Book Blast: Captured by Terri Haynes

Author is giving away One (1) autograph copies of Captured, a magnet and a bookmark.

Book Title: Captured 

ASIN: B015DTKUX4 

Publication Date: September 22, 2015 

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romantic Suspense 

Author: Terri Haynes

 

FBI agent Will Anderson is working his last human trafficking case before he leaves his painful past. Social activist Savannah Elliott thinks she has escaped hers by helping human trafficking victims regain their freedom. When a case unites them, can they overcome their scars and find love.

 

 

 Terri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a homeschool mom, writer, prolific knitter, freelance graphic artist and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she grew, her love for writing grew as she tried her hand at poetry, articles, speeches and fiction. She is storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers in the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives. Terri is a 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest finalist, and a 2012 semi-finalist. She is also a 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarterfinalist. Her publishing credits include Cup of Comfort for Military Families, Crosswalk.com, the Secret Place Devotional, Urbanfaith.com, Vista Devotional, and Publisher’s Weekly. Terri holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theology, a Master's degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design, meeting the minimal requirements of being a geek. She and her husband pastor a church where she serves as executive pastor and worship leader. Terri lives in Maryland with her three wonderful children and her husband, who often beg her not to kill of their favorite characters.

 

 

   

 

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Tour hosted by Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com

Contest ends: October 9, 2015 11:59 pm Open: Internationally Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Terri J. Haynes and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com Contest code below a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Book Blast: Captured by Terri Haynes appeared first on Author LaToya Murchison.


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Author Interview with Fatima Munore

LaToya: If you could choose a famous African American who has impacted your life who would it be and why?
Fatima: I love the fact that I come from such a diverse culture of men and women who have impacted the world as much as the African American race has. If I had to choose one that has impacted my life, it would have to be Ms. Sojourner Truth. Upon reading her autobiography, I discovered that this beautiful African American woman was a slave in rural New York, escaped her own captors, preached to former slaves and fought for women’s equality. As an African American former slave in the early 1800’s! How awesome is that! Truly a messenger sent from the Almighty.

LaToya: Where are you from? Where do you live now?
Fatima: Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, I’ve relocated a number of times, but I currently reside in the suburbs of Atlanta, Ga.

LaToya: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? 
Fatima: Yes and no. I’ll explain: As a child I was the kid in class that the teachers always sent to the citywide competitions, whether it was composition, math decathlons, and spelling bees. I was always told with the multiple awards and achievements, mainly in English composition, I would be best suited in a journalism career. Once I hit high school, I discovered in my junior year I would be responsible for funding my own college education. My first thought was to join the military, but my parents shut that down real quick. Taking a job at a local retailer, I quickly moved up in the ranks from a part time cashier to full time, to supervisor and eventually into management.
Switching retailers as my career grew, I also made the decision to transition into the online learning community while completing management training. After obtaining my BA in HR Management from Capella University and settling into a surprisingly demanding career, I eventually found myself juggling a lot of responsibilities without enjoying the intrinsic rewards. I prayed, begging God for a sign to where He wanted me to go in my career. That led to me returning back to my first love of writing, and the rest is history.

LaToya: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? 
Fatima: I first started writing last year, just mainly random scribbles to myself. There were so many stories going on in my head, I wanted to chronicle my childhood, what I’ve seen and heard as a teenager growing up in the city of Chicago. I sat down one day and decided to put my thoughts into a file. Initially everything was scattered, but as the idea took shape in my mind, the story began to congeal together and made sense. I emailed paragraphs to my friends and family first to get their thoughts before I sent it out to any publishing company. Getting a positive response, I decided to get an unbiased opinion from a couple of publishers.

LaToya: How did you choose the genre you write in? 
Fatima: I write about what I know. If I wrote about my life in management, the highlights of that book would be the customer experience during Black Friday and holiday sales for the most part. You can only tell the story about the customer who brought his goat in the store to shop with him for so long. The stories of things that I’ve seen and heard growing up Chicago are a lot more entertaining.

LaToya: Where do you get your ideas? 
Fatima: A little of everywhere. My own experiences, of course. I also have a colorful set of family and friends that are dying to lend me their stories. And some is just plain old fiction. For instance, the Chi Town’s Queen series is my take on the classic Cinderella tale, if Cinderella grew up on the west side of Chicago and actually liked her siblings.

LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life changing read. 
Fatima: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I love her work, and this particular book spotlights the perception of race in America prior to the Black Lives Matter movement. A real eye opener.

LaToya: Who is your favorite author? 
Fatima: If I absolutely HAD to pick someone, I’d say me. Just kidding. Truthfully, I’m friends with a lot of phenomenal authors and love a variety of genres, so it would be very difficult to pin down one.

