Virtual Book Tour, Born 2 Be Different by LaToya Gay, #newrelease #christian #nonfiction #youth #inspiration

Book Title: Born 2 Be Different: 

Empowering Stories by Young Women 

Who Overcame the Odds of the World 

to Make a Kingdom Impact

Genre: Christian/Youth/Inspiration

Release Date: February 15th 2014

Print Length: 115 pages

Publisher: LaToya Gay (February 14, 2015)

ASIN: B00TFXLE26

LaToya Gay is the founder of VirtuallyNSync, LLC, (founded in November 2012) previously known as a resource for VA’s and Work at Home Moms but recently changed the direction of her career and is now considered a virtual resource center for young women under the ages of 30 years old. LaToya has now stepped out of her comfort zone from previously running a successful virtual assistant team to now becoming a youth empowerment speaker and mentor to young women around the globe. With her newest book series Born 2 Be Different releasing in 2015, she wants young women who are dealing with low self-worth and self-esteem to understand that they are not alone.

After having several health issues with her last pregnancy in 2009 and with the support of her husband of 5 years she was able to leave her full time job and become a full time stay at home mother. This was definitely a huge decision for their family and a journey that challenged LaToya to launch out into the deep. LaToya is very passionate about helping young women push through their doubts and chase after their dreams by accepting the purpose for their life and realizing that they were created to stand out from the crowd and live life differently. In addition to launching her business, she was able to start her own full service Christian virtual assistant team which served over 23 clients nationwide. She has been featured in an interview with Tamyka Washington of Marketing her Way, Nominated for “Woman of the Year” with WERock Awards, Nominated for “Leading mom in business” with StartUpNation and featured in an interview with Leslie Truex of Work at Home Success.
LaToya is on fire for Christ and as a licensed and ordained minister, has made it her personal mission to help young women Be,Live and Do Life Differently while making a Kingdom Impact. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, singing and whatever the future holds for her and her family.

7 women OVER 30. (Paving the Way)

7 women UNDER 30. (Setting the Record Straight)

What do each of these 14 women have in common?

They each have a powerful story of how they OVERCAME the odds of the WORLD to make a KINGDOM impact.

Each woman has a different yet powerful testimony that will allow young women to understand that they are NOT alone.

We have all been through disappointments, struggles, pain, hurt and so many setback in life.
However, it is these very setbacks and “tests” that help us grow and accept that we were called to stand out, be different and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

As young women, we often have low self-esteem, low self-worth and have accepted the LIE that we will NEVER overcome our failures, our past and our pain. This is NOT TRUE! You are beautiful, You are different and you were born 2 be different!

Born 2 Be Different is a 4 part book series that targets young women and men under the ages of 30 years old. Our first book is set to launch in February 2015 and is dedicated to every young girl across the nation.

Website         Facebook

Tour Hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours

5 Ways to Empower Women to Grow: Spiritually and Emotionally, by Paulette Harper #guestpost #spirituality #purpose #amreading #tips

Finding Purpose

"Life without purpose is time without meaning"

 Dr. Miles Monroe

“So many of us allow bad experiences to get the best of us and we don’t learn how to turn those experiences into stepping stones for us to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially or socially. I would be the first to agree that life can be hard and challenging however if we take a look back and begin to analyze how to use those bad experiences to help us in one area of our life, we will never look at bad experiences the same.”

Coming from Paulette Harper‘s book Completely Whole, which provides women of all ages with keys to living a life on purpose, spirit, soul and body.

Finding Purpose in Life

Learning How to Live a Happier Life

1. Accepting that sometimes the “Why” will never get answered. Handling our experience better, comes when we accept the fact that many times we won’t be able to change the outcome to what has happened. We can be resolved knowing it happened for some purpose or reason. 

2. There is no easy way out. Many times we want to escape the bad experiences by not dealing with them head on, but that won’t solve anything. Stop for a moment, look at the situation and make the necessary changes that are required to be more empowered.

