Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jazz. Java, and Jesus Author Aleysha R. Proctor



About the Book

Twenty-four Christian devotions and puzzles about jazz, java and Jesus. The perfect book to take to a coffee or tea house, or anywhere, and meditate on the promises of God.

Jazz, Java & Jesus:
Christian Devotions to Soothe Your Soul
Author: Aleysha R. Proctor
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 9781441574350
Genre: Christian, nonfiction, devotional, studies

About the Author:

Aleysha Proctor is an award winning Christian inspirational author & entrepreneur. She’s the author of three books; “With Style & Amazing Grace”, “He’s the Keeper of My Soul” and “Jazz, Java & Jesus”. Her passion in life is helping to inspire people to use their potential now. To learn more about Aleysha, you can visit her online at http://www.aleyshaproctor.com/.

Purchase the Book Online at:

• Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Java-Jesus-Aleysha-Proctor/dp/1441574352/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281223302&sr=8-2

• BarnesandNoble – http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Jazz-Java-Jesus/Aleysha-R-Proctor/e/9781441574350/?itm=2&USRI=aleysha+proctor

• Books A Million – http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781441574350?id=4715246323067

For More Information

View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/JazzJavaandJesusTour

Book Trailer for Jazz Java and Jesus Tour






Vanessa Richardson’s review of Jazz, Java, and Jesus

Jazz, Java, Jesus:Christian Devotions to Soothe Your Soul
Author: Aleysha R. Proctor has certainly made my sharing is caring list. It is a wonderful read, which makes you want to do as the title claims. Listen to some comfy (for my soothing Christian jazz) as I sip my cappuccino; as I read this devotional. Ahh, my soul is soothed. Jazz, Java, and Jesus is an inspirational read; reminding of God’s promises to YOU, ME, and US….God’s people. I was truly impressed and delighted by the cross word puzzles that Aleysha added in the back of the book. 4 stars read for me! Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Only Way Up Blog Tour with Folake Taylor, MD




Folake Taylor will be giving away autographed copies of her book, The Only Way is Up – 3 winners will be chosen on Friday. Leave a comment below.

This book features the author’s experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience. Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Finding a mate
* Relationships & Family
* Single parenthood
* Teenage pregnancies
* Gender roles
* Diet & Nutrition
* Global exposure
* Positivity & Loving yourself
* Spirituality
* Life outside the United States

And much more…

About the Book

This book features the author’s experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience.

Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Finding a mate
* Relationships & Family
* Single parenthood
* Teenage pregnancies
* Gender roles
* Diet & Nutrition
* Global exposure
* Positivity & Loving yourself
* Spirituality
* Life outside the United States
And much more…

Purchase this Book Online:
* Amazon
* Barnes and Noble
* Books A Million
* Indiebound

About the Author

Folake Taylor is an outpatient Internal Medicine Physician in the suburbs of Atlanta Georgia. She is married with a little girl. She obtained her residency training at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta after her initial medical education in Nigeria. She was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian born parents.


Where can visitors find you online?

FT@theonlywayisup.net

http://www.theonlywayisup.net

http://theonlywayisupblog.blogspot.com

http://folaketaylor.blogspot.com

F. Taylor of facebook

@folaketaylor on twitter

I write for Afrikan Goddess online.



Book trailer of The Only Way is Up




Vanessa Richardson's Review of "The Only Way is Up" by Folake Taylor

I was utterly delighted with this book. It was written as I thought it would be. Author Folake Taylor, also an Internal Medical Doctor; takes readers on a private journey, hailing her experiences as a Nigerian/English transplant. Folake expounds on controversial social, racial, and economical differences, in a diplomatic and informative matter.

Never let it be said that only pain can bring forth wonderful inspirational writings. Happiness is just as powerful, if not motivational!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Myne Whitman | Author of A Heart To Mend


V.Richardson: Greetings Myne! I am happy to chat with you.

Myne: Thank you for the opportunity Vanessa.

V.Richardson: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Myne: I started writing as a child but only began to save my manuscripts when I was like 20 or so. A Heart to Mend is my first novel. The narrative of AHTM is very instinctive, from my heart and from my head too. I am practically a novice at writing. I entered this writing business, really, from outside. My entire background has been in sciences; I studied biological science for my first degree, then public health research for my masters. I’ve never had any formal training in writing. So what I write is from my own personal makeup, and less from what I have picked up in writing books and online courses, which go more toward the craft of being a writer.

V. Richardson: “A Heart to Mend” is your latest release. What is the synopsis about and how did you come up with the title?

Myne: A Heart to Mend narrates a love story and a journey of self-discovery and the title comes from the main characters who are very cynical about love. Gladys Eborah moves to Lagos from a deprived single-parent home in Enugu, to seek a job. She lives with a formerly estranged aunt who wants to be forgiven and so has the uneasy role of the bridge between both families. A new job and good friends gradually transition Gladys into an independent young woman and then she meets and begins to fall for Edward Bestman.

Edward is handsome, very wealthy, and believes money can buy everything. Though physically attracted to Gladys, he is not ready to give his heart. To make matters worse, Gladys is implicated in a plot to take over his company. Who are these people that want to betray him and destroy their happiness and will Edward trust Gladys enough to give love a chance?

V. Richardson: What do you want readers to take away from “A Heart to Mend?”.

Myne: The novel details how we can be affected by events from our past and how it may limit our opportunities in the present, especially in the area of love and relationships. Gladys obsesses over the divide between her and Edward, while he had barricaded his heart and was not letting anyone in, man or woman. The message is that none of us is perfect but we should be able to keep our heart open for that (sometimes one) person who has enough masking tape to cover our imperfections.

V. Richardson: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Myne: Well I’m not sure about that. But a few of my readers have mentioned that they would have preferred if the business setting of the novel was not so detailed.

V. Richardson: Who are your literary influences? And what books have most influenced your life most?

Myne: I read a lot and have so many authors that I love. They include several Mills and Boons writers, Barbara Cartland, Francine Rivers, Sidney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum, Leon Uris, John Grisham, and Micheal Critchton. And in Africa: the Pacestters writers, African Writers Series, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chinua Achebe, and more recently Chimamanda Adichie and Jude Dibia.

V. Richardson: What have you discovered about yourself on your journey to publication?

Myne: I have discovered a strength and dedication I did not previously know I possessed. I thought, when I became a full time writer that I would lack motivation to finish a novel but I have managed to finish the first and I’m now working on the second. There are also other ideas I am toying with.

V. Richardson: There is always a story behind the author’s works. How do/did you handle rejection (s)?

Myne: It hurts and I may feel discouraged for a while but then I look at the rejection letters again, take a deep breath, and say to myself, "So what do I do next." There may or may not be another step in there, which would be to analyse the work I submitted, to see if it can be improved in any way. It usually can. And then there may be other markets to send them out to.

V. Richardson: What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Myne: To the aspiring writers, I will say that they should keep at it. A lot of upcoming writers are actually very talented and just have to continue polishing their craft till opportunity knocks. I wish everyone the best. To my fans and readers, I love you all and say a great big THANK YOU!

V. Richardson: Are there any up coming and/or future projects readers should be made aware of?

Myne: I am working on my next novel, titled Ghost of the Past. The novel will be released in February 2011 to be followed by more contemporary African romances.

V. Richardson: How can readers contact you?

Myne: For more info, readers can visit my website at www.mynewhitman.com; Join me at http://www.facebook.com/Myne.Whitman or Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/Myne_Whitman.



Bonus Question
From The Heart:

V. Richardson: When life can get a little hectic and you are feeling a little dismayed. How do you find peace in the storm?

Myne: I believe in the power of God to heal our pain and doubt. I usually pray at such times. I also listen to some gospel or soft music and maybe write a little, if there is a manuscript I’m already working on.

V. Richardson: Myne, I truly count it an honor getting to know you and your work. Thank you for sharing yourself and your works with our viewing audience. Greater success to you! As always in closing, continue to inspire as you aspire!

Myne: Thank you so much once again. It has been a pleasure getting to know you too. You’re also an inspiration. God bless you


A Heart to Mend Book Trailer


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Soon After Blog Tour Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Multi-published author, teacher, wife and mother, Sherryle seeks to be a fresh voice in Christian Fiction. Her triumphant debut novel, Soon and Very Soon (2007) was followed up by her sophomore release, The Manual (2009).

Soon After marks the return of her franchise characters, Pastors WIllie and Vanessa Green and the Harvest Baptist church saga. Sherrryle is currently working on her fourth novel for Urban Christian (Urban/Kensington) titled Taylor-Made. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.


Sherryle, tell us about Soon After.


Soon After picks up where my debut novel, Soon and Very Soon left off. In the first installment two pastors marry and decide to combine their churches. In this second installment the ministry birthed by one over at Harvest Baptist church is likely to be exploited by the minister left to run the church. With more than one who had an interest in the deed in the property and even more with an emotional investment in the church itself, it’s up to reporter, Alexis Montgomery and Chief Herbert Rich to solve the crime.

About the Book


The Ministry birthed by one will be exploited by another. Can Willie Green stand idly by and let that happen?

When Pastors Willie Green and Vanessa Morton got married and moved to merge their churches, they never expected so much resistance. Now it seems someone is sending a strong message by setting fire to the Harvest Baptist Church building.


The newly unified Pleasant Harvest Baptist Church is no more than four months into business as usual before Co-Pastor Willie Green is drawn into the middle of an arson investigation. Alexis Montgomery, an overzealous reporter, sees the experienced pastor as a great source to latch onto as she tries to unearth the stories that might solve the crime. Instead of being bothered by the presence of this woman, Co-Pastor Vanessa uses it as a distraction to help conceal her own secrets.


Orchestrating the unification rift makes Deacon Charley Thompson a prime suspect. His unexpected silence only fuels the accusations of guilt, and his meek wife becomes his unlikely spokesperson. Meanwhile, his nephew, Abe Townsend, couldn’t care less about family allegiances. Led by an anonymous publicist, Abe and the remaining displaced members of Harvest Baptist Church gain notoriety when news reports garner an outcry of sympathy and support.


What should have been a simple unification of two churches has turned into something much more complicated, and it will take plenty of faith to hold it all.

Purchase the Book Online at:


• Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Soon-After-Sherryle-Kiser-Jackson/dp/1601628676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281221062&sr=8-1



• BarnesandNoble – http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Soon-After/Sherryle-Kiser-Jackson/e/9781601628671/?itm=1&USRI=soon+after



• Borders – http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1601628676



• Books A Million – http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781601628671?id=4715246323067

• Indiebound - http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781601628671


For More Information


• Visit the author online at http://www.sherrylejackson.com/

• View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/SoonAfterTour.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Who wants to be weak?

Catamenial pneumothorax is an extremely rare condition that affects women. Pneumothorax is the medical term for a collapsed lung, a condition in which air or gas is trapped in the space surrounding the lungs causing the lungs to collapse. Women with catamenial pneumothorax have recurrent episodes of pneumothorax that occur within 72 hours before or after the start of menstruation.

The exact cause of catamenial pneumothorax is unknown and several theories have been proposed. Some cases are associated with the abnormal develop of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus (endometriosis), although the exact nature of this relationship in these cases is unknown.

I am happy to know that this health issue is no longer as silent as it once was. Doctors and women who have or have suffered from these ailments are speaking out and I am glad about it! To date, I have had a total of seven chest tubes. Chest insertion procedure-- or procedures in my case are memorable experiences. Indeed it shall forever be embedded in my mind, as it is quite painful. Er,did I mention quite PAINFUL. I have added a clip below to prove my point. It is funny. I was quite embarrassed to admit that I suffered from this ailment. Why? I thought it was a sign of weakness…and I don’t do weakness well. Lol.

Don’t get upset with me over my proclamation. Who wants to be weak? Sure we all have our Achilles' heels; it’s what makes us human. Never the less…it was an awkward feeling for me. Until I needed answers. I thought of the biblical passage “For when I am weak, then am I strong." I like that…that is a voluptuous expression. I hope this blog post be of help to someone. Who may not be struggling with a health issue; maybe it's financial, emotional, and possibly spiritual struggles. In spite of life contending forces, there is still a choice. YES! you still have a choice to be and live a happy life. Trust me you do. Smile. Go ahead smile…it looks good on you! It’s going to be alright. Go for your goals. Aim high and don’t look low. The world is your oyster, you can have it steamed, boiled, and fried--any way you want it. Just do it! YOU must decide.


Chest tube insertion procedure: WARNING VIEWING DISCRETION ADVISED.





http://www.experienceproject.com/group_stories.php?g=89797
http://cigna.com.pe/healthinfo/nord1227.html