The 10 Year Anniversary of RAWSISTAZ is later this month and we have kicked off our 30 Day Anniversary Celebration which is being held online the entire month of September.  I wanted to take this time to thank those who contacted us to participate, donate books and/or who have been sharing our information via the various social media outlets, their sites, blogs & more.  Also a special thanks to all our members, friends, and those who have supported us over the years.  We love and appreciate each of you!

In addition to what we’ll be doing throughout the month, you will hear from some of these supporters, win prizes, learn some things you may not have know about RAWSISTAZ, the lit industry and who knows what else?  LOL!  So, get ready to get your R.A.W. on with The Reading and Writing RAWSISTAZ…

And be sure to sign up to our Fan Page for exclusive giveaways & specials.

<<<<<JOIN THE CONVERSATION>>>>

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CELEBRATION SCHEDULE (Week 1)

September 1 - A RAWSISTAZ Tribute by Hope Murphy

RAWSISTAZ Member & RAW Reviewer

http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/a-tribute-to-rawsistaz/

September 2 - Angelia Menchan **Book Giveaway via her Blog**

Author of Re-Rambled: Food and Thought: Ramblings Special Edition

http://acvermen.blogspot.com

http://www.angeliamenchan.com

September 3 – Electa Rome Parks

Author of Diary of a Stalker

http://www.facebook.com/electaromeparks

http://www.electaromeparks.com

September 3 – Stacy Deanne

Author of Melody

http://www.stacy-deanne.net/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345316653

September 4 – Michelle Larks **Book Giveaway via her newsletter**

Author of Faith

http://www.MichelleLarks.com/

September 5 - Lissa Woodson, writing as Naleighna Kai

Author of The Pleasure’s All Mine

http://www.naleighnakai.com/

http://www.macrompg.com/

September 6 – Yolanda M. Johnson/The Author’s Hideaway

Author of Circumstances

http://lwtheauthorshideaway.blogspot.com/

http://yolandamjohnson.com/

SIMILAR POSTS:

• A Look Back – What We Read in 2000 & 2001
• A Tribute to RAWSISTAZ — A Member Speaks
• We Have Already Won
• Black Book Chat with Electa Rome Parks (Book: Diary of a Stalker)

It’s that time of the year and we’re gearing up for our anniversary event next month and the holiday season, both of which sometimes delay our book review process.  In order to stay on top of the 100’s of books coming in for review, we are in need of a few more avid readers/writers interested in reviewing for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (TRR).  So, if you love to read and can share your opinions on a book in a way that is constructive & helpful to those reading the review, then consider joining us!

We are looking for both guest reviewers and team members. This is not a paid position, but books are supplied and your byline is on all reviews.  You must be willing to review at least 2 books per month, not currently review for another entity or organization, and read/review books within two weeks. And lastly, you must answer email promptly. 

If you’re interested, please send the following information to TRR-Admin(at)rawsistaz(dot)com, and we will get back with you within the next week.

Info Needed
Where you saw the Call for Reviewers:
Name:
Address (no P.O. boxes):
Phone Number(s):
Email:
#of books read within last 30 days:
Author, title & rating (scale of 5) of last 5-10 books read:
Preferred Genres:
Genres you do NOT want to review:
(**for the genres, be sure you place non-fiction, romance, street fiction, and poetry in one of the above spots)

Do you own an e-reader, if so, indicate which kind.  If not, let us know if you’re open to reading electronic versions on your computer?

Short Bio in 3rd person:

—

You will then be asked to write a sample review, which will be used as your first official review for the group. Our book review site is at www.blackbookreviews.net where you can view other reviews we’ve completed in our 9+ Year history.

Thanks in advance for your interest.

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Call for Reviewers – Spring 2010
• Daughter Of The Game
• Red Hats
• Heard It All Before by Michele Grant (Book Review)

Our complete reading lists for 2000 and 2001 are below.  Anyone read any of these titles and remember the book discussions?

2000 READING LIST

October
Not a Day Goes By by E. Lynn Harris

November
Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray

December
Addicted by Zane

2001 READING LIST

January
Sugar by Bernice McFadden
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Thurston

February
God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

March
Yo Yo Love by Daaimah S. Poole
The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Woodson

April
And on the Eighth Day She Rested by JD Mason
Manchild in the Promised Land by Claude Brown

May
Like Boogie on Tuesday by Linda Dominique Grosvenor
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

June
Forever by Timmothy B. McCann
Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin

July
Hot Johnny and the Woman Who Loved Him Sandra Jackson-Opoku
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

August
Satin Doll by Karen E. Quinones-Miller
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

September
What You Owe Me by Bebe Moore Campbell
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

October
Justus Girls by Slim Lambright
Daddy Was A Number Runner by Louise Meriwether

November
Married Men by Carl Weber
Daddy Was a Number Runner

December
Saturday’s Child by Gayle Sloan
Mama Day by Gloria Naylor

SIMILAR POSTS:

• The RAW Celebration Schedule (Week 1)
• A Tribute to RAWSISTAZ — A Member Speaks
• 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge 2010 (Written Mag)
• What’s on your E-Reader?

