RAWSISTAZ Literary Group» Jean Holloway http://www.rawsistaz.com Black Books, Authors, Book Reviews, Events & More Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Coffee Confessions – Black Book Chat http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/coffee-confessions-discussion/ http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/coffee-confessions-discussion/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:03:39 +0000 RAWSISTAZ http://www.rawsistaz.com/?p=4315 Welcome to our Black Book Chat and discussion of Coffee Confessions. We’ve had multiple author chats before, but none in our new BBC/blog-like format, so it’s exciting to have the authors here with us from noon (EST) until around 8PM tonight.  So, definitely chime in with your questions and/or comments.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Coffee Confessions is an anthology featuring original short stories from JA Adams, LMBlakely, Darine Davis, Ja’Nese Dixon, Jean Holloway, TL James, and DeiIra Smith-Collard.

Coffee Confessions is a small fictitious coffee shop in Houston, TX. Owner Sandra James serves up coffee, books, music and good ole’ fashion customer service that keeps her shop full of eclectic patrons.

Readers will enjoy this page-turning read of seven stories ranging from inspirational to speculative fiction and just about everything in between.

Sit back, grab a cup of your favorite joe and prepare to be entertained by the authors of SIR Authors.

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS (In Order of Appearance in Book)

Ja’Nese Dixon

Ja’Nese Dixon is an Oklahoma native living in Houston, Texas. As a child, she spent most of her days reading anything she could grab. Her love for writing gave birth to a large collection of poetry and short stories. She continued to nurture her love of reading and writing until entering graduate school. As a wife and mother of two small children, she found little time to write but her reading continued.

In late 2004, she decided to quietly pursue her writing career by entering contests and ghost writing articles. After ranking in several contests, she began writing her first novel, Black Diamond, scheduled for release in June 2010.  She is still an avid reader, she loves to write, run, cook, crochet, watch romantic comedy movies, attend live concerts, volunteer in several ministries in her church, and most importantly spend time with her family.  She spends her days marketing small businesses and her nights writing.

To learn more visit http://www.janesedixon.com.

TL James

TL James graduated with an MBA from LeTourneau University. At LETU, James cultivated an interest in biblical studies and research. Little did James know, but her love for research would become an integral thread in her writing style.

After many sleepless nights, James began writing her first speculative fictional book, with her newly born son tucked comfortably at her side.  She developed the family drama storyline that showcases her love of research, biblical studies and literary classics (i.e., Chaucer, Shakespeare and methodology). The MPire Trilogy was born.

In 2008, TL James revived PHE Ink, a Writing Solutions Firm, after discovering a number of gaps in the publishing industry.  James works with aspiring writers, one-on-one, to develop their literary voice. PHE Ink, also, assists entrepreneurs with transforming their business dreams into defined objectives and business plans.

She currently resides in Houston, Texas with her son and immediate family.

To learn more visit www.authortljames.com.

Jean Holloway

The daughter of an entrepreneur, Jean saw the only limitations you have are the ones you put on yourself. In the early 60s, her father owned his own cab in NY, which was unusual for a Black man armed with a tenth grade education.

Jean’s debut novel “Ace of Hearts” started in 1980, in answer to a bet, yet it wasn’t published until 2007. Her story’s moral: Never give up your dream.

Jean now lives in Kennesaw, GA with her husband, Fred and their dog, Kayla. Their six grown children all live nearby. They have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

To learn more about Jean Holloway visit her online at www.deckofcardz.com.

Darine Davis

Darine Davis is the author of Bayou Drama and When A Good Man Goes Bad.  Born in Shreveport, LA he moved to Texas when he was a toddler. He lived in Greenville, TX for eight years of his life where his mother’s family resides. After his mother’s divorce, they moved to Houston where he lived with his aunts and cousins. Prior to graduating from high school, he joined the Navy under a split trainer program where he did boot camp the summer after his eleventh grade year, graduated from North Shore High School and returned to the Navy.

