Wednesday, November 25, 2009

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,


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

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!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

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/.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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



Sunday, November 15, 2009

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.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

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

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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?

Sunday, November 08, 2009

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.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

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

Sunday, November 01, 2009

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.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

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.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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

Sunday, October 25, 2009

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!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

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.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

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 

Sunday, October 11, 2009

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. 

Thursday, October 08, 2009

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

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

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.

Sunday, October 04, 2009

The Ideal Wife - Blog Tour Day One


Meet Jacquelin Thomas, author of The Ideal Wife

Jacquelin Thomas is an award winning, bestselling author with twenty-nine titles in print. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem.

Although Jacquelin initially published in the romance genre, she decided to follow the call on her heart to write Christian fiction because she seeks to write books that will touch your heart and uplift your spirits with tales of characters who yearn to have an intimate relationship with God. Committed to writing books that glorify God and her growing teen audience, Jacquelin published the first of her Young Adult Inspirational Fiction series titled Simply Divine in October 2006. Her second book in the series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award. She has since gone on to publish two more books in the series. When asked why she is so passionate about writing teen novels, Thomas shares that teens are confronted with so much—sex, drugs, violence and abuse, physically and mentally. They need to not only listen to what the world says about these things but also to what the Bible says.
Jacquelin is a member of the National Writers Union, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Jana Collins loves her husband with all her heart. But what if love isn’t enough?
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.
Drawing from a moving scripture tale with an insightful message for women today, Jacquelin Thomas delivers a provocative and enlightening new novel.

Read Excerpt


The Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas (excerpt) -


Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/TheIdealWife.
For more information about Jacquelin, visit her at http://www.jacquelinthomas.com/

Monday, September 28, 2009

Forsaken Blog Tour - Day One



Meet Vanessa Miller, author of Forsaken
Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio is an Essence best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain.
To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through the Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.
FORSAKEN is Vanessa’s newest book. Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor’s journey back to God. Vanessa believes that each of her books will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all her God-given destiny to write novels that bring deliverance to God’s people.




ABOUT THE BOOK
Pastor Jerome Tyler “JT” Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn’t sure he can stay tied down.
Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his extracurricular activity comes knocking on his front door, JT’s life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he’s been forsaken by God?





Forsaken by Vanessa Miller (excerpt) -




Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/Forsaken.
For more information about Vanessa, visit her at http://www.vanessamiller.com.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Copy Edits

I'm reposting from another blog. I thought this was hilarious and oh so true. I've heard it all and thought it.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Authors v. C.E.s

A few days ago, a well-known author ranted on her blog about a recent round of copy edits. I don't draw your attention to this post because there's anything unusual in its content. There is not. In fact, it's commonness (is that a word?) was more or less what made it interesting. I've had to mediate a few rounds between authors and copy editors, and there is one predominant pattern in these arguments. The authors talk about voice, and the copy editors cite rules. If you read the comments on La Jenny's blog, you'll see what I mean. It's just more of the same, and almost any of those comments has had its mirror in my inbox at one time or another.

Based on my experiences (and not on Jenny's post or comments), here are some of the hallmarks of an author-versus-copy-editor battle.
"I Am Freaking Out!"

The author gets emotional. I may be able to understand and even empathize, but I probably can't get anywhere productive until we get past the yelling part. Just remember, all that venting might feel great and help you cope, but it probably won't bring us closer to the solution. Yell if you need to, but then cool it and work with me.

"But It's My Voice!"

The author talks a lot about her voice. Frequently, she can't articulate a reason for doing it her way except that she thinks it's her voice.

I never share these comments with the copy editor (or editor, on those rare occasions when I must mediate a disagreement between editor and author) because that would be a great disservice to the authors. There are two reasons for this. First, the author might not understand her own voice. This is both common and understandable. It's hard to get sufficient distance from your own work to analyze your voice.

Or, second, the author is in danger of branding herself as someone who is trying to build her voice on bad grammar and bad style. (Handy tip: You don't want to do that.) Part of my job is making our authors look like the brilliant, colorful butterflies they are. Sometimes this means listening, withholding judgment, and preserving confidence -- and when an author just doesn't understand a rule, I would rather educate her than expose her.

"That's Not a Rule!"

The author doesn't understand the rule that led to the change. This doesn't count against the author until after the rule has been explained. By that I mean that nobody understands everything perfectly. I don't expect to know everything, and I don't expect the people around me to know everything. But I do expect a certain openness to learning.

