Michelle Lindo-Rice's Blog, page 52
March 14, 2014
I Ain't Me No More
I Ain't Me No MoreBY E. N. JOY
Book 1 of the Always Diva SeriesListen to E.N. Joy read from an incredible section of the book, click here.
I Ain't Me No MoreHelen wasn't just born the devious vixen of New Day Temple of Faith. There had to be something rooted deep within her to make her inflict and feed off of other people's pain.
Perhaps it was her own pain that she had suppressed for so many years-an unimaginable pain-that created an internal prison of which her mind was the only captive. But once the demons within her break free, those around her better beware, as Helen surely becomes the epitome of the saying, "Hurt people, hurt people."
In I Ain't Me No More, Helen has no shame displaying that she hasn't been saved all her life. Will the divas of New Day Temple of Faith think Helen's worth saving? But more importantly, can God save Helen from not only her evil past; can He save her from herself?First Chapter ExcerptMan, I hate the cleaning guy! Why does he have to do his job so well? Can’t he ever leave just one spot, smear or smudge on this dang stripper pole? Something so that I don’t have to see myself so painfully visible like this? What makes him think I want to be able to see myself twirling around this pole like some skilled monkey—caught up in the powerful grip of the almighty dollar; a grip known to have choked the life out of many while leaving others gasping for their last breath?
“That’s for you,” Damon spoke out over R. Kelly’s “Your Body’s Calling.” With his chestnut brown, bald head and facial hair that is edged up nice and clean, Damon licks his thumb and uses it to flick a twenty dollar bill off the stack of money he’s palming.
I swivel my body down to the ground the way the vanilla and chocolate swirl ice cream at the DQ makes its way from the machine to the cone. “Baby, you know it takes gas to keep a Cadillac like myself going,” I say to Damon. “As long as you keep filling up the tank, I’ma go-go all night.” I swivel my body back up to a standing position while adding, “In any direction you want me to go.”
Damon’s lips part into that sexy signature smile of his.
“Whatever you want,” Damon said. “It’s your Caddy. I’ll drive, ride, heck, I’ll even be a backseat passenger. Just know that I got you, Ma.” Damon begins to flick off bills like he’s the dealer in a game of spades.
I’m very much content with the hand I’m being dealt. So much so that I want to drop to my knees and begin scooping like a kid standing under a piñata that has just been busted open. But I don’t want to appear too desperate. Resolving to strip in the first place was out of desperation. At the time of making the decision I felt trapped, like Jonah in the belly of the big fish. I was always trying to make ends meet, but neither of my ends were the least bit interested in getting to know one another. Bills were due. I weighed some options on my immoral scale of desperation and stripping was a less load to travel with in my mental carry-on. I mean, at least I’m not selling my whole self --just bartering off a piece of me.
“Go on, Go-Go Girl. You know you wanna bend that thang over and pick up that loot.”
Once again, Damon licks his thumb and lightens his pile of money as he flicks a couple more bills onto the stage at my feet. “Come on, just show me a li’l sumpin’-sumpin’,” Damon urges. His eyes peruse my body from head to toe, wetting his thumb in preparation to keep making it rain.
And this was rain, might I add. Ones being flicked off; that’s a chance of rain. Fives being flicked off; that’s a little drizzle. Tens being flicked off; that’s a scattered shower. Twenties; that’s rain. Benjamins; an all-out thunderstorm!
“Come on, Damon, you know the rules. You don’t want me to break the rules and get put on punishment do you?” I ask, making a puppy dog face.
“Forget the rules,” Damon barks like the big dawg he is. “And if all that is worthy of just a peek,” he says, referring to all the money he’s laid at my feet, “I can only imagine what this will get me.”
I freeze on the stage, which means the bill Damon is now displaying must be triggering some type of ice storm. Until this very moment, I never even knew that such a bill exists.
“What’s the matter, Go-Go Girl? You ain’t never seen a five hundred dollar bill before?” He chuckles. “So what do you say you make tonight a first for a lot of things?”
All of a sudden I’m starting to think about church, kicking myself for not having paid my respects (or tithes) to the house of the Lord in a couple of months. At the same time I’m trying my hardest to recall one of those messages that have to do with temptation-a scripture or something- because to tell the truth and shame the devil, I am beyond tempted to take Damon up on his offer.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” That isn’t exactly the scripture I’m grappling for, but it still seems fitting.
My name; Helen Lannden. How much is it worth today? Twenty-five year old Helen Lannden. How much will my name be worth tomorrow, especially if I trick for this money today?
( Continues... )
Copyright © 2013 by E. N. Joy. All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, E. N. Joy. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.
Intimate Conversation with E. N. JoyBLESSED selling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas,” the “Still Divas” three book series and the “Always Divas” three book series, which have been coined the “Soap Opera In Print.”
The “New Day Divas” series includes the titles: She Who Finds A Husband, Been There Prayed That, Love Honor or Stray, Trying to Stay Saved and I Can Do Better All By Myself.
The “Still Divas” series includes the titles: And You Call Yourself a Christian, The Perfect Christian and The Sunday Only Christian. The “Always Divas” series includes the titles I Ain’t Me No More, More Than I Can Bear and You Get What You Pray For.
Joy writes children’s and young adult titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy performs in schools nationwide.
Currently, Joy is the executive editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying. You can visit Joy at www.enjoywrites.com.
BPM: What is the one thing you would like all of your readers to know about you?
That I live breathe, eat and sleep (well, not much sleep) this literary thing. It’s real. It’s not a hobby. It’s not something I do on the side. It’s my life. I take it serious. It’s my craft, my career, my first love and now it’s my ministry. With that being said, readers need to know that when I put something out for them, I’m truly giving them my all. And if I fall short of their expectations, I’ll do everything I can to try to do a better job next time in order to earn and keep their readership.
BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?
I went to school for legal assisting and was a paralegal for thirteen years. Not many of my books deal with the legal system, but as far as my faith, my being a Christian, it inspires every word I write. Because I am a Christian who writes Christian fiction for a Christian fiction imprint (Urban Christian), my books absolutely must have Christ in them.
My walk with Christ has not been easy. I did not dedicate my life to Christ one Sunday morning and then all my problems went away. It just so happens that I was my biggest problem, and since I wasn't going anywhere, I had to begin to deal with myself. This goes for most of my characters I write about as well. Some of them just can't seem to get out of their own way, let go of their issues and past and let God. And just like in real life, some of the characters get it after getting it wrong so many times. Then there are those who just never seem to get it. The latter characters, like some real folks, end up going through life thinking it's a battle of them against the world, never realizing that they are their own worse enemy...and sometimes their only enemy.
BPM: What does “growth” mean to you?
For me personally, growth is when my best book was my last (latest) book. If you ask an author what was the best book they have written, if they don't call off the last book of theirs that was published, then, Houston, we have a problem. As a writer, you are always learning, progressing, growing and developing more within the craft. If the best book you ever wrote is three books back down the line, then you might want to consider sharpening your tools. It's okay for your favorite book to be somewhere back down the line, but your best book should always be the one that just came off the press.
BPM: Introduce us to your latest book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?
I Ain't Me No More is book one of my three book "Always Divas" series. The main character, Helen, is not only the newest member of the New Day Temple of Faith Singles Ministry, but she quickly becomes the vixen with all her evil ways and tactics. Helen is not one of those church folk the members love to hate. They just out right hate her!
But is there something more to Helen than the hard, nasty exterior she puts up? Lord knows she hasn't been saved all her life, but was she born evil? Why else would someone set out to intentionally inject turmoil into the lives around her? Well, the women at New Day don't know and most don't care. They believe the antidote to this snake's venom is to throw her out the church on her behind. But when Helen decides to let these New Day divas in on her past skeletons, will that change their minds?
With the compassion and wisdom of church mother, Mother Doreen, indeed one of my favorite New Day characters, the women just might find that Helen is worth saving. Question is, though; Does Helen want to be saved? Helen is special because she is flawed to the point where you want to close your eyes and say a prayer for her your own self. That's just how realistic this character and her life situations are. Either you know Helen or, which might be even scarier, you are Helen. More power to you if you were Helen but overcame your own self and ways and aren't you any more (the old you ;-).
While readers are raising eyebrows and shedding tears for some of Helen's choices in life, they are at the same time yearning for her to just get it.
Readers will ultimately want Helen to win at this challenge called life. Mother Doreen is a character from my book, The Perfect Christian, who I allow to make a cameo in Helen's story. Mother Doreen is just that, the elder-the church mother-who always seems to say the perfect thing or do the perfect thing to get and keep things in order. Of course once you read The Perfect Christian you realize that with Mother Doreen, in her older years you see all her glory, but go back a few chapters in her life and my God does she have a story!
BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in I Ain't Me No More?