Our site was down this morning, so we’re a bit delayed kicking things off, but we are here and ready to go!!  Our actual anniversary is on the 16th, and yes, we’re celebrating 10 years of our literary group, online book club and our members as a whole.  It’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride!

Today, we’re opening up with a testimony from Hope Murphy, one of our members and guest reviewer, and we’d love you to share your experiences with RAWSISTAZ, too!  What’s been your most memorable thing? What do you look forward to? And yes, what would you like to see us change or incorporate?  Let’s hear from ya!

———–

Tribute to RAWSISTAZ – Happy 10 Year Anniversary!!!

By Hope Murphy

Five years ago, I was a recently separated, single mother of a 21 month old.  At the time, I was also in search of a venue that would allow me to share my love of reading and of books with other women that wouldn’t necessarily require me to attend a face-to-face book club meeting as childcare was (and still is) a challenge.

One day while reading an article in Essence or Ebony (I can’t remember the exact publication at the moment), I saw a blurb about RAWSISTAZ – Reading and Writing SISTAZ.  The group was comprised of mainly African-American women who shared a love for reading and discussing mainly African-American contemporary novels.  I was like, “This is for me!”  The article contained contact info. for RAWSISTAZ so that one could express interest in joining the group.  I quickly went to Yahoo, created a Yahoo groups account and submitted my interest in joining the group.  I didn’t think that my application would be accepted at the time because it wasn’t one of the group’s quarterly recruiting times.

Imagine my surprise when, a couple days later, I was invited to join the group!  I was so excited.  I remember running (literally) to the nearest bookstore to purchase the book-of-the-month – The Sisterhood of Blackberry Corner by Andrea Smith.  The members of the group welcomed me with opened arms – “Welcome to the RAWHouz, Hope!”;  “Sit back and relax and get your RAW on!!” and similar messages of endearment were showered upon me.  Though this was an online group, the women went out of their way to quickly bring me into the fold.

Fast forward 5 years…I am still a member of this wonderful, dynamic and close-knit sisterhood of readers, writers and friends.  In the time that I have been a member of the group, I have “met” women from all across the United States, I have discussed books with the authors of the books and my library has increased tremendously….to the detriment of my living space and my pocketbook (smile).  The library has always been a friend of mine, but since being a member of this group, I regularly patrol the new releases sites and have fallen in love with the interlibrary loan program.  My TBR (to be read) pile is miles long these days and I simply do not have enough time to get in all of the wonderful recommendations that are shared on an almost daily basis.  My literary appetite has changed in the time that I’ve been with the group.  Christian fiction, historical fiction and more literary reads are my favs, but I will occasionally pick up an urban fiction book, suspense/mystery novel, etc. just to mix things up.  I am also a member of RAW4ALL and  guest reviewer for the RAW Reviewers.  Our literary discussions are interesting…and at times heated.  All opinions are welcomed.  Just because we’re mostly African-American women in our 30s, 40s and 50s, don’t let that fool ya.  We DO NOT have the same opinions, same interests or the same thoughts about books.  What works for you, doesn’t necessarily work for me.  And guess what?  That’s o-k-a-y.  We’re still RAWSISTAZ.

But the group does not simply discuss all things literary.  We support each other in other ways.  It’s not unusual for a member to share a personal issue that they are battling and for others to chime in with words of encouragement, spiritual and wise counsel, possible solutions…or to simply lend a listening ear.  I have shared things with this group that only those in my innermost circle know about…but that’s okay, because these are my RAWSISTAZ.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting any of the women that I chat with on a daily/weekly basis.  But I consider them to be my RAWSISTAZ.  My life has been greatly enriched by RAWSISTAZ and I am so happy to be a part of the 10-year celebration. I look forward to meeting my RAWSISTAZ in October at the RAW Affair.

Until then, get your RAW on!!!!

- Hope Murphy

SIMILAR POSTS:

• The RAW Celebration Schedule (Week 1)
• A Look Back – What We Read in 2000 & 2001

Earlier in the week, I posted to our groups:

RAWSISTAZ is up for Book Club of the Year…This is our 10 Year Anniversary and anyone who says we aren’t deserving of this award, as one of the few book clubs that has been around for 10 years, starting one of (if not the first) organized review teams to promote our books, and how we continue doing what we do DAILY to keep folks in the know regarding Black books, authors, book reviews, and more…well, they’re misinformed.

So…support us as we’ve supported the African-American Literary Community for a decade and vote for your other favorites, too. Vote by September 2

I was not trying to take away from any of the other nominees listed as I support ALL entities who join us in the promotion of literacy and promotion of books…all books. And, I commend each one of them for everything they’re doing with their sites/groups as well.  But yes, I do think RAWSISTAZ is deserving.  Is it necessary to win? No, not at all.

The idea for RAWSISTAZ came about over 10 years ago with just a desire to talk about Black books with other like-minded folks.  Reading is something most of us have done for as long as we can remember and it’s natural to want to share your thoughts with others. And, it’s also necessary to show that there are books reflective of us, our experiences, our dreams and more, not just the few you see scattered on bookshelves or stuck in a tiny section of the bookstore.

Over the years, I’ve never really questioned the book thing or my love of reading and learning new things. I’ve always done it and see myself doing it for life.  As for the award, I’m grateful to those who nominated RAWSISTAZ for Book Club of the Year in the African-American Literary Awards Show, not only this year but in years past.  And, I appreciate those who voted for us. I also appreciate all the other nominees and what they do for the literary community.   No, RAWSISTAZ has never won the award before and it would be nice to win it, but again, is it necessary? No.

It would be cool, but even if not…we’ve already “won” it.  We’ve done so much, helped so many, and I’ve made great friends, seen authors write their first books, get published, get 6 & 7 figure book deals, others start their lit businesses, folks get married, buy their first house, and so much more—you can’t put getting an award above that. Ya know?

So, to all those who have joined our groups, read along with us, supported us as we support Black books and authors, I thank you now because truly…RAWSISTAZ has already won! A big woo hoo for book clubs everywhere and what we all do for the literary community!! What books have you read because of a book club? What new authors have you learned about? Who hasn’t made life-long friends within their book club?

SIMILAR POSTS:

• The RAW Celebration Schedule (Week 1)
• Happy 9-Year Anniversary RAWSISTAZ

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-22
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-15
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-08
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-01

Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Sunday, August 29, 2010 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The love of a good book has the power to change lives. The festival will promote literacy awareness and education through the Suwanee Festival of Books Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Over 100 Authors – Including over 40 Award Winning Authors and Illustrators.

Saturday, August 28th – Keynote address by Terry Kay,Georgia Hall of Fame author

Sunday, August 29th – Keynote address by Rick Smith, best-selling author and innovator
http://www.suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SuwaneeFoB
http://twitter.com/SuwaneeFoB

BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE
Exhibitor-Authors-Educators

Visit http://www.suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/ for more information or call the Suwanee Festival of Books Office at 678.232.6156 (Ask for Nicole)

Three additional ways you can show your support to the Suwanee Festival of Books:

1) Attend the Suwanee Festival of Books (http://suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/) on August 28th or 29th and purchase a book at the Barnes & Noble Book Marketplace,
…
2) Shop at any Barnes & Noble location with a voucher on August 28th or 29th (Visit: http://suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/images/files/SFoB_-_Bookfair_Flyer_-_2_Vouchers.pdf to download the flyer and voucher), or

3) Shop online at bn.com/bookfairs from August 28th – September 3rd and enter Bookfair ID: 10263036 at checkout.

*Proceeds benefit the Suwanee Literary Foundation, a 501(c)(3).
See More

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Save the Date: 10 Year Anniversary Celebration of Sugar by Bernice McFadden (Jan 5th)
• SORMAG 2009 Online Conference (Aug 23-29)
• Save the Date: RAWSISTAZ 10-Year Anniversary
• 5th Annual Cavalcade of Authors (October 2009)

If you haven’t purchased a copy, be sure to do so via Amazon.com or via Smashwords.

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MOTHER WIT explores the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, stepmothers and stepdaughters and it encompasses the romantic and family relationships that bind, separate and bond them one to the other.

Angelia Vernon Menchan is a wife, mother, mentor, writer, publisher, and child of God; whose goal is to reach as many as she can through the written word and do what God has asked of her, Mentor by Writing. Angelia resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her love of 32 years; Maurice Menchan. Mother Wit is her 10th book published through her company MAmm Productions since 2006.

———–

Dera R. Williams lives, works and plays in the Oakland/Bay Area where she is employed at a local community college. Proud of her southern roots, she is the family historian and storyteller. As a writer she has contributed to several anthologies and journals, most recently, Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady. Dera had also done academic writing for reference manuals.

She is a book reviewer in print and online publications, and active in local literary events. She is the proud mother of a daughter and soon to be grandmother.

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Black Book Chat with Electa Rome Parks (Book: Diary of a Stalker)
• Black Book Chat with Janaya Black (Book: Beautiful Rage)
• Black Book Chat – Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little
• Black Book Chat with Kenneth Bowens (Book: The Education of Black Dickey)

So, with all the great books coming out and already released this year, what are YOU reading? What are you anticipating? Let’s hear from ya!

Lastly, for those participating in Written’s 30 Books in 90 Days contest, share what you’ve read thus far and if you think you’re going to get the 30 books read in the remaining 32 days??  To the show-offs…I haven’t given up yet.  LOL! I can hang, I can hang! I CAN HANG!

SIMILAR POSTS:

• 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge 2010 (Written Mag)
• What’s on your E-Reader?
• Last Call for Free Books for Reading Challenge
• What We Read – Jan 2010 Ratings & Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chizellé T. Archie is  an author, registered school nurse, mother and wife for thirteen years to her husband John Archie.  She works for a private school and lives in Atlanta, GA with her family.

Several years ago, after noticing the alarming statistics of the HIV rate of African American women, Chizellé became fed up with the way her African American  brothers  and sisters (young alike), were beginning to settle for any and everything, in that having safe sex was not an option anymore. As far as the women, as long as he drove a nice car, lived in a fine home, of better yet if he was able to “make it rain,” that was satisfaction enough.  As far as the men, as long as she had a car, maybe a job, or had enough money to pay for her “own drink in the club,” then … everything was good. Furthermore, seeing how the women that have remained faithful to their UNFAITHFUL husbands/boyfriends were contracting this deadly disease, and yet only being guilty of loving someone they thought loved them back.

