A MUST READ RELEASE!! Stand Your Ground by Victoria Christopher Murray

STAND YOUR GROUND

From the #1 Essence bestselling and award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray comes a new novel about three women forced to grapple with their faith and their belief in the justice system when they become involved in a high-stakes murder trial.

Janice Johnson is living every mother’s worst nightmare. Her sixteen-year-old son was murdered in the parking lot of a convenience store and the shooter hasn’t been arrested. Janice and her husband want justice for their son, but disagree about whether to trust the police investigation—or take matters into their own hands.

Shelly Vance cannot believe the nightmare that has become her life. Her husband is facing murder charges for shooting a sixteen-year-old who he says attacked him in a parking lot. This tragedy is only magnified by the racial divide it has created, and Shelly feels herself being judged by everyone from her employer to her friends. She’s vowed to stand by her husband no matter what, but how can she keep quiet when she’s keeping a secret that could blow the whole case wide open?

Alax Wilson would rather be anywhere else but on the jury of this highly charged case. Not only is she missing work—which she can’t really afford to do—but she’s been chosen as the jury’s foreman, which means she has to take her role seriously if there is any hope of reaching a verdict.

Faced with the tragic death of a teenager and a dramatic trial that has turned into media frenzy, Janice, Shelly, and Alax are forced to face their own prejudices and those of the world around them. But will the truth come to light?

Author Biography

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton University where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.

Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she tested her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria never lost the dream to write and when the “bug” hit her again in 1997, she answered the call.

Victoria originally self-published her first novel, Temptation and in 2000, Time Warner published that novel. Temptation made numerous best sellers list and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months. In 2001, Temptation was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.

Victoria has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won seven African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year – Female. Her 2014 NAACP Image Award nomination for Never Say Never was her third Image Award nomination.

Several of Victoria’s novels have been optioned to become movies, including The Deal, the Dance and the Devil and the Ex Files series.

With over one million books in print, Victoria is one of the country’s top African American contemporary authors.

Victoria, along with ReShonda Tate Billingsley, is the cofounder of Brown Girls Publishing.

- See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Victoria-Christopher-Murray/28279517/revealed#sthash.fzAfr5Yw.dpuf

Q. WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST FLAW?

A. Procrastination - it's a new flaw, since I've gotten older.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR BEST QUALITY?

A. I'm a really good friend.

Q. IF YOU COULD BE ANY PERSON OR THING, WHO OR WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A. I really like who I am - I just want to sell more books. So, I guess I'd be Victoria Christopher Murray with Eric Jerome Dickey's sales.

- See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Victoria-Christopher-Murray/28279517/revealed#sthash.fzAfr5Yw.dpuf

Contacts

www.victoriachristophermurray.com

www.goodreads.com/.../56575.Victoria_Christopher_Murray

https://www.facebook.com/.../Victoria-Christopher-Murray/2610949084

Twitter @VictoriaECM

Purchase Links

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/victoria-christopher-murray/id187161508?mt=11

http://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Christopher-Murray/e/B001IO9LP2/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/victoria-christopher-murray

Welcome, Queenie! A Michelle Lindo-Rice Reader

Welcome Queenie! 

Hi, I am Queenie and I am addicted to books. I love to read, it is my passion. I am a single mom of two boys, full time educator, and an avid book reader. My mother, siblings, and I used to walk to the library every other Saturday morning and borrow books. My mom made us write reports on all our books.  I got my first library card when I was 6 years old.  I only read Christian fiction now.  I try to instill reading to my four year old son and high school students.  When I go to my local bookstore Barnes and Noble, I am like a kid in a candy store.

Michelle Lindo-Rice is a great storyteller.  I have read all but two if her books.  All her books I have read grabs my attention from the beginning to the end.  In her books, she tackles current issues and situations that deal with real life in a Christian perspective.  She never disappoints.  I like how she speaks from her heart and it touches mines when she writes.  When I read her books, I feel like the characters are real and I can relate to them in some way or another.

The On The Right Path series talks about different level of love, God’s love, marriage, and family love.  This series is about humanity, repentance, and forgiveness.  Also it is packed with twists, turns, and drama. You will not be disappointed when you read any of her books.

Michelle Lindo-Rice you rock!

Thank you so much, Queenie for stopping by! The three books in the On the Right Path series are: Walk A Straight Line; My Steps Are Ordered and The Fall Of The Prodigal.

Find me on Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Lindo-Rice/e/B009EX7RZA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

To Read Sample Chapters go to www.michellelindorice.com

Hot off the Presses! Bejeweled: What a Tangled Web We Weave

 Welcome Chelle Ramsey to My Blog!

BOOK BLURB:

BEJEWELED: WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

Olivia’s dreams have finally begun to come true, as she marries the man who’s held her heart for twenty years. Her beauty salon is prospering, and she has begun rebuilding her team, after seeds of discord were sowed and bonds were broken. Everything is beginning to look up, or so she thinks. When a scandal is leaked to the media, Olivia’s dream of expanding is in jeopardy. She must step up and play hard ball in a game with which she’s unfamiliar.

Nikki had dreams of building a beautiful family with a loving husband. But after looking at the shattered pieces of her broken life, she is losing hope and desires more. She wants more than the shame of barrenness, and more than physical abuse from his drinking binges. One phone call gives her courage to escape the deadly clutches of her husband. Yet, when she finds strength in another’s arms she finds herself spinning more lies. Nikki’s web of deceit is going to cost all those who are close and it could just cost her, her life.

When deception is the name of the game, who all will have to share the pain?

EXCERPT 1:

The pain was easing up somewhat as Nikki and Wesley entered the breezeway at his apartments. Unlocking the door, his eyes softened when he looked at her face once again.

She saw a mixture of anger and compassion nestled there.

“What?” she asked when he continued to stare at her longer than what she deemed comfortable.

“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. Wesley led her into a galley kitchen and pulled a sandwich bag from one of the cabinets, filled it with ice, and then wrapped it in a paper towel before applying it to her face.

She was in awe at the tenderness with which this man handled her. Every time he touched or said a word to her, it was with such protection, like she had never known. This was a side of Wesley that she had not seen in the five years of knowing him.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing her by her free hand and leading her to the back of the apartment. She looked around at his bedroom; not at all what she would have expected for a single man. Decorated in oranges, greens, browns, and yellows, it had a Caribbean look and feel to it. The room was small, but neat and exhibited a nice décor. The full-sized bed sat directly opposite the black-framed, chestnut-colored dresser. To the right of his bed was a small nightstand in the same black framing and chestnut top as the bed and the dresser. To the left of his bed was a double-paned window, with orange, brown, and green curtains blocking out the midday sun. He walked over to the window and opened the curtains halfway and then opened the blinds to allow the sun to stream through.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” she asked with a look of apprehension in her eyes.

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Just to the bathroom, Nikki. I’ll be back.”

Exhaling a deep breath, she realized that a new fear had come over her. In all the altercations she had endured with Carlos, he had never left her for dead. Why did he leave like that? What if the neighbors didn’t come? I could’ve died in that bathroom, she thought.

She tried to fight back the tears, but they betrayed her. Sucking in her sobs, she stood and walked to his dresser and began looking at his pictures, anything that would take her mind off her problems. There were a couple of him and his father at various stages of his life, a few of some children, and one of a lady she assumed to be his mother. She stood up and walked to the bed, staring at the amazing likeness he had to this woman.

“That’s my mom.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice; she hadn’t heard him return to the bedroom.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you come up. Are you always so quiet?” she asked as he came and stood beside her. She still had not looked at him, wishing she could make the tears disappear from her eyes and face.

“No. Are you always so scary?” he teased. He regretted the words almost the moment he said them. Her body tensed up, and she looked down. Her fear had come as a result of the relationship she was in. She was always tense and on edge, because she never knew what fuse Carlos was about to blow.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry. Here, look at me,” he said, turning her face up towards him. “Why are you crying?” he asked as he wiped her tears away with his fingers.

“I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know.” She couldn’t explain if she wanted to. No one would understand her confusion or pain. She could forgive Carlos if he just had not left her. Didn’t he love her? Didn’t he want to work things out? Maybe he didn’t love her, after all. If he did, he would not have left her there like that.

“Don’t be sorry. You haven’t done anything wrong. I have the feeling you have spent many years apologizing,” Wesley stated.

He lovingly caressed the bruise that had formed on the right side of her face.

“Too beautiful,” Wesley said, being drawn into the power of her presence in his bedroom.

“Huh?”

“You. You’re too beautiful for this. I don’t want you to be scared every time people come near you. Relax, okay? Just be…I promise I won’t ever do nothing to hurt you,” he said as he drew her nearer to him. Looking down into her big, dark brown eyes, he felt himself getting lost.

Nikki didn’t know what she was feeling or what was happening between the two of them. And she couldn’t contain herself as he pressed his full firm lips against her soft, lush ones. As their foreheads touched, he continued to gently apply pressure to her lips, asking for permission to enter in.

ABOUT CHELLE RAMSEY:

An original Georgia Peach, Chelle Ramsey is the author of five published and several waiting-on-the-shelf contemporary fiction books, with a focus on women's fiction. Many of her stories are based in her birthplace of Atlanta or her husband’s hometown of Cincinnati, where readers can relate to local hot spots and events. Chelle wants people to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves. She sprinkles words of encouragement and inspiration throughout all of her real life fiction novels.

Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her property management role by day, while she writes her fiction novels by night. Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she loves listening to music, and becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, and Nora Roberts. She especially enjoys trying to solve the engaging mysteries of James Patterson and Stuart Woods, while eating a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. Chelle resides in a rural community of Atlanta, GA and enjoys writing, family time, ministering through dance at church, and watching NBA games with her husband.

CONTACT INFO:

BLOG:  www.writingmydreams.com

WEBSITE: www.chelleramsey.com

FACEBOOK:             https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChelleRamsey?ref=hl

FACEBOOK_NOVEL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-House-of-BeJeweled-Novels/385049478363422?ref=hl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChellesBooks

EMAIL: cmichelleramsey@gmail.com

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/chelleramseybooks/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscom_Chelle

PURCHASE BOOKS:

BOOK 1 : https://www.createspace.com/4706061

BOOK 2: https://www.createspace.com/5546573

AMAZON: C. Michelle Ramsey Amazon or Chelle Ramsey Amazon

PAPERBACKS: https://www.createspace.com/4706061v

Welcome Sherell Burns! A Michelle Lindo-Rice Reader

As an author, you never know how your book impact others. I thought it would be great to have some of my readers discuss how they feel about my books.

Meet Sherell Burns!

My name is Sherell Burns. I have been an avid reader since elementary school. Christian fiction is one of my favorite genres. I read an average of 20 books a month. My life consists of being a wife, a mother of two, and working full-time. In my free time I offer beta reading services to authors. My collection of books is ridiculous. I have over 300 books on my bookshelf and another 300+ on my kindle. For most women purses and shoes are their weakness. For me it's books.

About a year and a half ago I read my first book by Michelle Lindo-Rice, "Walk A Straight Line". Since then I have read several of her books. 

The Able to Love series is by far my favorite. Each book highlights a person with a disability and still finding love. The series allows you to see how a person can love someone for what is truly inside. Rhonda McKnight featured Michelle last year during a spotlight discussion where she presented Book 1 "Color Blind". I immediately downloaded the book. My husband and I both have disabilities that aren't visible so this series really hit home. When you have someone that loves you despite your flaws and has been there through your worst then that's true love. This series shows the perfect imperfect love.

When an author has you sneaking to read at work and anticipating the release of their next book then they have done their job. Reading Michelle's books allows you to come away with a feeling of fulfillment. I'm excited for her next project.

If you haven't read any of Michelle's books The Able to Love Series is a great place to start. 

Thanks, Sherell for Stopping By! Please click the link to learn more about: Color Blind, Unbound Hearts and Silent Praise.

http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Praise-Able-Love-Volume/dp/1507729553/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WFY1T8M57ZTFKJBKN4B

Empty Womb Empty Tomb Author: Quiana E. Johnson Genre: Inspirational, Non-Fiction ASIN: B00SZAAHMI

