Meet the Hightowers

So in my dream life these guys would make up my harem of boy toys. But since those kinds of dreams seldom come true, I just envision them as the heros for my new series: HIGHTOWER HONORS Four Brothers on a Mission to Protect, Serve and Love .



In Protect and Serve , Jason Hightower is a police detective for the Paterson police department who needs to conquer his past by finally confronting the first love he thinks betrayed him. He needs to do so before a threat from her past takes her away for good. I think that the sexy soap star Tobias Truvillion would make a mighty fine Jason Hightower. This book is scheduled for July 2008.



In Make It Hot , Joel Hightower is a fireman injured on the job and forced to think about a career outside of his dream job. Too bad he can’t think around the spunky physical therapist helping him recover. I think Eve's former on-screen boyfriend would bring the heat just fine as Joel Hightower. He looks like he can make it hot... This book is scheduled for September 2008.



In Upholding the Law , the woman Lawrence Hightower finds himself falling in love with could very well be a criminal. He needs to figure out who she really is before the criminals looking for her find her. I think Idris Elba is so yummy he could play just about any role he wanted. But I can just see him as Lawrence Hightower... yummy...



In Sizzling Seduction , Patrick Hightower is used to putting out fires, but a sweet and sexy kindergarten teacher breaks through his protective shield and gets him thinking it might be more fun starting one. Lamman Rucker put the f-i-n and e in fine. And he would be perfect as the oldest Hightower brother, Patrick.

Excellent Post from Shelia Goss

Check out Shelia Goss's excellent post on the questions some authors are asked and the responses they give. All I can do is co-sign and amen to this... Check out what she has to say here:

Questions Asked: Giving It To You Raw

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

More Fire!!

My girl, Elle has broken it down on her blog... All I can do is co-sign and encourage you to read what this brilliant sister has to say....

Violence Against Black Women Continued

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Hot Links

My soror, Elle, has an interesting post on a recent development in the brutal rape and torture of the young black woman, Megan Williams, in West Virginia. All I can say is "makes me wanna holla and throw up both my hands..."

Violence Against Black Women

Elle also has lots of informative and provocative posts on her blog Elle Ph. D. Check her out. You won't regret it.

Elle Ph.D.

And, our friend the always smart and on-point Angelia has a wonderful post that provides a nice lesson for all of us who like to talk first and listen later...

Everything Doesn't Have to be Said

Be sure to check out her blog for other good lessons...

acVernon Menchan...Stuff

And Patricia W has another featured author. Today, she's featuring Janice Sims. And since we here at Gwyneth's Blog believe in bringing information about African American authors to your attention, here's the link:

Featured Authors Janice Sims

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

My Naughty Names...

Get Your Sexy Name

Get Your Sexy Name

I think Gwendolyn wins this one. That's the best sexy name of the two, in my opinion. And since Gwendolyn's life is keeping me away from Gwyneth's Blog, I guess that's only fitting... Who knows when I'll have time to really blog between Gwendolyn's teaching and Gwyneth's deadlines I need to take a break. I'll be back though...

much love and peace,

Gwyneth
who's really Gwendolyn today... and no I'm not crazy... this just helps me deal with my dual life...LOL...

Racism and Sexism Still Alive and Well...

Because I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how to express how horrified and saddened I am about this, I'll just say take a look at Adrianne Byrd's blog for news coverage on the cruel and inhumane treatment a young black woman in West Virginia had to endure in our country in the 21st century... I'm so disgusted and angry that I can't even blog about it yet.

Visit this link for more information:

For Those Who Think We Imagine Racism

Adrianne has other great posts on her blog that might make you less angry. You can check them all out here:

Adrianne Byrd's Blog

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Patricia's Fantastic Interview with Marilynn Griffith

Patricia has an outstanding interview with Christian fiction author Marilynn Griffith posted on her blog. Be sure to go and check it out and comment. :-) You can read the interview here:

Patricia's Interview with Marilynn Griffith

And you can check out all the cool reads on Patricia's blog here:

Readin and Writin with Patricia

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Foxy Brown is going to jail... (Inga, Inga, Inga....)

Foxy Brown is going to jail for a year. How many ways can I tell these rap chicks that jail is not cute? And Foxy is going to jail behind some dumb stuff. Hitting someone with a cell phone? Just because Naomi Campbell got off with community service for doing that does not mean you can get away with it. I mean really do we have to talk to you like you’re a two year old, Foxy? Okay, here goes… “Foxy, no, no, no. Use your words, sweetie. No hitting.” And trust me you don’t want to be the chick in jail for hitting someone with a cell phone. I mean really, try looking tough in front of Big Wilma talking about, “Yeah, so then I threw my cellie at the chick and told her she must not know ‘bout me. I’m Foxy Brown, B!@#*!” Unh unh. Nope. Not gonna work. Oh well, may be you’ll be able to share a cell with Remy Ma… For now, I’ll just watch this old remix of Total's “No One Else” featuring Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim and Da Brat and remember the days before female rappers thought it was all the rage to go to jail. Who knew orange jail jumpsuits would become so chic…



much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Sweet Sensation Featured in a Contest

Shelia Goss is sponsoring a contest to celebrate her birthday the entire month of September and she's giving readers a chance to win the gifts. Every day this month readers will get a chance to win a copy of a book. How cool is that? So if you haven't read Sweet Sensation yet, (shame on you LOL) you have a chance to win a copy. All you have to do is head on over to Shelia's blog and leave a comment here:

Book Giveaway Sweet Sensation

I believe you have to comment by 6:00 p.m. to be in the runnings. And don't forget to wish her a happy birthday month! I'm all for celebrating the birthday all month by the way. I used to celebrate all week. But next year I might have to do a birthday season and celebrate all summer... But you should also check out Shelia's cool blog. I love that she gives me a chance to give my two-cents on current events without having to blog about them myself. I can just visit her blog and get it off my chest in the comments... ;-) Also check back in every day this month to see what other cool books you can win. I know I will... Check out her blog here:

Oh No Shelia Didn't! Shelia Goss

Have a great weekend everyone!

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Is it just me....

Or did Amy Winehouse pull a swagger-jacking...



On Macy Gray?



When I first heard Amy Winehouse's hit song "Rehab," I thought "hey she's biting Macy Gray's entire style, the voice, everything." I mean Amy even stopped combing her hair. ;-) And they both have that "I'm so high right now" look. (Well, they might actually be kinda high...) But I wrote her off as a "beat biter, dope-style taker" to quote femcee MC Lyte. I pretty much dismissed Amy Winehouse and that annoying song "Rehab." I refused to like her because she wasn't original. Just a Vanilla Iced Macy Gray, in my opinion. And then I heard this song...



And, I'm a sucker for old Motown, especially anything that calls to mind Marvin and Tammi in their heyday. So shoot me, I like the song. And I would be cool with that, if the swagger-jacking wasn't so blantant and glaring. Check out Macy's first video...



And you can see why I'm torn... So I thought I'd bring it to you all. Is it just me or is Amy Winehouse a swagger-jacker? And I'm not even going to get into the wholesale ripe-off of R&B... Just the theft of Macy's swagger and style... For now, I think I'll just stick with the original... Sing... "Shoo Be Doo," Macy.... Sing...



Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

September Interview with Farrah Rochon

GB: Hi, Farrah! First let me say that I loved your novel Deliver Me . And I’m so glad you could spare a moment to do an interview on my blog. My first question is how long have you been writing and when did you make the decision to pursue it as a career?

FR: Gwyneth, it is a thrill to be your guest. Your blog is one of my favorites! As for your first question, I guess the pat answer is that I’ve been writing most of my life. Writing has always come easy to me, which made getting through my English courses in school pretty neat. However, it wasn’t until my college professor, Dr. Y. Dubois-Williams (granddaughter of W.E.B. Dubois) asked me “what’s the one thing in life you really want to do?” My answer: write a novel. I started my first manuscript that same day.

GB: Did you read a lot of romance novels before you started to write them? If so, do you think that helped you once you started writing them? If not, do you think that gives you a fresh approach to the genre?

FR: I had read a few romances while in high school and most of my undergrad years, but wouldn’t say I was an avid romance reader. I was into mainstream fiction. Then, my sister threatened me bodily harm if I did not read Judith McNaught’s Double Standards . I read it, and that was it for me. I’ve been reading romance ever since. That was about three years before I wrote my first romance. Being the perpetually single gal, I never thought I could write a credible romance, but apparently, I’ve learned a thing or two from those years of reading. (Smile)

GB: Ah yes… the things one can learn by reading romance…. So, what has your writing journey been like so far? Can you give us a sense of what it has been like for you since you got the call, held your first novel in your hands, etc.? Is it everything you hoped it would be?

FR: I actually got THE CALL via email, but the story behind it is the perfect example of how up and down this business can be. I had spent a great deal of time revising another manuscript for another publishing house, and was crushed when I received a rejection letter from the editor. This was the second set of revisions and I just knew they were going to buy that book. That night, I sent an email to my agent, letting him know about the rejection. The next day, July 13, 2006 at 1:16 p.m., my agent replied stating how sorry he was about the rejection, but he also had good news to share. He'd just received a call from Dorchester. They wanted Deliver Me . Talk about experiencing opposite ends of the emotional spectrum!

