Money Never Sleeps: A Millionaire Wives Club Novel (One World/Ballantine – December, 2011; $15) features Milan, Jaise, and Chaunci who are the gorgeous, high-rolling divas starring in the hit reality show Millionaire Wives Club. As they struggle with love, lies, lust, and the pressures of sudden fame, their friendships turn into cat fights that keep the cameras following all their malicious moves.

Milan is finally engaged to Kendu, the man of her dreams, and though things look perfect on the outside, distrust and jealousy are crumbling their romance. Jaise has found the love she so desperately craves, but her son, Jabril, remains the No. 1 man in her life—for better or for worse. And Chaunci, the independent, single mom who doesn’t feel she needs a man, is contemplating taking the plunge into a deep love affair—but will the man she chooses have room in his life for her? Add to this crafty cast Vera, a venomous new vixen who plays the game better than any of them, and you’ve got a season even more scintillating than the last.

Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker is the Essence bestselling author of Millionaire Wives Club, The Ex Factor, Flip Side of the Game, and Game Over. Under the pseudonym Risqué, she’s written the One World erotic novels Smooth Operator, Red Light Special, and The Sweetest Taboo. She received the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Dubois International Award for fiction writing. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters.

You can contact and follow Tu-Shonda Whitaker on Facebook, HERE!

You can purchase your copy of Money Never Sleeps at Amazon, HERE!

Kevin Taylor Releases Two New Books That Inspire & Empower Readers

Author Suzetta Perkins Returns With New Novel, “Betrayed”

Katrina, Cairo’s cut throat killer from the Kat Trip, is back with a score to settle! It was her cutthroat ambition and ruthlessness that got Katrina, “Kat”, out of the hood and on top of her game. Once a murderer on a seductive prowl with two missions in mind—satisfying her insatiable libido and killing unsuspecting marks—Katrina has lain down her guns. Having once used her alluring charm and exotic beauty to lure men to their deaths, Katrina has had a change of heart.

She’s settled for a simpler life and traveling, partying, and shopping have become her only guilty pleasures. In addition, she’s avoiding relationships and men like the plague. For her, life couldn’t be any sweeter—at least that’s what she wants to believe.

But, when drama rears its ugly head, Kat returns with a vengeance. There’s the issue of confronting her ex-friend who she learned had slept with an old boyfriend. Then there are her three aunts—who are angry about how she treated her mother.

And now she has to face her family, her demons, and the woman behind them—reopening old wounds, trying to mend new ones. Ultimately Kat has a new mission: to find the man behind her mother’s death and serve him up a dish of her own justice the only way she knows how—with a bullet to his head.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cairo is the author of The Kat Trap, The Man Handler, Deep Throat Diva, and Daddy Long Stroke. His travels to Egypt are what inspired his pen name. Visit him on Facebook, HERE!

You can order a copy of Kitty-Kitty, Bang Bang on Amazon, HERE!

In the tradition of Walter Mosley and Chester Himes comes OUR MAN IN THE DARK by Rashad Harrison (Atria Books, November 2011, $25), a debut novel about a civil rights worker who becomes an informant for the FBI.  Proving once again that fact is stranger than fiction, OUR MAN IN THE DARK follows last year’s revelation that famed civil rights photographer, Ernest Withers, was an FBI informant – and that informants were placed throughout black movement organizations. Skillfully plotted, with remarkably complex characters set against one of the most dramatic times in our nation’s history, OUR MAN IN THE DARK is a timely exploration of morality, personal ambition, and the high cost of change.

“Most people let the beast in them run amok, John. And they merely shrug their shoulders at the damage left in its wake. America has let that beast run wild. I may not be morally perfect, but we are on the right side of morality. We need to remind America of its moral obligation to accept the struggle within itself.”

So says Martin Luther King, Jr in OUR MAN IN THE DARK, speaking to John Estem, one of his foot-soldiers in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It’s the summer of 1964, and Estem is a downtrodden number-cruncher, a man with a polio-inflicted limp and only the dimmest hope of career mobility. Marginalized even by his fellow SCLC members, Estem desperately wants to contribute more to the movement than just his bookeeping skills. An outsider who longs for relevance, Estem  is tormented by the things that are so close and yet out of reach: Money. Influence. The woman he loves.

And so one day, Estem decides to help himself to a ten thousand dollar donation check meant for the SCLC, and finds himself in the custody of the FBI.  They not only know about the check, they have been watching him all along: If Estem wants to keep his theft from his fellow SCLC members, he needs to get the FBI the information they want: Specifically, any information that links Martin Luther King to the Communist Party.  “This country is under attack,” they tell him. “Every day, foreign interests threaten to unravel the very fabric of American society. This is a matter of national security.”

But it’s not just Communism the FBI is after, but King himself. And in this endeavor, they are not alone: Estem soon finds himself caught between two forces trying to bring down Martin Luther King – the FBI, and Count. While both parties want MLK taken down for different reasons, they play equally dirty.

With OUR MAN IN THE DARK, Rashad Harrison delivers characters that are neither good nor evil but a provocative combination of everything that makes us human. As their actions bring consequences the reader never anticipates, they beg the question: Is a great man defined by his weaknesses, or his strengths? OUR MAN IN THE DARK is a tautly plotted story that in the end reminds us that the more things change, the more things stay the same: The greatness of our country is limited only by our endless willingness to judge and destroy those who dare to dream of change and progress.

About the Author

Rashad Harrison’s writing has appeared in Reed Magazine, and he was a finalist for the Alexander Patterson Cappon Award in Fiction from New Letters Magazine. He has taught creative writing at New York University and, during the presidential campaign, he was a contributor to MedicineAgency.com, an online journal of political and cultural commentary. He recently received an honorable mention for the Gulf Coast Magazine Fiction Prize, and was shortlisted for an Editor’s Prize from Carve Magazine.

Harrison earned a Master of Fine of Arts in Creative Writing from New York University, where he was a Jacob K. Javits Fellow. He also attended post-baccalaureate writers program at Columbia University. He lives in Chicago. For more information, you can visit his website, HERE Or, you can visit him on Facebook, HERE!

Over 10 years as a pastoring, 20 years of ministry and social justice and a lifetime of caring about people through service, I have been capturing and captivated by words.  I have always been overwhelmed by the fact that people have always taken things that I’ve said and written and used them in their lives.  To have words come back at me has always been powerful, so going into this new year, I finally decided to take the sermons that people talked about Sundays after they were preached, the sayings that have followed me for years, the status updates that have garnered hundreds of comments and likes and the tweets that have been re-tweeted by many and assemble them in one book.

The book, released on 11-11-11, is about being able to have something in your spiritual, emotional and empowerment arsenal that can grab you and hoist you into clarity.  Some of the sayings are two words and some of the sermons are pages, but the end result is you being able to find something that changes your mind and your perspective and helps you continued on the course of greatness that is the intention of your LIFE!  You are not here by accident or incident. You are here on purpose and it’s time that you get off of the slow-moving, hard-working thing that got you to where you are today and do something at your next level!

ENVY: The Darkest Shade of Green

In Kevin Taylor’s previous novel, JADED, we met Joshua Arrington Knight and Elijah Monroe in a love story that author L.M. Ross (“The Long Blue Moan”) said, “Will change the way you see men, gay men, black gay men and even men and love. This is a masterpiece.”  Now, 5 years after they have come together, we go back into the story of the couple that dug their way out of jadedness and succeeded into love. But years later, did they make it?  Are they still together?  Did Joshua’s best friend Carlton, who moved to Europe with his professor-partner Donovan make it and discover that love and survive struggle?  DIVE INTO THE STORY OF ENVY and return to their story and meet young Kamal, who is young, beautiful and entitled and who’s willing to do whatever (and whomever) it takes to have the kind of career that he sees Eli having!

ENVY: The Darkest Shade of Green – It’s not pretty.  Love never is.  Unfortunately, neither is greed.

In Kevin Taylor’s previous novel, JADED, we met Joshua Arrington Knight and Elijah Monroe in a love story that author L.M. Ross (“The Long Blue Moan”) said, “Will change the way you see men, gay men, black gay men and even men and love. This is a masterpiece.”  Now, 5 years after they have come together, we go back into the story of the couple that dug their way out of jadedness and succeeded into love. But years later, did they make it?  Are they still together?  Did Joshua’s best friend Carlton, who moved to Europe with his professor-partner Donovan make it and discover that love and survive struggle?  DIVE INTO THE STORY OF ENVY and return to their story and meet young Kamal, who is young, beautiful and entitled and who’s willing to do whatever (and whomever) it takes to have the kind of career that he sees Eli having!

You can order both books from Kevin Taylor’s website, HERE!

You can also follow Kevin Taylor on Facebook, HERE!

Are you TEAM JASMINE or TEAM RACHEL?

Bestselling and award-winning novelists Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley bring their favorite heroines together in a novel that will delight their legions of fans. Victoria Christopher Murray’s Jasmine Cox Larson Bush and ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s Rachel Jackson Adams are not your typical First Ladies.

Jasmine Larson Bush and Rachel Jackson Adams are not your typical first ladies. But they’ve overcome their scandalous and drama-filled pasts to stand firmly by their husbands’ sides. When a coveted position opens up—president of the American Baptist Coalition— both women think their husbands are perfect for the job. And winning the position may require both women to get down and dirty and revert to their old tricks. Just when Jasmine and Rachel think they’re going to have to fight to the finish, the current first lady of the coalition steps in . . . a woman bigger, badder, and more devious than either of them. Double the fun with a message of faith, Sinners & Saints will delight readers with two of their favorite characters from two of their favorite authors.

You can order you copy of SINNERS & SAINTS: A Novel on Amazon, HERE!

About Victoria Christopher Murray:

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton University where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.

Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she tested her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria never lost the dream to write and when the “bug” hit her again in 1997, she answered the call.

Victoria originally self published Temptation. “I wanted to write a book as entertaining as any book on the market, put God in the middle, and have the book still be a page-turner. I wasn’t writing to any particular genre – I didn’t even know Christian fiction existed. I just wanted to write about people I knew and characters I could relate to.”

In 2000, Time Warner published Temptation. Temptation made numerous best sellers list and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months. In 2001, Temptation was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.

Since Temptation, Victoria has written nine other adult novels, including: JOY, Grown Folks Business, The Ex Files, and the popular Jasmine Cox Larson Bush series. She was a contributor to the first Christian fiction anthology, Blessed Assurance and the Contributing Editor for the Aspire Women of Color Bible published by Zondervan. Victoria has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being the pioneer in African American Christian Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won six African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year – Female.

In 2008, Victoria’s first novels in her Christian fiction teen series – The Divine Divas – were published. “I was concerned with what our young ladies were reading. I decided to do something about that – give them stories full of drama, but with a message.” The Divine Divas has already been optioned to become a television series.

Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. In Los Angeles, she attends Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church under the spiritual tutelage of Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford and in Washington, D.C., she fellowships at Metropolitan Baptist Church under Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. She is also a member of the Long Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

You can find out more about Victoria on her website, HERE! Or, you can visit her on Facebook, HERE!

About Reshonda Tate Billingsley:

ReShonda Tate Billingsley always did have an active imagination. From making up stories to crafting award-winning poems, the national bestselling author has always maintained a love for telling stories. After numerous rejections from publishers, ReShonda stepped out on faith, established her own publishing company, and released her debut novel, My Brother’s Keeper. The book caught the attention of one of the country’s top literary agents, who secured a deal for ReShonda with megahouse publisher, Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books.

A former television and radio news reporter, ReShonda has been in the journalism business for more than two decades. Currently, she is the co-host of From Cover to Cover literary talk radio show, a freelance reporter, an editor for the Houston Defender Newspaper, as well as a professional editor, ghost writer and literary consultant.   ReShonda recently added ‘actress’ to her impressive resume, starring in the national touring stage play “Marriage Material,” along with Allen Payne, Tank, T-Boz, Michael Colyar and Jill Marie Jones.  ReShonda has worked as a reporter for The National Enquirer and as an anchor and reporter for NBC, ABC and FOX television stations in Beaumont, TX, Oklahoma City, OK and Houston, TX. She left her job at FOX 26 News in Houston in 2007 to write full-time.

And write she does…

ReShonda is the national bestselling author of 21 titles (Eight adult novels, eight teen novels, one non-fiction, three anthologies and one poetry book). Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director.  Her teen books, Nothing But Drama and Caught up in the Drama are also being made into movies.

A much sought-after public speaker, ReShonda has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. Considered one of the top Inspirational Fiction authors in the country, her books have appeared on the Essence Bestseller’s list more than 20 times, as well as The Washington Post and Dallas Morning News Bestseller’s lists. Her books have also been featured in USA Today and Ebony Magazine as Summer Sizzlers and she was recently inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, along with R&B singer, Ne-Yo.

ReShonda’s upcoming projects include A Good Man is Hard to Find (Mar. 22, 2011), Saints and Sinners (collaboration with Victoria Christopher Murray, Jan. 2012), Say Amen, Again (July 2011) and A Little Bit of Karma (March 2012). Her current books include: Holy Rollers, The Devil is a Lie, Can I Get a Witness, The Pastor’s Wife, Let the Church Say Amen, Everybody Say Amen, I Know I’ve Been Changed and My Brother’s Keeper. Her teen novels include Drama Queens, Caught Up in the Drama, Nothing But Drama, Blessings in Disguise, With Friends Like These, Getting Even, Fairweather Friends, Friends ‘Til the End, and Caught up in the Drama. And the anthologies Have a Little Faith and Four Degrees of Heat. She has one non-fiction title, Help! I’ve Turned into my Mother.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, ReShonda is married with three small children and was recently voted a Top 25 Woman of Houston by Rolling Out Magazine.

You can find out more about ReShonda on her website, HERE! Or, you can visit her on Facebook, HERE!

We came up with our list of books that kept us glued to the pages, and yearn more from these authors.

In no particular order, these are the hottest books of 2011 that everyone should have on their shelves, and consider passing along as great Christmas stocking stuffers.

All books are available on Amazon or at your local book seller.

MOGUL: A Novel by Terrance Dean

Dean writes a fascinating fast-paced un-put-down-able book that gives reader’s an insiders a look into the down low world of the “Family” that makes up the music industry. And, they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their family at the top at all costs.

A Silken Thread by Brenda Jackson

As secrets old and new are revealed, a couple finds themselves caught between the bonds of the past and an uncertain future, each making painful discoveries about who to believe and trust.

Allure of the Game: A Novel by Danielle Santiago

Sexy, suspenseful, and unflinching, Allure of the Game gives fans exactly what they’ve been hoping for—a deeply satisfying conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy, packed with insight into the mean streets she knows so well.

Big Girls Do Cry by Carl Weber

The Big Girls Book Club, where members have to be at least a size 14; Sibling rivalry can escalate to open hostility, especially if your sister has married your rich ex-fiance.

Football Widows: A Novel by Pat Tucker

During football season, when NFL coaches gear up for war on the gridiron, their wives are left to fend for themselves. And what better way to exact that revenge than to air everyone’s dirty laundry in a juicy tell-all book!

Justify My Thug by Wahida Clark

Following the action of Thug Lovin’, the story rejoins the saga’s favorite couple, Tasha and Trae, as they try to overcome their troubles and make their marriage work.

Murderville: First Of A Trilogy by Ashley & JaQuavis

This is a story of love and redemption that will leave you breathless from the unpredictable and mind-blowing ending.

My Soul To Take: A Novel by Tananarive Due

Tananarive Due weaves a tangled web in this novel, including beloved characters from her bestselling Joplin’s Ghost, in a war of good against evil, making My Soul to Take a chilling and thrilling experience.

No One In The World: A Novel by E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson

E. Lynn Harris and RM Johnson— two powerful voices of a generation—unite with an insightful and emotional project that tackles themes of family, loyalty and identity.

Say Amen, Again by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

The spirited Houston congregation featured in ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s Let the Church Say Amen and Everybody Say Amen has a major scandal unfolding—and, as always, the outspoken Rachel Jackson Adams is at the heart of the drama.

Silver Sparrow: A Novel by Tayari Jones

Tayari Jones unveils a breathtaking story about a man’s deception, a family’s complicity, and two teenage girls caught in the middle.

Snitch: A Novel by Booker T. Mattison

In Jersey City the code of the streets is simple. No matter what, you don’t talk to the cops. You don’t snitch. But when young bus driver Andre Bolden witnesses a murder on his route, the code gets personal and every decision leads him deeper into worlds that he never intended to enter.

The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil: A Novel by Victoria Christopher Murray

The recession hits and rips apart a family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do. Until Shay-Shaunté, Evia’s multimillionaire boss, comes to the Langstons with a five-million-dollar offer that seems so hard to refuse.

The Goat Woman of Largo Bay: A Novel by Gillian Royes

The Goat Woman of Largo Bay begins the detective series featuring Shad, a bartender in a fishing village in Jamaica, who is the community problem solver and right hand of Eric, an American who owns the bar and a hotel left in ruins by a hurricane.

The VIPs: A Novel

On a steamy June day in New York City, mega-star rapper TNT gathers a group of four successful men together, childhood friends who called themselves “the VIPs,” signaling the big dreams they all once had. The VIPs, who haven’t seen one another in years, are greeted at the Hotel Gansevoort by an openly hostile TNT, who asks them the bombshell question: “Which one of you bastards is my father?”

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Great Gifts For “The Girl Who Has Everything”

Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Gifts For The Girl Who Likes To Entertain

Allison Hobbs is known for her titillating, salacious novels—Big Juicy Lips, Bona Fide Gold Digger, Dangerously in Love, and Climax. She published her 15^th novel, PUT A RING ON IT, this past summer; fans can’t seem to get enough of this grand dame of erotica fiction. This fall, she returns with SCANDALICIOUS (Strebor/Atria Books; October 2011; $15.00) a novel where scandal abounds as a couple takes on new lovers in the quest to save their marriage.

Allison Hobbs introduces us to Solay, a woman who went from baking in her kitchen to opening Scandalicious, a trendy cupcake shop known for its gorgeous and dangerously delicious cupcakes. Practically married to her business, Solay does not have time for romance or its complications.

After nine years of marriage and two kids, Chevonne is bored and her husband Lincoln is starved for physical attention. When the couple seeks help from a relationship counselor, he suggests they take a bold step and explore an open marriage. Six months later and happy with their new situation, Lincoln and Chevonne enter Scandalicious looking for some naughty treats. Sparks fly between Lincoln and Solay, and Solay is both shocked and thrilled to discover that Chevonne doesn’t mind sharing her husband.

What Chevonne doesn’t expect, however, is the emotional connection that appears to be developing between her husband and Solay. Is this really what the doctor ordered?

Author Bio

Known for writing provocative and controversial novels, Allison burst on the literary scene with her highly successful debut novel, Pandora’s Box, in 2003. A prolific writer, she is the national bestselling author of fourteen novels and novellas of multiple genres, including paranormal and fantasy. Allison is one of the contributing writers of Cinemax’s Zane’s Sex Chronicles, Season 1. Her novel, Double Dippin’ was nominated for the 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. The Climax was nominated for the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show. Big Juicy Lips was nominated for the 2009 African American Literary Awards Show. Allison received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University. She resides in Philadelphia, PA.

Visit the author HERE!

You can order your copy of Scandalicious on Amazon, HERE!

Readers are introduced to Setrina  “Mimi” Bailey. Mimi is carrying a nineteen-year-old secret that she’d like to remain hidden forever.  However, a move to Durham, North Carolina, threatens to expose her secret and forever disrupt the lives of those she’s protected from the truth all those years.

Mimi was raped by Victor Christianson, her best friend Brenda’s fiance, while they were in college.  Later, she gives birth to Afrika, now eighteen years old and college bound.  An expected call finds Brenda at Mimi’s doorstep, however Brenda isn’t ready for what Mimi lays on her:  Victor raped Mimi and Afrika is Victor’s child.

Later, Afrika is shot and Mimi is distraught; what Mimi needs at this moment is her husband, Raphael, who arrives from overseas the next day where he serves in the military.  Raphael is obsessed with finding who shot Afrika, and in his quest to do so, he learns much more—his wife’s secret, which means he’s not Afrika’s father.

