Category Archives: urban/street lit

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Keisha Ervin, author of Finding Forever

December 30, 2008 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Keisha Ervin, author of Finding Forever
(Priority Books)

Once teenage sweethearts, Whitney and Koran are vastly different people now. Whitney’s working on her master’s degree and has a new lease on life, while Koran is a drug dealer riding around in expensive cars and living in a big house. Is it possible for Koran to change his lifestyle and for true love to return?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Finding Forever?

Keisha Ervin: I’ve always wanted to write a tragic love story. I’m a huge soap opera fan, so I think that is where my flair for the dramatic comes from, lol. Also I love the movie A Walk to Remember. That movie also inspired this story.

JP: How is Finding Forever different from the other love stories you have composed over the years?

KE: This one doesn’t end with my typical happily ever after ending. Although my characters come full circle they are forced to kind of do it own their own and without the love and support of their significant other. Also, this story focuses on an illness that is plaguing us as women.

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

KE: My process for writing a story is first coming up with an idea. I then figure out my outline in my head. I rarely ever write anything down. All of my stories scenes and ideas from start to finish are stored in my mind. Due to the fact I was under a deadline it took me almost three months to write Finding Forever. I’m not a quick writer. I like to take my time with my stories. With this one I still felt rushed. Some of my readers felt the same way.

JP: This is your sixth novel, but your first book on Priority Books. Why did your switch from Triple Crown Publications?

KE: I did this book with Priority Books because it is a home based publishing company. I have to help and support my city St. Louis. Also Rose, the owner, is such a sweet and genuine woman. I would work with her anytime. To make things clear, I am not signed to Priority Books or TCP.

JP: What’s next for Keisha Ervin?

KE: I am currently working on my seventh novel and a short story for an anthology. To all of my fans and supporters you can contact me at www.myspace.com/keishaervin or http://www.webjam.com/grayrosez

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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

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Barbara Grovner, author of We Belong Together

December 27, 2008 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Barbara Grovner, author of We Belong Together
(Third Eye Publishing)

Step into the mind boggling world of Mavis Rollins, a woman who wants her granddaughter to marry Makai Wilson, the grandson of the wealthy woman who stole her very own husband back in the day. While raising her granddaughter Sandy, she manages to brainwash her into believing she is destined to spend her life with Makai.

Sandy actually yearns for Makai but is disappointed when her best friend Kara meets him and falls in love with him. It seems Kara never knew about Sandy’s unnatural feelings for Makai., a perpetual charmer. After deceiving Kara with two beautiful women, she throws him out of their home. Kara is found dead in the parking garage near her job, and things begin to heat up. When the police begin digging around, the truth unfolds and secrets come tumbling out. Lives begin to unravel, revealing jealousy and raw rage, crazy relationships and most disturbing, pure insanity at its most dangerously evil depth and somehow, someway, justice must be served.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write We Belong Together?

Barbara Grovner: The idea for We Belong Together simply popped into my head. I was actually trying to out-do my last novel Even Numbers. That novel is about child molestation, which is a very serious topic. I am still hoping to keep the subject of child molestation in the forefront of our minds particularly for single mothers who are dating. Please pick up a copy of Even Numbers as well.

With We Belong Together which by the way releases on December 27th 2008, my love for “who-done-it” types of stories emerged and my story became a sort of quirky, crazy murder mystery loaded with colorful characters and insane dialog.

JP: What sets We Belong Together apart from other novels in its genre?

BG: The differences from this murder mystery “who-done-it” and others is the fact that there are so many other things going on apart from the murder. Things like infidelity, plotting and scheming, a little same-sex encounter as well is coupled with the most raw rage ever. The emotion within the scenes will prompt you to check all of your own feelings and your own opinions as well.

JP: This novel has elements of mystery, romance and erotica. How were you able to mix these genres together and maintain the integrity at the same time?

BG: The mixture of romance, mystery and erotica is actually how many of our own lives are lived. LOL. You may even find a bit about yourself within the pages.

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

BG: I still write “old-school.” I use notebooks (paper ones) and hand write almost constantly. Then I transfer to the computer. This gives me a chance to add material as well as edit as I go along instead of backtracking. Sounds complicated, I’m sure, but it works for me.

JP: What’s next for Barbara Grovner?

BG: Currently I am working on the sequel to We Belong Together. The publishing company I am currently working with is not taking submissions of this type at this time. I would love to have both books published under the same company, but I am currently looking for another publisher. I have looked into a few promising possibilities, but…I’m open for invitations and points in the right direction. (WINK).

Also, I have been doing some editing, especially for young authors who are writing their first manuscripts. I offer extremely low prices and an especially lower rate if the author is enrolled in some sort of school. I’m all about promoting education. For authors I can be reached at bgrovner@hotmail.com for editing questions.

For inquired and for more info on my books, please check me out on my MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/barbaragrovner.

Thanks so much for the chance to speak with readers and again thanks so much for your support.

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://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 http://myspace.com/joeyreviews

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Joey Pinkney returns to Adrienna Turner’s BlogTalkRadio Show (12-20-08)

December 22, 2008 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

I had the honor of returning to Adrienna Turner’s BlogTalkRadio Show on 12-20-08. (To check out the first show click here.)

This show was a great experience. I talked about:

how book reviewers can help authors sell more books
guerilla marketing tactics to gain more exposure
why building a following is more important pursuing large publishing houses

Check it out here:

Listen to it and let me know what you think.

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