Anna is a mysterious woman that has just moved to Regina Beach. The residents of the small town know everyone’s business and they are very interested in discovering Anna’s secrets. Nick was a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, doing active duty until a horrific accident sent him home to recover. He helps Anna feel safe and comfortable in her new environment, just as he has always done for his men in strange, dangerous places. Meanwhile, he focuses on preparing for his future physical endurance test to prove that he is capable of returning to active duty.
Anna doesn’t talk about her past, and Nick doesn’t talk about his future therefore she is shocked to discover that his greatest wish is to return to active duty. She won’t love a man who may die on the job again. Intellectually, she knows that all life cycles end, but emotionally, she doesn’t know if she has the strength to support Nick.
Belinda thought she was losing her man, but she was really losing her soul.
Mrs. Belinda Taylor is familiar with outside women trying to ruin her lackluster marriage to noted dermatologist, Dr. Desmond Taylor. However, she has been successful at halting their feeble attempts to fill her expensive pointed toe shoes using diabolical schemes.
When her latest confrontation lands her in prison on an attempted murder conviction, she has to face her darkest fears. By the time Belinda is released on parole, Desmond has disappeared with their two teenagers and started a new life with a new wife in parts unknown.
What will the future hold for Belinda? Will she lose her soul trying to win back her man or has she lost it all forever?
“Thanks for the opportunity to read Losing My Soul. Wow! It was definitely a page-turner!” Tracy L. Darity, Author of Love…Like Snow in Florida on a Hot Summer Day
Prologue
“I’m telling you, the Lord can bring you from a mighty long ways. I was lost in a world of sin. Y’all don’t hear me!” Belinda Taylor shouted, holding the microphone in her right hand. She was in front of the podium at a modest-sized, non-denominational church in Dallas, Texas, pacing back and forth in a gold-textured, two-piece skirt suit with a pair of matching leather high–heeled, pointed-toe pumps. The congregation was on fire this morning, and every member present was standing on their feet clapping for the newly ordained minister as she delivered her first sermon.
Belinda paused for a second, wiping the perspiration from her brow, gathering her thoughts before continuing. Placing one hand on her hip, she straightened her back, and looked out over the crowd of almost three hundred people. Smiling at their happy faces, she said, “This time two years ago, I was married to a doctor, and we had two fine children. I had a three-story, seven-bedroom house. I had a maid to do the cleaning and the cooking. I drove a brand new Mercedes Benz. I owned the finest clothes, jewelry, and perfume money could buy. I traveled to all the exotic places I wanted to visit. But how many of you know today that I was drowning in sin! How many of you know today that sin was suffocating me, and I was slowly losing my soul! Hallelujah! God delivered me! Yes, He did!” Belinda shouted, pumping a fist in the air. Tears were streaming down her face like water from a broken faucet, but that didn’t stop her from praising Him.
The applause was too loud for Belinda to continue. She stopped, listening to the praises coming from the Abundantly Blessed Church members shouting out to her from every corner of the building. Leaning to one side, she said, “You see, I had low self-esteem because I didn’t know Jesus. I thought that having a successful man validated my existence. I thought that being wealthy would bring me happiness. But all it brought me was a twenty-year marriage filled with pain. Yes, I lived with heartbreaking hurt for all that time simply because I didn’t know any better. It was all because I didn’t know Jesus!” Belinda shouted, returning to the podium. She opened the Bible resting on the stand and turned to one of her favorite passages, Genesis 1:1-3, and read:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light.
“Amen. I’m so thankful for the light today! You see, when I first accepted the Lord as my Savior, I picked up this Bible and this was the first verse that I read,” she stated, shaking her head in disbelief. “Y’all just don’t know how much I’ve been through. My marriage almost killed me because I wanted to hold on to a man who didn’t even know how to love, let alone be married. While he was running around sleeping with other women, I was running behind him trying to destroy every woman that he touched. Then, I was happy when he came home to me. I was grateful for the crumbs and the leftovers. And I could keep on keeping up with the Joneses. But all of that eventually changed. All of that changed about two years ago after a devastating turn of events. You see, some of you know that I’ve served time in prison, but most of you don’t know how I got there or how I got out,” she said, pausing to look at the concern on many of the members’ faces who had returned to their seats. Belinda closed her eyes and recited a silent prayer. This wouldn’t be an easy story to tell, but she had to get it out…
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Meesha Mink is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than twenty books written under three names, including the explosive Hoodwives series. She was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, and lives in South Carolina. For more information, please visit MeeshaMink.com.
