Synopsis:

Rossalyn McMillan is full figured and full of big dreams and aspirations. At a healthy size 18, she flaunts and struts it just like her older sister Chandra. She is a new graduate of Howard University and is looking to get her career started in the fast paced world of couture fashion. She is a brilliant designer, and gets constant ridicule from her colleagues when she decides to launch her couture plus size clothing line. She is an instant hit and gets attention all over the world as the new “it” girl for plus sized ladies. How will her newfound fame affect her friendships and romantic relationships? Will she be able to tell the real from the fake?

Excerpt:

The secluded tree-lined back road was perfect for Rossalyn to test out the engine on her brand new sports car; a pink, custom made Aston Martin V12 Vantage. It was a graduation gift to herself, one of the first things she bought out of her freshly unlocked trust account. She had worked so hard and it had been such a long wait to get her hands on the money her mom and dad had set up for her. She worked her ass off at her now Alma Mater, Parsons School of Design in New York City and could proudly boast her new Masters of Fashion Design. It wasn’t an easy decision to go there after she graduated from Howard University and leave the sister that she had been joined at the hip to for all her life, but she did it. She was actually a little shocked that Chandra was so good about it.

Normally, she would get a raised eyebrow if she went too far out of town with girlfriends.

It was almost like she never left anyway because Chandra would come up and stay with her in her apartment at least once, sometimes twice a month. She didn’t mind though, it actually helped her adjust better to being away from home. She knew exactly what she was going to do with the money. She was going to start her own plus size couture clothing line. Her friends wondered why she didn’t go and blow half of it on multimillion dollar houses, designer clothes and gaudy handbags. All that stuff is nice, of course, but she wanted to fulfill her dream and bring “Daisy” to life.

Not only was Daisy the name of her favorite flower and cartoon character, it was going to be a movement for her. It was her chance to step out of the baby sister spotlight that Chandra kept her in. She was bustin‘ out! Her clothes already had a little buzz around them from her including them in some local fashion shows and showcases sponsored by Parsons. She was even featured in a few very prominent blogs and magazines as one of the hottest up and coming designers in the country.

Even Mo’nique was wearing one of her designs, (she practically stalked her when she was in New York. After she chased down a former design assistant that was part of the style team for Mo’nique; and paid him a healthy sum of money to get her measurements, she worked like a dog getting that dress perfect. So, when she saw her wearing it on her talk show she was on cloud nine. After that, she couldn’t stop all the phone calls or interviews and requests for her to design for other celebrities and models, but she wanted more. She wanted Daisy to be an internationally known brand.“I don’t have time for this.” Rossalyn sucked her teeth as she looked up in the rear mirror at the flashing lights of the police car behind her. She was already 30 minutes late for the graduation celebration her sister Chandra was throwing her.

She knew she would have to hear it…Her big sister lecturing her once again about the importance of punctuality. She knew Chandra meant well, it’s just that ever since their mom died about three years ago, she hadstepped in as her surrogate mom. There was no doubt she would be in her ass about getting pulled over yet again.

She wasn’t really rushing to this “foo-foo” thing Chandra was throwing anyway. She would have been just as happy with sitting around at her friends eating pizza and tripping out. No, Chandra wanted to make a big deal and show her of, so she was letting her.She pulled over on the side of the road; looking in her driver side mirror, smiling and admiring the god-like physique of the policeman that was outlined beautifully by the bright glare of his spotlight. He was even sexier up close; strong squared jaw line, smooth acorn brown skin, and chocolate brown eyes that she could have dived into. She tried her best not to lick her cherry flavored glossed lips as her eyes slowly made their way up his body, spending extra time on his crotch, which was perfectly placed in her view.

“License and registration please?”

His voice had a silky low tone.“Is it okay if I reach over into my glove compartment?” She answered as she leaned to the side. She has used this trick on many occasions. She would bat her naturally thick eyelashes and push out her perky D-cups and get herself out of the jam. Unfortunately, this officer was not affected.Yes, ma’am it’s fine.” He replied, straight-faced shining his flashlight in hers causing her to squint. “Do you realize how fast you were going?”She reached over, grabbed her insurance card and registration out of her glove compartment and handed it over to the waiting officer.

“No sir. Must not have been that fast if you caught up to me.”

She tried to make a joke, but it fell flat.“Ma’am, you were doing 60 in a 25.” “Was I?” She tried to sound unaware of her speeding, but she was fully aware. She has always been a bit of a lead foot. Chandra refuses to ride with her because she claims she scares her half to death; weaving in and out of traffic and speeding like they are in the Daytona 500.

She got her very first ticket the same day she got her license at sixteen years old and it just never stopped. Her license has been suspended more times than she liked to think about. “Yes, you were. What’s the rush, Ms. McMillan?” He asked looking down at her license. “I’m on my way to a party and I am very late.” “Well, I’m sure the people at this party would like you to arrive late and safely rather than get a call that you were in the hospital or worse. Do you know this far over the speed limit constitutes as reckless driving?”

“Ooh, does that mean you pull out your cuffs?”

The officer was not amused by her obvious flirtations. “Ma’am, this is no joke. I’m two seconds off hauling you to jail, right now.” You’re absolutely right, officer. I apologize.” Her smile quickly fell to a serious expression.

About Vonda Howard:
Vonda Howard grew up in Southeast DC and has been writing since 10 years old. In 2007 she wrote her first self-published novel named “Diamond Lives, Platinum Lies” which was a huge success. Her second book, “It’s Always The Pretty Ones” (released in 2008) had very similar success. In June 2009, she was signed to Anexander Books where she released the very popular “D-Cup Divas” Series that spotlighted confident and beautiful plus size characters.

