I’m a down to earth City girl from Detroit, who loves to laugh, buy jewelry, read, and play with my puppy. I love writing for pre-teens, and teen girls, and I know that is my calling!

How do you find time to connect with God?

I talk with God on the way to work everyday. I consult Him on every major decision I make, and I love to listen to worship songs throughout the day. God is truly apart of my everyday life.

Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I love this scripture, it reminds me how much God loves me, and that I have to continue to fight the good fight of faith, and remember that God is always on my side.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

Michelle Andrea Bowen, Stephanie Perry Moore, Kim Brooks, Favorite books; Church Folk, He’s fine, but is he saved, and so many others I can’t pinpoint just one! I love reading.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

Well, I wrote my book in 2004, and it took me six years to finally publish it! I believe it was all in divine order though. Earlier this year, I had been thinking about finishing up my book, and my pastor made a statement that stuck with me. He said we have to make decisions for Christ, and the things he has called us to do, and not just go in a direction, because when you go in a direction, you can get distracted and go off the route, but when you make a decision in your heart, it doesn’t matter what the distraction, you will complete it. So I prayed about finishing my book, set a date for August, and met that date! All to the glory of God.

Tell us about your current book, Called Out.

My book “Called Out” is about a girl named Akiva who is in her senior year of High School. Her long time Crush James, is starting to take notice of her, but another guy Alex, comes into the picture as well. She has to decide who she will choose, if anyone at all. Besides dealing with her own personal drama she is dealing with family drama as well. it’s a good story for pre-teens and teens who are trying to make good, wise, Godly, decisions.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I took ideas from personal experiences, friends, family members, and some things I just imagined.

What influenced you to write this book?

My mother was a librarian so I read ALOT when I was younger. However, there weren’t a lot of books out that represented me, or my belief system. So God laid it on my heart to write books for young women to have role models, and Godly examples. We have to show them that being a Christian is ok, and you can have morals, and values and still enjoy life.

Did you have a favorite character(s)? Who and why?

My favorite character is probably James, her love interest. He is so real, and transparent, he has a little edge, but he loves Christ. He stands up for what he believes in, and doesn’t back down.

What’s next for you?

I am working on a video blogging series entitled “Confidence Speaks” Where I talk about Etiquette, dress, and focus on women’s issues. You can also check out my blog at http://www.walkinconfidence.com and my facebook page @ www.facebook.com/daranichole . I am also working on my second novel “In his Shadow” Which should be released winter 2011.

Where can visitors find you online?

http://www.authordaranichole.com

http://www.walkinconfidence.com

http://www.facebook.com/daranichole and you can follow me on

twitter http://www.twitter.com/daranichole

I wish I had something miraculous or wonderful or inspirational to say about myself, but I honestly don’t. I’m just LaShanda, a girl from a small town in Texas trying the best I can to make Jesus proud of me. I have faith in Him, and I know that He has brought me through so much. I pray that I continue to lead others to Him along the way.

How do you find time to connect with God?

There are times when I have to fight for it. But I make it a point to spend a little time with Him every day through prayer and bible study, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I also spend a lot of time at church, and fellowshipping with my church family. I am a member of my church’s praise team, and I also praise dance. Those ministries give me strength and allow me to grow in several ways. Meditation also helps me. Stealing time to be alone with Him to focus on Him and the direction that He is leading me in builds me as well.

Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?

Romans 8:31 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I focus on the scripture a lot. I know that I am a different kind of person. I don’t fit the norm that people are used to. I’m a bit quirky, and silly, quite friendly, and very talkative, lol. I can be shy, and I can be quite bold. At times that may rub people the wrong way. It has taken me a while to get to this point, but I love myself and the woman that God is molding me into. I know that I can’t be everyone’s super hero, and I honestly don’t want to be. But, if God is for me, and I KNOW that He is, who can really be against me? I know that He has my back, and with that I am quite satisfied.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

My favorite book is the bible. What other written text could compare to the awesome and magnificent word of God?

My favorite authors are Joyce Meyer and Reshonda Tate Billingsley.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. Casting Down Imaginations was published last year, and Sweeter Than The Honey was released earlier this year. I plan on writing several more books in the future.

Tell us about your current book, Sweeter Than The Honey.

Sweeter Than The Honey tells the story of a high school senior who struggles with her sexuality and her faith. She was raised in a Christian home, but has been doubting religion ever since she saw her father, a man active in ministry, behaving inappropriately with another woman. She also can’t stand the way her mother uses religion to justify not leaving him. On top of all this, she was raped, and was too afraid to tell anyone other than her best friend, Eric, whom she is also secretly in love with.

Then she meets Summer Freeman, the new girl at school. The two initially bump heads, but quickly become friends. Summer introduces her to new things, such as fashion, luxury, and alternative viewpoints concerning sexuality. Kamilah finds herself attracted to everything about Summer, including her body, and finds it appealing to be with Summer because of her past bad experiences with men. Her Christian upbringing soon convicts her though, and she has to decide if she will follow her heart, or her faith.

What influenced you to write this book?

Sweeter Than The Honey came to me in a dream. I dreamed about this little girl who was so lost and so confused, and when I woke up I prayed for her to be free. I knew that she was more than a dream. She was several young women who are out there today struggling with their sexuality. I knew that I had to tell this story openly and honestly, but in the beginning I was afraid to. I knew homosexuality was something considered taboo in the Christian community, especially with African Americans. We knew that it existed, but it was something that wasn’t talked about. I feared the book would not be received well, so I delayed writing it. But you know how God is.

I started meeting people who dabbled in the lifestyle, and God began to reveal things to me concerning the topic. The moment when I KNEW that I HAD to write the book happened during a church service I was in. There were a lot of praises going up to God, and the atmosphere was so ripe for genuine worship. Then someone began to rebuke specific sins, and used the “F” word. (You know, the horrible one that some refer to homosexuals as.) I was so heartbroken. All I could think about was that girl in my dream. What if she had been in church that day with me? What if she had been sitting in the back enjoying the service and was about to give her life to Christ, and then that hateful word came across the pulpit? Would she have accepted Christ when the person who was supposed to represent Him exhibited hate? Where was the loving kindness? I honestly wanted to cry. I think I may have. But right there I surrendered to the assignment of writing Sweeter Than The Honey. I had to.

Did you have a favorite character(s)? Who and why?

My favorite character that I have ever written is Anaya Patterson, one of the main characters in my first novel, Casting Down Imaginations. She was such a wild girl, but so dear to my heart. All she wanted was love, and like a lot of young women, she searched for it in all the wrong places. Her story is really great. You’ll have to pick it up.

I honestly don’t have a favorite character in Sweeter Than The Honey, but the one who touches me the most is Mrs. Wright, Kamilah’s mother. I feel so bad for her, even though I know a lot of readers see her as an enemy. I don’t see her that way. I see her as a victim. She is very religious, and she lets what she thinks cloud the love that she has for her daughter. She’s also over extended. Her husband cheats on her repeatedly, but she continues to allow him to come and go as he pleases, and keeping her pregnant along the way. She doesn’t know how to let go of rules so that she can learn what it truly means to love. That is very sad to me, but unfortunately, I’ve seen it before.

What’s next for you?

Oh, there’s so much! I’m currently working on a new novel that will be released next year. I would love to tell you what it’s about, but I love to keep readers in suspense. It’s something different from what I have written before. I’m really excited about it.

Where can visitors find you online?

I can be found online at my personal website, www.LaShandaMichelle.com. I am also on Facebook. I think I may be addicted to it. I’m also on YouTube and MySpace.

A life coach and speaker, Fon James is the author of Back and Forth; Forward March; and A Mother, Her Son, and The Father, a short story featured in The Triumph of My Soul, an inspirational anthology.

Fon James resides in the Houston, TX area with her husband and daughter. She is an active member of both Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Fort Bend Church in Sugarland , TX. Her motto and favorite scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file.

Forward March

You’ve been waiting since you turned the last page of Fon James’ debut novel, Back and Forth!

Faith and Chrishawn are both living in California only a bridge away from each other. Is there a hook-up in sight for these two in the Bay Area or is Faith’s heart still with Gavin? Now that Faith has moved, will Chrissy and Gavin be more than co-parents to baby Grace? Remi and Giselle are enjoying the guilt-free intimacy that comes along with being married, but when these two newlyweds try to conceive a child, a secret from the past is revealed that may ruin everything they hoped for.

Faith, Gavin, Chrissy, Remi, and Giselle are all back in this explosive sequel where all may be forgiven, but ain’t nobody forgot! Will these old college band friends be able to forget the past and march forward?

Adrienne Adams grew up on the south side of Chicago.  After becoming a parent as a teenager, she worked hard to take care of her children while still making education a top priority and believes that others can learn from her experiences.  Adrienne started her publishing company, Write the Vision Ministries, LLC, with the idea that young

people should be secure in the knowledge that they can come to Christ just as they are.  Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She resides with her husband, Andre, and their five children in Chicago. Visit Adrienne online at http://www.wtvmin.com/.

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It was God who put us in this situation in the first place.

Vic felt like the Rogers family was at the bottom of the list when God started answering prayers.

Seventeen-year-old Vic Rogers is having a hard time just surviving.  An alcoholic father as a role model coupled with a reading disability  keeps him from doing well in school and his young life doesn’t show much promise.  Vic decides that selling drugs in his inner city  neighborhood is the only way that he can make it.  When  circumstances take a drastic turn, Vic is forced to make some  changes or risk his freedom and his future in a tale that offers a fresh, real perspective on faith and hope.

God created fathers to love, protect, support and encourage their daughters to live a life of integrity and purity. However, many fathers have failed in their responsibility. The father/daughter relationship is especially crucial in today’s society. Across the country many young ladies suffer from the lack of a loving father, whether present or distant. Every young lady longs to know and be close to her father- to chat with him, to laugh with him, and receive the assurance from a needed hug or talk. Talks Your Dad Never Had with You gives us a loving father’s voice. Dr. Harold D. Davis’s biblical knowledge, practical advice and "telling it like it is" tone, offers young women hard truth and tough love on issues such as purity, boys, sex, and their value.

REVIEW

The format and layout are nice,very age appropriate. This book will be beneficial to girls in certain demographics. The topics and discussions are similar to the things my father shared with me. I believe if this book is given to a preteen girl missing her father by a loving male role model in her life she may benefit from it.

Reviewed by Shawneda Marks

Victoria, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m pretty simple – I’m a woman who loves the Lord and His love for me has blessed me to have a wonderful life.  I’m surrounded by friends and family who love me unconditionally and who help keep my feel planted on solid ground, even as I pursue this career.  I love to read; I read about 35 books a year.  (Trying to increase that to 40 this year.)  I love to workout – I used to run marathons, but haven’t done that in a while because of the time that must be devoted to training.  I spend most of my days writing – and on the weekends, I spend as much time as I can relaxing, reading, and enjoying life with friends! How do you find time to connect with God?

I connect with God on a 24/7 basis.  There is not a moment when I’m not conscious of His presence in my heart and my life.  I also read my Bible everyday – just a chapter and the commentary.  That is so important to me because I have to have something inside of me in order to pull it out of me for my writing.

Who were your favorite authors or books as a teen?

I loved I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Manchild in the Promise Land and all books by Richard Wright.

Tell us about your current young adult book?

My latest teen project (March release) is the third in the Diva series.  The title is The Divas: Veronique and is the story of a teen who searches for her father…on the Internet.  You know that only leads to trouble. THE DIVINE DIVAS Series They’re fifteen and fabulous and want to be the hippest, hottest new girl group in gospel music.  But will boys and other issues get in their way? http://www.thedivinedivas.com/

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I get asked that question all the time and I don’t really know how to answer.  It’s not like I sit down and say, “I need an idea.”  I think it’s all part of the gift – God doesn’t give you an incomplete gift.  So, He’s given me the ability to write, the discipline to write, the ideas are just in my head already.  All part of the gift.

What are the main themes or lessons in this book?

I write fiction.  I’m not trying to teach lessons or give messages – not really.  What I’ve discovered is that just by putting God in the center, just by making Him a character, gives each reader a chance to get the message that God wants the reader to have.

What advice did someone give you as a teenager that still remains with you today?

My mother told me that I had to be three times better just to be considered equal.  My father told me that he only raised Queens!  I have succeeded in life because of my parents’ wisdom.

Do you have any embarrassing moments you want to share from your teen years?

Nope.  Why would I share an embarrassing moment?

What’s next for you?

I’m writing my last teen book now and getting ready to start on my 2010 novel.  My teen novels have been optioned to become a show on BET, so we’ll see if that happens.

Where can visitors find you online?

www.victoriachristophermurray.com

Describe yourself for our visitors.

I love reading drama packed and fun stories!  My playlist has some of everything in it from Beyonce to Tye Tribbett.  I am really loving Kierra Sheard’s newest CD. How do you find time to connect with God? Everything I do daily has something to do with my writing ministry.  Even my nine to five job enables me to pursue my dreams.  I have an ongoing conversation with God about my life and when something doesn’t feel right, I do a God-check, a short prayer for guidance. Who were your favorite authors or books as a teen? I loved Judy Blume and Madeline L’Engle.  There weren’t many books with African American teens in them when I was growing up.  I remember reading the Sweet Valley books and wondering where we were. Tell us about your current book? Step To This is about a High School sophomore named Gia Stokes who is fly, fierce and fab, but she doesn’t really know it yet.  She goes through all of these steps to upgrade her social status – joins the Hi-Steppers (drill team) and gets a makeover from her new friends.  But when things go wrong, she has to rely on her faith and the people who really matter to her. How did you come up with ideas for this book? I always get asked that question, and I have yet to come up with a good answer.  The truth is, I don’t know where the ideas come from! What are the main themes or lessons in this book? The main lesson in this book is to “do you”!  Meaning, be yourself and be your own kind of fabulous!  Gia’s fab comes from her honesty, loyalty and faith. What advice did someone give you as a teenager that still remains with you today? You never have to chase down a lie, because the truth always comes out in the end. Do you have any embarrassing moments you want to share from your teen years? I was at a house party once, that was held in the basement of my friend’s house.  I was upstairs for some reason, and fell down the basement stairs on my way back into the party.  The music stopped and everything!  It was all bad. What’s next for you? Book Two of the So For Real Series is called It is What it Is.  It’s a continuation of Gia’s story! Where can visitors find you online? Readers can find at www.myspace.com/authornikkicarter and  http://profile.to/nikkicarter (facebook)

Nine year old Jeremiah Jones is a born runner. He runs faster than most boys his age. Trouble is ever since his grandmother’s passing his running has been getting him in trouble. When he’s sad or stressed, he runs. His running helps him cope with the loss of Grandma Joanie and the prospect of never finding a ‘forever family.’ Running gets him thrown out of foster homes and expelled from school.

The story opens with Jeremiah getting expelled from school again. He is temporarily placed in the home of a social worker, Mrs. Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy, her husband, and their young son, P.J. help Jeremiah slow down long enough to reflect.

While in the Kennedy’s nurturing home Jeremiah learns the meaning of faith and hope in God’s promises. Throughout the book, the reader gets glimpses of Jeremiah’s spiritual foundation through memories Grandma Joanie strong words, paraphrased Bible passages. In the end, Jeremiah find the courage to be still.

Run, Jeremiah, Run is a good quick read. The introspective style and pacing may appeal more to pre-teens and adults. The spiritual lessons in the book are filtered through Jeremiah’s eyes and posed in a way that a child could understand. The book contains many moments of light-hearted action that will interest children of any age.

$6.99, 150 page

Reviewed by Linda Leigh Hargrove