Intimate Conversation with Sage

Intimate Conversation with Sage

Sage was born and raised in Huntingtown, MD. She has been married to her best friend, for over ten years and they have two amazing sons. She is also an Autism advocate and a parent of an autistic child, which inspired her to write a non-fiction book on raising a child on the Autism spectrum, The Optimistic Autistic: Our Testimony.

Sage also writes mysteries centered on characters that are close to the heart. She has vowed to produce books that encourage the reader to deliberately read; not just for entertainment but to read with the intention of solving the mystery along with the Detective.

Her belief that, “if you don’t see the books you’re searching for write them” has inspired her to write with a purpose and a passion.

BPM: When did you get your first inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing? 
Reading and writing are life-long passions of mine. I have been indulging in my passion of writing since I was 13. I want to share my passion of writing psychological thrillers with the world.  My mother was the first person to place a book in my hands. My father taught me how to work hard at the things that I wanted in life. I worked at achieving my Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 2009. I am now funneling that same determination and tenacity in marketing my book series.

BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you? 
I love to read different types of books, but I have a preference for mystery and thrillers. I enjoy a heart pumping adrenaline rush type of book. It was my love of mysteries and thrillers that stoked my interests in writing. The under-representation of African American characters in the books I read resonated within me. I am inspired to fill the void with my murder mystery series.

BPM: What hurdles, if any, did you have to overcome as a new author and business owner? 
It’s difficult to get noticed in this industry as a mystery author. It seems like the publishers want to pigeon hole authors into one genre. It is my goal to abolish the myth that we only write urban themed books. My goal is to show through my books that black authors write thought provoking, suspense-driven novels as well.

BPM: What’s the most important quality a writer should have in your opinion? 
Passion is the most important quality a writer can possess. Passion invokes determination, which in turn creates a hunger so intense that the writer can’t sleep, eat or function without transferring their story from their mind to paper. That is what I consider pure magic. If passion doesn’t drive you then you can’t make magic happen.

BPM: Our life experiences, challenges and success help define who we are on many levels. At what point in your career did you discover your real worth and own it? 
I started writing when I was a teenager. The turning point in my life was when my oldest sister suddenly died of a heart attack, then less than four years later my other sister was diagnosed with heart failure. I became determined to see all of my dreams come true. No matter what, I want to see my book in the hands of every reader. I’m driven by the spirit of my sister and the support of my family; with determination such as that I will be successful.

BPM: What genre is this book? Do you write all of your books in this category? Why? 
The Black Bird Detective Series is a mystery book and a psychological thriller, combined. I love to write mystery books because they keep the heart pumping with the turn of each page. 

I also wrote a non-fiction book on Autism. Autism has touched our family in such a tremendous way. Both my 10-year-old son and 10-year-old nephew are Autistic.  Through the years we have experienced many different emotions while raising Jordan. As I write to you today, the strongest emotion that I feel is pride. I am proud of our children for their ability to be independent of the label that society has placed on them.  Many times parents hear the word Autism and have no idea what it really means. The moment we received Jordan’s diagnosis our lives changed. Initially, we thought the world was closing in around us. Then, we found our strength. We realized that through telling our stories we gain strength. So we wrote, The Optimistic Autistic – Our Testimony, which is also available on Amazon.com.

BPM: Do you set out to educate or inspire, entertain or illuminate a particular subject? 
I set out to entertain my readers. I want readers to be entertained and while they’re being entertained, they’re learning something. I conduct a great amount of research for the developing of each book to ensure that readers learn something they never knew. I love to inspire readers to continue reading.

BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book? 
Believe in what you are writing. As long as you believe in your writing and the purpose for what you do, there is nothing that can stop you. You must take the first step though. If you want to write a book, start writing. Don’t put it off any longer. If you need assistance with writing or publishing your book please contact me at rcscomputerpros@gmail.com.

BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book? 
Once readers have put down Assumptions Abound, make your next purchase of Seeking Truth,  Sweet Revenge and The Butterfly: A Novel. I tell you to purchase them both, because you will not want to wait for the book to ship to find out what happens next.  The book series is so enthralling that you will not want to miss a beat.

BPM: What are your career goals as a writer? Have you accomplished most of them?
My career goals as a writer are to assist others with living out their dreams of writing a book. I have written and published over 10 books and I don’t plan on stopping. I want to show others that there is a way to get their thoughts, words or message out there and I am willing to help them.

I have accomplished many of the goals that I have set regarding my writing, but there is so much more work left to be done. I plan to turn my mystery trilogy series into a mini-series. I would love to see Raven on the big screen.

Website:  www.blackbirddetectiveseries.com
Instagram: sageauthorsitall;   Facebook: Sage



Check out Books by Sage

The Optimistic Autistic: Our Testimony by Sage (Non-fiction)
http://www.amazon.com/Optimistic-Autistic-Our-Testimony/dp/1480108782

Assumptions Abound Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Assumptions-Abound-Black-Bird-Detective-ebook/dp/B00642W77M

Seeking Truth Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Truth-Black-Detective-Mystery-ebook/dp/B008D2ZARA

Sweet Revenge Available on Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Revenge-Sage-ebook/dp/B012P17C1Q

The Butterfly: A Novel Available on Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/Sage/e/B01CC290ZE

Intimate Conversation with Patricia A. Saunders

Intimate Conversation with Patricia A. Saunders

Self-published award winning author, Patricia A. Saunders was born and raised in Connecticut before relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area nearly 20 years ago. She received her Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix in 2011. After the passing of her mother who had Alzheimer’s, Patricia decided that all the words that she kept to herself were to be released.

In March of 2016 she released her fourth book This Too Shall Pass, this book of poetry touches on the subject of suicide, death, love and faith. Her work has been featured on In the Company of Poet, Women Owned Business Club Magazine, and Coach Deb Bailey Secret of Success Talk Radio. She performs locally at spoken word events and Capital Jazz SuperCruise Open Mic with Grammy Award Winner Eric Roberson. Saunders is a monthly blogger to Blessed & Curvy http://blessedpoetpat.blogspot.com

Ms. Saunders recently was one contributing writer of 300 women across the world for Sister with Ink Voices (Hill-Dudley, 2013) She works as a supervisor for a corporate financial organization. In her spare time, Patricia enjoys writing poetry, traveling, spending time with family and wine tasting.  Her books are available at your local book retailers and at www.patriciaasaunders.com, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? 
The book was written after going through the storms and realizing I made it. I had to appreciate everything that I went through to see the blessing. Is this book available on Nook and Kindle? It is available on both.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. 
The book is of poetry that covers my personal experience, anything that impacted me such as our young black men being slain and other people stories shared. What makes each one so special? As a reader you can relate to the experiences because it touches the heart, spirit, and makes you reflect.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? 
My mother was an ordained minister who had Alzheimer’s and seeing her decline quickly made me what to have a legacy to leave behind. My words. Why now? If I inherit the disease I want to get all the words out now before I can’t.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Remembering experiences of my youth when both parents were living.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? 
It comes from life. If I am happy, sad, grieving, and seeing something in the news I have to express it. Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? No Why? Poetry

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? 
I touch on a subject that people don’t want to discuss. Suicide. If so, discuss them. I was seeing in the media people who you thought had it all committing suicide, I knew for myself after my mother passed I felt that my world was turned upside down and I was losing everything. I wanted to get in the ground and go with her.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey? 
I was self-employed, making six figured, living in a gated community. I was a happy. The rug got pulled from under my feet and I was lost. On the brink of being homeless and offered to stay at a shelter. It drew me closer to my faith, I was blessed with people in my life to pour into me positive mantras, and I started my second chance. I went back to school and received my Master’s degree. There are people out there who can relate to my journey.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? 
I learned that I am stronger than I thought. That there may be dark days but the sun is going to shine.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book? 
There are my Saturday morning hair salon divas who share stories with me about love, how to deal with challenges, and more. My friends share with me about being single, over 50 and the struggles we go through.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I feel this book is a testament for those who are going through any of life’s challenges to know you can come through. I wanted to pay homage to three women who sent me separate notes all saying This Too Shall Pass! I have been good reviews from those reading it. I feel if I touch one person than my vision has met its goal.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present? 
I have written a book a year except in 2014 but that’s because I was writing two books at once. Now for 2017 the next book I have writing about love so for those on the journey with me maybe it’s knocking at the door!

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
www.patriciaasaunders.com
www.facebook.com/blessedpoetpat
www.instagram.com/blessedpoetpat
www.pinterest.com/blessedpoetpat
www.twitter.com/blessedpoetpat
http://blessedpoetpat.blogspot.com

 

Intimate Conversation with Kristina Smith

Intimate Conversation with Kristina Smith

Kristina Smith has been writing since she could hold a pencil. She has a Bachelor’s in English Literature from the University of Houston-Downtown and a Master’s Degree from Walden University. She lives in Houston, TX where she teaches children to strive for excellence, and foster a love for creativity. When not writing or teaching, she spends her free time with family, friends, and nature, as well as traveling around the world exploring new cultures. Her love of music and quirky sense of humor is prevalent throughout her debut novel: Caught Up.

She describes Caught Up as more of a journey than a novel, a story where the characters become part of your life and you can’t help but to fall in love with them. There are life lessons of love, forgiveness, support, and faith sprinkled throughout, but mostly the book is just what it should be; something to get lost inside of. It’s the book you read by the pool, on the beach, curled up on the couch under your favorite blanket. With everything moving at such a fast pace these days, it’s good practice to take a break and let your soul be entertained by characters that become family!

BPM: When did you first get the inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing?
My third grade teacher used to make us use our spelling words in a story and when she wasn’t correcting my behavior, she would encourage my writing. I figured out that writing was not only fun for me, but a way to channel my energy, deal with issues, and make real life more exciting and at times, livable.

BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. What drives you?
My passion for writing comes from blasting real life situation into entertaining stories, sometimes writing people as I see their alter egos or what they might do when put in tight situations. The passion is in pouring your mind out on paper and what drives me is seeing the reader feel all of the emotions that they get out of each character; be it laughing until your side hurts, tearing up because they have been through something similar, getting heated by a love scene, or connecting with a character because they see some of themselves or know someone like them.

BPM: Can you share a little of your book with us and introduce the book and characters?
The story is built around the relationship of four women who have grown up together since childhood and how life and real world challenges push in to threaten not only their individual sanities, but their friendships with each other. Kennedy is supposed to be written as the Alpha female/mother hen of the group, but finds out that she needs the rest of them to keep her together. Michalah is Kennedy’s baby sister who does and says what she wants, and is more than protective of her sister. Tia and Jordan are friends with both women and while they don’t admit it, look to Kennedy for guidance and sometimes approval. 

All four of them have voices in the book as well as the two husbands; Preston with Kennedy, and Maxwell with Jordan. While Preston seems to be lost without Kennedy, his best friend Maxwell is seemingly the perfect catch. Though each make mistakes, they all mean well and will have to depend on God and each other for what is coming for them.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing this book?
I learned a lot about myself through each character, and more so that no matter who I thought each character should have been; they all took on their own persona and sort of told me what to write about them. I learned that I am more sensitive than I thought I was to certain human conditions. Also Kennedy’s character became more of a problem for me to write because her experiences hit close to home on some levels in my life, even now.

BPM: Are there any scenes borrowed from your world or your experiences?
All four women are loosely based off of myself, my sister, and two of my friends. Preston is based on a mistake that Thank God I did not make (yes I am laughing here), and Maxwell is just the guy that I mashed together from the conversations of what my friends considered “The One”. The situations they are put in are fictional (mostly), but the way each character would have handled the circumstance is maybe spot on? There are some surprise supporting characters.

BPM: What advice would you give your younger self?
I would go back and tell her about what is going on in my life now and remind her to hold on to that childlike faith that I had as a young girl who believed that anything is possible with God, belief, prayer, and hard work. I would also tell her to learn how to be still sometimes and watch the wonders of faith at work and be thankful for everything; the lessons and the blessings! I would tell her to enjoy life, stay her eccentric self and start traveling a lot earlier, and keep leaping! My mom actually thought that I was going to end up living in the rainforest!

BPM: What was your primary quest in publishing this book? Why now?
This book sat on the shelf for years as a passion project. I let a few friends read it and after every chapter made my sister listen to me think out loud about it; all agreed that it was something that needed to be published. After rereading this story and my other writings I began to see myself as a writer and one day a published writer. A few years later I became friends with an individual who had a drive for their dream that I recognized in my old self and took the leap to have it publish and ended up doing it myself. Funny how people come into your life and inspire just by being themselves for that one moment. (This will one day be another book)

BPM: What are a few things different about your book?
There are two key differences I feel that makes this story different. The first is that I didn’t write it in any particular genre style, which becomes difficult when categorizing, because it has all the elements that I like to read. There are parts that are romantic, hilarious, action packed, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and a bit of suspense. The only theme that carries throughout the story is love and what it makes us humans do.

The second difference is what I consider my writing soundtrack. For each section when a new character is about to speak, you’ll notice a song at the beginning. Sometimes it sets up the section, and sometimes it is what I was feeling at the moment I was writing. Music (listening) is a huge part of me when I write and the songs are multi genre as well.


Order Caught Up by Kristina Smith 
Available on BN, iBooks and Amazon
314 Pages > Kindle eBook > Romance
Link: https://amzn.com/B00R1PINS8  

Intimate Conversation with D. Michele Jackson

Intimate Conversation with D. Michele Jackson

Donna M. Jackson is an African-American woman, a Philadelphia native, Tuskegee University alumna, and a Registered Nurse. Writing as D. Michele Jackson, she now adds writer, published, politically active nurse to her accolades. Her sociology studies at Tuskegee University and twenty-year nursing career enabled Donna to be prepared when the opportunity of Legal Nurse Consultant availed itself as she represented herself Pro Se in court. That experience allowed Donna to draft briefs during a historical time affording her a voice advocating for health. Donna submitted argument to Congress supporting amending the Nineteenth Amendment. Mission is to encourage, educate, and empower.

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work?  
People who know me will always have a story of me singing in some off beat. I finally hit the perfect note with “JOY”. It is the story of a woman’s divorce experience that afforded her a voice for wellness.

As a defendant representing herself Pro Se, the main character finds herself presenting argument explaining why she should not become homeless post-divorce. Scheduled to be heard last by the presiding judge allowed the defendant to use her nursing assessment skills as she listened to a divorce case. Honing in on health after hearing the judge’s verdict, the defendant was able to make a nursing diagnosis. The judicial system dropped the gavel against well-being, and it becomes the defendants quest to fight not only for herself, but an ailing nation as well. The book is available on Nook and Kindle.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
The main character is the defendant. She takes us on a journey of the men she dated prior to marriage, and how each of the relationships offered facts for consideration in legal briefs forwarded to the Supreme Court of the state of origin, which led to the United States Supreme Court. It is the man she’s divorcing that allows a platform writing as a Legal Nurse Consultant. In hindsight, after failed relationships, the other characters enabled the defendant to form opinions on health. The once defendant, final brief is to Congress presenting argument supporting amending the Nineteenth Amendment. The experience could be considered the epitome of taking lemons and making lemon aid.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
The story started with me writing what I thought would be a good and entertaining read. Twice, I understood God to say, “That’s not the story.” I stopped writing. When I decided to begin writing again (after divorcing), the story had written itself. Now, that’s God!

Inspiration to me is always my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. The women who spoke into my spirit. The smirk on the man I divorced face at my most vulnerable point in life. My battered heart. The possibilities that await as a result of sharing my story. The book was written at the perfect time as history is on my side.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
People often remember me as always wanting to be a nurse. What many don’t know, my motivation to go to nursing school was to have a career that would offer me a salary I could live off working part-time while attending law school. Later in my career I learned about Legal Nurse Consultants. The older I became, I had a peculiar interest in law. As difficult the journey has been, I find pleasure in the fact “JOY” took me to the halls of justice as a self-taught consultant practicing Constitutional Law.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven?  
“Amazing Grace: A Tribute to You, The Story of Us” is the first book of a trilogy. “JOY: Jesus on You” is the second book. Both “Amazing Grace” and “JOY” were divinely inspired. “Amazing Grace” is an introduction of me written in a memoir. I would have to say it is character driven. My second book comes across as plot-driven.

 “JOY” is the mark I hope to leave on society.  “JOY” is an extension of “Amazing Grace” in both stories you see a woman of faith. In “Amazing Grace” the woman is trying to find her way to proper positioning before God. In “JOY” the woman is being used by God to fulfill His plan and purpose in her life. Both are stories of change offering hope and liberation.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? If so, discuss them.
As taught as a student attending Drexel University, School of Nursing, I presented to Congress as a politically active nurse advocating for health. I wrote to the 113th Congress, submitting bipartisan opportunity to holistically reform health and promote preventative care for: women, children, men, elderly, gay, poor, and rich. Globally, women are not progressing socially and economically as men. That fact is reflected in my own profession. “Men are more likely to be found in highly-paid nursing occupations. Among men and women in the same nursing occupations, men out earn women.” Retrieved January 28, 2016: http://blogs.census.gov/2013/02/25/men-in-nursing-occupations 
I advocated for health from every perspective impeding well-being.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation or journey?
Currently I am staying with a friend and her family. I wrote the briefs from the homes of people in multiple states. Since divorce, my health suffered as a result of working understaffed as a nurse. Currently, my position has caused a reinjure. The home that I won fairly and was displaced from was my home office as well. I was working on a start-up business promoting health.

Prior to marriage, I was talking to my first boyfriend as he gave advice regarding my consideration of getting a second job. He advised, the answer is not getting a second job. You need to find one good job paying adequately. I divorced a man who suggested I should get a second job. My father concurred with the first advice received. The man I divorced signed papers allowing the business. I presented the document to the judge as one of my exhibits. He documented the proof submitted as “voluminous”.

I’m very humbled when it comes to my education, and my memoir explains why. My personality is one that tucks my intelligence away, and I prefer to exhibit my fun and loving characteristics when interacting with people. However, after being grossly disrespected through the divorce process, I had no problem with reaching into my pocket of knowledge, combined with endowed wisdom from God and show the dishonest rendering that God will use an unknown from the hood to address injustices.

I am grateful for my relationship with God. Without the Lord on my side, I would have crumbled and died.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I had to consider how strategic I was in approaching marriage. I asked what I thought to be all the right questions. Important to me was knowing if he was a believer of the resurrection of Christ. I was honest with who I was as a person, and that included the baggage I carried; my goals, ambitions, and desires as an individual and a wife. Although at this point, I only remember my discussions of me as an individual. I think that is because I never had a realistic opportunity of being a wife with the man I divorced, and unfortunately I learned that fact after becoming married.

My time as a single woman again has broadened my views on matrimony. A more telling line of questioning would have been related to can God trust you with my heart. Are you the man God has sent to relive me of the turmoil that lies within? Do you understand the importance of relationship with God and the role it plays as a husband who can cover his wife in prayer allowing her to become the help meet God created? Are you committed to the vows? I believe had these points been addressed, the issues that were discussed prior to marriage would have proven insignificant because we would have truly been on one accord. Subtly, I had been groomed for marriage my entire life; as excited I was about becoming engaged, I marveled at finally having my opportunity to love a man wholeheartedly as I have always known the holy state of matrimony is endearing to God.

I would have to say I learned how much God is on point in all that He does.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
The only “research” I had to do for the book was legal related. As a result, I was truly at the mercy of some people. I reached out to many people for help. I met kind and helpful law students. I met law students with sealed lips. I met honest attorneys. I met corrupt attorneys. I reached out to people who could care less. My favorite attorney was Attorney Johnny Cochran. After learning that I may have given the benefit of doubt too freely in many instances regarding attorneys, I never forwarded my request for help to his firm. I made that decision as a result of my experiences with requesting assistance. I didn’t want to risk having his name tarnished in my memory.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
First and foremost, to honor Jehovah. To offer the world His Son, Jesus – The coming Messiah. To reveal Him as a loving God that loves us all the same. Then, to honor the sacrifices of my mother. I also wanted to pay tribute to talented people, prominent figures, women who paved the way, and leaders who made a difference so that I would have opportunity to do the same for others. I’m proud to say I nailed my goals.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
Inspired by the last ten years of my life which have been quite traumatic for me, I recall how this slippery slope began with me in a hospital with my mother waiting to go in the operating room. It was in that holding room I now understand that a promise for everlasting life was initiated and sealed with a kiss. I present as that vessel that offers what Abraham Maslow describes as fulfilling Self Actualization.

The Lipstick Movement is a vision of mine with a focus on upward mobility. Welcome to the Lipstick Blog Tour:  http://thelipstickmovement.com 

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
Website: http://www.dmichelejackson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMicheleJackson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmichelejackson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chimingforchange
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DMicheleJackson

 

Intimate Conversation with Nigeria Lockley

Intimate Conversation with Nigeria Lockley

Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction. After the success of her novels Nigeria is committed to pushing women to pursue their passion, walk in their purpose, and live in prosperity. Nigeria serves as the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. She is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Visit her website at: www.nigerialockley.com

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work?
Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is a mixture of commentary and prayers for creative Christians and Entrepreneurs to connect with God and deal with some of the issues they'll encounter as they on their journey to pursue their passion. Is this book available on Nook and Kindle? Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is available on Gumroad a platform for independent artists, authors, and entrepreneurs to sell their products and Amazon. It will be available in Barnes and Noble and other retailers soon.

Save $2 on all orders for the paperback at: https://gumroad.com/l/PYPGF 
Use code: passion - to receive the discounted price at Gumroad.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
When you begin to chase your dreams there are so many people who ask you questions about what you're doing and when I originally thought about writing this book the plan was to answer those questions in Pursuing
Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, but then things became really challenging for me. I had to deal with business stuff, my husband didn't understand what I was doing, and I had to keep the faith at the same time. That was how Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion became this book of prayers.

BPM: How do you deal with balancing faith, family and business? Do you have any tips for us?
Journaling helped me pull it together and write Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. Keep God at the helm, don't neglect yourself or your family. Learn to trust God that it will all come together. He built the whole world one day at a time and that's how we have to build our businesses.

BPM: This is your first non-fiction book. Was it difficult to write?
Yes!! I was so all over the place at first trying to figure out what I was doing. However, once I surrendered and said "I want to do this Lord, but I don't know what I am doing." He just opened it up to me. The most difficult thing to overcome was that feeling of not being qualified. But when once I realized that God is the qualifier...it was on and crackin'.

BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer?
Writing is easy. Editing is the hard part for me. I know plenty of authors who love the editing process, but it makes me want to pull my nails out. No, I don't feel lonely as a writer. The Lord has blessed me to connect with some of the best in the business and they take care of me.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the prayers was the most enjoyable part of writing Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. I wanted to improve my prayer life and this book definitely pushed me closer to God and improved my prayer life.

