Wahida Clark

Thug Lovin is the 4th installment of Wahida Clark's series. 4****
I enjoyed the previous books in the series, Tasha ans Trae's relationship changed in Thug Lovin, which left me with questions. Wahida's style is her own unique voice and I admire her a lot. Her life has been a true testimony of what you can do no matter what



Thug Lovin'
ISBN-10: 0446178098 | ISBN-13: 978-0446178099
Tasha and Trae, the hood's favorite couple, are still together following the events of Thug Matrimony. Even with their relocation to sunny Los Angeles, the drama of New York cannot be escaped. From running a nightclub to dealing with models, shady lawyers, big money, new kinds of temptations, seductions, and drugs-not to mention new love interests-can this infamous couple weather all the storms and keep it together?




Wahida Clark Homepage- www.wclarkpublishing.com
Wahida Clark Homepage MySpace- www.myspace.com/wahidaclark

Guess who gave me a Shout Out!!!

SIMPLY SAID


http://firstborngirl.blogspot.com

What's holding your spot?.... Simply Said
The thong you want to show.....
www.simply-said.net
odebdeb@aol.com
www.facebook.com/simplysaid


I am doing the"Happy Feet" dance around my kitchen! Bernice McFadden gave Simply Said Book Thongs a shout out!!! And look who I'm in company with, Carleen Brice, Nina Foxx and Edwidge Danticat. Ahh Sookie Sookie Now is right! Thank you Bernice. This will be an awesome day, because I woke up to this!

Capital BookFest 5th Anniversary

5th Anniversary Capital BookFest
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Time: 10am-7pm EST

Location:
Boulevard at the Capital Centre
900 Capital Centre Boulevard, Largo 20774

Celebrating 5 Years of Strengthening Families through Reading

Event Description: Presented in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Bookfest features author readings, publishing workshops, poetry performances, children's storytelling, teen programs, and over 75 vendors. Free books to the first 1,000 people.

The authors talks include discussions with Nelson George, Tim Reid, Liza Mundy (Michelle Obama: Biography), Sonya Sones, Marita Golden, Lori Nelson, Ronald Cotton (Picking Cotton), Chef Gillian Clark, Sahar Simmons, Le Hinton, Victoria Christopher Murray, W. Ralph Eubanks, Lucille Clifton, Omar Tyree, Kimberly Seals Allers (The Mocha Moms Manual), Charisse Nunes (I am Barack Obama children’s book), and several teen authors.

This year, in response to President Barack Obama’s call to service, the Capital BookFest and the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services will team up to promote healthy homes for children in foster care. Meet Ella Curry of EDC Creations for live reader interviews! Visit http://www.capitalbookfest.org/ for a schedule of events. All ages welcome. Cost: FREE admission


Capital BookFest Founder
Kwame Alexander, a poet, publisher, playwright, producer, dynamic speaker, and performer, is the author of eight books -including the best-selling Do The Write Thing: 7 Steps to Publishing Success, Kupenda: Love Poems, Dancing Naked on the Floor: poems and essays, and The Way I Walk, a collection of young adult short stories.

He has conducted standing-room only publishing workshops, delivered awe-inspiring keynote speeches, and performed his cutting-edge brand of poetry to audiences at numerous conferences, colleges and venues throughout the world, including: Stratford-on-Avon, Brixton Town Hall, Oberlin College, UC Berkeley, Hampton University, Duke University, University of Maryland, America's Choice National Conference, Baltimore Writers Alliance, and the Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Conference.

Alexander has produced over two-hundred literary related special events, the most recent being the First Annual Capital BookFest, a major literary arts festival sponsored by The Washington Post, Chick-fil-A, and The Literacy Council of Prince George's County. Dubbed a "phenom" in the poetry world by The Charleston (SC) City Paper, Alexander has wowed audiences with his electric readings and performances at coffeehouses, theatres, and universities across the country and abroad. In 2002, 2004, and 2005 Alexander was selected as a special guest author for the Library of Congress Poets at Noon Series, and The Washington Post-Maryland Center for the Book Evening in The Stacks Gala.

The founder of two book publishing companies, BlackWords Press and Do The Write Thing , this publishing veteran of over fifteen years is responsible for some of the most progressive, original and exciting fiction and non-fiction on the shelves today. He has published over forty authors in different genres, including: M. Dion Thompson, former Baltimore Sun reporter and author of the critically-acclaimed historical novel Walk Like A Natural Man; Lalita Noronha, author of the short story collection, Where Monsoons Cry; and Michael Datcher, Today Show Book Club Awardee and editor of Tough Love: The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur . Kwame Alexander has served as a judge for several local and national literary awards, including the Georgia Writer's Awards, and the Washington, DC Parkmont Poetry Awards. Among his many board appointments are The CityLit Project, Baltimore's Artscape Festival, and the Hippodrome Arts & Education Committee. Alexander is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he studied under renowned poet Nikki Giovanni.

He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter, where he hosts a weekly radio program, Word of Mouth, and serves as poet-in-the-schools for Crossland High School/Prince George's County Schools. When not working on several new and exciting book and TV/film projects, he enjoys reading, writing, and a good game of chess.

Girl, Naw!

Girl, Naw!
LaCricia A’ngelle



Antoinette Walker seems to have it all. Great kids, a wonderful husband, and a counseling practice that’s doing very well. Secrets have a way of resurfacing and threaten, all that Antoinette loves. As she counsels women to forgive on the very issues she’s dealing with, and not forgiving of. Her hubby Maurice, is not aware of the secrets the may destroy their lives. This book was a great lesson on keeping secrets and how they can come back to haunt you. Forgiveness is something you must give yourself first before you can receive the blessings in store for your life.

4**** STARS



Meet LaCricia A’ngelle, author of Girl, Naw!
LaCricia A`ngelle is a licensed Evangelist, writer, and the President and CEO of His Pen Publishing LLC. A native of Chicago, LaCricia currently resides in Tennessee with her four children. Girl, Naw! is her first novel.
Her writing career began when she was a child writing songs, and short stories. LaCricia has always had a God given gift of putting words together.
As a Christian Fiction author, LaCricia not only writes for entertainment, but she also writes for ministry. Her goal in every piece of written work is to draw someone closer to Christ. The characters face real situations. LaCricia writes so that anyone can read her work and get something out of it, whether they are young or old. When you read a LaCricia A`ngelle original prepare to laugh, cry, pray, and stop to say “hmmm.”

Girl, Naw! by LaCricia A'ngelle (excerpt) - ">

">

Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah

Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah

Monique D. Mensah is a native Detroiter. She declared her dream of becoming an author at eight years old. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, she completed her first manuscript. Shortly after, she launched Kisa Publishing, and published her first novel, Who Is He To You. Monique now resides in Southfield, MI where she is raising her daughter and working on her second novel.

Readers will be intrigued by the intelligent exploration of sensitive issues such as cutting, emotional abuse, depression, and drug-addiction.The first page which is filled with intense emotion and a descriptive setting that pulls the reader right into the scene.

Who Is He To You by Monique D. Mensah

When love involves incest, self-mutilation, drug-addiction, and murder, will Simone, Jessica and Ryan fight to hold on or will they escape before it's too late?

Simone, a shockingly beautiful teen, is on the downward spiral of destruction as she battles incest and self-hatred. She finds cutting to be the only way to relieve her pain. She must do something to regain control of her life and restore her family back to normalcy. But Simone may be too late as unexpected events threaten to throw her dream of contentment far out of reach.

Jessica lives the upscale lifestyle of a refined society matron. She strives to be the perfect wife, but without her husband, Ross, she would be nothing more than the abused stripper he rescued 16 years ago. When their marriage is threatened and it forces her to face her past, Jessica vows to do whatever it takes to protect what she has rightfully earned, even if it means murder.

Ryan, a fiery thirty-something, is quickly slipping into depression and prescription drug addiction. As her boyfriend, Anthony, artfully dangles the empty promise of marriage, she watches helplessly as their relationship dissolves. In an attempt to regain her sanity and self-esteem, she finds herself on a mission of self-restoration while trying to save the life of someone she doesn't even know.

As the shattered lives of three very different women collide, they find that they have one thing in common: They're all in a desperate fight to hold on to love. Experience their emotional journey through to the shocking end where these women will experience injury, imprisonment, and even death while crafting new lives from the ashes of their ruination.

Book Video Preview

Book info: ISBN-10: 0578023482; ISBN-13: 978-0578023489.
Visit Monique's site: www.MoniqueDMensah.com

Who Is He To You Book Reviews

“Monique D. Mensah’s debut novel reads more as if written by the hands of a seasoned veteran. Who Is He To You, a riveting story touching on topics such as incest, self-mutilation, and drug-addiction, pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final period. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!”
– Brian C. Conley, author of Stay and We Were Broken Here.


“Monique D. Mensah has captured the literary world by storm, “Who is he to you” is captivating, intriguing, suspense, and drama all wrapped up into one. A must read for all you book lovers. I read the book in two days, I couldn’t work for reading. I was so caught up in each chapter, I was hungry for more. My sincere congrats to you Monique!”
– Gwen Cannon, author of Scandalous


"This was Excellent and a great piece of writing. Your character development of capturing the essence of each unique character was flawless. You got 'it'".
– Vincent Alexandria, author of Black Rain


“Who Is He To You vividly exhibits Monique D. Mensah’s ability to create a and project animated images from cover to cover. The allure of her hypnotic writing style pulsates immensely within the psyche of each reader…thus addicting them eternally.”
– Marc Lacy, spoken word artist and auhtor of Rock & Fire: Love Poetry from the Core and The Looking Heart: Poetic Expression from Within

"Poignant and stirring, WHO IS HE TO YOU draws you in with the story of Simone. Gorgeous, but greatly misunderstood, we truly understand how beauty on the outside hides ugly underneath. Monique Mensah's writing grabs readers instantly from the first line. WHO IS HE TO YOU was a pleasure to read."
–Sylvia Hubbard,author of Secret, Lies, and Family Ties

Lies of Blue

Lies of Blue by Lynne Forde

This was a great story about what really goes on behind prison walls, between some prisoners and guards. Lynne is a correction officer at a well known prison. She tells a grim story about the un-written rules and goings on within the system. She is also dealing with her own self worth and value. Lynne's lines get very blurred by what she see's and what it really is. She finds out the hard way, there's a thin line between love,lust,abuse,and manipulation. I thought the story was quite real, fascinating and gritty.
4****Star read




Lies of Blue is the story about a young woman who tries to reach her dream by making sacrifices. Somewhere along the line, the wrong sacrifices get made. It's Training Day meets OZ, with a twist of Set It Off.

When Forde gets tired of her dead end job in the City Courts, she embarks on a career in the belly of the beast. With a degree in hand and a little bit of street sense, she decides to try her hand working in River Edge Jail Complex. From day one at the Academy to her last day at Prison, Forde evolves from your average "rookie" into something other than just a woman. To make matters worse, if you put a sexual being in the midst of some of the city's most conniving men and women, you are bound to come up with something a little kinky and very destructive. The more dangerous the game became, the more erotic the encounters became. She goes from Officer, to Hustler, to Vic, to CEO in a matter of 8 years.

Lies of Blue is an expose of what goes on in the belly of the beast, through the eyes of one woman. Lies of Blue teaches you that there are so many people you may come across in life, you never know who is real and who is fake, but that the journey can become a battle of life or death. Choose wisely. What is the price for fulfilling your dream?

How I Made The Angels Cry

How I Made The Angels Cry
Meleisa Betts
Website: www.myspace.com/433250625

"Meleisa Betts has written a soul-searching memoir in order to release her demons, and the depression associated with personal trauma. With her narrative, therapeutic approach, she emancipates herself and her readers--taking us from DESPERATION to INSPIRATION. What a liberating ride!" DR. GWENDOLYN GOLDSBY GRANT, Multimedia Psychologist, Contributing Relationship Expert, Essence Magazine, and Author of "The Best Kind Of Loving"

RAWSISTAZ says
Molly is a woman who never has a dull moment! HOW I MADE THE ANGELS CRY takes the reader on a roller coaster ride filled with many ups, downs, twists and turns. It is almost unfathomable to think one woman can lead a life fraught with so much soul-searching. Her drama-filled life definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Molly's story has moments of happiness, sadness, craziness and madness. Betts did an excellent job of sharing not only her life, but also her life's lessons. Betts has the makings of a great writer with this debut work.

Reviewed by Marcia Brevard Wynn
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Reviews
Missy T says
By Babes on Books Bookclub "MissyT" (Alabama) - See all my reviews
This is such a compelling and gripping account of the authors life. It's all there, the journey though childhood which explains her amazing relationship with her mother, the events that led up to the horrific accounts of rape and injustice. Her fall from Grace which led her to occult practices due to lack of faith and conviction. Her journey into self discovery and love of self while reclaiming her love for God. But this narrative was more than just a account of the authors' life. It was also a form of therapy. The writing of this book offered a chanel to convey messages about abuse, sexuality, and murder.

David A. Jackson
I read this book in one sitting. This book was well written. It took me on an emotional roller-coaster ride. I am not a big fan of memoirs, however-after reading Ms. Betts personal journey, the next book I read will be a memoir. I felt touched by the honesty of Ms. Betts as she gave a bird's eye view of her fantastic and amazing journey. Ms. Betts was very intimate and pulled no punches in expressing her feelings in that experience. At times, I laughed when she was vividly describing her characters physical attributes. I felt sad in her painful telling of her experiences especially when she was raped. I admire her bravery and courage to boldly stand up and bounce back in light of that and many other painful experiences that she had to endure. I am looking forward to her next novel. Thank you Ms. Betts for opening up and sharing your life's experiences. I will strongly recommend this book to my beautiful wife, my family members, my co-workers, and my friends.