LaToya: Name one book you wish you’d written. 
Fatima: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. I’ll happily take the credit for over a billion dollar box office gross!

LaToya: Tell us about your latest book. 
Fatima: Well, my latest book, M.T.A.K., is in the early editing stages, so I can’t really talk too much about it, other than it’s a departure from my previous books. To me, it’s gritty, urban and raw emotion from the characters themselves. As an urban fiction writer, my goal was to tell the other stories outside of drugs and the streets. I wanted to tell the other stories of what people go through just trying to make it out of the hood and Ain’t No Thug Like The One I Got is an example of those types of stories (one of the main characters wasn’t necessarily a ‘thug’ until life pushed him to do so).
If anyone has read the anthology book that I contributed to (Love, Betrayal and Dirty Money available on Amazon from Royalty Publishing House), I showcased a bit of the writing style that is prevalent in M.T.A.K. This story in particular, I drew off of real life experiences. Those that know me personally may not know this particular side of me and I’m curious to see how this book will go over with my current fan base.

LaToya: How can readers connect with you?
Fatima: I Love interacting with my readers and hey can follow me at:

Twitter: fatima_munroe
Facebook: Author Fatima Munroe
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fatima-Munroe/e/B00XBKZOPM
Goodreads: Fatima Munroe
Instagram: author_fatima_munroe
Google Plus: Freida Kelley

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Fatima: Writing isn’t easy, and everyone won’t fall in love with your work. Don’t use that as an excuse to defer your dream. Listen to the voices, they have a story to tell and it’s up to you to allow them to tell it. Pray, meditate and pray some more. Then log onto your laptop and crank out that novel.

Book Spotlight: The Rage Within by DINA

Excerpt:

For Biomedical Researcher Angelica Hunter, Devin O’Conner was to blame for the death of her mother. O’Conner may have not caused her physical death, but from the moment he kicked Cynthia Hunter out of his life while denying their baby, a part of her died.

Angelica watched for years, as her mother held on to hope – hope that Devin would realize she had been faithful to him and that her daughter truly belonged to him. But he never did! Instead, he’d moved on with his life, married a wealthy heir, and became a father to his children.

It was at her mother’s death bed, as she watched her mother take her last breath that she vowed to make him pay for his actions. Her mother may have had a forgiving heart, but Angelica was not as naïve and foolish. It was time for Devin O’Conner to have a taste of his own medicine… even if that meant his life.

Purchase Links:

Amazon – http://ift.tt/1GcoVn0

CreateSpace –  http://ift.tt/1YKjQh4

Author’s Site – www.dinawrites.com

Publisher’s Site – http://ift.tt/1QdB54P

Author Bio:

DINA is the author of Rewriting My Story and The Rage Within, which are part of the Bitter Root series. In her books, DINA brings years of real-life experiences to the forefront, giving pearls of wisdom for transforming the bitterness of the past into the catalysts for life changing positive experiences. Each book showcases the importance forgiveness and the redemptive power available through Christ. In July 2015 DINA released her first short story, Lost & Found, which follows the life of My-Joy Avery Summer who is searching for love. But what she finds is a web of lies, betrayal, murder, and deception.  Look for DINA’s upcoming books: Behind the Mask (book three of the Bitter Root series) and Behold, a New Thing…Organization Tips and More.

DINA desires to uplift, inspire, and empower people to move beyond their negative residue of their past and become the best that they are meant to be while challenging them to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She accomplishes this not only via the stories found between the pages of her books, but also through various speaking opportunities and engagements.

DINA is also the Co-Founder of Ink Trails Publishing Incorporated which is a Christian-based publishing company with a mission to establish a legacy of positive literary works. She also aspires to establish a mentorship for teens who desires to establish their legacy through their writing.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers are welcomed to visit the following sites/pages:

www.dinawrites.com

http://ift.tt/1GcoVn0

http://ift.tt/1YKjQh6

Twitter – worksbydina.

Author Interview with Lori Titus

LaToya: If you could choose a famous African American who has impacted your life who would it be and why?
Lori: You know that’s a very good question. I often consider much of my inspiration as having come from family members. In the larger world, I would say that people like Lorraine Hansberry or Nikki Giovanni were inspirations. I was a voracious reader as a kid, and these were the first female African American writers that I was introduced to.

LaToya: Where are you from? Where do you live now?
Lori: I’m from Los Angeles. I moved to Central California a few years ago, to a medium sized city surrounded by farms and oilfields at its outskirts.

LaToya: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Lori: I did from the time that I was nine years old. I had a lot of nightmares growing up, and my mother encouraged me to write them down in order to get rid of them. It worked like a charm. Soon I was inventing stories just because it was fun.

