Vocal Expressions

This was my first time reading anything by Claudia Burgoa. The storyline drew me in and I couldn’t wait to see how Jackson Spearman, an impatient, demanding, and very private billionaire would fare against Amy Walker, a clever virtual assistant who took over while his assistant went on maternity leave for three months. The story unfolded via a blend of emails, text messages and in-person meetings at various places. I enjoyed the back-and-forth banter emails at the beginning of the story between Jackson and Amy. Jackson, the ever-stubborn CEO and Amy’s ability to expand his taste in food, music, and places to explore was quite a task but she accomplished this in her devious ways.  They then settled into a rhythm of sharing quotes and playlists. This led to them divulging more personal things: dating, trust issues and heartbreaks. Without giving away too much of the story, when they finally met in person (revealing who they truly were) it was to resolve some confusion and ultimatel...

Author’s Bio: Desmond Williams is an educator, former principal, and author. He has spent his entire professional career working with youth serving as a teacher and principal.  He received his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Howard University and his master’s degree from George Washington University. He started his career as a special educator. His expertise includes, support for Black males, restorative justice, relationship building, and family engagement.  Desmond served six years at an all-boys school in Washington DC, teaching for four years and serving as an administrator and principal for two more years.  Afterwards, Desmond launched Nylinka School Solutions which helps educators increase their level of engagement and investment in boys of color.  Desmond released his first book, The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in Modern America, in February of 2020. Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Desmond Williams:  ...

Author’s Bio: “The thing I write will be the thing I write.” Chris wouldn’t trade his northeast Philly upbringing of street sports played on blacktop and concrete, fistfights, brick and stone row houses, and twelve years of well-intentioned Catholic school discipline for a Philadelphia minute (think New York minute but more fickle and less forgiving). Chris has had some lengthy stops as an adult in Michigan and Connecticut, and he thinks Pittsburgh is a great city even though some of his fictional characters do not.  He still does most of his own stunts, and he once passed for Chip Douglas of My Three Sons TV fame on a Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. He’s a member of International Thriller Writers, and his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (PA), and the Maryland Writers’ Association. He likes the pie more than the turkey.  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Chris Bauer: Zero Island is a crime thril...