From Tia's Pen

Last Temptation by Michelle Stimpson

2010-11-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

Patricia “Peaches” Miller finally has the man and the ring she always wanted, but she’s not quite ready to turn in her Independent-Woman-Card to follow her follow her future husband’s dreams. When her ex suddenly becomes re-interested in her, Peaches wonders if she owes it to her son to give his father one more chance. But this last temptation hurls Peaches down a dangerous road that tests her relationships, her faith, and even her sanity. Can sin ever have a silver lining?

You’ll love revisiting the main characters from Michelle Stimpson's highly acclaimed debut novel, Boaz Brown, in this long-awaited story of rebellion and redemption.

About the Author: Michelle Stimpson

Michelle Stimpson is an author, a speaker, and an educator who received her Bachelor of Science degree from Jarvis Christian College in 1994. She earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2002. She has had the pleasure of teaching elementary, middle, and high school as well as training adults.

In addition to her work in the field of education, Michelle ministers through writing and public speaking. Her works include Boaz Brown, Breaking Bondage to Biscuits, Divas of Damascus Road (National Bestseller), The Good Stuff, Trouble In My Way, and the upcoming release, Last Temptation. She has written and published over 40 short stories through her educational publishing company at http://www.wegottaread.com/. She also ministers to women through her online newsletter: http://www.womengrowinginchrist.com/.

Michelle lives near Dallas with her husband and their two teenage children. She is active in the Creative Tyme Ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. Visit Michelle online at www.michellestimpson.com.

PODCAST 1 - About the Book

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PODCAST 2 - For Readers

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PODCAST 3 - Excerpt
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To Order This Book

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Books A Million.

For More Information

• Visit the author online at http://www.michellestimpson.com

• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/LastTemptationBlogTour

Sweeter Than The Honey By LaShanda Michelle

2010-09-15T09:55:00.000-04:00

Sweeter Than The Honey by LaShanda Michelle

LaShanda Michelle is an author and a playwright. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing, and spending time with her family. She is a native of Huntsville, Texas.

About the Book

Kamilah Wright has a lot on her shoulders for someone entering their senior year of high school. Not only does her mom expect her to raise the other seven children in their home, but she’s also required to turn a blind eye to her father’s infidelity, as well as maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA in order to get the academic scholarship she desperately needs to attend college. To complicate matters even more, she’s also a rape victim. The only person she’s told is her best friend, Eric, whom she’s secretly in love with. Through all of this Kamilah convinces herself that she has everything under control.

That is until she meets Summer Freeman. The beautiful new girl at school, Summer introduces Kamilah to a lifestyle that she’s never known, including fashion, luxury, and alternative viewpoints that conflict with her Christian upbringing. Pretty soon the love she has for her new friend evolves into something more, and Kamilah has to prove which love she will devote herself to. Will she stay in the same sex relationship that feels so right, or will she embrace the faith she didn’t know meant so much to her

Book Trailer

Podcast
PODCAST 1 - About the Book

PODCAST 2 - For Readers

Purchase the book online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, or Indiebound.

For More Information

• Visit the author online at http://www.lashandamichelle.com/
• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/SweeterThanTheHoneyTour.

A Love for Tomorrow Blog Tour with Vanessa Miller

2010-09-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

A Love for Tomorrow Blog Tour

Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has been centered on themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles.

Vanessa’s novels have received rave reviews, with several appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. Miller’s work has receiving numerous awards, including “Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award” and the “Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction.” Miller graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. She is an ordained “exhorter” in her church, explaining, “God has called me to exhort readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.”

A Love for Tomorrow is the second book in the Second Chance at Love series.

About the Book

When Christian talk show host Serenity Williams’ fiancé calls off their wedding because he can’t deal with her popularity, she determines that she will never fall in love with another pride-filled, ego-driven pastor. Then, Serenity’s producer asks her to interview the charismatic Pastor Phillip McKnight, who has recently gone through a divorce. Serenity feels that this is her chance to expose the arrogance of ego-filled pastors to the world. But Pastor Phillip is broken and humbled from his experiences, and the surprising humility of this man causes Serenity to want to un-break his heart. However, Serenity will need the Lord to fix her heart and change her mind about male preachers before she and Phillip can become all they were meant to be to each other.

Book Trailer

Purchase the book online at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christianbook.com.

For More Information

• Visit the author online at http://www.vanessamiller.com
• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/ALoveForTomorrow.

Soon After Blog Tour

2010-09-07T01:00:00.002-04:00

"Soon After" Blog Tour

Multi-published author, teacher, wife and mother, Sherryle seeks to be a fresh voice in Christian Fiction. Her triumphant debut novel, Soon and Very Soon (2007) was followed up by her sophomore release, The Manual (2009).

Soon After marks the return of her franchise characters, Pastors WIllie and Vanessa Green and the Harvest Baptist church saga. Sherrryle is currently working on her fourth novel for Urban Christian (Urban/Kensington) titled Taylor-Made. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.

The Ministry birthed by one will be exploited by another. Can Willie Green stand idly by and let that happen?

When Pastors Willie Green and Vanessa Morton got married and moved to merge their churches, they never expected so much resistance. Now it seems someone is sending a strong message by setting fire to the Harvest Baptist Church building.

The newly unified Pleasant Harvest Baptist Church is no more than four months into business as usual before Co-Pastor Willie Green is drawn into the middle of an arson investigation. Alexis Montgomery, an overzealous reporter, sees the experienced pastor as a great source to latch onto as she tries to unearth the stories that might solve the crime. Instead of being bothered by the presence of this woman, Co-Pastor Vanessa uses it as a distraction to help conceal her own secrets.

Orchestrating the unification rift makes Deacon Charley Thompson a prime suspect. His unexpected silence only fuels the accusations of guilt, and his meek wife becomes his unlikely spokesperson. Meanwhile, his nephew, Abe Townsend, couldn’t care less about family allegiances. Led by an anonymous publicist, Abe and the remaining displaced members of Harvest Baptist Church gain notoriety when news reports garner an outcry of sympathy and support.

What should have been a simple unification of two churches has turned into something much more complicated, and it will take plenty of faith to hold it all.

PODCAST 1 - About the Book

PODCAST 2 - For Readers

PODCAST 3 - Excerpt

Purchase the book online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Books A Million, or Indiebound.

For more information, visit the author online at http://www.sherrylejackson.com/ or view the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/SoonAfterTour.

Choosing To SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

2010-08-30T17:30:00.000-04:00

by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope is written with the kind of honesty and transparency that kept me engaged in this chapter of Mary Beth Chapman’s life. Mary Beth Chapman (along with Ellen Vaughn) tells a story of the Chapman family behind the stage and beyond the music award shows – a family that exudes and truly lives the faith that they profess.

Throughout the course of the book, the lyrics of some of Steve Curtis Chapman’s songs begin each chapter. It’s obvious that they were carefully selected and not merely used as space fillers. I must admit that although Chapman’s work has never been in my personal music collection, he’s gained a new fan simply because of the purity of his lyrics.

Three days after I finished Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope, a family friend died suddenly. The unexpected loss left us shocked for days. Many of the things Mary Beth shared in the book came to the forefront of my mind. Our friend’s death left behind a talented wife and three young children. I know that when the time is right, I will present his wife with a copy of Choosing To SEE.

Mary Beth Chapman may not be a songstress, but she’s shared a story that tucks itself away in your heart like the lyrics of your favorite song.

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope is available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

**********************
Mary Beth Chapman will be speaking at 12 upcoming Women of Faith conferences this year, as well as on the "A Night with the Chapmans" concert tour scheduled for this fall. She is represented by Creative Trust Literary Group located in Nashville, Tennessee.

For the most updated conference and tour dates, for more information on her blogging and how to connect with her over Facebook and Twitter, please visit: http://www.MaryBethChapman.com.

Destined Blog Tour with Patricia Haley

2010-07-08T01:00:00.001-04:00

Destined Blog Tour

PATRICIA HALEY is the trailblazing, #1 Essence bestselling author of seven faith-based, novels, including, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, No Regrets, and Chosen. She’s a project manager with degrees from Stanford University and the University of Chicago. She is a born again believer and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Patricia lives with her husband and daughter in Philadelphia.

Visit her on www.patriciahaley.com or become a fan of Author Patricia Haley on Facebook.

About the Book

Destined by Patricia Haley is the second novel in the Chosen series, inspired by the popular biblical kings David and Solomon.

Don, the eldest son and rightful heir to the ministry, returns from South Africa after three years of self-imposed exile. With a renewed zeal to reclaim the leadership of his late father’s multi-million dollar ministry, his plans are short-lived when a stock transfer agreement goes wrong, rendering Don powerless. Don’s little brother Joel continues as CEO, careening down the path of personal, professional, and spiritual demise, as he drags the ministry down with him. The only hope to save their father’s legacy is Don’s intervention, and so clinging to his self-worth and faith, Don is torn between fighting for a company he wasn’t chosen to run and fleeing back to his South African refuge, a place where his peace, his growing relationship with Naledi, and his dignity aren’t in question. After much soul searching, Don comes to realize that his destiny is inescapable and that his future lies in his family’s legacy.

Combining spiritual themes with family tension, corporate intrigue, and romance, this series is an exciting addition to the faith-based fiction market.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at: http://bit.ly/DestinedBlogTour.

Sins of the Mother Blog Tour

2010-06-15T02:19:00.000-04:00

Sins of the Mother Blog Tour

Victoria Christopher Murray originally self published Temptation. “I wanted to write a book as entertaining as any book on the market, put God in the middle, and have the book still be a page-turner. I wasn’t writing to any particular genre – I didn’t even know Christian fiction existed. I just wanted to write about people I knew and characters I could relate to.”

Since Temptation, Victoria has written seven other novels and was a contributor to the first Christian fiction anthology, Blessed Assurance. She was also the Contributing Editor for the Aspire Women of Color Bible published by Zondervan in 2007. All of her novels have continued to be Essence bestsellers.

In 2008, Victoria’s first novels in her Christian fiction teen series - The Divine Divas – were published. “I was concerned with what our young ladies were reading. I decided to do something about that – give them stories full of drama, but with a message.” The Divine Divas has already been optioned to become a television series.

Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. In Los Angeles, she attends Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church under the spiritual tutelage of Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford and in Washington, D.C., she fellowships at Metropolitan Baptist Church under Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. She is also a member of the Long Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Visit Victoria online at http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com/

About the Book: SINS OF THE MOTHER

Have the sins of the mother come upon the daughter?

Jasmine Larson Bush is finally living a drama-free life. She’s left her lying, cheating, stealing stripper days behind and is standing by her husband’s side as the first lady of one of the largest churches in New York City. The Bushes have been blessed with the best of everything—including two lovely children.

But just when Jasmine has committed her life completely to God, her daughter Jacqueline is kidnapped from a mall the day after Thanksgiving. The police and the church community join in the frantic search to find the four-year-old. As the days pass without any sign of her daughter, Jasmine begins to crack under the strain and turns to Brian Lewis, Jacqueline’s biological father, for solace.

Has Jasmine’s past finally caught up to her? Will her daughter be found or will Jasmine pay the ultimate price?

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/SinsoftheMother.

From Tia's Pen
I told you a few weeks ago that there are a few authors that I have a bias for. For those of you who have been living under a rock and don't know, let me introduce you to Christian fiction "giant" Victoria Christopher Murray. I lovingly call her my literary "godmother." You'd have to meet and spend time with her to know why that tag is so appropriate. I've been hooked on Victoria's books since her first novel, Temptation. And after meeting her in 2003 I came to love her all the more. Not only can she spin a plot, but she's loving, very funny, and has the most petite toes I've ever seen on a grown adult (I'm serious about that!). This isn't my official review yet (you'll see that on Amazon later), but this book has me gripped. If I didn't have my own deadline hanging on my back I'd be finished by now. Neveretheless I can't wait to see how Jasmine's story pans out. I've been fighting the urge to flip to the last chapter! I haven't turned the last page of Sins of the Mother, but I know...Victoria has done it again!

Samson: A New Novel by Jacquelin Thomas

2010-06-09T02:00:00.001-04:00

From Tia's Pen:

There are a few authors that I'm biased towards. I admit it. And Jacquelin Thomas is one of them. When seeing my novels in print was just a dream, Jacquelin was there with accurate and loving advice. She has always had such a calm demeanor, yet she carries a God-given strength. I'm excited to introduce readers to her "umpteeth" book! SAMSON is in stores nationwide. Get yours today.

Book Description: Samson

Samson Taylor has just been installed as assistant pastor at a thriving North Carolina church. He’s a man of God—and most definitely no saint. Handsome and charismatic, Samson is controlled by his lust for beautiful women, a weakness that stirs up trouble, heartache, betrayal, and damaging rumors—and soon costs him his marriage, his best friendship, and even his new job. Samson loves God and tries harder than ever to keep his temptations in check. Then he meets Delinda...Beautiful, irresistibly sexy, and married to a famous NBA star, Delinda has Samson head-over-heels in love . . . in a dangerous affair that leads to a physical confrontation with Delinda’s husband. Now, the disgraced pastor begins a journey he could never have anticipated, where his heart is now his guide—not a heart of lust, but of new wisdom and a new kind of seeing. God will forgive Samson’s past—but will Samson himself be able to let go of bitterness and regret, and find a new light in his life? Inspired by the Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah, Jacquelin Thomas powerfully portrays a modern-day pastor’s dance with earthly desires . . . and the faith that made him whole.

Author Bio

Jacquelin Thomas is an award winning, bestselling author with twenty-nine titles in print. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem.

Although Jacquelin initially published in the romance genre, she decided to follow the call on her heart to write Christian fiction because she seeks to write books that will touch your heart and uplift your spirits with tales of characters who yearn to have an intimate relationship with God. Committed to writing books that glorify God and her growing teen audience, Jacquelin published the first of her Young Adult Inspirational Fiction series titled Simply Divine in October 2006. Her second book in the series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award. She has since gone on to publish two more books in the series. When asked why she is so passionate about writing teen novels, Thomas shares that teens are confronted with so much—sex, drugs, violence and abuse, physically and mentally. They need to not only listen to what the world says about these things but also to what the Bible says.

Jacquelin is a member of the National Writers Union, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina. You can visit Jacquelin online at: http://www.jacquelinthomas.com/.

For more information on Jacquelin's young adult novels, please visit her site: http://www.simplydivinebooks.com/.

Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job

2010-05-21T22:56:00.000-04:00

Sistergirl Devotions changed my definition of “on the job.” Carol Mackey has written a straight-forward, faith-filled devotion for all working women – whether you’re behind a corporate desk, clocking into someone else’s business, or closing deals on your living room couch as a sistah-preneur. After leaving the corporate arena nearly four years ago, I didn’t immediately think about the work-related encounters and situations that would test my faith. I was about to be doing my own thing. I would call all of the shots, right? Wrong!

Mackey’s personal stories are relatable and she’s not shy about revealing her areas of spiritual growth. It was refreshing to read devotions that not only dealt with faith on the job, but keeping Jesus in the mix of family as well – especially when outside duties call.

Christians realize the importance of the words we speak – death and life are in the power of the tongue.(Proverbs 18:21). Mackey ends each devotional with a simple but powerful confession to set you on track for the day.

Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job won’t be shoved onto my overflowing bookshelf, never to be thought of again. It will be one of the Biblical resources that I refer to often and this year’s gift to family and friends working the nine-to-five or burning the midnight oil.

** Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Who Speaks To Your Heart?

2010-05-17T06:30:00.001-04:00

Devotional Excerpt taken from Ch. 9 of Who Speaks To Your Heart?

God reveals through his living Word that what matters most to us should be the same things that matter most to him. It’s no coincidence that love is the greatest commandment. It trumps all else in God’s eyes. When we love with our whole heart, we are modeling the example set by Jesus, whose life and death were built on this foundation. Let’s be honest today – this isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sometimes we fail to meet this standard because achieving it and maintaining it leaves us feeling like doormats. We feel weak and used rather than empowered and giving.

Add to the struggle of building solid, loving relationships the challenges you may have faced recently in trying to pursue your purpose. Our nation’s ailing economy, disappearing jobs, home foreclosures and personal tragedies have left people everywhere anxious. If you haven’t faced losses, you may be stressed in trying to dodge them.

I’ll encourage you during seasons of turmoil to fight even harder to stay focused on whose you are and on who you desire to be. This is the perfect time to decide, if you haven’t done so already, to make your relationship with God the top priority in your life. Decide to develop a friendship with him, because the bonds of love and trust between friends breed a sense of security that can’t be purchased or manufactured.

What matters most in all we do is finding out who Christ is calling us to be in the time we have allotted to grace the planet. Hours can’t be put on pause and the days of our lives can’t be refunded. It’s important to stop procrastinating and apply God’s wisdom to every facet of your life.

As you learn about and experience God’s love, you become more loving. The more love you share, the more we find ourselves fulfilled. This sense of satisfaction won’t necessarily come in the form of the glitz the world adores, but will instead reveal itself through the pure intentions and unassuming wisdom that only God can provide.

© Stacy Hawkins Adams. Excerpted from Who Speaks To Your Heart? Do not reprint or publish this excerpt without full attribution to the author or without express permission from the author or publisher, Zondervan.

About the Book

With insight, inspiration, and practical ideas in her new book—Who Speaks to Your Heart?—, author Stacy Hawkins Adams shows you and all women—regardless of the labels placed on you—that your best and most important title is the one given by God … chosen vessel.

“I wrestled with whether a God that I couldn’t see or touch would be willing to single me out from the millions of other people who wanted love, attention and help.”

To women all over the country, from all walks of life, this uncomfortable uncertainty is all too familiar. Now—for inspiration, for affirmation, for a divine connection—you have a new place to turn … to this authentic look at what it takes to pursue God with abandon, by acclaimed author Stacy Hawkins Adams.

Offering insight, inspiration, and practical ideas on how to connect more often and more deeply with God, Adams helps give you and women the world over the courage to go deeper and grow deeper in God’s word to hear Him more clearly. Women young and old will be empowered and renewed by Adams’ reminder that—regardless of the labels placed on you by society, your family, your friends, and even yourself—your best and most important title is the one given by God … chosen vessel.

About the Author

Stacy Hawkins Adams is a nationally-published, award-winning author and speaker. Her contemporary women’s fiction novels are filled with social themes and spiritual quests that take readers on journeys into their own souls.

She holds a degree in journalism and served as a newspaper reporter for more than a decade before turning her full attention to penning books, speaking professionally and writing freelance articles.

Stacy lives in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two young children. Visit Stacy online at stacyhawkinsadams.com.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/WhoSpeaksToYourHeart.

From Tia's Pen:
I've been reading this devotional chapter by chapter. I found that it wasn't a book that I wanted to read straight through as if it were a novel, or rush through the pages for the sake of a writing a review. One of the most interesting things I found out is that Stacy and I are (were) a lot alike when it came to certain aspects of our lives -- such as dealing with being a perfectionist, trusting God's wisdom and direction instead of using our "head wisdom"...and some other things.

Who Speaks to Your Heart? has been a much-needed refreshment to my devotion time with God. Of course I love Stacy's novels, but this non-fiction book holds a special place in my heart.

Selling my Soul Blog Tour with Sherri Lewis

2010-04-13T07:30:00.002-04:00

Selling My Soul Blog Tour

Sherri Lewis’ writing was put on hold while she attended Howard University as an undergraduate, then medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After working almost fifteen years in the medical field, Sherri left her position as a staff physician at a Georgia Department of Corrections’ Women’s prison to pursue writing and ministry full time.

Sherri is co-founder of the Faith-Based Black Fiction Writers of Atlanta with Essence Best-Selling author Tia McCollors. Selling My Soul is the anticipated sequel to Sherri’s debut novel, My Soul Cries Out. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit Sherri online at http://www.sherrilewis.com/.

About the Book

When Trina Michaels steps off the plane after her two-year missions trip in Africa, she realizes that other than longing to see her mother and her best friend, her heart aches to fly back to the place that now feels more like home than anywhere she’s… ever lived. And to the man who’s stolen her heart.

Her dream of a quick return to Mozambique fades within hours when Trina discovers that her mother has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Trina is forced to go back to her job as a publicist to cover her mother’s health costs.

She’s assigned a damage control client, Bishop Walker, a megachurch pastor accused of covering up a church sex scandal within his church involving the molestation of young boys. Representing him could cost Trina her most valued friendship, the love of her life, and her soul.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/SellingMySoulBlogTour .

Celebrating Women in Ministry Blog Tour with Vanessa Miller

2010-03-22T10:36:00.001-04:00

Celebrating Women in Ministry Blog Tour
We invite you this week to highlight your favorite FEMALE MINISTER in the comment section below. Participants will be placed in a drawing for an autographed copy of Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller and a $25 Gift Card. Vanessa stops by my blog today to highlight one of her favorite female ministers.

Bishop Dr. Marva L. Mitchell is the overseer of the God’s WILL Fellowship of churches, a body of 26 ministries locally and in six different states. She is also the co-founder of Revival Center Ministries International along with her late husband Bishop Willie E. Mitchell. Together they established an inner-city ministry in Dayton, Ohio in 1998. At the time of his home-going in 1988, the church had grown to 1,000 members. Dr Mitchell is now the Bishop and overseer of the church that is now Pastored by her son Paul Mitchell and his wife Keisha, and under their leadership the church has grown to 2000 members.

Dr. Mitchell is the founder of Project Impact-Dayton and is currently serving as chairperson of the Board of Directors. Project Impact-Dayton has received numerous awards locally, statewide, and national including being named one of the nations best Truancy Prevention Programs and Substance Abuse Prevention Programs on February 24th, 1998 on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. She founded Love School which is a literacy program held on Saturdays to help inner-city children master many of their basic, social, and academic skills, and focus on the mental, physical, and spiritual needs of the community. She has recently founded an organization entitled Interdenominational Women’s Ministerial Alliance in 2006 with her sister-in-law Dr. Ella Mitchell.

Dr. Mitchell has written and co-authored many books; “Seize the Moment”, “Marriage Glue”, and “Manuals” to help with grant writing. After the death of her husband, she completed a book entitled “It takes a Church to Raise a Village”, where she challenges the church to take responsibility for the nation. This book has become a best seller and resulted in many churches becoming community minded. She has developed leadership training for churches under 1,000 members, and has traveled the world teaching and preaching many crusades. The many world seminars she teaches takes place in Egypt, Kenya, India, and Mexico. She has been featured on National and local TBN and has appeared on Christian TV in Canada. She has obtained a B.A. from Family Bible Institute in Baltimore Maryland. After suffering a massive stroke in 1993, she had to drop out of the Masters program she was in and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her accomplishments in ministry. In 2009, Dr. Mitchell was just named one of “Dayton Ten Top Women”.

Dr. Mitchell is the mother of seven children, Willie Mitchell Sr. (Jaquata), Marvin Mitchell (Mylinda), Sharon Conyers (Cary), Paul Mitchell (Keisha), Monica Jones (Khon), Joseph Mitchell (Alisha), Miracle Troutman (Shawn), all of which are professed Christians and are a part of RCMI, and four of them being full time. Dr. Mitchell is a strong believer in the Family structure. As parents, she and her husband had made family their priority. They made Romans 2:28 the source of their life, and became more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!

About the Book

Yesterday's Promise

Melinda Johnson has always felt called to ministry. So, when her father, Bishop Langston Johnson, decides to step down after thirty years of leadership at Omega Christian Center, it seems only natural for her to take his place. But Bishop Johnson feels led by a God who has other things in mind, and to succeed him, he appoints Steven Marks-a man who is opposed to female pastors, not to mention the fact that he is Melinda’s ex-fiancé.

Feeling defeated, Melinda nevertheless maintains her position as the church’s Missions and Community Outreach Director. Frequent interaction with the new bishop incites bitter sparring-and rekindles long-suppressed attraction, which grows only stronger when Melinda develops a relationship with Steven’s precious daughter, Brianna, who’s still struggling with the death of her mother.

Can Steven and Melinda set aside past pains, forgive each other, and learn to love again? Or will their opposing positions regarding women preachers keep them forever at odds?

Purchase Yesterday's Promise by Vanessa Miller.

About the Author

Vanessa Miller of Dayton , Ohio is an Essence best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain. To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain , Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through The Storm . These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

Yesterday’s Promise is the first book of a series entitled, Second Chance of Love. Whitaker House plans to release the next two books in October 2010 and January 2011. Visit her online at www.VanessaMiller.com.

Tell Us About Your Favorite Female Minister

We invite you this week to highlight your favorite FEMALE MINISTER in the comment section below. Participants will be placed in a drawing for an autographed copy of Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller and a $25 Gift Card.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/WomeninMinistry.

Write Your Book! Free Workshop on March 27, 9a-12p, Lithonia, GA

2010-03-15T19:18:00.000-04:00

FREE writing workshops don't come along very often, but there's one on the way -- Saturday, March 27 from 9 AM-12 PM. The event is sponsored by the Called to Conquer Bookstore at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (Lithonia, GA).

If you know you want to write a book, but just don't know where to start, this workshop is for YOU!

Inspirational author Tia McCollors will discuss:

Book genres and categories
Writing fiction vs. non-fiction
Choosing premises and story ideas
Understanding the craft
...and more

Although the event is free, YOU MUST REGISTER by calling the Called to Conquer Bookstore at (678) 824-1055.

** Join Tia after the workshop at 12:30 for a booksigning. Tia is the author of several faith-based novels, including A Million Blessings, The Last Woman Standing, A Heart of Devotion, Zora's Cry and The Truth About Love.

My Mother’s Child Blog Tour with Dwan Abrams

2010-03-01T10:48:00.000-05:00

My Mother’s Child Blog Tour with Dwan Abrams

Are You In a Storm?

It’s been said that in life people are either in a storm, getting ready to go into a storm, or coming out of a storm. The longer we live the storms of life become more evident. The thing about storms is that we can’t predict when they’ll come, how long they’ll last, or when they’ll leave. When in the midst of a storm, just hold on. Don’t give up.

Lyric Stokes appeared to be living a life that most women could only dream of. Married to her college sweetheart, a prominent heart surgeon, she had every material thing she wanted. No matter what her husband gave her, Lyric’s unwillingness to forgive her alcoholic father hampered her happiness. She tried to mask her true pain by focusing on the baby she couldn’t have. She convinced herself that if she could give her husband a son, her life would be perfect.

Unbeknownst to Lyric, Nigel Fredericks, a deranged stalker had his eye on her. He had been watching Lyric and learning her patterns until one day he decided to make an introduction. Captivated by his charm, Lyric willingly invited him into her life and her home. Unprepared for what lie ahead, Lyric found herself pregnant and forced to decide whether she even wanted to keep the child she had longed for. Her decision places her in the midst of a storm and face-to-face with death.

About the Author
Dwan Abrams is a full-time novelist, freelance editor, and publisher. She’s the best-selling author of My Mother’s Child (the sequel to Divorcing the Devil), Married Strangers, Divorcing the Devil, Only True Love Waits, and The Scream Within. She’s the founder, publisher, and editorial director of Nevaeh Publishing, LLC a small press independent publishing house. She’s currently signed to Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books/Kensington. Her sixth novel, the second book in the Married Series, is set to hit national bookshelves in 2011.

About the Book

Lyric Stokes lives, by most standards, a charmed life. Married to Michael Stokes, a prominent heart surgeon, she has financial security and lives in the lap of luxury. All is not perfect, though. Lyric feels inadequate because she gave birth to a daughter, rather than the son that her husband so desperately wanted.

After an unexpected turn of events, Lyric discovers that she’s pregnant again, but now she has to decide whether she even wants to keep the child she has longed for. She seeks solace in her church, where her daughter also feels at home; but they can’t get Michael to join them. Disagreeing with organized religion, he has put his job before all else, including God. The distance between the couple grows further every day.

Nigel Fredericks has a history of stalking women. He’s been accused, but never convicted. Now he’s set his sights on Lyric. She’s at a low point in her life, and Nigel knows just how to take advantage of that vulnerability. Lyric’s life is turned upside down; Nigel is like a cancer eating away at her mental stability, her marriage, and ultimately, her life. Will Michael reevaluate his priorities and his faith in time to save his family?

Listen to an excerpt from My Mother’s Child

Visit Dwan online at http://dwanabrams.com/

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/MyMothersChild

Cherishing the Un-Biological Family

2010-02-22T06:00:00.003-05:00

Fifteen Years Blog Tour

Cherishing Un-Biological Family

Family runs so much deeper than our bloodlines and our gene pools. God places people in our lives that, many times, play a vital role in how far we go in life. They are an expansion of who we are. They’ve planted seeds in our past lives. They nurture us in our present lives. And they may even be an essential part of our destiny. But many times, somewhere between our past and our future, we move on and forget those who have functioned as our un-biological family. How unfortunate! We should not allow passing years to erase them or their godly deeds from our memory, and regardless of how elevated we become in status, we should never take on the mind-set that we no longer need them. Life often comes full circle, and if we burn those bridges, we have destroyed the only road that will lead us back to safety.

As I was in the process of writing Fifteen Years, my latest novel, I began seeing one of the messages unfold that God was teaching through this tale. In the story, Josiah “JT” Tucker, is taken away from the foster family that he’d spent six crucial years with as an abused child, and placed back into the care of his neglectful biological mother, only to be disappointed by her again. Despite the insurmountable odds, JT manages to rise above the statistics, and with a college degree and an executive title, he’s the picture of success…on the outside. On the inside, however, he is a broken man and a tortured soul, and he knows that the only way he is going to find closure and completion, is to find his way back to his humble beginnings. To the people who loved him unconditionally; the people who introduced him to love – and to Christ.

God often gives us un-biological family in the form of sister-friends, prayer partners, mentors, sorors, fraternity brothers, ministers, etc. These are our “foster families,” and they stand in the gap when biological family members fail us or just aren’t readily accessible. They take us under their wings, nurture us, love us. But sadly, when some people get to a certain level in life, they often push aside or otherwise forget those that God sent when they needed guidance and understanding the most. Instead, they latch on to what looks like “the star” because they think that if any road can take them to where they want to go, the one that shines the brightest must be it. But God often works His mightiest through those people that appear insignificant. Often times, the people we take for granted; the ones that we overlook are the ones that hold the key to our blessings.

Recognize and appreciate the blessings that God provides, and cherish those “angels” that He uses to deliver those blessings to you. They are your un-biological family; your God-appointed lifeline to your kingdom destiny.

About the Author
KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY is a national best-selling author and the founder of KNB Publications LLC. She is the organizer of Visions in Print, an Atlanta-based national organization for faith-based writers, and The Writer’s Hut, an online fellowship for African American Writers. She is the founder of Cruisin’ For Christ, a groundbreaking at-sea ministry that celebrates writing, gospel music and other God-glorifying arts, and also serves as a motivational speaker.

A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Kendra currently resides in Stone Mountain, George with her family. For more information, visit http://www.knb-publications.com/.

About the Book

FIFTEEN YEARS

Josiah Tucker, the son of a substance dependent and neglectful mother, spent most of his childhood years in the custody of the State, living in foster homes throughout Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of fourteen, he was taken from the foster family that he had grown to love, the Smiths, and returned to his negligent birth mother. Enduring the hardships faced while living with his birth mother JT manages to makes something of his life. However, fifteen years after being taken from the Smiths and at the peak of success, he finds himself feeling empty and at his lowest. When he decides to reconnect with the Smiths, JT finds his faith in God renewed and discovers his attraction to his foster sister.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/FifteenYearsBlogTour.

Beautiful Ugly by Sheila Lipsey

2010-01-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

Imagine It! by Shelia Lipsey

My son has been excited about a change that is occurring in his life. It is a good thing too. You see, he used to be the type of young man that spouted defeating, negative words over his life. Words like, “I never get a break. Nothing ever turns out right for me. I can never catch a break.” Some of you may have said some of the same things. If you haven’t, maybe you’ve said something similar. I admit that I have.

Much like my son, the three young women in my novel Beautiful Ugly have some not-so-good opinions of themselves for various reasons. The opinions they have translate over into their everyday lives. Believe it or not, our words have power. We can use words to speak life or death. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4)

Praises be to God, my son has begun to speak positive things over his life. He has seen the fruits of his words quickly spreading because he has changed his tune from a negative attitude to words like Imagine It! He has begun to believe that his dreams can come true. He believes that good things will follow him.

Your dreams can come true too, if you imagine that they can. Imagine being a bestselling author. Imagine being a great doctor, lawyer, teacher, or parent. Whatever the desires of your heart, imagine that they will come to pass. Speak great things over your life and the lives of your family and loved ones.

Never give up, because you’ll never achieve what you don’t believe. Believe that you will receive that which you ask for. Speak words of faith and love.
Imagine goodness and mercy following after you. Imagine the blessings of God running you down, chasing after you to give you good gifts and perfect gifts. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Imagine It!

About Beautiful Ugly
Three friends with different struggles rely on God and each other to get by. Layla Hobbs has so much to offer, including a beautiful singing voice, but obesity and low self-esteem hold her back from life and finding true love. Envy Wilson has always been Layla’s backbone. But what about her own dark secrets? She won’t share them with anyone, and it’s starting to eat away at her from the inside. And then there’s Kacie Mayweather. Stricken with cerebral palsy, she’s had her share of men—five baby daddies for six children, in fact. But she’s never had one man to call her own. They’ll need plenty of faith and support from each other to see the real beauty that lies within each one of them and fulfill their deepest desires at last.

Win an autographed copy of Beautiful Ugly by Shelia Lipsey
Shelia Lipsey is the author of three other Christian Fiction novels. The trivia question below is from one of those novels. Leave your response to the trivia question below in the comment section.

** What kind of job did Chandler Larson pretend to have? Tell us the title of the book.

About the Author
Author Shelia E. Lipsey is a multi-award winning author. Her novels are available at most bookstores nationwide as well as online. Lipsey’s books have been called gripping, life-altering, memorable and realistic. Lipsey was recently awarded the 2009 Top Shelf Award for Beautiful Ugly by Black Pearls Magazine. She also won 2009 Shades of Romance Readers’ Choice Awards for My Son’s Wife in the following categories: Author of the Year, Christian fiction Book of the Year, Christian Romance of the Year, Best Book Cover of the Year, Best Fiction Book of the Year, among several other awards for her novels, Into Each Life and Sinsatiable.
Lipsey is the proud mother of two sons and the grandmother of three blessed young men. She is president of UCHisGloryBookClub.net, founder of Living Your Dreams Now a non-profit organization and MAAW (Memphis African American Writers).
Read an excerpt and check the tour schedule at

http://bit.ly/BeautifulUgly

Tia's Book Club Shout-Outs

2010-01-08T11:42:00.020-05:00

I can't say enough about the wonderful connections I made in 2009, and I look forward to what 2010 has in store. With that being said, it's time for my book club shout out! This post showcases some of the bookclubs I visited between August - December 2009. If your book club picture is missing, it only means that we were having so much fun that we forgot to take a photo OR I've posted a pic of you guys before!

Pages of Grace Book Club

African American Women's Book Club & Book Babes

November 2009 - Write Away Workshop Participants

(Not a bookclub, but the picture of my inaugural workshop!)

Wine, Women & Words

These bookclubs aren't pictured above, but I also had the pleasure of meeting or speaking via phone chat with The Daughters of Destiny, Athens Professional Women, Between the Pages Book Club, Black PEARLS, Healthy Hearts, Women of Character, Jerusalem House, Chavis New Book Lovers, Book Talk Book Club, God's Girls, and Do Something Different.

Thanks for all of your support! Readers make the literary world go around!

Introducing SECRETS AND LIES by Rhonda McKnight

2009-11-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm so delighted to feature my girl, Rhonda McKnight. We started out together years ago when we were in a writing and critique group. Back then, having a book published was our dream. Thank God that He brought our visions to reality. And just so you know..it seems like I've been waiting forever for this book to come out! Love ya, Rhonda!

About the Book
Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married.

Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?

About the Author
Rhonda McKnight owns Legacy Editing, a free-lance editing service for fiction writers and Urban Christian Fiction Today (www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com ), a popular Internet site that highlights African-American Christian fiction. She’s also the vice president of the Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. Originally from a small coastal town in New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia home for almost twelve years.

Rhonda, tell us how you came up with the idea for this story? I woke up one morning and these people were talking in my head, or rather arguing. (LOL). I thought this could be interesting, turned on the creativity, and came up with the “issues” in their marriage. I also did a lot of research about heart disease. Jonah is a pediatric cardiologist and that’s central to the story. I knew absolutely nothing about heart disease before I wrote this novel.

Who is your ideal reader? I think most people will think my ideal reader is women who are married. While I think the book will definitely appeal to married women, I’d love for single woman who are thinking about marriage or waiting on Mr. Right to read the book. There is a valuable lesson for single women in the story. Faith chose to overlook a very important issue prior to her marriage to Jonah. This issue becomes a huge source of pain for her. Ten years later her ideal black man has her pulling her hair out.

Name something about the book that will appeal to readers? I think readers will find it appealing, because more than half of it is written from Jonah’s point of view. My informal research amongst readers has taught me that women readers love stories that are written from a man’s perspective. Like most men, Jonah is complex. He’s a love to hate kind of guy. People will love him because he’s dedicated his life to physically healing children, but he’s emotionally and spiritually sick himself. What a burden for Faith. Faith’s pain will have some folks shaking their heads at Jonah.

When’s your next book being released? My second novel, An Inconvenient Friend comes out August 1, 2010. I have a nasty little character in Secrets and Lies who gets her own story, and what a story it is. She’s up to no good. Can she be redeemed?

How can readers find out more about you? Readers may contact me at my website at www.rhondamcknight.net. I love for people to sign my guestbook and share their thoughts about the story. I’m also a complete Facebook addict. You’ll definitely find me there more than you should at www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight

Chat Kafe - The Conversation Experience on November 20 - Atlanta

2009-11-17T10:31:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm going to be a special guest author at The Conversation Experience this Friday night with my buddy Kenny Pugh, aka "KP." He and my hubby have been friends forever so I know he's "good people!" Hope to see you there!

******************************

Join the Chat Kafe team, special guest authors and Dr. Alduan Tartt, as we take a dive into some of the thought-provoking questions posed in Hill Harper's latest release 'The Conversation.' The evening will be filled with food, music and stimulating dialogue featuring men and women like you who are seeking to gain a better understanding of relationships.

Reading the book is encouraged, but not required. Come out and share your thoughts and gain a better view of how men and women view the tough relationship issues. Bring a friend, co-worker and/or family member. You will definitely be enlightened by what you experience!

Tickets to the event are available in advance via the following link:
http://chatkafe-rss.eventbrite.com/

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time: 8:00PM - 11:00PM
Location: Sheraton Gateway Hotel (Airport Location)
Address: 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, 30337
Price: $10
Attire: Casual

Please call 404-333-1616 with any questions and/or additional information!

Kenny Pugh 'KP'
Chat Kafe Website – http://www.chatkafeonline.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/chatkafe
Facebook - Add Kenny Pugh as a friend and join the Chat Kafe w/KP fan page.

Meet Ashea Goldson, author of The Lovechild

2009-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Ashea Goldson, originally born in Brooklyn, New York is a wife of twenty three years, a mother of two daughters, a grandmother of one, a graduate of Fordham University, a writer, a poet, a publisher, a reviewer, an internet radio host, an educator, and a co-founder of a Christian preparatory school. Active in the ministry, she is a dedicated member of World Changers Church International for many years. She has a lifetime of experience with writing which ranges from being published in local newspapers, magazines, and online publications to full length books.

Her first Christian fiction novel is The Lovechild, published by Urban Christian Publishers in 2008. Ashea’s short story entitled “The Kit Cat Trial” will be released in an anthology named Pets Across America in September 2009. Her second Christian fiction novel, Joy Comes In The Morning, will be released in July 2010, also by Urban Christian Publishers. She has recently released a non-fiction title, Resurrecting Vision: 45 steps To Digging Up Your Destiny And Seeing It Through God’s Eyes through her own publishing company.

Calling herself a kingdom writer, and passionate about this calling, she is currently working on her third novel, random poems, several short stories, a children’s book, and is organizing a literacy group for youth in her community. During her relaxation time she can be found hanging out with her family, snuggled up to a good book, or listening to gospel music.

Would you say you are an extrovert or introvert?
I am definitely an introvert. I am usually very quiet and reserved unless I know you well.

Do you like to cook? If so, what are your favorite dishes to cook?
No, I don’t particularly like to cook, but I do like to eat so I do what I must do.

What movie(s) have you watched recently that you would recommend?
That’s difficult because I haven’t watched a good movie in a while. I’m not really sure about that one.

Do you like books being turned into a movie? If so, what is your favorite book-to-movie?
The Color Purple

If The Lovechild was turned into a movie who would you cast to play your characters?
Makaeli would be played by Halle Berry and her sister Lisa would be played by Angela Bassett.

Which social networks do you enjoy the most?
Facebook. You can find me at http://www.facebook.com/ashea.goldson.

What's next for you?
I have a story, “The Kit Cat Trial” in an anthology called Pets Across America which will be released in October. My next novel, Joy Comes In The Morning, releases in July of 2010. And I am currently working on the sequel, Count It All Joy.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In The Lovechild, Makaeli Hunt, a successful fashion designer, has been driven far away from home by her family’s dysfunction. While living in Italy, trying to heal the wounds of yesterday, ambition becomes her comforter. When a family emergency forces her to return to her home, in seven life altering days, amidst memories of a tumultuous past, will one revealed secret drive her away from her family and God forever? Or will she discover what it means to be God’s lovechild?

Dealing with issues of racism, depression, self-esteem, drug addiction, mental illness, verbal and physical abuse,The Lovechild is a story of redemption and re-dedication, confirming our victory in Jesus Christ.

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/TheLovechild

For more information about Ashea, visit her at http://www.asheagoldson.com

Meet Jacquelin Thomas, author of The Ideal Wife

2009-10-04T22:18:00.013-04:00

From Tia's Pen...

Let me start this post off by saying that I'm about three-fourths of the way through the book, The Ideal Wife. There were quite a few times when I had to pick my mouth up off the floor. Jacquelin addresses a taboo topic as it relates to the "marriage bed," and I can't wait to see what happens as I pull back the sheets on the rest of the story (gotta read the book to get that pun!). Now, on to business...

Jacquelin Thomas is an award winning, bestselling author with twenty-nine titles in print. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem.

Although Jacquelin initially published in the romance genre, she decided to follow the call on her heart to write Christian fiction because she seeks to write books that will touch your heart and uplift your spirits with tales of characters who yearn to have an intimate relationship with God. Committed to writing books that glorify God and her growing teen audience, Jacquelin published the first of her Young Adult Inspirational Fiction series titled Simply Divine in October 2006. Her second book in the series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award. She has since gone on to publish two more books in the series. When asked why she is so passionate about writing teen novels, Thomas shares that teens are confronted with so much—sex, drugs, violence and abuse, physically and mentally. They need to not only listen to what the world says about these things but also to what the Bible says.

Jacquelin is a member of the National Writers Union, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Jana Collins loves her husband with all her heart. But what if love isn’t enough?
Marrying a handsome, wealthy lawyer and living in a Hollywood Hills mansion . . . it’s a dream come true for twenty-four-year-old Jana, from the moment Lawrence Collins swept her off her feet and into his luxurious world. True, she put her studies at a local Bible college on hold in order to wed after a six-month whirlwind romance. Beautiful and vivacious, with a stunning body, Jana knows men like Lawrence don’t come along every day, and she vows to be a perfect companion—the ideal wife—to this sexy, powerful man. But at what price?

From her wardrobe and hairstyle to her friends and her choice of church, Lawrence seems to want to change Jana into someone she’s not . . . and soon, the man Jana thought she knew will test her values and her faith with a shocking revelation that goes against everything she believes—how far will Jana be willing to go to keep the man she loves? With her “ideal” marriage falling apart, Jana—the real, modest, smart, and strong girl who knows what she stands for—must put her trust in God, and follow His guiding light out of the darkness of a broken relationship.

Drawing from a moving scripture tale with an insightful message for women today, Jacquelin Thomas delivers a provocative and enlightening new novel.

Click here to: READ EXCERPT

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/TheIdealWife.
For more information about Jacquelin, visit her at http://www.jacquelinthomas.com/

Write Away Workshop - November 7 - Atlanta, GA

2009-09-30T13:49:00.010-04:00

"Write Away Workshop"
Saturday, November 7, 2009
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: 2191 Northlake Pkwy, Ste 160. Tucker, GA 30084
(Northlake Business Park, Bldg. #11 - Joy of Faith Ministries)

* * * * * * * * * *

Don't wait to add "work on my book" to your list of New Year's resolutions. It's time for you to get focused and work on it "write away"!

Join best-selling, inspirational author Tia McCollors and God's Elect Ladies, Inc.

for a Christian-based writing workshop.

You will learn about:
Getting Started
Overcoming obstacles & struggles
Success strategies and tips to stay on task
Setting goals
Determining whether to write fiction or non-fiction and choosing the appropriate genre
Building a plot or organizing your ideas
Researching publishing houses and submission guides
Finding and working with an agent
Crafting a book proposal
Book marketing ideas
...and more

REGISTER TODAY for $40.00

Please note:
The $40.00 investment includes continental breakfast, boxed lunch and workshop materials.

STEPS TO REGISTER:

* Go to Paypal.com to pay your registration fee on-line (Just click on the link above).

* Once payment is received, you will be emailed the registration form to complete and return via email to Write_Away_Workshop@yahoo.com.

* Print your receipt/confirmation page from paypal.com and bring with you to the workshop.

** Late registration fee is $50.00 after November 1. CASH ONLY payments are accepted at door for registrations after November. Absolutely no refunds after November 1.

QUESTIONS?

Email: Write_Away_Workshop@yahoo.com or contact Toni Parker with God's Elect Ladies, Inc. at (770) 335-6277

Meet Vanessa Miller, author of Forsaken

2009-09-29T03:00:00.001-04:00

To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through the Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

FORSAKEN is Vanessa’s newest book, due out in October 2009. Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor’s journey back to God. Vanessa believes that each of her books will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all her God-given destiny to write novels that bring deliverance to God’s people.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Pastor Jerome Tyler “JT” Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn’t sure he can stay tied down.

Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his extracurricular activity comes knocking on his front door, JT’s life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he’s been forsaken by God?

Follow the blog tour at

http://bit.ly/Forsaken.
For more information about Vanessa, visit her at http://www.vanessamiller.com/.

Meet LaCricia A'ngelle, author of Girl, Naw

2009-09-15T11:02:00.015-04:00

LaCricia A'ngelle is a licensed Evangelist, writer, and the President and CEO of His Pen Publishing, LLC. A native of Chicago, LaCricia currently resides in Tennessee wit her four children. Girl, Naw! is her first novel.

Her writing career began when she was a child writing songs and short stories. LaCricia has always had a God given gift of putting words together.

As a Christian Fiction author, LaCricia not only writes for entertainment, but she also writes for ministry. Her goal in every piece of written work is to draw someone closer to Christ. The characters face real situations. LaCricia writes so that anyone can read her work and get something out of it, whether they are young or old. When you read a LaCricia A'ngelle original prepare to laugh, cry, pray, and stop to say "hmmm."

ABOUT THE BOOK
Antoinette Walker has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Those that know and respect her think she has it all, a wonderful husband, children that thrive in school, and a counseling practice that is growing by leaps and bounds. When hidden things from her past begin to surface, they threatened to destroy everything Antoinette loves. Only God can give her the strength to continue to counsel other women as she struggles with her own issues of forgiveness. Will her faith be strong enough to help her stand in the midst of opposition?

READ EXCERPT
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9655517/Girl-Naw!-by-LaCricia-Angelle-(excerpt)

WATCH BOOK TRAILER

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/GirlNaw

For more information about LaCricia, visit her at http://lacriciaangelle.com/

Book Club Shout Outs!

2009-09-07T21:22:00.018-04:00

I absolutely love going to book club discussions. Even when I can't be there in person, I cherish the times of our chats via phone or Skype. Then there are those who I don't know have even read my books until they drop me an email letting me know what a blast they had!

Sometimes my discussion with book clubs are like those heart-to-heart salon chats, minus the relaxer, deep conditioners, hair dryers and ceramic iron presses!

So here's my shout out to the book clubs that I've recently connected with in some way over the last month or so...

Do Something Different Book Club

Phenomenal Women of God

Black P.E.A.R.L.S.

Righteous Readers

Contest Winners - The Last Woman Standing Blog Tour

2009-09-07T19:11:00.007-04:00

Okay, so this picture has absolutely nothing to do with the blog tour contests, but it's a pic of the pair of shoes I wore to the book release party for The Last Woman Standing! I think they might give the shoes on the front of the book a run for its money. What do you think? Now on to the real business.

Drum Roll Please....

The winners of The Last Woman Standing Blog Tour contest are listed below. Included are names, the blog where the correct answers/comments to the trivia questions were posted, and the prize won. The winners were drawn randomly out of all correct answers during the blog tour week.

1. Tangie, Urban Christian Fiction Today - Winner's choice of $5 gift card to Smoothie King or Panera Bread

2. Renee Williams, Urban Christian Fiction Today - $5 Chick-Fil-A gift card

3. Linda Chavis, APOOO --$10 Borders Gift Card

4. Val, SORMag -- Autographed copy of The Last Woman Standing

5. DM, APOOO -- Autographed copy of The Last Woman Standing

Oh yeah, I bet you want to know the answers to those trivia questions.

1. What's the name of Belinda's daughter (from Zora's Cry & The Truth About Love)? -- Hannah

2. What's Zora Bridgeforth Field's profession? -- High school guidance counselor

3. In A Heart of Devotion, Sherri Dawson started her own line of clothing for petite women. What was the name of it? -- Short Ragz

4. In The Last Woman Standing, where did Sheila meet her boyfriend, Ace? -- A restaurant in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

5. Tia participates in an annual tour with six other Christian authors. What's the name of the tour? -- The Anointed Authors On Tour

6. Tia is blessed with the gift of writing, but if she could choose another gift to add to that what would it be? -- Singing!

7. What's Tia's favorite cuisine? -- Italian! (Mamma Mia!)

8. Name at least one of Tia's speaking topics. (Okay, you'll have to go to my website for that!)

9. Tia uses an acronym (D.E.V.O.T.I.O.N) to encourage aspiring writers. What does the "I" represent? -- Invest in your dream. Inspire yourself.

10. What is the name of Monet Sullivan's long-time (but unequally yoked) love interest in Zora's Cry? -- Bryce Coleman

Presenting Angela Benson & Sins of the Father Blog Tour

2009-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Angela Benson's numerous novels include the Christy-Award-nominated Awakening Mercy, the Essence-bestselling The Amen Sisters, and Up Pops the Devil. Currently an associate professor at The University of Alabama, she lives in Northport, AL.

Angela stops by Tia's Pen during her Sins of the Father Blog Tour to share a bit of encouragement.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -- Romans 8:28, New Living Translation

This verse from Paul's letter eto the church at Rome has always been one of my favorites. It's an all-purpose verse that I can bring to remembrance when I'm in need of comfort and encouragement. It's also a verse that I oten share with others when they need encouragement.

I see this verse at work in the life of Abraham Martin, one of the main characters in Sins of the Father. Abraham made wrong choices in his life that negatviely affected him and those he loved. And though he tried to make things right, he was unable to set them back the way they were supposed to be.

The essence of Romans 8:28 is that even though we can't always make our wrongs right, if we trust God, He can use our wrongs to bring about good things in us. In Abraham's case, God taught him that the money he valued so much meant very little compared to the love and life of his family.

Abraham is not alone in making a mess of his life and the lives of those he loves. Many of us are in that situation now. Like Abraham, we have to try and make amends. And like Abraham, we have to accept that our efforts might not yield the results we want. Our comfort is in the knowledge that God will use our mess to teach us a lesson that will make our lives richer and our futures brighter.

Prayer: Father God, I've strayed from the path you planned for me and I want to get back on track. Give me the courage to make amends and the strength to accept the consequences of my actions. I thank you that even though I went wrong, the legacy of my wrongs will be a renewed experience of you, your love, and your forgiveness.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Successful media mogul Abraham Martin has great wealth, an elegant wife, Saralyn, and a rebellious son, Isaac. He also has a secret: a second family that no one knows about. Now, after thirty years -- driven by the urging of his long dormant conscience -- Abraham is determined to do the righth thing by finally bringing his illegitimate children into light...and into the family fold.

But beautiful, manipulative Saralyn will never accept the proof of her husband's indiscretions. Isaac the heir, shaken by his father's revelations, will fight mercilessly when his world is threatened, and may lose everything that matters as a result. And while Abraham's forgotten daughter, Deborah, is open to the undreamed-of possibilities suddenly awaiting her son Michael, cannot forgive the man who cruelly abandoned them to near poverty. And he's driven by one desire: revenge!

Angela Benson's Sins of the Father is a powerful story of a house bitterly divided -- a rich, multilayered family saga of betrayal and redemption, rage and compassion, faith, forgiveness, and ultimately, love.

Follow the blog tour at: http://bitly.com/SinsoftheFather.

For more information abot Angela, visit her at http://www.angelabenson.com/.

Maurice Gray: Taking Ownership

2009-08-13T08:33:00.014-04:00

Content provided by Linda Beed

As writers we set our focus on goals that we believe are attainable, we then set out to construct a plan to bring our aspiration to fruition. If we are not careful, without knowing it we allow the process of writing, publishing and promoting to own us rather than taking ownership of the ministry tool it was meant to be.

As an independent publisher Maurice learned early on that the process of writing and publishing a book could not be done in a vacuum; nor would it be without those casting doubt on his choice of independence.

Negative remarks increased as he remained faithful to the decision he made in a world where having the term self-published attached to your work automatically categorized you as a literary pariah. In the midst of it all Maurice pressed through connecting with seasoned authors and industry professionals for the purpose of being mentored.

What is admirable about Maurice’ journey through the highs and lows of the business is that he never believed that he could not publish his work. He did not believe that he could do it alone. He did not believe that he should continue to grow in skill and knowledge. Most of all he did not believe that he should keep pearls of wisdom passed on to him, to himself.

Through his naturally giving nature author Maurice Gray has found a happy balance between publishing and giving back. Maurice has been the quiet force that has nurtured many novice authors toward publication excellence. His calm demeanor, penchant for humor and fund of knowledge for both the editorial and business side of the craft has been invaluable to many.

To date Maurice has published two novels (To Whom Much Is Given and All Things Work Together) through his publishing company. His third novel – Female Problems releases in 2010. Known to lend a hand to others Maurice has contributed to two successful anthologies (Traveling Mercies in Blessed Assurance [2005]). His current entry is Long Term in the June 2009 The Soul of a Man release from Peace in the Storm Publishing. He is also the ‘as told to’ co-author of Livingston Lee’s – I Really Didn't Mean To Get HIV.

Determination to fulfill the vision he saw many years ago has kept him going. Rather than allowing publishing to own him, Maurice has taken ownership of his literary talents. That ownership has turned into a gift that others benefit from opening as often as possible.

You can connect with Maurice on the web at:

Writevision2000@yahoo.com

www.mauricemgrayjr.com

The Devil Is A Lie

2009-07-10T07:00:00.002-04:00

I know. I know. Even the title itself draws your attention. The Devil Is A Lie is the lastest release of one of my favorite authors, ReShonda Tate Billingsley.

Next week, I'll be joining ReShonda as well as Angela Benson, Tiffany Warren, and a host of other great Christian authors at the annual Faith in Fiction Retreat. This year it's being held in sunny (aka blazing hot!) Orlando. If you're in the area, or have been thinking about a quick weekend get-away, please check it out.

In the meantime, let's learn a little about the woman behind the bestsellers...

Meet ReShonda Tate Billingsley
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author of 17 books, all published by Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie and national touring stageplay of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director. Five of her other books, have also been optioned for film by CodeBlack Entertainment.

ReShonda’s literary career is such a success that in 2007, she was able to leave her job as a reporter with Fox 26 News in Houston to pursue writing full time. ReShonda has appeared on the Essence Bestseller’s list more than 20 times, as well as The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Ebony Magazine Bestseller’s lists.

ReShonda has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 2009), Holy Rollers (2010) and two more teen novels. The Houston native and University of Texas at Austin graduate also serves as a freelance editorial and marketing consultant. She has ghostwritten four fiction projects and five non-fiction projects. She is married with three small children.

In ReShonda's own words:

Would you say you are an extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert, definitely

Do you like to cook? If so, what are your favorite dishes to cook?
I like to eat. I’ll leave the cooking to someone else.

What movie(s) have you watched recently that you would recommend?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I cried so much.

Do you like books being turned into a movie? If so, what is your favorite book-to-movie?
The Color Purple

If The Devil is a Lie was turned into a movie who would you cast to play your characters?
I would like Nia Long or Sanaa Lathan to play Nina, Blair Underwood as Rick, Columbus Short as Todd, Tamala Jones (she needs a job) can play Pam. And I can play somebody!

Which social networks do you enjoy the most?
Facebook, hands down.

What's next for you?
Holy Rollers comes out in 2010, working on two teen books and a sequel to Everybody Say Amen. Working with Regina King on Let the Church Say Amen the movie and in talks for collaboration with a dynamic author that I think you guys will love.

About the Book

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT. . . .
When Nina Lawson wins $16 million in the Texas Lottery, the real estate executive and her fiancé, ecstatically begin planning their future — from paying off their credit card debt, to setting their wedding date, to a spontaneous, spare-no-expense island getaway.

But when Nina goes to claim her winnings, she gets an astounding twist of fate: her ex-husband, Todd Lawson, shows up to inform he isn’t her ex —since the paperwork for their divorce was never officially filed. By Todd’s side, his money-hungry girlfriend, Pam – the woman he left Nina for.

MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS
Between her divorce drama, Nina also has to deal with relatives coming out of the woodwork to seek a payday for themselves. Before all is said and done, Nina must ask herself if scoring a fortune in cash comes with too high a price tag. With a little bit of luck, Nina will discern the real wealth in her heart, not just her bank account—or risk losing everything—to find out what matters the most.

Visit ReShonda online at http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/.
Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TheDevilIsALie.

Blog Tour For The Last Woman Standing

2009-07-08T22:49:00.001-04:00

Meet Patti Lacy, Author of What the Bayou Saw

2009-06-16T04:08:00.007-04:00

List your published books.
An Irishwoman’s Tale. What the Bayou Saw.

Which book did you find the hardest to birth?
Definitely An Irishwoman’s Tale. Poor Mary, the Irishwoman, had to endure at least twenty rewrites.

Which book is your current favorite?
Goodness, Tia. That’s like asking a mom to pick her favorite kid. An Irishwoman’s Tale captures the forgiving, brave character of my best friend. What the Bayou Saw takes me back to the Southern roots that I love…and hate.

How would you describe your writing style?
I try to explore music pertinent to the text within my book. I wove Irish folk song lyrics into An Irishwoman’s Tale and tried to capture the mystical minor key of the Irish whistle and flute, the squawk of the cliff birds, the exhale of the wind. Perhaps a touch of that lyricism reaches the words.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
Definitely! Billie Holiday and Odetta and The Eagles and B.B. King got me through What the Bayou Saw. Each manuscript demands its own type of music. For My Name is Sheba, set in Jazz-era New Orleans, it was blues and New Orleans jazz and the classical songs that my protagonist, Sheba, yearned to play on the piano.

Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.
Since running clears my brain of extraneous material and lets plots surface, I carry a cell phone along on my jog to call myself and leave detailed messages of writing ideas. I also LOVE doing research and don’t hesitate to call Normal police, sewage pipe fitters, DNA labs, and get right to the heart of the matter. In fact during the drafting of My Name is Sheba, I met a “computer geek” at a faculty party I attended with my husband and discovered that a novelist lurked inside that nice man. This geek just happened to be a Thai native who helped me craft the perfect ending (I think!) for my third baby. Thanks, Winn!

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Write, read, write, read…constantly! Keep notepads by your bed, in your car. Live the lives of your characters. And whatever you do, write for the Audience of One, or you will never be satisfied with all the “junk” that goes on in the money side of the business. Write your stories as a gift to lay at the foot of the Throne. And that will be enough, dear writer friend. That will be enough. (P.S.: It helps to find soulmates who share this view with you. Accept their manna as often as you need it! And you will need it.)

Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing? For my first book, that was true as I wrote about my encounter with the Irishwoman Mary and our quest to find out the truth about her past. Of course we had to travel to the rocky cliffs of County Clare to see the place first-hand and to meet those neighbors. The setting for What the Bayou Saw was my own back yard in Monroe, Louisiana, but the image that inspired the story was gifted by a woman from Mobile, Alabama. However, I lived in the South for most of my pre-college life and got a few glimpses of what it’s like down there.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Segregation and a chain link fence separated twelve-year-old Sally Flowers from her best friend, Ella Ward. Yet a brutal assault bound them together. Forever. Thirty-eight years later, Sally, a middle-aged Midwestern instructor, dredges up childhood secrets long buried beneath the waters of a Louisiana bayou in order to help her student, who has also been raped. Fragments of spirituals, gospel songs, and images of a Katrina-ravaged New Orleans are woven into the story.

Visit Patti on line at www.pattilacy.com.
View the full blog tour schedule at http://bitly.com/WhatTheBayouSaw

Join The Summer Reading Series With The Anointed Authors On Tour

2009-06-01T09:25:00.004-04:00

Click the graphic above for the schedule for the

Anointed Authors literary virtual tour!

Victorious Magazine Launch Celebration

2009-05-18T05:00:00.003-04:00

VICTORIOUS Magazine is the cornerstone of our public communication, providing access to articles representing our victorious message! By reaching out directly to each woman and touching on the concerns that are on her heart we are able to encourage her to press on toward her dreams to live victoriously, taking control of her own destiny and achieving her true purpose. Our editorial content is designed to validate the importance of the things that appeal to her on all levels - personally, professionally, spiritually, and mentally - in a way that only women can understand.

Our article categories include Destiny & Purpose, Inspiration & Empowerment, Stewardship, Victorious Living, Victorious Wellness, and Style & Grace. The publication launched its digital version March 30, 2009. The first print issue of VICTORIOUS MAGAZINE will hit the newsstands September 2009, with an initial circulation of 25,000.

Featured Columnist - Arnita Fields

Poet, writer, author and publisher, Arnita L. Fields is also a minister of the gospel who teaches the word of God with clarity and simplicity. She has a burning passion and desire to see that all marriages in the body of Christ operate and function in the divine order of God. Arnita has published to date three collections of Christian poetry, “Rescued, Restored, Renewed & Revived” (2006), “And the Beat Goes On” Poems from a Restored Marriage (2007), THE WORD…A Poetry Connection” (2009) and the soon to be released America’s Change…A Poetic View (Spring 2009). Arnita was a contributing author in the “This far By Faith” anthology (2007).

Website: http://www.holypoetrypublications.net/

Article Title: A Mother By Faith
In the bible there was a woman by the name of Hannah who was the wife of Elkanah. Now Hannah was a woman of faith, humility, fortitude, and resilience. Even when faced with adversity, she did not render evil for evil but showed forth love. When she was not able to conceive still she walked in both motherly wisdom and love towards others, this made her a mother by faith. Becoming and operating as a mother takes more than just birthing forth a child, it takes faith, love and a desire to see something grow and thrive even after you have been asked to release it.

Check out the rest of this article at VictoriousMagazine.com.

For the full schedule visit, http://bit.ly/VictoriousMagazineLaunch.

Mom's The Word Blog Tour With Marilynn Griffith

2009-05-12T05:00:00.003-04:00

Marilynn Griffith stops by Tia's Pen today to provide a peek into her world of motherhood and family. She's the author of eight novels, mother to seven children, wife to a deacon and proof of God’s enduring mercy. You can catch Marilynn sharing her family adventures all week on the Mom's the Word Blog Tour.

I Found the Remote in My Purse

Seriously, a few years ago, I'm at the store, reaching into my purseto get my wallet. I feel something about the right shape and size,pull it out and...IT'S THE REMOTE TO MY TV!!!

And my children, who have perpetrated this injustice against me don'tsay a word. Not even a snicker!Well, I made up for their silence bytotally cracking up. I shouldn't have as I was trying to be a good mom and let them know that this wasn't funny, but my husband had been looking for that remote the entire evening before and all the while I'd been walking around with it!

The explanation?

Well, you told me to put it away so that he (brother) couldn't get it again and change the channel. Since we're not supposed to go in your purse, that seemed like a good place to hide it."Do you see the logic here? (Or lack of it). I did stop laughing eventually (just before the people in line behind me stopped) but later on I got to thinking about God and how I sometimes disobey Him in order to obey Him which makes no sense at all.