LaToya: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
Lori: I wrote a lot of stories in my teens and early twenties that will go unpublished. I think of those as practice! For a long while my writing got put on the back burner while I went to school and work. I didn’t really pick up writing again until 2008, and my first full length book was completed in 2010.

LaToya: How did you choose the genre you write in?
Lori: I think it pretty much chose me. I write the kind of stories that I like to watch. I love monsters, ghosts, paranormal, anything concerning the dark or unknown. I love stories that have action and romance, unexpected twists and turns, so that’s what I try to deliver on for my readers. I like characters that have depth and texture. I want them to feel like people that you know or could know in some way.

LaToya: Where do you get your ideas?
Lori: So many places! Sometimes just things that happen on the news. Other times, it can be a movie or show on television. I love asking questions and trying to figure out how any particular person would react given a certain set of circumstances. Even the stories my friends tell me make possible fodder.

LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life changing read.
Lori: A life changing read. I think absolutely everything I have ever read has left some imprint on me in one form or another. I would say Poe’s collected works probably were the most life changing. My sister read the stories to me when I was very small, and I read them on my own later. I believe it helped solidify my love of horror. Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery instilled my love of short stories.

LaToya: Who is your favorite author?
Lori: My favorite author changes depending on my mood. Among the perennials are King and Koontz, Tananarive Due and Octavia Butler.

LaToya: Name one book you wish you’d written.
Lori: I have never thought of it that way. Books are such a personal thing and you leave pieces of yourself all through them, so it’s difficult to say that I would want to have written someone else’s book. If I have to name one, it would probably be Due’s novel My Soul to Keep.

LaToya: Tell us about your latest book.
Lori: My latest novel is The Bell House, about two half-sisters who share a very dysfunctional relationship. Jenna decides to move back to her father’s property, and when strange things start to happen, it seems that her sister Diana may be imagining them. There is real danger to them both, and many long held family secrets come the fore. It’s a good old fashioned Southern Gothic horror story with a modern twist.

LaToya: How can readers connect with you?
Lori: I can be found on Facebook. My hashtag on Twitter is Loribeth215. And my ezine, Flashesinthedark.com features a lot of great short stories from new and established writers.

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Lori: I would encourage new writers to work as hard at their craft as possible. Know that everyone needs a good editor, beta readers, and a plan to promote the book after it’s published. If you have a limited budget, work with what you have. Know that while sales are great, they shouldn’t be your primary goal. Read as many books and watch as many movies as you can. Observe life in general. Love your characters, and readers will feel that emotion in your writing.

Book Spotlight: Second Chances Series by A.W. Myrie

“Every choice has a consequence”

Excerpts:

Stacy’s Story

Stacy Richardson has a perfect life – loving parents, an awesome sister, a best friend she can trust with her life, and most importantly, a relationship with Jesus. Saved at an early age and being raised in the church was the best, until she met the hottest guy at Crestview High…Kyle Thomas.

When it’s gone…it’s gone forever!
Her parents set boundaries designed to keep her protected, but the restrictions were an annoyance. She loved Kyle! And when he professes his love for her, she shows him that the feeling is mutual by giving up the one thing she could never get back. From that moment on, her life begins spiraling out of control and her relationship with God is tainted. Is it too late to restore her relationship with God?

Second Chances?
In Stacy’s Story, the reader will be captivated by the reality of issues that are prevalent to teens and adults alike – from premarital sex, to pride, lust, depression, jealousy, anger, betrayal, and most of all …FORGIVENESS!

Getting Over Kyle

The Gang is Back! Stacy and Kyle are young, in love, and now the proud parents of Kyle Junior. And when news of the new baby arriving comes, Stacy shows just how much she’s grown up. However, being a teenage mother is hard, especially with Kyle away pursuing his dream and an overbearing mother who acts as if her grandson is actually her son! Stacy is stressed and when she expresses those frustrations to Kyle, his actions begin to affect the very dream he’s trying to pursue.
Things will never be the same…

Little Ky
lee Thomas is a beautiful baby with the most gorgeous bluish-gray eyes and soft curly black hair… like her father. Danielle would want nothing more than Kyle to take on the responsibility of being the father to her bundle of joy. But with his attention split between her daughter and Kyle Junior, Danielle is determined to build a wedge between the one she loves and the one she loves to hate.
One can only hope…

Malik Wesley is in love with two women. One makes him feel like the King of the Universe while the other has proven to be a challenge, especially since his challenge claims to be in love with his best friend, Kyle. Malik can’t seem to win at anything when it comes to Kyle and he’s sick of it.
With Kyle being the central focus of everyone’s dilemma, readers will be captivated and determined to discover who’s Getting Over Kyle…

Purchase Links:

Stacy’s Story 

Getting Over Kyle

Ink Trails Publishing, Inc. 

 Author Bio:

Arlisha Williams-Myrie was born in Jacksonville, Fl. and raised in a small town in Alabama called Brundidge. She is happily married to her husband, Kazembe, of twelve years and together they share two beautiful children Kazembe and Kariyah, and a Maltese. She has an A.S. degree in Business Administration, B. S. in Educational Studies, an M.S. degree in Higher Education, and is currently working on an M.A. degree in English and Creative Writing. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and worships at one of the greatest Apostolic churches in the city of Tampa, New Life Tabernacle, UPC. She works at a university and does photography with her company Admiring With Myrie Photography. She loves to READ, sing, write, act, teach, and do photography. She has a plethora of other hobbies that she enjoys as well and she is a die-hard Bama fan! Look out for more great books in the near future.

How can readers connect with you?

Facebook: http://ift.tt/1VgzyvI

Email: arlishamyrie@gmail.com

Book Spotlight:Reclaiming What Mine by Sheena Binkley

Excerpt:

Asia Alexander has had a rough couple of months, from losing her job to losing the place she shared with her husband, Dwight. To make matters worse, Dwight doesn’t want to do anything to help the situation. Asia is at her wits end and doesn’t know what more she can do. She wants to reclaim her life but doesn’t know where to start until one fateful day, she walks into a coffeehouse and meets Bryon Gibson. Bryon is everything that Dwight is not, and Asia wants to get to know him. But when she starts to get attached, she wonders if she should continue their friendship before she destroys what’s important to her, her marriage.

Bryon Gibson didn’t believe in love until he set his eyes on Asia. She’s everything he wants in a woman, but there’s one thing blocking his chances with her: She’s married. But when Asia finds out that he’s been keeping a major secret from her, will he be able to regain her trust, or will he have to walk away in order to protect her?

Due to his various misdeeds, Dwight Alexander is slowly losing his wife. From their financial problems to growing apart, their issues have taken a toll on him, causing him to seek comfort in someone else. But he’s also withholding information about his profession and wonders if his marriage is worth fighting for, or if he should just move on with his life.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Author Bio:

Sheena Binkley first discovered her love for storytelling when writing her first story for a class project at the tender age of nine. Since then, she has composed several short stories and numerous tales that are not only engaging, but simply entertaining. She is also a freelance writer, penning articles on various topics including education and entertainment. In November of 2014, she signed her first publishing deal with Write House Publishing under “Tiece Presents”. Her first series, Something Just Ain’t Right, was released in January. Besides writing, she loves reading, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Houston (where the weather is always unpredictable) with her husband and son.

How can readers connect with you?

Email: sheenabinkley@live.com

Goodreads: http://ift.tt/1LRm4l3

Blog: sheenabinkley.com/

Facebook: http://ift.tt/1pdM7bv (Like Page)

Twitter: @ChevonBink

Google +: http://ift.tt/1LRm4l5

Pinterest: Sheena Binkley

Book Review: Tempted to Touch by Nigeria Lockley

Tempted to Touch by Nigeria Lockley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd book that that I have read by Nigeria Lockley. I cant say enough about Tempted To Touch. Nigeria Lockley had done it again with this amazing book. I read it from beginning to end because I just couldn’t put it down. I had so many emotions it made me, happy, sad, angry and shared a tear. Nigeria Lockley is truly gifted and I am looking forward to reading her next.

LaToya Murchison Author of Poetic Expressions
I received and ARC copy of Tempted to Touch

View all my reviews

Book Spotlight: Design of a Woman: Heart, Mind, Body, & Soul

Excerpt:  

Design of a Woman: Heart, Mind, Body, & Soul is a collection of poems and writings detailing the joys and pains of the shared experience of womanhood. It touches on embracing and loving the woman you are. It also touches on the pain of abuse, suicide, depression and various other life experiences. It gives hope to those who feel lost and alone.  Below are writings from each author.

The Pursuit of True Love

By Lisa

I think about you and I blush

I look at you and my eyes light up

I hear your voice and I get chills

I feel your touch and I melt

I inhale your fragrance and I get weak

I taste you and I get excited

You’re the one thing in my life that’s completely right

You interrupt my thoughts throughout the day

And I smile just knowing you are mine

You’re my constant in a world full of variables

I never get tired of waking up to your face

I look forward to falling asleep in your arms

I don’t remember life before you

And I can’t imagine life without you

That’s why my heart will never give up pursuing you, true love

What is Love?

By Amanda

Love is a feeling I long to express,

To give unconditionally without regrets.