After an eight year stint in the military, he left under honorable conditions and pursued his education earning two associate degrees at Houston Community College and bachelors in Information Systems at University of Houston – Victoria.

He is currently married and has two children who he cherishes dearly. He has always wanted a true family and feels he has that in his wife and children. His writing is inspired by life and intense imagination. His country humor and controversial topics invoke thought provoking topics that will engulf the reader into the world of the character and the situations posed in the stories he develop.

For more information visit www.dniceone.com.

DeIlra Smith-Collard

DeiIra Smith-Collard is an exciting new author from Houston, Texas. She has always had a strong passion for writing. DeiIra is a multifaceted writer exploring more than one genre. In addition to contemporary fiction and Erotica, she writes poetry and short stories.

DeiIra currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband and two children.

For more information visit www.deiira.com.

JA Adams

JA Adams, author of three psychological suspense novels, uses personal and professional experiences to bring awareness to psychological issues that affect our relationships.

For 30 years, Adams has worked with traumatized victims of violence and crime. Adams’ experience, paired with her writings, allude to healing the spirit and soul of victims.

In 1993, Adams decided to marry her cause with her passion for writing, beginning with contributions to the teacher modular curriculum, Responding to Violence in the Lives of Young Children, at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), Educare Training Institute.

Adams currently resides outside of Austin, Texas. She continues to write and volunteers with numerous organization bringing awareness to teen dating violence and women issues, as well as, advocating against intimate partner and family violence. Such organizations include the Ortralla Foundation and Recovery Ministry at Gateway Church. Moreover, she regularly speaks and mentors women using her life as proof that one can love again after trauma.

For more information visit www.jaadamsauthor.com.

LMBlakely

LMBlakely is a native of Albany, Georgia – a “military brat” who has traveled and resided in the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, New Mexico and Florida. She currently lives in Atlanta, GA and is studying for her Bachelors in Network Management.

She found inspiration in writing by journaling and playing different instruments, composite ballads and had aspirations of being a songwriter blossomed until her passion changed which resulted in her earning the title of “Author.”

Ms. Blakely is a thirty-something writer, on a writing marathon.
]]> http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/coffee-confessions-discussion/feed/ 267 Black Jack Book Chat w/Jean Holloway http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/black-jack-chat-with-jean-holloway/ http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/black-jack-chat-with-jean-holloway/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 17:29:15 +0000 RAWSISTAZ http://www.rawsistaz.com/?p=4174 Okay everyone…today’s Black Book Chat (from our E-Book Reading Challenge) is Black Jack by Jean Holloway, so jump in and share your thoughts!  A big kudos and high five to Jean for bringing us Shevaughn Robinson!  I love a hardcore female protagonist and thrillers are one of my favorite genres.

If you haven’t read the book yet, please GET A COPY, check it out and come on back and join us.

Let’s get our chat on!

Black Jack by Jean Holloway
Publication Date: July 3, 2009
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Author’s Website: www.deckofcardz.com

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Lead Homicide Detective Shevaughn Robinson has gone from the cop everyone, including herself, doubted to the “golden child” of the Portsborough Police Department with a record of sensational arrests and closed cases.

But when Helene Elliott is found dead from an apparent suicide, her family insists it was murder and pressures  the Portsborough Police Department to take on the investigation. Detective Robinson is assigned to the case at  a time when she is struggling to strike a balance between her personal and professional life following the death of Tony O’Brien, the love of her life. Elliott’s case awakens a complicated relationship with Terri Becker who harbors resentment towards Shevaughn for the death of Eric Becker, the serial killer dubbed Ace of Hearts.

Was the Elliott death a suicide or the work of a cold-blooded predator? Will life throw Shevaughn another unexpected blow? And will Shevaughn’s attempts to move forward inadvertently lead death to her front door yet again?

Black Jack is the sequel to Jean Holloway’s acclaimed debut novel, Ace of Hearts.  Buckle up and follow Shevaughn as she moves closer to solving the Elliott murder, unknowingly rekindling old grudges, and awakening a sinister spirit. Get ready, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

THE AUTHOR SPEAKS

I’m excited RAWSISTAZ included me in their Black Book Chat. Honestly, I never thought of being an author. I was an avid reader since childhood and wrote ‘Ace of Hearts’ 30 years ago on a bet with my sister. Today I’m enjoying creating Detective Shevaughn Robinson’s world and the response my novels are getting.  Guess now’s the time for adult romantic thrillers.

I wrote Ace of Hearts because I found strong Black heroines weren’t easily found in the books I was reading, so I figured I’d have to write one myself. I even set myself up for a sequel, just never thought it would be 28 years later before I wrote it! So the moral of my story is: Never give up your dream!

Heartfully Yours,
Jean Holloway
Author of Ace of Hearts & Black Jack
www.deckofcardz.com

]]> http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/black-book-talks/black-jack-chat-with-jean-holloway/feed/ 88 Banned from Vegas with Jean Holloway (Book Video) http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/blog-tours/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway/ http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/blog-tours/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:00:03 +0000 RAWSISTAZ http://www.rawsistaz.com/?p=2064 black-jack-coverBlack Jack by Jean Holloway
ISBN: 978-0982447505
Genre: Erotic Thriller
Price: $14.00

Book synopsis

Lead Homicide Detective Shevaughn Robinson has gone from the cop everyone, including herself, doubted to the “golden child” of the Portsborough Police Department with a record of sensational arrests and closed cases.

But when Helene Elliott is found dead from an apparent suicide, her family insists it was murder and pressures the Portsborough Police Department to take on the investigation. Detective Robinson is assigned to the case at a time when she is struggling to strike a balance between her personal and professional life following the death of Tony O’Brien, the love of her life. Elliott’s case awakens a complicated relationship with Terri Becker who harbors resentment towards Shevaughn for the death of Eric Becker, the serial killer dubbed Ace of Hearts.

Was the Elliott death a suicide or the work of a cold-blooded predator?  Will life throw Shevaughn another unexpected blow?  And will Shevaughn’s attempts to move forward inadvertently lead death to her front door yet again?

Black Jack is the sequel to Jean Holloway’s acclaimed debut novel, Ace of Hearts. Buckle up and follow Shevaughn as she moves closer to solving the Elliott murder, unknowingly rekindling old grudges and awakening a sinister spirit.  Get ready, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Author’s Website: http://www.deckofcardz.com

WIN A COPY OF ACE OF HEARTS

Win a copy of Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway. One lucky commenter will win a copy of Jean’s debut novel. Also, click here to enter to win one of the Readers Prizes . Deadline for comments is 12:00 midnight EST tonight (October 6, 2009). For more details and the contest details visit http://bit.ly/NctRB.

BOOK VIDEO

]]> http://www.rawsistaz.com/blog/blog-tours/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway/feed/ 36 Banned from Vegas with Jean Holloway (Oct 5-31) http://www.rawsistaz.com/in-the-know/lit-events/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway-oct-5-31/ http://www.rawsistaz.com/in-the-know/lit-events/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway-oct-5-31/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:56:34 +0000 RAWSISTAZ http://www.rawsistaz.com/?p=2038 blackjackNia Promotions is excited to host Banned from Vegas with Jean Holloway. For the next month get ready to dive into play in the thrilling, and sometimes erotic, world of Black Jack!

Jean Holloway, author of thrillers—books from her Deck of Cardz series—a fiction detective storyline following the career of a female lead homicide detective Shevaughn Robinson.

Join us from October 5 – October 31, 2009 for a few blog interviews, radio interviews, exclusive excerpts, and more. Along the way we’ll have daily giveaways for commenters (where stated), three (3) Reader Prizes, and one (1) Reader Grand Prize. Also, one book club will win 10 copies of Ace of Hearts.

To learn more about Jean Holloway and her work visit www.deckofcardz.com. There you can download Black Jack eBook; watch the book video: Black Jack…Wanna Play, read the book synopsis; and more.

Virtual Stops

Oct. 5: Kickoff with Jean Holloway
Oct. 6:  Black Jack…Wanna Play? with RAWSISTAZ
Oct. 7:  5 Minutes 5 Questions with Joey Pinkney
Oct. 8:  Black Jack Excerpt with PHE Ink
Oct. 9:  Interview with Jean Holloway with Visual Arts Junction
Oct. 10:  Don’t Let the Grandma Fool Ya with Nia Promotions
Oct. 11:  Exclusive Excerpt from Black Jack
Oct. 12:  About Author Jean Holloway with author CM Jones
Oct. 13:  Introduces Black Jack Heroine Shevaughn Robinson with author Arlether Wilson
Oct. 14:  Separated at Birth with author Terra Little
Oct. 15:  Silent Revenge with author Adrienna Turner
Oct. 16: The Men in Jean’s Life with author Brooklen Borne
Oct. 17: Jean Holloway at Georgia Literary Festival
Oct. 18: Exclusive Excerpt from Ace of Hearts
Oct. 19: Show Your Kitty with author DeiIra Smith-Collard
Oct. 20: Jean Holloway Talks with Page Readers
Oct. 21: Fan Faire
Oct. 22: No Excuses…Just Do It with author Brooklyn Darkchild
Oct. 23: New Look, Same Thrill with author TL James
Oct. 24: Jean Holloway at Books & Brunch
Oct. 25:  Exclusive Excerpt from Deuces Wild
Oct. 26: Readers Sound Off with author Diane Dorce
Oct. 27: In My Own Words with Nia Promotions
Oct. 28:  Banned from Vegas’ Date with Destiny
Oct. 29: Evidence of Love with author Gail McFarland
Oct. 30: Banned from Vegas Lands in Houston (Hosted by PHE Ink)
Oct. 31: Holloway’s Halloween (Grand Prizes Announced)

]]> http://www.rawsistaz.com/in-the-know/lit-events/banned-from-vegas-with-jean-holloway-oct-5-31/feed/ 4 Black Jack by Jean Holloway http://www.rawsistaz.com/spotlights/book-spotlights/black-jack-by-jean-holloway/ http://www.rawsistaz.com/spotlights/book-spotlights/black-jack-by-jean-holloway/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:16:24 +0000 RAWSISTAZ http://www.rawsistaz.com/?p=1015 blackjackISBN: 9780982447505
Release Date: July 3, 2008
Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Retail: $14.00 (Pre-Release)
Page Count: 284
Publisher: PHE Ink
Genre: Trade Paperback
Website: www.deckofcardz.com
Distributor: Ingram

Lead Homicide Detective Shevaughn Robinson has gone from the cop everyone, including herself, doubted to the “golden child” of the Portsborough Police Department with a record of sensational arrests and closed cases.

But when Helene Elliott is found dead from an apparent suicide, her family insists it was murder and pressures the Portsborough Police Department to take on the investigation.  Detective Robinson is assigned to the case at a time when she is struggling to strike a balance between her personal and professional life following the death of Tony O’Brien, the love of her life.  Elliott’s case awakens a complicated relationship with Terri Becker who harbors resentment towards Shevaughn for the death of Eric Becker, the serial killer dubbed Ace of Hearts.

Was the Elliott death a suicide or the work of a cold-blooded predator?  Will life throw Shevaughn another unexpected blow?  And will Shevaughn’s attempts to move forward inadvertently lead death to her front door yet again? 

Black Jack is the sequel to Jean Holloway’s acclaimed debut novel, Ace of Hearts. Buckle up and follow Shevaughn as she moves closer to solving the Elliott murder, unknowingly rekindling old grudges, and awakening a sinister spirit.  Get ready, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

]]> http://www.rawsistaz.com/spotlights/book-spotlights/black-jack-by-jean-holloway/feed/ 2