RADIO REPLAYS: Day 1-7 Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival

Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival

Celebrating Our Legacy 365!
November 19-25, 2014

Share this Hashtag: #BondingThruBooks
  Hosted by Ella Curry, EDC Creations Media Group

You are invited to Bonding Thru Books Weekend, a totally ONLINE book festival hosted by EDC Creations Media Group.  Every year we present a very diverse author showcase with live readings, writer’s workshops, book club panel discussions, and several awesome book giveaways. Join BAN Radio Show host Ella D. Curry, avid readers, book bloggers and publishing industry insiders.

If we are to survive in this nation, we all have to learn to recognize and respect the fundamental differences between races, cultures, and our diverse socio- economic human rights. It is our hope that through the nightly panels we can highlight the differences in our ideas and attitudes, yet still embrace a sophisticated dialog. We aim to share life’s exhilarating variety, while eliminating much of the assumptions and fear surrounding our lives.

It is our mission to connect readers with the authors of quality books, written with a purpose. We offer  books that will change their lives!  Instead of giving expensive gifts that don’t shape lives, let’s Give the Gift of Knowledge, pay it forward and help to strengthen our future generations by sharing our wonderful literary legacy!

LISTEN TO THE RE-BROADCASTS

Night 1, Nov 19:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717797

Night 2, Nov 20:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717809

Night 3, Nov 21:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717823

Night 4, Nov 22:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717851

Night 5, Nov 23:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717843

Night 6, Nov 24:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717863

Night 7, Nov 25:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717869
 

STAY CONNECTED!  DON’T FORGET TO SHARE!

Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival
Share this Hashtag:  #BondingThruBooks
Hosted  Ella Curry, EDC Creations Media Group
BTB Official Bookstore:  http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20 
Chatroom for readers:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network

   

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Wednesday Night,  November 19 at 8:00-11:00 pm (EST)

Defenders of the Heart: Fiction Authors Showcase

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 1, Nov 19:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717797

*8:00 – Deborah Johnson –  The Secret of Magic

*8:30 – Renee Daniel Flagler, Society Wives

*9:00 – William F. Cooper, Unbreakable

*9:15 – EN Joy, More Than I Can Bear

*9:30 – Ann Jeffries  and  Gracie Hill  (pre-recorded)

*9:45 – Leiann B. Wrytes, Virtuous Deception

Join us in the BAN Radio Chatroom at 8-11pm EST: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network  Tell at least 10 people about this online event. We have great book giveaways each night in the chatroom! Spread the word! Thank you!


 

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Thursday night, November 20 at 8:00-11:00 pm (EST)

We’re celebrating mind, body and spirit on DAY 2 of the Bonding Thru Books Festival. We have an awesome author lineup and the community panel discussion is titled: 1000 Steps: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Panel Discussion!

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 2, Nov 20:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717809

* 8:00 – Lauren Francis-Sharma, ‘Til the Well Runs Dry

*8:30 – Lutishia Lovely, founder of A Lovely Day Experience

*8:45 – Pamela Samuels Young, Anybody’s Daughter


1000 Steps: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Panel Discussion
Thursday night, November 20 at 9-11:00 pm EST

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.  —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Turning Mishaps to Ministry:  The importance of learning to love yourself!  We are discussing finding solace from within first!  The panelist will discuss how your health determines your leadership abilities and the importance of balance in our lives. We are discussing  the power of forgiveness, clean eating, health, fitness, mental health, meditation & healing, depression & recovery and  financial literacy.

How We Love: Health, Marriage & Family Ties:  Life coaches, ministers and authors will talk about their motivation for writing books that teach, guide and empower our community on how to achieve overall health and wellness, as we build stronger leadership roles in our personal and professional lives. This unique radio opportunity will provide valuable information on how to achieve balance between mind, body and spirit. Finding balance in life is real!

 
FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 2, Nov 20:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717809

*Cheryl Donovan, founder Cheryl Lacey Donovan Ministries

* Kristin L. Mitchell, He Wasn’t My Daddy

*Lá Tanyha Boyd, International Host of Spiritual Food for Thought Global Radio

* Villa Powell, Thirty Day Journey Toward Transformation

* Makasha Dorsey,  First Family Secrets (The Church House, Book 1)

* Lisa Renee Johnson, founder of I Got Sunshine. women’s empowerment movement

* Live Out Loud, 52 Weeks to Reawaken Your Spirit and Live a Life of Purpose By Melisa Alaba

 

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Friday Night, November 21 at 8:00-11:00 pm (EST)
The Lies Lovers Tell Author Showcase

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 3, Nov 21:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717823

*8:00 – Trice Hickman, Troublemaker

*8:15 – Victoria Warren Jackson, Untraditional Love In The Dark

*8:30 – RM Johnson, My Wife’s Baby: I’m Not a Murderer

*8:45 – Electa Rome Parks, These Boots Were Made for Stalking

The Pleasure Principles Panel Discussion
Friday Night,  November 21 at 9:00-11:00 pm (EST)

Topic of Discussion – The Pleasure Principles: Truly adult conversation!  We are discussing the art of writing Erotica, Urban Lit and Fantasy novels. The relationship panel discussion will include topics New Sexual Revolution: Polyamory-multi-partnered relationships;  maintaining monogamy in a digital age;  online & long distance dating;  alternate lifestyle choices; tips for building long lasting relationships.

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 3, Nov 21: http://tobtr.com/s/5717823

Co-host:  Shakir Rashaan, author of the Nubian Underworld series, including The Awakening, Legacy, and Tempest

Co-host:   N’Tyse, National bestselling author of  Twisted Vows of Seduction and executive producer of the documentary series, Beneath My Skin.

*Lutishia Lovely, founder of A Lovely Day Experience,  Author of THE PERFECT DECEPTION

*Denise Bolds, Raising Princes to be Kings; A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Son

* Shana Johnson-Burton, Flawbulous

*Valarie Prince, Novel: The Virus: When Love Turns Deadly

*Naleighna Kai, Was it Good For You Too  and  Open Door Marriage

* Lorna L.A. Lewis, co-author Signed, Sealed, Delivered…I’m Yours

 

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Saturday night, November 22, 2014 at 6:30-9:30 pm (EST)
Get Ya Read On- YA Readers and Fiction                

We are celebrating National Family Stories Month!  We all have family stories, tall tales and folklore based on our communities. They are entertaining, yet powerful because they serve to connect our families through the ages. By telling our family stories, we can preserve family history and unlock conversations that can become history lessons too.

Beacons For the Future – Fiction Book Showcase
Five remarkably talented, authors will talk about their motivation for writing, how they prepared to be an author, how they crafted their unique stories.

Topic of Discussion:  How to promote a book for children in the digital age. We are discussing ways to engage young readers.  Speakers will share their journey as children’s book writers.

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show, Night 4, Nov 22:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717851

* 6:30 – Janet Autherine Mahon, Growing into Greatness with God:7 Paths to Greatness for our Sons and Daughters

* 6:45 – Michelle M. Spady, ShoozyQ and the AB Crew in Bully on the Playground

* 7:00 – Shelia Goss,  Jasmine: Lip Gloss Chronicles

* 7:30 – Necole Ryse, The Missing – play legacy recording

* 7:45 – Jean Love Cush, ENDANGERED

Speculative Fiction, Mystery and Thriller Showcase
Saturday night, November 22, 2014

Each author will read from their book and share how they went about getting their fiction books published. Readers will experience surreal speculative fiction, post-apocalyptic YA novels, spy thrillers, and the wild dystopian trilogies!

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show, Night 4, Nov 22:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717851

* 8:00 – SD Skye, A No Good Itch (A J.J. McCall Novel) Book 3

* 8:15 – Alexandra Lane, A Vision of Angels:  The Battle Begins

* 8:30 – Nakia LaShaul, Locked in Purgatory

Author Readings Pre- Recorded
* Cerece Rennie Murphy, Order of the Seers Trilogy
* The Last King: Book 1 by A. Yamina Collins

 

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Sunday night, November 23 at 8:00-11:00 pm EST.
Our Cup Runneth Over:  Good Health and Peace of Mind

Bedrock Faith: Christian Fiction Author Showcase

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 5, Nov 23:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717843

* 8:00 –  Ella Curry Give Out Tips and Advice; Introduce Crown Holders

* 8:15 –  Ruth Watson, An Elderberry Fall

* 8:30 –  Colette R. Harrell, The Devil Made Me Do It

* 8:45 –  Julia Blues, The Last Exhale

* 9:00 –  Tyora Moody, Oven Baked Secrets

* 9:15 –  Bonnie Taylor-Williams, With These Hands: A Country Girl Came to Town

Shaking the Tree: Publicity & PR Pros Panel Discussion
Sunday Night,  November 23  at 9:30-11:00 pm (EST)

“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind!” — Jim Morrison

Topic of Discussion – Shaking the Tree: Marketing and PR in the Digital Age
Shaking the tree means taking action that makes something happen! We are discussing innovative ways to market and promote any product in this digital age.  We will also discuss the different services each magazine or company offer authors, business owners and readers.  With ebooks and digital music becoming all the rage, how do you capture the attention of  bookclubs and readers? How do you stand out?  How are your supporting the arts?  How are we mixing traditional marketing with social media marketing?

The challenge for book lovers today is discovery. How do readers find out about new books and plays by established and emerging writers? What books are they reading and reviewing now?  How do the readers grade the publishing industry?  We will address all of these questions during the panel discussion.  Meet established reviewers, book bloggers, virtual tour hosts, radio hosts, bookstore owners and book club members. During this panel, we will show listeners how books can open your universe!



FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 5, Nov 23:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717843

*Tonya Shirelle, ES Communications Agency & Infinite Xpression Publishing

*Tyora  Moody, The Literary Entrepreneur Toolkit

*TaNisha Webb, Publisher of Book Club 101 Magazine

*LaShaunda Hoffman, Shades Of Romance Magazine

*Renee’ Sunday, M.D. is the founder of Sunday Publishing Company,  Host of Good Deeds Radio & TV Show

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Monday night, November 24 at 8:00-9:00 pm EST
Books Without Borders Author Showcase

Topic of Discussion – Books Without Borders: We are discussing the art of writing historical fiction and writing books that are in settings or take place outside the USA.

Books by African American writers should be read around the world, which is our belief! We bring wonderful stories to the minds and imaginations of everyone. We have stories to tell, using our voices and our experiences, that speaks to all races and cultures.  During the Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival, we will introduce readers to cross-genre books meant to be enjoyed by ALL READERS, period!  We want readers, all readers, from all races, to appreciate the work of authors of color!

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 6, Nov 24:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717863
* 8:00 – Breena Clarke, ANGELS MAKE THEIR HOPE HERE

* 8:15 – Marlene Banks, Gunmen Have No Sabbath

* 8:30 – Piper Hughley, The Mayor’s Mission

* 8:45 – Navi Robins, Walking Among the Shadows: Awakening

* 9:00 – Sherryle K. Jackson, Submissionary

* 9:30 -The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale By J. M. Lominy

Behind the Curtain: Balancing Life, Weight, Career and Care-giving
Monday night, November 24 at 9:00-11:00 pm EST

Igniting the Power Within:  Define Yourself, Redefine the World

Our guest speakers represent greatness and courage as they share their moving testimonies. We invite you to join the discussion 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 one to mentor or minister to others, but you never know. Your testimony might heal a hurting person. Your struggle might eliminate the pain in someone else’s future.

FEATURED AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS

Listen to the Show Here,  Night 6, Nov 24:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717863

*Renee Wiggins, Being Fabulously Fit in God’s Kingdom: A 40-Day Journey to Wellness

*Brittani D. Williams, It’s Not a Piece of Cake Nutritional Coaching and Education

*Tess Tims, author of The 3C’s System: Your One Evening Guide to Health and Wealth Creation

*Dr. Sheronda Orridge, PH. D. – Life Coach / Life Coach Trainer, Loving Spirit Life Coach Academy LLC

*Joyce A. Brown, Getting Away With Everything

*Martha Kennerson, author of Consequences

 

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Tuesday night, November 25, 2014  at 8:00-11:00 pm EST
 Who Motivates the Motivator:  The importance of women empowerment and balance in our business lives. We are also discussing the personal protection of women, mental & physical wellness,  financial literacy and hospice and caring of elders in the home.

Listen to the Show Here, Night 7, Nov 25:    http://tobtr.com/s/5717869

* 8:00 – Nika Beamon, Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House, a medical memoir

* 8:15 – Annie Brown, My Little People: A Social Worker’s Journey

* 8:30 – Charmaine Galloway, author of Golden

* 8:45 – Andrea Foy,  author of Hire Power – How to Find, Get and Keep a Job

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The Black Pearls Bookstore is now fully stocked. Please browse all of the shelves, we have some awesome book selections for you! Keep our authors in mind for your holiday gifts and for your Books-of-the-Month coming in 2015. Bring all of your friends to the BTB Official Bookstore:  http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20

YOU DO NOT NEED TO OWN A KINDLE TO READ THE GIVEAWAYS!
 Read the ebooks on your smartphone, tablet, device,  or computer by downloading the FREE Kindle reading app from here:  http://goo.gl/slQb6z

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#BondingThruBooks Mentor – Melisa Alaba

Melisa Alaba is a thought leader, sought after speaker and life coach that expresses her gifts through healing, coaching, teaching. Melisa is a graduate of Roosevelt University, Chicago, with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Psychology. Melisa received special training in meditation and stress management.

Melisa empowers her clients to take control of their destiny. With over 12 years experience as a counselor and coach, Melisa has assisted hundreds of clients in reaching their goals and fulfilling their dreams. Melisa has also taught students at Joliet Junior College, Morton College and University of Phoenix in Psychology and Sociology courses. Melisa has been affectionately called “The Vision Coach” because she has assisted many clients in reclaiming and discovering their vision and purpose.

Melisa Alaba is the founder and CEO of Vision Works Counseling and Coaching and The Pure Life Club. Melisa is also an international Wellness speaker with Cool Leaf Inc., one of the largest corporate wellness providers in the country.

Melisa has presented to companies such as: Alere (Fortune 500 company), Cobb County Social Workers Association, Woodward Private Academy and many community groups and organizations across the country. Melisa currently teaches workshops and leads retreats on Mindful Meditation, Emotional healing, Purpose journey and writing.

Additionally, Melisa has been featured as an expert in Ebony Magazine, featured guest on 1380 AM Radio and in many other notable publications and broadcasts. Melisa was honored by Stiletto Woman in Business (SWIBA) with the 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year for Health and Healing.

BPM:  What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
After having a life changing car accident in 2008. I was forced to look at my life in a different manner. Over the period of two years I got my life back after suffering devastating loses. I wrote this book to help people who have gone through similar experiences or who are lost or just stuck and what to get free.

BPM:  Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing?
Yes. Indeed. I write about life. I believe we are all on a beautiful journey in which has many turns and twist. It is up to us to embrace it all.

BPM:  Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
I write self-help books which often include rich and funny stories from life and the lives of thousands of people I have encountered over the years. I am a great observer and I learn through watching. I always include the latest research but I make it palatable with storytelling which explain concepts that will benefit you.

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
Live Out Loud, 52 Ways to Reawaken Your Spirit and Live a Life of Purpose is your gate way to living a life you will love. We live in a society where we equate money and things to success and I have learned that truly living on purpose is so much more. This books opens you up to simple exercises that will put you on the path to living your life full out and on purpose!

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
Live Out Loud: 52 Ways to Reawaken Your Spirit and Live a Life of Purpose introduces you to 11 keys to living a fully awake life: abundance, acceptance, balance, commitment, connection, discovery, forgiveness, giving, gratitude, organization, and purpose. I present exercises that are easy to follow that will move you from being stuck to embracing your power and overcoming disappointments or setbacks. The exercises can be done individually, with a partner, or in a group. The 52 mindful exercises are short and extremely powerful. Many are based on my firsthand experiences and biblical principles. They will move you to take action and gain the life you were created to live.

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Success for me has been having my readers contacting me and tell me that this book caused them to shift in their being. I wrote this book to impact the lives of others so they could impact the world. To that point I have already experienced success in that endeavor. I will continue to write books that empower people to find their voice, live authentically and deliver their gifts powerfully to the world.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book? 
So many of us have been conditioned since youth to dim our light. We have been told that our gifts are not good enough or worthy to be shared. We have been conditioned to believe that safety should be our main concern. I believe that this book will guide readers in being liberated to discover, explore and claim their gifts so that they can transform lives.

BPM:   Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Recently, my book was selected as the feature book for the cast of 72 Hours a film set to release in early 2015 by Christopher Nolen.

BPM:   How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Subscribe to my newsletter and receive my free Live Out Loud Toolkit which includes meditations and a few copies of the book at http://www.melisaalaba.com. You can also check out the many courses that I offer on living your best life.

Purchase Live Out Loud by Melisa Alaba
Kindle Edition: http://amzn.com/B00IT69V0C

 

 

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Brittani D. Williams It’s Not a Piece of Cake LLC

It’s Not a Piece of Cake LLC  Nutritional Coaching and Education

Brittani, a mother of 2, found a passion for nutrition and health when she reached a peak of 226 pounds and held on to the weight 2 years after the birth of her first child. The journey of a healthier lifestyle is so complex and with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and studies as a nutritional coach Brittani is now down 90 pounds in a 2 year span with a pregnancy and birth of her second son in between, and has created services to help individuals that want to make the same lifestyle changes.
 
The MISSION of It’s Not a Piece of Cake is to educate, support and assist in the mindset transition of men and women into weight management (be it loss, gain, or maintain) It’s Not a Piece of Cake offers various programs to ensure a successful start and continuation.

Mindset Transition – via analyzing current eating habits, ways to improve, and maintain at any stage of your journey One must understand that making the changes to a healthier lifestyle journey requires a certain level of drive and realism, through a healthy mindset. Once that is balanced, the journey to greater can be enjoyed.

Education  – via explaining who food affects your body and how the proper complex nutrition can change your life. Topics are presented on a weekly base to ensure complete understanding of your new walk. When you know better, it is easier to do better.

Support  – via accountability, I am a friend/coach, I rejoice with the positives and coach through the negatives. I am fully hands on in my client’s journey; your success is my success!! Now, no journey is perfect, but after losing 90 pounds, having 2 small children, having a full-time job through it all, and then some, I can promise to be there step-by-step along the way.

BODY,  BABY  & ME
Owner:  Elizabeth Mays Unaeze

Body, Baby & Me was founded by Elizabeth Unaeze, wife and mother of two, who initially wanted to offer a way for pre and postnatal women become and stay healthy throughout their pregnancies and beyond. After facing a difficult 2nd pregnancy due to health complications, Elizabeth realized that Body, Baby, & Me could not only help those who are expecting but anyone who would like to reach their fitness goals.

A graduate of Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Louisiana State University, Elizabeth founded Body, Baby, & Me in April of 2014 with the vision to aid in all aspects of the human development and maintenance.  

About the Company:
Body, Baby, & Me is comprised of three different components. “The Body” represents all health aspects an individual my encounter throughout their lives. “The Baby” represents all of the pre and postnatal women who may be searching for ways to become and stay healthy before, during, and after pregnancy, and “The Me” focuses on the mental aspect of becoming and staying healthy. Body, Baby, & Me has programs for men, women, and children that specifically focus on complete body awareness and strength.

Programs Available (distant options available)

• Customized weekly plans
• Month to Month follow up
• Education Seminars
• One on One, Group, and Family Education sessions/programs

Programs Available:
 Personal Training
 Group Training
 Mommy & Me classes
 Circuit & Resistance Training
 Seminars & Specialized Training Classes
 Endurance Training for races    
 Dance Fitness

• “Egwu” – An African Dance class
• “Prexercise” – A dance class specifically designed for pregnancy
• “Hip Hop Pop” – A high energy music mix-up class
• “Memory Lane” – Dance to music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s
• “Joint Junction” – A class designed for those with mobility problems

Like Body, Baby, & Me on Facebook and check out our website http://bodybabyme.com for updates on events, classes, and more! E-mail me at eunaeze@bodybabyme.com for any questions or to sign up today!

Contact at:  facebook.com/inapocllc or email itsnotapieceofcake@gmail.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Tonya Shirelle

 

Publicist, bestselling author, freelance journalist and speaker, Tonya Shirelle is a Detroit native with over 25 years experience in public relations.  After working for several Fortune 500 companies including McDonald’s Corporation and Kmart Corporation,  she pursued her passion of entrepreneurship as CEO of ES Communications Agency, a full service public relations firm,  and Infinite Xpression Publishing Company.

With a diverse clientele across the globe she uses her out-of-the-box public relations strategies to build successful PR campaigns, and create compelling campaigns for authors under the Infinite Xpression Publishing company.

As a freelance journalist she has written articles which have been published in local and national publications. She has published three fiction and two non-fiction books.  As a speaker she ignites the room with her engaging and enlightening messages.

ES Communications Agency & Infinite Xpression Publishing. http://www.escommunicationsagency.com and infinitexpressionpub.com

BOOK:  Circumstances by Tonya Shirelle
Link: http://amzn.com/B0071PM64A

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Victoria Warren Jackson

Untraditional Love In The Dark
by Victoria Warren Jackson

Purchase Your Copies Today!

Untraditional Love In The Dark by Victoria Warren Jackson Samantha learns a valuable lesson about self-love after Isaiah, her future husband, jogs into her life one windy morning. On the rebound, Samantha marries Isaiah to later discover he has a violent temper. He is physically abusive, lazy, and has a naughty secret. Samantha is about to face the fight of her life when she discovers Isaiah is bisexual. As her life unravels, Samantha faces death and must triumph over adversity to rebuild her life. The conclusion is a definite surprise. Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers’ Favorite In Untraditional Love In The Dark by Victoria Warren Jackson, Samantha is a successful college graduate with a busy and prospering boutique that she owns, but her personal life has many faults. Sam has been through many unsuccessful relationships in her 30 years of life. One after another seemed to have their own way of causing her grief, embarrassment, and complete sadness. Sam has dealt with a disease-inflicting boyfriend, a ‘married with kids’ boyfriend, and then the winner of them all, a bisexual husband. Sam needs to learn how to love herself and not just love and want to love men. Author Victoria Warren Jackson entertains readers with her realistic, suspenseful and dramatic romance novel. The story plot created within this novel is one most readers can relate highly to, knowing someone in the same position or being in the same position themselves. For a woman though, Sam’s experiences with men could possibly be the worst nightmarish thing to happen in a relationship. Victoria writes with such emotion and description that readers can feel themselves being mesmerized by the sequence of events told. The book is a nonstop read and a page-turner. Untraditional Love In The Dark is a great novel, especially for women. The author provides highly relatable characters and scenes within each chapter. It is like reading a friend’s diary. The book has some R-rated content and language within, and therefore is more suited to mature readers.

Book Excerpt:  Chapter 1 – Untraditional Love In The Dark It was December 19, and there I was strolling down the beach. I don’t truly know what had possessed me that morning. I had been awake, crying practically all night long. My heart was heavy and overflowing. I wanted to leave my body, to escape it all. I had only gotten about two hours of sleep. Those two hours were not a peaceful sleep. I had a nightmare. I dreamed I was driving across a bridge in New Orleans. The bridge suddenly collapsed. Within seconds, my car was covered with water. I tried to continue driving. The car would not move. The engine made a clicking sound. I saw other cars floating on by. I saw what appeared to be seaweed or some type of plant.  I could not get my car door to open. I used the heel of my shoe to kick the window’s glass. It did not break. My eyes opened wide as I struggled.  It was to late for me to escape. I awoke from the dream gasping for air, almost as if I had swallowed some seawater. The water engulfing me was a sign of how I felt about my life. I was in too deep.  My body was totally drained after the dream. I guess I was physically struggling while I was asleep.  I could not get myself to relax. I was so angry and bitter. My emotions were out of control. It felt worse than being trapped in a tornado. I was stuck in a miserable life based on the lies fed to me by a man. I was tired of wasting time pretending I was going to get some sleep. I wanted to sleep, to dream, to be held, but I was far from getting any of the three. I decided to go out on the beach, just to think for a while. I thought being near the water would work magic on my situation. If it didn’t, I could always have jumped in and got my clothes wet. That was a stupid thought. Not to mention, sharks are known to swim close to the shore before dawn. Sharks are more prone to attack if a swimmer is alone as opposed to being in a group. A kid was attacked by a shark three weeks beforehand. The shark devoured the child’s arm in one bite. Beach-goers were being more cautious. Besides, I had enough problems already to add pneumonia and a shark bite to the list. The water is extremely fierce on the beach early in the morning. It was around six-thirty a.m. The wind was kind of chilly but not too cold. The sky was a medium shade of gray with bits of white peeking through the center. I could smell salt water and fish. Around Christmas time in Miami, it always gets windy. The change in weather signals Christmas has arrived. Usually when a person is depressed, the first thing to go is their appearance. Depression has a way of making a person forget about materialistic things.  I was bundled up in a cream colored sweater, an old sweatshirt, and a pair of jogging pants. I didn’t want to get cold when the waves blew in towards the shore. I was having a bad hair day. I used my fingers to comb my hair towards the back. Living in Miami kind of spoiled me as far as the weather is concerned. I was accepting of the brief visits of wind during the holiday season mainly because Miami is mostly sunny year round. On my feet, I wore a pair of Nike Tennis and regular cotton socks. It would not have been a wise idea to wear open-toed shoes especially if I didn’t want to get sand on my feet.  And God knows. I did not want any jellyfish finding a resting place on my feet. Those little things have a sting strong enough to send you to the hospital. Better yet, the poison from their sting can swell your feet bigger than a grapefruit. I once had a jellyfish to land on my feet while I was walking near the shore. I did not realize it was there until a sharp pain shot up my leg. I started running and screaming, “A shark got me. Run everybody, run.” I worked myself up so bad. I nearly fainted. I got weak in the knees, and I collapsed on the beach. The lifeguard pushed his way through the crowd of people who had circled around me. I assumed he looked at my legs and did not see any torn skin or ligaments, so he knew it was not a shark attack. He laughed as he rubbed my right leg. “You are not dead. I think a jelly fish bit you,” he told me. Yes, I was embarrassed. There I was lying on the beach. Thank God I had a sense of humor. I lowered my head and smiled. Through all of the commotion, I noticed the lifeguard’s muscular build. If the circumstances were different, I probably would have flirted with him. The beach-goers were irritated when he said jellyfish. They grunted and walked away. I heard a teenage boy tell his friend, “She got everybody all worried. She knew she was lying. She thought they were going to put her on the six o’clock news or something.” Fresh mouth kid. He was lucky I was not his relative. I had the mind to take my shoe off and give him a good whipping. I was not worried about getting on the news. I honestly thought I had been attacked by a shark. How was I supposed to know it was only a jellyfish? (  Continued…  ) © 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Victoria Warren Jackson.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Book Trailer: Untraditional Love In The Dark Youtube    Watch now – http://youtu.be/73AtQi77w74 Get Your Copy Today!  Untraditional Love In The Dark by Victoria Warren Jackson Books are available from  Amazon.com  and  Barnes & Noble.com

Victoria Warren Jackson was born in Milledgeville, Georgia. She was raised in Milledgeville, Georgia and Miami, Florida

After graduating from high school, Victoria earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Broadcasting Journalism from Miami Dade College. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics from Oakwood University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Victoria is FCCPC Certified and has a CDA National. She is a member of NAPW and NAEYC.

Victoria has been an educator for eighteen years and began writing her first novel while teaching middle grade students. Victoria soon realized that writing is therapy and continues to write daily. She is the author of three books, Can You Feel Me? Intimate Poetry, Not Just Us, and Untraditional Love In The Dark.

Victoria is passionate about helping children become their best. She remains busy writing, teaching full-time, volunteering in her community, and singing in the church choir.

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms?
My current work explores relationships and self-love. This is a romance novel. This book is available from Amazon.com in Kindle format.

BPM:  What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
I was inspired to write this book because I had the thoughts living in my mind like an actual movie. After dreaming about the plot of the story, I felt it was time to share with others. I knew it was a good time to get the book published because it became a top priority in my life.

BPM:  Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing?
My mother played a big role in my deciding to become a writer. She has always believed in me not matter what I decided to do in life. Some of my life experiences also influenced the text in the story.

BPM:  Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
My book ideas come from my own experiences and other situations I may see in everyday life. My books are character driven. I focus more on the personal narrative than the plot. I have always enjoyed reading books, which provide a close-up of the character’s mind. This is why I like to write from a first person point-of-view.

BPM:   Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
The main character, Samantha, is a well-educated woman who owns a business. She is ideal based on societal norms, but she has one flaw. She cannot select the right man. Her world would be perfect if she could only meet an honest, loving man. Samantha is special because she is the voice of many women today.

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
The topics primarily discussed are proper communication in a relationship, marriage, and self-love. By writing my book, I learned the importance of loving oneself before searching for love elsewhere.

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Success is getting the book published. As an author, I am striving to create an educational platform to help new authors who have questions and need answers.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book?
I would love to see my book on the New York Times Bestselling Author List. And I would like the theme of the book to pass on a valuable message to readers. I do enjoy hearing from readers. After reading my book, I would love for readers to share their feedback with me.

BPM:   Did you ever ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Should I change course?”
Many times I asked myself why I am still holding on to the dream of being a successful author. It is a lot of hard work, and the publishing arena has changed drastically. I sometimes wonder what will happen to my writing because I am not a celebrity or a person with a popular voice.

BPM:   Do you feel as if you are a role model for women and other authors period?
I think I am a role model. While I was in college, my literature professor told me I could not write. I was so hurt by his constant negative comments on my essays. Some of the anger I had towards him caused me to practice even more. I refused to roll over and play dead. I did not allow him to determine what should happen in my life. Also, I started out as an indie author with limited income. It was not easy making the sacrifice to put money away for my projects, but I decided budgeting would help make my dreams come true.

BPM:   What projects are you working on at the present?
Currently, I am working on a novel. I am also working on creating teleseminars for book publishing.

BPM:   How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Twitter: @authorvwj.  Visit my website at  http://www.victoriawarrenjackson.com

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BondingThruBooks Speaker – Kristin L. Mitchell

Being a fatherless daughter has become a widespread epidemic, and author Kristin L. Mitchell is determined to produce a cure with her memoir,  He Wasn’t My Daddy: My Road to Restoration  (September 30, 2014, ISBN: 978-0-692-25762-3, K. Restoration LLC).

Speaking from a very personal place; a hurtful place that, from time to time, she finds herself
revisiting, Kristin L. Mitchell shares her story based on her perspective—her upbringing and
how her mother raised her single-handedly, and life without her father. She shares how the
absence of her father detrimentally affected her, causing her to cling to situations and people,
looking for that unique love in all the wrong places and people.

He Wasn’t My Daddy is testimony to Mitchell’s love, her loss, her abandonment, and her
restoration! “Truly, a journey that so many women travel, I have written it in a way that I hope
will incite dialogue and bond fatherless daughters across generations, as many of us share the
same or similar experiences,” said Mitchell about her debut effort. When asked if she harbored
any hesitancy about releasing her story to the world, she said, “Admittedly, writing this book,
and sharing my story with the world was scary at first, but had become therapeutic.”

Kristin L. Mitchell’s story will travel you down the road to her restoration, in hopes of promoting
healing for other fatherless daughters. It will also allow you to explore the effect absent fathers
have on their daughters. The effect her absent father had on her.

“He Wasn’t My Daddy is honest, holds nothing back, and allows others to witness that it is okay
to expose all in an effort to heal open wounds,” said Mitchell. “This is my story. This is my road
to restoration!”

Kristin L. Mitchell is a native of Washington, DC, a graduate of Spelman College, with a
Bachelor of Arts degree, a graduate of George Mason University, with a Master of Education,
and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit her online
at http://www.kristinlmitchell.com.

Kristin L. Mitchell  is available for speaking engagements, book signings, book club meetings,
and book fairs/events. To schedule her, please contact Nakia McGuire on 202.489.3282 or via email: n2m.mgmt@gmail.com

Purchase He Wasn’t My Daddy: My Road to Restoration and Redemption. Amazon Link:  http://amzn.com/B00NF5JRJW

Book Intro –  Kristin L. Mitchell sought Daddy’s love in all the wrong places and people. Today, she is still seeking Daddy’s love. Her story will travel you down the road to her restoration through pain, anger, therapy sessions that felt like episodes of Dr. Phil, promiscuity, attempts of suicide and stints in mental wards.

HE WASN’T MY DADDY  is not only a memoir that is a page-turner, but inspires and enlightens. Kristin L. Mitchell’s recapitulation of a life that was filled with experiences about a young girl who grew up without her father, is extremely telling and heartfelt. Kristin has lived through abusive relationships and bad decisions in her dating and social life, resulting in suicide attempts, and run-ins with law enforcement.

HE WASN’T MY DADDY takes you on a journey of exploring the effects absent fathers have on their daughters, exploring fatherlessness, mental illness, depression, promiscuity and suicide.

This book tells all. Nothing is off limits. Nothing is kept secret.

Contact: Nakia McGuire for events and speaking engagements
Phone: 202.489.3282
Email: n2m.mgmt@gmail.com
Website: http://www.kristinlmitchell.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Intimate Conversation with Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Cheryl Lacey Donovan is a nationally recognized evangelist and public speaker. As founder of Worth More than Rubies Ministries, Cheryl has become one of the nations leading conference presenters. A noted author and internet radio personality, she has influenced the lives of thousands of women in the U.S. and abroad. Cheryl’s calling to inspire, motivate, & educate others is evident as her passion to help women discover their authentic purpose and destiny comes through in her books, CD’s and devotionals.

Women What the Hell are You Thinking Now?  by Cheryl Lacey Donovan
Join Author and Evangelist Cheryl Donovan as she discusses her new book Women, What the Hell are You Thinking Now? This series of discussions is designed to help individuals identify the strongholds in their lives and tear them while seeking to live the abundant life God intended.

BOOKS BY CHERYL LACEY DONOVAN

* F.A.I.T.H. (SHIFT Happens Bible Study) By Cheryl Lacey Donovan
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/1502547406

* Killing Religion by Cheryl Lacey Donovan
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/0692306188

BPM: Cheryl share with us a quote from one of the most powerful chapters.
“You can’t get to the next level if you’re stuck on the ground floor.”

BPM: You are an Evangelist and ordained Minister of the Gospel. What prompted you to write this book for women?
Over the years, I’ve shared many of my experiences and testimonies of things that happened to me and others I cross in my daily profession as a medical instructor .I originally wrote a similar book about two years ago which addressed some of those issues but in this book, I tackle them head on with practical applications for implementation. I actually had no idea my mess would someday be a message for others. That’s the Holy Spirit for you. He brings things full circle in your life. Many of us are experiencing a spiritual disconnect in most cases. We believe our problems are carnal rather than spiritual. You want to do the right thing but are confronted with situations that are counter intuitive to all your values, cultural and spiritual, and you have to balance them all. It’s tough. So I wrote Women What the Hell are You Thinking Now? to help women get through the tough days with grace and know that God loves them and is with them no matter what.

BPM: What life lessons have you experienced personally that have nurtured and shaped who you are today?
Christians are not immune to the vicissitudes of life. Understanding this reality has helped me cope with the setbacks and unexpected pitfalls I’ve faced. Jesus said we’d have them in this world but to be of good cheer because he’d overcome the world (John 16:33). That’s the good news. Christ is with us He never leaves us or forsakes us.

BPM: What insight does the book give readers on life?
The book encourages the reader to look inside themselves for the changes they want to see. A transformed mind leads to a transformed life.

BPM: What are some of the common mistakes, or mis-informed choices that prevent women in developing spiritually, or building positive relationships?
We allow others to define us. Who we are and who we should be rather than looking to the creator for the answer. Many of us have an unction or yearning inside about who we are and what we should be doing to build the Kingdom but we allow the enemy to lie to us and convince us otherwise. We forget that with Christ we can do all things and that he can take the foolish things and confound the wise. We are more than conquerors and we shouldn’t allow fear to consume us.

BPM: What are you hoping women will take away from your book, i.e., personally, emotionally, and/or spiritually?
I want women to understand how important they are to God. The Kingdom of God lives within in each of us. Therefore, we already have everything we need to operate in our God given purpose. Once we get that we can truly experience the abundant life God intended for us to have.

BPM: How do you avoid the temptation of interjecting your own morals, value system or ministry in your writing?
I try to be real. I try to be transparent. I use myself, my story to connect with the reader. I’m not trying to save people with my writing; I’m simply trying to share God’s love without shoving religion down their throats. I want readers to be inspired and come away encouraged.

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?
Mainstream media exposure is probably the most difficult aspect of marketing. It can be hard to keep track of news stories trends, etc. with which your book has something in common. Yet, this is the most effective way of getting interviews in print as well as on national media programs.

BPM: How has your writing style evolved over the years? What stimulated your growth the most? We are here to shine the spotlight on your new book, but what’s next?
I’d like to think it’s more thought provoking and more meaningful to the reader. Again I connect with them through my own story so I believe it’s more real and effective at reaching the reader. My next book is No Test No Testimony: What Happens When All Hell Breaks Loose. It discusses the fact that just because you’re seen as a “leader” in the faith based community it doesn’t mean that you don’t go through trials and tribulations that can upset your world. But in the end as the title reflects there is ultimately a testimony for the masses.

BPM: Do you have plans to write other devotional/spiritual books, and how can readers reach you?
I plan to continue traveling the country ministering to women and I will continue writing books of inspiration including devotionals, journals, and other inspirational material. Anyone wishing to contact me can do so at cherylspeaks@gmail.com.  They can also visit the website: http://www.worthmorethanrubiesministries.org;  http://www.facebook.com/cheryl.donovan;  http://www.twitter.com/donovancheryl

Women What the Hell are You Thinking Now?  Transform Your Thinking to Transform Your Life
by Cheryl Lacey Donovan

• Book Review
Cheryl, you speak with authority, wisdom, and experience. Your book is certain to breathe life into those who feel beaten down by circumstances. Your strong yet loving words will draw women of all ages and stages to the power and peace that only our Risen Lord can provide. He has spoken through you. Thank you for being an obedient messenger. In Christ’s love and warmth.   ~ Jory H. Fisher, JD,  http://www.WomenFindPurpose.com 

• Primary Topics Discussed in Women What the Hell are You Thinking Now?

1.)  You have to clear the clutter and get on with your life. You have to learn to forgive not only others but yourself. When you harbor fear it grows into bitterness, anger, and resentment. Ultimately the only person this hurts is you. We have to let go of all the bad feelings and emotions that keep us in bondage.

2.)  If you transform your thinking you’ll transform your life. Our thoughts turn into words. Those words turn into actions. Ultimately all of this becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Therefore, we must strive to maintain a positive attitude and positive thoughts so that our outcome will be successful.

3.)  Be truthful with yourself. Many of us hide behind masks. Masks not only shown to others but to ourselves as well. Being truthful with ourselves helps us to identify those things that keep us from living an abundant life. In this way we can begin to forgive yourself and others.

4.)  Identify opportunities for growth even in life’s most mundane moments. You already have everything you need to live a life of victory. Use it.

Purchase at Amazon Today!
Genre: Christian/Inspirational
ISBN-10: 0982967268
ISBN-13: 978-0982967263
Now available on the  Nook  and  Kindle

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Marlene Banks

GUNMEN HAVE NO SABBATH by Marlene Banks
An Exodusters Saga                                                                 
Resolving for different reasons to abandon their past lifestyles, four fast guns with well-earned reputations quietly settle outside the all-Negro town of Nicodemus, Kansas. The men are commissioned to protect the town from an unscrupulous land baron’s attempted takeover with payment of cash and property. They face the challenges of unwelcoming townsfolk, a devious adversary, and powerful corporate greed assisted by unprincipled politics, as well as their own personal demons. In the midst of this they find the unexpected; romance and a struggle of faith.

Gideon McCoy, Caleb Cain, Joshua Boudreaux and David ‘Boone’ Tennyson are reputed fast guns who become immediately attracted to the charming Nicodemus women: Sugar, a beautiful farm girl, Louise the talkative daughter of a general store owner, Liberty a sassy saloon owner and the newly arrived schoolmarm, Polly.

While Nicodemus residents enthusiastically anticipate the advent of the Pacific Union Railroad, a scheming Lucas Hitchcock and the cultural mentality of greedy ambition and ingrained racism work against a potentially beneficial arrangement. Yet the Godly presence in Lucas’ most despised enemy, Geoffrey Abington, foils his brutal bid for control. Nicodemus becomes pawn in a tug of war between a railroad company only concerned with profitable expansion along with Hitchcock’s power play and the godly team of Geoffrey Abington and his friend Harlan Colby.

Harlan, a loving family man and longtime railroad executive who is fed up with his employer’s trend of unethical business practices. Harlan makes a hard choice for what he believes to be God’s standard in business, society, and humanity as a whole. People are being harassed, run from their land, and even murdered. The four gunmen are hired to protect Nicodemus’ citizens but encounter obstacles both spiritual and natural they did not foresee. Sides are drawn culminating into a massive showdown and only God will able to save the four men and Nicodemus.

Nicodemus, Kansas is an actual town still existing today with a significant contribution to African American history. This story is fictional but with important nuggets of historical fact injected.

* GUNMEN HAVE NO SABBATH: An Exodusters Saga by Marlene Banks
http://www.amazon.com/Marlene-Banks/e/B005KXAM2I

* Greenwood and Archer: After The Riot By Marlene Banks
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/0802406211

Marlene Banks considers herself a Kingdom writer/novelist, hardwired to tell stories. God honors her to serve with this gift she loves to use. A passion for good stories directs her reading choices and fuels her writing goals. She believes a good story definitely has the power to show God’s glory to the world, spread the Gospel, and inspire change. Marlene emphatically declares Christ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of her faith and her fiction.

Marlene is relatively new on the scene as a professional novelist. Her penchant for ignored or misrepresented African American history, love of biblical life application along with a fascination of human psychology, and a soft spot for that male female dance of romance blended together creating the multi-layered plots for her first four novels. The result was she found her niche penning historical romance. She hasn’t stopped with that, however. She also writes contemporary fiction with a chick lit romance genre series already introduced to the public.

Marlene’s roots are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she currently lives and worships at the Bethel Deliverance Church in Wyncote, PA. If you want to learn more about her visit one of these sites:

http://www.marlenebanks.com
https://twitter.com/MarleneBanks2
http://www.pinterest.com/authormarleneba/boards
https://www.facebook.com/authormarlene.banks
https://www.amazon.com/author/novel_lady
https://www.goodreads.com/author/MarleneBanks

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Alexandra Lane

Alexandra Lane was born in Fayetteville, NC but due to her father’s military career she has lived in various states and countries. To have the opportunity to become familiar with other cultures and their traditions was an uplifting and educational journey. One she was glad to have participated in.

She later returned to Fayetteville where she attended Fayetteville State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management. Upon graduation she worked in the financial world of banking. Although she enjoyed her years as a Banking Center Manager she wanted to devote more of her time to writing and telling compelling stories. This is her first novel. She is currently working on her second.

BPM: Can you share a little of your current work with us? Introduce us to your book. 
A Vision of Angels: The Battle Begins is the story of a woman name Minty, a slave and Jack, a slave hunter. Both their lives are shattered beyond what most people would be able to bear.

Minty will make a decision to run away to save her life and Jack and a few men will pursue her in the dark swamps of Maryland. However, Jack is unaware of what he is about to encounter at a place called, Little Canyon. Unimaginable, is how I would describe what happens next. Evil is amongst them, but more than anything, it is very aware of these two souls.

This story is a looking glass into the world of Angels and the incredible feats they performed for the sake of these two lives. This is a story of hope in the face of hopelessness and redemption even when one feels there is none.  Of course, you will have to read the story to understand why.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  
The idea came about one day when I was watching a daytime talk show. There was a man on the show that described an incredible situation where he survived a paragliding incident that should’ve robbed him of his life. But thankfully, he lived. However, he went on to say he was incredibly “lucky.”

I saw it different. I saw his angels safely guiding him to earth because his purpose had not yet been fulfilled here on earth. So I wondered how amazing it must look to see our angels in action. How does it look when they’re doing extraordinary things behind the scenes for us? Like saving us from danger, protecting us from harm and even guiding us through life? That is when the story was born.

So far as plot or character driven, I would have to say that this is more character driven because I wanted to focus more on the people in the story. Who they are, and what made them that way. We are all flawed in some way, but there are some people who have more challenges and bigger road blocks in their lives. As a result they develop certain “defenses” to help them cope with the more strenuous obstacles of life. It makes for some very interesting outcomes.

BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special? 
Well the main characters are Minty, Jack and Red. What makes Minty special is her spirit. Even as a slave she doesn’t lose hope. She never stops believing that she can, one day, be free. Even when everything around her, the environment, the other slaves and her husband, says NO YOU CAN’T.

Jack is special because his life started out one way but made a drastic turn when his parents died. He tries hard to fight the dark emotions that try to rule over him but it’s difficult. He actually has a good heart but it worthless to him. So, he just drifts through life trying to run from a past he hates but realizes it follows you wherever you go.

Red is different. He was born with these awful, menacing eyes that frightens everyone. But as he gets older and begins to partake in some unsavory acts, those eyes are not only frightening but they become occupied with something more sinister than himself.

And I don’t want to make light of Patty and Melinda because they are both instrumental in the story as well. Patty is the owner/madam of a saloon. Her reason for becoming a madam is very interesting.

Melinda is a young woman who was taken in by Patty when she was kicked out of her aunt’s home. However, things begin to take a turn when she and Jack meet for the first time.

BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
Yes. Although this story takes place in 1849 around the time of slavery, I picked this time to show that even in the direst situations, there is still hope. Keep in mind slavery can come in many forms. Sometimes we are enslaved to our environment: Poverty, crime, drugs, domestic violence, abuse and the list goes on and on. Sometimes when it’s all you know and you don’t see a way out, it’s easier to give in and accept it as your fate. (Just as the other slaves did in this story) But I strongly believe you can change your outcome.

A Vision of Angels is a story about hope, looking beyond your circumstances and what everyone else is saying and doing and fighting for a better life. Start preparing, set a plan in motion, study hard, hold onto patience and above all have faith in God and follow your angel that He has assigned to you. Do these things and you can make it out of whatever hell you may be in.

Is it going to be easy? No. Are there bumps and bruises in attempting to free yourself? Yes, many. But how great is the reward that awaits when you’re finally free.

BPM: What would you like for readers to take away from your writing? 
Psalms 91:11 says, “For He shall give His angels charge over thee in all thy ways. The translation of the word “angel” is “messenger.” Simply put, Angels are God’s messengers. What I want people to take away from this story is that we have all been assigned an angel…or two. (Smile) God sent them to help guide us on this journey, therefore, we need to listen when they are trying to do their job.

Whenever you hear a still, quiet voice in your spirit saying, Take her some food and Buy the child some clothes or sometimes a strong urge may come over you to call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in years. Do it, there’s a reason for it. And in some cases they have messages of warnings. For example, you’re getting ready to take a ride with someone that maybe you just met, but all of a sudden this overpowering feeling/warning comes over you and you know you shouldn’t get in that car or Stay away from that place. This is your angel trying to guide you in life as well as protect you. Each act we perform or obey takes us closer to fulfilling our purpose.

And have you ever noticed that when you “do” listen, you’re so glad you did?! Sometimes, it is revealed to us later why we were told to do what we did. Makes you smile. Makes you feel really good inside.

BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author?
When someone calls you or leaves a message and tells you how much they loved your story. As an author, at least for me, it’s not always easy putting a story together but when you finally complete your story, that is the most gratifying feeling. But what’s more exciting is when others read your book and get just as excited about the story as you did when you were writing it. When they say it made them feel good or how they really liked a certain character. When I hear the words, suspenseful, inspirational, blessing or better yet, it made them think. To me, that is success! A wonderful feeling to have.

BPM: Were there any challenges in bringing this story to life? 
Yes, yes and yes to all of the above. Writing in a different time period is a challenge in itself. You have to research the clothes, the words, everything. You have to stay in that time and not forget that there are certain words we say today that were not used back in that time. Certain mannerisms and behaviors were more acceptable back then but not today. So, I had fun learning about those little details that we don’t really think about every day.

BPM: Our life experiences, challenges and success help define who we are on a personal and professional level. At what point in your career did you discover your real worth and own it? 
Actually, there are several points in my life that I can reflect on that shaped who I am today but I will address this particular one. My first trial in life came when I became a divorcee and I had three children to raise on my own. Whew! That was a tough one. I had to move to a place that my kids weren’t use to living in, but that was so I could go to college and hopefully provide a better life for them. I had always wanted to go but I didn’t have the money or any scholarships or rich relatives. LOL. I honestly didn’t know where to start.

So, I went to the college and spoke to the administrators and they were wonderful in guiding me on where to begin. But in pursuing this journey, I had to “back up” in life in order to go forward and I also had to be patient and stay focused on the end game and not my current situation. You realize how strong you are as a mother and as a person when you have very little to live off of and nowhere to pull from. But when I finished college and walked across that stage to receive my degree the REWARD was far greater than the struggle and the pain I endured.

I can’t find the words to describe how it felt to get a good paying job and what it felt like to move your family into a better home and neighborhood and comfortably provide for them.

One day, while sitting at my computer and thinking back on my life, I wrote this short poem for myself. Of course, I titled it, New Beginnings:

**A new beginning represents the journey and transition of a woman. Her struggles through difficult times and the transformation she undergoes. Strength is the gift given to each woman that has had to start over in her life, for her choices were few, and her path reset. And for every dramatic change she endures, like the butterfly, she emerges stronger, wiser and more beautiful. When you thought you couldn’t run any further, you now realize you have wings…and you can soar. **

This poem hangs on my wall in my room as a reminder of what I was brought through. Thank you, God.

Website: http://alexandralane.tateauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/avisionofangels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.lane11

Purchase A Vision of Angels: The Battle Begins

Available on Kindle and Nook and in print 


Barnes and Noble.com:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-vision-of-angels-alexandra-lane/1108912950

 

 

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Pamela Samuels Young

Anybody’s Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young

LISTEN TO AUTHOR READING FROM BOOK

Go On Girl! Book Club, one of the largest national reading organizations in the U.S. dedicated to supporting writers of the African diaspora, is proud to officially announce its reading selections for July thru December 2014.  The books were chosen by members of the GOG Reading List Committee headed by Chairman Joyce Williams.  She says, “We are excited to present another round of compelling titles that are sure to generate incredible discussions among our members.”   The selections represent six of the twelve official genres read by Go On Girl! Book Club.

Popular novelist, Pamela Samuels Young sheds light on child sex trafficking with a story full of suspense.  Writer Jason Mott imagines life in a small southern town when deceased loved ones come back to life.   Author Lauren Francis-Sharma takes us to Trinidad with a story of enduring love.   Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks makes the list with her only published novel.   Writer Gil Robertson IV explores the issues facing African American couples.   Dancer Misty Copeland traces her journey from life in a shabby hotel room to the prestigious American Ballet Theater.

 
Go On Girl! Book Club Reading List is Legendary and Important!
Featured Selection – 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 his reign of terror to an end.

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?

About the Author
Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and 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.

Anybody’s Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young
Dre Thomas Series Book 2.  Available on Kindle

Purchase Today:
http://www.amazon.com/Anybodys-Daughter-Thomas-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00GC7UI8E

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – K.R. Raye

 

K.R. Raye lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons. She grew up in Kansas City, attended college in New York, and has resided in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New Zealand. Throughout her diverse career working as a mechanical engineer, adjunct professor, and in sales, she continues to weave her love of marketing, computer information systems, and operations together with her passion for writing. That diverse experience influences her writing style to traverse the contemporary, horror, romance, drama, mystery, and sci-fi genres.

BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book? 
Growing up, I learned to read at three and write little poems by four. For me, writing is a fun way to express feelings and emotions, try things you never considered, or create whole new worlds or alternative universes. When I wrote The Colors Trilogy books, I followed the old adage, “write what you know.” To me, there weren’t many books that highlighted the college experience from a realistic side with multi-cultural characters and good friends from both sexes.

BPM: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when? Do you have a special time to write?
I write part-time, however, I try to write every day for at least 30 minutes, it doesn’t matter when or where. Of course there are some days where life gets in the way and my daily word count equals zero, then there are other times when I can write all day and all night to my heart’s content.

BPM: Do you ever let the book stew – leave it for months and then come back to it?
Yes, you have to let it stew. After you finish writing the book, you need to read it again with fresh eyes and a less passionate perspective to see which areas need improvement and which sections soar.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?
I enjoy writing about what I see in reality (the truth really is stranger than fiction) or crazy worlds I dream about. When writing, I try to keep a nice balance between plot driven and character driven stories. As a writer, your book can have all the action in the world, but if people don’t like your characters, they won’t connect or care. On the flip side, if you stay too character driven then you can run the risk of having readers say that all your characters did was talk to themselves without taking any action, which can bore your readers. So, I strive for an exciting balance between the two.

BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
The Colors Trilogy follows three college friends as they search for true love, NFL fame, and a successful engineering career. The books are available in paperback and digital formats on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and they’re coming soon to iBooks.

The three novels The Colors of Friendship (Book One, published August 13, 2013), The Colors of Love (Book Two, published November 19, 2013), and True Colors (Book Three, publishing March 25, 2014) fall under the Contemporary, New Adult genres.

The Colors of Friendship: Three college friends search for true love, NFL fame, and a successful engineering career. Will one friend’s quest for happiness endanger all three of their lives? After the torrents of jealousy, sex, and abuse subside, will their friendship survive…The Colors of Friendship?

The Colors of Love: After their lives are threatened, three college friends attempt to continue their search for true love, NFL fame, and a successful engineering career. When the dynamics of their relationships change, will their friendship survive…The Colors of Love?

True Colors: After tragedy strikes, Imani, Melody, and Lance try to rekindle their college friendship. Can they move forward towards happiness or will ghosts from their past haunt them? When life’s challenges arise what are your…True Colors?

BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special? 
The Colors Trilogy follows three college friend as they strive for their goals. There’s:
Naïve, romantic, biracial Melody Wilkins who aims to find true love at college just like her parents. Melody brings the heart and sense of hope to the story.  No-nonsense Imani Jordan strives for good grades and a chemical engineering degree. Imani’s the common sense, tell-it-like-it-is conscience.  Lance Dunn is only serious about two things: football and protecting his girls, Melody and Imani. Lance is practical and fiercely loyal; he keeps them grounded with the male perspective.

BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
One of the main characters gets involved in an abusive relationship. Not trying to date myself, but I sent out a slew of query letters during the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga. It’s a topic that continues today with 1 in 4 women experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime.

BPM: What is your favorite positive saying? Where do you find your daily inspiration or muse?
My favorite saying is “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” I find daily inspiration in random acts of kindness, music, and lately on Facebook and Twitter!!!

BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or inspire? Entertain? Illuminate a particular subject? 
I love the phrase, “edutainment.” If I can educate you or make you think while entertaining you at the same time, then I’m delighted.

BPM: Where do you see publishing going in the future? In your opinion, will ebooks continue to reign? 
Both paper and electronic formats are here to stay for a while. As writers, we need to remain flexible and adaptable enough to adopt new technologies as conduits to communicate our stories to readers. Recently, I’ve had a number of readers request audio books, so that’s yet another option for the future. In addition, the world is global and one day I’d like to translate my work into other languages.

BPM: What’s your views on social media for marketing? Which social network worked best for you?
Social Media is very helpful in building your brand, conversing with your readers, networking with other authors, and lastly marketing your books. If you’re not careful, it can become a huge time suck. However, when used well, you can grow your following, share advice, learn from others, and sell books. I’ve found success on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kr.raye), Twitter (https://twitter.com/KRRaye), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/pub/k-r-raye/84/952/283/).

BPM: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included? How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Thank you so much for this opportunity. Readers can view pictures, check out where I’m appearing, and sign up for news and specials on my website, http://www.KRRaye.com.

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KRRaye 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kr.raye

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Denise Bolds

Raising Princes to be Kings: A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Son 
Denise Bolds is a native New Yorker born in Harlem NY. She is a resident in Dutchess County of 21 years. Ms. Bolds comes from a family of healers and educators.She is a graduate of Dutchess Community College and Marist College.

Denise also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She has worked with low income families for the past 15 years. Ms. Bolds is the author of Raising Princes to be Kings: A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Son and Raising Princesses to be Queens. Raising Princes is a recommended read by Ebony Magazine June 2013.

Denise Bolds is also the producer and host of her internet radio show: Black Motherhood Empowerment, a tool of empowerment with professional guests with discussions on the many avenues of Black life. Ms. Bolds is a proud single mother of her son Jordan who graduated from Poughkeepsie High School and earned his Master’s Degree in Special Education/Earth Science Elementary Level at age 22. 

Ms. Bolds also owns her own business:  Bold Doula under Bold Selah, LLC.   Ms. Bolds is a certified birth doula. Her goal is to bring awareness to the huge disparity of Black Maternal Health and doula as many women of color as possible.

Bold Doula under Bold Selah, LLC.
Website: http://www.bolddoula.com/read-me/

Raising Princes to be Kings: A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Sons by Denise Bolds
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/B00BVVXPKY

Raising Princes to Be Kings: a guide for black mothers and the parenting of their sons. Every black mother is capable of raising a Barack Obama, Ben Carson and many other successful black men from single parent homes.

Ms. Bolds’ book discusses the relationships of black motherhood of the black son from pregnancy to college and beyond. Ms. Bolds encourages black mothers to celebrate motherhood and to benefit from the success of empowered parenting. Motherhood is empowering. Topics in this book include: education, finance, relationships, sex, child support and many more to engage and empower.

From pre-conceptual health to college, Raising Princes to be Kings is a holistically empowering resource.

In this revised edition there are viable updates along with links to free lectures that relates to chapter topics, 40 developmental assets from ages 3 to 21 and contracts for the black mother and son. .

If we want good relationships with out black men, its is time that we raise black men and understand them. To truly raise a black man is to walk in their lives with them – not against them. Our black sons need us – we have to save our black men – too many have been lost already. GET READY TO BE EMPOWERED!

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Lutishia Lovely

BOOK MOVIE:  The Perfect Deception Vaudio
Watch it now and share:  http://youtu.be/ZLCJAsrf1uw

Watch Lutishia Lovely’s TV Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgysiZYxxXXui1ljFmkdnw

The Perfect Deception (The Shady Sisters Trilogy)
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/0758286686

Lutishia Lovely is an award-winning author of seventeen novels, six of which are romance titles written under her alter-ego pseudo, Zuri Day. In addition to her wildly popular Hallelujah Love Series, Ms. Lovely has a hot new trilogy called “The Business” about a soul food dynasty where delicious drama and sizzling scandal is always on the menu!

Prior to becoming a full-time author, Lutishia enjoyed many different careers. They all, however, had one thing in common – they all were linked into a “world of words”. From administrative assistant to radio personality to actor to managing editor and senior writer for a holistic magazine,words have always been the magic that made Lutishia’s world go ’round. Probably one of the spins that would most surprise readers is the fact that Lutishia was a rapper! That’s right, for a short stint in the 90s, Lutishia was billed as “The Rhaptress” (a combination of a rapper and an actress), and toured with other singers and musicians throughout southern CA. She’s happy now to beat out a rhythm on her keyboard…songs in the key of “writer” that she hopes will inspire and entertain!

BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
One day, this amazing story simply began downloading in my head. It was awesome, just like a movie. The woman, now known as lead character Jacqueline Tate, gave me the basic premise, which I immediately fleshed out into an outline and shot over to my editor, Selena James. She loved the idea, as I did, and approved it right away. There were still a couple books due before I’d get the chance to dive into this brave new world but once that happened I was in seventh heaven. I’m releasing the sequel to The Perfect Affair titled, The Perfect Deception on November 25, 2014!

BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
Absolutely. I believe that all of who we are, where we’ve been and what we’ve learned inspires all creative artists, be they writer, actor, singer, painter, etc. That being said, I am also a voyeur with a chameleon-like personality so it is easy for me to relate to and describe a lifestyle or situation very personally and vividly while having no personal experience on the matter. I think my background as an actor helps me in this as well.

BPM: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when? Do you have a special time to write?
I am blessed and thankful to be a full-time author without a set writing schedule. Most days, I’m writing, editing and/or promoting something and when not doing that handling the business aspects of my company, Lovely Day.

BPM: Do you ever let the book stew – leave it for months and then come back to it?
That’s basically what happens when I send the book off to the publisher for its first edits. When it comes back to me, there have usually been a few months in between and I see the story with new eyes. Inevitably, this leads to positive changes and sometimes whole subplots newly formed.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven? 
Ella, they come from the Universe! Sometimes that’s as easy as the character tapping on my shoulder, as Jacqueline Tate did, or through a pow-wow with my editor or literary friends. Other times inspiration comes from hearing a news story, watching something on TV or overhearing a conversation. I’m constantly being inspired which can be both a blessing and a challenge all at once! For the most part, my novels are plot-driven by very strongly identified characters.

BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
The Shady Sisters Trilogy is a fascinating new contemporary fiction series about women who find themselves in interesting and precarious romantic situations. In the debut novel, The Perfect Affair, we meet a woman who finds Mr. Right just when she’s about to give up on the game. When she finds out he’s married…oh well. Jacqueline Tate knows this is but a minor inconvenience because she always gets what she wants!

BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special? 
First of all, I must say that I am absolutely in love with these characters and with this book! There are so many layers to both of them; complexities brought about by some of the very things I mentioned earlier that make us who we are: what we know, what we’ve learned, and experiences we’ve had. On one hand, Jacqueline is a woman with whom most of us is familiar – we either know her or someone like her. She’s attractive, smart, with an exciting career. But like so many women, this success doesn’t translate into the relationship department. I believe readers, like her friends in the novel, will want to know why, and will root for her to find this happiness. 

On the other hand, again, like many of us, the problem in Jacqueline’s relationships begins with the relationship with herself. People do things and we judge without understanding; we blame without having all the facts. She’s written to take readers on a reflective journey…and that makes her special to me.

Dr. Randall Atwater was fun to write. First off, it’s the first time I’ve dealt with a scientist which considering how bad I did in chemistry, was a bit intimidating, even fictitiously Ha! But I loved showing this guy who came from a tough background but because someone recognized and showed interest in his passion, was able to rise above his situation and achieve success. He’s special because of his character and integrity, even when situations around him contradict these parts of him.

BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
Absolutely, Ella…I write in real life! J A few include the challenges some single women face in finding a “good” man, honesty and integrity in relationships, the value of sisterhood friendships and the act of giving back.

Dr. Atwater grew up in the Anacostia Projects in Washington, D.C. He knows what it’s like to feel hopeless, to see no way out. He’s also well aware that less than 50% of AA males graduate high school, with more ending up in prison than on a college campus. As a way of giving back, he sets up a program called Atwater’s Achievement Module that tutors junior high and high school students in science and math, and encourages them to look at the world of science as a possible career choice.

BPM: What topics are primarily discussed? Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
While writing, I tend to go on just as wild a journey as my readers do! Aside from knowledge constantly picked up by research, the characters and situations in this novel reminded me of the inherent power within us all. The same as I mold these characters, so are we molding our very own lives. We hold the pen and we are the story. The beginning, middle, end, how it flows and what genre we’re rocking, a thrilling suspense or hardcore mystery, a vanilla romance or full-on erotic saga….every page, every chapter of our lives is up to us.

BPM: What would you like for readers to take away from your writing? How do you go about reaching new readers? 
I want readers to finish this book, and shout, “Oh. My. God. Lutishia Lovely wrote the holy hieroglyphics out of that book!!!” And then I want them to tell everybody they see about it, and encourage them to take the journey, too!

BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author? 
Success for me as an author is the same as that of me as a person: to be happy, healthy and able to wake up every day doing what I love. Writing as a full-time author allows me to live comfortably, even though being my passion it is something I’d do for free…and have. 

BPM: What is your favorite positive saying? Where do you find your daily inspiration or muse?
Gurllll…never ask a Libra her favorite anything! We can never narrow the choices to just one! But a foundational favorite would be this: I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.

BPM: Were there any challenges in bringing this story to life?
Because of the complexities of the characters and nature of the storyline, this was probably the hardest book I’ve ever written. It is fast-paced, with plots and sub-plots, making it logistically difficult. Thank Spirit for editors is all I can say. It took all of them, me and a few angels to keep everything straight.

BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like to accomplish after the book is released? 
The Perfect Affair will be my first NYT Bestseller, after which I will be approached by several major studios resulting in a bidding war that will reach seven-figures. Everyone will be talking about it, even CNN, causing the rights to the entire trilogy to be snapped up internationally. The books will then be translated into at least 37 languages and place me on the Forbes list. So, not a lot of big expectations, Ella. I try not to aim too high.

BPM: You are just too funny!  What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or inspire? Entertain? Illuminate a particular subject?
It is to do all of the above!  Ultimately, I want to present my absolute best work with each release and if I’ve done that, then I will have done all of these things.

BPM: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?
Independently publishing my first novel, was an invaluable school of hard knocks regarding the publishing industry. It forced me to learn all aspects of the business, primarily that at the end of the day that is what this creative endeavor is…BIZ-NESS!!! I will always be grateful for that experience.

That being said, releasing a quality product through self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. It is hard, exhaustive work, forcing you to constantly juggle a dozen hats from a dozen perspectives. The digital revolution has eased this somewhat, but with this convenience has also come a flood of badly written, poorly edited novels. The craft has suffered because some do not take the time to fully hone their craft before selling their wares.

The advantages are that you are your own boss, and can write the story exactly as you want which, in some instances, is the disadvantage as well, along with challenges with distribution, promotion and being recognized by traditional outlets.

BPM: What’s your views on social media for marketing? Which social network worked best for you?
I love social media as a marketing addition. It allows me to get up-close-and-personal with Lovely readers; and to interact with them on a regular basis. I’ve networked, promoted, shared, and sold via various forms of social networking. Facebook is the one that I use most often and for that reason alone is the best for me.

BPM: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included? How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Like my novels, I am a constant work in progress, holding the pen to write the next scene of my life. I am on a journey and am thankful for all of those who come along for the ride. Readers can keep in touch and find out about various rest stops, drive bys and travel destinations by joining my newsletter at:  LutishiaLovely.com, liking me on Facebook at: authorLutishiaLovely and following me on Twitter at:  lutishialovely.

BPM:  Finish this sentence – “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers and authors… ”
“My writing offers the following legacy to future readers and authors: to write flawlessly, and live fearlessly.”

Join LDE Newsletter at: LutishiaLovely.com 
Like me on Facebook at: authorlutishialovely
Follow me on Twitter at:  http://www.twitter.com/lutishialovely
The Perfect Deception (The Shady Sisters Trilogy)
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/0758286686

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – William Fredrick Cooper

William Fredrick Cooper Uplifts The African-American Community With His Novels

William Fredrick Cooper is the author of the critically-acclaimed SIX DAYS IN JANUARY, the Essence/Black Expressions Bestselling novel THERE’S ALWAYS A REASON and the author of ONE SEASON IN PINSTRIPES, a sports memoir chronicling the 2009 championship season of the New York Yankees. A dynamic speaker known for giving enlightening radio interviews, he has edited several award-winning novels and contributed to New York Times bestselling anthologies and national periodicals such as Ebony Magazine.

His fourth book, UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD) was released on March 18, 2014. (All books were published through Strebor Books/Simon and Schuster). A Brooklyn native and the proud father of Maranda Nicole Cooper, stop by Cooper’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/wfcooper, listen to some great music and say hello.

BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road did you travel?
Ella, I traveled the road of self-publishing. Back in 2000, when I received my 72nd and last rejection letter, one that actually said my writing was “too emotional for a black man,” (sigh) I decided to do this on my own. So I went to First Books Library (Currently known as Author House), a print-on-demand company.

In 2001, I was speaking at the University of Maryland at College Park about the struggles of my literary journey and little did I know God had put someone in that audience that was listening to my every word. After the conference the woman and I put books up for a vendor. She me told her vision then asked me to tag along. At first I rejected her, but she never forgot about me, even as she grew in stature. Through her, I received my first computer (when I wrote the lead story in the book Sistergirls.com), and the rest is history. I owe her a bit, and love her in my own special way. Thanks, Zane.

BPM: What is your definition of success? Does money play a part in how you gauge success?
My definitions of success are broad and none of them have anything to do with money. That we are contributing pebbles in the vast ocean of African-American Literary History makes us successful. That a person can maximize their potential in any area of light at a high level defines success.

BPM: What books or authors made a difference in your life?
So many books have inspired me. Terry McMillan and “Waiting to Exhale” was one, because it started the current literary phenomenon. The literary works of David Halberstam (Summer of ’49, October of 1964, The Best and the Brightest) have influenced my flow, as I love his intellectual rhythm with words.

The romance writers (Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, Brenda Jackson, Cheryl Faye) taught me narrative imagery, James Baldwin’s diversity, Timmothy McCann’s books passion, Eric Jerome Dickey’s usage of commas in paragraphs, Cornel West, Earl Graves and others for social content, and of course, The BIBLE, for faith.

BPM: How many books have you written? How has your writing style evolved over the years? What stimulated your growth the most? 
Ella, I am blessed to have done four books. Three of them novels, and a fourth was a sports book. God has really blessed me with a versatile pen: In my early days, I wrote novels and steamy erotic short stories, but I would always challenge myself in writing short op-ed pieces on diverse issues. That would eventually pay off when I wrote my sports memoir ONE SEASON IN PINSTRIPES.

Good writers stimulate me. People like Robert Fleming (Cole Riley) influenced me so much as a writer, because they can do anything with a pen. Intellectually stimulating and articulately-driven, I admire his range. I think he’s one of the most underappreciated writers of our generation. GIVE HIM HIS DUE!!!

BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, STUDY YOUR CRAFT! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STUDY THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THIS. A LOT OF GREED!!  TOO MUCH GREED!!

BPM: Introduce us to your latest book. What genre is the book? On Kindle or Nook? 
My fourth book is entitled UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD). The novel is classified as fiction, but I think it’s so much more.

BPM: What compelled or inspired you to write this book? Why now? Ever experience writers block?
Can I be completely honest? I wrote UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD) with a sense of urgency. Sometimes, that mental clock in your brain tells you that you’re running out of time to maximize certain gifts in order to fulfill God’s promise on the life He wants you to have. I felt like the wheels of artistic progression were spinning in place, and something in my spirit told me that this may be my last opportunity at forward progress.

 Additionally speaking, I wanted to write another William McCall story (SIX DAYS IN JANUARY, THERE’S ALWAYS A REASON ) with the hopes that he might find the one thing he has coveted: LOVE.

BPM: Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences?
Ella, I wrote UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD) as if I were composing a musical score or recording an album. Like an artist given complete creative and production control, my imprints are EVERYWHERE. For starters, the love story pays tribute to the legacy of Michael Jackson, the creative engine of my dreams. And there are transparent statements about my life through original lyrics of Jackson songs. Lastly, there are inspirational pieces with words that I hope might help us all with Love.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message enclosed?
UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD) has an appeal that might reach both a fiction and romance reader, and strong socially informative messages of that might cause a debate or two amongst intellects. Trumping all that is the book’s primary initiative: LOVE, It can be intense and enduring, but at day’s end it’s just that… LOVE. God’s most precious gift dwells within us all, if we look close enough. And contrary to popular belief, it conquers all.

BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book? 
I’m praying that it gives readers hope to trust LOVE with their hearts after reading this. If not, then I better give up writing and follow another vision, because that means I didn’t deliver the message God gave me effectively.

BPM: How do you avoid the temptation of interjecting your own value system in your writing?
I’m gonna challenge that question. While we don’t want to sound preachy, I think all writers sprinkle nuggets of their belief systems into their stories. Christian Fiction writers believe in God, or they wouldn’t write in that genre. (PICTURE IT: A beautiful book of faith written by a salty- mouthed person who’s openly admits that he enjoys sex shops and pornography.- That like a person with no eyebrows looking amazed – LOL!!!)

As far as other areas of the craft, you have to be careful not to force opinions. If done properly, a well-developed character can’t help but speak not only their value system, but a small portion of the writers as well through a careful gamut of emotions. Unless of course, you’re writing from a character that’s not your gender.

BPM: Share with us a quote brief excerpt from one of the most powerful chapters. 
You really want me to? I mean… are you sure? Well…um, okay… (The author says warily.)

“Darling, don’t we have a black man in the White House?”

Carl answered, “One they attempted to humiliate by offering millions of dollars for his birth certificate and college records? One they have called ‘indecisive’ because of the scenario in Syria? And don’t get me started on the economy. America’s been borrowing millions-a-day for years from other countries, and now that they’re having trouble paying it back, it’s his fault? What a bunch of crap. ”

“You forgot about the Republicans and their fight against the Affordable Care Act. For crying out loud, they shut down government operations for sixteen days.” Keisha added. “Do you see the lengths ignorant people will go to prove a point? It’s like the GOP wanted to see America fail, so they can say ‘We handed The Magic Negro a mess and he made it worse.’ Sometimes I wonder if he was merely a figurehead put in place to keep us in the dark, a neat little trick by Charlie.”

“I’ve wondered that too, Keisha, especially with the way he’s being treated. In so many ways it parallels what Jackie Robinson endured. He absorbed so much hatred being “The First” that he died only sixteen years after his playing days. The abuse took years from his life. Then I look at Barack and worry. I mean, have they blatantly disrespected any other President like this? It’s ‘keep him in his place’ bull**** of the worst kind, and it doesn’t matter that he came from the womb of a white woman.”  ###

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
There are so many messages I’m trying to deliver in UNBREAKABLE, but if I had to pick one, it’s the obvious. LOVE still exists because it’s in us, and we shouldn’t forget this. I just hope people appreciate the story.

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? 
“Word of Mouth” is critical with my books, because I’m not a writer that comes out with a book a year. (It takes me a good 12-16 months to write one.). So far, the hype was been tremendous. Makes me a little nervous.

To promote UNBREAKABLE, I’ve been posting excerpts of the story online, as well as playing a great deal of Michael Jackson on my Facebook page and distributing flyers at major events and functions. As we get closer to the release date, I’ll intensify the buzz by utilizing a marketing team.

BPM:  Finish this sentence- “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers… ”
My writing offers an honest, heartfelt attempt to reach greatness with a pen. I owe that to all that came before me, and those who will throw it down on those pages long after I’m gone. Only God knows the final word on my humble contribution, but its sure fun trying to carve a great one out.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online? 
I’ve begun outlining my next book. That one will probably be ready by March of 2016. And I’m getting ready to tour UNBREAKABLE throughout the country. 

My new website should be up and running by April, but readers can reach me always on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wfcooper.  I have a Twitter account, but I don’t go there as much as I should. I can also be contacted via email at unbreakable006@yahoo.com  or areason006@yahoo.com

BPM: Thank you for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!
God Bless You, Ella.

Unbreakable: A Novel
by William Fredrick Cooper
Link:  http://amzn.com/1593094876 
All other books can be purchased on Amazon.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Shakir Rashaan

Intimate Conversation with Shakir Rashaan

Shakir Rashaan currently lives in suburban Atlanta with his wife and two children. Rashaan’s catalog includes the series Chronicles of the Nubian Underworld and the upcoming Kink, P.I., and two novels under the pen name Curtis Alexander Hamilton, titled All I Want…Is You and The Devil’s All-American. Other credits include several anthologies, including the bestselling Zane Presents Z-Rated: Chocolate Flava 3. One of Rashaan’s goals is to educate and titillate while reading his novels. You can see more of Rashaan at http://www.ShakirRashaan.com.

BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters. What makes each one special? 
First, I want to thank Black Pearls Magazine for the opportunity to present my series and my characters to your readers. Now, to give you an idea of what my book and characters are all about. My series, the Chronicles of the Nubian Underworld, is a look inside a world that very few were aware of before the turn of the century and, to some degree, a world that most still don’t have the inside access to: the BDSM/Fetish community, and particularly to my series, the African-American community.

The central characters in this series are a married couple, Kane and Mercedes. In their “vanilla” lives, they are business professionals and parents of three kids, involved in both very much. However, when the kids are put to bed or go to grandma’s house for the weekend, they deal in the “other” side of their lives as a Dominant couple, Ramesses and Neferterri. This power couple is a force to be reckoned with within the Atlanta BDSM/Fetish community, with Neferterri being a co-owner of an adult nightclub and Ramesses helping with the operation of a residence that doubles as ground zero for a lot of the parties that occur in the Atlanta area: the Palace.

I have a special affinity for this couple in particular because they were the first to come from my “NEBU Universe,” which I affectionately termed the creative universe in my mind. You never forget your first, and I have come to love them uniquely for who they are and what they bring to my series: the strength and swagger of the ultimate Alpha Dominant in Ramesses, and the sensuality and quiet power as a complement to her husband in Neferterri.

There are other characters within the series that I’ve come to enjoy and watch grow: the submissives of Ramesses and Neferterri, shamise, Kitana (who would later be referenced by another name, but you will have to read the book to find that out), and Damian, who represents a very misunderstood segment of the BDSM community in the submissive black male. There are also other fringe characters in the series: Dominic (who has a spinoff series in Kink, P.I. coming soon), Amenhotep, who is Ramesses’ mentor and long-time friend, Mistress Sinsual, tiger (another submissive male), there is a large cast of characters that help make this series unlike any other on the market right now.

BPM: Which character or topic in the books can you identify with the most? Why?
Ramesses is easily the character I identify with the most. He and I are like kindred spirits, which gave this book and series such a unique feel. As a lifestyle Dominant myself in the real-time BDSM community, I wanted to give a positive image to those like me. In a literary world that has been bombarded by billionaire Caucasian Alpha males, I wanted to introduce an alternative that readers will fall in love with.

BPM: How do you go about reaching new readers? What would you like for readers to take away from your writing?
Word of mouth has been the best way for me to reach new readers. Because I am an erotica author, especially with the subjects I tackle, I rely on my core readers to help me spread the word. I enjoy interacting with my readers a lot, both on social media and by email because I feel it gives them a personal connection to me and it makes them feel like they’re a part of the “Shakir Experience.” Whether I’m video blogging (something I plan to do a LOT of in the next year), interacting with listeners on my Blog Talk Radio show, The Wine Down w/Sh’moore & Shakir on Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m. (shameless plug LOL) or doing radio interviews and blog interviews, it gives me new opportunities to find readers who I otherwise would not be able to reach.

As far as what I would like readers to take away from my writing, well, that’s easy: I want readers to walk away from my writing feeling like they’ve experienced something unlike anything else they’ve read before. I want them to feel like I’ve helped them understand things that were once taboo and realize that the people who engage in the taboo are real people, too. Finally, I want them to tell a friend that they’ve found a male author who can actually pen an erotic story that doesn’t feel like pornography. The best compliment I have received from one of my new readers has been the “symphonic” visuals I created while telling the story. She felt she was right there in the action, and it completely engrossed her to the point to where she forgot how much time had passed when she finally put the book down. That is what I hope to make readers feel like every time they pick up a Shakir Rashaan novel…to be engrossed within the “Shakir Experience.”

BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or entertain? 
My goal as a writer is to create a cult following. I want readers to feel like they belong to something, a movement, as it were. The books I write detail a sexual awakening that helps people look at these characters and realize that they are not alone in the things that turn them on. Another one of my readers said that when she finished The Awakening, it made her look at the world around her differently, and by that she meant that she took a different look at her neighbors, her friends, her co-workers, and she wondered if they were a part of the “Underworld” also.

My mantras are something that I hold dear to me, and I take them with me every time I put pen to paper. One is, “corrupting minds, one book at a time,” while the other is, “to educate and titillate.” I wondered at one time if I should add the word, “inspire,” to that second mantra, and to a degree, I believe I should because I have inspired a lot of people to take the step to venture out into the real-time Fetish/BDSM world because, as one reader put it at my latest book signing, “Reading your books made that world not seem so scary anymore.” I take pride and I’m humbled every time someone says that because my lifestyle is very personal to me, it is my life, not just something I do on the weekends.

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 opportunity to be open and honest about your sexuality and sensuality. It is my hope that when you pick up my novels, that you will be able to take one step closer to the clichéd statement of “living without boundaries.”

BPM: Share with us your latest news.  How may our readers follow you online? 
Let’s see, there’s so much to tell as of recently, and it’s a blessing to be able to share it with you.

First, I’m enjoying a lot of success with The Awakening, and I’m very grateful and humbled by the support and the wonderful reviews that it has been receiving. The second book in the Nubian Underworld series, Legacy, was released June 10, 2014, and Tempest will be ready to go in December 2014.

I will also have a mystery series coming out sometime in 2015 called the Kink, P.I. series. I have three books in that series that will release, with more to come definitely. I’m also working on a trilogy series with two characters that aren’t exactly getting a lot of publicity: a black female dominant and a black male submissive relationship dynamic. That one is going to be fun to write because it’s a different dynamic than what fans are used to from me.

I have some other stuff upcoming on the anthology front, so definitely be on the lookout for those in the coming months, I have some paranormal erotica coming up, and some cougars are in the mix, too!

Readers can follow me online easily. They can Google Shakir Rashaan or go to my website at http://www.ShakirRashaan.com and click on the social media buttons at the top of my home page. I’m on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, I have my blog at http://blog.shakirrashaan.com where I will pick up where I left off  and I also have my author page at Simon & Schuster, too.

I think that’s about it, at least for now, but with me, you never know what may come up! Thank you again for having me, it has been a pleasure sitting down with you.

Connect with Shakir Rashaan Online
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/shakirrashaan
Instagram:   http://www.instagram.com/shakirrashaan
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/shakir.rashaan  (Timeline)
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ShakirRashaanErotica  (Fan Page)

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Cerece Rennie Murphy

Cerece Rennie Murphy fell in love with science fiction at the age of seven, watching “Empire Strikes Back” at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., with her sister and mom. It’s a love affair that has grown ever since. As an ardent fan of John Donne, Alice Walker, Kurt Vonnegut and Alexander Pope from an early age, Cerece began exploring her own creative writing through poetry.

She earned her master’s degrees in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns Hopkins School for Advance International Studies, respectively, and built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management and fundraising in the community and international development arenas – all while appreciating the stories of human connection told in science fiction through works like Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed,” Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and “The X-Files.”

In 2011, Cerece experienced her own supernatural event – a vision of her first science fiction story. Shortly after, she began developing and writing what would become the “Order of the Seers” trilogy.

Cerece lives just outside of her hometown of Washington, D.C., with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.

BPM:   What moved you enough to sit down and actually start writing the first book in the Order of the Seers Trilogy?
When I got the idea for Order of the Seers, it felt like a blessing to me, this incredible gift and I just didn’t want to waste it. The story came to me in such a complete way, with character names and backstories, plot lines – even the title of the story came to me.  I felt convicted to try and bring it to life.  To me, each story is a gift and the journey to telling that story is a privilege.  It was never a question of *if* I would write it. It also helped that, in the beginning, I had no inkling of trying to publish Order of the Seers as a novel. I think if I’d had that notion from the start, I would have been too intimidated. Instead of worrying about if my story was “publishable”, I was able to focus on writing.

BPM:   Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
Absolutely, though I have to say that I don’t do it intentionally.  All my questions about God, what our true purpose is on this earth and what we are truly capable of and meant for as a species are in Order of the Seers.  My own struggles to find and protect my identity are reflected in characters like Alessandra, who has so much self-doubt when you first meet her, and Liam whose guilt weighs him down to the point where he becomes a different person.  Self-discovery and determination are big themes in the Order of the Seers Trilogy because they are themes that I relate to on a very personal level. 

Family is also very important to me and, in retrospect, I can see how I got to explore the idea of family in a variety of ways throughout the book.  I’m not someone who grew up with a lot of family around me, but I learned that family doesn’t have to mean people who are related to you by blood.  Someone who knows you and loves you for exactly who you are can be family, too.  Family can be the people you claim and those who claim you.  The story’s main villain, Crane Le Dieu, is basically an amalgamation of all my worst fears.  Almost every aspect of his personality terrifies me.  I think I would faint if I met him in the street.

BPM:   Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
So far, my book ideas come from questions that are on my mind that I would like to explore, but I also have at least two books planned that came to me in a dream, so who knows.  I’ll take inspiration anywhere I can get it!  I read one reviewer who described my books as “very character-driven” which I took as a compliment because it said to me that she liked the book because she cared about the characters and that’s ultimately what defines a good story for me.  All kinds of cool stuff can be happening in a book, but if I don’t care about the characters then I can check out of almost any story pretty quick.  But to be completely honest, I don’t think about any of that when I’m writing.  In fact, I try not to come with any personal agenda.  I believe the story exists already.  As a writer, I think my job is to see that story clearly and try to describe it to the readers as best I can.  I’m following the story that is taking place in my head and trying to write it down as true to that vision as possible. 

My only exception to this rule is when I chose not to expound on a particular aspect of a story because I am trying to keep the pace of the book pretty tight.  At the end of each chapter, I want there to be a reason why you need to turn the page and I try very hard to keep the story from meandering into territory that might compromise the pace.  Other than that, the characters and the story are in charge and the more I can keep my own agenda out of it, the better the story turns out. 

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
Right now I am working on the final book in the Order of the Seers Trilogy, which is about a group of people who can see the future and are enslaved for that ability.  The entire trilogy takes you on a journey as they escape the group that hunts them, rebuild their lives and start fighting back.  Through books 1 and 2, you watch these characters evolve from a group of people who are just trying to survive to a community that answers a much larger calling to restore a legacy that was broken for every man, woman and child on earth.

The Order of the Seers Trilogy falls solidly into the science fiction genre, but if you enjoy a lot of action, mystery and suspense in your stories, you could still enjoy this book even if you aren’t into science fiction. Both books are available in Kindle and Nook.  Book I is also available in audiobook.

BPM:   Introduce us to your books!  Take us inside the world of your main characters. What makes each one so special?
Sure.  The book starts out with Liam and Lilith (Lilli) Knight, a brother and sister who are about to have their world turned upside down when they discover that their parents died to hide a secret so powerful the people hunting them will stop at nothing to get it. Before this happens, Liam and Lilli are your typical American teenagers, living life day-by-day without a care in the world. What makes these characters so special to me is how they come together to create this safe haven for each other.  The adversity they endure could have easily torn them apart, but instead they form this incredible bond of familial love that helps them weather all the storms in their lives.

Marcus Akida is another main character that I love.  Before he was captured, he had a wife, a son and was a leader in his community.  In some ways, he is the character who’s lost the most in the book, but he is anything but bitter. His spirit is gentle, optimist and kind, despite everything that has been taken from him.  He never losses himself to the brutality around him and as a result becomes the most powerful Seer.  His character was very much inspired by Colin Powell and Nelson Mandela, people I deeply admire for their compassion and integrity.      

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
You know, even though Order of the Seers is science fiction, at its core this is a story about the importance of self-discovery and finding your true purpose.  The story is set in the real world for a reason.  Now more than ever, we need to encourage people to unleash their greatest potential so that it can be used to heal this world.  The Seers in this story are doing the same thing, and while the powers may seem a bit extreme, the potential for each and every one of us to change the world is VERY real.

The journey of writing this story has taught me so much, but I think there are two main things that I discovered about myself. The first is that I can write a full-length story (and then some).  Before this book, I never knew that about myself.  In fact, I used to tell myself that I couldn’t write anything longer than about 5 pages.  So, to be working on my 3rd book with another 5 books in varying stages of development is just incredible to me. People ask me if this is a dream come true and I tell them, “No,” because I never dreamed of doing anything like this. This experience is literally, beyond my wildest dreams.

The second thing that I’ve learned about myself is just how afraid I am of putting myself in front.  The fear factor for putting my self, my work and even my picture “out there” for the world to judge and criticize is huge for me.  It’s gotten better since I started, but only be degrees. (The fear used to be enormous, now it’s only huge.) Three years ago, when I published my 1st book, I hid under the covers the entire day, sick with worry.  By the time I released my second book less than a year later, I actually had the presence of mind to go have lunch with a friend to celebrate.  I may have felt a little queasy, but I kept everything down.  That’s progress!

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I have many levels of success that I hope to achieve with my writing.  The first and foremost is to write each story I am given to the best of my abilities and to be obedient to God’s will for them. I know that if I can do that, then someone will read my books and enjoy them, be inspired by them and maybe even change a little bit for the better.  If I can achieve that, then I would have accomplished a great deal.

For the next level of success, I would like my writing career to be financially self-sustaining.  It’s a very competitive market out there, but I would like my publishing business to be profitable.  Ultimately, I would like to make enough money from my writing to retire my husband.  I have the best partner in the world and I would love to see us both have the financial freedom to pursue our passions.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book?
You know, I don’t have expectations for the book because you never know how a story will (or won’t) impact a reader. It’s such a subjective experience.  On the most basic level, I’d like them to have been entertained by the story and satisfied by the conclusion.  On a deeper level, I hope that after finishing Order of the Seers, readers will be more curious about the limits of their own potential and examine their own spiritual relationship more closely as it relates to their unique purpose and calling.

BPM:   Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?  How can readers discover more about you and your work?
I definitely want to say THANK YOU for the opportunity to do this interview! It’s given me a great chance to reflect on my journey as a writer and I so appreciate that.  If anyone would like to learn more about my upcoming projects, you can visit my website at http://www.cerecerenniemurphy.com.  You can also visit my  Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cerece-Rennie-Murphy/205753729546299.

 
Purchase The Last Seer (Book 3 in the Order of the Seers Trilogy)
http://www.amazon.com/Order-Seers-Last-Seer-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00MQZRXL6 

Books by Cerece Rennie Murphy:
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/cerece-rennie-murphy
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Cerece-Rennie-Murphy/e/B008G6XXBS

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Leiann B. Wrytes

Virtuous Deception  by Leiann B. Wrytes

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Excerpt: Virtuous Deception Lisa inhaled deeply, the cold autumn air filling her aching lungs. This moment had been a long time coming. She wondered if the earth felt her vibration, if he knew how much she needed this. She rose to her feet anxiously awaiting her turn.  Lisa had not intended on sharing this moment with so many, but out of all the people present, his was the only familiar face. The soft ground was porous, its delicate constitution nearly mirroring her fragile state of mind. Even in her flats, it was difficult to keep her feet from sinking into the earth during the walk. The air felt different as she drew near to his side, each step speaking to the miracle of her living. Before long it was time as she stood beside the man she had loved. She brazenly ran her fingers across his cold, full lips, and etched them along his square jaw line. He was beautiful lying there.     As tears filled her eyes, she let them roam over his six-foot frame and drink in his chocolate features. It was certainly worth the wait. His wife had chosen well; his navy blue suit was impeccable. The brother was designed for Tom Ford. She stifled a moan as memories flooded her mind. She could still feel him. For a moment she longed for more time before dismissing the thought as quickly as it came. As she turned to leave, she shot a quick glance at the weeping widow. The poor girl didn’t know the man she married. She chuckled at the thought and raised her face to the peaking sun. The rays highlighted her caramel complexion. A smile found its way out as she departed the funeral grounds. She sighed with relief. The bastard was dead and Lisa was free. …Three weeks earlier Lisa sat on the edge of the bed and fumbled with the zipper on her dark denim jeans. She had spent the better half of the last thirty minutes, vainly, trying to repair it. She looked out the window and admired the view from the penthouse suite. She was impressed. The soft white sand against the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea made for a truly breathtaking scene. Charlie caught her by surprise with this but the trip was only prolonging the inevitable. Their getaways were becoming too commonplace, risky, but Lisa could never turn down a trip to Saint Maarten. She felt like the air wrapped itself around her there. She could only guess that was why Charlie suggested it.     Charlie began as a random Instagram snapshot and it would’ve ended with their drunken dance beneath sheets had Lisa not received a special request every day for three weeks. Though she should have probably been alarmed by the persistent, nearly stalker, vibe, she was turned on by it instead. Giving up on zipping her jeans Lisa walked out onto the balcony. There was something about the water that gave her peace. She lost her thoughts in the waves. Frank. She was missing Frank, her husband. For a second she wondered how she had arrived at this intersection in her life, a point where no available direction seemed optimal.    Lisa hoped it was not too late to go back. Charlie might have had her singing a sweet melody in the early morning hours, but Charlie was no Frank. Frank alone had the power to alter her soul, if he cared enough to  try. Lisa loved Frank but he failed her. Frank lost his ambition,  his  drive.  She  had big  plans before she met  Frank. Plans before her heart nestled with his and on the  eve of the big “4-0,” she felt like her life was losing its hue. Frank had only managed to provide her with moments of greatness when she wanted a lifetime.    Those two words, “I do,” changed everything. They changed Frank. Frank was a six-foot-four inch bronzed demigod. He was gorgeous, and for two decades she’d been waiting for her husband to WOW her, waiting for the all-consuming fire that she dreamed her marriage would be. Frank was the kind of man movies were made of, the kind that melted in your mouth. She was convinced her life would be amazing, but that fire never really blazed. The memory was still fresh, still hurt. After only one week of marital bliss, Frank made a decision that changed their lives forever.     The Mason’s weren’t ready to be parents and since they had planned to honeymoon for a year via a private cruise around the world, they were obviously aware of this truth. Their parentage was a stipulation, a business move. It may have seemed cruel, heartless, but their lifestyle was one they individually and, in this case, collectively, went to great lengths to maintain. Frank proposed after a mere three months of dating but Lisa didn’t mind. She was relieved. Lisa Raine had plans had for that twenty million, falling in love simply sweetened the deal. (  Continued…  ) © 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Leiann B. Wrytes.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Meet the Author Leiann B. Wrytes is an author, poet, and playwright. Leiann found a love for words early on as a spoken word poet and was inducted into the International Society of Poets at 15 years of age. She went on to become a staff writer for her high school newspaper, editor of her church’s newsletter, and that of the local Key Club, a volunteer organization on campus. Leiann has since then performed spoke word poetry at numerous events and had a stage play performed to a modest audience which received good reviews. Leiann’s background is in customer service but writing has always been her first love. Leiann B. Wrytes currently resides in Dallas TX with her family feverishly working on her sophomore novel. BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? My debut novel, Virtuous Deception, is the first in the deception series. We slid it into the industry as a contemporary romance novel but it has a little bit of everything in it. It has the who is really guilty question that we love about Scandal fused with the complicated emotional family dynamic that we enjoyed from Soul Food. A fast paced drama about family, friendship, and finances. Laced with healthy dose of lust and love. BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now? Writing was always in the cards for me. N’Tyse entered into my reality at a really good time. I was in an excellent space, prepared emotionally and mentally, for everything that would eventually be borne out of my relationship with her. This book happened because I was able to recognize and seize the opportunity as it was presented to me. She opened the door to a new phase of my life but it was on me to walk through that door. She really encouraged me to take the leap and once I decided to jump, it was done. There was no going back from there. BPM: Why publish Virtuous Deception now? It was time, it really was, and the transition was seamless, not without pain, but absolutely necessary for my growth not only as a writer but as a woman. BPM: Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing? My life is like a smorgasbord of literary gifts. The human experience is so varied and rich that I cannot help but be inspired by it. BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven? Why? My stories are derived from reality 99% of the time. The story I have in mind, when my fingers first graze the keys, morphs into something completely different by the end. The books are definitely character driven. As an avid reader, I have found that the characters stay with you a lot longer than their situations. If you fall in love with the character, you will follow them anywhere. The potential, then for an author to make an impact on a reader, is increased exponentially. Overall, though, I aim to entertain, more than that, I want to encourage personal evolution in some way. Leave something of value with the reader. BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one special? Virtuous Deception is an ensemble. The main characters are Lisa, Frank, Michelle, and Brianna. Each of them in their own way bring something beautifully unique to the story. Lisa is a mother, wife, a fighter. She carries her titles proudly and weaves between them so effortlessly that we hardly notice. Frank is on the edge of a change and it adds a layer of vulnerability to him that’s interesting to witness. Michelle and Brianna  are two sides of the same coin. The story tosses them into the air forcing them to land somewhere different. BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author? There are no limitations for my writing career. I love every aspect of this business and I want to do it all. Success is a state of mind. Naturally I want to sell books but that’s only because, sales are confirmation that you have created a product that people love. That people are willing to invest in you, to support you. Personally this moment, speaking with BPM, is a testament to my success as an author. BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book? I hope that the readers enjoy it first and foremost. Secondly, I hope  that it’s a catalyst for a serious dialogue about the dynamics of family and friendship. The human condition is durable but extremely sensitive. We need to handle one another with love. Everything that is said or goes unsaid makes a difference. I would like for readers to operate with this in mind. BPM: Did you ever ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Should I change course and maybe try to get something else?” Never. I have stretched myself paper thin in order to do this and it almost feels like I would be cheapening the process thinking that way. This is a part of who I was, am, and will be. I cannot imagine a time where I would ever need to question why I am doing it. BPM: Do you feel as if you are a role model for women and other authors? I am not perfect but I will shoulder that position with humility and the dignity it deserves. I won’t run from it or cower under the pressure. The decisions I make are for me and my family but I understand that we are all apart of the human experience. BPM: What projects are seen working on at the present? Currently, I am working on Virtuous Deception 2: Playing for Keeps, The Storm a literary fiction novel, and a short that will be in an anthology next year. I have a lot going on but I wouldn’t want it any other way. BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? Please reach out to me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @ leiannbwrytes. I also will have a web page soon, http://www.leiannbwrytes.com. I would love to hear from them! My novels are available on Amazon (www.amazon.com/author/leiannbwrytes), Barnes & Noble, or you can request it from your local bookstore. Again please feel free to reach out to me as well! Connect with Leiann B. Wrytes  http://www.twitter.com/leiannbwrytes http://www.facebook.com/leiannbwrytes http://www.instagram.com/leiannbwrytes http://www.pinterest.com/4myWryters

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – S.D. Skye

In the Game of Espionage, Spy Takes Traitor. J.J. McCall takes Over!

Now available in one box set, the first 3 books in the planned 5-book FBI Espionage Series featuring the lie-detecting FBI Special Agent J.J. McCall who, along with her co-case agent Tony Donato, is embroiled in a the post-Cold War mole hunt for Russian spies.

The Seven Year Itch – Book 1
“The Seven Year Itch” is a mystery thriller from S. D. Skye … hard to put down for lovers of spy fiction, highly recommended. — Carl Logan, Midwest Book Review (April 2013)

★★★★ “Thick with layers, THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH is filled with strife, deceit, lust, pain, mystery, and humor.” OOSA Online Book Club

FBI Special Agent J.J. McCall and her co-case agent, Tony Donato, are drawn into an unsanctioned mole hunt when a Russian intelligence officer, working for the FBI, is murdered and they suspect a traitor burrowed deep inside the U.S. Intelligence Community is responsible.

Son of a Itch – Book 2
2014 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Multicultural Fiction

★★★★★ ” If you like a brilliantly executed, thrilling, and addictive suspense novel, Son of a Itch is for you. S. D. Skye can flat write her butt off, I was sold, and tagged. This is a great series and J.J. is Jack Ryan with a [lady part].” ~ Sebella Blue

The award-winning follow up to The Seven Year Itch which takes J.J. and her counterintelligence task force on the hunt for Russian moles who breached the nerve center of U.S. national security.

A No Good Itch – Book 3
J.J. and Tony’s next mole hunt takes them to the Big Apple where the worlds of Counterintelligence and Organized Crime collide. The investigation to dismantle the financial hub of a Russian sleeper cell is sidetracked when an act of vengeance for Lana Michaels’ murder targets the wrong man and threatens to spark a war between Russian and Italian mafia factions.

Skye’s SpyCatcher Book Set, filled with mystery, espionage, romance, and suspense, will keep you burning through the pages until J.J. catches the very last mole.


Download the SpyCatcher Ebook Box Set  by S.D. Skye
http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Catcher-McCall-Novels-Espionage-ebook/dp/B00NUHIIG8

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Bonnie Taylor- Williams

With These Hands: A Country Girl Came To Town by Bonnie Taylor- Williams

With These Hands is an inspiring story of the life of Selena, who as a young girl in 1941 arrived in the big windy City of Chicago on a bus from Memphis Tennessee by way of Clarksdale Mississippi with all that she owned in her two hands. Her new baby girl in one arm, her suitcase and handmade quilt was in her other arm. Away from her mother, family and everything considered home for the first time in her young life Selena had no idea what the future held for her…but God knew.

As a young newlywed, new mother in a new town, from cooking all of her meals in her one speckled pan to becoming a successful business woman owning multiple beauty and hair weev salons in Chicago and Detroit. Selena who began as a “kitchen beautician” went from charging fifty cents a head in her kitchen to charging hundreds and then thousands per head in her professional salons.

Teaching and sharing her craft of Hair Weev Technology with cosmetologists all over the world exposed Selena’s perseverance which has always been a part of  Selena’s nature way back then and has served as an inspiration to many others ever since.

BONNIE TAYLOR-WILLIAMS, AUTHOR

A twenty-plus years cancer survivor, a professional third generation Hair Weev* technician, designer and instructor credits her mother for igniting her love for reading. Bonnie’s mother began sitting Bonnie and her brothers at the kitchen table and walking them to the neighborhood Chicago public library instilling the importance of reading at a very early age. Unwilling to completely rely on her children’s school teachers and they had great teachers, Bonnie’s mother taught them how to sound out the words, breaking them into syllables, teaching them spelling, how to look them up either in the back of their spelling books or the dictionary and how to create sentences.

As a child Bonnie loved listening to the history of her family through the stories shared and told by her mother Juanita, her grandmother Selena and her great grandmother Mary.  Bonnie’s love of reading books  and listening to the family storytelling was soon escalated into desires of writing books herself but wondered how it could be possible when she had never seen any books with people or characters on them that looked like her. Neither had she seen any writers of any books she had read that looked like her as a child until that one day her mother surprised her with a brand new book. The book was “I Know Why the Caged Bird sings” by Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou was one of the people who came on TV along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcom X, President Kennedy, Barbara Jordan and Muhammad Ali that everyone in the house had to be real quiet and listen, so that the adults could hear. Therefore Bonnie knew who she was. After reading “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” it was like the lighting of the Christmas tree, an electrifying spirit of hope and excitement filled her heart, mind and body.
 Bonnie stated, “It has taken me several years to complete this dream/ book due to everyday life which translates to a lack of dedication. Now, I am loving this writing thing, I knew I would! It takes dedication like anything else you really desire.”

*Weev: patented spelling

With These Hands by Bonnie Taylor-Williams. Coming Jan. 2015
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bonnie.taylorwilliams

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Macro Literary All-Stars (M-LAS

Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours  by  Naleighna Kai, Tanishia Pearson-Jones, L. A. Lewis, Joyce A Brown, D. J. McLaurin, Candy Jackson, Valarie Prince, Martha Kennerson, and Susan D. Peters

M-LAS, nine authors, including national bestsellers and award-winners, bring the romantic heat with stories featuring leading men who are at your service from the military, law enforcement, and civil service. The leading ladies, professionals who are successful in their own rights, are all posing the type of challenge that means love won’t come easy—these men are going to have to work for it. Will they succeed in winning their woman’s heart?

These nine stories are a little bit naughty and a little bit nice, but we hope you’ll find them every bit of enjoyable. Most women can appreciate a man in uniform … perhaps even more when it comes off.

Purchase Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours
http://www.amazon.com/Signed-Sealed-Delivered-Im-Yours-ebook/dp/B00MNSZ7I2

Excerpt from Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours

“When did policemen start looking like that?” Elise Payne gasped, putting a tighter grip on the steering wheel.

She had been pulled over for speeding but she couldn’t believe that someone as breathtaking as Officer Friendly had stepped out of the cruiser. The man had expressive, dark brown eyes and smooth golden features—a proud nose and sensuously curved lips—carved into a ruggedly handsome face that was damn pleasant to look at along with a muscular body that was nothing but pleasure to watch. Elise normally enjoyed milk chocolate, but maybe it was time to give vanilla bean some consideration.

The fact that this delay would probably make her miss the train slipped her mind as she became totally smitten by the most handsome male since Jesus turned water into wine. She could picture those gorgeous lips doing wicked, forbidden things to her—the kind of things that made a woman start speaking in tongues, the kind of things that made a woman leave religion at the altar and dive headfirst into temptation, skinny dip in an overdose of sin, and—

“License, insurance, and registration, ma’am.”

Her fantasy circled the bowl and flushed right down the drain with those words. She let out a long, slow breath and said, “May I take my hands off the steering wheel?”

He nodded, grimacing as he did so.

Elise inched her hand into her satchel and produced a license, then leaned toward the glove compartment and froze at the thoughts whipping through her mind. Registration, no problem. Insurance, huuuuge problem. Expired. Five hundred dollars.

She tried to keep the despair from showing on her face as she slid the documents to him. Elise watched his every move as he snailed a walk back to his cruiser.

Seriously? Can’t you go any faster?!

Several minutes ticked by before he returned. She quickly put her hands on the wheel before he made it all the way to the driver side window.

This time, he sighed with impatience. “It’s safe to take your hands off the wheel, Ms. Payne. I’m a Burnham officer. It’s the Chicago police who are trigger-happy.”

Elise remained completely silent. Maybe if she zipped her lips, he would give her the ticket and let her be on her damn way.

“Do you realize you were going 77 in a 45?” he asked.

“Actually, I thought it was just 65, but 77 it is,” she shot back.

He paused for a moment, his right eyebrow lifting. Elise saw a sudden slight uplift at the corners of his lips. There was a fullness that made them the most kissable pair she’d seen in a long time. What was it about this man’s lips that invited her to give him a second and third look? What was it about those dark brown eyes that held a sparkle of mischief, but a smidgen of pain behind them? And how was that so easy for her to recognize?

“Why were you going so fast?” he asked.

“Because I was trying to catch that train riiiiight there,” she replied, gesturing to the silver and orange commuter whizzing past them on a black bridge overhead. Her heart sank. All hopes of landing that new position were gone.

“There’ll be another one coming along.”

The train disappeared from their view, and she returned her focus to him. “Not in enough time to make it downtown for my first day.” She slumped in the leather seat and whispered, “And this one had a chance to go permanent.”

The officer looked down at her, as though summing things up, summing her up. “Well, I’m not going to ticket you for speeding.”

Her grateful gaze locked on him.

“Or for the fact that you weren’t wearing a seatbelt.”

She opened her mouth to protest that she had only slipped it off because he had taken so long, but shut it and nodded her thanks.

“Or for the fact that your insurance expired last week.”

“Thank you, Officer Montgomery,” she murmured as he slid the items back to her. Their hands touched briefly, and a jolt of electricity whipped through her. She looked up in time to see his shocked expression. Ah, he felt it too!

At that moment, however, the only electricity she needed to worry about was ComEd. Her lights and power were about to become a distant memory if she didn’t dance into their office with something more than a handful of “give me” and a mouthful of “much obliged.”

He tipped his hat. “You have a nice day, ma’am. And leave a little earlier next time.”

When he walked back to the cruiser, Elise laid her forehead on the steering wheel. Tears she had been holding back for months finally had their reign. The energy to forge on, to get up and dust herself had never abandoned her—but everything happening at once had finally taken its toll.

Elise moaned as the tears increased. Her entire life was at a standstill and most wasn’t of her own making. All of her money was gone. Every single dime she had had been used to keep her twin sister alive, only to lose that beautiful soul to kidney and liver failure last month.

No sooner than she could breathe again without razor blades tearing into her lungs from that loss, did her rich ex-husband swoop down with a team of lawyers and manage to steal her baby boy while she was distracted with grief and the fallout of her family’s displeasure at what she’d done to keep her sister alive as long as she could. Yet, she had gathered up whatever resources she could, fought with everything she had, only to lose her son anyway.

Another blow, another setback, another harsh, bitter loss. The last being the one which left her so out of sorts—at least financially. The fact that Ameritech’s merger put her and 5,000 other people on the unemployment line was a wakeup call that blared in her ears every day.

Elise sniffled and blindly reached into her satchel for a tissue. She couldn’t even drive downtown and park because what she had left in the bank had been shelled out to pay mortgage, a few groceries, and get a train pass to carry her through the month. She didn’t complain because at some point, she’d catch her breath and a break—both at the same time.

Fighting for the life of her sister was something Elise would never regret. But the aftermath to her finances and the never-ending strain between her and the family was putting her closer to the edge of emotional bankruptcy.

A tap on the window startled her.

Elise absently patted her tears away with the tissue.

“Ma’am, is everything all right?” Officer Montgomery questioned.

She rolled down the window. “Your kindness was the nicest thing that’s happened to me in a long time.” She looked up toward the empty bridge. “Thank you. But the next train comes in two hours. By then, the agency will call someone else to take the spot I was going for.”

The officer scanned the area. Only a few cars zipped by them. “Traffic isn’t bad right now. You could make it downtown in about thirty minutes and still get there on time.”

“I could but …” Elise hesitated then abruptly added, “I can’ t …” She couldn’t voice the words—she had everything, down to the last penny budgeted—and parking downtown was an arm, a leg and a couple of someone else’s toes.

Officer Montgomery placed a hand over hers. “I’m really sorry.”

His touch was wonderful. She centered her self-control with a quickness. “What’s done is done. Recently my life has been hit with more curve balls than a dodge ball tournament. So I’m going home to regroup. I’ll be fine.” Her voice wavered on the last sentence, but she took a deep breath, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and held her head high. Seconds later, she turned the key in the ignition to start the car. “Take care.”

Officer Montgomery reached for her hand again. “No, you’re not,” he ordered. “You will park your car in that lot just ahead. Then you’ll get into my car and I’ll get you to work on time.” He stepped back and finished, “That’s what you’re going to do.”

She looked at him, her tears blurring her vision. “That’s what I’m going to do?”

He nodded.

Elise took a moment before whispering, “All right, then.”

Officer Montgomery headed for his squad car again and added, “I’ll be right behind you.”

This time, she did smile … a little.

(  Continued…  )

© 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the authors from Macro Literary All-Stars (M-LAS).  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.

Purchase Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours
http://www.amazon.com/Signed-Sealed-Delivered-Im-Yours-ebook/dp/B00MNSZ7I2

Who is M-LAS?
Macro Literary All-Stars (M-LAS)  is an author support group of Macro Marketing & Promotions Group clients which was founded by Naleighna Kai in May 2014. Our main purpose is to grow, learn to write new genres, and cross-promote each other. 

Our mission is to build a broad base of mainstream readers and travel the country to events that will connect us with book clubs and avid readers. Our ultimate goal is to land on the national bestsellers lists—together. The group features: national best-selling author, Naleighna Kai, award-winning authors, J. L. Woodson, Janice Pernell, Susan D. Peters, and L. A. Lewis, bestselling authors: Joyce A. Brown and Candy Jackson, Martha Kennerson, D. J. McLaurin, Valarie Prince, and debut author, Tanishia Pearson-Jones.

Find out more about M-LAS members and upcoming projects on http://www.macrompg.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Naleighna Kai

Naleighna Kai is the national bestselling author of Open Door Marriage, Every Woman Needs a Wife, co-author of Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours, and Baring it All: The Ins and Outs of Publishing. She started writing in December of 1999, independently publishing her first two novels before acquiring a book deal with an imprint of Simon & Schuster and most recently a book deal with an independent publishing house. She is a contributing author to a New York Times Bestseller, an award-winning author, and The E. Lynn Harris Author of Distinction.

Naleighna is the CEO of Macro Marketing & Promotions Group, the founder of Macro Literary All-Stars (M-LAS), as well as the marketing consultant to several national bestselling and aspiring writers. She is also the brainchild behind the annual Cavalcade of Authors events which takes place in her hometown of Chicago. Naleighna pens contemporary fiction, erotica, and speculative fiction and is currently working on her next novels: Rich Woman’s Fetish and Slaves of Heaven.

BPM:  How did you get to be where you are in your life today? Who or what motivated you?
The only answer to that question is the Creator has a purpose for my life. A purpose that included surviving sexual abuse by two separate male family members as well as physical abuse by my mother. All of which have been something that my female lead characters have overcome in my novels.  At one point, the will to survive motivated me, then it was my only child, J. L., then it was healing from the things that happened to me, lately it has been helping others to heal and to live their dreams.  Even more pointedly, it has been the members of M-LAS, an author support group that I founded in May.  The women (and one male), have provided a whole new set of life lessons as well as personal growth that I would not have been able to experience elsewhere.

BPM:  Who does your body of literary work speak to? Do you consider authors as role models? 
My body of work speaks to women who have been caught between a rock and hard place, or places that were just plain hard. It is my hope that something that is between the pages of my novels speaks to the heart, helps them to heal, or provides some insight into dealing with something they’re going through at the moment. Authors can be role models, and because I realize that what I put into print can impact other people’s lives, I try to write novels that speak to the human condition and tastefully tackles complex situations.

BPM:  What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
After writing four books that focused on a trio relationship that was all about two women and one man, I thought I would flip that scenario on its head and write something where the woman was in a dilemma where there are two men she loves dearly and an opportunity where both men would have to accept her choice.

BPM:  What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
In the beginning of the story, I was able to relive my time on the Soul Expressions Wal*Mart tour with so many wonderful authors. It was the only tour of its kind and even now I wish Pam Nelson was still with Levy and could do it all over again.  And I was able to express some ideas gleaned from what I learned during that time and from the people who put that tour together. I also posed a question in the novel that I have been afraid to do so before now: where was God? Where was God when my father raped me? Where was God when my father molested me? Where was God when all these horrible things happened. The answer that came as I wrote the words was something intensely beautiful and healing.  I don’t think I was ready to address that question before now, and I’m glad the book provided the opportunity.

BPM:  Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven?  Why?
What if’s always drive my novels. The what if’s make for an interesting experience because I don’t always anticipate the outcome. I’m taking a journey just like the reader is.  My books tend to be more character driven because I’m drawing on splinters of my soul in order to lay a situation on the page and explore the outcome through my character’s eyes.

BPM:  Could you tell us something about your most recent work?  Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
My current book, Was it Good For You Too?, is a slide into the polyamorous lifestyle that many are hearing about these days—in articles and in the news.  Instead of polygamy one man with many women, this is a look at the flipside, one woman who is in love with two men, and only one of them is her husband who introduced the practice into their relationship only to have second and third thoughts when his wife’s first love enters the picture again.  The novel is available in all ebook forms and in trade paperback.

BPM:  Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special?
Tailan is a lot like me when it comes to strength and determination.  She is also like me in the since that I never wanted a child, but I’m so happy that I have my number one son.  She is also like me in the fact that she, like me, overheard my mother’s biological brother and sister, discussing an arrangement for my uncle to come to her home every week to have sex with me. Like my main character, I too, ran away from home.  Unfortunately, I met with different results than my character, Tailan.

Delvin is representative of a man who makes a mistake and does everything in his power to right old wrongs. It’s also about a man who stands strong in his convictions when it comes to the woman he loves. At first, he will go along with the program, then he realizes that in order to have what he wants he will have to assert his innate beliefs—even if it pains him to do so.

BPM:  Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book?  If so, discuss them.
This is a look into the poly lifestyle. Though the term “free love” has been around since the 60s, polyamorous relationships are on the rise as more people decide to embrace a stable anchor for a partner, but want the ability to take on lovers to fulfill other aspects of their lives. They desire to keep the primary family intact, but are open to exploring sensuality, love, and sexuality with others who are of like.

BPM:  How does your book relate to your present situation, education, spiritual practice or journey?
This book is nothing like my present situation. I am not in poly relationship nor looking to be in one at the moment, but I did take the time to speak with several people who are and learned a great deal from the prospective of those who openly embrace the lifestyle.

BPM:   Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
Without “outing” anyone, I will say that I dove into the polyamorous community and was able to ask the women questions about why these types of relationships work for them; how it fared in the beginning, and what allowances were made for trying to make sure everyone was “safe” in such an open environment.

BPM:   What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My goal was to explore some of the issues encountered in the polyamorous community. I think I presented the situation in a light that will make people think, and also show the human emotions are prevalent regardless of rules and boundaries; emotions can drive things array because that it not something people can control.

BPM:   What projects are you working on at the present?
Rich Woman’s Fetish and Ninety Days of Pleasure (a prequel to Open Door Marriage), that is being written with an author support team called M-LAS.

BPM:   How can readers discover more about you and your work?
I invite people to visit my website: http://www.naleighnakai.com or look me up on FaceBook as I’m there almost every day. I also have aspiring writers join me in a FaceBook group called the M-LAS Literary Café.

http://www.naleighnakai.com
https://twitter.com/NaleighnaKai
https://www.facebook.com/naleighnakai

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Navi’ Robins

For high school sophomore Aiden Storm, Jasmine is everything a teenager could ever want in a girlfriend. But all he can think about is killing her.

When Jasmine arrives at Deerfield High Aiden’s simple life is changed forever. Her presence awakens a darkness inside of him that slowly spirals the soft spoken teenager’s mental stability down an abyss of madness. Constantly tormented by a growing hunger for violence, Aiden confides in his best friend Tony his uncontrollable urges. Choosing friendship over his conscience Tony promises to keep Aiden’s dark desires a secret while they try and unravel the mystery of Jasmine and the affect she’s having on Aiden.

On the night of Aiden’s seventeenth birthday their friendship is tested when the town of Deerfield is rocked by a home invasion and murder that directly implicates Aiden. Without an alibi or recollection of his whereabouts on that night, Tony begins to suspect Aiden is on the fast track to becoming Deerfield’s first serial killer.

But Aiden fears something more sinister is at work in Deerfield and its source is Jasmine. Aiden believes underneath her beauty Jasmine harbors an evil that has already infected him and will soon spread to everyone he loves if it isn’t destroyed. Aiden must find a way to keep Tony quiet, remain one step ahead of the FBI, and maintain his sanity long enough to find out who and what Jasmine really is…

Message for Parents/Readers from Navi
My target audience for this book and series  is 13-18+.  This book and series has something for teenagers as well as adults. The story entertains while showing the reader to “never judge a person until you get to know them”. This first chapter in the Walking Among the Shadows series introduces the readers to a diverse cast of characters with cultural backgrounds from all over the globe and it strays away from many stereotypes and clinches that I feel limits the reach and exposure of African American authors.

Race isn’t the issue but the actions and intentions of each character in the story. The story touches on the importance of family, friendship, and fatherhood with a twist the reader won’t see coming.

Amazon Reader Review:  5.0 out of 5 stars by Rena D. Jones
As the first book of the Walking Among the Shadows: Awakening Series, this is compelling reading and makes the reader want to read the next book immediately.

This book is an intense page turner book. I was very surprised how this first time, self published author has creatively woven an original, enticing and spell binding world that got me hooked from start to finish. The story is fast-paced and exciting with plot to plot twists and the nonstop epic action scenes will surely entertain the readers as much as it has entertained me, never a dull moment in this book, It was such a good read, I purchased the kindle version and a hard-copy for my sister. I am eagerly awaiting the author’s second volume in this series entitled: Walking Among the Shadows: Belly of the Beast.

Purchase Walking Among the Shadows: Awakening
October 21, 2014.  2nd Edition.  Genre: Young Adult/Thriller
http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Among-Shadows-Awakening-Revised-ebook/dp/B00NU6X9LI/

Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#29 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Supernatural

Meet the Author
Navi’ Robins was born in Chicago, IL and comes from a family as diverse as the characters in his novels. He is the author of two highly rated series, Walking Among the Shadows and Article 88: Jericho’s Revenge. He published his first novel in May of 2013 and since that time has published three other books as well. He aspires to write in as many genres as possible to broaden his imagination and writing prowess; while also creating new ideas and realities that will not only fascinate readers but also provide thought provoking lessons that many can relate to.
Contact Navi’ Robins at:  http://www.navirobins.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Martha Kennerson

Martha Kennerson has enjoyed a successful career in executive management for over twenty years; half of which have been in marketing and outreach. Her love of reading and writing is a significant part of who she is and she uses both to create the kinds of stories that relay a message of healing and forgiveness. In addition to Consequences, Martha has written a gripping novel about survival titled Choices and has contributed to two additional books; Baring it All: The Ins and Outs of Publishing and Signed, Sealed, Delivered…I’m Yours, a romance anthology penned with the members of M-LAS. Her first romance novel for the Harlequin Kimani line is scheduled for release in the summer of 2015.

Martha lives with her family in League City, Texas. She believes her current blessings are only matched by the struggle it took to achieve such happiness. To find out more about Martha and her journey check out her website at http://www.marthakennerson.com. 

BPM:  How did you get to be where you are in your life today? Who or what motivated you?
I worked hard to get healthy and gain the courage to write something personal in such a way that people will enjoy as well as learn a few lessons.

BPM:  Who does your body of literary work speak to? Do you consider authors as role models?
I like writing works with a message that can touch people, specifically women, on a number of levels. Authors should be praised and admired for their work but not for the way they live their lives.

BPM:  What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
Why now? My eldest daughter helped me see that this was a survivor’s story that needed to be told and now I’m healthy enough to tell it.

BPM:  What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I had a blast developing all the different characters.

BPM:  Could you tell us something about your most recent work?  Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
Consequences is a story about a young woman named Kristine whose set to have everything she’s ever wanted until an ill-fated encounter changes everything. While waking up naked in bed with a couple she barely knew wasn’t Kristine’s choice, how she deals with the consequences of that night creates a series of shocking choices that have a domino effect of turmoil to those close to her. Consequences is available both digitally and paperback form.

BPM:  Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
My main character Kristine survived a horrific night of violence and while it wasn’t easy, she managed to heal, forgive and ultimately love again.

BPM:  Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book?  If so, discuss them.
Surviving a sexual assault by both a man and a woman is hard enough. Choosing to keep the child that was the result of such an act of violence is life altering and for some devastating. For me, it was life saving.

BPM:   Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
Consequences is based on my personal journey so sharing it in this manner helped to further my healing process.

BPM:   What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I hope my book helps other women that may have had similar experiences see that you can get through it and from the feedback that I’ve received, I’ve done just that.

BPM:   What projects are you working on at the present?
I’m currently working on a romance series for the Harlequin Kimani line and the first book in that series will be released in August of 2015.

BPM:   How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Readers can find out more about me and my work either on my website at:  http://www.marthakennerson.com  or through social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Purchase Consequences by Martha Kennerson
http://www.amazon.com/Consequences-Martha-Kennerson-ebook/dp/B00NC92T1E

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Charmaine Galloway

Intimate Conversation with Charmaine Galloway

Charmaine Galloway was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. Writing has been her passion and a positive emotional outlet since middle school. As a teen, writing in her journal allowed her to escape the negativity of her world. Around that time she also began writing her first Christian fiction novel. She finds joy in creating unique and awe-inspiring storylines for the characters in her stories. Ingenuity and imagination is a mainstay and compass in her work.

Titles by Charmaine includes: My World, Through My Eyes, a poetry book. Girlfriends Secrets, The Secrets They Kept, Tyree’s Love Triangle and Golden are Amazon Bestselling novels. Heaven’s Cry, a short story. Girl Talk and Find The Princess Within are two inspirational books for teen girls. I love Myself As I Am and Mommy’s Little Superhero, are two children’s book.

Ms. Galloway has a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Becoming a fierce advocate and supporter of troubled young women has been a goal of hers since overcoming struggles of her own as a young woman. “I believe turning a blind eye or deaf ear to our struggling youth only promotes destruction and demise. They are human. They have a voice. You’ll be surprised by what you can learn from them if you just listen.”

Being the wearer of many proverbial ‘hats’, Charmaine is the founder of Charming Gal Publications. She is the CEO and jewelry designer at Forever Divas Fashionable Jewelry, her online jewelry boutique and owner of Amazing Grace Childcare. However, the most important ‘hat’ she wears is that of Mom to her two children. Following her dreams as a writer and entrepreneur will leave a beautiful legacy for them by encouraging them to work hard to achieve their dreams because their Mom didn’t quit reaching for hers.

“As a new author I think it is very important that my readers get to know me. I’m a writer with Christian values and I hope to inspire people with the stories that I pen. My characters are everyday people going through struggles and obstacles because life is not perfect.  With every story I create, there is a testimony that my characters will share about life and how they were transformed to become better people. Every story does not have a “happily ever after” ending and neither does real life.”

Charmaine is currently working on new projects so keep a look out for her upcoming releases. Please visit http://www.charmainegalloway.com to check out her blogs and new blurbs.

BPM: Share with us your personal journey into publishing. Was this a fun time in your life?
I began writing in my journal as a teen and then my journal entries lead to me writing poetry about personal events and issues in my life. I started writing my fist manuscript while I was attending college. But being a single parent and trying to finish my education, I had no time to complete it so I shoved the manuscript under my bed and that is where it stayed for over ten years. In 2012 my cousin introduced me to a guy she went to school with who was an author and a designer. We talked and he told me what I needed to know to self-publish my book. In 2013 I self-published my debut novel, Girlfriends Secrets. That was a very fun, proud and exciting time in my life.

BPM: How did you get to be where you are in your life today? Who or what motivated you?
I have ten books, that are now available in paperback and most of them are in eBook format. I got where I am today by the grace of God and by doing my research, working really hard to get the word out about my books and a lot of sleepless nights. I love reading and learning new thinks about marketing, promotions and perfecting my craft. My two children are my motivators. I want them to know that they can do anything they set their minds to do. I also want to leave a legacy for them after I am gone.

BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to? Do you consider authors as role models?
My body of literary work speaks to the whole family (adults, teens and children) Yes I do consider some authors as role models they have paved the way and now it’s my time to shine and write the best stories that I can write.

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? 
My recent work is titled Tyree’s Love Triangle which is the third and last book in The Secrets Trilogy. Tyree struggled to keep his family together after his wife found out about the secret he had been holding on to. This book is available in paperback and eBook format.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
Tyree is the son of one of the women from the first two books in the trilogy. He has been through a lot and seen a lot in his life. Now that Tyree is grown, he is suffering from some of the demons in his past. He will have to come to his senses and let God into his word so he can save his family before he loses them.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
Tyree has an addiction that most people do not want to talk about. I wanted to write about it to inform people that the addiction is present in a lot of people’s lives. I write to shed light on things that are relevant in the world today. The issues that most people want to stay quiet and not speak about.

Purchase Books by Charmaine Galloway

 

  

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – TaNisha Webb

TaNisha Webb is the author of The Ultimate Book Club Experience: How to Create & Maintain a Successful Book Club. TaNisha’s the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Book Club 101 Magazine and also the founder of Book Club University Online Conference and Book Club 101 University. TaNisha has moderated the Maximizing Your Book Club Experience panel discussion for the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta, GA for several years and is the president of the KC Girlfriends Book Club in Kansas City, MO.

TaNisha is a highly sought after speaker and book club consultant who travels across the country to speak with book clubs and authors. She’s currently working on her second book, The Ultimate Book Club Experience: The Leadership Skills Development & Strategic Planning Guide for Book Club Officers, due to release on March 3, 2015.

Book Club 101 Magazine
Book Club 101 Magazine was established in February 2012 and is the first and only literary resource magazine that caters specifically to book clubs. The articles provided are to help enhance the book club experience, along with providing an insight to the literary industry from an avid reader’s prospective. Book Club 101 Magazine staff writers consist of book club presidents and members that have 2+ years of book club experience. Book Club 101 Magazine is available in print and digital format and also a subscription option. Read more here: http://www.bookclub101mag.com

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Julia Blues

Julia Blues is a storyteller on a mission. Her mission is to better lives univerSOULly every story told via literature, TV & film.

Being honest with yourself is a main theme she harps on, and how to begin putting those pieces back together once truth is revealed is the premise you will get used to in many of her stories. After spending thirty-even years traveling the globe, she has finally found home in Austin, TX. To learn more about Ms. Blues, visit her at http://www.juliablues.com.

IN HER OWN WORDS…

I am a woman on a journey to discover all God has for me, whatever avenues and paths it may take me.

I am not one of those writers who fell in love with writing before I could hold a pen; because I didn’t. I am not one of those writers whose teachers encouraged to enter into writing contests; because that never happened. I am not one of those writers who adored English; because I hated it. I am simply a woman who was stuck in a boring job and had exhausted all possibilities of entertainment. It was like the Universe sensed my desperation as an unfamiliar voice called out to me, scaring away my sanity: “Monica Brown, that’s my name. Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same.” I’ve been stuck with characters whispering their stories to me every since.

I am a Storyteller. I’ve been a lot of other things in my thirty-something years. Spent half of my life growing up in the military. After watching my dad jump under the bed every time he heard a siren or alarm go off, I knew that was not the career for me. Shortly after graduating high school, working dead-end retail jobs, and spending a semester in college, I found myself raising my right hand swearing to protect my country from all enemies foreign and domestic. It didn’t take long for me to realize I wasn’t cut out for the Air Force. Once I laced up my combat boots for the last time, I ventured into temp work, spent a couple of years working behind bars at a county jail, and screened passengers and luggage for the government until a back injury changed the course of my life.

Ever since I began writing, it was a goal of mine to write full time. I had no idea how I would be able to do so. But one day, I look a leap of faith and haven’t been able to look back. Now, a published author of two books, Parallel Pasts and The Last Exhale, I know every box of Ramen noodles and cans of tuna I had to eat was worth it.

My path in life hasn’t been all good, but it hasn’t been all bad either because it has led me to where I am right now. Everything in life I’ve experienced has all played a part in who I am today. Nothing compares to the joy I feel when creating memorable characters. Nothing compares to taking my imagination to places the imagination dares to go. That’s what bringing life to a blank canvas does for me. It liberates my soul.

I am Julia Blues:  A storyteller on a mission. 

The Last Exhale by Julia Blues

Marriage isn’t easy—especially without honesty. In this exploration of love, intimacy, guilt, and infidelity, two people learn what happens when their feelings get in the way of the truth.For Sydney Holmes and Brandon Carter, love is losing its strength. Infidelity is the side effect of both of their broken marriages. Now, struggling to pick up the pieces, each is clinging to the hope that lasting love still waits for them, inside—or outside—of marriage.

Sydney’s not happy. Ever since marrying the wrong man, she’s regretted her decision to marry for the ring—not for her husband. Now, nearly seven years and two kids later, it’s not so easy to walk away.

Brandon’s hurt. The death of his son was painful enough, but now he’s faced with losing the love of his life.

Love is the muscle of marriage. Both partners have to work to keep it strong and healthy, and without it, a marriage has no chance of survival. In The Last Exhale, Sydney and Brandon uncover the truth of what it really means to love—for better or for worse.

The Last Exhale: A Novel  by Julia Blues
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/1593094973

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Colette R. Harrell

Colette R. Harrell made her debut as an author with the book, The Devil Made Me Do It. As an author,she has enjoyed meeting new people, in new places. She holds a master’s degree and works as a director of social services, which allows her a front-row seat to the conflict and struggles of everyday people. Her goal in writing is to engage her readers in an entertaining way and provide them with nuggets of wisdom that feed and titillate. Her one lesson learned during this season is . . . It takes a village to raise a dream.Her  newest  title,  Tell  The  Truth,  The  Devil  Won’t hits  the  stands  in  2015.  She  promises  it  will  not disappoint. Wife, mother, playwright, and author. In her mind’s eye, the future couldn’t look any brighter. 

BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
When I was sixteen years old, I had chicken pox. Now, I’m not sure if you know, but the older you are when you get chicken pox, the worse you look. I defined UGLY. I wouldn’t even let my best friend see me. But, I was bored. A shoot-me-now,-’cause-this-ain’t-getting-any-better-type of boredom. Every day my friend would phone and tell me what happened at school, and I would share what happened on the soaps. After two days of watching that paint dry, we decided to write our own soap opera—only nobody was singing. I mean nobody . . . but it opened the door to a dream.

From then on, I knew that someday I would write a book. I started writing The Devil Made Me Do It when I saw a writer’s contest on the Internet. You needed one hundred pages of a story. I wrote the pages to see if I could do it, and I was super amped to find out I was one of the winners of the contest. It encouraged me to continue writing and to finish the book.

The story of  The Devil Made Me Do It  resounded in my spirit because I always wondered what would happen if the heavens (or hell) rolled back and we could see what was happening in the supernatural. There birthed my trilogy, the Heaven over Hell series.

BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
Absolutely. I’m this down-home chick with a Southern twang from the hood of southwest Detroit. I was raised in a two-parent household with four siblings. My parents were all about reading versus television consumption. I think we were the last household in the neighborhood to purchase a color television. What we did have were books, magazines, and newspapers. I was still in elementary school when I walked to the River Rouge Library (a good mile away) to borrow books. Many times I walked alone. But at that age, reading was my passion, and it still is.

For me, a good book is like good gossip—you just have to share it. In sharing, I began to want to tell my own story, my own way. As a result, I have always loved to tell a good story—I promise there weren’t any lies—sometimes making it up as I went.

Growing up in Detroit, I found myself in some tight spots, just by the nature of being in the vicinity of something “going down.” It’s a wonder I never woke up dead. When that happened, I would call on my praying mother, begging her to pray just one more prayer. Eventually, those times taught me how much God must love my hardheaded, tryna-get-it-right foolish self. Now, there are always two sides to every coin. And some of the spots I was graced (Mama was praying hard!) to wiggle out of were pretty tight—persuading me fully that the devil must hate me. I know I really hate him and his modus operandi. Hence, my story, The Devil Made Me Do It, and how I decided to tell it.

BPM: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write?
Trust me when I say as a full-time director of social services, every day something occurs that inspires me to whip out my pen. If I’m not laughing, I’m crying. Who wouldn’t want to write about it? Consequently, I’ve learned to write something every day, if just for a little while; maybe a page or two. Now, that’s not an absolute, because I don’t want to be a prisoner of anything but hope. So, there are those days that I manage to do . . . nothing.

BPM: Do you ever let the book stew—leave it for months, and then come back to it?
Maybe not months. I can’t leave my child alone that long (that would be child abuse). But, yes, I have had to leave it. To let fresh eyes take another look at it later, and create, once again, from the heart. To pray that God gives me an understanding of where my characters are headed and how they will get there. In the meantime, I’m working on something else. Eventually, I will go back to the book and complete it; after all, you have to give the child you birthed a happy ending . . . or maybe not.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from?
My book ideas evolve from my conversations with others. My friends and I tend to have these deep conversations that result in my getting this animated lightbulb over my head. Its bright glow and halo effect asks the question: “What if?” My stories answer those questions.

BPM: Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?
Wow . . . I think a little of both. I start out with the light shining over my head, and I take that idea and begin writing without thought, and then a plot unfolds and the characters in the plot begin to take shape and demand to tell their story. I let them have their way. And, there are times when even I’m surprised at the choices they make. In The Devil Made Me Do It, Briggs’s and Esther’s journey totally amazed me. Even though each book in the Heaven over Hell trilogy stands alone, the next two books will continue their saga.

BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? 
I consider the book Christian fiction with an edge. I say that because, yes, my characters are Christian (well, most of them), but they aren’t perfect, and they don’t part the Red Sea or walk on water (although I do believe that miracles and wonders still occur). My characters sometimes make poor choices, and they have to face the consequences of those choices.

My main character, Esther, as a child, believed she was special. I once heard someone say that African American parents tend to tell their children not to think more of themselves than they should. They went on to explain that this schematic stemmed from slavery, when thinking too much of yourself could get you killed. As years passed, we reinforced these beliefs with negative thought patterns that belittled rather than built up. We’ve all heard: “You think you’re so cute” . . . “Stop getting a big head” . . . “Stop acting like you all of that!” And, these utterances of wisdom were from family members!

I wanted to explore what happens when the devil comes for your sense of self at a young age, and he didn’t just stumble on to you; he’s on assignment. The scripture pertaining to the devil wanting to kill, steal, and destroy you is not only speaking of a physical act, but it is also mental and emotional in origin.

The book’s glimpse into the supernatural provides a twist that is “cover-your-eyes scary,” and in the next chapter “slap the table, fun and humorous.” Esther Wiley is one of three childhood friends who are joined at the hip from kindergarten to college. In college, Esther meets Briggs Stokes, and they fall in love. But, life throws all the friends a shocking curve ball that causes a ripple effect that lasts for years.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
Esther dares to believe, even from a young age, that she is special. As African Americans, we are so conditioned not to speak well of ourselves less we be called prideful. Sometimes we become so conditioned to not think ourselves wonderful that we end up with self-esteem issues. Esther dared to believe and to act on that belief.

Briggs is a son of privilege, but it’s that same privilege that makes him come to believe that in his truest self he is invisible. It’s not just about his inherited money, but about who he really is. He struggles with the question: How do you grow up around God’s anointed superstar and still be seen for yourself?

The devil uses both of these issues to destroy the destiny God has for each of them. When they allow the spirit of lack to decide their futures, both lose. Identity theft was committed long before the computer age. My pastor has always taught that if you fail to know the purpose of a thing, you are destined to abuse it.
This first book in the trilogy shows the hidden agenda of those who should be for you and how making the right decision when you come to spiritual forks in your road will decide your destiny. And, for the record, it doesn’t end on a cliff-hanger. LOL.

BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
Yes, they deal with suicide—a taboo subject in most communities. They also deal with lust and adultery. And . . . the question: Is it adultery if you don’t consummate it? The Bible states if you sin in your heart . . . But, what does man say? And when adultery is committed, how and can you forgive? All of America is hooked on a television show built around adultery with one of the most powerful men in the country. It’s entertaining; it’s riveting . . . but is it biblical?

There’s an intimacy to sharing yourself with another person that I wanted to explore. You don’t just cheat physically, but you cheat in every area of your life. You have to lie . . . to create a separate life—so you become spiritually schizophrenic—one way with one person, another with someone else.

Also, I deal with fraud on the job, a phenomenon that is occurring more and more. I deal with abuse—verbal and physical. And I deal with obsession. We see more and more stalkers today.

BPM: What topics are primarily discussed? Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I discuss all of the above. I also discuss how choices affect our lives. I ask and answer the question: Can one childhood incident shape the rest of your life?

There’s an area in the book where I discuss the male African American youths of today, and what they need. It was eye-opening.  I did learn . . . Some of the pearls of wisdom that came out while writing also ministered to me. It’s something to reread your own work and know that the Holy Ghost was your ghost writer.

BPM: What would you like for readers to take away from your writing?
I want them to be entertained. I want them to have Aha! moments that set them on the road to self-discovery. I want them to draw closer to a God who loves them unconditionally.

BPM: How do you go about reaching new readers?
Three avenues:  First, tell a good story. The best compliment I received was from someone stating that their friends who were not Christians would read The Devil Made Me Do It because it was so entertaining.

Second, in an excerpt reading with men (who were coerced to come by their wives), their feedback was that it wasn’t the normal chick-flick literature they thought it was going to be, and they all asked me to keep reading. Tell a good story that others can relate to.

And, third, hopefully, people who read this interview will be inspired to run out and buy The Devil Made Me Do It, and then tell others to buy it too. Tell a good story and it promotes itself!  (See how I keep mentioning the name of the book? Subconsciously, you’re hearing—buy the book, buy the book . . . LOL.)

BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author?
Well, here is where I get very philosophical and state that I’m not in this for the money. NOT! This is a time-consuming, not-for-the-fainthearted venture. So, maybe not first, even though it’s listed here as first, I’d like to make a living at this. That would be one form of success.

Another would be for others to enjoy the story so much that they reread it. And that they sit in anticipation for the next book. Those both would be a form of success. Last, but most important, I would define success as something on the inside of the reader that transcends the mundane and spiritually enhances their life. That would be the ultimate form and definition of success for me as a published author.

BPM: What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Up, up, and away! I would love to do this when I am retired and old, sitting on my screened-in porch, sipping on a mango lemonade under a blue summer sky, typing away. You gotta love it!

BPM: What is your favorite positive saying? Where do you find your daily inspiration or muse?
For Love Alone. I think it speaks to the motivation of why people do what they do. I’ve had people do the right thing for the wrong reason, and even though it was needed—it wasn’t wanted due to the intent of the person’s heart. You think you’ve made a friend, but what they really want is to use and manipulate your gifts.

I have so many places I receive my inspiration. From my husband and children; my daughter is a singer and songwriter so she can say some things that blow me away. My best friend and partner in my production company is very good at inspiring me; iron sharpening iron. Of course, my pastor is a great teacher, and I can eat on his message all week. And the Holy Spirit drops pearls of wisdom in my spirit that humble me beyond belief. I’ll go back and read something I wrote or said to someone and do an Urkle—“Did I say that?”

BPM: Were there any challenges in bringing this story to life?
There were a lot of challenges. It took keeping hope alive to believe that one day this book would be read by people beyond my social circle. It took faith to bring this to fruition.  I am still challenged to hone my skills; writing is a craft. I’ve learned more about this art after I submitted my book and had it accepted by my publishing company than I ever knew before. Thank God! I might have given up if I had any idea how much I didn’t know!

BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like to accomplish after the book is released?
Best Seller, baby! I would love to have created my second career . . . and that twenty years later, I’ll still be writing, sitting in my rocking chair in a sunny place, sipping on my mango lemonade. So, you, your cousin, brother-in-law, and your hairdresser run out and buy the book or download the book. Just . . . Get the book!

BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or inspire? Entertain? 
I set out to inspire and entertain. I think that the way to do that so that it is lasting is to educate. When we learn something, it changes our thinking on a given subject; therefore, we carry it in our spirits. Anything that is part of your spirit is part of you. Entertaining allows the education and inspiration to be like medicine going down with a spoonful of sugar. I am always trying to illuminate the goodness of God. This message continues to provide light in dark places.

BPM: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?
I didn’t self-publish. However, I would think one advantage of self-publishing would be that you would be the captain of your own destiny, making your own decisions . . . your way. I would think the one disadvantage of self-publishing would be that you would be the captain of your own destiny, making your own decisions . . . your way. LOL. As a new writer, you could be separating yourself from boundless amounts of expertise and assistance by doing it yourself . . . especially if you’re new to the game.

BPM: Where do you see publishing going in the future? Will e-books continue to reign?
I really do think e-books will reign, especially for those who are older. Being able to customize fonts, read in the dark next to your spouse without bothering him/her is major for those of us who read constantly. Carrying around two hundred books in a lightweight tablet is no small feat . . . Yeah, it’ll be here. And I’ll keep buying too. Now my parting words are . . . I miss books—the feel of the paper, writing along the blank spaces, and still being able to read it when the battery dies.

BPM: Finish this sentence: “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers . . .”
“My writing offers the following legacy to future readers and authors who dare to be different. To go down the path less traveled. Trust your imagination and the story that you want to tell. Others DO want to hear it.”

BPM: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included? How can readers discover more about you and your work?
My goal is to continue writing beyond my trilogy. I have a “small ideas notebook” where I write down dynamic characters and interesting plots. So I plan to be around.

I have a website called Writespirit that can be read by going to http://www.ColetteHarrell.com. I will provide my calendar of events, book excerpts, and current works on the Web site. My blog will also be accessed through the web site. I have developed a fictional character by the name of Mother Maku Sweat, and her husband is Bishop Mo Sweat. She’s a feisty evangelist full of the wisdom of the ages. I plan to have Mother Sweat’s video advice column on my Web site as well.

The Devil Made Me Do It, Colette R. Harrell

The voluptuous Esther Wiley has always known that she is special. She’s a tiara-wearing, wand-carrying kind of Cinderella princess in disguise. The problem that her very own Fairy Godmother, the Prophetess Mother Reed, struggles with is getting her to live like it.

Briggs Stokes is the reluctant heir to his father’s worldwide, multimillion-dollar televangelist ministry, yet he yearns to be his own man. His past mistakes have caused him a private life of hurt and loneliness.

Esther and Briggs meet and develop a deep soul connection, until tragedy strikes and the two are thrust apart. Their separation leads each down a different path scattered with emotional minefields. While each step they take brings them closer to who they were always meant to be, the devil is on assignment. He sends in reinforcements to usher in confusion and create chaos, and soon no one is safe. The members of Love Zion church reel from the rumors, innuendo, and downright sabotage that is going on around them.

When others devise evil schemes to seek the destruction of Esther and Briggs through jealousy, greed, and murder, only divine intervention can save them. As an all-out battle for dominion breaks out in the heavens, will Esther and Briggs become a casualty of war?

Christian Fiction, topics include: suicide, abuse, adultery, company fraud, and obsession. Available at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Made-Me-Do/dp/1601627823   

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Michelle Morgan Spady

Before beginning her writing career about two years ago, Michelle Morgan Spady was an educator for over 25 years. She has held professional teaching licenses in Virginia, Louisiana and Utah. She taught English, Reading, Business Education, and Computer Technology. Her creativity, unique approach to learning, and love of teaching, has brought her distinguished recognition in the field, such as being nominated for a Teacher of the Year Award in Arlington Public Schools. Her analytical skills and passion for business during her first year at the Xerox Corporation earned her their Regional “Systems Analyst of the Year Award”.

Forming a company, bidding on, and winning a multi-million dollar, service & training contract with the Virginia State Lottery, allowed Michelle to work alongside her husband for 13 years as owners and operators of that company.

Continuing that entrepreneurial drive, she later Found a not-for-profit child care center that she operated for 10 years, and with all that behind her, she is now working for her 20 year old son, who is a cartoon artist.  Upon his high school graduation, they together formed HIS first start-up company, named B’Artful, LLC. A company that promotes emerging artists and authors. They have self-published 3 books together as a mother and son team and are working on a 4th. The “4th” is Michelle’s adult novel, ENOUGH WAS NEVER ENOUGH. Release scheduled for March of 2015 during Women’s History Month.

Michelle Morgan Spady is very active in community service organizations. She is a member of The Links, Incorporated and currently serves as the Eastern Area Program Chair. She is a former member of the Reston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.  As a member of the NOVA Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, she served as President for 6 years, and this November 23, she will be acknowledged at their 30th year Luncheon Forum.

She is a very active member in her church, Shiloh Baptist, of McLean, VA, and sings in the church choir. Michelle lives in McLean, VA with her husband and son.

Michelle’s “KEYS FOR SUCCESS”:
•    Integrity
•    Respect
•    Ethical Behavior
•    Positive Thinking
•    Loyalty
•    Work & Family
•    Empowerment

BPM:   What motivated you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
I work with children all the time, and throughout many of my interactions with them, I am always conscious of the way they talk to each other and the way the solve their problems.  I used to get very involved when my son would come home with stories of how he had been “over-powered” or “bullied” by some kid. One day this poem came to me and I wrote it down.  I found some of my son’s characters that he had drawn that I thought would fit the story perfectly.  That’s what got me started on the idea of writing and publishing a book.

BPM:   What motivated you to become an indie author?
I like challenges, and I have been keeping journals for years saying that one day I was going to write a book. I still have not penned the book that I have had in my heart. for years  There is a story that I want to tell. Right now, I’d like to help my son launch his career for storytelling and drawing.

BPM:  Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
Yes, all the books that we have published so far have some relevance to either his or my upbringing.
The book 7 Days 2 Tell about college groups and hazing, is more about teens having to make a moral decision as to whether they should snitch on the fraternity and what they witnessed, more so than the act of hazing. ShoozyQ about bullying and An Artist and his Obsession is about relationships and friendships.

BPM:   Do you write full-time?  Do you write every day? Do you have a special time to write?
No, I wish I could write every day.  I love writing, but because of our business there is so much more to do once we’ve finished a book project.  The publishing process can be daunting and overwhelming, then there’s the marketing.

BPM:   Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
My son, Bradford came up with the idea of his first book “An Artist…”. ShoozyQ…” and “7 Days…”
 were my idea.  We write about what we’re interested in.  We don’t want to be “pigeon-holed” into any one category.  He likes to draw characters first and then write stories around them.  I help him a lot with the writing, so it is challenging for me sometimes to have to come up with a story that he has already “drawn”. He is of course, visual and he can draw a whole story.  I have find the narrative.

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What separates this story from the millions of other books on the shelves? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
Well ShoozyQ and the AB Crew is a book about a group of kids who play on the playground every day and there is a bully who taunts them.  One day ShoozyQ decides to stand up to the bully and she gathers her friends and tells them to follow her, she has an idea of how to get the bully to change his ways and just play with them instead.  Without giving away the whole book, she uses positive words.

What makes our book different is that it is “written in poem format, the book uses vibrant illustrations, and a good dose of positivity to encourage children to look at bullying from another perspective. ShoozyQ and her “crew” persuade a schoolyard bully to change his behavior without being mean and abusive themselves – something that is often overlooked in books with an anti-bullying message.

“We include activities so that educators can get the discussions going with children. It’s important to keep the ball rolling after the story is over, and really get to the root of what the kids have learned from ShoozyQ’s experiences.”
It is available on Kindle and IBooks.

BPM:   Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
Because our characters are “cartoony” their very fun. My son, allows me to name them most of the time, so by the time we have completed a story we feel as though we know each one.  My favorite character in the ShoozyQ book is the little African American girl named Kiana.  She’s got personality and she wears red cow girl boots.  I went out and bought me a pair the character motivated me so. Actually, we have plans to promote Kiana little more after we get the ShoozyQ book off the ground.

BPM:  Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
In this book it’s all about bullying, even hazing is about a form of bullying. ShoozyQ shows that children on both sides of bullying incidents need help. Everyone wants to help the victim or the kid who’s been bullying, but not a lot of attention is shown to the bully or the bystander.  As adults we should openly talk to our children about bullying before it happens.  Studies show that children between 3-5 are most impressionable, and this age sets the foundation of how we will interact with people in general as we grow. Parents should never ignore bullying behaviors, and should model and teach their children about empathy, (the number one emotion most bullies don’t have), kindness, compassion and positivity.

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
On a personal level I felt it an honor to work with my son.  He never ceases to amaze me.  He has always struggled with learning differences, and before we started working together, I did not realize how creative, and smart he really is. He knows a lot about a lot of things.  It is truly a joy to work with him.  We both challenge and learn from each other.

BPM:  What would you like for readers to take away from your writing?  How do you go about reaching new readers?
First and foremost for our last book we’d like for them to leave with a better understanding of what bullying is all about and how taking a different approach to resolving conflicts can be very beneficial to the bully, the bullied and the bystander. I hope that the awesome illustrations that my son provides will motivate people to want to check us out.

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career? What would you like to accomplish after the book is released?
This is like a third, maybe fourth career for me already. I was a former teacher, a systems analyst and major account sales rep in a Fortune 500 Company and my husband and I have owned a company which once had a multi-million dollar contract with a state lottery for 13 years.  At this stage of the game, success for me is seeing my son accomplished at whatever it is he’d like to do.  We want to continue writing books for awhile and I’d like to see us accepted as serious authors and illustrator in the business. My son would like to see some of his characters in an animated featured film production.

BPM:   Where do you find your daily inspiration or muse?
 My son is my daily muse.  He is so passionate about what he loves to do and that is drawing.  He draws from the moment he wakes up in the morning (afternoon) till the wee wee hours of the night (morning).
He makes me want to produce something, and help him.

BPM:   Were there any challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing this story to life?
No, everything went pretty smoothly since this was my second self-published book.  The process wasn’t as daunting as the first, but yet challenging to dot all of your “i’s” and cross all of your “t’s”. It makes it easier when you write the story yourself, illustrate the book yourself, and publish. You have total creative control over everything.  There are some pros and cons to that.  Of course, in self-publishing you are totally responsible for the product that you put out.  The good, the bad, the ugly.  You can’t blame anyone for mistakes.  No margin for error.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this series of books?
My son is working on another book now and we are thinking of making it a series.  As far as this one goes, we’ll just market it and its message for as long as we can.  Anti-bullying!

BPM:  What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or inspire? Entertain? Illuminate a particular subject?
My goal is to inspire other writers and my son other artists. Our business B’Artful LLC hosts workshops and events for emerging authors and artists to enhance their creative skills. We talk about it on our website.

BPM:   What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?
I think the major advantage is that you have total control over your product. You can get it out as soon as you want or as late as you want.  The disadvantage is, if you don’t know the process you can miss some steps and then NOT have a quality product.  It is up to you to find graphic designers, editors, copyright your material, buy all that you need to publish in paperback, hardback and ebook.

BPM:  Are there any areas of your writing career that you wish you could go back and change?
Not yet, I do wish that I had started sooner in my life.  I think I would have many more books published by now.

BPM:  Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Just that, if there are any parents reading this I’d like to say to them to always listen to your children.  I found some papers from when my son was in kindergarten he wrote that he would be an artist when he grew up. He used to draw “stick drawings”, but look at his work now.  I’d like to think a lot of his growth came from us as parents nurturing his interest in art, and it hasn’t stopped.  He’s 20 years old now, and we are still following him and his dreams.  If you have a book you’re thinking of writing, don’t hesitate, go for it! You never know.

 Michelle Morgan Spady, Author & Publisher B’Artful, LLC
B’Artful Website:  http://www.bradspadyart.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bradspadyart

ABOUT THE BOOK
Written in poem format, the book uses vibrant illustrations, and a good dose of positivity to encourage children to look at bullying from another perspective.  ShoozyQ and her “crew” persuade a schoolyard bully to change his behavior without being mean and abusive themselves-something that is often overlooked in books with an anti-bullying message.

The colorful drawings and simple, effective language all tie together to make ShoozyQ an exciting read for kids, and a learning tool for parents and teachers. There are activities at the end of the book for parents and educators to practice with the children.

ShoozyQ and the AB Crew in Bully on the Playground
General  Education-Picture Book for K-4th grade

Purchase ShoozyQ and the AB Crew: Bully on the Playground

Kindle Edition
ShoozyQ and the AB Crew in Bully on the Playground
Link: http://amzn.com/B00J2I039Y

Paperback Edition
ShoozyQ and the AB Crew in Bully on the Playground
Link: http://amzn.com/0991460014
General  Education-Picture Book for K-4th grade
Available at Amazon.com, IBooks, Kindle, IngramSparks, CreateSpace

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Nakia R. Laushaul

Award Winning Author, Nakia R. Laushaul

 

Nakia resides in Houston,Texas with her lovable teenage son. She is an inspirational poet, motivational speaker, novelist and entrepreneur. She stepped away from Corporate America to pursue a more creative life and hasn’t looked back. She is the CEO and chief designer of A Reader’s Perspective, which offers a wide range of literary services ranging from publishing consultations to typesetting.

Nakia is the author of, “The Truth As I See It: In Poetry & Prose,” “Locked in Purgatory,” “Running from Solace,” a 2011 USA Book News Best Books Award Winner and 2012 Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She has also penned two short stories, “After Wednesday” and “A Husband for Christmas.” Nakia is featured in the Writer’s Digest inaugural publication dedicated to self-published authors: “2014 Guide to Self-Publishing.”

Nakia is committed to challenging everyone within her reach to find compassion and empathy in the differences that exist among us all. Nakia truly believes that by doing what you love, you become happy! She hopes that you will go find your happiness.

For more information or to book Nakia R. Laushaul for your book club meeting or other special event, visit her website: www.NakiaRLaushaul.com. Check out her blog, Random Rants of Truth of a Social Butterfly: http://nakialaushaul.blogspot.com. For more information regarding publishing services please visit: www.areadersperspective.com.

Nakia R. Laushaul in the media:

2011 Houston Chronicle

2011 Rolling Out Magazine

2013 Examiner

About Running from Solace

2011 USA BOOK NEWS BEST BOOKS AWARD WINNER

2012 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARD FINALIST

“She passed a hard candy over her shoulder as though whatever was in the tiny wrapper was supposed to make it all better. I clutched the peppermint in my hand and buried my face in the hard leather seat while she explained what was going to happen to me. She promised that I’d be safe from then on.”

And so begins the journey of Naomi, whose amazing story picks up where the past and future intersect. As Naomi struggles to hide the ugly physical and emotional reminders of yesterday that insist on haunting her dreams, she crosses paths with a young boy, Xavier and his quick-tempered mother, Mona, who both share an interesting story much like her own.

Running from Solace is an emotional tale which will send you catapulting on a breathless journey beyond breaking points and will finally lead you to believe in the power of accepting what is to be.

About Chasity Rules

When it comes to love—Chasity Hall has rules.

Rule Number One: Never fall in love.
Rule Number Two: Always follow rule number one.
Rule Number Three: Never let a man fall in love with you.

After years of experiencing dead-end relationships, go-getter Chasity Hall has sworn off love for good. However, a happenstance visit up to the forty-eighth floor where she works sends Chasity head over heels in love again, and this time it is with a dazzling corner office suite with a killer view. The only problem for the goal-driven fashionista is that Chasity’s single status is not working in her favor and she believes that an equally ambitious beau will give her the professional image of success she desperately desires. Upon the advice of Pia, her love-addicted best-friend, she hires an intuitive matchmaker who challenges Chasity to search inside her heart to finally discover her real one true love.

About The Truth As I See It: In Poetry & Prose

Nakia R. Laushaul poetically gathers myths and misconceptions about life that threaten to hold the heart captive into her first bound collection, THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY & PROSE. She expresses her views of The Truth about Me and You, Love, God, and Life in powerful poems that make the truth look painfully simple and prose that tenderly draws you into the world as she sees it. THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT: IN POETRY & PROSE beautifully fuses together and creates light after tackling difficult and often considered, taboo topics. Out of pain and anger comes healing. Out of despair and disappointment comes hope. Out of the darkness of lies shines the truth.

Purchase books:

Amazon       Barnes&Noble      Indie Bound

 

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Tess Tims

Tess Tims is a master hair stylist, salon professional, life transformation coach and educator. Like many of the people she’s touched and helped with her story, Tess knows what it is like to be a business owner who struggles to keep her head above water. At one point, she couldn’t pay a $42 water bill. However, Tess used her skills as a hair restoration expert to change the game for her and her family while helping women who needed to feel beautiful again. Visit her at: www.TessTims.com

The 3 C’s System: Your One Evening Guide to Health and Wealth Creation

Success doesn’t have to be complicated, confusing, or drawn-out… and neither should the tools you rely on to help you get there! Give Tess one evening and let her take you from chaos to clarity and commitment, the 3 C’s of Success. Simply put, life is a series of CHOICES. The quality of your life will, in a very big way, always reflect the quality of the choices you make.

I wrote The 3 C’s To Achieving Success” to help you make better choices and create a BETTER LIFE. “The 3 C’s System” is the story of her own journey, a collection of strategies for achieving success, and a road-map designed to guide you to successfully reaching your own destination!

The 3 C’s System: Your One Evening Guide to Health and Wealth Creation
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/1494394979

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Renee’ Sunday

 

 Renee’ Sunday, M.D. is the founder and CEO of Sunday Publishing Company, LLC., and RS Commerce, P.C.

“I have practiced anesthesia for over thirteen years. My mission is to encourage and empower others to enjoy life and obtain their dreams. Furthermore, I enjoy being an instrument in God’s Plan to render services to others and to show compassion, love, and the standard of care.  Empower others to propel their message to the world.”

Renee’ is a radio and television personality – Host of Good Deeds Radio & TV Show, Platform Builder, Grief & Loss Specialist, Group Counselor, Motivational & Inspirational Coach, Passion & Purpose Guru, Author, Publisher, Healthy coffee distribution owner, and an Anesthesiologist. Renee’s passion is to be a catalyst to stimulate others forward toward their destiny. For fourteen years , I thought my purpose was doing providing anesthesia services until in I went from 6 figures to 0 figure in 24 hours. When one door closed several new doors opened. The doors continue to open on a daily basis.

Everyone has purpose. Everyone has a calling. Everyone has reason to be on the earth right now. A lot of people are asking, “why was I created? ” They want to know his/her Grand Purpose in life. The truth of the matter many people are not called to one area or one thing. There are many things we enjoy in life. Can you say you are enjoying life? If you are frustrated with your job, career, where you are right now. Get Purpose Now with Dr. Renee Sunday encourage, empower, and educate others to propel their passions to purpose. One step will lead to an abundant supply of opportunities, obtaining dreams, and achieving a purposefully driven life.

Free Gift Ebook: http://www.reneesunday.com

Sunday Publishing Company is the parent company of Good Deeds Radio and TV Show.  Website:  http://www.reneesunday.com

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#BondingThruBooks – Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House

Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House is the tale of a Nika Beamon’s quest to find the correct medical diagnosis after years of getting false assessments. This frank and engaging story takes the reader on journey through her various hospital trips, and procedures, as well as her feeling and emotions that are as real as they are raw. It also introduces them to a quirky cast of characters who go through this 17 year odyssey with her until she finally finds out that she has an autoimmune disorder.

Misdiagnosed gives a voice to the 30 million Americans diagnosed with rare diseases, who have struggled to figure out what ail them. It gives people suffering with chronic conditions, rare or not, tips on how to continue to get the best medical care possible. I also provide tips on how to care for someone who is chronically ill and the things all single chronically ill people should do to make things easier for their family and friends.

Also, Misdiagnosed serves a cautionary guide to anyone who falls ill or has a loved one suffering with an ailment in the US. A recent John Hopkins study found that hospital errors lead to as many as 40,500 patients dying annually. Also, a study published in April showed 1 in every 20 people or 12 million per year are misdiagnosed at outpatient clinics in the U.S.

Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House  has been endorsed by bestselling authors Wes Moore, Marya Hornbacher and Richard Cohen (Meredith Vieira’s husband) as well as Dr. Robert Lahita of UMDNJ and the Nation Women’s Health Network.

WHY BEAMON’S MISDIAGNOSED IS A MUST READ
Misdiagnosed sheds light the experiences of African American and other minorities who have a well-documented history of getting substandard or inadequate medical treatment in the U.S. A research study cited in a February 14, 2010 Daily Beast article said “race-related differences in health care cost the country 229 billion between 2003 and 2006” alone; a fact that “Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called ‘just stunning and shocking.’”

The Mayo Clinic found 26 percent of cases are misdiagnosed; this number rises to a staggering 44 percent when it comes to some types of cancer according to the Journal of Clinical Onocology. These mistakes cost nearly one third of the 2.7 trillion spent in the US on healthcare. A study published in April showed one in every 20 people or 12 million per year are misdiagnosed at outpatient clinics in the U.S.    Source

WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK
Anyone who has not had a chronic illness.
Anyone who has a chronic illness. 
Anyone who has cared for someone with a chronic illness. 
Anyone who has treated, or attempted to treat, someone with a chronic illness. 
Anyone who influences health policy in the U.S. or other countries. 

Order Links for Misdiagnosed
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/457341

http://www.amazon.com/Misdiagnosed-The-Search-Dr-House/dp/1500436674

http://www.amazon.com/Misdiagnosed-Search-House-Nika-Beamon-ebook/dp/B00M5G9TLI

Intimate Conversation with Nika C. Beamon

Nika C. Beamon is a TV News Writer/Producer in New York. She pursued a BA in Communications and a BA in Sociology at Boston College in Massachusetts.

Beamon has been credited as a reference in the several books on television news and has also won many awards throughout her career including a Peabody Award for ABC News’ coverage of the September 11th Attacks.

In 2009, Chicago Review Press published her well-received non-fiction book: I Didn’t Work This Hard Just to Get Married: Successful, Single Black Women Speak Out. In 2000, she published her first mystery novel, Dark Recesses. In 2002, her second mystery novel, Eyewitness was released.

BPM:  What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
I sat down to write this book after having my first lymph node biopsy and realizing the delay in my diagnosis may have led to my illness progress to the near terminal stage. Family, friends and co-workers encouraged me to share my story to inspire others.  Months later, the first draft of Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House was complete.

BPM:  Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing?
Certain my life experiences have taught to me to embrace myself, flaws and all, so that I can keep growing and sharing who I am with the world.  My upbringing taught me I’m capable of succeeding, despite my limitations, with the help of my support system.

BPM:  Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
My book ideas are influenced by the stories I read about or come in contact with every day.   I’d like to think my books are character driven; that readers connect with someone in the story and go on the journey with them. However, I believe the social themes I address are equally as important to grasp.

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
My new book is my first memoir, Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House.   I work in television and am a self-professed TV junkie so naturally I was a fan of the show, “Dr. House, MD.”  When my own illness seemed to baffled doctors, I searched for a doctor, like the one on the show, who could help figure out what was wrong with me.  It takes me 17 years and nearly 22 doctors to find an answer but thankfully I survived to get it. The book will be available a paperback and in all e-book forms starting August 1st.

BPM:   Give us some insight into your main speakers. What makes each one so special?
The main speakers in the book real people: me and my ex-boyfriend. You gain great insight into our nearly decade long romantic relationship and the toll my physical decay takes on it.  Additionally, you are introduced to my parents and several close friends that form a village to take care of me when I am unable to do so myself.

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House deals with a variety of topics including: being sick and single, dealing with chronic illness, the plight of medical misdiagnosis, the financial toll prolonged illnesses take, the role of the caregiver in the lives of the chronically ill and the strength of the human spirit, as well as the role of faith in healing. Reflecting on the various bouts with illness in my life taught me to appreciate where I am in my life right now and all those who have aided me.

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?
The only real ambition I have as a writer is to tell stories that entertain and enlighten readers about subjects, persons or thoughts they don’t often consider.  I define success as anytime I reach anyone outside of my circle of friends, family and co-workers.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book?
I truly hope this book as used as a resource to aid other people struggling with illness.  I provide tips at the end to help others avoid the pitfalls I ran into so that they can focus on getting well.

BPM:   How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Readers can find out more about me and my other books by logging onto my website:
http://www.nikabeamon.com
https://twitter.com/NikaBeamon
https://www.facebook.com/NikaCBeamon

Reviews for Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House

“Misdiagnosed is an eye-opening, fascinating account of a brave journey through the labyrinth of American medicine. Beamon draws the reader in skillfully, and gives us a close up view of the power of human persistence.”
—Marya Hornbacher, a Pulitzer Prize and Pushcart Prize nominated author. Her bestselling books include: Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia; Madness: A Bi-Polar Life and Waiting: A Non-Believer’s Guide to a Higher Power.

“How long can my body endure all the invasions by doctors?   Nika Beamon’s cry is heard throughout Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House. That doc does not exist, of course, but the author’s journey across hazardous terrain in the medical jungle did.  Her misery being mangled by modern medicine provides lessons on arming ourselves for the battles many of us face.”
—Richard M. Cohen, New York Times Best Selling author of Blindsided and Strong at the Broken Places.
“This is a book is a “must read” for all doctors and healthcare professionals…  Enigmatic to most physicians, devastating to patients, the stuff of science fiction, and limitless in presentation; autoimmune diseases are the frontier of medicine in the 21st century.  They demand an understanding of complex science and while practicing the art of medicine with compassion…Read Nika’s story to understand why patients long for a diagnosis.”
—Robert G. Lahita MD, PhD, FACP, MACR, FRCP,  Chairman of Medicine and VP, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Professor of Medicine, UMDNJ

“Misdiagnosed” is a gripping medical detective story. It could be a fictional episode of “House” from the patient’s perspective, but this story is real. It is a raw telling of Nika Beamon’s journey through high-tech American health care. Just as she recounts stripping naked for doctors’ probes and surgeons’ scalpels, Beamon bares hers physical and emotional tribulations to readers.”
—Andrew Holtz, MPH Editor-In-Chief, HoltzReport and author of The Medical Science of House, M.D.

“Nika’s book is a well written, eye opening, call to action. An inspiring, yet alarming story that lets us know that even in our darkest and most alone moments, that we are not alone.”
—Wes Moore, Bestselling author of The Other Wes Moore.

“…Everyone with an invisible illness, whether named or not, will relate to Nika Beamon’s hidden dramas in her life, dealing with the daily frustrations of a mysteriously uncooperative body — and then, often worse, with an ill-equipped, punishing medical system…”
—Paula Kamen,  Author of All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache

“…I believe it will truly help someone as they are on the quest for their own.  More people need to realize that doctors truly don’t know everything and that doctors can be learning about a patient’s illness right along with them!”
—Shaniqua D. Seth, Health Communications Manager, National Women’s Health Initiative

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Makasha Dorsey

Makasha Dorsey is an award-winning author, motivational speaker and public relations consultant. Her personal essay Diary of an Aspie Mom is included in The Motherhood Diaries. She blogs about being a writer, mother, wife, woman and Christian over at a wife in progress and has written for Absolute Write, The Midwest Book Review, The Daily Times Leader, ModVive Magazine, and Snaps1000Words.com. Visit her website:  www.MakashaDorsey.com

 

First Family Secrets (The Church House) By Makasha Dorsey

As a child, Tangela Houston experienced “sanctified” cruelty at the hands of her doctrine driven mother. Had it not been for her father’s kind, faithful heart and a desire to find her true self, she would have gladly exchanged Christianity for a pair of designer boots. But when she accepts an invitation from Felecia Williams, her mentor and direct supervisor, to visit Greater Tabernacle Christian Center, Tangela rededicates her life to God at the feet of Pastor Keith Mitchell, a man who would do anything to keep secrets from his past hidden. She even bumps into college crush turned professional football player Eric Parker and rekindles the old flame. 

Her confidence in her new found relationship with the Savior and Eric is shattered when she finds herself accused of murdering Felecia and in the arms of David Moss, the newly appointed minister of music, who is tied to her in a way that will change her life forever.

First Family Secrets (The Church House) By Makasha Dorsey
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20/detail/0692250905

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Lá Tanyha Boyd

Lá Tanyha Boyd, is living her dream and walking in her calling to empower, and inspire others in“Living in the Now;” the abundant life. Author Lá Tanyha, has traveled around the world via the airwaves as a Transformational Speaker delivering messages to jumpstart your day and vision, all the while infused with Faith, Hope, & Determination leaving you with a mindset of I CAN DO THIS! Challenging others to Take Action to go higher in their careers, fulfill their goals and walk in their purpose.

Lá Tanyha is the International Host of Spiritual Food for Thought Global Radio. Through this syndicated radio broadcast she empowers others across the globe to follow their dreams and to live life with purpose, passion, fire and determination.

Author Boyd often shares messages that; “Life is all about living and when we can have Spiritual Food, it nourishes us like nothing else.” Penning her first Bestselling book Spiritual Food For Thought: 31 Inspirational Quotes To Jump Start Your Day!Spiritual Food For Thought, is touted to be a soul stirring read as it consists of deeply inspirational messages that offer daily words of empowerment and promote spiritual growth for its readers. The book is immensely thought provoking and takes its readers on an immeasurably inspiring journey towards self discovery while it also challenges them to pursue greatness and positivity in life.

Her latest release a DIY: People Eat With Their Eyes: How to Create an Effective Book Trailer.

Author Boyd, continues to use the power of the pen with the upcoming release of her first Children’s Christian Fiction Short-Story entitled: “Faith: Learns The Power Of Prayer.” A story about A young girl named Faith, who lived with her grandmother all her life. The family fell on hard times. Unable to care for grandma, Faith’s family sold the house and moved. Now Faith and the Wheeler family have to adjust to new surroundings with God’s help.

Là Tanyha Boyd is that ABUNDANT LIFE Inspirational Speaker delivering Transformational messages to #JSYD Jump Start your day and vision. Most Requested Topics: Self-Empowerment of Lighten the load of ‘Stinkin-Thinking,’ and Build Your Career’Change Your Seat.’

Answering the call to minister, Missionary Là Tanyha has been working in the vineyard for over ten years, and is a Licensed Missionary. Là Tanyha is a Empowerment Coach and a powerful Inspirational Speaker, facilitator with a heart and fire for God and His people.

Lá Tanyha Boyd has the world’s largest digital platform devoted to Jump-Start Your Day; transform your mindset, line up your thoughts, and emotions in creating the life and business you desire.

Spiritual Food for Thought: 31 Inspirational Quotes to Jump-Start your Day!    
Change that Stinkin-Thinking by jump-starting your day with positive affirmations.

Are you ready to walk in your greatness…Transform your mindset and learn how to Jump-Start Your Day and line up your thoughts, desires and emotions to create the life and business you desire? Our thoughts have the power to either help us or hurt us. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity.

Lá Tanyha Boyd  Empowerment Coach   |   Missionary |  3  x’s Best-selling Author  | Talk-Radio Host | Social Media Specialist   | Marketing Branding Coach   |   Internet Book Publicist

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LaTBoyd1
Speaker:  http://www.latboyd.com/la-tanyhas-speaker-platform.html

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Lauren Francis-Sharma

Lauren Francis-Sharma, a child of Trinidadian immigrants, was born in New York City and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in African-American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and two children. ‘Til the Well Runs Dry is her first novel.

 

BPM:  What inspired you to write this book, ‘TIL THE WELL RUNS DRY? 
A: I was not inspired as much as I was looking to understand my maternal grandmother, a woman whom I did not feel like I really knew. When she had her first stroke, I sat next to her hospital bed and realized I knew so little. She was not one to share her feelings and I had never bothered to push her on the details of her life story. I wrote this book, which is loosely based on the little I knew about her, as a way to fill that void.

BPM:  The case could be made that Blanchisseuse, a sea-side village in Trinidad, is a character in the book. What drew you to this particular town, and what effect does it have on the lives of your characters? 
A: I firmly believe that the places where we live as children are natural characters in our story, so it seemed befitting to attempt to make Blanchisseuse come alive on the page, as this is how Marcia feels about her birthplace. My grandmother’s family purchased land in Blanchisseuse in the early twentieth century, and my grandmother was born and raised there. Many of my mother’s childhood memories, her stories, are set there. To me, Blanchisseuse is a magical place, and it has been a part of me for as long as I remember.

BPM:  The chapters in ‘Til the Well Runs Dry are told from the perspective of three central characters. Why did you choose these specific characters to hold up the arc of the story? 
A: When I began writing this story, Jacqueline was the protagonist. On the first page she wakes to the sound of her mother tapping a spoon on the lip of a pot. The story should have been a coming-of-age story where Jacqueline grows to understand herself and her quite difficult mother. But as I continued to write, this mother, Marcia, began to steal scenes. And before long, Farouk also became a necessity, as someone needed to tell his story. Now I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

BPM:  Marcia, one of your main protagonists, is an incredibly strong woman – both mentally and physically. Where do you think her strength comes from, and is she an amalgamation of you and your grandmother? 
A: The circumstances, the world, into which Marcia is born makes living a challenge, but she wants to survive. And even though she can be a hard woman, many of her decisions show immense vulnerability. To me, therein lies her real strength: To choose to love. To choose to be a mother. To admit fear. To fight fear. These qualities make her strong. My grandmother faced many of the same challenges, and Marcia is who I hope my grandmother was deep down inside. Marcia is also who I hope I am or will be, though I would like to be more openly expressive about my love for others.

BPM:  The topic of parenthood – and most especially motherhood – is central to your novel. This theme deeply affects two of your three protagonists, namely Marcia and her husband, Farouk. After they have their first child, Farouk learns of a family secret on Marcia’s side, which threatens their relationship. In fact, he moves out of their shared home. Yet year after year, they keep having children. After their fourth child arrives, Farouk becomes very detached from his family. What is it about parenthood that brought them together and then drove them apart?
A: For Farouk parenthood is an extension of his love for Marcia. After the breakdown of the marriage, he is angry, and feels betrayed, and though he still loves Marcia, the children become central figures in his burning resentment—the only way he can continue to hurt Marcia for the never-ending pain he experiences. For Marcia, because of the twins, perhaps even because she is a woman, she understands that parenthood is a separate entity from marriage, though she’d like for them to co-exist. Of course, having the children means having a small part of Farouk, and though she sometimes resents the burden parenthood has placed on her life, Marcia’s commitment to them is unwavering. Farouk eventually comes to understand this kind of commitment, this kind of love.

BPM:  You manage to capture the sights, sounds, food, and – let’s not forget – the voodoo of Trinidad. How much research did you have to do in order to make this country come alive? Can you talk a bit more about the obeah women and their role not only in your book but in Trinidadian culture? 
A: I was born in America to Trinidadian parents. There are some things that come to you by osmosis when you are part of the first generation growing up away from the family homeland. But to be honest, there were more things that were fuzzy. I did my best—through asking questions, reading books, and traveling to Trinidad—to make it as alive and as authentic as possible. I know I did not get it all right, but my goal was to serve my family and the country well. As such, I do not particularly like the word “voodoo.” “Magic,” “the mystical,” “witchcraft” are used for the same purposes, yet do not carry the same connotation.

So, yes, perhaps “obeah” is simply a different label, but in my mind, obeah, the use of which was far more prevalent fifty years ago, is not always hateful and vengeful. People have used obeah to guide them in making important life decisions and to protect them from negative outcomes. In this story, Farouk simply wants to capture Marcia’s heart. It is the obeah woman, the bearer of the institution, abusing her privilege for her own gain, who throws a wrench in his plan.

BPM:  Marcia makes the ultimate sacrifice for her children when she leaves them behind in Trinidad and immigrates to the United States with the intention, of course, to earn enough money to bring them all to the States at some point. While Marcia struggles to get her footing, do you think that her home country of Trinidad and its melting-pot population gave her an advantage when she arrived in the melting pot of New York City?
A: No. I do not think anything can prepare a person for that kind of life transition. Immigration is dislocation. One’s life is completely turned on its head. Think back sixty years or more and imagine you have no television, you’ve seen maybe one movie, you know very little about the place where you will live. Then imagine that when you get there nothing goes as planned. The person who leaves her home seeking a better opportunity, who is willing to do what it takes and sticks it out despite all that inevitably will go wrong, is inherently better equipped than many of the rest of us. But she needs a chance. The only advantage Marcia has when she arrives in New York is that there are other West Indians who are willing to help her. Community is the key to many immigrant success stories.

BPM:  Is ‘Til the Well Runs Dry the first book you’ve written? 
A: I wish! No, I had two novels prior to this that I failed to get published.

Purchase ‘Til the Well Runs Dry: A Novel
by Lauren Francis-Sharma
Link: http://amzn.com/0805098038  

 

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Trice Hickman

Trice Hickman is a self-proclaimed Southern girl, and award-winning, bestselling author. Trice’s love of reading and the power she recognized in the written word inspired her to become a writer. After receiving rejection letters from every agent and publisher she submitted her work to, Trice was determined to bring her stories to life. She self-published her first three novels to great success, and shortly thereafter, landed a multi-book deal with Kensington (Dafina Books) where she is currently published. When she’s not busy writing and reading, Trice enjoys cooking, traveling, decorating, and meeting good people. Learn more about Trice at http://www.tricehickman.com.

BPM:   What motivated you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
The motivation to write, TROUBLEMAKER (which is the fourth book in the Unexpected Love Series) was inspired by the characters from, LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.  I had to finish telling the story of these complicated, vibrant people who have given readers so much enjoyment throughout the series. Some of the things that happen in this book are also inspired by real life. This family saga explores the many facets of love, heartache, betrayal, and addiction, which are all things I’ve personally witnessed in my own family. I hope readers will take away a spiritual lesson from this book-that love and forgiveness can mend whatever is broken.

BPM:   What motivated you to become an indie author?
I initially self-published my first book, UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS, because every agent and publisher I submitted my manuscript to turned it down. I knew that if I wanted my story to be published and widely read, I would have to take control and do it myself. Self-publishing was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was a great learning experience and the insight I gained taught me so much about how the publishing industry works. Although I’m now signed with a publishing company, I still utilize many of the same grassroots marketing and promoting techniques I used when I was self-published.

BPM:  Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
I believe my upbringing and life experiences have directly impacted the subjects about which I write. Most people write what they’re familiar with. I grew up in a small, Southern town, and my writing is starting to reflect that more and more.

BPM:   Do you write full-time?  Do you write every day? Do you have a special time to write?
I’ve been writing full-time since 2007, which is a real blessing. I make every effort to write each day, even if I’m only re-writing what I’ve already written; I consider that writing. Sometimes it’s hard to write every day though, because there are so many other things a writer has to do, like market, promote, and sell our books. That part of publishing can be more challenging and time-consuming than actually writing. I’ve found that my most productive and creative writing takes place at night and during the wee hours of the morning. I’m a nighthawk and that helps.

BPM:   Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?  Why?
My ideas for my books come from a combination of real life experiences, insight, and my vivid imagination. I love coming up with interesting twists on ordinary situations. I think that’s how most things unfold in real life. My books are definitely character driven and the characters carry the plot of the story based on their actions. I create a detailed biography for each one of my characters so that I know them inside and out, which also allow me to write in their voice and not my own.

BPM:   Introduce us to your current work. What separates this story from the millions of other books on the shelves? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
My current novel TROUBLEMAKER, takes readers on a fast-paced ride with the Small family during the course of a weekend trip that reveals hidden secrets, betrayal, blackmail, and an addiction that threatens to tear them apart. I believe one of the things that sets TROUBLEMAKER apart from many other books in the women’s contemporary fiction genre, is the setting. Most storylines in the genre are set against the backdrop of big cities and even exotic locales overseas. This book is set in a small, sleepy Southern town that has a personality all its own.

As one who hails from a small town in the South I can attest first-hand that the juiciest twists and most salacious scandals take place in small towns…’cause folks don’t have much to do but cause or get into trouble! My books are available in paperback as well as ebook, and some are also available in audio.

BPM:   Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
My main characters are beautifully flawed women and men who are searching for what we all ultimately want, which is love, happiness, and peace of mind. They are good people who sometime make bad choices, but in doing so they always search for the best way of recovery, as that’s what life is about. I believe the beauty of what makes my characters special is that they genuinely care about the larger world and have a deep love for humanity.

BPM:  Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs?
One issue that the family in TROUBLEMAKER deals with is the struggle of addiction, and in particular, substance abuse. Christian, who is Victoria’s and Ted’s son, is struggling with drug addiction. He’s a functioning addict, and while he presents a nice looking package on the outside, he’s torn up on the inside. I don’t know one single family that hasn’t been affected by addiction of some kind, or know of someone who is struggling with it. I provide information in the back of the book that lists resources people can contact for help.

BPM:   What topics are primarily discussed?  Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
The topics discussed in TROUBLEMAKER range from infidelity, to blackmail, to dealing with addiction. The primary topic or theme of this story that I believe readers will take away from the book is the ability to love unconditionally and forgive with an open heart.

BPM:  What would you like for readers to take away from your writing?  How do you go about reaching new readers?        
I always want readers to feel as though they were entertained while reading my books and when they finish, I want them to have gained a new or different understanding of how to look at life from with a broader view that dispels stereotypes.  I love meeting new readers and I’m constantly seeking ways to grow my audience by utilizing social media and good ol’ fashion face-to-face hellos. I love attending book club meetings and literary events where I can meet people up close and personal. There’s nothing like the personal touch!

BPM:   What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career? What would you like to accomplish after the book is released?
Success for me as a published author means developing a literary career that will give readers enjoyment for decades to come. When I hear readers say that they enjoyed my books so much that they read them over and over, or that they can’t wait to introduce my work to their daughter, or niece, or friend, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction and lets me know that my work will live on. That’s an awesome feeling!

BPM:   Were there any challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing this story to life?
My biggest challenge in bringing this story to life was finding the time to write it. Writing a book requires discipline, daily commitment, and hours upon hours of uninterrupted time. Many days I didn’t leave the house, phone calls didn’t get returned, and errands were not done because I had to write. Exercising focused discipline is the only way you’re going to complete a book. When you have a busy life filled with activities that can easily distract you, it can be challenging to find the time to write each day. I had to prioritize and develop a writing schedule that allowed me to divide my time between living my life and writing my book. Balance is necessary.

BPM:   What are your expectations for this series of books?
I would like to see this series become a #1 Book Club designated read across the country, and eventually make it to the big screen. The nuances of family dynamics, race relations, and class stratification all make for interesting discussion and jaw-dropping drama that I’m sure readers and audiences will enjoy. Also, I throw in a little steamy romance that adds spice to my stories.

Books by Trice Hickman

http://www.amazon.com/Trice-Hickman/e/B002N44944

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/trice-hickman/2106303

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Deborah Johnson

 

Deborah Johnson was born in Missouri and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska.  After college, she moved to San Francisco and then lived in Rome, Italy for eighteen years where she worked as a translator and at Vatican Radio in its English/ Africa broadcast services and also edited doctoral theses. She returned to the United States in 2002.  Her novel, The Air Between Us, was published by HarperCollins in 2008 and won the prestigious Mississippi Library Association Award for Fiction in 2010.

Her second novel, The Secret of Magic, came out from Amy Einhorn Books/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons in January 2014 and was chosen by the Mississippi University for Women as its Reading Initiative selection for the 2014-2015 academic year.  Ms. Johnson  currently teaches for Stanford University in its online writing program.  She lives in Columbus, Mississippi and it working on a new novel.  Visit her here: http://www.DeborahJohnsonBooks.com

The Secret of Magic  by Deborah Johnson

This book was inspired by my grandfather and his service to his country during World War II in the segregated army that he joined shortly after Pearl Harbor.  He went off from the US to fight for the liberation of Europe from the Nazis and the Fascists when, effectively, he did not have the right to vote in his home state. My grandfather always greatly admired Thurgood Marshall and the work he and other lawyers were doing at the NAACP Legal Defense and education Fund in New York. He thought this work would change all of our lives for the better and it has.

 I loved my grandfather. What he admired, I admired and so I always knew I wanted to write something about what was being done at the Fund in the 1940s.  When I was doing preliminary research for The Secret of Magic, I came upon the largely forgotten case of Isaac Woodard.  My reaction to what I read about  Mr. Woodard and what had happened to him was both visceral and painful. It still is.  But this reaction let me know that I I had found the real life foundation upon which I wanted to build my fictional novel.  It was important for me to bring his story from the shadows of history into the light.
    
 Regina Robichard works for Thurgood Marshall, who receives an unusual letter asking the NAACP to investigate the murder of a returning black war hero. It is signed by M. P. Calhoun, the most reclusive author in the country.

As a child, Regina was captivated by Calhoun’s The Secret of Magic, a novel in which white and black children played together in a magical forest.

Once down in Mississippi, Regina finds that nothing in the South is as it seems. She must navigate the muddy waters of racism, relationships, and her own tragic past. The Secret of Magic brilliantly explores the power of stories and those who tell them.

Reviews for The Secret of Magic

“A riveting novel.” —O, The Oprah magazine

“There are a million metaphors I could use to describe Deborah Johnson’s writing in The Secret of Magic—but all of them are inadequate in conveying the ebb and flow of her phrasing or the care in crafting her characters…. If you liked The Help, you’ll love this one! … [T]he cadence of Johnson’s writing is an absolute joy…. I can’t think of any other recent book in which I have so enjoyed an author’s actual stringing-together-of-words.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Johnson offers a completely engaging southern gothic with unforgettable characters…” —Booklist

“A work of masterful storytelling, telling truth with fiction in a novel that comes alive with every word on the page. With as many curves as there are branches on magnolia trees, this novel will take you into the forest and leave a mark on you.”—The Herald-Sun

“A spellbinding novel of a young, female, black attorney trying to earn justice for a murdered World War II hero.”—San Antonio Express-News

“A passionate, nuanced drama about Southern race relations…provocative.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“I found this story about race, The South, our country, part history, part mystery—never disappointing. Like The South she tragically portrays, The Secret of Magic is a layered tale of the best and worst of our history, beautifully wrought by a master storyteller.” —Robert Hicks, New York Times bestselling author of Widow of the South and A Separate Country
 

Purchase The Secret of Magic  by Deborah Johnson
http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-Magic-Deborah-Johnson/dp/0399157727

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Lisa Renee Johnson

I Got Sunshine™ is about engaging in your life from a place of true authenticity, It means no long living life on the surface but getting in touch with your deeper self.  It’s about learning to shine from the inside out and living your truth, A true reflection of your beliefs and values.  It’s about self-awareness and INSTINCTS being awakened and guiding you IN your daily choices.  It’s about self-reflection, practice and most importantly unconditional love of YOU!   Website:  http://www.igotsunshine.com

I Got Sunshine™  is a women’s empowerment movement.   Our eCourses will launch in January 2015.  We have free content available for those who join our mailing list and we currently have t-shirts and mugs available at:  https://squareup.com/market/brown-girl-press

Author Lisa Renee Johnson is a sought-after speaker, coach and self-made Sunshineologist.  In 2014 she founded I Got Sunshine™, a women’s empowerment movement dedicated to supporting women on their journey of self-discovery and learning to shine from the inside out.  Through creative expression and self-reflective mediums, she coaches women on how to get in touch with their purpose, discover their passions and learn to shine from the inside out. Lisa Renee is a fiction writer and the author of the soon to be released, When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Sunshine: 10 Simple Strategies to Living Your Happy Now.

Lisa Renee Johnson

Author Speaker Coach

 

Visit my website    |    Connect on LinkedIn   

I Got Sunshine    |    PO Box 4162   |    Antioch, CA 94531 

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – N’TYSE

Twisted Vows of Seduction  by N’TYSE PURCHASE BOOKS BY N’TYSE Previously in Twisted Seduction, thirty-two-year-old Denise Jackson sacrifices her nine years of marriage to pursue a three-year affair with her multimillionaire client, Greg Adams. To keep things intact, she orchestrates the perfect twisted diversion by allowing her husband and best friend to carry on a full-fledged affair. But once everyone’s dirty mattresses gets aired out, every player in the game starts to feel the heat, and what seems to be picture-perfect happiness is inevitably one twisted illusion. One year later in Twisted Vows of Seduction… Still mourning the death of his lover, Denise, Greg Adams conspires to leave his wife, Vivian, for a woman who resembles his departed mistress. Could it really be that his true love has come back to him, or has he fallen victim to a twisted game of deceit and seduction clandestinely arranged by no one other than his own vengeful wife?       A torrid affair with her best friend’s husband, Jeff, has scarred Nadine Collins for life. Jeff’s unwillingness to commit pushes her into the arms of another man, but he has a few skeletons in his own closet that could rob her of her very existence.         Ménage, an aspiring actress, has her sights set on Hollywood. She will do anything to ensure her rise to the top, including robbing Jeff of all the life insurance money he collected after his wife died. But a blast from the past slows her down. When Jeff comes running to her rescue, it proves to be the perfect setup.     The real twisted games are just beginning! Twisted Vows of Seduction by N’Tyse Part 2 in the Twisted Series Purchase from Amazon, click here. MEET THE AUTHOR N’Tyse is the erotic romance author of several best-selling novels. She is also executive producer and director of the upcoming documentary film Beneath My Skin which was filmed in her hometown Dallas, Texas. While N’Tyse, pronounced entice, spells out exotic seduction, the true significance behind her name takes on an entire new meaning. The acronym translates to Never Tell Your Secrets — a message she envelops within her stimulating taboo tales. The author’s passion for writing dates back to a very young age where she found poetry, music, and creative writing as an outlet. In 2007 N’Tyse ambitiously penned and self-published her freshmen novel My Secrets Your Lies. MSYL and its sequel Stud Princess Notorious Vendettas, went on to grace many bestsellers lists, including The Dallas Morning Newspaper and Black Expressions. Determined to see her works reach national and international audiences and markets, she pitched her junior project to a traditional publisher. Twisted Seduction quickly landed N’Tyse a publishing deal with Strebor / Simon & Schuster. A private banker and financial counselor for over 12 years, N’Tyse currently juggles her literary career as a fulltime mom, wife, and filmmaker, while also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in creative/screenwriting and business entertainment. Her literary contributions have been featured in magazines and several bestselling anthologies, including Zane Presents PP2 Missionary No More, Chocolate Flava 3, and Gutta Mamis. N’Tyse currently resides in Dallas, Texas where she is hard at work on her next novel and film project. www.ntyse.com www.twitter.com/ntyse www.facebook.com/ntysefans Chapter Excerpt: Twisted Vows of Seduction “Daddy where’s, Ebony?” Deandra asked the instant she walked through the door. She hadn’t seen Ménage’s car and Jeff knew she would be looking for her. Especially considering how well Deandra seemed to take to her. “She’s not here,” Jeff said as he took his keys and cell phone out of his pockets and laid them on the table. “And she won’t be back.” Just that quick he’d saved himself from having to answer a million questions. “But…I thought the two of you were getting married.” Jeff’s face seemed to swell. “Married!” He’d banned that word from his vocabulary months ago. So as his cheekbones pushed his eyes into a squint, he looked at her wondering where in the hell that ludicrous idea had come from.     “Deandra, why would you think Ebony and I were getting married?”    “Because she told me you were.”    Jeff snatched off his tie. The anger rising inside of him had his blood boiling. He clenched his jaws.   “Ebony told you we were getting married?” He wanting to make sure he’d heard her right the first time.    Deandra nodded profusely. Not an ounce of doubt in her face. “She told me I would be the flower girl and that Nadine…”   “Nadine?” Jeff shot.       “Yes, Daddy. She said that Nadine was going to be her maid and that she would get to hold her dress as she walked down the aisle.”   “She lied to you, Deandra, and she used you for information!” He was furious.     Deandra appeared saddened. “Daddy, please don’t be mad at me. She told me to pinky swear not to say anything because it was supposed to be a surprise.”    Jeff shook his head and walked over to hug his daughter. “Daddy’s not mad at you, baby. I’m mad at myself because I should have never brought her here.” He kissed his daughter on the forehead. He wished like hell that he had seen this one coming. He was upset with himself more than anything because he’d given her the benefit of the doubt. He thought he was helping her. Now he wondered if she really had been robbed or if it was all part of her scheme to rob him.     “Go on and do your homework,” he said. “I need to handle some business.”    “Okay, Daddy.”     Jeff picked up his phone to call Nadine. He needed to fix this because she was the last person he wanted to believe this nonsense. Not so much that her input would have mattered had he chosen to walk that path again, but she deserved the truth. And the truth was, he wasn’t marrying anybody. Not today, not tomorrow, or years to come.   “This is Nadine.”    “Are you busy? I had something I needed to straighten out.”   “Actually…yes.”   “Here, baby, let me get that for you,” the male’s voice in the background called out.   “Thank you,” Nadine said, obviously switching her attention from Jeff to whoever she had been conversing with before his call.   “Ma Ma…”   Jeff froze in his steps. That was his son.    “Nadine where are you?”   “Jeff, can this wait until later?”   “Where are you with my son?” He didn’t mean to sound as angry as it came out.    As if muffling her voice to speak, she asked, “What’s so important that you need to talk to me right now?”   “I’m coming over.”   “We’re not home.”   “I want to see my son!” Jeff could hear the rounds of laughter in the background and it made his stomach churn.    “Leonard, I’m going to step out for a minute, baby. I’ll be right back.”    Jeff could hear her heels patter across the floor. There was an echo as she moved from one area to the other, but even in the distance, Jeff could hear his son laughing, playing, and enjoying, this other man.   “What has gotten into you?” Nadine lit into him. “It’s only Monday, and all of a sudden, you want to see your son.”   “Don’t do that.”   “Don’t do what? Tell you how I really feel for a change?” She didn’t give him time to respond. “I’m sick of you playing part-time daddy to Canvas when it’s convenient for you! He needs a father, Jeff. A father! So why don’t you, Deandra, and your new fiancée, go on with your happy lives, and let me do what’s best for my son. You can clock back in on Friday!” (  Continued…  ) Twisted Vows of Seduction by N’TYSE Excerpt. © 2013.  Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.  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. N’Tyse is a Dallas, Texas native and bestselling author of Twisted Seduction. She currently juggles her writing career as a full time mother, wife, and documentary filmmaker.  Her latest works include the Twisted soap-drama series and documentary feature film, Beneath My Skin.

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#BondingThruBooks Speaker – Joyce A. Brown

Getting Away With Everything by Joyce A. Brown
Some men are born into success and some men are thrust into it!

Neal Collins is a charming ladies’ man whose street smarts and business savvy propels him to a position of power and respectability amidst of Detroit’s political shifts and corruption. He has the toughness, cunning, and intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities that make him a force to be reckoned with. But he also has powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to take away the successful empire he has built. The one thing Neal wants most is still out of his reach—the love of his life, Shari Grant.
   
Shari loves Neal with the passion of a woman who has known what it is to lose everything and come back stronger than ever. She is the one woman Neal cannot control. Beautiful, educated, and hardworking she refuses to become dependent on Neal or sit at his table begging for the crumbs of his life.
   
While the unlikely couple navigates the pathways of love, loss and betrayal, Neal and Shari must finally come together to deal with outside complications that pose a threat, not only to their business interests, but their lives. They are forced to put their personal issues aside, launch a daring plan to rid Detroit of a criminal element, and ensure their loved ones aren’t caught in the aftermath.

Purchase Getting Away With Everything by Joyce A. Brown
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NC8PBOW

Author and Inspirational Speaker
Joyce A. Brown is a motivational speaker and author who uses her creative energy to give voice and meaning to the challenges women face in all walks of life. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois in a household of strong women, but her professional career expanded her reach into Peoria and Battle Creek, Michigan. 

She is a proud member of AKA Sorority, Inc. and has served as a direct services worker, executive director, program director for a major foundation, and an entrepreneur. Joyce has experienced many uplifting moments as a professional and as a dedicated parent and strives to bring those events and lessons to life through her characters in the contemporary fiction novels she pens.

Live The Dream Publishers
http://www.livethedreampublishers.com

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