3. Realize that God is in control. Our lives are totally in the hands of someone who knows how all things will pan out. Trust Him in every situation, knowing that He will guide you as you look to Him for help.

4. Forgive yourself and others. In life people will hurt us. That includes family, spouses, children, and parents. As you forgive others for their trespasses, people will also forgive you.

5. Pray that God will show you what it is He is trying to teach you. Allow this opportunity to let God reveal to you what lessons are to be learned. Treat each experience as a great opportunity to grow and mature.

About The Author

A multi-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes both Christian fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. She is a blogger and entrepreneur who owns Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours. Paulette Harper is from Northern California who enjoys the beautiful weather, shopping and spoiling her two adorable granddaughters. 

Buy Links

Amazon

Kindle 

Website 

#BookBlast How Sweet The Sound, Historical Gospel Fiction by Vanessa Miller

Author is offering 2 ARC of #HSTS. Open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Title: How Sweet the Sound

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Abingdon Press (March 4, 2014)

ISBN-10: 1426749287

ISBN-13: 978-1426749285

Genre: Historical Gospel Fiction

About The Book

Shar Gracey wants nothing more than to sing the Lord’s praises, so she jumps at the chance to join a traveling choir led by the father of black gospel music, Thomas A. Dorsey. Better yet, the opportunity will give her money to pay for her ailing mother’s medical care.

While on tour she falls under the tutelage of gospel great Mahalia Jackson—and falls for the handsome but not-so-great Nicoli James, whose desires for Shar are fueled by his own greed. Shar would do anything for Nicoli—and he knows it—so when his life is threatened after a night of gambling, Shar agrees to help pay Nicoli’s debt, only to have her faith and dreams shattered.

Reeling from the betrayal, Shar loses her voice and she believes that she will never sing again. She has no place to run except back home to her seriously ill mother—and the man she left behind, who would move heaven and earth to make Shar’s pain go away. Even if it means he has to let her go . . . again.

About The Author

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions.
Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming. Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

Social Links:

Email: vmiller-01@earthlink.net
Website: http://vanessamiller.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vanessamiller01
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vanessamiller01
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77899021863/

Buy Links:

Amazon paperback: http://www.amazon.com/How-Sweet-Sound-Vanessa-Miller/dp/1426749287/ref=vanessamil-20

Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/How-Sweet-Sound-Book-ebook/dp/B00I11W3CS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-sweet-the-sound-vanessa-miller/1118719005?ean=9781426749285&isbn=9781426749285

Hosted by Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com

Author Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/vanessa-miller-how-sweet-the-sound/

The Predatory Lies of Anorexia #BookBlast & #Amazon #Giveaway

Amazon Gift Card Raffle Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Paperback: 196 pages

Publisher: Bettie Youngs Book Publishers (March 17, 2014)

ISBN-10: 1940784174

ISBN-13: 978-1940784175

About The Book

I want. I want you to want me. I want you to think I am the smartest, the thinnest, the most beautiful. I want you to want to be me. I want to be enviable. I want to be impervious. I want to need nothing. I want you to know that I am strong. I want to think I am better than everyone else. I want.
I’m willing to give up everything. I will give up mind and future. I will give up health, happiness and peace. I will give up family, friends and fun. I will give up rest and comfort. I will give up food. But please, just let me keep faith.

In this raw telling of her long struggle with anorexia, Abby Kelly reveals the predatory lies that ran rampant in her disordered mind. She will lead readers through the fight to her final victory.
Readers will find empathy, compassion and insight in these pages. Most of all, they will find hope for recovery and a life beyond the battle.

