Angelina Preston tunes out the voice of God when she decides to divorce her husband, Greg. She’s forgiven him for his affair, but she won’t forget, even though her heart is telling her to. Shortly after she files divorce papers, she finds out her non-profit organization is being investigated by the IRS for money laundering. In the midst of the very public scandal, Angelina becomes ill. Through financial and physical trials, she learns that faith and forgiveness may really be the cure for all that ails her, but can she forgive the people who hurt her most?

Sexy, successful Dr. Gregory Preston didn’t appreciate his wife when he had her. His affair with a devious man-stealer has him put out of his home and put off with women who continue to throw themselves at him. Greg wants his wife back, but he’ll have to do some fancy operating to get her. When the secrets and lies from his past continue to mess up his future, Greg finds himself looking to the God he abandoned long ago for a miracle only faith can provide.

Samaria Jacobs finally has the one thing she’s always wanted: a man with money. The fact that she’s in love with him is a bonus, but even so, life is anything but blissful. She’s paying for her past sins in ways she never imagined and living in fear that the secret she’s keeping will separate them forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda McKnight is the owner of Legacy Editing, a free-lance editing service for fiction writers. She’s the vice-president of Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. When she’s not editing projects, teaching workshops about writing or penning her next novel, she spends time with her family. Originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia home for thirteen years. Visit her online at RhondaMcknight.net

With everything falling into place in his life, Neil Tayor finds a renewed reason to use the gifted voice that God gave him. Shaylynn Ford is absolutely everything he has ever desired in a mate: She’s smart, beautiful, independent, and a woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. Though her package deal comes with a child, it comes without the normal baggage that a child would carry…or so it would seem.

Shaylynn is a young widow, so her dead husband could certainly pose no threat to Neil; right? Wrong! On a consistent basis, Neil finds himself feeling as though he’ll never measure up against his predecessor: Emmett Ford…the perfect husband…the perfect father. And when skeletons—-major skeletons—-surface from Neil’s own closet, they might make Shaylynn reconsider trusting him with her heart.

Neil is a man of God, but he’s also a man in love. And desperation leads him to make choices in order to keep Shaylynn, that could backfire and cause him to lose her forever.

His anointed voice has been credited with healing the sick and saving lost souls, but it could take a whole lot more than a song to get Neil out of this one.

About the Author

Kendra Norman-Bellamy is a national bestselling faith-based writer and motivational speaker. She is the visionary of several ministries, including KNB Publications LLC (self-publishing ministry), Cruisin’ For Christ (at-sea ministry), The I.S.L.A.N.D. Movement (empowerment ministry), and Gospel Girls Group (women’s Facebook-based ministry). Most recently, she became the president of M-PACT Writers, a national accountability network for writers of books, songs, plays, poetry, choreography, etc. who use their pens to create positive material. “When Solomon Sings” is Kendra’s nineteenth published work.

Visit Kendra online at KendraNormanBellamy.com

The Alec London Series is a series written for boys, 8 – 12 years old. Alec London is introduced in Stephanie Perry Moore’s previously released series, The Morgan Love Series. In this new series, readers get a glimpse of Alec’s life up close and personal. The series provides moral lessons that will aid in character development, teaching boys how to effectively deal with the various issues they face at this stage of life. The series will also help boys develop their English and math skills as they read through the stories and complete the entertaining and educational exercises provided at the end of each chapter and in the back of the book.

Making the Team

Alec London is a fourth grader whose have a tough time.  His dad is the new assistant principal at school; his classmate Tyrod is bullying him; his brother, Antoine is mad with him and his mom is going away for a long period of time because of her job.  Through the game of football, lessons from his dad and a story about a man named Joseph, Alec learns that God cares about him and will help him out when he is struggling.

Learning the Rules

Alec feels abandoned by his mom. Now his brother Antoine and their cousin Little P are mad with him. At school when his tries to take up for a new kid in school he gets into trouble. Alec is trying to do his best but he just can’t seem to get things right. When he goes to church on Easter Sunday, the pastor shares a message that helps him to look at everything a different way.

Going the Distance

The school year is ending. Alec is looking forward to sleeping late and no bullying. But dad and mom have other plans for him this summer. Dad wants him to play baseball and mom puts him in an acting camp. He doesn’t want to do either but decides to try anyway. Alec hates baseball but dad won’t let him quit. He loves acting but mom won’t let him continue when he gets a part in a Disney show. Alec is upset with his parents but he learns that even when things don’t go his way he must still obey God by honoring his parents.

