Let's Celebrate with Mary B. Morrison

Let's Celebrate with Mary B. Morrison

 Listen to the BAN Radio Interview with Ella & Mary:  http://bit.ly/1b4tyVa 


 
If you can’t get enough of all things reality television get ready for the drama like only New York Times bestselling author MARY B. MORRISON can bring it in!

New York Times and #1 Essence best selling author Mary B. Morrison expertly blends steamy fiction with reality. Morrison has been captivating readers since 2001 when she introduced the Soul Mates Dissipate series which explored the topic that puzzles most of us: how to find— and keep — your soul mate. 
The series did so well that Morrison received a multi-film development deal. Publishers Weekly noted Morrison’s sensual novels “pack in dozens of juicy episodes” in her “high drama page turners” and described her as “prolific” noting with Darius Jones, “there's not a dull moment in this shamelessly flamboyant romp that Morrison's many fans are sure to devour.” This summer Morrison is returning with the second installment of the If I Can’t Have You series.  I’D RATHER BE WITH YOU is being published this August by Dafina Books in hardcover original.

In  I’D RATHER BE WITH YOU, friends Loretta Lovelace and Madison DuBois return to deal with the aftermath of the provocative bet that forever changed their lives. Now, with their futures up in the air, the question is who will play one vengeful game too many? And who will wish she wasn’t left standing.

Loretta believes she is the wife that Madison’s husband; Chicago DuBois really deserves. Nursing wealthy businessman Chicago DuBois back to health was the least Loretta figured she could do. After all, it was her bet that made Madison the object of a crazed stalker; Granville Washington affections and put Chicago at death’s door. But now Madison wants to take back what’s no longer hers and she knows just how to do it.

To get her life back on track, she’ll have to settle the score with Loretta. But this spoiled beauty has just the plan to handle her competition, her stalker, and her straying husband.


Meet Mary B. Morrison


New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison believes that women should shape their own destiny. Born in Aurora, IL, and raised in New Orleans, LA, she took a chance and quit her near six-figure government job to self-publish her first book, Soulmates Dissipate, in 2000 and begin her literary career. Mary’s books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, and she’s a frequent contributor to The Michael Baisden Show. 
 
Mary is also actively involved in a variety of philanthropic endeavors, and in 2006 she sponsored the publication of an anthology written by 33 sixth-graders. In 2010, Mary produced a play based on her novel, Single Husbands, which she wrote under her pseudonym, HoneyB. 
 
In addition to her novels and play, Mary has a multi-film development deal with Codeblack Entertainment for her Soulmates Dissipate series. Mary currently resides in Oakland, CA, with her wonderful son, Jesse Byrd, Jr., who is following in his mother’s creative footsteps and pursuing a career in TV/film and writing. 
 

BPM: What topics does your latest book, I’d Rather Be With You, address? Why?
MBM: Deception runs deeper than love. Men and women will lie to get what they want, fight to keep the person they don’t deserve, and hate the one they love most. People do this because they don’t know who they are but believe they can define their partner.

BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to?
MBM: Everyone that reads or listens to my books on audio. I’m pro-female empowerment. I write strong female characters. No matter how difficult the journey may be for my heroines/protagonists, they almost always overcome their obstacles. I believe women rule. The problem, as I see it, irrespective of socio-economic status, is that most women don’t realize how powerful they are.

BPM: You believe strongly in: 
MBM: God. Sexual liberation. Self-actualization. Non-judgment. Taking risk.

BPM: Faith allows you to: 
MBM: Overcome fear of failure. God never fails us. He never lets us down. If we fall, He extends a hand. Faith allows me to stand-in ‘my’ truth and stand-up for what ‘I’ believe in.

BPM: Criticism makes you:
MBM: Stronger. I wholeheartedly embrace freedom of speech and expression. What people say about me and/or my work expresses how they feel about themselves. How and what I respond to defines me.

BPM: Do you consider yourself a role model: 
MBM: I don’t consider myself a role model. I feel I’m an inspiration to many of my fans and readers. Eddie Murphy, Terry McMillan, Tyler Perry, and Wendy Williams are just a few of the people who inspire me because I aspire to do more than what they’ve done.

BPM: When you are afraid, you will:
MBM: Sleep with the light on. Not in the traditional sense. I mean seek clarity. Manifest destiny. I’m not really afraid of anything, especially failure. Why? Because failure is a concept and the catalyst to success.

BPM: What surprised you the most about becoming an adult:
MBM: Growing up is a natural progression. As a kid, I worried I wouldn’t be able to pay rent, bills, etc. We learn work ethics and discipline starting with . . . do your homework, clean your room, go to bed. I give my guardians and teachers my gold stars for helping me to become who I am. The word ‘believe’ may be the most powerful word in all of our development. When others believe in us, we’re awesome. When we believe in ourselves, we are amazing!

BPM: The greatest threat to literary freedom is: 
MBM: Censorship. Doesn’t matter if it originates in the mind of the writer or the omission of the editor, it’s lethal. Deleting or changing one word can alter the meaning of an entire sentence. The most genuine aspect of writing is to be authentic. Society is so sensitive that freedom of speech isn’t free. Say or write something offensive and you could jeopardize your life-long career.

BPM: How has your writing evolved: 
MBM: It’s eternally evolving. I’m working on giving readers what they want before they realize they need it. I consider the non-fiction book I’m penning, D.A.D.: A Woman’s Guide to Choosing the Right One, a new perspective for a new generation.