Tuesday, December 08, 2015

BOOK OF THE DAY: Emi's Curly Coily, Cotton Candy Hair







Emi is a creative 7-year-old girl with a BIG imagination. In this story Emi shares a positive message about her Curly, Coily, Cotton Candy Hair and what she likes most about it. The vibrant illustrations and fun story teach basic natural hair care techniques and tips in a playful and memorable way.

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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

BLOG TOUR: Behind Closed Doors by A.L. Smith


"The strongest among us are the ones who cry behind closed doors, have the ability to smile through silent pain, and fight battles that are obscured by shame.”
For Sierra, Alex and Latrice, the innocence of childhood was lost at an early age. The three cousins transition into womanhood carrying a secret that would influence their lives and threaten to destroy their family. Choosing significantly different paths as they struggle to deal with the psychological effects of abuse, the three are eventually driven apart. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, the heroine of the story, Alex, reconnects with Sierra and Latrice. The meeting would ultimately set the stage for atonement.
Excerpt
​ “Why, Keith?”

She didn’t ask if he was guilty, she simply asked “why?”

​ Everyone looked at her as Keith looked at the floor. Suddenly it all made sense. His mom must have known about his sick attraction for little girls all along. Incredible, I thought, trying to put everything into perspective. If she knew her son was capable of such horrible things, why didn’t she do something to protect us? The silence was uncomfortably thick, and then all of a sudden my grandmother made a statement that was barely audible, but I heard her.

"Aw shucks, y’all stop all this nonsense. That boy is just like his granddaddy. Peabody was the same way.”

I couldn’t believe it! Just like that he was justified. Recalling a scene from The Color Purple, I guess Miss Sophia was right when she said, “a girl child just ain’t safe in a family of men…”

​“Sure was,” my grandmother’s sister chimed in.

​Finally, my mother spoke.

“Sierra, how could you let him do that to you?”

This would become one of the worst days of my life. It is permanently etched in my mind and replayed on a daily basis. I never know when the thoughts will come and I haven’t determined a specific trigger. The images just suddenly appear and I’m held captive by my own mind until they fade away.





 Dr. A.L. Smith read her first full-length novel (The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner) in the third grade and it spawned her passion for reading. According to Dr. Smith, the hallmark of a great story is the resounding presence of a character that transcends the final pages of the book.

Dr. Smith is a native of Frierson, La. She attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship and later joined the school's Army ROTC program. Upon graduation in 1996, she became the university's first Army ROTC cadet to receive a commission in the Army Nurse Corps. She's a practicing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her research study ("Evidence-Based Selection of Sedation Agents for Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography") was selected for publication in the 2016 edition of the Journal of Gastroenterology Nursing issue 39 volume 2.

In 2010, she participated in humanitarian relief efforts during the devastating earthquake in Haiti and provided anesthesia services to a countless number of victims, many of whom were children. This experience would have a profound impact on her views concerning socioeconomic disparities here in the U.S. and countries abroad. She's a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and takes seriously the organization's motto "Service to all Mankind". "In as much as you've done to the least of the..." is her personal motto.

Get to know Angela:

1. What was the inspiration for your first novel?
Some years ago, I attended a book club meeting in Atlanta Georgia, where I was surrounded by a group of extremely intelligent and successful women. Ten women were present and nine of them shared personal stories of childhood abuse. Surprisingly, a majority of the women were sharing their stories for the first time. Fear and shame were the common denominators which led these women to suffer in silence. This would become the primary inspiration for writing my first book.

2. What process did you use for character selection?

The characters are largely a product of my imagination but they were created specifically for the purpose of demonstrating some of the potential effects of childhood abuse, which include drug and alcohol addiction, low self-esteem/promiscuity and relationship dysfunction.

3. Is there a particular character that you identify with the most?

Alex, hands down. I found myself channeling many of my personal ideas and emotions concerning dysfunctional  relationships through her character.

4. The urban fiction genre is an extremely competitive market and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. What are your thoughts concerning the future of the industry?