Upon learning that Victor Christianson is Afrika’s father and possibly the person who shot her, Raphael seeks Victor who carjacks him at gunpoint.  Raphael makes a daring escape, however, hours later Victor is found dead.  Who killed Victor Christianson?

In a complex tale of mystery and suspense, BETRAYED explores the fine line between passion and power…and what we’ll do to protect the ones we love.

About the author:

A native of Oakland, California, Suzetta Perkins’ writing history dates back to her high school senior year when she shared the title of co-editor of her high-school yearbook.  Since then, she’s traveled the globe making stories of her own, which have been the subject of some of her unpublished short stories. Suzetta is the author of five published novels, Behind the Veil, A Love So Deep, Ex-Terminator: Life After Marriage, Déjà Vu, Nothing Stays the Same, and a contributing author of My Soul to His Spirit, an anthology that received the 2006 Fresh Voices Award. She is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of two delightful granddaughters.

You can visit Suzetta’s website, HERE!

You can also add her on Facebook, HERE!

You can order your copy of Betrayed on Amazon, HERE!

Essence bestselling author Travis Hunter tells the story of a young woman who takes control of her own destiny after lifelong abuse in MOMMA’S A VIRGIN (Strebor/Atria Books; September 2011; $15)

Ngiai Zaire never had a chance to choose her man. Raped at fourteen, her mother threw her out at sixteen and she was forced to live with a man three times her age. When that man died a mysterious death, his nephew stepped in to take his place. Abuse was all she’d known, until she decided she had enough.

Momma’s a Virgin is Ngiai’s struggle to overcome a horrible past and take control of her future. With the help of a brother she never knew she had, they settle all past scores—but is her quest for revenge going to jeopardize her future?

Travis Hunter is an author, songwriter and screenwriter. The Hearts of Men was self-published in 2000 by Hunter’s own company, Jimrose Publishing House. During the 2000 Book Expo America in Chicago, Hunter was signed by Random House’s imprint, Villard Books for the re-release of The Hearts of Men, Married but Still Looking, Trouble Man, A One Woman Man, Something to Die For, A Family Sin. Dark Child followed. Hunter is currently working on his first young adult novel.

Hunter is a native of Florence, S.C. and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He attended Clark Atlanta University, University of Washington and subsequently enrolled in Georgia State University where he majored in psychology.

During his tour of duty in the military, he discovered his interest in music, ultimately writing his first song for a Sony recording artist. Always an avid reader, Hunter parlayed his interest in music into a passion for storytelling that led to his critically acclaimed debut novel, The Hearts of Men.

Hunter lives in a suburb outside of Atlanta and is the founder of the Hearts of Men Foundation, through which he mentors underprivileged children.

You can find out more about Travis Hunter on his website, HERE!

You can order Momma’s A Virgin at Amazon, HERE!

On The Grind (Touchstone Books/Simon & Schuster Trade Paperback Original; January 2011; $15) introduced readers to Goldie, a misguided young woman who was bold enough to run a strip club out of her apartment after her relationship with an older, wealthy man is ended by his wife. Now, REAL WIFEYS: GET MONEY (Touchstone Books/Simon & Schuster Trade Paperback Original; January 10, 2012; $15) brings us Harriett “Luscious” Jordan, a former friend of Goldie’s and minor character in On the Grind, who now takes center stage and whose strong will and ruthlessness surpass even Goldie’s.

Goldie’s ex-business partner, rapper Make$, is serving hard time in prison for his role in covering up her brutal rape. His wifey Luscious finds herself out in the cold as his family and friends close ranks to protect his money. Like Goldie, Luscious is a first-rate hustler and she soon builds a successful business as a party promoter. Yet the force that truly drives her is a blazing ambition to destroy Goldie. Luscious never forgave Goldie for sleeping with Make$ behind her back and she’ll stop at nothing to exact revenge.

You can pre-order your copy of Meesha Mink’s upcoming book, REAL WIFEYS: GET MONEY on Amazon, HERE!

You can find out more about Meesha Mink, HERE!

About the author:

Raised in the gritty Central Ward of Newark, New Jersey, Meesha Mink beat the odds of being raised in a single family home. Thankfully, with a strong and resilient mother who worked hard and struggled not to raise her two children in the projects, Meesha Mink knew there was more to life than just drugs and violence. From a young age, her mother introduced her to reading and used it as a tool to teach Meesha and her brother to know more so that they wanted more.

As a child, she remembers writing her first story in the second grade. At that time horror was her genre of choice. Over the years Meesha Mink continued writing short stories and poetry. She even recalls making up stories and entertaining both her friends and strangers on the back of a New Jersey transit bus on her way to and from University High School. Even then she was a natural born storyteller.

She went on to attend Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey but writing always called to her.  A college professor commented that although her essay on the Million Man March was “more emotion than fact”, that it was stirring, uplifting, and inspiring. He suggested a career in writing and she promised herself she would have a book in print before she reached the age of thirty.

While unsatisfied with her career after graduating college with a double major and a minor, Minke began writing short stories for African-American romance magazines. She soon gained the confidence to write a full-length novel–an African-American romance–which eventually led to the completion of a dream as the first book she ever finished was offered a two book deal by two publishers. She has since written over twenty books under a different name in the romance and women’s fiction/mainstream genres.

Interested in telling the stories of the urban environment which help shaped her into being both street savvy and educated, she felt the urban fiction genre was calling to her.

Her urban fiction debut, c0-written with De’Nesha Diamond, led to an amazing deal with Simon & Schusters’ Touchstone line.  They went on to pen an entire trilogy together that has been defined as classic.  The bestselling HOODWIVES series includes Desperate Hoodwives (January 2008), Shameless Hoodwives (August 2008) and The Hood Life (January 2009).  Meesha’s solo project, Real Wifeys: On The Grind, dropped January 2011 with Simon & Schuster’ Touchstone line. The follow-up to the bestseller, Real Wifeys: Get Money, will be released January 2012.

The Black Carrie Bradshaw, Demetria L. Lucas Releases New Advice Book “A Belle In Brooklyn”

Bruno Ranieri has always lived at a chaotic pace, and that goes double lately. Since his uncle’s untimely demise, Bruno is working himself to the bone, trying to keep his nose clean and save the family business. Not easy when the nightmares that plagued his childhood are hi-jacking what little rest he gets.  So when exotically beautiful Lily Parr sashays into his all-night restaurant, claiming to be on the run from mysterious assassins, Bruno starts to wonder if sleep deprivation is finally getting to him. Especially when Lily implies that Bruno is involved. But the violence that accompanies her arrival is no illusion. Nor is the blisteringly hot, completely inconvenient desire that explodes between them…

Shannon McKenna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy, suspenseful romantic adventures.  A Yale University alumna,  her previous career was as a singer.  One summer, she worked as a strolling madrigal singer at a Renaissance Faire. There she met her future husband: an Italian musician who she followed back to Italy after the ultimate summer romance.  Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in Italy with her husband and two children.  Please visit her website, HERE!

You can order BLOOD AND FIRE on Amazon, HERE!

Pat Tucker has finally exposed the truth! While millions of men escape into their own little world’s during football season each year and leave their women to fend for themselves, the women often have a “game plan” of their own. In Tucker’s second foray into fiction, FOOTBALL WIDOWS (Atria Books/Strebor Books; October 2011; $15) gives a glimpse into the secret and unique lives of the women behind NFL coaches—game day takes on a whole new meaning as these lonely women turn up the heat off the field.

NFL wife B.J. Almond has had enough. When she walks in to find her head coach husband in bed with one of his assistant coaches’ wives, she is livid. But what really sets her off is when she discovers the other wives knew about the affair all along. Now she’s furious and hungry for revenge. And what better way to exact that revenge than to air everyone’s dirty laundry in a juicy tell-all book!

B.J. knows where all the bodies are buried, and she’s digging up all the dirt. But before she starts writing, she’s running up the score with a lawsuit against her husband and his mistress. Armed with flight records, copies of naughty emails, phone records, and pictures, B.J. isn’t holding back. And neither are the other football wives, who will stop at nothing to keep their dirty secrets from going public.

Secrets will be revealed, feelings will be hurt, and revenge will become the main pastime in FOOTBALL WIDOWS, instead of shopping for new Jimmy Choos with each other. Tucker, who is also author of the gut-wrenching Daddy by Default, does a great job of once again creating an entertaining, humorous look into the lives of unforgettable characters.

AUTHOR BIO

By day, Pat Tucker Wilson works as a radio news director in Houston, TX. By night, she is a talented writer with a knack for telling page-turning stories. A former television news reporter, she draws on her background to craft stories readers will love. With more than fifteen years of media experience, the award-winning broadcast journalist has worked as a reporter for ABC, NBC and Fox affiliate TV stations and radio stations in California and Texas.  She also co-hosts the literary talk show, “From Cover to Cover,” with ReShonda Tate Billingsley.

Known as one of the fastest writers in the country, Pat has wowed editors with her ability to turn out five to ten thousand words a day. But it’s not just quantity that has Pat at the top of her game. The quality of her stories is what keeps the readers coming back. A much sought-after ghostwriter, Pat gets her greatest joy in creating her own stories. She is the author of six novels and has participated in three anthologies, including New York Times Bestselling Author Zane’s Caramel Flava.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Pat is a member of the National and Houston Association of Black Journalists and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She is married with two children.

You can order Football Widows on Amazon, HERE!

Rosalind Noonan Releases New Novel, “The Daughter She Used To Be”

Common Releases His New Memoir: “One Day It’ll All Make Sense”

Rosalind Noonan, acclaimed author of One September Morning and In a Heartbeat, is known for her emotionally charged and riveting novels.  In her forthcoming book, THE DAUGHTER SHE USED TO BE (Kensington Books, October 2011; Trade Paperback – $15), she combines the morally complex suspense elements of Jodi Picoult’s family dramas along with the romantic elements of Kristen Hannah to explore ideas of loyalty, family and justice.

Bernadette Sullivan was born to uphold law and order. The daughter of a career cop, she grew up with blue uniforms hanging in the laundry room and officers laughing around the dinner table. Her brothers joined New York’s finest, her sister married into the force, and Bernie is an assistant District Attorney.  Collaring criminals, putting them away–it’s what the Sullivans do. And though lately Bernie feels a growing desire for a family of her own, she’s never questioned her choices.

