All the Buzz

LaConnie Taylor Jones is back with her latest release, When A Man Loves a Woman. Click here to check out the trailer!


Also, check out the Affair de Coeur:

The Baptiste clan is back, and this time A.J. Baptiste is center stage. A.J. is a single father and pediatrician with eyes for Victoria (Vic) Bennett. However, Vic has sworn off men and promises to keep her heart closed to the option of love. Her feelings are so intense for A.J., but is it love or sheer hatred? In a moment of frustration, Vic speeds away from the Baptiste estate daring death to take her.

The accident that ensued would change all of their lives forever. A.J. is seriously injured and Vic decides to nurse him back to health. She also vows to care of A.J.’s twins during his extended recovery. Will this be too much? Will A.J. break down the tough exterior Vic has built up?

When A Man Loves A Woman is a powerful testament of perseverance. The character development flows intimately with the story line, making you part of the Baptiste family. The romance, while believable, instills hope in the love that is available in the world. Taylor-Jones’ sophomore project definitely proves she has the gift of writing page-turning romance. Can’t wait to see what she has coming out next.

Hello Kim! Thank you for the opportunity to spotlight you on All the Buzz!

First, tell me about your current release, The Foreigner’s Caress.

The Foreigner’s Caress is the “sister” story to my September, 2007 release, Soul Caress. In The foreigner’s Caress, the heroine, Madison Daniels, who is the younger sister to Soul’s Kennedy Daniels, is attempting to move past her wild, party girl reputation and find a more meaningful purpose in her life. She settles down in New York City and is comfortably getting herself together when she meets Stevenson Elliott. Stevenson is the son of a British billionaire. The Jamaican born Stevenson is immediately drawn to Madison and it doesn’t take long for the passion to ignite. Unfortunately, both of them have pasts that threaten to derail the romance and both will have to do some growing up in order to make it work.

How do you choose the titles for your novels?

Each title comes about in a different manner. Sometimes, I have the title early on either from a song, or a phrase I’ve heard somewhere and have to consciously work it into the story. More frequently, I finish the book operating under either a working title or no title at all. Afterward, I read through the manuscript from start to finish and find a thread that sort of stands out.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write as much as you can and read as much as you can. Learn your craft by doing it and studying others who do it. Surround yourself with writers by attending conferences and participating in workshops, neither of which have to be costly. Finally, do not try to control the story – let it come through you however it chooses to.

Do you ever suffer from writers block? If so, how do you get past it?

Because I, like most people, juggle life’s various obligations, I find that when I’m most fatigued or stressed, the first thing to suffer is my writing. At those times (and unless I’m under deadline) I don’t stress about not being able to write. I take those moments to read more – magazines, novels, etc. It helps tremendously because first, it relaxes me and second, it clears my mind of the road blocks, both real and imagined.

What dreams of yours have been realized thanks to your writing career?

The biggest dream to be realized is just seeing my name on books on the shelves of bookstores. It is also pretty amazing to have readers write to me or come up to me to say that my work has impacted them in some way.

When you’re not writing, what keeps you busy? What are some of your favorite things to do?

As a teacher, wife, mother and graduate student, I’m busy from the moment I open my eyes every morning. I have to admit, though, that I enjoy the crazy schedule I keep. However, when I have down time, everyone who knows me would say I love nothing more than lying in the middle of my king size bed, remote in hand, snacks on the headboard watching a movie with one or more of my family members!

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on two things. One is a romance between an East Coast entertainment lawyer and an actress, written from the male’s perspective. The other is a collection of short stories that I will submit as my thesis for grad. school next spring and hopefully get published later on.

What was the one book that most influenced your life and why?

I don’t know that I can narrow it down to one. I will say that in my late teens/early twenties Toni Morrison’s work influenced me greatly because of the sheer lyricism of her prose. I think I became aware of my love of language as a result of Ms. Morrison. Later on, the work of Terry McMillan and other African-American novelists in the 1980’s and early 1990’s helped me realize that I could actually pursue a career in writing.

What are three little known facts about Kim Shaw?

One -- I’m a foody. I L-O-V-E food (especially sweets).

Two – I was very very shy growing up, and still am to a certain degree today. People who know me vehemently reject that testament.

Three – Though I act like I can do it all, I don’t really have an ‘S’ on my chest.

Growing up, what were some of your favorite books?

Go Ask Alice, Sula, The Bluest Eye, all of the Judy Blume books, . . . the list goes on.

Thank you again for chatting with me on All the Buzz! Many blessings to you and yours!

Thank you and same to you.

Lovers’ Hollow is historical fiction but told through a contemporary lens and it weaves backwards and forwards in time.

When the novel opens the narrator , Jo Devereux, is hungover, lonely and in mourning. Her mother has died and so Jo journeys back from San Francisco to Mucknamore, the seaside Irish village that she left twenty years before. There she is thrown straight back into the path of her old flame – Rory O'Donovan - and into the heart of ancient family tensions and secrets.

Her mother has left her a suitcase full of diaries, letters and newspaper cuttings, with a request in her will that Jo should write a family history, focusing on the Devereux’s contribution to Ireland's independence war against Great Britain in the early 1920s.

Never one to do what her mother wanted, what Jo finds herself writing about instead is a chain of family secrets that lead her back to a mysterious murder. During the civil war that followed the independence struggle, Dan O’Donovan, Rory’s great-uncle was lured to his death on the sinking sands that are notorious in Mucknamore.

Jo cuts herself off from the world to pursue her investigations and spends the summer in a shed, watching the house she grew up in being demolished, avoiding her sister, Maeve, as she pores over the old papers and pieces together her family's complicated history.

Rory, now unhappily married, is the only person she allows into her life during this long hot summer. What are her feelings for him, so many years after their relationship was suddenly sundered? Can what they lost be regained or at least redeemed? Answering these questions forces Jo to confront her past and present struggles for independence.

She also retraces the steps of her childhood – the events that caused her to leave so dramatically and never return and comes to understand how those long-ago events, and the secrecy around them, poisoned her young hopes of love and fulfillment.

Effortlessly interweaving past and present, and building towards a compelling and surprising conclusion, Lovers' Hollow ranges across three generations and two continents to deliver a page-turning exploration of love, revenge and the true nature of freedom.

Orna Ross is my writing name (real name Áine McCarthy, which my publishers thought too difficult for non-Irish readers to pronounce). I’m married to Philip and have two children, Ornagh and Ross, who allowed me to borrow their names for my pseudonym.

I was born in Ireland in Co Waterford and moved to Murrintown, a small village in Co Wexford at the age of four. Primary school was a two-roomed building down the road and secondary was a convent boarding school. I left Wexford for college in Dublin at the age of 17 and I have lived in Dublin, London and in the North of England.

I spent my early twenties doing a variety of jobs, from waitressing to managing a gym to secondary school teaching before becoming a freelance features journalist, working for most of the major newspapers and magazines in Dublin and London. My real goal, though, was to write fiction and as my 40^th birthday loomed, I realized if I was going to write a novel, it was time I settled to it.

I thought it would take me about two years to write but I underestimated the challenges of writing fiction with two small children at home -- and also didn’t realize when I set out that I was going to write what was effectively three stories in one. It was a full five years before the 668-pages of Lovers’ Hollow were completed.

Then began the almost equally drawn-out task of finding the right publisher. After a London literary agent held onto the manuscript for a couple years while failing to win interest, I reluctantly took the task upon myself. I was soon fascinated by the business of publishing and interested in the struggles of other writers to write and publish well. From that interest I founded Font Literary Agency & Writing Centre.

In a short life I'm only going to produce so many books. I get as much kick from supporting other writers along their creative and publishing pathways as I do from nudging myself along my own.

Lovers’ Hollow was published by Penguin as part of a two-book deal. It managed to reach No 2 in the Irish bestseller lists and to keep the reviewers happy too. The second book, A Dance in Time, is due in September next and I’m at work on a third.

My interests include reading (of course), movies, jogging, yoga, dance and I’m getting into blogging and photography. And travel. Now that the kids are older, I am free to up and off again more often. I am currently investigating the possibility of buying a bolthole abroad. Where? Anywhere from Portugal to the US – but it’s got to be sunny. I love Ireland but I do not love its climate and intend to spend some of every winter abroad from now on.

