Sylvia's Literary BlogSpot

Where Are All The Good Men? via Detroit Author, Kim Brooks

2012-02-14T13:56:00.001-08:00

"Where Are All The Good Men?"

Join Kim Brooks on the How To Date and Stay Saved online radio show tonight for the answer to this question

and more.

Surprise call in guests include some of the
men on this Tuesday's panel at
Real Talk with Real Men of God on
Valentine's Day.

Tonight's show will be your opportunity
and sneak peak into what these good men
have to share with the ladies this
Valentine's Day season.

6pm - 7pm EST Sun. (Tonight) Feb. 12th

*****

If you're in the metro-Detroit area please join us

for Real Talk with Real Men of God on Valentine's

Day next to Truth Bookstore inside Northland

Mall http://www.kimontheweb.com/itinerary

for details

Real Talk with Real Men of God
on Valentine's Day Tues. Feb. 14th 6pm

Tune in to Detroit's New Praise 102.7 FM Mon. Feb. 13th and Tues. Feb. 14th
(between 11:30 - 12:30 pm) for Kim Brooks' "A Single Moment" 60 second
vignettes to encourage singles this Valentine's Day season.
Also multiple streaming online all week on http://www.praise1027detroit.com
Brought to you by KBMI (Kim Brooks Ministries International)

Tune in to WJLB's Strong Inspirations with Stellar-Award Winning Deborah Smith Pollard, author of,

When The Church Becomes Your Party, during a special interview this am, Sunday, Feb. 12th at 9am EST.

Kim's song, "Who Am I To Say," the gospel song

for single ladies that definitely pulls the heart strings will debut on WJLB during this
interview as well. For those who do not live near Michigan, the show also
streams online at http://www.fm98wjlb.com

Real Talk with Real Men of God
on Valentine's Day!

Panel Discussion and Booksigning

Featuring live entertainment, Valentine's Day gift giveaways, and a candid, uncensored and interactive panel discussion on relationships with authors, ministers, community leaders and upstanding men of God.

Panelists stem from various backgrounds and marital statuses to offer different perspectives from a male point of view.

Real Talk With Real Men of God on Valentine's Day

On the panel (l to r):

-Terrence Wilson, author of, In Search of a Father

-Jesse Cole, author of, Walk Like A King

-Eddie Connor, author of, Purposefully Prepared to Persevere

-Daniel Wallace, Corporate Communications, GM

-E.L. Brown, author of, Ever Present

-Cliffton Hubbard, author of, What Whoso Findeth a Wife 'Really' Means

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
6 pm - 8 pm
in large room next to Truth Bookstore
inside Northland Mall

21500 Northwestern Hwy
Southfield, MI 48075

A booksigning with author panelists will immediately follow discussion.

Facilitated by yours truly, bring all those questions you thought you'd never get answered as this event is rated 'R' for REAL

Want to remain anonymous? Reply to this email with your probing questions or bring your questions that night.

Feel free to spread the word and I'll see ya
on Valentine's Day!

This event is also to celebrate the recent launch of KBMI (Kim Brooks Ministries International) and my newly revamped website

Cost is FREE however a free will offering will be received.

Don't be at home on Valentine's Day - come on out
and be blessed!

How To Date and Stay Saved by Kim Brooks

About Kim Brooks

Licensed minister, songwriter, and Award-winning author, Kim Brooks of Detroit, MI is the Black Expressions Bestselling author of several books including her newest advice book for singles, How To Date and Stay Saved, The Little Black Survival Book for Single Saints, and Christian Fiction novels, He's Fine...But is He Saved? and sequel, He's Saved...But is He For Real? Check out her blog, books, songs and ministry at the ALL NEW www.Kimontheweb.com Be and STAY encouraged!

Kim Brooks Ministries International
P.O. Box 231856
Detroit, Michigan 48223

SPOTLIGHT: Abnormal Lives: A Novel By Rae @Itsjust_Rae via @aambookclub

2012-02-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

Simone and Stefan are cousins, who are more like brother and sister, having been raised by their now deceased maternal grandmother. Both of their mothers abandoned them at various ages, leaving them to fend for themselves. Years after their grandmother’s death, the two of them are still residing in her home; sliding under the government’s radar by keeping up the property taxes and hoping that no one will ever notice that she is deceased. In order to make ends meet, they are both prostitutes. Stefan is openly gay and in love with a man named Eugene who is really using him for his money. Simone is living life on the edge and picking up random men who are willing to foot the bill for her special skills. Stefan tries to get Simone to straighten up and fly right, suggesting that they both seek employment at a local bank. While Stefan sees their new positions as a chance for redemption, Simone only views the bank as a way to pick up wealthy men to sleep with for money. After attending a festival in New Orleans, Stefan decides to rip off some drugs from a man he hooked up with; pulling Simone into something that she certainly had not bargained for. Will the two cousins abandon their reckless lifestyle or will their lifestyle lead them both to a tragic end?

PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW

Chapter 1 Excerpt

It was ten o’clock on a Friday night. Simone sat inside of the fitness center, entertaining her client, Mason. Mason was the director of the center and usually planned their meetings there after-hours. Simone sat on the edge of the hot tub wearing a pink G-string and Mason stood inside the encircling pool with Simone’s thighs resting on his shoulders.

“My wife saw the present you gave me a few weeks back,” Mason announced proudly, as he walked his fingers up Simone’s thighs.

Simone sighed. It’s not like it’s the first time and it won’t be the last, she thought. “Well, what did she think of it?” Simone tried not to disclose how humored she was by her remark.

“Let’s just say she didn’t like it as much as I did.”

The present Mason referred to was the hickey Simone had placed on the shaft of his penis. That was her trademark. Men from all over the Tri-City area contacted her to see could and would the pretty, petite, wavy-haired, fair-skinned doll baby pucker up her plump pink lips to perform the act that all of their friends and colleagues bragged about.

Once she proved that she could and would, if they were willing to pay her fee for the priceless experience, they became loyal customers that contacted her on a regular basis to have the “O”-shaped bruise on their genitals that they held with the same regards that bikers and gangsters held their tattoos, retouched before it faded away. It had only been three weeks since she had last provided Mason with her services and there he was, standing in front of her waiting to be retouched, among other things.

Simone liked dealing with Mason. She understood what to expect from him. He never showed up drunk or flying off of the handle as a result of hallucinogens. That was behavior she’d tolerated from the petty, low-class criminals she’d started out servicing. They would beat, belittle, and refuse to pay women in her profession after they’d romped around with them on old, pissy mattresses. Simone had paid her dues to earn the status she now held in her profession and refused to deal with that nonsense. That was one of the reasons why most of her clients were upper middle-class whites; the few that were black held the same social status.
The other reason for that was they were willing to pay more money. Money that the lower-class troublemakers couldn’t afford to let leave their pockets.

Mason also referred a lot of his friends to Simone, which was good for business. Simone also liked the fact that Mason wasn’t long-winded. She could get it down as fast as she could get it up and when it was over, it was over. Mason didn’t try to stall to keep her around while he tried to have another erection. Her terms of service were, once her client ejaculated while she performed the service he’d requested, her job was done.
Some of her clients had her perform one act, some paid for two or three, but after they ejaculated as the result of each service, or lost their erection, whichever came first, she was off the clock. Mason stuck to those terms. Being that Mason wasn’t what she considered to be endowed, after she finished with him, she would still be in adequate condition to service another client before calling it a night.

What Simone didn’t like about Mason was how he never seemed to be able to put an end to his idle chitchat. Her time was more valuable to her than her services were to him. The more time she had, the more money she had the opportunity to make. She didn’t want to be rude. After all, he was a longtime customer.
So she sat there in a rut while he rambled on about the weather.

It was times like those that made her wish Stefan had come along. He had a way of nipping things in the bud.
Although Mason was a huge fan of anal sex, he wasn’t one of her bisexual clients. She often heard him bash gays that attended the fitness center. He would go out his way to express how sickened he was by them.

Simone thought Mason might have been nervous. They had been together numerous times but, for some reason, he always seemed scared to touch her.

Simone’s legs shivered as a result of Mason’s jitteriness. She looked down at him and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Mason asked.

“Nothing.” Simone removed her legs from Mason’s shoulders. “Come up here with me.”

Mason lifted himself up on the wall of the hot tub and sat beside Simone. Simone stood up, grabbed
Mason’s hands, and pulled him closer to her. She knelt down in front of him and blushed at the sight of semen seeping from his partially erect organ. “You mean to tell me you’ve been in the pool hiding this from me all this time.”

“I wasn’t sure if you were ready for it.”

“Oh, is that right?” Simone drooled on his shaft and gently stroked it with her hand.

Mason stood up and began to slide his dick back and forth in her mouth. “That’s right; get it nice and wet.”

That’s a first, Simone thought. Usually, Mason would lay there lifeless, not uttering a single word while she did all of the work.

Simone slid her hands up Mason’s thighs and onto his hips. She thrust him forward, taking him entirely in her mouth. She could feel Mason’s dick pulsate as she secured it in her mouth and gathered saliva to create a massaging motion.

Mason pressed his lips together and looked up at the ceiling. He hoped Simone wouldn’t notice the ugly faces he was making while she pleased him.

Simone slid her index finger inside Mason’s rectum. His knees became weak and he plopped down on the wall of the hot tub. Simone followed his motion, never releasing her grip. Mason tugged on Simone’s weave and moaned at the top of his lungs as he reached his climax. He squirmed, unable to tolerate the overwhelming sensation he was being subjected to.

Simone stroked his organ with her hand to quicken his release. She almost laughed when Mason stood on the tip of his toes like a ballerina and cried out with pleasure.

“Whoo,” Mason cried out in between a series of pants. He looked back up at the ceiling and ran his fingers through Simone’s hair. “You’ve got my head spinning. If you can do all that with your mouth, I can’t wait to see what the pussy is like.”

Simone was puzzled. For as long as she had serviced Mason, he had never asked for pussy. Ass was his thing. Mason loved the way she slid her hips down on his dick until he fully occupied her anus and rode him like a jockey. He would want it tonight when I’m on my period; just my luck, Simone thought.

She sucked on Mason’s lip as she reached between her legs and freed her tampon into the hot tub. She straddled Mason and pushed herself down on his tool. It wouldn’t be long before he reached his climax.
Simone could hear Mason’s breaths quicken as she pressed herself down on his dick harder and harder, lingering for a few seconds so he could feel the softness of her walls. In less than two minutes, Mason clutched Simone in his arms and called on the Lord.

Stefan lay in the bed with his man, Eugene. He threw his arm over Eugene’s chest and kissed him.