Then tragedy rips the tightly woven fabric of the Sullivan family; a shooter targets cops in a local coffee shop, killing three officers. A Sullivan is among the dead. Anger follows grief–and Bernie realizes that her father’s idea of retribution is very different from her own. As Bernie struggles to protect the people she loves, she must also decide what it means to see justice served. And in her darkest hour, she will find out just what it means to be her father’s daughter.

ROSALIND NOONAN went to college in New York City and currently lives with her husband, a retired officer from the NYPD, and two children in the Pacific Northwest.

You can order, The Daughter She Used To Be, on Amazon, HERE!

When Common entered the scene in 1992 with his album, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, the new, mostly underground artist, found himself thrust into a music environment where game-changing albums such as Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Ice Cube’s The Predator, and Eric B. & Rakim’s Don’t Sweat The Technique blazed trails in hip hop.  It would have been easy for Common to disappear into the history books of hip hop like many other artists of that time.  After all, the competition was stiff.  Yet, Common still stands today, not only as an accomplished and award-winning recording artist but also as a leading man who has co-starred alongside such thespians as Denzel Washington (American Gangster), Queen Latifah (Just Wright), Christian Bale (Terminator Salvation), Ray Liotta (Smokin Aces), Steve Carrell, Tina Fey and Mark Wahlburg (Date Night).

Despite his vast accomplishments as an artist, however, very little is actually known about Lonnie Rashid Lynn, the man.  That’s all about to change with the publication of ONE DAY IT’LL ALL MAKE SENSE (Atria Books; September 2011; $25).  In this deeply personal, introspective memoir, Common unveils himself, layer by layer, from his childhood on the streets of the South Side of Chicago; to grappling with the decision to leave college, disappointing his mother, and pursuing a career in hip hop; to emerging as a talented recording artist faced with all the trappings of fame and success but working hard to remain true to himself and the people who’d supported him along the way.  “People who know me as Common might find it hard to believe some of the things that made me Rashid,” says Common.  “That’s partly why I’ve written this book, so that I can show myself as a man in full.  That means telling some tough truths, revealing my faults and vulnerabilities.  But it also means showing the true strength of my character.”

Common’s journey is by no means a rags-to-riches story.  The emotional and spiritual place where Common is today came about as a result of witnessing the tragic losses of loved ones to addiction and the very cold, hard streets of the South Side of Chicago that were once his stomping grounds; making mistakes for which he dealt with the consequences but also learned from them; and loving hard and dealing with the end of failed relationships.

Common’s memoir also highlights the fact that his mother – his friend, confidante, and moral compass – very much contributed to his evolution as a man.  Readers will also absorb her words and perspectives about her son throughout the book, which makes for an incredibly balanced and honest look at the life of Lonnie Rashid Lynn.  She writes: “By the time he started getting exposed to street things, he had a foundation…It was also letting him have his freedom and make his mistakes…I think about it like little lion cubs.  The mother protects them until they’re old enough. But if you don’t put them in the wilderness they’ll never survive by themselves.”

Compiled with open letters to loved ones, both living and those who’ve passed on, peppered with lyrics from some of Common’s songs throughout his career and his mother’s unflinching insight, ONE DAY IT’LL ALL MAKE SENSE challenges the reader to look beyond the celebrity and understand fully the man behind the spotlight.  He also writes openly about his relationships with the women who have been a part of his life – Kim, the mother of his daughter, Omoye; singer Erykah Badu; and Academy Award nominated actress Taraji P. Henson – and how each played a role in his emotional growth as a man.  “Having a daughter has made me to understand people better – particularly women.  I began to consider and question how any woman I was dealing with might have been raised. Did she have her father in her life? What was she missing? What helped her move forward? Thinking about all that makes me want to make sure that I give all I can to my daughter,” writes Common.

Make no mistake, ONE DAY IT’LL ALL MAKE SENSE is a no-holds-barred coming-of-age memoir, providing the reader with a window seat into the life and world of an artist who is not only unafraid to tell the truth, but he faces his truths in all of its guts and glory.  In fact, it is a book that everyone – boy or girl, man or woman – should read.

Common Hoping To Raise $50,000 For Charity

Common will be touring with his new book and you can meet him in the following cities and locations:

September 16^th:

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

MARK TAPER AUDITORIUM

Conversation with Kevin Frazier

630 West Fifth Street

LOS ANGELES, LA

7:00 pm

September 20^th:

Barnes & Noble—DePaul

Signing Only

1 E. Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, IL

6:00 pm

September 24^th:

BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL

Conversation with Dr. Eric Dyson

600 North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD

6:00 pm

When Black Don’t Crack: 12 Celebs That Have Aged Gracefully [PHOTOS]

Bestselling Author JL King reveals the cure for an age old human instinct – love – in the new inspirational book, A Healing Guide For Women Who Need Understanding: Men, Sexuality, Love, Trust—It’s Not Your Fault. In the highly anticipated book, Author JL King reminds us that in spite of past circumstances, same sex secrets, temptations and fears, the spirit of appreciating the unique qualities in ourselves builds a foundation of hope.

A Healing Guide For Women Who Need Understanding: Men, Sexuality, Love, Trust—It’s Not Your Fault focuses on four fundamental principles that evoke emotion in our lives which challenges us to try and understand the desires of our hearts. In response to countless letters, emails and conversations from people puzzled about the down low (DL) phenomena, JL King responds with a resource guide, providing solutions to move pass the hurt. The guide addresses: 1.) What to do if you have suspicions that your partner is living a double life; 2.) How to mentally prepare for a candid conversation with your partner about your sexual histories; 3.) Surviving tragic life-altering events; and, 4.) Ways to strengthen relationships while maintaining a clear sense of self.

An advocate for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease prevention awareness, JL King expands his movement to enhance emotions of trust in relationships; campaign on understanding sexual orientation; and, reestablishing motivational messaging among woman, reassuring the possibilities of love.

A Healing Guide For Women Who Need Understanding: Men, Sexuality, Love, Trust—It’s Not Your Fault shows women the power of love and forgiveness; outlines the reasons DL men avoid exposure; and makes certain that women know that it’s not your fault.

JL King will reveal guide exerts during his Love on a Two Way Street campaign which kicked off on Friday, August 19, 2011 in Orlando, FL and will continue on a national 20 city tour. To order [autographed] copies of A Healing Guide For Women Who Need Understanding: Men, Sexuality, Love, Trust—It’s Not Your Fault and for more information on the Love on a Two Way Street campaign, visit JL King’s website HERE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since JL‘s debut nonfiction book, which appeared on The New York Times best seller list for more than 30 consecutive weeks and, landed him a seat on the Oprah Winfrey Show, he has been on a motivational crusade. JL‘s gift of spontaneity allows him to fully involve his readers through relatable characters, familiar situations and unpredictable outcomes.

Author of (9) nine books that range from the nature of human behavior to guides on the affects of health issues on minorities and, sexual orientation and its impact on schools to animal adventures, JL has more than 25 years of experience in writing, publishing, creating and implementing communications strategies for corporations, organizations, aspiring writers and authors. Due to his contributions to the literary world, King has been the keynote speaker and presented awards by approximately 250 education, health and faith based organizations to include: Tuskegee University, Harvard, Howard, Princeton, Alabama A&M, Southern, Florida A&M and Tulane Universities; and, the African American Conference for HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). His commitment to multiculturalism and, candid approach to majority issues and minority concerns has made JL one of the most influential Americans.

JL encourages healthy relationships by providing reliable resources, timely tactics and insight on social misconceptions in the public awareness DVD, ―No More Secrets, No More Lies – Saving our Daughters: II.” The sequel DVD is a follow-up to the best selling, health and social conscious VHS, ―No More Secrets, No More Lies.‖ The video series pays special attention to the social context of health, HIV/AIDS, relationships and environmental threats that affect youth through a host of interviews with young ladies, clergy and same-sex partners. As well, JL provides practical information on how women and men can make better decisions about sex and relationships in the Docudrama DVD, The Top 10 Signs of ‗Down Low‘ Behavior and… More; he offers answers to that never ending question, ―What are the signs of a man on the Down Low?

Pulling from life‘s experiences and people personalities, JL is committed to community outreach and philanthropy. JL has raised awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS through not only his community focused network, but also through his work as an activist and inspirational speaker at clinics, schools and organizations around the world. Because of his BOLD approach to fostering education, JL has been a guest on hundreds of television broadcasts ranging from CNN and Inside Edition to NBC and ABC affiliates. And, appeared in more than 150 [inter]national publications ranging from Newsweek and Time Magazines to The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune. King has been listed in Ebony Magazine‘s 50 Most Intriguing Blacks and honored as a NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work.

For the first time, the immortal characters who readers have come to know throughout the series – Fana, Dawit, Mahmoud, and Michel – come face to face with retired R&B mega-star Phoenix Smalls and her husband, Carlos Harris, beloved characters from Due’s bestselling novel Joplin’s Ghost.  Together, the characters confront the realities of love and hate, war and peace, and the living and the dead.  The result is a Tananarive Due-style supernatural literary joy ride which readers have come to expect from a writer who has helped lead the way for a new generation of African American science fiction writers and fans.

It all began more than a decade ago with My Soul to Keep when readers were introduced to Jessica, then a Miami investigative reporter, and her “perfect” husband, David.  Her life unravels when she realizes that her husband, David, is actually Dawit, an immortal who, along with a sect of Ethiopian scholars, traded their souls for eternal life over 400 years before.  The sequel, The Living Blood, brings forth the birth of Dawit and Jessica’s daughter, Fana, who was born with the “living blood” in her veins.  As a mere toddler, Fana is able to kill and penetrate others’ thoughts, with her mind as the remote control.  Her mother begins a quest to teach Fana how to control these potentially dangerous powers, which leads them to Ethiopia in search of the immortal Life Brothers’ hidden colony.

