#Interview ~ The Bennu Project By Tyrone Givens ~ @Thebennuproject

Hello! This is one of my tour stops during my two week book tour for The Bennu Project by Tyrone Givens. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs November 23-December 6, 2017.  Follow the tour here.  Book your own tour here WNL

The Bennu Project

By  Tyrone Givens

Interview with Tyrone Givens:

Crystal: I am excited to have  Tyrone Givens here today. Welcome, Tyrone Givens! Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

Tyrone: Fed up with the embarrassingly stereotypical caricatures used to falsely portray the Black culture, I committed to creating heroes and heroines to provide positive images for our children. To reverse the less-than-flattering qualities that diminish self-esteem, self-worth and cultural value, I entertain readers with science fiction plots infused with historical facts often omitted from school curriculums.
I am a home-school educator whose high school-aged children are attending college. I am a multi-lingual, federally-licensed airplane pilot. The Bennu Project is the culmination of my passions: empowering Black children, accurate depiction of our history and flying.
TyroneGivens.com

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us?

Tyrone: This question is difficult because I have several favorite scenes. If I had to choose one, it is the scene that introduces The Kandake. The Kandake is the direct descendent of Roha and has been leading the current rebellion using guerilla warfare tactics. Her likeness was modeled after Njinga Mbande, a 17th-century queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Angola, and one of my personal heroes.

Crystal: How did you come up with the idea for The Bennu Project?

Tyrone: As I homeschooled my two teenage sons, finding books with historical African facts of interest to high school students was a challenge. I created a lesson plan ranging from pre-colonial Africa to current events. After completing the plan, I put the information in a book to share with parents who struggle with teaching certain historical topics to their children.
While researching, I decided to use names from African mythology throughout the novel. The Bennu is an ancient Egyptian deity linked with the sun, creation and rebirth that may have been the inspiration for the phoenix in Greek mythology. The theme of the book fit perfectly with the concept of the Bennu bird and thus, the title: The Bennu Project.

Crystal: On what are you currently working?

Tyrone: I plan on writing The Bennu Project as a trilogy possibly followed by a prequel trilogy.

Crystal: Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing?

Tyrone: Writing comes easy for me. In college, I realized I could write a term paper in the parking garage on the due date. Instead of outlines and other mechanisms, my process for writing my first two books started with imagining major points. When I had enough scenes, I wrote storylines to support them.

Crystal: Did you do lots of research this book or any other?

Tyrone: I absolutely did. To bring modern-day relevance to my novel and accurately capture the essence of our history, I extracted facts from the following books:
• The Destruction of Black Civilization by Dr. Chancellor Williams
• Civilization or Barbarism by Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop
• The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors by Dr. Frances Cress Welsing

Crystal: Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?

Tyrone:
• Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of Africana Studies at California State University, holds two Ph.Ds. including social ethics with a focus on the classical African ethics of ancient Egypt.
• Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, a Guyanese-born associate professor of Africana Studies at Rutgers University, was a literary critic, linguist and anthropologist.
• Dr. Chancellor Williams, an African-American sociologist, historian and writer, is noted for his work on African civilizations prior to encounters with Europeans
• Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop was a historian, anthropologist, physicist and politician who studied the human race’s origins and pre-colonial African culture.
• Dr. Frances Cress Welsing was an American Afrocentrist psychiatrist. Her 1970 essay, The Cress Theory of Color-Confrontation and Racism, offered her interpretation on the origins of what she described as white supremacy.
• Robert Bauval is a Belgian author, lecturer and Ancient Egypt researcher, perhaps best known for his Orion Correlation Theory regarding the Giza pyramid complex.

Crystal: Is there a genre you haven’t written that you would like to try?

Tyrone: I considered trying my hand at Afrofuturism. After these six books are complete, I may write a series in that genre.

