Intimate Conversation with Shaquana Jackson

Intimate Conversation with Shaquana Jackson

Shaquana Jackson was born in Lafayette, LA but currently resides in Abbeville, LA. She has a degree in General Studies with an concentration in Liberal Arts. She began writing at the age of ten when she encountered an accident that changed things in her life from that point on. However, she says it was a blessing because she may have never discovered her talent given from God above.

Sher writes short stories, poetry, TV and movie scripts, music, and novels. Her goals are to one day become New York Times Bestseller and to write, produce, and direct her own films.  Shaquana is a proud mother of a beautiful daughter by the name of Asia’Lynn Harris.

BPM: Introduce us to your book, Now That the Cover is Removed  and the main characters. 
Now That the Cover is Removed will be released on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Makeup and laughter is what Justina uses to cover up her beatings and pain that comes from within her very own home. She’s living a life that she never thought she would live with her mother and the misery from her past. Along with abuse, Justina has to deal with a long lost sibling who wants her dead and seeks to carry out a wayward dream of becoming Justina. Justina’s past love interests tag along for the thrill of keeping her in despair. The past knows Justina weakness and tests her to see how long it will be before she will break free from all harm. Will she have enough strength and determination to forgive her abusers, find redemption and stare danger in the face to remain alive?

Colleen is a successful counselor who seems to have more problems than her patients. Along with dealing with family issues at home, she puts herself in harm’s way when trying to counsel someone she has a strong connection with. Getting too close to her patients opens doors that no one can seem to close. She begins to lose her ability to keep work, because she becomes too intimate with her client’s lives and struggles. This also causes major problems within her marriage. Will Colleen lose what she has spent her life working for as she tries to capture what she lost years ago?

Aalisa’s dream of becoming a New York Times bestselling author has come true, but it brings along the unforeseen dangers of becoming famous, which opens her life up for scrutiny. On her rise to the top, Aalisa has to come to grips with the fact she doesn’t know how to accept the good along with the bad. A diabolical stalker from the past finds her and refuses to leave her alive this time! Her stalker’s obsession has taken precedence in Aalisa’s life because it now involves the safety of her only child. Aalisa must find a way to destroy her past, so that she can save her child. Will she stop the stalker and continue on with her life, so that she can focus on the romance she so longs for?

To conquer all the drama and heartache the three friends face, they must confide in one another and let their damaging secrets be known, in order to help conquer their situations. Even though it’s a hard pill to swallow, telling each other the shocking secrets they have held in for years might change their lives for the better and even put their past to rest at last.

BPM: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
At the age of ten I had an accident that changed certain things in my life. However God works in mysterious ways, so I believed by me going through my circumstances He revealed my talents that I many have never known otherwise.

BPM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of your family?
My hometown is one entity that supported me outside of my family. No matter my downfalls as an author they still showed me the same respect as an author. My hometown continues to support, uplift, and believe in my dreams even when I had doubts myself. I’m glad to have each and every one of them on this amazing journey.

BPM: What does “growth” mean to you?
Growth means a change from where you started or a change in a circumstance by learning from your past to embrace the future!

BPM: What does “challenge” means to you? Is there anything you find particularly challenging in writing?
Challenge is overcoming the impossible even when no one else believes in you. Challenge is stepping out on faith knowing even if you fall you will get back up. Whatever God place within you going after it is a challenge within itself!  My writing can be very challenging because I write experiences for my characters that I have never experience or will experience in my lifetime.

BPM: Why did you choose to write in your particular genre? If you write in more than one genre, how do you balance them?
I choose Women’s fiction or Chic-lit with the intent to inspire and empower girls and women across the country even though its fiction most women can relate to anyone of the characters or relate somewhere down the line. It shows women or girls may go through many tragedies or downfalls but yet still be blessed and successful at the end.

I write in many genres which is a blessing itself! I write for the youth as well as adults and balance them quite well by switching up for readers to enjoy my books with their youth or spend time reading the adult chic-lit!

BPM: How does your book relate to your present spiritual practice or other life path?
My book relates to my present situation in more ways than one. Even though I experienced some tragedies and made some unwise choices like my characters in my youth I still pulled through with an education and endure success. However, even experiencing success it doesn’t excuse you from secrets that may have been buried or the past who continues to haunt you from time to time.

BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?
My faith inspires my writing tremendously. I believe it is my calling from God himself. He instilled words in me to inspire many! I pray for his continuance in lifting others through my writing.

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I want readers to gain the fact that no one is excused from life’s mishaps and courageous circumstances that life throws our way but to have the knowledge and wisdom to learn from what hinder us and keep moving.

BPM: What are your goals as a writer?
My goals as a writer is to educate, inspire, and of course entertain! I write close as to reality as I can so that someone who maybe going through the same thing as one of my characters could maybe see a way out or go about dealing with their circumstance in a different way. Also, characters who deal with something similar issue to one’s life experience overcome that to receive a better future may inspire others to keep striving no matter the circumstance.

BPM: Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?
Book sales are not the only indicator of success. To have a book published is a success within itself! A published book is a tremendous accomplishment! However, just to inspire many or change one person life is an indicator of success as a writer.

BPM:  Finish this sentence – “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers….”
My writing offers the following legacy to readers are the understanding that some people’s experiences or life’s unexpected may not be the same but through faith and the coming together with family or friends you can overcome the impossible.

BPM: What can we expect to see/read from you during the next stage of your career? 
You can expect to see more series with drama and twist of women who endured the hardships and the good life whose past continues to unbury itself and pay them an unexpected visit at the wrong time!

BPM: How may your readers follow you?
Shaquana Jackson
P.O. Box 988, Abbeville, LA 70511
Email:  Authorsjackson@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorShaquanaJ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshaquana.jackson

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Without Faith by Leslie J. Sherrod

Sienna St. James Series
by Leslie J. Sherrod

Listen to the author’s interview on BAN Radio Show

 

She’s a sleuth. She’s a scorned wife. She’s a sista on a mission. Sienna St. James is more than a sharp-witted social worker. She’s a problem solver who keeps getting pulled into life-and-death mysteries that only complicate her already complex life. With a head-strong teenage son and a missing, estranged husband – who could be anywhere on the globe – Sienna has to figure out what gets her focus first: the questions she has about her own love and loss or the dangerous quirks and dark confusion of her current clients… And then there are the current eligible men around her who are jockeying for position, waiting for her to make up her mind about it all.

Featured Books by Leslie J. Sherrod
* Losing Hope    (Available Now)
* Without Faith   (Available Now)
* Sacrifices of Joy  (Coming Spring 2014)

About Losing Hope: 
Social worker Sienna St. James is a woman with a complicated past and an alarming Tuesday morning. In one single day, every advance Sienna has made in getting over her long lost globe-trotting husband unravels in unexplainable fashion. From a mysterious package that hails from another continent to a new teen client who claims to have a missing sister, Sienna finds herself in the middle of a city-wide scandal, all while sorting out the painful details of her personal life. At center are two suspicious foster parents, a mega-church ministry leader, and Sienna’s own fragile emotions over a man who changed the direction of her life. It’s a test of her professional and moral will as Sienna seeks closure from a love she never understood and answers about whether a little girl named Hope ever existed. And if she did, where is she now? In this first installment of the suspenseful Sienna St. James Series, finding hope in the midst of questions and chaos becomes essential when life takes an unexpected turn.

About Without Faith:
She’s moved forward, but has she really moved ahead? Social worker Sienna St. James is no stranger to setbacks. As far as she is concerned, her estranged husband set her back and off course over a decade ago. Now, she has reclaimed her sense of hope and purpose, set up a new therapy practice, bought a new home, and has finally moved on. Maybe. 

When a wealthy, secretive new couple she’s counseling pulls her into their very real life-and-death drama, and her long-lost husband’s whereabouts can no longer be ignored, Sienna realizes the truth about what has kept her emotionally frozen and fragile—it’s fear. Ready or not, she has frightening challenges to overcome: a kidnapping, a teenage son who’s gone AWOL, a tired-of-waiting potential new beau, and a journalist who’s made it clear that he’s interested in getting more from her than the breaking news the twists in her life are offering. Torn by professional and personal struggles that have now become a full blown war, Sienna must come face-to-face with her deepest fears—and survive them—before it’s too late.

Excerpt from WITHOUT FAITH 

“Make a U-turn. Now turn left at the light.”

His face was hidden from me, but his voice served as a menacing GPS, weaving me in and out of the suburbs and finally into the narrow side streets of East Baltimore. Any lessons I’d had about self-defense, whether to scream, whether to fight back or keep still, had gone out of the window the minute I’d felt that cold metal on my neck.

“Make this turn here. Okay, right.” His voice sounded youthful, but the gun told me he was not playing games.

After almost an hour had gone by, I found courage to speak.

“I’m going to run out of gas.”

“Shut up and turn left at the stop sign.”

We drove for ten minutes more as I wondered if these were my last moments. I looked at the people, buildings, homes, and cars around me anew, trying to savor small details that I probably would not have even noticed any other time. I counted trees that grew out of small patches of dirt in the concrete; noticed the handwritten store signs on some corner stores; listened to the loud laugh of a woman with a short, scruffy ponytail sitting on a stoop with a group of giggling toddlers; imagined Roman never knowing what ever happened to either his mother or his father; Leon never knowing that my heart wanted to love him; Laz wondering what ever happened to his beautiful silver BMW.

“Right here. Stop. The third house down,” the man’s voice interrupted. “Get out. Go straight to the door.”

We’d stopped in front of a narrow row house near East Biddle Street, I think. My mind had gone numb and my memory evaded me. All I could see were crumbling brick steps, a dingy front door, and a single potted plant on the cement porch. He used a key to open the door and used the gun to beckon me inside. My eyes adjusted to the dark interior of a living room in shambles.

“David? Is that you?” A large woman in a wheelchair sat in the darkness, an oxygen tube running from her nose, her hair done in two sloppy, graying cornrows, her eyes staring off into space. She appeared to be blind. “You picked up my medicine?”

“Yes, Grandma. I’ll get your water in just a minute.” He walked behind me, pushing me forward, the tip of the gun now at the center of my spine. His breaths were as labored as mine.

Both of us were scared.

He seemed to be pushing me toward the kitchen, toward a closed door that sat right beyond a large pantry.

“David,” the woman’s shrill voice called out again, “someone with you?”

“It’s okay, Grandma. I’m getting your water.”

He reached from behind me and opened the door, and I saw that his hands looked massive, powerful. “Go down there,” he whispered, nudging me down unfinished wooden steps. I took the first one and the door clicked closed behind me. I heard him lock it.

“I’m sorry I had to do it like this.” A voice from the crawl space behind the stairs whipped my head around. There in the shadows of the stairwell sat….

( Continues… )

Excerpt from LOSING HOPE 

“So Dayonna has been here a few days now. Tell me how things are going for each of you.” I made certain to share eye contact with all three to ensure nobody felt excluded from my invitation to talk. In doing so, I did not miss the brief moments of silence that suddenly took over the room. The Monroes looked at each other again, though I could not read what emotion passed between them.

“Everything has been quite perfect, to be honest with you.” The gap in Mrs. Monroe’s upper teeth showed through her smile.

But her bottom lip was quivering.

“Yes, indeed.” Mr. Monroe’s voice sounded louder than necessary. “No problems here.”

I looked over at Dayonna, who stared back at me with a blank look on her face. “Your thoughts on how things are going so far?” I inquired.

She said nothing, only continued to stare at me with that blank, unreadable look.

Teenagers were some of the most difficult people to navigate, even without a mental health diagnosis.

“Well . . . ?” I shuffled through some papers in my lap, trying to figure out what words would break the apparent agreed-upon code of silence suddenly permeating the living room. Despite all my training, at times I still felt like a novice. “So . . . ,” I said, beginning again, “everything is going well?”

“All is well.” Mr. Monroe gave a plastic grin.

Mrs. Monroe nodded her head in agreement, a crazed smile on her face.

“Perhaps I can talk to each of you individually.” I glanced over at Dayonna, whose lips were pursed, as if she was about to finally speak.

“Ms. St. James, we appreciate you stopping by today, but as my husband said, we need to start getting ready for Bible study. Perhaps we can finish this visit another time?” Mrs. Monroe’s smile did not waver.

There was nothing else for me to say or do. I gathered my things and casually headed for the door. “Okay. I’ll come back on Thursday, same time, okay?”

“That’s perfect.” Mrs. Monroe clasped her hands together. “We’ll have more time to talk then.”

As I stepped out onto the porch, Dayonna was suddenly next to me, walking down the steps with me. She walked so close to me that my attaché was pinned between us.

“Wh-where are you going, little Miss Diamond?” Mr. Monroe called after us.

“Just walking Ms. St. James to her car,” she shouted back. I stayed quiet, feeling like I needed to let things go wherever they were heading without my interruption. I could see Mrs. Monroe struggling to get out of her house slippers and put on her shoes. She wanted to come outside with us.

But I was already at my car.

“Is everything really okay, Dayonna?” I gave her my warmest smile. She was quiet as I opened the driver’s side door and threw my attaché over to the passenger seat. She shrugged her shoulders and turned as if to leave but then was suddenly next to my ear.

“You gotta get me out of here.” Dayonna’s voice was a sharp whisper.

“Why? What’s wrong?” I was pleased to finally be getting somewhere.

Dayonna frowned and looked me straight in my eyes. “They’re going to kill me.”

( Continues… ) 

© 2012 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author Leslie J. Sherrod. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

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Raising Redemption by R. A. Russell

Raising Redemption by R. A. Russell

The author discusses the book on BAN Radio Show, go here.

Recalling such epic novels as Roots and The Joy Luck Club, R. A. Russell’s sweeping drama chronicles four generations of the Tilman family as they search for the things that will relieve the pain of the past. With its roots in 1975, Raising Redemption is a stirring and provocative story of the shame, secrets, sacrifice and struggle of an African American family who has worked to establish a name synonymous with respect, honor and dignity. Raising Redemption brings readers on a journey to discover the ultimate gift of love and the true legacy left for the Tilman women to embrace.

For Alicia Tilman, a seventeen-year-old girl on her way to Radcliffe, meeting her parents’ expectations means everything. But when Dickey Samson comes around, Alicia defies her father’s longstanding rule that she stay away from the boy, and is unprepared for the consequences that rain down upon her: a baby, a near shooting, estrangement.

Learning the dark family secret behind her father’s warning, Alicia leaves her home in Chesapeake, Virginia, and heads for San Francisco, a big city on the opposite coast, whose pictures always look pretty. Alone, pregnant, and homeless, Alicia makes a decision that will alter her relationship with her family forever: making a new home for herself at Lil’s Place, an escort service of girls who become Alicia’s confidantes, sisters.

After placing her son for adoption, Alicia realizes that success is the only solution to shame, and struggles to become worthy of the symbolic silver teapot handed down among the noble Tilman women. As the years go by, and her efforts build, Alicia is determined to reconnect with her mother, her father, and her son, whose life she had protected at the risk of ruining her own.

Raising Redemption is a sweeping tribute to the salvation we can only find from within.   More about the book and the author:   http://www.raisingredemption.com

Excerpt from Raising Redemption

Prologue

The Taste of Soil 1930

Mabel Tilman stooped over a wood-burning stove, stirring simmering rice. Shadows crept around her. She lit a kerosene lamp and hobbled to the front door of her three-room shanty, then peered outside as dusk settled on Chesapeake. “Marjorie?” she yelled, searching for her daughter. “Marge?”

Should have been home by now, thought Mabel. Maybe she helping out one of them teachers of hers. She gone be somebody, doing all that homework I can’t help her with no more, all them crazy numbers and letters she got going this way and that in the math she taking. She just like her daddy was, smart as a whip. She grown up, too, already fifteen, and the men done started eyeing her.

Mabel moved back to the stove and eased the pot off the fire. I better get to the outhouse ’fore it get too dark. She grabbed a walking stick and ambled outside, crunching over dried dirt and windblown leaves. When she returned to her doorstep, Mabel scanned the nearby woods, but she saw only emptiness amongst the trees. Where is that girl? she wondered, stomping off debris. Then she stepped inside and felt the presence of another. She brandished her stick, searching across the room until she found the outline of her daughter cowering in a corner.

“Marge, where you been? I been worried about you, girl. What you doing over there? Come out so I can see you. Come give your mama a hug.”

Marjorie staggered out of the shadows, her eyes cast downward. Mabel squinted at features once clean and sharp, now bloodied and swollen. She bolted for her daughter.

“What happened to you? Your face! Look at these clothes! That blood on this skirt? Oh, my God, no. Oh, no. Oh, Lordy, no! Who did this? Who did it! I said who?”

Mabel waited for an answer, but Marjorie remained mute.

“You ain’t saying, I see. Then I know who. I’m right, ain’t I? It was him, wadn’t it? Tell your mama, or give me a sign.”

Marjorie glanced at her mother and issued a sob.

“I knew it,” screamed Mabel. “That evil, low-down fucker! Lord Almighty, strike the bastard down! Strike him down, Lord. If there’s a God in heaven, strike the good-for-nothing bastard down, down, down, down, down!”

Mabel’s mournful cry pierced the walls and filled the air. The only response: sympathetic howls from neighboring dogs.

Marjorie remained silent as she dried her tears. Gone was the lively spark, the joyful smile, the trademark laughter; now, an expression of shame, regret, and helplessness.

Mabel gathered Marjorie into her arms, attempting to stroke away the pain. She had the horrible feeling that just as she had when pregnant with Marjorie, her baby girl would soon crave the taste of soil.

(  Continues…  )

 Copyright © 2013 by R. A. Russell.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, R. A. Russell.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Buy the Book Today!

Amazon:  http://amzn.com/1626520143

From the Author:   http://www.raisingredemption.com

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A Good Dose of Pleasure by Zuri Day

A Good Dose of Pleasure
(The Morgan Men) by Zuri Day

Listen to the Author read from the book, go here.

When artist Anise Cartier leaves Nebraska for L.A., she’s finally ready to put the past and its losses behind her. She’s even taken a new name to match her new future. And she soon finds a welcoming committee in the form of one very handsome doctor, Gregory  Morgan. Their attraction is instant. So is their animosity.

Anise’s goal is to start an art gallery, while Gregory is in a fierce competition for a multimillion-dollar medical research grant  . His opponent for the coveted funding is not Gregory’s only problem. The beloved artist community where Anise plans to set up shop is the same location slated to be demolished to make way for the new research center. Soon, it’s a battle between art and science—one that neither Anise nor Gregory intend to lose. Their passion is intense, but can this heated war of wills lead to a lifetime of red hot love? 

Book Review
“People pursuing their dreams is always a good starting point for love, but drama will ensue.”
–RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Read an Excerpt

Dr. Gregory Morgan turned onto his street, having just finished a rare twenty-four hours straight at the hospital, almost half of them in surgery. His usual grind was twelve, twelve-hour shifts a month, but last night a seven-car pileup during rush hour traffic had occurred on the 10 Freeway,  leaving one person dead and a dozen critically injured. UCLA’s emergency room had been filled to capacity and beyond, with him and a team of four other doctors working round the clock to save lives. Fortunately, they had. Aside from the young man who’d died when his vehicle had spun out of control and been broadsided, no one else had lost their life as a result of this unfortunate accident. Yawning deeply, he rubbed his eyes, already envisioning at least eight uninterrupted hours of deep, dreamless sleep on his king-sized memory foam mattress.

He was four houses away from his own home when he saw her: a darkly tanned treat, all legs and cute behind with shoulder-length hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. Beside her was a dog that could have doubled as a Shetland pony . Gregory couldn’t ascertain whether she was walking her dog, or the dog was walking her. Hello, neighbor! He slowed to watch how her butt seemed to wink at him with each long stride, how the muscles in her calves became defined when foot met pavement, and how her arms and legs flowed in effortless synchronicity. As his pearl white Mercedes cruised alongside her, she tugged her huge dog to the side of the road and glanced over at his car.  Their eyes locked. Gregory’s breath caught in his chest. Wow. She was as beautiful from the front as she was from the back: big eyes, pert nose, big juicy lips that had him licking his own. Without realizing, he’d slowed his car almost to a stop, temporarily mesmerized by the bewitching natural beauty now half smiling, half frowning as she once again neared his car.

He was straight up busted and too tired—and interested—to care that she’d peeped his stalkerish behavior. Also missing from action was his recent decision to lay off the ladies and put all of his attention to his medical research. Right now, however, Gregory was interested in researching something else. Pressing on the brake, he pushed the button to ease down the window on the passenger side and blessed her with a grand piano smile. “Good morning.”

“Hey,” she said, with about as much enthusiasm as a nun in a porn store. The beast growled. Gregory frowned. Great. You can ride it in a rodeo and then have it guard your house. Both owner and dog kept it moving.
   
Undeterred, Gregory released the brake and pressed down on the gas pedal. He glimpsed a hint of smile before she turned her head. “Oh, it’s like that? You’re going to just throw a ‘hey’ over your shoulder and keep running?”
   
“Yes,” the stranger replied, her eyes slightly narrowed and daring as she answered. “It’s just like that.” She broke into a sprint and cut through a neighboring yard, her four-legged protector right on her heels.
   
Gregory turned the corner. Beauty and the beast were nowhere in sight. He peered farther down the street before turning into the alley that led to the detached garage at the back of his Hancock Park home. That was fast. Where could she have gone? After parking the car, he walked through the rarely enjoyed backyard that had been meticulously landscaped and into the two-story traditional home he’d purchased for a steal when the housing market collapsed several years ago. The back door opened into a hallway with the laundry room on one side and a mud closet on the other. A short walk and a turn landed one into the updated gourmet kitchen, which anchored the open-concept living space next to a mahogany staircase. Gregory didn’t notice any of this as he retrieved a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator before mounting the stairs and heading for the master suite. He didn’t think of his marble-encased shower with the dual rain forest showerheads as he undressed and stepped into the soothing water stream.

As he washed away the tension of the stress-filled shift he’d just finished, Gregory was only vaguely aware of his surroundings. He was too busy thinking about sun-kissed skin and a dazzling smile from the stranger who’d told him it was “just like that.”

(  Continues…  )

 Copyright © 2013 by Zuri Day.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

A Good Dose of Pleasure  by Zuri Day
Purchase your copy today: http://amzn.com/B00D4AKBGQ


About the Author
Zuri Day is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. An EMMA and African-American Literary Awards winner, two of her novels were also finalists in the Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance category. Along with titillating the sensual senses, Zuri loves to stimulate provocative thought on timely, relevant topics that will benefit her community of readers. She believes in true love, half-full glasses and dreams coming true. Along with writing, hearing from readers is one of her favorite things to have happen, so she’d love to hear from you! Connect via her website, ZuriDay.com or on Facebook @ haveazuriday.

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One Family’s AIDS by J’son M. Lee

One Family’s AIDS by J’son M. Lee

One Family’s AIDS by J’son M. Lee  is the story of Gene Alexander McCoy – a young, educated African-American man who finds himself in a race for time to make peace with his family and God upon being diagnosed with HIV.

The story, told from four different perspectives, chronicles Gene’s life as he confronts such issues as HIV/AIDS, family, abandonment and homophobia. With the help of his over-bearing mother, a nurturing grandmother, and an uncle who doesn’t feel comfortable talking about Gene’s sexuality or disease, we learn the complexities of love and relationships, the damaging results of fear and shame, and how the relentless quest for the truth ultimately leads us back to each other.

** Amazon Book 5-Star Book Review
Written by D. Roseborough
I read this book because I was diagnosed with AIDS in 2003 and enjoy being educated. As I’m reading this book I was captivated by the thoughts of the family that were detailed in a unique way. I recommend this book to AIDS service organizations and the play should be on the road enlightening the population affected and infected by this disease. Great job!

** Amazon Book 5-Star Book Review
Written by  Spelling Girl
One Family’s Aids by author J’son M. Lee provides a first person account of one family dealing with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Lee offers the reader tremendous insight into personal family perspectives as each character in the story is given the chance to tell the story the way he or she sees it. The subject of HIV/AIDS even in this modern age is such a taboo topic but Author Lee manages it in such a way that the disease is a part of the family yet family is the greater focus. I truly applaud the author’s choice to provide a quiz in the back that serves as another means of informing and engaging the reader. Well done Mr. Lee. This one is truly touching! I look forward to reading more from this conscientious author.

Support the author: http://www.amazon.com/One-Familys-AIDS-Json-Lee-ebook/dp/B00B39GGB4

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Personal Transformation: The New 5 Agreements in the Workplace

Releasing the Human Spirit: Mastery in the Workplace

by David Dibble, author of The New Agreements in the Workplace

Sharing this amazing article for inspiration.  Source.

Personal transformation is a wonderful thing, but transforming the workplace requires more. To create a successful and supportive environment we must look not only at transforming fear-based systems into love-based ones, but also at transforming the people within that environment. We must look at enhancing their personal freedom and releasing the human spirit in the workplace. If you want to change the results created in your workplace, you have to shift your systems.

Everything is created twice: first in the mind, then in the physical domain. What if we could clearly envision our businesses and organizations as centers of enterprise and learning where people became healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually? What if we could become a living model for the full and human potential of work?

If all parts of the business mind are integrated and working in a holistic manner, the business is balanced, its culture is nurturing and it is a place where individuals grow and prosper along with the business. The energy of a balanced organization is complete.

However, most American workplaces are far from balanced. They tend to be dominated by the masculine and authoritarian, operating out of the old paradigm that values masculine influences, logic, data, authority figures, rules, regulations, and policies. The other two parts of the whole that are essential to its holistic power, the feminine and the spiritual, have traditionally been suppressed or even outright ostracized. The new leaders must begin to embrace all aspects of themselves if they are to create businesses that are balanced, whole, energetic, and wildly successful.

In The New Agreements in the Workplace – Releasing the Human Spirit, David Dibble presents a simple yet powerful process any business can pursue to reach new levels of improved performance, profitability and overall success of the enterprise. Using a wealth of experience as corporate CEO, systems thinker, management consultant and teacher who studied with don Miguel Ruiz.  The New Agreements in the Workplace offers a process that integrates personal growth and personal freedom with a method of management based upon systems thinking and reexamining obsolete agreements and habits that are taken for granted in the workplace.

Practicing these five simple agreements can produce both joyful employees and successful organizations based on a revolutionary idea that focuses on something seldom seen but desperately needed in the modern workplace: love.

1. Find Your Path:  Releasing the creative human spirit in the workplace is a journey. Before you can hope to effect change that involves other people, your workplace, or your systems, you must first and foremost find your own personal path and begin to experience the personal renaissance of a transformed life. A true inclusive path is a road map that includes practices and support along the way that ignites in you a higher purpose for work based in love.

2. Love, Grow and Serve Your People:   The workplace is alive because it is made of people. When the leader holds the energy of intent for the group, others begin to feel their own essence, which is, of course, love. When you love your people, you’ll love your work. When you grow your people by helping them increase their capabilities and expand their skill sets, you’ll grow the business or the organization. When you focus on loving and growing your people, they can focus on loving and serving your customers, your suppliers, the world.

Most important, love, growth and service to others creates an environment where you can release the creative power of the human spirit. When we replace the fear in our organizations with the emotional energy of love, growth and service to others, we will see dramatic improvements in productivity, morale, creativity, teamwork, quality, and of course, sales and profits.

3. Mind Your Mind in the Moment:  Your mind creates your reality at work and at home. In the not too distant future, the new leaders of business will operate from more of a quantum perspective – one that acknowledges and uses the energies and interconnections that exist among all people and organizations. Minding the mind in the moment means being aware of your emotional energy in the moment.

The emotional energy of an organization creates a field of energy that can be felt and experienced. When customers walk into the lobby of a business for the first time, they get a “feeling” for the business. How they will experience a particular field of energy depends on the source of the energy. Does the company radiate love or does it radiate fear? If the emotional energy comes from love, it will feel good to be there, both for the people working in the organization and the customers they serve.

4. Shift Your Systems:   Systems are the formal and informal policies, procedures, habits and agreements that tell you how to do things in the workplace. To release your creative human spirit, you must shift from the fear and control that drives most workplace systems to ones of love and support. In organizations, stress in the business systems usually takes the form of stress on the people who work in, or are affected by those systems. Excessive overtime, making the same mistakes, frustration, anger, disruptive office politics and low morale are all symptoms of stressed systems. People operating inside such a system will generally feel agitated or stirred up. Trapped in such an environment, their frustration eventually evolves into hopelessness and results in the depression of their human spirit.

Our systems have never been more in need of repair than they seem to be now. It’s time. It’s time for transformation both in ourselves and in our systems.

Transforming dysfunctional systems can be achieved by following three key steps: 1) Examine and understand the current condition, 2) focus on the critical 20 percent of the issues, and 3) make immediate changes.

5. Practice a Little Every Day:   To make the New Agreements a reality, you must practice a little every day. As you practice you will notice change. With regular practice you become the New Agreements. This is true mastery. The time is now. We have this wonderful opportunity to support each other and work together so that we can produce the miraculous transformations that will result in a new workplace and a new world in our lifetimes. We can. We will. It’s time.

David Dibble, author of The New Agreements in the Workplace: Releasing the Human Spirit, is a former CEO, systems thinker and management consultant. He walked the Toltec path for eight years with his teacher, don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements. Then, in 1998, David and Miguel agreed it was time for David to take the teachings into the workplace.  For more information, so to http://www.thenewagreements.com

More from this source:  http://www.indigosun.com/OLD_FILES/May03/releasing_the_human_spirit.htm

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Being a More Empowered Woman by Louise L. Hay

Being an Empowered Woman 

by Louise L. Hay

Sharing a wonderful article about her book, source.

Purchase your copy here.

The following ideas are taken from Louise L. Hay’s book, Empowering Women, Every Woman’s Guide to Successful Living. Hay is the author of 18 books, including You Can Heal Your Life.  The smallest positive change in your thinking can begin to unravel the biggest problem. When you ask the right questions of Life, Life will answer!

There are many ways to make our changes. We could also begin to honestly look at our flaws NOT by looking at what is WRONG with us, but to see the barriers that we have put up that keep us from being all that we learned in childhood. They never were true for us. We merely accepted someone else’s belief system. If we learned these thoughts once, then we can now unlearn them. We acknowledge that we are willing to learn to love ourselves. And then we develop a few guidelines.

1. Stop All Criticism-  It is a useless act; it never accomplishes anything positive. Don’t criticize yourself; lift that burden from yourself. Don’t criticize others either, as the faults we usually find in others are merely projections of the things we don’t like in ourselves. Thinking negatively about another person is one of the greatest causes of limitation in our own lives. Only we judge ourselves, not Life, not God, not the Universe.

2. Don’t Scare Yourself- We all want to stop that. Too often we terrorize ourselves with our own thoughts. We can only think one thought at a time. Let’s learn to think in positive affirmations. In this way, our thinking will change our lives for the better. If you catch yourself scaring yourself again, immediately say, “I release the need to scare myself. I am a divine, magnificent expression of life, and I am living fully from this moment on.”

3. Be Committed to the Relationship- You Have With Yourself We get so committed to other relationships, but we tend to toss ourselves away. We get around to ourselves now and then. So, really care for who you are. Be committed to loving yourself. Take care of your heart and soul.

4. Treat Yourself as Though You Are Loved-  Respect and cherish yourself. As you love yourself, you will be more open to love from others. The Law of Love requires that you focus your attention on what you do want, rather than what you don’t want. Focus on loving you.

5. Take Care of Your Body- Your body is a precious temple. If you are going to live a long, fulfilling life, then you want to take care of yourself now. You want to look good, and most of all, feel good and have lots of energy. Nutrition and exercise are important. You want to keep your body flexible and moving easily until your last day on the planet.

6. Educate Yourself- Too often we complain that we don’t know this or that and we don’t know what to do. But we are bright and smart, and we can learn. There are books and classes and tapes everywhere. If money is a consideration, then use the library. Find a self-help group. They are listed under Community Services in the yellow pages of the telephone book. I know I shall be learning until my very last day.

7. Build a Financial Future For Yourself- Every woman has a right to have money of her own. This is a significant belief for us to accept. It is part of our self-worth. We can always start on a small level. The important thing is that we keep saving. Affirmations are good to use here.

8. Fulfill Your Creative Side- Creativity can be any activity that fulfills you. It can be anything from baking a pie to designing a building. Give yourself some time to express yourself. If you have children and time is short, find a friend who will help you take care of your children, and vice versa. You both deserve time for yourselves. You are worth it.

9. Make Joy and Happiness the Center of Your World- Joy and happiness are always within you. Make sure you are connected with this place inside of you. Build your life around this joy. When we are happy, we can be creative, we don’t sweat the small stuff, and we are open to new ideas.

10. Have Integrity- Keep Your Word In order to honor and respect yourself, you must have integrity. Learn to keep your word. Do not make promises you will not keep even to yourself. Don’t promise yourself you will start the diet tomorrow or exercise every day unless you know you will follow through. You want to be able to trust yourself.

Read more from the original source of this article:  http://www.indigosun.com/OLD_FILES/FEB98/hay.htm 

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Book Review: Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne

Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne

(G Street’s First Romance)

Edgy, Urban, Romance with a hint of Erotica…

When Cricket Hooper moves to Seattle she only has a couple of goals—find a job and an apartment near her friend Chelle, and basically to live a quiet, normal life.  However, it isn’t long before life becomes far from normal.

When a mysterious man helps get her car out of the mud after she makes a wrong turn, she finds herself in his thrall. He wines and dines her, quite literally, and before Cricket can stop it, things are steamy and serious…very serious.

Cricket is thrown aback when Jyme turns out to be more than a simple fisherman, but then she isn’t telling all of her story either.

About the Author
Phoenix Rayne is a history maker!  She is the very first author to be published in G Street Chronicles Romance Division.  Phoenix parents planned for her, conceived her, and then birthed her.  After that, things got much more boring.  She didn’t do much, but she did do some things.  She lived more and did more things.  Then she found that she’s only happy when she write.  So now, she mostly write and is, therefore, happy.


BOOK REVIEW

An Amazing Debut Book – Fantastic read posted by Purpinkroses Book Corner
I would give this 5/5 stars and 5/5 for movie moments. 
Read the original review and author interview.

Cricket moves to be near her friend Chelle. She’s trying to get away from her old life and start new. After taking a wrong turn while driving she get knocks down a mail box and gets the car stuck in the mud up a beaten path. A  man come to help get her out, after he gets the car out the mud, she drives off as she panic’s thinking he could be a killer or something. She heads to the nearest ranger station and explains to them. They know the guy, it’s Lil Samson Jyme- a native American, he’s no killer.

Later on Jyme gets her number from the ranger station and calls but she hangs up on him so he calls the next day. They eventually meet up and take things from there. She’s not looking for a relationship and has started a new job. He’s a gentleman. But the attraction is strong.  Can they both over come the past, and the obstacles that are in their way? They are both hiding secrets and it could threaten everything they are trying to build.

OK girls, this is a MUST read. This book is an amazing debut book by Phoenix Rayne. It needs to go to the top of your “TBR” list. This is a book featuring a real size woman, at the beginning I laughed so hard at some of the comments Cricket makes about herself, as it was something I would say.

I loved this book, like seriously loved it. It was amazing. I read it in one go. I loved everything about this book. You guys know I don’t do spoilers and this one is no different. I cant say too much without giving this book away. All I will say is wow. This had me on the edge of my seat. Phoenix Rayne is an author to watch out for. I loved Cricket I don’t think we’ve heard all of her story and Jyme really never seen that coming. I loved his mum Mrs JJ.

When it got to the end of the book I gasped very loud. I can’t wait for book two. This one pulls at your emotions.

Purchase Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne
Kindle:  http://goo.gl/9Z0d0G
Twitter:  @hellophoenixx
Website:  http://phoenixrayne.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/phoenix.rayne.186

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Intimate Conversation with Tiffany Craig founder of Tiffany Talks Books

Intimate Conversation with Tiffany Craig
Founder of Tiffany Talks Books

BPM:  Tiffany, tell us a little about yourself and introduce us to your book blog.
I am a woman who loves books!  I am an Army wife currently living in Maryland with my husband and our two Yorkies: Lucky and Lina. I love to read all genres with the exception of paranormal. horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Indie and self-published authors as well as books that make a personal connection hold a special place in my heart!

I am a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications and a minor in Linguistics. And, outside of reading, I love sports, traveling, and everything fitness/nutrition related.

It is important to note that I represent DIVERSITY on my blog!  Tiffany Talks Books (formally Read It All Book Reviews) was founded in 2010. I am an avid reader who loves ALL genres (generally, I do not read paranormal, horror, or science fiction). It is my wish to promote the lost art of reading and I take a special interest in new and self published authors. I read, review and recommend based on MY opinion.

BPM:   When and how did you decide to become a book blogger?
I decided to become serious about being a book blogger in 2011. I was living in Germany with my husband who is a soldier and I needed an outlet where I was free to express my own thoughts and feelings. I say that because as an Army wife you must always be mindful of what you say and/or what you express because it can reflect negatively on your husband. Another reason is because I have always loved to read and I wanted to share that with others in hopes that it would inspire at least one person to decrease their television time and increase their reading time.

BPM:   How did you come up with your blog’s name?
That’s quite simple: it’s my name (Tiffany) and what I am doing (talking books)!

BPM:   What makes your blog unique and/or different?
I think there are two main things I believe that make my blog unique:

1. As much as I adore authors and their craft, I speak truthfully in my reviews, so you won’t always see me posting that a book is excellent and that it receives 5 HEARTS from me. I see so many blogs that only rate books highly.

2. I represent diversity on my blog meaning I read and feature books from all nationalities which I rarely see on other blogs or in books.

BPM:    What is your “philosophy” regarding book reviews?
My philosophy is to be truthful and be you. Use your own style. And, never personally attack the author; keep your review based on the content of the book.

BPM:   What are your favorite genres to read/review, and why?
I love reading Christian fiction books because I am a Christian and God plays an important part of my life. I love reading Coming of Age books because I love to see how people overcome and/or begin to feel comfortable in their own skin. I love reading Erotica because I love sex! And, I love romance because I believe in the power of love!! (And, I know this isn’t a genre, but I always like to see some type of drama in a book as well).

BPM:   What are your biggest turn-offs in a book? How about that special thing that always wins you over?
Nothing turns me off more than horrible grammar. I do not understand if an author takes the time and effort to write a book, why wouldn’t they get it edited properly? I also am turned off by covers that do not relate to the content of the book.

The special thing that always wins me over is a book that is so well-written and unique that it absolutely captivates me and makes simply forget about life. Nowadays, most books somehow seem the same but every so often I find a gem that takes my breath away!

BPM:   Where do you see your blog a year from now?
I see it still growing and becoming a respectable name in the blogging community, one that has a reputation that authors/publishers know they can turn to for honest feedback, and hopefully my blog will become a place that readers know they can visit for some great recommendations and hopefully learn about some new (to them) authors.

BPM:   What do you think the next “big” thing in fiction will be?
I think the YA/NA trend will continue for a while. I would like to see more “dark contemporary fiction” because not everyone has lived a happy go-lucky life.

BPM:    If money were no object, how would you spend your days?
I would read on a balcony and/or beach with some wine and/or a drink with an umbrella with my two Yorkies (Lucky and Lina) running around acting crazy!!!

BPM:   How can readers and writers find you?
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/tifftalksbooks 
TTB Blog:  http://tiffanytalksbooks.com
Facebook:   https://facebook.com/tifftalksbooks

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About the "Turn Your Mishaps Into a Ministry" Radio Programs

“Turn Your Mishaps Into a Ministry” Radio Programs

 “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”
— Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

If hurt people, hurt people, then healed people can surely heal people!  There are many people in need of  of love.  They might be looking for this love and compassion in words or deeds. Sometimes all a person needs is the lending of a hand or a sound example to follow.  BAN Radio Show and  producer Ella Curry want to bring people together from all walks of life, that have answered the call of giving.  Our speakers will share their journey and personal knowledge as a way to support hurting people.  You will meet authors, business owners, social change agents, survivors,  educators and more!

We invite you to join the monthly panel discussions to share your stories of triumph and survival too!  Call into the radio programs to speak up and out!  You may not feel that you are the one to mentor or minister to others, but you never know.  Your testimony might heal a hurt person.  Your struggle might eliminate the pain in someone else”s future.  Haruki Murakami says “What happens when people open their hearts…They get better.”

Mishap to Ministry Part 1-  BAN Radio:  http://bit.ly/16AwO2g
Authors offer hope and inspiration for those dealing with problem teens, the death of a parent, the loss of a relationships and the trials of trying to live out your dreams while working full time.

Mishap to Ministry Part 2-  BAN Radio:  http://tobtr.com/s/5410955
Three extraordinary women share their struggles with breast cancer and domestic violence.  They each tell the audience how they were able to cope with the news and how they became survivors!

When people have hurts and trials in their lives, they tend to work on resolving them by focusing on what went wrong.  There’s nothing wrong with asking this question, but more importantly we want people to seek ways to resolve the issues!   At BAN Radio, we firmly believe that investing in our BAN community is the key to creating success for our listeners.  If we can help a few, we can save many!

Lasting change can only be achieved when people have access to both knowledge and resources.  We bring you people who are not just “talking the talk” but have been through the darkness and are now living in sunshine!  Listen to BAN Radio Show each Monday and Wednesday night at 8-10:00 pm EST, go here.

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Intimate Conversation with Florence M. Howard

Intimate Conversation with Florence M. Howard

Florence M. Howard is an accomplished, dynamic and compassionate visionary.  She obtained her first library card at the then-recently integrated Main Library on Peabody in Memphis .  Director of Community Affairs for WREG-TV, she established and ran the Knowledge Bowl quiz show and Emmy-winning Kids Count campaign for 12 years.  She obtained degrees in Journalism from the University of Memphis. Today, she is an author, publicist, event coordinator, and inspirational speaker. She opened her company, Secret Shop Communicators (http://www.sscommpr.com) in 1999.

BPM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of your family.
Throughout my life, I have been supported by good people – trusted teachers, church members and friends.  Apparently, they saw something in me that I couldn’t see myself.  I am always amazed by the good things that people tell me about myself.  Thanks Goodness, I choose to believe them and not my own fears or misgivings.  I was also inspired by things that I read. Books have helped me develop my thinking, my attitudes, my hopes and my dreams.  They have helped me correct self-defeating behavior and to grow in ways beyond what I knew growing up.

BPM: What does “growth” mean to you?
Growth means changing for the better, personal improvement.  I am not the same person that I was two years ago, five years ago and certainly not 20 years ago –emotionally, spiritually, physically or professionally.  I once heard a man who was being interviewed on a talk show and applauded for his accomplishments as a scientist, inventor, writer, etc.  He answered, “All that is true but I didn’t do it all at the same time.”   That said to me that we don’t have to do everything at once to become the person that God has called us to be but we should be working on some aspect of the plan daily.

BPM: Introduce us to your book, From Sagging to Success and the primary message.
My book, “From Sagging to Success” is a message to urban youth to inspire them to be much more than what people say they are and for the people that want to help them become extraordinary.  The primary message of the book is that sagging pants might indicate a sagging mindset and how we think about ourselves influences how we act.  Urban youth are often viewed unfairly and stereotyped based on their appearance. They are misjudged due to cultural misconceptions. 

Young people need to be aware of the repercussions of sagging.  The book addresses these issues through the fictionalized account of the life of a youth named Derrick and the illustrations of Emery Franklin.  The book is beautifully illustrated and the paintings were created first as a library gallery exhibit.

This book will change the way you look at young people and, perhaps, inspire you to make your own dreams come true.  It also gives you talking points and tools to help other people.  Read “From Sagging to Success” and become better informed about Black history, inspired to grow and be more successful.

BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in your book? 
I was inspired to turn pictures from a Black History month art exhibit into words and motivate young people, about the world, about life in general and about Black life in particular. The first painting in the book is timed after the Emancipation Proclamation, the second painting looks at the Reconstruction Period, another focuses on the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike.  That strike is part of my history because my mother and stepfather participated in those marches in 1968.  I ran News Channel 3’s Knowledge Bowl competition from 1987-1998 and I saw firsthand how little of our history young African American know.  I have seen them drop their heads when slavery is mentioned instead of realizing that they are the descendents of survivors. 

From 2002- 2008, I worked with the local NAACP running the Voter Empowerment Campaign and the Get-Out-To-Vote effort.  It is sad to say that our children do not know our history and what they know is not in the context of our experiences. As the author, I gave history and background information to put the paintings, their time and place or subject they illustrated into context from an African American perspective. 

I bring my perspective to the topics in the book – low self-esteem, the after-affects of mistreatment, voting in local, state and federal elections, changing the way your think, educating yourself, recognizing your own genius, committing yourself to being successful – all of it.

BPM: What are the most important responsibilities of parent or guardian?
I believe the most important responsibilities of a parent or guardian is to love, respect, nurture, correct and train a child.  Whether a parent is present or away from the home, children need to know that you care and in the absence of something being said or done to indicate otherwise, children grow to believe they are forgotten and unimportant.

BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?
I am an experienced writer with two degrees in journalism and whatever I write is guided by my faith.  I pray over every sentence.  I recently meet a fellow author at a mutual book signing that asked me unexpectedly if I believed the Bible is the word of God.  I said, “Yes, without a doubt, I believe the Bible is word of God and that it was written by men who were inspired by God in what they wrote.”   He laughed at me and said “how do you know?”  I answered that my book was written by me and inspired by God.  That ended that part of the discussion.   My writing is inspired by my faith.  Otherwise, it would not be as clear, as insightful or as real.

BPM: How is the book being received by the readers?
The book has been well-received:  Readers love the book.  It is a must-have for anyone with children and grandchildren and for those who teach or work with them.  I am working on some workbooks for students in elementary, middle school and high school.

Here are a couple of quotes from readers:
This book is for all ages. ~  Dr. Yvonne Osborne

I got this book at the NBCC and its an amazing history lesson for our children. From Sagging to Success tells an amazing story and the artwork is gorgeous. If you have young boys in your life BUY THIS BOOK…
5 Stars ~ Debra Owsley, Amazon post

The Book is Great!! And it will be a bestseller, needs to be standard reading for every child in Memphis and through out the United States …yes seriously.  ~ Rhonda T.

This book is for anyone who has children that need to be motivated to be all they can be in spite of the odds. The art is wonderful!! ~ Pearl, Amazon post
 
BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I want my readers to recapture the dreams that they laid aside or never attempted and to accomplish them.  I want them to go from a sagging self-concept to an empowered experience and feeling of success.  I want everyone to realize that how you think is more important that how you dress.
 
BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or other life path?
Thanks to self-publication of  “From Sagging to Success,” my life-long dream of being a published book author has come true.  Writing the book made me examine my own actions and attitudes toward success and to refocus my understanding of what the Bible says – “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”   Now I challenge every negative thought and loudly and intentionally practice anticipation and thankfulness.  I also think of the outcome that I want to see happen so that when God does it, He gets all the credit and the glory.
 
BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate? Entertain? Illuminate? Inspire?
Everything that I write has its own purpose.  The purpose of “From Sagging to Success” is to educate about our history and successes, illuminate concepts of success and inspire readers to act on what they learn.  Right now, I am finishing up my family’s genealogy book which is designed to educate older and younger family members about our personal heritage and to help locate others who through marriage, distance and circumstances don’t even know they are part of the group.

BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another. Finish this sentence – “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… ”
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers: the wisdom and tools to become successful and to teach those ideas, concepts and actions to the next generation.  Unless we can foster success in the next generation, our legacy is a dead end and not a path that they can follow.  Scripture says that “a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” 

Money is not the only thing that can be inherited.  The inheritance can be a lifestyle as well as an attitude of success, responsibility, creativity and the ability, talents and skills to make your way in the world.  My mother didn’t leave my brothers and sisters a lot of money.  She taught us how to appreciate life, to be kind, hardworking and it paved the way for our successes.  Her favorite mantra was:  “You don’t know whose hands you will fall in.”   When she died at the age of 45, we were blessed to hold each other up and to stay close because we had been trained to help each other and to rejoice over each other’s successes.

FROM SAGGING TO SUCCESS:  THE STORY OF EMERY FRANKLIN

Written by Florence M. Howard
Illustrated by Emery Franklin

“From Sagging to Success” is a message to urban youth and the adults who want to help them become extraordinary. Young people are unfairly judged because of their appearance and cultural misconceptions.  They need to be made aware of the repercussions of sagging. Sagging pants even might be an indication of a sagging mindset or low self-esteem.  A fictionalized character in book illustrations, Derrick goes from sagging to success as he learns about Black history, reads books read and written by successful people and changes the way he thinks. 

Derrick shares his new knowledge with his parents who also embrace a positive outlook, productive behaviors and principles of success.  At the end of the book, Derrick and his parents have successfully transmitted principles of success to the next generation.  The book is beautifully illustrated and the paintings were created first as a library gallery exhibit.

The book educates readers our history and successes, illuminates concepts of success and inspires them to act on what they learn.  Readers are motivated to examine their thinking patterns, to recapture the dreams that they laid aside or never attempted and to accomplish them.  They gain the wisdom and tools to become successful and are equipped to share those ideas, concepts and actions with others.

 
Purchase the book for youth centers, libraries, and love ones!
From Sagging to Success: The Story of Emery Franklin by Florence M Howard
Amazon Purchase Link:  http://amzn.com/0615597726  

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Book Review: If I Can’t have You by Mary B. Morrison

If I Can’t Have You by Mary B. Morrison

 

Reviewed by S. Barnes:   If I Can’t Have You by Mary B. Morrison, an African American fiction novel, worth four stars. The writer delivered a powerful read that not only educates the reader but keeps the reader laughing and wishing for more.

If I Can’t Have You by Mary B. Morrison was a tantalizing read that leaves the reader begging for more. The leading characters of the book were three friends Madison, Loretta, and Tisha who were searching for love in the state where everything is bigger. Madison is a feisty DIVA who thinks she can tame any man which leads to a bet that will change everyone’s life dramatically. Madison is currently engaged to a man named Chicago, an arrangement that his entire family has something to say about. Loretta is sweet woman still stuck in the past but hoping for a better future. Tisha is a hard-working mother who is married to a lazy man named Darryl. I almost felt like I knew each woman individually. My favorite character was Loretta although she had her own personal issues and a baby daddy to boot, I could see her desire to become a better woman.

I enjoyed reading this book and completed the book in two days. The book reminded me of my relationships with some of my own friends although I did not see myself in any of the women, I have a few friends whose names could be used interchangeably with Madison, Tisha and Loretta in this book. I loved how the author kept the reader laughing and smiling, and even cursing throughout the entire book.

The book focuses on how obsession and betting with friends can go wrong and you have to be careful what you wish for, cause it just may come true. If I Can’t have You focused on real live situations and what can happen when you play with a persons’ heart. Madison was a true DIVA who learned some major life lessons in this this book about being honest to yourself and others. There is a scene in the book where Madison talks about a concoction she created to keep herself “sweet”,  I must admit I would like to create that concoction for myself and try it out.

My favorite scene in the book was Loretta and Chaz’s (Chicago’s brother) first date. I love a direct and confident man and Chaz was exactly that. I could almost see myself in that scene in the restaurant dining with Chaz and talking with him about my own life. I did not like Madison’s father, his constant need to have power over people was really annoying. 

Each scene in this story was full of twists and surprises that I don’t want to give away, but I will say be prepared read this book in one or two sittings. Yes, it’s that much of a page turner. There are some secrets that come out in the book that will shock the reader and have the reader begging for more. I enjoyed how to writer did not try to put on airs and created scenes and situations that the reader could easily relate to. The book was very touching and honest and forced the reader to think outside the box about everyday life issues such as relationships, religion, and health.

I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a novel that focuses on real life and not the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. This book makes you look and your own life and think about personal changes you can make to become a better you. This book would make a great book club read or a birthday gift for a friend, sister, cousin or mother. Although this was my first book by Mary B. Morrison I am looking forward to reading many more by this author.

“Reviewed for the Sankofa Literary Society. Book provided by the author or the publisher for review purposes.”

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Book Review: Playing the Hand You’re Dealt by Trice Hickman

Dreading something is far worse  than doing it!

5 Star Book Review Written by Yolanda Maria

In this rich tale of keeping secrets from the ones you love, secrets collide causing long, lasting and devastating effects. Trice Hickman does it again with her effective, detail woven story with a rich and dynamic flair. I can’t get over how well she weaves together her characters with out any contradiction to tell wonderful stories. It makes you read it slowly because you don’t want it to end.

In Playing the Hand You’re Dealt, we meet Emily Snow and Samantha Baldwin. The two meet their freshmen year in college while studying in Atlanta. The two are instant friends when rich but wanna be homegirl Samantha moves in the dorm room with the help of Samantha’s snooty mother Brenda and her rich and fine daddy Ed. Emily is already there with her mother Lucille and the two families get along as if they’d known each other for years. Samantha and Emily are tighter than sisters and thicker than thieves. However, Miss Emily develops a secret that she carries with her for eleven years. Samantha, irresponsible yet loving and a ride or die friend, encourages Emily to move to D.C eleven years after they leave college and not to soon after Emily loses the last of her family. Her mother, Lucille. She also most recently broke up with Bradley.

Her secret would not allow her to live a lie and use Bradley to mask that lie. Emily has had some warning, that trouble would not be far from her. She first received the warning from an old lady in her neighborhood when she was a youngster; then from a little girl with that special gift shortly before moving to D.C. It was confirmed when she met her new neighbor, the flamboyant and wise cracking Ruben after moving to D.C.  After moving to D.C, life was supposed to look up for Emily. Instead, it gets real complicated. Spending time around Samantha’s family makes keeping her secret that much harder. Especially, since the object of her secret; resides in that household.

Playing the Hand You Were Dealt, made me think. Would I walk away from a chance at everlasting happiness to salvage a friendship? It would be difficult to say that I would walk away from true happiness to save a friendship. It also made me think, is it okay to cheat on your spouse, if you have a bad spouse. I personally feel that if things are that bad, you should end the relationship before starting a new one. However, sometimes unbridled passion is a force to reckon with and at times things just happen. As in this novel, you just have to play the cards you were dealt. Trice Hickman did a phenomenal job, showing how reckless behavior even if warranted because of the behavior of another has devastating effects. But, does lover conquer all?  You have to read it to see!

A great read for book clubs. A lot of great talking points. Do you believe in the gift of prophecy? What measures would you go through for a friend? Is anything unforgivable in a friendship? Do damaged people make for damaged children? What is considered cheating? So many more great topics of discussion that will take you into the late night discussing.

The author obviously put a lot of time into the development of each character. Usually, at the end of a novel I’m going back trying to put names with situations. The author made it easy in the amount of background she gave us regarding the characters. I also loved how she flipped a likable character to unlike able at the middle of the story and then made her like able again. Emily.  She did the same with the character that I thought I was not going to like at the beginning, by making her my favorite at the end.Samantha. The drama started at page one, when Ms Marabelle dropped the prophesy on Emily. It did not stop until I finished the book.  Several times while reading, I put the book down in utter shock.  I had to catch my breath before moving on. A definite mouth dropper! I highly recommend this book.

“Reviewed for the Sankofa Literary Society. Book provided by the author or the publisher for review purposes.”

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Always With Hope: Dedication To The Survivors of Breast Cancer

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to all the survivors of Breast Cancer and to those women dealing with this, I dedicate this poem I wrote Always With Hope.  My prayer is that we find a cure for Breast Cancer.  This poem is also in my third book of inspirational poems The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins.  Please pray we find a cure.  I share with you Always With Hope. And please share this poem with others.   Believe what is now can change tomorrow. Believe with faith.  And always hold  on to hope. 

God’s Peace  and Love to you always,
Doris Washington
Author / Spiritual Writer / Poet / Entrepreneur/ Autism Disability Advocate
Web Site: http://www.poetdoriswashington.com

  
Always With Hope by Doris Washington
In Dedication To The Survivors of Breast Cancer
Excerpt from The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins

Always with Hope there’s the reassurance

Things will get better.

And no matter what you’re going through

At the moment,

No matter what trials you may endure-

It too will pass.

 

Always with Hope you’re encouraged

To never stop believing,

You’re encouraged to hold on

To the blessings He brings to you

On any given day.

 

Always with Hope

There’s the reassurance

Things will get better-

Always With Hope

Always With Hope copyright © August 2013.  All rights reserved.  

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Sneak Peek: Anybody’s Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young

Anybody’s Daughter
by Pamela Samuels Young

 

Is Anybody’s Daughter Ever Safe?
Available November 5, 2013

Based on the real-life horrors faced by thousands of girls, award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young takes readers deep inside the disturbing world of child sex trafficking in a fast-paced thriller that educates as much as it entertains.
Thirteen-year-old Brianna Walker is ecstatic. She’s about to sneak off to meet her first real boyfriend—a boyfriend she met on Facebook.  But Brianna is in for a horrifying surprise because her boyfriend doesn’t exist. Instead, Brianna unwittingly becomes the captive of a ring of drug dealers- turned-human traffickers who prey on lonely girls from dysfunctional homes. But they’ve made a big mistake in targeting Brianna because she doesn’t meet either of those criteria.

Brianna’s Uncle Dre, a man with his own criminal past, is determined to find the niece who is more like a daughter to him. Rather than sit back and rely on police to bring Brianna home, Dre scours the dark corners of Los Angeles looking for her. He is stunned to learn that the trafficking of children isn’t just happening in other countries. It’s occurring at epidemic levels right in his own backyard.

Dre is not alone in his desperate search. Loretha Johnson knows this world well. A social worker who previously lived “the life,” Loretha now dedicates her time to saving as many young girls as she can find. She turns out to be an invaluable resource for Dre, who ultimately gets a lead on The Shepherd, a mastermind in the trafficking world whose every move is fueled by ego and greed.  Dre vows to bring The Shepherd’s reign of terror to an end, even if he has to break the law to do it.

While Brianna makes a futile effort to thwart her captors, Dre is getting closer and closer to finding her. The woman he loves, attorney Angela Evans, knows the dangers faced by sexually exploited children because she represents them in juvenile court. Angela lends her moral support and, eventually, an important clue to Brianna’s whereabouts.

As he races against the clock, Dre ultimately comes up with a daring plan—one that puts many lives in danger, including his own. But will he find Brianna before it’s too late?

EXCERPT FROM ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER

CHAPTER 12

Day One: 11:15 p.m.

Loretha Johnson watched the young girl wobble along Long Beach Boulevard dressed in a halter top, cut-off jeans, black stilettos and sparkly red lipstick. She couldn’t have weighed more than one hundred pounds. The awkward manner in which she forced her bony hips from side to side underscored her adolescence.

Standing in the doorway of an abandoned donut shop, Loretha waited for the right opportunity to approach. There was a steady trail of cars slowing down to check out the merchandise. She spotted two other girls on the opposite side of the street.

“You want a date, baby?” the girl in the halter top called out in a child’s voice.

A beige Camry pulled over to the curb a few yards ahead. The girl scampered over, barely able to balance herself on her too-high heels. She bent low, allowing the potential john to get a glimpse of her nonexistent cleavage. Loretha clasped her hands, then absently twirled a finger around her shoulder-length locs. She sucked in a breath, praying that the girl didn’t get in the car.

“Ten dollars!” the girl yelled, springing back to her full height. “You must be crazy! I charge fifty for a blow job.”   She tottered away cursing as the man drove off.

Loretha glanced up and down the street, making sure the girl’s pimp wasn’t watching. With a kid this young—surely no older than thirteen or fourteen—her pimp had to be close by. If the girl was seen talking to Loretha, she’d get a beating. Hopefully, the pimp was busy keeping an eye on somebody else in his stable.

Confident that he wasn’t nearby, Loretha followed the girl, remaining a few strides behind.

“You don’t have to be out here on the street selling your body,” Loretha called out. “You know that, right?”   Loretha pulled her sweater tighter across her chest and marveled at how the girl could look so comfortable dressed in next to nothing. It was barely fifty degrees.

“I’m from Harmony House,” Loretha continued. “I can help you get away from your pimp.”  Though the girl wasn’t facing her, Loretha could see her body go rigid. She took a quick glance at Loretha over her shoulder.

“I ain’t got no pimp,” the girl snapped. “So just get outta here and leave me alone. My daddy warned us about you.”   Good, Loretha thought. That meant the girl’s pimp viewed her as a threat.

“Don’t worry,” Loretha assured her. “Your pimp’s not around. I won’t get you in trouble. I know you can’t be seen talking to me. Just keep walking and I’ll stay back.”

“I told you, I don’t have no pimp,” the girl spat, continuing her stroll. “I have a boyfriend.”  It would be a waste of time to explain to the girl that boyfriends don’t sell their girlfriends to other men.

“If you ever need a place to go, you can come to Harmony House. All you have to do is call. Anytime, day or night, and I’ll come get you.”   

The girl stopped, put a hand on her hip, but didn’t turn to face her. “I already got a place to stay.”

The bravado didn’t fool Loretha either. She knew it was all an act.

“That’s fine. But if you ever want to leave, I have a place for you to go. What’s your name?”

The girl stepped off the curb and raised her hand high, trying to wave down a car that had reduced its speed. “You want a date tonight, honey?” she yelled out to the driver.

The man rolled down his window, gazed hungrily at the girl, then spied Loretha and sped off.

“You messin’ with my business!” the girl yelled. She finally turned around to get a good look at Loretha, but kept moving. “Get the hell away from me!”

“What’s your name?” Loretha asked again, matching the girl’s steps stride for stride, but careful to stay a safe distance back.

“Lady, I gotta make my quota. Leave me alone!”

“I’m just here to let you know you have options. What’s your name?”

The girl finally turned around. “Peaches. Why you messin’ with me?”

“Nice to meet you, Peaches. I’m Loretha Johnson. How old are you, Peaches?”

“Nineteen.”

The streetlight provided a solid glimpse of the cocoa-colored, plump-faced girl. There was no way she was nineteen. Up close, she looked even younger than Loretha had first thought.

“Why you out here tryin’ to be somebody’s fairy godmother?”

“Because I used to walk this track myself,” Loretha replied. “I know what it’s like.”

That got the girl’s attention. She glanced back at Loretha again. This time, her expression had softened, but only for an instant.

Loretha had indeed lived this life. Every horrible second of it. Older and wiser now, she was doing everything in her power to rescue others. One girl at a time.

She understood that Peaches and girls like her saw no way out. But to meet someone who had managed to escape, meant that it was possible for them to find their way to freedom too.

“I don’t mean to hurt your feelings,” Peaches continued, “but you don’t look like you got what it takes. You must’a been out here a long time ago.”

Loretha didn’t take offense at the girl’s intended slight. “Walking the track is hard work,” she said. “Makes you age much faster than you have to.”

It had been years since she’d strolled this very block, but the memory was like a deep wound. Though healed, the resulting scar would never go away.

These days, Loretha put extra effort into not looking pretty. Her skin was no longer porcelain smooth. Her hair still fell past her shoulders, but she didn’t wear it bone straight anymore. Her locs were dyed auburn and were usually pulled back into a bun. She’d also picked up twenty pounds or so and found comfort in her bare face and loose-fitting clothes. Though her exterior appeared shabby, on the inside, she finally felt worthy. That was the kind of beauty she wanted these girls to experience.

Loretha’s smartphone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket, instantly recognizing the number. Another child who needed her help.    

“I have to go, but I want you to call me. My number’s easy to remember. It’s 888-3737-888. Loretha pointed up the street. “I’m going to leave my card on the bus bench underneath that streetlight over there. I want you to pick it up and keep it with you. If you ever need help, call me and I’ll come get you.”

Loretha rushed past the girl, dropped her business card on the bench and turned down a side street toward her car. Minutes later, when her Prius reached the corner, the card was no longer on the bench.

She smiled and shook her fist in the air. “Thank you, Jesus!”

In Loretha’s world, that simple act was a victory.

( Continued… )

© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Pamela Samuels Young. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.





Purchase Anybody’s Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young
Available Nationwide November 5, 2013
Buy here:  http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com
Genre:  Women’s Fiction; Mystery;  Thriller and Suspense

About the AuthorPamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney whose fast-paced legal thrillers tackle law and crime. Recognized for her savvy female characters, Pamela brings a taste of diversity to the legal fiction genre. Her novels include the Fall 2013 release Anybody’s Daughter, Attorney-Client Privilege, Murder on the Down Low. A natural hair enthusiast, she is the author of Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide.  To invite Pamela to your book club meeting or event, email Pamela via her website at http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com

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Pamela Samuels Young Tackles Horrific World of Child Sex Trafficking

Author and Attorney Pamela Samuels Young Takes on the Horrific World of Child Sex Trafficking!
Aptly described by one reviewer as “John Grisham with a sister’s twist,” Pamela has a knack for creating nail-biting suspense. According to bestselling author Scott Pratt, “If you haven’t read her work, you’ve missed out on a powerful voice, an advocate for women, and an advocate for justice.”

In her gripping legal thriller, ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER, Pamela Samuels Young addresses a barely discussed truth in the African-American community, there is a new slavery robbing our communities of our young girls and boys.  Approximately 100,000 children are at risk of being commercial sexually exploited annually.  According to the U.S. Justice Department, 40% of those sex trafficking victims are African-American girls and the average age a girl gets involved in prostitution is 13. Increasingly, boys between 11 and 13 are also trafficked as well. 

There are very high numbers of African-American and Latino children who are trafficked, but that’s not to exclude other races that are victimized as well.  The $39 billion sex trafficking industry has taken hundreds of thousands of young American girls of all races – it could be anybody’s daughters, sisters, and nieces – and forced them into prostitution.  The growing number of African American women and children being sold into sex trafficking made it imperative for Pamela to spread awareness about this growing epidemic in her novel, ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER.

Introduction for Anybody’s Daughter

Is Anybody’s Daughter Ever Safe?

Based on the real-life horrors faced by thousands of girls, award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young takes readers deep inside the disturbing world of child sex trafficking in a fast-paced thriller that educates as much as it entertains.

Thirteen-year-old Brianna Walker is ecstatic. She’s about to sneak off to meet her first real boyfriend—a boyfriend she met on Facebook.  But Brianna is in for a horrifying surprise because her boyfriend doesn’t exist. Instead, Brianna unwittingly becomes the captive of a ring of drug dealers- turned-human traffickers who prey on lonely girls from dysfunctional homes. But they’ve made a big mistake in targeting Brianna because she doesn’t meet either of those criteria.

Brianna’s Uncle Dre, a man with his own criminal past, is determined to find the niece who is more like a daughter to him. Rather than sit back and rely on police to bring Brianna home, Dre scours the dark corners of Los Angeles looking for her. He is stunned to learn that the trafficking of children isn’t just happening in other countries. It’s occurring at epidemic levels right in his own backyard.

Dre is not alone in his desperate search. Loretha Johnson knows this world well. A social worker who previously lived “the life,” Loretha now dedicates her time to saving as many young girls as she can find. She turns out to be an invaluable resource for Dre, who ultimately gets a lead on The Shepherd, a mastermind in the trafficking world whose every move is fueled by ego and greed.  Dre vows to bring The Shepherd’s reign of terror to an end, even if he has to break the law to do it.

While Brianna makes a futile effort to thwart her captors, Dre is getting closer and closer to finding her. The woman he loves, attorney Angela Evans, knows the dangers faced by sexually exploited children because she represents them in juvenile court. Angela lends her moral support and, eventually, an important clue to Brianna’s whereabouts.

As he races against the clock, Dre ultimately comes up with a daring plan—one that puts many lives in danger, including his own. But will he find Brianna before it’s too late?






Purchase Anybody’s Daughter (Angela Evans Series No. 2) 
Amazon Link:   http://amzn.com/B00GC7UI8E

ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER  CAMPAIGN GOALS
The following are just a few important areas ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER will bring to the reader’s attention while taking this harrowing look at sex trafficking of minors. 

Sex Trafficking Awareness and Prevention: Cyber-sex trafficking and residential brothels are discussed in ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER, so that readers can open your mind the real world of sex slaves.  To open their eyes to the violence and control sex traffickers exercise over their victims, who are mostly girls and young women.  In the book the Pimps prey on young girls by finding their weakness and then exploiting them. By the time the children become adults, they are so broken. The book encourages readers to see the characters as victims of sexual exploitation rather than criminals. Readers are introduced to attorneys, judges and women leaders who are taking action to rescue the victims and to mentor them, as they fight to prevent and end sex trafficking in the U.S.

Americans trafficked by Americans:  This is not something that happens only in other countries.  It’s here; it now!  Pamela encourages parents to pay attention to their kid’s use of smartphones and their access to the Internet. The Internet is one of the biggest lures for young people getting caught up in human trafficking!  Traffickers sell sex online everyday through their own cloaked websites and through social media networks. They pose as other kids, model search representatives and so many other triggers for teens.  The Internet has been identified as the number one gateway into this form of domestic sexual slavery, as readers will see in ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER. 

Social Service Donations and Funding:  There is help out there for the victims and survivors.  Social services do exist for victims of trafficking,  however there remains insufficient services and funding to meet the needs of the thousands of teens caught up in the legal system and the department of social services.  More media attention needs to focus on the rescue groups and safe harbors for the abused children, so that the public can offer help in the way of donations and other resources.

They are Victims not Criminals:  Minor victims of sex trafficking are often arrested and criminalized despite their status as victims under federal law, but the “johns” are given a slap on the wrist.  Sex traffickers frequently target vulnerable minors with histories of abuse and then use violence, threats, lies, false promises, emotional bondage, or other forms of control and manipulation to keep victims involved in the sex industry.  When the victims are treated as criminals they are afraid  to reach out to the police or the legal system for much needed assistance. They are too afraid to leave a trafficking situation, even when they are in life threatening peril. This is demonstrated several times through out the pages of ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER.

Mental Control of Abusers:  There is a serious need for more research and media coverage of this invisible epidemic. The entertainment industry and pop culture have glamorized the horrors.  No matter how a child entered the trade, the truth is children lack the emotional and psychological development to engage in sexual relationships with adults.  Victims of sex trafficking may not readily identify as victims due to the psychological abuses inflicted by their trafficker forcing them into submission. The availability of statistics on the emotional breakdown is limited due to the crime’s hidden nature, cyber trafficking, limited awareness with our communities about sex trafficking.

Purchase Anybody’s Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young
Available Nationwide November 5, 2013
Publisher:  Goldman House Publishing
Genre:  Women’s Fiction; Mystery;  Thriller and Suspense
Released in Trade Paperback;  Available for eReaders   

About the Author
Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and Essence bestselling author of the legal thrillers: Every Reasonable Doubt, In Firm Pursuit, Murder on the Down Low, Buying Time, Attorney-Client Privilege, and Anybody’s Daughter. She is also a natural hair enthusiast and the author of Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide.

In addition to writing legal thrillers and working as an in-house employment attorney for a major corporation in Southern California, Pamela formerly served on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and is a diehard member of Sisters in Crime-L.A., an organization dedicated to the advancement of women mystery writers. The former journalist and Compton native is a graduate of USC, Northwestern University and UC Berkeley’s School of Law. She is married and lives in the Los Angeles area.

A popular motivational speaker, Pamela also speaks on the topics of writing, diversity, discrimination law and pursuing your passion. Pamela is married and lives in the Los Angeles area, where she attends Hope in Christ Community Church in Compton.

To schedule Pamela for a speaking engagement or book club meeting via speakerphone, Skype, FaceTime or in person, visit her website at: www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com. There is also a multitude of ways to connect with her.

Contact Pamela Samuels Young
EMAIL: pamelasamuelsyoung@gmail.com
WEBSITE: http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/pamsamuelsyoung
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pamelasamuelsyoung

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness

Teen Dating Violence Awareness 

Teen Dating Violence (DV) Prevention and Awareness is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it during the month of February.

The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore – they hurt not just the young people victimized but also their families, friends, schools and communities. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide are coming together to highlight the need to educate young people about dating violence, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse.

Teen dating violence and abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner. While we define dating violence as a pattern, that doesn’t mean the first instance of abuse is not dating violence. It just recognizes that dating violence usually involves a series of abusive behaviors over a course of time.   For more details  Go here today:  http://www.teendvmonth.org/about-teendvmonth  

Teen Dating Violence
Understanding Teen Dating Violence Fact Sheet  [ Read the Adobe PDF file ]

Read this Article by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sharing for information purposes only!
Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors can set the stage for more serious violence like physical assault and rape.


What is dating violence?
Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship, as well as stalking. It can occur in person or electronically and may occur between a current or former dating partner. You may have heard several different words used to describe teen dating violence. Here are just a few:

* Relationship Abuse
* Intimate Partner Violence
* Relationship Violence
* Dating Abuse
* Domestic Abuse
* Domestic Violence

Adolescents and adults are often unaware that teens experience dating violence. In a nationwide survey, 9.4 percent of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the 12 months prior to the survey. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey).

About 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey).

What are the consequences of dating violence?
As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by their relationship experiences. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive effect on a teen’s emotional development. Unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can cause short term and long term negative effects, or consequences to the developing teen. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to do poorly in school, and report binge drinking, suicide attempts, and physical fighting. Victims may also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships.

Why Does Dating Violence Happen?

Communicating with your partner, managing uncomfortable emotions like anger and jealousy, and treating others with respect are a few ways to keep relationships healthy and non-violent. Teens receive messages about how to behave in relationships from peers, adults in their lives, and the media. All too often these examples suggest violence in a relationship is okay. Violence is never acceptable. But there are reasons why it happens.

Violence is related to certain risk factors. Risks of having unhealthy relationships increase for teens who:

* Believe it’s okay to use threats or violence to get their way or to express frustration or anger.

* Use alcohol or drugs.

* Can’t manage anger or frustration.

* Hang out with violent peers.

* Have multiple sexual partners.

* Have a friend involved in dating violence.

* Are depressed or anxious.

* Have learning difficulties and other problems at school.

* Don’t have parental supervision and support.

* Witness violence at home or in the community.

* Have a history of aggressive behavior or bullying.

Dating violence can be prevented when teens, families, organizations, and communities work together to implement effective prevention strategies.

The following resources provide more information on teen dating violence.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html   

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Coming Oct. 29 A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson

BRENDA JACKSON – MILESTONE – 100TH BOOK

A Madaris Bride for Christmas – will hit the stores October 29, 2013

It’s only fitting that bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s 100th book is A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS (Harlequin Kimani Arabesque Press; November 2013) as she began her writing career with the Madaris family in her first novel — Tonight and Forever. Throughout the years millions of readers have come to love the Madaris family and have made them part of their own. 

This November, Jackson brings readers another Madaris family romance. A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS features one of Jackson’s most unforgettable Madaris heroes yet — Lee Madaris.   Lee isn’t letting anyone control his destiny to find the woman he wants to marry.

But one-by-one, the Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes of Felicia Laverne Madaris, matriarch of the family. Lee is determined to bring a bride of his own choosing to the family’s holiday gathering—if only his hotel’s gorgeous new chef will agree to a marriage of convenience.

Brenda Jackson weaves this tale with twist and turns – a born storyteller – romance being the icing on the cake. With this novel, Jackson taps into all of the remarkable storytelling gifts that are the mark of her fiction—polished and confident writing, a sexy spark and characters that burst off the page. A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS is one of Jackson’s best books yet and a milestone for this bestselling author.

Brenda Jackson, a prolific writer of contemporary multicultural romance novels, is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author.  She is the first African-American female romance writer to become a USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling novelist. Jackson continues to reach new milestones as A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS is her 100th original work.

EXCERPT:  MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS
By Brenda Jackson

“Is there a reason you were dancing alone?”

Carly Briggs’ face warmed as she wondered if Lee Madaris thought she’d looked ridiculous. “It’s my birthday and—”

“Happy birthday,” he said.

Carly smiled up at Lee. “Thanks. I was having my own private party of one.”

He tilted his head. “That’s no fun. A beautiful woman should never party alone.”

He was smooth, she thought. As smooth as he was handsome. And she’d noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring. She knew some men didn’t cherish the sanctity of marriage vows, but she did.

“For me that’s no problem. I’m a loner anyway,” she said.

“Why?”

She doubted he wanted to listen to her sob story. She had few friends and had learned early on that the only person she could truly trust was herself. “I prefer things that way. What about you?”

“A loner?” Lee shrugged. “I couldn’t be a loner even if I wanted to. My family’s too big.”

“Really?” she asked. She couldn’t help but envy anyone who belonged to a large family.

“Yes, really.”

The Luther Vandross song ended and they slowly parted. “You’re an excellent dancer,” he said.

“So are you.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late and—”

“You’re calling it an early night on your birthday?”

She chuckled. “Afraid so. I’m checking out of the hotel in the morning.”

“I see. Well, thanks for the dance.”

“No, I should be thanking you. It was nice meeting you. I hope you continue to enjoy the Grand MD.”

Lee’s smile widened. “Oh, I’m sure that I will.”

Carly’s gaze held his. She wasn’t sure why she did what she did next. It could have been his scent surrounding her or his overpowering masculinity or his handsomeness—any of them could have been responsible for obliterating any semblance of her common sense.

Before she could talk herself out of doing so, she leaned up on her tiptoes. She only intended to plant a light kiss on his lips, but the moment their mouths touched they were caught in a barrage of desires they could no longer downplay. He pulled her into his arms. Her body pressed against his, and she felt every single inch of him. 

(  Continues…  )

Copyright © 2013 by Brenda Jackson.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Brenda Jackson.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Order A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson
This title will be released on October 29, 2013.
http://amzn.com/0373091435

About the Author
Brenda Jackson is a gifted writer who is known for remarkable storytelling – which is a mark of her fiction—polished and confident writing, stories with characters that burst off the page.

Brenda Jackson is a die-heart romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was 15.  Because she began believing very early in the power of love and romance, she can’t help but write stories with happy endings.

She is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of 100 romance novels and looks forward to increasing that number.  She loves to weave love stories and it is the highlight of her day. Her professional writing career began in 1994 and she has over 3 million books in print.

Over the years she has received numerous awards and made many trail-blazing accomplishments. She was the first African-American author to have a book published under the Harlequin/Silhouette Desire line of books and the first African-American romance author to make USA Today’s bestsellers list and the New York Times bestsellers list for the romance genre.  Her titles continue to hit both New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller’s lists!

Brenda is also the recipient of the prestigious Romance Writer of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and a 2010 Romance Times Book Reviews Career Achievement Award.

She was a 2012 NAACP Image Award Nominee for her 81st book, A Silken Thread.  Jackson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University, and worked for thirty-seven years in management at a major insurance company.

In addition, Brenda is a writer who gives back.  Jackson says, “I believe in the power of education, in honor of my grandmother, ten years ago I established the Josiephine Streater Threatt Scholarship Foundation at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida. Over $150,000 have been donated.”

She and her husband live in the city where they were born, Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.  She and her husband spend time together traveling and discovering romantic places she could use as settings in her books.

Brenda would love to hear from her readers. Write her at P.O. Box 28267, Jacksonville, FL 32226. You can also contact her through her e-mail address:  writerbjackson@aol.com.

Follow on Twitter:   @AuthorBJackson
Website:   http://www.brendajackson.net
Like on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenda-Jackson/190796157619238

Visit the Josiephine Streater Threatt Scholarship Foundation website for more details:
http://josiephinestreaterthreattfoundation.com

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Coming Oct. 29 Path to Promise by Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Path to Promise by Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Sequel to Land of Promiscuity

There’s a difference between running scared and running free.

Rebecca Lucas is on the run again, running from rumors, running from reality, and most of all, running from Will, her best friend and soul mate. This time Rebecca is ready to reclaim the life she left behind in Salisbury before the burial of her mother and the handling of her mother’s estate. Time away, however, has done little to alleviate her biggest problem—her coworker Kenny Burke and the indecent proposal he pitched to her before leaving town. She’s back, and he uses every resource at his disposal to get her to go along with his plan.

Will Donovan, the man left in the trail of Rebecca’s taillights and exhaust fumes, has a few problems of his own. His father’s secrets have left the senior Pastor Donovan ousted from his longtime position as leader of Grace Apostle Methodist Church, and Will with one foot in the door. As a mandate of the church board, Will must apply and compete for his dad’s job. His competition is the very charismatic and well-connected Danny Glass Jr., heir of a televangelist empire. Will seems to be the only one questioning why Danny is on his turf when he has his own father to succeed. He struggles with the integrity of his decisions in an effort to carve out his own identity in ministry.

For Will and Rebecca, the Path to Promise is far from a utopian street paved with gold. Will their paths, marred with their own obstacles, cross and lead them to the promises of God?
      

5 of 5 stars – Early Book Review by A’ndrea Wilson
 
Wow!  In the sequel to Land of Promiscuity, Sherryle Kiser Jackson offers a beautiful and inspirational love story, resolving readers’ lingering questions from Book 1. Path to Promise picks up shortly after Land of Promiscuity leaves off, addressing the issues that were introduced in the first novel-Rebecca’s work woes, Will’s reluctance to leadership, and the couple’s hot-cold relationship. Rebecca finds herself drowning in harassment on the job by a lawyer who seems to stay one step ahead of her. With her legal career at risk, will she finally believe in herself enough to fight for her own justice?

Will’s biggest fear has become reality-he is being pushed into the senior pastor role too soon. To make matters worse, instead of being given the position previously held by his father, he is expected to prove himself worthy in a battle against the son of a famous pastor. Can he gain the support of the congregation despite the obvious attempts to discredit his abilities? And will his undying love for his childhood best friend be enough to keep them both on the path to the promise of a future filled with hope?

I absolutely loved this book. I would go as far as to say that this book is my favorite from Jackson, demonstrating her growth as a writer and commitment to developing a great story. The characters felt so real that I experienced every emotion with them, leaving me in tears, celebrating, and even angry a few times. Readers of Land of Promiscuity will not be disappointed with this enjoyable conclusion. If you’ve ever felt unworthy, lost, insecure, or nonredeemable, Path to Promise is a must-read book that will encourage you to embrace God’s healing and never go back.


Purchase Your Copies Today!
http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Urban-Books-Sherryle-Jackson/dp/1601627726

Excerpt from Path to Promise

The next day Rebecca clung to her sixteen-ounce Colombian roast as life support to get her through the day. She practically had to reintroduce herself to the firm’s fifth-floor administrative assistant, Celeste, after she called out to the slightly older woman to hold the elevator on the ground floor. No greeting and no apology came from her colleague when they came face-to-face after Rebecca sacrificed her umbrella handle to prompt the door to open again.

“Thank you,” Rebecca said sarcastically before the elevator car became crowded with associates, who were just as rude, pushing them farther back with their wet umbrellas, their lawyer-speak, and their arrogance.

Their building had ten floors; the top five were occupied by the largest law firm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. When the elevator reached the fifth floor, an older man in an all-weather coat pushed the close button so quickly that Rebecca and Celeste couldn’t move forward and get off the elevator in time. The man acting as the lift operator then spoke loudly into his cell phone, letting the person on the other end of the line know his estimated time of arrival in the suite of offices on a higher floor. Having missed their floor, an indication of how insignificant they were on the firm’s totem pole, Rebecca and Celeste shared a perturbed look.

They rode to the top, stopping on practically every other floor, and then rode back down to the very bottom before they could move to the front and take control of the roving beast that was their elevator.

“I see nothing has changed around here,” Rebecca said once she was off the elevator and heading with her traveling companion to the administrative suite of cubicles and waiting rooms.

“Not a thing. I am glad one of us knows somebody that has enough pull to get a substantial vacation before vacation week.” Celeste smirked.

 Apparently, Celeste hadn’t gotten the notice as to why she had been out, Rebecca thought. A “How are you doing?” would have been in order. Rebecca decided her business wasn’t worth telling. They weren’t friends. They had the same strained relationship Rebecca seemed to have with all women, one based on assumptions, envy, and petty arguments. She was thought to be worthless throughout high school because she didn’t hang in a clique of girls that had boyfriends, gossiped, or had a fashion obsession. Then she was considered a wanton threat because the boyfriends of those same girls got wind of the fact that she had contoured her body and wasn’t afraid to use it.

“I’m glad you’re back,” Celeste said, walking ahead to her command post, apparently in a hurry to grab something. Celeste grabbed a pile of papers and file folders with one arm. She turned at the precise time and practically shoved the stack into Rebecca’s midsection. “Now you can pull your own weight.”

Rebecca stepped back, not so much from the impact, but from the splash of her coffee. She fought to maintain her grip on the coffee cup. They were in a staring match, and it would continue, as far as Rebecca was concerned, until Celeste realized her hands were occupied. Still holding the pile of papers and folders, Celeste sighed heavily and begrudgingly followed Rebecca, whose gait was purposely slow. Celeste’s shoes squeaked due to the slickness of the floor from the spilled coffee and the cheap polyurethane material her shoes were made from. Before even attempting to retrieve what Celeste had for her, Rebecca sat her coffee down and draped her fur-trimmed sweater on the hook to the right of her desk once she was inside her cubicle. They exchanged smug looks and the load of papers before Celeste turned to leave.

What was her problem? Rebecca thought. No amount of coercion or sweet talk could make Celeste fill in for a paralegal. On numerous occasions, she had let attorneys and their lackeys alike know she was an administrative assistant. She worked with Windows software, not Workshare, and she absolutely wasn’t running back and forth across the street to the courthouse. Bethany or any of the other three paralegals in the building might be called upon to assist in her stead, but definitely not Celeste.

 Rebecca’s desk was neat, and the pile of depositions and files that she now held would give her a time line of what had gone on in her absence. She walked to the break room before taking on the task of going through the pile and devising a to-do list from it. She needed to refresh her cup of coffee and, in doing so, checked off her first assignment. It was her duty to start a pot of generic roast for clients and guests who would check in on their floor. A sad cutout of a Christmas tree, tacked up on the huge memo board and cluttered with generic cards from random staffers, was the only reminder of the holiday that had just past. Rebecca concentrated on setting the coffee machine to brew so she could forget how she had spent Christmas day sulking and sorting through mail of her own.

She backtracked now to her desk to grab her calendar to confer with Celeste. Like a chess player did a chessboard, she studied her calendar and kept it up to date at all times. She had to know where all the major players were. Jacobs, God help him, was no doubt in court. That left Minor and Burke, whom she was uncertain about.
Burke. The thought of him gave her shivers. She used to think the way he looked at her was sexy, but now it brought a curl to her lip. Would he be in today or out wooing some client? Maybe he had started his vacation. Would he be looking for her to help him entertain his potential client list, like he had implied before she left? Hopefully, he had found someone else to harass.

Maybe she could get a reprieve today. Yeah, who came in between Christmas and New Year’s, anyway? she told herself. Then she thought of all the attorneys in the elevator this morning. She bent back the corner on her agenda book, just thinking about it. It was crazy to keep dwelling on Burke’s proposition to befriend his client, Walter Calhoun that had happened just one time and would more than likely not happen again. Her plan was to attack the pile on her desk while attacking her anxiety. She did a one-eighty back to her desk, but like a revolving door, she spun around again with a favor in mind to ask Cruella De Vil at the front desk.

Rebecca stopped at Celeste’s desk and inhaled deeply as she waited to be acknowledged. “Celeste, since it’s my first day back, I’m really, really, really trying to play low key today. It’s like I’m not here. I wasn’t even going to report until Monday, anyway. Until I can weed my way through this pile and get things in order, I’m no good to anyone, anyway. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell Burke that I’m back here. I’m not saying to lie, but just don’t make an announcement.”

“Oh, no way, sista. Then he’ll be loading me up with things to do, or he’ll have me searching for Bethany, who, between the two of you, hasn’t worked a weekend’s worth of time this month.” She leaned in, and although Rebecca found that odd, she leaned in as well to catch the apparent scoop Celeste was dishing. “You know, she’s nearly four months pregnant.”

Rebecca blinked several times as she digested the news, and wondered for a moment how much of her own business Celeste shared in this same manner with friends and foes alike. “Please, Celeste. I don’t ask you for much.”

“So you’re hiding from Burke?” Celeste gave her top molars a satisfied suck.

“Not hiding. I’m just a little disoriented. See,” she said, holding out her agenda book. “I don’t know where anyone is in any of their cases. Jacobs . . .”

“Is due in court at nine,” Celeste said, finishing Rebecca’s sentence for her.

Rebecca shrugged and shook her head at the same time. “They do that to him on purpose.”

“He does it to himself. He’s served more court time than a repeat offender, but he’s on a winning streak now. If he was smart, he’d hook up with seven and eight, like Minor is doing, working on a corporate bid. It should be interesting to see who between Burke and Minor wins an office upstairs first,” Celeste said, referring to the status of senior attorneys, who were housed on the seventh and eighth floors.

Rebecca had underestimated Celeste’s knowledge of office politics. Rebecca didn’t want to play them, but it was good to know the house rules.

“He’ll be in here, all right, without me saying a word,” Celeste said.

Rebecca gave her a quizzical look. “Who?”

“Burke. That’s who you’re worried about, aren’t you?” Celeste snapped.

Rebecca leaned in as Celeste had done to get her to pipe down. “What makes you so certain?”

This time Celeste backed away, as if Rebecca had some sort of disease. “One thing Mr. Kenny Burke can do well is sniff out fresh meat and money. In your case, meat he hasn’t fully picked over yet.”

Rebecca watched Celeste suck her teeth again, as if to dislodge remnants from her breakfast, before turning on her swivel chair. Rebecca was thoroughly disgusted. What did that mean? And what did she know?

(  Continues…  )

Copyright © 2013 by Sherryle Kiser Jackson.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Sherryle Kiser Jackson.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Purchase Your Copies Today!
http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Urban-Books-Sherryle-Jackson/dp/1601627726

About the Author
Multi-published author, wife, mother and teacher, Sherryle Kiser Jackson strives to be a fresh voice in Christian Fiction. Born in Prince Georges County, Maryland, Sherryle went on to get a degree in Elementary Education from from Salisbury State University. Her triumphant debut novel, Soon and Very Soon (2007) was followed up by her sophomore release, The Manual (2009), Soon After (2010),Taylor- Made (2011)  and Land of Promiscuity (2012) for Urban Christian Books. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.

Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Multipublished Christian Author
Website:  http://www.sherrylejackson.com
2013 -Thrive in God’s grace and abound in His love

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Coming Oct. 29 Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman

Some dreams will test your head and your heart…

John Small may be a successful Wall Street banker, but at heart he’s a country boy from the sleepy town of Nedine, South Carolina. John wants to open Nedine’s first black-owned bank. But big dreams can bring big problems and John’s snooty New York City girlfriend, Madeline, is just the beginning. John is about to learn some hard truths about money, power, love, and loyalty. And when his future, and his family’s legacy, is in danger, help will come from where he least expects it…

Alexandria Thornton is a hard-working corporate attorney by day, but she’s passionately pursuing her dream as a spoken word artist by night. Frustrated with her career and her lackluster love life, Alexandria’s ready to throw in the towel on both that is, until a man from her past reenters her life and changes everything. But her newfound happiness is short-lived when old lovers, lingering secrets, and hidden desires threaten to end it all…

CHAPTER 1
Summertime, several decades in the past Nedine, South Carolina

Allene Small was glad she’d always been an early riser because on a day like today—which she knew held the promise of danger and deception—she was already up, ready for battle while the enemy was still asleep.

Allene sat on her tiny front porch and breathed in the fresh air around her as she looked out at the pink- and lavender-colored hydrangea bushes lining her neatly manicured yard. Slowly she pivoted back and forth in her ancient rocking chair, straining her eyes toward the east so she could take in the early-morning sun, which had started its climb in the distant sky. She blinked, nodding in agreement with the uncomfortable awareness resting in her heart and mind. She could feel the rumblings vibrating deep in her chest—trouble and strife—and, more specifically, the impending presence of a treacherous woman who was up to no good.

Allene knew that most folks would have been slightly set back or even frightened by such an ominous foreboding, but she wasn’t deterred and she wasn’t afraid. If there was one thing that ninety years of living and praying had taught her, it was that good and bad were always present, and sometimes the two forces tried to occupy the same space at the same time.

Over the years, Allene had encountered plenty of bad, low-down people, who harbored even worse intentions. And, unfortunately, she’d learned the hard way that evil was all around, and that it often disguised itself under the cloak of good. She knew that evil could laugh and smile in your face while viciously twisting a knife in your back. It could soothe and comfort you while killing you slowly. And it could encourage and uplift you while secretly plotting your very demise.

But Allene also knew how to tell the difference between the two, and she could do that because she’d been blessed with the gift of prophesy, and that precious ability allowed her to see what others couldn’t.

“The gift,” as it was commonly referred to in the South, allowed Allene to see and predict things accurately before they happened. She could spot liars before they ever opened their mouth to utter a single word. She could discern one’s intentions, whether good or bad, simply by looking into the person’s eyes. She could forecast events in advance of them coming to pass, and she could foresee blessings, as well as misfortunes, that lay down the road.

Having the gift had been both Allene’s blessing and her curse. She’d seen things in her lifetime that she wished she hadn’t, and she’d been right when she had wanted to be wrong. But this morning was one of those times that Allene was thankful she’d been blessed with such a unique ability. Because while she sat on her porch, wrapped in the peaceful quiet of a bright new day, she wasn’t fooled by its seeming calm.A manipulative woman who was hell-bent on causing trouble was on her way to Allene’s small town of Nedine, South Carolina, and Allene knew the chaos that the attractive stranger was bringing was headed straight for her family’s doorstep.

“Don’t worry, John. I’m ready for the fight, and I’m here to protect and guide you, baby,” Allene whispered as she continued to rock back and forth, thinking about her enterprising young grandson. She knew that the danger brewing was directly connected to him, in the form of his girlfriend, and that he didn’t have a clue about the mess he’d unknowingly gotten himself into.

Just then, a chill swept against Allene’s arm, causing her to pull her thin blue gingham shawl tight around her shoulders. At that moment, she knew that the woman was already in town with her grandson, laying a sneaky trap for him. “It’s gonna be all right, John. I’ma guide you, and I know you gonna make the right decision,” she whispered into the air.

Allene slowly rose from her chair and walked the short distance to the edge of the porch. She stood impressively tall for a woman of her advanced years—solid and straight. She shielded her eyes with her right hand as she looked out at the beaming sun, which was steadily rising in the cloudless sky. “Life’s long, but short,” she said aloud as she shook her head. She knew that unlike the slow patience it took to watch a sunrise, people could quickly lose everything they’d worked for in the blink of an eye based on one bad decision. The sudden chill on her arm let her know that mischief was already brewing, because trouble was an early riser, too. “I’m ready for the fight,” she whispered.

Allene also knew that a lot was riding on the next forty-eight hours. She lowered her hand to her mouth, stretching her long, wrinkled fingers across her full lips as she continued to think about her grandson. She had to protect John from what he couldn’t see—a beguiling woman who could derail his life’s dreams if he wasn’t careful. Allene’s gift had revealed the woman for who she really was. Despite the woman’s sweet words, sophistication, and enthusiastic gestures, she was as slick as a serpent and as cunning as a fox. This jezebel was just as determined to destroy John as Allene was to save him.

“I have faith and I know everything’s gonna be all right,” Allene said with conviction as she continued her talk with the sky. She knew the woman was dangerous in ways that could either ruin a man, get him killed, or both. But again, she wasn’t deterred because she knew her family’s survival was at stake, and she’d do whatever it took to make sure the Smalls were safe and prospered for future generations to come. As she thought about her family’s legacy and the promise it held, her mind shifted to Alexandria.

“I’m gonna help you, too, baby girl,” Allene said with a smile.

Alexandria was the hope and the future. She was the vision Allene had seen a month ago when she got her first glimpse of her great-great-granddaughter, who would not be born for several decades to come. Ever since that eye-opening day, Allene had been using all the powers and abilities she’d cultivated over the years to reach across time and bridge the past with the present in order to connect with the young woman who shared her same gift.

Allene could see that Alexandria was standing at a crossroads, and that she was frightened and confused by what was happening to her. She reminded Allene a lot of herself at that age, when she didn’t understand her gift, and had been afraid of its repercussions. And just as she’d done, her beautiful great-great-granddaughter was running from who she was. Allene knew it was time for Alexandria to discover the purpose of what she’d been blessed to have, and learn how to use it. It was Allene’s new mission to guide Alexandria, just as she intended to guide John now.

“Find what’s right for you and open your heart, baby girl. Listen to what I’m sayin’ to you, Alexandria,” Allene said in a low, sweet whisper. “Listen and learn.”

Allene closed her eyes as another vision flashed behind her lids. A warm feeling replaced the chill that had come over her only moments ago, and a sense of peace spread through her body. She saw an image, and it was enough to let her know that she’d just witnessed the answer to Alexandria’s quandary. “Look for the diamond, ’cause the one who has that is the one who’s gonna help save you.” Allene whispered the last part of her appeal with conviction, hoping and praying that Alexandria would hear her plea, pay attention, and recognize the sign when she saw it.

CHAPTER 2
Summertime, present-day Atlanta, Georgia

“Oh no,” Alexandria softly whispered, trying to hide her discomfort. Her body tensed, anticipating the annoyance that was about to come. This can’t be happening again. Not now, she thought.

“What’s wrong?” Peter whispered back, still continuing to nibble on the left lobe of Alexandria’s ear.

She moved her head to the side, trying to block out the sound that was making its way back into her mind. Go away! Please go away and leave me alone! Alexandria shouted to herself as she repositioned her nude body under the weight of Peter’s muscular heft. She turned her head back to face him, releasing a low, measured sigh.

“You okay?” Peter asked; this time, there was a bit of concern in between his heavy panting.

“I’m fine,” Alexandria lied. She hesitated; then slowly pulled him closer against her bare chest. “Kiss me,” she demanded in a not-so-playful tone. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes tightly, and concentrated on her boyfriend’s languid tongue as she tried to block out the voice—laced with a deep Southern accent—that was invading her head.

Although she knew that her love life with Peter was woefully lacking, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had an orgasm, Alexandria had hoped that a quick roll between the sheets would give her mind a break from the recurring loop it had been stuck in. But instead of arresting her anxiety, the physical romp only seemed to kick her senses into overdrive.

As Peter’s movements became more urgent, her desire began to quickly wane by the second, sinking into the background of the voice repeating itself inside her head. She tried to concentrate on the moment, but that didn’t work, so she willed her mind to take her to another place. But that was no use, either. The harder she fought, the louder the sound of the voice grew. Finally she gave up.

“Peter, I’m sorry, but I have to go.” Alexandria gently pushed him away, freeing herself from his hold.

“What?” Peter huffed, looking confused. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“No, I really do need to go,” she said as she sat up and kicked her long, slightly thick legs to the side of his king-size bed. She ran her fingers through the mass of long, kinky dark brown curls atop her head as she slumped her shoulders in frustration.

“One minute you want me to kiss you and the next you’re pushing me away. What gives?”

“I’m sorry, Peter. I don’t mean to send mixed signals.”

“Then don’t.” Peter paused as he moved in close, still trying to nuzzle his body next to hers. He leaned into her, giving her shoulder a light kiss. “C’mon, lay back down with me.”

Alexandria ignored his coaxing; instead, she slowly stood to her feet as she spoke. “It’s not you. It’s me,” she told him, knowing how off-putting and clichéd her response, albeit truthful, sounded. She could feel thick tension rise in the air as soon as the words left her mouth, so she tried to speak in a gentle tone. “There’s a lot going on in my life right now. Things that have nothing to do with you, Peter.”

“I don’t believe this.” Peter reluctantly reached for his boxers as Alexandria pulled her sundress over her head and then slid it down the length of her curvaceous body. “So where does this leave me?” he asked.

She wanted to tell him, How the hell do I know? I can’t even figure out what’s going on in my own life, let alone yours. But she knew this wasn’t the time for such declarations, so she leavened her tone, inserting a measure of compassion in her voice. “I need to be alone tonight so I can think.”

“Think? … Think about what, Alexandria?”

“Life, and what I’m supposed to do with mine. Like I said, there’s so much going on right now. I hope you can understand.”

Peter shook his head in dismay. “I’ve been trying hard to understand you, especially over the last couple weeks. I’ve been patient when you zone out on me, and I’ve tried to be understanding when you say you have a lot going on, like now, even though you never give a clue about exactly what the problem is.”

Alexandria looked into Peter’s dark brown eyes and nodded, knowing he deserved to hear the full truth: She was so scared about what was happening to her that she didn’t have time to focus on their relationship. But at the same time, she knew Peter’s primary focus was really on himself and his feelings—because not once had he asked her what kinds of things were bothering her.

She’d met Peter two years ago while working as a summer intern at Johnson, Taylor, and Associates, one of the largest law firms in the Atlanta Metro area. She’d been in her last year of law school at UPenn, and somewhat ambivalent about pursuing a career in the legal field. Peter had just graduated from Yale University School of Law, was an ambitious first-year associate at the firm, and was already rumored to be a rising star within the ranks. Although he was a bit uptight and a little too formal in his attitude than what Alexandria liked, Peter’s tall, muscular physique, smooth dark chocolate skin, and handsome face had all attracted her to him. They had spotted each other during the first day of new employee orientation and had gone out for drinks during happy hour a week later.

They’d both been seeing other people at the time, but neither had been seriously involved. Their casual lunches and long dinners slowly turned into much more. They kept in touch after she returned to law school for her senior year, and they saw each other whenever time permitted, which wasn’t often. Once she graduated the next summer they started dating exclusively, and had been together ever since.

“Who is he?” Peter asked.

“What?”

“Please, Alexandria,” Peter said, looking at her with an accusatory glare. “Don’t play me for a fool. If you’re seeing someone else, I’d appreciate you being up front with me instead of feeding me excuses.”

“Oh, like you and Monica?”

Peter let out an exasperated sigh. “I told you, that was nothing.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I can’t help it if the woman showed up on my doorstep out the blue.”

“Excuse me, but it makes a difference when the woman you’re referring to, just happened to be your ex-girlfriend! And for someone who mysteriously showed up unwelcome, you sure did make her feel at home,” Alexandria said, returning his accusing stare. “I got here and found you two drinking wine and laughing, acting all cozy.”

“Number one, we weren’t cozy. We were simply talking,” Peter said in a direct tone. “She was depressed because the guy she was seeing had just dumped her. She needed someone to talk to and—”

“And you were the first person she went running to,” Alexandria countered. “I think that’s very strange, especially given the fact that you dumped her, too. So why on earth would she come to you for a shoulder to cry on? It didn’t make sense then, and it still doesn’t make sense now.”

Until last month when Alexandria had caught Peter and his ex in that precarious situation, he hadn’t given her much reason to question his fidelity. He was a pragmatist who preferred diplomacy over drama, and he avoided the latter at all costs. Having extra women on the side only upped the ante for chaos, and Peter wasn’t one for the kind of trouble that fooling around could bring. He was the dependable type, almost to the point of being predictably annoying. Because of his anal manner, a small part of Alexandria believed that even if Peter wanted to stray, it would be challenging for him, given the fact that he also spent most of his time at the office.

Peter routinely worked twelve- and fourteen-hour days, sometimes six days a week, all in his self-imposed race to climb the ladder of success, following in his mother’s large and looming footsteps. She was a circuit court judge and was currently being courted to run for one of Georgia’s congressional seats. She was a demanding overachiever, and Peter wanted to make her proud, which meant working insanely long hours and forfeiting a social life beyond networking functions, where he could make business connections. When he wasn’t at the office—which was hardly ever—he was either working from home, working out at the gym, or spending what little time he had left over with Alexandria.

But Alexandria also knew that just because Peter was a busy, regimented man, that didn’t mean there weren’t opportunities for him to cheat, or that he wasn’t capable. Experience had taught her that regardless of one’s work schedule and personal demands, a person could make time to do anything they really wanted. The only reason she hadn’t followed up on the suspicions lurking in the back of her mind was because of the voice that had been penetrating her thoughts, forcing her to come to grips with a part of her life she’d been trying to avoid since she was five years old.

“I know it doesn’t make sense to you,” Peter said, “but that’s exactly what happened when Monica came over here. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m telling you the truth.”

Alexandria shrugged. “Whose truth?”

“If I wanted to sleep with her, I could’ve done that a long time ago.”

“And that’s another thing. Why do you still keep in contact with your ex-girlfriend?”

Peter let out another frustrated sigh. “We only talk once in a blue moon, like at the holidays, just to wish each other well.”

(Continues…)

Excerpted from Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman. Copyright © 2013 Trice Hickman. Excerpted by permission of the author. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Looking for Trouble, order your copy today!
Trice Hickman, Author and Public Speaker
Visit with Trice at:  www.tricehickman.com
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0758287232

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Coming Oct. 29 All That I Desire by Francis Ray

All That I Desire by Francis Ray

New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray turns up the heat in this sizzling Grayson Friends novel about a woman’s life, liberty…and pursuit of passion.

LOVE IS NEVER PICTURE-PERFECT…
Nothing can stop a woman like Skylar Dupree once she makes up her mind. Defying her family and leaving law school, she’s landed her dream job as an event director at the prestigious Navarone Resorts and Spas in Arizona. It’s all that Skylar’s ever desired—until she sees Rio Sanchez, the resort’s head of security and Blade Navarone’s own personal bodyguard. He’s the sexiest, most striking man she’s ever met.

SOMETIMES IT’S EVEN BETTER…
When Skylar starts planning a huge charity auction at the resort, it’s Rio’s job to keep an eye on the prized art she collects from donors. Though he’s not blind to Skylar’s beauty, Rio is nothing if not professional—and he refuses to make a move. But when a mysterious stranger enters the picture—and puts Skylar’s life in danger—Rio attempts to protect her…only to be told, in no uncertain terms, that Skylar is capable of taking care of herself. Her brazen independence is enough to drive Rio crazy…with desire. Could it be that the strong, hard-hearted Rio has finally met his match?

Book Reviews
“As always, Ray leads her readers on a mesmerizing journey of drama and love.”
—A Romance Review

“Ray…always writes romantic heroes that leap off the page.” 
— Fresh Fiction

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1

 Skylar Dupree wasn’t the risk-taking type, but neither was she the type of woman to falter once she’d made up her mind. The only other time in her twenty-six years she dared do anything remotely defying tradition was leaving law school. Yet that had been more for self-preservation. Her parents were pragmatic; she tended to be more easygoing and laid-back.

Skylar paused on the curved stone staircase of the thirty-five-room castle. Easygoing wasn’t going to cut it this time, not if she wanted to grab Rio’s attention.

Just the thought sent her heart rate skittering out of control. Rio could look straight through you with hard, unblinking black eyes. He exuded danger. Nothing seemed to bother him. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen him smile, and those times had been when he was with his closest friends, Blade and Shane. As far as Skylar knew, he’d never bestowed upon anyone else a smile, let alone his laughter.

The task she’d chosen for herself was scary. Since Shane’s marriage, Rio was head of security for Blade’s business as well as Blade’s personal bodyguard. Even Rio’s security team had a healthy fear of the man reported to be deadlier than a viper, and just as stealthy. She’d heard one of his men refer to him as “smoke” because of his elusiveness.

Skylar had flown in that Sunday afternoon from Navarone Resorts and Spas’s headquarters to go over the final preparations for a charity auction and ball to benefit the Music Department of St. John’s College, where Mrs. Grayson was chair. The auction was two weeks away. The big draw to get the right people to come was that the auction would be held in Navarone Castle, near Santa Fe, a place heretofore off limits to anyone but close family and friends.

Much had been speculated about the home of the billionaire, which had a real moat, a working drawbridge, a helipad, and a lake. Sierra, Blade’s wife, might have owned the castle before her marriage, but Blade ensured their privacy by buying up all the surrounding property within fifty miles. You might get on the property, but with its constant patrols, you were quickly escorted off, which gave Navarone Castle even more of an air of mystique.

Continuing down the stairs with her iPad clutched to her chest, Skylar stepped into the comfortable great room. Sitting in sky-blue leather chairs and love seats were Blade, Sierra, and her mother on one side. On the other were Shane and his wife, Paige. Rio, arms folded, standing by the immense stone fireplace, glanced up. Her heart did a fast jitterbug.

Rio looked incredibly handsome in a long-sleeved white shirt with the cuffs rolled back to show strong wrists. He had a silver watch on one arm and a wide silver band on the other. His jeans delineated the long, sleek muscles of his thighs and made Skylar’s mouth dry.

In Tucson he’d always worn tailored clothes, the same as Blade. Here, Rio was more casual. The curly black hair she’d dreamed of running her fingers through was held at the base of his neck with a silver clip. His bronzed, hard body was honed to perfection.

There was nothing in his midnight-black eyes that indicated he desired or felt anything at all for her. Skylar stared back at the flat eyes that seemed to see right through her and stiffened her spine.

One day he’d look at her with desire.

“Hi, Skylar.” Sierra rose from her seat and went to greet Skylar. “I’m sorry we weren’t here to meet you.”

“That’s all right.” Skylar smiled. She and Sierra had hit it off immediately. “I enjoyed looking around the castle again. You have a beautiful home.”

“Thanks.” Sierra glanced back at Blade. “We like it.”

Skylar’s smile increased. One place she’d bet was off limits was the grotto downstairs that was Sierra and Blade’s secret place.

“Please have a seat.” Sierra took the other woman’s arm. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you.” Skylar greeted everyone as she took a leather chair. Everyone spoke. Rio nodded.

“Is everything going as planned?” Ruth asked.

Skylar knew Ruth could have asked that question earlier, but hadn’t. Mrs. Grayson also didn’t let on she’d seen or talked with Skylar before. She smiled her thanks.

“Yes, Mrs. Grayson. In fact, we’re ahead of schedule. As planned, the auction will be by invitation only. Thanks to Lance’s help, a printed color catalog with the starting bid for each item has already been sent out.”

“Good thing,” Sierra interjected. “Because he and Fallon are off on their honeymoon.”

“Still discussing if she’ll be able to go scuba diving due to her pregnancy.” Blade glanced at Sierra. “She’s almost as strong-willed as another woman I know.”

“Aren’t you and Lance the lucky ones?” Sierra grinned and kissed Blade on the cheek.

Skylar cut a sideways glance at Rio. His arms remained crossed, his gaze somewhere over her head. He wasn’t going to make this easy. Back to the business at hand.

“I personally called everyone to ensure they received the catalog and still plan to attend.” Skylar pulled out the guest list and stood to give it to Rio. “This week, four of the invitees asked if they could bring a guest. It was to be expected that some would ignore the one-month time limit to invite a guest. I know you’d want to check the people out before I committed.”

He crossed to her in his effortless stride that reminded her of a stalking cat. Long, lean fingers took the list without looking at it. “Thank you.” His voice held no inflection.

Trying not to sigh, Skylar retook her seat. She needn’t have bothered wearing a tangerine-colored dress that complemented her complexion and hazel eyes. However, she wasn’t giving up.

“The items will be arriving by special courier or delivery service starting Tuesday. I’ll be here to check and sign them in. I’ll return each day until we have all the items in place,” Skylar told them. “We’ve already selected the room where they’ll be displayed.”

“That’s too much trouble,” Sierra said. “It would be easier and make more sense if you stay here.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Blade said.

“I couldn’t,” Skylar said, surprised by the invitation. While they were planning the auction, she’d always flown in and out of Santa Fe.

“We have plenty of guest rooms.” Sierra leaned against Blade. His arm immediately circled her slim shoulders. “We’re leaving for a new Navarone property in the morning; you’re welcome to stay here.”

Skylar didn’t know what to say. She was very aware that a lot of trust had gone into the invitation. If Rio stayed, she might run into him more. The thought had no more than materialized when she discarded it. She was not going to impose on Blade and Sierra’s kindness to go after Rio.

“It won’t be any trouble,” Skylar finally said. “I don’t mind the trip.”

“We won’t take no for an answer,” Blade told her.

“You’re staying and that’s final,” Sierra said firmly as if the matter was settled.

“Please.” Ruth leaned forward in her seat. “What you’re doing is to help my Music Department. We’ll benefit from your hard work. I’ll always be thankful. You could have passed when I asked if you had any ideas on how to raise funds. You didn’t. You even offered to take vacation time to help.”

“I appreciated the professionalism, but as I said then when you mentioned what you would be doing, using your vacation time won’t be necessary,” Blade said, his gaze direct.

Sierra patted his knee. “He’s even gotten over being a little miffed that you thought you had to ask. He forgot all men are not as wonderful as he is.”

Blade smiled at his wife, then Skylar, and she breathed a bit easier. She well remembered the harsh look on his face that day in his office. She hoped never again to see it directed at her and remained silent.

“Stay,” Blade said. “It would make up for my poor behavior.”

Blade wasn’t above apologizing. He just seldom had to. Shane had a grin on his face as he held Paige’s hand. No one had to tell Skylar that Blade’s love for Sierra and hers for her mother were the reasons behind the apology.

Skylar recalled Ruth’s words, No man should walk alone. Her gaze went to Ruth again as she wondered if she was trying to give Skylar a gentle push in Rio’s direction.

But as Blade’s bodyguard, he went with him everywhere or was at least nearby. Was he staying this time? She had her answer seconds later.

“To ensure the auction pieces remain safe, Rio is staying,” Blade told her.

“I should be going with you.” Rio unfolded his arms, his attention on Blade and Sierra.

Sierra lifted both hands in a fighter’s stance. “Don’t worry, Rio. I promise to take down anyone who looks suspicious.”

Shane was the only one who laughed. He ignored his wife’s nudge.

“You checked out the island; the men there were trained by you or Shane. You and Shane made sure my name is buried so no one outside the company knows we own the property,” Blade reminded him. “From the vantage point on the island you can see a boat miles away. We’ll be safe.”

“That’s why I should be there—to make sure.”

“I want you here.” Blade rose to his feet and went to Rio. “This is important to Mrs. Grayson. There’s some valuable merchandise coming. I trust you to ensure it’s kept safe.”

Rio remained silent. Skylar’s eyes and everyone else’s were on Rio and Blade. No one, absolutely no one—outside of Sierra—went against Blade’s orders. She sensed Rio might be the second. Protecting Blade and Sierra was more than a job to him.

Shane went to the two men. “I’ll fly down with them and check it out.”

Rio’s gaze slowly tracked to Shane’s and stayed there for a long moment before returning to Blade. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll begin checking on the list.”

Skylar blew out a breath as Rio’s long strides took him from the room and up the stairs to the command center on the second floor of the castle’s front wing.

“You shouldn’t tease him,” Ruth said to Sierra.

“Who said I was teasing?” Sierra lifted innocent eyes to her mother.

Ruth shook her head once, then stood and pulled a set of keys from the pocket of her denim skirt. “Come on, Skylar. I’ll drive you to your hotel to get your things.”

Sierra stood, her arm going around her mother’s waist. “Since I’ve seen how Skylar packs, I’ll send a driver with the SUV.”

Ruth smiled at Sierra, then Skylar. “She likes clothes as much as you do.”

“You never know what you might need.” Sierra spoke to Skylar. “We’ll wait dinner for you.”

Skylar smiled. Sierra and her mother weren’t taking no for an answer. “I graciously accept. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

*   *   *

In less than fifteen minutes Skylar had checked out of the Casa de Serenidad Hotel. Thank goodness she had been so anxious to get to the castle that she hadn’t begun to unpack. Outside, she climbed into the SUV, and they headed back to Navarone Castle.

Skylar wasn’t the impatient type, but she was anxious to get back. She wondered if Rio ate with his men or Blade and Sierra. Everyone had someone, except him. But he didn’t seem to need anyone. He certainly wasn’t afraid to speak his mind—to anyone.

“Back again,” the driver said, startling Skylar out of her deep thoughts.

“Thank you.” She got out of the vehicle and walked to the back. She almost winced at the amount of luggage being unloaded. Besides the large trunk, she’d brought five large suitcases. It had taken her weeks to decide what to wear in the hope that Rio would stop looking through her and be just a little bit interested. With him staying and checking in the merchandise with her daily, it might just happen.

“Mrs. Navarone instructed me where to place your luggage. Please, go on in.”

“Thank you again, Jefferson.” Skylar picked up her overnight kit.

“I can take that as well.” The driver closed the back. “Don’t worry, Eli is sending someone to help. Besides, we’re both used to helping Mrs. Navarone load and unload for trips.”

Skylar placed the case on the stone driveway and laughed. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”

The driver tipped his hat. “No problem.”

Skylar went up the steps and rang the doorbell. There was a key pad for a code, but she didn’t know it.

The door opened. Eli Patterson, the house manager, stood there in his black suit, freshly starched white shirt, and shiny leather shoes. Of medium height, he had a lined, fatherly face and a balding head.

“Hello, Mr. Patterson,” Skylar greeted.

“Hello, Ms. Dupree. I’ll assist with your luggage,” he told her. “Mr. Navarone asked that you see him in his office as soon as you returned. This way.”

Unsure of what was going on, she followed the house manager past the wide foyer, then left to an arched door at least fifteen feet tall. Opening the door, he stepped aside.

Thanking him, she entered the office, an immense room lined with bookshelves, a fireplace, and tall windows with silk burgundy draperies. On the slate floor were handwoven area rugs. Blade sat behind an antique mahogany desk with ball-and-claw feet. Her eyes narrowed on seeing Shane and Rio standing on either side of him.

“Thank you for coming, Skylar. Please have a seat.” Blade indicated the chair in front of his desk.

Skylar sat down in the straight-back chair, upholstered in a deeper shade of burgundy than the curtains, demurely crossed her legs, and placed her clutch in her lap. She’d learned not to jump to conclusions just because she was summoned by Blade, and not to ask questions.

“One of the men on the list you gave Rio is Sherman Tennyson, a venture capitalist. Several months ago, Tennyson used my name to entice backers into buying property. The deal folded.” Blade’s black eyes hardened. “A lot of good men lost money. Tennyson put the word out that it was my fault.”

“No.” Skylar’s voice was barely above a whisper as she placed her hand on her galloping heart. People who made huge mistakes at Navarone were out the door.

Shane picked up the story. “Blade has been able to overcome the lies, but Tennyson lost a lot of his credibility, along with money he could ill afford to let go.”

Blade’s fist clenched on top of his desk. “Tennyson hates my guts, and the feeling is mutual.”

Skylar came to her feet. “Mr. Navarone, I just checked to ensure he had the funds to purchase if he chose. I apologize.”

Blade waved her apology aside. “There’s no need. You foiled Tennyson’s plan.” He leaned back in his chair, the sides of his mouth kicking up. “You didn’t just okay the names as he probably expected because the auction is in two weeks and he has money. Instead you had the foresight to give Rio the list of names before committing. You did well.”

“I agree,” Shane said. “Good thinking.”

From Rio there was nothing. Trying to keep from looking at him, she retook her seat. “Should I call Mr. Hampton, the man who had asked if Tennyson could attend?”

Blade’s smile was like the sharp edge of a knife. “I’ll take care of it. That’s all.”

Eternally thankful she wasn’t the unfortunate man, Skylar came to her feet. “I’ll go change for dinner. Good-bye.”

“Good-bye,” Blade and Shane said.

She told herself not to turn, but a force stronger than her will had her glancing over her shoulder at Rio to see if there might be a spark of admiration. She saw nothing but eyes devoid of warmth. Unconsciously she narrowed hers before turning to leave the room.

Stubborn man! He might not know it, but he’d only made her more determined!

 ( Continued…   )

Copyright © 2013 by Francis Ray. All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author’s family,  Michelle Ray.  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 sneak peek.

Purchase All That I Desire by Francis Ray
Series: Grayson Friends Series- Book #10
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/All-That-Desire-Grayson-Friends/dp/1250023823
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-that-i-desire-francis-ray/1114821077

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Taking an Inventory of Your Marital Health

Taking an Inventory of Your Marital Health
by authors Jewell Powell & Lewis Powell

“No one can go back and change how it started but a new future for any marriage can begin the moment one person begins to invest in it.”  – Fawn Weaver
No matter where you and your spouse have been on this marriage journey, today is a new day and you can take steps today to create a better future for your relationship. A great place to give your marriage a kick-start or to redirect it on the right path is to pause to take inventory of your marital health. Think of it like your yearly doctor’s exam. It may not be your favorite appointment of the year, but it is essential to your health and future.

Let’s start with a simple question:   Is your marriage healthy?

People often aren’t sure how to answer this question. The key is to avoid comparisons to other marriages, because everyone else seems to have it together on the outside, but you really have no idea what is happening behind closed doors. Instead, as you consider this question, compare your marriage to God’s plan, guidelines and expectation for it. Go to the Bible. There are numerous scriptures describing God’s plan for marriage, but here are a few powerful ones:

Colossians 3:18-19:  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Hebrews 13:4-7:  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Mark 10:6-9:  “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,  and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

With each of these scriptures, as yourself if you are fulfilling the calling God has placed on your life as it pertains to your marriage. If you are striving to meet these objectives, then it is safe to say you are on the road to good marital health. If you are far from these objectives, then your relationship may need some redirection and spiritual healing to get back on the track to good marital health. 

Keep in mind, not one of us is perfect, so even if your marital relationship seems to be in a healthy state, it is important to continue doing the hard work to ensure it remains healthy and pure. Stay focused on the word God has given us in His Holy Bible about how to walk out a Godly marriage. Pray together. Love your spouse as God has loved you-unconditionally and unselfishly (John 15:12).

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you- John 15:12

Your Marriage Challenge  
This monthly marriage challenge requires a little Bible research, but is a great way to test the health of your marriage against the one and only perfect measurement-God’s Word! Use the scriptures listed above and then you and your spouse spend a little time finding some additional scriptures in the Bible addressing marriage. Write those down on paper, and sit down together to review them. Discuss where your marriage relationship is in relation to the ideal God has given you in those verses. Discuss what you are doing right in your marriage and identify those areas that need some work. Finish your study session by praying for each other and for your marriage, asking God to show you the areas in your marriage that need strengthening.

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My Publishing Journey by Trice Hickman

My Publishing Journey: Navigating the Ups and Downs
by Trice Hickman

I will never forget the day I started writing my first novel. I’d been plagued by writer’s block for years, but one sunny Wednesday morning in March 2004, I had a breakthrough! I sat at my computer and watched in amazement as words flowed like sweet water from my fingertips to the keyboard, filling up page after page with thoughts, emotions, and characters that had been living inside my head. I was so excited! I wrote every single day, and four months later my debut novel, Unexpected Interruptions, was complete! The feeling of accomplishment was euphoric! But very quickly the next step was in front of me—how to get my work published?

I had always thought that writing a book was the hard part…little did I know that the hardest part was yet to come—publishing it, and harder still, selling it.

I began researching how to get my book published. I studied the pros and cons of traditional publishing versus self-publishing, and came to the conclusion that the traditional route was the way for me. So again, I did my research. I gathered the names of every literary agent, editor, and publisher whom I thought might be interested in my work, and I reached out to them. I waited with excitement for the offers to start pouring in. Well, letters started pouring in, but to my dismay, they weren’t offers to publish my manuscript. They were rejection letters.

Let me tell you, rejection really hurts!

“Did they really read my story?” I had wondered. “If they did, how could they have possibly turned me down?” That was the question I asked myself over and over, month after month as new rejection letters flooded into both my mailbox and inbox. Some were standard form letters with a generic let down, but some were personalized, stating hurtful words that temporarily halted my dream.

There’s a saying, “You haven’t loved until you’ve had your heart broken.” Well, you’re not a writer until you get your first rejection letter (or your first bad review, but that’s a discussion for another time). I basked in the grayness of a short-lived pity party, then I bounced back into action because I knew I had a few things on my side that beat rejection every time: belief, determination, perseverance, and faith!

I had spent long days and sleepless nights creating my characters and crafting their story. I believed in them. And I believed that if I could just get my book published, despite what had been said, someone would buy it. And if someone bought it they would read it and like it. And if they liked it they’d tell a friend, and that friend would tell another friend, and voila! I’d have a winner on my hands. I was determined to see my book in print, so I realigned my mission and set my sights on self-publishing.

Again, I did my research. I scoured the Internet for information. I purchased books to learn all I could about best practices and new industry trends. I attended workshops, seminars, book festivals, and literary conferences. I reached out to other authors and industry professionals. And most importantly, I developed a plan for publishing my book, complete with time sensitive tasks that I diligently followed. I set aside money from my paycheck every month and assembled a team of professionals who could help me execute my publishing plan. Finally, after nearly three years of preparation, I resigned from my job and started my own publishing company, Platinum Books, and released Unexpected Interruptions!

Just as I’ll never forget the day I started writing my first book, I’ll never forget that chilly Tuesday afternoon in October 2007, when my books arrived at my doorstep, hot from the printer. Holding the finished product in my hand was euphoric! But again, the next step was staring me in the face—how would I sell the book?

I had done a modest print run of 2,500 copies, and through marketing and pre-promotion efforts I managed to pre-sell 1,000 books before the novel was released (NOTE: this was before e-books really took off). Next, my goal was to sell the other 1,500 books and go from there. I contacted as many people as I could who had pre-ordered directly through my website and asked for their feedback. If they enjoyed the book, I asked them to please spread the word for me. Now this is where perseverance and having a plan paid off. I hit the road on a book tour that I had organized months in advance. My corporate sponsor, GODIVA Chocolatier (the main character in my book loved GODIVA, so I approached them about sponsoring a few of my signings), provided treats at some of my events that enticed readers to come out and join me. In less than thirty days I had sold all my books and was placing an order for another print run.

Unexpected Interruptions, went on to garner praise from readers and literary reviewers across the country. It also won two literary awards and topped several bookstore bestseller lists.

Three years and two additional books later, I was approached by Kensington Publishing Corp. (Dafina Books) to purchase the publishing rights for all three of my originally self-published titles. Kensington will re-release each of my books, providing broader distribution that will allow me to reach a much larger readership. My debut novel, Unexpected Interruptions, was re-released March 29, 2011, and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly!

I was so excited, and the amazing thing was that Kensington did not change my story; even the cover art remained the same. Yes, the same book that everyone had turned down now received a nod from an industry giant.

The faith I had in my work led me down a bumpy road that turned into a wonderful journey; one in which I wouldn’t change a thing!

Tips for Aspiring Writers

1. Read—Reading is critical to the writing process. It broadens the mind and expands your creativity. I don’t know any good writers who aren’t avid readers.

2. Study the craft—Writing is an art form. Study it. Practice it. Take classes.

3. Write every day—There are times when this won’t be possible, but if you endeavor to write something every day (it could be a sentence, a paragraph, or a couple of pages) you will complete your book before you know it. You will also become a better writer because you will improve with practice.

4. Tell a good story—Develop your characters and craft your storyline so that readers will be interested in what you have to say. Make sure that your beginning, middle, and end flow into one seamless, page-turning tale!

Publishing Tips:

Whether you decide to self-publish or go the traditional route, here are some helpful tips.

*  Research, research, research. I can’t stress how important it is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. Don’t rely on other authors to hold your hand through the process or tell you what to do to get your book published. Every writer’s journey is different, so chart a path that works for you.

*  Network, network, network. Attend book conferences and literary events. These venues are great opportunities to meet readers, authors, and industry professionals who can prove to be valuable assets as you build your career.

*  Develop a plan and execute it. Be sure to include a realistic time line and budget to support a successful book campaign (again, do this whether you are traditionally or self-published).

*  Know your target audience. If you think your book is for everyone, you’re wrong! Dead wrong! Define your primary audience, i.e.; age, profession, gender, socio-economic demographic, interests, etc.

*  Once you have defined your target audience, determine their book buying habits and make sure your book is available to them in the format they desire. Do your readers purchase books at book festivals, conferences, or other literary events? Do they buy in stores, on-line, or through e-reading devices?

To learn more about Trice Hickman and her books, please visit her website at http://www.tricehickman.com. If you’re interested in taking your first step toward becoming a published author, please contact Trice for a one-on-one coaching session by clicking on the Writer’s Corner page on her site.

NEW RELEASE:  Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman
(Oct 29, 2013)   Available wherever books are sold!
Pick up a copy today:   http://amzn.com/0758287232

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Intimate Conversation with E. N. Joy

Intimate Conversation with E. N. Joy

BLESSED selling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas,” the “Still Divas” three book series and the “Always Divas” three book series, which have been coined the “Soap Opera In Print.”

The “ New Day Divas” series includes the titles: She Who Finds A Husband, Been There Prayed That, Love Honor or Stray, Trying to Stay Saved and I Can Do Better All By Myself. 

The “Still Divas” series includes the titles:  And You Call Yourself a Christian, The Perfect Christian and The Sunday Only Christian. The “Always Divas” series includes the titles I Ain’t Me No More, More Than I Can Bear and You Get What You Pray For. 

Formerly writing secular works under the names Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY, this award winning author has been sharing her literary expertise on conference panels in her home town of Columbus, Ohio and cities across the country as well as instructing literary workshops.

Joy writes children’s and young adult titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy performs in schools nationwide.

Currently, Joy is the executive editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying. You can visit Joy at  www.enjoywrites.com.

BPM: What is the one thing you would like all of your readers to know about you? 
That I live breathe, eat and sleep (well, not much sleep) this literary thing. It’s real. It’s not a hobby. It’s not something I do on the side. It’s my life. I take it serious. It’s my craft, my career, my first love and now it’s my ministry. With that being said, readers need to know that when I put something out for them, I’m truly giving them my all. And if I fall short of their expectations, I’ll do everything I can to try to do a better job next time in order to earn and keep their readership.

BPM:  Does your faith or education inspire your writing? 
I went to school for legal assisting and was a paralegal for thirteen years. Not many of my books deal with the legal system, but as far as my faith, my being a Christian, it inspires every word I write. Because I am a Christian who writes Christian fiction for a Christian fiction imprint (Urban Christian), my books absolutely must have Christ in them. 

My walk with Christ has not been easy. I did not dedicate my life to Christ one Sunday morning and then all my problems went away. It just so happens that I was my biggest problem, and since I wasn’t going anywhere, I had to begin to deal with myself. This goes for most of my characters I write about as well. Some of them just can’t seem to get out of their own way, let go of their issues and past and let God. And just like in real life, some of the characters get it after getting it wrong so many times. Then there are those who just never seem to get it. The latter characters, like some real folks, end up going through life thinking it’s a battle of them against the world, never realizing that they are their own worse enemy…and sometimes their only enemy.

BPM: What does “growth” mean to you? 
For me personally, growth is when my best book was my last (latest) book. If you ask an author what was the best book they have written, if they don’t call off the last book of theirs that was published, then, Houston, we have a problem. As a writer, you are always learning, progressing, growing and developing more within the craft. If the best book you ever wrote is three books back down the line, then you might want to consider sharpening your tools. It’s okay for your favorite book to be somewhere back down the line, but your best book should always be the one that just came off the press.

BPM: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I have been writing since the days of elementary school journals and rainy day writings. I started out just writing poems, then graduate to short stories. My first self-published book, Please Tell Me If the Grass Is Greener, was a mixture of poetry and short stories. Well, actually it’s poetic short stories; short stories told in a rhythmic flow. Kind of like a Dr. Seuss book for Grown-ups-LOL. I love La La Land. Growing up, my escape from reality was the La La Land I invented with pen and paper. So, I guess that is truly what drove me to pick up the pen for the first time and begin to take a genuine interest in writing. It was an escape. Some people use drugs, some people use alcohol, some people use sex to escape while other people might use guns. I used a pen and the wonderful English vocabulary. 

I’d always been a reader, as that was another escape of mine. Ramona the Pest, Nancy Drew and those Little House on the Prairie books were my favorites. But then one day I got my hands on one of my auntie’s grown up books, which was Little Girl Lost by Donald Goines. It was the first book I’d ever read with main characters that looked like me. With characters that walked, talked and thought like me. I just remember sneaking the book out at night time and reading it while laying in bed. I was so deeply enthralled that I felt like I became that little girl who was lost. I just remember closing that book upon the final chapter and saying to myself, “One day I’m going to write a book that does that to people.” I think I’ve accomplished that.

BPM: How did you get your first publishing deal? 
I started off in the literary industry self-publishing my first book, Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener. I also self-published my second book as well, which is a book of poetry titled World On My Shoulders. Eventually I grew out of my fear of thinking I was too short winded to write a full-length novel and I wrote and self-published my first novel, The Root of All Evil, under the name Joylynn M. Jossel. I wrote that manuscript with the intentions of eventually selling it to a major publishing house. 

So, while it was in manuscript form I sent it off (un-agented) to a major publisher for publication consideration. But in the meantime, I eventually sent the manuscript off to a printer as well. I received a rejection letter from the publisher before the books even came off the press. But that didn’t stop me. I simply sold copies from my trunk in hopes of creating a buzz. Well, the buzz was created. I got an agent and the agent submitted the manuscript to a major publishing house that did end up giving me a three book deal. 

Ironically, the same publishing house who sent me my very first rejection letter was the same major publisher who ended up giving me my very first book deal. After having sold 12,500 copies of the self-published edition in a one year, The Root of All Evil was re-released under my first publishing contract. But while it was going through the editing process, I wrote a street lit book titled Dollar Bill for Triple Crown Publications under the name JOY. It turned out to be an Essence Magazine bestseller, appeared in Newsweek and was translated to Japanese.

BPM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of your family.
Hands down-THE READERS. What I need people to understand is yes, as an author, a part of me wants to write stories that I myself want to read. But the moment an author begins to make it all about themselves and not the reader is when the author needs to rethink their purpose for doing what they do. Ultimately, when a product is created, it is created to please and satisfy the consumer. Well, if you are a writer, your product is your collection of written words and the reader is your consumer. 

Readers are my literary heartbeat. When they send me their testimonies and words of encouragement, it keeps my creative blood flowing to the brain. My readers inspire me to challenge myself. Not all readers reach out to me with praises; some with constructive criticism and then there are those who maybe could have been just a tad more diplomatic in their lashing. When ever I felt as though a certain book might not have reached anyone or that my reach as an author all together just never seemed to stretch far enough, one of my readers would reach out to me and confirm that my writing is not in vain. 

I don’t write for myself and I’m absolutely not one of those authors who you will hear say, “If I could just sell one book and reach one person, then I’m happy; I’ve done my job.” No ma’am and no sir. I do not put all that I put into my work-sacrifice all that I do-just to sell one book or reach one person. Did Jesus set out to reach just one person? Did Jesus go through all that He did and die on that cross just to save one person? I think you get my point…

BPM: Introduce us to your latest book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites? 
I Ain’t Me No More is book one of my three book “Always Divas” series. The main character, Helen, is not only the newest member of the New Day Temple of Faith Singles Ministry, but she quickly becomes the vixen with all her evil ways and tactics. Helen is not one of those church folk the members love to hate. They just out right hate her!

But is there something more to Helen than the hard, nasty exterior she puts up? Lord knows she hasn’t been saved all her life, but was she born evil? Why else would someone set out to intentionally inject turmoil into the lives around her? Well, the women at New Day don’t know and most don’t care. They believe the antidote to this snake’s venom is to throw her out the church on her behind. But when Helen decides to let these New Day divas in on her past skeletons, will that change their minds? 

With the compassion and wisdom of church mother, Mother Doreen, indeed one of my favorite New Day characters, the women just might find that Helen is worth saving. Question is, though; Does Helen want to be saved? Helen is special because she is flawed to the point where you want to close your eyes and say a prayer for her your own self. That’s just how realistic this character and her life situations are. Either you know Helen or, which might be even scarier, you are Helen. More power to you if you were Helen but overcame your own self and ways and aren’t you any more (the old you ;-). 

While readers are raising eyebrows and shedding tears for some of Helen’s choices in life, they are at the same time yearning for her to just get it. Readers will ultimately want Helen to win at this challenge called life. Mother Doreen is a character from my book, The Perfect Christian, who I allow to make a cameo in Helen’s story. Mother Doreen is just that, the elder-the church mother-who always seems to say the perfect thing or do the perfect thing to get and keep things in order. Of course once you read The Perfect Christian you realize that with Mother Doreen, in her older years you see all her glory, but go back a few chapters in her life and my God does she have a story!

BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in I Ain’t Me No More? 
When I started this book five years ago, at the time, I was so displeased with who I was. The problem was, I didn’t want to admit who I was, which was an angry, hurt and bitter person who had internalized and held onto those things, circumstances and situations that had made me that way. Doing so gave me an excuse to be mad. If I held onto what so and so did to me umpteen years ago, it justified the way I could treat so and so today. You can’t quit it if you can’t admit it.

So I had to take a for real-for real look at myself in the mirror, tell that reflection staring back at me just what I thought about her, and once I turned away from that mirror, make a conscious decision to leave her behind. I declared that I would do everything in my power to not be that person anymore…because she was disgusting and I hated her. If you go through life hating who you are, displaying love to others (heck, even like for that matter) is next to impossible. I had dealt with so much hurt and pain in my life that it ultimately became my normal. So if you wanted to fit into my normal world, you had to bring the hurt, bring the pain. When I got into church and got saved, I thought I was fixed. I was still broken though. It takes more work than just showing up at church every week and running down to the altar for someone to touch and agree with you or lay hands on you to get fixed.

The main character in I Ain’t Me No More, Helen, is mad, bitter and angry at the hand she was dealt in life. Her problem; does she want to be fixed or is she so comfortable with pain that she wouldn’t know how to live without it? Plain and simple: Helen is not that likeable. As a matter of fact, the last book I wrote, The Sunday Only Christian, the main character in that one wasn’t so likeable either. So as God kept giving me these unlikable people as main characters, I got scared. As an author there was a fear that if readers didn’t like my main character, then they wouldn’t like my book. So during prayer I expressed to God my concerns. His reply: “This book is not for people to like the main character. This book is for people like the main character.”

BPM: Why did you choose to write in a primarily faith-based genre? 
I ultimately turned my pen away from writing street lit, erotica and women’s lit filled with sexual tension in order to serve God with my talent. God has always been there keeping, watching over and protecting me, but it wasn’t until I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior did I acknowledge just how much God loves me. Now I live to glorify Him in everything I do, including my writing. So I’m now not only proud to be a Christian, but proud to be a Christian who writes Christian fiction. 

In writing in the Christian fiction genre, I try very hard to keep my mind clear; to make sure I’m in tune with the Holy Spirit when I’m writing. But I’m going to tell the truth and shame the devil; I’m human, so just like in every day life, when it comes to my writing, I do sometimes allow my flesh to rise up and do its own thing. I have written things that I thought the reader might want to read without consulting the true author. Do I get convicted for it? Yes, via readers’ emails and reviews…and some of them, unlike God, have no mercy. So I try my best to stick to ghostwriting…Holy Ghost writing that is. 

When I dedicated my life to Christ, a great deal of things changed for me and in me. I couldn’t do some of the things I used to do. I couldn’t say some of the things I used to say and I couldn’t go some of the places I used to go. Well, I soon found that I couldn’t write some of the things I used to write. That’s what prompted the change in the genres I chose to write in. Joylynn M. Jossel the author is retired for good. 

BPM:  Are the Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY books still available? 
Yes, they are. They can still be found and ordered in bookstores and are on pretty much every online bookstore. My die-hard fans can even still find Joylynn at www.joylynnjossel.com . That’s part of my testimony, my history and foundation as an author.

BPM: How does your book, I Ain’t Me No More,  relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or other life path? 
I can honestly say that the main character, Helen’s story, is about sixty percent of who I was. Hence the title: I Ain’t Me No More. As I look back on the life of Helen, I catch myself cringing, but then rejoicing at the same time. Because just like Helen, in my present situation I might not be where I want to be in life and in my walk with Christ, but I sure ain’t where I used to be, and to God be the glory for that one! 

If Jesus had not saved me from my own self, I fear what damage I could have done to those around me. In past years I was a prime example of how hurt people hurt people. I was mad at the world when all the while the only person I should have been mad at was myself-for wasting time on being mad. My misery fed off company. So if you came around me and you weren’t already miserable-give me an hour tops and you’d be right there in the valley with me. I can say this now and confess it because-you guessed it-I Ain’t Me No More. 

Not only that, but I can confess it because now I don’t have a choice-it’s all out there in this book…no stone unturned. Because the book mirrored my life so much (another Hence: the mirror on the cover;-) one might think it was pretty easy to write this book. I mean, after all, it was my story. It should have flowed easily. That was not the case. I started writing this book five years ago. It was very difficult because my flesh kept rearing its ugly head. My flesh wanted to get out all of its hurt, pain, guilt, shame and ‘woe is me’ crap; you know, a three hundred page pity party that would hopefully make people feel sorry for me (ooops, I mean feel sorry for Helen). All the while God was trying to pull out a testimony, not garner sympathy. The flesh versus spiritual battle was very draining, but in the end I know beyond a doubt that what was achieved was a valid, entertaining, heart wrenching, moving and real story that will become a Divas classic.

BPM:  Under the pen name N. Joy you wrote the children’s book The Secret Olivia Told Me which, received a Coretta Scott King Honor from the American Library Association. Tell us about The Secret Olivia Told Me. Why did you decide to venture into the world of children’s books? Is there another children’s book in the works? 
The book is a little life lesson for both little people and big people. It’s about secrets and what can happen when a secret is told. I wrote The Secret Olivia Told Me over fifteen years ago. My son, who was around seven years old back then, was my sounding board. He enjoyed the writing process just as much as I did. As a treat to him, on his birthday his teachers would allow me to read it to the class before we had birthday cake. The children would always fall in love with the book and have so many questions about it. But back then it was just something personal that I enjoyed doing for my son. I never imagined children all over the world would one day be so blessed by it. 

Needless to say, I have worked on several other books that I hope to one day pull out of the time capsule and have published as well.  Okay, so that is the answer I give every time I’m interviewed by someone about this book. But right now, I feel like telling the whole truth. I’ll try my best to make a long story short. And even though it still might be a little lengthy, I hope this portion of the interview makes it in its entirety:

On Monday, January 14, 2008 I received what I thought was the greatest news in the world. The American Library Association named my children’s book, “The Secret Olivia Told Me“, as the winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustration Award.  In all of my excitement, I went down to my prayer room to thank God for showing such favor to my book. But immediately, my tears of joy turned to tears of sorrow when God reminded me why he had put the book into my spirit to write in the first place. In the summer of 1986 after my freshmen year of high school, my next door neighbor (who was a couple of years younger than me) told me a secret and I promised her that I would not tell. Ironically, those are the very first lines in the children’s book I wrote. Unlike the character in the book, who eventually told the secret (although the actual secret is not revealed in the book, but left up to the child’s imagination instead) I didn’t tell the secret. I’ve never told the secret…until now…this very moment as I type these words.

Anyway, my neighbor had been excited to go visit a friend from her old neighborhood. My neighbor even had a new friend that she was taking with her, so that she could spend that hot summer weekend with both her old and new friend. Well, when she came back from that summer weekend, neither her or her new friend were the same. Her new friend, in casual conversation while we were sitting on my side of the double family house we shared on Linden Avenue in Columbus , OH , told me that over that weekend, the girl of whom they had gone to visit step-father, who was a city bus driver at the time, had coaxed them into having sex with him. He convinced them that if they experienced their first sexual experience with him, then when they found a “real” boyfriend they would already know how to do it and wouldn’t be embarrassed. 

Believe it or not, his line worked with both my neighbor and her friend. In a child-like whisper, which is what she was; a child, she swore me to secrecy.  I never told.  Not even three years later when I saw the story on the news and read the news headline on August 12, 1989 (which happened to be my birthday)  that a COTA bus driver named Ronald E. Waugh had plead guilty to raping 14 children, ages 3-15.  At first I thought maybe it was a coincidence, but then they began to tell the story of how he used his step daughter to lure the girls over. The step daughter gave a list of names to the investigators of girls she knew her step father to have raped. My neighbor and her friend were on that list, but when they were questioned, they denied it…they didn’t tell. I don’t know why I didn’t tell. I don’t know how many children may not have endured the rapes had I told.

Eventually someone did tell though. Someone had picked up the phone and telephoned in a tip to a child abuse hot line…and told the secret. But it wasn’t me. I didn’t tell. To this day I’m baffled at my own actions. When ever I hear of a child being raped, I can never understand why they just won’t tell…never once looking back to my own situation. I can’t justify why I kept the secret. I mean, I could see if I was in elementary school, but I was in high school…and I still kept the secret. 

Yes, “The Secret Olivia Told Me” has pretty pictures, but the true story behind the book wasn’t pretty at all. But what I’m hoping is that the questions that I ask the children at the end of the book regarding keeping secrets; what’s a good secret, what’s a bad secret, etc… will provoke and give someone the courage to tell. So even though the little rhymes are cute and the pictures are lovely, it’s those nine questions in the back of the book that is going to save lives. 

The Secret Olivia Told Me true purpose is for deliverance and salvation and to teach children, and in my case, teenagers, that some secrets you just have to tell.  My hope is that every parent, every teacher, every guardian will use this book as a tool, not to badger lies out of their children, but to get them, on their own free will, to tell. Something I didn’t do. 

BPM:  The Sinners anthology series edited by E.N. Joy includes stories by some of today’s top Urban writers. How did you become involved in the Sinners Have Souls TOO  project? 
It was a true blessing to be the editor of the “Sinners” series, which includes the titles Even Sinners Have Souls, Even Sinners Have Souls TOO and Even Sinners STILL Have Souls. As a former Urban lit writer, we used to get a lot of flack as far as the art of literature. Because of the type of genre that we chose to pen, we were stigmatized and rumored unable to create writings without glorifying a trigger happy, drug dealing thug, or a burgundy micro braid wearing, gum poppin’, promiscuous gold digger, or a television stealing crack head (in addition to at least two curse words per paragraph). 

I know that writing (great writing) is a God given talent. I wanted to prove the nay-sayers wrong by providing these authors a platform to do just that. These authors, which include Noire, Chunichi, KaShamba Williams with introductions by Nikki Turner, K’Wan and Kiki Swinson, brought out their A game and penned stories that didn’t include explicit language or graphic sex scenes, while at the same time giving honor to the one who gave them their gift in the first place. These respected authorities have all come together for the first time ever, taking a break from penning their norm, to pen a piece of work that truly flowed from their spirits. Each gritty and profound story is told in a raw and real voice, luring the readers in by the poignant storylines, themes and the genuine talents and abilities of each of these prolific authors. 

The characters face the same struggles and tragedies that any other person growing up in the hood might endure, but what makes these stories so phenomenal is the fact that although the characters might be living a dangerous, immoral and unacceptable lifestyle according to society’s standards, they are not so far gone that they can’t acknowledge the power of a higher being and a life changing moment that could alter their lives forever.

BPM: Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer? 
Book sales are not the only indicator of my success as a writer. Once upon a time I used to desire to be a New York Times bestselling author. That motivated me to no end. But then I watched Spike Lee do an interview in which he stated that you can not allow an award or organization to validate who you are in your craft. Talk about a revelation!  I heard his words. I got it. Plain and simple I got it. It was at that moment I knew that my success was not based on sells, awards, titles or anything else. Success is personal. Success is your own criteria and goals that you set for yourself. Have I reached the level of success I desire for myself? Absolutely not. I don’t even feel close. Can I take out a pad and pencil and write down what those indicators are. Absolutely not. 

Call me crazy but success for me is going to be that feeling I get when I know “It is finished.”  When I know that I have not done just the best that I can do, but that I have done ALL that I can do and feel it in the depths of my soul that God is pleased and that I am pleased with myself. I always say that the greatest “Ah Ha” moment a person can have is when their life begins to make sense. Well none of this makes sense to me yet. 

I went from writing secular works where the royalty checks kept my head above water and the lights on, to writing Christian fiction to where-let’s keep it all the way one hunid- it’s a challenge to get Christian folks to even buy Christian fiction. It’s been such a challenge that on some days I entertain the thought of going back to writing my trashy novels that would allow me to at least buy a named brand hand bag every now and then. Obedience is better than sacrifice though. So I continue to trust God, which means, I continue to write what He instructs me to. Even though those royalty checks aren’t what I’d like them to be, somehow the lights are still on!

BPM: What can we expect to see/read from you during the next stage of your career?  Any series or new characters? 
I Ain’t Me No More is book one in the three book “Always Divas” series. Next there is More Than I Can Bear and You Get What You Pray For. My next series is the three book “Forever Divas” series. After that I will introduce my readers to a brand new set of characters in my “Husband” series. To date, book one, Operation Get Rid of Mom’s New Boyfriend, of my young adult series, is available on ebook. I plan to publish the remaining two books in that series in the near future.

BPM: Share with us your latest news. 
I’m most excited about my October 2013 release, I Ain’t Me No More, which is book one of the “Always Divas” series. I’m already putting the finishing touches on book two of the series, which is titled More Than I Can Bear, and that releases May 2014. 

BPM:  How may our readers follow you online? 
I would love for readers to visit www.enjoywrites.com.  I can be reached out to via email at enjoywrites@aol.com.  I’m on Twitter @enjoywrites, in Instagram as blessedselling_author_enjoy and on Facebook as Author E N Joy.

And for those who want to keep up with the divas, there is a New Day Divas Fan Page on Facebook as well.

Connect with the author online: 
Website: www.enjoywrites.com
Instagram: blessedselling_author_enjoy
Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/enjoywrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorENJOY

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Intimate Conversation with Ed Wyns

Intimate Conversation with Ed Wyns

Ed Wyns discovered he had a knack for writing when he entered a literary competition in high school.  Though he’ll always be a Floridian at heart, after graduating from Bethune-Cookman University, he moved to Charlotte, NC, where he lives with his wife and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. When he’s not writing, you can find him reading, going to wine tastings or watching Scandal. He is the author of When Everything Isn’t Enough, and the upcoming novel My Last Breath.

 
BPM: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
EW: I not only remember how my interest in writing originated; I also remember approximately how old I was and what I wrote about. I was around 14 years old, had just finished reading The Diary of Ann Frank, and my English teacher gave an assignment to write from one of the characters point of view while in hiding. I got an A on the assignment, realized that I not only liked writing the story, but also had a natural talent for writing and telling a story.

BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?
EW: The main characters are David Tanner, Mia Collins Tanner, and CJ Fields. The characters are all like my children. I can’t say that any one is my favorite; I love them all…differently.

David Tanner: A man who believes he’s lost everything that makes him a man, and goes down a destructive path of alienating his one true love. The thing that makes David special is his intelligence, his love for his family, and his loyalty.

Mia Collins Tanner: A woman who suddenly realizes the man she’s built her life around no longer wants what she desires to give him. The thing that makes Mia special is her strength and her unyielding faith.

CJ Fields: A self-made man that spends his adult life amassing a fortune and using women as his sexual toys, all in a vain attempt to vicariously exert his will over those who caused him so much pain. The thing that makes CJ special is his brutal honesty.

BPM: What drew you to tackle the topic of infertility?
EW: Simply put, this is a story that either hasn’t been told at all, or not enough. After getting the idea, I researched the subject, and couldn’t find one novel on infertility that was written from the male’s perspective. The subject is raw, emotional, and painful.

BPM:  Can you outline some areas where your characters agreed? Disagreed?
EW: There were a number of areas in which the main characters agreed and disagreed. Mia and David agreed that David’s fourteen year old cousin should abort her child, and Mia and David disagreed on when they should start working on conceiving a child.

BPM: How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books?
EW: Because I am a collector of books; I prefer print books. I like to be able to see the number of pages decrease as I read. As an author I personally don’t have a preference as long as the book is purchased.

BPM:  Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?
EW: I don’t think book sales are the only indicator of success; it really depends on the author. Authors publish for different reasons. As for me, book sales are the barometer that determines success followed closely by shinning a light on the subject of infertility.

BPM: What can we expect to see/read from you during the next stage of your career?
EW: I am currently working on the sequel to When Everything Isn’t Enough, My Last Breath, and from there a possible a spinoff book.

BPM:  Share with us your latest news. How may our readers follow you online?
EW: I have an interview that’s being posted on the Urban Fiction News site (the date has yet to be determined). My Last Breath is tentatively scheduled to be released the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015. Readers can reach me at http://www.edwyns.com and on Facebook under Ed Wyns.

Website: www.edwyns.com
Email: edwyns01@roadrunner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.wyns.14

Excerpt from Chapter 28

2003

…If anyone had told me that I would handle the news of the infertility the way that I was handling it, I would have called them a liar to their face. Mia and I always talked about adopting a child, when I thought that the problem was with her. I thought that I would have been fine with adopting. I had grown in my faith and love for God, I read my Bible daily, was active in our church. I thought that there wasn’t any test of faith I wouldn’t pass with flying colors…I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’d heard our pastor say countless times, “It’s easy to praise God when things are going good, but will you praise him when things are going bad?” My answer to that question prior to finding out that I was basically sterile was always a resounding yes. I will praise God in good times and in bad. However I could no more praise God, than I could love an adopted child. I felt as if I was alone in a sea of darkness, without anyone to talk to because no one could truly empathize with what I am feeling, only someone that was taking the same journey through this thing called life.

I hated when someone that knew about the infertility would tell me, “It’s not that bad,” “The way that you’re handling it is all wrong,” or they would get holier than thou, and say something like, “Let go, and let God,” and when they did, I was just as forthcoming with what I thought about their advice by telling them that it was easy for them to tell me I shouldn’t be depressed about my situation, when they didn’t have a damn clue about how I was feeling.

People were so willing to stand in front of their glass houses and throw stones. How in the hell could you talk to someone that had a terminal illness, about what they should or shouldn’t feel, when the worst pain that you’ve ever felt was the flu, or a broken bone! I’m not minimizing what people with a terminal illness go through, nor do I think what I feel is anywhere near the same level as what they feel. What I am however suggesting is that my pain is just as real, and every bit as painful to me, and unless you’ve experienced a life altering event, who in the hell are you to tell me what I should or shouldn’t feel.

A woman could miscarry or abort a child, suffer from depression, and mourn the loss of her child for the rest of her life and it was understood and accepted. But I’m supposed to suck it up, move on, and not endure the pain that I’m feeling. Forget that! I didn’t ask for this, and sure as hell don’t like dwelling in this dark and miserable place, but this is what losing the child that I would never have did to me.

I felt as though I was being tormented, and there was nothing I could do about it. Every time I turned around there was my daughter, Kennedy, being manifested in another man’s daughter. I recall the day that I was sitting in a McDonalds eating a quick lunch when the prettiest little girl caught my attention, or should I say, demanded my attention by trying to play with me. She was smiling at me, laughing and doing what children do. Before I could stop it, I was wiping tears from my eyes.

The countless Sunday’s in church that there always seemed to be a little girl sitting in the pew directly in front of Mia and me that wanted to play peek-a-boo. Again I would have to wipe away tears and try to keep my composure, because as Michael Baisden so eloquently penned, Men Cry in the Dark. What do you do when the thing that torments you, does so in the light? When everything that you’ve worked for is the one thing that drags you into an abysmal darkness, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do…

( Continued… )

© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Ed Wyns. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious legal issue. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Purchase your copy of When Everything Isn’t Enough
Purchase from Amazon:  http://amzn.com/1482078228

Use the share buttons to support Black Pearls magazine! Please rate the article. What do you think?

 

Intimate Conversation with Zuri Day

Intimate Conversation with Zuri Day

Recently Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations, had the opportunity to sit down and chat with award winning author Zuri Day.  She resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn’t writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.

Zuri Day is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. An EMMA and African-American Literary Awards winner, two of her novels were also finalists in the Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance category. Along with titillating the sensual senses, Zuri loves to stimulate provocative thought on timely, relevant topics that will benefit her community of readers.

She believes in true love, half-full glasses and dreams coming true. Along with writing, hearing from readers is one of her favorite things to have happen, so she’d love to hear from you!  Connect via her website, ZuriDay.com or on Facebook at haveazuriday.

BPM:  How did you get started writing romance?
I’d just turned in a contemporary fiction novel when my editor, Selena James, asked if I could write romance. I said “Sure!”   I’d grown up reading romance and thought writing one would be a breeze. Boy, did I have a lot to learn: about the formula, the dos and don’ts, the various types of romance. Thanks to my editor’s patience and my agent’s wisdom, Lies Lovers Tell was born. That first romance will always hold a special place in my heart.

Many people have given up on love, much less romance. I’m hoping that somehow in the love-filled pages of my romance novels, they can ignite the desire to believe again. Anything is possible, when we believe…

BPM:  Tell us about your latest book, A Good Dose of Pleasure, from the Morgan Men series.
A Good Dose of Pleasure, when artist Anise Cartier leaves Nebraska for L.A., she’s finally ready to put the past and its losses behind her. She’s even taken a new name to match her new future. And she soon finds a welcoming committee in the form of one very handsome doctor, Gregory  Morgan. Their attraction is instant. So is their animosity.

Anise’s goal is to start an art gallery, while Gregory is in a fierce competition for a multimillion-dollar medical research grant  . His opponent for the coveted funding is not Gregory’s only problem. The beloved artist community where Anise plans to set up shop is the same location slated to be demolished to make way for the new research center.

Soon, it’s a battle between art and science—one that neither Anise nor Gregory intend to lose. Their passion is intense, but can this heated war of wills lead to a lifetime of red hot love? 

BPM:  What inspired the Morgan Brothers series?
I knew I wanted my next set of romance novels to involve a family.  I love the idea of readers being able to delve into the hero or heroine’s inner circle and extended family, so much so that they actually become a part of the reader’s lives. A series allows that to happen.

BPM:  Your books have seriously strong characters through out. How difficult is it to contain your secondary characters so your hero and heroine continue to take center stage?
Sometimes that’s a challenge, especially when they have strong or colorful personalities. I try to make sure that whatever they’re doing is not only adding layers to the story, but also helping to advance the main story line and leading the reader back to the hero and heroine’s conflict and ultimate resolution.

BPM:  What do you want readers to take away from reading your books?
As with all of my novels, I want readers to be entertained and inspired. I want them to feel they’ve gotten a peek into someone’s life and maybe learned a lesson or two from what the characters have learned or endured. More than anything, I want them to fall in love with my work, and since Zuri means “beautiful” in Swahili, I want them to always have a Zuri Day!

BPM:  What makes your books stand out and would entice a reader pick it up?
My books are filled with love, sex, mystery, intrigue. There’s drama, comedy and never a dull moment! My novels are realistic enough for the reader to relate yet edgy enough to provide the perfect literary escape.

BPM:  Albert Einstein stated that, “If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.”  Was there ever a point in your career, when how your life didn’t match the theory? And how did you change the facts?
Zuri: Very much so. It was 2004, and I was faced with going back into the corporate world of marketing, sales or public relations. But I wanted to be a full-time writer! I stepped out on faith, quit sending out resumes and posted my writer/editor credentials on Craigslist. It was a scary moment: I didn’t have a huge savings account and the bills weren’t going to stop while I pursued by dream. A month later, I got my first client, a former Palm Beach socialite who wanted to write her memoir. I’ve written full-time ever since.

BPM: On your Facebook page you share empowering messages and you always seem to up beat.  Finish this sentence: I am Powerful because…
I am Powerful because I believe I am.

BPM:  How do you balance writing full time, romance, marketing, and real-life stress?
One of the tenets of my brand is dealing with real-life situations within the context of romance. I think readers appreciate when there are everyday problems for the main characters to contend with, maybe even ones that the readers are dealing with as well. The fact that there can be laughter throughout leading to a happy ending gives hope to us all.

BPM:  Does reader feedback affect your writing choices at all?
Their opinions definitely matter; if readers ask questions about characters they liked, I’ll often place them in another novel to keep readers updated. A great example of that is how the couple in Body by Night makes an appearance in Love in Play. Readers loved it.

BPM:  Thank you Zuri for joining us to day. Readers you can find out more about Zuri by visiting the links below.

Visit her website:   http://www.ZuriDay.com
Like on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/haveazuriday

NEW RELEASE:  A Good Dose of Pleasure  by Zuri Day
Purchase your copy today:  http://amzn.com/B00D4AKBGQ

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When Everything Isn’t Enough – What do you do when the thing that torments you, does so in the light?

When Everything Isn’t Enough
by Ed Wyns

 

Listen to the author read from the book, click here.

“When Everything Isn’t Enough” traces the lives of three very disparate souls: David Tanner, who leaves his mother’s broken home and hangs with his drug-dealing cousins; Mia Collins, the oldest of three children growing up in the comfortable home of two middle-class parents; and CJ Fields, an orphan who as a child moves from one abusive home to another. Each finds the strength, though, to become financially successful and soon appears to have all that they would ever desire.
  
Then David discovers he is unable to father children, sending him into a downward spiral of depression as his very definition of what being a man means no longer applies to him. As he grows apart from his wife and high school sweetheart, Mia (née Collins) Tanner, he succumbs to an affair with the 24-year-old daughter of one his company’s largest clients.
  
Shattered, Mia bounces between forgiveness and anger, uncertain if she ever can resurrect her marriage with the one man who means more to her than anything. Then, one day, she meets a man she only could despise, CJ Fields, yet slowly finds herself more and more attracted to him and eventually has an affair with him, ends up getting pregnant, but isn’t sure of the paternity of the child.
  
CJ spends his adult life amassing a fortune and using women as his sexual toys, all in a vain attempt to vicariously exert his will over those who caused him so much pain. Soon, though, CJ discovers he has a daughter, and when her mother dies, faces a major decision: Should he become something he believes himself wholly unprepared to be – a father – or let the daughter he never knew enter the very foster care system where he once was abused? Then he meets Mia, a woman who is entirely not his type, and finds himself irresistibly attracted to her.
   
As their three lives become entangled, each one literally realizes that “everything isn’t enough” as they must decide with who their loyalties and future lies.

When Everything Isn’t Enough by Ed Wyns
Genre: Urban Fiction
Primary Topic Discussed: Infertility
Purchase from Amazon:  http://amzn.com/1482078228

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Excerpt from Chapter 28
2003

…If anyone had told me that I would handle the news of the infertility the way that I was handling it, I would have called them a liar to their face. Mia and I always talked about adopting a child, when I thought that the problem was with her. I thought that I would have been fine with adopting. I had grown in my faith and love for God, I read my Bible daily, was active in our church. I thought that there wasn’t any test of faith I wouldn’t pass with flying colors…I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’d heard our pastor say countless times, “It’s easy to praise God when things are going good, but will you praise him when things are going bad?” My answer to that question prior to finding out that I was basically sterile was always a resounding yes. I will praise God in good times and in bad. However I could no more praise God, than I could love an adopted child. I felt as if I was alone in a sea of darkness, without anyone to talk to because no one could truly empathize with what I am feeling, only someone that was taking the same journey through this thing called life.

I hated when someone that knew about the infertility would tell me, “It’s not that bad,” “The way that you’re handling it is all wrong,” or they would get holier than thou, and say something like, “Let go, and let God,” and when they did, I was just as forthcoming with what I thought about their advice by telling them that it was easy for them to tell me I shouldn’t be depressed about my situation, when they didn’t have a damn clue about how I was feeling.

People were so willing to stand in front of their glass houses and throw stones. How in the hell could you talk to someone that had a terminal illness, about what they should or shouldn’t feel, when the worst pain that you’ve ever felt was the flu, or a broken bone! I’m not minimizing what people with a terminal illness go through, nor do I think what I feel is anywhere near the same level as what they feel. What I am however suggesting is that my pain is just as real, and every bit as painful to me, and unless you’ve experienced a life altering event, who in the hell are you to tell me what I should or shouldn’t feel.

A woman could miscarry or abort a child, suffer from depression, and mourn the loss of her child for the rest of her life and it was understood and accepted. But I’m supposed to suck it up, move on, and not endure the pain that I’m feeling. Forget that! I didn’t ask for this, and sure as hell don’t like dwelling in this dark and miserable place, but this is what losing the child that I would never have did to me.

I felt as though I was being tormented, and there was nothing I could do about it. Every time I turned around there was my daughter, Kennedy, being manifested in another man’s daughter. I recall the day that I was sitting in a McDonalds eating a quick lunch when the prettiest little girl caught my attention, or should I say, demanded my attention by trying to play with me. She was smiling at me, laughing and doing what children do. Before I could stop it, I was wiping tears from my eyes.

The countless Sunday’s in church that there always seemed to be a little girl sitting in the pew directly in front of Mia and me that wanted to play peek-a-boo. Again I would have to wipe away tears and try to keep my composure, because as Michael Baisden so eloquently penned, Men Cry in the Dark. What do you do when the thing that torments you, does so in the light? When everything that you’ve worked for is the one thing that drags you into an abysmal darkness, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do…

( Continued… )

© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Ed Wyns. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious legal issue. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Purchase your copy of When Everything Isn’t Enough
Purchase from Amazon:  http://amzn.com/1482078228

---

 

Intimate Conversation with Ed Wyns

 

Ed Wyns discovered he had a knack for writing when he entered a literary competition in high school.  Though he’ll always be a Floridian at heart, after graduating from Bethune-Cookman University, he moved to Charlotte, NC, where he lives with his wife and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. When he’s not writing, you can find him reading, going to wine tastings or watching Scandal. He is the author of When Everything Isn’t Enough, and the upcoming novel My Last Breath.

BPM: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
EW: I not only remember how my interest in writing originated; I also remember approximately how old I was and what I wrote about. I was around 14 years old, had just finished reading The Diary of Ann Frank, and my English teacher gave an assignment to write from one of the characters point of view while in hiding. I got an A on the assignment, realized that I not only liked writing the story, but also had a natural talent for writing and telling a story.

BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?
EW: The main characters are David Tanner, Mia Collins Tanner, and CJ Fields. The characters are all like my children. I can’t say that any one is my favorite; I love them all…differently.

David Tanner: A man who believes he’s lost everything that makes him a man, and goes down a destructive path of alienating his one true love. The thing that makes David special is his intelligence, his love for his family, and his loyalty.

Mia Collins Tanner: A woman who suddenly realizes the man she’s built her life around no longer wants what she desires to give him. The thing that makes Mia special is her strength and her unyielding faith.

CJ Fields: A self-made man that spends his adult life amassing a fortune and using women as his sexual toys, all in a vain attempt to vicariously exert his will over those who caused him so much pain. The thing that makes CJ special is his brutal honesty.

BPM: What drew you to tackle the topic of infertility?
EW: Simply put, this is a story that either hasn’t been told at all, or not enough. After getting the idea, I researched the subject, and couldn’t find one novel on infertility that was written from the male’s perspective. The subject is raw, emotional, and painful.

BPM:  Can you outline some areas where your characters agreed? Disagreed?
EW: There were a number of areas in which the main characters agreed and disagreed. Mia and David agreed that David’s fourteen year old cousin should abort her child, and Mia and David disagreed on when they should start working on conceiving a child.

BPM: How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books?
EW: Because I am a collector of books; I prefer print books. I like to be able to see the number of pages decrease as I read. As an author I personally don’t have a preference as long as the book is purchased.

BPM:  Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?
EW: I don’t think book sales are the only indicator of success; it really depends on the author. Authors publish for different reasons. As for me, book sales are the barometer that determines success followed closely by shinning a light on the subject of infertility.

BPM: What can we expect to see/read from you during the next stage of your career?
EW: I am currently working on the sequel to When Everything Isn’t Enough, My Last Breath, and from there a possible a spinoff book.

BPM:  Share with us your latest news. How may our readers follow you online?
EW: I have an interview that’s being posted on the Urban Fiction News site (the date has yet to be determined). My Last Breath is tentatively scheduled to be released the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015. Readers can reach me at http://www.edwyns.com and on Facebook under Ed Wyns.

Website: www.edwyns.com
Email: edwyns01@roadrunner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.wyns.14

 

 

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Meet Ella Curry,  Publisher of Black Pearls Magazine

 

EDC Creations is dedicated to serving individuals and companies in need of creative and rewarding marketing strategies that will make their business grow. We can leverage the power of the media, bookclubs and Internet mediums to promote their books or business and its “brand” through effective marketing campaigns.  EDC Creations’ main focus is in serving clients in a highly ethical, totally confidential and professional manner. We were founded to promote positive values through African American Literature. It is our hope that we can be a positive force, through learning and helping, for all who inspire others and themselves through the art of writing.

EDC Creations will work within your budget to develop an effective PR campaign that can give your company the promotional boost you need to generate sales.
EDC Creations provides authors and publishers with innovative website design advice, book coaching, virtual tours, along with marketing and branding tips with a special focus on the self-published, African American literary community.  Visit our website for details on publicity packages:  http://www.edc-creations.com/publicity.htm

 

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Sneak Peek: Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman

Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman

Some dreams will test your head and your heart…

John Small may be a successful Wall Street banker, but at heart he’s a country boy from the sleepy town of Nedine, South Carolina. John wants to open Nedine’s first black-owned bank. But big dreams can bring big problems and John’s snooty New York City girlfriend, Madeline, is just the beginning. John is about to learn some hard truths about money, power, love, and loyalty. And when his future, and his family’s legacy, is in danger, help will come from where he least expects it…

Alexandria Thornton is a hard-working corporate attorney by day, but she’s passionately pursuing her dream as a spoken word artist by night. Frustrated with her career and her lackluster love life, Alexandria’s ready to throw in the towel on both that is, until a man from her past reenters her life and changes everything. But her newfound happiness is short-lived when old lovers, lingering secrets, and hidden desires threaten to end it all…

CHAPTER 1
Summertime, several decades in the past Nedine, South Carolina

Allene Small was glad she’d always been an early riser because on a day like today—which she knew held the promise of danger and deception—she was already up, ready for battle while the enemy was still asleep.

Allene sat on her tiny front porch and breathed in the fresh air around her as she looked out at the pink- and lavender-colored hydrangea bushes lining her neatly manicured yard. Slowly she pivoted back and forth in her ancient rocking chair, straining her eyes toward the east so she could take in the early-morning sun, which had started its climb in the distant sky. She blinked, nodding in agreement with the uncomfortable awareness resting in her heart and mind. She could feel the rumblings vibrating deep in her chest—trouble and strife—and, more specifically, the impending presence of a treacherous woman who was up to no good.

Allene knew that most folks would have been slightly set back or even frightened by such an ominous foreboding, but she wasn’t deterred and she wasn’t afraid. If there was one thing that ninety years of living and praying had taught her, it was that good and bad were always present, and sometimes the two forces tried to occupy the same space at the same time.

Over the years, Allene had encountered plenty of bad, low-down people, who harbored even worse intentions. And, unfortunately, she’d learned the hard way that evil was all around, and that it often disguised itself under the cloak of good. She knew that evil could laugh and smile in your face while viciously twisting a knife in your back. It could soothe and comfort you while killing you slowly. And it could encourage and uplift you while secretly plotting your very demise.

But Allene also knew how to tell the difference between the two, and she could do that because she’d been blessed with the gift of prophesy, and that precious ability allowed her to see what others couldn’t.

“The gift,” as it was commonly referred to in the South, allowed Allene to see and predict things accurately before they happened. She could spot liars before they ever opened their mouth to utter a single word. She could discern one’s intentions, whether good or bad, simply by looking into the person’s eyes. She could forecast events in advance of them coming to pass, and she could foresee blessings, as well as misfortunes, that lay down the road.

Having the gift had been both Allene’s blessing and her curse. She’d seen things in her lifetime that she wished she hadn’t, and she’d been right when she had wanted to be wrong. But this morning was one of those times that Allene was thankful she’d been blessed with such a unique ability. Because while she sat on her porch, wrapped in the peaceful quiet of a bright new day, she wasn’t fooled by its seeming calm.A manipulative woman who was hell-bent on causing trouble was on her way to Allene’s small town of Nedine, South Carolina, and Allene knew the chaos that the attractive stranger was bringing was headed straight for her family’s doorstep.

“Don’t worry, John. I’m ready for the fight, and I’m here to protect and guide you, baby,” Allene whispered as she continued to rock back and forth, thinking about her enterprising young grandson. She knew that the danger brewing was directly connected to him, in the form of his girlfriend, and that he didn’t have a clue about the mess he’d unknowingly gotten himself into.

Just then, a chill swept against Allene’s arm, causing her to pull her thin blue gingham shawl tight around her shoulders. At that moment, she knew that the woman was already in town with her grandson, laying a sneaky trap for him. “It’s gonna be all right, John. I’ma guide you, and I know you gonna make the right decision,” she whispered into the air.

Allene slowly rose from her chair and walked the short distance to the edge of the porch. She stood impressively tall for a woman of her advanced years—solid and straight. She shielded her eyes with her right hand as she looked out at the beaming sun, which was steadily rising in the cloudless sky. “Life’s long, but short,” she said aloud as she shook her head. She knew that unlike the slow patience it took to watch a sunrise, people could quickly lose everything they’d worked for in the blink of an eye based on one bad decision. The sudden chill on her arm let her know that mischief was already brewing, because trouble was an early riser, too. “I’m ready for the fight,” she whispered.

Allene also knew that a lot was riding on the next forty-eight hours. She lowered her hand to her mouth, stretching her long, wrinkled fingers across her full lips as she continued to think about her grandson. She had to protect John from what he couldn’t see—a beguiling woman who could derail his life’s dreams if he wasn’t careful. Allene’s gift had revealed the woman for who she really was. Despite the woman’s sweet words, sophistication, and enthusiastic gestures, she was as slick as a serpent and as cunning as a fox. This jezebel was just as determined to destroy John as Allene was to save him.

“I have faith and I know everything’s gonna be all right,” Allene said with conviction as she continued her talk with the sky. She knew the woman was dangerous in ways that could either ruin a man, get him killed, or both. But again, she wasn’t deterred because she knew her family’s survival was at stake, and she’d do whatever it took to make sure the Smalls were safe and prospered for future generations to come. As she thought about her family’s legacy and the promise it held, her mind shifted to Alexandria.

“I’m gonna help you, too, baby girl,” Allene said with a smile.

Alexandria was the hope and the future. She was the vision Allene had seen a month ago when she got her first glimpse of her great-great-granddaughter, who would not be born for several decades to come. Ever since that eye-opening day, Allene had been using all the powers and abilities she’d cultivated over the years to reach across time and bridge the past with the present in order to connect with the young woman who shared her same gift.

Allene could see that Alexandria was standing at a crossroads, and that she was frightened and confused by what was happening to her. She reminded Allene a lot of herself at that age, when she didn’t understand her gift, and had been afraid of its repercussions. And just as she’d done, her beautiful great-great-granddaughter was running from who she was. Allene knew it was time for Alexandria to discover the purpose of what she’d been blessed to have, and learn how to use it. It was Allene’s new mission to guide Alexandria, just as she intended to guide John now.

“Find what’s right for you and open your heart, baby girl. Listen to what I’m sayin’ to you, Alexandria,” Allene said in a low, sweet whisper. “Listen and learn.”

Allene closed her eyes as another vision flashed behind her lids. A warm feeling replaced the chill that had come over her only moments ago, and a sense of peace spread through her body. She saw an image, and it was enough to let her know that she’d just witnessed the answer to Alexandria’s quandary. “Look for the diamond, ’cause the one who has that is the one who’s gonna help save you.” Allene whispered the last part of her appeal with conviction, hoping and praying that Alexandria would hear her plea, pay attention, and recognize the sign when she saw it.

CHAPTER 2
Summertime, present-day Atlanta, Georgia

“Oh no,” Alexandria softly whispered, trying to hide her discomfort. Her body tensed, anticipating the annoyance that was about to come. This can’t be happening again. Not now, she thought.

“What’s wrong?” Peter whispered back, still continuing to nibble on the left lobe of Alexandria’s ear.

She moved her head to the side, trying to block out the sound that was making its way back into her mind. Go away! Please go away and leave me alone! Alexandria shouted to herself as she repositioned her nude body under the weight of Peter’s muscular heft. She turned her head back to face him, releasing a low, measured sigh.

“You okay?” Peter asked; this time, there was a bit of concern in between his heavy panting.

“I’m fine,” Alexandria lied. She hesitated; then slowly pulled him closer against her bare chest. “Kiss me,” she demanded in a not-so-playful tone. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes tightly, and concentrated on her boyfriend’s languid tongue as she tried to block out the voice—laced with a deep Southern accent—that was invading her head.

Although she knew that her love life with Peter was woefully lacking, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had an orgasm, Alexandria had hoped that a quick roll between the sheets would give her mind a break from the recurring loop it had been stuck in. But instead of arresting her anxiety, the physical romp only seemed to kick her senses into overdrive.

As Peter’s movements became more urgent, her desire began to quickly wane by the second, sinking into the background of the voice repeating itself inside her head. She tried to concentrate on the moment, but that didn’t work, so she willed her mind to take her to another place. But that was no use, either. The harder she fought, the louder the sound of the voice grew. Finally she gave up.

“Peter, I’m sorry, but I have to go.” Alexandria gently pushed him away, freeing herself from his hold.

“What?” Peter huffed, looking confused. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“No, I really do need to go,” she said as she sat up and kicked her long, slightly thick legs to the side of his king-size bed. She ran her fingers through the mass of long, kinky dark brown curls atop her head as she slumped her shoulders in frustration.

“One minute you want me to kiss you and the next you’re pushing me away. What gives?”

“I’m sorry, Peter. I don’t mean to send mixed signals.”

“Then don’t.” Peter paused as he moved in close, still trying to nuzzle his body next to hers. He leaned into her, giving her shoulder a light kiss. “C’mon, lay back down with me.”

Alexandria ignored his coaxing; instead, she slowly stood to her feet as she spoke. “It’s not you. It’s me,” she told him, knowing how off-putting and clichéd her response, albeit truthful, sounded. She could feel thick tension rise in the air as soon as the words left her mouth, so she tried to speak in a gentle tone. “There’s a lot going on in my life right now. Things that have nothing to do with you, Peter.”

“I don’t believe this.” Peter reluctantly reached for his boxers as Alexandria pulled her sundress over her head and then slid it down the length of her curvaceous body. “So where does this leave me?” he asked.

She wanted to tell him, How the hell do I know? I can’t even figure out what’s going on in my own life, let alone yours. But she knew this wasn’t the time for such declarations, so she leavened her tone, inserting a measure of compassion in her voice. “I need to be alone tonight so I can think.”

“Think? … Think about what, Alexandria?”

“Life, and what I’m supposed to do with mine. Like I said, there’s so much going on right now. I hope you can understand.”

Peter shook his head in dismay. “I’ve been trying hard to understand you, especially over the last couple weeks. I’ve been patient when you zone out on me, and I’ve tried to be understanding when you say you have a lot going on, like now, even though you never give a clue about exactly what the problem is.”

Alexandria looked into Peter’s dark brown eyes and nodded, knowing he deserved to hear the full truth: She was so scared about what was happening to her that she didn’t have time to focus on their relationship. But at the same time, she knew Peter’s primary focus was really on himself and his feelings—because not once had he asked her what kinds of things were bothering her.

She’d met Peter two years ago while working as a summer intern at Johnson, Taylor, and Associates, one of the largest law firms in the Atlanta Metro area. She’d been in her last year of law school at UPenn, and somewhat ambivalent about pursuing a career in the legal field. Peter had just graduated from Yale University School of Law, was an ambitious first-year associate at the firm, and was already rumored to be a rising star within the ranks. Although he was a bit uptight and a little too formal in his attitude than what Alexandria liked, Peter’s tall, muscular physique, smooth dark chocolate skin, and handsome face had all attracted her to him. They had spotted each other during the first day of new employee orientation and had gone out for drinks during happy hour a week later.

They’d both been seeing other people at the time, but neither had been seriously involved. Their casual lunches and long dinners slowly turned into much more. They kept in touch after she returned to law school for her senior year, and they saw each other whenever time permitted, which wasn’t often. Once she graduated the next summer they started dating exclusively, and had been together ever since.

“Who is he?” Peter asked.

“What?”

“Please, Alexandria,” Peter said, looking at her with an accusatory glare. “Don’t play me for a fool. If you’re seeing someone else, I’d appreciate you being up front with me instead of feeding me excuses.”

“Oh, like you and Monica?”

Peter let out an exasperated sigh. “I told you, that was nothing.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I can’t help it if the woman showed up on my doorstep out the blue.”

“Excuse me, but it makes a difference when the woman you’re referring to, just happened to be your ex-girlfriend! And for someone who mysteriously showed up unwelcome, you sure did make her feel at home,” Alexandria said, returning his accusing stare. “I got here and found you two drinking wine and laughing, acting all cozy.”

“Number one, we weren’t cozy. We were simply talking,” Peter said in a direct tone. “She was depressed because the guy she was seeing had just dumped her. She needed someone to talk to and—”

“And you were the first person she went running to,” Alexandria countered. “I think that’s very strange, especially given the fact that you dumped her, too. So why on earth would she come to you for a shoulder to cry on? It didn’t make sense then, and it still doesn’t make sense now.”

Until last month when Alexandria had caught Peter and his ex in that precarious situation, he hadn’t given her much reason to question his fidelity. He was a pragmatist who preferred diplomacy over drama, and he avoided the latter at all costs. Having extra women on the side only upped the ante for chaos, and Peter wasn’t one for the kind of trouble that fooling around could bring. He was the dependable type, almost to the point of being predictably annoying. Because of his anal manner, a small part of Alexandria believed that even if Peter wanted to stray, it would be challenging for him, given the fact that he also spent most of his time at the office.

Peter routinely worked twelve- and fourteen-hour days, sometimes six days a week, all in his self-imposed race to climb the ladder of success, following in his mother’s large and looming footsteps. She was a circuit court judge and was currently being courted to run for one of Georgia’s congressional seats. She was a demanding overachiever, and Peter wanted to make her proud, which meant working insanely long hours and forfeiting a social life beyond networking functions, where he could make business connections. When he wasn’t at the office—which was hardly ever—he was either working from home, working out at the gym, or spending what little time he had left over with Alexandria.

But Alexandria also knew that just because Peter was a busy, regimented man, that didn’t mean there weren’t opportunities for him to cheat, or that he wasn’t capable. Experience had taught her that regardless of one’s work schedule and personal demands, a person could make time to do anything they really wanted. The only reason she hadn’t followed up on the suspicions lurking in the back of her mind was because of the voice that had been penetrating her thoughts, forcing her to come to grips with a part of her life she’d been trying to avoid since she was five years old.

“I know it doesn’t make sense to you,” Peter said, “but that’s exactly what happened when Monica came over here. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m telling you the truth.”

Alexandria shrugged. “Whose truth?”

“If I wanted to sleep with her, I could’ve done that a long time ago.”

“And that’s another thing. Why do you still keep in contact with your ex-girlfriend?”

Peter let out another frustrated sigh. “We only talk once in a blue moon, like at the holidays, just to wish each other well.”

(Continues…)

Excerpted from Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman. Copyright © 2013 Trice Hickman. Excerpted by permission of the author. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Looking for Trouble, order your copy today!
Trice Hickman, Author and Public Speaker
Visit with Trice at:  www.tricehickman.com
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0758287232

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FREEMAN by Leonard Pitts Jr.

 
Leonard Pitts, Jr. reading 8 minutes from his historical romance novel “Freeman” at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro NC.  Reading is taken from FREEMAN as the main character Sam Freeman is leaving Washington DC when he is confronted by white soldiers. Sam Freeman and  his traveling partner Ben/Shine on the bridge near DC. Share this video with friends!  Share,  comment and  repost:  http://youtu.be/DOEqaztvO2Y

Freeman, the new novel by Leonard Pitts, Jr., takes place in the first few months following the Confederate surrender and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Upon learning of Lee’s surrender, Sam–a runaway slave who once worked for the Union Army–decides to leave his safe haven in Philadelphia and set out on foot to return to the war-torn South. What compels him on this almost-suicidal course is the desire to find his wife, the mother of his only child, whom he was forced to leave behind 15 years earlier on the Mississippi farm to which they all “belonged.”

Freeman is a love story–sweeping, generous, brutal, compassionate, patient–about the feelings people were determined to honor, despite the enormous constraints of the times. It is this aspect of the book that should ensure it a strong, vocal, core audience of African-American women, who will help propel its likely critical acclaim to a wider audience. At the same time, this book addresses several themes that are still hotly debated today, some 145 years after the official end of the Civil War.

Freeman illuminates the times and places it describes from a fresh perspective, with stunning results. It has the potential to become a classic addition to the literature dealing with this period.

Few other novels so powerfully capture the pathos and possibility of the era particularly as it reflects the ordeal of the black slaves grappling with the promise–and the terror–of their new status as free men and women. Listen to the audiopostcard here:  http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CljSPgzs

Order FREEMAN by Leonard Pitts Jr.
(Historical fiction)
ISBN-10: 1932841644
ISBN-13: 978-1932841640
http://www.amazon.com/Freeman-Leonard-Pitts-Jr/dp/1932841644

Leonard Pitts Jr. won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2004. He is the author of the novel, Before I Forget. His column runs every Sunday and Wednesday. Forward From This Moment, a collection of his columns, was released in 2009.  Leonard also wrote the 2008 series I Am A Man, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. Visit Leonard Pitts Jr. at his website: http://www.leonardpittsjr.com

Read Leonard Pitts Jr.’s entire column at the Miami Herald.
http://www.miamiherald.com/leonard_pitts

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Wicked Attraction by Makenzi

Wicked Attraction: A Novel
by Makenzi

What’s worse than getting caught up in your own personal drama and feeling as if your back is against the wall and you have no friends to talk to?

Christian Johnson-Banks travels to Los Angeles, California in hopes of finding her mother and bringing her back to Detroit, Michigan. Christian has no real memories of her mother so while dealing with the hopes of building a relationship with her mother, Christian is also dealing with the wicked attraction she has towards her father’s baby brother with whom she’s had a sexual relationship with since she was a young teenager.

Caught up in a sticky situation, Christian tries to cope with her feelings for her uncle as well as find a way to end the relationship with him without her father and husband finding out her sick secret.

Purchase Wicked Attraction by Makenzi
Link: http://amzn.com/B00FVAL0HQ

PROLOGUE

Up until now, I had been able to keep all information about Mark, my youngest uncle, to myself. As far as I knew, Mark, my grandmother, and I were the sole keepers of the secrets. And secrets we had. I would have gone to my grave with them as my grandmother did, but since I told Dr. Wardelle that I wanted to reach out to Carmen, he suggested that I use a letter to open the doors of communication. It took me about a month to finally get my thoughts together on what I wanted to write, and I came to the realization that I wouldn’t be able to protect the secret any longer. A part of me didn’t want to dredge up this entire situation, but Carmen needed to know how fucked up my life had been and that yes, I blamed her for everything.

There was no way to really tell her about me without telling her about Mark. She had to know that I clung to him, along with others, because I was afraid of being abandoned once again. She had to know that I led a life of complete destruction because I’d never really felt loved. 

Dear Carmen,
I’m sure you’re surprised to be receiving a letter from your daughter after all these years. You do remember that you have a daughter whose name is Christian Alicia Johnson, from Detroit; father’s name is Melvin Johnson? It took a lot of my time and money to find you. I hope that in the near future we can talk face to face, but I think a letter will do for now.  I had a private investigator find you, and since the day he told me he located you, I have spent many long sleepless hours crying, wondering if I should actually contact you.

Carmen, or Mom, not sure what the fuck to call you at this moment, you birthed me, so by the law of the land, you are considered my mother, but because I don’t know you, I’m not even sure why I give a fuck about you. You are a selfish ass individual; the only thing you did was carry and birth me. My daddy did everything else; he raised me and a fine job he did. You walked your funky ass right out of my life and never looked back. If I hadn’t looked for you, I would have died never knowing my mother. Have you even taken two seconds to think about me? That’s messed up; I was your first born.

( Continued… )

© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Makenzi. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Purchase your copies today!
Amazon link:   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FVAL0HQ
B&N link:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicked-attraction-makenzi/1117134609


Who is Makenzi?
Makenzi is an author with several books under her name since 2006 including, “Unexpected Truth”, “Dangerously”, “That’s How I Like It!” a short story “Blood Brothers” and October 2013 she will be releasing her newest novel “Wicked Attraction.”

Before becoming a self published author in 2013, from 2008-09, Makenzi not only was an author on the roster but she also served as the in-house event planner for the publishing company she was previously signed with. Her duties included scheduling all the book signings, speaking events, interviews and book club events.

Makenzi’s novels are available on eBook, paperback and audio.She is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Twitter: @authormakenzi 
Blog:  authormakenzi.blogspot.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Makenziauthor (author makenzi readers page) 

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Video Intro: The Blindsided Prophet by Sonja Lewis

The Blindsided Prophet  by Sonja Lewis

“Daughter, you have given birth to a child who will
see many things beyond what the rest of us see.”

1980. Coffee, Georgia. A mass killing in a church claims the lives of twelve people. Isaiah Brown, a fourteen-year-old prophet, fails to predict the massacre, in which his mother and grandfather die.  After the killings, a blind and traumatized Isaiah flees the scene, disappearing into the woods.

Fifteen years later, at God’s bidding, and able to see again in all senses, Isaiah returns to Coffee, to make reparation and free himself from his past.

There, he finds the people of Coffee on the brink of an even worse trauma than that experienced in 1980. Can Isaiah discover what was behind the original tragedy, and why he didn’t foresee the event? Will he be able to prevent another impending tragedy? Or will he be blindsided by his love for one woman?

The Blindsided Prophet explores man’s relationship with God and its effect on daily living. Also, the novel examines beliefs and values at the deepest level, as well as how they shape our thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Available at most online retailers as a printed book or ebook, including: 
Barnes&Noble   |    Amazon.com   |   Smashwords  |   GoodReads   |   Kobo   |   Sony   |   iTunes UK

---

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 1

The Blindsided Prophet by Sonja Lewis
Listen to the author reading: http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CpPq58H4

The tall man freed himself of his friend’s hand on his shoulder and walked ahead. The shorter one stared at him for a few seconds, his cigar between his lips, and then he followed. Lydia waited until they were on the porch. They lingered there for longer than she wanted them to, both taking off their hats and looking out over the land. She moved back further behind the tree, and held her breath; when she thought they were inside, she shot back towards the woods. In her haste to get out of there, she slammed into a white boy, knocking him to the ground.

She tried to keep going, but he caught her leg, tripping her to the ground, too.

“Hey,” he said, “who are you? Why are you trespassing on my property?”

She was just trying to free herself, but she noticed that his voice was distinctly southern and more refined than the other two men’s. When she finally stopped struggling and looked back, she was moved by his frightened green eyes in a way she had not been expecting. She seemed to have the same effect on him. He released her.

“You remind me of somebody,” he said.

“Yeah, right,” she said.

Still he gazed at her until she felt hot and uncomfortable. She lowered her eyes and pushed herself up to her feet. He stood, too, and brushed off his suit. Though he wasn’t even as tall as she was, he was quite handsome, with a head full of hair the color of hers. It was parted to one side.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“That’s what I want to know about you.”

“I come from the other side of the woods,” she said.

 “A colored preacher lives on the other side of the creek,” he said, squinting.

This word “colored” stirred her violently, always did, even when her daddy referred to himself as colored. Wasn’t everybody colored? She swung around and walked off.

He ran behind her. “Whoa!”

“Whoa is for mules,” she said.

“You are about as stubborn as one.” He jumped into her path. “Why you mad?”

“If you don’t know, that’s your problem—not mine!”

 “It ain’t safe for you to be hanging out in these woods,” he said.

“And why is that?”

“I told you that you’re trespassing.” He scratched his head. She knew what he was thinking, but he didn’t have the guts to say it, so she said it for him.

“I am not afraid of the Ku Klux Klan.” She swung her blondish brown hair around. “Why should I be?”

“You say your daddy is a colored man,” he said. “That means, ah . . .”

“Jess,” a man called out. “Jess, Uncle Rodney is about to head on back.”

The look in his eyes had tensed up again. “You better go on,” he said.

She tore off running. She didn’t look back until she was on the other side of the creek. Her shoes were now ruined because she forgot to take them off at the creek. Her heart was hammering. Jess—his name was Jess. Was that short for Jesse? She turned thoughts of him over and over. She had never felt so mesmerized in the presence of a boy. She wondered if she would ever see him again. Would she pluck up her nerve to go back and seek him out? Suddenly she thought of her father. She would have to settle for thinking about Jess, hold him in her heart, for she could not go back to the other side of the woods. Not ever.

 

(  Continues…  )

 Copyright © 2013 by Sonja Lewis.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Where to Buy The Blindsided Prophet

Amazon:     http://amzn.com/0956710530   

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/319583

The Blindsided Prophet is available at online retailers as a printed book or ebook: 
Barnes&Noble   |    Amazon.com  |   Smashwords  |   GoodReads   |   Kobo   |   Sony   |   iTunes UK

 

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G Street History Maker: Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne

Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne
(G Street’s First  Romance Novel)

Edgy, Urban, Romance with a hint of Erotica…

When Cricket Hooper moves to Seattle she only has a couple of goals—find a job and an apartment near her friend Chelle, and basically to live a quiet, normal life.  However, it isn’t long before life becomes far from normal.

When a mysterious man helps get her car out of the mud after she makes a wrong turn, she finds herself in his thrall. He wines and dines her, quite literally, and before Cricket can stop it, things are steamy and serious…very serious.

Cricket is thrown aback when Jyme turns out to be more than a simple fisherman, but then she isn’t telling all of her story either.

 
About the Author
Phoenix Rayne is a history maker!  She is the very first author to be published in G Street Chronicles Romance Division.

Phoenix parents planned for her, conceived her, and then birthed her.  After that, things got much more boring.  She didn’t do much, but she did do some things.  She lived more and did more things.  Then she found that she’s only happy when she write.  So now, she mostly write and is, therefore, happy.

From Love to Loathe — Book One Heels of Love: http://youtu.be/Vs1ZV5xQxkY

BOOK REVIEW

An Amazing Debut Book – Fantastic read posted by Purpinkroses Book Corner
I would give this 5/5 stars and 5/5 for movie moments.  Read the original review and author interview.

Cricket moves to be near her friend Chelle. She’s trying to get away from her old life and start new. After taking a wrong turn while driving she get knocks down a mail box and gets the car stuck in the mud up a beaten path. A  man come to help get her out, after he gets the car out the mud, she drives off as she panic’s thinking he could be a killer or something. She heads to the nearest ranger station and explains to them. They know the guy, it’s Lil Samson Jyme- a native American, he’s no killer.

Later on Jyme gets her number from the ranger station and calls but she hangs up on him so he calls the next day. They eventually meet up and take things from there. She’s not looking for a relationship and has started a new job. He’s a gentleman. But the attraction is strong.

Can they both over come the past, and the obstacles that are in their way? They are both hiding secrets and it could threaten everything they are trying to build.

OK girls, this is a MUST read. This book is an amazing Debut book by Phoenix Rayne. It needs to go to the top of your “TBR” list. This is a book featuring a real size woman, at the beginning I laughed so hard at some of the comments Cricket makes about herself, as it was something I would say.

I loved this book, like seriously loved it. It was amazing. I read it in one go. I loved everything about this book. You guys know I don’t do spoilers and this one is no different. I cant say too much without giving this book away. All I will say is wow. This had me on the edge of my seat. Phoenix Rayne is an Author to watch out for. I loved Cricket I don’t think we’ve heard all of her story and Jyme really never seen that coming. I loved his mum Mrs JJ.

When it got to the end of the book I gasped very loud. I can’t wait for book 2. This one pulls at your emotions.

Purchase Heels of Love by Phoenix Rayne
Kindle:  http://goo.gl/9Z0d0G

Twitter:  @hellophoenixx
Website:  http://phoenixrayne.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/phoenix.rayne.186

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What To Do When Everything Isn’t Enough

When Everything Isn’t Enough by Ed Wyns

“When Everything Isn’t Enough” traces the lives of three very disparate souls: David Tanner, who leaves his mother’s broken home and hangs with his drug-dealing cousins; Mia Collins, the oldest of three children growing up in the comfortable home of two middle-class parents; and CJ Fields, an orphan who as a child moves from one abusive home to another. Each finds the strength, though, to become financially successful and soon appears to have all that they would ever desire.
   
Then David discovers he is unable to father children, sending him into a downward spiral of depression as his very definition of what being a man means no longer applies to him. As he grows apart from his wife and high school sweetheart, Mia (née Collins) Tanner, he succumbs to an affair with the 24-year-old daughter of one his company’s largest clients.
   
Shattered, Mia bounces between forgiveness and anger, uncertain if she ever can resurrect her marriage with the one man who means more to her than anything. Then, one day, she meets a man she only could despise, CJ Fields, yet slowly finds herself more and more attracted to him and eventually has an affair with him, ends up getting pregnant, but isn’t sure of the paternity of the child.
   
CJ spends his adult life amassing a fortune and using women as his sexual toys, all in a vain attempt to vicariously exert his will over those who caused him so much pain. Soon, though, CJ discovers he has a daughter, and when her mother dies, faces a major decision: Should he become something he believes himself wholly unprepared to be – a father – or let the daughter he never knew enter the very foster care system where he once was abused? Then he meets Mia, a woman who is entirely not his type, and finds himself irresistibly attracted to her.
   
As their three lives become entangled, each one literally realizes that “everything isn’t enough” as they must decide with who their loyalties and future lies.

Book Review
Urban Fiction News Review – K.C. Blaze

Once in a while there is a book that provokes so many emotions I can’t keep up. When Everything Isn’t Enough is just that type of book. I read the story in a matter of a days which is a big feat with the amount of requests I receive on a daily basis not to mention my full time work schedule and family obligations. This story had me at hello, I was pulled in immediately with the author’s compelling writing style.

The story follows an adolescent David Tanner through family trouble, x-rated sexual encounters and into the arms of his one true love Mia Collins. The young couple grows together over the years and find themselves living the American Dream. That is until the young couple decides to get pregnant. I must admit I was a bit skeptical with the direction of the story leaning toward male infertility. I wasn’t sure where the author was going to lead me.

I yelled at the characters, I flipped pages with the speed of light and I almost skipped meals to finish it. I don’t like giving spoilers but this book will definitely have you writing the author asking them to hurry up and publish the sequel. I would definitely give this book an A+. My only recommendation would be to reduce the amount of time spent on the younger years to leave more room for the characters as adults. I also thought the dialogue was a bit unrealistic during their teen years would have loved for it to be a bit more youthful.

Overall, this book is a quality read and would be enjoyed by lovers of any genre. This eloquently told tale is a must read and would complement your reading back log.

When Everything Isn’t Enough by Ed Wyns
Genre: Urban Fiction
Primary Topic Discussed: Infertility
Purchase from Amazon:  http://amzn.com/1482078228

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Intimate Conversation with Nicole M. Brown

Intimate Conversation with Nicole M. Brown

Nicole M. Brown, MSN, RN, is a nurse educator, who teaches nursing at a HBCU in Central VA. She has worked as a nurse for over 20 years in various specialties from Emergency Room to long–term care. She is also, a Doctoral candidate with Walden University and an Army veteran, who served in Operation Desert Storm. She is the proud mother of three and happily divorce. She is dedicated to providing positive images of the nursing profession for children and the world through her books.

BPM: Tell us about your journey becoming a successfully published author.  Do you have anyone in your life that was heavily influential in your deciding to become an author?
The Journey to become a successful author is not easy, there are many long hours, no pay and it is very expensive up front. I have always dreamed of becoming an author. To help make this dream come true, I had to make some changes in my life. I have downsized and live with family to afford to publish my work. After publishing, the goal is to be a successful author and tell people about my book via various methods.

As a self-published author you have to become an expert or hire experts in social media, blogging and your website. You have to be consistent in your quest to become a successful author. I am in the book business for the long haul and plan to continue for the next 3 to 5 years.

My children have heavily influenced me to become an author. I want to leave my children and grandchildren to come, with wisdom and knowledge of what I have done during my lifetime. I plan to write more books to explain issues to my children in the future. I want to leave a legacy, which will last after, I am gone.

BPM:  How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road did you travel? How do you feel about self-publishing?
I was afraid of being rejected, so I pursued self-publishing. I wanted to be in control of my words and pictures in my book. Maybe, one day a large publisher will approach me to do a traditional book.

BPM:  What is your definition of success?
I want to be happy with what I have done over my lifetime. Success means setting, implementing and accomplishing lifelong goals. Success feels good.

BPM:  Success leaves clues, whose clues did you follow on your journey?
I go by my feelings with my work. I want to feel comfort and calmness in my spirit with my writing. This will mean success to me.

BPM:  What books or authors made a difference in your life?
The Millionaire Next Door, it is about how an average person can become a millionaire over a lifetime with some simple basic good decisions.

BPM:  How has your writing style evolved over the years?
What stimulated your growth the most?  My writing style has shifted to respond to question my children ask me. I wan to leave something in writing to solve issues they may have now or encounter in the future. My children have stimulated my growth the most.

BPM:  What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published author?
I feel now I can do anything, I put my mine to. This has been an amazing and overwhelming experience. I have experienced highs and lows during authorship. Most people support your work and then there are others who do not. 

BPM:  What are some of the benefits of being an author that makes it all worthwhile?
I love attending conferences and events focused on authors and book clubs. I feel like a celebrity at times. I have accomplished sometime, many people only dream of.

BPM:  Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
Offer to be an intern with an author. Attend and volunteer at book events to understand the business of writing a book. Remember writing a book is a business , so take business classes.

BPM:  If you were not a writer, what would you be? What are you passionate about, besides writing books?
I would continue to teach nursing. I have been a nurse for 20 years. Also, I will start my not-for-profit called, “Future Nurse.” I will have a scholarship for books and sponsor international mission trips to Haiti and Africa. In addition, I am weeks away from completing my Doctorate in Nursing. I have to get really to be called. Dr. Nicole Brown!!!

BPM:  Introduce us to your book and the main characters.  Do you have any favorites? What genre is the book? On Kindle or Nook? 
The Adventures of Nurse Nicole-N is for Nurse is my first book. The main characters are myself as Nurse Nicole and my three children Nathaniel, Nicolas and Nicola. No, I do not have any favorites. All of the characters are needs to make the story a success. This is a non-fiction book. Available in paperback on Amzaon and Kindle for ebook.  The Adventures of Nurse Nicole –Wash Your Hands is my second book, which will be out soon. The same as above!!

BPM:  What compelled or inspired you to write this book? Why now?  Ever experience writers block?
I was inspired by my children. My children would ask me, what did I do at work every day? I went to Walmart and Target to find something to explain nursing. Currently, there is nothing on the market that nurses can buy for their children to explain the profession of nursing. What I really wanted was s doll or video to show my kids. During my research, I found out I could not afford to start with a doll or video. So, I began my company with books to explain nursing go children. I thought a book would be affordable and easy to do. Books are a world of their own. I want to write books now that grow with my children. I plan to write a step by step guide on, “How to become a Nurse.” I have not had writers block yet!!

BPM:  Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences?
Yes, each scene in the book I have experience as a nurse. I worked with the illustrator on each and every picture for my books.

BPM:  Who do you want to reach with your book and the message enclosed?
The audience for my books are moms, dads, grandparents, families, nurses and anyone who would like to expose their child to a career for the future.

BPM:  What should readers DO after reading this book?
They should go to the website sign up for my newsletter and click on my Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts to follow me. They should read my next book, “Wash Your Hands, which is coming out soon.  I plan to publish my doctoral project and How to Become a Nurse in 2014.

BPM:  How do you avoid the temptation of interjecting your own morals or ministry in your writing?
With my writing, I follow the standards of what a nurse would do. I had to educate my illustrator on appropriate issues a nurse can and cannot do. I want my work to be respected and accurate of the nursing profession.

BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I would like families to start to encourage children of the profession of nursing. Most of my student are second career students and in their forties. I would like to see more young people pursue nursing as the first career.

BPM:   Now, let’s talk about the industry.  Will the digital age or social media usage change the face of publishing?
Yes, I love my social media forums. I have had my FB author site up and within 32 days had 500 likes. I am so excited. I enjoy receiving the feedback on my FB account.

BPM:  How do feel about selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store? What impact do you think electronic book sales will have on black authors? On indie authors? 
I wish I had started with my ebook first. I enjoy using social media for my books sales. I believe as an author I have to be available for brick and mortar stores. I think people will buy more from the ebooks format overtime.

BPM:  What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? Marketing, promotions or gaining media exposure, etc. How can EDC Creations and our readers help you?
The biggest hurdle is getting website up and starting the social media. Realizing that everyone does not or will not like my book. I have been told my book is not ethnic enough due to AA on the cover. My first 2 books have only AA on the cover. My next 2 children’s books will have a diverse cover. I would like your readers to like my sites, promote my book to others and buy my book and add great reviews to the Amazon site. ,

BPM:  How much does “word of mouth” has play into the success of your book? What grassroots strategies have you used to spread the word about your book?
I think word of mouth is good. I talk to people about my book all the time. The grass roots strategy is to sell to family and friends. But the social media is better and faster.

BPM:  A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… ”
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers…educating the world through the art and science of nursing.

BPM:  Share with us your latest news. How may our readers follow you online? 
They should read my next book, “Wash Your Hands, which is coming out soon.  I plan to publish my doctoral project and How to Become a Nurse in 2014. On my website please click on FB, Twitter and Pinterest.

BPM:  Thank you, Nicole, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!

The Adventures of Nurse Nicole: N is for Nurse
by Nicole M. Brown

The Adventures of Nurse Nicole is a wonderfully cleaver and bright series about a nurse with three children who are curious about nursing. The Adventures of Nurse Nicole, “N is for Nurse” describes the art and science of nursing from A to Z with positive images of the nursing profession. Nursing is one of the most sought after and trusted professions in the world. This is a must-have book, because everyone will need a nurse one day.

Did you know N is for Nurse is available in paperback and on the Kindle?  Well, you can purchase multiple copies as gifts here:  http://amzn.com/B00F8KM6XG

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EXCERPT FOR A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS

BRENDA JACKSON – MILESTONE – 100TH BOOK

A Madaris Bride for Christmas – will hit the stores November 1, 2013

It’s only fitting that bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s 100th book is A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS (Harlequin Kimani Arabesque Press; November 2013) as she began her writing career with the Madaris family in her first novel — Tonight and Forever. Throughout the years millions of readers have come to love the Madaris family and have made them part of their own. 

This November, Jackson brings readers another Madaris family romance. A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS features one of Jackson’s most unforgettable Madaris heroes yet — Lee Madaris.   Lee isn’t letting anyone control his destiny to find the woman he wants to marry.

But one-by-one, the Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes of Felicia Laverne Madaris, matriarch of the family. Lee is determined to bring a bride of his own choosing to the family’s holiday gathering—if only his hotel’s gorgeous new chef will agree to a marriage of convenience.

Brenda Jackson weaves this tale with twist and turns – a born storyteller – romance being the icing on the cake. With this novel, Jackson taps into all of the remarkable storytelling gifts that are the mark of her fiction—polished and confident writing, a sexy spark and characters that burst off the page. A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS is one of Jackson’s best books yet and a milestone for this bestselling author.

Brenda Jackson, a prolific writer of contemporary multicultural romance novels, is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author.  She is the first African-American female romance writer to become a USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling novelist. Jackson continues to reach new milestones as A MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS is her 100th original work.

EXCERPT:  MADARIS BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS
By Brenda Jackson

“Is there a reason you were dancing alone?”

Carly Briggs’ face warmed as she wondered if Lee Madaris thought she’d looked ridiculous. “It’s my birthday and—”

“Happy birthday,” he said.

Carly smiled up at Lee. “Thanks. I was having my own private party of one.”

He tilted his head. “That’s no fun. A beautiful woman should never party alone.”

He was smooth, she thought. As smooth as he was handsome. And she’d noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring. She knew some men didn’t cherish the sanctity of marriage vows, but she did.

“For me that’s no problem. I’m a loner anyway,” she said.

“Why?”

She doubted he wanted to listen to her sob story. She had few friends and had learned early on that the only person she could truly trust was herself. “I prefer things that way. What about you?”

“A loner?” Lee shrugged. “I couldn’t be a loner even if I wanted to. My family’s too big.”

“Really?” she asked. She couldn’t help but envy anyone who belonged to a large family.

“Yes, really.”

The Luther Vandross song ended and they slowly parted. “You’re an excellent dancer,” he said.

“So are you.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late and—”

“You’re calling it an early night on your birthday?”

She chuckled. “Afraid so. I’m checking out of the hotel in the morning.”

“I see. Well, thanks for the dance.”

“No, I should be thanking you. It was nice meeting you. I hope you continue to enjoy the Grand MD.”

Lee’s smile widened. “Oh, I’m sure that I will.”

Carly’s gaze held his. She wasn’t sure why she did what she did next. It could have been his scent surrounding her or his overpowering masculinity or his handsomeness—any of them could have been responsible for obliterating any semblance of her common sense.

Before she could talk herself out of doing so, she leaned up on her tiptoes. She only intended to plant a light kiss on his lips, but the moment their mouths touched they were caught in a barrage of desires they could no longer downplay. He pulled her into his arms. Her body pressed against his, and she felt every single inch of him. 

(  Continues…  )

Copyright © 2013 by Brenda Jackson.   All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Brenda Jackson.  This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher’s written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author’s website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Order A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson
This title will be released on October 29, 2013.
http://amzn.com/0373091435

About the Author
Brenda Jackson is a gifted writer who is known for remarkable storytelling – which is a mark of her fiction—polished and confident writing, stories with characters that burst off the page.

Brenda Jackson is a die-heart romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was 15.  Because she began believing very early in the power of love and romance, she can’t help but write stories with happy endings.

She is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of 100 romance novels and looks forward to increasing that number.  She loves to weave love stories and it is the highlight of her day. Her professional writing career began in 1994 and she has over 3 million books in print.

Over the years she has received numerous awards and made many trail-blazing accomplishments. She was the first African-American author to have a book published under the Harlequin/Silhouette Desire line of books and the first African-American romance author to make USA Today’s bestsellers list and the New York Times bestsellers list for the romance genre.  Her titles continue to hit both New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller’s lists!

Brenda is also the recipient of the prestigious Romance Writer of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and a 2010 Romance Times Book Reviews Career Achievement Award.

She was a 2012 NAACP Image Award Nominee for her 81st book, A Silken Thread.  Jackson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University, and worked for thirty-seven years in management at a major insurance company.

In addition, Brenda is a writer who gives back.  Jackson says, “I believe in the power of education, in honor of my grandmother, ten years ago I established the Josiephine Streater Threatt Scholarship Foundation at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida. Over $150,000 have been donated.”

She and her husband live in the city where they were born, Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.  She and her husband spend time together traveling and discovering romantic places she could use as settings in her books.

Brenda would love to hear from her readers. Write her at P.O. Box 28267, Jacksonville, FL 32226. You can also contact her through her e-mail address:  writerbjackson@aol.com.

Follow on Twitter:   @AuthorBJackson
Website:   http://www.brendajackson.net
Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenda-Jackson/190796157619238

Visit the Josiephine Streater Threatt Scholarship Foundation website for more details:
http://josiephinestreaterthreattfoundation.com

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Black Pearls Magazine is an award winning (AALAS) digital magazine committed to inspire, encourage and empower a international group of readers. Our mission is to provide information that is essential, enlightening and entertaining. The information we publish helps to empower our BPM readers, therefore enriching their lives and benefiting the communities in which they live.

The words black pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, very admirable and very valuable. We are here to bring you those literary jewels, Black Pearls, that are sure to bring you and your love ones much pleasure and empowerment.

Every issue of this monthly published magazine will celebrate the accomplishments of authors and writers from around the globe, honoring proud traditions and spotlighting ways to enhance the reader’s everyday life.

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence thrives when we are silent! If we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic violence.

History of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.
Read it all here: http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth.php

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resources
http://www.dccadv.org/index.php?pid=67

Teen Dating Violence
Understanding Teen Dating Violence Fact Sheet  [Read the Adobe PDF file]

Article by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sharing for information purposes only!
Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors can set the stage for more serious violence like physical assault and rape.

What is dating violence?
Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship, as well as stalking. It can occur in person or electronically and may occur between a current or former dating partner. You may have heard several different words used to describe teen dating violence. Here are just a few:

* Relationship Abuse
* Intimate Partner Violence
* Relationship Violence
* Dating Abuse
* Domestic Abuse
* Domestic Violence

Adolescents and adults are often unaware that teens experience dating violence. In a nationwide survey, 9.4 percent of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the 12 months prior to the survey. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey).

About 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey).

What are the consequences of dating violence?
As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by their relationship experiences. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive effect on a teen’s emotional development. Unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can cause short term and long term negative effects, or consequences to the developing teen. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to do poorly in school, and report binge drinking, suicide attempts, and physical fighting. Victims may also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships.

Why Does Dating Violence Happen?

Communicating with your partner, managing uncomfortable emotions like anger and jealousy, and treating others with respect are a few ways to keep relationships healthy and non-violent. Teens receive messages about how to behave in relationships from peers, adults in their lives, and the media. All too often these examples suggest violence in a relationship is okay. Violence is never acceptable. But there are reasons why it happens.

Violence is related to certain risk factors. Risks of having unhealthy relationships increase for teens who:

* Believe it’s okay to use threats or violence to get their way or to express frustration or anger.

* Use alcohol or drugs.

* Can’t manage anger or frustration.

* Hang out with violent peers.

* Have multiple sexual partners.

* Have a friend involved in dating violence.

* Are depressed or anxious.

* Have learning difficulties and other problems at school.

* Don’t have parental supervision and support.

* Witness violence at home or in the community.

* Have a history of aggressive behavior or bullying.

Dating violence can be prevented when teens, families, organizations, and communities work together to implement effective prevention strategies.

The following resources provide more information on teen dating violence.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html

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Intimate Partner Violence in the African American Community

The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC) is an organization focused on the unique circumstances of African Americans as they face issues related to domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment, and community violence. IDVAAC’s mission is to enhance society’s understanding of and ability to end violence in the African-American community.

IDVAAC was first formed in 1993, when a group of scholars and practitioners informally met to discuss the plight of the African- American community in the area of domestic violence. The group ultimately agreed that the “one-size-fits-all” approach to domestic violence services being provided in mainstream communities would not suffice for African Americans, who disproportionately experience stressors that can create conditions that lead to violence in the home.

You will find IDVAAC’s perspectives on important issues that impact domestic violence and the African American community. Content includes the organization’s viewpoints and commentary on a variety of topics, including longstanding issues and current events, that directly or indirectly affect the lives of African American battered women and their families and those who seek to serve them. Visit the main website: http://www.idvaac.org/index.html

The following fact sheets provide a snapshot view of statistics on domestic violence in the African American community, as well as information on battered women, teen dating violence, risk factors, general information on IDVAAC, and other relevant information. – See more at:  http://www.idvaac.org/press/factsheet.html

What is Intimate Partner Violence?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term “intimate partner violence” describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

The goal is to stop IPV before it begins. There is a lot to learn about how to prevent IPV. We do know that strategies that promote healthy behaviors in relationships are important. Programs that teach young people skills for dating can prevent violence. These programs can stop violence in dating relationships before it occurs.

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence: Fact Sheet
This 2-page fact sheet provides a basic overview of intimate partner violence. It is intended for the general public.
View the full text:  http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv_factsheet2012-a.pdf

Statistics on  Intimate Partner Violence in the African American Community

• In a nationally representative survey conducted in 1996, 29% of African American women and 12% of African American men reported at least one instance of violence from an intimate partner.

• African Americans account for a disproportionate number of intimate partner homicides. In 2005, African Americans accounted for almost 1/3 of the intimate partner homicides in this country.

• Black women comprise 8% of the U.S. population but in 2005 accounted for 22% of the intimate partner homicide victims and 29% of all female victims of intimate partner homicide.

• Intimate partner homicides among African Americans have declined sharply in the last 30 years. Partner homicides involving a black man or a black woman decreased from a high of 1529 in 1976 to 475 in 2005, for a
total decline of 69%.

• Intimate partner deaths have decreased most dramatically among black men. From 1976-1985, black men were more likely than black women to be a victim of domestic homicide; by 2005, black women were 2.4 times more likely than a black male to murdered by their partners. Over this period, intimate partner homicides declined by 83% for black men vs. 55% for black women.


Teen Dating Violence      
• Black youth are over represented as victims of teen  dating violence. In a 2003 national study of high school    
students, almost 14% of African American youth (vs. 7% of white youth) reported that a boyfriend or girlfriend    
had “hit, slapped, or physically hurt them on purpose” in  the last year.

• Boys (13.7%) and girls (14%) were almost equally likely to report being a victim of dating violence.      

Risk Factors
• Intimate partner violence among African Americans is related to economic factors. Intimate partner violence among blacks occurs more frequently among couples with low incomes3, those in which the male partner is
underemployed or unemployed,4 particularly when he is not seeking work, and among couples residing in very poor neighborhoods, regardless of the couple’s income.

• When income and neighborhood characteristics are controlled for, racial differences in IPV are greatly reduced.

• Alcohol problems (drinking, binge drinking, dependency) are more frequently related to intimate partner violence for African Americans than for whites or Hispanics.

• As with other abusive men, African American men who batter are higher in jealousy and the need for power and control in the relationship.

• As with women of other races, among African American women killed by their partner, the lethal violence was  more likely to occur if there had been incidents in which the partner had used or threatened to use a weapon on
her and/or the partner has tried to choke or strangle her.

• Among African American women killed by their partner, almost half were killed while in the process of leaving the relationship, highlighting the need to take extra precautions at that time.

• Among African American women who killed their partner, almost 80% had a history of abuse.

Impact of Abuse
• Black women who are battered have more physical ailments, mental health issues,4 are less likely to practice safe sex, and are more likely to abuse substances during pregnancy than black women without a history of abuse.

• Battered women are at greater risk for attempting suicide11 particularly if they were physically abused as a child, for being depressed and to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

There is far more to this conversation than shown on this page!   Please read the entire article today!   The Fact Sheet Provided by the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community at the University of Minnesota.  Read the full article here:  http://www.idvaac.org/press/factsheet.html

Please considering reading and sharing this important website and fact sheet with the leaders in your communities.

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M.I.S.S.S.E.Y-Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting, & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth

Every Child is Too Valuable to be Bought and Sold!

MISSSEY   (Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting, & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth)

When most people think about prostitution and human trafficking they think of far away underdeveloped lands. The truth is it is happening right here in our city. Oakland, CA has a huge problem with our young ladies being forced into this dangerous lifestyle.

“Every day some of the Bay Area’s most vulnerable youth are sexually exploited for other people’s profit. They are bought and sold, beaten, drugged, hustled, molested, and raped. Ultimately, they are discarded when they no longer fetch a price. The number of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) is increasing, while the average age is decreasing. Further, these youth are often considered criminals, as if they’re seeking to be abused, rather than victims of domestic human trafficking )”.   Now there is place we can go to help these young ladies.

MISSSEY provides direct services to commercially sexually exploited youth. We also provide training, technical information, and workshops for social agencies, law enforcement, and members of the community.

IMPORTANT ARTICLE:  10 Things I Would Tell A Twelve-Year-Old Girl Who Was In “The Life”http://www.misssey.org/documents/10_Things.pdf

MISSSEY’s Founding 6-Point Platform
Text from their main website.  Ella Curry is not a member or sponsor; merely sharing information.

*  We want Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) and sexually exploited youth to be recognized as victims instead of criminals. CSEC are victims of child sexual abuse in the form of sexual exploitation, not child prostitutes.

*  We want education and awareness to be brought to the issues surrounding CSEC. The commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth occurs in many forms including child prostitution.

*  We want a comprehensive service model and crisis center to be established for CSEC. Commercially Sexually Exploited Children need and deserve specialized treatment, as well as non-judgmental, maternal, and innovative services provided by a youthful staff with relevant life experience.

*  We want Commercially Sexually Exploited Children to be provided with services focusing on their healing and recovery. Creating a permanent record of a child’s sexual exploitation through media or any other means further exploits the child.

*  We want a national movement initiated that recognizes the issue of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children, which will require law enforcement, the juvenile justice system, and social services to respond to CSEC as victims instead of criminals. CSEC are victims of physical, mental, and psychological abuse as well as sexual abuse, and need protection regardless of their ability to cooperate.

*  We believe that the sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth are serious criminal offenses against a highly vulnerable population. We want serious consequences imposed on anyone who sexually abuses or commercially sexually exploits children, especially involving child or teen prostitution.

Please consider making donations of time and other resources to M.I.S.S.S.E.Y. Visit their website: http://www.misssey.org 

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Reading Can Calm the Nerves…Try It

I read a recent HuffingPost article that I would like to share with you.  This is just a snippet of the article.  Please click through all of the links to fully explore their stance on Reading. 

Here you go:  7 Unconventional Reasons Why You Absolutely Should Be Reading Books
In a world of omnipresent screens, it can be easy to forget the simple pleasure of curling up with a good book. In fact, a recent  HuffPost/YouGov  poll of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 28 percent hadn’t read one at all in the past year.

But the truth is that reading books can be more than entertainment (or a high school English assignment). In fact, a study released earlier this month suggests that enjoying literature might help strengthen your “mind-reading” abilities. The research, published in the journal Science, showed that reading literary works (though, interestingly, not popular fiction) cultivates a skill known as “theory of mind,” which NPR describes as the “ability to ‘read’ the thoughts and feelings of others.”

And that’s hardly the only way being a bookworm can boost your mind and well-being. Below, two more science-backed reasons to swap the remote for a novel.  Read all seven here.

Reading can chill you out.
Stressed out? Pick up a paperback. Research conducted in 2009 at Mindlab International at the University of Sussex showed that reading was the most effective way to overcome stress, beating out old favorites such as listening to music, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and even taking a walk, The Telegraph reported when the findings were released. It took the study participants just six minutes to relax (which was measured by evaluating heart rate and muscle tension) once they started turning pages.

Getting lost in a good book could also make you more empathetic.
According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE in January, losing yourself in a work of fiction might actually increase your empathy. Researchers in the Netherlands designed two experiments, which showed that people who were “emotionally transported” by a work of fiction experienced boosts in empathy.

“In two experimental studies, we were able to show that self-reported empathic skills significantly changed over the course of one week for readers of a fictional story by fiction authors Arthur Conan Doyle or José Saramago,” they wrote in the findings. “More specifically, highly transported readers of Doyle became more empathic, while non-transported readers of both Doyle and Saramago became less empathic.”

So go ahead, let yourself get caught up in a particularly compelling story, or swept away by a powerful character — it’s good for you!

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