Many years ago, long before my days with Red Sage, I was freelance editing a manuscript for a very new author. Her manuscript was loaded with laughable dangling modifiers. ("Relaxing on the patio, the ice cream tasted delicious.") I wrote her a detailed explanation of what a dangling modifier is and how to avoid writing them. She sent me back a one-line email: "That's not a rule."

Well, yes, actually, it is a rule in every grammar system I know. I could forgive her for not knowing it in the first place, but her refusal to learn meant that I never took another editing project from her. All of which is to say, when you're getting ready to do nine rounds over what you see as an objectionable edit, remember that you might not understand the rule. And if someone takes the time to educate you, do them the courtesy of trying to learn something.


Now that we've seen some of what happens on the author's side of this battle, let's look at the copy editors. Oh, yeah, we're going there.

"But This Expert Says...."

Every copy editor worth her paycheck can cite house style guides, multiple grammar books, dictionaries, AP/APA/MLA/Chicago, and so on. They might know things you've never dreamed of, such as who Richard Lanham is, and if they're also content editors, they might also have opinions on how and when to apply Lanham's theories. (This is why it's dangerous to join a table full of editors at a cocktail party. You will have to listen to this sort of thing. And then you will cry. Though those might be tears of boredom rather than frustration.)

All of this education means that they've been thoroughly trained in competing and contradictory philosophies of style, usage, and grammar. And if they're left to choose their own solutions, they might just choose one you don't want. The most common problem I see in fiction editing -- and this is more or less what La Jenny was complaining about on her blog -- is a copy editor scorning generative grammar principles in favor of more formal classical grammar. (Fictive grammar generally draws from both schools.) (Also -- and this might just be my particular bias, but it's formed from experience -- it seems that the more educated an editor is, the more scornful she is of generative grammar.)

"But The Style Guide Says...."

The thing about copy editors is that, despite this incredible wealth of information at their disposal, they're really not paid to exercise editorial judgment. They're paid to apply a chosen system of rules to the material at hand. The house supplies the rules, and the copy editor follows them. This is what we expect them to do, and most of them do it brilliantly.

Knowing when not to apply a particular rule is a bit of an art, and it's one best left to other hands. So as long as the CE is following the rules she's supposed to follow, she's on safe ground, even if her result might sound funny. So cut her some slack if she turns in an odd change.

"But The Style Guide Is Wrong!"

Just as I've had authors explode over changes to their manuscripts, I've seen editors explode over changes to the style guide. Editors and copy editors alike become deeply wedded to certain principles -- and if they are also writers? Look out! You know how we sometimes joke about The Great Semicolon Debate of '08? That actually happened. And it's still happening to this day. Just last week I got an email from someone in-house about the damned semicolons, may they all burn in hell. And then got another one from the person on the other side of the argument. Never ends, I swear.

Some rules of grammar are constant from one system to another. Adjectives modify nouns, and progressive tenses signal ongoing action, and periods come at the ends of declarative sentences. Those sorts of things will never change.

Then there are matters of style and usage, which can vary somewhat. It's these variables that can cause the most squabbling on my side of the desk. Of course, most of us on this side of the desk are just twisted enough to think that kind of squabbling is super fun.


So what happens, really, when a disagreement forms over copy edits? I have to mediate between a copy editor with incredible knowledge (but not always the judgment we want to see) and an author who is in a panic (sometimes for good reason, even though she might not be able to articulate the reason). The end result is that both sides claim to be grateful for the resolution while secretly sticking pins into their Theresa dolls. And then I pour myself a stiff drink. There's your HEA!

Theresa

ps. Jenny, I adore your books and your charming self. This post is not about you. It was just inspired by you.

For more informative posts on editing and point of view and a look at the author's book visit:
http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Ministry of Christian Fiction



The Ministry of Christian Fiction
                                                                            

When I first considered writing as a career it never occurred to me that my writing would also become a ministry.  As a person who’d always enjoyed reading for enjoyment I began writing stories that I also enjoyed reading. The characters were funny, exciting, and sometimes evil. Yet their stories served only one purpose, and that was to entertain. 
However, as I grew as a writer, I also grew as a Christian. God helped me to realize that along with my gift for storytelling he’d also given me another gift, the ability to minister through writing.
If you asked the average Christian to discuss the different ministries in their lives or their churches they would have a multitude of answers. There is the singles ministry, music ministry, web ministry, children’s ministry, young adult ministry, ladies ministry, and many more. There are almost as many ministries as there are members to be a part of them. For this reason I was a bit apprehensive when God asked me to be a part of a ministry I wasn’t familiar with.
Ministering to people is nothing new to me. I began singing at the age of four and I’ve been told that I have an anointed voice. When I sing, I believe that I minister. God uses my voice and the words of the songs to minister to the hearts of those who hear me. Sometimes I listen to music and the words help to encourage and get me through a difficult situation. Music ministry is something, I understood and enjoyed.
However, when I sat down to read fiction, I did not have ministry in mind. If I wanted to be ministered to I’d choose a non-fiction title such as “The Prayer of Jabez” by Bruce Wilkinson, or “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. In my thoughts, these were the types of books written with ministry in mind. I am not a theologian. I have not been to seminary and I felt there was no way that I could write something that would minister to someone.
But, God’s plan is not our plan.  In order to prepare me God began to speak to me through the ministry of other author’s. The first Christian fiction novel that I read was “Temptation” by Victoria Christopher Murry. I’m sure a book of hers was the first Christian fiction for many as she started a genre without even realizing what she was doing. I read her book because it was entertaining, without being filthy. I still did not understand the full purpose or power that Christian fiction held.

Then I picked up another novel by Victoria entitled “Joy”. I was going through a bad period in my life, and without realizing it or expecting it, I was ministered to through the pages of a fiction novel. “Joy” is a book, with fictional characters. However I realized while reading it that God could also handle what I was going through.

 

 “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)” This single scripture was the theme of this novel and I found the ministry I needed within its pages. It is still my favorite novel and sometimes when I feel down, I read excerpts from it to gain insight and strength.

 

Years later when God began to nudge me towards writing Christian fiction, I remembered this book and this feeling. I realized that the same way “Joy” spoke to me that the books I wrote could speak to others as well.

 

Christian fiction is a new ministry, one that some are not familiar with. There are those who do not read for pleasure, and may feel that Christian fiction only serves that purpose. There are people who feel that a Christian’s time should not be wasted being entertained, when he or she could be working for the kingdom. And still others feel Christian fiction is for the lost, and not the saved.

 

Some say Christian fiction is too preachy, yet I beg to differ. Christian fiction is just like any other fiction in that it has a plot, exciting characters, and an exciting storyline. I’ve read Christian fiction novels that held my attention more so than any secular novel.  Yet when I was done, I walked away with more than entertainment. I walked away with a message in my heart. A seed was planted and sown that could grow.

 

That is the definition of ministry. So as I continue to minister through my stories, I will continue to strive to entertain my readers. I want them to care about the characters and feel what they feel. I want them to become involved in the plot lines and feel excitement. But my ultimate goal, will be to minister through the pages of Christian fiction.

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.

Zaria also offers insight and encouragement to aspiring authors through workshops, and writing classes that allow each participant to discover the craft of writing and how it can be used to effectively minister to youth, women, and all members of the community.

Her first Christian fiction novel Prodigal will be released by Urban Christian publishing, a division of Kensington, October 27, 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                                                                                      

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Interview with Sherryle K. Jackson


Today I welcome one of my label-mates at Urban Christian Books, Sherryle Jackson. Sherryle's preparing for the release of her second novel, The Manual. I asked her stop by and tell us a little about it.

Hi Sherryle. Introduce yourself to my readers.

I'm a wife and mother of two, an educator by profession, but a writer by passion.


Tell us about your latest release The Manual.

The Manual is about former high school sweethearts who must come to a meeting of the minds after eight years to raise their teenage son. Deidre Collins has a chip on her shoulder since the break up. She can’t seem to forgive and forget. Andre Hicks resurfaces with a determination t make up for time lost with his son. Caught in the middle, their son, De Andre Hicks is destined to make the same mistakes his parents have unless they can reconcile their past to secure his future.


Interesting premise and very original. Where did the inspiration come from for this novel?

There were multiple streams of inspiration, recurring thoughts and prevailing truths from the Bible that made its way into the book. No other characters that I have created in the past was more influenced by people I encountered in my real life than DeAndre and his friends, the Dempsey twins, Rob and Rajah. I am a Middle School teacher. These teens are a mesh of the many teenaged males that I teach. They manage to get themselves into one predicament after another just by immaturity and a sense of immortality.


The title The Manual came from the old notion that all men read from the same manual. In this case the Hicks men have a very distinct trait of nonchalant self-sabotaging behaviors. The question is where does the cycle end?


What’s the spiritual takeaway for this story?

Like a manual explains the basics of a particular operation, The Manual highlights the basics of our faith which is love, forgiveness and sharing Christ with others.


Sherryle, now that you’re multi-published, what would you say is the most rewarding and not so rewarding aspect of this business? The most rewarding part has to be the cycle of the Lord speaking to you as your writing , and then finding your words have touched someone who has read it. The hard part is getting it in the hands of that reader. To be honest that is the hard part.


