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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… T.R. Heinan, author of L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
T.R. Heinan, author of L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen
(Nonius LLC)

“L’immortalité: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen” is based on the true story of the wealthy and powerful New Orleans socialite Delphine Lalaurie and the horrific treatment of her slaves. Set in the French Quarter’s early 19th century Creole community, “L’immortalité” begins when Philippe Bertrand, the sacristan at St. Louis Cathedra is drawn against his will to the Lalaurie Mansion. There he meets Delphine’s physician husband, Louis, and a young slave named Elise.

When a child slave dies under horrific circumstances, Elise escapes and runs to Philippe, who hides her at the bayou cabin of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and teaches her to read. Things get complicated when Philippe tries to discover what really goes on at the mansion. During a gala Easter Week ball, the Lalaurie cook sets herself, and the mansion, on fire and Philippe discovers that the Lalauries have been conducting macabre medical experiments in the attic.

As Delphine, Louis Elise and Philippe each seek immortality in very different ways, their paths converge at the haunted mansion on Royal Street. Marie Laveau helps Philippe break the chains of his own grief and conflicted spirituality so that he can break the chains of the Lalaurie’s slaves. “L’immortalité” ends as the Voodoo Queen grants Madame Lalaurie’s wish a way she never expected.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen”?

T.R. Heinan: I was inspired to write “L’immortalité: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen” when I took a walking “haunted tour” in the French Quarter Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… T.R. Heinan, author of L’immortalite: Madame Lalaurie and the Voodoo Queen →

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Yvonne N. Pierre, author of The Day My Soul Cried

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Yvonne N. Pierre, author of “The Day My Soul Cried”
(Zyonair’s Unlimited, LLC)

Yvonne N. Pierre’s journey, from the depths of despair to an awakening of soul and spirit, has been a long and difficult one. From sexual abuse, excessive drinking, failing in school, a young mother, unable to get a job, having a second child with Down syndrome, gaining excessive weight and allowing herself to no longer care about how she looked – the painful pattern of all types of abuse seemed endless.

Until one day, when Yvonne’s soul cried.

She began to see that how she perceived her life and the attitudes she had were crippling her as much as all her bad habits and the ugly things that happened to her. The realization that through forgiveness of others and most importantly, herself, would prove to be her path to new confidence, new attitude, a joy and love of life and God, and a profound hope that by sharing her story, others may find the courage and strength to do what Yvonne has done.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Day My Soul Cried”?

Yvonne N. Pierre: Prior to writing “The Day My Soul Cried”, I struggled with following through with projects. I had all these great ideas and would start Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Yvonne N. Pierre, author of The Day My Soul Cried →

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Yani, author of A Thug’s Redemption

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Yani, author of “A Thug’s Redemption”
(Anitbeet Productions)

After Jamal decides to take matters into his own hands by avenging his best friend’s murder, he is forced into the street life. He is forever in debt to his cousin Samir, one of Philadelphia’s biggest drug lords. After finding love, separating himself from the game and turning his life around, fate comes into play when a desperate act by his younger brother Shawn brings back the haunting night from Jamal’s past.

Secrets are revealed, and Jamal is forced back into the street life to save his brother as well as himself. In this story about friendship, love and the dangers of North Philly streets, Jamal will soon learn that mistakes are hard to clean up and they will cost him dearly in the end.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “A Thug’s Redemption”?

Yani: A friend of mine was killed when we were 14 years old. Although I was used to people being killed around me in my old neighborhood in North Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Yani, author of A Thug’s Redemption →