And yet, He loves me.

And He loves you too.

I guess I got the better parent in the deal. Still, these are times we will remember when the kids are grown and gone. Embarrassing, but fun. So...LOOK in your purse before you go to pay for something...and look into your heart when you start shoving things in places they don'tbelong.

God has a place for everything. Especially you!

***

About the Book - Mom's The Word

When her tall, dark, delicious husband joins their three kids in calling her “Mom,” Karol Simons has an identity crisis. Sure she loves the pint-size trio, but what’s happened to her dreams of writing a novel? Determined to have it all, she turns to her neighbor for help.

Dyanne Thornton is thrilled to stand in as Mom for three weeks so Karol can write. Bursting with baby fever, the career-woman trades her glamorous clothes and four-inch heels for the playground and potty training. She hopes to convince her reluctant husband they should start a family of their own, right away.

Everyone’s in for some big surprises…

Order your copy of Mom's the Word from Amazon.com .

Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/MomsTheWord.

Visit Marilynn online at http://marilynngriffith.com/.

Join Marilynn's social network at http://www.sistahfaith.ning.com/.

The Last Woman Standing -- The Countdown Begins

2009-05-11T12:50:00.005-04:00

Take a deep breath...now let it out. That's how I feel right now.

I've had a moment -- although briefly -- to exhale. However, it's time for the second wind to kick in. You see, I ran track in high school. I was a sprinter, but every now and then, I was pulled in by the coach to run the 400 meter dash. Now to the long distance runner, that might not seem daunting, but for someone who was used to sprinting the 100 and 200 races, it seemed like a never-ending run. But something would always happen when I rounded the last bend. Maybe it was seeing the finish line. Maybe it was the cheers from my teammates on the sidelines. But I always kicked it up a notch and found an extra burst of energy to make it to the end.

On August 1 my fourth book, The Last Woman Standing, will hit bookstore shelves. That date will by no means be the end of my work with that book, my past books, or any future titles, but it is a finish line of sorts. No, I take that back. It's a milestone. And I'd love for you to celebrate with me. You can PRE-ORDER the book now and let it be one less thing on your to-do list for August. Hey, I'm all about making life simple. Smile!

Just in case you're wondering if this one is a pageturner, read the summary below. I'm sure it will convince you!

***************************

The Last Woman Standing

Lynette Bowers had no intention on falling in love with her ex-husband, “Ace” Bowers. After all, it has been ten years since their marriage ended, and two years since the beginning of his relationship with the younger and prettier, Sheila Rushmore. Besides Sheila, everyone knows that only a fool makes the same mistake twice, especially when it comes to marriage.

Ace seems stuck between his past and his future. With his conflicting emotions, he risks losing two women who hold a significant place in his heart. It’s going to take his faith and God’s love to handle the ensuing drama.

Sheila is starting to see Ace’s ex-wife as a threat to her lifelong dreams of achieving the happily-ever-after. Sheila is used to getting what she wants – except Ace’s commitment to marriage. When Sheila realizes Lynette may be the cause, she launches a plan to play the hand of God, instead of allowing Him to bring the love all three of them desire.

Aspiring writers and new authors you don't want to miss this...

2009-04-07T00:42:00.010-04:00

This is a long post, but well worth the read if you've got a book inside of you!

Taking It To The Next Level In 2009
Virtual Fiction Writers Conference
“Coming to a computer and telephone near you!”

Thursday, April 16, 2009 – Saturday, April 18, 2009

$50 Registration Fee Includes All Sessions!

We’re back with our second annual Virtual Writers Conference Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta, formerly Visions in Print Writers Group is raising money to award a college scholarship to a Class of 2009 high school student. We invite you to attend a not-to-be-missed Virtual Writers Conference. We’re offering seven workshops and teleconferences sessions with top selling authors and industry experts that will help you improve your writing and/or market your current work.

Virtual Workshops

Linda Leigh Hargrove

Description: Making it Real and Keeping It Relevant

Create a richly textured world that captures your reader. Learn how to add effective detail to your writing so that the reader goes on a visual and physical journey with you.

Linda’s BIO: Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include two novels: The Making of Isaac Hunt (June 2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (September 2008). The former environmental engineer currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and three sons where she designs Web sites when she’s not writing. She blogs at 17seeds.com and UrbanFaith.com. Her website is http://www.lindaleighhargrove.com/

Pamela Samuels-Young
How to Keep Readers Turning the Pages: A Lesson in Pacing

What is pacing? Pacing is moving your story forward smoothly. It’s a critical craft component of a well written novel. Learn how to get your groove and keep it, so you keep your readers.

Pamela’s BIO: When attorney and author Pamela Samuels Young isn’t practicing law, you can usually find her penning her next legal thriller. Described by one reviewer as “John Grisham with a sister’s twist!” Pamela is the Essence best-selling author of four legal thrillers. Pamela’s debut novel, Every Reasonable Doubt (2006), won the Black Expressions Book Club’s Fiction Writing Contest, received an honorable mention in the SEAK Legal Fiction Writing Competition and was a finalist for USA Book News’ Best Books of 2006 awards in the mystery, suspense and thriller category. In Firm Pursuit (2007) was honored by Romantic Times magazine as a finalist for Best African-American Novel of 2007. Murder on the Down Low (2008) was an “Editor’s Pick” by Black Expressions magazine and was also featured on the cover of Publisher’s Weekly. Her next novel, Buying Time will be released in November 2009. You may find out more about Pamela at her website http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com/

Tiffany L. Warren a.k.a. Nikki Carter
Writing the Young Adult Novel

Tiffany Warren will teach you how to write for the young adult market. Give you tips for engaging young readers with a hip voice. She’ll also share marketing tips to reach the younger market.

Tiffany’s BIO: Tiffany L. Warren, author of What a Sista Should Do, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay and The Bishop's Daughter ( January 2009), has long been a favorite in Women’s Fiction, but she’s released her first teen fiction book, Step To This, under the pen name, Nikki Carter. Tiffany is also the founder of the annual Faith and Fiction Retreat to be held this year in Orlando, Florida http://www.faithandfictionretreat.com/ The retreat allows readers and bookclubs to come together in a spirit of sisterhood and to get up-close-and- personal with their favorite Christian Fiction Authors. Tiffany can be reached at her website http://www.tiffanylwarren.com/ or www.myspace.com/authornikkicarter

ReShonda Tate Billingsley
What It Takes To Make a Bestseller

Ever wonder how some authors make it to the bestseller list, while others don’t? Find out ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s method for success. This is the tele-conference you don’t want to miss. Register early and pre-submit your burning questions on the topic.

ReShonda’s BIO: ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author with more than sixteen books under publication including her most recent adult novel, Can I Get a Witness and teen novel, Friends 'Til the End. Her other projects include the #1 Essence Magazine Bestselling Book, Let the Church Say Amen, the bestselling sequel Everybody Say Amen, and the national bestseller I Know I’ve Been Changed (all of which are currently being made into movies where she will serve as Executive Producer). She is also the author of the multiple Essence bestseller, The Pastor's Wife and five other teen inspirational novels in the Good Girlz Series, as well as her non-fiction title, Help! I’ve Turned into my Mother. She has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills, including an international honor as Best New Author from The Black Writer's Alliance and she is a five time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. Let the Church Say Amen was voted best Christian Fiction book of 2004 by the Library Journal. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 7, 2009) and the teen book, Caught up in the Drama. She also has a book of poetry called Something to Say: Poetry to Motivate the Mind. You may find out more about ReShonda at her website http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/

Dee Stewart

The Business of Book Events

Learn insider secrets on how to book promotional, sales events/speaking engagements for your book.

Dee’s BIO: Dee Stewart is the owner of Dee Gospel PR Company, http://www.deestewart.com/. She is a one stop author source: editor, publicist, book marketing consultant, the Atlanta satellite for Mocha Readers Books, an Essence Magazine Reporting bookseller, and for the past three years she’s served as a Christy’s Book Awards Judge. Her writing has appeared in: Gospel Today, Precious Times, Anointed, Hope for Women, Rejoice Atlanta, Romantic Times, Spirit Led Woman, Mosaic Literary Journal, Atlanta Christian Family and Spirit Led Writer to name a few. Dee is also the owner of Christian Fiction Blog http://www.christianfiction.blogspot.com/ , a syndicated blog that highlights Christian publishing, gospel music and plays and movies. The blog gets over 10,000 hits a month.

Vanessa Miller

Independent Publishing: Who, Why and How to Get It Done Yourself

Special - 2 Hour Tele-Conference
Thinking about self-publishing your novel? Learn who should self-publish and why. Also learn the technical A-B-C’s of how to get it done, marketing and sales.

Vanessa’s BIO: Vanessa Miller is the multi-published author of the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through The Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists, including Essence and Black Expressions. Vanessa self-published her first three books; then in 2006 she signed a five-book deal with Urban Christian/Kensington. She is currently working on the Live Right or Die Trying Series. The books in this series, although they can be categorized as suspense thrillers, will still have elements of God’s redemptive power throughout the stories. She is also preparing the stage production for the Former Rain novel. You may learn more about Vanessa at her website http://www.vanessamiller.com/

Tia McCollors
Sentence C.P.R. – "Resuscitate your sentences....bring life into your writing"

Covers the following topics:* Description (General vs. Specific Words)* Action: Replacing weak adverbs with strong verbs* Emotion* Sensory images: Using 5 senses and the "sixth sense"* Using beats and engaging dialogue

Tia’s BIO: Bestselling author Tia McCollors entices the taste buds of her readers with a sweet blend of faith and fiction in her inspirational novels, A Heart of Devotion (January 2005), Zora’s Cry (June 2006) and The Truth About Love (March 2008). The Last Woman Standing (Sept 2009). In addition to being a novelist, Tia is an inspirational speaker and instructor for writing workshops. In 2006, Tia was voted as the Breakout Author of the Year by the Open Book Awards of the African American Literary Awards Show and was honored to be featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who In Black Atlanta. As a founding author with the Anointed Authors On Tour , (AAOT) she has teamed with six other award-winning, best-selling authors of Christian fiction and non-fiction. Together, they have committed to write and publish integrity-based literature, touring as a testament to the power of using their gifts and talents for God's glory. In addition to AAOT, Tia is a member the American Christian Fiction Writers(ACFW). You may find out more about Tia at her website http://www.tiamccollors.com/

Conference Host - Dana Pittman of Nia Promotions

How a Virtual Conference Works: A virtual conference is a conference hosted on the Internet and by telephone. Participants can attend without leaving the comfort of their home.

Who it is for: This conference is for anyone who is writing fiction, particularly those who have an understanding of basic writing and want to take their craft and marketing/promotion to the next level.

How You Will Participate: You register for the conference at http://fbfwritersofatlanta.eventbrite.com/ A few days before the conference you’ll receive instructions on how to enter the main site for the conference. On the day of the conference, the workshops are presented in the forms of articles that are posted on the conference site by the workshop presenter. Participants will review the material and post questions or comments in a threaded discussion format. The presenter will come into the forum and answer all questions. Additionally, each workshop presenter will hold a live tele-conference. (Questions for the live tele-conference may be pre-submited until the close of registration. )

Door prizes: All registered participants who are interested will be entered in a raffle to win a 5-page critique from Legacy Editing Service. Three critiques will be given away. Plus books and more.

Don't miss out on the learning or the fun! Contact us at fbfwriters@yahoo.com with questions.

*** All teleconferences will be held in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. and 8:15/8:30 p.m. eastern standard time. Saturday sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. eastern standard time.

Normal telephone charges will apply.

All sessions will be available for purchase after the conference barring no technical issues.

My Sister of The Pen: Stacy Hawkins Adams

2009-01-19T07:23:00.016-05:00

I'd like to introduce to some and present to others my very talented sister of the pen, Stacy Hawkins Adams. I first met Stacy some years ago at a conference hosted by Jacquelin Thomas. Since then, our paths have crossed a few times at other events, but we've always kept contact via email. She's been a supporter of my work, as I have been of hers.

Stacy may not know this, but I've gleaned a lot from her wisdom. Like me, she has two small children, a husband, a writing career, a heart towards God...and BIG dreams. Just by watching her operate in her gift inspires me to strive for excellence.

Her latest January 2009 release, The Someday List, will inspire you as well. I just started reading it on Thursday night, and I already have my pen and paper out.

(You'll know what I mean when you get the book!) Until then, please read a devotion written by Stacy as well as a little about her book. ENJOY!

DEVOTION

Theme Verse: Philippians 3:13b-14

But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God, in Christ Jesus.

At the beginning of a New Year, my thoughts often turn to the fate of God's servant Lot, and his family, as told in Genesis 19. God was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because these cities were so wicked, but he agreed to spare the lives of Lot, the one righteous man He coud find there, and Lot's family.

Angels appeared to Lot's family and urged them to flee and follow one important command: Do not look back. They were being given the chance to depart from sin, jealously, greed, injustice and numerous other ills, as long as they kept their eyes on God and looked toward the future.

But because they were human (like us), the temptation to take one last look at what they were leaving behind got the best of one of them - Lot's wife.

She looked back, and in doing so, lost her chance to live a better life. She turned into a pillar of salt, and in essence, was destroyed with the rest of Sodom's residents.

This biblical account resonates with me because it's an ever-present reminder of God's willingness to give us new opportunities, new blessings and abundant mercy every morning when we awake. Lot's wife is proof, though, that unless we open our hearts to these gifts and trust that where God is leading us is much better than where we've been, we risk losing it all.

In my new novel, The Someday List, the main character, Rachelle, finds herself at a similar crossroad. She has to decide whether to forgive herself for long-ago mistakes and find contentment in all that God has blessed her with, or to keep looking back, trying to recapture a happiness and a love she once knew.

Many of us aren't so different from Rachelle, or from Lot's wife.

Look at your life and consider the things that are holding you back. What keeps you from taking a baby step today - just something small - toward achieving a long-desired goal? What keeps you from choosing to let go of the anger or bitterness that may be choking you, so your heart can smile again, even if the person who hurt you never acknowledges your pain? What is keeping you from loving yourself, and realizing that in 2009, God is not only doing historic and miraculous things for other people, he's ready to do them for you?

In God's eyes, you are worthy. Embrace that truth today, and don't look back.

Prayer:
Dear Father, I come to you with all that I am - broken, sinful and lost. Help me to be who you are calling me to be in this New Year and beyond. Help me realize that I don't have to be perfect in order to be used by you or loved by you. As I open my heart and my eyes to all that you are offering me, help me focus on you and on the good things you're sending my way. I want to release yesterday and hold my head high, knowing that because I am your child, I am forgiven and I am loved. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

~ ~ ~

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Someday List

Jubilant Soul Series Book One

by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Rachelle Covington has it all. A fabulous home, a handsome and prestigious husband, two beautiful children, and a place in the upper crust that's quite comfortable. But her life is not all it's cracked up to be. When her husband goes away on business trip and the kids are sent off to the grandparents for a month, Rachelle takes up the challenge of a dying friend to start a list of things to do before she dies. She heads back to Jubilant, Texas, to reconnect with her past, her purpose, and herself. But when her ex shows up in town looking very fine and very single, Rachelle must confront feelings she thought she'd long buried. Will she give up everything to recover the past? Or will she find a reason to plan for the future?

The Someday List is an honest look at what makes us who we are and what can throw us off track. Author Stacy Hawkins Adams writes with a voice that is fresh, sincere, and completely real. Her characters jump off the page and into her readers' hearts.

For more information about Stacy, visit her at stacyhawkinsadams.com.

~ ~ ~

THE SOMEDAY LIST BLOG GIVEAWAY

Tell Us One Item on Your Someday List. Leave your answer in the comment section.

Participants will be entered into a drawing for the The Someday List Blog Giveaway. View the prize package below:

· $50 American Express Gift Card
· Autographed Copies of all of Stacy's books: Speak to My Heart, Nothing But the Right

Thing, and Watercolored Pearls, and the anthologies The Midnight Clear and This Far By

Faith.
· 20% Discount Coupon from Tywebbin Creations. (May apply to one service)

Join Us for an Hour Long Chat with Stacy on January 30, 2009. We will announce the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the THE SOMEDAY LIST BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY during the call.

~ ~ ~

Continue to visit other stops on The Someday List Blog Tour at: http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog

Pages of Life: Meet Two Anointed Authors

2008-11-19T20:26:00.013-05:00

This November wrapped up the last tour stop for the 2008 Anointed Authors On Tour in Phoenix, Arizona. Although I wasn't able to join the ladies on the last leg, I've already filed my memories of the great times we had this year. As always, we had times that were funny enough to write a stageplay --- full of drama and plenty of comedy!

I asked the ladies if I could ask them a few questions so that YOU (the readers of "faith fiction") could get a peek into a different chapter of their lives -- not just the writing side.

I present to some -- and introduce to others -- my "sisters in the faith" and "sisters of the pen": Michelle Stimpson and Kendra Norman-Bellamy.

MICHELLE STIMPSON

TM: What's something about yourself that people would be surprised to know?
MS: They would be surprised to know that I really am a "loner." I do a lot of public speaking, and I enjoy people, but given the choice, I prefer to be alone.

TM: Is there a secret talent/calling that you wish you had?
MS: I wish that I could do the splits. As a child, I could do cartwheels, round-offs, but I could never do the splits.

TM: If your friends were asked to describe you in one word or with one song title, what would they say?
MS: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

TM: What's your most memorable high school moment?
MS: I have several, but one of my most memorable is getting kicked out of Six Flags at a New Edition & The Fat Boys Concert. Long story!

TM: What was your first boyfriend's name and why did you like him?!
MS: First boyfriend: Tracy K. I liked him because he had a nice voice and he was funny. I never actually saw him, though. We met on a prank call!

TM: Have you ever experienced any of the things that happen in your books?
MS: I have experienced many of the things that happen in my books - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

TM: What was your favorite book/book series as a child and/or teenager?
MS: I liked the Ramona Beasley books and pretty much anything by Judy Blume.

TM: What's your favorite thing to do on a lazy day?
MS: On a lazy day, I stay in bed watching movies and forensic crime shows that I probably shouldn't be watching. Hence, very few lazy days.

TM: Every woman likes to look fabulous. What outfit in your closet makes you feel like you turn heads when you walk into a room....like you can take on the world?
MS: I have a black and gold dress that my daughter says makes me look "Fabulous." I don't wear it often, but when I do, my head gets REALLY big!

TM: Do you do anything special before you sit down to write?
MS: I used to like to play the "same" game on the computer, but it's so addictive I had to let it go. Now, I just pray and fire up the laptop.

TM: What's one of the most recent books you've read?
MS: I read "Humility" by Andrew Murray.

TM: What are you working on now...or what's your next release?
MS: I'm working on a sequel to Boaz Brown and a novel about a 1st generation Christian who's learning God's way for the very first time. It's a very challenging task, but also very interesting.

Every young woman should check out Michelle's latest release, Trouble In My Way, a coming-of-age story about a girl who's trying to do the right thing, but sometimes trouble gets in the way. I started reading it when we were on tour in Stockton, California, and I laughed (out loud) from the very first page!

KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY

TM: What's something about yourself that people would be surprised to know?
KNB: I'm a loner. I think that would surprise most people because I'm a very busy person and most of what I do requires that I work with other people or be around other people. It's not that I don't like the company of others or am not a "people-person," but my preference is to be by myself. I have a great appreciation for the solitude (and heightened creativity) that my alone-time brings.

TM: Is there a secret talent/calling that you wish you had?
KNB: I really wish that God had given me the talent to play the piano by ear. I watch people play and am awed by their ability to touch simple keys and make such beautiful and powerful music. That's something that I've long desired to do. I took piano lessons as a child, but I never really had an interest in learning to play by notes. The gift of being able to just sit and play anything at any time is what I wanted.

TM: If your friends were asked to describe you in one word with one song title, what would they say?
KNB: Unforgettable. That's the one-word song title that I hope they'd say. It's my endeavor to impact (in a positive way) every life that I touch. As a result, I pray that connection with any of my friends would be a lasting one.

TM: What's your most memorable high school moment?
KNB: Graduation! No other moment or experience in high school even came close to the sense of accomplishment that I had while walking onto our football field and being a featured part of the celebration that ended with me getting my diploma.

TM: What was your first boyfriend's name and why did you like him?!
KNB: I was 18 when I acquired my first boyfriend, which is old by today's standards. Michael was tall, handsome, talented, and saved. To date, I still consider him one of the nicest men I've every been blessed to meet. It's hard to find people who are just genuinely good, both humanly and morally. We didn't work out, but I still consider him to have been the perfect "first love."

TM: Have you ever experienced any of the things that happen in your books?
KNB: Absolutely....and I'll leave it at that.

TM: What was your favorite book/book series as a child and/or teenager?
KNB: As a child, my favorite book series was the Amelia Bedelia Series by Peggy Parish. Amelia was a riot! She was, to children's books, what Lucy Ricardo was to family television. As a teenager, Maya Angelou took the stage as my favorite author. That's when I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings became my favorite book.

TM: What's your favorite thing to do on a lazy day?
KNB: Write and sleep. On a lazy day, the two go hand in hand.

TM: Every woman likes to look fabulous. What outfit in your closet makes you feel like you turn heads when you walk into a room....like you can take on the world?
KNB: Black is my favorite color to wear because I think it's more versatile than any other. To me, it's dramatic, commanding, elegant and yet, playful. The outfit in my closet that I think turns heads most is a "little black dress" that can be accessorized to make it suitable for any occasion.

TM: Do you do anything special before you sit down to write?
KNB: I always pray before sitting down to write. Above all, I want my fingers to be used of God to not only entertain readers, but minister to them.

TM: What's one of the most recent books you've read?
KNB: I recently finished reading the manuscript to a book that will be released in January 2009. It's called Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell, a fairly newcomer to the literary arena. Illusions is a well-written, engrossing Christian drama that I think readers will enjoy.

TM: What are you working on now...or what's your next release?
KNB: Right now, I'm working on completing The Morning After, which is a follow-up story to Three Fifty-Seven A.M.

Be on the look out for Kendra's upcoming April 2009 release, The Lyons Den (Urban Christian). It's the third book in her "Shelton Heights Series."

2008-10-02T18:33:00.011-04:00

Book Club Shout Out!

Consider this my public thanks of appreciation to all of the book clubs who've supported me this year in 2008. Somewhere in the many folders on my thumb drive and laptop hard drive, there are also pictures of my visits with "Redeeming Love," and "The Queens" book clubs. Notice I said SOMEWHERE. I can't find them. So if either of the two book clubs can pass me a picture of our memories, I'd graciously appreciate it! Until then, enjoy the photos...

The Women of Character Book Club (Orlando, FL)
The Women of Character Book Club was my gracious host when I combined business and pleasure during a trip to Orlando. And we won't even talk about that red velvet cake that they sent me home with...double yum!!

Brown Suga Book Club (Stone Mountain, GA)

Following the weekend of the devastating tornado that hit the Atlanta area, I met with these ladies at Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles. We endured a hail storm together while we waited for our meals, with hail the size of golf balls pelting the restaurant. What an adventure. I must admit, I was the scaredy cat!

Circle of Sisters Book Club (Atlanta, GA)

Good folks. Good food. Good fellowship. I met with these delightful group of sisters of the Circle of Sisters Book Club and the Second Saturday Book Club (See below). Can anyone spot Wanda? She's a member of both book clubs and dashed upstairs to change shirts so she could be in both pictures!

Second Saturday Book Club (Atlanta, GA)

Global Impact Christian Ministries (Riverdale, GA)

This is the book club you want to visit if you want to throw down with some food. The last time I visited them, the food theme was "casseroles." I was so stuffed I could hardly keep my eyes open to discuss the book. But I perked right up when I had some of the "chocolate surprise." Love ya ladies. I'll see you in December!

Virtuous Women Christian Book Club (Atlanta, GA)

The name speaks for itself. These women ooze with virtue and class! My special thanks to Candace (my fellow church member) for helping to set this up. You all are rare jems and I speak for all Christian authors when I thank you for supporting us.

Sistahs in Harmony & Sistahs in Conversation Book Clubs (Stockton, CA)

My flight from the East Coast to the West Coast was well worth it to meet with these ladies. Can't you tell by looking at them that they do all things in excellence? Donna is an excellent organizer and a true woman of God. I visited these book clubs as part of a city stop with The Anointed Authors On Tour. My personal thanks also goes out to Patrice, Stephanie and Dee Dee.

Faith & Fiction Retreat 2009

2008-09-30T23:23:00.010-04:00

Tiffany Warren, Inspirational Author

Hi Everyone! See the message below from fellow author and the outstanding host of the Faith & Fiction Retreat, Tiffany Warren. I'm honored to be one of the featured authors for the

2009 event in Orlando, Florida. Mark your calendars now and

add the registration costs to your budget!

******
The Faith and Fiction Retreat staff has just recovered from the awesome time we had in Destin , FL for the 2008 Faith and Fiction Retreat. The fellowship with our featured authors Victoria Christopher Murray, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Michele Andrea Bowen and Kendra Norman Bellamy was such a unique experience for readers and other authors! The late night pajama party book discussions were off the hook too, with the authors sharing the motivation behind their stories and characters. It was truly a weekend for bonding and encouragement. For pictures and attendees reviews of the weekend view these blogs:

http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/
http://www.rhondamcknight.net/2008/08/faith-and-fiction-retreat.html
http://www.tywebbin.com/ty/2008/08/2008-faith-and-fiction-retreat-photo-album/

We are excited to announce the Faith and Fiction Retreat 2009: Power of the Pen. Our dates will be July 16-19, 2009 and it will take place in sunny Orlando , Florida ! We are still in final negotiations with the chosen resort, so when we have that finalized we will announce the locale. Make sure to read through to the end for SPECIAL OFFERS!

On October 1st, we will announce our author panelists and soon thereafter launch the brand new Faith and Fiction Retreat website! But I can give you a sneak peek of our featured authors. Back by popular demand are Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley. We’ll also feature fan favorites Angela Benson, Tia McCollors and me, Tiffany L. Warren. Along with the featured authors, there will be a ton of author panelists all writing faith fiction!

In addition to the late night discussions, panels and interviews that we’ve become known for, here are some NEW highlights for our 2009 program:

Teen book discussions featuring Inspirational Fiction at their level
Book Club forum – how to build, promote and keep your book club going
VIP networking session
Industry professionals (editors, agents, publicists, publishers) share tips and tools for writers

For those of you who definitely don’t want to miss next year’s retreat, we’re offering Early Bird Registration. Anyone who has ever planned a conference knows how important early registrations are to the success of your event! We will be rewarding our early bird registrants with something very special the first night of our retreat! Early retreat registration is only $99 and fully refundable until January 1, 2009.

Registration does not include meals however we will be offering a meal package in early 2009. It also does not include hotel accommodations, air or ground transportation.

Visit www.tiffanylwarren.com/registration2009.html to submit payment for your Early Bird Registration. The registration form will be available with the new website launch, but until then along with payment, submit an email to http://us.mc313.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@faithandfictionretreat.com that includes your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL, BOOK CLUB and T-SHIRT SIZE.

SPECIAL OFFERS/CONTESTS
Book Club presidents – If five or more members of your book club are Early Bird Registrants, your registration is free (meal package/accommodations not included)!

Two registrants who utilize Early Bird Registration will be randomly selected to receive a FREE meal package ($160 value)

Author Panelists who refer five or more registrations receive FREE REGISTRATION and special VIP session.

Tell-a-friend Campaign – Early Bird Registrants who convince their friends and family to register too, will be entered into the contest to win a FREE meal package ($160 value)

The Faith and Fiction Retreat is all about YOU! So, please forward any concerns, ideas or suggestions to the retreat staff at http://us.mc313.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@faithandfictionretreat.com! I look forward to seeing you all in Orlando !

Blessings,
Tiffany L Warren
Faith and Fiction Retreat Host

MONET - Is Her Relationship On The Road To Disaster?

2008-09-22T07:00:00.002-04:00

Monet: Excerpt #4 from THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE

Monét bit her lip. “I don’t know. I’m not ready for the whole meet-the-parents ordeal.”

“You met them at Zora and Preston’s wedding already.”

"No. I spoke to them at the wedding. We had a brief conversation and that was it. Going with you to Houston is different. Besides, that’s the weekend before the fundraiser and I’m sure I’ll have plenty to do.”

“Interesting. Savon is the excuse for the second time today.”

“It’s my job.”

“You’re your own boss. Give yourself the time off. You act like I asked you to go next
week. The party is three months from now,” Jeremiah said, slowing down at the yellow traffic light.

Monét knew he was looking over at her, but she didn’t look back. Her experiences with the parents of her boyfriends had never been anything to write home about.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You’ll think about it? Is it the money? I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t plan on taking care of everything.”

“In the past –"

“The past is the past. We need to think about our future.”

Our future?

They were the last words in Monét’s mind before she heard tires screeching. The impact jarred behind her, throwing her against the door. It was so sudden that she didn’t have time to react.

Jeremiah’s truck was rammed into the intersection. She felt it spinning and she gripped the dashboard until the truck came to a sudden stop in the middle of the intersection. Monét’s heart felt like it was beating in her throat. They were facing oncoming traffic.

“Thank you, God,” she managed to say. She looked at Jeremiah. His hands were still clenching the steering wheel.

“Jeremiah?”

“I didn’t really think people’s lives flashed before their eyes.” He rubbed his forearm. “You alright?”

“Yes.” She unbuckled her seatbelt. It burned across her neck. Looking in the visor mirror, she saw a small area where the skin had been rubbed raw by the friction of the seatbelt locking her against the seat.

“Don’t get out.” Jeremiah reached behind his seat for an umbrella, opened the door, then stepped out into the pelting rain.

Monét could barely see past the heavy rain cascading down the car windows. Someone with a red umbrella stood at the back of Jeremiah’s truck, probably inspecting damage to the two vehicles.

Unlike Jeremiah, her life hadn’t flashed before her eyes during the seconds they hydroplaned across the two lanes of traffic. But now she was in the car alone, mulling over her last thoughts before the accident. Our future?

Cars crept past the accident. The police came. And the only thing she could think was, “Was the future of their relationship an accident waiting to happen?”

Purchase Your Copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE Today!

2008-09-15T07:00:00.002-04:00

ZORA: Excerpt #3 from The Truth About Love

The warning came from the middle of the crowd and rippled through the student mass. “Gun!” The shouts came from everywhere now. Students and teachers scattered.

Zora dropped to the ground behind a white car. The loose gravel scraped her knees through her slacks as water from a nearby puddle seeped into her shoes.

Zora heard tires spinning and rocks being thrown as a car peeled out of the student lot. She crawled to the rear bumper in time to see a four-door black sedan with tinted windows heading east. She pulled herself up by the car’s door handle and brushed the dirt off her knees.

Zora corralled the remaining students back to the front of the school and onto the buses. The students talked over each other, recounting the story as they’d seen it. There were as many versions as there were people. Even when the police arrived, they couldn’t find a consistent testimony among the students who’d been kept behind.

Mrs. Fields, Mrs. Fields.”

Zora was finally headed home when Toni called her from the end of the west wing corridor. Her voice was unusually loud as it reverberated through the empty hallway.

"Were you outside when the shooting went down?” Toni patted herself on the chest, seemingly to calm herself down.

Zora was amazed at how the grapevine of gossip had escalated the incident into a shooting. “Yes, I was outside, but there weren’t any gunshots.”

Toni noticed the soiled bottom half of Zora’s pants. “You were ducking from something.”

Zora’s knee caps still stung even though she’d treated her scrapes with antibiotic ointment and covered them with bandages from the school’s first aid kit.

“Everybody was screaming there was a gun,” she said to Toni. “What else what I was supposed to do?”

“I wouldn’t think you’d care about getting shot and dying?”

"What? Why in the world would you think that?”

“’Cause you would go to heaven anyway, right? You pray and go to church and all that,” Toni surmised.

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to go now. Just like God has plans for your life, He has plans for mine too.”

Purchase Your Copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE Today!

Stay tuned for another "literary episode" of The Truth About Love...

BELINDA - When A Blended Family Is Not Mixing Too Well

2008-09-08T07:00:00.005-04:00

Belinda: Excerpt #2 from THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE

Belinda peeked out of the peephole. Juanita? She immediately recognized the face of T.J.’s mother and opened the door. Juanita’s hair was shorter and she’d gained about twenty pounds, but there was no mistaking the scowl that framed her face. Belinda had seen it plenty of times when she and Thomas were dating. Over the last ten years, it hadn’t changed.

Belinda unlocked the storm door and Juanita swung it open so fast and hard that Belinda thought she heard the metal spring pop. She staggered to regain her balance when Juanita pushed past her.

“T.J.?” Juanita yelled at the top of her lungs as soon as she barged into the house. Seeing no sight of her son, she screamed in the direction of the steps, making the hairs stand up on the back of Belinda’s neck. “T.J, are you up there?”

She’s still crazy, Belinda thought. She was so stunned, that it took her a minute to respond.

“Now wait just a minute. I know you’re worried about your son, but you need to calm down. There’s no need to disrespect my home.”

Juanita jerked her neck back like she was offended. “This is between me and my son’s father,” she said. She pointed a red acrylic fingernail at Thomas who’d appeared from around the corner.

Astonishment wasn’t even fitting to describe the look on his face. He scooped up Hannah who was crying louder than Juanita’s tirade.'

“Which means it’s between all of us, because there’s no separation here,” Belinda said. She stepped close enough to Juanita for their toes to touch. “So you have a decision to make.” Belinda said. She was keeping her cool as best as she could. “You can act like you’ve got some sense and have a cordial visit, or you can reverse your behind out of my front door.”

Purchase Your Copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE Today!

Stay tuned for the next "literary episode" of The Truth About Love...

PAULA - Is Her Love Strong Enough To Save Her Marriage?

2008-08-27T20:45:00.002-04:00

Paula: Excerpt #1 from The Truth About Love

One hour, huh?

Paula stared at the crystal chandelier suspended over the foyer. She turned it on along with every other light downstairs. The house was lit up like the biggest social event of the year was jumping off inside, but it was only her and the two children there. As usual.

As immaculate and expensive as the décor was, everything that night seemed to have lost its shine. The new photograph of the children that she’d set on the mantle was the only thing that made her smile.

When Darryl had finally arrived, he walked through the house, switching off lights.

“What’s done in the dark will always be brought to the light,” she said when he finally walked into the enclosed sitting area off the kitchen. Her temper rose from zero to boiling in three seconds.

“Who is she?” Paula screamed. The words burned her throat, but not as much as they burned her heart. She wasn’t supposed to be at this place in life. “Who is she that she can take you away from your wife and children?”

“I’m right here.”

“Your body, yes. But where’s your heart?” Paula pounded her hand on her chest. “Your heart, Darryl.” She circled around him. “You know the sad thing? The sad thing is that you’re W-E-A-K.” She sneered. She’d never heard herself sound like this. She guessed this was the fury of a woman scorned.

Act like a virtuous woman, not a scorned one. A gentle and quiet spirit is what I desire.

Paula ignored the voice trying to calm her. Being the quiet and composed wife hadn’t gotten her anywhere.

“It takes a strong man to nurture and satisfy one woman,” she continued. “Paula stopped in front of him. “And if you really loved her, you wouldn’t be here at all. You would call it quits with me and move on. But no, Darryl. You’re not man enough to leave.”

"What does that say about you?” Darryl asked.

Paula knew she should walk away, try to keep peace in the house and let God handle it. Maybe another day.

“Oh, it’s the money, isn’t it? You’re afraid I’m going to take you to the bank. Well you’re right.” In truth, Paula could care last about the money. What she really wanted – joy -- was priceless.
Paula followed Darryl upstairs to their bedroom.

“You know what? I have tried. God knows I’ve tried.” She willed the tears back. She wasn’t going to give him the pleasure of seeing her cry.

“Tried what?” Darryl slid his perfectly creased slacks on a hanger and hung it on the rack designated for all of his brown pants.

Everything in his life had to be perfect, Paula thought. Except for his marriage.

Paula turned off the light in the walk-in closet, leaving him in the dark. “Tried to keep this marriage together while you treat me like a stray dog from the street.”

Hmph.

I know he didn’t just grunt at me. “If you’re going to say something, say it. I’m tired of this.”

Darryl walked out of the closet, wearing only a white v-neck t-shirt and pair of boxers. “Well leave, Paula. Nobody is making you stay. Even God gives you free will.” He disappeared into the bathroom and Paula heard the buzz of his electric razor.

“You’re right,” Paula whispered. “He does.”

* * * *
Darryl didn’t think she’d do it. She knew he didn’t. But he didn’t try to stop her. Paula wasn’t sure herself until she left the entrance of her subdivision and pulled out on the main road. She didn’t even look out of the rearview mirror. It was her way of saying goodbye to the past. She wouldn’t return to the house as the same woman; if she returned at all.

Purchase Your Copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE Today!

Stay tuned for the next "literary episode" of The Truth About Love...

2006-11-26T23:47:00.000-05:00

Everybody is mad at me!

It's funny. Well, they're not really mad, just anxious that I somewhat left readers hanging at the end of Zora's Cry. Well folks, that was intentional. I'm getting emails all the time asking me questions. Don't worry....the answers are coming soon. Got something you're just dying to know about the ladies in Zora's Cry? Shoot me an email at Tia@TiaMcCollors.com. Your questions may help me to craft my story. Until then...wipe that look off your face. I'm going to write!

2006-11-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

For the Love of Writing

Well it's three days from Thanksgiving so I'm standing up now to say what I'm thankful for...well, actually just one things since my list is so long that I could post everyday for the next 10 years and never repeat one! I'm thankful that God chose me to walk this journey of being a writer. The great thing about it is that this is just the beginning. Books? You think that's all I've got in me?

I remember the time when I was dreaming about being an author. I'd wake up daily and do the best I could to "cheer myself up" to go to my nine to five. The job wasn't even bad. It's just that when you've seen the road sign pointing you to your destiny, you're never satisfied until you're walking that journey.

So here I am. Walking that journey. And loving every minute of it. With a growing and inquisitive seven month old, I don't get to write as often as I like. But when I do, it's amazing. "Write now" I'm working on my third novel...the sequel to Zora's Cry. To those of you who've read Zora's Cry already, you know I couldn't leave you hanging! I'm enjoying the process of writing...getting back to the love of it -- instead of writing because I've got a deadline looming.

I love knitting words together to make the perfect sentence. It's those kind of sentences that make a single tear drop, or causes the heart to flutter with expectation. I don't remember the exact quote right now, but it says something about how your writing should not tell a person that it's raining, but give them the feeling that they're being rained upon. Well for this next book, get ready to get rained on!

Happy Thanksgiving!