In 2008’s Blood Colony, the story continues as the world struggles to contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic that threatens to destroy humankind.  The new drug, GLOW, which is derived from the Blood of immortals, has the ability to heal almost any illness.  Yet, it is distributed via an illegal underground railroad of drug dealers.  At the helm is Fana Wolde, now 17 years old and the only immortal born with “the Blood.”  She wants to heal using the Blood, but there is a treacherous, violent group with ties to the Vatican that have begun to murder GLOW peddlers.  Fana’s life is in constant danger, but she remains dedicated to the mission of healing the sick.

MY SOUL TO TAKE opens with a world in turmoil.  A plague has killed hundreds of thousands around the world and threatens to raise the death toll to an unimaginable height.  Michel, whose refusal to give up on making 18-year-old Fana his wife despite her reluctance and possible love for another man, has plans to perform a major “cleansing” of the population which would leave millions dead.  Michel’s mission goes against everything Fana believes in – healing and helping.  She uses her powers, resources and considerable influence to help the sick by providing access to GLOW.  Fana enlists Phoenix Smalls, a major international R&B recording artist, to come out of retirement to perform before an audience of sick people.  One of Fana’s significant powers is to heal just with her presence and touch.

There was one problem with Fana’s concert: Michel’s furor over her defiance.  Not only had she not come to him to wed, she hosted a healing event which directly clashed with the cleansing he was determined to do.  Fana is faced with a dilemma: leave her life, family and the man she loves behind to go to Michel, the only other who was born with “the Blood,” with the hope of convincing him to change his mind or Michel covers the earth with a plague that would achieve depopulation,  the ultimate Armagedden.  Fana’s emotional lover John Wright, who is one of her most devoted soldiers, races against the clock to stop the wedding and banish Michel from the earth.  However, John is the David to Michel’s Goliath; John is a mortal and Michel is immortal.

MY SOUL TO TAKE also tugs the reader between good and evil, right and wrong.  While you root for the good work for which Fana and John risk their lives and that the love they share for one another somehow survives, you also hope as the pages turn that Fana goes to Michel, accepts his love and by doing so, saves the world.

My Soul To Take is in bookstores everywhere. You can also order it on Amazon, HERE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tananarive Due is the American Book Award-winning author of nine books, ranging from supernatural thrillers to a mystery to a civil rights memoir.  Her novel, Blood Colony (June 2008), was the long-awaited sequel to her 2001 thriller The Living Blood and 1997’s My Soul to Keep, a reader favorite that Stephen King said “bears favorable comparison to Interview with the Vampire.” Blood Colony continues the saga of African immortals with healing blood. Due’s novel Joplin’s Ghost blends the supernatural, history and the present-day music scene as a rising R&B singer’s life is changed forever by encounters with the ghost of Ragtime King Scott Joplin.

The Good House, co-authored with her husband Steven Barnes, was nominated as Best Novel by the International Horror Guild. The Black Rose, based on the life of business pioneer Madam C.J. Walker, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. My Soul to Keep and The Good House are both in film development at Fox Searchlight.

In the summer of 2007, Due and Barnes published their first mystery, Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel, which they wrote in collaboration with actor Blair Underwood. Publishers Weekly called Casanegra “seamlessly entertaining.” The NAACP Image Award winning series continued with In the Night of the Heat and From Cape Town with Love.

Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights, which Due co-authored with her mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, was named 2003′s Best Civil Rights Memoir by Black Issues Book Review. (Patricia Stephens Due took part in the nation’s first “Jail-In” in 1960, spending 49 days in jail in Tallahassee, Florida, after a sit-in at a Woolworth lunch counter).

Author Timothy Michael Carson Releases New Novel, “Love’s Damages”

Zane’s Sister Releases Sizzling Novel “The Next Phase Of Life”

Sometimes in life, we all have desperate moments. We panic when we think the person of our dreams is a flight risk and we do everything within our power to convince them that we are their true soul mate. In Timothy Michael Carson’s new novel, LOVE’S DAMAGE (Atria Books/Strebor Books; August 2011; $12.00), we come to find that everything that looks good is not always good for us and oftentimes the best solution is to simply let go. Broaching on all areas of love, LOVE’S DAMAGE is a spellbinding story that will have readers on the edge of their seats turning the pages to experience the unfolding drama. On the quest for perfect love, three individuals attempt anything to ward off any further pain—no matter the consequences.

Negating the laws that govern the heart, three very different people try to love on their own terms. As each character takes a ride on this rollercoaster of love, they endure many highs, lows, and unforeseen twists and turns. Shielding themselves from any further unwarranted pain, each will try to avoid the laws that govern the heart and attempt to love on their own terms. On a quest for happiness, encompassed with the bitter and the sweet of falling in love, they will attempt to let down their guards and avoid Love’s Damage.

Carson is phenomenal when it comes to developing his characters, as seen in his debut novel, When The Truth Lies. In LOVE’S DAMAGE, Carson once again earns his worthiness as a writer to be reckoned with.

Everyone who has had their heart broken can relate to the storyline of LOVE’S DAMAGE. With a plot filled with drama and twists and turns that will make the heart skip a beat, readers won’t want to put this book down. LOVE’S DAMAGE takes drama to another level piquing readers’ curiosity with the characters’ exploits of internet dating, attempts of recapturing old flames, and ensuring that true love is acquired. A lot of things can go right in the game of love, but a lot of things can also go wrong. Carson explores them all in this exciting story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Timothy Michael Carson is a native of Orlando, Florida, but currently resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Prepping to graduate from Georgia State University, he is avidly working to complete his undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations.

Originally, Timothy self-published When the Truth Lies under his own imprint, Ready2Speak Publishing.  With the first release, When the Truth Lies received moderate success. It has been the featured novel of several book clubs and was spotlighted on the B.R. Burns Blog Radio Show. When the Truth Lies saw sales throughout the United States, South Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

You can follow Timothy Michael Carson on Facebook, HERE!

You can purchase a copy of Loves’ Damages on Amazon, HERE!

As a former journalist who interviewed celebrities such as Vanessa Williams, Deion Sanders and Janet Jackson, Charmaine R. Parker knows how to tell a great story. The sister of bestselling author Zane and the publishing director of Stebor Books, Parker began writing creatively as a child, penning shorts stories, poetry, skits and plays. Now, with her debut novel, THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE (Atria Paperback; July 26, 2011; $12.00), Parker brings her highly anticipated work to a wide audience. With her page-turning tale of long-lost sisters who are reunited via the internet, Parker presents a cast of unforgettable characters as they confront painful pasts, romantic challenges and life-changing decisions.

Tai Wilson, the beautiful and savvy owner of an employment agency that is one of the hottest businesses in Washington, DC, has everything she’s ever wanted except a meaningful relationship. After a humiliating experience at her fortieth birthday party, Tai begins to wonder if she’ll ever meet the man of her dreams. Like manna from heaven, Marco, a gorgeous younger man, unexpectedly lands in Tai’s life and becomes her love interest.  As things begin heating up between Tai and her new man, she gets another surprise: Trista, the sister who was separated from her during childhood because of their parents’ tragic death, reconnects with Tai and moves to DC from Salisbury, North Carolina.

Tai is thrilled about her sister being back in her life and quickly finds her a job and introduces Trista to her upscale lifestyle filled with lavish parties, fine restaurants and spas. But despite Tai’s generosity and support, Trista exhibits flashes of anger and resentment toward Tai and shuts herself in her room. Trista’s dark moods and crying spells are an indication to Tai that Trista is troubled and while Tai does her best to get Trista to confide in her, she is unsuccessful. Disturbed about Trista’s behavior, Tai takes a secret trip to North Carolina to do some investigating. Once there, Trista’s former employer and Salisbury’s retired sheriff fill in the blanks about Trista’s past and Tai realizes her sister has been harboring several dark and potentially damaging secrets. Meanwhile, Tai’s close friend, Candace, a sexy fashion merchandiser, takes Trista under her wing and introduces her to a charismatic and stylish man with a twin brother. Soon, Candace and Trista are being wined and dined by the mysterious twins and even take a road trip to New York City with them. However, all that glitters is not gold and Candace and Trista nearly find themselves in the midst of an FBI sting operation where the twins are taken into custody.

Thanks to the intervention of Nevada, a sharp private investigator and another of Tai’s close friends, Candace and Trista are spared arrest and criminal charges. After Tai confesses to Trista that she has visited North Carolina, Trista comes clean about her past and her relationship with Tai improves because Trista realizes Tai is not standing in judgment of her and loves her, regardless of her past actions. Before long, a series of positive personal and professional developments occur with Tai, Trista, Candace and Nevada with the promise of bright and happy futures for all as they enter the next phase of life.

With surprising plot twists, a rapid-fire pace and a satisfying ending, THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE is certain to gain Charmaine R. Parker legions of fans and loyal readers.

Charmaine R. Parker is a former journalist who worked as a reporter, copy editor and managing editor. The sister of bestselling author, Zane, Parker grew up in Washington, DC, and is married with a daughter and lives in Maryland. Visit the author at www.facebook.com/charmainerobertsparker.

You can order THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE by Charmaine S. Parker at Amazon, HERE!

Desperate to be married, Vangie, Nivea, and Harlow have endured intolerable experiences in their quests to get to the altar. But now they are sick and tired of expending so much effort into finding their soul mate when there’s no evidence that such a person even exists. They come to the grim realization that a walk down the aisle may not be in the cards for any of them.

Dumped by three men in the past two years, Nivea suffers a humiliating public meltdown at her younger sister’s wedding. When Vangie’s deadbeat ‘baby daddy’ resurfaces and begins courting her with unrestrained zeal and spending quality time with their young son, she thinks that they have finally healed their troubled relationship. After too many heartbreaking relationships to count, Harlow tries a stint at playing on the other team, but soon discovers that female lovers can be just as deceptive as men.

Though holding distinct views and relying on diverse strategies, will any of these women find love, happiness, and commitment? Or will they discover that happily ever after is an unattainable dream?

About Allison Hobbs:

Known for writing provocative and controversial novels, Allison burst on the literary scene with her highly successful debut novel, Pandora’s Box, in 2003. A prolific writer, she is the national bestselling author of fourteen novels and novellas of multiple genres, including paranormal and fantasy. Allison is one of the contributing writers of Cinemax’s Zane’s Sex Chronicles, Season 1. Her novel, Double Dippin’ was nominated for the 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. The Climax was nominated for the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show. Big Juicy Lips was nominated for the 2009 African American Literary Awards Show. Allison received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University. She resides in Philadelphia, PA.

You can visit Allison’s website, HERE! You can also visit her Facebook page, HERE! You follow Allison on Twitter, HERE!

You can purchase Allison’s new book, Put A Ring On It at Amazon.com, HERE!

Author Steven James Dixon Pens Book “Men Don’t Heal, We Ho”

The Black Carrie Bradshaw, Demetria L. Lucas Releases New Advice Book “A Belle In Brooklyn”

“Men Don’t Heal, We Ho” places an importance on the emotional stability of the man. If the man is emotionally stable, the relationship or marriage will be stable. The book challenges men to change their mentality from thinking that a man with a lot of women is the man to model themselves after. In actuality, the happily married man, the great husband, the exceptional father is the man to model themselves after. The book sets the record straight on many misconceptions about the interactions of man and woman. The book has something for everyone as Steven interviewed single women, single men, wives and husbands about the transformation of a HO into a successful Husband. Readers will find the book to be educational, entertaining, thought provoking and flat out laugh out loud funny!

Steven James Dixon is a Husband, Relationship Expert and Author of the hot new book “Men Don’t Heal, We Ho – A Book About the Emotional Instability of Men.” The book is a surefire conversation starter. Since the release of Steven’s book he has toured the country spreading his positive message and challenging men to heal from broken relationships. When asked what sets him apart from other relationship experts Steven had this to say, “I have developed a principle that will save all marriages. That principle is that the success or failure of all marriages is based solely upon the leadership of men.”

While some say that Steven’s message and principle are controversial, media outlets across the country have not been shy about sharing it with viewers and listeners. Steven has answered relationship questions live on television with CNN (National), WGN (Chicago/National), Fox News (Houston), UPN (Chicago) and CW (Atlanta). Steven has Co-Hosted Nationally Syndicated Radio with The Doug Banks Show in addition to radio interviews all across the country including Tom Joyner (National), Michael Baisden (National), Rickey Smiley (National), Sirius Satellite Radio (Shade 45 – National), HOT 97 (NY), KJLH (LA), WGCI (Chicago), V103 (Atlanta), 97.9 (Houston), K104 (Dallas) and on and on. Book reviews for “Men Don’t Heal, We Ho” have been in countless newspapers across the country! Steven has developed a global appeal, being published and broadcasted in locations as far as the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. You can catch Steven on his blog for Essence.com, “The Relationship Report”. With over 50 relationship articles written in the past year, Steven has cultivated a worldwide following in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Steven is all over the relationship landscape, but if you were to ask him what his favorite thing to do is, his response would be “Sitting in a room with a man and woman saving their marriage.” If you want some help, shoot him an email: StevenJamesDixon@RelationshipBeast.com.

Author Lee Hayes Returns With A Deviously Delicious Novel, “The Bad Seed”

The Black Carrie Bradshaw, Demetria L. Lucas Releases New Advice Book “A Belle In Brooklyn”

Now, Terrance Dean is celebrating the release of his new book “MOGUL” this Fourth of July weekend, and he’s rewarding 3 lucky HELLO BEAUTIFUL readers with a personally autographed book!

TO ENTER YOU HAVE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1.) Follow @TerranceDean on Twitter.

2.) Use Twitter to tweet this message: “Support Black Authors and Follow @TerranceDean to win an autographed copy of #MOGUL http://bit.ly/9iJMBQ”

3.) Contestants MUST reside in the Continental U.S.

4.) Enter as many times as you like. The winners will be chosen at random.

5.) Contest begins Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 1 PM EST & ends on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST

6.) Make sure to check your Direct Messages!

Rules: Three (3) grand prize winners will be selected at random and will receive an autographed copy of “Mogul” by Terrance Dean. The winner will be contacted via Twitter direct message, so make sure you check your DMs!

With the publication of Hiding in Hip-Hop, the controversial Essence bestselling expose that set the entertainment industry on its ear, Terrance Dean, who has worked in television and film for well over a decade, became the voice of African American men in Hollywood and in Hip-Hop who conduct clandestine same-sex relationships. Through revealing yet discreet anecdotes about his liaisons with the rich and famous who were also on the “DL,” Dean’s provocative and candid account brought to light a hidden gay subculture that insiders have been well aware of for years.

Now, with his debut novel, MOGUL (Atria Books Paperback Original; June 14, 2011; $15.00), Dean once again returns to this subject matter as he entices readers to play the guessing game about the real-life celebrities who serve as inspiration for his larger-than-life characters. In a literary style that’s E. Lynn Harris meets Zane, Dean presents a fictional page-turner about a beloved music industry genius who’s launched the careers of the hottest stars in hip-hop but also harbors a secret that could destroy his life and empire.

Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble, an athletically gifted teenager from Brooklyn, discovers he is attracted to George, one of the most popular basketball stars at his school and soon, the two become embroiled in a secret romance as they juggle studies, gym practice and girlfriends. A year later during their senior year, George announces he is moving to California for college. While Big A.T. is heartbroken, he pours himself into his music to forget George and begins producing for local rappers in his neighborhood. After a chance meeting with the retired kingpin of hip-hop, Larry “Pop” Singleton, Big A.T.’s life is forever changed as he becomes Pop’s protégé and a member of the “family”—a network of secretly gay men in the industry who will eventually become instrumental in helping him launch his own music label. Attracting the biggest names in the industry, Big A.T. has the Midas touch with millions of dollars in the bank, real estate holdings, luxury cars, and countless fans. He’s built a bona fide empire but along the way, Big A.T. falls hard for one of his artists, the sexy Tickman. They love each other but know they must keep their relationship a secret and to keep any press speculation about their sexuality at bay, each becomes involved in relationships with high-profile women. However, unbeknownst to Big A.T., a journalist seeking revenge against hip-hop power brokers and looking for his 15 minutes of fame obtains compromising photographs that threaten to expose the truth about Big A. T.  Will his life crumble in the wake of a huge scandal or will Big A.T. survive—and out of the closet forever?

Check the listing below of Terrance’s appearances and join him for this summer’s hottest read, and get your books signed! You won’t be disappointed!

MOGUL: A Novel is currently available wherever books are sold – Barnes & Noble; Borders; Target; Wal-Mart; and Amazon.com, HERE!

You can follow Terrance Dean on Twitter, HERE!

You can also visit Terrance Dean’s website to find out more about him, HERE!

BOOKSIGNING APPEARANCES:

Wednesday, June 22: Official Book Party Release
Nectar Wine Bar
2235 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, New York, NY
6:00p – 9:00p
(Music by DJ Fred Pierce with giveaways and prizes!)

Friday, June 24: Booksigning/Reading
Barnes & Noble
3120 Fairlane Drive, Allen Park, MI
7:00p – 9:00p

Saturday, June 25: Booksigning/Reading
Gerber Hart Library
1127 West Granville Avenue, Chicago, IL
3:00p – 5:00p

Monday, June 27: Booksigning/Reading
Barnes & Noble
1701 Mallory Lane, Brentwood, TN
7:00p – 9:00p

Tuesday, June 28: Booksigning/Discussion
Brothers United, YBU & Nashville Black Pride presents: “Black Gay and Powerful in the 21^st Century: Our Voices in Print, Music & Media featuring Author Terrance Dean”
Nashville Cares: 633 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN
6:30p – 8:30p

Wednesday, June 29: Panel Discussion/Booksigning
Outwrite Bookstore, 991 Piedmont Avenue, Northeast Atlanta, GA
7:00p – 8:30p

Friday, July 1: Panel Discussion/Signing
Bayou Soul Writer’s Conference
New Orleans, LA

Thursday, July 7: Booksigning/Reading
Barnes & Noble
7626 Westheimer, Houston, TX
7:00p – 9:00p

Friday, July 15: Booksigning/Reading
Urban Knowledge Bookstore
Mondawmin Mall, Baltimore, MD
5:00p – 7:00p

Saturday, July 16: Booksigning/Reading
Urban Knowledge Bookstore
East Point Mall, Baltimore, MD
5:00p – 7:00p

Saturday, July 23: Booksigning/Reading
Hispanic Black Gay Coalition of Boston
Boston, MA
4:00p – 7:00p

July 29 – 31: Panel discussion & Booksigning
National Book Club Conference
Atlanta, GA

August 3rd – 7: Author’s showcase
National Association of Black Journalist
Philadelphia, PA

September 22 – 24: Booksigning
Congressional Black Caucus
Author’s Pavilion
Washington, DC

September 27: Booksigning
Howard University Bookstore
Washington, DC
4:00p – 6:00p

October 2: Panel Discussion/Booksigning
West Hollywood Book Fair
Los Angeles, CA

Lee Hayes is the author of Passion Marks, A Deeper Blue, The Messiah, and the editor of Flesh to Flesh, an erotica anthology. He is a native Texan and was awarded with a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College in 2005. He resides in Washington, D.C. and can be reached via his website, HERE!

You can also follow Hayes on Facebook, HERE!

You can purchase The Bad Seed on Amazon, HERE!

As a popular, award-winning blogger, life coach and editor for Essence magazine, Demetria L. Lucas has seen it all regarding dating and love—as both a relationship chronicler and as a professional woman navigating the waters of singlehood in New York City.  Recently named one of Essence.com’s “40 Fierce & Fab Under 40” and with stints as a guest panelist at Harvard, Princeton, New York University and Spelman College, Lucas, the go-to girl for the what-to-dos and the what-not-to-dos in relationships, is committed to empowering young women by helping them redirect their focus from obsessing about Mr. Right to enjoying the actual experience of dating and the possibilities it holds.

Now, in A BELLE IN BROOKLYN: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life this real-life Carrie Bradshaw celebrates the joys of her single status while offering bits of experience and effective tools for finding a great mate. Through a series of candid personal anecdotes that reveal several “a-ha” moments by Lucas and the no-holds-barred opinions shared by her Male Mind Squad—a group of men who give their take on everything from female independence and monogamy to sex and commitment—the book is a treasure-trove of stories and information that is certain to make even the most jaded single smile in solidarity with Lucas.

Over the years, Lucas has shared her signature brand of dating advice on media outlets such as TV One’s Access Hollywood, The Oprah Radio Show, and The Tom Joyner Morning Show and in A BELLE IN BROOKLYN, she does not disappoint as she helps women embrace the single life—with or without the perfect man.  As the confidante of many and as a keen observer of the dating dynamic, some of the tidbits of wisdom Lucas shares include:

• Men talk about relationships constantly—just not with the woman they’re dating.

• Your salary or degrees are a non-factor in their decision to consider dating you, marrying you, having sex with you, treating you well, or replacing you.

• Good men make bad mistakes. There’s a difference between a moral failing and a mistake. Forgive mistakes. Get rid of moral failures.

• To women, playing detective is generally harmless but men interpret casual inquisition as character assassination.

• Men like compliments. They respond like dry plants to water when you tell them they look nice, smell nice, did something well.

• Sex can be just an activity, like eating a sandwich or going to shoot hoops. Just because a man has sex with a woman, it doesn’t mean he feels anything for her.

Intriguing and highly entertaining, A BELLE IN BROOKLYN is an accessible read that captures what most women are dying to say but don’t have the courage to do so. With her unapologetic and spot-on-honest style, Demetria L. Lucas illustrates that being single is not a death sentence and can be quite enjoyable.

Demetria L. Lucas is the woman behind the award-winning blog, ABelleInBrooklyn.com, where she muses daily on dating, relationships and pop culture.  A life and relationship coach, she is also the Relationships Editor at Essence magazine where she pens a monthly dating advice column, Dating Guide, and selects sexy, eligible bachelors for “Single Man of the Month” and the annual “Do Right Men” issue. In 2010, Lucas was profiled in a Washington Post feature story where she advised single women “not to think about the dire statistics and well-publicized odds against them but to, instead, focus on possibilities.” Prior to joining Essence, Lucas was a freelance writer for People, Vibe, XXL, Black Enterprise and ESPN The Magazine. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and earned a master’s degree in journalism from New York University.  Lucas currently lives in Brooklyn.

With the publication of Hiding in Hip-Hop, the controversial Essence bestselling expose that set the entertainment industry on its ear, Terrance Dean, who has worked in television and film for well over a decade, became the voice of African American men in Hollywood and in Hip-Hop who conduct clandestine same-sex relationships. Through revealing yet discreet anecdotes about his liaisons with the rich and famous who were also on the “DL,” Dean’s provocative and candid account brought to light a hidden gay subculture that insiders have been well aware of for years.

Now, with his debut novel, MOGUL (Atria Books Paperback Original; June 14, 2011; $15.00), Dean once again returns to this subject matter as he entices readers to play the guessing game about the real-life celebrities who serve as inspiration for his larger-than-life characters. In a literary style that’s E. Lynn Harris meets Zane, Dean presents a fictional page-turner about a beloved music industry genius who’s launched the careers of the hottest stars in hip-hop but also harbors a secret that could destroy his life and empire.

Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble, an athletically gifted teenager from Brooklyn, discovers he is attracted to George, one of the most popular basketball stars at his school and soon, the two become embroiled in a secret romance as they juggle studies, gym practice and girlfriends. A year later during their senior year, George announces he is moving to California for college. While Big A.T. is heartbroken, he pours himself into his music to forget George and begins producing for local rappers in his neighborhood. After a chance meeting with the retired kingpin of hip-hop, Larry “Pop” Singleton, Big A.T.’s life is forever changed as he becomes Pop’s protégé and a member of the “family”—a network of secretly gay men in the industry who will eventually become instrumental in helping him launch his own music label. Attracting the biggest names in the industry, Big A.T. has the Midas touch with millions of dollars in the bank, real estate holdings, luxury cars, and countless fans. He’s built a bona fide empire but along the way, Big A.T. falls hard for one of his artists, the sexy Tickman. They love each other but know they must keep their relationship a secret and to keep any press speculation about their sexuality at bay, each becomes involved in relationships with high-profile women. However, unbeknownst to Big A.T., a journalist seeking revenge against hip-hop power brokers and looking for his 15 minutes of fame obtains compromising photographs that threaten to expose the truth about Big A. T.  Will his life crumble in the wake of a huge scandal or will Big A.T. survive—and out of the closet forever?

Hello Beautiful sat down and spoke with Terrance Dean about his juicy page-turner, MOGUL. The book is in bookstores everywhere, and we strongly encourage you to hit up your local bookstore and get a copy, or two.

How would you describe Mogul?

I would describe Mogul as a modern day roman-a-clef. There is a lot of truth to this story, along with lots of fictionalize situations and persons. But, all-in-all it’s a poignant story about the entertainment industry, and in particular Hip Hop, and the many closeted gay men who work, and have worked, to help create this phenomenon. It’s a story that I’ve wanted to tell for a long time, and I’m happy it’s finally being told. There are many gay men and women in the entertainment industry who silently work behind the scenes without recognition. As someone who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade, I feel people have a misconstrued and delusional idea of what celebrities lives are like, and what the industry is like. I want to invite readers into this world of power, seduction, and fame showing at what costs, and length, a person will go to rise to the top. Besides, I also feel it’s important we start a serious conversation and dialogue about homophobia in Hip Hop, and within the Black community. We’ve done so much when it comes to repealing, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ in the military. I feel it’s time to repeal the same within the entertainment industry, particularly amongst Black celebrities who are afraid to come out for fear of backlash. I know in this day and age, especially in the 21^st century, that people are no longer naïve to the notion that there are gay Black celebrities.

After your breakout memoir, Hiding in Hip Hop, what propelled you to want to write fiction?

I’ve always wanted to write fiction. It’s been a desire of mine since I was a teenager. I remember reading Ralph Ellison’s, Invisible Man, and Iceberg Slim’s, Mama Black Widow, and saying to myself, “This is what I want to do.” Those books changed my life. Those writers created characters that leapt from the pages, and their powerful use of words and language intrigued me and set fire to my soul. After that, I devoured books by authors such as James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Maya Angelou. But, then I read E. Lynn Harris’s, Invisible Life. That’s when I knew for sure it was okay to write stories that reflected my life, journey, and experiences. I studied the craft of writing for years afterward. I remember I was on a panel with esteemed poet, Sonia Sanchez, when I wrote my first non-fiction self-help book, Reclaim Your Power! I asked her what advice would she give to authors looking to write in other genres. She said, “Always study your craft. Take classes and learn. Read other authors, see what they are doing, and find your voice.” And, that is what I did. I read other authors and I learned from them – Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, Tananarive Due, Dominick Dunne, Jackie Collins, Zane, Sapphire, Edwidge Danticat, and Junot Diaz. Although, I started off writing non-fiction, I was nervous to write fiction. In non-fiction, writers do a lot of telling, and many have strong voices that are very distinct. I had to learn how to use my voice in fiction without telling the story, but showing the story. Once I learned my voice, I knew the stories I wanted to tell. And, though I love the greats and wanted to emulate them, I realized there is only one James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Iceberg Slim, and E. Lynn Harris. I needed to simply be Terrance Dean and let my voice speak for itself.

What experiences in the past and present, if any, did you draw upon to craft this novel?

WOW! I have over 15 years of experience working in the entertainment industry. The stories, people, and varied journeys I’ve traveled have given me enough to write novels for several decades. One thing I can say about the entertainment industry is that there’s never a dull moment. Hollywood and the music industry has everything you can possibly imagine when it comes to what makes a great novel – drugs, sex, scandals, murder, mayhem, envy, jealousy, drama, and never-ending plots. I’ve been privy to so much as an insider that readers may find themselves wondering what’s real and what’s fiction. For this novel, I was able to draw upon my working relationships with music executives, and personal friends who are musical artists that are dealing with their sexuality. I’ve been in the recording studios, on the road, in their homes, and I’ve met their domestic partners. I’ve seen them vulnerable, hopelessly in love, and chasing after love. And, that is what I wanted to capture for this novel. I want readers to see the humanistic side of people in the entertainment industry. That despite who they are, they really are like everyone else. They want and desire love. They want and need acceptance, but oftentimes when you are a celebrity everyone forgets that and places them on a pedestal. They hold them in such high regard that many of them really do fear falling or failing. They don’t want to disappoint their fans, loved ones, and themselves. So, they are trapped by their own creation. I also want readers to see the dark side of celebrity, and the how the business oftentimes really does operate.

The protagonist is essentially a successful Hip Hop Mogul who lives a down-low lifestyle. As homosexuality is taboo in the Hip Hop industry, do you expect a backlash from this book?

Of course I expect backlash from this book. Homosexuality is a taboo conversation in our communities. People are afraid to discuss the topic, and if they do some do it with so much venomous hatred that it leads to young people being bullied, and other’s committing suicide. It’s time for us to have an intelligent discourse on homosexuality, especially in Hip Hop.  It says a lot about our communities when we continually attack someone based on their sexuality, and we saw that happen with DJ/Producer Mister Cee’s situation where he was arrested for having lewd sex acts with another man, as well as rapper, Lil B who announced that he planned to title his upcoming album, “I’m Gay,” and he’s a heterosexual male. Those two incidents created a firestorm in the Black community, especially in Hip Hop. And, it was a great time for us to come together with Black and Brown leaders, churches, and the LGBT community to have a, Gay In America dialogue. It would be awesome if people did finally speak up and say something. That is how conversations begin. That is how a dialogue is created. If people don’t feel anything after reading this book then essentially I have not done my job. I want readers to become angry, sad, upset, happy, or joyous when they read this book and get to know these characters. I want them to feel invested in their lives, and especially what and how the entertainment industry is about. People should feel engaged in such a way that they take what they’ve read to work, school, on blogs, chat room boards, Twitter, and Facebook. At the end of the day I am writing about a controversial topic and issue that has plagued our communities, and world, for well over a decade. And, despite the many hush-hush conversations, or speculations of a certain celebrity’s sexuality, not one Black celebrity (musical artist) has come forward. Not one has publicly announced they are gay. Why? Again, I ask in this day and age of us having a Black president, and a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ that not one Black celebrity will come forward and be who they are, and love who they desire, without fear of judgment or ridicule? Hopefully my book will create that conversation, and a platform for a Black celebrity/s to come forward.