Competition is essential for growth in any industry. The urban fiction industry is overflowing with an abundance of talented authors and avid readers. I believe the urban fiction market has the potential to sustain itself.

5. What are the keys to success for urban fiction authors?

Capturing and maintaining your audience is most important. I'm still new to the author side of the industry and still trying to build my brand. However, I listen to the readers. Currently, the most critical commentary is related to the issue of repetitive story lines and a perceived lapse in the overall quality of finished products. The urban fiction genre is extremely unique because it embraces a particular set of characteristics, issues and circumstances that are consistent with urban life. Therefore, it stands to reason, these stories will be repeated time and time again. In light of this reality, an author's ability to recreate these stories in a unique fashion with attention to detail and quality will ultimately determine individual progression and long term success within the industry.

6. What is the primary message for the Behind Closed Doors Series?

According to recent statistics, one in five girls and one in twenty boys are subject to some form of childhood abuse. Sexual abuse is often hard to identify due to the lack of physical wounds and the veil of secrecy which further obscures the crime. Without a doubt, my primary goal is to increase awareness concerning this issue and provide victims with a platform for healing.

What are your future plans as an author?

Behind Closed Doors 2: Redemption is scheduled for release in the coming weeks and I'm currently working on my third project which is a stand-alone urban fiction/medical thriller. The production of my trailer for Behind Closed Door 2 was an extremely exhilarating experience for me. I'm currently exploring some ideas concerning the production of "movie-like" trailers for other authors.
Find the author and the book:
Website
Amazon
Links
Twitter   @akangela1
Facebook   A.L. Smith
Instagram  @akangela1
Trailer for Book 2
Watch “Behind Closed Doors - Official Trailer (2)” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/137321122
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Monday, November 16, 2015

Book Of The Day - Calling Her Bluff by Kaia Danielle






He wasn’t the score she was looking for...

Romance author Kamaria Wilson came to Las Vegas with nothing to lose. A one-night stand with a delicious man is just the distraction she needs…until one night with him doesn’t feel like enough. Panicked, she skips out on the morning-after encore and hides out at the poker tables.

After his hot one-night stand goes MIA, security specialist Jack Aldirisi is sure he’ll never see her again. But when he’s called in to the casino for an unexpected “special assignment,” Lady Luck smiles down on Jack. For the rest of the weekend, he’ll be by his missing woman’s side. 

She insists their powerful connection is nothing more than sex. He begs to difer. And this time, he’s calling her bluff.

Chapter excerpt:

Out of the corner of her eye, Kamaria watched his jaw tighten. His deliciously broad shoulders got even broader. Then he leaned down and brushed her locks to the side. His lips mere inches from her neck. His breath tickled that spot on her skin, making her throb in all the right places. Was elevator sex legal in Nevada? “I distinctly remember you mumbling something about ‘best orgasm ever.’” He breathed the words against her neck. She closed her eyes. Do not shiver. Do not shiver.

She turned her head. Now their lips were almost touching. “And wiping a tear from your eye,” he continued. He swiped away an imaginary tear and then smirked.

God, he was entirely too gorgeous when he smirked like that. His dimples cut into his cheeks like deep lickable crevices. He was total hero material. Maybe she could convince him to pose for her next book cover. All big and bold and chivalrous. Everything she wanted her own fantasy man to be.
No, she had to resist his spell. For heaven’s sake, she wrote romantic fiction, she wasn’t supposed to be living it. She crossed her arms. “I had something in my eye.”

“In addition to that best orgasm ever, I helped you out in a tough situation downstairs. You could start with ‘thank you.’ Or, how about, ‘I’m sorry for banging your brains out and then leaving’? Had I known you had any kind of gambling problem, I would have never…” He paused and gently brushed her arm. She stiffened. Just as she suspected. A guy like him would never want to get mixed up with someone as mess up as her.

“…I would have never let you out of my arms. I woke up wanting to cook you breakfast. Make you scream my name. Again.”

Her breath hitched. Why couldn’t she come up with dialogue like that? This man wasn’t just nice. He was perfect.

“So what do you say to a do-over, Kamaria?”

She shoved her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, determined to ignore his all too tempting offer. She liked the way he said her name. Said it correctly, too. She tried to force back a smile. He was making it harder and harder for her to think of him as just a fling. “Call me Mari. Everyone says it’s easier.”

Jack shrugged and moved his hand to the wall beside her head. “If I liked easy, I wouldn’t be here…”


Meet The Author:

Kaia Danielle writes contemporary romance, historical romance, women’s fiction and a graphic novel that is resisting the revision process. Her short stories have appeared in several national magazines and an anthology. She is an alumnae of the VONA writing workshop. Originally from New Jersey, she now calls coastal Georgia home. You can find her tweeting about being a Jersey Girl in South Georgia, her foodie adventures and popular culture in general on her @kaiawrites handle. 

Her website is www.kaiawrites.com. 

Purchase link:
All of the links are on my publisher’s page: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/calling-her-bluff/



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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Book Spotlight: 12 Honeymoons by K.L. Brady




Publisher's Weekly hailed K.L. Brady's work  as "comic and charming..." RT Book Reviews called Brady's work "Hilarious!"...and says she "draws readers in immediately...and propels them straight through the drama, humor and the various twists and turns that will leave you exhausted but satisfied." Now the multiple award-winning author has a new romantic comedy that promises to be one of the funniest reads this year!

If she's addicted to beginnings, how will she find her happily ever after?

Miki Vincent's entire life stalled because she's addicted to the beginnings of things, especially relationships. She relishes in the emotional highs, first hugs, first kisses that new love brings. But sex always ruins it. That's why abstaining during the first three months of a relationship—following the 90-day rule—was supposed to help land her down the aisle with Mr. Right. Miki finds out the hard way, Mr. Wrong can wait that long, especially if his ultimate prize is her inheritance.

One assault charge and depression later, Miki devises the Honeymoon Plan, guaranteeing her a lifetime of firsts and zero heartaches. But following her own rule sends her life into an out-of-control spiral in which she's sentenced to more than perpetual break-ups. A new pursuit and a string of sexy suitors offer her the opportunity to jumpstart her life and test her new strategy. The only problem? It just might work.

Miki's best friend Pam, a repressed artist, struggles to keep her honeymoon alive but she can no longer ignore the blatant evidence staring her in the face: Her husband is having an affair. A different kind of "honeymoon plan" designed to free her from her troubles, and a chance meeting with a handsome artistic stranger, help reignite her passions. But will they destroy her marriage in the process?

Miki and Pam both learn the hard way that sometimes you have to lose your way to find yourself.



Read A Chapter


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Friday, September 18, 2015

BLOG TOUR: Why a Thug Can’t Love Me by Monica Jeremie





Oblivious to the lies men tell and the games they played, Sidney Jackson wants nothing more than to find love and acceptance. However, in the process of searching for “the one” her heart is left mutilated; and her self-esteem and confidence is at an all-time low. Falling into a depression during summer break from college ultimately forces the weight loss she so desired and suddenly, a new Sidney was created.

Fueled by past rejections, Sidney returns to college, embodying society’s definition of beauty. She has a slimmer waist and more confidence, but still yearns to be loved by a man who will reciprocate her same devotion. Then out of nowhere, came Quintavius “Q” Ford.

Q wasn’t the one who caught her eye, but when Q’s friend, Kaylin, seemingly isn’t interested, Sidney reluctantly begins to date him. To Sidney, Q is perfect, but he isn’t Kaylin and when she finally decides to take her life by the reins and guide herself to happiness, things take a turn for the worse.

When it seems that all of her efforts to find love are finally in her favor, she soon finds herself entangled in a web of meaningless sex, drugs, alcohol, and torn between two guys who have an agenda of their own. Sidney forgot one thing in this game of love and war-to love herself first. Will it be too late for that?

