Author Myra Rutledge: Shares What She's Grateful For This Christmas

Gratefulness This Christmas

 by 

Myra Rutledge

Through the storms of life I am learning what it means to be grateful in all things. No matter what happens God is still in control. This is the reason to be forever grateful.

But going through, sometimes our faith can be challenged. Being human, we tend to lean more on what is seen rather than the unseen. That is why I can honestly say that I am learning to be thankful in all situations because the battle is not mine but the Lord’s. I pray daily, to walk more in the spirit rather than the flesh. It is a learning process that can be accomplished as we grow in the Lord.

During this Christmas Season I am most grateful for the people I have met and the creative gifts the Lord has blessed me to have. I am most grateful for the internet and the websites, such as faceback, and myspace. I have met some great people on these sites.

I am grateful for the love and support of family and the beginning of new acquaintances. And most of all, I thank God for sparing my husband. He suffered a severe heart attack the earlier part of this year. God spared his life, and delivered him from smoking. God is good, God is great, God is…and I am just so grateful!

As we go about this Christmas Season, I am remembering the reason for Christmas. God sent His Son to redeem us (lost souls) back to Him. God is forever giving and that is why we should give back to Him what He has given to us.  

About the Author
Myra Rutledge is a Christian writer and a life-long resident of Birmingham, Al. She’s the author of the poetry book, A Powerful Woman. The upcoming Souls Harbor, published through Nevaeh publishing, is her debut novel. As a poet, speaker, or gospel singer, Myra Rutledge is available for bookings at women’s events, schools, church programs, or anywhere she may uplift the Lord’s name by using her voice. While on Facebook, please join the group, Souls Harbor (Inspirational Romance Novel). This is a page dedicated to promoting the novel, “Souls Harbor.”
Website: http://www.christianwriter.biz  and www.facebook.com/myra.rutledge

Author Bernard Boulton: What He's Grateful For This Christmas

I’M GRATEFUL

By

Bernard Boulton

            Gratitude is an emotion that stirs my heart and causes me to reflect on all that the Father has given me.  Gratitude reminds me that I am endowed and not entitled. What I mean is all that I have has been graciously given to by my heavenly Father was not because of who I am but because of who He is. He has chosen to bless me not because of, but in spite of. I have been endowed with life and family. I have been endowed with good health and because of the health challenges that I went through at the beginning of this year I went on a diet and lost a considerable amount of weight and have successfully made some good lifestyle changes that allowed me to experience healing in my body. I am in the ministry that God has called me to and He has given me many opportunities to minister in His name. I am grateful for old relationships and for new relationships with persons who has impacted my life and motivated me to walk in my destiny.

            I am grateful because I know that the list of blessings that I could write was not given to me because of my pedigree or societal connections or because my family has a famous name. I am not entitled to any of the blessings that I enjoy. I have experienced favor in my relationships and in my life because God has delighted in me.

            I am grateful for memories of past Christmases from my childhood. My mother really sacrificed to make Christmas a time of joy for her children. She was a single parent with three sons and a daughter and as children we had no idea what it took for her to give us everything that we wanted for Christmas. My mother’s objective in this season was to see her children happy. As I reflect on her and all that she was to us and all that she did for us I have to say thank You God for my mother.

            I am grateful that my understanding of the sacrifice that God our Father made by giving His Son is realized through my faith and belief in His word but I also have an understanding of His gift through the example that my Mother illustrated for me in her own life. I am grateful for her example and I try to live by

daily. I am grateful because I have found liberation through making sacrifices for the ones that I love.

I am grateful for my history, my journey and my future. I want to encourage everyone to use gratitude as a measuring stick. Measure your blessings from yesterday with a grateful heart and anticipate what is coming for you tomorrow because your gratitude is energized by your hope. Be grateful during this Christmas season.

About The Author 

Bernard Boulton is a writer with a mission to write relevant stories that reach real people. His debut novel is Do You Wanna Be Made Whole? You can read an excerpt or contact him at www.bernardboulton.com

Author Shawneda Marks: What I'm Grateful For This Christmas

What I'm Grateful For This Christmas

by

Shawneda Marks

This time two years ago financial challenges become life changing as my husband’s trucking company hauling housing materials began to feel the beginning of the economic downturn. While I was not even a month pregnant my Dad fell ill, misdiagnosed three time by the end of my first trimester he passed. I experienced several unresolved medical issues during my pregnancy after we buried my Dad. Clamoring for peace I prayed and God gave me assurance our child would be fine. God blessed us with a successful birth I shared the news with my birth son given up for adoption, and all communication from his side stood still. As the forecast of my life began to look bleak I had two choices give in to the pressure or reach out to God to be my strength. My faith in God and love of worship called me back from the invitation to look at the glass half empty.


This Christmas I'm grateful for what some consider the basic things in life. I am blessed to have my relationship with God, health, safety, shelter, loving family and a few sincere friends. Instead of focusing on the things I've lost I focus on how much God loves me. I thank Him for a temporary work assignment to help rebuild financially, a husband who supports my purpose as well as dreams and a healthy happy little girl. In addition to the basic blessings I'm thankful for the people God has brought into my life who share my passions worshipping God, wellness and words.

About the Author
Shawneda Marks is affectionately known as the activist author. Her new novel, It's in My Blood was available on December 1, 2009, World AIDS Day. She lives in metropolitan Atlanta with her husband and daughter. Find out more about her visit http://www.shawneda.com/.

Author Nikita Nichols: What I'm Grateful For This Christmas

“What I’m Most Grateful For This Christmas”

By

Nikita Nichols

What I'm most grateful for this Christmas is the fact that I actually lived this long to see it. It is truly God's blessing that I've come this far in life. Sometimes health and strength can be taken for granted not realizing that in a blink of an eye, the very things we don't always appreciate, can be taken away. This holiday season is a special one for me. I am releasing my 4th fictional novel, "A Woman's Worth" on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Truly this is my gift from the Lord and I appreciate the talent He has instilled in me. It puts joy in my heart to know that readers are satisfied and happy. I've come to learn that Christmas isn't about receiving gifts but it's about gift giving. Most of all, it's a day to acknowledge the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I celebrate Him.
About the Author
Nikita Lynnette Nichols is employed at the Chicago Transit Authority. She is a member of The Progressive Life-Giving Word Cathedral under the leadership of Apostle Donald Lawrence Alford. She enjoys shoe shopping and indulging in milk chocolate every chance she gets. Nichols is currently writing her fifth and most anticipated novel entitled, 'Crossroads', releasing April, 2011. She resides in the southwest suburbs of Illinois.
You may learn more about Nikita at her website www.nikitalynnettenichols.com

Author Vanessa Richardson: What She's Grateful For This Christmas

"What I'm Grateful For This Christmas"

by

Vanessa Richardson

There is so much I am grateful for!  I fear I don’t have enough space to list them all. There is not a day that goes by that I am not both mindful and grateful to my first love. God.  I am grateful to God for life, happiness, health, family, and His gifts (oh, how I wish singing was one of them!), He has deemed fit to bless me with.  In additions to those things; I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to share with you (thanks Rhonda!) my forth coming inspirational stage production: God Knows My Heart!

It is my desire to give back to my community every year.  Annually, I inquire of my attendee’s  to give apart of themselves, by donating non perishable food items and donated winter clothes to give to those facing economic hardship around the Christmas Holiday. I must confess that there is something about Christmas that mellows even the hardest of hearts.  Last year, I didn’t charge an admittance fee, out of my heart and financial coffers, we-- my fierce drama team performed the stage production: God Knows My Heart!  We requested non perishable food items and donated winter clothing’s be given. I was overwhelmed with the feedback I received; particularly from our; African American community, it was enduring to witness.   There were those who couldn’t stay to see the performance, due to other established obligations; but sacrificed the time to bring their donated items to us. It was awesome! Just like our up and coming production: God Knows My Heart! The singing, the acting, and the message itself are awesome!

 If you're in the North Carolina are please come out and enjoy a night of soul stirring, thought provoking, and deep belly laughing good time.  Saturday, December 19^th, 2009|6:00pm at The Sampson Community Center. Further inquires can be made by contacting Vanessa at vanessajackso90@hotmail.com

 

Synopsis for the Stage Play: God Knows My Heart!

Things are not always what they seem. Harmony Stillwater appears to have the picture perfect life. She has a wonderful husband and is owner of a successful Women’s Health Advocate Facility. Harmony has held a secret in her heart for years. To cope with the sins of the past, she buries herself into her work. Although becoming quite successful; Harmony can’t shake the feeling that something is missing in her life.

Just when Harmony thought she had put the past behind her, someone from her past knows of her secret and is on a revengeful mission to ruin Harmony’s happiness and home. Harmony will be forced to deal with her past or lose everything she loves dearly.

About the Author

Vanessa Richardson is an artist who is having a very exciting day on December 19th. Not only is her stage play God Knows My Heart debuting, but Love Found Me, her first Christian novel is also making it's debut. Vist Vanessa's website and blogs to learn more about her.www.authorvanessarichardson.com

http://thecertainones.blogspot.com

Author Pat Simmons: "What She's Grateful For This Christmas."

What I’m Grateful This Christmas

By author Pat Simmons

Is it possible to be grateful for the same thing year after year? If not, let me break protocol.

Last year around Memorial’s Day, my son, Jared, was involved in a horrific car accident. He was a passenger in an SUV. The driver was racing down a busy street in speeds excessive of one hundred miles her hour. The vehicle crashed into a pole, rolled over, and exploded. His friend was ejected from the SUV. This time last year, I was praising the Lord for sparing his life when during the same night, other wrecks killed people.

A few days ago, my son, who is twenty-five, and I revisited that life-alternating day. Jared told me a woman who was traveling behind that SUV was an eye-witness to the accident. She didn’t know Jared at the time, and she described how his foot was shaking uncontrollably as it hung from the twisted metal of the SUV.
Most bystanders thought Jared was dying, so did the investigating officer. Even the reconstruction team was dispatched then turned away. God snatched him and the driver from Satan’s death grip that they should live. Read the complete story in my June 2008 newsletter at www.patsimmonsnewsletters.blogspot.com, and view pictures of Jared and the vehicle’s remains at photos.www.patsimmons.net entitled Jared.

So, here I am again, another Christmas, not only grateful for my material possessions: money, clothes, a house, car (well when it starts anyway) and my spiritual benefits of salvation, but I have no doubt next Christmas and the Christmas after that, and even as many Christmases as the Lord Jesus will give me that I’ll continue to be grateful for one thing—how God miraculously spared my son’s life.

About the Author
Pat Simmons is the author of the national bestselling and award winning "Guility Series". Her latest release Not Guilty of Love is avaliable wherever books are sold. You may learn more about Pat at www.patsimmons.net

Zaria Garrison shares "What She's Grateful for this Christmas"

What I am grateful for this Christmas

By Zaria Garrison

As the Christmas season approaches, I hear many people complaining. It surprises me that so many people have a negative image of what should be one of most joyous times of the year.  I have heard people moan about how Christmas is too commercial. Then others have talked about how the economy is so bad they can’t even think about celebrating. While others bemoan the fact that they are not in love, don’t have a large family, or otherwise may be alone during the holidays.  Lastly, there are those who feel that Christmas magic ends after childhood. The joy of Christmas disappears along with belief in Santa Clause.

I suppose all of these whiners do have valid points. It’s true that for many Christmas is very commercial. It’s about making money, selling items, and the almighty dollar. I also realize that the economy is bad right now. Many people are out of work and finances are tighter than Mariah Carey’s leggings.  It’s also true for many that Christmas becomes a lonely time without loves ones.  Lastly, I have to give validity to the fact that I don’t wake up on Christmas morning searching for a new Barbie, or a shiny red bicycle the way that I used to. All of these things are valid, in some ways.

However, this article is about what I’m grateful for this Christmas, and I have to say I am grateful that I do not feel any of those negative things when I think of Christmas.  I am grateful that while the rest of the world is caught up in black Friday sales, the lowest price of a Wii, and how much cash can be earned during the holidays, these things do not control me.  Of course I look for good prices, and I have a teen-ager to buy gifts for, but those things are not most important.

I am grateful that even though I don’t have a job God has continued to bless me and my son. We have a roof over our heads, we have food to eat, and we will have gifts on Christmas morning. Even in a bad economy, God is still in the blessing business.

On Christmas morning my mother will not be present, she is in heaven celebrating with my brother, and her other relatives who have gone to glory. Those of us left behind will miss them, but I am grateful that we have each other. 

As an adult, with a teen-aged son, I won’t wake up Christmas morning looking for toys with excitement. But I currently feel excited because I know what Christmas is all about. The joy of knowing that God sent his only son as a gift for me far outweighs any present I’ve ever received.  This Christmas I am grateful for his presence in my life.

If you are not happy with the commercialism of Christmas, then don’t buy into the hype. Your children will be happy with love on Christmas morning, even if that’s all that you can give them. Real genuine love lasts all year and doesn’t end up broken by December 27^th.

This year at Christmas I am grateful that I have that love in my life. I am grateful that God is ordering my steps and blessing me abundantly.

This Christmas I hope you’ll allow Jesus to be born into your heart, so that you can feel the true joy of Christmas as well.

About the Author

Zaria Garrison is an award-winning author of Christian fiction who is committed to writing and publishing literature that ministers as well as entertains.  Her ministry goal is to promote literacy in the Christian community, by helping Christians to hear the gospel within the pages of literature.

Her first Christian fiction novel Prodigal was released by Urban Christian Imprint, a division of Kensington Publishers, October 2009.  She is also co-owner and staff writing of EKG Literary Magazine, which caters to all members of the literary community.

You can find her online at www.zariagarrison.com or www.ekgliterarymag.com                                                                

Author Rhonda McKnight shares "What I'm Grateful For This Christmas"

I am grateful for so many things this Christmas. Typical things like my family, health, and income. I don't take them for granted. I reflect weekly on God's grace with respect to those areas in in my life. So when I thought about what I would share today for the start of this series I considered my book release party yesterday. It was an awesome time. I was so blessed by the number of people that came out to support me, and the kind words that people said about me. But there was one moment that touched my heart more than any other, and that was when I looked out in the crowd and saw the look of pride on my mother's face as she watched me sign books. Both my parents have lived to see my novel, Secrets and Lies released. I dedicated the novel to my aunt Laura who very much wanted to see the novel finished, but died three years ago. I have had to forgive myself for my procrastination and really accept that God’s timing is always the right time, but I would have so liked to look out and see her smiling at me too. I know she's looking down on me from heaven and she’s smiling. So, I thank God that my parents held my book last week and got the chance to tell me how very proud they are. Can you tell I’m crying? I am very grateful indeed.

Here's a picture of me with my awesome writers group, Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. I couldn't have done it without these ladies.  From left to right, starting at the top: Veronica F. Johnson, Sharon Ball (blogger-A Break from the Norm), author-Tia McCollors and she's holding her daughter, Regan (The Last Woman Standing), Tangie Henry (Inspired Sister), Pamela English (blogger-Pam's Perspective), me-Rhonda McKnight (Secrets and Lies), Vanessa Madden, author-Sherri Lewis (The List), author-T.S. Jones (Everything But The Ring), author-Melissa Ewell Miller (A Reason To Love). Bottom, from left to right: Trina Charles, author-Ashea Goldson (The Lovechild),  publicist-Dee Stewart (DeeGospelPR), and author-LaMonica Smith (A Meeting In The Ladies Room).

Secrets and Lies Book Release

This has been the most exciting week of my life. My novel, Secrets and Lies was released on last Tuesday. Some stores won't put it out until this coming Tuesday, but suffice to day, it's been sighted on the shelves in bookstores all over the county. Above is a picture I took and below is a picture of a reader in California digging in. Hi Sheryl! She finished it literally overnight. I was so pleased. I really appreciated the picture too. Readers are making this so fun.

So, I'm here, at the place I've been anticipating for two years and I have to tell you, it feels even better than I thought it would. I've had some great reviews. Click here to read them on Amazon. More are coming, they just haven't been posted. I've also had some great emails from readers. Here's a little from one I received just last night:

"Wow..I just finished the book and I am typing this between tears. It was AWESOME. I can't wait for you to publish another."

Can I say, wow, I'm typing through tears too? That's the best. The absolute best. I mean, I didn't mean to make her cry, but I'm glad she was moved. I'm glad the story touched her heart.

I'll keep you updated this week. For now you can visit two blogs for a chance to win the novel.

Here's a little from my interview at A Christian Writer's World and the link to read the rest:

SECRETS AND LIES - Rhonda McKnight - Free Book

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I actually think there’s very little of me in my characters. They’re a combination of different people I know, and my bad girl walked right out of my imagination. I had to dig deep to create her persona. But I will say there are elements of my life in the actual stories, more so in Secrets and Lies than my other projects, probably because it was my first novel.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Oh dear, I’m not too quirky, but I did perform Mariah Carey’s song “Hero” on a cruise boat during Karaoke. What was I thinking?

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

That’s an interesting question, click here for more and to comment to win a free book.

I'm also over at Chocolate City which is a cool urban site. Here's a little and link:

Secrets and lies in relationships: Is it ever okay to keep your past hidden?

“Communication is critical in relationships, but the only thing worse than a lack of communication is secrets and lies between you.”—Rhonda McKnight, author of the novel, Secrets and Lies

I’ve always been blessed with nice skin, so whenever I have a pimple on my face it’s a major intrusion. I hate that toxic, bacteria and whatever else is in there brewing under the surface of my skin. But to keep from the dreaded thing from scaring, I don’t touch it. I always wait until the pimple comes to a head and burst on its own. Once the gook is out, I know that if I don’t pick or scratch at the surface my skin will eventually return to its clear, smooth state. 

