I will be participating in a book club reading and discussion of my book Coming Out of Egypt at the South Regional Broward College Library in Pembroke Pines on Saturday Sept. 28th at 2.00 p.m. If you live in this area, I would love to see you there.
In case you haven’t yet read Coming Out of Egypt, it is the first book in a series that features two sisters, sexual abuse survivors, and their heroic journey out of that horrible experience. I wrote this book to inspire victims of sexual abuse and to show them that just as the children of Israel came out of Egypt with God’s help, in the same way they too can come out of their Egypt and live a new and fulfilling life.
While the book is written from a Christian viewpoint, it is also entertaining and crosses genres of detective work, women’s fiction and YA. If you can’t make it on Saturday, please invite someone who may be able to attend and check out the book from your library. Also, right now , you can obtain the sequel In the Wilderness at the discounted price of .99c when you join this promo: https://books.bookfunnel.com/fallforfiction/gdpabmdx53
Care for a pillow fight anyone? Do you sometimes wish you had more time to enjoy your family, to have real adventures where everyone participated and bonded together? Well, now you can. In his book 52 Uncommon Family Adventures: Simple and Creative Ideas for Making Lifelong Memories with introduction by Gary Chapman, Randy Southern shows us how we can switch remove all the distractions that hinder us from spending quality time with our loved ones.
Book Description:
Connect with your family without breaking the bank.
When you dreamed of having a family you pictured outings, adventures, laughing around the kitchen table. But then the kids actually came and most of the time you’re too busy trying to keep up to figure out how to create a magical, screen-free environment where everyone feels loved, is having fun, and can connect. That’s why 52 Uncommon Family Adventures was written, it helps you do just that, without all the hassle and stress.
Whether it’s a family pillow fight, a lip-sync competition, or Toilet Paper Olympics, give your family the gift of lifelong memories while having fun, connecting spiritually, and speaking each other’s love languages. Enjoy all the benefits of the quality time you dreamed of without all the pressure of advanced planning.
Put down the phones, turn off the TV, and start making some memories together today.
Can you believe summer is almost over? The heat lingers, but soon it will be fall and cooler days will take over. It’s now the best time to stock up on your end-of-summer reading. What better way to do that than by participating in this special promo featuring a wide selection of books by your favorite authors in a variety of genres. Just go to https://books.bookfunnel.com/endofsummerpromo/gvq2wb6jh5
If you enjoyed this preview, why not share it with your friends, then get your copy by clicking on the end-of-summer link. After you have read it, please leave an honest review on Amazon.
Do you wish you had more courage to tackle the things in life that really matter? That you didn’t have to go through life pretending you are in control when you are not? If you answer yes to either of these questions, you stand to benefit from a new app created by Ann White, internationally known author, speaker and Bible teacher. It’s called the Courage For Life Audio Bible App, and it’s the first female-voiced audio Bible app.
My calling is simple. Point people to the hope and freedom that can only be found in Jesus as revealed in His Word. That Word—the Bible—is foundational! You have to be in it to be equipped, and you have to be in it to understand the change that is required in your life.
It’s complete belief that God is who He says He is, and that His character is as it has been revealed. Appropriating those truths for yourself is the beginning of finding your courage for life. – Ann White
When you download this free app, you will receive
relatable teachings tailored to all aspects of life
Gain confidence to face each day with perseverance and wisdom and
Enrich your prayer life as you communicate with God each day
Homeschooling and Working While Shaping Amazing Learners is a nuts to bolts guide for working parents who want to groom exceptional learners through the flexibility of homeschooling. Learn to juggle working and homeschooling your kids while maintaining your sanity. Also, use aspects of homeschooling for after-schooling when traditional school isn’t working. Single parents are given options for executing homeschooling or after schooling methods that work in practical bits for the busy parent. Learn how to take your child from an average student to an exceptional student by exploring the possibilities shown in the section on acceleration of learning. From pre-K to Homeschooling College, open your eyes to the many options in flexibility this approach to learning can give. You can homeschool and work to shape amazing learners by exploring the possibilities.
Excerpt:
The first and foremost expectation and goal of homeschooling and working should be to build a close and loving relationship with your child. Don’t ever let the educating of your child get in the way of that. Remembering, as long as they are growing to perform well in their core courses or anchor courses all the rest will fall in place.
Before diving into homeschooling, being realistic is the first step to managing your expectations. Sometimes through aiming in the middle, you are pleasantly surprised when you and your children exceed them.
In order to start from a good place, create a list of your bottom line goals for the school year and build your mindset to be happy that at the very least you’ve met them.
Plus Kickstarting Homeschooling While Working Mini-Course
LM Preston is an author, engineer, former college professor, and working mother who’s been married for over twenty-five years. She homeschooled 3 of her 4 children from elementary school and beyond while she and her husband worked outside their home. Three of her kids graduated with degrees by the age of 17 years old.
Ask any woman who has been divorced or is going through one and she will tell you divorce is a devastating experience. For those of us who have not been divorced, we can only imagine what it’s like – the pain, the disappointment, the shock of having your world suddenly turned upside down.
Formerly A Wife – a survival guide for women facing the pain and disruption of divorce – by Welby O’ Brien drew me in from the first line. The author ‘s down-to-earth outline of her experience- sometimes laced with bitterness, sometimes with humor – is one that any woman can relate to, divorced or not.
How does a woman who, one day happily married, suddenly find herself trying to decide whether to attend the singles social or the one for couples? How does she explain to her child that daddy still loves him even if he no longer lives with them? And how does she decide if she should one day remarry? Welby answers these poignant questions and more with references from God’s word, our final authority, and she invites us to do our own soul-searching through pointed questions at the end of every chapter.
If you are going through divorce, are divorced or knows someone who is, I highly recommend that you read this book and/or pass it on to someone who you think might need it. I am certain it will bless them as it has blessed many others.
I couldn’t help reacting to the breaking news that Toni Morrison, one of the most acclaimed authors of our times, has passed. She was 88 years old. Among her many honors, Ms. Morrison will be remembered as winner of the Pulitzer prize, the Nobel prize, the Légion d’Honneur and a Presidential Medal of Freedom presented to her in 2012 by Barack Obama.
I was first introduced to Toni Morrison’s work when I selected the 1981 novel Tar Baby for a college English assignment. At the time I’d only heard of Ms. Morrison and was curious to see what made her stand out as one of the literary geniuses of our time.
Tar Baby, with its vivid portrayal of the love/hate relationship between Jadine Childs, a black fashion model and the enigmatic black fugitive, Son, drew me in from the first line (like a tar baby) and held me right down to the last. From then I was hooked by Ms. Morrison’s writing and went on to devour all her works.
However, much as I admire her work, I must admit that some of her writing is anything but clear. Some years ago, I wrote about Toni Morrison on this blog: What I love about Ms. Morrison’s writing is her inimitable way of animating her descriptions, such that the settings become characters in themselves. Some of her narrative can be very complex and multi-layered, not to mention some of the subject matter which can be very gothic, making them difficult to digest, but once you have got it, you savor each bite down to the last morsel. African American literature, and history, owes a great debt to this extraordinary woman.
In case you didn’t know, Sunday Aug. 4th is Sisters’ Day. It’s the day we set aside to honor and celebrate our sisters. I think it’s a neat idea. For those of you who are fortunate to have a sister, I’m sure you anticipate spending time her with this Sunday and reminiscing on those special times.
Maybe you will look back to the times when you needed to confide in someone, share your special moments, laugh, cry and, yes, even argue with. And who did you run to? Your sister, of course. Your mother may still be around, but your sister is closer to your own age and is therefore more likely to understand and empathize with what you are going through.
I don’t have a sister, but God has blessed me with three great sisters-in-law and wonderful girlfriends who are as dear to me as sisters. I also consider the ladies in my church to be sisters as we are indeed sisters in faith. So, whether you have a biological sister, step-sister, adoptive sister or whatever kind of sister you have, this Sunday make sure you let her know how much you love and appreciate her.
One of the ways you can show your love is by giving a book. This is a gift that’s as timeless as the bond between you, and what better book to give than one that is all about sisterhood. For this reason, I have made In the Promised LandFREE from today until Sisters’ Day, Aug. 4th. It’s free so download as many as you like.
In this book, you will meet two sisters, Marva and June, who suffered through an abusive childhood together, experienced the consequences of Marva’s rash actions, and the agonizing possibility of her being imprisoned. But through it all, the bond between them grew stronger as they clung to each other, learned from each other and emerged victorious in the end.
Here’s what one reviewer said:
In the Promised Land is a captivating story of family and forbidden love. A story that captures your attention at the very beginning and holds it until the unexpected ending. In the Promised Land will take you on an emotional roller coaster that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. A story that will stay with you long after reading. I was so drawn in that I finished reading this in one night. In the Promised Land is the perfect beach read. – Truly Trendy
To learn more about these two memorable sisters, you may want to get the other two books in the series Coming Out of Egypt and In the Wilderness . And whichever book/s you read, please remember to leave a review on Amazon. Other readers will appreciate it. Then drop me a line and let me know how you celebrated Sisters’ Day.
The South Florida Book Fest is an annual event which takes place at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center on Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. This year the book fest will be held on Sat. Jul. 20th, and I’m happy to be a part of the event. I’ll be signing copies of my debut novel Coming Out of Egypt. If you are in the area, please drop by my table and have a chat.
In the Wilderness
In the Wilderness is now being printed and unfortunately will not be available at this event. However, you can get a flyer of this book and the third in the series, In the Promised Land. The event starts at 10. 30 and there will be a huge line-up of authors, speakers, presenters and more. You can also enjoy cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, workshops and other activities. So don’t miss out! Hope to see you there.
“Where did the time go?” That’s a common topic of conversation these days, and one I ask myself almost every day. Before you know it, the kindle-countdown-one-year celebration for In the Promised Land will be over. I hope you took advantage of the deep discounts over these 3 days to get your copy of this captivating novel.
In order to whet your appetite further while there are still a few hours left, I am posting an excerpt that captures one of the scenes written around the true event which forms the backdrop of this novel – the bombing of the police headquarters as a small Muslim group staged a bloody coup in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Excerpt
As he checked his
watch, something on the television screen caught his eye. A man resembling Dennis
Kallipersad, the evening news anchor, sat at a table. Behind him, stood two men
dressed in army uniforms, carrying rifles. Derek frowned. Not one of those bad
plays at this time of day. It was just after four. He was about to switch to
the other station when the man sitting said in a tremulous voice, “We have
suspended regular programming to bring you this report. Trinidad and Tobago
television was taken over by the Muslimeen forces of Yasin Aboud Bakr this
afternoon around 2.30 p.m. It has been learned that our sister radio station,
Radio 610, has been taken over. Muslimeen forces also stormed the Parliament
building and bombed the Police Headquarters on St. Vincent Street earlier this
afternoon. Motorists are urged to stay away from those areas.”
Derek dashed
across the room and yanked the bathroom door open. June stood there drying
herself, but for the first time her nakedness failed to excite him. He grabbed
her by the hand and ran with her back to the bed. Snatching up her clothing, he
thrust them at her. “Here, get dressed, quick.”
“Honey, my hair —”
“Never mind,
you’ll fix it in the car.”
While she
scrambled to get into her clothes, Derek shoved his feet into his socks and shoes,
then felt his pocket for his keys. June, clad in underwear, paused, looking at
the television. “What’s going on? Is that a play?”
“Here. Put on your
skirt.” He held out the garment, she stepped into it, and he quickly pulled her
zipper up.
She reached for
her jacket. “What’s that about the
Parliament?”
Derek turned off
the TV. “Here’s your jacket, let me help you.” He pushed the sleeve over one
arm, and she shrugged the other arm through.
“Ready? Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm while
she was still buttoning her jacket.
She twisted free.
“Wait. What’s the rush?”
“The Muslims have
taken over. Come on.”
June barely had time
to grab her purse before he dragged her by the hand and out through the door.
Everything seemed
normal as they got into their car, and Derek wondered if it was some type of
hoax. But when they eased into the mainstream of traffic, chaos confronted them.
Drivers turned in the middle of the road, passed on the shoulder, cut in and
out, showing off their skill in amazing ways.
Derek decided to turn around. Signaling, and
not giving the car behind him time to pass, Derek spun the wheel, bringing his
bumper right up to the paint of another car. The driver shook his fist and
mouthed something, but Derek ignored him, backed up, then zoomed off in the
opposite direction. After a half mile they encountered another traffic jam. This
time they saw the reason. Police were stopping everyone and checking their
identification.
“Oh, boy,” Derek
muttered, leaning his head back against the head rest.
June switched on
the radio. An announcer’s voice came through the static. “Motorists are asked
to avoid St. Vincent Street where the Police Headquarters building is still
smoldering after this afternoon’s bombing —”
Derek switched off
the radio, cursing under his breath. June’s face had gone pale. She stretched
out her hand to turn the radio back on, but he growled, “Leave it alone.”
“I heard something
about Police Headquarters —”
“I said leave it alone.” He spoke through clenched teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering. He dared not look at her. He hated speaking to her like that especially after the lovely time they had just had, but he was scared as he’d never been in his life. His father worked at Police Headquarters.
So, I won’t hold you up any longer. Get your copy of In the Promised Land while the price is still $2.99.