Melesia Betts Memoir life and times of Lesbian/Bi-sexual Woman
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/meleisabetts.htm
ISBN-13: 9780615290508
(self-pub)

Sins of the Father

Sins of the Father
Angela Benson

I knew this was going to was going to be an intriguing read from the prologue. A letter from a mother to her son. She was telling him she was a terrible mother because she didn’t call him on the things he’d done and not done. He promised to make her life easy and to be a rich and powerful man one day and that promise he kept. But Abraham was a successful man with a family, and another family that he ignored for 30 years. After the death of his mother, he tries to make up for the past, by reuniting with his abandoned family. Deborah, his daughter is making small cautious steps, but her brother Michael is hell bent on revenge and can’t get over his anger. Saralyn , Abrahams wife is not happy with his decision to make amends either, and makes no effort to be a part of this process of reconciliation, and gets in the way and throws many ultimatums.

This was a well written story, and I loved Angela’s voice telling it. You can really feel all the emotions from both sides and understand the hurt and love that comes with it. How do you trust someone how has hurt you so bad when they are trying to make amends? And how do you not let it effect your life in the process?

This book is a 5***** star read.




Meet Angela Benson, author of Sins of the Father
Angela Benson’s numerous novels include the Christy Award-nominated Awakening Mercy, the Essence-bestselling The Amen Sisters, and Up Pops The Devil. Currently an associate professor at the University of Alabama, she lives in Northport, AL.
About the Book
Successful media mogul Abraham Martin has great wealth, an elegant wife, Saralyn, and a rebellious son, Isaac. He also has a secret: a second family that no one knows about. Now, after thirty years—driven by the urging of his long dormant conscience—Abraham is determined to do the right thing by finally bringing his illegitimate children into the light…and into the family fold.
But beautiful, manipulative Saralyn will never accept the proof of her husband’s indiscretions. Isaac the heir, shaken by his father’s revelations, will fight mercilessly when his world is threatened, and may lose everything that matters as a result. And while Abraham’s forgotten daughter Deborah is open to the undreamed-of possibilities suddenly awaiting her, son Michael cannot forgive the man who cruelly abandoned them to near poverty. And he’s driven by only one desire: revenge!
Angela Benson’s Sins of the Father is a powerful story of a house bitterly divided—a rich, multilayered family saga of betrayal and redemption, rage and compassion, faith, forgiveness, and ultimately, of love.


LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT

Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/SinsoftheFather.
For more information about Angela, visit her at AngelaBenson.com.

Murder On The Down Low

The death of Maya Lavelle Washington, was caused by her fiancé Eugene, and her friends, Vernetta, Special, J.C. and Nichelle want revenge. But at the same time, there is a serial killer killing off some very prominent men in town, with questionable circumstances and similarities. Detective J.C. Sparks see’s a connection between the murders, but her boss Detective Jessup refuses to see it. Special who was closest to Maya, takes her death extremely hard. She is hell bent on proving her death could have been avoided by 3 words. Now those words have taken over her life. Special suspects every man she comes across even the man she truly loves. These 4 friends go on a mission of responsibility and truth, to honor Maya’s life. But Detective J.C. Sparks opens a can of snakes that no one ever suspected.

I loved the suspense and twists this story took. It opens your eyes to many details of the Down Low lifestyle that we may have all seen but never recognized. Pamela Samuels Young has told an awesome story that is probably more truth than tale.

This book is a 5 ***** star excellent read



Meet Pamela Samuels Young,
author of Murder on the Down Low
Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and author of the legal thrillers, Murder on the Down Low, In Firm Pursuit, Every Reasonable Doubt, and the forthcoming, Buying Time, A desire to see women and people of color represented in today’s legal fiction prompted Pamela to start writing despite a busy career as an attorney. The former journalist and Compton native is a graduate of USC, Northwestern University and UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. Pamela is the fiction writing expert for BizyMoms.com and is on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Master your craft! Take the time to study writing the same way you would study any other profession. Also, read like a writer. When you read a book you enjoy, study the author’s writing style and the book’s story structure. Ask yourself why the book was a great read. One of the most helpful things I did as a new writer was outline John Grisham’s The Firm and examine the story structure. It helped me tremendously in learning how to build suspense.

Pamela is the Fiction Writing Expert for BizyMoms.com. Her bi-monthly articles cover a range of topics on fiction writing. Here’s a link to Pamela’s article Creating Fiction from Fact.
Follow the rest of Murder on the Down Low Blog Tour at http://bit.ly/MurderOnTheDownLow
For more information about Pamela, visit her at PamelaSamuelsYoung.com.

Murder on the Blog Tour Giveaway


>
Please leave a comment to be eligible to win an autographed book and a 25 dollar gift card from Pamela Samuels Young. One winner will be chosen each day for a total of FIVE winners.


Schedule

August 17 - Black Authors Network (9:00 pm EST)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/black-author-network


DAY 1 | Monday, Aug 17

All The Buzz Reviews
http://www.allthebuzzreviews.com


AAMBC Book Tours
http://www.aambcbooktours.blogspot.com/

Jenny Reed
http://takemeaway-jennala9.blogspot.com/


DAY 2 | Tuesday, Aug 18

APOOO Books
http://www.apooobooks.com

Simply Said Reading Accessories
http://www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com

Sheila DeChantal
http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/


DAY 3 | Wednesday, Aug 19

Black Pearl Magazine
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com

SORMAG
http://sormag.blogspot.com/

Urban Reviews
http://www.urban-reviews.com/aafiction-oct08.html#pamelasamuelsyoung


DAY 4 | Thursday, Aug 20

RAWSistaz Literary Group
http://www.rawsistaz.com

Joey Reviews
http://www.joeypinkney.com/


DAY 5 | Friday, Aug 21

Vanessa Richardson
http://thecertainones.blogspot.com

Faygo's Report
http://instanter.wordpress.com/
Britni Vigil
http://booknookclub.blogspot.com

Somebody's Sinning In My Bed

Somebody’s Sinning in My Bed
Pat G’Orge Walker

When The Sweet Bush Lounge burns down, all hell breaks loose at New Hope Assembly, Church. The Reverend Grayson Young’s “good book” is not good at all. The “talented” First Lady of New Hope, Chyna, is at the church’s mercy and doesn’t know why. Janelle, Chyna’s sister comes to help her sister out, BUT now the sisters Ex Cordell shows up! What a mess. Then add in several pious church members who have their own agenda, and secrets of their own, stirring the pot calling the kettle black.

This was an excellent read an quite a turn for author Pat G’Orge Walker. She has packed so much love, redemption and wisdom in the chaotic tale, of sinners, yet reminds us all that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

5 STARS*****

www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com

What Didn't YOU Do???

What didn’t you do?

As some of my followers and readers of this blog know, I do several book festivals, conferences, signings, events etc a year. I am at these events selling and promoting my line of handmade bookmarks and book thongs. I am also there to connect with others who are authors, readers, and industry professionals, like myself. I love doing book events of all types because I am also an avid reader and huge fan of the people I feel blessed to meet. There have been some really great events and some really bad ones. Some I made money at, some I didn’t and some where I barely broke even. In doing so many book events I’ve learned which ones to do and which not to. I’ve also learned how to measure the actual advantages of doing certain one’s that cost a grip and I did not sell a thing.

