Category Archives: interview

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Maria McKenzie, author of Masquerade: Book Two of the Unchained Trilogy

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Maria McKenzie, author of Masquerade: Book Two of the Unchained Trilogy
(CreateSpace)

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Lavinia Hargraves lives life as a masquerade. She is a celebrated actress onstage, however, her most challenging role is enacted in real life as she conceals her true identity.

Born in 1872 to Daniel Taylor, a white man and wealthy landowner in southern California, Lavinia’s mother, Lori, is a Negro and former slave.

Lavinia, who appears white, is desperate to hide her Negro ancestry, as well as pursue her dream of becoming the world’s greatest actress, a seemingly impossible endeavor because of her race.

After Lavinia elopes with the much older Vernon Hargraves, owner of New York’s premier theater company, she is provided with all she could ever want: a new life as white, stardom on the stage, and an abundant supply of money.

Soon Lavinia’s seduction by a young and handsome actor sets in motion a devastating turn of events. Dashing millionaire contractor Andrew Standish comes into Lavinia’s life at a time when she needs him most. But to what lengths will Andrew go to uncover Lavinia’s past?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Masquerade: Book Two of the Unchained Trilogy”?

Maria McKenzie: I’m in an interracial marriage, so the topic of mixed race love through history is of particular interest to me.

The first book of The Unchained Trilogy, is “Escape”. That novel opens in1856 and tells the love story of Lavinia’s parents, Daniel, an abolitionist, and Lori, a slave. Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Maria McKenzie, author of Masquerade: Book Two of the Unchained Trilogy →

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Saidah Brown, author of Watered Down Wisdom: Memoirs of My Life Lessons

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Saidah Brown, author of Watered Down Wisdom: Memoirs of My Life Lessons
(Salaam Publications)

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Tish is a soft-hearted, non-confrontational young lady that looks for love in every man she comes in contact with. Her story will take the women readers on an emotional rollercoaster as well as take the men on self-examining journey.

A total page turner and a testimony to all the women who have loved and lost, or been a fool. For all the girls who fill alone about mistakes they’ve made, this book is for you.

“We spend do much time trying to force a happy home, instead of cultivating the one we have”
– Saidah Brown

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Watered Down Wisdom”?

Saidah Brown: I was instructing a class in Philadelphia’s Welfare to Work Program. I worked there as a Life Skills Instructor.

After one of my many motivational classes, a student walked up to me and said, “Ms. Brown, you are so wise.”

I laughed a little and said to her, “My wisdom is a little watered down, Love. I’m not smarter than you – just made more mistakes than you, LOL”

I left that day thinking, “I’m gonna write a book about watered down wisdom!” Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Saidah Brown, author of Watered Down Wisdom: Memoirs of My Life Lessons →

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Alysia Stern, author of Good Friends Are Hard To Find

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Alysia Stern, author of Good Friends Are Hard To Find
(Desantis Stern Lehry Publishing)

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After a night out in Starry City, Vincent and his friends discover that being selfish and saying mean things can hurt. But in the end, they learn the true meaning of friendship.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Good Friends Are Hard To Find”?

Alysia Stern: Vincent Van Mouse was originally created back in the late 1990’s. When his creator, Anthony J. Desantis called me a few years ago to continue the series with my writing and his artwork, I humbly agreed. Constance Lehry and I had already created our own character line which included Maison, Maggi and Spencer. Their stories are geared for a younger generation. Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Alysia Stern, author of Good Friends Are Hard To Find →