Friday, September 27, 2013

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Darkness Betrayed by Christine Hughes

Today, I’m screaming HAPPY RELEASE DAY to my friend, FB “Boo”, and fellow author, Christine Hughes!!!!!!  Her novel, Darkness Betrayed, is available for purchase TODAY!!!!  Darkness Betrayed is the sequel to her debut novel, TORN. You can read my review here.  And I have to tell you, it’s awesome!   
But I won’t prolong the feature.  Here ya go…


BLURB:
Even the devil was once an angel...
Still reeling from a devastating betrayal, and a shaky relationship with Ethan, her Guardian Angel, Samantha reluctantly seeks comfort with Damien - the original fallen, the devil whispered about and part of the original deception of Adam and Eve. She learns of the real reason for his existence – a sad and twisted reason that would force even the most ardent Bible thumpers to show sympathy. He agrees to help Samantha fight Sebastian but what she doesn't know is there is a price for Damien's involvement. A price she would never allow. The only problem is, she isn't the one making the sale.



EXERPT:
 “Lucas isn’t healing as quickly as Sebastian would like. That much I know.”             
“You already said that. What do you know about  Lucas?”
“Sebastian is very angry with him.”
I snorted. “I’m sure.”
Malakai cocked his grotesque head to the side. “His betrayal is the only thing you focus on?”
“It’s the only thing I can focus on.” Rage built up and threatened to break free.
Ethan stepped closer, the tip of his sword grazing the back of Malakai. Eyes wide, he replied hastily. “You haven’t let me finish. I do have a message from one who is in Sebastian’s circle. One you’ve never met but have heard about. One who is tired of Sebastian’s ways. One who wants to return to how it’s supposed to be.”
“And who is the ‘one’ you speak of?”
“He is the one who has sent me to deliver his message.”
Vibrations ran through me. “Stop talking in circles! Give the message you were sent to give or I will kill you. You have no place here.”
“Ahh.” Malakai’s eyes narrowed. “I told him you wouldn’t listen. I told him you were not ready to hear his proposal. You are still…immature.”
“Enough!” The tip of Ethan’s sword pierced the wing of the Exiled. “Go back to whoever sent you. Tell them we don’t talk in circles. If you have nothing to tell us, we have nothing to listen to. Our patience is wearing thin.”
Malakai’s hands flew to his face as he began to shake. Didn’t really look to me like whoever had sent him had thought any it through. This minion was about to crack under the pressure. I was only too happy to speed up that process.
Arms outstretched, he stepped away. “No. No. I was sent. You must listen. Death at your hand would be welcomed in light of what I will face if I fail. You must listen. The purest fallen has sent me. He is ready to make a deal with you to overthrow Sebastian and rid the world of him once and for all.”
My mind raced as I tried to process the information. Who was the purest fallen?
Ethan whispered and I barely hear him over the din that began to rise around me. “Damien.”

Author Bio:
A former Army brat, Christine Hughes moved quite often. She spent much of her time losing herself in books and creating stories about many of the people she'd met. Falling in love with literature was easy for her and she majored in English while attending college in New Jersey. Not sure where her love of reading and writing fit, she became a middle school English teacher. After nine years of teaching others to appreciate literature, she decided to take the plunge and write her first novel. Now at home focusing on making writing her new career, she spends her time creating characters and plot points instead of grading papers.
 
BUY IT at on Amazon.
Find Christine:

Thursday, September 26, 2013

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: MEET Aneta Cruz

Hi Peeps!  Award-winner author, Aneta Cruz, is with me today!  Her novel, Heartbreak Hotel, was recently released by Black Opal Books. 


Hi Aneta!  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hmmm. Let’s see. I’m not sure you’ll find me very interesting. J I’m just an ordinary person who loves to read and tell stories. I do see a ghost here and there, love chocolate, tea, good coffee. As far as my personal life goes, I’m half Czech, half Hungarian, married, have two children (one of them hates to read—can you believe that? I must not have passed my genes correctly, lol), one dog. I’ve earned a BA in English Literature and MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction); I speak 3 languages, and get these unexplainable, odd glimpses into the future. Kidding—I speak 6 languages, though I’m getting rusty in two of them.

WOW!  That is a very interesting background.  I can’t even learn one language.  But I’m working on it.  Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Oh, yes, absolutely. It is a collection of ballads called Kytice by a Czech author, K. J. Erben. I first read it when I was about ten. I haven’t been the same since. Erben’s vivid, haunting images tell tales of mystery, fright, intrigue. They make your blood curdle as he portrays monsters, human fears, passions, and motives. And he does it all the while rhyming! This book has inspired so much of my writing. While I was in college I completely fell for E. A. Poe. That man was a literary genius. Now that I think about it, Erben and Poe have a lot in common.
I loved E. A. Poe as well.  What are you reading?
At the moment I’m finishing up a Czech book by Petr Šabach which, in loose translation, would be called How to Drown Australia. Of course, it has nothing to do with Australia. J
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I know it’s a cliché answer, but I think of writing. Or at least I think of the story playing out in my head. Or I’m reading. I’m always reading something. If I don’t read, I feel like I can’t breathe.
You know I get it.  Writing is always in my thoughts.  When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing when I was very young. First it was simple poems that slowly progressed into stories. I wrote my first serious story on a typewriter when I was in high school. It was called “The Wheel of Terror” and told the tale of four high school boys who hung out at a crumbling fair on the outskirts of Boston. There, they fixed up a broken Ferris Wheel, and died while taking their first ride on it because it spun too fast. This one was heavily influenced by Stephen King. I showed it to a man who liked it so much, he wanted to make copies of it for his reading group. I was so excited by the prospects of some form of success that I immediately agreed. I never saw the story or the man again. Luckily now I write on a lap top that saves my work, so I never have to worry about losing an original. My first book was finished five years ago.
Where do you get your ideas?
There is no one particular place or time of day. Ideas just come to me, like a movie, playing out in my mind within a split second in which I can clearly see my characters, the plot, the settings…it’s quite weird, actually.
Me too.  So I know exactly where you’re coming from.  Are you a pantser?  Or do you outline?
I guess it depends on what I’m writing. When I write a novel, I do an outline only because I don’t want to forget anything. It’s not really an outline, more like a synopsis at which I suck and which is useless in the end as characters jump into my head halfway through the novel and demand being in certain scenes or adding new ones. When I write poetry and short stories, I’m a pantser. They just pour out of me. For one especially “pantser” short story I won a Literary Fiction Award. So I guess being a pantser has paid off. In the amount of $500, needless to say. J
Congrats!!!  That’s awesome.  Can you tell us the challenges in getting your first book published?
I think finding a publishing house that would believe in you and your story as much as you do. It’s been a constant WHY? with my latest release. Every website, every book tells authors to look for a literary agent. I grew a rhino’s hide doing that. I received numerous rejection letters, countless requests for partials and fulls. More rejection letters, saying my project sounds great, would surely sell, but yadda yadda yadda. So why won’t you take it then if it sounds great and would sell, I would ask. We’ve got a full load of authors; we’ve decided we can’t take on someone unknown…So why would you request to see my manuscript, giving me false hope and wasting my time, I would ask again. To this there was no answer. Finally, Terrie Wolf, from AKA Literary, has taken her time to answer my WHYs and said it would be better and easier for a first time author to query small publishing houses directly. So I did, and within two weeks, Lauri Wellington from Black Opal Books offered a publishing contract.

Another awesome!  Tell us about your novel.
Heartbreak Hotel tells a story about a young hotel clerk, Kara, whose desire is to find her true love. Kind of a fairytale wish, right? Well, to add to that, the protagonist reads about a myth in which true love can be attained should a couple kiss in the middle of the Charles Bridge. Kara is determined to do just that and her determination will take her on a series of very interesting dates.
How did you come up with the title?
That came naturally, as Kara goes through quite a few heartbreaks which take place in the hotel where she works.
Who designed the cover?
My friend and a very talented artist, Kelley Byrd, whom I met in one of my undergrad English classes. We remained friends ever since, and I’m proud to say Kelley is one of my biggest fans and I can always count on her for artistic or any other advice.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Making Kara not look like a slut. Yes, I said it; I said a bad word. L While she goes on multiple dates with multiple men, I wanted her to be fragile yet focused on what she really wants and not come across as someone who’s just hooking up for one night-stands. According to the reviews I’ve read, it seems as though I’ve pulled it off. Whew.
If you had it to do all over again, would you change anything about your latest book?
I wouldn’t. Alea iacta est. The dice have been cast. Or in my case: The story has been written.
What project are you working on now?
Right now I’m focusing on a MG/YA novel about a girl named Story. I haven’t written a single line yet, well except for the plotline ideas, but I’ve made some drawings, maps, character description, etc. Right now I need some more time to live in Story’s world. I can already see it all, I just need to stop procrastinating and sit down and write.
Any new books coming out? 
Yes. I signed a contract with Black Opal Books to publish my MFA Thesis novel, The Guardian. It’s about monstrosity….ooh, spooky J Here’s a little blurb:
Dr. Josef Stein was trained as a man of science and rationality, but after a tragic experience, he believes that there is something within—or even without—the human body science cannot explain. And Stein would do anything to witness it! When his patients begin seeing a ghost, and a woman suspected of killing her child even accuses this spirit of the crime, Stein takes it upon himself to investigate. Unexpectedly, evidence of a supernatural phenomenon starts to mount. The good doctor’s quest to see is ignited with fervor. He thinks that he is on the verge of uncovering the veracity of a thousand year old myth when his research gets interrupted by the Gestapo. Stein turns to his colleagues and friends for help, but they begin to suspect that the doctor’s determination may have unhinged his mind. Has Stein, after years of treating the crazy, gone mad himself?
Oh my.  That sounds great!!!!  Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
First and foremost: never give up on your dream. And dream big.
Read every day to expand the limits of your imagination. Write when the inspiration hits you, even if it is at two in the morning. Or at least jot down your idea because, trust me, our brains are made to forget. Learn about the craft. It’s a beautiful thing and there’s way more to it than just narrating a story.

Rapid Fire Questions:
Favorite Song?
The Trial by Pink Floyd
Favorite Movie?
The Others
Favorite Season?
Fall
Favorite Food?
Hmmm. I’ll eat pretty much anything, but I guess it would be potatoes since they are so versatile.
Favorite Quote?
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde
Any parting words?
Chase your dreams. They are the key to your identity. All you have to do is unlock the door.



Aneta is giving away 3 signed copies of a Muse-me[a]nt on September 30, 2013.  To enter the drawing, all you need to do is like her Facebook Author Page here.


You can also find her at www.anetacruz.com or www.conundrumcornerblogspot.com.
And if you haven't picked up her novel, you can buy Heartbreak Hotel here:
Thanks for stopping by Aneta!!!  It’s been a pleasure! 


Monday, September 23, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: TORN by Christine Hughes


Ever read a book that makes you wish you'd thought of that?  TORN is that book.  A paranormal thriller, TORN, is about seventeen-year-old Samantha.  And Samantha is not just any teenage girl.  She holds the key to the battle between good and evil. 

When her father dies, Samantha is thrust into a new world with a host of unearthly beings.  Samantha has no idea about the life she was destined to live as a fallen angel.  Finding out that everyone you know and love is not who they said they were would turn an adult's world upside down, so imagine what a teenager would feel.  And finding out that, not only are you a fallen angel, but you're the one fallen angel that holds the balance between good and evil, or hope.   

Suspense, action, betrayal, and romance... TORN had it all.  I thoroughly enjoyed the character development.  Sam, Ethan, and Lucas were characters that captured my interest from the beginning.  Ms. Hughes did an excellent job with pulling me right into the story, keeping me invested in the outcome. 

I haven't read a lot of books about angels, but I'm glad that I picked this one up.  Not only did the book entertain me, it had an underlying message (I always love those).  Samantha can choose light or dark as she has both bloodlines running through her.  She can choose to fight with the Faithful or give into those dark impulses and join the Exile.  Just like real life, sometimes it feels easier to succumb to the darkness.  And Sebastian, the leader of the Exiled, is hot on her trail. But, ultimately, it's Samantha's choice. It's a real decision that everyone makes in their life, choosing the path we should go.  I love how the author presents this internal and external battle.  The battle within herself and the desire to be "good", but knowing there is this "bad" part in her.  It's not easy, by any means.  I was left to wonder... can good exist without evil? 

All in all, I have to say it was an excellent book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

My Rating:  5 STARS

The sequel, Darkness Betrayed, will hit stores on September 27th.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Author Spotlight: LOVE THROUGH TIME by Nana Prah

Hey all!  It's such a pleasure to introduce you to my friend, Nana Prah!  Her debut novel, Love Through Time, was released by Black Opal Books on August 3rd.  Take it away, Nana!

Leslie is such a generous woman for letting me take over her the basement today.

The song Strength of a Woman by Shaggy came to mind when I thought about coming to Leslie’s blog, not only because of the music challenge we undertook with Empi, but because the words describe how strong women are.  This applies to all women.

One thing I deplore in a romance novel is a weak heroine. To me women are supposed to be strong, that’s the way we were awesomely made. I have come to realize that in life there are weak women, but their frailty is only on the surface.  When a woman is put in a situation where she must utilize her strength, she ceases to be weak in order to get the job done, especially if it pertains to her children.

So to all the women who perceive themselves as weak, pull your shoulders back and know that you are a strong woman waiting for the opportunity to show just how strong you are.

In my debut paranormal romance novel, Jasmine is a powerful woman who uses her skills to protect those who need her. No, she is not a superhero, just a woman who knows how wonderfully she has been created.  With that said, let me introduce you to Love Through Time.


 
Blurb:
Defending her family – no problem. Recalling past lives – maybe just a small problem. Taking a chance on love again – well…

Jasmine Gibson has her world turned upside down when she meets gorgeous Sean Taylor. He’s the first man she’s been attracted to since her fiancé dumped her two years ago. But when the disturbing daydreams start, Jasmine begins to fear that her actions in a past life may have finally caught up with her.

Sean finds it impossible to stay away from Jasmine even though he can’t shake the inexplicable feeling of betrayal, simmering deep inside him every time he sees her.

To complicate things, someone is out to hurt Jasmine and every time she and Sean are together, the police have to be called. Even if Jasmine can make Sean trust her, the two of them may not stay alive long enough to enjoy their love this time around.


Excerpt:

She was coming to terms about their past lives, but he was having trouble just dealing with her in this one.

“I must have been a great man in previous life,” Sean said jokingly, but Jasmine’s expression turned serious as she held onto the doorpost. “Are you all right? Are you getting lightheaded?”

“No, I’m fine.”

But he could tell something was bothering her. “Now you’re holding something back from me.”

“Do you believe in past lives?”

 “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve seen so much in my travels around the world that I wouldn’t be surprised if it existed. Do you?”

“I think it might exist, and the thought about coming back and making your soul better is very appealing. At the same time it could be painful, especially if you hurt someone else in a past life and met them again in another.”

Sean felt a chill go up his spine. He knew there was something more to this conversation, but he couldn’t pin point it. He wanted to stay and talk with her about it, but he had to get back to studying.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was nothing but a friendly kiss, but he felt the shock of it straight down to the soles of his feet. Jasmine looked just as affected as he was.



Find me at:
Twitter: @NanaPrah




BIO:
Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.












Thanks for stopping by, Nana!  And if you haven't picked up your copy, pick it up TODAY.  Also, Nana is doing a giveaway.  Enter to win one of 3 $10 Amazon Gift Cards!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 9, 2013

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!! Let's Celebrate!!!!! TORN by Christine Hughes


So…  a bit ago, I revealed the new cover for Christine Hughes’ novel, TORN!  TORN is being re-released TODAY by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing!  Let’s Celebrate with Christine and wish her much success!!!  And get your copy today!  First week sales are very important.  Congrats Christine!!!!

 


Blurb:

With the sudden, mysterious death of her father, Samantha discovers her life isn’t what it seems. Not only isn’t she the normal teenage girl she thought she was, Sam must now take her father’s place in the fight between two groups of fallen angels—the Faithful and the Exiled—in a race to save humanity. In addition to dealing with the devastating betrayal of her friend and her feelings for someone she is forbidden to love, Sam must also fight the growing darkness within her as she struggles to make a choice between fighting alongside the Faithful or succumbing to the temptation of the Exiled. Both sides require sacrifices Sam isn’t sure she can make.


Excerpt:

 I knew it was dangerous, but the voice was so tempting...

Samannnnthaaaa...

Unable to speak, I wiped the beads of sweat from my forehead and looked around. I swung my head toward the window and peered outside, searching for the source of the taunting voice. Where was he? The sky had darkened significantly and just beyond the trees I saw a swirling shadow that seemed to pulse. The vegetation surrounding it had withered, becoming gray and lifeless as though the shadow had sucked up all of the energy. A faint hum filled the air, growing louder as the shadow pulsed faster.

Samannnnnnthaaaa...It’s time. Join us.

“Where are you?” I could barely get the words out. “What do you want from me?” This voice had plagued me for months and I wanted to know for sure it was Sebastian, yet the thought of finally knowing, finally seeing him, scared me more than the uncertainty.

The voice chuckled. Join us and I will show you everything.

“Never,” I whispered. “Never. My father died protecting me. I will never come to you.”

Again, a high-pitched and foul laugh rang in my head, making it spin. Dark clouds rolled ominously overhead, the wind picked up and the dull humming became inescapable white noise. Silly girl. You will come to us. You will make the choice. It is your destiny.

Despite my protest, I stepped toward the window then, leaning over the sink, I reached up to unlock it. My reflection was unrecognizable in the glass. My hair was wild and my eyes were huge and black as shadows emanated from within me. Whatever was out there was reaching for me with ghostly fingers, and as I opened the window, a dark mist snaked toward the house. I closed my eyes in giddy anticipation of the unknown.






Buy TORN here!!!!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Author Spotlight: Meet KeKe Chanel!!!!

I have to say, as you’ve heard me say all the time… the best part about writing is meeting so many wonderful people.  Today, I’m with KeKe Chanel.  I met KeKe in the Reading in Black group and I have to say… she’s awesome! 



KeKe, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
First I would just like to say thank you for having me on your blog Leslie. It’s always good to have support from our peers. I am truly humbled and grateful. I am also proud to be in the likes of such great company as you. I absolutely loved Basement Level 5: Never Scared. Being an AA Author is awesome but having the support of other AA Authors is amazing! I am Keke Chanel. I am from a small town in Louisiana called Greensburg. *Shout out to G-town* LOL. I am a wife and mother of two. I love spending time with my family and close friends when I’m not writing or reading a great book. I love the colors purple and green.

Aw… thanks so much.  I’m so glad you loved BL5.  I definitely agree with you having the support of other AA authors.  It’s been such a blessing getting to know amazing authors like you!  Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
When I was in the eighth grade I read Terry McMillian’s Mama and that book touched me in a way that I wanted my stories to reflect everyday situations that we all face at some point in time. Although I write fiction, there are still true elements mixed in to make the story relatable. There are others like Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Where Watching God & The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah that stand out but I am a lover of books, so I try to take something positive away from each one that I read. I could talk about books all day, and since I have been on Facebook and joined the Reading in Black group, I have found many authors whom I admire and enjoy reading.

 Abosolutely LOVED Mama for those same reasons.  One of my favs.  What are you reading?
I am currently reading Twisted Sister by Deidra DS Green

What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not hanging out with my family, I am usually buried in a book or playing games on my IPad.

I feel like we’re kindred. Lol  When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I first started writing in third grade. Poetry became my first love until I got to high school. I started writing short-stories about my friends and family, and eventually the great feedback I received from anyone who read them inspired me to pursue something bigger. It wasn’t until later, much later that I started writing novels. I have so many short-stories and novels on my computer, which I do plan to release someday in the future. My debut novel Deadly in Stilettos was published in 2012.

I have it on my Kindle and can’t wait to read it.  Where do you get your ideas?
My imagination is a very sick and twisted, yet wonderful creation. I just let whatever flows at the time I sit in front of my computer flow, and if there are sparks of reality infused, I don’t fight it. My aunt tells me I need therapy but she calls me every week asking if I have anything for her to read. It’s funny. My major in college was Psychology.

Are you a pantser?  Or do you outline?
I think I’m a little bit of both. Sometimes I just sit down and go from there and others I get an idea and outline the story around it just so I don’t lose sight of it. I love developing new characters and I usually outline their physical features and back story before I move forward in the plot. But with each story it’s different. You just never know because I have outlined an entire story but didn’t use anything from my notes when I started typing. That story will be released sometime in 2014.

Awesome!  Looking forward to it!  Can you tell us the challenges in getting your first book published?
Besides money, lol! No, the challenge I had was finding the right company because I did self-publishing. Even though I did research, I wish that I would have done more, asked more questions, or knew some of the people then that I know now. I learned that you cannot always take someone’s word when it comes to your work and don’t leave your work’s integrity in the hands of someone else. I learned that even if it takes another month or year to get your work published, always read and reread again!

Tell us about your novel.
My latest novel Naughty or Nice is the sequel to my book Sugah & Spice. It’s about hidden identity, love, lies and betrayal, stemming around the main character Sugah Payne and an organization she has become entangled with. Just when she thinks she has finally found love, her past comes back to haunt her, leaving everyone around her in danger; but the people she is trying to protect have secrets of their own. I really enjoyed working on this project but the story doesn’t end there, it is just warming up. There is another installment coming! My novel Deadly in Stilettos is about a young woman named Deminis Bradshaw who is searching for love in all the wrong places because she didn’t have the love from her father growing up. She is tired of being abused and misused so she compiles a list of names with all the people who have ever hurt her and goes on a little adventure. Let me just say that if Demi is there for a visit, you are not safe. Her love for beautiful shoes gives her the boost of confidence she needs to seek redemption so that she can start over and finally have the life she has always wanted and desired. I had lots of fun working on that project. I learned just how creative I could be as a writer because Demi isn’t the typical gun or knife carrying chick.

How did you come up with those awesome titles?
For Deadly in Stilettos I wanted something different, something I had never heard and because of my main character having a shoe fetish, if you will, the name just kind of came to me one night in my sleep. She is deadly, and she loves stilettos, put the two together and there you have it. Sugah and Spice; Naughty or Nice, came from the nursery rhyme ‘what are little girls made of’ with a twist.

Love it. Who designed the covers?
The first cover to Deadly in Stilettos was designed by the publishing company I went with and the second cover, because I re-released it to fix what was overlooked, was designed by Keith Williams, a friend of mine who has his own design business. And for the Sugah series, I did.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part for me is always the blurb or synopsis. It’s hard condensing two to three-hundred pages down to a paragraph, yet, not give too much away or not enough, to grab the attention of readers.

If you had it to do all over again, would you change anything about your latest book?
No, I wouldn’t. Not for my latest book but for my debut book, I would definitely change the publishing company of choice. Other than that, this has been a great experience for me. I know that it will only get better. God is in control of my destiny!

That is SO true.  What project are you working on now?
I’m truly excited about the project I’m currently working on. It will be my first novel writing where my main character is a male. Writing from a male perspective is challenging but awesome at the same time. It is called Diary of a Misunderstood Brotha. It is inspired by true events and I know that it will touch all who reads it. Ace, the main character, is a wonderful guy who is just searching for something he doesn’t think he deserves because of all the pain he has endured. His love for poetry keeps him optimistic that life is worth living even when he feels like ending it all. 

Any new books coming out? 
I have a new book coming out this November called Suffer No More. It is based on the life of my younger sister. She asked me to share her story, all of the ups and downs, heartaches and pain, obstacles and triumphs, and I cannot wait for readers to read it. She is truly a woman of strength and courage and I admire her so much. To be so young and have experienced all the curveballs of life and come out of it encouraging others with a smile not only on her face but in her heart is a wonderful thing.

Wow.  That is great!!!!  Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
My advice to aspiring writers is to never stop writing. If you have a passion for your craft, pursue it. Don’t allow anyone to deter you from your gift. Don’t take reviews or negative comments personally because not everyone will like what you write about. That doesn’t mean that your work isn’t great, it simply means that your audience hasn’t read it yet. I will also say, take constructive criticism and use it to become better at what you do. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it is beautiful. Know that overnight success doesn’t last long, but becoming successful will carry your name forever. Interact with readers because believe it or not, they want to know you. Lastly, don’t just dream, wake up and make it a reality! The sky isn’t the limit when there are footprints on the moon…

Rapid Fire Questions:
Favorite Song? I know what love is all about by Anthony Hamilton
Favorite Movie? Pretty Woman
Favorite Season? Fall
Favorite Food? Eggplant
Favorite Quote? The golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
Any parting words?
This has been a great experience for me. As a new author getting your name and work out in the world of readers is an enormous task, and I just want to say thanks again for allowing me to use your platform. I wish you great success and multiple blessings, Leslie!


You can find KeKe...

Amazon
Passion, Love, and all that other SH&T
On Twitter @keke_chanel 

Thank YOU for coming by.  I wish the same for you.