Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Sandra Ottey
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| Sandra Ottey is the author of two novels — Jamerican Connectionand Runaway Comeback. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and a master’s degree from Polytechnic University. Sandra lives in New York and is working on her third novel. |
Forever and A Day by Jae Henderson
Synopsis
Tee and Michael Stokes have realized that life for them will never be normal. As heads of a new entertainment management company and expecting parents, it’s now more important than ever to figure out if their stalker, Rebecca DeFoy, is dead or alive. If she’s alive, will she kill again? If she’s dead, who is impersonating her and why? Whichever the case, they must put an end to the harassment once and for all before she puts an end to them.
Their friends have drama of their own……
Tiffany has traded in her tight clothes and stilettos for big hats and conservative dresses as she tries to prove to one of Memphis’most promising young pastors that she is worthy of a man in the pulpit. Can she control her feelings for Michael, or will temptation ruin her chances for love and her friendship with Tee? Lenice has entered the world of online dating. Her keystrokes can’t mask the pain of a failed relationship, but they could lead her into the life of an elderly millionaire. Lenora’s weight loss has changed her body and her attitude for the better, but her husband’s job at the Kitty Kat Club may be too much for even the new and improved Lenora to handle.
Excerpt
“Thank you for calling MiTee Management, how may I help you?” asked Sheba in her sweetest voice.
“Yeah. Can I speak to my momma?” said a young male.
Sheba hated prank phone calls. She had better things to do with her time than play with somebody she couldn’t see.
“Sir, I think you have the wrong number. Everyone in this office is childless,” she said rudely.
“No. Tina Stokes is my momma. Tell her that her son is on the phone. She’ll know exactly who you’re talking about,” the young man insisted.
Sheba was sure he was crazy. Tee didn’t have any chil-dren yet, and if she did, whoever was on the other end was way too old to be her child, but she decided to humor him. “One moment please,” she said and pressed the button to put him on hold. She then pressed the extension for Tee’s office. “Boss Lady, there’s a young man on the phone who says you’re his momma. Do I need to get rid of him?”
Tee giggled. “No, Sheba, that’s my baby. I’ll explain lat-er. Put him through.”
Her phone rang two seconds later. “MiTee Manage-ment, where we are lifting our clients to new heights. Tee Stokes here. How may I help you?”
Tee loved to say the name of her and Michael’s new management company. They selected MiTee because it was a combination of their names and it sounded like the word
mighty.
That’s exactly what they planned to be—stronger, bigger, and badder than any other management company in Jae Henderson
2
The nation. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. They had only been in business two months, and MiTee Management was currently responsible for maintaining the I’m A Good Woman brand and executing the I’m A Good Woman Empowerment Conference. They also managed Michael’s career as a motivational speaker and book author, Tiffany’s Magic Touch Mobile Massage, and now gospel hip-hop artist Icy Blak. It was an eclectic bunch, but nothing she and Michael couldn’t handle. So far, their assistant Sheba was the only employee, but they were looking to add an additional manager to the team so Tee could attend solely to the baby after he or she was born.
Things took off much faster than either of them could have imagined. After the word circulated that MiTee Management existed, many of the celebrities she and Michael knew called to see if they would be interested in managing them. They turned most of them down because they didn’t want to take on too much too soon, but when Blak called, there was no way Tee could deny him. He was her mentee, and she was honored that he wanted her to help manage his career. They finally had the details worked out, and Blak would be in town tomorrow to sign the contract. She was quite proud of the businessman he was becoming.
“Hey, Ma! I liked your name better when it was Tina Long,” teased Blak.
“Boy, I told you I am nobody’s mother. At least not yet, and I think my new name is beautiful and my new life is beautiful!” Tee looked down at her small, almost three-month baby bump. She was actually enjoying being preg-nant. She got to eat as much as she wanted, and everyone pampered her. The breast swelling was annoyingly painful, but she was secretly excited about the notion of added
Forever and a Day
3
Cleavage. They seemed to be getting bigger every week. She hoped the added inches would stay once the baby was born. Although she didn’t enjoy the morning sickness she first experienced after finding out she was with child, it seemed to have stopped. Odd eating habits were the newest phase in her pregnancy. She dipped a Cool Ranch Dorito in applesauce and chewed it loudly in Blak’s ear.
Jae Henderson
After embracing careers as a radio talk show host, marketing and media professional, and voice over artist, Jae Henderson decided to add inspirational romance author to her roles. Her entertaining stories about the astounding power of love and God’s ability to care for us have been warmly received by readers of all ages.
Jae began her I’m A Good Woman literary series in 2011 with her debut novel, Someday, and followed it with the 2012 released of its sequel, Someday, Too.Now she’s back with the final book in the trilogy, Forever and Day. Join Jae as she uses her wit and way with words to take us on a most entertaining journey filled with wisdom, romance, suspense, and jaw dropping twists and turns that inspires believers to keep the faith and remember that we may not be perfect but we serve a perfect God. She even has an inspirational estory series entitled, Things Every Good Woman Should Know. These short stories encourage women to be the best they can be in their spiritual, professional, and social lives. Two have been released thus far: You Are Beautiful and Take Care of Those You Love.
Jae Henderson is a graduate of The University of Memphis where she earned a BA in Communications and an MA in English. She is the former host and producer of On Point, a once popular radio talk show geared toward youth and young adults. Other accomplishments have included serving as a contributing writer for the award-winning, syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show and a successful career as a voice over artist.Her signature voice has been heard in hundreds of commercials and even a couple of cartoons. When Jae isn’t writing, she works as a public relations specialist and college professor. She currently resides in her hometown of Memphis, TN.
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Black Onyx Review by Nika Michelle
When reading a sequel what should readers look for? I’ll
tell you, your eyes should search for growth within the authors writing, entertainment,
a connection between the first novel and the sequel along with originality. When
reading Black Onyx by Nika Michelle the sequel to Black Butterfly this is
exactly what you get. This novel I enjoyed because I witnessed the authors
growth along with good editing. The storyline caught my attention and was well
thought out, I even caught myself wanting to read about characters I was not
crazy about in part one. I admired the fact that Nika added on to her
characters personalities without taking away any significant characteristics.
Research was surly done while writing this novel which is appreciated because
it shows the level of seriousness taking while penning this novel. The transformation
within the characters was shown and fit perfectly with who they are while
showing that even though things change situation’s still remain the same. If
Nika continues with this writing technique her writing career will surely
evolve. This novel in my opinion is better than part one and is worth the time
and money.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Runaway Comeback by Sandra Ottey
Runaway Comeback’s heroine is Rose Thorn, a high school dropout who flees her native Jamaica after years of physical and mental exploitation and voyaging over intercontinental waters way too many times. She hides out in Brooklyn with her young daughter. Rose believes she was dealt an evil hand in marriage because she was a high school dropout, teenage bride and mother. In her quest to realize her dream of pursuing a college degree, she is reunited with her soul mate, Calvin Jones. Rose is ready to divorce her conniving husband, Donovan, but is she really ready to marry Calvin?
Forced to return to Jamaica, Rose finds herself trapped in a devastating situation that could jeopardize a lifetime of happiness with Calvin. With the help of her grandmother who raised her, Rose quickly realizes that in order to make a comeback she must turn around and go back to the place where it all started, the place where she first believed, the place where trouble had come and uprooted her.
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills in Jamaica and the pavements of Brooklyn, the storyline is thought-provoking and enthralling with true-to-life characters and situations. Runaway Comebacksizzles with secrets, payback, and redemption.
Excerpt
Excerpt
Rose Thorn tapped her heel impatiently on the aircraft’s carpeting. Was this plane ever going to land? She shifted in her seat against the confines of her seatbelt as fear slithered down her spine. She swiveled her head for the umpteenth time and let her eyes roam behind her midnight-dark shades as she surveyed the other passengers on board. She still didn’t notice a familiar face and no one seemed to recognize her either. Still, anxiety continued to hold her in its jagged jaws.
Rose tapped her heel some more and nibbled nervously on her bottom lip. She dipped into her handbag and retrieved a small mirror. The curly blond wig under her wide-brimmed Fedora was not her style. Even with the aircraft’s cool temperature her scalp was sweating underneath it, or maybe it was just her nerves, she thought. She pulled the hat halfway down her forehead, just above her professionally pruned eyebrows. She painted on midnight purple lipstick against her caramel-colored skin to add to her getaway disguise. The dark Addams Family–style lip color matched her strapless jumpsuit, but it wasn’t on her list of lipstick shades. She shrugged. Personal fashion was not a priority today. It wasn’t even an option. Today was runaway day, and she was dressed for the part.
In the window seat of the aircraft her daughter, Crystal, tugged at the floppy straw hat Rose had placed on her daughter’s head. Rose had helped her put on a change of clothes she had stashed in their small piece of luggage. On the way to the airport, in the backseat of the getaway car, Crystal had changed out of her school uniform and was now wearing a faded jeans pantsuit, white camisole and black strappy sandals.
She remembered the horrific story she had concocted and told Crystal’s teacher earlier that day just outside the classroom door while Crystal’s friends gazed up from their test papers at her with innocent, inquiring eyes. She had shown up at the school well over an hour before it let out. She had painted on the most distressing facial expression and told Crystal’s math teacher in a tear-jerking voice, “There has been an accident and my um…my husband…he’s hurt and… he’s asking for Crystal.”
Rose tapped her heel some more and nibbled nervously on her bottom lip. She dipped into her handbag and retrieved a small mirror. The curly blond wig under her wide-brimmed Fedora was not her style. Even with the aircraft’s cool temperature her scalp was sweating underneath it, or maybe it was just her nerves, she thought. She pulled the hat halfway down her forehead, just above her professionally pruned eyebrows. She painted on midnight purple lipstick against her caramel-colored skin to add to her getaway disguise. The dark Addams Family–style lip color matched her strapless jumpsuit, but it wasn’t on her list of lipstick shades. She shrugged. Personal fashion was not a priority today. It wasn’t even an option. Today was runaway day, and she was dressed for the part.
In the window seat of the aircraft her daughter, Crystal, tugged at the floppy straw hat Rose had placed on her daughter’s head. Rose had helped her put on a change of clothes she had stashed in their small piece of luggage. On the way to the airport, in the backseat of the getaway car, Crystal had changed out of her school uniform and was now wearing a faded jeans pantsuit, white camisole and black strappy sandals.
She remembered the horrific story she had concocted and told Crystal’s teacher earlier that day just outside the classroom door while Crystal’s friends gazed up from their test papers at her with innocent, inquiring eyes. She had shown up at the school well over an hour before it let out. She had painted on the most distressing facial expression and told Crystal’s math teacher in a tear-jerking voice, “There has been an accident and my um…my husband…he’s hurt and… he’s asking for Crystal.”
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Loudest Silence by Kai
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| Why bother to be his wife when you can never be his best friend? For Terrence, the best friend role has always been filled; wifey was the only available slot. Lani took that position with pride, but now she realizes that she has the entire game backward – she was foolish enough to think that the woman with the biggest diamond was the winner. Instead, she feels like just another obligation while Kenya, Terrence’s best friend, is where he has hidden his heart. But Lani is not your average house wife. And a smashed heart doesn’t make her lie down and die. Just the opposite, she jumps in the boxing ring with both gloves tied. But she isn’t fighting for Terrence or for love; she is going purely for self and taking no prisoners. In the end, neither Terrence nor Kenya can compare to her. |
Excerpt:
They hadn’t spoken to each other in two days. Terrence watched Lani move around the bedroom, her eyes scanning the room as she checked for her wallet, searched for her car keys and rubbed lotion on her hands. Lani’s face looked uncomfortable and pinched. The tension stuffing the room felt awkward as Lani looked at everything in sight, except him. Terrence sighed. These childish games that they so often played were whittling away at his patience like a mouse nibbling at cardboard. He was sick of it.
“Lani.” He took a step toward her, his hand outstretched. Someone had to be the more mature one. And Terrence needed her today. The want for her quiet smile tore at his heart. There was no need to face the hostile world alone—that was why he had gotten married. Had he known it was going to be this … he would have rethought his options. “Lani, enough already.”
Lani turned her back and grabbed her pocket book.
Terrence shook his head. This is what she did—start an argument about nothing, get mad when it didn’t work out the way she wanted, and then spend days pretending he wasn’t there. So childish. Terrence headed to the bathroom and closed the door. Within the quiet sanctuary, he observed himself in the vanity mirror. It was time for a haircut; his soft hair grew quickly. He needed to shave, but could get away with the stubble for the day. There was no question, he was a handsome brother. The ladies never let him forget.
There wasn’t a day that went by when some sexy women didn’t catch and hold his eye, or linger nearby too long, letting him know he could have whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
But he didn’t want them. Terrence had his fill when he was younger and bouncing from woman to woman was as simple as changing underwear. That was for when he was childish. When he became a man, he wanted a woman to be the wind beneath his wings. And the only woman he longed for was Lani. His wife. His sweetheart. His sexy queen. When she wasn’t pouting, arguing, ignoring and acting like a spoiled brat.
Terrence finished the Windsor knot on his striped Donald Trump tie and stepped back to appraise his ensemble. Six feet of male perfection at her disposal and my wife wants to argue about nothing. The thought made him shake his head. He stepped back into the bedroom and watched Lani’s hips as she walked in a brown tight fitted skirt, her lean legs accented by sling back pumps.
“What time will you be home?” Terrence refused to let her walk around sulking another day. She was going to acknowledge him.
Lani shrugged, still refusing to look up.
“Lani, you hear me talking to you.”
“I’ll get home when I get home.” Sarcasm dripped from her lips like word saliva.
“Damnit, Lani, how long is this going to go on?” As soon as the words were uttered, Terrence regretted them. He didn’t want to beg for her to talk to him. The question was a capitulation, a sign of weakness. Why was he groveling for Lani’s attention anyway? He shouldn’t have to. He didn’t have to.
“You don’t even get the point, do you?” Lani finally looked at him.
“Obviously not.”
“All you think about is you.”
Terrence rubbed his hand through his hair. Lani sounded like a broken record, one that he should consider throwing out. “If all I thought about was me, then I wouldn’t have come to bed at all. I came to bed to be with you.”
“It’s not about that, Terrence.”
“Then what the fuck is it about?” Terrence raised his voice and his arms.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
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