“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.”
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Book Spotlight - Jordan's Confessions by Charmaine Galloway
About the Book:
Jordan was a very outspoken teenager, until she lost a very close friend of hers. She began carrying a lot of grief and sorrow in her heart. All she wanted was someone to comfort her and tell her that life would get better after the loss of someone special.
Jordan thought she could trust, Darnell, her mother’s boyfriend, until he deceived her to the fullest. See how he pulls Jordan into his web of deceit, leaving her hurt, broken and confused. Can she build the courage to confess to her mother the secret that she had been holding on to? Would anyone believe her?
About the Author:
Charmaine Galloway was born and currently resides in Toledo, Ohio with her two children. Writing has been her passion and a positive emotional outlet since middle school. As a teen, writing in her journal allowed her to escape from the negativity of her world. Around that time she also began writing her debut poetry book.
Charmaine has a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Titles by Charmaine include: My World, Through My Eyes, Girlfriends Secrets, The Secrets They Kept, Tyree’s Love Triangle, Golden, Heaven’s Cry, Girl Talk, Find The Princess Within, Mommy’s Little Superhero and I love Myself As I Am.
Ms. Galloway is passionate about writing reality based stories about imperfect people. She hopes to enlighten, inspire and touch the hearts of her readers. She is currently working on new projects, so keep a look out for her upcoming releases. www.charmainegalloway.com
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Multi-Book Blog Tour with Cynthia Blue
Meet Cynthia Blue
Cynthia Blue is a military brat and a native of Albany,
Georgia. She is the oldest out of two children and the only daughter. She is
single with no children. She graduated from Dougherty Comprehensive High School
and is also a Savannah State University Alum with a BBA in Computer Information
Systems. She started writing in the beginning of 2011 as a coping mechanism. In
time she found it to be her passion and decided to let it grow and blossom into
a challenging and fulfilling career. In December 2014 Cynthia Blue decided to
take her literary career a step further by starting her own publishing company
Cynthia Blue Creations.
Twitter: @CynthiaBlue4
Instagram: blue.cynthia
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jamila.mathis.3
Facebook FanPage: Cynthia Blue Creations
Email Address: cynthiabluecreations@outlook.com
About
The Books
Title: The
Marshalls: Loyalty Is Thicker Than Blood
Genre: Urban
Fiction
Publisher: Cynthia
Blue Creations
Pages: 212
Publication
Date: 1/25/15
Blood is thicker than
water. A saying that symbolizes the ties of family, but if you ask the Marshall
siblings Rocco, Phoenix, Moselle and Skyla they'll tell you that's not
necessarily true. Abuse, abandonment and neglect have brought these four
siblings together and created a family like no other. Take a journey with The
Marshalls as they go through the good, the bad and the ugly and prove that when
it comes to family: Loyalty Is Thicker Than Blood.
Title: The
Lesson
Publisher: Cynthia
Blue Creations
Genre: Urban
Fiction
Pages: 87
Publication
Date: 1/27/15
What happens when a man
has almost everything he wants and decides he needs the total package? Or when
a man receives the love he needs, but decides the giver isn't enough? How do
you let go of something you know, for what seems to be greener pastures? Find
out these answers and more as The Lesson takes you inside the lives of three
people as the quest to have it all may turn out to be more destructive then one
anticipates. Follow this tale of love lost and found as one man’s story may
become another man’s lesson.
Title: Unrestricted
Chains
Publisher: Cynthia
Blue Creations
Genre: Urban
Fiction
Pages: 75
Publication
Date: 1/20/15
Explore the steamy hot
sexual chemistry between two unlikely new friends: the sexy and irresistible
correctional officer Appolonia and the innocent inmate Dewayne in Unrestricted
Chains. In this unique, not afraid to go there, take risk story these two
unforgettable characters take the lessons they learn from each other to resolve
their personal conflicts and conquer their inner demons. This unbelievable
lustful tale will take you on an out of this world ride from start to finish.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
#WriterWednesday - Spine #Poetry
Though I'd share a little book spine poetry. Enjoy!!
Guilty of love
getting to happy
trouble
the shattering
sweet bye bye
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Please support my #Thunderclap campaign!!
Please help me spread the word abut my book, Summertime, by signing up for my Thunderclap campaign. It costs you nothing but a Tweet or a Facebook or Tumblr post. I'd deeply appreciate your support!!
Sign up below!!
Sign up below!!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Bejeweled #Book Tour
BEJEWELED:
WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE
Olivia’s dreams have finally begun to
come true, as she marries the man who’s held her heart for twenty years. Her
beauty salon is prospering, and she has begun rebuilding her team, after seeds
of discord were sowed and bonds were broken. Everything is beginning to look
up, or so she thinks. When a scandal is leaked to the media, Olivia’s dream of
expanding is in jeopardy. She must step up and play hard ball in a game with
which she’s unfamiliar.
Nikki had dreams of building a
beautiful family with a loving husband. But after looking at the shattered
pieces of her broken life, she is losing hope and desires more. She wants more
than the shame of barrenness, and more than physical abuse from his drinking binges.
One phone call gives her courage to escape the deadly clutches of her husband.
Yet, when she finds strength in another’s arms she finds herself spinning more
lies. Nikki’s web of deceit is going to cost all those who are close and it
could just cost her, her life.
When deception is the name of the game, who all will
have to share the pain?
Excerpt:
“Mrs. O,
can I talk with you for a moment?” she asked, hesitantly stepping into the
kitchen.
“Sure,”
Olivia said, washing a knife in the sink. She had just prepared a fruit salad
for a late night snack. She set the knife back into its place in the knife
block on the marble countertop. Grabbing the bowl of fruit, she took two black
glass bowls out of the overhead cabinets and walked to the table.
“Come on
and have a snack,” she offered, placing the bowl before Nikki.
“I wanna
thank you for all that you’ve been doing for me. I haven’t told my mom about
the episode at the reception yet,” she stated somberly.
“How
come?” Olivia asked, ladling fruit from the large mixing bowl into the bowl in
front of Nikki.
“Thanks,”
Nikki grabbed her spoon and speared a pear and twirled it around in the fruit
juice at the bottom of the bowl. “Well, as you can probably guess, my mom and
sister don’t really like my husband.”
“I’m sure
they don’t dislike him, Nikki. They probably just do not like what he puts you
through. That would have to be tough on any family.”
“I know,
but it makes it hard for me to go and talk to them. I feel like they’re judging
me every time I do, and the only thing they can say is, leave him.” She popped
the pear into her mouth. Staring off into space, she thought of the last
conversation she had with her mother about Carlos, which didn’t go over well.
“Have you
shared with them how it makes you feel when they do that?” Olivia asked.
“Uh-uh,”
Nikki replied, swallowing the last of her pear, “it don’t matter. They won’t
listen, anyhow.”
“I see. I
think you want them to just hear you out and keep their opinions to themselves,
support you, right?”
“Well,
that would be nice. But anyway, like I said, I wanna thank you for being here
for me. But my time is up now,” Nikki stated as she stared down into the bottom
of her bowl, refusing to meet Olivia’s eyes.
“What do
you mean, your time is up? You know I told you that you were welcome to stay
for as long as you needed. If you want to get help, I’ll do that; if you want
to move out into your own place, I will help you with that, too. I don’t want
you to feel rushed into anything, or like you have a time limit on you, because
you don’t. I just—”
“No, no,
it’s nothing like that, Mrs. O, it’s just…it’s time for me to go home.”
Olivia
raised one eyebrow and swallowed past the lump in her throat before speaking.
“Home?” she asked in a shocked tone, as if she didn’t know there was such a
place.
“Yes.
Home. I’ve been gone long enough,” Nikki stated, “and Carlos and I talked, and
he thinks we can work this thing out. He’s apologized so many times. And I miss
him, you know?”
“Mm-hmm,”
was all Olivia said. She placed her fork into her bowl and clasped her hands
under her chin.
Nikki
turned away from the look of disappointment that she saw reflected there. She
could take anger, attitude, rejection, and even sorrow. But disappointment, she
could not handle.
“Look,
I’ve been gone from home for a while now. I’ve stayed with Rory a couple of
nights. Then I stayed at my sister’s one night, until I couldn’t take her
pressing me about why I had left home. Then I came here with you. I’ve never
been gone from home this long before. I think he realizes how serious I am.”
Receiving
no response from Olivia, Nikki scooted her chair back from the table. She took
her bowl to the trash receptacle, emptied it, and washed it out. The entire
time she stood at the sink, Olivia sat quietly at the table eating her fruit
salad.
As Nikki
walked to the entrance of the kitchen, Olivia finally spoke up.
“Nekana,”
Olivia called. Nikki stopped in her tracks. No one except her mother called her
by her given name. “You don’t have to bask in it just because it was given to
you.”
“Huh?” Nikki
turned around with a scowl on her face. She had no clue what Olivia was talking
about.
“Your
name. Surely you know it means ‘sorrow.’ But you don’t have to carry that
weight on your shoulders, anymore.” Olivia released a weighted sigh before
going on. “Baby girl, when you turn it over to the Lord, He delivers you and
gives you peace and joy. His word says: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall
return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their
heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee
away.’ Nikki, it’s time for you to hold your head up and stand strong. Reclaim
your life. Do what you must do to be the strong, beautiful woman that you are.
Trust in God, and stop fighting this battle you call life. I’ve known you for
five years now, and you’ve been sad every one of them.
“Where is
your joy? Where is your strength? Where is your courage? Stand up for Nekana
Vincent, because no one else is capable of doing it but you. You’ve got Wesley
running around here, trying to protect you. You’ve got Carlos acting a fool and
taking you through hell over his drinking and jealousy. Then you’ve got your
mama and sister trying to dictate every step of your life and placing their
expectations on you. And if you let any one of those people down, you’re scared
you will fail. You’ve already failed, because you’re trying to please too many
people. Stand up for one person…you. Stop being the victim, Nikki. Fight!
Fight! Damnit, fight for your life!” Olivia had come to a stand behind the
table and was hitting the table with her fork with every sentence she said. She
stood trembling with anger.
About the Author
An original Georgia Peach, Chelle Ramsey
is the author of five published and several waiting-on-the-shelf contemporary
fiction books, with a focus on women's fiction. Many of her stories are based
in her birthplace of Atlanta or her husband’s hometown of Cincinnati, where
readers can relate to local hot spots and events. Chelle wants people to become
empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in
themselves. She sprinkles words of encouragement and inspiration throughout all
of her real life fiction novels.
Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her
property management role by day, while she writes her fiction novels by night.
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During
her “me time,” she loves listening to music, and becomes enraptured with the
enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, and Nora Roberts. She especially enjoys
trying to solve the engaging mysteries of James Patterson and Stuart Woods,
while eating a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. Chelle resides in a
rural community of Atlanta, GA and enjoys writing, family time, ministering
through dance at church, and watching NBA games with her husband.
CONTACT INFO:
PURCHASE BOOKS:
PAPERBACKS: https://www.createspace.com/4706061v
Friday, June 12, 2015
Book Review: A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life
A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life by Deval PatrickMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Reason To Believe is a truly inspiring read!! Penned by Deval Patrick, Massachusetts' first (and to date, only) black governor, this book offers deep insight and a transparent look into his remarkable and inspiring life. I believe this should be a must-read for high school students and others seeking direction. This is a wonderful story of humble beginnings and triumphant victories. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!
5 Enthusiastic Stars!!
Adrienne Thompson
Author of Seven Days of Change (A Flash Devotional)
View all my reviews
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Seasoned with Grace #Blog Tour
Are you ready for a dose of Grace? She’s a beauty and the beast, which one will prevail in her life?
About the book:
Sentenced to probation, thirty-year-old, supermodel Grace King must put her plans of transitioning into acting to extend the longevity of her career on hold. Desperate to keep a close eye on Grace and his job Grace’s ambitious lawyer, Ethan Summerville has her complete community service in the last place Grace wants to be. His church.
Instead of God, Grace finds a “chocolate drop” of a man—Brother Horace Green. However, Horace isn’t looking for a supermodel. He wants his woman saved and sanctified, but Grace has never met a man who has been able to resist her. Will Horace compromise his faith for a taste of fortune, fame, and Grace?
While Grace focuses on the pursuit of passion Ethan finds one director willing to take a risk and cast Grace in his debut film, but this role fits Grace all too well. Will this film revive Grace’s relationship with God and her career or bring her closer to destruction?
Excerpt (Exclusive):
Having a husband was no longer a necessity for most women. There were plenty of women opting to be single parents today. No sir, that ain’t for me, Grace decided, watching a woman lug a stroller in one hand and a baby in the other down the steps of a brownstone. She preferred the stability, the help, and the warmth that a man can bring over independence. The only problem Grace had besides being involved in one too many public brawls was finding a husband, now that Candace had Ethan under what seemed to be some kind of love spell. Being forced to spend all of her time serving food at Mount Carmel was not conducive to finding a mate either.
“Grace! Grace!”
Grace stopped walking and scanned the dust and scaffolding that she heard her name coming from. Brother Horace emerged from between some scaffolding with his bulky arms on display in a sleeveless grey shirt. Most of his clothes were covered in splotches of white paint and a coating of dust.
“Nice jacket,” he said as he ran his fingers down the lapel of the jacket.
No one was allowed to even breathe on her custom made Balenciaga motorcycle jacket yet all she could think about was how cute Brother Horace looked in his hardhat.
“What are you doing walking around here with no bodyguards?”
“Do you think I need someone to guard my body, Brother Horace?” Grace added a little extra arch to her back.
Smiling, Brother Horace removed his hardhat giving Grace direct view of his sumptuous brown eyes. “With a body like that someone should be watching you.”
“Brother Horace.” Grace lightly slapped him on the chest, fabricating a look of innocence. “Are you being fresh?”
“Yes, I am. I’m saved not dead. I know a good looking woman when I see one.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t act so shocked. I know you know you’re one of God’s greatest endeavors,” he said, licking his lips. “I’d like to see more of you, Grace.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you on Wednesday at the pantry.” While his directness and confidence aroused the butterflies in Grace’s stomach, there were two big warning signs that flashed before her eyes. One, his bank account was way too low, there’d be no romantic getaways to Golden Bay beach in Malta or suites at the Mandarin, and then there was the whole man of God thing. She’d already experimented with a romance in the church. It was the greatest romance she’d ever known and the worst heartbreak she’d ever felt. If Grace had been allowed to continue dating her then boyfriend, David instead of being forced to put his career in ministry before her feelings her wouldn’t be so full of distress right now, she thought. Loving a man of God wasn’t a roller coaster ride that she was about to willing step onto again.
“I have to go, Horace. I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch before you stopped me.” She walked away without saying bye and refused to look back even though she could feel his eyes locked on her every move.
My Review:
This is my first time having the pleasure of reading a book penned by Ms. Lockley, and it certainly won't be the last. Seasoned with Grace was well-written, flowed seamlessly, and was full of beautiful life lessons. The story follows Grace King, supermodel extraordinaire, as she continuously lives up to her bad girl, diva image. As the story progresses, Lockley peels back the layers of this complicated and sometimes unlikable character's life, revealing the roots of her actions. Writing about fictional celebrities and their lifestyles is tricky, but where others can be heavy-handed with name and brand dropping, Lockley ushers us into the world of the rich and famous effortlessly. We actually feel like a fly on the wall as the story unfolds.
This was a wonderful story, a must-read for lovers of Christian Fiction and believers in redemption and hope.
5 Stars
Preorder Seasoned with Grace
Amazon: http://bit.ly/SeasonedwithGrace
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/B_NSWG
Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/booksSWG
Time Out with Nigeria Lockley:
Love can be found in the most unlikely places. Today, I’ll share a secret with you, I met my husband in a nightclub. That’s right a nightclub. I wasn’t looking for love and I doubt he was either, but one chance meeting has grown into eleven years of marriage. I don’t recommend anyone lower their standards, however sometimes we need to just stop and give people a chance. Remember, a great tree is inside of tiny seed. You’ll have to read Seasoned with Grace to find out if Grace is willing to plant the seed.
About Nigeria
Nigeria Lockley possesses two master’s degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education, and a second in creative writing. Born at Dawn is Nigeria’s first published novel. Nigeria serves as the vice president of Bridges Family Services, a not-for-profit organization that assists student parents interested in pursuing a degree in higher education. She is also the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. Nigeria is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Join her online at www.nigerialockley.com.
Connect with Nigeria on the web:
Website: www.nigerialockley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NewNigeria
Instagram: www.instagram.com/NewNigeria
Nigeria’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/MFKH9
Monday, June 8, 2015
Summertime Reviewed in USA Today!!!
My novella, Summertime, has been reviewed in USA Today!!!
CLICK HERE to read the beautiful review in its entirety!!!
Friday, June 5, 2015
Perfectly Loved #Book Tour
Perfectly Loved
Author: Rhana A. Gittens
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: NyreePress Publishing (October 22, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0990666239
ISBN-13: 978-0990666233
Genre: Inspirational/Christian Living
Rhana A. Gittens has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida. She has a minor certificate in African-American studies and is an accomplished writing tutor. She was born in Queens, NY, raised in Lauderdale Lakes, FL and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Virtual Book Tour: Empty Womb, Empty Tomb
Empty Womb Empty Tomb
Author: Quiana E. Johnson
Genre: Inspirational, Non-Fiction
ASIN: B00SZAAHMI
Quiana E. Johnson is a sought-after Bible teacher and the author of the new book Empty Womb, Empty Tomb, an astounding life-altering memoir for women who desire encouragement, hope, healing, and deliverance from prenatal trauma. Quiana is also a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, worship flag dancer, vision consultant, online radio personality, and CO-Pastor of Transformation Temple International, a new progressive church in the Richmond, VA area. Affectionately known as "Queen", she resides in North Chesterfield, VA with her husband and business partner, Bradley. She is currently finishing her Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration and Computer Science at Liberty University. Since the age of 19, Quiana recognized that her predestined assignment is to travel the world teaching women how to overcome their past by having their broken hearts completely mended by the Word of God while becoming engulfed in the purposes of God and representing the Kingdom culture. She currently mentors women in achieving the abundant life in the areas of vision, marriage, finances, and self-love.
Empty Womb, Empty Tomb is a thought provoking memoir recapping the dramatic events surrounding the premature birth and death of Quiana's baby boy, Nehemiah Johnson, and the restoring work of the Holy Spirit in the aftermath. March 10, 2014 was undeniably marked as one of the most life altering days of her life as her and her husband delivered their firstborn child at home in the bathroom, only to bury him five days later. Through this tragedy, Quiana learned many truths that allowed her to overcome her trauma and receive one of the most riveting revelations of her life. Empty Womb, Empty Tomb provokes every emotion imaginable as the reader tags along as one woman finds hope and wholeness through venturing to an empty tomb once occupied by Jesus Christ.
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