ChickLitGurrl Interviews Strebor Books Author Marsha Jenkins-Sanders

Today, over at ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I'm interviewing Marsha Jenkins-Sanders, author of JEALOUSY.

Check out an excerpt of the interview!

EXCERPT

CLG: What themes, topics will readers find between the pages of JEALOUSY?

MJS: Jealousy is a volatile and destructive emotion, if left unchecked. It has been the driving force behind many homicides, abusive relationships, etc. The book can help shine a light on several topics: domestic abuse, child abuse, relationship issues, and insecurity.

CLG: Marsha Jenkins-Sanders: THE SOUNDTRACK! What TWO tracks would make it onto a soundtrack of your life, and why?

MJS: Never would have made it…Marvin Sapp, The Battle is not yours…Yolanda Adams! My life has been a roller coaster ride and my faith has been tested. God has seen me through many battles and brought me out of the “fiery furnace” unscathed. I am a better person because of these challenges, but never would have made it without HIS guidance, mercy, grace and love.

CLG: Who is ONE of your favorite writers, and how does he/she inspire you as a writer?

MJS: I really enjoy Terry McMillan. Her “voice” is so familiar and my life’s circumstances can relate.

Want to read the rest of the interview? Then head over to ChickLitGurrl NOW (LINK)!

Ain't Understandin' Mellow by Michelle Davis

ChickLitGurrl Interviews Urban Christian Author Brittney Holmes

Today, over at ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I'm interviewing Brittney Holmes, author of TESTING RELATIONSHIPS.

I am VERY pleased to be interviewing Brittney. In a world where there are so many youth who are not going down the right paths, Brittney Holmes is a walking testament to good parenting, good teaching, and good walk in faith.

Check out an excerpt of the interview!

EXCERPT

CLG: You wrote LIVING CONSEQUENCES at the age of 16; what propelled you at this young age to write a novel?
BH: Actually, I wrote Living Consequences when I was 14 and a freshman in high school. The book was actually published when I was 16. I was divinely inspired to write the book because before I physically sat down before my computer and began typing, I had no preconceived idea to write a book. I had planned on writing a journal for my own personal use and the story turned into something I had no intentions of creating. It was apparent that God had placed the story of Living Consequences in me so that I can share it and its message with the world.

CLG: Brittney Holmes: THE SOUNDTRACK! What three tracks would make it onto a soundtrack of your life, and why?
BH: Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp would definitely make it onto the soundtrack because without God, I wouldn’t be here nor would I be able to get through any of life’s obstacles. Fantasia’s I Believe would also make the cut because it talks about reaching your highest potential and believing in what you can become. And finally, just because it’s my favorite song in the whole world, Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder would probably be on the soundtrack to illustrate my relationship with whatever man God has created for me.

CLG: Who are some of your favorite writers, and how do they inspire you as a writer?
BH: Of course, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, my mother, is one of my favorite writers. She inspires me the most because she took her lifelong passion and favorite pastime and made it into a career that has been more successful than most because she decided to put her faith in God and do what He has called her to do. Victoria Christopher Murray is also a favorite of mine because she is a phenomenal writer and doesn’t mind taking risks in creating her stories and she has taught me that there’s nothing wrong with me doing the same. Jacqueline Thomas and Tia McCollors are also authors who create realistic stories that inspire me to tap deeper into my own creativity when writing.

Want to read the rest of the interview? Then head over to ChickLitGurrl NOW (LINK)!

ChickLitGurrl Interviews Urban Christian Author Sharon Oliver

Today, over at ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I'm interviewing Sharon Oliver, author of KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER.

Check out an excerpt of the interview!

EXCERPT

CLG: What have you done or what do you plan to do - as author - to promote KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER?

SO: I’ve scheduled book signings, advertised in magazines, mailed and passed out brochures, sent email blasts and participated in online interviews.

CLG: Why do you feel compelled to write fiction that integrates Christian values?

SO: A fellow Urban Christian author summed up Christian fiction and there is one key point I’d like to borrow from her to answer that question. That is, it is a ministry I feel God has given me a heart for. I don’t have a desire to write erotica, horror, etc. So far, I’ve not been given any ideas for writing romance either and romance novels are the norm these days. I’ve always enjoyed mystery/suspense books as well as humorous novels. With that said, I’d like to reach that like-minded audience and add Jesus to the mix. Nothing too heavy, but enlightening, creating and/or keeping a thirst for God.

CLG: Sharon Oliver: THE SOUNDTRACK! What three tracks would make it onto a soundtrack of your life, and why?

SO: FENCEWALK, by a 70’s group named Mandrill just for the old school jam; Richard Smallwood’s, ANTHEM OF PRAISE for the uplifting and setting the tone and Marvin Sapp’s, NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT because…I mean, come on.

Want to read the rest of the interview? Then head over to ChickLitGurrl NOW (LINK)!

Summer 2008 Issue of The Nubian Chronicles is LIVE!

Author interviews, great poetry, engaging stories and essays, and more await you in the Summer 2008 Issue of The Nubian Chronicles, and it all starts (HERE)!

Check out the latest issue! You won't be disappointed!

Summer Issue of SisterDivas Magazine is Live!

HEAD OVER to SisterDivas Magazine and check out the great articles and interviews and episodes (of Love Bytes) in the Summer 2008 Issue. We have articles on relationships, health, self-love - see what our summer BUZZWORTHY movies, TV shows, books, and music are!

It all starts right (here)!

Join Me @ BlogginginBlack.com Today!

Over @ Blogging in Black, where I have a monthly column, I share my ROMANCE with writing.  Please take the time to head there, read it, and leave comments about your own love affair with the WORD and with writing!

Here's the (link)!

ChickLitGurrl Interviews Urban Christian Author Shana Burton

Today over at ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I'm interviewing Shana Burton whose novel, SUDDENLY SINGLE, was released through Urban Christian.



Check out an excerpt of the interview!

EXCERPT

CLG: What's your favorite thing about SUDDENLY SINGLE?
SB: I love my two main female characters. Vashti (bless her heart) really makes me feel good about my failed relationships because I know that my love life will never be as tragic as hers. I love reading about characters that I don't have to be jealous of. Monique is great, too. She was really fun to create because she says whatever she feels and has some of the best lines in the book. She is definitely a scene stealer!


CLG: You're going on vacation, and you're only allowed to take three books with you -- what are they?
SB: The Bible, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Native Son


CLG: The main character of SUDDENLY SINGLE, 26-year-old Vashti Hunter is left at the altar and vows to be married within a year. Why do you think women - from young to old - still feel this incompleteness about themselves that only marriage can provide? Or do you think they do?
SB: I think a lot of them do for various reasons. When I was single, I had a son, so I didn't want to be out dating a plethora of guys. I wanted stability for myself and my son, and marriage gave me that. Being the type of person that I am, I don't think I would've felt complete without a family. By the same token, I also have friends who are looking for "financial completeness" and having two incomes provide that. Some want social status, and some are just tired of being alone. Then, of course, there are those who feel "complete" as they are and just see marriage as the icing.



Want to read the rest of the interview? Then head over to ChickLitGurrl NOW (LINK)!

The Things You Carried - A Prayerful Musing

You carried many things – some good and some bad; however, what hunched your shoulders, what sprouted sweat upon your brow, what grew a heart heavy, what made a spirit falter, what made faith dissipate, what made believing unimaginable were your burdens.


You carried

Lack of Money
Hunger
Thirst
Depression
Desperation
Heartache
Lies
Betrayals
Two-faced Friends
Backstabbing Co-workers
Familial Strife
Abuse
Disease
Discrimination
Distrust
Dysfunction
Deaths
Missed Opportunities
Societal Norms
Body Image Issues
Loneliness
Blame
Resentment
Jealousy
Anger
Fear of Any and Everything
Worry about the
Past
Present
Future


As the first burden takes shape, falls upon your back, and becomes a part of you; the tiniest of cracks forms. Invisible to the naked eye, invisible to all but two: God and the Devil.

God, the knower of all things, He who can do all things, watches, standing beside you, never leaving you, trying desperately to get you to believe, to remember that He never gives you more than you can bear.

But you can't hear. That crack, that tiniest of slits upon your psyche is just big enough for the Devil to niggle his way in, to whisper in your ear, onto your mind, into your heart your worthlessness. He tells you, "Yes, you deserve heartache. Yes, your fears are valid. Yes, you will die from cancer. Yes, that person is better than you because you're poor. Yes, you're fat and no one will love you. Yes, feed off your jealousy and riddle your body with its murky green acid. Yes, your man hits you, but don't you think you deserved it? Yes, you're without money and you will always – forever and a day – worry about having shelter and food. Yes, you are nothing, and no good shall ever come upon you."

And you listen. And you believe. And you allow every negative word to feast upon you until you're so desolate, so empty, so without that you become like a cracked shell upon a beach – discarded and abandoned.

As that last burden, that last straw falls upon your back, breaking it, you isolate yourself. No one would ever understand what you're going through. You have to be the only person on earth going through so much pain. You don't want to lay your burdens upon others. You don't want anyone to see you cry.

And when you are alone, in that quiet space that frightens you, you hear him – the Devil – whispering his ugly words, his death breath brushing across your cheeks.

Others try to talk to you. Friends try to get you to go out. Mother calls, asking, "Baby, are you okay? I'm worried about you. So is Dad." And you try to smile, but the face distorts as abstract as a Picasso painting.

At the moment in which your back does break, you fall upon your knees and cry like a baby fresh from its mother's womb, but it is you who are giving birth.

You've carried, for so long, your burdens – feeding them the right negative nutrients, nurturing them into angry growth – and as the water breaks from you, you cry to God to help you deal with the painful birth.

He smiles. He's been waiting, lovingly waiting to hear His name, to feel your connection, and He whispers into your spirit, "Come to me, you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).

You push. You breathe. You scream. You grunt. You bleed. You battle with the burden that has been a part of you for so long, it wishes not to depart.

But it does, when you scream with the voices of a thousand lost souls and allow your burden to rip itself from you and fall upon the ground – red and ugly as sin.

No nurses rush to its aid. No one tries to resuscitate it, for your burdens have now been laid.

Your breathing slows. Your weeping grows, but not of pain – of joy of the living water that pours from your eyes and caresses your cheeks as it takes its journey to your chin and falls away.

In the warm, glowing silence of after birth, you scream like a baby reaching deep into its lungs for its first breath.

And you are born anew.

I will be doing more pieces like this at my new MySpace page - Sisters of the WORD. SOTW is for ALL women - no matter the nationality - who have faith and who have power of the WORD (God's and her OWN) to express the many facets of womanhood. Please join!

UNDER THE MISTLETOE - short story - NOW AVAILABLE!

UNDER THE MISTLETOE – DATE OF PUBLICATION: JULY 2008(Romantic Drama)

Publicist Lita Gregory has been running. Four years ago, she ran away from Eric Thomas, the love of her life, when she caught him in bed with another woman. Because of him, she left for New York and barely made trips back to her hometown in Georgia. A year ago, her beloved father passed, once again, prompting Lita to run from the pain in heart, the pain that told her that there was no longer a man on the planet that loved her. When Lita heads home for Christmas, she learns that some things changed while others remained the same: her mother has a new man in her life, and Eric is still around, wanting an explanation as to why Lita left him years ago. During her stay, Lita must confront her past, deal with her mother’s new love, and decide if her future is in New York – single, or in Georgia with Eric.

EXCERPT

“Baby,” Lily Mae began, taking Lita’s hand and guiding her to the couch to sit down, “you remember when I told you how I had a friend?”

Lita closed her eyes for a brief moment. “Uh, yeah...barely. You didn’t tell me much.”

“Well, this is my friend, baby. Actually, more like my fiancé. He lives here now.” It was almost like Lita had been slapped across the face.

“Fiancé?” she asked, her voice strained.

“Yeah.” Lily Mae raised her left hand as Lita’s gaze fell upon a perfect two-carat marquise cut engagement ring.

“Wow!” was all that Lita could muster. Before she could say another word, tears slipped from her eyes.

Lily Mae reached for her. “Baby, don’t cry. I should have...”

“Mom, what about Daddy?” Lita questioned in an almost hysterical voice. “You forgot about him that fast?”

Lily Mae reached out to touch Lita, but she pulled away.

“No...no.” Lita jumped up and quickly walked out the front door.

She motioned herself down onto the porch swing and hugged her coat tightly around her. She didn’t want to be overly dramatic in there, but she felt as if her mother had totally done wrong by her father. Lita’s father, John, had passed away a little over a year ago from a heart attack. It had happened suddenly, taking him away at the young age of 49. Lily Mae was a widow at 45, and at the time, it had felt like life would just cease to exist.

For weeks, months, hell, even now, Lita went days at a time without eating, just crying and blubbering like her whole being had been stripped from her. Lita had a perfect home, with two people who loved each other more and more with each passing day. They made each other happy, and as a result, their love was that much more powerful toward Lita. She was blessed to have the love of her parents for 26 years. But she hated that the blessing was just ripped from her without warning. She had been struggling to go on, and it had appeared that her mother made that transition rather smoothly. She was shacking up—in her father’s home no less—with her soon-to-be husband while Lita cried and tried to pick up the pieces of her frail life.

“Are you okay?”

Lita slowly raised her eyes to meet up with the voice, but it was no need. Even after four years, she recognized it. All the praying she had done to have a peaceful trip with her mother was slowly being taken away from her. First, she was hit with her mother’s happy future, and now, she was being slapped by her painful past.

Lita’s eyes held contempt as she stared at the extraordinarily handsome creature before her. Even she had to admit that four years made Eric Thomas more sexy, appealing, and alluring.

She quickly put that attraction in check.

“I’m fine,” she answered, shortly. “What are you doing here?” Lita eyed Eric—his chocolate fine self encased in a pair of blue jeans and Timberlands, with a thick flannel jacket over a long-sleeved T-shirt. He sauntered up the steps and slowly took a seat beside her.

“What are you doing here?”

“Are you serious?” Lita asked, incredulously. “My mother lives here. It’s Christmas. What do you think?”

“Figured you would stay up in New York and spend the holidays with all of your friends.”

Lita’s emotions toward Eric are as cold as the frigid winter, and Eric doesn’t seem too happy with Lita, either. Will holiday cheer and a walk down memory lane warm Lita to Eric, the one man she has ever loved?

Pick up a copy of UNDER THE MISTLETOE – it’s only $1.95 – and enjoy it in between all those boring tasks of the day; let it be your sweet pleasure.

The e-story can be purchased via (Lady Leo Publishing)!

Once you read it, come check me out, and let me know what you think! I’ll post your comments!

GOT TIL IT'S GONE - the short story - is AVAILABLE!

GOT TIL IT’S GONE – DATE OF PUBLICATION: JULY 2008
(Women’s Fiction/Romance)

Rochelle is a beautiful sistah with a lot going for her: a great job, great family, great friends, and Will, her boyfriend that she adores more than anything. The problem? Lately, Will has been distant, spending more time at work and with his female friends’ problems than with her. When Will breaks one too many promises, Rochelle tells him off, goes to the club with her girlfriends, and attempts to forget her troubles with good friends, food, and dancing. When Will shows up while Rochelle’s in the arms of another man, the pair gets ready for their ultimate showdown. Will Rochelle be the victor in love? Or will Will learn that he doesn’t know what he Got Til It’s Gone?

EXCERPT

Rochelle turned back to the mirror. She couldn’t even remember what possessed her to cut off all her hair and get twisties. But a month ago, she went to her favorite beauty shop, From Naps 2 Glory, and told them to chop it...chop it down to two inches at the most...and twist it. Ever since, she had been sporting her new look, and much to her surprise, the men were still trying to get to her. With her short, funky ‘do, her caramel-kissed skin, 5’6” slim figure, perky breasts, sistah booty, runner’s calves, and her sweet disposition, it wasn’t hard to figure out why the men kept trying to get her number

But she wasn’t interested in MEN...just Will. Will Jones. She had been dating that gorgeous piece of man for almost a year now, and was ready for the big C...and men know what that is ‘cause they go running every time they hear it. Will appeared to be the type of man sistahs complained were in short supply. He was good-looking, with his honey complexion, big brown eyes, and a smile that could light a thousand dark nights. He had a good job, loved his mother, and all his friends—mostly women, much to Rochelle’s chagrin—thought he was just the living end.

Rochelle was definitely thanking her lucky stars for meeting Will at the library of all places. They were both trying to reach for the last copy of Eric Jerome Dickey’s latest book, and Will, being the gentleman, let Rochelle take it. Since then, they had been each other’s constant companion, going to movies, restaurants, clubs, sitting at home watching videos, cooking dinner for each other—everything that couples did.

Recently, however, Will hadn’t been around. Almost a month to the day it had been since Rochelle had a decent amount of “couple” time with Will. Coincidently, that was about the time she chopped off her hair. Sure, Will’s excuses could be legit; after all, his job was becoming more demanding, and he had personal issues to deal with, but Rochelle’s thought always came back to, “What’s that gotta do with me?”

Rochelle snapped from her thoughts when Monica snuck up behind her and wrapped her arms around Rochelle’s waist. She smiled. She, Monica, and Audrey had been friends since the womb, having been born only about a week apart from one another. To look at them, you would have sworn they were triplets. They all had the same traits, minus Monica’s more voluptuous figure, and Audrey’s more diminutive figure, which placed Rochelle right between them figure wise, and oddly enough, personality wise, too. She wasn’t flamboyant like Monica or as quiet as Audrey.

“If it’s the last thing I do tonight,” Monica said, “I’m going to hook you up with a dude.”

“I already have a dude, thank you very much,” Rochelle said, slipping from Monica’s embrace and dropping down onto her queen-sized bed, beside Audrey. “His name is Will.”

“And where is he?” Monica asked. “I mean for real, girl. If my man had been giving me the cold shoulder for a month, he would be getting the cold shaft indefinitely.”

“It has been ridiculous, Ro.” Audrey sighed. “So, what was his excuse this time for not coming to the club with us?”

“He didn’t give one because he’s still coming.”

Monica laughed. “Girl, in about two seconds he’s going to be calling here, telling you another sob story...just watch.”

As if Monica had it timed, the phone rang.

“Watch” is all she said.

Rochelle stilled her anxiety long enough to reach over to her nightstand and pick up the cordless phone.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Hey, it’s me.” It was Will. Just the sound of his voice alerted Rochelle that he wasn’t coming, and instantly her defenses came up, irritation etched all over her face.

It’s obvious Will’s in the doghouse, but will Rochelle leave him there, or will the pair finally get down to the heart of the matter and strengthen their relationship?

Pick up a copy of GOT TIL IT’S GONE today – it’s only $1.95 – and enjoy it as a guilty lunchtime pleasure.

The e-story can be purchased via (Lady Leo Publishing)!

Once you read it, come check me out, and let me know what you think! I’ll post your comments!

Purchase the short story CONNECTIONS today!

CONNECTIONS – DATE OF PUBLICATION: JULY 2008(Romantic Comedy)

Connections is a romantic comedy that’s perfect for today’s world where love is often found in Cyberspace.

Monday through Friday, for one hour a day, newspaper reporter Christianna Dayne’s life is wonderful. Despite her hectic life, she always manages to spend her lunch hour at Cyber Town where she can catch up with her best friend Samantha, grab a bite to eat, and most importantly, hook up with her cyber boo online. Christianna is definitely feeling LitGuy66, but she’s too afraid to meet him because she doesn’t want reality to come crashing down around her. What Christianna doesn’t know is she’s not in control; fate is, and when fate puts a flesh and blood man before her – a man who just happens to not only be her possible Mr. Wonderful but also her ultimate scoop – Christianna must decide whether to flee or stick around and pursue the endless possibilities.

EXCERPT

I smiled when I noticed my girlfriend, Samantha, working. I waved, skipping over to her.

“You’re awfully giddy today,” she said as she handed a customer his change.

Approaching the counter, I leaned over, widening my smile.

“Actually, no,” I replied. “I’m tired, pissed, and cold as hell, but you know I couldn’t miss my lunch date.”

“What did Dave do this time?”

Samantha and I laughed. Dave was brothers with Samantha’s stepfather, so she knew all the dirt on him—even what wasn’t fit to print.