As for the first time I held my novel in my hands? I’m sure there are words to describe that feeling, but I’m just not that good yet. Maybe when I’ve grown as a writer, I can find a way to convey just how unbelievable that felt.

GB: One of the things I love about Deliver Me is that it is the mix of emotions the novels draws out of me. There were moments that were laugh-out-loud funny and moments that were just heartwarming and touching. Is that something you think a lot about when you are crafting your novels? What tricks of the trade can you offer for tapping into readers’ emotions?

FR: I had no idea the book would touch people the way it has, but from the emails I’ve received from fans, apparently, Deliver Me pulled quite a few heartstrings. It’s not something I think about when writing. I just write the story that comes to me.



GB: The other factor that I really adored about the novel is that it is set in a post-Katrina New Orleans and draws the reader into the world of a city and a people healing after the natural disaster. I know you are from New Orleans and still call the city home. Can you talk a little about why it was it important for you to deal with Katrina in your novel?

FR: The original manuscript was written a couple of years before Katrina hit, and my editor gave me the option of simply writing an Author’s Note stating that the story pre-dated Katrina. I decided to take the hard route of tackling Katrina because I knew the world’s view of New Orleans had changed as a result of the storm. Unfortunately, it is hard to think of New Orleans in pre-Katrina terms. My one caveat was that I would focus on the positive. I did not want the destruction and despair of Katrina overpowering my story. I also chose to change Deliver Me to a post-Katrina book because I knew I had two follow-up books that would have to address the storm (I was in the middle of writing the second book when the storm hit. Try writing through that kind of distraction!).

GB: You have two love stories going on in Deliver Me . And, I love getting my two for the price of one romance. So, thank you for that! Besides the romance of your lead characters, Monica and Eli, we also get the romance of an estranged-married couple. I loved their story because it shows that marriage is work and takes openness and honesty. And it also deals with a taboo topic in many African American communities, mental illness. Most of the time in romance novels we only get the whirlwind to happily-ever-after and no real glimpse of couples working through the things that often come up relationships. Did you add the estranged couple’s story to the novel for a reason? What did you hope to show by including their tale?

FR: I’m a huge fan of the two for the price of one romance, too. So, when I set out to write a single-title, I knew I wanted to incorporate a secondary romance. I chose an estranged married couple because I liked the idea of tying them in as patients of Eli, and, as you stated, showing that once the happily-ever-after occurs, there is still work that must be done in order to make a marriage last. I was a psych major in college and grad school, so it was natural to include a character who suffered from mental illness. It is a sensitive subject, especially in the African American community, but we all can admit to having “one in the family.” I think my family has more than its fair share, though. (Smile) I think mental illness is not addressed enough in fiction.

A lot of people don’t know this, but I was tempted to scrap Amanda and Jeffrey’s story from Deliver Me . During the three weeks I had to revise the story (which included changing it from pre-Katrina to post-Katrina), I had to do a major overhaul of the secondary storyline. I changed Amanda’s mental disorder from Major Depression to Bipolar with Psychotic Tendencies. It required a lot of research and took up a lot of my beauty rest. :) In the end, I’m happy I kept them in. They turned out to be fan favorites.

GB: Well, I for one am glad you didn’t scrap Amanda and Jeffrey’s story. Okay, time to get the goods… A little birdie tells me that those fine siblings of the fine and sexy hero from Deliver Me will be finding their own loves soon. I believe I heard a Release Me and a Rescue Me would be coming to stores in the near future. Can you confirm or deny these rumors and maybe tell us a little bit about what we can expect with these two hot Holmes brothers? Come on… we really need to know when we are going to be able to read more about those fine Holmes brothers… Okay, I really need to know… Please…

FR: I can confirm that Release Me will be in stores, although I’m still not sure what the release date will be or if the title will stick. Release Me features the youngest Holmes brother, ex-pro basketball player turned record producer Tobias Holmes. His heroine is his childhood friend Sienna Culpepper, who readers briefly meet in Deliver Me . I absolutely love Toby and Sienna’s story. It’s a classic case of your one true love being under your nose the entire time. Toby is just too blind to see it.

Rescue Me is the final book of the series. It’s Alex’s story. The widowed, single father is easily my most popular character based on the dozens of emails I’ve received from fans asking for his story. I just finished Alex’s book and am currently in the editing phase. My editor is still considering the proposal, but I’m confident Rescue Me will be picked up, as well. If you haven’t fallen in love with Alex yet, you will by the end of Rescue Me . He is the consummate romance hero. His story is chock full of the sigh factor. I’ve sighed more while writing this book than the other two combined.

GB: Both books sound divine… I love the friend to lovers plot so I know I will be all over Release Me . And I’m a huge sucker for the sigh-factor so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed on Rescue Me . So, what are you reading right now? Any good reads you want to offer?

