Dialogue with the Author

Author Michelle Larks is a wife, mother and IT professional. In my opinion she should add consummate hostess to her list of abilities.

Speaking with Michelle via telephone is akin to being ushered into the inner sanctum of her suburban Chicago home. Exuding a disarming candor Ms. Larks invited me into a conversation that most reserve for close friends. In doing so I believe that beside the word vulnerability in the dictionary, we will now find her picture.

During our short time together Michelle shared the story of how she and her husband had to escape from their burning home. I expected her words to revolve around all the things she had lost, but they did not.

Michelle, in her soft-spoken voice relayed the reality of that moment. That reality was that although she was offered help, it was refused. She refused the help believing that things were not as bad as they seemed. Reality opened her eyes to the fact that things were bad in terms of the damage done to the home. Even at that Michelle made the best of the situation – she and her husband checked into a hotel.

Anyone who has had to live through a remodel can attest to the fact that the timeline can become quite an inconvenience. Yet it is often in our inconvenience, our patience, our experience with that which is not a part of our ordinary routine where our greatest lessons are learned.

What was the lesson Michelle learned?

What Michelle candidly revealed was that it took this experience to show her that needing others, being able to depend upon and accept the blessings awaiting you does not label you a burden or inept. She was able to break out of what could have held back/blocked her blessings when she chose to share her needs with others.

When she chose to accept what she would have unselfishly given to others, blessings poured in. They poured in to the degree that with a book signing on her agenda and no clothes to wear, a business outfit came in the mail from someone in her online writing group.

When asked what she would like readers to know about her and her works her answer touches personal aspects of the life she has lived. Michelle is a people person, one who does not pass judgment, but will give advice when asked. Within the pages she writes her focus is set upon family dynamics. She desires to show how people interact and how individual lives and family can be empowered by effective communication.


To learn more about the author you can visit her on the web at: www.michellelarks.com

How Are You Living?

What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy is a journey into an often told story, told through a panoramic lens. More than the black and white vision is shown as we become privy to Sally’s (the main character) initiation into mindsets about Blacks as a youth, what she experienced first hand at a later age and how she must come to grips with it in the presence.

Although a work of fiction Author Lacy does a great job of showing the consequence and guilt brought on by living a lie and redemption that can be had when we seek truth.

You can visit www.pattilacy.com to learn more about the author and her works.

Who's Interpretation?

Practicing What You Preach is an excellent presentation of what happens when a person comes down with a case of Pharisees Fever. The most prevalent symptom of the disease is a dedication to living by the letter of the law rather than the humanity of it. Such is the case for Melissa Anderson.

After rededicating her life to Christ, Melissa focuses on her job and her religion. The problem with this is that her religious mind is overriding common sense.

The book is one that challenges the reader to pull out their own bibles. Some will call this work preachy, others will find it nourishing. What I found is that Ms. Davis-Griggs skillfully presents real life conflict while seaming it to the necessity of needing to truly understand the laws that govern your life, but not missing out on life due to constraints of self-imposed rigidity.

You can learn more about Vanessa Davis Griggs and her works at: vanessadavisgriggs.com

IS LIFE WORTH THE RISK?

Inside Worth A Thousand Words (the second offering from the Jubilant Soul series) the issues of life for Indigo Burns are candidly revealed.

A woman with a plan, Indigo is pleased with how her life is turning out. Her carefully laid plans are jeopardized when the proposal she wants is publicly extended at the wrong time. The proposal not only places her in a precarious situation, it totally disrupts the pre-planned timeline she lives by.

Ms. Hawkins-Adams does a great job of uncovering what many of us flirt with – the spirit of compromise. Indigo entertains compromise because she does not want to hurt Brian. Her choice is hers alone to make, but will it ultimately destroy her and others in the long-term process?

To learn more about Stacy Hawkins-Adams visit her on the web at: stacyhawkinsadams.com

KEEPING IT REAL AND RELEVANT

In the words of Etta James – At Last!

At last there is an author willing to write a book that is not only relevant, but dares to challenge the mantra of ‘keeping it real’ within a genre in desperate need of a diversity transfusion.

Tory Uncharted Terror Tory Tyson has inherited his father's love for music. Using what is in his hand, he wins a coveted radio contest. His belief that he has made it is challenged by a chain of events that will reshape what he believes to be his pre-planned future.

Whether endowed with street wisdom or somewhat shielded by suburban life, neither demographic will find it hard to follow the storyline, language or examples set forth in this impressive novel. Both demographics will be able to identify with the fact that following the rules will not always insulate you from the predatory practices of others.

Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison is not the quintessential story of a teen’s love for the Hip Hop culture. What it is is a well-written and entertaining ministry that opens eyes to the necessity of moving through life with faith and a lifestyle rooted in true integrity.

Unsigned Hype is available wherever fine books are sold.

Dialogue with the Author

After speaking with Booker T. Mattison for an hour I am compelled to describe him as a young man who embodies the spirit of an old soul. His insight as to how to use what is current in order to plant seeds of expectation for generations to come is commendable. It is also infectious and encouraging.

In addition to being an author Booker’s credentials include that of filmmaker, screenwriter and music videos. He sees his emergence from a ten-year barrenness as one that has set him on his current path. Currently that path is leading him to connect with African Americans on a large scale. On that scale is the hope to accomplish with the ‘Hype’ trilogy, that which is synonymous with the Harry Potter phenomenon.

Some will be challenged by the expression of such an admirable goal. They will because Unsigned Hype, a work that presents characters most African Americans are familiar with, does not smack of the stereotypical boy in the hood melodrama. It is neither a literary aberration nor anomaly. It is a story about those who look like us. Hype connects with who we are and have been, rather than being the expected tale from an African American author feeding the public’s preconceived perception of who they believe us to be. In essence he has created a destination for Christian YA (young adult) reading that did not previously exist.

When asked to summarize the content of his debut novel Booker quickly responds, “It is an urban apologetics of Hip Hop.”

The response may take many off guard and quite frankly, offend others attempting to be ‘down’. In a voice strong in conviction and filled with passion Mr. Mattison candidly relays truth. That truth is that those looking from the outside in will never be culturally equipped to understand the ‘hood’ experience.

Booker T. Mattison resides in New York. He enjoys hanging out with his wife and children and proudly states that what represents him is his family.

I look forward to more projects from a fresh voice unafraid to communicate a supernatural truth through the written word.


To learn more about the man I invite you to visit him on the web at: www.bookertmattison.com To partake of what has become more than just an inkling, I challenge you to step into Uncharted-Terror-Tory where the ministry is relevant and is keeping it real: http://www.unchartedterrortory.com/