When I started this book five years ago, at the time, I was so displeased with who I was. The problem was, I didn't want to admit who I was, which was an angry, hurt and bitter person who had internalized and held onto those things, circumstances and situations that had made me that way. Doing so gave me an excuse to be mad. If I held onto what so and so did to me umpteen years ago, it justified the way I could treat so and so today. You can't quit it if you can't admit it.
So I had to take a for real-for real look at myself in the mirror, tell that reflection staring back at me just what I thought about her, and once I turned away from that mirror, make a conscious decision to leave her behind. I declared that I would do everything in my power to not be that person anymore...because she was disgusting and I hated her. If you go through life hating who you are, displaying love to others (heck, even like for that matter) is next to impossible. I had dealt with so much hurt and pain in my life that it ultimately became my normal. So if you wanted to fit into my normal world, you had to bring the hurt, bring the pain. When I got into church and got saved, I thought I was fixed. I was still broken though. It takes more work than just showing up at church every week and running down to the altar for someone to touch and agree with you or lay hands on you to get fixed.
The main character in I Ain't Me No More, Helen, is mad, bitter and angry at the hand she was dealt in life. Her problem; does she want to be fixed or is she so comfortable with pain that she wouldn't know how to live without it? Plain and simple: Helen is not that likeable. As a matter of fact, the last book I wrote, The Sunday Only Christian, the main character in that one wasn't so likeable either. So as God kept giving me these unlikable people as main characters, I got scared. As an author there was a fear that if readers didn't like my main character, then they wouldn't like my book. So during prayer I expressed to God my concerns. His reply: "This book is not for people to like the main character. This book is for people like the main character."
BPM: Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?
Book sales are not the only indicator of my success as a writer. Once upon a time I used to desire to be a New York Times bestselling author. That motivated me to no end. But then I watched Spike Lee do an interview in which he stated that you can not allow an award or organization to validate who you are in your craft. Talk about a revelation! I heard his words. I got it. Plain and simple I got it. It was at that moment I knew that my success was not based on sells, awards, titles or anything else. Success is personal. Success is your own criteria and goals that you set for yourself. Have I reached the level of success I desire for myself? Absolutely not. I don't even feel close. Can I take out a pad and pencil and write down what those indicators are. Absolutely not.
Call me crazy but success for me is going to be that feeling I get when I know "It is finished." When I know that I have not done just the best that I can do, but that I have done ALL that I can do and feel it in the depths of my soul that God is pleased and that I am pleased with myself. I always say that the greatest "Ah Ha" moment a person can have is when their life begins to make sense. Well none of this makes sense to me yet.
I went from writing secular works where the royalty checks kept my head above water and the lights on, to writing Christian fiction to where-let's keep it all the way one hunid- it's a challenge to get Christian folks to even buy Christian fiction.
It's been such a challenge that on some days I entertain the thought of going back to writing my trashy novels that would allow me to at least buy a named brand hand bag every now and then. Obedience is better than sacrifice though. So I continue to trust God, which means, I continue to write what He instructs me to. Even though those royalty checks aren't what I'd like them to be, somehow the lights are still on!
BPM: Share with us your latest news.
I'm most excited about my October 2013 release, I Ain't Me No More, which is book one of the "Always Divas" series. I'm already putting the finishing touches on book two of the series, which is titled More Than I Can Bear, and that releases May 2014.
Connect with the author online:
Website: www.enjoywrites.com
Instagram: blessedselling_author_enjoy
Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/enjoywrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorENJOY
Book 1 of the Always Diva SeriesListen to E.N. Joy read from an incredible section of the book, click here.
I Ain't Me No MoreHelen wasn't just born the devious vixen of New Day Temple of Faith. There had to be something rooted deep within her to make her inflict and feed off of other people's pain.
Perhaps it was her own pain that she had suppressed for so many years-an unimaginable pain-that created an internal prison of which her mind was the only captive. But once the demons within her break free, those around her better beware, as Helen surely becomes the epitome of the saying, "Hurt people, hurt people."
In I Ain't Me No More, Helen has no shame displaying that she hasn't been saved all her life. Will the divas of New Day Temple of Faith think Helen's worth saving? But more importantly, can God save Helen from not only her evil past; can He save her from herself?First Chapter ExcerptMan, I hate the cleaning guy! Why does he have to do his job so well? Can’t he ever leave just one spot, smear or smudge on this dang stripper pole? Something so that I don’t have to see myself so painfully visible like this? What makes him think I want to be able to see myself twirling around this pole like some skilled monkey—caught up in the powerful grip of the almighty dollar; a grip known to have choked the life out of many while leaving others gasping for their last breath?
“That’s for you,” Damon spoke out over R. Kelly’s “Your Body’s Calling.” With his chestnut brown, bald head and facial hair that is edged up nice and clean, Damon licks his thumb and uses it to flick a twenty dollar bill off the stack of money he’s palming.
I swivel my body down to the ground the way the vanilla and chocolate swirl ice cream at the DQ makes its way from the machine to the cone. “Baby, you know it takes gas to keep a Cadillac like myself going,” I say to Damon. “As long as you keep filling up the tank, I’ma go-go all night.” I swivel my body back up to a standing position while adding, “In any direction you want me to go.”
Damon’s lips part into that sexy signature smile of his.
“Whatever you want,” Damon said. “It’s your Caddy. I’ll drive, ride, heck, I’ll even be a backseat passenger. Just know that I got you, Ma.” Damon begins to flick off bills like he’s the dealer in a game of spades.
I’m very much content with the hand I’m being dealt. So much so that I want to drop to my knees and begin scooping like a kid standing under a piñata that has just been busted open. But I don’t want to appear too desperate. Resolving to strip in the first place was out of desperation. At the time of making the decision I felt trapped, like Jonah in the belly of the big fish. I was always trying to make ends meet, but neither of my ends were the least bit interested in getting to know one another. Bills were due. I weighed some options on my immoral scale of desperation and stripping was a less load to travel with in my mental carry-on. I mean, at least I’m not selling my whole self --just bartering off a piece of me.
“Go on, Go-Go Girl. You know you wanna bend that thang over and pick up that loot.”
Once again, Damon licks his thumb and lightens his pile of money as he flicks a couple more bills onto the stage at my feet. “Come on, just show me a li’l sumpin’-sumpin’,” Damon urges. His eyes peruse my body from head to toe, wetting his thumb in preparation to keep making it rain.
And this was rain, might I add. Ones being flicked off; that’s a chance of rain. Fives being flicked off; that’s a little drizzle. Tens being flicked off; that’s a scattered shower. Twenties; that’s rain. Benjamins; an all-out thunderstorm!
“Come on, Damon, you know the rules. You don’t want me to break the rules and get put on punishment do you?” I ask, making a puppy dog face.
“Forget the rules,” Damon barks like the big dawg he is. “And if all that is worthy of just a peek,” he says, referring to all the money he’s laid at my feet, “I can only imagine what this will get me.”
I freeze on the stage, which means the bill Damon is now displaying must be triggering some type of ice storm. Until this very moment, I never even knew that such a bill exists.
“What’s the matter, Go-Go Girl? You ain’t never seen a five hundred dollar bill before?” He chuckles. “So what do you say you make tonight a first for a lot of things?”
All of a sudden I’m starting to think about church, kicking myself for not having paid my respects (or tithes) to the house of the Lord in a couple of months. At the same time I’m trying my hardest to recall one of those messages that have to do with temptation-a scripture or something- because to tell the truth and shame the devil, I am beyond tempted to take Damon up on his offer.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” That isn’t exactly the scripture I’m grappling for, but it still seems fitting.
My name; Helen Lannden. How much is it worth today? Twenty-five year old Helen Lannden. How much will my name be worth tomorrow, especially if I trick for this money today?
( Continues... )
Copyright © 2013 by E. N. Joy. All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, E. N. Joy. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.
Intimate Conversation with E. N. JoyBLESSED selling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas,” the “Still Divas” three book series and the “Always Divas” three book series, which have been coined the “Soap Opera In Print.”
The “New Day Divas” series includes the titles: She Who Finds A Husband, Been There Prayed That, Love Honor or Stray, Trying to Stay Saved and I Can Do Better All By Myself.
The “Still Divas” series includes the titles: And You Call Yourself a Christian, The Perfect Christian and The Sunday Only Christian. The “Always Divas” series includes the titles I Ain’t Me No More, More Than I Can Bear and You Get What You Pray For.
Joy writes children’s and young adult titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy performs in schools nationwide.
Currently, Joy is the executive editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying. You can visit Joy at www.enjoywrites.com.
BPM: What is the one thing you would like all of your readers to know about you?