“Could you move over?” Eugene asked.

Stefan was fed up with Eugene’s attitude. Eugene had changed since he’d landed a job. When Eugene first came home from prison, things were wonderful. They would make love all night and sleep late into the day.
Eugene would beg Stefan to let him take the condom off so he could feel his flesh. But now he didn’t even want Stefan to hold him. It was blatantly apparent that their relationship was only a ploy to help Eugene get on his feet. Now that Eugene had found a job and saved some money, he didn’t need Stefan anymore and he was ready to free himself from their relationship.

Stefan wondered if Eugene modeled the clothes he bought for him for some female when he wasn’t around.
Stefan was sure Eugene was having sex with a woman in the apartment he paid the rent for. The thought of
Eugene trying to impress some random chick with the things he had purchased for him made Stefan sick to his stomach.

Eugene liked females. Stefan saw the way he looked at them. Not only did he admire their beauty, he wanted to be entangled in it, he wanted a piece for himself. He’d noticed Eugene checking out the curves on his cousin, Simone, when he’d introduced them. He never brought them around one another again. He could not trust Eugene and he realized that Simone was weak.

Stefan attempted to kiss Eugene again.

Eugene pulled the covers over his head. “Come on with that. I’m tired,” he grumbled.

Life is too short for shit like this, Stefan thought. If Eugene was willing to throw away the security that Stefan provided him with over a female, then he could go right ahead. He was sure Eugene would run into some shabby whore that would fool him into believing that she was a lady. She’d be a little girl who had no clue where she was going; only what she wanted from him. She’d convince him that she was high-class when she was extremely high-maintenance. Eugene would exhaust his little savings trying to keep up with her and, when his money was gone, she would be also.

Stefan got out of bed and put on his clothes.

“Where you going?” Eugene asked.

“Home.”

“You’re not gonna fix me nothing to eat before you leave?”

“No.”

“Come on with that; a nigga’s hungry.”

“You’ve got two hands; fix it yourself,” Stefan said as he opened the bedroom door and made his way down the stairs.

“Don’t forget the rent is due next week!” Eugene yelled.

“And don’t forget you’ve got a job now and you can pay it,” Stefan said as he slammed the front door.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a child Rae ran across a copy of James Baldwin’s novel Giovanni’s room. It was James Baldwin’s stirring and provocative writing style that fueled her with the passion to write. Rae spent the hours she wasn’t at school or doing household chores writing short stories and poetry.

At age twelve Rae abandoned her pen and pad and became engrossed in the drama of her hood. By age sixteen Rae was a single mother and dropped out of school to raise her newborn child.

Rae spent her twenties hopping from one job to the next, disgusted with the lack of ethics and integrity in her work environments. After resigning from her umpteenth job, receiving the news of her fiancé’s death, and awaiting a criminal trial, after not being in trouble with the law since she was a juvenile, Rae laid back in her bed replaying the events of her life over in her mind.

Feeling like she had no one to turn to, Rae turned back to her pen and pad. She decided no matter what she would accomplish her goal of being an author. But this time her writing wouldn’t include rescues and fairytale endings. She would write about the drama of urban life and incorporate scenarios regarding social and domestic issues that plague urban communities. Soon after Abnormal Lives was born.

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Get to Know the Author:

1. When did you start writing, and did you always envision being an author? I start writing when I was eight years old and I’ll tell you, more than a decade has past and I still enjoy how a story can excite, shock, and expand the minds of readers. I knew I would be an author ever since the day I finished reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. I laid across the bed thinking about how emotive the novel was and that’s when the thought of being an author entered my mind. From that day forward I knew I would be an author I just didn’t know during what phase of my life it would occur.

2. Where do you get your ideas? Life, that’s where I get my ideas from, things happen in our families, personal lives, and communities every day that we are uncomfortable discussing and those are the topics I like to focus on in my writing.

Are there any particular authors that have influenced your writing? I would have to say James Baldwin and Iceberg Slim. James Baldwin’s stirring and provocative writing style instilled me with the passion to write and Iceberg Slim’s raw unadulterated voice gave me the valor to express myself freely as a writer.

4. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change? As far as my novel goes it was originally written in the first person viewpoint after I finished writing it I read through it and realized the story would read better in third person. I wish I would have realized that from the start but if nothing else it was a learning experience. The only thing I regret doing when I was searching for a publisher is not submitting my work simultaneously instead of sending a copy of my manuscript to a publisher and waiting six months or more for them to say yay or nay before I submitted my work to another publisher. When you don’t submit your work simultaneously it gets to be a bit daunting.

5. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? I enjoyed writing the scene in chapter twelve when Paris exposed Michael by airing his dirty laundry in front of the police. Michael was a lying conniving dog and I couldn’t wait to write the scene where Paris called him out.

6. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I learned that writing a novel takes dedication, not only to your work but to your readers also. When writing a novel you want to produce an enjoyable product without jeopardizing your voice. If you’re constantly going back over your work changing things because you’re worried it will rub someone the wrong way your voice will fail to shine through. When you’re writing be yourself readers will appreciate you for it.

7. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? I’m new to this so the only advice I feel confident giving is, don’t let self-criticism or the criticism of others prevent you from pursuing your dream.

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Find the Author:
Web links: http://www.facebook.com/DomainRae
http://www.facebook.com/AuthoressRae
http://twitter.com/Itsjust_Rae
Email: itsjustrae@ymail.com
Link to buy at Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abnormal-lives-rae/1102568444

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Book Review by @JoeyPinkney: The Pride by Faydra D. Fields @faydra_deon

2012-02-09T05:16:00.001-08:00

Joey Pinkney

Book Review: The Pride by Faydra D. Fields

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 09:45 AM PST

JoeyPinkney.com Book Revew
The Pride
by Faydra D. Fields
5 of 5 Stars

The Pride, Faydra D. Fields' debut novel, is unconventional in concept, yet impeccable in its approach to an interesting conundrum: a single Black man with ten children by four different women. Sounds like it's going to be high in low-brow drama, right? Wrong!

Taking a scenario that could quite well be a train wreck befitting a full episode of the Jerry Springer Show, Fields takes The Pride in a decidedly literary direction. Instead of making a mockery of the situation, as is popular in today's society, the author orchestrates a blended family which slowly becomes singular in purpose and remains varied in personalities and perspectives – like a real family.

pride – (noun) pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself; (noun) a group, especially of lions

Emanuel Portman loves all of his children and has a positive, respectable relationship with their mothers. He works hard, has flexible hours and spends as much time as possible doing what it takes to be in each of their lives. Emanuel has a very high social intelligence and compassion for the human condition, which powers his desire and ability to navigate the complexity of the attitudes and behaviors, especially with his children.

The story is lively for two distinct reasons: Fields' writing style moves at a steady pace and there are plenty of characters at Fields' disposal to flesh out the inner-workings of such an intriguing tale. The chapters can stand alone, but most are blended together. The end of one chapter usually dovetails right into the beginning of the next. And where it doesn't, Fields' jumps in continuity are well-played to keep you on your toes.

If the women in Emanuel's life aren't at his throat, or each other's for that matter, what's going on in The Pride? Simple answer: survival. With Emanuel's help, Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are all trying to make ends meet and keep their kids on the right track.

Denise has been shunned by her father for not having an abortion the first time Emanuel got her pregnant, and having two more babies by him did not make her situation any better. Determined to make the best life she can provide for her three children, she works hard and takes no hand outs.

Angela is an Army vet that's a little rough around the edges. Her main source of income is her military disability, but that can only stretch so far when dealing with three children. Romina struggles with dyslexia. It's become an embarrassment as her children have grown beyond her intellectual capacity in terms of their school work. She has her own desires to make a better way for her children by getting a better job.

Xavari is the youngest mother. At 19, she has a two-year-old and one on the way. This college student is far from dumb, and has the intelligence and determination to make something of herself in life. The youngest is in charge, so to speak, and she manages to rally the mothers to form a model of cooperative economics.

Since each mother could use a little financial relief, Xavari's proposition of a communal living arrangement makes more sense to the other three mothers than the current alternative. Also, the children are more than familiar with each other, since Emanuel makes a point of raising them and spending time with them individually and collectively regardless of children's mother.

Fields gives you more than enough to ponder as you learn about what makes each character tick. I got a kick out of seeing how in tune Emanuel was with his different children. I also enjoyed the cohesive friendships the children formed regardless of whether or not their mothers were familiar with each other.

The world created by Fields is an enjoyable one. Emanuel is important but not omnipotent nor overbearing. Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are strong yet uniquely flawed. The children are lovable and through provoking. You won't be disappointed with The Pride.

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Black History Month – Joseph Black – Major League Baseball Pitcher

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 09:15 AM PST

Professional Baseball Pitcher Joseph Black was born on February 8, 1924. He pitched in the Negro League and Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Redlegs, and Washington Senators and became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, in 1952. He appears prominently in Roger Kahn's classic book, The Boys of Summer.

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Phette L. Ogburn @phephi, author of It Can Happen To You via @joeypinkney

2012-02-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Phette L. Ogburn, author of It Can Happen To You

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Phette L. Ogburn, author of It Can Happen To You
(Phette L. Ogburn)

http://www.phetteogburn.com

The 1st installment in the It Can Happen To You series features the three short stories: “S & M: Sexts & Messaging”,” The ID” and “Organized Karma”. The stories follow Sabra, Nya and LaTrease on their journeys as they cope with issues of loneliness, lust, sex, betrayal, deceit and love.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write It Can Happen To You?
Phette L. Ogburn: My inspiration drew from a combination of my personal experiences as well as that of others, topped with some creativity for sensationalism purposes.
JP: What sets It Can Happen To You apart from other books in the same genre?
PLO: I’m finding it difficult to pinpoint a “genre” for my work, aside from that of fiction. The book encapsulates themes from that of drama to erotica. So, I suppose that’s what sets it apart.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to It Can Happen To You getting out to the public?
PLO: A strong support system. I am fortunate to have the backing of my husband, my family and friends, and my mentors. Also, not to mention, the social networking mediums: Facebook and Twitter. They’ve allowed me to reach people I never imagined.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish It Can Happen To You?
PLO: I wrote each short story at different periods in my life. For instance, I wrote “The ID” about three years ago, and ”S & M: Sexts & Messaging” and “Organized Karma” a year ago.
When I truly started entertaining the notion of putting them into a book of short stories, the process took less than six months, including professional editing and graphic designing for the cover.
JP: What’s next for Phette L. Ogburn?
PLO: After getting such positive feedback from the 1st short story: “S & M: Sexts & Messaging”, a local producer read it, and it has now been optioned to be turned into a film. Production is scheduled to start early February 2012.
http://www.phetteogburn.com
http://www.facebook.com/phephi
http://www.twitter.com/phephi
Linked In – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/phette-ogburn/34/503/615
Facebook Fan Page – http:/www.facebook.com/phetteogburn
Sext Messaging Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/sextmessaging
Sext Messaging Twitter Page – http://www.twitter.com/SextMessaging
Check out “Anderson Place”, a weekday, urban soap opera on the web, written by myself and two other amazing writers.
http://www.apblogopera.blogspot.com

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT: My Mind’s Eye By Kire Senoj @kire_senoj via @AAMBookClub

2012-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

My Mind’s Eye is a collection of poetic works inspired by what I see, hear, and feel throughout everyday life.

I use words to express the passion and pain of love; the struggles of race; the self-conflicts between sexual orientation and religious freedom; and the ever consistent delirium of genocide within the African American community.

In order to bridge the gap between people of diverse backgrounds, my words have been penned to provoke thought, provide insight, inspire change, and prove that struggles have no respect of person.

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Excerpt: Sik MuthaFuka

It’s sick’nin… Reading a newspaper or turning on the news
afterwards feeling the Miles Davis kind of blues. Everyday
someone is killing their child or molesting a baby. Babies havin babies, Mother’s throwing their babies away; such an awful price 2 pay when WE lay. Damn! Why are things turning out 2B this way? GOD R U Lis’nin 2 the wordz I say? A fellow lyricist wrote “I believe the children are our future, teach them well”…but all we’re doing is sending them 2 a mental hell, holding their mindz, heartz, body and soul hostage in a locked Unpadded cell.

How can a parent kill their child? Sik MuthaFuka! telling the judge it was a build up of stress because your husband left and you feel your life’s a mess? Uuh Uuh Uuh…U Sik MuthaFuka I guess. U killed your child because your husband went bucwild, Gave his time, money and lovin’ 2 anotha chick

You’re a sik demented little witch. I hope hell has a seat waiting while you’re sitting in jail contemplating on what U should do Sik MuthaFuka I’ve had enuff ov U and the so called king of R&B who has a fetish for urine and teenage girls, U know the 1 who says he has the best of both worlds. Sik MuthaFuka got a wife and children ov your own, No longer can U command respect when U step 2 the microphone. Singing your song I believe I can fly Sik MuthaFuka Y U Lie? U don’t see nuthin wrong with a lil bump n’ grind? It is when it fucks with the mind of a girl under developed and underage because U had her lay center stage While U took the time to degrade her body and yourself, Risking your own and her health. Everyone’s bringing the noize because you’re famous and U sing, but didn’t father so-n-so do the Xact same thing?

Now the Cardinal wants trust restored into the catholic priests, My GOD when will this madness cease? For centuries, decades, and years little boys have gone home crying so many tears; afraid 2 tell and ashamed 2 say that a sik muthafuka touched them the wrong way. Saying:”U must never tell, or your soul will surely go to hell”. Help me understand; is this apart of GOD’s divine plan? 4 my life? Is filled with much pain and strife. All this has caused major confusion; I don’t know if my life is real or an illusion. 2 much shit 4 a young mans’ mind, 2 much shit 4 a mental rewind. Going back 2 the day when momma asked, R U gay? Where did I go wrong? I didn’t raise U that way! Get the fuck out, and find some other place 2 stay!

(ahahhahahaha)I have 2 laugh 2 keep from crying because inside momma I am surely dying. My mind nor my heart can conceive that it was a sik muthafuka U chose 2 believe instead of ….me…

The 1 U nursed, nourished and carried for 9 months, but later pushed me aside 4 some alcohol, a dick, and some blunts. Your boyfriend took sumthin from me I can never get back, but I was the 1 U choose 2 attack? He stole my purity, my innocence, and my childhood

I was only 10 so I never understood how 1 could or why 1 would do that 2 a child, momma your man is nothing more than a pedophile!

This poem is dedicated to the sik muthafuka’s who have killed or wounded their children sittin in jail awaiting their final sentence 2 Hell. This is a shout out 2 that R&B singer, songwriter and producer who used his lyrics, his voice and his status 2 seduce a slew of little girls robbing them of their virginity and stealing their precious pearls. This goes out 2 every minister; mother’s boyfriend, teacher, and priest living or deceased that have used a little boy for their favorite past time sexual toy. Children are supposed to be handled with care they’re not put here to have so many burdens 2 bare. Children are a gift from GOD above they are to be kissed and embraced only with LOVE; because LOVE is what GOD is all about!

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ABOUT AUTHOR:

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH; Kire Senoj discovered his gift for writing while attending Wilberforce University. His writing talent has afforded him the opportunity to present on various platforms throughout the nation and has garnered mass appeal.

His direct and in your face writing about uncomfortable situations such as homophobia, racial prejudice, HIV/AIDS, religion, and the absence of positive role models for youth has been applauded by all that have had the privelage of hearing his writings.

Kire has a desire to share his message with the world and bring light to some very dark situations. He believes that his voice has been created to aid in bringing about change by any means necessary and will not stop until he has witnessed a transformation in the attitude and thought of those he targets. He is passionate about his work and the impact that it can have on a person’s psyche and will continue to ignite flames of change from every microphone he utilizes.

In order to bridge the gap between people of diverse backgrounds, my words have been penned to provoke thought, provide insight, inspire change, and prove that struggles have no respect of person.

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Getting to know Kire:

1. How long have you been writing?
“I’ve been writing since childhood; writing song lyrics and short stories, but I never took writing seriously until 2002 when I was entered into a spoken word class project without my permission by a close friend. Reciting my words, seeing the reaction from the audience and the comments made afterwards pushed me to into for real.

2. What inspires you to write?
“I’m inspired by GOD, family, LOVE, music, people, places and all things beautiful. Also, by what I see every day outside my window or on the news and what I and others around me go through.”

3. Who are some of your writing influences?
“Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Dianne Warren, Lalah Hathaway, Deana Dean, T.D.Jakes, E. Lynn Harris, Ledisi, Carl Webber, Rahsaan Patterson Jean Toomer and so many others; I love writers who write straight from the heart.”

4. Is My Mind’s Eye vol.1 autobiographically written?

“Not entirely. The short stories are purely fiction, but only a few of the poems are about me or involve me.”

5. With the poems about or involving you, was it easy to be so open about yourself and the things you’ve been through?
“Well, yes and no. It surely made me think and rethink about revealing myself, my insecurities, failures and some of my weaknesses to the world, but thinking about the reactions and comments I receive after reciting some of my poetry made it an easier task. If I can help anyone with my words then it’s all worth it.

6. What is your goal or objective with this book?
“My goal and objective is to inspire, motivate, encourage, and provoke thought”

7. What future projects do you have in store and are you working on anything else at the moment?
“Currently I am working on an as of yet untitled novel. The last short story of My Mind’s Eye vol.1 titled One More Chance is the prequel to this upcoming novel. I’m looking to release it the last quarter of 2012 or the first quarter of 2013.

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Find the Author:

www.facebook.com/kire.senoj

www.twitter.com/kire_senoj

kire_sennoj@yahoo.com

lifepainlove@gmail.com

Find the Book:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnobles.com

www.lifepainandlove.blogspot.com

PURCHASE BOOK NOW

Somebody By Jae Henderson @imagoodwoman via @aambookclub

2012-01-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW

Somebody By Jae Henderson

After embracing careers as a radio talk show host, marketing and media professional, freelance writer and voice over artist, Jae Henderson is making her debut as an Christian/Inspirational romance author.

Through her website, www.imagoodwoman.com, Jae is constantly motivating women to embrace their virtue and accomplish great things. The I’m A Good Woman series, beginning with her debut novel, Someday, is an extension of that spirit of success and will impart lessons of love, perseverance and triumph. Join Jae as she uses her wit and way with words to take us on a most entertaining journey that imparts some sage wisdom and assists readers in further realizing that we may not be perfect but we serve a perfect God.

Jae Henderson is a graduate of The University of Memphis where she earned a BA in Communications and an MA in English. She is the former host and producer of On Point, a popular talk show geared toward youth and young adults. Other accomplishments have included serving as a contributing writer for the award-winning, syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show and a successful career as a voice over artist. Her signature voice has been heard in hundreds of commercials and even a couple of cartoons. Jae currently resides in her hometown of Memphis, TN.

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Get to Know Jae:

1.What type of stories do you write? What is it about those stories that draws you to that subject?

I write urban inspirational romance. I enjoy being able to share God’s love for us while depicting Christians in realistic, fun and relatable ways. We, as human beings, are flawed but with faith and God’s help we can overcome our trials and tribulations. My stories illustrate that.

My books also contain what I call moral messaging. I am concerned about the decline of morals in America, especially in the African American community. It has been proven that women set the standard within American society. We may not be looked at as the traditional head of a family and we may be considered the weaker sex but we have always been the backbone of society. We support and encourage our mates while rearing the children–teaching them how to behave, manners and right from wrong. We determine the type of respect we receive from the opposite sex by determining what is and isn’t acceptable. I’ve noticed that there seems to be a lack of positive role models and influences in the home and many women and men are looking to television and other forms of entertainment for guidance. For example, women now refer to themselves as female dogs and allow men to do it as if it is a compliment. That used to be unacceptable from a man or woman. Women are running around half naked and it’s considered cute. Bedding multiple people or sleeping with every person you date is talked about as if it’s appropriate behavior and having babies by several different people is starting to be considered the norm. Much of the entertainment we are presented with contains messages about casual sex, money, materialism, drugs and other negativity.

I wanted to offer an entertaining alternative with Someday and the I’m A Good Woman literary series. I wanted to create something full of positivity, light and love that helps people to understand that we are contributing to our own detriment and that asks people to think before they act. Living in the moment isn’t always harmless. There could be serious consequences to deal with afterward.

So, I guess my short answer is I’m drawn to asking people to try things God’s way because the way of the world isn’t working. We are hurting ourselves.

2. How did you start your career as a writer?

I’m a writer by trade but I mainly do public relations related pieces–press releases, bios, web site content, letters–that type of thing. One day I sat down at the computer and started writing a fictional story and the words began to flow. I haven’t stopped since.

3. Tell us a little bit about your current book? Is it a series?

My current book is Someday and it is the first book in a three-part series. The sequel, Someday, Too, is due out by the end of January. Someday is about a woman named Tee who is going through what I call “The Someday Factor.” She has worked hard to achieve success on her own but now that she has the lucrative job, the nice house and the nice car she is yearning for someone to share it all with. She knows he’s coming–Someday. But while she’s waiting on her prince unfortunately, she’s had to kiss a few frogs. Then, one day she meets a gorgeous retired NFL player named Michael Stokes who appears to be everything she ever wanted and much more but there’s one problem. He has a stalker who is convinced Michael should be with her. The story takes an interesting twist from there as they fight to stay alive in order to stay together.

Now, the I’m A Good Woman literary series will probably be comprised of everything I write. Positive stories that encourage women to be the best they can possibly be in their personal lives and their careers. The Someday books are just the beginning.

I really hope your readers will take the time to check it out. For the month of January, the online version of Someday is only 99 cents.

4.What was it like trying to get your story published? Did you have many rejections from

publishers? Did you need an agent?

I’m self-published but I’m blessed that my good friend, Latrivia Nelson, is a book publisher and accomplished author. She read my book and agreed to allow me to become a part of the RiverHouse family and helped me get my book out. I didn’t have to deal with rejection because I didn’t go the route of trying to get signed by a traditional publishing company and at this point, I don’t have an agent.

It feels so good to have something you worked very hard on in completed form. Such a sense of accomplishment comes with that. I’m on cloud nine!

5. Is this book inspired by personal experience? Where did the idea come from?

This book is based off my experiences and the experiences of thousands of other single women.

Dating, love and relationships can become a challenge. Especially, when you are trying to live according to God’s will. Yet, there are also some wonderful aspects of it too. You have no idea how many women have told me that I was peeking into their lives. They see so much of themselves in Tee.

I’m proud of the response I’ve gotten. Someday not only has romance but comedy and suspense. I’ve had people tell me repeatedly that they love the humor in it and they can’t put it down. It feels so good to release a product people enjoy. I am very blessed!

6. What do you do for promotion? Booksignings? Online chats?

As a self-published author, I’ve made myself responsible for my own promotions and I do whatever I can. If I’m invited some place to do a booksigning, I definitely try to get there. If I’m invited to a book club meeting, I’ll go whether it’s in person or via Skype. I’ve done interviews for radio, television, Internet and print publications. I love connecting with readers.

I also help promote the book with my website,www.jaehendersonauthor.com. The first three chapters of my book, my schedule and a few interviews I’ve done can be found there. I also have a blog for single women called My Side of the Single Life and a women’s motivational website, imagoodwoman.com, that helps women stay encouraged. People can sign up for my e-newsletter on both sites. I am able to stay connected to my readers and update them that way as well.

7. What is the oddest or most challenging thing you had to do to research this book?

I really didn’t have any challenges researching this book. God told me to do this. He wanted me to put out a book that entertained women while encouraging them to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I had to be obedient. The hardest thing for me was writing a full-length novel. I’m used to short projects. It took me a little while to get into the swing of things but once I did, I completed the book in about a year.

8. How can readers find you and your books? Twitter? Facebook?

My book can be purchased at any retail book store and if they don’t have it in stock, they can order it. It can also be purchased on my websites as well as Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and other online bookstores. I also have a Facebook page and fan page, www.facebook.com/imagoodwoman.

You can find me on Twitter as well, www.twitter.com/imagoodwoman.

9. Tell me about the sequel.

The sequel, Someday, Too, picks up where the first book left off. This one not only focuses on Tee and Michael but Tee’s best girlfriends. One is dealing with animosity toward men gained from a failed relationship, another has weight issues that are affecting her marriage and another is learning how to be self-sufficient after breaking up with the married man who took care of her and their son for years. Each has her own challenges, unique personality and a story to tell.

Of course, there’s plenty of romance, suspense and drama involved.

a child Tina “Tee” Long dreamed of having it all and as one of Memphis’ most sought after event planners everyone believes she’s achieved it. Even though creating breathtaking events and rubbing elbows with the social elite seems fulfilling, there’s one thing missing from her fairy tale life—her prince charming. After a string of failed, faith-challenging relationships this woman of God refuses to give up on meeting the man of her dreams. Tee knows in her heart that God will answer her prayers–SOMEDAY. Until then, she tries to remain prayerful and content by occupying her time with work, her sister’s drama-filled marriage and counseling wayward youth. When Tee is introduced to an incredibly handsome, retired NFL player named Michael Stokes, it seems that someday has finally arrived.

There’s one problem. He’s been marked for death.

Michael Stokes thought life was over after a knee injury claimed his career as a NFL superstar. He realized just how wrong he was after dedicating his life to Christ and beginning on a wonderful new path as a motivational speaker and book author. He even meets Tee, a woman that makes all the other women he’s dated seem like a waste of time. But when his past comes back to haunt him Michael’s greatest fear is not the loss of his lucrative contract but losing the woman who must be heaven sent. Will Tee accept a man who has a killer on his trail and a surprising new addition to his family? Someday is full of adventure, excitement, thrills, laughter and love as Tee and Michael fight to stay alive in order to stay together.

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Free giveaway ALERT on Jan 20th -22nd for @amazonkindle readers on Dreams of Reality

2012-01-18T13:13:00.001-08:00

I wanted to give you a heads up for a free give away on the amazon kindle which will take place January 20th thru 22nd, 2012.

Dreams of Reality by Sylvia Hubbard (Kindle Edition - Jun 29, 2011) - Kindle eBook

http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-of-Reality-ebook/dp/B0058W09SS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326920689&sr=1-1

About book:
Skye Patterson - 24-year old entrepreneur trying to make her way in the world all by herself since she was orphaned at birth - finds herself the victim of a mind controlling substance.

Moving to Detroit, was a big step emotionally, but she never thought it would be a big step mentally. The mind controlling drugs invade her life enveloping her in a world she never thought she could experience and a love that was too good to be true with one of her clients, Thaddeus Newman, a powerful construction business owner. When she begins to experience the too real dreams she tries to convince herself they are not real, but as the dreams become more vivid, she delves deep into a world of pimps, businessmen, doctors, and murder, until she finds out what is really happening to her. With Thaddeus by her side, she is able to face her reality and conquer her fears. Dreams of Reality touches on the new age drug, GHB in the revitalization of Motown, where a woman tries to make it alone and finds that in order to survive she has to make her dreams of love, into dreams of reality.

Author's Website: http://sylviahubbard.com

Fw: SOPA: Urban Word of the Day

2012-01-18T10:10:00.001-08:00

January 18: SOPA

The shittiest piece of legislation the U.S. government ever came up with.

uhm, whats that internet thing again? is that what all the kiddies are stealing music with? we better fix that...

don't let the internet take a SOPA to the knee.

Order SOPA mugs, mousepads and more on urbandictionary.com.

SPOTLIGHT: Rededication By Armond E. Mosley @iammosley VIA @AAMBookclub

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest Achilles’ heels that hamper the Christian walk for men and women is that of sexual sin. Sex and all things considered sexual plague us from the time we’re old enough to have a crush on someone. Though innocent at first, if not tamed, our sexual urges have the ability to fully manifest themselves in ways that are detrimental spiritually, emotionally and most identifiably physically.

Rededication takes us on that all too familiar journey that many of us have traveled. Beginning with the “first time”, Armond Mosley shares with the reader some his most intimate moments while providing insight into the vexing reality that faith and sexuality create for a man. As he wrestles with stereotypes, stigmas and misplaced expectations, Armond eventually comes to a point of decision as a result of God’s divine intervention. With somewhat of an ultimatum in hand, he chooses to yield to the Lord and commit to a life of celibacy until marriage. While it would appear that things would get easier from there, in actuality his journey had really just begun. For the remainder of the book, Armond invites us into his personal journey as a celibate man in his 20’s, the sexual prime of his life. Though many discouraging moments along the way, Armond continues to faithfully press through until one day, he’s just about had enough. And in that moment, in a most hopeless and vulnerable state, God shines a light on him and reveals to him “a woman of noble character, whose worth is far greater than rubies”.

Rededication is passionate, humorous and most of all honest about the realities of the battle between faith and sexuality. Armond reveals himself in a most authentic manner in an effort to really connect with the reader. In each chapter, while the story is about Armond’s journey, the reader will be remiss if they aren’t convicted to recall their own relevant personal testimony. If you are a Christian, fighting against sexual sin yourself, this book will take you on a journey of restoration that you can apply in your own life.
Armond E. Mosley is the founder of Kingdom Workshops, LLC, a Christian-based organization focused on educating, motivating and activating individuals to fulfill their God-given purpose(s) in life. Through Kingdom Workshops, Armond has had the opportunity to work with many churches, universities and civic organizations to provide solutions to the issues facing their respective constituencies. Utilizing candor, transparency and humor, Armond challenges workshop attendees to yield to the voice of God in their own lives to secure the joy that has been promised to them. Some of the signature workshop offerings are: Finding Your Passion, Biblical Entrepreneurship and Dating God’s Way.

Born in Huntsville, AL, Armond now resides in Norristown, PA (a suburb of Philadelphia) with his wife Nneka. Currently, Armond is active promoting his first book publication entitled, Rededication: A Story of Sex, Repentance and Restoration, which will was released in May. In his spare time, Armond enjoys reading, watching sports (though he admits he doesn’t have a favorite team) and spending time with family and friends. For more information on Kingdom Workshops, visit www.kingdomworkshops.com. For more information on Rededication, please visit http://www.godzchildproductions.net/publications.html.

Get to Know the Author:

1.      What is Rededication about?

Rededication is an honest account of one man’s struggle with faith and sexuality. Most who’ve grown up in the church have been in positions where what the Bible says and what the world says contradict one another. This reality has the potential to cause much anxiety and strife for a Christian seeking to live God’s way. If we’re honest about it, the church typically avoids the issue of fornication aside from admonishing it when evidenced by pregnancy or shacking up. It’s easy to deal with the outcomes or consequences of sexual impurity, but rarely do we deal with the origins in a preventative manner. Rededication takes an introspective look into my past and delves into the deeper motivations behind my desire to turn away from God and do things my way. Additionally, it walks the reader through my moment of sincere repentance and ultimately, my road to restoration.

2.      Why did you write Rededication?

As I went through my journey of rededication and began to diligently seek out help to aide me in my efforts to become sexually pure, I realized that there wasn’t much content available from a male perspective (especially black). I looked and looked and what I found most common were books written by women or white males. Nothing against those authors and one in particular did help me, but I was looking to affirm my journey through the story of someone who looked like me. Unfortunately, I didn’t find much that I could relate to and so, as I began my journey God made it clear that I was to keep note of my own trials and tribulations as one day I would create the very content that I had longed for. So, I wrote it 1^st out of obedience to God and 2^nd to fill a gap that I believed (and still do) existed in the market for books on sexual purity written by black men.

3.      What makes Rededication unique from other books that speak to celibacy/abstinence?

Of the books that exist that deal with the issue of celibacy/abstinence, most in my opinion are told from an existential viewpoint and seem to shield the author’s own indiscretions along the way. Rededication is transparent, authentic and personal. No punches are pulled and no stone is left unturned. Why? Because it wasn’t my story to keep to myself! God made it clear to me that I had to tell the WHOLE story…not just the parts that I was comfortable with. And so, I believe what you get with Rededication is a real account of a real person dealing with a real issue that many face everyday.

  4.      Do you think your message of celibacy until marriage is relevant in today’s society?

Absolutely! Society would have us believe that it’s a lost cause and that serial monogamy is the best that we can hope for. However, I think the number of “kids raising kids,” STDs and divorces in our country (especially within the black community) point to a more pervasive issue at hand.   That said, I think if you bring this question under the context of the Christian faith, it becomes even more interesting. Part of the irony of my story is that while I was engaging in premarital sex, I was also proclaiming Christianity. So, I lived much of my young adult life in a “spiritually inconsistent” manner.   So much so, that when I did rededicate my life to Christ, many who knew me pre-rededication would make comments like “Oh, you found Jesus, huh?” or “You’re on that church kick now?” This was a very shameful period for me because I had always known who He was…but obviously, my actions didn’t show it.
I say all of that to say, in writing Rededication I didn’t set out to convert the non-believer as a primary objective. I wrote it to speak to the hearts of the professing Christians who have found themselves in a “spiritually inconsistent” state and are looking for a way out…a window of opportunity for their own rededication to Christ. So, for this group, those who’ve felt the conviction (whether they acknowledge it or not) associated with being outside of the will of God, I feel that the message of celibacy until marriage is very relevant.

5.      How have readers responded thus far to Rededication?

I praise God that readers have found the content within Rededication to be beneficial to them in their lives. This journey has really been a faith walk and I can’t say that I had any enormous expectations around reader response to start off with. That said, I’ve been blessed tremendously by their feedback. One in particular is the following:

“After I put this book down, the levees broke…the flood gates opened and all the issues of my past paraded through. I finally began to understand the sinful appetite I myself had conjured up as a result of my own struggles with carnality. Fortunately, there’s one thing that this book ultimately helped me realize…that God is and always will be in control. In the book Rededication, Mr. Mosley vividly recounts his struggles with sexual immorality as it relates to premarital sex. Even as he took the road less traveled (celibacy), he pulls the veil that so many Christians dare not to reveal as they take the “walk”: that you slip up, you have doubts, you may even become disappointed in God, and you can start all over again. I appreciated his rawness, his desire to tell it like it is and through his faithfulness, demonstrate how God orders our steps. I hope that this isn’t the end for Mr. Mosley’s writing career…that there are more books to come and guide us on a journey towards rededication!
FYI – I took the pledge and rededicated my life to Christ. Thanks Armond Mosley.”

6.      What are the major themes in Rededication?

I’d say there are probably four major themes within Rededication. The first would be Rebellion. Much of the first few chapters depict my adolescent and early adult years where I fought to find a sense of self. In this fight, I subconsciously (or consciously) bucked all teachings instilled by my parents and upbringing in church. The second theme is that of Repentance. I knew what I was supposed to do for much of my adult life and yet, I didn’t do it. And it wasn’t until I arrived in a most humbled state that I was able to see the “error in my ways.” As I recognized where I had erred, I realized that I needed to repent because the life I was living was not the life that God intended for me. The third theme would be that of Forgiveness. Regardless of all the “bad” things I did, God still forgave me. No matter how hard I tried to ignore Him or be mad at Him at times for not giving me what I wanted, God still remained God and in the end, welcomed me with open arms as I sought His forgiveness. The fourth theme would be Restoration. In the end, God restored me to a better place than that which I had begun. The process of becoming celibate and wholly submitted to God caused me to lose some people and things. And because of that, there was some grieving that I experienced for their loss. But, at the conclusion of the journey, God filled ALL the vacancies left behind.

7.      What is the one thing that you would want our readers to know about you?

The one thing I’d want your readers to know is that I’m not perfect. I’m just as flawed as the next man/woman. Rededication clearly shows that and I want the readers to know that just because you aren’t perfect does not mean that you are unworthy of God’s love. If that were the condition of His love, none of us would ever receive it. At the end of the day, though we’ll never be perfect, our goal in life is to strive for perfection as taught through the Word of God. Thank you for taking the time to read and may God bless and keep you is my prayer.

Find the author:

Author Site: http://www.kingdomworkshops.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/iammosley

Buy Book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rededication-Story-Sex-Repentance-Restoration/dp/1937095002/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320706660&sr=8-1-spell/motowritnetw-20

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rededication-armond-e-mosley/1102047630?ean=9781937095000&itm=1&usri=rededication

SPOTLIGHT: @SORMAG BOOK INTRO - When Rain Falls by @TyoraMoody (Romantic Suspense)

2012-01-10T06:32:00.001-08:00

BOOK INTRO

When Rain Falls

by Tyora Moody

Click book to purchase

"Why does God keep taking away the people I love?"

This is the lamentation of widow CANDACE JOHNSON when her best friend is brutally murdered. Ensnared by a deep-rooted bitterness, seeping her faith day by day, Candace is determined to seek justice.

Detective Darnell Jackson is in need of clues fast. The police captain is coming down hard on him and his partner to find out who murdered Pamela Coleman, the daughter of a high profile judge.

Darnell confers with Candace to get the inside track on events leading up to the murder. As the

investigation heats up, his growing attraction for Candace plays havoc on Darnell's judgment.

Little does she know, Candace's quest to find the truth has led her straight to the killer. She's already lost loved ones. Now Candace must choose to completely trust God with her own life.

Coming to bookstores in February 2012

Pre-order yours TODAY

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tyora Moody is an author and entrepreneur. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, will be released March 2012 (Urban Christian/Kensington). Tyora writes romantic suspense and cozy mysteries. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers. She owns and operates TywebbinCreations.com, a design and marketing company.

Visit Tyora on the web - http://www.tyoramoody.com

CHAPTER EXCERPT - CHAPTER ONE

Charlotte, North Carolina, 2008

"What's going on?" Candace Johnson sat up in the bed and waited. Either the cellular company had dropped the call or her friend was on the line, probably twirling a lock of hair, her mind elsewhere. She fired off, "Pamela, are you still there?"

"I'm here," Pamela shot back. Her friend let out a deep sigh. "There's a lot I'm trying to process right now. It's late. Let's talk tomorrow."

Tomorrow. "You're kidding me, right?" Nothing rattled Pamela Coleman, but only a few minutes ago Pamela had called with a shaky voice, saying, "We have to talk." There was no way Pamela could leave the conversation hanging until the morning.

"I'm tired, Candace. To be quite honest, I may not be thinking straight."

Candace pulled the covers up closer to her body. It wasn't unusual for them to talk until the wee hours of the morning, but she knew not to push her friend. "Where are you, anyway? Are you still at the art gallery reception this late?"

"No, I'm on my way home."

"All right, girlfriend. I hope you get a good night's sleep. There will be no excuses tomorrow. I expect you to spill everything."

"I hope I can. You get some sleep, too."

The dial tone buzzed in her ear for a few seconds before she hung up the cordless phone. Sleep. That's a joke.

Out of habit, Candace slipped out of the bed and walked over to the window. She lifted one of the blind slats to peer out onto the street. It had been over a year and a half since the police department had provided protection for her family during the night. Now it seemed the police no longer cared. Other cases took priority, she guessed. Maybe it was all her imagination, overcome by grief and loss.

Rain pelted the roof and windows. The kind of rain that could coax a person into a deep, restful sleep. Candace wished. A full night's sleep had become a lost luxury, but she would try to close her eyes. As she climbed under her favorite quilt, uneasiness settled over her mind. Again. Another long night awaited her.

She could blame her sleeplessness on the late-night pizza session with the kids, but she knew better. Even Pamela's ominous call didn't help matters. It was the past that kept her staring at the ceiling, walking beside her like a maddening visitor, just hanging around, with no signs of departure.

Stealing her sleep, her peace.

She gripped the quilt, hugging it close to her body. Her aunt always said, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Candace didn't care about being strong. She wanted answers.

She stared into the darkness, beyond the clock, to where the glow illuminated a man's features. The photo was barely visible, but Candace had it memorized. In her mind, she could see Detective Frank Johnson dressed in his uniform. Though his smile was serious, his deep dimples still made an appearance.

Almost seventeen years of marriage. Her protector.

Seemed like everyone these days told her the same thing. "Frank would've wanted you to move on." How could she? Her Frank believed in justice. In the end, her husband received none. That haunted her.

She did need to get herself together. Her children had been through enough. She didn't need Rachel and Daniel worrying about their mother. More than anything she wanted them to enjoy their youth. She didn't want them to experience the pain she struggled through at their age from losing a parent.

So Candace meditated on the rain, willing her eyes to grow heavy.

Mama!

Her eyes flew open, and then she smacked the pillow. Even as she resolved to put the familiar memory out of her mind, questions lingered. Why now?

Almost thirty years had passed since that night. It seemed like every now and then Mama decided to visit her in a dream. Images of the beautiful, troubled woman who birthed her often were like a bittersweet reunion. But sometimes he would show up, too.

Candace was no longer afraid of him. She'd made sure to track down his whereabouts after Frank's death just to be sure her childhood bogeyman had not returned. She knew he wasn't a threat to her anymore.

Still, she knew sleep would not come tonight. She refused to close her eyes. Like that night long ago, it felt like God had stopped by to shake her around like one of those snow globes.

Where would the pieces of her life fall like those flakes? Candace wasn't sure she wanted to know.

Candace focused her thoughts on the earlier phone call. Pamela, what do you have to tell me tomorrow?

Feel free to forward to your book loving friends

http://sormag.com/advertise.htm

SPOTLIGHT: Rewritten Lives By J. Elliot Howard @Jelliot72688 via @aambookclub

2012-01-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

Rewritten Lives By J. Elliot Howard

From a poet-author who is deep in thoughts, sentiments, and experiences comes an emotive and endearing collection of poems that speaks of a myriad of themes and topics. J. Elliot Howard has Rewritten Lives to share the lessons, dreams, hopes, and longings to others who are willing to listen.

In this poetry anthology, Howard unleashes his profound emotions through poetic verses. With the ebb and flow of his words, readers will feel the depths of his psyche and the nadir of his heart. Penning down these pieces, he conveys the unfathomable zenith of his feelings that range from memories, yearnings, conversations, saying goodbye, moving on, life sessions, new beginnings, reminiscences, dark moments, and more.

These poems are Howard's expressions of what he observes, feels, understands, and accepts of life and love. They are reminders of years gone by, the people that were, and the sentiments once felt. This potpourri of lines varies from subject to subject and from one theme to the next, but they all speak of the beautiful colors of life.

In "My Turn Now," he says, "With each turn of the page of life, through graduation and having a wife tears of joy burn down my cheeks as you have held my hand." In "Lessons," he writes, "Our moments are like the sand on the beach. Crystals of memories within reach that in my time of need have formed the rock to meet my every care." In "The Final Moment," he ponders, "Life has its seasons, each season has its moments, and with these moments there are perfect times." In "A New Beginning," he shares, "A newness of life, the coming of a fresh start. Maybe a needed difference a need for change." These and more poignant words are sure to welcome readers as they leaf through the pages of Rewritten Lives.

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Poetry book excerpts:
GENUINE
I have approached you real,
With the truth, no less, I have approached you correct.
But a question still remains,
Not from me but from you.
It is of interest with me what your intentions are,
Because sometimes your mind has the appearance of being afar.
I told you I loved you from the bottom of my heart.
Your actions say those feelings you also share,
But your mouth is saying words that keep people unaware.
Either way it does not matter because in time I will not be there.
It is unwise to go after a love that I cannot win, Because of your indecision one can see you are not genuine

No More Reminiscing

I remember when we used to talk
daily in your life.
you would inquire of advice
that would help you in your constant walk.
I knew you and you knew me,
I was in you and you were in me,
and even the slightest care
you gave to me.
I took your cares and did not think twice.

..

the road of victory, together we traveled.
helping those along the way
I helped and watched you grow.
sharing, in those days with you
great and unsearchable things unknown.
however the present has become past,
and the past has become history.

..

after walking in unceasing victory
you turned.
breaking my heart, away you walked,
and with a boastful mouth you basked
in what you felt was your own glory.
..

for you, my heart will grieve,
but it is you who are in harm.
in the deadly vice of a world
that would sooner let you die
for a sign of weakness,
than have love for you to give.
..

no more reminiscing of the past
I see your pain,
and if you turn from the world
I will take you back with a love that will last.
unconditional love which will remove your sorrow
and give you a new life.

..
though time may have passed
you are not out of the running.
I will redeem the time
if you just ask.
we will again walk in victory,
and together, no more
will we reminisce.

About the Author:

Jerry Elliot Howard was born in Findlay, Ohio. At the age of sixteen, his family moved to Sugar Land, TX. Shortly after moving, he began to write. No matter where he went, his writing followed. He wrote while attending University Of Houston, transferring and graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, graduate school at Bowling Green State University, marriage, fatherhood, and all points in between. Poetry is his snapshot in time because words mean more than pictures to him. They allow him to look, remember, and truly embrace each new experience. He loves the city of Houston. Writing has enabled him to express himself thoroughly and creatively. Life is more than "happy love." At times, he has had to say good-bye. Sometimes, he has had to give chase. In other situations, he has had to sit still. Nevertheless, in all of the places he has lived, and moments he has experienced, all are worthwhile.

Find the author:

Website: www.rewrittenlives.com
Facebook Rewritten Lives book page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rewritten/372263284211
3. link to twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/Jelliot72688
4. link to barnes and nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rewritten-lives-j-elliot-howard/1100376456?ean=9781450022699&itm=1&usri=rewritten%2blives
AMAZON.com link:
http://www.amazon.com/Rewritten-Lives-J-Elliot-Howard/dp/1450022693/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317702199&sr=8-1

Teach Me To Love – Website Exclusive on The Literary World of @SylviaHubbard1 #kindle #mobi #epub #pdf w/download instructions

2012-01-04T10:37:00.001-08:00

old cover

This book is available as a PDF, MOBI (for your Kindle), and also EPUB (for all other ebook readers.) To upload the book to your device see the instructions below.

About this item:

When they come together… Who's teaching whom?

Rachel Herlong, a teacher, finds herself strangely attracted to the dark handsome student, Derrick James, who's nothing but trouble.

Yet, opportunities keep presenting themselves and she soon finds that she must make a choice between a love she has longed for or her morals and unhappy marriage. (This is an unedited version avail thru link only)

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For more information, author's notes and download instructions, continue reading at: http://sylviahubbard.com/2012/01/01/teachmetolovebook/

Sylvia Hubbard
Author, Blogger and Founder of Motown Writers Network & The African American Electronic Literary Network

Author of Romance & Suspense and Internet Marketing for Writers & Business

See all My books in paperbacks, ebooks and more! CLICK HERE
Coming Soon: Tanner's Devil www.redrosepublishing.com

Feature Spotlight on The Literary Reading World of @sylviahubbard1: Bumped By Sibylla Nash @starbabyla via @aambookclub

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Bumped

Bumped By Sibylla Nash

What happens when you’re blindsided by betrayal and happy hour is no longer an option?

Elle Nixon seems to have the perfect life. As a music PR maven and party girl on the L.A. social scene, she attends the hottest parties and has a roster of artists that reads like the who’s who of Billboard magazine.

Her upwardly mobile bound boyfriend lavishes her with plenty of gifts and attention until he disappears…during the middle of a high-profile fraud investigation into his investment firm by the FBI. Add an unplanned pregnancy to the mix and suddenly, it’s not so fun anymore to walk a mile in her Louboutins.

Will Elle’s search for answers help or destroy her as she confronts the past and tries to reinvent her future?

Excerpt:

AFTER A FULL DAY of sightseeing in Paris with eight writers and then a sound check at the
famed Olympia, I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and sleep. Long and hard. I unlocked
my hotel room, took two steps in and flung myself face down on the bed, landing on top of the
scratchy, green bedspread with my high heels and short trench coat still on. My room was the length
of my arm span, which was fine on a day like today. Tiny, dark, enclosed spaces couldn’t make me
feel any worse.

I buried my face in the pillow and tried to stave off the nausea. It felt like the beginning of the
flu and it had followed me from Los Angeles to Paris, and had dug its heels in at the hotel along the
Champs Elysees. It didn’t help that Paris hadn’t gotten the memo that it was spring, or maybe I
didn’t read the memo that said to pack layers of clothes. Either way, it was damp and chilly outside.

It was hard to look chic in goose bumps, no matter how cute my shoes were, and my Louboutins
were hot; save for the beating they were taking from all the cobblestone walkways.

I checked the time on my cell phone. I had less than two hours before I had to wrangle
everyone back on the bus for the main purpose of the trip, watching one of the biggest hip hop
artists in the world, Cameron perform at the Olympia, one of the oldest concert halls in Paris. He
was signed to Savage Rhythms, the record label that employed me as a publicist and subsidized my
stiletto habit.

My phone chimed and a text message from my friend Justine came through. Growing up, we
used to live four doors down from one another in New Jersey and had been as inseparable as cake
and ice cream at a birthday party. Now, living on opposite coasts, we were like caviar and a bottle of
hundred-year-old scotch, only on special occasions.

Happy B-day Ellie! Hope ur enjoying ur trip in city of love!  :> :>)

She included her usual assortment of happy faces and other crazy icons that always made me
wonder if she dictated her text messages to her 12-year-old.

Bleh! Another birthday. I grabbed a pillow and put it over my face. Born four years apart, my
sister Evie and I shared the same birthday. I’d much rather pretend the day didn’t exist. I moved the
pillow and rolled over on my stomach to send Justine a quick message.
35. Yaay. I’m working & how much fun can it really b w/my man on another continent?

Before she could reply, my phone rang.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!” Diego Rivera’s baritone sang in my ear with
only the slightest of interference from across the Atlantic. I smiled, happy to avert a trip down
memory lane. Even after two and a half years of dating, the sound of his voice still made my
stomach tingle with erratic butterflies…or it could have been the escargot from the other night. Two
words. Never. Again.

Sibylla Nash is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and author. She has written about a variety of topics that have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. She is also the author of several books including DreamCity, Baby Modeling & Beyond: From the Stroller to the Red Carpet and her newest novel, Bumped. She holds a degree from the University of Southern California in print journalism and is the extremely proud mom of a young actress. You can find her on the web at sibyllanash.com, divaluscious.com, starbabyla.com, bumpedthenovel.com on Facebook and tweets @starbabyla.

Get to Know the Author:

1.)    How did you begin my journey as an author?
I started off as a freelance writer but as an avid reader, novels were always in my future. This is my fifth book – all independently released - and it’s been a long work-in-progress! When I released my first novel <gasp> eleven years ago, life was pretty different. The author tag line on the back of that book (DreamCity) read something like “Sibylla Nash lives in Los Angeles with her dog.” Since then, I became a mom, the dog died, I moved back to NJ and then moved back to LA. Life happens and I think that’s part of what helps one grow as a writer. Experiencing and living life and then obsessing and rehashing the details, exploring the “what if’s” and “could be’s” in the pages of the worlds we create.

2.) What compelled or inspired you to write this book?
Who hasn’t had that one relationship where you’re scratching your head after the fact asking yourself, how could I not see this? I wanted to explore betrayal in such way that seemed more organic. You really go through stages of grief after being betrayed and I wanted to show a character dealing with the ultimate betrayal, which is not necessarily the physical, cheating act. I wanted to take this character from point A of thinking everything’s great to point B where she’s like oh my gosh, who is this person? I can rattle off a list of women in that past few years that have been through a very public and humiliating scandal like Sandra Bullock, Maria Shriver, Elin Woods, etc where they’re with someone who totally turns out to be so different with the emotional and physical cheating.   For the public, that’s the big story but for them, life goes on and they have to pick up the pieces.

3.) How do you develop the plot?
I use index cards, and I like to break the story up into three parts, which is from Syd Fields screenwriting technique. I plot it out and usually deviate from many of my plot points, but I always have an idea of where I’m going and I definitely know where I want to end up.

4.)    How long did it take to write Bumped?
Bumped has been a labor of love for quite a few years. I always thought my second novel after DreamCity would be a sequel but the characters in Bumped demanded to be written. DreamCity was written before I became a mom and Bumped was written late at night, in between auditions for my daughter and play dates. It has taken quite a few years and revisions and was finally birthed in August 2011.

5.)    What types of books do you like to read?
I have a very eclectic taste and will read everything from horror, mystery, thriller, self-help, history and anything else that catches my eye. I’ll read it on the Kindle or in printed form, whichever I can get my hands on first. I’m not a die-hard purist and love the opportunities that e-books offer.

6.) How do you feel about selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store?
I love it! That coupled with social media allows me to find and connect with a wider audience that was harder to reach with my previous books. It certainly levels the playing field and allows new voices to be heard without having to fight through the gatekeepers of the old guard.

7.) What’s next?
I’m updating my guide, Baby Modeling & Beyond. So much has changed since I wrote it six years ago and there seems to be an even bigger market of moms who are curious about getting their kids started in the business. I’m also re-releasing my first novel DreamCity at the end of the year. There’s a fun sequel to that which will be out next year. I’m staying pretty busy. I have so many stories in my head bouncing around that are demanding to get out and strut their stuff on the page or screen.

Find Sibylla Nash at:
sibyllanash.com, bumpedthenovel.com, facebook.com/bumpedbysibyllanash, Twitter @starbabyla

Email address: sibylla22@gmail.com

Buy Book at: http://www.amazon.com/Bumped-Sibylla-Nash/dp/0970170637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318560856&sr=8-1

Feature Spotlight on The Literary Reading World of @sylviahubbard1: Tears of A Hustler by Silk @good2gobooks via @aambookclub

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

BUY YOUR COPY | CLICK HERE

Tears of a Hustler Part 3 By Silk White

Tears of a Hustler 3 picks up right where part two left off. Things get serious when Marvin the leader of a powerful up coming gang decides he wants to take over Pauleenas empire. With her back against the wall Pauleena defends her territory by any means necessary even if it means killing everything moving. With her main soldier gone she has step up to the plate and get her hands dirty. The streets will rain money or blood it s their choice but giving up her throne is not an option. Who will be the last hustler standing? Once against Silk White takes readers on a ride they wont ever forget.

Excerpt:

Four all black Denali SUVs pulled up back to back in front of the projects. Pauleena sat in the third SUV with her legs crossed sipping on a glass of wine. Today was a day in her life that she would never forget. “You sure this where this cat lives?”
“Yes I got a man in the staircase right now who’s been watching Carl’s crib all day” Eraser Head told her.
Pauleena sighed loudly. “Let’s go get this shit over with.” Her big Muslim body guard Malcolm quickly hopped out of the driver’s seat, and walked to the back door, and opened it for his boss. Pauleena stepped out looking like a million bucks followed by Eraser Head. Seven black Muslims all wearing black suits hopped out of the SUVs and escorted Pauleena in the building, and up to Carl’s floor. Eraser Head and Malcolm kicked open Carl’s front door, then quickly barged inside.
Carl sat in his couch watching TV when his front door came crashing open, followed by men busting inside with guns pointed in his face. “What’s all this about?” Carl asked with a confused look on his face.
“You know exactly what this is about” Pauleena said entering the apartment. From the look on Carl’s face she could tell that he didn’t know who she was, but he was definitely about to find out. “Did you kill G-Money?”
“Yes I did” Carl said confidently. “He disrespected, and violated me in front of my son, and for that he had to pay.”
Pauleena smiled. “And now you have to pay” she said as she pulled a .380 from the small of her back. Just as she was about to pull the trigger, little Bobby came running out the back room. “No please don’t hurt my daddy” he cried as he hugged his father.
“You kill me in front of my son?” Carl asked looking Pauleena dead in her eyes. He didn’t fear no man or woman, but if it was his time to go he didn’t want it to be in front of his son.
Pauleena looked down at Carl with a straight face, and pulled the trigger blowing his brains out right in front of little Bobby. She then trained her gun on the young boy, and sent bullets into the boy’s boney chest killing him instantly. “A body for a body” she said as she turned, handed her gun to Malcolm then made her exit.
Back in the Denali everyone was quiet, they knew Pauleena had just crossed the line, but they knew she had to do what she had to do. If the streets spotted any signs of weakness, every stick up kid in the world would be looking for her, and hustlers would be looking to take her spot. Pauleena was on top, and she planned on doing whatever needed to be done to stay on top.
“I heard Marvin is supposed to be having a birthday party next week” Eraser Head said breaking the silence.
“Word where at?” Pauleena asked helping herself to another glass of wine.
“Some club downtown.”
“Keep me posted” Pauleena said with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss that party for the world.”

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A native of Harlem, New York, Silk White began his writing career in 2006. He is the author of the three part Urban Fiction series Tears of a Hustler and Co-Owner of Good2Go Publishing and Good2Go Films. Silk has No Way Out and Black Barbie as a film credit under Good2Go Films and in his spare time, loves to write and act. He is currently producing a new movie and is hard at work on his next novel.

Interview with Silk White

1. Tell me about the finale to your critical acclaim trilogy Tears of a Hustler?
This book is the finale to a trilogy that was written 2 years ago. We took our time with releasing part 2&3 to help build up our fan base in between releases. It’s a classic finale that all our loyal fans have been waiting for. I promised I wouldn’t let them down and according to the reviews we have received so far, everyone is happy. Check amazon.

2. What made you decide to start your own publishing company rather than signing with an establish publisher?
Well after Tears of a Hustler PT 1 was released I had several offers on the table, but from a business standpoint it just made more sense to release my titles under my own company. In the short term it’s a lot of work because you have to build your fan base one fan at a time, because you don’t have any distribution. But once you’ve established your brand like we have, you make 100% of the profit. At the rate we’re going we should be one of the biggest independent african american owned publishing companies out there in a few years. We’ve reached over 70,000 households in two years with no help. Right now we have good2go publishing and good2go films our movie Production Company and Third Lane Marketing.

3. What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Writing was a natural process for me, growing up in the environment that I grew up in and my life experiences help enhanced my already vivid imagination. My ability to translate my imagination thru writing was a god gifted talent that I discovered when I was going thru unforeseen circumstances.

4. What’s the best thing about being an author?
I really appreciate all the love and support that I get from the fans. They are the ones that keep me motivated. It’s amazing to see all the support that I get from all parts of the country, outside the country also. Shout out to all my UK Fans. I never thought that one day my work would have reached over 70,000 households.

5. What are you working on now?
Well I just wrapped up my 5^th book which is slated to be released Nov 25 2011. Its called The Teflon Queen. So be on the look out for that. You can pre-order an autograph copy now from www.good2gopublishing.com I also just finished shooting my 2^nd movie under good2go films its called Black Barbie. The first movie is called No Way Out you can get that at www.good2gofilms.com

6. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
This piece of advice is not just for writers but any aspiring entrepreneurs out there. Especially, the youth coming from underprivileged communities. Sometimes in life we get a bad hand to play with. You have to make the best out of the hand you’re given. The best piece of advice I can give is, spend all your time and energy focusing on accomplishing your goals whatever it may be, you’re going to get results. Surround yourself with good people you trust, Sleep 5hrs work 19hrs.
I just want to say Thanks to everyone out there for the love and support. Keep supporting me and Good2go Publishing

Silk White

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Find Silk at:
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Silkwhite212
twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/good2gobooks
author site: www.good2gopublishing.com
blog: http://www.good2gopublishing.com/blog
Email address for readers to contact you : G2g@good2gopublishing.com
Buy Books at http://www.amazon.com/Tears-Hustler-PT-Silk-White/dp/0578084740/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Literary Spotlight: THE ART OF DECEIT. BY FABIOLA JOSEPH @soulofawriter via @aambookclub

2011-12-03T03:43:00.000-08:00

THE ART OF DECEIT. BY FABIOLA JOSEPH

Sex, drugs, lies and video tape all dwell in the shadows of hip hop. A world that is glamorous and alluring can blind its participants to certain truths. This euphoric illusion which is full of money, women, and power, can also be deceiving. You start to believe that the fame will last forever. That the people around you are really your friends, and that the scandalous woman at your side really loves you for the person that you are. Stardom can become dangerous for the naïve souls who rise to success without armor. Tangie, who has mastered The Art Of Deceit, slithers her way into the heart of many and into the wallets of even more, her latest victim being Hip Hop’s newest sensation Tay’von-Too Fine- Miller. Tay’von is told by his record label that he needs a better looking woman on his arm because the public will deem his plus size girlfriend unbefitting for a rising star. So he pulls Tangie into his world hoping to use her for her looks, only to get rid of her when he is done. But he has highly underestimated her. Her charm is hypnotic, that of a snake charmer, and as strong as the magic from a voodoo priest. Once she has cast her spell, she is sure to bring any man or woman down to their knees. She rules with a blackened heart and shows no mercy to people like Shamika, the spiteful girlfriend of equally talented but not as successful rapper Black Dialect. Tangie will stop at nothing to secure her lifestyle, even if that means shaking hands with a record label owner who Tay’von has proclaimed a sworn enemy. Carmello wants Tay’von to sign to his record label, and Tangie wants revenge. Together they hatch a plan that will give them both what they want. What will happen when Tay’von, his bodyguard, the sexy R&B tour mate Amira, and Carmello all fall under Tangie’s spell? Death, Debauchery, and Deceit, now, if only everything would go as planned.

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Excerpt for The Art Of Deceit:

I pulled her hair back and handed her a napkin for her bleeding lips.
            “Now pull yourself together Mika, everyone is watching. Don’t let them see you break down.”
I said as I continued to whisper.
            “Tay’von called a limo for you. I want you to go back to the house and get your things packed.”
     She looked at me as if she didn’t want to leave Miami just yet.
            “Now you know that you can’t stay anymore. Black is going to try and hurt you if you do. Just give him some time to cool off and get his mind right. But there is one favor I need you to do for me. After all that has happened, there’s just one thing that I want you to remember—.”She cut me off before I could make my grand statement.
            “But Tangie, I don’t know how this got out. I didn’t make a copy or anything. The only person that could have put this out is you know who.”
     I put my arms around her and got real close to her.
            “You may not know how this got out but I do.”
     She looked at me with shock on her face, I wanted to spit in it but that was too low class for me.
            “Come on Shamika, don’t look so surprised. Try and look like we’re having a normal conversation. If you don’t, I won’t tell you what I know.”
     She tried her best to keep it together but her body was shaking uncontrollably under my hand.
            “Look at me Shamika, cause I’m responsible for the tape getting leaked. That’s right, bitch, I did it.” She tried to pull away from my grip but I held on tight.
            “It fucking hurts doesn’t it? I have been setting this up since we were on the road. You fucked me over so now I’m fucking you with the biggest dick I can find. Tell me, how does it feel? Because I’m feeling damn good!”
            “YOU BITCH!”
     She screamed, but I didn’t break. I still kept the concerned look on my face and made myself look confused and hurt.
            “Calm down little Mika, don’t be so mad. You got to admit that you’ve had this coming. I’m the last bitch that you should have fucked with. You messed with my life so now I’m ruining yours. I hope that you never find a man to spend another dime on you again. I hope that life gets so bad for you that you’ll need to borrow money just to get a sandwich off the dollar menu at McDonald’s. Rot in hell you dirty bitch, and may you never rest in peace.”
     She was speechless as I let her arm go. The thought of me getting her first had never crossed her mind. It had just hit her that she had gravely underestimated me, and that bad choice was to her disadvantage. She had lost the game that she thought she played all too well. That’s why my motto has always been, before you sit down to play a game, you must not only know the rules to the game but you must also know all of your opponents, even if that means skipping a hand or two just to make sure you know their skill level. Having this knowledge gives you an upper hand every time, and an upper hand always wins the game.
                                                              PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: Fabiola Joseph was raised in Silver Spring Maryland. While in Middle school, she found her passion for writing and wrote her first book Among Us. She has not stopped writing ever since. She continues to develop new stories and poems at her home in Florida.

Interview with the Author:

How did you get the idea for this book, The Art Of Deceit?

Answer. - One day I was watching a rap video and it contained the normal rump shaking, enticing, gorgeous women that we are used to seeing when one of these videos are played. But the more I watched, the more I asked myself, what happens when “Cut” is yelled and the women go home? We all hear about the so called “groupies” but we don’t really know their story.

Did the success of the infamous SuperHead books encourage you to write this book?

Answer – Yes and no. She is a well known… how can I put this…. groupie and I know her story. But I didn’t want to do a “down and out, they all used me and now I am coming into my own” book. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to have fun with it. I wanted to have this character do all the things I would never do, say all the things that, as the poem at the end of the book says, get us “normal people” tongue-tied. I wanted to portray a bad bitch that lives an “All or Nothing” lifestyle. And even then, I wanted to make sure that she had many layers to her. She may seem coldhearted and calculating on the outside, but deep within the lines, she has another side to her.

So what do you think the readers are going to think of her actions? This character Tangie, has a lot of sex, deceives, uses the people in her life to get what she wants, and seems to not have any remorse. Do you think that this book sends out a bad message?

Answer – NO! I do not, and here is why. Nothing bad that is done in this book goes unpunished. In life, we all pay for our actions, good or bad. It may take minutes, an hour, a month, or years for it to come back, but it does. It may take Tangie, till book three, which will be the last in the series to get what’s coming to her, but that’s how life works. We never know where our actions may lead us, or the consequences. And as far as all of the sex, I made sure to put a disclaimer in the beginning of the book.

In The Art Of Deceit, one of Tangie’s love interest is a famous female R&B singer. And you also lightly touch on the issue of closeted gay rappers. How did you think this would impact the book and the readers?

Answer – Well, when I write, I don’t think. At the time that I wrote this book, I wasn’t so into typing. I used to say “I can’t flow if I’m not writing with a pen”. Things have changed. But when I wrote this book in 2008, I didn’t stop and think oh, what will people think if Tangie has sex with a woman, or what will they think once they find out that one of the rappers is on the DL. I just let my mind and my hand do the talking. There were times when I was writing this book that I couldn’t stop the pen from moving. There were times that something was happening, and in my heart, I wanted to stop. But my mind and hand were moving too fast. It was as if I was in a trance, a writing trance. So as far as giving those two issues too much thought,,,, I didn’t. I just let the story become what it was meant to be.

So as an author, how would you describe your writing style?

Answer – My style will evolve. It will grow and be different with each book. I don’t want to be that writer that is stuck in one place, telling the same story. My style will change with each character that forms in my head. If he or she is straight ghetto and in your face, well that will be the style of the book. I am very open to whatever comes to my mind, laid back, quiet, murderer, or bad ass bitch. But if I had to pick a style,,, I would just say RAW! I won’t sugarcoat anything. If it’s on my mind, it will be down on paper, no second guessing.

So in a way, is reading your book The Art Of Deceit, allowing the readers a chance to get a glimpse into your mind?

Answer – Most definitely. My books are on my mind even when I am asleep. And before I write or as I write, I see it all in my head, playing out like a movie. So yes, if you read a book that I wrote, you’re also getting to know a part of me, sometimes a part of me that I didn’t even know myself until that very moment it was inked or now typed on paper.

So where do you go from here, as far as your writing career?

Answer – My next project will be out early 2012 and was written with new comer Matthew Ramsey. I will
not say too much about that right now but that it’s just as hot as The Art of Deceit, so make sure to check it out. And after that, just more and more writing. I am already working on my third which I hope to release mid 2012. Writing for me is like breathing. I can’t live without it. So as long as I breathe, I will write.

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Contact information:

Facebook author page- http://facebook.com/Fabiola.Joseph3
Twitter – @soulofawriter
Email – soulofawriter3@aol.com
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Where to buy The Art Of Deceit.
E-book kindle – www.amazon.com/The-Art-Of-Deceit-ebook/dp/B005MGOY6S
Nook - www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-deceit-fabiola-joseph/1105945594?ean=2940013416024&itm=1&usri=the%252bart%252bof%252bdeceit
E-store – https://www.createspace.com/3691417
Available in paperback at all three places.

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LITERARY SPOTLIGHT: Getting to Know Angela H. Brown via @aambookclub

2011-11-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Getting to Know Angela H. Brown

Angela is the published author of; IT’S MO BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND! She is on the move and has no plans on stopping any time soon! Angela is motivated to pull her readers into the room and make them feel sexy, and secure to be themselves. It’s Mo Better is based upon bits and pieces of her own life. Angela experienced physical abuse at an early age, but the bruises eventually disappeared and she began to inspire other people to stop playing the victim and plan for your victory! Angela was inspired to write her first book by her attorney who was her client; she is a hair dresser of twenty years. The book became born and the character TIFFANY was released to the world.

Tiffany is a young sexy diva who is searching for a LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE. Tiffany meets Mr.Wrong.com, and learns that love and sex is two different things. Charles is his name and boxing is his game. Charles is controlling and has the key, and code to Tiffany’s forbidden treasure. Moaning, passion, rain drops of sweat, and screaming his name ends in pain. Now Tiffany’s young and dumb attitude knows better she was raised better than that. The book will take you through a tunnel of confusion, because Tiffany finds out life ain’t perfect. Well look who fell out the sky it is a bird or a plane, no honey it is every woman’s dream it is a scoop of chocolate ice cream dripped in caramel, and nuts with a cherry on top. Lord have mercy it is Mr. Randy to the rescue. Tiffany takes this joy ride then jumps out the passenger seat and hitchhikes right to, what do the lonely do at Christmas life. Readers it get’s Mo Better because love gets real, and the bruises began to fade. This book has so much passion and surprises; it is a small world after all. Mo Better takes a flight toAtlantaand parties to the cool and classy old school beats. Rock with me and slip into your sexy gear, and enjoy making your LOVE JONES experience, a night to remember.

Angela Hughes Brown is inspired to write, because she loves expressing herself in a sexy way. She lives onFantasyIsland, when the world gets confusing then she starts to write to give herself a break. This has become her hobby and mission to inspire her readers to become the best what ever they want to be. She has trials and tribulations, but it only makes her stronger. Angela has been a listening ear to her clients for years, she gives them a healthy beautiful look, and inspire them in their hearts that they can make it with God on their side. Angela has never met a stranger she is out going and loves to net work. Her goal is to travel and motivate the world to GO AND GET THEIR DREAMS OUT THERE! When one door closes anther one will open with prayer and faith! Her passion constantly inspires her readers to never let their fire out life is too short! Look for her other books that is coming soon, How TO GET THE HEALTHY BACK IN YOUR HAIR, and CARPET BURNS! Yes Angela is your next fabulous new author she has a heart full of stories to tell, and she prefers to tell it her way. So laugh, cry, and learn a valuable lesson while this dynamic poetic writer pulls you into her world!

How To Get the Healthy Back In Your Hair . . .: Rekindling Healthy Hair

How Tto Get the Healthy Back In Your HairThis insightful book educates the reader on how to choose a hair stylist, as well as understanding their hair. It pulls you into the world of healthy hair, and focuses on important issues, like, balding, weaving, colors, and textures. Enjoy a special interview with Kimberly Williams Greer, the personal hair stylist for the Food Network show, Down Home with the Neely’s and Road Tasted with the Neely’s. Wearing your new hat with cancer, will also be featured, it gives important information concerning growing your hair back healthy after loosing your hair. Consultations before you become a client, and much more. . . .

Novel: It’s Mo Better The Second Time Around

Tiffany is a young beautiful virgin, who falls for the wrong guy. She finds that love doesn’t wear a glove, and Charles is her abuser! He inherited this mixed up abuse from Daddy Dearest! Tiffany gives up her forbidden hidden treasure, and wears tattoos in all rainbow colors. She knows that mama didn’t raise no fool! She moans,screams,and cries out for help, making love feels like, Mr. just doing his business. Tiffany has a long way to go, and being grown doesn’t seem so pretty. Charles becomes a thing of the past finally, but he leaves scares inside this young ladies heart! Mr.Right enters into Tiffany’s world, but there is much work to do. Randy is very handsome, charming, and is lover not a fighter! Can Tiffany let the past go and eat all the dessert that is on her plate? Randy is the best thing that has ever happened to Tiffany. She learns what real love feels like! Conflict will arise,and scandal will come back and hunt her. Sit tight , because it is about to turn into a LOVE JONES THRILLER! Put your seat belts on , and take a roller coaster ride, into Tiffany’s world!

It’s Mo Better The Second Time Around, Q & A

1. Q, What inspired you to write this sexy love story?
    A, Well I was in a domestic relationship, and writing was my therapy.

2. Q, Do you consider yourself a survivor?
     A, Yes I do, I made it and it is my responsibility to help others who may be going through the same storm!

3. Q, How did you come up with the Randy character?
     A, Well Randy was not perfect but he was perfect for so many women we know inside and out! I felt it was about time someone wrote about a positive black man for a change!

4. Q, What made you tell the readers about Charles’s father’s abusive ways?
   A, The readers had a right to know how this monster began learning hoe to abuse women.

5. Q, What made you come up with that shower scene between Tiffany, and Randy?
    A, Well I wanted my book to breathe a classy sexy experience, and I wanted them to take their time.

6. Q, Your book had an old school flavor are you old school?
    A, Yes I love old school music, and life! I wanted to bring a little of that back like the candy, Now or Later, and Lemon Heads.

7. Q, Will there be a sequel or should we just vibe off this Love Jones story?
    A, Well I have many other books to come so I never say never, I will consider it in the future!

Find Angela at: www.thehealthyhair.com . E-mail is cherrywinepublisher@yahoo.com