Monday, June 29, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Book Spotlight Jordan's Confessions by Charmaine Galloway
Synopsis
Losing a best friend can
be a very traumatic experience, especially when you’re only fifteen and you
blame yourself for their death. Jordan Colbert was carrying a lot of grief and
sorrow in her heart and all she wanted was someone to comfort her and tell her
that everything would be okay.
That’s why she thought she could trust Darnell, her mother’s boyfriend. He seemed to care, to understand, to really get her. And he was going out of his way to make her life easier as he helped her to cope with the loss of her friend.
That’s why she thought she could trust Darnell, her mother’s boyfriend. He seemed to care, to understand, to really get her. And he was going out of his way to make her life easier as he helped her to cope with the loss of her friend.
That is until his care
and concern turned into deception and betrayal of the most horrific kind. See
how he pulls Jordan into his web of deceit, leaving her hurt, broken and
confused. Can Jordan build the courage to confess to her mother the secret that
she was holding on to because of fear that no one would believe her?
Author Bio
Charmaine Galloway was born and currently resides in
Toledo, Ohio with her two children. Writing has been her passion and a positive
emotional outlet since middle school. As a teen, writing in her journal allowed
her to escape from the negativity of her world. Around that time she also began
writing her debut poetry book.
Charmaine has a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life
Education and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Titles by
Charmaine includes: My World, Through My
Eyes, Girlfriends Secrets, The Secrets They Kept, Tyree’s Love Triangle, Golden,
Heaven’s Cry, Girl Talk, Find The Princess Within, Mommy’s Little Superhero and I love Myself As I Am.
Ms. Galloway is passionate about writing reality based
stories about imperfect people. She hopes to enlighten, inspire and touch the
hearts of her readers. She is currently working on new projects, so keep a look
out for her upcoming releases. www.charmainegalloway.com
Now available for pre-order: Amazon
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Author Interview - Imani Wisdom
Today I have the honor of interviewing the
amazing Author, Blogger, and Entrepreneur Imani Wisdom. She has a beautiful
spirit and I hope you'll enjoy learning about her and her book!!
LaToya: When did you begin your writing career?
Imani: I began my writing career at the tender age of eight. I had
an active imagination, but didn’t quite understand how to transfer my
imaginative prowess to paper. Years later, I dabbled into short stories and
poetry, but it wasn’t until my late thirties I took writing seriously. Hence, I
began a three-day journey of writing Zion’s Road. And the rest is history.
LaToya: What’s your inspiration for writing?
Imani: As long as it’s living and breathing, it’s inspiration.
Society is a perfect example. It’s a melting pot for the development of
characters and plots. Most of my stories are based from hard issues; such as,
sexual abuse and domestic violence, mental illness, and racism. These controversial
topics have endless opportunities.
LaToya: What kind of legacy do you expect your writing to leave?
Imani: I want my legacy to be remembered as the writer who writes
beyond “stepping-out-of-the-box” but rather sees no boxes. Limitations on any
craft hurt the creative process. And I want that to come through my writing,
conveying the fearlessness of an honest perception of reality.
LaToya: What are you currently working on?
Imani: I’m currently working on several projects, including a new
manuscript from the Zion’s Road series. I can’t say too much on the storyline,
but I will say the main character is full of surprises. He transforms from a
life of hustling and running the streets to opening the hearts and minds of
hurt souls. Also, one of the characters is screaming at me to write their
story. And this person is the epitome of “monster are not born, they’re made”.
LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life changing
read.
Imani: The Color Purple because Alice Walker had proven strong
women could evolve from any background and at any time.
LaToya: Tell us about your latest book.
Imani: Zion’s Road: A Love
Story about Love and Redemption tells about a former Klansman, Harold
Smith’s unique encounter with a strange boy, as the two delve in his past to
discover many hidden truths and a sixty-five year old secret he’d kept in his
heart. Now, though, it’s a fifty page novelette, this suspenseful love story
packs a punch with a surprise ending.
LaToya: Name a book you wish you’d written.
Imani: Honestly, I never looked at anyone’s creative works and
wished I’d written it. I respect the author’s hard work and imaginative skill
to be inspired, but never wished for their work to be mine.
LaToya: Give readers 3 reasons to buy your book.
Imani: The character is the perfect, non-perfect character of hope
and transformation, something as we, humans, live with everyday. Also, we asked
ourselves the question about where racism comes from. Harold Smith’s point-of
view could shed some light on the subject. And finally, it’s a love story – a
good old-fashioned love story with differing families. So, when a person or a
group of people keep you from the one you love, what would you do?
LaToya: Who is your favorite author?
Imani: I have many, but Alice Walker is favorite author because her
book, The Color Purple transformed my life.
LaToya: Is your book based on real life events?
Imani: Of course, racism is alive and well and Charleston, South
Carolina only proves it. It’s sad we have to still endure the same society ills
as our forefathers and mothers; it shouldn’t be way. Generational struggles are
supposed to get better, not worse.
LaToya: Will you consider being a mentor to a young up and coming
author?
Imani: Absolutely! I’m already mentoring up and coming authors,
which is truly an honor. Their interest in the industry keeps me motivated with
my dream.
LaToya: Are you currently working on anything you want to share with
us?
Imani: Besides what I’d mentioned above with the Zion’s Road
series, I’m also the host of the Urban Ebook Fair and Twitter Affair. Both
gives light to new and seasoned authors alike. The road to our dreams should be
a collective effort, because success is not driven alone.
LaToya: How can readers connect with you: (Please include social media,
website link, and link to your amazon author age, etc.
Imani: I love hearing from readers! Connect with me via any of the
channels below.
Website: www.imaniwisdom.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/imani_wisdom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaniwisdom
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinknoirepublications
Imani: Research,
research, research!!!! You will have many authors advising you on how to be a
better writer, publisher, or marketer. But the number one person you should
rely on is YOU! Listen to your instinct, because nine times out of ten is never
wrong.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Book Spotlight ~A-Z Series with Author Barbara Joe Williams
A-Z
Writing Tips: A Motivational Guide for Authors
Filled with lots of no nonsense advice,
Barbara Joe Williams steers writers in a direction that will have them not only
finishing their first manuscripts but anxious to start the next one. Even
seasoned writers can benefit from the tips listed in the book. Every potential
author should own and make use of this book! Cathy Jo, author of No More
Expectations.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-Z-Writing-Tips-Motivational-Authors-ebook/dp/B00TPWBG5C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
A-Z Marketing Tips: A
Motivational Guide to Selling Your Products
A-Z Marketing Tips is packed with many marketing tips to
help you motivate your marketing. You can take each letter and create a
marketing plan that will take your book to the next level in promotion. Barbara
shares what works and what doesn’t saving you the time, energy and money. If
you buy one book on marketing this year, this is the book you should add to
your library. Read it, make a plan, then execute your plan, and see how many
new readers you add to your readership. LaShaunda C. Hoffman, Publisher, Shades
Of Romance Magazine (SORMAG)
A-Z Basic Editing Tips: A Motivational Guide for Writers
Overall,
very helpful tips and hints on the writing process. The length is perfect for
the writer who needs information, but doesn’t have time to invest hours digging
for it in reference books or online. Maybe not a catchall writing reference,
but definitely a catch-plenty! Well done . . . Alfred Haynes, aspiring author
and beta reader.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-Z-Basic-Editing-Tips-Motivational-ebook/dp/B00VU859IE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Author Bio:
Barbara Joe Williams is an Amazon bestselling author, indie publisher, and
motivational speaker living in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a Navy veteran, a
graduate of Tallahassee Community College, and Florida A & M University.
Barbara is also the founder of Amani Publishing, LLC (2004), and the co-founder
of the Tallahassee Authors Network since September 2008.
You can connect with Barbara at:
Amazon author's page: http://goo.gl/hCOkBb
Facebook: http://ow.ly/M7oYa
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/BarbaraJoe22
Website: www.barbarajoe.webs.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Book Spotlight ~Love Never Felt So Good by Barbara Joe Williams
Book Blurb
Mack and Natalie Burney have been
married for seven years. Mack suspects that Natalie is cheating on him with a
younger man, who happens to be her boss. When Mack hires a friend to go
undercover, what will he discover about Natalie and himself?
Excerpt:
“My wife is cheating on me,” Mack
Burney stated, shoving photographs across his wooden desk. His heart was about
to explode from the tension in the room. Mack leaned back in his leather seat
as he eyed the handicapped friend he’d hired to spy on his wife, Natalie.