Vonda Howard also runs her own graphic design firm, Cupcake Creative Studio, which has serviced such well known clients as Brian W. Smith, Torrian Ferguson, Kaira Denee and Marissa Monteilh. She is also the Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the multi-award winning Black Literature Magazine.

Get to Know Vonda:

1.) The D-Cup Divas Series is centered around the lives of four plus sized professional women. Why did you feel this series was needed?

I started this series because I felt there was a need to create some characters that portrayed full figured women in a positive light. Often times, full figured in books and movies are sad, wretched, unattractive loafers that are the butt of the joke. I am none of these things and neither are any of my full figured gal pals. That is why I created a series that I affectionately call the “Sex In The City” for curvy girls. All of my characters are smart, beautiful, career driven women.

2) This is the second in the series (Rossalyn) and we know you are currently working on the third D Cup Diva (Lanora) , how do you feel you have progressed as a writer?

I can definitely see the growth in how I tell the story. Like with anything, the more you do it the better you get. I also make it a point to research, read and learn along the way. I’ve also had a pack of awesome teachers and mentors around me helping me along the way too.

3) How much of your real life inspires your writing and the lives of your characters?

A lot of it actually, real life is the best fiction! I am often inspired by news stories, movies, television shows and even songs.

4) Which of the four Diva characters is your favorite?

I would have to say Chandra. Not because she was the first, but I love her intensity and her work ethic. Chandra does what she wants, when she wants and by her own rules. She’s also flawless in her fashion sense and love for herself.

5) Who are some of your literary influences and how have they influenced your brand of writing?

I would say some of my influences are Nickolas Sparks for the way he writes true and realistic love, T. Styles for her grittiness and the way she pushes the boundaries and Zane for her undeniable sense of sexuality and sexiness.

6) This book has a really serious scene in it (we won’t ruin it for readers). How hard was it to write that scene? What did you have to do to mentally prepare for it?

That scene was hard to write. I tend to let my characters do and say what they want, i’m just the transcriber. (I know that sounds crazy) When that scene came about I actually had to step away for a second angry that it was even happening. (Again, I know that sounds crazy. LOL) I just went there and tried my best to capture every emotion and reaction the way it should have been. Hopefully, the readers will feel the intensity of it also.

7) What are some of your hopes / plans / goals for the future of your writing?

All I really want is to continue to be blessed enough to do what I love, and readers continue to enjoy it. I also want to continue to learn and help others as much as I can in the industry. Of course the New York Times Bestseller List and a movie deal sweeten the pot too!

Web-links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divawriter
Twitter: @VondaHoward
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lavonda-howard/44/285/913
Website: www.VondaHoward.com
Website: www.BlackliteratureMagazine.com
Email address : vonda@vondahoward.com
The books can be purchased on my website (www.VondaHoward.com) or on Kindle, Nook, and IBooks.

Life can grab a hold of you like captivating strings of color. It is a lesson that four women will learn as they each travel down a journey filled with lies, betrayal, and shocking secrets.

Simone. Is immensely talented, yet everything she has ever known will be ripped apart. Her love will be tested. Her heart will call out for a strength that could only exist in moments like this, and her tears will carry her through the storm. Will she be able to give her heart to the love of her life while fighting to open her heart to a mother she has never known?

Naya. While facing her greatest loss, will she be able to find the key to strength, the will to continue on, and th e endurance to make it through one of the darkest moments in her life?

Monà. Within her heart is a secret so deep that it could shake the very foundations of two lives. Will she be able to finally look into the eyes of a daughter she has only known from a distance?

Misty. Two paths are set before her; one could lead her back to the life of fame and prominence, which she so desperately wants; and the other could give her the love she so desperately needs. Will she choose the path that is best for her future, or for her heart?

Excerpt:
“Dear life, he knew that I wouldn’t have thirty more years of him. But tonight even as I lay here with tears soaking the floor, I would give thirty seconds just to feel his touch again.”

Thirty Seconds

Tonight I almost died…Naya thought to herself.

As she walked into her foyer, she dropped her purse, removed her shoes, and slowly allowed her eyes to follow the curve of the stairway until they met up with the oil painting which hung in the center.

Wrapped in a thick walnut wood frame, painted in the soft hues of crisp blues, creams, and specks of red, were herself and Chris.

His chest stuck proudly out. His smile was as wide as the sunshine. His blue eyes sparkled with the color of the ocean. Arms wrapped around her waist.

Chris. She could feel her fingers reaching out to toward him.

She remembered that day. How good it felt to be his wife.

The tears began to run down her cheeks as the weight of the day caused her legs to surrender to the pull of the rich mahogany wood floor.

Trembling. Heart pounding.

I’ve got to catch my breath, she whispered to herself.

Ten seconds later, she began to scream. The walls responded. The chandelier shook as the realization of what had happened began to sink deep into the pit of her stomach.

Less than two hours ago…I was sitting in a worn out chair watching a spider crawl up the wall. I had listened to the splatter of raindrops beat against the dirty windows. I had been staring at the moon for hours. Staring at the walls and then counting the tiny cracks in the floor. There were three hundred and forty-two. Crying for what seemed like days.

My tired body was heavy, ragged and empty. The whiff of dirty mop water had consumed my lungs and I had often found myself dabbing frantically at the corners of my red and swollen eyes. The lights had been dimed and the curtains slightly drawn shut but I could still see him.

Every touch we shared had flashed in my mind, every smile and every kiss.

I could hear the machines.

As I sat there, I remember feeling like my heart had begun to mix with the slow and methodic beeping noises they made.

My mind had just about settled and my eyes had finally closed when I heard it.

The noise penetrated the entire room.

Louder and louder it got, like a banging in my head. I began to scream as I ran to him and wrapped my fingers around his bed rail.

“Chris!” I shouted.

My body was calling out for strength. Darn near begging for it.

For him, I would give everything, anything. I would reach down into bottomless wells just to find a speck of it.

“Find me strength; find the darkness that I am in,” I kept repeating over and over in my mind.

A teardrop fell upon his face.

The doors flew open. Three nurses came charging in.

One tried to pry my fingers from his bedside but I fought with all that I had to hold on.

I was like a mad woman. I kept thinking that if he could just feel my touch, it would give him the strength to fight.

“Please, ma’am,” she said to me. “You’ve got to let go so we can try to save him.”

I had watched her lips moving, but my mind had failed to register the reality of the situation I was in.

“Let go ma’am, we’re losing him!” The tone of her voice had finally broken through and I somehow began to find myself again.

I remember staring at her, and then back at him. I remember thinking to myself, “Did I hear her right?”

Dizziness hit me like the strike of a lightning bolt. My palms had begun to sweat.

“Ma’am,” she said again.

Finally—I blinked.

“Please save my husband,” I whispered.

“We’re trying ma’am, but you’ve got to let go.” The nurse had been forceful but kind.

My fingers let go but my heart was still with him as I was gently moved out of the way.

There was rapid movement, loud voices, and machines being brought in.

I stood against the wall clutching my shirt and watching his motionless body.

When the doors flew open again, the doctor rushed in.

I think she glanced my way for a moment. But now I can’t remember.

What I do remember is that there was no slow and methodic beeping noise from the machine penetrating deep into my ear lobes anymore. It had vanished as if it had somehow been carried off into the wind.

“Come back, come back.” I whispered.

I wanted to hear it again. I needed to hear it again.

His blanket was pulled back; a nurse was cutting open his gown. I watched as the scissors grazed his skin. A chill came over me.

Strong and forcefully tears began to streak down the sides of my face.

The doctor was yelling, or was that me? I think I remember the doctor’s voice.

“On my count of three, go!”

“Clear!”

“He’s still not responding.”

“Get the machine ready again!”

“It’s ready Doctor.”

“Clear!”

Still the machine was silent.

“Come back beeping noise. I won’t complain about you anymore. Please come back to me.”

I stared at the window as if it would open and the sound would return.

There was nothing. Not one single beep!

Fear and anticipation filled the air as more nurses and doctors came rushing in.

The last thirty years of my life was slipping out through the crevices of my fingers.

Meet the author:
Exciting Atlanta novelist, Marian L. Thomas, is gearing up for the release of her third Clean Fiction title, “Strings of Color” on April 2, 2012. Ms. Thomas’s “Strings of Color” probes the ever-intriguing themes of race, family strife, love, teen pregnancy, friendship and abuse. And yet, her tales which seem to pre-sage current tabloid headlines are spelled out in ways that suit delicate moral tastes. While Ms. Thomas is a dynamic story-teller with three romantic and dramatic novels to her credit, she distinguishes herself by refusing to lace her work with profanity and sexually-explicit themes. Her third installment in the ‘Jazzmyne’ series— “Strings of Color” is quickly filling up book club calendars and she is a prominent personality on nationwide motivational speaking circuits. Published in paperback by L.B. Publishing, “Strings of Color” will be sold at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Books-a-Million.com and will be available for the Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook, electronic books. Avid readers can order this dramatic novel at bookstores, nationwide or through their local library.

Get to Know Marian:

1.) How long have you been a writer? Marian: I wrote my first book manuscript in high school. I also did some writing in the sports and news fields during college, but didn’t really put “writer” on my resume. Then, 2009 hit and Color Me Jazzmyne was released. Things began to change. A thought I once had in high school became a dream. The dream became a reality and that reality turned me into a writer.

2.) Did you always know you wanted to write? Marian: The concept of writing was always in the back of my head — lingering there patiently. The words “just get it done” were a phrase my old boss use to say to me whenever we discussed my finishing my book manuscript. It felt great to finally say, “It’s done.”

3.) What inspired you to write this specific storyline with Strings of Color? Marian: Readers, and the fact that I didn’t feel as if the main character had come full circle with her own inner feelings. Sometimes, when a relationship ends, people need and want a sense of “closure.” I suspect book characters are no different.

4.) I’ve always wanted to write my own Novel. For myself, and others with this dream, what is some advice you could give? Marian: Publish yourself first! Build a solid platform. Get your name out there via social networks, blogs and published articles. Then write your book.

5.) Are the character names in your books important to you? Without giving too much away, is there a reason you made the characters’ names so closely related? Marian: They are extremely important and I love that question. When I read a character’s name, I like to think that the name given simply couldn’t be anything else. That it fits the character’s personality so well, that to change it—would be changing the character. My character names display the depth of the connection within the family. When it comes to family, I think we sometimes forget how connected we really are to each other.

6.) Tell us about your writing environment. Do you need it to be really quiet, or do you have to have background noise? Are there any specific foods or drinks you need available? Marian: No background noise. At least that’s what I keep reminding my hubby when I’m writing. It’s hard for me to stay focused, and any little thing tends to throw me off my writing game. Did I mention that I like popcorn?

7.) When you’re not writing, what are some other hobbies, or things you like to do? Marian: I love to draw and paint. One day, I would like to open a gallery that combines art by me and books by me. Is that too much…me? Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

Web-links:

Face-Book: http://www.facebook.com/MLT.ColorMeJazzmyne

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarianLThomas01

Author Site: http://www.marianlthomas.com

Blog: http://www.thewritersinkspot.blogspot.com

Purchase Link:
Amazon .com :http://tinyurl.com/purchansestringsofcolor

Book Trailer: Link:
http://youtu.be/8ZuWqlo3bac

Stephanneth Adams is a Spiritual Life Motivator, Author, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (2012). She was born in Maryland to the proud parents Dr. Stenneth & Mrs. Stephanie Adams. Her life’s purpose is to use her God-given gifts to help foster the success of women spiritually, mentally, socially, and physiologically. Stephanneth has always found that expressing herself through writing & dance came naturally for her. She is a born Motivator.

This is her purpose that she realized in her late teens that God wanted to use. After placing her life in God’s hand at the age of 17, Steph began her journey of walking into her destiny. She hasn’t always been a perfect woman, but God has always been there to reshape and transform her into the woman that He desires her to be. Steph believes that God has called her to live her life as an inspiration to others. Through her own life’s journey she has learned life principles that will help any woman and how to depend on the One who supplies her needs.

Get to know the author:

1. Who is Stephanneth Adams?

Stephanneth Adams is a Spiritual Life Motivator, Author, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (2012). She was born in Maryland to the proud parents Dr. Stenneth & Mrs. Stephanie Adams. Her life’s purpose is to use her God-given gifts to help foster the success of women spiritually, mentally, socially, and physiologically. Stephanneth has always found that expressing herself through writing & dance came naturally for her. She is a born Motivator.

This is her purpose that she realized in her late teens that God wanted to use. After placing her life in God’s hand at the age of 17, Steph began her journey of walking into her destiny. She hasn’t always been a perfect woman, but God has always been there to reshape and transform her into the woman that He desires her to be. Steph believes that God has called her to live her life as an inspiration to others. Through her own life’s journey she has learned life principles that will help any woman and how to depend on the One who supplies her needs.

To put it in a nut shell, Steph is a woman journeying through life just like everyone else. She’s faced ups and downs, pain, sadness, grief, obstacles, you name it. However, there is one thing that rings true for her life, someone up above has His hands guiding her to a place of destiny. It’s eminent when you look at her life.

2. What’s your purpose?

My purpose is to bring healing to every woman. I am just tired of the façade that we put on, when it is so evident that women are still hurting. We lack an understanding of who we are, why we were created, how to get over our past, how to be successful, and how to have the right type of relationships. Yet, we put on a front to pretend that we know all of these things. The truth is that we don’t. No one is teaching us. Look at the television media, who has a truly stable life in Hollywood? The answer is, very few people do in that industry. Look at the church, who has stability there? I will say that more people have a stable life in the church than in Hollywood, but there are still many people going to church who are unstable. Why? No one wants to face the truth about who they are. We don’t want to confront our issues and what has affected us throughout life. This is something that I don’t quite understand because in order to develop for the future, you have to understand your past. You learn from it, heal from it, and close it. Then, you can walk into your future.

So many of us want to do just that, but we don’t know where to start. How do we journey from our past into our future? That’s where I come in and I assist women to do that. My purpose is to get women to stop placing blame on other people and situations. To re-evaluate things and focus on how they contributed to the situations or how they have allowed it to affect them up to today. It’s a tough thing to do, but unless it’s done, women will go to the grave never truly experiencing the life that God always wanted to give them when they were little girls. We can continue to put on a façade like everything is peachy keen and like we never faced a problem if we want to, but you will only deprive yourself of true freedom and purpose.

3. Why did you write this book?

I wrote this book because it is a part of my purpose. I am a healthcare provider first in career with a focus on health prevention and promotion for the adolescent to the aging woman. However, writing is a God given gift that He told me to use. When I sit down to write, something magical happens. When the content is read to others, their lives are changed and touched. There is power in writing. If I can change the lives of several women through writing, then my purpose has been fulfilled!

4. Who should read your book and why?

I believe that every woman should read my book because each of us is journeying through life. We each have experienced ups and downs in some sort of way. Every woman needs to know that she can survive the bad times of life, she needs to heal from her past, she needs to know her purpose, and she needs to find true love. Any woman who reads this book will find that there are areas of her life where she still experiences droughts (pain), areas that need to be watered and refreshed. This book will bring that refreshing water to her life.

5. What 4 questions must every woman ask herself?

1. What’s my purpose?
2. How do I get over my past?
3. How do I prepare for marriage?
4. How do I connect to my creator?

6. What does every woman need to know?

Every woman needs to know that she is worth it. She’s enough. She’s a princess born to a King. No matter what she has gone through in her life, it’s time to close that past and move forward!

7. Can non-Christians read your book?

Most certainly, especially if they desire to take a spiritual journey. A lot of times people want to re-connect to their creator, but they don’t know how to do that. This book finds a way to help you do that, whether you are a Christian or not. It’s a spiritual based book. It’s not a “churchy” book, but it does stand on biblical principles. You see, so many times church based things don’t get to the heart of the matter. They just glance through superficial things. This book gets to the heart of the matter and gives you a real perspective. It shows you why certain choices can bring heart ache and pain and why making better choices will bring happiness into your life. The book was designed to touch the heart of every woman and who knows her heart more than the One who created her? Her creator is out to love her, not condemn her. Neither am I out to condemn her, but love her through writing, right where she needs it the most, her heart.

About the book: Life’s Journey: Woman to Woman is a journey where you and the author travel the paths of life to find healing and purpose. It’s a personal journey as you complete the exercises provided after each motivational chapter which is geared to inspiring and motivating you to walk into the future that was planned for you ever since you were a little girl. Sometimes, as we travel through life we encounter heartache, pain, roadblocks, and negative circumstances that deter us from the future that we were meant to have. However, if we confront those past issues so that we can learn and heal from them, we can begin rediscovering the powerful woman that we were created to be. That’s what this book does, it assists you to confront your past, close the chapter, and walk into the purposeful future that you were always destined for.

