JoeyPinkney.com Book Revew
The Pride
by Faydra D. Fields
5 of 5 Stars

 The Pride, Faydra D. Fields’ debut novel, is unconventional in concept, yet impeccable in its approach to an interesting conundrum: a single Black man with ten children by four different women. Sounds like it’s going to be high in low-brow drama, right? Wrong!

Taking a scenario that could quite well be a train wreck befitting a full episode of the Jerry Springer Show, Fields takes The Pride in a decidedly literary direction. Instead of making a mockery of the situation, as is popular in today’s society, the author orchestrates a blended family which slowly becomes singular in purpose and remains varied in personalities and perspectives – like a real family.

pride – (noun) pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself; (noun) a group, especially of lions

Emanuel Portman loves all of his children and has a positive, respectable relationship with their mothers. He works hard, has flexible hours and spends as much time as possible doing what it takes to be in each of their lives. Emanuel has a very high social intelligence and compassion for the human condition, which powers his desire and ability to navigate the complexity of the attitudes and behaviors, especially with his children.

The story is lively for two distinct reasons: Fields’ writing style moves at a steady pace and there are plenty of characters at Fields’ disposal to flesh out the inner-workings of such an intriguing tale.  The chapters can stand alone, but most are blended together. The end of one chapter usually dovetails right into the beginning of the next. And where it doesn’t, Fields’ jumps in continuity are well-played to keep you on your toes.

If the women in Emanuel’s life aren’t at his throat, or each other’s for that matter, what’s going on in The Pride? Simple answer: survival. With Emanuel’s help, Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are all trying to make ends meet and keep their kids on the right track.

Denise has been shunned by her father for not having an abortion the first time Emanuel got her pregnant, and having two more babies by him did not make her situation any better. Determined to make the best life she can provide for her three children, she works hard and takes no hand outs.

Angela is an Army vet that’s a little rough around the edges. Her main source of income is her military disability, but that can only stretch so far when dealing with three children. Romina struggles with dyslexia. It’s become an embarrassment as her children have grown beyond her intellectual capacity in terms of their school work. She has her own desires to make a better way for her children by getting a better job.

Xavari is the youngest mother. At 19, she has a two-year-old and one on the way. This college student is far from dumb, and has the intelligence and determination to make something of herself in life. The youngest is in charge, so to speak, and she manages to rally the mothers to form a model of cooperative economics.

Since each mother could use a little financial relief, Xavari’s proposition of a communal living arrangement makes more sense to the other three mothers than the current alternative. Also, the children are more than familiar with each other, since Emanuel makes a point of raising them and spending time with them individually and collectively regardless of children’s mother.

Fields gives you more than enough to ponder as you learn about what makes each character tick. I got a kick out of seeing how in tune Emanuel was with his different children. I also enjoyed the cohesive friendships the children formed regardless of whether or not their mothers were familiar with each other.

The world created by Fields is an enjoyable one. Emanuel is important but not omnipotent nor overbearing. Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are strong yet uniquely flawed. The children are lovable and through provoking. You won’t be disappointed with The Pride.

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Christopher Julius “Chris” Rock III was born February 7, 1965. He is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Janie De Coster, author of Frienemies: A Line Between Love and Hate
(J Burrage Publications, LLC)

Natasha Jacobs is a successful young woman who works for one of Atlanta’s most successful marketing firms, Emerson & Stuckey. Sloan Stevens is an ambitious young man working his way up the corporate ladder at Emerson & Stuckey.

Sloan and Natasha have been friends since third grade, and their families and friends suspect that they harbor feelings for each other that run deeper than friendship. But Natasha and Sloan are determined to prove their friends wrong and find true love after leaving a string of unsuccessful relationships in their wake.

Opportunity presents itself in the form of two new coworkers, Essence Kirkland and Derrick Perkins. But when Essence and Derrick turn up the heat, things threaten to boil over and turn true friends into enemies. Will this be a recipe for true love between friends or a poisoned dish that will cost one friend their very life?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Frienemies: A Line Between Love and Hate?

Janie De Coster: I got the inspiration to write Frienemies while a friend and I chatted about relationships. The topic was backstabbers and how you couldn’t trust the very ones you had faith in. That is how Frienemies began.

JP: What sets Frienemies: A Line Between Love and Hate apart from other books in the same genre?

JDC: In my writing, I not only want to entertain the reader, but I also like to bring awareness to a certain topic. My topic in Frienemies ask the question can men and women really be “just friends.” So my novel goes beyond the story as it engages the readers to think and form opinions about what they are reading.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Frienemies: A Line Between Love and Hate getting out to the public?

JDC: The keys to my success is being persistent. I believe in myself, and I have confidence in my writing. I am not afraid to get out there and do what is needed to reach the goal I’ve set for Frienemies as well as my previous novels and those to come.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Frienemies: A Line Between Love and Hate?

JDC: Well the process is pretty much easy. I usually gets up early in the morning while everyone else is still asleep and write a few pages. I prefer early mornings because I can’t write in the evenings. I am too distracted with my evening shows such as Atlanta Housewives, The Braxtons and so on.

Frienemies took me about six months to write. But as all authors know,your book is far from being finish.There are so many rounds of edits you have to go through to have a polish book.

JP: What’s next for Janie De Coster?

JDC: My novel Broken Commandments with Parker Publishing will be release in March 2012.

http://janiedecoster.com

http://facebook.com/ search Janie De Coster

http://twitter.com/janiedecoster

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Denetra K. Alexander, author of Sad, But True
(CreateSpace/Amazon)

Sad, But True is a compilation of short stories that carry you on a trip through love, laughter, hurt, pain, dating, confusion and even domestic violence, with a strong dose of empathy and life lessons learned.

Our characters are sure to take you through the entire gauntlet of emotions and have you loving every step of the journey. You’re sure to identify with one or all of the stories. If not, you’re either dead, or you haven’t truly lived yet!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Sad, But True?

Denetra K. Alexander: I came up with the idea for Sad, But True while I was beginning to get my second novel All’s Fair on paper. The concern was having an overflow of activity while developing the characters in my story. I felt that I would need to go beyond my anticipated two poetry books and two novels that I planned to complete.

Once I changed my mind about keeping All’s Fair intact, I still hadn’t addressed the use of the title Sad, But True until approximately 9:00 AM on September 24, 2007. The God-given idea was to create a book of short stories. However, I wouldn’t be the only author. I would share this life-altering task with my close friends — C. Real and J. Boss.

JP: What sets Sad, But True apart from other books in the same genre?

DKA: Although Sad, But True was a group project with three authors, we were given no constraints. Collectively, we were allowed to create stories as raw as we wanted them. Creativity was the key.

The general theme was the “ups and downs” of relationships for our generation which is common, but no social issue was off-limits to us. The only requirement was that each of us write 3 short stories, but there was no length requirement. I did give an option to write a fourth story ranging from 500-1000 words. The short story served as a public service announcement (PSA) for a cause of our choice.

We created beyond that goal. After group edits were complete, we decided what stories to include in the book and worked on a sensible order. The order of the stories in Sad, But True is as significant as the actual stories.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Sad, But True getting out to the public?

DKA: The release of the book had to come when all authors were prepared to throw our full attention and support to its successful marketing while managing the expectations each other had of what true success actually is for the project. Our day-jobs would continue, so we had to find creative ways to hold book events and keep one another motivated following the initial positive feedback received from family and friends.

We already knew the work was great. We needed to ensure that we made it to the next level with greater exposure.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Sad, But True?

DKA: I personally work much better under pressure. I can’t speak for the other two authors. For this book, I didn’t write only a daily basis. For a long time, I loved journal writing. For stories, I write spontaneously on loose pieces of paper, bill envelopes, or any surface that has an available space to jot down my wildest thoughts.

A timeline was given for this project to give more structure as a group. We met as a crew monthly at a different location to group edit and enjoy each other’s company. It kept the project enjoyable. From start to finish, it took less than 6 months to finish the book.

JP: What’s next for Denetra K. Alexander?

DKA: Sad, But True is the first book in a series of three. We begin working on the second book in July 2012. I’ve written and released If Ever and am working on its continuation in addition to All’s Fair. I have completed a book of poetry and journal entries geared for a teen audience but it has not been released.

J. Boss released The Eighth Day prior to this project and is currently completing the sequel. C. Real is currently serving a military mobilization so has not been afforded the time for individual projects. She’s still preparing to contribute to the short story series once she returns in August or September. We are so excited!

http://sbt3fam.webstarts.com/index.html

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000341311239

http://twitter.com/7wondersent

http://twitter.com/SadButTrue3LLC

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=tab_pro

We thank you for this opportunity to revive the enthusiasm we had when we initially released the book, Mr. Pinkney. The work you are doing is amazing!

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kevin Aregbe, author of Kevo: Absence of Color
(Createspace)

Kevo, who was on Fox news “From Inmate to Entrepreneur” has written a book based on miseducation to America. The book explains the influence and lies of the European education system. Kevo also has powerful and inspirational advice in the book for young African-Americans.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Kevo: Absence of Color?

Kevin Aregbe: History. Inspiration creates History. I was inspired by so many people: Angela Davis, George Jackson, James Baldwin, Steve Biko, Fred Hampton, H.Rap Brown, Bobby Seale, Shirley Chisholm, Cynthia Mckinney, Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou ,Mary McLeod Bethune, etc. I feel that if you understand your place in history, you will have something to live and die for.

JP: What sets Kevo: Absence of Color apart from other books in the same genre?

K.A: Me. I have been shot, stabbed, in prison, in the streets, but I’ve also opened two businesses, been on Fox news, and even joined the Chamber of Commerce. I am the message in the middle of the poor man and the politician. I see contemporary America from the eyes of both.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Kevo: Absence of Color getting out to the public?

K.A: The YouTube video I made for the book. It actually started as an audio book. When people from other countries demanded I write a paper back, I took it to the next level.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Kevo: Absence of Color?

K.A: My book is actually a letter, so it didn’t take long to write. I write speeches, so my process is the same as entering a speech: be as honest as possible and write from the heart.

JP: What’s next for Kevin Aregbe?

K.A: The DVD for my book, more speeches, more books, and continuing inspiring others. I figure, “If you don’t do it, no one will do “it” for you”. Im also Houston’s most famous tattoo artist, but I’m not just “a tattoo artist”.

http://www.kevoshow.com

http://facebook.com/ search “kevo/tatts”

http://twitter.com/kevo2021

http://www.kevos.mobi

God bless you guys, much love.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Nakia R. Laushaul, author of Running from Solace
(Serendipity Bound Books)

Running from Solace is a heartfelt story about Naomi, a young girl that is being physically and emotionally abused by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. Eventually, she is taken out of the home and sent to foster care. She grows up to become a hard-nosed CPS investigator.

In the line of duty, Naomi’s path intertwines with Xavier, a 14-year-old boy at the crossroads of making a life-altering decision. Should he report his mother, Mona, for child abuse? Everything about this story will leave you emotionally drained and breathless.

While Running from Solace may not be true for you, it is true for somebody. And something must be done because a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Running from Solace?

Nakia R. Laushaul: I actually sat down to write a chick lit book. It was going to be a witty look at love and dating. But, once I sat down to write it, well, let’s just say that Running from Solace took on a life of it’s own and began to tell the story that was ready to be told. I just went along for the ride.

JP: What sets Running from Solace apart from other books in the same genre?

NRL: I’m a firm believer in this: “There is nothing new under the sun.” I believe that every story has been told a hundred ways already, but every reader has not been reached by every story.

The only thing that sets my book a part is that my voice is new—I’m a new author. I’ve only just arrived to this literary world. Because I stepped up, God will set my feet where He wants them to go, so I try not to focus on being different, but to just be me.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Running from Solace getting out to the public?

NRL: I’m grassroots all the way. I attribute any success that has fallen my way to the readers of Running from Solace as well as my first book, The Truth As I See It.

I can’t tell you how many messages that I’ve received that start with “_____ told me that I had to read this book”. Also reviewers have been huge Running from Solace pushers.

However, behind-the-scenes there was a lot of hard work getting this book reader-ready, and I didn’t skimp on any of it from pouring my heart out as I wrote and re-wrote, to finding the perfect editor, and a nice outfit (cover) to present it to you.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Running from Solace?

NRL: Well, about 10 years ago, I started writing Running from Solace and got to the end of Part One when self-doubt and fear made me put it away. In 2009, I received feedback on a sample of it from Author/Teacher Venise T. Berry that made me go back to the drawing board to evaluate my writing style. I pretty much started from scratch at that point.

A huge majority of Running from Solace was written in a month. I call myself a “binge writer”. Once I get going, I get greedy and end up purging until the entire story is out of me. I’m waiting for that to happen again with my next book. It’s right on the tip of spirit, impatiently waiting to be told.

JP: What’s next for Nakia R. Laushaul?

NRL: I’m currently working on my next novel while I try to get Running from Solace into as many hearts as I can. I’ve gone back and forth with which one of the three novels that I’ve already started will come out next, so I’m won’t say any titles just yet.

http://www.nakiarlaushaul.com

http://nakialaushaul.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nakia-R-Laushaul-presents-The-Truth-As-I-See-It-In-Poetry-Prose/346645442878?ref=nf

http://twitter.com/nakiaRL

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/NakiaRLaushaul

Welcome to my literary journey!

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Camara Laye was an African writer from Guinea who passed away February 4, 1980, in Dakar, Senegal. He wrote his debut novel while in college which is loosely based on his childhood entitled The African Child (L’Enfant Noir). The Radiance of the King (Le Regard Du Roi) is considered to be one of the most important works of Guinea’s colonial period.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Lisa Maria Carroll, author of Confessions of a Gold Digger: She’s the Woman You Want to Hate, but Can’t
(I Define Me, LLC)

Confessions of a Gold Digger chronicles my dating life from a time when I was ready to throw in the towel because I thought all men were no-good to a place where I found happiness in my dating life. I was so fed up with men whose idea of a great date was hanging out or kicking it at my place, eating my food, or sleeping in my bed that I donned my independent woman crown as a way of showing them that I didn’t need them. And I got everything I bargained for by attracting men who expected me to pay for dates and buy them gifts.

But I eventually realized that I was the problem, and that I needed to stop trying to change men and change myself. I had set my expectations of men so low out of fear that I wouldn’t get one. I was also afraid that I would be seen as high maintenance or a gold digger if I had standards. But once I got over those fears and did the work on myself, I began to attract men who possessed the qualities that I desired in a mate.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Confessions of a Gold Digger: She’s the Woman You Want to Hate, but Can’t?

Lisa Maria Carroll: I host a relationship radio show, and I also have a relationship group page on Facebook. And everyday I hear from women and men who talk about their relationship problems, but don’t take responsibility for their choices. From there, I knew I wanted to write a book on relationships, but didn’t know where to start because I couldn’t narrow the topic.

Then I was brainstorming with my accountability partner one day, and she said, “Confessions of a Gold Digger,” and I was like, that’s perfect because I had recently reconnected with an ex that I hadn’t talked to in almost five years. When we talked, he called me a gold digger and said that I only broke up with him after he ran out of money.

At first I was offended, because I thought our relationship was built on love. But after I thought about it for a while, I realized that wasn’t the first time I had been called a gold digger. I usually got that title hurled at me anytime I decided to put my own interests first. I also realized that there are some women, namely white women, who don’t get called gold diggers as often as black women do, because they’re raised to have certain expectations of men that black women aren’t.

JP: What sets Confessions of a Gold Digger: She’s the Woman You Want to Hate, but Can’t apart from other books in the same genre?

LMC: Most people read the title of my book and expect it to be about a woman teaching women how to get over on men, or how to dress and where to hang out in order to snag a rich man. But that’s not the case at all. I teach women to not set their expectations of men low because that’s all they believe they can have or deserve. I want them to know that good men abound and having standards does not make them high maintenance. And if other people think it does, so what?

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Confessions of a Gold Digger: She’s the Woman You Want to Hate, but Can’t getting out to the public?

LMC: I am a lover of all things social media, so I use my networks to get the word out.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Confessions of a Gold Digger: She’s the Woman You Want to Hate, but Can’t?

LMC: I’m not very disciplined in my writing process, so I write whenever I feel inspired. Once I finally organized my thoughts and decided to sit down and put them in print, it only took two weeks. However, the revision process was much longer, probably about four months.

JP: What’s next for Lisa Maria Carroll?

LMC: I’m currently working on a fiction series called Even Thugs Love Jesus. The first book by the same title is due out in Spring 2012. I’ve also drafted the outline for the second book, which is Single, Saved and Searching for a Wife.

http://www.confessionsofagolddigger.com

http://facebook.com/lisamariacarroll

http://www.twitter.com/iamlisamaria

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Aaron Douglas passed away February 3, 1979. He was an African American painter and a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. When given the title of Father of African American Arts, he stated,  “Do not call me the Father of African American Arts, for I am just a son of Africa, and paint for what inspires me.”

 

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Clenora Hudson-Weems was born on born February 2, 1949. She is currently a Professor of English at the University of Missouri. As an African American author, she coined the term “Africana Womanism” in the 80s.

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