tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64646606775164166212024-02-21T10:30:26.766-08:00BAN Radio Show Community BlogAuthor Interviews, Book Spotlights and Reader Reviews.Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.comBlogger468125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-37619944153352272042015-11-18T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-30T03:53:09.824-08:00Sneak Peek: Grant Park by Leonard Pitts, Jr.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Grant Park by Leonard Pitts, Jr.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Grant
Park is a page-turning and provocative look at black and white
relations in contemporary America, blending the absurd and the poignant
in a powerfully well-crafted narrative that showcases Pitts's gift for
telling emotionally wrenching stories.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Grant Park
begins in 1968, with Martin Luther King's final days in Memphis. The
story then moves to the eve of the 2008 election, and cuts between the
two eras as it unfolds. Disillusioned columnist Malcolm Toussaint,
fueled by yet another report of unarmed black men killed by police,
hacks into his newspaper's server to post an incendiary column that had
been rejected by his editors. Toussaint then disappears, and his
longtime editor, Bob Carson, is summarily fired within hours of the
column's publication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">While a furious Carson tries to
find Toussaint—at the same time dealing with the reappearance of a lost
love from his days as a 60s activist—Toussaint is abducted by two
improbable but still-dangerous white supremacists plotting to explode a
bomb at Obama's planned rally in Grant Park. Toussaint and Carson are
forced to remember the choices they made as idealistic, impatient young
men, when both their lives were changed profoundly by their work in the
civil rights movement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Editorial Reviews From the Publisher</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><b>"A novel as significant as it is engrossing." —Booklist, starred review</b><br /><br />"Grant
Park is layered, insightful, and passionate. Pitts's subtly explosive
language grips readers with the delicate subject matter and earnestly
implores them to understand that '[race] has always meant something and
it always will.' The scars will remain, but stunningly powerful
examinations like Grant Park can be the salve that helps heal open
wounds." <b>—Shelf-Awareness, starred review</b><br /><br />"An important
book, one that honestly examines the current, tumultuous racial divide
in our country and demands we not turn away from its harsh realities." <b>—Amy Canfield, Miami Herald</b><br /><br />"[A]
high-stakes, hard-charging political thriller. . . . The sharply etched
characters, careful attention to detail, and rich newspaper lore propel
Pitts's socially relevant novel." <b>—Publishers Weekly</b><br /><br />"Leonard
Pitts has written a taut thriller that weaves together a stark look at
America's tortured racial past with a fast-paced tale of terrorist
conspiracy and love rekindled." <b>—Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun Times</b><br /><br />"The book is a page-turner, but also one that commands deep reflection on history, racism, and personal choices." <b>—Blanca Torres, The Seattle Times</b><br /><br />"Pitts
masterfully revisits [election night on November 4, 2008] and four
decades of the civil rights struggle to create one of the most
suspenseful and spectacular fictitious moments you'll experience this
fall." <b>—Patrik Henry Bass, Essence</b><br /><br />"Pitts does a skillful
job of building tension in the novel's historical sections as well as on
Election Day. . . . He also does something not every political thriller
writer does: builds believable, complex characters."<b> — Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times</b><br /><br />"And
then there are those thrills—gasping, mouth-gaping page-turners that
author Leonard Pitts Jr. weaves through another realism: truthful,
brutal plot-lines about racial issues of the last five decades, mulling
over exactly how far we’ve really come. That makes this
will-they-live-or-won't-they nail-biter into something that also made me
think, and I absolutely loved it." <b>—Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">GRANT PARK: CHAPTER ONE</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
Martin Luther King stood at the railing, facing west. The moon was a
pale crescent just rising in early twilight to share the sky with a
waning sun. He leaned over, joking with the men in the parking lot
below. A couple of them were wrestling playfully with James Orange, a
good-natured man with a build like a brick wall.<br />
<br />
“Now, you be careful with preachers half your size,” King teased him.<br />
<br />
“Dr. King,” called Orange in a plaintive voice, “it’s two of them and one of me. You should be asking them not to hurt me.”<br />
<br />
“Doc,” someone called out from below, “this is Ben Branch. You remember Ben.”<br />
<br />
“Oh yes,” said King. “He’s my man. How are ya, Ben?”<br />
<br />
Another voice yelled up from below. “Glad to see you, Doc.”<br />
<br />
As Malcolm Toussaint moved toward King, it struck him that the preacher
seemed somehow lighter than he had the last time Malcolm had seen him.
It had been late one night a week before, by the Dumpsters out back of
the Holiday Inn. The man Malcolm met that night had seemed… weighted, so
much so that even Malcolm had found himself concerned and
moved—Malcolm, who had long scorned the great reverend doctor, who had,
in the fashion of other young men hip, impatient, and cruel, mocked him
as “De Lawd.” But that was before Malcolm had met the man. That was
before they had talked. Now he moved toward King, his mind roiling with
the decision that had sprung from that moment, the news he had come to
share. King, he knew, would be pleased. There would be a smile, perhaps a
heavy hand clamping on Malcolm’s shoulder. “Good for you, Brother
Malcolm,” he would say. “Good for you.”<br />
<br />
Malcolm was vaguely amused to find himself here on this balcony,
anticipating this man’s approval. If you had told him just a few days
ago that he would be here, ready to go back to school, ready to embrace
nonviolent protest, he would have laughed. But that, too, was before.
Malcolm meant to raise his hand just then, to catch King’s attention,
but a movement caught his eye. Just a reflected ray of the dying sun,
really, glinting off something in a window across the street. Something
that—he knew this instinctively—should not have been there. He wondered
distractedly what it was.<br />
<br />
King’s voice drew him back. “I want you to sing it like you’ve never
sung it before,” he was calling to someone in the parking lot below.
“Sing it real pretty.” And Malcolm realized he had missed something,
because he had no idea what they were talking about. His attention had
been distracted by… what was that?<br />
<br />
“It’s getting chilly.” Yet another voice calling to King from below. “I think you’ll need a topcoat.”<br />
<br />
“Okay, Jonesy,” King was saying. “You really know how to take good care of me.”<br />
<br />
And here, the moment breaks, time fracturing as time sometimes will into
its component parts, until an event is no longer composed of things
happening in a sequence, but somehow all happens at once. And you can
see and touch and live all the smaller moments inside the right now.
This is how it is for Malcolm Toussaint now. King is laughing. Malcolm
is taking a step toward him. King is straightening. Laughter is echoing
from below. King is reaching into a pocket for his cigarettes. He is
becoming aware of Malcolm on his left. His head is coming around. There
are the bare beginnings of a welcoming smile. And Malcolm knows.
Suddenly knows. And Malcolm is leaping, leaping across space, across
time itself, becoming airborne—he was sure of it, that detail felt
right, even though by this time King is barely six feet away. Malcolm
grabbing two hands full of expensive silk, yanking Martin Luther King
off balance, yanking him down hard in the same instant they all hear the
popping sound like a firecracker, in the same instant he feels the
soft-nosed 30.06 bullet whistle past his cheek like a phantom breath, in
the same instant he falls awkwardly across King’s chest.<br />
<br />
And then…<br />
<br />
And then time seems to reel for a crazy breathless moment, as if
decid¬ing what to do now. The fulcrum of history teetering, the future
hanging, suspended in midair.<br />
Until all at once and with a brutal force, time decides itself and slams back into gear.<br />
<br />
A woman shrieked.<br />
<br />
Someone yelled, “Somebody is shooting!”<br />
<br />
Someone yelled, “Doc, are you OK?”<br />
<br />
Someone yelled, “Stay down!”<br />
<br />
Malcolm’s breath was ragged in his own ears. His heart hammered like
drums. Then from beneath him, he heard a familiar baritone voice say
calmly, very calmly, but yet, with a touch of breathless wonder. “Oh my
God. Was that a gunshot?”<br />
<br />
Their eyes met. Malcolm didn’t speak. Couldn’t speak. “Brother Malcolm,”
said Martin Luther King, his voice still suffused with wonder and yet,
also, an almost unnatural calm, “I think you just saved my life.”<br />
<br />
Malcolm was overwhelmed by the thereness of the man. He was not myth and
mist and history. He was not a posterboard image on a wall behind a
child dutifully reciting in a child’s thin, sweet tenor, “I have a dream
today.” No, he was there, beneath 20-year-old Malcolm Toussaint, who
had fallen crosswise on top of him. Malcolm could feel the weight and
heft of him, the fall and rise of his chest. He could see his very
pores, could smell the tobacco on his breath, the Aramis on his collar.
Martin Luther King was there, still alive, beneath him. Malcolm opened
his mouth to speak.<br />
<br />
And then, he awoke.<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
( Continued... )<br />
<br />
© 2015 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the
author, Leonard Pitts Jr. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the
author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional
purposes only.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
Purchase Grant Park by Leonard Pitts, Jr.</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grant-Park-Leonard-Pitts-Jr/dp/1932841911" target="_blank">Amazon: http://amzn.com/1932841911 </a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/grant-park-leonard-pitts-jr/1121340756?ean=9781932841916" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QAHE1E</a><br />
<a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Grant_Park.html?id=sjD5rQEACAAJ" target="_blank">GoogleBooks: http://bit.ly/1VY3qzr</a><br />
IndieBound: <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781932841916">http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781932841916</a><br />
Agate Publishing: <a href="http://www.agatepublishing.com/titles/grant-park">http://www.agatepublishing.com/titles/grant-park</a><br />
Books a Million: <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781932841916">http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781932841916</a> <br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span><br />Leonard Pitts, Jr.</b>
is a nationally syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald and winner of
the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, in addition to many other
awards. He is also the author of the novels Freeman (Agate Bolden, 2012)
and Before I Forget (Agate Bolden, 2009); the collection Forward From
this Moment: Selected Columns, 1994-2009, Daily Triumphs, Tragedies, and
Curiosities (Agate Bolden, 2009); and Becoming Dad: Black Men and the
Journey to Fatherhood (Agate Bolden, 2006). Born and raised in Southern
California, Pitts now lives in suburban Washington, D.C., with his wife
and children.</span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-82450238239538171272014-06-26T08:40:00.003-07:002014-06-26T08:40:27.802-07:00Intimate Conversation with Colette (Ford) Harrell
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Colette (Ford) Harrell</b> the author of the debut novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Made-Me-Do/dp/1601627823" target="_blank"> The Devil Made Me Do
</a> It is passionate about the written word. Holding a master’s
degree, she is a director of human services. Her creation and
implementation of a health and energy medical program stands as a best
practices model. As
a motivational speaker, she specializes in customer and human
service workshops on state and national levels. She is
co-founder of COJACK Productions, a Christian entertainment company.
As an active member of her church, Kingdom Christian Center, she serves
in several ministries.<br />
<br />
Colette is a wife, mother, author, poet, songwriter, and playwright.
Her novel is a delectable read, where romance, suspense, humor, and the
supernatural all come together to entertain, educate, and inspire.
A Detroit native, she currently resides in Ohio, writing with humor
and compassion to engage and minister to the human heart. Her motto is:
whatever you do, do it “for love alone.”<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?</b><br />
When I was sixteen years old, I had chicken pox. Now, I’m not sure
if you know, but the older you are when you get chicken pox, the worse
you look. I defined UGLY. I wouldn’t even let my best friend see me.
But, I was bored. A
shoot-me-now,-’cause-this-ain’t-getting-any-better-type of boredom.
Every day my friend would phone and tell me what happened at school, and
I would share what happened on the soaps. After two days of watching
that paint dry, we decided to write our own soap opera—only nobody was
singing. I mean nobody . . . but it opened the door to a dream.<br />
<br />
From then on, I knew that someday I would write a book. I started writing <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-devil-made-me-do-it-colette-r-harrell/1117024806?ean=9781601627827" target="_blank"> The Devil Made Me Do It</a>
when I saw a writer’s contest on the Internet. You needed one hundred
pages of a story. I wrote the pages to see if I could do it, and I was
superamped to find out I was one of the winners of the contest. It
encouraged me to continue writing and to finish the book.<br />
<br />
The story of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Made-Me-Do/dp/1601627823" target="_blank">The Devil Made Me Do It</a>
resounded in my spirit because I always wondered what would happen if
the heavens (or hell) rolled back and we could see what was happening in
the supernatural. There birthed my trilogy, the Heaven over Hell
series.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?</b><br />
Absolutely. I’m this down-home chick with a Southern twang from the
hood of southwest Detroit. I was raised in a two-parent household with
four siblings. My parents were all about reading versus television
consumption. I think we were the last household in the neighborhood to
purchase a color television. What we did have were books, magazines, and
newspapers. I was still in elementary school when I walked to the River
Rouge Library (a good mile away) to borrow books. Many times I walked
alone. But at that age, reading was my passion, and it still is.<br />
<br />
For me, a good book is like good gossip—you just have to share it.
In sharing, I began to want to tell my own story, my own way. As a
result, I have always loved to tell a good story—I promise there weren’t
any lies—sometimes making it up as I went.<br />
<br />
Growing up in Detroit, I found myself in some tight spots, just by
the nature of being in the vicinity of something “going down.” It’s a
wonder I never woke up dead. When that happened, I would call on my
praying mother, begging her to pray just one more prayer. Eventually,
those times taught me how much God must love my hardheaded,
tryna-get-it-right foolish self. Now, there are always two sides to
every coin. And some of the spots I was graced (Mama was praying hard!)
to wiggle out of were pretty tight—persuading me fully that the devil
must hate me. I know I really hate him and his modus operandi. Hence, my
story, The Devil Made Me Do It, and how I decided to tell it.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Where do your book ideas come from?</b><br />
My book ideas evolve from my conversations with others. My friends
and I tend to have these deep conversations that result in my getting
this animated lightbulb over my head. Its bright glow and halo effect
asks the question: “What if?” My stories answer those questions.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?</b><br />
Wow . . . I think a little of both. I start out with the light
shining over my head, and I take that idea and begin writing without
thought, and then a plot unfolds and the characters in the plot begin to
take shape and demand to tell their story. I let them have their way.
And, there are times when even I’m surprised at the choices they make.
In
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Made-Me-Do/dp/1601627823" target="_blank"> The Devil Made Me Do
It</a>, Briggs’s and Esther’s journey totally amazed me. Even though
each book in the Heaven over Hell trilogy stands alone, the next two
books will continue their saga.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? </b><br />
I consider the book Christian fiction with an edge. I say that
because, yes, my characters are Christian (well, most of them), but they
aren’t perfect, and they don’t part the Red Sea or walk on water
(although I do believe that miracles and wonders still occur). My
characters sometimes make poor choices, and they have to face the
consequences of those choices.<br />
<br />
My main character, Esther, as a child, believed she was special. I
once heard someone say that African American parents tend to tell their
children not to think more of themselves than they should. They went on
to explain that this schematic stemmed from slavery, when thinking too
much of yourself could get you killed. As years passed, we reinforced
these beliefs with negative thought patterns that belittled rather than
built up. We’ve all heard: “You think you’re so cute” . . . “Stop
getting a big head” . . . “Stop acting like you all of that!” And, these
utterances of wisdom were from family members!<br />
<br />
I wanted to explore what happens when the devil comes for your sense
of self at a young age, and he didn’t just stumble on to you; he’s on
assignment. The scripture pertaining to the devil wanting to kill,
steal, and destroy you is not only speaking of a physical act, but it is
also mental and emotional in origin.<br />
<br />
The book’s glimpse into the supernatural provides a twist that is
“cover-your-eyes scary,” and in the next chapter “slap the table, fun
and humorous.” Esther Wiley is one of three childhood friends who are
joined at the hip from kindergarten to college. In college, Esther meets
Briggs Stokes, and they fall in love. But, life throws all the friends a
shocking curve ball that causes a ripple effect that lasts for years.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?</b><br />
Esther dares to believe, even from a young age, that she is special.
As African Americans, we are so conditioned not to speak well of
ourselves less we be called prideful. Sometimes we become so conditioned
to not think ourselves wonderful that we end up with self-esteem
issues. Esther dared to believe and to act on that belief.<br />
<br />
Briggs is a son of privilege, but it’s that same privilege that
makes him come to believe that in his truest self he is invisible. It’s
not just about his inherited money, but about who he really is. He
struggles with the question: How do you grow up around God’s anointed
superstar and still be seen for yourself?<br />
<br />
The devil uses both of these issues to destroy the destiny God has
for each of them. When they allow the spirit of lack to decide their
futures, both lose. Identity theft was committed long before the
computer age. My pastor has always taught that if you fail to know the
purpose of a thing, you are destined to abuse it.<br />
This first book in the trilogy shows the hidden agenda of those who
should be for you and how making the right decision when you come to
spiritual forks in your road will decide your destiny. And, for the
record, it doesn’t end on a cliff-hanger. LOL.<br />
</span></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="15" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/bullet.gif" width="16" />READ
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-69037631490626630962014-06-26T08:39:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:39:03.153-07:00Intimate Conversation with Nakia R. Laushaul<div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13930" style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b>Nakia R. Laushaul
</b>resides in Houston, Texas with her lovable teenage son. She is an
inspirational poet, motivational speaker, novelist and entrepreneur. She
recently stepped away from Corporate America to pursue a more creative
life. She is the CEO and chief designer of A Reader’s Perspective, which
offers a host of literary services ranging from publishing
consultations to typesetting.<br />
<br />
Nakia is the author of, “The Truth As I See It: In Poetry & Prose,”
“Running from Solace,” a 2011 USA Book News Best Books Award Winner and
2012 Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Nakia is
featured in the Writer’s Digest inaugural publication dedicated to
self-published authors: “2014 Guide to Self-Publishing.” Nakia is proud
to present her 2014 title to readers, Locked in Purgatory.<br />
<br />
Nakia is committed to challenging everyone within her reach to find
compassion and empathy in the differences that exist among us all. Nakia
truly believes that by doing what you love, you become happy! She hopes
that you will go find your happiness.<br />
<br />
For more information or to book Nakia R. Laushaul for your book club
meeting or other special event, visit her website:
www.NakiaRLaushaul.com. Check out her blog, Random Rants of Truth of a
Social Butterfly: http://nakialaushaul.blogspot.com. For more
information regarding publishing services please visit:
<a href="http://www.areadersperspective.com/">www.areadersperspective.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?</b><br />
I started writing this book two days after I finished writing my first
novel, Running from Solace in 2010 because there was so much more that
needed to be said on the topic of generational curses. I finished it in
2012 and I’ve had an interesting journey to publication up until this
very day. Why now? We have got to save our families.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing?</b><br />
Definitely. If I touch a tree limb, I am inspired. I see a character, a
setting, and snippets of dialogue in everything. I have had an amazingly
tumultuous and blessed life. And many of my experiences have been just
so I could write from the inside out.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven? </b><br />
A character will begin speaking to me around the same time I see a title
and a new book idea is born. I think I go right down the middle between
character and plot driven stories. The characters drive the plots/the
plots move the characters. Both are important and need to be
well-developed.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider
your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?</b><br />
I write Inspirational Fiction. All of my books are available in paper and digital formats.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?</b><br />
I have three main characters: Luther Bennett, the family Patriarch who
has fallen from grace. He’s the kind of man you’ll love to hate. Maybe.
Next, there’s Lynne Bennett, Luther’s misguided adult daughter. She’s
the woman we all know and love who just can’t seem to get it together in
the romance department. Finally, Samuel Bennett, Luther’s eldest son, a
man after Luther’s own heart, but at what cost?<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What topics are primarily discussed? Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?</b><br />
Locked in Purgatory tackles the very sensitive subject of fatherlessness
and abandonment from a very real perspective. It’s not just another
story about a deadbeat dad, it’s so much more than that. I am still in
awe that I wrote it. I feel as though I experienced an amazing level of
growth as a writer and a human being and I am humbled for being chosen
to deliver this message.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?</b><br />
If my books are being read by people I don’t know and will most likely
never meet, I’ve accomplished my goal—I’m being read. I am a success.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book? </b><br />
I want my readers to feel the emotions, to understand and have empathy
for the characters who are all far too real. And after the last word has
been read, and the one final sigh escapes your lips, if you are a woman
reading Locked in Purgatory, I want you to pass it on to a man. If you
know a father heading down purgatory road, like Luther—give him this
book.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?</b><br />
Website: www.NakiaRLaushaul.com<br />
Blog: www.nakialaushaul.blogspot.com<br />
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nakiarl<br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nakia.laushaul<br />
Instagram: www.instagram.com/agirlnamedkikiwrites<br />
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</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
Purchase Locked in Purgatory by Nakia R. Laushaul<br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/B00KG3J9NA">http://amzn.com/B00KG3J9NA</a> </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-43353252654409339982014-06-26T08:38:00.001-07:002014-06-26T08:38:09.949-07:00Intimate Conversation with Pamela Samuels Young<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Intimate Conversation with Pamela Samuels Young<br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />Pamela Samuels Young</b>
is
a NAACP Image Award winning author and practicing attorney who’s taken a
brief hiatus from crafting her fast-paced mystery novels to write about
her newest passion: natural hair care. In her first non-fiction book,
<a href="http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com/books/index.html" target="_blank"> Kinky Coily: A Resource Guide to Going
Natural</a>, Pamela chronicles her transition to natural hair. Kinky
Coily also provides tips and resources for other women who want to begin
their own natural hair journey. A bona fide natural hair enthusiast,
Pamela is excited about sharing her new found knowledge in the hope of
helping other women learn the beauty and versatility of their kinky
coils. You can visit Pamela’s YouTube channel, KinkyCurlyPamela, and her
website, www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com, for more hair care tips and
videos.<br />
<br />
Have you been thinking about transitioning to natural hair, but don’t know where to start? Then
<a href="http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com/books/index.html" target="_blank"> Kinky Coily: A Resource Guide for Going Natural</a>
is for you. A literal treasure trove of information, Kinky Coily is a
roadmap for anyone interested in beginning a natural hair journey.
You’ll find the best bloggers, the best books and magazines, as well as
recommendations on how to select the right hair care tools and
products.<br />
<br />
Better yet, you’ll learn how to begin your natural hair journey, how to
develop a weekly hair care regime and how to track your progress.
Whether you’re transitioning from a relaxer, ready to give up your weave
or flat iron, or already rocking your natural locs,
<a href="http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com/books/index.html" target="_blank"> Kinky Coily: A Resource Guide for Going Natural
</a> will open your eyes to the true beauty and versatility of your naturally kinky coils.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Why did you go natural? How did you start the journey from permed hair to natural hair?</b><br />
I decided to go natural after my hair started falling out from a
relaxer. One day I had a head full of hair and only a few months later, I
had patches of bald spots. My hair was shedding at an alarming rate
every single day and neither I nor the hair stylist I was seeing knew
how to stop it. A friend of mind had recently gone natural and
introduced me to her natural hair mentor, Deanie. Deanie met me at the
beauty supply, told me about sulfates and moisturizing, recommended
conditioners and protein treatment, and gave me a list of do’s and
don’ts. After the very first treatment, my hair stopped falling
out—immediately. That’s when I became a believer and set out on a
journey to take charge of my own hair care.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Did you go for the "big chop" or did you transition to natural hair with braids or a wig?</b><br />
Initially, I refused to do the big chop. I just didn’t want to sport a
teeny weenie after. So I hid my damaged hair underneath a wig. But after
about three months, I got tired of putting on a wig every morning and
taking it off every night. So I did it. I chopped it all off and I’m so
glad I did.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How did your husband feel about your new hair styles? Was his input a major concern?</b><br />
My husband does not like my natural hair! But I do! He prefers my hair
straightened. But I know that once it grows longer, he’ll love it.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: We saw your <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KinkyCurlyPamela" target="_blank"> YouTube
videos</a>. Amazing! You are so brave to share your story with millions, what inspired you?</b><br />
I’ve learned so much about my natural hair. For example, I had no idea
my hair had a natural wave pattern. So many people see my hair and say,
“My hair would never do that.” I would’ve said the same thing. That’s
because we don’t know our hair!
I’m on a mission to change that. Your readers can view all of the
videos: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KinkyCurlyPamela"> http://www.youtube.com/user/KinkyCurlyPamela</a> <br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What three tips would you offer women who are thinking about going natural?</b><br />
My top three tips are: 1) No sulfates! Either wash with a conditioner
(co-wash) or find a sulfate free shampoo; 2) stay away from the heat,
that means flat irons as well as blow dryers; and 3) moisturize,
moisturize, moisturize. Kinky hair needs moisture!
I deep condition at least twice a week and moisturize and seal nightly.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What products do you use? Share with us your favorite products.</b><br />
Unfortunately, the same products don’t work for every hair texture.
You’ll need to experiment to find out what works best for you. I have
kinky, tightly coiled hair. So if you have a looser curl pattern or if
your hair isn’t as coarse as mine, the products I love won’t work for
you.<br />
<br />
That said, my can’t-do-without products are: Uncle Funky’s Daughter
Curly Magic, Kinky Curly Knot Today conditioner, Organic Roots
Stimulator’s Temple Balm and Curl Refresher, and Herbal Essence Long
Term Relationship Conditioner. I love Herbal Essence for co washing. I
also love mixing my own oils. My favorites are amla oil, avocado oil,
jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil and peppermint oil.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How long did it take for your hair become more healthy in your opinion?</b><br />
It took about three months before I noticed my bald spots growing in.
Within about six months, I really saw a change. My hair grew back much
thicker and healthier.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How did you wear your hair to work during the transition?</b><br />
I hid my damaged hair underneath a wig, until I finally broke down and
did the big chop. I have to say, though, my Mommy wig was quite cute. I
still plan to wear it sometime.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Do you think our hair has a lot to do with our body image and self-esteem?</b><br />
Absolutely! I don’t care what I’m wearing. If my hair isn’t right, I don’t feel good about myself.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Research helps us learn to embrace our beautiful hair. Did you do a lot of research?</b><br />
Tons of research. I recommend that everybody read The Science of Black
Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care by Audrey
Davis-Sivasothy. That book is an encyclopedia on kinky hair. I learned
so much from that book. And I lived on the internet and YouTube. My
favorite bloggers are Curly Nikki, Naptural 85, KimmayTube, Mahogany
Curls and African Export. I owe those sistas a debt of gratitude for
everything they taught me.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What was the most rewarding part of this experience?</b><br />
All the compliments I get about my hair. Women always come up to me to
ask about the products I use and I’m always glad to share.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How will your book Kinky Coily motivate women to consider moving toward natural hair care?</b><br />
I think when they see other women taking charge of their own hair, they will feel free to do the same.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book and your how-to-videos?</b><br />
I want them to have the confidence to take charge of their own hair
care. I’m not trying to put hair stylists out of business. But I want
women to know they can remedy their own hair care problems. If I’d known
everything I know now when my hair started falling out, I could have
stopped my shedding. My hair was damaged from the heat and badly needed
moisture. I was also getting touch ups too often. But I didn’t that
because I knew nothing about the care of my hair. Now I do! <br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What advice would you give a person who wants to tell their hair care story?</b><br />
Take good notes during your hair care journey. I keep a journal and took
pictures every three months. After you finish your book, ask for
constructive feedback from family and friends.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.</b><br />
I’m working on a books and beauty showcase called Natural Born Writers.
Several fiction authors who just happen to be natural, are going to
gather to talk about books and being natural. A popular natural hair
blogger will also join us. We hope to hit several cities. So stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<b>Connect with Pamela Online</b><br />
www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com<br />
www.twitter.com/pamsamuelsyoung<br />
www.youtube.com/kinkycurlypamela<br />
www.facebook.com/pamelasamuelsyoung<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-81751783866571136882014-06-26T08:36:00.004-07:002014-06-26T08:36:57.414-07:00Intimate Conversation with William Fredrick Cooper<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Intimate Conversation with William Fredrick Cooper<br /></span></b></span></div>
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<b>William Fredrick Cooper Uplifts The African-American Community With His Novels</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />
William Fredrick Cooper</b> is the author of the critically-acclaimed
SIX DAYS IN JANUARY, the Essence/Black Expressions Bestselling novel
THERE'S ALWAYS A REASON and the author of ONE SEASON IN PINSTRIPES, a
sports memoir chronicling the 2009 championship season of the New York
Yankees. A dynamic speaker known for giving enlightening radio
interviews, he has edited several award-winning novels and contributed
to New York Times bestselling anthologies and national periodicals such
as Ebony Magazine.<br />
<br />
His fourth book, UNBREAKABLE (A LOVE BALLAD) is scheduled for
publication on March
18, 2014. (All books were published through Strebor Books/Simon and
Schuster). A Brooklyn native and the proud father of Maranda Nicole
Cooper, stop by Cooper's Facebook page www.facebook.com/wfcooper, listen
to some great music and say hello.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road did you travel?</b><br />
Ella, I traveled the road of self-publishing. Back in 2000, when I
received my 72nd and last rejection letter, one that actually said my
writing was “too emotional for a black man,” (sigh) I decided to do this
on my own. So I went to First Books Library (Currently known as Author
House), a print-on-demand company.<br />
<br />
In 2001, I was speaking at the University of Maryland at College Park
about the struggles of my literary journey and little did I know God had
put someone in that audience that was listening to my every word. After
the conference the woman and I put books up for a vendor.
She me told her vision then asked me to tag along. At first I rejected
her, but she never forgot about me, even as she grew in stature. Through
her, I received my first computer (when I wrote the lead story in the
book Sistergirls.com), and the rest is history. I owe her a bit, and
love her in my own special way. Thanks, Zane.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What is your definition of success? Does money play a part in how you gauge success?</b><br />
My definitions of success are broad and none of them have anything to do
with money. That we are contributing pebbles in the vast ocean of
African-American Literary History makes us successful. That a person can
maximize their potential in any area of light at a high level defines
success.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What books or authors made a difference in your life?</b><br />
So many books have inspired me. Terry McMillan and “Waiting to Exhale”
was one, because it started the current literary phenomenon. The
literary works of David Halberstam (Summer of ’49, October of 1964, The
Best and the Brightest) have influenced my flow, as I love his
intellectual rhythm with words.<br />
<br />
The romance writers (Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, Brenda Jackson, Cheryl
Faye) taught me narrative imagery, James Baldwin’s diversity, Timmothy
McCann’s books passion, Eric Jerome Dickey’s usage of commas in
paragraphs, Cornel West, Earl Graves and others for social content, and
of course, The BIBLE, for faith.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How many books have you written? How has your writing style
evolved over the years? What stimulated your growth the most? </b><br />
Ella, I am blessed to have done four books. Three of them novels, and a
fourth was a sports book. God has really blessed me with a versatile
pen: In my early days, I wrote novels and steamy erotic short stories,
but I would always challenge myself in writing short op-ed pieces on
diverse issues. That would eventually pay off when I wrote my sports
memoir ONE SEASON IN PINSTRIPES.<br />
<br />
Good writers stimulate me. People like Robert Fleming (Cole Riley)
influenced me so much as a writer, because they can do anything with a
pen. Intellectually stimulating and articulately-driven, I admire his
range. I think he’s one of the most underappreciated writers of our
generation. GIVE HIM HIS
DUE!!!<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?</b><br />
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, STUDY YOUR CRAFT! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STUDY THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THIS. A LOT OF
GREED!! TOO MUCH GREED!!<br />
<b><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/index1interviews.html"><br /><br />
<img border="0" height="15" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/bullet.gif" width="16" />READ
MORE HERE</a></b></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-81302847864983780832014-06-26T08:36:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:36:10.809-07:00Intimate Conversation with Mary B. Morrison <div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Intimate Conversation with Mary B. Morrison <br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br /><br />Mary B.
Morrison</b>, New York Times best-selling author also writes as HoneyB.
She has 20 novels including her newest release,
If You Don't Know Me. Writing for both Kensington Publishing Corporation
as Mary B. Morrison and Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner
Books) as HoneyB, Mary is at the top of the African-American fiction
genre.
In her novels, Mary addresses social and sexual issues that impacts
relationships. Mary is pro-female empowerment and believes all women are
worthy of living free from abuse.<br />
<br />
Mary received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Vista (now
Berkeley) Community College. She worked 18 years for the government.
Earning nearly six-figures, Mary resigned from the US Department of
Housing and Urban Development on June 3, 2000, and withdrew her
retirement to self-publish her debut novel Soulmates Dissipate.
Soulmates Dissipate is currently being made for motion picture by
Codeblack Entertainment and Lionsgate.
In 2006, Mary sponsored an anthology publishing 33 students entitled
Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders.<br />
<br />
Mary currently splits her time between Atlanta, Georgia and Oakland,
California. Her wonderful son Jesse Byrd, Jr. is writing his first novel
for 6th to 8th graders.
To contact Mary visit <a href="http://www.marymorrison.com/"> www.MaryMorrison.com</a>.
Check out all of the books by Mary B. Morrison on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU"> http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU</a> <br />
<br />
<b>BPM: From Mary B. Morrison comes the sizzling tale of two friends
and the provocative bet that forever changes their
lives and the lives of so many others. Now, with all of their futures up
in the air, who will play one vengeful game too many? And who will wish
she wasn’t left standing?
What is the main topics in your latest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank"> If You Don't Know
Me</a>?</b><br />
Deception runs deeper than love. Men and women will lie to get what
they want, fight to keep the person they don’t deserve, and hate the one
they love most. People do this because they don’t know who they are but
believe they can define their partner.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to?</b><br />
Everyone that reads or listens to my books on audio. I’m pro-female
empowerment. I write strong female characters. No matter how difficult
the journey may be for my heroines/protagonists, they almost always
overcome their obstacles. I believe women rule. The problem, as I see
it, irrespective of socio-economic status, is that most women don’t
realize how powerful they are.<br />
<b><br />
BPM: You believe strongly in: </b><br />
God. Sexual liberation. Self-actualization. Non-judgment. Taking risk.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Faith allows you to: </b><br />
Overcome fear of failure. God never fails us. He never lets us down. If
we fall, He extends a hand. Faith allows me to stand-in ‘my’ truth and
stand-up for what ‘I’ believe in.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Criticism makes you:</b><br />
Stronger. I wholeheartedly embrace freedom of speech and expression.
What people say about me and/or my work expresses how they feel about
themselves. How and what I respond to defines me.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Do you consider yourself a role model: </b><br />
I don’t consider myself a role model. I feel I’m an inspiration to many
of my fans and readers. Eddie Murphy, Terry McMillan, Tyler Perry, and
Wendy Williams are just a few of the people who inspire me because I
aspire to do more than what they’ve done.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: When you are afraid, you will:</b><br />
Sleep with the light on. Not in the traditional sense. I mean seek
clarity. Manifest destiny. I’m not really afraid of anything, especially
failure. Why? Because failure is a concept and the catalyst to
success.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What surprised you the most about becoming an adult:</b><br />
Growing up is a natural progression. As a kid, I worried I wouldn’t be
able to pay rent, bills, etc. We learn work ethics and discipline
starting with . . . do your homework, clean your room, go to bed. I give
my guardians and teachers my gold stars for helping me to become who I
am. The word ‘believe’ may be the most powerful word in all of our
development. When others believe in us, we’re awesome. When we believe
in ourselves, we are amazing!<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: The greatest threat to literary freedom is: </b><br />
Censorship. Doesn’t matter if it originates in the mind of the writer
or the omission of the editor, it’s lethal. Deleting or changing one
word can alter the meaning of an entire sentence. The most genuine
aspect of writing is to be authentic. Society is so sensitive that
freedom of speech isn’t free. Say or write something offensive and you
could jeopardize your life-long career.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How has your writing evolved: </b><br />
It’s eternally evolving. I’m working on giving readers what they want
before they realize they need it. I consider the non-fiction book I’m
penning, D.A.D.: A Woman’s Guide to Choosing the Right One, a new
perspective for a new generation.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Do you view writing as a gift or a career:</b><br />
The answer for me is both. Fourteen years in the industry and currently
working on book number twenty-one denotes sustainability. I don’t take
my success for granted. Each novel is more difficult to pen because I’m
always striving to do and become better.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Advice you would give a new author:</b><br />
Be true to your characters or they will be false to your readers. You
cannot please everyone. Don’t try. Do not censor your first writing. Let
it flow. Always hire a professional editor. Learn the business. Brand
yourself. Set and attain goals. Know what you want. Please don’t tell
me, “I just want to write a book. I don’t care about making money.”
Then talk to someone who isn’t making money. You don’t need advice from
me for that. Don’t ask me, “I want to write a book. Where do I start?”
Published writers, editors, and agents respect you when you can show
(not prove) you’ve accomplished something.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Your greatest accomplishment as a writer: </b><br />
Is yet to come. What I appreciate most is having a loyal fan base. Some
readers have purchased all of my books. I love them for that. I do take
time to smell the roses but there’s so much I want to do I know I’m
going to run out of time before I do it all. I’m ready to produce my
first book-to-film with Codeblack Entertainment. I’m eager to write for
television, executive produce another stage play, open a restaurant, and
host a talk show. There’s so much to do I don’t focus on what I’ve
done. Already getting paid for that. On to the next!<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What you know for sure: </b><br />
I love my sons, Jesse and Max. Max is my adorable seven-year-old
Yorkshire terrier. Men are like dogs but harder to train. I have no
problem telling a man what I want. Women need to understand that what
one man won’t do, another man will. Ladies should ask men for a
“relationship ring.” I do. It’s not a promise ring because I can’t
promise a man shit. I’ll explain why this ring is important in my
non-fiction book.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Life's greatest teacher is:</b><br />
Some may say experience. I say, “teachers.” I love my teachers so much!<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Success means: </b><br />
Being your best. Accomplishing your goals. What I/we aspire to do in
our lifetime is meaningful. For some it’s graduating from college,
others want to become astronauts. We know man can land on the moon. What
else can we do? Whatever one dreams of is extremely rewarding when it’s
achieved. But don’t stop there. Set a goal. Achieve a goal. Set a goal.
Achieve a goal. Success is not a destination or a place to vacation.
It’s a revolving door. We must sacrifice for success, not for society.
If you want to be a stay-at-home mom, do that. But do not give up your
career or livelihood to ‘do the right thing.’ I ain’t trying to be
right, y’all. I’m living to be me (whatever that is). I am not the
person anyone else thinks I should be. I am who I am.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Your writing educates, illuminates or entertains: </b><br />
All three. I can make just about anyone laugh and at the same time learn something.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Will the printed book ever become obsolete:</b><br />
I sure am glad typewriters are. I got tired of that damn whiteout,
especially when the document had carbon copies. I’m on a flight to
Atlanta and I’m working on my 11-inch MacBook Air that fits in my purse.
We no longer print our books and send them to the publishers. I love
it!
Everything is done electronically and we’re talking the last five years
or so. I tell my son that his kids will ask, “Daddy, what’s a book?” In
about 10 years (or less) I believe printed books will be a collector’s
item, and that’s not a bad thing. Buy and have them signed now!
Especially the first editions.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What legacy do you wish to leave future generations of readers: </b><br />
Positive life lessons. Time changes. Being smart will never grow or get old.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
Visit Mary online at www.marymorrison.com </b><br />
Follow Mary on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/marybmorrison"> https://twitter.com/marybmorrison</a> <br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Honey-B-Morrison/167732794577">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Honey-B-Morrison/167732794577</a> <br />
<b><br /><br /><br />
The Series in Order of Publication</b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank">Purchase the entire series today! </a><br />
Book 3: If You Don't Know Me<br />
Book 2: I'd Rather Be With You<br />
Book 1: If I Can't Have You <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank">
<img border="0" height="28" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/amazonquick.gif" width="176" />
</a>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-73151763883109217082014-06-26T08:35:00.003-07:002014-06-26T08:35:22.740-07:00More Than I Can Bear by E.N. Joy<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>More Than I Can
Bear by E.N. Joy<br /></b></span></span></div>
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</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">
<br />
Always Divas Series Book Two <br /><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Paige begs to
differ with the scripture that says God will not put on a person more
than they can bear, because she is truly on the edge. One slight push
from another one of life’s unexpected and unpleasant occurrences, and
she’ll be free falling.<br />
<br />
As if having suffered physical, mental, sexual and spiritual abuse from
her husband hadn’t weighed heavily on her enough, Paige had to deal with
learning that her best friend and sister in Christ had done the
ultimate no-no and slept with her husband. Thank God one of Paige’s
co-workers, Norman, who she now deems as a true friend, was there to
catch her fall before she hit the ground. But will Norman be there when
Paige receives news that may not only push her off the edge, but cause
her to jump willingly?<br />
<br />
In More Than I Can Bear, not only when it rains does it pour, but there
is lightening and plenty of thunder to go along with it. Will Paige
drown in the storm she finds herself in with no umbrella, or will she
catch hold of the life saver God extends to her?<br />
<b><br />
</b>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">
<br />
CHAPTER SEVEN</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<br />
<br />
“Was that my boy I heard?”<br />
<br />
The singsong voice coming from the dining room was heard prior to
Norman, Paige or Miss Nettie ever even making their way into the room.<br />
<br />
“Oh, he’s here all right, Mrs. Vanderdale,” Miss Nettie called out as
she looked back over her shoulder at Paige while pushing the swinging
dining room door at the same time. “My oh my is he here.” Miss Nettie
hustled her way through that door with Paige in tow as if there was a
three alarm fire they were trying to escape. There may not have been a
fire, but Miss Nettie knew one thing for certain, there was at least
about to be some smoke blown. And where there’s smoke…<br />
<br />
“Son! My only son. Come give Mumsy some love.”<br />
<br />
Paige watched as a pail skinned woman with blond hair and a house coat
that would have given both Maud and Mrs. Roper a run for their money,
brushed by her and embraced Norman.<br />
<br />
“Mom, please,” Norman said as his mother began planting kisses all over
his face as if he were a five year old child. “Come on, Mom,” he pleaded
to no avail, finally just dropping his arms down to his side like dead
weight and giving in. He rolled his eyes up in his head while his mother
smothered him with kisses.<br />
<br />
“You don’t come visit as often as I’d like, so I have to make up for
times missed,” his mother said, planting one more smuckerroo right on
his nose.<br />
<br />
“Come on, Mother, let’s not start with the whole ‘You never come by to
see me routine.’ You know I make it by as often as I can.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, hogwash. You’re too busy at that ridiculous peasant collar job of yours.” His mother shooed her hand.<br />
<br />
“It’s blue collar,” Norman corrected his mother, not noticing the
offended look on Paige’s face, seeming she worked at the same place of
employment. “And don’t say it with your nose up in the air, so. Miss
Nettie here’s job is blue collar. I’m sure she might find that
offensive.”<br />
<br />
“Oh please,” she shooed her hand again, never taking her eyes off of
Norman as she straightened his already straightened collar. “Nettie is
family. I don’t even consider her part of the hired help anymore. It’s
just like having a dog. Once it’s been around for so long, it’s like
part of the family,” she chuckled, planting an unforeseen peck on her
son’s lips.<br />
<br />
“What the…” Paige started under her breath, lightweight lunging toward
her mother-in-law until Miss Nettie’s grip on her hand tightened and
pulled her back.<br />
<br />
Paige’s words reminded Mrs. Vanderdale that someone other than her and
her son were in the room. She turned and addressed Mrs. Nettie. That’s
when, for the first time, she noticed Paige. “Why Miss Nettie, you
didn’t tell me one of your kin folks was in town again.” She lowered her
voice but with a stern tone and wagging finger in Miss Nettie’s face
she said, “I thought we had this talk before. Now I don’t mind your
people coming for a visit every now and again and sharing your quarters,
but you must give Mr. Vanderdale and me a heads up. Is that
understood?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, ma’am, but I-” Miss Nettie started before Mrs. Vanderdale cut her off.<br />
<br />
“Now I hope you saw to it that the kitchen staff made extra for your
guest. You know we are already going to start having an extra mouth to
feed whenever my Norman comes around now that he’s a married man.” She
sharply turned to Norman. “Speaking of which, son, where is that lovely
bride of yours? Why I can’t wait to welcome her to the family.” Mrs.
Vanderdale began looking over Norman’s shoulder toward the swinging door
leading to the living room.<br />
<br />
“She’s right there, Mother.” Norman nodded toward Paige.<br />
<br />
His mother turned around only to find Mrs. Nettie and her supposed
kinfolk standing there. She continued looking at the doorway. “Where,
Son?”<br />
<br />
“Right here, Mother. Standing right here in your face.” Norman walked
around his mother and went and stood next to Paige. “Mumsy, this is my
wife, Paige. Paige, this is-”<br />
<br />
“Mrs. Vanderdale!” Miss Nettie shouted as she quickly went to her boss’s aid.<br />
<br />
Norman joined Nettie in keeping his mother to her feet as she appeared faint and weak, as if her knees had given out.<br />
<br />
“Mom, are you okay?” Norman asked worriedly. “Miss Nettie, help get
mother over to the chair. And please, have Stuart fetch her some water.”<br />
<br />
Miss Nettie just stood there torn, not moving a muscle.<br />
<br />
“Please, Miss Nettie, why are you just standing there?” Norman asked.<br />
<br />
How could Miss Nettie tell the young lad that she didn’t want to leave
that room for not even a second? She didn’t want to miss what she felt
was long coming and overdue. “Oh shucks,” she said under her breath and
then scurried over to the swinging door that separated the dining room
from the kitchen. “Stuart, Mrs. Vanderdale needs a glass of water,
quickly.” Miss Nettie hurried back to her employer’s side. Under
ordinary circumstance she would have gotten the water herself. But to
her this was a long awaited extraordinary circumstance.<br />
<br />
Within seconds, Paige stood to the side and watched as a black man with
salt and pepper hair dressed in a long tail tux took over a glass of
water to Mrs. Vanderdale. Norman took it from his hand.<br />
<br />
“Thank you, Stuart,” Norman said with a nod, then turned and placed the glass to his mother’s lips.<br />
<br />
She took a few sips and after a moment or two, she seemed to regain her strength.<br />
<br />
“Mom, what’s going on?” Norman questioned. “Have you been feeling okay?
Are you sick again and haven’t told me?” He looked to Miss Nettie for an
answer.<br />
<br />
“No, no, not as far as I know. She’s been just fine,” Miss Nettie assured him.<br />
<br />
Norman felt his mother’s forehead. “She doesn’t seem to have a fever.”<br />
<br />
“I think it’s your fever that’s got her feeling a certain kind of way?”
Miss Nettie said between her teeth with a knowing look on her face.<br />
<br />
“Huh, what?” Norman was confused by Miss Nettie’s statement. He looked
to Paige to see if perhaps she had any idea what the older woman was
talking about. He always did have the hardest time deciphering what he
referred to as Miss Nettie’s riddles.<br />
<br />
Miss Nettie looked to Paige as well, whose expression told the older
woman that the new Mrs. Vanderdale knew exactly what the punch line was.
Paige decided to translate to her husband.<br />
<br />
“She’s talking about you having jungle fever, Norman. Your mother is in shock that your new wife is black,” Paige said.<br />
<br />
“Please, my mother doesn’t care about what color you are.” Norman turned to face his mother. “Do you mother?”<br />
<br />
His mother couldn’t speak. She was still trying to catch her breath. But
her dilating pupils begged her son to realize that he’d hit the nail on
the head.<br />
<br />
“Mother, is that what has you acting this way? The fact that Paige is black?”<br />
<br />
Realizing his mother was still trying to catch her breath, Norman
offered his mother another sip of water, of which she gulped down. She
wiped the dripping water from her chin and was finally able to speak and
the only words she could manage to force out was, “Who on earth names
their African American daughter Paige?”<br />
<br />
“Mom!” Norman said, embarrassment peeking around his tone.<br />
<br />
“Well, I’m sorry, son, but I thought I raised you better than that?”<br />
<br />
“What?” Paige had held her tongue long enough.<br />
<br />
No one noticed Miss Nettie standing off to the side with a satisfied
grin across her mouth and her nose in the air as if she was sniffing
roses instead of smoke.<br />
<br />
“Oh, my and I see she even has the attitude that comes along with it?” Mrs. Vanderdale said, grabbing her chest.<br />
<br />
“That comes along with what?” Paige asked verbally while Norman asked with his eyes.<br />
<br />
“With…” His mother motioned her index finger up and down the length of Paige’s body. “With that.”<br />
<br />
Paige took another step toward her mother-in-law.<br />
<br />
“Hold on just a minute.” Norman put his arm out, stopping Paige from
getting any closer to his dear mother. “Mother, I’m not clear on what
you’re trying to say here, but if it’s what I think it is,
disappointment in you would be describing how I feel without crossing
the line of respect.”<br />
<br />
“Norman, it’s totally clear what your mother is implying,” Paige said.
“But just in case you really don’t understand, let me break it down for
you.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, gosh, and there she goes ready to start breaking things,” Mrs.
Vanderdale panicked. “Nettie, put away all the china and crystal. I’ve
caught glimpses of those reality shows and know how they like to throw
glasses and stuff at each other.”<br />
<br />
Paige’s mouth fell to the floor. She wanted so badly to go off on her
mother-in-law for stereotyping Paige, but then she realized she’d be
going off on the wrong person. It’s those trifling basketball and
housewives she’d need to speak her peace with. She couldn’t blame Mrs.
Vanderdale for believing what her eyes showed her to be true on all
these cable networks. Not only that, but Paige had to remember that she
herself had lost control to the point where her hands had to be pried
from another woman’s head full of weave…a couple of times. She didn’t
categorize that as a ‘black’ thing though. She categorized that as a
woman out of control. And from the looks of things, if his mother kept
it up, Norman was about to be out of control as well.<br />
<br />
“Enough, Mother!” Norman spat. By now Miss Nettie had an arm full of
dishes after starting the task of which her employer had instructed her
to do. Stuart, who had remained silent off to the side, waiting for Mrs.
Vanderdale to finish her water so that he could take the glass back
into the kitchen, began helping.<br />
<br />
“Miss Nettie, Stuart, please leave the settings and excuse yourselves.”
Norman looked to Paige. “Paige, can you go with them, grab a drink,
appetizer or something? I’d like to have a word with my mother.” He
turned and shot his mother a condemning look. “Alone.”<br />
<br />
“But-” Paige started. No way did she want to excuse herself from the
room. She wanted to give her mother-in-law a piece of her mind. Or at
least bear witness to her husband giving her a piece of his mind in her
defense.<br />
<br />
“Come on, honey.” Miss Nettie took Paige by her elbow after placing the
dishes back on the table. “I make the sweetest tea mixed with lemonade
that you’d ever want to taste.”<br />
<br />
Paige didn’t budge.<br />
<br />
“Come on now,” Miss Nettie nudged. “Trust me, God’s got this.”<br />
<br />
Paige finally gave in and allowed Miss Nettie to lead her off to the swinging door that led to the kitchen.<br />
<br />
“Believe you me,” Miss Nettie said. “I don’t want to miss it either. But
don’t worry, as long as I get to witness her finding out about that bun
you got cooking in the oven, it’ll make up for whatever I miss right
here.”<br />
<br />
Paige stopped in her tracks and stared at Miss Nettie, wondering how on
God’s green earth she knew she was pregnant. Because she was plus size
and her dress was a little big, no way could that woman have realized
she was showing.<br />
<br />
Miss Nettie simply winked and said, “Child, you’d be surprised at what
God shows me in my head before it ever manifest before my eyes. Now come
on and get some of this sweet tea and lemonade. You need a break before
we’s get to round two.” Miss Nettie chuckled as they disappeared into
the kitchen.<br />
<br />
<br />
( Continued... )<br />
<br />
© 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the
author, E.N. Joy. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written
permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to
this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional
excerpt.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
More Than I Can Bear: Always Divas Series Book Two by E.N. Joy<br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/160162669X"> http://amzn.com/160162669X</a> </b><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="28" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/amazonquick.gif" width="176" /></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-7451231601065341122014-06-26T08:34:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:34:05.188-07:00The Last King by A. Yamina Collins<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">The Last King by A. Yamina Collins<br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4gMMfYyCJQzO3YXnHv-iHKx3OkzEt2dW8yAvdbMlBDrzZnxJll9AHDjH8fsZiCrU_sXk459aILJFfmpgOSYwU5bwaWzE2Jjw1eb64rVMk7UTf9igB50vAGIxFHmbBVVNsMm6liDPs8A/s1600/aaaaacovergif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4gMMfYyCJQzO3YXnHv-iHKx3OkzEt2dW8yAvdbMlBDrzZnxJll9AHDjH8fsZiCrU_sXk459aILJFfmpgOSYwU5bwaWzE2Jjw1eb64rVMk7UTf9igB50vAGIxFHmbBVVNsMm6liDPs8A/s1600/aaaaacovergif.gif" height="320" width="268" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
<b><br />
The Last King went #1 on the Free Amazon kindle bestsellers list in three categories:<br />
African American literature, historical fantasy, and African-American romance.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />A modern-day
fantasy romance about a young woman innocently caught in a war between
two age-old nemesis: God, and immortal beings whose ancestors ate from
the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.</b><br />
<br />
Twenty-eight year Emmy Hughes has never quite fit in---she's six feet
tall, dark-skinned, and daydreams of being an Elf from Lord of the
Rings. But when she is badly injured in a car accident that kills her
mother, Emmy does not dream of fantastical worlds anymore---she just
wants her shattered life to be normal again.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, normalcy is the last thing in store for her once she
meets Lake George's newest arrival, Dr. Gilead Knightly. Granted
immortality from a line of people who marched into the Garden of Eden
and ate from the Tree of Life, Gilead has been alive for centuries and
has met everyone from Nubian kings to Napoleon.<br />
<br />
But Gilead and his eccentric family are also hunted beings. Indeed, God
considers the Edenites' possession of immortality to be theft and for
thousands of years He has dealt with their transgression by sending each
of them a "Glitch" ---an unsuspecting human meant to retrieve this
stolen "property" and kill them off.<br />
<br />
When Emmy discovers that she is Gilead's Glitch, she is not only thrown
into a world of immortals who eat bone marrow, panthers who read minds,
and a family whose blood is made of pulsing gold, but she finds herself
the target of Gilead's vengeance: he must get rid of her before she gets
rid of him.<br />
<br />
Easier said than done. Because Glitches are not only an Edenite's greatest threat---they're also their greatest love.<br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-King-Book-ebook/dp/B00K1QFKSK" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />The Last King, Book I by A. Yamina Collins is an 11-part serial novel </b>
<br />
<b>Available Now: Episode
#1 and Episode #2 and Episode #3. View all chapters here.</b></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Excerpt The Last King: Book I - Series 2</span><br />
<br />
CHAPTER 8 - Her </span>
</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<br />
Kill her, a voice in his head tells him.<br />
<br />
Yes, of course, he responds. That's what I have to do.<br />
<br />
And how should he do it? Should he follow her home when the lecture is
over, come up behind her in her driveway, or wherever she lives, and
snap her neck like a twig?<br />
<br />
Whatever he does, he needs to be cruel. He needs to teach her and the
One who sent her a lesson. Yes, that's it. He will do to her what his
brother Micau did to his own Glitch: something so physically twisted
that it would make the ears of any human who hears about it and finds
her remains, shutter.<br />
<br />
Slowly he starts to straighten up and just in time. The door to the auditorium swings open suddenly, and out it walks.<br />
<br />
He cannot make out her whole face because her hands are covering her
mouth and nose, but he can see her big eyes, and the alarm in her face.<br />
<br />
Two other people are following it - following her, and making a commotion behind her.<br />
<br />
"Hold your head back," one of them is saying, trying to still the bleeding woman's franticness.<br />
<br />
But blood has already seeped onto her white dress, and Gilead can hear
her saying, "Not again, not again," as she rushes past him.<br />
<br />
Not again. So it's happened before. Gilead thinks. Of course it has It
happened the other day, while Gilead was standing outside the
restaurant, didn't it? She was somewhere around the vicinity that night,
near the boardwalk, wasn't she?<br />
<br />
In a moment, the woman, looking a bit disoriented no, disappears into
the bathroom and Gilead closes his eyes and bites his lower lip.<br />
<br />
Now he knows why he missed the fine print on the flier, and why he had a desire to come to this lecture in the first place.<br />
<br />
It's Him.<br />
<br />
Gilead curses under his breath; curses Him with everything he's got.<br />
<br />
Her? he thinks, in disgust. Against the greatness of me? That simple-looking thing?<br />
<br />
It's insulting.<br />
<br />
Opening his eyes, he takes the opportunity to move toward the exit as a
few more new comers enter the building. It's all Gilead can do to appear
as normal as possible---he stands up straight and forces himself not to
clutch his stomach.<br />
<br />
Outside, he takes in several quick breaths of air, and doubles over again.<br />
<br />
Why should he fear her?<br />
<br />
"I will break her," he mutters to himself. "If I have to rip off her whole face, I will break her."<br />
<br />
Something about him saying this brings him a feeling of relief. He is
clear-eyed and focused for a moment, even self-assured, for he knows
that once he makes up his mind about reaching a goal, it's as good as
done.<br />
<br />
He will kill her tonight, somehow.<br />
<br />
But before he can contemplate how to execute his plans, he cups a hand
over his mouth, rushes toward a nearby bush, and vomits onto the leaves
and branches.
</span></span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<br />
( Continued... )<br />
<br />
<br />
© 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the
author, A. Yamina Collins. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the
author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional
purposes only. <br /><br /><br />
<b><br />
The Last King: Book I by A. Yamina Collins<br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/B00IC0M8HS"> http://amzn.com/B00IC0M8HS</a><br />
</b>
<img border="0" height="28" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/amazonquick.gif" width="176" />
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</b>
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<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-77648927975319882762014-06-26T08:31:00.004-07:002014-06-26T08:31:53.748-07:00If You Don't Know Me by Mary B. Morrison<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">If You Don't Know Me </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
by Mary B. Morrison</span><br /><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/NewReleaseSidebar/IfYouDontknowmedsdf.jpg" width="236" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />
MOVE OVER REAL HOUSEWIVES…<br />
</b><br />
<b>If you can’t get enough of all things reality television get ready
for the drama like only New York Times bestselling author MARY B.
MORRISON can bring it!
New York Times and #1 Essence best selling author <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank"> Mary B. Morrison</a> knows how to write stories that will have readers on the edge of their seats. </b><br />
<br />
Her critically acclaimed debut series Soul Mates Dissipate explored the
topic that puzzles most of us: how to find— and keep — your soul mate.
The series did so well that Morrison received a multi-film development
deal. Publishers Weekly noted Morrison’s sensual novels “pack in dozens
of juicy episodes” in her “high drama page turners” and described her as
“prolific.”<br />
<br />
Her new series which introduced readers to sexy vixen Madison Taylor
and a whole cast of juicy new characters has continued to keep readers
panting with Elev8.com noting “Mary is at the top of the
African-American fiction genre” and Library Journal praising the second
installment and encouraging readers to “buy in anticipation of high
demand.”<br />
<br />
Mary returns in April with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Know-Cant-Have/dp/0758273053" target="_blank"><b>IF YOU DON’T KNOW
ME</b></a>; the third installment of the<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank"> If I Can’t Have You</a></b> series being published by Dafina Books in hardcover original.<br />
<br />
Two women, a sizzling wager, and the fallout that would turn their lives
upside down, that’s exactly what readers will find in Mary B.
Morrison’s newest release. Sindy Singleton isn’t about to lose Chicago
DuBois to Madison again. But getting him to open his heart once more
won’t be enough to satisfy her. Enlisting the help of Chicago’s worst
enemy is the fastest way she knows to expose Madison’s most brazen
deception yet. But Madison has more than one devastating card to play.<br />
<br />
If there’s one thing Madison has learned from her disastrous bet, it’s
how to turn catastrophe into opportunity. Playing on Chicago’s fatherly
instincts will maintain her access to the DuBois fortune—and keep her
family’s empire successful. Using sweet Sindy’s niceness against her
will knock her out of the running. And the cherry on top: Madison’s got
the perfect scheme to finally take care of her ex-lover, her rivals, and
the husband she’ll never let go.<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>EXCERPT: IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME<br />
<br />
CHAPTER 1</b></span>
<b><br />
<i><br />
Sindy
</i><br />
</b><br />
<br />
"When he walks in, you'll walk out."<br />
<br />
"Are you sure?" Nyle asked me after the prison guard closed the door to our private glass-enclosed room.<br />
<br />
We sat facing each other. The chill from the stainless steel chair made
me sit on the edge of my seat. The rectangular-shaped metal table was
cold enough to keep my favorite butter pecan ice cream from melting.
Three feet of space separated us.<br />
<br />
I stared into his crystal-blue eyes as I said, "Help me get Granville
Washington back behind bars and you'll be discharged the same day he's
booked. The remaining two-and-a-half of your three-year sentence will be
dismissed. You'll be on a one-year probation with an officer that
you'll meet face-to-face one time. After that you'll check in over the
phone. A few people owe me favors. If you complete the assignment to my
satisfaction, your early release is guaranteed."<br />
<br />
Nyle sighed heavily. His neatly arched brows drew close together. His
eyes darted to the left. He blinked. When he opened his eyes, they were
intensely on me. Instantly, I became motionless.<br />
<br />
"I've already done what you've asked of me."<br />
<br />
"Not exactly."<br />
<br />
"Not exactly my ass." Veins protruded from his neck. His voice escalated
in anger. "The outcome isn't what either of us anticipated but I did my
part. Now you want me to do you another favor? Fuck the money you paid
me. I want out of here today."<br />
<br />
That wasn't happening. When we left this room, I was going home; he was
headed back to his cell. I did not influence him to commit a crime. That
was his choice. Helping him get out was mine.<br />
<br />
"What if what you want now isn't what you expect later? Then what? You walk away and leave me to do all of my time?"<br />
<br />
Precisely. In my mind, I nodded, but didn't move my head. He had nothing
to lose. I did. I needed him to calm down so he could focus on what was
important to me.<br />
<br />
I softened my tone. "Fair enough. Regardless of what happens this time,
I'll keep my word." Not sure if I were lying, I extended my hand and
shook his. I had to tell Nyle what he needed to hear.<br />
<br />
Getting men to do whatever I wanted—with the exception of my father—that
was my strength. Loving another woman's husband was my weakness.<br />
<br />
Better for me to pursue the man I wanted than to allow my dad to arrange
for my husband the way he'd done with Siara. I missed her. Skype was
nice but I hadn't seen my sister in person in twelve years. Her being
sold by our father wasn't my fault but she didn't feel the same.
Occasionally, she still says, "You are my big sister. You were supposed
to protect me." I think our father or her husband told her not to come
back to America and not to let me visit her in Paris. I wasn't sure how
or when but one day we would reunite.<br />
<br />
Trust your gut instincts. That was how I lived. My word used to be a
firm commitment. Since I was a little girl, when Sindy Singleton made a
promise, I kept it. Truth or lie, right or wrong, my love for Roosevelt
"Chicago" Dubois was gradually overruling my senses. Lately I'd been
doing what was in my best interest. When things didn't go my way, I
didn't hesitate to change my mind.<br />
<br />
This morning I'd smoothed back my long straight cinnamon hair and coiled
it into a bun that sat at the nape of my neck. My cream-colored pants,
which I only wore when I visited the Federal Detention Center, were
loosely fitted. A simple short-sleeved matching blouse draped my hips.
Comfortable leather flats clung to my feet. No lipstick. No perfume. No
jewelry. My purse was in the trunk of my Bentley that I'd parked in a
downtown lot a block away. My keys were secured in one of the small
lockers in the lobby. My Texas driver's license was left with the guard
at the security entrance.<br />
<br />
Sitting in a room reserved for attorney/client visits, I was the
attorney. Nyle Carter was my protégé. I needed this inmate's help the
same as he desperately desired mine.<br />
<br />
"Let me get this straight. I have to find a way to bring Granville back
to prison before you'll get me out of here?" he lamented.<br />
<br />
Peering through the glass door, I scanned the visitors' room. There was a
handful of folks who had come to see what I called "the mentally ill
and prayed up." Prison made grown men ask the Lord, Buddha, Allah,
Jehovah, or whatever higher power they believed in to set them free.
Forgiveness wasn't practical for repeat offenders. I wished repentance
wasn't an option for them either.<br />
<br />
A lot of the criminals I represented were guilty but the majority of
them had raised their right hand and sworn on the Bible that they were
innocent. I was paid to defend, not to judge. Ultimately, that was God's
job.<br />
<br />
Nyle had pleaded the Fifth on his charges and still had to do time. He'd
become known to those on the inside as G-double-A. Some youngster by
the name of No Chainz had given Nyle the name saying it meant "Got All
the Answers." I wished that were true for me. I wouldn't be sitting in
this cold room trying to convince a man to entrap another man so that I
could be with the man I loved.<br />
<br />
"I said you were to make sure he never got out."<br />
<br />
Nyle remained quiet.<br />
<br />
On a scale from one to ten, Nyle was handsome above average. Put a suit
on him the way he used to dress prior to getting locked up and no one
would believe he was forty years old when he was arrested. Not that
there was a better age to be charged but with his thick blond curly hair
and smooth pale skin he could easily pass for thirty.<br />
<br />
"I paid you twenty thousand to give Granville advice that would get him convicted with two consecutive life sentences."<br />
<br />
He slid his hand from his forehead to the nape of his neck. No response.<br />
<br />
Nyle could benefit from a daily dose of natural vitamin D. The inmates
didn't get much sunlight. Everything was indoors, including the gym. The
few windows they had were high above the basketball court. Nyle
deserved to be here but didn't belong. There were some people you never
envisioned behind bars. Others you knew it wasn't if they were going to
do time. It was when and for how long?<br />
<br />
"Why did the judge overturn the jury's decision?" I asked.<br />
<br />
Getting myself this involved, I could risk being disbarred and losing
Roosevelt if he thought I was part of the conspiracy to kill him. I was
undoubtedly determined to have that man.<br /><br /><br />
</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/indexblkhistory.html"><img border="0" height="15" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/bullet.gif" width="16" />READ
THE ENTIRE EXCERPT HERE<br /><br /></a> </b><br />
</span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b>The Series in Order of Publication</b><br />
Book 3: If You Don't Know Me<br />
Book 2: I'd Rather Be With You<br />
Book 1: If I Can't Have You<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-B.-Morrison/e/B001ILIDYU" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="28" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/picts/amazonquick.gif" width="176" />
</a><br />
Purchase the entire series today!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-24865032206157564822014-06-26T08:30:00.004-07:002014-06-26T08:30:27.100-07:00The Prodigal Son by Kimberla Lawson Roby <div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">The Prodigal Son </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
by Kimberla Lawson Roby <br /><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/NewReleaseSidebar/theprodicoalsooons.JPG" width="222" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
<b>NAACP Image Award Winner, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Marks 20-Book Milestone!
</b><b>Reverend Curtis Black and his family drama are back in Kimberla
Lawson Roby's upcoming novel, The Prodigal Son, (Grand Central
Publishing).</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
New York Times Bestselling Author <b> Kimberla Lawson Roby</b> has
published 20 novels which include A House Divided, The Perfect Marriage,
The Reverend's Wife, Secret Obsession, Love, Honor, and Betray, Be
Careful What You Pray For, A Deep Dark Secret, The Best of Everything,
One In a Million, Sin No More, Love & Lies, Changing Faces, The
Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, It's a
Thin Line, Casting the First Stone, Here and Now, and her debut title,
Behind Closed Doors, which was originally self-published through her own
company, Lenox Press. <br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
She has sold more
than 2,000,000 copies of her novels, and they have frequented numerous
bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The
Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence Magazine, Upscale Magazine,
Emerge Magazine,Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas
Morning News, and The Austin Chronicle to name a few. Both Behind Closed
Doors and Casting the First Stone were #1 Blackboard bestsellers for
four consecutive months in both 1997 and 2000. Behind Closed Doors was
the #1 Blackboard Best-selling book for paperback fiction in 1997.<br />
<br />
Kimberla is a 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary
Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and
2013 Author of the Year – Female award presented by the African-American
Literary Award Show in New York, the recipient of the Blackboard
Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for Casting the First Stone, the
recipient of the 1998 First-Time Author Award from Chicago’s Black
History Month Book Fair and Conference, and in 2001, Kimberla was
inducted into the Rock Valley College (Rockford, IL) Alumni Hall of
Fame.<br />
<br />
Each of Kimberla’s novels deal with very real issues, including
corruption within the church, drug addiction, gambling addiction,
infidelity, social status, single motherhood, infertility, sibling
rivalry and jealousy, domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental illness,
care-giving of a parent, racial and gender discrimination in the
workplace, sexual harassment, and overweight issues to name a few.<br />
<br />
Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will. For more
information about Kimberla Lawson Roby, visit www.KimRoby.com. To book
Kimberla Lawson Roby for speaking engagements and/or book signings,
please contact Connie Dettman at publicity@kimroby.com <br /><br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The Prodigal Son </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1455526134/kimlawroby-20" target="_blank"><b>The Reverend Curtis Black</b> </a>
hasn't spoken to his son, Matthew, in over a year-not since Matthew
dropped out of Harvard to marry his girlfriend, Racquel, and be a
full-time father to their infant son. Curtis knows that it was he and
his wife, Charlotte, who drove Matthew away, but he prays that one day
his son will forgive them and come home.<br />
<br />
Matthew, however, can't seem to forget the pain his parents caused him
and Racquel. Still, he wonders if maybe they'd been right, as fatherhood
is not what he expected, and Racquel's behavior has become increasingly
erratic. Matthew genuinely wants to be a good husband, though, and
swears he'll never repeat his parents' mistakes. But when an old friend
expresses her desire for Matthew, the temptation may be too great to
resist...<br />
<br />
Then, there's Dillon Whitfield, Curtis's long-lost-son, who has settled
in as a member of the Black family. Yet the transition has been anything
but easy. Charlotte, convinced he's only after Curtis's money, wishes
he would move back to where he came from. Dillon, however, has no
intention of going anywhere. After a lifetime in the shadows, he's
determined to take his rightful place as Curtis's first-born son and
heir, and he'll do whatever it takes to win his father's affection-even
if it means playing dirty...<br />
<br />
As jealousy builds and secrets pile up, both of Curtis's sons will be
pushed over the edge and forced to take drastic action. Can these two
troubled young men find their way back into the Black family fold, or
will their family ties be undone once and for all?<br /><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.kimroby.com/" target="_blank">Kimberla's</a> novels are categorized as Contemporary Mainstream Fiction.</b>
Her target audience is primarily women of all ages, but men read her
novels as well. The primary subject matter discussed in THE PRODIGAL SON
is family drama relating to both marriage and sibling rivalry.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">
<br />
<b>THE PRODIGAL SON<br />
<br />
Chapter 1<br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
Matthew stared at his wife of ten months and shook his head. Racquel, who was
sitting at the opposite end of the chocolate brown, leather sofa, looked over at
him and frowned. “What?”<br />
<br />
Matthew shook his head again. This time, his eyes screamed disappointment. But
all Racquel did was purse her lips and turn her attention back to the flat
screen television. It was a noticeably warm Friday evening in May, and though
Matthew was a bit tired from his long day at work, he would have loved nothing
more than for the two of them to be out somewhere together; maybe have a nice
dinner and catch whatever new movie was playing. But as usual, Racquel was
contently curled up—like an unconcerned couch potato—doing what she did
best: watching some awful, ungodly reality show.<br />
<br />
Matthew leaned his head back onto the sofa and closed his eyes. Not in his
wildest imagination—not in a thousand lifetimes—would he have ever pictured
himself being so miserable. But miserable he was, and worse, he now realized
that getting married at the young age of nineteen had turned out to be a
horrible mistake. He’d now turned twenty, but he could kick himself for giving
up a full, four-year, academic scholarship to Harvard University, something he’d
worked very hard for his entire childhood—and now this was all he had to show
for it? This, a tiny, two-bedroom apartment, a twelve-dollar-an-hour job at a
bank, and no love life of any kind to speak of? <br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">
</span><div align="justify">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> Not
since the day he’d been born had he ever had to struggle financially. Even
before he’d met his father, which hadn’t happened until he was seven years
old, Matthew had lived a pretty good life because his maternal grandparents had
always seen to it. Then, of course, when his mom had married his dad, he hadn’t
gone without anything.<br />
<br />
He must have been crazy in love or crazy out of his mind to think he was doing
the right thing by getting married. He also couldn’t deny how right his mother
had been, every time she’d warned him about having unprotected sex. He still
hadn’t spoken to either of his parents in more than a year—not even when
they’d mailed him a ten-thousand-dollar check, and he’d torn it up—but his
mom had been correct in her thinking. Matthew wasn’t sure why he’d been so
careless and irresponsible. Although, he was proud of the fact that he’d
immediately manned up as soon as he’d learned of Racquel’s pregnancy and had
decided to be there for both her and the baby. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> Then,
as it had turned out, Racquel’s parents had told him that they would take care
of little MJ until he and Racquel finished college—since Racquel had been
scheduled to attend MIT a few months after the baby was born. They’d also
wanted Matthew to get his education without any worries, so off to Boston he had
gone—and life had been great until that dreadful day in January when Racquel
had gone into labor much too early. A huge blowup had ensued between his mother
and Vanessa, the two grandmothers to be, at Racquel’s baby shower, and Racquel
had gotten herself all worked up over it. Next thing anyone had known, her water
had broken and she’d been rushed to the hospital.<br />
<br />
Matthew remembered how terrified he’d been that Racquel would lose the baby,
but thank God, everything had turned out well. Little MJ had been born with a
respiratory problem, but he’d ended up being released from the hospital just a
few days later. Although, the more Matthew thought about all that had evolved,
he was saddened further because none of what had occurred on the day of the baby
shower could compare to any of what had happened a few weeks afterward. His
mother had concocted the most outlandish scheme, and before long, the Division
of Children and Family Services had come knocking at the front door of Racquel’s
parents’, stating that they’d received two phone calls claiming child abuse.
