Vivienne Diane Neal's Blog, page 66

Diversity in Romance Novels

Romance Novels in Color’s , (RNIC) goal is to advance the awareness and appreciation of diversity in romance novels. The hero or heroine of all romance novels reviewed on their site or advertised on any of their platforms will be a person of color.
RNIC is also having a giveaway, just for authors and bloggers. All you have to do is grab their badge in the footer and add it to your website. For an extra point, write a blog post telling your readers about RNIC and invite them over to check it out.
One lucky person will win the following:
·         $25 Amazon gift card
·         2 small ads on the RNIC home page, specific months subject to availability ($50 value)
·         2 Sunday Tempting Teasers – excerpts from books of your choice on Facebook; if you’re a blogger, you can promote your website instead.


Visit their site at http://www.romancenovelsincolor.com
Email Address: info@romancenovelsincolor.com

Featuring The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box Virtual Book Tour with Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

About The Author
Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, AuthorValerie J. Lewis Coleman has helped women find relational fulfillment by identifying the four types of male hunters, avoiding seventy percent of men who only want the goody box and winning the heart of Mr. Right-For-You. She explains how she overcame struggles and offers proven techniques to help you get off the crazy cycle of relational demise in her novel The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box! Visit TheGoodyBoxBook.com for the sequel, prequel and upcoming events!
The bestselling author of Blended Families An Anthology, Valerie has helped thousands of families navigate the challenges of child support, visitation, discipline and more. With over twenty years of experience in family and relationships, she has given advice on varying issues including baby-momma drama, defiant children and disapproving in-laws. On her journey to assist others with building strong families, she shares her testimony and provides practical tools to help you stop the stepfamily madness in your home!

About The Book
What your father didn't tell you and your mother didn't know. Successful. Beautiful. Intelligent. Yet a satisfying relationship eludes Debra Hampton. At thirty-five years old, she can't figure out why her philosophy on men-and what they want from women-isn't working. She's trapped in a cycle of shattered relationships, until a friend refers her to a relationship guru. After some resistance, Debra finds refuge in his counsel as he helps her navigate through the storms of rejection and failed love. Once he reveals the error of her ways, will Debra master the forbidden secrets to attract her soul mate or continue to keep love at bay?
Genre: Mainstream FictionPaperback: 256 pagesPublisher: Pen Of The Writer, LLC (May 1, 2010)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0978606639ISBN-13: 978-0978606633