The books major concept is: in order to walk into your destined future, you must close your past first. I see it this way; I can’t help women have a better future if I don’t assist them in forgiving their past failures (whatever she thinks those are). With forgiveness and closing the past, then women can truly walk into the best future. Every woman has a past, it may not be the same past as another woman, but she has one and needs to heal from it. After she heals, she can then find her career purpose, forgiveness, true love, and be better in all of her relationships. These principles are what my book is based on.

Excerpt:

~Process of Forgiveness~

1. Remove the belief that you have the right to get even with the people who have hurt you.
2. Re-examine your life. Look at your past circumstances and analyze the details. What are possible reasons for the person’s actions or remarks? Were they treated the same way in their past? Are they repeating a cycle? Do they realize that what they did negatively affected you? See the bigger picture.
3. Embrace the belief that forgiveness heals you, not your forgiver. Forgiveness is for YOU! Forgiveness breaks you free from feelings of resentment, discontent, hatred, bondage, and grief. Forgiveness removes the road blocks of your life.

~Letting Go of Past Pains Challenge~

I challenge you to begin your journey of forgiveness today! Ask God to begin to help you realize everyone that you need to forgive. Meditate on your life up to this point and remember those whom you haven’t forgiven. It’s not worth it to hold a grudge against them. In the long run you’re only hurting yourself. Un-forgiveness creates a heart full of heavy chains, resentment, and sadness. It creates road blocks that stop you from reaching your destiny. Think about this. The person you hate is living their life while you are stuck in the muck of your bitterness. They aren’t worried about you. They have moved on, but you haven’t. Let God take away your chains of hatred and bitterness through the process of forgiveness. Allow joy and peace to encompass you. Begin to live a life of freedom starting today.

Warning: the process of forgiveness is not easy! It’s painful in the beginning, but ends in everlasting joy.

Helpful tip: Do not focus on the pain during the process, but focus on the purpose of forgiveness.

Find the author:

Learn
more about me at: www.lifes-journey.org

Twitter: @Journey4women

Talk
show: www.blogtalkradio.com/lifesjourney

AIR
LIVE every 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifesjourneywomantowoman

Email: lifesjourney_w2w@yahoo.com

Purchase the book at:

1. www.amazon.com
2. www.lifes-journey.org/bookstore.htm
3. www.createspace.com/3572517
4. www.facebook.com/lifesjourneywomantowoman

Book Trailer link

http://youtu.be/hoWRGYzbG48

On the run with $100,000 counterfeit cash and a suspect in a murder  case, Face is back hitting licks and looking for a place to settle.  When licked for the $100,000 in Baltimore, he is forced to put his  girl Jazz to the street. Jazz takes to the street all too well.

After a couple encounters she desires more than the small town streets  and lax security Face has to offer. Jazz comes across a trick that offers a stable life and some opportunities. She takes the stash,  skips town and begins to start a new life under a new name.

Face discovers Jazz s found happiness in the straight life and goes  insane. She can t be happy without him. He d rather her dead. Jazz must compensate and suffer for the hard times Face felt when she  departed or he will kill her and destruct everything around them.

Face knows where she is…. Jazz feels Face s presence and lives in a  paranoid state, two steps ahead from Face. No matter what, Jazz isn’t far enough away. Both Face and Jazz are one hundred miles and running  from danger.

About the Author:
Q.B. Wells is the publisher of Art Official Media LLC and an author living in Baltimore City, Maryland. He has written books (Blackface,
Doughboy), book reviews, articles and essays about urban literature and culture for The Urban Book Source, Urbania Magazine and
www.UrbaniaMag.com. A member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Q.B. Wells presents workshops on publishing at local community centers and organizations. A visionary and entrepreneur, Q.B. Wells taught with the Baltimore City Public School System for several years before transitioning into teaching writing classes at Towson University. One Hundred Miles and Running (Blackface 2) is his second novel.

Get to know the author:

1. Introduce yourself and style of writing to readers.

My name is Q.B. Wells. My writing style is topical, aggressive and
plot driven. My books can be found on the shelves next to other urban
book titles but I think they are more crime fiction.

2. With the onslaught of books available to the public, what can you do
to get your books into the hands of readers?

Meet and engage readers in person and not only online. Sometimes I
find readers have bought my books because of the urban fiction genre.
I’m more excited when I find readers that picked up the book because
they met me in person and invested their time.

3. What will readers enjoy most about One Hundred Miles and Running?

Readers will enjoy the action, plot and the humor of the narrative.
The book is a lot faster paced and more suspenseful than Blackface.
And they will be delighted that there is a female protagonist. Finally
will like to see the growth in the characters.

4. Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write One Hundred Miles
and Running?

One Hundred Miles and Running (Blackface 2) is the second book in the
Blackface Trilogy. I had to continue to give the readers what they
wanted and chose the characters to follow based on reader feedback.

5. Where do you foresee yourself 12 months from today?

Publishing some great books and authors. I hope to publish some of my
nonfiction work and looking to shoot a short film or documentary.
Some form of film from an Art Official Media title is a goal in the
next year.

6. What is next and how can readers contact you?

www.ArtOfficialMedia.com
www.facebook.com/qbwells
www.twitter.com/qbwells

7. Where can readers get this book?

You can get the title at any bookstore. You can also download or buy
the paperback at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Itunes.

Buy Book/Contact the author:
You can get the title at any bookstore.  You can also download or buy
the paperback at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Itunes.

Publisher – http://www.artofficialmedia.com/urban-media-store.html

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Running-Blackface-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B006GCV1G8

Nook  – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hundred-miles-and-running-q-b-wells/1103040050?ean=2940013434783

ITunes – http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hundred-miles-and-running/id484834011?mt=11

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/4VaVvmPr1IE

Hi All,

I’m popping into Shelia’s lovely blog again to talk a bit about my new book, The Season of Sin. It’s book two in the Bree and Steven Interracial Romantic Suspense series and I bring out all the stops!

Albany Detectives Brianna “Bree” Morris and Steven Kemp are back of course and this time they help Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews invest the murder of Dr. Nadia Hollister, Bree’s friend and psychiatrist. When Bree is knocked out, Nadia is killed upstairs and from there secrets run amok.

I feel readers will find the characters engaging. None are predictable and you’ll spend as much time trying to figure them out as you do the mystery. This time the book focuses on Nadia’s family, mainly her daughter and the world of secrets that slowly gets uncovered during the investigation.

Bree and Steven are still going through the motions with their attraction for another but someone is thrown into the mix that complicates things further.

With The Season of Sin you will get kick-butt suspense, mind-boggling twists and eye-popping passion! It’s a book that lovers of all types of fiction will enjoy. There’s a little something for everyone no matter your favorite genres.

So if I’ve convinced you, feel free to check out my site and read more about the series.
Don’t forget to check out Giving up the Ghost, the first book in the series if you haven’t already!

About The Season of Sin:
Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris and her partner and ex-lover Steven Kemp are back. This time they are thrown head first into a gruesome homicide that brings forth as many secrets as it does clues.

Brianna’s psychiatrist, Dr. Nadia Hollister is stabbed to death in her upstairs bathroom. Brianna, who is at Nadia’s while the murder happens, is the only witness. Unfortunately she was knocked unconscious by the killer and only has the memory of the killer’s scent to go on.

Brianna and Steven sign on to help Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews solve the case. With Nadia’s journals as her guide, Bree learns that Nadia was keeping a devastating secret that has something to do with her adopted daughter. The renowned doctor was not whom she seemed to be and her secret may not have only got her killed but could ruin the foundation of her entire family.

The police hunt for suspects but Nadia’s secret could wreck the lives of many, all who have motive to kill her.
The deeper Brianna and Steven dig into Nadia’s past; the more they question whether Nadia was the true victim after all.

Thanks, Shelia for welcoming me again! I look forward to readers continuing the journey with me as I explore further into this series.

The Season of Sin is available in print and ebook and for $4.99 on Kindle: http://tiny.cc/i809bw
Giving up the Ghost for $4.99 on Kindle: http://tiny.cc/ivgxn
Add The Season of Sin to your shelf on Goodreads: http://tiny.cc/z8mecw
Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook: http://tiny.cc/aqx43
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stacydeanne
Visit my site to keep up with me and my future releases: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

Shan is the author of the current book I’m reading, ROZALYN. She took the time to answer a few questions for ALL4One.

‎1. What is the main premise for your new book?
The premise evolves around disloyalness of characters behind money, greed, and jealousy.

2. How do the choices your main character make affect him or her?
The main character is very niave and the choices that she makes causes her to go through a lot of hell and turmoil.

3. What message do you hope readers walk away with after reading your book?
I hope that young girls and also older women that are experiencing the issues that Rozalyn is will see that abuse is not okay and love doesn’t hurt.

4. What song would you use as the soundtrack of your life and why?
Mary J Blidge “The Living Proof”
This song is about making through a hard past and being able to smile and talk about it. Also showing everyone that I am living proof that success is possible even if it wasn’t visible.

5. What’s your favorite quote & why?
“Don’t let your victories go to your head, or your failures go to your heart!” I like this qoute because it’s all about being humble in the best of situations but also staying positive in the worst of situations. To me that is important because everything will not always go your way. You will win some but then again you will lose some.

About Rozalyn:
Rozalyn McGuay is a simple-minded 15 year old that thinks life is easy. She quickly realizes that life is a force to be reckoned with once she is abandoned by her mother and forced to live with a father who doesn’t want anything to do with her. Seeking love Rozalyn is pushed into the arms of the baddest boy on the block, Tamar Andrews. He shows her there is a thin line between love and hate. Nothing appears to be strong enough to tear her away from Tamar. Go on a journey with Rozalyn as she takes you through her struggles to find out if she will be trapped into fighting for a love that was never hers to begin with; or will she find out the true meaning ’til death do us part’.

Rozalyn is on sale and available at http://www.amazon.com/Rozalyn-Shan/dp/0982795041/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333043679&sr=1-1

About 30 Day Notice: Kori Maitland leaves behind everything that matters to find herself. In her search she travels from the east coast to the Midwest to find the love of her life. At least, that’s what she believes. After moving across the country and a five year relationship with Layla Bradford, Kori is given a 30 day notice. Although Kori didn’t believe that Layla would leave, she does and Kori is left with the challenges of dealing with a broken heart, being left on the west coast, and permanent employment. As Kori struggles to get her life back together she realizes that Layla’s 30 day notice was not the first one she had ever received. Kori deals with all the notices as she looks over the past five years of the relationship. As she tries to mend her broken heart she travels back to the Midwest to find a job and to hopefully start a business. It isn’t until Kori gets back to the Midwest that the betrayal from old friends turns her world upside down. Kori finds herself faced with eviction, an accident, a cheating lover, and her past.

Can Kori find who she is without losing herself along the way? Or will she succumb to the trials in life without reaching her intended goal?

30 Day Notice Book Excerpt:

The Beginning of the End

April 4th I woke up uneasy. I had been scrapping the side of my tongue with my teeth all night long and it was sore. Layla and I woke up on Aundrea’s couch feeling like we had been beaten with a bag of rocks. Well, I did if she didn’t. I dreaded this day and I became not mean or nasty, just pissy. I wouldn’t dare talk to Layla about it. She was walking around here like the day was the best day of her life because it was. It marked the first day of the rest of her life. Today began a new chapter for her and was the ending of one for me. I couldn’t blame her though; I knew what that was like. I’d felt that feeling before. I just guessed that now it was my turn to feel the sting of someone I love leaving me behind.

Even though it was a beautiful day, I didn’t notice it. I felt like I was driving to my doom. My quietness filled the empty spaces of the car; today was the last day and our time was up. As I was driving down the 405 to the L.A. airport, I couldn’t help but think “Man, it’s over.” So many emotions began to well up inside of me and I felt like I couldn’t do this, but I had to be strong and put on my big girl boxers. I pulled into the short term parking lot, helped her with her bags, and walked her inside. I knew I couldn’t stay there and watch her leave so I said, “Goodbye” and walked away without so much as a kiss or a hug. I’d never told anyone goodbye before. Goodbye always felt like forever, that’s it, no more, adios; I’ll never see you again. I knew that I probably would see her again, but I knew it would never mean the same ever again.

As I walked back to the parking lot, I began to feel numb. I got into my truck and made it a point to not look back. I headed back on the 405 in the other direction toward North Hollyhood, affectionately called that because it is the hood of Hollywood. I pushed play and Mary J’s “No More Drama” began to play. My feelings began to spread all over me like hot butter on third degree burns. I found myself crumbling and the composure that I was trying to keep lost its battle as tears strolled down my face. My phone rang and it was my sister. My sister’s timing was always right. As I got older, it was always like she could feel when something wasn’t right. Of course when I answered the phone she would have to ask me how I was doing and that made me cry even harder as she listened like the mother in her always did.

I could feel the life seeping from my body. I laid out for my sister the feelings that I had been trying to keep inside for thirty days as they spilled over and I could no longer talk and had to get off of the phone. I tried to convince myself as well as my sister that I would be all right. I didn’t even know how long the ride took or even how I got home, but somehow when I pulled up to Aundrea’s apartment complex, I knew it was time to get out. I took the elevator up to the fourth floor, placed my key in the lock, and began to thank God when I noticed no one else was home. I sat myself down and the pain of hurt overtook me once again. I cried like a baby as I lay balled up on the floor holding my

knees to my chest. I couldn’t believe that the woman I had loved so dearly for the past five years could leave me. The woman whom I thought the sun rose and set because of her left me. My heart ached so badly. I could physically feel it breaking into a million pieces, so I held my chest as I swallowed hard, trying to take in air. I had never felt like this before. It wasn’t like I hadn’t ever broken up with anyone before because I had. This was different.

I finally got myself off of the floor and took a shower thinking that would help soothe me but it didn’t. I kept thinking “How in the hell did I get here?” I had always thought Debra Cox’s song “How Did You Get Here” was stupid, but now I knew exactly what she meant. Thirty days ago I was living in a three-bedroom, two-bath, two-car garage home, with a pool in Orange County and thirty days later, I was sleeping on Aundrea’s couch. What the hell happened? The sad part was I knew what had happened. Thirty days ago, Layla told me she was leaving and even though I knew it, something in me still did nothing about it. I was given thirty days and still wasn’t prepared. I guess somewhere in the back of my mind I thought she wouldn’t really leave me.

While I was still contemplating, Aundrea walked in and said, “Hey! How did everything go?” When I turned turn to look at her, I guess she could see how everything went. “Oh, not so good, huh?”

I pulled the covers up over my head and tried to act like I was going to sleep. All night long I could feel myself tossing and turning. After five years of sleeping with someone and they were no longer there to nuzzle up under and spoon with, how the heck were you supposed to sleep? What was I supposed to do now with this left hand that always seemed to creep under her right breast as we lay asleep like two spoons in the silverware drawer? I could feel my tongue being scraped so hard that I thought my mouth was bleeding. The stress of what to do next even in my sleep haunted me. I woke up the next morning to go to a temp job I had lined up making half the money I was making after leaving my cushy job in Orange County because this time in my life had been carefully thought out by Layla for me. After returning from a trip back home to Detroit, she stated that she could no longer live on the West Coast anymore. She said that her children were unhappy and she felt like she was on the other side of the world. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing because this was the place that she chose to live over three years ago when she said she no longer cared to live in Detroit and wanted a new start. Me being me, I would’ve moved to Timbuktu if she had wanted to and would’ve been happy doing it. I wouldn’t have even cared if I had to wear a bone in my nose and put leaves on all of my private parts.

Trying to get myself ready for work, I ironed my clothes and I got into the shower. I tried to use the noise from the shower to drown my sobs and the water to rinse away my tears. I didn’t want Aundrea to hear me. The bathroom was literally in her room. I stood there lifeless for about twenty minutes before soaping up.

I couldn’t help but feel like this was the worst time to start a new temp job, but I still

tried to seem pleasantly happy. The manager of the title agency came over and greeted me and gave me a quick tour of the office. I remember her giving me instructions on what I needed to do but for the life of me I couldn’t remember exactly what they were. Even though my mind drifted in and out on Layla, somehow I seemed to go through the motions exactly as I was told. I was on auto-pilot. At the copier, I thought of Layla. While entering in all of the loan documentation, I thought of Layla. I went over in my head every single day and every single moment that I could remember which all seemed good. When it was time to go to lunch, I walked over to Mickey D’s and grabbed a fish filet combo without cheese like normal but when I sat down to eat I took one bite and stared out the window. Forty-five minutes had passed and I had not taken another bite. I got up, threw away everything except the drink and headed back to the office. On my way I thought of the same things all over again until it was time to go home. When I pulled up to Aundrea’s, I realized once again that I had no idea of how I had gotten there. I was just glad the day was over and that I hadn’t killed myself or anyone else for that matter. I had an urge to write. Like always when things in my life weren’t going right, I needed to put my feelings on paper. This whole situation felt like it was burning a hole on the inside of me and if I didn’t get it out soon, I was going to go down in flames. I grabbed a journal from the back seat and began to write.

Right now I feel broken, like a person who was stripped down to nothing. The one person who I probably loved more than life itself is gone. Where do I go from here? How do I go on from here? My heart aches so badly. It’s all because I didn’t listen. I heard but I didn’t want to listen. Those subtle hints that people tell you without really saying the words . . . I heard them long time ago in my spirit but didn’t want to believe them. I didn’t want to hear the words even when they were spoken to me. I felt like all I needed to do was show more love, be more patient, let things just go, and now look how far it took me. I’m down to nothing once again. At least the first time I stripped myself bare to find myself, I had a bed, a room, something to retreat to. Listening to R. Kelley’s “I Believe I Can Fly” got me into this mess. Now I sit alone, lonely in my despair. Using Aundrea’s couch for a bed. How could I love someone else more than I love myself? How could I give up myself to fit into another’s world? Was I just being needy? Of all the people that I made myself available to, watching out for, doing for, making sure that they were okay, and now I’m not. I treated them better than my own family, but I guess that’s what I get. The people I have looked out for are not looking out for me. It’s my turn and when I turn around no one is here. No one could possibly understand the place that I am in. Why would they? I don’t even understand. God, help me to get out of this funk. This place is no good for me. I can’t feel any life around me. I feel like I am in the valley and the shadow of death is all around me. Lift me up, Lord, hold me to your bosom. Keep me close. Show me my errors and help me to get past all of the hurt and pain.

God, please restore my soul.

Copyright © 2011 by Kai Mann

About the Author:
Kai Mann, a member of the Motown Writers Network is the author of 30 Day Notice; a novel published by Scriblical Vibez Publishing, a company that she founded in 2011. Kai is also an independent contract writer for Examiner.com as Detroit’s Best Friend Examiner. As a contributor to the poetry community, Kai’s online poetry blog Kaiology Wet Your Intellectual Taste Buds is where she purposefully inspires thought pertaining to the themes of love, friendship, self-love, and self-progression. As a writer for the Scriblical Vibez publishing blog; Kai’s mission is to contribute inspiring content that not only promotes self-growth, but also content that inspires a vibrational change through written word.

Get to Know Kai:

1.How did you get into writing? I have been writing ever since I could hold a pencil. As a young child you could find me sitting in my room reading a book or writing poetry. Somewhere around the age of twelve I decided that one day I was going to write a book. I never knew what I would write about but I just knew that I would. A child-hood friend had been reading some of my poetry posts on facebook a few years ago and suggested that I start blogging. I think she believed in me more than I did myself; however, I decided to take her up on the challenge. Professionally I got into writing in 2009 when she later suggested I write for examiner.com. While writing for examiner I began writing 30 Day Notice.

2.Who are some other writers you read and admire? I admire the writings of Iyanla Vanzant, Terry McMillan, Nikki Giovanni, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and the late E. Lynn Harris.

3.What is your book 30 Day Notice about and how did it come to fruition? 30 Day Notice is about a woman’s journey after she has been given a 30 day notice from her lover. It’s about love, relationships, friendships, betrayal, spirituality, self-reflection, and ultimately growth. The book references many of the notices that we receive in relationships and life in general; and how we overlook those notices because we get distracted by something or someone. 30 Day Notice came into fruition one day when I was forced to think about the distractions and notices that I received in my own life, shared by countless others. I thought that some of the lessons learned could be an example to someone else. Hence, 30 Day Notice was born.

4.How did you come up with the title? When I knew that I wanted to write about a lover being left after a 5 year relationship, I thought about the timeframe that was needed to give someone a heads up so I decided to call the book 30 Day Notice.

5. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Yes, there are a number of messages that I would like for readers to grasp, I’ll give you a few. 1. Don’t over-look the notices that happen in your life. Those notices are there to protect you, sometimes from yourself. 2. Realize that no matter where you are in your life, the Creator is always with you. 3. No matter what happens in your life you can pick yourself up. The key is to keep picking yourself up. 4. Let the Creator take care of your light weight; meaning, don’t get stuck in the negative actions of others let God handle it. 5. You don’t have to always physically fight someone to win.

6. Are experiences in the book based on someone you know, or events in your own life? Both. The book is a mixture of some of my own experiences and other people’s experiences with a lot of imagination here and there. These are experiences that almost everyone has gone through; heartbreak, betrayal, or some type of loss. Many of us haven’t gone through those experiences the same exact way, but we’ve gone through something similar.

7. What are your current projects? I am working on the 2

nd installment of the Eviction Chronicles called “Abandoned Property”. Abandoned property is about the perceptions of abandonment. I’m also working on a poetry book called “In My Mother’s

Contact Info:

Email: kai@scribicalvibez.com
Website: http://kai-mann.com
Blog: http://kaiologywetyourintellectualtastebuds.blogspot.com
Scriblical Vibez Blog: http://www.scriblicalvibez.com/blogstuff Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LDLQYE Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5392397.Kai_Mann
Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/friendship-in-detroit Twitter: http://twitter.com/kaiology
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Kai-Kaiology-Mann/119336204811849
Purchase your copy of ’30 Day Notice’ on Publisher’s website Scriblical Vibez:
http://bit.ly/s3EMzi
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LDLQYE Smashwords.com: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/113170 Barnes &
Noble: http://bit.ly/uTWPde
Goodreads.com: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13241635-30-day-notice To
view 30 Day Notice Book Trailer: http://t.co/OOjGXVzP