Of course, none of this had been true, and although in the end, the truth had
been exposed and Charlotte had been arrested, the whole idea of little MJ being
snatched away from Racquel had been too much for her to handle. It was the
reason she now regularly obsessed over their one-year-old son, and she never
felt comfortable leaving him with her own parents, let alone anyone else. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> She
wasn’t even okay with Matthew taking MJ to see his sister, Alicia, or his
great-aunt, Emma because she feared something might happen to him or that he
might be kidnapped. That whole DCFS incident had ruined Racquel emotionally, and
Matthew had a feeling things would never be normal for them again. As it was,
she rarely left the house, and she no longer visited any of her friends when
they came home from school for the weekend. She never invited anyone over to the
apartment either.<br />
<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-11474577957340262122014-06-26T08:29:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:29:00.412-07:00Family of Lies by Mary Monroe<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Family of Lies by Mary Monroe<br /></span></b></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />New York Times and #1 Essence bestselling author<b> Mary Monroe</b>
has been described by the Chicago Sun-Times as a “remarkable talent,”
known for insightful, entertaining and poignant stories spun around the
complicated dynamics between friends, lovers and family. <br />
<br />
Publishers Weekly praised her most recent title Lost Daughters calling
it; “a spicy mixture of family scandal, mother-daughter betrayal, and
good-for-nothing men… you can never accuse Monroe of a dull moment.”
Monroe returns this June with a tale sure to have readers on the edge of
their seats; FAMILY OF LIES is being published by Dafina Books in
Hardcover Original.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
In Family of Lies, Mary Monroe weaves a stunning portrait of a family
immersed in deceit ... and the women whose happiness depend on the
secrets they keep...</b><br />
<br />
After growing up poor in Texas, Vera Lomax used every gold-digging trick
in the book to land a rich husband. Now living in the lap of luxury in
San Francisco, her only job is to fawn over her much-older husband, so
it’s been easy for her to balance a life of shopping and affairs with
younger men with a major secret: the sixteen-year bribery of one of her
husband’s mistresses to keep her pregnancy under wraps. Vera figures
that a little hush money every month will ensure her husband’s fortune
is hers alone. . .<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for Vera, Sarah Cooper is the child Kenneth Lomax always
wanted. When the father she never knew shows up at her mother’s funeral
to claim her, it’s a fairy tale journey from the ghetto to a mansion on a
hill. But Sarah’s life is not as carefree as her father wants it to be …
because Sarah knows from the start that her step-mother is as two-faced
as they come. And after losing all the family she’s ever known, she
wants a life that’s richer than what Vera’s got planned for her.<br />
<br />
Neither woman can be sure who will win Kenneth’s heart and fortune. But
as Vera and Sarah scheme to get what they want, everyone they know will
be choosing sides, taking chances, and gambling it all to come out on
top<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
Praise for the novels of Mary Monroe</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
"Once again, Monroe displays her gift as a marvel with this sensational novel."<br />
<b> -- RT Book Reviews on Lost Daughters</b><br />
<br />
<br />
"Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston, but the story has a bizarre, violent
edge a la Stephen King. . .a candid portrayal of the cold-blooded yet
fascinating Mama Ruby."<br />
<b> -- Publishers Weekly on The Upper Room</b><br />
<br />
<br />
"Monroe's style, like her characters, is no-holds-barred earthy. . ..
Monroe's characters deal with their situations with a weary worldliness
and fatalism that reveal their vulnerability as well as their flaws."<br />
<b> -- Booklist on Mama Ruby</b><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
<br />
CHAPTER 1<br />
<i><br />
Vera<br />
<br />
Sixteen years later</i><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
I couldn't believe how many years had passed since I'd met with Lois
Cooper that Saturday morning in a Denny's. I can still see her face in
my mind and how frightened she looked by the end of our meeting.<br />
<br />
We had both kept our end of the bargain. I made sure she got paid on
time every month. And just to prove that I had a heart, each year I gave
her a ten percent "cost of living" increase. Just like she was getting
paid to do a job. As far as I was concerned, her staying the hell out of
my husband's life and not letting him know about that baby was her job
and I was her employer. She never returned to work for my husband after
our meeting. And since she had not communicated with him, he had no idea
why she had up and quit, leaving him in a lurch. I will never forget
how baffled he had looked that evening when he came home all those years
ago. Not a day goes by that I don't replay that conversation in my
head.<br />
<br />
"Uh, one of the secretaries called up personnel this morning and told
them she was not coming back to work," Kenneth announced. He had come
home later than usual this particular day. But I was used to that. He
had been spending up to twelve hours a day at the store, several times a
week for years. I wondered how much of that time was spent with other
women. Even though he had a great team of loyal and competent employees
who could run the place without him, his office at his main store had
become his second home. He even kept a couple of suits, fresh underwear,
and some toiletries in the closet behind his desk.<br />
<br />
"Which secretary was it?" I'd asked dumbly. "That white girl with the red cornrows, I hope."<br />
<br />
"No, it was not Amber. She's a single mom who is taking care of two
toddlers and her disabled older brother. She's not going anywhere
anytime soon. And she loves her job." Kenneth hesitated for a few
seconds. There was a strange look on his face when he continued. "It was
Lois in the main office."<br />
<br />
"Hmmm. Isn't she the one you hired because her mother needed help paying her bills? She just up and quit? No explanation?"<br />
<br />
Kenneth scratched the side of his face and shook his head. "No
explanation whatsoever. I had a feeling something like this might
happen."<br />
<br />
"Why do you say that?"<br />
<br />
"The girl was not that sophisticated and she couldn't get along with too
many folks, especially the women. Every time I looked up, somebody was
in my office with complaints about her doing or saying one offensive
thing or another. She was always late for work and she made a lot of
personal telephone calls. None of my immediate staff liked her."<br />
<br />
You liked her enough to screw her, I wanted to point out.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to remind Kenneth that he had fired his previous secretary
because she had always come to work late—if she showed up at all—and
she argued with him and everybody else. He had put up with Lois's
behavior and probably would have continued to do so if I hadn't stepped
in. So in a way, by me getting rid of her, I had also done him a
favor—in more ways than one. Had he known she was pregnant with his
baby, we would be having a totally different conversation.<br />
<br />
"I feel sorry for the girl. The poor little thing. She's had a hard life and I really wanted to help her."<br />
<br />
"You sure did help her." I couldn't help myself. Those words just slipped out of my mouth on their own.<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry?" Kenneth sucked on his teeth for a few moments and gave me a curious look.<br />
<br />
"You did help her. You gave her a job," I said quickly. Honey, you've
helped a lot of people over the years. Everybody loves you for giving so
much back to the community. But you're not the Wizard of Oz or a witch
doctor, sweetie. You cant solve everybody's problems. Lois is a grown
woman and she's going to do what she wants to do. I think it was pretty
tacky for her to quit without giving proper notice, though. Some people
are so inconsiderate! Tsk, tsk, tsk. I don't know what this world is
coming to."<br />
<br />
"Yeah. I wont argue with you about that. She resigned over the phone and
that's about as tacky as a person can be—especially in this case. She
told the bookkeeper to mail her last paycheck to a post office box,"
Kenneth croaked.<br />
<br />
"And she's such a pretty young thing," I allowed. "But she's also as
ghetto as oxtail stew and fried chicken on the same plate. You know how
those girls like her are. Most of them have one man coming in the front
door and one going out the back door at the same time. I'm sure she
attracted a lot of admirers, so maybe she met somebody ..."<br />
<br />
"Maybe she did meet somebody," Kenneth grunted. "Oh well. I hope
everything is all right with her regardless of why she quit." A sad look
appeared on his face and he shook his head, blinking hard as if to hold
back a tear or two. Apparently he had loved that heifer, and her
mysterious disappearance had really upset him. But I had no sympathy for
her or him. "I'll miss her," he admitted, his voice cracking.<br />
<br />
"I'm sure you will miss her,", I said, too low for him to hear. And then
I gave him a hug. "Now come to bed so I can give you something that'll
take your mind off your troubles."<br />
<br />
We had made love that night and I forgot all about Lois Cooper and her baby.<br />
<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Now, sixteen years later, my marriage was stronger than ever. Not only
was I looking forward to the new millennium coming up in a few days, but
I was also looking forward to the day Lois's child turned eighteen. I
had no idea what the child's name was or if it was a girl or a boy. But
none of that mattered to me anyway. All I cared about was that in three
more years Id be off the hook.<br />
<br />
And that child would no longer be part of my life!<br />
<br />
I was in such a good mood I practically raped Kenneth that night.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Continues...)<br />
<br />
<br />
Excerpted from FAMILY OF LIES by Mary Monroe. Copyright © 2014 Mary
Monroe. Excerpted by permission of KENSINGTON PUBLISHING
CORP. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or
reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
Purchase Family of Lies </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/0758274742">http://amzn.com/0758274742</a> <br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><br />
<b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b>Mary Monroe </b>
is the New York Times and Essence® bestselling author of God Don’t Like
Ugly, which earned the author the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles National
Literary Award and a nomination for the Black Writers Alliance’s Golden
Pen Award.<br />
<br />
Her other novels include Lost Daughters, God Don’t Make no Mistakes,
Mama Ruby, God Ain’t Through Yet, God Aint Blind, The Company We Keep,
She Had It Coming, God Still Don’t Like Ugly, The Upper Room, Red Light
Wives, Gonna Lay Down My Burdens, which is named among the BET.com Best
Books of 2002, and the #1 Essence bestseller, In Sheep’s Clothing.<br />
<br />
The third child of Alabama sharecroppers, and the first and only member
of her family to finish high school, Monroe, who says “I graduated high
school by the skin of my teeth,” never attended college or any writing
classes.<br />
<br />
A storyteller since childhood, writing at first came somewhat easily to
Monroe. Later, advice from Alice Walker, Ann Rice, James Baldwin and
Toni Morrison encouraged her to continue to pursue her writing. Monroe
is also included in the reference book, The 100 Most Popular African
American Writers.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-67801148448836030442014-06-26T08:27:00.003-07:002014-06-26T08:27:54.700-07:00Intimate Conversation with Mary Monroe<div align="center">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>Intimate Conversation with Mary Monroe<br /></b></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><b><br />Mary Monroe </b>
is the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only
member of her family to finish high school. She did not attend college
or any writing classes, but taught herself how to write and started
writing short stories around the age of four. She spent the first part
of her life in Alabama and Ohio, and moved to Richmond, California, in
1973. She has lived in Oakland since 1984.<br />
<br />
Her first novel, The Upper Room, was published by St. Martin’s Press in
1985, and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain.
She endured fifteen years and hundreds of rejection letters before she
landed a contract for her second novel, God Don’t Like Ugly. It was
published in October 2000, by Kensington Books. God Don’t Play was her
seventh novel to be published, and it landed her a spot on the
prestigious New York Times bestsellers list for the first time!<br />
<br />
Mary is divorced, loves to travel, loves to mingle with other authors.
She still writes seven days a week and gets most of her ideas from
current events, and the people around her, but most of her material is
autobiographical. New York Times Bestselling author Mary Monroe created
fabulous books such as: Mama Ruby, The Upper Room and the God Don't Like
Ugly series for readers with a sense of humor and adventure. </span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When The Upper
Room was published, Monroe had this to say: "This is my story -- these
characters are people I know, it's my life," Mary Monroe laughs when
asked what her inspiration was for her first novels. Meet author Mary
Monroe as she travels across the nation discussing
her books and her literary journey.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
BPM: How long have you been writing and where do you see yourself within the
next several years?</b><br />
I started making up stories before I even started elementary school. In junior
and high school I wrote stories for some confession magazines. Since then I’ve
written novels and a few non-fiction pieces. Within the next few years I hope to
do at least ten more novels, my autobiography, a few screenplays.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How do you relax? What do you do with your free time after
writing another bestselling?</b><br />
I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to
read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James
Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas
from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is
autobiographical.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people or experiences?</b><br />
Of course. Almost every story I write is based on something that
happened to me or someone I know. And all of my characters are
composites of people I know...<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What inspires you to write your books? What are some of the unique issues or topics addressed in this book?</b><br />
I was inspired to write this book because I grew up around some
"colorful" characters. Most of them did a lot of wicked, funny, sad, and
intriguing things and I thought their stories needed to be told. Mama
Ruby takes place in southern locations. It is set in a time period
during the thirties and forties when there was a totally different
outlook than there is now on racism, sex, poverty, and other social
issues that impact African American women.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How did you come to create such strong main characters? Did you
know that they would be so complex and exciting from the start?</b><br />
I was raised by strong females. As a matter of fact, the main character,
Mama Ruby, is a combination of my mother and two other females
relatives. The more I worked on this story, the more complex and
exciting the characters became. They have a lot of strong
characteristics but they also have just as many weaknesses.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Can you see any of your books being optioned for movies?</b><br />
Yes! I watch TV for several hours a day and I go to a lot of movies so I
know what the viewing public likes to watch. I feel that any one of my
books would make a good big screen movie or TV mini-series. I write
each book with specific actors and actresses in mind to play the roles.
I’ve already written movie treatments for some of my books.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Who are some of the authors you admire and why?</b><br />
I love Toni Morrison, James Patterson, Stephen King, and Ernest Gaines. I
was in my twenties when I discovered Toni Morrison and Ernest Gaines
and that's when I knew for sure that writing books was my destiny. Their
books are so insightful and thought-provoking that I re-read them at
least once a year. I also love stories with a paranormal theme so when
I discovered Stephen King I became a fan of his for life. James
Patterson's books are more for light-weight entertainment and sometimes
that is all I want in a story.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How may our readers follow you online?</b><br />
Readers can follow me on Facebook and Twitter and they can visit my
website at: www.Marymonroe.org. I also LOVE hearing from my fans by
email at: Authorauthor5409@aol.com. I answer my email personally.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
Mary Monroe's 2014 Event Schedule</b><br />
<a href="http://www.marymonroe.org/tour.html">http://www.marymonroe.org/tour.html</a><br />
<b><br />
Mary Monroe Official Fan Page</b><br />
FB: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marymonroefanpage"> https://www.facebook.com/marymonroefanpage</a><br />
<br />
<b><br />
Purchase Family of Lies by Mary Monroe</b><br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/0758274742"> http://amzn.com/0758274742</a> <br />
<br />
<b><br />
Lost Daughters: A Mama Ruby Novel - Paperback</b><br />
by Mary Monroe (Author)<br />
Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/0758294670"> http://amzn.com/0758294670</a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-65947445225349215322014-06-26T08:26:00.005-07:002014-06-26T08:26:55.946-07:00Mothers: Living With the Right Mother Model<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>Mothers: Living
With the Right Mother Model</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the media
bombarding women with unrealistic expectations for mothers, it is any wonder
that today’s mothers feel under huge pressures to be perfect. Stay-at-home
mothers feel guilt for not providing financially as it takes two people to make
ends meet. Working mothers feel the guilt of attempting to balance a career and
a family at the same time. Any person worth salt would recognize that mothers
are often the glue that holds families together. People do not like other people
talking poorly about their mother, even if she has many flaws. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In fact, no matter how
unfit or imperfect your mother may be, she was still your mother. Your mother
might have been a bad cook. She might have been a drug abuser. She might have
been a terrible person. However, her imperfections are not open to public
scrutiny. This article examines a 21st century motherhood model in contemporary
society.<br />
<br />
<b>Good mothers are difficult to model. </b>According to the US Census in 2008,
there are over 82 million mothers in America. Many mothers go about their
business with little regard for their impact on society. As a matter of fact,
the value of a good mother is often forgotten, except for the customary card on
Mother’s Day. Not all mothers are built the same when it comes to character.
Some women are openly unfit or unprepared to be mothers. The notion of an unfit
mother is a legal definition which may vary from state to state. However, an
unfit mother may be defined as a mother who fails to take care of the basic
needs related to the physical, mental, and spiritual state of a child.<br />
<br />
For example, Susan Smith, who was from South Carolina, became the poster child
for a bad mother. She had appeared on national television proclaiming that her
two children had been kidnapped. In reality, Smith had driven her car into a
lake, drowning her children. She had done this act in pursuit of her own
adulterous relationship. Smith was later convicted in 1995 and sentenced to life
in prison for murdering her two sons, Michael Daniel Smith, 3, and 14-month-old
Alexander Tyler Smith. Many individuals would point to her as an abusive or
neglecting mother. Furthermore, there are so many famous women who are esteemed
as the modern day feminist model, but these women often do not represent the
ideal mother figure.<br />
<br />
<b>The Right Model</b><br />
Good mothers distinguish themselves with an unselfish behavior. They are the
ones who go the extra mile so that everyone’s mental or physical condition is
properly cared for. In fact, true mothers put their families’ needs ahead of
their own. Of course, this selfless image runs counter to the “ME” only
culture. King Lemuel must have realized this fact when he outlined his
motherhood model in Proverbs 31. The mother described in this passage is a
loving wife, kindhearted mother, a champion of the oppressed, a business woman,
a godly figure, and insightful advisor. The author notes about this woman,
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises
her.’” Therefore, character does count if an individual wants to use the
right model for good motherhood.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion</b><br />
Today, many people take a good mother model for granted. Some people complain
about their mothers and how they do not fit today’s media model of an ideal
mother figure. These unrealistic expectations cause some women to despair
because they do not fit this unrealistic expectation. When there is a mother of
unique character in society, she should be celebrated and cherished. In the
daily grind of living, many folks lose sight of the positive influence of the
right kind of mother. A good mother creates a legacy for future generations.
Let’s hope that the positive model will never be forgotten.<br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">About the Author</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
Dr. Daryl D. Green </span> </b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">writes on contemporary issues impacting businesses,
society, and across the globe. This article is an excerpt from his new book,
Don’t Be An Old Fool, 2nd edition. For more information, you can go to <a href="http://www.nuleadership.com/">nuleadership.com</a>
or <a href="http://www.darylgreen.org/">http://www.darylgreen.org</a> </span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-2519399011174840202014-06-26T08:25:00.001-07:002014-06-26T08:25:10.182-07:00HEALING MEN-REBUILDING THE VILLAGE by Diane A. Sears<b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HEALING MEN . . . REBUILDING THE VILLAGE </b><br /> by Diane A. Sears </span></div>
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<br />Every day – through deeds – Men teach us valuable life lessons about selflessness, courage, loyalty, compassion, unconditional love, and the importance of “doing what is best for the tribe” as opposed to “doing what is best for self”. <br /> <br /> Yet, in some circles, the question of whether Men are really necessary is being discussed. Subliminal mixed messages about masculinity, parental roles and responsibilities, and the rules of engagement for courtship and marriage are being conveyed to Men through mainstream media, films, television situation comedies and literature.<br /> <br /> Many Men live a “thankless” existence. They struggle to provide for their families, positively shape the minds and souls of their children, and empower the communities in which they live and work. No one – or hardly anyone – is telling a Man: “Thank you! Job well done! Hey, I appreciate you!” Conversely – implicitly and explicitly -- Men are being told consistently: “A real man does this! A real man does that!” Society tells boys and Men to be strong and that it is not “manly” to show their emotions. And when boys and Men seem not to show any emotion, we accuse them of being insensitive and uncaring. While society tells boys and men how to be a man, society is not telling girls and women how to be a woman. No one is telling girls and women: “A real women does this! A real woman does that!”<br /> <br /> We seem to be so obsessed with telling men what they ought to do and what they are not doing. Hardly anyone is telling Men, “Your presence completes me as a person. Your presence completes our family – our community. You have value. You are loved. You are needed.” We seem so consumed about what a Man is supposed to give. The conversation always seems to be about: “A man is supposed to give this. A man is supposed to give that.” When it comes to Men, the conversation seems to be about “taking” – what we can and should take from him. Men are expected to provide safety and support. But when is the last time a man heard someone tell him: “Hey, I’ve got your back! You can count on me to protect and support you.” Men need to feel safe and supported, too!<br /> <br /> What happens to a Man who is constantly bombarded with mixed signals about his role as a Man and a Father; badgered about what he ought to be doing and what he is not doing; and not expected to show any emotions even though he may be drowning in grief and pain? His spirit breaks and his soul shatters. Self-doubt, low self-esteem, and stress overtake him. He feels empty . . . isolated . . . powerless.<br /> <br /> He may plunge into the deep abyss of depression. Or become emotionally detached. He may self-medicate his emotional pain with food, alcohol or drugs. His physical and mental health suffers. Is it any wonder that there is an alarmingly rising incidence of strokes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes? Should we find it surprising that some Men who have “given their all” only to discover that “giving their all” is just not enough, commit suicide as a means of escaping the abuse and madness that surrounds them?<br /> <br /> Why should we care about what happens to Men? Men are the glue that holds our families, communities, and our village – the global village we know as Planet Earth -- together. We are all connected to one another. And what affects Men impacts all of us. The village has become a chaotic and dangerous place for its most vulnerable members – our children – our babies and the bridge to the future – and our Elders.<br /> <br /> It is glaringly apparent that the weight of the plethora of daunting challenges that our village finds itself immersed in is causing it to break apart. This “breaking apart” of the village is creating an opportunity for all of us to rebuild the village. Strong, empowered, clear thinking, and fully emotionally engaged Men and Women working together can create and sustain nurturing and efficiently functioning family units and transform chaotic, toxic, and violent communities into a nurturing, peaceful, and economically and environmentally vibrant village.<br /> <br /> We must create a space and place for Men where can they cry, shout, laugh, and articulate their emotional pain without fear of having their manhood called into question. We must create an environment that is conducive to Men shedding their emotional baggage. Healing Men is the first step to rebuilding the village.<br /> <br /> <b><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">About the Columnist </span><br /> Diane A. Sears, International Men's Day - United States Coordinator</b><br /> Director, IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD® INTERNATIONAL FATHERHOOD PROGRAM<br /> Member, University Council for Fatherhood and Men's Studies Program at Akamai University <br /> Managing Editor - IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD® ( <a href="http://globalfatherhooddialogue.blogspot.com/">http://globalfatherhooddialogue.blogspot.com</a> )<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-16904591326491860782014-06-26T08:23:00.004-07:002014-06-26T08:23:37.417-07:00Growing Up in Fatherless Homes by Dr. Daryl Green<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Growing Up in Fatherless Homes <br /> by Dr. Daryl Green</b></span></div>
<br /> With millions of fathers missing from homes, there are unintended consequences to this epidemic in America. Despite all of the government and social support available, today’s children still need a strong male role model in their homes. A noted expert shares some helpful information with Black Pearls readers. <br /> <br /> Recently, Desmond Hatchett made an impression with many people in the news. The 33 year old man from Tennessee was requesting relief from the court on his child support. It was reported that he had 30 children with 11 women. With a minimum wage job, Hatchett was struggling to meet his financial comments to his children. The court required him to turn over 50% of his wages for child support, which was based primarily on the children ages and their needs. Sadly, some mothers were only getting $1.49 a month for their children. Consequently, Hatchett could not meet his financial responsibilities as a father. However, not meeting the mental and spiritual needs may have longer ramifications on his children.<br /> <br /> Fatherless homes aren't a pleasant experience for many folks in society. Some individuals are fortunate to have a caring, supportive father. Unfortunately, numerous people live without one. Across the social spectrum, many individuals are living with deep wounds left by their fathers. <br /> <br /> Some people maintain that today’s men are not simply sperm donors. According to the 2005 Census Report, there are 66.3 million fathers in the United States. There are 26.5 million fathers in a traditional family environment (married couples with children under the age of 18). Sadly, everything is not a pleasant story. There are 4.6 million fathers who pay child support, representing 84% of child support providers.<br /> <br /> Dr. Daryl Green, nationally recognized lecturer on cultural issues, has done extensive research on cultural issues impacting today and future leaders. His last book, Job Strategies for the 21st Century: How to Assist Today’s College Students during Economic Turbulence, has been rated number one on Amazon.com. Dr. Green sees how popular culture has demonized traditional fathers: “Clearly, we are being bombarded with negative stories about fathers. Most people today view fathers in destructive stereotypes. However, most educators and researchers would argue the importance of a strong male role model in the home.” Missing fathers have become a national crisis with unintended consequences.<br /> <br /> Due to the increase in ‘out-of-wedlock’ births and the high number of divorces, children living away from their biological fathers have become commonplace. Numerous stories paint a terrible picture for these fatherless children. Some facts that bear out this reality: (a) 85% of children with behavioral problems come from fatherless homes, according to the Center for Disease Control, (b) 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes, (c) 85% of all youth in prison come from fatherless homes, and (d) 75% of all youth in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. <br /> <br /> Dr. Green notes that single parents and other families without strong fathers need to find opportunities where they can showcase positive male figures. “Fathers are necessary to achieve a healthy family balance even though they are not celebrated as such.” He further suggests that citizens should showcase the positive things fathers are doing in their communities while counseling the misguided ones. America cannot survive without real fathers and real men. <br /> <br /> Don’t Be An Old Fool is available online at Amazon.com and other book retailers. You can also view the book trailer on Youtube.com at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_LKEMrIweA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_LKEMrIweA</a>. Dr. Green is available for media interviews. For more information about the book or the authors, please contact Donna Gilliard at 865-216-9209 or visit Dr. Green on his website, <a href="http://www.darylgreen.org/">www.darylgreen.org</a>. <br /> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> About the Author </span><br /> Dr. Daryl Green</b> is a management strategist and nationally-recognized author who has been noted and quoted in major media outlets, including USA Today, Associated Press, and Ebony Magazine. He is an adjunct professor at Lincoln Memorial University, and a former faculty member at Knoxville College. Green has spent more than 20 years assisting organizations and individuals with making good decisions. <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-58956242974880688302014-06-26T08:21:00.003-07:002014-06-26T08:21:28.547-07:00When Perfection Fails by Tyora Moody<div class="content colored-background" data-clicktarget="#">
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Reverend
Jonathan Freeman and his wife Lenora are quickly becoming Charlotte’s
“it” couple. All eyes are on them as Jonathan is named pastor of a
church following the death of his father and Lenora has become a
sought-after wedding planner. The Freemans are media darlings and a
model couple; the picture of perfection. Or are they?<br />
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Behind the scenes, Jonathan struggles with his role as pastor of a
megachurch while Lenora grows increasingly and uncharacteristically
distant. A number of odd and tragic incidents push her further away from
the love of her life and the façade of perfection begins to crack.<br />
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A carefully guarded secret catches up with Lenora and it threatens
her security as well as that of her family. Has an imperfect past
finally caught up with her? Will the ghost of someone she thought long
dead rise like Lazarus from the grave and destroy all she has worked to
preserve? Or will Lenora fight to protect the man she loves and the
beautiful life God has blessed her to have?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>Purchase When Perfection Fails, Victory Gospel Series, Book 3</strong><br />
<a data-id="l-4637238928" href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/719614460?book_show_action=false&page=1" rel="nofollow">Romantic Suspense/Christian Fiction</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Chec it out here: http://www.amazon.com/When-Perfection-Fails-Victory-Gospel/dp/1601627157</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><strong>Excerpt from When Perfection Fails by Tyora Moody</strong><br />
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<em><strong>PROLOGUE<br />
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Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989</strong></em></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora
clutched the car dashboard and shouted as her friend almost rammed the
Honda Civic into the car in front of them. The brakes squealed in
protest as the car came to a stop inches away from the back of the Buick
LaSabre. Charmayne smacked the steering wheel. “Woo, that was a close
one.” Then, she started to laugh.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora
stretched her eyes wide as she watched her friend appear as if she was
having a mental breakdown. “That wasn’t funny. You need to get yourself
together.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">The
light changed from red to green. The unscathed Buick took off and the
driver behind them was blowing his horn. Charmayne stopped giggling. She
grabbed the rearview mirror and made an obscene gesture with her hand.
“I know you ain’t blowing your horn at me.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora pointed towards the light. “Charmayne, the light is green. Go!”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">“Whatever!”
Charmayne placed her hands on the steering wheel. The car lurched
forward as she pressed the accelerator. After they had driven half-way
down the block,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora asked, “How much did you drink? Maybe I should drive.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Charmayne shook her head. “Girl, you can’t drive. Besides I’m fine.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Her friend held up her fingers and counted. “I only had like two, three beers. I think.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora held her hand to her forehead. “If I had known...”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Charmayne
held her hand towards Lenora’s face. “Girl, would you stop tripping? I
can tell your momma don’t let you go nowhere. This might have been your
first time to a party, not mine. Just sit tight. I will have you home in
a second, okay.” She reached over and turned the radio’s volume dial up
high.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">As
Charmayne proceeded to sing loudly to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,”
Lenora sucked her teeth and crossed her arms. Why did I let Charmayne
convince me to go to this party? She felt bad lying to her mother
knowing how hard she worked and expected</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Lenora to keep up her grades. Tonight was definitely not a study group session at Charmayne’s
house. As Lenora glanced out the window, something whizzed by the
passenger side. Before Lenora could register what she was seeing the car
slid to the right crashing into the flying object. The sounds of
screeching metal over the loud thumping music terrified Lenora.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">“What
was that?” Lenora yelled. She turned her body to see what had just
scraped the side of the car. “Charmayne, you have to stop the car.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Charmayne slowed the car down and turned the blaring music down. She grabbed the rearview mirror and whined, </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">“Oh no!”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">“What?”
Lenora spun around to peer out the back window. They had turned down
the road leading to her home and there weren’t any other cars behind
them. Lenora squinted into the darkness. A streetlight illuminated cars
parked along the streets. Her eyes locked in on what appeared to be a
body on the road. Panic rose in her gut. She looked at Charmayne. “What
did you do? Is that a person?” Lenora spun around and reached for the
door handle.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong> </strong></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong><a data-id="l-4936106139" href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/indexblkhistory.html" rel="nofollow">READ THE ENTIRE EXCERPT HERE</a></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>Purchase When Perfection Fails, Victory Gospel Series, Book 3</strong><br />
<a data-id="l-4637238928" href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/719614460?book_show_action=false&page=1" rel="nofollow">Romantic Suspense/Christian Fiction</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a data-id="l-9065943602" href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Perfection-Fails-Victory-Gospel/dp/1601627157" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/When-Perfection-Fails-Victory-Gospel/dp/1601627157</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 36px;">MEET THE AUTHOR</span></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><img alt="" height="400" src="http://ellacurry2009.audioacrobat.com/files/images/TYMoodyauthorkk.jpg" style="height: 318px; width: 212px;" width="266" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>Tyora Moody </strong>is
an author and literary entrepreneur. Tyora has coined her fiction books
as Soul-Searching Suspense. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, was
released March 2012 (Urban Christian). This is the first book in the
Victory Gospel series. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series,
When Memories Fade, was released in April 2013 (Urban Christian). The
final book in the series, When Perfection Fails (Urban Christian) was
released March 2014.<br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Deep
Fried Trouble, the first book in the Eugeena Patterson Mystery series
was released June 2013 (Tymm Publishing LLC). She is currently working
on the second book in the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Oven Baked
Secrets (October 2014) and the first book in a new romantic suspense
series (April 2015).<br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">She
is the 2013 Urban Literary Awards Debut Author Winner and 2013 Urban
Literary Awards Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Winner. Tyora is a member of
Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.<br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">As
a literary-focused entrepreneur, she has assisted countless authors
with developing an online presence via her company,
TywebbinCreations.com. Popular services include online publicity, social
media management, book trailers and book covers. DIYwithTy is an
instructional platform that grew from her 13+ years of working with
authors. The Literary Entrepreneur’s Toolkit was released January 2014.<br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">When
Tyora isn’t working for a client or doing something literary, she
enjoys spending time with family, catching a movie on the big screen,
and traveling. For more information about her literary endeavors, visit
her online at TyoraMoody.com.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Connect with Tyora "Ty" Moody | <a data-id="l-4387794889" href="http://www.tyoramoody.com/" rel="nofollow">TyoraMoody.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Author and Literary Entrepreneur</span><br />
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FIND TY ON SOCIAL MEDIA</strong></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><a data-id="l-5879125256" href="http://www.tyoramoody.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.tyoramoody.com</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><a data-id="l-9692933063" href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoody" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoody</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><a data-id="l-8305280343" href="http://www.twitter.com/TyoraMoody" rel="nofollow">http://www.twitter.com/TyoraMoody</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>VICTORY GOSPEL SERIES | <a data-id="l-1249210856" href="http://steppingintovictory.com/" rel="nofollow">SteppingIntoVictory.com</a></strong></span></span></span>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>When Perfection Fails,</em> Book 3 (March 2014)</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>When Memories Fade</em>, Book 2</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>When Rain Falls</em>, Book 1</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>EUGEENA PATTERSON MYSTERIES | <a data-id="l-1068058069" href="http://eugeenapatterson.com/" rel="nofollow">EugeenaPatterson.com</a></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>Oven Baked Secrets</em>, Book 2 (October 2014)</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>Deep Fried Trouble</em>, Book 1</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><em>Shattered Dreams: A Short Story</em></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><strong>DIYwithTy SERIES | <a data-id="l-3455095033" href="http://diywithty.com/" rel="nofollow">DIYwithTy.com</a></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">The Literary Entrepreneur's Toolkit (January 2014)</span></span></span></li>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-44745751289085694642014-06-26T08:14:00.004-07:002014-06-26T08:18:35.660-07:00Mafietta 2 by E.W. Brooks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />If you're looking for a love story where your typical heroine wins the hot heartthrob's heart by flaunting her beauty to win him over, you're in the wrong place. —Minolta White, Author and Blogger<br /><br />Mafietta, part 1, follows Clarke, a woman tired of bankrolling her suitors, entertaining a man she normally wouldn't consider - a man from the underworld.<br /><br />Errol, the head of the Bellow Brothers, is tired of the opportunistic women that find their way into his path. He was done with love, but meeting Clarke changed all of that.<br /><br />Their perfect love story falls apart when a tragic turn of events sends Errol behind bars and forces Clarke to run the family business. When a good girl turns mafia queen, she is forced to choose between the love she's always wanted and a lifestyle she's grown to hate<br /><br />A non-stop action thriller, Mafietta is a cacophony of action that expresses the deep passion and unique skill that E.W. Brooks possesses.<br /><br /><b><br />Mafietta 2: A House Divided instantly draws you into the Port City’s chaotic underworld as Clarke is left to choose between the man she loves and the lifestyle she has grown to hate.<br /><br /><br />Purchase Mafietta 2: A House Divided<br />Link: http://amzn.com/1499178956<br />Contemporary Romance Suspense/Thriller</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE CHARACTERS SPEAK TO YOUR SOUL!</b></span><br />Watch thrilling videos here: <a href="http://mafietta.com/the-mafietta-novella-series/">http://mafietta.com/the-mafietta-novella-series/</a><br /><br />“I want to go back to the days when I was blind to the things you do. I want my innocence back.”<br /><b>— Clarke</b><br />“These are not the type of people you just walk away from. Do you know how much money you made for them <b>while I was gone?”<br />— Errol</b><br /><br />"Money doesn't make a man a monster. The person within does. Money merely magnifies the mirror; if you are a good man, you become a better one."<br /><b>— Admiral</b><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Book Review: Mafietta by E.W. Brooks</b></span><br />“Buckle your seat belts and hide your kids because Mafietta is one relentless thrill ride from beginning to end. Female empowerment is boasted proudly in this fast paced novel. Brooks doesn't hold back as she challenges the characters’ mental and spiritual development throughout the book. Mafietta is a highly recommended book club favorite and avid reader’s joy ride.” —Minolta White, Author<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />Intimate Conversation with E.W. Brooks</b></span><br /><br />Growing up in a small town fueled E.W.’s desire to see more and led her to larger cities where she always kept abreast of events via the nightly news and local newspapers. E.W. Brooks was intrigued by the stories of those who made an effort at a better life; on the wrong side of the law. Her curiosities led to much research and her writing, Mafietta.<br /><br />E.W. Brooks is an Army wife, big sister and mentor with a big imagination. She is the founder of the Campbell Sisterhood, a group of women who support and empower each other as well as other Army Wives. Brooks also donates 10% of book proceeds to the Military Matters Project. However, she says her greatest joy comes from spending time with her family and seeing the smiling faces of those she’s helped to find a bit of light along their journey.<br /><br /><br /><b>BPM: Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?</b><br />I was born in a small North Carolina town with only two stop lights. My desire to see more led me to larger cities where I always kept abreast of events via the nightly news and local newspapers. I was intrigued by the stories of those who made an effort at a better life; on the wrong side of the law. My curiosities led to much research and my writing, “Mafietta” in hopes of shining a light on what the women who aspired to date these types of men would face when they were shipped away.<br /><br /><b>BPM: When did you first start writing?</b><br />I’ve always written. My grandmother communicated with me in letters for as long as I can remember and it ultimately helped me to express myself through writing. Then, after living a bit of life, it was important to me to share the struggle of the single woman and urban community, so writing a novel seemed to be the natural next step.<br /><br /><b>BPM: Who are your favorite authors?</b><br />My favorite book is East of Eden by John Steinbeck because it explains that you may overcome evil. I also enjoy anything written by Maya Angelou.<br /><br /><b>BPM: What is the greatest joy of writing for you?</b><br />I spend a lot of time volunteering. There is nothing like the feeling you feel when someone finally gets it!! I am just honored and humbled that I can sometimes be used as the tool that brings enlightenment Writing gives me a larger platform to do just that.<br /><br /><b>BPM: Do you ever let the book stew – leave it for months and then come back to it?</b><br />I always let my books stew. I usually write the first few chapters to establish the characters’ position at the beginning of the story. After that I may wait months before coming back to write anything. Doing this gives me time to sort of work out a starting point for the next chapter in my head. Once I get to that point and the writing takes over – I have story lines that came out completely different than I’d imagined, but this is one of the things I love about writing.<br /><br /><b>BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? For the Mafietta Series, what came first the characters or the idea?</b><br />The idea definitely came first. Then it was up to me to create characters that were consistent with it.<br /><br />I am intrigued by those who choose to get ahead on the wrong side of the law. I love movies like The Godfather, In Too Deep, American Gangster, and Belly. However, none of these movies really delve into the effects this type of lifestyle has on women.<br /><br />Consequently, I decided to present a situation where a woman would head this illegal enterprise; so for me the story line is character driven. It is important that Clarke and Errol begin with a pure and innocent love. Creating plots that coincide with that are significant to me.<br /><br /><br /><b>BPM: Where do you find your daily inspiration or muse?</b><br />My favorite positive saying is, “Everyone wants to be loved.” This is somewhat of a prevailing them throughout both novellas. Believe it or not, Jay-Z and Beyoncé were mere my muses in developing the love between Errol and Clarke. For example, both couples share a visible connection and genuine love while being beasts in business.<br /><br />Clarke and Errol are just going about it a bit differently. In other words, let's tilt the thought and have The Carters be the same powerhouse couple on the other side of the law - Now, that couple is the one in my book. That couple is Errol and Clarke.<br /><br /><b>BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like to accomplish after the book is released?</b><br />I expect Mafietta 2 to generate interest in the series as a whole. I expect this quick read to please readers from everywhere and leave them wondering what’s going to happen next and how long it will take me to come out with the next one. After the book is released, I would love to see Mafietta as a television show.<br /><b><br />BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate or inspire? Entertain? Illuminate a particular subject?</b><br />As I writer, I want to always write content my audience will enjoy. I want my work to, of course entertain, but it is important to me that it also educate and inspire. Each of my characters offer a life lesson. I want the reader to understand the lesson.<br /><br /><b>BPM: I love the opening for your previous interview on BAN Radio. Readers, here it is: “I hope to continue to put out content that people want to read. If something I write can take someone away from the stresses of their day, I've accomplished my goal. I don't seek to change the world with my books, I have a blog for that, but I do hope to entertain it.”</b><br /><br /><b>BPM: What is the most important message you want the reader to learn?</b><br />I would love for the readers to look at these characters and take a self-inventory of sorts. Many times, we change who we are and become someone we don’t even recognize for the sake of a relationship. This could be good or bad, but either way, I wanted readers to use these characters to examine their own lives.<br /><br /><b>BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?</b><br />As a published author, success for me, would be defined by the number of people interested in reading my stories or appreciating some other derivative of it. Becoming a published author allowed me to see if I was really any good at my long time hobby. I read each book review as it came in and overall I was pleased. That was one of the greatest feelings in the world for me because ultimately; my goal is to take my writing to the next level and become the female Tyler Perry that Chris Rock wants to work with. I want to get my Streisand on.<br /><br /><b>BPM: What websites can readers visit in order to discover more about you and your work?</b><br />http://www.mafietta.com<br />https://twitter.com/Mafiettaishere<br />https://www.facebook.com/EWBrooks<br />http://instagram.com/ewbrooksbooks<br />https://plus.google.com/u/0/+EWBrooks/posts<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Books by This Author<br /><br />Mafietta 2: A House Divided By E.W. Brooks</b></span><br /><br />“I want to go back to the days when I was blind to the things you do. I want my innocence back.” — Clarke “These are not the type of people you just walk away from. Do you know how much money you made for them while I was gone?” — Errol<br /><br />"Money doesn't make a man a monster. The person within does. Money merely magnifies the mirror; if you are a good man, you become a better one." -Admiral<br /><br /><br /><b>Mafietta By E.W. Brooks</b><br />Who wants to date a gangster? Who would deal with such a headache? Well . . . Mafietta follows Clarke, a woman tired of bankrolling all of her suitors, entertaining a man she normally wouldn’t consider, a man from the underworld. Purchase: http://amzn.com/1499178956<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-5893041967521198372013-11-19T09:32:00.003-08:002013-11-19T09:32:17.950-08:00Personal Philanthropy: The Power of Giving to Others<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2711" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2744">
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2707">In
most cases, individuals are not hurt by giving to others. My co-author,
Noriko Chapman, emailed me last week about royalties on our book,
Second Chance, and how the funds would go to charity. While I looked at
this book as an opportunity to provide assistance for nonprofit
organizations, it was her idea to leverage our written work over the
long-term. Noriko, who is an automobile production manager, selected </span>the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Maryville a<span>s part of her MBA project</span>.
We pledged 30 percent of the book proceeds to this organization.
Noriko's giving attitude helped the Center's financial needs. With the
current economic crisis and the holiday season before us, citizens
should use personal philanthropy as an option to improve society.</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2750">According to Merriman-Webster.com, philanthropy is defined as </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2751">an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes. </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2717">When
most people think about philanthropy, they think about the wealthy
among us such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. Personal philanthropy can
be so much more than that. In fact, individuals can have the same
philanthropist mindset when giving to organizations or people. Social
responsibility is a buzzword in a society demanding more accountability
from its corporate citizens. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2719">Social
responsibility speaks to a company's stance on the way its managers and
employees view their duty or obligation to make decisions that protect,
enhance, and promote the well-being of stakeholders and society as a
whole. Gareth Jones and Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary
Management, argue about the importance of social responsibility: "The
way a company announces business problems or admits its mistakes
provides strong clues about its stance on social responsibility." With
the economic crisis, there are many institutions in trouble. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>However, philanthropy
must start with a mindset and an attitude for giving regardless of
where a person stands on the economic ladder. Marc Benioff, Chairman
& CEO of Salesforce.com, built his organization with a
philanthropyfocus. Salesforce.com is a cloud computing company with a
mission of 'The End of Software." Benioff has had a history of
successful business ventures, including The Oracle Corporation and the
Macintosh Division. However, he is noted for the achievement of
designing a new philanthropy model. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2722" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2721">The
Salesforce.com Foundation aims to inspire companies across the globe to
give 1% of their resources to support charities and social causes. This
1%; 1%; 1% philanthropy model includes 1% of its company's time, 1% of
its equity, and 1% of its products be donated to charity. For
Salesforce.com, this model means giving employees 6 paid days of
volunteer time to use over the course of the year. To date,
Salesforce.com employees have donated over 178,000 hours. Other
companies like Google have embraced this model. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>The Salesforce.com
Foundation has supported the giving of products to 8,000 nonprofits in
70 countries. On the equity front, 1% of its founding stock is used to
offer grants focused on technology innovation for nonprofits and youth
development programs. The company has given over $20 million in grants
to qualified nonprofit organizations. Therefore, a philanthropist
mindset can carry great rewards in sustaining meaningful programs in
society. It is not exclusive only to the wealthiest people. </span></div>
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© 2013 by Daryl D. Green<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </div>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2724" style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">About Daryl Green:</span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2723" style="font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Daryl Green has done extensive research on cultural issues impacting today and future leaders. His last book, <i>Job Strategies for the 21<sup>st</sup> Century: How to Assist Today's College Students during Economic Turbulence<span>,</span></i> has been rated number one on Amazon.com. For more information, you can contact him at <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jE2btIGuYL1fOWE0H2WbaeDboWg0OtNKhbDljUhQN0ujFXKdiibNuhv4utu_RfOtBYqGOk55fREC9o5Ep0cLhXp8GcbsyKUuOqocV9iNGTxIt9DLVste0g==" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.darylgreen.org</a> or <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jE2btIGuYL0lcs_0i2CN9aY32DGC-ddpTyhwm01Ulc9DnozAMOM6sBxO8XUhgtik84FnGw8tJz5T3s2oaNpq8ToSfIKHb-LuNZku7IAOXIC6EunaU-PnBg==" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.nuleadership.com</a>.</span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1384882178794_2760" style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-86967334708426893202013-11-11T04:06:00.003-08:002013-11-11T04:06:23.845-08:00Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival<div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 22 - Nov. 26, 2013</span><br /><a href="http://www.edc-creations.com/payments.htm" target="_blank"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Authors Register Here!</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<img border="0" height="331" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/lrgimages/a2222sdevgw3.JPG" width="476" /><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Hosted by BAN Radio Show</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
Join the Party Nightly 646.200.0402 </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">WE WILL LEAVE
LEGACY! WHAT WILL THAT LEGACY BE?</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone,<br />
but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”<br />
— Kalu Ndukwe Kalu</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br />Bonding Thru Books
Festival</b>, a totally online literary event, was created to start a
national conversation about what we want our literary legacy to be.
Each night we will discuss how we can use the leaders, icons and
storytellers of today, to create body of works that will assist emerging
writers and authors in being more responsible with their work and
positions.<br />
<b><br />
Everyone has a story! But, does that story have a purpose? </b> What
will the people in your life say about you after you are gone? What
does your story hold for future generations? Let's create a life, a
story, a journey that others will want to emulate! You are important to
this community and we want to hear from you too.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span><br /></span><b><span>Bonding Thru Books Nightly Themes</span><br /><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html">http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html</a></b><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<b><br />PURPOSE OF BONDING THRU BOOKS</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
We're hosting this online book festival to connect avid readers with the
authors of quality books, written with a purpose. Each year thousands
of people - educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors,
poets and publishers - devote their time and resources to presenting the
reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not
get the attention and reader support that they deserve. We want to help
with this state of affairs, so we encourage readers to purchase books
to give as gifts 365 days a year.<br />
<br />
</span><br /><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b>FEATURED PANEL DISCUSSIONS</b></span></span><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1belNX4" target="_blank">11/20/2013</a> - Bridging the Literary Divide Panel<br /><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">11/21/2013</a> - All Booked UP! Panel Discussion <br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1eqPhYv" target="_blank">11/22/2013</a> - Reclaiming the Dream: 50 Years After the March<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/19ICtJo" target="_blank">11/23/2013</a> - Beacons of the Future Author Showcase<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1belRpR" target="_blank">11/24/2013</a> - Black Writers on a Mission (New Releases)<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA" target="_blank">11/25/2013</a> - A Thousand Steps to Health and Healing <br /> </span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<b><br />STAY CONNECTED! DON’T FORGET TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS.</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br />
<br />
Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival</b><br />
Share this Hashtag: #BondingThruBooks<br />
Hosted Ella Curry, EDC Creations Media Group<br />
Chatroom for readers: <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network</a><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/" target="_blank"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Tweet this event! </span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Share on Facebook!</a>
<br />#BondingThruBooks<br /> </span><br />Tell at least 10 people about this online event,
please. Post this show on your blogs too. Remember, Give the Gift of
Knowledge! </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-1201080396762720272013-11-11T04:04:00.001-08:002013-11-11T04:04:11.143-08:00A Thousand Steps to Healing and Forgiveness <div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13886" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b> <span style="font-size: large;">Igniting the Power
Within</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13887" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Listen
Here: <a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA">http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA</a>
</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13887" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13887" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/lrgbtbimages/blakcpedsieffrontpagere.jpg" /><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span></span><b><span><br />Bonding Thru Books Nightly Themes</span><br /><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html">http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html</a></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13890" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network/2013/11/26/black-books-weekend--day-4-non-fictionchildren" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /><br />11/25/2013</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> - 8:00 PM
A Thousand Steps to Healing and Forgiveness </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<br />
<b>“One thing: you have to walk, and create the way by your walking; you
will not find a ready-made path. It is not so cheap, to reach to the
ultimate realization of truth. You will have to create the path by
walking yourself; the path is not ready-made, lying there and waiting
for you. It is just like the sky: the birds fly, but they don't leave
any footprints. You cannot follow them; there are no footprints left
behind.” — Osho</b><br />
<br />
Healed People Heal! We are here to showcase the people who have
conquered insurmountable odds to succeed in life. This panel discusses
surviving our economy, broken homes, domestic violence, drug abuse, teen
dating woes and life threatening health issues in our community. This
panel offers hope!<br />
<br />
We see so many broken people in our community; people who had so much
potential, but lost their way for one reason or another. Was it learning
disabilities, lack of parental guidance, mental illness, financial
ruin, drug abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, discrimination...what?<br />
<br />
We are sharing vital information and books to help guide our
community on to forgiveness, peace of mind and healing. You will meet
doctors, life coaches, survivors, social workers and community leaders.</span></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Authors can register to be a part of the shows<br />http://www.edc-creations.com/payments.htm</span></b><br />
<br /><br />
</span><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network/2013/11/26/black-books-weekend--day-4-non-fictionchildren" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11/25/2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> - 9:00 PM
Survivor Stories: Leap of Faith Roundtable<br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Our
guest speakers represent greatness and courage as they share their
moving testimonies. We invite you to join the discussion to share your
stories of triumph and survival too! Call into the radio programs to
speak up and out. You may not feel that you are one to mentor or
minister to others, but you never know. Your testimony might heal a
hurting person. Your struggle might eliminate the pain in someone
else’s future. <br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>“The
willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity.
It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a
world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an
apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who
possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either --
or both -- when needed?” —Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something:
10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes </b></span><br />
<b><span><br />Bonding Thru Books Nightly Themes</span></b><br />
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html">http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html</a></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<b>
</b><br />
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div align="justify" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b>FEATURED PANEL DISCUSSIONS</b></span></span><br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belNX4" target="_blank">11/20/2013</a></b> - Bridging the Literary Divide Panel<br /><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">11/21/2013</a></b> - All Booked UP! Panel Discussion <br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1eqPhYv" target="_blank">11/22/2013</a></b> - Reclaiming the Dream: 50 Years After the March<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/19ICtJo" target="_blank">11/23/2013</a> </b> - Beacons of the Future Author Showcase<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belRpR" target="_blank">11/24/2013</a> </b> - Black Writers on a Mission (New Releases)<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA" target="_blank">11/25/2013</a> </b> - A Thousand Steps to Health and Healing <br /> </span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-28632847659616221322013-11-11T04:01:00.006-08:002013-11-11T04:01:57.940-08:00How We Love: Health, Marriage & Relationships <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">How We Love: Health, Marriage & Relationships </span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network/2013/11/26/black-books-weekend--day-4-non-fictionchildren" target="_blank">11/25/2013 at 9:30 PM </a></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdytsXzpVwpLLZre-SpsLe6qjxKLfvQj-0PmMf0j8k_sGXB64-8HhHiAGx5KHGKnjG1JxpLiGw8v00Ul9jg81BOAGUheRqLe-ehdRn2ybIyWhaTQmqEiB8XqiV_gzR0HSNZxSoGom3dUBi/s1600/00aa122ccccerferer.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdytsXzpVwpLLZre-SpsLe6qjxKLfvQj-0PmMf0j8k_sGXB64-8HhHiAGx5KHGKnjG1JxpLiGw8v00Ul9jg81BOAGUheRqLe-ehdRn2ybIyWhaTQmqEiB8XqiV_gzR0HSNZxSoGom3dUBi/s400/00aa122ccccerferer.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“When we
love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to
become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
—Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
Life coaches, ministers and authors will talk about their motivation for
writing books that teach, guide and empower our community on how to
achieve overall health and wellness. This unique opportunity will
provide valuable information on how to achieve balance between mind,
body and spirit.<b><br /><br />Authors can register to be a part of the shows here: http://www.edc-creations.com/payments.htm</b><br />
<br />
<b>TOPICS DISCUSSED BY THE AUTHORS</b><br />
* Owning Our Mental Health with Forgiveness<br />
* Surviving and Thriving After Adversity<br />
* Combating Mental Abuse<br />
* What is Intimate Partner Violence?<br />
* Enjoying Real Success without Losing Your Authentic Self<br />
* Has Reality TV shaped how men view women and our relationships?<br />
* Have women started settling for 2nd best in life, the workplace and relationships?<br />
* What's the best advice we have to offer young women in our communities?<br />
<br />
<b>We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is
devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is
some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we
discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.<br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Iyanla Vanzant said: </b>In a spiritual context, surrender is not
synonymous with being defeated. It is an act of faith. Surrender is the
process of giving up your will to the will of God. It is an admission
that you are willing to try a new way, do a new thing. Surrender sets
your faith in action. It shifts the focus from doing to being.<br />
<b><br />
Iyanla Vanzant said: </b> Speak with a conscious tongue. Words are
things that create conditions. Every time you open your mouth to speak,
you release the energy force of your soul. Say only those things you
truly wish to experience. Do not speak about what you do not want. When
you speak, you must be fully conscious of what you are saying.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Bonding Thru Books Nightly Themes</span></span></b></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html">http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b>FEATURED PANEL DISCUSSIONS</b></span></span><br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belNX4" target="_blank">11/20/2013</a></b> - Bridging the Literary Divide Panel<br /><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">11/21/2013</a></b> - All Booked UP! Panel Discussion <br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1eqPhYv" target="_blank">11/22/2013</a></b> - Reclaiming the Dream: 50 Years After the March<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/19ICtJo" target="_blank">11/23/2013</a> </b> - Beacons of the Future Author Showcase<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belRpR" target="_blank">11/24/2013</a> </b> - Black Writers on a Mission (New Releases)<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA" target="_blank">11/25/2013</a> </b> - A Thousand Steps to Health and Healing <br /> </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-37862985766864989402013-11-11T03:58:00.005-08:002013-11-11T04:00:22.460-08:00Explore the Bonding Thru Books Official Bookstore<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>Bonding Thru Books Official Bookstore</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Shop Here: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20">http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20</a></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/lrgbtbimages/00011booksgtowsejfwsefrwserf.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
In honor of November being National Family Stories Month, let's use it to share a little history too, here are
several books to read and share with young readers. </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=57" target="_blank"><b>Visit our bookstore
today, go here. </b><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>PURPOSE OF BONDING THRU BOOKS</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <b>FESTIVAL</b><br />
We're hosting this online book festival to connect avid readers with the
authors of quality books, written with a purpose. Each year thousands
of people - educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors,
poets and publishers - devote their time and resources to presenting the
reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not
get the attention and reader support that they deserve. We want to help
with this state of affairs, so we encourage readers to purchase books
to give as gifts 365 days a year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
<b>STAY CONNECTED! DON’T FORGET TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS.</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b><br />
<br />
Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival</b><br />
Share this Hashtag: #BondingThruBooks<br />
Hosted Ella Curry, EDC Creations Media Group<br />
Chatroom for readers: <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network</a><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><b>Bonding Thru Books Nightly Themes</b></span>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html">http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/bondingthrubooks13.html</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b>FEATURED PANEL DISCUSSIONS</b></span><br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belNX4" target="_blank">11/20/2013</a></b> - Bridging the Literary Divide Panel<br /><b><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">11/21/2013</a></b> - All Booked UP! Panel Discussion <br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1eqPhYv" target="_blank">11/22/2013</a></b> - Reclaiming the Dream: 50 Years After the March<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/19ICtJo" target="_blank">11/23/2013</a> </b> - Beacons of the Future Author Showcase<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1belRpR" target="_blank">11/24/2013</a> </b> - Black Writers on a Mission (New Releases)<br /><b><a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA" target="_blank">11/25/2013</a> </b> - A Thousand Steps to Health and Healing <br /> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://twitter.com/" target="_blank"><br />Tweet this event! </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Share on Facebook!</a>
#BondingThruBooks. Tell at least 10 people about this online event,
please. Post this show on your blogs too. Remember, Give the Gift of
Knowledge!</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-71992075904749152962013-11-05T05:52:00.003-08:002013-11-11T04:14:48.168-08:002013 Bonding Thru Books Festival<div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2879" style="font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877">2013 Bonding Thru Books Weekend</b></span><br />
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2882" style="font-size: 20pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2885">Nov. 22 - Nov. 26, 2013</span></b></span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />WE WILL LEAVE
LEGACY! WHAT WILL THAT LEGACY BE?</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-ZhACVndqe4qStq5N-f2R7htsLFaRQaKEFrkZzuckcqR5CVRgDboiACHUsl6DHcTUcn-wrNDBVX_-Lj5lFb77jbKS5dOP7RDK2AUJluJ2ozDNUopfi8JLHhtSlDOib32hlzvJn2iUgY/s1600/000drfgfgga3wqrtgwrgaetrete.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-ZhACVndqe4qStq5N-f2R7htsLFaRQaKEFrkZzuckcqR5CVRgDboiACHUsl6DHcTUcn-wrNDBVX_-Lj5lFb77jbKS5dOP7RDK2AUJluJ2ozDNUopfi8JLHhtSlDOib32hlzvJn2iUgY/s400/000drfgfgga3wqrtgwrgaetrete.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2875" style="font-size: 16pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877">BAN Radio Show: 646.200.0402 </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877"><br /><a href="http://www.edc-creations.com/payments.htm" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Authors Register for the BTB Festival here.</a></b></span></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2877">
</b></span></div>
<b>You are invited to Bonding Thru Books Weekend,</b>
a totally ONLINE book festival hosted by EDC Creations Media Group.
Every year we present a very diverse author showcase with live
readings, writer's workshops, book club panel discussions, and several
awesome book giveaways. Join BAN Radio Show host Ella D. Curry, avid
readers, book bloggers and publishing industry insiders <b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2274">Friday, Nov. 22 - Tuesday, Nov. 26</b>,<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2273"> every night </b>at<b> 8-10pm EST</b>.
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<br />
We are celebrating our heritage, culture and incredible talents for
the holiday season! We invite all readers to call into the show and
share their thoughts each of the four nights. We will give away more
than 200 books to chatters in the four days. We want readers to meet new
authors and to find amazing books to give as gifts! You are important
to this community and we want to hear from you too.<br />
<br />
We are proud to announce the launch of the "<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2275">Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign</b>," bringing readers and authors together to help improve literacy. <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2276">Each
year thousands of people - educators, concerned parents, community
leaders, authors, poets and publishers - devote their time and resources
to presenting the reader with great books! However, too many
outstanding books do not get the attention and reader support that they
deserve. We want to help with this issue, as we encourage readers to
purchase books to give as gifts 365 days a year. <br /><b><br />It
is our mission to connect readers with the authors of quality books,
written with a purpose. We offer books that will change their lives!
Instead of giving expensive gifts that don't shape lives, let's Give the
Gift of Knowledge, pay it forward and help to strengthen our future
generations by sharing our wonderful literary legacy! </b></span><b> </b><br />
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<br />
<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2279" style="font-size: 16pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2278"><b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2277">Nightly Themes and Featured Books</b></span></div>
<b> </b><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://profilesinblack.blogspot.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2863" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Host Website: http://profilesinblack.blogspot.com </a></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 14pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383658517591_2878"><b>FEATURED PANEL DISCUSSIONS</b></span><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1belNX4" target="_blank">11/20/2013</a> - Bridging the Literary Divide Panel<br /><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">11/21/2013</a> - All Booked UP! Panel Discussion <br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1eqPhYv" target="_blank">11/22/2013</a> - Reclaiming the Dream: 50 Years After the March<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/19ICtJo" target="_blank">11/23/2013</a> - Beacons of the Future Author Showcase<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1belRpR" target="_blank">11/24/2013</a> - Black Writers on a Mission (New Releases)<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/1aIdCaA" target="_blank">11/25/2013</a> - A Thousand Steps to Health and Healing </span></span> <br />
<b><br /><br />Tweet this event! Share on Facebook! </b>
Tell at least 10 people about this online event, please. Post this
show on your blogs too. Remember, Give the Gift of Knowledge! Visit
Black Pearls Magazine for more author interviews and 100 book club
interviews : <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001lmE2g-SOBkOQ9rDK9r9lgcbUSAW1AGOYiID4pPzcnAjmn1kSXjngQX90khAUlbikE-LwhIERqkoIn3AKe5wSy0tR4Le5h3GLdvbrZ9Yfa86CXdLp_fhTiw==" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.blackpearlsmagazine.com</a> #BondingThruBooks</span><br />
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<div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377645385049_13811" style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Bonding Thru Books Literary Festival</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 22 - Nov. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-50945165747317353322013-10-30T09:35:00.002-07:002013-10-30T09:35:34.106-07:00Turn Your Mishaps Into a Ministry- BAN Radio Special Programs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Turn Your Mishaps Into a Ministry" Radio Programs</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pm5XwG7b5RlNpnYPmca6ZV-EuDQWq6Z20UU_e6wPvW543YPnusoN0ptui4D5iWc_DDmeRwMbMqvLGLSTxo9oCmxSjjFxsopQZy3fCloYGNOi02Oz9hnmD6vYL2XSPq5q967r7RAe7BIu/s1600/000001aseefrdSDSDWSWQ2Qddejofeee4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pm5XwG7b5RlNpnYPmca6ZV-EuDQWq6Z20UU_e6wPvW543YPnusoN0ptui4D5iWc_DDmeRwMbMqvLGLSTxo9oCmxSjjFxsopQZy3fCloYGNOi02Oz9hnmD6vYL2XSPq5q967r7RAe7BIu/s320/000001aseefrdSDSDWSWQ2Qddejofeee4444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” <br />
<b>-- Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter</b><br />
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<br />
<b>If hurt people, hurt people, then healed people can surely heal people! </b> There are many people in need of of love. They might be looking for this love and compassion in words or deeds. Sometimes all a person needs is the lending of a hand or a sound example to follow. <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">BAN Radio Show</a> and producer<a href="http://www.edc-creations.com/" target="_blank"> Ella Curry</a> want to bring people together from all walks of life, that have answered the call of giving. Our speakers will share their journey and personal knowledge as a way to support hurting people. You will meet authors, business owners, social change agents, survivors, educators and more!<br />
<b><br />We invite you to join the monthly panel discussions to share your stories of triumph and survival too! </b> Call into the radio programs to speak up and out! You may not feel that you are the one to mentor or minister to others, but you never know. Your testimony might heal a hurt person. Your struggle might eliminate the pain in someone else''s future. Haruki Murakami says “What happens when people open their hearts...They get better.”<br />
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<b><br />Mishap to Ministry Part 1- BAN Radio: <a href="http://bit.ly/16AwO2g" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/16AwO2g</a></b><a href="http://bit.ly/16AwO2g" target="_blank"> </a><br />
Authors offer hope and inspiration for those dealing with problem teens, the death of a parent, the loss of a relationships and the trials of trying to live out your dreams while working full time.<br />
<br />
<b><br />Mishap to Ministry Part 2- BAN Radio: <a href="http://tobtr.com/s/5410955">http://tobtr.com/s/5410955</a></b><br />
Three extraordinary women share their struggles with breast cancer and domestic violence. They each tell the audience how they were able to cope with the news and how they became survivors!<br />
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When people have hurts and trials in their lives, they tend to work on resolving them by focusing on what went wrong. There’s nothing wrong with asking this question, but more importantly we want people to seek ways to resolve the issues! At <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">BAN Radio</a>, we firmly believe that investing in our BAN community is the key to creating success for our listeners. If we can help a few, we can save many! <br />
<br />
<b><br />Lasting change can only be achieved when people have access to both knowledge and resources. We bring you people who are not just "talking the talk" but have been through the darkness and are now living in sunshine! Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">BAN Radio Show</a> each Monday and Wednesday night at 8-10:00 pm EST, <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network" target="_blank">go here</a>. </b><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464660677516416621.post-49424244680059091112013-09-19T09:11:00.003-07:002013-11-11T04:10:51.539-08:00Intimate Conversation with Sonja Lewis<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><b>Intimate Conversation with Sonja Lewis</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><img alt="" src="http://ellacurry2009.audioacrobat.com/files/images/SonjaLewisblkihh.jpg" style="height: 238px; width: 191px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><br />Author of The Barrenness, <b>Sonja Lewis</b>
has appeared on CNN and The Tom Joyner Morning Show. She has also been
featured in Black Enterprise, and in the media in Canada and the United
Kingdom. A former reporter for The Albany Herald (Georgia), Sonja has
also written for British newspaper The Guardian. Currently, she writes a
blog for the Huffington Post, UK. A member of the Society of Authors,
Sonja lives in London with her husband, Paul.<br />
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<b>BPM: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?</b><br />
Yes, when I was a girl I loved nothing more than to make up stories
for my youngest sister, though I didn’t write them down. I named the
characters, described them and acted them out. When I think back, I
absolutely loved the free thinking, no rules just creativity. My first
real writing assignment came with a state-wide contest when I was a
tween. What a tree means to me? I won and have been hooked since.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of your family.</b><br />
My church, the Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church, a small church
in Leary, GA. There I gained confidence by writing the church history,
speeches, the weekly announcements and very theatrically delivering
these pieces. And wonderfully, the people embraced me, encouraged me,
said I had something special even when I read in Sunday School.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What does growth mean to you?</b><br />
I feel I’ve grown when I learn from a mistake or a challenge and move
on, when I am able to take from the past, let it go; and abide in the
present and imagine the future positively. That to me is exponential
growth.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Introduce us to your book,</b></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"> <b>The Blindsided Prophet,</b> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><b> and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?</b><br />
The Blindsided Prophet is the story of a modern day prophet who is
caught unawares by a tragic event when he is a teenager. This alters his
life forever. Fifteen years later, at God’s bidding Isaiah Brown
returns to Coffee, GA, to unravel the tragedy, make reparation and
prevent an even worse tragedy.<br />
<br />
The main character, Isaiah Brown, is probably my favorite because he
is original. I don’t know anyone like him. Naturally, he had to come
from somewhere so I must have drawn on characteristics of some of the
world’s great people, some perhaps renown. In any case, he is unique. He
is a modern-day prophet.<br />
<br />
Also, I favor Mae Cook as she is so very much like many people I
know—well meaning, good to the core, but gets it wrong a lot of times.
At middle age, she learns valuable life lessons. Through Mae, we see
that it is never too late to grow-up.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in The Blindsided Prophet?</b><br />
My faith, I suppose is the short answer. I remember being called
arrogant once by a young preacher when I talked of my own personal
relationship with God. I wanted to show that faith is not just about
religion, it is about dwelling/residing within yourself if you will.
Deep within you meet God as and when you please. You just have to focus.
There, you find the answers.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?</b><br />
Yes, my faith does. I think Christianity is misunderstood often but
not just in non-Christian countries but right here at home. People are
turned off by these people who profess to know this Christ but He
doesn’t always show up in our attitudes, in the way we live etc…<br />
<br />
With my first book a Christian radio announcer cancelled the interview
at the last minute because she found profanity in the book. Sorry but
there is profanity in life and I try to create a real picture, if you
will. I totally respect that it was not the book for her and her
audience, but I didn’t have a lot of time for her assumption that she
had inside information with God that I didn’t have, and that she was
living more purely than I, if you will. I somehow doubt it. But if she
is, good for her but don’t judge.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?</b><br />
A spell bounding read that stays with them for a very long time.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: How do you feel about e-books vs print books?</b><br />
I prefer print books to touch them, to smell them, to read them and I
always will but e-book readers, particularly the Kindle, have a place in
our world. I love being able to access endless books and take countless
reads on holiday, the train, etc… But if I had to choose, I’d choose
print books every time. Now my business sense says that might be the
wrong choice, but it is what I think.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?</b><br />
No, I don’t. I do think sales are a huge indicator, but for example,
with my first novel, The Barrenness, I had a campaign that took the lid
off a very important social issue—a woman being fulfilled without
becoming a mother. One of my goals was to start a worldwide
conversation about the topic. I’d like to think that I played a role in
all the attention that subsequently came to the subject.<br />
<br />
<b>BPM: My writing offers the following legacy to future readers....</b><br />
The legacy of taking responsibility for one’s own thoughts and
learning how to find peace within through changes one’s thinking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Connect with Sonja at: sonja@sonjalewis.com or visit her website: www.sonjalewis.com</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/SonjaLewis">https://twitter.com/SonjaLewis</a><br />
Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4783226.Sonja_Lewis">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4783226.Sonja_Lewis</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonja-Lewis/175892332464961">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonja-Lewis/175892332464961</a></span></span><br />
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</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please join us on the BAN Community Blog at: www.profilesinblack.blogspot.com</div>Ella D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852940348120955782noreply@blogger.com0