I liken this to the hidden issues people bring into relationships. They’re toxins and bacteria that are growing under the surface waiting to erupt and spill their gook. But will everything go back to its normal state if the hidden issues are discovered rather than shared? Or will the source of the information pick and scratch at the heart of the person who feels deceived and betrayed? Click here to read more and enter to win a copy of Secrets and Lies.

As always, thanks for stopping by and I wish you a life where no one keeps secrets or tells lies.

Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are my absolute favorite. I spend quality time with my parents and siblings and cousins. We play, laugh, hug and overeat until we just can't do it anymore. I consider myself to be very blessed. I know all families aren't that way. I know some people grieve the deaths of close loved-ones on holidays and honestly feel like they have nothing to feel grateful for. Many have relatives that are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and their absence is felt, the worry for their safety is foremost in your minds. But I implore you, no matter your situation, to embrace the grace God extends us all year long and do not let sadness, worry or depression overtake you. Be blessed and be grateful, no matter what the situation. In this life, it can always, always be worse than it is. God is always good and we always have things we can be thankful for. 

Enjoy and Love to You!

Blessings,

African-American Authors Need Help

I'm reposting this letter because of all the niche genres in African-American fiction that are struggling, Christian Fiction is the hardest hit. I and my peers love writing these stories, but if they aren't purchased, if people share books rather than buy them, or at least ask their local libraries to stock them, our voices will be silenced. I know people who can't get books deals. People I've blogged about and authors you love. I trust God. I know that He is my source in all things, but I do ask you to pray, because He has told us to share our concerns with Him. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

An Open Letter to Oprah Winfrey (From Virginia DeBerry)

Dear Oprah:

We don't sing karaoke or dance with the stars. We have been contributing to the cultural landscape long before Jon & Kate, Britney,Rhianna and Chris or Stephanie Meyer and most of America, including you have probably never even heard of us.

We have railed against Kanye's proud pronouncement upon the publication of his 52 page book: Thank You and You're Welcome, that "I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book's autograph." Huh?

We are writers and we are in trouble. Big trouble.

I would never have imagined myself writing this with the hundreds of thousands of emails and letters the show receives, I know the chances of this one actually getting through are somewhere between slim and non-existent. But one of the mantras my best friend/business partner and I lived by in the early days, was “It’s only postage.” Now it’s not even that. So I could not find a reason not to write and hit ‘send’. Like I said--we are in trouble.

Everyone knows that Oprah is a champion of reading, that books are one of her favorite things and it is precisely because of that passion that I send this note. I’m sure you are aware that publishing, like so many industries today—especially those centered around the arts, is struggling to keep up and figure their way through the maze of new media. What I’m not sure you know is how that struggle is affecting, or more accurately disaffecting an entire segment of writers--black novelists. Not the few who live in the rarefied literary echelons—Toni Morrison, Stephen Carter, Edwidge Dandicat etc. are doing fine—they enjoy the support of the media and the "wider" (whiter) population. These struggling authors also don’t include those who now make up the largest growing segment of Af-Am writers—urban/erotica authors whose books are acquired by publishers at little expense and sold at great profit. A quick look at the Af-Am displays in bookstores will make this trend abundantly clear. 

Click here to read more and please do pray about the state of quality African-American literature.

Interview with author, Shawneda Marks

Today I have the pleasure of introducing my friend and writing buddy, Shawneda Marks. Shawneda is a member of the writers group I'm in here in Atlanta. I got to peek at It's In My Blood during the early stages of it's development and it held much promise. I look forward to getting my copy and seeing how the story progressed.

Hello Shawneda.(I'll forgo calling you by your nickname this one time).  Introduce yourself to my readers. Hello readers, it all started on a farm in Mississippi three generations ago…kidding kidding. I’m a word lover whose been writing as long as I can recall. My favorite writing is creative writing: fiction, poetry and songs.

Tell us in your words what an author activist is. Activist author is someone who writes to inspire readers into action. In my case it is also someone who publishes books to hopefully add something to the readers’ life and deserving charitable organizations related to the focus of the book. Each of my books will have a portion of the net proceeds going to charities.

It’s In My Blood. Great title. What’s it about? It’s in My Blood is about an HIV positive young lady who is forced to go home by the circumstances in her life. Her short trip to garner her Dad’s wisdom becomes an appointment with destiny.

You’re releasing this novel on December 1st, World Aids Day. Tell us why that’s significant to you? Awareness about living with HIV/AIDS is a major part of this story. Rosalyn the main character is someone’s daughter, mother and friend. It was important to release the book on this day in honor of those who are living with and have lost their lives to complications caused by this disease.

Shawneda, you’re a busy wife, mother, employee , etc. All the stuff that makes this author stuff tough. Tell me how you balance it all and what do you say to a woman out there who’s trying to make her dreams come true, but feels like she can’t push past the family and work obligations?
It’s cheesy but I have a theme song “It’s the God in me” by Mary Mary. Before I’m any of these things I’m God’s. My day begins and ends with intercession and prayer. I turn my day over to Him and ask Him to enable me to get everything done in decency, order and excellence. I also rely heavily on support from my immediate family…my husband is very supportive. I do a lot of multi tasking and am reembracing an important word…no!

Besides Jesus, who inspires you? My mom Bernadette Thompson is my biggest inspiration. We lost my dad last year and her strength has really taught me something about love, fortitude and hope. Instead of falling apart she’s become stronger.

What’s your next project? I’m currently working on two projects Diamond Butterfly, a devotional for teen and adult women who have experienced emotional trauma and My True Essence a novel about how triple negative breast cancer impacts the lives of three friends.

Where can readers find you on the Internet? Easiest way to connect with me is to go to www.shawneda.com a link to the social media sites I frequent and my website community is there!

Marriage 101 - Blog Tour

Pursue the One You Love
by Jewell  Powell

Most couples reminisce about how the person they ultimately married actively pursued them for their time, attention, or love when they were dating. The pursuit to gain the affection of another person is known as courting. This active pursuit should not end just because you are now married. Women have been most noted to complain about their spouse’s lack of time and attention once they were married. All of the special things he once did (romantic dates, flowers, candy, thoughtful cards and gifts) have disappeared into the sea of forgetfulness.

Now, your husband sexually approaches you without even stroking your hair or kissing your neck. If this becomes the norm and you are frustrated by it, be sure to lovingly let your hubby know that you would like to include more romance into your sex life instead of just diving right into the act!

Remind him of all of the wonderful things that he did to get your attention and how this really made you fall in love with him. Married couples should continue to court one another and offer tokens of love and appreciation. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Even little signs of gratitude and courtship can go a long way in having a great marriage. Ladies, this cuts both ways. Be prepared to be reminded of some things that you may have done or let slip during your time of dating or early in your marriage when things were fresh, new and exciting. Both men and women need to remember how hard they once worked to impress each other. Why not do it now?

Another point that many couples will remember is that while courting and dating, it was difficult for them to keep their hands off one another and resist the sexual attraction they felt toward each other. Although the Scriptures clearly tell us that it is God’s desire that we abstain from sex until marriage, sex inside of marriage is His perfect plan for couples. Sex outside of marriage is fornication. Fornication is a sin against God. It is just like the enemy to entice and put pressure on couples to have sex before marriage. Then once they are married, couples may not find sex pleasurable anymore or they become disinterested. It is also a tactic of the enemy to make sexual intimacy that is sanctioned and blessed by God into something that couples want to avoid. Couples must be vigilant to submit themselves to God (His will) and resist the devil in every area of their lives, including their sexual relationship with their spouse, and he will flee (James 4:7). It is the will of God and His desire for married couples to have sex.   

Most couples listened carefully to one another when they were dating. Once married, it may be more difficult to find interest in some of the same stories your spouse shares. However, it is important to put the time and energy into listening to them talk about work, concerns about friends, and their outside interests. No matter how boring this may seem to you now, and how you may tire of hearing them rambling on about things that don’t interest you, this is an important part of making them feel important.

Think back. Remember how glad you were to be allowed into their inner-most thoughts, emotions, and dreams when you first started dating. Well, you got what you were looking for! Now, you are their friend and lover forever! Intently listen to what your spouse has to say and share your feelings and thoughts with them, as well. This verbal intimacy between couples is the preliminary step toward physical intimacy.

The courting process is very different for each couple. If your husband loves a good evening meal, you can court him with his favorite dinner. If your wife loves flowers, buy her flowers for no reason. There are countless ways to “court” each other. Wear the perfume that makes his toes curl. Bring her a small box of her favorite chocolates. Men, washing the dishes for your wife after she has an exhausting day at work or at home with the kids could be the sexiest thing you’ve done in weeks because it demonstrates your care and concern to meet her needs. All of these examples are simple ways of communicating that your spouse is still the most important person to you and that you don’t take them for granted.