We would all love to sell out of all of our merchandise at these events. The question is how to make the most of any event? I hear a lot of comments and people speak freely around me because I am not an author, but little do they know I coach authors on how to make themselves stand out in a sea of authors. The very things they are bitching and moaning about are the very things that I tell authors not to do. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

I recently did a book club conference that had at least 650 attendees. There were many major authors in attendance and readers galore. There were also many self published authors and other venders selling their wares. I had an awesome time. The readers were there ready to buy books and spend money. Several of the readers told me they save all year for this particular conference. I attended this event last year, as a reader and I knew I would be there this year.

It really pained me to over hear negative comments from people who did not feel they were doing as well as they could have, for a laundry list of reasons. Some were valid and some was whining. As I listened, the question then became, what are you NOT doing to make this work for you? Instead of complaining, how do YOU turn this around to your advantage?

To me the obvious first thing was stop wasting your time and energy complaining. You are letting hundreds of people pass you and you’re sitting behind your table moaning and groaning. Look at the glass as half full and figure out how to fill it.

One of the first things I would tell you to do is SMILE. It’s free and welcoming. If you’re pouting and complaining, no one wants to be around you. The readers are your customers. They don’t need to know you’re unhappy. They did not pay to come to this event to see you sulk. They don’t need to know all the politics of what’s going on behind the scenes. They want you to tell them about your book. Smile even if you’re not happy.

The next thing is plan. What is your objective in doing this event? Did you plan on what you want to gain from this experience besides sales?

Why aren’t you getting sales? Are you sitting behind the table waiting for the readers to come to you, or are you standing in front of your table, with your book in hand introducing yourself to the people passing by?


Did you dress you table up? Or do you just have your books on a table, with nothing to grab the attention of passerby’s.

Are you collecting the email addresses for contact later, when the competition is not so steep?

What did you offer in the way of promotional tools and as giveaways, that they will take home and check you out later?

Even if you were not a featured author, did it stop you from coming? Why did you come?

Trust me I have felt the same after leaving some of these events at first, and I have bitched and moaned too. But I learned how to turn it around. I figured out what to do before I got there, while I was there and to have plan A B C and D if necessary in place.

There are many things you can do prior to get the ball rolling, simple things that you can do now

Email all of your fans and let them know your going to be at this venue
Offer them a gift for coming
Find a way to dress up your table that is eye and attention getting
Create your brand and use it
Define your mission
Have an agenda
Build relationships with your social networks
Have several plans in place just in case things are not going the way you want them

While your there
Don’t stand behind the table
Smile
Get email addresses
Read an excerpt
Create a scene from your book
Where a tee shirt with your book title
Pay attention to what others are doing
Meet people
Talk to other authors
Pass out promotional materials that stick

These are just a few things that you can do.

Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.
The glass is half full what are YOU going to do to fill it up?

Don’t just show up, show out. Work these events like a job, because they are.


I offer coaching classes on “Novel Approaches” to market your book, and theme scenes for authors on a budget
odebdeb@aol.com

Roy Glenn; No More Tears in The End

No More Tears in the End
June 2008
Following the death of Freeze, Mike Black and Bobby Ray are back in control of their organization, and it seems like old times. Black knows its time to get out of game before he loses somebody else close to him. But he hasn’t taken his eye off the man he believes arranged the murder of his wife. His sleepless nights could only end when everybody involved in her death is dead. The police say that the death of Tatiana Phillips was just part of a robbery gone wrong and was probably related to drugs. End of story. Whether that’s true or not, the Phillips family still wants to know who killed her. As a favor to the family, Nick Simmons agrees to look into the senseless murder. His investigation leads him to Loraine Robinson, a ride-or-die chick that’s involved in a little bit of everything and it’s all bad.

Roy Glenn

Known as the master of urban suspense, Roy Glenn began writing his first novel Is It a Crime, what he then called “a different type of love story” in 1995. Unable to find a publisher he decided to start his own publishing company Brittney Press Publishing and released Is It a Crime, which became a best seller and gave birth to the popular character, Mike Black.
The novels that followed which include, MOB, Drug Related, Payback, Outlaw and In A Cold Sweat, as well as the recently released No More Tears in the End the seventh installment in The Mike Saga. Roy is also a contributing author of Girls From da Hood and Around the Way Girls 4 and Gigolos Get Lonely Too. His other novels include Crime of Passion, Body of Evidence and Ulterior Motive feature the character, attorney Marcus Douglas.
Roy was born and raised in The Bronx and currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he is working on several projects including Bury Me Deep and Commit To Violence, the next two books in the Mike Black Saga. And Killing Them Softly, an erotic tale of murder.




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Gochenour
(904) 710-6392
Local author creates best selling novels while receiving dialysis treatments
Nation's Leader of Dialysis Services provides welcoming/relaxing environment allowing patient to continue his writing career.
Jacksonville, Florida (June 2009) -- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of dialysis services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and disease, has provided author, Roy Glenn, an environment suitable to create the storyline for his latest novel titled “No More Tears in the End”.
When he was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure in September of 2008, Mr. Glenn, who had authored ten novels and three short stories, felt that his life would have to change. The biggest adjustment was not letting dialysis stop his life completely. He states he had to keep reminding himself that dialysis was just a small part of his life. He found that the friendly and welcoming team and physicians at DaVita Regency Dialysis in Jacksonville, Florida provided him with a relaxing environment which allowed him to focus that and continue to write his stories while receiving dialysis treatments.
Mr. Glenn proudly announces the release of his seventh novel of “The Mike Black Saga” titled “No More Tears in the End”. The highly acclaimed series is part of the mystery/suspense genre. Mr. Glenn has been called the master of urban suspense!



More Books By Roy Glenn
Is It A Crime
December 2003
If you’re looking for an exciting blend of romance, mystery and danger, Is It A Crime is one you have to read. It combines those powerful elements into an explosive tale of love on the edge. Is It A Crime tells the story of Mike Black, whose violent rise to power earned him the name Vicious Black. Although he has everything he ever wanted, none of it seems to matter. He becomes enchanted with Cassandra Sims, a beautiful woman involved in the drug business. When an attempt is made on her life, Mike rescues her and becomes her protector. On the trail of her attacker, their relationship develops with an intriguing journey through Washington DC, Miami Beach and the Bahamas in the backdrop. The pursuit leads them back to New York City where all the pieces to the puzzle come together.

Girls From Da Hood
October 2004
Nikki Turner, the Queen of Hip Hop fiction, with the help of her home-girl Chunichi and right hand man Roy Glenn, she's about to take street fiction to a place it's never been before in the Original Girls From Da Hood. If luck were money, Nina Thomas would be one broke sister. After taking a stab at stripping, she finds herself once again on the wrong end of a bad choice. Now she's on trial for murder, and the consequences of spending too much time with the wrong folks might just end up costing her life.

