July 5, 2011
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Lutishia Lovely will be appearing at the Leimert Park Village Book Fair on Saturday, June 25.
Lutishia Lovely is the bestselling author of the popular Hallelujah Love Series which includes Sex In The Sanctuary, Reverend Feelgood and Heaven Forbid. A professional writer for more than a decade, she made the leap from stage and screenplays with a children’s book before writing her first full-length novel of contemporary fiction.
The first book in her new series, All Up In My Business, is out now and she’s just completed her fourteenth work. Six are romances penned by her alter-ego, Zuri Day. Lutishia resides in wine country, between LA and San Diego, and in her spare time loves to create delicious, vegetarian cuisine for family and friends. She also enjoys sports, the arts, travel, and most of all hearing from readers. Contact her at www.LutishiaLovely.com.
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(1) How does it feel to be a full-time writer? Are you living the dream?
Every day I get to wake up and do what I love! I set my own schedule, work from the comforts of my home office, and basically have only due lines as my taskmasters. I work hard, but then I get to play hard. Which means that while I’m working today, Sunday, and will be working through all weekends in July and most of August, I’ll also be taking a month off at the end of the year and heading to Costa Rica! Add to that a fabulous team that includes editor Selena James and agent Natasha Kern and what you get is a woman who doesn’t take any of this for granted and who feels blessed to be living the dream!
(2) What have you learned since your first novel was published? How about after you had your first taste of success?
I’ve learned so many things and the lessons continue! Like many industries, publishing is continually changing and one has to absorb as much information as possible to stay at the top of their game. But specifically since publishing my first novel I’ve learned that the “high class hustle” continues; that just because you’ve got five, ten, fifteen books out there doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax. You’ve got to network, promote, and interact with fans to stay visible in a sea swimming with thousands of authors. Most importantly, you’ve got to keep putting out great product. You can’t depend on last year’s well-reviewed book for tomorrow’s sales. When people ask me what’s my favorite book I always answer, “my next one!”
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For me, I felt successful from the time I held my first novel, Sex In The Sanctuary, in my hands. I published it independently and as anyone in this biz will tell you, self-publishing is hard work…not for the faint of heart! But all of the blood, sweat and tears was well worth it, especially when publishing that novel led to a book deal the following year. |
(3) How have your readers supported your works, especially when you cross church and romance together?
From the beginning, I knew that mixing spirituality and sexuality would be controversial, but I also knew it would be “real talk.” I’m a PK (preacher’s kid), grew up in church, and for many years was intimately involved in various denominations and congregations – from the small town, 50-member church to mega-churches boasting 15,000 members. While these novels are works of fiction, most of the storylines are pulled from real life situations that I’ve witnessed first-hand. That said, I didn’t write this series to make any type of statement. I just want to tell great stories about relationships that involve real characters and real situations. And that’s what I’ve done.
Fortunately, I am blessed to have a large, strong core of readers for the Hallelujah Love series; it’s one of the reasons I’m still a major part of this game. Many of these supporters are pastors, elders, first ladies, and leaders of women’s fellowships, and many don’t go to church at all. The readership is a mix: Black, White, gay, straight, Christian, other. They’ve all kept reading this somewhat controversial combo and that has allowed me to keep writing about these fabulously flawed characters and congregations. So much so that book number seven, Divine Intervention, drops next year with plans for more to follow!
An unexpected blessing has come from this series also. Women and men are feeling free to talk about topics in a more real, less religious way – to discuss in church settings what we’re talking about on the phone! The outline from the Sanctity of Sisterhood (SOS) Summit, a conference that’s put on by the ladies of SITS (Sex In The Sanctuary) has been used by several women’s groups throughout the country and I just found out that several SOS Conferences have sprung up as well!
(4) New novels, new themes? Tell us about your latest book series, and your short stories.
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I’m very excited about the Business Trilogy: three books about a hard-working, close-knit soul food dynasty where sizzling scandal and delicious loving is always on the menu. Again, I’m writing what I know, having come from a line of southern cooks whose meals make you want to slap somebody! All Up In My Business is the first novel and is available now. The second, Mind Your Own Business, drops in September and book three, Taking Care Of Business, comes out in the spring of next year. My first novella, Wanted: You, appeared in the anthology CRUSH, with Michele Grant and Cydney Rax. I love writing short stories and networking with other authors. It’s a fantastic way to cross-promote and gain new readers.
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My romance writing alter-ego, Zuri Day, is busy as well. Her first novella, Too Hot To Handle, dropped last month alongside veteran writers Donna Hill and Niobia Bryant in a book called Heat Wave. Her newest release, Lovin’ Blue, is out now. It’s about a tree-hugging, peace-loving vegan who falls for a meat-and-potatoes badass cop. Her last release of the year, Love In Play, drops in December.
