Mahogany Book Club What's Hot!, What's New For Your Literary World

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Greetings Fellow Authors,

Join us November 5th thru 7th at the Northland Shopping Mall in Southfield, Michigan for the International Urban Book Festival, Detroit. A great place to sell books and teach young people the importance of reading. We have rented the entire shopping mall to get our message across to the young at risk generation. Reading is essential! Let's all encourage our youth to read at least two books per week. Let's encourage parents to make this a family mandate.

Meet and network with celebrity authors, purchasing agents from schools, libraries and major corporations plus other members of the literary community. We will hold literary workshops, panel discussions, lectures, seminars and classes on self publishing. We have 200 author tables now available, but they are certain to sell out quickly. The cost for the three day weekend is only $225. Author tables are 2' by 4' skirted with two chairs. Out of state attendees may receive discounts on hotel rooms by logging onto our website after September 2, 2010.

This is certain to be a fun filled event. Don't miss it.

Call us at (313) 446-2262 or log onto www.iubf.net Facebook

I just want to know how your book club decids what book to read in your bookclub and can authors request their books?

Hello MBC...I would like your book club to read my debut novel; Eyes on the Pryze making it book of the month. Please feel free to contact me at eyesonthepryze@yahoo.com you can get a quick synopsis of the book on my personal page www.freewebs.com/felishabradshaw I am willing to send two complimentary books for review.

Hi:

If you need a manuscript evaluation in the future, please send me an email or visit my blog:
anitadiggs@aol.com
http:themanuscripteditor.blogspot.com

My bio: Anita Diggs has worked as a book editor for Random House, Time Warner Trade Publishing and Thunder’s Mouth Press. She has lectured across the country on the topics of novel writing, book proposal development and how to get a literary agent. The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, C-Span, The New York Daily News have interviewed her. Columbia Journalism Review placed Ms. Diggs on their “The Shapers” list for the year 2000. The Shapers is a list of prominent New Yorkers who shape the national media agenda.

Broken Family Ties by PC Marks
Official Site: www.pcpcmarks.com






Chapter 8
New York Bound

Kevin and Ann always took a weekend trip to New York every year. Business is booming Ann has a part time job at the school. She’s off all summer which she loves. It gives her time with the children. Everything is going just fine.
The first two children were older. They were becoming less dependent. Carl is seven, Caroline, five. Carl is protective of Charles, he’s two.
Normally they would stay a weekend. Kevin had convinced Ann to stay an entire week. They can’t remember the last time it was just the two of them for a whole week.
Ann arranged for her parents to baby sit. She didn’t mention to Kevin or her dad, she had to pay Momma Alicia and promised that she could stay at their house.
Her mother flatly told her, “Your kids are not welcomed in my house. They don’t know the Lord. That daughter would leave evil spirits behind. I’d be throwing holy water for a year if I let her in my front door.”
Ann didn’t want to disappoint Kevin. All he could talk about for a month was this one week trip to New York. He had some big surprise in store for Ann but would only give hints.
The clothes were packed. The house was sparkling clean to live up to Grandma Alicia standards. The children were fed, dressed appropriately and sent outside.
Caroline was to read Three Little Pigs to her brothers. This assured Ann that the boys wouldn’t get dirty before Grandma Alicia’s arrival.
Ann’s mother treated her more like a trophy to be treasured in the presence of others. She ignored her when they were alone. It made Ann sad that she was having the kids get dressed up as if they were little show ponies. She thought to herself, they should be out playing and getting dirty. She quickly put those thoughts of her childhood out of her mind and reminded herself how lucky she was. Half the neighbor’s husbands went out of town on a regular basis. They never considered asking their wives to tag along.
It kind of made her smile to think of the envy all the other housewives must feel. She recanted those thoughts with prayer. God forgive me for being vain and thank you for blessing me with Kevin.
The children went to the picnic table behind the house, all dolled up. Caroline announced disdain in how they were being treated.
“How dare Ann have us sit out in this hot ass sun dressed like we are headed for church just because Grandma Alicia is coming!”
Carl responded. “You know Grandma Alicia hate for us to come in her house because she thinks we’re not saved. Mommy is just trying to keep some peace in the family Caroline. You know she gone start spraying that holy water all over the house as soon as mommy and daddy leaves,” he laughed.
Charles giggled and tugged at his brother, pointing, “book.”
Caroline went storming off toward the garage. Charles followed. Carl sat there on the bench as the obedient son he aimed to be.
Grandpa Henry and Grandma Alicia arrived just before dark as planned. Caroline was pretty in pink. She had changed into her pink sundress, white lace socks with white shoes, a pink and white satin ribbon holding her shoulder length hair in a messy pony tail.
Charles was dressed in his khaki colored slacks, short sleeved white oxford shirt with his brown church shoes.
Carl was dressed in his black slacks, white golf shirt and black shoes Ann had originally dressed him in.
The kids were the picture of health, happiness and cleanliness it appeared. Ann took a second look back at the three of them. A broad smile on her face looking at the younger two, “We’ll discuss the outfit changes later. Good choices though,” she said. “Carl you’re always the perfect little boy.” Off she went to greet her Dad. She was always so happy to see him.
For a moment she thought maybe this trip to New York was just what Kevin needed. She would try to convince him to become closer to Caroline. The distance between the two was obvious. She could only imagine what everyone else thought.
“Hi Daddy,” Ann was at the truck before Grandpa Henry could put it in park. Kevin was walking slowly behind her. He liked to watch the interaction from a distance. He often wondered if he and Caroline would ever become so close.
Ann was kissing and hugging her dad as if she hadn’t seen him in months. The two had dinner less than a week ago.
Henry was beaming. He was just as happy to see Ann. Alicia’s reaction to the father daughter reunion was no surprise.
“Well hello Ann, your daddy is not the only person doing you this huge favor of watching the spawn of the devil. You would think the least I would get is a hello,” Alicia said in a dry, I could be doing something better with my time tone.
. “Mother, I didn’t mean to ignore you. I know Daddy wasn’t feeling well so it was great to see him looking good and a blessing from above that you don’t have to baby sit my children alone. I am thrilled to see the both of you,” Ann said.
Ann was smiling in her father’s direction. Henry was smiling back. He refused to allow Alicia to ruin his fun with his only child and his beautiful grandchildren.
The children were kissed assured they were loved. Kevin and Ann filled with excitement were on their way to New York, New York the big Apple.











Severed Family Ties soon to be released

Abandonment

Longing as the dear panteth for water,
For the love of a mother or a father.

Thank God for the village that has raised me,
But it is this union that I have thirsted to see.

I have denied our connection and walked far away,
With a gnawing inside of me from day to day.

I gave myself over to this grave understanding;
They did what they had to do—no room for reprimanding.

So I searched this vast land looking for something else,
All I found was a tour of hell, a God, and no sense of self.

I searched my memories for our last connection,
I found with Mother I was four, with Dad it was at conception.

I also remember that I was to be aborted,
Because of the call of God that plan was distorted.

I entered this realm with no physical vision,
My sight was taken through an ungodly incision.

Zero to three are a virtual blank unto to me,
For at four I saw Mother walk out into the streets.

I left my Father at conception with no recollection,
For his sperm was my only sense of direction.

My precious Grand(mother) was there in the gap for me,
Because Mother had really abandoned three.

Grandmother to love is second to Thee,
But now she was no longer single and free.

We all stood with the hope that you would one day return,
Through hell fire and brimstone the truth we all learned.

When it was visibly clear to each individual,
We all held our pain and this is the residual.

Poor Grandmother was left angry and frustrated,
The fullness of her woes on me were illustrated.

My sister so young, innocent and sweet—
She got her parenting from drugs and the street.

My brother was left with only part of his soul,
In the confinement of a prison is where he grew old.

I ever longed for the physical touch of women,
To embrace my body and remove this omen.

The gift that you gave me became a curse,
My birth was a disaster, my life even worse.

With the freedom of an unparented soul,
I found something greater than my initial goal.

I found that Merciful God that I knew before you,
He showed me that your actions were genuinely true.

He reminded me of the fact that He is sovereign;
The whole of your life you alone did not govern.

He allowed me to see that there was a reason for me,
I now acknowledge that your union was the key.

To both of you I owe my life’s gratitude,
Through the grace of God I would like to show you.

Whether in body or spirit I do not care,
The joy of your presence I long to share.

I have experienced the bliss of the Almighty God,
I would share my newfound love without a rod.

The love I have gained could fill this world,
But my greatest wish is to be your baby girl.

For a lifetime I have carried the grief of our separation,
And four little words were my only recitation.

“I miss my mommy” were the words that were uttered.
I feel like I’m going crazy—was this my clutter?


You must believe the energy you keep, you also reap;
if you can hear My voice remember the sheep.

I am the author and finisher of all things,
Be the prodigal son and come collect your rings.

The battle is over and I reign on the throne,
What could possibly be stopping you from coming home?

Seeking Me first is the key to the tree;
Look toward the cross and remember Me.

Acknowledge Me in all of your ways,
Sit back, relax and enjoy the coming days.

The angels in heaven rejoice for one soul,
For eternal life is the love of a whole.

Never leave you or forsake you was a commandment,
My omnipresence means there’s no such thing as abandonment.

For more info visit www.myeternalsearch.wordpress.com

Well Hello Ladies,

I just self published a fictional novel on the Black College Experience. I'd love to have your book club check it out. Please check out my profile, blog and poems (Poetry Jam Group) here at black authors showcase and maybe even my novel's website at www.trafford.com/07-0988 and let me know what you think! Thanks