Quiana E. Johnson is a sought-after Bible teacher and the author of the new book Empty Womb, Empty Tomb, an astounding life-altering memoir for women who desire encouragement, hope, healing, and deliverance from prenatal trauma. Quiana is also a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, worship flag dancer, vision consultant, online radio personality, and CO-Pastor of Transformation Temple International, a new progressive church in the Richmond, VA area. Affectionately known as "Queen", she resides in North Chesterfield, VA with her husband and business partner, Bradley. She is currently finishing her Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration and Computer Science at Liberty University. Since the age of 19, Quiana recognized that her predestined assignment is to travel the world teaching women how to overcome their past by having their broken hearts completely mended by the Word of God while becoming engulfed in the purposes of God and representing the Kingdom culture. She currently mentors women in achieving the abundant life in the areas of vision, marriage, finances, and self-love. Empty Womb, Empty Tomb is a thought provoking memoir recapping the dramatic events surrounding the premature birth and death of Quiana's baby boy, Nehemiah Johnson, and the restoring work of the Holy Spirit in the aftermath. March 10, 2014 was undeniably marked as one of the most life altering days of her life as her and her husband delivered their firstborn child at home in the bathroom, only to bury him five days later. Through this tragedy, Quiana learned many truths that allowed her to overcome her trauma and receive one of the most riveting revelations of her life. Empty Womb, Empty Tomb provokes every emotion imaginable as the reader tags along as one woman finds hope and wholeness through venturing to an empty tomb once occupied by Jesus Christ.

   

Website Twitter Facebook

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! The Ultimate Betrayal

I so enjoyed reading The Ultimate Betrayal. Check out the Teaser then Order your Copy!

Chapter 1

Alicia’s prayers had been answered. She and Phillip were finally going to be married—again. It had been six years since their first wedding, but in two months, she would walk down the aisle of her father’s church and live happily ever after. She was fully committed to Phillip this time around, and unlike before, she wouldn’t betray him. She wouldn’t sleep with another man behind his back. Just thinking about how selfish she’d been and how terribly she’d treated Phillip still upset her, but thankfully, he finally trusted her again. There had been moments when Alicia hadn’t been sure he ever would. Still, she’d gone out of her way doing all she could to show him just how much she loved and adored him and wanted to be his wife. From this point on, they would be together until death do us part, no matter what.

Phillip stood at the bedroom window of Alicia’s condo, looking as handsome as ever, and Alicia smiled at him. He winked at her but continued his phone conversation. He’d driven over last night and was now on the phone with her dad, discussing church business. Phillip had returned to his assistant pastor position at Deliverance Outreach in Mitchell, Illinois, which was the reason he and Alicia had purchased a home there. With all his church responsibilities, it was better for him to reside in the same city as his job so he would have quick access to the church and to any members who needed him. Phillip had moved in a month ago, but it wouldn’t be long before Alicia joined him, as she now had a buyer for her Chicago-area condo and would be closing on the sale in six weeks. She’d even begun moving some of her belongings out to the house in Mitchell. She would certainly miss Covington Park, along with much of the culture and excitement that the Chicago area provided, but she also couldn’t wait for her and Phillip to live as husband and wife again.

Things were going to be good between them. They would have a great life, and she thanked God for second chances. As a matter of fact, God had blessed her in such a tremendous way that she sometimes shed tears uncontrollably. Here she’d committed adultery against Phillip—hurting him to the core—yet he’d found it in his heart to forgive her. And he’d never once stopped loving her.

Then, there was that awful second marriage she’d entered into with the likes of Pastor JT Valentine. The man had slept around with more women than Alicia could count, and the whole experience had been a nightmare. Still, God had delivered her from JT and his madness and allowed her to move on and forget about him.

And if those blessings hadn’t been enough, she was a successful novelist who would be releasing her fourth book in a few months. She had such a wonderfully kind and loyal audience of readers; some of whom read her work because of her father’s worldwide status, but the majority seemed to genuinely love her stories and she was grateful for that.

Phillip ended his call. “I’m gonna get ready so I can head back home. Your dad and I and some of the other officers are meeting for lunch today.”

“I need to get ready myself. I’m meeting Melanie at noon so we can pick out our jewelry for the wedding.” Melanie Richardson was Alicia’s best friend, and she and her husband, Brad, who was Phillip’s best friend, were going to be their attendants. Alicia and Phillip had considered having bridesmaids and groomsmen, too, but then decided they wanted to keep their ceremony as intimate and as meaningful as possible. That way their day would be about them and the love they shared, versus some massive, impersonal affair.

“Oh yeah, that’s right,” he said, strolling over to Alicia and hugging her. “But more important, have I told you how beautiful you are today?”

“As a matter of fact, you have,” she said, kissing him. “You’re so good to me, and you make me so very happy.”

He squeezed her tighter. “Not as happy as you make me.”

“My life is finally complete.”

“I’m glad to hear that. And although it took a while for me to propose to you again, I hope you know that I never stopped loving you. Not once.”

“I know you didn’t, and I never stopped loving you, either. And I’m also sorry for…well, everything. I destroyed our marriage, and I will always be indebted to you for forgiving me the way you did.”

“God forgives us all, and we have to do the same thing with others. Sometimes though, just because you’ve forgiven someone it doesn’t mean you can still be as close with them. You can still love them and be there for them if they need you, but forgiving someone and trusting them again are two different things. So I thank God that in our case, I was able to do both.”

“You’re a good person with a huge heart, and I love you with everything in me,” she said.

“I love you, too,” he said, kissing her.

Alicia’s yearning for Phillip was strong and intense—it was the kind of yearning she couldn’t act on or ask him to satisfy. He talked a lot about how he couldn’t wait to make love to her again, except Alicia wasn’t handling this celibacy thing nearly as well as he was. She knew Phillip was a minister and that he was serious about his faith, but Alicia had certain needs and desires. For her, kissing and cuddling only meant tons of torture, and she longed for their wedding day. It couldn’t come fast enough, and she’d gone without for so many years that it was almost funny. Especially since the sole reason she’d done so was because Phillip had made it clear that he wouldn’t have it any other way. He’d insisted that the only way things could work between them was if her love and respect for God were sincere. This, of course, meant living by the Word and not having sex until they were remarried. Still, she’d be lying if she said she was okay with it, because she wasn’t. She was twenty-eight, and she couldn’t help the way she felt. Phillip was only ten years older, so she couldn’t see how he was able to deal with this either. But he was, and he seemed to do it with ease.

After Phillip left, Alicia finished getting dressed and grabbed her large black leather tote from her bed. She disconnected her phone from its charger and saw that she had new emails. When she opened her mailbox, she scrolled through three department store sale reminders and a couple of other unimportant messages. But she swallowed hard when she saw the next one. The subject line said, “Hey Beautiful,” and the sender’s name was listed as Levi Cunningham.

She covered her mouth with her hand, whispering out loud, “No, this just can’t be.”

About the Book

It’s been four years since twenty-eight-year old Alicia Black, daughter of Reverend Curtis Black, divorced her second husband, the most womanizing and corrupt man she has ever known. Since then, Alicia has been dating her first husband, Phillip Sullivan, a wonderfully kind and true man of God whom she’d hurt terribly by cheating on him. Alicia has worked hard to prove herself worthy of his trust once more, and when he asks her to marry him again, she couldn’t be happier. But Levi Cunningham, the drug dealer Alicia had an extramarital affair with, has just been released from prison, and he has completely turned his life around for the better. Still head-over-heels in love with Alicia, he will do whatever is necessary to win her back. Remarrying Phillip is the one thing Alicia has wanted for years, but she can’t get Levi out of her mind. Alicia and Phillip aren’t the only ones in the middle of a crisis. Their best friends, husband and wife Brad and Melanie Richardson, are struggling to keep their marriage together. Workaholic Brad is never home and has begun losing thousands on bad investments. Or so he says. Melanie, who is certain there’s more to the story, is determined to get at the truth. At the same time, her frustration and stress cause her to eat a lot less, and she behaves in an extreme fashion. Alicia worries that she could be suffering from anorexia, but Melanie steadfastly denies it. Their friendship begins to suffer, and it isn’t long before they’re talking to each other like enemies. Fresh betrayal leads to consequences no one saw coming, and Alicia’s relationship with Phillip might not be the only thing that needs saving. But is it already too late?

About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the popular Reverend Curtis Black Series. Those titles include: The Prodigal Son, A House Divided, The Reverend's Wife, Love, Honor, & Betray, Be Careful What You Pray For, The Best of Everything, Sin No More, Love & Lies, The Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of A Good Thing, and Casting the First Stone. Kimberla also has 10 standalone titles: A Christmas Prayer, The Perfect Marriage, Secret Obsession, A Deep Dark Secret, One in A Million, Changing Faces, A Taste of Reality, It's a Thin Line, Here & Now, and Behind Closed Doors. She lives with her husband in Rockford, Illinois. Web Site: kimroby.com, Facebook: facebook.com/kimberlalawsonroby, Twitter: twitter.com/KimberlaLRoby

Read my Review Here:http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com/2015/05/review-ultimate-betrayal-by-kimberla.html

The Book God Had Me Write For Me, First

Previously written for Black Christian Reads

A month after its release date, The Fall of the Prodigal made # 2 on the Black Christian News Bestseller List. This was my first time ever making that bestseller list and I jumped for joy, shouting "Hallelujah!" But my praise was filled with something else: Gratitude.