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(5) Of the characters that you have given us, are there any favorites?
I must say that I’m in love with several of my male leads, yes, even the married ones! I love Derrick Montgomery’s love and loyalty, King Brooks’ swagger, everything about heartthrob Cy Taylor and about the fantastically flawed but utterly lovable Reverend Feelgood, otherwise known as Nate Thicke. We don’t read much about “seasoned” citizens and I’ve really enjoyed writing in the voice of 70-something Mama Max, her husband, Obadiah Brook, and their long-time nemesis, Dorothea Bates. Old folks need love too, and often have drama to go along with it!
(6) How can readers contact you, and get more information about your work?
I LOVE hearing from readers and respond personally to every email. Hit me up at LutishiaLovely.com and check Zuri out at ZuriDay.com. Please, and thank you! And Eric, thanks so much for the chat. I really enjoyed it.
July 3, 2011
The bestselling romances featuring African American characters or by African Americans for the first half of 2011.
- The Proposal (Harlequin Desire) by Brenda Jackson
(Harlequin Desire, 2011-06-01, Kindle Edition)
| The moment he met Bella Bostwick, Jason Westmoreland wanted her — and the land she’d inherited. With one convenient proposal, he could have the Southern beauty in his bed and her birthright in his hands. If only Bella would say yes! . |
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- Keeping the Secret by RM Johnson
(MarcusArts, 2011-03-24, Kindle Edition)
| Lauren is a beautiful cheerleader, in love with Ebban, a star, high school basketball player. But is it true love if they haven’t made love? Lauren pushes Ebban to consummate their relationship, but he hesitates and won’t tell her why. Meanwhile, Ebban is engaging in behavior he knows he shouldn’t be, and hates himself for it. It’s a terrible secret he keeps from Lauren, and his family and prays they’ll never discover it. But when Sebastian, Lauren’s best friend, is grabbed and brutally beaten, he decides to get revenge by digging up dirt and blackmailing the boys who assaulted him. Unfortunately, those boys happen to be Ebban and his teammates. One by one, Sebastian sets each boy up, and takes him out. Now, the closer Sebastian comes to discovering Ebban’s involvement in the horrific beating, the closer he comes to revealing Ebban’s tortured secret, and telling Lauren. If found out, everything, and everyone Ebban holds dear could be lost. |
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- No One in the World by E. Lynn Harris
(Simon & Schuster, 2011-06-07, Kindle Edition)
| RM Johnson and E. Lynn Harris combine forces to tell the story of twin brothers struggling to uncover many questions about themselves and one another. |
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- Fight for Love by Delaney Diamond
(Amira Press, 2011-05-25, Kindle Edition)
| Science teacher Rebekah Jamison lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Atlanta. Devastated by a tabloid scandal nine years ago, she ended her marriage to the man her parents never approved of. Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “Sexiest Athlete Alive,â€regrets the lapse in judgment that caused him to lose his wife. He shows up unannounced one day with some startling news, but he gets a surprise of his own. He finds out he’s a father. To get to know his son, he whisks him and Rebekah off to his home in the Hollywood Hills for the summer.Warning: Get ready for a sensual battle of wills as a conservative teacher lowers her inhibitions and is reminded of why she fell in love with a sexy bad boy wrestler in the first place. |
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- Twisted by Ni’cola Mitchell
(NCM Publishing, 2011-02-05, Kindle Edition)
| I have to do what s best for me……Has been Dionni s new motto since that horrible night when she found her finance Dale entangled between the legs of her best friend Eva. Enraged and torn; Dionni goes on a hiatus trying to get as far away from Las Vegas as possible to clear her mind and get her heart back in order. Her much needed vacation was interrupted once Dionni was informed that Tiana, her other best friend was found raped and beaten and now in a coma and was in need of constant care. Being the only family that Tiana has; Dionni has to return home to face her past while trying to put the shattered pieces of her life back together. Twisted, the highly anticipated sequel to Over and Over Again will explain if the demons of Dionni s past will allow her to be free; or will they continue to keep her twisted. |
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- King’s Passion (Arabesque) by Adrianne Byrd
(Kimani Arabesque, 2011-06-01, Kindle Edition)
| The sexy King brothers own a successful bachelor-party-planning business and a string of upscale clubs across the country. What could be better than living the single life in some of the world’s most glamorous cities? Finding a woman worth giving it up for! Eamon King organizes the wildest bachelor parties in Las Vegas. So wild that his latest client ends up marrying one of the strippers. Now the jilted bride-to-be, Victoria Gregory, is suing his company for millions. The problem is Eamon has never been so turned on by anyone as he is by the beautiful, voluptuous and very angry Victoria. He’s sure that all he has to do to charm his way out of the lawsuit is to charm his way into her bed. Win-win, right? Wrong. Because every white-hot moment they’re together makes him realize he’s found the only woman who can make him lose his heart! . |
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- A Price to Pay for Everything by Kameisha Jenkins
(Dynasty Publishing, 2011-03-10, Kindle Edition)
| A Price to Pay for Everything is a riveting debut novel that offers readers a peek into the drama-laden lives of its colorful characters. What does a morally corrupt socialite wife, a self proclaimed diva with serious mental issues and family drama and a wealthy bachelor turned unwilling father have in common? A price. This novel allows readers to discover the true expense of happiness as its characters weave a comedic and sometimes tragic tale of discovery. Filled with family drama, relationship challenges, and life affirming moments, A Price to Pay for Everything invites readers to ask, what are we willing to pay to be happy? |
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- Nasty Secrets by La’Tonya West
(La’Tonya West, 2011-05-06, Kindle Edition)
- All Or Nothing by Blake Karrington
(Dynasty Publishing, 2011-03-06, Kindle Edition)
| The Streets Of Charlotte,North Carolina serve as the back drop in this sizzling portrayal of street life in the hood. Lead character Shantell Byrant has lived the hard knock life, blessed with a gorgeous figure and good looks, Shantell decides to use what she got to get what she wants. |
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- The Ultimate Question: Will Love Ever Know Me (Delphine Publications Presents) by Tamika Newhouse
(Delphine Publications, 2011-02-01, Kindle Edition)
| Part three of The Ultimate Series brings back the classic characters that started it all. Now Charmaine will discover will love ever know her or will she end up single and jealous of best friends. Joyclyn was never the go to girl. Never able to keep her hands to herself, she will soon discover what love truly means but not before she is broken down to her lowest point in her life. If you thought the characters from the classic The Ultimate NO NO were done Nitrah, Dahlia, Jazzaray, and the rest of the gang return for part three. When it is all said and done will these ladies ever truly get to know love? |
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- Caliente Nights by Victoria Wells
(Red Rose Publishing, 2011-03-24, Kindle Edition)
| Nursery school teacher Jeanette Adams is struggling financially to help her elderly aunt keep their family owned nursery school’s doors open. Working days at the school and evenings as a department store clerk to make ends meet is taking its toll on Jeanette. Just when things couldn’t get any worse she finds herself in a situation that will further burden her financially when she crashes into a luxury vehicle. Professional athlete Alonzo Castro has had it with gold-digging women. All he wants is to settle down with a woman who isn’t interested in his status. He wants a woman who will love him unconditionally. An awkward chance meeting with Jeanette Adams makes him believer. But will a bad decision on his part ruin a chance at love? |
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- Inseparable (Arabesque) by Brenda Jackson
(Kimani Arabesque, 2011-04-26, Kindle Edition)
| Living under Reese Madaris’s roof makes LaKenna James the envy of every woman in town. But Reese’s offer of a place to stay is strictly platonic — just until Kenna’s new condo is completed. He has no idea that his best friend has been attracted to him since college, and Kenna plans to keep it that way.Ever since his cousin Blade got married, Reese has become Houston’s most eligible bachelor — and a magnet for gold diggers. Reese turns to his temporary roommate for dating advice, and suddenly sees Kenna for the beautiful, voluptuous woman she is. Though Kenna’s afraid to give her heart to the man who could so easily break it, when her life is in jeopardy, she’ll discover just how far a Madaris man will go when love is at stake! |
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- Sweet Persuasions (Kimani Romance) by Rochelle Alers
(Kimani Romance, 2011-06-01, Kindle Edition)
| Settling down isn’t high on Xavier Eaton’s list — he’s having too much fun playing the field, sharing his bed but never his heart. All that changes when the high-ranking military man and longtime bachelor comes back to South Carolina and walks into Selena Yates’s tantalizing patisserie! .Charleston is a long way from Selena’s West Virginia mining hometown. And the gorgeous Eaton war hero isn’t like anyone the wary chocolatier has ever met. Xavier’s kisses spark desire! and a powerful yearning to belong to him. As his kisses heat up the sultry Southern nights, Selena is tempted to say “I do” to a lifetime of passion. But is she ready to take her rightful place among the Eaton women as Xavier’s beloved and adored bride? |
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- Something Old, Something New: A Blessings Novel by Beverly Jenkins
(Harper Collins, Inc., 2011-06-07, Kindle Edition)
| The citizens of Henry Adams are starting to take bets — will Lily Fontaine and Trent July finally tie the knot? All they want is a nice, simple wedding, but their well-meaning neighbors are turning the no-fuss affair into the event of the decade. Bernadine, the town’s fairy godmother, wants Lily to have a storybook wedding fit for a princess, and Lily’s nine-year-old foster son is campaigning to be town preacher so he can officiate at the ceremony. Trouble multiplies when Trent is called on to help a new family move to town, not to mention Lily and Trent’s task of blending their families together. With the bustle of the tight-knit, and often tightly wound, friends and family pushing them to the breaking point, the couple begins to wish they’d eloped. But, as they’ll soon be reminded, happiness in Henry Adams is meant to be shared. |
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- The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil by Victoria Christopher Murray
(Touchstone, 2011-06-07, Kindle Edition)
| A Simon & Schuster eBook |
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- Dancing With Destiny by AlTonya Washington
(, 2011-05-18, Kindle Edition)
| Zelda Drummond proved that it was possible to bounce back from tragedy. She had escaped an abusive relationship and was in the process of reinventing herself. The climax of this “self renewal” took place on the night of her dazzling comeback performance. The lovely dancer had reclaimed her passion and proved that she was ready for anything. Anything, except another relationship.Kantey Swift was captivated the moment he spotted Zelda on stage. The gorgeous producer had a healthy, well-known appetite for women. Unfortunately, Zelda was tougher than anyone he had ever met. Though she couldn’t help but be drawn to Kantey’s sexy, dark features, Zelda had no desire to encourage him. After spending three years in a living nightmare, she’d decided a romantic involvement was not in her best interest. Kantey had made a decision as well: Zelda Drummond was far too beautiful to keep herself locked away. Her staunch refusals to his advances were met with fiery persuasion. After a while, his sensuous spell had worked its magic.The “magic” however, was threatened when Zelda’s ex-flame Gary Stewart surfaced with vengeful intentions. The man became an unwelcomed fixture in Kantey and Zelda’s lives, appearing where and when he was least expected. In spite of such intense obstacles; not to mention Kantey and Zelda’s own stubborn personalities, they managed to develop a powerful union. They would come to rely on every aspect of its strength to overcome the darkness threatening it. |
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- His Baby Mama (Groupies Inc): An Urban Tale by Kayenne
(, 2011-03-08, Kindle Edition)
| Life for Mercedez and Rap superstar C-Bone a/k/a Calvin is perfect until he learns he’s the father of Diamond’s daughter. Mercedez and Diamond can’t stand each other. Diamond attempts to wreck havoc in the couple’s life by any means necessary. Mercedez will not be the quiet girlfriend. Has Calvin’s Baby Mama bitten off more than she can chew? Find out in this new short installment of Groupies Inc.Sex, love and drama make up His Baby’s Mama. |
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- Inside Out (Indigo) by Grayson Cole
(Indigo Love Spectrum, 2011-06-07, Kindle Edition)
| Inside: Tracey never fit in anywhere as a child, so she worked hard to make college different. Out in the world, she didn’t talk about her parents, or her travels, or the languages she spoke. She didn’t talk much at all because it frequently led to black people asking why she talked “white” and white people asking where she was from. No one believed she was a native Southerner. But the people she met in grad school weren’t satisfied with knowing her only on the surface and Garrett Atkins–well, he wasn’t satisfied at all because, even though she couldn’t help falling in love with his Southern charm and overall gorgeousness, Tracey wasn’t about to be “that girl” who ended up with a white husband. Out: Entering his last year in law school, Garrett Atkins can’t complain about his life. At graduation, he’s guaranteed a job in a prestigious firm… and a wife. But one mix-up on campus introduces him to stubborn, snide and sexy Tracey McAlpine. She may not be what’s best for him, but God help him, she’s what he wants, and Rett has never been a man who has accepted being told he can’t have what he wants, no matter the consequences. |
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- A Wife for a Westmoreland (Harlequin Desire) by Brenda Jackson
(Harlequin Desire, 2011-04-01, Kindle Edition)
| For weeks, Derringer Westmoreland was haunted by memories of a woman whose face he could not recall. But he wanted — he needed — to share that intense passion again. Now. When he finally traced his mystery woman, he was met with a surprise. His fantastic one-night stand was Lucia Conyers, his sister-in-law’s best friend. And Lucia wasn’t about to become one of Derringer’s women. For the first time in his charmed life, the ranch owner had some wooing to do. And if he wanted to win Lucia’s heart, he’d better be ready to risk his own. |
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- Deceptive Nights by Sylvia Hubbard
(HubBooks Literary Service, 2011-05-18, Kindle Edition)
| When her husband leaves her with nothing, Phoebe Green vows to never give another man any part of her heart or her body without getting something in return. Jacoby Knight just wants to find a woman, who wants to join themselves with his body and not his massive bank account. These two strangers meet and find they can meet each other needs, yet one night won’t do when passion this hot meets.Characters from this book also appear in other books by this author: Dreams of Reality & The Other Side of Love. (There are some Hearts & Bellinis.) |
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