Erotic Expressions

Celebrating 10 Wonderful Years!

2011-05-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Xpress Yourself Publishing, and we're celebrating with a BANG with 7 new releases, 1 new author and 2 pieces of great news!

Xpress Yourself Publishing welcomes new author Toney Rowe into our literary family. Born a female, but living her life as a male was not an easy road for Toney. Read her fascinating story in her memoir, Trapped Inside A Female's Body.

Some of your favorite authors have returned and have truly written novels that will not disappoint! See them all under New Releases on this month's Newsletter.

Lastly, I am happy to announce that Cost of Our Affairs by Linda R. Herman and Loving Simone by Jessica Tilles was selected by Black Expressions Book Club and are now available in hardback! If you're not a member of Black Expressions Book Club, you can join up and get our books for only $0.50! Whomever heard of buying a hardback book for $0.50? I think it's fantabulous, and I couldn't resist and purchased both books for $1.00! I love a great buy, and I know you do, too. If you're a member of Black Expressions, you can get both books for $12.95 each—an excellent price for hardback, and cheaper than our prices for trade paperpback! :-)

That's it for now, but I'll leave you with words that were given to me at my 6th grade commencement by my 100-year-old aunt:

"Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own canoe!" —Aunt Fena

Literally yours,
Jessica Tilles
Proud Publisher of Phenomenal Writers

Meet Life Changing Books Authors

2011-02-27T22:37:00.001-08:00

Meet Life Changing Books Authors
and the CEO Azarel Smallwood

Life Changing Books, better known as LCB, established in 2003 is quickly becoming one of the most respected Independent Trade Publishers amongst chain stores, vendors, authors and readers. LCB offers a variety of African-American literature including Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Urban/Street Literature, Erotica, and a host of other fiction categories.

CEO, Azarel, launched the company with the release of her self-published title, A Life to Remember, and from there she has continued to add best selling authors onto her label. Currently, LCB has sixteen authors and offers outside distribution to selective projects. The success of LCB is a team effort combined with our outgoing authors, and management team.

As of 2008, LCB has joined forces and constructed progressive relationships with both wholesale and retail establishments across the United States of America and abroad. We’ve topped the charts with some of our Essence Magazine best-selling titles such as Millionaire Mistress, Secrets of a Housewife, Bruised 2, and Deep. In addition, LCB is progressive in contributing to children in need. Visit the Life Changing Books Website: http://www.lifechangingbooks.net/

Life Changing Books presents 4 Urban Literature Sensations!

View the interviews, videos and book excerpts here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/lcbauthors.html

Video Introduction: One Night Stand by Kendall Banks

Video Introduction: Snitch by VegasClarke

Video Introduction: The Dirty Divorce 2 by Miss KP

Video Introduction: Money Maker by Tonya Ridley

Purchase all the books from the Publisher's website - http://www.lifechangingbooks.net/

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

2010-12-16T19:49:00.001-08:00

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

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

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

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

Prologue True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

(Erotic Fiction)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

ISBN-10: 1601622392

ISBN-13: 978-1601622396

Purchase from Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/True-Confessions-Electa-Rome-Parks/dp/1601622392

Purchase from Barnes & Noble.com

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/True-Confessions/Electa-Rome-Parks/e/9781601622396

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

About the Author

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

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

Connect with Electa Rome Parks online at:

Email: novelideal@aol.com

Website: http://www.electaromeparks.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/electaromeparks

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

2010-11-18T07:08:00.001-08:00

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks

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

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

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

Prologue True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks
(Erotic Thriller)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(continues in the book)

True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks
Order your copy today!

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

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

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

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

Intimate Conversation with author Renee Wiggins

2010-10-01T12:41:00.001-07:00

Intimate Conversation with author Renee Wiggins

Renee Wiggins is the owner of Results By Renee, a wellness company based in Maryland. Her mission is to help people achieve optimum health through nutrition, fitness and supplemented with stress reduction techniques.

Ms. Wiggins designs lifestyle programs for individuals and groups. She is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Massage Therapist.

Listen to various health related coaching sessions by Renee, by clicking here today.

BPM: Renee, please introduce us to your latest non-fiction, self-help book, Transformations: Give UP The Struggle.

RW: Transformations: Give UP The Struggle is a unique collection of affirmations written to encourage readers to break the chains of negative thoughts and actions, to embrace the positive aspects of change and to take the necessary steps to live a happy, fulfilling life. We all have had our ups and down in our lives, some more than others. But, how we end up in the end, determines how we actually see the storms. The storms help us to change to a better and stronger person.

BPM: How did the title of your book, Transformations: Give UP The Struggle, come about?

RW: I was searching for a word that would express the idea of change, so I came up with four different titles that embodied that concept and I sent them to friends, family members and colleagues I trusted. With their help, I came up with the word" Transformations", as I thought, that really got to the core to the message I wanted to share. I added the "Give UP The Struggle because I wanted the reader to know in order to transform, one must give up. Thus the title, " Transformations: Give UP The Struggle' was born.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write Transformations?

RW: As a diabetes educator, nutritionist, and personal trainer, I hear a lot about the struggles my client's experiences. And as I've listen to them over the years, I soon began to realize that many of these men and women were in unpleasant, unhealthy situations because they were unable to break bad habits and unable to realize that making simple changes in their lives could make the difference they desired. So I wrote the affirmations in this book as a way of teaching people that their chain can be broken and that they I wrote Transformations" Give UP The Struggle as a way to let people know that just as a caterpillar grows wings and transforms into a butterfly, they too, must also be open to similar evolutionary process in their lives.

BPM: Are the affirmations a representation of your life?

RW: Yes, some of these affirmations come deep within my soul, while others were birthed from the experiences men and women have shared with me regarding their own personal struggles. I want to reach men and women from the ages of 18 years to 92 years of age, who are entering a storm or going through a storm. The affirmations presented in this book can be a turning point in the reader's life.

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

RW: The central themes of my book revolve around encouraging and empowering my readers to embrace their struggle as life lessons that they can move from their current situation toward greatness. I 'm happy to have these themes in the form of affirmations because research has shown that people who recite and /or live by affirmations have a more positive attitude.

BPM: What is your best advice to anyone who wants to be a writer?

RW: I encourage writers to take classes, workshops, travel to seminars, connect with other writers, join groups and most of all, and help other writers without hesitation.

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

RW: I am currently writing part two of my current book, Transformations: Give UP The Struggle. This book will be a collection of stories of people who successfully danced through some of life's most turbulent storms. It s my hope that these stories will provide the strength and guidance others may need to change their lives for the better.

BPM: How can readers reach you online?

Readers can find more info on me and purchase the book at: http://www.resultsbyrenee.com/. Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/giveupthestrugg for diet tips, health tips and more.

Brought to you by EDC Creations and Black Pearls Magazine. Visit the magazine here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Pleasure Principles by Lesley E. Hal

2010-09-29T09:47:00.001-07:00

Pleasure Principles by Lesley E. Hal

Listen to the sexy preview here: http://www.audioacrobat.com/sa/W8HJTZ94

Can Bianca keep a married couple from finding out that the person they’re cheating on each other with is her? Or will living the love-them-and-leave-them lifestyle that Rick James and Teena Marie sang about in the eighties be more fire than desire? That’s the mantra that has become Bianca Brooks’ claim to fame after being stood up at the altar by her longtime fiancé, Michael Jones, five years ago.

Since then, Bianca’s life has consisted of a steady string of bedmates and running her burgeoning event planning company, Pleasure Principles, with best friends Cody and Reggie. With love having nothing to do with her newfound lease on life, Pleasure Principles is her one and only commitment, until she meets Taylor, wife of Dallas Mavericks golden boy, Eric “All Air” Sims. A torrid affair ensues with Eric being none the wiser until he pays Bianca an eye-opening visit. During his stay, Bianca’s world is turned upside down when she finds herself in the middle of a forbidden love triangle, adding even more drama to her already flawed sex life.

Even though Eric’s being unfaithful, his insecurities run rampant, prompting him to hire a detective to see where Taylor’s infidelities lie. When given the proof he needs, all hell breaks loose and everything about Bianca’s promiscuity brings forth malicious consequences of revenge.

Purchase Pleasure Principles

Purchase Pleasure Principles from the Author
Lesley E. Hal website: http://www.pleasureprinciplepublishing.com/

Connect with Lesley Online
http://www.lesleyhal.com/
http://www.twitter.com/lesleyhal
http://www.facebook.com/lesleyhal

Brought to you by EDC Creations and Black Pearls Magazine.
Visit the magazine here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Intimate Conversation with Cheryl Robinson

2010-09-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Intimate Conversation with author Cheryl Robinson

Cheryl Robinson is the author of five novels. Most recently, When I Get Where I'm Going, In Love with a Younger Man and Sweet Georgia Brown. She is a native Detroiter and graduate of Wayne State University. Robinson now resides in Central Florida where she is writing her next novel.

BPM: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
As a person I feel power in my faith. It allows me to press on through the rough times and to remain positive. I try not to let the daily stresses of life get to me. And I try not to judge others. The more I stop myself when I feel my mind going in that direction, the easier it becomes. I get tired of seeing people get built up by the media to later get knocked down. The less I judge others the better I not only feel, but also when I write and develop characters it's much easier for me to remove myself from the situation. I realize it's impossible for everyone to love my books, but I always keep that as one of my primary writing goals. And, I try to keep a healthy balance between being my own worst critic and one of my biggest fans.

BPM: Where do you find your inspiration? All of the inspiration I could ever need I can find from everyday life--the joys and the pitfalls. I can open one email from someone telling me how upset they are at the way I ended my last book and then turn around and open another email from someone telling me how much they thoroughly enjoyed it. That's an example of how life is in general. One minute you can be down, but in a second it can all turn around. You have to take the good with the bad and learn from them both. But honestly, sometimes I just want it to all be good.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
Some years ago, when I was about nineteen or twenty, I answered the phone at my parents' home and there was a woman on the other end who insisted that we were related. She was trying to tell me that she was my half sister and that we had the same father. I remember my heart sinking. In order for that to be true, based on her timeframe, that would mean my father, who I thought had been happily married to my mother for years, had cheated. But as the conversation continued we both realized that while the two men shared the same name they weren't the same person.

Still, for those few minutes, I had to ask myself what if that was actually the case. The thought never completely escaped my mind, and in some ways it was that event that prompted me to eventually get around to exploring the scenario. And now, in the age of social networking, it's much easier to find your missing relatives. And in the case of these three sisters, it's also true, and they do share the same father.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with When I Get Where I'm Going and the message within?
I am a Women's Fiction author. That does not mean I only write for women. Nor does the fact that I'm black mean I only write for black people. I don't write to exclude any one, but to enlighten and entertain us all. I write about women and women's issues, and of course, men are in my novels too. As an author I have an opportunity to go beyond stereotypes. I've learned over the eight years that I've been writing professionally that there is a way to entertain without offending.

If I, as a black woman, do not feel good about how we are represented in the media. If I don't feel empowered about what is being written about us on the internet and elsewhere and if I have to continuously hear from the media that black women are "the least desirable of all the races" or not a preference by some men even within our own race, as an artist, I have an opportunity to present a different message that isn't a negative one, but can still be realistic. It's like music. Some songs only have a good beat while others also have wonderful lyrics. I want to write books that make people feel good.

My intended message isn't given to readers, but written in such a way that the reader gets out of it what they came to the story with and how they view the story and the characters will be interpreted by how they view the world. But maybe, if I do my job as I intend to, they will have a different opinion after it's all said and done.

BPM: Introduce us to your latest book, When I Get Where I'm Going.
What would you do if you discovered that you had a sibling you never knew existed? Would you be like Heaven, so excited to connect to that person that you quickly took to Facebook and started searching? Would you be like Hope, too caught up in the trials and tribulations of your own life to even care? Or would you be like Alicia, skeptical at first, but willing to open up to the idea?

Alicia, Hope, and Heaven are three estranged sisters embarking on one special reunion. And it will take an earth-shattering discovery, a lucky lottery ticket, and a near-fatal encounter to finally bring three sisters together and have them realize that nothing can save a person like family.

BPM: Introduce us to your main characters in When I Get Where I'm Going. Heaven Jetter, Hope Teasdale, and Alicia Day are three special sisters! Heaven is twenty-one and the youngest sister. She's on probation, caught up in an abusive relationship, and trying desperately to get her life back on track. Hope is a young widow and single mother searching for the truth behind her husband's death, but once she finds out, can she handle it? Alicia is a struggling actress trying to catch a break in Hollywood after thirteen years of trying, but a devastating one-two punch forces her back to Detroit.

BPM: What are two major events taking place? The novel is written in third person and begins with a prologue that occurs five months prior to the start of the story. And then the rest of the novel is divided into three parts and most of the chapters alternate between the point of view of each sister. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that each sister has a major turning point that makes each of them reevaluate their life.

BPM: What are a couple of the specific issues or problems addressed in this book? One issue in the story is domestic abuse. Heaven is involved in an unhealthy relationship, but like so many other women involved in something like that, she finds it nearly impossible to leave. Her story isn't from the viewpoint of a woman who is both a wife and mother and being abused, but from a young woman who has gotten caught-up with the wrong man and finds herself so confused that she doesn't know what to do and feels that her life in general is spiraling out of control.

Alicia Day's character was written for anyone who has been holding on to a dream for a very long time and wondering if it will ever come true. Aspiring actors, singers, and writers should be able to especially relate to her story. Black actresses, in particular, should also be able to as much has been discussed about the struggles that black women experience while trying to succeed in Hollywood.

Discussion Topics: When I Get Where I'm Going Domestic violence, sisterhood, estranged family, the entertainment industry, and specifically the lack of roles for black women in Hollywood.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.When I Get Where I'm Going is featured in the September issue of Essence Magazine. And I recently completed my next novel, Remember Me, that will be released in September 2011.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online? Readers can connect with me through my website at: www.cherylrobinson.com and also join me on my recently created Facebook page. There is a link on my web site.

Cheryl Robinson--When I Get Where I'm Going
Purchase your copy today at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/When-Get-Where-Im-Going/dp/0451229479

Please check out the featured book and return feedback below. Brought to you by EDC Creations and Black Pearls Magazine. Visit the BP magazine here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Conversation with author Pamela Leigh Starr

2010-08-30T17:33:00.001-07:00

Intimate Conversation with author Pamela Leigh Starr

This week we celebrate the survivors Hurricane Katrina, on its five-year anniversary, and remember those who were lost. On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, LA. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it one of the deadliest U.S. hurricanes. Katrina's storm surge caused 53 different levee breaches in greater New Orleans submerging eighty percent of the city. Author Pamela Leigh Starr wants to honor those who survived and continue to thrive by sharing her romance novel, STORM, with readers around the globe.

CATCH the Spirit of Survival
and Renewal!

Discussion: STORM by Pamela Leigh Starr and 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Chat Date: Tuesday Night, September 14, 2010 at 8-10 pm EST
BAN Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network

Invite all of your friends and fellow readers to join the conversation at 646.200.0402

Purchase your copy of STORM by Pamela Leigh Starr and let's discuss the book on BAN Radio Show, Tuesday Night, September 14, 2010 at 8pm EST. Pick up your copy today, by clicking here.

Call into the radio show at: 646-200-0402. Three callers will win other books by author Pamela Leigh Starr.

STORM is a story of hope and the renewal of the spirit that can only come from surviving the devastation of one's history and the loss of everything we hold dear."
--- 4 Stars, Romance in Color Magazine

CATCH A STARR!

Author Pamela Leigh Starr traces her love for writing back to her first creation, The Terrifying Night, a comedic thriller illustrated by a classmate. Long after, Mrs. Starr developed romantic stories, falling in love with the never-ending cycle of two people meeting, opening their hearts and finding their way to love.

Ella: Where are you from? How did you start your writing journey?
PLS: I was born and raised in New Orleans where I still live, surrounded by its unique culture of jazz, the best food in the country and people who know how to let the good times roll! Les bon temps roulez!

Ella: Pamela, please introduce us the book STORM and the characters within?
PLS: POST-KATRINA NEW ORLEANS: In STORM experience the aftermath of the worst natural disaster to hit the Gulf Coast through the eyes of the Lewis's as Sabrina Adams and Josh Lewis find and preserve love in the midst of devastation.

John has always been a fixture in her life and Sabrina knew she could count on him to do any and everything... Except admit that he loved her. Despite the fact that she threw herself at him, Despite the closer, deeper relationship that had grown because of the hurricane and its aftermath, John was determined to stay within the eye of the storm brewing between them.

Sabrina was going to make sure that they quickly passed through that false calmness; for it they could survive the horrible winds and rain of the hurricane and deal with the horrific aftermath and destruction of their city after it had passed, she would make him understand that they deserved each other.

Ella: What would you like your readers to take away from your book, Storm?
PLS: I would like readers to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Though television allowed the world to witness the aftermath of the storm, the slow rescue and complete devastation of the city I love, I wanted to share a more personal insight of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Through STORM, I was able to show the Post-Katrina effects on a family my readers have come to know and love. In my 4-book LOVE FOUND series, the Lewis clan gives a Pre-Katrina view of a black, southern family in New Orleans. STORM shows how this strong family came together to overcome the challenges Hurricane Katrina created in their lives as well as the discovery of a love despite them.

Ella: What is the most surprising thing you have learned in creating books?
PLS: The most surprising thing I've learned in the creation of my stories is that I should always listen to my characters. They "speak" to me as I write, guiding the story in directions I had not intended to go. When I begin a story I have an outline and set format. As my character develop they sometime tell me, "Whoa, Pam, that's not what I would do!" or "Are you crazy? I need to...". What can I do but give in to their demands?

Ella: What makes your book stand out and would entice a reader pick it up?
PLS: A pre-Katrina and post-Katrina view of family, love, resiliency and determination makes this series of books stand out. Readers have the opportunity to get to know and love a New Orleans family before Hurricane Katrina and then experience the changes in their livers after the hurricane. I began my LOVE FOUND series long before Hurricane Katrina blew into my life and the lives of the Lewis'.

In my 4-book LOVE FOUND series, the Lewis clan shows a Pre-Katrina view of a strong, New Orleans family . Through STORM, I was able to relay the Post-Katina effect on a family readers have come to know and love. STORM shows how this strong family came together to overcome the challenges Hurricane Katrina created in their lives as well as the discovery of a love despite them.

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
PLS: I would like readers to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Though television allowed the world to witness the aftermath of the storm, the slow rescue and complete devastation of the city I love, I wanted to share a more personal insight of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Check out the Love Found book series by author Pamela Leigh Starr

FATE
· ISBN-10: 1585712582

CHANCES
· ISBN-10: 1585712965

MISCONCEPTIONS
· ISBN-10: 1585711179

IRONIC
· ISBN-10: 1585714046

STORM
· ISBN-10: 1585713236

Excerpt: One Who Loves You More by Andrea Clinton

2010-08-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Life Knows No Bounds: One Who Loves You More
by Andrea Clinton

• Alisa is a money grubbing gold digger who sashays through her days wearing this title like a tiara. Feeling life’s all about the expensive gifts and money a man can give her, Alisa follows the steps of her mentor and basks in the glory of using men, until she stumbles upon Omar.

• Omar is an African American Muslim trying to fight his demons and find his way back to the Islamic life he knew as a child. Distraught over disagreements that divided the Muslim community a decade prior, where many Muslims became victim to inner city chaos, Omar became a product of his environment and is at the head of that chaos.

Tired of hearing her mother rant and rave about her gold digging ways, Alisa decides to take her great grandmother’s advice, "Always get a man who loves you more than you love him."   Stumbling upon Omar in his brand new Cadillac, Alisa decides to make him her man, or rather, her victim, or will the tables turn?   Hell erupts, splatters like geysers, while skeletons and bones fly out closets in, Life Knows No Bounds, “1 Who Luvs U More.”

Andrea Clinton: What Impact will this book have my readers?
Readers will learn about a very overlooked profession on the rise, "Gold Digging." They'll get to see that there's more than what meets the eye when women toy with men's emotions and use them for their hard earned money.

Excerpt from  1 Who Luvs U More

My Plight:
Some would say I was ungrateful, and I guess to a degree I was. But more than ungrateful, I was blind, too blind to see straight. Even now I can’t see what it is I should’ve done. I just know what I shouldn’t have done. And I know I wasn’t happy. I was unhappy with myself, with what was going on, and it was the unhappiness that drove me. It drove me to do things, drove me to where I am today, nowhere, with no one. Just sitting here playing the song, I know how it feels to be lonely by Morgana King, in my head, over and over and over again.

I was a mental-mess, and I mucked things up really bad, and now they can’t be fixed. Forgive me if my story’s scrambled, but how else can I tell it when my mind is scrambled. So, when my story sounds twisted, shaky, and unclear at times, just know, so is my mind. Why else would I be sitting here talking to a Greek statue of a white woman with cellulite thighs, barely any clothing and no pupils? Yes, I’m really messed up in the head, and my nerves are shot. But that’s how it is when you see yourself as a casualty, and the world deems you the antagonist.   ###

RAWSISTAZ Book Review -- 4 Stars
"Life Knows No Bounds: 1 Who Loves You More," Andrea Clinton's first installment in the LIFE KNOWS NO BOUNDS chronicles, is a harsh realistic portrayal of urban love and life in mid-1980's New Jersey. Alisa, a boastful, self-proclaimed gold-digger, finds herself lost in a world of love and conflict as she tries and fails to apply her great-grandmother's wisdom to her complicated love life.

Alisa is well known in her hood for her selfish, gold-digging ways. Despite aggressive warnings from her family, she has mastered the game of getting a man for everything he has and gracefully moving on to the next. But when she hooks up with Omar, she soon realizes that she has entered into a game that she is ill-equipped to play.

Omar, a young, sexy hustler from around the way, knows what it takes to get Alisa's attention. He uses his flashy car and genteel manners to lure her in, but he has so much more in store for her. They start a tumultuous love affair that's riddled with gun fights, jealousy, expensive gifts, explosive arguments, and Alisa's spoiled rotten attitude. When Alisa's antics push Omar to the limit as he struggles with the conflict of his religion and his love for her, the future of their relationship is gravely threatened. "Always get a man who loves you more than you love him", the powerful last words of her dying great-grandmother which Alisa vowed to follow. When she finally understands the meaning of those words, it may be too late, as she comes dangerously close to losing what she fought so hard to gain.

With Life Knows No Bounds: 1 Who Loves You More, Andrea Clinton has created a dynamic urban love story, decorated with realistic dialogue and hard-hitting pragmatism. The story was compelling and the characters were vibrant. Although Alisa was a spoiled brat with an ugly attitude, I found her to be relatable and worthy of my empathy. I felt Alisa's and Omar's struggle until the very end and found myself routing for them despite their flaws and troublesome relationship. Life is no fairytale and Clinton has colorfully portrayed that truth through this novel.  I was able to thoroughly enjoy the read. I recommend this novel for those looking for an explosive urban love story with a realistic perspective.
--- Reviewed by Guest Reviewer Monique D. Mensah, The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Author Andrea Clinton

About The Author:

Andrea Clinton is a novelist, poet and essayist, and aspiring screenwriter/filmmaker. As a Montclair State University graduate, she posses’ a degree in English, Film and Journalism. She’s the founder and CEO of the non-profit organization, People Helping People; worked as Editor in Chief of AMISTAD newspaper, New Jersey; and is presently working on a biography and screenplay featuring the life of her uncle George Clinton of Parliament/Funkadelic and the Clinton family.

Visit with Andrea at the Around-The-Way Publishing, LLC website: http://www.aroundthewaypublishing.com/. To request a complimentary review copy and press kit, or to purchase copies for resale, call: (973) 280-2729. Tear sheets may be sent by email: AroundTheWayPub@aol.com. ISBN-10: 0981837638

Book Video: Finding The Way Home by Fabiola Sully

2010-08-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

Finding the Way Home by Fabiola Sully

This book is for any one who experience roadblacks, challenges, and obstacles in life. I am opening my soul and experiences to the world; so that readers will know that they are not alone.

I have written and published my book of poetry, "Finding the Way Home" in 2009. It is a group of poems written from my early college years through the year 2008. The poems pertain to my life experiences, roads I have taken and obstacles I have faced growing up. I've dealt with my emotions and issues more effectively by writing them down. Whenever I felt low and going through situations, I wrote them down. My poems are about growth and finding your true self. You can't find yourself or see what you are capable of, without dealing with the harsh roadblocks and walls in your life. I have written this book for young girls and adult women who are dealing with a life of fear and doubts.

Book Video: Finding The Way Home

View the Book Video: Finding The Way Home @ this link, today.

WHO I AM by Fabiola Sully

I'm the one you tease
Because I'm different.
I'm the one you bother
Because I'm merely there
I'm the mat you step on
I'm the rock you kick around

And you think you can control me
Like I'm the clay and you're the sculptor
Like I'm the robot and you press my buttons
But you can't control me

I may be nothing as you say
But your words don't mean jack to me
I am SOMEBODY
Sooner or later you'll see me on the street
With my head held high,
While you're eating my dust
And I'll be wondering
Who's laughing now!

About Fabiola Sully

I am from Long Island, NY but born in Brooklyn. I have been writing since I was seventeen. I became interested in poetry after taking a writing course in high school, this continued on into my college years. Currently, I work full-time and write part-time. I started taking part in poetry slams and blogs to show off some of my work. You can view samples of my poetry work, book chapter excerpts and blog on my Myspace page: www.myspace.com/fabiolaakamysticpoet or on Facebook under Fabiola Sully. Other than poetry, I am into movies, reading, acting, wrestling and basketball, the arts & theater, music and world travel. If you have any questions or comments, you can email me at mysticpoet729@gmail.com For more information, visit http://outskirtspress.com/findingthewayhome

The Truth As I See It by Nakia R. Laushaul

2010-06-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Truth As I See It by Nakia R. Laushaul
Author's Personal Introduction

I love the written word. Ever since I was nine years old I knew that I wanted to write. I still remember the first real novel I ever read, and the impact that novel still has over my life. Somehow, life, love, and discontentment squeezed itself in between the coils of Gods purpose for my existence. I buried my dreams. Whatever the case, it doesnt matter anymore. What is important is that I am here now and oh how happy I am to be exactly where I am, introducing myself to you. I commit to the integrity of my thoughts soulfully arranged on paper.

I know this is the first you may have heard of me, but it won't be the last.

This is my dream, not to write poetry, but to tell stories. Stories that bruise, scab over, and finally heal as though there was never a bruise. There were so many nights I lie awake crying and thinking about what it really meant to be a woman, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a member of society, and most importantly a child of God. I thought it was insomnia (smile), but it was purpose calling out to me.

Finally, I put pen to paper and I let my fingers tap incessantly across my keyboard until the joy and pain within poured out of my spirit. I offer to you my stories in the form of poetry & prose. This is The Truth A I See It. Please enjoy.

Poem: Empty
by Nakia R. Laushaul

I feel like an empty circle
With no center.
God pencil me in
Use ink . . .
Hurry

From the book The Truth As I See It
Copyright; All Rights Reserved by Nakia R. Laushaul

View the video book introduction here: http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CP8jN9GQ

Peer Book Review for The Truth As I See It:

Have you ever felt a heart beat on paper? Experience Nakia Laushaul's The Truth as I See It. This talented newcomer has a distinctive voice that must be heard, offering insights on everything from love-turned-hate to the tentative joys of parenthood to all-important self-appreciation. Follow the poet's voice as she narrates the peaks and valleys in this journey we call life. The Truth as I See It reads like magic and will leave you forever changed. --Marguerite Benjamin Parker, author of A Debt Too Deep

Sincerely,
Nakia R. Laushaul

Nakia R. Laushaul, author of The Truth As I See It
• Website: http://www.nakiarlaushaul.com/
• Follow the Blog: http://nakialaushaul.blogspot.com/
• Book Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq5T85tMQ68

Please Tweet about this article, repost and share at Facebook and tell all ya friends about The Truth As I See It. Thanks!

Intimate Conversation with Author Mika (Barnes)

2010-06-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

Intimate Conversation with Author Mika (Barnes)

Chocolate High is Mika's debut novel. She resides in South Florida with her family. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Northwood University and her M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently hard at work on her next project. For the latest news on Mika, please visit www.mikabarnes.com

Book Intro: Chocolate High by Mika Barnes
How do you say goodbye to the one you love? Is this even an option when you’ve invested your body, mind, and soul into your relationship? Charisse Farrell is a successful, beautiful corporate attorney who has it all, but when the love of her life David Richards betrays her, she has to reevaluate her future. Tempted by the desire to love again and her need for revenge Charisse is haunted by a demon from her past that turns her life upside down. When love knocks her down, Charisse has to get back up fighting. Fighting for love.

Read the First Chapter Excerpt here:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=42496404

Q:: Introduce us to your main characters. Who are your favorites and why?
A:: My main characters are Charisse Farrell and David Richards, your modern day perfect couple in appearances. She is a beautiful, successful corporate attorney and he is a handsome, strapping CEO of his own financial firm. They were best friends growing up who loved each other for as long as they could remember, but now giving their relationship a try isn’t as easy as they thought it would be. Charisse is torn after David’s betrayal. David, on the other hand, doesn’t feel his betrayal was severe enough to jeopardize their relationship.

My favorite characters are actually the supporting characters: Terry Wright, because he epitomizes the true definition of a good man, and Kyla Donaldson, Charisse’s best friend, because she keeps you laughing with her over-the-top personality and all-about-me swagger.

Q:: Take us inside Chocolate High. What are two major events taking place?
A:: The first major event is when Charisse finds out that David has betrayed her. The second explores what extreme a woman will go to get her man.

Q:: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
A:: I’ve always been a person with something to say. Moreover, the purpose of my message has changed the lives of many within my community. I am only one person but I understand my actions can effect positive change. I pay it forward as often as possible and I try to reflect this same philosophy through my writing. Yes, it’s drama in my writing but there is also a message for the reader to walk away with. The general premise of my writing is: Sometimes you have to go through something to get something.

Q:: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
A:: Jessica Tilles has been an invaluable mentor throughout this process. A lot of times in this industry other authors or industry insiders aren’t willing to share what they’ve learned in their journey, but Jess was the exact opposite. Her guidance exposed me to the business without the high-priced lessons a mistake can cost you. My Mom, a gifted writer in her own right has also been my mentor and biggest supporter from day one. Watching her craft a story or poem has inspired me to strive to create great stories and memorable characters.

I find inspiration in everyday life. Everyone has a story to tell and I try to breathe that life into every character that graces the pages of my book. I always try to put a twist or something extra special into my characters to remind my readers of people they know or have met in passing or in their own lives. Creating this connection is inspiring.

Q:: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from Chocolate High?
A:: I want my readers to understand their “self-worth.” This is important because before a person can tackle relationship issues or any issue affecting their life, they must know and understand their true worth. Having this understanding sets the limits to what we will and won’t tolerate in a relationship. It’s okay to let go. Society has us so convinced that it’s better to have a piece of something than nothing at all, so it seems at times in relationships we lose the true essence of who we are as a person to hold on to a love that was doomed from the start.

Q:: How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
A:: For the latest news and information, readers can reach me at my Web site: http://www.mikabarnes.com/ or by email: mika@mikabarnes.com.

Other online sources are:
facebook.com/tamikabarnes
twitter.com/mikabarnes
myspace.com/mikawrites
http://www.authorsden.com/mika
Visit my Chocolate High Fan Page on Facebook

Chocolate High by Mika (Barnes)
Purchase from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-High-Mika/dp/0984425802

Read the first chapter of Chocolate High by Mika

Intimate Conversation with Marc Lacy

2010-03-14T06:46:00.001-07:00

Meet Huntsville’s own Marc Lacy, a graduate of Alabama A&M University. He is a nationally renown, award winning poet/author and spoken word artist. He has performed all of over the country at many national literary events and spoken word venues. Marc is a contributing writer to RADAR
and The Grove Magazines. He is also a writer for Blogginginblack.com.

In The Summer of 2009, Marc met up with the co-founder of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Mr. Bruce George and Poet Rene Reyes in Los Angeles to serve on the panel at The Annual “So you Think you can Spit?”poetic symposium for youth. Lacy credits his faith in God and love of family for providing energy to succeed.

Ella: Let the party begin! Marc, what makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
Marc: I would not necessarily deem myself as a powerful person; but I do think that there is power in the written word. The more we learn about the craft and our abilities, the better off we will be in positioning ourselves to get the message out to the people. Thus creating a powerful force in the act alone.

Ella: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
Marc: I have several mentors (who actually do not know that they are my mentors)...too many to name. But they are fiction, non-fiction writers as well as poets/spoken word artists. My hunger to become a better writer and a voice for the people, with faith in God, keeps my engine churning.

Ella: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
Marc: A creative instinct which is the by-product of a hunger to always be the best that I can be...no matter what. Write better...and write the best.

Ella: Before we go too deep, Marc, I would like to take a minute to shine the light on your fabulous co-author.
Assuanta Howard was born and raised in New York City. Howard is known for her dynamic and innovative persona. She began her career in higher education, serving over 17 years in various leadership roles. She managed grant funded programs with budgets over 3 million dollars. Howard is qualified to administer the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. Howard took her extensive literacy and ESOL experience, leadership and program development expertise and established several business entities within the literary industry.

She is the proud founder of Asta Publications, LLC, a mainstream and self-publishing company and Asta Public Relations Services, a public relations firm that focuses on brand management and marketing campaigns for literary professionals.

Ella: Introduce us to Wretched Saints and the main characters.
Marc: My book is a fiction short story collection which touches upon very sensitive matters...mainly "so-called" good people who call themselves walking the righteous path; but living an unrighteous lifestyle.

Wretched Saints provides a literary window through which we may possibly see traits of ourselves within one or more of the characters as they learn the hard way to listen when God is talking. Thus His signal, when digested properly allows suppression of sinful urges opening up the door, for spiritual growth.

Are you a Wretched Saint? Open the covers...and see.

Of course our desire is to walk within The Kingdom's Neighborhood, but it can be very difficult leaving the alluring amenities of home. We have the protocol down pat; especially when others can witness us witnessing.

However, when backs are turned and the sun has set, the righteous hotness of the self-proclaimed saint can suddenly turn lukewarm. Although the tongue can no longer house rationalizations, we still find a way to verbally cover spiritual deficits...thus casting us further into a pit of unrighteous debt surrounded by several unused shovels.

Ella: What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Marc: Self-righteousness, reactionary, impulsive, arrogance, and hard-headedness just to name a few.

Ella: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
Marc: I honestly feel that saints, sinners, churched, un-churched, educated/uneducated, young/elderly professionals, and people of all races can identify with this book. However, if I had to choose a specific demographic, it would be those who want to "do right," but seriously struggle with it.

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book, Wretched Saints?
Marc: God never stops working on us or others.

Ella: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Marc: I (Marc Lacy) have been nominated as AAMBC Poet of the Year for 2010. Also, there are several spoken word products coming out during the summer and fall of 2010.

Ella: How can our readers reach you online?
http://www.marclacy.com
http://www.avopublishing.com
http://www.facebook.com

Intimate Conversation with author Nanette M. Buchanan

2010-03-03T05:44:00.001-08:00

Intimate Conversation with author Nanette M. Buchanan

Nanette M. Buchanan -- An Author with New Drama, Page after Page

Nanette M. Buchanan was born, raised and educated in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Arts High School in Newark she attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It was then that she first set her pen to pad, written expressions of her love for poetry. She is a proud mother, wife and grandmother, now residing in Somerset, New Jersey. Nanette is employed with the State of New Jersey within the Department of Corrections.

Her pad to pen accomplishments include three volumes of poetry; Thoughts, Thoughts & Reflections, and Quiet Times; five children stories and seven novels. Nanette’s first published work and debut novel was “Family Secrets….Lies & Alibis”.

Since then the publication of the sequel, “A Different Kind of Love” and the release of her first volume of poetry, “Thoughts” an e-book hit the market. In October of 2009, Nanette’s murder mystery, “Bruised Love” was released. It is her goal to become a successful author without limits. Writing and producing plays that feature her poems as well as adaptations of her novels on the “big screen”. This dynamic author is looking forward to making writing a full time career after retiring from her current position with the State of New Jersey.

Nanette is a member of Shared Thoughts Book Club and Authors Supporting Authors. She is the hostess of ASA’s Blog Talk Internet Radio Show which broadcasts each month interviewing authors, discussing literary events, publications and promotions, The author is available for personal appearances, chats and signings.

Video Intro to Bruised Love by Nanette M. Buchanan

EDC: WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS BOOK HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY?
• A. Our society has become one that holds embedded hurt a life time. We have angered homes, schools, jobs, and communities. Our relationships and how we treat others has an effect on everyone we meet. We need to recognize, without healing we can’t just walk away from severed relationships. Our solution has become one of avoidance. We will avoid our families, friends and lovers only to be confronted with building the same type of relationships with another. “Bruised Love” defines these relationships, the novel shows how fragile they become, the hurt and pain; it gives the reader insight on what can happen. There will be those who see themselves in these relationships. It asks the question, “When love leaves a bruise, can it ever heal?”

EDC: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR MAIN CHARACTERS. WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE?
• A. “Bruised Love” is Cassandra Smith’s story. As a young girl seeking love, after the death of her father, she falls for the high school bad boy Trevor Black. Despite her mother’s warnings she dates the ‘playa’ and is told by her mother to leave home. The tension builds between her and her mother, Brenda Smith, who is battling cancer. The strained relationship and the need for unconditional love, has a guilty effect on the widow. Brenda realizes she should have loved her child regardless to her choices. Seeking to gain what she lost, she wants to heal the relationship before it’s too late.

After talking with the family, she is convinced that Cassandra will come home if she believes her mother is close to death. Cassandra returns home, leaving the abusive cheating father of her children to care for her mother. Now faced with four children, a sick mother and no choice but to focus on her life, reality sets in. She finds the real definition for friendship, responsibility and commitment. All of which she’ll need to heal the bruised relationships she has been living with. As Cassandra’s life demands immediate decisions, her emotions are torn and her relationships are forever changed. Lamont Dearling, an old friend, is her constant support as she goes through a pivotal transformation. Lamont is that real friend who has always been in the shadows.

Cassandra is my favorite character. She literally transforms in the novel. She carries an emotional load, baggage that is not hers to bear. Through it all she grows, she learns, and she loves. Healing is ridding oneself of the discomfort we take on as we pick at the layers of others mistreatment toward us. Cassandra’s lost of her father leaves an emotional void. Filling it with the façade created by Trevor Black stripped her of the beauty of love. Cassandra returns home depressed and emotionally drained until Lamont gives her a reason to look beyond her troubles. I believe there are women who can connect with her and recognize her path to self love.

EDC: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS STORY?
• A. I believe I wrote this story to rid a part of my feelings that I experienced off and on throughout my life. Love is a confusing emotion. We love openly seeking love in return and sometimes those who should love us don’t and those who we cling to as we fall tend to knock us down further. I can relate to Cassandra, her pain and her emotional turmoil. The character is not me at all but I can relate.

EDC: WHAT ISSUES IN TODAY’S SOCIETY HAVE YOU ADDRESSED IN THE BOOK?
• A. There are a few issues in today’s society that have been addressed in “Bruised Love”. Cassandra is a young, single mother. She fell in love with the neighborhood ‘playa’. His game slowly turned unbearable but it was what she thought was a loving relationship. His other women, the baby mama drama, the drugs, and his abuse became a part of her world. She lost sight of herself loving a man who didn’t love her. Cassandra had to find the strength to end what she thought was an endless love. She had to regain faith in herself for her children, reunite with a mother that didn’t know how to love her and build new relationships. There are women who struggle with this daily. What they overcome or fall victims to declares their fate. Unfortunately there are many who have walked the path that Cassandra walked.

EDC: IS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WANT READERS TO GRASP?
• A. Yes, love thyself. Love thyself more than any other being that God has created or blessed you to know. Without self love you have nothing. Know what makes love important to you. It’s not about settling no matter who the love comes from. There are parents and other family members who know nothing about loving their offspring or each other. We have to build and keep building ourselves to be successful and it begins with self love. I won’t let you hurt me because I love me should be the outcry. It would diminish domestic violence, neglect, and child abuse. If the victims spoke out because they loved themselves more than they loved the abusers. They loved themselves more than accepting this painful love and returning to “Bruised Love”.

A bruise becomes tender, although the outer skin looks well the skin, the tissue below takes a longer time to heal…..sometimes it remains tender, easy to bruise again. We must learn to care for ourselves enough to heal. Love is beautiful and shouldn’t be feared. We shouldn’t have relationships after relationships scar us, or our children, who watch this dysfunctional love. The message is we must learn to love ourselves.

EDC: THOUSANDS OF BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED EACH YEAR. WHAT SETS YOUR BOOK APART FROM OTHER BOOKS IN YOUR GENRE?
• A. I think we’ve got so many genres that touch the surface of what reality is.

What sells as entertainment sometimes limits or sets the standard for most of the published works. “Bruised Love” has it all. The drama, love, sex, drugs, deceit, betrayal and murder, there is no exploitation, just reality. The way it happens, what could happen, and why. The story brings reality to the forefront, the bling for the reader is at the end. They will not be disappointed.

Books by Author Nanette M. Buchanan
• Bruised Love
• Family Secrets, Lies & Alibis
• A Different Kind of Love

Books are available wherever books are sold and online:
• http://www.ipendesigns.net/
• http://www.amazon.com/
• http://www.bordersbooks.com/

Contact Information
• Website: http://www.ipendesigns.net/
• Share the Video Postcard: http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CR5Q90VQ

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

DAY SEVEN: Girl Talk

Sharing sexual secrets with your best girlfriend can be an invaluable resource. Unfortunately, a lot of us do not tap into this resource because we are afraid of what our friends will think of us. We have to remember that as women, we are nurturers and healers by nature and when we share our vast knowledge with each other, it can be life changing. It is important to feel free to talk openly and honestly with each other in a trusting and safe environment.
Dr. Hilda Hutcherson suggests that women form sisterhood groups. These groups should be with women whom you like and trust and the group should meet regularly. Be sure to sure to serve plenty of food and drinks for a friendly and fun atmosphere. Some of Dr. Hutcherson's suggestions for getting the sharing ball rolling are as follows:

1. Have each sisterhood member write her own erotic fantasy and place it in a large bowl to ensure anonymity. After fellowship, food and a few glasses of wine, each member will take turns pulling a fantasy from the bowl and reading it aloud to the group. You will be surprised at how much you will learn by listening to someone else's fantasy. By the end of the evening, each woman won't be able to wait to get home to her partner.

2.Call your local Passion Party representative to give a presentation on erotic toys to your group. The representative will display erotic toys, explain how they work and offer them for sale to your group. Or, you can plan a field trip with your group to an adult store to explore, sample and purchase erotic toys.

3. Invite the group over for a "recipe" swap. Have each woman write her favorite sexual techique on a recipe card and place it in a bowl. Each woman takes a card as she is leaving the gathering. At the next meeting, each woman reveals what recipe she tried and how it worked for her.

Again, when trying something new, it is important to keep an open mind and have fun.

Source(s): Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and Deserve by Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, M.D.

www.hazelmillsstories.com

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

DAY SIX: Sexy Games

Remember how much fun you had playing games as a kid? It was exciting to finally find your hide and seek playmate or to be top dog in a competitive game of Monopoly.
It can be even more exciting,not to mention arousing to play these games and countless others with your lover. All that is needed is an open mind and a little imagination.
Strip poker is a classic game for couples. You can actually add "strip" to any game and make it more interesting. For example, when playing Monopoly, every time your partner lands on your property or rolls a certain number with the dice, you can have him or her remove a piece of clothing of your choice. Naked Twister is another arousing game for couples to play. But don't think that game time is limited to card or board games.
Role play can be equally as much fun and the possibilities are endless. You can arrange for your lover to meet you at a restaurant or bar and pretend to be a stranger who propositions you for a one night stand. How about a game of doctor? One of you can pretend to be the doctor who gives his or her patient a very thorough examination.
The point is to feel free to explore other avenues of enhancing your sex life.

Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

DAY FIVE: Talk Dirty

Some women are embarrassed to even think dirty so talking dirty is definitely out of the question. But when you stop cringing and let your guard down and just try it, you may find that engaging in a little nasty talk can be quite arousing and stimulating.
Quite frankly, I don't see anything wrong with two adults who are involved in a healthy relationship indulging in an erotic exchange. This is a sure fire way to be an open communicator about your needs, desires or fantasies and to increase the passion in your relationship. Remember, a confident woman is a sexy woman.
Don't know what to say? You can start your research by reading erotica and paying careful attention to the bold and uninhibited phrases used to described what is happening in the story. It may even be a good idea to read together.
You may find it easier to write dirty than talk dirty. In this case, send your lover a sexy text message or email, detailing your intentions.
You can also practice talking dirty out loud to yourself. The goal is to get comfortable with the taste of the words in your mouth until they just roll off your tongue.
Whatever you do, don't forget to have fun doing it and encourage your partner to do the same.

Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

DAY FOUR: Be A Star

Why not be the stars in your own erotic movie? This is a certain arousal booster. Using a tripod, position the video camera with lens facing toward the bed and film your lovemaking session. ONE COPY ONLY PLEASE unless you and your lover look forward to having your business go viral on the internet.
Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need and Deserve, if you are too shy for the big screen, you can place a tape recorder at the hea of the bed and record your sexy sounds during lovemaking. Listen together later to put you in a sexy mood.

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

DAY THREE: Adventuring Out of the Nest

Sex in the same place, at the same time quickly becomes routine and dull. A truly sensually erotic playmate will add spice to a long-term love affair by initiating sex (day two's tip) in varied and unusual places and at unexpected times. Something as simple as moving to a different room can lend an air of excitement to your sex play. Men love variety and you can provide all the novelty he'll ever need by being creative about where you seduce him.

1.Take it out of the bedroom. Seduce him while the two of you are watching television together in the living room. That big armchair would make a wonderful playpen. You can also try the kitchen counter, the bathroom floor or the attic. All are incredibly erotic spots for love trysts, if you make them so.

2.Your own backyard. While he is mowing the lawn, surprise him by leading him into the bushes for some truly wild lovemaking. You can also have sex on your porch swings or hammock. There is something intoxicating about the thrill of possible discovery.

3.The car. Your car is like your own personal love-making cocoon. Attack him in the back seat and it will be like reliving your teenage years.

4.Going up. When the two of you are alone on the elevator, take the opportunity to blow more than his mind. Have him hold the "door close" button while you live him a nice little oral treat.

5. Let's party. Cleverly excuse yourselves from a party or wedding reception and escape into the nearest bathroom, lock the door and go at it.

Wherever you make love, the point is to be creative and keep the relationship new and exciting. Remember, no one likes stale crackers.

www.hazelmillsstories.com

Source(s) quoted: 203 Ways to Drive a Man Wild in Bed by Olivia St. Claire

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-05T05:20:00.000-08:00

Day Two: Initiate

Nothing turns a man on more than feeling wanted by his lover. Initiating lovemaking is admitting that you enjoy sex with him and you want more of it. Let's be honest... that's a feeling we all love.
Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting The Sex You Want, Need and Desire, you should make an effort to tell your man how much he turns you on and you'll find out how such a small gesture can make a big impact on your sex life and relationship.

A lot of women often shy away from initiating sex because our mothers have told us that "good girls" shouldn't ask for sex. Also, there is the fear that he may reject our advances. What would be more humiliating, right? Wrong! How can we expect to get what we want if we don't ask for it? Men certainly don't have this problem. They set themselves up for rejection all the time yet they keep asking.

How do you initiate sex? Well, I'm glad you asked. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Start with my tip from Day One. Kiss your man, deeply and passionately.

2. Whisper what you want in his ear. Don't be afraid to be explicit in your request. Tell him what you want to do to him and what you want him to do to you.

3. Grab his crotch. You can't get a more direct approach than this.

4. Give him a lap dance. Wear sexy lingerie and straddle him while gyrating and swirling your hips on his lap. Touching you is not allowed and maintaining eye contact is sexy as hell. "Cater 2U" by Destiny's Child is a great song to lap dance to (don't ask me how I know).

5. Bathe him. Like women, men love having it be all about them. Fill a tub with warm water. Sprinkle in some aromatherapy oil and light a few scented candles. Undress him and guide him into the tub. Lovingly wash and stroke every inch of his body.

These are just a few ways to seduce your man. Be creative. The goal is to let him know how much you crave him and that you can't wait to ride him into the night.

Sensuality 101: Ten Days, Ten Tips for a Spicy Valentine's Day

2010-02-04T09:00:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is ten (10) days away and some of us are making plans for a quiet weekend getaway, romantic dinners, ordering flowers, purchasing red lingerie, learning a new bedroom trick or two, etc. All of these love day rituals are wonderful but did you know that adding a little sensuality to your sexuality can send your Valentine's Day into orbit?
And, who says you have to wait until February 14th to get started? How about ten days of toe-curling foreplay? I will post a spicy new tip everyday until Valentine's Day and you can turn Valentine's Day into Valentine's Week.

DAY ONE: KISSING

When was the last time you really kissed your partner? I am not talking about a peck on the cheek. I mean a REAL kiss like you did when the relationship was fresh and new and one touch of their lips on yours would make your heart pound and your breathing shallow and your soul stir. Do you remember? What? No? Shame on you! No worries because today is your lucky day (and his/hers)!

Kissing seems like such a simple place to begin but you wouldn't believe how many people really have no idea how to give or receive a mind-numbing kiss. Kissing is becoming a lost art. We have forgotten how deeply erotic and sensuous a kiss can be.

According to Olivia St. Claire, author of 203 Ways To Drive a Man Wild in Bed, if you approach each kiss with a sense of wonder, you'll be well on your way to creating a very sensual experience. St. Claire also suggests that you concentrate on the sensation of lip against lip, tongue on tongue, wet against dry, and you'll startle him into an early erection. He, too, will remember the excitement and electric discovery of that first kiss.

1. Close your eyes. Kissing is a performance to be felt not watched. There is something magical that happens when both of you relinquish control and allow your emotions to guide the kiss. The vulnerability and mystery of closing your eyes enhances the kiss for both of you.

2. Let your fingers do the walking while your tongue does the talking. Don't be afraid to caress your partner as your tongues playfully dart in and out of each others mouths. Stroke his face, the back of his head or neck. Grab and squeeze his ass.

3. Don't forget to moan or sigh during the kiss. Let him know that you are enjoying this intimate moment.

4. Two highly erogenous zones are the corners of his mouth. Gently lick/kiss these areas.

5. Invite him into the inside of your lips during a deep kiss. This area is softer and more sensitive. It is also a deeply intimate gesture.

Of course, no one said that kissing has to be limited to the lips. By all means, feel free to take the show on a tour all over his body. The nibbling, licking and kissing will drive him wild. Don't worry whether or not you are doing it right. His responses will be a the guidance you'll need

Live Your Best Life!

2010-01-26T18:06:00.000-08:00

A Tell All Book That Has Black Women Living A More Passionate and Fulfilling Life

Xpress Yourself Publishing announces the release of Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman by Denver, Colorado author Tinisha Nicole Johnson.

Statistics for black women range from status in careers, single parenting, and negative relationships with black men, to name a few. They are the minority of the minority and are put into a stand-alone category, facing challenges that other races of women may never face. Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman is a revolutionary book into the culture of Black women, revealing how to live a more passionate and fulfilling life, as well as addressing key issues such as self-worth, the definition of true happiness, and the five most common types of Black women.

Tanya White, empowerment speaker, life enhancement strategist, relationship coach, and author of Girl, You Can Win! says, “Lessons Learned serves as the medicine that heals the women stuck in their past failures, the motivation that encourages women to overcome their present fears and the inspiration women need to position themselves for a productive future.”

Tinisha is taking a stand by introducing Black women to a new way of thinking that has people talking and women everywhere viewing life in a different light.

Tinisha will appear at the All-Star Author Showcase hosted by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters being held on Saturday, February 13, 2010, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT, at the Dallas Convention Center Theater Complex, 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.

On Monday, February 22, 2010, Tinisha will speak at Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, North Carolina 27512, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is an author of several published titles, freelance writer, poet and public speaker residing in Denver, Colorado. She holds an Associates Degree in Business Studies, a Paralegal Certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. To learn more about Tinisha, visit http://www.tinishanicolejohnson.com/.

For more information, to schedule an interview or appearance, please call Jessica Tilles at (301) 390-3645 or email JTilles@aol.com.

Meet Author and Wealth Coach Deborah Owens

2010-01-06T12:06:00.001-08:00

Intimate Conversation with Author and Wealth Coach Deborah Owens

Deborah Owens' passion is helping people of all incomes build wealth. She is a sought after speaker and expert on the topic of entrepreneurship and financial empowerment.

Deborah is the Wealth Coach on My Generation TV which airs nationally in 30 million homes. She is author of “Confident Investing: A Wealth Building Guide For Women” and “Nickel and Dime Your Way to Wealth”. Her new book “A Purse Of Your Own” is scheduled for publication by Simon and Schuster in 2009. Deborah is host and executive producer of “Wealthy Lifestyle Radio” a personal finance talk show that airs on the NPR affiliate WEAA 88.9 FM in Baltimore, Md.

She is sought after speaker and has toured nationally with B.E.S.T. featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes and Magic Johnson, God’s Leading Ladies, Working Women Events and The NASD Office of Individual Investors. Deborah is President of Owens Media Group LLC, which creates financial empowerment programs for companies and organizations.

• INTRODUCE US TO YOUR BOOK:
A Purse of Your Own is a book that shares how women can create wealth. This books shares the attitudes and behaviors of financially successful women.

• WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and have lived in the Baltimore Washington DC metropolitan area for the past 17 years. I have spent more than twenty years in the financial services industry and am a former vice president and regional sales and marketing manager with a global mutual fund company.

• WHY WAS THIS BOOK SO IMPORTANT TO CREATE?

This book is part of my larger vision which is “The Power of the Purse Campaign” to engage, enlighten and equip one million women to become financially empowered. Although women have made great strides and earning more income far too many of us are not achieving financial independence. We must change our mindset from earning income to building wealth. My true passion is sharing that society can build wealth on any income.

• HOW WILL YOUR BOOK IMPACT RELATIONSHIPS?
This book encourages women to make sure they put aside funds for the long term. It will require making their financial future a priority. This is a distinct change in societal norms which encourages women to sacrifice for others. This book implores women to create a purse of their own.

• WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT WITH THIS BOOK?
My most significant achievement has been the reviews that the book has garnered and its’ reception by women who are embracing the concept of forming Purse Groups to provide support and accountability on the path to financial freedom.

• SHARE WITH US YOUR LATEST NEWS OR AWARDS:
We have had very favorable book reviews. The first from Publishers Weekly which said, “sensible advice…a plethora of resource listings and sound suggestions make this a winner for women looking to gain financial freedom. Book Page said,

Owens turns the purse metaphor into a wealth philosophy and provides tips, action steps and “purseonality profiles” for her seven must-have wealthy habits. It starts with cleaning out that purse to cultivate a Wealthy Outlook that allows you to dream big again. Some of the best advice comes at the end as Owens details how to start your own Purse Club and covers nine “pursessentials.” To that end, we have built a community at www.apurseofyourown.ning.com where women can obtain information on how to get started, communicate with one another and get support.

Purchase A Purse of Your Own today at Barnes and Noble

Deborah Owens
Book: A Purse of Your Own
ISBN-10: 1416570810
ISBN-13: 9781416570813
Website: http://www.deborahowens.com/

New Year, New You

2009-12-30T08:02:00.001-08:00

Hello Beautiful People,
Well, we did it again! We have all survived the madness and mayhem of yet another holiday season and are on the brink of celebrating the beginning of another new year. 2010 is just hours away. Hard to believe, isn't it?
What goals have you set for yourself in the upcoming year? How do you plan to reach those goals? Do you know what you want to do differently in 2010 than you did 2009?
If you have already made your "resolutions" for the new year or if you don't have a clue what you want to change in 2010 and need a few ideas, I invite you to click on this link http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2446088/top_ten_2010_new_years_resolutions.html?cat=2 and check out the article. I encourage you to then send it to five (5) women you know and love and want to see empowered to live better in 2010.
I have made one "resolution" for 2010. That's right. Only one. I will reveal what that "resolution" is on January 1, 2010. You can read about it and follow me throughout 2010 to chart my progress, provide encouragement and/or advice, listen to me complain (and believe me, there will be plenty of complaining) etc. at www.xpressyourselfpublishing.blogspot.com . This will be a 365-day journey and I want you all there with me.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time...Happy New Year!

Author's Predictions Confirmed, AGAIN!

2009-12-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Xpress Yourself Publishing
P.O. Box 1615
Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
Contact: Jessica Tilles
Phone: (301) 390-3645
Email: JTilles@aol.com
www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com

SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE WRITER, CHRIS BERMAN IS
ON TARGET AGAIN!

December 17, 2009, Upper Marlboro, Maryland — Chris Berman, best-selling author of The Hive, is now two for two with his new novel, Red Moon. Chris accurately predicted the discovery of water ice on the Moon, a key plot element of his book, over a year before this was confirmed by the NASA LCROSS lunar probe. Now, it looks as if Berman has gotten it right again with China’s ambitions in outer space.

Red Moon, set in the near future of 2017, predicts that the People’s Republic of China lands a military expedition on the Moon with the purpose of claiming the valuable lunar ice fields and the abundant resources of titanium and aluminum ore. The very existence of water ice on the Moon, a ready source of oxygen, hydrogen for rocket fuel and of course drinking water, make access to these resources a reality to any nation willing to put forth the effort to develop them. These resources will not only boost the economy of that nation or nations, but also provides the ultimate high ground in both economic and military control of outer space. In Chris Berman’s novel Red Moon, China indeed lands a mission to secure the lunar ice fields in the year 2017.

While this is a novel of speculative fiction, Mr. Berman’s prediction of water ice on the Moon was one hundred percent accurate. Now in a related story by Associated Press Journalist, Christopher Bodeen, the plot of Red Moon appears ominously close to the truth. In the Associated Press article dated November 27, 2009, Mr. Bodeen reports that China’s lunar ambitions are to land a series of unmanned probes on the Moon with a manned landing in 2017, three years ahead of America’s return to the Moon, just as predicted in Red Moon. The Associated Press article also makes a strong connection between China’s space program and their anti-satellite and advanced space weapons programs. Christopher Bodeen also states in the article that China’s secretive and military-based space program is being fueled by their booming export economy. The Associated Press article reads as if it were lifted right from the pages of Red Moon. Chris Berman adds, “With our dependence on the flood of cheap Chinese made products coming into our country, we are, in the words of Vladimir Lenin, “Paying for the ropes that the Communist nation will hang us with.” Mr. Berman also states that Red Moon should be in the hands of NASA, the Joint Chiefs of the United States and the President. Red Moon is a prophetic tale and a warning sign as we head into the future, not to ignore the incredible economic and military potential that the Earth’s Moon holds for our nation.

Chris Berman Chris has an extensive background in astronomy and is a spaceflight enthusiast; familiar with the space programs both here in America and in Russia.
He resides in Saint Augustine, Florida with his wife, Lareesa Polyakova and daughters Marina and Sabrina.

Red Moon
By Chris Berman

ISBN: 978-0-9779398-1-7
Publication Date: December 31, 2009
Trade Paperback; 308 pages
Qty/Case: 24
Retail: $15.95

Distributed by: Ingram Book Group and Baker & Taylor

This title is available wherever books are sold, as well as all online retailers.

For more information on this title, and other Xpress Yourself Publishing titles, visit www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org.

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First Glimpse: Office Affairs by Caramel Vixen

2009-12-11T11:04:00.001-08:00

Meet Allysia Donaldson, CEO of Ample Delights

Allysia Donaldson is a woman who has always known what she wanted professionally. She pursued her dream of owning her own clothing line and is now the CEO of Ample Delights, a company that caters to the thick madams of the world. At the young age of thirty, Allysia has accomplished a lot but yet she feels a void. As much as she has pursued professionally, she has run away from in her personal life.

Davis is a single, hard working father. He lost his wife to cancer. Even though women are constantly throwing themselves at him, Davis doesn't date. The one woman he wants won't give him the time of day. If Allysia would only open her heart to him, Davis would fill that void in her life. She may see him as only a delivery guy but if she would only take the time to get to know him she would realize there's so much more to Davis Jackson.

Office Affairs is a funny, erotic novel about love and the discovery of self worth!

ISBN-13: 978-0-9779398-0-0, Xpress Yourself Publishing.com

Retail $13.95 Erotica

Click on Book Cover to Learn More!

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First Glimpse: Office Affairs (Contains Explicit Language)

“Damn!” I was highly stressed and my vibrator friend wasn’t doing its job. I needed some release and I needed it fast. I wasn’t dating anyone so I did what I had to do. I picked up the phone and called Fred’s ol’ country ass. Fred, my estranged husband, seemed surprised to hear my voice, but when I told him to come over he came running.

Now, I know that when I married him I was just settling but I don’t have time to look for real love. I certainly did not have the time then to search and hunt or even worse wait to be hunted when I met Fred. My company was just getting off the ground. Love just had to take a backseat to my career.

"Oh shit!” Fred was opening up Pandora's Box with his powerful tongue. All of my juicy secrets were being licked away as he stroked my clit with his tongue and wrapped his lips around mine. Who knew a little pink flap could bring such pleasure?

My body tingled all over as his tongue tangoed with my clit. I've never had a seizure but the way my body was shaking and saliva was pouring out of my mouth, I just knew I was about to have one. I probably would have bit my damn tongue off! That's just how intense my orgasm was. I unloaded all my liquid ecstasy into my ex’s open, awaiting mouth.

That was just the beginning though. Fred flipped me over, smacked my thick ass and rammed his eight-inch dick inside my wet pussy. I wanted to wrap my lips around it but I guess he wanted the hotness that only my pussy could deliver.

The man pumped hard and fast. His thrusts were quick and short. I tried to speak but every word got caught in my throat as his nuts slapped my behind. Then Fred slowed down. The slower, longer thrusts felt so damn good that I started speaking in tongues. I didn't know what the hell I was saying and Fred didn't give a shit. He just kept on pumping, picking up the pace until the thrusts were short, quick, and hard again. I felt his dick pulsate just before he screamed, releasing his white chocolate inside of me.

"Damn!” He said, almost out of breath. Damn was right! My soon to be ex-husband knew how to make him some serious love. I once thanked God for that man each and every day because he had brought it each and every day. No man had ever eaten my pussy or fucked me as good as Fred. He had always left me completely satisfied.

My elevator of bliss was rising towards cloud nine. Yes, his loving was like that! But just before I got to cloud six, Fred’s ass had the nerve to ask, "So, have you thought any more about having a threesome?"

Advice from the Top by author Valencia Campbell

2009-12-09T13:46:00.001-08:00

Advice from the Top: What Minority Women Say About Their Career Success

»» Listen to the audio book preview

»Advice from the Top by author Valencia Campbell offers tips and advice to minority women and others wondering what it takes to succeed in careers in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. To gain the insights, Valencia Campbell reviewed research on career success. Then she interviewed fourteen extraordinary minority women, all of whom shared stories about the path to the top of their fields. They include millionaire business owners like Cathy Hughes and Eunice Dudley, nonprofit executive Jane Smith, former White House staffer Zina Pierre, and television anchor Andrea Roane. But this book goes beyond the usual superficial profile of women achievers. Rather, it shares their views on what constitutes success, the factors they consider important to their success, the obstacles they encountered and overcame, and what women can do today to get ahead.

»Advice from the Top will inspire minority women who want to advance their careers. The compelling stories described in this book will, further, help them avoid common pitfalls on the road to success. Better, it outlines the obstacles faced and overcome by successful minority women and provides action steps designed to help readers vault the same hurdles with aplomb. Advice from the Top will also help organizations, educational institutions, and business organizations develop and support career and mentoring programs that promote the success of minority women.

» Praise for Advice from the Top

“You’ve made it possible for many women to benefit from the experience of other women. Because so many of us are so busy just trying to keep our heads above water, we don’t often take the time to share what we know—and what a pity! Sharing is how we women can progress and be in a position to bring other women along. Thank your for caring enough to share this information on so many smart, wonderful, and successful women.”--- Rev. Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. Chair National Congress of Black Women

“By sharing the stories of fifteen successful women of color, Valencia Campbell helps remove myths and mystery from the concept of success, and grounds it squarely in the context of gender, race and class realities. This is a useful examination for all of us.” --- Ellen Bravo, former director, 9to5, National Association of Working Women

“Valencia Campbell has given the nation a very thoughtful examination of the workplaces successes of some of today’s top minority women achievers. Their stories will surely inspire you to set your goals high, as they recount the obstacles they have had to overcome to succeed. I encourage you to consider a diverse set of career choices, like the ones presented here—and I might add, the Congress of the United States. We need you in the House and the Senate too. The sacrifices of such civil rights activists as Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Dorothy Height, C. Delores Tucker and many women before them demand that you take your seat at the table.” --- Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, Ph.D.

“This book is well grounded in research (theory) and practice with the personal stories of dynamic working women that transverse many careers. There is something in this book for any woman who has an interest in advancing her career.” --- The Honorable Judge Mary Terrell, Retired D.C. Superior Court Judge

“I am sure this book will be informative and beneficial to all who read it, especially young people entering the workforce and beginning their careers.” ---Former Maryland State Delegate Obie Patterson

» Advice from the Top: What Minority Women Say About Their Career Success
by author Valencia Campbell

Order from Amazon by clicking here.
ISBN-10: 0313358583
ISBN-13: 978-0313358586

» Meet the Author
Valencia is a consultant on educational topics and women’s issues Her completed projects include those for the Baltimore Public School System, National Science Foundation, National Congress of Black Women and the National Council of Negro Women. She has taught sociology courses at Howard University and Bowie State University.

Her many awards include: Governor’s Citation for Work on the Improvement of the Status of Women, Woman of the Year for Southern Prince George’s Business and Professional Women, WHUR Hometown Hero Award, 9to5 National Association of Working Women Awards and a Presidential Appointment to the United Service Organization World Board of Governors from 2006-2008. Valencia holds a Ph.D. and M.A. degree in Sociology from Howard University and B.A. in Sociology from Virginia State University. Website: http://www.advicefromtopwomen.com/ ; Email: valenciacampbell2003@yahoo.com

Bookspotlight: Sassy by Gloria Mallette

2009-12-08T01:40:00.001-08:00

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

Gloria has been featured in The New York Daily News, USAToday, ToDay’s Black Woman, Upscale Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and The Pocono Record. Gloria also has a featured novella, Come Tomorrow, on the USAToday website.

To her credit, Gloria now has ten published titles including the newly released SASSY, a Finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards; Weeping Willows Dance; and Living, Breathing Lies, winner of the National Best Books 2007 Awards and the 2008 Indie Excellence Award.

Intimate Conversation with Gloria hosted by Ella Curry of EDC Creations

Q: Introduce us to your new book SASSY.

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

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

Book Review for Sassy:

"[Sassy] is a fascinating psychological drama...." Harriet Klausner, #1 Amazon Reviewer

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters.

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

The attraction between Sassy and Norris is immediate. Norris is the embodiment of the leading man in Sassy's novel, but Sassy quickly learns that Norris is a man of great compassion and substance when he helps her take care of her cousin Bernard who is dying of AIDS. However, there appears to be a darker side to Norris that frightens Sassy. Women associated with Norris are being murdered and the police believe Norris is the killer. Not knowing what to believe, Sassy fears that she might have to fight the man she loves in order to save her own life.

Q: Who was your favorite? Why?

GM: While I liked Sassy's strength and tenacity, I fell in love with Norris. I liked that Norris was caring, loving, and strong. Norris didn't shy away from Bernard's illness; nor did he back down from Sassy whenever she tried to get the upper hand; nor did he fear his older brother Clarence who had hated him all of his life. Norris was indeed the man that most women dream about being in love with.

Q: What issue, person or thing inspired you to write this story?

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

Q: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book?

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

Q: What was your primary quest in publishing this book?

GM: My primary quest in publishing SASSY was to do it my way. My previous publisher wanted me to add a lot of sex to my books, but sex is not what I write. If a sex scene is called for, that's fine, but to write sex to drive the story, that's not me. I write what my characters lead me to write, not what I think will sell more books.

Q: What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?

GM: That's just it, publishers have never been able to pigeonhole me. I don't write in a particular genre which is what sets my books apart from other books. I love mystery, suspense, and romance. Combining the three seem to work perfectly for me, which is why readers tell me they can't stop reading until the very last page.

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

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

Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

GM: Interestingly, there is nothing in the content of the SASSY that I would change, it would be the copyeditor who didn't do such a great job.

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

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

I'd like to extend an invitation to readers to visit my website: www.gloriamallette.com to see the videos for both Sassy and Living, Breathing Lies. Books ordered through my website are personally autographed. Writing remains my passion. I am now hard at work on my next book, Shh! Don’t Tell which will be out in 2011.

Sassy by Gloria A. Mallette
ISBN-10: 0967878934
ISBN-13: 9780967878935

Purchase your copy from Barnes and Noble or by visiting Gloria's website for a signed copy.

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

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

Look at me by Linda R. Herman

2009-11-30T07:40:00.001-08:00

Look at me, take a long, hard stare.
I'm the face of HIV. I represent every woman 25-34 who has died or is dying from AIDS.
AIDS is the leading cause of death in African American women in this age group.
So, LOOK at me!

Do you think I'm ready to die? I'm not ready. I don't want to leave my children, family, and friends. LOOK at me!

Can you honestly tell me we can't change the statistics by raising awareness? Can we not see the Consequences of our actions? Oh God, is anybody even listening to me? LOOK at me!

Now, take a long hard look at yourself and answer this question:
What am I going to do today to raise awareness of HIV & AIDS?

To learn more about Linda R. Herman and her passion for saving lives by raising awareness, please visit www.LindaRHerman.org.

Intimate Conversation with author Nikkea Smithers

2009-11-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

Nikkea Smithers is a spoken word artists and Essence Magazine Best Selling Author She has performed on stages in front of thousands. Her literary work often speaks to issues in the community that are often under-discussed. Her readers have fallen in love with her ‘tell it like it is’ approach to writing making her readers lifelong fans.

Intimate Conversation with Ella Curry, CEO of EDC Creations

Ella: Hello Nikkea! Introduce us to your book, On The Flip Side.
Nikkea: On The Flip Side deals with a situation that many men face but little light is shed on. We often hear the story about the single mother doing it for her kids on a daily basis. While I would never want to take anything away from them, what we don't often hear about is the single father who is standing up to his responsibilities and being burdened with social issues beyond his realm of control. What if the mother is not the one holding it down? What if the father has the kids but the mother has the greed? On The Flip Side deals with a different kind of baby momma drama and show that real men are fathers and not just baby daddies.

Ella: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite?
Nikkea: Tavares was on the path to be a very successful young man. A one night stand turns his life up side down and he finds himself in a position where he has to be accountable. As he struggles to be a respectable father the mother of his children does everything in her power to break him down. The twist to this tale is he just isn't just a single father, he is also paying child support as if his kids don't live with him and in two different states.

Danica is a very interesting woman with a serious God complex. She truly believes that she is better than everyone around her. Not only does her complex cause her to throw stereotypes around like they are going out of style but it causes her to play the role of karma. The problem with playing karma is that it's bound to come back on you if you aren't living right.

My favorite is Tavares because he is the epitome of real man. He immediately steps up to the plate and makes things happen. As you read the book you genuinely feel for him. His kids come first, plain and simple. Who doesn't love a man like that?

Ella: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people? What inspired you to write this story?
Nikkea: The characters aren't based on real people but are influenced by conversations. I love talking to people and my husband and I often throw these parties where there are debates on different topics. Of course one of the most popular topics of debate is child support. The men thought they paid too much. The women thought it wasn't enough. One man talked about how he was paying support in both NY and VA. He talked about how neither state would take into consideration the order in the other state. This blew my mind!

My mother was even present and shared her views on the subject which opened my eyes even more. I see story lines in the strangest of things so I thought, what if was the other way around? What if the man had his kids and was still paying child support? So I wrote the poem On The Flip Side and was surprised at the response it got from men that were going through this very thing. Then a friend of mine and I were talking after she saw me perform the poem and was telling me about a friend of hers going through this only his child's mother left the kids at the hospital after birth! I immediately thought oh this needs to be a book! I then took the poem and turned it into this book.

Ella: What issues in society have you addressed in the book?
Nikkea: Child support is the obvious issue addressed in the book but there are several subliminal messages. I love dealing with subliminal messages and try my best to place a few in every novel I write. One issue is accountability. Society is really hard on women in regards to promiscuity but men don't always get the same scrutiny. I want to show young men that they have to be responsible for their actions as well. That one night of passion could mean kids with a woman you don't know or worse, a death sentance of H.I.V. Another issue that is addressed is karma. We really need to understand that what we throw out into the universe will come back to us pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Ella: What was your primary quest in publishing this book?
Nikkea: I love to break down barriers and talk about things that no one is talking about. At least not in this sense. I wanted the roles to be reversed and stretch my imagination. Especially with Danica's character, I had to dig deep for her because she is so far from me and what I would naturally do. I wanted this book to be true to the characters and show them for who they are regardless of the outcome. I love being able to uplift my brothers and say kudos to those doing the right things. Through Tavares I get to connect with readers and share with them the story of a good man.

Ella: Thousands of books are published each year. What sets your book apart from other books in your genre?
Nikkea: It's all about the message. My work is educational but entertaining. I want to enlighten people. I want them to finish one of my books thinking about the subject matter and want to take action. How can we change things if we don't start by talking about them? I actively strive to write away from whats popular and get to the bottom of social issues that need to be addressed.

Ella: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Nikkea: When I'm not writing I love to read! I'm the biggest book worm. My husband and I joke that our house looks like the Library of Congress. I don't discriminate. I have poetry from Langston Hughes to Nikki Giovanni. I have nonfiction from George Jackson to Steve Harvey. I have fiction from John Gresham to E. Lynn Harris. With me being a self published author I am also a huge supporter of self published authors because I understand their grind. I also enjoy culture. I love museums, art viewings, jazz clubs, and poetry readings. I love the movies too!

Ella: What does your family think of your writing?
Nikkea: My family is very supportive. My husband has a prized collection of all of my books in his 'man room' that he shows off to all his friends. He gets the first copy in every edition of all of my works. When he sees something has discouraged me he tells me to shake it off and keep doing what I do. My mother buys my books in bulk like she doesn't know me! They are my two biggest supporters. I appreciate being surrounded by positivity and they keep me inspired to keep on writing.

Ella: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Nikkea: Do your research, stay positive and value the message over all else.

Ella: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. Nikkea: I was excited to find out that two of my books (Keith's Story and Attitudes of a Woman) were awarded with the Literary Hallmark & Legends Top Books 2009 award by Black Pearls Magazine. That honor was one of the highlights of my year!

Within the next year I have three more books that will be released. I also look forward to touring and performing. I want to dedicate my time in the new year connecting with my readers. Book clubs who select my book as their book of the month can reach out to me so that I can make plans to either be present or available for a teleconfrence.

Email: info@nikkeasmithers.com Website: http://www.nikkeasmithers.com/

Purchase the book at: Amazon Online

Purchase the book at: Barnes & Noble Online

A Woman Scorned by Ericka Williams

2009-11-17T18:14:00.001-08:00

Meet our featured author Ericka Williams

Ericka Williams is a determined business woman and author. She never takes no for an answer. When she sets her mind on a goal, she doesn't stop until it is reached. She is a graduate of Teaneck High School, in Teaneck New Jersey. She attended Howard University and graduated from Rutgers University. She is currently a teacher. Ericka has always had a yearning for knowledge, expression, and creativity. She is the author of three books the Essence Magazine bestseller “All That Glitters”, and the sequel “Shining Star”, as well as the forthcoming release A Woman Scorned.

Ella: Ericka, introduce us to your book, A Woman Scorned.
Ericka: A Woman Scorned is about pain. It is about death. It is about love and revenge. When someone you love hurts you, your pain often times turns to anger and feelings of betrayal. That rage can turn into violence. Crimes of passion are real and have happened since the beginning of time. A Woman Scorned shows what happens when a woman's broken heart turns her into a predator. It makes her hate instead of love.

I feel most readers will relate to this book, A Woman Scorned, because it’s about redemption and consequences. It points out how we can not use excuses for our wrongdoings nor dodge retribution. We all have irrationally thoughts from time to time, but we can turn ourselves around. It brings attention to the fact that self-love is necessary and essential to our sanity. It also brings home the truth—you must pay for your actions one way or another. The primary thing I hope all readers will take away from reading A Woman Scorned is that loving YOU, even when no one else does, is crucial in living the best life.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
Ericka: Brielle was the main character. She was my favorite because she wanted to be a better person. She had aspirations for her life. She didn’t relish in being destructive the way her cousin Janay did.

Brielle had been molested, abused, and mistreated from a child. She yearns for the love she never felt from anyone. She never found love in the right places, until Dante rescued her and married her. She thought she was safe in his love, until two miscarriages and one affair too many, made her snap. The faith that she puts into her husband, is the very faith she should have found in herself. When he disappoints her, she wants nothing but to see him in pain.

Brielle not only exacts revenge on her husband for his grimy living, but she gets to “do it for the Ladies” as well, by making a few more men accountable for their actions. Until she meets Darren and Shawn; both men are falling for her. Brielle cannot see beyond her past to give them an honest chance at loving her sincerely. One prevails as the victor, while the other is another victim of A Woman Scorned.

While Brielle is unleashing her “fury” on men, there are two women, her cousin Janay, and her husband’s pregnant lover, who may be the ones to bring her down and stop her reign of terror on the opposite sex.
(ISBN-10: 1934230715 or ISBN-13:9781934239718)

Q: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Ericka: Yes, real people who react to life’s drama in a negative way. We have all made bad choices in responding to wrongs we feel have been inflicted upon us. This book takes a poignant look at the repercussions of letting one’s rage get out of control.

Q: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book?
Ericka: Infidelity, Domestic Violence, Molestation, Murder, and Revenge.

Q. What impact will this book have on the community?
Ericka: It deals with an emotion that many understand, revenge, giving the community a glimpse inside the mind and heart of a damaged individual; showing how revenge is not profitable.

I want people who read this book to accept that they are not a product of their circumstances and that anyone can change. Also, that your past does not have to dictate your future.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
Ericka: One powerful scene is a scene where Brielle meets with her father on his death bed after five years of no contact with him.

Q: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Ericka: My next book will be The Clique in 2010.

Q: Ericka, how many readers contact you online?
Ericka: At my email address: erickawilliamsinfo@yahoo.com or by visiting my website at: http://www.erickaw.com/

A Woman Scorned by Ericka Williams
ISBN-10: 1934230715
Visit http://www.lifechangingbooks.net/ to pre-order today!

Pick up a copy at Amazon Online here.
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Scorned-Ericka-Williams/dp/1934230715

Even Sinners Have Souls Too

2009-11-08T23:33:00.001-08:00

Even Sinners Have Souls Too
Introduction by National Best selling author, K'Wan, with four stories by Darrell King and Essence Magazine bestselling authors, Michel Moore, Tysha and Victor L. Martin.

Meet author and editor E.N. Joy
E.N. Joy is the author of Me, Myself and Him, which was her debut work into the Christian Fiction genre. Formerly a secular author writing under the names Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY, this author has fully dedicated her writing to Christ. She is currently working on the “New Day Divas” series as well as completing the “Sinners Series” project.

Intimate Conversation with Ella Curry of EDC Creations

Ella: Introduce us to the book, Even Sinners Have Souls TOO.
E.N. Joy: Even Sinners Have Souls TOO is book two from the “Sinners Series”. As editor and publisher of this project, it was my goal to share with the reading audience well written and compelling stories by some of the industry’s most respected and authority authors in the Urban Lit genre.

Ella: Why was it important to produce this work today?
E.N. Joy: Books and authors of books that are categorized as urban, erotic, street, ghetto, gangster, Hip-Hop fiction, or whatever else they are being labeled, are taking hard hits in the industry, especially by these so-called “literary writers”. Why is it that whenever black people bring the life they live front and center and turn it into art, society goes crazy? Are we that afraid and offended of the ghetto and the projects to the point where we ridicule those who talk about it? Is growing up in the hood that taboo?

E.N. Joy: Despite popular belief, everything that comes from the ghetto isn’t all bad. There are some good products of the ghetto. It produces great individuals, some even authors. But because of the type of genre that these authors choose to pen, they are stigmatized and rumored unable to create literature without glorifying a trigger happy, drug dealing thug, or a burgundy micro braid wearing, gum poppin’, promiscuous gold digger, or a television stealing crack head (in addition to at least two curse words per paragraph).

Ella: Will this book change how Urban Lit is protrayed as a industry?
E.N. Joy: There is a huge misconception that authors who write Urban Lit, referred to as Street Lit by many, can’t pen a decent story that doesn’t include foul language and explicit sex scenes. These authors are even often accused of glorifying street life. The “Sinners Series” forces critics and skeptics alike to take a different stand when they read the storylines contained in the “Sinners Series.”

Ella: What are some unique aspects of the Sinners Series?
E.N. Joy: Even Sinners Have Souls Too offers more of Urban Lit's finest take a walk on the other side in book two, Even Sinners Have Souls Too, of the three book Sinners Series. Darrell King and Essence Best-Selling authors, Victor L. Martin, Tysha and Michel Moore bring you four smashing tales, but not before National Best-Selling author, K'Wan, hits you with the powerful introduction, "Oh Sinner Man."

E.N. Joy: The authors bring to life the same raw and gritty characters found in some of their other works. There are the dope boys, the hood rats, the promiscuity, homosexuality, the gang bangers, abuse, drugs, alcohol, etc...; all the things that exist in real life on the streets. But what makes these tales so phenomenal and unique is that in the midst of it all, just like in real life on the streets, there is also, God, prayer, and sometimes a praying grandmother. What pleased me the most about each and every story is that they never, for one moment, lost their authenticity. The authors still walked away from this project with their street credit, so to speak.

Ella: What impact with the Sinners Series have on the community?
E.N. Joy: The “Sinners Series” is going to shatter the myth about urban and street literature and its authors once and for all. This project is not so that authors have to defend their work, or even compromise it.

The purpose is to show that they are multi-talented with a natural gift to pen what flows through their spirit and not just what’s selling, and at the same time to add a creative twist on their already original writing styles. In doing so, we pray that readers will be touched and moved by every single character; every single story…that they won’t be the same person as they were before reading these works.

Website: http://www.enjoywrites.com/

ISBN-10: 0970672659 | ISBN-13: 978-0970672650

Pick up a copy at Amazon

Please join in the discussion by leaving comments or congrats below.
Black Authors Culture Center-- Twitter with Ella

Color Me Jazzmyne by Marian L. Thomas

2009-11-05T07:43:00.001-08:00

Author Interview: Color Me Jazzmyne by Marian L. Thomas

I would like to introduce you to a fantastic new book, Color Me Jazzmyne. Readers of Color Me Jazzmyne have been captivated by the depth of the emotional journey that the book takes them on. It digs deep into what it takes for women to embrace who they are no matter what size, color, educational background or social status. Sisters will learn to love themselves despite what society says or the voices that surround them!

Marian L. Thomas is native of Chicago but currently resides in Atlanta.She first awakened her desire to write while in her second year of high school. She majored in Journalism but received her Bachelor of Art degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. 2009 the dream of becoming a published author was realized when she was able to debut her first title Color Me Jazzmyne. She is a wife and supporter of victims of abuse and was recently featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9to5 Women in the Media Industry.

Motivation Behind Color Me Jazzmyne
Color Me Jazzmyne addresses a major issue in our society today..."Rape is often the "hush" word in our lives. It's the thing that we prefer to put into the closet of other skeltons that we pray no one has the key to.

Child abuse often occurs at a young age and more than often it is done by someone that is very close---a family member or friend of the family. It's a difficult thing to get over, it's even more difficult to explain.

According to one statistic.... one out of every six women will be raped over their lifetime and 73% of all rape victims know their assailants. In fact, studies have shown that 60% of all sexual assaults are not reported. I hope that women who read this book and have gone through something similar will find the courage to reach out and talk to someone about it."

Color Me Jazzmyne Book Excerpt
Read Chapters 1-3 and give us your opinion.
http://www.freado.com/book/4169/Color-Me-Jazzmyne

Intimate Conversation with author Marian L. Thomas

What impact do you want your book, Color Me Jazzmyne, to make on readers?
Marian: "I hope that women who read this book and have lived the life of Naya Mona in some form or fashion will find the voice, strength and motivation to push past the pain and live."

Why do you write? Is is healing or to create awareness in our community?
Marian: Both! For me, writing is more of a release from the reflection of the world around us. It is a way to express the obvious using tones that soothe,excite, uplift and allow the reader to step out of their comfort level. That is my goal when writing. That is what drives me to create characters such as Naya Mona.

Are your characters, in Color Me Jazzmyne, a portrayal of real people?
Marian: Reality is always a part of us and as such what we read must adhere to some form of it in order to make it so that one can relate to the story that is being told. Naya is clearly a reflection of the many women that I have met over the years and the struggles that they have gone through. I do not remove myself from that reflection. Misty represents all the so-called friends that revolve in and out of our lives and Chris is what I term the 'life-time' type of husband. He represents the compassion and love that we as women need, want and deserve.

Contact Marian Online
Email: larrita@lbpublishingco.com
Website: http://www.marianlthomas.com/
Author's Blog: http://findingmycolorwithmlt.blogspot.com/

Pickup Your Copy Today!
ISBN-10: 0615270670; ISBN-13: 978-0615270678

Amazon .com
Kindle Download
Barnes & Noble.com

Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young

2009-11-02T01:29:00.000-08:00

I would like to share a preview of Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young. If you like mystery novels or legal thrillers, you are sure to love this new release!

“Pamela Samuels Young takes her place among the top tier of legal thriller writers with her latest, Buying Time.” —Sheldon Siegel, Bestselling Author

Book Introduction

Waverly Sloan is a down-on-his-luck lawyer. But just when he's about to hit rock bottom, he stumbles upon a business with the potential to solve all of his problems.

In Waverly's new line of work, he comes to the aid of people in desperate need of cash. But there's a catch. His clients must be terminally ill and willing to sign over rights to their life insurance policies before they can collect a dime. Waverly then finds investors eager to advance them thousands of dollars—including a hefty broker's fee for himself—in exchange for a significant return on their investment once the clients take their last breath.

The stakes get higher when Waverly brokers the policy of the cancer-stricken wife of Lawrence Erickson, a high-powered lawyer who's bucking to become the next U.S. Attorney General. When Waverly's clients start dying sooner than they should, both Waverly and Erickson—who has some skeletons of his own to hide—are unwittingly drawn into a perilous web of greed, blackmail and murder.

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

Prologue of Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young

Veronika Myers tried to convince them, but no one would listen. Her suspicions, they said, were simply a byproduct of her grief.

Each time she broached the subject with her brother, Jason, he walked out of the room. Darlene, her best friend, suggested a girls’ night out with some heavy drinking. Aunt Flo urged her to spend more time in prayer.

Veronika knew she was wasting her time with this woman, too, but couldn’t help herself.

“My mother was murdered,” Veronika told the funeral home attendant. “But nobody believes it.”

The plump redhead with too much eye shadow glanced down at the papers on her desk, then looked up. “It says here that your mother died in the hospital. From brain cancer.”

“That’s not true,” Veronika snapped, her response a little too sharp and a tad too loud.

Yes, her mother had brain cancer, but she wasn’t on her deathbed. Not yet. They had just spent a long afternoon together, laughing and talking and watching All My Children. Veronika could not, and would not accept that the most important person in her life had suddenly died. She knew what everyone else refused to believe. Her mother had been murdered.

“Did they conduct an autopsy?” the woman asked.

Veronika sighed and looked away. There had been no autopsy because everyone dismissed her as a grief-stricken lunatic. When she reported the murder to the police, a disinterested cop dutifully took her statement, but she could tell that nothing would come of it. Without any solid evidence, she was wasting everyone’s time, including her own.

“No,” Veronika said. “There wasn’t an autopsy.”

The funeral home attendant smiled sympathetically.

Veronika let out a long, exasperated breath, overwhelmed by the futility of what she was trying to prove. “Never mind,” she said. “What else do you need me to sign?”

Later that night, Veronika lay in bed, drained from another marathon crying session. She rummaged through the nightstand, retrieved a bottle of sleeping pills and popped two into her mouth. She tried to swallow them dry, but her throat was too sore from all the crying.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. “Don’t worry, Mama,” Veronika sniffed. “I won’t let them get away with it.”

Just as she reached the end of the hallway, a heavy gloved hand clamped down hard across her mouth as her arms were pinned behind her back. Panic instantly hurled her into action. Veronika tried to scream, but the big hand reduced her shriek to a mere muffle. She frantically kicked and wrestled and twisted her body, but her attacker’s grip would not yield.

When she felt her body being lifted off the ground and carried back down the hallway, she realized there were two of them and her terror level intensified. But so did her survival instinct. She continued to wildly swing her legs backward and forward, up and down, right and left, eventually striking what felt like a leg, then a stomach.

As they crossed the threshold of her bedroom, she heard a loud, painful moan that told her she had likely connected with the groin of one of her assailants.

“Cut it out!” said a husky, male voice. “Grab her legs!” he ordered his partner. “Hurry up!”

The men dumped her face down onto the bed, her arms still restrained behind her back. The big hand slipped from her mouth and Veronika’s first cry escaped, but was quickly muted when a much heavier hand gripped the back of her neck and pressed her face into the comforter.

Fearing her attackers were going to rape, then kill her, Veronika defiantly arched her back and tried to roll her body into a tight ball. At only 130 pounds, she was no physical match for her assailants. They easily overpowered her, forcing her back into a prone position. As one man sat on her upper legs, strapping her left arm to her side, the other man bent her right arm at the elbow and guided her hand up toward her forehead.

During the deepest period of her grief, Veronika had longed to join her mother. But now that she was face-to-face with the possibility of death, she fought valiantly for life.

That changed, however, the second Veronika felt something cold and hard connect with her right temple. She stiffened as one of the men grabbed her fingers and wrapped them around the butt of a gun. At that precise instant, Veronika knew with certainty that her suspicions were indeed fact. Her mother had been murdered and now the same killers had come to silence her before she could expose the truth. And just like her mother’s death, her own murder would go undetected, dismissed as the suicide of a grieving daughter. A conclusion no one would question.

As the man placed his hand on top of hers and prepared to pull the trigger, a miraculous, power-infused sensation snuffed out what was left of Veronika’s fear, causing her body to go limp. The heavy pounding of her heart slowed and she felt light enough to float away.

Completely relaxed now, Veronika closed her eyes, said a short prayer, and waited for a glorious reunion with her mother.

###

Bookclubs, select one of Pamela’s novels for your book club meeting and she will join you in person, via webcam or via speaker phone. Read more book excerpts here: http://www.pamelasamuels-young.com/books/index.html

To schedule a visit with Pamela, email her at author@pamelasamuelsyoung.com

Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young
ISBN-10: 098156271X | ISBN-13: 978-0981562711

Pick up a Copy Today at Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/buyingtimeamazon

Pick up a Copy Today at Barnes and Noble
http://tinyurl.com/buyingtimebnonline

Meet the Author
Pamela Samuels Young is the Essence bestselling author of Murder on the Down Low, In Firm Pursuit, Every Reasonable Doubt and the newly released Buying Time. The former journalist and Compton native is the fiction writing expert for BizyMoms.com and is on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.Pamela served as legal consultant to the Showtime television series Soul Food. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of writing and self-empowerment. View her books here: http://www.pamelasamuels-young.com

One Night with You by Francis Ray

2009-10-23T03:22:00.000-07:00

Enter Contest Here

National bestselling author Francis Ray is a native Texan and graduate of Texas Woman's University where she was twice nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award.

INCOGNITO, her 6th novel, was the first made-for-TV movie from BET. With the release of THE TURNING POINT, her first mainstream, she established The Turning Point Legal Fund to assist women of domestic violence. The fund is administered by The Family Place, a woman's shelter in Dallas.

Her writing awards include the EMMA, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, Atlantic Choice, Golden Pen as well as several awards from libraries and book clubs.

NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED, her 37th title, is the fourth book in the popular Invincible Women Series was released January 24, 2008 and made Border's and WalMart bestselling list. September 2008 saw the release of THE WAY YOU LOVE ME, Book One in her new Grayson Friends Series. In November UNTIL THERE WAS YOU, Book One, in the Graysons of New Mexico Series was reissued.

2009 promises to be a busy year for Ms. Ray. NOBODY BUT YOU, Book Two, in the Grayson Friends Series was released March 03, 2009 and went on make both the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists.. Her 40th book, AND MISTRESS MAKES THREE, Book Five in the Invincible Women Series, hit book shelves June 23, 2009. Closing out the year is ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, Book Three of the Grayson Friends Series.

Latest Release: One Night with You
November 03, 2009
Series: Grayson Friends Series
ISBN-13: 9780312365066
ISBN-10: 0312365063

Contest: Read the excerpt at the end of interview. Leave your email address and the names of the characters, from the excerpt, in the comments section below. A random drawing will be held on Nov. 27, 2009 and select 5 winners of a copy of One Night with You! Shelfari, Facebook, MySpace, BlackPlanet and Black Pearls readers are all welcome to participate. All the comments will be combined and the winners selected. You may email us for a list of winners as well: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Intimate Conversation with author Francis Ray and Ella Curry, EDC Creations

Ella: Tell us about your passion for writing.
Francis Ray: Although writing is a challenge, I'm almost compelled to. It's wonderful being able to tell a story of love and triumph where the good guys wins and the bad guys get theirs. I began writing many years ago because I didn't see people of color as main characters in literature. I wanted to change this. I had a wonderful father, a loving family, a great husband, but I didn't see "us" on the pages of books I was reading. I wanted to show the world that black people have honor, integrity, intelligence, and love in abundance.

After 40 plus books, I receive mail from all over the world. In reading my books people come to know and understand what motivates people of color and learn that we're no different that any one else. We love and want the best for our family and children.

Ella: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence-
Francis Ray: My writing offers the legacy to future readers to learn that, as a race, African-American have contributed much to society, and continue to do so. In my book they'll find strong family values and men who stand up for women, their family and their country.

Ella: Introduce us to your book One Night with You.
Francis Ray: ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, is Book # 3 in the Grayson Friends Series. Duncan McBride is a successful Montana rancher, who, after a disastrous marriage, stopped believing that there was a woman out there who could love him and his sprawling ranch past the first, hard winter with six feet of snow. When Raven LaBlanc, a stunning archaeologist, shows up at his ranch to authenticate primitive cave drawings on his property, Duncan wants her gone. He doesn't want to feel the attraction to a woman he knows has no intention of staying. As for Raven, her main reason in going to Duncan's ranch was coming one step closer to tenure at St. Johns' College in Santa Fe. She wants permanence in life. Her attraction to Duncan, a hard, but good man, is totally unexpected and unwanted.

Each has to learn to trust their heart and accept that there are honorable men and women in the world. It won't be easy, because both have been betrayed in the worst possible way. But as Duncan and Raven are thrown together more and more on the working ranch, they see the good in the other, and the faith that they had lost in the opposite sex begins to be rebuilt. But an unseen force is determined to keep them apart. Their fragile love will be tested to the limits.

Ella: Introduce us to your message and the main characters.
Francis Ray: I hope you'll enjoy ONE NIGHT WITH YOU. Duncan and Raven, two people who didn't expect love. They would like for you to know that, like them, love sometimes happens when you lease expect it. Always keep your heart open.

Ella: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book?
Francis Ray: In Montana, as in many states, there are fewer and fewer ranches. The land is being sold off to developers, the young people leaving for the city. In ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, Duncan is exactly where he wants to be. He resists selling one inch to a developer. The land is his legacy that he intends to leave to his niece or nephew since he never plans to marry. He is aware that his life is hard, the land unforgiving, that predators roam the land, but he relishes and looks forward each day to living in a country blessed by God.

Ella: How difficult was it to complete the novel?
Francis Ray: The book was very difficult to write, but it was also a pleasure. I had to do extensive research on ranching in Montana, the livestock, the land and predators. There was even the birth of a colt. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of writing the book was the authenticating of the primitive drawings on Duncan's ranch. I have a notebook of symbols, what they mean, how they were drawn and by whom. The Ancient Ones followed the water and mountain rims for food and game. They left behind an indelible print of their lives centuries before.

Series: Grayson Friends Series
ISBN-13: 9780312365066
ISBN-10: 0312365063
Pick up a copy at Amazon
Pick up a copy at Barnes and Noble

Connect with Francis Ray Online

Website: http://www.francisray.com/
Blogspot: http://www.francisrayblog.com/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/francisray
Fanclub: readersoffrancisray@yahoogroups.com

One Night with You by Francis Ray
Read the First Chapter Excerpt-List the Characters in the Comments Below.
New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray continues her captivating series about the Grayson family and their circle of friends with One Night With You, as two people with no plans for romance find themselves blindsided by desire…

THE THRILL OF THE CHASE
Cougars, brush fires, snow storms—rancher Duncan McBride tackles it all without a flinch. But the archeologist who’s come to authenticate cave drawings found on his property is the kind of trouble he’d sworn to avoid. Far from the aging academic he was expecting, Raven La Blanc is a stunning woman…and definitely not sticking around this small Montana town once her job is done.

THE PASSION OF A LIFETIME…
The primitive drawings at Duncan’s ranch are Raven’s ticket to the tenured position she’s worked so hard for back in Santa Fe. But there’s no denying the attraction between her and Duncan. Maybe, just this once, she can put her work aside and explore the depths of her own heart and soul? One night may be all it takes for Raven to really find what she’s looking for…

One Night with You by Francis Ray if you don't see the widget, click the link.

FB, Link to read full screen: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=13513498

All The Way by Kimberley White-New Release

2009-10-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

All The Way by Kimberley White-New Release

Introducing Award Winning Author… Kimberley White

Award-winning author Kimberley White resides in metropolitan Detroit. She’s a nurse practitioner currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She uses her twenty years of nursing experience to address topics such as domestic violence, hypertension and sexual harassment in an entertaining and informative manner. Ms. White speaks at writing conferences and has taught writing courses at several Michigan colleges.

Kimberley White resides in metropolitan Detroit where she is a nurse practitioner during the day and a writer of steamy romances at night. Visit her website at http://www.kwhitewrite.com/ Email: kwhite_writer@hotmail.com

Ms. White’s novels and awards include:
:: Sweet Tomorrows (Genesis Press, April 2001)
:: Dream Jobs To Go: Romance Writing (Intellectua ebooks, June 2001)
:: Lujon 1 (Best Black Women’s Erotica, Volume II. Cleis, February 2003)
:: Acquisitions (Genesis Press, May 2003)
:: Only In My Dreams (BET/Arabesque, May 2003)—Nominee, Best Romance of the Year
:: Tango (BET/Arabesque, November 2003)
:: Hard to Love (June 2004)
:: Forever After (BET/Arabesque, July 2004)—Winner, Steamiest Romance Book
:: Conquering Dr. Wexler’s Heart (Genesis Press, NOV 2004)
:: To Love A Ballantyne (BET/Arabesque, 2005)
:: Sweet Repercussions (BET/Arabesque, 2005)
:: You Never Know (BET/Kimani Press, 2006)
:: Ballantyne’s Destiny (BET/Kimani Press, 2006)
:: All the Way (Dafina, 2008)
:: I Need More (Dafina, 2009)

Community Discussion Questions
Please read Kimberley White's book excerpts and answer the following questions in this forum. Two commentors will be randomly selected to obtain a review copy of Kimberley White latest book. Leave your email addresses with comments here to enter drawing. All winners will be announced on the Black Pearls Magazine at Facebook on November 27, 2009, during Black Books Weekends with Ella.

1. Why are we willing to sacrifice what’s truly important in life—love, family, health & safety—for fame and money?

2. Role reversal: are men now marrying for money?

3. Are African-American men really portrayed badly in the literature?

4. Are female characters relatable? (Physically? Use of foul language and slang?)

5. Why would an author lose their voice in their own books?

Introduction to I Need More by Kimberley White
Preview Chapters from the book here.

She Has Everything She Wants. . .
Dr. Erika Johnson's life couldn't get any better. Her practice is flourishing and her hunk of a husband Brock can't keep his hands off her--until the day he suddenly leaves her without a word of explanation. Stunned, Erika has no choice but to cobble together a new life on her own. When she serves Brock with divorce papers, Erika is certain he'll sign them so they can both move on. But that's when the surprises really begin. . .

Except The Man She Loves...
Brock is sure he did the right thing. All he ever wanted was to bring joy into Erika's life, not pain and sorrow. But when rumors reach him that Erika is seeing another man, he's torn between what he thinks is right and what he feels is right. Despite everything, there's no denying the fierce attraction she and Brock have always shared is burning hotter than ever. And when Erika finally learns Brock's secret, they must decide if they will face the uncertain future together-or apart. . . ISBN-13: 9780758222107; ISBN 10: 0758222106 Buy the book, I Need More by Kimberley White, today!

Introduction to All The Way by Kimberley White
Read preview chapters here.
Romantic Suspense

As manager of the hot nightclub Skye, Payton Vaughn thinks she’s seen it all…until the night she witnesses a cold blooded murder. The police can’t protect her from a psychopathetic killer with sexually sadistic fantasies of how to keep her quiet, so she runs…All the Way…Into the arms of Adriano Norwood, a man who’s happy to see the story of his career wrapped in the perfectly angelic body of a woman he’ll soon want to protect with his own life. He’d sacrifice his happiness and let her go before he’ll put her in danger again…Unless they find a way to have it all. ISBN-10: 0758222106; ISBN-13: 978-0758222107 Buy the book, All The Way by Kimberley White, today!

ALL THE WAY Book Reviews
Romance In Color
Urban Reviews

Chapter 1- Carbon Copy by Azarel

2009-10-10T17:31:00.001-07:00

Read Excerpt of Chapter 1 Carbon Copy by Azarel

Book Tour: In The Land of Cotton

2009-10-09T19:23:00.001-07:00

In The Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
Have you ever wondered what were the children doing during the Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s? What were the people who weren't actively protesting or participating in racism doing? Author Martha A. Taylor recently published a book that answers these questions!

Martha tells her childhood story, in her book In The Land of Cotton, as a young white girl who has a memorable relationship with a spirit filled black family. Martha meets a very poor family, the Boyds, and her life changes as she falls in love with one of the young members of the Boyd family, Silas. The Boyd family is trapped in time; Martha comes from a middle-class white family who is not actively taking part in harassing black people. The story is spectacular and filled with historical revelations. For more details, read the material below to fully grasp the importance and relevance of this book, at this time. If you liked the movie and book, The Secret Life of Bees, you will truly love this new book!

Author Martha A. Taylor has published her first book! Let's give her a hand for stepping up to the plate and telling her story. She's one brave woman to have done all the things she reveals in her new book!

Intro: In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor

SLAVERY IS MORE THAN CHAINS AND SHACKLES
SLAVERY IS A STATE OF MIND

Immerse yourself in this highly anticipated political docu-drama set in the Deep South amidst the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement.

Martha was a young white girl living in the Deep South, inundated with the racist sentiments of the times. But Martha's natural curiosity and generous heart led her to question this racial divide. When she discovered a poor Negro family, the Boyds, living deep in the woods near her house, everyone's life changed forever. She meets Silas, a little black boy and falls in love. The Boyd family "adopts" her as one of their own and the saga begins....

Take the journey of a lifetime alongside Martha as she forges relationships that lead to self discovery and a clearer understanding of the world around her. In the Land of Cotton provides an outstanding snapshot of life in the South during those troubled times - a snapshot everyone should take a close look at, regardless of era or color. The year was 1956. (Book info: ISBN-10: 1432734717; ISBN-13: 978-1432734718)

Interview: In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/04/intimate-conversation-with-author.html

EDC Creations Sunday News Email Newsletters
18,000 Members: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?html=352823
2,654 Members: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?html=301498

Shop EDC Creations Bookstores
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20
http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

Buy the book today from Barnes and Noble

Buy the book today from Amazon Online

Join the In the Land of Cotton Book Tour

WEEK 1

Martha A. Taylor's Media Center

EDC Creations Media Group front page slideshow

EDC Virtual Tours Main Site

EDC Virtual Tours at MSN

Black Authors Network Radio

EDC Creations at MySpace

Black Pearls Magazine Home Page

Authors on Tour in Reading Room

African Americans on the Move Bookclubs

Guest Blogger with ASA - Authors Supporting Authors

Guest Blogger with Author Arlinda McGlothin

Barnes & Noble Book Clubs

Guest Blogger with Ty Moody Network

http://aakulturezone.com/
http://writtenvoicesblog.com/
http://writtenvoicespodcast.com/

AAMBC Showcase Radio Show
Host: Tamika Newhouse
Radio Show Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AAMBC

Urban Literary Review Radio Show
Host: Martin Pratt
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/urbanliteraryreview

Rachel Berry AKA Lady Serenity
Host: Rachel Berry
Website: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Lady-Serenity

Black Authors Network Talk Show
Host: Ella Curry
Website: www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network

WEEK 2

iZania Black Networking Community

Black Authors Network Blog

Authors on Tour in Reading Room

Sankofa Literary Review

Short Books Showcase

EDC Book Tours

Black History 365 Authors

SLS Bookclub Center

EDC Creations Twitter

SLS Paradigm Shift

EDC Creations at Library Thing

African/African American Literature

Romance - from historical to contemporary

Books By Us

WEEK 3

Black Authors Network at LinkedIn

Cover to Cover at LinkedIn

Authors of Fiction at LinkedIn

Goodreads at LinkedIn

Oprah's Book Club

ESSENCE Community

The Tyra Banks Show

Lipstick Alley

Sankofa Literary Society Bookclub at Vox

The Inklings at Vox

The Beautiful People at Vox

Verbal Penetrations at Vox

African American by Association

Monthly Book Club at Vox

Girl Talk at Vox

Mahogany Book Club at Vox

Moms Who Shop at Vox

WEEK 4
EDC at Black Planet

Black Planet AA Authors

Black Planet Book Club

I LOVE BOOKS - Book Club

BOOK LOVERS at Black Planet

BOOKS LOVER2 at Black Planet

BlackPlanet Book of the Month

Black Authors Network LinkedIn

Reader's Entertainment LinkedIn

EDC Creations at CafeMom.com

Mature African American Moms

African American Books Swapping

Authors' Den

African American Mommies

WEEK 5

Book Chat at Shelfari

SLS Book Club at Shelfari

African American Books

SistahFriend Book Club

Readers Of African-American Authors

African American Literature at Shelfari

B-more Readers with W.I.S.D.O.M

Books that work well for Reading Groups/Book Clubs

DIVAS OF LITERATURE

SORMAG BOOKS

Coast 2 Coast Readers

United Black Writers

WEEK 6

African American Literature at Yahoo

African American Literature Club

Black Book Lovers - A Club for Connoisseurs of Black Literature

The Black Bookshelf Book Club

African American Book Club & More

Ebony Authors & Readers

My Sistah's Keeper

PASSION 4READING

African-American Literary Network

Speak Sister at MySpace

Book Lovers Bookclub MySpace

Black Romance/Urban Bookclub

African American Intellectuals

African American Fiction at Myspace

Myspace Book Club

The People's Lounge

WEEK 7

TCP Color Page

Book Marketing Network

Black Authors On Fire

Nia Promotions Community

EDC Black Authors Network at FB

African Americans on the Move Book Club

The Writers & Readers Lounge

Reading is Sexy

Passion for Books at FB

Genre Book Club at FB

Girls Gone God!

Urban Reviews Facebook Group

UrbanWritten Coalition at FB

African American Authors

FB Bookclub

African American Relationships at FB

Black Author Showcase at FB

African American Authors (Book Club)

Young, Black, and Gifted Journalists!

Mothers of Wisdom

WEEK 8

MyBrothersKeeper.com

Crucial Diva

We Are One

Each-One-Teach-One

AfricanAmericans.NET

Chocolate Pages Network

Black Internet Marketers

Black In America.com

Black History.com

Black Authors Connect

Black Authors Network Connect.com

BlackWomenConnect.com

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Praise for In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor

Racism from the perspective of an innocent white girl who learns firsthand how absurd it is.
Book Review by cashbacher@yahoo.com (TOP 50 REVIEWER, Amazon)

The innocence of youth is a beautiful thing, it is refreshing to witness and gives the world so much, except when it is a young white girl being exposed to a poor black family in the southern United States in the 1950's. In that context, it could have meant the death of some of the participants.

Martha was a young white girl who bonded with her black maid when her parents were generally absent. Her natural curiosity and openness led her to an enclave of an extended black family living in primitive conditions. Martha was quickly "adopted" by the family, as they allowed her to be a part of their activities and she responded in kind. Martha's parents were racist and she maintained her relationship with the black group in secret for many years and even over great distances.

Martha also fell in love with Silas, first a playmate from the black family, then a companion and eventually a fiance. Silas was extremely intelligent and handsome and when he was old enough, he went off to school in Chicago and then joined the military, becoming a helicopter pilot flying rescue missions in Vietnam. Silas is seriously injured and Martha rushes to his bedside to take care of him.

One simple, yet significant scene is when a white soldier in the hospital wing with Silas objects to the black-white relationship. Another white soldier immediately responds, telling the white soldier, "That man saved my life, he can have whatever girlfriend he wants." The history of the civil rights movement, from the Rosa Parks refusal through the assassination of Martin Luther King is chronicled and placed in context.

Therefore, the story has two significant and complex tracks. The story of two people who grow to love each other within the bounds of a truly extended "family" and the broader context of the segregation of the south and how it was finally and thankfully forever broken. Given that the names of the title character and the author are identical, it seems clear that the book is an autobiography, which increases the power of the depiction of the events.

ISBN: 1432734717
ISBN-13: 9781432734718
Format: Paperback, 270pp
Buy the Book: Amazon

Journey To Surrender by Hazel Mills

2009-10-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about my second book, Journey To Surrender!

First, I want to thank all of you who purchased my award winning first book, Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion. It means a lot to me that you would spend your valuable time and hard earned money on something that I wrote. I can't put into words just how much that makes my heart sing.

I can't wait to introduce you all to Journey To Surrender, the novel.
Ahmad and Nikki Jacobs are the picture perfect couple. They began their love affair as college sweethearts. Now, they are married, live in the biggest and most beautiful home on their street, and drive the finest cars money can buy. Ahmad is the most successful attorney in the state and Nikki gave up her career as a teacher to become a stay at home mom; raising her daughters and lunching with her girlfriends several times a week.

But what appears to be picture perfect from the outside of this three- story brownstone is very different from the real drama that is happening on the inside.

Nikki's painful past and Ahmad's irresponsible behavior has led them down a road that takes many tragic turns. Shannon, Nikki's younger sister, has her own plans for Ahmad. Lies, deception and murder all take their toll on this already struggling marriage.

Can this couple get to a loving and trusting place in their relationship or has the collateral damage ruined it for life?

Meet the characters:

Nikki is the quintessential girl next door with brains, beauty and a big heart. She leaves Mobile, Alabama for college life far away from home on the campus of Georgetown University. But no matter how hard she tries, she can't get away from her painful past. Nikki wants to love and be loved but is afraid that if she lets anyone in, she'll be hurt again.

Ahmad has it going on at every level and has his pick of women. He is one of the rising basketball stars for the Georgetown Hoyas but his time on the court is cut short by an awful tragedy. Ahmad is a good guy who constantly makes irresponsible choices that at one point, almost cost him everything.

Shannon, Nikki's emotionally damaged younger sister, also moves to the nation's capital to further her education at nearby Howard University. Both sisters share the same twisted family secret but deal with it differently. Shannon is on a mission to get as much as she can, by any means necessary. Her destructive behavior leaves everyone in her path shell-shocked.

Capital BookFest 5th Anniversary

2009-09-17T05:25:00.000-07:00

5th Anniversary Capital BookFest
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Time: 10am-7pm EST

Location:
Boulevard at the Capital Centre
900 Capital Centre Boulevard, Largo 20774

Celebrating 5 Years of Strengthening Families through Reading

Event Description: Presented in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Bookfest features author readings, publishing workshops, poetry performances, children's storytelling, teen programs, and over 75 vendors. Free books to the first 1,000 people.

The authors talks include discussions with Nelson George, Tim Reid, Liza Mundy (Michelle Obama: Biography), Sonya Sones, Marita Golden, Lori Nelson, Ronald Cotton (Picking Cotton), Chef Gillian Clark, Sahar Simmons, Le Hinton, Victoria Christopher Murray, W. Ralph Eubanks, Lucille Clifton, Omar Tyree, Kimberly Seals Allers (The Mocha Moms Manual), Charisse Nunes (I am Barack Obama children’s book), and several teen authors.

This year, in response to President Barack Obama’s call to service, the Capital BookFest and the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services will team up to promote healthy homes for children in foster care. Meet Ella Curry of EDC Creations for live reader interviews! Visit http://www.capitalbookfest.org/ for a schedule of events. All ages welcome. Cost: FREE admission

Capital BookFest Founder
Kwame Alexander, a poet, publisher, playwright, producer, dynamic speaker, and performer, is the author of eight books -including the best-selling Do The Write Thing: 7 Steps to Publishing Success, Kupenda: Love Poems, Dancing Naked on the Floor: poems and essays, and The Way I Walk, a collection of young adult short stories.

He has conducted standing-room only publishing workshops, delivered awe-inspiring keynote speeches, and performed his cutting-edge brand of poetry to audiences at numerous conferences, colleges and venues throughout the world, including: Stratford-on-Avon, Brixton Town Hall, Oberlin College, UC Berkeley, Hampton University, Duke University, University of Maryland, America's Choice National Conference, Baltimore Writers Alliance, and the Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Conference.

Alexander has produced over two-hundred literary related special events, the most recent being the First Annual Capital BookFest, a major literary arts festival sponsored by The Washington Post, Chick-fil-A, and The Literacy Council of Prince George's County. Dubbed a "phenom" in the poetry world by The Charleston (SC) City Paper, Alexander has wowed audiences with his electric readings and performances at coffeehouses, theatres, and universities across the country and abroad. In 2002, 2004, and 2005 Alexander was selected as a special guest author for the Library of Congress Poets at Noon Series, and The Washington Post-Maryland Center for the Book Evening in The Stacks Gala.

The founder of two book publishing companies, BlackWords Press and Do The Write Thing , this publishing veteran of over fifteen years is responsible for some of the most progressive, original and exciting fiction and non-fiction on the shelves today. He has published over forty authors in different genres, including: M. Dion Thompson, former Baltimore Sun reporter and author of the critically-acclaimed historical novel Walk Like A Natural Man; Lalita Noronha, author of the short story collection, Where Monsoons Cry; and Michael Datcher, Today Show Book Club Awardee and editor of Tough Love: The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur . Kwame Alexander has served as a judge for several local and national literary awards, including the Georgia Writer's Awards, and the Washington, DC Parkmont Poetry Awards. Among his many board appointments are The CityLit Project, Baltimore's Artscape Festival, and the Hippodrome Arts & Education Committee. Alexander is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he studied under renowned poet Nikki Giovanni.

He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter, where he hosts a weekly radio program, Word of Mouth, and serves as poet-in-the-schools for Crossland High School/Prince George's County Schools. When not working on several new and exciting book and TV/film projects, he enjoys reading, writing, and a good game of chess.

Monique D. Mensah on Book Tour

2009-09-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Join the Party with Ella Curry and Author Monique D. Mensah as we celebrate the release of Who Is He To You!

EDC Creations and the Sankofa Literary Society announces the official virtual book tour of Monique D. Mensah, the award-winning author of the dramatic fiction, Who Is He To You. Come party with us September 1 to October 30, 2009.

Follow Monique D. Mensah on an interesting journey all over the Internet from the comfort of your home. Readers will be intrigued by the intelligent exploration of sensitive issues such as cutting, emotional abuse, depression, and drug-addiction. The first page is filled with intense emotion and a descriptive setting that pulls the reader right into the scene. This virtual book tour is brought to you by EDC Creations Media Group.

Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign
EDC Creations announces the launch of the 2009-2010 Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign, bringing readers and authors together to help improve literacy and change lives through the gift of books. A sincere thank you to all of our tour hosts, wonderful readers and book club members who continue to support us and our authors and business owners. During our travels, we meet so many wonderful people and we look forward to meeting more of you, and getting to know you and providing what you need to satisfy your literary appetite. If you have not done so already, please sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of new literary events and the latest book news, reviews and author tours. We select 4 newsletter subscribers each week to review newly released books for us. Sign up for our Sunday News Literary Email Newsletter here.

Prizes for Bloggers and Reviewers
We offer special gifts for those who support the authors during our Intimate Evening reading series on BAN Radio and to those who respond to the posts! To become eligible to win 1 of 5 copies of Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah, follow author Monique Mensah on her virtual tour and leave comments at the blog stops and interviews. The lucky winners will be announced on EDC Creations' Black Pearls magazine blog on November 7, 2009!

Join the Who Is He To You Book Release Celebration

If you would like to follow the Who Is He To You virtual book tour, visit the online media center frequently for the tour schedule. Meet Monique on the sites listed and add your comments or reviews. If you would like to host author Monique Mensah on your site, blog, radio show or magazine, please visit the online media center and select promotional material that will Give the Gift of Knowledge to your network.

Thank you all for Giving the Gift of Knowledge! Make sure to check out our bookshelves for gifts and books that change lives. Let's get this party started!

EDC Creations- Book Stores
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20
http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
Website: http://www.edc-creations.com

WHO IS HE TO YOU BOOK TOUR CELEBRATION

WEEK 1
Who Is He To You Book Launch Party
Listen to the exciting book release party with fans
Author: Monique Mensah
Book: Who Is He To You
Genre: Dramatic Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780578023489

Download a copy of the Who Is He To You Book Launch Party
Click here and save to your computer

Urban Literary Review Radio Show
Sept 11, 2009 @ 9p EST
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/urbanliteraryreview

Black Pearls Magzine Sistas Corner
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/sistacorner.htm

EDC Creations Media Launch
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/moniquemensah.htm

EDC Authors on Tour in Reading Room
Profiles listed for media and bookclubs
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/readingroom.html

EDC Creations 2009 Fall Authors on Tour
Eblast: http://tinyurl.com/fallauthorspart1

Sylvia Hubbard and Motown Writers- Each Monday in Sept.
http://motownwriters.blogspot.com
http://michiganliterarynetwork.com

Unika Molden The Unique Reviewer
http://www.theuniquereviewer.blogspot.com

AAMBC Book Tours Spotlight
http://www.aambcbooktours.blogspot.com

Create A Unique Xperience with Unika
http://createauniquexperience.blogspot.com/

WEEK 2
Intimate Evenings Reading Series

Audio Introduction Who Is He To You by Monique D. Mensah

Audio Excerpt Who Is He To You by Monique D. Mensah

Read an Excerpt of Who Is He to You by Monique D. Mensah
Read the excerpt

Monique D. Mensah - Book Tour Media Sheet
Read the media sheet here

EDC Creations Best Books Summer 2009
Check out the Top Books List

ASA - Authors Supporting Authors
http://asanetwork.blogspot.com

Arlinda McGlothin Spotlights Authors on Tour
http://www.lindarinsights.blogspot.com

Simply Said Reading Accessories
Read the feature

Erotic Expressions Blog
Read the feature

Intimate Conversation with Monique D. Mensah
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com

WEEK 3

Party with MySpace Fans
The Making of Who Is He To You by Monique D. Mensah

EDC Creations at MySpace
Read the feature

Sankofa Literary Society Authors Spotlight
Monique D. Mensah Journey to Publication

Black Authors Network at MySpace
Read the feature

Black Pearls eSpot Live Reading
Read the feature

BAN Community Blog

Read the feature

African American Book Club!
Read the feature

Readers of African American Books
Read the feature

Myspace Book Club
Read the feature

Black Fiction Writers Community
Read the feature

Book Lovers Book Club
Read the feature

The Readers Circle at Myspace
Read the feature

African American Fiction
Read the feature

Everything in Between Reading Group
Read the feature

Black People World Wide
Read the feature

SPEAK SISTER
Read the feature

WEEK 4
Party with Vox Fans
Articles by Monique D. Mensah

SLS Literary Society
Read the feature

The Inklings
Read the feature

The Thinking Woman
Read the feature

The Book Club at Vox
Read the feature

The Beautiful People

Read the feature

Verbal Penetrations
Read the feature

African American by Association
Read the feature

Monthly Book Club
Read the feature

Girl Talk

Read the feature

Be Your Own.Personal.Library
Read the feature

Mahogany Book Club
Read the feature

Moms Who Shop
Read the feature

WEEK 5
Party with the Connect Platform Fans
Inside Who Is He To You by Monique D. Mensah

Young, Black, and Gifted Journalists!
Read the feature

Mothers of Wisdom
Read the feature

My Brothers Keeper.com
Read the feature

Crucial Diva

Read the feature

We Are One

Read the feature

Each-One-Teach-One

Read the feature

African Americans.NET

Read the feature

Chocolate Pages Network

Read the feature

Black Internet Marketers
Read the feature

Black In America.com
Read the feature

Black Journeys.com
Read the feature

Black History.com
Read the feature

Black Authors Connect
Read the feature

Black Women Connect

Read the feature

DMV Black

Read the feature

WEEK 6
Entertainment for the Party Goers

Off the Pages Podcast
Website: http://www.offthepagespodcast.com
Call in number is (724) 444-7444-- Call ID: 60248
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 9:00 pm EST

Book Videos for Who Is He to You by Monique D. Mensah
Check out the trailer for Who Is He To You at Facebook
Check out the trailer for Who Is He To You at YouTube

Who Is He To You at iZania
Enter the community

Black Authors Network Blog
http://profilesinblack.blogspot.com/

SLS Paradigm Shift
Read the feature

Sankofa's Literary Review
Read the feature

Shortbook Showcase

Read the feature

EDC Creations Tours
Read the feature

WEEK 7
Party with Black Planet Fans
Excerpt Presentations

Amazon Readers 5-Star Reviews
Read the rave reviews

EDC Creations at BlackPlanet
http://www.blackplanet.com/EDC1Creations

BOOKS LOVERS
http://groups.blackplanet.com/BOOKSLOVER

Black Planet Book of the Month
http://groups.blackplanet.com/BookoftheMonth

Fabulous Black Woman
http://groups.blackplanet.com/fabulousblackwoman

Ghettostocracy
http://groups.blackplanet.com/Ghettostocracy

Black Planet Journalists
http://groups.blackplanet.com/BlackPlanetJournalists

African American Authors Pavilion
http://groups.blackplanet.com/aaauthors

Connect with Monique D. Mensah Online

Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah
Website: http://www.moniquedmensah.com/
Email: monique@moniquedmensah.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mdmensah
Fanclub: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=84945652309
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/monique-d-mensah/14/33/220
Blog at: http://moniquedmensah.wordpress.com/

Purchase Who Is He to You by Monique D. Mensah
Barnes and Noble or at Amazon

New Book Addresses Incest in Black Family

2009-09-12T06:17:00.000-07:00

Sankofa Literary Society Authors Spotlight
Monique D. Mensah Journey to Publication

Ella: Monique, tell us those Intimate Details about your book and the people within, Who Is He to You.
MDM: As the shattered lives of Simone, Ryan and Jessica collide, they find that they have one thing in common: they are all in a desperate fight to hang on to love that doesn’t love them back.

Simone, a beautiful 14-year-old girl, lies in her bed begging God to take her life. She says the same prayer every night, but mercilessly, He ignores her pleas. She believes that God left her on this earth to cope with incestuous rape the best way she knows how—through self-mutilation. Simone’s father loves her; he always has. But realizing that Simone processes something that no other woman has, he allows himself to fall in love with his own daughter. Simone’s family is one of affluence and prestige and she couldn’t live with herself if she tarnished that reputation and disappointed her mother’s high expectations. She doesn’t want her father to go to prison and she can’t tell her mother. Her father just needs help. Once he gets the help he needs, they can return to the happy and normal family they once were.

Ryan is falling fast into the cold and isolated world of depression. The only thing that keeps her dangling on to hope is her boyfriend, Anthony’s, empty promises of marriage. After two years, their relationship suddenly begins to unravel at an alarming rate. Ryan is clueless as to why their relationship has taken such a dramatic change for the worst, but refusing to be single and childless at mid-life, she is determined to make it work.

Jessica is a polished and refined wife of a high-powered attorney, but she has a hardcore interior. She grew up in a dilapidated trailer with an alcoholic and abusive mother who hated her because she was half-black. When she met her husband, Ross Anthony Pembroke, while dancing as a stripper at a bachelor party, she was convinced that he was her savior. He trained and molded her into a well-groomed trophy wife. But Jessica will never be good enough for him. Ross will never accept her as long as she doesn’t accept herself.

You and the readers will have to read the book to see how these storylines turn out!

Spread the word about Who Is He to You by Monique D. Mensah
Click on full screen button to preview and download

Author Monique Mensah Media Sheet -

Ella: What inspired you to write this novel?
MDM: I constantly have story ideas and characters flowing through my mind. A conversation I’ve overheard, a television show, or a news story may spark some ideas. Sometimes I pull from my own experiences or those of my friends. However, the concept of Who Is He To You emerged purely from my imagination.

I was prompted by a close friend to get started on my first novel and shortly after I came up with a broad, general idea. I knew that I wanted to defuse some stereotypes and keep the readers shocked and guessing. I wanted to write about things, other authors have yet to explore. The rest unfolded throughout the writing process.

Ella: What message(s) are you trying to convey to the readers?
MDM: When I started writing Who Is He To You, I did it with the sole intention to entertain. It wasn’t until after I completed the manuscript and read the story in its entirety did I recognize the underlying messages weaved throughout the plot. Women too often count on the men in their lives to validate or complete them. For Simone it was her father, Ryan’s boyfriend, and Jessica’s husband. Women have to learn to love themselves, recognize their self-worth and learn to be happy instead of expecting a man to fill the gaps in their lives.

Ella: What do you want the readers to feel when reading about the struggles of the three main characters?
MDM: It is my responsibility as the author to create a unique experience for my readers. When reading Who Is He To You, my readers should feel as if they are in the room with these characters, experiencing their stories first hand. I want the readers to feel Simone’s pain, desperation and uncertainty. They should empathize with Ryan’s frustration, and root for Jessica’s emergence into her identity. My goal is to have my readers identify a piece of themselves in one of the three main characters. That makes the story realistic and relatable.

Ella: Do you identify with any of the main characters? How so?
MDM: I definitely identify with Ryan the most. I have never had a drug-addiction, but I have experienced depression and the frustrations of dealing with an emotionally unhealthy relationship. Some of the situations Ryan endures in the novel were inspired by my own experiences. I tried to exert feelings I had at those times into Ryan’s character in order to make her more real and relatable.

Ella: How would you describe your writing style?
MDM: My writing style is very descriptive. I like to set the scene and vividly illustrate the emotions and feelings of the characters as they experience each situation. I am also a bold writer; writing about real situations and making my characters come to life with thoughts and actions that depict real life. I am not afraid to write about the ugly truths of reality like the mixed emotions Simone had about her relationship with her father. I stay away from the simplicity of stating the obvious in my writing. I want to broaden my readers’ minds and give them insight into some things they have not otherwise thought about.

Ella: What differentiates you and your novel from other novels in your genre?
MDM: Who Is He To You is edgy and unpredictable. The characters are flawed, complicated, and multi-dimensional. Each chapter is filled with dramatic, descriptive scenes that pull the reader right into the story. Who Is He To You is an intense experience with real depictions of character reactions, emotions, and life situations. The novel gives an intelligent exploration of the infrequently discussed issues of incest, self-injury, and depression in the African-American community. It also breaks down and dispels some stereotypes and opens the readers eyes to fresh, new perspectives.

Ella: What is your writing process?
MDM: I have a freestyle method of writing. I don’t create outlines for the story or characters. I start with a general idea, and then I begin to type. I allow the characters to take on lives of their own and guide me through to the end. Although I find it difficult to stick to structure, I try to commit to writing at least an hour a day. If during that time, I am unable to come up with actual material, I will spend that time thinking of how to further the story or alter what I’ve already written. I need complete silence when writing because I tend to be distracted easily. I usually write at home, in the evenings after my daughter has fallen asleep. I completed Who Is He To You in nine months by committing to that schedule.

Ella: What can readers expect from you in the future?
MDM: My readers can expect more dramatic, intense novels filled with literary adrenaline. I will always provide original plots, real dialogue, and believable characters. I like to read the kind of books that make me want to flip back to the beginning after reaching the end. I hope to provide that same type of experience for my readers. My novels will evoke strong emotion and audible reactions. Overall, my readers can expect a unique experience.

Ella: What advice would you give aspiring authors following in your footsteps?
MDM: I would advise aspiring authors to find your own writing style, perfect it, and stick to it. Don’t compare yourself to other established authors. Don’t try to write like your favorite author. Write in a way that identifies you as an individual and differentiates you from everyone else. In addition to writing, I read a lot of novels. Often after reading a book by one of my favorite authors, I would immediately begin to feel insecure about my own writing because I did not write like him or her. I had to learn to be confident in my writing and secure in my talent. You don’t want to be just like someone else. You want to stand out and be different.

Ella: What are your long-term writing plans and goals?
MDM: Just about every writer wants to make it to the bestseller list and I am no different. I want to be able to reach a wide range of readers and make my mark on the literary world. I am currently working on my second novel and I plan to keep going from there, making a successful career for myself as an author. My ultimate goal is to earn the privilege of being a full-time author. I look forward to the days when I will make a living from my passion.

Book: Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah
Website: http://www.moniquedmensah.com
Buy the book from Barnes and Noble
Buy the book from Amazon.com

Shop for great books at EDC Creations Bookstores:
> http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20
> http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

Murder on the Down Low Tour

2009-09-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Join Pamela Samuels Young on a virtual tour…

EDC Creations and the Sankofa Literary Society announces the official virtual book tour of Pamela Samuels Young, the critically-acclaimed author of In Firm Pursuit, Every Reasonable Doubt, Murder on the Down Low and the upcoming anticipated thriller, Buying Time. From September 1 to October 30, 2009, follow Pamela on an interesting journey all over the Internet from the comfort of your home. This virtual book tour is brought to you by EDC Creations Media Group. To learn more about Pamela’s virtual tour, visit her online media center.

Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign

EDC Creations announces the launch of the 2009-2010 Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign, bringing readers and authors together to help improve literacy and change lives through the gift of books. Explore our tour to meet authors on book tours and our virtual tour partners as well. Share with us all of your favorite books, poetry, plays and offer the authors some insider information. If you would like to become one of our virtual tour partners, feel free to mail the founder, Ella Curry, with your request. Email Ella at: elladcurry@edc-creations.com

A sincere thank you to all of our wonderful tour hosts, readers and book club members who continue to support us and our authors and business owners. During our travels, we meet so many wonderful people and we look forward to meeting more of you, getting to know you and providing what you need to satisfy your literary appetite.

If you have not done so already, please sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of new literary events and the latest book news, reviews and author tours. We select 4 newsletter subscribers each week to review newly released books for us. Register here for the Sunday News from EDC Creations Media Group.

Prizes for Bloggers and Reviewers
We offer special gifts for those who support the authors during our Intimate Evening reading series and to those who respond to the posts! To become eligible to win 1 of 5 copies of Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young, follow Pamela on her virtual tour and leave comments at the blog stops and interviews. The lucky winners will be announced on EDC Creations' Black Pearls Magazine blog on November 7, 2009!

How to join the Murder on the Down Low Tour
If you would like to follow Pamela Samuels Young's, Murder on the Down Low virtual book tour, visit her online media center frequently at for the tour schedule. Meet her on the sites listed and add your comments or reviews.

If you would like to host author Pamela Samuels Young on your site, blog, radio show or magazine, please visit her online media center and select promotional material that will Give the Gift of Knowledge to your network.

Thank you all for Giving the Gift of Knowledge! Make sure to check out our bookshelves for gifts and books that change lives!

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations

EDC Creations- Book Stores
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20
http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

Pamela Samuels Young's Schedule

Audio Presentations

Radio Interviews

Murder on the Down Low Book Launch Party
Author: Pamela Samuels Young
Black Authors Network Radio Show

Urban Literary Review Radio Show
Sept. 11, 2009 at 9:00pm EST
Call in number is (347) 215-8932
Host Martin Pratt

AAMBC Showcase Radio Show
Sept. 17, 2009 at 7:00pm CST
Call in number: (646) 716-4093
Host: Tamika Newhouse

Off the Pages podcast at TalkShoe
Oct. 7, 2009 at 9:00 pm EST
Call in number: (724)444-7444- Call ID:60248
Host: LaTricia Smith

Intimate Evening Reading Series

Murder on the Down Low Introduction
Pamela shares the plot of MODL

Pamela Samuels Young, Chapter 8, Murder on the Down Low
"Meet Auntie Pearl Washington from Murder on the Down Low"

Pamela Samuels Young, Chapter 2, Murder on the Down Low
"Meet Special from Murder on the Down Low"

Week 1 Meet the Author

EDC Creations Media Launch
Announcing Murder on the Down Low to Bookclubs

EDC Creations Best Books Summer 2009
Top books reviewed by EDC Creations review team

Black Pearls Magazine Online
September Issue-Legends and Leaders

Black Pearls Magazine Blog
Audio Preview and Reading of Murder on the Down Low

Authors on Tour Reading Room
Bookclub suggested reading material

Sweet Soul Sisters Bookclub
Facebook Notes and Links

Author Arlinda McGlothin Spotlights
http://www.lindarinsights.blogspot.com

Unika Molden The Unique Reviewer
http://www.theuniquereviewer.blogspot.com

AAMBC Book Tours Spotlight
http://www.aambcbooktours.blogspot.com

Create A Unique Xperience with Unika
http://createauniquexperience.blogspot.com

Motown Writers Network
http://motownwriters.com

Michigan Murder and Mayhem
http://michiganmurderandmayhem.com

Black Authors Network Community
Book Launch Party on BAN Radio

The International Book Club Guild
http://slsbookclubcenter.ning.com

Black History 365 Network
http://blackhistory365.ning.com

EDC Creations 2009 Fall Authors on Tour
Eblast: http://tinyurl.com/fallauthorspart1
Purchase books: http://tinyurl.com/supportfalltour

Week 2 Live Your Dreams

EDC Creations Facebook Notes
Murder on Down Low Intro

Black Authors Network at Facebook
Murder on Down Low Interview

Black Business Women Online
Meet the community

Momlogic Community
Meet the community

"Write It Down"-A Website for Writers
Meet the community

Published Authors Network
Meet the community

Reader's Entertainment
Meet the community

The Write Group
Meet the community

Chocolate Pages Network
Meet the community

Suspense and Thrillers at Shelfari
Meet the community

Week 3 Community AIDS/HIV Awareness

Sankofa Literary Society
Meet the community

Black Enterprise at LinkedIn
Meet the community

Black Authors Network at LinkedIn
Meet the community

African American Female Leaders
Meet the community

WomenSuite at LinkedIn
Meet the community

Authors of Fiction at LinkedIn
Meet the community

Black Enterprise Networked
Meet the community

The Inklings
http://theinklings.groups.vox.com

The Beautiful People
http://hot.groups.vox.com

Verbal Penetrations
http://verbalpenetrations.groups.vox.com

African American by Association
http://africanamerican.groups.vox.com

Monthly Book Club at Vox
http://monthlybookclub.groups.vox.com

Girl Talk at Vox
http://chic.groups.vox.com

BeYourOwn.Personal.Library
http://byopl.groups.vox.com

Mahogany Book Club at Vox
http://mahoganybookclub.groups.vox.com

Moms Who Shop at Vox
http://shoppingmoms.groups.vox.com

Week 4 Make Your Dreams Happen

Book Blogs
Meet the community

Tyra Show Community
Meet the community

ESSENCE.com
Meet the community

Black Book Clubs
Meet the community

Suspense/Thriller Writers on FB
Meet the community

Writers and Readers Unite
Meet the community

The Professional Black Woman
Meet the community

Working Mother Magazine
Meet the community

The Thinking Woman
http://thinkingwoman.groups.vox.com

The Book Club at Vox
http://bookclub.groups.vox.com

Social Media Group at Vox
http://socialmedia.groups.vox.com

Week 5 The Making of Murder on the Down Low

EDC Creations Bulletin for Murder on the Down Low
Meet the Myspace community

EDC Creations Myspace
Read the blog

Writing and Poetry Exposed
Meet the community
http://groups.myspace.com/writingandpoetry

Myspace Book Club
Meet the community
http://groups.myspace.com/MyspaceBookClub

African American Intellectuals
Meet the community
http://groups.myspace.com/AfricanAmericansIntellectuals

Book Lovers Book Club
Meet the community
http://groups.myspace.com/ddouglasbookclub

Black Book Love
Meet the community
http://groups.myspace.com/Blackbooklove

Week 6 Celebrating with Facebook Groups

Reading is Sexy
Meet the community

Beautiful Black Women
Meet the community

Passion for Books
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African American Fiction Book Club
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Books by Black Authors
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African American Literture Society (AALS)
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Week 7 Celebrating with Shelfari Groups

Sankofa Literary Society Book Club
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Readers Of African-American Authors
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Real Divas of Literature
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Mahogany Book Club
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African American Books
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Suspense and Thrillers at Shelfari
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SistahFriend Book Club
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Book Chat at Shelfari
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Week 8 Celebrating with Book Lovers and Authors

Genre Book Club
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African Americans on the Move Book Club
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Lovers of Books by Black Authors
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Aspiring Black Authors
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FB AA BOOK CLUB
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African American Relationships
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Reading Divas at FB
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Contact Pamela

Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and author of the legal thrillers, Murder on the Down Low, Every Reasonable Doubt, In Firm Pursuit and Buying Time. You can find Pamela’s articles on writing at BizyMoms.com, where she is a featured fiction writing expert. Author Pamela Samuels Young is available for literary events, speaking engagements, tele-conferences, bookclub chats and interviews.

Submit all requests at: http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com
Author Website: http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com
Author Email address: author@pamelasamuelsyoung.com

To host author Pamela Samuels Young on your site, blog, radio show or magazine, please visit her online media center and select promotional material to that will Give the Gift of Knowledge to your network. After posting, please email Pamela with the links.
Enter here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/pamelasyoung.htm

Sankofa Literary Watch 09

2009-07-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

Sankofa Literary Watch Summer 2009
Website: http://blacklitmedia.wordpress.com

The Sankofa Literary Society Review is focused on the issues and lifestyles that define the avid American Reader -- what they read, what they want out of their careers, how they connect to each other, what motivates them and how they feel about the community as a whole.

Many have stated that "there is no African American village...it's dead," we don't feel that way. The Village is here, the village in now! Expand your horizons!
Join us today to add your voice and experiences to our union. While showcasing our heritage, our experiences and delivering our voice--we remain anchored to the spiritual, emotional and practical realities of our entire global community, supporting all races. We are not limited solely to AA authors; we hope to educate our readers by offering a variety of literature and resources. We are offering you the best in literature period, from our perspective. Come on in and join this movement to Give the Gift of Knowledge!

Listed below are some of the best community forums, blogs and websites representing the literary world and the arts. Please take your time and expand your reading territory by saluting the literary greats and leaders listed below. This list is not in any certain order of importance, all the sites listed below are 5 stars! If you are on the list below, please tell us your latest news. Make sure you tell any of your friends if they are listed too. We will post new lists every 3 months.

Best New Book Covers
01. The Birthday Storm (Sassy) by Sharon Draper
02. The Listeners by Gloria Whelan
03. In the Land of Cotton by Martha Taylor
04. America I AM Legends by Smiley Books
05. Prize of a Lifetime by Donna Hill
06. Snapped: A Novel by Tracy Brown
07. Another Memory by Pamela Ridley
08. Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad by Clarence Nero
09. Kissing The Man Next Door by Devon Vaughn Archer
10. Hideaway (Jammed Up) by Stirling Noh

Books to Watch
01. Raising African American Girls by Linda Ellis Eastman
02. Junebug by Alice Mead
03. November Blues by Sharon M. Draper
04. Coming Across Jordan by Mabel Elizabeth Singletary
05. Naughty 2 by Brenda Hampton
06. Holy Seduction by Jessica A. Robinson
07. Somebody's Sinning in My Bed by Pat G'Orge-Walker
08. A New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin
09. Lovers & Liars by Teri Denine
10. Unsigned Hype: A Novel by Booker T. Mattison

Authors You Should Know
01. Anthony Asadullah Samad
02. Bernice L. McFadden
03. Candice Poarch
04. Angela Nissel
05. Angie L. Jennings
06. Nikki Jenkins
07. Christine Pembleton
08. Jacquelin Thomas
09. Sherri Lewis
10. Hank Stewart
11. Rochelle Alers
12. Rachel Kramer Bussel
13. Marie Mutsuki Mockett
14. K'wan
15. Gail McFarland
16. Stacey Covington-Lee
17. Diane Martin
18. Lisa G. Riley
19. Valerie Joyner
20. Bette Ford

Best Author Websites
01. James McBride '
02. Miasha
03. Hank Stewart
04. Noel Jones
05. Tomi Akinyanmi
06. Lamar Ariel
07. Omarosa
08. Wahida Clark
09. Donna Hill Fanclub
10. Pamela Samuels Young

Best Social Networks
01. Sistah Faith
02. SORMAG
03. APOOO
04. The GOOD GIRL Book Club™
05. ISeeColor
06. Essence Community
07. Tyra Banks Community
08. Shepreneur
09. Black History 365 Network
10. Real Urban Fans

Best Amazon Reviewers and Listmania Creators
01. Sistagirl
02. Urban-Reviews.com
03. Sistahs on the Shelf
04. ABookGroupie
05. Cydney Rax
06. PrinceLuva
07. Urban Fiction Queen
08. RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
09. Yasmin Coleman
10. OOSA Online Book Club
*** Note: EDC Creations CEO Listmanias

Top EDC Creations Networks
Sankofa Literary Society Bookclub
01. EDC Creations Billboard
02. Black Authors Network
03. EDC Creations Sunday News
04. Ella at Twitter
05. Ella at BlackPlanet
06. Black Authors on Facebook
07. SLS Bookclub Center
08. EDC Creations Bookstore
09. Ella at Myspace
10. Ella at LinkedIn

Literary Blogs to Watch
01. The Crime Sistahs
02. The Book Slut
03. Black Book Blog
04. Tayari's Blog
05. Profiles in Black (BAN)
06. The Lo Zone
07. Cortney Gee
08. Chocolate City Blog
09. Black Voices Blogs
10. Kaye's Book Blog

Bookclubs and Reader's Groups to Watch
01. African American Book Clubs
02. Divas Inc.
03. OOSA Online Book Club
04. DrumBeats Book Club
05. Book-Clubs-Resource.com
06. Forbidden Fruit Book Club
07. Books of Soul
08. Books And Beignets
09. Sankofa Literary Review
10. Sistahs on the Shelf

Best Online Magazines
01. BlackExpressions.com
02. Black Singles Magazine
03. Black Pearls Magazine
04. Faithwebbin Online Magazine
05. Affair de Coeur Magazine
06. Emerging Minds, Inc
07. Black Wealth and Fortune Magazine
08. Words without Borders
09. Faith Filled Stilettos
10. Chocolate Singles Magazine
***Note: EDC Literary Magazine

Best MySpace, Twitter and Facebook Sites
01. Azarel and Life Changing Books
02. LifeCoach2Women
03. Joey Pinkney
04. Sassy Stilettos
05. Tweet Bookclub
06. FB African American Books
07. FB African American Authors
08. FB African American Fiction
09. Peace In Pages
10. Dynah Zale

Best Community, Family or Literary Forum
01. Raising Him Alone
02. Commute Reading Co-ed Book Club
03. Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program
04. FB African American History
05. Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation
06. Open Society Institute
07. A New Conversation with Men
08. Daughter, Sister, Friend
09. ESpiritE Radio Broadcasters Network
10. Kenneth E. Pollock

Best Literary Resource Site
01. Publishers Marketplace
02. Hurston/Wright Foundation
03. Urban Reviews
04. Romance in Color
05. Black Writers On Tour
06. BookTalk.org
07. Book Reporter
08. Reader to Reader
09. Black Writers On Tour
10. Book-Remarks.com

Enjoy and tell at least 10 people about this wonderful list of leaders!

Ella Curry, founder of the Sankofa Literary Society
EDC Creations Website: http://www.edc-creations.com/
Email me at: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Carleen Brice reads live from Children of the Waters

2009-06-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

Join Black Authors Network host Ella Curry and author Carleen Brice on BAN Radio, June 20 for lively discussion about her new book Children of the Waters.

Black Authors Network Talk Show
Saturday Night, June 20, 2009 at 8-10pm EST
Live Chat: www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network
Fans call into at: (646) 200-0402
Gifts given out to live callers and registered BTR chatters.

Book Discussion and Live Reading from Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice

The author of the #1 Denver Post bestseller and Essence Book Club Pick Orange Mint and Honey explores the connection between love and race, and what it really means to be a family. Children of the Waters (ISBN: 978-0345499073) is a story about two long lost half-sisters, one white and one black, who find each other possibly with the help of their grandmother’s ghost.

Book Introduction

Trish Taylor’s white ancestry never got in the way of her love for her black ex-husband, or their mixed race son, Will. But when Trish’s marriage ends, she returns to her family’s Denver, Colorado home to find a sense of identity and connect to her past.

What she finds there shocks her to the very core: her mother and newborn sister were not killed in a car crash as she was told. In fact, her baby sister, Billie Cousins, is now a grown woman; her grandparents had put her up for adoption, unwilling to raise the child of a black man. Billie, who had no idea she was adopted, wants nothing to do with Trish until a tragedy in Billie’s own family forces her to lean on her surprisingly supportive and sympathetic sister.

Together they unravel age-old layers of secrets and resentments and navigate a path toward love, healing, and true reconciliation.

What are some of the topics addressed in Children of the Waters?
--- Paths toward love, healing, and true reconciliation
--- Feeling secure in your own identity
--- Surviving a messy divorce
--- Raising teenage sons
--- Generational racism
--- Handling of Lupus
--- Hidden secrets and adoption
--- Embracing a bi-racial heritage
--- The importance of sisterhood

"In Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice highlights the effects of America's complicated relationship with race and identity on three generations of two families in a clear and insightful depiction of what it means to be American at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Brice knows how far we have come and how far there is left to go, and in Children of the Waters she deflty lays it all out for the reader to see." - Matthew Aaron Goodman, author of Hold Love Strong

More about Carleen
Carleen Brice’s debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey (One World/Ballantine), was an Essence “Recommended Read” and a Target “Bookmarked Breakout Book.” For this book, she won the 2009 First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the 2008 Break Out Author Award at the African American Literary Awards Show. Her second novel, Children of the Waters (One World/Ballantine), a book about race, love and family, is available now where ever books are sold. If you don't see it at your local retailer, please go to the representive and request it. You can read an excerpt at her website http://www.carleenbrice.com/.

She also edited and contributed to the anthology Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number: Black Women Explore Midlife, which was published in the U.S. (Beacon Press) and the U.K. (Souvenir Press). She is author of Lead Me Home: An African American’s Guide Through the Grief Journey (Avon/HarperCollins). Her book Walk Tall: Affirmations for People of Color, an Essence bestseller, was in print with traditional publishers for 10 years and sold 100,000 copies. It is currently available through iUniverse and Louis Gossett Jr.'s Eracism Foundation. Carleen and her husband live in Colorado.

Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice
ISBN: 0345499077
ISBN-13: 9780345499073
Pub. Date: June 23, 2009

Shop for the book at Barnes and Noble

Shop for the book at Amazon.com

EDC Creations 2009 Best Books, First Quarter

2009-06-15T02:49:00.000-07:00

EDC Creations 2009 First Quarter Literary Hallmarks

Ella Curry and EDC Creations are proud to announce the books that created an impact, for readers and the EDC Creations network. Our “literary hallmarks” indicate excellence in writing and storytelling. These are the books we want to feature to the world. Each year thousands of people — educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors, poets and publishers — devote their time and resources to presenting the reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not get the attention and reader support that they deserve, they float just under the radar. It is our mission to connect readers with these hidden gems and bring them books that will change their lives.

Readers please take a moment and examine the list below. There is something for most book lovers! The books ARE NOT listed in any order pertaining to the quality of the literature—they are ALL 4-5 star literary gems. Each book on this list will bring something of value to enrich the lives of the readers, make you sit up and take notice, and to help to strengthen our future generations. If you are a fan of Erotica or Urban Literature, there is a list for you. If you are more in tune with books of a Spiritual or Motivational nature, there is a list for you. Christian Fiction lovers, we have books listed that you are sure to love. Like to live life on the edge and walk on the dark, mysterious side—we have a selection for you too. We have a special section for books that share in the African American experience, in a fictional setting, be sure to check the out.

We have reviewed all of the books below and these are just a few of the magnificent books we love. Keep in mind we reviewed some of these books for the publishers and they might be on pre-order status. Other lists will be posted of our fantastic literary finds. You are invited to explore the shelves of our book store where most of the books are listed: http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20. Enjoy!

Authors, if you see your book listed, please leave a comment with your website address, book seller links and any news about you and your books! Ask your network to stop by and share their reviews of your books too. Make sure you tell your friends if you see their names listed. Follow this blog on the right hand side of the site, to keep up with the comments.

Books Change Lives—Young Adults/Our Experiences
Young Readers and Teen Literature
1. Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul by Jack Canfield
2. Love, Ocean by Celia Anderson
3. Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison
4. Step To This: So For Real Series by Nikki Carter
5. Prayers That Avail Much for Teens by Germaine Copeland
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls by Donna Dale Carnegie
7. Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
8. Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
9. Learning to Love by Stephanie Perry Moore
10. Friends 'til the End by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
11. The Black Male Handbook by Kevin Powell, Hill
12. Letters to a Young Sister by Hill Harper
13. That Life by A.R Hilton
14. Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens by Marvin A. McMickle
15. Catwalk by Deborah Gregory

On the Shoulders of Giants —Faith Based Books
1. Somebody's Sinning in My Bed by Pat G'Orge Walker
2. Practicing What You Preach by Vanessa Davis Griggs
3. Any Minute: A Novel by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford
4. Guilty of Love by Pat Simmons
5. Somewhat Saved by Pat G'Orge Walker
6. Lady Jasmine by Victoria Christopher Murray
7. Heaven Right Here by Lutishia Lovely
8. Up at the College by Michele Andea Brown
9. The Enclave by Karen Hancock
10. Take Two by Karen Kingsbury
11. Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward
12. I Know Why The Angels Dance by Bryan Davis
13. Deliver Me From My Enemies by Sharon Oliver
14. Beautiful Ugly by Shelia E. Lipsey
15. The Last Woman Standing by Tia McCollors
16. The Devil Is a Lie by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
17. Keep Your Enemies Closer by Sharon Oliver
18. Mom's the Word by Marilynn Griffith
19. God is in Love With You by Valerie Love
20. The List by Sherri Lewis
21. June Bug by Chris Fabry
22. Behind the Seen! by Phyllis Kennedy Brown
23. Reflections of a Quiet Storm by Patricia A. Bridewell
24. Ashes, Ashes They All Fall Down by Anita Ballard Jones
25. Inherited Sin by Wanda Manning
26. Menu for Romance by Kaye Dacus
27. Little Pages of Love by Edward C. Clark
28. Worth a Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams
29. Journey to Jordan by Donna Deloney
30. The Word: Poetry Connection by Arnita L. Fields
31. Trouble in My Way by Michelle Stimpson
32. The Cooling Board by Tamara Angela Grant
33. Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin
34. Half Minister/Half Mistress by Nicole Morgan
35. The Friends We Keep: How Women Navigate the Delights and Wounds of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis

Our Literary Legacy —Historical Based Ficton/Historical Black Ficton
1. A Song for Harlem by Patricia C. McKissack
2. In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
3. What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy
4. A Worthy Legacy by Tomi Akinyanmi

Our Literary Legacy —Non-fiction/Motivational/Poetry Books
1. Women of A New Tribe from Jerry Taliaferro
2. Grandpa Does Grandma: The ABCs of Senior Sex by Phil Parker
3. From Incarceration 2 Incorporation by J.M. Benjamin & Randy Kearse
4. Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom by Cornel West
5. Almost Persuaded, Now to Believe by Joshua McClure
6. America I am Legends by Smiley Books
7. Family Affair by Gil L. Robertson, IV
8. No Matter What by Lisa Nichols
9. Raising Boys to be Like Jesus by Sharon Norris Elliott
10. Ministry of Motherhood by Cheryl Lacy Donovan
11. Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert
12. Content...Right Where I Am by Joy Turner
13. Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend by Bill Russell
14. Remember What Your Mamas Taught You by Brenda Hill
15. The Only Way Out is In by Daya Devi-Doolin
16. What's It All About Nesheba? by Nesheba
17. Living Check to Monday by Lynn Richardson
18. Empowered to Birth Naturally by Patrice A. London
19. J.D.'s Groove by poet John D. Evans
20. From the Land of the Lost by poet Eric Vance Walton
21. Beautiful: Nudes by Marc Baptiste
22. Metu Neter Vol. 3 by Ra Un Nefer Amen
23. Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration by Ben Arogundade
24. 10 Bad Choices That Ruin Black Women's Lives by Grace Cornish
25. Blessed Assurance: Success Despite the Odds by Jacquie Lewis-Kemp
26. Wisdom for Women of Worth and Worship by Natalie A. Francisco, ED.D
27. If God Does Not Permit A Woman to Preach, Then God Must Be a Sexist by Min. Lamont McLaurin
28. How to be Highly Favored and Empowered to Prosper in Your Job Search by Kimberly A. Benjamin, PHR
29. Stolen Women: Reclaiming Our Sexuality, Taking Back Our Lives by Gail Wyatt
30. Why Men Marry Bitches: A Woman's Guide to Winning Her Man's Heart by Sherry Argov

Living on the Edge— Thrillers/Mystery/Fantasy Books
1. Deadly Intent by Lynda LaPlante
2. Immortal I and II by Valjeanne Jeffers
3. The Defector by Daniel Silva
4. The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
5. Swimsuit by James Patterson
6. Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
7. The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
8. Who's Been Sleeping in Your Head by Brett Kahr
9. The Thirteenth by L. A. Banks
10. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian
11. Soul Deep by Lora Leigh

Our Passions— Mixed Genre Fiction/ Erotica/Urban Literature
1. Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice
2. Life is Short But Wide by J. California Cooper
3. Chaser by Miasha
4. Alibi by Terri Woods
5. And Mistress Makes Three by Frances Ray
1. Single Husband by HoneyB
2. Lies of Blue by Lynne Forde
3. A Lova' Like No Otha' by Stephanie Perry Moore
4. Reality Check by Eric Pete
5. Temptation and Lies by Donna Hill
6. A New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin
7. Quieting the Storm by Shelley Parsons
8. Private Lives by Gwynne Forster
9. B as in Beauty by Alberto Ferreras
10. Thug Lovin' (Thug 4) by Wahida Clark
11. His Invisible Wife by Shelia M. Goss
12. Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López
13. Body By Night by Zuri Day
14. A Private Affair by Donna Hill
15. Sisters & Husbands by Connie Briscoe
16. Maneater by Mary B. Morrison
17. Nothing but Trouble by Bettye Griffin
18. Bliss Inc. by Chamein Canton
19. The Highest Price for Passion by Laurinda D. Brown
20. Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies by Trice Hickman
21. Song of the Siren by Avah LaReaux
22. In Her Mind by Renee Daniel Flagler
23. Loving Simone by Jessica Tilles
24. Unexpected by Tinisha Nicole Johnson
25. Carbon Copy by Azarel
26. When Life Becomes a Love Story by Sonia Matthews
27. How I Made the Angels Cry by Meleisa Betts
28. That Devil's No Friend of Mine by J. D. Mason
29. Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young
30. Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas
31. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Tracy Darity
32. Keith's Story by Nikkea Smithers
33. Attitudes of a Woman by Nikkea Lewis
34. Serving Justice by Jacqueline D. Moore
35. Are You Satisfied Yet by M Bridges
36. Turned On: Summer Series by Angel Hunter
37. The Georgia Avenue Bus by Henri Edmonds
38. Sweet Destiny by Bernadette Watkins
39. Reality Check: Stepmother Chronicles by Anjalon D. Edwards
40. Make Me Whole by Roishina Clay Henderson
41. When Lightning Strikes by Keya
42. Good Girl Gone Bad by Danette Majette
43. Ready to Male by Lamar Ariel
44. Hiding in the Shadows by Claudia Brown Mosley
45. What Doesn't Kill You: A Novel by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
46. Intimate Accusations by Nyra Knight

Authors, if you see your book listed, please leave a comment with your website address, book seller links and any news about you and your books! Ask your network to stop by and share their reviews of your books. We would like to have you all on the BAN Radio Show, so leave your contact information in the comments for Ella Curry and her interns. Email: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Readers, if you have read any of the books listed, please share your reviews. If you would like for any of these authors to speak with your friends or book clubs, please leave your request and email address in our comments section. We will try to pass them on to the publicists or the authors. Request the authors for a phone chat and live reading with you and 10 friends: Email: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
http://www.edc-creations.com/

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

Shop at our Book Store

http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20

When Lightning Strikes by Keya

2009-05-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

When Lightning Strikes by Keya
How can you have it all – education, personality, and beauty - yet your life is flooded with a sea of troubles?

Imminent, new author Keya answers this question and more in When Lightning Strikes, a novel about Ms. Taylor Devereaux, her three best friends, and her spiraling-out-of-control life. Taylor is on the road to happiness and success. She is a gorgeous and classy woman with a thriving career and a wonderful fiancée. One day, Taylor’s near perfect world is turned upside down when she discovers her future husband is cheating.

To make matters worse, while trying to put the pieces of her life back together, she finds out someone at her job has filed a sexual harassment complaint against her. She realizes someone is out to ruin her life. With Taylor’s personal life, profession, and overall reputation at stake, can she overcome it all? Or, will the stress of it all bring out another side of Taylor?

See how Taylor reacts “When Lightning Strikes.”

Website: http://www.keyalit.com

Read the first chapter online:
http://www.keyalit.com/WhenLightningStrikes-Chapter1.pdf

View the online Media Kit from Keya's site:
http://www.keyalit.com/mediakit.htm

Hazel's HOTmail: Dude Acts Like A Lady

2009-03-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Hazel,

I hope you can offer me some advice about my current situation. I am a thirty-eight year old professional woman who has fallen in love with my twenty-six year old hair stylist.

When I first started going to my hair stylist, I, along with many others, thought he was gay. He wore bright colored shirts with matching shoes, his mannerisms were flamboyant and feminine and he walked with a twist. But the man could do some hair and I made sure that I had a standing appointment with him every week.

During my appointments, he would often ask me out to lunch, dinner or to various plays that came to town. Usually, I declined. Last year, he offered to take me to lunch to celebrate my birthday and this time, I accepted. I had the best time with him. He made me laugh and was a perfect gentleman. His behavior was still a little feminine but not as over the top as it was when he was in the salon. We went out several times after that and I began to think that maybe he wasn’t gay at all but instead just a very sensitive man. The careful attention he paid to his personal appearance made me think that maybe he was metro-sexual. There was absolutely nothing gay about the way he kissed me or the way he threw down when we were in the bedroom. He was the most attentive lover I had ever had.

When I felt our relationship was moving in a more serious direction, I decided it was time to introduce him to my family. I invited him to our family’s annual New Year’s Day reunion dinner. When he arrived, my brothers and sisters took one look at the way he dressed and the way he walked and immediately labeled him a “fag”. It didn’t seem to bother him at all but I was infuriated. I insisted that they apologize to him and to me for being so disrespectful. I told them that he was NOT gay. My mother and my sisters keep telling me that if it walks like a fag, talks like a fag, then it is a fag. My family are not the only people who look at us strangely when we go out. Whenever we’re walking together holding hands or if we share a kiss in public, folks stare.

When I asked him how he feels when people label him as a gay man, he says that as long as he knows who and what he is, it doesn’t matter to him what other people say. He said that when women think he is gay, they open up and tell him a world of sercrets and that their men aren’t threatened by him at all. He says it is good for business and as long as they are paying $100 to $300 to sit in his chair, they can think what they want.

I truly care about this man but I can’t help but be a little bothered by how others view him. Does this make me shallow?

C.C. in Alabama

Dear C.C.,
The fact that you are “bothered” by what other people think of your man doesn’t necessarily mean that you are shallow. I don’t believe that it is what the other people are saying or thinking about him that bothers you. I believe that deep down inside, you are still unsure about his sexuality.
Now, you said in your letter that you asked him how he felt about being labeled as gay but you didn’t say whether or not you have asked him if he is or has been gay or bi-sexual. Just because he can “throw down” in the bedroom is not a sure sign that he is not gay. Remember, gay people have good sex, too.
Intuition can be a wonderful tool, if used correctly. If you have a feeling that something isn’t right about a situation, embrace that feeling and listen to it. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions or have the uncomforatable conversations. Both of you need to have peace of mind in this relationship.

Peace,
Hazel
www.hazelmillsstories.com

Have a question about love, sex or relationships? Send them to Hazel’s HOTmail at hazelmillsstories@hotmail.com Be sure to put “HOTmail” in the subject line. To insure anonymity, only your initials and your state will be printed.

Author's Book Tour-Spring 2009

2009-02-28T06:43:00.001-08:00

Give the Gift of Knowledge Spring 2009 Literary Tour

Main book tour site: http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com
Ella Curry, Event Organizer: elladcurry@edc-creations.com

View full details about the authors on tour and the events taking place Feb. 14-April 1, 2009. By visiting this link often:
http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/page/author-on-tour-spring-2009

Online Presskits for Tour Hosts; Chat room available for group discussions. Be sure to check out all the pages for interviews, articles and promotional material.

If you would like for the authors to stop by your blog, website or Internet social network, please email Ella Curry at: edc_dg@yahoo.com with your requests.

Authors on Tour:

Patricia A. Bridewell-Electronic Press-kit for the Virtual Book Tour
http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/forum/topics/patricia-a-bridewell
Book: Reflections of a Quiet Storm
Website: www.patriciabridewell.com
Email: bridern@verizon.net
Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm

Lynne Forde-Electronic Press-kit for the Virtual Book Tour
http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/forum/topics/author-lynne-forde-electronic
Book: Lies of Blue
Saffyre Entertainment Inc.
Website: www.liesofblue.com or www.saffyre.us
Email: saffyre222@yahoo.com
Lies of Blue on Sale March 1, 2009

John R. Williams- The Author Electronic Press-kit for the Virtual Book Tour
http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/forum/topics/electronic-presskit-for-author
Book: The Reunion
Website: www.theauthor.us
Email: johnrwilliamstheauthor@yahoo.com
Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm

Michael Taylor Electronic Press-kit for the Virtual Book Tour
http://edccreationsbooktours.ning.com/forum/topics/author-michael
Book: A New Conversation with Men
Website: www.anewconversationwithmen.com
Email: mtcreates@comcast.net
Buy the Book: http://www.ancwm.com

EDC Creations Book Promotions

Hazel's HOTmail: WWHD? (What Would Hazel Do?)

2009-02-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Hazel,
I feel as though I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. My sister is married to a wonderful man whom she loves dearly. They have been married for eleven years and have four children together.
The problem is that I am in love with her husband and have been since the first time I met him. It was obvious that he felt something for me as well by the way he looked at me and the way he always hugged me. It wasn’t a brotherly hug because sometimes his hand would “just happen” to rub my behind. But neither of us acted on this attraction out of love and respect for my sister. That is, until about a month ago.
My sister was away at a women’s church retreat for the weekend and because her husband had to work, she left her children in my care. Her husband came by late one night to check on the kids but they had already gone to bed. We were talking when one thing led to another. Needless to say, we ended up in bed together.
I’ve been feeling guilty ever since that night and I feel that I need to clear my conscious and come clean about what happened. Her husband says that we should just keep our mouths shut and forget about it.
What would you do if you were in this same situation?

C.D. in Atlanta

Dear C.D.

What would I do? Glad you asked. Well, I would not be in your situation because the “love and respect” I have for my sister strictly prohibits betrayal, in any form.
Now that you have done what you obviously have wanted to do from the beginning, your conscious is bothering you? Please.
You and your sister’s husband are selfish. You both put your needs and desires above everything else and quite frankly, if or when she does find out, you deserve whatever happens.

Peace (if you can find any),
Hazel
www.hazelmillsstories.com

Hazel's HOTmail: Stuck in a rut

2008-12-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Hazel,
After twelve years of marriage, my husband and I are in a rut, sexually. We both work eight to ten hours a day and by the time I pick the kids up from daycare, come home and make dinner and put the kids to bed, I am too tired for sex. My husband usually falls asleep on the couch after dinner.
When we do manage to make love, it is the same old same old. He’ll touch and kiss me in the same places and after a few minutes of that, we’ll assume one of two positions. Usually we’re done after about twenty minutes that seem more like two hours. Sometimes I orgasm during sex and sometimes I don’t. When I don’t, my husband will masturbate me until I do. Again, more of the same. I am getting to the point where I can go weeks maybe even months without sex because it is so boring. I miss the days when we were all over each other and sex was exciting.
Do you have any suggestions that will help us light that fire again?

D.L., in Orlando

Dear D.L.,
You and your husband are not alone. Quite a few couples experience a decline in the quantity and quality of sex after marriage.
When the relationship is new, you can’t get enough of each other. Sexual attraction is intense and the desire for each other is off the charts. The sex is hot and passionate enough to melt the sheets.
What happens? Life. We get caught up in taking care of the day to day issues (work, children, bills, etc.) and sex seems like just another thing on our list that we have to do.
Nothing rings more true than what Schmuley Boteach, author of Kosher Sex, says, “ Sex is not a luxury of marriage, but its most basic necessity.” Couples who do not have a satisfying sex life will find that every aspect of the relationship will become affected.
We have to make time for sex that satisfies the mind, body and soul.
Here are a few things that may help get you and your husband going again:
-Send your husband a sexy email or text message detailing what you have in store for him later. By all means, be explicit. Be prepared to back your words up with plenty of action.
-Do lunch. This time, you are the only thing on the menu. You won’t have to beg him to chow down.
-Wake him with a little good morning kiss you know where. Testosterone is at its highest peak in the morning for men and your husband probably has an erection when he wakes up. Make this work for you.
-Get out of the bedroom. Try having sex in other areas in the house.
-Let him watch. You said that he usually masturbates you. Why not let him watch you masturbate yourself? If you’re confident enough, you can even incorporate a vibrator or dildo.
-Take the day off. If possible, both of you can take the day off work and spend the day home alone in bed. Yes, you will still take the kids to daycare or to grandma’s. The goal is to spend uninterrupted time with your lover. Make foreplay last for hours by taking the time to experience each other totally. Touch him where you’ve never touched him before and invite him to do the same. Make it more about intimacy.
-Re-position yourself. Make a commitment to try a new position every time you make love. If you need help with ideas, buy a book or dvd on the subject.

Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Got a question for Hazel on love, sex, and relationships? Email her at hazelmillsstories@hotmail.com. Remember to put Hazel’s HOTmail in the subject line.

Hazel's HOTmail: "Fellatio 101"

2008-11-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Hazel,

I am a newly married woman and I want to learn more about pleasing my husband orally. On our wedding night, I tried giving him a blow job for the first time. My husband was encouraging and patient but I know that I did not do that great of a “job”. I don’t feel comfortable talking with my friends about this because whenever the subject of oral sex comes up, they frown and talk about how disgusting it is.
Can you recommend any books or videos that can help me?

T.D. in Hampton Roads

P.S. I met you at Afr’Am in May and I enjoyed reading your book.

Dear T.D.,
Thank you so much for stopping by our table and purchasing my book at Afr’Am. It means a lot that you not only enjoyed “Bare Necessities” but also that you took the time to write me.
I want to congratulate you on your new marriage and for being an independent thinker and taking control of your sexuality with regards to oral sex. Your friends may “frown and talk about how disgusting” oral sex is when you are around but I am willing to bet that when no one is watching, they are blowing their men senseless.
There are a few resources I would suggest you check out. The first is a book by Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, M.D. titled Pleasure: A Woman’s Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need and Deserve. This is an excellent book filled with information and techniques for every area of your sex life, whether you are a novice or very experienced. There is a section called “Fellatio 101”.The other is The Sinclair Institute’s Better Oral Sex Techniques video that can be ordered at www.bettersex.com.
Practice makes perfect and you will get better with time. It is wonderful that your new husband is patient. This is extremely important and will go a long way in building your confidence. Remember, he wants you to get the hang of this and will allow you ALL of the practice sessions you need.
Relax and enjoy!

Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Got a question for Hazel on love, sex, and relationships? Email her at hazelmillsstories@hotmail.com. Remember to put Hazel’s HOTmail in the subject line.