The Black West

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About the author
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Throughout her years as a historical researcher and author, Gwandine has found a niche for writing historical inspirational stories depicting cowboys, Indians, Vikings, pirates, kings, highlanders, swashbucklers, and valiant knights of African descent. She also writes Black cowboy poetry. Her former professors complimented her creative writing skills.
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She refers to herself as Gwandine Black Cherokee Cowgirl due to her ancestry. Her novels are published through Gwandine Black Cherokee Cowgirl Studios. She writes movie scripts, professionally narrates audio books from her novels, and edits with her husband's magazine titled The Preacher.
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Gwandine is the co-pastor and co-founder of Whole Faith Ministries, Inc. (Wholefaith.org) and the wife of the senior pastor, Jeffrey Maximillian Thurmond a/k/a The Preacher. She delivers sermons and conducts worship services. She also writes biblical teachings under the ministerial Bible College titled Whole Faith International Bible College (WFIBC).
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Her passion and persistence in creative writing and classical literature stems from childhood when she preferred to write stories as opposed to playing. She has published inspirational Black western romance and adventure novels, faith-based intrigue, and inspirational poetry. The following titles are her works of literature: Beauford Place, A Love Worth Finding, The Ethiopian Princess and the Cameroon Knight, Mystery in Manalapan, Jade Qi in Angel Eyes, and Poetic Peace. Other works consist of her graphic novels: Atura the Anointed and Jade Qi graphic novels, which feature her comic book characters, illustration, inking, and dialogue skills. She occasionally does some animation. She created Xerzinia, a lovely African-American cut-out collectible figure complete with accessories and apparel designed by Gwandine.
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Her initial work was published during grade school.With her background in communications, she has written press releases, news advisories, public service announcements, proclamations, and articles for magazines. She also produced over 50 spiritual television and radio broadcasts as a certified video producer and editor. She presently produces and edits broadcasts via Whole Faith International Bible Channel (W.F.I.B.C.) titled The Preacher.
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Although her stories and characters are fictional, African-American cowboys have existed since the dawn of the cowboy era as well as the historical accounts of the vital role that African-American Buffalo Soldiers played in the settlement of the southwest. She is the creator of the African-American cowboy and cowgirl graphic novel (comic book) titled The Black West featuring The Black Indian.
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Upon learning that African-American cowboys existed after her initial shock, she became enthusiastic concerning writing Black western stories. It all began with Gwandine desiring to become traditionally published through one of the leading romance novel publishers. She desired to write historical novels and they had it set-up so that she could only submit manuscripts via their African-American section as opposed to their Inspirational Historical section.
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Her initial thoughts were, if she wrote about African-Americans historically, she would have to write about slavery. After conducting extensive research, she realized African-Americans made numerous achievements after being emancipated and all-Black western towns actually existed historically. She learned that there were wealthy African-Americans. Although she has enjoyed watching westerns through the years, they lacked the significant presence of African-American cowboys and the vital roles that they played.
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After learning the above-referenced and more, she now writes not only romance novels, but western adventure novels. Gwandine also writes contemporary mysteries and suspense as short stories involving her character amateur sleuths: Edgar Byrd Mysteries, Jade Qi Mysteries, Miss Tillie Tipton Tea Cozy Mysteries, Max Golden, and Maxi*Millian Mysteries.
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Gwandine served in the U.S. Navy as an Airman and was the first female assigned to an all-male squadron (Patrol Squadron 47) in 1983 and was soon transferred to Patrol Squadron 19 after the U.S. Navy realized that she is a female albeit she clearly indicated that she was female on all of her enlistment documents.
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Gwandine is an accomplished artist as she enjoys painting on canvas and digitally to design her book covers. She is also an accomplished figurative sculptress whose work has appeared in several international magazines. She has donated artwork to the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center.
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About the book
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First book of The Black West Adventure, Mystery, and Romance Series
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Travel back in time in a fictional place known as Tradassa Town situated in the south during the year 1881 where two people unbeknownst of one another become acquainted under unexpected circumstances. After the death of Mary Ellen’s father Benjamin, she meets Nathan Jonah Hickey who is the hired ranchman of her father’s estate and an attractive singing cowboy known for his genteel mannerism.

