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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sherri Lewis, author of Selling My Soul

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Sherri Lewis, author of Selling My Soul
(Urban Christian)

When Trina Michaels returns from her two-year mission trip in Mozambique, other than longing to see her mother and her best friend, her heart aches to fly back to the place that now feels more like home than anywhere she’s ever lived and to the man who’s stolen her heart. Her dreams are short-lived when learns that her mother has been diagnosed with cancer, and the cost of treatment is expensive.

She’s forced to return to her career in public relations and is assigned a damage control client – the bishop of a mega-church where an associate pastor and deacon were accused of sexually abusing young boys. One of the young boys has grown up to become her best friend’s husband and a popular gospel recording artist.

Representing Bishop Walker could cost Trina her most valued friendship, her reputation and a future with her new love. As she plows deeper into the scandal and the bishop blackmails her to cover the church’s secrets and lies, Trina realizes it could cost her soul.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Selling My Soul?

Sherri Lewis: Selling My Soul is actually a sequel to my debut novel, My Soul Cries Out. In the prequel, Trina’s best friend Monica comes home to find her husband, the minister of music in the church, in bed with another man. She discovers that he’s been struggling with his sexual identity ever since he was molested by two deacons in his church as a young boy.

The Bishop of the church attempted to cover it up because he built his church on the anointed praise and worship of Kevin, Monica’s husband. The Bishop can’t afford to lose his mega-church status over such a scandal. Readers enjoyed My Soul Cries Out immensely and in every email I got about the book, they asked for a sequel.

Selling My Soul was written at their request and dealt with all the issues they felt needed to be dealt with after the first book. In Selling My Soul, all the pressing questions are answered – what happened to Monica and Kevin? What happened to their best friends and Trina? And what happened to the Bishop and those dirty deacons?

JP: What sets Selling My Soul apart from other novels in its genre? Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sherri Lewis, author of Selling My Soul →

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… Ben Blaze, author of Forbidden

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Ben Blaze, author of Forbidden
(Tinsley Phelps)

Khalil Grisby, the son of a legendary gangster, keeps his mouth closed and takes a murder charge for his best friend, aspiring entrepreneur Naishawn Oliver. After Khalil is incarcerated, his mother acts quickly on her hate, banishing his fiance, Classy De Luca, from the family in his absence.

Having no family to speak of, Classy reaches out to Naishawn for a place to lay her head. What begins as a friendly gesture blossoms into an infatuation that not even their current relationships or conscience can break. As they continue in this forbidden love, Khalil’s appeal looms while his family’s deadly affairs threaten to claim every life involved.

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

Ben Blaze: The inspiration came from my love of tragedies and my love for hip hop. I discovered Shakepeare in junior high listened to rappers like Biggie, Nas and Big L tell stories in their raps. I was always intrigued by them and continue to be. Also, real life situations shaped my thoughts and inspired me to use my creative license to mold this tragic tale.

JP: The love triangle is a critical driving force in Forbidden. What place does love have in Urban Fiction from your perspective? Continue reading 5 Minutes 5 Questions With… Ben Blaze, author of Forbidden →

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Jaree Francis, author of Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jaree Francis, author of Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss
(self-published)

Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss. The tale focuses on a band of brothers, Reznor, Lando, Chase $ and Nimrod, who are being pulled apart as they embark on the road to their individual destinies. They have been friends for many years, but things are changing. Metra City is ridden with gang violence, drug trafficking and poverty, yet some see a ray of light through all of the darkness. While some embrace wretched paths, others seek refuge.

This story is very fresh and introduces you to interesting characters such as the femme fatale Regalia, the ever prayerful Forever, a young and untamable vixen known simply as Tara, and also Chase’s children’s mother, Lara. Definitely worth the read, and it is also absent of profanity.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss?

Jaree Francis: I would have to say that it’s pre-programmed in my DNA. I drew inspiration from a higher realm. I’m not great, only God is. So I simply went beyond myself and wrote a story that gives you multiple angles of street life.

JP: What sets Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss apart from other books in its genre? Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Jaree Francis, author of Metra City: Destiny’s Kiss →