That I live breathe, eat and sleep (well, not much sleep) this literary thing. It’s real. It’s not a hobby. It’s not something I do on the side. It’s my life. I take it serious. It’s my craft, my career, my first love and now it’s my ministry. With that being said, readers need to know that when I put something out for them, I’m truly giving them my all. And if I fall short of their expectations, I’ll do everything I can to try to do a better job next time in order to earn and keep their readership.
BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?
I went to school for legal assisting and was a paralegal for thirteen years. Not many of my books deal with the legal system, but as far as my faith, my being a Christian, it inspires every word I write. Because I am a Christian who writes Christian fiction for a Christian fiction imprint (Urban Christian), my books absolutely must have Christ in them.
My walk with Christ has not been easy. I did not dedicate my life to Christ one Sunday morning and then all my problems went away. It just so happens that I was my biggest problem, and since I wasn't going anywhere, I had to begin to deal with myself. This goes for most of my characters I write about as well. Some of them just can't seem to get out of their own way, let go of their issues and past and let God. And just like in real life, some of the characters get it after getting it wrong so many times. Then there are those who just never seem to get it. The latter characters, like some real folks, end up going through life thinking it's a battle of them against the world, never realizing that they are their own worse enemy...and sometimes their only enemy.
BPM: What does “growth” mean to you?
For me personally, growth is when my best book was my last (latest) book. If you ask an author what was the best book they have written, if they don't call off the last book of theirs that was published, then, Houston, we have a problem. As a writer, you are always learning, progressing, growing and developing more within the craft. If the best book you ever wrote is three books back down the line, then you might want to consider sharpening your tools. It's okay for your favorite book to be somewhere back down the line, but your best book should always be the one that just came off the press.
BPM: Introduce us to your latest book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?
I Ain't Me No More is book one of my three book "Always Divas" series. The main character, Helen, is not only the newest member of the New Day Temple of Faith Singles Ministry, but she quickly becomes the vixen with all her evil ways and tactics. Helen is not one of those church folk the members love to hate. They just out right hate her!
But is there something more to Helen than the hard, nasty exterior she puts up? Lord knows she hasn't been saved all her life, but was she born evil? Why else would someone set out to intentionally inject turmoil into the lives around her? Well, the women at New Day don't know and most don't care. They believe the antidote to this snake's venom is to throw her out the church on her behind. But when Helen decides to let these New Day divas in on her past skeletons, will that change their minds?
With the compassion and wisdom of church mother, Mother Doreen, indeed one of my favorite New Day characters, the women just might find that Helen is worth saving. Question is, though; Does Helen want to be saved? Helen is special because she is flawed to the point where you want to close your eyes and say a prayer for her your own self. That's just how realistic this character and her life situations are. Either you know Helen or, which might be even scarier, you are Helen. More power to you if you were Helen but overcame your own self and ways and aren't you any more (the old you ;-).
While readers are raising eyebrows and shedding tears for some of Helen's choices in life, they are at the same time yearning for her to just get it.
Readers will ultimately want Helen to win at this challenge called life. Mother Doreen is a character from my book, The Perfect Christian, who I allow to make a cameo in Helen's story. Mother Doreen is just that, the elder-the church mother-who always seems to say the perfect thing or do the perfect thing to get and keep things in order. Of course once you read The Perfect Christian you realize that with Mother Doreen, in her older years you see all her glory, but go back a few chapters in her life and my God does she have a story!
BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in I Ain't Me No More?
When I started this book five years ago, at the time, I was so displeased with who I was. The problem was, I didn't want to admit who I was, which was an angry, hurt and bitter person who had internalized and held onto those things, circumstances and situations that had made me that way. Doing so gave me an excuse to be mad. If I held onto what so and so did to me umpteen years ago, it justified the way I could treat so and so today. You can't quit it if you can't admit it.
So I had to take a for real-for real look at myself in the mirror, tell that reflection staring back at me just what I thought about her, and once I turned away from that mirror, make a conscious decision to leave her behind. I declared that I would do everything in my power to not be that person anymore...because she was disgusting and I hated her. If you go through life hating who you are, displaying love to others (heck, even like for that matter) is next to impossible. I had dealt with so much hurt and pain in my life that it ultimately became my normal. So if you wanted to fit into my normal world, you had to bring the hurt, bring the pain. When I got into church and got saved, I thought I was fixed. I was still broken though. It takes more work than just showing up at church every week and running down to the altar for someone to touch and agree with you or lay hands on you to get fixed.
The main character in I Ain't Me No More, Helen, is mad, bitter and angry at the hand she was dealt in life. Her problem; does she want to be fixed or is she so comfortable with pain that she wouldn't know how to live without it? Plain and simple: Helen is not that likeable. As a matter of fact, the last book I wrote, The Sunday Only Christian, the main character in that one wasn't so likeable either. So as God kept giving me these unlikable people as main characters, I got scared. As an author there was a fear that if readers didn't like my main character, then they wouldn't like my book. So during prayer I expressed to God my concerns. His reply: "This book is not for people to like the main character. This book is for people like the main character."
BPM: Do you think book sales are the only indicator of your success as a writer?
Book sales are not the only indicator of my success as a writer. Once upon a time I used to desire to be a New York Times bestselling author. That motivated me to no end. But then I watched Spike Lee do an interview in which he stated that you can not allow an award or organization to validate who you are in your craft. Talk about a revelation! I heard his words. I got it. Plain and simple I got it. It was at that moment I knew that my success was not based on sells, awards, titles or anything else. Success is personal. Success is your own criteria and goals that you set for yourself. Have I reached the level of success I desire for myself? Absolutely not. I don't even feel close. Can I take out a pad and pencil and write down what those indicators are. Absolutely not.
Call me crazy but success for me is going to be that feeling I get when I know "It is finished." When I know that I have not done just the best that I can do, but that I have done ALL that I can do and feel it in the depths of my soul that God is pleased and that I am pleased with myself. I always say that the greatest "Ah Ha" moment a person can have is when their life begins to make sense. Well none of this makes sense to me yet.
I went from writing secular works where the royalty checks kept my head above water and the lights on, to writing Christian fiction to where-let's keep it all the way one hunid- it's a challenge to get Christian folks to even buy Christian fiction.
It's been such a challenge that on some days I entertain the thought of going back to writing my trashy novels that would allow me to at least buy a named brand hand bag every now and then. Obedience is better than sacrifice though. So I continue to trust God, which means, I continue to write what He instructs me to. Even though those royalty checks aren't what I'd like them to be, somehow the lights are still on!
BPM: Share with us your latest news.
I'm most excited about my October 2013 release, I Ain't Me No More, which is book one of the "Always Divas" series. I'm already putting the finishing touches on book two of the series, which is titled More Than I Can Bear, and that releases May 2014.
Connect with the author online:
Website: www.enjoywrites.com
Instagram: blessedselling_author_enjoy
Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/enjoywrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorENJOY
March 12, 2014
Sister Betty Says I Do
Sister Betty Says I DoBY PAT G'ORGE-WALKER
Sister Betty Says I Do -- Now Available!An inspiring, devilishly funny tale of hope, secrets—and hard-knock faith that can make the most impossible situations right…
For Sister Betty, the marriage proposal from trustee Freddie Noel is a once-in-a-lifetime surprise blessing. Unfortunately, she knows the chances of having a peaceful ceremony in their beloved Crossing Over Sanctuary Church are slim to none. But she’s armed with enough sense and scripture to keep contentious church busybodies Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn from sowing even more chaos amid the congregation—until a rehearsal disaster and an unexpected secret causes Freddie to break off the engagement without explanation…
While this no-nonsense prayer warrior needs all the holy backup she can get, her pastor,Reverend Leotis Tom, is desperately dodging temptation as Mother Pray Onn’s wild-child niece and Betty’s young cousin compete to become his First Lady. With her happiness, the church’s future, and Tom’s sanity on the line, Sister Betty will need to kick some spiritual butt, take names—and fight for some major soul-saving miracles.
What the Reviewers Are Saying
PICK OF THE MONTH by LibraryJournal.com
Sister Betty Sarah Becton and Trustee Freddie Noel (skinny and yellow as a number two pencil) are both on the far side of 60 but decide to jump the broom.
But there ain’t no drama like wedding-planning drama, especially in the small South Carolina town of Pelzer. Sweating in the Southern heat like “Friday night strippers sitting on Sunday morning church’s second pew,” church mothers Sasha Pray Onn and Bea Blister worry over Sister Betty’s plans.
But Freddie’s off-and-on health issues may delay the big event. A wild bunch of extended family and church folk meddle in the plans lending the story a hilarious reality show vibe.
Stealing scenes are Sweet Betty’s cousin Sharvon and sexy hot Ima, each batting their eyelashes at muscled and sexy Rev. Leotis Tom.
Down-home humor, scripture readings, and outrageous trash talk. Priceless. Sister Betty Says I Do is a wonderful romp that will have wide appeal to both sinners and saints.
