Deleted Scene: I'm Gonna Make You Love Me

So, I thought I'd try an experiment this week and post two deleted scenes, one from each of my two published novels. This is something that I have pondered over and over. I mean, scenes are cut for a reason, right? Maybe they should never see the light of day. Maybe it's best to just leave them where they are. But I mentioned to one reader (Hey, Louise!), that I was thinking about putting up some deleted scenes and she has not let me forget. LOL. So, I picked the scenes based on readers' comments and responses I've gotten about the novels. Now, I'm not saying that if the scenes had stayed in the novel then the readers wouldn't have had similar responses... but I'm just saying... The following scene was cut from my first novel, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. I now know that the whole background material I had of them as teenagers probably needed to be cut. But I have heard from some readers who felt that Alicia was giving Darren a hard time and she needed to get over what happened to her when she was fourteen. So I figured I'd share the scene and see what you thought. I'll be posting a deleted scene from If Only You Knew on Wednesday.

Deleted Scene:

The Singletons held a going away barbecue for the boys to celebrate their going off to college. Again, Alicia felt it was overkill. One would think that they were the first people to ever go to college. Alicia stood under a tent in the massive backyard of the Singleton's red brick colonial, watching everyone around her have a wonderful time, everyone, including Darren Whitman and his date.
She tried not to stare at the girl. She was pretty if you liked the tall model-type. She was fair-skinned and had one of those Halle Berry haircuts that everyone was wearing. And she fawned over every word that came out of Darren's mouth.
Alicia decided that even though the girl was older, she was clearly an idiot. She realized that she was staring at them and looked away. Unfortunately, she didn't do it fast enough to stop Sonya from catching her.
"Girl forget about Darren. The fact that he has a date here should tell you that you’re wasting your energy," Sonya said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I'm not even thinking about Darren. I just think his choice in women is a little predictable. What's so special about her?"
"Hmm... let's see. Could it be the long legs? The dimples? Oh no, I think it's that high butt that looks like you can sit a cup on her back!" Sonya laughed.
Alicia couldn't help but join her even though laughing was the last thing she wanted to do. It hurt too much. "Well, good for her and him. I hope they have a long, miserable life together."
Sonya put her arm around Alicia. "Let's go find some guys to dance with. This is a party, right?"
"Right." Alicia cast one more look at Darren and his date and decided to at least try and have some fun.

Darren couldn't stop himself from watching Alicia dance with some little high school twerp. The boy's awkward moves made him wish that he had taken the chance to dance with Alicia at the club a few months ago.
He couldn't believe that he was at the party with a gorgeous girl--one his age--and he kept thinking about a fourtee-year-old--a fourteen-year-old that he was supposed to one day marry. He couldn't wait to leave for DC. He blinked to clear his thoughts and decided to pay more attention to his date.
Darren brought her to the barbecue because he was getting tired of Kendrick making insinuations about him having the hots for a kid. He turned and tried to catch what Shannon was saying, and as he did, he noticed Kendrick giving him the evil eye.

Once the barbecue was over the boys took their partying over to the Taylor's family room with some beers they stole from the stash Troy's folks had for the adult guests. Alicia saw them sneaking the beers and she was tempted to tell on them, but she decided she would eavesdrop instead. She wanted to hear what Darren had to say about tall-dumb-girl.
She sat down by the entrance to the family room, out of their sight, and she realized the more she listened to them that she was right. Boys were dumb. She was just about to get up and go to her room when her name came up.
"And just what the hell were you doing looking at Licia all night, man. She's a kid. I thought we decided that we wouldn't be robbing the cradle this summer?" Alicia’s cousin sounded a little tipsy.
"Man, stop tripping. It's not even like that. Did you see my date? She was fine! And she's a woman, not a little girl. I don't do little girls, man, especially not bratty pests like your cousin. She's irritating, an annoyance. I can't stand her. I don't like her, never did, never will." Darren's voice, the one she thought was so sexy, sounded harsh and mean.
"Plus your little cousin is not all that. I mean she's a cute kid and all, but it’s not like she's Tyra Banks or anything like that. Maybe when she grows up she’ll be halfway decent looking. But right now, I'm not feeling her like that. So, you can stop tripping."
Alicia couldn’t believe those horrible words were coming out of Darren's mouth. She was tempted to go in there and give him a piece of her mind. But she was numb. Her mouth fell open and she felt a weird lump in her chest.
"Shoot. You're bugging! When she grows up? If she's half as fine when she grows up as she is now, then your little cousin will be the finest woman to walk the earth. She looks like a mix between Stacy Dash and that honey from Teen Summit. What's her name . . . Ananda Lewis? Shoot, Darren can play that line if he wants to, but I'm not scared of you and I'm not gonna lie." Troy had clearly had too much of the beer.
"Man, shut up!" Darren and Kendrick snapped in unison.
"Whatever, man, whatever." Troy laughed.
"Anyway, like I said, I'm not interested in the kid. She's got a smart mouth. She thinks she's special. And she's really still the same little pesky brat she always was—minus those braces. I won't ever be interested even if she was the last woman on earth."
Alicia realized that her face was wet when she felt a tear trail down her neck. She got up and tried to control herself, but she couldn't contain the sob that escaped her lips. She ran to her room before anyone could see her.

