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WEEKEND CONFERENCE FOR BLACK CHRISTIAN JOURNALISTS

THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PUBLISHERS PAVILLION SET FOR THE BOOK EXPO AMERICA IN CHICAGO JUNE 4TH-6TH, 2004

   

March 2004 Book-of-the-Month Club Selections

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |

 

AWARD-WINNING CHRISTIAN FICTION AUTHOR RELEASES SECOND BOOK IN THE RAIN SERIES


Bookcover for "Former Rain"
Bookcover for "Abundant Rain"
Author - Vanessa Miller

Dayton, OH - (3/11/04). Vanessa Miller sets no boundaries as she addresses various social issues that bring rain into our lives. When rain falls into your life, you make a decision to face the enemy head on or run and take cover. But this rain ushers in grace, peace, forgiveness, and healing. The Rain Series, by Vanessa Miller, is a collection of inspirational books created to encourage and motivate readers to look beyond themselves and be inspired to live a fulfilling life in Christ. This series of five fictional books depicts true-to-life characters that pull you into their world.

With her unparalleled flair of humor and uncanny ability to put pen to paper and make it dance, Miller's characters follow suit as they dance off the page and take the reader on an ultimate journey of hope and courage. "Reading fiction should be like taking a journey," says Miller. "When you reach your destination you feel that the journey was worth it all."

In Abundant Rain (ISBN - 0972885013), the second book in the series which will release April 3, 2004, Elizabeth goes on an emotional roller coaster as she sorts through the tragedy that has changed her life forever. There's a saying that the Good Lord will take something away if you love it too much. Why would God remove the one thing Elizabeth had longed to have? No longer willing to put her faith in God, Elizabeth travels down a road of confusion, destruction and instability. This rain ushers in peace...

Former Rain (ISBN - 0972885005), the first book in the series made its debut in May 2003. Awarded Best Christian Fiction by Mahogany Book Club of Albany, New York, Former Rain accentuates four characters that you love to hate. Elizabeth and Kenneth are living the American Dream when their already tumultuous marriage takes a back seat to success, sin and yes, the Scarlet Letter! Nina, although educated, is naďve to the bitter street life when she teams with the raw, smooth and oh so fine Isaac Walker. No longer tolerant of the perils of his thug life, Nina decides to move on and is literally running for her life. This rain ushers in grace...

Future releases in the Rain Series are: Latter Rain, After the Rain and Rain Storm.

Vanessa Miller resides in Dayton, Ohio with her daughter. She's currently preparing for the Let It Rain Book Tour and writing the screenplay for Abundant Rain.

Vanessa kicks off her Let It Rain Book Tour with a Book Release Party on Saturday, April 3, 2004, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Black Art Plus Bookstore, 3269 W. Siebenthaler Ave. in Dayton, Ohio. She will visit 11 major cities during the six-month tour.

For more information about the author, the Rain Series and the book tour, please visit the author's website at www.vanessamiller.com. The Rain Series is distributed by Baker & Taylor and is available at your local bookstore.

For media inquiries or book signings, contact Butterfly Press, LLC at (937) 248-9211 or e-mail Rhonda Bogan at boganrbj@att.net

[distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com]

FORMER U.S. PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE AND HARVARD LAW SCHOOL GRADUATE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN MILLICENT HODGE, CELEBRATES THE PUBLICATION OF HER FOUR-BOOK SUSPENSE THRILLER SERIES


Bookcovers of the Four-Book Series
Author - Millicent Hodge, Esq.
As Seen In Essence Magazine, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The P.B. Commercial, The Oakland Tribune, Etc., Former U.S. Presidential Appointee and Harvard Law School Graduate, Millicent Hodge, Celebrates the Publication of Her Four-Book Suspense Thriller Series - Already Heralded As "John Grisham Meets Terry McMillan."
To Commemorate This Announcement, The Public Is Invited To Three Events Entitled "Champagne, Murder & Dessert" To Be Hosted By Influential Bookstores In Wash., D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia; and Oakland, California.

 

Washington, DC - (3/8/04). A graduate of Harvard Law School and Howard University, Millicent Hodge is a former U.S. Presidential Appointee of the Clinton Administration and a former Mayoral Appointee in the Dinkins Administration in New York City. She served on various White House Task Forces in Washington, D.C. and has delivered speeches at the White House, New York City Hall, the New York Federal Reserve, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and various universities.

Admitted to practice law in New York, Washington, D.C. and Georgia, she has worked in law firms in Manhattan and Atlanta. She worked on the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. Raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Ms. Hodge is the author of suspense thrillers Abuse of Power, Absence of Justice, Art of Retribution, and Act of Vengeance.

Her four, fast-paced thrillers are suspenseful, romantic, funny, and action-packed. They are filled with exciting and diverse characters who recur throughout the series. There is intrigue from Wall Street to the White House.

The four titles are available now at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com, Ingram Book Group, and at bookstores including the ones listed below. Read more at www.MillicentHodge.com

Abuse of Power - ISBN: 1-4134-1156-8
Absence of Justice - ISBN: 1-4010-7935-0
Art of Retribution - ISBN: 1-4134-1158-4
Act of Vengeance - ISBN: 1-4134-3171-2
 

The public is invited to attend the first three events/readings for the thriller series:

The first "Champagne, Murder & Dessert" will be hosted on Sun., April 4, 2-4 p.m. at Sisterspace and Books - 1515 "U" Street, N.W. - Washington, DC - (202) 332-3433

The second "Champagne, Murder & Dessert" will be hosted on Sat., April 24, 2-4 p.m. at Shrine of the Black Madonna - 946 Abernathy Blvd., S.W. - Atlanta, GA - (404) 752-6125

The third "Champagne, Murder & Dessert" will be hosted on Sat., May 15, 6:30-8 p.m. at Marcus Bookstore - 3900 MLK Way - Oakland, CA - (510) 652-2344

For a detailed media kit, visit http://www.BlackNews.com/millicent.pdf

For an excerpt of one of the books, visit http://www.BlackNews.com/millicent2.pdf

[distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com]

Stephen E. Chatman’s True Life Memoir: Confessions of A Womanizer Is A Startling Revelation and a Must Read

Chicago, IL – March 8, 2004 – Stephen E. Chatman enters the literary world not only as a first time author, but one who is remarkable seasoned, intelligent and here to stay. In his staggering autobiographical tale; “Confessions of a Womanizer,” (Must Read Books: ISBN 0-9727149-1-X) Chatman wields his pen like a master swordsman, as he opens the doors to the corridors of his mind.

Men and Women across the world take note: Husbands, guard your wives with love and compassion; Chatman could be your worst nightmare, Women, be on your guard, Chatman is everything your parents warned you about! The author however, does not boast of his escapades, or reveal names, rather questioning his inability to commit to long term relationships and the psychological upheavals he faces.

Confessions of a Womanizer is a book Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun-Times notes as, “A thought provoking and eye-opening look at intimate relationships.” Written cleverly in memoir style, Chatman gives the reader deep insight into the dates, places and his mind set at the given times, be it Chicago which is the main setting, New York or even Jamaica for that matter.

It should also be noted that the book is sponsored worldwide by Mayer Labs the makers of Female Condom, which highlights Chatman’s position and objective to have awareness before sexual acts occur. Principally to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. “I strongly endorse the use of the Female Condom, not to sidestep male sexual responsibility, but because it offers women additional control over situations that men are not directly burdened with,” stated Chatman. “Issues like abortion and unwanted pregnancy arise out of situations that are not carefully considered. Hindsight will not heal what some medicines cannot.”

Stephen E. Chatman was born in Chicago but has lived all over the country. He attended college but took no classes in psychology or sociology. He is armed with hands on experience, and tutelage by way of trial and error. He is a product of reading Playboy and Penthouse magazines and learning of love, life and self through the hearsay of older boys and the whispers of grown women. He still lives in Chicago, alone and with few valid intentions towards a steady relationship as he struggles with commitment.

  (distributed by ACM PR)

INTERVIEW AARON TURPEAU, PH.D., AUTHOR OF THE ESSENCE MAGAZINE BESTSELLER "THE HARMONIOUS WAY: A SUCCESS GUIDE TO SELECTING A COMPATIBLE MATE"

Essence Best-Selling Author Francis Ray Delivers Scintillating Novel Like the First Time and Better Than Sex Bath and Body Products

New York, NY – March 1, 2004 – With over 24 titles to her credit, Essence best-selling author Francis Ray’s “Like the First Time” (St. Martin’s Press/Griffin: ISBN - 0-312-32429-4), to be released in May 2004, may well be her most enthralling story yet. Not only is the book captivating, but it comes into reality with the bath and body product: Better Than Sex (BTS), a pear-vanilla scented moisturizing cream and soap collection created by the independent company Sacred Aroma.

The first 100 lucky readers and book club members that send their address details to Francis Ray c/o marketing@iambimedia.com will receive the moisturizing cream or soap and all 100 will be entered to win a special gift basket of bath and body products especially made for the book.

In Like the First Time, enter the lives of three very different women (Claire Bennett, Brook Dunlap and Lorraine Averhart) who join forces to open, BLISS, a specialty store of bath and body products in Charleston, SC. Their biggest seller is BTS, a product that when applied, makes a woman feel better than sex.  Outrageous of course, but the owners and customers are reaping the benefits as the men in their lives jump to defend their manhood and dispute the claim. One thing is for sure, and that is the path to success and happiness can be a rocky one indeed.

Francis Ray, a native of Texas, consistently makes bestseller's lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine with her titles. “Incognito”, her sixth title was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written fourteen single titles and nine anthologies. Including Like the First Time, this prolific author will release seven titles in 2004. Ms. Ray’s Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, and The Atlantic Choice. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ms. Ray’s first mainstream novel The Turning Point was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award. At the release event for The Turning Point in May 2001, she established The Turning Point Legal Defense Fund to assist women of domestic violence to help restructure their lives. With the release of her second mainstream novel, I know Who Holds Tomorrow, which made the bestseller's list of The Dallas Morning News, Blackboard, Black Expressions Book Club, and Essence Magazine; Ms. Ray pledged to continue her efforts with the Defense Fund. The book was also one of five titles selected as Book Club Favorites for Black Issues Book Review Best of 2002. Like the First Time will be her fourth major title.

Other titles in the repertoire of Francis Ray (www.francisray.com) include: Rockin’ Around That Christmas Tree: A Holiday Novel (St. Martin’s Press), in collaboration with Donna Hill; Someone To Love Me (St. Martin's Paperbacks); Trouble Don’t Last Always Last –originally The Turning Point (St. Martin’s Press/Griffin); First Touch (BET/Arabesque) and Whole Lotta Love (NAL/Signet). Later this year, will be released: Love At Leo’s (July 2004 ~ St. Martin’s Press/Griffin); The Falcon’s Saga Trilogy (Aug. 2004 ~ BET/ Arabesque); and You and No Other (Oct 2004 ~ St. Martin’s Press).  

Courtesy ACM PR

 

 
Ms. Levon C. Sparks, a native of South Carolina, has authored two inspiring books:  Nuggets of Faith and Before We Say "I Do":  The Premarital Workbook.  These books were released by Brentwood Publishing Company.  Nuggets of Faith provides readers with a daily word that will motivate them to live exceptional lives.  Before We Say "I Do":  The Premarital Workbook helps individuals decide whether the relationship they are in is destined for success or failure.  It also helps married couples open the lines of communication.  Each book is a "must read."  Thus far, the response to these books have been overwhelming.
 
Ms. Sparks is the daughter of Mrs. Carrie Lee Sparks and the late Mr. Levi Sparks  She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Psychology from Francis Marion University in South Carolina.  Ms. Sparks currently serves as a Certified Clinical Counselor for the state of South Carolina, specializing in the areas of chemical dependency, women's issues and family dynamics. She has traveled across the United States conducting trainings and workshops and promoting her books.
 
If you are interested in obtaining either book or getting Levon to conduct a training or workshop, she can be reached by email (LSPARKS000@MSN.COM) or telephone (843-615-1395).
     

 

NEW BOOK SHOWS HOW TO TRAVEL TO AFRICA FREE AND TRACE YOUR ROOTS TO SPECIFIC TRIBAL GROUPS


Bookcover

Trenton, NJ - (3/1/04) New Book called ROOTS RECOVERED! The How To Guide for Tracing African-American and West Indian Roots Back to Africa and Going There FOR FREE OR ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET. Roots Recovered is a travel guide unlike any other. Not only does it tell you how to fly to Africa for free or very cheaply, it guides the reader on how to trace your roots back to your specific tribal grouping utilizing a combination of traditional genealogy methods, the Internet and DNA technology.

Roots Recovered also contains bullets of information that range from African history, psychology, obtaining passports and visas to very specific country information. However, unlike other African travel books, the purpose of Roots Recovered is to use African travel as a vehicle to open the door for understanding our psychology, history and to develop a positive Black self-concept for future growth. Roots Recovered is the guide for anyone of African decent who wants to travel to Africa.

Roots Recovered can now be purchased via the author's website www.rootsrecovered.com as an e-book and as a paperback which be purchased from the author's website or wholesale from the publisher at www.booklocker.com


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

James E. White
James is an African American who obtained his undergraduate degree from Howard University and his law degree from New York Law School. James met his co-author Jean when Jean hired James for a legal matter. The two fast became good friends and together they have traveled extensively in West Africa, on and off the beaten path. Together they have crossed country borders by land and by air, experienced power outages and have stayed in tourist hotels and inexpensive local lodgings. James was eventually married in Senegal West Africa in a traditional ceremony and his first child was born there. He is an African art enthusiast and has a penchant and knowledge of African history and culture and frequently travels there.

Jean-Gontran Quenum
Jean-Gontran is an African who is a native of the Republic on Benin and a citizen of France. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Benin and his MBA from Portiere University in France. Jean is a businessman whose dealings in telecommunications, real estate and farming have taken him all over West Africa and other parts of the continent. He has avidly collected African art and this has taken him to remote areas in search of the best deals. James' first trip to Africa was with Jean-Gontran in which Jean-Gontran showed him the tourist side and the native side of travel and living in Africa.


distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com

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