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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… April Alisa Marquette, author of Absolution

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
April Alisa Marquette, author of Absolution
(April Rain Publications)


april marquette absolution on amazondotcom

Absolution is the provocative, sexy, fun, first novel in a trilogy. Available from April Rain Books, Absolution is a true page-turner about four friends, three women, and Beau, a homosexual male. The four live together and call themselves Cohorts. They believe their friendship is near perfect…until things start happening. Ronni betrays Beau by sleeping with his man. Beau and Ronni fight.

Their home is shattered, and the Cohorts are forced to choose sides. As another female Cohort plans a wedding, Ronni, the betrayer, becomes terminally ill. Ronni tries to keep it secret, but someone is nosy. Will Ronni’s business get out? If it does, was the Cohort’s friendship strong enough that one or all of them can exercise absolution…can they forgive?

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

April Marquette: Actually, I had no plans to write Absolution. I was working on a different novel, but I kept ‘hearing’ conversations. The characters from Absolution kept ‘speaking.’ One character in particular said a few raunchy things.

I knew she and the others could never fit in the novel that I was working on. Therefore, I switched gears and began jotting down the new things I heard. Due to this inspiration, Absolution was born.

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

AM: Absolution is fast-paced and witty. A reader is drawn in from the first page. It is the type of book that makes a reader stay up late. (I’ve been told this any number of times).

It’s the type of novel that makes a reader want to know what the devil will happen! The characters take on a life all their own. They have issues and secrets that are interesting and kinky, as well as educational.

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

AM: The readers—no doubt. I happen to be a reader, first and foremost, so I am aware that readers are voyeurs. I had to become published to give readers the in-depth looks into characters’ lives that they desire. Readers crave drama, sex and entertainment.

I also never forget that readers want to be informed. They want to be part of something too, even if it’s only for the short while that they are engrossed in a good story.

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

AM: My particular writing process begins with me jotting down ‘conversations’ that I ‘hear.’ Those who ‘speak’ aren’t necessarily bodied beings. So, if I happen to be in a restaurant when the speaking begins, I’ll scribble on a napkin, if necessary. Then from these ‘conversations’ I derive where the characters are—that’s how the settings come about…

For me, the skeleton for Absolution took two months. Then I went back,  gave the story color and dressed it up. This took a while because I put Absolution down to work on the novel I’d been working on before Absolution.

JP: What’s next for April Alisa Marquette?

AM: Next is the Summer 2009 release of Exodus, a titillating thriller, another first in a trilogy. Next is also the first book in a non-fiction series. Featured will be the recollections of an African-American healer woman. A character in Exodus happens to be based on this real live 70-year-old who has experienced many supernatural things.

Next is…oh there’s too much to tell—readers will just have follow me on this spectacular journey! Check me out and order signed copies at www.aprilalisamarquette.com. Or visit me at www.myspace.com/aprilbookmama – watch the Absolution video. My works are also available at various online bookstores including: Barnes & Noble – B&N.com, and Amazon.com.

http://www.aprilalisamarquette.com/
http://www.myspace.com/aprilbookmama

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Keisha Ervin, author of Gunz and Roses

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Keisha Ervin, author of Gunz and Roses
(Urban Books)


keisha ervin gunz and roses on amazondotcom

Urban fiction diva Keisha Ervin is back with Gunz and Roses, her latest story of street love. Time stands still as up and coming fashion editor Gray Rose watches the man of her dreams walk into the club. The last thing St. Louis kingpin Gunz Marciano wants is to become attached to one woman-until he spots Gray.

After one night of erotic passion, Gunz and Gray embark on a tumultuous journey. When their obsessive love becomes too much and Gunz wants out, Gray is ready to let him go. She learns the identity of his new woman, and things get complicated.

Gunz and Roses is a sensational, passionate drama filled with an intense mix of suspense, lies, and murder.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Gunz and Roses?

Keisha Ervin: I actually got the story idea from some things that had happened in my own life. In the past two years, I have gone through so much relationship wise that I just felt that I needed to get it out on paper.

I also wanted to show people that I’m not perfect, that I make mistakes and that Iam still growing and learning as a woman. Hopefully, my story will help some other womn that may be going through the same thing.

JP: What sets Gunz and Roses apart from other the other cult-classic Keisha Ervin novels?

KE: This story is different because it’s based on real life events.

JP: The last time you were interviewed for “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…”, you went from Triple Crown to Priority Books. How did you come to release Gunz and Roses through Urban Books?

KE: To set the record straight, I haven’t been signed to TCP since early 2008. After I left, I was a free agent and trying to broker a new deal. While doing that, the offer from Priority books was set on the table.  My agent and I discussed it and decided that it would be a good idea especially since Priority Books is a St. Louis based publishing company.

I knew that regardless of the publishing company, Gunz and Roses wouldn’t be out until 2009. I wanted to have a book out in-between that time, so I signed the one book deal and wrote my first novella. When I started working on Finding Forever, I signed my new publishing deal with Urban Books.

JP: What is your most memorable moment you experienced while getting this novel ready for publication?

KE: Finding the cover art. With this book, I really wanted the cover to reflect my character in the book. Urban Books presented me with a photo. It wasn’t what I was looking for, so I had to find another cover with in 24 hours.

Thankfully, my agent searched the net and found the cover that is on the book. When she sent it to me, I instantly fell in love with it. Another memorable moment was reliving all the funny and dramatic moments that has happened to me in the past two years.

JP: What’s next for Keisha Ervin?

KE: On August 25th, 2009, Gunz and Roses will be released as well as the fifth book from the Girls From The Hood series which I have a short story in called “Queen Pynn”. Currently, I’m working on my eight novel as well as a collabertive novel with my agent/author Brenda Hampton.

To contact me feel free to email me at keisha_ervin2002@yahoo.com or hit me up at www.myspace.com/keishaervin.

I am a National Best-Selling author and have been #1 on Essence Magazines Best Sellers List three times.

http://www.myspace.com/keishaervin
http://www.webjam.com/grayrosez

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Deana Murphy, author of Designing For The King

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Deana Murphy, author of Designing for the King
(Tate Publishing)


deana murphy designing for the king on dftkdotcom

Feeling uneasy at home? Is your home environment chaotic and dysfunctional? Designing for the King brings insight and answers to questions like these. Deana Murphy introduces a revolutionary design strategy that is simple to apply. This design strategy can help you find peace not only in your home but in all aspects of life. Using Deana’s S.Y.S.T.E.M. (Shaping Your Spirit to Eliminate the Mess), readers will begin removing the confusion in their homes, giving way to God’s design basics as set forth in Scripture.

Deana provides examples from her own experiences, showing how readers can create beautiful, functional rooms that please every user, from spouses to children. Readers will learn how to get rid of chaos and promote peace using biblical principles. With design directions, solutions and meditations, Deana’s book covers all design ground, taking you from chaos to order with this unique, eye-opening process of Designing for the King.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Designing For The King?

Deana Murphy: I must say the idea was God breathing. Since February 2003, I knew I was to write a book about interior design. I felt there was more to design than building beautiful rooms. Because people live in these rooms, their character and personality had to play a role in the decor. Because of this, I was inspired to expound on the spiritual side of living spaces.

Obviously it is biblically based, but I needed to know from what source is this great revelation derived? By what biblical grounds do we design our living environments? Are living designs included in God’s saving order in Christ? Questions like these have propelled me to research and write this book, and consequently, I have viewed interior design from both a practical and biblical perspective.

JP: What sets Designing For The King apart from other books detailing the art of interior design?

DM: This book is faith-based and truly an intentional departure from the norm in environmental design. Included with the practical, tangible and arty aspects of design are the intangible and spiritual aspects, thus designing the whole person–body, soul and spirit–unveiling one’s obligation with steps to remove chaos and establish order in the living environment.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that will lead to the success of Designing For The King?

DM: Obeying God, loving God and loving His people. I live a purpose-driven life. As a faith lady, I believe I’m always in the right place at the right time because my steps are ordered of the Lord. I know who I am, I understand the price of success requires much work and I’m qualified and prepared to do that.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Designing For The King?

DM: This project was a long labor of love. Initially, I tried to write the book exclusive to the physical and practical application of interior design. I’ve done that in Designing for the King. However, during the writing process, at each step I kept bumping into a wall! It was only after I succumbed to God’s promptings to take this work and add to it the biblical perspective did I focus and finish the project. It was a 4 1/2 years journey.

JP: What’s next for Deana Murphy?

DM: Currently, I am producing add-on products for market. Design-in-a-Box is my new product taking my interior design business to the internet and giving clients a hands-on design experience at an affordable price. I am also writing a Designing Within devotional, which will be published in the fall, and desiring and preparing for my Lifestyle TV show.

http://www.designingfortheking.com/
http://www.livingdesignsunlimited.com/
http://www.twitter.com/faithladydeana
http://www.linkedin.com/com/in/deanamurphy

Deana Murphy’s accomplishments:

  • Recently included in Metropolitan’s Registry Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women 2007
  • Featured in O at Home Magazine 2006–Renovation Rescue
  • Showcased as one of Philadelphia’s Finest Designers, Spectacular Homes of Greater Philadelphia, Panache Partners, LLC, 2006
  • Featured in Homes of Color Magazine 2004, 2005, 2007
  • Featured speaker/panelist American Society of Interior Designer’s Interior’s 08

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