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The Legacies
(Author Michelle Larks)
About the author
Michelle Larks is an Illinoisan native. She was born and raised in the Windy city, Chicago, and currently resides in a western suburb. Michelle was educated in the Chicago public school system and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Michelle has released four books since 2003. The titles include A Myriad of Emotions, Crisis Mode, Mirrored Images in e-book format and Who’s Your Daddy. Michelle contributed to two anthologies, Blended Families and The Midnight Clear. Urban Christian Books released Michelle’s latest book, titled Keeping Misery Company on October 30, 2007. Her second book with Urban Christian titled The Legacies will be released in July of 2008.
About the book
The Legacies unfolds with Chicago teens, Morgan Foster, and Noah Stevens about to embark on their first year of college in downstate Illinois. Both are trying to escape their family legacies.
Morgan has led a life of luxury, and the heiress is poised to take the reins of the family’s illegal pharmaceutical business. Noah’s father is optimistic that his son will join him in the pulpit. Noah and Morgan hope to become anonymous faces in the crowd. Cupid shots an arrow through the young couple’s heart and they soon fall in love.
In the twinkling of an eye, four years have elapsed and it’s time for Noah and Morgan to face the music. But, as their parents discovers the hard way, ala Murphy’s Law, that life doesn’t always go as planned.
Noah’s mother perishes in a terrible automobile accident, forcing the young man to make a deathbed promise. Morgan’s mother finds herself on trial after the Feds through a terrible betrayal make a strong case against the elder Daniel’s woman, which climaxes in a sensational murder trial.
Family drama, greed, feuds, power plays, teem in the tale of The Legacies and most of all tell the readers how God sends angels our way to help aid us through the trials and tribulations of life.
More about Michelle Larks:
www.MichelleLarks.com
Freedom Speaks Diaspora
(Author of Manjani )
About the author
Freedom Speaks (Diaspora) is an author, motivational speaker, and poet. In addition to lecturing and performing at universities and social events, she has appeared on Robert Townsend’s Spoken on The Black Family Channel, opened for Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway at Atlant’s Fox Theatre, and the U.S. Human Rights Network’s National Conference.
She has published two poetry books, Speak, Poet! and Soul Witness, one novel, Manjani, two CDs and a DVD, and been published in several anthologies under different names. As Artistic Director of Griotsville Foundation, she has developed several writing, literacy, and performance programs. When she is not working, the homeschooling mother studies naturopathic medicine, spiritual development, and dances ballet.
About the book
Manjani Jackson is a mouthy New York teenager who believes her life’s purpose is to lead her “deaf, dumb, and blind” brothas and sistahs into The Revolution. On one of the worst days of her life, tragedy strikes, landing her at an all white school. Although she is working on getting along, the racist students make it impossible, and before long, the administration crosses the line, forcing Manjani into political action.
Then one of her events gets out of hand, sending Manjani on the run. Her journey leads to a place where bittersweet lessons about liberation are learned as her comrades turn against her. Only tough love, spiritual revelations, and self-determination will help her find her place in the struggle.
Read more about Manjani:
www.freedomspeaksink.info
www.myspace.com/freedomspeaksdiaspora
www.suncyclepublishing.com; www.tigresshealy.com
www.myspace.com/manjani_novel
MANJANI ISBN:
978-0-9794322-2-4
Bad Girls Burn Slow
(Author Pam Ward)
About the author
Pam Ward is an Los Angeles native, a California Arts Council Fellow in LIterature and a New Letters Writing Award recipient. She has published in several anthologies including, Calyx, Scream When You Burn, Best American Erotica, Catch A FIre, Men We Cherish, Mischief and Caprice, This: A Literary Journal and Voices from Leimert Park to name a few.
She has been an artist-in-Residence in Manhatton Beach and Beyond Baroque Literary Foundation. Pam also runs her own press, Short Dress Press and has published anthologies including, the Supergirls Handbook: Powerful Poetry by black women in Los Angeles and What The Body Remembers. She is currently working on her third novel.
About the book
Pam Ward’s high anticipated, new novel, BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW, is a psych-crime drama where people are not what they seem. Arriving in California after a series of brutal crimes, Margie tries to wipe her feet clean and quiet the blaze in her daughter’s soul.
With her pale skin and heart shaped lips and piercing gaze no one can believe that Paula is Margie’s daughter but Margie knows better–behind Paula’s innocent girlish beauty lies the heart of a destructive soul who literally loves playing with fire. Margie hopes that moving closer to California will snuff the mysterious flame but when they met their new neighbor, Bernard, a funeral parlor employee, he immediately senses something strange, something he does not want in his place of business.