Hello Nathasha! Thank you for the opportunity to spotlight you on All the Buzz!

Hello to you. Thanks for having me on All The Buzz. It is my pleasure and honor to be here.

First, tell me about the literary offerings of Nathasha Brooks-Harris.

My first romance novel was a full-length called Panache. It was set in Texas and featured my favorite hero yet, Chase Thomas—a sexy, wealthy cowboy/executive type. My next couple of books were my Can I Get An Amen anthologies. There were two: Can I Get An Amen and Can I Get An Amen Again. They each had four novellas written by 3 other authors I invited to write with me. Together, we crafted tales that took place in the fictional Red Oaks Christian Fellowship in Red Oaks, GA. There, men and women found love and God—with the help of Mother Maybelle, the feisty and nosey matchmaking church matriarch. She’s like a mix of Madea, Sister Betty, and any wise old elder who’s fun-loving an wisecracking. Our anthologies were contemporary romance with Christian themes in them. I also contributed an erotica story to an anthology called Erogenous Zone. That was a departure for me, but it was a fun change from what I usually write. I also have an essay about literacy in a book called Gumbo For The Soul.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since I was a little girl, but professionally since 1987.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, as far back as I can remember. It seems that everything in my life has prepared me for writing.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part of writing is selling it! There are so many writers, so many books, and people with too little money for luxuries. All of us are competing for the same readership. My challenge is how to get readers interested in my work and keep them that way.

How do you come up with ideas for your novels?

My ideas come from everywhere: the news, gossip I hear inspires ideas, artwork I see, and plots often come to me naturally.

Do you write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to satisfy your own creativity?

A bit of both, I’d say. I write what I think readers would enjoy and what I enjoy writing because I have to live with it for many months.

What challenges have you faced in your literary journey? How did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge so far has been getting back on track after losing my mother. I didn’t write or promote for a full year in 2007. She was very ill and later died. I was her caretaker. It was hard to even think about writing—much less do it. After she died, it was even worse because I felt as if I was on autopilot. Many times, I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I was just plain lost! I didn’t care about writing or traveling to promote. I couldn’t. Two weeks later, I lost my dear friend, Katherine D. Jones—also an author. This year’s Romance Slam Jam will be my first time in public doing “author business.” It’s bittersweet and scary because it has been so long. I overcame that with the support of my friends and allowing myself the time and right to grieve.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, from either a fan or a fellow author?

The best piece of advice I’ve received was from author Grace Edwards. She told me something a long time ago that still holds true today. She told me that when it comes to critiques, don’t take them personally. She said to take from it what I can use and discard the rest. That was the greatest advice and it has transcended time!

If you could create a perfect day, what would it consist of?

My perfect day would be to write full-time, create my dolls, have meditation with God, and come home to a good loving husband and children.

What’s next from Nathasha Brooks-Harris?

Wow, I’m hoping many more novels are next, some stage plays, and a gig writing for a soap opera. My choices would be As The World Turns, Guiding Light, or Young & The Restless.

Thank you again for chatting with me on All the Buzz! Many blessings to you and yours!

Thanks for inviting me. It was good fun. May all of God’s richest blessings be yours!

Guilty of Love
Pat Simmons
Urban Christian, September 2007
$14.95 US, ISBN 1893196992

Rating: 2

Letting go of the past…

As a college student, young and in love, Cheney Reynolds made the ultimate sacrifice for love; she aborted her baby because a baby wasn’t in her boyfriend’s best interest and plans.

The overwhelming guilt of this abortion weighs heavily upon Cheney’s spirit causing her to withdraw into herself, and away from her family. And as for ever loving or trusting another man again, it’s safe to say her ex-boyfriend effectively killed that emotion.

When Parke Jamieson VI comes along, he takes one look at Cheney and wants her for his own. But he soon discovers that getting close to Cheney will require help from a Higher power. Even though Parke and Cheney are at different stages in their lives, trusting and believing in God is not at the top of their list. But they soon realize that faith in God is the answer to every situation they face.

