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Fans plan remembrances for Jackson 1 year later

2010-06-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK – A year ago, DJ John Quick was scheduled to spin at a party when he got the news — Michael Jackson was dead.

So instead of playing the hits of the moment, the Harlem event turned into an impromptu tribute to the King of Pop.

"It was the first time I've ever seen grown people crying and dancing at the same time," he said.

On Friday, the first anniversary of the King of Pop's death, Quick will once again play Michael Jackson tunes, at the club Taj in Manhattan, but he expects a more cheerful party this time.

"They wanna celebrate his life and music," he said. "His albums are like timelines in your life. You can remember what you were doing ... when 'Thriller' came out."

The Taj party will be part of the global celebration of Jackson's brilliant but troubled life. Jackson died at age 50 as he was preparing for comeback concerts in London.

In that city, a memorial was unveiled Thursday to a gaggle of press who packed the foyer of London's Lyric Theatre, the site of an impromptu wake following the pop superstar's death last year.

Perri Luc Kiely, 14, a member of the dance troupe Diversity, pulled back a pair of dark purple curtains to reveal a small plaque featuring a young Jackson with a wide, beaming smile. Applause and the bright flashes of cameras erupted.

"He influenced me and the whole group so much, and it was just a real big honor to be able to do that," Perri said.

With the foyer packed to the brim with photographers, videographers and journalists, fans stood on the street and peered in, capturing the moment with their camera phones.

Leanne Irving, 20, traveled seven hours by bus from her home in northern England to be able to attend the memorial events.

"An absolute inspiration. I would love to be like him and dance like him. He inspires everything I want to do in life and everything I want to achieve," said Irving, an aspiring performance artist.

In Hong Kong, Jackson imitators performed to the late singer's classics at a suburban mall Thursday. Four-year-old Wang Yiming danced to "Dangerous" wearing Jackson's trademark black fedora hat, a black suit with a silver armband and white socks.

While festive celebrations like parties are expected on Friday, there will also be somber remembrances. In Gary, Ind., Jackson's hometown, there will be a tribute at the Jackson home; city officials said they expected Michael's mother Katherine and his niece Genevieve to show up, along with thousands of others.

Fans are also expected to gather at Forest Lawn cemetery outside of Los Angeles, where he is buried.

Katherine Jackson has thrown her support behind a "Forever Michael" fan event to be held Saturday at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Tickets range from $150 to $500.

The Apollo Theatre in Harlem, where a young Michael Jackson and his brothers won amateur night, will host a commemoration Friday of Jackson's life in front of the recently installed plaque honoring him in the legendary theater's new hall of fame.

And later in the afternoon in Harlem, around the hour of Jackson's death, the Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network will hold a moment of silence.

Sharpton, a longtime associate of Jackson and his family and who gave impassioned remarks at Jackson's televised memorial last July, said he thought a moment of silence was appropriate to show "the sanctity of the hour. He meant a lot to us of all races in terms of bringing us together in another kind of spirit.

"I wanted to make sure that we showed that in the middle of all this that is going on in the world that Michael is someone that we would all stop for ... He was more than just a singer, he was a social force, and a sense of inspiration."

Where do the time go...?

Judge orders Lindsay Lohan to answer questions

2010-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Lindsay Lohan will have to answer more questions about a 2007car chase that landed her in jail, including inquiries about drug use at the time, a judge ruled Thursday.

Lohan's answers will be used in a civil lawsuit filed against the actress by a woman who claims she suffered emotional distress after the incident, which prompted a criminal case that still haunts the "Mean Girls" star.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard A. Stone ordered Lohan to sit for a two-hour deposition next month. The judge approved a request by Lohan's attorney to allow the questioning to happen after July 6, when a criminal judge will decide whether Lohan violated her probation by missing a court hearing in May.

Tracie Rice, who was a passenger in a car being chased by Lohan in July 2007, sued the actress for assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress a month later. The case is scheduled to go to trial in late July.

Lohan was charged with seven misdemeanors stemming from her arrest after the chase and another incident a few months earlier.

Rice's attorney, Paul Hoffman, argued Thursday that Lohan hadn't answered key questions about her drug use and whether she was remorseful, both of which could help his case.

"This case is about somebody who claims to be sober and had cocaine and blew a DUI for alcohol," Hoffman said. He said the questions would be crucial to a jury deciding whether Lohan should have to pay punitive damages if she is found liable.

Lohan's attorney, Ed McPherson, said the questions seemed aimed more at embarrassing Lohan in the press and could harm her if used at the probation hearing. He said Lohan sat for a daylong deposition during which she was subjected to numerous lines of questioning, including whether she had seen a recent "60 Minutes" episode featuring Al Pacino.

"It's clear they don't need answers to these questions," McPherson argued. He also said Lohan was busy focusing on the fulfilling the conditions of her criminal case and working.

"My client is undergoing weekly drug testing, alcohol classes and trying to film a movie," McPherson said.

Stone said he would order a second deposition, but that attorneys should contact him if any issues arose rather than returning to court.

McPherson said after the hearing that his client would comply with the order and answer the questions about Lohan's past drug use. "I think it's a bit of overkill in this case," he said.

Hoffman declined comment after the hearing.

Lohan has struggled with the terms of her probation in the criminal case, for which she served 84 minutes in jail and was sentenced to probation and alcohol education courses. Her probation had to be extended after she missed deadlines to finish the classes, and Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel revoked her probation in May after Lohan missed a court hearing.

Revel ordered Lohan, 23, to wear an ankle alcohol monitor and increased her bail after the device issued an alert that authorities have said was alcohol-related.

She did not attend Thursday's hearing.

When is enough is enough around that camp? If she was just Jane Doe doing her thing she would have been locked up by now. What's your thoughts on it?

Author interview with Patricia Sargeant

2009-12-26T19:56:00.000-08:00

Award-winning author Patricia Sargeant writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

Patricia's romantic suspense novel, You Belong to Me, earned third place in the 2006 Reviewers International Organization's award of Excellence in the Favorite Debut Novel Category.

A voracious reader, Patricia first realized she wanted to be a published author at the age of nine. She was drawn to write romances because she loves happy endings. Her romantic suspense novels feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her contemporary romances reveal characters struggling to overcome their inner demons.

In addition to reading, Patricia's hobbies include music, jogging and hiking. She loves movies and she's addicted to Law & Order and TruTV.
Patricia loves to hear from readers.

Raised in New York City, Patricia now lives in Ohio with her husband.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich thrown out of office

2009-01-29T21:22:00.000-08:00

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. Rod Blagojevich was thrown out of office Thursday without a single lawmaker coming to his defense, brought down by a government-for-sale scandal that stretched from Chicago to Capitol Hill and turned the foul-mouthed politician into a national punchline.
Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, becomes the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.
After a four-day trial, the Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to convict him of abuse of power, automatically ousting the second-term Democrat. In a second, identical vote, lawmakers further barred Blagojevich from ever holding public office in the state again.
"He failed the test of character. He is beneath the dignity of the state of Illinois. He is no longer worthy to be our governor," said Sen. Matt Murphy, a Republican from suburban Chicago.
Blagojevich's troubles are not over. Federal prosecutors are drawing up an indictment against him on corruption charges.
Outside his Chicago home Thursday night, Blagojevich vowed to "keep fighting to clear my name," and added: "Give me a chance to show you that I haven't let you down."
"I love the people of Illinois today more than I ever have before," he said. And in a joking reference to Chicago's history of crooked politics, he reached down to a boy in the crowd of well-wishers and said: "I love you, man. You know, this is Chicago. You can vote for me. You're old enough."
Democratic Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, one of Blagojevich's critics, was promptly sworn in as governor and said he would work to "restore the faith of the people of Illinois in the integrity of their government."
Blagojevich's name and picture were promptly stripped from the state's official Web site, and his photo was removed from a display at the Capitol entrance. Quinn also canceled Blagojevich's security detail.
Blagojevich, 52, had boycotted the first three days of the impeachment trial, calling the proceedings a kangaroo court. But on Thursday, he went before the Senate to beg for his job, delivering a 47-minute plea that was, by turns, defiant, humble and sentimental.
He argued, again, that he did nothing wrong, and warned that his impeachment would set a "dangerous and chilling precedent."
"You haven't proved a crime, and you can't because it didn't happen," Blagojevich (pronounced blah-GOY-uh-vich) told the lawmakers. "How can you throw a governor out of office with insufficient and incomplete evidence?"
The verdict brought to an end what one lawmaker branded "the freak show" in Illinois. Over the past few weeks, Blagojevich found himself isolated, with almost the entire political establishment lined up against him. The crisis paralyzed state government and made Blagojevich and his helmet of lush, dark hair a punchline from coast to coast.
Many ordinary Illinoisans were glad to see him go.
"It's very embarrassing. I think it's a shame that with our city and Illinois, everybody thinks we're all corrupt," Gene Ciepierski, 54, said after watching the trial's conclusion on a TV at Chicago's beloved Billy Goat Tavern. "To think he would do something like that, it hurts more than anything."
President Barack Obama pledged to give Quinn his full cooperation.
"Today ends a painful episode for Illinois," Obama said Thursday night in a statement. "For months, the state had been crippled by a crisis of leadership. Now that cloud has lifted."
In a solemn scene, more than 30 lawmakers rose one by one on the Senate floor to accuse Blagojevich of abusing his office and embarrassing the state. They denounced him as a hypocrite, saying he cynically tried to enrich himself and then posed as the brave protector of the poor and "wrapped himself in the constitution."
They sprinkled their remarks with historical references, including Pearl Harbor's "day of infamy" and "The whole world is watching" chant from the riots that broke out during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They cited Abraham Lincoln, the Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus as they called for the governor's removal.
"We have this thing called impeachment and it's bleeping golden and we've used it the right way," Democratic Sen. James Meeks of Chicago said during the debate, mocking Blagojevich's expletive-laden words as captured by the FBI on a wiretap.
Blagojevich did not stick around to hear the vote. He took a state plane back to Chicago.
The verdict capped a head-spinning string of developments that began with his arrest by the FBI on Dec. 9. Fderal prosecutors had been investigating Blagojevich's administration for years, and some of his closest cronies have already been convicted.
The most spectacular allegation was that Blagojevich had been caught on wiretaps scheming to sell an appointment to Obama's Senate seat for campaign cash or a plum job for himself or his wife.
"I've got this thing and it's (expletive) golden, and I'm just not giving it up for (expletive) nothing. I'm not gonna do it," he was quoted as saying on a government wiretap.
Prosecutors also said he illegally pressured people to make campaign contributions and tried to get editorial writers fired from the Chicago Tribune for badmouthing him in print.
Obama himself, fresh from his historic election victory, was forced to look into the matter and issued a report concluding that no one in his inner circle had done anything wrong.
In the brash and often theatrical style that has infuriated fellow politicians for years, Blagojevich repeatedly refused to resign, reciting the poetry of Kipling and Tennyson and declaring at one point last month: "I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong."
Even as lawmakers were deciding whether to launch an impeachment, Blagojevich defied the political establishment and stunned everyone by appointing a former Illinois attorney general, Roland Burris, to the very Senate seat he had been accused of trying to sell. Top Democrats on Capitol Hill eventually backed down and seated Burris.
As his trial got under way, Blagojevich launched a media blitz, rushing from one TV studio to another in New York to proclaim his innocence. He likened himself to the hero of a Frank Capra movie and to a cowboy in the hands of a Wild West lynch mob.
The impeachment case included not only the criminal charges against Blagojevich, but allegations he broke the law when it came to hiring state workers, expanded a health care program without legislative approval and spent $2.6 million on flu vaccine that went to waste. The 118-member House twice voted to impeach him, both times with only one "no" vote.
Seven other U.S. governors have been removed by impeachment, the most recent being Arizona's Evan Mecham, who was driven from office in 1988 for trying to thwart an investigation into a death threat allegedly made by an aide. Illinois never before impeached a governor, despite its long and rich history of graft.
Blagojevich grew up in a working-class Chicago neighborhood, the son of a Serbian immigrant steelworker. He married the daughter of a powerful city alderman and was schooled in the bare-knuckle, backroom politics of the infamous Chicago Machine, winning election to the Illinois House in 1992 and Congress in 1996.
In 2002, he was elected governor on a promise to clean up state government after former GOP Gov. George Ryan, who is serving six years in prison for graft. But he battled openly with lawmakers from his party, and scandal soon touched his administration.
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a former top fundraiser for Blagojevich, was convicted of shaking down businesses seeking state contracts for campaign contributions. Witnesses testified that Blagojevich was aware of some of the strong-arm tactics. Rezko is said to be cooperating with prosecutors.
Quinn, the new governor, is a 60-year-old former state treasurer who has a reputation as a political gadfly and once led a successful effort to cut the size of the Illinois House.
"I want to say to the people of Illinois, the ordeal is over," Quinn said.

Next year's model?

2009-01-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

Think your baby should be on a magazine cover? So does everyone else.

It's standing room only for some of the moms, dads, and tots who crowd into Dynasty Models on a recent Wednesday at a casting call for baby models. Over the crying and cooing, 39 adults listen intently as Dynasty owner Joe Freeman gives his 20-minute spiel about the baby modeling business. Freeman mentions the clients his models work for. A Baby Gap ad featuring Dynasty model Angelo hangs on the wall.

After the presentation, parents meet with Freeman and his daughter Kimberly Yapp, manager of the baby division, for a quick assessment. Among the hopefuls is 15-month-old Kendrick Perkins Jr., son of Celtics center Kendrick Perkins. The tyke sports a formidable Afro and a calm demeanor.

None of the parents - no matter how cherubic or precious their spawn - will hear if their child makes the cut today. Yapp always waits two days, till Friday, no later than 5 p.m., to relay the good news. And if the news isn't good, she doesn't call at all. "I don't intend to have one single little heart be broken today," Freeman says, "or one big heart be broken, either."
Of course, there's another, more pragmatic reason for the delay, he says: "the safety and health of the agent." Translation: He doesn't want any parents freaking out if their child doesn't get signed.

The baby modeling scene in Boston may not be as active as it is in New York or Los Angeles, but it's steady and competitive enough to support divisions at agencies such as Dynasty Models on Newbury Street and Model Club in the South End. Local companies like L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Summer Infant, Safety 1st, and Tufts Health Plan provide a regular stream of work. Regular casting sessions draw parents eager to see their kids in ads (and to fund their 529 college saving plans), but they have to be thick-skinned enough to tolerate industry euphemisms about their bundle of joy being "not right" for the job.

"Some months we might have several castings or jobs the babies are going on," says Tim Ayers, agency director at Model Club Inc. in Back Bay, which represents about 75 babies. "On other months, there might not be anything. Usually we tell the parent that this isn't something that they're going to find overwhelming or take too much of their time. It's something they can do on the side."

Baby divisions cover kids up to age 2 1/2 or 3 and the baby size 3T. Pay ranges from about $75 to $95 per hour, but shoots might only last a couple of hours. Dynasty also charges parents a one time marketing cost of $160 that covers the cost of duplicating photos (parents must update every three months), sending the photos out to clients and postage. The money isn't enough to sustain a family, Ayers says, but parents often say they invest the baby's earnings in 529 plans.

"It's really sort of a keepsake thing, you can look back and say, 'Oh, you were on the package for this,' " says Shannon Mignault, a 29-year-old Manchester, N.H., resident whose 7-month-old daughter Ainsley is signed with Model Club Inc. She has a 2-year-old son who's too lively to work as a model.

"My husband and I have talked about doing it only until they're 3," Mignault said. "If they get older and it's something they're interested in, then by all means. But we don't want to push them into making money."

Not every parent is so laissez-faire. One mother Ayers met quit her job to accompany her child to a photo shoot because, he says, "she thought it was her child's destiny to be a star." Mignault admitted she was the quintessential stressed-out mom during Ainsley's first shoot for Summer Infant in September. As the photographer took photos, Mignault stood nearby trying to get Ainsley to put her feet down and to stop sucking her thumb, much to the chagrin of the creative team.

"They were like, 'No, no. Don't worry about it, she's fine, she's fine,' " Mignault says. "You get kind of nervous that they're going to get annoyed with you and the baby."

Hanover resident Renee Hanna, 35, heard about baby modeling from her sister, who had a friend whose baby was in the business. Her son Robbie, now 5, signed as a model at 9 months old, competed in Gap Baby auditions in New York City twice, but never had a job. That didn't stop Hanna from getting her girls, Abigail, 20 months, and Chloe, 6 months, into the business.
Hanna estimates that Abigail has done 15 to 20 shoots consisting mostly of product packaging for local baby gear companies such as Summer Infant and Safety 1st. The 20-month-old also appears in an ad for Tufts Health Plan. Chloe has modeled in about four product packaging shoots and for a photo that ran in Disney's Wondertime magazine.

"The money's great to have extra to put away for college," says Hanna. She estimates that Abigail has made about $2,800 and Chloe, about $700.

The spectre of rejection doesn't bother Hanna and her husband. Modeling gigs are determined by the client, and an advertiser might be looking for babies with a particular hair color, ethnicity, clothing size or look.

"We don't take it personally," says Hanna. "We just have fun with it. I mean, they're so little, it's silly."

So what are agencies looking for in a baby model? Ayers says successful baby models are smilers with good temperaments who're willing to interact with photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists. Yes, babies do get hair and makeup: At a Hasbro shoot, a makeup artist covered a spot on Abigail's face while a hair stylist fixed her hair, says Hanna.

"It's almost like if you see something you know it," says Freeman. "For a baby, pretty much you're looking for that cuteness. I hate using the term, but that all-American look. That baby with a wholesome look."

Migneault was perusing the Plymouth Rock Studio website when she noticed an ad for Model Club Inc. noting that the agency was looking for models under the age of six months old. Mignault impulsively uploaded a photo of Ainsley. A month later, the agency called Mignault and told her it had shown Ainsley's photo to a client and the client wanted to use her in a Summer Infant shoot in Providence the next day. That September experience of Ainsley modeling travel accessories for car seats turned out well enough that Ainsley shot two more jobs after that: one for organic clothing and another for a changing table and accessories.

As with many tot shoots, two babies were booked for that first gig, says Mignault. The photographer alternated taking photos with each baby depending on whether one needed to eat or be changed. The first shoot took an hour and a half and left Mignault impressed with the staff.

"There was no attitude," says Mignault. "No, 'Gosh, this is annoying.' They were really, really great."

And what about Ainsley? "She loves the attention," her mother says. "She gets to . . . see other babies and she sits there and just smiles away like, 'Wow, are all these people here for me?' "

Jackson spokeswoman: singer, sheik settle lawsuit 11/23/2008 6:44 PM,

2008-11-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson has reached a settlement with a Bahraini sheik who says the singer owes him $7 million after breaching a signed contract, the pop star's spokeswoman said Sunday.

The out-of-court settlement means Jackson will not be giving evidence at London's High Court as scheduled on Monday, Celena Aponte said.

Scores of journalists and fans had been expected to cram the courtroom for the appearance by the always-unpredictable King of Pop. Aponte said Jackson was informed of the deal as he was about to board a flight to London.

"As Mr. Jackson was about to board his plane to London, he was advised by his legal team to postpone his travels since the parties had concluded a settlement in principle," Aponte said. "Therefore, he will not be attending court on Monday."
A representative for the sheik could not immediately be reached late Sunday.
Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa said he gave the singer millions and planned a series of collaborations following Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charges in June 2005. Al Khalifa, 33, invited Jackson to the small, oil-rich Gulf state to escape the media spotlight.

The sheik, the second son of the king of Bahrain, said he believed he had formed "a close personal relationship" with the star, whom he referred to affectionately as "my brother."

Al Khalifa said he gave Jackson millions of dollars to help shore up his finances and subsidize Jackson's lifestyle in Bahrain — including more than $300,000 for a "motivational guru." Al Khalifa, an amateur songwriter, says the pair even moved into the same palace to work on music together.

But Jackson dropped the project in 2006, leaving Bahrain and pulling out of the contract.

Jackson's lawyers have maintained the money was a gift and argued that the musician wasn't bound by the deal because the contract was signed on behalf of 2 Seas Records, a venture which never got off the ground.

The singer originally wanted to avoid coming to London to answer the lawsuit in person, seeking instead to give evidence by video link from the United States. His lawyer, Robert Englehart, had claimed that Jackson should be spared the trans-Atlantic trip due to an unspecified illness, but on Thursday the lawyer said the 50-year-old star had been cleared for travel.

The suit is being heard in London by mutual agreement.

Jackson's purported medical problems — and his sometimes bizarre demeanor — have been a regular feature of previous court appearances. His 2005 trial was punctuated by complaints of back problems, an apparent bout with the flu and visits to the hospital. At one point, the judge had to order the pajama-clad star into court from the emergency room.

His most notorious appearance came in 2002, when a wide-eyed Jackson testified in a California courtroom with what appeared to be a bandage hanging from his nose.

What's your opinion about this matter?

Interview with Author Pamela Samuels Young

2008-11-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

When attorney and best-selling author Pamela Samuels Young isn’t practicing law, you can usually find her penning her next legal thriller. Pamela’s fast-paced novels, Every Reasonable Doubt and In Firm Pursuit, have been described as “John Grisham with a sister’s twist!” Both books, published by Harlequin’s Kimani Press imprint, are Essence magazine bestsellers. In Firm Pursuit was honored by Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine as a nominee for Best African-American Novel of 2007. Urban Reviews.com also honored In Firm Pursuit as one of the “Best of the Best” for 2007. Her debut novel, Every Reasonable Doubt, was the first place winner in the Black Expressions Book Club’s Fiction Writing Contest. Murder on the Down Low, Pamela’s third novel, goes on sale September 1, 2008. Her short story Setup is featured in the Sisters in Crime Anthology, LAndmarked for Murder.

Air Time For The Holidays

2008-11-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

How would you like to hear your book on the radio?

Here's your chance for everyone to hear about your book

right on "Live Talk Radio" www.blogtalkradio.com/bigtimepublishing

Just for $50 dollars your commerical will play for a whole month

This is a great time because the holidays is right around the corners

believe it or not people do buy books.

So get yours information to me

livetalkradio@sbcglobal.net

Author Toniwo Womack

2008-10-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Toni “toniwo” Womack is a mother, author and spoken word performer who began sharing her love for writing and expressive thought a few years ago. With a mix of modesty and flamboyance, as well as utilizing colorful, thought-provoking rhymes, toniwo enables to convey her thoughts and feelings to her audience. As she continued to grow as a performance poet, she found that much of what she was saying was beginning to help some people come to some realization about themselves and their relationships with other people. Through her poetry, toniwo made people look at their situations and laugh at them no matter how bad. However, that wasn’t enough. THAT’S WHAT YOU GET FOR RUNNING WITH SCISSORS came from toniwo’s inability to contain her observations to a few verses. What went from poetic verse turned into short stories that she was willing to share with her friends and now…with the world.Some of her creative work has been featured in Black & Single Magazine, Houston Style Magazine, Minority Business Journal, Honey Magazine, RadioOne's 97.9 The Box, and coming soon a poem to be featured in Essence Magazine as well and several national anthologies. & Most recently a guest on the nationally syndicated Tyra Banks show for the season 4 Premiere! She has completed her first novel, DISCORDIA, which follows the insanity of an African American female serial killer due out in March 2009. toniwo is also the co-founder of Blacklight Productions, a company that focuses on synthesizing cutting edge music production with consistently imaginative performance poetry. She is also a member of Ladies of Literary Means, an organization that empowers self published authors through sisterhood

Author Francis Ray

2008-09-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Nothing gets to Shane Elliott. A former Army Ranger, now head of security for a wealthy real estate tycoon, Shane can handle whatever life throws at him—until he meets the beautiful, kindhearted Paige Albright. She’s about to inherit a fortune, and Paige’s mother has asked Shane to investigate her boyfriend. It should have been a simple, standard assignment for Shane…if only Paige’s seductive mix of strength and vulnerability didn’t leave him wanting her for himself.All her life, Paige has put others’ needs before her own, even going so far as choosing a man to please her father. Now her mother’s mysterious houseguest is tempting her to go after what she truly wants…even if it’s the cool, assertive, irresistible Shane himself. But is he who he appears to be? And how can Paige know whether to trust her own judgment—and their red-hot attraction?

The talk at the water cooler

2008-09-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

What about that 7,000 billion we as tax payers is going to pay for?

Jennifer Hudson Engaged to Reality Star

Stocks retreat amid new Wall Street landscape

Candidates split on strength of economy

Record TV Premieres - Sarah Palin & Michael Phelps Boost SNL Ratings

What are you talking about at the water cooler?

The next 44th President-Obama the first African American has been elected
Why haven't this guy been charged for the murder of Jennifer Hudson family

Author Eddrick Dejuan

2008-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Evelyn is a woman scorned who
divorces her cheating retired pro-football
player husband. Unsatisfied with just a
divorce she starts a male escort service
as a way of taking revenge on her best
friends husbands allowing their wives to
cheat as well --using their husbands'
money. As she trains and molds her first
escort Andrew, they fall in love.

Before Evelyn, the innocent and young
twenty-three year old Andrew had a
problem with getting women to be more
than just friends with him, after Evelyn
gets a hold of him, his entire world
changes.

Why Do Mens Lie?

2008-08-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

When I mean lying, I don't only mean lying to other women. Men will lie to each other with impunity about anything and everything under the sun, from the number of women he has slept with and his "alleged" size, to how much he bench presses at the gym.

Let's put the theory on the table. Men love to lie, but they are absolutely horrible at it. Women rarely lie, but when they do, it's a story so good that it could be the basis for 100 episodes of a Spanish soap opera.

You see, men who date have to lie. Part of the reason is that women force men to lie. An attractive woman comes down the street, and a man better say she's ugly and full of cellulite, or face the wrath of the dreaded Gucci handbag on the head.

Your woman put on a few extra pounds, you better say that she's in the best shape of her life, or else buying that handy bottle of hand lotion is as exciting as your love life is going to be for the next few weeks.

But beyond the faults women might have, men don't always have to lie. Yet they do as instinctively as they grab their privates on an hourly basis. Lies just shoot out of men's mouths with the ferocity of a machine gun.

These lies are often at the tip of their tongues, ready for any situation, and often so full of holes that they make Swiss cheese look like a water dam.

Woman accused of beating fiance at prenup party

2008-08-15T13:37:00.001-07:00

A Poulsbo woman was jailed after being accused of beating up her fiance at their prenuptial party. Kitsap County sheriff's deputies said the woman's 12-year-old son told her he saw her fiance kissing one of her women friends early Thursday morning.

Deputies said the woman, 31, gave her friends the boot, told her fiance to leave, too, and then started hitting him in the face.

When he left the house, they say, she tackled him football-style, punched him some more, threw his watch into the bushes and broke his glasses.

Responding to a 911 call from her son, deputies arrested the woman for investigation of fourth-degree assault.

Sheriff's Lt. Kathy Collings said the woman was released from jail later Thursday.

There's no word on whether the marriage took place.

Rhythm and Blues pioneer Jerry Wexler dies at 91

2008-08-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Rhythm and Blues pioneer Jerry Wexler, who helped build Atlantic Records into a music powerhouse in the 1950s and 1960s with artists like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, died in Florida on Friday at age 91, Atlantic Records said.

Along with Atlantic's Ahmet Ertegun, Wexler revolutionized R&B music and built a record label that had few rivals in its day, pioneering Atlantic's move into "Southern Soul" music.

But his influence was not limited to R&B. He helped guide the careers of many artists including rockers Led Zeppelin.

"Jerry brought a rare combination of creativity, intelligence, wit, artistic sensibility, and business savvy to the evolution of Atlantic from a small independent label into a major industry force," Atlantic said in a statement.

Wexler was born in the Bronx, New York, in January 1917 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he worked for music publication Billboard magazine as a journalist where he coined the term "Rhythm and Blues."

A passionate jazz fan, Wexler joined Atlantic in 1953 working alongside Ertegun, who died in 2006, as Atlantic forged a partnership with the Memphis-based Stax Records -- the home of Otis Redding and members of Booker T. & The MG's. Other music stars he produced included Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and the Drifters.

Later in his career, Wexler was instrumental in signing Led Zeppelin to Atlantic, produced albums for Bob Dylan and Carlos Santana and aided the career of the Allman Brothers by helping their manager, Phil Walden, set up Capricorn Records.

Others in the Atlantic stable whose careers were guided, in part, by Wexler included Dusty Springfield and Willie Nelson.

Wexler was a partner at Atlantic and remained an executive until 1975 when he left his post as Vice Chairman. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Gospel singer Winans focuses on empowering youth

2008-08-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

At a time when scantily clad female socialites are powerful enough to influence everything from pop music to presidential elections, it can be difficult to tout the virtues of a lower hemline and a life of purity.

But for gospel vocalist CeCe Winans, a multiple Grammy and Dove award winner, it is a passion — and a responsibility she takes seriously.

"I have to teach people what I know worked for me. I'm responsible. But what they poured into me, how they blessed my life — the older generation — now that I'm a part of 'the older generation,' it's my responsibility to pour into the generation that's come after me."

In 2005, Winans launched her first annual "Always Sisters" Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The conference targets women aged 13-26 with seminars like "The Power of a Princess." Invited guests have included Whitney Houston and Maya Angelou.

The first conference hosted 600 young women. The 2007 conference drew well over 3,000 for two days of teaching on teenage pregnancy, building self-esteem and dating. This year's conference had to be rescheduled, but they were planning to accommodate 5,000.

Winans current dream is to take the conferences across the country. She recently held a Q&A session for teens throughout the New York City area at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.

"It's about saving our youth. ... A lot of our youth don't understand their value. They just accept the lies that the enemy has told them about their worth, about what they can accomplish and about what they should settle for," Winans said. "I'm fired up about firing up young people to understand their power and their worth."

Winans, 43, lives in a suburb just outside Nashville with her husband of nearly 25 years, Alvin Love II. She was raised by two of the most famous parents in gospel music, David and Delores Winans, also known as "Mom and Pop Winans." She and her nine brothers and sisters are among the first families in Gospel music.

Winans' career first took flight as one-half of the brother-sister duo "BeBe and CeCe Winans." From 1988's "Heaven" to the 1996 release "Count on Me," Bebe and CeCe Winans released a steady stream of albums, many that are now certified gold and platinum.

Their R&B-flavored gospel was criticized for producing genre-crossing romantic ballads with lyrics like "I'm lost without you/so don't ever go away" where the subject of affection wasn't always clearly divine. Since then, R&B and Contemporary-styled Gospel has come to dominate the charts and crossover appeal has become the goal for many top artists.

After a nearly 10-year break, the two are working on a new album to be released sometime next year. Tour stops are planned in the U.S and Africa.

"I love singing with Bebe, we have a great time on stage, in the studio. ... We have a great time, we do what we do, and so, it's not something that's weird, I think I'm more at home with that than even by myself."

Though Winans says she'll be singing until she "takes her last breath," her passion for helping young women will always play a major role in her career. Last year she released a devotional journal for young women titled "Always Sisters: Becoming the Princess You Were Created to Be."

"I could do these girls' conferences full-time, because it's just life-changing. When you take out time and you see those faces and you see the encouragement, and you get them to realize who they are and whose they are, it's just nothing else compared to that to me."

____

On the Net:

http://www.cecewinans.com

Author Linda R. Herman

2008-08-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Life for Sade Peters is picture perfect. With a fabulous home in upscale Atlanta, Georgia, Sade is living the life most of society only read about in magazines. A successful novelist, Sade is married to the man of her dreams, Andre Peters, an equally successful sports agent. Couple that with a set of fraternal twins, and you have all the makings of the contemporary modern day Huxtables. However, what life looks like from the outside, may not necessarily match the inner workings of this household. The Down Low is a real and earth-shattering truth, and Sade's happiness abruptly ends when she is faced with this reality. Life as Sade knows it changes within the blink of an eye when she soon discovers that both she and her husband are HIV positive. Imagine walking through life in Sade's shoes. Who is to blame when faith and trust is tested tremendously?

Author Monica L. Jones

2008-08-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Using her knowledge and talent to wheel and deal as a sports attorney, Gina St. John is an intellectual beauty in a career dominated by men. With clients who include some of the most talented, rich and famous individuals in the world of sports, Gina finds herself in the company of several virile men. After a failed engagement and two and a half years of selective social isolation, she considers a return to the dating scene.
Tall, Attractive, charismatic and popular, Steven had a reputation for being a gentleman who knew how to woo a woman. As one of the top automotive engineers at a top automotive corporation, he was a prime catch. After attending a Gospel Convention, Steven’s life is completely turned around. He hands in his letter of resignation, attends bible school, and becomes a Minister of the Gospel.
While attending homecoming at their alma mater, Gina and Steven’s path cross. It's a welcomed meeting for two friends who once shared feelings of affection. After years of missed opportunities, they decide to give love a try. Little does Gina realize that being the girlfriend of a minister brings pressure, gossip, pranks, and public scrutiny. As Steven’s church responsibilities become overwhelming, so does his inflated ego. When Gina lands Malcolm Jones, a premier, exceedingly attractive and charming Professional Basketball Player as a client, Steven’s confidence, security and ego may be deflated.
Will Steven be able to sustain his anointing as Gina is pursued by numerous rich, famous and attractive men, namely Malcolm Jones? Can Gina maintain her composure while being the victim of ridicule, lies, and pranks? Or will these and other issues threaten what they believe is a relationship that was meant to be?

Click on the book to get your copy today!

Delta Air doubles fee for second checked bag to $50

2008-07-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Delta Air Lines on Tuesday doubled the fee to check a second bag for domestic flights to $50 from $25 to help offset record fuel prices.
Delta announced a number of baggage fee increases on domestic and international flights, including a rise in the fee for items that require special handling such as surfboards or ski equipment.
Delta also increased the fee for a third checked bag from $80 to $125 on domestic flights and from $150 to $200 on international flights. It also raised fees for bags that exceed its weight allowance.
These changes will apply to tickets bought on or after July 31 for travel on or after August 5.
"As fuel costs remain at record levels, Delta believes revising the fee structure for excess bags and specialty items is essential to generate the necessary revenues to offset record fuel costs while continuing to offer these services to customers," the airline said in a statement.
Amid record fuel prices and a slowing U.S. economy, airlines are cutting routes, capacity and jobs and raising fares and fees to survive.
Delta said its First Class, Business Elite and Medallion customers will still be able to check up to three bags at no charge and customers on international flights can check a first and second bag at no charge.
Delta said all of its customers can still check a first bag free of charge on domestic flights and check two bags free of charge on international flights.

'Extreme Makeover' house faces foreclosure

2008-07-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

More than 1,800 people showed up to help ABC's "Extreme Makeover" team demolish a family's decrepit home and replace it with a sparkling, four-bedroom mini-mansion in 2005.
Three years later, the reality TV show's most ambitious project at the time has become the latest victim of the foreclosure crisis.
After the Harper family used the two-story home as collateral for a $450,000 loan, it's set to go to auction on the steps of the Clayton County Courthouse Aug. 5. The couple did not return phone calls Monday, but told WSB-TV they received the loan for a construction business that failed.
The house was built in January 2005, after Atlanta-based Beazer Homes USA and ABC's "Extreme Makeover" demolished their old home and its faulty septic system. Within six days, construction crews and hoards of volunteers had completed work on the largest home that the television program had yet built.
The finished product was a four-bedroom house with decorative rock walls and a three-car garage that towered over ranch and split-level homes in their Clayton County neighborhood. The home's door opened into a lobby that featured four fireplaces, a solarium, a music room and a plush new office.
Materials and labor were donated for the home, which would have cost about $450,000 to build. Beazer Homes' employees and company partners also raised $250,000 in contributions for the family, including scholarships for the couple's three children and a home maintenance fund.
ABC said in a statement that it advises each family to consult a financial planner after they get their new home. "Ultimately, financial matters are personal, and we work to respect the privacy of the families," the network said.
Some of the volunteers who helped build the home were less than thrilled about the family's financial decisions.
"It's aggravating. It just makes you mad. You do that much work, and they just squander it," Lake City Mayor Willie Oswalt, who helped vault a massive beam into place in the Harper's living room, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Five Keys To Unlocking a Better Credit Score

2008-07-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Pay more than the minimum

Work out a plan with credit people if you're not able to pay on time

Switch from credit to debit cards

Cut up those store cards

Add comments to your credit report

Author Gayle Jackson Sloan

2008-07-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Gayle Jackson Sloan is a native of Philadelphia, but has lived in various places and has traveled extensively, helping to fuel her imagination for the people and places in her novels. Gayle has loved to read and write since she was four years old. Growing up, she used to write volumes of poetry that was inspired by the syncopated rhythms of Maya Angelou and the freestyle of Nikki Giovanni. Life, however, has a way of sometimes getting in the way and she put aside her poetry to raise her daughter. Encouraged by her mother and husband, she started two books that were still languishing in the bottom of a drawer. However, it wasn't until the passing of her beloved mother that she finally finished her first novel, Saturday's Child, which she first self-published.
Amid personal tragedies, upheavals, and general chaos, she struggled tenaciously to finish her second novel, Wednesday's Woes , which is a follow up -- not a sequel -- to her first novel. She attended Philadelphia University where she studied interior design. She is currently a legal assistant at a prestigious law firm. When she is not writing, reading or gardening, she is teaching her grandchildren to say "Nana is a Diva!"

You can read excerpts of her upcoming works here.
L et the Necessary Occur is her third novel.

Expect her next novel, Dancin' In My Shoes, sometime next year!

Why are so many fathers today physically, mentally and emotionally absent from their familes?

2008-07-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

The fact is,children don't judge their fathers worth by the amount of money he makes or the monetary value of gifts he may give them. Rather,what children really want-far more than material gifts-is their father's love,time and attention. These are what truly matter to them

Review for "Let The Necessary Occur"

2008-07-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

Gayle Jackson Sloan puts you into the world of this couple with, lies, deceit,betrayal,greed,lust and temptation. In the eyes of the outside this couple had the perfect marriage. But behind the walls it's hell. Matthew is a powerful attorney and his wife Gloriana is a Christian Musician. At the beginning of the marriage it was all cookies and cream. As the careers hit high peak, slowly the love is been tested. The more money the more problems come knocking on their door. Matthew finds himself getting weaker as his wife continue her touring. He has told her over again how lonely he is feeling. What suppose to been a short term agreement turns into a long term. Gloriana promise him a family but now the money has gotten good and she is avoiding this with all cost. While she is avoiding the issue at hand. This lady pops up out of no where name Aston(She-devil) comes to destroy the marriage. She is hired by Matthew as his paralegal and she is damn good at what she does. But what she has up her sleeve Matthew can't control. This is just the tip of the iceburg. You have to get your copy to find out what's really going on.

Whitney Responds to Bobby Brown's Tell-All Book

2008-07-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Bobby Brown is dishing on his rocky marriage to Whitney Houston in a new tell-all autobiography – but she's not letting his accusations affect her. In this, the latest installment of the couple's long-running marital feud, Brown says of his ex, "I never used cocaine until after I met Whitney." Details from the 39-year-old pop star's book, Bobby Brown: The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But, began surfacing Thursday in the New York Post. Before Whitney, Brown writes: "I had experimented with other drugs, but marijuana was my drug of choice." Whitney's rep responded in a statement to PEOPLE: "Miss Houston is sad that Bobby feels he need to say such things but she choses to take the high road and will not speak badly about the father of her child even if it's to set the record straight." After his 1992 marriage, the former Being Bobby Brown star says his dependence on narcotics spiraled out of control. "At one point in my life, I used drugs uncontrollably. I was using everything I could get my hands on, from cocaine to heroin, weed and cooked cocaine," he writes. Brown also describes his 14-year marriage as "doomed from the very beginning." "I think we got married for all the wrong reasons," he says in the book. "Now, I realize Whitney had a different agenda than I did when we got married ... I believe her agenda was to clean up her image." The couple, who have a 15-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, split in September 2006. One potential stress on their union? Brown's now-admitted infidelity. "Women are always throwing themselves at you," he writes. "I'm only human, so I would make the mistake and bite the hook sometimes. I let the testosterone take over." Brown also claims to have dated Janet Jackson and Madonna before hooking up with Houston. Chapter titles from the book include "Whitney Houston – The Untold Truth," "The Press, More Problems, and Passion for Drugs," and "The Bad Boy Of Boston ... Straight From The Hood."

Eddie Winslow Files Restraining Order Against Superhead

2008-07-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard, Superhead has been making serious claims that Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow from Family Matters) has been beatin' her silly! CLICK HERETo add to the drama, we have received a direct statement from Eddie....oops, we mean Darius McCrary in which he bluntly denies all of the blah-blah that Superhead has been personally feeding the media!Crisis Statement from Darius McCraryRegarding: Criminal Allegations by Karrine Steffans (aka “SuperHead”):
“As evident in her books “Confessions of a Video Vixen” and “The Vixen Diaries”, author Karrine Steffans is extremely talented in manipulating the truth and capitalizing at the expense of others. Against my better judgment and at the advice of other notable public figures, I, too, regret getting involved with Ms. Steffans. The allegations are not true. Because I have been ignoring her pursuits, I feel that she is reacting immaturely and unjust. When I broke it off with her, I tried to maintain a friendship with her out of concern for her son. A restraining order has been filed to ensure that Ms. Steffans does not continue to show up at my place of business or work, stalk or follow me, and damage any more of my personal property – as well as restrict her from accessing my voice mail and e-mails. I feel extremely sad for her and even sadder for her son. I look forward to putting this incident behind me.”Darius McCrary has also filed a police restraining order against Superhead claiming that she is a danger to his life. CLICK HERE TO VIEWLike I said before, I think that Superhead is lyin' about this whole situation just to bring media attention to herself in preparation for her new upcoming book! Fellas, take my advice, stay away from this chick! I just don't understand why these celeb knuckleheads continue to mess with this skank knowing how shady she is. I understand that she has some serious skills in the sheets, but let's be real......she's isn't the only woman on earth who can put it down

Just My Opinion

2008-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have marinated over this interview since yesterday. Omar Tyree was on 3 Chicks On Lit radio show. He is very bitter about this new literature world of authors. As an avid reader and author myself I just don't read one genre. When it comes to writing you have to have an open mind and go with the flow. Just because you wrote it doesn't mean people is going to like all your books. As an author you have to scope out your readers and keep it very interested to the reader. I do have to admit time has changed but your craft shouldn't change. For example "John Grisham" he has wrote about law forever in a day. "James Patterson" he has wrote mystery forever in a day. They still clocking the dollars. Now Omar claims he can't continue writing because he has written about everything in the Urban that has be done. Not true because he didn't tackle HIV, AIDS,Abuse etc in the Urban world. He is to busy clocking other author dollars and not his own dollars. He need to face the fact that he has lost the passionate for writing and need to move on. In the interview he was speaking up on Black readers, saying that he wants to write about different adventures like African, Europe etc. But us Black folks don't want to read about this, how in the hell he know what we want? You write, get people opinion on it and move the fuck on! You write it submit it and let the readers speak for themselves. But if you haven't listen in on the conversation check it out at the link. This is just my opinion. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chicksonlit

Kim Wayans, Actress,comedian, producer, writer and director

2008-07-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

Part of a unique family of comedians, Kim Wayans has enjoyed working with her brothers, film and television stars Keenen, Damon, Marlon and Shawn. She starred with all of them on the groundbreaking television comedy sketch show In Living Color, and has worked with them in various combinations in such motion pictures as I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the 'Hood and Low Down Dirty Shame. Most recently, Wayans starred in the art film Talking About Sex and had a cameo in the feature film Floundering.
Her first break in entertainment came when she was booked to do stand - up comedy at The Improv clubs in Santa Monica and Hollywood. Since then, Wayans has made several guest television appearances and has starred as a regular on Quincy Jones's In the House, opposite Debbie Allen and LL Cool J. She is currently working as a story editor on the ABC comedy My Wife and Kids.

Get close and personal with the me

2008-06-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Jun 25,08

Hi

My name is Claudia and I'm the one who came up with this blogger and starting today I will let you get close and personal with me.

My journey started early this morning as soon as my foot hit the floor. I gets up really early in the morning to head to my job that pays the bills. If you don't know I'm an mother of 3 boys, wife, author, publisher and radio host. Now as my day gets started and I'm off to the bus stop, I forgot to tell you that gas is so damn high that I had to choose to put gas in my car or don't eat, guess which one I picked? I have to take two buses to get to my job and once I'm there I'm tired as hell,LOL. I'm not going to put you through all the details of my job and bore you to death. But I really have to tell you this, I wonder do everyone know that Gas is high as hell and still going up? I just wonder that because my supervisor missed the notice. She made her staff carpool with my friend to a training that was not worth the time or gas they put into it. I did my hours and headed home to get ready for my radio show that I have to do every Wednesday. I really look forward to my Wednesday's to do what I love and that is be the best host I can be. I have sat here on my computer for a long time and I look down to find it's the next day. Damn 1 in the morning. Good nite all and it's always tomorrow or the next day.

Author Jahzara

2008-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Luv Don't Live Here Anymore … or does it?

Nyree's friends and family are shocked when she announces an engagement to Malachi Chandler, the man she swore she'd never give the time of day. Even the Midwest Vein urged her not to marry Malachi Chandler. Six months into the marriage, the honeymoon is over and the fireworks spark as the couple prepares to leave Gary, Indiana for a new life in hot, sunny Florida. The tale unfolds in the Midwest, gets hot and steamy down in Da Dirty South and becomes downright ugly back into the Midwest. This young couple gives the phrase, "Can it get any worse?" a whole new meaning and leaves them wondering where love has gone.

Author Vanessa Davis Griggs

2008-06-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

From Vanessa Davis Griggs comes the second book in her Blessed Trinity Trilogy. Part Terry McMillan, part Jan Karon, Griggs delivers the story of a congregation hoping for heaven--while dealing with life right here on earth...

When Pastor George Landris, the dreadlock-wearing minister of the new mega-church, Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center, urges his congregation to approach the altar and cast off their strongholds--also known as their weaknesses--it's the start of intense soul-searching for many.

From a married couple's twin addictions to gambling and gluttony, to a female member's adulterous affair, a computer expert's obsession with cyber-porn and a therapist's workaholism, the Pastor's church family is about to open the proverbial floodgates. And that's just the beginning. There's also the woman whose battle with mental illness hides a buried trauma, and the religious devotee who's so busy fearing the devil she's forgotten what faith is really about. The plot only thickens when the Pastor's wife lightens his load by helping him counsel--and finds herself at the center of a decades-long deception.

Insightful, witty, and always poignant, Vanessa Davis Griggs delivers another compelling novel, taking readers behind the scenes of mega-churches, and showing the amazing power that redemption and faith can have on people's lives.

Author Teresa Butler

2008-05-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

CORAZ SADE SINGLETON is so damn funny. Her patience has grown shorter than the last man she had just gotten rid of. She's had it with Black men, so she tries her best to redirect the kids in her class onto a brighter path. In her side-bar search for a white man with money, she ends up getting sidetracked by a young college man suspected to be a thug in diguise. What does he really want from her? In the first book, characters such as Renegade Blade, The Mac n Cheese Maniac, Disco Lady, Gangstafied Pooh and the sexual relationship between Coraz and Mill are chock full of laughs, orgasms and bad ...

Reviews:
"She's all that. Teresa Rae Butler grabs readers like a thief snatching a purse...Watch out for her as the new favorite author!"
Lem Louis, Milwaukee comedian

Author D.L Sparks

2008-05-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

D.L.'s career in writing evolved from a love of reading.

D.L.Sparks was a contributing author in the 2007 Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage, with her short story entitled, “keySTROKES.” She was also a nominee for Cush City’s Best New Author award in 2007, a contender for a nomination for Debut Author of the Year by the NAACP Image Awards and a Best New Author nominee for Infini Promoters.

D.L. has decided to dedicate her novels to the scores of missing women across the country. After dealing with the blow of her friend Monica Bowie being abducted, she felt that she had to do something. Each book will be dedicated to a different woman, with information for others listed in the acknowledgements. This is one way she wants to keep hope alive for these beautiful women’s families. D.L. is also a staunch advocate for uplifting our youth. She enjoys mentoring and speaking to young girls and helping to mold their minds through positive reinforcement and showing them that all things are possible with God.

When D.L. is not writing, she spends time with her family, likes to travel and she runs her own editing company.

Author Eric Pete

2008-05-14T21:19:00.001-07:00

In this erotic novel of sex and revenge, Eric Pete takes the consequences of dark sexual fantasies one step further. The players are controlling businessman Tanner Coleman, Tanner's staid trophy wife Bianca, and Bianca's wild and liberated sister, Pumpkin. But it's the arrival of a fourth player, Henry-a man with secret ties to Tanner who will do anything to make his own violent fantasies come true-that will take things in a truly twisted direction.

Author Nikki Turner

2008-05-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

After Nikki Turner read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah she was dismayed that there weren't other books like it. "I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read," said the bestselling author, whose 2002 debut novel, A Hustler's Wife, would go on to sell more than a few 100,000 copies.

But becoming a novelist wasn't an easy transition for Nikki. A gentleman she was dating at the time had given her a computer as a Valentine's Day gift but when they broke up he took the computer with him - as well as the first half of Nikki's novel. She purchased another computer but her creative process had lost its steam. Her favorite uncle asked her how the book was coming along at a family cookout. When she mentioned that she bought a new computer but hadn't even taken it out the box her uncle said he would set it up for her if she promised to finish her book. He came the next day to set it up and 37 days later Nikki completed A Hustler's Wife. "The novel just came to me," Nikki said. "I started from scratch and didn't even want to go back to my earlier try. When I wrote A Hustler's Wife everything else - except for my kids - became a distant priority. And when I finished writing it, I was a very different person."

Author-Wanda D. Hudson

2008-04-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Wait for Love: A Black Girl's Story is my first novel. This book is the story of Lynnette Donna Lee's life. If you have ever been in love, or are longing for that special someone, you've probably experienced many of the same emotions as she. Join her on this adventurous, sometimes humorous, and sometimes painful literary romp. Lynnette bares her soul and her body many times in search of the man she'll marry. The only problem she has is with the men she chooses to give her all to. They show her they don't love her and then go to extremes to get the point across. Why does she keep holding on when the only love involved is nowhere to be found?

Go to her website and enjoy-http://www.wandadhudson.com/

About Patricia

2008-04-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Victimized but never a victim. Through God's grace, Patricia has triumphed over childhood abuse, the violent loss of her son, depression, domestic abuse, a benign breast lumpectomy, and more. Today, with God's help, Patricia's message of Hope is encouragement for others. Patricia is living proof that God is able.

Patricia's Christian upbring kept her faithful throughout her childhood and early adult life. However on January 5 1990; she lost her faith after her nineteen year old son, Kenny, passed from gun shot wounds after being robbed of his coat and watch. Patricia regained her faith in March 1996 after seven long years battling depression. Patricia has 3 daughters and one surviving son. She is proud of her seven grandchild. Two grandchildren, Lil Kenny and Shanae are Kenny's children.

2008-04-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Kansas City detective Joe Johnson is a passionate family man, and a loving husband and father. But on the streets, he can go toe-to-toe with the toughest gangsters. Joe is also fiercely loyal to his fellow officers; so when FBI agent Cheryl Chase makes a distressed late-night call, he's ready to respond without hesitation. Cheryl's working undercover, trying to bring down a ring of dirty cops who've found murder a great way to handle business. But Joe's partner and wife are strongly against him getting involved—especially with a woman who nearly cost him his marriage before.

Now Joe's got to face his most dangerous case yet, and it will take every skill he has to infiltrate, outwit and bring down the psychopathic ringleader if he and Cheryl are to stay alive and make it back home.

Author Elissa Gabrielle

2008-04-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Elissa Gabrielle returns with her best release to date- A tantalizing debut novel filled with Tenderness, Treachery and Temptation. . What lengths will a woman go to for love? What lengths will a woman take to keep love? What secrets will be revealed? What truths will unfold? It's been said those closest to us can do the most damage. In Good to the Last Drop, Elissa Gabrielle has crafted a hilarious, sensual and twisted tale that is based on the lives of newlywed college sweethearts, Amber and Khalil. Lost in a web of deceit, Khalil and Amber struggle to remain faithful.to themselves and each other. With a memorable cast of characters that come to life with every page, the story remains gritty, sensual and all too realistic. What roles will the characters play in this web of deception? Who can they trust? Shawn, the best friend and voice of reason. Aaliyah, the gorgeous, yet seductive fiancé'. Shayla, the ghetto-fabulous bitter ex. Scott, the loyal and flamboyant queen, and Keisha, the loud and boisterous best friend and confidant. Make yourself comfortable and get ready for the ride of your life as chickens come home to roost and the strings are pulled from this fabric of treachery, love and scandal.

National Bestseller Author/Poet Man-Alvin Lloyd Alexander Horn

2008-01-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

BRUSH STROKES--is a story about a man who gives up on love because of how it has hurt him in the past. His lifestyle and passions let women be near him, but not close, enough to let any new possibility of love take control of him. Nevertheless, love is strange in how it finds its way to us. Yet when it finds us, will we do what it takes to keep it?

My novel BRUSH STROKES is the kind of book you have hard time putting down... The main character holds a conversation with you while he tells you a story. All who read this book feel the passion, the sexiness, and know they have read a great story. The story place in the Northwest

Interview with George Cook

2007-12-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

I am also a self published poet from NJ. The title of my book is Let's Talk Honestly "My Poetry". I coach young boys 11-14 in football and basketball. This past season my flag football team won the town championship. I do this to help keep the little knuckleheads off the street. I am also active in my community and am a activist of sorts. I believe that African Americans have to stop waiting for Uncle Sam to help them and do foe self, but first we must realize that many of our wounds are self inflicted before we can fix them. I talk about these issues in my free ebook LET'S TALK HONESTLY VOL.2 which is available to read here LTH V2 The book is just 41 pages, but it is full of poems and essays on the black condition. I also run my own web site at letstalkhonestly.com where I have my own talk show that you can listen too as well as read and watch black news you might not get anywhere else here: BLACK NEWS, BLACK VIEWS.

Leila Jefferson Interview

2007-11-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Toni is ecstatic when her latest make-up with Eric leads to a marriage proposal. Despite the many lows that have accompanied their nine-year relationship, each of them is sure the other is their soul mate. There is nothing the couple can't share. A fact that is never more evident than when a wild night in Reno, just weeks before their wedding day, leads to a threesome with another woman. The wild times continue and the days leading up to the wedding are a blur of sex and drugs. Things grow more complicated when shortly after their wedding the couple is expecting their third child. For Toni, the adjustment to being both married and an expectant mother become the central themes in her life. For Eric, the party never stops and he continues to live like a man with no commitment. Though disappointed in Eric's actions, Toni consoles herself with thoughts of the normalcy that will return to their relationship once she gives birth. A beautiful baby girl is born but Toni soon realizes that nothing will ever be the same for the couple again. When all is said and done will this wife and mother be able to repair the damage done to her relationship or will she be forced to leave in order to secure the health and happiness of herself and her children.

Rukyyah J. Karreem Interview

2007-11-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Rukyyah J. Karreem writes and brings the characters to life and keeps the flow going with a page turner." Satisfied is an erotic tale of a young woman caught in a bad situation. Ebony Thomas finds herself being the other woman as she falls in love with her married boss Terrance. To keep their forbidden relationship undiscovered, Terrance showers Ebony with gifts and hush money. Ebony soon realizes that her "always there to listen" friend Alex is starting to pull away from her, because she finally has a chance at real love, and is not willing to throw it away for anybody including her best friend. Ebony goes into a downward spiral full of lies, jealousy and unwanted affection all in her search to be Satisfied!

Sheila M. Goss Interview

2007-11-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

Life for Paige Webb couldn't get any better. She has the perfect job as the #1 event Planner in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, perfect condo located near a man-made lake with a breathtaking view, and three men who adore her.

Paige is considered beautiful by most men, yet her personality is such that it doesn't intimidate other women. After being dumped one too many times, she devises a plan guaranteed to keep her from getting hurt again:

Date more than one man and never agree to an exclusive relationship, thereby lessening the potential of falling in love. She has a weekly schedule: Marvin Jenkins on Mondays and Wednesday; Marvin, late twenties, is a computer programmer. He is smart and good with his hands. Alvin Rivera on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Alvin, early forties, owns a chain of cleaners, and loves exotic things.

And Tyler Stanley Anderson, on Fridays and Sundays. Tyler mid thirties, is an attorney at law. His television commercial proclaims "If Stan the Man can't get you off than no one can." He's romantic and has a genuine caring heart.

If she isn't tired, her Saturdays alternate, depending on with whom she's in the mood to spend extra time. Now the stress from juggling three men ultimately throws her schedule out of sync.

Kamryn Donovan Interview

2007-11-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

In Getting Lucky by Kamryn Donavan, there never seems to be a dull moment in Macon Street Apartments. When a new resident, Lucky Thompson, moves in, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is affected. Well, mainly the women. He claims that his "baby" is paying all his bills. He is riding around in a Mercedes, dressing nice, and his apartment is laid out.

Peaches, the stripper who sometimes brings her "work" home, is determined to find out why they call the new neighbor Lucky. Romello, Jewel's boyfriend of nine years, is determined to see what has the men coming back for more of Miss Peaches. In the meantime, Jewel has her eye on Peaches and Romello.

Alisha is happily married to her husband, Craig. She wants to start a family and make their life complete. Craig is not sure that is the best decision right now. He is working long hours to make sure that Alisha wants for nothing. He treats her like a queen. Alisha's friend Ladonna wants a piece of that heaven. She is dead set on having Craig for herself.

I was emotionally invested in the characters of Getting Lucky and wanted to know what would happen next. It kept me on my toes all the way to the end. There were so many twists and turns and it was a great read. I definitely recommend this one for those avid readers. Can't wait to see what Donavan puts out next.

