few hours with my parents. Decorating the tree is another big event we do. My daughter is now 14 and we are trying to tailor our traditions as a family to be meaningful so that she will take those hopefully with her when she has her own family.

What are you most thankful for today? What message does all your books have in common?

I am thankful for my family; I lost my dad a little over a year ago and I have begun to strengthen my relationship with my older brother and hold on to the hope that I can do the same with my younger sister when “she” is ready mentally and spiritually to let go of a lot of anger and hurt. I’ve gone throw a lot in my life; I never thought I would have a child to raise and enrich my life and now I do. My mom battled two types of cancer at once and she is still with us and doing well. Lastly, my own life is good.

The common thread each of my books share is the art of communication when it comes to love. I tend to pack drama into each chapter and show the elements of miscommunication and how the characters work to correct the problems that miscommunication tend to cause. I’m a firm believer in the concept that there is a solution to every problem—even if it’s not the solution you would necessarily want. My books work through miscommunications to find solutions. They end in maybe happy ever-afters or situations that are found through the art of communication to achieve their own solution. I think a lot of relationships in real life go sour because of miscommunication or poor communication between two people. Communicating may not save a relationship but it certainly will help preserve it.

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Voices of Thanksgiving: author Adra Young

Voices of Thanksgiving  AND Gratitude

Meet Adra Young

Adra Young, a native of Gary, Indiana is not your typical educator. Having a passion for acting, this young lady took her first shot within that performance arena at her very own Alma matter Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Moving to Detroit, to pursue her teaching career, she wasted no time, and also decided to take additional acting classes to perfect her craft. Taking the classes led her to receiving roles in various commercials, plays, and promotional modeling opportunities within the Detroit and South-East Region. In 2006, she launched and established Ardannyl, an After-School program designed to promote acting, singing, dancing, creative writing, and art.

Due to her first book receiving positive acknowledgments for addressing the dilemmas that children, tweens, and teens are faced with, her second book, The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues Volume II was released. To find out more about this positive and energetic lady’s upcoming literary events and acting seminars, log on to http://www.%20facebook.com/AdraYoung

What are you most thankful for today?

I am thankful that God sheds his light upon me. I am thankful for my health and my strength. I am grateful for my beautiful parents and siblings. My word would not be the same without my nephews. I am so happy for my friends. When you turn a certain age and begin to strive and aim for higher, you need the right people in your corner and your space. A special shout to all of my friends. My literary partner Tracie E. Christian, I love you for life.

How do you celebrate holidays? 

I celebrate holidays with my family. We play cards, drink, and video tape each other. In addition we watch movies and make jokes about each other. I really love the time I spend with my nephews Elisha, Alonzo, and Tiwan during this time of year. They are the closest thing I have to real kids since I currently am not a mother. 

What are the traditions for you? 

Every year the day after Thanksgiving, my sister Smyrna and I go to Chicago which is just 30 minutes away from my hometown Gary, Indiana. We do our sister bonding thing. We walk around and shop on Michigan avenue until were totally out of energy. We go to Garretts Popcorn in get in that long line. We usually stay until the sun goes down and we head back to Gary.

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Intimate Conversation with Gloria Mallette

Intimate Conversation with Gloria Mallette

Book spotlight: Sassy

Join me in welcome bestselling author Gloria Mallette! Nationally acclaimed award winning author GLORIA MALLETTE began her true literary journey by self-publishing her second novel Shades of Jade in April of 2000. By July and 13,000 sold copies later, Gloria signed on with Random House who re-released Shades of Jade in 2001. Shades of Jade made several best sellers lists, including Black Board, Essence Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and The Washington Post/Washington is Also Reading listing.

Gloria has been featured in The New York Daily News, USAToday, ToDay’s Black Woman, Upscale Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and The Pocono Record. Gloria also has a featured novella, Come Tomorrow, on the USAToday website. To her credit, Gloria now has ten published titles including the newly released SASSY, a Finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards; Weeping Willows Dance; and Living, Breathing Lies, winner of the National Best Books 2007 Awards and the 2008 Indie Excellence Award.

Intimate Conversation with Gloria hosted by Ella Curry of EDC Creations

Q: Introduce us to your book SASSY.
GM: Finally SASSY! It took a while but SASSY is now available where ever books are sold. Order your autographed copy from the SASSY page, or order from Amazon.com. If not online, please order through your local bookstore.

Who is Sassy? A successful romance novelist, Sassy Davenport is a woman looking to fulfill her own romantic fantasy. When the man of her dreams steps right out of the pages of her latest novel, Butterfly, Sassy falls madly in love with him. But what evil lies behind Norris Yoshito’s beautiful eyes and sexy smile? Is the man of Sassy’s dream a serial killer of women who made the mistake of trusting him just as Sassy did? When Sassy finds herself caught up in a nightmare of deception and danger, she has to keep her suspicions to herself or fall victim to a heartless killer who sees her death as the ultimate act of revenge

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. 
GM: The main characters in SASSY are Sassy Davenport and Norris Yoshito. Sassy is a romance novelist who has yet to find the man of her romantic dreams. That is until Norris Yoshito, an architect of Japanese and African American decent, by chance, attends one of Sassy’s book signings and purchases ten copies of her latest novel—which impresses her.

The attraction between Sassy and Norris is immediate. Norris is the embodiment of the leading man in Sassy’s novel, but Sassy quickly learns that Norris is a man of great compassion and substance when he helps her take care of her cousin Bernard who is dying of AIDS. However, there appears to be a darker side to Norris that frightens Sassy. Women associated with Norris are being murdered and the police believe Norris is the killer. Not knowing what to believe, Sassy fears that she might have to fight the man she loves in order to save her own life.
Q: Who was your favorite? Why?
GM: While I liked Sassy’s strength and tenacity, I fell in love with Norris. I liked that Norris was caring, loving, and strong. Norris didn’t shy away from Bernard’s illness; nor did he back down from Sassy whenever she tried to get the upper hand; nor did he fear his older brother Clarence who had hated him all of his life. Norris was indeed the man that most women dream about being in love with.

Q: What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this story?
GM: Actually, my character, Norris, inspired me to write this book. Strange as it might seem, I kept dreaming about this Afro-Asian man who marries an African-American woman who faces head on the problems they were up against because of his past. My dreams evolved into SASSY.

Q: What issues in today’s society have you addressed in the book?
GM: One of the issues I addressed in SASSY was AIDS and the other mixed race children in Japan who are technically outcasts in a very purist, racist society. Even today, Japanese people as a whole do not condone the mixing or tainting of their blood by foreigners, especially people of African decent. I even learned that bleaching cream is very big in Asia because Japanese people believe the whiter their skin the better. I had to do a lot of research and it was no surprise that women who bore mixed race children were ostracized. Big surprise—not.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
GM: There were several powerful scenes in SASSY that touched me. One in particular was when Bernard, who is dying of AIDS, gets to see his seven-year-old son Brice. Bernard had been afraid that he would scare Brice by his emaciated appearance and tried to end all contact with Brice and Brice’s mother Evelyn. When Brice was brought to the house, it was Brice who embraced Bernard and said he would take care of him. I actually cried when I wrote this scene.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.  
GM: SASSY placed as a finalist in the National Best Book 2009 Awards. I feel fortunate that it has been acknowledged, just as Living, Breathing Lies was in 2007 and 2008 wherein it won a National Best Book Awards and an Indie Excellence Award. As a self-publisher who has been mainstream published, a little validation goes a long way.

I’d like to extend an invitation to readers to visit my website: http://www.gloriamallette.com/  to see the videos for both Sassy and Living, Breathing Lies. Books ordered through my website are personally autographed.

Writing remains my passion. I am now hard at work on my next book, Shh! Don’t Tell which will be out in 2011.

Sassy by Gloria A. Mallette
ISBN-10: 0967878934
ISBN-13: 9780967878935
Purchase your copy today from Barnes and Noble or by visiting Gloria’s website for a signed copy.

Follow Author Gloria Mallette
Email: gempress@aol.com  
Website: http://www.gloriamallette.com/  
Blog: http://blog.myspace.com/gloriamallette

National Best Book 2009 Awards Finalist — Sassy
National Indie Excellence 2008 Award Winner — Living, Breathing Lies
National Best Book 2007 Awards Winner AA Fiction — Living, Breathing Lies
MosaicBooks.com 2007 Bestseller — Living, Breathing Lies

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Excerpt: Legend of Quito Road by Dwight Fryer

The Legend of Quito Road by Dwight Fryer

The Future seems to hold limited possibilities for Son Erby. The African-American child of a farm laborer in 1930’s Tennessee, his fate seems as certain as the sunset at day’s end. But when his father takes him to work at the Coleman farm and hands down the secret to making corn liquor, everything changes.

Moving from shadowed parlors of the wealthy Sawyer clan to the illegal activities in the woods along the Mississippi River, this perspective novel explores the roots of racism, and the dangerous power of secrets that will shatter every taboo in a sleepy town caught between the past and future. The Legend of Quito Road is a look at a bygone time, the sobering echoes of which can still be heard today.

Chapter 7—A SECRET SCIENCE

In the scene below from The Legend of Quito Road, Papa Gill Erby, a religious man, teaches his only boy how to make illegal whiskey and keep secrets. Are there really many spiritual or physical differences in making crack cocaine or crystal meth today and white lightning yesterday?

—

“Now, Son, this is serious business, awful serious for a boy. Remember when we talked about the Ghost of Quito Road yesterday?”

“Yessuh, he was a runaway slave.”

“Son, I said that and plenty folks ‘round here know it. But they don’t talk it in public. I waited five years after we married befo’ I spoke with Sarah on this. Now, I’m telling you that the Ghost wasn’t just any man. He was my daddy, Gillam Hale.”

“Gillam Hale…” The boy paused while he processed it. “Papa, why’s your daddy’s name different than ours?”

“Well, I’ll tell you that long story after we get things set up. But, for now, I need to get a few things straight. Understand?”

“Yessuh, I do.”

“Son, remember, you promised. You know Sarah gone ask, but don’t you tell yo’ momma one thing. You hear me?”

“Yessuh.”

“This week, we doing the same thing that made Gillam Hale a valuable slave to the white folks.” Papa Gill looked around as if someone else was there. One of the mules snorted. He whispered, “Me and you gone make whiskey this week on the Coleman place.”

“Whiskey?” the youth said, twisting his face.

“Yeah, that’s what we gonna do. We’ll fill every five-gallon jug in the back of this wagon with white-lightning whiskey.”

“Papa, we got twenty-five jugs! What’s Mr. Rafe and Mr. Conrad gone do with all that whiskey?”

“Sell it!” Papa Gill spat out. “They’ll probably get as much as six dollars a gallon off the whiskey we fixin’ to make.”

Papa Gill placed his left hand inside his overalls and a strained silence surrounded them from the naked roadside underbrush. Only the noises of the mule team’s hooves and the slicing sound from the steel-lined wagon wheels echoed along sandy Quito Road.

Son’s breath trails thickened in the winter air as he did the math in his head and pondered the economic possibilities.

On that farm, Mr. Conrad and Mr. Rafe Coleman raised cotton, sorghum and corn—corn so sweet that Son liked to eat it straight off the cob in the field during the summer months. You could use corn for feed or you could grind it into meal. But during this third week of December in 1932, thirteen-year-old Son Erby learned you could use corn for something else.

That week, Papa Gill taught his son to make white lightning like Gillam Hale had showed him. Making illegal corn liquor changed everything for that colored boy. Son was never the same. He learned a secret science and he learned it well.

Pick up a copy today at Amazon
ISBN-10: 1583147063
ISBN-13: 978-1583147061
http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Quito-Road-Sepia/dp/1583147063

Meet author Dwight Fryer

Dwight Fryer shares from his twenty-five years of business experience in leadership, technology, finance, accounting, marketing and publishing. He has written two critically acclaimed novels. The Legend of Quito Road and The Knees of Gullah Island. Dwight speaks about life, healthcare, business, leadership, history, literature, community and storytelling. The University of Memphis teaches The Legend of Quito Road in its Masters of Fine Arts Program in the English Department.

Dwight Fryer has inspired audiences at universities, corporations, schools, faith communities and nonprofit organizations. His passion is to help people do all they can to succeed and use his experiences to inspire others. Fryer was diagnosed with cancer two days after a 1998 layoff.   In 2001, the disease meningococcal meningitis took his youngest daughter’s life. He works as an advocate for immunization against bacterial meningitis with the National Meningitis Association. He survived a wreck caused by a driver under the influence. Contact him today for more details via email at author@dwightfryer.com  

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Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer

The Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer

Gillam Hale was born to free parents, and his life was untouched by slavery until his preacher father took him on a trip to minister to the Virginia slaves. Gillam wants beautiful Queen Esther from the moment he sees her, but the only way to purchase her is by distilling illicit whiskey–against his family’s advice.

Though Gillam achieves his aim, his talent for making fine whiskey earns the wrath of jealous white neighbors, who kidnap Gillam’s family and scatter them to plantations throughout the South. Gillam escapes from his new owners, yet he can never be truly free until he finds his lost loved ones, and faces the legacy of his own rash decisions. 

The Knees of Gullah Island follows Gillam, Queen Esther and their son, Joseph, in the years surrounding the Civil War and Reconstruction, when the destiny of a nation hung in the balance. Filled with richly drawn characters and details that bring the past to vibrant life, this is a timeless story of love, loss, hope and rebirth.

Important elements of Gullah Island:

-Gullah/Geechee culture; Language impacts of our Gullah-Geechee origins (Bubba means brother in the Gullah tongue and is usually a white male today)

-The book’s main theme is “bent knees straighten crooked deeds.”

-Violence against women-the impact of slavery on U. S. culture and the exodus of the male from our homes

-The U. S. slave trade and Charleston, “Ellis Island South”, because four of ten U. S. slaves came through its harbor

The spiritual origins of slavery as framed by the scripture the books begins:


-KJV 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

-Fine Carolina Lowcountry cuisine, including shrimp and grits and turtle oxtail and okra soup.

-The sexual temptations from slavery then and today (this is a growing problem in our country and the world)

-Children born without the blessing of marriage. Miss Grozalia told a young girl to remember that “mos times two lay down but three get up.” This storyline also deals with the sacredness of a sexual union and the importance of the “one-flesh” rule in God’s design for male / female relationships.

-Church history from the AME Church and the Episcopal Church. An actually AME bishop, Bishop Richard “Big Daddy” Cain, makes a cameo, but pivotal appearance—it was such a fun time convincing my New York based editor that the rapper stole the name from this historical figure after she tried to change it during the initial editorial process.

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Christmas with author Andrea Foy

Christmas with author Andrea Foy

Andrea Foy has over twenty years of customer service experience working for companies such as McDonald’s, Sears, Delta and USAir Airlines, American Express Financial Advisors the Federal Government. A graduate of Dayton’s Wright State University, she currently resides outside Dayton Ohio where she is attending grad school in Organizational Leadership and volunteers for her community. Visit the author’s website: http://www.andreafoy.com/  

BPM:  What are you most thankful for today?

I am thankful for being a published author. It is one of the most challenging but rewarding things you can do in life. Being a self-published author puts you in complete control and it is nice.

BPM:  Tell us about your fondest holiday moment or event. Do you have Holiday rituals that absolutely, positively must be followed?

It is all about the food. I love eating my way through the holiday! I used to be a flight attendant and on what I thought would be my first Christmas away from home, I pulled an all nighter and got home by noon on Christmas day. That was considered the best present by my family.

BPM:   How do you celebrate the holidays? Have you planned anything special for this year?

This will be the first year without my father, who recently passed so it will be low key this year, remembering him.

BPM:   Do you have a favorite holiday menu, story or song? Share with us.

Menu – Turkey, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce. Story and song – The little drummer boy story and song.

BPM:   Tell us about your latest book, Hire Power: How to find, get, and keep a Job.

My book is a non-fiction book for the Mature YA, with tips on job hunting, customer service and working in general.

BPM:   Have you ever considered what kind of legacy you want to leave future generations?

I hope my book is used for future generations because they all need to learn.

BPM:   How may our readers contact you online and pick up your latest work?

http://www.andreafoy.com/  and Amazon.com. It is available as an e-book too, HERE. 
Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com//HirePower  and check out my Tweets at: www.twitter.com/HirePower2010

Hire Power by Andrea Foy

Hire Power  is a how-to guide that steps you through the process of landing the job you want—yes;  want—to knowing when to leave for better opportunities. Geared toward the workplace neophyte, this book provides insight for the experienced employee too.

In Hire Power you will learn:

• How to complete an application

• Appropriate and inappropriate attire for an interview

• How to deal with coworkers, bosses and customers

• Basic business etiquette

• How job performance can lead to great appraisals and promotions

Hire Power by Andrea Foy

How to find, get, and keep a Job

E-Book – order now.

Amazon – order now.

ISBN-10: 0981743692

ISBN-13: 978-0981743691

  

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Conversation with Niambi Brown Davis

Intimate Conversation with Niambi Brown Davis

Niambi Brown Davis has lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in Washington, DC and Trinidad and Tobago. She is the editor of Travel and Enjoy, an online travel magazine that will make its debut in December 2010. From Dusk to Dawn, her first full-length novel, and Love’s Redemption, a digital novella, were both published in 2008.  

In 2010 Sanctuary was released as an Apple iTunes application, and will be released in e-book format through Lady Leo Publishing. Sabor a Mi,  Niambi’s latest novella, was released in September 2010 by InnerVision Books.

BPM: What are you most thankful for today?
Without doubt, my fabulous family.  Second, would be gratitude for the lessons I finally learned: even in total darkness, keep looking for the light and it will find you.

BPM: Tell us about your fondest holiday moment or event. Do you have Holiday/Christmas rituals that absolutely, positively must be followed?
I have so many, but I’ll reign in my urge to share them all (lol). As a child the arrival of the catalog from Miles Kimball of Oshkosh meant Christmas was on the way. From that catalog my parents ordered our personalized Christmas cards (a snowy scene painted in white on midnight blue and inscribed “From the Three of Us” over our names). And then there was the yearly trip to Gimbels in Philadelphia to sit on Santa’s knee and later shopping for the one pre-Christmas gift I was allowed (usually a book, but when I got older it was a beautiful black watch plaid skirt).

In later years my mother would invite the little girls in our extended family over to bake Christmas cookies. She and I had our own ritual – we would leave one item on the list for the excitement of a last-minute Christmas Eve shopping sprint. And now each year my daughter and I buy a new pair of Christmas Eve pajamas. Lest I forget, we always put the Kwanzaa symbols up early so they don’t get left behind in the excitement that is Christmas. (I guess I didn’t reign in as much as I thought…)

BPM: How do you celebrate the holidays? While everyone else is asleep, I wait up until midnight, usually with a glass of eggnog one more gift to wrap. The next morning, we get up, open our gifts and get ready for a big family meal at one of my relative’s houses.

BPM:  Do you have a favorite holiday menu, story or song? Share with us.
One year a family friend and his wife gave my parents and I a Christmas card that came with a holiday punch recipe. We still make it every year.

I grew up when black radio was found only on the AM frequency and went off when the sun went down.  The next best alternative was Baltimore’s  WCAO,  where I first heard Brenda Lee’s  “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”  and Bobby Helms  “Jingle Bell Rock.”  They remind me of my childhood Christmas, and are some of my favorites to this day.  It wouldn’t be Christmas for me without Donny Hathaway’s  “This Christmas”,  Carla Thomas’  “Gee Whiz It’s Christmas”  or any soulful rendition of O Holy Night.”

BPM: Tell us about your latest book. What are two main events taking place in the book?
Sabor a Mi  is the story of Melody Walker and Raimundo (Ray) Santos, two people who love Latin dance, but hate each other on sight, especially when Ray cracks on her culture and her size. When they’re paired together for a competition, it’s make or break in more ways than one.

I started Sabor a Mi right after a ballroom dancing class, but it eventually grew into more than just my love of salsa and Latin music.  It ended up being a story about the relentless pursuit of a dream, the unstoppable power of true love, real men, strong women, family first and second chances.

BPM: How may our readers contact you online and pick up your latest work?
Thanks so much for including me in the Holiday Book Tour. I can be reached by email at niambi@niambibrowndavis.com,  or  nbrowndavis@aol.com    Sabor a Mi is available for download at http://www.innervisionbooks.com/,    or  for the Kindle at  http://www.amazon.com/.  

My web address is http://www.niambibrowndavis.com/.  I look forward to hearing from readers and friends – Happy Holidays!

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Conversation with Vanessa Miller

Intimate Conversation with Vanessa Miller

Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has been centered on themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles.

Vanessa’s novels have received rave reviews, with several appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. Miller’s work has receiving numerous awards, including “Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award” and the “Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction.”  Miller graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. She is an ordained “exhorter” in her church, explaining, “God has called me to exhort readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.”

Read an Excerpt from A Love for Tomorrow.

BPM: Vanessa, what makes you powerful as a person and a writer? Who are your mentors?
The thing that makes me powerful as a person and a writer is my faith in God. I feel as if I have found this pot of gold that everyone is searching for, and I just want to share it with the world. I really don’t have any mentors at the moment. But I study authors, attended conferences and read and study this industry.

BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you? What impact do you want your book to make on the readers?
I have been writing since I was a kid. I have always known that I would one day be a writer. However, as a child and even while in my twenties, I didn’t know how to make my dream of writing come true. It was after I dedicated my life to the Lord that I began to research this business. Because I then knew that I really had something to say. So, the reason I write is to tell the story about midnight sorrows and morning glory… and the glory comes from knowing Jesus. My characters don’t always start off with this knowledge of Jesus, because I write redemption stories. The impact I’d like my books to have on my readers would simple be that my books help them to rediscover their place with God.

BPM: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writing offers the legacy of hope, healing and faith to my readers. I write stories about people with issues… issues that can be healed through trust in Jesus.

BPM: Introduce us to your latest Christian Romance novel,  A Love for Tomorrow.
Christian talk show host Serenity Williams may be at the top of her game professionally, but when her fiancé calls off their wedding, she learns the true price of fame. He can’t deal with her popularity, and when he walks out, she knows it will be a long time before she lets another pride-filled pastor into her heart. Then she gets assigned an interview with the charismatic Pastor Phillip McKnight. Delighted that she now has the opportunity to expose the arrogance of ego-driven pastors to the world, she isn’t prepared for the real man behind the pulpit. Recently divorced, Phillip is broken from his experiences, and soon his surprising humility causes Serenity not to want to ruin him, but instead to un-break his heart….

A Love for Tomorrow deals with trust issues. It is also a book that explores the benefits of forgiving and rediscovering faith in God. Along the way I add in a love story that is sure to touch the reader’s heart.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
I wanted to write a series on women in ministry to highlight their accomplishments and show that they are very much human and have feeling and love interests. The reason I am so interested in this topic is because the bishop of my church is a woman and I have met other women in ministry that struggle with the fact that many people still don’t believe that women should preach.

BPM: Take us inside A Love for Tomorrow. What are two major events taking place?
The first major event happens at the beginning of the book. Serenity’s finance’ breaks her heart by calling off the wedding simply because her talk show has made her more popular than he. She decides at that point that preachers are off limits and lumps them all in the same boat with her ex. But then she meet Pastor Phillip McKnight… and he isn’t what she expected…  The next major event occurs when has to deal with her trust issues in order to move on with live and love.

BPM: Who are your favorite characters? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Serenity was my favorite character in this book and the entire series thus far, because I really identified with her. Serenity Williams has been hurt by church people and one particular ego-driven pastor. She vows that she will never let another ego-driven pastor into her heart. But when she meets Pastor Phillip McKnight… she comes in contact with the very man who will help her rediscover her trust in humanity and faith in God.

Some times in life you can be hurt so much that you just refuse to be hurt again… and you build walls. This book shows the reader how to tear down those walls… with the help of God and one really good man.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
Anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and then put up a wall to defend against it ever happening again. I want those people to know that with God in their heart, it is okay to trust and to love again.

BPM: How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
My hope is that reading A Love for Tomorrow will provide readers with answers as to how they can forgive and learn to trust again.  A CBA Retailers Reviewer recently said that… Trust, Forgiveness and faith were at the core of my message in A Love for Tomorrow. I would have to agree with her.

BPM: What are some of the other specific issues or problems addressed in this book?
I also deal with the issue of  “church hurt” in this book. Serenity has grown up in church… and she has seen Christian act not so Christianly at times, and therefore, although she wants to serve God, she wants nothing to do with His people.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book?
Some of my readers have told me that Chapter 23, when Serenity comes to terms with her trust issues and Chapter 24, the chase scene, when Phillip gets his woman are the most powerful scenes in the book.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
This particular series is Christian Romance. So, I think what makes my romances different from others is simply what a CBA Reviewer had to say about A Love for Tomorrow… it’s good romance that ministers.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
A Love for Tomorrow – #1 on the BCNN/BCBC Bestseller List for September
Long Time Coming – Winner of the ACFW Book of the Month for December 2010

Other book releases:
Long Time Coming – November 2010
A Promise of Forever Love (sequel to A Love for Tomorrow) – April 2011

BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Website: http://www.vanessamiller.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/vanessamiller01
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vanessamiller01

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Christmas with author Renee Wiggins

Christmas with author Renee Wiggins

Renee Wiggins has mentored, trained, and changed lives in the health and wellness industry for more than twenty years. A strong believer and encouragerin living an authentic, healthy lifestyle, Renee specializes in designing customized lifestyle programs that are tailored to the client’s needs, goals, and habits.

Renee Wiggins is a registered dietitian, and certified massage therapist. She is the author of several books, “Can I Exercise Sitting Down?” and Stress Down and Lift UP. My fourth book, will be release in  March 2011, it is a collection of stories to help uplift and encourage people to embrace their struggles and to know that the  storm is only temporary.

What are you thankful for Today?
I am thankful for being alive. I am  in  constant pain with heel spurs and, some days, I hardly can walk, but I am grateful. I am thankful for the friends I have and for the  caring, love, and closeness among my family members. I’m also thankful for the freedom I have because of people who gave their lives to ensure it.  I thank GOD everyday for their sacrifice.

Tell us about your fondest holiday moment or event?
When I was 7 years old, I received an Annie Oakley cowgirl outfit as a Christmas gift. You know, the boots, the skirt, vest, shirt and hat along with two cap guns. I thought I was on top of the world with that outfit and that remains one of my fondest memories ever.

Do you have a favorite holiday menu, story, or song?
 My favorite holiday menu includes candied yams, cranberry sauce and macaroni and cheese. I love the way my mother used to fix these items and, to this day, I have to have them every Thanksgiving.

How do you celebrate the holidays?
I celebrate holidays with my mother.  She’s getting older, so now I do the cooking.  I make our special holiday meal for the two of us and we both enjoy it.

Tell us about your latest book, Transformations: Give UP The Struggle.  Transformations: Give UP The Struggle is a collection of affirmations that motivate the reader to do what’s necessary to heal their brokenness and to move forward.

How my our readers contact you online and pick up your latest work?
Your readers can contact me at renee@resultsbyrenee.com.

The book is available on Amazon.com or http://www.resultsbyrenee.com/ or Follow me on www.twitter.com/giveupthestrugg or http://www.transformationsgiveupthestruggle.blogspot.com/

Transformations: Give Up The Struggle by Renee Wiggins
ISBN-10: 098256130X
ISBN-13: 978-0982561300
Author website: http://www.resultsbyrenee.com/

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Prologue True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

Twenty-eight year old Kennedy Logan is gorgeous, educated, talented, and in love. Unfortunately, Drake Collins has other ideas about the true state of their relationship. Kennedy hopes to turn him around; Drake just wants to turn her out sexually. Kennedy is also searching for her biological mother, who gave her up at birth. She wants answers and she has tons of questions. The enormous weight of these predicaments leads to a failed suicide attempt.

Her overprotective and overbearing mother, Dorothy Logan, moves in with Kennedy and makes it her mission to get her daughter’s life back in order. The first step is getting rid of Drake Collins once and for all, but that’s easier said than done. Drake has no intentions of going anywhere. Kennedy’s ever loyal and fun-loving best friend, Taylor, and her absentee father join forces to help support Kennedy in her time of need.

At her psychiatrist’s advice, Kennedy uses writing as her therapy. She starts to keep a daily journal detailing the erotic circumstances and family drama that led up to her despair. Through very personal, funny, and graphic entries, readers will share her confessions. Brace yourselves for a very steamy journey!

Prologue True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks
(Erotic Thriller)

My reality is surreal and happens in super, slow motion. A nervous giggle escapes my chapped, dry and parched lips. I lick them to restore moisture. Then, there is utter, deadly silence. If I listen closely, I can hear my heartbeat beating away at an accelerated pace. My senses are heightened and I marvel over the brilliant, bold colors of my bedroom as I inhale my favorite fragrances, from their spot on my antique dresser, colliding into one another with their potent allure. Even my sense of touch is different somehow. Everything is magnified to the nth degree. It’s like I’m looking down at myself from a huge movie screen with surround sound as I ready myself for the big finale—the final shot and then fade to black.

I’ve never been good at saying goodbye, even on short, weekend trips. I keep the handwritten note short and sweet and pray to God that mother will understand, and hopefully, one day, forgive me.

I don’t mean to hurt her or cause her any fresh pain. I sincerely don’t. I hope she understands that this isn’t her fault, that I love her with all my heart and being. No matter what, that fact will never change. I’m so thankful and forever grateful that she chose me to be her daughter out of all the orphaned babies in the world. She chose me. I told myself over and over again that that made me special. I needed to feel special instead of unwanted and discarded.

I’ll miss mother the most, but the hurt I feel inside is too unbearable and indescribable. It is too painful for me to continue, day in and day out, with just a hollow emptiness that erodes and corrupts any happiness that briefly surfaces. The dawn of each new day only brings me more heartache and renewed memories. Some memories are like leeches. They latch on for dear life and slowly, ever so slowly, suck and drain all the blood, all the living out of you. You are left with just a shell of the old you and that’s no way to survive. Not for me, anyway.

When they find me, I want it to look like I’m sleeping, peacefully. Just like Sleeping Beauty who only needed a handsome prince to kiss her and awaken her from the darkness that engulfed her. However, for me, there won’t be a handsome, charming prince to wake me, save me, and ride off into eternity. All my so-called princes were monsters in disguise with their own hidden agendas that attempted to crush and stamp out my self-esteem. Yes, just blessed sleep awaits me.

I chose pills. I couldn’t subject mother to a messy, bloody scene that comes with slitting one’s wrists or shooting one’s self. I refuse to take my final breath with that heavy on my heart. I don’t think my heart could handle anything else weighing against it. As it is, I feel like I have three hundred pounds weighing me down. Crushing the life out of me.

As I settle myself comfortably on my queen-size bed, slowly pull the red, satin comforter up to my chin and stare at the full bottle of prescription pills carefully nestled in my right hand, I can’t imagine not waking up in the morning.

What will it be like to not see the rising sun? To not hear my alarm clock going off announcing it’s time to get ready for another day of work? Not hitting snooze to give myself another fifteen minutes? Not rushing to finish my morning rituals before I dash out the door and into rush-hour traffic? What will that feel like?

More important to me now, though, is will it hurt? I hope not. I have never been able to tolerate too much pain, physical, mental or emotional. Yet, that’s what Drake has caused me for the last year of my life. Pain. Intolerable suffering.

I only wanted to love him and for him to love me in return. Simple enough. Was that asking too much? My part of the equation was accomplished, effortless. Drake claimed he loved me, but he really didn’t. Probably never could. Didn’t know how to love or receive it. After what happened last week, I know he didn’t. Yet, I gave him everything: my heart, my body, my soul. Now, I have nothing left to give myself. I’m empty inside.

As tears slowly flood my weary eyes and blur my vision, I look around my cozy bedroom for the last time. Ever. It used to be one of my favorite rooms in my small two bedroom, one bath apartment. There was nothing better than lighting several fragrant candles, drinking a little white wine and cozying up with a good romance novel. Yes, that was heaven. Simple things excite me. Always have. Watching a sunrise or sunset, waking up to birds chirping in the treetops, walking hand in hand through the park with the one I love, all these things brought me great joy.

Mother will have to understand. I left her a note, propped up on the nightstand, in full view, that explains how much I love her and daddy. What will she think when she can’t reach me tonight? I would love to hear her soothing, loving voice one last time. Yet, I know I wouldn’t be able to go through with my plan if I did. I’d give away my intentions over the phone or mother would pick up on my foul mood and that would be that. I’d wake up another day with this aching, dull pain inside, tearing me apart, bit-by-bit. Pain that dulls and diminishes every ounce of my strength, all the way down to my pores.

Drake Collins. His name leaves a bitter taste on my tongue. Just the thought of him brings bile to the back of my throat. I will forever regret the day I met that man. If I could turn back the hands of time, do it all over again, I would have called in sick that day or run for the hills. I was just fine with my life the way it was. Sure, it wasn’t exciting or glamorous, but it was enough for me. Drake came with the charm, movie star looks, glitz and high drama and reeled me right in like a bass caught at sea. I gladly jumped into his net.

I say a silent prayer of forgiveness as I place one, then two colorful pills on my tongue and swallow dry. I didn’t think of getting a glass of water. I can’t think. The lump in my throat quickly diminishes. There’s no turning back now. Just like there was no turning back when Drake turned me out. The countdown begins. Ten, nine, eight. . . I’ve lived a happy life. I have tons of good memories. I’ve treated others the way I wanted to be treated.

I hope this happens quickly. I steadfastly place three, four pills on my tongue and swallow again. Hot tears start to spill forth and stream down my cheeks as I realize the final result of my actions. Seven, six, five. . . It’s for the best. I need to stop the pain. Will he even miss me? Or will he just move on to his next victim? Will all this be in vain?

I guess I’ll never have that family now. The one I used to daydream and write about in my journal. The family with the almost perfect mommy and daddy and two kids, a boy and girl. The boy would be the oldest, and he’d look out for and protect his younger sister. They’d have cute, adorable names and they’d know they were wanted and loved and cherished by their parents. They’d never feel unwanted.

Four, three. . . I swallow a handful of pills this time. I’ve lost count as to how many I’ve digested. As spittle escapes from my mouth, I gag. I wipe the overflow away with the back of my hand and keep right on shoving pills in my mouth until the orange-brown medicine bottle is empty. I look inside, in awe, shake the bottle, and can’t believe the pills are gone so quickly. Just like the illusion of love. If you blink, you’ll miss it.

I wonder if Drake even realizes how much I loved him? Now, I wait for blessed relief and peace to take away my hurt and pain. I’m so tired. Tired of loving the wrong men. Tired of giving my all, coming up empty, and getting absolutely nothing back in return. Good sex isn’t the end all to everything. Drake taught me that lesson.

Two, one. . . It won’t be long now. I faintly smile and lay back against my down pillow.

I welcome peace. In my mind, I start silently repeating Psalms 23. I shall walk through the valley of death; I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me. I’m so sleepy. I can barely keep my eyes open. I can feel myself giving in to the fog that slowly invades my mind. Maybe if I close my eyes for a few moments. Yeah, just rest them for a few minutes without seeing Drake’s face behind my heavy eyelids.

Suddenly, I feel lightheaded, like I’m floating on a big, fluffy white cloud, bouncing up and down, giddy with not a care in the world. This is a different sensation that I literally reach out my right hand to embrace and never let go of. Not a care in the world. Nothing matters but blessed, uneventful sleep. I close my tired, weary eyes as the countdown ends. Fade to black.

(continues in the book)

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks
Order your copy today!

© 2010 All rights reserved. Book Excerpt Reprinted by Permission of Electa Rome Parks, author. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this sample from True Confessions.

About the Author
Electa Rome Parks lives outside Atlanta, Georgia and is the best-selling author of six acclaimed novels, The Ties That Bind, Loose Ends, Almost Doesn’t Count, Ladies’ Night Out, These Are My Confessions (anthology) and Diary of a Stalker. Dubbed a “book club favorite,” avid readers have embraced Electa’s true to life characters that tackle prevalent and heavy hitting issues that take them on an emotional roller coaster.

The self-proclaimed Queen of Real, Electa has been a frequent guest on radio shows, nominated for many industry awards and interviewed by numerous newspapers and national magazines. Electa is currently following her passion and working on her next novel and first screenplay.

Connect with Electa Rome Parks online at:
http://www.electaromeparks.com
http://www.electaromeparks@blogspot.com
http://www.facebook/electaromeparks.com

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Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships

Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships

Home Again is a compelling journey into the relationships that matter most: family, friends and self. Each story is founded on natural love, but will require the Father s love to heal the brokenness. Travel with husbands and wives, brothers, sisters, friends and families as they maneuver through life’s hurts and betrayals while leaning on a power greater than themselves.

Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships
by Wanda B. Campbell & Friends
Wanda B. Campbell is an extraordinary and talented writer who brings creativity, a new sense of hope, and restoration through the healing power of God to the Kingdom, by way of Christian fiction. She uses real life everyday issues to exhort, motivate, and give comfort. Currently, Wanda has three published novels: First Sunday in October, Illusions and Right Package, Wrong Baggage. Her fourth novel, Silver Lining is scheduled for August 2011. She is also the founder of Micah 6:8 Books, LLC.

Meet the Home Again Authors
Wanda B. Campbell (Author), Dijorn Moss (Author), Tyora M. Moody (Author), Trinea Moss (Author), Maurice Gray Jr. (Author), Shenette Jones (Author), Bernard Boulton (Author), Tavares S. Carney (Author), and  Dr. Linda F. Beed (Author)

Tavares S. Carney uses her God-given talents to inspire, motivate and encourage others. She is the owner of Echelon Entertainment, an internet and social media promotion company, and the Founder of Echelon Book Club. She is married and the mother of two children. Tavares is a graduate of Davenport University and is currently matriculating toward a Masters degree in Secondary Teacher Education. In addition to reading and writing, her interests include event planning, traveling and listening to music. Contact Tavares at TavaresWrites@Yahoo.com .

Maurice M. Gray, Jr. is the author of two novels, To Whom Much Is Given andAll Things Work Together and the owner of Write The Vision, Inc. His short story “Long Term” appears in The Soul Of A Man anthology. Maurice is an HIV Prevention Counselor for Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, where he educates people about HIV/AIDS.  Maurice worships at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, DE. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and of Toastmasters International. He lives in New Castle, DE with his family.

Shenette Jones is mostly known for her vocal abilities. From classical to soulful jazz, Shenette displays a wide range of musical experience. She balances music endeavors with her other hidden passion: creative writing.  Shenette has participated in writing clubs, poetry groups, and spoken word events throughout Memphis. Shenette has combined her writing and music and has created a theme song for the Home Again anthology.  Married with two boys, Shenette Jones resides in North Carolina where she is a professional fitness trainer. “Uncovered” is her first published work.

Dijorn Moss holds a degree in English from San Jose State. He is the author ofMy Father’s House, which is available in stores now and The Retreat which will be released in December of 2010. He currently resides in Long Beach, California with his wife, Trinea.

Trinea Moss grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California. She graduated from Oceana High School in Pacifica, California. She obtained an Associate Arts Degree in Multimedia Communications and Presentations. Growing up Trinea enjoyed writing poems and short stories. When she met and married her husband Dijorn, she was truly introduced to writing. Since then Trinea has developed new skills and has paired that with her unique perspective to write “Couple On Trial”. She currently lives in Long Beach California with her son Caleb and husband Dijorn.

Bernard Boulton is the author of DO YOU WANNA BE MADE WHOLE? He is married to Vantoria Boulton and they are the parents of Bernard Quincy Boulton. He is the pastor of the New Mine Creek Church in Danville, VA.  An avid reader from his childhood Bernard dreamed of the day when he would be an published author, a dream that has come to fruition. His writing mission is to encourage and entertain people with stories that speaks to mankind potential and purpose.

Dr. Linda Beed is a gifted educator, speaker and author of the award-winning novel, Business Unusual the first in the Covenant Series. The second installment, Not Your Own will release in 2011.  Her leadership abilities and teaching prowess has made her an asset to such entities as the Faith Based Arts Conference, Romantic Times Convention, Romance Slam Jam, The Black Writers Reunion & Conference along with numerous other literary events.  She is the co-moderator of BWChristianLit online writers group, the founder of the Damascus Road Authors and is a veteran Children’s minister. Linda lives in Seattle, WA with her family.

Tyora Moody is a writer, graphic designer and online book promoter. For over ten years, she’s specialized in marketing and design for authors and small businesses. Tyora is a member of Sisters in Crime (SinC) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She loves to read and write romantic suspense and cozy mysteries. Her short story, “Birthing Pains,” is included in the anthology Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships.

Purchase Your Copy of the Book Today!
ISBN-10: 0979045819
ISBN-13: 978-0979045813

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Intimate Conversation with Gwynne Forster

Intimate Conversation with Literary Legend Gwynne Forster

Gwynne Forster, bestselling and award-winning author of When the Sun Goes Down, Blues from Down Deep, If You Walked in My Shoes, and A Different Kind of Blues, conjures a riveting story of fractured ties, secrets, and forgiveness in this powerful family drama in When the Sun Goes Down, the sequel to: If You Walked In My Shoes.

Gwynne Forster is a national best selling author of forty-five works of fiction, including her latest of nine mainstream novels, WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN. Gwynne is author of thirty-six romance novels and novellas, of which the latest novels are DESTINATION LOVE and YES, I DO. She has won numerous awards for fiction writing, including the Romantic Times 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, the Romance In Color Author of the Year award, the Gold Pen Award and has been inducted in the Affaire de Coeur Hall of Fame.

Gwynne loves to sing, read and listen to music, especially jazz, classical music, opera and blues. She also loves to sing and dance, and enjoys entertaining at small dinner parties. She lives in New York with her husband, who is her true soul mate.

Listen to a lively interview with Gwynne Forster and BAN Radio host Ella Curry

BPM: Mrs. Gwynne, we are celebrating the holidays! What was your most memorable holiday from the past?
GF: My most memorable Christmas holiday was the first Christmas Eve that I spent with the man who is now my husband. I cooked a turkey, the first I’d ever cooked and, to my astonishment, it was a perfect bird. Many things happened that evening that we still joke about. We didn’t know each other too well then, and we “tiptoed” around each other, each wanting to assure the other a happy Christmas and neither of us knowing how. We had a wonderful evening, singing, eating, listening to music, telling each other tall tales of our lives and, of course, exchanging gifts. I shall never forget it.

BPM: How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the traditions for your family?
GF: We celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve, always with a roast goose dinner and mounds of gifts around the Christmas tree. We began the Christmas Eve tradition when my step son–then a teenager–got his first girlfriend. Of course, he wanted to have Christmas dinner with her and her family. So we invited her for Christmas Eve, and he went to her family on Christmas day. We liked the custom. We open the gifts after dinner on Christmas Eve. One beauty of that is that I enjoy Christmas day with no work to do.

BPM: What are you most thankful for today? What does all your books have in common?
GF: I am most thankful for Jesus Christ in my life and for the health and well being of my family and myself.

GF: My books have different themes, but everyone of them demonstrates the importance of loyalty and common decency and the rewards of reaching for a higher goal. Website: http://www.gwynneforster.com

BPM: Mrs. Gwynne please tell us about your latest release, When the Sun Goes Down.
GF: When the Sun Goes Down deals with the strengths and fragileness of relations among family members. When self-made millionaire and widower Leon Farrell dies, he leaves behind a legacy of family dysfunction—and a missing will. The possible loss of a fortune only increases the existing tension between his three grown children.

While handsome slacker Edgar kicks back in anticipation of his windfall, middle child Gunther struggles to save his software business, and fiercely independent Shirley unsuccessfully tries to stay out of the fray. But things soon take an explosive turn. And as the siblings find themselves battling each other to protect their own interests, they’ll face choices that could bring them together at last—or tear them apart for good.

Caught in the middle of her brothers’ ill-will, and doing her best to keep the peace, Shirley is further unsettled when she falls for Carson Montgomery, the smart, sexy private investigator Edgar hires to tract down the will. And when Gunther suddenly falls ill, Edgar’s attempt to manipulate him causes a conflict of interest that will shock them all!

BPM: Are your characters a portrayal of real people?
GF: Not at all. Something about a person may give me an idea, but I invent my characters.

BPM: Who did you write When the Sun Goes Down for? Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
GF: I wrote it for my readership. I thought that the women and men who have read my novels over the years would enjoy a frank discussion of some of the problems common among people of African descent. I’m not sure you’d call it a message, because I make it a policy not to preach to the reader. My first agent told me that it is a writer’s duty not only to entertain, but to inform. I’ve taken that advice seriously, and in every book that I write, whether mainstream fiction of a romance, I include some worthwhile information as a part of the story.

BPM: If you could change one thing you from your road to publication, what would you have done differently?
GF: I wouldn’t have written a romance as my first book. I write mainstream fiction, and some of my books have won awards, but they are always judged as romances, because reviewers associate me with romance. And when they complain about something, it’s usually what distinguished mainstream women’s fiction from a romance.

BPM: Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for your readers.
GF: I write full time. I get up around seven-thirty and usually write from nine to about four Mondays through Fridays. Important errands may interfere with the schedule, but that’s basically it. I write after dinner for about two hours, unless my husband and I are going out or have guests. I often write on Saturdays after I’ve finished my shopping and errands. I don’t write on Sundays. I work in my office, and I don’t listen to the radio unless there’s a program of Mozart music.

BPM: What do your do when you’re not writing?
GF: In the summer, I’m an avid gardener. I love music—opera and classical music, classical jazz, blues, some Sinatra/Nat Cole type popular songs and a couple of old fashioned country singers. I enjoy entertaining at small dinner parties and consider myself a rather good cook. And, of course, I read.

BPM: What does your family think of your writing?
GF: My family consists of my husband and stepson. Both are very proud of my success as a writer and read my books. Although my husband is an academician and not a computer expert, he makes my fliers, brochures, and bookmarks and does an elegant job of it.

BPM: What two pieces of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
GF: Don’t be disappointed by rejections. When you get one, clean up the manuscript and send it to the next editor on your list. The appraisal of fiction is, in some important aspects, highly subjective.

GF: Learn English grammar, and cultivate an extensive vocabulary so as to express yourself precisely as you intend. Write each day and, if possible at the same time. Try not to get a habit of procrastinating, and don’t rewrite until, say, you’ve at least written a chapter. It’s best to rewrite after you finish a first draft. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. Join a writing group such as the local

RWA group and attend writing conferences whenever possible. Remember: if you write a page every day, at the end of a year you can have a book.

BPM: Thank you Mrs. Gwynne for joining us today! Readers you can find out more about Gwynne Forster and her books at: http://www.gwynneforster.com/

When the Sun Goes Down by Gwynne Forster
Book Review: 5-Stars by Sharel E. Gordon-Love

Dysfunction can be part of a family even when one looks from the outside in and all appears to be well. In Gwynne Forster’s When the Sun Goes Down, we find this to be so with the three Farrell siblings after the death of their father, Leon.

Leon Farrell was an odd character, who seemed to lose touch with real life and the children that most fathers would hold dear to his heart, especially after the loss of his beloved wife. However, he retreated within himself and played a cruel joke on his family, that could have them at odds with one another and ruin their relationships for good.

The eldest sibling, Edgar, was determined to get what was coming to him as a means to an end and continue to be the rebel that he is and live life on his terms. In the meantime, his brother, Gunther, and his sister, Shirley, tried to live their lives in spite of Edgar and the way they were treated by their father when he was alive. No doubt, their upbringing had a lot to do with who they grew to be, albeit, all three different in their own way.

When it was all said and done, secrets were revealed and hidden things brought to the light as this family strived to keep their families together and receive the things that they believed they were entitled to outside of their father and his eccentric ways. At the end of the day, it is about family and the things that we do to remain one.

What I loved about When the Sun Goes Down is how author Forster took her time to tell the story; there was no need to rush the storyline. I recommend this book to everyone who loves stories about family love and romance. This book was provided to me courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
–Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love APOOO BookClub

When the Sun Goes Down ISBN-10: 0758246994
ISBN-13: 978-0758246998

“When the sun goes down on my life, you’ll all come apart like ripped balloons.” — widower Leon Farrell

When stingy self-made millionaire and widower Leon Farrell dies, he leaves behind a legacy of family dysfunction—and a missing will. It’s soon clear that his three grown children, Edgar, Gunther, and Shirley, don’t handle loss well—the possible loss of a fortune, that is. And when Edgar hires a private investigator to track down the will, it’s just the beginning of a search that will lead the siblings to re-visit their childhoods, uncover buried secrets, and ultimately learn for themselves what it means to be a family. For as tensions escalate between the brothers—with their peace-keeping sister caught in the middle—an unexpected conflict of interest is brewing that will shock them all—and either bring them closer together or tear them apart for good…    Peek inside the book and read excerpt chapters!

Purchase your copy today. Give as a great holiday gift book!
http://www.amazon.com/When-Goes-Down-Gwynne-Forster/dp/0758246994

ALSO AVAILABLE NOW!
Once in a Lifetime by: Gwynne Forster
ISBN-13: 9780373831944

With a young daughter to support, recently divorced Alexis Stevenson jumps at the chance to become household manager for wealthy businessman Telford Harrington and his two brothers. Though she knows it won’t be easy turning their bachelor-pad mansion into a home, she is determined to handle any obstacles, while maintaining a separate life for herself and her daughter. But Alexis isn’t at all ready for the red-hot chemistry crackling between her and Telford—or the fact that she’s suddenly caught in a maze of unexpected secrets and deep mistrust. But if she and Telford find their way through it—together—can they both embrace the love they so deeply desire?

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Conversation with The Reading Divas Book Club

Intimate Conversation with Reading Divas Book Club

 

BPM: Tell us a little about your passion for reading and your position in the bookclub.
My name is Sharon Richardson-Lucas and I am the founder and Chairperson of the Reading Divas Book Club. Though we have structure, we’ve never felt a need to elect officers but rather to draw on the individual strengths displayed by the club members.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and a Reading Diva! I recently retired after 20 years as a District Sales Manager with Avon Products, Inc. I have read all of my life – I come from a family of readers. I do not remember a time when I didn’t read – going back to when I had to hide “True Confessions” under the covers and read after I was supposed to be asleep.

BPM: What was your first meeting like? How was it organized and structured?
After thinking about it for some time, in July 1998, I invited a group of friends to my home to review the book, “The Good Negress” by A. J. Verdelle. It wasn’t the most exciting read, but it did allow me to share my vision of a book club with the attendees and thus was born “The Reading Divas”. After more than 12 years, our basic structure remains the same: We are a group of African American women who meet monthly to review a book, share ideas, and exchange stories. Thus, we have formed a “sisterhood” of book lovers!

My initial goal was to have at least 12 members so no one would have to host a meeting more than once each year, currently there are 14 members; we meet monthly, rotating from house to house; the hostess for the month selects the book for the month. We primarily read books written by African American Authors, but do not limit ourselves to any race or type of book. By silent vote, we don’t usually read the now popular “street” books or “erotica”.

Several years ago, another charter member, Lena Tanguep, and I attended the National Book Club meeting in Atlanta hosted by Curtis Bunn. After that uplifting experience we agreed that the club needed more structure and we also needed to give something to the community and not limit ourselves to simply reading a book a month and socializing (we love mimosas and sangria). We then adopted a club charter to define our structure and we agreed to host an event to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. We weren’t sure exactly what we wanted to do, but we knew it had to be “literary” and not just a social event.

BPM: Share with us the history of the organization.
In October 2008, we successfully hosted the “First Annual Reading Divas Literary Brunch” featuring Mary Monroe – she was fabulous and so was our audience of about 100. In October 2009, when we held our second Brunch featuring Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant- we knew we had hit on something good. Virginia and Donna were “excellent” – they made themselves at home and our audience loved them. We closed this affair knowing that our event has a “following” and that we were keeping our commitment to involve the community not just through our audience participation but also by inviting local authors, many of whom are self-publishing and trying to get their foot in the door – to participate and therefore expand their reach. Please go to our website –  http://www.thereadingdivas12.com/  – to read more about us or to get in touch with us.

In October 2010, we hosted our third Brunch – we have moved to a larger facility and our featured author will be Dr. Daniel Omotosho Black – Nationally Acclaimed Author of the 21st Century. Please go to Dr. Black’s website to read more about him – http://www.danielblack.org/.

BPM: What is the vision for your organization?
Our vision is to “keep on keeping on” – reading, discussing, and socializing – as we help others to realize how important it is to our culture that we read the works of African American authors and to continue to grow our own annual Literary Event.

BPM: Living your best life includes:
Living my best life includes: having books and my Kindle at my fingertips at all times – my motto is “Never Leave Home Without Something to Read”.

BPM: On your nightstand now:
On my nightstand now are: “Book Clubs” by Curtis Bunn and “They Tell me of a Home” by Daniel Black along with many books on my Kindle including “God Ain’t Blind” by Mary Monroe, “And Mistress Makes Three” by Francis Ray, and “Witch & Wizard” by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet.

BPM: What types of books did you read as a kid?
I’ve always been a mystery and suspense lover – so I loved “Nancy Drew” as a child but I soon moved on to Perry Mason.

BPM: What book would you read again to savor?
The book I want to read again and again to savor is “What Seems Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day” by Pearl Cleage.

BPM: What’s your favorite book series?
My favorite series is anything in the Alex Cross series by James Paterson.

BPM: How important is reading in your life?
I cannot imagine life without the ability to enter new and different worlds through the written words of others.

Interview presented by chairperson – Sharon Richardson-Lucas

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Conversation with Literary Legend L. A. Banks

Intimate Conversation with Literary Legend L. A. Banks

Hosted by Ella Curry, EDC Creations Media Group

L. A. Banks  is the recipient of the 2009 Romantic Times Booklover’s Career Choice Award for Paranormal Fiction as well as the 2008 Essence Storyteller of the Year award. Ms. Banks has written over 42 novels and contributed to 12 novellas, in multiple genres under various pseudonyms.

She is a proud member of The Liars Club, and a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania Wharton undergraduate program with a Master’s in Fine Arts from Temple University. Ms. Banks is a full-time writer living/working in Philadelphia.

EDC:  You are a true literary legend! We love your work. What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?

LEB: I think one’s power comes from a depth of experience and living life — and that’s my well as a writer, because I’ve lived a lot of life and have had a lot of experiences to draw from to help make my characters feel real. People can relate to the emotions felt by my characters, whether the story is a realistic romance or a truly supernatural, paranormal tale. Even though what I write is fiction, the emotions that I write about are always grounded in reality.

EDC: How much of what you write reflects on your outlook on life?

LEB: About 99.99% of what I write I also believe in. I write about good winning over evil (even though I may not believe in real vampires, per se)… but we’ve all seen “vampire acting people” who suck the life out of others via their negative behaviors, as well as people who do horribly demonic things to one another. But through whatever tragedies we see in the media or within our communities, most of us pray that good will come out victorious in the end. I also believe in love and I definitely believe in Divine Intervention. If you scratch the surface of any tale I tell, it’s all in there.

EDC: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?

LEB: My mentors were those old aunties and grandmothers in my family, as well as my dad… all of whom are gone now. They inspired me, because in my generation I had opportunities open to me that they’d only dreamed of–and that’s also why I cannot waste a second of that good fortune. I view it as a responsibility, and I know that I stand on some very strong black shoulders.

EDC: What do you think of the increasingly gratuitous sex in African American literature?

LEB: The increasingly gratuitous sex makes me weary, truth be told. I like a good love scene as much as anybody, and a well crafted on set in context, is a part of life and therefore shouldn’t be ommitted from the story. But when you have people jumping into unnecessary and crazy situations simply for sensationalism without moving the plot forward, it feels forced and trite.

Once you’ve gone there as a writer, to me, you’ve lost the element of the craft. People are grown and I don’t believe in censorship… but I do believe in truth in advertising. If it’s erotica, or dare I say porn, then call it that–but don’t try to sell it to me as a mystery or a thriller or whatever. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a damned duck.

EDC: What three elements complete a formula for Happiness, Success or Freedom?

LEB: The three elements in my mind are as follows: The first thing you need is a strong spiritual base–because life will test and try you, and in order to stand firm and to have gratitude in your attitude, you have got to have a foundation (a rock); secondly, you have to surround yourself with positive, like-minded people that are forward-moving individuals (because drama people and negative influences can wear you down); and lastly, you have to put in the good, old-fashioned hard work. Remember the saying, “Faith without works is dead?” Yeah. That’s pure truth. Wishing and hoping ain’t gonna do it. You have to be willing to constantly learn and grow and do.

EDC: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…

LEB: My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… that they might be able to break the stereotypical bonds of literature that only show African Americans in a few dimensions of all that we are and are capable of being — from our rich history to our astounding bravery and creativity, until we might even dream of being super heroes and heroines again. My work allows us to step into supernatural realms or to love each other hard and full and deep in my romances, or to solve crimes and get away like James Bond… and always shows “us” as intelligent and sexy and honorable.

EDC: Introduce us to your literary series and a few of the main characters.

LEB: I have several series that I am working on–one is The Vampire Huntress Legends, where a young woman and her family fight evil (Damali is NOT a vampire–smile.); I have a werewolf series, entitled, The Crimson Moon Novels (and Sasha is a supernatural, but not a werewolf and is good.); and I have dozens of romances.

All of it can be seen at: http://www.vampirehuntress.com/  or http://www.crimsonmoonnovels.com/  and http://www.leslieesdailebanks.com/  

I have also just started a young adult series at  http://www.neteruacademy.com/  and on all the sites there are detailed excerpts and book explanations.

 

EDC: Who are your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?

LEB: Of all my characters, Damali and Carlos are my favs, because they represent the young people I knew and was to some degree, growing up “around the way.” Damali is a blend of my sister, me, and my female cousins and girlfriends… hot-tempered, secure, insecure, passionate, scared, brave, mature, immature–all of it at the same time.

EDC: What role do you give the “mean-spirited” characters? Do you have such characters?

LEB: I give my “mean spirited” characters the role we see of decadent, powerful people who do destructive things because they can and for profit. I take those personalities from the predators we see ripped from the headlines–or people we have seen that destroy communities and families.

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

LEB: My books, except for the new young adult series that I just started, are for mature readers (NC 17 rated with mature scenes, sex, violence and language)… but my work is multicultural in nature and I have as many male readers as female readers of all ethnic backgrounds.

EDC: How will reading your books shape the reader’s lives?

LEB: I’m not sure how my work will shape a reader’s life, but I always hope that my work touches something within him or her and makes that person think.

EDC: Why are your books so different from others in the same genre?

LEB: My series deal very seriously with matters of spirituality as well as make social commentary within the paranormal genre in a way that you rarely see. Most writers in the paranormal genre tend to leave religion and spirituality out of it. My work also thoroughly embraces multiculturalism in a way others do not.

EDC: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.

LEB: My latest project is that The Vampire Huntress Legends series has now gone to comics–which is a thrill for me as a female author. In addition, I have a new multicultural young adult series coming out in March 2011, entitled, Shadow Walker–which is a paranormal tale about the children of the heroes and sheroes from the 12 book Vampire Huntress Legends.

EDC: Thank you so much for this interview! How can our readers reach you online?

LEB: You are welcome. It’s my pleasure to share my journey with the readers!

Leslie (aka L.A. Banks)!

Website: http://www.leslieesdailebanks.com/

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

RT Career Choice Award for Paranormal Fiction

Winner of the 2008 Essence Magazine Storyteller of the Year Award

PROUD Member of The Liars Club, http://liarsclubphilly.com/

On Twitter: LA_Banks

On Face Book: Leslie Esdaile Banks

Join the Leslie Esdaile Banks Fan Club on Yahoo!

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Audio Preview: Swimming the Garda by Audley Haffenden

Swimming the Garda by Audley Haffenden

SWIMMING THE GARDA is a murder mystery with a strong cultural feel. When the dead body of Paula Calvin is found on a beach in Jamaica, Detective Oscar Calwell is assigned the investigation. Calwell is a tarnished man seeking redemption. The stories from the people he interviews tell him he may be up against far more than a murder…  Are these stories really connected to the case, or to Calwell and his tortured past?    Click here to listen to an excerpt from the book.

Read an Excerpt from Swimming the Garda

The phone rang an hour before daybreak. Before the call, Detective Calwell had his day all planned. It was his first day off in weeks. It was to be a whole day at the Hope Botanical Gardens. His plan was to catch the No. 6 bus at the main downtown terminal and make it a slow, easy ride north, via Hope Road to the Gardens. But the phone rang. It was his boss, the superintendent of detectives. “I’m sorry about this Calwell,” the super began.

Superintendent, Jonathan Mitchell’s confidential tone told Calwell the call was important. It had been some time since the super had spoken to him using that confidential tone. Everyone in the department knew the meaning of that tone. It meant he had confidence in you, and was relying on you…. “We need you on this one, Calwell.” His words carried a message of reprieve. For almost three years he had waited to hear those words.

