Blog Archives

Mama's Lies- Daddy's Pain by Brian W Smith

12/31/2012

Jamal Simms is a successful businessman, husband, and proud father. Everything in his world seems to be perfect until a DNA test reveals that his 17 year old daughter (Jada), from a past relationship, is not his biological child. Lies are told; feelings are hurt; and the truth lurks somewhere amongst the chaos - leaving Jamal wondering who knew the truth...and when.

Please check out our review of this book by clicking here.

Also, listen in to our internet radio interview with Mr. Brian Smith

Purchase book from Amazon or HollyGrove Publishing.

Brown Shugar By Yolanda Hughes Coming March 2013

12/26/2012

Left bruised, battered and broken, Cherise Shugar Brown survives a violent gang rape at the age of 18 years old while walking to the home of her high school sweetheart, Rick. She goes on to become a successful career-oriented mother of her precious four year old daughter, Stormy. But eventually, Shugar is forced to deal with the emotions she suppressed so long ago. She begins to realize the impact of her life with the father of her daughter Rick as he comes to terms with his own involvement in the rape. When Rick begins to question if the daughter they share is really his or the product of the crime that he himself was forced to witness Shugar becomes overwhelmed with thoughts of the tragic event and has to decide if she is a survivor or victim.

After years of virtual silence regarding the gang rape, Shugar finally begins to learn how her mother really feels about what happened to her as their mother-daughter-granddaughter relationship begins to unravel with unspoken truths.

And then there is Ibn; the street savvy thug who recognizes Shugar’s pain and falls in love with her for who she really is. Ibn whatever he can to insert himself in Shugar’s life while being rejected time-and-time again by the very person he attempts to rescue from her past. All the while, Shugar and Ibn create a friendship that goes beyond a reason why that neither can explain but never want to let go of. In the meantime, Ibn, not wanting to damage a solid friendship with Shugar’s brother Jamil, attempts to keep his true feelings for Shugar a secret while attempting to protect his own dark past and family secrets.

A true story of hood love, family secrets and rebuilding oneself to redefine her existence, Shugar Brown goes on a journey through life and emotions that could lead to the victim she so desperately pretended didn’t live within her or the survivor that stands triumphed at the end of it all.

Sistahs on Lit Interview With Author Brandon Massey

12/26/2012

1. Tell me a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Illinois, near Chicago, but I've been living in the Atlanta area for about thirteen years. I'm married with a two-year old daughter and a houseful of dogs.

Over the past ten years, I've published nine novels, a story collection, and four anthologies (on which I served as editor). The majority of my work is in the horror suspense genre. My most popular book is probably "Dark Corner," my second novel. My most recent novel is "Covenant."

2. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I got serious about writing when I was fifteen, but I've always been an avid reader. Publishing my first short story was a big ego boost for me. It was the first time I'd been paid for something I'd written.

3. What inspired you to write your first book?
"Thunderland" was my first novel. It's a story about a teenage boy, his two best friends, and a mysterious stranger who begins to wreak havoc in their lives. I was motivated to write the story because I wanted to write about a character who, while still technically a child, is faced with some very adult, frightening situations and has to essentially grow up overnight. I think it's a reflection of what happens all too frequently in our society these days.

4. What books have influenced your life most?
"The Autobiography of Malcolm X" had a tremendous impact on me. Reading the Bible has also had a profound influence on me as well.

5. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I love everything by Walter Mosley and read his work for inspiration, so he'd be at the top of my list.

6. What book are you reading now?
I'm reading "Before I Forget" by Leonard Pitts, Jr. It's a great, moving story and I highly recommend it.

7. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Mostly spend time with my family. I'm sort of a homebody so an evening with my wife and daughter is more than satisfying to me.

Outside of that, I enjoy going to movies, traveling, playing video games, and hanging out with our three dogs.

8. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
Real life provides plenty of inspiration for book ideas. I read a lot of news and get countless story premises from just staying plugged in to the world.

9. What new author has grasped your interest?
L.R. Giles is an exciting new author. I published several of his stories in my "Dark Dreams" anthology series.

10. If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
I'd love to be a video game designer. Just seems like a really fun job to me.

11. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
It's a supernatural thriller that takes place in Atlanta and revolves around a young family that has moved into a new home--and soon discover that the house is full of secrets. I hope to publish it next summer.

12. How do you market your book(s)?
I promote my work primarily via my email newsletter (signup at brandonmassey.com). Sometimes I'll run ads on websites such as AALBC.com and Goodreads. I've learned over the years that the best marketing for a book is writing a great book. Great stories inspire ongoing word of mouth.

13. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Read a lot, write a lot, and dare to share your unique vision with the world.

Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right....It Makes Us Even by Kennedee Devoe

12/25/2012

Have you been cheated on by a man? Have you been lied to
by a man? Have you been used by a man? Have you been abused by a man? Kennedee Devoe has had all of the above happen to her, but she refused to be a victim of men’s insensitive ways towards how they treat women. When you've been too exposed to many men lying, and cheating in your life...you can either become cold blooded, or cold hearted. She became both.

"Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right… It Makes Us Even" chronicles the real life experiences of author Kennedee Devoe as she takes you on a roller coaster ride about her successful
and failed relationships with men.

You will laugh and cry as you follow Kennedee on her journey to seek vengeance and get even with the abusers, cheaters, liars, and users who have wronged her. But through it all, she
overcomes the obstacles that she faced as a young girl looking for love, and evolves into a mature woman.

Do you agree with that title? Sound off below in the comments.

Happy Holiday

12/25/2012

Happy Holiday from Sistahs On Lit

Sistahs on Lit interview with Author Matthew Ramsey

12/24/2012

1.) Tell me a bit about yourself ?
I’m a cool, shy, quiet kind of guy, but once I open up, I’m fun and like to get to know people.

2.) When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’d have to say on February 23, 2012, when my first novel was published. It made it feel official, and I could actually say, “I’m an author.”

3.) What inspired you to write your first book?
I was mostly inspired by my imagination. I knew about these two hot porn stars who were lovers on/off the set, so I wondered what their lives were like. Did they get jealous of each other when they had to film separate scenes? Was one more popular than the other? Did they still like women? I had a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, and since I couldn’t get them answered, I made up my own conclusions, created their back stories, and wrote a book about it.

4.) What books have influenced your life the most?
I would have to say Dopefiend, by Donald Goines, and Addicted & Nervous, by Zane, because they were so visual and graphic when it came to the writing, especially the sex scenes. I didn’t read much until I was introduced to those books, so I had no idea there were books out there like that. I knew I wanted to tell some erotic stories based off my imagination & experiences after reading those books.

5.) If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
None, but Zane, if you want to be my mentor, the position is currently open.

6.) What book are you reading now?
I’m reading Renee, by Brandie Davis.

7.) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like to shoot pool, go to the movies, watch TV, read, play cards, board games & videos games, and hang out with my family & friends.

8.) Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I get my ideas from dreams, my imagination, and some are loosely based off my past experiences.

9.) What new author has grasped your interest?
Brandie Davis, because I think the cover for her first novel is hot, and what I’ve read so far is really good.

10.) If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
To be honest, I don’t know. I can’t think of anything else that would make me want to get up and go into work.

11.) What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
My favorite chapter to write was the last chapter in Porn Stars 2…The Beginning of the End, because it was my first time writing from a murderer’s point of view. It was a new experience, fun to play around with, and it was also the first time I had to pick up from where my co-author left off. I love the way it turned out and how it ended the first two books in that series.

12.) Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
I've never read a novel, or even heard of a fictional novel about Porn Stars. I thought it was new, different, interesting, and the more twists and turns that my co-author and I came up with, I knew it would be entertaining.

13.) Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
I’m actually working on multiple books at the moment, but the two that I’m working on the most are My Mother’s Boyfriend, which is about a teenager named Tiara, who falls in love with Jason, her mother’s younger boyfriend. Tiara is spoiled and used to getting what she wants, so she seduces Jason, and starts thinking he’s her man, and that they’re in a real relationship. Everything is going great for Tiara, until her mother figures out what has been going down behind her back. Also, I’m working on a short story called A Fucked Up Fantasy, which is about a fictional character based off myself. It’s pretty much about Matt, a writer who moves to L.A., and starts dating again. Matt meets Tremaine and starts to fall in love with him, but once he's left alone with Blaze, a popular porn star, who is also Tremaine’s best friend/roommate, lust gets the best of Matt, and he tries to continuously date one while fucking the other on the sneak tip.

14.) How do you market your book(s)?
I market my books on amazon.com & barnesandnoble.com, and I promote them on Facebook & word of mouth.

15.) Do you have advice for aspiring authors?
To keep writing until you finish your story. You can always go back and tweak it later in the editing stage.

Dicmatized by Dyphia Blount

12/23/2012

Dr. Lenese Stringfield Puts the “Sex” in Sex Therapy as she takes the profession by storm with her new and innovative techniques. Her seductive nature and sexy demeanor has her clients eating out of the palm of her hand; amongst other things. Lenese has loved once and lost. So, if she can’t be with the one she loves; she will love the one she’s with. But, amazing sex
doesn’t come without a price tag. Too bad life has a lesson to teach this freaky therapist! She will soon learn that Karma is the “one bitch” that has everyone’s address. Fooling around with another woman’s husband is dangerous, but falling in love with one can be deadly.

Available for FREE on Amazon today. Go grab your copy and leave a review.

Tears Behind My Eyes My Life by Author Miles Perkins

12/23/2012

Tears Behind My Eyes an autobiography of Miles Perkins. Miles talks about his life’s experiences starting with his childhood. Many different experiences, interwoven together, set the stage, to produce the tears, character and strength behind the man who lives today! Many of us never know or understand why people are the way that they are today. We certainly don’t understand why the same events can happen to two people and affect them very differently.
Miles was exposed to a lascivious lifestyle at a very early age. His experiences shaped his thinking and dealings with women that afforded him the extraordinary fantasy like experiences that undoubtedly were pleasurable at times but made it very difficult to maintain and cultivate meaningful relationships. Miles explores his past, his feelings and those cataclysmic experiences that seem to turn his world upside down at times. From having a brief relationship with stardom as a young rapper to being caught up in a ménage trios that seemed to get the best of him at times.
The absence of his father didn’t help. Though his father was physically in the picture, he wasn’t emotionally. His father’s identity seemed to be wrapped up in his ability to provide for his family and when he could no longer do so, he took to the bottle and began to take out his frustrations on his wife and kids, abusively of course. No wonder why Miles would end up a rebellious kid, searching for love in all the wrong places, and running to escape the difficulties and challenges of low income city life; which is why Miles ended up joining the Marines. Miles learned a valuable lesson during boot camp, learning to control his anger, a skill he would treasure for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, some of his old ways made it into the Corp, so he still pursued a promiscuous lifestyle. Though he desperately tried to maintain his relationship with his wife, he couldn’t rid his taste buds of the allure of Asian women. No doubt, these affairs would have a devastating affect on any relationship he found himself in.
His failed marriage did produce two beautiful daughters which motivated him to be a better person/father. He could definitely teach them a thing or two about the horrors of promiscuity and emotional fetters it puts on you. Though Miles’ experiences were not always positive they weren’t always negative. Who would have thought that he would end up having a successful basketball career in the Corp, fight for his beloved country and be blessed to return whole and intact! The Corp had taught him a few meaningful lessons. Life had caused him to look back and reevaluate. Just when he was ready to settle down, head over heels in love, ready to trust, his heart was broken. He was in love and blinded to the many emotional problems his wife to be had! He thought that he could fix her but he couldn’t. In many ways his own emotional problems left him blinded to hers. He proposed to her and she said no and how happy he was. He later thought, “What the hell was I thinking?”
These are just a few moments in the life of Mr. Miles Perkins. Tears Behind My Eyes is painfully funny, interesting and worth sharing with the world. It exposes Miles’ weaknesses, his strength, and tells how he grew into his size 13 shoes.

When The Love is Gone by Melissa Burnett (new author)

12/20/2012

Have you ever wondered why your parents chose each other as mates when they were never a good match in the first place? Ever wondered what your life would be like if you didn’t have your mother’s aggressive temperament or your father’s gullible ways?
Angela “Angie” Frank has grown up in a dysfunctional home where her only means of coping is through music and her father’s love. The bond she holds with her father stirs bitterness and jealousy in her mother, which creates a life-long wedge between them. When her father is murdered, Angie is bereft. She becomes angry, afraid, aggressive, confrontational, and always ready for a good fight. She’s also ready for a good man. When she finally finds the man of her dreams her aggressive temperament and gullible ways ultimately push him away. Angie is now forced to reflect over her life, examine how and why she became an angry woman and learn to move on even When the Love is Gone.

Sistahs on Lit Interview With Author Karen Williams

12/20/2012

1. Tell me a bit about yourself.
I'm 34, I graduated from Cal State University Dominguez Hills with a Bachelors Degree in Literature and Communications. I work as a Probation Officer. I have 2 kids. My daughter is 15 and my son is 3.

2. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I would say I always considered myself a writer. I have always had a passion for writing. I started off writing poetry, short stories and moved on to writing novels.

3. What inspired you to write your first book?
Feeling like I had a story that needed to be told. It had been something I wanted to do since I was a little girl. Believe it or not, I tried to write my first book when I was nine years old.

4. What books have influenced your life most?
The Secret, Peace From Broken Pieces, Blues Dancing. I have also always been a fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, Linda Lael Miller, Scotney St. James, Roslyn Mcmilllan, Carl Weber, Sister Souljah and James Baldwin to name a few.

5. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Carl Weber. He is someone I read previously and I'm signed to his publishing house. He is definitely someone who I feel believes in me.

6. What book are you reading now?
No reading right now becasue I'm editing my next project.I did recently read The Cartel 4, which was an awesome read.

7. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to cook and bake. I also love spending time with my kids. I'm a big bore.

8. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
A lot of times they just come to me. Or someone could say something that sparks an idea in my head. And sometimes I moved by something specific and it becomes my book.

9. What new author has grasped your interest?
Definitely Aleta Williams. Her "Salty" series is really good, Terry Wroten. I am also a fan of Vj Gotastory and Mondell Pope. Anything he writes is guaranteed to be fire.

10. If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Anything where I'm doing some sort of advocacy work and teaching at some capacity.

11. What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
I would say the ending of pretty much any book I have wrote. I get really emotional because, as I bring the story to a close, I'm saying goodbye to these characters. My all time favorite chapter would have to be the last chapter from my novel Thug In Me.

12. Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
It was a story I was compelled to do for about five years. I struggled bridging the gaps in terms of the plot. But I was so passionate about telling Chance's story that I pushed myself to get it done.Once I stop stressing and just started writing, the ideas flourished.

13. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
My upcoming book is called The Demise Of Alexis Vancamp. It is definitely a cautionary tale about the choices people make that can sabotage their future.

14. How do you market your book(s)?
I honestly don't do much marketing. I definitely plan on doing a book tour this summer.

15. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Determine what is best for you, to self publish or to get an actual deal. Make sure you have a good editor and you are knowledgeable of the writing industry. Regardless of which direction you choose to go in, promoting your work is a must.