CAN SUGA STAY TRUE TO HER MAN— AND RESIST HIS DANGEROUS LIFESTYLE?
Sophie “Suga” Alvarez is all about two things: loving her man and making her money.
Suga is the wifey of Dane, a man whose criminal lifestyle as a loan shark is in total contrast to her successful career in business. Dane swears he will go legit before they get married, but when their house is raided, Suga has to decide to avoid jail time by turning on him or standing by the man she loves. Things get more complicated when she steps in to run Dane’s business and has to use her book and street smarts to stay ahead of the game and out of the line of fire.
Meanwhile, when Suga learns the terrible truth about her father’s criminal past, she uncovers a secret that will change her relationship with her former best friend, Luscious, forever. Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard is the third and most explosive installment in a fierce and gritty series from one of today’s boldest voices in street lit.
Sean Russell is Jamaican born, grew up in Barbados. A family physician in private practice for twenty years, married with three children. Wrote and produced the film ‘The Kite Flyer’ which copped the Festival Pick in the 2007 Bridgetown Film Festival and remains popular among viewers to this day. "Guilty! The Trials of Phil Ferguson" is his first novel and currently working on his soon to be released second novel "Revenge! The Return of Jimmy Cadogan"(the sequel to Guilty!). He is also an amateur motor racing enthusiast, racing at the local Bushy Park circuit in Barbados.
Guilty –The Trials of Phil Ferguson is a story set in Barbados about a young attorney, Phil Ferguson who is set up by a rival older lawyer Jimmy Cadogan, for the attempted murder of Phil’s wife. It is fast paced, thrilling and sexy. Phil finds himself in a never ending battle against circumstances which continue to emerge as he seeks to prove his innocence and avoid going to jail, ending his illustrious legal career. Intertwined in Phil’s drama is that of Amanda who is a New York based top model originally from Guyana but who grew up in Barbados after fleeing her homeland. Amanda is gorgeous smart, ambitious and an obvious chink in Phil’s armour.
Phil’s involvement with Amanda causes him more grief than pleasure as news of his infidelity makes its way to Jade his wife. Phil is led to believe that his wife has had an affair with the man he despises most in life Jimmy Cadogan.
Jimmy Cadogan is a hateful person ,an older successful attorney lacking in morals but rich in money and ambition, His mission is to destroy Phil Ferguson and gain financially in the process.
Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts is a writer, editor, and educator. The author of six books including The Integrated Church: Authentic Multicultural Ministry and Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine, Lewis-Giggetts explores in her work both the personal and collective impact of the intersection of identity and faith.
After 13 years of marriage and two wonderful sons, Shenette is thoroughly excited to return to writing full-time and hopes to use her imagination as a tool of inner healing, self-reflection, and a great source of entertainment for others.
About the Book
Faye is a mother in the AME church. She has spent 40 years of her life working for the Lord. Chad is a white, conservative Christian radio talk show host. He enjoys riling up the masses about issues related to race, gender, class, and politics. Jeremiah is a popular, Christian tele-evangelist. The charismatic, African American pastor of a popular mega-church, he is celebrated for his knowledge of scripture. Rosa is a Hispanic, single mom. An English teacher in the Catholic school she grew up in, she is a survivor of domestic abuse. So what happens when these four very different people find themselves trapped in a historical church in North Philadelphia AFTER THE RAPTURE? More than left behind, the characters in THE UNLIKELY REMNANT are left to deal with the personal truths and tragic secrets that led to them missing God; all while wrestling with the prejudices that inevitably surface in their relationships with each other. Who will press in an d who will give up their soul forever?
Purchase the Book Online at:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/GqA_qI0_wjc
For More Information
Visit the author online at:
http://www.traceymlewis.com
View the blog tour schedule at:
http://tywebbinvirtualevents.com/0BTrq
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A story about child sexual abuse/teenage suicide. Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid is how Michael Anderson saw the world. Who would hear him? His cry for help would shake a congregation.
Tremayne Moore, founder of Maynetre Manuscripts, LLC, is an accountant, writer, psalmist, modern-day Griot, and Spoken Word motivational speaker. He is the author of the poetry series “You Can Take It.” Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems from Florida State University.
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New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby has published 1 7 novels. Her novels 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, and both BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and CASTING THE FIRST STONE were #1 Blackboard bestsellers for four consecutive months in both 1 997 and 2000. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS was the #1 Blackboard Best-selling book for paperback fiction in 1 997.
Kimberla is a 201 2 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2006, 2007, 2009, 201 0, and 2011Author of the Year – Female award presented by the African-American Literary Award Show in New York, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, the 1 998 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.
Each of her 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, overweight issues, and drug addiction. Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.
ADDICTION. DECEPTION.
PRETTY PICTURES HIDE UGLY SECRETS.
THE PERFECT MARRIAGE
Denise and Derrek Shaw are the perfect American couple. Happily married for fifteen years, they have a wonderful daughter, Mackenzie, successful careers, and a beautiful house in a posh Chicago suburb. They are attractive, respected . . . and hiding a shocking secret: a dangerous addiction to drugs.
It started innocently enough. Denise occasionally used prescription drugs to help her deal with the long hours and demanding nature of her job. Derrek, also under pressure at work, began using cocaine socially with some of his
colleagues.
They can quit whenever they want to. At least, that's what Denise would like to believe . . . As her job becomes more stressful, Denise can no longer get through the day without a fix. Derrek realizes his harmless habit has become anything but, and desperately wants to get clean. However, his attempts are derailed when there is a sudden family tragedy. Once soul mates, now this husband and wife are quickly losing the immense love that had been the
cornerstone of their marriage. With her parents spiraling out of control, Mackenzie makes an unexpected move to take matters into her own hands. Is her sacrifice too late-or is there still hope? Is there a final chance to save the Shaw family?
Lutishia Lovely is an award-winning author of sixteen novels, six of which are romance titles written under her alter-ego pseudo, Zuri Day. In addition to her wildly popular Hallelujah Love Series, Ms. Lovely has a hot new trilogy called "The Business" about a soul food dynasty where delicious drama and sizzling scandal is always on the menu!
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Lutishia enjoyed many different careers. They all, however, had one thing in common - they all were linked into a "world of words". From administrative assistant to radio personality to actor to managing editor and senior writer for a holistic magazine, words have always been the magic that made Lutishia's world go 'round. Probably one of the spins that would most surprise readers is the fact that Lutishia was a rapper! That's right, for a short stint in the 90s, Lutishia was billed as "The Rhaptress" (a combination of a rapper and an actress), and toured with other singers and musicians throughout southern CA. She's happy now to beat out a rhythm on her keyboard...songs in the key of "writer" that she hopes will inspire and entertain.
The members of Kingdom Citizens Christian Center believe in sharing the spirit of love and generosity with others. Even so, they can't seem to follow the ten commandments, a fact that suggests it just might be time to add rule number eleven. . .
While Frieda Moore has not found her way to the Good Word—she has charted a path to a really good, upscale life. Still, she's not about to let her prominent surgeon husband and baby son get in the way of her good time. The sizzling blessings she's getting from her primed-and-ready 25-year-old lover are too divine to resist. . .until one too many secrets threaten to ruin this bad girl's heaven on earth. . .
Frieda's more sensible cousin, Hope Taylor, was sure she and her spouse, Cy, were solid-in-the-spirit. But now a long-lost love is requesting an act of Christian charity that for Cy could be a second chance at temptation. And when Hope's best friend, Stacy, must decide if a money-making scheme with her ex will fix her rocky marriage, the consequences will have the saved, maybe-saved, and the hardly-saved begging for deliverance . . .
Can it change people’s minds about justice and equality?
Growing up in Washington, DC, at the turn of the twentieth century, Florence Mills knew that she was blessed with a gift—a sweet, birdlike singing voice that everyone loved. But she also knew firsthand the profound ache of racism.
When she moved to New York City, the stages got bigger, the lights grew brighter, and offers that could make her an international star were hers for the taking. Instead, Florence chose shows that helped promote other black performers. And she sang songs that heralded the call for civil rights.
Tanita S. Davis is a 2004 graduate of the Mills College MFA program, a 201 0 Coretta Scott King honored author (MARE’S WAR), and a traveler who these days reads and writes from sunny California.
Twins Ysabel and Justin Nicholas are lucky. Ysabel’s jewelry designs have already caught the eyes of the art world and Justin’s intelligence and drive are sure to gain him entrance into the most prestigious of colleges. They even like their parents. But their father’s secret has the power to destroy their happiness – and neither sibling knows what to think.
Forced into a Spring Break visit, Ysabel and Justin struggle to come to terms with their dad’s new life. Their task is to decide if there’s still a place for them, with someone who is suddenly a stranger, and if there’s still a chance to be a happy family again.
HAPPY FAMILIES is a love story to families, and a testament to the power of unconditional love.
Born in Canada, Zetta Elliott moved to Brooklyn in 1994 to pursue her PhD in American Studies at NYU. Her poetry has been published in several anthologies, and her plays have been staged in New York, Chicago, and Cleveland. Her essays have appeared in Horn Book Magazine, School Library Journal, and Hunger Mountain. Her first picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest; it was named Best of 2008 by Kirkus Reviews, a 2009 ALA Notable Children’s Book, and Bird won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. Elliott’s first young adult novel, AWish After Midnight, has been called “gripping,” “a
revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Her latest novel, Ship of Souls, was published in February 201 2 and was included in Booklist’s Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Titles for Youth.
Zetta Elliott is Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at Borough ofManhattan Community College and currently lives in Brooklyn. www.zettaelliott.com
When Dmitri, an 11 -year-old bird watcher and math whiz, loses his mother to breast cancer, he is taken in by Mrs. Martin, an elderly white woman. Unaccustomed to the company of kids his own age, D struggles at school and feels like an outcast until a series of unexpected events changes the course of his life.
First, D is asked to tutor the school’s basketball star, Hakeem, who will get benched unless his grades improve. Against the odds, the two boys soon realize they have something in common: they are both taunted by kids at school, and they both have a crush on Nyla, a beautiful but fierce eighth-grade girl. Then Nyla adopts D and invites him to join her entourage of “freaks.” Finally, D discovers an injured bird and brings it home from the park.
D is stunned when the strange bird speaks to him and reveals that she is really a guiding spirit that has been held hostage by ghost soldiers who died in Brooklyn at the start of the American Revolution. As Nuru’s chosen host,D must carry her from Brooklyn to the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan, but the ghost soldiers won’t surrender their prize without a fight.
Alexis J. is a young storyteller who's always had a way with words. Writing is her favorite subject in school. She enjoys creating characters who go against what people in their lives would expect, and who even surprise her. Alexis' hobbies are singing and playing soccer. Bailey and the Bully is her first book.
Eleven-year-old Bailey Baxter and her friends, Camillaand Aaliyah, are bestfriends who have formed the ABC Club, ABC being the first letters of their names. Bailey has always been known as the nice girl in school . . . that is until she develops a crush on schoolmate Josh Leroy. While trying to impress him, she takes on undesirable behaviors that disappoint her family, and could threaten her cherished friendships.
Will Bailey come to her senses before it's too late, or will the pressure of being accepted cost her all that really matters, and damage the life of a fellow classmate in the process?
Radio talk-show personality, Charlotte "Charlie" Canfield has her share of admirers, but one fan appears to have become obsessed with her. Needing a break from work and what now appears to be a stalker, Charlie doesn't hesitate to go when she's invited to her class reunion aboard a cruise ship. She's delighted to see old friends, but her former love, Devin Spencer, causes a wave of mixed feelings leaving Charlie wondering – who is this man? Despite this confusion, Charlie can't help but fall into Devin's open arms when the obsessed fan surfaces. But a secret that Charlie has kept for years may jeopardize her and Devin's happiness together.
Mine Forever (formerly A Reason to Love)
Dr. Niki Hamilton has given up on men and focusing her attention on her patients. After three kids in her care die, she is determined to get away from nasty threats and ugly reporters, Niki goes to the Jersey Shore to visit her friend, ex-playboy centerfold, Kim. She ends up running Kim's dating service, "Coffee Mates."
Cary Thomas, a hot gardener (or so Niki thinks) arrives with plants, a sexy smile, and lots of personality. Whenever he's near Niki's hormones go into overdrive. Common sense aside, Niki embarks on a relationship with a man she thinks she has no business being with. But can love survive long distance and the threats on her life?
The Frederick Douglass High Dancing Divas are the most popular girls at school. Every girl wants to dance like them and be them. The school year is going as planned until the new principal sees their dance routines and calls it vulgar. Believing the way they dance is who there are, so the girls fight back when the principal try to change them. The Divas soon find out the principal is not the only thing standing in their way of making the dreams of come.
Nia, Cammy, Latisha, and Perri are members of the hottest dance squad in Atlanta, Georgia, The Frederick Douglass High Dancing Divas. The girls are on top of the world until the new principal disapproves of their sexy dance routines. Drama at school and at home is threatening to destroy their year. Can the girls overcome their personal problems and take on their city rivals? The girls must fight to keep and find their own self-image on and off the dance floor. It seems the school, their parents, and the whole world are against them, but all they want to do is dance and follow their dreams: Nia wants to go to college and dance, Cammy wants everyone to see her for the talented dancer she really is and not the token white girl on the team, Perri just wants to sing the type of music she wants, and Latisha wants to get over the pain of a horrific incident.
About the Author
L. L. Turner has a M.A. in Creative Writing from Kennesaw State University. Shake What Your Momma Gave U! is her first Young Adult novel. She resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. An avid reader, she enjoys reading different genres.
Blog: http://www.llturner.blogspot.com/
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Some people, especially young people, sag physically in the way they wear their pants. Others, old and young, sag mentally in the way they think about themselves. Raised in public housing, Emery Franklin sagged not in his clothing but in his thinking. He dreamed of making a living as a fine artist but saw no way out. He searched for the key to success and found it in reading the right books and connecting with positive influences. When he changed the way he thought, his life changed. Now a successful and prolific artist, Emery turns his thoughts, hopes, dreams and visions into paintings. His paintings tell stories. In his 2011 “Crossroads: From Sagging to Success” art series of 15 paintings, he highlights sagging pants and changing mindsets as he takes his viewers on a short journey through African American history and into the life of his main character in the paintings. The main character in many of the paintings (Derrick) is a young man who sags physically for the sake of fashion and mentally because of low self-esteem. Like Emery, he searches for the key to success and finds it in reading. Written by Florence M. Howard, “From Sagging to Success: The Story of Emery Franklin” is a mixture of biography, history and storytelling based on the paintings in his Crossroads series. The book contains 15, 8”x10” full-color prints of paintings by the artist. Readers will be inspired to examine their attitudes and to follow the steps used by Emery in becoming successful. Highlights in the book include an original portrait of President Barack Obama by Emery Franklin and bonus section on black inventors.
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African American on the Move Book Club and Write on Promotions will be collecting used books and distributing pajamas, along with signing copies of their novels at the Boys and Girls Club Cobb County, 785 Fontaine Rd. Austell, GA .30126 to benefit their reading program. The focus of the reading program is to gain involvement from the community of Marietta, Georiga. This Reading Club is striving to promote stability, dignity, and self-reliance for these children. Collection of books has begun and will last until the duration of the drive.
What: Collecting Children Books, Pajamas and Signing Books
When: Friday, December 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Where: Boys and Girls Club, 785 Fontaine Rd. Austell, GA 30126.
Why: To provide reading material for the Boys and Girls Club Cobb County and provide the homeless children with clean and comfortable bedtime clothing.
This event is sponsored by: African American on the Move Book Club, Write on Promotions, Charm Kommunications, Urbania Magazine, To find out how to become a sponsor email aambookclub@gmail.com or writeonpromotions@gmail.com.
We will be there taking photos and conducting live author interviews during the duration of the drive. Come out and support this great and worthy cause!
If you would like to send books and or pajamas, please send to: Holiday Book Drive C/O AAMBC and Write on Promotions Po Box 80883 Atlanta, GA 30366.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact Kolonda Scott, Publicist 702-541-5642or email at charmkommunications@gmail.com
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Angelia Vernon Menchan, wife, mother, mentor, budget officer and former Job Corps Counselor, born and raised in Ocala Florida, resides in Jacksonville, acvermen@yahoo.com http://acvermen.blogspot.com
The Blacks: Love's Politics
In Mrs. Black? Cinnamon Brown finally divorced her husband, William Brown, who had flagrantly disrespected their vows for decades. Cinnamon, however is not without sin, she had an affair with Malcolm Black and was set to become his wife. Does Cinnamon and Black get married? And if they do marry will they be able to withstand their comeuppance, because one must always pay for their transgressions. Not only that what could possibly occur if politics enter the already volatile mix? To find out, delve into the pages of, The Black's: LOVE'S POLITICS - New Beginnings and find out. You will not be disappointed as Angelia Vernon Menchan plunges you into a story filled with love, family, retribution, revenge, politics, and ultimately love.
READ ANGELIA's INTERVIEW in the SEP/OCT issue of SORMAG Digital
Dr. Maxine Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, an editor, ghostwriter, Internet Radio Show Host, and a Literary Agent. She is the author of The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller). Hostage of Lies, LA Blues, and latest novel, LA Blues II. (Slipping Into Darkness.)
She is also an ebook author of The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, The Hush Hush Secrets of Making Money as a Writer, The Hush Hush Secrets of Creating a Life You Love, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller). Proverbs for the People, and Editor/Contributor to anthology, Saturday Morning.
Her novels, The Ebony Tree, (Won a Pen Award in 1997), Hostage of Lies, (Voted a Best Book of 2009), LA Blues, (2011), and LA Blues II, (2012), which were featured in Black Expressions’ Catalogue in August 2012
Running her private detective agency, staying off the sauce, and coming to the rescue of her trouble-prone family members keeps former LAPD cop Zipporah “Z” Saldano very busy. And now, just as she’s on the verge of tracking down the notorious serial killer known as the Grim Sleeper—and just as things are getting hot and heavy with hard-bodied detective Romero Gonzalez—word comes that Z’s brother, Mayhem, has been kidnapped. The name should be a dead giveaway; but Z is shocked when the feds inform her of Mayhem’s long rap sheet, and his new role as a snitch, which seriously threatens to shorten his lifespan. Shuttling between LA and Brazil, Z desperately tries to free her brother…but what she learns will shake her to the core.
How did you start out your writing career?
I’ve been writing since I was eight years old. However, I began to write professionally after I won $1,000 honorable mention in Ebony’s first writing contest in 1989. In 1990, I had three short stories published in Obsidian Magazine, A North Carolina University quarterly magazine. I self-published my first novel, The Ebony Tree, in 1995 and my novel, No Pockets in a Shroud, in 1997. From there I got into the publishing industry side of the business and became an editor and a literary agent. I have since had 14 books published. I have negotiated over 70 book deals. I am working on an independent film, Hollywood Blues based on my novel, LA Blues.
What did you learn while writing this book?
LA Blues was my first mystery and thriller, and I came to it with a women’s, historical fiction background. Although I read a lot of mysteries, I had to do an extensive rewrite after the first content edit. I had to learn how to ratchet up the tension. I also had to learn how to set high stakes, solve the puzzle, and end with some kind of natural order being restored.
LA Blues II was a little easier to write because I knew the characters and because I used a variation of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey.”
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
I hope to expose the plight of foster children in the system in L.A, the long-reaching effects of having an incarcerated parent, the negative effects of alcoholism, the inordinate amount of African American male youths, murdered (which ironically the murder victim’s name was Trayvon, which I wrote 2 years before the Trayvon Martin case,) bereavement help for grieving persons, and family of origin therapy. I also looked at the LA riots, the rival gang situation in Los Angeles.
In LA Blues Book II, I examined the international scope of the war on drugs and the drug trade.
What came first with this story, the characters or the plot? Why?
The character of Z came first. I kept seeing this character tiptoeing down a hall where a mother had been murdered by her husband. I started out with a social worker. Later, she became a police officer who was a former foster child. Talking about baggage and back story. I am seeing that Z can easily carry a series. I love her spunk.
What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?
My biggest surprise is that this isn’t about fame. It’s about passion. That you have to constantly keep learning the craft and keep growing as a writer.
I’ve gotten better as both a writer and an editor as a result of studying the craft.
I also found you can make a living as a writer when you use your talents in more than one area. I have content edited many New York Times Best Selling Authors such as Wahida Clark, and Carl Weber, and many Essence bestselling authors, such as EnJoy.
What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?
I love the revision process. All writing is rewriting as you search for story. I also like the craft of knowing how stories are structured. It has really helped make my writing and editing process easier.
What I hate the most is the collection of money. I am an artist, but I’ve had to become a business person when it comes to collecting money for my freelance jobs and for the writers I represent as an agent.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
This has definitely been a learning curve.
1. I wish I had evaluated writers whom I became the agent for, who were not into being career novelists. Now I evaluate writers to see how many books they have in them. If they will keep growing, and promote their books.
2. I wish I had known my worth and how much to charge.
3. I wish I had known how to separate the “wannabe writers” and the true story tellers. Over the years, I’ve mentored many writers and now I know the difference.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do read, read, read. Study the craft. Take writing classes. Join writing critique groups.
Don’t approach an agent before your manuscript has been edited and rewritten.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
That this is a craft and it takes time and study. Any endeavor from art, to sports, to music will take practice to develop your expertise and skill set, so writing is no different. Writing deals with knowing how to get reader engagement, how to develop dramatic tension, build hero empathy, and a vicarious experience for the reader.
Tell us something few know about you?
I like to do line dancing with my Seniors on the Move group. I worked as a social worker 23 years; 7 years in Detroit, then 16 years Los Angeles.
I’ve been in the literary industry since 1998. I am a mentor for many writers.
I currently book coach authors to help content edit and upload their books up on Kindle. My latest client, Sandi Webb, author of Out of Ignorance, hit the Amazon best seller’s list after one day on November 21, 2012.
I am the mother of 4 adult children; I have 13 grandchildren.
I am currently working on my first independent film, Hollywood Blues, based on my novel, LA Blues.
When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read. I love movies. Now that I’ve become a producer, I like evaluating films, and listening to the director’s cut on the Netflix films I order.
I pitch books and films to publishers and movie producers. I edit or ghostwrite other writers’ books.
What do you do to interact with your readers?
I am in a senior book club at Faithful Central Baptist in Inglewood, where I have had my books read. I also promote the writers I’m the agent for.
I teach writing classes where I meet readers.
I use Facebook, twitter, linked in, and pinterest to reach out to readers. I’ve been interviewing writers in order to promote their works since 1999 on my website, then from 2002, on Internet Radio Show. I currently still interview writers on Artistfirst.com, which reaches a growing number of Internet readers. I talk about my books every week.
Our theme for this month is BUSINESS OF WRITING. What were you surprised by about the business side of writing?
When I first went into writing, I was just about writing my own books. Since I’ve been on the business side of writing, I’ve found that this is a business where a writer can make money in more ways than just writing their own books. Someone has to write back covers, format books, eBooks, write synopses, ghostwrite, and negotiate book and film deals. You can make a lucrative living in the industry. I’ve edited and ghostwritten numerous books over the years.
Who was the first author you ever met?
In 1968, I met the now famous Joyce Carol Oates at a writer’s conference in Oakland, MI, when she was still a relatively new author. This happenstance came about after I organized a walk-out for Black students while I was in the twelfth grade. I was always an activist. As a result of the walk out, we were given a Black history class and a black lit class.
It was my English Lit teacher who took me to the conference when she saw my first manuscript, about being the first black student to attend St. Francis high in Traverse City, MI. the year before when I was in the eleventh grade.
Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?
I do know when you have a passion for writing, you will take the classes, study the craft, and read writers in the field or genre you’re interested in. You will attend writers’ conferences. You will do whatever it takes to be successful.
This is a marathon you can participate in as long as you live. Since 1998, I’ve met writers who dropped out the field, and I think they only wanted the status. A true story teller will weather the slow times, the ups and downs of the industry, and the lack of recognition. They will keep sharpening their craft and building an audience for their work.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
LA Blues III (5 Smooth Stones), is due out in August 2013. It is the follow-up to book 1 and in the LA Blues series.
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website) twitter, face book, LinkedIn.
I can be reached at maxtho@aol.com, http://www.maxinethompson.com , and http://www.maxinethompsonbooks.com. I’m on twitter at @MaxineEThompson, Facebook at Maxine-Thompson, and Linked in/Maxine Thompson.
SORMAG celebrates 12 years this year, Can you tell us what SORMAG has meant to you as a reader and writer?
Congratulations on celebrating 12 years. Your magazine was a pioneer for emags.
I have enjoyed reading Sormag over the years. The magazine has always been very professional. I love how the magazine has given a platform to both African American and multi-cultural writers, plus self-published and traditionally published writers.
Kudos to you, LaShaunda Hoffman. Continued success!
MIRANDA PARKER is the author of the Angel Crawford Series. After graduating from Agnes Scott College she began working as a professional writer. While there, she began writing features for newspapers and magazines, focusing on subjects in lifestyle, religion arts and entertainment. She published over fifty articles. However, writing fun, fiesty, redemptive bad girl gone good stories is her passion. She began writing fiction in 2005 after she took a year-long online writing workshop taught by Chuck Palahniuk[Fight Club.]. Now Miranda Parker writes comic romance suspense novels. She is currently very busy writing stories for Kensington Publishing Corp.Miranda has appeared at the 2011 National Book Club Convention, the 2011 Decatur Book Festival, the 2012 SC Book Festival and has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, RT Book Reviews and Publishers Weekly. She resides with her family in Georgia.. Visit her at www.mirandaparker.com.
In the bestselling tradition of Janet Evanovich, Miranda Parker's debut novel, A Good Excuse To Be Bad, brilliantly blended mystery and humor, and introduced a beautiful, brainy, and tough-as-nails, single mom and bail recovery agent turned sleuth.
Regina Hart is the contemporary romance pseudonym of award-winning author Patricia Sargeant.
Regina’s contemporary romances feature the franchise members and friends of the Brooklyn Monarchs, a fictitious National Basketball Association team set in Brooklyn, New York.
In addition to Patricia Sargeant’s various pastimes and hobbies, Regina loves football, basketball and track-and-field – college as well as pros. Her favorite teams are the New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Giants, Syracuse Orangemen and the West Virginia Mountaineers.
To be a pro basketball champion takes endless drive and passion. But being a winner on the court can often mean losing off the court.
He’s an NBA legend, considered the best of the best. Now veteran player Warrick Evans is determined to lead his team all the way to the championship. It’s his last shot before he retires, but the media can’t get enough of his story — and all the attention is turning his teammates against him, not to mention his wife.
Dr. Marilyn Devry-Evans has always stood by her man, even when it meant standing in his shadow. Now she wants to focus on her own career and on scoring her own dream job. But with the spotlight bearing down on them, Marilyn is reaching her breaking point. Especially when a secret comes to light — one that could destroy not only her career, but her marriage.
READ REGINA's INTERVIEW in the SEP/OCT issue of SORMAG Digital