GETTING LUCKY TRAILER

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Claudia Brown-Mosley Interview

2007-11-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

Meet Taytana, Sabrina and Ebony. Three best friends who share a special bond. The bond of sisterhood. Faithful and reclusive Taytana is the married one who runs into problems with her husband when she realizes that the bank account is not adding up. Outgoing Sabrina is single and falls in love with the postman and he rocks her world. He's all that she's ever dreamed of and hoped for. That is, until his overbearing mother steps in and turns their lives upside down. You'll love to hate the outrageous Ebony who will smile in your face but you better not turn your back to her! She is a poacher who takes her friend's man and doesn't mind flaunting it. Will the bond of sisterhood survive infidelity, lies and intrusions? Stay tuned as Claudia Brown Mosley takes you on an unforgettable ride of three women, three realistic characters who try to make it through. Who will you route for?

Shani Greene-Dowdell Interview

2007-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Keepin' It Tight exposes infidelity, deception and temptations at their peak. Too often, good black men do not get credit for what they do for their families. Having worked his way to the vice president of a Fortune 500 company, Cornelius Johnston is prepared to take very good care of Lela and their two sons. Cornelius Johnston is a great husband and he and Lela share a picture perfect relationship, but there’s always a thorn in every couple’s sides; and Amanda Broady will see to it that there is no peace in the Johnston house.

Find out what happens when two women and one man suffer devastating pain in their love lives and are all looking for love. Do they go on to a love triangle... or pure unadulterated drama? Keepin' It Tight explores relationship drama like no other novel. When deception in Cornelius and Lela's marriage reaches a point of no return, it will take a miracle to pick up the pieces.

Donna Hill Interview

2007-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hill's tightly written, satisfying sequel to 2006's Getting Hers finds high-class madam Tess McDonald, chic businesswoman Kimberly Shepherd-Benning and East Harlem car thief Nicole Perez living the high life in Aruba, pleased by the results of their triple murder conspiracy. After Special Agent Vincent Royal tracks down Tess and gets shot for his trouble, Tess has something of a change of heart. Vincent reveals that he wants Tess to leave her Aruba house of sin and settle down with him. Meanwhile, Nicole schemes to replace Tess's possibly untrustworthy assistant, Charrie. Hill's smooth plotting and keen pacing keeps the pages turning as the consequences of opening Pandora's box of revenge are revealed.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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10 Signs of a Cheating Spouse

2007-11-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

Looking for the signs of a cheating wife, or signs of cheating men?
If you suspect that your husband or wife is having an affair, you’re probably eager to find the signs of a cheating wife or husband, and evidence that it's happening. And yes, there are different kinds of signs that point to adultery. But, it’s a combination of the signs that trigger worries about infidelity.

You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t already kind-of suspect cheating, right? You may have even seen your own signs of a cheating husband, or signs of a cheating wife. So, use these signs as examples, and then apply them to your experiences.

During our "Infidelity Secrets" Web Seminars, we've uncovered common signs of a cheating spouse, although cheating wife signs can be slightly different from cheating husband signs. However, here are the 10 Signs of Cheating that our listeners report to be key signs.

1. Your gut tells you something’s not adding up. If you feel the need to snoop, or investigate, then an unsettling feeling inside is pointing to infidelity. People that don’t suspect infidelity, don’t research it. Be honest about the red flags you are noticing. Many times, people search for signs of a cheating wife or cheating husband, hoping that their partner does NOT show the same signs. But, whatever you do, don’t completely ignore your gut.

2. Stories don’t make sense. There seems to be a missing link when your spouse explains where they’ve been. Your partner may talk to you about working late, or a long commute with heavy traffic. If times or dates don’t add up, it can create lots of questions. It’s easy for a lying partner to forget their own story. If you suspect cheating, try to remember your spouse’s story, then casually ask about it again later in the week. See if it’s still consistent.

3. If you imply your spouse is cheating, they get defensive quickly. Your spouse may figure you’ll back-off if they get angry. A heightened response is a sign that you’ve pushed a sensitive button. Even more, a cheating spouse may become explosive about unrelated trivial topics. Why? Because your partner isn’t feeling great about the marriage in the first place. Many troubles facing your marriage only become more upsetting during a crisis.

4. Your marriage has been struggling, and you’ve both felt disconnected for sometime now. Infidelity is a hard-hitting symptom of a greater problem in your marriage. If these problems remain unmet, your marriage will continue to struggle. Every relationship faces some disconnect at times, but are you both returning to a loving, intimate place after an argument? If not, your partner could be getting comfort from someone else. Visit the marriage help page to get to the source of infidelity. Feeling disconnected is one of the most common signs of a cheating wife.

5. They don’t invite you around their friends, work place, other activities, or events. Sometimes, a full-blown affair hasn’t developed. It could be a crush, or an interest in someone else. If your spouse doesn’t want to you pick him or her up, if they avoid you like the plague at certain times, there may be something they don’t want you to see. This is a common sign of a cheating wife

6. Certain information is hidden from you such as e-mail log-in’s or passwords. They won’t openly share these accounts with you. People that have nothing to hide don’t hide things. Does your spouse cling to his or her cell phone? Are they protective of their e-mail accounts. If you sense that your spouse is over-protective with their “personal” things, they may be hiding something.

7. You discover e-mail accounts that you didn’t know existed. Does your spouse have a new profile up on a website that they didn’t openly share with you ? Did you find instant messaging that you didn’t even know existed? Are you “discovering” new profiles or communication devices that are a surprise?

8. They have unusual mood swings, a sign of their own internal conflict. At times, it may seem your spouse is fierce, angry, and edgy. Other times, they are elated, thrilled, excited, possibly just before the weekend, or an evening out. Yes, happily married couples get excited and irritable too, but remember, we’re looking at more than just one sign here.

9. They are totally unavailable at times. Is the cell phone signal “suddenly” not working at peculiar times? Does your spouse not answer the phone when you call with a convenient excuse later? Yes, sometimes signals fail, but come on…how often is this happening and when? If the cell phone works perfectly fine all other times, it’s probably not the cell phone network that’s the problem.

10. Little or no sex in your marriage. Sex is more than just a physical pleasure. It’s time when couples are only focused on connecting with one another. Sex is something the two of you share that involves no one else. It’s a moment in time where all other problems fade, and you’re simply in the moment. Even more, men and women need sex. Men, especially have a greater need. Sex builds up their testosterone, which makes men feel strong, and able. If sex is a problem, it can be tough because there are lots of emotional “reasons” couples turn away from it, but there are physical reasons we need it. Some cases of infidelity are strictly for sex. Others involve a much more complex connection.

Come On People: On the Path from Victims to Victors

2007-11-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint have a powerful message for families and communities as they lay out their visions for strengthening America, or for that matter the world. They address the crises of people who are stuck because of feelings of low self-esteem, abandonment, anger, fearfulness, sadness, and feelings of being used, undefended and unprotected. These feelings often impede their ability to move forward. The authors aim to help empower people make the daunting transition from victims to victors. Come On, People! is always engaging, and loaded with heart-piercing stories of the problems facing many communities.

My panel will be discussing this book on Nov 21st on www.blogtalkradio.com/bigtimepublishing. Go there and check out the time so you can join us in the discussion.

SNAKES IN THE PULPIT by Reuben Armstrong

2007-10-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Radio host Reuben Armstrong is causing quite a controversy with the announcement of his forthcoming book called SNAKES IN THE PULPIT (which was supposed to be released in August but was released on Sept. 18th). In it, Armstrong is supposed to be exposing the deceptive practices of church men such as Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor Creflo Dollar, Pastor Joel Osteen and Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Armstrong, who hosts a live radio show called The Reuben Armstrong Gospel Show, says that he was recently threatened by parishioners of the World Changers Church International located in College Park, Georgia headed by Rev. Dr. Creflo Dollar. He was apparently urged not to publish the book. reported that Armstrong had been banned from StreamingFaith.com, a portal that was broadcasting his radio show online. He told EUR Gospel, "Yes, it was because of the enemies (Bishop T.D. Jakes, Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar). I received a call from the vice president of Streaming Faith. He told me those guys had called him asking that he remove me or they will no longer do business so he made the decision to remove me. But God is not sleep. This is an example of what these so-called men of God will do to protect themselves."Armstrong says the book will discuss certain high profile pastors, but he really doesn't say how. Is the book journalistic/investigative, pure opinion? Not sure.What do you think? Is Armstrong doing a service for churchgoers or is he being
opportunistic?