What do you want readers to leave away with?

I hope readers will leave with a sense of entertainment, satisfaction, understanding, and food for thought. The book is a page turner. It explores a lot of what goes on in the entertainment industry, but at the same time it gives readers an insider’s view into the world of power, fame, down low and gay men, and a glimpse inside the illustrious and glamorous world of Hip Hop. There is a powerful message also about coming to terms with sexual identity, homophobia, and how fear grips and prevents us from moving forward. Hopefully, readers will strongly consider their own opinions, morals, values, and judgments. I really want readers to ask themselves what they would do, or how they would handle various situations that the characters find themselves. But, more importantly, I want readers to walk away with a sense of understanding, compassion, and love. If we are to move forward as a community, race, and world we have to be willing to be open to our varied differences. There’s something amazingly powerful and dynamic when we can appreciate and accept one another despite our –isms.

What’s next on your literary agenda?

I am excited and looking forward to creating more literary works that engage readers. I am an author who loves to educated, empower, inspire, and entertain. I’m hopeful my fans will grow with me with each book, as well as enjoy the many varied characters who will show up and grace the pages introducing themselves with their powerful and unique voices. As I’ve stated before, I have over 15 years of experience and stories from working in the entertainment industry. I think readers will be captivated with each plot, twist, and turn I create. And, with each new book I’m certain readers will thoroughly be engaged as they devour and savor these powerfully entertaining stories. And, yes, there is a series in the works for Mogul.

MOGUL: A Novel is currently available at Amazon.com, HERE!

You can follow Terrance Dean on Twitter, HERE!

You can also visit Terrance Dean’s website to find out more about him, HERE!

Though fictional, MOGUL goes deep inside Hip Hop to reveal just how rampant homosexuality reigns in an industry that on the surface purports hyper-masculinity as its calling card. MOGUL follows Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble, a young music icon, as he juggles money, fame, women and running a record label, while indulging in a clandestine relationship with his hot superstar artist, the sexy hunk, Tickman. MOGUL gives readers the inner behind-the-scenes moves of a community of down low and gay industry companions, known as ‘the family,’ who support and propel Big A.T. as Hip Hop’s most beloved producer.

MOGUL is the explosive factor that ties together the recent rash of real life homosexual media reveals.  Society is not as ‘straight’ as it seems!

A rollercoaster read MOGUL will incite speculation as Dean paints a true-to-life portrait of the entertainment business and its many personalities.  His larger-than-life characters hint at real life celebrities.  The drama reads like the events of today’s fast paced headlines.  And the sex sizzles off the pages.  Dean’s debut fiction release centers him as a novelist grounded in the game.  Interestingly, amid the excitement, passion and suspense, Dean writes with truth and sincerity that evokes compassion for his characters.  He keeps the reader entertained, while at the same time dispelling the many misaligned preconceptions about what one thinks they know about not only the entertainment business, but the world of men who love men.

Terrance Dean speaks about the inspiration for his new novel, MOGUL:

Terrance Dean has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years with heavy hitters such as Spike Lee, Rob Reiner, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Anjelica Houston. He has worked with television and film production companies such as BET, Savoy Television, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Sony Pictures. Most recently, Dean worked with MTV Networks for over six years helping to produce live award shows and events including MTV Video Music Awards, Movie Awards, Hip Hop Honors, Rock Honors, Sports & Music Festival, and Choose or Lose. Dean is also the founder/creator of Men’s Empowerment, Inc. and co-creator of The Gathering of Men with Adeyemi Bandele. He attended Fisk University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Dean is a 2005 John Seigenthaler Journalism Fellow from Vanderbilt University and served as a writer-in-residence with the Detroit Public School system. He is a contributor to the anthologies Souls of My Brothers and Gone Too Soon and his writings have appeared in publications such as Vibe, Essence, Juicy, The Advocate and Fatherhood Today.

MOGUL: A Novel is currently available at Amazon.com, HERE!

You can follow Terrance Dean on Twitter, HERE!

You can also visit Terrance Dean’s website to find out more about him, HERE!

A Performance, Discussion and Book signing with bestselling author, TERRANCE DEAN.

The event is being moderated, DR. MARC LAMONT HILL, Host of Our World with Black Enterprise.

Wednesday, June 8
8pm
Second Stage Theatre
305 W. 43rd Street
New York, NY

The performance:
BY THE WAY MEET, VERA STARK
The hit comedy by Pulitzer Prize winner
Lynn Nottage starring Sanaa Lathan.

The discussion:
VERA STARK covers a seventy year journey. Terrance Dean’s new novel MOGUL takes place in the present day. Both chronicle the lives of African Americans striving for success in the entertainment industry while trying to maintain their personal integrity. Dean will compare and connect the worlds of VERA STARK (the past) and MOGUL (the present) to reveal how much (or how little) has changed. He will also explore the importance of telling our stories, authentic stories, both on the page and on the stage. Dr. Marc Lamont Hill of Our World with Black Enterprise will moderate.

The book signing:
Terrance Dean will sign copies of MOGUL, which will be available for sale. Ten (10) lucky people will receive a copy of the book — Free!
Tickets:
BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK
$52.50 when you use code MPVS
(reg $75)

Under 30?
Tickets $30 with valid ID

Three easy ways to purchase tickets:
Online: www.2st.com
By Phone:             212.246.4422
In Person: Second Stage Theatre
Box Office, 305 W. 43rd Street.
Box Office hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 10am-3pm

MOGUL by Terrance Dean
Special discount price
$15

(Tickets and books must be purchased separately)

This event is sponsored in part by HelloBeautiful.com and Atria Books/Simon & Schuster

MOGUL: A Novel By Terrance Dean

With the publication of HIDING IN HIP HOP, the controversial Essence bestselling expose that set the entertainment industry on its ear, Terrance Dean, who has worked in television and film for well over a decade, became the voice of African American men in Hollywood and in Hip-Hop who conduct clandestine same-sex relationships. Through revealing yet discreet anecdotes about his liaisons with the rich and famous who were also on the “DL,” Dean’s provocative and candid account brought to light a hidden gay subculture that insiders have been well aware of for years.

Now, with his debut novel, MOGUL (Atria Books Paperback Original; June 14, 2011; $15.00), Dean once again returns to this subject matter as he entices readers to play the guessing game about the real-life celebrities who serve as inspiration for his larger-than-life characters. In a literary style that’s E. Lynn Harris meets Zane, Dean presents a fictional page-turner about a beloved music industry genius who’s launched the careers of the hottest stars in hip-hop but also harbors a secret that could destroy his life and empire.

Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble, an athletically gifted teenager from Brooklyn, discovers he is attracted to George, one of the most popular basketball stars at his school and soon, the two become embroiled in a secret romance as they juggle studies, gym practice and girlfriends. A year later during their senior year, George announces he is moving to California for college. While Big A.T. is heartbroken, he pours himself into his music to forget George and begins producing for local rappers in his neighborhood. After a chance meeting with the retired kingpin of hip-hop, Larry “Pop” Singleton, Big A.T.’s life is forever changed as he becomes Pop’s protégé and a member of the “family”—a network of secretly gay men in the industry who will eventually become instrumental in helping him launch his own music label. Attracting the biggest names in the industry, Big A.T. has the Midas touch with millions of dollars in the bank, real estate holdings, luxury cars, and countless fans. He’s built a bona fide empire but along the way, Big A.T. falls hard for one of his artists, the sexy Tickman. They love each other but know they must keep their relationship a secret and to keep any press speculation about their sexuality at bay, each becomes involved in relationships with high-profile women. However, unbeknownst to Big A.T., a journalist seeking revenge against hip-hop power brokers and looking for his 15 minutes of fame obtains compromising photographs that threaten to expose the truth about Big A. T.  Will his life crumble in the wake of a huge scandal or will Big A.T. survive—and out of the closet forever?

Terrance Dean has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years with heavy hitters such as Spike Lee, Rob Reiner, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Anjelica Houston. He has worked with television and film production companies such as BET, Savoy Television, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Sony Pictures. Most recently, Dean worked with MTV Networks for over six years helping to produce live award shows and events including MTV Video Music Awards, Movie Awards, Hip Hop Honors, Rock Honors, Sports & Music Festival, and Choose or Lose. Dean is also the founder/creator of Men’s Empowerment, Inc. and co-creator of The Gathering of Men with Adeyemi Bandele. He attended Fisk University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Dean is a 2005 John Seigenthaler Journalism Fellow from Vanderbilt University and served as a writer-in-residence with the Detroit Public School system. He is a contributor to the anthologies Souls of My Brothers and Gone Too Soon and his writings have appeared in publications such as Vibe, Essence, Juicy, The Advocate and Fatherhood Today.

MOGUL: A Novel is available for Pre-order at Amazon.com, HERE!

You can follow Terrance Dean on Twitter, HERE!

You can also visit Terrance Dean’s website to find out more about him, HERE!

THE PERFECT COUPLE? Emerson McGee has spent most of his life living with a secret, and the first-year law student’s menacing struggle with his sexuality is only the half of it. His wife, Danielle, has her own scars of adolescent heartache—which she thinly veils behind her façade as an upper-middle class princess. The newlywed’s cookie-cutter marriage is abruptly interrupted when they make a reluctant move into the quaint house Emerson inherited from his deceased grandmother. Unbeknownst to them, there’s already something else living there: A malevolent entity hell-bent on exposing its connection to Emerson and the tragic secret they share. A GHOST’S STORY While a mysterious narrator recounts the details of his abject life, the McGee’s vengeful poltergeist pulls Danielle deeper into a mystery that has haunted an impoverished ghetto in South Baton Rouge—aptly called “‘Da Bottom”—for nearly a decade, and spills into the provocative world of New Orleans hoodoo. Before its final scare, Never Dead concludes with a bloody twist the McGees never saw coming.


Jumata Emill Jones is a native of Baton Rouge and a Southern University alum. When he’s not writing fiction, he divides his time working as a journalist and being a TV junkie. Never Dead is his first, published novel. To read more of his work, check out his blog “Urban Nightmares”, HERE:

You can also follow Jumata on Twitter, HERE!

You can order his debut novel, Never Dead, at his blog, or on amazon.com, HERE!