Maria Juana's Gift by T. Lloyd Winetsky

Grabbing my attention from the very beginning, Maria Juana's Gift, written by T. Lloyd Winetsky, reveals a love story, which began from an unimaginable connection and grew into a surreal romance. Maria Juana's Gift unfolds using flashbacks to illustrate the beginning of the love affair between Tina and Jake.  Finding an immediate commonality with Jake and Tina, I discover I possess a strange desire to figure out exactly how the plot will unfold.  Having been a special education teacher for years, this commonality creates a familiarity with the text and encouraged me to devour it.  The passion that both Tina and Jake have spills over into their admiration they quickly have for each other.  Sprinkled with Spanish throughout the text, Maria Juana's Gift demonstrates the power of love and trust in a relationship and how these two components can lend a helping hand through the most trying of times.  After reading Maria Juana's Gift, I appreciated more the lives of my three children and the joy they bring to me.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

PR by the Book's "Escape to Austin" Contest

PR by the Book's "Escape to Austin" Contest

To celebrate its 10^th Anniversary, PR by the Book will award one literary lover a trip to the home of storytellers like O. Henry and Willie Nelson: Austin, Texas

AUSTIN – Now in its 10^th year of operation, with a growing pool of star literary talent and media personalities, PR by the Book has become a go-to firm in the book publishing industry for innovative publicity campaigns and top-tier media placement. 

Founded in 2002 by Marika Flatt, PR by the Book has grown from a one-woman operation to a team of 10, representing everyone from The Berenstain Bears series to Rex Pickett, author of the beloved book-turned-movie, Sideways.

Now, PR by the Book has decided it’s time to share the love. And what better way to do that than to award a trip to the town where it all got started: Austin, Texas?

"Austin has burgeoned into a bustling literary community. When I started in book publicity here in 1997, I’d meet people who would be surprised I wasn’t from New York or Los Angeles,” says Flatt. “Now, when I travel for work and people ask where I’m from and I tell them Austin, the response is something similar to: I adore Austin and what a literary town that is!”

The contest is called "Escape to Austin" and will be a truly one-of-a-kind trip for the lucky winner. The prize package includes round-trip airfare for the winner and a guest, a two-night stay at The Hilton Garden Inn downtown Austin, dinner for two at TRIO in the Four Seasons, a $50 gift certificate to historic Hyde Park Bar & Grill and a couple of bookish perks.

Drawing the likes of Susan Orlean and Chuck Palahniuk, the Texas Book Festival is one of the premiere literary fests in the country. Last year, the festival featured 243 authors and attracted 40,000 attendees. The winner of the "Escape to Austin" contest will be granted two VIP passes to the weekend-long festival October 26-28, as well as a pass to one of TBF's invitation-only author parties.

"We are very excited to partner with PR by the Book for this contest package," says Lidia Agraz, TBF's Executive Director. "We're still early in the talent line-up process, but I can say that this year's festival will offer attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commune with true literary icons."

To enter "Escape to Austin," contest hopefuls must simply "like" PR by the Book on Facebook and fill out the entry form. The contest runs August 1 – August 31, 2012, and a winner will be selected by September 7 (open to U.S. residents only.)

PR BY THE BOOK is a boutique publicity firm specializing in literary media relations campaigns, publishing consultation, small business publicity, and publicity tours for authors and experts. Our team of seasoned publicists has worked on books in nearly every genre, and with dozens of major publishing houses and small presses. Visit prbythebook.com to learn more.

To schedule an interview or to receive more information, contact Elaine Krackau at elaine@prbythebook.com or (512) 501-4399 x710. Visit us at: www.prbythebook.com /   www.twitter.com/prbythebook

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

The Bum Magnet by K. L. Brady

The Bum Magnet by K. L. Brady strolled into my library via one of my co-workers, while I was in the hospital. I normally do not read fiction books, especially romance fiction. I thrive off of non-fiction. However, since my sickness was life-threatening, I decided to give the book a try, AND I am happy to say I enjoyed reading The Bum Magnet. 

Charisse Tyson was perhaps the epitome of most black women now. She was a successful business-woman, who really had it all. Charisse looked great, lived in a huge house, drove the expensive car, had a great body, and behaved like a lady.  Does this sound like someone you know? K. L. Brady captures the reader by drawing them into Charisse. Of course, Charisse had it going on, but she was MANLESS. Despite being the perfect catch for a “good” man, Charisse had a closet full of “bum” skeletons. The men in her past have been all but good.

