Book Talk

I think I'm going to call this segment Book Talk. We're going to start it off with a bang by saying a big, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! t0, BRENDA JACKSON, ON MAKING NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY. Way to go. We're all very proud of you.

That great news takes us into our book discussion. I've been asking authors and readers to send the titles of new books, especially ones written by members of the family. But if you happen to hear of a book that you think RSJ would like to know about, let us know.

This month I appealed to Marlive, some one most of you probably know as she does author promotions and reviews for Grits.com. She's going to give us the scoop on new books she's read.

So Marlive, tell the RSJ Family a little about you.

Marlive: I'm fondly known among literary circles (online and offline) as -thegrits.com, an acronym for "the girl reading in the south.com!" I'm an online Book Marketer/Promoter and my fascination with technology (the Internet in particular)and love of literature (emphasis on African American Literature) is the reason TheGRITS.com exist today!

Before becoming a full time online book marketer,I was a classroom teacher and school librarian for eight years in North Texas.While working as a librarian, I launched TheG.R.I.T.S. Online Reading Club, a leading online reading and book promotion community for adult readers and writers on New Year's Day in 2000. Then the award winning G.R.I.T.S. Kidz Book Club, an online book club for kids, parents and adult care-givers of children who desire to discuss and learn more about African American literature (and other multicultural literature) written for young people came next in 2001. The success of those two online reading communities and my desire to meet the unique web publicity needs of authors and self-publishers is the reason I launched TheGRITS COM Literary Service full-time in 2003. So for the last 8 years TheGRITS.com with its reading groups, online book campaigns, virtual book tours, and podcast network have become a place where books, readers, literary professionals and the Internet connect!

When I am not working with online book promotions, I'm a part-time Continuing Education Program Manager over Adult Basic Education (ESL/ESOL and GED) and Arts & Leisure programs at Lone Star College-Kingwood. I also teach their eBusiness Basics class for business owners interested in doing business on the World Wide Web.

Dyanne: I'd say you're not only one busy lady but one that writers need to become familiar with. So tell us about some books you'd recommend to the family.

Marlive: I've read some great new romances out by some excellent writers I have read over the years:

MIAMI ATTRACTION by Elaine Overton

As Miami's most celebrated vet, Dusty Warren can have his pick of any woman.But growing up on the road still makes him feel like an outsider in the city's elite circles. Then Mikayla Shroeder shows up at his ranch with her mangy mutt,and Dusty feels the white-hot spark of attraction. He knows Mikayla feels it,too, but the bestselling author is determined to stay aloof….
Mikayla left her traumatic past behind to start over in a new town. She isn't prepared for the charismatic and compassionate animal doctor…or the untamed passion that takes them both by surprise. Animal attraction is one thing. But to allow this man into her heart as her protector, her lover, her soul mate? That's a wild sanctuary she never thought was possible—until now.

KISSED BY A CARRINGTON by Linda Hudson-Smith

Pro-basketball star Houston Carrington likes his life just the way it is: fame, fortune and freedom. But Kelly Charleston tempts the foot loose playboy to break his number-one rule—flings without strings. The time he spent in the sexy sports doctor's company is forever seared in his memory…and now she's just signed with his team!

Wary of love, Kelly has managed to steer clear of romantic entanglements. But how could she forget the passionate encounter she shared with this seductive, irresistible Carrington brother? And now that she's under contract with the Texas Cyclones,she's in danger of losing something she swore she'd never give up—her heart. Especially when Houston awakens her fantasy of a fabulous future together.

DREAM KEEPER by Gail McFarland

This compelling sequel to "Dream Runner" follows a young couple desperately trying to start a family, facing countless setbacks and struggling to keep their marriage together.

CHOCOLATE GOODIES by Jacquelin Thomas

Coco Stanley can't believe the way her high-end chocolate specialty shop has taken off. But her own exotic appetite isaroused when the most mouthwatering confection she's ever seen walks through the door. He's Ransom Winters, self-made millionaire and compassionate youth counselor to the troubled kids in their L.A. neighborhood.

Ransom's proud of his program for at-risk teens. And once he meets the owner of Coco's Chocolat, the Grammy-winning songwriter gets another brainstorm. But jobs for his boys aren't the only thing Ransom wants from Coco. Now if only he can get the relationship-wary chocolatier to say yes to a lifetime of sweet bliss…starting on Valentine's Day! Because chocolate can be fleeting, but love is forever.

Thank you Marlive. Where can readers read more about you?

Again I issue the invitation....No, make that a plea. Authors send us a brief blurb of your next book. Readers, if you've read a good AA romance and we haven't mentioned it here, send me the info please.

On that note I'll do what I'm asking you to do. I have a new book myself, Lest Ye Be Judged written by my F.D. Davis persona, the third in my vampire series. (And yes, I know the family's feelings on vampires) But I'm willing to do what I've asked the rest of you to do.

Until next month, happy reading.

Dyanne Davis
http://www.dyannedavis.com/
F.D.Davis
http://www.adamomega.com/