"What the hell was that?" Kendrick snapped.
The boys looked puzzled for a moment and then as if they all experienced Deja vu at the same moment, they each said, "Alicia."
"Dang, she's still eavesdropping." Troy shook his head. "Sounds like she was crying or something. Didn’t it?"
"Yeah it did. I better go see if she's okay." Kendrick gave Darren one last glare and then went looking for his cousin.
Darren sighed and leaned his head back on the sofa. He didn't mean for Alicia to hear that. But maybe it was for the best. He saved face with his friends. And if she hated him, then he didn’t have to worry about marrying her. Looking up, he noticed Troy looking at him with a silly smirk on his face.
Irritated, Darren snapped, "What? What are you looking at?"
"I hope it was worth it," Troy said smugly.
"You hope what was worth it? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and how you will never stand a chance with Alicia now."
Darren closed his eyes. That should be a good thing. Right? "Weren't you listening to me? I don't want a chance with her. She's a kid."
"Right, right, so I guess you won't mind if I step to her? When she's older, of course." Troy looked at Darren intently.
His eyes popped open. He felt himself spiral through a blaze of emotions from angry to bordering on hatred. That was definitely not a good thing.
Troy smirked. "Don’t worry man. She's like a little sister to me. I just want you to be honest. You like her. I don't. I just tell it like it is. I have to admit it has been funny watching you pretend you don't like her all summer."
Darren finished off his beer and shut his eyes again. If he didn't get this Alicia thing under control, it was going to be the longest four years ever.

So there you have it. What do you think? Should Alicia still have gotten past her hurt quicker and stop giving Darren a hard time? Or did our hero get exactly what he deserved when she made him work for it? Tune in later this week for a deleted scene from If Only You Knew...

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Great new vampire story from Anisa Damien

Here's the blurb for Taste:
What better background for a reporter? Ashlyn Douglas always gets what she wants. Her target, The Scarlet Manor, an exclusive erotic resort visited by a chosen few. She’s determined to land an interview with the owners, the elusive Rayven brothers. Until she meets Cyrus, and decides she’d rather have him.

Cyrus Rayven has his choice of lovers. Now he wants Ashlyn. Her shapely curves and wicked tongue make his cold vampire heart run scalding hot. But when he discovers Ashlyn’s secrets, will passion be enough?

Here's what I thought about Anisa Damien's Taste:
Taste. Mmmm… Let's just say that the title is working on several levels in this erotic multicultural paranormal romance… Damien has a really vivid and seductive writing style. She pulls you right into the story and the world and I found myself being sucked (no pun intended) right into Ashlyn and Cyrus's story. The concept was fresh. The sex was HOT. (Think of a big mansion with themed-inspired pleasure rooms and you might be able to envision the possibilities...) The plot kept me hooked until I finished. It's shorter than a novella, so it was great to be able to read it and find out how it ended before going to sleep. That way, I didn't have vampires invading my dreams. (Although, with a vampire like Cyrus, maybe I wouldn’t mind so much…) I highly recommend this and other publications by Damien. You won't be disappointed. I did an interview with her back in September. Check that out on this blog in the archives. You can get your own copy of Taste from Changeling Press. I suggest you download a copy today. I can't think of a better read during this Halloween month than Anisa Damien's Taste.

Get a copy of Taste here:
http://www.changelingpress.com/

Find out more about Anisa Damien here:
http://www.anisadamien.com/
http://www.anisadamien.com/seductiveblog/
http://sexysheets.blogspot.com/

Hump Day Blues....

Does the work week have you down? Do you feel like you want to scream? Are people just getting on your nerves for no good reason? Sounds like you've got the "Hump Day Blues." And I've got the cure. Here are a few rap lyrics I use to help get me through the day without doing someone bodily harm. "Y'all gonna make me lose my mind. Up in here. Up in here. Y'all gonna make me go all out. Up in here. Up in here... Y'all gonna make me act a fool. Up in here. Up in here. Y'all gonna make me lose my cool. Up in here. Up in here." If the co-workers hear you mumbling that in a nice DMX growl and keep getting on your nerves, they deserve whatever happens to them. My other personal favorite comes from that street philosopher from the south, Trick Daddy. (I have to exchange his use of the "n-word" for "people" because I don't want the white folk thinking they can use the n-word any more freely than they already do. And I have to switch his use of the "f-word" for "messing." Because I have to keep it clean for the kiddies.) But, trust me even the PG version of this song will make those bothersome folk leave you the hell alone. Just tell them Trick Daddy said, "Y'all people keep messing around, messing around... Mess around and get stuck in the ground. I ain't no buster see. Y'all people better stop messing with me!" And if that don't work, put your pimp falsetto on and channel Jay Z: "I done told y'all nine ten times stop messing with me..." Then slowly walk towards them...

Caution: Not responsible for improper use of the lyrics that gets you locked away in the psych ward.

Warning: These lyrics are not magic. There are some people that just need to be cussed out. All the singing to yourself in your office will not substitute for them being told where to go and how to get there.

Happy Hump Day!

Gwyneth

"Unbreakable" (Just jokes… But… Hmmm...)

I knew there was a reason why I didn't like that Alicia Key's song "Unbreakable." I like Alicia Keys, but there was something about that song that just worked my nerves. At first I thought it was because she took the track from my favorite song by Sweet Sable, "Old Times Sake." Then, I thought it had to be because the lyrics sound like she wrote the song while alternating between Nick at Night and the Entertainment Network: "We could fight like Ike and Tina or give back like Bill and Camielle. Be rich like Oprah and Stedman or instead struggle like Flo and James Evans…. See we could act up like Will and Jada, or like Kimora and Russell making paper. All in the family! Like the Jacksons and have enough kids to make a band like the Jacksons…" I guess we should just be happy she wasn’t watching the cartoon network. Then she would have lyrics like, 'We could eat brontosaurus burgers like Fred and Wilma. Or live in a space house in the sky like George and Jane Jetson…" But now I know why the song bothered me so much. It's a jinx. Couples are breaking up left and right after she mentioned them in that song. What is she some kind of hoodoo woman? First Russell and Kimora Simmons are getting a divorce. Now Bobby and Whitney are calling it quits. (Okay, Bobby and Whitney should have called it quits a long time ago…) But, you can’t tell me Alicia Key's song didn't have something to do with it. I'm telling you, if something happens to Will and Jada's marriage, or if Bill and Camielle Cosby call it quits, somebody needs to say a prayer and throw down some salt or something... And Alicia Keys, I know I'm not famous or anything like that… but keep me and mine out of your songs. LOL!

