I have not always been obedient to God’s call.  In fact, for many years it never dawned on me that He even had a plan for my life.  For so very long, I followed my own path staggering blindly down a road going nowhere.  After running far off course, it became a road where soon nothing mattered.  Spiritually I was lacking and my soul drifted aimlessly for a resolution.  An inward peace.  The trouble was I didn’t know who I was or whom I belonged to.  But thank God for the prayers of the righteous.  How many of you know that God will interrupt your journey to fulfill His purpose and He does not accept no for an answer.  Without my consent, everything around me started to shift.  The life that I knew was no more.  I was in the middle of a metamorphosis.  God was transforming me from the inside out.  I fought it for as long as I could, but eventually surrendered all. Obedience is better than sacrifice.  In doing so, God deposited favor in my life.     

I was beginning to view myself as God seen me—a treasure in earthen vessel!  I recognized that every obstacle, every wrong turn, every bad decision was a divine setup to propel me into my destiny.  We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.  My mind was broadened.  My purpose revealed.  My way made. All that was left for me to do was take the first step in the right direction.  However, my adversary would not make it easy.  With each attempt to walk purposefully came snares.  Enticements of my old way of living were placed in my passage as stumbling blocks.  Yet discernment would not allow me to be lured.  My consciousness had been awakened and there was no going back.  God had greatness in store for me and I was determined to reach my ordained birthright.  My future held promise and the devil did not like it.  But he was powerless in preventing what was already in progress.  Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of completion.      

My life was no longer my own.  I was a child of God and He was using me as a vessel to fulfill His will.  I welcomed the change and relinquished all power to make myself available to Him.  As my soul prospered, remnants of the former me was being left behind.  Brokenness was restored.  Self-esteem reclaimed.  My spirit renewed.  Giving birth to a new creature full of gifts and abilities to be fashioned for His glory.   You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.  No, that does not mean I am perfect, flawless or without error.  I still sometimes make mistakes.  I do slip and fall along the way.  But while picking up the pieces and placing them at His feet, I am steadily conforming into the woman God has created me to be—blessed!     

Iris Celeste is your ordinary girl next door who stepped out on faith to self publish her debut novel Praise Your Way Through.  A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness.  Because being saved doesn’t mean being perfect. To read an excerpt or order a copy of the book visit her website at www.irisceleste.webs.com.  Iris also writes a weekly column As a Woman Thinketh for Big Time Publishing Magazine and a contributing writer for Victorious Magazine. 

Why do we believe his lie?

Hi I am VeeVeca Lavoira, Author and Evangelist. But mostly– I am a lot of woman. Today, I have a question. What makes us believe his lie? Do we feel sorry for the mishaps of a man’s misfortune so much so that we let little things slide. Like him not showing up on time? Not paying for the meal? Or, he forgot that he was supposed to do a thing. Seemingly excusing bad behavior for the “I meant to” or the “If I could I would” lines. What’s up with that?

Do we coddle the man to keep him? Look over the obvious and figure, one day (whenever that is) he’ll get it right (or we die hoping change comes). Or do we let him go, to break him, make him, or be made ourselves? Why do women feel responsible her man’s well-being? I’m just saying, He that finds a wife finds a good thing? I didn’t write the story, I’m just sharing the… What Is Written.

As a woman, are we that hard up for a man that we accept less effort just to have a bag of bones to say “I gotta my man”? Is it that good to have nothing that you have to work hard to f a t t e n up just to keep him? Is it a sense of duty to save him or you?

In this hip hop nation, I heard it just like you’ve heard it. “I’m down for my man” Or better yet, “Yeah, I am a ride or die chick”. Young ladies say it everyday as if they are positioned to “man up”. But if you are manning up, what is he doing?

If you want more, be and expect more.

No matter the climb or struggle within, trust God with every heavy situation and circumstance. He is still the God of catching cares. His glove is never frayed or broken.

Stay encouraged in the heavy– and move Forward
Real Ministry: VeeVeca

VeeVeca Lavoira,Author www.Verbalconquest.net   

“Faith does not deny FACTS, it CHANGES them“

Cherish your psychic friends …

It’s true.  At times, our friends know what is better for us than we do.  There are times when you think you don’t want something, and the next thing you know you’re smack dab in the middle of wanting. 

My moment of realizing what I wanted happened at the 2008 Romance Slam Jam (RSJ) in Chicago.  The event literally changed my life.  But let me tell you, my journey wasn’t all sugar and spice. I had to be dragged to the writer’s conference. Really.

My desire to attend RSJ was strictly from an avid reader’s perspective.  I love reading romance.  If you mix it with suspense or history—I’m a diehard fan. 

My plan was simple: meet, greet and read. RSJ was a way for me to meet some of my favorite authors, snap a few pictures, meet other readers and talk about our favorite characters as if they were next-door neighbors.

However, my friend, who is also my critiquing partner, had other plans. “Come and go,” she said. “It will be fun,” she promised. “You write for a living, maybe you’ll get inspired to write a book,” she persisted.

Yawn.

I didn’t want to write a book.  I wrote enough on my regular job, and didn’t have the inclination to sit in front of a computer at home too. I wasn’t interested in the dynamite workshops RSJ had to offer, or the talented authors sharing everything from their books, to the craft of writing.  Didn’t interest me.

Until I got there.   Whoa.  As I said before, my life (no bull) changed.

At RSJ, I met some of the most down-to-earth people imaginable. All that talent in one room astounded me.  And four things happened to me:

•           I was inspired by their willingness to teach others how to excel.

•           I was encouraged to do what I thought I didn’t want to do because I didn’t have time, or I was too tired from writing all day.

•           I was pushed to unlock stories I had tucked away on my hard drive.

•           I was persuaded to give the craft of romance writing a chance. 

Two very dear authors, who will remain nameless (out of respect) at this time, wouldn’t let me give up.  Remember my blog about when we help others we help ourselves? Well, they were and still are relentless.

They challenged me, threatened me if I thought about quitting, and cheered me on with each success. They helped me through meltdowns and stalled scenes. 

I put in a full eight hours of writing at work, and then wrote every day until one or two o’clock in the morning. On weekends, I rarely left my house—or my room.  My daughters checked on me, knocked on the door to see if I answered, and fed me occasionally.

Four months after Slam Jam, I completed my manuscript. Twelve months later, my baby is a finalist in Passionate Ink’s Stroke of Midnight contest.

Whoa.

As a writer, you have to attend at least one writer’s conference.  If you’re writing, want to write, like to write or want to learn to write—attend a writer’s conference.  If you need a dose of adrenaline, or aren’t quite sure what your next move will be—attend a writer’s conference.

More important, if you write or read African-American or multicultural romance, you owe it to yourself to attend RSJ. The next conference will be a cruise sailing to Grand Cayman—talk about inspiration! 

Dreams, even those you think you don’t want, can be achieved with determination, support and very persistent friends, who know what you want before you do. Cherish them.

About the author:

Nett Robbens is a communications consultant/writer, an avid reader by day and an aspiring novelist every minute. Weaving romantic stories that sizzle, she writes about multicultural people with strengths, flaws, hopes and an insatiable desire to give and receive love.

Her first manuscript “Falling Again” has garnered positive interest from agents and editors, alike and received an honorable mention in the Passionate Ink “Stroke of Midnight” contest. For more thoughts from Nett as she journeys toward publication, or information about her projects, visit her Web site/blog at http://www.nettrobbens.com.

It’s my pleasure to have Angelia Menchan be my first guest blogger for the month of August. Her blog is where I go to get my daily dose of inspiration and motivation. I also like to recommend her book Rambling.

Storyteller by Guest Blogger Angelia Menchan

The other day I sat down and wrote a short story, I am working on an anthology and in a couple of hours I had written a short story about a girl named, Sinatha, the story is entitled, Sinatha Emerson – Woman/Child.

Sinatha Emerson is a teenaged girl living in an abusive household. Well, when I was done with it, I was very pleased with it, but was unsure if I were going to release it in the anthology or whether or not I would turn it into a book. So I decided to publish it, on Smashwords, an internet e-book site and give it away.

Immediately, the feedback was amazing, and it was downloaded and read by quite a few. I was lauded and applauded. However, someone took exception to the story and told me that I was ‘airing black folks’ laundry by writing about an abusive, black man and a woman who puts her man before her daughter, well I am sorry that person felt that way, but that is a story that was begging to be told, again, and by me. It is something that has been riding on my heart and a story that as a former counselor and current mentor I have been told more than a few times. So the question I ask is this, ‘Are we as writers supposed to sugarcoat truth, or is it our God given right to write the stories that are placed in our hearts and minds in order to reach people?” What say you? A link to the short story is below.

http://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/3121/1/sinatha-woman-child

About the author:

Angelia Vernon Menchan is a wife, mother, nana, mentor, former Job Corp Counselor and her only intent is to write books that are enjoyable and to tell as much of the ‘Fictionalized Truth’ as she can.

Be sure to visit her website and blog: www.mammproductions.com and www.acvermen.blogspot.com.

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.

Dan Fogelberg Retrospective Interview, 2 CD Set. First DF release in 5 years. Sales Benefit Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Are you a fan of Dan Fogelberg’s music? Have you ever wanted to hear him talk about the story behind the song?

This is your chance to share these intimate and personal interviews with Dan Fogelberg. The interviews are hosted by industry pro Fred Migliore and listen in as Fred talks about elements of the songs and finds out how Dan Fogelberg feels about each song.

Meet Fred Migliore - Fred serves as Founder, CEO and Host of FM Odyssey Radio, Inc. in Merritt Island, FL. Prior to founding FM Odyssey Radio, Inc., Fred served as Founder and CEO of Another Unconventional Sunday Morning, a radio program that was based in Florida and grew to syndication of what we now know as FM Odyssey. At present, Fred is a member of Conscious Living Partnership and received the award of Outstanding Visionary of the Year for 2008. Fred attended Columbia School of Broadcasting where he studied Broadcasting and graduated in 1977.

Fred’s core expertise includes: Radio Broadcasting, Radio Production, CEO of a Nationally Syndicated Radio Production Company and educating people on the impact of music from legendary musicians along with new and emerging artists. In his personal time, Fred enjoys Music, studying the social impact of music on our society and being involved within the community he lives. http://www.fmodyssey.com

To purchase this CD, go to FM Odyssey – http://www.fmodyssey.com/Store.html

Please note that $3.00 from each sale goes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

AAMBC 2009 SPRING VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR

Rekaya Gibson, Author of The Food Temptress

How did the Food Temptress come into a reality?

I spent ten months writing “The Food Temptress.” I searched for an agent for twelve months, to no avail. I conducted research on several publishing companies. Xpress Yourself Publishing Company (XYP) was the right fit, so it was the only one that I submitted my manuscript to for review. Six months later, I received a contract.

Growing up what was your favorite genre to read and why?

I loved reading romance fiction. Authors captured romantic scenes so well that I believed them. I am still a helpless romantic.

What is one thing you must put into your books when writing and creating your stories?

Passion.

What is your inspiration to writing?

The creative process and the power of words inspire me.

When all is said and done what do you want readers to take from your books?

I long for readers to gain an appreciation for my nontraditional writing style and storytelling.

Is it true that authors place a little of themselves into their books? If so, have you done this?

I believe this is true. I did put a little of myself into “The Food Temptress.”

What projects do you have coming out next?

Currently, I am looking for a publisher for my children’s book, “Are There French Fries in Heaven?” I plan to have “The Food Temptress: Ambrosia’s Delight” completed soon. Look for both of them in 2010.

About the book:

Who knows how to convert a gay man into a straight lover using a pineapple upside-down cake? Only Ambrosia Bourgeois, The Food Temptress, can accomplish such a task. The New Orleans Goddess of Gastronomy uses food to seduce men in hopes of creating Mister Right. Paralleling southern cuisine, each short story captures the hearts and minds of different men.

In the Power of the Pudding Chapter, Ambrosia realizes that her bread pudding cannot withstand the demands of an associate minister’s plans to make her a dutiful wife. When she decides to forget about him and travels to Atlanta to visit her friend, she ends up in the bathroom with Black Thunder, a local stripper. It is not her fault; the peach cobbler was intended for the birthday girl.

Ambrosia perfects her craft by using traditional recipes from her deceased grandmother and occasionally consulting her mysterious aunt. When she discovers that her meals fall short of converting the man to her specifications, she moves on to the next one – a total of 16 ranging from the local police chief to a Bourbon Street musician. Will she reach her goal before the monstrous hurricane hits her city? The Food Temptress serves a delectable treat connected by Ambrosia’s continuing quest for both romantic and culinary perfection.