Lastly, what disturbed her most was that there are so many people sitting in the church pews every Sunday hurting, because of the stigma associated with this epidemic, and yet the one place they feel most comfortable is the one place that leaves them feeling so alone.

Chizellé lands on the literary scene with authority, and it is with great fortitude that she pens her debut novel, The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond, in which her life experiences have allowed her to grab hold and take nothing less, realizing she is a Diamond!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The posh, yet chic Victoria Cartiér, is an Investment Advisor for a prestigious firm in Manhattan. Residing in the affluent Hamilton Heights of Harlem, seemingly she has it all; success, money, VIP status on 5th Avenue, and a loving husband Malcolm, so she thinks…

Apparently, Victoria feels her marriage is quickly headed for trouble and the day she plans to deliver life changing news to Malcolm, she gets deathly news of her own. The uncovered trails of lies,deceit, and betrayal, changes their lives forever, causing her to loose trust in everyone she loves, even God!

After losing everything, except her new baby, will Victoria’s love for God, her family, her best friend (tell-it-like-it-is Lucy), and her new beau, the God-fearing, charismatic Marcel Bouviér, be enough to convince her exactly how much she is worth, and that if she can only trust God, then she’ll see life is truly worth living?

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR

Chizelle Archie talks about The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond –>

Chizelle Archie talks about what she hopes the readers will learn from reading The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond. –>

VIDEO EXCERPT

PURCHASE THE BOOK ONLINE AT:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Borders
• Books A Million
• Indiebound

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Visit the author at http://chizellearchie.com

• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/DiamondBlogTour

*A Tywebbin/DeeGospel PR Blog Tour

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• Holy Rollers Blog Tour w/ReShonda Tate Billingsley
• Nothing is Too Hard For God Blog Tour
• Selling My Soul Blog Tour with Sherri Lewis
• My God and Me Blog Tour with LaShawnda Jones

January – Best of the Best (5 Star Reads from TRR & RAW Members)

February – Lotta Love (Romance)
Heated by Niobia Bryant
Wrapped in Pleasure by Brenda Jackson

March – Foot in the door (1st time authors)
Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Holler at the Moon by Tiniesha Davis

April – Payback is a Mutha (Drama, Betrayal)
Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little
Reverend Feelgood by Lutishia Lovely

May – Practice What You Preach (Christian Fiction)
In the Midst of It All by Tiffany Warren
Beautiful Ugly by Sheila Lipsey

June- His Story (Male Authors)
Crushed Ice by Eric Pete
Cougars by Earl Sewell (alternate)

July – Bring on the Drama
Diary of a Stalker by Electa Rome Parks
In My Father’s House by E. Lynn Harris (alternate)

August – A Good Start
Casanegra by Blair Underwood
View Park by Angela Winters (alternate)

September – You Choose Your Friends, Not Your Family
Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan
Red Hats by Damon Wayans (alternate)

October – Guess Who? (mystery)
From Cape Town with Love by Blair Underwood
Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man by Claudia Burney (alternate)

November – Blast From the Past (historical fiction)
Glorious by Bernice McFadden
Josephine By Beverly Jenkins (alternate)

December – Legalese (Legal Thrillers)
Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young
Black Water Rising by Attica Locke (alternate)

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Diversity in Reading 2010 (Our Monthly Themes)
• January 2010 – Best of the Best
• Black Book Chat with Lutishia Lovely (Book: Reverend Feelgood)
• Black Book Chat – Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little

An Inconvenient Friend by Rhonda McKnight

Click on the book to purchase

Samaria Jacobs is a deceitful, yet captivating diva who will do anything to win the heart of her married lover. Will she get her man or destroy herself and everyone else in the process?

Samaria has her sights set on Gregory Preston. A successful surgeon, he has just the bankroll she needs to keep her in the lifestyle that her credit card debt has helped her grow accustomed to. He’s married, but Samaria would never let a little thing like that get in her way.

Samaria joins New Mercies Christian Church to get close to Gregory’s wife. If she gets to know Angelina Preston, she can become like her in more than just looks, and really work her way into Greg’s heart.

Angelina’s life is filled with a successful career and busy ministry work, but something’s just not right with her marriage. Late nights, early meetings, lipstick- and perfume-stained shirts have her suspicious that Greg is doing a little more operating than she’d like. But does she have the strength to confront the only man she’s ever loved and risk losing him to the other woman?

Just when Samaria thinks she’s got it all figured out, she finds herself drawn to Angelina’s kindness. Will she be able to carry out her plan after she finds herself yearning for the one thing she’s never had. . .the friendship of a woman?

Website: http://www.rhondamcknight.net

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Healthy Heart Blog Tour with Rhonda McKnight

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-29
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-15
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-08
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-01

What tangible milestones can I bring back to my clients that shows that we are moving steps forward on our book marketing campaign?

