Black Men Where Are You?!

By Brenda Hampton

By now, I’m sure that many of you have heard about the recent beating of the teenager in Chicago, many have seen the school bus incident where two Black teenage students attacked a white student, and just last night in my hometown, another 16 year old was gunned down by his peers. This is happening everywhere, and unless we begin to address the real reasons as to why this is happening, more of our children will be killed. Just think, what if something like what happened to Derrion Albert happened to your sons or daughters? I’ve thought about it, and the thought pains me. I can’t even imagine what the mothers and fathers go through after losing their children, but after watching the video of Derrion Albert being beat, I can’t rest peacefully and I’m literally sick to my stomach. I can’t stop thinking about how anyone can cause such harm to another person. What’s going on with you, where you feel proud about stomping someone to death or bashing their head in? Right now, I won’t even comment on what I feel for those who were arrested, but I will tell you that I have very little remorse for them. Maybe I should feel sorry for them too, after all, they were taught how to approach life by their mothers, or maybe…fathers?

By the way, Dad, where are you? Your sons NEED you! Don’t you get it? They…we are all crying out for your help! Mom just can’t do it alone anymore, and even though many women do a great job raising their children as single parents, obviously, some women don’t! Either way, Dad, when are you going to take responsibility for bringing a human being into this world? You just can’t walk away and think that your kids do not need you. Your daughters NEED you too, and every time she searches for love in the wrong place, she’s really looking for you. Your sons…oh, my God, please help your sons! Go get them from our streets, and stop them from killing each other. Stop them from overcrowding our prisons and being made examples of. Let them know there’s a sensible way to approach life. Put your arms around them and tell them that you’re sorry for abandoning them. Tell them that you love them, that you’re proud of them and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make their lives better. Don’t wait for another man, a mentor, the president, or any other male figure to do it. Think about it…he’s got your blood running through his body, and he will carry on the legacy that you taught him. Have you asked yourself what you want your legacy to be? Please, give him a chance that you are failing to give him. Wherever your children may be, find them. Connect with them, talk to them, be there for them, please! There is no other way for anyone to correct what is going on, if you do not make an effort to do your part.

What we’re watching play out in the streets of our cities are the results of continuous neglect from parents, particularly fathers. Now is the time, and we can’t afford to wait another hour, day or years for certain individuals to step up. The mission starts with you and you know who you are. Close the doors to your weak ways of thinking and realize how much difference it would make if you gave your children the time they truly deserve. I know change isn’t easy, and it brings about many challenges. Set aside your fears, and to prevent us from losing more of our precious children, please, Black men especially, do the right thing. Because at the end of the day, Derrion Albert and all of the other innocent children who have lost their lives didn't deserve to be taken away from us by the young men some of us are creating. If any of these children belong to you, think about their futures, your future, and the future you could have allowed Derrion Albert to have, had you been there for your child. Remember, it's not too late to make sure this doesn't happen to another innocent victim.



Spread the word and help me get this message to resonate. As always, I welcome your feedback and can be reached at brendahampton_1@netzero.net.


Brenda Hampton
Essence Magazine Bestselling Author
www.brendamhampton.com

Novels:
Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right
The Dirty Truth
SLICK
How Can I Be Down?
No Justice No Peace
The Naughty Series
Girls From Da Hood 5-Trick Don't Treat

Humor Break

Christian Humor

This is one of the best clean jokes I've seen in awhile!

Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering.

Finally fed up, God said, 'THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge who does the better job.'

So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

They moused.

They faxed.

They e-mailed.

They e-mailed with attachments.

They downloaded.

They did spreadsheets!

They wrote reports..

They created labels and cards..

They created charts and graphs.

They did some genealogy reports.

They did every job known to man.

Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than hell.

Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off.

Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld.

Jesus just sighed.

Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming:

'It's gone! It's all GONE! 'I lost everything when the power went out!'

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work.

Satan observed this and became irate.

'Wait!' he screamed. 'That's not fair! He cheated! How come he has all his work and I don't have any?'

God just shrugged and said,


JESUS SAVES....

Love Thyself, First

This week’s morning affirmation

Love thyself, first. I will not be able to provide anyone in my life the kind of love they need or deserve until I love myself whole.

We get so caught up into deadlines, goals, to-do lists, and quotas that we can’t find five or ten minutes to affirm our love to ourselves.

Everyone wants to love and be loved, but what about the most natural love of all --loving ourselves? My first affirmation of love, strength and hope each day goes to myself; however, this has not always been the case. There was a time when I thought affirmations were not necessary or just some silly life coach's way of trying to make a buck, but the truth is simple. I must feed my psyche with positive words, daily.

The way humans are programmed in the millennium; we can go a long way for a long time without nurturing our inner spirits. However, externally, people feed us with all types garbage that has the ability to slant our perception of ourselves. Whether it is that super slim model on TV, your husband's idea of the perfect housewife, or how your family or friends think you should act, our psyches will be fed. There will always be someone that appears to have it all, whilst you have not. There will also be people who thrive on making you feel inferior or inadequate in order to make themselves look and feel better.

There will always be moments of disappointment in ourselves, moments of spiritual mayhem, moments of distrust and confusion. These things are inevitable. However, it’s your choice whether to fall into that dark abyss of nothingness or be the master of your own universe. The choices are slim, but you must determine which side of the road you want to stand on when it comes to your life. Take your pick!

The breakdown of hope, strength, love, and the ability to have healthy relationships begin with the breakdown of hope, strength, love and ability to love one’s self. This is a vicious cycle that each of us must play an active part in if we want to keep the love for ourselves strong.

Finally, the aura that comes from the inability to love ourselves whole resonates like a drummer boy tip tapping, tip tapping at his drums and affects everyone that we come into contact on a daily basis. They hear your spirit. The question is do you want them to hear whimpers of internal misery or songs of joy.


Love thyself, first. I will not be able to provide anyone in my life the kind of love they need or deserve until I love myself whole.

Shani Greene-Dowdell (c) | 2008

Shani G. Dowdell was interviewed by SG Boutique

Check out the interview here:

http://sgboutique.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-come-up.html

Just a Taste: Bronze Princess by Joi Marsh

Joi Marsh is a Tuskegee, Alabama native. She graduated from both Tuskegee University and Auburn University and is a certified rehabilitation counselor. She is a pure writer at heart and once she shares her gift with the world she will be a force to be reckon with. She has hopes of completing her first book of poetry in late 2008.

In the short story, The Bronze Princess, Joi Marsh introduces infatuating Tula and sexually free Benet' to her readers. After spending a week in Hotlanta with her best friend Jack, Benet' comes over to finalize details for decorating his house. Instantly, Benet' and Tula are attracted, but will the long distance relationship work? After a hot weekend tucked away in a cabin, it might.

Brief Excerpt from The Bronze Princess by Joi Marsh After gathering herself, Tula looked into Benet's eyes, kissed her ever so softly on both her eyelids and proclaimed it was "now my turn." Tula covered kisses over her entire body. A true romantic at heart, she kissed her fingertips, the palms of her hands her elbows and knees, leaving not a spot untouched. Tula held Benet and whispered sweet melodies in her ear as she nibbled and held her close.

Benet laid there, almost swimming with desire, becoming one with Tula with every touch. Tula, a master with the female body, knew exactly where to touch Benet to make her soul vibrate. She knew how to spread her legs and taste her sweetness, how to use her fingers to bring forth her juices. She knew exactly how to please Benet' and did everything imaginable to bring her Bronze Goddess to climax. After making her new lover cum for a third time, Tula reached in her goodie bag and spotted the beads. Visit Joi at

Wanna read more?

Hazel Mills speaks on her book Bare Necessities

Click here to read more from Hazel --> Promoting Reading, One Page At A Time: Hazel Mills speaks on her book Bare Necessities

Just a Taste: Smooth Moves by Landis Lin

Excerpt of SMOOTH MOVES byLandis Y. Lain: Featured in Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy.

Shirley: "FAWN, I SAW SOME HUSSY DRIVING YOUR CAR! "

Fawn: "He wouldn't do that." Fawn typed back.

She glanced down at her new wedding ring and shook her head in denial, locks dancing with the motion. She'd left her car at home this morning, because it wasn't running right. She would catch the bus home. Amir had promised to fix it.

Fawn: "There must be some explanation." Fawn's fingers flew over the keys.
Shirley: "UH-HUH."
Fawn: "Stop shouting." Fawn typed back. She could mentally see Shirley roll her eyes, gather her patience and hit the caps lock key on her keyboard.
Shirley: "I'm telling you, I saw the license plate. Besides, how many people drive a gold 1996 Honda Civic with a Clinton/Gore bumper sticker pasted to it?"
Fawn: "I don't believe it."
Shirley: "Girl, I know you so damned soft hearted you don't want to believe water is wet unless you drown, but don't be soft headed, too. If Amir's got a good explanation for this one, then I'll eat my weave."
Fawn: "What should I do?"
Shirley: "Take the afternoon off and check up on a brother."

Landis Lin Bio:
Landis Lain, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began her writing career in the first grade. She has worked as an Assistant City Attorney, a Hearing Officer with the Michigan Department of Corrections, an Assistant Attorney General as a Federal Civil Rights Defense Litigator and an Administrative Law Judge. Her short story Rusty Feet was published in Chicken Soup for the African American Soul and Color Him Father. Correct Madness: Diary of a Mad Corrections Officer is her first full length publication. She writes creative non-fiction, inspirational, contemporary romance, young adult fiction, and short stories. When Landis is not writing, she can be found teaching Legal Issues in Criminal Justice to college students or coaching track and field. She enjoys reading, dance, sports, adventure and romance movies. She especially loves spending time with her children - when they squeeze her into their busy social lives. She resides in Michigan with her husband, Frank, who she considers her own personal Prince among men. Contact Landis atLandis.Lain@comcast.net.

Just a Taste: Hopelessly Addicted

Brief excerpt from "Hopelessly Addicted" featured in Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy:
The longing in your dark eyes and the tenderness of your kiss told me that you wanted me, too. All of me this time. Your hands were soft and sensuous as they stroked my slender back and made me limp in your strong arms. Carefully, you orchestrated removal of my silk nightgown, leaving me standing there naked and completely vulnerable to you. I didn't care that you were married or that your wife had just given birth only two hours earlier....

Hazel Mills Bio:
Author Hazel Mills' short erotic fiction has been published in the January 2007 issue of Playgirl Magazine's Erotic Encounters and inBest Lesbian Love Stories: New York City, edited by Simone Thorne. Hazel has also penned an essay that has appeared in Jolie Dupre'sseries in The Blushing Ladies Journal. Her debut erotic anthology BareNecessities:Sensuous Tales of Passion, is expected to be released March 2008. Hazel resides in Birmingham, AL with her husband and children.

Just a Taste: Guilty Release by Chole R.

Excerpt of Guilty Relase featured in Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy:
Fourteen days had passed. He hadn't touched her. Tina lay in the bed listening to his heavy breathing. What has he been doing, the past fourteen days, that he doesn't want me? The cotton nightshirt stretch across her hips, lay gently against her upper thighs. She bathed every night; lay in her nightshirt without underwear. Easy access. The sound of the television filled her ears, she fought against it, wanting to listen to him breath. Is he really asleep? In a deep sleep? Or is he just lying there, trying to avoid me?

The last time they had made love, she had broken the sexual silence. Had given in to the lust that forever rested around her hips, which needed a center focus to penetrate its core. Her fingers couldn't do it, they weren't enough to satisfy her that day. She wasn't bold enough to keep a vibrator, not for any real length of time. Every time she purchased one, her enjoyment surprised her, made her feel guilty. In the middle of pleasing herself the sudden image of her dropping dead, with the dildo wedged inside of her terrified her. What if her husband walked in and found her like that? What if she died and her mother found the huge thing in her nightstand? The idea terrified her so much that she would eventually discard them.

So Tina had given in. Searched the house until she found him, stretched out on the family room sofa. Asleep. She climbed on top of him. Sucked on his neck, rotated her hips against him. She still felt amazed at how quickly his body responded. He reacted immediately. Whatever had his attention, had not taken away her ability to immediately arouse him....

He had felt so deep, even now she moaned softly, remembering how her juices had covered the table, her buttocks, and his waist. He had whispered in her ear that he loved her natural secretion, loved that he could make her that wet. He had felt so good.

But then, nothing. He hadn't come back for more....

Brief Bio:
Chloe R is a published author and poet. Her short stories can be found in Erogenous Zone (Xpress Yourself Publishing), Mental Seductions (Diva Books Publishing) and the upcoming erotic anthology Mocha Chocolate (Shanibooks, Purlishing Co). Her article, Hiding From Erotica?, will be featured in the upcoming issue of Noire Magazine. Chloe's first erotic novel, Discovering Love, is scheduled for release in 2009 by Xpress Yourself Publishing. For more information, visit her at http://www.chloewrites.com.

The fIction book that changed my life

Hands down, Been There Done That by Darrien Lee was the emotionally charged story that motivated me to write my first story. Craig Bennett was a man who lost the girl of his heart to football star, Jarvis Anderson, when they were in college. Seven years later, he was a successful businessman with all that life had to offer except the woman he still loved, Venice Taylor. He couldn't connect or commit to any of the women he dated, after her...no matter how hard he tried. It wasn't until Venice lost her husband suddenly and their paths crossed again that he was truly happy with his success. This story was more than a romance to me. It was a reconnecting of souls. I was drawn in and got lost in the world of romantic fiction and was hungry hungry for more romance. I don't think it was an accident that the first novel I read after many years of being on book hiatus was this one, as I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and in perfect season. A year later, I started writing my novel - Keepin' It Tight. Among other things...Darrien's writing ignited my passion for literature and for that I'm thankful and will always be her #1 Fan.

1st Annual Disability Fair in Columbus, GA

The Disability Fair hosted by life coach Brandi Dawson-King was AWESOME!! I sold 7 books, but even better I got the hook up with some great contacts including one that will lead to an interview with Columbus Urban Connection and another that may turn out to be a prosperous partnership with a syndicated radio show host who supports independent authors. I'll be talking to him in the coming weeks about some other projects he wants to start and needs help with.

The most lasting moments I had though was when a visually impaired man [my now good friend, Willie] and I was cutting up. He said that he was looking forward to Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy [which will be in audiobook form! by the way]. When I told him Mocha Chocolate may be too hot for him, he asked me had I seen Ray (the movie) and then he started feeling up my arm like Ray Charles. He had me cracking up. The table for the blind and deaf was beside mine and they were happy to hear that my next book would be in audiobook form, as well as print.

30 people signed up for my newsletter!! And overall, it was a prosperous event because of all of the networking and the ability to support a worthy cause.

I finally got the chance to meet Mashawn, founder of SBS Book Club, who was supporting authors like no one else at the fair today. She had to have had at least 20-30 authors' flyers and books on hand today and I won her book raffle, which was 100 dollars worth of books, so you know I'm in book heaven right about now. Yay!

Until next time, keep reading...and I'll keep writing ;-)

Shani

Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy - submissions closed

The deadline for submissions to Mocha Chocolate was September 15th, and let me tell you I have received some very hot short stories. I am so excited about this book because of all of the talent exhibited in it! Thanks to all who submitted. I will be spending the next couple of weeks going through the remainder of the submissions and putting the anthology together.

Shani

E-Spire Entertainment News: eSpire's New Writer - Shani Greene-Dowdell

E-Spire Entertainment News: eSpire's New Writer - Shani Greene-Dowdell

Write a Piece of Ecstasy. A call for submissions.

Shanibooks is seeking submissions for upcoming anthology Mocha Chocolate: Taste a Piece of Ecstasy.

Mocha Chocolate: Taste a Piece of Ecstasy will be an anthology of sexually charged short stories that focus on the black love (no hardcore pornography or bestiality please).

Guidelines:

Genre: Erotica.

Story length: 3,500 - 6,000 words.

Reprints: No reprints accepted. Please no stories that have previously been published or posted on the Internet; fresh new stories only.

Payment: Accepted submissions will receive five (5) books to sell at retail. Retail price has not yet been set. Writers may also buy future books from Shanibooks at a discounted rate (to be determined).

Rights: Shanibooks will retain all copyrights and publishing rights for reprints.

Deadline: All submissions are due by September 15, 2007

Publication Date: March 2008

If you are interested in submitting a story to Mocha Chocolate: Taste a Piece of Ecstasy, write your best erotic story and submit via email to shanibooks@yahoo.com

I'm looking forward to collaborating with you.

All I Ever Did Was Love A Man Book Review, and more

****
Four stars

ALL I EVER DID WAS LOVE A MAN by Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey is a story of Sabrena, a single mother who leaves her verbally abusive husband and finally gets her life together. She finds a job that provides for her two daughters. She has a great friend, Rach, who is like a sister to her; and she has a piece of a man, Steve.

Steve started out as a good man, but soon became very wishy washy. Sabrena can't depend on him for anything, except to tell a good lie when he's caught awkward situations. Despite the heartache, Sabrina loves him, but after a visit with her gynecologist she breaks it off with Steve for goo. It's her follow-up visit that will send her world into a tailspin.

For me, ALL I EVER DID WAS LOVE A MAN was a slow read, but a necessary one. The reader will be taught through experience the importance of protecting yourself when you suspect your lover is not monogamous. It also touches on AIDS among married women, which as of the 2005 statistics was on the rise among African American women.

Reviewed by:
Shani Greene-Dowdell
www.shanibooks.com
Author of Keepin' It Tight
Reviewer for Big Time Publishing Magazine
___________________________________________________________________
Here is an interesting article that I found on Let's Talk Honestly's website last week. The thing that stood out the most to me is the fact that blacks account for 56% of the new AIDS cases while we are only 13% of the population. Also, the fastest growing age group in the AA community is 14-24. This is not only a statistic; it's an epidemic!!

(See article)
HIV rate continues to climb in African American community

By DAHLEEN GLANTON

Chicago Tribune

February 06, 2007 6:00 AM

ATLANTA — More than 25 years into the AIDS epidemic, HIV continues to soar in the black community, accounting for more than half of the newly diagnosed infections in the U.S. in a recent yearly assessment by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the same time, health officials say, the African-American community has been slow to acknowledge the problem, prompting the CDC and grass-roots organizations to mark a yearly observance to bring attention to the epidemic.

Wednesday is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a national effort designed to mobilize blacks to get tested, educated and treated for the disease. Well-known African-Americans — including Tony Dungy, head coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts; entertainer Patti LaBelle; Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; and former Secretary of State Colin Powell — have joined the campaign by taping public-service announcements to run on radio and television.

Of the roughly 1 million people estimated to be living with HIV in the United States, 47 percent are African-American, according to CDC statistics for 2005, the most recent year for which numbers are available. Though blacks represent only about 13 percent of the U.S. population, 56 percent of the newly diagnosed cases in 2005 were African-Americans.

"The ability to manage this terrible disease has improved and more people are living healthier and longer lives, but African-Americans have been diagnosed late and are not availing themselves to treatment," said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. "The stigma within the community has prevented people from getting tested and accessing services needed to help manage infections."

African-American women are disproportionately affected, and black men who have sex with men have a much higher rate of infection than men of other backgrounds who have sex with men, Fenton said.

"HIV is closely associated with socioeconomic disparity in our country. Poverty, poor access to services and lack of knowledge all factor into this," said Fenton. "Stigma, homophobia and lack of open conversation in the black community have further compounded the problem."

To increase early detection of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the CDC recently issued a new policy recommending that HIV testing become a routine part of medical care for Americans 13 to 64 years of age. It should be given much like a cholesterol or blood-pressure test, the CDC said, adding that patients should be allowed to refuse the HIV test if they choose.

Illinois state Rep. Mary Flowers recently introduced a bill in the Illinois legislature that would include HIV testing in routine physical examinations that Illinois students take before entering school. HIV tests would be administered during school physical exams, just as tuberculosis tests and vaccinations are given.

Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an important part of a comprehensive awareness program to stop the spread of the disease, according to supporters, and it helps to get the message out.

"Black people are going to have to take responsibility for themselves in this epidemic," said Debra Fraser-Howze, president of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. "We have to make some serious decisions, a decision to first talk about the epidemic and a decision to own it. It is ours, with 56 percent of all new infections."

While there has been progress in confronting the disease in the black community, Fraser-Howze said, much work remains in getting the subject to the forefront in churches, schools and community groups. And while much attention has been given to the epidemic in Africa, not enough has placed on the problem in black communities in the United States, she said.

"We are in a quandary because we as African-Americans have to be concerned about what is going on in Africa. But at the same time we are concerned about Africa, we have to be concerned about South Central Los Angeles. Both have to be addressed," said Fraser-Howze. "Funds are dwindling and everybody is taking money to Africa when African-Americans are dying in this country."

Update on my debut novel - Keepin' It Tight

Hello everyone!

I hope you have having a nice week, keepin everything tight *wink.* What I can't believe is that the week is almost over and out of the 20 things that I have on my to-do list only about 2-3 have been completed. Boy, where does the time go?

I got this message from my editor two days ago and I was to happy to stand myself, lol!!
____________ _________ ________
Hey Shani,

The edits are coming along smoothly. Love your style, gurl. *wink* And it's definitely holding my attention, which is saying alot with me
having edited so many novels. *'nother wink* LOL

I'm projecting a completion date during the week of April 23rd, but
hopefully sooner...
____________ _________ _________ _

Carla Dean of www.ucanmarkmyword is editing Keepin It Tight. Before she became a freelance editor, she was an editor at urbanbooks with Carl Weber and has worked with some of the best in the literary industry. So you can see why I'm glad she is diggin my book. I told y'all the book was going to be hot. I wasn't just saying that because it's mines...*smiles! *

So since the editing is planned to be wrapping up the end of April, it
will be sometime mid May when Keepin' It Tight will be available for
sale WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD!! Yay! I just love the way that sounds!

Had you told me a year ago that the next best seller would be releasing in May 2007 , I would not have believed you.

Seeing my idea come to fruition is really a blessing.

May 21st is my birthday. What better birthday present could I have than to release my book that day?

Synopsis of Keepin' It Tight:

Lela James knows God has set aside the right man for her. Yet, when one relationship foils after the other, she all but gives up on finding her soul mate. Until an unlikely love connection is made when Cornelius Johnston makes an unexpected appearance at the James' Family Reunion. After Cornelius rocks her world, nice and slow, it doesn't take long before they are at the alter.

Cornelius Johnston (aka Neil) spent 8 years breaking through the ranks at Naytek Corporation. Mediocrity is not an option when it comes to his career. Even a stranger could see that his career is his first love. An invitation to the James' Family Reunion gives him a new outlook on life when his goals change from being CEO to being everything Lela James could ever want and need in a man.

Amanda Broady is Neil's ultra sexy, protege whose best assets are her flowing blond hair and hazel eyes. Her main goal is getting Neil in her bed. To her advantage, she is Christian Broady's niece, Neil's CEO. She uses her status to keep Neil away from home as much as possible with business trips, late nights, etc. After several failed attempts to get Neil's affection, she decides to take off the gloves, and expose a few of Lela's secrets.

Could your relationship stand the heat? Could you keep it tight when the devil is always at your doorstep? Keepin' It Tight explores relationship drama like no other novel. When deception in Cornelius and Lela's marriage reaches a point of no return, it will take a miracle to pick up the pieces. Come take the journey of race, love, deception, and temptation in Keepin' It Tight.


THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING ME ON MY LITERARY JOURNEY!! The best is yet to come.

Dream big dreams, then put on your overalls and go out and make the dreams come true. - Fred Van Amburgh

Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Mocha Chocolate

By Shani

Enticing
Succulent
Tantalizing

Mocha chocolate

Kisses so
sweet
Good
enough to eat
Smile so warm
With only a lover's charm

Arms strong
enough to hold me
And keep me forever
Young and free
Safe from all of my
insecurities

My chocolate is sensually wrapped
He never makes me feel trapped
Just
Entangled
Engulfed
Beautiful and intricately
weaved

With so many
layers
of
Love
Respect
Honesty
There is no way I would leave

My
Providing
Nurturing
Giving

Mocha
Chocolate


He is the one who holds me in my dreams
The one who looks into my eyes
And from my
spirit glean
My
wants, desires, needs

As I lay snug
under silky brown
sheets
I lay
with my favorite
sweet
Boy, I
know I'm in for a treat
As long as I'm
in the comfort
of my
Luscious
Thick
Satisfying
Mocha
chocolate

Holy Hustler Book Review, by Shani

Holy Hustler Book Review - THUMBS UP
Category: Writing and Poetry

4 OUT OF 5 STARS



The tide is changing for the Goodlove men at Sweetwater Powerhouse of God and it's not for the better. Pastor Goodlove "Gee" is living large and lavish from the enormous ministry he is built. He has it all…his throne at Sweetwater, a beautiful wife half his age, mansions, cars…and a lustful desire that will be his undoing. His crafty ideas to bring in big money to add to Sweetwater's bottom line…and line his pockets…is the reason he was coined holy hustler by some.

Goodlove is the perfect last name for this family, as all three sons and their father are dealing with some sexual issues. Reginald is embezzling money from the church in order to live it up on the weekends with his sexy escorts. Damien's marriage to Michelle is nothing more than an agreement on paper because he is chasing every single skirt in church on Sunday, and his wife knows it. His infidelity leaves him and his wife in some very peculiar, even fatal, situations. Barry is truly in love with Amy Blackwell, the daughter of another prominent pastor. Barry has every intention to spend the rest of his days with the pure and beautiful Amy as his wife. There is only one problem - Sissy - a sexy Sunday school teacher that his flesh could not deny. Sissy's main objective is to become Mrs. Sissy Goodlove, so she sets some plans in motion to make Barry her husband, by any means necessary. Can you say crazy drama!?

HOLY HUSTLER is a bold and daring story that sheds light on subjects many Christians are uncomfortable speaking on publicly. Unfortunately, although HOLY HUSTLER is fiction, a lot of the shortcomings entertained in this book are real issues in the church.

P.L. Wilson did a very good job of creating a page turner from the beginning to the end. While HOLY HUSTLER leaves unfinished business for each of the Goodlove men, don't fret P.L. has a sequel on the way.

Reviewed by Shani Greene-Dowdell, for Big Time Publishing Magazine

This is a blog was written by a myspace friend, Larry Williams Jr., the King of Erotica. Please read this and realize that it is a call to action. Whatever you can do to help - please do it. Thank you!

(For those of you who are natural cynical and wonder if someone is scamming you - I know Larry, and I know that he would not put anything out there that would be dishonest, or do anything unscrupulous to get money, like this. This little girl truly needs your help. What are you going to do?)

Dedicated to Mimi
and Candace. I love you.

Very seldom do I do a blog that really digs in deep into the chambers of my soul, because I am so scared to really allow people to really look over my soul like a museum exhibit. But this one time, I have opened myself fully, because there's a little girl by the name of Candace, that I love, that I know, that is very, very dear to me. I love her just as much as I love my nieces, and she is going through something in my opinion that is not fair, but is life? I sit here with tears in my eyes because I hate for someone I love to go through any type of turmoil, if I could take the pain away and inflict it on my own life I would, but I can't. God has his reasons for what he does. I write a poem in dedication to Candace.

God and Satan's
Game.
Inspired by Rhymesoulnice

By the KING of Erotica © 2007

I love you,
dearly,
I love you just as
waves
washes over my bare feet
on the beach.
I ignore the sun,
that its there,
that it warms my soul and skin,
because,

With our lives
God and Satan is playing

Chess

God is castling,
with my heart,
and he waits

dearly

for Satan

to make his move.

The darkness wraps me
like Hollywood minks
the temptation drives me
like the rich
clanking expensive silver
on China plates

people starve
yet restaurants, nightly,
daily
throw food away
so sinisterly.

Satan moves two up,
one to the left
taking one of God's
pawns
yet God grins,
there goes the moon
shining brighter than the sun
Satan beat silky wings
on them are souls
beautifully disguised as feathers,
they scream painfully,
the flames dancing in his eyes,
as he look inside
God's
is soul-lacerating
to say the least
but to this little girl,
my love,
my heart
family
God I ask you this
Satan took one of your pawns,

What will you do
to protect the Queen
so forever,
her future stand like a King?

Before
Satan
Checkmates.

by the Erotic King, Larry
2007

******

Mimi's daughter, Rachel,
and our
star of the show
Candace Chantel Battiste
born with GCN, a rare congenital
skin disorder

Candace, pre-op ..... with skin expanders .... what a trooper

supermodel in the making .. post-op 5th surgery .. two thumbs up

Candace, my hero, after nine surgeries!
It is time to continue
the next phase of
facial reconstruction surgeries.

All proceeds from the sale of
Chocolate Kisses, a collection of sweet,
sensual erotic poetry and
short stories,
fund raiser for the
Candace Battiste Surgery Fund









On SALE now at reduced a price!
LIMITED EDITION!

Print or download available!



Click here: http://www.lulu.com/browse/book_view.php?fCID=710638

Please help Candace
continue to get her new face in order that
she may face the world with
confidence!

Please help spread the word
about Giant Congenital Nevus:

it does not hurt
it does not rub off
it is not contagious
it is arare skin disorder

With love and gratitude
Mimi and Candace!

God bless!

WINNER OF THE WRITE THE SCENE CONTEST!!

Naiomi Pitre

Author of Broken Vows and In the Panty Drawer - Journey Into the Mind of a Sexual Woman

Naiomi's copy of Keepin' It Tight will be fresh off the press as she has won herself an autographed copy of Keepin' It Tight.

Congrats Nay!!

Visit Naiomi's Myspace Page To check out her work

Thanks to all who participated, but there could only be one winner. HOWEVER, to the participants: Send your snail mail address to sdowdell30@yahoo.com and I will send you out a Keepin' It Tight Bookmark.

A HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR HELPING ME CELEBRATE MY DEBUT NOVEL RELEASE WITH THIS CONTST. If you have not already head on over to www.shanibooks.com and preorder your copy NOW!!

Synopsis of Keepin' It Tight

Could your relationship stand the heat? Could you keep it tight when the devil is always at your doorstep? Keepin' It Tight explores relationship drama like no other novel. When deception in Cornelius and Lela's marriage reaches a point of no return, it will take a miracle to pick up the pieces. Come take the journey of race, love, deception, and temptation in Keepin' It Tight.

Lela James knows God has set aside the right man for her. Yet, when one relationship foils after the other, she all but gives up on finding her soul mate. Until an unlikely love connection is made when Cornelius Johnston makes an unexpected appearance at the James' Family Reunion. After Cornelius rocks her world, nice and slow, it doesn't take long before they are at the alter.
Cornelius Johnston (aka Neil) spent 8 years breaking through the ranks at Naytek Corporation. Mediocrity is not an option when it comes to his career. Even a stranger could see that his career is his first love. An invitation to the James' Family Reunion gives him a new outlook on life when his goals change from being CEO to being everything Lela James could ever want and need in a man.
Amanda Broadyis Neil's ever present, ultra sexy, protégé whose best assets are her flowing blond hair and hazel eyes. Her last marriage ended with a Dear Jane letter and she is truly a woman scorned. After many failed bids for Neil's affection, she takes off the gloves and will stop at nothing to get Neil in her bed.

Hold on...it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Pre Order And Win!! (preorder date extended )

Books ordered before April 15, 2007 will be entered to win into a drawing to win a Keepin' It Tight T-shirt or a $20.00 gift certificate to amazon.com. YOUR CHOICE.

The release date was originally planned for February 28, 2007 has been changed to May, 2007. As soon as the first copy is off the press, you will know!! Probably because I'll be screaming at the top of my lungs, LOL ;o}

Visit my website to preorder!

Naiomi's Captivating Write the Scene Entry!

Entry 9

Untitled

Gingerly, she stepped into the center of the gorgeous white satin, pulling the dress up over her blossoming bosom. Tears fell like hot rain down her cheeks and left wet reminders of her pain down the front of the simple white gown.

She knew she would be in trouble if anyone walked in and caught her wearing her sister's clothes, especially this particular garment. She didn't care about the consequences. Gazing at herself in the round, full-length mirror Mama had placed in her room three years ago, (when she had begun to become "a Woman") she stood with her arms hanging straight down at her sides. She took a long, deep breath, and collapsed on the floor.

Her body convulsed into uncontrollable sobs, and she struggled to breathe. Finally, when it seemed as if she had no more tears left to shed, she pulled herself up into a sitting position with her back supported by her daybed. Staring across the room at herself in the mirror, she whispered into the silent room:

"Why did you have to go? Why couldn't you have waited until tonight? One more day... just one..." Her chest heaved, and she fought against the threatening onslaught of tears. "Was it that hard to resist? You couldn't even wait one day!?"

Anger built up inside of her petite, fifteen-year-old frame, and she lashed out, pulling the gown back and forth until she heard the seams beginning to split. The sound comforted her. Why should her sister's dress be unmarred and perfect, when her sister's mangled body lay in a morgue halfway across town, being shred to pieces by a medical examiner?

Amber was supposed to get married in this dress today. She and Sebastian had originally planned to elope, thinking that their parents wouldn't approve of them getting married at the young age of twenty-two. When Amber had told her younger sister of her plans, Tiffany immediately told her mother.

"What did you expect me to do? We tell her everything!" Tiffany cried out now, clutching the dress in her tight grip, wrinkling the delicate fabric in her hands.

Amber and Sebastian had been asked to sit down with both of their parents and discuss the matter, and Tiffany hadn't been invited. All she knew was that one day her mother was yelling and screaming about Amber's future, and the next day she was planning a small get together at their Lake House to make Amber and Sebastian's union official.

The only condition was that the couple wouldn't be allowed to see or speak to each other for two months prior to their ceremony. If they still wanted to go through with it, they would be married. This two months vacation would give the parents an opportunity to change their minds.

Instead, one day before their union, Amber had come rushing downstairs in the middle of the night after their parents had long since fallen asleep. Tiffany was watching a late night Al Pacino movie in the living room, half way between sleep and wakefulness herself.

"What are you doing? Why are you dressed?" Tiffany mumbled, her eyelids heavy.

"Going to see Sebby." Amber whispered, gesturing for Tiffany to be quiet. "I know, I know! I have to see him again before we get married; I just can't take the suspense! We did it, Tiff. We made it the whole two months. Nothing will ever stop our love, and now they all know it!" She tried to contain her excitement.

"Why can't you wait until tomorrow? You're gonna ruin everything!" Tiffany felt wide awake now, her eyes stretched wide in the flickering light of the television screen. The living room was dark except for the movie that played on low volume across from the couch that Tiffany sat upon.

"You don't understand, Tiff! I will explain when you get older!" Amber grinned mischieviously, winking a heavily made-up eye and slowly pulling the front door open. "Act like you're asleep, and if Mom and Dad wake up before I get back, you don't know anything! Don't worry, they'd never cancel all of their plans now!" Amber smiled one last time and ducked out the door, sliding it closed noiselessly behind her.

Tiffany shook her head, but smiled. She loved her big sister, but she often didn't understand her. She had yet to become boy crazy, so Amber's motives were usually a mystery to her. She lazily fell fast asleep listening to the Hollywood Icon rant to a group of college boys on the television screen.