Book Excerpts
Chapter 1
For the Love of Vincent
Sunday -morning service stirred Debra Hampton’s heart. The poignant message convinced her to resolve a matter that had her torn for almost a year. She had been undecided about whether to marry her live-in boyfriend, Vincent. He didn’t share her religious beliefs and refused to go with her to church, but she knew that he was the best man for her.
He laughed at her silly antics, talked with her about her ambitions and encouraged her to greatness. He made her the focal point of his life and involved her in every decision no matter how minute. But it was his touch that held her hostage, kept her toying with God’s love by giving herself to a man who was not her husband.
With her head bowed to hide the free-flowing tears, she exited the church without speaking to anyone. She sat in her Mercedes S550, took a moment to freshen her makeup, expelled a sigh of relief. She looked to Heaven through the panorama sunroof, smiled, closed her eyes, gave thanks. The decision to accept Vincent’s proposal resonated; filled her with peace as she trusted the Lord with her soul mate.
The thirty-minute drive from the inner-city church to her suburban home gave her ample time to reflect upon the life they would build together: three children, business partnership and unlimited mind-blowing sex. The rush of blood to her southern bell—the name her mother called her vagina when she was a child—gave her pause. Fortunately, she was stopped at a red light. She clicked through the Sirius Satellite stations and then opted to enjoy tunes Vincent had downloaded to her iPod a few nights prior.
As she turned into Creekwood Estates—a lavish community north of Dayton—she admired the mansion-sized homes set hundreds of feet from the street. Manicured lawns featured rows of exotic trees, shrubbery and blooming flowers. Cobblestone driveways boasted luxury cars and backyards had customized gym sets or in-ground pools.
Her stucco and brick palatial home was small in comparison to those of her neighbors, but it was big enough for her family-to-be. She loved the side-entry, three-car garage because it camouflaged the unpacked moving boxes from passersby. She parked in the usual spot—closest to the mudroom door—and then she smiled wide. “He’s home.”
Debra grabbed her purse and Bibleand then jaunted into the house. She placed her belongings on the granite countertop, careful not to make noise. Since the television wasn’t locked on a sporting event, Vincent had to be resting in the master suite. A 3,500-square-foot home and he preferred the family room and bedroom.
She slipped off her stilettos, tiptoed up the stairs. Her heart beat faster with each step. She wiped her palms together to dry the sweaty moisture, pressed her ear to the door. His subtle snores seeped through. She giggled and then covered her mouth to halt the escape of more laughter.She opened the door, peeked in, swung it wide. “Vincent! What the devil?”
“Debra, what are you doing here?” After a quick dismount, he rummaged the floor for his Fruit of the Looms. “When’d you get home?”“Who is this woman and why is she in my bed?” She ran to the side of the bed, towered over her betrayer. Breath stalled in her throat, eyes widened. “Catherine!”
Catherine—the first person to welcome Debra to the neighborhood—reached for her clothes, scurried to dress.
Debra lunged at her, snatched her by the ponytail, drew back her fist. Just as she connected with Catherine’s right jaw, Vincent grabbed Debra around the waist, pulled her away. She flailed her arms, kicked at his shins, head-butted him in the mouth. When he released her, she pursued Catherine who was halfway down the stairs, underwear in tow.
What Others Are Saying
"A brilliant writer. I love her work. The characters are so real, so rich and fleshed out so well. You hit the nail on the head with these women. Can I have the rights to the movie?"
Mother Love, TV and radio host of The Mother Love Show
"I started to skim through this book, but now I cannot put it down. This is an incredible book that all women must read."
Lexi, talk-show host of The Lexi Show as seen on The Word Network
"Coleman lays the hard-hitting arsenal out in the open in this refreshing and looong-awaited new spin on an ageless battle to tame the flesh! Goody Box is a woman's must-have, must-READ handbook. Goody Box will have you pledging heart-gasm before orgasm!"
Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress, author of Manna for Mamma and The Bankrupt Spirit


Find Valerie on line at :
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Join her mailing list to be eligible to receive one free e-book. One winner will receive a special code to download a copy from SmashWordshttp://www.thegoodyboxbook.com

Virtual Romance: Avoiding the Date from Hell by Miss Know It All

Shattered Love © Jwissing | Dreamstime.com

Online dating is one of the many alternatives to the real world when it comes to meeting someone. However, once you encounter an individual on the Internet and start texting, chatting or emailing, some behaviors will alert you to be extra careful before setting up a true date.
You do not get to know someone by chatting, texting or e-mailing. People who come over as polite or charming online may not have good intentions and could end up being a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or a person with deadly intentions. The last thing you want is to find yourself facing the date from hell or possibly being physically hurt.
Follow these tips while establishing an online relationship. Remember, you know nothing about this person; he or she is just a stranger behind a computer screen.
·        Never provide personal or financial information about you or your family.
·        If someone sends you sexually explicit text or emails, think twice before inviting him or her to your home on the first date.
·        If you plan to meet someone for the first time, never get into his or her car or meet in an isolated location.
·        Watch a person who goes overboard to impress you.
·        Because you are captivated by your date, take heed if your associates do not take to him or her on the first or second meeting. Your friends are on the outside looking in, can see more and may have a clearer head when it comes to seeing the warning signs.
·        Do not provide your address until you get to know the person.
·        If your first date is to a club or restaurant, have a friend arrive at the site so that he or she can keep an eye on you two from a distance.
·        Check a person’s background before establishing any type of relationship.
·        Avoid alcoholic beverages on your first date. You want to keep a clear head.
·        Always keep your cell phone with you when on a date. Do not leave it in your car. You may need to make an important call or do a fast exodus because you sense the date is not going the way you expected. You can say, “I have to check on my elderly parent. I am sorry, but I must cut this date short.”
If you can think of any other ways to protect yourself on a first date, let us know in the comment box.