BPM: How long did it take you to complete Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion?
It took me about five months to finish Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.

BPM: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don't write the story or book that you believe is going to sell; write the story that you want to tell. Do not force yourself to fit into a box or follow prescribed formulas just to make it.

BPM: What period of your life do you find you write about most often?
I've written my whole entire life. The only period of my life where I wasn't writing was when I gave my life to Christ and I was trying to figure out what God wanted me to do.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
Throughout Pursuing My Passion in a Godly Fashion, I discuss learning how to do business God's way and not prescribe to the worldly ideas about different issues like purpose, competition, and finance.  I went through something in every chapter in order to write those chapters, right down to having no money in the bank and having to believe that God could resuscitate my business.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I learned that I'm more resilient than I thought. Between dealing with marital issues while getting this book done and holding onto my faith I made it on to the other side of this project.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book? Do you feel you achieved them?
My intention and my goal for Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion is to help support creative Christians and entrepreneurs get into position to prosper by using prayer and biblical principles as their guide.

BPM: What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success for me looks like a catalog of books that create and effect change in people's lives, encourage growth, edify readers, and are a chain or link in the spreading of the gospel of reconciliation of men back to Christ.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
In terms of business I'm working on content for my writing and marketing coaching program the Publishing Pow-Wow which is becoming a digital course in 2017 as well as content for the Position Yourself to Prosper
Program--a holistic approach to Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. In the literary sector I'm working on pumping out my next release Children of God, a stand alone novel.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
Readers can discover more about me by visiting my website, www.nigerialockley.com and they can connect with me on social media at some of my favorite hangout spots:  Instagram @NewNigeria, Facebook:
www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley, and Twitter: @NewNigeria. My book is listed on Amazon: http://bit.ly/PursuingYPGF

 

Intimate Conversation with Lynn Emery

Intimate Conversation with Lynn Emery

Lynn is the author of sixteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. A native of Louisiana, most of her books are set in her home state. Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery. 

NIGHT MAGIC was recognized for Excellence in Romance Fiction by Romantic Times Magazine. Her novel AFTER ALL was adapted for a television movie by Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 2000.  Lynn has been nominated several times for awards, and in 2006 won three Emma Awards for Kiss Lonely Goodbye as part of the Romance Slam Jam conference. Her latest novels are

A Darker Shade of Midnight, a paranormal murder mystery, and Best Enemies, a cozy mystery. Lynn’s recent titles include murder mysteries set in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana featuring a Creole psychic and a Cajun deputy. The titles in this series are: A Darker Shade of Midnight (#1), Between Dusk and Dawn (#2), and Only By Moonlight (#3). Into The Mist (#4) continues the harrowing case files of LaShaun Rousselle and Deputy Chase Broussard. Into the Mist will be released on October 1, 2016.


BPM: When did you get your first inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing? 
I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd when I was ten years old. I already loved reading, but that book with its twist at the end did it. I closed the book and decided I wanted to write mysteries. I didn’t even know who Agatha Christie was, or that she was a white Englishwoman who was already dead by then. I didn’t think about being a poor little black girl living in the south who couldn’t even get to a library. I didn’t consult anybody, which meant no one told me my aspiration was outlandish and impossible. I simply said, “I’m going to write a murder mystery. Life happened. High school, college and my entrance to the adult world of working nine to five. Yet twenty years later I went back to my dream and started writing again.

BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? Did you ever self-publish? 
I attended a writer’s conference within driving distance of my hometown. I took a fellow author’s advice to attend writing events where editors and agents would be presenters and taking appointments. The advice I didn’t take was to schedule an appointment with them, a mistake that almost cost me dearly. You see Monica Harris, the founding editor of Arabesque, was there. But I lacked confidence because I hadn’t finished my first book. I was told more than once not to expect to sell that first book. I also was told editors don’t consider, much less buy, unfinished books, certainly not from first time authors.

Another published author who belonged to my RWA chapter was horrified when I told her I hadn’t scheduled to meet with Monica. I was literally the only writer of color at this conference, and Monica was hungry for submissions. A young editor, Monica had been only recently hired by Kensington Publishers and her big assignment was to launch the first, and at that time only, line of African-American romances. My work-in-progress was romantic suspense.

This published author pushed me, not so gently, into approaching Monica during a break between her presentations. I went to my hotel room and quickly practiced a three to five minute pitch. I sweated during her workshop, and then screwed up the guts to follow Monica and introduce myself. In the hotel lobby I breathlessly pitched my book in the five minutes she graciously allowed me. About five or six weeks later, Monica called to offer me a contract. I sold my first book, and even though Monica knew it was unfinished. Night Magic was released in 1995.

BPM: What’s the most important quality a writer should have in your opinion?
I would have to say courage, with a capital “C”. If I hadn’t pushed up my own courage, I wouldn’t have met Monica at all at that small conference. So writers should have courage, which will lead you to another capital “C” word, confidence. Courage will give you the confidence you may lack in your developing skill as a story teller and promoter of your own work. Courage will help writers overcome the tendency to stay in their isolated, insulated little worlds. When you step out of your comfort zone, you’re willing to network with and talk to other writers and publishing professionals.

BPM: Can you share a little of your current work with us? Introduce us to your book and the characters.
Into The Mist is the fourth title in the LaShaun Rousselle mystery series set in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. LaShaun teams up with Cajun Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Broussard to solve grisly killings in this lovely bayou setting. Using her psychic abilities and Chase’s crime fighting skills, they fight human and supernatural killers.

LaShaun Rousselle led a bad girl life in her teens and twenties, using the spells Monmon Odette, her beloved grandmother, taught her for all the wrong reasons. The results led to such a horrible string of events, that she left Beau Chene, Louisiana. LaShaun moved to Los Angeles with the thought that she would never return to Louisiana, much less Beau Chene. The series opens with her arriving back because of Monmon Odette, and over the course of the first three books she builds a life that she didn’t expect to have at all, including or especially in Beau Chene.

Into The Mist opens with LaShaun being drawn into yet another of Chase’s cases, a kidnapping. As the story unfolds, the evil that that seems to have put a child’s life in danger creeps ever closer to those LaShaun loves the most. Everything LaShaun holds most dear is on the line, and she has to find answers to protect her family and the world.

BPM: Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences?
As a clinical social worker, I’ve been involved in child welfare cases, attended school conferences to advocate for children, and conducted abuse investigations. I also worked as a juvenile court consultant and in a psychiatric hospital. Although I do research even with my experience, a lot of the issues about children in the child welfare and special education systems come from what I’ve seen up close. The children in Into The Mist face these same challenges for a unique reason, and flaws in both systems only add to their vulnerability, as LaShaun and Chase discover.

BPM: What genre is this book? Do you write all of your books in this category? Why?
Into The Mist is a mystery with paranormal elements. I write mysteries now, though my first seven books are romantic suspense. What’s interesting is I never intended to write romance. The first writing group I found, or rather a member found me because we worked in the same building, was a local chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America). I even told her that I wasn’t writing romance, but she said that didn’t matter. So I joined. A published author who belonged to that RWA chapter advised me to try writing romance because editors were in the market for them in a big way (this was the mid-1990s). Breaking into the mystery genre was tough, but for writers of color it was pretty much impossible back then. I felt very discouraged until she told me about romantic suspense, the subgenre I hadn’t even heard of at the time. Once I found out I could kill people, the words started flowing on my first book.

BPM: Are there any areas of your writing career that you wish you could go back and change? 
I’ve learned and been blessed to see the lesson in everything that has happened in my journey, so I can’t honestly say I’d change much. Even the bad helped make me either a better writer or better professional writer in terms of the business side of publishing. In 2000, I was blessed to have BET produce a made for television movie based on my novel After All. Holly Robinson Peete starred as Michelle Toussaint, a character I created. Seeing her on the screen saying that name gave me chills. Still I couldn’t really celebrate because BET used the old publishing contract I’d signed, and they were known at the time, to pay well below the industry standard for the movie rights. That was one bitter pill to swallow.

Even worse, I couldn’t stop them from making the movie. Thankfully the script, performance and production came out fine. The only thing I would change, if I could, was for myself and the other Arabesque authors to have more leverage, support or legal alternatives back then. Still, I had fun throwing a premier party at my house. I got to ride in a limo to BET studios twice for interviews. And it’s kind of fun to say, “My second novel was made into a movie.”

BPM: How may our readers follow you online? 
Readers are welcome to visit my website at www.lynnemery.com. I’d love for them to sign up for my monthly newsletter while they’re there. The newsletter includes exclusive free books and other goodies available only to subscribers, in addition to fun articles. Let’s socialize!


Connect with Lynn Emery on Social Media 
Tweet: @LynnEmeryWriter
Lynn Emery website: http://www.lynnemery.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lynn.emery.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynnemerywriter
Pins: https://www.pinterest.com/lynnemery/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/lynnemery

Intimate Conversation with Tesa Erven

Intimate Conversation with Tesa Erven

Tesa Erven was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and two kids. She works as an office administrator for a global outplacement firm. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and singing. The Loose End is her first published work.

BPM: Tell us about your most recent work? Is this book available on Nook and Kindle?
Tesa: My debut novel is called The Loose End. It is available on Nook and Kindle.
Renee Lawson is a young, vibrant, beautiful woman who fell in love with one of Oakland's finest, and of all things, a married man. For her twenty-fifth birthday, he surprises her with a romantic getaway. He planned to make it a weekend she'd never forget. And indeed it was, until a few weeks later, her phone calls and text messages stopped being answered or responded to. He had gone on vacation with his family, but he'd always found time to communicate with her in the past.

Renee still confused by her lover's disappearance, attends an event with her best friend, Sabrina. There they meet California native Bradsen Myers. A single, handsome, respected attorney and he's definitely interested in Renee. While Bradsen feels its love at first sight, she pushes him away. After returning home from the event, desperation sets in. During her weeks of worry, Renee has a chance encounter with Bradsen. She feels an attraction but is conflicted. How can she start to build a connection with him when her secret love has vanished without a trace? Was he injured? Was he murdered? Where was he?

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special?
Tesa: Renee Lawson is a young, vibrant beautiful woman that fell in love with a married man. Kayron Hawkins is the so-called happily married man in a relationship with Renee. Sabrina Brown is Renee's childhood best friend and roommate and she's very opinionated. Bradsen Myers is a prominent attorney and is attracted to Renee. I enjoy developing new characters and giving them a voice because each one is uniquely written.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
Tesa: I started writing ten years ago. The experience was great because I knew it was a big accomplishment. The problem was, I tried to go the traditional publisher route and after the many rejections I gave up on the manuscript. It wasn't until years later when my husband found it and liked what I wrote. That's when the desire for writing returned and I decided to research self-publishing.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Tesa: For me, the easiest part about writing is when you have a muse that you can build or base a character on. My childhood best friend of 30+ years is inspiration to Sabrina's character in my book. She happens to have those same character traits of always being there and guiding me that it just makes the story come together in a nice even flow.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?
Tesa: My ideas are character driven. I keep a notebook with me on the go. I start a story in there before scanning it into the computer. I still have a thing for the old fashioned scratch and scribble... I write everything down on paper.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation or journey?
Tesa: I write fiction for entertainment purposes. I want readers to be able to escape into my world.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
Tesa: I love writing; it gets the creative juices flowing. I love unknowingly connecting characters together. It's a small world and I prove that in my writing style. I get the thrill of just being able to write about love, twists, and a little suspense.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
Tesa: Some of the places/establishments in my book are places that people can actually visit. I would recommend Sonoma Valley, where you can tour the Korbel winery.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
Tesa: My goal was to write a love story with romance, suspense and unexpected twists. I am so pleased with the way the story turned out that it became a series.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
Tesa: My current project is titled, Bonded for Life, its book three in The Loose End Series: Coming soon.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Twitter: @TesaErven
Tesa website: www.tesaerven.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/authortesaerven
Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/tesaerven

 

Intimate Conversation with Victoria A. Young

Intimate Conversation with Victoria A. Young

Winning an essay contest for Fannie Mae landed Victoria A. Young on Good Morning America, Spring 2000 under the maiden name: Victoria Martin. This brought to fruition that her writing can move people. She has written and produced three 2 hour plays and three short plays affording her the opportunity to refine her skills on Passion Whispers an Execution Book Series. She has also produced fashion shows, designed fashions, and choreographed dancing. Dancing ballet, jazz, African, and contemporary from the age of thirteen, blessed her to train God’s Mercy dancers to perform for Congressman Charlie Rangel. Her dancers were also given the opportunity to perform at all-paid-expense trips traveling out of New York State for church retreats.

BPM: When did you get your first inkling to write? 
I developed the love for the arts at the age of thirteen when I had a report due one Monday. I ran the streets with my friends disregarding report. Aware that my parents were going to scold me if I didn't have the report completed, I stood home one Sunday ignoring all calls. And read a book in one day: Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun. The report took me about three hours to complete. From that point, I fell in love with poetry and how words can tell a beautiful story. Later on, I won an essay award and appeared on Good Morning America. From there, I began writing inspirational plays, combining dancing, poetry and fashion shows with a following of two hundred to seven hundred people, who are today, waiting for the next play. I’ve written three, two hour plays and three short plays.

BPM: Why do you write? 
Taking my characters through fire as they search for hope is a passion that boils my blood. I believe in writing oh my God and tainted stories, which close out with a bang, bringing a joyous spirit to the human experience with powerful messages. Life is about change. Without it, you’ll never grow. What drives me is the experiences I go through with my characters. I experience their emotions, heartbreaks, joy and full journey. It inspires me to make them struggle through hell and make it to other side of heaven. Tears actually fall from my eyes when I end the story because I know the hell I brought them through was certainly fire.

BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? 
I began writing Passion Whispers an Execution as a screenplay with the name Unpredictable. As I ventured into editing, editors told me that I write like a novelist; and, to write Unpredictable as a novel, then have someone adapt it into a screenplay. Since I’m open and highly appreciate criticism, I took their advice. Scouting the options of Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing, I decided to Self-Publish until I’m acclimated with the publishing industry.

BPM: What genre is this book? 
Psychological and Action Thriller combined with Romance. I will write all my books in this genre due to the nature of my writing, always ending on an inspirational message the way I did with my plays.

BPM: Do you set out to educate, inspire, entertain or illuminate a particular subject? 
I aim to do it all. Subjects I write about are: forgiveness, trust, injustice, faith, self-esteem, cheating women and men or any subject that highlights the human experience. I use various cultures, the tainted, the unorthodox, and characters traveling through darkness in order to entertain. My plays were a mixed cast of cultures. I tend to go with the realism of our world. Real life is that way. Nor do we live in a world where perfection exists in any given country, state or neighborhood. By the time my stories end, a powerful theme explodes, resonating with various cultures.

BPM: Are any scenes from the books borrowed from your world or your experiences? 
Of course. Truth be told, working with New York City Police Department for 15 years inspired me to write about mental illness, which is the soul of Passion Whispers an Execution. I experienced Bipolar Depression and panic attacks after caring for my mom with breast cancer until God took her home. She didn’t want to die in the hospital or nursing home. My husband, son and siblings took turns caring for her at home. I went through three years of breast cancer symptoms with her. 

After her death, I began having nightmares about her bones disintegrating, waking up screaming. Due to the jealousy and the close relationship I had with my uniform bosses, my civilian supervisor discriminated against my mental illness. I filed a report with the Human Rights Division. From there, I resigned to write novels and to open my own business. Also, I grew up watching heroin addicts and wanted to use that as I thought it would be interesting since it’s trending now.

BPM: What hurdles did you have to overcome as a new author and business owner? 
I do own a business devoted to women in the line of beauty and inspiration. Trying to combine my many talents with my books became difficult. Another hurdle was I had a massive following when I wrote plays, but didn’t have the massive following with my books in the beginning, December 2014. I thought everyone liked to read. I soon found out, in many cultures, some didn’t know how to read, and others just are not readers. After a year of learning, I found out I had to find readers instead of people.

BPM: What is the most important quality a writer should have? 
Transform into each one of your characters from the beginning of a story to the end. Get your book edited. Our brain is unable to edit due to one part being creative, we won’t catch errors. And do your research. I was never addicted to drugs. I had to do plenty of research on heroin in order to bring my lead female character addiction to fruition. Reviews have been written about her because of my research. Yashani is a favorite.

BPM: How may our readers follow you online?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaYoung58
VC Website: www.victoriayoungpassion.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.martinyoung.3
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Book-Series-625256147595222/


Order Passion Whispers an Execution: Book 1 - Tease Me!
Series: Passion Whispers An Execution
Mystery & Thrillers > Erotic Suspense

 

 

Intimate Conversation with Lonz Cook

Intimate Conversation with Lonz Cook

From warrior to romance. Lonz Cook is a Marine Corps veteran of 20 years and the author of numerous romance novels. He's a screen writer, an Adjunct Professor of Management, and a technology specialist.

BPM: Tell us about your most recent work? Is this book available on Nook and Kindle?
Online dating is how a large number of people find their mates these days. It’s like a phenomenon on how different things happen on a social basis. Rarely are people introduced in person or found by attending a club or function as the major means of meeting. A Cyber Affair is a story of two people who find each other online, and begin the process of dating. How they share their journey is the story.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
One thing I love about Tiffany and Manny is they are real people. You know, your neighbor, a friend of a friend, or simply a person you work with. Tiffany isn’t a beauty queen though she is attractive and Manny isn’t the typical obnoxious millionaire with a garage of boy toys to impress. These are common day to day middle-class people.

These characters have normal problems like dealing with divorce or working to recreate family connections. Tiffany is divorced and strict about her dating selection, working a real 9-5 and minding her business at exploring dating websites with a purpose.

Manny is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, rebuilding a relationship with his daughter and going through career withdrawals while defining his future. He’s the reflection of a high intense career to the mundane factory day to day job.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
Online dating is a real situation where people are taking a chance with cyber space reality. I spoke to a number of people who experienced the good, bad, and ugly with online dating. The inspiration came as I heard stories of success and wondered how they arrived to make all the decisions to become united with a new mate.

When I explored online dating, words simply jumped onto the page and before long there was a story worth telling. Online dating is relevant more so than attending a jazz festival in Spring. It’s the way of change and since so many are personally involved, it captures a part of our social behavior.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Showing the relevance of online interactions was one of the most enjoyable things I created with this book. Social media is our major means of maintaining relationships or creating friendships and opportunities for love. In the process of staying connected, I too ventured with curiosity onto dating sites, simply to answer a lot of questions with my friends and provide accuracy in writing this novel. What I have learned online is amazing and having experienced the multitude of behaviors ranging from abnormal to shocking was eye opening. And I mean shocking!!! I had to share the extremes.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?
I get ideas from observing people and their behavior. Or I get ideas from a conversation where a situation portrays the best scenario for a good realistic story. You know, like mother-daughter relationships where there is a hate-love vibe between them. Or how love prevails after years of separation because of distance or illness. Or how a married couple rarely converses at dinner in a restaurant and have levels of contentment ooze through their body language. These concepts are character driven because there’s a lot of stories based on behaviors and my mind to create unique situations. What if scenarios that seem like reality.

There are times I create a plot simply to make the characters come alive. I do this because it’s about behavior in situations. I love to write common behavior where they address issues based on reality, especially where the heart is concerned.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? If so, discuss them.
In this particular novel, A Cyber Affair, I’d say yes to under-represented groups. We, as a people, aren’t aware of the hardships a military person endures with family. The servicemen and women often fail at marriage and parenting because of deployments or operational commitments. These conversations aren’t common to the general public. What most see on the surface is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the challenges servicemen face between career and family.

Second I’d say under-represented are the military kids who deal with battling parents. Or should I say the child who loves both parents but caught in the middle? In this novel, you’ll find Suzie, Manny’s daughter doing her best to support her father and enjoy their relationship, in spite of mom.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
Since I’m a romance writer, every page is part of me in a sense. I practice what I write to ensure the story has a realistic accuracy that pulls readers into scenes. I travel to various locations to give readers the feeling of being in the room or venue because I describe the environment well enough for the imagery to match.

Being a retired Marine, I saw the deployment cringe where marriages fought a good fight but didn’t have the endurance to win. I write about behavior and since I’m observant on all levels, I tend to keep the journey realistic. I’m a writer and writing is my first love and food for my spirit.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? 
The education about online dating is amazing. I had heard of the term Catfish but never really understood it’s meaning. But with the depth of deception a number of people doing, it’s pretty concerning. This is where I had learned that a lot of people are not being themselves. And it’s both genders.

Second, I used a different technique while maintaining my voice. I typically have a lot of things moving outside of the antagonist and protagonist. But this time, I wrote with minimal secondary stories. I was more specific to the two major characters’ views.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
This is a difficult question but I’ll do my best to answer without embarrassing a new friend or contact.

I talked to a friend who met her lover online and when they finally met in person she ran. I mean physically ran because through all of the online video chats, she never saw his height. His being tall turned her off. In her words, she had perceptions of size being a serious matter and it scared the life out of her.

I talked to another lady who got engaged over the internet. I mean literally accepted the commitment. I asked her how and she answered that the connection between them was amazing. She never saw him, outside of pictures, no video calls, no cell phone calls, they simply shared hours of chatting online. She took this engagement very seriously and before she sent thousands of dollars, she asked someone to validate his story. She had a divine intervention because she found out the true meaning of a catfish first hand. Her story was amazing at how she kept accepting excuses based on her need. A dangerously developed behavior for some women.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in this book? How well do you feel you achieved them? 
Since A Cyber Affair is relevant to current dating, and the way our social changes have been modified in finding a mate, I expect this novel to make a difference. I want people to pay attention to prospects with online dating. My expectation is this book aids in showing how two people can meet and date while being entertainment and become an enjoyable conversation piece. Will it become a bestseller? I can’t honestly say it will, however, it’s always a dream to have one.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
A Cyber Affair has a back story character that took a life of its own. I’m currently working on a story titled, A Loss Too Great, which is a spinoff.  Also, I’m editing the sequel to When Love Evolves, one of the Sisters and Romance box sets. This should be out either in the fall or early winter of 2017.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
Find me at www.LonzCook.net, WarriortoRomance on Facebook, Lonzcook on Twitter, Lonzcook on Wordpress, Lonzcook on Periscope and Lonzcook on Pinterest and Instagram.

Website: www.lonzcook.net
Instagram: lonzcook
Twitter: @lonzcook
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WarriortoRomance

Purchase A Cyber Affair by Lonz Cook
Contemporary Romance
https://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Affair-Lonz-Cook/dp/1943904030/

 

Intimate Conversation with Dr. Nat’e Guyton

Intimate Conversation with Dr. Nat’e Guyton

Dr. Nat’e Guyton is the CEO of SNG Enterprises, LLC, and Professor at Walden University. She is a dynamic and compelling keynote speaker, entrepreneur, author, real estate investor, registered nurse, advocate, mentor, and advisor on leadership, mentorship, trust, and high performance. Nat’e has won numerous awards, including the John L. Geoghehan Leadership Award. Guyton holds a Doctorate in Management, a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and well as several leadership and clinical certifications. She resides in Delaware with her husband and two children.

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? Is this book available on Nook and Kindle?
NG: Transformational Innovation, which will be available on my website, is a daily devotional designed to guide readers on a transformative journey that will help them achieve their goals, and realize their dreams. I used the following 10 practical steps in my life and experienced personal transformation, I experienced a new me:
• Alter Your Perceptions
• Eliminate Clutter
• Remove Constraints
• Don’t Be Traceable
• Shatter The Rules
• Build Partnerships
• Kick Down The Gates
• Visionary Versus Systems Thinking
• Show Gratitude
• Let Go and Let God

“In order to achieve your goals and dreams you must be prepared to transform and realize the new You!”-Nat’e Guyton

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
NG: The main character is the reader. The readers will get what they expect out of the book. If the readers use the book as a daily devotional, or a daily journal, they will experience the transformation they seek. The other characters used in the book are various familiar names and people we know from the bible, as well as my personal stories and experiences with each practical step.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
NG: I have literally been through each of the steps outlined in the book, and not only did I survive my transformation,
I am thriving. I have been blessed with various experiences and successes in my life, and it is my duty of service to share my story with others. I am driven by sharing a life of infinite possibilities and inspiring the next generation of dreamers. If I get that right, then, I’ve done my job.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
NG: I enjoyed the transparency, the honesty, and the experiences I went through while writing the book. The book comes from a place of authenticity, and we don’t see that too much anymore.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Why?
NG: My book ideas come from my personal life experiences. My destiny is to go through the experiences and write what I know about.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? If so, discuss them.
NG: My book represents the transformation for women, its speaks to the inner struggle we go through in our life’s journey.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation or journey?
NG: My book provides the reader with real-life experiences aligned with my educational journey, and real estate investing business. I take a spiritual and personal approach to guide the reader on a transformative journey that will help them achieve their goals, and realize their dreams. Although we are all going through something different, may be at different stages in life, and have different dreams and aspirations, the 10 practical steps are transferable in every situation. The goal is to guide the reader through their journey, it’s like having your own personal transformation coach.

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? 
NG: Writing the book was a transformational innovation, and the new me is an Author. I didn’t think I had it in me, to be honest, and now that it’s complete I feel great…I am an Author now. I had to use each and every step outlined in the book to complete this project.

BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
NG: In writing and marketing this book, I met great people in the industry that was willing to help me, to partner with me, and take my project to the next level. They are now friends for life. If I didn’t write the book I would not have been exposed to new people in new industries, I would have stayed in my box.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them? 
NG: My goals are to help people get through the struggle and achieve their dreams. The book is just the tip of the iceberg, it’s in introduction. I am introducing myself to the readers and they will be introducing themselves to me. This book is the start of a relationship among the readers and myself….I have more work to do, and there will be two more books in this transformational innovation trilogy.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
NG: The Transformational Innovation Series is part of a trilogy. I am working on the next two books now, they will be coming out soon. Book #2 is titled: Transformational Innovation: The Road to Educational Success, and book #3 is titled: Transformational Innovation: Climbing the Corporate Ladder.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?  
NG: I can be found on:
Twitter: @DrGuyton
Instagram: drguyton10
FaceBook: Nat’e Guyton
Email: Tayguyton@gmail.com
Website: http://10-principles.com

 

 

Intimate Conversation with Elle Wright

Intimate Conversation with Elle Wright

Born and raised in Southeast Michigan near Ann Arbor, Elle learned the importance of reading from her mother. It was also her mother who, later on in her life, gave Elle her first romance novel: Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. From that moment on, Elle became a fan of Ms. Jenkins for life and a lover of all things romance. An old journal she wrote back in college became her first book (which she still wants to publish one day).

BPM: How did you get to be where you are in your life today? Who or what motivated you?
I would not be where I am today without God. Without Him, I’d be nothing. My mother used to sing a song when I was little that says “Without Him, my life would be drifting like a ship without a sail.”

I’m where I am as a writer because of hours spent daydreaming, hard work, and perseverance. I’ve always wanted to do more, be more. My mother inspired me to read. My children inspire me to create, to follow my dreams. How can I instill in them follow their dreams if I don’t lead by example?

BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to? Do you consider authors as role models?
I think my body of literary work speaks to lovers of romance and drama! I love to write love stories and delve into how people find love, sustain it. There are so many authors that I consider role models; authors who are doing their thing in this genre and others. I’m always amazed and very grateful for the many authors who’ve given awesome advice, shared my book, and read my work.  It’s been a wonderful experience meeting authors I’ve read and getting a chance to pick their brains or just chat with them.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
Her Kind of Man is book 3 in my Edge of Scandal Series. When I started the series, I wanted to explore the dynamics of a close-knit group of friends. There is a theme in each of the books. This book delves into unrequited love. There is something about Allina and Kent that is pure magic. There’s an innocence to their relationship. I had a good time heating them up, but I especially loved the bonding scenes. They had an ease and genuine affection for each other that made me smile. I love it!

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Actually, the best part of writing this book was that was so challenging. I really had to push myself with this one. There are disturbing moments in the book, but mostly, it’s a journey to happiness. Allina and Kent had to climb out of that box they put themselves in; in their careers and in their relationship with each other.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?
Usually, my book ideas come from weird questions posed by friends or family. The Forbidden Man came about when a friend asked the simple question, “What would happen if a woman was torn between two brothers?” From there, it became my goal to write a book where the reader would sympathize and even root for the forbidden relationship.

Character-driven. I want my characters to make sense, so I spend a lot of time with characterization. My cousin always tells me “if it doesn’t make sense, don’t do it.” For example, Allina was a runaway bride. She left her wedding, her parents, and her groom behind because she felt like she was in danger. She was dealing with so much in the present that was bringing up demons from her past. So, I had to slow the romance part down because it didn’t make sense for her character to rush it. Also, Kent was so noble, he would have never taken advantage of her.

BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? Is this book available on Nook and Kindle?
Engaged to a prominent preacher, Allina Parker is the envy of Cleveland. But instead of walking down the aisle, she’s running out the door. After her groom-to-be reveals his true nature, she flees to Michigan, back to Kent. Kent is the man she left behind, the one man she knew she’d always love. He is also one of her dearest friends. When she appears on his doorstep, Kent makes it his mission to protect her and finds out that there is more to her story than she’s telling him. The book is available on Nook, Kindle, iBooks, Kobo, and Google Play.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special? 
Allina is incredibly intelligent and creative. She’s the friend that you know is going to support you through whatever while remaining calm and collected. Her dream of dreams is to design wedding gowns, but she’s left that behind to marry. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that her Prince Charming was a sociopath. The best thing about Allina is that she surprises me. On the surface, she seems one way. But there’s so much more to her. I enjoyed figuring her out.

Kent is… loyal, dedicated, handsome, strong, protective, and funny. I absolutely loved him in all three books. He was my comic relief, but he’s also the type of friend everyone needs. He’s creative and extremely hardworking: the perfect book boyfriend.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? 
Yes! I love to write African American romance. I love writing diverse characters. It’s my reality.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
Honestly, I think I was Allina. I was the good girl. I married my best friend. I’ve struggled with living up to people’s perception of me. Yep, she’s me and I am her. LOL

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book? Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
One thing I always learn when writing my books are new ways of thinking about things. Each character approaches decisions differently. Most of the time in ways I would never think of.