Purchase your copy today!
Available on Nook and Kindle
ISBN-10: 0758289855
ISBN-13: 978-0758289858
http://amzn.com/0758289855
Meet the Author
Pat G'Orge-Walker is a former record industry veteran who has worked for several major labels including Epic, Def Jam, and Columbia. She also performed with the legendary 60's girl group, Arlene Smith and the Chantels ("Maybe") as well as with gospel groups.
Pat G’Orge-Walker aka Sister Betty is the Essence® bestselling author of Holy Mayhem, No Ordinary Noel, Somebody’s Sinning in My Bed; Somewhat Saved; Cruisin’ on Desperation; Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin’s Dead; Sister Betty, God’s Calling You, Again!; and contributed a short story to the anthology Proverbs for the People.
Growing up a preacher’s kid gave G’Orge-Walker a quirky perspective on the church community and inspired her to create a one-woman comedy show centering on Sister Betty, an elderly super saint whose un-Christian-like behavior blocks her blessings. With the success of the Sister Betty comedy show, G’Orge-Walker turned her humor and imagination to writing.
She resides in Long Island, New York. Look for her on Twitter and Facebook.
More Books by this Author
* Holy Mayhem
* No Ordinary Noel
* Somewhat Saved
* Don't Blame the Devil
* Somebody's Sinning in My Bed
Join the Sister Betty Facebook Fanpage
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Sister-Betty-Gorge-Walker-Fan-Page/168249483187573Excerpt from Sister Betty Says I Do
“Oh, man, please,” Thurgood said as he placed his hands on his hips. “You need to calm down. You already taking medicine for that high blood pressure.” Thurgood suddenly smiled. “Although, I got to tell you that you really surprised me back at Betty’s.”
Freddie stopped and spun around. “What are you talking about now?”
“I’m talking about the way you was reacting when my Dee Dee was reading that piece from the Song of Solomon. A man knows what another man is thinking.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Uh-huh.” Thurgood smiled. “I’m crazy enough to know that whatever you taking for your high blood pressure ain’t stopping Freddie Junior from trying to strike out on its own.”
A shade of red Thurgood had never seen before suddenly spread across Freddie’s face.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Thurgood told him. “Dee Dee can cause a stir in a graveyard.”
Freddie hung his head. “I guess now I’m being a bit hypocritical. I’m sorry,” he told Thurgood. “I’m not lusting after your wife. It’s Betty I want.”
Thurgood laughed. “Man, please. I ain’t hardly mad at you. Me and the whole world know that Dee Dee is a fine woman, and a gorgeous one at that.”
“She’s very pretty,” Freddie remarked. “But she’s not my Honey Bee.”
“Lord, no!” Thurgood blurted. “But I am glad to hear you say that. I mean, there’s a lot of playas out here and inside the church that would’ve had such ideas.”
“I’m no playa.”
“Of course you are,” Thurgood told him. “You’ve probably been running away and escaping the marriage claws by inches.”
“No, I haven’t,” Freddie admitted. “I’ve never been within reach of a marriage claw.”
“Really?” Thurgood said. He then folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the living room wall. “I betcha when you rode a horse, you tamed that filly, didn’t you?”
“I did ride a couple of horses back in the day, but as soon as I’d feel them bucking, I’d fall off too soon. . . . Word got around quick that I was no cowboy.”
What Freddie had confessed weakened Thurgood, and it showed as he slowly pushed away from the wall. Although he no longer wore his hair conked, the little gray fuzz he did have stood on edge. “Not even one that you could pay to ride?”
“Nope, I’ve never had a professional trainer in the art of sex.”
“And yet Betty still wants to marry you?” Thurgood shook his head and whistled as he looked Freddie in the eyes. “Man, whatever you need to do to get back on the good foot with my cousin, you need to do it. You can’t let nothing, not even high blood pressure, mess up your marriage plans.”
Thurgood began thumbing the side of his cheek, as though to conjure up more advice. “If you telling the truth and every woman you ever slept with has stamped your lovemaking skills ‘return to sender,’ then there’s all kinds of things you can use to get your manhood off the trade-in block. If you and Betty think y’all wanna consummate and make things legal, there are ways. I mean, you have the pump. It’s a hand pump, so I’m just assuming you ain’t been completely idle all these years, so you probably won’t have too much trouble with it. And then there’s Viagra and Cialis. I’m telling you there’s a pill or a cure for just about everything that ails you. We can even come up with something romantic to square away Betty’s misunderstanding of where you stand about marrying her.”
Thurgood held out his hand to Freddie. “I normally look for a check when I counsel, but since you gonna be family soon, a handshake will do.”
“Sure. Why not?” Freddie gave Thurgood a limp handshake.
“Why the soft handshake, Freddie? Didn’t I help you?”
“You helped with everything but my cancer.”
The two men stood opposite one another, watching smiles fade and concern take their place.
( Continues... )
© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.
Available on Nook and Kindle
ISBN-10: 0758289855
ISBN-13: 978-0758289858
http://amzn.com/0758289855
WE HAVE GIFTS FOR READERS!Spread the word.... we want to bring more entertainment, education and enlightenment to the community! LIKE this page and post it to Twitter. Scan the QR Code below and share with your cell-phone friends! Purchase the book by clicking here.
Each week we will select 3 people from the "shares" to receive gift books from Ella Curry! Program ends on September 30, 2014! So tell all of your friends about us by clicking on the Facebook and Twitter links! Thank you!
The Greatest Gift Is Your Support!Facebook@edc1creations
Please consider joining the EDC Creations team by becoming a blog tour host, radio interviewer, chat host or by purchasing one of the books featured here and giving it to a friend. We welcome the community into the program and will support any of our partners with promotion in return.
Spread the word.... we want to bring more entertainment, education and enlightenment to the community! LIKE this page and post it to Twitter. Each week we will select 3 people from the shares to receive gift books from Ella Curry! Program ends on September 30, 2014!
Authors if you need the most effective book promotions in the industry, contact Ella Curry and EDC Creations, by clicking here today.Online Book Promotions Dailyedc_dg@yahoo.com301-892-6573blackpearlsmagazine.com
Sister Betty Says I Do -- Now Available!An inspiring, devilishly funny tale of hope, secrets—and hard-knock faith that can make the most impossible situations right…For Sister Betty, the marriage proposal from trustee Freddie Noel is a once-in-a-lifetime surprise blessing. Unfortunately, she knows the chances of having a peaceful ceremony in their beloved Crossing Over Sanctuary Church are slim to none. But she’s armed with enough sense and scripture to keep contentious church busybodies Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn from sowing even more chaos amid the congregation—until a rehearsal disaster and an unexpected secret causes Freddie to break off the engagement without explanation…
While this no-nonsense prayer warrior needs all the holy backup she can get, her pastor,Reverend Leotis Tom, is desperately dodging temptation as Mother Pray Onn’s wild-child niece and Betty’s young cousin compete to become his First Lady. With her happiness, the church’s future, and Tom’s sanity on the line, Sister Betty will need to kick some spiritual butt, take names—and fight for some major soul-saving miracles.
What the Reviewers Are Saying
PICK OF THE MONTH by LibraryJournal.com
Sister Betty Sarah Becton and Trustee Freddie Noel (skinny and yellow as a number two pencil) are both on the far side of 60 but decide to jump the broom.
But there ain’t no drama like wedding-planning drama, especially in the small South Carolina town of Pelzer. Sweating in the Southern heat like “Friday night strippers sitting on Sunday morning church’s second pew,” church mothers Sasha Pray Onn and Bea Blister worry over Sister Betty’s plans.
But Freddie’s off-and-on health issues may delay the big event. A wild bunch of extended family and church folk meddle in the plans lending the story a hilarious reality show vibe.
Stealing scenes are Sweet Betty’s cousin Sharvon and sexy hot Ima, each batting their eyelashes at muscled and sexy Rev. Leotis Tom.
Down-home humor, scripture readings, and outrageous trash talk. Priceless. Sister Betty Says I Do is a wonderful romp that will have wide appeal to both sinners and saints.
Purchase your copy today!
Available on Nook and Kindle
ISBN-10: 0758289855
ISBN-13: 978-0758289858
http://amzn.com/0758289855
Meet the Author
Pat G'Orge-Walker is a former record industry veteran who has worked for several major labels including Epic, Def Jam, and Columbia. She also performed with the legendary 60's girl group, Arlene Smith and the Chantels ("Maybe") as well as with gospel groups.
Pat G’Orge-Walker aka Sister Betty is the Essence® bestselling author of Holy Mayhem, No Ordinary Noel, Somebody’s Sinning in My Bed; Somewhat Saved; Cruisin’ on Desperation; Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin’s Dead; Sister Betty, God’s Calling You, Again!; and contributed a short story to the anthology Proverbs for the People.
Growing up a preacher’s kid gave G’Orge-Walker a quirky perspective on the church community and inspired her to create a one-woman comedy show centering on Sister Betty, an elderly super saint whose un-Christian-like behavior blocks her blessings. With the success of the Sister Betty comedy show, G’Orge-Walker turned her humor and imagination to writing.
She resides in Long Island, New York. Look for her on Twitter and Facebook.
More Books by this Author
* Holy Mayhem
* No Ordinary Noel
* Somewhat Saved
* Don't Blame the Devil
* Somebody's Sinning in My Bed
Join the Sister Betty Facebook Fanpage
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Sister-Betty-Gorge-Walker-Fan-Page/168249483187573Excerpt from Sister Betty Says I Do
“Oh, man, please,” Thurgood said as he placed his hands on his hips. “You need to calm down. You already taking medicine for that high blood pressure.” Thurgood suddenly smiled. “Although, I got to tell you that you really surprised me back at Betty’s.”
Freddie stopped and spun around. “What are you talking about now?”
“I’m talking about the way you was reacting when my Dee Dee was reading that piece from the Song of Solomon. A man knows what another man is thinking.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Uh-huh.” Thurgood smiled. “I’m crazy enough to know that whatever you taking for your high blood pressure ain’t stopping Freddie Junior from trying to strike out on its own.”
A shade of red Thurgood had never seen before suddenly spread across Freddie’s face.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Thurgood told him. “Dee Dee can cause a stir in a graveyard.”
Freddie hung his head. “I guess now I’m being a bit hypocritical. I’m sorry,” he told Thurgood. “I’m not lusting after your wife. It’s Betty I want.”
Thurgood laughed. “Man, please. I ain’t hardly mad at you. Me and the whole world know that Dee Dee is a fine woman, and a gorgeous one at that.”
“She’s very pretty,” Freddie remarked. “But she’s not my Honey Bee.”
“Lord, no!” Thurgood blurted. “But I am glad to hear you say that. I mean, there’s a lot of playas out here and inside the church that would’ve had such ideas.”
“I’m no playa.”
“Of course you are,” Thurgood told him. “You’ve probably been running away and escaping the marriage claws by inches.”
“No, I haven’t,” Freddie admitted. “I’ve never been within reach of a marriage claw.”
“Really?” Thurgood said. He then folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the living room wall. “I betcha when you rode a horse, you tamed that filly, didn’t you?”
“I did ride a couple of horses back in the day, but as soon as I’d feel them bucking, I’d fall off too soon. . . . Word got around quick that I was no cowboy.”
What Freddie had confessed weakened Thurgood, and it showed as he slowly pushed away from the wall. Although he no longer wore his hair conked, the little gray fuzz he did have stood on edge. “Not even one that you could pay to ride?”
“Nope, I’ve never had a professional trainer in the art of sex.”
“And yet Betty still wants to marry you?” Thurgood shook his head and whistled as he looked Freddie in the eyes. “Man, whatever you need to do to get back on the good foot with my cousin, you need to do it. You can’t let nothing, not even high blood pressure, mess up your marriage plans.”
Thurgood began thumbing the side of his cheek, as though to conjure up more advice. “If you telling the truth and every woman you ever slept with has stamped your lovemaking skills ‘return to sender,’ then there’s all kinds of things you can use to get your manhood off the trade-in block. If you and Betty think y’all wanna consummate and make things legal, there are ways. I mean, you have the pump. It’s a hand pump, so I’m just assuming you ain’t been completely idle all these years, so you probably won’t have too much trouble with it. And then there’s Viagra and Cialis. I’m telling you there’s a pill or a cure for just about everything that ails you. We can even come up with something romantic to square away Betty’s misunderstanding of where you stand about marrying her.”
Thurgood held out his hand to Freddie. “I normally look for a check when I counsel, but since you gonna be family soon, a handshake will do.”
“Sure. Why not?” Freddie gave Thurgood a limp handshake.
“Why the soft handshake, Freddie? Didn’t I help you?”
“You helped with everything but my cancer.”
The two men stood opposite one another, watching smiles fade and concern take their place.
( Continues... )
© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.
Available on Nook and Kindle
ISBN-10: 0758289855
ISBN-13: 978-0758289858
http://amzn.com/0758289855
WE HAVE GIFTS FOR READERS!Spread the word.... we want to bring more entertainment, education and enlightenment to the community! LIKE this page and post it to Twitter. Scan the QR Code below and share with your cell-phone friends! Purchase the book by clicking here.
Each week we will select 3 people from the "shares" to receive gift books from Ella Curry! Program ends on September 30, 2014! So tell all of your friends about us by clicking on the Facebook and Twitter links! Thank you!
The Greatest Gift Is Your Support!Facebook@edc1creations
Please consider joining the EDC Creations team by becoming a blog tour host, radio interviewer, chat host or by purchasing one of the books featured here and giving it to a friend. We welcome the community into the program and will support any of our partners with promotion in return.
Spread the word.... we want to bring more entertainment, education and enlightenment to the community! LIKE this page and post it to Twitter. Each week we will select 3 people from the shares to receive gift books from Ella Curry! Program ends on September 30, 2014!
Authors if you need the most effective book promotions in the industry, contact Ella Curry and EDC Creations, by clicking here today.Online Book Promotions Dailyedc_dg@yahoo.com301-892-6573blackpearlsmagazine.com
March 9, 2014
When Perfection Fails
When Perfection FailsVictory Gospel Series by Tyora Moody
When Perfection Fails: Victory Gospel Series
Reverend Jonathan Freeman and his wife Lenora are quickly becoming Charlotte’s “it” couple. All eyes are on them as Jonathan is named pastor of a church following the death of his father and Lenora has become a sought-after wedding planner. The Freemans are media darlings and a model couple; the picture of perfection. Or are they?
Behind the scenes, Jonathan struggles with his role as pastor of a megachurch while Lenora grows increasingly and uncharacteristically distant. A number of odd and tragic incidents push her further away from the love of her life and the façade of perfection begins to crack.
A carefully guarded secret catches up with Lenora and it threatens her security as well as that of her family. Has an imperfect past finally caught up with her? Will the ghost of someone she thought long dead rise like Lazarus from the grave and destroy all she has worked to preserve? Or will Lenora fight to protect the man she loves and the beautiful life God has blessed her to have?
Excerpt from When Perfection Fails by Tyora Moody
PROLOGUE
Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989
Lenora clutched the car dashboard and shouted as her friend almost rammed the Honda Civic into the car in front of them. The brakes squealed in protest as the car came to a stop inches away from the back of the Buick LaSabre. Charmayne smacked the steering wheel. “Woo, that was a close one.” Then, she started to laugh.
Lenora stretched her eyes wide as she watched her friend appear as if she was having a mental breakdown. “That wasn’t funny. You need to get yourself together.”
The light changed from red to green. The unscathed Buick took off and the driver behind them was blowing his horn. Charmayne stopped giggling. She grabbed the rearview mirror and made an obscene gesture with her hand. “I know you ain’t blowing your horn at me.”
Lenora pointed towards the light. “Charmayne, the light is green. Go!”
“Whatever!” Charmayne placed her hands on the steering wheel. The car lurched forward as she pressed the accelerator. After they had driven half-way down the block,
Lenora asked, “How much did you drink? Maybe I should drive.”
Charmayne shook her head. “Girl, you can’t drive. Besides I’m fine.”
Her friend held up her fingers and counted. “I only had like two, three beers. I think.”
Lenora held her hand to her forehead. “If I had known...”
Charmayne held her hand towards Lenora’s face. “Girl, would you stop tripping? I can tell your momma don’t let you go nowhere. This might have been your first time to a party, not mine. Just sit tight. I will have you home in a second, okay.” She reached over and turned the radio’s volume dial up high.
As Charmayne proceeded to sing loudly to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,” Lenora sucked her teeth and crossed her arms. Why did I let Charmayne convince me to go to this party? She felt bad lying to her mother knowing how hard she worked and expected
Lenora to keep up her grades. Tonight was definitely not a study group session at Charmayne’s house. As Lenora glanced out the window, something whizzed by the passenger side. Before Lenora could register what she was seeing the car slid to the right crashing into the flying object. The sounds of screeching metal over the loud thumping music terrified Lenora.
“What was that?” Lenora yelled. She turned her body to see what had just scraped the side of the car. “Charmayne, you have to stop the car.”
Charmayne slowed the car down and turned the blaring music down. She grabbed the rearview mirror and whined, “Oh no!”
“What?” Lenora spun around to peer out the back window. They had turned down the road leading to her home and there weren’t any other cars behind them. Lenora squinted into the darkness. A streetlight illuminated cars parked along the streets. Her eyes locked in on what appeared to be a body on the road. Panic rose in her gut. She looked at Charmayne. “What did you do? Is that a person?” Lenora spun around and reached for the door handle.
READ THE ENTIRE EXCERPT HERE
Purchase When Perfection Fails, Victory Gospel Series, Book 3
Romantic Suspense/Christian Fictionhttp://www.amazon.com/When-Perfection-Fails-Victory-Gospel/dp/1601627157
MEET THE AUTHORTyora Moody is an author and literary entrepreneur. Tyora has coined her fiction books as Soul-Searching Suspense. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, was released March 2012 (Urban Christian). This is the first book in the Victory Gospel series. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series, When Memories Fade, was released in April 2013 (Urban Christian). The final book in the series, When Perfection Fails (Urban Christian) was released March 2014.
Deep Fried Trouble, the first book in the Eugeena Patterson Mystery series was released June 2013 (Tymm Publishing LLC). She is currently working on the second book in the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Oven Baked Secrets (October 2014) and the first book in a new romantic suspense series (April 2015).
She is the 2013 Urban Literary Awards Debut Author Winner and 2013 Urban Literary Awards Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Winner. Tyora is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.
As a literary-focused entrepreneur, she has assisted countless authors with developing an online presence via her company, TywebbinCreations.com. Popular services include online publicity, social media management, book trailers and book covers. DIYwithTy is an instructional platform that grew from her 13+ years of working with authors. The Literary Entrepreneur’s Toolkit was released January 2014.
When Tyora isn’t working for a client or doing something literary, she enjoys spending time with family, catching a movie on the big screen, and traveling. For more information about her literary endeavors, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.
Connect with Tyora "Ty" Moody | TyoraMoody.com
Author and Literary Entrepreneur
FIND TY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
http://www.tyoramoody.comhttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoodyhttp://www.twitter.com/TyoraMoody
VICTORY GOSPEL SERIES | SteppingIntoVictory.com
When Perfection Fails, Book 3 (March 2014)When Memories Fade, Book 2 When Rain Falls, Book 1
EUGEENA PATTERSON MYSTERIES | EugeenaPatterson.comOven Baked Secrets, Book 2 (October 2014)Deep Fried Trouble, Book 1Shattered Dreams: A Short Story
DIYwithTy SERIES | DIYwithTy.comThe Literary Entrepreneur's Toolkit (January 2014)
When Perfection Fails: Victory Gospel SeriesReverend Jonathan Freeman and his wife Lenora are quickly becoming Charlotte’s “it” couple. All eyes are on them as Jonathan is named pastor of a church following the death of his father and Lenora has become a sought-after wedding planner. The Freemans are media darlings and a model couple; the picture of perfection. Or are they?
Behind the scenes, Jonathan struggles with his role as pastor of a megachurch while Lenora grows increasingly and uncharacteristically distant. A number of odd and tragic incidents push her further away from the love of her life and the façade of perfection begins to crack.
A carefully guarded secret catches up with Lenora and it threatens her security as well as that of her family. Has an imperfect past finally caught up with her? Will the ghost of someone she thought long dead rise like Lazarus from the grave and destroy all she has worked to preserve? Or will Lenora fight to protect the man she loves and the beautiful life God has blessed her to have?
Excerpt from When Perfection Fails by Tyora Moody
PROLOGUE
Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989
Lenora clutched the car dashboard and shouted as her friend almost rammed the Honda Civic into the car in front of them. The brakes squealed in protest as the car came to a stop inches away from the back of the Buick LaSabre. Charmayne smacked the steering wheel. “Woo, that was a close one.” Then, she started to laugh.
Lenora stretched her eyes wide as she watched her friend appear as if she was having a mental breakdown. “That wasn’t funny. You need to get yourself together.”
The light changed from red to green. The unscathed Buick took off and the driver behind them was blowing his horn. Charmayne stopped giggling. She grabbed the rearview mirror and made an obscene gesture with her hand. “I know you ain’t blowing your horn at me.”
Lenora pointed towards the light. “Charmayne, the light is green. Go!”
“Whatever!” Charmayne placed her hands on the steering wheel. The car lurched forward as she pressed the accelerator. After they had driven half-way down the block,
Lenora asked, “How much did you drink? Maybe I should drive.”
Charmayne shook her head. “Girl, you can’t drive. Besides I’m fine.”
Her friend held up her fingers and counted. “I only had like two, three beers. I think.”
Lenora held her hand to her forehead. “If I had known...”
Charmayne held her hand towards Lenora’s face. “Girl, would you stop tripping? I can tell your momma don’t let you go nowhere. This might have been your first time to a party, not mine. Just sit tight. I will have you home in a second, okay.” She reached over and turned the radio’s volume dial up high.
As Charmayne proceeded to sing loudly to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,” Lenora sucked her teeth and crossed her arms. Why did I let Charmayne convince me to go to this party? She felt bad lying to her mother knowing how hard she worked and expected
Lenora to keep up her grades. Tonight was definitely not a study group session at Charmayne’s house. As Lenora glanced out the window, something whizzed by the passenger side. Before Lenora could register what she was seeing the car slid to the right crashing into the flying object. The sounds of screeching metal over the loud thumping music terrified Lenora.
“What was that?” Lenora yelled. She turned her body to see what had just scraped the side of the car. “Charmayne, you have to stop the car.”
Charmayne slowed the car down and turned the blaring music down. She grabbed the rearview mirror and whined, “Oh no!”
“What?” Lenora spun around to peer out the back window. They had turned down the road leading to her home and there weren’t any other cars behind them. Lenora squinted into the darkness. A streetlight illuminated cars parked along the streets. Her eyes locked in on what appeared to be a body on the road. Panic rose in her gut. She looked at Charmayne. “What did you do? Is that a person?” Lenora spun around and reached for the door handle.
READ THE ENTIRE EXCERPT HERE
Purchase When Perfection Fails, Victory Gospel Series, Book 3
Romantic Suspense/Christian Fictionhttp://www.amazon.com/When-Perfection-Fails-Victory-Gospel/dp/1601627157
MEET THE AUTHORTyora Moody is an author and literary entrepreneur. Tyora has coined her fiction books as Soul-Searching Suspense. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, was released March 2012 (Urban Christian). This is the first book in the Victory Gospel series. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series, When Memories Fade, was released in April 2013 (Urban Christian). The final book in the series, When Perfection Fails (Urban Christian) was released March 2014.
Deep Fried Trouble, the first book in the Eugeena Patterson Mystery series was released June 2013 (Tymm Publishing LLC). She is currently working on the second book in the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Oven Baked Secrets (October 2014) and the first book in a new romantic suspense series (April 2015).
She is the 2013 Urban Literary Awards Debut Author Winner and 2013 Urban Literary Awards Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Winner. Tyora is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.
As a literary-focused entrepreneur, she has assisted countless authors with developing an online presence via her company, TywebbinCreations.com. Popular services include online publicity, social media management, book trailers and book covers. DIYwithTy is an instructional platform that grew from her 13+ years of working with authors. The Literary Entrepreneur’s Toolkit was released January 2014.
When Tyora isn’t working for a client or doing something literary, she enjoys spending time with family, catching a movie on the big screen, and traveling. For more information about her literary endeavors, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.
Connect with Tyora "Ty" Moody | TyoraMoody.com
Author and Literary Entrepreneur
FIND TY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
http://www.tyoramoody.comhttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoodyhttp://www.twitter.com/TyoraMoody
VICTORY GOSPEL SERIES | SteppingIntoVictory.com
When Perfection Fails, Book 3 (March 2014)When Memories Fade, Book 2 When Rain Falls, Book 1
EUGEENA PATTERSON MYSTERIES | EugeenaPatterson.comOven Baked Secrets, Book 2 (October 2014)Deep Fried Trouble, Book 1Shattered Dreams: A Short Story
DIYwithTy SERIES | DIYwithTy.comThe Literary Entrepreneur's Toolkit (January 2014)
February 24, 2014
Review for Walk A Straight Line
I'd like to share a review of Walk A Straight Line, by Tiffany Talks Books.
"I absolutely L-O-V-E-D Walk A Straight Line! Colleen and Gina are lifelong friends whose friendship comes into question when one of them decides to have a closer relationship with the Lord. Many questions arise such as can one still love their friend if they choose not to walk the same spiritual path as you and can a friendship remain intact if a person decides to live life on her own terms instead of following God's Word?
"Colleen stopped her cold. "You'd better get out of my face, or you'll be picking your teeth up off the floor." She knew she was saved, but she meant every word. It was eye for an eye time, and she wasn't going to turn the other cheek - except to slap it."
I applaud Michelle Lindo-Rice for showing that even in Christian fiction it is ok to portray your characters as having real-life emotions and reactions. She doesn't gloss over anything and make it seem like Christians live a life void of drama. Walk A Straight Line was a dream to me. The words flowed effortlessly off of every single page. Every time I flipped a page it built upon the last one and moved the story forward. Walks A Straight Line is so far one of my favorites of 2014!"
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Walk A Straight Line in exchange for an honest review.
"I absolutely L-O-V-E-D Walk A Straight Line! Colleen and Gina are lifelong friends whose friendship comes into question when one of them decides to have a closer relationship with the Lord. Many questions arise such as can one still love their friend if they choose not to walk the same spiritual path as you and can a friendship remain intact if a person decides to live life on her own terms instead of following God's Word?
"Colleen stopped her cold. "You'd better get out of my face, or you'll be picking your teeth up off the floor." She knew she was saved, but she meant every word. It was eye for an eye time, and she wasn't going to turn the other cheek - except to slap it."
I applaud Michelle Lindo-Rice for showing that even in Christian fiction it is ok to portray your characters as having real-life emotions and reactions. She doesn't gloss over anything and make it seem like Christians live a life void of drama. Walk A Straight Line was a dream to me. The words flowed effortlessly off of every single page. Every time I flipped a page it built upon the last one and moved the story forward. Walks A Straight Line is so far one of my favorites of 2014!"
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Walk A Straight Line in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2014
February 7, 2014
No Conditions Book Blast & Book Giveaway
No Conditions Book Blast & Book Giveaway
Feb 7, 2014 by Dr. Vivi Monroe CongressGenre: Inspirational Fiction,
Hosted by: Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tour Tour Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/vivi-monroe-congress Autograph Copy~~ Raffle code : a Rafflecopter giveaway
About The Book
O.C. Byrd is hard-working, handsome and newly married to the woman of his prayers. With his sights firmly set on becoming a Gospel recording artist, his determination is beginning to pay off, earning him a windstorm of recognition at the local level. But will both his widespread notoriety and his marriage be jeopardized through the accidental discovery of his wife’s former lifestyle?Sneak Peak Chapter Ten “Okay, let’s hit that once more from the top,” directed one very perfection-driven recording engineer. Enoch “Z-man” Zimmerman is, by far, the most on-point dude I know; nothing gets by him—musically speaking—and if his name is attached to it, so is excellence. If I hadn’t known this about him beforehand, I would’ve ended this session an hour ago. Old dude is dipping into my pockets—deep. But, it’s all good. There’s no price tag on quality or knowing that your creative vision is being birthed and we did cover a lot of ground in these last two days. However, I was trying to come in under a budget since I still have to get updated headshots and that, alone, can cost a mint. Needless to say, the budget needs a budget.From within the encapsulated sound booth, I quickly prepare myself for a retake by clearing my throat and rolling my head to work out neck and shoulder tension. This is the last track we’re recording, also my favorite, and I can’t risk anything getting in the way of my sound. I’ve reworked the lyrics and rearranged the music to Will Downing’s All About You and in a play on words, I decided to use the working title, All About Him, for my CD. Z-man, who was previously in a zone setting the levels on the control panel, gives me his ‘look,’ the one that says, any minute now…waiting on you. Closing my eyes, I ease into the moment by thinking of the unending blessings God has poured into my life, most recently the love and devotion of a woman who loves Him as much as I do. I give Z-man a thumbs up, our non-verbal cue that I’m ready to record. Through my headphones, I hear the music intro and seconds later, Z-man‘s voice comes through in a word, “Rolling.” Swaying side to side, I’m feeling it and without forethought, I take ownership of the musical moment and sing, “I’m not a perfect man, I do the best I can…” Inside of four minutes, Z-man shouts, “Perfect!” and just like that we’re done. Demo complete, mission accomplished. Talk about feeling good … man!Collecting my sheet music from the copy stand, I give the booth the once-over and scan the small space for other belongings I might have overlooked. As if handling a Ming vase, I carefully place the headphones on the overhead hang. Lord knows the last thing I need now is to have Z-man add something else to my currently swollen studio tab.“You know, O.C., I believe your voice has gotten much stronger. Not at all like when I first recorded you a few years back. You’ve got a more mature sound.”Beaming with pride, “Man, a lot has gotten stronger andbetter with me.” I strike an impressive bodybuilder crab pose, careful not to flash the shiny new article of jewelry that now resides on the ring finger of my left land. We both laugh and post up a high-five on it. “Oh, I know that look. Had it once upon a time myself,” Z-man reflects. “That’s the look of a man who’s found his better half. Congrats again, man. I wish you the best.” His voice fades as though he’s been a casualty of love. And while his wound may still be fresh, he is no love reject; he’s recovering from the death of his wife earlier this year.“Thanks, Z,” I respond. Placing a sympathetic hand on his shoulder which serves as a point of contact as well, I whisper a brief prayer for his healing. “That means a lot, man.”“I miss her, O.C.” his voice slightly cracking, “I miss her a lot.” Z-man’s body slowly slumps in his chair, his eyes misting despite his best efforts to blink back the tears.Identifying with his pain in the presence of my own joy is a real challenge, but I do my best to console him anyway. “You and Maggie…watching the two of you was…was…well, inspiring. Y’all were so in sync. I’ve never seen anything like it except for my Mom and Pops, of course.” Although I did my best to encourage Z-man, Goddess is the pro at this kind of thing since she deals with death and sorrow every day for a living.I watch as a nostalgic smile sweeps across Z-man’s face. I must’ve said something right. Unfolding his grief-tormented body, he sits straight up and releases a fraction of his pain through a loud exhale, “Remember this…if this were your last day on earth, what would you look at more closely, more intensely? What would you appreciate? What would you want to savor? What would really be important to you?” He pauses and appears to be thinking about his next words.
About The Author Dr. Congress is a Best-Selling, Award-Winning Wordsmith, Literary Advisor, Publisher and creator of C.H.O.C. Lit™ Flavored Books (Christians Having Ordinary Challenges).
She holds a BA in Human Relations, Masters in Theology, Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Counseling and is a Certified Christian Life Coach.
Buy Links: Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Conditions-Dr-Vivi-Monroe-Congress/dp/0974802034/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1391037221&sr=8-6&keywords=vivi+monroe+congressAmazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Vivi-Monroe-Congress/e/B006RXHOPI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Social Links: Facebook.com/DocVMCTwitter.com/DocVMC... littlelightprod@aol.comWebsite www.DrViviMonroeCongress.com
February 5, 2014
Presenting the newest novel from Shelia M. GossBLURBKeepi...
Presenting the newest novel from Shelia M. Goss
BLURB
Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.
On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control.
EXCERPT
Avoiding Lexi hadn't been easy, and it seemed that it was all for naught. I heard her coming long before she made it to my office. I looked up toward the door awaiting her entrance.
Lexi stormed in my office enraged. "Royce, you can run, but you can't hide. You caused this problem and you're going to fix it. Now tell me how you plan on doing it, so I can deal with other things."
Lexi plopped down in front of my desk.
"Hello to you, too, my beautiful wife."
"Save the pleasantries for your customers." Lexi held her hand in the air and then looked around. "Snap! There are no customers."
"Calm down. If there were some, you would run them off with that mouth of yours."
"Calm? How can I be calm when according to you, we're going broke?"
Order your copy of THE JONESES from Simon & Schuster (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Joneses/Shelia-M-Goss/9781593095222) or purchase from other online retailers such as: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593095228/simonsayscomBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-joneses-sheila-m-goss/1115884720?ean=9781593095222IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781593095222
Available in stores everywhere on February 18, 2014.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShelia M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on several best sellers lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Book Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers so feel free to contact her via her website: www.sheliagoss.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheliagoss or Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.
THE JONESES GIVEAWAY
Lexi Jones, one of the main characters, from THE JONESES loves her handbags so it’s just befitting that the grand prize be a handbag. Contest ends on February 25, 2014.
GRAND PRIZE:One (1) random entrant will receive a small Coach handbag {Retail value: $188.00, 10 3/4″(L) x 7″(H) x 3 1/4″(W)} and Bath & Body Works minatures (Retail value: $19.75)
RUNNER UP:One (1) random entrant will receive an autographed copy of Montana’s Way.
10 ENTRANTS:Ten (10) random entrants will receive the electronic version of the book Hollywood Deception.
Open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Avoid where prohibited by law.
To enter please use the rafflecopter form below.
Copy and paste code below for rafflecopter into your blog:
<a id="rc-fd624f0" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp..." rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com...
BLURB
Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.
On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control.
EXCERPT
Avoiding Lexi hadn't been easy, and it seemed that it was all for naught. I heard her coming long before she made it to my office. I looked up toward the door awaiting her entrance.
Lexi stormed in my office enraged. "Royce, you can run, but you can't hide. You caused this problem and you're going to fix it. Now tell me how you plan on doing it, so I can deal with other things."
Lexi plopped down in front of my desk.
"Hello to you, too, my beautiful wife."
"Save the pleasantries for your customers." Lexi held her hand in the air and then looked around. "Snap! There are no customers."
"Calm down. If there were some, you would run them off with that mouth of yours."
"Calm? How can I be calm when according to you, we're going broke?"
Order your copy of THE JONESES from Simon & Schuster (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Joneses/Shelia-M-Goss/9781593095222) or purchase from other online retailers such as: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593095228/simonsayscomBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-joneses-sheila-m-goss/1115884720?ean=9781593095222IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781593095222
Available in stores everywhere on February 18, 2014.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShelia M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on several best sellers lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Book Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers so feel free to contact her via her website: www.sheliagoss.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheliagoss or Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.
THE JONESES GIVEAWAY
Lexi Jones, one of the main characters, from THE JONESES loves her handbags so it’s just befitting that the grand prize be a handbag. Contest ends on February 25, 2014.
GRAND PRIZE:One (1) random entrant will receive a small Coach handbag {Retail value: $188.00, 10 3/4″(L) x 7″(H) x 3 1/4″(W)} and Bath & Body Works minatures (Retail value: $19.75)
RUNNER UP:One (1) random entrant will receive an autographed copy of Montana’s Way.
10 ENTRANTS:Ten (10) random entrants will receive the electronic version of the book Hollywood Deception.
Open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Avoid where prohibited by law.
To enter please use the rafflecopter form below.
Copy and paste code below for rafflecopter into your blog:
<a id="rc-fd624f0" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp..." rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com...
January 27, 2014
The Reviews are Pouring In for Walk A Straight Line
I'd like to share a part of a review for Walk A Straight Line
Order your Copy
"It was my plan to savor this story throughout the course of a week. Instead, I devoured it in a day and a half. Lindo-Rice's style is fast and easy to digest, her characters intriguing and able to draw the reader deeply into their lives. Readers may find themselves just as torn between brothers Michael and Keith as Gina. In Lindo-Rice's capable hands, Gina comes off not as some floozie, but as a woman who cares deeply and has very good reasons to be attracted to both brothers. Likewise, readers also may or may not empathize with Colleen. Should she be more accommodating of her husband and mother? Should she have married so quickly after meeting her husband and falling in love? In both cases, there's so much more going on that what appears on the surface. No matter how readers feel about the circumstances in which these two friends find themselves, they will enjoy this inspirational story filled with multi-layered conflicts."
- See more at: http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-buzz-walk-straight-line-by.html#sthash.BO9Wcity.dpuf
Synopsis:
Two friends . . . Two brothers . . . Two weddings . . . Too many secrets . . .
Colleen MacGregor rededicated her life to God when she met and married Terence Hayworth. However, her happily-ever-after will have to wait, because she has some serious dragons to slay to sustain her marriage and keep her friendship with Gina Price intact. After fifteen years of friendship, Colleen must now draw the line and stop telling Gina everything.
What did God do to her friend? Gina finds it hard to deal with Colleen’s newfound faith. She thinks Colleen has become self-righteous, subjecting Gina to her holy tirades whenever the mood strikes. When Gina begins dating one brother, while simultaneously falling in love with the other, boy, does she get an earful! Gina, however, is way too busy trying to sort her way through her own murky feelings to worry about her soul. Her heart wants what it wants.
Michelle Lindo-Rice explores the complicated world of female friendships. Can a friendship survive when one friend becomes saved?
Order your Copy"It was my plan to savor this story throughout the course of a week. Instead, I devoured it in a day and a half. Lindo-Rice's style is fast and easy to digest, her characters intriguing and able to draw the reader deeply into their lives. Readers may find themselves just as torn between brothers Michael and Keith as Gina. In Lindo-Rice's capable hands, Gina comes off not as some floozie, but as a woman who cares deeply and has very good reasons to be attracted to both brothers. Likewise, readers also may or may not empathize with Colleen. Should she be more accommodating of her husband and mother? Should she have married so quickly after meeting her husband and falling in love? In both cases, there's so much more going on that what appears on the surface. No matter how readers feel about the circumstances in which these two friends find themselves, they will enjoy this inspirational story filled with multi-layered conflicts."
- See more at: http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-buzz-walk-straight-line-by.html#sthash.BO9Wcity.dpuf
Synopsis:
Two friends . . . Two brothers . . . Two weddings . . . Too many secrets . . .
Colleen MacGregor rededicated her life to God when she met and married Terence Hayworth. However, her happily-ever-after will have to wait, because she has some serious dragons to slay to sustain her marriage and keep her friendship with Gina Price intact. After fifteen years of friendship, Colleen must now draw the line and stop telling Gina everything.
What did God do to her friend? Gina finds it hard to deal with Colleen’s newfound faith. She thinks Colleen has become self-righteous, subjecting Gina to her holy tirades whenever the mood strikes. When Gina begins dating one brother, while simultaneously falling in love with the other, boy, does she get an earful! Gina, however, is way too busy trying to sort her way through her own murky feelings to worry about her soul. Her heart wants what it wants.
Michelle Lindo-Rice explores the complicated world of female friendships. Can a friendship survive when one friend becomes saved?
January 25, 2014
CrossReads Tour: Deep in the Heart
Title: FREE Book Blast: Deep in the Heart, Staci Stallings
Deep in the Heart
by: Staci Stallings
FREE January 25 - 27th
Then, only 99 Cents... January 28 & 29th!
About the Book
J ust out of college and completely alone in the world, Maggie Montgomery has one shot left to save her life from an abyss of poverty and hopelessness. Clinging to the last shred of fuel and hope, she arrives at the mansion of Texas billionaire Conrad Ayer. Although Maggie is clearly not what Mr. Ayer and his wife have in mind for a nanny, they agree to hire her temporarily until they can find someone more appropriate to fill the position. However, Maggie's whole world is about to be up-ended by two way-over-scheduled children and one incredibly handsome hired hand. As she struggles to fit into a world she was never made to fit in, Maggie wonders if she can ever learn to become a perfect version of herself so she can keep the job, or is she doomed to always be searching for a life she can never quite grasp?
Keith Ayer despises his life. As the son of Texas billionaire Conrad Ayer and the fiance to a Senator from Texas' daughter, it looks great on the outside, but inside, he is dying. He would vastly prefer to manage and train his father's racehorses. However, everyone else thinks that is beneath him. He needs to get into industry and build on his father's success. Suffocating under the constrictions of his life, he meets Maggie, and she begins to teach him that wealth and power is not everything in this life. But can Keith defy the two most powerful men in Texas to follow his heart?
"Staci Stallings... Christian fiction at its best!"
LINK to KINDLE | LINK to PAPERBACK
Staci Stallings
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including being the co-founder of CrossReads.com and the founder of Grace & Faith Connection.
Follow Staci Stallings
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Enter to Win a Kindle, 6" E Ink Display, Wi-Fi
OR
a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
(That's two separate prizes,
given to two separate winners!)
Enter below, sponsored by author Staci Stallings!
Drawing on February 4, 2014
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.
We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
Deep in the Heart
by: Staci Stallings
FREE January 25 - 27th
Then, only 99 Cents... January 28 & 29th!
About the Book
J ust out of college and completely alone in the world, Maggie Montgomery has one shot left to save her life from an abyss of poverty and hopelessness. Clinging to the last shred of fuel and hope, she arrives at the mansion of Texas billionaire Conrad Ayer. Although Maggie is clearly not what Mr. Ayer and his wife have in mind for a nanny, they agree to hire her temporarily until they can find someone more appropriate to fill the position. However, Maggie's whole world is about to be up-ended by two way-over-scheduled children and one incredibly handsome hired hand. As she struggles to fit into a world she was never made to fit in, Maggie wonders if she can ever learn to become a perfect version of herself so she can keep the job, or is she doomed to always be searching for a life she can never quite grasp?
Keith Ayer despises his life. As the son of Texas billionaire Conrad Ayer and the fiance to a Senator from Texas' daughter, it looks great on the outside, but inside, he is dying. He would vastly prefer to manage and train his father's racehorses. However, everyone else thinks that is beneath him. He needs to get into industry and build on his father's success. Suffocating under the constrictions of his life, he meets Maggie, and she begins to teach him that wealth and power is not everything in this life. But can Keith defy the two most powerful men in Texas to follow his heart?
"Staci Stallings... Christian fiction at its best!"
LINK to KINDLE | LINK to PAPERBACK
Staci StallingsA stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including being the co-founder of CrossReads.com and the founder of Grace & Faith Connection.
Follow Staci Stallings
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Enter to Win a Kindle, 6" E Ink Display, Wi-Fi
OR
a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
(That's two separate prizes,
given to two separate winners!)
Enter below, sponsored by author Staci Stallings!
Drawing on February 4, 2014
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.
We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
