Black Female Authors

5 Reasons to Leave a Lover

2011-10-29T01:08:00.001-07:00

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About the author
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A virtual media and web consultant by day and author by night, Carolyn Davenport-Moncel moved to Paris from Chicago, her hometown, in 2001. In Paris, she started the first English-speaking Virtual Assistance firm. Known for her online articles on media relations, Moncel owns MotionTemps, LLC (http://www.motiontemps.com/), a Digital Project and Web Content Management firm with offices in Chicago, Paris and Geneva; and its subsidiary, Mondavé Communications (http://www.mondaveinc.com/), a media relations training and publishing company. She has written, placed articles and been featured in such diverse publications as Entrepreneur.com, Expatica.com, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Wired News, International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Working Mother, Bonjour Paris, and PrissyMag.com.
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Author of Encounters in Paris – A Collection of Short Stories, Carolyn currently resides in Lausanne, Switzerland with her husband and two daughters. Her latest work is called 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover—A Novella and Other Short Stories. Her next collection of short stories, Encounters in Chicago – A Collection of Short Stories will debut in fall 2012.
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About the book
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In 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover, author Carolyn Moncel offers up a fresh batch of stories based on love and loss. As singer/songwriter, Paul Simon so eloquently suggested in a famous song from the 1970s, there are many ways to leave a lover. However, Moncel's characters demonstrate that the reasons for leaving in the first place are quite finite.
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Encounters in Paris` Ellery and Julien Roulet return, picking up their lives after the short story, "Pandora`s Box Revisited." This time the Roulets are involved in a love triangle, and along with two other couples, must explore how love relationships are affected and splinter due to abuse, ambivalence, deception, cheating and death. This bittersweet collection of tales proves that some breakups are necessary; while others are voluntary; and still others are simply destined and beyond anyone's control.
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More about the author
http://www.carolynmoncel.com/
http://www.carolynmoncel.blogspot.com/

Becoming: The Life and Musings Of A Girl Poet

2011-10-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

About the author
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Nadia Janice Brown is an American poet, freelance writer, and author of Becoming: The Life and Musings Of A Girl Poet and the award-winning book Unscrambled Eggs. Her poetry and articles have appeared in national and international magazines, and literary journals. She is also the founder of www.author-promotion.com/. Nadia can be reached through her web site at www.nadiajbrown.com/
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About the book.
Becoming: The Life and Musings of a Girl Poet is an inspirational collection of poetry and articles. Becoming is a rousing composition of poems about utilizing your God-given talents and gifts in such a way that leads to a life of fulfillment.

The Fate of America in the Ninth Hour

2011-10-29T01:07:00.001-07:00

About the author
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Kimberly Jackson is a Christian author, writer, and teacher on a mission to spread the gospel of the kingdom through written and spoken word. She is known for her prophetic voice, timely, raw, and straight to the point messages visible in her creative works of poetry, devotionals, prophecy and inspirational books.
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Shortly after renewing her vows back to God in 1995, the miracle of a hidden talent "the Writer's Pen" manifested in her life and is now blossoming and filling dark empty places with life changing kingdom sound messages of blessedness, salvation, healing, hope and deliverance. She studied theology at Life Christian University in Lithonia,
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About the book
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In the Fate of America, Kimberly Jackson reveals what's going on in the mind of God in the now 21st Century era of happenings concerning America and the Church. It addresses God's judgments upon a nation that continues to ignore Him and adopt heathen practices rooted from the ancient traditions of Babylon, Egypt, Rome, and Greece.
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It exposes the deceptions of this country and the secrets of society hidden behind closed doors. What does God want from America? What does God want from the Church? What is the ninth hour and how does it effect America and the Church? What are a lot of things we see happening today actually leading up to?
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Learn the answers to these questions and many more, as you read this astonishing book of revelation knowledge and truth from the Throne Room of God!
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More about the author
www.fateofamerica.com
www.authorsden.com/kimberlyjackson

Healing and Freedom Through These Sacred Tonemasters

2011-10-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

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About the author
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Jacqueline Harris was born to Jasper and Diamond Harris and raised on the south side of Chicago. Jacqueline graduated from Chicago State University and participated in three sports during her tenure at CSU. She has always been a writer of stories, and an obsessive lover of music and reading. Jacqueline presently resides in Laurel, Maryland.
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About the book
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“This is a story of how I was just going through the motions when it came to my daily living here on this planet. I was really sleepwalking my way through life. I was not happy. I lived in fear and had low self-esteem sprinkled with bits of naivety and arrogance. I didn’t trust myself, or anyone else for that matter. I didn’t have complete trust in my Creator to do what was best for me. I was living my life in a self-imposed state of isolation and detachment from others. I didn’t know how to love myself, let alone allow anyone else to love me. My heart was shut down, and daydreaming and music stepped in and became a comforting reality for me.
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However, every once in a while, I would peer deep within and see the real me – that person who possessed unlimited potential and a true zest for life. Yet, I had no idea how to tap into that part of myself and allow her to shine consistently.
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Through my encounter with the Egyptian goddess Mother Athyr, also known as Mother Het-Heru and Mother Hathor, along with the Sacred Tonemasters that I was blessed to meet, I was able to slow down, listen, remember, and tap into that potential. Today, I know who my spiritual mother is and how she has impacted my life in ways I could never begin to imagine.
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This journey helped me to re-learn how to love myself, free my mind, and love others. This journey taught me how to quell the desire of worldly things and Remember. You see, I was a forgetful being. I forgot who I was and why I was here. I forgot how to love myself and others. I forgot how to have faith. This journey helped me to Remember all of that. However, the most important part of this journey is I Remembered the only desire I should ever have in my life is to love serving the will of The Most High first and foremost.”
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More about the author
http://www.sacredtonemasters.com/

Where My Birthmark Dances

2011-10-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

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About The Author
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Giving a voice or adding a layer of complexity to individuals who are at their lowest points, when we, the public, meet them, is Octavia McBride-Ahebee’s muse. Her writing is very much informed by the years she lived in various parts of Africa. Her poetry, for the most part, gives voice to women who historically have not been heard: African women, women in refugee camps, women who are victims of civil war, isolated, rural women who battle such health challenges as obstetric fistula and breast cancer. More increasingly, her poetry addresses the environmental devastation created by corporate entities in the name of development.
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McBride-Ahebee’s work has appeared in many journals and anthologies including Damazine; A Literary Journal of the Muslim World, Fingernails Across The Chalkboard: Poetry And Prose on HIV/AIDS From the Black Diaspora, Under Our Skin: Literature of Breast Cancer, Sea Breeze- A Journal of Contemporary Liberian Writing, The Journal of the National Medical Association, Art in Medicine Section and the Beloit Poetry Journal. Assuming Voices, a poetry collection, was published in 2003 by Lit Pot Press. Her newest collection of poetry, Where My Birthmark Dances, was published this summer- 2011- by Finishing Line Press.
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About the book
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Lillian Dunn, editor of Apiary Magazine, stated“The Ancient Romans used to call a person's creative spirit her "genius," and recognized the labor of setting it free as one of love and sacrifice. Octavia McBride-Ahebee's latest collection is just such a labor. Her poems depict human longing, love and dignity in the context of global inequality with fierce, uncompromising grace.
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As her characters speak, she creates indelible sensory images of loveliness and affection, profound misery and anger, letting each co-exist on the page. The resulting complexity of tone makes space for nuanced and compelling human voices that might otherwise be categorized as "victims" or "villains" of oppression. It takes the full use of genius to notice and capture these contradictions, and a deep social conscience to care so passionately about writing them down. This collection is one of McBride-Ahebee's "bighearted magnolia trees," its trunk scarred by the fire of sacrifice, its blossoms and branches so beautiful you don't want to leave their shade.”
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More about the author
http://www.omcbride-ahebee.blogspot.com/

Dreaming in Color

2011-09-04T04:10:00.000-07:00

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About the Author
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Fiona Lewis is an award-winning novelist and author of “Bliss,” “Hungry For It,” “Every Dark Desire,” and “Dangerous Pleasures,” among other adult novels. Her stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including “From Where We Sit: Black Writers Write Black Youth.”

Fiona Zedde Lewis moved to the U.S. from Jamaica as a sweet, yet misunderstood, preteen. After spending a few years in Tampa and getting her undergraduate degree in Gender Studies and British and American Literature at New College of Florida, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She currently lives in Tampa.
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About the book
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Jamaican-American writer Fiona Zedde Lewis has authored best-selling novels and collections of short stories for adults. “Dreaming in Color” marks her debut writing for young adults–and a compelling debut it is.
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Carlene (Cee-Cee) has come to the U.S. from Jamaica to join her mother, who has been working for two years to bring her daughter to join her. But excited as Carlene is to be reunited with her beloved mother, she finds life in her new country daunting. She misses her island home and the father she left behind.
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High school is a difficult territory to navigate for many teens–bullying, mean girls, jock/thug boys, and just the normal daily stresses of trying to succeed in classes can present awesome challenges. When a group of mean girls led by one of the most popular girls in the school targets Carlene, taunting her for her accent and her skin color, she turns to art as a refuge. Problems with her mother, who reveals a secret Cee-Cee is not prepared for, just adds to her feelings of isolation.
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Then Carlene meets Greg, another teen from Jamaica. They bond over their shared feelings of dislocation and their inability to fit in. But a big party where the popular kids.
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More about Fiona Zedde:
http://www.fionazedde.com/

A Black Girls Guide to Dating White Men

2011-09-04T04:08:00.000-07:00

About the book
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This book is a guide to help Black women, young and old, maneuver through the dating process as it pertains to dating white men. It entails bits of history, stories, recipes and jokes. The Author urges black women to open their options and to give white men a try.
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"I think many women limit themselves to dating only within their race. I believe we should be opened minded to all races. In dealing with white men, I've found my self thinking, either this guy isn't into black girls or he's assuming I don't have interest in white men. From reading Niki's book, I've realized sometimes its neither and just maybe we could all use a little help. I believe Niki's book delivers that help in a hilariously honest way"-Meagan Good (actress).

Real Talk Tips

2011-09-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

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About the Author
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Cherise "Reese" Charleswell is eclectic. She is a dynamic writer, artist, bookworm, fashionista, penny-pincher, designer, music lover, sista-friend, and poet who has been described as the "Mad Scientist," due to her varied interests and passions.
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She has been writing for as far back as she can remember, penning poems and essays since childhood. She began sharing her literary work as a spoken-word artist in Los Angeles, and also acted as the producer of PoetsJazzHouse in historic Leimert Park, California. Writing has been one of her greatest loves.
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She is also the creator, designer, and President of the Eclectic Life accessories and jewelry line.
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She is of West Indian descent, by way of Los Angeles, to Fort Lauderdale Florida, and back.
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About the book
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A non-traditional, sassy, and painfully honest self help guide and work book for the morally challenged and socially inept members of society. With TIPS on topics as various as: hygiene, physical appearance, communication, the workplace, and money management.
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More about Cherise Reese Charleswell
www.createspace.com/3550362

Bluesday

2011-09-04T04:06:00.000-07:00

About the Author
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Married at sixteen, a mother twice by seventeen, and thrice a mother and divorced by twenty-four, Adrienne Thompson is no stranger to adversity. Not your typical teenage mother, she went on to complete her college degree and to earn her nursing license. She attributes God's faithfulness as the catalyst for her success in life. Now, having raised two children as a divorced mother, with a third fast approaching adulthood, she is sharing a long hidden talent and passion with the world. Using the lessons that life has so expertly taught her as a guideline (betrayal, abusive relationships, self-esteem issues, witnessing the deteriorating effects of drug abuse), she has created a novel that will both entertain and inspire the reader. Bluesday is a satisfying mixture of inspiration and drama that will not leave you disappointed.
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Adrienne currently resides in Arkansas with her daughter and moonlights as a Registered Nurse.
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About the book
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Bluesday is an inspirational romance novel which chronicles the trials and triumphs of a young blues singer. Bobbie Brooks is living the life she's always dreamed of. A life full of music, success, and love. Or so it seems. Suddenly, her perfect world shatters, leaving her alone, broken, and penniless. In order to heal, Bobbie must confront the demons of both her past and present. Will she be strong enough to move into her future and make a new start with an old flame?
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More about Adrienne Thompson:
http://www.adriennethompsonwrites.webs.com/

The Black West

2011-07-31T02:52:00.001-07:00

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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

2011-07-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

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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

2011-07-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-02T01:19:00.001-07:00

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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

2011-07-02T01:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-02T01:18:00.000-07:00

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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

2011-07-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

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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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Harmony

2011-06-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

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About the author
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Clarressa (Reese) Phillips is a native of Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of the Columbus Public School District, Reese earned associate and bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration from Columbus State Community College and Franklin University, respectively. She has spent most of her career in banking and administrative management and has written for local publications. Ms. Phillips is an active member of her church and community and regularly participates in mentoring programs for young girls. She lived in Cleveland, Ohio for several years and currently resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two children.
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"Someone once told me that the place richest in dreams is the cemetery. I believe that with every day we live, we have an opportunity to pursue our dreams and utilize our God given gifts and talents. I refuse to be buried with dreams still in me and having never attempted to make them come true. So, as I pursue my dream of sharing my imagination and thoughts through writing, I invite you to join me on my adventure and encourage you, too, to pursue your dreams."
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About the book
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In her much anticipated debut novel, Reese introduces us to Harmony Stiles, a young woman navigating through her college years as she tries to put her troubled past to rest. This gripping tale of family struggles, friendship challenges, relationship trials, and questionable faith will take you on an emotional ride and leave you wanting more of Harmony and more from this exciting new author!
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More about the author: wwww.reesephillipsonline.com

What Happened To Suzy

2011-06-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

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About the Author
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Carol Denise Mitchell(1955-) was born the sixth of sixteen children to Zebbie and Tasceaie Charles, in Los Angeles, California. In 1977 the author moved to the Bay Area to launch an impressive 30-year writing career. She wrote "What Happened to Suzy," winning praise for its' message of healing and hope. Carol was also featured in the Oakland Post Newspaper.
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April, 2009 The Celebration of Women Writers recognized her impressive writing contributions and inducted her into the prestigious author database. Ms Mitchell's new book is Michael Jackson, The Love He Saved. The new title has sold here and internationally. Buyers in Australia and Italy have favored Mitchell's books as they are written to attract a growing spectrum of interested readers throughout the country and abroad.
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About the book
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This is a fictional book based on actual facts. The names and locations are changed to protect others. It is the story of a family and the abuse that the children had to live through and how one learned that in time wounds heal.
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Suzy (Carol Denise Brown) was the 6th child out of 16 children born by her mother who was of mixed heritage and a father who very seldom lived at the home. For the time she was born her mother seem to hate her more than any of the other children. When their mother worked their older brother had the responsibility to watch over them. He only knew one way. He mistreated them at times worse than their own mother did. Suzy live her life in constant abuse, not only from her own family but from her classmates at school. Until she finally learned with age to heal mind and body from the years of torment, mental and physical abuse that she suffered through. So “What Happened To Suzy” She excelled, She became strong, She is a beautiful person inside and out.
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As I read this book I wondered to myself, how did she live through it, where is the child protective services when at schools they see a child bruised and battered and half starved to death. How she managed to suffer day after day without running away to get away from her home. There is no child whether they be white, black, any nationality or of a mixed race that deserves to live under that kind of abuse. I believe everybody needs to read this book. Teens just as well as adults and maybe just maybe some of the abuse that goes on today can be stopped before its to late for the next one named Suzy.
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Author's Official Website: www.whathappenedtosuzy.com

The Sun in Her Eyes

2011-06-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

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About the author
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Camry Moore is a 15 year old sophomore and honor student at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL. She was born on April 17th, 1995 to Earl and Cherrie Moore. The youngest of five, she began writing short stories and poems in fifth grade at the age of nine. Even at that young age she was able to write incredibly descriptive stories. Her teachers, family and friends were amazed at her gift to pull readers in with her writing. She prides herself in being spiritually and morally grounded and hopes to be an inspiration for her generation and many more to come.
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About the book
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Sunny Newton is a musically talented, beautiful girl with a bright future ahead of her. But after the one boy she wholeheartedly trusted, suddenly dumps her, she drowns herself in sorrow. She finds herself losing the desire to do the things that once made her the girl that she was. Her music, her future and her life are no longer of any importance to her.
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Then, she accidentally meets Collin. A charming photographer who’s been hurt in a way that she couldn’t even imagine and yet smiling seems to come easy for him. Collin is ready and willing to save Sunny from herself.
All she has to do is let him…
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A fast paced story of love and lost filled with romance, comedy, drama and plenty of dialogue.

Picture Perfect

2011-06-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

About the author
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Lakia is an accomplished writer and educator with a heart for love and relationships. She's written for Gospel Today and has freelanced for top national magazines such as Upscale! As an educator, she is devoted to building healthy relationships in and out of the classroom where she teaches and mentors 7th grade boys. Her rapport and unique approach to teaching her “distinguished gentlemen of purpose” earned her a nomination for Teacher of the Year. Lakia has a Bachelors degree in Professional English and a Masters in Educational Leadership. She's happily married and is the mother of a beautiful little girl.
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About the book
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Picture This…A Happily Ever After Story Framed by You!
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What is your perception of marriage? Did you grow up believing that marriages came from a fantasy world of bliss? Did you realize that someone told you a tall tale when you woke up from dreamland? In a true story, Lakia shares her personal journey on redefining how she viewed marriage and the love shared in it. Her perception of marriage was soiled by the fantasy of the wedding day not to mention the many marriages that had “gone bad.” But through her very own once upon a time story, she was able to create a picture perfect marriage based on imperfections. Do you desire to have bliss, love, and happiness in your marriage? You no longer have to fantasize about it…you just simply have to create it to be your reality.
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You will discover how:
· Perceptions of marriage are flawed due to other peoples’ relationships and experiences.
· Developing a clear purpose for getting married will redefine your own views on marriage.
· To embrace your imperfections and those of your potential spouse to create a picture perfect marriage.
· Creating your happily ever after marriage can be a reality!

The Games People Play

2011-05-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

About the author
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CJ Domino is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The 41 year old, divorced mother of two is a graduate of Southern and Tulane Universities, where she majored in psychology and social work respectively. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Domino is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Psychology.
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With a lot of faith and little funds, CJ self published her first manuscript, Sideline Ho, which went on to become a best seller. Set in Baton Rouge, this shocking, in your face novel, takes a look at domestic violence and infidelity in the African-American community. Taking a different approach for her second book, but still covering a major social concern, emotional abuse, Who Does She Think She Is? A Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving a Breakup Before She Has a Breakdown hit bookshelves in June, 2009. In October, 2010 she released the highly anticipated follow up to Sideline Ho, The Games People Play which tells the story of a glorified trophy wife who is fed up with living the glamorous life.

In addition to writing, Domino is the proud owner of Shero Productions, LLC, a service oriented business designed to help women make positive life changes. Considered an expert in the area of women issues and trauma, Domino is also a highly sought after public speaker. With a bestselling novel under her belt and a booming career, this amazing sister is truly one to watch!

About the book
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When people look at my life this is what they see, a picture perfect couple living fabulously. But behind closed door it’s another story as I struggle to maintain this status quo glory. With bitches on my left and ho’s on my right, it’s a constant fight trying to remain a glamorous trophy wife. Sex, lies and alibis keep us together, but what’s done in the dark will never last forever.
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Meet Mercedes Barone, the beautiful wife of a former NBA All-Star. To the world she has it made, living high off of life, but as you read along you’ll soon learn that walking in her three-inch heels is no easy task. From her backstabbing relatives to her husband’s baby mama’s, what really happens when a ride or die vixen is fed up with the drama?
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For more information visit: www.cjdomino.com

Kismet

2011-05-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

About the author
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Raynesha Pittman grew up in South Central, LA and is currently residing in GA with her husband and four children. She grew up as one of LA’s many troubled youth, gang banging at 13 years old, shooting dice, smoking marijuana and even attempted to follow her father’s footsteps becoming a solicitor of woman before she became a women herself. Rebelling against her mother lead her into serving four years around Los Angeles juvenile corrections centers, placements, and camps. One thing she had during her troubled years besides a hustle and street smarts was book smarts, her ticket out of the hands of correctional facilities. She was an honor student since kindergarten, was certified gifted in the third grade, and was bused to Woodland hills, CA for a more challenging education, yet she had to be placed in honors classes there too. Her fighting got her kicked out of the enriched schools but that didn’t stop her.
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She graduated high school a month after turning 16 years old and received acceptance letters to five out-of-state universities which she later declined offers to due to still being on probation until 18 years of age and not being able to leave the state. California State University at Los Angeles and Northridge accepted her last minute application with open arms. After attending school for a little over a semester she discovered she was pregnant and decided to put her role as a mother first and get rid of the street life style all together.
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Once she moved to TN, Raynesha received her PTCB national certification in July 2010 after 3 1/2 years of being a licensed Pharmacy technician. It was while working in a pharmacy she met Michael Antonio of Payne Publishing, Inc., who encouraged her to write a book. She took his opinion to heart and wrote “Kismet, book one of the Beyond the bedroom series” an Drama touched with erotica which was released October 18, 2010 under Payne Publishing Inc. and now re-released March 21, 2011 under her own publishing company Conglomerate Ink.

About the book
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Kis·met noun, often capitalized \?kiz-?met, -m?t\ : A predetermined or unavoidable destiny. It is not identical to Karma, with Karma you get back what you dish out. Fate is not that friendly. Savannah James, a successful, revenge seeking entrepreneur who hasn't forgotten the feeling of growing into adulthood poor or all the drama and hurt that came along with it plans the perfect plot to avenge her past that is fueled on the "What goes around, comes around" theory also known as Karma . What happens when you take Karma into your own hands and seek revenge by methods of SEX, LIES, DECEPTION and SEDUCTION? Fate steps in, Knocks you off your high horse while your feet rest comfortably in the stirrups of satisfaction and drags you back to the reality that you are not in control!
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"Kismet" the first book of the Beyond the Bedroom series, a collection of Dramrotica (Drama/Erotica) will leave its readers fantasizing about sexual possibilities, exploring and rediscovering personal pleasures, reconsidering seeking revenge and leaving it in the hands of fate. New Authoress Raynesha Pittman has penned a clear and sexy definition between Karma and Kismet and will leave you wanting more.
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More information: raynesha_pittman@yahoo.com

Different Cultures. One World. Women's Voices from South Yorkshire

2011-05-05T01:07:00.000-07:00

About the author

Tchiyiwe Thandiwe Chihana

I was born in Braford, England in May, 1978 to Zambian parents. My formative years were lived in Zambia. I live in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

I am a co-founder and the Campaigns and Policy Officer for DEWA Project (Development and Empowerment for Women's Advancement). I also serve as Trustee and Women's Group Co-ordinator in Rotherham. At regional level, I am a panelist of the Northern Social Forum and was in the committe that developed and launched the 'Why Refugee Women?' charter for Yorkshire and Humber. I blog on twitter as AfriWoman and own http://www.afriwomen.blogspot.com/.

Having witnessed VAW as a child, I decided at an early age that my life commitment would be to stand up with and for my fellow women. This passion drove me to take an interest in various aspects of women's well being and I became aware of issues relating to sex trafficking, girl child education and the various systems that uphold the subjugation of women. In 1995, I swept in the wind of the Beijing Conference on Women. A school going child myself, I identified with matters around the promotion of Girl Child Education and spent the rest of that year being actively involved in debates that argued for its prioritisation. I consider this to be the year that my involvement in women's issues took a career turn.

About the book
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Different Cultures. One World. Women's Voices from South Yorkshire is a collection of contributions from women of various backgrounds living in South Yorkshire. Each contribution is an inspiring real life story, poem or recipe. To this rich collection, I have contributed 'A Woman's Worth?' which is an account of my witnessing domestic violence as a child. My story recounts the effects that domestic violence has had on me both as a child and as an adult. I discuss how my childhood experiences have shaped my activist work around Violence Against Women (VAW). I also question the 'taboos' and silences around VAW and the justification for its practice in our communities.
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The story is supported by statistics of domestic violence and gives information on the support services available to children living in abusive homes and also to women who are victims of violence in the United Kingdom. The book is available for immediate purchase from http://dewaproject.wordpress.com/one-world-different-cultures/

Being Bliss: A Guidebook for Wholeness, Health and Joy

2011-04-03T04:51:00.000-07:00

Author the Author

Indigo Ocean is the founder of the Phone Buddies Emotional Support Community and the former host of the Together in Spirit radio show. She holds an MA in Integral Counseling Psychology, a holistic form of psychotherapy that addresses the spiritual and energetic aspects of psychological health, and is a Reiki Master and Johrei practitioner who has helped hundreds of people transform their lives through intensive 1-hour energy healing sessions. She has served on the Board of a number of non-profits over the years and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she runs a small business helping businesses and non-profit organizations increase their success.

About the book

Being Bliss: A Guidebook for Wholeness, Health and Joy, was inspired when the author received a false medical diagnosis that made her fear for her life. The clarity that she developed during the 3 months it took to verify that she was not in fact imperiled was that if she was going to leave this world soon, she didn't want to leave without having shared the fruits of her own path of suffering and triumph over suffering with others.

Indigo Ocean began life in difficult circumstances and attempted suicide the first time when she was only 9 years old. Through spiritual study and practice she was able to transform a life of utter despair into a life guided and infused by the bliss of our true inner nature. Too often African-Americans are taught that life is about victimhood and powerlessness. Suffering is held up almost as if a noble ideal.

Though there has been a great deal of suffering in the history of our people, there has also been a great deal of inner strength, beauty and joy. Being Bliss is a guidebook for amplifying that triumpth in our lives so that it becomes the dominant story, allowing us to finally be free to create the lives of sweetness we choose for ourselves, instead of being limited to the lives of bitterness that those who have hated us would wish to limit us to.

Being Bliss is a book of stories and techniques that will help you learn from the author's experiences and training with confirmation that miracles do happen, that no matter how bad things are you can change your life by changing your choices, that many of these techniques can be easily learned and grown into skills, and that out of the many tools presented, there will be one that will have a powerfully transformative effect for you if diligently practiced.

The book is available both in paperback and on Kindle and other ebook formats. The most recent edition is the ebook version available at www.amazon.com/dp/B004BA52PI and www.smashwords.com/books/view/30008 and it is the author's preference that readers purchase this updated edition whenever possible.

Chaos

2011-04-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

About the author

Sherry Michelle was born and raised in Miami, Fl. She is currently residing in East Atlanta, GA. She started writing one day while working a concierge security desk job and what started off as just something to do to pass time, quickly developed into a strong passion for her. Writing gave her a new outlook on life and provided her with a broader perspective of her capabilities. With a vivid imagination, some personal sacrifices, and creativity, she worked diligently to create a page turning fictional adult novel.

Working to maintain a normal living and provide for her family, often her manuscript was put onto the back burner. But after a couple of years of not writing, it was the encouragement and positive feedback from her friends and family that motivated Sherry to pick up where she left off and finally complete her novel. Convinced that she had a bestseller-filled with drama, suspense, and erotic sexual tension, Sherry Michelle stepped out on faith and self- published Chaos.

About the book

When Danielle’s married boyfriend Malik suggests a ménage trio, sex, lies, and betrayal prove to be the perfect ingredients for chaos. The rules were set and both parties agreed that this would be a one-time affair; that was until Danielle wanted more. With an uncanny craving to touch, feel, and taste a woman, she found herself breaking all the rules as she continued a secret relationship with Ariel; the woman she befriended online for the purpose of the ménage trio.

Wanting to deny her newfound sexuality and keep to the promises she made to Malik, Danielle abruptly ends her secret affair with Ariel. But shortly after ending the affair, crippled by her desires, Danielle finds herself living a double life. Blissfully happy with her new love interest Alexis Roberts (Lexy), Danielle is soon torn between the woman who loves her unconditionally and the man she would never exclusively have.

Realizing her needs and wants couldn’t be fulfilled by one person, but two separate entities; she chooses who she needs over who she wants. With her mind made up to be monogamous with Lexy, Danielle finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy. Disapproving, Malik strongly suggests that her only option was to have an abortion. But when Danielle fails to go through with it, things turn for the worst.

Named as the primary suspect after Danielle is gruesomely attacked, Malik's financial status proves to be more substantial than any hard-core evidence presented against him. Hearts are broken and lives are destroyed as Danielle takes justice into her own hands. With the bang of the judge's gavel after the juror’s deliberation, Malik's sentence is rendered; except not by the presiding judge, but by Danielle Cyrus herself.

More about Sherry Michelle:
http://www.sherrymichelle.com/

Destined to Live, Despite Me

2011-04-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

About the Author

Yolanda A. Shanks is a Bible study facilitator and small group leader. Having survived a suicide attempt early in life, Yolanda writes with warmth and compassion offering scriptural truths and practical solutions for the many painful issues attempted suicide survivors face. Yolanda has an amazing family and a rewarding career.

About the book

Destined To Live, Despite Me speaks on the topic of suicide directly to the actual attempter in terms of spiritual direction, after they have sought counseling. It's coffee table tone also invites anyone, including individuals who may not have ever contemplated suicide, but who simply need direction in living a meaningful and purposeful life built on biblical truth. While D2LDM steers clear of giving medical or psychological guidance (The author understands and supports the need of individuals obtaining necessary medical counseling first), it doesn’t apologize for its direct approach in providing spiritual guidance for the rebuilding of one’s life on the fundamentals of our faith in God, and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The author understands that choosing to deliberately live life to its fullest; in peace and freedom, yet not absent from the storms of life, which are certain to come, but “through” the torrent conditions during this journey requires something other than “a name and claim it attitude” or “a wishful thinking mindset.” It demands faith in our Creator to perform the work that He has begun in us.

More about Yolanda A. Shanks
http://www.yolandashanks.com/
http://www.author-promotion.com/

2011-03-05T02:01:00.000-08:00

She Shall Stand
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About the author
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Hortense Duarma Grimes is the founder of Do It For Christ Ministry, an outreach for spiritual motivation and rehabilitation. She is a prolific writer, faith-based motivational speaker, author and evangelist. Ms. Grimes is a native of Liberia, West Africa and a former resident of Charles County, Maryland. After twenty-one years residing in the United States, God in His perfect holiness completed that phase. The Lord instructed her to return to her native Africa and work for Him to fulfill the Vision of that ministry: constructing spiritual retreat centers in the four corners of Africa. She is currently in transition. She can be contacted via her web site at www.doitforchrist.org.
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About the book
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This book delivers a message of hope and encouragement for everyday living. One ordinary woman answers a divine calling and embarks on a significant mission for Christ. Read this remarkable story and joyous testimony of the unending capacity of God's grace and love.
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More about the author:
Author & Book Promotions
http://www.author-promotion.com/
Twitter @authorpromotion

For Ladies Only: Dedicate to the Color Pink

2011-03-05T01:58:00.000-08:00

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About the author
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Ayin M. Adams makes her home in Maui, Hawai`i, where rainbows are plenty and sunsets looks like sunrises. She travels throughout the United States reading and lecturing. For Ladies Only: Dedicated to the Color Pink is Ayin M. Adams fourth book of poetry, following the acclaimed, The Woods Deep Inside Me and her historic ground-breaking book: African Americans In Hawai`i: A Search For Identity.
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Ayin M. Adams is an award-winning poet whose work has been published in magazines and numerous anthologies including, “Bum Rush The Page” a Defjam Poetry Publication. She has edited four poetry volumes for her students, including “Graffiti Dreams.” Ayin M. Adams is the winner of the Pat Parker Poetry Prize, The Audre Lorde Memorial Prose Prize, and the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award. .
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About the book
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For Ladies Only: Dedicate to the Color Pink
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… slowly one (of them) grew larger

sickness embedded

like journalists in war

hard as an orange, clean as a bald head

while the other twin remained untouched

unscathed by the hostile legions of contamination

that grew next to the heart we once called home.

The griefs of my own lie heavy in my breasts!

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More information:
Books are available from bookstores or directly from Pacific Raven Press at www.pacificravenpress.com and www.ayinadams.com

Amateka Ya Rusi

2011-03-05T01:51:00.000-08:00

Amateka Ya Rusi
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About the author
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Ruth has a passion to impact the lives of children eternally through biblical stories. Ruth travels to West and East Africa every year teaching children through her stories These stories add value to the lives children, from nation to nation. They are also translated into French, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
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Ruth holds a B.A. (Hons) in Linguistics. She is also a graduate of The School of Biblical Studies, EMF Welwyn and a member of The Campus Church.
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About the book
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Kinyarwanda:
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Umunsi umwe, igihe nyina yari amutumye ahura n’umusore witwaga MAHILONI. Yari umusore w’uburanga kandi akaba n’umushyitsi muri icyo gihugu cy’I Mowabo.
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Rusi na Mahiloni babaye inshuti ndetse bigera umunsi umwe biyemeza kubana nk’umugore n’umugabo. Rusi na Mahilon bagize urugo rw’umunezero, ariko nyuma gato Rusi yamenye ko byose byenda guhinduka.
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Kindly email her for more information:
ruthie.dickson@gmail.com
http://www.gihonpublishing.com/

The Sunday Morning Wife

2011-01-30T02:27:00.000-08:00

About the Author

The lure of enticing words has always captivated Pamela D. Rice. Even at the tender age of two, this soulful native South Carolinian would intensely gaze at books, pretending to read and embrace the content within the pages. Pamela became an avid reader, and soon found a natural progression and flair for expressing herself through illuminating words which resulted in her becoming a published poet while in the eighth grade.

Known for her stimulating and thought-provoking views, Pamela possesses a fervor for creatively giving a voice to victims who suffer in silence, afraid to speak for themselves. Inspired by everyday situations and social exchanges, Pamela has always enjoyed observing people and dissecting their interactions; this hobby became her muse. It is her desire to become a literary vessel that brings light to the social ill of domestic violence and its reach beyond all racial, cultural and socio-economic class. Through inspirational prose, she is destined to heal the human soul.

When Pamela is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring other cultures.

About the Book

The old saying is true. You never know what’s going on in someone else’s home.

From the outside looking in, Yolanda Clarke appears to have it all. She’s a beautiful woman, and her husband, Timothy, is the pastor of BrightStar Tabernacle. Timothy is easy on the eyes as well, often being told he resembles Harry Belafonte. They seem to have the perfect life. But, looks are certainly deceiving.

Yolanda has become a puppet on a string, totally controlled by Timothy. While everyone at church thinks he walks on water, Yolanda knows the person behind the mask. His constant verbal tirades, physical and emotional abuse has become unbearable.

In walks Andre Hunter. He’s the type of man that can make any woman forget all her troubles. His chocolate skin, pearly whites, and beautiful smile enthrall Yolanda. She has never entertained the idea of infidelity, but the abuse and lack of intimacy at home makes her adulterous affair justifiable in her mind. Andre gives Yolanda everything she’s missing at home-respect, conversation, and passion behind closed doors. But, Andre is hiding secrets of his own.

Will Yolanda finally climb from the abyss of despair she’s lived in with Timothy and move to a brighter tomorrow with Andre? Or will she forever remain “The Sunday Morning Wife?”

Interview With Love

2011-01-30T02:25:00.000-08:00

About the Author

Lisa Watson is a native of Washington D.C. The city’s historic and political backdrop fed Watson’s romantic imagination. Currently, Lisa resides in North Carolina where she is an Asset Management Specialist as a subcontractor to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. She recently celebrated her 14th wedding anniversary and is the mother of two pre-teens.

Lisa is the co-publicist for RT BookReview Magazine’s annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She secures author media interviews for National Bestselling authors like L.A. Banks, Christine Feehan, Bobbi Smith, Brenda Jackson, Heather Graham, Barry Eisler, and Jim Butcher.

Lisa’s hobbies include writing fan fiction based on the characters of the popular television series, Remington Steele, her true Guilty Pleasure for which she has a National and International fan base. Lisa loves visiting picturesque locales that always seem to find a way into her latest novels.

Lisa’s short story, The Reunion, was featured in Sun Magazine’s 10-Minute Love Story column. Her debut novel, Watch Your Back continues to receive rave reviews, and was nominated for a 2010 Afr’Am Literary Fest award. Lisa has been interviewed in various magazines, radio shows and on several book club and Blog sites.

Lisa Watson's second novel, Interview with Love (Urban Renaissance, December 2010) will introduce readers to Sienna Lambert and Vaughn Deveraux. When Love Speaks…You’d Better Listen! Lisa is currently working on and another romantic suspense, Brace for Impact. Married for almost 15 years, Lisa is the mother of a thirteen year-old son, an eleven year-old daughter, and a six year-old Yellow Lab, Boomer.

About the Book

No nonsense consumer psychologist, Sienna Lambert moderates focus groups to assist her clients with marketing their products to target audiences. Her newest client, Dexter Clothiers has developed state of the art men's undergarments, Best Kept Secrets that become more comfortable the longer they’re worn. Sienna interviews men from all professions and walks of life to get their opinion on the line.

When adrenaline junkie, Vaughn Deveraux meets Sienna he takes her breath away—literally. After a run-in at a client softball outing Sienna assumes Vaughn is one of the new models for Dexter Clothiers. Vaughn tells her he’s the Creative Director at the company advertising the line and jokes that he leaves the modeling in the very capable hands of his younger brother, Pierce, a retired professional football player who’s had a great deal of experience with women asking questions about his briefs.

Though intrigued, Sienna keeps her distance when she finds out he works with her client, but Vaughn’s fun nature and zest for living prove too irresistible to ignore. Sienna’s once calm, predictable life gets turned upside down when Vaughn shows her that sometime’s life is better when you experience it instead of researching it.

More about Lisa Watson:
www.lisawatson.com

Women, What The Hell Are You Thinking Now?

2011-01-30T02:23:00.000-08:00

About the Author

Someone once asked Cheryl Donovan what her passion was in life, she said, “God has given me a heart for women who are struggling with life’s twists and turns. My message to them is even when we can’t diagnose the problem; God’s word can bring us healing and wholeness. I want to bring this message to all women. I want them to understand that until they fall in love with Jesus, the chains of sin and bondage will never be broken.”

Donovan lives in Houston with her husband Keith Donovan, who made his writing debut in Do You Still Do What Happens Happily Ever After, the couples transparent piece on the realities of relationships and what it takes to have a marriage of purpose. They are the parents of three adult children and grandparents to two handsome grandsons.

Donovan grew up in Houston, Texas the daughter of parents who divorced when she was four. Her father is a prominent Baptist preacher in Houston. In spite of the vicissitudes of life which found Cheryl a pregnant teen in an abusive marriage, she has now become a highly sought after inspirational speaker, educator, talk show host, and award winning author.
One reviewer has said, “She has truly mastered the ability to “break one down in order to build one up,” much like a master subtly shaping the hearts and minds of unwitting students.”

That passion and sincerity also comes through in person. “Cheryl’s students at a proprietary school in Houston just enjoy her presence because she’s very open about speaking about her confusions and her shortcomings. She also shares her triumphs, breakthrough, and accomplishments and that’s something a lot of the students find refreshing.

About the Book

You are pregnant with purpose, pregnant with greatness. Allow the baby to be born. Don’t permit the enemy to abort the baby. God has deposited something great on the inside of you and it’s time for your delivery! Let the weak say I’m strong and the poor say I’m rich; Rich with the power of the Spirit, Rich with the Word of God, Rich with health, Rich with strength and courage. Take authority over the enemy and declare dominion over everything God has for you. Reclaim your purpose, reclaim your hopes, reclaim your destiny, and reclaim your dreams!

God has a big life for you, one that has peace, joy, and wholeness. His plan includes love and value, purpose and fulfillment, provision and supply. Whatever has caused you to be broken, the areas in your life that aren’t working or are ineffective, the areas where you feel powerless, doing nothing and going nowhere, God wants to put them back together again! But you can’t get to the upper level when you’re stuck on the ground floor.

More about Cheryl Donovan:
www.worthmorethanrubiesministries.org

Le Croix de Ruth: Un Grand Héritage

2011-01-30T02:21:00.000-08:00

About the Author

Ruth has a passion to impact the lives of children eternally through biblical stories. Ruth travels to West and East Africa every year teaching children through her stories, which they thoroughly enjoy. These stories add value to the lives children, from nation to nation. Her books are also translated into Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Ruth holds a B.A. (Hons) in Linguistics. She is also a graduate of The School of Biblical Studies, EMF Welwyn and a member of The Campus Church.

About the Book

Un jour, alors qu'elle faisait une course pour sa mère, elle rencontra un jeune homme nommé Mahlon. C'était un beau jeune homme et un étranger au pays de Moab. Ruth et Mahlon devinrent bons amis et un jour, ils décidèrent de se marier. Ruth et Mahlon formaient un couple heureux et elle ne s'attendait pas à ce que cela puisse changer.

More about Ruth:
www.gihonpublishing.com
or email: ruthie.dickson@gmail.com

Understanding Who God is

2011-01-30T02:19:00.000-08:00

About the Author

Diann was born and raised in the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor James and wife Dorothy Robinson in Indianapolis, learning the fundamentals of the Bible and C.O.G.I.C., doctrine. She received Christ as her personal Savior in April 1980. She was called into ministry to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ August 1992. Diann has served in many areas of the church teaching Sunday school, Y.P.W.W., Prayer & Bible Band, Sun -shiners, Puritans, and the Youth classes. Diann was appointed as the Sunday School Field Worker in the Love and Kindness District of the Church of God in Christ under the late prelate Bishop Milton L. Hall Sr, June 1999. She has carried the gospel in various churches throughout the city of Indianapolis, and the states of Indiana and California.

About the Book

Understanding Who God Is, is a journey through the Bible that highlights some of the great prophets and biblical stories. Understanding Who God Is will encourage, inspire, and cause the reader to evaluate himself in light of the Word of God, for my people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6a).
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More about Diann Snodgrass:
http://www.deloresthornton.org/

http://www.diannsnodgrass.com/

THE BOOK OF RUTH: Beauty for Ashes, Joy for Mourning and Praise for Despair.

2011-01-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

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About the Author
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Ruth Dickson lives in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. In 2004, Ruth had to make the choice of walking along a narrow path or taking the broad path which would lead her to destruction.
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When her husband left the family home, without telling her, it seemed like the hordes of hell had been loosed against her. God took her to the book of Ruth and calmed her spirits. He taught her that loosing a husband was not the end of the world. He taught her about turning her back on those things, which in her own mind, she had esteemed very highly and placed above God. He renewed her spirit by taking her step by step through the book of Ruth, teaching her to hold, in high esteem, those things which had eternal value.
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Ruth studied extensively for very many months. She was taught how Ruth, her namesake in the bible, had to make the difficult choice of facing an uncertain future or walking back to what she was familiar with. Ruth, with the help of her pastors, enrolled to become a missionary at the European Missionary Fellowship (School of Biblical Studies). She carried out extensive biblical studies there and now travels internationally sharing the gospel. Ruth has a God given love for children and organises biblical workshops in homes for children every year. Ruth is also a gifted and anointed singer and ministers internationally.
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Ruth wrote her first book based on this biblical book in 2006. Following that, she has written several children's books in different languages. Her missionary work in East Africa has caused her to publish books in Swahili, French and Kinyarwanda.
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About the book
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THE BOOK OF RUTH: Beauty for Ashes, Joy for Mourning and Praise for Despair.
If you love digging deep into scripture, this is the book for you. With an in-depth study of the book of Ruth and scriptures to study and meditate on, it will prove to be an book with a solid biblical foundation. It is the story of an an afflicted woman, faced with a very difficult circumstance and a very difficult choice. She would have to choose between what the world had to offer and the promises of God, though not evident at the time. By faith, she inherited these unseen promises. She met with divine providence, as her sorrow was turned into joy. Her story is one of great faith and selfless love. With a study guide on each page, you will find out that the message behind this book is not only important, but valuable today.
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More about book:
The book is available Amazon (The Book of Ruth: Beauty for ashes)
ISBN: 978-0-9567352-01
Order books from: www.gihonbooks.com

WHO K'NEW! "The Players Have Changed, But The Game Remains The Same."

2011-01-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

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About the Author
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Kimberly L. Morgan-Dade was born and raised in Muncie, IN where she graduated from Muncie Central High School and Ball State University. While attending Ball State, she became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. After graduation, Kimberly went on to pursue her career in Indianapolis, IN where she now resides. Even while balancing a career while raising her three beautiful children (Justin, Mikayla and Kobe), Kim always had the goal to complete her Novel that she started in 2003 and bring her Novel to life. Kimberly is now beginning referred to as the Next Tyler Perry by her friends and family. Kimberly has been Nominated for Female Author of the Year, and has been featured her home town Life section of the Muncie Star Press.
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WHO K’NEW is the completed work that will be sure to remind the reader, “Although the players have changed, the game remains the same!”
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About The Book
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Muncie, IN-The players have changed. But, the game remains the same. The new novel entitled “WHO K’NEW!” (published by AuthorHouse) is the first published work of hot, new writer Kimberly Morgan-Dade. This captivating book tells the story of the perfect statement that we have all made, “WHO K’NEW!”
With a fascinating mixture of drama, comedy, romance and a few twists, “WHO K’NEW!” takes the reader on a captivating ride based on the writer’s personal experience.
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There is nothing in the world like living in a small town and having a true friend. If you have no clue what a true friend is and what they will do for you or what it feels like living in a small town, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. When a true friend enters your life, there is nothing a girlfriend won’t say or do for you-and I mean nothing. This friendship of ours started back in elementary school in Muncie, Indiana. Who would have ever thought that 36 years later we would still be the best of friends? (BFF) Things that have happened to us while growing up and as adults is nothing but a story waiting to be told.

Christene has been closer to me than my own sister, but my sister could never be replaced. She is four years younger than me, so the crowd she hung out with was a lot different than the crowd I hung out with. Don’t get me wrong. There were times we would go out together but as soon as we would see our friends, we would go our separate ways. Christene knows things that any other sister would have had my business in the streets before the door closed behind them, but she knew when to talk and when to run her mouth like it was her job.
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Kim spots her first love from across a crowded room. With a mix of uncertainty, comedy, drama and romance, they embark on an unexpected journey that neither of them would have imagined. WHO K’NEW! is a story filled with hilarious and heartwarming moments that are sure to keep the reader captivated from cover-to-cover.
Website: www.morganddg.webs.com FB and Twitter

“WHO K’NEW!” is available from www.authorhouse.com and www.barnesandnobles.com and www.amazon.com ISBN: 9781438963228 paperback $14.97 ISBN: 9781438963235 Hardcover $19.97

Knocked Down by Life, Lifted Up by Faith: Labeled a Statistic My Road to Success

2010-10-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

About the Author

As a young girl growing up in Tucson, Arizona, Adrienne spent a lot of time in church because her grandfather, Thomas Monroe Hopkins, was a Baptist preacher. Despite being in church three to four times a week, Adrienne had not developed a relationship with God. It wasn’t until 2004, that Adrienne began to develop and strengthen her relationship with God and realized there was no such thing as luck it was the favor of God.

For the past 21 years, Adrienne has been practicing nursing providing quality health care to her patients. Adrienne graduated from Merida Huron School of Nursing (Cleveland, OH) in 1989, receiving a Diploma in Nursing. While working as an RN, eager to excel, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH) in 1997 and a Master of Science degree in the area of Family Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA) in 2003 and became Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner in July 2003. Adrienne also attended Georgetown University where she studied Nurse Midwifery. Adrienne opened Faith Family Health and Weight Management Clinic on August 13th, 2008.

In February 2007, Adrienne received her Realtor's license and June 2009, was certified by the ISSA as a Certified Personal Trainer. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, relocating to Houston, Texas in 2005, in her spare time Adrienne loves working out, reading, traveling and going to the movies. She is also the proud mother of three children: Lorne Jermaine Brown, Rodney Darrell Mynatt II and India Nicole Mynatt. Also, four grandsons: Xavier, Isaiah, Miraculous, Cassanova and a fifth grandson to arrive in this world in November 2010. Adrienne attends Lakewood Church.

Knocked Down by Life, Lifted Up by Faith: Labeled a Statistic, My Road to Success, her first book, was published by America's Press in September 2010 — and, as you can imagine, she is thrilled!

About the book

Knocked Down by Life, Lifted Up Faith: Labeled a Statistic My Road to Success, Adrienne Mynatt shares with her readers that everyone has challenges in life. But, as we exercise our faith in God, we learn – and it has been proven – that God will never leave nor forsake His people.

Traumatized at age 5, labeled a statistic at 17, and a teenage mom at 18, Adrienne has overcome many obstacles while pursuing her journey to success. As Adrienne shares testimonies from her own personal life experiences, she knows that everyone who reads this book will be encouraged, inspired and blessed.

The three essential messages in this book:
- Everyone has challenges in life, but you are in control of your destiny
- Lessons learned and growth from challenges
- Developing a relationship with God to the point where you know there is no such thing as luck it’s the favor of God.

ISBN # 978-0-615-40139-3
Available: Faith Family Health and Weight Management Clinic (www.ffhwmc.com)

For more information see:
www.adriennemynatt.com

When Light Breaks Through

2010-10-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

About the Author

Melanie Carter was born & raised in a small town called Jesup, GA. A place where everyone knows everybody. Most people would call this place "country". Well, whatever the common term for it may be, I knew very early in life that my mind, heart, spirit & soul was much too big for that place.

See, for as long as I can remember, I've been an avid reader. Novels & words took me places: wild adventurous places to lovers lane. Then,one day, while I was in the 5th grade, I picked up a pen because my heart told me I had something to say & I've been in love with this POETRY THANG ever since! I've been performing Spoken Word at open mic spots, parties & other venues for the last four years. Finally, at the age of 25 on March 7, 2010, I took that last step.

I published my first book of poetry through Whirlwind Publishing, When Light Breaks Through. All I could do was smile that day because I knew it was just the first book of many! For me, this is a FOREVA THANG!

About the book

Although I've been writing for several years, When Light Breaks Through is my first published book of poetry. For a period in my life, I was walking in darkness but every time I picked up my pen, it was like guiding beams of light. Those beams of light guided me through every emotion: happiness, sadness, anger, disappointment, pleasure, pain, abuse, love & the loss of love.

So if you want to smile, if you want to dance, remember what love feels like, remember what passion feels like & are not afraid to cry a little bit, then this book is for you. Join me on my journey & see what happens When Light Breaks Through...

Women, War, and Violence: Personal Perspectives and Global Activism

2010-10-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

About the Author

Tadia Rice enjoyed a lengthy successful business career when she transitioned to author, playwright and recording artist. Her essay, entitled "Breaking Into The Boys Club" is a personal account of her experience as the only female in the all-male business environment in 1970 affirmative action America. Tadia is a motivational speaker in demand. Her debut CD, "Solace of the Eyes", and the lush original cast recording of the music drama, "A Woman and Her Words" competed for Grammy nominations in ten categories.

Her quest to learn more about Tahirih, the legendary 19th-century Persian poetess and legal scholar known as "Joan of Arc of the Eastern world" inspired her to establish the non-profit organization, the Tahirih Association. The organization has educated women in South Africa; Honduras; China; Namibia and the US. Their motto: "Teach a Girl. Change the World."

Tadia also serves on the Board Directors for the Princess of Africa Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. This organization is helping to eradicate malaria in Africa by educating vulnerable communities, with emphasis on pregnant women and children under five years old. For her achievements United States Congressperson Diane Watson, California Senator Barbara Boxer, and Mayor Bill Campbell of Atlanta, Georgia have honored Tadia.

Tadia currently resides in Hawaii and is a business consultant specializing in organizational dynamics and professional development.

About the book

Chapter Tadia Rice:Horror to Hope: Tragedy to Triumph.
Product Description Women, War, and Violence: Personal Perspectives and Global Activism draws upon a wide global community of activists, scholars, NGOs, and clinicians to expand the definition of how war and its violent underpinnings affects everyday women and families around the world. Benefiting from first-hand research and definitive assessments of gender-based violence interventions, it invites diverse perspectives of interdisciplinary documentation and storytelling beyond traditional academic writing.

Reflecting on anti-militarist activism, structural violence, post-war atrocities, government commissions and policy solutions, WWV sheds new light on war-related gender oppression at the intersections of race, national identity, religion, and social class and the need to promote a new paradigm of the equality of men and women.

More about Tadia Rice:
www.tadiarice.com

Looking For The Promise

2010-10-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

About the Author

As a music consultant and creative writer Patrice Baylor Leigh finds time to share her music and educator experiences with the public via radio, print media and as a consultant. After beginning her work on a PhD in educational leadership, she discovered with the help of colleagues that her best career move would be to pursue “a career that allowed for growth and room for invention and free expression of ideas.”

Patrice Baylor Leigh’s creative works include published songs, poetry and inspirations that can be found on her blog at www.orientation-leigh.blogspot.com. She is a member of The Association of Gospel Songwriters, Inc., and can soon be heard on I Like Me Radio.fm. an internet radio format.

About the book

The story of Marva Stewart Shepherd is told in a series of flashbacks dating back to her teenage years. Marva, an attractive forty something year old woman has lost her charismatic edge due to a series of unfortunate incidents. She looses herself in the process of caring for others. The ill treatment she receives from the men in her life causes her to take an extended vacation at the family's summer retreat. Alone she can reflect on the status of her life and marriage.

While on the beach the story of her life plays out and what happens as a result of her past involvements is cause for laughter, tears and possible victory.

Marva's desire to escape her circumstances brings around old friends who spark memories of life in the promiscuous lane. Having come from a large family, Marva's ultimate goal is to leave her parent’s home to pursue her life's dreams. Her way of life is threatened when the one she thought would fulfill her longings is caught up in his own issues of infidelity and theft.

When Marva interrupts her vacation and returns to her home in the city, what she finds sends her into a rage. As a result her life takes her on a very interesting journey of loss and redemption.

New Dawn

2010-10-01T21:41:00.001-07:00

About the author

I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana where I obtained my primary and secondary education. I migrated to the UK many years ago and have lived mostly in the South Eastern part of London. Just last year, though, I migrated to Surrey. I have three young children, two girls and a boy, though not in that sequence. I hold a Masters Degree in Public Administration and a Degree in Education and Community Development. Throughout all of these wonderful experiences, a passion for writing has smouldered and waited for its time to be released. Now, that time has come.

I have always had a rich imagination. Even the most routine activities have sparked stories to form in my mind. I absolutely adore making up characters and letting them tell their stories through me. International travel has proved to be a great source of inspiration to me, both creatively and personally; a person can be so enriched by experiencing the vastly dissimilar cultures that human nature has built up. Another source of inspiration has been my third hobby: reading. I’ll read just about any genre, but my favourite is romance.

I have been asked many times by both family members and colleagues why I read so much. My answer is always the same, escape. There is an entire world in my head where I may live with many fictional couples, suffer their trials and experience their triumphs. It has been suggested, not once, that I must read so much because I am escaping a deep unhappiness in my own life. Nothing could be more wrong. True, my life’s path is littered with loss and heartache, but whose isn’t? Our journey is never carefree and rosy, but it is real. And, every challenge along the journey that I have taken was mine to accept and mine to overcome. I believe each experience in life is an opportunity to re-mould ourselves and our spirits; mine have certainly been so and I look forward to a future filled with more of them.

My characters situations are not smoothened by privilege and luxury; rather, they are refined by unique challenges and the routine obstacles of life. Like me, my heroes and heroines find meaningful victory in the power of true love.
As a writer I hope my words will build a bridge across the cultural lacuna that grows deeper as our world continues to shrink. I want to share stories from other continents through characters steeped in centuries old traditions and beliefs as they make their way through our modern-day global community.

My aim is to make my stories reflect real life experience, while not losing the subtle promise of a fairy tale. I look forward to my future as a successful author in which my readers are continually exposed to different cultures and some new and old social issues. Moreso, though, I look forward to my writings evoking a real sense of emotion in my readers, making them fume at the injustices, share in the sadness, understand and relate to new perspectives, laugh in appreciation at human nature and end with a smile.

About the book

In the days of ethnic strife and struggles for Kingdom-wide control in the African Gold Coast village of Asempa’Krom, the beautiful young Ima eagerly awaits for her marriage to the village’s lustiest warrior, Batum. Batum’s air of cockiness and physical strength are nearly a perfect match for Ima’s impetuous spirit, and both have a fire burning in their belly for the power of their promising young lives.

The impending union causes Ima’s peers to envy the haughty, saucy and self-indulgent maiden. But, when Batum carries out a wholly unprovoked attack on the neighbouring village’s Chief warrior, Adiago, to feed his greed for power and glory, his uncontrolled actions prompt his desperate flight from Asempa’Krom.

Learning that Batum has killed the wife and children of another man in the surprise night-time raid, Ima’s father, Seth, informs her of the dissolution of her betrothal. Ima becomes the immediate target of her peer’s ridicule and cruel mocking.

To avenge the attack on Adiago, the offended warrior’s clan sets out to kidnap Ima, and unintentionally begin her journey to womanhood. Over a week’s journey by foot away from her home, Ima is kept in the house of the man whose family was slaughtered by Batum. Referring to her only as “Batum’s intended wife”, Ima must learn to stave off her loneliness, and prove herself as an individual and not the reflection of Batum’s evil doings.

While there, she discovers her compassion and resolves her growing desire for the very man who is now her captor. Her spirit and tenacity which once served as an impediment in her immaturity, now serve her well – helping her to find true love and guide her in the ways to reel in the man’s heart she desires.

New Dawn tells the story of two very complex men and two resolute women who are fierce in their mannerisms, sharp tongued, bold in their actions, protective as lionesses and determined to take what belongs to them – but, will they succeed?

More about Naa Shalman
www.naashalman.com

African American Attorneys In Hawaii

2010-10-01T21:39:00.001-07:00

About the author

Daphne Barbee-Wooten has authored several articles, Hawaii Bar Journal, Hawaii's First Black Lawyer, February 2004, Hawaii Bar Journal, The Lawgiver: George Marion Johnson, J.D., LLD, February 2005, Hawaii Bar Journal, "Spreading the Aloha of Civil Rights", October 1999. Hawaii Women Lawyers "Our Rights, Our Lives” hand book, contributing writer, co-editor for 3rd Edition, December 1996, Essence Magazine, African Americans in Hawaii, April 1994, Hawaii Bar Journal, "Hawaii Civil Rights Commission", August 1993, Contributing Writer in AGo Girl!

The Black Woman’s Guide to Travel and Adventure, "Visiting Nanny Town,” (The Eight Mountain Press, 1997), "Following the Tradewinds: African Americans in Hawaii", 2004, contributing author. She also is a regular contributing writer to Mahogany and Afro-Hawaii News, monthly periodicals which emphasize events within the African American community in Hawaii. She was President of African American Lawyers Association in 2003.

About the book

African American, Black lawyers practiced law in the United States before the Civil War ended. Although the number of black lawyers is disproportionately low compared with white lawyers, the numbers are rising. Black lawyers have been instrumental in obtaining and securing equal rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Black lawyers have a keen insight into civil rights violations because they are descendants of an unfair slavery system based upon skin color. Black lawyers who made their way to the Hawaiian Islands continued the civil rights struggle and through law, politics, government and other social acts. Their acts helped Hawaii have a more just and egalitarian legal system.

As an African American lawyer in Hawaii, I felt it was essential to document our contributions. I start with early beginnings, recognizing two African American lawyers, T. McCants Stewart and Dr. George Johnson, both of whom attained International, National and Local prominence in Hawaii.

After presenting early African American lawyers in Hawaii, this book showcases case law and events affecting race discrimination in Hawaii as it pertains to African Americans. From the 1950's through the 1980's, African Americans were not always welcome in Hawaii. Many liquor establishments refused to serve Black military men and allow them into their establishments.

Mayor Frank Fasi appointed Dr. John Edwards to the liquor commission in the 1980's. After this appointment, the Liquor Commission began to fine establishments who discriminated. In the late 1980's, the Civil Rights Commission of Hawaii was created. Several of its rulings dealt with discrimination against African Americans.

The African American Lawyers Association was formed after a prominent Hawaii Court Judge referred to an African American Bail Bondsman using the "n" word. The African American Lawyers Association (AALA) is still an active watchdog for civil rights and gives away scholarships to the youth for writing essays on civil rights.

Some of the winning essays are presented. Minutes of the first meetings of AALA are included along with brief sketches of African American lawyers in Hawaii and historical events they were involved. African American lawyers of Hawaii members are active with the National Bar Association, the largest organization of African American lawyers and Judges in the world.

In 2004, AALA members traveled with the NBA to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. A travelogue of this trip concludes the book, a celebration with returning to Africa, meeting, connecting and observing the African legal system of 3 countries.

Books are available at Borders Books & Music, and may email the author at:
aala@clearwire.net

What About Your Friends

2010-10-01T21:37:00.001-07:00

About the Author

TERESA D. PATTERSON is the author of Project Queen, Uncrossing Her Legs, Ex-boyfriend, In Need of a Joshua Man, and Spin Cycle. She is the founder/CEO of Edit Again Publications, her own independent publishing company. She resides in Florida with her two children where she continues to write.

About the Book

Camille Gray, a newlywed, and expectant mother constantly accuses her husband of infidelity. Even though Dexter isn’t being unfaithful he does have a new secretary, Meredith Walker. Meredith isn’t shy about letting Dexter know that if he does want to stray from his marriage, she’s more than willing to accommodate him. Can Dexter resist temptation?

April Dillard, a single parent of two, has issues with her son’s father, Darren. Because of their on-again, off-again relationship, his selfishness as a parent and her daily issues, April chooses drinking and clubbing as an outlet for her stress. She tries to bury her problems at the bottom of a bottle.

Brittany Anderson has her share of men problems. She goes through one bad relationship after the next, often neglecting her children in the process. While she’s out chasing her latest conquest, a tradgedy occurs. Will she lose her children forever because of her selfishness?

While reading What About Your Friends, you will be left wondering about the people and friendships in your own life. “What about your Friends” e-book is available on Amazon Kindle. The first three chapters can be read on the author’s website: www.teresadpatterson.com.

There is Too Much Hell in The Church

2010-09-04T00:49:00.001-07:00

About the author

Andrea Michele Mills, 47, is a Christian author, Inspirational Speaker, Minister of the Lord and Freelance writer. She is the founder and CEO of Love Inspite of Women’s Bible Fellowship. Under her pen name, Michele Mills, she co-authored an anthology, Victorious Living for Women (Suber Pullins Publishing), and she is a contributing writer for Divine Inspiration Magazine. She is launching Love Inspite of Women’s Christian Magazine, an online magazine for women. She lives in Northern CA, has two children and a granddaughter, and is a member of The Well Christian Community Church, Dublin, Calif.

About the book

Christian author Andrea Michele Mills hopes to bring “repentance, righteousness, holiness, and most of all, the fear of the Lord back into the churches.” Her book, There’s Too Much Hell in Church, confronts the difficult issues afflicting today’s churches from prideful, prestige-seeking pastors and congregations to homosexuality in the pulpit. Mills encourages churches to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” by repenting of lifestyles and choices that compromise the spiritual health of the church body. Holy Fire Publishing

“It’s my supreme desire for this book to optimistically agitate change in the churches and hearts of Christians all across the nations. These writings and scriptures will inspire [readers] and allow the Holy Spirit to bring true repentance, righteousness, holiness, and most of all, the fear of the Lord back into the churches. My ultimate heart’s desire is to do the will of the Lord, and to see all churches in commission under the unction of the Holy Spirit, worshiping the one and only, true and living God, which is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…. [M]y heart is deeply committed to the body of Christ: The Church!”—Andrea Michele Mills

“It’s time to stand up for righteousness’ sake. No more merchandising the anointing: Give $1000 and your blessing is on the way; give your bill-money, and you will receive a blessing in seven days; or stand in the $1000-line because the Lord has a Word for you—in seven days you will be married. This is ludicrous and not biblical.”—excerpt, There’s Too Much Hell in the Church!

More about Andrea Michele Mills:
www.loveinspiteofwomensbiblefellowship.com
She is available for speaking engagements and book signings.

The Playmaking Way

2010-09-04T00:48:00.001-07:00

About the Author

Rabin Nickens is a dynamic New York City-based educator with over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, dramatic arts instructor, performing artist, and advocate for children. In her mission to “help young people empower themselves through education and the arts,” she has worked with thousands of kindergarten through 12th grade children of diverse backgrounds, helping them discover the talents and aptitudes within them.

Rabin earned her Master of Science degree in early childhood and elementary education from Bank Street College. Her theatre training includes study at Baruch College, Black Spectrum Theatre, Joy of Performing Theatre Ensemble, and the New Federal Theatre Workshops where she worked with master thespians such as Ruby Dee and Dr. Barbara Ann Teer. Her advocacy work began with appointment to the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, where she advised former New York City mayor David N. Dinkins and other high-ranking city officials on issues affecting youth. She went on to recruit and lead other teams of youth who were awarded the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Peace Keeper Award for non-violent community action.

She is the recipient of numerous honors including the Friars Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Theatre Arts, a curriculum-writing grant from Columbia University's Teachers College, and the Theadore Roosevelt Association Medal for Public Speaking. When she is not in the classroom, Rabin travels internationally studying world cultures, and conducts professional development trainings and presentations on topics in education and cross-cultural competency for organizations such as The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and The Student Conservation Association (SCA).

About the Book

Rabin Nickens' The Playmaking Way: Using Dramatic Arts to Support Young Readers and Writers is a guide for educators that will show you how to:

- help your K-3rd grade students plan, write, set-design, and perform their own plays

- fit dramatic arts into your busy daily curriculum

- develop and reinforce often hard-to-teach reading and writing skills

- make education culturally and socially relevant to your students' lives

- engage a diverse range of learners, including children with special needs, gifted-and-talented students, and English language learners

"The Playmaking Way" is the perfect compliment to your existing language arts curriculum. It actually makes learning FUN - for YOU and your STUDENTS!

More about Rabin Nickens:
www.rabinnickens.blogspot.com

Soul on Fire

2010-09-04T00:46:00.001-07:00

About the Author

Before Soul on Fire, Banks shared her works with the world through free-lance writings. She is a native of Arkansas who now calls Atlanta, GA her home. Banks enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Banks uses her writing as a platform to encourage her readers to explore taboo subjects and engage in dialogue to find solutions. She is a self-motivated woman and knows the world is waiting for her greatness. “The only limits are the ones I place upon myself; I don’t have any.”

About the Book

Dana Taylor is 29, a beautiful, well- educated, rising star in corporate Atlanta. Dana lives life on her own terms, no matter the cost. She can have any man she wants, and often finds herself in the throes of one unhealthy relationship after another. Not until she has retreated into the emotional shelter of various “unavailable” men, ruined a marriage, and jeopardized a friendship does she look inward to find the source of her self-destructive behavior. To reclaim herself and find redemption, she must unlock the demons of her past and confront those that stole her innocence. Soul on Fire chronicles one woman’s journey for inner peace and happiness; neither of which comes without a price.

More about Skyy Banks:
www.skyybanks.com
Book info:
ISBN: 978-0981532653
www.urbanedgepublishing.com

Only Hers

2010-09-04T00:37:00.001-07:00

About the Author

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.

About the Book

ONLY HERS, the reissue of Taggart Brothers series book #2 on August 3, 2010.

When St. Louis nurse Shannon Johnson inherits a cabin in Texas, she hopes it will be the perfect getaway from her high-pressure job—and her low-energy love life. Unfortunately, the place is a rundown shack with no electricity…except for the sizzling sparks that fly when she meets Matt Taggart, the big strapping rancher next door.

One of the Lone Star States most desirable bachelors, Matt Taggart has seen more than his share of gold-diggers—including his ex-wife—and he's sworn off love forever. He's convinced Shannon only wants a piece of his ranch. But when he challenges her to help him work the land, Matt begins to see Shannon for who she really is. And soon those sparks are igniting a fire they can't put out…

More about Francis Ray:
www.francisray.com

Can I Get a Witness? 21 Frustrations of Black Women (Including Me)

2010-09-04T00:31:00.001-07:00

About the Author

Mikki Zimmerman is a writer, Louisiana native and proud sports-crazed member of the "Who Dat Nation" - supporting the New Orleans Saints since the age of 8. She is an animal lover, preferable cats and dogs, who is a dreamer with a HUGE imagination. Currently she is a graduate student working towards an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. Her first book - Can I Get a Witness? 21 Frustrations of Black Women (Including Me) is available online @ Xlibris.com, Amazon.com or by calling 888-795-4174

About the Book

With prejudice and racial injustice still rampant in society, black women have reasons to be angry and frustrated. An engaging discussion about the concerns and views of black women awaits readers in Can I Get a Witness? 21 Frustrations of Black Women (Including Me).

In the book, Mikki attempts to rescue and restore the tarnished image of black women by shattering the negative and stereotypical myths that are widely associated with women of color. Can I Get a Witness? Offers readers an in-depth examination on the circumstances that cause black women to be angry and upset about the way they are treated in society as well as how their situations fare with other women. It exposes many varied reasons that make black womens lives depressing such as discrimination on race, social inequalities, lack of opportunities, dictation from the status quo, and more. Filled with logic and philosophy, this book's discussion will remind readers why African-American women deserve attention and care.

Created from the compelling testimonies of frustrated black women worldwide, Can I Get a Witness? will enlighten, encourage, and entertain readers from start to finish! (added by author)

The Blacksmith's Daughter

2010-07-28T04:47:00.001-07:00

About the author

Ngozi Achebe was born in London and raised in Nigeria in a middleclass family; the daughter of Augustine, a civil engineer and Matilda, a nurse. Her uncle is Chinua Achebe, author, Professor at Brown University, and critic, best known for his book Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature.

Her early unpublished writings were about the darkness of war and survival having been one of the children that lived through the Biafran war - a catastrophic event that engulfed 1960’s Nigeria and a potent definer of many childhood memories.

She currently lives with her two children in Olympia, Washington and is a practicing internal medicine physician.

About the book

The Blacksmith’s Daughter is a tale of two women separated by four hundred years but linked by history. Maxine, a modern American woman, who is half white and half African, comes across a set of diaries written by a slave in the sixteenth century in her quest to connect with her Nigerian father. Then there is Onaedo, a young woman from Igboland in West Africa, who found herself in the middle of events that were set in motion in a country far away from her small town. This is a coming of age novel set in a terrifying age—the age of Portuguese discovery.

More about Ngozi Achebe:
Click Here

A Color and A Season

2010-07-28T04:44:00.001-07:00

About the Author

I have recently delved into writing Urban Fiction, and my first novel, A Color and A Season was self published back in 2009. I am a St. Louis native, and it is still currently my home. I started writing at a very early age, short stories and poetry. I attended some college at Clark University, before returning home in 2001. I was married November of 2009, and gave birth to a baby boy (Sire), December 17, 2010.

I am currently employed with United Healthcare insurance Company, but am hoping to expand my audience, and eventually write full-time. In my spare time, I love reading and writing, as well as excercising, and spending time with my family. My goal is hopefully to inspire more black women to come out and tell their stories, so that we may continue to have role models that we can identify with.

About the book

When people show their true colors, they change like the seasons.

Zaria and Noelle have been best friends since their early high school years, more like sisters. The girls are complete opposites, but drawn to each other through love, and a sisterhood bond. Zaria makes a terrible mistake and is sworn to secrecy by Carry, Noelle's boyfriend, and the world as they know it crumbles. Their friendship appears irreperable, and they can no longer trust anyone around them. Friendships become few and far between, and enemies are closer than they both think. Will betrayal tear their friendship apart, or will they find it in their hearts to forgive?

Rain Love Poetry & Portraits

2010-07-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

About the author

Lilian N. Blankson, an emerging author, was born and raised in New York to parents from Ghana, West Africa. Having written for over 20 years, she holds a BA in English, and an MFA in Literature & Creative Writing. Her thesis, an exceptional collection of poetry and short stories, afforded her a prestigious Graduate Award while graduating with highest honors.

Blankson is a Programming Manager and an accomplished Writer & Producer for Black Entertainment Television Networks (BET International.) For the last decade, she has lent her efforts to the network in a variety of roles ranging from managing all of its Mega Specials & Awards Shows to aiding with it's International Launch in the UK, Ireland, Africa & The Middle East. She has also helped to promote the careers of some very well known African artists. Committed to writing and publishing, she is busy at work composing short stories, a novel, and several essays with the ultimate desire to become an African filmmaker. With two distinct writing voices, (African and African-American,) she can’t be too far from the prize.

Never one to limit herself, additional undertakings for Blankson include serving as a columnist for several publications, and a variety of entrepreneurial pursuits. Her next book, Awaiting Fate & Other Talking Texts, will be released in the Summer 2011. Blankson and her son, Christian, reside in Rockville, Maryland.

About the book

Rain Love Poetry & Portraits is a beautiful generously sized coffee table book that overflows with exquisite black & white portraits that masterfully portray equally effective life poems. By creatively merging the genres of poetry & photography, inspiring bible verses are also incorporated for that special touch.

America’s Change, a Poetic View

2010-07-28T04:39:00.000-07:00

About the author

Arnita L. Fields, a woman after God's own heart, has been blessed with the opportunity to write and publish four books of Christian poetry to date. She is also a co-author in a faith filled anthology. Arnita has written over 300 poems and also several short stories. In addition to being an award-winning author, she is a special mom, minister and fulltime student, majoring in Psychology/Marriage Counseling. Arnita and her husband of 13 years currently make Memphis, Tennessee their home.

About the book

Poet, author and writer, Arnita L. Fields presents in America’s Change a Poetic View, poems that were birthed forth in her spirit both before and after the election of our nation’s first African American President. This collection of poetry will help to instruct, comfort, edify and also provoke each reader to embrace God’s change for their lives. God has a special place in His heart for those who are willing to submit to the winds of change. Change is good, and it’s definitely good for the soul

America’s Change, a Poetic View talks about the wind of God and how it has been blowing and moving in a direction much different than many people have been accustomed to. The key focus of this book is to help sound the alarm for America as a country to unite, pray and move in sync with God so that we as a nation can experience the change that has already begun to take place in the lives of men and women all across our country.

This collection of poetry will help to instruct, comfort, edify and also provoke each reader to embrace God's change for their lives. God has a special place in His heart for those who are willing to submit to the winds of change. Change is good, and it's definitely good for the soul.

A Collection of Poetry

2010-06-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

About the author

Robin Bellamy, a native of Conway, South Carolina, resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and currently works as a copywriter for an internet company.

The author has a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication and a Masters degree in Business. She’s been writing since high-school, and due to her many life experiences, she felt compelled to put together this book of poetry to help others cope with similar life issues, and to give them encouragement. She is also the author of "Grandma's Brooch."

About the book

A Collection of Poetry: Matters of the Heart, Revealed , a deeply personal poetry collection by Bellamy, brings together a lifetime of work by the pensive author; a kaleidoscopic mix of lyrical gems that touches on the many sides of life with stunning depth and sensitivity.

The themes of this sterling volume are truly an eclectic mix, providing Bellamy a diverse layout of avenues to showcase her infectious optimism, delicate sensitivity, and philosophical depth — and she succeeds spectacularly in this volume.

The result is a poetry collection like no other; one that strongly warrants a slot in every poetry enthusiast’s collection

More about Robin Bellamy:
www.robinmbellamy.com
www.xlibris.com

The Past Between Them

2010-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

About the author

I am the author of sensual romance (borderline erotica) in the Contemporary African American, Interracial, Multicultural genres. I love to write according to my moods but you will always get a story that combines a sensual energy with a captivating storyline. A native of the Dallas, TX area, I currently reside in Fort Worth, TX area.

In my free time I love to write, read, travel, cook, spend time with my family, drink coffee, eat sour sugar candy and a few other things that are bad for me.I have been creating stories in my head since I was a teenager. I have always written for my own enjoyment and pleasure but now I want to share it with other readers.

I aspire to fill the world with romance one bookshelf at a time. I specialize in full-length novels but I do have a few short stories as well. Sometimes my heroines have an edgier persona to them and sometimes they are of a softer essence. But all the time, my heroines are like real women, just trying to make a living and keep on going no matter what challenges life brings her. Racial conflict is never a part of my storyline. My character's are more focused on the romance aspect.

In my stories you will always get a strong sense of family. Growing up in the South, family dinner's have always been a big part of my life. Family togetherness shine's through in one aspect or another in most if not all of my novels.

Writing and reading books are my biggest passions and I hope to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of my books.

With my stories you will find mind-stimulating indulgence that will leave you satisfied but wanting more. So settle in with a glass of wine and savor the titillating tales of characters you won't soon forget. A story so captivating you won't want to put it down even when it's over.

About the book

Tovah Warren is devastated when she loses her father. Things get worse when she loses her job. Just when it seems that the world is already crashing down around her, the attorney of her father’s nemesis son shows up on her doorstep insisting that her father still owes money to Jefferson Incorporated. With the all the bad blood between the Warren’s and the Jefferson’s, Tovah can’t be sure if this is just another underhanded ploy or not. What she does know is that she isn’t going to pay Cordell Jefferson one penny. The debt is her father’s, not hers.

Cordell Jefferson is infuriated when his attorney returns with the torn pieces of a notification to Tovah Warren informing her of the debt that her father still owes to his company. Their families have been feuding for decades, but that wasn’t his concern. He wants to collect the money owed to his company and move on to the next debt. Only Tovah makes it clear that she doesn’t plan to cooperate. Cordell decides to take matters in his own hands, only the instant he meets her, the reason he wants her to cooperate changes…

More about Stephanie Morris:
www.stephaniemorris.webs.com

Words 2 Ignite The Soul

2010-06-10T09:28:00.001-07:00

About the author

Suzanne E. Uzzell 37yrs old Native New Yorker attended Herbert H. Lehman College and graduated with a B.A. in 2001. Suzanne is also an Ordained Evangelist began preaching at age 26 in New York and continues to preach the Gospel she also sang in choirs and lead on praise & worship teams at various churches.

Suzanne is the Author of a new book Words 2 Ignite the Soul & first book written book Chosen Words self published on lulu.com. She hopes to inspire and captivate her audience. Suzanne is grateful and thanks God for allowing her to complete this endeavor.

Suzanne is also an Entreprenuer who enjoys creating gifts and things she would love to continue creating more business opportunities in the near future.

She is married to Husband Ssgt Jahi J. Uzzell who serves in the United States Air Force. She is an Air force Spouse who currently resides in Brunssum Netherlands . She relocates every 3 to 4 years and enjoys living in new places.

About the book

Words 2 Ignite the Soul is written for Woman and young ladies who desire encouragement and seeks to draw closer to God.This book inspires every woman to be the Godly Queen God designed them to be.

The Heart of a Godly Queen Pg 35 Words 2 Ignite the Soul

The heart of a Godly Lady is dear it holds the love that many need to receive. When a lady loves she releases healing to those around her. She is able to share her gift of love, compassion, patience and care for those who are willing to receive from her.

She is a nurturer and her words are soft and comforting to her family, friends and those around her. The strangers she encounters from day to day seems receptive to her posture of kindness and beauty after indulging in conversation.

The Heart of a Godly Lady reaches out to her community and helps those in need. She reaches out to the abused and suffering throughout the land. She loves through adversity and shows herself friendly. She walks by faith and leads by example serving with integrity.

Godly Queens strive for Excellence in Character and in Heart.

More about Suzanne E. Uzzell :
Click Here

Leveled Mind Confused Heart

2010-04-30T23:09:00.001-07:00

About the author

Angelique, an administrator in local government, was born and raised in the rural Low Country of South Carolina. She first expressed her desire for writing around the age of 9 when she began creating 4" x 5Â½" booklets and filling them with short stories. Angelique then soon after discovered writing as a way to express her emotions and ambitions, keeping a journal for the past 14 years.

Once each journal is filled, she would destroy it to signify that her problems have been resolved, her goals have been met, and her emotions have been overcome. Angelique went on to achieve five years of higher education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before landing her job in the field of politics, which has further developed her writing ability and continues to enhance her skills as a writer and editor. Angelique currently resides in the fast-growing state of North Carolina, along with her beloved husband of one year, her curious 7-year old stepson, and a hyper yet spoiled Boston Terrier.

Leveled Mind Confused Heart is her first novel, while she is currently working on her second, We're Family...Right?, which tells the story of a young woman's rise, fall, and redemption evoked by her own family. Angelique's hobbies include writing, photography, traveling, and simply spending free time enjoying her family.

About the book

Adrienne Whitney, a small-town, country gal, ventures into a different world when she enters the realm of college. While in a rocky, long-distance relationship, she unexpectedly meets a younger yet attractive and sensual college student, who steals her attention and eventually her heart.

However, unbeknownst to her, this new stranger would bring about countless moments of passion in addition to countless hours of heartache, leading her to experience several encounters with other men. Travel the path of Adrienne in Leveled Mind Confused Heart as it chronicles her college years where she finds herself facing the ramifications of love and lust.

More about Angelique:
www.angeliquethenovelist.weebly.com

That Was Then, This Is Now

2010-04-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

About the author

Breathing a breath of fresh air into Christian writing, Inspirational Speaker, Paulette Harper is a woman of purpose, passion and power. Paulette seeks to inspire women from all walks of life. Her desire is to empower, equip and transform the lives of women through her preaching and teaching from the Word of God. As a licensed and ordained minister, Paulette’s passion is to minister the Word of God with boldness and accuracy so those who are dealing with life’s complexities will become whole and walk in their God given potential.

A woman of destiny, Paulette has accepted the call from God and established herself as a best seller, award winning author. Ms. Harper’s writing career begins in 2007 with her first published book “That Was Then, This Is Now” which achieved national recognition by being awarded a finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award and ranked consecutively on the Black Christian Publishers Bestsellers List for Independent Publishers, Non-Fiction. Published articles have appeared on CBN, Internet’ Café, WOW magazine, Black Pearl Magazine and Divine Inspirations.

“Victorious Living for Women” (an anthology) is her second book; which features 40 incredible women who share stories of their life experiences, from their heart to yours. Collectively, theses women have endured personal tragedy and have emerged empowered, encouraged and victorious. Paulette’s third book “Completely Whole” will be released in 2010.

Paulette is the visionary behind “Write Now” (releasing the word in you) literary workshops designed to coach inspiriting writers in the areas of creativity, development and publication of Christian books. God has given her a desire for writers especially those who want to write for the Lord. Through these workshops it is her desire to provide information that will help inspiring authors dream come to reality, by providing tools, resources and opportunities to help them succeed.

To schedule Paulette Harper for a book club meeting, interview, book signing, speaking engagement, workshop, seminar, or other appearance, please contact her at paulet_harper@yahoo.com

Paulette currently resides in Northern California.

About the book

How could God have a purpose for me amidst this mess? Why do such bad things happen to good people? If you’ve recently asked yourself these questions, Paulette Harper’s That was Then, This is Now has the answers. Struggling to recover from a broken marriage and disappointed dreams, Paulette Harper gropes for meaning and understanding, and through her searching, God reveals Himself to her in ways she never before imagined possible. By sharing her struggles with transparency, she illustrates how a heart attitude of surrender allows God to use a broken vessel for His ultimate plans of glory. Non-fiction Inspirational ISBN# 978-1-60462-554-7

For more information about Paulette or to purchase a copy of her latest books visit:
www.pauletteharper.com

How To Spiritually Attract Your Perfect Mate

2010-04-30T23:06:00.001-07:00

About the author

LENA WILSON-CLAYBON, Author, Television Writer/Producer, Filmmaker and Businesswoman has been writing inspirational content for many years. Her first foray was as a newspaper columnist for the Alexandria Weekly News entitled, Positively Speaking, which led to her working with Motivational Speaker, Les Brown, as a Writer and Consultant. She went on to write many inspirational articles in numerous publications and co-authored the self-help business biography, Purpose To Blessings: 14 Faith Principles for Business and Living.

As a television and film writer/producer, she has written and produced over 100 hours of television working with companies such as Twentieth Television, Saban Entertainment, BET, Paramount Television and Brainbox Entertainment. Her series work has included USA Network’s CLAUDE’S CRIB, UPN’s MOESHA, FOX’s, TEXAS JUSTICE and TLC’s, THE REAL ESTATE PROS.

In addition to this, Lena wrote, directed, and co-produced, a comedic short film, `The Myth’ which was chosen for the Showtime Black Filmmaker’s Showcase, and co-wrote two musical stageplays, CHEATERS starring Brian McKnight and CASINO starring Kelly Price.

In 2007, she formed Limitless Life Entertainment, LLC to produce, distribute and exhibit inspirational content via film, television, and other multi-media formats. Her company was instrumental in working with Lionsgate to bring the premiere screening of “The Great Debaters” starring Denzel Washington to Wiley College (Marshall, TX) and has since contracted with several non-profit organizations for inspirational film screenings in various venues.

Lena is a graduate of Grambling State University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

About the book

Did you know there are scientifically-proven methods for attracting your right mate and that you have been `programmed’ your whole life to do it the wrong way? “How To Spiritually Attract Your Perfect Mate” gives you the `real deal’ behind attracting the man/woman of your dreams. If you're familiar with "The Secret", this book explains why `The Law of Attraction' DOESN’T work for most people and what you must do beyond The Law of Attraction to manifest your most heart-felt desires.

It then gives you a step-by-step approach for attracting the right relationship into your life. The author who was a mid-career professional (meaning over 35) and had never been married, put this approach to the test for herself. Within three months, not only did she meet the man who would later become her husband, but also got a great new job, a new car and a great new place to live! Download this e-book now and start on your way to attracting your perfect mate (or anything else your heart desires)!

More info about the book:
Click Here

Chosen Words

2010-04-30T23:04:00.001-07:00

Tourmalines: Beyond the Ebony Portal

2010-03-31T05:56:00.001-07:00

About the author

Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama, and retired as an Associate Professor from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa where she developed early courses in African American politics, history, literature, and culture beginning in 1971.

She has published 2 books of poetry: New and Collected Poems and Pacific Raven: Hawai`i Poems. Over 250 of her poems have been published separately in a variety of literary magazines and her essays have appeared in various scholarly journals.

Recipient of the Board of Regents Outstanding Teacher Award and a two-time Fulbright Fellow, Takara holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and an M.A. in French and has taught, advised, and mentored innumerable students.

She has read and performed her poetry and lectured extensively in universities, colleges, schools, and at community and military events throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the Continental United States of America and in Beijing and Qingdao, China. Dr. Takara is the daughter of pioneer black veterinarian, author, and world famous Buffalo Soldier, William H. Waddell, VMD (1908-2007).

About the book

Tourmalines: Beyond the Ebony Portal, is a collection of poems with a focus on Black history and African Americans, named and unnamed, represented by various colorful gemstones, with a variety of characteristics, properties and histories, and reflecting their unique experiences in their worlds.

The themes include: African origins, myths, nature, spirituality, music, identity, color and politics, contemporary issues, courage, growth and transformation written in lyrical poetic style. From the ebony of rich and lustrous old world trees and ancient tourmalines, these poems represent the world of a colorful, durable, ancient people still standing in modern times, weathered survivors of cyclones of racism, earthquakes of power, floods of oppression, and cruel sandstorms of history. Darkness presents the riddle of how to see. On close observation of ebony, one sees the fine and intricately grained surface, as things dark or unknown require a new way of looking and seeing depth, finding light, shadows and perhaps a soul of essence.

Like humans, every tourmaline is essentially different. The reader can experience tourmalines as a metaphor for the complexity of African Americans, mixed with people of various origins: different Native American groups, Europeans and euro Americans, Caribbeans, South Americans, Asians and different African ethnic groups. The result is a collection of richly colorful poetic gemstones.

More information about the book:
ISBN 9780984122820
www.pacificravenpress.com
pacificravenpress@gmail.com

I Didn't Work This Hard Just to Get Married

2010-03-31T05:34:00.001-07:00

About the author

Nika C. Beamon resides in New Jersey. Currently, she is a Writer/Producer for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York. In her seventeen years as a journalist, she has worked at various television stations including WABU-TV in Boston, ESPN Classic and WABC-TV in New York. She also served as Coordinating Producer for “Like It Is with Gil Noble,” the country’s longest running African American public affairs show, airing on WABC-TV.

She is the author of the new non-fiction project, I DIDN'T WORK THIS HARD JUST TO GET MARRIED. It was published on May 1, 2009 by Chicago Review Press.

In 2000, she published her first novel, Dark Recesses, the poignant tale of David Jackson, a promising, young attorney who travels to rural Virginia for a family reunion and is entangled in a web of betrayal that had been hidden in his family tree. In 2002, she completed her second mystery novel, Eyewitness.

She is a blogger for AOL Love and has been a reviewer for Publisher’s Weekly Magazine and QBR: The Quarterly Black Book Review Magazine, as well as various websites. She is also a member of the Writers Guild of America East and the National Association of Black Journalists. She won a Peabody Award for ABC News’ coverage of the September 11th Attacks.

She has also been credited as a reference in the several books on television news including: Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalist Report on September 11 by Alison Gilbert and News is People: the Rise of Local TV News and the Fall of News from New York by Craig M. Allen.

About the book

Expectation is defined as something that is porbable or most likely to happen. It is also described as something we are bound in duty or obligation to do. Like many women, when I envisioned my future. I did not anticipate that I would grow older alone. I expected that I would be married with children at least by the time I was thirty. Moreover, I felt pressured to be happily coupled.

More info about M.C. Beamon:
www.mcbeamon.com

The Constitution: Major Cases and Conflicts

2010-03-31T05:31:00.001-07:00

About the author

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is the author of the book Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present (Routledge) as well as The Constitution: Major Cases and Conflicts (Pearson) and The U.S. Constitution: An African-American Context (Law and Policy Group Press). She is the recipient of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Justice Award.

She is an award-winning playwright writing under the name Gloria J. Browne. Her plays have been produced in New York City, Brooklyn, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. Her plays include My Juilliard, Jeanine, Waverly Place, and Killing Me Softly. Her plays explore race, class, and the consequence of life changing choices. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild, Mystery Writers of America, National Association of Black Journalists, and PEN American Center.

Ms. Browne-Marshall is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) and the Graduate Center where she teaches Constitutional Law, Race and the Law, and Evidence and is a member of the Gender Studies faculty. She has published articles on racial justice in the field of education as well as book chapters on international criminal tribunals and the rights of female inmates living with HIV/AIDS. She is a Civil Rights attorney who has litigated cases on behalf of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc.. She is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Browne-Marshall’s civil rights litigation has involved education, children’s healthcare, and criminal justice issues. Gloria has worked with law and policy issues of concern to vulnerable groups, specifically children, women, and people of color in the United States, Africa, and Europe. She has presented interventions before the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on issues of racial justice and is the former Legal Advisor to the Permanent Representation to the United Nations in Geneva and New York of the African Bureau of Educational Sciences/OAU.

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is the Founder and Director of The Law and Policy Group, Inc. The Law and Policy Group is a “think tank for the community” that provides policy information, speakers, public outreach, and legal analysis on issues affecting the lives of children, women, and people of color. The Law and Policy Group, Inc. released the first of an ongoing national Report on the Status of Black Women and Girls(R) in 2008. It is the first national ongoing report on the state of Black females in America. To purchase copies for your school, organization, college or high school student, library, community or individual reference, see: lawandpolicygroup.org/

While in England and Africa as an exchange scholar in Fall 2007, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall began research on a new book project. She currently resides in Manhattan and is completing a book of essays titled The Haunted Woman.

About the book

Written primarily for undergraduate courses in criminal justice, constitutional law, and government, The Constitution: Major Cases and Conflicts offers the full text of many landmark Supreme Court cases, selected both for the combinations of constitutional issues they involve and for their continuing relevance today.

This text is of particular interest to criminal justice students, because while most constitutional law books used in this field address only criminal cases, The Constitution includes civil cases as well. This is important because various situations involving First Amendment issues, such as protest, can give rise to criminal justice issues when protesters are arrested for disorderly conduct. Thus, in this book the criminal justice (and any other) student is exposed to both civil and criminal Supreme Court cases, along with explanations of their social and historical importance.

The decisions in The Constitution: Major Cases and Conflicts, chosen from among the thousands available, involve multiple layers of legal conflict, so that by studying them, the student can come to understand converging ideals within the Constitution. They also offer insights into American culture that remain relevant to present-day society, and they provide a road map through the evolution of the Supreme Court and its shifting reasoning on issues such as federalism, protest, the right to counsel, search and seizure, and civil rights.

More about Gloria J. Browne-Marshall:
www.lawandpolicygroup.org
www.racelawsociety.blogspot.com

Propositioning the Rich Italian

2010-03-31T05:29:00.001-07:00

About the author

I am the author of sensual romance (borderline erotica) in the African American, Interracial, Multicultural and Paranormal genres. I love to write according to my moods but you will always get a story that combines a sensual energy with a captivating storyline. A native of the Dallas, TX area, I currently reside in Fort Worth, TX area.

In my free time I love to write, read, travel, cook, spend time with my family, drink coffee, eat sour sugar candy and a few other things that are bad for me. I have been creating stories in my head since I was a teenager. I have always written for my own enjoyment and pleasure but now I want to share it with other readers.

I aspire to fill the world with romance one bookshelf at a time. I specialize in full-length novels but I do have a few short stories as well. Sometimes my heroines have an edgier persona to them and sometimes they are of a softer essence. But all the time, my heroines are like real women, just trying to make a living and keep on going no matter what challenges life brings her. Racial conflict is never a part of my storyline. My character's are more focused on the romance aspect.

In my stories you will always get a strong sense of family. Growing up in the South, family dinner's have always been a big part of my life. Family togetherness shine's through in one aspect or another in most if not all of my novels.

Writing and reading books are my biggest passions and I hope to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of my books. With my stories you will find mind-stimulating indulgence that will leave you satisfied but wanting more. So settle in with a glass of wine and savor the titillating tales of characters you won't soon forget. A story so captivating you won't want to put it down even when it's over.

About the book

Tierra Davis is shocked when her fiancé abandons her at the altar. She knows just how to get over it when she meets a painstakingly handsome stranger. What better way to start over than to have a two-week affair with a complete stranger?

Antonio Carabelli walks into the bar of the hotel he co-owns after the end of a hard day and is intrigued by the woman he finds sitting there. It isn’t long before Tierra tells him about her plans to have a no-strings attached affair, and he is interested. However, he is only willing to move forward if they have physical chemistry. What better way to find out, than with a simple kiss? The results are explosive, but Antonio soon realizes he has a dilemma. Two weeks isn’t enough.

More about Stephanie Morris:
http://www.stephaniemorris.webs.com/

LIFELINES: The Black Book of Proverbs

2010-02-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

About the authors

Yvonne McCalla Sobers, a former educator who studied at the University of the West Indies, is currently a human and community development consultant,. She is also a human rights activist and researcher. Yvonne writes fiction and non-fiction, and is also the author of “Delicious Jamaica!: Vegetarian Cuisine“. Apart from a decade spent in Ghana and England, Yvonne has lived all her life in Kingston, Jamaica.

Askhari Johnson Hodari, Ph.D., an Africana Studies scholar and activist, earned degrees from Spelman College and Howard University. A former professor of African American Studies, she is the author of “The African Book of Names“. Originally from South Carolina, she was raised in Maryland and she now lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

About the book

Inspired by the biblical Book of Proverbs, LIFELINES: The Black Book of Proverbs (Random House, 2009) by Askhari Johnson Hodari and Yvonne McCalla Sobers, is a wondrously illustrated collection of aphorisms, witticisms, and sayings from Africa and the African Diaspora that will entrance, entertain, and enlighten readers of all ages.

*Birth and Parenting: “When a yam does not grow well, do not blame the yam; it is because of the soil.” (Ghana)

*Marriage: “Getting married is nothing: it is assuming the responsibility of marriage that counts.”(Haiti)

*Money Problems: “The poor person does not experience poverty all the time.” (Ghana)

*Peace and War: “To engage in conflict, one does not bring a knife that cuts but a needle that sews. (Kiswahili)

This book of proverbs is uniquely arranged by life cycle themes from birth to death and speaks to the tragedy and triumph in between. Unforgettable vignettes showing how African proverbs comfort, inspire, and instruct during different phases of life.

LIFELINES sharpens understanding of how traditions, civilization, and spirit survive and thrive, despite centuries of loss of freedom, family, identity, language, land, and wealth.

More about Lifelines:
http://www.lifelinesproverbs.com/

Don’t Bring Home A White Boy

2010-02-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

About the author

Karyn Langhorne Folan graduated from Harvard Law School a couple of years ahead of President Obama. A former law professor, Karyn became interested in the many questions and issues surrounding interracial relationships after her marriage to her Irish American husband in 2004. After receiving hundreds of comments from readers after an essay in The Washington Post on the unique ways black Americans reacted to her relationship, Karyn decided to explore the issues further.

The result is her book “Don’t Bring Home A White Boy—and Other Notions That Keep Black Women From Dating Out.” Karyn is also the author of two interracial romance novels, A Personal Matter and Unfinished Business, and two other novels.

About the book

IN AN AGE WHEN AMERICA HAS EMBRACED a mixed-race president and a strong, independent black woman as first lady…when black women are on the move and more empowered than ever before…there remains one hot-button topic that stirs up cultural resistance and intensity of emotion like no other: interracial relationships — or, specifically, when black women date or marry white men.

What is it about the black female/white male dynamic that sparks such controversy and depth of feeling?

What keeps many single black women from exploring relationships outside of their race at a time when the pool of eligible black men is at an all-time low?

“Don’t bring home a white boy” is the cultural message stamped deep into every black daughter, an enduring twenty-first-century taboo with origins dating back to the Civil War era, the turbulent Civil Rights decades, and beyond. Now at last there is an honest, eye-opening examination of this societal phenomenon that will resonate with women everywhere and give voice to all sides of the debate. Karyn Langhorne Folan, herself a black woman happily married to a white man, brings together historical, statistical, psychological, and personal perspectives in a groundbreaking book that boldly debunks the “notions” that can keep interracial dating off the table for many women, including:

“After slavery, I could never date a white man.”

“I’m looking for a good black man.”

“I’m just not attracted to white men.”

“White men don’t find black women attractive.”

These are the things some black women say when the subject of interracial dating comes up. Although black men date interracially with little guilt and relative ease, black women remain hesitant about interracial dating– even though recent Census data reveals that 70% of black women are single… and don’t want to be.

Don’t Bring Home A White Boy examines– and refutes– the notions that keep black women from expanding their dating options. From history to sociology to psychology and including dozens of interviews from experts and average women, Don’t Bring Home A White Boy brings to light the myths and truths that cloud the black woman/white man dating dynamic. Available from Simon and Schuster’s Karen Hunter imprint in January 2010.

More about Karyn Langhorne Folan:
http://www.karynlanghorne.com/

The Mouth of Babes

2010-02-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

About the author

As a child, Tosin Coker loved to read, a passion that stemmed from a desire to know what lay in the leaves that kept her mother so enchanted for hours on end.

She eagerly anticipated her and her mother’s weekly visits to the local library and soon challenged herself to read every book in the children’s section. Between the pages of the books she read, Tosin became lost in the worlds of the characters to the point of being oblivious to all else around her.

Tosin has never stopped reading, and now she has grown to become someone who also writes, and as such has become the first female, African British science fiction author. In her spare time Tosin also hosts her radio show – Nubian Scribes, volunteers as a spokesperson for sickle cell, and inspires others to live to their full potential by way of following their soul’s true path.

About the book

Destiny “Teeny” Kingsley is a healthy, happy, vibrant ten year-old – so it comes as a complete shock to her parents and everyone else when she suddenly falls into a deep coma. Furthermore, when all medical testing ultimately reveals no physical cause for her condition, it only adds to the fear and anxiety besieging the hearts and minds of everyone involved.

Little does anyone know, though, Teeny’s loss of consciousness is far from a random act or unforeseen coincidence; as a matter of fact, it was actually pre-arranged by her grandmother as a means to communicate with her on an alternate plane of existence. Over the course of their extended “visit,” Teeny subsequently learns eye-opening celestial truths that shatter her sense of reality and transform her view of the universe – as well as everything in it. And, when she learns of the all-important “mission” to which she’s been assigned, she quickly realizes that neither she nor those she loves the most will ever be the same…

The Mouth of Babes is the first in an exciting sci-fi trilogy by debut author, Tosin Coker

African Americans On Hawai’i: A Search For Identity

2010-02-27T06:42:00.000-08:00

About the author

Ayin Adams is a performance artist, inspirational teacher and spiritual healer and has been published in numerous magazines, e-zines, and on-line publications. Author of more than five volumes of poetry books, including the acclaimed, “The Woods Deep Inside Me,” Adams was chosen as ‘Teacher of the Year 2008’ by the International Peace Poem Awards Committee.

She is the winner of the Pat Parker Poetry Award, the Audre Lorde Memorial Prose Prize Winner, Award Winner for Literary Excellence 2001, and the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award.

About the book

A new book, “African Americans In Hawai`i: A Search For Identity,” compiled and edited by Ayin M. Adams, Ph.D. is being released by its publisher Pacific Raven Press on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

The essays and interviews in the book document the difficulties and challenges as well as the contributions and successes of African Americans in Hawai‘i.

“The reader of this book will be left with fresh new images of and respect for blacks in Hawai`i, after learning of their 19th century migrations, leadership roles, successes and contributions to the whaling industry, medicine, business, education, science, civil service, the arts, social work, the military, and politics,” says Adams. “The reader will also discover issues of identity and pain, resulting from the derogatory images of blacks in western art, literature, and the media that have permeated the local psyche and eroded a positive self image and respect for blacks.”

The 220-page large format book has an introduction written by Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D. and foreword by Aaron L. Day and Indira Hale-Tucker. Pacific Raven Press features new, emerging writers, and established writers of literary fiction and poetry. Pacific Raven Press publishes books by Africans and African Americans and People of Color in Hawai`i. Books are available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and online at www.pacificravenpress.com.

Hardcopy $ 39.99
Softcover $ 29.99 + Schipping

More about Ayin Adams:
http://www.ayinadams.com/

Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present

2010-01-31T01:01:00.000-08:00

About the book

In Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present Gloria Browne-Marshall traces the history of racial discrimination in American law from colonial times to the present, analyzing the key court cases that established America’’s racial system and showing their impact on American society. Throughout, she places advocates for freedom and equality at the center, moving from their struggle for physical freedom in the slavery era to more recent battles for equal rights and economic equality.

From the colonial period to the present, this book examines education, property ownership, voting rights, criminal justice, and the military as well as internationalism and civil liberties. Race, Law, and American Society is highly accessible and thorough in its depiction of the role race has played, with the sanction of the U.S. Supreme Court, in shaping virtually every major American social institution.

More about Gloria J.Browne-Marshall:
www.racelawsociety.blogspot.com

General Authority

2010-01-31T00:56:00.000-08:00

About the author

Lahiny Pierre was born in Jacmel, south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her first public presentations date back to pre-school years at Kindergarten Marie Carline. At the age of fourteen she reunited with her parents in Brooklyn, New York and finished her academic studies.

She now resides in Georgia where she is a full time Writer and grassroots community organizer. Her literary works include poetry, literary criticism, screen plays, and two novels, addressing the struggle of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s story, which she believes, affects the present in multiple ways.

About the book

Struggles of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s history affects one’s present life. When Denis decides to run from Port-au-Prince, he is not sure the fake passport will take him to New York City. For eleven years he has been the leader of the Engagés, a secret society fighting the Militia for the return of the city and a stop to the “Cut Heads Burn Homes” societal renegades.

Days before Denis and his troops launch a key attack, one of their top men is assassinated. The Militia commands local thugs after Denis who must flee to save his skin. Denis bounds for the U.S. to escape death and maybe stumble into the American Dream. The problem of adapting to this dizzying new world fades as he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an interracial marital meltdown that could send him straight into the arms of his enemies back in Haiti.

This book illustrates themes of the struggle of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s history; exile by choice because of economic circumstances; assimilation – cause and effect; the myth of the American dream, an idea held by people worldwide; cultural alienation; socialization of the immigrant; leaving home; learning new experiences; adapting to a new life; speaking a new language; the reuniting of old friends; friendship; male bonding; spirituality; African Deities; Haitian Culture; Voodoo; facing the past; nationalism; community building; cultural awareness; music and dance in the Haitian culture; political unrest; murder; vengeance; and civic duties.

More about the author:
http://www.lahinypierre.com/

Hija De Mi Madre

2010-01-31T00:49:00.000-08:00

About the author

Carmen Mojica is a 24 year old woman born and raised in the Bronx. She is a poet, writer, producer and model. She is a graduate from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She has her bachelor’s degree in Black Studies and Television/Radio Productions. Carmen is a member of the Intangible Collective (intangiblecollective.com).

She teaches writing workshops that are based on self-reflection and examination of one’s emotional and mental health. She is a student in the art of holistic health practices and is on the path of helping the people around her, particularly women. She is currently writing a novel.

About the book

Hija De Mi Madre” explores the identity of African Latinas. The research included in this work entails the ethnogenesis of Afro-Latinos and the effects of phenotype and cultural institutions on identity. It also includes a personal memoir of a first-hand experience of an Afro-Latina.

Link to website for book (She self-published it): Click Here

GO TO HELL!

2010-01-27T04:38:00.000-08:00

A book by Rev. Freda

Anybody ever flip you the finger and tell you to, “GO TO HELL”? Or when was the last time that you sent somebody there? More importantly, when was the last time you put yourself through hell?

What exactly is “hell”? Is it the Christian bible’s description of a lake of fire, ruled by The Devil, specifically created for all sinners and unbelievers (who are not saved) to burn as their eternal punishment after death? Or… is it the Webster’s Dictionary definition that says hell is, “any place or state of misery and cruelty”?

Or… perhaps hell is me–for so many years–not being able to let go of all of my personal struggles, pains and heartaches as a result of growing up as (all said in one breath with violins in the background) “a-poor-black-uneducated-ghetto-girl-who-had-to-endure-the-cruelty-of-her-sadistic-mother-and-the-molestation-by-a-family-member-while-facing-the-shameless-ridicule-of-society-for-becoming-a-young-unwed-mother-who-later-gets-married-and-has-yet-another-child-only-to-force-her-to-finally-come-to-grips-with-her-sexuality-as-a-latent-lesbian-which-causes-her-to-temporarily-lose-the-love-and-respect-of-her-first-born-son-and-family-not-to-mention-her-losing-her-mind-as-well-at-which-time-she-becomes-a-member-of-a-church-movement-that-fosters-and-promotes-the-spiritual-empowerment-of-Same-Gender-Loving-People-of-Color-which-inadvertently-leads-her-to-one-day-become-the-openly-gay-pastor-of-the-same-church-where-she-is-later-betrayed-by-the-founder-of-the-organization-causing-her-to-resign-her-position-and-embark-on-her-own-personal-spiritual-quest-sparking-a-long-and-tedious-tear-stained-yet-joyous-journey-through-the-hell-of-self-discovery-self-worth-and-self-love-only-to-be-inspired-motivated-and-divinely-ordained-to-write- this-book!” (Whew!!!)

Whatever your personal hell is, this book was created to afford you the opportunity to see, feel and experience “hell” in a different light… as a pathway to “heaven” here on earth. You see, we are taught to fear—fear things that we cannot control. Yet and still, it is ultimately those things–call them hard times, obstacles, set-backs, disasters, trials and tribulations—that we have the opportunity to show up and show out in life however we choose. It is those very times of struggle and resistance– when we are going through HELL–that we discover our capabilities, our vulnerabilities, and believe it or not, our strengths and our personal Power.

And guess what? Not everyone is out to get you! Well…maybe some are…but not everyone:) With every hellish person who tries to commit every hellish act, we have the opportunity to see them for who they really are, but more importantly, they hold up a spiritual mirror for us to see ourselves for who we really are, as they provide us with the opportunity to create who it is that we really want to be by choosing how we decide to respond.

When you go through hell, you are literally going through a spiritual rebirth and an authentic awakening, if and only if, you choose to experience it that way. Hell is perception…just like heaven is. You can either see it as death, or you can view it as a prologue to life. Most mothers, while deep in the pangs of labor, find it hard to focus on the beauty of what is about to be born into the world. And so it is when we feel like we are going through hell. Oh, but what joy when our beautiful baby is born! Every pain, every tear, every scream and every fear was well worth it. Likewise, the “living hell” we experience along this journey called Life pales in comparison to the wonderment and the natural high of finding “heaven here on earth”!

So now, are you ready to truly live? Are you ready to live life more abundantly? Are you ready to live an authentic life, filled with passion and purpose? Then as a citizen of the world and a minister of Truth, I tell you now in love… GO TO HELL!

Pre-Orders ONLY

Click Here

I Want What Most White Women Got: A Black Man

2009-12-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

About the author

Veronica Blakely, the author of the best selling book of poetry titled, I Want What Most White Women Got: A Black Man, is a native of Tampa, Florida where she teaches Reading to inner city High School students. She previously worked as a Manager in Corporate America; however, she considers being a Teacher the most important, challenging and rewarding opportunity of her career. Veronica is working on her second book which will be the novel version of her first book.

Veronica is also a Voice Over Talent, Speech Coach, Reading Coach and she teaches life skills to inner city kids and adults on a consultant basis. She is a devout Christian who attends church regularly and she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Veronica is currently working on her doctorate in Education

About the book

Veronica Blakely, a dark-skinned divorcee, has opened a can of worms and an opportunity for some dialogue in her book of poetry titled, I Want What Most White Women Got: A Black Man. The book looks at relationships in the African American community and ponders why some Black men prefer women who are “light” or white.
The book does NOT bash males NOR is it about racism. The book instead brings to the forefront how dating and marriage has changed drastically for African American women.

The book is written in three parts starting with The Issues at Hand with topics like:

* Color Struck
* P.H.A.T. vs. FAT
* Drama Queen
* W.W.W.F. (White Women Won’t Fight)
* Low-down vs. Down-low
* She is Still White to Me

In addition, there are poems of affirmation on the beauty Black women possess in spite of feeling they have been snubbed by Brothers.
The second section titled, Words of Wisdom is dedicated to women on life, love and living. Tips such as:”Find a God fearing man instead of just a good feeling man,” among other meaningful and uplifting tips.
The third and final section wraps up with B.M.W. “Black Men Wanted”, with poems describing men in all shapes, shades, sizes, and stages of their lives who are celebrated just for being who they are.

Veronica’s book was released in December 2006 and was listed as the #2 Best Seller on Mosaic Books.Com in February 2007 (2 months later). Her book is still on the top ten best seller’s list and has received critical acclaim from readers around the country.

More about Veronica Blakely:

http://www.vs-voice.com/

Ph.D. Stories: Conversations with My Sisters

2009-12-05T04:55:00.001-08:00

About the author

Kent State University's Dr. Joanne Kilgour Dowdy was recently recognized for her book, "Ph.D. Stories: Conversations with My Sisters." She is the recipient of the 2009 American Educational Research Association Narrative and Research Special Interest Group's Outstanding Book Award.

Her book is a collection of interviews with tenured, African American female professors in Northeast Ohio and their experiences in obtaining a Ph.D. and working in academia.

About the book

Conversations with My Sisers paints a colorful and vivid picture of nine African American women professor-scholars, in their own voice. Dowdy sets out with the goal of exploring the strategies these strong women used to survive and thrive in the academy. Through the sincere stories of these nine women, we become present in their daily stories of trials and tribulations.

Now You Wanna Come Back

2009-12-05T04:54:00.001-08:00

About the Author

Anna has been writing for ten years and she has completed a number of romance/drama/suspense stories. She started writing short stories and poems, and moved over to full length novels about six years ago. Her talents have been enjoyed by a select few in the past, now she is here to deliver her page turners to you. Originally from the southside of Chicago, she was raised to dream big, and now her dreams of publishing her work has come true. "Now you Wanna Come Back," is her debut release, but Anna is not taking a break. She is anxious to also release "Luck of The Draw," February 14, 2010. Anna is here to WOW her readers, and give the readers of today, something to talk about.

She currently resides in Texas with her husband Chris and daughter Tyra.

About the book

Letting go is not always easy, and in some cases it can be close to impossible, like it was for Leila. She was stuck on her husband, and never thought she would ever stop loving him; even through the constant pain and suffering, she still had hopes that he’d come back to her. Cold and unwilling to do right, her husband, Devon did what was best for him, and that was treat Leila horribly and lie to her time after time, leaving her no choice but to be rescued by another man. Rayshon Johnson, not the perfect man - but a good man - came along, and rolled the storm away and gave Leila back all the things that Devon took away. He kissed her where it hurt, and helped her to get over her insecurities about herself. By giving her back that confidence, she let go, and letting go was the wrong answer for Devon, and he refused to let her move on without him. He was determined to get his good thing back - no matter what the cost, he was determined to come back.

More about Anna Black:
www.annablack.net
www.delphinepublications.com

How Will I Know My Children When I Get to Heaven? A Mother’s Tales of Hope

2009-12-05T04:53:00.001-08:00

About the author

Grace Virtue is a graduate of Howard University, Washington, D.C. and the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

A keen student of history, societies and cultures, Virtue has received major international recognition including her designation as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and a fellow of the Inter-American Press Association.

She is also a professional writer and has published numerous newspaper articles in the Gleaner, the largest newspaper in the Caribbean, for Women’s Features Service/Inter Press Service (WFS/IPS) and the former Caribbean News Agency (CANA).

She is a frequent contributor to the Howard Magazine, an alumni publication with a circulation of more than 80, 000.

Virtue is a fine public speaker with an uncanny ability to electrify audiences with her authenticity, her simple message of hope and mesmerizing story-telling techniques.

Her areas of interest include mass media and social responsibility; poverty and marginalization, particularly as it affects women, children and minorities; faith, parenting, the achievement gap between minorities and other groups, and multiculturalism.

She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her two daughters and her dog.

About the book

How Will I Know My Children When I Get to Heaven? A Mother’s Tales of Hope offers a blunt critique on child rearing in America in the 21st century from the unique perspective of a single, immigrant mother and writer raising two daughters in Montgomery County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C.

The work is inspired by the children’s questions and the family’s real experiences over 12 years in the United States.

Children and the environment, sexism, racism, multiculturalism, the Achievement Gap, abortion rights, gay rights, unmarried motherhood, stranger danger, sibling rivalry, media influences, obesity, body image, death and dying, integrity, life’s uncertainties, selfhood and materialism, faith, hope and other issues impacting the modern family, all come under the writer’s insightful gaze.

Further, the book explores the wisdom of choices made, as well as our ability to turn even the most unfortunate situations into opportunities for renewal and growth. The classic quotes at the beginning of each chapter capture the essence of the lessons learned and add to its inspirational values.

More about Grace Virtue:
www.gracevirtue.com

Drunk for 27 years

2009-12-05T04:52:00.000-08:00

About the author

Cynthia Banks is the owner and director of The Little Teapot Daycare Center, founded in Fort Worth, Texas in 1993; and is President of Banks Entertainment, LLC a Concert, Tour Booking and Management Company. She is also an Accreditation Validator for the National Association of Family Childcare and a board member of Agape, Kids, an organization that supports the needs and concerns of children of battered women. One of the most rewarding organizations that Cynthia has the privilege of being a part of is the Stop Aids Leadership Project. S.S.A.L.P. was conceived out of the concern for the growing number of AIDS/HIV infected African Americans in the community. Cynthia hosts and participates in events and HIV/AIDS testing sites throughout Texas to encourage the public to “Know Your Status”.

About the book

Drunk for 27 years, the compelling true story of Priscilla Gibson, mother of singer, actor and model Tyrese Gibson, suffered 27 years with alcoholism. The book reveals the unconditional love that her children had for their mother, who despite all they had experienced remained just the strength she needed to make it through.

Suffering abuse at the hands of an alcoholic mother, Priscilla began drinking at a very young age, and continued into her adult years. Many factors manipulated the course of Priscilla’s life, causing her to make one bad choice after another until she finally made the choice to live and not die.

More about Cynthia Banks:
www.authorcynthiabanks.com
www.author-promotion.com

Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought

2009-12-05T04:51:00.000-08:00

About the author

A Renaissance woman defined as a self-taught artist, writer, community activist and advocate of the arts, E. Joyce Moore, whose artistic name is JEMI, holds a passion for the arts since childhood. Her initial career choice was fashion design. She pursued that dream, majoring in Home Economics at Ambassador University in Texas. "I took one cooking class because it was required. I attended both Ambassador and Kilgore College concurrently and full-time in my junior year, so that I could take courses in Fashion Merchandising and still get my degree. Although I took twenty-four hours a semester, I had fun because I had a passion for what I was pursuing." After college, her road toward design took a detour, as family responsibilities took priority. While living in Chicago, Joyce worked toward a Master of Arts degree in Advertising at Northwestern University, but decided that it would not help achieve her creative and financial goals. Joyce spent nineteen years in management with AT&T where she developed her strategic, entrepreneurial and developmental planning strengths, along with formal training in project management.

In 1997, she combined her corporate-honed business skills with her passion for the arts and education, to found a grassroots organization supporting the education of and about artists of color and African descent: the Alliance of African American Artists, Inc. In 1998 the Alliance took its first major exhibition to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In fall 1998, Joyce was the sole juror and curator of the annual Ohio Art League Fall Exhibition of Art. From 2000 through 2004, the Alliance was invited to participate in the National Black Fine Art Show in Manhattan, a show previously hosted by such celebrities as Danny Glover, Susan Taylor, Leon (Robinson) and others. As a result of the Alliance’s consistent success in its exhibition of high quality fine art, the Alliance’s was invited to participate in the 2000 COLOR: National Black Fine Art Exposition in Chicago, which was hosted by Oprah Winfrey. In June 2001, the Alliance hosted LINES™, a four-day program event, at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. In May 2002, the Alliance also developed, sponsored and promoted the New Harlem Renaissance™ exhibition in Indiana, renting the Indianapolis Art Center as the venue. In 2003, the Alliance was invited to include an exhibition of its member artists’ work in the Indiana Black Expo Cultural Pavilion. Her passion for fine arts have given her the opportunity to work with such talents as author Dr. Halima Taha, Ora Reed – cultural ambassador for the state of Mississippi, jazz musician Pharez, and classic tenor Derrick Alton.

Joyce is a poet and a writer of numerous articles published by Black Suburban Journal newspaper, American Vision magazine, and Newslink, a professional development publication, including an on-going column "From the Stoop." She wrote play and movie reviews for NUVO newspaper, and has op-eds and articles published with an array of e-zines, national and international online news sources and various hard-copy magazines and publications. She wrote for New Vision Magazine was a feature writer for BBM Magazine. She has written for Huffington Post and comments regularly on HP articles. Her writing experiences include interviews of public figures such as Kwesi Mfume, Ed Gordon, Slide Hampton and the Hampton family. She self-published her first non-fiction book, “Gettin’ to the Good Wood” which received exceptional reviews from the Indianapolis Recorder and the 2004 Midwest Book Review, and has completed her first collection of poetry “ Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought” which was published by All Things That Matter Press and received the 2009 SORMAG Poetry Book of the Year and Poet of the Year awards. She is a contributor to a number of books, including Chicken Soup for the African American Soul, What is the Purpose of a Banana by Dr. Cartlon Green, Gumbo for the Soul and MoAD Stories Project.

She has expressed her creativity on film, directing a cable television show in Indiana back in 1984, creating an infomercial for AT&T products in 1988 and producing a video, introducing various emerging artists, for the 2000 National Black Fine Arts Show. Joyce has a television drama series concept with two scripts. Joyce is a member of the Chicago Film Producers Alliance. She also completed a screenplay, one short animation play: Sand and has other concepts in the works. She has two children’s book projects – Princess Jahzzara -- that she is developing and hopes to launch as a multimedia project and I Like Brown illustrated by fine artist Charlotte Riley-Webb. She can be reached for presentations, lectures and panel discussions via e-mail jemiltd@aol.com.

About the book

There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall.

More about Joyce C. Moore:
www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com/author-bio.php

Kendra’s Pearl

2009-11-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

About the author

K.L. Lewis is from Madisonville, KY. She has been writing for many years, but recently decided to publish her work. She is an Army Registered Nurse and has served in the Army for about 15 years. She is married and has a son. K.L.’s other projects include a poetry book Pure Thoughts that she is waiting to promote and other novels that she is working on. She currently resides with her family in Harker Heights, TX.

About the book

Kendra’s Pearl is about one little girls struggle through childhood abuse, dealing with the emotional, mental, and physical abuse from her mother after the death of her father. Kendra struggles to maintain through the years of abuse, and extreme pressures of caring for her siblings and trying to please her mother Pearl. Soon Kendra begins to rebel and fight back. Will she self destruct or will she find the strength to turn a bad situation into something positive as a young adult? You will have to read to find out…
More about K.L. Lewis:
http://www.booksbykllewis.blogspot.com/

Livin’ My Life

2009-11-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

About the author

Phyllis “Adair” Robinson- Artist, Poet, Author, Fashion Designer, Actress, Master Barber/Natural Hair Stylist and Community Activist. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, she has been a residence of Atlanta since 1989. Phyllis is very excited to be apart of the LGBT progressive movement within the visual arts community that is now taking place. She is motivated and inspired to create Our Art…Our Story…Our Lifestyle…utilizing her god-given talents to promote her visual art utilizing multi-mediums. She personally describes her work as Urban and Hip Hop mostly symbolizing Women in Many Moods.

Her comment: ” My work is expressive, emotional, provocative, simple, imaginative and basically life’s experiences.” She states: I want people to experience my art through emotions and have their own interpretation for themselves. Also, she continues to promote her self-published book entitled:1st book “Livin My Life” A book of her Art, Poems and Words. Currently, Phyllis is working on two books titled: “Deep Changes within me” which is about… Self-Image, Relationships and Urban Politics. 3rd book “Adair’s Secrets” which will have more of her Erotic Art, Drama and Poems. Phyllis continues to be driven with passion to donate a portion of her sales from her art and books to the following charitable organizations: National Aids Educational Services for Minorities, SisterGirls, and Foster Care Kids of Atlanta inner city youth.

Presently, she is the owner of AdairArt Studio’s LLC company and Master Barber/ Natural HairCare Stylist. Her major goal is to own AdairArt Cultural Center 4 Youth within the Historical District of Auburn Ave. the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Ga. Also, to teach Youth, Women Incarcerated and Women in The Military basic Life Skills to adjust within a Global World. Her motto “Live, Laugh, most of All Love…”

About the book
A book of her Art, Poems and Words

Contact for more Information:
adairartstudio@yahoo.com

Journey To Surrender

2009-11-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

About the author

Author Hazel Mills knew that she wanted to be a writer from the moment she penned the first words of a poem titled “A Tree” when she was in the third grade. As a college student, Hazel majored in business but writing continued to be her first love.

Hazel’s short erotic fiction can be seen in Playgirl Magazine’s Erotic Encounters (January 2007 issue) and in Best Lesbian Love Stories: New York City, edited by Simone Thorne (Alyson Books, November 2006). Hazel also has an essay published in Jolie Dupre’s series in The Blushing Ladies Journal.

Hazel is also launching PassionScape, a monthly column published online by EDC Creations and the Sankofa Literary Society. PassionScape seeks to explore all things relating to the genre of erotic romance including thought provoking essays, informative articles and intimate interviews with some of today’s hottest authors.

About the book

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.

More about Hazel Mills
http://www.hazelmillsstories.com/

INTERRUPTION THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO: CRYSTAL JUSTINE

2009-11-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

a novel by Tracey Michae’l Lewis

Reviewed by Maricia D. C. Johns

Maricia D. C. Johns is a published journalist, published poet, editor, motivational speaker and educator. She is a proud graduate of East Texas State University, which is now Texas A&M University Commerce where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees. She is a columnist for one of the leading Black owned newspapers in Texas, The Fort Worth Black News. Maricia’s favorite topics are lifestyle issues, humor and education. Her columns have been published in an array of publications including The Longview News Journal and The Christian Index. Her editing credentials include works by Andre Johnson, Yolonda White, and her most recent editing work can be seen in the recently published novel by Hikia entitled “Shifted”. In addition, she is the proud owner of johnswriteme, a writing/speaking bureau. She has spoken at many different venues including, Jarvis Christian College, Tarrant County College, Black Retired Educators Association, East Texas Writers Guild and many more.

Maricia is a former business educator having taught students whose age’s range from 13 to 75. She is a certified AdvancED National Chair and was recently a grant reviewer for the Department of Education in Washington, DC. Her teaching does not stop there; she is a proud member of Carter Metropolitan C. M. E. Church where she teaches the Upper Junior Class. She is an active member of her community where she volunteers for such activities as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Cowtown Marathon, Fort Worth Library fest, the Victory Over Violence Walk and others. Maricia is a former member of the Forest Hill Library Board. She is also an active board member of the Tarrant County Aids Interfaith Network and the MORE Life Committee.

Maricia is an East Texas girl, who now calls Fort Worth, Texas home. She and her husband Leslie are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters. Maricia is an avid exerciser, and she sometimes even enjoys this activity. She has finished her one and only marathon. She is an avid traveler, and does enjoy this immensely.

Maricia would like to give a shout out to her former students, Velone Curley, Dr. Monica “Moe” Anderson and her friends Marvinell Johnson and Diane Rhodes. They encourage her with their words “Just Do It” and with her daily walk with Christ.

Review

Pastor Jerome B. Price, Sr. of the Carter Metropolitan CME Church tells his congregation that “each morning when you wake up, the devil is standing at the foot of your bed trying to figure out how to kill you”. Ms. Tracey Michae’l Lewis goes a bit further in her interpretation of this. She allows us to see to what extremes he and his army will go to in order to conquer the soul of those that are weak and not in the word.

Having not read her previous novel, The Gospel According to Sasha Renee, I thought I would be a little lost, but Ms. Lewis seems to be a master at story telling in flashbacks and conversations that allow the reader to get the full storyline of her previous book. From the prologue, the reader will begin to wonder just what is about to happen to the main character—Crystal Justine. This book stands along, it is no sequel.

Crystal Justine or CJ as her friends call her could be anyone of us. You know the one that is always looking for love in the wrong places, or even the one that never wants to be like their mother. The one whose idea of true beauty is dictated by what the media says is beautiful. The one who never feels that she is good enough CJ takes us on a journey that allows us to see that we must be dressed in full armor 24 hours a day. CJ lets us know that we cannot have an Achilles Heel because he and his army know just what it is and will seek to destroy us by penetrating it.

Ms. Lewis gives us a tasty gumbo of a story. She has a dash of laughter, a tablespoon of sentimentality and a half a cup of fear. She then adds a half a cup of doubt to the gumbo with a little too much guilt and lets it simmer for a while. The aroma that the simmering gumbo puts out awakes our senses so that we began to want the story to cook faster than the chef (Ms. Lewis) wants. Our hunger for the story is increasing at the turning of each page.
As we see the gumbo start to bubble again, we see CJ attempting to find herself without any help from anyone. We see CJ each time pushing away those that truly want to help. We see the seed of doubt that he and his army put inside each of us when we forget to put on all of our armor. Ms. Lewis allows us to see growth in others in the story. She shows us how the pain that we sometimes carried can be eased if we let those who truly love us know of it. We see how others react when they are attacked—we are allowed to see if they have dressed for success and protection or just dressed for the world.

As the gumbo continues to simmer, we find that Ms. Lewis has added some unforgiveness and about a cup and half of love to the mixture. She lets us taste the story and enjoy it, not knowing that it will get even better.
The reader may wonder if Ms. Lewis has left out an ingredient that will complete the gumbo, but luckily for us, she hasn’t. As the master chef of this novel Ms. Lewis keeps this story going and the reader on edge, and just when you think you’ve read it all or know it all she adds the final ingredient to complete the story. She looks into the cabinet and adds one single mustard seed.
All of our lives have been interrupted, but it’s the journey that we take that determines just how much of an interruption we allow. Tracey Michae’l Lewis has made a gumbo of a story that has all of the ingredients of a tasty book. You will find yourself not putting the gumbo in a bowl to eat; you’ll just eat from the pot—it’s that good.

More about Maricia D. C. Johns:
http://www.johnswriteme.net/

Girl Come & Get Your Blessings

2009-11-03T09:38:00.001-08:00

About the author

Born January 24, 1975 in Saint Petersburg, Florida to Katie Mae Smiley, Shalona was the last of twelve children. She was often sick as a child and her illness caused her to be separated from the rest of the kids. After being isolated for years she began to get bored with watching television so she began to write. She wrote anything that came to mind and anything that rhymed. Shalona’s writing was first noticed in the fifth grade when she won a poetry contest for grandparent’s day. She touched the lives of many grandparents that day. However, she never had any grandparent’s of her own. Her grandmother was poisoned when her mother was just six weeks old and her mother never knew her father. Her teachers all saw something in her that she was too young at the time to understand.

When entering middle school she continued writing hiding her work under her bed.

As the years passed Shalona went on to high school finishing in her tenth month of pregnancy. By the time she graduated she was already the mother of a 2 year old little girl then later gave birth to her second child ten days after her graduation. She was just eighteen years old at the time. Two days after bringing her new child home from the hospital the devil tried to take her joy. Her first child’s father had showed up to her door with the police after filing an emergency ex parte motion. He was accusing her of abusing her child. After thirty days without her child custody was returned to her. Her child was finally able to return home but the incident scarred her daughter for life. It didn’t take her long to notice that the daughter that had left her wasn’t the same one that returned.

She was in college when she conceived her third child and later dropped out to help her mother who was caring for eleven children that were placed in her home by the court system. In 1994 she gave birth to her third child a baby girl. Three years after giving birth to her daughter she gave birth to her last child and only son. Ten months later she buried him after he died from Myocarditis a heart condition. One month later she closed on her first home, she was only 21 years of age. Shalona went on to work at a well known company for the next four years doing telemarketing making no less than nine hundred dollars a week. She realized that if she could make the company she was working for money then she could make money starting her own company. At the time she had three little kids and really didn’t know which way to go so she did the thing that she knew how to do she kept working.

In 2006, Shalona began to focus more on her writing. She began submitting her work to different sites and was even featured on a couple of them. Her work has been featured on Invisible Verse and also Kuma 2.net under the pseudonym Shaylove. Not long after she received news that her mother’s kidneys were failing. She put everything on hold to take care of her. After a year of caring for her mom and attending college full time her sister took over and in 2008 as she began writing an empowerment book for women. When she told people that she was writing a book many of them laughed at her. The laughs didn’t discourage her instead they empowered her. With God’s blessing she started her company Soul on Fire Publishing in October 2008, and then she met a sex addict. Just Years earlier she had started to write diary entries entitled Diary of a Sex Addict hoping one day to write a book. She then put the empowerment book on hold and in a week in a half wrote the true story of a sex addict from Tampa Florida. After getting positive feedback on part one she decided to give the readers what they were asking for part two which will be out in December of 2009. In October 2009 Shalona will publish Girl, Come & Get Your Blessings: An Inspirational Book for Women. After reading her first book, the readers asked her to write a book based off her letter to readers in her debut novel. Shalona has several other projects that she is also working on. All of them will be published under her publishing company Soul on Fire Publishing. She also has a new author Lovelle, the author of Raw & Uncut: An Erotic Street Anthology who will have a book released in November 2009. She’s not interested in being signed with a major publishing company or working for someone else.

While marketing her books, Shalona returned to the same place where she had experienced hard times. She was shown so much love and today her books are in the hands of many that she met years ago. She began feeding the homeless at Thanksgiving and in 2008 and will feed them every year for many years to come. She believes that when she’s blessed she should give back to those that are in need. She knows what it’s like to go without and she also knows what it’s like to be homeless.

Shalona resides in Pinellas Park, Florida with her three teenagers. Her future plans include starting her own magazine and an organization for kids of single parents or with no parent. She would also like to start an organization that helps grandparents that are raising their grandkids also. Her goal is to see her books made into movies. Until then she will keep writing and giving her readers what they want, good writing.

About the book

Girl Come & Get Your Blessings is an inspirational and empowerment book for women. We learn about Gods love for us and how we as women should love ourselves. We also learn how to develop that relationship with God and how to deal with hurt and pain from the past.

This book also covers just how important it is to change your mind set and surround yourself with positive people and things. For those of you who are going through things in life and wondering…where is God when I need him? Turn the pages and you’ll find the answer to your question.

You will find true stories of women, these women allow us into their lives so that we as readers can see exactly what they went through and how they overcame these things. One of the women in the book that tells her story tells us how she was addicted to drugs, a victim of incest, and how she saw angels. She goes on to tell us how the Holy Spirit spoke to her and guided her through the streets of Miami Florida.

This book is very deep and real and there is something that all women can take from this book. My story is included in this book as well. Many of the stories in this book will touch you in many different ways; many of you may be going through or may have gone through many of the same things. My family has never known the things about me that I have included in this book about myself. When they turn the pages it will be the first time they too will read my story, life’s lessons are truly our blessings.

Her books are available on:
http://www.soulonfirepublishing.com/
http://www.booksamillion.com/
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Black Female Authors

2009-04-15T01:54:00.000-07:00

To feature your book here send us an email with Black Female Author in the subject line.

Visit:
www.womenoftheafricandiaspora.com/authors

Update Black Female Authors

2009-02-08T02:07:00.000-08:00

Black Female Authors on Women of the African Diaspora

If you also want your book featured on Women of the African Diaspora send an email to database-xena@aesn.eu

The Legacies

2008-09-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

(Author Michelle Larks)

About the author

Michelle Larks is an Illinoisan native. She was born and raised in the Windy city, Chicago, and currently resides in a western suburb. Michelle was educated in the Chicago public school system and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Michelle has released four books since 2003. The titles include A Myriad of Emotions, Crisis Mode, Mirrored Images in e-book format and Who's Your Daddy. Michelle contributed to two anthologies, Blended Families and The Midnight Clear. Urban Christian Books released Michelle's latest book, titled Keeping Misery Company on October 30, 2007. Her second book with Urban Christian titled The Legacies will be released in July of 2008.

About the book

The Legacies unfolds with Chicago teens, Morgan Foster, and Noah Stevens about to embark on their first year of college in downstate Illinois. Both are trying to escape their family legacies.

Morgan has led a life of luxury, and the heiress is poised to take the reins of the family's illegal pharmaceutical business. Noah's father is optimistic that his son will join him in the pulpit. Noah and Morgan hope to become anonymous faces in the crowd. Cupid shots an arrow through the young couple's heart and they soon fall in love.

In the twinkling of an eye, four years have elapsed and it's time for Noah and Morgan to face the music. But, as their parents discovers the hard way, ala Murphy's Law, that life doesn't always go as planned.

Noah's mother perishes in a terrible automobile accident, forcing the young man to make a deathbed promise. Morgan's mother finds herself on trial after the Feds through a terrible betrayal make a strong case against the elder Daniel's woman, which climaxes in a sensational murder trial.

Family drama, greed, feuds, power plays, teem in the tale of The Legacies and most of all tell the readers how God sends angels our way to help aid us through the trials and tribulations of life.

More about Michelle Larks:
www.MichelleLarks.com

Positively Positive

2008-08-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

(Author Bhatupe Mhango)

About the author
Bhatupe has a background in political education, gender mainstreaming and HIV management. She has worked with a number of international organizations, including UNDP and the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

In her home country, Malawi, Bhatupe was involved in the networking and management of various social groups at national level and served as the Chairperson for the Young Women Leaders` Network and as Vice President for Public Relations for the Lilongwe Toastmasters Club.

She also served, by presidential appointment, on the board of the Malawi Institute of Management. In 2004 she produced a personal documentary of her experience of living with HIV titled Open Up that was disseminated both nationally and internationally for the use of youth empowerment programs in the area of HIV.

In 2005 she founded a women`s non-governmental organization called The Crisis Center which offers telephone counseling services to local women. Today, Bhatupe is a competent Toastmaster and is currently working as the 1st International Coordinator of UN Plus, an advocacy initiative within the United Nations, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Positively Positive, a devotional on overcoming the challenges of living with HIV for young, Christian women (Kachere Series, 2006) is Bhatupe`s first publication. She has knowingly been living with HIV for 7 years now and is now working on her first novel, ``To all my sisters``, due end 2009.

About the book

Positively Positive is Bhatupe`s first book. It is a devotional written for the reader`s use over a period of one month. It delves into complicated issues of self-esteem and personal motivation. It asks difficult questions about purpose and drive and prompts the reader into developing a life-plan and a renewal of mindset on sensitive issues, such as those posed by HIV and AIDS.

The author can be contacted at:
watupe@yahoo.com

Soulful Strut

2008-08-23T01:16:00.001-07:00

(Author Lynn Emery)

About the author

Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work with the dedication to write fiction while working each day as a clinical social worker, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery.

Lynn has been a contributing consultant to the magazine Today's Black Woman for three articles about contemporary relationships between black men and women. Lynn is a licensed social worker with a special interest in mental health issues as they affect women, and in particular women of color.

About the book

New life, New love
Monette Victor spent 15 years in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now she's free, and making up for stolen time. She's bared her soul in a best selling tell-all memoir, hosts a hit radio talk show, and has more speaking gigs than she knows what to do with. And she's counseling young black women at risk. Monette's suddenly the hottest sister in the city--and she's got no time for romance.

But here comes Jayson Odum, a self-made businessman and a sweet, black Adonis in overalls. It's all wrong and Monette knows it. His folks are the Huxtables, her's are pure, messed-up 'hood'. She's an ex-con, he's so clean he squeaks. Monette's had to stay tough to gain respect, and she can't afford any more mistakes in her life. But she's about to be blindsided by a big dose of bad trouble--and maybe driving Jayson away would be the worst mistake she ever made.

Learn more about Lynn and her novels at:
www.lynnemery.com

Hungry For It

2008-08-12T00:19:00.000-07:00

(Author Fiona Zedde)

About the author

Fiona Zedde moved to the United States from Jamaica as a sweet, yet misunderstood, preteen. After spending a few years in Tampa and getting her undergraduate degree in Gender Studies and British and American Literature at New College of Florida, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she currently lives. At the moment, she is to quote a pithy bumper sticker "the artist currently known as starving" but she someday hopes to eat regular meals at the Ritz.

Her fiction has been published in various anthologies including Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers, Best Lesbian Erotica 2004 & 2007, and Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica. Her erotic lesbian romance novels, Bliss, A Taste of Sin, Every Dark Desire and Hungry For It are available now in bookstores. The novellas, "Pure Pleasure," "Going Wild" and the soon-to-be-published "Sweat" appear in the collections, Satisfy Me, Satisfy Me Again, and Satisfy Me Tonight, respectively.

About the book

With good looks, limitless sex appeal, and the wealth and popularity that comes from owning the city's hottest jazz bar and restaurant, Remi Bouchard can have anyone she wants. Lately though, the allure of wild one-night stands and no-strings flings is starting to wear thin. Remi craves something more.

At her best friend's wedding, she looks across the crowd and finds exactly what she's been searching for an intense, soul-searing connection. But passion this deep has its dangers" especially when it means falling in love with the one person who should be off limits.

Raise the Red Teddy

2008-08-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Kobina Wright

About the author

Kobina Wright is many things, including the creator of the Hodaoa-Anibo language, but a by-stander, she is not! Whether you see her as a genius or something else, her work is sure to leave an impression on you.

Wright is a second generation Southern California native and attended the University of Georgia for two years before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where she earned her BA in journalism, minoring in Afro-Ethnic Studies.

Performing on stage since the age of 5, Wright took to the arts of acting, singing and dancing early in her childhood and by the time she reached her mid-teens, she began taking her painting seriously. A portion of her painting titled "Dissonance" can be found on the cover of the first printing of second book titled "Growth Spurt." In her teens Wright also began studying choreography and in her third year of high school, co-founded the dance group "Ten Rows of Beans." Also in this year, with the help of her mother, Ernesta Wright, published her first book, a volume of poetry titled "Oh Yeah!" to help offset the cost of college expenses.

While attending the University of Georgia, Wright joined and performed with the dance group Pamoja. In Georgia, she had the opportunity to study modern dance and four years later, while attending California State University, Fullerton, founded the Likizo Dance Troupe, which performed for two years throughout Southern California, from Hollywood to San Diego. After graduating from CSUF, Wright published her second volume of poetry, " Growth Spurt" and worked as an assistant editor at Entrepreneur Press.

Pursuing her passion for acting, Wright attended the Gloria Gifford Conservatory for the Performing Arts for two years where she discovered that her training in acting made her a better writer. At the GGC, Wright performed scenes from plays such as "Laundry and Bourbon;" "The Dreamer Examines His Pillow;" "Cheaters;" and "Savage in Limbo." She also directed a reading of scenes from her screenplay titled, "Snapped Back." Her experience at the GGC was instrumental in preparing her for her roles in movies such as "Sunday Morning Stripper;" "Messed in the Head;" and her notable performance in the horror film, "Dark Town." Other stage productions include "Soon As I Get Home;" "The Storm is Over;" "Teachers are Human Too;" and "The Little Red Hen."

Wright has written for publications such as LACMA Magazine, The Daily Titan, and CYH Magazine. In 2004 she wrote her third volume of poetry titled, "Say It! Say Gen-o-cide!!" dedicated to the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. In 2003 Wright created the Hodaoa-Anibo language and in 2004 published the first edition Hodaoa-Anibo Dictionary.

"I've been told so many times to just pick one or two things and concentrate on being good at that, but I've started out with one" then two" then three " then four" now how can I go back to one? In my world, I get to do everything, or almost everything I want to do. It may slow my pace of progress a little, but it lays a good foundation for inspiration in all my artistic interests." Kobina says.

About the book

There are so many single mothers around making
the same dating mistakes over and over and over
again. So why are there no warning signs? Your
children may not come with a handbook, but a single
mother sure would benefit from some tried and true
guidelines.

Raise the Red Teddy explores the some
of the pitfalls of dating that non-mothers don't have
to take into account. It's a whole different world to
consider from when you should allow your children to
meet Mommy's new "friend" to dealing with their
rejection of your new beau.

More about Kobina Wright:
www.dramaticpause.net

The Ultimate Plan

2008-07-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

(Author Nicole B. Simpson)

About the author

Elder Nicole B. Simpson is the host of "The Power of Gospel Radio Show" that airs each week on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday evenings. As the host of "The Power of Gospel" she is honored and excited when a visionary comes along with a life changing message for the world.

God has given her that same type of message through her new release "The Ultimate Plan" because she has weathered the storms in her life and grasped the opportunity that presented itself during her wilderness season by moving into ministry full time, opening her own financial planning firm (Harvest Wealth Financial) and promoting economic empowerment in the penal system, throughout the body of Christ and at schools/organizations across America.

Society has encountered natural disasters too numerous to count, untimely and unfortunate shootings across America, and major layoffs for any employees working in the corporate and manufacturing sector-clearly we must have a plan of action in place to deal with these issues. The book "The Ultimate Plan" is a faith based financial planning book that helps us to protect ourselves from events in life that will naturally occur. Elder Simpson believes that opportunity presents itself in the midst of every storm. The question becomes, can you recognize it? How do you handle the crisis in your life?

About the book

Opportunity presents itself in the midst of the storm! Even with the best laid out plans, life happens. People die, people lose jobs, people separate, people start over, and sometimes people lose everything.

What separates survivors is the belief that in spite of tragedy, one can survive the pressures of life. Having a life plan is critical. This workshop will teach people how to take the necessary steps to ensure financial stability during the different seasons, giving them greatest opportunity to move forward in life.

Blackberries, Blackberries

2008-07-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Blackberries,Blackberries

(Author Crystal Wilkinson)

About the author

Crystal Wilkinson's short stories have been described as story poems". She is the author of two books, Blackberries, Blackberries (2000) and Water Street (2002), both published by Toby Press. Water Street was a long-list finalist for the prestigious Orange Prize and short-listed for a Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation Legacy Award in fiction. Blackberries, Blackberries was named Best Debut Fiction by Today's Librarian magazine.

She has been published in the anthologies Confronting Appalachian Stereotypes: Back Talk from an American Region (University of Kentucky Press, 1999); Gifts from Our Grandmothers (Crown Publishers, 2000); and Gumbo: Stories by Black Writers (Doubleday, Harlem Moon Press, 2002). Her work has also appeared in various literary journals, including Obsidian II: Black Literature in Review, Southern Exposure, The Briar Cliff Review, LIT, Calyx, African Voices and the Indiana Review.

She is a faculty member in Spalding University's low-residency MFA writing program and is currently serving as visiting professor and writer in residence for Morehead State University. Wilkinson was the 2002 recipient of the Chaffin Award for Appalachian Literature and is a member of a Lexington-based writing collective, The Affrilachian Poets.

About the book

An enchanting, haunting collection of stories by Crystal Wilkinson, a self-described Black, country girl and poet from rural Kentucky. The stories explore the joys and pain of the women of "Affrilachia", and will touch the reader profoundly.

Love Thy Neighbor

2008-07-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Love Thy Neighbor

(Author Quientola Eicher)

About the author

Author, Quientola Eicher is an industrious woman who recently retired from Thoracic Cardiovascular Institute as a specialist. She is an active member of a dynamic church.

She sings in the choir and serves on the audio ministry. She is also a bible scholar in the foundational bible study class. She enjoys writing poems and reading books. She lived in Lansing, Michigan for 15 years and recently moved to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband.

About the book

Olivia is a woman that has lived alone for fifteen years after escaping from a disturbing past, and she has established a good life serving God faithfully. She has a good job and a nice home. On her way to work one day, she witnesses an accident and stops to help a stranger. This changes her orderly way of life completely.

The young woman she rescues, Shantell, has a young son and she is dying of leukemia. Shantell needs a bone marrow transplant, the only one that can help her is her father, but she is running out of time.

In Shantell's desperation, she disappears for a few weeks, leaving Olivia to care for her son, before she realizes she needs help. When she returns to claim her son, Olivia receives her reluctantly into her home. Together they learn to trust one another and live together like a mother and daughter.

In Shantell's quest to find her father, she unexpectedly lands a job at a Christian radio station working alongside a young man she suspects may be her half-brother. He has the same last name as her father. He informs her through her indirect inquisitiveness that his father is the bishop of Mt. Zion church.

Shantell established a friendship with him, but he finds out by accident that she may be related to him. He thinks she is trying to blackmail his father and doesn't want to have anything to do with her until she is almost sexually assaulted by another co-worker. He comes to her aid and they establish a bond between them.
Olivia is in search of a new church because of her dissatisfaction with her former pastor's decision to get a divorce. Shantell convinces Olivia to try Mt. Zion. They are both overwhelmed but quite pleased with this new church, and Olivia finds herself attracted to Bishop Perry, a widower.

Olivia's past catches up with her, forcing her to face lies and deception concerning a crime she did not commit. She is left wondering if she is worthy to be a bishop's wife.Shantell is confounded on how to let Bishop Perry know that she is his daughter and needs his help. She stalls in telling him, convinced that she would ruin his reputation, until she is on her death bed.

Olivia steps in to help her young friend, by asking the bishop to be a donor for Shantell. He agrees to do it, still unaware that Shantell is his daughter, but first he has to go out of town for an engagement to be a guest speaker on a well known talk show. The airplane that he was presumed to be on, crashes, but Olivia finds out he was not on the plane.

At the last minute, when all hope seems lost, Bishop Perry is able to make it in time to donate the bone marrow tissue to his daughter and it is a match.
Olivia is able to put her past behind her and look to the future as a new bride.

You, Me and He

2008-07-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

You, Me and He

(Author Brooke Green)

About the author

Although she has always toyed with the idea of writing a novel, Brooke Green's first novel You, Me and He began after a discussion with a few co-workers. She posed the question, "What if a woman found her man in a compromising position with another man but, stays with him anyway?". After hearing so many relationship stories of women deciding to run for the hills' after discovering the man in their lives were on the down-low', Brooke wondered about the women who've decided to stay.

I know there are just as many women who stay in these relationships but, they don't' speak out about it, she says. Whether it be for love, just the comfort in knowing they have a man, financial reasons or maybe they just don't care. A lot of women do stay and, I want to explore the trials and tribulations in these relationships.

You, Me and He delves into the lives of two couples as they deal with the consequences of living a lie.

Brooke Green is a Manager at a large telecommunications company and the founder of Full Circle Publishing. She currently resides in Philadelphia with her two daughters, Nadira and Gabrielle, and is hard at work on her next two novels, one of which is the sequel to You, Me and He.

About the book

You've heard the stories of women throwing in the towel after learning their men are on the down low . You, Me, and He takes a look at what happens when the women choose to stay while dealing with issues of trust, honesty, disease and the betrayal of those closest to them.

Donna believes she has found her ideal man in Keith Reed. He's smart, handsome and, most importantly, financially stable. But, there is one catch, he's bisexual. Donna decides to stand by her man after making him promise to be faithful to her and only her. Fearful of starting a new relationship in the age of the down low man, Donna feels it is the smart thing to do. In her eyes, there is no guessing about Keith's sexuality, she knows exactly who and what he is.

Keith Reed is the kind of man most women dream of marrying. And, he has found the perfect woman in Donna who is willing to stay with him despite his sexuality. Keith's world is shaken when his past is set to be exposed to the world. To top it off, he must contend with Jarrod, his former college roommate, who is relentless in attaining his goal of having Keith to himself.

Brooke would love to get your feedback at

www.myspace.com/malikasomone
Fullcirclebooks1@aol.com
BrookeGreen76@aol.com.

House of Falling Women

2008-07-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

(Author Rosemary E. Ekosso, The Netherlands)

About the author

Rosemary E. Ekosso is a Cameroonian translator and court interpreter. She lives and works in the Netherlands.

About the book

House of Falling Women is the story of a young woman with quixotic ideas about improving the lot of women who finds out that that the crusader's cloak is an uncomfortable one.

Martha Elive, armed with a university education and a substantial legacy from a Dutchwoman she meets while studying abroad on a scholarship, decides to create an institute for the empowerment of women, only to find that the contradictions to be resolved are more firmly anchored in her psyche than elsewhere. In addition to her unexorcised ghosts and the legacies of a chequered love life, she has to contend with recalcitrant public opinion and moral inertia, the opposition of old-guard reactionaries, and the incomprehension of her small-town parents.

House of Falling Women is a poignant, often hilarious story of the search by a group of women for a new place in society in a world where women are dissatisfied with the old values and bewildered by the new.

Sojourner's Dream

2008-05-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

(Author Angeline Bandon-Bibum)

About the author

Angeline Bandon-Bibum is the author of Sojourner's Dream, a novel (ISBN: 0977758605). Angeline is a wife and mother of three children who lives in Montgomery County, Maryland.

She is also a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Sojourner's Dream is her first novel.

About the book

Sojourner's Dream is a romantic story of Sojourner Brown, a shy grad student, and Joseph Kalisa, a debonair DC lawyer. Sojourner's Dream was published by Bandon Press in 2006. Cover design was created by Deborah Hopping and cover illustration by Lashaun Beal and Interior design by Lisa Jeter.

More about Angeline Bandon-Bibum:

www.authorsden.com/msangelinebandonbibum

www.angelinebandonbibum.blogspot.com/

www.sojournersdreamanovel.blogspot.com/

www.sojournersdreamlamentationsofawarrior.blogspot.com/

Nationally Known Publishing Guru Karen E. Quinones Miller, Pens Pamphlet on Self-Publishing

2008-05-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Karen E. Quinones Miller, Pens Pamphlet on Self-Publishing

Philadelphia, PA - When Karen E. Quinones Miller self published her first novel, Satin Doll, she not only sold 28,000 copies, but the feat led to a publishing deal with Simon and Schuster for six figures. Miller, who has since gone on to become a best-selling author, makes it her regular practice to help numerous aspiring authors attain their goals. Now, in an effort to reach out even further, she has written a pamphlet on how to self-publish that is not only affordable, but easy to understand. The Self-Publishing Pamphlet sells for only six dollars and can be purchased at the website www.selfpublishingsite.com.

Topics included in the 27-page pamphlet include:
-how to set up your publishing company;
-how to obtain ISBNs and barcodes;
-how to do your own typesetting,
-what to look for in an editor and much much more.

"I've given quite a number of self-publishing/publishing seminars here in Philly -- and have always had to turn people away due to lack of room," says Miller, an Essence bestselling author who also wrote I'm Telling, Ida B., and Passin' - all published by major publishing houses such as Simon & Schuster, Warner Books and Grand Central Books.

"And when I made it known I don't plan on conducting any more seminars this year people asked me to please send them the written material I use for the seminars, and said they'd be willing to pay the seminar cost ($85) just for the material. I think that's way too much for struggling writers to pay for written material on how to self-publish. That's why I wrote this pamphlet."

Praise for the pamphlet has come from various other bestselling authors including Miasha, author of Secret Society, Diary of a Mistress, and Mommy's Angel.
"When Karen E. Quinones Miller speaks, the literary world listens. Not only is she the poster-child for self-publishing and obtaining a deal, she is the most generous, compassionate, sharing person I know. And it shows in this packet of valuable information," says Miasha, whose latest release is the hot selling, Sistah for Sale.

Daaimah S. Poole, another bestselling author whose books include Yo Yo Love, Got A Man, and All I Want is Everything, adds: "Karen has not only been a mentor to me, but to a host of published authors in all genres. Whenever anyone asks me about publishing or self-publishing a manuscript I've always referred them to Karen. Now with the writing of this pamphlet she can help thousands of other people successfully get their books out to the public."

Miller, who is also the CEO of Oshun Publishing which recently released the non-fiction blockbuster: Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, says she will soon be writing future pamphlets on guerilla marketing and how to get your manuscript published by large publishers.
"My goal is to take some of the mystery out of publishing ," says Miller. "It's about time we open up the publishing game in a way that gives everyone a chance at success in this highly competitive business."

For more information on The Self-Publishing Pamphlet, go to www.selfpublishingsite.com

and secure all the tools you need to write your own best-seller!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen E. Quinones Miller is the author of the Essence best selling novels Satin Doll, I'm Telling, Using What You Got, and Ida B., (nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction), and Satin Nights. She is also the co-author of "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson." Formerly a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, she self-published her first novel, Satin Doll, and sold 3,000 copies in just six weeks --and subsequently sold 28,000 copies in six months. Miller, who is included in the book Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Literature, is often referred to as the "Aretha Franklin of the Publishing World," and has been a mentor to many new and upcoming authors. To find more about Miller visit: www.karenequinonesmiller.com

NOTE TO MEDIA - Karen E. Quinones Miller is available for interview. Contact makeda@jazzmynepr.com