MOB
December 2004
Who say crime doesn’t pay? Because it sure does for Travis Burns. He’s the leader of a well organized, prepared, and over all else highly disciplined robbing crew, and he and his partners Jackie Washington and Ronnie Grier are living the good life. They Target banks, grocery stores, jewelry stores, and anything else that they can hit quick and come away with a large return on their investment of time. All three are college graduates who fell victim to corporate lay-offs and down sizing. Now they live by rules which have serviced them well in what do. They are, Until Travis runs into Me'shelle Lawrence. She's beautiful, intelligent and has no involvement in the life Travis leads. Now he must reconcile his loyalty to his crew, his love for Me'shelle and find a way to make it out of the game alive.

Drug Related
April 2005
When Mrs. Gabrielle Childers’ brother goes missing, the first person she suspects is her husband, Chilly, a major player in the drug game. Chilly, of course, denies any involvement in her brother’s disappearance, but Mrs. Childers is not convinced. She hires Nick Simmons, a former army special operations officer turned private investigator. He was once a member of Mike Black’s criminal organization and his investigation leads him back to a world of drugs and murder that was once his life. Nick gets so caught up, not only in the case, but with Mrs. Childers that it leads to his arrest and forces him to deal with a dark past that he left behind ten years ago.

Payback
Revenge is a dish that is best served cold
February 2006
Semi-retired; living the good life in the Bahamas with his wife Cassandra “Shy” Black, however that peaceful island life is disturbed when Black’s old friend Nick Simmons (Drug Related), decides to pay him a visit. Before Nick has the chance to reunite and reminisce with Black, the drama begins. After a wild shootout at Black’s Paradise, Mike’s restaurant in the Bahamas, Shy is kidnapped by South American drug dealers and taken to New York. Now Black must find his kidnapped wife, while fighting off a take-over attempt, and solve a murder with political implications, only to find that there is one man behind it all.

Gigolos Get Lonely Too
March 2006
Three men that have a way with the ladies struggle to keep their heads when each finds that love is more important than sex. It's a dream come true for Vernon Gordon -- a threesome with two of the finest women in Atlanta. Forget the fact that he's married, or that the two willing women are his estranged sister-in-law and his wife's best friend. Vernon's just out to get his. Carter’s found the woman of his dreams and to keep her, he’s all set to change his lifestyle as a gigolo. But all hell breaks loose when he agrees to meet Deanna for what he’s decided is going to be his last appointment. Rick has to find a way to make it out the game, when he falls in April. Now he has to find a way to cut loose, Laura, Yvette and Vanessa.

Crime Of Passion
October 2006
Attorney Marcus Douglas is hired to defend business man Roland Ferguson, who is on trial for the brutal murders of his wife, Desireé Taylor Ferguson and her lover Rasheed Damali. When Ferguson is acquitted of all charges the victims sister, model Carmen Taylor demands justice for her sister. “If Roland didn't kill her, fine. Somebody did! What bothers me is that nobody is interested in finding out who did." She enlists the help of Marcus Douglas and together they begin an investigation into a case that involves drugs, prostitution, money laundering and murder that the police weren’t interested in perusing.

Outlaw
February 2007
After settling some unfinished business in the Baja Peninsula, Mike Black returns home only to find that his wife, Shy has been brutally beaten, shot to death. The police arrive shortly after he does. They take Black into custody and charge him with murder. Now Nick Simmons (Drug Related), the family lawyer, Wanda Moore, and an unlikely ally, Detective Kirkland must work together to find out who framed Mike Black for murder.

Around The Way Girls 4
July 2007
There’s a sayin’ that if you come from my part of town, that you’re from around the way. Around the Way Girls 4 features three stories that take a look at the lives of some street-smart who think they have the world in the palm of their hands, but are about to find out that things are not always as they seem. For Jada West it was All About the Money. From dancing at the best strip club to becoming the city’s top Madame, whatever it took to make piles of paper, that’s what she was about. Roy Glenn brings a different flavor to the around the way girl as Jada discovers that in the end, there is something more important than money. Essence ® Best Selling Author La Jill Hunt brings the drama in Thug Passion and Dwayne S. Joseph weaves a dramatic tale of love and betrayal in All For Love.



Body Of Evidence
October 2007
Panthea Daniels is stunned and devastated when she learns her husband of seven years is having an affair. She visits attorney Marcus Douglas to begin divorce proceedings, but sparks immediately begin to fly between the two. Things take a dramatic and unexpected turn as they engage in an illicit affair. After receiving pictures of the woman— “It’s not every day that you see your husband’s mistress.”— Panthea is arrested and charged with murder. The victim, Abril Arrington, was involved with several men, and she was conning them all out of money—including Panthea’s husband Scott. Marcus is convinced that each men, and not his client-turned-lover Panthea, have a compelling reason for killing Arbil. But as the investigation continues, Marcus is faced with undeniable facts that leave him questioning everything he thought he knew, including whether Panthea is capable of murder!

In A Cold Sweat
April 2008
Following the brutally murder his beloved wife, Cassandra (Outlaw), Mike Black still laying low in the burbs at the home of his friend Bobby Ray. Haunted by the fact that the people behind Cassandra’s death are still breathing, Black vows to find the people responsible and kill them all. He is distracted from that when assassins make and attempt on Black’s life and he finds that he has a new enemy, a group of drug dealers that called themselves The Commission. Originally formed as a buying co-op, their sole purpose was to protect themselves against Mike Black.

ULTERIOR MOTIVE
October 2008
While he is forced to deal with personal issues of his own, Attorney Marcus Douglas is hired by Angela Pettybone, an old college friend who called out of the blue saying that she needed to speak to him. Angela was his best-friends girlfriend in college, but Marcus was in love with her and the feelings are still there. Angela had just been questioned by the police in the death of Stephanie Covey, her boss, Robert Covey’s wife. Angela admits to having an affair with Robert. Marcus realizes that there is more going on than a simple affair and a murder, when the body count rise and they all are connected to Angela and Robert. Now Marcus must unravel the twisted details, and keep his personal feelings for her from clouding his objectivity if he is going to keep his old friend from going to jail.


Read an excerpt from Bury Me Deep, his latest work online
www.royglenn.net

The Devil is a Lie

The Devil is a Lie
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley


Is Money The Root To all Evil People??

When Nina Lawson wins $16 million in the Texas Lottery, the real estate executive and her fiancé, ecstatically begin planning their future — from paying off their credit card debt, to setting their wedding date, to a spontaneous, spare-no-expense island getaway.
But when Nina goes to claim her winnings, she gets an astounding twist of fate: her ex-husband, Todd Lawson, shows up to inform he he isn’t her ex —since the paperwork for their divorce was never officially filed. By Todd’s side, his money-hungry girlfriend, Pam – the woman he left Nina for.
MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS
Between her divorce drama, Nina also has to deal with relatives coming out of the woodwork to seek a payday for themselves. Before all is said and done, Nina must ask herself if scoring a fortune in cash comes with too high a price tag. With a little bit of luck, Nina will discern the real wealth in her heart, not just her bank account—or risk losing everything—to find out what matters the most.

My 2 cents
ReShonda has written yet another fabulous, and possible story. The cast of characters showed their true colors, GREEN, when it came to Nina's money. The Devil is a Lie, gave a perfect picture of how money is not evil, people are when it comes to money, even if it's someone else's. I truly loved the story, and the end was oh so satisfying.


ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author of 17 books, all published by Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie and national touring stageplay of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director. Five of her other books, have also been optioned for film by CodeBlack Entertainment.
ReShonda’s literary career is such a success that in 2007, she was able to leave her job as a reporter with Fox 26 News in Houston to pursue writing full time. ReShonda has appeared on the Essence Bestseller’s list more than 20 times, as well as The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Ebony Magazine Bestseller’s lists.
ReShonda has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 2009), Holy Rollers (2010) and two more teen novels. The Houston native and University of Texas at Austin graduate also serves as a freelance editorial and marketing consultant. She has ghostwritten four fiction projects and five non-fiction projects. She is married with three small children.


Visit ReShonda online at http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/
Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TheDevilIsALie

Carleen Brice on BAN Radio, June 20, 2009

Join Black Authors Network host Ella Curry and author Carleen Brice on BAN Radio, June 20 for lively discussion about her new book Children of the Waters.

Black Authors Network Talk Show
Saturday Night, June 20, 2009 at 8-10pm EST
Live Chat: www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network
Fans call into at: (646) 200-0402
Gifts given out to live callers and registered BTR chatters.




Book Discussion and Live Reading from Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice

The author of the #1 Denver Post bestseller and Essence Book Club Pick Orange Mint and Honey explores the connection between love and race, and what it really means to be a family. Children of the Waters (ISBN: 978-0345499073) is a story about two long lost half-sisters, one white and one black, who find each other possibly with the help of their grandmother’s ghost.


Book Introduction

Trish Taylor’s white ancestry never got in the way of her love for her black ex-husband, or their mixed race son, Will. But when Trish’s marriage ends, she returns to her family’s Denver, Colorado home to find a sense of identity and connect to her past.

What she finds there shocks her to the very core: her mother and newborn sister were not killed in a car crash as she was told. In fact, her baby sister, Billie Cousins, is now a grown woman; her grandparents had put her up for adoption, unwilling to raise the child of a black man. Billie, who had no idea she was adopted, wants nothing to do with Trish until a tragedy in Billie’s own family forces her to lean on her surprisingly supportive and sympathetic sister.

Together they unravel age-old layers of secrets and resentments and navigate a path toward love, healing, and true reconciliation.



What are some of the topics addressed in Children of the Waters?
--- Paths toward love, healing, and true reconciliation
--- Feeling secure in your own identity
--- Surviving a messy divorce
--- Raising teenage sons
--- Generational racism
--- Handling of Lupus
--- Hidden secrets and adoption
--- Embracing a bi-racial heritage
--- The importance of sisterhood

"In Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice highlights the effects of America's complicated relationship with race and identity on three generations of two families in a clear and insightful depiction of what it means to be American at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Brice knows how far we have come and how far there is left to go, and in Children of the Waters she deflty lays it all out for the reader to see." - Matthew Aaron Goodman, author of Hold Love Strong


More about Carleen
Carleen Brice’s debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey (One World/Ballantine), was an Essence “Recommended Read” and a Target “Bookmarked Breakout Book.” For this book, she won the 2009 First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the 2008 Break Out Author Award at the African American Literary Awards Show. Her second novel, Children of the Waters (One World/Ballantine), a book about race, love and family, is available now where ever books are sold. If you don't see it at your local retailer, please go to the representive and request it. You can read an excerpt at her website http://www.carleenbrice.com/.

She also edited and contributed to the anthology Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number: Black Women Explore Midlife, which was published in the U.S. (Beacon Press) and the U.K. (Souvenir Press). She is author of Lead Me Home: An African American’s Guide Through the Grief Journey (Avon/HarperCollins). Her book Walk Tall: Affirmations for People of Color, an Essence bestseller, was in print with traditional publishers for 10 years and sold 100,000 copies. It is currently available through iUniverse and Louis Gossett Jr.'s Eracism Foundation. Carleen and her husband live in Colorado.

Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice
ISBN: 0345499077
ISBN-13: 9780345499073
Pub. Date: June 23, 2009

Shop for the book at Barnes and Noble

Shop for the book at Amazon.com

What The Bayou Saw

What The Bayou Saw
Patti Lacy






"The Past Can't Stay Buried Forever"
A deeply moving story about secrets,segregation, and 40 years of lies. A gritty read through a chain link fence and the eyes of a child growing up in the late 50's in the deep south

EDC Creations First Quarter Literary Hallmarks

EDC Creations 2009 First Quarter Literary Hallmarks

Ella Curry and EDC Creations are proud to announce the books that created an impact, for readers and the EDC Creations network. Our “literary hallmarks” indicate excellence in writing and storytelling. These are the books we want to feature to the world. 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, they float just under the radar. It is our mission to connect readers with these hidden gems and bring them books that will change their lives.

Readers please take a moment and examine the list below. There is something for most book lovers! The books ARE NOT listed in any order pertaining to the quality of the literature—they are ALL 4-5 star literary gems. Each book on this list will bring something of value to enrich the lives of the readers, make you sit up and take notice, and to help to strengthen our future generations. If you are a fan of Erotica or Urban Literature, there is a list for you. If you are more in tune with books of a Spiritual or Motivational nature, there is a list for you. Christian Fiction lovers, we have books listed that you are sure to love. Like to live life on the edge and walk on the dark, mysterious side—we have a selection for you too. We have a special section for books that share in the African American experience, in a fictional setting, be sure to check the out.

We have reviewed all of the books below and these are just a few of the magnificent books we love. Keep in mind we reviewed some of these books for the publishers and they might be on pre-order status. Other lists will be posted of our fantastic literary finds. You are invited to explore the shelves of our book store where most of the books are listed: http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20. Enjoy!

Authors, if you see your book listed, please leave a comment with your website address, book seller links and any news about you and your books! Ask your network to stop by and share their reviews of your books too. Make sure you tell your friends if you see their names listed. Follow this blog on the right hand side of the site, to keep up with the comments.


Books Change Lives—Young Adults/Our Experiences
Young Readers and Teen Literature
1. Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul by Jack Canfield
2. Love, Ocean by Celia Anderson
3. Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison
4. Step To This: So For Real Series by Nikki Carter
5. Prayers That Avail Much for Teens by Germaine Copeland
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls by Donna Dale Carnegie
7. Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
8. Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
9. Learning to Love by Stephanie Perry Moore
10. Friends 'til the End by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
11. The Black Male Handbook by Kevin Powell, Hill
12. Letters to a Young Sister by Hill Harper
13. That Life by A.R Hilton
14. Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens by Marvin A. McMickle
15. Catwalk by Deborah Gregory

On the Shoulders of Giants —Faith Based Books
1. Somebody's Sinning in My Bed by Pat G'Orge Walker
2. Practicing What You Preach by Vanessa Davis Griggs
3. Any Minute: A Novel by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford
4. Guilty of Love by Pat Simmons
5. Somewhat Saved by Pat G'Orge Walker
6. Lady Jasmine by Victoria Christopher Murray
7. Heaven Right Here by Lutishia Lovely
8. Up at the College by Michele Andrea Brown
9. The Enclave by Karen Hancock
10. Take Two by Karen Kingsbury
11. Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward
12. I Know Why The Angels Dance by Bryan Davis
13. Deliver Me From My Enemies by Sharon Oliver
14. Beautiful Ugly by Shelia E. Lipsey
15. The Last Woman Standing by Tia McCollors
16. The Devil Is a Lie by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
17. Keep Your Enemies Closer by Sharon Oliver
18. Mom's the Word by Marilynn Griffith
19. God is in Love With You by Valerie Love
20. The List by Sherri Lewis
21. June Bug by Chris Fabry
22. Behind the Seen! by Phyllis Kennedy Brown
23. Reflections of a Quiet Storm by Patricia A. Bridewell
24. Ashes, Ashes They All Fall Down by Anita Ballard Jones
25. Inherited Sin by Wanda Manning
26. Menu for Romance by Kaye Dacus
27. Little Pages of Love by Edward C. Clark
28. Worth a Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams
29. Journey to Jordan by Donna Deloney
30. The Word: Poetry Connection by Arnita L. Fields
31. Trouble in My Way by Michelle Stimpson
32. The Cooling Board by Tamara Angela Grant
33. Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin
34. Half Minister/Half Mistress by Nicole Morgan
35. The Friends We Keep: How Women Navigate the Delights and Wounds of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis

Our Literary Legacy —Historical Based Ficton/Historical Black Ficton
1. A Song for Harlem by Patricia C. McKissack
2. In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
3. What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy
4. A Worthy Legacy by Tomi Akinyanmi



Our Literary Legacy —Non-fiction/Motivational/Poetry Books
1. Women of A New Tribe from Jerry Taliaferro
2. Grandpa Does Grandma: The ABCs of Senior Sex by Phil Parker
3. From Incarceration 2 Incorporation by J.M. Benjamin & Randy Kearse
4. Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom by Cornel West
5. Almost Persuaded, Now to Believe by Joshua McClure
6. America I am Legends by Smiley Books
7. Family Affair by Gil L. Robertson, IV
8. No Matter What by Lisa Nichols
9. Raising Boys to be Like Jesus by Sharon Norris Elliott
10. Ministry of Motherhood by Cheryl Lacy Donovan
11. Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert
12. Content...Right Where I Am by Joy Turner
13. Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend by Bill Russell
14. Remember What Your Mamas Taught You by Brenda Hill
15. The Only Way Out is In by Daya Devi-Doolin
16. What's It All About Nesheba? by Nesheba
17. Living Check to Monday by Lynn Richardson
18. Empowered to Birth Naturally by Patrice A. London
19. J.D.'s Groove by poet John D. Evans
20. From the Land of the Lost by poet Eric Vance Walton
21. Beautiful: Nudes by Marc Baptiste
22. Metu Neter Vol. 3 by Ra Un Nefer Amen
23. Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration by Ben Arogundade
24. 10 Bad Choices That Ruin Black Women's Lives by Grace Cornish
25. Blessed Assurance: Success Despite the Odds by Jacquie Lewis-Kemp
26. Wisdom for Women of Worth and Worship by Natalie A. Francisco, ED.D
27. If God Does Not Permit A Woman to Preach, Then God Must Be a Sexist by Min. Lamont McLaurin
28. How to be Highly Favored and Empowered to Prosper in Your Job Search by Kimberly A. Benjamin, PHR
29. Stolen Women: Reclaiming Our Sexuality, Taking Back Our Lives by Gail Wyatt
30. Why Men Marry Bitches: A Woman's Guide to Winning Her Man's Heart by Sherry Argov



Living on the Edge— Thrillers/Mystery/Fantasy Books
1. Deadly Intent by Lynda LaPlante
2. Immortal I and II by Valjeanne Jeffers
3. The Defector by Daniel Silva
4. The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
5. Swimsuit by James Patterson
6. Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
7. The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
8. Who's Been Sleeping in Your Head by Brett Kahr
9. The Thirteenth by L. A. Banks
10. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian
11. Soul Deep by Lora Leigh

Our Passions— Mixed Genre Fiction/ Erotica/Urban Literature
1. Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice
2. Life is Short But Wide by J. California Cooper
3. Chaser by Miasha
4. Alibi by Terri Woods
5. And Mistress Makes Three by Frances Ray
6. Single Husband by HoneyB
7. Lies of Blue by Lynne Forde
8. A Lova' Like No Otha' by Stephanie Perry Moore
9. Reality Check by Eric Pete
10. Temptation and Lies by Donna Hill
11. A New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin
12. Quieting the Storm by Shelley Parsons
13. Private Lives by Gwynne Forster
14. B as in Beauty by Alberto Ferreras
15. Thug Lovin' (Thug ) by Wahida Clark
16. His Invisible Wife by Shelia M. Goss
17. Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López
18. Body By Night by Zuri Day
19. A Private Affair by Donna Hill
20. Sisters & Husbands by Connie Briscoe
21. Maneater by Mary B. Morrison
22. Nothing but Trouble by Bettye Griffin
23. Bliss Inc. by Chamein Canton
24. The Highest Price for Passion by Laurinda D. Brown
25. Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies by Trice Hickman
26. Song of the Siren by Avah LaReaux
27. In Her Mind by Renee Daniel Flagler
28. Loving Simone by Jessica Tilles
29. Unexpected by Tinisha Nicole Johnson
30. Carbon Copy by Azarel
31. When Life Becomes a Love Story by Sonia Matthews
32. How I Made the Angels Cry by Meleisa Betts
33. That Devil's No Friend of Mine by J. D. Mason
34. Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young
35. Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas
36. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Tracy Darity
37. Keith's Story by Nikkea Smithers
38. Attitudes of a Woman by Nikkea Lewis
39. Serving Justice by Jacqueline D. Moore
40. Are You Satisfied Yet by M Bridges
41. Turned On: Summer Series by Angel Hunter
42. The Georgia Avenue Bus by Henri Edmonds
43. Sweet Destiny by Bernadette Watkins
44. Reality Check: Stepmother Chronicles by Anjalon D. Edwards
45. Make Me Whole by Roishina Clay Henderson
46. Nina's Got A Secret by Brian W. Smith
47. Good Girl Gone Bad by Danette Majette
48. Ready to Male by Lamar Ariel
49. Hiding in the Shadows by Claudia Brown Mosley
50. When Lightning Strikes by Keya
51. Intimate Accusations by Nyra Knight
52. What Doesn't Kill You: A Novel by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
53. Vixen Icon by Buffie
54. Scream My Name by Kimberly Kaye Terry
55. Freedom's Fight by Gary Phillips
56. The Right Wedding Gown by Shirley Hailstock
57. It's Morning: Torn Lovers and Their Stories by Elaine Flowers
58. Sinnamon by Wasiim-Kenny Young
59. Kissing The Man Next Door by Devon Vaughn Archer
60. Road To Seduction by Ann Christopher

Authors, if you see your book listed, please leave a comment with your website address, book seller links and any news about you and your books! Ask your network to stop by and share their reviews of your books. We would like to have you all on the BAN Radio Show, so leave your contact information in the comments for Ella Curry and her interns. Email: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Readers, if you have read any of the books listed, please share your reviews. If you would like for any of these authors to speak with your friends or book clubs, please leave your request and email address in our comments section. We will try to pass them on to the publicists or the authors. Request the authors for a phone chat and live reading with you and 10 friends: Email: edc_dg@yahoo.com


Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
http://www.edc-creations.com/


Black Pearls Magazine
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/


Shop at our Book Store

http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20

Par for the Curse

Meet Toyi Ward, author of Par for the Curse

Toyi Ward is a freelance writer, author & media host who specializes in contemporary issues that affect working women. After ten years as a Fortune 100 sales & marketing executive, she launched Toyi Ward Communications, LLC, a writing/consulting company focused on the enrichment of working women. TWC contracts with e-magazines, websites, and print media to create fiction and non-fiction projects that examine issues pertaining to today’s woman.

Toyi draws upon her life experience and corporate training to facilitate workshops and lectures that enhance the lives of women at work and in their personal lives. She is the host of "TOYi Talk-Authenticity with Attitude" on the Blog Talk Radio Network. When asked, she credits her tenacity for tackling women’s issues from her name. "It’s one half of the South African toyi-toyi, the dance of protest. My parents named me well."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Stormy has grown up with the warning that she is cursed. Raised in a family of eight women with twenty-four husbands among them, she has managed to escape the family’s legacy thus far. Things begin to change once she is given the details concerning a hex that was cast upon her great grandmother over eighty years ago.

Managing the antics of her adulteress young cousin, Riley, exhausts Stormy. Comforting the heartbreak of her older cousin Lourdes, angers her. After a devastating turn of events on par with her birthright, Stormy decides to seek a remedy for the family’s plight. She travels to New Orleans determined to find answers. Along the way she faces a quilt of obstacles and a set of choices that challenge her reality. Will she reveal the information or continue playing the hand she was dealt by an angry young woman in the Bayou?

Par for the Curse reveals the influence of voodoo and the impact of generational secrets on family, life, and love.


CHARACTER PROFILE: Q & A with Riley Briggs

Q. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

RILEY: Oh that's easy. I like the fact that I love me. What's not to love? I'm beautiful, saavy, fun, with the skinniest ankles of any women I've ever met. And I know how to work what my mama gave me.

Q. What mark do you want to leave on the world?

RILEY:I don't need to leave a mark on the world. I'm planning on sliding into the grave with a bottle of Hennessey and a bag of french fries.

Q. So you plan on taking Hennessey to heaven with you?

RILEY: Now there you go. No. I don't plan to take Hennessey to heaven with me. And yes, I plan to get in. I don't need to be all up in the spot. I'll probably just get inside the gate, but I'm cool with that. [laughs]

Q. Lourdes is so sweet and beautiful. Stormy is smart and ambitious. Where do you fit?

RILEY: For starters, I'm the prettiest. People say Lourdes is because she's so nice but I've always had more men than both of them. I'm fine. They are pretty. There's a difference. True, Stormy is ambitious but she doesn't do much with it. I've been all over the world and built my real estate business by myself. She has done alot with MY social network. MY influence is why she has done well. Nobody knows her. It's me they respond to.

Q. Wow! Okay. Tell me about your husband, Damon.

RILEY: What about him? Nothing much to tell. He's nice enough. He loves me more than I love him and that's most important. But you know Kendall is my man.

Q. Doesn't it bother you that he's married?

RILEY: No. His wife is crazy. She totally mistreats him and he deserves someone like me. We have a real connection. When you read the book you'll see that. He loves me.

Q. Speaking of the book, how did you like it?

I like the story, but I don't know if I agree with my portrayal. I mean, it made me look so selfish. I mean I guess it's about my family so that makes sense, but the next book needs to be about me.

Purchase Par for the Curse to read Riley and her family's story.

Follow the Par for the Curse Blog Tour schedule at http://bitly.com/ParfortheCurse.

Are you living Victoriously?

Victorious Magazine Launch Celebration

VICTORIOUS Magazine is the cornerstone of our public communication, providing access to articles representing our victorious message! By reaching out directly to each woman and touching on the concerns that are on her heart we are able to encourage her to press on toward her dreams to live victoriously, taking control of her own destiny and achieving her true purpose. Our editorial content is designed to validate the importance of the things that appeal to her on all levels - personally, professionally, spiritually, and mentally - in a way that only women can understand.

Our article categories include Destiny & Purpose, Inspiration & Empowerment, Stewardship, Victorious Living, Victorious Wellness, and Style & Grace. The publication launched its digital version March 30, 2009. The first print issue of VICTORIOUS MAGAZINE will hit the newsstands September 2009, with an initial circulation of 25,000.

What Not to do

What Not to do

Do you, the author realize that you are a celebrity? Well to us, the fans, you are. We want to be as engaged with you as we were with your book.

I recently went to a signing and I will not mention names but the author was arrogant, smug, and had an attitude. this was not a good look. The signing had about 30 people there either with books or ready to buy.

I thought hmmm great turn out, but the author was a turn off. What ever the problem was it should have been left at the door. All the excited fans caught wind of the attitude immediately. And the excitement died just a little.

I just figured once things got started it would be great, BUT NOOO. It worsened. The author acted as if WE ought to be grateful, they were here. HUH???

The author then proceeded to do a discussion about how great thou are. Not about the books at all. WT??? At the end of the boast, the author then told people with books line up here and the ones who did not have books, and I quote “GO buy one and get in line”.

I was mortified at the rudeness. So were others. At that point I did not want my books signed, but I stood in line to tell the author to read my blog today. And I refused to have my books signed, and I asked how “does that make you feel”. By the way, the ones who were told to “GO buy a book”; they left without making a purchase.

Authors we love you, appreciate us. You need to figure out what’s going to keep us running back to you, your site and the bookstore. Obviously this is not it. If this is how you do things, you should never, ever do any public interaction.

Simply Said

Book Spotlight: When Lightning Strikes by Keya

When Lightning Strikes by Keya
How can you have it all – education, personality, and beauty - yet your life is flooded with a sea of troubles?

Imminent, new author Keya answers this question and more in When Lightning Strikes, a novel about Ms. Taylor Devereaux, her three best friends, and her spiraling-out-of-control life. Taylor is on the road to happiness and success. She is a gorgeous and classy woman with a thriving career and a wonderful fiancée. One day, Taylor’s near perfect world is turned upside down when she discovers her future husband is cheating.

To make matters worse, while trying to put the pieces of her life back together, she finds out someone at her job has filed a sexual harassment complaint against her. She realizes someone is out to ruin her life. With Taylor’s personal life, profession, and overall reputation at stake, can she overcome it all? Or, will the stress of it all bring out another side of Taylor?

See how Taylor reacts “When Lightning Strikes.”

Website: http://www.keyalit.com

Read the first chapter online:
http://www.keyalit.com/WhenLightningStrikes-Chapter1.pdf

View the online Media Kit from Keya's site:
http://www.keyalit.com/mediakit.htm