May 2008 Newsletter

Welcome to May: spring, flowers, and Mother’s Day.
Although my father passed away thirteen years ago, I still have a mother and a mother-in-law. I’m blessed. Just like reading books, I enjoy the thoughts expressed in the Mahogany greeting cards because many people are afraid to release the hidden feelings from their heart.
So remember, pick up that Mother’s Day card with the words you want to say, but never had the nerve to vocalize.

Here’s another word of wisdom from my pastor, Bishop James Johnson. He makes a point every Mother and Father’s Day to remind the congregation to honor thy mother and father, regardless if they are good ones, no shows, or much to be desired.

Two interesting links this month:A must view if you're about to get married or want to be married: Click on Oh Glory. Check out part one and part two. Youtube.
If you've an avid reader and wondered if you've seen a book cover before, it may not be your imagination.Check out Double take: Copy Kat Book Cover Designs.
What's next: Get ready for Talk to Me, November 2008.
Not Guilty of Love (Book II, the sequel to Guilty of Love), September 2009.
Still Guilty (Book III, the final book of the series), April 2010.
Six months until the release of my second novel, Talk to Me.Read the latest excerpt at TALKTOMEBOOK.blogspot.com

YOU CAN PRE-ORDER YOUR COPIES AT A DISCOUNT NOW ON AMAZON!
Readers, meet your favorite authors at the Not Just A Bookstore's Literacy Book Festival, Saturday, May 17, 2008, from Noon until six p.m., in Lucier Park that's east of the U-City Loop.There is still booth space available for authors, and I look forward to meeting everyone.
Also, a BIG congratulations to Not Just A Bookstore that is now an Essence Magazine reporting store for the bestselling author's list. This is a big deal if you follow the USA Today and New York Times' lists. I'm glad the bookstore is in my back yard.Log onto their website at : http://www.notjustabookstore.net/
Not Just A Bookstore
5892 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112
314-361-99551-877-361-9955

I had a blast at the 25th annual Romantic Times BOOKLOVERS Convention. One thing I always look forward to is sharing the excitement with another friend who has made the transition from aspiring author to published author.
When I started working with the RT BOOKLOVERS Convention staff four years ago, I was in the same status.
It’s by God’s grace that I’ve moved up one step!
We had a record attendance this year with close to 1200 people from around the world. We also had a record number of authors and cover models who had media interviews. A big thank to WAMO radio, KDKA TV, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Courier, Seven Circles Productions, GQ Magazine, Lux Magazine, Publishers Weekly, etc., and the list is ongoing.

As one of two publicists, my bosses: Carol Stacy, Ken Rubin, and Lady Barrow Faulk, Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine, were pleased.I’ve somewhat recovered. Now, I’m off to Chicago for the annual Romance Slam Jam.
My report on that convention is coming up in my June newsletter. I have to put a shout out to Carolyn Simmons.

For the past four years, we’ve been sisters by association, sharing the last name. We always greet each other smiles and hugs. Shout to some other author friends…A.C. Artist, Maureen Smith, Gwyneth Bolton, Kayla Perrin, Brenda Jackson, and even Eric Jerome Dickey was in the house.

If you happen to visit bestselling author Leslie Esdaile aka L.A. Banks’ blog about the convention, don’t believe a word she wrote about me. I did not stalk her to make sure she didn’t miss her live television interview.

I'm sure we'll both be teasing each other about this for years to come.God bless Heather Graham, bestselling author extraordinaire, for her constant encouragement to me as a debut author. I’m always in awe of authors who are larger than life to their fans, but sweeter than candy on a personal level.
View more than 40 pictures from the convention at photos.patsimmons.net.