What keeps you writing when it’s so competitive for writers in this current environment? Belief in my stories keeps me writing. I am always saying something in my books that I believe God laid on my heart. Just like He gives an author like me that message I believe He has readers waiting to hear that message.


What’s been a successful marketing/promotion tool for you?

I found the internet to be so vast and quite an effective marketing tool. Social networking and touring popular literary sites to talk about your book can be equivalent to a traditional bookstore.


Tell us something that Sherryle likes to do when she’s not writing.

I love to read and virtually sit still! I am an observation station and going out to a crowded place to watch the world turn or just people watch is fulfilling to me. My grandmother use to call it piddling. I can’t say I get to do it much, but when I can sit quietly for any period of time I am immediately thankful.


How can readers find out more about you? Readers can find me on the world wide web at my website www.sherrylejackson.com or follow my blog at www.makingthemanual.blogspot.com. I also have a fan page on Facebook (search for Sherryle Kiser Jackson Readers) that will keep you updated on signing and contest as The Manual releases.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Blogging In Black: Online Promotion – Valuable or Not?

Blogging In Black: Online Promotion – Valuable or Not?

I think so. Click above to read the entire article.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Girl Naw Blog Tour - Day One



LaCricia A`ngelle is a licensed Evangelist, writer, and the President and CEO of His Pen Publishing LLC. A native of Chicago, LaCricia currently resides in Tennessee with her four children. Girl, Naw! is her first novel.

Her writing career began when she was a child writing songs, and short stories. LaCricia has always had a God given gift of putting words together.

As a Christian Fiction author, LaCricia not only writes for entertainment, but she also writes for ministry. Her goal in every piece of written work is to draw someone closer to Christ. The characters face real situations. LaCricia writes so that anyone can read her work and get something out of it, whether they are young or old. When you read a LaCricia A`ngelle original prepare to laugh, cry, pray, and stop to say “hmmm.”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Antoinette Walker has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Those that know and respect her think she has it all, a wonderful husband, children that thrive in school, and a counseling practice that is growing by leaps and bounds. When hidden things from her past begin to surface, they threaten to destroy everything Antoinette loves. Only God can give her the strength to continue to counsel other women, as she struggles with her own issues of forgiveness. Will her faith be strong enough to help her stand in the midst of opposition?





Click here to read an excerpt.
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/GirlNaw

For more information about LaCricia, visit her at http://lacriciaangelle.com/

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Interview with author, Pat Simmons



Hi Pat, welcome back. Introduce yourself to new readers.

I'm the mother of a son and daughter, and I've been married for more than 26 years. Ooh, I feel so old. I’m a genealogy fanatic and a dedicated seamstress. I enjoy listening to Old Wives Tales and mentoring young adults. I have a B.S. in Mass Communication from Emerson College in Boston, and once a year, I’m contracted to head the publicity for RT BOOKLOVERS Convention. This year, we’ll be in Columbus, OH., if it’s the Lord’s will.

Tell us about your new novel Not Guilty of Love.

It's book II of the Guilty series. "One man, one woman, one God, and one big problem. Malcolm Jamieson is a man's man. He has a strong sense of family, he’s a CPA, and when he finds the woman he wants, it’s forever and a day. Malcolm showers Hallison “Hali” Dinkins with his love and loyalty. Everything about him is right, except for his walk with God. Instead of their steamy love affair leading them to the wedding altar, God diverts Hallison to the prayer altar. Malcolm can't understand why he and God can't co-exist in Hallison's life. Remember, I said he was a man's man. He's in love, but he's not a fool. He issues Hallison a warning. "What we have is good, but we can go our separate ways. If we're meant to be together, we'll find our way back to each other. If not, there is a stronger loves that awaits us."

Share a little about the series.

The Jamieson men (primarily Parke, Malcolm, and Cameron are tenth generation descendants of a royal African tribe). They are strong black brothers who want to think they’re not easily intimidated. Only women they love can bring them to their knees. I have African-American genealogy tidbits weaved into the storyline, a dangerous Grandma BB, and characters that are a reflection of us.

Does it have a spiritual theme that’s consistent in all the books?

Yes, God gave me the gift to write the first book, and He hasn’t stopped blessing since. My Christian persuasion is of the Apostolic/Pentecostal doctrine and I’ve gotten great feedback about the struggles and the victories in my character’s lives. More than anything, I want to focus on what’s good in church. God says He knows where the devil’s seat is, so no surprises there. We know that, too, but I want to overtake the bad with the good characters.