Meet The Author

Abby Kelly is a nomadic, military spouse writing from wherever she momentarily finds herself with her husband, their wonderful dog, Brave, and two tolerable cats.
Abby began writing in the process of recovering from a more-than-decade long eating disorder. She credits Jesus Christ for her full recovery and for filling her with a passion to encourage others to seek freedom from their own addictions and struggles. Now, Abby writes for numerous Christian publications as well as maintains her personal blog, Predatory-Lies. In her free time, she and Brave enjoy volunteering in hospitals and schools as a pet therapy team through Pet Partners

Buy The Book

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Predatory-Lies-Anorexia-Survivors/dp/1940784174/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389903345&sr=8-2&keywords=predatory+lies

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1c9tzZ7

Links to Visit

Email Address: abbykelly1980@gmail.com

Website www.predatory-lies.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/predatorylies

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/benjity

“The Flight”

“You will never see me again!” I screamed. I knew I was running out of time as we approached the airport. “I’ll die there! I’m never coming home.”

“Abby, stop. You are getting yourself all worked up and we have to go inside now.” My father parked the car in the dismal parking garage. Ignoring my residual choking on tears, he got out of the car and began to extract the suitcases, careful not to get any dirt on his jeans.
Daddy always looked sharp, one more thing I hated about myself. In the last several years I had become more of a skeleton freak show than an attractive daughter he could be proud of. My face was gaunt and haggard and wore the look of an aging smoker. My breasts were flat and my waist curve-less, like a prepubescent boy. I wore sea-foam green sweat pants with the word “SPIRIT” in block letters down my right leg. The sweats hung around my thighs like a tent missing poles, but I liked them because I felt small inside them. A sloppy white t-shirt blaring “SPIRIT” as well, topped the ensemble.

“Abby, get out of the car.”

I debated for a moment, but knew that I’d never win. The wildest of my tantrums were no match for Dad’s strength, but until now, at least in the battle of wills, I had triumphed. Two days prior my parents played their trump card.
“We’ve tried everything.” My parents had me cornered in their bedroom. Mom spoke because I listened more calmly to her. “We’ve been patient while you’ve promised over and over to try. We are really, really worried about you.”
Mom’s voice broke there. Dad turned and glared at my little sisters eavesdropping from the bedroom doorway. Two sets of chocolate brown eyes and one blue pair ducked back into the hallway. Then he shut the door and stepped forward.

“You promised to gain ten pounds in two months.” Dad’s voice was taut. The six-foot-four man that I once thought invincible slouched beneath a heavy burden. “Over a month ago, you agreed to the ultimatum that you would gain eight pounds. You’re nowhere near that. You need help and this is not a discussion. Remuda Ranch agreed to admit you, and we need to be there the day after tomorrow.” Daddy turned and left the room.

I slumped to my knees on the floor. “Please, please, please, Mom! Don’t send me away. I can’t be gone for two months. You might as well disown me. I’ll die there!”

Tour Hosted by Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tour

Author Tour Page: http://wnlbooktours.com/abby-kelly/

I DIDN’T KNOW VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR with YVETTE ALLEN- TATUM

Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Kingdom Publishing Group, Inc. (March 15, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0988312670
ISBN-13: 978-0988312678

About The Book

“I Didn't Know" is for more than just an audience of one. If you look to your left, look to your right, or directly in the mirror, you will see or know someone who has been sexually abused... even if you look in the mirror, and the person is YOU! More than the tragedy of sexual abuse is the tragedy of the silence of sexual abuse. It must be talked about. Our stories have to be shared; someone's life is literally depending upon YOU to BREAK THE IGNORANCE OF SILENCE! "I Didn't Know" brings to the forefront the many hidden faces of child sexual abuse. The author, Yvette L. Allen-Tatum, shares not only her story, but the compelling testimonies of others--everyone from the actual victim, to the offender, to those who standby by in disbelief and allow these heinous crimes against our children to continue. Our voices have to be heard, our children must be free or freed to tell the TRUTH: that someone touched them. Who can they run to? Will it be you?