Nathan’s love for Mary Ellen Beauford begins the day they meet upon her return to Beauford Place. Being an accomplished woman of color from a wealthy family and a recent college graduate, the austere Mary Ellen tries to show resilience to Nathan’s feelings. This is partially due to the fact that her only example of a good man was her late father who was a successful businessman.
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Behind Nathan’s smooth dark complexion and deep brown eyes lies a terrible secret known only by him. If he shares his secret with her, will she be able to handle it? Will it destroy him?

Visit TheBlackWest.com or TheBlackCherokee.com.

Alcatraz The Lost Pearl


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About the author
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Aleshia Robinson has lived the life of a “vagabond gypsy.” She was born and raised in Chicago but has also lived in Louisiana, Texas, California, Nevada and more recently, Atlanta, Georgia. Once coined a “career student” she FINALLY received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Houston after seven and a half years wandering to five universities in three states. Aleshia has worked at least thirty jobs in the past fifteen years including restaurants, hotels/ hostels, yoga studios and background acting in Hollywood film, television and music videos. Always interested in the spiritual world, Aleshia studied the yoga sutras, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Universalism before ending her spiritual journey.
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Tired of being unfulfilled, confused and unhappy, Aleshia became obsessive compulsive with learning the truth about God and decided to take the plunge and give her life to Christ on August 17, 2007. “I didn’t really believe in Jesus when I got saved. I just figured I’ve tried other religions, why not try Christianity?” Her life has not been the same.
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Since her conversion she ministered to sex trafficking teens, traveled on mission trips, graduated Bible College, authored the Love, God & Tattoos series and founded, Authenticity Print, a publishing company intending to awaken souls to the true heart of God.
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About the book
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Fifteen year old Alcatraz is being chased. Born and raised in a loving family, she suddenly finds herself fending for her life on the streets of Los Angeles. Consumed with anger, hurt and confusion, Alcatraz turns to the spiritual realm to find life's answers. While experimenting with pagan spells, Buddhist chants, and yoga sutras, she continually encounters a spirit who claims He is God. The Truth she learns from this spiritual quest introduces her to the unexpected world of divine healing, acceptance and unconditional love.
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For more about Aleshia, visit her website at:
http://www.aleshiarobinson.com/

Thugs And Why Women Should Run From Them

About the author
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Lucy Dennis dream of being a writer dates back to when she first learned to put words together to form sentences. Now at the age of fifty, she’s finally pursuing that dream. With each awakening day she looks forward to sitting in front of her computer, typing or jotting down thoughts, memories and ideas that, once put together will generate a masterpiece of her writing. Her original text, ‘Thugs and Why Women Should Run From Them,’ is her introduction to the publishing world. By all means, there’s more to come!
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About the book
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Woman to woman, I wish I would have been more attentive and mom would have stomped her feet a little harder when she saw I wasn’t paying close attention when she spoke about dealing with men and relationships.Now at the age where I probably have more days behind me, than ahead of me and the misadventures I’ve incurred down those years, I’m stomping my feet and asking my beautiful Sisters and Brothers, young and not so young, to just stop and listen for a minute.
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No one wants to see their love ones go through complexities, especially those that can be avoided. Most of us hate to say, ‘We told you this was going to happen if…’ but if insightful words continue to fall upon closed ears, ‘He’ll walk, stomp and spit on your feelings.’It is so easy to gain a man’s respect and loyalty. It starts by respecting and being loyal to ourselves, he’ll soon catch on!