When I began writing The Fall of the Prodigal, I had a plot in my mind to complete the Keith, Gina and Michael's story. I created and introduced the perfect character to carry through my plans. I did extensive research to make her authentic and believable.  But, when you write Christian fiction, you're not writing by yourself. You're writing with the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit and He had a different plan. With His guidance, my character took a different path. She won my heart and all the readers who have discovered her. (You'll know who she is once you've read The Fall of the Prodigal.)

 Once I finished the project, I remember writing Joylynn Ross, the acquisition editor at Urban books and saying, God dipped His finger in this book. She replied how God can use our work to bless people. I agreed. I felt God had used my character Keith as an oracle to minister to readers in need. I knew anyone who read this work would see Him. (Reader response has been amazing so far.)

But that same summer while I was going through the edits, a family member came to live with me. My relative was suffering and needed the healing power of God. It was humbling and startling for me to see a character I had written manifested in real life. It was then I was hit with the stunning realization that God had me write The Fall of the Prodigal for me, first. All the research I had done were to prepare me. Through His wisdom, God helped me cope and be a support to this person. Day after day I became grateful God placed my fictional character on a different path. One which led to hope. As a result, The Fall of the Prodigal, is being hailed by readers as their favorite in the "On the Right Path" series. I smile because all the glory goes to Him.

I'll share one of the twenty-one 5-star reviews I've received on Amazon.   "Michelle Lindo Rice has done it again. She has written another great page turner. This book will have you experiencing all kind of emotions. When you read the title The Fall of the Prodigal you will think you know who the story is about....WRONG! As readers continue to follow the story of Keith and Michael in this book they will learn about redemption, love, forgiveness and mental illness. If you are looking for a great read, I suggest you pick up a copy today." the book diva.

Read a Sample Chapter: http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com/2014/11/chapter-one-of-fall-of-prodigal.html

 

Announcing A Writer's Workshop by Brown Girls Publishing Manager, Rhonda McKnight.

I have had the pleasure of working with Rhonda McKnight on four of my novels: Walk A Straight Line, My Steps Are Ordered, The Fall Of The Prodigal and Color Blind. I highly recommend this workshop for serious wanna-be writers and published authors. If you want to learn the craft, Rhonda is one of the best. 

I pulled this information directly from her website:

Write It Right Fiction Workshop

“Write it Right” featuring author, Rhonda McKnight, is an intensive workshop around the essential building blocks of fiction: plot, character development, description, dialogue, story structure and self-editing. Other elements of fiction writing will be introduced.

Schedule

Week 1 – Getting Started and Plot

Week 2 – Character Development and Description

Week 3 – Dialogue and Story Structure

Week 4 – Self-Editing and Tips for Polishing Prose.

What You’ll Learn

• The principles of creative writing and getting started
• Draft Writing Techniques
• Plotting – Who, Why and Why Not
• Character development and characterization techniques
• How to enhance your writing through description and sensory details
• How to write attention grabbing openings, stake-raising middles, and resounding ends
• Rewriting
• Techniques to improve your dialogue-writing skills and the mechanics of structure and punctuation in dialogue
• Self-editing
• Specific strategies for polishing your manuscript

What You’ll Need

• A computer or a phone
• A writing sample – 3 pages (not required, but suggested)
• A few hours outside of class to work on exercises
• A great attitude and a desire to learn

Price

$175.00

If a payment plan is needed the full price is $200.00

Deposit $100 due at registration to hold place in class (non-refundable)

Final payment $100 due by July 6th

Add-ons available

• 5,000 word critique of your project – $50 (discounted 50%)
• 45 minute coaching session $35 (full price $100)
• Both critique and coaching session $75
• Full Manuscript Evaluation – 50% off

Note – Add-ons will be billed August 17th and must be used by December 31, 2015

The next workshop will be held as follows:

Date: August 2015 – 4 weekly- 2 hour session beginning on Monday, August 3rd

Time: 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT

Location: Online (Computer or Phone)

Class is limited to a maximum of 15 registrants. 