Bernard, a man with secrets himself decides that his neighbors may need a little encouragement to find a new place to live. But Paula, though a child, has keen instincts of her own. As her suspicions about Bernard unravel and lead to a suspenseful, disturbing battle of wills, the most shocking of secrets are revealed.
Praise for WANT SOME GET SOME
“An outstanding debut novel.. original, fast-paced, and full of the drama that keep the pages turning. Don’t sleep.”- Darren Coleman, Essence bestselling author
Past The Rain and The Pain
(Author Deborah Mose)
About the book
Past the Rain and the pain is a book that came from a collection of a series of events. I wrote this book from some of my personal experiences and from other people’s life experiences through observation or a simple conversation.
I realized that we have all gone through trying times in our lives; and words can serve as a healer, by expressing those deep inner thoughts, we are able to deal with the strong emotions that we may have held in our hearts untouched.
By opening up about our struggles and pain, we begin to heal and through our own personal healing, we can help others heal. There is nothing wrong with expressing our feelings, and if difficult situations come our way, we should not be ashamed to face them.
Most scars eventually heal and lead to greatness. The most comforting thing about this book is that you realize that no one is immune to difficulties, and it explains that there is always hope, no situation is ever hopeless.
Also included in the book is a look at how we relate with God, children, men, women, nature, success, death, relationships, hurt, love, friendship and so on. Enjoy the soothing words, from sincere; heartfelt expressions and experiences, and receive a new sense of outlook toward life as you read this book.
Raise the Red Teddy
(Author Kobina Wright)
About the author
Kobina Wright is many things, including the creator of the Hodaoa-Anibo language, but a by-stander, she is not! Whether you see her as a genius or something else, her work is sure to leave an impression on you.
Wright is a second generation Southern California native and attended the University of Georgia for two years before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where she earned her BA in journalism, minoring in Afro-Ethnic Studies.
Performing on stage since the age of 5, Wright took to the arts of acting, singing and dancing early in her childhood and by the time she reached her mid-teens, she began taking her painting seriously. A portion of her painting titled “Dissonance” can be found on the cover of the first printing of second book titled “Growth Spurt.” In her teens Wright also began studying choreography and in her third year of high school, co-founded the dance group “Ten Rows of Beans.” Also in this year, with the help of her mother, Ernesta Wright, published her first book, a volume of poetry titled “Oh Yeah!” to help offset the cost of college expenses.
While attending the University of Georgia, Wright joined and performed with the dance group Pamoja. In Georgia, she had the opportunity to study modern dance and four years later, while attending California State University, Fullerton, founded the Likizo Dance Troupe, which performed for two years throughout Southern California, from Hollywood to San Diego. After graduating from CSUF, Wright published her second volume of poetry, ” Growth Spurt” and worked as an assistant editor at Entrepreneur Press.
Pursuing her passion for acting, Wright attended the Gloria Gifford Conservatory for the Performing Arts for two years where she discovered that her training in acting made her a better writer. At the GGC, Wright performed scenes from plays such as “Laundry and Bourbon;” “The Dreamer Examines His Pillow;” “Cheaters;” and “Savage in Limbo.” She also directed a reading of scenes from her screenplay titled, “Snapped Back.” Her experience at the GGC was instrumental in preparing her for her roles in movies such as “Sunday Morning Stripper;” “Messed in the Head;” and her notable performance in the horror film, “Dark Town.” Other stage productions include “Soon As I Get Home;” “The Storm is Over;” “Teachers are Human Too;” and “The Little Red Hen.”
Wright has written for publications such as LACMA Magazine, The Daily Titan, and CYH Magazine. In 2004 she wrote her third volume of poetry titled, “Say It! Say Gen-o-cide!!” dedicated to the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. In 2003 Wright created the Hodaoa-Anibo language and in 2004 published the first edition Hodaoa-Anibo Dictionary.
“I’ve been told so many times to just pick one or two things and concentrate on being good at that, but I’ve started out with one” then two” then three ” then four” now how can I go back to one? In my world, I get to do everything, or almost everything I want to do. It may slow my pace of progress a little, but it lays a good foundation for inspiration in all my artistic interests.” Kobina says.
About the book
There are so many single mothers around making the same dating mistakes over and over and over
again. So why are there no warning signs? Your children may not come with a handbook, but a single
mother sure would benefit from some tried and true guidelines.
Raise the Red Teddy explores the some of the pitfalls of dating that non-mothers don’t have
to take into account. It’s a whole different world to consider from when you should allow your children to meet Mommy’s new “friend” to dealing with their rejection of your new beau.
More about Kobina Wright:
www.dramaticpause.net
Hungry For It
(Author Fiona Zedde)
About the author
Fiona Zedde moved to the United States from Jamaica as a sweet, yet misunderstood, preteen. After spending a few years in Tampa and getting her undergraduate degree in Gender Studies and British and American Literature at New College of Florida, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she currently lives. At the moment, she is to quote a pithy bumper sticker “the artist currently known as starving” but she someday hopes to eat regular meals at the Ritz.
Her fiction has been published in various anthologies including Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers, Best Lesbian Erotica 2004 & 2007, and Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica. Her erotic lesbian romance novels, Bliss, A Taste of Sin, Every Dark Desire and Hungry For It are available now in bookstores. The novellas, “Pure Pleasure,” “Going Wild” and the soon-to-be-published “Sweat” appear in the collections, Satisfy Me, Satisfy Me Again, and Satisfy Me Tonight, respectively.
About the book
With good looks, limitless sex appeal, and the wealth and popularity that comes from owning the city’s hottest jazz bar and restaurant, Remi Bouchard can have anyone she wants. Lately though, the allure of wild one-night stands and no-strings flings is starting to wear thin. Remi craves something more.
At her best friend’s wedding, she looks across the crowd and finds exactly what she’s been searching for an intense, soul-searing connection. But passion this deep has its dangers” especially when it means falling in love with the one person who should be off limits.
Soulful Strut
(Author Lynn Emery)
About the author
Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work with the dedication to write fiction while working each day as a clinical social worker, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery.
Lynn has been a contributing consultant to the magazine Today’s Black Woman for three articles about contemporary relationships between black men and women. Lynn is a licensed social worker with a special interest in mental health issues as they affect women, and in particular women of color.
About the book
New life, New love
Monette Victor spent 15 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now she’s free, and making up for stolen time. She’s bared her soul in a best selling tell-all memoir, hosts a hit radio talk show, and has more speaking gigs than she knows what to do with. And she’s counseling young black women at risk. Monette’s suddenly the hottest sister in the city–and she’s got no time for romance.
But here comes Jayson Odum, a self-made businessman and a sweet, black Adonis in overalls. It’s all wrong and Monette knows it. His folks are the Huxtables, her’s are pure, messed-up ‘hood’. She’s an ex-con, he’s so clean he squeaks. Monette’s had to stay tough to gain respect, and she can’t afford any more mistakes in her life. But she’s about to be blindsided by a big dose of bad trouble–and maybe driving Jayson away would be the worst mistake she ever made.
Learn more about Lynn and her novels at:
www.lynnemery.com
Positively Positive
(Author Bhatupe Mhango)
About the author
Bhatupe has a background in political education, gender mainstreaming and HIV management. She has worked with a number of international organizations, including UNDP and the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
In her home country, Malawi, Bhatupe was involved in the networking and management of various social groups at national level and served as the Chairperson for the Young Women Leaders` Network and as Vice President for Public Relations for the Lilongwe Toastmasters Club.
She also served, by presidential appointment, on the board of the Malawi Institute of Management. In 2004 she produced a personal documentary of her experience of living with HIV titled Open Up that was disseminated both nationally and internationally for the use of youth empowerment programs in the area of HIV.
In 2005 she founded a women`s non-governmental organization called The Crisis Center which offers telephone counseling services to local women. Today, Bhatupe is a competent Toastmaster and is currently working as the 1st International Coordinator of UN Plus, an advocacy initiative within the United Nations, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Positively Positive, a devotional on overcoming the challenges of living with HIV for young, Christian women (Kachere Series, 2006) is Bhatupe`s first publication. She has knowingly been living with HIV for 7 years now and is now working on her first novel, “To all my sisters“, due end 2009.
About the book
Positively Positive is Bhatupe`s first book. It is a devotional written for the reader`s use over a period of one month. It delves into complicated issues of self-esteem and personal motivation. It asks difficult questions about purpose and drive and prompts the reader into developing a life-plan and a renewal of mindset on sensitive issues, such as those posed by HIV and AIDS.
The author can be contacted at:
watupe@yahoo.com
9 Steps to Creative Healing
(Author Marilyn Fontaine)
About the author
Marilyn Fontaine is an Holistic Therapist and Creativity Coach. Marilyn’s mission is to assist with bringing back authenticity into the lives of women and young girls who have often fallen prey to the external and negative perceptions and influences that have been placed onto them by our society.
About the book
The Creative Healing book is a simple guide that will help you manage any current healing challenges you may have. In nine simple steps you will be able to reflect on your life, and work towards improving your health to create a more balanced lifestyle.
More about Marilyn Fontaine
www.myspace.com/mjfontaineworld
For coaching contact Marilyn at
mjfontaine1@yahoo.co.uk
