When reading a book, I love to be entertained; even more so, I love to be taught something, and while reading Tracey Michae'l Lewis' latest novel, INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine, I definitely received big helpings of both.
Crystal Justine is a young woman in a long line of women in her family to endure a devastating generational curse, a curse that finds the weakest part of the women to crush their spirit and kill them. CJ has a slew of issues, many of them stemming from the mother who succumbing to the curse, died when CJ was young. CJ, searching for a life that is all hers and all good, must battle for every good thing she wants, for evil refuses to allow her to be the interruption to stop the curse from coursing through her family's veins.
Aside from the story itself, which I really enjoyed, my favorite part of this story is its discussion (through literature) of "the generational curse." We are set for victory, but there are a lot of forces that don't want us to succeed, and sometimes, those forces go beyond dealing with a person one-on-one; it infiltrates an entire family, an entire bloodline for the sole purpose of completely obliterating that family.
Lewis' novel vividly shows us how these forces can use everything against you, to include your family, to break you down, but there can be victory if you keep your eye on God, keep your heart on what's true, and what your mind focused on what's right.
I look forward to seeing what Lewis can teach us with her next novel.
Click the cover to order your copy of INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine today!
A young, spiritually righteous woman, Faith Darling, must face the fact that you cannot escape from your family and the truth.
When Faith’s notorious great-grandmother, Miss Sunny Vincent, dies, Faith, as the only surviving relative, must arrange the funeral. However, Miss Sunny Vincent’s remains are hard to dispose of because God won’t have her and the Devil don’t want her.
I SO enjoyeed reading this story - Zetta has a great style, voice, and she quickly will bring you into the characters and story. Need a quickie treat during lunch break? Been working all day and need a little quick escape? Click the cover to order your copy of "Devil Don't Want Her" today!
Author Samara King has penned 8 novellas and 1 novel to her credit all within the African-American, Interracial, Multi-cultural erotic romance genres ranging from contemporary to paranormal and has added her passion for poetry into the mix. She strives and endorses diversity between the pages of her books and poetry.
Samara wrote her first love story in the 8th grade and has been addicted to romantic fiction every since. She lives in Chicago with her precocious son and indulges in people watching, dancing, singing, catching up on CSI and Ugly Betty.
Currently writes for Cobblestone Press, Loose Id, Changeling Press, Total E-Bound and will be adding the title of Publisher under her belt for herself publishing company, Eclectic Soul Press and her BlogTalkRadio segments; SoundNOff with co-host author Chamsil, which showcases Poets, Spoken Word artists and all spectrum of poetical prose and Tale It Like It Is, a spotlight feature presentation on authors.
What’s a woman to do when she discovers she used to be married to a spy? Cassidy Raleigh Sebastien has learned to live without her ex Gabriel, that is until he returns to New Orleans and sweeps back into her life one night during a masquerade party. She has no plans on letting Gabe see the desire that still makes her heart pound, especially when a mysterious stranger beats him to the punch. Gone are the days of playing spy for former agent, Gabe Sebastien. His only mission: to reconquer Cassidy’s heart and he’ll start with his own covert operation of seduction.
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The Interview
Samara King is...an eclectic writer who pens novellas and novels all within the drama, light suspense and sensual fiction realm, which includes African-American, interracial, and multicultural fiction and poetry.
When I write...I transcend into Samara King and the description of all that is her. Fun, flirty and challenging. Throwing characters against others that will give them a rollercoaster ride.
When you crack open one of my books, I want...I want readers to get caught up in the characters and the tensions, joys and heat between them.
My favorite book (of mine) is...PULSEbecausethis novella actually took me as the writer and held me captive with the characters and the danger chasing them. Though short, the characters Cassidy and Gabriel are very memorable and so is their love story.
How important is it for a writer to connect, to resonate in her work? I think it’s vital! If I don’t feel I am connecting to a character or a story, then I can’t expect a reader to do the same. And if I am not connecting, something must change.
How important is it for a writer to "grow"...and what does growth mean to you as a writer? Growth is part of the writing journey in my opinion. My writing style now has varied from the work I currently have out – it has broaden which I believe readers will see from my upcoming works. Growth means always placing yourself in a position to learn.
You've moved into poetry over the last year, and I've had the pleasure of reading them - deep, powerful. What do you get from writing your poetic pieces? Poetry is a big part of who I am. The words come to me embedded with life experiences, passing thoughts. Poetry for me is born from every breath I take and I learn something different each time. It has helped me step outside my comfort zone and expose another level of my creative self.
Which piece resonates in you the most and why? I would say the poem I STAND. I wrote this poem on the tail of the great Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise. I STAND speaks to women overcoming and standing for their beliefs and goals. As a woman, the trials of standing are not always easy but must be done in order to accomplish your purpose in life and that’s a journey I’m currently on.
I STAND Maya said Still I Rise So I STAND Going after what’s rightfully mine in full demand. See if I don’t take action, if I don’t move What is it that I aim to prove? Too many times, I turned from higher ground Never making a sound Offering too readily a silent defeat Never lifting my feet Didn't take on that battle For less, I’d settle Forgetting of whom I belong Altering my internal song To somebody else’s tune Somebody else’s melody Hiding the real in me, being what someone else longed for me to be Triumphantly I say, No longer will I betray That inner call I will be the strong one Or none at all Maya said Still I Rise So I stand Knowing that no woman or man Will do what I can I come as each has been called Going beyond giving it my best, giving it my all Enthralled With the journey that is within me Inside me It blinds me That to which I could not see before That to which was so deep in my core Today is a new day Maya said Still I Rise So I STAND.
2008 SAMARA KING ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Erotic fiction, soul-stirring poetry - where do you see your words moving next? Actually, I’m not sure. I’m enjoying the new motley of my creative vibe right now and learning within its depths of the things I can create and diversify.
Where is SAMARA KING going? What projects are you currently involved in? Samara King is going everywhere! One day I’d like to write a script, but right now I’m concentrating on my novellas/novels and poetry. I currently am in the process of writing several novellas and one potential novel and a poetry collection titled The Ebony Kryptonite coming out this winter.
Recently inducted into the National Association for Professional Women, This angelic and poetic songstress comes by way of the Bronx, New York. Vibrant and complete in spirit she has been singing since the tender age of 4. Early on she shared notes with her mom and was influenced by the sounds of Anita Baker, Etta James, Faith Evans, Sam Cooke, Dianne Warren, David Foster and Patti Labelle. Furthering her passion to be a part of the musical universe she participated and tested her abilities in talent shows during her junior and high school years. Possessing a raw determination to get it done, she then proceeded to work on her talents and creating her own mold. As part of her determination to advance she has obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.
She made it an inner promise to accomplish her aspirations with the untimely departure of her Mother and this past June 2008 her Father, who both always inspired her through music. She has concentrated on her creative vision in songwriting and honing her craft as a vocalist. Well aware that it requires a relentless, dedicated approach in the music industry she has made every effort to elevate her momentum in anyway. She has managed to establish relationships with some reputable talents of today like Multi-talented Wyclef Jean and Producer Younglord with them providing her with feasible insight and direction.
Senyah has remained in the loop in anyway where it can provide her with some form of experience and development whether it is through vocal training to being an extra. In 1998, she actively partook as an extra in the movie “Stuart Little 2”, Marci X featuring Damon Wayans and KC and Jo-Jo’s “All My Life” video. She has also participated as a background vocalist for upcoming artist Mary C. She was most recently cast as “Emma Jackson” in the Off Broadway play “The Sanctuary” written, produced and directed by Anne L. Thompson Stretching. With understanding that one step has to be manifested at a time she also has aspirations on acting and doing the big screen in her career travels. Currently, Senyah is working on her self-written catalogue of music that she hopes to present and make a profound impact to the musical universe through it. She proclaims as a personal quote that “Nothing in life is free, hard work pays off and you must have complete Faith in yourself and in God. With that all things are possible”.
Through all of her personal struggles and experiences she founded the non-profit organization Determined to Educate, Inc. Founder and CEO, Senyah Baah has made a commitment to herself to help those who are less fortunate and need a helping hand. She was inspired by her parents Victoria (Adwoa) and Frank (Kwame) Baah, who have both been called by the Lord. She has promised to continue their legacy by believing in those and helping those to believe in themselves.
What is Determined to Educate? Listen to the commercial below!
What birthed the idea of Determined to Educate (DTE)? One day I sat at my computer at work and was thinking of all of the issues that people I knew had and even I had. Issues that bothered me and even caused people so much pain. It was a familiar song. There is so much selfishness going around and I said, “Wow, does anyone not care about anyone besides themselves?” Who wants to live like that when life is so precious and short. I wanted to do something or say something to have people recognize that this is not the way we should be living. I know I couldn’t change anyone, but I knew that I could have people thinking in better ways. Then I started typing subjects/issues that needed to be addressed on my computer. I wanted to see how the message could get across and I remembered how much I loved the t-shirts made by “School of the Hard Knocks”. Those shirts always had some kind of word or sentence that stood out to me.
Talk to us about Determined to Educate; what is its mission? Determined To Educate, Inc. was established to re-invent community. I walk the streets and see that there is no more community. People aren’t helping each other out and everyone is basically staying to themselves. I didn’t grow up like that. It bothers me to see that. I want this organization to bring back the importance of the old educating the young and the young helping the old. We have created two entities which are “Better Man University” and “Better Woman University”. We will be coming out with our third entity mid-summer called “Young Gift Academy” for children ages 22 and under. It’s an intergenerational concept.
What programs and services do you offer through DTE? We have developed an interactive website. The website is designed to interact with patrons who visit the site. There are a team of “professors” on the site that will give insight on issues that evolve in our communities. These “professors” are not accredited “professors” but “professors” that have lived through these issues. You as the patron will be able to ask a question, give a comment or tell a personal story after each lecture. We do not post derogatory comments. We are working to promote a positive state of mind. Right now to register patrons click on the “admissions” section on the top right corner of the page. We are currently working on the back end of the site so that people will be able to sign in with their email addresses.
I talked with you recently about DTE and your goals, and I love that this vision you have is community-based. We talked a lot about back in the day and how important it is to have that community involvement in an individual's life. Why do you think we have fallen away from that mentality? I bring the word “selfish” up again because that is indeed what some of us have become. We don’t remember that “Bernadine” on the 7th floor has 3 kids and is a single mom and may need help with the kids tonight because it gets overwhelming. We forget that “Mr. Jenkins” in the next building lost his wife a few years ago and may want company this afternoon just to talk about the old days or current events. Situations like that, we fail to look at. I feel its time we open our eyes.
Check out Cindy Senyah Baah on The Urban Wall Street Project!
Why do you think community involvement is so vital to this project? I feel that this organization can bring that “GOOD” part of life back into the community. You don’t need money to help your neighbor. All you need is time, patience, KNOWLEDGE and a smile. I know it’s not easy but it is possible. If we can’t come together in our own community and teach ourselves and others better ways of life, we are headed for destruction within ourselves. It’s a cold world out there.
How can people get involved in DTE? People can log on to the site and read the lectures that we are giving. We have already held a face to face Men’s forum for “Better Man University” and a face to face Women’s forum for “Better Woman University”. Beginning this winter we will be looking for volunteers. Those who wish to volunteer for different events that we have, there will be a posting on the site on how people can get involved on different projects coming up in Winter of 2009.
How do you plan to expand DTE in the future? We just had our First Annual Book Donation Drive benefiting senior citizens in nursing homes as well as children and adults rehibilating from physical sicknesses in Harlem, NY. We raised over 150 books! At the present time we are based in New York. I’d like to open up a facility in Harlem, NY where we can have more face to face forums and have programs for children. We are actually working on getting a couple of projects started for “Young Gift Academy”. I’d also like to expand to other parts of the country and eventually other parts of the world. We are working on having a one year anniversary fundraiser at the end of the year for Determined To Educate, Inc and much much more…so stay tuned Folks!!
Any last comments you'd like to make? I’d like to thank everyone that has been supporting the organization and the movement and welcome those who are unaware to log on to our website to find out more about us. Another special shout out to James Watson who designs our website. He does such a phenomenal job and gives great input to the organization. My COO, Donald Baah and brother for his amazing drive at such a young age, My staff and team of “Professors” that volunteer their time and words of wisdom. I would also like to thank everyone who attended/donated and those who helped at the Book Donation Drive and broke some sweat (Claudette, Grace, “Prof”, Shani Myers, Anthony, Janine, Rahman, Owen and family, “Prof”.Jaimie Jennings, Chris, Justice, Maia, Earl, Mali, Cathy, Kimmy, Niko, Jaquan, Sidelle. “Prof” Jai, Earl Christian III and Alan from The Urban Wall Street Project – Thanks so much for all the hard work, it paid off!!!) and a special thank You to our sponsors, Tonnie's Minis in New York, New York (West Village) and Absolutely Creative Advertising in Brooklyn, New York. We are going to have our apparel line coming soon where you can make a donation by buying a t-shirt or other Determined To Educate, Inc. accessories. Proceeds will go to the programs which we support. Let’s give back people! This time it’s real and it’s important.
And I finally I want to thank you, Shon, for all of your help, support and taking the time with me for this interview and getting the word out as much as you can!
Starting today, I am launching monthly podcasts via CLG Entertainment! Every first of the month, I will bring you The Write Life for You, writing and editing tips derived from my popular article series of the same name. Every fifteenth of the month, I will offer Once upon a time…, a place where I will flex my literary skills. Through poetry, faith pieces, excerpts from works in progress, and more, I will remind everyone why I am a true wordsmith.
We kick off CLG-E Podcasts with episode 1 of The Write Life for You, What's Your Writing Addiction. Head to CLG-E Podcasts NOW to have a listen.
Also, while there, rate the show, leave comments, and become a FAN!
