This will be the first Father’s Day that I have no one to celebrate the day for. I dedicate these songs in the memory of my dad, Lloyd Goss (1996) and grandfather, JC Hogan (2007):

Dance with My Father Again - Luther Vandross

It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday - Boyz II Men

Bye Bye - Mariah Carey

Amazing Grace - Mahalia Jackson

The Against All Odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour is stopping here today.  Niambi Brown Davis, debut author of From Dusk to Dawn, is our guest author/blogger today.  She has written an article titled I Love Music – Any Kind of Music that she is sharing with readers. She will also be dropping in during the day to leave comments, answer questions and find out what’s on our play list.  Additionally, check out her blog to find out how you can enter to win prizes including the beach bag created by main character, Ayo, FREE BOOKS and a few other prizes.  Click links to visit Niambi’s website and blog.

I Love Music – Any Kind of Music by Guest Blogger Niambi (Brown) Davis

For Christmas 2006 my family created a monster. They presented me with an I Pod Nano. That thin silver rectangle and I are joined at the hip – I do not leave home without it. In the vinyl, reel-to-reel and eight-track era, music lovers had to suffer through an entire album even if only two songs were worth listening to. But it is the 21^st century, and thanks to I Tunes and MP3 magic, all it takes is click and pay to build a custom play list.

Back in the day, the Ojays sang “I Love Music.” And I do – any kind of music. There is a little bit of everything on my play lists. I remember crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on a bright and beautiful day with the sounds of Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt blowing in my ear. Did I really play my main man Luis Miguel 85 times in one month? And Russell Watkins, putting his glorious tenor to the classical “Nella Fantasia.” He is called “The Voice” for a reason! When I want to imagine myself in Old Havana, I mix a mojito and listen to the late Ibrahim Ferrer. That man’s voice was smooth like golden, aged rum. Cannot miss reggaeton or the Delta blues of Howlin’ Wolf and Son House.  I do love the harmonica and slide guitar.  Sometimes I am in the mood for the boisterous call of DJ Khaled or the Eastern-flavored rhythms of Panjabi MC. Of course, I love calypso, (Byron Lee wit’ de band) but the most-played of all are the Latin, from the old-school Hector Lavoe and the Fania All-Stars right up to the stars of 2008.

I listened to all of this while writing From Dusk to Dawn. And then I had a thought – instead of simply writing to music, why not create a musical journey through the lives of my characters – a play list that speaks to the love story of Ayo and Bilal at their happiest, through their challenge, the most trying and the happiest times of their lives. The idea turned into a CD that became part of my promotional give-away at Romance Slam Jam.  It was a real labor of love – after all, there are only so many songs to fit on one CD – maybe I should have made a double set! I left off Edith Piaf (whose story was one of this year’s Oscar-winning movies). But I did include The White Stripes – gotta give it to the white boy – he knows his way around a blues guitar! There’s some Jill Scott, some Etta James, some Phyllis Hyman and Wynton Marsalis, that genius with the golden horn. And I could not make a mix without Alex Torres y su Orquesta!

This is becoming a habit; I have got two books to follow – and I am already planning the next play lists!

But, enough about me–Shelia and readers, what’s on your play lists?

Niambi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She and her family lived for many years in Washington, DC and for three and a half years, made the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago their home. She has written for Bronze Thrills, True Confessions and Black Romance Magazines. Niambi indulged her passion for sailing and travel by serving as publicist for the Black Boaters Summit and as a member of the National Association of Black Travel Writers. A script for her first digital novella has been accepted and published by Arrow Publications, LLC. Presently, Niambi writes for Travel Lady Magazine. Aside from travel and writing, Niambi is an avid reader of historical fiction, and deeply involved in tracing the history of both branches of her family tree. Her day job is running the business of Sand & Silk / Soleful Strut, her own line of handcrafted bath and body products.

This one is for all the shoe lovers.  Check out this
article my friend Kem sent:

Do you prefer to wear something
fancy or frugal on your feet? Whether you’re a sexy
stiletto-heel wearer or a fan of sporty sneakers, your
shoes speak volumes about your personality…

Shoe Style: Super-high heeled stilettos
Character Footprints: Sexy, confident, and
walking with intentions.
Perfect Personality Picks: These Oh… Deer! Jamocha T-Strap Pumps and Peep Toe Pumps.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

It’s been awhile since I posted something original due to deadlines. Truth be told I’m still on a deadline but I’m taking a quick break.

New York now has its first black governor who admits after getting sworn in that he and his wife both had affairs. I guess he was trying to beat the media. Lesson: Tell your own dirt and you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to hold anything over you.

Barack having to explain his ex-pastor’s choice of words is a joke. Lord knows I don’t agree with everything my pastor says. His personal views outside of what’s biblical correct are his own personal views. That’s the main reason why I don’t hold Barack accountable for what his ex-pastor said. Lesson: If you want to know how I feel about something, ask me, not my pastor.

Paul McCartney’s ex-wife has shown she’s one screw short but she did get $20 million.  Lesson: Next time your friends suggest you get a prenuptial agreement, listen to them.

There’s no reason why the gas prices should be as high as they are. Gas company executives are getting richer and richer as the prices at the pump get higher and higher. I need to buy me a bike–it’ll be healthier physically and financially. Lesson: Shop at one store like Wal-mart and save gas or order from online stores and save gas. Whatever you do, save gas.

February is Black History month, but why limit yourself to learning about your history or other people’s history just once a year. Visit these sites and pass the information on.

•  
  • Black History Hotlist
  • Black Inventor Online Museum

R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N

Copyright 2008 By Shelia M. Goss

Revolution started many years ago on the back of the broken-hearted, resulting from

Evil men’s egos who thought it was okay to enslave the mind and

Violate the body and whoever was against it were either maimed or killed

Only the strong survived. Now here we are in a new day and time, some of us

Living life recklessly, leaving the memory of our ancestors behind

United we must stand, because history shows how far divided we can fall

Too many people fought and died for the things we now enjoy

Instead of complaining, be thankful and be ready for action when injustice surfaces

Oppressed? Distressed?  Then take the time to think of some solutions

Not being complacent with inequality is only the beginning of the REVOLUTION

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:

 O.P.B. stands for Other People Blogs. These are a few places I visited this past week. Check them out:

Listen to the single “Mad Money” inspired by the upcoming movie Mad Money. To listen to the song go to www.myspace.com/younggeesrecords.

For all you movie buffs, check out Bettye Griffin’s Blog:

 Welcome to my new blog site. This is a great way to introduce new readers and my old readers with a Q & A session, where all of the questions were asked by some of you.

if~ever said: What were your biggest inner personal obstacles (fear, rejection, etc) in writing you had to overcome before you became a published author, showcasing your written words?

Fear was one of my biggest obstacles. I have been writing poetry, short stories, etc for years but was afraid to show it to others (outside of my best friend).  Rejection wasn’t the reason for the fear. The fear came from realizing this was something I really wanted to do and since no one in my inner circle had done what I was aspiring to do, it was a little scary. Joining writer’s groups helped me get over the initial fear factor. 

Persia Ellis said: Let’s see.. you said ‘anything’ right? Here goes: A. How do you feel about homosexual partners adopting kids?  B. What about Whites adopting African American babies or Vice-Versa?

A.  A boy or girl need to have both a man and woman role model in their lives and it usually starts at home. Although I’m aware there are many who are single parents and those are different circumstances.  

B.  I don’t see a problem with a white or black couple adopting children of another race as long as they are not prejudice.  Those parents should not deter the child from learning about its birth culture. 

Do you think cheaters can ‘change’?

Everyone can change, so the possibility is there. 

Would you give a self-proclaimed reformed infidel another chance? Why or why not?

Would I trust a man after he cheated on me, probably not. He would have to work overtime to prove to me that he is faithful and since I’m not married, I’m not obligated to give the man another chance. If he cheats once, that means he was looking for an “out” and no matter how painful it is, I will have to move on.  Why? Life is too short to deal with BS. At this stage of my life, my tolerance for it is nil.

Michelle Monkou said: A man confronted a fellow AA author that her books are turning the AA youth’s brain into mush. Her books are comparable to your style - how would you defend that accusation at a booksigning in a store?

Good question. I would suggest they stop their kids from  reading books that are obviously written with adults in mind.  Fortunately,  there are more and more AA young adult books being released, so I would suggest to him a list of those books and authors. 

Lori said: Okay, here’s one: What has surprised and/or disappointed you most–as far as being an “author” is concerned?

When I first became an author with a traditional publisher, I was surprised that I still had to market as if I was self-published.  Unless you’re one of the chosen ones (smile), most authors are still responsible for getting the word out about their books, so don’t flinch when you see that author promo email

Linda! said: Do you feel that an author has a responsibility for the content of their works?

An author is responsible for writing the best book they can at the time that they write it. The contents may vary depending on the genre. For me, I chose not to write anything that I wouldn’t mind my mama reading. 

Today’s quote: “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ask me anything and I will answer it here on the blog on Friday. Promise…you can leave your name or leave one anonymously…I’m not scared (smile). I look forward to your questions.

Its a new year and its time for a new start. As one year ends and another one begins, its time to make some much needed changes. Procrastination was left behind. What I can do today, I will. Dead weight has been lost. In order to move forward on the path God has set forth, life can’t remain stagnant. Change isn’t always easy; but change will come whether you prepare for it or not. As my friends know, my life changed at the end of 2007. I lost someone dear to my heart. As I reminisced about the good times I was blessed to share with my grandfather, I also took time to reflect on other areas of my life.  Although I don’t know what 2008 will hold; I will do my part to make sure I’m working towards my personal and professional goals. Learn from the past and live for today. Its time to embrace not only a new year but a new start.

For Contests and to see what’s new for 2008, read the January 2008 newsletter:  http://www.sheliagoss.com/newsletter.htm