There are a few deliverables that make the grade for authors:

• print media placements
• broadcast interview placements
• retweets with links attached
• click thrus on buy back buttons
• book festival placements
• public library requests
• bookclub president rtps
• many others

However, before I bore you with tips on obtaining such desirables, I want to have an honest conversation with you about book marketing. If you let me…

The purpose of book marketing [social network/online marketing included] is to obtain and maintain your ideal customer: book buyers. Period.

So ask yourself this.  Is what I’m doing online helping me obtain and maintain my ideal customer?

Let me throw you a life-line. These things below will not:

1. Adding your graffiti [Facebook Notes] to a friend’s Facebook wall that looks like this: “please buy my ____ book…you fill in the blank)

That’s advertising.  It’s improper to advertise on someone’s wall without their permission.

2. Adding uninvited strangers, whom you’ve stalked on another author’s guestbook to your email list, then spamming them with #9.

3. Begging.

Newsflash: Book buyers purchase books and donate to charities. Decide which one you are, then act accordingly

4. Complaining about bookstores online.

5. Complaining about book reviewers online.

6. Tagging someone who is not in your picture or video.

Tagging inappropriately is backdoored spam and can get you kicked off Facebook.

7. Bad-mouthing other authors  and cat-fighting with other authors online.

Really?!

8. Not having buy buttons on your site and Facebook fan page.

I’ve lost count of the evites and blog tours that don’t have a Buy Now button on them. Come on You’ve convinced us now close the sell.

9. Sending boring email newsletters.

That includes Facebook Notes. Learn how to craft better copy or hire someone. Pam Perry, Ty Moody, LaShaunda Hoffman, and Marina Woods are great at this.

10. Forgetting that authors, bookstore manager, librarians, publicists, editors, and book reviewers buy books, too, so be careful, who you alienate online

Now, if you honestly don’t know whether your book marketing efforts are working, hit me up in the comments. I’ll tell you, honestly. And come back later this fall; I’ll tell you what things work. Also, check out my E-lunch show Media Candy Radio which airs every Wednesday at noon at http://blogtalkradio.com/mediacandy. It’s devoted to marketing techniques and answering your questions live. Also subscribe to our station for news about our other shows. Dee and Marina return this fall, as well as a new fun show with Dee and Martin Pratt of Rolling Out Magazine.

-Dee Stewart

I’m a mom, pr boutique owner, editor, book critic, and published author (Miranda Parker.)  Google me or Find me

SIMILAR POSTS:

• The #1 Reason Your Book Marketing Efforts Fail on Facebook
• 3 Press Release Don’ts for Authors by Dee Stewart
• Are Black Authors too Late to Jump on the Bandwagon by Dee Stewart
• Queen of American Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

Never judge a book by its cover. . .

Xavier Preston is tall, dark and handsome and the problem is that he knows it. He’s a best-selling author who is accustomed to adoring female fans, both young and old, flirting with him, throwing themselves shamelessly at him and trying to get between more than the covers of his novels. And he has always been more than willing to accommodate their needs and desires. However, his womanizing days have finally ended. . . he’s engaged to a beautiful woman, Kendall, and he’s decided to walk the straight and narrow. Or has he?

You can view more about the book at our BOOK SPOTLIGHT.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Electa Rome Parks currently resides outside Atlanta, Georgia. After successfully self-publishing her debut novel, The Ties That Bind, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group, bought the rights. Electa signed a three-book deal with New American Library. All three books were immediately chosen as Black Expressions Book Club main selections and embraced as Books of the Month by book clubs across the country. Dubbed a “book club favorite,” avid readers have embraced Electa’s true to life characters that tackle prevalent and heavy hitting issues.

Since then Electa has become a bestselling author of several other mainstream (Loose Ends and Almost Doesn’t Count) and erotic (These Are My Confessions and Ladies’ Night Out) novels with Penguin Group and HarperCollins. The self-proclaimed, Queen of Real, Electa has been a frequent guest on radio shows, has been nominated for many industry awards and has been interviewed by newspapers, AOL’s Black Voices, Vibe Vixen, Upscale Magazine, Today’s Black Woman, Rolling Out and Booking Matters, to name just a few. With a BA degree in marketing and a minor in sociology, she is following her true passion and working on her next novel.

MORE INFO

To find out when and where Electa will be in your area, check out her website at www.electaromeparks.com or www.myspace.com/author_chick. To share your thoughts with Electa regarding her work or to schedule an event, please e-mail her at: novelideal@aol.com.

SIMILAR POSTS:

• Diary of a Stalker by Electa Rome Parks (Book Spotlight)
• The RAW Celebration Schedule (Week 1)
• Black Book Chat with Angelia Vernon Menchan & Dera R. Williams
• Black Book Chat with Janaya Black (Book: Beautiful Rage)

Shana Johnson Burton is the best-selling author of Suddenly Single, First Comes Love, and Flaws and All. She lives in Georgia with her family and is currently a high school English and Journalism teacher and the co-host of “The Lovely Magazine” radio show . She was a 2009 Georgia Author of the Year nominee for Best Fiction (First Comes Love). Her next novel, Catt Chasin’, will be released in 2011.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Faith, family, and friendship have always been top priority to lifelong friends Lawson, Reginell, Sullivan, Angel, and Kina, but each one is about to be put to the test during one turbulent year.

