Conversations of a Watchman Virtual Blog Tour w Karla Allen

How did you become a writer?

As far as I can remember, I have always loved to write.   As a young child I wrote fiction stories all the time.  In my teenage years, I wrote poetry and by the time I was in college I started writing songs.  So, writing, in some form, has always been a part of my life.

What are you hoping readers take from your book?

As readers prayerfully decree, declare, and meditate on the prayers and principles in Conversations of a Watchman, I pray they are stirred to develop a deeper dimension of conversational intimacy with God, which will enable them to experience maximum transforming results for their lives and the lives of those around them.

If you were to write a topic about a controversial topic, what would be?

If I were to write about a controversial topic, I would bring awareness to the atrocities that are occurring in this nation surrounding the sex trafficking of young girls.

What is your favorite genre of books?

My favorite literary genre is inspirational, fiction that includes action adventure, mystery.

If you had to interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?

When it comes to poetry, who can outdo American Poets Langston Hughes and the renowned Maya Angelou?  Their ability to express life circumstances through the power of words and rhythm is beautifully portrayed on the pages of their books.  But, when it comes to fiction, best-selling author Ted Dekker is king.  He has the ability to develop plots and characters that captivate his readers.  He makes it difficult for the reader to lay his books down.  I usually forfeit a little sleep while reading His books because I desperately want to know how the story ends! I would definitely like to know what inspires him and I would leap at the chance to peek inside his process for developing story plots.

What new project are you working on?

I am currently working on two projects.  The first one is the second volume to Conversations of a Watchman.  I won’t give away the subtitle though. The second project is top-secret.

Where can readers find you?

email: customercare@freshreign.com

website: www. freshreign.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/FreshReignPublishing

Twitter: @ fresh_reign

Order a copy:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Watchman-Prayers-Prophetic-Destiny/dp/0985448008/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351250787&sr=1-11&keywords=k.e.+allen

Purchase at Amazon.com

About the Book

How does a person move from a place deficient of light? How can an individual shift from a place of complete and utter chaos, obscurity, apathy, and adversity? The pathway to transformation is through in-depth conversations with the One True God of Creation–El•ō•hēm'. For you to move to a place of prophetic providence, your conversation must be divinely inspired. Hebrews 11:3 states: “The worlds were framed by the Word of God.” Framing begins with an idea, expands as a result of the imagination, and gives life through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through divine utterance for a specific purpose. Declaring the Word of God releases the creative power of God for authentic transformation.

K. E. Allen designed this book to draw you into a deeper conversation with the Father to renew your prayer life, mend your brokenness, enlighten your pathway, and arrange your chaos according to the divine order of God. This resource will help you exercise your kingly and priestly authority and impose kingdom mandates to release God’s original intent in your life, family, community, city, region, and nation. It will encourage you to frame your prophetic destiny.

Book Spotlight: Pretty Boy Problems

About The Book

Responsible, mature, employed...everything Avery Beauregard Montgomery is not. Instead, Beau is a natural born charmer. He has breezed through life on his dazzling looks, six-pack abs and sparkling personality. But this pretty boy's luck has run out. Fed up with his freeloading and philandering ways, his brother and sister-in-law are turning on the tough love and turning him out of their house. For Beau, that just means moving on to the next...

Beau shows up at his sister's Dallas condo with nowhere else to go and no idea what to do with his life.  Suitcase in hand, he stumbles in to find not his sister but a bathing beauty. Someone super-model gorgeous with attitude, skepticism and no time for trifling pretty boys. Belle, his sister's new business partner, has already claimed the guest room and Beau's imagination. All it takes is one look for Beau to want to do some claiming of his own. Belle rebuffs his advances but offers him not only a job but an opportunity to do something with his life.

Finally, Beau knows who and what he wants. What will it take to get Belle on the same page?

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Book Review: Forever Your Girl

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4 Stars for Forever Your Girl

In Forever Your Girl by B. Danielle Watkins, Lance and Danielle have found each other again, but under different circumstances. Both are in relationships with other people. One night of sheer passion convinces Lance and Danielle the love they share can’t be denied, so they decide to end their current relationships and try to make their situation work. The dates are set and preparations made but one of them will have a harder time getting out of their current arrangement.

As time goes by a disturbed individual decides to take matters into his or her own hands. This decision affects everyone involved and the outcome will change everything. Will there be a happily after ever?

Forever Your Girl is about emotional relationships and running out of time. The last book in an evolving series, Forever Your Girl will shock readers with its unsuspected ending. The characters were developed more which made them easier to relate to as well as their situation. This book had me anticipating the characters next moves. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews

Author of the Week: Nadia Brown

About The Author

Nadia Janice Brown resides in Miami, Florida where she works as an online book publicist for www.author-promotion.com.  She is the author of Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet and the award-winning book Unscrambled Eggs. Nadia can be reached through her web site at www.nadiajbrown.com.

Q&A With Nadia Brown

A&RBC:  How did you become a writer?

Nadia: I always loved writing song lyrics ever since I was a little girl. Over the years, I discovered that many song writers also wrote poetry; and that inspired me to start writing poetry, and then writing articles. So, it was a natural progression that began when I was a young girl.

A&RBC: Where does your inspiration for your characters come from?

Nadia: My inspiration comes from things that I feel passionately about, it comes from experience, life lessons, it comes from my faith. Anything can inspire me.

A&RBC: What are you hoping readers take from your book?

Nadia: I hope readers will reflect on their lives and be inspired to change for the better or to be a better person. It would be my greatest hope that my book inspires and/or entertains readers all over the world.

A&RBC: If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?

Nadia: I would probably write about politics.

A&RBC: Most writers have a process or method for writing their books, what is yours?

Nadia: I don't have a process or some ritual that I go through. If I feel compelled or am deeply inspired, the words will eventually follow.

A&RBC: What is your favorite genre of books?

Nadia: It would be poetry, inspirational, and Christian books.

A&RBC: Are you an avid or occasional reader?

Nadia: I'm a little of both.  I don't always get to read novels, but nonetheless I'm constantly reading various articles on marketing, books on writing or Christian books, and the Bible.

A&RBC: What are two things you want your readers to know about you?

Nadia: I have a twin sister and I am rather shy.

A&RBC: If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?

Nadia: If I could interview one of my favorite authors it would be Maya Angelou because she has had the most influence on me as a writer. I consider her to be one of the best poetry writers ever.

A&RBC: What is or was your dream job?

Nadia: I believe I'm doing my dream job. I'm a book publicist for www.author-promotion.com. I have my own company (Author & Book Promotions) that I started over 5 years ago. I work with both bestselling and new authors helping them bring more exposure for their books.

A&RBC: What new projects are you working on?

Nadia: I am currently working on a marketing book that I hope to get published sometime next year!

A&RBC: Where can readers find you?

Nadia: Readers can learn more about me and my work through my web site at www.nadiajbrown.com

Purchase at Amazon.com

Book Review: Through Eyes That See

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Through Eyes That See

Nadyne Hicks

4 Stars

 

Darcy Preyer is a misunderstood young girl in Through Eyes That See by Nadyne Hicks. Darcy is questioning adults abilities to lead, guide and take care of their children because of their motto "A child is seen not heard." Darcy questions are often challenged putting her in unhealthy situations but a child can only take so much.

When Darcy's mother marries Wilder Coles a conniving and abusive man, Darcy's world takes a drastic turn. Darcy soon becomes a shell within herself and turns to unhealthy avenues to mask her pain. If only the adults around her would listen maybe Darcy wouldn't be lost.

Through Eyes That See is about a young girls dealing with the environment she lives and struggles to forget. It is hard to read this book and not feel sympathy for the main character. It is also easy to feel anger toward Darcy's mother and father for not protecting her. This book will have readers on an emotional rollercoaster wanting to free the main character from her problems. I recommend Through Eyes That See to others.

This book was provided by the author or review purposes.

Teresa Beasley

Business of The Week: WNL Book Tours

A&RBC: Who is Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours? 

WNL: My name is Paulette Harper Johnson, and I am the owner of Write Now Lit Virtual Book Tours.   I have been blogging about books for over three years and with a passion to help promote Christian authors, I decided to coordinate book tours. Our niche is the Christian and Inspirational Fiction and Non-Fiction market, but we are open to other genres since we work with a wide range of bloggers but the books must be considered “clean”.

A&RBC: What services do you provide?

WNL: At WNL we work with both traditional published authors and self-published. Our job is to create buzz for your book and get you the publicity you need though bloggers and radio interviews.  At WNL we pitch your book to bloggers who in turn will agree to feature you on a scheduled day during the book tour. As an author, I know the importance of publicity and marketing. Throughout the years, I have made great connections and friendships with authors and bloggers who will help me promote you.  A Virtual Book Tour means never having to leave your house, yet your appearances will take you all over the world. No more lugging books around to signings; all of this is done from the comfort of your own home. Every tour stop is different.  Some include interviews, radio interviews, author guest posts, book reviews or giveaways.

A&RBC: What sets you apart from your competition?

WNL:  I believe what sets me apart from my competition is the personal commitment I give my clients to get them the greatest amount of exposure. I believe it is more than a partnership but a personal relationship that develops with each author.  We go the extra mile in securing radio interviews while providing them with the opportunity to connect with a larger audience.

 A&RBC: What advice (relative to your area of business) can you give to aspiring authors?

WNL:  I believe any author releasing a new book need to have a marketing plan that includes a Virtual book tour. The exposure from bloggers is tremendous and can have the potential to create sales, increase the author’s reader base and provide the author with a greater on-line presence.  A Virtual book tour will take your book to places you cannot get to other than driving or flying.  

A&RBC: What is your contact and location information?

WNL:  For more information about my Virtual Book Tours, please contact me at: info@wnlbooktours.com or to schedule a tour: http://wnlbooktours.com/

A&RBC: Who is your direct contact representative?

WNL: Paulette Harper Johnson, owner and operator of WNL Virtual Book Tours. Email: pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Book Review: The Perfect Christian

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4 Stars for The  Perfect Christian

In the second book of the Still Divas Series, The Perfect Christian by E. N. Joy, Mother Doreen is in love and preparing for her wedding. Mother Doreen never thought this day would come again given her past.  The day of her wedding an uninvited guest arrives and the wedding turns into a counseling session.

Mother Doreen’s past has come back to haunt her and this time she has to face it head on. In confronting her past Mother Doreen realizes her first husband, Willie had many secrets. When the truth is revealed Mother Doreen has to make a hard decision. Will Mother Doreen let her past hinder her present?

The Perfect Christian lets readers know just how imperfect people can be. The main character is faced with some harsh truths but her love for God never falters. This was a true eye-opener and I recommend this book to others.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews

Right Before My Eyes Virtual Book Tour with Michelle Robinson

About the Author

Michelle Robinson was born and raised in Oakland, CA. Oakland’s rich culture has laid the fabric for this story. She’s been doing hair for two decades. As a hairstylist, it’s safe to say she has also served as a therapist to her clients. She has heard and witnessed it all right behind her styling chair. From her experiences, she’s given advice to many and has watched people’s lives transition. With this driving force, she has finally penned her first novel.

Q & A with Michelle Robinson

A&RBC: How did you become a writer?

Michelle: I’ve been writing poetry since junior high, so I always considered myself a writer.

A&RBC: Where does your inspiration for your characters come from? 

Michelle: The inspiration of my characters are from a mixture of my creative thoughts, my friends and family.

A&RBC: What are you hoping readers take from your book?

Michelle: There’s a few things I hope my readers get from my book:  1) Even though people are different than you, you still can love & respect them.  2) We are all on this journey through life, we’re all just wearing different shoes. 3) Life is better when you have a relationship with God.

 A&RBC: If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?  Michelle: Adapting a healthier lifestyle.

A&RBC: What is your favorite genre of books?

Michelle:  Fiction novels

A&RBC: Are you an avid or occasional reader?

Michelle: I’m an avid reader.

 A&RBC: If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why? Michelle: Mary B. Morrison. I loved her 5 part series of Soulmates Dissipate. I would love to know how she kept her inspiration to write 5 books on the same characters.

A&RBC: If you could make a movie out of one of your books, which one would it be? Michelle: Right Before My Eyes would be a great movie!

A&RBC: What new projects are you working on?

Michelle: The sequel to Right Before My Eyes.

A&RBC: Where can readers find you?

Michelle:  www.michellerobinsonauthor.com

About the Book

Journee and Jordyn are thirty-something year old twins with two totally different lifestyles. Journee is in love with Drew, her high school sweetheart that’s in prison. A phone call from him changes everything. After a fight, she decides to end their relationship and tries to move on but she has unfinished business with Jason, another ex-boyfriend. As she moves forward, she meets Jules who appears to be Mr. Right until all his baggage shows up.

Now Jordyn is living by her own rules but the problem is she hasn’t told anyone, but the drama begins when her secret is leaked on Facebook. She finds herself in a battle with her love life, family, friends and herself.

Follow these two as they take their family and friends on a turbulent ride into their lives as they discover they are worlds apart but are forever connected.


3 Stars for Right Before My Eyes

In Right Before My Eyes by Michelle Robinson, readers are introduced to Journee and Jordyn, twin sisters on different paths to finding true love. Journee has a on and off again complex when it comes to men. Journee ends relationships without seeking the closure that will allow her to move on. When Journee meets Jules she believes she has met Mr. Right, but sometimes this can be too good to be true.

Jordyn is confused and dealing with some major issues in her life and doesn’t believe she should have to answer to anyone. After a night out on the town, pictures of Jordyn surface causing problems for her sister. Will Jordyn finally share her secret with her family?

Right Before My Eyes is about sisters dealing with different issues in their life. This was an interesting book to read. However, the transitions were not smooth and it was hard to relate to the characters. The book did pick up and the ending was unsuspected, I just wish the “wow” factor would have happen earlier in the story. I do recommend this book to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews

 

Michelle can be reached at:

Email: rightbeforemyeyes@yahoo.com

Website: www.michellerobinsonauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrob.robinson

Twitter: @BooksbyMichelle

Order Your Copy:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Nobles.com

Authorhouse

 

Losing Hope Virtual Book Tour w Leslie Sherrod

About the Book

From the acclaimed author of Like Sheep Gone Astray and Secret Place comes a riveting new series with twists and turns to the end.

Social worker Sienna St. James is a woman with a complicated past and a confusing Tuesday morning.

In one single day, every advance Sienna has made in getting over her long lost globe-trotting husband unravels in unexplainable fashion. From a mysterious package that hails from another continent to a new teen client who claims to have a missing sister, Sienna finds herself in the middle of a city-wide scandal, all while sorting out the painful details of her personal life. At the center are two suspicious foster parents, a mega-church ministry leader, and Sienna’s own fragile emotions over a man who changed the direction of her life. It’s a race against time as Sienna seeks closure from a love she never understood and answers about whether a little girl named Hope ever existed. And if she did, where is she now?

In this first installment of the suspenseful Sienna St. James Series, finding hope in the midst of questions and chaos becomes essential when life takes an unexpected turn.

Book Trailer

About the Author

Leslie J. Sherrod is a wife, mom, writer, and a therapist in Baltimore, Maryland, where she lives with her husband and three children. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.S. in Family Studies. She also studied writing at Johns Hopkins University before completing her Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where she specialized in Child, Adolescent, and Family Health.

Leslie is the author of three novels, Losing Hope (coming September 2012); Secret Place (Urban Christian, 2011); and Like Sheep Gone Astray (Grand Central Publishing, 2006), which earned a Starred Review from Booklist and was featured on AOL’s Black Voices. She is also a contributor to a couple of women’s devotionals in the bestselling A Cup of Comfort series (Adams Media). A short story, “The Jericho Band,” is available on Kindle.

Through suspenseful and thought-provoking stories, Leslie offers readers hope and encouragement to live out their God-given dreams and purposes. One of her favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 3:20, which states that “[God] is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” It is this message she carries to book signings, bookstores, workshops, and church events both in her neighborhood and across the nation.

Q & A with Leslie Sherrod

What is your favorite genre of books?

I read across many genres, so trying to narrow down to one is difficult. I enjoy suspense, some historical and literary fiction, and, of course, Christian fiction! Good writing across any genre that keeps me turning the page with layered characters and breathtaking plots draw me in every time.

Are you and avid or occasional reader?

When I was younger, I read ALL of the time. Now, trying to balance a full-time job, a husband, three children, and a writing deadline, I am not able to read as much as I long too. As a writer, it is important to keep reading other work. Whenever I do have some down time (rare), I’ll get a book in. Having my Kindle helps, but there is nothing quite like holding a battered paperback in your hands and getting lost in the pages.

If you could interview one of your favorite writers, who would it be? and Why?

Hmmm…. That’s a tough one, but I guess I’d have to say Walter Mosley. He is a masterful writer, able to capture the entire essence of a character in a single sentence. His pacing is perfected and the themes he covers are expansive. It would be interesting to talk to him about how he develops and plots his novels.

If you could make a movie from one of your books, which one would it be? That is another hard question because with all my novels, I first visualize each section as a scene in a movie to help me write it. Keeping a moving picture in my head helps as I describe settings, engage characters in dialogue, and keep the action moving. Sometimes I imagine that in the future I would like to tackle the art of screenwriting. I would be comfortable trying that with any of my current novels – or coming up with an entirely different premise. 

What new projects are you working on?

I am continuing work on the Sienna St. James Series. The next book is entitled Without Faith and I am excited about it already. I want to have at least three books completed in the series, and then go back to a number of other manuscripts I have started over the years. I have many ideas and stages of books stored on flash and floppy drives (yes, I said floppy). My prayer is that I will continue to be a writing ambassador for Him, and will continue to put out stories as long as He allows.

Where can readers find you?

I love to hear from readers and can be found at a number of places online.

Website: www.LeslieJSherrod.com

Email: lesliejsherrod@gmail.com

Twitter: @lesliejsherrod

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leslie-J-Sherrod/265755930156003

You can also find me on Goodreads and more information about all of my literary works is available on my Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/lesliejsherrod.

Finally, I started a blog where I post some of my poetry from time to time. Check it out if you want: http://lesliejsherrod.blogspot.com

 

*View the blog tour schedule at: 

http://www.tywebbin.com/blog-tours/authors-on-tour/2012-tours/


4 Stars for Losing Hope

Sienna St. James is a social worker who takes her job very seriously in Losing Hope by Leslie Sherrod. Sienna is working through some personal issues involving her absent husband when she is assigned a case that changes her life. Sienna is in a race against time to help her client unravel the truth about her family.

After a while Sienna starts questioning her abilities as a social worker as she continues to delve into the lives of two foster parents and a church leader related to her case. While searching for the truth Sienna learns how to deal with disappointment and how to move on with her life. However, Sienna is shocked when she learns the truth about her client and the family she has been working with.

Losing Hope is a mystery based on a family secret. This was a suspenseful book with unsuspected twists and turns. I really enjoyed the chaos within this family and how it started to spill into the Sienna’s life. This book expresses how social workers really involve themselves at a personal level with their cases.  I recommend Losing Hope to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews

          

Book Review: Lady Elect

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4 Stars for Lady Elect

The mothers of Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ are having a hard time accepting their new First Lady in Lady Elect by Nikita Lynnette Nichols. Lady Elect Arykah Miles is not your typical first lady from her appearance to the sound of her voice. Lady Arykah is shaking things up in Freedom Temple and she soon finds out the mothers of the church are hell bent on getting rid of her.

Lady Arykah does not scare easily. Unbeknownst to the mothers their first lady has something up her sleeve. When the mother’s plans do not work drastic measures are taken and only one person will be on top. Who are you voting for Lady Arykah or the mothers?

Lady Elect is about standing your ground. The behavior of these characters is unbelievable. The deception and conniving acts are entertaining and suspenseful. The twists and turns were unsuspected and made me want the story to continue. The devil is always working and it is apparent in this book. I recommend Lady Elect to others.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews

Book Spotlight: Blessings From The Father

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About The Book

Mariah Green has a successful career as an advocate for battered women, but she still feels incomplete. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Rosemary, in a Chicago housing project. Her mother, Cassandra, is addicted to drugs and has only been a fleeting presence in her life. Even more painful to Mariah is the fact that she has never known the love of a father. She’s never even set eyes on him.

To Mariah’s surprise, she receives a call from a law firm in Hammond, Indiana. A lawyer informs her that her biological father has died, and she is the sole heir to his sizeable estate. Mariah is ready to leave Chicago behind and embark on a new lifestyle in Indiana, but she’s devastated when her beloved Granny declines to join her. Things aren’t always what they seem to be. Rosemary knows a little bit more about Mariah’s paternal side of the family than she has let on.

Join Mariah as she embarks on a spiritual journey to learn about her father and begins the healing process of understanding and forgiving her mother.

3.5 Stars Review for Blessings From The Father

In Blessings From The Father by Michelle Larks, Mariah Green has been raised by her grandmother, Rosemary, because her mother, Cassandra ran in and out of her life. Mariah has never met her father. When a lawyer summons Mariah to inform her of her father’s passing and the estate he has left, Mariah decides this is the sign she has been waiting for.

Mariah moves from Chicago to Hammond, Indiana ready to start a new life. Mariah meets Carson and sparks fly. Mariah soon finds out that Carson’s ex-wife does not want to give him up and starts stirring the pot in hopes of scaring Mariah away. While dealing with the ex drama, Mariah starts to discover her family’s hidden secrets. Will Mariah be able to handle the truth?

Blessings From The Father is about forgiveness. The main character goes on a spiritual journey put into action by her father’s gift. The family dynamics in this book were interesting but the twists and turns came to lat in the story for me. I have read the author’s previous work and this one does not do it for me. I do recommend this book to others.

Teresa Beasley

A&RBC Reviews