On Conversations: Interview with #AAMBookclub #Author Camille Sanders



 
The Game Ain’t Always Fair by Camille Sanders
 
Camille Sanders is a native of Coldwater, MS. She attended Tougaloo College after high school for two years, and went on to attain her Bachelors Degree from the University of Memphis in 2012. Camille discovered her love for writing in the 4th grade, when she and a group of classmates compiled a series of short stories that they dreamed would one day be made into a movie. Camille became engrossed in Urban Literature when she was 13 after reading, ‘The Coldest Winter Ever’ by Sister Souljah. After carefully researching the publishing industry, she was inspired to start her own publishing company, Madam Millie Productions. The ‘Millie’ in the name of her company is in memory of her maternal grandmother Millie, a woman whom she never had the honor or pleasure of knowing. Camille currently resides in Northern Mississippi with her daughter, Addison and often times, her darling niece Madeline Grace.
Get to know Camille:
1. When did you first begin writing?
I started writing short stories in elementary school with a group of friends. I’ve always been an introverted person, so I used writing to express myself.
2. What inspired you to write your first book?
My father inspired me to take my writing to the next level. He loved to read my poems and short stories. I read my last poem I wrote for him at his bedside, two days before he slipped into a coma. He told me to promise him that I would “do something” with my writing. So, completing and publishing my first book was keeping my promise to him in a way.
3. Tell us about your new book, The Game Ain’t Always Fair.
TGAAF is an urban tale with an original storyline about three young women. It’s a coming of age tale with a lot of twist and turns. What I love about this book is there is something for everyone. From romance to drama to tragedy to sisterhood, it’s all there.

4. Do you write from personal experience?
Yes and No. Some of the things in my book, are based on personal experiences and some are not. For example, one of the girls is a single parent, and I found myself venting some of my frustrations I had towards the whole “deadbeat dad” thing through the character. On the other hand, one of the characters is very cold and unfeeling, and can kill a man and not think twice about it. I’ve never done that. (laughs)
5. What new authors have caught your eye and/or gained your interest with a new release?
Although her book came out a few months back, and has been out a while, I loved Love Lee’s Already Taken. I have been antsy for the sequel since I read it.
6. What kind of advice would you give someone looking to break into the literary industry?
I would say do your research and seek counsel from productive sources. If you are interested in self-publishing I recommend reading manuals and how-to books that offer guidance. There are plenty of them out there, and remember ‘google’ is your friend. Life Changing Books also offers an online boot camp for those authors who are interested in self-publishing. No matter which route, you take never give up and stay the course. You will get discouraged at times, and hear a lot of “No’s” before you see any results. No matter what, is this is what you desire to pursue, keep pushin’ against all odds.
7. How can readers contact you and where can your book be purchased?
I can be contacted or reached at:
www.facebook.com/camille.a.sanders
www.twitter.com/literarydiva89
www.camillesanderswrites.com
misscamille2007@yahoo.com
My books can be purchased at: Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, Smashwords, or iBooks.

Time Reese has lived the good life for as long as her memory can recollect. Time’s undeniable beauty and affluent family background are merely masks for her promiscuous, abrasive and “out for myself” mentality. She makes for a great match with cold-hearted kingpin Trell; and together the two go on to operate one of the most merciless drug enterprises Memphis has ever seen. But when a familiar face resurfaces, and digs up the demons of her painful past, Time finds herself at a crossroads that may force her to make the ultimate choice. Tearney Richards is struggling to raise her two kids, both from different men, on government assistance. A chance encounter puts her in the crosshairs of Ethan Kish, a big time record label Exec who gives her the one thing she’s always dreamed of- a record deal. Her life begins to change dramatically and the girl who once had nothing now has everything. But, at what cost? Brena Sheldon went from waiting tables to living in the suburbs with a successful attorney. After his jaw dropping secret life is revealed, Brena gets an attitude makeover, moves out of state and embraces a new life. She soon becomes engaged to hoop star Darrell, and believes she has met her Prince Charming finally. Is he who he proclaims to be or is it all just smoke and mirrors?
Take a ride with these three friends as they face the harsh reality that, The Game Ain’t Always Fair.



On Conversations: Interview with Forever and a Day #author Jae Henderson



Interview with Forever and a Day author Jae Henderson
Get To Know Jae:
This is the third book in the Someday Trilogy. What can readers expect?
Like my previous books, this is an inspirational romance and my characters experience several faith-challenging situations in their relationships, friendships, and careers. However, this one extends the story with suspense and a great mystery as I slowly reveal who has been stalking Tee and Michael for over a year. It’s a wonderful “who done it” with a Christian twist. It also contains words of encouragement and scriptures for those who are celibate, dating, as well as those in relationships and marriages.
Do readers have to read the first two books to understand Forever and a Day?
No. I wrote each book in a manner that allows them to fully understand the main occurrences in the previous books and prevents them from feeling lost within the story. However, I encourage those who haven’t read the two previous books to do so. Each character has an interesting story that has evolved with each book. For the month of February, the ebook versions of Someday and Someday, Too will be on sale for only $1.99. I hope people will take advantage of this limited time special and download them.
You write Christian/inspirational romance but your books contain love scenes. Why do you include those?
I don’t feel that I can realistically illustrate the amazing bond than can occur between a man and a woman and ignore the physical aspects of it. Christians have sex, too. My love scenes are always tastefully done. But my genre also includes the word romance and I recognize that romance includes more than sex. I make sure that love is illustrated in other ways such as acts of kindness and words that make your heart melt. The characters in my books include married couples who enjoy love to the fullest and celibate singles. I have messages to encourage those who are traveling those roads and the ones in between. It is important for me to include something for everyone. Everyone isn’t having sex just as everyone isn’t abstaining from sex.
What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is my love for people and my desire to help others live the best life possible. I believe our relationship with God is a major part of that. I want to encourage others to read their Bible and seek His will for their lives. I also want to let the world know that Christians have fun! So many people think that you stop having fun and live a boring life in order to do God’s will. That is so not true. I try to make my characters realistic, which means they have flaws, so that people can see themselves in them and see how much more fulfilling life can be when you live according to the Word. I really am living the good life!
Now that the Someday Trilogy is being put to rest, what’s next?
I am in the process of writing books that contain some of the minor characters in the Someday series. I am enjoying creating backgrounds for these men and women with fresh storylines for my readers. I will also continue to release short stories in the Things Every Good Woman Should Know Series. These estories provide me with the opportunity to encourage and inspire women to be the best they can possibly be in their spiritual, professional, and social lives.
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
I LOVE connecting with my readers. It warms my heart every time I talk to or get a message from someone telling me how much they enjoy my books. Every writer wants to feel that they are contributing to the lives of others, even it is by simply allowing them to escape their reality and immerse themselves in a good book. It’s a very gratifying experience. So, please keep the face to face comments, emails, Facebook posts, and Twitter tweets coming.
What’s one personal thing you are willing to share to your readers?
My mother was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and kidney failure. She spent nine days in the hospital and by the grace of God, she is fine now. I am now working hard to make sure she understands the importance of taking her medicine every day and getting her routine dialysis treatments. She can be stubborn. It’s a challenging time, but I am grateful that she is still with me and God is enabling me to care for her. She is my motivation to succeed.

Forever and a Day by Jae Henderson
Synopsis:
Tee and Michael Stokes have realized that life for them will never be normal. As heads of a new entertainment management company and expecting parents, its now more important than ever to figure out if their stalker, Rebecca DeFoy, is dead or alive. If she’s alive, will she kill again? If she’s dead, who is impersonating her and why? Whichever the case, they must put an end to the harassment once and for all before she puts an end to them.
Their friends have drama of their own……
Tiffany has traded in her tight clothes and stilettos for big hats and conservative dresses as she tries to prove to one of Memphis’most promising young pastors that she is worthy of a man in the pulpit. Can she control her feelings for Michael, or will temptation ruin her chances for love and her friendship with Tee? Lenice has entered the world of online dating. Her keystrokes can’t mask the pain of a failed relationship, but they could lead her into the life of an elderly millionaire. Lenora’s weight loss has changed her body and her attitude for the better, but her husband’s job at the Kitty Kat Club may be too much for even the new and improved Lenora to handle.
Excerpt:
“Thank you for calling MiTee Management, how may I help you?” asked Sheba in her sweetest voice.
“Yeah. Can I speak to my momma?” said a young male.
Sheba hated prank phone calls. She had better things to do with her time than play with somebody she couldn’t see.
“Sir, I think you have the wrong number. Everyone in this office is childless,” she said rudely.
“No. Tina Stokes is my momma. Tell her that her son is on the phone. She’ll know exactly who you’re talking about,” the young man insisted.
Sheba was sure he was crazy. Tee didn’t have any chil-dren yet, and if she did, whoever was on the other end was way too old to be her child, but she decided to humor him. “One moment please,” she said and pressed the button to put him on hold. She then pressed the extension for Tee’s office. “Boss Lady, there’s a young man on the phone who says you’re his momma. Do I need to get rid of him?”
Tee giggled. “No, Sheba, that’s my baby. I’ll explain lat-er. Put him through.”
Her phone rang two seconds later. “MiTee Manage-ment, where we are lifting our clients to new heights. Tee Stokes here. How may I help you?”
Tee loved to say the name of her and Michael’s new management company. They selected MiTee because it was a combination of their names and it sounded like the word
the nation. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. They had only been in business two months, and MiTee Management was currently responsible for maintaining the I’m A Good Woman brand and executing the I’m A Good Woman Empowerment Conference. They also managed Michael’s career as a motivational speaker and book author, Tiffany’s Magic Touch Mobile Massage, and now gospel hip-hop artist Icy Blak. It was an eclectic bunch, but nothing she and Michael couldn’t handle. So far, their assistant Sheba was the only employee, but they were looking to add an additional manager to the team so Tee could attend solely to the baby after he or she was born.
Things took off much faster than either of them could have imagined. After the word circulated that MiTee Management existed, many of the celebrities she and Michael knew called to see if they would be interested in managing them. They turned most of them down because they didn’t want to take on too much too soon, but when Blak called, there was no way Tee could deny him. He was her mentee, and she was honored that he wanted her to help manage his career. They finally had the details worked out, and Blak would be in town tomorrow to sign the contract. She was quite proud of the businessman he was becoming.
“Hey, Ma! I liked your name better when it was Tina Long,” teased Blak.
“Boy, I told you I am nobody’s mother. At least not yet, and I think my new name is beautiful and my new life is beautiful!” Tee looked down at her small, almost three-month baby bump. She was actually enjoying being preg-nant. She got to eat as much as she wanted, and everyone pampered her. The breast swelling was annoyingly painful, but she was secretly excited about the notion of added cleavage. They seemed to be getting bigger every week. She hoped the added inches would stay once the baby was born. Although she didn’t enjoy the morning sickness she first experienced after finding out she was with child, it seemed to have stopped. Odd eating habits were the newest phase in her pregnancy. She dipped a Cool Ranch Dorito in applesauce and chewed it loudly in Blak’s ear.

Web-Links:
Check out my inspirational romance novels “Someday” and “Someday, Too”! Visit me!

MATERIAL WITNESS by LA Mondello makes the #USATODAY #Bestsellers List! #authorrt

Forgive my being AWOL for the last few weeks.  I've been celebrating MATERIAL WITNESS hitting the USA Today Bestseller's List.  As you can imagine, it has been quite a thrill for me.



Here is the link: http://books.usatoday.com/book/la-mondello-material-witness/l49154 

You see, most of the time writers hole up in their offices or bedrooms or comfy living room chairs and pen their novels.  Alone.  We write and rewrite and then revise and proofread and then someone else proofreads more and then the book goes through the publishing process.  Although no book ever gets to the finished stage by just one person, the actual writing and laboring over the book is done alone.  So when something big happens, like making the USA Today Bestseller's List, a writer comes out of his or her cocoon to celebrate.  And I did.  I celebrated with everyone who had a hand at being a part of the process of bringing MATERIAL WITNESS to its success.

So that's where I've been for the last few weeks.  Do you really blame me?

Never fear, I have managed to get some writing in the last few weeks too.  I'm a little being on getting Leaving Liberty, book 5 in my Texas Hearts series, finished, but I'll be able to catch up soon.  And I have great plans for a new series to debut in the fall.  More on that to come.

But for now, I want to let you know about a new trilogy of books that I am participating in with two fabulous authors.  Karen Sandler, Barbara McMahon and I have taken book 1 of our most popular series and combine them into one Box Set for readers to sample.  If you enjoy my books, you'll love books by Karen Sandler and Barbara McMahon.  The new trilogy is called Unsuitably Perfect, stories about how opposites attract!  Check back in the next few days to get a glimpse of the new cover and for release date information.


My best,
Lisa 
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