If you have realized that you have become lazy in your pursuit of the one you love, pick up the wonderful little things that you use to do for them to communicate your love and affection. If you have forgotten, ask them! By expressing your love and appreciation through small tokens, you set the stage for intimacy and open the door for lovemaking.

© Jewell R. Powell, The Marriage Coach and Author of Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith. This is an excerpt from the Marriage 101 mini series, Sex & Intimacy.  For more information, visit www.marriage101.us

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In July of 1992, Jewell met her Prince Charming at a Roy Rogers restaurant. When the couple decided to marry four years later, both were aware of the latest marriage statistics and the legacy of divorce that lay between them. Her parents divorced when she was four, after moving the family to Maryland, leaving her to be raised by a single mother. To circumvent the odds, they went through pre-marital counseling, attended church regularly and felt a strong love for one another. They believed they were ready for marriage.
While desiring to have a happily ever after, Jewell found life after marriage anything but a fairy tale. In 2001, she and her husband, Lewis, had been married for five years but were growing apart, after experiencing problems with infertility, sleeping in separate bedrooms and Lewis’s increasing disinterest in going to church. As she searched for answers to her marital troubles, Jewell found herself on a journey, seeking answers to save her marriage.
Despite a shaky beginning, the Powells now have a relationship with a strong foundation. After successfully resolving their marital problems, they started the Happily Ever After Marriage Ministry to help others do the same. Her new book, Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith (Revell Books February 2009, ISBN 978-0-8007-3332-2, $13.99), offers hope and guidance to help transform broken relationships through the use of biblical wisdom in a simple workbook format.
Jewell serves as co-owner of Antiok Holdings, an emerging full-service management consulting firm, which she owns with her husband. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Maryland and is pursuing a Master of Divinity. The Powells reside in southern Maryland with their two daughters.
 
ABOUT THE BOOK
Your marriage can be strong, healthy, happy, and blessed. Marriage coach Jewell Powell shows you how in this 8-week plan for marital success. She reveals how God’s truths can transform two individuals into the union he desires. Laying a spiritual foundation is crucial to your marriage. In Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith, you will discover God’s purpose for marriage, how to develop godly character, how to communicate effectively, and much more. With biblical examples, study questions, and Scripture meditations perfect for individuals or couples, you will be challenged to examine areas in your life that may need change so that your marriage can thrive.

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/Marriage101.

For more information about, visit Jewell at http://www.marriage101.us/.

Book Release Event for Secrets and Lies

 Are you in the Atlanta area or close? My debut novel, Secrets and Lies will be released on November 24th. That's less than six days away. 

I'm celebrating by inviting friends to the book release party my family is planning. We'd love to see you there. 

 

Date: Saturday, December 5th 

Time: 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Place: Big Miller Grove Baptist Church

3800 Big Miller Grove Way

Lithonia, GA 

RSVP or email questions to publicity (at) rhondamcknight (dot) net

It’s hard enough to keep a secret without telling a lie, but when you’re married it’s almost impossible. In Secrets and Lies, the Morgan’s marriage is collapsing under the weight of both. Against the backdrop of old memories, new enemies, and a plot for revenge this intense drama unfolds addressing several relationship issues; communication, honesty and trust among them.

The story takes readers into the complex mind of Dr. Jonah Morgan, a man who’s dedicated his life to physically healing children, but he’s emotionally and spiritually sick himself. And can his wife, Faith, keep the “faith” after Jonah’s accused of the unthinkable? Or when a woman’s fed up, is she truly fed up?

Learn more at SecretandLiestheNovel or at my website www.rhondamcknight.net  and please, sign my guestbook. I'd love to know you stopped by. 

Thanks,

Rhonda

Coming soon...Selling My Soul

Selling My Soul 

by 

Sherri Lewis

In Stores March 2010

When Trina Michaels steps off the plane after her two-year missions trip in Africa, she realizes that other than longing to see her mother and her best friend, her heart aches to fly back to the place that now feels more like home than anywhere she’s... ever lived. And to the man who’s stolen her heart.

Her dream of a quick return to Mozambique fades within hours when Trina discovers that her mother has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Trina is forced to go back to her job as a publicist to cover her mother’s health costs.

She’s assigned a damage control client, Bishop Walker, a megachurch pastor accused of covering up a church sex scandal within his church involving the molestation of young boys. Representing him could cost Trina her most valued friendship, the love of her life, and her soul.

Visit Sherri's website to read an excerpt www.sherrilewis.com

Have you read  the book that started it all?  Selling My Soul is the sequel to My Soul Cries Out. My SoulCries Out is now available in mass market form for $6.99. You still have time to read it before Selling My Soul is released.

My Soul Cries Out

by 

Sherri Lewis

Monica Harris Day's perfect world begins a downward spiral the day she comes home to find her husband in bed with another man.  After confronting Kevin, her husband of two years, Monica discovers he's had a lifelong struggle with homosexuality that began at the age of ten, when he was molested by a deacon in the church. 
For years, Kevin has sought deliverance, crying out to God to make him straight.  He explains his deceit by saying he truly thought he had been delivered when he married Monica, but was afraid to share his past with her for fear she wouldn't marry him.  Kevin begs Monica's forgiveness and wants to save their marriage.  He is convinced that God has indeed delivered him from the spirit of homosexuality and that the one time mistake was just his past coming back to haunt him. Their pastor offers them marital counsel but Monica suspects that his real concern is in maintaining his mega-ministry.  The membership has grown to 10,000 since Kevin became the minister of music.
When the pastor swears them to secrecy and urges Monica to stay in the marriage, she thinks Bishop Walter isn't willing to risk the potential scandal and church division that would result if the truth is leaked to the congregation. My Soul Cries Out is a compassionate look at the issue of Christians struggling with homosexuality and the redemptive power of God to bring deliverance.

Redemption Lake by Monique Miller

During a weeklong exclusive marriage retreat, three couples seek spiritual intervention and guidance. Secrets have been exposed, and all has hit the fan. Journey with these couples as they travel on the road to mending and rebuilding their torn relationships. Lives will forever be changed, and some souls will be redeemed. But can these couples really forgive and forget?

Available wherever books are sold and at Amazon.com by clicking here and Barnes and Nobles by clicking here.

Visit the author at www.authormoniquemiller.com

Green Books Campaign: The Green Bible

This review is part of the Green Books campaign . Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a  a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website .

When I decided to join this tour I thought, "Why not try a green Bible, I have every other kind." What I didn't expect was for it to be such an eye-opening and spirit stirring devotional.

When I opened The Green Bible my interest was immediately captured because the foreward was written by the Honorable ArchBishop Desmond Tutu. He concludes with this powerful affirmation: "It is possible to have a new kind of world, a world where there will be more compassion, more gentleness, more caring, more laughter, more joy for all of God's creation, because that is God's dream. And God says, 'Help me, help me, help me realize my dream.'" 

I am not particularly green. I'm conscious of the need to be greener and every month or so we make some adjustment in our home in an effort to be greener, ie. the special light bulbs, the recycling of newspaper and plastic, so reading the Bible through a green lens was illuminating. The Green Bible includes essays by the late Pope John Paul II, Calvin B. Dewitt and others that are poignant, educational and inspiring. Through their words I learned how important it is to be conscious of God's creation. It's not something I think about everyday, but it should be, because the word says "the earth is the Lords"(Psalm 24:1). We are to be good stewards over what God has lent us. This Bible helped me to become more aware of that. I believe it will do that for all readers. I highly recommend this Bible to Christians. I know many of us are not as green as we need to be. It's worth the investment, and it would make an awesome gift, so consider it this Christmas season, particularly for that person on your list that has everything. 

The Green Bible was printed using recycled paper with soy based ink and a cotton/linen cover which I love. I also have to admit, I loved the use of green lettering where Bibles traditionally use red-letter ink. It was a fresh approach to highlighting scripture. The NRSV, New Revised Standard Version, as always was a good choice for translation.

"For God is the king of all the earth." Psalm 47:7

Oh dear, I was riddled with guilt when I saw this picture on the Eco-Libris Blog. It made me want to purchase something I said I would never buy, a Kindle or some other e-reader. How about you?

The Love Child Blog Tour - Day One

Meet Ashea Goldson, author of The Lovechild

Ashea Goldson, originally born in Brooklyn, NewYork  is a wife of twenty three years, a mother of two daughters, a grandmother of one, a  graduate of Fordham University, a writer, a poet, a publisher, a reviewer, an internet radio host, an educator, and a co-founder of a Christian preparatory school. Active in the ministry, she is a dedicated member of World Changers Church International for many years. She has a lifetime of experience with writing which ranges from being published in local newspapers, magazines, and online  publications to full length books.
Her first Christian fiction novel is The Lovechild, published by Urban Christian Publishers in 2008. Ashea’s short story entitled “The Kit Cat Trial” will be released in an anthology named Pets Across America in September 2009. Her second Christian fiction novel, Joy Comes In The Morning, will be released in July 2010, also by Urban Christian Publishers.  She has recently released a non-fiction title, Resurrecting Vision: 45 steps To Digging Up Your Destiny And Seeing It Through God’s Eyes through her own publishing company.
Calling herself a kingdom writer, and passionate about this calling, she is currently working on her third novel, random poems, several short stories, a children’s book, and is organizing a literacy group for youth in her community. During her relaxation time she can be found hanging out with her family, snuggled up to a good book, or listening to gospel music.

List your published books.

The Lovechild, Resurrecting Vision, (and currently in production, Joy Comes In The Morning)

Which book did you find the hardest to birth?

Undoubtedly,The Lovechild because it’s my first novel and also my first traditionally published work.

Which book is your current favorite?

Joy Comes In the Morning

Tell us a little about this book.

Joy Comes In The Morning deals with self-condemnation vs. God's agape love, and restoration. Sister Alex Carter is a good woman and seemingly a pillar of spiritual strength, working diligently in the ministry, trying to help everyone, yet she is unable to help or forgive herself. In fact, she is really a ticking time bomb. Although the one thing she wants more than anything else is to marry her fiancé Deacon Joshua Bennings, a Bishop’s son and the church’s most eligible bachelor, she can’t seem to escape a mistake from her own past.

Alex learns to fight, striking a moral indictment against the church, debating to right the wrongs of hypocrisy, and competing with a flirtatious church sister for the man she loves. She’s also holding onto a job that’s pulling her further away from the will of God for her life and trying to block an old lover’s  selfish attempt to expose her.

As Alex wrestles to hang onto her spotless reputation, her pre-packaged life begins to unravel, bringing her to the brink of losing everything she has worked so hard for. Despite her adversity, she ultimately discovers through Christ, no matter how dark it gets, joy always comes in the morning.

How would you describe your writing style?

I would describe my writing style as relaxed contemporary.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

Sometimes I use soft gospel or jazz to soothe me and sometimes I use it to soothe me when I’m writing. It can put me in a certain mood. I prefer instrumentals.

 

Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.

I subconsciously put my writing career on hold for many years while focusing on my family. Then after receiving a revelation on the purpose and perfect will of God for my life, I threw myself back into writing at full force.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

1.    Believe in yourself, no matter how discouraged you may become. Persevere, by writing, until the end.

2.    Complete a manuscript, even if it’s the roughest draft. Just get the story down on paper and proceed to fix it at that point.

3.    Find a local or online writers group for support, possible critiques, and/or information. Writing can be a lonely profession. Seek out others who are on the same path.

4.    Study, study, study the craft of writing so that you can produce the best possible quality work at all times. This study also includes industry trends and formats.

                                                   
Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?

That is true to some extent, but I tend to write about characters who may have familiar personality traits, but who may be in unfamiliar places and circumstances. I thrive on the mystery of the unknown. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

In The Lovechild, Makaeli Hunt, a successful fashion designer, has been driven far away from home by her family’s dysfunction. While living in Italy, trying to heal the wounds of yesterday, ambition becomes her comforter. When a family emergency forces her to return to her home, in seven life altering days, amidst  memories of a tumultuous past, will one revealed secret drive her away from her family and God forever? Or will she discover what it means to be God’s lovechild?

Dealing with issues of racism, depression, self-esteem, drug addiction, mental illness, verbal and physical abuse,The Lovechild is a story of redemption and re-dedication, confirming our victory in Jesus Christ.

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/TheLovechild

For more information about Ashea, visit her at http://www.asheagoldson.com.

Someone To Love Me - Blog Tour

Nicole S. Rouse developed a passion for writing at a young age. Nicole graduated from Temple University, with a Bachelor of Science in Early and Elementary Education. As a classroom teacher, Nicole took every opportunity to incorporate her appreciation of various forms of writing into the curriculum. She became a member of the Northern Virginia Writing Project, where she promoted and encouraged writing in mathematics. Nicole was a founding member of a literacy team that created plays for students to perform and developed workshops for parents to help their children excel. Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian, 2007) is her debut novel and has ranked consistently on the Top 25 Christian Independent Publishers Best Sellers list. Happily Ever Now received the EDC Creations 2008 Best Book Award. Her sophomore novel, Someone to Love Me (Urban Christian) was picked up by the Black Expressions Book Club® before its June 2009 release date.

Someone to Love Me, released in June by Urban Christian Publishing. Someone to Love Me shows the complexities of dealing with the after effects of an affair. The book follows the lives of Jerome Thomas and Taylor Belle, two characters introduced in Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian, 2007). Jerome Thomas has made many mistakes, which affected his family. But the one mistake he has the most trouble coping with is cheating on his wife. Taylor Belle has asked for God's forgiveness for her part in the affair, but a marriage to a wonderful man and having four beautiful children doesn’t keep Taylor from contacting Jerome to officially bring closure to their past transgressions.

Now Watch The Trailer

Interview with author, Janice Jones

Janice, introduce yourself to my readers. Hello readers. My name is Janice Jones. I am a newly published Christian novelist. I love the Lord and anything and everything I write is written to teach about His redemptive power. I am also the author of a non-fiction self-published title called Still Standing, which is my testimonial to how God rescues us over and over and over again. I am the mother of two sons, ages 21 & 16 and a 3 year old grandson. Yes, all boys. God knew what he was doing cuz I hate doing hair. Lol. In addition to writing, I currently work at my church, First Institutional Baptist Church, here in Phoenix as Assistant to the Director of Operations.

Tell us about your debut novel. My novel is entitled His Woman; His Wife; His Widow. It is the story of one young lady who goes through these three stages of life. She meets and marries a Detroit City drug deal and eventually loses him to a violent death. The story chronicles the beginning of their relationship through to his death, included all his infidelity, baby mama drama, in-law drama, own mama drama and everything in between. The main character, Lindsay Westbrook-Taylor is raised in church and has a good solid Christian foundation. However, she is turned upside down by the love she feels for her boyfriend/husband, Shaun Taylor, who is selling death in the streets. While Lindsay decides to take a walk on the wild side to be with Shaun, she never abandons her faith in God. She calls on Him in just about every situation she faces, even the ones where she knows she is going to be doing wrong. Her best friend, Shyanne Kennedy is sort of like Lindsay’s own Holy Spirit. She sticks with her through it all. The book is very urban, not at all preachy, but you definitely get the message that God is all up in the mix.

Is there a scripture that was the basis of the writing? Or What is the spiritual take away from this novel? My scripture reference is Job 36:11-15. “If they obey and serve Him, they’ll have a good, long life on easy street. But if they disobey, they’ll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.” Message Translation. This is the theme for the entire novel and all of the main characters.

Tell us about your writing process? Before I sit down to write, I must pray and ask God to give me the words He wants me to share with others. As I have finished both my novels, I have come to realize that what I wrote, I could have never done on my own. I oft times feel like I am simply God’s typist. As with anything thing else you do, you must seek God first before you begin to write. It was not even my idea to write a novel. I was riding in the car as a passenger one day and I clearly heard God’s voice speak and say, “Write His Woman; His Wife; His Widow.” I asked the driver if he heard what I heard and he assumed I was going a little crazy. At that point in my life, I had no desire whatsoever to be a published author. I simply wrote as a way to express myself to others without having to verbally tell them and have a discussion turn into a screaming match. At the same time, I had no goals or aspirations about what I was supposed to do with the life God had given me. After I became saved I began to seek God and ask Him, what was my purpose? As we became closer, He revealed it to me. Here I sit years later as an author of both fiction and non-fiction work.

Share a little about your journey to publication. My journey to publication was paved with a lot of rejections. Had I not known that it was God who co-piloted the journey, I would have given up way early in the game. But I kept sending the manuscript out to various publishers, most of whom said the talent was there, but I needed lots of editorial work. I would then take the advise, go back, revamp and revise it and send it out again, still to no avail. It was heartbreaking. Then a friend of mine told me about Vanessa Miller and her books. My friend said she read one of her books and went in search of other titles in the stores but kept coming up empty. So she looked in the one book she had and found a phone number. She called the number and Ms. Miller answered personally. After the two of them talked, my friend called me and told me how nice she was. My friend suggested I give her a call and ask for her advice on how to get published. I called; Ms. Miller answered and suggested I send her the manuscript to review. She did this for me and then called me about a week later, expressing her love for the manuscript. She called Joylynn at UC and told her about it. Well UC was one of the publishers I had sent the manuscript to, but had not heard anything from them. When Ms. Miller told Joylynn about the novel, Joylynn told her she had been trying to get in touch with me. Between the time I sent the manuscript and the time Ms. Miller read it, I had moved form Detroit to Phoenix. So I guess the correspondence got lost in the move. I resent the manuscript to Joylynn and as they say, the rest is publisher’s history. God will work it out if it is His plan. It may not look the way you imagine it to look, but it is always good in the end.

Share with us the feeling you had when you first held your book in your hands. The first time I had my book in my hands was actually in a Border’s store here in Phoenix. I had not yet received my author’s copies, but a book club had ordered it from Amazon and wanted me to come to their meeting. So I went into the Border’s to order myself and a friend a copy because I was not sure it had made it to the shelves yet. However, the Holy Spirit said go and check. And there it was. I picked up and luckily there was a bench right behind me which I ended up sitting on. Otherwise, I would have landed straight on the floor. I sat on that bench and cried for about 15 minutes. It was like holding my newborn child in my hands for the very first time.

Advice for aspiring writers. Be sure that your vision is in line with God’s vision and purpose for your life. Seek Him first and all other things will be added unto you. Also, before you start to write, I suggest you pick out your characters. Don’t choose too many because then you will be faced with the challenge of trying to keep everybody straight in your head. Pray each time to you sit down and start to write, asking God for His guidance. He wants to be right there with you in the center of everything you do. Don’t take rejection personally. Like I said before, it almost made me give up. Then as I was researching something, God let me to an article that said one of the most famous novels ever written was rejected 88 times before it was finally published. It was Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat. That inspired me to keep at it.

How have you been able to connect with readers as a newbie on the scene? Word of mouth has been my biggest promotion. I live here in Phoenix and most of the people here are transplants from other parts of the country. My church has been my biggest support group. They have read the book, enjoyed it and called back home to their friends and family and told them to get it. And home is just about everywhere in the country. Facebook has been a great source for promotion and feedback from my readers. I truly love all of the reviews, phone calls, emails and FB post I am receiving from people who don’t know me but have read the book.

Tell us what Janice likes to do when she’s not writing? Janice loves to read. That is my passion. I miss it so much too. Since I have started writing, there is hardly anytime available since I work a full time job and I am raising a teenaged son. In addition to working for my church, I am heavily involved in several ministries and it all keeps me so busy. Serving God in many capacities is also something I love to do.

Thanks for sharing with us today, Janice. Tell us how readers can get in contact with you.
I am still working on putting a website together, but you can always contact me on Facebook. Just look for Janice Jones in Phoenix and then look for my book cover as my profile picture. I can also be reached via email at jnyce766@hotmail.com or jnyce766@yahoo.com. Thank you for the opportunity to share. It has been a blessing.

The Lovechild Blog Tour

In The Lovechild, Makaeli Hunt, a successful fashion designer, has been driven far away from home by her family’s dysfunction. While living in Italy, trying to heal the wounds of yesterday, ambition becomes her comforter. When a family emergency forces her to return to her home, in seven life altering days, amidst  memories of a tumultuous past,will one revealed secret drive her away from her family and God forever? Or will she discover what it means to be God’s lovechild?

Dealing with issues of racism, depression, self-esteem, drug addiction, mental illness, verbal and physical abuse,The Lovechild is a story of redemption and re-dedication, confirming our victory in Jesus Christ.

Click here to learn more about the tour.

A Review of The Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas

Synopsis

Marrying a handsome, wealthy lawyer and living in a Hollywood Hills mansion...it's a dream come true for twenty-four-year-old Jana, from the moment Lawrence Collins swept her off her feet and into his luxurious world. True, she put her studies at a local Bible college on hold in order to wed after a six-month whirlwind romance. Beautiful and vivacious, with a stunning body, Jana knows men like Lawrence don't come along every day, and she vows to be a perfect companion -- the ideal wife -- to this sexy, powerful man. But at what price?

From her wardrobe and hairstyle to her friends and her choice of church, Lawrence seems to want to change Jana into someone she's not...and soon, the man Jana thought she knew will test her values and her faith with a shocking revelation that goes against everything she believes. How far will Jana be willing to go to keep the man she loves? With her "ideal" marriage falling apart, Jana -- the real, modest, smart, and strong girl who knows what she stands for -- must put her trust in God, and follow His guiding light out of the darkness of a broken relationship.

A Review of the novel by Rhonda McKnight

I’ve been a Jacquelin Thomas fan since the beginning of her career. My very favorites have always been Singsation and A Change Is Gonna Come and more recently Redemption. Just when you think an author couldn't write a better story, couldn't possibly tug at your emotions more than they already have...they do it. The Ideal Wife was not a book I thought I'd enjoy. The title suggested a woman working hard at being the perfect Biblical wife and that's been done a million times over in Christian publishing. What I didn't fathom was the criteria for "ideal" in this novel. Without giving it away, being "the ideal wife" had a whole lot to do with a room in the house that was no where near the kitchen or an ironing board. This story took us into the bedroom - you guessed it, the marriage bed and what tangled sheets they were.

Ms. Thomas kept me in suspense with on the edge of the seat conflict and lots of "No he didn't" moments. I loved not knowing where this story was going. There were surprises around every corner, interesting characters and good, snappy dialogue.

I also applaud her for dealing with this taboo subject, while bringing home several spiritual messages, one of the most resounding being that "we" need to be careful to not let others twist the meaning of the scriptures.

About the Author
Jacquelin Thomas is the national bestselling and award-winning author whose many adult novels include Defining Moments, Saved in the City, Soul Journey, A Change Is Gonna Come, The Prodigal Husband, and Singsation. Her short fiction is featured in the Pocket Books anthology Have a Little Faith. A driving force in the world of Christian fiction, she is the founder and producer of the annual Faith-Based Arts Conference, an event showcasing authors in the field.

Visit her website at www.jacquelinthomas.com

Interview with Pat G’Orge-Walker

Today I welcome a multi-published author, Pat G'Orge-Walker to the spotlight at Urban Christian Fiction Today. I met Pat at the Faith and Fiction Retreat this past summer in Orlando. After hearing her publication journey, I knew I had to share this sister's work with the world. I also became intrigued with her new novel, Somebody's Sinning In My Bed. It did not disappoint.

Pat, please introduce yourself to my readers.I’m an Essence Best Selling Author published by Kensington/Dafina Books, recipient of the 2007 AALBS Humor Award, 2004/2005 American Gospel Award; 2000 Gold Pen, and 2003 Elmont Woman of Distinction, as well as other awards exhibited on my website. I am also Pat G’Orge-Walker known to many as Christian Comedienne Sister Betty. I’ve had several careers which include singing with the legendary Arlene Smith & the Chantels, acting and writing screenplays and plays. I’ve also worked promotions for Epic, Columbia and Def Jam Records. I am also a wife, mother of three, grandmother of fourteen and great grandmother of five. I’m also in the process of deciding what I want to be when I grow up J

Tell us about your latest release Somebody’s Sinning In My Bed. My latest novel is Somebody’s Sinning In My Bed. This story is  based upon the Biblical story from St. John 8: 3-11; a woman caught in the very act of adultery. It was church folks that dragged her from that bed and attempted to stone her. I placed her in the twenty-first century and dragged the man into the fray. Why should he get away with it? The reader will hopefully learn that when you are forgiven by God there’s no need for a second opinion. And one should never think lesser of themselves than God does.

You have several other novels. Share a little about them. Is Somebody’s Sinning a sequel to either one? My first novel published by a major publisher was “Sister Betty! God’s Calling You, Again.” Sister Betty hasn't been the same since God called her on the phone back in '84. A devoted member of Ain't Nobody Right But Us—All Others Goin' to Hell Church, she's always looking after the welfare of her fellow congregants. It's a big job, considering they're none too good at looking after themselves—or each other.

“Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin’s Dead”… Sister Betty barely has a minute to sit and fan herself before she's off on another "Mission from God." Her friend Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin' has dropped dead on her seventy-first birthday from an overdose of York Peppermint Pattie, and it's up to Sister Betty to see to her final wishes, namely, traveling to a Baltimore religious conference to deliver three one-million dollar checks to three different mega-church pastors.

“Cruisin’ On Desperation”… The ladies of the Oh Lawd, Why Am I Still Single singles ministry devise a way to get payback from Lyon Lipps while improving their chances of meeting men at the same time. They're going cruising aboard the aptly named ship, Desperation of the Seas. And they're planning to trick Lyon into sailing along with them by making him the lucky "winner" of a free ticket.

“Somewhat Saved”… From Publishers Weekly…  In the latest loving church spoof from G'Orge-Walker (Sister Betty! God's Calling You, Again!), Sister Betty and her fellow evangelists get shipped off to Las Vegas to attend the evangelical Mothers Conference. After Betty and her two nemeses, Mother Sasha Pray Onn and Mother Bea Blister (about whom the Reverend Bling thinks to himself Doggone Alzheimer's gonna make those two old crones destroy my place of business), arrive with much hullabaloo, Bea spots someone she recognizes but can't place. The narrative then shifts to Zipporah, a beautiful homeless woman, and G'Orge-Walker expertly balances touching emotion with the ladies' antics as Zipporah gets a job that eventually leads her to the ladies and learns some things about herself in the process. Bickering, gambling and comeuppance are all on the agenda as the crew, far from the Pelzer, S.C., parish whence they came, negotiate Sin City. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pat your novels have "scream out loud" humor in them, which I have observed comes naturally for you. Tell us how the funny stuff shows up?  When you are a PK(Preacher’s Kid); my mother was a Pentecostal/COGIC Evangelist/pastor. My father was a Baptist preacher/pastor. Combine all the years I’ve spent as an entertainer and as a part of the entertainment industry with my PK upbringing and it was either “humor” or “do time.” On another note, God gave me a sense of humor and I refuse to give it to the devil. J

What do you want readers to take away from a Pat G’Orge-Walker novel? I always want the reader to take away a Bible-based lesson along with the ability to laugh. Laughter is like a good medicine. Ultimately, I want the reader to learn that there’s no honesty in saying you love God, Whom you’ve never seen; and then not loving your fellow man/woman, who you can see.

I asked Pat a few personal questions and she answered as follows:

Favorite scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Favorite dessert: Lawd, help my gut and hips… but it’s a “deep-deep dish peach cobbler.” I don’t care if it only has two slices of a peach in it as long as it’s got the syrup and the dough…this is so sad L

If you were a crayon in coloring box, which one would you be? I love the color green in all its various shades.

If you could spend one hour with someone living or deceased, who would it be and why? I would definitely love to spend an hour with my mother. I’d want to discuss her non-stop prayer life and whether or not she was/is proud of what I do. And, what does she know or has learned on the other side of the grave that she could share with me. And then, of course, there are things that I’d like to chat about that I’m not about to put in print J

If you had to go to a solitary place and could only take one novel that you didn’t write, what would it be and why? I would love to take the novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” There is something inexplicable that happens to me when I read that novel. My imagination and psyche puts me right there on the sidelines of the story. I laugh, I cry, I become angry and I’m exhausted by the end of the novel. My emotions just run amok and I love that. Of course, if I couldn’t find my copy of that novel then the next choice would definitely be “Sugar,” by Bernice McFadden.

What’s next for Pat G’Orge-Walker? I am currently working on my next novel, “Don’t Blame The Devil.” In this novel Deacon Thurgood Pillar returns from “Somebody’s Sinning In My Bed.” It won’t be pretty but it will be funny. J I’m also working on an online Sit-Com.  “The chURch Nuttz.” It’s the Nuttz family and they’ve started their own church and their tenets, based upon a Bible they’ve purchased from the Dollar Store, get them into all sorts of messes. J And, of course, I’m still out and about performing my One Woman comedy shows.

How can my readers find you on the Internet? I invite the readers to visit:  www.sisterbetty.com   www.patgorgewalker.com   or email: pat248@aol.com and I’m on Facebook everyday.

Thanks for stopping by Pat. It was great to have you!

The Manual by Sherryle Jackson

"Blessed are the children, for they shall inherit the earth."

Need a manual on raising children and having healthy relationships? Refer to the Bible. That's what Deidre Collins' inner spirit is telling her to do now that Andre, her son's father, is back in town after deserting them eight years ago.

At fourteen years old, her son, DeAndre, is struggling with his own issues—peer pressure, problems at school, and figuring out how to navigate his first crush.

When DeAndre gets suspended from school for ten days, Andre sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know his son—and to get closer to Deidre. Can this couple overcome the past for the sake of their son's future?

The Manual is available where ever books are sold and on Amazon.com and  Barnes and Nobles.com

Please visit Sherryle's website at www.sherrylejackson.com  to learn more.

Interview with author Zaria Garrison

Hello Zaria, introduce yourself to my readers. I am Zaria, a first time Christian fiction author. I am also co-owner and staff writer for an online literary magazine EKG Literary Magazine. We aim to be the pulse of the literary community. I’m also a single parent of a son who is going through the terrible teens.

Your debut Christian Fiction novel, Prodigal sounds like a great story. Tell us about it. Prodigal is about twins sisters, Phoebe and Phylicia, who fall in love with the same man. He is Rev. Gary Morgan, who is married to Phylicia. Early on the readers learn that while he deeply loves Phylicia, Gary shared one night of teen-aged passion with Phoebe. The results of that night resurface when Phoebe moves back to town intent on taking from her sister the man she believes is rightfully hers. It’s full of drama, surprises, and most importantly God’s voice.

Sibling rivalry is always a good source of conflict. What inspired this story?

It began as a re-telling of The Prodigal Son from the Bible. I thought it would be interesting to look at the conflict from a female perspective. Unbeknownst to me God was also dealing with me as I wrote it because of my own sibling rivalry with my sister. There were times that I’d go back and reread my own words and suddenly realize that God was speaking to me. Over the years my sister and I have had a roller coaster relationship that has resulted in physical fights as adults. I know that God was not pleased with either of us. Writing Prodigal helped me realize I couldn’t blame my sister for everything. I needed to look at myself and my own actions. Currently my sister and I get along, but we are not as close as we should be. So God is still dealing with us.

Do you have a favorite twin? I put a little bit of myself into the character of both twins, but Phoebe is by far my favorite. She may be seen by some as the “bad” twin, but I still see the good in her. She’s funny and a lot of fun.

What is the spiritual message you’d like for readers to take away from this story? In Prodigal, several of the characters are called upon to forgive one another for various acts of betrayal. Forgiving someone when they have really done you wrong is one of the most difficult things to do. Even sometimes when we think we’ve forgiven a person that wound is still open and it hurts. I hope that the readers will take this opportunity to search their own hearts for forgiveness of loved ones.

Zaria, aside from both writing for the same publisher you and I have something else in common, we both got “the call” that our books were wanted for publication on the same day. Share a little about your journey to publication?

My first book, Baring It All was published under my birth name Gena Garrison in 2005. It was secular writing. It won Mahogany Media’s best new writer award for 2005, and also Mahogany Media’s Best book club selection for 2005. But God stepped in and told me he did not give me the gift of writing to write secular novels. So I began writing Christian fiction. I queried two publishers. The first totally ignored me and that crushed my ego. But my Mom told me not to give up. Shortly after she passed away my grief wouldn’t allow me to sleep. So I got up and logged onto the internet. That’s when I discovered a new Christian imprint at Urban Books. I sent my manuscript to them the next day and it was accepted. I feel deeply humbled and blessed that I don’t have a stack of rejection letters like a lot of writers.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing or reading or being mom?

One of my favorite past times is internet surfing. I enjoy reading gossip blogs, Wikipedia, or just chatting with people on various social networking sites. The internet has so much information I don’t think even I can read it all. I also love music and singing. I sing with my church Praise team, and my son and I like to harmonize together.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Victoria Christopher Murry, Carl Weber, Virginia Deberry & Donna Grant, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Octavia Butler, and Bebe Moore Campbell just to name a few. They all have different writing styles, but they each have a unique manner of telling a story. I’m a firm believer that there are no new ideas, just new twists on old ones. These authors have mastered the art of the twist.

Share some of your upcoming book events and how can readers get in contact with you?  My book release party is coming up on November 14 in my hometown of Greer, SC. Any readers who are nearby are welcome to come and celebrate with me. They can email me at zaria@zariagarrison.com and I’ll be sure to send them an invite with all the details.

They can also find me online at my website www.zariagarrison.com or my magazine website www.ekgliterarymag.com

Watch the trailer for Prodigal

Coming soon...Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight

Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of poor communication and neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married.

   

Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?

Secrets and Lies will be available where ever books are sold on November 24th

Click here for pre-order at Amazon and here to pre-order at Barnes and Noble

To learn more about Rhonda McKnight visit her website www.rhondamcknight.net

Book Review - A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby

On the outside, twelve-year-old Jillian Maxwell is the perfect child. She’s helpful with chores around the house, gets straight As in school, has plans for college, and stays out of trouble. She seems to have everything a girl could want: a big, beautiful new home, an adoring little sister, a mother who cares about her, and an attentive stepfather. 

But inside, Jillian harbors a terrible secret.
Too frightened to tell, convinced that her friends and loved ones, especially her mother, won’t understand—and worse, will blame her—Jillian endures her pain in silence, believing that things will get better. However, as time passes and her dilemma intensifies, the bright, hardworking girl becomes sullen and disinterested in her studies. Then, just when it seems she’s on the verge of losing everything, Jillian discovers she has more strength than she ever imagined…and the power to change her fate. 

A Deep Dark Secret

a novel 

by 

Kimberla Lawson Roby

Reviewed by Rhonda McKnight

Kim Roby tells a poignant story of Jillian Matthews, a young girl struggling to survive sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather. The character is at the heart of this novel, and the intensity of her emotions drives the story.  Readers will weep with Jillian and bear the burden of the pain right along with her.

Roby does an excellent job focusing on all the areas of this problem including the development of shame, guilt and depression; the loss of self-esteem. Through subplots we learn how sexual abuse leads to domestic violence, promiscuity, and other psycho-social behaviors.

A Deep Dark Secret is an insightful, timely and necessary look at a growing problem that hides under the veil of manipulation and secrecy.  I hope women and teens everywhere will read this story and begin discussions that will uncover the darkness.

Visit the author Kimberla Lawson Roby at her website www.kimberlalawsonroby.com 

Interview with author, Monique Miller

Introduce yourself to my readers.

Hi!  My name is Monique Miller and I am a Christian Fiction author.  I’ve been writing for seven years.  Many people have different hobbies or things they like to do to relax.  For me writing is my outlet.  I love to write and really love creating characters that can give people hope and inspiration.

Tell us about your novel, Redemption Lake.

During an exclusive seven day marriage retreat, secluded in the mountains of North Carolina, three couples gather in last ditch attempts to save their troubled marriages.  Can these couples pick up the pieces and move on?  Will all be forgiven and forgotten?  See what happens when marital secrets are exposed and all hits the fan.

The excerpt on your website is great.  I’m really looking forward to getting to know these characters. (Especially Charlotte, LOL). How difficult was it to write about three couples?

The story actually ends with the reader getting to know four couples—the three couples who attend the retreat and Phillip and Shelby Tomlinson from my first two novels.  It wasn’t hard creating my characters and giving them their own distinct voice and characteristics, what was hard was trying to make sure the reader wouldn’t get lost as to who’s point of view I was writing about.  I ended up doing as Ernest J. Gaines did in A Gathering of Old Men. For the most part I told the story from each person's point of view without jumping back and forth between characters. 

I like the idea that the pastor’s marriage is in trouble. Tell us why you decided to “go there” with a pastor having marital trouble.

I think many times people think that the grass is greener on the other side, especially when it comes to people of the cloth and or people who may be well-to-do.  The fact is that trouble can knock on anyone’s door, even a pastor’s.  The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy.  And who more does the devil want to attack than a pastor with people who look towards him (the pastor) for spiritual guidance.  If the pastor falls, then so may the faith of his flock.

Do you have a favorite couple in the group?

Okay, I love Phillip and Shelby.  But out of the three new couples I’ve introduced, Xavier and Charlotte are my favorite couple in this particular novel.  Now my favorite person to write about in this novel was Travis.  Travis is as trifling as they come.  We always want to see the good in people, but sometimes there isn’t any good to be found.  

What is the spiritual takeaway for the novel?

As always I hope my novels provide hope and inspiration.  And in addition to that, from this novel, I want to encourage people to seek God’s guidance as they struggle through the problems in their lives. 

On a personal note you’ve had some changes in your life.  Tell us about that.

Oh my goodness.  Can I say that God is good?  Let me tell you about mustard seed faith.  And let me also tell you to be careful about what you pray to God for because you just might get it.  About six months ago I was thinking about going to graduate school.  I researched graduate schools that were local and schools online.  There were many obstacles to trying to go to school locally, because I work full time and have a child.  Then I looked at some online schools, but they cost a great deal and I didn’t want to take out more student loans.  So after days of trying to figure out how I could make it work, I finally prayed to God and said, “Lord, I want to go to school and I know you can make a way.  You said if I asked You, You would make a way.  I am believing in You to make it possible.”  And I left it at that. 

Two nights later I was online checking my email and saw an advertisement for moms to go to school on a full paid scholarship.  I had to write an essay telling why I wanted to go to school.  In that essay I said I’d just prayed about going to school.  I also said that I believed it was God’s way of making a way for me.  I entered the contest and left it at that. 

A month later a university called me and told me I had a full paid scholarship to their school!  I had to pinch myself.  I knew God would make a way without a shadow of doubt.  But when I got the phone call, I thought I was dreaming.  Now I am in my second quarter of graduate school.   God is good!

What are your upcoming promotion plans?  

I am in the process of setting up book signings.  I am also trying to become as innovative as possible in my promotional plans.   Just today alone I sent out over 250 text messages to the people in my phone asking them to assist me in getting the word out.  I am trying to think outside of the box and use my time and the reader’s time wisely.  I am trying to get a grasp on how the blog tours work and I am sure Rhonda can give me a Blog Tour 101 class.

How can readers contact you?

At my email address   authormoniquemiller@yahoo.com  and at my website www.authormoniquemiller@yahoo.com  I’m also on various social media sites:  Facebook, Myspace, Twitter (look for - BooksByMonique), Shoutlife, and Shelfari.

Thanks again Rhonda and I look forward to reading more about how things turn out with Faith and Jonah in December when your novel Secrets and Lies comes out!  I wish you the very best that God has to offer!

You are most welcome Monique. it was a pleasure having you today and I can't wait to get my book. Visit Monqiue's home page for the juicy excerpt by clicking here. 

Prodigal...coming soon

Phylicia Morgan and Phoebe Cox are twin sisters whose relationship has

been tumultuous since the womb. As they grow into womanhood the

tension between them boils over as they both share an identical love for the same man.

The Reverend Gary Morgan is a devoted husband, a caring father, and

most of all, a pious man of God. He's spent his entire life burying an

intimate mistake in his past but the moment he walks in on his wife,

Phylicia, arguing with her estranged twin sister, his buried memories begin

rapidly surfacing.

This retelling of the Biblical story the Prodigal son adds a dramatically

modern twist to the separation of the siblings and their eventual return back into God’s fold.

Prodigal in stores Nov 09

Available for pre-order at Amazon.com

www.zariagarrison.com

New from Kimberla Lawson Roby - A Deek Dark Secret

Kim you are an author who perhaps needs no introduction, but tell readers a little about yourself?
I am a New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels, two novellas and have a 14th book being released on January 19, 2010, entitled BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR. I began my career in 1995 when I wrote my first novel, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, and after being rejected by a plethora of literary agents and publishers, I started my own business in 1996 and self-published it. I then went on to sell just over 10,000 copies within the first six months of publication and before that, I signed with an agent and major publishing house for my second novel.

I’m a devoted fan, so I know A Deep Dark Secret is a very different novel for you. Tell us about it and what inspired the story? A DEEP DARK SECRET is a story about 12-year-old Jillian Maxwell who is a straight-A student, who does chores without being told and is basically the model child that any parent would be proud to have. But what no one knows, including her mother, is that she is harboring a devastating secret—what know one knows is that her stepfather, a beloved an upstanding deacon in the church, has been sexually molesting her for five years. I was inspired to write this story because while I didn’t experience exactly what Jillian experiences in the book, I do know full well what it is like to have an adult male touch me inappropriately when I was between the ages of six and eleven. I have also heard far too many similar stories from other women who were kind enough to share their histories with me.

Did you write the story with teenagers or adults in mind as the readers?Both. I wrote it for teenagers who may be current victims of sexual molestation but are afraid to tell and also for the 39 million adult Americans in this country who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

In your estimation or based on the research that you did for the novel, why do you think the secrecy of sexual abuse has so much power? It’s my belief that most children are afraid that no one will believe them if they tell what is happening to them, they sometimes blame themselves, and in many cases their abuser has lied and manipulated them on so many levels that they don’t see any other choice but to live with and deal with this horrible secret all alone.

When I closed A Deep Dark Secret I thought, “This is a very important book”, why is it important for you? It is important because not nearly enough people talk about it, and my hope is that Jillian’s story will bring about much more awareness and conversation, so that victims can finally get the help they need.

You’re writing two books a year now. How difficult is that with promotion?
Yes, this has been very different from when I was writing only one book a year! I don’t really feel that the promotional aspects are difficult, but it is very, very time-consuming. I’ve always been completely hands-on when it comes to marketing my work, but now my efforts have doubled. Interestingly enough, though, the promotion of my novels is something I really do enjoy being involved in daily.

Many authors aspire to make the New York Times Bestseller list, it’s not possible for all, but what are Kim Roby’s key marketing and promotion tools?Communicate with readers online and in person as much as you possibly can twelve months out of every year, build a street address mailing list, an online mailing list, interact and chat with your readers on Facebook regularly as well as on any other social network you might be a member of and do as many public signing and speaking events as you can—locally, regionally and nationally.

If you weren’t an author what would you be? Wow, that’s a good question! I would probably do something in the area of marketing or motivational consulting.

Any plans to tour with this book? What cities might readers find you in?
For A DEEP DARK SECRET, I’ll be visiting Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Schaumburg, IL, Nashville, and Norfolk, VA. Readers can also visit www.kimroby.com for more details and any updates.