Three years earlier he had a well-earned reputation as Mitchell’s golden boy…. All that changed after the York Street Affair, as Pinky Lindo’s column in the Daily Gleaner called it; or, the York Street Mango War, as the people in Jamaica called it. Everything Calwell worked so hard to achieve went out the window after Pinky’s column came out. However, that was in the past. The phone call told Calwell he was about to be given a second chance. It was the chance he’d been waiting for; his opportunity to come out of the wilderness and regain the super’s bright light.

****************

It was after eight a.m. when Calwell arrived at the beach club. His assistant, Tenn Sang, was standing inside the cordoned-off area with a writing pad in his hand. Sang walked Calwell pass the cabana and pointed to the body lying in the sand. If Calwell was harboring ideas that it would be an easy case, the thought went out his head when he saw the face of the dead woman. She was Paula Clavin, daughter of High Court Judge Oliver J. Calvin.

Her body was propped up by a broken-down wooden boat; next to a cabana, at the back of the exclusive Bournemouth Beach Social Club. Her hair was in a tussle, her mouth was jam-packed with sand, her thighs were thrown wide open and her skirt was ripped up the front. She was dead.

###

About the Author

Audley Haffenden is a playwright and novelist born in Jamaica, West Indies. His work includes Toussaint: Angel Warrior of Haiti, Pushkin: a Poet’s search for Honor,and A Hedgehog Jumps the Moon. Audley lives and works in New York City. Swimming the Garda is his first novel. If you would like to schedule an interview with Audley, please email audley@swimmingthegarda.com. For more information on Audley Haffenden’s work, click here:  http://www.thetoussaintproject.com/

Purchase Swimming the Garda by Audley Haffenden

ISBN-10: 1439261105

ISBN-13: 978-1439261101

Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical

Brought to you by EDC Creations and Black Pearls Magazine.

Visit the magazine here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/  

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Intimate Conversation with Cachet Wells

Intimate Conversation with author Cachet Wells

Author Cachet Wells was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a freelance writer and published author, her writings focus on inspiration and empowerment while Wells uses her experiences in illness, heartache and adultery to impart encouragement through an intimate relationship with Christ. She is the founder of Women Of Righteous Distinction whose central purpose is to encourage, empower and educate women to live a life that is spiritually rooted in Christ and represents the virtuous woman of God they are created to be.

What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
The things that make me powerful as a person and a writer would be strength and faith. The ability to know that God has empowered me beyond my ability with his strength impact lives. Using the lessons that I’ve learned and the things I’ve encountered through illness, pain, heartache and adultery to help others remain committed to faith in God, stand firm in God and trust in His promises that they may become a better person through wiser choices. Choosing to be lead in all things by my faith in God and choosing to live the life I speak of by the steps that I make. The faith that keeps me fulfilled, sustained and committed to do that which He alone has purposed me to do for His glory. Powered by the inner strength that I’ve gained by choosing to be the victim no more.    

How much of what you write reflects on your outlook on life?
The issues, concerns and reflections that are expressed in my writings are a compilation of my outlook on life, the perceptions viewed through my heart and a direct insight of how they are revealed to me through my faith in Christ. Totally sold on the fact that nothing happens by accident or coincidence, but the strategic move of the Master who has ultimately created us for a specific purpose to be accomplish in a time of His own choosing. Everything that we go through, encounter and are thrusted into is because there is something for us to accomplish in it, so everything I write is a true reflection of how I view it in my life.

Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
I find guidance through my parents and my spiritual mentors that assist and encourage me to be true to the directed leading of God in my writings. Being inspired by my family, friends and ministry to unveil the issues that affect us as Christians are the most important motivators for me.

What three elements complete a formula for Happiness, Success or Freedom?
Love, Peace and Faith are three elements that are essential to living a life complete with happiness, success and freedom. Love allows us to unconditionally look for the good in all. Loving others regardless to what they do or don’t do because Christ did the same tor me when I didn’t feel the need to do so. Peace gives me the assurance to know that in spite of what things look like, feel like or are perceived to be I still have that inner strength of assurance that all is well. Faith that keeps me sustained in all situations and obstacles that may arise in my life. Fulfilled by the promises of God to be what I need, when I need Him to be and that He’s the one that will empower me to overcome and succeed.

 
Finish this sentence:  My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…
My writings offer a legacy of truly being empowered to live solely for Christ. It takes you beyond the myth of religion to relationship. It guides you through everyday situations and teaches you how to live faithful to your beliefs. Not compromising them to fit into the box of religion, but stay connected to the Father because of a real relationship with Him by the choices we choose to make.

Introduce readers to book “Eyes Of The Heart.”  Take us inside the book. New Book for all Women Of Righteous Distinction Features Meditations, Inspirational Thoughts and Reflections that Will Guide Readers on a Journey of Transformation, Self-Discovery and Healing.

 

Imagine taking a journey and with every mile you travel the anticipation of what’s to come gets greater and greater. That’s how it is on this journey we call life. With every step you take, you’re drawn closer to God and all that He has purposed for you. With each moment of living, we should be seeking to maintain an intimate relationship with the Father.

Eyes Of The Heart  takes you through the process of transformation as you journey to true wholeness in Christ. Understand how to rid the bonds of every yoke of defeat and replace it with the love of the Father through the heart’s view. The meditations, inspirations, and reflections shared in this book were compiled together on Wells’ personal voyage that enabled her to stand firm in God.

Journey with me as the chains of the oppressor are removed, burdens lifted, and the healing begins. Look past your current situations to overcome those circumstances with the help of the Father. With each moment of living, you should be seeking to maintain an intimate relationship with Him. His peace, joy, and love cover a multitude of problems that you may face, allowing you to conquer them.

What are two major events taking place in Eyes Of The Heart ?
Two of the major events taking place in this book from my own personal experience, which is what I want readers to go away with are Forgiveness and Healing. When someone has wronged us forgiving them is not for them, but for us. It is that which ignites the beginning of the healing process. It aids in releasing the pain and hurt of what has happened to us. Healing which is a continual process to restore us back to a place of peace, joy and love so that God get all the glory.

What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
What prompted me to write this book was my personal experience through illness, pain, heartache and adultery. Learning how to now live my life as a wife, mother and stay committed to my faith as a disabled woman taught me how to be strong against the odds of what people thought I could was one motivator. Finding out that after 15 years of marriage my husband had been secretly been unfaithful to me which lead to months of abuse because of it was my greatest motivator. Deciding that I could no longer sit and be the victim, but see myself overcoming it for not just me but for my kids became that which pushed me into purpose by fighting for me.

Who do you want to reach with your book, Eyes Of The Heart  and the message within?
This is book is for all those who have been affected my love, pain, hurt, heartache, illness, infidelity or abused. Those who have been silent about their  burdens and things that have oppressed them so much to feel like they have no voice. Those who have been quiet so long that they can’t imagine seeing themselves overcoming that which has had them silent and bound.

What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Many of the writings in this book cover issues with family, Christian living, Illness, Marriage, Adultery, Children and Faithfulness to your relationship with Christ.  Recognizing that when we put God first in our lives all the other things that are important to us will line up.

How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
The author entices readers to journey with her as the chains of the oppressor are removed, burdens lifted and the healing begins. She encourages them to look past their current situations to overcome those circumstances with the help of the Father. With each moment of living each one should be seeking to maintain an intimate relationship with Him. His peace, joy and love covers a multitude of problems that people may face which allows them to conquer.

What was the most powerful message in the book?
One of the most powerful messages is “Like Mary” because it is a true testament of how we should be totally surrendered to the Lord. Regardless to where we are, whose around or what the reason for being in a particular place, God is first and we should respect, honor and worship Him for that. When we give ourselves totally to Him, He will forever give himself unto us in whatever capacity we need Him.

 

What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
Openly allowing myself to be truthful of personal experiences that I endured so that others could see that they were not alone in the things they too are dealing with. This book takes you through a journey so with every page I wanted to make an impact on the lives of those who would read it. The messages and design of the book makes it different than any other.

Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?

Share with us your latest news. How can our readers reach you online?
God has favored me to have many doors opened since the release of the book. I will be a featured guest on Destiny Empowerment blog radio. I will also be in the upcoming Stage Play “Side Effects….Hurting people, Hurt people” in Coral Springs, Florida.
 
I can be contacted by email at Wordwomen3@aol.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, MySpace and on my blog: http://www.womenofrighteousdistinction.blogspot.com/.
 
Please check out the book’s website at:  http://www.aheartsview.com/ or www.xlibris.com/bookstore to purchase book and view excerpt pages. .

The ultimate goal that I want readers to gain from “Eyes of the Heart” is to self awareness of themselves. Realizing that they are worthy of living a life full of happiness not just through the eyes of Christ, but their very own.

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