Welcome to another edition of eSpot - Interviews on the Go.
eSpot Host Shelia Goss interviews the multi-talented Abiola Abrams. The BET Shorts host has a brand new book – Dare and it’s sure to keep you up turning the pages.To listen to the interview, CLICK HERE.
Double Platinum by Sheila Goss
Amazon: 5
APOOO: 5
Let The Music Play
Double Platinum by Sheila Goss is a great read; with a mix of everyday personalities and a look inside singers’ lives where we find that every thing that glitters is not gold.
Parris Mitchell: A once popular songstress, who has been out of the limelight for quite awhile, is set to make a comeback. Will her old school style work well for today’s crowd? Or will she need some help to boost her career? While laying low she was trying to mend a broken heart from a previous marriage that was a scam designed to leave her broke and brokenhearted. Can love find this diva? Will she be able to trust again? Dealing with trust issues and lack of self-esteem can Parris pull it together to go Double Platinum?
Casper “CJ the Hitmaker” Johnson: One of the best producers in the music industry is the number one guy to go to who will make you a star. Creating and tweaking the personas of today’s artist is his best job, but when Casper falls for his latest artist can he separate business from pleasure?
I loved the way Sheila Goss told this story, it was very lively, animated, thrilling and the twists and unsuspecting turns left me delirious wondering what could possibly happen next. I recommend this to readers of all genres; there is something in here for everyone; mystery, romance, and down-and-dirty erotica. Kudos to Sheila Goss! Keep up the good work!
Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub
To see more of APOOO Book Club reviews, go to www.apooo.org.
This is the third installment of interviews I’ve done with previous American Idol contestants over the years. Today’s American Idol alumni spotlight is : Constantine.
Constantine - Another American Idol Success
By Shelia M. Goss
Constantine Maroulis talents were showcased on the CBS soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I’m a fan of the show and didn’t realize until I got the CD, that Constantine was an ex-American Idol contestant. Listeners won’t be disappointed. The track “Girl Like You,” “Everybody Loves,” “Fading into You,” and “So Long,” are my favorite songs on the 12 track CD.
Constantine has been wooing fans on the hit CBS Daytime Soap The Bold and the Beautiful all summer (2007) playing the role as “Constantine.” Fortunatey for fans, Mr. Bell saw Constantine, loved one of his songs and asked him to be on the show. Constantine’s no stranger to acting. He grew up in theater. He was acting long before he made his debut on American Idol a few years ago.
Post-Idol has seen Constantine touring, hosting shows on MTV on Yahoo, starring in plays and on TV. He now has a hit CD with his self-titled CD Constantine. Constantine could have easily gotten with a major label, but decided to release his first solo album independently.
Fans of Constantine should be on the look out for a tour. He says, “I love being on the road. I love meeting new people.”
About his personal life. Constantine says, “I’m not married, but I’m dating and having a good time.”
As the youngest of three, Constantine’s family is behind him 100 percent. “My immediate and extended family have been very supportive,” says Constantine. “The Greek community has been supportive.”
Constantine doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He hasn’t had a vacation since 2000, but he doesn’t mind. With his music and acting, Constantine enjoys both and enjoys being busy as long as he can do one or the other or both.
“Constantine is proof there’s success after Idol. He’s gained a new fan.”
Interview by Shelia M Goss, entertainment writer and author of Double Platinum, Paige’s Web, My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true (www.sheliagoss.com).
I look forward to seeing this movie. I remember taking my nephew to audition for this film and although we were both disappointed that he didn’t get picked, I’ll so see it just because it was filmed here.
I tell my friends, the only drama I like is what I read and write in between the pages of a book. Knowing that, why do some people still insist on trying to bring drama into my life? I guess they missed out on the mass email 
One of two things can happen when someone tries to bring in unneccessary drama. You can squash it right then and there or ignore it. Some folks make it hard to ignore them, so you must face them head on and let them know their type of nonsense won’t be tolerated under no circumstances. This may cause some discomfort, but it is necessary. Deal with the discomfort now and enjoy “drama-free” atmosphere later.
I hope you all have a drama-free week.
Don over at Minus the Bars gets the Blogger of the Week because he posted about one of my all-time favorite artists of all-time…drum roll…PRINCE.
Purple Reign
Check out Lynn Emery’s post on Blogging in Black:
“I think ethnic and regional labels are insulting to writers and really put restrictions on them. People don’t think your work is universal.” James Welch
FilmReviews2Go with Kandie and Shelia is back. Movie Buffs check out these podcast reviews on First Sunday, Beowulf, This Christmas and I Am Legend. CLICK HERE to listen.
Eye-candy for the week, courtesy of Adrianne Byrd: 
Welcome to another edition of eSpot - Interviews on the Go.
IS NO NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU
Be sure to tune in to the interview with Author Angela Menchan as she discusses her passion for writing and her new novel Is No Not Clear Enough For You. To listen to the interview, CLICK HERE.
Welcome to another edition of eSpot - Interviews on the Go.
Be sure to tune in to the interview with Author Michelle Larks as she discusses her new Urban Christian Novel Keeping Misery Company. To listen to the interview, CLICK HERE.
This is the second installment of interviews I’ve done with previous American Idol contestants over the years. Today’s American Idol alumni spotlight is : Kellie Pickler.
SMALL TOWN GIRL - The Kellie Pickler Interview
By Shelia M. Goss
“On Small Town Girl, there are songs about going out having a good time. There are slower songs about getting your heart broken. It’s a very intimate album–a song on there for everyone.” ~ Kellie Pickler
Shelia Goss: How long have you been singing?
Kellie Pickler: I’ve always been singing. Music has always been a passion of mine. I always knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life, but had to figure out how to get to this point. When I auditioned for American Idol I had no idea that I would make it as far as I did. I made it to the top 6 and toured the country with the top 10, so it’s been very exciting.
Shelia: Has everyone always been supportive?
Kellie: There were some people who thought it was impossible to do. Some people told me I needed to go to school for something because I was living in a fantasy world. I knew I wouldn’t be happy unless I was doing something I wanted to do.
Shelia: Regardless of what other people say, sometimes you have to follow your dreams.
Kellie: I have to live with the decisions that I make. My grandfather went with me to the auditions. There was between 8500 to 10,000 other people there. It was very intimidating, but my grandfather said, “Kellie, what do you have to lose?”
I’m so glad I stuck in there. Sometimes your dreams are all you have and you should never doubt yourself. I think you should always go for your dreams. You can let the people who say you’ll never make it, make you stronger
Shelia: Have you ever considered motivational speaking?
Kellie: Absolutely. I used to speak in schools before I made it on Idol. I would give testimonial speeches. There are different things I’ve overcome in life.
I love to be a witness to other people. With the exposure I’ve gotten from Idol, I can have a bigger effect on people now.
Shelia: If you could compare yourself to other singers, who would it be and why?
Kellie: I don’t really compare myself to anyone else. I think being different makes you who you are. I don’t want to be someone else. If I had to be compared to anyone, I would want to be compared to Dolly Parton. She’s my Idol. I really admire her. She’s an incredible singer, songwriter, performer and has the best personality. She can act. She’s the whole package. I think years later, people will look at me and see some of her in me. I hope to follow in her footsteps.
Shelia: Have you met her yet?
Kellie: Not yet, but hopefully I will. I’ve always wanted to write with her.
Shelia: When someone picks up your CD, what should they expect?
Kellie: It’s going to be like an open book in my life. I put a piece of my life in every song. It’s very personal and honest. American Idol showcased some of my life but there are so much they didn’t show. I co-wrote five of the songs–including Red High Heels. The songs are very personal to me.
Shelia: What’s been one of the hardest obstacles you’ve faced recently?
Kellie: Every since Idol, everything has been easy for me. There’s a lot of hard work and dedication, time and preparation for putting an album together, but it’s been all worth it. I’m having fun. I can’t really complain about anything.
Shelia: Since American Idol, your life has been at a fast pace. How do you juggle your professional and personal life?
Kellie: A few family members or friends might drive or fly out here to Nashville. This is my life now. Right now I’m paying my dues as a new country artist. I see my family when I can. They know this is my lifelong passion and dream. They are very supportive of me.
Shelia: Do you still keep in contact with other American Idol contestants?
Kellie: Yes. We’re all busy working on our own projects. We text each other and speak regularly.
Shelia: Do you plan on doing any acting–like your idol Dolly Parton?
Kellie: Absolutely. I’ve always been interested in TV and film; however right now I’m focusing on my album and establishing myself as a country artist. It’s something I would look into doing in the future.
Website: http://www.kelliepickler.com
Shelia M Goss is an entertainment writer and National Bestselling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true, Paige’s Web and Double Platinum. For a full bio, go to www.sheliagoss.com.
Maybe in my quick haste to see who was nominated this year for the 80th Annual Academy Award shows simply known as The Oscars, I overlooked something.
Why? Why? Why wasn’t The Great Debaters nominated in any category. Why? Why? Why wasn’t Denzel Washington or any of the other cast members from that movie not nominated. Why? Why? Why wasn’t any of the producers nominated?
Out of all of the nominations, only 1 person of color was nominated and that was Ruby Dee (which is a long overdue nomination).
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”; Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”; Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement”; Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”; Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton.” For the full list of nominees, click here.
I don’t know about you, but although I’m not a member of the WGA, I am boycotting the Oscars this year for reasons of my own.