Excerpt:

With her elbows propped on her knees and her face planted in her palms, Sidney yearned for the coolness of the toilet seat against her backside to alleviate the heat coursing through her body. Despite the bone chilling air blasting from the A/C vent above her, sweat beads formed on her skin. The warmth suffocating her body became increasingly unbearable. Her head was spinning, and it felt too heavy for her neck to support. Sidney laid her head in her lap while still seated on the toilet. With a stained comforter draped over her naked body, the young college co-ed relieved some of the pressure caused by the unsettled liquor in her stomach as she emptied her bladder in the dormitory bathroom.

Mid-stream, the door slowly creaked open. Sidney squinted her eyes in an attempt to tame her wavering vision to identify the person intruding on her private moment. A brown-skinned male walked in, closing the door behind him, and he sat across from Sidney on the linoleum tile floor. Despite the linen cover barely covering her nude body, and the fact that she was currently urinating, she studied his face. She knew him from somewhere, but she couldn’t place where. The drunken female couldn’t help but admire the man’s impressive physique. But still, her heart broke, as the reason for his presence was perfectly clear.

“You alright?” he asked, seemingly sincere.

“Yeah,” Sidney slurred, reaching for the toilet paper. She racked her brain trying to recall his name.

Just as she finished dabbing herself dry with the toilet paper, the young man proceeded to kneel in between her legs and slid the raggedy comforter off to the side with his left hand, exposing her large breasts. Dumbfounded, Sidney was slightly appalled that he was trying to be intimate with her in a bathroom. If she could smell the urine rising from the toilet bowl, then he should’ve, too. Although her reaction was slightly delayed and her arm felt heavy, Sidney swiped at his hand. But it did nothing. The young man with the hershey skin continued to fondle each breast. He then brought his lips to Sidney’s neck. Momentarily, the cognac on his breath and the marijuana emanating from his skin caused her stomach to rumble with displeasure, but then the softness and coolness of his thick lips against her flesh sent electricity coursing through her body. He gently pinched her nipple, causing a throbbing sensation between her thighs.

A moaned slipped from her lips unknowingly, contradicting her true feelings.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Noticing the tremble in her slurred speech and the confused expression on her face, the male withdrew his hand and sat back on his heels. Throwing the toilet paper in the toilet and flushing it, Sidney stood and wrapped the linen tighter around her body while she reached for the door handle. Slightly turning the knob and opening the door, Sidney attempted to exit, but the guy she swore she knew from somewhere shut the door and blocked her path. Locking the door, he backed Sidney into a corner of the bathroom.

 
Get to know Monica:


Monica Jeremie was born in Georgia and raised in Texas. She currently resides in Orlando, Florida with her fiancé and their two children. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2007. Last fall, Monica Jeremie enrolled back at UCF part-time to pursue a second degree in Public Administration.

One of her future goals is volunteering with teens and young adults, assisting with the development of life and social skills and achieving a higher education. She would also enjoy the opportunity to speak with young girls about the importance of self-love and acceptance and avoiding toxic relationships.

Monica Jeremie’s love for reading and writing began over seven years ago and instantly became two of her passions. She looks forward to creating stories that are relatable, entertaining, and original.


What inspired you to write Why a Thug Can’t Love Me?

I was inspired by the negative trends and stereotypes as well as unhealthy relationships and lifestyles prevalent among teens and young women, specifically African American women. This book is my interpretation of social issues I’ve seen on TV and social media and hear in today’s music.

Do you see yourself in any other characters in the book?

While in high school and college, I dealt with the same insecurities as the main character, Sidney. I struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, as well as my weight and appearance. It was hard for me to fit in and socialize because I was very shy and quiet. It took me a while to truly love myself and accept myself as I am. Once that happened, everything else just fell into place.

What do you hope that readers will take away from this book?

I hope this book will help people, especially women, understand that it is hard for relationships, marriages, and friendships to be successful if you do not care and love yourself. People will do to you only what you let them. If you don’t love and treat yourself with the utmost respect, you shouldn’t expect someone else to?

What inspired you to write?

In 2009, I was working at a job that I hated, and was due to be laid off at the end of the year as a result of budget reductions. By this time, I already obtained my bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies but had also decided I no longer desired to work in that field. Knowing that I was going to be out of a job soon, I told myself that my next job was going to be doing something I loved. One night while reading one of my favorite books, becoming a writer just kind of popped into my head. It was a slow and difficult process in the beginning, but once I got into it, I knew that I had just found my new career.

At what point did you realize writing was your purpose?

I realized writing was my purpose when it became all I thought about. No matter where I was different scenarios would keep going through my mind. Eventually, I started carrying a pen and notebook with me whenever I left home, so that I could jot down whatever was on my mind or something interesting that I observed while out and about.

What are you goals as an author?

My goal as an author is to write as many entertaining stories without them becoming similar and predictable. Eventually, I would like to experiment with different genres, such as, science fiction, mysteries, and non-fiction self-help books.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

No matter how many rejection letters you receive or how discouraged you become, do not quit. If writing is something you truly love, keep writing. I have received rejection letters. I have had submissions go unanswered. I have stopped writing for several months at a time because I became so discouraged. But I always came back because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

There will be people who do not like your work. There will be several people that do.  Keep doing what you love.

Find the author and the book:



Instagram: http://instagram.com/monicajeremie/ (@monicajeremie)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/monicajeremie/ (@monicajeremie)

Why A Thug Can’t Love Me is now available on Amazon:


Email address:
mjeremie29@gmail.com


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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Book Of The Day - Church Ain't A Showplace for Saints by Angelia Vernon Menchan





Chantelle sat on the side of her bed feeling exhausted. Glancing at her husband, Stanley, made her eyes water. They had been married for eleven years and the sight of him made her sick. She was almost twenty-nine when she met him and had to have him. As a church going woman, she felt she needed him to fill her up. She had struggled against her flesh so long and had made a few slips along the way, though that was her secret. Stanley offered marriage and she took it. For ten of the eleven years, she pretended all was well but it wasn’t. Stanley was a cheat and he worked when he felt like it. She just didn’t understand why God would do this to her. She had done all she was supposed to; she was in church, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday nights. She paid more than her share in tithes and she was a good woman, she knew she was. What the hell happened? She didn’t admit or own any of her own transgressions. She was a saint after all, wasn’t she?

EXCERPT
 
Anise woke up exhausted. She had spent the night before drinking and felt like she was dipped in a bottle of tequila but the one thing on her mind was going to church. She had dreamed about her grandma, mama and aunt in one night and they each told her, "Baby, the Lord is still waiting."

It had been years. She was thirty-seven, and more than half her life had been spent since then. Standing in the mirror, she took her own measure and knew it was only God who kept her. The fact she looked halfway decent was a miracle and as her grandma used to say, "Proof that Jesus was real."

She remembered the last day she attended church. She rolled out of bed after a night of debauchery but no matter what, she went to church.

Strolling in that morning, the first person she ran into was Sister Chantelle. Chantelle Myers, who would later be Chantelle Rodgers, was the personification of a church girl. Her dress was proper, her stockings opaque and she even wore a pillbox hat and was only three years older than Anise, which made her twenty-five. Chantelle's lips tightened as Anise tried to walk past her and she grabbed Anise's arm, literally pulling her into a side office.

"Anise Silvers, I cannot believe you coming in here smelling like liquor and midnight. You ought to be ashamed." Chantelle hissed and Anise could smell the peppermint on her breath. She knew there was a supply in her handbag.

"Chantelle, last time I checked, church was for everybody. Go on, now."

"Church is for those trying to live and do right, it's not for those who just rolled out some man's bed and coming in here. This is church and that tight dress and bare legs is just plain sinful. Sinful. I know your grandmother is rolling over in her grave." Her words felt like Ginzu knives slicing through flesh.

Suddenly, Anise felt weary and ashamed. Maybe Chantelle was right. Chantelle was as pure as the driven snow and had spent her life in church. Surely, she knew better. Turning on her heels, she fled and hadn't been back in fifteen years.

But that day, that morning, she was going to church. It was past time...



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