Winning the Battle

The summer is over and Alec is back in school. Tyrod has a new friend Zarrick who also bullies Alec and mom is still away. In response to all that’s going on in his life Alec begins to act out in school, sleep in class and hang around with the wrong crowd.  And, to protect himself, he starts taking karate lessons. With the help of his karate instructor, parents, old friends, Alec learns that being disciplined and learning to respond to things in a way that pleases God are important when it comes to winning the battle.

Taking the Lead

Alec is voted class president and joins the track team. Though Tyrod continues to bully him, Alec tries to become friends. Everything is going well for him until he loses his grandmother. Alec becomes sad and gets off track but running track and working with the Special Olympics kids helps him work through the things happening at home and school. When his team wins the county title Alec thinks about how proud his grandmother was of him for learning how to take the lead.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of many Young Adult Christian fiction titles, including the Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. She is also the co-editor for the impactful BibleZine, REAL. Mrs. Moore speaks with young people across the country, showing them how they can live life fully and do it God’s way. Stephanie currently lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, a former NFL player and author, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com.

DERRICK MOORE is a former NFL athlete who played for the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals following his successful college football career. Since his retirement from the NFL in 1998 he has been in demand as a motivational speaker for professional teams, civic groups, churches, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is on staff with FCA, serving as the chaplain of the football program at Georgia Tech. Derrick is the author of The Great Adventure and the general editor for the Strength and Honor Bible.

A great example of using words to frame and form your future is found in the book of Ruth. The death of the men of the family that she married into causes her to leave her country, her family, and her idolatrous faith behind to go to a new land. Her journey begins with a declaration.

(Ruth 1:16-17 AMP). Her words laid the foundation and went into her future for the life that was to come. Her eyes had not seen, nor could she even imagine in heart what her words were doing in the atmosphere. Her words were radical for the time in which she lived. Is anyone speaking anything that is radical for this age?
As I was reading the book of Ruth, I was led to meditate on the words that were spoken even though this is considered to be a love story. Shortly after her arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth spoke about going to work in the field and declaring that she would find grace. (Ruth 2:2). She stood in time, her present situation (now) and spoke what shall be (now). Then she acted upon her declaration. “You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light of God’s favor shall shine upon your ways.” (Job 22:28 AMP). She decreed a word that went into places that she had not even been as of yet or even seen. She decided what she wanted to happen. Being a stranger, she did not know that she would happen to end up in the field of a kinsman, Boaz. Did her declaration open up an avenue of position for this coincidence?
One thing I noticed in the conversations of this book was that Boaz, the owner greeted his workers with words of blessing and they did likewise. (Ruth 2:4). It made one think as to whether he was speaking a blessing over his workers for prosperity in his field. Did the words charge and change the atmosphere as well as bless the land?
The manifestation of what Ruth had decreed occurred as she caught the sight of Boaz and his favor. He inquired as to whom she was and was informed by his workers everything concerning her. He told Ruth not to go to any other filed for he had already given instructions for her protection as well as special privileges. There is much that could be said about moving from field to field or church-to-church to glean without divine protection or instruction. Please note that her arrival was just in time for the harvest. She did not have to plant but she reaped the labor of others. Destiny at work!
In verse 10 of chapter 2, Ruth position herself before humbly asking a question, “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” His reply was that he knew everything concerning her past and her present. Then Boaz spoke the blessing of her future. “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12 KJV). Boaz was letting her know that the God of Israel sees and knows the sacrifice that you have made to come to this place to trust in Him. But Boaz did not know that the blessing he spoke was over the woman that was to become his wife and the lineage of David and the Messiah that was to come from their union.
The words that Boaz spoke penetrated the heart of Ruth. (Ruth 2:13) A word from God will not only pierce your heart but produce a stronghold of faith to wait and stand with anticipation for the manifestation of the evidence that will produce the change in your life. The key is holding on to the word.
Ruth received favor known and unknown to her. Boaz told her to come and eat with the others at mealtime. What she did not know was that he also instructed the reapers (the ones who are doing the work), to let her come forward and glean among the sheaves, the bundles. “Boaz ordered his servants: “Let her glean where there’s still plenty of grain on the ground—make it easy for her. Better yet, pull some of the good stuff out and leave it for her to glean. Give her special treatment.” (Ruth 2:15-16 MSG).
Did you know that your words could be the catalyst for special treatment? What type of material are you using to build your words? Do not use substandard equipment and material from the world system that is before your natural eyes. If you are speaking death because of lack of knowledge, God has spoken life and given you His word to speak in the earth realm to counteract and change the system that the enemy stole from Adam and perverted.
The Word of God is the most important word that must be read, studied, and meditated upon. Why? Because it is spirit and life. “Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.” (John 6:53 MSG). In the beginning God framed the world with His word. And God said. And God saw. Thousands of years later, Ruth said and Ruth saw. Keep speaking the word. The Word of God will demolish the system that the enemy has built against you. God has given you His Word to speak (not seen but heard) to call those things (not seen but hearing and listening) into existence (to be seen).

