What’s your current obsession? I love making graphics. Most of the graphics I use on my blog posts, I’ve made (the one above is one of my favorites).

What’s your must have fashion need? My capri pants and nice shirt–can’t go wrong–so far this season I’ve been really feeling the blues and browns.

What are you wearing right now? Black slacks and black and white blouseWhat’s your favorite food? Soul Food or Italian

What do you do for fun? Reading a good book is fun to me as well as hanging out with family or friends. 

What made today special? My nephew graduated from 5th grade.

What would you like to learn to do? I would love to learn how to swim.

What’s the last thing you bought? A memory card for my camera.

What are you listening/watching right now? I’m listening to the Bold & Beautiful in the background.What’s your favorite weather? Right now–not too hot…not too cold

What’s your one goal in life? To live a healthy and fulfilling life.

If you could have a house totally paid for, what would it look like? I would have to show you a picture. I don’t need any more than 4 bedrooms…but it absolutely has to have a dedicated room filled with the latest technology and a wall sized book shelf filled with all my favorite books (plus space for new books).

What would you like to have in your hands right now? An unlimited supply of cash

What would be your ideal job? Doing my ideal job now.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour where would you go? Paradise Island, Bahamas

What language would you like to learn? Speak fluent Spanish

What do you look for in a friend? Loyalty, Compassion, Common Interests, Good Conversation

Who do you want to meet in person? Everybody

Describe your personal style? Laid back

What’s your favorite t.v. show? The now defunct The Game and all the CSIs.

What’s your favorite dessert? Banana Pudding or Pound Cake

What’s your favorite makeup brand? M.A.C.

What’s your all time favorite perfume? Calvin Klein EscapeWhat’s something that you don’t currently like about yourself? I can be too nice.

What’s your fondest childhood memory? All the holidays with family & family gatherings (good times)

What would you do w/a major lottery winning? Pay my tithes, put money aside for college for nephews/nieces/little cousins…pay off any outstanding debts for immediate family…purchase a house and put the rest in savings (in different banks since the bank is only insured up to a certain amount…smile)

If you had to pick a song for your funeral/memorial service, what would you choose? When I See Jesus and Near the Cross

If you could change one regret you have in life, what would it be? Can’t tell you (sorry y’all)

If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
No questions. All I want to hear is servant–well done.

New Young Adult Series by Shelia M. Goss

The Ultimate Test

THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES

IN STORES TODAY

The Diva’s Creed: All for one, one for all; never let the other fall.

Ever since they met in their elite private school, Britney, Jasmine, and Sierra have lived by these words, but now that they’re entering their freshman year in a public high school, their bond is about to be put to the ultimate test.

The daughters of wealthy Texas socialites, these girls are used to getting whatever they want, so it’s no surprise to them when the gorgeous DJ takes them under his wing. Drama soon comes their way in the form of Tanisha, a jealous older student who thinks DJ’s attention should be focused solely on her.

Even Tanisha’s threats can’t intimidate these girls as they form a united front against her. They’re tighter than ever—until a sticky situation complicates everything. Jasmine and Sierra both fall head over heels in love with DJ. Could this really mean the end of their friendship?

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol. 1: The Ultimate Test is in stores now or order your copy now, click here

Don’t forget our men and women in the Armed Forces today.

Here’s information about a project, my local book club, Sistah Circle Book Group, participated in recently. Cynthia Harrison and Rosie Roberson (see pic below) from our book club helped pack supplies at Galilee Baptist Church. Tannie Bradley organized the packing party for the Sister Soldiers Project. The Sister Soldiers Project was founded by Myraline Whitaker.

One hundred care packages are on their way to be received by 100 black female soldiers stationed at sea and in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait…

Starting in January, Bradley started collecting money. In conjunction with Sistah Circle Book Group, Women of Wisdom Book Club, Galilee Baptist’s Angels of Love, the National Association of University Women and Organic Root Stimulator Hair Care Manufacturer, Sistahs BookClubbing raised $2,248 for purchase of items and shipping of packages, which cost $10.35 each… Read full article.

To view video clip: click here.

More pics from event:

To see how you can help out our sister soldiers, visit the website:

www.sistersoldierproject.com

I’m here. Catch me on twitter for quick status updates: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss. In the meantime, just stopped by to let everyone know that I’m on a deadline to finish another novel so I’ll be back blogging regularly next week.

Song of the Day - Text Messages by Raheem Devaughn

Here’s a post I wrote last year about texting.

To Text or Not? 

Why do guys you just meet feel that its okay to send a text message before picking up the phone to call? I’m all high tech and in fact will be getting my new phone today that has word, excel and powerpoint on it, but I’m old school when it comes to dating. Dudes pick up the phone and call a woman unless she lets you know that texting is okay.

1. Let your first communication be with a phone call.

2. Sending a quick text during the course of the day because you’re at work to say you were thinking about them, enjoyed your date–okay; but setting up a first date via text is not okay.

3. If you’re at home, why are you texting? Pick up the phone. Call the person. Are you hiding something and that’s why you can’t talk?

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a problem with texting but I don’t like for it to be the main form of communication.

How do you feel about texting?

Happy Mother’s Day Mom and Big Mama!!!

Also happy mother’s day to all the other moms and aunts out there!!!

By Guest Blogger Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Be anxious for nothing but in all things through prayer and supplication make your petitions known unto the Lord. Philippians 4:6

Let’s face it every woman wants a good man. And if she’s a Christian woman she wants a man who loves and fears the Lord. But when you add children to the equation you are left with women who feel forced to do and accept anything just to have a warm body. This however is not how God intended it to be.

Instead God encourages us to develop a relationship with Him. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33. This includes a mate.

You see, we spend a lot of time preparing for the wedding and practically no time at all preparing for the marriage. Understand that in your singleness is a time for growth and fellowship with the Father. It’s a time for you to gain wisdom and understanding of His ideal for marriage. God can’t send you your Boaz if you are not prepared to be a Ruth.

When you have a personal relationship with God he knows the desires of your heart and is willing and capable of fulfilling those desires. But, you must be ready.

Don’t be anxious for a mate. Allow God to work on you and prepare you for the destiny He has designed for your life. Let Him build you up and prepare you for your future. Don’t get caught up in your timing but wait instead on God’s perfect timing. Don’t just jump at every pair of pants you see. Ask God for discernment in your choice for a mate. Allow Him to answer you understanding that if your future mate is a man of God he will be willing to wait according to God’s perfect will. He’ll respect and honor you as he too seeks to live out the commands that God has placed before Him.

Meet Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Cheryl Donovan is a native Houstonian who is walking in her destiny as she ministers the word of God all over the country. Her captivating messages are delivered in a no nonsense transparent dialogue with her audiences.

Cheryl believes in the Psalms 11:25 which says, She who refreshes others will herself be refreshed; therefore, she tries to be transparent as she speaks and writes about her valley to mountain experiences.

Cheryl resides in Houston with her husband of 16 years. She has two grown sons and a step-daughter who has a son of her own.

To learn more about Cheryl or to have her speak at your next event visit http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com

About the Book

In a time when teen pregnancy is on the rise once more and single mothers are being blamed for all of societies problems, Cheryl Lacey Donovan presents a view of single motherhood that tears down all the excuses for why single mother’s can’t succeed.

Cheryl Donovan shares her valuable insight into the spiritual and biblical principles associated with being a good mother.

A former single mother herself, Cheryl shows readers that through the abundance of God’s grace and love along with determination and perseverance, children don’t have to become statistics.

Cheryl identifies key biblical principles and displays practical life lessons that can help to establish solid foundations upon which to rear happy, well rounded, productive children.

Cheryl provides insight the will assist the reader to look inside themselves for change. It will help them identify the strongholds of poverty, lack of education, and abusive relationships and help them tear them down with the help of the creator.

Cheryl’s powerful testimony about her journey from teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and single parenting, to award winning author, educator, and inspirational speaker is sure to empower, enlighten, and inspire mothers everywhere.

This month will mark a new milestone in my writing career. I am doing something I’ve wanted to do since I first started writing.

Check out this month’s post over at the Readers Room (formerly Blogging in Black):  http://readersrooms.com/2009/05/02/a-new-path/

P.S. - If you entered the Up at the College book contest, be on the look out for an email on Monday. Winners have been chosen and you will have until Tuesday to respond back with your address. Have a good weekend.

May came quick. I’m excited that at the end of this month, my first young adult novel will be in stores. If you have a teen or know any teens, I hope you pick up The Ultimate Test, the first book in the Lip Gloss Chronicles series. The official release date is May 26, 2009 but if I see it beforehand, I will definately let everyone know.

Check out the interview I did with AAMBC Radio. I discussed my new teen series. Click here to listen or paste the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AAMBC/2009/04/26/Get-to-know-Shelia-Goss

Oprah did it. Barbara Walters did it. Now I’m doing it. Join me on Twitter.
By TwitterButtons.comTo stay up-to-date in between newsletters, be sure to sign up to my mailing list: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol. 1: The Ultimate Test
by Shelia M. Goss

The Diva’s Creed: All for one, one for all; never let the other fall.

Ever since they met in their elite private school, Britney, Jasmine, and Sierra have lived by these words, but now that they’re entering their freshman year in a public high school, their bond is about to be put to the ultimate test.

The daughters of wealthy Texas socialites, these girls are used to getting whatever they want, so it’s no surprise to them when the gorgeous DJ takes them under his wing. Drama soon comes their way in the form of Tanisha, a jealous older student who thinks DJ’s attention should be focused solely on her.

Even Tanisha’s threats can’t intimidate these girls as they form a united front against her. They’re tighter than ever—until a sticky situation complicates everything. Jasmine and Sierra both fall head over heels in love with DJ. Could this really mean the end of their friendship?

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol. 1: The Ultimate Test will be in stores at the end of May 2009. To order your copy now, click here.

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol. 2: Splitsville will be in stores at the end of September 2009. The cover will be revealed this month over at www.thelipglosschronicles.com.

Last month, one of my local book clubs (Sistah Circle Book Group) participated in the Sister Soldier project aimed at helping our AA women in the Armed Forces.

To see how you can help out our sister soldiers, visit the website: www.sistersoldierproject.com

The author of the Essence & Black Expressions best-seller My Invisible Husband is back with her fifth novel - His Invisible Wife.

REVENGE…LUST…HOLY MATRIMONY

Texas businessman Jacob “Jake” Banks is about to lose his business and everything else he’s worked for until his uncle dies and leaves him as the executor of his estate–only catch is, he has to marry and marry a specific woman in order to cash in on the inheritance. Big problem, since Jake has vowed to be a bachelor for life.

Brianna Mayfield is at her last rope. Her father lost his business due to Jake’s uncle turning down a loan. She’s convinced this caused her father to fall into a deep depression. She blames the Banks and vows to pay them back one day. When she sees an ad in the paper for a job at her self-proclaimed enemy’s company, she feels her luck is turning around. She applies and is later approached by Jake with a proposition she can’t turn down.

How far would you go for a million dollars?

His Invisible Wife can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com. It will be in stores in July.

Recommended Books for the Month