tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26074687940210972882024-02-07T12:34:49.574-05:00my summer reading listbook reviewsKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-63204677525724439062019-06-18T12:30:00.001-04:002019-06-18T12:30:30.942-04:00Review: The Fast Metabolism Diet: Lose 20 Pounds in 4 Weeks and Keep It Off Forever by Unleashing Your Body's Natural Fat-Burning Power
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13573424" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1367256642m/13573424.jpg" border="0" alt="The Fast Metabolism Diet: Lose 20 Pounds in 4 Weeks and Keep It Off Forever by Unleashing Your Body's Natural Fat-Burning Power" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13573424">The Fast Metabolism Diet: Lose 20 Pounds in 4 Weeks and Keep It Off Forever by Unleashing Your Body's Natural Fat-Burning Power</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804376">Haylie Pomroy</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2601797496">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Very great resource. I was mostly interested in finding out about why the author and health expert chose the foods she did for each phase of the diet. Very informative. It has helped me figure out a plan for weight loss. I was reading the book as I was completing my first week on the plan and it was very helpful. I lost 1.2 lbs during the first week as I still try to make the proper adjustments to make the plan work for me. Lots of "food supplies" upfront to get used to but once I learn to manage the plan it will get much easier. I do think that the book has a few too many extra unnecessary pages of random anecdotes and information but overall, it's all very helpful and easy to get one started on the Fast Metabolism Diet meal plan. I'm looking forward to the future weight loss.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2601797496">View all my reviews</a>
Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-47662044195870009982018-06-25T16:15:00.001-04:002018-06-25T16:15:25.948-04:00MSRL: Retro Review. 2012. The Postcard Killers by James Patterson<br />
I'm way behind with posting my book reviews. This review is from a while ago, 2012 to be exact, but I wanted to make sure I got it on the blog. I guess this is what I will spend part of my summer doing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7134201-the-postcard-killers" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Postcard Killers" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344271030m/7134201.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7134201-the-postcard-killers">The Postcard Killers</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3780.James_Patterson">James Patterson</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/350370472">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Great book. I didn't like the ending very much, not what I was expecting, but I can say that I'm a new James Patterson fan.
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Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover.
Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-36805121377950878602017-06-20T13:20:00.000-04:002017-06-20T13:20:36.766-04:00book review: Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman - Trying Way Too Hard<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196613.Skinny_Bitch" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Skinny Bitch" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442470447m/196613.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196613.Skinny_Bitch">Skinny Bitch</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/114558.Rory_Freedman">Rory Freedman</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2035024168">2 of 5 stars</a><br />
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So, I brought this book to work with me, thinking it would be a quick easy and funny read about weight loss and fitness, however, in their attempt to be everyone's cool girlfriend, the author just comes across as an overly raunchy, judgy chick who has no problem fat shaming, even in her attempt to encourage you to be healthy. It was a nice try but I wasn't impressed. If I want to feel bad about the bad habits I've developed over the years, I can beat up on myself, thank you very much.
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Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-84188228480154764032017-06-20T12:53:00.000-04:002017-06-20T12:53:43.153-04:00My Summer Reading List: RELAUNCH - I'm Reading Again. Finally.<br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">It's summer and I'm reading again! So, I've decided to relaunch my book review blog, <i><b>My Summer Reading List.</b></i> Fortunately, I'm in a place where I find myself having time to start reading more regularly again. So, I'll try my best to post and share as much as possible. I do read mostly cookbooks, however, I am trying to step up my novel and non-fiction reading game. I hope to be able to stick to my Goodreads Reading Challenge and read the 20 books I've committed to read this year. Enjoy!</span><br />
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Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-67672986106396866442012-10-22T10:00:00.000-04:002012-10-22T10:00:15.603-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Where Did We Go Wrong? by Monica Mathis-Stone<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where Did We Go Wrong? by Monica Mathis-Stowe</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4IvdkynYrubuHEvzEeFe23MxOF2tE7E6e6GuMCDczO-t_MhPa-UJvi48RJAoGWIBBNa2qQUZycpPXU61_9DwuYITYXhZ3y4sRpZlQD7C4ZK6r5QRRaNEoOPDAchcXI76-fGWJ0uPQ6p_/s1600/monica+mathis+book+where+did+we+go+wrong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4IvdkynYrubuHEvzEeFe23MxOF2tE7E6e6GuMCDczO-t_MhPa-UJvi48RJAoGWIBBNa2qQUZycpPXU61_9DwuYITYXhZ3y4sRpZlQD7C4ZK6r5QRRaNEoOPDAchcXI76-fGWJ0uPQ6p_/s320/monica+mathis+book+where+did+we+go+wrong.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Synopsis of Where Did We Go Wrong?</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Best friends Gabby, Maxine and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down. Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter’s married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account…Maxine lives for her family but when her husband’s excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage…After Joy’s loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she’s ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. After her wedding, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Interview with Author, Monica Mathis-Stowe</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 1: Have you always wanted to be a writer?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I always enjoyed reading novels, but decided I wanted to became a writer in my mid-teens after reading a chapter where the author described a scene so vividly, I actually thought I was there. I wanted that power-the ability to make people feel and experience life through my stories.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 2: Tell me about your book.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Where Did We Go Wrong?</i> is my newly released romantic suspense novel. It is about best friends Gabby, Maxine and Joy who protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down. Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter’s married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account, while Maxine lives for her family but when her husband’s excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage. After Joy’s loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she’s ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. When the wedding is over, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 3: What would you like your readers to get out of your book?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want readers to experience the bond and the connection between these three women. They support each other as they deal with the challenges in their lives and relationships. No matter what they’re going through and no matter how wrong they are, they stick together and support each other through it. Their bond is admirable and I think every woman should have a friendships like theirs.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 4: Where did you get the inspiration to write your book?</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author, Monica Mathis-Stowe</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The relationships I have with my girlfriends inspired me to write this book. I wanted to tell a story about everyday women going through issues and difficulties in their lives and how their girlfriends helped them through it. I read so many novels and hear about reality television shows that focus on creating chaos and conflict between women and that’s not good. I wrote this book to show the positive side of true friendship between women.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 5: What sets your book apart from other books in the same genre?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you love African-American romance novels<b> </b>or urban fiction in general, then this one should be on your must read list! The three main characters are strong, independent and educated women who go through enough conflict and drama to keep you turning the pages. Reading <i>Where Did We Go Wrong?</i> will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. This novel is a combination of drama, comedy, suspense and romance with enough sizzling sex scenes to keep you wanting more. It’s definitely in a genre of its own.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 6: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish your book?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I try to write every day. I would love to write every day, but it doesn’t always happen. Sometimes life gets in the way. Before I start writing, I listen to music to arrange my thoughts for the scene. Sometimes I listen to the same song over and over until I can create the scene in my head. Once I have it, I turn the music off and start pecking at the keyboard until the chapter is done or until my family needs me. It took me four months to write the first draft of <i>Where Did We Go Wrong?</i> and a year of rewrites and edits to complete it.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Question 7: What’s next for you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m currently finishing the sequel to <i>Where Did We Go Wrong?</i> and I just completed an outline for a new novel, <i>The Firefighters’ Wives</i>. I have a lot of stories inside of me and I’m just getting started. This won’t be the last you’ve heard from me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Excerpt from Where Did We Go Wrong?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The bond between girlfriends, best friends, is unbreakable, Joy thought as she zigzagged and weaved through the Beltway traffic. She drove as fast and as calmly as she could with Gabby huffing and puffing through her labor pains in the passenger seat. Her normally light-skinned complexion turned a pale shade of red with each contraction, but she still managed to look beautiful through all her pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Joy glanced through her rear-view mirror at Maxine, who had decided to follow Joy and Gabby to the hospital in her minivan, in case she needed to leave to tend to her family. She had already let three cars jump between her minivan and Joy’s car. Since her friend didn’t know how to get to the hospital, Joy thought Maxine would have attempted to follow her more closely. Drivers were definitely taking advantage of her careful driving, with the many “Caution-Baby on Board” stickers plastered to her bumper. She was so far behind, Joy couldn’t see her anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />When Joy arrived at the hospital’s emergency room entrance, she jumped out of her Toyota Corolla and ran inside the hospital to get help. Within seconds, she returned to the car with a nurse and an orderly pushing a wheelchair. She assisted Gabby into the hospital and left to find Maxine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Back in her car, Joy pulled out her cell phone, and called Maxine. “Girl, where are you?” Joy asked, trying to sound calm. She didn’t want to make timid Maxine more nervous than she already was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />“I’m lost. You were driving so fast, I couldn’t keep up,” Maxine whined.<br />Joy shook her head. “What exit are you near?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />“I see a hospital sign. Should I take that exit?” Maxine asked anxiously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Joy sighed in frustration. “Yeah, follow the signs to the hospital. I’m gonna park my car in the garage and meet you in the lobby.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />“Okay. Bye.” Maxine hit the End Call button on her steering wheel as she took the exit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Joy hung up and sped toward the parking garage. She turned into the first available spot and ran back to the hospital. She didn’t want Gabby to be alone when she delivered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Web Links for Where Did We Go Wrong?:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authormonicamathisstowe" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/authormonicamathisstowe</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MMathisStowe" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/MMathisStowe</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Author Site: <a href="http://www.monicamathisstowe.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.MonicaMathisStowe.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Email address for readers to contact me: <a href="mailto:MonicaMathisStowe@yahoo.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">MonicaMathisStowe@yahoo.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Links to where book can be purchased:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">eBook purchase – <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Did-We-Wrong-ebook/dp/B007QE3Y60/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333756816&sr=1-1" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Where-Did-We-Wrong-ebook/dp/B007QE3Y60/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333756816&sr=1-1</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">paperback purchase – <a href="http://www.monicamathisstowe.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.MonicaMathisStowe.com</a> and Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Trailer: <a href="http://youtu.be/2j4Mpj3suHI" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/2j4Mpj3suHI</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodre</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ads.com/ivywriter</span></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-34401164569618347902012-10-20T10:00:00.000-04:002012-10-20T10:00:02.613-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, The Meat Free Monday Cookbook by Annie Riggs<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12953772-the-meat-free-monday-cookbook" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Meat Free Monday Cookbook" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1334179956m/12953772.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12953772-the-meat-free-monday-cookbook">The Meat Free Monday Cookbook</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5294848.Annie_Riggs">Annie Riggs</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/435192524">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I love this cookbook, with a foreword by celebrities Paul and Stella McCartney, along with the accompanying website, <a href="http://www.meatfreemondays.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.meatfreemondays.com</a>, It's all about encouraging us to take account of our meat consumption as well as to pay more attention to the environment and climate around us. And, since I'm trying to incorporate more fun vegetarian based dishes into my meal plan (especially dinner), I thought this was the perfect companion for me. And I also like that the meal plans for a truly Meat-Free-Monday are all laid out from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The only thing I don't like about the book is that some of the ingredients may be inaccessible or just that realistically, I'm not going to find them (just being honest). But I do like that it offers to many creative ways to think about how we can easily prepare our food and be okay without eating meat with every meal.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b><br />
<b>Read all of my cookbook reviews at <a href="http://cookbookingschool.wordpress.com/">http://cookbookingschool.wordpress.com</a></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-65008410554962423152012-10-15T10:00:00.000-04:002012-10-15T10:00:11.629-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, There Is A Miracle in 21 by Lorieen Henry<span style="color: #990000;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>There Is A Miracle In 21: God Completes by Lorieen Henry</b></span><br />
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Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ42ZbeGsW-_Gkx4sT5FV2uJAra8DhYxai6mCKFx17v_p98MCAOOewLeVnYCF6t4dZe6R9htqnsF8xw_kkP-stCU_VbnPxxjEYF4yo1XkDE1v1qyX8Qr8rfIdnxaWUoOvfiF_UG4Lz_cS/s1600/lorieen+henry+miracle+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ42ZbeGsW-_Gkx4sT5FV2uJAra8DhYxai6mCKFx17v_p98MCAOOewLeVnYCF6t4dZe6R9htqnsF8xw_kkP-stCU_VbnPxxjEYF4yo1XkDE1v1qyX8Qr8rfIdnxaWUoOvfiF_UG4Lz_cS/s1600/lorieen+henry+miracle+book.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>Synopsis of There Is A Miracle in 21:</b></span></div>
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With a unique candor and glimpses of desperation, GOD allows Lorieen to use <i>There is a Miracle in 21: GOD COMPLETES</i> as therapy. Welcome to Lorieen’s therapy with GOD! Journey with her through the MESS to the MIRACLE! It is an unorthodox book where she shares her struggles while simultaneously pouring out her heart, hope, inspiration and encouragement as the Lord allows. Whether she is sharing feelings of inadequacy, confessing faults or sharing words of encouragement, she does it with a heart to glorify GOD</div>
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Lorieen Henry grew up in the small town of Flora, MS. Her parents Willie Lee Jackson, Jr. (deceased) and Karen M. Jackson instilled great morals and values in her and introduced her to Jesus as a child. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of 7 and has been excited to share about him ever since.</div>
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Lorieen commissioned by God as an exhorter is a homemaker and a veteran of the United States Army. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi August 6, 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army that same day.</div>
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Lorieen served as an Army Logistics Officer for 8 years supporting both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She had the opportunity to travel the world by being stationed in Korea, Germany and Virginia as well as deployments to Hungary, Macedonia and Turkey (in support of Iraqi Freedom).</div>
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Since exiting the Army, Lorieen’s time has been devoted to her family, church and community. Lorieen is “Seasoned for this Season” and is fully aware that her Purpose = Impact!</div>
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<b><span style="color: maroon;">Interview with Author, Lorieen Henry:</span></b></div>
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<b>1) What inspired you to write this book?</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author, Lorieen Henry</td></tr>
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This book journey arose from discontentment in my life. The realization that I had become someone I didn’t want to be inspired the writing of this book. I was so unhappy with my situation until it hurt. I once had a pastor that always said, “Hurt people, hurt people”. I didn’t want to hurt others. However, I couldn’t recognize my blessings, and I felt as if I were being cursed. Therefore, during “my woe is me” session in September 2010, I had the epiphany of taking a 21-day journey in hopes of change. I quickly grasped that “Pain pounds out your purpose and propels you to your destiny if you dare to trust God to complete.” God took me from my messy state to my Miracle.</div>
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<b>2) Is there one person outside of family members that played a significant role in your book journey?</b></div>
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My Prayer Partner is a true gem. Our daily fellowship is a fountain of life. Matthew 18:19 says again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Her support and prayers were especially critical down the home stretch when I wanted to quit as well as during my reluctance to submit my completed manuscript to the publisher. This book is in the hands of readers because not only were people praying for me, but I had a prayer partner praying with me and speaking words of affirmation at every turn. The most memorable words that she spoke into my life are, “My Purpose = IMPACT!” Having a prayer partner has been a life changing experience. If you don’t already have a prayer partner, I encourage you to ask God to send you one. The relationship is like none other.</div>
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<b>3) What’s your favorite part of your book?</b></div>
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My favorite part of the book is the letter to the reader on page 9. I love the letter because my goal is to usher in the presence of God even before the book is read. I feel that with the song, scripture and prayer the atmosphere is set for the Holy Spirit to take control. Let’s face it, I really didn’t know what I was doing as a writer. However, I knew that I needed to get my feelings out to become better and in doing so I must trust God to complete.</div>
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<b>4) Can you share a little of your current work with us?</b></div>
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It would be my pleasure. Although my book is not a book of poetry, I had some poetic moments throughout. “Lord, It’s Me” is a poem that I feel many will be able to relate to.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Excerpt from There Is A Miracle: God Completes</span></b></div>
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<b>LORD, It’s ME!</b></div>
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I’m afraid to be successful! What if I succeed?</div>
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As I travel down this road, I wonder where does it lead?</div>
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I feel guilty about my feelings! I know GOD wants me to have the best.</div>
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As I fight the demons in my head, I know that this is just a test.</div>
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Funny how I know what’s going on and ultimately who is in control.</div>
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But I must admit I sometimes give way to fear which delays me from reaching my goal.</div>
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Though my goal is delayed, I don’t quit, I continue to beat feet down this path.</div>
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Rising and falling! Falling and rising! The cycle is starting to get old.</div>
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So, I reach up toward the heavens and stretch my hands out to thee.</div>
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I say, “Lord, help your child, you know who it is …Lord, It’s ME!”</div>
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<b>5) What message do you want readers to take away from this book?</b></div>
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You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. (Matt.6: 33, KJV) If you try and fail, continue to seek. Don’t give up! You don’t have to fit a mold or covet someone else’s journey. Be YOU! God can take you to heights you never knew. He can use your uniqueness for His glory. Trust God to complete!</div>
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<b>6) Do you have any advice for other writers?</b></div>
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WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! What may not be right for your current project just may be right for a future project. Then again, some things you have to write down as a vent. Other things that you write can serve as inspiration for yourself or for others. Everything you write doesn’t have to be placed in a book or for a specific project. However, at an appointed time, you will find that it was placed within you to share with someone. Our words breathe life if used <b>Purposefully</b>! Be responsible with what you write. Your writing may be the only words that make things right in someone’s world.</div>
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<b>7) What’s next for you?</b></div>
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You can look for my 3<sup style="line-height: 14px;">rd</sup> title: <i>“Seasoned for this Season”</i> in December 2013. My 2<sup style="line-height: 14px;">nd</sup> title is already out. It is an E-devotional, <i>“Dig In”</i> (September 2012) which samples some of my writing from <i>“There Is a Miracle in 21: God Completes!”</i> Over the next 24 months, I will be busy with school. I’m pursuing a Master of Arts in Education as well as a Christian Life Coach Certification. I’m excited about what God is doing for me and my family. And as always, I will be encouraging others along the way and testifying of the goodness of Jesus.</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>How to find the book:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.miraclein21.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.miraclein21.com</a></div>
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<a href="mailto:twitter.com@miraclein21" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">twitter.com@miraclein21</a></div>
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<a href="mailto:lorieenhenry@facebook.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">lorieenhenry@facebook.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lorieenhenry.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.lorieenhenry.com</a></div>
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<a href="mailto:Lorieen.Henry032609@googlemail.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">Lorieen.Henry032609@googlemail.com</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: maroon;">Book Link:</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=there+is+a+miracle+in+21+god+completes&sprefix=there+is+a+miracle+in+21%2cdigital-text%2c216" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=there+is+a+miracle+in+21+god+completes&sprefix=there+is+a+miracle+in+21%2Cdigital-text%2C216</a></div>
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Read all by book reviews on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-19177348663749279792012-09-24T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-24T10:00:04.374-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Checkmate by Jonean McClain<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Checkmate by Jonean McLain</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing! </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Synopsis of Checkmate:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CHESS is a game meant to be enjoyed, but what happens when the life you live seems to have turned into the game you’ve played for so long? When your friends, whom you’ve once protected in one way, are doing everything now to protect you in another… even if it involves sacrificing themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In chess, you can pretty much predict what your opponent is going to do and when, and in each and every move lies a consequence. In life, you can’t predict anything, you simply live it. Jim Westergren once said, “Probably the biggest difference between a game of chess and life is that in chess you know all the rules and how everything works.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow Jonean as she brings life to the game, using people as the pieces and their real life situations as moves with consequences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This great read will have you on the edge and anxious to know more, while educating you about chess at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Learn the game… but more importantly… learn the lesson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You Can Run But You Can’t Hide”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CHECKMATE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Author Bio:</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZq_e5gSBDLOriBFMhLcnKRthp5Xd0ZtPBM7WClqkS6yZ6u4n75YKbaI-zj5bu7OjDwPL9gEYfvqvvLp33raLsgohpZYyw6Mc0xsagAZWFOqEna1bOfEawo-E3GevkxZKtFPhABTEqPdm/s1600/checkmatejoneanmclain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZq_e5gSBDLOriBFMhLcnKRthp5Xd0ZtPBM7WClqkS6yZ6u4n75YKbaI-zj5bu7OjDwPL9gEYfvqvvLp33raLsgohpZYyw6Mc0xsagAZWFOqEna1bOfEawo-E3GevkxZKtFPhABTEqPdm/s320/checkmatejoneanmclain.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author, Jonean Mclain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jonean McLain (pronounced JOHN-NEAN), born to John and Jean on February 27, 1981. At the age of one, Jonean was introduced to her mom’s friend, Ricky Alford; who later became her step-dad. “He’s the greatest Pop a kid could have,” she says. As a child, Jonean always expressed to her mother that she’d be famous or something BIG because her birthday was a TV show “227″. Jonean has had many jobs from hard hats and steel-toed boots to high heels and three piece suits. She currently resides in Baltimore, MD where she’s a School Bus Driver, referring to her bus as “The Magic School Bus.” Jonean shared that she’s had a passion for writing for as long as she can remember. She would turn any project she had to do in school into a poem or short story. She still refers back to a poem she wrote in seventh grade at Hamilton Middle School called “BLACK” where her teacher told her she was an Excellent Writer, and later in her Ninth Grade year at Western High School, she had to do a report for Biology on a plant cell and created a short story called, LIFE IN A PLANT CELL and just as her seventh grade teacher, her ninth grade teacher Mrs. Seiler told her the same thing, “You’re an EXCELLENT writer!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not a big reader,” she’d say. “I just love to write.”</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get to know Jonean:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: Why do you write?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I write because it gives me that chance to show my creativity, opening those doors where my imagination resides.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: My biggest inspiration would have to be two people; therefore, my mom and my son. There’s so much I’d like to do with and for the both of them… They’re my reason(s) for not giving up.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What is your proudest moment?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: My most proud moment is NOW! I’m actually finishing something I’ve started. I’ve always had great ideas, but that’s how far they went… an idea. I’ve actually set goals and met them.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What is the number one item on your bucket list?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: The top item on my bucket list would have to be, sky diving. I’ve always wanted to jump from a plane. Don’t ask me why… It’s just a rush I get at the thought. Lol.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What one word best describes you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: One word that best describes me is… hmmm… I’d have to go with Creative. Yeah, that’ll work… CREATIVE.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: How long have you been writing?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: Wow! I’ve been writing since I was a youngster… Not that I’m old now. Lol. I’ve always had a thing for painting pictures… even when I tell a story verbally, I’m very descriptive.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What inspired you to write CHECKMATE?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I was actually watching my two cousins play chess when I decided to write CHECKMATE. Just something I thought I’d like to take a stab at.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What’s your purpose in life?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I’m still wondering what my purpose in life is… I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2004 going in to 2005… I experienced one of the biggest scares. After being in a coma for two weeks and the doctors doubting if I’d make it through the night… Seven years later, and I’m still here. You ask what my purpose is? I can’t answer that Matter Factly… I just know I have one. It may be to help others… I love to help people genuinely without needing the glory or recognition of doing so.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Web-links:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.lyfepublications.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.LYFEpublications.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter: @jmclain227</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook: <a href="mailto:jonean.mclain@facebook.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">jonean.mclain@facebook.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://facebook.com/jonean.mclain" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://facebook.com/jonean.mclain</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-22554908973942489262012-09-17T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-17T10:00:02.451-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Lights Out by George Sherman Hudson<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lights Out by George Sherman Hudson</b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing! </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY4baHj9Rs2iZYEaSizshyphenhyphenonY1BAI5AyMrvDxzMEbjq59RujNp1-i1gIIET6ymrsHQ_J4HRp5-9zU8bOOR2RfbBPzFWyN-JuVVuUECHh7A_ikJta3t31peog_sTLSHGJup4vTCL03zlQa/s1600/lightsoutbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY4baHj9Rs2iZYEaSizshyphenhyphenonY1BAI5AyMrvDxzMEbjq59RujNp1-i1gIIET6ymrsHQ_J4HRp5-9zU8bOOR2RfbBPzFWyN-JuVVuUECHh7A_ikJta3t31peog_sTLSHGJup4vTCL03zlQa/s320/lightsoutbook.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Synopsis of Lights Out:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It all started under the City Lights of Atlanta but now it’s Lights Out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Real, with his first lady Constance by his side was living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Just as things were looking up, it all came to a halt. Friends turned to foes and an all out Cartel war ensued. The results were hard times in a down south Georgia prison and the death of a loved one. Now Real is released and back in the city with only one thing on his mind…REVENGE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a list, Real hits the streets and hunts down those responsible, saving the Cartel bosses for last. He sets his sites on B-Low, his one time right-hand man and now a major player in the game, who is going to be hard to touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cash, his other partner-in-crime turned snitch, sits next to B-Low on the list. From Atlanta to Miami, Real leaves no stone unturned as he takes the city by storm, in search of the ultimate payback.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Author Bio:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">George Sherman Hudson, born and raised in Atlanta, GA, was continuously rejected by different publishers because of the subject matter contained in his books. This father of two did some research and while serving time, started G Street Chronicles, the urban book company based in College Park, Georgia. While George is determined to make G Street Chronicles a recognized name in the literary industry, he’s also working hard on his ninth novel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interview with George Sherman Hudson:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <b>Can you please tell us a little about yourself?</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #2a2a2a; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My name is George Sherman Hudson, born and raised in Atlanta Ga. I’m 37 years old and the CEO of G Street Chronicles which is a subsidiary company of G Street Entertainment, which me and the hardest working V.P. in the business Shawna A. just made official. The parent company will incubate all facets of our upcoming businesses; G Street Chronicles, G Street Cinema and G Street Music. My days as an author are limited or should I say my writings will be far and few between. I hope my 10 titles will keep my supporters entertained until I’m able to come with another 5 star plot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) <b>What inspired this particular novel?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time… Doing time in prison and seeing the game from the other side was my inspiration. This novel has a lot of factual events, even down to the…just check it out. This is a sequel to City Lights which also has a lot of factual occurrences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) <b>What was the motivation for your writing career?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My struggle… This whole idea came to me while sitting in prison, in the hole, for a disciplinary infraction. The 110 degree weather, limited ventilation and a Triple Crown book gave me the idea. With the short stubby pencil and old crumbled up paper, I brought my vision to life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) <b>Who are some people in the game that influenced you?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was only one, Vickie Stringer. She brought this genre to the forefront and made her company a household name. I have never read one of her books but I have read some of her author’s titles. The writing isn’t what influenced me, it was how she nurtured a genre that wasn’t embraced by the masses. I hate how it all ended up but you know things happen to the best of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) <b>What can we expect next from George Sherman Hudson?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hackin & Stackin, a novel based on white collar crimes with a splash of street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6) <b>How has the game changed since you became a writer?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One word…ebooks! Now everybody is putting a book out, which is cool because in the past a lot of stores and vendors wouldn’t give the indie authors a chance. Now they don’t need them. Now you see it’s a hell of a lot more talent out there than just the veteran writers. Ebooks opened the flood gates for new talent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7) <b>What advice would you give to someone getting into this game?</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #2a2a2a; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stay focused on YOU and don’t get caught up in the competition stuff. Just do you and let your work speak for itself. Don’t think that since you signed with a publisher, it means instant success. You still have to promote and get the word out about your book. Don’t let the speed bumps, which could be people or situations, stop you. Perseverance and determination is a must.</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt from Lights Out:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back at B-Low’s crib, Ranjan and Jack were backing the van up in front of the garage door.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jack jumped out of the truck and pulled the door open and was surprised to see the trash they’d been called to clean up was a woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Angela lay in the middle of the garage floor, all taped up and squirming around like a rodent.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jack walked up and stood over her, trying his best to keep his excitement under wraps as he looked down at the thick, fine, completely naked dime-piece looking up at him with teary doe eyes, red and swollen. “Damn, lady! Who you piss off?” Jack asked jokingly, taken by Angela’s beauty.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The wrong muthafucker,” Ranjan answered, stepping around the van to inspect the trash for himself.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Angela tried to plead with both men, but the tape had her words muffled.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jack knelt down and pulled the tape from her mouth.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please help me! Please! I don’t wanna die!” she cried.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jack and Ranjan looked down at her then at one another.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can’t spare her, bro, no matter what. We got a job to do, and we sticking to it,” Jack said firmly.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Angela cried softly, and Jack could tell her sobbing was bothering Ranjan quite a bit.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Man, you know I don’t do no women or kids. Look at her, man. She ain’t no fuckin’ threat. What this li’l bitch gonna do?” Ranjan spat, looking down at the seemingly helpless girl, naked and bloodied and bound on the cold cement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where Can You Find Lights Out?:</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gstreetchronicles.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">www.gstreetchronicles.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/gstreet.chronicles" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.facebook.com/gstreet.chronicles</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/gstrtchroni" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://twitter.com/gstrtchroni</span></a></div>
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<a href="mailto:gstreetchronicles@yahoo.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">gstreetchronicles@yahoo.com</span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Purchase books at <a href="http://www.gstreetchronicles.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.gstreetchronicles.com</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-24080133833843573232012-09-10T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-10T10:00:05.215-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Daisy Jones by Mack Mama<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Daisy Jones by Mack Mama</b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing! </span></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNHJRSmag6x4bx9FcO5EIg4_8sPnodRGvK6urgnYDDT4wyG_hdZrnCFySb9Y5F_usW62kgtSj9_9YVQDPXWFw9xZt8zKwRr6sjMuF2t9IiJa1ow6ix3nS6N8FAbfiniaykDxLe0B98Sii/s1600/daisyjonesbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNHJRSmag6x4bx9FcO5EIg4_8sPnodRGvK6urgnYDDT4wyG_hdZrnCFySb9Y5F_usW62kgtSj9_9YVQDPXWFw9xZt8zKwRr6sjMuF2t9IiJa1ow6ix3nS6N8FAbfiniaykDxLe0B98Sii/s1600/daisyjonesbook.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Synopsis of Daisy Jones:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Daisy Jones is a bad ‘lil Mama. Her mother raised her to manipulate men for their power and money. She let her heart in the game and fell victim to hip hop mogul Young Chio. The journey starts in Atlanta, Georgia and ends up in the fast paced New York City. Daisy and her girls, the O.B.G’s will make your head spin and your jaw drop at the treachery and backstabbing that occurs throughout the ride. The ending will surely teach all gold diggers that getting their “Daisy Jones” on may not turn out like they think.</span><br />
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Behind the story:</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Author Mack Mama's Bio:</span></b></div>
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Mack Mama is a self published Author with two titles released under her publishing house Star Status Publishing. Her autobiography is called “Tales of an Original Bad Girl” and tells the riveting story of her life. She tells her story with such raw honesty that you relive the pain she felt when her mom died of AIDS when she was only sixteen. She shares what made her run to the streets with such vengeance and all the fury she felt when she shot four people. She also diagnosis the insanity that she lived through and talks about the change she has undergone to become the woman she is today. She is a motivational speaker and shares her testimony with the troubled teens in schools around the country. Her autobiography includes 116 pictures and a Soundtrack. What better way to get to know Mack Mama. Read about her, enjoy the visuals, and hear her music all at once. “<b><i>Daisy Jones</i></b>” is the follow up novel and an incredible fiction sure to certify Mack as a genuine author.</div>
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Check out the soundtrack for her autobiography the self-titled cd “<b><i>MACK MAMA</i></b>” and see why she is truly what the Music Industry and the world needs. She has the total package, the look, talent to stand on her own lyrically, the business savvy to make her publishing company successful and the credibility to make her stories believable.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">An Interview with Author, Mack Mama:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o33HQ5Xit6RNVBU-Y2eKJEpc_0p129yYZTVl2fZFUO4RNa81l-cqwpM1eRgWoUiQNaSSSqZaxyTjXX7f0c04BgGGEhzh1GlJGjS4QYctpDjANKoc0Jrr5kkn90dT703iDihBo2nFkY93/s1600/daisyjonesmackmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o33HQ5Xit6RNVBU-Y2eKJEpc_0p129yYZTVl2fZFUO4RNa81l-cqwpM1eRgWoUiQNaSSSqZaxyTjXX7f0c04BgGGEhzh1GlJGjS4QYctpDjANKoc0Jrr5kkn90dT703iDihBo2nFkY93/s320/daisyjonesmackmama.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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After being incarcerated and read many urban lit novels, and wanted to pen a story that was unique. I have strong female characters that show that women can get gangster too.<br />
It is also a strong moral message, that subliminally hits you at the end, about the danger of manipulation and drug use.</div>
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My writing style is raw, and in your face. I give great character back stories so that you see their growth right before your eyes. I always have a message at the end of the twist, turns and debauchery.</div>
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It took me two years to write Daisy Jones, only because some one stole the first 15 chapters. I was so excited about my book that I told everyone on my tier. I was in prison around a lot of jealous women. It really hurt and discouraged me. So, I had to regroup and when I began writing the story actually came out even better.</div>
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I have my autobiography “Tales of an Original Bad Girl” and the sequel to Daisy Jones “Mistress” is coming soon. “Lessons of an Original Bad Girl” which is the sister to my autobiography will be up next. I speak to at-risk teens about my life and the adversities that I have overcome. Lessons will include a built in curriculum, and will address issues of self esteem, peer pressure, anger management etc. I am also working on a short about a man who is being physically abused by his woman. Girl is just not ready for the mind screwing (manipulation) that an older man can do to her.</div>
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<b>1. What made you decide to start writing novels?</b></div>
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I was incarcerated and had read numerous books. I decided I had a story inside of me that would be unique.</div>
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I was tired of the same old urban fiction. I lived the lifestyle that was often depicted in the novels I loved, so I am an authority on an authentic street story.</div>
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I wrote Daisy Jones and an author was born. I didn’t release Daisy Jones until after I wrote and released Tales of an Original Bad Girl. I wanted people to read my memoir and get a sense of who I am opposed to popping out the blue as another street lit author.</div>
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<b>2. Why did you feel that your life story would be interesting?</b></div>
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I have lived a life few people could imagine. I have experienced drugs, sex and alcohol and wasn’t a rock star. My mom died when I was sixteen years old from the AIDS Virus and it rocked my world. I turned into a very bitter, disgruntled wild teen and ran to the streets with a vengeance.</div>
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I knew that my story could possibly save a life or deter a person that can identify with my situation from choosing the path that I ran down. I was mentally, emotionally and physically abused by my ex-husband who was nine years my senior.</div>
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I had a bout with post partum depression that I discuss candidly. These issues affect millions of women. My story needed to be told so I wrote it and poured my heart and soul onto the pages. I purged and shared my life with such honesty and raw emotion that people that have read it love me!</div>
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<b>3. How much time did you do in prison?</b></div>
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Thirteen years in total. I went from being the valedictorian in Junior High school to earning a degree from the school of Hard knocks. I ran in and out of prison like it was a time-share. I destroyed my record and let my family down time and time again.</div>
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<b>4. What happened to your music career?</b></div>
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It never went anywhere because I did so much time. My music is my first love, I rap and sing and I put out a soundtrack with every book I have released. Tales of an Original Bad Girl has a soundtrack that sells on itunes called “Mack Mama”. The chapters in the book are the song titles on the cd. You read “Don’t turn out like me” and then pop in the song. It gives you the entire Mack Mama experience.</div>
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My books are like my husband that I love, they pay my bills and music is my lover, who makes me feel sooo good, but has no money. There was simply no money in it for me, although I am extremely talented. It is notoriously hard for females to make it in the music industry. I love books because even independently, as a self-published author you can make a living off of your writing.</div>
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<b>5. What motivates you to write?</b></div>
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My daughter. She is so proud of me and I want to continue to keep her beaming and bragging that her mom is an author.</div>
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<b>6. What do you do to give back to the community?</b></div>
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I have developed an online mentoring program to provide after care with the girls that I speak to during my speaking engagements. I felt like after I talk to the at-risk youth where do they go from there. If I had a mentor that I respected and believed that, they knew what I was going through, perhaps I would have listened. It sure would have saved me years of turmoil.</div>
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<b>7. What would you like the readers to know?</b></div>
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Take a shot on my books. I may be a new author but I won’t be going anywhere soon. I am a reliable brand. I have two new books on the way and I’m determined to make Star Status Publishing a household name.</div>
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I also want them to tune in to my radio show on Mack Mama’s World Radio on blogtalk, you would absolutely love my show. I have interviewed the best in the business. My shows are incredibly untamed and lively. Check me out. I also blog for Corner Store Magazine my blogs are interesting and gives you my spin on life issues and gossip.</div>
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Also, go to my mentoring site and donate to a wonderful cause. I love the children and am dedicated to doing my part in saving the at-risk youth from their ruins. It takes time, and finances to get them into positive activities, workshops and outings. I need help!</div>
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Thank you AAMBC for allowing me to use your platform to introduce myself to the masses.</div>
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I have an online mentorship program called <a href="http://mackmamamentor.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">mackmamamentor.com</a>. I am taking donations for my program to assist me in taking the kids off the streets for the summer. Visit the site and learn more about the program.<br />
Thanks for the interview and I love all my readers, supporters for loving me. Check out my radio show it is off the chain Mack Mama’s World Radio.</div>
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Thanks to all my supporters and “fam” that purchase, follow, listen and spread the word about MACK MAMA. I love you all from the bottom of my heart.</div>
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Blessings, Mack Mama</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Where To Find Mack Mama:</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.starstatuspublishing.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.starstatuspublishing.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mackmamamentor.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.mackmamamentor.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mackmamaworld.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.mackmamaworld.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/starstatuspublishing" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/starstatuspublishing</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/mackmama" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/mackmama</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mackmama" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mackmama</a></div>
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<a href="mailto:mackmama1@gmail.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">mackmama1@gmail.com</a></div>
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Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-31349134026986094042012-09-07T18:58:00.000-04:002012-09-07T18:58:00.802-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, Indian Lowfat Cooking<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1372137.Indian_Lowfat_Cooking" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Indian Lowfat Cooking: The Key to a Healthy and Exotic Diet" border="0" src="http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/111x148.png" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1372137.Indian_Lowfat_Cooking">Indian Lowfat Cooking: The Key to a Healthy and Exotic Diet</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/651172.Roshi_Razzaq">Roshi Razzaq</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406620822">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaagjI3GSQ2-RySkTPVuVPfSprVwY7x-V4B99j4rlH3WjUmiOLZ_c6sDiI9MRUbCJTW-WUg-euzUHgcF_s6_z0V5J1uxiE2tC6265dqVzweoUtWD1Jr9obSJRKyhOQjVBte54Ff9isltCI/s1600/indianlowfatcooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaagjI3GSQ2-RySkTPVuVPfSprVwY7x-V4B99j4rlH3WjUmiOLZ_c6sDiI9MRUbCJTW-WUg-euzUHgcF_s6_z0V5J1uxiE2tC6265dqVzweoUtWD1Jr9obSJRKyhOQjVBte54Ff9isltCI/s1600/indianlowfatcooking.jpg" /></a></div>
I love Indian Food, and after reading several other cookbooks focusing on Indian Cuisine, I had not realized how fattening some Indian food could be until I read this Indian Lowfat Cooking. And although this book is a little dated, I still appreciate it and will definitely add it to my cookbook shelf as another guide on my path to healthy cooking.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-38880429915818106672012-09-06T09:00:00.000-04:002012-09-06T09:00:15.283-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/818931.Martin_Yan_s_Chinatown_Cooking" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking: 200 Traditional Recipes from 11 Chinatowns Around the World" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178664058m/818931.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/818931.Martin_Yan_s_Chinatown_Cooking">Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking: 200 Traditional Recipes from 11 Chinatowns Around the World</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/176428.Martin_Yan">Martin Yan</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406595587">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I love this cookbook because it's not just a cookbook, it's a travel guide through all of the different Chinatown's and great Chinese restaurants around the world. What I also like about this book is that Martin Yan provides with a primer on Chinese cooking, the primary ingredients, and a history lesson all at once. I would definitely add this to my cookbook shelf or to my travel log.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!</b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter</b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-6334779234183722792012-09-05T09:00:00.000-04:002012-09-05T09:00:10.409-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, Gloriously Gluten-Free <br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7367617-the-gloriously-gluten-free-cookbook" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook: Spicing Up Life with Italian, Asian, and Mexican Recipes" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275627284m/7367617.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7367617-the-gloriously-gluten-free-cookbook">The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook: Spicing Up Life with Italian, Asian, and Mexican Recipes</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/523799.Vanessa_Maltin">Vanessa Maltin</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406573871">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Although this cookbook is lacking some of the fabulous photos I love so well in my cookbooks, what I do like about it, is that it's fully of recipes that utilize only gluten-free ingredients and that it supplies us with a list of recommended vendors and brands where we can find these products. And that fact that all of the recipes focus on three of my favorite cuisines: Italian, Asian, and Mexican, I will definitely be adding this to my cookbook shelf.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!<br />
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter<br />
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-83714627104163718072012-09-04T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-04T10:00:14.227-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, Indian Home Cooking<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75390.Indian_Home_Cooking" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Indian Home Cooking: A Fresh Introduction to Indian Food, with More Than 150 Recipes" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320548253m/75390.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75390.Indian_Home_Cooking">Indian Home Cooking: A Fresh Introduction to Indian Food, with More Than 150 Recipes</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42841.Suvir_Saran">Suvir Saran</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/371768002">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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This is a great book. I've recently become interested in Indian cooking and this is a great intro cookbook. I will definitely add this to my collection and I think I definitely need to get my spice game together if I plan to do authentic Indian cooking.<br />
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Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-39117827472309323402012-09-02T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-02T10:00:02.414-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, The Whole Foods Market Cookbook<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10466.The_Whole_Foods_Market_Cookbook" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Whole Foods Market Cookbook" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320547495m/10466.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10466.The_Whole_Foods_Market_Cookbook">The Whole Foods Market Cookbook</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6890.Steve_Petusevsky">Steve Petusevsky</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/402084443">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I think it was a great concept for the Whole Foods Market to create it's own cookbook. It makes going into the store less overwhelming and the recipes give you a goal to strive for in your quest to pursue a better eating lifestyle using healthier ingredients. The only downfall of this book is that there are too many words. I need pictures of the food. Otherwise, as I move towards shopping more at supermarkets like Whole Foods, I hope to add this cookbook to my bookshelf soon.<br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-61229980020567549382012-09-01T10:00:00.000-04:002012-09-01T10:00:08.964-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, One Dish Vegetarian<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/646080.The_One_Dish_Vegetarian" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The One-Dish Vegetarian: 100 Recipes for Quick and Easy Vegetarian Meals" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316738255m/646080.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/646080.The_One_Dish_Vegetarian">The One-Dish Vegetarian: 100 Recipes for Quick and Easy Vegetarian Meals</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/326775.Maria_Robbins">Maria Robbins</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/401316322">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I love one-dish meals, the more you can plop everything into one pot, the better, to me. This cookbook is unique because it's all about vegetarians. As a meat eater, I do enjoy the occassional vegetarian mean every so often, so I would definitely make some of these recipes. The only downfall to this cookbook is the lack of colorful photos (too many words).<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-67407343399028776382012-08-31T10:00:00.000-04:002012-08-31T10:00:09.109-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review, Middle Eastern Basics<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8311760-middle-eastern-basics" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Middle Eastern Basics: 70 Recipes Illustrated Step by Step" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327992803m/8311760.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8311760-middle-eastern-basics">Middle Eastern Basics: 70 Recipes Illustrated Step by Step</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4041334.Marianne_Magnier_Moreno">Marianne Magnier-Moreno</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/400829817">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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OMG! The "My Cooking Class" line of books are the most awesome cookbooks ever. Anyone who has ever read one of my cookbook reviews knows how much I love the photo layout of the books, this has to be the best yet! What I love the most about Middle Eastern Basics is the aerial photography that shows the reader all of the ingredients from an overhead well lit display, and it provides a fantastic step by step set of recipes that makes cooking fun. I certainly recommend this along with any of the other "My Cooking Class" cookbooks to anyone who's interested in learning about cooking the right way. I will definitely be adding this cookbook to my bookshelf.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-66326045400657812772012-08-27T10:00:00.000-04:002012-08-27T10:00:13.200-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Crushed Love by Tavares Jones<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">New Book Release</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Crushed Love by Tavares Jones</span></b><br />
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<i>Thank you for reading "my summer reading list" and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for <b>AAMBC Public Relations</b>, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (<a href="http://www.aambc.com/">www.aambc.com</a>). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what's new in creative writing!</i><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: maroon;">Synopsis of Crushed Love:</span></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Twenty-year-old Michelle Tucker finds herself devastated when an obsession for dating the wrong type of man claims her freedom and relationship with her four-year-old. Filled with heartrending betrayal, devastation, adversity and more, Crushed Love follows Michelle through a gauntlet of sacrifice and redemption as she struggles to find herself and piece back together her life.</span>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Author's Bio:</b></span></div>
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Tavares Marquez Jones was born in Swainsboro, Georgia on March 30, 1986, the first child of Lillie Jones, the second son of Willie Dawson. His siblings are Gerrie Brown, Sherree Brown, Talonda Brown, Clarence Williams, Shankeil Tarver, Sheniza Dawson, and Shekenia Dawson. His father was a pastor and entrepreneur, his mother a housekeeper at a nursing home, then an assembly worker in both an environmental technology and energy conservation plant and a poultry factory. He lived in Swainsboro through high school, graduated in 2004, and received a full football scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University. After enjoying a wonderful first three years both in the classroom and on the field, he fractured a bone in his right foot in a game towards the end of his senior season. Because of injury, he was unable to perform to the best of his ability in front of scouts. Therefore, his draft stock plummeted. He went from being projected as a mid-to-late round pick in the NFL Draft to not getting picked up at all. For about two or three years, he worked a few jobs here and there, an assembly worker at a Nissan plant, maintenance man at a nursing home, replenishment associate at JC Penney, before wholeheartedly rediscovering a passion he had kept secret from everyone – including his very own mother – WRITING. He finds writing very refreshing, inspirational, and exciting.</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><strong>Interview with Tavares Jones:</strong></span></div>
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<strong>1. </strong><strong>At what age did you start writing?</strong></div>
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<em>I</em> started writing at age four.</div>
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<strong>2. </strong><strong>What was the first thing you wrote?</strong></div>
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The first thing I wrote was actually a message in the form of a drawing. When I was four, there was this girl who stayed next door that I liked. So I drew this stick-figure picture of a boy and a girl holding hands with a question mark off to the right. However, it didn’t work out as I had planned because she took the piece of paper, wadded it up, and threw it in the trash.</div>
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<strong>3. </strong><strong>What led you back to writing after placing it on the backburner for so long to focus solely on your love for football?</strong></div>
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After my time was up on the field, I was hurt by a lot of people I thought loved me. I was looking for someone to vent to after my then-girlfriend walked out on our three-year relationship a month before I was going to propose. As I was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall next to my bed crying, wondering how could she do something like that after how special I had always treated her, God put it on my heart to get up, walk over to my laptop, and start writing. Writing slowly but surely carried me through heartbreak and my feeling the lowest I had ever felt.</div>
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<strong>4. </strong><strong>In your bio I read you have five sisters, what type of affect does that have on your writing, being that most readers are women?</strong></div>
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I think being around them so much molded me into being a bit more emotional than most men, while at the same time giving me firsthand knowledge on when to be sensitive and when to be assertive, and in turn, it shows in my writing.</div>
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<strong>5. </strong><strong>Tell me a little about your debut novel, Crushed Love?</strong></div>
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Crushed Love is an urban novel written from a woman’s perspective. It’s about a young single mother who allows her obsession for dating a bad boy to destroy the relationship she has with her four-year-old son. I wrote this novel because there are so many men who don’t understand what a woman goes through after sacrificing so much to be with a man and still wound up having her heart broken. I think it will enlighten men to be a little more sensitive to and appreciative for the countless sacrifices women make, while at the same time, enlightening women to be a bit more mindful about the type of men they trust to be around their children.</div>
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<strong>6. </strong><strong>When and where will Crushed Love be available?</strong></div>
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The eBook is available for Kindle, Nook, and iPad. The paperback is also available at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, Indigo, Amazon, Better World Books, and everywhere else books are sold.</div>
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<strong>7. </strong><strong>Where can readers find more about you, your debut novel, and your writing plans for the future?</strong></div>
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<em>They can find more about me on my website </em><a href="http://www.tavaresmjones.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><em>tavaresmjones.com</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.artofficialmedia.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><em>artofficialmedia.com</em></a><em>, and my Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.</em><strong></strong></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><strong>Web Links</strong>:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tavares-Jones/190079654434609" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tavares-Jones/190079654434609</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/tavaresmjones" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.twitter.com/tavaresmjones</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tavares-jones/4a/460/11b" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank" title="View public profile">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tavares-jones/4a/460/11b</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.tavaresmjones.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.tavaresmjones.com</a></div>
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t<a href="mailto:tavaresmarquezjones@gmail.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">avaresmarquezjones@gmail.com</a>.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: lime;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: lime;">Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: lime;">Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span></i></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-63695367767636962152012-08-22T07:54:00.001-04:002012-08-26T13:43:37.771-04:00MSRL: AAMBC, New Book Release, Archie's Psalm by Christopher D. Burns<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On the Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Archie's Psalm by Christopher D. Burns</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Synopsis of Archie's Psalm:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">Archie’s Psalm</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;"> is a glimpse into the life of a latchkey kid who is encountering situations that force him to learn about the changing world around him. A coming of age story with a carefully crafted narrative and subplot, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">Archie’s Psalm</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;"> shows the transitioning world of a neighborhood in Memphis, TN ten years after Dr. King’s death. Through the setting, vivid character descriptions and moving storytelling a hot and humid southern neighborhood comes to life. Through the use of dialect and song the shifting tone and sound of the south reminds the reader of Zora Neale Hurstons’ novels. A work of literature that is artistic, powerful and important. A book that could become as relevant as Ann Petry’s</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">The Street</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">.</span>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Author's Bio:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Originally from Memphis, Christopher D. Burns joined the US Navy after getting into a lot of trouble as a teen shortly after graduating high school. Upon completing Aviation Electricians Mate school, Chris was stationed in San Diego, where he served in the military for four years and worked as an electrician on F-14 Tomcat aircrafts. When his military service was completed, Chris found himself trying to figure out his next move. He once again ffound trouble living in LA, so he moved back to San Diego and worked as a QA Analyst before being asked to play college basketball at San Diego City College. An injury cut short his basketball aspirations and led to visits to poetry readings in San Diego. At this time he began to write his first book, A Man’s State of Mind. He received an AA in Psychology from Mesa College (SDCCD) in 1997. Chris also began to work as a high school basketball coach and became one of the youngest head coaches in San Diego in 1999.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1997, Chris went on to attend San Diego State University where he earned a BA in English and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. While attending San Diego State University, Chris wrote Stages: a handbook on men and relationships, 100 Black and White Questions (co-authored by Kevin Pendleton) and Archie’s Psalm (which later became his Masters thesis).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After graduating with his MFA degree from San Diego State, Chris returned to his childhood home of Memphis and worked for two years as an instructor of English at Historically Black College, LeMoyne-Owen College. He resigned to teach high school English, complete research on building writing skills, and to focus more on the CB Publishing website <a href="http://www.cbpublish.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.cbpublish.com</a>, Center Court Basketball <a href="http://www.centercourtbasketball.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.centercourtbasketball.com</a>, a sports and fitness website, and his footwear company ARCH <a href="http://www.arch-usa.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.arch-usa.com</a>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An Interview with Author, Christopher D. Burns:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Chris Burns, why did you become a writer? </b>I was inspired to start writing my freshman year of college. I was playing college basketball and working as a teacher’s assistant. One of the teacher’s at the school was a poet and invited us all to her poetry reading from her chapbook. When I got home, I sat down and started writing. I always told stories and I was a bit of a class clown in high school, so the writer was always there, but I guess I needed a push. I began writing poetry and one of the poems felt like a story so I kept writing and it became <i>A Man’s State of Mind</i>, my first book. I guess to answer the question quickly, I became a writer because I had these stories in my head and I just needed to get them out. Unfortunately it has taken me 17 years to begin working on my career.<b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Archie’s Psalm. That is an interesting title, where did it come from and what is it about?</b>The title came from the original draft of the book. I attended San Diego State University’s MFA in Creative Writing program. During the fiction workshops I began submitting chapters to my classmates and the story didn’t really have a title. Like my first book the story began as a poem. I was going to get my MFA in Poetry so it was only natural that most of my stories began in this way. The chapters I was submitting were not labeled chapters. I was using verses from the Book of Psalms in the Bible to kind of inspire each section. My idea was to make the final chapter begin with a verse from Psalms. When I submitted the book as my thesis it was written this way. However, I had a serious Jean Toomer influence and the narrative felt disjointed. I cut a lot of the book and removed the references to Psalms, but kept the title. When someone asks me now why this is the title and what it’s about, I can still say that it is about songs. Psalms are songs. Archie is one of the main characters in the book. He is an older man, kind of like the neighborhood sage. The book is built around Archie’s interaction with the main character Buck. Buck is a young boy on the verge of becoming a teen. Old Man Archie often sits on his porch and sings the blues while playing his guitar. Throughout the story Archie tells Buck stories that often parallel with what is happening in the text. His stories usually begin with a song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The book is also about the multiple layers that exist in families. It is about those hidden stories that every family has. Archie’s Psalm is also about the point when boys become men physically and how they learn to interact with girls and all of the problems that the world throws at them. The book is a commentary on a lot of different things and it will be interesting if people finish it and realize all of the things that have taken place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Explain your writing style and how does it differ from what's current? </b>My writing style varies. I play around a lot with character sketches and dialect. I don’t use a formula. I just make sure I am writing as much as possible. I do have a lot of influences and those influences come through at times. My favorite writer is Ralph Ellison, followed closely by Toni Cade Bambara and Zora Neale Hurston. There are random elements of <i>Invisible Man</i> in every book I’ve written. In my first novel, <i>A Man’s State of Mind</i>, I play around with setting and I never really tell you where the story is taking place; which allows the story to have the feeling that it could be happening right down the street from you. In my second book <i>Stages: A Handbook on Men & Relationships</i>, there is a comedic tone that is playful but hides a serious subplot. I got that from Zora. In <i>Archie’s Psalm</i> I also use a bit of Zora’s technique in using a shifting dialect. In <i>Archie’s Psalm</i> the exposition is written in standard English, but the dialogue is written in the voices I heard in my head from my childhood. Those voices always code switched. My mom would sound completely different talking with friends than she did on the phone with bill collectors. I think how my work differs is that after 17 years of writing and just putting books out there without any promotion is that I haven’t had to write in a particular style because one of my books caught on. What I’ve noticed is that many writers stick with what gets them a livelihood, or what is going to make sure they stay popular. A person who writes urban fiction, sticks with that. A person who writes relationship books sticks with that. My work differs because I can’t tell you one novel that is written like <i>Archie’s Psalm</i>. No one is really writing and giving a voice to Black boys. Most stories are written for women because they read more than men. I write my books for readers and I write what is familiar because I want it to ring true. <i>Archie’s Psalm</i> is different because it finally gives voice to the boy that was, raised in the single parent household, raised in the neighborhood that was changing from the close knit Civil rights based black community to the neighborhoods on the verge of Reaganomics, crack and gangs. As simple as the story seems, it touches on a lot of the issues that affect our neighborhoods right now and it does all of this in the form of a coming of age story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What do you think is your best work thus far?</b> My best work oddly enough is a work that I haven’t even mentioned and it is not readily available. <i>It Often Deprives Me of My Sleep</i> is a collection of short stories, poems, essays and a conversation with the muse, that I wrote for about 15 years. For the sake of this interview though I guess I will say <i>Archie’s Psalm</i> is the most important… scratch that. All of the books are important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I did have to choose one of the books that people can actually buy and answer the question, what is my best work… it would have to be <i>Archie’s Psalm</i>. I know the book is hard to read and is not what is the norm, but I think the payoff for finishing the book and then discussing it will create an experience.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was in grad school I had a professor who told me to write for me. He told me that I shouldn’t worry about my race or background and that I should simply write. I could never get past that. Everything I write in some way has a point. Everything I write means something and attempts to cut you and leave a scar. I need my books to live and breathe. I want each book to give you a character that when you are finished you want that character to keep living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What can reader’s expect from you next?</b> The great thing about never promoting my work is that everything is new and there are multiple titles for people to choose from. If you want something that will reach in and pull at every emotion, you can read <i>A Man’s State of Mind</i>. If you want to laugh and learn how to read men, <i>Stages: A Handbook on Men and Relationships</i>. If you want to get into something that reminds you of classic literature with a contemporary setting, read <i>Archie’s Psalm</i>. If you want to read about business I have a Kindle download named <i>One Hour to Wealth</i> that gives you the guidelines I used to launch my own sneaker company. I have in my computer right now a book that I am co-authoring titled <i>Winter in Hip-Hop</i>, a nonfiction book that deals with Blacks in the post civil rights era. I also have a work of fiction that is about a preacher who murders a gangbanger. There are other projects I’m working on as well, but who knows if any of this other stuff will ever see the light of day? If you want to keep up with what’s happening with me you can definitely read the blog on <a href="http://www.cbpublish.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.cbpublish.com</a>. I even do a Hi Lites section on cool places to visit in Memphis. I also write a fitness blog at <a href="http://www.centercourtbasketball.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.centercourtbasketball.com</a> that works in conjunction with my sneaker company on <a href="http://www.arch-usa.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.arch-usa.com</a>. I like staying busy and I try to write in some form everyday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How are you managing to write and then tell the world you have these great books you want them to read?</b> I am not. That is why I don’t have a writing career. I have never taken my own advice about working on a dream in regard to my writing. This will be the first year that I have actively worked on promoting my books. I did do a little bit of promoting when I hosted an Open Mic, but not really. What I hope now is that people will see your interview and take a chance on my books. If they do, that would be great.<b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Is there a book that can compare to Archie’s Psalm?</b> I think the closest relatives to <i>Archie’s Psalm</i> are<i> The Street</i> by Ann Petry and actually a short story: The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara. As many books as I have read I find it hard to make a direct comparison. I guess another title would be Stephen King’s The Body (the movie Stand By Me was based on this short story). I like the fact that I’m actually promoting this over my other books. I think it would be easy for me to push <i>Stages or A Man’s State of Mind</i>, those books kind of fall into the contemporary market. However I feel that people are ready to change gears.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt:</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGden-A1tvSjlBzBzNM69HYYcAw7qZTXhPkbdkYlNgGnhLkD6la5wa6UDWJVqMtBgBPJEXEc0j4LeUlef8oIcgZFUVmQS-l3x8n2ALjBGOAd2sGf6deivDBR6FAuHUwCsEHcch9LUxTga6/s1600/archie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGden-A1tvSjlBzBzNM69HYYcAw7qZTXhPkbdkYlNgGnhLkD6la5wa6UDWJVqMtBgBPJEXEc0j4LeUlef8oIcgZFUVmQS-l3x8n2ALjBGOAd2sGf6deivDBR6FAuHUwCsEHcch9LUxTga6/s320/archie.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He told stories to pass the time. A simple man, never loud. Carried extra quarters in his pockets, about ten patch made pockets on dingy coveralls, a soft white shirt beneath the faded denim straps over his shoulders. The only look on his face I remember was like the quiet warmness after a summer rain. His half smile marked with crescent moons at the corners of his mouth and lines like folds in brown blankets at the corner of his eyes. His skin soft with bristled hair, even on his hands hair grew. He carried a walking stick sometimes, and walked through the streets each morning and each afternoon. Maybe to see what we was doing, us latchkey kids, us <i>thugs</i>. But we wadn’t so bad, just bored, and he knew that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He told stories to pass the time, stories of uprisings, niggers, Tom’s, fools, white folks, but mostly it was stories about the neighborhood that stuck to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me and the guys ran all over the streets bothering and startling the old folks. He just stood when we would ride by, looking at us act up. He never did nothing to us unless he found us being too mannish. Folks used to say he carried bricks, a small piece of brick in each overall pocket. He caught Lil Tony trying to scare Ms. Phillips once. He saw him and from what Tony said,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I was ridin right, ridin, Buck, I wasn’t even messin wit Ms. P. I ain’t lyin.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’d he do, what’d he do?” I kept asking. Tony’s toughskins were scuffed pretty bad on purple knee patches. His palms was dirty with little scrapes on chubby hands. His jaws shook when he got excited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I ain’t lyin Buck, I ain’t-”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tony, what’d he do?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He threw one at me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No he didn’t.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah he did.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did it hit you? Did it hurt?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You ask stupid questions Buck.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You the one that’s stupid. You know how Old Man Fishstick act when he see Ms. P.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah but-”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s why you got hit,” I laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Didn’t exactly get hit though, I just saw him raise his hand. So I jumped off my bike. He walked up an-”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“An he laughed at you an walked away, didn’t he? Don’t lie.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yep, he jus laughed an walked off.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“An he lef you sumthin?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A quarter.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Me too.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Pretty Ms. P,’ was what he called her. Old Man Fishstick was what we used to call him. He always talked with Ms. P, but not much to many other folks. I even noticed him take out his folded red kerchief with the white designs on it to wipe his brow, before she would see him. He’d pull off his old blue hat and pull at the tufts of gray hair matted to the sides of his head. He’d even walk a little bit slower with longer strides. Such long strides I think would’ve been hard with a pocket full of bricks. I had found out that their wadn’t no bricks a long time before any body else. What it was, was quarters in small, cloth brown bags. But I didn’t tell nobody seein as he only had em every once in a while. Anyways, I asked him why he always fixed up himself, when he see Ms. Pat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ya know what a peacock is?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes suh.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Find out why peacocks look like they do, an then ask me why, an I’ll tell ya.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still don’t know why peacocks look like they do, but I’m trying to get the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Old Man Fishstick used to be scary to me. He still scare everybody else, but not for <i>real</i> scary. We knew he wasn’t gonna really hurt us. We would go by his house and yell at him. He’d be on his, one step up, lil wooden porch. Sitting on it plucking strings on a wood box guitar. Singing old songs bout, “Movin on, umm hmmm, movin on down de line. De train dun pass me up, an I’s too ol to git on board.” We’d run and shout his name, “Ol Man Fishstick, Ol Man Fishstick, Ol Man Fishstick.” He’d stand up and run at the gate holding a brick in his hand. We’d take off running an laughing. Twenty minutes later we’d be back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His house was one of the few really old houses. It sat on the corner of Caldwell, where a potholed street separated it from the elementary school. Both the school and his house was across from the field for the park, where the slidin board, merry go round, monkey bars and lots of old concrete picnic tables was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That field, in the summer, always had dragonflies floating across and it was lots of them. Like greenish-brown, fat mosquitoes darting back and forth. At night the dragonflies was replaced by lightnin bugs. Small with white butts that blinked on and off when the green, black wings would close and open. Momma said they had to light up or the flowers wouldn’t grow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ol Man Fishstick had a big backyard that was overgrown by about two inches. But he had a long planting bed where he grew stuff and a honeysuckle vine in there. One long vine that almost made a second fence. We used to sneak back there and get some of the yellow-white stems and pull them out to suck the juice. I had some honeysuckle by my apartment, but it wadn’t no danger in getting that. Besides, me, Lil Tony, Smoke, Skillet, Lizard and Tiger didn’t like staying that close to the house. We were the army of UltraMan, too fast to catch, too smart to stay by the house. If we stayed by the house we’d have to do chores for Smoke’s folks. So we went to Ol Man Fishstick’s place and bothered him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every time we went by, he’d be playing the same music with different words, “She don’t know babaaah, she don’t know my heart hurt sooo. Umm Hmmm. I said she don’t know babaah that my heart hurt sooo.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His songs seemed sad, like his stories. But he never seemed sad when he talked. He’d raise his arms and wave his hands drawing pictures of words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After taking years off to work in academia, I have finally begun this year (2012) to take my writing career seriously. I have been writing since 1995 and like many authors I thought my writing would take on a life of its own and I would be famous and people would be making movies about the characters I created. That hasn’t happened. I realize now that in order to build my career and attain readers I am going to have to really take a direct interest in getting people to discover my novels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I have a very unique voice that people will come to respect and admire. I feel that my stories are different, not just because, but my stories are very different in how the stories are told. Most male writers that write in various genres write specifically for a female reading audience because they know those are the people who are reading primarily. I write to create characters and to see where those characters’ stories end. For me the writing process is a journey that combines the writer with each individual person in the story. When my characters hurt, I feel that and if I feel that then I think you will feel it when you are reading. My stories are primarily about men who are learning to be men. As a man who was raised in a single parent household, I think my life has generated a perspective that shapes my narratives. My stories are inspired by personal stories and things that I have witnessed. They are comedic, but each narrative has weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While you have a lot of writers to choose from, it is my hope that you will buy a book and give it a shot. I promise you will read something unlike any other novels out there. I also know that you will come away with something to discuss with other readers and friends. I think these books in regard to women readers, will give you genuine insight into the male psyche. In regard to men, these books will give you a voice and allow you to say, “That’s me.” I love getting feedback and I will respond to questions or comments. If you would like to get a better understanding of what makes me tick check out my updates on <a href="http://www.cbpublish.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.cbpublish.com</a>. Once again, thanks for stopping by and stay positive and motivated.</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Web-Links: <br clear="all" /> </span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cbpublish.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.cbpublish.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://amazon.com/author/christopherdburns" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://amazon.com/author/christopherdburns</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cbpublish.com/author-christopher-d-burns-mfa/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.cbpublish.com/author-christopher-d-burns-mfa/</span></a></div>
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<a href="mailto:cdburns@cbpublish.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cdburns@cbpublish.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-66258037505534545962012-08-17T12:00:00.000-04:002012-08-17T12:00:06.159-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review - Make It Simple With G. Garvin<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2685606-make-it-super-simple-with-g-garvin" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Make It Super Simple with G. Garvin" border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267023087m/2685606.jpg" width="261" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2685606-make-it-super-simple-with-g-garvin">Make It Super Simple with G. Garvin</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2608.Gerry_Garvin">Gerry Garvin</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/365380421">5 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, as I was lounging around at my friend's house during my extended vacation in July, I picked up her copy of Make It Super Simple with G. Garvin. This man is only her favorite chef so I said to myself, let me see what all of the hubbub is about. I see why people love him. In this book he takes very practical everyday family and entertaining recipes, punches them up a notch to - just enough for the average person to be able to make them and still feel like they are a gourmet chef, while still keeping it simple. His focus is truly on family and get togethers with friends. I recommend this cookbook to anyone, especially the ladies because, besides the vivid food photography, there are some pretty good shots of G. Garvin doing his thing. But this would also be a great gift for any guy in your life that thinks he's a great cook, but may not really be one (this will give him a clue without making him feel too girly). LOL. Great book!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea"><span style="font-size: large;">View all my reviews</span></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-4301468062048039762012-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-14T10:00:03.540-04:00MSRL: Another AAMBC New Book Release, Echo Of Her Cry by Jamie Jones<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">New Book Release</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Echo Of Her Cry by Jamie Jones</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><i>Jamie Jones is ready for her close up. She always did have a passion for writing since she was a little girl. Going from writing stories that only her family could read and writing scripts as a little girl in which she would act out all the characters; this 27 year old stay at home mom decided she is ready to share her passion of writing with the world. She once had a desire to have a successful music career, until she realized that being an author was not only a passion but it just fit her perfectly. After facing a number of rejections growing up trying to strive for a music career; she decided she would self-publish her debut novel, Echo of Her Cry to be in control of her own destiny. That’s when Passion Street Publications was born in which she is the CEO and Founder of. Jamie makes it clear that she would love to be signed to the right publisher. Until then; she is determined to be a respected self-published author. Jamie loves being with her family. She and her husband and 2 year old daughter reside in Houston, Texas.</i></span>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>Synopsis of Echo Of Her Cry:</b></span></div>
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Myla Pickins was the average carefree teenager living what seemed to be the perfect life. With successful parents in the food industry, a fun-spirited best friend, and the love & attention of almost every high school girl’s dream guy, life couldn’t be more rewarding-that is until devastating news, at least for an unwed teenager, abruptly halts her fun. While eventually accepting the upcoming role of motherhood, and with the support of her parents and boyfriend, Bernard, Myla begins to understand the changes she needs to make to improve her life. But the story is just beginning to unfold. Discover the shocking secret that will turn her world upside-down and force her to make decisions she never imagined. Will she break under pressure, or will she find the strength to move forward?</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>An Interview with Author Jamie Jones:</b></span></div>
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<b>1.) </b><b>WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE, <i>ECHO OF HER CRY</i>?</b></div>
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I wanted to write about teen pregnancy from a different prospective. It’s a fiction novel but very much realistic. I’m sure many will be able to relate to this book.</div>
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<b>2.) </b><b>WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE TITLE, <i>ECHO OF HER CRY</i>?</b></div>
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When you think of an echo; repetition comes to mind. The character Myla has many days and nights of non-stop crying. We all know that an echo fades-so that’s pretty much describes Myla’s healing process overtime. With the difficulties she experiences, her tears won’t dry overnight. It’s a process-which is why I chose to make <i>Echo of Her Cry</i> a 3-book series. I want each book to focus on her stages of healing.</div>
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<b>3.) </b><b>HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN AS A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR?</b></div>
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It’s definitely been a learning process. Writing is a passion of mine so I have been thoroughly enjoying learning many things along the way. I will say though, that the part that requires the hardest work is marketing and promotion. Regardless of how good a book is-if people don’t know about it, the book won’t sale. So, my goal is to let as many people as possible know about, <i>Echo of Her Cry</i>.</div>
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<b>4.) </b><b>WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH YOUR BOOK, <i>ECHO OF HER CRY</i>?</b></div>
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Definitely I want a growing fan base and respect from readers. I also would like to get the attention of publishers.</div>
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<b> </b><b>5.) </b><b>IN <i>ECHO OF HER CRY,</i> DID YOU EVER EXPERIENCE WRITER’S BLOCK? IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?</b></div>
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There were times I did get writer’s block. When that happen I usually just close down my laptop and clear my mind until I can gather my thoughts. I don’t force anything. My best work comes naturally.</div>
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<b>6.) </b><b>WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?</b></div>
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Well earlier I mentioned that <i>Echo of Her Cry</i> is a 3-book series, so I’m now working on part 2 and 3.</div>
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<b>7.) </b><b>IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR READERS?</b></div>
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I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate you all for reading my book and giving me your feedback.</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>An E</b></span><span style="color: maroon;"><b>xcerpt from Echo Of Her Cry:</b></span></div>
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No one should EVER have to end up here…</div>
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I lie face down on the concrete. Bloody, bruised, crying, struggling to stand…where am I? Who can I call for help? Immediately a vision of my cell phone popped into my head. I saw it just where I left it–in Benny’s room. I crawl, finding the strength to rise to my feet. I’m not very familiar with the location, but I think it’s close to my cousin’s house. I manage to hail a taxi that is leaving the neighborhood. It feels as though only seconds have passed as the driver parks. I limp until houses are within view. Thankfully, the neighborhood is way closer to Dennis than I thought. Staggering, I head down the street, constantly looking over my shoulder hoping they’re not behind me. The very thought forces me to try my hardest to run, regardless of the pain. Weak and numb from walking, my legs give way, forcing me to the ground. The initial shock of the pavement crashing into my face leaves me breathless, so breathless I fall into the temporary comfort of my body lying still. The comfort lasts but a second as thoughts of my attackers finding me jolt me to my feet. The next few moments are a blur, but I am thankful to find myself at Dennis’ doorstep. ‘Ding-dong!’ Screams of terror fire from the mouth of his wife, Joanna, at the sight of my bloody and swollen face. I still remember that horrific moment like yesterday. Like a CD spinning on repeat, it plays over and over and over in my head.</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>Web-links:</b></span></div>
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<b>Twitter: </b>@itsjamiej</div>
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<b>Facebook:</b> authorjamiejones</div>
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<b>Website: </b><a href="http://www.iamjamiejones.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.iamjamiejones.com</a></div>
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<b>Email Address:</b> <a href="mailto:authorjamiejones@yahoo.com" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;">authorjamiejones@yahoo.com</a></div>
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<b>Amazon: </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mylas-Journey-Peace-Within-ebook/dp/B0083M0GI8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337866026&sr=8-2" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Mylas-Journey-Peace-Within-ebook/dp/B0083M0GI8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337866026&sr=8-2</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/098549560X/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1337866026&sr=8-2" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/098549560X/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1337866026&sr=8-2</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<b>Barnes & Noble: </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-of-her-cry-jamie-jones/1110805065?ean=2940014440721" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-of-her-cry-jamie-jones/1110805065?ean=2940014440721</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-of-her-cry-jamie-jones/1110805065?ean=9780985495602&itm=1&usri=echo+of+her+cry" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-of-her-cry-jamie-jones/1110805065?ean=9780985495602&itm=1&usri=echo+of+her+cry</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span></b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-5925963257450384972012-07-07T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-07T10:00:00.155-04:00MSRL: Another AMBC New Book Release, Every Twenty Four Hours by Cynthia Johnson<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>AAMBC (African Americans On The Move Book Club)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>New Book Release</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Every Twenty Four Hours</b></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Cynthia Johnson (CJ) is a Christian, wife, mother, college graduate and a career woman. She is also a breast cancer survivor and Caring Angel volunteer for Hospice of Dayton. CJ has been jotting down storylines and poetry since grade school. She has self-published two previous novels,</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Stop the Music and Straw Dreams</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">, which are both inspirational novels that deal with her love of and dependence on God. She loves animals and long walks on the beach with her husband of twenty-five years. She someday hopes to retire from her day job and lead a national cancer initiative to provide family support services for cancer patients.</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>Synopsis of Every Twenty Four Hours:</b></span></div>
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Eileen knows she is a ticking time bomb. Breast cancer runs in her family: Her mother and grandmother both died of the disease. And yet, when Eileen herself falls ill and must undergo a double mastectomy, she’s unprepared for the shock of confronting her own mortality. For help, she leans hard on her family: her eccentric and outspoken aunt, a kind friend who embodies the word “sisterhood,” her red-headed cousin whose free-spirited nature results in a revolving door of men as diverse as the United Nations, but who gives Eileen an unselfish gift that leaves the entire family speechless, and her two spirited young sons, who bring out her momma lioness.</div>
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Eileen’s certain she can teach her cancer a lesson; but cancer has some lessons in store for her. As she battles her disease, she must confront the true nature of her relationship with her less-than-loving boyfriend, she must reconcile her own cancer experiences with memories of her mother and grandmother, she must turn to God and faith more than ever before, and when an old flame reappears in her life, she might finally get her happily ever after—but only if she can find the strength to seize it for herself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0EA4w47mfE326XNfXSCVpSok4oEBpaumJ6zQA9-FpIZTfaxaZli7YHTqK9JhinmA_4p4pFAnNqrig0UViApxHSSnCF6SqmXTKsSz6mnc4EHfzACb9eep7qetmRgcC2vdb84MWXkCD_K8/s1600/CJ-Photo-Cover1-297x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0EA4w47mfE326XNfXSCVpSok4oEBpaumJ6zQA9-FpIZTfaxaZli7YHTqK9JhinmA_4p4pFAnNqrig0UViApxHSSnCF6SqmXTKsSz6mnc4EHfzACb9eep7qetmRgcC2vdb84MWXkCD_K8/s200/CJ-Photo-Cover1-297x300.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>An Interview with Author Cynthia Johnson:</b></span></div>
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<b>1. </b><b>Where do you get your inspiration for your books?</b></div>
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I get my inspiration from my environment. I write about things that I’ve been affected by in some way or that I’ve heard about or seen in my environment. I select a topic and a message I want to communicate about that topic. Then, I build a story around it.</div>
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<b>2. </b><b>What other books have you written? </b></div>
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My first novel was <i>Stop the Music, </i>a story about domestic violence<i>. </i>My second novel was<i> Straw Dreams, </i>a story about one girl’s dream to escape a dysfunctional family environment for a better life. This May, I released my third novel, <i>Every Twenty-Four Hours</i>, which is a story about breast cancer.</div>
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<b>3. </b><b>Who are some of your favorite authors?</b></div>
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I don’t read as much as I’d like because I work full time, volunteer for Hospice, and am always trying to write something. However, some of the authors I enjoy are Lisa Dale, Terry McMillan, and Toni Morrison.</div>
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<b> </b><b>4. </b><b>What’s the hardest part of writing a novel?</b></div>
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The hardest part of writing a novel for me is editing. It’s difficult to become unemotionally involved with the characters to make the tough choices about cutting or rewriting scenes. However, the goal is to make the manuscript flow nicely for readers so making those choices are necessary.</div>
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<b>5. </b><b>What advice would you give others who dream about seeing their manuscripts in print?</b></div>
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I’d tell them to self-publish. They should never let someone else define their destiny. Some of the rejection letters are brutal, but you can’t let that stop you from accomplishing something you believe in. I don’t ever want to look back at life and know that I didn’t accomplish something I wanted because I let someone else discourage me.</div>
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<b>6. </b><b>How do you react to reviews about your novels?</b></div>
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Everyone wants a good review, but we’re people and we aren’t all the same and don’t enjoy the same types of books. I believe there is a market for the inspirational stories that I write, so I don’t mind it if someone doesn’t like my novels. I just hope everyone doesn’t feel that way.</div>
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<b> </b><b>7. </b><b>What do you hope to have accomplished with your writing in ten years?</b></div>
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<b> </b>I hope that the amount of people that I touch with my novels grows by leaps and bounds, and I’d love to someday see something I’ve written be translated to the big screen. But mostly, I hope readers feel empowered by my heroines’ journeys.</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><b>Read An Excerpt from Every Twenty Four Hours :</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVW6zF1WD9lDfUjEIua397NtSgDpIa29W_Zbi1xHauhzHrPc7D6OsapV5M9HQSh6_aQMCEf_RilN5hugm30cjL91Fr8TbuMF2gHEtkQbMUUF55KMRxVzbJ_vVYN0uwlU1leM8jy8O50Px/s1600/standing-book1-2-260x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVW6zF1WD9lDfUjEIua397NtSgDpIa29W_Zbi1xHauhzHrPc7D6OsapV5M9HQSh6_aQMCEf_RilN5hugm30cjL91Fr8TbuMF2gHEtkQbMUUF55KMRxVzbJ_vVYN0uwlU1leM8jy8O50Px/s1600/standing-book1-2-260x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Scene 1</b>Overwhelmed, she let her head fall toward the table, and she buried her tear-soaked eyes in the bend of her arm. <i>Why is this happening to me? </i>Her chest felt heavy. Her mind was singed like blades of grass during a summer drought. Deep within there was still life, but the diagnosis made her exterior crumble. Seconds later a nauseous feeling overcame her, and she rushed to the bathroom, fell to her knees, and emptied the contents of her stomach in the toilet. She tucked her dangling hair behind her ears and rested her hands on the white porcelain throne as clear liquid continued to come up. When the flow had finally stopped, she slowly lifted herself up. Her knees cracked as her legs straightened. Standing, she made her way across the linoleum to the small wooden vanity. A toothbrush and a washcloth freshened her up instantly, but neither removed the excruciating pain of reality tearing through her head.</div>
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<b>Scene 2</b><br />The corners of his mouth turned up. Eileen’s cheeks warmed. Within milliseconds, her insides felt mushy as a Popsicle on a hot summer’s afternoon. He was tall, handsome, clean-cut, and somewhere in his early twenties. His broad chest sculpted his tailored blue suit, and the scent of his cologne, geraniums with a woody musk base was a delight to her nose. Her mouth filled with saliva. Now she understood the hype in psych class about Pavlov’s dog. She swallowed several times.<br />“Are you okay?” he asked.<br />“Yes.” She stood before him, mesmerized. Was jet fuel pumping through her veins instead of plasma? All she knew was that her head was definitely in the clouds.</div>
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<b>Scene 3</b><br />“Okay, but did you make sure the gun is still here?” Sammy asked.<br />“No, but he wouldn’t take the gun. We only have it in case someone breaks in.”<br />“I don’t think he’d take it either, but I’d feel a whole lot better if you checked. You remember no one thought Tony would try to commit suicide either.”<br />“That’s ridiculous!” <i>There he goes again comparing James’s emotional state to his father’s.</i> “If it’ll make you shut up, I’ll show you,” she shouted. Eileen stormed to her bedroom. The sea-blue walls looked red through her enraged lenses. She grabbed hold of the doorknob and slung opened the closet door. It crashed into the plaster. But she didn’t care. Sammy had hit a nerve—severed the damn thing with his ice-pick tongue. Eileen pulled out the footstool that James had made her in shop class from beneath the rack of clothes. She saw Sammy watching her tensely. With her feet planted firmly against the wood grain, she reached high on top of the shelf where she kept the gun beneath an old blanket. Sammy offered to help, but she ignored him. Hadn’t<br />he done enough? She ran her hand along the wooden shelf and could feel a metal handle graze her fingertips. With her fingers locked around the metal, she pulled her hand back for Sammy to see. The proof was in her grasp. He was going to eat his words. All of them—choke on them like a big fat side of beef.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: maroon;">Click the link to Find Every Twenty Four Hours and Author Cynthia Johnson:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.cjbooksandtreasures.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.cjbooksandtreasures.com</a></div>
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-56466056823942885842012-07-03T09:00:00.000-04:002012-07-03T09:00:07.474-04:00MSRL: Review, Black Pearls: Daily Meditations by Eric V. Copage<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/260535.Black_Pearls" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Black Pearls: Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African-Americans" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173221771m/260535.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/260535.Black_Pearls">Black Pearls: Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African-Americans</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/79048.Eric_V_Copage">Eric V. Copage</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/262398557">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I had to read this book once before, a while a go when I was working for a college summer program, so I think it's only fitting that I read it again as I approach 40 and reflect on how life has changed since college and how the affirmations in this book can only help encourage me to get through the next stages of life. Black Pearls is a great book to give as a gift (just as I received it) to college grads, BFFs, or anyone who you think needs some inspiration. Get you a copy and enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list!<br />
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter<br />
Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriterKellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-11381814778842254362012-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:002012-07-02T09:00:04.722-04:00MSRL: Review, The Yoga Directory by Linda Doeser<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1971337.The_Yoga_Directory" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Yoga Directory" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1191100324m/1971337.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1971337.The_Yoga_Directory">The Yoga Directory</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/112546.Linda_Doeser">Linda Doeser</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/258718824">5 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a great resource for anyone who is a yoga beginner with a need to learn the basics about yoga. The history lesson at the beginning is great and the vivid photos that accompany each yoga post are fantastic. It's definitely something you should add to your fitness book collection.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea"><span style="font-size: large;">View all my reviews</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</span>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607468794021097288.post-7431171461933505592012-06-28T12:00:00.000-04:002012-06-28T12:00:01.694-04:00MSRL: Cookbook Review - Low Calorie Cooking from Better Homes & Gardens<b>MSRL: Cookbook Review </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12585672-better-homes-and-gardens-the-ultimate-low-calorie-book" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Better Homes and Gardens the Ultimate Low-Calorie Book: More Than 400 Light and Healthy Meals for Every Day" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327999434m/12585672.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12585672-better-homes-and-gardens-the-ultimate-low-calorie-book">Better Homes and Gardens the Ultimate Low-Calorie Book: More Than 400 Light and Healthy Meals for Every Day</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2656.Better_Homes_and_Gardens">Better Homes and Gardens</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/355966522">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Since I've been exploring low carb and low calorie cooking lately, this book was a great find. (I found it at Walmart a few months ago, who by the way has a great cookbook section). I was also looking for a cookbook that gave you a breakdown of calories (and other nutritional information) of each recipe as well as a book that divided the recipes up by meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts), that way I can pick and choose, mix and match my meals and (try) not go over my assigned daily calories for weight loss. I totally recommend this book for anyone looking for easy, quick, and modern recipes in a very photo pleasing cookbook.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2897654-kellea">View all my reviews</a><br />
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<b>Thanks for reading and supporting my summer reading list! </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter </b><br />
<b>Follow me on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ivywriter</b>Kellea Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03992796837023616204noreply@blogger.com0