“Therefore, inheriting the promise is the outcome of faith and depends entirely on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace, unmerited favor, to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants–not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is thus the father of us all. As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. He was appointed our father in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that He has foretold and promised as if they already existed.”
(Romans 4:16-17 AMP).
© January 2012
Becky DeWitt

Sheba and Uriah Richards have been happily married for 10 years. Uriah’s boss is David King, a media magnate whose wealth and power are second only to his love of God. At his first sight of Sheba, David is smitten—and while he prays for strength to resist temptation, Sheba finds herself falling for David. To complicate things further, Sheba’s long-lost half-sister, Delilah, shows up—and soon she connives to get her sis Sheba into David’s bed. After David sends Uriah to an assignment in Afghanistan, he makes his move…and Sheba succumbs to his charms. Then she finds she’s pregnant. Now, only God’s mercy can set Sheba’s life right.

Ruthless is available in stores or online such as BlackExpressions.com.

 About the Author

Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over thirteen books in print and writes in multiple genres: Christian fiction, romance, women’s fiction, suspense, and young adult. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…”  Shelia’s also the recipient of three Shades of Romance Magazine Readers Choice Multi-Cultural Awards and honored as a Literary Diva: The Top 100 Most Admired African American Women in Literature.

I am an author and Christian motivational speaker. The first book I published in April 2009 was called “The Seven Deadly Sexual Sins”, which is a book about deliverance.  The second book I published is called “Before the Lights Go Out: 11 Keys to Achieve Real Physical Intimacy, which is an inspirational self-help book on how to achieve intimacy in your relationships.  I also wrote a free downloadable e-book as well called “Walking the Path to Real Love: 12 Steps to Practice Abstinence and Celibacy” which is available as a free download on Lulu.

I am founder of I am the Chase Ministries, LLC which is a singles women’s ministry whose mission is to promote abstinence and celibacy.  I am also founder of Chasing Books Christian Book Club that was formed to support our African American self-published authors like myself and those who have published with a traditional publisher such as AuthorHouse, Xlibris, etc.  I wanted to form this book club as a way to support our own people of color and also let the world know that self-publishers have great books as well and only need a platform to showcase their talent.

I travel often doing book signings and speaking at conferences and high schools.  Besides writing and speaking, I am also active in the church I attend and work a full time job as a legal assistant.  My schedule is very busy, but writing is my passion because it allows me to minister to others.

How do you find time to connect with God?

I connect with God many different ways such as praying, going to church regularly and reading my bible.  Since I am single and have no children, I have plenty of time to connect with God because he is the sole reason why I do what I do.  I’m a Christian, so I can’t do anything without him.  I realize that whatever you make a priority is what you spend the most time doing so God is my focus and priority so it’s natural that I spend time with him on a regular basis.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

I love Joyce Myers books, Hill Harper writes book full of substance and wisdom and I just finished reading his book “The Wealth Cure and gained a lot of wisdom and insight. I am currently reading a few of Iyanla Vanzant’s books called “Peace from broken pieces’ and “In the meantime”.  I also enjoyed reading a book titled Cupcake Brown and Color Me Butterfly, which I put all these on my top ten reads.

Tell us about your current book?

My current book, “Before the Lights Go Out: 11 Keys to Achieve Real Physical Intimacy” is a book about what defines real intimacy.  There is so much divorce and separation in our society right now that people are not staying together.  There is a lack of unity and commitment.  Also, our view of what love is supposed to look like has been tainted with all the dating sites on the internet and dating reality shows that shows us the quick version of how to find a mate, when in reality there is so much more to the process.

So, this book was written to help people learn the biblical principles of what marriage should resemble and it also prepare us for marriage. I thought it was so important to not only talk about these things, but also present real life experiences about the pitfalls of marriage and staying committed and being able to long suffer with one another as the bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13, that love suffers long, is patient, kind, not envious, boastful, etc. so I decided to talk to my family members including my parents who have been married for 50 years of what it took for them to stay together.

This book is practical and filled with so much insight and wisdom on what it takes to make a relationship work.  What’s missing is there is no real intimacy, meaning a spiritual and an emotional connection.  We have mistaken physical intimacy for intimacy when it is not as any two people can have sex without having a real bond or connection.  The book was written to bring unity back to marriages and also provide a foundation for singles on what to look for in a potential relationship that will last, and not pattern our behavior after the false images we see represented in the media.

What’s next for you?

I am holding a writers teleconference for authors, writers and potential authors on January 15, 2012 to share some of my personal experiences with publishing and also marketing tips as well.  Also on April 14, 2012, I will be holding my 2^nd Annual Worth the Wait Women’s Conference in Columbia, MD.  In between those dates, I have several book signings lined up the end of this month and early February to promote love and commitment especially since Valentines is coming up.

Where can visitors find you online?

People can reach me at my website at www.iamthechase.com or join my book club at www.chasingbooks.com.  I am also active on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.  My twitter name is dladyque and you can search for Quiniece Sheppard on Facebook or LinkedIn to connect with me there.

When it comes to editing your book, you should not cut any corners. A professional-looking book should have the expertise of a professional editor. If you decide to self-publish, don’t get just anyone to edit your book. Meaning, you should hire several editors to look over your book thoroughly before it goes to print.  If you are going to invest your time, energy, and money into your book, then by all means, invest a good portion of your money into editing.

Over the years of reviewing books, I haven’t seen too many that were poorly edited; but I did see one in particular.  Because the grammar, sentence structure, and layout of the book were “POORLY” done, I refused to give a book review.

I could not get passed looking at the misspelled words; words that should have been capitalized were not; and there were missing words in sentences. I couldn’t understand how anyone would spend their time, energy, and money on a product that could not be read or understood.

If you are serious about writing, it will be evident in your writing and the finished product. Don’t rush through this process for the sole purpose of getting a book released. Take your time! A self-published book does not have to look like it was self-published.

What did I do with that book that I described above? I threw it away. Yes, I did! No sense in keeping something that I couldn’t read.  If you are an aspiring writer, you may not know there are different types of editing services.  Each type should be considered when you are looking for a profession person to edit your book.  Here are a few types of editing to consider.

Content editors- BOLD FACE CONTENT EDITORS When you hire a content editor, their job is to take the manuscript written by an author, and polish the work into a finished book. They correct grammar, spelling, and style and check all the facts. They make sure the book reads well, and suggest changes to the author if it does not.

Copy editors help polish the author’s writing. They review each page, and make the changes required to give the book a good writing style.

Proofreading is the last stage of editing. It is a final check of the manuscript to make sure that no mistakes have slipped through or been introduced if the layout has changed.

Copyediting (or line-by-line editing) can cover a broad range of corrections and suggestions. A basic copyedit may include: making sure material is logical and understandable, correcting continuity problems, making sure sources are cited for all statistics and quotations, and flagging inaccuracies and inconsistencies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paulette Harper’s book That Was Then, This Is Now became a best seller and achieved national recognition by being awarded a  finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie book award and ranked consecutively on the BCNN1/BCBC National Independent Publishers Bestsellers List (Non-Fiction).

Paulette is the visionary behind Write Now! Workshop Write Now! is a comprehensive workshop designed for those with a desire to write in the genre of Christian inspirational fiction, poetry, or non-fiction books. In these workshops, you will learn more about the process of writing, marketing and selling geared toward readers of Christian Literature.

As a writing coach, Paulette offers one-on-one consultation services for aspiring writers and new authors who are seeking additional information regarding marketing and promoting.

To schedule Paulette Harper for a book club meeting, interview, book signing, speaking engagement, workshop, seminar, or other appearance, please contact her at :info@pauletteharper.com. 

I’ve been married to my husband, Kerry, for almost twenty-nine years, and I praise God for a good marriage. I’ve converted my sofa-strapped, sports-fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur. We have a son who is a walking miracle. He is blessed to be alive after a horrific car accident years ago, but God let me know that is my son’s testimony and to let him tell it. Our daughter who attended college on a bowling scholarship recently graduated. She says she feels like making a sign and standing on the streets saying, ‘College student needs corporate job.’ We keep encouraging her that God is the CEO of all jobs.

As far as hobbies, I’m an avid seamstress. I used to sew regularly until I started writing. Now, I sew a few times a year, or if I see an outfit I like, I’ll buy the pattern and duplicate it. I became a storyteller when I tried to get myself out of trouble when I was a little girl. It didn’t fly with my parents. I’m a romantic at heart—movies, books, commercials, Disney cartoons.

The bottom line is I enjoy happy endings. But my passion, in addition to living for Jesus and making sure I’m spiritually spotless for the rapture, is tracking down my ancestors.

I’m a genealogy sleuth. Anyone who loves the Jamieson men have read about some of the tidbits I’ve uncovered from researching old documents.

How do you find time to connect with God?

First thing in the morning is best for me before I get my day started. I try to be steadfast and dedicate at least thirty minutes to one hour for reading my Bible, which could be up to three chapters and take notes.

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

Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Whew. That says it all, doesn’t it? If you really think about this, Paul is practically begging us to serve God, then warning us not to be tricked with the cares of this world.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

That’s a two-part question. I have fellow authors who I turn to for advice about anything from editing to marketing. Some of them do not write in my genre, but they would be my favorite authors that would be there for me. As for reading, Henry Louis Gates would probably be my favorite when it comes to the genealogy genre. Since I love romance and I want to keep my mind clean, I enjoy Christian romance by Vanessa Miller, Kendra Norman-Bellamy and others.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

My journey was basically generic. It was a challenge to complete a manuscript as far as staying focused. I had to time myself just to see how long it would take me to complete a manuscript. It was even harder to find an agent than publisher. There are still publishers that will take a manuscript without an agent, but you can’t deviate from the guidelines. It’s a fine line to walk and write. As an aspiring author, I never became accustomed to the rejection letters and emails. When I finally received an email from Joylynn Jossel, I just knew it was another rejection, but to my surprise, she actually liked the story. I wrote five books for Urban Christian.

I got my second and current publisher, Lift Every Voice, by God’s divine plan. I was pitching the Guilty series to another publisher. I had printed too many copies of the proposal. Since I didn’t want to waste my ink and paper, I sent it to my editor, Cynthia Ballenger. Cynthia loved it! I was humbled because they had originally turned down my first manuscript five years ago. It wasn’t my time for the great opportunity they gave me now. Praise God.

Tell us about your current book.

In Guilty by Association, Kevin “Kidd” Jamieson suffers from the “angry black man syndrome”. With an absentee father, the Jamieson name is worthless. Kidd’s anger is seeping out into every area of his life as he carelessly becomes as a roaring lion, seeking whatever and whomever he can devour.

When he receives an invitation from a distant cousin, Parke Jamieson VI, to come to St. Louis, he is hesitant but accepts, almost as a dare. Though he initially bumps heads with Parke, a series of events that involve a dog named Silent Killer, Stacy Adams shoes, and two women who enter his life to calm his raging storm, Kidd makes St. Louis home. One woman is Eva Savoy who becomes his “Eve,” a woman God created out of the underlying goodness in Kidd’s own heart.

Reluctantly, Kidd allows Parke to walk him through generations of his royal African tribe heritage. Overwhelmed by the care and compassion of new friends and family, Kidd struggles to keep up the bad boy attitude. His walls are starting to crumble and he knows he’s going down. Eventually, Kidd learns it’s not his association with the name that identifies him, but the man he becomes that defines him.

What influenced you to write this book?

My heart bleeds for our young men who are rebellious and lashing out, and we as a society, don’t take the interest to find out why. They are wasting their lives away. These talent young men are hurting inside and we need to ask ourselves why and how we reach our angry black men, sons, husbands, brothers. That was my mission when I set out to write Guilty by Association. My character, Kidd Jamieson, is rough around the edges. He is surrounded by people who love him, but two women begin to minister to his emotional hurt—an old woman in the nursing facility would tell stories about slavery and his love interest at his job who shows him the love of Jesus. It’s truly a love story.

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

Of course, as the author, I have to pull for the Jamieson men. I chose Kidd because he is the underdog. And Jesus roots for the underdog. I enjoy writing Kidd’s transformation and despite his rough edges, he was a caring and loving son and brother. He had good qualities.

What’s next for you?

Are you kidding? The Jamiesons are keeping me busy. There is also the sequel to Crowning Glory and other single titles that I’m looking forward to getting out this year. It’s important to me to have a diverse portfolio of novels, so that readers can see I can do more than the Jamieson Legacy. In 2012, there will be three books released in the series: Guilty by Association (Jan 2012); The Guilt Trip (June 2012); Free from Guilt (October 2012).

Where can visitors find you online?

It seems like everywhere.

• www.patsimmons.net
• twitter.com/patsimmons
• facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor