Category Archives: african american book

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… New York Times Best Selling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby, author of Sin No More

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
New York Times Best Selling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby, author of Sin No More
(William Morrow)


kimberla lawson roby headshot sin no more book cover

(click on the pictures to see this book on Amazon.com)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Sin No More?

Kimbery Lawson Roby: Sin No More is actually the fifth title in my Reverend Curtis Black series, which centers on problems and corruption within the church. I was inspired to write about this issue because of so much that I’ve seen and heard about for a great number of years.

JP: What sets Sin No More apart from other novels in its genre?

KLR: Sin No More focuses on reality—not any specific real-life issues—but it does focus on what can and does happen on a daily basis throughout this country. I don’t try to sugarcoat anything that I write, and more important, I try my best to show what happens when we don’t follow God’s Word or treat people the way we want to be treated.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Sin No More getting out to the public?

KLR: The two most important things are writing and building a marketing/publicity plan and making sure to interact personally with your readers on a regular basis, both by email and at speaking and book signing events all year long.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Sin No More?

KLR: Once I decide which topic I’m going to center my story on, I create all of my characters and then outline the entire novel. After that, I write a minimum of one or two chapters per day until the first draft is finished. Then, I revise and edit. The entire process from start to finish normally takes me about three months.

JP: What’s next for Kimberla Lawson Roby?

KLR: I released a novella entitled One in a Million this past June and my twelfth book, The Best of Everything, will be released on January 13, 2009. Currently, I’m working on a second novella for the fall of 2009.

www.kimroby.com
www.myspace.com/kimberlalawsonroby

Kimberla would love to hear from you at: kim@kimroby.com.

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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, best seller, essence best sellers list, romance

5 Minutes 5 Questions With… Essence Best Selling Author Nikkea Smithers, author of Sweet Dreams

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Nikkea Smithers, author of Sweet Dreams
(Auset Ausar Productions)


mikkea smithers headshot sweet dreams book cover

(click on the pictures to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)

Dream is a highschool student from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who is traumatized when she is informed of the tragic suicide of her best friend. Feeling like she is alone in the world with an abusive mother and absent father, Dream almost comes to the resolution that her life is also not worth living…

Antonio is also in high school but from Richmond, Virginia, working two jobs to help his mother support his many brothers and sisters. Growing up in the projects, he is faced with a number of obstacles that will test his manhood.

When Dream and Antonio’s worlds collide both of their lives change forever…but is it for the better or for the worse?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Sweet Dreams?

Nikkea Smithers: The inspiration came from a conversation I had with my mother in the early part of the year. She was telling me about a how a friend of the family, who is a medic, was called to a home where a young girl had committed suicide.

I immediately started to think, “What could have been so bad to make this young girl want to take her life?” With that thought I wrote a poem called ‘A Girl Named Suicide’ which was later featured in the book. After the further contemplation I felt that there was so much more to say. I began to think what about the friends, the family, what about everyone who had to keep going after her passing. Essentially this story was begging to be told not only to honor the young girls memory but to spark intrigue in our community about this subject.

JP: What sets Sweet Dreams apart from other novels in its genre?

NS: Sweet Dreams has no set genre to be honest. It deals with a vast majority of subjects: self love, self respect, teenage suicide, peer pressure and forgiveness. Sweet Dreams stands out because, true to my writing style, it speaks a message of realness and hope.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Sweet Dreams getting out to the public?

NS: I embrace my public. I make myself available for anyone who wants to talk about any of my titles. As I choose to write about some very eye opening topics, conversation is a must. Therefore, I don’t shy away. I enjoy getting to know my readers as well as my readers getting to know me.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Sweet Dreams?

NS: Each of my books take me through a different process. For my poetry books and Keith’s Story it was a gradual process sometimes taking a year or more. However, for Gold Diggin’ and Sweet Dreams the process was much different and the stories poured out of me within two weeks. Sweet Dreams in particular was finished in a week in a half.

JP: What’s next for Nikkea Smithers?

NS: My next book is already done, waiting for the printer as we speak. I don’t want to give away too much but my readers can keep an eye on my website to find out when my next release will be. Until then, readers can certainly pick up not only Sweet Dreams but also Gold Diggin’, Keith’s Story and for poetry lovers Attitudes of a Woman.

www.nikkeasmithers.com
www.myspace.com/keithsstory

Nikkea Smithers is a self published author of five titles. Her most recent release Sweet Dreams made #4 on Essence Magazine Best Sellers list. She has been featured in Protege Magazine and has been featured at venues from NY to LA. Nikkea is also a talented spoken word artist who performs frequently and had headlined at many venues.

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html

P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Lesley Hal, author of Blind Temptations

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Lesley Hal, author of Blind Temptations
(Pleasure Principle Publishing)

lesley hal blind temptations book cover

(click on the pictures to see reviews of this book on amazon)

Blind Temptations: The Seduction of Sex, Lies and Betrayal is a juicy saga about three friends: Chante Micheals, Michelle Ramsey and Karissa Waters. The characters in this book are hell bent on vengeance, treachery, power trips, seduction and sexual deception!

Chante Michaels lives in a fantasy world. She has the perfect job and the perfect family. That is until her husband, Alex Michaels, step out on her with a Tyra Banks look alike, Paris Chere’ Du’Moore who has a little secret of her own that will unleash all kinds of hell.

Karissa Waters would love nothing more than to be accepted by her mother that disowned her when she was only eleven. She meets the heir to a multi-billion dollar oil estate Andre Williamson who wants to give her a lifetime of happiness. Karissa won’t marry him without her mother’s blessings; a woman who makes Mommy Dearest look angelic.

Michelle Ramsey is in love with the devil himself Brandon Thomas. She’s a master at hiding what she doesn’t want people to see like the abuse she endures at Brandon’s unloving hands. Greg Wallace is the man she needs but won’t give a chance because her heart belongs to only one man…Brandon.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Blind Temptations?

Lesley Hal: A series of life altering events led me to write Blind Temptations.

JP: What sets Blind Temptations apart from other novels in its genre?

LH: Its shocking twists, dealing with real life issues like sexual deception, adultery, abuse, and neglect among other things. Unlike many of the other novels, the characters are not super beings defying all odds without feelings being attached. I make it my mission to make every emotion be seen, heard, and felt no matter the situation. Readers want to that in a character. It makes the book more enjoyable. Most importantly, according to readers, it’s a page turner. Everyone that’s read the book is after me week after week about the sequel, which is in the works and a blessing.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Blind Temptations getting out to the public?

LH: Patience, determination, knowledge about publishing, honing my craft, learning from my mistakes not letting them become a setback but a step up and having a true love for writing.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Blind Temptations?

LH: I started Blind Temptations while in college. It took me 10 years to write it since I didn’t get serious about it until 2006.

JP: What’s next for Lesley Hal?

LH: Currently, I’m a NY Times bestseller six times over thanks to Zane! My short story Riding the “Friendly Skies” was featured in Succulent: Chocolate Flava II where it was dubbed on of the creme de la creme. My second novel Pleasure-n-Spice and Nothing Nice is due out early 2009. I’m pushing for a Valentine’s release. Since it’s what started my journey into the world of erotica, it will be released under my pen name Ms. Lediva.

Blind Temptations II is also slated for release late 2009. Then there’s “Double the Pleasure” which will be featured in Bedtime Stories, an anthology with Brian Smith author of S.W.A.P. Game and Final Fling, coming this summer 2009!

www.lesleyhal.com
www.myspace.com/mslediva

JP: Add any other links, awards and contact information directly involved with the author and/or the book. I would like to highlight your achievements and let people connect with you.

LH: I’ve done a lot of promotional work such as a campaign with Starbucks, the Come Out & Play sampler for 2007 with other noted authors and the Come Out & Play event that took place in the Bahamas in October 2008 which was a huge success.

I was featured in Noire’s online magazine with short story “Stormy Weather” which is the prologue to Pleasure-n-Spice and garnered me a lot of attention from the erotica genre. Blind Temptations & Pleasure-n-Spice are both currently being considered by Kensington Publishing.

Last but certainly not least, I’m one of the founding members of the Authoress Suite with authors N’Tyse: My Secrets Your Lies and Stacey L. Ford: Selling the Fantasy.

Thank you Joey for such a wonderful interview, and I look forward to reviewing Pleasure-n-Spice with you soon!

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html

P.S.S. If you want to be featured in the 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews