In a moment of pique and frustration Virginia wrote an open letter to Oprah, and shared it with a few writer friends who are going through the same thing we are. Now the letter has started to go viral--getting a lot of repostings and inclusions in blogs, newsletters and on Facebook, so in case you hadn't seen it, we wanted to share our plight, the plight of many black authors with you, readers who have supported us all these years. http://twomindsfull.blogspot.com.In reality Oprah is just a metaphor--a name that might get this subject the attention it deserves. Because when you have a publication like Library Journal listing their 31 Best Books of 2009 http://ow.ly/HDU7 and the "genre" fiction list includes Street Lit --8 books but no category for contemporary African American writers, we are really in trouble. We are trying to encourage diversity in reading--we believe books should be windows, not just mirrors...
The new book has finally hit the book store and already it’sGetting good reviews. Check out Love Trumps Game by d. y. Phillips, and tell a friend. An excerpt can be found at:www.debraphillips.homestead.com .
Dee here from your Black Romance Book Club.http://www.shelfari.com/groups/12038/aboutOne of our very own has a new book out. Let's Read When Love Comes Around by Victoria Wells! We'll start discussion on April 3,2009. You are cordially invited to attend the 15 year anniversary of the Romance Slam Jam conference. This is the only conference that celebrates readers and authors of Black romance. For full details, view the website at: http://www.romanceslamjam.org/Conference/Newsletter/Articles/RSJCruise2010.htmSpread the word. Happy ReadingDeatri King-Bey
We're having a CONTEST!EVER BEEN BROKE? In our new book What Doesn't Kill You, the main character, Tee Hodges, loses her job and just about everything else except her mind and her sense of humor. So we're having a contest--tell us your best BROKE STORY! And win prizes!! Visit http://deberryandgrant.com, http://twomindsfull.blogspot.com, http://blog.myspace.com/twomindsfull for contest details!!!!ANDSunday, Dec 21 6:10PM-7PM. We're going to be on Blogtalk Radio with our friend and sister author, Donna Hill. If you're free please drop by http://blogtalkradio.com/author-donna-hill at 6:10pm to listen and/or call 347 426-3649 to join in the chat.AND Did you know? December is National Buy a Book by Somebody Black and Give it to Somebody Not Black Month? Check out our friend Carleen Brice at http://welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com/ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!
We haven't been reading much these days, but we have been busy writing and counting our many blessings! And we now dates and cities for our Tour for What Doesn't Kill You--which will be released Jan. 6, 2009. Please visit our website: http://deberryandgrant.com/DGTours.html for exact times, locations and for updates. Come and see us if we're in/near your city-and PLEASE spread the word!
Sorry I’ve been away so long. I’ve been entirely toooooo busy.Anywhooo, in your Black Romance group, we’ll be reading Protect and Serve by Gwyneth Bolton next and start discussing it on 10 Oct. Now go ahead and purchase Gwen’s book now, even if you plan on reading it late, because it is a Harlequin book and you know they can be difficult to find.Have you heard about all the fun we had at the 2008 Romance Slam Jam? Well that’s NOTHING compared to what’s coming in 2010.It’s Romance Slam Jam’s Crystal Anniversary! Our theme is Back to the Future with Rochelle Alers as our keynote speaker! Everyone is Welcome To Join the Romance Slam Jam Crystal Anniversary Celebration Cruise departing from Miami, Florida, Sunday April 10th, 2010. We will be embarking on the five day Carnival Cruise to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands on the “Destiny” Fun Ship.For full details go to: http://www.romanceslamjam.org/conference/Newsletter/Articles/RSJCruise2010.htmSpread the wordPeaceDeatri
Who’s Your Favorite Ramsey?Let everyone know which Ramsey you love. Reply to the current discussion at AlTonya’s Ramsey Club.BlessingsAlTonya
ARE WE COMING TO YOUR CITY? OUR TOUR FOR GOTTA KEEP ON TRYIN' STARTS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2008--PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE OR OUR MYSPACE PAGE FOR TOUR DETAILS-AND COME ON OUT AND SEE US IF WE'RE IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS! http://deberryandgrant.com, MYSPACE- myspace.com/twomindsfull,
Here's what's happening in your Black Romance Group. Please join us in discussion.Romance Slam Jam 2008Happy New Year, I hope everyone is enjoying our book club selection "When I'm with you" by LaConnie Taylor Jones. We'll start discussing it on 5 February.Let's talk about the Romance Slam Jam. For those of you who are like what? It's THE event for readers and authors of Black Romance. Check out the website at http://www.romanceslamjamconference.com It's the one place readers and authors of Black romance are celebrated. I hope to see all of you there!So those of you who have gone, tell the others about it. Those of you who have never attended. Shoot your questions on for the rest of us to answer.PeaceDeatri
Widow Traci Evans sits in on meetings with the lovely ladies of the Invincible Sisterhood because for a little while she can feel as if she belongs. The members are all sweet older women who have lost their husbands, but not their passion for life. However, unlike the other women in the Sisterhood, Traci's husband died while cheating on her. Traci has no intention of letting a man make a fool of her again. Not even if he begged. Even her newfound friend and neighbor, Maureen Gilmore, can't convince her to open her heart to love again. But when Maureen's gorgeous son Ryan admits he's attracted to Traci, she might have to rethink everything she knows about love. Maureen has some soul searching to do as well. She's interested in a sexy young policeman...and then the unthinkable happens, she starts having hot flashes Two women - two impossible situations. NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED
NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED new release date is January 22, 2008.
Bri,Thanks for the invite. Love your shelf.Happy Holidays to you and yours.On tomorrow 12/18/07 please visit my web site (www.francisray.com)and please subscribe to my blog profile page(myspace.com/francisray) to view my new book trailer for "Not Even if You Begged", release date 01/24/08.Thanks,Francis
Howdy,Over at your Black Romance group our next discussion read has been selected. WHEN I'M WITH YOU is by debut author LaConnie Taylor-Jones. Drop on by the group for more information.PeaceDeatri
I pray you had a fantastic holiday. Whew, I’m still fat and fluffy.In the Black Romance group, we discussed Topaz by Beverly Jenkins and had a BALL. Beverly came in and hung out with us. ‘Cilla lead the discussion and did an awesome job. Now it’s time to select our next Black romance read. We take two months to read, then discuss the book. So drop on by and participate. We’re looking for a debut author of Black romance. PeaceDeatrihttp://www.romanceslamjamconference.com http://www.deewrites.com
Don’t miss out on the discussion we’ll be having on Topaz by Beverly Jenkins in the Black Romance group. Beverly will be there to answer questions about Topaz. The discussion starts 15 Nov (Thursday) but will probably last a few days.Come on and join us!PeaceDeatrihttp://www.romanceslamjamconference.comhttp://www.deewrites.com
Howdy!I know it’s been a while since I said HI, so I thought I’d drop on by. There is a new discussion topic in your Black Romance group: Real Live RomanceCome on over and give us some real life examples of something romantic, of love at first site (notice I said love, not lust SMILE). Don't be scurrrrrrd. Romance isn't dead. Tell us what you've seen/experienced out there.And don’t forget that 15 November we start discussing Topaz by Beverly Jenkins. I’m working on a treat for the participants.PeaceDeatrihttp://www.romanceslamjamconference.comhttp://www.deewrites.com
I'm getting great responds from my blogger. Join in at www.livetalkradio.blogspot.com. See what it's all about and leave a comment, please...
Cast Your Favorite Black Romance!Because of your vast knowledge and love of Black Romance, a top Hollywood producer has come to you and asked you to choose the movie cast for the on screen production of your favorite Black Romance novel. Oh yes. Your word is FINAL.Soooooo, tell us. What is the name of the Black Romance novel. Who will you have playing the hero and who will play the heroine. (and since you are the casting director, yes you can put yourself in a role. LOL).Now come on over to your Black Romance Group and have some fun with us.PeaceDeatrihttp://www.deewrites.com
Black Romance Weekly Topic Why do you read romance? What drives you crazy about Romance? Drop on by and tell us a little something
I have a new group...please check it out:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apoooconnections/yasminwww.apooo.orgSubscribe to APOOO News Today!