If Tomorrow Comes and I Am Gone

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About the Author
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Educator, activist, and entrepreneur, Jordan Trent was born Terra N. Gay on March 10, 1972, in Baltimore, MD.She is the middle child of three girls, born to parents William and Annye Gay. Her family lineage includes a
long line of educators, so it was only natural that she too took her rightful place in the field of education.
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However, despite this rich legacy, and Trent’s natural gift to transform the lives of young people, her mother and father gifted her and her sisters with the power of possibility; reminding them that they were limited onlyby their imaginations.
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Trent has lived by this critical teaching throughout her life and in April 2011, was empowered to publish her first children’s book, If Tomorrow Comes and I Am Gone. She was inspired to write a book that would help
families and children, who are or have been battling cancer, understand, adjust, and cope with the diagnosis.
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The voice of the story’s main character, McKenzie, came to Trent after her own personal breast cancer scare.“Though young and impressionable, children are extremely resilient,” says Trent. “They are able to deconstruct some of the most complex issues, including cancer, and formulate ideas around those issues.
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However, as adults, we must provide them with the tools to do so.” For Trent, Tomorrow is one of those tools that will help parents and children adjust to and live with the disease. While cancer is a prominent theme of the book,Tomorrow can be used as a resource for families and children who are facing illness of any kind.
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Trent hopes that readers will be inspired, encouraged, and most importantly uplifted by the messages of family unity, love,and courage that Tomorrow provides. Additional motivation came from her two nephews, whose combined first names she used to create her pen name. Of this Trent says, “My breast cancer scare really caused me to think about my legacy and how I will be remembered.” She continues, “Though I have no children of my own, I consider myself a second mother to my
nephews.
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They are my joy. As inheritors of my legacy, I hope Tomorrow will bring them as much pride as they do me.” Trent is currently working on three additional children’s books. Like Tomorrow, each is designed to
help strengthen families and children.
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In addition to writing children’s books, Trent’s passion for young people is evident in her extensive 15‐year career as an educator. She is also a certified leadership development trainer and community and youth
advocate. Trent has worked directly with community groups, corporations and local businesses to raise and manage nearly 19 million dollars to support educational initiatives, engagement of AmeriCorps members,
school and technology renovations, and more.
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Most recently, she developed The Ngambika Academy (a Kiswahili word pronounced Nam‐bee‐kah, meaning‘help me carry the load’), which is designed to provide a ‘train the trainer’ model and curriculum for volunteers and mentors seeking to create ongoing leadership, service learning, and life skills training for young people.
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Before graduating from Emory University, she served in local schools as a mentor and tutor, which led her to over a decade of service with the National Service Movement, via AmeriCorps and VISTA programs.
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Post Office Box 2371, Forest Park, GA 30298 • Jordan.Trent1@gmail.com
Trent has partnered with and provided leadership on a variety of corporate projects to include: Jones of New York, national Teacher of the Year teacher/classroom makeover; The Home Depot, national, multimillion dollar
schools and community renovations program; SAP and Xerox, national digital upgrades and digital divide programs; The Coca‐Cola Company, local and national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service initiatives; The
Cartoon Network, national PLAY campaign; United Parcel Services (UPS), annual community ‘give back’campaigns; Federal Express (Fed Ex), 100 Black Men of America, and Delta Airlines.
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She has trained youth and community members in service and leadership around the country via partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, City Year, KaBoom!, The Magic Johnson Foundation, The Chaka Foundation, Target,
Bank of America, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Jet Blue, Office Depot, The Learning Channel (TLC), and many more.
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Trent remains driven by her belief that as young people are encouraged to use their personal journeys,creativity, and talents, they will be better equipped to affect meaningful and lasting change in society. That
coupled with the support of mentors, families, local businesses, and community organizations, generations of young people will in the words of Mohandas K. Gandhi, “. . .be the change [they] wish to see in the world.”
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About the book
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Every night, young McKenzie travels many places in her dreams. But she always wonders, if tomorrow comes and she is gone, what her mother will miss most. When illness comes to their family, her dreams and inquisitive heart help both she and her mother discover what happens if tomorrow comes and she is gone.
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For more information about The Ngambika Academy and/or to request training support, please visit http://www.thengambikaacademy.com/. To purchase copies of If Tomorrow Comes and I Am Gone, please visit www.wix.com/jordantrent/if‐tomorrow‐comes‐i‐am‐gone, Amazon.com, or BarnesandNoble.com.
Both can be found on Facebook and Twitter: Jordan Trent and @JordanTrent1 or @NgambikaAcademy.
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For inquiries about speaking engagements, book signings, or other public appearances, please contact Paulette Payne at PaulettePayne.LePubliciste@gmail.com.

The People in My Head

About the Author
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Inda Lauryn is constantly changing the soundtrack of her life. She is the author of three books In Time, The People in My Head and One Last Dance, Little Sister? She will be releasing her next novel, the paranormal tale Blood Tastes Sweet hopefully in late 2011.
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Although she has been writing since her childhood, she only recently decided to pursue her first love as a professional endeavor. A lifelong music and movie lover, she frequently cites her favorite artists and films in her work, drawing inspiration as well as exploring their effect on society. She is currently working on a an afro-gothic novel,two fantasy series, a screenplay and two sequels featuring characters found in the work In Time, hoping to contribute to the ever-expanding representations of African-American women in literature.
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Feel free to visit the website http://www.conceding2kismet.com/website and http://c2kfantasy.yolasite.com/ to find samples of her work, leave feedback and get to know the Kismet experience.
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About the book
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A woman learns self-defense while a serial rapist terrorizes a small college town and meets the man of her dreams… or does she? (Shallow)
Two childhood friends come of age overnight when the world around them comes beckoning. (Before Night Ends)
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A gigolo meets the ultimate hustler on what he thinks is a typical night out.(The Alaye Agency)
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A young man learns his parents’ past as he begins to realize his own faith. (Something Sacred)
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A woman and a younger man make a connection at her unusual place of occupation. (Strange Affair)
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An office drone becomes a revolutionary in the not-so-distant future. (The Paper Trail)
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In a future where dreams can be recorded and used, who will be the ones to suffer?(Black Level Recog)
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Inda Lauryn presents The People in My Head, a complete novella and collection of short stories in various genres exploring the experiences of a vast array of African-American women and the people in their lives. Life, love and what the future holds are all subjects included in these sometimes funny and sometimes poignant representations of black women. Readers will either find themselves or explore the lives of others in this wonderful collection of stories.
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UNDENIABLE

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About the Author
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New York Times' author Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. Her literary fiction series-Taggart and Falcon ,the Invincible Women, Grayson Family, and Grayson Friends have consistently made bestseller's lists, and are enjoyed by readers world-wide. She has written forty-three titles to date.
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About the book
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Unforgiven
When wealthy Texas heiress Rachel Malone defied her powerful father to elope with Logan Prescott, Logan truly believed that their marriage was forever. But that was before a trumped-up assault charge set the whole town—and the woman he loved—against him. With a heart full of pain, Logan fled Stanton—and the bittersweet memories of the passion he and Rachel had shared.
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Unforgettable
When Rachel met Logan, she thought she'd found the perfect love—until he betrayed her and her family. Now, eight years later, he was back—more arrogant and dangerously seductive than ever. And this time the stakes were higher. For Logan clearly wanted revenge. He also wanted Rachel.
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Undeniable
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More about Francis Ray:
http://www.francisray.com/
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God Gave Me This Talent

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About the Author

Single Mother, Author, Motivator, Consultant 'I was born for Bestseller Status!" Ms. K Simpson "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her" Proverbs 3:15 Ms. Kayundra Simpson was raised in a small town in Arkansas yet her life's journey would take her multiple places in the United States before allowing her to settle in Atlanta, GA. Her journey has been one that not many women, or men, could have made without losing their minds or lives.
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However; in order that she could share her God-given talent of easing the pain with words, she had to learn pain. The pain of bearing two beautiful daughters and raising them as a single mother; the pain of losing her mother just before entering adult hood; and assuming the responsibility of her pre- teen sister, while at the same time having to raise her own children; and the pain of losing her paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather, who taught her how a woman should live her life both mentally and spiritually.
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Her two daughters are now growing into two wonderful women who reflect their mother's love and spirit for life. Ms. Simpson provides evidence that the sacrifices she has made were worth it in order to give her daughters a life far better than her own. God Gave Me This Talent is the opening to another journey.
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About the book
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Homeless... that was me, from being in a shelter to sleeping under a bridge, to wondering if I was going to get a meal to eat. I’m not asking for your pity or a hand out. Right now I’m here to teach you, and let you know what my life is about. Some of you know parts of my story others of you don´t. The thing about my story it will have you in tears I´m not going to front. Some of you knew me before, get to know me now God has come into my life, I have so much more to live for. The old me is dead so please let her rest.
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Pay close attention, God has his hands on me. You will finally see me at my best.... GOD GAVE ME THIS TALENT Is an Inspirational Poetry Book It will inspire you, make you smile, make you laugh and even make you cry. I cover everything from love to break up and just every day living. This is a must have book....
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