About The Author

Author, Teacher, Conference Host, Public Speaker, Encourager, Motivator, Ordained & licensed Minister of The Gospel, Radical for Christ, undercover Comedian and the list goes on...
Yvette is a graduate of Grace Christian College where she earned her Masters of Divinity and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. She is also a graduate of University of Richmond, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and a Minor in Leadership Studies. In addition, she has 30 plus years of experience in income tax preparation and bookkeeping.
As the Founder of Surrounded by Faith Ministries, Yvette has had the opportunity to touch and transform the lives of many women with the Word of God. This mighty Woman of God has a prophetic teaching anointing which has enabled her to cross many boundaries. As such, the Call of God on her life has broadened from transforming the lives of women to transforming LIVES with the Word of God. While she still holds a passion to train and equip women in the life study and application of the Bible, her ultimate goal is to strengthen families. To do so her platform is geared to men, women and children.
From The Author
I Didn't Know - Identifying, Confronting & Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse - the title is indicative of the subject matter. In this book the author brings to the forefront the many faces of child sexual abuse; those of the victims and the abusers. Yvette Allen-Tatum boldly confronts her past of child sexual abuse to demonstrate that TRUE deliverance is possible. Yvette believes that we ALL (victims, abusers, enablers, nay-sayers, etc.) can OVERCOME the horrible effects of child sexual abuse.
This book proves that true healing is possible and necessary for us to become more than CONQUERORS through Christ Jesus.

As a community, we have to:

Identify Child Sexual Abuse –
We have to talk about it (raise public awareness)
Know the signs & symptoms
Confront Child Sexual Abuse –
Error on the side of caution – THE CHILD
Be quick to BELIEVE the victim and make all necessary inquiries
Studies show people are more apt to believe the innocence of the accused; this has to END
Overcome Child Sexual Abuse –
We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the WORD of OUR TESTIMONY

Connect with the Author

Email Address: Loosed03@gmail.com
Website http://www.yvetteallentatum.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/loosed03
Facebook: Facebook.com/Yvette.tatum

Buy Links

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/om77u4q
Barnes & Nobles: http://tinyurl.com/ngowlaq
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/PXXx89XTDOA
Author Tour Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/yvette-allen-tatum/

Virtual Book Tour K.E. Allen

 About the Book

How does a person move from a place deficient of light?  How can an individual shift from a place of complete and utter chaos, obscurity, apathy, and adversity?  The pathway to transformation is through in-depth conversations with the One True God of Creation–El·ō·hēm'.  For you to move to a place of prophetic providence, your conversation must be divinely inspired.  Hebrews 11:3 states: “The worlds were framed by the Word of God.”  Framing begins with an idea, expands as a result of the imagination, and gives life through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through divine utterance for a specific purpose.  Declaring the Word of God releases the creative power of God for authentic transformation.
K. E. Allen designed this book to draw you into a deeper conversation with the Father to renew your prayer life, mend your brokenness, enlighten your pathway, and arrange your chaos according to the divine order of God. This resource will help you exercise your kingly and priestly authority and impose kingdom mandates to release God’s original intent in your life, family, community, city, region, and nation.  It will encourage you to frame your prophetic destiny.

About the Author 

K. E. ALLEN has proven to be an incredible, spiritual force in the Kingdom of God by displaying a God given indomitable spirit to change atmospheres and environments. Through the extraordinary gift of intercession and pure worship, she has become a spiritual weapon in the hand of the Lord whose knowledge is relevant for the church today. She is a dynamic leader, extravagant worshiper and prophetic intercessor whose worship has become a definitive lifestyle that penetrates and permeates every facet of her life and the lives of those she touches.  Karla is a leader to leaders and lives a life of committed consistent intercession, giving selflessly of herself in her prayer closet.  For over 20 years, as a student and teacher of the Word and woman of faith, she implements the truth of the Bible through the dynamics of intercession and worship that releases a tangible anointing.  Knowing firsthand the transformative power of God in her own life, she is determined to see others healed, delivered and set free. Karla will stop at nothing to see God move in the lives of His people!

Order Your Copy

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Watchman-Prayers-Prophetic-Destiny/dp/0985448008/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351250787&sr=1-11&keywords=k.e.+allen

E-book:

www.kindle.amazon.com

http://ebookstore.sony.com/

www.barnesandnoble.com/NOOK

Connect with Karla

Email: customercare@freshreign.com

Website: www. freshreign.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FreshReignPublishing

Twitter: @ fresh_reign

 AUTHOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Tell us about yourself?

I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA.  I have a strong legacy of women and men of God that have impacted my life.  But, the person who has had the greatest influence on my life is my grandmother, Mary Williams.  She was a strong woman of faith and prayer.  In a denomination where female preachers were not accepted, one could always find her preaching, teaching, and hosting meetings/shut-ins where people would be filled with the Holy Spirit and demons were cast out. In fact, I have her ordination papers that she kept hidden under her bed.  Why do I tell you about my grandmother when you ask about me?  Because if it wasn’t for her courage and strength I would not be who I am.  I watched her life until the day of her passing and as an adult, it is my desire to emulate her life.  As she was a woman of wisdom and grace, so am I.  Who am I?  Inside of me is a strong inheritance of prayer, faith, and a full life in Christ Jesus-all passed down to me by my grandmother, my grandfather, and my parents.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?

By far, the most difficult aspect of writing this book was the editing process.

Did you have to do any special research for this book?

When one writes about principles pertaining to the Bible, there is always extensive research and study involved so as to ensure accuracy.

Why do you write? Is it something you have always done or always wanted to do? Or is it something you started fairly recently?

I write because it is a passion I enjoy.  As far as I can remember, I have always loved to write.  As a young child I wrote fiction stories all the time.  In my teenage years, I wrote poetry and by the time was in college I started writing songs.   So, writing, in some form, has always been a part of my life.

How did you feel when you received the first copy of your book?

It was a surreal moment.  Being able to hold what God had given me in my hands literally overwhelmed me.  My heart was filled with so much gratitude towards God and all the people that had help my God-given dream become a reality.

Stephanie Acon Virtual Book Tour

 About the Book

  

Have you ever experienced a premonition that you just couldn't shake? A foreboding dream or sign that you deeply wanted to ignore but...your spirit just wouldn't release it? Well meet Gabriana Hilson... 
Gabriana is a dreamer in more than one way. She has daydreams of living the good life on her terms, and without compromise. But then, there are the “other” dreams. The very strange and disturbing omens that come while sleeping. They whisper the conflict of everything, and arrange messages that Gabriana doesn't want to hear...or see. Especially the ones about her boyfriend. She wants them to just go away. But they won't. The visions only multiply, and are rapidly distorting her reality, threatening and interrupting the life that she wants so badly to exist. That's a problem.

To Gabriana, Scholar is the king of kings. She is willing to sacrifice it all for him, including family, friends, God, and her sanity. She believes that Scholar is a beautiful dream come-true...but is he really? After signing a record deal as a rapper, Scholar brings Gabriana along for the roller coaster ride of her life. He knows how much she loves him so when the drama begins, he uses his manipulative tactics to hold her in place. He is the ruler of their world, and everything is running the way he has always planned until things go horribly wrong. Suddenly, a well-planned dream quickly turns into the nightmare of all nightmares. Both Scholar and Gabriana learn the hard way to expect the unexpected - for he comes out of the blue. Or does he? He is extremely calculating...and his name is Khali Simone. After meeting him... Gabriana has no idea of the door she opens. Will she discover the truth behind her peculiar premonitions, and make a meditative escape?...Or will Gabriana continue to run until she falls?

About the Author

Stephanie Acon has been writing edgy fiction tales and poetry since the age of ten years old. However, it wasn't until the age of 21, when she found Hip-Hop, (or Hip-Hop found her) that subsequently she became known to the underground Hip-Hop world as NinaRaw. For ten years consistent, she rocked with force, and played a vital part on the side of Systematic Muzick Inc. ('The OESC' and 'The Murc Unit'). In the mist of performing, writing, rhyming, recording, selling and shopping mixtapes...amongst the community, somewhere, NinaRaw became hailed and dubbed as the "queen". And not by way of cliché props, but strictly because those saying the title "queen" meant it when they said it, and said it when they felt it necessary. 'ESCAPE FROM A NIGHTMARE' is her first urban fiction novel. Her inspirations have been drawn from the many experiences she has endured, observed, and inhabited in the streets of St. Louis. 

Prologue

Tall houses surrounded the large pond. There was a great distance between them, but somehow, they all appeared together. He watched her through the upstairs window. Her hair was thick and curly, but the strands were disarrayed. The dress she wore was a dingy white. She sat before the pond with bare feet curled at her side. She intrigued him.

Slowly, he approached her from behind. The cold air caused the pond to release a steamy mist that blended with the surrounding fog. He wanted to touch her, but he did not want to frighten her. So he stood. Then, he looked up to the dimly lit sky. The sun peeked through one great hole amongst the clouds. It appeared a million light years away.

He then lowered his head to look at her. She stretched out her legs before the pond and was about to place her bare feet into the freezing water. “Stop!” he shouted.

He thought she would turn completely around, but she didn’t. She only slightly turned, exposing the side of her chocolate-brown face. He noticed the dimple as she smirked. With her legs still outstretched, she dipped part of her feet into the water.

Stephanie can be reached at:

Email: scacon007@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stephanieacon?ref=ts&fref=ts

Order Your Copy:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Nightmare-Stephanie-Acon/dp/0983486026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350501048&sr=1-1&keywords=stephanie+acon

Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escape-from-a-nightmare-stephanie-acon/1034986388?ean=9780983486022

Author Interview

Please tell our readers something about yourself?

I use to be an underground hiphop artist who was so nice that I could compete with the best male rappers out there. But I have come to learn that just because you can do something does not mean it is your calling. Sometimes your calling is so strong that it spills over into other areas, which is why you seem to be so amazing at it – but still it is not your calling. So with that being said, I have since left behind the dark world of hiphop and the  lifestyle surrounding it to take up that which God has gifted me to be since the age of eleven…and that is a WRITER…not a rapper. 

Could you please give us a blur about your present or upcoming book?

The star character, Gabriana, is a dreamer. She's has daydreams of escaping the lonely torment of her everyday life, and then, there are the "other" dreams - the ones that come while sleeping - in the form of omens. These messages threaten the life that Gabriana has planned for herself. They whisper the conflict of everything and this female is not trying to hear or see any of that, so she ignores the dreams and the premonitions - especially those about her boyfriend..and that is because she has exalted this dude. She puts him before and above everybody, including her family, friends, God, and even her sanity. She has made the ultimate sacrifice for love. And that turns out to be a fatal nightmare. 

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book?

Have a reason why you’re doing it…and please, understand the level of responsibility that you will be taking on by getting inside of the souls of each reader. You will be held accountable for every seed you implant in those minds so just remember that. 

How can our readers get in touch with you?

My website is currently under construction but will be up very soon. In the meantime, readers can reach me on Facebook tagged Stephanie Nina Acon – and – Twitter @ 1queen1nina.

What type of comments or feedback have you received about your book(s)?

Many and they are varied. However, it’s shocking to me but the most common one comes in the form of …”Oh my God, this is my life!”

Fiction Author Brenda Barrett

Welcome Brenda to Empowered to Prosper

Tell us about yourself.

Hi everyone, my name is Brenda Barrett and I am a bookaholic. My addiction to books started quite early in life. One day when I was about six or seven our television broke down and I was stuck at home with only my mother's vast bookcase for entertainment. I’ve not been the same since. I’ve gone from being an avid reader to writing, and I love it. There's nothing else I'd rather do, though I have tried doing other things. I lectured at a university for a few years and I even worked in the corporate world in human resources.

Tell our readers about your journey to writing.

 I loved going to Library Studies class in high school. The classes were kept in the library, which was the oldest building on campus, it was always a treat to sit in the old building and soak up the atmosphere.

In one particular library studies class, my teacher told us to write a book, it could be on any subject. It should be punctuated properly and have a coherent story line. The assignment would be 70% of our overall grade.

I was super excited. I loved to read; now I was going to write! I was listening to Phil Collins' “Another Day In Paradise” at the time and I wrote a touching story about a woman who was kicked out of her family home because she was different. I got full marks for that story and after that I started writing several short stories for the entertainment of my family and friends.

     

What was your path towards publication like?

 In 2004 I sent my first manuscript to a publishing house in Jamaica and it was kindly rejected. I got very detailed feedback from that publisher that I am still grateful for. So armed with the advice, I decided not to waste my time getting publishers to publish my work. I decided to learn the publishing process and do it myself.

How do you balance your life as an author with your duties as a business person, employee, parent and/or spouse?  

I am always struggling for balance, I would love to write all day when I am inspired and not having to think about the real world. When I got married, my husband had to adjust to me being absent for a while but now he is a pro at it. Luckily, I have capable persons running various aspects of my business and I have put aside time for important things like daily devotion and exercise that I will not trespass against no matter how involved I am with a book.

What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?

Exercise; walking is especially good and is even better if you are walking with somebody you can bounce ideas off.

What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?

Write from the heart not from some notion about what you think the marketplace wants.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?

My latest book, The Preacher and The Prostitute, is about an ex-prostitute who has left her past behind and is now a respectable Christian. She falls in love with the handsome single pastor and finds herself painstakingly trying to hide her past from him as he reciprocates her feelings.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I am always fascinated with the meeting of opposites, and I sometimes ponder the possibilities. What could be more opposite than a preacher who is very conscious of morality and a prostitute whose profession is regarded by society as the height of immorality.

I had a conversation with a friend, who was looking for movie ideas and I said I was thinking of writing a book about a preacher and a prostitute. His eyes lit up, he was so excited. When  I ran through the plot I was thinking of by him, he was beside himself with glee, write it! Write it!, he said. So I went home and did just that.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?

The most difficult part of writing this book was the last four or so chapters. Usually I have a clear idea as to how I would end a book but this time there was nothing. I did not want an unrealistic, rushed ending, nor did I want it to end on a cliffhanger. So I took a long break and then wrote the ending five to six months after.

Did you have to do any special research for your book?  

No not really. I spoke to some few pastors about a few scenarios and noted their reactions, I wanted an authentic pastoral view but that was pretty much it.

What’s ahead for your writing?

I have already completed my eighth book, Private Sins, It is the story about a pastor's wife who had an affair with the first elder in her church and subsequently got pregnant with his baby. Could she keep the secret from her husband and pretend that all was well? Or should she confess her private sin and let the chips fall where they may?

I’m already half way through writing number nine and plan to write one novel a month until my birthday in May next year -- It’s crazy, I know.

What opportunities have opened up because of your writing?

I have gotten queries from two persons so far who are interested in turning one or more of my books into movies, its still early days, so we'll see how that goes.

How can people connect with you? List links

I am working on a personal blog but readers can find me at one of my other blogs:

·         Fiwibooks.com

·         Blackhair101.com 

Readers can also connect with me on:

·         Twitter.com/AuthorWriterBB

·         www.facebook.com/AuthorBrendaBarrett

·         www.goodreads.com/author/show/4414019.Brenda_A_Barrett

Where can readers purchase copies of your books?

Readers can find my books at all major online book retailers. Here are links to the major two:

·         amazon.com/author/brendabarrett

·         www.barnesandnoble.com/c/brenda-a-barrett