Lawson Kerry is a struggling single mother who has finally gotten her life together. Now, a fierce custody battle with her ex threatens to the tear apart everything she’s built.

Reginell Kerry is a starry-eyed singer determined to make it to the top of the charts, but will she change her tune when a chance at fame means shedding her clothes and her self-respect?

Sullivan Webb is the pampered wife of a charismatic pastor with political aspirations, but she just might destroy her husband’s campaign and their marriage if she can’t control her wandering eye.

Angel King has dedicated her life to nursing following the destruction of her marriage. Can she maintain her professionalism when she discovers that her newest patient is the woman who stole her husband?

Kina Battle has had enough of her husband’s verbal and physical abuse. When she’s pushed to the edge, the situation heads in a deadly direction, and there’s no turning back.

Nothing is sacred, all bets are off, and the lives of these ladies will never be the same. Will they have the strength to hold on to their friendships and put their trust in God?

Shana Burton talks about her latest novel, Flaws and All, and shares an excerpt.

Click Here to Listen

Chapter 24 (Excerpt from Flaws and All)

“A true lady never kisses and tells.”

—Sullivan Webb

“Wow, Sullivan, you’re glowing!” noted Lawson over lunch the next day, poolside at Sullivan’s estate. “I guess ol’ Chuck hasn’t lost his touch.”

Angel lowered her shades. “She does have that morning after look, doesn’t she?”

Sullivan grinned and stretched out on the lounge chair next to Kina. “A true lady never kisses and tells.”

“But a freak details it blow by blow!” jeered Reginell, laughing and slapping hands with Angel. “Go on and tell us what happened.”

“Yeah, Sullivan, tell us which of the commandments you broke this time,” pushed Lawson, biting into a ring of pineapple.

Sullivan pinned her hands behind her head. “I can’t. It’s personal.”

“Personal gets checked at the door. You know that. Now, start talking.”

Sullivan cleared her throat and sat upright in her chair. “Well . . . I cheated on Charles,” she revealed.

Lawson nearly choked on her pineapple. “You did what?”

Reginell leaned back and crossed her legs. “Umph. I always knew there was a straight-up ho underneath all them designer clothes and foreign weaves.”

“It takes one to know one,” fired Sullivan.

“Sully, I can’t believe you would do that to Charles,” said Kina.

“Oh, I can believe it,” said Angel. “I just want to know with who.”

Sullivan smirked. “Vaughn.”

Lawson’s jaw fell. “The same Vaughn you said was rough around the edges?”

“He’s not so bad.” Sullivan giggled. “Actually, he was quite good!”

“It looks like Skankville just got a new resident,” muttered Angel.

“Hold up, now,” cut in Reginell, raising her hand. “I’ve got to side with Sully on this one. Sometimes you need to switch it up some. Variety is the spice of life.”

“Good. She can put that on a T-shirt. It’ll give her something constructive to do while she’s roasting in hell,” said Angel.

“God knows my heart,” rationalized Sullivan.

“You have one of those?” asked Reginell.

“Look at you. You don’t even feel guilty, do you? No repentance, no remorse,” charged Lawson.

Sullivan shook her head. “I can’t explain it. I do feel guilty, but it’s only because I feel bad about not feeling guilty at all. I feel . . . liberated, if you can believe that.”

“Sullivan, even if Charles never finds out, God knows, and He was watching you in the very act,” scolded Kina.

Sullivan poured a glass of juice. “Kina, that thought is disturbing on so many levels. Vaughn is so amazing, and I’m not just talking about the sex. He’s an artist, and he’s so intuitive and creative. He makes me feel more alive than I ever felt in my whole life. In the past three weeks that we’ve been spending time together, I haven’t had a single drink. I get love-drunk instead.”

“Enjoy it now. It may be hard to feel alive once Charles finds out, because he’s going to kill both of you,” replied Lawson.

Sullivan kicked back her heels. “I don’t even care if he finds out. I might even tell him myself. Maybe then he’ll finally divorce me.”

“All right, be careful what you wish for,” prophesized Angel. “The Bible says that you shall have whatever you say. Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

Sullivan sighed. “Don’t even get me started on the power of Vaughn’s tongue.”

“Sully, you’re nasty,” said Kina with a frown.

This excerpt was posted with permission from the author. 2010 © Copyright. Shana J. Burton. All Rights Reserved.

Purchase the Book Online at:

• Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Flaws-All-Shana-Burton/dp/1601628528/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281193452&sr=8-1
• BarnesandNoble– http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Flaws-and-All/Shana-Burton/e/9781601628527/?itm=1&USRI=flaws+and+all+shana+burton
• Borders – http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1601628528
• Books A Million – http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781601628527?id=4715246323067
• Indiebound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781601628527

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Visit the author at http://www.shanaburton.com/

• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/FlawsandAll.

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Witness the strength and courage of three phenomenal African American women, as they journey through the pain and darkness of self-hatred, self-destruction, and self-medication.

MY SISTER’S VEIL unfolds through the harsh, ironic, love and life lessons of three young African American women. When they find themselves at the mercy of their perilous ghetto streets; their only saving grace is a gifted veil, which teaches them each a revealing lesson about their community and their circumstances.

Abandoned by her alcoholic mother, at an early age, Tina Douglas searches for love in all the wrong places.  When she meets with scorn and rejection on the streets where she is raised; she finds her true power in a life altering lesson from the veil.  She administers a healing dose of medication to her community.

When Terri McDaniels suddenly falls from her position of affluence and privilege, she lands in the arms of C.J, a well known street and drug hustler.  As she struggles to fit into his world, she comes face to face with the uncontrolled black genocide, in the “hood.”  Her lesson from the veil helps her to aide in the wealth and unity of her new neighborhood.

Toni Patterson rises from a life filled with fear and uncertainty, into a life filled with fast cars, and luxury; only to find that she is still broken and unfulfilled.  Her lesson from the veil teaches her that true healing comes from uniting broken families.

Open the pages of MY SISTER’S VEIL and journey to the edge of emotion, as these three women reach for their crowning moment!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.C. Marshall is a freelance writer who began writing at an early age.  At the age of five she wrote her first poem; thus the launch of  a writing career.  She advanced from poems, to short stories, to novellas, to articles, and now presents her first novel My Sister’s Veil. Sequels My Mother’s Prayers and My Brother’s Crown soon to follow!

Visit her online at http://www.kcmarshall.net.

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Last week, we talked about authors who have been missing from the scenes and we wanted to expand on it this week with not only sharing those authors we miss, but discussing why they’re missing. At the top of my list are Marcus Major, Timmothy McCann, Elyse Singleton, V. Anthony Rivers, Gregory Townes, T.L. Garnder–I could go on and on! Where are you at, folks?? I miss you and want you to come back soon!

I’ve had many conversations at literary events over the last few months with authors who didn’t get book deals, others who had returned to self-publishing, but didn’t have the finances to get their latest book or two off the ground and those who have seen/experienced rejections galore. What is the problem?

Is the economy really that bad or is it just the easy answer for why your book isn’t selected? Why can someone else get a $50 million advance, yet a new author or lesser known author gets rejected or gets no advance. Seriously? Take that $50 million advance and get in some new writers, new stories & shoot, sometimes better stories. Furthermore, if I hear “it’s not marketable” one more time, I might just scream. I mean seriously–and this is just my take–a well-written book IS marketable if you actually get behind it and market it. There are numerous books I see plastered all over the place and when I flip open the book, sadly I’m disappointed, unimpressed or turned off by all the sex. I know book reviews and opinions on the books are subjective, but I do believe I know a good book. So, when I hear an author (who most of our members rave about) say she can’t get a book deal, it makes me sad and then it ticks me off.

So, beyond being sad (or ticked off), what can we do?

I have a few suggestions and here are my first two to get things started:

1) Authors, stop being desperate. I know you want to be published and hey, if you have a great book, I want you to be published too. We need more books! But, don’t just accept anything a publisher offers you. Decide what your deal breakers are going in and stick to them! If you want your ebook rights, walk away if the publisher says no. If you want foreign rights, keep them and if they say no, walk away. If you DO NOT think overly-detailed sex scenes are necessary to tell your story, then don’t agree to put them in there just to get a deal.

2) Write what you know/love.Yeah, this may be selling and that may be selling, but if you force it, trust me, a real reader knows it. And seriously, can you keep it up? Don’t write for the trends unless it is something you love. What do you read when you’re in the mood to read? I’m not saying don’t stretch yourself or write in other genres, I’m saying don’t write for money.

Okay…before I get off on a tangent…

Let’s hear from YOU! Who are some of the authors no longer on the scene you’d like to see back with new books? And please share their book titles & genres. And, what do you think we can do to see these authors again??

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PATRICIA HALEY is the trailblazing, #1 Essence bestselling author of seven faith-based, novels, including Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, No Regrets, and Chosen. She’s a project manager with degrees from Stanford University and the University of Chicago. She is a born again believer and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Patricia lives with her husband and daughter in Philadelphia.

Visit her at www.patriciahaley.com or become a fan on Facebook.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Destined by Patricia Haley is the second novel in the Chosen series, inspired by the popular biblical kings David and Solomon.

Don, the eldest son and rightful heir to the ministry, returns from South Africa after three years of self-imposed exile. With a renewed zeal to reclaim the leadership of his late father’s multi-million dollar ministry, his plans are short-lived when a stock transfer agreement goes wrong, rendering Don powerless. Don’s little brother Joel continues as CEO, careening down the path of personal, professional, and spiritual demise, as he drags the ministry down with him. The only hope to save their father’s legacy is Don’s intervention, and so clinging to his self-worth and faith, Don is torn between fighting for a company he wasn’t chosen to run and fleeing back to his South African refuge, a place where his peace, his growing relationship with Naledi, and his dignity aren’t in question. After much soul searching, Don comes to realize that his destiny is inescapable and that his future lies in his family’s legacy.

Combining spiritual themes with family tension, corporate intrigue, and romance, this series is an exciting addition to the faith-based fiction market.

EXCERPT – Chapter 33

(taken from Destined by Patricia Haley)

Thirty years.  Every grueling minute of those years had been met with accusations, put downs, and flat out mean spiritedness mostly waged by Madeline. Loving Dave Mitchell was her joy in the beginning but realism had a way of stamping out the flame, leaving a smoldering whiff of love between them.  Sherry tidied her desk in preparation for the upcoming trip to India.  Her support for Joel was unquestionable.  The decision he was making for his personal life was very questionable.  She was overcome with doubt.  Sherry went downstairs to Abigail’s office hoping for something, not sure what.

Abigail was finishing up a conference call but beckoned for Sherry to come in anyway.  The wait was brief.  “You were looking for me?” Abigail asked ending her call.

Sherry meandered to the windows located on one side of Abigail’s office.  “You know Joel is,” she said and caught herself.  She remembered Joel telling her the board of directors didn’t know about the trip to India, which probably meant Abigail didn’t know either.  She needed to confide her concerns with someone but couldn’t risk betraying Joel’s confidence.

“I know Joel is what?”

The awful distress swirling inside threatened to overtake her hopes for Joel.  She’d lived out a distressed marriage for what seemed to be the right reasons.  Inhaling air of independence and self worth transformed her view of those years.  She saw the marriage with Dave for what it was, awkward from the beginning and straight through until the end.  There was more for her son and she wanted him to have it now, not waiting until he was fifty five years old to start living like she had.

“If the merger ever goes through with that Indian company, you know he’s going to marry the daughter.”

Abigail acknowledged Sherry’s comment through eye contact but didn’t respond.  Maybe it was Abigail’s heartache, or her confusion, or worse, her lack of interest in Joel.  Sherry wasn’t sure what the driving factor was behind the lack of interest.  “Did you hear me?” she said turning her body to face Abigail, but staying by the windows with her arms clasped.  “He’s going to marry another woman.”

“And what do you want me to do about it?  Hmm,” Abigail said firmly setting her pen on the desk.  “Do you want me to go and plead for his love, hmm?”  Sherry kept her arms locked and looked away into the sparsely cloudy sky. “Do you want me to wrestle him to the floor or better yet, how about this.  What if I clobber him over the head and tow his limp body back to my cave and make him mine.” Abigail let her gaze roll up to the ceiling and crash down to the desk.

“I know you love him,” Sherry said taking a few steps towards the desk.  “You are what he needs, stability, and genuine love.  I want my son to experience happiness every day of his life. The prospect of him engaging in a marriage for business purposes is absolutely frightening to me.  I know Joel.  Nothing good can come from that kind of arrangement.”

“Well,” Abigail said seemingly distracted, “maybe you’re worrying prematurely.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the board is effective, Joel won’t have the backing to finalize the merger.

They’ve blocked his funding, stalled his legal review, and turned down his request for approval.  Unless he creates a miracle, the deal isn’t happening.”

Sherry wanted to share the truth with Abigail but couldn’t risk it.  “I know it looks hopeless, but my son is Dave Mitchell’s child.  Miracles aren’t beyond them.”

That got Abigail’s attention.  “No disrespect to you Sherry, but Dave and Joel are very different leaders.”

“As they should be.”

“Well, Dave’s miracles came from the favor he had with God.  I can’t begin to guess where Joel would find a miracle, but I’m pretty certain it’s not from God.  At least not the same God that Dave and I serve.  Joel has his own way of doing things.”

“I didn’t come here to demonize my son.  Maybe I was wrong coming to you.  I believed he meant something to you.”

“You’re right, he did, but that’s ancient history.  I’ve accepted his choice, perhaps it would be helpful to all of us if you did too,” Abigail said and pushed the power button on her laptop

Sherry read the signal and departed gracefully refusing to let her son be maligned by anyone.  She shifted energy to the India trip.  There was much to be done for Joel and such little time.

Question taken from Reading Guide in back of book: Abigail was hurt by Joel’s rejection and marriage to Zarah. Will she ever be freed from Joel emotionally?

View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/DestinedBlogTour.

*A Tywebbin Blog Tour

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CHERYL WILLIS HUDSON

Ms. Hudson has authored many books for young children including AFRO-BETS ABC and 123 Books, Hands Can, Good Morning, Baby, Glo Goes Shopping, Many Colors of Mother Goose and Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, (co-authored with Bernette Ford). She has also co-edited a number of titles including How Sweet the Sound: African American Songs for Children (Scholastic, Inc.), Kids’ Book of Wisdom: Quotes from the African American Tradition and In Praise of Our Fathers and Our Mothers…

Construction Zone was published by Candlewick Press in 2006. My Friend Maya Loves to Dance (illustrated by Eric Velasquez) was published by Abrams in 2010. From Where I Stand in the City (illustrated by Nancy Devard) is one of her titles published under the Marimba Books multicultural imprint.

In 2003 Ms. Hudson was inducted into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of diversity in literature and has served as an parenting expert for ClubMom. She is also a member of PEN America’s Children Book Committee.

Visit her new blog: http://cherylwillishudson.wordpress.com

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