FR: I’m currently reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s newest Dark-Hunter book, Devil May Cry . While on vacation I plan to read debut author Stefanie Worth’s novel, Where Souls Collide . My most anticipated book of September is the latest in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Unbound .

GB: You’re a reading girl I can relate to! I have fallen off on my Sherrilyn Kenyon reading. But at one time I devoured the Dark-Hunter series. I absolutely loved Stefanie Worth’s debut novel, Where Souls Collide . And as far as anticipating J. R. Ward’s next installment… my copy has been on pre-order for several weeks now. LOL. We’ll have to have a paranormal book chat one day. But until then… Do you have any advice you’d like to offer to aspiring writers?

FR: Prepare yourself for hard work. Writing is not an easy business, but if you’ve got a burning desire to get those stories out of your head, then go for it. Just be prepared to work.

GB: How can readers reach you if they wanted to?

FR: There is always somewhere to find me. I can be reached by email at farrah@farrahrochon.com. Through my website at www.farrahrochon.com, on MySpace at www.myspace.com/farrahrochon, or at my blog at www.farrahrochon.blogspot.com.

View the book Trailer for Deliver Me here:

Call for Submissions: Anthology on Motherhood

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Who’s Your Mama: The Voices of Unsung Women and Mothers

Looking for women writers in the U.S. who are mothers, trying to become mothers and who are childless by choice or circumstance.

There are so many books published about the motherhood experiences of affluent, married, White women, books that often revolve around the "mommy wars," the raging debate between mothers who work and those who stay at home. The fact that this small demographic is represented in the media as the face of U.S. motherhood has effectively removed the voices and stories of the true majority of mothers from the public dialogue. The true majority includes mothers who are: women of color, low and middle income, single, bisexual or lesbian.

This anthology proposes to gather women’s writings about motherhood that addresses race, class, sexuality, identity and intimate partnership. We have chosen to use the words women and motherhood, but it’s being used to focus on the female experience of parenting under patriarchy, not to exclusively define it.

Gen-X/Hip Hop generation women, those born between 1965 and 1984, grew up in the aftermath of social and political revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s that sought to re-define marriage, sexuality and motherhood. While the primary societal messages continue to trumpet traditional values and heterosexual marriage as the preferred norm, on the ground, women are actively engaged in crafting identities and family structures (including remaining single and/or childless) that speak practically to their personal beliefs, intimate relationships and economic realities.


Demographically, this generation of mothers looks different from its predecessors. Many did not even have children until they were 25 years old or older and on average they are having only two children. Therefore in comparison to their mothers and grandmothers they are older and have fewer children to look after. Having come of age in the 1980s and 1990s these women also grew up taking feminism (and the benefits it bestowed) as a given. For Gen-X and Hip Hop generation women, they believe that they can choose to raise healthy happy children and still be true to themselves.

Unlike previous generations, Gen-X women are represented by a diversity of contexts for motherhood that include heterosexual marriages, single parenting, committed partnership and gay marriage. Furthermore we recognize that the ability of a woman to have the option to be a working mother or a stay at home mother is frequently dependent on her socio-economic standing as demonstrated by her access to informational and financial resources, nearby, reliable and affordable child care and good fortune to work in a flexible work environment.

Furthermore, more women are consciously choosing not to have children and it is necessary to understand the remaining societal costs or the unexpected freedoms that are the consequence of choosing to remain childless. Lastly, every mother was someone before she had children. Therefore while motherhood is a significant life event, this book wants to examine how women develop other aspects of themselves alongside their identities as mothers, including their careers, friendships (particularly with other women), sexual personas, intimate relationships, familial and community bonds.

Many Gen-X women, although they were brought up and encouraged to "have it all" have a thorny relationship with feminism. Many understand that the freedoms that they take for granted, including the right to: work in nontraditional jobs; receive equal work for equal and; have reproductive choice were the result of feminist agitation. Nevertheless while many young women eagerly embrace the feminist label, far more equate feminism with angry, unattractive, affluent, man-hating, White women and do not believe that feminism represents their perspectives on religion, sexuality, culture, class or race. We are interested in ascertaining whether a woman choosing to become a mother or not is influenced by her identification with feminism (even if that identification is oppositional) and its perceived tenets, how does a woman’s acceptance (or rejection) of feminism or its principles inform her mothering or extend her focus on social and political issues such as parental leave, affordable childcare, court enforced child support, etc?.

We are seeking honest essays written in the first-person from Gen X/Hip Hop generation women of all classes, races, sexualities and religions. Submissions from emerging as well as established writers, activists, scholars and everyday women will be accepted. The personal narrative should record how your decision about motherhood empowered you and in some way made you reconsider a way of being, a personal truth, political ideology or cultural norm or community standard that you have never previously questioned. Additionally, we are interested in essays that explore how new definitions of motherhood and female empowerment are pushing women toward new thinking around social and political change. We welcome and will consider new ideas in addition to the topics suggested below.

the emotional and financial costs of motherhood

mothering and sexual identity

how becoming a mother changes your politics

daycare and childcare

single motherhood

lesbian or bisexual mothering

motherhood and marriage/committed partnership

gender and care of the children

health care and motherhood

motherhood and poverty

what does having it all really mean?

what makes a feminist mother different from others?

balancing motherhood and work

discrimination against mothers in the workplace

negotiating societal expectations about motherhood

race, class and motherhood

raising bi-racial children or children of a different race

childless because you do not want children

childless because you do not have a committed partner (and you do not want to be a single mom)

childless because you believe that having a child would adversely affect your career or finances

infertility

adoptive mothers/guardians/ foster parents

incarcerated mothers

DEADLINE: February 1, 2008

WORD COUNT/PAGE LIMITS: Personal Narratives - 20 pages/5000 words.

FORMAT: Essays must be typed, double-spaced, and paginated. Please include your address, phone number, email address, and a short bio on the last page. No simultaneous submissions. Previously published essays will be considered if the writer owns the copyright. Essays will not be returned. Essays will not be published without the writer's consent.

SUBMITTING: Electronic submissions are preferred. Send essay electronically as a Word format file (with .doc extension) to Yvonne@YvonneBynoe.com. Write "Motherhood Anthology" in the subject line. If email is not possible, mail two (2) copies of the essay to Yvonne Bynoe at PO Box 14068, Washington, DC 20044 attn: Motherhood Anthology. Please direct any inquiries to info@yvonnebynoe. com.

EDITOR: Yvonne Bynoe is a Senior Fellow at the Future Focus 2020 Center at Wake Forest University and the author of Stand & Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and the Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.

PUBLISHER: Soft Skull Press (New York)

REPLY: Please allow until March 1, 2008 for a response. If you have not received a response by then, please assume your essay has not been selected. It is not possible to reply to every submission personally.

Deadline Extended for the SORMAG Conference

The deadline has been extended for the Shades of Romance Magazine On-line conference! You now have until this Saturday to register. So hurry and register today!

The conference takes place during my first week of classes. So, I'm not sure I'll be able to participate this year. But the on-line conferences and other events that I have participated in with SORMAG have been top-notch. I highly recommend them for aspiring writers and seasoned writers as well. They're perfect for networking.

The conference takes place August 26th-September 1.

Learn more about the conference here:

SORMAG Online Conference

Check out Shades of Romance Magazine's blog here:

Shades of Romance Magazine

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

New Book Club: Black Butterfly Review Book Club

There's a new book club in town:

Here's some info:

Black Butterfly Review is announcing the formation of the Black Butterfly Review Book Club. In this clubs our mission will be to read and celebrate the written word.

If you feel that this is something that might interest you, we invite you to join us at : www.blackbutterflyreviewclub@yahoogroups.com.

If you are an author and would like to have your book considered for our book club; please send an email to blackbutterflyreview@gmail.com with a synopsis of your title.

You can join here:

Black Butterfly Review Book Club

Great Posts on the Writing Life…

Wendy Coakley-Thompson asks “Are We There Yet?” on Blogging In Black

Wendy Coakley-Thompson: Are We There Yet?

This is a thoughtful post that deals with the level of faith writers need to have as they pursue their careers and what happens when that faith is tested.

AcVernon Mechan explores the nuances of criticism in her post “Constructive Criticism.”

acVernon Menchan: Constructive Criticism

This great post looks at criticism in a variety of ways and really gets at the heart of the matter: how we take criticism depends both on the way it is given and our own willingness to receive it…

Farrah Rochon has some thoughts to share on the writing process in her post “Different Book, Different Process.”

Farrah Rochon: Different Book, Different Process

If you are one of those lucky people who has a tried and true writing and revising process that works every time, the same way for every book you write, then not only is this post not for you but I’m sticking out my tongue at you right now as I type. But if you’re like the rest of us poor folks who have to get in where we fit in and find new ways to work that muse each time, then check out what Farrah has to say. And don’t forget, Ms. Farrah Rochon will be our author for the month of September here on Gwyneth’s Blog.

Okay, what are you still reading this post for? Go Check out these blogs and comment over there. And then go write something… Me? I’m still celebrating my birthday… LOL.

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Happy Birthday to Me... :-)

It's my birthday! It's time to party! Come on in and have some chocolate cake. I'm going to sing Happy Birthday to myself now...

old school style...

Happy birthday to me-ee. Happy birthday to me-ee. Happy birthday to me-eeee. Happy birthday to me-ee. How old am I now? (21) How old am I now? (29) How old am I n-ow? (Fine 37!) Happy Birthday to me-ee....

new school style...

Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birth-day... Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birth-day....

hip-hop remix style...

Go, go, go me. It's my birthday. I'm gonna party like it's my birthday. I'm gonna drink mojitos like it's my birthday. And you know I don't give a wha- 'cause it's my birthday....

Okay, I'm off to celebrate. Have some cake. Have a mojito. I'll catch you all on Sunday night or Monday morning... :-)

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Talk about incentive...

... to buy a Kanye West CD

50 Cent said he would stop making solo albums if Kanye West out-sells him when they both release on September 11th.


"Let's raise the stakes," the 31-year-old rapper told hip-hop Web site SOHH.com in an interview posted Friday. "If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music. I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out anymore solo albums."

Promises... Promises... I don't know about y'all. But I'm buying as many Kanye West CDs as my budget can handle. I'm talking about, family and loved ones might be getting them for birthday gifts and Christmas. Both 50 and Kanye are pretty annoying in an man-child kind of way... I mean instead of having a contest for who can sell the most CDs, they could have a contest for who can through the biggest tantrum. I wouldn't even know who to put my money on for that one... But I actually like Kanye's music. And if there is a chance he can help get rid of 50, hey... why not? If only 50 said he would shut up and disappear forever if Kanye outsold him. Boy, I'd really buy a lot of those Kanye West CDs then...

Buy Kanye West's CD and let's see if 50 disappears... LOL.

Two New Paranormal Reads For You! Because I care... ;-)

We have two new paranormal romances that are doing innovative things with the genre. Tired of vampires and werewolves you say? Not so keen on adventures in outer space but you’d like some speculative elements and magical realism in your romance? Well award winning author A. C. Arthur and debut author Stefanie Worth have novels to fit the bill. And me being the bookaholic enabler of other bookaholics that I am, well, I just had to pass the information along to the rest of you...

I love everything sci-fi, speculative, paranormal, etc… Okay, maybe not everything, but I took a moment of me-time/reading time before diving into my revisions. And I decided I’d read a couple of new paranormals since I’m not writing my own paranormal at the moment. And since I always have to share when I read a good book, I figured I'd let you know about these...


A. C. Arthur’s Heart of the Phoenix was truly amazing. She takes Greek mythology, the intrigue and suspense she is known for, as well as the heat she is known for, and really delivers on this one. Normally my pick for shape-shifter books is always werewolves. Nalini Singh’s books have me considering putting the big cats in the mix since I have really enjoyed her two paranormals. But mostly I'm a werewolf gal. However, A. C. has me thinking about a phoenix… This hero is part phoenix and part god… And lawd have mercy, I see I’m going to have to add a bird shape-shifter to my list… I love the way Arthur weaved the Greek mythology into the novel. It reminded me of my first reading love. I spent a lot of time reading Greek myths as a kid. I highly recommend this one for folks who enjoy paranormals but want something different and more refreshing.

Here’s the blurb:

From the ashes he was born and in the thunderous flames he will soon die. But not before branding her heart. Tayla Hampton thought she had escaped her past. She was wrong. It’s caught up with her. Luckily she has a guardian angel…or something like that.

Thaddeus Delos is not you’re ordinary protector. His mythical DNA is proof of that. Still he hungers like a hot-blooded man, loves fiercely and will protect Tayla with his life. Only that life isn’t promised to him for much longer.


The next book comes from newcomer Stefanie Worth. Where Souls Collide is nothing short of a stunning debut. I loved this book and I was still thinking about it when I closed the pages. It is such a refreshing twist on soul mates. Refreshing and innovative and thrilling, those are words that come to mind as I try to think about how to describe this book. And the speculative elements and magical realism are done so well that it really pulls you into several worlds seamlessly. It really is a novel that you have to experience. I can’t really put into words all the things that are great about this book. As a writer, I appreciated the risks Worth took with the story telling, the rules of romance certainly get twisted all around in this one. And as a reader, I loved the voice and the draw of this novel. It pulled me in and refused to let me go. I highly recommend this one as well.

Here’s the blurb:

RELECTIONS OF THE PAST
Detroit journalist Nevena Larimore thought her romance with NBA star Maxwell McKnight would last forever, but forever came to an abrupt end fifteen years ago, leaving her brokenhearted. Now Maxwell is back in her life as the owner and editor of her newspaper, and Navena's turbulent feelings have come rushing back.

VISIONS OF THE PRESENT
Navena cannot find peace at home, either. Her boyfriend wants more of a commitment than she can give and she's haunted by prophetic dreams of murder.

DREAMS OF THE FUTURE
It is up to Navena to figure out her psychic legacy and prevent the murder...but not alone. After struggling with doubt, Maxwell realizes that Navena's visions are authentic, and it is she who might need saving. Navena may have extraordinary powers, but together they discover that real love is a force of its own.

What about you all? Have you read any good books lately? Go ahead, add a few books to my to-be-read pile... I won't mind... :-)

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

How Bad is Too Bad for the Romance Heroine?

Most romance heroines are syrupy sweet. There's like a romance rule and everything... Thou shall not have a mean or bitchy or otherwise unworthy romance heroine for she does not deserve the love of a HOT, sexy hero. Well, when I wrote my first romance novel, I had no idea that there was a rule. And my first heroine was really bitchy until my editor (I love you Deatri) told me that I had to tone her down and make her likable. So I did (I hope). And that's when I realized that as much as I embrace my inner bitch and encourage others to do the same, I can't have a true bitch... a real bitch... a-sho-nuff-take-no-stuff-bitch as the heroine in my romance novels. Bummer... So no more bitches...

But what about bad girls? Now, I know I could get away with naughty girls in an erotic romance. But I'm talking about bad girls. I'm talking about a chick that might have done wrong in the past and she's a little sorry for it... or at least sorry she got caught. LOL. Or a girl who might break the rules, for a good cause or a good reason of course, but she's a rule breaker nonetheless. She might lie or steal, you know... She's just not the perfect sweet little heroine we're used to seeing in romance. Would this ever work in a romance novel? I'm thinking only if it was a part of her past. What do you all think?

I realized after I finished the first novel in my Hightower series that two of my heroines, the two that will fall in love with my cops, are what some would consider bad girls... Their stories are so much fun to write. Their histories are so rich and they bring all kinds of emotions to the story. I love emotional writing almost as much as I love emotional reading. And after reading countless books where the hero is the one doing the big apology at the end, it is so cool to think that I could flip the script on all that with the right bad girl...

But how bad is too bad? What are the limits? What would turn you off in a heroine? Do you like your heroines a little naughty? Is syrupy sweet more your style? Who are some of your favorite bad girls in fiction? What about real life? I have to say, I enjoyed writing about my first true bad girl. The heroine in Protect and Serve had me on edge. My editor might make me tone her down by the time readers see her... but she was something else for a minute... I just hope readers will still like her... we'll see... What do you all think about bad girls in romance?

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

August Interview with acVernon Menchan

GB: Well hello acVernon Menchan also known as my girl Angelia. Thanks so much for blessing my blog with an interview. I know that you’re busy on your grind writing wonderful books, insightful blog posts, selling your books all over the place, meeting with book clubs, reviewing books for APOOO, being a wife and mother, and giving back to the community by mentoring young sistahs. Whew! I know your time is very valuable, so I appreciate you taking time away to chat. Your busy schedule leads me to my first question. How? How do you do it all and do it all so well? Do tell…

AM: I guess what has made it relatively easy is that I waited until I had time to do the things I wanted to do. My husband spent twenty-two years as a soldier and we traveled the world, I also have two sons who are now twenty-seven and twenty-two, so I guess it is my turn to do what feeds my soul. Writing and reviewing and talking to my girls really doesn’t feel like work, it is a soul experience, Not only that but when a sister is tired she will get her rest. I have always known that taking care of me shores me up to take care of the rest.

GB: A soul experience… I like that. Okay, you have done what many authors dream of doing. You’ve taken care of your own business and self-published your three books. Having control of your own destiny must be a beautiful thing… Kudos! What made you decide to just go ahead and do it yourself? What has the journey been like as a self-published author? Would you ever consider going with a traditional publisher in the future?


AM: As someone who has spent a couple of decades working for the government I knew that if I really wanted to color outside the lines I would have to own myself. So as with most things I just did it. My first work wasn’t truly self-published, I worked with a vanity press because that first book was written on a lark, was just going to be something for friends and family to talk about. Little did I know about how people would react to my work. Thank God! I am open to anything but in the mean time I will continue to do what I am doing.

GB: Now you know I have to talk about your novels, Black’s Obsession , Cinnamon’s Universe and the forthcoming (soon I hope) Brown’s Possession . These novels are part of a trilogy that you call “Black’s Trilogy” and they give three sides of tantalizing love triangle. I really love the idea of getting three sides of the story and found myself eagerly turning the pages as I read Black’s and Cinnamon’s stories and now waiting not so patiently for Brown’s piece of the puzzle (no rush… but err… hurry up...). Anyway, what was your inspiration for this trilogy?


AM: I am a short story writer at heart. I was working on a series of short stories and one was entitled ‘Whose Baby’. The premise was a guy would call his friend on the eve of his wedding to confess his feelings for her. It was eighteen pages, but that story wouldn’t let me go and became this three book series. Also, I wanted and needed to write about brothers as I knew them to be. Loving, complicated and diverse beings, not just fodder for the six o’clock news. Thus, Black. There are many Malcolm Blacks in our community.

GB: We have something in common. (smile) Many years ago when I was working on my MA in Creative Writing I just knew I was going to be a short story writer and my thesis was going to be a collection of short stories, until one short story refused to end. It is so funny the way a piece of writing will do that to a writer. It really does tell you when it is supposed to end if the writer is listening. I still want to write that collection of short fiction one day… Anyway… In Love Stories of Some People I’ve Known , you give the reader a glimpse of so many different kinds of love. It was a nicely done, very nuanced look at love. So, what made you want to take on love in these shorter vignettes? Can readers expect more of this kind of short story collection from you in the future?


AM: Short stories are my first love when it comes to writing. I can have a conversation or see a situation and rush home to write about it. People fascinate me and have a tendency to tell me the most amazing stories. I will then fictionalize them so they no longer recognize themselves. (giggling). I have a short story on Amazon entitled, “If I Didn’t Know Better,” that story was based on a Luther Vandross song. I heard it, went back home and two hours later I had a story. I have hundreds of those.

GB: Speaking of your shorter pieces… You know I just adore your blog. And I think you have the one of the most wonderful, real and provocative voices out there in the blogosphere. I love the way you make it plain time and time again and bring home such thought-provoking truths in such few words. When I read what you can do with short pieces of prose, it reminds me of how I feel sometimes when I read short stories and poetry by Alice Walker or short stories by J. California Cooper. Okay, I promise there is a question in here and not just me gushing. (Smile) So, let me see… how do you bring all that down home wisdom out in so few words? What inspires you?

AM: Gushing is good… he he… Thanks Gwyneth, you are so kind. I write the way I think and speak. I have been blessed with an ability to say what is in my heart and I seem unable not to do. Some love it, others might not. That is too funny, Ms. Cooper is my absolute favorite short story writer. I love her. I just say it as I see it. When one speaks truth as they know it, not many words are needed. I am inspired by people, my love for people and the love I get back. I am blessed.

GB: I love Cooper too! She’s amazing. So, have you always known that you wanted to be a writer?

AM: Yes indeed, I have been writing in journals all my life. My books are an extension of that.

GB: Has your writing changed over the years? What kinds of changes have you seen in your work?

AM: Oh my God, yes. My first book was a hot mess in terms of the way it was written. And for a hot minute, when people in the know mentioned my mistakes I thought okay I am done. But, you know what, readers had a different take, they wanted to hear what I was saying, so I tightened up my game. I am still very much a work in progress, very much!!

GB: You also review books for APOOO Book Club. How did you get started reviewing books? Do you think that book reviewing helps you in your own writing?

AM: Yasmin Coleman, owner and moderator of APOOO, my sister-friend, sent out a call for reviewers and I raised my hand. It has been one of the best experiences. APOOO reviews with integrity and I love being a part of it. Reviewing has helped tremendously in my writing.

GB: What’s next on the horizon for you? Tell us a little bit about your upcoming projects and give us a sneak peek at some of the things you have in the works.

AM: I am now working on a series of books for young adults. The first one is tentatively titled, What Part of No Is Not Clear to You? My heroine is sixteen and knows her own mind. My kind of girl.

GB: Sounds like my kind of girl too. The novel sounds wonderful! You’re going to have me reading young adult books. LOL. So, who are some of your favorite authors? What are you reading right now?

AM: My all time favorites are James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Colin Channer, Pearl Cleage, Diane Mckinney Whetstone…there are so many. I have a new favorite, Kwame Dawes, that brother can write. I love your writing also Ms. Bolton. I am reading, Selah’s Bed by Jenoyne Adams and reviewing a couple of books.

GB: Thank you. (Smile) Do you have any advice for aspiring writers about the publishing business? Do you have any specific advice for writers thinking about going the self-publishing route?

AM: I would have to say first and foremost, hone your craft and have faith in your abilities. I don’t know anything about traditional publishing. I am probably one of the few who haven’t even tried. If you are going to self-publish make sure you do your research and are willing to get your hustle on. Writing is the easy part, selling yourself is work.

GB: “Writing is the easy part, selling yourself is work.” Girl, you ain’t never lied. Someone needs to put that quote on a bumper sticker. It needs to be a mantra or something. LOL. Okay, so, thanks so much for the interview and blessing us with your time. I appreciate it. How can readers best contact you?

AM: Thanks so much Lady Gwyneth. I have enjoyed this. You are my sister and a true ‘Write or Die Chick’. I can be reached at www.acvernonmenchan.com or my email acvermen@yahoo.com or my blog, http://acvermen.blogspot.com