THE END OF A GOOD YEAR

I did it!  I completed twelve months of blog posts.  I’ve been remiss in the past, but I was determined that 2018 would be different.  Of course this year seems to have flown by so quickly that I really didn’t notice that  it was nearly over until recently.

It’s been a good year.  The rights to all of my novels published by Genesis Press were returned to me.  I now have complete control over everything I’ve written, both novels and plays.  Believe me, creative control is a powerful feeling.

The second book in the Stillwaters series was released in October. Now Jolene Carson’s story is out there with that of her older sister, Melanie.  I’m gearing up to write the story of the oldest of the three sisters, Wanda.  The title of the book is Someone Like Them.  It’s going to be full of twist, turns and surprises.

A little over a year ago, I wrote a Two Act play titled, The Diary of Annie Mae Franklin, a family drama set during World War II.   It recently won the 2018 American Stage Theatre’s 21st Century Voices New Play Festival.  The work will get a staged reading and perhaps the opportunity for a regional production. 

Meanwhile, my writing partner for the Grandmothers, Incorporated cozy book series, L. Barnett Evans and I are in negotiations with a theatre group in Detroit, for the production of our Two Act play, Grandmothers, Incorporated, based on the characters in our books.  Next year our play might be making it’s Midwest debut .  It looks like 2019 will be a good year too!

RE-RELEASES are COMING!

It’s a powerful feeling to be in total control of your dream.  I’ve written over a dozen books, and the rights to all of those titles now belong to me.  Several were in the hands of a former publisher until recently. The rights have now been relinquished to me.

Singing a Song…, Small Sensations and Stillwaters are the names of those titles and will all be re-released.  I can’t say when.  I'll simply say ASAP.  Each of the books will require a new cover and will be re-edited, but the exciting storylines will remain the same, if not enhanced. 

Singing a Song…, is part of my romantic suspense Sin Series.  Small Sensations is a stand alone, although some familiar names do appear in the story.  Stillwaters… is also part of the Sin Series, but it carries the name of my latest book series, a trilogy about the lives of three sisters.

Here is a Blurb for each of the books:

Singing a Song…

Diva, DARNELL CAMERON and playboy, THAD STEWART, are both superstars.  One would think that they have a lot in common, but in reality they are like oil and water.  These are two American idols who openly despise each other.  It would take a miracle to get these two together, or perhaps a mysterious stranger intent on killing one of them.

Small Sensations

DAVIA MAXWELL is a street-smart thirty-four year old grandmother who has clawed her way out of one of Chicago's roughest ghettoes.  JUSTIN MILES is successful businessman who happens to be a member of one of the most prominent families in Atlanta.  Yet, when Justin meets Davia there is nothing that can keep them apart—or so it seems.

Stillwaters… 

BEV CAMERON is smart, sexy, sophisticated and the mother of singing superstar Darnell Cameron.  She is a woman in control.  Hollywood agent, RAY WILSON is a mover and shaker in Tinsel town.  What he wants he knows how to get, except when it comes to Bev Cameron.

Singing a Song… will be the first of the three novels re-released, hopefully, early next year.  Meanwhile, I’m developing the outline for the third book in the Stillwaters Series, Someone Like Them.  The life of a writer can be busy, but I’m having the time of my life!

SOMEONE LIKE YOU is Finally Here!

Okay, I've been teasing about SOMEONE LIKE YOU,  Book #2 in the STILLWATERS SERIES for so long that I forgot when I started writing about it, but finally my latest book has been released.  Below is a description of the storyline.

JOLENE CARSON is at the lowest point in her life.  Unemployed and homeless, she is unable to see a brighter future, until her son presents her with an opportunity that changes everything.  Unfortunately, it means having to deal with her son’s boss who turns out to be the most disagreeable man that Jolene has ever met.  How in the world is she supposed to deal with someone like him?

SOLO REEDUS is content with his life.  Why wouldn’t he be?  He’s smart, healthy, wealthy and good looking.  Solo has everything a man could want.  The last thing he needs is an obnoxious woman with too much attitude invading his well ordered life.  How is he supposed to deal with someone like her?

It takes unexpected circumstances for Jolene to realize her self-worth.  In the process, Solo learns to appreciate the strength and courage of an ordinary woman who turns out to be extraordinary.

In writing the story of Jolene Carson, the youngest of the three Carson sisters in the Stillwaters Triology, I began to recognize  strengths in this character  of which even I wasn't aware that she possessed.  The more she developed in my mind, the more I came to admire her.  Believe me, it's true when a writer tells readers that the characters in the books we write take on a life of their own.  My plan was for Jolene to be the tough one in the family, but she turned out to be that and so much more.  So I invite readers to click the cover of SOMEONE LIKE YOU.  It should take it you to amazon.com where you can  purchase the ebook or the paperback.  Enjoy!  

SPEAD THE GOOD NEWS!!!

Okay, so I created a great promotion video for my novel, SINFUL INTENTIONS, but I haven't been able to load it on this blog. Maybe that will happen someday when I become  more tech savvy.  I can only wish.  Any of my readers who follow the Grandmothers, Incorporated cozy mystery series that I write with my writing partner, L. Barnett Evans, can go to You Tube and type in Grandmothers Incorporated Adventures.  All of our book promotion videos are there including the one for our  last novel, the very funny WHOSE KNIFE IS IT ANYWAY.  I plan on putting the Sin Series videos on You tube in the near future, and eventually the Stillwaters Series videos as well.  That's long overdue.

I received good news recently regarding my three novels published by Genesis Press.   Those titles are Singing a Song..., Small Sensations and Stillwaters…  The rights for all three novels have reverted back to me!  I have complete control over everything I have written now and I can't say loud enough how great that feels. 

Spread the good news.   Over the next year or so I will be releasing each of these three novels with new covers and any updates I choose to make in them, because I CAN!  Hallelujah!  Amen!  Thank you Lord!!!  Life is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!  

SOMEONE LIKE YOU PUBLISHING DELAY & SMASHWORDS BOOK SALE

I've been working on getting the word out about the release of the latest edition of SINFUL INTENTIONS. and while that has been going well, there will be a delay in releasing  SOMEONE LIKE YOU, the latest novel in the Stillwaters Series.  Don't worry though, the book still should be out this year.  At least that's the plan.

One again here's a copy of the SOMEONE LIKE YOU cover that I debuted in April.  I really like it because it conveys the beauty and the complexities of Jolene, the youngest of the three Carson sisters, each of whom learns to turn life's lemons into lemonade.  

Meanwhile, SINFUL INTENTIONS is available exclusively on Amazon.com until further notice.  It seems that I get more purchases  on Amazon for my romantic suspense novels than on Smashwords.com, perhaps because more people know about Amazon than Smashwords, but I'm not giving up on Smashwords.  All of my other books are still available on that site, and eventually Sinful Intentions will be back on the site as well.  I do hope that readers will give the smaller site a try.  There are a lot of good Ebooks on Smashwords, including mine, and it does allow for more Ebook readers than just Kindle.  

Three of the four novels in the Grandmothers Incorporated cozy mystery series that I co-write with author/playwright, L. Barnett Evans, will be ON SALE for only .99 cents on Smashwords.com through December 2018.  If you haven't read one of our hilarious cozies here's your chance!  Who knows when you'll get another bargain like this!  Our last novel, Whose Knife is it Anyway, is still at the regular price.  After all we can't give away everything!!  Go below past the Blog Post to the four (4) Grandmothers Incorporated book covers click the covers.  Read the excerpts free, then purchase the books and save a bundle!

SIN SERIES NOVELS on SALE thru JULY at 50% OFF on SMASHWORDS

The 10th Annual Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale Runs July 1-31

The biggest sale of the year at Smashwords has begun!

From July 1 through July 31, you'll find all of the SIN SERIES deals ON SALE  in Ebook format in the 10th annual Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale.

PRICED from .99 to $1.50

INCLUDING THE RELEASE OF  THE THIRD EDITION OF 

 It's Back and Better than Ever!

READ EXCERPTS and PURCHASE

 on

Smashwords.com in ebook format

 @http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/835834

What does a female minister do when her bad boy husband is determined to seek vengeance on his enemy?

SHE HELPS HIM

When Reverend NEDRA DAVIS engaged in a torrid love affair with sexy bad boy, SINCLAIR REASONER, her congregation was shocked, but Nedra and Sin fought for their love and won.  Four years later, they are happily married and the proud parents of three adopted children.  Life is good, that is until the unexpected appearance of a menacing stranger and a deceptive woman set into motion a chain of events that threatens to destroy everything the couple cherishes.

As Nedra and Sinclair engage in the fight of their lives, they soon discover that love may not be strong enough to compete against lust, intrigue and power.

     

 

 

SINFUL INTENTIONS STUMBLING BLOCK

I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.  I've been forging ahead with the editing of Sinful Intentions with my self imposed deadline for release without considering the obvious.  The first two editions of Sinful Intentions were published by a national publisher and it took me ten years to get my rights back.  They were ten hard fought years, may I add, but I won't get into the details.  I'll save that story for another blog.  When the letter came from the publisher this year giving my publication rights back to me I was ecstatic.  

Immediately, I made plans to release Sinful Intentions under the banner of Crystal Ink Publishing and proceeded to Amazon.com to do so.  Of course I did so without thinking about the fact that the company would want me to verify my ownership rights since the former publisher had sold the title on Amazon for years.  Well, that's what happened when I started to publish Sinful Intentions on the date I originally had in mind, but don't worry.  Sinful Intentions should be released this month.  My rights have been presented to Amazon.com as requested and they have been approved.  Things are back on track for a June re-release and I'm sure it will be worth the wait! 

SINFUL INTENTIONS IS COMING!

In last month's blog I stated that I was  working on the re-release of one of my favorite Sin Series novels, Sinful Intentions.  It will be the third edition of the popular novel, and it will be released with the brand new cover below. 

Sinful Intentions is the third book in the SIN SERIES .  I consider it some of my best work.  I actually wrote this book without any kind of  outline, just an idea of what I wanted the book to be about.   For reasons I still don't understand, the storyline simply poured out of me as each day I sat down and wrote a couple of pages until the book was completed.  Here's the prologue to the romantic suspense novel, Sinful Intentions.

 

PROLOGUE

       It was a well-concealed street, obscured from prying eyes by a grove of aged trees.  The driver of the

dark sedan turned smoothly into the grove, knowing what lay beyond—another mile of paved road

that curved into a quiet, residential neighborhood.  A prominent sign displayed at the street’s entrance

warned visitors that there was no outlet.

As it silently continued its journey, the car’s headlights were turned off, making the vehicle practically invisible against the moonless night.   Five houses occupied this exclusive enclave.  A high wall with a monitored entrance gate surrounded the house on the immediate left. It belonged to a famous singer.  Directly across the street was another wall that surrounded the opulent home of a prominent financier.  A Middle Eastern businessman owned the house next door, while the one across from that one was the vacation home of a stockbroker who had fallen on hard times.  The sign advertising its sale was discreet. At the end of the cul du sac was the final house.  Like the last three homes, there was no wall surrounding it.  A long driveway sloped upward to the crest of the hill on which the structure stood majestically among a backdrop of windswept cypress trees.  It was in front of this house that the car came to a stop.

The car’s occupant quickly glanced around the well-lit street.  It was quiet.  He checked his illuminated watch. It was two o’clock in the morning. The security patrol would make an appearance in fifteen minutes.  Swiftly, the dark clad figure slid from behind the wheel, hurried around the car and opened the trunk.  Withdrawing two large garbage bags, each bulging with refuge, they were exchanged for the two bags sitting at the curb.  Closing the trunk, he was back in the car in less than two minutes. 

As the nondescript sedan moved along the highway, it passed the security patrol car going in the opposite direction.  The early morning prowler watched through the rear view mirror as the lights of the vehicle disappeared.  It was headed for the grove of trees.   A sinister smile of triumph appeared on his face. He had successfully avoided the night patrol. Nothing to worry about.  Everything would pass inspection. Everything would look as it should. All had gone perfectly as planned.

  

SOMEONE LIKE YOU cover is here!

April has been a busy month for me.  I've been working fervently on the next installment of the Stillwaters series.  As I've stated, the novel is titled Someone Like You and it follows , Jolene, the  second of the Carson sisters introduced in Someone Like Me.  The novel is still in the process of being edited.  That being the case, it will take a bit of time before its release, but progress is being made.  Below is the cover for Someone Like You.  Hope you like it!

Also stated in a previous blog, I am also working on the re-release of one of my favorite Sin Series novels, Sinful Intentions.  First released in 2006 and again in 2009, this time Sinful Intentions will be released under Crystal Ink Publishing. 

Sinful Intentions follows Sin, Nedra and their three children four years after the couple marries.  My acquisition of the novel from its mainstream publisher completes what I consider the Sin Series "set" of books which includes:  Sin, Sweet Sacrifice, Secrets, Strangers and Shadows of Love.   In reading the series, Sinful Intentions  would be the book to read after Sweet Sacrifice.  I will be writing more about both novels with release dates in the near future.   

ANNUAL SMASHWORDS BOOK SALE IS HERE!

I'm excited about the 9th Annual Read an Ebook Week Sale!  Starting March 4 - March 10, 2018 four of the books in the SIN romantic suspense book series will be on sale at Smashwords.

Sin, Sweet Sacrifice, Secrets and  Strangers will each be on sale for only $1.50.  Simply go to Smashwords.com, and apply the coupon provided at checkout so that you can purchase your favorite titles.  Better yet, read the entire series!  Hurry, because the sale only last a week!  

As stated on the blog last month another book in the Sin Series, an updated version of Sinful Intentions, will be released in the near future. Excerpts from Sinful Intentions and from Someone Like You, my latest book from the Stillwaters series will both be presented here. Look for them!

SINFUL INTENTIONS IS COMING!!

I just received great news this Black History Month!  SINFUL INTENTIONS my second book in the SIN SERIES is officially mine again!  Of course I've known that ever since I wrote it back in 2006.  It seemed that the publisher, whose name I won't dignify on this post, didn't seem to know it.  

It's a long story, but 'll make it short.  SINFUL INTENTIONS was first published in 2006 by a mainstream publisher, and it did so well that a second edition was published in 2009.  I was paid an advance when it was first published and the advance was paid up in 2008.  That means that a percentage of royalty payments should have been paid to me with each sale of the book from 2008  on, since I no longer owed the publisher any monies against the advance.  My royalties were never paid to me by the publisher, although each Income Statement that I received from the publisher stated that I had received royalty payments.  I've been contesting that lie through lawyers, registered letters, emails, you name it, from 2008 to 2017.  I was relentless in letting the publisher know that because the contract had been violated, I was taking my rights to SINFUL INTENTIONS back!  Finally, after my last lambasting letter to the publisher in September 2017, the publisher relented and agreed that the rights to SINFUL INTENTIONS do indeed belong to me!  Hallelujah!

So, it looks like in 2018 not only will SOMEONE LIKE YOU, the second novel in the Stillwaters Series be released, but I'll be releasing the third edition of SINFUL INTENTIONS, in ebook format.  This is the blurb for  SINFUL INENTIONS:

When Rev. NEDRA DAVIS shocked her congregation by engaging in a torrid love affair with sexy bad boy SINCLAIR REASONER, no one would have guessed the outcome.  Four years later and happily married, their world revolves around their passion for each other and their love for their three adopted children.  The sudden appearance of a sinister stranger and a deceptive woman sets into motion a chain of events that threatens the couple's marriage, their family and their lives. 

There will be more to come about SINFUL INTENTIONS and SOMEONE LIKE YOU.  Look for it!

A Very Late Happy 2018!

Whew!  I barely made it but with determination and grit,  I'm trying to keep my good intention to blog every month in 2018.  This month has been very busy as I continue to work on the next installment of the Stillwaters series, Someone Like Me.  Last month I said that I  should be finished with the first draft by the end of this year.  Wrong!  Life got in the way, but I can say at least I'm near the end. 

As I said in the last post, Some Like Me follows Melanie Carson, the youngest of the trio of Carson sisters in the Stillwaters trilogy.  Melanie is small, tough and has a big mouth, just the right combination for trouble when it comes to dealing with Solo Reedus,  a member of the indomitable Stillwater clan,. It's hate at first sight between these two, but of course, love conquers all.  Or does it?  Like I said, I'm still working on the end of the novel.

I've spent most of the first month of 2018 trying to drum up interest in a theatre producing my latest play, The Diary of Annie Mae Franklin.  The play was chosen to be read at the prestigious 2017 National Black Theatre Festival, and the reaction to it was great.  Now it's time for my baby to take flight.  The Diary of Annie Mae Franklin  will be produced.  I'm sure of it.  The only question is where and when.  I'll let you know the answer to that when I find out. 

Whose Knife is it Anyway? the latest cozy mystery co-written with my writing partner, L. Barnett Evans, is doing pretty well.  In Whose Knife is it Anyway? the ladies of Grandmothers, Incorporated are trapped in the woods with a group of feuding church ladies and they stumble on a body.  Whose Knife is it Anyway? is available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com as are my romantic suspense novels.  

The first draft of the first non-fiction story I've ever written is finished.  It's about a solider during the Korean War.  I don't know when I'll get that one out and L. Barnett Evans and I have finished the first draft  of the first book in the trilogy of mysteries that we're writing.  How I find the time for all this I don't know!  So I'm proud of myself for making the January 2018 blog, even if it is on the last day of the month.  I think I'll pat myself on the back.