Introducing... Author Cassandra Baker Durham

Cassandra Baker Durham is a minister, author and advocate for women. She received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) (Aggie Pride). She earned a Master of Science degree in Human Services with a specialization in Social and Community Services from Capella University.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (M.A.C.M.) from Liberty University.
Cassandra is currently the Program Coordinator of HIV/AIDS Services at a local AIDS services organization, where she is a strong advocate for African American women. She also teaches several Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (SISTA- Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS and SIHLE- Sisters, Informing, Healing, Living, Empowering) for the prevention and spread of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

The spiritual side of Cassandra is fed at her home church Temple of Prayer, Praise and Deliverance Ministries, where she sits under the anointed leadership of Senior Pastor, Apostle Louise Baker.
Cassandra is also the author of the Salt, Light and Witnesses blog, which seeks to encourage, uplift and motivate others to walk in their divine calling as children of God.

Cassandra recently published her first devotional book, Fully Persuaded: 30 Days of Encouragement in Times of Trouble. It was selected as an Oprah’s Life Class Selection. Cassandra's first novel (from her seven deadly sins series), A Summer of Wrath, was released in June 2013.

You can learn more about Cassandra at/on: [Her Website] [Facebook] [Twitter]

[Buy your copy of Fully Persuaded: 30 Days of Encouragement in Times of Trouble today from Amazon!]
Life is full of challenges. After enduring storms, tests, trials and tribulations: we can easily feel broken, dejected, and yes, even disconnected from God.

You are not alone in this season of your life.

This book is for those who have for whatever reason lost their ability to fight back against the enemy.  If you need to feel encouraged, empowered, uplifted, and edified this is the key to unlock the door to your breakthrough.  If you need your faith lifted, and your hope and trust in God stretched, this is for you!

This book is for every person that has needed to feel renewed, refreshed, and restored by being Fully Persuaded that God can do anything, but fail!

[Buy your copy of The Summer of Wrath today from Amazon!]

Wilson stopped believing in God a long time ago.

Devastated after his father is killed in the line of duty, he assumes the task of guardian and protector of his mother and two sisters. Tormented by the kidnapping of his baby sister, he unleashes a caustic and damaging wrath that will lead him down a path of destruction and annihilation. Nothing is off limits, persecution, beatings, torture. Wilson’s destructive nature consumes him almost to the brink of madness as darkness devours his soul.

Natasha is the all American girl next door. She is beautiful, intelligent and charismatic, with a bright future ahead of her. All of that is changed in an instant when she is abducted on her way to her college campus.

Shayla Jacobs has been in love with Wilson ever since she was a teenager. She remembers what God promised her, and she refuses to stand by and watch the man she loves destroyed by wrath, anger and rage.

This story of faith, hope and redemption reveals the internal struggle against the external forces of darkness as one man comes to terms with God’s grace, mercy and love before He can find his sister.

The Summer of Wrath is a captivating, gritty look into human trafficking and the lengths one brother is willing to go to find his sister.

Touring with Christians with Pervasive Issues Author Annie Brown

About Annie Brown

Annie Brown is the mother of four adult children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She is a licensed minister and social worker. As a social worker, Annie works the terminally ill, providing emotional support at the most critical time in an individual's life. It is Annie's desire that Christians work through their pervasive issues before the end of life, so that the transition between death and eternity can be smooth, and not cluttered with unresolved conflicts.

You can learning more about Annie through Outskirts Press Website, Twitter page, and Facebook page; you can also e-mail her if you'd like to share your thoughts on her book!

About Christians with Pervasive Issues

[Purchase Christians with Pervasive Issues at Amazon and Outskirts Press]

Even as a faithful Christian, there may be times when you feel that there is no hope of escaping issues and themes in your life that ensnare and trip you up time and time again. When a certain pattern of behavior or type of suffering has been following you all your life, it’s hard to believe that you can ever escape from it. Christians with Pervasive Issues shows us that every child of God can be delivered from issues that cause them to be a victim, rather than walking in victory. In compassionate, no-nonsense language, Annie Brown demonstrates that with genuine repentance, using God’s principles, and the right counseling/support, you can overcome anything. Christians with Pervasive Issues gives you the ray of hope you need in order to heal your life, and get closer to God.

The Meaning of Pervasive Issues

I WAS GETTING ready for work and suddenly the words “Pervasive Issues” were dropped into my spirit. Can you imagine someone who is not normally a morning person having something so important to deal with? I could not even think of the meaning of “pervasive,” so I could not comprehend what was being said to me. I went on to work, but it did not leave me. I shared what had been dropped into my spirit with my co-worker who is an encourager. He gave me a push to pursue the message the Spirit was conveying, and to understand what God wanted me to write. I could not begin until I did some preliminary homework. I had to figure out what part of speech that “pervasive” was. “Pervasive” is an adjective, which served as a modifier to the noun (issue). Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined it as “spreading through every part.” If an issue is pervasive, it permeates the whole of something. Pervasive issues need to be dealt with within the Body of Christ.

An Excerpt from Christians with Pervasive Issues

A Remedy to Get to the Root of the Problem
WHAT IS NEEDED is that the people of God “must” clean out their secret compartments and confess that they need the Lord to deliver them. Confession is made unto salvation (deliverance). If we confess our faults, the Lord is faithful in forgiving us. You may ask, “Why do I have to confess if I was not responsible for what happened to me?”

The issue then becomes whether you have forgiven the person that caused me this harm. If there is no forgiveness, then you become a victim twice: a victim of circumstance, and a victim of bondage. This can be in some ways more dangerous than cancer. This will always be eating away at you. With cancer, at least you know what is going on in your body. Being a victim of circumstance and having an unforgiving heart bring torment. This torment becomes a part of you in such a way that it eats through your mind, destroys your inner peace, and puts your soul in jeopardy because it becomes a heart matter of sin.

Recognizing There Is a Need
EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN the Body of Christ has strengths and needs. Most times the two words strength and weakness are used to describe parts of your abilities to cope. I like the word needs instead of weakness, because weakness denotes that I just cannot help it.

However, the word need helps me to understand that I am insufficient within myself to furnish the supply. In other words, I don’t have what it takes to get this matter taken care of and I “need” help. Help, Lord! The Word of God has declared that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Denying our helplessness and unwillingness to take the need to God only prolongs getting deliverance and healing. The Lord revealed that the Body of Christ was compared to harvest time when it is gone and the people are left in dire need.

Let us look at Jeremiah 8:20, which stated, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved [delivered].”

Walking on Water with Author, Motivational Speaker Stanice Anderson

The Author

Stanice Anderson – An accomplished author and speaker, she has published books via small, 12-Step Programs: A Resource Guide for Helping Professionals to large publishing house, I Say A Prayer For Me: One Woman’s Life of Faith and Triumph to self-publishing her latest book, Walking On Water When The Ground Ain’t Enuf. Stanice’s books have been featured in everything from Essence and New York Times to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Searchlight. Publishers Weekly’s review wrote, “Gripping with a novelist’s eye for dialogue”. “Maya Angelou’s literary talent and Iyanla Vanzant’s prayerful insights”, was the praise from the Washington Informer. Anderson has also written articles published in national magazines. She was at the forefront of the “Dotcom” boom working behind the scenes at USAToday.com. Stanice is also is a principal publicist along with her son, Mike, with Anderson Tucker Agency. In April 2011, Stanice was featured in Black Enterprise Magazine in two-page spread entitled, “Self-Made Miracle.” She is outspoken, passionate and has a unique knack for social media and connecting with people from all walks of life.

To learn more about Stanice, you can check her out at her website and on Twitter and Facebook.


The Book



WALKING ON WATER WHEN THE GROUND AIN’T ENUF is a testament to the love, power and grace of God in our daily lives. Stanice Anderson’s mosaic account of her journey over troubled waters toward unwavering faith is meant to inspire, encourage and uplift. Her gripping real stories, captivating testimonies, soul-stirring monologues, and cadenced spokentry, read like intimate conversations with a trusted friend. Get ready to laugh, cry, praise and walk on water. Come on! Get your faith wet.

Click the cover above to order YOUR copy of Walking on Water When the Ground Ain't Enuf today!


Check out this awesome video featuring Stanice Anderson!

The Interview

I've been a fan of yours for a while now, Stanice. I occasionally go to your pages just to see what you're doing and to perhaps get that one sentence that I know will have me thinking, reflecting, and moving in a direction that is good for me. You definitely have the inspirational touch with whatever you do. As your words and story are an inspiration to others, what are FIVE things, people that inspire you and your endeavors?

1. Sharon Ewell Foster – Acclaimed novelist, client and friend. Her tenacity and perseverance is finding the truth, humble spirit, boldness in writing that truth into her books, and the way she freely pour of her knowledge into those willing to listen—like me.
2. Patrice Gaines – former Washington Post Reporter, author, speaker, and friend. Her life story inspires me. Someone gave me her book, Laughing in The Dark, in the late 90’s and told me she had a similar story and that like I aspired to do; she rose from the ashes and had gone on to do great things with her life. I was encouraged as I read Patrice’s words that I could indeed write my memoir and encourage others as she encouraged me. We later met, as God orchestrated that meeting through my first book, 12-Step Programs, in 1999. She agreed to read and wrote a testimonial. We’ve been friends ever since. She became my publishing world mentor and introduced my work to her then-agent, Denise Stinson; who later became my agent; then, publisher of my 2nd book, I Say A Prayer For Me (Walk Worthy Press/Warner).
3. My son is another inspiration and teacher in my life. Through his unconditional love and watching him grow as a man, he helped me let go of my prejudices toward men. Since I had been a rape survivor, residues of resentment and unforgiveness lingered in my heart. My son showed me, through his incredible perseverance, kindness and forgiveness of me as I had abandoned him during my addiction, that all men were not dogs. That I couldn’t keep blaming all men for what these three men did to me in my youth. Now, as a single father of three, I see him sacrifice, bravely, and astutely raise my grandchildren, he inspires me daily.
4. The incredible and faith-filled women that God has populated my life with; especially, my recovery sponsor and mentor, Dorine Phelps. She taught has poured her love, knowledge and experiences into my life for the entire 26 years and counting that I’ve been free from the bondage of active addiction. I mean, common-sense, simple, yet powerful things like, “Stanice, you’re so busy holding on to the old stuff; that you’re going to mess around and miss the new and good stuff that God has for you. Let it go!” Oh, and this one, so simple, I almost missed it, “It’s alright to be a fool; but don’t keep being the same damn fool over and over again.” Shonell, this was the kind of education that laid the foundation for everything that was yet to come.
5. The last shall be first! God’s Word. I’ve learned to live, breathe and practically apply it to my everyday living situation. My foundational verses, which keep me walking on water when the ground ain’t enough are Jeremiah 29:11-13, “God says, ‘I alone know the plans I have for you, plans for prosperity and not disaster; plans to give you a future and a hope,” and Revelations 12:11, “We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony…” That’s what I do, share my testimonies and the hope in God that I’ve found, from pages to podiums—every opportunity I’m given.

Many of us have "Come to Jesus" moments when we are touched in a way that moves us to a new level of understanding, that opens us to more, new opportunities, that shows us that we're more than we think we are. Can you talk to us about one of your "Come to Jesus" moments and illustrate FOUR ways in which you grew, found new opportunities from that moment?
Shonell, I love your phrasing of that reality! One of my “Come to Jesus” moments would be when I, with a child’s heart, decided to trust God and literally take Him at His Word, “you have not because you ask not.” I said a prayer for me and asked God to make a way for me to go to a 12-step convention in Los Angeles, CA. A woman I was mentoring to at the time, gave me a round-trip ticket, without me asking her. I saw this as my sign from God that I was to go. While I asked my parents for money to augment my $40, which was all the spare money I had to take with me, they both denied me the help. I went anyway with my $40. I called ahead and asked the convention committee for an “indigent” registration package. They said, “Yes.” I had no hotel reservation nor money for a room, but I went anyway. My mom said, “You’re going to LA with only $40. I wouldn’t go to Silver Spring, Maryland from D.C. with $40.” That did not deter me. My response, “I’m trusting God.”

Well, I parked my car at the airport with $20 of my $40 and boarded the plane. Once there, I realized I didn’t even have the flyer telling me where the convention was. I simply asked the bus drivers where they were taking the people who did a lot of hugging when they saw each other. Well, they said, they noticed that too and told me to board the bus, as they were all at the Convention Center in Anaheim. When I got there, the convention committee said I had been clean and sober too long to get an indigent registration package. And it dawned on me, as I pulled my bags through the lobby, that I had no hotel room. I stood in the middle of this sea of people and cried. I heard my name. Stanice. I looked and it was my friend who had given me the flight tickets who said she had forgot to tell me but, “I purchased a full registration package for you.”

Someone tapped me on my shoulder. As I turned around, I saw another friend from my hometown, Washington, DC. He asked why I was crying, I told him, I didn’t have a room; he proceeded to offer me his room and he would bunk with a friend. He walked me and my overpacked luggage five blocks to his hotel room and gave me his keys. It went on like this the entire weekend. One miracle after another. Actually, I tell this story in my book, I Say A Prayer For Me. Only God could have orchestrated all that happened that weekend; look, Shonell, I even came home with gifts for my son, mom, dad, and change from the $40. My return flight was in Row Two in First Class and… oh, I won’t tell everything.

What four things did I take-away from that “Come to Jesus Moment”: (1) God is faithful, even when we are faithless; (2) God is most ‘def Jehovah-Jireh, God The Provider; (3) help can come from whom and where you least expect; and (4) God cares about absolutely every detail of our lives.



Author, Motivational Speaker, Everywoman Stanice Anderson


As you make clear on your sites and in your words, what you are and what you do now are a reflection of what God has moved you to do. His words speak loudly when you "encourage, inspire, and motivate others to discover and live God's marvelous plans for their lives." What are THREE verses from the Bible that encourage, inspire, and motivate you the most--and why?
I’ve already answered with two verses in previous question. Now, let me add a third verse, “God will show you wonderful and marvelous things you know nothing about.” For someone with as curious a nature as mine, this verse quenches my thirst to the core. WOW. God will do that for me? Show me? Wonderful and marvelous things? I love it. What a promise, He keeps over and over again in my life. Makes me want to soar in Him; knowing that even more will be revealed. Now, that’s exciting!

Having a message is one thing...but having avenues in which to disseminate that message is a completely different beast altogether, especially in our digital age with so many social networks and other means to get a message across. What are TWO ways you have been able to spread your message to more people?
I was thinking about this today [9.12.2011]. I’ve had an online presence, including a website and email, since 1999, with the publication of my first book. God had given me the advantage of working for USATODAY.com at the time I started writing what has become my signature lifestories and sending them out via email--writing and emailing these stories daily to as few as 16 friends to encourage and inspire them. I looked at it as sharing my testimonies, which I had begun to understand was a major part of my purpose; afterall, I had first been given the opportunity to share my story with people in 12-step recovery community at about six months clean and sobers and then with the world via The 700 Club in 1986. So, I saw that hope was contagious. It was on a 700 Club broadcast that I heard somebody and watch their story reenacted that I related, broke through the walls of my denial, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and asked a family friend to help me get into an addictions treatment center.

So sharing my testimony, in emails when that technology became available to me was a natural progression. From these emailed testimonies, I saw how God was building a ministry for me. Soon came the literary agent, book deal, books, and more speaking opportunities than before my internet presence.

With my natural curiosity, love for people and communication, once social networking became available; i.e., Blogging, FaceBook, Twitter, and LinkedIN, it was opportunity to interact with my reader-friends and broaden my reach for Jesus.

Reflect on everything you've experienced, everything you've gone through in your life--what is ONE word that best encapsulates that journey for you?
RESILIENCE

***BONUS QUESTION: What projects are you currently working on?***
I’m really excited about my new assignment as publicity architect for acclaimed author Sharon Ewell Foster, and her new fact-based novel, The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part One: The Witnesses. To represent such a significant, history-changing, stereotype-smashing work like this and for such a brilliant writer is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve also been given the opportunity to work with young people 13-21 years old, using the arts to help them find their purpose and raise their self-esteem.

On the making books end, my son and I are currently republishing and repurposing my first memoir, I Say A Prayer For Me: One Woman’s Life of Faith and Triumph. It will now be a “To-Go” eBook Series, entitled, I Say A Prayer For Me: Fast Food for The Spirit. Each eBook One thru Seven will include a menu of seven (7) of my signature true lifestories. Each lifestory is made up of (1) the testimony, (2) the segue which pulls the story into the reader’s life, and (3) the prayer with related scripture.

Keeping the Faith with Author Wanza Leftwich

The Author



Wanza Leftwich, The Gospel Writer, is a missionary, freelance writer, and speaker. She is editor of UrbanChristianFiction.com and the creator of the College Prayer Network. As a writer, she is passionate about sharing her faith on two inspirational blogs, The Gospel Writer and Faith & Fertility. One blog shares practical faith tips to live a prosperous life, and the latter encourages families to believe God through their season of infertility. She has expanded her freelance career by writing short stories and interviews for Tha Message Magazine.

Wanza is married to the love of her life and best friend, Arthur, III. They reside in Brooklyn, NY with God’s gift, their daughter, Symphony. They are currently expecting their second child.

You can also find Wanza on Facebook and Twitter.

The Interview

Let's start with an easy question - as hard as it is to get published today and as much work goes into being an indie-publisher (if that's your mode of publication), why do you keep coming back to the WORD, to the writing?
Writing for me is life changing. When I write I begin to understand myself, my God and the people around me more and more. Writing is a difficult field, especially if you’re looking to go the traditional route of publishing, but once your words are published, they can never be erased. Not only is it a sense of accomplishment, but it’s immortality at its best. Imagine the books we read today that change our lives and the author is deceased. Words are powerful. It’s worth the work to be published traditionally or if you put your work out there yourself.


What three writers have influenced your writing and how?
I have done at least three interviews already and have been asked this question and probably gave the same replies each time I was asked. I love reading literature that gives my imagination a surge. And though I have many who have influenced my passion for writing, you asked for 3 and it’s a tough pick, but will tell you my top 3 and why.

I absolutely love reading but unfortunately, many books do not hold my attention long enough to finish them. At this moment, the most influential authors in my life are Mary E. DeMuth because she can make me see and feel her words – they come to life off the page. Her prose is raw, gritty and you can really feel her heart. She has helped me let go of the fear of writing the next chapter. Writing is not about the author, but the story – and the author can not be selfish with words to protect her own heart.

Next, I’d say ReShonda Tate Billingsley. I relate to her style and drama. I can finish every word of her books. Her writing is smooth and real. When I write, I remember to just flow and the let the characters interact.

Thirdly, Joyce Meyer. Yes, JM is one of my favorites. I write non-fiction and fiction. Ms. Meyer’s honesty about real life events mixed with Biblical solutions to problems we face everyday has encouraged me to write with soundness. By that I mean, not by my opinion, but write according to what God truly wants me to say – what He speaks to my heart in accordance with His Word.


How do your beliefs, values, and cultural awareness reflect themselves in your writing?
I am a follower of Christ. I am Christian and my writing does reflect that in my work. I write Urban Christian Fiction and non-fiction works that are centered on Christian living. My values are integrated in my work – I wouldn’t know how to remove them! I write what I think and believe. Sure, all of my characters wouldn’t agree with me, but for the most part you can know exactly who I am after reading a passage of my work. Culturally, I find myself writing from an Urban Black perspective most of the time. Again, that is who I am but I am not limited to it.


What are some of the themes you find yourself circling back to in your writing?
I tend to weave in love and honesty in most of my writing. I think the world is lacking genuine love. We live such shallow lives that most times a man can’t tell a woman that he loves her or vice versa. We rather hide behind “the game” of dating and relationships instead of realizing what we really want and love and going after it. I’ve seen too many couples break up because of dishonesty – they couldn’t bear to tell the other person what they truly felt due to pride or what others thought about their situation. It’s such an injustice and I write about it. It’s my heart. I’ve been there.


I selected you as an October feature because your "writer's heart" connects with me. When I read your works, I sense your passion for writing and for conveying images, sounds, emotions, feelings to your reader. If you could, describe what "the heart of a writer" means to you.
Although, the story I write is fictional, the content is true to life. It’s a story that could be anyone, anywhere. I can't afford to hold back words – those very words maybe what my reader needs. “The heart of the writer” to me means that as an author I write unselfishly for my readers. I write what is true, honest, painful but helpful. When you read my writing, you see and feel what is on my mind. That is when my heart shines through my work.


Yes, writers "feel" the need to write, but we have to be realistic, too: writers WANT to get published. Talk a bit about your publication journey and some of the important things you've learned while on that journey.
My first work, Sunday Morning, I self-published. I will admit, I had NO idea of what I was doing. I just knew I was writing a book and I put it out there. To my joy, people loved it. Yes, it was structured wrong and could have used an editor, but it was out and the story made people talk and talk. I knew then that I had to continue, but I was fearful. The story was so real many people became angry because they thought I was writing about them. That was not the case. I stopped writing for years – nearly a decade.

Along this journey, I have learned to be unselfish. Someone needs the words I am going to write or have written. They need a laugh, a sigh or even a cry. It’s one of the things I was born to do. I have the ability to change someone’s thought pattern with my words. With that realization, I began to write again. Now, I am currently publishing a short story for Tha Message Magazine and pursuing traditional publishing.


Writers are more than writers today; they are publicists, marketers, brands, a whole product aside from the book itself. What are you doing, as a writer with many hats, to market/promote yourself and get your works into the right hands?
I am developing my social media skills! I blog and tweet mostly, but I am definitely online promoting myself and my brand as The Gospel Writer. I believe it is important to “do unto others” so I actively interview and promote blog tours on my blogs for other authors.


What are you working on next?
I am working on the sequel to Sunday Morning. It’s been a long time coming, but the time is now for Flour Ain’t Bread ‘Til You Bake It. Also, I have a few non-fiction proposals that I am submitting before the year is out.



The Excerpt

Taken from The Newlywed Diaries


Meet George & Sarah
by Wanza Leftwich, The Gospel Writer


Dear Diary,

Can you handle that I tell you the truth
I paid my tithes, sowed my seed
Every day broke indeed
This is what I be
The dreams I see
Can you handle me telling you about me
Walking and talking
Shouting and praising
Depressed and gloom
Never seeing prosperity
Prosperity, you see
But is it for me
Do you see where I'm coming from?
Tossed in the night
Tears streaming down
Eyes of fright
Letting up on my fight
Praying you hear
Are you near?
Sounds so weak, but this is
How my heart beats.
Can I tell you the truth
Can I trust you
No question mark at the end
It is a rhetorical sin
Can you handle me
The thoughts I see
The rain I hear
The pound that resounds within my ears
Prosperity, you say again
Is it for me...

"That's all you ever do is write that crazy depressing poetry!" George snatched the diary out of my hand. "You think God gonna deliver you if you keep writing like that?"

This time I didn't move. I didn't reach for it. I didn't grab it. I knew what he would do. He was going to flip the page. I was going to let him. Gone on, flip it. I tried to

spare your egoistical feelings, but you’ve done it this time. One more page and you're going to wish you never married me.

"What? Is this what you think?" George tore the pages out. "Is this what you think?"

A smile rose in my heart. Finally, the truth was out.

August 1st Marks Premiere of All the Blog's a Page!

For our first month of writer discussions on AtBaP, we are looking at FAITH and how writers connect their faith to writing.

Participating authors are

Friday, August 1, 2008 -- Beth Fehlbaum: MySpace

Friday, August 8, 2008 -- Niambi Davis: MySpace

Monday, August 11, 2008 -- Pamela S. Thibodeaux: MySpace

Friday, August 15, 2008 -- Faith Inspired Books: MySpace

Friday, August 22, 2008 -- James A. Jimason: MySpace

Friday, August 29, 2008 -- Cynthia Polansky: MySpace

Just from reading the early submissions from the authors, I can tell you that they are ALL taking it seriously, and you'll be in for some great responses, so head over to AtBaP TODAY and subscribe to the blog!