Sins of the Father Blog Tour - Day One

Angela Benson’s numerous novels include the Christy Award-nominated Awakening Mercy, the Essence-bestselling The Amen Sisters, and Up Pops The Devil. Currently an associate professor at the University of Alabama, she lives in Northport, AL.

Angela stops by Urban Christian Fiction Today during her Sins of the Father Blog Tour to share a bit of encouragement.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version

The verse comes from a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. In the letter, Jeremiah passes along a message from the Lord telling the exiles that they will be in Babylon for seventy years. While there though, he gives them hope in the form of the verse above. It’s as though God is saying, “Times may be tough now but now is not the end. I have other, better plans for you. Just hold on.”

A few weeks ago, I was talking to an unemployed young man about thirty years old who was a high school dropout. During our conversation, he shared with me that he had been raised in a single parent home and never knew his father. He went on to talk about his life without a dad. As he spoke, it was clear that he felt his absent father had determined the trajectory of his life.

Jeremiah 29:11 speaks to that young man and others like him, and like me, who grew up without a father. The circumstances of our birth only determine our future to the extent that we allow them. I knew the poverty that young man experienced in a single parent home because I lived it as well. But what I had that he didn’t have was hope. I had the hope that my future would be better than my current circumstances.

We all face circumstances that challenge us in life, some of our own doing and others resulting from the decisions of others. Either way, we should take comfort in knowing God has a hopeful future planned for us. It’s this hope in God that allows us to meet the challenges we face and to look expectantly for a tomorrow that is better than today, whether here or in heaven.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for hope you have placed in my heart. I know that you are bigger than my circumstances and that my future is in your hands. In times of trial and challenge, I will cling to the hope I have in you. Amen.

About the Book

Successful media mogul Abraham Martin has great wealth, an elegant wife, Saralyn, and a rebellious son, Isaac. He also has a secret: a second family that no one knows about. Now, after thirty years—driven by the urging of his long dormant conscience

—Abraham is determined to do the right thing by finally bringing his illegitimate children into

the light…and into the family fold.

But beautiful, manipulative Saralyn will never accept the

proof of her husband’s indiscretions. Isaac the heir, shaken by his father’s revelations, will fight mercilessly when his world is threatened, and may lose everything that matters as a result. And while Abraham’s forgotten daughter Deborah is open to the undreamed-of possibilities suddenly awaiting her, son Michael cannot forgive the man who cruelly abandoned

them to near poverty. And he’s driven by only one desire: revenge!

Angela Benson’s Sins of the Father is a powerful story of a house bitterly divided—a rich, multilayered family saga of betrayal and redemption, rage and compassion, faith, forgiveness, and ultimately, of love.

Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/SinsoftheFather.

For more information about Angela, visit her at AngelaBenson.com.

Author Kimberla Lawson Roby has "The Best of Everything"

Today I’m reposting an interview with author, Kimberla Lawson Roby. I will interview Roby personally about the release of her new book this fall, but I felt compelled to post this interview today because of a conversation I had with an author friend this earlier in the week.

There is much debate about what is Christian Fiction and what is not. It’s the age old argument that we have in the church – who’s church is more holier, who’s denomination has it all right, who’s going to heaven and who’s not. In my opinion, all a bunch of stuff that really and truly gets in the way of effective ministry. While there certainly is a need to separate the wheat from the chaff, there’s too much of it, and with it has come the spirit of condemnation and judgment.

I’m a Kim Roby fan. Always have been since she self-published her first novel, Behind Closed Doors. Would I ever classify Kim as a Christian Fiction author? Up until about a year ago, absolutely not. Her books contained sex and cursing. That immediately eliminated her novels from what I deem to be Christian Fiction. But Roby has made a shift in her writing, certainly one that her fans and critics should take note of. I noticed it when I read her 2008 release Sin No More. I kept waiting for the big sex scene I would have to skip over (because I don’t read them) and it never happened. Then there was One In A Million and The Best Kept Secret and I thought well isn’t that something, she’s trending in a different direction. Like I said, I'm a fan, but I was pleased.

Back to the conversation I had with my author friend. We were discussing the National Book Club Conference and she talked about the Christian Fiction authors or those who in her opinion aren’t really writing Christian Fiction that are exploiting the genre for sales. Roby was one of them. (First of all I thought it was hysterical that she would think any of the authors she listed would exploit this genre for sales. Everyone knows that outside of a Karen Kingsbury or Ted Dekker and a few others if anyone is making less money in publishing it would be Christian Fiction authors. So she was quite misinformed on the money aspect.) I asked her if she had read Ms. Roby’s work lately and she said no. I told her that her work had moved in a different direction and she said “Well, it’s too late now, she has all those books out there.” I was saddened, not because I need to have Ms. Roby accepted as a Christian Fiction author. She's a NY Times Bestselling author, her books are in a class by themselves. I was saddened because this person was so narrow minded, and unwilling to move past what she considered to be unforgivable sin. I decided to leave that between her and her God, but I do recall a scripture in the Bible that says “Judge not, lest you be judged.”

The thing that is most disturbing about this all and we’ll remove Ms. Roby from this point of discussion, is what if an author had a collection of erotica books. This person became saved and began writing the books she felt the Lord had called her to write. Is she not acceptable to us in the genre because she started out writing something else? The bigger question is “Can the lost come back home to the church?”Think about it? Are we deciding who’s good enough for ministry? Who’s good enough for Jesus? Not this girl.I look forward to watching Ms. Roby's work evolve into all that God has called it to be. I listened to an interview she did on Urban Reviews when "The Best of Everything" was released where she talked about her spiritual growth and it's impression on her writing. Ms. Roby is blessed. When any of us can get up every day and do what we know we are called to do, then we truly have the best of everything.

Blessings,

Rhonda McKnight

Enjoy Patricia Woodside’s interview with Ms. Roby and leave and a comment and tell me what you think:

Reposted from http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-christian-fiction-on-parade_23.html

Today's featured author in Black Christian Fiction on Parade brings a little controversy with her, even before I posted her feature.

Today's featured author is Kimberla Lawson Roby.

As with some other very popular AA Christian Fiction authors, there's some debate as to whether Ms. Roby's books qualify as Christian fiction. Well, that's not for me to say. Although there's always been a faith thread in her stories, I suspect the controversy stems from some of the literary choices Ms. Roby made. Here's what she has to say, first in an interview with SORMAG earlier this year and before that, in a 2008 interview with author Connie Briscoe.

"If I had it to do over again, I never would have used any words of profanity in my work just because it is sometimes used by people in real life---especially since I don't use words like that myself. In my first nine novels, I didn't use profanity on every page and not even in every chapter, but on occasion, if a character was angry, hurt or had been betrayed in some way, I did have the character say a select word here and there. But as I began writing my tenth novel, SIN NO MORE, I wasn't comfortable with using even one curse word in my work and haven't done so with any book since then. The other good news, too, is that I have felt very relieved about the change I made, and I am excited to be doing what I believe God wants me to do."

"...actually, as of Sin No More, I stopped writing detailed sex scenes of any kind. Even in my past novels, I never wrote erotica and worked hard not to write anything offensive, but I finally realized it just wasn’t necessary to include all the details unless the story is somehow centered on sex."

To date, I've only read Casting The First Stone, back when it was first published. I'm honestly not sure why, although perhaps these issues struck a nerve at that time. However, I can appreciate an author who grows in outlook as well as writing ability.

Enough about that.

Ms. Roby's success speaks for itself. Her books consistently make the NY Times and Essence Magazine bestseller lists among many others. Her first novel, Behind Closed Doors was originally self-published and was the #1 Blackboard Best-selling book for paperback fiction in 1997.

Regina Moore and Karen Jackson have been best friends since they were six. And now at age thirty, they've obtained what most women only dream of-wonderful careers, gorgeous homes in an upper-echelon Chicago suburb, and loving husbands to complete the package. Of course, all good things must and usually do come to an end. Regina's husband, Larry has been working too much overtime, and Karen's husband John has started donating his paycheck to the local horse track on a regular basis.

What happens when a husband and wife appear to have the perfect life on the outside, when in reality, their marriage is practically falling apart behind closed doors?

Her second novel, Casting the First Stone, the one I had the pleasure to read, introduced the Rev. Curtis Black, who was so popular that he has since appeared in six other books.

Tanya Black has everything a woman could want: a fulfilling career, a beautiful daughter, an elegant home and a handsome, charismatic husband who pastors a prominent Baptist church. And yet, Tanya can no longer deny that the calm surface of her life hides a growing turbulence. Her husband Curtis, once a supportive partner and passionate lover, has grown remote, and Tanya has the uneasy feeling that her comfortable life is about to change forever.

When Tanya uncovers disturbing truths about Curtis, she is plunged into a bittersweet journey of discovery. For while she learns painful new lessons about love, betrayal and sensual temptation, she also discovers, within herself, the wisdom to celebrate the victories that are hers alone.

Now author of twelve books, Ms. Roby's most recent book, The Best of Everything, was published this past January.

World-renowned Reverend Curtis Black’s daughter Alicia is all grown up and even more trouble than her father.

Alicia Black Sullivan swore to never repeat her father’s mistakes: she would never break any promises, she would never be unfaithful. And most important of all, when she got married, it would be for good.

And she really does love Philip, the assistant pastor of her father’s church. She just happens to love money – and the things it can buy – as well. Alicia was born to the good life, she’s entitled to the best, and she’ll do anything to get it. Even if it means piling up thousands of dollars in debt. Even if it means denying to everyone—even herself—that her love of shopping has gotten way out of control.

Before long, Philip begins to wonder if marrying the woman of his dreams was a huge mistake. Alicia has the same thoughts, too. Deep down, though, she knows a whopper of an emotional bill is coming due. And all the regrets in the world won’t change the fact that she may be more like her infamous father than she could have imagined—or feared.

You can learn more about Kimberla Lawson Roby and her books at her website, http://www.kimroby.com/.

African American Bloggers Do Exist | Mom Unplugged

I found an interesting blog post today:

I was speaking with a good friend of mine who attended a Mom Bloggers’ event this week and she notices something that I have often complained to her about. There was a limited number of African American bloggers. When asked about the fact that there were not a lot of African American bloggers, the response was that they could not find them.momunplugged.com, African American Bloggers Do Exist | Mom Unplugged, Jun 2009

You should read the whole article.

The Last Woman Standing Blog Tour

The Birth of the Last Woman Standing

Tia McCollors, author of The Last Woman Standing (August 1, 2009), stops by Urban Christian Fiction Today. Learn how she received the concept behind her latest book release.

I was eager to share the concept for my new book and told one of my writer-sister-friend about what was then an untitled manuscript.

It would be the story of two ex-spouses, their continued love for each other, and their possible reunion.

Did an expression of pure glee spread between her two high cheek bones? No. It was more like pure horror. I guess I should’ve expected it. She was a divorcee and the thought of falling back in love with her ex-husband made her swoon. I cradled her back in case she decided to collapse to the floor. Oh well…maybe that part is an exaggeration.

But once I realized I wouldn’t have to perform CPR, we laughed at her reaction. The funny thing was that years ago her own parents had divorced – and remarried. From the time I’d met my writer-sister-friend’s family, I’d likened them to the Cosby family. Their love among each other – the parents and their three daughters – is visible. Dare I say when you’re with them all in a room together, there’s a sweet aroma around them.

So the idea for The Last Woman Standing wasn’t farfetched. You know what they say. One person’s fiction is another person’s reality. I knew it was possible for God to restore the marriage of a divorced couple, even before I’d learned about my writer-sister-friend’s parents. It had also happened to a couple that’s close in my life. I also knew that there were times when a potential reunion ended in disaster.

But regardless of whether a woman ends up reuniting with her husband and God, or with God alone, one thing is true. If you want to be a woman who stands for something, you have to be a woman willing to fall to her knees in prayer.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lynette Bowers had no intention on falling in love with her ex-husband, “Ace” Bowers. After all, it has been ten years since their marriage ended, and two years since the beginning of his relationship with the younger and prettier, Sheila Rushmore. Besides Sheila, everyone knows that only a fool makes the same mistake twice, especially when it comes to marriage.

Ace seems stuck between his past and his future. With his conflicting emotions, he risks losing two women who hold a significant place in his heart. It’s going to take his faith and God’s love to handle the ensuing drama.

Sheila is starting to see Ace’s ex-wife as a threat to her lifelong dreams of achieving the happily-ever-after. Sheila is used to getting what she wants – except Ace’s commitment to marriage. When Sheila realizes Lynette may be the cause, she launches a plan to play the hand of God, instead of allowing Him to bring the love all three of them desire.

THE LAST WOMAN STANDING BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY

Tia McCollors is the author of four Women's Fiction books. Read the question below to see if you can answer it and provide the name of the book in which it was featured.

Tia is blessed with the gift of writing, but if she could choose another gift to add to that what would it be? (Visit http://www.tiamccollors.com/ for the answers.)


Leave your answer in the comment section. All post with correct answers posted to the blog comment sections will be entered in a random drawing for prizes. The more you post (with correct answers) the better your chances. Winners will be contacted via email and also posted on Tia’s Blog, “From Tia’s Pen”.

Contest prizes include:
1. $5 gift card to Smoothie King or Panera Bread (Winner’s Choice)
2. $5 gift card to Chick-Fil-A
3. $10 gift card for Border’s
4. Autographed copy of The Last Woman Standing
5. Autographed copy of The Last Woman Standing

Follow the rest of The Last Woman Standing Blog Tour at:http://bitly.com/TheLastWomanStanding

Tia’s Contact Info:
· http://www.tiamccollors.com/
· Tia@TiaMcCollors.com
· www.myspace.com/TiaWrites
· http://www.shoutlife.com/TiaWrites
· Visit Tia’s blog: http://www.tiaspen.blogspot.com/

Author Interview with Rhonda McKnight

Okay...Rhonda McKnight is me and I didn't actually interview myself. I was interviewed recently at Pam's Thoughts (a great aspiring author blog by the way) and thought I'd share it for this Sunday's feature. My book is coming out soon and uh, well, I want you to be interested so here goes:

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m an almost divorced working mother of two sons, ages 3 and 17. I love to read Christian fiction and suspense. I rarely have time for television but when I do you might find me watching The Closer, 24, or Criminal Minds. I enjoy upbeat praise and worship by any of the Clark Family, Kirk Franklin, and Fred Hammond. The teaching ministries of Bishop TD Jakes, Bishop Donald Hillard, and Joyce Meyers bless have added to my spiritual growth. I enjoy spending time in South Carolina with my parents and extended family. South Carolina has the best barbeque. My Aunt and cousins actually sell my grandfather's sauce. Visit the site for Sweet Jazzy Reds at www.sweetjazzyreds.com to learn more. (It's good stuff).

2. What is your current profession? I’ve spent the last fifteen years doing work that I love with a large human services agency, specifically, with a federal food and nutrition program. I’ve worn many hats from policy to regional program consultant, but I’m currently a Quality Control Specialist who conducts federal reviews on program accuracy.

3. When did you know you wanted to become a writer and when did you actually begin to write? I’ve been writing since I was a child and I started with books (LOL). I never wrote short stories or poetry like most authors. I always wanted to write a long story about a lot of different characters. I stopped writing in college and then began again in the mid nineties after I read Waiting to Exhale and thought, “I can do that. I’m a writer.” Boy did I learn that it wasn’t so easy. I became serious about finishing a manuscript in early 2003. I joined a great critique group, attended some writers’ conferences and read about 20 craft books.

4. How long did it take for you to complete your first novel? It probably took me about 6 months of actual writing time, but that 6 months was spread over 4 years. I kept putting this particular story down and picking it back up again. Some of the elements were painful for me to write and I didn’t want to deal with it all, so I played the procrastination game.

5. How do you balance your career, family, writing, and other obligations?
Ha! I don’t know if you ever balance it all. I think you just fit stuff in. My career, writing and other commitments fall in around my kids. Sometimes I have to ask my teenager to help with his younger brother while I steal time to write or take time to get work done for my 9-5 which has become more like a 9-7 lately, but mostly I don’t get much sleep. (LOL) I work when they’ve gone to bed or early before the baby wakes, and I rely heavily on my best friend to babysit her godson when I’m under deadline.

6. Do you belong to any writing groups or organizations? I am the Vice President of Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. We are group of about 18 writers, published and unpublished, that meet monthly to learn about craft, talk about publishing, network , pray, etc. We also critique our work and that was critical in my development.

7. What genre do you write in? I write women’s fiction, but classify myself as a Christian Fiction author. I believe my work will fit into that niche.

9. Share with us a little about your new book; the name, when it is due out, and the date/location of your book release party.

Ah, Secrets and Lies, my first born (book that is) is the story of Jonah and Faith Morgan, a couple who’s troubled marriage is literally collapsing under the burden of…well, secrets and lies. And those lies aren’t all coming from inside the marriage. Old memories and new enemies make for a juicy plot where the characters are really challenged. I mean the heat gets turned all the way up on this marriage. The book comes out November 24th and the book release party will be held in the Atlanta area on December 5th. Still working out the details.

Please visit my website at http://www.rhondamcknight.net/ to pre-order a copy or learn more about me and the book. I also have a blog for the novel, http://www.secretsandliesthenovel.blogspot.com/ It's new and I'm adding content, so visit frequently.

10. What tips can you share with me and others who are aspiring authors? Write, read, network and find a mentor. Then read some more and write. I also suggest developing a road map for your writing. Beginning, middle, end and what’s happening to get there. There are lots of plotting systems out there, find one that works for you. Find a critique group or partner and never become over confident about your writing. There’s always room for growth and improvement.

11. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? I read alot of Christian Fiction because I love it. My favorite authors are Sherri Lewis, Tiffany Warren, Tia McCollors, Victoria Christopher Murray, Jacquelin Thomas, Stacy Hawkins Adams, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Claudia Mair Burney, Marilynn Griffith, Dee Stewart (she’s not published yet, but she can really spin a tale), the list goes on and on. Why did I try to answer? There are just too many. I also enjoy Deberry & Grant, Walter Mosley, Sandra Brown and James Patterson. The late BeBe Moore Campbell’s work was my absolute favorite.

12. Will you be participating in or attending the National Book Conference at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Atlanta on July 30-August 2, 2009? I won’t be attending NBCC this year. But I know it’s always a blessing for the book clubs and authors who attend, so I’m praying it’s a big success.

The link to the orginal interview is
http://pamisanauthor.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-new-author-rhonda-mcknight.html and here's a picture of Pam. Make sure to stop by her blog and say hello. It's one of my favorites.

Blessed Thoughts from Iris Celeste

Beginning Small

I’m an introvert by nature. I’ve never quite fit or blended well with the ‘in’ crowd. Therefore, I shy away from most large gatherings. My bashfulness became such an obstacle that in school when the given assignment was an oral report, I would opt for a zero as my grade. For me, standing before the class and speaking was unimaginable! Beyond conceivable. Little did I know that it was Satan's scheme to saturate my mind with insecurities to keep me from my destiny. Constantly telling me I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t matter. Believing those lies held me captive in my own body. As a result, writing became my chosen vehicle of expression. However, I kept my newfound fetish in the closet. It was all for me. My therapy. My sanity. My release. Until God intervened.

Don’t ask me how, but I’ve always sensed God had other plans for me despite my current location in life. I wasn’t sure of the path or where it would lead. But I was curious. No, make that hungry. Greedily, I took steps forward. Determination vanquishing the looming fears to withdraw. I KNEW greatness was out there for me. I heard it calling my name. Then the panic set in. What if I failed? The calling grew louder . To get something I’ve never had, I had to do something I’ve never done—L et go of my fear of rejection and let God rule. Have you ever felt that what you were going through was much bigger than you? In fact, it wasn't even about you. My big aha moment. The end destination was God's direction all along.

The mistakes made.
The pain endured.
The heartache suffered.
The failed relationships.
The friends lost.
It was all a divine setup to get me exactly where God wanted me.
Depended on Him.
Focus and faithful.
Disciplined and decided.

This writing that I love so much wasn’t for me to keep to myself. It's a gift to be shared. Everything that I had under gone was to prepare me for this moment in time. It was up to me to seize it! On shaky trembling legs, I staggered out of my secret closet peering apprehensively around the corner with each stride and accepted my first writing assignment. A poem. That opened doors to other possibilities I would have never dreamt of or believed. Who knew that one step of obedience many years ago would connect my path with the opportunities that lay before me as an author, writer and columnist today. A living testament to at no time underestimate small beginnings, because you never know where they might lead...And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end will greatly increase. Job 8:7

Iris Celeste is the author of Christian Fiction novel Praise Your Way Through. A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Because being saved doesn’t mean being perfect. To learn more about the author and order a book visit http://www.irisceleste.com/.

Interview with author, Monique Miller

Today I welcome author, Monique Miller, to UCFT. This is a longgggggg overdue interview. Monique and I are really close writer buddies. We met in 2004 at Jacquelin Thomas' Faith Based Fiction Retreat in North Carolina where Monique lives and have kept in touch eversince. Both of us were unpublished at the time, and now we'll be label-mates.

Welcome Monique! Introduce yourself to my readers.
Hello everyone, I am Monique Miller, Christian Fiction Author. And before I say anything else, I’d like to thank Rhonda McKnight for inviting me to do an interview for Urban Christian Fiction Today.

Tell us about both your novels, Secret Sisterhood and Soul Confessions.
Secret Sisterhood was my debut novel. It is about three African-American women who struggle with the problem of infertility, while learning to rely on God to see them through. My second novel, Soul Confessions, is about a husband who has some skeletons in his closet, skeletons that literally knock on his front door at home and confront his clueless wife.

What was the inspiration behind these stories?
Some one asked me the other day what made me decided to start writing. I told them God. They thought I was joking and asked what I was doing at during the time decided to start writing? I told them that I was praying.

In truth a few years ago I was dealing with some infertility problems. I turned to God for answers. Instead of medical answers or money to finance any medical procedures, God simply told me to, “Write.” So I wrote about three women experiencing problems with infertility and their faith walk with God.

What do you want readers to take away?
I want my readers to have a sense of hope after reading my novels. And I want them to know that with God, ALL things are possible.

Share a little about your journey to publication? Don’t be discouraged if you are trying to get published and are still waiting. Be persistent and stay hopeful. But also use wisdom. My road to publication was long and bumpy. I wrote my first novel, like God told me to and just knew a book deal was around the corner. Well it wasn’t.

I contacted publishers and received rejection after rejection. I also contacted literary agents and received rejections also. I got discouraged and put my novel on the shelf for a while. But something in the back of my mind kept nagging at me. I entered a fiction writing contest with Black Expressions book club and placed 3rd out of over 700 people who entered. That gave me the fuel I needed so I sent my manuscript back out and contacted more agents also. I also networked with other writers and authors during that time.

And after five long years the persistence and networking paid off. An author friend of mine not only mentioned my name to a publisher, she also sent a copy of my manuscript for review. I got a book deal and secured an agent all in the same week!

Advice for aspiring writers?
Re-read what I have written above and continue to write as you try to secure a book deal. Remember writers, write. Writers don’t sit around thinking about writing.

Time to get to know Monique personally. I asked her questions and she shared her answers.

Favorite scripture: Proverbs 18:16 KJV - A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Favorite dessert: Banana Pudding
If you were a crayon in coloring box, which one would you be? Sapphire Blue – My birthstone.
If you could spend one hour with someone living or deceased, who would it be and why? I think it would be my maternal grandmother, Mable. Lately I’ve been finding myself thinking about her. She died when I was in the 7th grade and I never really got a chance to know her. There are questions about wisdom and insight that I would love to have her advice about.

If you had to go to a solitary place and could only take one novel, that you didn’t write, what would it be and why? The Color Purple. I’ve never actually read the book, but I’ve seen the movie many times. And as I know from first hand, the book is always better than the movie. I’d like to see how Alice Walker originally wrote the book.

What’s next for Monique Miller?
My next novel Redemption Lake will be out in stores November 2009. It is my third novel, and by far my favorite so far. A couple of my characters are pretty edgy. And there is one character in particular, that I’m sure, will have the readers talking to the book.How can my readers find you on the Internet?
Many, many places – My books can be found on http://www.amazon.com/ . My website is http://www.authormoniquemiller.com/ . I can also be found on various social networking sites like: Facebook, MySpace and Shout Life. My email address is: authormoniquemiller@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by, Monique. Thanks for having me Rhonda.

Many Blessings to you all!
Monique Miller

Book Review - The Devil Is A Lie by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Valuable Lessons About Love and Money...

Nina Lawson's dream comes true when she wins the lottery, or so she thinks. What she quickly finds out is that her nightmares are just beginning. Although she no longer has money problems she's got man problems, family drama, an ex-husband who's not an ex problems and a greedy chic named, Pam wants to get her paws on her money. I mean as if it wasn't bad enough Pam already has her ex-husband. (Dare I say had him while Nina and Todd were still living as man and wife.) Oh yes, Ms. Billingsley went there.

This was a great story. Best lottery story I've ever read. There were lots of thoughtful lessons for all, but mostly the main message is "Money can't buy happiness". Great characters, snappy dialogue and description make for a page turner that was a pleasure to read. The story also had a real twist near the end which was a pleasant surprise. Don't let the devil lie to you and you pass this one by!

Review by Rhonda McKnight

To learn move about ReShonda visit her website at www.reshondatatebillingsley.com

Why Being Unpublished is Like Being Single

I have permission to repost this entry. It was posted on July 2nd at Booking It with Jessica Nelson. Bookin It is one of the blogs I follow.

Why Being Unpublished is Like Being Single

Remember back in the day when you longed for a man, that one special man, who would fill your nights with warmth and smother you with spine-melting kisses? Remember how you'd see all the married couples and think "Where's my love?"

And you'd look around and realize you were the only single person in the crowd.

The loneliness got to you, drove you into the bookstore where, foggy-eyed and grief-stricken, you stumbled across a book titled (I'm guessing here) BEING HAPPY WHILE SINGLE.

You bought it because it seemed like a good idea at the time. And then suddenly it seems all people want to talk about is how good it is to be single! The wives tell you to be relieved that you can stay up until three in the morning with the lights on. Be glad no one pees on your toilet rim.

This is us, my dear writer friends. :-)

We are the single folks. Yes, there are wonderful, beautiful thrills to being married (published). But there's also hard work, deadlines, interferences, bad reviews, did I mention deadlines?

So while we keep our dreams alive, let's also find contentment and peace in the place we're at now. Which, based on most of your comments, you already do.

Have you ever wanted something, got it, and realized it wasn't quite what you expected?

Click here to respond to Jessica or respond here at UCF.

Jessica's hard work and committment to achieving her goal is very inspiring. Her blog has daily I love her never give up spirit. Congrats Jessica on being 91% complete!

Click here to see other posts. I highly recommend following her blog and Jessica all the way to a publishing house. :o)

Blessings,

Rhonda McKnight

'Til Debt Do Us Part - Blog Tour Day One

Meet Michelle Larks

Michelle Larks was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She currently resides in a suburb of Chicago. Michelle was educated in the Chicago public school system and attended the University of IL at Chicago Circle Campus. Michelle has been employed in the IT field too many years to mention.

Michelle is married and the mother of two adult daughters. Michelle signed a two book contract with Urban Christian Books in 2006. Her first book, Keeping Misery Company was released in November of 2007 and went on to attain best selling status. Her second book with Urban Christian Books, The Legacies was released in July 2008. Til Debt Do Us Part will be released in July 2009.

Keeping Misery Company is being adapted for the big screen and will be released in June 2010. Michelle is currently working on a manuscript titled Faith.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Life was easy for Nichole Singleton, with a voice like an angel, a job she adores, and a church she has called home since her teens. While Jeffrey, Nichole’s loving husband, has control over the life they are living, Nichole still feels blessed . . . until her gambling “hobby” turns into a personal cross to bear that threatens to destroy her marriage.

Through her trials and tribulations, will Nichole remember to put her trust in God and reaffirm her faith in the Lord, or will she see her marriage and gambling habit as bigger than even the God she serves? Purchase this book at Amazon.com.

Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TilDebtDoUsPart.

Listen to Michelle read the excerpt

Visit Michelle at her website http://www.michellelarks.com/

Book Review - Worth A Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adamas

Life at a crossroads?

Indigo just graduated from college with honors and has been accepted into grad school in the Fall. She has big dreams and a bright future ahead of her. Her handsome fiancé has dreams of his own; he’s working to be a Navy fighter pilot.

Can they both pursue their personal dreams hundreds of miles apart and still be together? They find the road to fulfilling one’s goals is not always a straight one, even when love should seem to carve a path. Unexpected things happen and decisions have to be made by all the characters.

I enjoyed this book because I think we live in uncertain times. Many of us know people who are wrestling with decisions they never thought they’d have to make about their finances, families and careers, so it’s timely. Stacy Hawkins Adams has done a wonderful job at bringing that reality home. The lessons of hope and faith are not wasted in this beautifully written, inspiring novel.

Like Book 1 in the Jubilant Soul Series, The Someday List, Worth A Thousand Words is an absolute must read. Although readers would love The Someday List, it is not necessary to read it before reading Worth A Thousand Words. Please visit author, Stacy Hawkins Adams at her website www.stacyhawkinsadams.com

Review by Rhonda McKnight