Love is sharing, love is me, love is giving unselfishly.

What is love when it’s not pure & genuine?

It’s me loving you when I don’t feel it in my heart.

I can’t live a life of lies.

My love is gone,

My heart valves and chambers fill & pump blood,

But no emotion of love for the man with whom I vowed to be one.

What is love?

Is it me wanting to love & you loving me?

Or is it us wanting to love self,

So we can learn to love others

In spite of how we feel?

I love me too much to deal with this hurt & pain

So I’ll start by healing myself

And give my love to the one who’s always loved me.

Let me be me, a woman of love

So my light can shine for others to see.

What is love?

Love is me when I’m set free,

Free in my heart, mind, body & spirit.

I am love.

I want to love and be loved.

Love Letter

By LaTerra

Dear Heart,

If only you could look upon yourself

And see the reflection of God in you

Instead of the scowl that has become permanently affixed upon your face.

Maybe you would know that the walls you’ve built have become your prison

Allowing you to only see darkness.

You have dimmed the light that lives within

Allowing no life to flourish.

You’ve allowed your talents to lay dormant,

Hidden the purpose that you were born to fulfill

In order to fit in with those undeserving of your time.

Settling for a semblance of friendship,

You have carried travelers on your journey that should have been left at the start.

You’ve convinced yourself that you are unworthy of love.

Letting others tear you down,

You’ve accepted broken pieces of broken people

Thinking they will complete your puzzle

Not realizing that which is forced to fit won’t last

Nor understanding that no one else can make you whole.

You were made bold for a reason,

Embrace it.

Harness the anger, disappointment, and pain of your past.

Use that energy to create change

And become the difference the world needs to see.

My dear,

It is time for you to arise triumphant,

Claiming victory over darkness.

It is time for you to take your proper place,

At the head of your life.

Generations are waiting for you to take your rightful place

So they know it’s ok to stand.

Purchase Links:

www.designofawoman.com (Link on Home page)

Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/5510945

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FgkUmg

Author Bio:

LaTerra Wise, Amanda Milbourne, and Lisa Wright are bloggers for Design of a Woman, a blog dedicated to empowering women.

LaTerra Wise is the happily married mother of four beautiful children. She is a small town girl who found beauty and comfort in writing. She now writes to uplift and inspire others to find peace and love within.

Amanda Milbourne is a loving mother, compassionate daughter, loyal friend, and gifted woman of God who has the Father’s giving heart for people. The Lord has trusted Amanda with many obstacles and graced her with the ability to rise above every challenge. At the end of each trial and every triumph, her eyes remain fixed on Jesus, “the author and perfector” of her faith.

Lisa Wright enjoys life’s simple pleasures. She is “Mom Mom” to six wonderful grandchildren. Lisa holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work, but she finds true release in writing. Through her writing, she hopes to heal brokenness in other women through an array of expressions, including joy and laughter, as well as hurt, anger, and tears.

How can readers connect with you?

Blog: http://ift.tt/1Jrg1BU (Readers can subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content)

Facebook: http://ift.tt/1Jrg1BY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DesignofaWoman

Instagram: @designofawoman

Author Interview with Te Russ

LaToya: If you could choose a famous African American who has impacted your life who would it be and why?

Te Russ: Zora Neale Hurston was one of the first African American writers I remember studying about in high school. I remember being completely fascinated by the Harlem Renaissance. I remember thinking, "I want to be like them." That is when I definitively knew I was going to be a writer.

LaToya: Where are you from? Where do you live now?

Te Russ: I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina (a military brat). I currently reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, near Arlington.

LaToya: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? 

Te Russ: I think I've always known I wanted to be a writer; though romance was not what I originally planned to focus on. I used to want to be a writer for magazines. In my mind I was going to work for a magazine like Cosmo and live a lavish life in New York City. :-)

LaToya: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? 

Te Russ: I've been writing in some form since I was thirteen. It started with the typical girl's 'Dear Diary' then evolved to poetry and so on and so forth. I finished my first book, Dream Lover, I believe in early 2012.

LaToya: How did you choose the genre you write in? 

Te Russ: I started reading romance when I was about 15. I stopped for awhile and got back into it after I got married. I had a large amount of romance books :-) As I began reading them, I thought to myself, I could really do this. I'd written a few things here and there, but nothing really complete. Once I finished my first book, I was hooked.

LaToya: Where do you get your ideas? 

Te Russ: Everything around me is susceptible to becoming inspiration for my books. Music, movies, people around me. I'm always studying life around me. I also have a lot of 'what if' scenarios that kind of just pop into my head. I usually try to expound on those and create a story from them.

LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life changing read. 