“Sam, he has me doing yet another mission impossible which means I won’t be able to hang with you this week.”

Sam’s icy blue eyes widened before she slapped the counter and chuckled. “Um, excuse me,” she said in her hard born-in-New-York accent, which so contrasted with her epitome-of-American-beauty blond hair, blue eyes, and model figure. “When was the last time we went out? You never go out.” She wiped the counter and nodded, her long blond hair dipping over her shoulders.

“Which explains why you haven’t dated in how long?”

I raised my eyebrow. “Sam, I didn’t come here to be reprimanded for being a spinster.” I sighed. “Besides, dear old Mom already beat you to this convo over the weekend.”

Sam reached across the counter and patted my hand.

“I’m sorry, chica,” she said. She brightened and added, “But you do have your date today.

How long has this been going on, two months now, right?”

I broke into a jaw-hurting smile. “Yeah,” I said as if shy.

“Why don’t you two just get over it and meet? It’s not like it’s a crime to meet someone on the Internet these days or anything.”

I pushed my thick, wiry hair back from off my face and blew into my hands. “I never really thought about it. I mean, he sounds too good to be true, and this one hour of my day makes me so happy. I would hate us to meet and negative vibes pop off. Then, I wouldn’t have this…” I lifted my arms and spun in a circle before I pointed to my favorite spot in the café.

Sam’s eyes moved toward my PC in the corner and then back to me. “Chris, you need to stop playing what if. I mean this could be the guy for you.”

“What’s gotten into you, Sam?” I asked, laughing. “You’re hardly the advocate for Internet romance. I often wonder why you even work here because I can bet you that a lot of these people come here to talk to people they are interested in romantically.”

“I guess I just see you in here, every Monday through Friday, talking for your hour, and floating out of the door because you’re so happy. Maybe I’d like to see you happy for more than one hour a day, five days a week.”

I smiled at my girl, taking her hands in mine and giving them a squeeze. I glanced at the contrast of our hands—hers being alabaster and mine the color of cinnamon. I chuckled, thinking of how people often looked at our color; raised brows at our loud, usually not politically correct discussions; and refused to see that we were sisters beyond our hues. Since we hooked up and lucked out as roommates our first year of college, Sam and I had been joined at the hip. Not even full-time jobs or the daily grind of life could keep us from staying connected.

“Thanks, Sis,” I said. “I know you’re just worried about my so-called love life. Not all of us can be graced to have a love like you and Jake.”

“True, but you know Jake and I have our problems…”

I gave Sam a serious look, before asking, “So how are things, between you, Jake, Jax, and Jamaica?”

“It’s going,” Sam said, sighing. “Jake and I can do nothing but continue loving each other and watching out for Jax. Jax is so young. I don’t want to hurt her with her mother’s crazy issues. If Jamaica is going to act up, then we’ll just have to deal with it then. She’s been okay since we talked to her, but you never know.”

I nodded. Our conversation was halted as a guy approached the counter. Wow, I thought, he’s cute. I knew Sam was thinking the same thing because she offered me a smirk before helping him.

“What can I do for you?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah,” he said, looking rushed, “can I get a cup of coffee and a turkey Swiss croissant?”

“Sure thing.”

“Ditto on that order, Sam, but make my coffee a caramel latte, please.” She nodded and turned away. I drummed my fingertips along the counter, catching glimpses of the guy out of the corner of my eye.

“Hi,” he said, catching me glancing. I turned toward him, a blush rising in my cheeks.

“Hi,” I replied, embarrassed. Now looking directly at him, I was like Elvis, all shook up.

He was gorgeous, in that artsy kind of way, and his Hispanic heritage just added to his machismo factor. He had the most beautiful pair of brown eyes—after my own—and a nice full mouth. He ran his hand over his slightly spiky brown hair and offered the other to me.



Want to know what happens to Christianna and her cyber boo? Pick up a copy of CONNECTIONS today – it’s only $1.95 – and enjoy it over a sweet latte.

The e-story can be purchased via (Lady Leo Publishing)!

Once you read it, come check me out, and let me know what you think! I’ll post your comments!