A sista has a thing for the Vamps!

It occurred to me as I finished the last page on one of the many vampire/vampire hunter series that I am hooked on, that I have a thing for vampires and vampire hunters. When it comes to paranormals and paranormal romances, I'm vampires and werewolves all day. The cat shape shifters don't really ring my bell--and magicians and warlocks, not so much. I do love me some witches. (Boy do I miss Charmed) But when I think about series that I am currently hooked on--as in must read the latest installment as soon as it is released and I can get my hands on it--vampires and vampire hunters win hands down.

Just to give you a sense of how serious this particular vampire and vampire hunter reading habit of mine is, let me share with you the series that I am currently hooked on: Christine Feehan's Carpathian series, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series, J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and my favorite of all L. A. Bank's Vampire Huntress series. When I say hooked, I mean I have every novel or novella ever written in these series and have read them all. When I say hooked, I mean sometimes I can't wait until the next installment is released. We're talking stalking the bookstores to see if they put the book out early kind of can't wait here. It isn't pretty.

It occurred to me however, that few of these vampire and vampire hunter worlds have many people of color. With the exception of L. A. Banks, which I love because the vampire hunter is a spoken-word artist sista who is bad with the sword, none of these series that I love and support have very many black folk. Some people take issue with the fact that J. R. Ward has vampires in her series that listen to rap music and speak in black slang but no black people. That doesn’t bother me as much. There are so many white boys that get off on black culture by listening to rap, blasting it in their cars. That element actually makes her characters more real to me. Look at any sales reports and you’ll see that white boys are a large audience for hip-hop. It would be nice if she included a black or Latino brother to the mix, but whatever…

I still would love it if someone did a series of vampires or vampire hunters that were peopled with black folk. That would make my day. The anthology that Parker Publishing is releasing next month titled Vegas Bites promises to quench my werewolf thirst with some badass black werewolves. I'm really looking forward to that. With authors such as L. A. Banks, J. M. Jeffries, Serresia Glass, and Natalie Dunbar, it should be a wonderful read. But I want a series of black vampires or vampire hunters. Some badass brothas who run those smooth vampire lines and get you to bare that neck or some badass vampire hunting brothas in leather jackets who can slice and dice and fight like only a brotha can. I want to read them. Somebody write them.

Anyway, enough of that, I thought I'd come up with a list of vampire and vampire hunter tales by black authors with black characters for others who have a thing for the vamps and hope that someday soon I’ll get that series I yearn for. Until then check out these:

- The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez
- Fledgling by Octavia Butler
- Dark Thirst, a multi-author anthology with writers such as Monica Jackson and Donna Hill represented
- Bloodlust by J. M. Jeffries
- Blood Seduction by J. M. Jeffries (coming in April 2007)
- L. A. Banks' Vampire Huntress Series – I love this series and I'm so glad that they added two more books to it.
Not exactly vampires… but there are some blood themes at work and they’re just really great reads:
- My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
- The Living Blood byTananarive Due
- Mr. Right Now by Monica Jackson

If I have left any others off, let me know. And if you have a thing for the vamps, let me know that too. I'd be interested in knowing exactly how many others like the vampires and vampire hunters. Or if you dig other kinds of paranormal stories let me know that too.

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Kara and Darwu

My sister, Michelle Pough, came up with her own interpretation of the hero and the heroine from my forthcoming novel, Divine Destiny. Meet Kara Millan, freedom fighter and Darwu the Warrior Prince. I think my little sister did an awesome job with the images. I can almost hear a Xena-like battle cry in the background. Thanks for doing this, Tweety Bird! I love you!

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

October Interview with Author Phyllis Bourne Williams

Hi All,

Please join me for my October interview with Phyllis Bourne Williams. She is the author of A Moment on the Lips and a two time RWA Golden Heart Finalist. Check out what she has to say about her work and publishing!

GB: Hi, Phyllis! First let me say that I loved your novel A Moment on the Lips. 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?

PBW: Thanks, Gwyneth!

I've been writing a long time. I majored in journalism in college, where I sometimes sat in class with the latest Romantic Times tucked in between the pages of my textbooks. From there I went on to work as a newspaper reporter. I covered crime for The (Fort Wayne, Indiana) News-Sentinel and later at The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Meanwhile, I always dreamed of writing romance. While I was good at starting books, it took me years to figure out how to finish. So I have a file cabinet full of incomplete manuscripts.

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?

PBW: Oh, yes! I've been a romance novel junkie since my teens. My first one came attached to a bottle of dishwashing liquid in a giveaway promotion in 1970-something. While I never got the hang of washing dishes, I got hooked on romance.

I don't go anywhere without a romance novel. There is always a book in my purse or an audio book playing in the car. My iPod is loaded with more book downloads than music.

I think that loving and respecting the genre helps me with writing. My approach is to write the story I want to read, but haven't found yet.

GB: You were a finalist for the Romance Writers of America Golden Hearts award for unpublished writers with the novel A Moment on the Lips. What was that like? What did it feel like getting the call that you were a finalist? Was it almost as good as when you got the call from your editor saying she wanted to publish the novel?

PBW: While the final for A Moment on the Lips was nice, my first Golden Heart final back in 2001 was the sweetest. It was for my first completed manuscript, The Blue-Blood and the Blue-Collar Bride. I was out-of-town the day the calls went out, so I didn’t find out I made the cut until 10:30 at night. I remember feeling so, so happy!

With A Moment on the Lips, the Golden Heart call came a month after I received the editor call. Both calls stunned me. I left the messages on my answering machine for months and replayed them over and over again. Still, I don’t think I believed any of it until I saw my book on the shelf at Walmart.

GB: You were the launch book for Dorchester's African American program. How did that feel? Was there any pressure of being the first book?

PBW: I didn't know my book would be the first one for a long time. By the time I found out it was too late to be anxious about it.

For me, the pressure was to make sure the book was as good as I could possibly make it. Paperbacks are pricey. I want readers to feel like they got their money's worth.

GB: One of the things I love about A Moment on the Lips is that it is funny as all get out. Does writing romantic comedy come naturally to you? Is that a tone that we can expect more of from you? (Please say yes because I love to laugh!)

PBW: Really? Now I’m laughing. I never thought of it as a funny, but I did want it to be a light, fun read. I believe the stories I’m working on now both have that feel.

GB: The other factor that I really adored about the novel is that it featured an over-forty heroine. I've noticed that a lot of readers are really calling for heroines in this age-bracket instead of the typical twenty-something heroine. What made you decide to create a heroine in this age bracket? Do you think this is something you will continue to do in other books?

PBW: As a reader, I was also hungry for romances with over-forty heroines. I'm fascinated by the things women are doing for their "second acts" and I'll continue to write stories with forty-plus heroines.

GB: You have two love stories going on in A Moment on the Lips. And, I love getting my two for the price of one romance. So thank you for that! Besides the romance of your lead characters, Grant Price and Melody Mason, we also get the romance of married couple Kevin and Joyce. I loved their story because it shows that marriage is work and takes compromise. 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 Kevin and Joyce's story to the novel for a reason? What did you hope to show by including their tale?

PBW: I wanted to show a couple falling in love and a couple making love work.

Marriage is hard. I wanted the secondary story to give readers a taste of the problems that can shake the foundation of what both partners thought was a solid marriage. And have the characters survive it with renewed love, admiration and respect for each other.

GB: On that note, you have your characters dealing with some really intense life-changing decisions. Why did you decide to take on topics such as deciding to change career and lifestyle for better health and quality of life? Many folks think that by a certain age, things are what they are and you just keep going along the road until you die. But you used your characters to show that there is life after forty and you can change your life if you want to. What was the thinking that went on behind that?

PBW: A Moment on the Lips is a romance, but at heart it's a mid-life crisis friendship book. What happens after you achieved the goals you've set for yourself as a young woman only to find years later you’ve outgrown them?

As they turn forty, best friends Melody and Joyce are second-guessing the paths they've chosen in life. I wanted to show two women with the courage to turn their comfortable lives upside down to pursue new dreams.

The health issue was important to me. Seems like every time you turn on the news, blacks are leading the pack in some bad health statistic. We can get new jobs, new cars and new houses, but we only get one body. It has to last. I tried to use Melody's experience to bring home the point that we have to learn to slow down, pay attention to our bodies and take good care of them.

GB: What are you reading right now? Any good reads you want to offer?

PBW: I just came off a Karen White-Owens weekend, where I read Love Changes Everything and Someone to Love back to back. Both were fantastic reads!

GB: What are you working on right now? Can you give us a sneak peek, please?

PBW: I'm working on a story about a divorced housewife who sets out to get the life she pursued before she was sidetracked by twenty-five years of marriage and full-time motherhood. In her quest, she finds the one thing she doesn't want – love.

GB: Is there any advice you'd like to offer to aspiring writers?

PBW: Finish the book!

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

PBW: Readers can visit me at www.phyllisbournewilliams.com or send me an e-mail at phyllisbournewilliams@juno.com.

Top Five "When A Woman is Fed Up" Songs

I know—this is supposed to be a blog about African American romance and love. But sometimes love goes sour. And I thought it would be a nice community service for me to come up with a list of songs that speak to sisters when they are at the breaking point, that I'm not gonna take this anymore point. That love don't live here any more point. Songs that, if a guy happens to come home a little late and his woman his blasting them—singing at the top of her lungs and from the bottom of her gut—he'd better make a u-turn. You know the songs I'm talking about. They have become anthems in female communities. And I'm sure there are some that didn't make my top five that you might turn on and sing along with when your significant other is working your nerves. So, here are mine. What are yours?

1. "Caught Out There" (I hate you so much right now) by Kelis – Before her milkshake brought all the boys to the yard, and before she became Mrs. Nasir Jones she was the first girl to scream on a track. Who can forget the classic "I hate you so much right now! Arrrrrgh!" The first time I heard this song, I just stared at the TV thinking WTF! It was refreshing to see a black chick screaming like a rocker. And the lyrics speak for themselves. He was cheating. She caught him. And now she hates him--so much.
2. "Free Yourself" by Fantasia – This song is one of my favorites. Sister can't even be bothered anymore. She tells the guy to "go ahead and free yourself." Let yourself out. I'm done. The lyrics along with Fantasia's voice on this cut give it the high ranking on my list. "If you don't want me, then don't talk to me… Go ahead and free yourself…"
3. "Padlock" by Gwen Gunthrie – I loved Gwen Gunthrie's music back when I was too young to really know what she was singing about and "Padlock" is a classic. Now, "Outside in the Rain" is my favorite Gwen Gunthrie song. But we'll have to save that one for the cool places to make love mix tape. "Padlock" makes this list with lyrics like: "I'm padlocking my heart, you and I are finished. Padlocking my heart. Love has been evicted. Padlocking my heart. You ain't welcome here no more… I'm locking up the door" it has to make the list.
4. "Not Gonna Cry" by Mary J. Blige – Now, this song was playing during the infamous burning the clothes and the car scene in the film version of Waiting to Exhale… Angela Basset tore that scene up, "Take your shit. Take your shit." But I digress… Enough said… I will add that with lyrics like, "I'm not gonna cry cause you're not worth my tears…" it becomes pretty clear that the sister is fed-up.
5. "Ring the Alarm" by Beyonce – "Ring the alarm. I been with ya too long. But I'll be damn if I see another chick on your arm." I didn't know Beyonce had it in her! LOL! She's threatening to set the man's house on fire and everything. Who knew? And the delivery is nice and angry. This song had to make my list for that reason alone.

So, that's my top five. I know I probably missed some good ones. So if you can think of any that I missed let me know. And, I have a word of warning to any guys reading this. If you come home and your sweetheart is blasting one of these songs, back away from the door…

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

First Review for Divine Destiny

I just got my first early review for my December release Divine Destiny and I thought I'd share the highlights. Monique Bruner at Real Page Turners had this to say about my first paranormal erotic romance:

"Divine Destiny is an unforgettable love story with a dark paranormal erotic edge.  Bolton has the gift of luring the reader into the storyline and making them part of the fairy-tale.  The twist and turns of the love destroys one family while redeeming a country that has been wrought with death and destruction.  The depth of the characters and the description of the surroundings creates a uniqueness that propels this romance to the front of the pack.  Bolton is clearly the next dark paranormal erotic romance author of the decade!"

Needless to say, I am just a happy as I can be. It's always nice when someone gets your work. And it's even better when they like your work. Now I'm off to write so that I can try and make good on Ms. Bruner's statement. Can't be the paranormal erotic romance author of the decade with just one book in the genre...

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Possible Black Writers Group

If you are interested in forming a group that deals with the issues we face as black writers, go here and sign up. The more people we have providing input and insight at this moment the better.

Sign up here:

http://monicajackson.com/blackwriters.html

Or sign up here:

http://blogginginblack.com.blackwriters.html

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Read any good books lately?

There are so many excellent African American romance novels coming out lately that it is really hard not to keep my to-be-read pile from toppling over. And I really don’t have a lot of free time to read now that the semester has started again. But you know me… I can't go for long without cramming in some serious reading time and I managed to pack in a few gems the last couple of months that I thought I'd share with you.

- Perfect Passion by Monica Jackson
This is a reprint of three of her early Arabesque novels and since I came to her work later when she was writing paranormal romances for Dafina, I thought I'd check out the early stuff. All three novels were great and it was nice to have them in the cool compiled collector's edition.

- Night Heat by Brenda Jackson
This romance read gives readers two romances in one and most important the hero Bas is something umm, umm, good. She also deals with the issue of rape and recovery in a touching way.

- Count on This by Niobia Bryant
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Unless you're a strong sexy heroine who got hitched to a super fine rich guy after knowing him for about a minute! This was a funny and sexy read.

- What A Fool Believes by Carmen Green
All I can say is, if committing a crime can get me a fine cop hero like the one in this book, lock a sistah up! This book had laugh-out-loud, oh-no-she-didn't moments.

- Dreaming of You by Francis Ray
I love the best friends becoming lovers plot and Ray makes it fresh and new in this sure to become a classic tale of love. And the heroine isn't a size two. I loved it!

- When You Were Mine by Adrianne Byrd
Watching Joey go after the man she thought she wanted and getting the man she never knew she needed was a fun romantic ride. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

- Embracing the Moonlight by Wayne Jordan
This was another two for one romance with two really sweet romances packed into one. What I really liked was the May/December romance that Jordan cooked up for the mother. I liked that momma got her a Tender Roni. Holla!

If you have read any of these and want to chime in, please do. Or if you have some books you think I should read, let me know. I love reading romance and I will always find the time to squeeze in a good black love story.

Happy Reading,

Gwyneth

What I really want to do is…

So, I have been thinking a lot lately about writing and what I want to write and how I want to promote myself as a writer. And I am struck by how very different the tones of my first three novels are and the fact that I don't see any of them as the one and only kind of writing I want to do. My first novel, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, is a light-hearted, almost sweet romance. (I say almost sweet because although the characters are younger and the novel has some sweet elements, they do have sex a couple of times.) My second novel, If Only You Knew, was more emotional and was nowhere near sweet.

I have had some readers who liked both of these novels even though they have different tones. And I have had some readers who preferred one and not the other for various reasons. A few readers didn't like If Only You Knew. But I’m not sure if they liked I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. In any case, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because my third novel will be out in December and it is a dark paranormal erotic romance. So I've been wondering what readers who loved my first novel or my second novel might think about Divine Destiny. Personally, I feel that although the tones are very different in each book, my voice is the same. —Whatever that means...

I think that my writing three very different books when I’m just starting as a writer could prove to be an interesting experiment. I'm too new to really have an audience or a fan base. So, it’s not like readers are going to be used to me writing X and get upset when I come along with Y. But I just might make a few readers upset who come to Divine Destiny expecting the same lighthearted read they got in I’m Gonna Make You Love Me. I don't know. And I’m trying not to stress out about it. Because, what I really want to do is write whatever stories come to my mind and write them well. I hope that readers will take the ride with me or take the ride they feel comfortable with and allow me the chance to try new things even if all they really want is for me to write another sweet romantic comedy, or another gritty paranormal erotic romance. The truth is, I like to write both of these and I also love to write emotional and passionate traditional Harlequin-presents type romances like If Only You Knew. Who knows what else is in this head of mine. I can't wait to see…

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

My First Author Chat!

Well, I had my very first author chat on Sexy Ebony BBW African American Book Club’s website tonight. It went really well if I do say so myself. I was a little nervous because in a chat room you can’t see faces or read expressions and you don’t really know who is who. But I’d had some interactions with the women who showed up to chat on other occasions. So, that was good. And everyone was so nice! We talked about everything and even went over the alloted hour. We just had a nice conversation.

I have to say that the e-mails I get from readers, my experience with Sista Chat Book Club in Buffalo and now my chat with Sexy Ebony BBW are the kinds of moments that I enjoy most about being a writer. The deadlines are for the birds. And the nervous jitters I get as I wait to see what folk will say about the work suck too. But writing the stories in my head and connecting with the people who read them and liked what I wrote is priceless. I’m feeling so happy right now I don’t know what to do. Sexy Ebony BBW also has reviews and featured books and authors. It is a nice resource for readers. Check them out here:

http://www.sexyebonybbwaabookclub.com/

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

September Interview with Author Cheris F. Hodges

Hi All,

This is my second blog interview with romance writer, Cheris Hodges. Her sixth novel, The Business of Love, was just published by Genesis Press. She has some interesting things to say about the publishing business and her work. Check it out!

GB: Hi, Cheris! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and doing an interview. What drew you to the romance genre? Were you a reader of romance novels before you started to write them?

CH: Honestly, I was not a romance reader. My sister was. One day she’d gone to the restroom and left a Rochelle Alers book on the sofa and I picked it up. From there I was hooked. She told me that even though I was trying to be deep with my writing back then, that I was essentially writing romances.

GB: I noticed that you have some experience with self-publishing. What was that like? What are the significant differences between taking the self-publishing route and going with a publisher? Would you consider self-publishing again in the future?

CH: For me self-publishing wasn’t a good thing because I didn’t have the time to devote to publicizing my book and getting it into stores. I admire people who can do that. The biggest difference in self-publishing and having a publisher is the distribution. It’s a lot easier to get a store to order your books if they know that they can return them, something that they really can’t do with self-publishing. I would self-publish another book if I really believed in the story and no one else did.

GB: Including your first self published novel, Searching for Paradise, and your most recent release, The Business of Love, you have six published novels to date. Tell us a little about them. Are any common themes running through the novels?

CH: I think with each novel I’ve grown. Searching was my baby, a coming of age story of two college graduates who thought they were ready for the real world, but weren’t. It’s not a romance, but it has romantic aspects.

Next was Revelations, which I absolutely adore. Malik Greene, a playboy with some abandonment issues, meets Shari Walker, a reporter from Essence, who’s still mourning the loss of her ex fiancé. When some secrets come to light, they realize that they are more alike than they’d thought.

Cautious Heart was a romantic suspense. Caprice Johnson is a savvy detective who is accused of the murder of her ex fiancé, with the help of her partner, Nathan Wallace, she finds the killer and the will to love and trust again.

A Love of Her Own is about a woman who after 29 years finds the courage to follow her dreams and her heart. This book also deals with classism. Dana, the heroine, comes from a family of educators and falls for what her family considers a “simple man” Chris Johnson, a construction worker with a heart of gold. I love Chris.

Second Chances at Love is another favorite of mine. This book is about a single father, Calvin Jackson, who’s blindsided by his wife’s request for a divorce. He’s a police officer and he has to give up his career in vice/narcotics to become a school resource officer. He meets the fiery Paige Davis, who tests his patience and his hormones. To make matters worse, they’re neighbors. As things heat up between them, his ex comes back, looking for a second chance of her own.

Finally, The Business of Love, which is a follow up to Revelations. Jill Atkinson, the CEO of DVA from Revelations, is looking for success in the bedroom to match her success in the boardroom. It hasn’t been easy. The last man she gave her heart to tried to steal her company. So when sexy firefighter Darren Alexander saves her from her burning downtown Atlanta condo, the sparks fly. Afraid that Darren will be like so many other men who have run away from her because of her status and money, Jill lies about her identity. Darren knows Jill is special and nothing like his lying ex-wife, but will he be able to forgive her when the truth comes to light?

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

CH: I think I’ve become a better storyteller. That comes from talking to readers and listening to what they want to see in books and from reading authors like you and others in the industry to see what stories are being told. My career in journalism also helps me develop story ideas as well.

GB: You come from a journalism background. How has your training and career as a journalist enhanced your fiction writing?

CH: Because I meet so many people, it gives me a chance to see a lot of things that I think would make wonderful stories. Being a journalist also helps me meet deadlines, since I have one everyday. Deadlines don’t intimidate me. Also, being a journalist gives me a wealth of research tools that I can use for my books.

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.

CH: Just Can’t Get Enough, will be released by Dafina in 2007. It’s the story of Celina Hart, an artist who returns to her small town South Carolina town to take care of her dying father. She reconnects with Darius McRae, her best friend from childhood. But their romance hits a snag when his crazy ex steps into the picture. And Celina has issues with trusting men, being that she watched her father cheat on her mother when she was younger. It’s a really fun story and paint is used in very creative ways as Celina and Darius make love.

GB: What are you reading right now?

CH: Night Heat by Brenda Jackson and Othello by William Shakespeare. (I'm such a nerd)

GB: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers about the publishing business?

CH: Definitely learn as much as you can about contracts and promotions. While you’d love to just write all the time, this is a business and you don’t want to get taken advantage of.

GB: How can readers best contact you?

CH: The best way to contact me: www.cherishodges.com or cheris87@bellsouth.net

Chilling with Sista Chat Book Club

Last night I had the most wonderful time discussing my two novels, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me and If Only You Knew, with the Sista Chat Book Club of Buffalo. These women showed me so much sisterhood. And I felt so at home that I almost forgot we were talking about my books! I got so caught up in the discussion that all my nervous feelings about having my "babies" discussed by others went away. You know sisters will tell it like it is. So, I had been nervous all day thinking that they may hate the books and wonder why they invited me in the first place. But we all had a good time talking about the books. Some of the members loved Alicia and she got on some of their nerves. Most of the members loved them some Darren. Some members liked Carlton and others threatened to "cut him" if they had been Latonya. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. I can't wait to get the pictures developed so I can post them on my website. I think that Black women's book clubs are the corner stone of the new black literature renaissance we are currently experiencing. And I'm so glad that Sista Chat was my first book club experience. So Sista Chat, thanks so much for showing a sista some love! You women are awesome!