Te Russ: I'm currently reading a book called Outliers. It's very eye opening.

LaToya: Who is your favorite author? 

Te Russ: I would have to say the late Francis Ray has always been and probably always will be my favorite author. She is part of the reason I moved forward and decided to write romance. I emailed her as a fan and told her I was thinking of writing a romance and she rallied me on. We occasionally kept correspondence over the years and she was very generous with advice any time  I contacted her with questions. So I consider her a mentor of sorts.

LaToya: Name one book you wish you’d written. 

Te Russ: I honestly can't say there's a book I'd wish I'd written. Every author is different and if there is a book that I wish I would have written, usually that's exactly what I do, but in my own style. There will always be tropes or general storylines that are used over and over; it's our jobs as writers, I believe, to make those tropes unique and fresh enough to keep the readers engaged and invested in the story.

LaToya: Tell us about your latest book. 

Te Russ: My latest book is Autumn Kisses, book three in the Four Seasons of Love Series. When Rowan Hunter begins to suffer from a bout of the proverbial writer's block, his editor offers up his beach cottage in Martha's Vineyard. Prepared to relax, unwind and pray that the words begin to flow again, he gets an unexpected surprise one evening.

To the world she is known as the eccentric jazz singer Sapphire Woods. But to the small town of Oak Bluffs Massachusetts on The Vineyard, she is simply Laurel Asher, their best kept secret. In need of some time out of the spotlight to work on her next album, Laurel goes to the one place that's always been home.

Thanks to a misunderstanding Laurel and Rowan end up under the same roof. As the house has more than enough room, they decide to share the place. But what neither of them expects is the sensual attraction that begins to build up.

As the color of the leaves begin to change and fall to the ground, these two find themselves falling as well–for each other.

LaToya: How can readers connect with you?

Te Russ: I love hearing from my readers connect with me at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeRussNovels & www.facebook.com/TeRussAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeRussNovels

Blog: www.terussnovels.blogspot.com

Email: terussnovels@gmail.com

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Te Russ: Absolutely do not give up on your dreams. If this is your passion, keep going. There's is nothing more fulfilling than being able to do the one thing you know without a doubt you were born to do. Also, if you need help, reach out to your fellow authors. Most of us are extremely open and more than willing to help and answer any questions you may have to the best of our abilities. We are all in this together and we want to see each other doing well.

Author Interview: A.W. Myrie

LaToya: If you could choose a famous African American who has impacted your life who would it be and why?

A.W. Myrie: Maya Angelou. That beautiful woman embodied wisdom that was far beyond what many were able to understand. She had a way with words that had the power to captivate her audience. She also overcame her obstacles triumphantly and was able to tell her testimony to millions. She was truly a Phenomenal Woman!

LaToya: Where are you from? Where do you live now?

A.W. Myrie: I was born in Jacksonville, FL (DUVAL), however, I was raised in a small town called Brundidge which is in Alabama. I went to the same elementary and high school with a plethora of cousins. It was awesome. My momma used to joke that my dad was related to everybody! Currently I reside in Gibsonton, FL, which is just outside of Tampa. My job and my church is located in Tampa.

LaToya: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

A.W. Myrie: Since I was a little girl.

LaToya: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

A.W. Myrie: I started writing my first novel in December 2013 and I finished it a day before my 32nd birthday November 8, 2014. It took eleven months because I really had a hard time learning how to bring an ending to a series. So I studied the art of doing that for about four months. My second book in the series only took four months to write.

LaToya: How did you choose the genre you write in?

A.W. Myrie: I have strong beliefs and convictions. So I knew that whenever I started to write, it would definitely have to be Christian Fiction.

LaToya: Where do you get your ideas?

A.W. Myrie: A lot of personal experiences over the years. I relate to teenagers and young adults quite well. I am also very close to my niece so I hear a lot of drama and stories that go on in her high school.

LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life-changing read.

A.W. Myrie: My Soul Cries Out by Sherri L. Lewis

LaToya: Who is your favorite author?

A.W. Myrie: The beautiful Adrienne Thompson

LaToya: Name one book you wish you’d written.

A.W. Myrie: Any one of Adrienne’s books. She is a genius! LOL.

LaToya: Tell us about your latest book.

A.W. Myrie: Getting Over Kyle is book II of the Second Chances Series. In this book we will find out which character/characters is getting over Kyle Thomas. He is the central focus of this book and you would have to read Stacy’s Story to find out why. Sorry…I can’t give anything away.

LaToya: How can readers connect with you?

A.W. Myrie: I LIVE on FB. LOL. If they search me by Arlisha Myrie and request me, I will add them.  Also, they can join my author’s page on FB at A. W. Myrie, lastly they can join my publisher’s page at Ink Trails Publishing.

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

A.W. Myrie: I will give you the same advice that caused me to sit down at my computer in 2013 and create my first novel, Stacy’s Story…JUST WRITE!

Book Review of Stacy's Story by A. Myrie

Stacy's Story by A. Myrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stacy's Story is a real page turner and I found it hard to put the book down. It is filled with so many emotions and it teaches us the importance of not keep secrets. No matter what pressure you receive from others you should never drop your believe in God and what you know is right because it will keep you from having regrets later.

LaToya Murchison of A Praying Heart: Learning How To Pray Your Way Through

View all my reviews

Book Spotlight: Ain’t No Thug Like The One I Got by Fatima Munroe

Excerpt:

“Sis we should move here! Look at these palm trees! I’ve never seen water so blue!” Kendall yelled as she and her sister strolled lazily down the sandy beach in Miami. “I’m sure you can move your job here, right? You’re self-employed, and with your job you can work anywhere!”

Chyvonne was preoccupied with thoughts of Brick. “Yea. Sure Kendall. I’ll find a realtor tomorrow,” she replied flatly.

Kendall stopped and watched her sister as Chyvonne continued to walk. “Chyvonne!” No answer. “Chyvonne! Do you hear me!”

Realizing she was walking by herself, Chyvonne stopped. “Kendall? Kendall where are...oh, my bad. Why you stop? You ok?”

“I’m fine. The question is what’s wrong with you? You seem to be distracted. Am I boring you?”

“No sis. Just worried about this mess back home. I haven’t heard anything from Danny in a while,” Chyvonne lied. She checked her phone for the third time in five minutes. Nothing yet. Sighing she turned her attention to Kendall. “I’m sorry sis. We came down here to relax, and I’m just as stressed as ever. Let’s go shopping. Maybe I’ll feel better then.”

Kendall ran down the beach and into the water. “We can shop anytime. This is Miami! Let’s go swimming!”

Chyvonne sighed. She was tired from her late night and early morning. “Let’s go change into our suits first, then we’ll go swimming.” As she watched Kendall splash in the water, she got a text from Brick:

            12:00 p.m. Mr. Biggs: Bn thinkin bout u all day

            12:01 p.m. Vonn: I knw. Me 2

            12:05 p.m. Mr. Biggs: I shldv cme w/u

            12:07 p.m. Vonn: Yea, we shldv came 2gethr

            12:09 p.m. Mr. Biggs: I kno wat we can do 2gethr

            12:15 p.m. Vonn: Wats tht?

            12:17 p.m. Mr. Biggs: Imma cum show u

Chyvonne blushed, suddenly engrossed in her phone as she and Brick’s conversation quickly turned from harmless flirting to dirty texting. Kendall snuck up behind her and snatched her phone from her hand. “You all in this phone though!” She scrolled through the texts and was disgusted. “Who is this Mr. Biggs? He nasty!” she laughed, turning up her nose and handing Chyvonne back her phone. “Girl nobody. Just another dude trying to get in my panties.” “Trying? I can’t tell. From those texts, somebody would think that y’all been happily married for the past three years!” Kendall laughed as they walked back to their villa on the beach.

Back at the villa, Kendall hurried and changed while Chyvonne stretched out across her bed, exhausted. “I thought we were going swimming?” she whined. “You go ahead sis. I’m still tired from yesterday.” Chyvonne muttered, tucking her head into a pillow. She was asleep before Kendall walked out the door.

Kendall was halfway to the beach, then stopped and headed back to the villa. She’d forgot to lock the door. Hope ain’t nobody walked in and stole my sister before I get back. Let me grab the key too while I’m in here, just in case she’s still asleep when I come back. Tiptoeing into Chyvonne’s room, she heard moaning. “Mmmm. Right there. Don’t do me like that, Bri…”

“Chyvonne! Girl wake up! I don’t wanna hear about you and your exploits!” Kendall yelled. Chyvonne turned to her side, still asleep. “Ooooh, yeah. Like that. Biggs you gonna make me…AHHHH!” Chyvonne screamed, waking herself up in the process. “Where…oh, damn. Hey Kendall. You ready?”

“You and Mr. Biggs should be here together, not me!” Kendall scolded.

“What are you talking about?” Chyvonne asked, worried that Kendall had gone through her phone while she was asleep.

“You screaming that man’s name while you sleep. You should call him and tell him to come down here and party with us.”

Chyvonne stopped listening after Kendall said she was screaming his name. Apparently she wasn’t screaming Brick or Levonne, if she was Kendall might not be as calm as she was. “Girl, I told you my clients like the privacy I provide. What I look like inviting that man down here to party with us? That’ll be the scandal that rocks Minnesota!” she laughed nervously.

“Well, y’all need to do something. I’m not gonna spend my weekend listening to you talk in your sleep about your exploits,” Kendall laughed with her.

“Girl you crazy. I’m good now that I got that little nap in. Let’s hit the beach.”

Purchase Links:

Ain’t No Thug Like The One I Got – http://amzn.to/1gioRvz

Chi Town’s Queen - http://amzn.to/1DreOMR

Chi Town’s Queen 2 – http://amzn.to/1JBz0yi

Chi Town’s Queen 3 – http://amzn.to/1JABj1w

Love, Betrayal and Dirty Money – http://amzn.to/Puomdb

www.urbanchapterspublications.com

Author Bio:

Always with her head in a book as a child, Fatima dreamed of growing up and one day becoming a published writer. That dream was temporarily derailed in her teenage years as she pursued a career in retail to pay for college. Longing to one day return to her first love of writing and deciding to take a step out on faith, Fatima resigned her career and went back to her roots.

After sending her manuscript out to various boutique publishing houses and receiving a positive response, she ultimately signed with Urban Chapters Publications in March of 2015. Author of four books, the Chi Town’s Queen Series (1, 2 and 3) and Ain’t No Thug Like The One I Got, Fatima also contributed her literary skill to the anthology Love, Betrayal and Dirty Money.

An author in the urban fiction genre with a focus on “street lit”, Fatima enjoys reading, museums, spending time with family, travelling and helping those less fortunate through non-traditional methods.

Readers can contact me via social media:

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/fatimamunroe

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fatima_munroe

Instagram: http://instagram.com/author_fatima_munroe

Facebook: Author Fatima Munroe

Goodreads: Fatima Munroe

Google Plus: Freida Kelley

Email: freida.kelley@gmail.com

Author Interview with Sheena Binkley

LaToya: If you could choose a famous African American who has impacted your life who would it be and why?

Sheena: I would say Maya Angelou. She was a great poet and pioneer for women authors. She had a presence to her to no one could duplicate. Also, for me, she was an inspiration to look up to.

LaToya: Where are you from? Where do you live now?

I was born and raised in Houston, TX. I still live in Houston, but in the sub city Missouri City.

LaToya: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? 

Sheena: Not necessarily. When I first started writing, I was doing it more as a hobby and not thinking about it as a career. I didn’t become serious about making it into a career until four years ago.

LaToya: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? 

Sheena: I first started writing when I was nine while working on a class project. As time went, I continued to write because I loved to create new characters and develop storylines that were entertaining. Although I have written a lot of books, I developed my first major release in 2012 and published it in 2013.

LaToya: How did you choose the genre you write in? 

Sheena: Majority of the stories I have written are in genres that I would normally read. From romance to urban, I enjoy the stories that are in these genres, so of course I wanted to write stories that I could relate to. The biggest genre that I loved to write in is new adult and I developed an entire series around it (Love, Life, & Happiness series).

LaToya: Where do you get your ideas? 

Sheena: Majority of my ideas come from my imagination. The only stories that I developed that came from personal experiences would be Love Unbroken and Reclaiming What Is Mine (which were loosely based).

LaToya: Name one book that you would categorize as a life changing read. 

Sheena: I think anyone can agree that the Bible is a life changing read. It can take you various emotions and be closer to God while reading the word. For me, if I only had one book to read, that that would be the book for me.

LaToya: Who is your favorite author? 

Sheena: I have a lot of favorite authors, which include Carl Weber, Victoria Christopher Murray, and newer authors, including Delaney Diamond, Raven St. Pierre, Christina C. Jones, and Chenell Parker.

LaToya: Name one book you wish you’d written. 

Sheena: Wow, there’re a lot, but I would say “She Ain’t The One” by Carl Weber and Mary B. Morrison. That book had everything in it which I loved. That was also the first book I read from Carl Weber, which had me hooked on his writing ever since.

LaToya: Tell us about your latest book. 

Sheena: Reclaiming What Is Mine is a romance story with a few twists. It’s about finding love despite having obstacles in your way. With the main characters, Asia and Bryon, they have a lot against them, but the love they have for each other is strong enough to get through all of the issues. If you’re a romantic at heart, then this is the book for you.

LaToya: How can readers connect with you?

Sheena: Readers can connect with me at the following:

Blog: sheenabinkley.com

Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/sheena.binkley

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sheenabinkleyauthor

Twitter: @ChevonBink

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Sheena: The advice I would give aspiring authors is to never give up on your dreams. This industry can be tough and can cause you to sometime doubt yourself; but despite the obstacles, keep pushing and never stop writing.