Introducing Gregory Delaurentis, Author of Cover of Darkness

BLURB 
A high profile murder of a Wall Street executive in Westchester pits three people against the criminal underbelly of Manhattan nightlife. The key players are two ex-cops turned private investigators—Kevin Whitehouse, whose sharpest tool is his keen analytical mind, and David Allerton, a former Special Forces operative—and Margaret Alexander, Kevin’s lover. In their search for a killer, they are forced to travel to the edge of sanity and morality, while stumbling onto their own confusing secrets as well. The Cover of Darkness is a gritty noir saga that untangles a web of deceit in the course of tracking down a brutal murderer.

EXCERPT

The pool area was wide and reflected the sun on this hot summer day. It was edged with white marble so polished that it looked like pearl. Deck chairs lined the sides of the long pool, which was two lengths more than Olympic-sized. Outside the deck area was the carpeted lawn of the vast backyard, dappled with sun.
Hugh Osterman walked along the side of the pool wearing a heavy terry cloth robe and sandals. In his right hand, he held a martini glass. He ran his left hand through his sandy sun-streaked hair as he looked over his shoulder at the man following him.
“What’s going on? I don’t get it,” Osterman said, stopping at the end of the pool where the flotation chairs were kept.
“They said no,” the man replied. Considering the backdrop, he was incongruously dressed in a dark suit and tie.
“They said no . . . just like that?”
Osterman sat his drink down on the marble surface, and pushed a flotation chair into the deep end of the pool, sending it out and away. Then he peeled off the robe and dove smoothly into the water, emerging next to the floating chair.
“You go back and tell them that we aren’t pleased,” Osterman said sternly, pulling himself up and into the seat of the chair. “You tell them that Hugh Osterman wants to know what’s holding things up—what the problem is.”
The suit just stood at the edge of the pool, opening his jacket against the heat of the day. Osterman paddled to the side, and reached out and retrieved his martini glass. “I take it you have nothing to say about this?” he persisted, despite the other man’s silence.
The suit shook his head.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Osterman said as he tipped the glass up to his lips. Suddenly, the bottom of the stem shattered. Osterman gurgled as he dropped the glass, blood bubbling from his mouth, an open tear in his neck. He jolted upright in the chair as the suit closed the distance between them, his Colt .38 Super still trained on its victim, its silencer smoldering.
Osterman slowly sat back as the suit pumped more rounds into Osterman’s bare, well-defined chest—the hot shells of his pistol ejecting out and striking the surface of the water, settling to the bottom. His life ended as his body tumbled from the floating chair, his blood a widening crimson slick roughly in the area where his body slipped through.
The suit popped his clip, slipped in a new one, and headed for the sprawling house.
* * * *
One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN gift card, a Rafflecopter giveaway


* * * *
AUTHOR INFORMATION 
Gregory Delaurentis spent his adult life roaming from job to job, working for Lockheed in California, various law firms in New York, and financial firms on Wall Street. Throughout this period of time, he was writing—unceasingly—finally producing a large body of work, albeit unrecognized and unpublished . . . until now. Cover of Darkness is the first in a series of upcoming books that include Edge of Darkness, Pale of Darkness and Cries of Darkness. These novels follow the lives of three individuals who do battle bringing criminals to justice, while they struggle to understand the complex relationships that exist among themselves. This intriguing trio has absorbed the attention of Mr. Delaurentis for the past year and a half, so much so he decided to self-publish their stories to bring them to a wider audience.
[AUTHOR’S DISCLAIMER: These are works of fiction. Name, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.]

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Must Read Books for Your Reading Pleasure

If you are looking for great books to add to your reading repertoire, we have listed two of our favorite stories from finding love on the Internet, to murder, and forbidden love.


Next Time Lucky: How to Find Your Mr. Right by Siggy Buckley.
Cherie, a 40-something divorcée from Dublin, Ireland, is on the rebound, looking for a soul mate the second time round. Love @ first click is intoxicating but she soon learns that today's mate selection rituals have become much more complicated than kissing a few frogs. This new edition has an appendix packed with dating tips and invaluable information for online daters, based on the author’s expertise as a dating counselor and an internet-dating pioneer.
Buy Links
AmazonPaperback AmazonEbook

Backdoor Tales: Tears of the Serpent and September Love by SaBrowny Rae.
Explore the journey of the heart as you turn the pages of Backdoor Tales. Discover an unusual tale that links heaven and hell as Tears of the Serpent unveils the journey of a demon, reborn into human form in order to experience love…Follow through the forbidden love between a slave girl and a young man torn by jealousy, betrayal, and deception in September Love.
Buy Links
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Meet Myckelle Williams, Author of Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Finding Grace on the Path to Purpose

Myckelle Williams, Author
On her Virtual Book Tour, Myckelle Williams has stopped by to give you a preview of her book: Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Finding Grace on the Path to Purpose.


About The Book

Born in an environment of drugs, sex, broken relationships, and parental neglect, 18-year-old Myckelle Williams eventually faced a major crossroads in her own life, and the prospect of becoming a statistic, as a desperate teenager unexpectedly pregnant with her second unplanned child.  Like so many young women across America, she found herself literally at a ‘fork in the road’ while travelling life’s path.  Myckelle soon discovers that each choice in life come with a heavy price to pay, and is forced to decide whether or not to end her unplanned pregnancy. You will be amazed as Myckelle tells how one uncommon act of unselfish love by total strangers helped her to discover forgiveness, break generations of dysfunction, and walk away from destructive cycles that enabled her to change her life, and family, from the inside out.
Join Myckelle on a journey of hope, healing, and finding love in unexpected places, that include powerful life lessons for the reader with each new chapter. By pulling from Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’, you will be led on a journey of self- discovery, forgiveness, and the impact of everyday choices.  Her story of faith, courage, and victory over circumstance, contains powerful illustrations for women of all ages, races, and backgrounds, which provide guidance in creating new traditions and generational patterns in your own family, as well as breaking old strongholds and family patterns that threaten to keep you and your children from the Purpose that God intended. As she struggles with often agonizing acceptance of the consequences of her own choices, you too will be inspired to reflect on your own past decisions, and through her heartache learn about the miracle of life’s true purpose...and discover the unconditional reality of God’s unfailing love.


Book ExcerptPROLOGUE
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose...I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. ~Jeremiah 1:5
“I’d like to make an appointment...for an abortion.”
Desperation and shame filled my voice, and I hoped the lady on the other end didn’t know me or my parents.
“How many weeks are you? When was your last period?” The lady on the other end asks, seemingly not surprised, sounding more annoyed than anything else.
I gave her the dates she requested, asking “How much will that cost?” Annoyed sigh. “You are fourteen-and-a-half weeks. Well, the process will be much longer because you are further along, but it will be $375 total.”
“Do you take Medicaid?”
“Yes.”
“When can I come in?
“Tuesday at 8 a.m.
“Do I need to bring anything?”
“Just your money, or Medicaid card, proof of pregnancy. And a ride home.”

I hung up and looked at my boyfriend. How were we going to afford that? We could barely afford to take care of our eleven month old son, the child I had had less than a year ago at age seventeen. “It’s cool.” He told me. “My sister has Medicaid. We can use her card. You just use her name and info.”

About The Author
Myckelle P Williams, co-founder of B.L.O.G. Magazine™, host of 'BLOGTalk Live!' monthly Christian radio show, and creator of the Heartwood Project™ for Women, lives in Tennessee with her husband of 20 years. She is the mother of 6 children and two grandchildren. Once a teen mother who overcame the odds, Myckelle helps empower women to overcome the traumas of their past, and mentors young women over the country. She was featured on "Joy in our Town" on TBN Network, for her development of the PURE Satisfaction™ Abstinence Program in Atlanta in 2009. She is the author of the book 'Choosing the Road Less Traveled: Finding Grace on the Path to Purpose,’ which is now available on amazon.com. For more information about her upcoming Heartwood Project™ Seminars, you can reach Myckelle at myckelle@mpowermentww.org

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How To Date in The 21st Century

The dating world can be an intimidating place, especially if you're getting back into the scene after an absence. It probably seems like everyone is looking for love, but real connections are hard to find. The popularity of online dating has skyrocketed in the past decade, making it one of the most attractive options for finding a date in today's world. However, meeting people in the real world can still be a great way to find dates.
Online Dating
Signing up for an online dating site can be an excellent way to meet people based on their interests and personalities. Here are some tips for entering into the online dating world.
1. Find the site that's best for you. You've probably seen ads for eharmony or match.com, and these are some of the most popular sites for people looking for long term relationships. But there are also sites that cater to specific groups of people, such as plus-sized singles or singles over 50. There are also some great sites for people looking to date others with similar religious beliefs.
2. Represent yourself honestly on your profile. It's easy for people to lie on the internet, but if really expect to meet someone in person, then it's a bad idea. Just be yourself, and don't try too hard to impress potential suitors.

3. Post a good pictures. People on dating sites are way more likely to message you if they know what your face looks like.
4. Make the first contact. If you've been out of the dating game for a while, you might be feeling shy, but don't just sit back and wait for other people to send you messages. If you see a profile of someone that interests you, contact them.
5. Video chat before going on a real date. Chatting on Skype or webcam can be a great way to talk before going out, especially if you live a long distance from each other. For women, a face-to-face chat can also give you an extra sense of safety before you meet in person.

Read World Dating
1. Go to places where you'll meet other singles. Find a single's group, or join a club where you'll meet people with similar interests. Going to bars is also a good way to meet other singles, but be aware that some people there just want a casual fling.
2. Try Speed Dating. Speed dating can be a fun way to meet new people. It forces you to put yourself out there, and if you don't click with someone, you only have to talk with them for a few minutes. Dress like you would for a normal date and have a few questions prepared in advance.
3. Have a good first date. Dress to impress without overdoing it, and have a few topics of conversation in mind so you can avoid awkward moments of silence. Also know what not to talk about. It's never a good idea to bring up past relationships on a first date, and try to avoid talk of politics or religion.
4. Even in the 21st century, men are expected to bring women flowers, open doors, and pay for dinner. In many cases, women will also expect men to plan the first date.
* * * *
This post comes from Jay at Escorts and Babes - If you're unlucky in love at the singles game, you can always go to escort route for a night or two.

Meet Sharea S. Harris, (Lady Harris) Writer, Director, and Producer

Lady Harris, Author of Identity Theft
Sharea Harris was raised in Buffalo, NY where she was introduced to poetry, arts and writing; and now resides in Charlotte, NC. She began writing her first novel “Betrayal” at the age of 19 and published it in 2010; since then she has published two poetry collections, and is working with a publisher on her next novel entitled “Identity Theft”. She believes in variety and diversity, and you can see this in her works. She never bores with the same subject but challenges her talent and reaches higher with each idea. She is now putting the finishing touches of her first Erotica collection of short stories entitled “Office Secrets”.
Since her move to Charlotte, she has expanded her talents in visual and performing arts. Producing her first stage play at the African American Cultural Center in 2004 “Confrontation”, and went on to produce her second stage play “Games” in 2012. Between writing and putting on stage plays Sharea has also produced poetry contests, MC Battles and her live sketch comedy series entitled “Skitz,” at venues in Charlotte and Monroe, NC including but not limited to “The Neighborhood Theater”, The CAST Theater; The Rendezvous Lounge, Upscale Lounge, and The Venue.
Sharea continues to write research and explore new ideas to further her writing career. She has completed her first screenplay entitled “What You Don’t Know,” and plans to shoot it in the near future adding another notch to her belt.
Here is a synopsis of her upcoming book, Identity Theft

She lurks behind smiles and friendly gestures, seeking angles and loopholes. She's clothed in insecurities and misery; but you'd never suspect a thing. She's intentionally watching your every move. She knows you better than you think. While she laughs with you she jots down everything; with her photographic memory. She slides right between conversations baiting, faking and gaining access to all aspects of your life. She is plotting, watching, learning and becoming. Soon you'll see when someone steals your IDENTITY.
PurchaseLink for Identity TheftFacebook Link for Betrayal Facebook Author's Page  TwitterInstagram

Congratulations, You Have Just Won a Foreign Lottery

“You just won the two million dollar lottery, and to claim you prize, please mail or wire $350.00 to cover processing fee, taxes, and so on.”  Ha! Ha! Ha! The joke is on you. Of course, this is no laughing matter. Most of us have received this type of communication through the postal service, email, or telephone.
If you have to send money to claim your prize, most likely, it is a hoax, and you can end up losing all of your savings. Unfortunately, these tricksters often target senior citizens.
Think about it. If you really win money, why must you send a fee to claim your prize? Let the sponsor deduct the fee from your winnings. Of course, this will never happen. The only people who benefit from this are the people committing the fraudulent act.
If you are a caregiver for a family, relative or friend, please warn them about foreign lotteries. Many are shams, and playing them may be illegal.
To learn more about protecting yourself and others, visit Protect Your Finances and Delivering Trust

Women, Are You a Mystery to Your Man? By Cherokee Billie

In my many years as a spiritual advisor I have noticed a reoccurring theme with women. They want to love and give all of themselves to the man that they love; the problem is giving all of you leaves no mystery for the man.
Men are attracted to mysterious women. Perhaps you have observed a woman that is not particularly beautiful, but she always has men attracted to her and wanting to be with her. Why? She has learned the art of being a mystery. She does not give every detail of her life to the man that she meets. She does not drop everything the moment he calls just for him. If he does not show up for a date, she does not give him a second chance. When they ask her questions, she is able to turn that question back to the man. Therefore she never clearly answers. This drives men crazy.
Men always want what they cannot have and that is the lesson you need to learn here and now – if you want to change your dating life around. It is just natural for men to want to know everything about a woman, that is just their curiosity, and they will quiz a woman over and over wanting details of her life. Learn a different way to answer. Here are some examples of how to do it
A good example of a woman who remained mysterious always was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. No one ever truly understood her. In an interview they asked her what she had to say about her life and her reply was, “Interesting.” She always had a smile when being photographed even if she was telling off the photographer who was taking the picture. She said, “They will never capture me completely no matter how they try.” All of her life Jacqueline attracted men from her early teenage years up to the time of her death. One look at her face and you knew that you could not penetrate to the inner core of this woman. She understood the art of attracting man.
There was an actress named Mae West who understood men better than most women ever will and she was not the most gorgeous woman on earth and was slightly overweight, yet, she had men coming and going constantly in her life. The reason was she always had an air of mystery about her and never fully answered a question. If she did answer a question it was usually with a sarcastic joke. Such as the following, “I like two kinds of men: domestic and imported.” She always had a smile as she answered these witty retorts. She drove men crazy. In fact in her movies, which she personally wrote in the early 1930’s, the censorship was so enormous that they created a new code of censorship for movies. (This censorship does not exist today.) Now that is the type of woman you have got to admire!
The women that I have counseled and have taken this advice to heart have had a significant change in their relationships with men. Many women I give this advice to just cannot find a way to do this and like a hamster on a wheel they keep going around and around with the same problems in relationships.
Become a mystery and see your relationships with men improve dramatically!
If you would like personal instructions on how to change your relationships Contact Me, Cherokee Billie, and let us work together to make you a mystery!
For more information read the following: See Your Value Rise in the Dating Game!
™®©2008-2013 Cherokee Billie


Cherokee Billie is a spiritual advisor and the author of “Heavenly Seduction,” which takes you through her journey to find God and spirituality.  For more information, visit her site at http://www.cherokeebillie.com