Registration Form

Payment invoice will be emailed.  

Contact Rhonda McKnight  at rhondamcknight@gmail.com with all questions. Please include “Writing Workshop” in the subject of the email to ensure you receive a prompt response.

My Interview with Jacquelin Thomas, Author and Publishing Manager

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Jezebel's Daughter. Jezebel's Daughter is a long-awaited sequel to Jezebel, written eleven years ago. Jacquelin is a master storyteller.

At the end of Jezebel's Daughter, I was left wanting more. I decided to chat it up with Jacquelin to ask her three questions. 

About the Book

Jessie Belle Deveraux is gone, but her legacy lives on …
Natalia Winters vowed revenge on Jessie Belle from the moment she discovered the reason her father committed suicide. Her pampered, rich girl reputation puts her at odds with almost everyone, but is she sinister enough to push Jessie Belle over the balcony?
Reina Cannon spends her days as a much sought after hairstylist and her nights reliving the cruelty of her childhood. For years, she has lived for revenge; to make Jessie Belle suffer for the pain she caused Reina. Her sweet smile and look of innocence is a ruse, a carefully calculated effort to hide a surprising and dangerous truth. 
Chrissy Barton yearned to take revenge on Jessie Belle—to pay her back for the beating she suffered by unknown assailants. She was no longer a prostitute, but she had never forgotten the triumphant look Jessie Belle had given her … at that very moment, Chrissy vowed she would pay with her life.
Three women from very different worlds … a common goal 
However, Jessie Belle’s family is determined to discover the truth behind the night she ended up on the pavement below her bedroom.

Excerpt

            The Beginning …

February 1968

“She gon’ have to go through the labor and birth this child,” the midwife said in a low voice. 

“She pretty far ‘long with this one.”

“Her daddy has no idea that she’s pregnant, Gloria.  There is absolutely no way we can go back home with a newborn.”

“Anabeth, why in the world did you wait so long to bring her here? You know how this works.”

She glanced over her shoulder at her sixteen-year-old daughter, and then back at Gloria.  “She was trying to keep it.  She had some fancy ideas about marrying the father, but that ain’t never gonna happen.” Anabeth began pacing back and forth.  “This will kill Elias if he finds out.”

“She looks to be around thirty weeks, give or take a week.  I can induce labor.  Chances are the child will not survive.”

“But what if it does?” Anabeth asked.  “My daughter has this foolish idea about keeping this child.”

“We will tell her that the child is dead,” Gloria stated.

“I paid you well.  This cannot ever come back to haunt my family.”  Anabeth’s tone was cold and exact.

“Mama …” Jessie Belle uttered from the small bed.  “Is something wrong?”

“See to your daughter while I get everything ready,” Gloria suggested.  “I’m gonna put the medication in the IV.”

“Promise me,” Anabeth insisted, grasping Gloria’s arm firmly.  “Regardless of

what happens tonight, my daughter and I were never here.”  Her voice was stern with no vestige of sympathy in its hardness.  “This can never be traced back to me or my daughter.”

Purchase on Amazon

What made you decide to do a sequel to Jezebel after all eleven years? 
I wrote the sequel because when I ended Jezebel, I knew there was more to the story because I knew Natalia didn't do it. 

Will we see more of these characters in the future?
At the end of this story, I knew there would be another: Jezebel's Revenge. This time there won't be an 11 year wait though. This book will be out in September 2015.

Congratulations on your new venture with Brown Girls Books! What is your most challenging part of being the Publishing Manager for your own imprint at Brown Girls? 

The most challenging part of having my own imprint is recognizing that others are trusting me with their work--a precious gift and it's my desire that they all succeed. It's an awesome responsibility and one that I take very seriously. I am working hard to make sure that I do everything possible to ensure that these literary stars shine.

 About the Author

Jacquelin Thomas is an award winning, best selling author with 50+ titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.

Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award. Jacquelin is the publishing manager of Jacquelin Thomas Presents, an imprint with Brown Girls Publishing.

Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

Purchase on Amazon