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About The Book:

On a dangerous run to scavenge supplies from a remote excavation site in the Meza Ruins, Azubuike and his friends encounter a unique piece of technology left by their ancestors. Once exposed to the device, Azubuike’s reality is altered in ways that could unravel his mind. The team has no way of knowing the danger—or benefit—posed by this ancient technology which triggered a series of events forever changing Azubuike and his friends. Has he unlocked the secret to end the alien occupation of his world or will this device result in the extinction of his people?

The Bennu Project is a genre-defying novel with the suspense of mystery, metaphors of science fiction and accuracy of historical relevance depicting the rise-and-fall of several Nile Valley civilizations.

ASIN: B00VP4N6X8

ISBN-10: 1620309580

ISBN-13: 978-1620309582

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi

Buy Links: 

Amazon

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

About The Author:

Fed up with the stereotypical caricatures used to falsely portray the Black culture, Tyrone Givens is committed to creating heroes and heroines as positive images for our children. To reverse the less-than-flattering qualities that diminish self-esteem, self-worth and cultural value, this master storyteller entertains readers with science fiction plots infused with historical facts often omitted from school curriculums.

Givens, a homeschool educator whose high school-aged children are attending college, is a multi-lingual, federally-licensed airplane pilot. The Bennu Project is the culmination of his passions: empowering Black children, accurate depiction of our history and rebuilding our community.

Connect Socially:

Trailer | Facebook | Fan Page | Twitter | InstaGram: @thebennuproject | YouTube | Website

Tour hosted by WNL Book Tours

#SpotLIght ~ What It Do & Bow Down by Natalya LaBauve ~ @NatalyaLaBauve

This is one of my stops during the three day spotlight tour for Bow Down & What It Do by Natalya LaBauve. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs November 8-10, 2017 Follow the tour here.  Book your own tour here WNL

What It Do & Bow Down

 by Natalya LaBauve

About What It Do:

What It Do! For most seventeen year olds, graduating from high school is something to look forward to. But not for Victoria Johnson, who has just learned, two days before graduation, that she has been living a privileged and sheltered life in the gated community of Laketon, with 'adopted' parents. "What It Do", is the story about what life does to a young girl of class and prestige, when her biological mother arrives and wants to spend time with her. The weekend after graduation, Victoria finds herself being driven from the happy world of two story homes with Mercedes Benzes parked out front; to the mean streets of Oakland, where being naive and simple-minded, are just not allowed. With the help of a street wise younger brother; a strong willed little sister, and the admiration of a handsome young street thug, Victoria learns very quickly - What it do!

ISBN-10: 1438915691

ISBN-13: 978-1438915692

Amazon Buy Link

About Bow Down:

Bow Down!   Victoria thought her wedding day would be the happiest moment in her life, but strange coincidences and enigmatic guests hint at a mystery that will reveal distressing secrets about her new marriage and the man she’s given her heart to.

It took some smooth talking, but Victoria’s parents have finally accepted Terrance Seals as their son-in-law. Their summer wedding is beautiful, but Victoria begins to believe that something isn’t quite right. It would be one thing if the only problem were Edward Bordeaux, Victoria’s old beau. Edward’s mere presence might cause Victoria’s whole body to heat up, but she knows she can handle him—even after he coughs loudly when the minister asks if anyone objects to the marriage. The real problem is a strange woman with some connection to Terrance.

When Victoria can’t get answers from her new husband, she turns to her girlfriends—her best friend, Jana; new girl Meagan; and self-professed psychic Jennifer. With their support and encouragement, Victoria starts trying to get to the bottom of Terrance’s strange behavior. With the help of prayers, miraculous coincidences, and even psychic visions, Victoria discovers something unexpected about her husband and their shared future that will change everything.

Coming soon to Amazon

Genre: Young Adult

About The Author:

Natalya LaBauve was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Oakland. She studied at Ohio State University, UC Berkeley Extension, and Laney Community College’s theater program.

LaBauve spent twenty-eight years working for the US Attorney’s office. She has resigned from her work in the federal government to pursue her dream of becoming an author. LaBauve has written five novels about good girls, bad boys, and the love they share.

LaBauve lives in the Bay Area with her two children. She’s hard at work on her next book!

Website: http://www.natalyalabauve.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalya.labauve

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatalyaLaBauve

Tour hosted by Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com

#Interview ~ The Little Girl Inside: Owning My Role in My Own Pain by Tonya Barbee ~ iamstillarose

This is one of my stops during the two month tour for The Little Girl Inside: Owning My Role in My Own Pain by Tonya Barbee. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs October & November. Follow the tour here.  Book your own tour here WNL

The Little Girl Inside: 

Owning My Role in My Own Pain 

by Tonya Barbee

Interview with Tonya Barbee:

Crystal: Today I am so happy to host Tonya Barbee! Welcome Tonya! I'm so excited to have you join us today. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?  

Tonya: I’m from Durham, NC, an Army brat, went to Frank W. Ballou H.S. in Washington, DC and have been in the DMV since then.  I graduated from National-Louis which is based in Chicago where I earned my MBA.  For the past twelve years, I’ve worked as a project manager for Department of Defense in which I am responsible for managing both the internal controls and records management for the agency.  I have 35 years in the operational field.  While accomplishing all of the above, I also managed to raise four beautiful children, a product from three marriages.  During the span of a little over thirty years, I managed to raise my kids on my own. I rose through hardship, “potential” poverty, depression, betrayal and a host of other challenges.  I chose to make changes by self-reflecting, to never quit.

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us? 

Tonya: There are a few great scenes that I like because I tended to write about it in a comical way but it wasn’t that funny when it actually occurred. There was a scene when I described what I saw with my own eyes as my husband (at the time), allowed his friend to rub the back of his neck as if they were lovers. I witnessed this from riding in the back seat along with my daughter and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me until she confirmed she saw it as well. 

Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for the book title?

Tonya: The title of the book was not my choice, it was the editor’s. After reading my book, she thought of the title.  She explained to me that I was an adult looking for the fantasy that a little girl would be looking for. She said I was, “like a little girl inside of me” while I was an adult.  Her interpretation of the book was that I married to find true love and happiness through a fantasy vision without taking into consideration, plain reality. As a result, I kept going in circles until I came to the conclusion after much self-reflection that I was the common denominator and that it was I that needed to change and own up to my responsibilities of the mess that was happening repeatedly.  This is how the title came about, “The Little Girl Inside Owning My Role in My Own Pain.” 

 Crystal: What are you currently working on?  

Tonya: I’m currently working on a co-author collaboration of  short stories, testimonies about overcoming a challenge, and a prayer chapter in which all the authors included a few prayers that they wrote.  My story is titled, “Prayer Works.” In addition, I’m writing the “whole story” which is like a sequel to my first book.

Crystal: Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing?

  

Tonya: My specific routine is to first pray that God is directing my steps so that I can remain focused.  Secondly, I have learned to set a time to sit some place quietly in my home so that I can concentrate.  Then, I began to review my prepared outline (which is what I work from), and began to write.  Occasionally, nothing appears on paper.  When this occurs, I usually step back, read something else and later, I can get back on track.  That is routinely how I write.

Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research on this book or any other?

Tonya: Being that my last book will feature a subject on bigamy, I’m in the process of doing research. I did do research on my first book in regards to what type of people have no remorse of hurting others and I learned through research, these types of people are called sociopaths.  They have no regard for whom they hurt.  Sociopaths also prefer to gravitate and exploit intelligent people as themselves.  It’s a game to them.  Researching brought much needed clarity to me.

Crystal: Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read? 

Tonya: In past years, my favorite books were:  Waiting to Exhale, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, by Terry McMillan.  She’s my favorite author.   I’ve read all her books but the two left a lasting impact.  Back in the past few years, I liked Dean Koonz’s books.  My favorite books that he wrote are Intensity and the Fun House. I still get scared just thinking about them.  And most recently, I enjoy reading books by Sophie Kinsella.  My favorites so far are The Undomestic Goddess and Finding Audrey. She makes me laugh while reading her works. 

Crystal: Is there a genre you haven't written that you would like to try? 

Tonya: I would like to try fiction and drama.  Primarily I would like to write a few novels and comedies. I think that would be fun!

~*~*~*~*~
About the Book: 

The Little Girl Inside is a prolific story of triumph and discovery of inner peace. With each page, the reader will be captivated while the author uses the writing pen as a sowing tool-seaming a garment of praise, banner of victory and fabric of joy. With imaginative color, the book is a perfectly designed combination of patterns expressing the maturation of a woman.

A uniquely designed transparent jewel every woman should own in her jewelry box. The Little Girl Inside is a ministry resource tool for women in search for transparency in the human heart. The author shows us how to overcome the inner battle of doing the right thing the wrong way, going from finding love in the wrong places to allowing love to be revealed in the right time and in the right place.

ASIN: B00VJFVN5Q

ISBN-10: 0692564802

ISBN-13: 978-0692564806

Genre: Non-Fiction

Buy Links: 
Amazon | B&N

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Excerpt: 

I made room for Sir Intellectual to bring what I thought were the remainder of hi things. I also made room on my health insurance policy just in case he didn't have any. Too bad it didn't occur to me to ask him. My ability to confront was non-existent. I decided not to wait until I returned to work to handle it. I contacted my carrier and updated my policy to include my new husband. 

The whole time I felt sad that he wasn't contacting his carrier to include me. I had a husband, though what caliber of husband, I wasn't sure. Sometimes I wanted to slap myself for being so needy that I overlooked important things and ignored flags, bells, and whistles.

~*~*~*~*~

About the Author: 

TONYA BARBEE is a novelist and aspiring playwright. Her most recent published work is titled, The Little Girl Inside Owning My Role in My Own Pain. She is currently working on another project that complements this book. Tonya grew up in Durham, NC, a family of four daughters and one son. Her father, Woodrow served his country for twenty years as an Army officer, retired then taught ROTC for another twenty years and her mother, Doris, a college administrator. She is a proud 1980 graduate of Frank W. Ballou High School in Washington, DC. She worked in operations and management for Department of Agriculture for twenty years. For the past ten years, she’s worked as a project manager for Department of Defense in Washington, DC. She studied at National-Louis University where she earned her Masters in Business Administration in 2009.

Although she’s worked her way up the ladder in the federal government, she had no idea she would end up writing professionally however she has always enjoyed sharing her personal life through story telling with those she thought she could help. Then something clicked. As she writes, she is in hopes that her work reaches her readers that have been through something and have contemplated giving up. Her goal is to enable her readers to become empowered to keep moving forward to accomplish their dreams no matter what challenges they have been faced with.

Tonya resides in Bowie, MD with two of her youngest children, Christian and Zachary. Her eldest two, Andrew and Jessica left the nest years ago and have blessed her with seven beautiful grandkids.

Author Links: 

Website| Facebook| Twitter

#VirtualBookTour ~ A SCOOP OF LOVE & ANCHORED BY LOVE by Unoma Nwankwor ~ @unwankwor

Hello. I’m Excited. This is one of my stops during the one month tour for Sons of Ishmael Reintroduction Tour: The Danjuma Brothers by Unoma Nwankwor.  This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs September 11 – October 5, 2017.  

A SCOOP OF LOVE ~ BOOK I

& 

 ANCHORED BY LOVE~ BOOK II

SONS OF ISHMAEL Series

by Unoma Nwankwor

~*~*~*~*~*~

About A SCOOP OF LOVE ~ BOOK I:

The oldest of the Danjuma brothers, Rasheed was a self-made man. He’d learned at an early age that love and commitment brought with it complications he didn’t want to deal with. His single-minded focus had paid off. He was able to step into the shoes of his absentee father by taking care of his mother and twin brothers. But just when he thought he could stop carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders, he gets a call that could change the trajectory of Rasheed’s life.

Ibiso Jaja, a professional caterer, had gambled on the love of a man and lost. Through the redeeming love of God, she had picked herself up and was now living her dream as the owner of Bisso Bites, a bistro in the heart of Abuja. However circumstances conspire to threaten the bistro and bring her face to face with the type of man she has vowed to avoid. The attraction is instant.

Once again, Rasheed is forced to do something he has done all his life – put the needs of his family ahead of his own. This time however, he crosses path with the sassy, independent, Jesus-loving caterer who is bent on making him see the power of forgiveness and God’s love. Just when Rasheed lets his guard down, a deadly sabotage causes old demons to rise. Will Rasheed continue to pursue power and success or surrender to the light of God’s love?

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance
Amazon Buy Link

Rasheed Danjuma sighed aloud at the sight of another unwanted email from the law

offices of Ezekiel and Stanley. These lawyers were beginning to work his last nerve. He placed his finger over the touchpad of his laptop, directed the cursor to the delete icon and pressed it.It had been six months since Zayd Danjuma, the man that contributed to his genetic makeup had passed away. And his lawyers were still hounding him. Rasheed had thought his non-attendance of the funeral service was a clear indication of his disinterest in anything they had to say about his so-called father.

Determined not to let the email ruin his day, he picked up the receiver and dialed his

assistant’s extension. She picked up at the first ring.

“Yes, Rasheed?”

“Have you heard anything back from those clients in the United States?”

“No, I didn’t,” she said. “But while you were on your conference call, your mother

called.”

Rasheed felt a strange rise in his stomach. His mother almost never called him on his office phone unless she wanted to reach him in a hurry. “Did she leave a message?”

“No, she just said to let you know she called.”

“Okay, thank you.” He disconnected the call.

Rasheed walked over to his jacket and pulled out his cell phone. Looking out of the large window of his Hyde Park office, his sense of unease grew. He checked, and there were three missed called from his mother. His voice mail was empty. What was going on? He dialed his mother. She answered on the third ring.

“Mama, you tried to reach me. Is everything okay?”

“Nna, I really don’t know how to answer that.”

His mother used her term of endearment, Nna, for her sons when she wanted to ask for something she knew they didn’t want to give.“What is it?”

“Those lawyers from your father’s estate came to see me today,” she said. “Rasheed, I don’t want those men in my shop or house. I’m asking you again to come home and see what they want.”

Rasheed’s jaw set. How dare those lawyers hound his mother? Why was it so important that he and his brothers attend the stupid will reading? Even though it had been twenty-five years since their father had walked out of their lives, the memory of that morning was still vivid. Their father didn’t care about them in life, so why was he so concerned about their well-being in death? Squaring up against those lawyers himself was one thing, but when they involved his mother, it was totally different. He wouldn’t have it.

“You mean they came to your shop?” Rasheed asked as though he didn’t hear her the first time. Anger shot through his feet as he began to pace the length of his office.

“Yes.” His mother’s voice sounded shaky. “It’s one thing for them to call but to show up,I don’t appreciate it. They almost scared my customers away.”

After his mother had retired as a school administrator, she had decided she couldn’t sit idle. Her love of fashion led to the opening of a boutique in the heart of Abuja’s business district. Within months, the business had flourished. Rasheed had supported her because whatever made his mother happy made him happy, too. After many years of living in pain, she deserved to live her life in peace. They all did.

Rasheed’s mind went back to the email he’d received earlier in the day. Since these

lawyers were playing hardball, it was clear he had no choice but to travel to Nigeria. “If those lawyers call you again, tell them I’ll be there soon.”

His mother’s sigh expressed her relief. “God bless you, my son.”

“It’s okay, Mama. They better make it worth my while. If not, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

About ANCHORED BY LOVE~ BOOK II:

When cardiac surgeon, Jabir Danjuma met Damisi Odinga at the University of Michigan seven years ago, it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight. With love comes commitment and he knows that’s not a promise he could keep, after all he is his father’s son. However, their attraction can’t be denied. Their ensuing one year romance is passionate and intense, and he begins to feel the forbidden emotion—love. Just as he starts to let his guard down, Damisi breaks up with him and moves half way around the world to Lagos, Nigeria. He knows immediately that the demise of their relationship has something to do with that church she joined. She becomes unrecognizable and wants to change him into something he is not. His studies are the most important thing to him, so he did what any sane man would do, let her go.

Popular television personality Damisi Odinga, needs to end the fourth season of her show Becoming Ruth, with a bang. The trending topic in the country is the fairy-tale wedding of the heir to the Danjuma empire. The family has been shrouded in secrecy ever since the unknown sons resurfaced in the country last year. Coverage of the wedding weekend will give her show the boost it needs and seal its number one rating. No one can get an interview with the couple but she had a way in, her ex man, Jabir Danjuma. So what if he broke her heart and she hasn’t been able to get over him? This was kingdom business, right?

Years ago, Damisi left him without an explanation and now Jabir has her just where he wants her. Their encounter sets off a series of events that leave them both with fresh pain and hurt. Angry, they leave Abuja to their destinations. If they didn’t set eyes on each other again it would be too soon. But little did they know that fate has another thing planned. Will they stick it out long enough for the Potter to perfect their scars and pain for His purpose or will distance and time steal the day.
Amazon Buy Link 

Thirty minutes later, Jabir was in the KTN lobby waiting for Damisi. He got curious stares from the receptionist and guard. He didn’t know whether it was because he looked like Kamal—someone they’d recognize—or because Damisi never received male visitors. He hoped it was the latter.

The space was decorated in light colors, and the walls were decorated with paintings or pictures of guests of their shows. He walked to the one the one that had Damisi in it. She was on the set of her show and looked beautiful. She had a microphone in her hand and was smiling. From the picture, he could see she loved what she did. His eyes saddened at what the scandal would do to her career. If they acted fast, she might have a chance of salvaging it, but she was too stubborn, and his approach wasn’t helping either. He had to get her to see reason.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered behind him.

Jabir turned around and marveled at how gorgeous she looked. He smiled inwardly.

“I figured you could use breakfast.” He handed her the smoothie and the box of pastries.

She took it from him slowly, her eyes softening with gratitude. “Thank you, but you shouldn’t be here.”

Jabir frowned. “Why? Expecting someone?”

She grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him to the corner. He resisted at first, but caved when he saw the plea in her eyes. “I really appreciate the breakfast, but I thought you were supposed to be on your way to Badagry. I really don’t need any rumors started.”

He lifted his brow. “Rumors? I’m not doing anything but making sure you’re fed. The baby needs to eat.”

She looked around in shocked horror. “Shhhh. Do you want to say it a little louder?” She rolled her eyes at him and he chuckled. “Jabir, please you can’t be here. In case you forgot, you look like one of the most recognizable Nigerian soccer players. I can’t do the rumor mill now.”

He wanted to dismiss her argument, but he was running late, and she was right. But then he had another idea. “Okay, I’ll leave on one condition.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He smirked.

Some people walked past them and did a double take. Damisi panicked. “What is it?”

“Have dinner with me when I get back.”

Damisi hesitated, then someone she knew walked over to say hello to them. By now, he could see the fury in her eyes. The daggers in them were aimed at him. He raised his eyebrow.

“I can’t believe you. Okay. Go,” she said hurriedly and turned away. He watched her go, but smiled when she walked back his way. “Thank you, and please drive safe.”

Yep. This new approach just might work. There was hope.

~*~*~*~*~*~

About the Author: 
Born in Akron, Ohio to Nigerian parents, Unoma Nwankwor is a multi-published author and 2015 winner of the Nigerian Writers’ Award for Best Faith Based Fiction. Her readers are in love with her unique story telling that fuses faith, romance and African spice, capturing the essence of her present home base; Atlanta and her Nigerian culture. She is also the COO ofKevStel Group LLC and resides in Atlanta with her husband and two kids.

Social Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

  Follow the tour here

Book your own tour hereWNL
Tour hosted by Write Now Literary

#SpotLight Q&A ~ Who Killed My Husband? By Michelle Stimpson ~ @StimpsonTweets

Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Who Killed My Husband? By Michelle Stimpson

Who Killed My Husband? 

By Michelle Stimpson

In Conversation with Michelle Stimpson:

Q: This is a different kind of book for you. What made you venture a little with this title?

A: After writing 40+ books, an author can get kinds stagnant. I have recently started reading clean mysteries, and I found that I actually enjoy them. They keep me up late at night because I truly want to find out whodunit and why. I’m hoping my readers will enjoy a different pace, too. I think they’ll be glad to know it’s possible to change things up and still keep the message of the book strong.

Q: What is the message of the book?

A: The main character, Ashley, is struggling to make sense of things as they relate to her. She has suffered much loss in her life already. But she’s going to have to understand that God doesn’t make His plans around Her. She may be the apple of His eye, but she is not the center of the universe.  His promise to be there always will have to sufficient for some of us until we reach the other side.

Q: Wow! That title really caught me. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

A: You know what, I wish I could remember. Thankfully, I have not experience much death around me, but I know that the longer I live, the more loved ones will pass away. Death is a part of life.  I don’t kill off a lot of characters in my books, but there was just something about this couple that struck my imagination and I knew they needed a book. Quickly!

Q: How quick?

A: About 10 days from outline to finished first draft.

Q: Seriously?

A: Yes, but keep in mind: This is a shorter work of fiction.

Q: Why did you choose to write a shorter piece?

A: I actually got my start with fiction as a short-story writer. I love shorter reads because I can finish them quickly. My schedule is often irregular, so it’s hard for me to get into longer books during hectic weeks. When I sit down for a few hours with a short read, I already know I’m going to have the satisfaction of finishing it. I usually save longer reads for holidays/vacations.

Q: What else is going on with you outside of the writing world?

A: Glad you asked! I am now the grandmother of a wonderful baby girl. Bless God! I am spending a ridiculous amount of time just staring at her and nibbling on her juicy cheeks.

Q: What’s your next release?

A: I’ve got a non-fiction book coming out entitled Change Your Mind, Transform Your Life: 21 Truths to Renew Your Mind in Christ. I am always sooo excited about edifying believers. Non-fiction is not my first genre, but it is definitely one of the most fulfilling to me.

Q: Do you have advice for aspiring authors?

A: I have more than advice—I have help! They can visit www.PublishMyBookAlready.com to take classes and learn more about publishing, marketing, etc.

Q: How Can Readers Connect with You?

A: The best way to keep in touch is through my email list. I send out notice of new books and keep people posted on all kinds of things from events to what’s happening with their favorite characters to upcoming releases. 

About the Book: 

Ashley Crandall finally convinced her husband, Allan, to attend the Christian men’s retreat...but he ends up dead there. What happened to him on the campgrounds? Who would want to kill Allan? And why are the detectives pointing fingers at Ashley? In her quest to solve the mystery and clear her name, Ashley will learn something about her husband that she didn’t want to know and something about her Christian faith that shifts her life. 

This short work by national bestselling, multi-published author Michelle Stimpson is packed with emotion, suspense, and a her signature way of weaving hope into a story – always a hit with readers who enjoy faith-based reads.

Genre: Short Story/Mystery

ASIN: B071743ZLP

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About the Author: 

Michelle Stimpson is an author, a speaker, and an educator who received her Bachelor of Science degree from Jarvis Christian College in 1994. She earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2002. She has had the pleasure of teaching elementary, middle, and high school as well as training adults. In addition to her work in the field of education, Michelle ministers through writing and public speaking. Her works include the highly acclaimed Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road (National Bestseller), and Falling Into Grace. She has published several short stories for high school students through her educational publishing company, Right Track Academic Support Services, at www.wegottaread.com. Michelle serves in women’s ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, in Dallas, TX. She regularly speaks at special events and writing workshops sponsored by churches, schools, book clubs and other positive organizations, and she has taught writing classes at the University of Texas at Arlington. Michelle lives near Dallas with her husband, their two teenage children, and one crazy dog.

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