Reading The Bum Magnet, sometimes I found myself in Charisse’s shoes. (I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing). However, K. L. Brady left me wanting to know more about Charisse and whether or not she finally was able to dispose of her “bum magnet.”

Life and Struggles by Cassandra Hawkins-Wilson

This post is different from other posts because I am posting about a book I recently published.  Check out my new poetry book, Life and Struggles: https://www.createspace.com/3873871.  I am looking forward to reviews about my poetry book!! :)



Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

My Magnolia Memories and Musings by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

"My Magnoila Memories and Musings" is the second book, written by Patricia Neely Dorsey. Continuing the tradition of embracing her Southern heritage and extinguishing the negative connotations about being Southern, Dorsey uses her love for Mississippi and the South in general to create a book of poetry destined to trigger your own Southern memories and memories of your own life.  This book of poetry can be devoured fast or slow, depending on the reader's pace and the flow of the reader's own Magnolia memories.  Just by looking at the cover of the infamous Magnolia flower, a reader can just feel Dorsey's Southern Pride screaming at you.  Using this book of poetry in my class at Jackson State University, I read some of her poems during my writing marathon sessions.  Not only was a using the poems to help my students trigger their own memories for the writing topic, I showed my students that people from Mississippi are wonderful writers/authors and inspired my students to take pride in their Southern Heritage. Click on the links to purchase your copy of "My Magnolia Memories and Musings."

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fifty Shades of Grey has left me completely speechless. Suggested by a guy I met at a restaurant, this book is definitely not my normal genre to read. The complexity and up/down mannerisms of Christian Grey and the naive, overthinking Anastasia Steele lead me from page 1 to page 514. Even though the writer's ability to transform the plot isn't top-notched, I was intrigued nevertheless. I vigorously read page after page, often in the wee hours of the morning. Not sure if I would recommend this book for others unless they are into literature, which includes erotism. The ending disappointed me, but I am sure the disappointed is the author's trick to get me to read part 2 of the trilogy. I am not so sure I am going to read the other two books. I need a mental break from Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.

Before reading this book, I didn't know anything about the world of BDSM, but this book opened me to the unfamiliar and unreal world of BDSM. Having to know what BDSM, I went to the all knowing Google and searched it. Dumbfounded by the accuracy within the book to this world of sexuality and erotism, I am amazed. The contract IS REAL. The submission is REAL.

Since I am new to the dating world, I am really wondering how would I respond to someone like Christian Grey. That is definitely something to THINK ABOUT.

View all my reviews

Get Organized Your 12 Month Home Clutter Killer Guide by Colette Leigh

Reading this book on my kindle, I enjoyed the simple layout of the text. Some of the tips were extremely helpful. I became lost within the text during the discussion of the chalkboard and Post-it notes. This book is a good book for beginners. I think the book needed to elaborate more.

Your 5-Minute Personal Coach: Ask the Right Questions, Get the Right Answers by Valorie Burton

Valorie Burton's book, "Your 5-Minute Personal Coach: Ask the Right Questions, Get the Right Answers, is definitely a must-read. Following the format of asking questions, this book forces you to examine various areas in your life by posing questions. Using biblical scripture as a guide, Burton allows you to examine your own thoughts and beliefs, while suggesting feasible solutions and recommendations to improve.  When reading this book, you should make sure you have a pen and a notepad. You will definitely need it.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I tend not to re-read books for a second time, but this book is definitely a one I plan on reading again.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

TBR Reading Challenge

I am going to take the TBR Double Dare Reading Challenge. Will you join me!!!? If you are going to join me, post a comment with a link to your blog!

I want to read 100 books in 2012. My TBR List has 163 books on it. The entries are listed by the title and then by the author. Have you read any of these books?  Here are the books on my TBR List:



Eat, Pray, Love Gilbert, Elizabeth
Running With Scissors Burroughs, Augusten
Infidel Ali, Ayaan Hirsi
Disappearing Acts McMillan, Terry
A Day Late and a Dollar Short McMillan, Terry
Mama McMillan, Terry
The Interruption of Everything McMillan, Terry
Psychobiography and Life Narratives McAdams, Dan P.
Handbook of Psychobiography Schultz, William Todd
Personology: Method and Content in Personality Assessment and Psychobiography Alexander, Irving E.
Lives, Events and Other Players: Studies in Psychobiography Coltrera, Joseph L.
Napoleon Against Himself: A Psychobiography Avner, Falk
Wench Perkins-Valdez, Dolen *
Purple Hibiscus Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
Fifth Born : A Novel Lockhart, Zelda
The Art of Racing in the Rain Stein, Garth *
The Last Lecture Pausch, Randy
Simeon's Story: An Eyewitness Account of the Kidnapping of Emmett Till Wright, Simeon
The Pact Davis, Sampson
Tears of a Tiger (Hazelwood High, #1) Draper, Sharon M.
The Kitchen House Grissom, Kathleen
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Smith, Betty
Solar McEwan, Ian
Selected Cantos Pound, Ezra
The Essential Etheridge Knight Knight, Etheridge
32 Candles Carter, Ernessa T. *
The Sport of the Gods Dunbar, Paul Laurence
The Collected Novels of Paul Laurence Dunbar Dunbar, Paul Laurence
Glorious McFadden, Bernice L. *
The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke Nissel, Angela
Everyone Is Entitled to My Opinion Brinkley, David
The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry McClatchy, J.D.
Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank: And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom Rivenbark, Celia
The Everything Business Planning Book: How to Plan for Success in a New or Growing Business Jensen, Marlene
The Everything Success Book: Reach Your Goals, Shape Your Dreams, and Achieve Fulfillment in Business and at Home Nigro, Joseph
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Gladwell, Malcolm
The Eye in the Ceiling: Selected Poems Redmond, Eugene B.
Sentry of the Four Golden Pillars Redmond, Eugene B.
Songs from an Afro Phone Redmond, Eugene B.
River of Bones and Flesh and Blood Redmond, Eugene B.
Dutchman & The Slave Baraka, Amiri
Selected Poetry of Amiri Baraka/Leroi Jones. Baraka, Amiri
Conversations With Amiri Baraka Baraka, Amiri
Somebody Blew Up America and Other Poems Baraka, Amiri
The Dead Lecturer Baraka, Amiri
Black Music Baraka, Amiri
Shake Loose My Skin: New and Selected Poems Sanchez, Sonia
Homegirls and Handgrenades Sanchez, Sonia
Does Your House Have Lions ? Sanchez, Sonia
Wounded in the House of a Friend Sanchez, Sonia
I've Been a Woman: New and Selected Poems Sanchez, Sonia
Narrative of Sojourner Truth Truth, Sojourner
American Uprising: The Untold Story of America's Largest Slave Revolt Rasmussen, Daniel
Brothers and Sisters Campbell, Bebe Moore
How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips) Boothman, Nicholas
How to Make Someone Love You Forever! In 90 Minutes or Less Boothman, Nicholas
Convince Them in 90 Seconds or Less: How to Connect in Business Boothman, Nicholas
Hot (broke) Messes: How to Have Your Latte and Drink It Too Trejos, Nancy
Something to Prove Thornton, Yvonne S.
The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists Strauss, Neil *
Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life Strauss, Neil *
A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines Bourdain, Anthony
Open City Cole, Teju
Rich Dad, Poor Dad Kiyosaki, Robert T.
Light in August Faulkner, William
The God Who Is There Schaeffer, Francis A.
Escape from Reason: A Penetrating Analysis of Trends in Modern Thoughts Schaeffer, Francis A.
Teaching As Leadership: The Highly Effective Teacher's Guide to Closing the Achievement Gap America, Teach For
Why the West Rules—for Now: The Patterns of History, and What They Reveal About the Future Morris, Ian
Pym Johnson, Mat
Incognegro Johnson, Mat
So Long a Letter Classic Edition Bâ, Mariama
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly
Sartre Explained: From Bad Faith to Authenticity Detmer, David
The Cross of Redemption: Uncollected Writings Baldwin, James
Exiled in Paris: Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Samuel Beckett, and Others on the Left Bank Campbell, James
Brown Girl, Brownstones Marshall, Paule
The Present Age: On the Death of Rebellion (British Book Awards 2003) Kierkegaard, Søren
Darfur: A New History of a Long War Flint, Julie
Tuck Everlasting Babbitt, Natalie
The Wake of the Wind Cooper, J. California
Some People, Some Other Place Cooper, J. California
Some Soul To Keep Cooper, J. California
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain Eagleman, David *
Sophie's World Gaarder, Jostein
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration Wilkerson, Isabel
Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny Orman, Suze
Words of Fire: An Anthology of African-American Feminist Thought Guy-Sheftall, Beverly
The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels Watkins, Michael D.
The M-Factor: How the Millennial Generation Is Rocking the Workplace Lancaster, Lynne C.
The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways To Use Social Media to Drive Social Change Aaker, Jennifer
In Search of Satisfaction Cooper, J. California
The Matter Is Life Cooper, J. California
The Future Has a Past: Stories Cooper, J. California
Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns: Stories Cooper, J. California
Nowhere Is a Place McFadden, Bernice L.
Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling the Myths and Discovering Love & Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama Nelson, Sophia
Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman Johnson, Tinisha Nicole
The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women Brown, Elaine Meryl
The Old Man and the Sea Hemingway, Ernest
The Sun Also Rises Hemingway, Ernest
A Farewell to Arms Hemingway, Ernest
For Whom the Bell Tolls Hemingway, Ernest
True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself Jackson, Janet
Cutting for Stone Verghese, Abraham
When God Writes Your Love Story: The Ultimate Guide to Guy/Girl Relationships Ludy, Eric
Lady in Waiting: Becoming God's Best While Waiting for Mr. Right Kendall, Jackie
The Emperor of Ocean Park Carter, Stephen L.
Night Wiesel, Elie
Secrets of a Sparrow Ross, Diana
Peace from Broken Pieces Vanzant, Iyanla
The Art of War Tzu, Sun
A Love Rekindled Whitman, Myne
Red Light Wives Monroe, Mary
God Ain't Blind (God Don't Like Ugly, #3) Monroe, Mary
The Upper Room Monroe, Mary
Deliver Me From Evil Monroe, Mary
She Had It Coming Monroe, Mary
Nappy Edges Shange, Ntozake
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Shange, Ntozake
Betsey Brown Shange, Ntozake
Some Sing, Some Cry Shange, Ntozake
The Heart of a Woman Angelou, Maya
The Complete Collected Poems Angelou, Maya
It's Your World, So Change It: Using the Power of the Internet to Create Social Change Head, Tom
Crime and Punishment in America Wolcott, David B.
Sugar (Sugar Lacey, #1) McFadden, Bernice L.
A Moveable Feast Hemingway, Ernest
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose Tolle, Eckhart
Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind Neff, Kristin
The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time Richardson, Cheryl *
Writing Successful Self-Help and How-To Books Stine, Jean Marie
A Mercy Morrison, Toni
Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out McGraw, Phillip C.
Inside of Me: Lessons of Lust, Love and Redemption Warren, Shellie R.
Something Inside of Me: How to Hang on to Heaven When You Are Going Through Hell Webb, Chitoka
Girl in Translation Kwok, Jean
The Carrie Diaries Bushnell, Candace
A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories O'Connor, Flannery
The Complete Stories O'Connor, Flannery
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America Barry, John M.
Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War Lemann, Nicholas
Measuring Time: A Novel Habila, Helon
Arrow of God Achebe, Chinua
I Do Not Come to You by Chance Nwaubani, Adaobi Tricia
All the King's Men Warren, Robert Penn
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Kesey, Ken
How to Lie With Statistics Huff, Darrell
History of the Future: The Shape of the World to Come Is Visible Today Singer, Max
The Real World Order: Zones of Peace, Zones of Turmoil (Comparative Politics & the International Political Economy,) Singer, Max
The Promise of Representative Bureaucracy: Diversity and Responsiveness in a Government Agency Selden, Sally Coleman
Diversity And Public Administration: Theory, Issues, And Perspectives Rice, Mitchell F.
Public Policy and the Black Hospital: From Slavery to Segregation to Integration Rice, Mitchell F.
Harvard Business Review on Corporate Responsibility Porter, Michael E.
Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making Stone, Deborah
Politics and the English Language Orwell, George
Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction (4th Edition) Dunn, William N.
Approaching Public Policy Analysis Portney, Kent E.
How to Get Out of Your Own Way Gibson, Tyrese
Six Thinking Hats Bono, Edward De
Proposal Writing: Effective Grantsmanship Coley, Soraya M.
How to Duck a Suckah: A Guide to Living a Drama-Free Life Boom, Big



Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

2012 Reading Challenge

Last year, 2011, I ended the year with a bang. I finished a book on December 31, 2011, making it my 38th book of the year.  My goal was to read 50 books, and I probably would have, if I didn't have so much going on in my life. I am determined to read 100 books this year! This means that I will read an average of about 2 books a week. I can do it! I know that I can. What is your reading challenge for 2012.  Look at the widget at the top of this blog and submit your 2012 Reading Challenge. Don't forget to leave a comment about your 2012 Reading Challenge. Happy New Year!