Today is my grandmother’s 87th birthday.

She was one of the inspirations behind my poem “What Is It.” In honor of her birthday, I’ll post it here.

What Is It?
by Shelia M Goss

Is it the sound in my voice
That makes them take a glance?
Or is it the stride of my walk
Because I’m a proud woman?What Is It?Is it the twinkle in my eyes
That keeps them looking on?
Or is it the groove of my back
Tall, Black, and Strong?What Is It?

I find myself wondering
Do They like me for me?
Or Is it the outer appearance
They only want to see?

Behind the voice and body
There’s a strong mind.
If they could only look inward
They’ll be surprised at what they’ll find.

Yes, When I speak, People stop to listen.
And to look into my eyes, you will see them glisten.

But If you take a chance and look deeper within;
You’ll see that I’m much more
than just a Black woman.

www.sheliagoss.com

This holiday season add a little romance to your Christmas stocking. Books are reasonably priced and can fit into any budget; what better way to add spark to your nights than to read each other scenes from a page-turning romance novel.

Dallas Morning News & National Best-selling author Bettye Griffin kicks off this week of romance spotlights.

To read her interview, click on the following link: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-28527-Dallas-Romance-Examiner~y2009m12d14-Romance-author-spotlight-on-Bettye-Griffin

I’m a guest blogger on Novel Spaces this week. Check out the post when you get a chance:

The relationship between a writer and a reader can equate to a love affair. First it’s the courting period. Before the first date, the writer must introduce themselves and their book title. The title should be catchy; something easy for the reader to remember. Don’t be shy. Tease the reader with a short synopsis about your books.

To read the entire post, go to: go to http://novelspaces.blogspot.com/2009/12/relationship-between-writers-readers.html

Here’s what’s “In My Mailbox.”

Millionaire Wives Club by TuShonda L Whitaker

3 Word Review: reality, oh-no-she-didn’t, enthralling

About Millionaire Wives Club:

In Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker’s steamiest novel yet, we meet the four deliciously dramatic, designer-clad divas from prime time’s new hit reality show, The Millionaire Wives Club.

Evan: Married to a pro-football star who isn’t in love with her anymore, Evan is digging her freshly manicured nails in ever deeper as she fights to keep the husband who loves someone else.

Milan: Half Dominican, half black, and beautifully exotic-looking, Milan is watching her has-been husband’s fortune fade fast–while her romantic attachment to Evan’s husband is heating up.

Jaise: Divorced from a former boxing star who’s now married to a white woman, Jaise is trying to raise her sixteen-year-old son on her own. Will her huge alimony checks keep her from falling in love?

Chaunci: Editor of the hottest black women’s magazine, Chaunci is now engaged to the high-powered man who helped finance her magazine when she was just a struggling single mom. But when a onetime passionate flame reignites, Chaunci may not be able to resist its charms.

When these starlets’ private lives run as wild as their emotions, their relationships with one another inevitably turn into high-profile catfights. Through it all, the cameras never stop rolling on TV’s guiltiest pleasure, where power–and diamonds–are always a girl’s best friend.

When did you begin writing, and who nurtured you as a writer? Do you write for children only? What inspired your decision to write children’s books?
Unhappy with the ending of the many of the books I read, I began creating my own endings in elementary school. My efforts were nurtured by my teachers and my family, especially my grandmother. Since I’m a middle grades school teacher and deal with children on a daily basis, I’m always on the look out for a great book for my students. What better way to know what they’re reading than by writing the books myself.

Who are some of your favorite children’s authors? How do their works differ from the children’s authors of your childhood?
I don’t read a lot of books by “new authors”, but if I do read something, it is usually a Walter Dean Myers novel or something by Sharon Draper. I’m still drawn to the classics, I guess, of my childhood. By classics, I mean books that I was introduced to in school.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading (and for the second time) Hill Harper’s Letters to a Young Sister. It’s such an amazing novel.

As an educator, what do you feel that we children need to see more in their books? How will you help fill this void?
As an educator, I just want children to read; it doesn’t matter to me what they read. Still, I would like to see more humor and less seriousness in books. To me, books have always served as an escape, and in this world, I think children need all the hideaways they can get. I also believe that there is a great need for more children’s books with African American characters. When I go to the bookstores, it’s always hard for me to find good stories (for my children) that revolve around the lives of African Americans.That’s why in THE HUNTS, I created a funny story around a group of African American siblings.

Briefly tell us about The Hunts and where did you get the idea for this story.
I have a colorful cast of nieces and nephews, eight of them, who keep me in stitches. They inspired the mischievous bunch of Hunts.

What is your targeted age group audience? How are readers and their parents and/or teachers responding?
My targeted age group is 9-12. So far the response to my book has been positive. Parents and teachers are telling me that they are laughing just as much as the children.

What advice would you like to share with aspiring writers?
Write down every idea you have, no matter how crazy or whacky it seems to you or other people. The best stories come from unusual ideas. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. You only fail when you talk yourself out of trying. And of course, good luck!

MORE ABOUT NATASHA USHER

Natasha Usher is a wife, a mother, and a middle grades teacher who lives outside of Atlanta Georgia. When not writing or nurturing young minds, Natasha enjoys reading, watching movies, photography, and cooking. She is a graduate of Mercer University where she majored in Business and earned her initial teaching certification.

At seven years old, after being denied a role in an elementary school play because of a lack of character roles, Natasha decided she wanted to be a writer. She wanted to write plays and stories that had enough roles to keep all children happy. Since then, she has been sharing her stories with family, friends, and anyone who will listen. The Hunts is her second novel for young adults.

The Hunts Synopsis

Victoria, Luther V, Tyler, Tyger, and DougRoss Hunt. Sure these five African American children are named after their parents’ favorite celebrities, but they still have a lot going for them. Despite their young ages, the Hunts are very resourceful. They have managed to live alone ever since their parents abandoned them. Their survival strategy is quite simple – if it is not given to them, they simply take it.

When the Hunts decide life is too boring in their small town of Acon, Georgia, they decide a trip to the big city of Atlanta is just what they need. The fact they have no money for the trip doesn’t faze them at all.

After the Hunts’ attempt to raise money fails, the townspeople, eager for a quiet weekend, take up a trip collection fund for them. When most of the people hand over their credit cards, the Hunts are on their way. Atlanta and the Hunts will never be the same again.

http://www.thehuntsstory.info – official book site
http://www.myspace.com/runningwildacon – myspace site

Q: At what age did you begin writing?
A: I started writing at the age of 17.

Q: Is the Hurting Women the first book you have written?
A: The first book I wrote was called Poems of Prayers an Inspirational poetry book . It was a book a lot of people told me they were able to relate to. Real situations such as A Struggling Mother, A Prayer For My Father, Poems for soldiers that were deployed . Just poems and prayers that touch a lot of bases with people lives.

Q: What or who Inspired you to write?
A: I always enjoyed writing and always expressed myself to others better on paper. I would have to say God has blessed me with this gift and had touched my heart to write . And from there I knew one of my purpose would be inspiring others through my writing.

Q: What made you write a book about A Hurting Women?
A: Seeing and knowing how a lot of women have had relationship problems and always thinking there’s situation is worst off than the next. I wanted to inspire and let others know they are not the only one that’s been abused, cheated on, Or left alone to be both mother and fathers and etc. We all have a story to tell some just have more than others.

Q: Are you working on anything else at this point?
A: Yes, I’m working on a play about the Hurting Women as well as writing the sequel to the Hurting Women book which is called The Spiritual Warfare.

Q: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now as an Author?
A: I want to have at least one book come out a year. So in the next 5 years I would like to use my writing as the opportunity to start a youth organization for our future father and mothers. Ensuring that they stay on the right track. Rewarding them by giving out scholarships .

Q: What would you like to say to your readers?
A: Although we may experience difficulties in life, take it as a lesson learned. If we didn’t go through hard times how would we be able to help and relate to others. Reading my work is Inspirational and will always have a purpose behind it. Thank you to all that has and will support my work.

The Hurting Women-Synopsis 

Trice’s family always had high expectations for her. Growing up in the church she was always taught to live life righteous and be an example for others. When Trice found herself falling for her boyfriend Chris, she tries to mold him into being the man, she wants him to be. A man that Chris himself finds hard living up to. With friends and family constantly trying to warn her of the man Chris really is she has a hard time seeing it and tries everything in her power to prove them wrong. Not paying attention to the warning signs Trice could possibly lose her health and insanity.

Sharon, Trice friend is a strong women , but life has the tendency to making even the strongest become weak. Sharon, secrete child hood has a lot to do with how she perceives men to be. Always wanting a man with good looks and money has always clouded her judgment with her relationships. Because of it, she meets men that constantly lie and manipulate her. Fed up Sharon realizes she has no choice but to turn to the God. However, before she does nothing would make Sharon feel better than to pay those men back for wasting her time. Revenge is sweet she agrees but how far will Sharon go to get revenge on the men that made her life miserable.

Tracy the youngest friend has always tried to live her life perfect. Her parents are always putting her on a pedestal and bragging about how well she is doing in life. However, Tracy knows better than anyone her life is far from perfect. Afraid for her life, Tracy struggles and hesitates to tell family and what’s going on knowing that they too have problems of their own. However, time is running out for Tracy, and if she doesn’t say anything she could lose her life.

www.ladyvbooks.com

Here’s what’s “In My Mailbox.”  I got this meme idea from The Story Siren’s blog.

FORSAKEN by Vanessa Miller

3 Word Review: page-turner, drama-packed, redemption

About Forsaken:

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?

SOMEBODY ELSE’S MAN by Daaimah S. Poole

3 Word Review: scandalous, friendship, fair

About Somebody Else’s Man:

Essence® bestselling author Daaimah S. Poole brings you the sizzling tale of two ex-best friends who can’t forgive, won’t forget…and will find out what matters most…

Nicole Edwards has a married man habit that she just can’t kick.

However, nothing can break up her longtime friendship with her best friend Tia. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes along, Tia takes her new boyfriend’s advice to sue Nicole’s mother after a car accident.

Now Tia has a new home in South Carolina… and one furious ex-friend out to grab some of the good life for herself. And when wealthy businessman Dre starts burning up her sheets, Nicole sees a future as sparkling as the engagement ring she’s expecting… …until Tia turns up broke, with a new baby in tow…and news that Dre isn’t the man he seems.

And between lies, lust, and betrayal, Nicole must gamble on whom to believe, what she really wants—and a choice that may cost her everything…

THE IDEAL WIFE by Jacquelin Thomas

3 Word Review: captivating, surprising, gratifying

About The Ideal Wife:

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.

MUSIC – RIHANNA’S RATED R

3 Word Review: Repetitive, okay, rushed
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

MUSIC – LEONA LEWIS – ECHO

3 Word Review: Songbird, powerful, nice
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars