Finding out the man she planned to marry is already married,
losing her job, getting kicked out of her apartment unless she sleeps with her
perverted landlord…Naomi thought her luck couldn’t possibly get any worse…until
she’s forced to move back in with her widowed father and finds out he’s
remarried Donna, a younger white woman. As if that isn’t a hard enough pill to
swallow, Donna’s very handsome nephew, Matthew comes to live with them for a
few weeks while his place is being renovated.
No matter how much Naomi wants to dislike Matt, the romantic
tension between them is undeniable. When the kissin’ step-cousins decide to
take things to the next level, Naomi will quickly learn that while love may be
blind, color isn’t. She’ll be forced to choose between finding happiness with
Matt, and a society that still isn’t accepting of interracial relationships
after racism rears it’s ugly head.
J.L. Sapphire is the pen name and alter-ego of Joyce L.
Blalock-Thomas. She was born and raised in southern Arkansas, and she still
lives there with her two children.
She is the self-published author of several books, short
stories, and novellas including My Secret Life: Confessions of a Housewife, Two
Can Play That Game, Masquerade: Nina's Revenge, and Sweet Taboo (a BWWM
romance) In 2016, she joined the Brown Girls Publishing family when her short
story, The Ex Factor, was chosen to be included in an anthology titled The Ex
Chronicles.
Writing is Joyce's version of Calgon. By locking herself in
her room, she can get away from everything & everybody (at least for a
little while) and lose herself in the lives of the characters she creates.
Contact info: Website: ladyvirgobooks.wix.com/jlsapphire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlsapphire
What inspired your book?
I like to read and try my hand at writing different genres.
With all the racism and injustices that happens to Black people daily- such as
unlawful arrests and/or killings while unarmed- I wondered what it must be like
for couples who are of a different race to discuss issues such as these at home
if/when they have different opinions about the situations and how hard it must
be to be an interracial couple in a society that's still very racist, even in
2016.
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
To learn to agree to disagree when it comes to race. It's
certainly understandable for us to be mad and protest and speak out when
another Black life is taken, but to realize that not everyone who's white is
out to get us. There are good and bad people in all races.
Which character did you have the most fun writing about?
Naomi. Going into detail about her dating history, which led
her to getting down with the swirl. Since I've also had a quite interesting
dating history myself, it was easy to relate to her at times.
What did you learn while writing this book?
Again, to not judge people by the color of their skin. Naomi
was ready to find a way to get rid of her father's new wife, simply because she
was white. As time went on, she realized they actually had a lot in common and
she wasn't the bad person she'd thought she was.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you
reached where you are now?
(1) To always stand up for myself, because there are people
out there who will walk all over you if you let them. (2) To not take bad
reviews to heart- everything isn't for everybody, but just because a reader
gives your book a one star review, it doesn't mean you're doomed as an author.
(3) The last thing is something I've always done, but to continue following my own
heart, mind, and gut instinct, and not go with the flow just because everybody
else is doing it.
What advice would you offer to someone whose first book is
about to be released?
To write what you feel, what's in your heart, and don't
worry about how it will be received. Again, some people will love your work,
some won't, but don't take negativity personal. Also, being an author-
especially a new or self-published author-
can be a difficult process. People don't know you at first, so you have
to build a following for yourself, which can be discouraging sometimes. Be
patient and don't get sucked into bad publishing deals or attach yourself to a
certain publisher because you think they can get you to where you want to be
faster. Also, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and learn as much as you can on your own.
Google is your friend. Don't rely on other people to tell you everything
What’s the most interesting change in your life as a result
of being a published author?
I used to be so shy and soft-spoken. I've always been very
sensitive, and the smallest thing could make me cry. I worried a lot about what
people thought of me. All of that has changed. I no longer care about other
people's opinions of me. Shy is no longer a word people associate with me. When
I began writing romance novels, I was a little hesitant to write certain
things, because it's not expected of me. I thought, "Will people think I'm
a freak if I write this erotic love scene?" Once my mama read my books and
she was cool, I got over it. Now, I get told often, "Oh my word...girl,
who knew you had that in you!" and statements similar to that. LOL. Most
importantly, because I like to write female characters who are independent and
confident, it's made me feel better about me. I demand respect, I no longer
tolerate people thinking they can treat me any kind of way and I'm supposed to
just deal with it. Those days are long gone.
What’s are your three favorite social media platforms and
how are you using them for promotion?
I am a social media junkie. My favorites are Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter. I promote my books on all three platforms. I post
giveaways, reviews, and informative articles about writing and publishing,
which can help other authors or aspiring authors. These sites are also great
for connecting with readers and potential readers.
Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?
That regardless of whether or not I ever become famous for
my books, I am super proud of myself for taking the step to make my dream of
becoming an author come true. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't change a
thing. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't waited until I was almost 40 to start my
literary journey, but everything happens when it's meant to.
Anything you'd like to say to the readers of SORMAG?
Thanks for reading my interview and check out my author page
on http://www.amazon.com/J.L.-Sapphire/e/B00KM0B5AC
There's something there for everybody to enjoy.
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