Some authors feel series limit their creativity. What are your thoughts on this?

The Guilty series has become my “bread and butter.” What better way than to build a readership. The first author I met who wrote a series was Brenda Jackson with her Madaris men.

At the time, she had only written about three brothers. Today, Brenda is a USAToday, Essence, and New York Times bestselling author. Why? I believe Brenda (and I know her personally) would agree with me that she gave her readers what they wanted—more stories about the Madaris family. To me, readers determine whether they want a sequel or series—not me. What if I had a four part series and the readers couldn’t stand my characters or didn’t enjoy my storyline, then what? My goal is to offer reader a new set of characters with a different storyline in between the series.

Share some of your strategies for successfully writing a series and keeping each book fresh and interesting?

If you learn of any strategies, let me know. I can tell you about some struggles I face to keep the books fresh. First, every book has to be written as a stand alone book. No one enjoys coming in the middle of a movie or discussion. Give tidbits along the way. Years ago, I read a romance book and enjoyed it, then one day, I was in a used book store and saw the author’s name. When I picked up the book and read the blurb, I realized that I had read the second book first, but I wanted to know what happened before they got together. Second, I don’t care how many readers like your story, they don’t want to read about the same main characters in every book. Fade the major characters in the background and give a secondary character the spotlight. Readers just want an update. They don’t want to read about when the baby lost her first tooth. I have to smile on that one. Three, in the Guilty series, Hallison and Cheney have separate friends. I can’t tell a story about Hallison with Cheney’s friends. Four, keep a diary. I have a Guilty series summary list because this task is a major challenge for me. How old is someone in book I? Or they a year older in book II or has five years elapsed? Skipping a few years helps. I’m not an expert, but these are the things I’m watching out for myself.

Share some of your upcoming events?

I’ve already started my tour for Not Guilty of Love with a successful book release party at Barnes & Noble in St. Louis. I praise God for 43 books sold. I contribute that to two of my books are out in the series. The following day I attended a book club event in Chicago. I never knew there could be so many established book clubs in a metro area. In September, I’ll do signings in Kansas City, MO., Scott Air force Base in Belleville, IL., Books-a-Million Hazelwood, MO., five signings throughout the Chicago area, Dallas- Ft.Worth, and Houston. Are we tired yet? That’s about 15 events. I’m just starting my October schedule, which will include the Maryland, D.C, area and maybe Atlanta. I do my own publicity and set up my signings. If you don’t know what or how, please ask. We’re here to pull someone else up.

My travel agent extraordinaire is my husband who likes to go anywhere. He keeps Hotwire and Southwest Airlines in business. I always try to stay with family when they will take me in, and I have family in almost every place I go. I also want to point out my tour schedule wouldn’t be this ambitious if I had small children. I baby turned twenty on Sunday. Sniff, sniff.

How can readers finds you on the Internet?

www.patsimmons.net/facebook.com/myspace.com/shoutlife.com/shelfari.com

Rhonda, thank you for the opportunity you have given to authors and book clubs over the past year. God is going to bless you and we all plan to support you. Love you dearly.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Book Clubs and Skype - A good idea I think...

Ah, technology. Don't you just love it? Most of the time. Sometimes I hunger for the good old days when we didn't have as much, but alas those days are gone.

How do you balance what technology is good for you and what's not? I say by not trying it all at once. Try new things a little at a time and really analyze whether or not it's right for you. For example, I signed up for Twitter and I added the text message notification component. Those text messages were coming in every minute or so and I didn't even have many followers. Let's not even talk about the ones that happened at 2 a.m. when people were still awake tweeting. So I learned quickly that I could change my settings and chose who I wanted messages from. I scaled back to about 10 tweeters, still too invasive. Guess what? I changed my settings for no text messages. I enjoy Twitter much more.

As a new author, I recently found out about a technology that I'm pretty excited about. It's called SKYPE. SKYPE is a video call service and it's free. Both users have to have a webcam, but you chat face to face in real time. Kind of like the old Jetson's cartoon. (For those of you who are old enough to remember The Jetsons).

This technology makes it easy for bookclubs to meet with their favorite authors. With the economy being what it is, travel budgets have been cut for authors, but readers still need that personal touch. Readers still want those thoughtful discussions about books that include the author. So it looks like SKYPE is a winner. I'm hearing great things about. I look forward to giving it a try when Secrets and Lies debuts - November 24th!

Here's how you get it set up. Reposted from Christian Fiction Blog.

Skype for Bookclubs