I’m laughing because I found out that yoga pants are apparently sexy to some men. So I put that in the book. I also had to learn about different sketchpad apps for a particular scene, which was neat.

I’m from Michigan (GO BLUE), and part of the book takes place in Cleveland, so I got a chance to talk to a few friends who are from the Buckeye state. I learned about a few festivals and restaurants there that I’d want to visit one day.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them? 
My goal was to write a different book. I didn’t want all the books in the series to be the same. Each couple was very different. They all had their own crosses to bear, things to overcome. I needed to do each character justice. I feel that I achieved that in this book. It’s nothing like the first two books of the series, in my opinion.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
At the moment, I’m plotting two contemporary romance series. Both feature secondary characters introduced in the series. Also, I’m plotting a romantic suspense series and a Women’s Fiction.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 
Website: http://www.ellewright.com
Twitter: @LWrightAuthor
Instagram: @lrwright09
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElleWrightAuthor



Purchase Her Kind of Man by Elle Wright
Series: Edge of Scandal (Book 3)
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Check out the books in the Edge of Scandal Series

Edge of Scandal Book One – The Forbidden Man (released July 28, 2015)
Tag Line: She’s walking out on her no-good fiancé… and into the arms of his brother.

Edge of Scandal Book Two – His All Night (released November 24, 2015)
Tag Line: No expectations, no commitments, no one gets hurt…or so she thought.

Order all of the books in the Edge of Scandal Series
http://www.amazon.com/Elle-Wright/e/B00VMEWB78

 

Intimate Conversation with Sadeqa Johnson

Intimate Conversation with Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson is a former public relations manager who spent years working with well-known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan and Bishop TD Jakes before becoming an author herself. Her debut novel, LOVE IN A CARRY-ON BAG was hailed by Ebony.com as “this summer’s hottest read.”  It was the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley award for Best Fiction and the 2012 USA Best Book award for African-American fiction. Originally from Philadelphia, she now resides in Virginia with her husband and three children. SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER is her second novel.

BPM:  When did you get your first inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing?
I’m originally from Philadelphia. As a kid, I started off wanting to be an actress. When I graduated high school, I moved to New York and attended Marymount Manhattan College as a Theatre Arts major. It was as a student that I started fooling around with poetry, which turned to playwriting, screenwriting and ended up with novel writing. I landed a job working in publishing after college and it was there that I became very serious about my writing. My first novel, Love in a Carry-on Bag took me over ten years to finish. I started writing it when I was a publicity manager at G.P Putnam’s Sons.

Every day I would close my office door at four o’clock and write for the last hour of the workday. On my commute home, I edited the pages. Once I got married, I left my corporate job to write and raise my children, but still nursed a burning desire to tell stories. I wrote during naptimes, between feedings, in the midst of sleep deprivation and my kid’s ear infections. The daily pressures of caring for a young family motivated me to finish the book. I was very much like Felicia in Second House From the Corner. As much as I loved being a mother, I didn’t want that role to be my only claim. I knew that it was important for me to carve out something that was only for me, and writing novels was it. My novels are my legacy.

BPM:  What makes your writing different than others?
I’m a lover of words and keep a thick, old school thesaurus on my desk, which I use to deepen the meaning of the text. I don’t like to rush when I’m writing, and I’ll work on a paragraph for three days if it takes that long to make it sound good. Although I’m a commercial fiction writer, I work to bring poetry, beauty and music to my work. My goal is to make readers pause over a delicious sentence, giving them no choice but to read it again.

BPM:  Can you share a little of your current work with us? Introduce us to your book and the characters.
I love everything about Second House From the Corner. In the novel, Felicia Lyons, a stressed out stay-at-home mom struggles to sprint ahead of the demands of motherhood, while her husband spends long days at the office. Felicia taps, utters mantra and breathes her way through most situations but on some days, like when the children won’t stop screaming her name or arguing over toy trucks and pretzel sticks, she wonders what it would be like to get in her car and drive away.

Then one evening the telephone rings, and in a split second Felicia’s innocent fantasy becomes a hellish reality. The call pulls her back into a life she’d rather forget. Felicia hasn’t been completely honest about her upbringing, and her deception forces her return to the Philadelphia of her childhood, where she is forced to confront the family demons and long buried secrets she thought she had left behind.

BPM:  Did you learn anything personal from writing this book? 
I wrote Second House From the Corner in about a year and a half, which was much different from my ten-year haul with Love in A Carry-on Bag. I learned to outline and draft quickly, and then to just punch the story out and fix it later. There were a lot of loving hands that touched Second House From the Corner and for that I am so grateful and utterly proud of the finished product.

BPM:  What would you like to accomplish after this book is released? 
Don’t laugh, but my deepest desire is to be on the New York Times best sellers list. I have been putting that out into the Universe since day one so I know it’s going to happen. I also plan to sell the movie rights and be paid (well) to consult on set as the movie is being filmed. My children are going to love walking the red carpet. Selling the foreign rights and seeing my novel printed in several languages would also make me happy. Eventually I’d like to teach a writing group and get out on the motivational speaking circuit.

BPM:  Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences? 
Oh, yes. I am a mother of three children. My kids were about the age of Felicia’s when I started writing the book and a lot of her experience of feeling overwhelmed and worn out with the duties involved with caring for small children was what I felt as a young mother. I still feel it at least four times a week. She taps her way through it, I go to hot yoga, run and meditate to find my center.

BPM:  What should readers DO after reading this book? 
Tell all of their friends to buy a copy. I really believe it takes a village to make a best seller. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising so please, please tell a friend. Your review on goodreads.com and all of the retailer’s website would also be wonderfully helpful.

BPM:  What are your career goals as a writer? Have you accomplished most of them? 
Right now I really admire Attica Locke. She wrote a book called The Cutting Season that I couldn’t put down. Then one night I was watching the show Empire, and her name popped up in the credits as producer and writer. Immediately, I had goosebumps. I’m so proud of my fellow writers when they cross over and do big things. As I sat watching, I thought, could I write for television?  Mmmm, I’m just going to let that thought marinate. Hosting a show on television would also tickle my fancy.

BPM:  What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published author? 
I’ve realized that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Every moment in my life from going to college in New York City as Theatre arts major, to my first two jobs in publishing as a publicist, to starting my own publishing house and having to do everything possible to get the word out on Love in a Carry-on Bag has led me to this moment. I’ve worked hard, I deserve to be right here and my future is even brighter. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

BPM:  What are you the most thankful for now?
I’m grateful for my health and the health of my family and close friends. I enjoy waking up every morning, getting my kids off to school (most times without arguments and tears but not always), putting on a pot of coffee and going to work in my robe. God is always amazingly good to me. Oh, and I have a sexy, supportive husband to boot.

BPM:  Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
Don’t quit. Writing takes time and dedication and it is very important to be true to the craft. Take writing classes, form a writing group and read as much as you can. Give yourself time and permission to grow, and be patient with yourself. Believe in your creativity above all. Allow the magic to flow.

BPM:  What’s next?
I’m working on my third novel, And Then There Was Me. It’s about deception and betrayal. It’s scheduled to be published by Thomas Dunne Books spring of 2017 so stay tuned. And click right over to my website, www.sadeqajohnson.net and subscribe to my blog. I’ll keep the latest news listed there. I’m on all of the social media outlets so get in touch with me. I’d really love to hear from you.  

Connect with Sadeqa Johnson
http://www.sadeqajohnson.net
https://twitter.com/sadeqasays
https://instagram.com/sadeqasays
https://www.facebook.com/SadeqaJohnson 

Purchase Second House from the Corner: A Novel
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