The overall premise of this book is good, but the lack of substantive editing made it difficult for me to read. The prologue of the story drew me in right away. But beyond the prologue, the pace of the story was extremely slow and the numerous grammatical errors I encountered did not help with my overall reading experience.

Also, I felt I was reading a contemporary romance more so than a Christian fiction novel. Generally, Christian fiction works contain some of the following elements – celebration of God’s presence in our lives, the characters relationship to God is the primary focus, and God plays a significant role in the plot and the outcome. While Guilty of Love did have some of these characteristics, they were not prevalent. I have no problems with reading romance novels because I’m a romance junkie to the bone, I do have a problem with novels that are classified as one genre, but takes on the traits of another totally different genre.

Pat Simmons’ underlying message of love and forgiveness shines through and I applaud her efforts on tackling the very sensitive subject of abortion and all of the emotions that go along with the life altering decision.

John Legend's poem/song "Again", from episode 2, season 5 of Def Poetry Jam

Hi John! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be a guest on All the Buzz! It’s a pleasure to have you!

Thank you for having me!

You have a new release called An Eye for a Deadly Eye. Please tell me more about it.

-This is the second in my FBI Agent Kenny Carson series. Twice over the past two decades, active and former FBI agents were targeted for death by a hate group called Just Cause. Though the FBI knew the name of the group, in both cases, they were unable to apprehend a suspect. Now Just Cause is back and reaping more havoc than ever before. It’s another case of cat and mouse, and all that seems simple, is as complex as you can possibly imagine.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I love mystery, suspense and originality. I wanted to take something as simple as the relationship between people and make something twisted. My inspiration for every story is to tell a great story with enough twists and turns and originality, it will keep readers coming back for more.

What is it that you are exploring in this book?

Relationships or better yet, the twisted world of relationships. Why person A is envious of person B, but the two don’t know each other. I often wondered why people don’t like or in some cases, hate entertainers, actors, athletes, etc., that they don’t know. But with all my stories, the thing I really explore is the mind. If I can make you think for 300 plus pages, my job is done!

Do you find yourself putting a little bit of yourself into your characters?

Not much, maybe a little bit. I think most writers project a little bit of themselves in their writings, and I don’t think I am any different in that regards.

Has a review ever changed your perspective on your work and/or your literary journey?

No. But I am very good at accepting constructive criticism. If I received a tough review, I would try my best to see the silver lining.

If you could’ve written one book in history, what would it be?

The Parallel Lives of Malcolm and Martin. I know both have advocates who are worlds apart, even today. One believed in non-violence and the other believed in not taking anything off anyone. But in the long run, they both believed in the betterment of a people; just different methodologies of reaching the same goal.

What books are currently on your nightstand? Do you find time for pleasure reading every day?

A not yet released manuscript by a friend, whose name one day will be up in lights. And unfortunately, I don’t read every day. Though I’m an avid reader, writing and editing keeps me busy.

I know that you are also an editor. What has that experience been like?

I love editing. Recently, I have been doing more ghostwriting/editing and I love the process of making someone else’s project better. Additionally, it improved my skills as an author. There are many who loved my last book, A Moment of Justice, but I think ghostwriting for the past couple of years have taken my writing to another level.

What words of advice do you have to offer aspiring authors, both as a writer and an editor?

Read, read, read . . . especially books in your chosen genre and books on writing. Then pick up the pen and write, or jump on the keyboard.

What’s the best writing advice you ever received?

Two things: be true to yourself and write for the love of writing.

When you first started writing, what do you wish you would’ve known then that you know now?

The business of writing; from the importance of hiring an experienced editor to the nuances of PODs and traditional publishers. I love writing and like most first time authors, I just wanted to get my story out. But the military taught me patience and that’s what I needed to apply to my writing career—patience. I needed to learn as much as I could about the business of writing.

What are three little known facts about John Wooden?

I have a great sense of humor, i.e., love laughing and smiling; I’m a stupid, diehard football fan; and I’m a closet cook. Shhh, don’t tell anyone…lol.

Thank you again, John, for chatting with me on All the Buzz! Many blessings to you and yours!

Thank you. It’s my honor and prestige to be a part of All the Buzz.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King. So today, I would like for us all to take some time to remember the man and his dream, and to make a conscious decision to live and promote the peace and unity, equality and justice Dr. King was so passionate about.

Here is a clip of Dr. King's last speech, given the day before he was shot on that balcony in Memphis April 4, 1968.

Hello Tia and thank you for joining me on All the Buzz! It’s a pleasure to have you.

First, tell me all about your latest release, The Truth About Love.

The Truth About Love is the sequel to my second novel, Zora’s Cry. But readers wouldn’t have had to read the first book to grow to know and love the four women who’ve allowed us to take a peek into their lives. Best friends Paula, Belinda, Zora and Monet have depended on their faith and each other when times got hard.

Paula Manns’ marriage is in shambles and she’s not sure if it can be repaired.

Belinda Stokes’ teenage stepson seems to want nothing more than to make her life miserable, and it’s causing more drama than her marriage has ever experienced.

Zora Fields has finally accepted her adoption and is settled into being a wife when her husband announces his call to the ministry. Now Zora wonders if she has what it takes to walk beside him.

Monét Sullivan is seeing first-hand that marriage can be work. Her boyfriend wants to ride the fast track to marriage, but Monét is putting on the brakes – until things make her rethink her priorities.

When it seems that life is dealing them blows that only real love can conquer, it’s only then that they find out how powerful love can be.

Who designs your covers?

My covers are designed by freelance graphic artists who are contracted with my publisher (Moody Publishers). So far, all of my covers have been both beautiful and accurate depictions of the characters and message in my books. From the first time I saw the cover for The Truth About Love, I was in awe. It looks like a piece of art!

How long does it take you to write a novel?

When I’m focused and set a schedule for my writing, I usually complete the first draft of a novel within nine months. My second novel took twelve months because I was adjusting to being a new mother and had to learn how to balance being a wife, mother, and an author.

What kind of research goes into your works?

The basis and message of my novels are always something that God has given me. After His divine inspiration, I search my Bible for the scriptural basis that I believe needs to come across in the book. On the craft side of the writing, I’ve had to research the settings of the book to make sure my locations and information about the cities are accurate.

What message do you hope comes shining through in all of your novels?

When the last page is turned, I pray my novels have led readers to a closer relationship with God. Recently I’ve been using the tagline that my books are a sweet blend of faith and fiction. Why? Because I want people to “….taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” (Psalms 34:8)

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about your latest book?

No! Absolutely not!

Of all of your books, which is your favorite and why?

That’s kind of like asking a mother which child is their favorite! I love all of my books equally, but for different reasons – maybe for what they bring (or brought) to my life, and for the different attributes, message, and purpose they carry.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

From elementary school age I remember my teachers saying that I had a gift for writing. I knew it was a natural talent, but it wasn’t until I started praying about my life’s purpose in 1998 that my eyes were open to my calling of being an author. Before that I obtained a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications and worked ten years in the corporate arena as a public relations professional.

What aspect of writing brings you the most joy?

The creative side of being able to craft and mold a story is very enjoyable for me. I’ve learned to have fun with it and let things flow out during the first draft. The real work comes when I have to go back and edit.

What are your writing habits? Do you have to have complete silence or do you have music playing? Do you only write at certain times of the day? Set the mood for us. J

As a mother to a busy two-year-old son and another child on the way, I grab writing time whenever and however I can. But I never write in complete silence. If I don’t have music playing low, then I have the television turned down – almost barely audible – in the background. I tend to write best when everyone else in the house is either gone or asleep. Sometimes that’s at night, sometimes it’s in the morning.

Thank you again Tia for chatting with me on All the Buzz! I wish you continued success in all that you do.

Hello Kendra! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spotlight you on All the Buzz. I have been a fan of your work for quite some time now.

Thank you for inviting me, Renee. I’m honored to know that you have read and embraced my work. Your endorsement is appreciated.

First, you have a new book out called Battle of Jericho. Please tell me more about it.

There are very strong messages on love, discipleship and forgiveness in this story. Battle of Jericho highlights the life of Master Sergeant Peter Jericho, a twenty-year Marine veteran who has been deployed to Iraq for the third time since the war began. Prior to the start of his latest tour of duty, Pete allows an ongoing, senseless dispute between him and his spouse to spiral out of control and unravel the threads their once-solid marriage, sending his wife and daughter to live with his mother-in-law in an infamous community in Atlanta called Shelton Heights. More than a year later, and with only a few weeks left before he is to return to the States, Pete makes the decision to re-establish his strong faith in God, swallow his pride, and fight to reclaim the family he loves. But without warning, his plans are brought to an abrupt halt when Pete finds himself a captured prisoner of war. With fellow captured comrades being slaughtered by enemy forces on a daily basis, Pete realizes that he is in the three-fold battle of his lifetime: physically, mentally and spiritually.

Of all the novels you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?

I get that question often and for me, it’s like asking me which of my daughters is my favorite. It’s an impossible question to answer. Honestly, I don’t have a favorite book among those that I’ve written. I love them all equally. I do, however, have favorite characters and my favorite created characters appear in my “Grace Series” (For Love & Grace, Because of Grace, and More Than Grace). Normally, at any given time, my most recent project is the one I’m most proud of and that’s the way it is right now with Battle of Jericho. This is a story that I felt compelled to write. During some of my days of crafting it, I had a heavy heart. I wrote this book with the hope that all of our country’s military men and women who read it, will feel my gratefulness and appreciation for what they do on a daily basis. I want Battle of Jericho to, in some way, pay homage to them for their bravery and selflessness. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word.

Were any of your novels hard to write? Why or why not?

I wouldn’t categorize any of them as difficult to write, per se. Challenging would be a much better word for it and I’ve had a couple of books to fit that bill. The first was In Greene Pastures. That one had me sampling new waters, so to speak. It was my first attempt at writing a book where suspense was the larger ingredient. I gained a new appreciation for mystery writers as I crafted that novel. On average, it takes me around four months to complete a novel. In Greene Pastures took just over six months. Battle of Jericho was my other challenge. This one tested me on a different level. It was my first time tackling such a matter that was so closely associated with death on such a broad scale. I was in contact with soldiers who were actively serving in Iraq when I wrote the book and I wanted to make it as authentic as possible. What our soldiers are dealing with over there doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Having to come face to face with the woes of war was extremely challenging as I wrote this novel. In my opinion, every soldier should have a strong walk with the Lord. I can’t imagine how they would dare to put themselves in such danger without having an established personal relationship with God.

Why do you write?

Because I don’t have a choice. That may sound cliché or even foolish to some, but in my life, I know it to be the truth. For me, writing isn’t just a hobby or pastime, it’s my divine destiny, my purpose and my passion. Writing isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am.

What message do you hope to convey to readers?

In each book that I write, there is a positive message that I hope readers will walk away having received. The one common message that I seek to transmit is that God is more powerful than any adverse situation that we can ever face. Absolutely nothing is impossible for Him. Trusting in the Lord is our most effective means of survival.

Since you are a Christian Fiction author, do you only read other novels in that genre, or are you a fan of romance, mystery, etc.?

My favorite themes are romance, mystery and drama; and while I write Christian fiction, you’ll find a healthy mix of those three elements in most of the books that I write. I don’t solely read Christian fiction, but because of its inspirational message and its Christ-centered theme, it is the genre that I read and respect most.

Who are some of your favorite authors and how do they influence your writing?

My all-time favorite writer is Maya Angelou. Her poetry was among the first writings that I fell in love with as a young reader. Her novel, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, is my favorite book. Most of my favorite contemporary authors are in the Christian fiction genre. I have a strong appreciation for the works of Victoria Christopher Murray, Jacquelin Thomas, Patricia Haley and Tia McCollors, to name a few. In recent years, a plethora of new Christian fiction authors have come on the scene. I’ve enjoyed reading some of their works as well. While I’ve certainly been encouraged by other writers, I don’t know that my writing has been influenced by the writing of any other author. But I have a deep respect for those who master the craft.

How has your life changed since becoming a published author?

Writing has had a great impact on my life. It seems that the mode of my existence has been on fast forward ever since I began putting pen to paper as a profession. Becoming a published author forced me out of my shell of shyness and pushed me into boldness, so to speak. Through my writing, God has truly made the whole world my pulpit. Prior to walking in my divine calling, I’d never done any extensive travel. As a matter of fact, I’d never even been on an airplane before. I was 38 years old before taking my first flight back in 2004, and that flight was to promote my first mainstream published novel. This gift has made me a world traveler; not only visiting major cities all across the U.S., but also journeying outside of the country as I promote my novels. Because of my career, I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of people – those of celebrity status and those not – that have played an intricate part in making this a wonderfully rewarding time of my life.

In addition to being an author, I know that you are also involved in other aspects of the Christian ministry. Can you tell me more about all of your endeavors, including the gospel cruise, Cruisin’ for Christ?

Denzel Washington once said, “I am very proud to be black, but black is not all I am.” I often echo that sentiment when it comes to my career because although I am proud to be an author, who I am is not limited to that. God has given me a multifaceted ministry that began with fiction writing and has expanded to include teaching workshops to aspiring and published writers (The Writer’s Cocoon), establishing an online support system to other writers (The Writer’s Hut) and organizing an awesome mission that celebrates Christian artistries as a whole. That’s where the newest arm of my ministry, Cruisin’ For Christ, comes in. I founded this mission-at-sea in 2006 and the inaugural voyage set sail in 2007. Onboard with me and those who registered for the cruise were some of the hottest names in gospel music as well as award-winning poets, bestselling authors, and national stage actors and comedians. God met us on the water and it was a phenomenal success. This year will mark our sophomore launch. Cruisin’ For Christ II is set for August 2-9, 2008 and some of this year’s featured guests are: Stellar Award winners, Myron Butler & Levi, Dove and Stellar Award winner, Melvin Williams (from The Williams Brothers), gospel legend, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Stellar nominee, Marcus Cole (from Commissioned), the legendary mime ministry of K&K Mime, national comedian, Willie Brown & Woody (from HBO’s Def Comedy Jam), Brian Hurst (from Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail), bestselling author ministry, Anointed Authors on Tour, and many, many more. Cruisin’ for Christ is a uniquely amazing adventure with scheduled events for whole family enjoyment. Those interested in experiencing it with us can log on to www.CruisinForChrist.org.

As I’m sure you know, there are many who are not a fan of the Christian fiction genre because they believe that the term “Christian fiction” is an oxymoron. What do you say in defense of this?

You know, I don’t even try to defend Christian fiction. I don’t think it needs defending; it speaks for itself. The few times that people have challenged me on the legitimacy of Christian fiction, I’ve directed them to scripture. Many times in the Bible, Jesus spoke in parables, stories He created to serve as examples that His disciples and other listeners could relate to for whatever point Jesus was trying to get across to them at the time. Just because those parables were metaphoric or symbolic in nature, didn’t lessen the authenticity of Christ. Neither does Christian fiction. If a doubter still refuses to accept Christian fiction as what it is, I don’t get into debates with them. Christian fiction, just like salvation, is available for all mankind to experience for themselves. All that we, as followers of Christ can do is point people in the right direction. It’s up to each individual to accept the invitation.

What’s next from Kendra Norman Bellamy?

Literarily speaking, I’m working on completing two novels that will unveil in 2009. The third and final book in the Shelton Heights series, The Lyons Den, will release in April, while The Morning After, the sequel to another of my novels called Three Fifty-Seven A.M., will release in December. In addition to those novels, I am a participant in a half-book project (a two-story anthology) that will also release in April of 2009. My offering in the novel is a romantic story called When Violets Turn Red. On a ministry level, I’m working on finalizing all of the details for Cruisin’ For Christ II. I’m particularly excited about this year’s cruise because the enemy has really fought to try and prevent it from coming to fruition. Therefore, I know that an awesome move of God awaits us.

Thank you again Kendra for chatting with me on All the Buzz. It has truly been a pleasure. I wish you continued success in all that you do.

The pleasure is mine, Renee. I wish All the Buzz the absolute best that God has to offer. Keep up the good work!