Completely Whole

About the Author

Paulette Harper Johnson, an award winning author, writing coach, and speaker, seeks to inspire women from all walks of life. As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Paulette’s desire is to empower, influence and cultivate women to move forward while dealing with issues that hinder women from becoming all they are created to be. Her topics are biblically sound and pertinent to the needs of today’s women.

Paulette is a wife, mother, grandmother, Bible teacher, radio host, writer and the owner of WNL Virtual Blog Tours. She has been mentoring and teaching women for years though seminars, workshops and conferences. Paulette Harper Johnson serves in ministry as an Elder with her husband Sr. Pastor Tony E. Johnson at Word of Faith Worship Center in Bradenton and North Port FL.

About the book

Trauma (stress, shock, suffering, pain, hurts) impacts everyone at one point or another. It has the ability to leave scars imbedded in our hearts. We know we hurt don’t know how deep the pain goes until we find ourselves trying to hide behind the pain through temporary remedies that leave us still not healed. Oftentimes, many people try to seek fulfillment from money, relationships, accomplishments, or material things. Others choose to cope with difficult problems by using drugs or alcohol, but they often come up short and soon have to realize that such things do not bring true happiness and fulfillment in life. Completely takes you on a journey of Wholeness by identifying areas that hinder us from becoming whole— spirit, soul and body.

 

Ministry Book website: www.pauletteharper.com

Birthday Girl

About the Author

Jamila E. Gomez was born on January 15th, 1982 in Chicago, Ill. She is the youngest of three daughters. She lived in Chicago for three years before she and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended kindergarten.

After kindergarten, Jamila and her family packed up and moved to Lithonia, Georgia. There she attended Redan Elementary, Salem Middle, and Redan High School, graduating in 2000. She wrote her first poem at age 17 as a means of dealing with the death of her grandmother. Two years after graduation, she attended Georgia Perimeter College, where she majored in English. It was there that she took courses geared towards creative writing and eventually developed an interest in writing poetry. She had three poems published in the school’s literary magazine.

Following her schooling, Jamila maintained her passion for poetry and continued to write, hoping for the opportunity to one day become a published poet. Along the way, she managed to become a freelance editor, editing “Secret Covers” for Timothy Hill and “Seven Days, Seven Nights: More Skeletons Revealed” for L’Mignon.

In a 10-month period, starting in the summer of 2011, Jamila managed to self-publish a collection of her own poetry in a book entitled, “Pure Confessions” (Volumes l and ll). The books contain poems she had written in a 3-year timeframe. She has also written a novella, entitled “Birthday Girl”. The novella was published under One Karma Publishing. Jamila has just completed co-authoring an erotic short story called “Good Men Still Exist”, which is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2012, as well as an erotic short story of her own, entitled “My Sheree Amore”, and a book of erotic poetry called “Pleasures of the Unknown”, both to be released by the 2012’s end. Currently, she works as a freelance copy editor and proofreader.

Besides being a sister and a daughter, Jamila is also an aunt to a niece and nephew. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, board games, and listening to music.

About the book

For most folks in Decatur, Georgia, December 16th was a regular day. However, for Elisha, today was extra special. She was turning 30 and ready to party hard. With her two best friends, Mika and Julie, along for the ride, Elisha was about to experience a weekend that she’d only read about in books and seen in movies.

Considering she’d not celebrated her birthday since childhood, Elisha had no idea what was in store for her; not just for the night, but for the entire weekend. She had one wish for her birthday…Dante. Elisha had been crushing on Dante for as long as she could remember, and he knew it. He saw this as the perfect opportunity to show her that he was well aware of her feelings, and makes a special appearance at Elisha’s birthday party, a party she had not expected. Little did everyone know, his special appearance at the party was not the only surprise of the weekend, not just for Elisha, but for other seemingly innocent bystanders.

Jamila Gomez gives you the inside scoop on the twists, turns, ups, and downs of all the events of Elisha’s weekend. Will truths come out for the Birthday Girl?

To learn more about Jamila Gomez, visit:
www.jamilagomez.com

The Blueberry Miller Files

About the Author

Author A. Yamina Collins runs the popular literary blog Yaminatoday.com. She has been a journalist for such publications as Affluent Page and New York Resident magazines and has been featured on About.com for women in business. The Blueberry Miller Files is her first published book.

About the Book

The Blueberry Miller Files, has just been produced by DeeBooks publishing, and it is a collection of quirky, dark, and humorous short stories that highlight the tragedy of the human condition, with a multi-ethnical cast.

One of Yamina's favorite stories in the book is about a black women named Madam Adams, who happens to be an Anglophile. While transcribing a play that she assumes is Shakespearean in its scope, we get to enter her "world" and in doing so, discover that she is both delusional and has a tendency to be quite verbose--yet she is loveable, just the same.

Here is one of Yamina's favorite speeches from her: "Indeed, it is imperative that I be brief in this brief introduction of my play, so that the play, which I am now transcribing for posterity’s sake, may commence. Yes, brief I will be indeed, for I was once informed that I sometimes allow my words to stray in any introduction that I give; that is to say that I tend to escape the initial meaning of any correspondence that I, Madam Adams de Adams de Sir, bear forth to extol, though such accusations, I believe, hold neither meaning nor truth. I am merely a storyteller, if you will (and, also, an acclaimed and extensively credentialed award-winning actress), and I hope that this, my latest play, entitled, once again for the record, Calling Viola, shall be neither long nor short, but only simple and straight to the point. My play, about which I will perhaps offer some tiny observations, will begin, quite naturally, at the beginning, if one doesn’t mind, because beginnings are always the best way to begin a tale. And so my tale will begin here, at the beginning, which in many ways is the end, but since the end signifies the essence of the beginning (and the beginning bears witness to the end), then the end really is the beginning and, therefore, that is where my play shall begin—at the beginning."

More about Yamina:

Blog:
www.Yaminatoday.com

Facebook:
Facebook/yaminatoday

Twitter:
Yaminatoday

The Sisterhood

About the author

Nichol Bradford has over a decade of experience within the $60B global games industry. Her roles have spanned global marketing, licensing, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, operations, and joint ventures, touching North America, Asia, and Europe. Today, she is the Director of Operations China for Blizzard Entertainment, an award-winning global video game developer and a division of Activision-Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI). Based in Shanghai, she oversees China operations for World of Warcraft, Starcraft, and other key titles. Prior to joining Blizzard, Bradford focused on global corporate strategy as the Senior Global Director of Strategic Growth for Vivendi Games, reporting to the CEO. Previous roles include Global Brand Management at Vivendi Games and Brand Manager at Disney Interactive, the video game arm of The Walt Disney Company.

Today, Bradford is one of the highest-ranking African-American women in the games industry. She is passionate about mentoring diverse talent, women, and young people of all backgrounds and has demonstrated her overall commitment to the growth and development of the games industry. In 2007, she delivered a widely reported “Rant” at the Game Developers Conference, calling on the industry to use its influence to stimulate student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education (STEM) which went on to inspire a speakers bureau program at the International Game Developers Association. In 2004, she co-founded Into the Pixel, the first major collaboration between video games and fine art, to recognize and celebrate video game artists. In 2003, she founded Diverse People in Gaming (DPG), whose initial base transferred after three years to Blacks in Gaming (BIG), to support diversity in the industry.

She received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business in 2001. In 2010, after seeking a new and innovative way to coach and engage women through storytelling, she published The Sisterhood. The Sisterhood is the first ever novel that sets a standalone empowerment workshop into narrative form. Today, Bradford continues to seek projects that help others on both an individual and community level. At the cornerstone of her life of public service is her dedication to organizations that support women, especially in the areas of empowerment, technology, and business.

Last year, Bradford competed as an amateur boxer in Brawl on the Bund to benefit Leo’s Foundation, which provides care for underprivileged newborns in Shanghai, and took up polo.

About the book

The Sisterhood is an epic action-thriller set in the context of a vast business empire. Deeper, the book is about friendships between women as they fight to protect a dream larger than the individual.

The Sisterhood tells the story of what becomes possible when intelligence, rage and hope are channeled into an outrageous mission. Founded by Vivian Delacroix – The Sisterhood is a non-government organization and a massive multinational, built over decades by a band of black women.

The women invest billions into technology, pooling their profits into communities, schools, and treatment centers in the battle against Cocanol, a new and addictive drug. The group is overwhelmingly successful until their progress is noticed by the Raptor, a ruthless enemy with pawns in the US government and ties to the Trusts – the cocanol manufacturers and international powerhouses intent on controlling the world.

As a first step in a war on The Sisterhood, Vivian is assassinated, triggering a Homeland Security Bureau investigation, a Senate inquiry and a series of increasingly dangerous events. To survive, the women, led by Chief Security Officer Tonia Rawlings, must fight against unseen forces.

Battling across a public stage of media coverage and Wall Street financial theater, the women rush against all odds to outwit their foes – even as they execute the final stage of Vivian’s secret plan. As their enemies draw near, the women risk everything, testing the bonds of faith, marriage and friendship.

Along the way, they discover awful truths, make strange alliances and learn why they are the most dangerous women the world has ever seen.

For more information,please visit:
www.mskincorporated.com

A DANGEROUS KISS

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling 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 of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends have consistently made bestseller's lists, and are enjoyed by readers world-wide. She has written forty-five books to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, Atlantic Choice, Borders 2008 Romance Award for bestselling Multicultural Romance for NOBODY BUT YOU. IF YOU WERE MY MAN was selected as Written 2010 Book of the Year.

Ms. Ray had four books published or re-released in 2011, and six scheduled thus far for 2012.She enjoys writing fiction, where intelligent women through hard work and perseverance triumph over adversity, just as they do in real life.

About the book

Bestselling author Francis Ray will have fans cheering for the Grayson family’s friends—when two perfectly-matched opponents go one-on-one…

HE’S GOT SUMMER ON HIS MIND.

Sexy, single sports consultant Payton “Sin” Sinclair has tackled the world’s most valuable players—and most eligible women. But ever since his two best friends found love, despite his dangerous secret, he’s tempted to take a chance himself. And that temptation is a woman named Summer…

SHE’S GOT SIN IN HER HEART.

A self-made restaurant owner with a painful past, Summer has always counted on Sin. Beneath his smooth charm—and hard body—lies a tender-hearted friend who always keeps her going when the going gets tough. But now, swept up in her cousin’s wedding plans, she’s trying not to let the champagne—or Sin’s innocent passes—go to her head. Because one dangerous kiss will only lead to another…

More about Francis Ray:
www.francisray.com

The Execumama’s Survival Guide

About the author

Stop presenting. Start being present!

That’s the life chant™ at The Life Design Agency,brainchild of Akilah S. Richards, entrepreneur,author, and advocate of all things Empowered Woman. Akilah‘s Work-Life mantra—Define, Design and Live your Fullest Version of Woman—has landed her in the role of trusted lifestyle management resource for women who crave less stressful, more fulfilled lives.

Akilah continues to be called upon to share her effective Life Design strategies that explore lifestyle topics such as entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and partnerships. She speaks at women’s conferences, health and wellness-based events in the United States and the Caribbean, and at her self-produced events that provide lifestyle guidance to women, mothers, and entrepreneurs.

Coverage in national publications both online and in print help Akilah connect and serve a diverse group of women.The Jamaican-born lover of good books and meaningful music resides in metro Atlanta with her husband and their two daughters.

About the book

When a woman is fully expressed, she can consistently step outward, further into the world, with clarity, confidence, and courage as her allies. She can define her ideal lifestyle based on her real needs, not the forced ones; she can design a lifestyle, decision by small decision, that serves her, not imprisons her and isolates her from her true self; and she can live in a space of un-muted expression, constant exploration, self-fulfillment, and enough love and joy to spread to her family and friends.

I wrote about rejecting the myth of work-life balance, and other lifestyle survival techniques in my latest book, The Execumama’s Survival Guide: Strategies and Soulwork for surviving the daily challenges of our work-life flow. The book is divided into seven survival categories—Fear, Relationships, Authenticity, Balance, Money, Excellence, and Growth—and is sold in conjunction with Lifestyle Design worksheets and an audio version of the book, as part of the full Execumama’s Survival Kit.

If you’re up for considering that life isn’t always going to feel like a perfected yoga pose, and that you get to be present and unapologetically you in all aspects of that life, then The Kit is the ideal place to start.

More about Akilah S. Richards:
www.AkilahSRichards.com

…And This Too Shall Pass ~ A Poetic Gallery

About the author

A native of Savannah, Ga., Jeri L.M.S. Guyette has been writing since childhood. She has read and performed her poetry at notable open mics such as Nokturnal Escape's Soul Release, Jacksonville, Fl. and Spitfire Poetry Group, Savannah, Ga. She has also expounded her works at Barnes and Noble bookstores in Georgia and Florida and Borders Books, Southern California. Jeri has graced numerous coffee houses, jazz clubs, educational and charitable events throughout the Southeast.

She has completed three previous chapbooks, A Taste of Rain - A Love Poem Collection © 2003, Southern Peaches and Mediterranean Olives- Poetry from the Vine © 2005 and Mosaic-The Multifaceted Evolution of a Woman © 2008 all published under her literary company, Casa Zia Productions, Ga. She has also completed a collection of short stories revolved around the rich experience of growing up in the South. Jeri's work has been featured and published in Seaswells-The Art and Literary Magazine of College of Coastal Georgia since 2005, earning Honorable Mentions and winning second place in the Austin / Garner Prose Award of 2007. A world traveler, she currently resides with her two daughters in Georgia.

About the book

…And This Too Shall Pass ~ A Poetic Gallery ~ Book Description

... And This Too Shall Pass ~ A Poetic Gallery ~ encompasses poetry that speaks from the heart. It takes its readers on a lyrical journey chronicling the emotional and physical power of destructive love to the uplifting confidence and empowerment of love of one's self and finally embracing the restorative beauty of being loved by others. Written in free verse, peppered with haikus and tankas and seasoned with poetic compositions inspired by such artists as Nicci Gilbert, Anthony David and Kem, this contemporary collection brings a new voice to the genre of poetry: the voice of Jeri L.M.S. Guyette.

More about Jeri L.M.S. Guyette:
www.casazia.com
www.facebook.com/casazia

Secret Affair

About the author

Melissa Love is an up and coming author from Detroit, Michigan. Her first urban fiction novel "Sinful Traits" was published in2010. Since then she uses her creative story-telling to creat more jaw dropping stories with a unique twist.She is a member of the Motown Literary Network and Motown Writers Network. She was first feature on an urban radio show in Florida called "Hype Media Global in 2010. She is working on more novel and enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.

About the book

Carter Perry’s world has turned upside down when he finds out that his wife of four years had being keeping a secret behind his back. Carter suspects Keisha of sleeping around with his younger brother, Donte. In order to have the proof he needs to catch them in the act, he put a plan in motion. He tells his wife that he has to go out of town for a business meeting, but what she doesn’t know is that Carter never left the city. He stays around to spy on her. He finally catches them together, but to his surprise Keisha’s secret was too unbearable to forgive! Follow Carter as his rage leaves him to commit a double murder.

Instructions Not Included

About the Author

With an intentional smile and a steady step, New York native Quani Boyd has began a journey to enlighten, encourage and empower young women across the world. Her willingness to practice transparency and "lay it all on the table" allows Quani to help break barriers that keep us all from sharing our issues and ultimately defeating them.

As a Graduate of (the First Historically Black College or University) Cheyney University, Quani has taken the tools learned while majoring in Sociology to explore and address many problems being faced alone by young adults every day. It is her goal to share her failures and triumphs in hopes of spreading the word that you are not by yourself in your struggles and that it is more than possible to overcome life's obstacles!

It was while experiencing a "Quarter-Life Crisis" that Quani discovered that her love of writing and motivational speaking was more than just a hobby…it was her passion. So she set out to stop running from her purpose and decided that it was much more useful as well as therapeutic to instead take the lessons learned from her own struggles and help equip others for theirs.

In addition to an author, Quani is also the founder and president of the Plush Barbie Club. A mentoring organization based in Philadelphia. A Plush Barbie is defined as a luxurious, rare and one of a kind woman who recognizes her self-worth and embraces the idea that she is ideal and beautiful. SHE determines who she will become and how far she will go! The Club is made up of like-minded young women who are committed to growth and success in their own lives as well as in the lives of the young women mentees.

In true Quani fashion, she has resolved to surely take the lemons life has thrown her and use them to create something nourishing and beneficial for her peers and others. The goal is to pay it forward and if nothing else, help to support another in their own struggles by letting them know that they are not alone and that if they endure the process there are most certainly abundant blessings awaiting them.

About the Book:

"Instructions Not Included" gives a relatable and translucent perspective on the struggles young adults often face alone...unaware that most of us are experiencing the same concerns. This book is geared towards the "Twenty Something" crowd going through a period that can be quite confusing, frustrating and trying. Many “Twenty Somethings” question the accuracy of their choices, in turn becoming overwhelmed with “getting it right”. This period is known as the Quarter Life Crisis. After experiencing much loss, failure, and defeat author Quani Boyd chose to face her crisis, determined to triumph over it. Quani wrote this book to share her lessons with other’s experiencing their own crises..

More info on Quani or any of her projects please visit her at www.quanispeaks.com

Kwanzaa in Hawai`i

About the Author

Ayin Adams, Ph.D., is an award-winning poet/playwright, actress, author, filmmaker, and healer. Her whose works have been published in magazines and numerous anthologies including, “Bum Rush The Page” a Defjam Poetry Publication. Her work has been translated in Dutch, French, and German. The author of more than 5 volumes of poetry and 2 novels, author of the acclaimed, “The Woods Deep Inside Me’, Adams won the Pat Parker Poetry Prize Winner, The Audre Lorde Memorial Prize, The Zora Neal Hurston/Richard Wright Award, 2004Rap-it-up Black Entertainment Television (BET) winner. Adams boldly challenges herself and becomes one of the voices which documents the history of African Americans in Hawai`i as Barack Obama, became the acclaimed President of the United States in her most recent ground-breaking book, “African Americans In Hawai`i: A Search For Identity”. Adams is without the shadow of a doubt a gifted and prolific poet who walks with an incredible determination.

About the Book

Kwanzaa is a celebratory period of seven days from December 26 - January 1 that acknowledges spirit, the ancestors, and seven principles for living more harmoniously in a ritual that is popular with many African Americans. It celebrates certain values to be embraced by the community, the family, and the individual to help create better, more productive, and fulfilled lives. Although the African American community is small in the Hawaiian Islands, resident groups of African Americans and their friends and families gather together in a tradition to celebrate the 7 principles of Kwanzaa at the end of each year. The principles are: umoja, ujima, ujamaa, kujuchagulia, nia, kuumba, and imani. Dr. Ayin M. Adams has put together this delightfully creative and informative book to share the philosophical values, cultural poetry, recipes, and photographs of the unique beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and enhance the meaning, scope, depth, and intimate ritual of Kwanzaa."

More about Ayin Adams, Ph.D.: www.ayinadams.com