“Well, it definitely looks that
way,” Bobby Jackson replied. He shifted in his wheelchair like maybe he was a
little uncomfortable with the situation. Bobby was paralyzed from the waist
down, but it didn’t prevent him from getting around town in his
specially-equipped van. Playing detective for his friend had given Bobby a real
reason to get out of his house and enjoy some different scenery.
“I’ve been following her all over
Tallahassee for over a month now. She’s been to the lingerie stores, the adult
toy store downtown, and disappeared into an apartment complex for several hours
while you were out of town this weekend.”
“You mean this past Saturday! She
told me she was going to a birthday party with a friend. Now I find out she’s
creeping with some young looking dude. I just can’t believe my Natalie would do
something like this to me. Not after seven years of marriage. I just can’t
accept this!”
“If it’s been seven years, maybe
she’s got that itch. You know, you’re not as young as you used to be, my
friend.” Bobby snickered.
“Oh, so you think this is funny?
We’ve been friends for how long now?” Mack stood up and sneered down at his
seated friend. He made a fist and said, “Don’t think I won’t knock you out of
that wheelchair.” Every blood vessel in his dark-skinned faced seemed about to
pop.
Purchase Links:
Author Bio:
Barbara Joe Williams is an Amazon bestselling author, indie publisher, and
motivational speaker living in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a Navy veteran, a
graduate of Tallahassee Community College, and Florida A & M University.
Barbara is also the founder of Amani Publishing, LLC (2004), and the co-founder
of the Tallahassee Authors Network since September 2008.
How can readers connect with you? see below:
Amazon author's page: http://goo.gl/hCOkBb
Facebook: http://ow.ly/M7oYa
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/BarbaraJoe22
Website: www.barbarajoe.webs.com
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Book Spotlight ~Summertime by Adrienne Thompson
Book Blurb
An unlikely journey… an unlikely love.
J'Nay Walker is a talented singer, driven toward success by
a promise she made to her late mother. One gloomy day, on the tail of some
disappointing news, tragedy strikes, threatening not only to derail her plans,
but to end her life. As a result, she soon finds herself on an unlikely
journey, but is she ready for an unlikely love?blurb –
Book Excerpt:
“Would it be too forward of me to ask if you already have a
beau, lovely songbird?”
I looked up at him, willed myself not to stare at his lips.
“No—I mean, no, I don’t.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “The men around here must be
dumb as rocks. Letting a fine-looking woman like you walk around here alone
like this? I might just have to do something to fix that.”
I placed my hand on my chest. “Something like what?”
“Something like making you my woman.”
I shook my head. “Can’t do that. You’re just passing
through.”
He nodded slightly as he reached up and touched my cheek.
“Well, if you’re my girl,” he whispered, “I guess you’ll have to come with me…
or I’ll have to stay.”
Then he leaned in and softly kissed me on the lips. Every
nerve, muscle, and blood vessel in my body vibrated, and my knees buckled ever
so slightly. “Dizzy…” I said softly.
He backed away from me with an intoxicated look in his eyes.
“Call me John. I like the way you say it.”
“John?”
He smiled. “Yeah, I like that.”
“Dizzy, you holding up the game, man!” a voice shouted from
upstairs.
He leaned in close to me again and smiled. “Damn, girl… you
smell good.”
“I’m not wearing any perfume.”
“I didn’t think you were.”
Purchase Links:
Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00XQE1MPE
Nook: http://ow.ly/NLnSv
Kobo: http://ow.ly/NLo1J
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XQE1MPE
Author Bio:
How can readers connect with you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_H_Thompson
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ahthompsn/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ahthompsn/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/muusikluvverThursday, June 4, 2015
Author Spotlight: Perfectly Loved
Perfectly Loved
Author: Rhana a. Gittens
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: NyreePress Publishing (October 22, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0990666239
ISBN-13: 978-0990666233
Genre: Inspirational/Christian Living
Rhana A. Gittens has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida. She has a minor certificate in African-American studies and is an accomplished writing tutor. She was born in Queens, NY, raised in Lauderdale Lakes, FL and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Perfectly Loved will bring us back to the understanding of love from the creator and embodiment of love Himself. Each chapter includes “Think About It” questions and a study verse that are perfect for individual study, Bible Study, and small group lessons. As you explore how God loves you, you will also build love in your relationships with other people, and God. When you discover “perfect love” you will be able to relinquish your fears, push through your adversity, and serve others with love.
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