Vocal Expressions

This is my first time reading a Christian suspense novel and anything by Alana Terry. The book cover drew me in along with the storyline. So, let’s meet Blessing, a struggling mother of a 5-year-old son with a baby on the way. She is trying to get herself together after surviving a life of prostitution, physical and mental abuse, and drug addiction all of which she suffered at the hands of her psychotic ex-boyfriend, Jarrod.  This is my first time reading a Christian suspense novel and anything by Alana Terry. The book cover drew me in along with the storyline. So, let’s meet Blessing, a struggling mother of a 5-year-old son with a baby on the way. She is trying to get herself together after surviving a life of prostitution, physical and mental abuse, and drug addiction all of which she suffered at the hands of her psychotic ex-boyfriend, Jarrod.  She was adopted out of the foster care system by a pastor and his wife who supported her through everything. Now in her thirties,...

Author’s Bio:  After a lot of life happening, Tracie Angela Greene finally started writing the novel she yearned to read. Upon completion of her debut novel— Enisi, The Bleu Realm —she delighted in realizing how aspects of her authentic life inspired elements of her novel, like growing up in a Georgia suburb playing fearlessly in her backyard forest. Like when as a student at Pratt Institute, she worked in the library where she regularly hid in the “stacks” flipping through the pages of vintage Ebony magazines, and one day flipping to photos of her father, discovering an article about him that no one in her family knew existed. Like her beautiful eclectic gardens where magic springs! Like her grandmother, who didn’t think twice about raising someone else’s child if needed. Like her other ancestors, a blend of blood and "love" relatives who were determined southern black folks educated in schools, and the streets. Like realizing her creativity is God in action .   Deliah L...

Author’s Bio: Lea Whitney is a graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and spends her days working her day job as a REALTOR®. She can always be found with a book in tow, and after reading thousands of love stories, she decided to put her fingers to the keyboard and let the love flow out.  Her debut novel, titled Running: A Love Connection Novel was published in 2017. Afterward, she immediately dove into several stories in her mind, writing loves she would want to read. After begging from a friend, she released her second novel, Built to Last: A Love Connection Novel . When she’s not working, writing, or reading, Lea is playing golf, traveling, spending time being the coolest aunt ever, and drinking wine!  Deliah Lawrence: What do you think makes a good story? Lea Whitney: Strong characters. Without deep and enthralling characters, no matter how good the story idea is, the final story will fall flat. The characters make or break the success of the stor...

I was drawn in by the title as well as the cover of this novel by Delaney Diamond and was curious how this love story would unfold. So, let’s meet Simone Brooks, a wealthy socialite who’s smitten by the handsome, Cameron Bennett, an owner of Club Masquerade, one of the hottest clubs in Atlanta. Sparks fly but there’s the issue of whether he’s good enough for her. What I really enjoyed about this novel was that love prevailed but not without a few hiccups and soul searching. Simone has a very philanthropic heart ever since she was a child growing up in a very wealthy family. Unfortunately, she was never lucky in love having recently broken up with her boyfriend and adjusting to moving from Seattle to Atlanta. The attraction between her and Cameron was instantaneous. She had a certain flair about her and spent lavishly on anything she wanted. He was a hard worker who was careful with his money, loved the outdoors, cooking and being with his siblings. Their worlds were different and Sylvi...

Author’s Bio: Laura Hurubaru is the Founder of From Scratch to Cash FAST University. After a long healing journey, she figured out her purpose in life and created her own process to help other women do the same. Through her unique system, she is helping thousands of women who’ve found success in the corporate world, launch online profitable businesses built around their own purpose.   Laura herself remains remarkably humble, though she does acknowledge that the fearless fighter within her will always be there when needed.   “People say I’m determined and that I get what I want. I say that I live my life aligned with the beliefs and values I hold most dear. When faced with every hurdle in front of me, I find a way to clear the path.”   You can read more about Laura here: www.laurahurubaru.com   Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Laura Hurubaru: Last year I was looking for ways to get my message out more. And I’d almost landed a deal to ...

Author’s Bio: Amy L. Bernstein writes for the page, the stage, and forms in between. Her fantasy novel, Ell , is due to be published in July 2021, followed by a second novel, The Potrero Complex , next summer. Amy’s plays have been performed and read in the U.S. and the UK. She publishes regularly through publications hosted on Medium. Amy was a 2020 finalist for the Petrichor Prize for fiction, and her YA novel, Fran , the Second Time Around , won the YA category in the Maryland Writers Association’s 2020 Keep it Short novel writing contest. Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Amy L. Bernstein: At the time I wrote Fran , I was parenting a teenager and grew fascinated by the emotional issues that teens address as they figure out the world. I was especially interested in how teens cope with tragedy, the ways in which they are resilient but also benefit from assistance when the world feels out of control.   DL: How do you handle writer’s block? ALB: When ...

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary romance novels. This month I read one by Tami Lund. The storyline piqued my interest and I couldn’t wait to see how Kennedy who was burned by her ex-husband would give her heart to Jack, a federal agent/playboy whom she met at her cousin’s wedding.   The attraction between these two characters was instant. Their one-night stand turned into a passionate relationship neither of them said they wanted. Kennedy told everyone her ex-husband cheated on her but the truth was he stole her money and disappeared. She was too embarrassed to tell anyone and shied away from opening her heart to love again. Jack, on the other hand said he was lousy at relationships. But when he went undercover as a male stripper to catch a serial killer knocking off the dancers, he found out how much he wanted Kennedy in his life when she was kidnapped by the killer. He would risk anything to save her.    While I enjoyed the story there were parts t...