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Feature Hero-Logy on Strictly Seductive

This week the hero from my latest novel, If Only You Knew, will be the featured hero on Anisa Damien's blog, Strictly Seductive. Stop by and check out Carlton Harrington III.

http://www.strictlyseductive.blogspot.com/

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

The Unrequited Love Mix Tape, Volume I

Okay, we have all heard them throughout the years, those songs that wax lyrically about the one that you love who doesn’t have the good sense God gave him to love you back. As much as I love me some romance, even I know that the road to love isn’t always paved with gold. So I started thinking about what songs I would put on a mix tape to help tender hearts deal with the perils of unrequited love. Here it is, a mix tape from me to you that is a mix of old school and new.

1. “Just My Imagination,” a classic from the tasty Temptations. Because we all know that when you’re knee deep in unrequited love you can’t stop imagining what it would be like if…
2. “Ex-Factor,” new school for sure but also a classic from Lauryn Hill. This song is a classic because there is nothing worse that unrequited love when you are in a relationship. All give, no get, not cool…
3. “If Only You Knew,” a classic from Patti LaBelle. “I must have rehearsed my lines a thousand times…” Because we all know that you have all the things you would say to that special someone if you ever got up the nerve to approach them…
4. “In My Mind,” new school from Heather Headley. Now the sister is just a little close to the crazy edge here and in serious fantasyland. Because the brother has moved on to another. But we all know that sometimes it’s hard to tell the heart that it is really over and you can still have love for someone even if it is over…
5. “Love Song,” new school from Jean Grae. This song is all about a young girl trying to come to grips with the disappointments of love and relationships but still remaining in the game. With lines like “Sees things through her pink-tinted glasses,” and “send Prince Charming please,” I had to include it on my mix tape.
6. “If You Still Love Her,” another classic from Miki Howard. Because we all know that if his heart is with another, he can’t love you the way you need to loved…
7. ‘So Gone,” is a new school joint from Monica. She may be caught up in the love thang, but sista girl is too through and ready to go! Unrequited love is for the birds and Monica is about to bring wreck!
8. “This Love,” is new school from Maroon 5. I had to throw a little blue-eyed soul in there. Really the entire Songs about Jane album is an ode to unrequited love if I ever heard one.
9. “I Wish I Wasn’t,” another one from Heather Headley make this a double play on the mix tape. Sista girl knows he doesn’t love her the way that he should so she’s wishing her own love away…
10. “Get It Together,” is a new school joint by 702. With lyrics like, “I don’t really wanna go. I don’t really wanna stay,” this song shows what too much time in “Unrequited Love Ville” will do to ya! It’ll make you so confused you won’t know if you’re coming or going…
11. "Silly," old school from Denise Williams. "Silly of me to think that I could ever have you for my guy. How I love you..." That classic song has to cap off the mix tape.

And that’s it for my mix tape devoted to all the lovers who have yet to find their perfect someone, the one who will love them back. Pop it in. Press play. But don’t give up hope. Love is just a touch away!

And if you think I’ve missed an important track, let me know. There’s always Volume II.


Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Interview with Author Anisa Damien

Hi all,

With so many wonderful and talented writers publishing today, I thought it would be cool to interview some of them and share their stories here. I plan to interview at least one author a month on my blog. First up is multicultural erotic romance writer, Anisa Damien. So, check out what she has to say about her publications and the e-publishing industry.

GB: Hi, Anisa! I’m so glad you decided to drop by my blog for a chat.

AD: Thanks for having me Gwyneth!

GB: My first question is a simple one. When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

AD: Well, writing came to me as a surprise in grade school, since I swore I didn’t like spending time reading, but when I actually read so many wonderful works of fiction I became intrigued with creating my own characters and have been writing every sense.

GB: Tell us a little bit about your published work so far.

AD: I have just published a short story for Changeling Press, my first paranormal, titled Baby, It’s Witchcraft.

(Blurb)
Lawyer and witch Alexis Scott doesn't need to cast a spell to know that the world is askew -- she has the law!

But when a mysterious blue-eyed stranger show up in her bed giving her mind-blowing orgasms, Alexis starts to wonder if a little magic is all that bad! That is, until she discovers her new lover is the King of the Underworld.

Also, I just had my first release out by Cobblestone Press, Midnight Whispers.

(Blurb)
Joie couldn't be more surprised to find out that she is the “Lion's” prime candidate for his little game of seduction. Soon his sensual instructions are her undoing and Joie backs away from what could be the start of a sexual addiction.

Leo Tobias was back home - Houston and to Joie, leaving his life behind as an undercover Narcotics detective behind. The one thing he's held on to is his sexy memories of having Joie in his life and in his bed. And now, he's decided that their friends-with-benefits relationship was never enough.

GB: How many e-books have you published and where are they published?

AD: I have 6 books published currently. Readers may find my books at:

http://www.:LiquidSilverBooks.com
http://www.VenusPress.com
http://www.ChangelingPress.com
http://www.Loose-Id.com
http://www.Cobblestone-Press.com


GB: Are there any common themes?

AD: I think all my work has a sense of “love conquers all” to them.

GB: Are they mostly multicultural and interracial?

AD: Yep, my books are a mixture of multicultural and interracial. Love comes in all flavors.

GB: Do you have some that have both an African American hero and heroine?

AD: I currently have two projects that feature an African American hero and heroine. I love showing the power of love between African-Americans as well as different races. r

GB: What made you decide to go with an e-publisher for your work?

AD: After reading some of them and seeing the variety offered, I decided I had to give it a try. My first book published with an e-publisher was Wild Impulses released by Liquid Silver Books.

GB: Do you find the e-book audience to be a little more open to diversity?

AD: Definitely. With ebooks, I feel I have a lot more freedom to write what I want without all the guidelines.

GB: You write hot, steamy, erotic romances. What made you decide to go this route?

AD: LOL. I love erotic romance. I started writing straight contemporary romance and something always felt like it was missing.

GB: Did you always know that you wanted to make it hot in your writing?

AD: I think there was always a part of me that wanted to, but you know how it is when you start something new, you doubt it first. But I love it. Writing about the sensual side of characters is fun and displays a lot about your character. However, it is the romance – that happy ending that keeps me coming back every time.

GB: I see that your writing has branched off to include some mystery/suspense and some paranormal elements. Do you think this is a direction we can expect more of from you in the future?

AD: Oh yes, definitely. I have a thing for demons and vampires and have a lot more stories featuring, specifically vampires in the works, such as, my upcoming release, Flirting With Danger, to be released by Loose-Id.

(Blurb)
Arieona “Aries Roman has been left at the altar twice by two vampires no less! When a million dollars of diamonds are stolen; Aries puts her jilted heart aside and travels to the Caribbean to seek out a thief and never expected to come face to face with ex-lover, Quentin De Leon. Despite, her no-strings, just sex approach, Aries soon finds herself consumed by lust for a man who walked out of her life, but not her heart.

Quentin De Leon has always known that his life as a Guardian would force him to battle with the on thing he’s desired most: Aries. His job is to stop her from going against an immortal enemy that could destroy them both, but will his desire to possess her body and soul blind him as evil strikes and possibly cause him to loose the woman he loves more than his own immortality?

There is something very seductive about vampires to me.

My upcoming series, Brown Suga Inc. to be released Venus Press will have a lot of family secrets intertwined, a murder and a lot of lies and romance!

GB: How has your life changed since becoming published?

AD: Boy, there was never enough time in the day before and there isn’t enough now. Being published is a continuous journey that has its ebbs and flows. And I’m finding if you never stop learning – you’ll never be behind!

GB: What changes do you anticipate in the future?

AD: None that I can see. I hope to be blessed to write many more novellas and stories.

GB: You have done a lot to try and build community with other writers via the web. How is that working for you?

AD: I love talking to my readers and other authors. You learn so much. It keeps you fresh to what readers really want and like. And the girl talk is out of this world!

GB: Do you find the writing community open to this kind of outreach on your part?

AD: Oh yes. There are a lot of fellow authors subscribed to my yahoo group Stricly Seductive. Also, I utilize my blog at: http://strictlyseductive.blogspot.com to showcase author’s heroes in what I call “Hero-logy” or sketches of their heroes from their published works. I also do interviews on a show I host on Blasé Skip radio, Mahogany Lounge.

GB: You have a wonderful web and blog presence. Can you talk a little about what went into the creation of your various sites?

AD: Thank you! When my blog and website were designed, I wanted something that really showed my personal style, about my writing and I believe both do so wonderfully. I wanted to showcase African-American, Multicultural and Interracial erotic romance. My blog, I wanted to be a mixture of my endeavors as well as other authors. It’s the best promotion there is.

GB: What do you like to read in your spare time?
AD: Historicals, Erotic romance, paranormals, you name it!

GB: What are you reading right now?

AD: Studmuffin Wanted by Author Lena Matthews.

GB: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

AD: When you are starting out – it is so natural to be excited about your dreams and goals and equally natural for others, even those closest to you to not be as supportive as you’d like – Don’t give up. Keep forging on. Your voice deserves to be heard.

GB: Do you think that there is a future for African American writers of romance and erotic romance in e-publishing?

AD: I definitely think so. I believe it’s my style, my plots, my characters, my voice that will dictate that – more so, than the industry I publish in.

GB: What are you working on now?

AD: Right now, I am working on a two book vampire series, The Scarlet Ties. Book one is Taste: Heroine and Reporter, Ashlyn Michaels always gets what she wants! Her target was to interview the elusive Rayven brother; Cyrus and get the goods on the notoriously erotically themed hotel that only a chosen view were able to visit. But is Ashlyn ready for what Cyrus requests of her in return?

Cyrus Rayven has his choice of lovers but wants Ashlyn. Her shapely curves and wicked tongue make everything within his cold Vampire heart run scalding hot. He'll give her the interview she seeks, but not before she spends a week in his bed.

GB: Tell us a little something about your future works.

AD: The second book in The Scarlet Ties series is: Tempted in which Cyrus’ twin brother, Coye Rayven meets his match with Southern belle, Noely Lamont. I also have an upcoming release with Cobblestone Press, Pulse in which a secret agent is handing over his bullets for his ex-wife.

GB: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me, Anisa. Your work is wonderful and HOT and we look forward to all of the wonderful projects that you have in store.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday and another year has passed. I feel wonderful because I am living my dreams. I got to hold my first two romance novels in my hands this year. I've heard from readers all over the country who loved the stories I told in those novels. And my first paranormal erotic romance will be released at the end of the year. That makes three books in my debut year as a romance writer. I'm feeling pretty good about that.

So, go Gwenny! It's your birthday! Shake your booty! Get Busy! It's your birthday!

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Books In Black

Monica Jackson has created a new blog devoted to black books and readers. The space promises to be an invigorating one. There are featured authors, featured books, book reviews, and articles about the industry and craft. For readers and writers interested in joining the conversation about black books, Ms. Jackson has created another wonderful spot for us to frequent. So far she has featured Sharon Cullars, Brandon Massey, Dakota Knight and myself. I’m sure she has lots of great things in store. Check it out today!

http://monicajackson.com/bib/

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth