Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Vogue Photoshoot Feb 2011 - Photos

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Vogue photoshoot Feb 2011 (Behind the scenes Photoshoot Pics)

Preity Zinta celebrates her Birthday at Soneva Fushi Maldives - Photos

Preity Zinta celebrates her birthday at Soneva Fushi by Six Senses, Maldives
Away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, Bollywood's dimpled golden gal, Preity ZInta celebrated her birthday on January 31st at the very exclusive Soneva Fushi By Six Senses in the Maldives.

Katrina Kaif promotes Etihad Airline - Photos

Etihad Airways has announced the signing of internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning actress from India, Katrina Kaif, as the airline's new brand ambassador.
Having won numerous national and international awards, Katrina has made a major contribution to the Indian film industry and is one of India’s most sought-after actresses.
Etihad Airways and Katrina Kaif will work on a series of initiatives to promote the airline across India and around the world, including addressing Indian communities in Etihad Airways’ key markets such as the UAE, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Etihad recently filmed an internet video with Katrina Kaif dancing in the airline’s First class lounge in Abu Dhabi, under the direction of award winning Indian film director and choreographer, Farah Khan. The video, which has been distributed online across YouTube and various social networking sites, will be used to promote the partnership between Katrina and Etihad Airways throughout the campaign.

20 Questions with Author Cheryl Pierson

Today, Sarah's interviewing popular author Cheryl Pierson.

From your most recent release, Sweet Danger, tell us about the hero, Jesse Nightwalker.  What is his greatest strength?  What is his greatest weakness?

Hi Sarah!  Ooohh, Sweet Danger and Jesse Nightwalker.  Jesse’s greatest strength would probably be his determination to do the right thing.  He is truly a very good person, though he does have his flaws.   He is going to give himself up to the villain, Tabor Hardin, without a fight, though he knows what Hardin is capable of.  Still, that will possibly mean that the safety of the others is insured. 

His greatest weakness would definitely be the fact that he has fallen in love, hard and fast, with one of the other hostages, his neighbor.  He’s had his eye on Lindy Oliver for quite some time now, but this chance meeting at Silverman’s Deli has turned into a nightmare for both of them with the entrance of Tabor Hardin and his gang. Because of the circumstances, Lindy and Jesse’s relationship moves a lot faster than it normally would, and he realizes that ironically, after four years of not allowing himself to feel anything for any woman since the death of his wife, Lindy has broken those barriers down in a matter of hours and she, along with his son, are the two people he cares about in the world.  And if he doesn’t save them, they are going to die at Hardin’s hands.

What is the trait you most admire in the heroine for Sweet Danger, Lindy Oliver?

Lindy Oliver is young but she knows what she wants and she’s prepared to do what she has to do to save Jesse. I guess the trait I admire most in her is her ability to keep a cool head and try to manipulate Hardin with the few things she has observed about him—his contradictory soft spot for children, for one thing.  She is able to read certain things about him and use them to try to save the others. She does what she has to do, and she is very calm for the most part, even though she is horribly afraid.

Of all the villains I’ve ever read, Tabor Hardin is the best.  What are the three most important things you want your readers to know about him? 

The first thing would be the fact that revenge for what he thinks Jesse did to him by helping to put him in prison five years earlier suddenly outweighs anything else—including the ransom money that was the original motive. His hatred for Jesse takes over and blinds him to everything else.

The second would be that although he is horribly evil, he does have quirks and turns in his personality that all humans have.  No matter how evil he is, in his mind, there are some good things he’s done—and he even tells Lindy this.  That’s part of the “chink” in his armor that she is able to use to get some of the children to safety.

The third is, no matter how he might seem to be reasonable at times, he isn’t.  Ever.  He’s very convincing at some points that he might be able to be reasoned with and so on, and I think the scariest thing is that Lindy almost begins to be swayed into thinking that she might understand his thinking, but she realizes that he is too twisted and sick to even try to figure out, and that they have to just do what they can to survive, and in the end, he almost kills her.

In Fire Eyes you also had a downright mean villain the reader was sure to hate.  Why do you feel it is so important to have a strong villain?

If you don’t have a strong villain, your hero is weakened to the point that the reader might not care what happens to him, or what happens in the plot. So to me, a strong villain is very important.  Andrew Fallon, in Fire Eyes, was the only villain I have ever created that was mean just because he was mean.  He seemed to have a normal family—father, mother, and two brothers.  He was the middle child. There was no mention made of any kind of trauma that might have shaped him into being the villain he became, and that was what made him so real and so scary.  There are people who walk the earth today that, I believe, are just mean.  They haven’t had a bad childhood or any trauma, they are just evil.  In that respect, Andrew Fallon was very real.

Since the volume of your work is in historical fiction, what led you to decide on writing a contemporary?

I wrote a kind of transitional novel, TIME PLAINS DRIFTER, that was a time travel. The “travelers” were a young substitute high school teacher and some of her students from 2010 who were flung back in time to 1890’s Oklahoma Territory.  That got me thinking about other stories that I wanted to do, and I came up with an idea for a contemporary story that popped into my mind as I was having one of those sleepless menopausal nights. It started with just one scene, and from that, I went on with it to develop a whole cast of characters.  It’s called INTERSECTION, and would probably be classified as a mainstream with romantic elements.  There is a romance in it but there are a lot of characters—too many right now for it to be classified as a plain ol’ romance. While I was working on that, I wrote a couple of short stories that were contemporary, and then came up with the idea for SWEET DANGER.

Of all your books, which one is your favorite?  Why?

Gosh.  That’s like asking a mother to pick out her favorite child. LOL I love them all, just in different ways.  I always think the one I’m working on at the time is my favorite.

Homecoming is a different kind of Christmas story.  Without giving away any spoilers, what was your inspiration for such a deeply moving story?

Actually, I had written HOMECOMING about a year ago, and felt like I didn’t know where I’d ever get it published.  At the time I wrote it, it was a little shorter, and didn’t have much mention of Jack’s fiancé, Sarah.  When I was asked to submit a Christmas story to the Victory Tales Press Sweet anthology for A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, I knew that was the one.  I reworked it a bit and gave Sarah a bigger role in the story, and it has been a huge hit with so many people that it is truly humbling to think that that story has made such an impact on so many. I’m not sure of the inspiration, but I have always thought that the War Between the States was the saddest time period a story could ever be set in.  I wasn’t sure I could write a story or a novel set then.  So maybe this was my way of proving to myself that I could do it. I’ve been very happy with the finished product.

Another Christmas story included in an anthology from Victory Tales Press, you used the inspiration of an old song, Scarlet Ribbons.  Do you find that music inspires you?  Do you have any other stories based on a song like Scarlet Ribbons?

I am not one of those people who can put music on to write by. I was a classically trained pianist and also was in a band for many years with my husband, playing guitar and singing, so music is quite a distraction for me if I’m trying to give my thought to something else.  But I have loved the song SCARLET RIBBONS ever since I was a child, and when Harry Belafonte sings it, there is nothing more heart-wrenching than to picture a father trying to figure out how he can give his little girl something so simple as some scarlet ribbons for her hair. I knew I wanted to write a story based on that but wasn’t sure about the premise.  One day I was working on my long project—a novel, and the idea for that story came to me.  I put aside the novel until I had finished the short story.  There are a lot of songs I would like to base novels on.  In reality, songs are just VERY short stories, and in my mind, I think “what if?”  

Most of your work is published with The Wild Rose Press but your Christmas stories are included in anthologies with Victory Tales Press.  Because so many of our members are authors, would you tell them about Victory Tales Press?

VICTORY TALES PRESS is a wonderful company owned by Rebecca Vickery.  Rebecca and I were both contracted with an unscrupulous publisher, and when Rebecca got her rights to her stories back she took some positive action.  I admire her so much for learning about the publishing business from the ground up, and building her own company, VICTORY TALES PRESS, with a subsidiary company, WESTERN TRAIL BLAZERS (which publishes western novels and short stories, both print and e-book).

Rebecca is one of the most honest people I know and she always puts out a quality product.  Covers are done at VTP by Laura Shinn and my daughter, Jessica Pierson, and again—are very much a quality product.  I have been privileged to have stories selected for several anthologies with VTP:  A SUMMER COLLECTION, A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-SWEET, A CHRISTMAS COLLECTON-SENSUAL, A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-SPICY, A HALLOWEEN COLLECTION-STIMULATING, and A VALENTINE COLLECTION. 

All of VTP’s anthologies are “heat rated”—so you know what you are getting before you purchase them.

Some upcoming projects for this year that my stories will be featured in with VTP will be another summer collection, a mystery collection, a Christmas collection, and a very cool special project where Rebecca invented a backstory and all the authors wrote stories based on descendants of the original characters she created.

Pop over to VTP and see what’s shakin’!

Please, give us your website addy, a list of your books and a short bio.

My website is: www.cherylpierson.com

My books…okay, here you go:

NOVELS

FIRE EYES (historical western-The Wild Rose Press)

SWEET DANGER (contemporary romantic suspense-The Wild Rose Press)

http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=534

SHORT STORIES/STAND ALONE e-book format

A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES (historical western-The Wild Rose Press)

UNTIL THE LAST STAR BURNS OUT (historical western-The Wild Rose Press)

http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=534

SHORT STORIES/FICTION ANTHOLOGIES (print and e-book format)

TO MAKE THE MAGIC LAST (A SUMMER COLLECTION-Victory Tales Press)

ALWAYS AND FOREVER (A HALLOWEEN COLLECTION-Stimulating; Victory Tales Press)

HOMECOMING (A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-Sweet; Victory Tales Press)

SCARLET RIBBONS (A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-Sensual; Victory Tales Press)

WHITE CHRISTMAS (A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION-Spicy; Victory Tales Press)

A HEART FOR A HEART (A VALENTINE COLLECTION-Victory Tales Press)

http://victorytalespress.yolasite.com/online-store.php

SHORT STORIES/TRUE ANTHOLOGIES

I have several short stories published in Adams Media anthologies (Rocking Chair Reader series and Christmas series) and in Chicken Soup (Chicken Soup for the Empty Nester’s Soul)

These as well as my other works can be found at my Amazon author page.

http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Pierson/e/B002JV8GUE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

BIO

Cheryl was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, July 28, 1957, and grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma.  She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English.  She is the co-owner of FabKat Editorial Services, a division of West Winds Media.  She has taught numerous writing classes and workshops over the past years and also works on an individual basis with many of her students, and other authors, locally and nationwide.

Cheryl’s most recent publications include short stories for the Adams’ Media’s anthologies “The Rocking Chair Reader: Family Gatherings”, as well as the earlier “The Rocking Chair Reader: Memories from the Attic”.  Another of her stories appears in the Christmas 2006 edition of “Classic Christmas.”  In addition, four of Cheryl’s students’ works were also bought by Adams Media for inclusion in these anthologies, as well.

Although Cheryl has written and sold articles to local newspapers as well as short stories to nationwide publications, her first love remains romance novel writing.  She has completed five novels and is currently at work on the sixth.  She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For further information on services provided by FabKat Editorial Services and upcoming projects from West Winds Media, please visit our website at www.westwindsmedia.com.

What is your process from idea to first draft?

You know, I write everything out longhand.  I do very little in the way of note-making or outlining and all that.  I usually have a rough idea in my head and start writing a scene in a notebook.  It might be the first scene, the middle of the book or somewhere near the end.  Then I work forward or backward from that scene.  I type it into the computer on days when I don’t really feel very creative, just so I don’t have a day when I haven’t actually “done” something.

Who or what inspires you when your creative mojo is lagging?

Good question. LOL  I don’t really have any inspiration other than just knowing I have to get on with it or nothing is going to get done.  If you don’t write your stories, they won’t get written.

What importance do you place on writing workshops?  What workshops would you recommend to us?

I teach writing classes in the Oklahoma City area.  It is just invaluable to have classes where students can go to learn not only what to do to put a novel together, but where to submit it once it’s completed, and HOW to submit it.  These are all things I had to learn on my own.  I think that critique groups are one of the worst things that can happen to writers who are just starting out.  A critique PARTNER is a different matter—someone you can work one-on-one with and talk about your writing, and do the same for them, is different than going into a group where everyone has differing opinions and you are pulled many different ways.  Trust your instincts as the writer of the story. And get into a good structured class to learn what to do.  Once you learn what the tools ARE, then it’s up to you to learn to use them to show your own style and voice to tell the story you want to tell.

One of the best online workshops I ever took was one offered by Keena Kincaid.  It was about the secrets our characters have and why they are important, when to reveal the secrets, etc. If you ever get a chance to take that workshop, it is just excellent.

What person would you like to thank for inspiring you in your writing aspirations?  How did this person help you?

Probably my parents, in my growing up years.  I did a lot of reading and writing, and they always praised my imagination, and enjoyed reading my stories I wrote then. They were very encouraging.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your career so far?

I would say the three novels I’ve written and published.  Although one of them wasn’t in print for very long. I’m hoping it will find a home very soon. My first novel, Fire Eyes, was probably the most exciting solo thing I’ve ever done, because it was the first—and there is not another feeling in the world like opening up a box of books with your name on the cover.

If you won the big lottery, what would you do with the money?  Would give any of it to charity?  If so, which one?

Oh, yes!  I would have a really tough time deciding which charity to give it to, so I probably would give a lot of it to different ones. Among them would be those that include basic needs for children and animals.

What is the best advice you want to give to a new writer?

Submit your work to some of the smaller places first and build a portfolio.  Of course, everyone dreams of the “big contract” but that doesn’t happen very often—especially with your first book! Writing short pieces for magazine publication or short story anthologies can familiarize you with the submission process and help build your body of work before you get serious about submitting your first novel somewhere. Keep at it and don’t give up!

You operate an editing service called FabKat.  Would you tell our members about the services your company offers?

At FabKat we do editing for writers who want to submit their manuscripts for publication somewhere.  We do everything from line edits to offering plot modification to “fill in the gaps” for all kinds of projects.  My business partner and I have worked with numerous individuals as well as small publishing houses to prepare manuscripts for the public eye.  We also teach classes for writers at all stages of their writing projects.  Our classes include instruction on everything from the nuts and bolts of writing to how to submit the project once it’s completed.  We have also done workshops for our local library branches as well as the Indian Education Dept. in one of the major local school systems.

If money, talent and fear were no object, what big adventure would you like to have?

Hmmm.  Good question.  Probably it would be to travel to Ireland and have enough time and energy to research my genealogy there.

If you had the power to change two things in the world, what would those two things be?

I would be sure that every child got a GOOD free education at least through college and on into grad school if they wanted it.  My kids have really had to struggle to scrape up money for their education and it is just a monumental strain on what should be the best time of their lives. There are just no scholarships left for the non-minority kids out there, or very few, no matter how good your GPA is.

Another thing I would change would be that charity organizations and churches here in the USA would see to their own neighborhoods and country before trying to go off and offer aid to foreign countries.  It is terrible to think that we have people still going hungry here in our own country, with all the wealth we have.  It’s unbelievable that in the 21^st century we still have children living in poverty in our country and going without warm clothing and the necessities.  I have seen this myself in the poorer counties of my state, and I know it exists in other states as well.

I guess in other words, to boil it down, I would like to see the social programs and educational system and the charities take care of the USA before they feel they have to give away tax money to other countries out there.  Charity begins at home.  Truer words were never spoken. Of course, it would be nice not to have war, and to fix world hunger, etc. while I’m at it.   

I'm starting to believe in conspiracies!!

I'm seeing evidence all around me!

Okay, before you think I've gone crazy, let me explain. I'm a writer. Those words alone should be a "tell-all" about me. I have a BIG imagination. LOL! So, when things/circumstances start happening to prevent me from writing, I begin to imagine all kinds of reasons. None of them being MY fault, of course.

The economy has affected my Sales. Sure, blame it on that. (It's not their fault that I haven't had time to promote any of my books.) Competition is getting tougher. (Okay, that's a true statement but can I get away with it as an excuse?) The weather here has been too nice for winter and I enjoy being out. (Now, THAT'S just digging too deep for an excuse! LOL!) My life as a 24/7 Caregiver for my dad takes up all my time. (Poor dad, he gets blamed for everything!). I could go on and on with the conspiracy themes, but the truth is I'm blaming everyone but myself.

Writers write. That's the rule. I'm always telling future authors that if you truly want to write, then nothing should stop you. You plow ahead, despite all obstacles. You work around the distractions, problems, etc. and keep a writing schedule every day. If you don't work at it, then you'll never be a published author.

Okay, so how many of you are shaking your head and saying the obvious? "Kari, ever listen to your own advice?" If you could see my red face now....!

So, here's the strategy against any conspiracy to keep you from writing. You face it head on. You ignore everything else. Who cares if the world falls down around you? Write! Ignore the phones, ignore friends, stay off playing on the Internet, ignore ANY distractions. Sit butt in chair and WRITE! Easier said than done? Ahh, but think of the SUCCESS waiting for you. Start counting the published books with your name on the Covers. Smile. Ignore the imaginary conspiracies. And WRITE!

Before signing off, I wanted to THANK everyone for their wonderful support in voting my latest book, SPELL-KISSED, as the Winner for the 2010 Best All Around Book Award! I'm so honored! Please do drop by my site www.authorkari.com and take a look. Here's some more info:


Briana is a Witch with a Glitch. Normally very powerful, she is sometimes rendered helpless when her volatile emotions cause her spells to go awry. Imagine what happens when sexy Detective Hunter enters her life and causes her emotions and hormones to go crazy. Poor Hunter doesnt believe in witches or magic. Man, does he have a surprise coming when Briana accidentally transports them into a parallel world to fight a Sorcerer!

Watch the Trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Js3CM2gyn0&feature=related


SPELL-KISSED

By: Kari Thomas

Published By: Black Lyon Publishing, LLC, www.blacklyonpublishing.com

ISBN # 9781934912287

HEAT INDEX: FOUR FLAMES!

Available in: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, and PRINT!

Excerpt:

Briana froze. Oh my Goddess! She looked up to find three pairs of eyes staring at her. Cynthia’s, her cop son’s, and another man’s. Her mortified gaze locked instantaneously with the stranger’s dark blue-grey eyes. She lost all sense of anything else in the room. Everything about him registered, undyingly embedding into her memory forever.

She could almost feel the magnetic pull of him reaching out to her, drawing her to him with starkly sensual threads like none she’d ever felt before. The incredible, heart-stopping realization shook her to the depths of her soul.

Her first coherent thought was that he had to be the sexiest, most captivating man she’d ever seen. Well over six foot-two-or-three, lean, subtly muscled, wide shouldered, slim hips, long legs, shoulder length midnight black hair, piercing dark blue-grey eyes, and a sculpted face that could grace the cover of a romance novel. Whoa. Be still my heart.

And that’s when it happened. Arousal was her most dangerous emotion. In the blink of an eye, between one breath and the next, it hit her full force at the same time she mentally uttered the last words of the healing spell over the bowl she was holding.

The bowl flew from her hands and sailed unerringly across the short distance between them. Straight at the stranger! In one split second it struck, splattering the gooey mixture all over his face.

She was a witch in serious trouble. No doubt about it.

HUGS!

Kari Thomas

How to Love Yourself in 2011

Hello, visitors and subscribers!

I'm Delaney Diamond. I write contemporary African-American and interracial romance. My first book, titled The Arrangement, was released November 12, 2010 by Amira Press. Join me every first Wednesday of the month to discuss any number of topics, including my interests: cooking, frugal living, traveling, holistic health, and of course, writing.

A full month of 2011 has already slipped by, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still talk about resolving to make changes in our lives.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, love is in the air. Everywhere we go there are red balloons, signs advertising special deals on flowers, and chocolates lining store shelves. Whether or not you’re in a relationship, you can still experience love. How about showing a little love to yourself? Aren’t you worth it? Here’s how you can show yourself some love in 2011.

Forgive yourself. Let it go! Whatever mistakes you made last year or in the past in general, leave them in the past. Experience has taught me this is easier said than done. But everyone makes mistakes, and you can’t move forward in an emotionally healthy way if you don’t forgive yourself.

Eat right. As much as possible, eliminate convenience foods from your diet. Not only will you supply more nutrients to your body, you’ll save money, and you’ll probably lose weight, too. Preparing meals from scratch takes a little extra time than cutting open a package and dumping the contents in a pot, but remember, you’re worth it.

Exercise. Thirty minutes, three to five days per week can make a difference in how you feel and is good for your heart. Take a walk on the treadmill. Go roller skating, take yoga, or go for a swim. Just get moving! Always consult a physician before you begin any exercise program.

Indulge in your favorite pastime. No more excuses about I don’t have time for this or I don’t have time for that. Do a crossword puzzle, go dancing, take a road trip, or read a book. If you must, add it to your calendar and don’t miss that appointment.

So tell me, how do you plan to love yourself in 2011?

********************

Delaney Diamond writes sensual and sweet romance novels. Coming in February: a short, sensual read for Valentine's Day titled Subordinate Position from XOXO Publishing.

The Arrangement is her debut release, available now from Amira Press. Read Chapter One on the Books page at www.delaneydiamond.com. Subscribe to her blog or join her and the other romance lovers on Facebook.

Blurb for The Arrangement:

Brazilian millionaire, Leonardo da Silva, is still seething from when his African-American wife, Alexa, walked out on him four months ago. Now she’s in his office asking for a business loan to help her brother. Instead of a loan, he’s willing to give her the money, but only if she resumes her role as his wife for the next two months. She reluctantly agrees, and she soon finds herself wishing their arrangement was permanent. But when she finds out about Leonardo’s betrayal, there may be no way for them to mend their broken marriage.

Rawiya Interviews Michael Mandrake

Rawiya: Greetings fellow divas and dudes, my name is Rawiya, and I am honored to be the first post of the month. For my inaugural blog, it gives me great pleasure to introduce an up and coming writer, who is also my brother, partner in crime, Michael Mandrake. How are you, sir?

Michael: I’m good Rawiya. I tell ya, this is a different setup than the one at Wicked Sexy, huh?

Rawiya: Yep: Readers, BLMorticia could not make it in today. She’s recovering from her night out with one of the bands in town. So, Michael, tell me what got you interested in writing?

Michael: (Clears his throat) Well Rawiya, it all came down to my enjoyment as a story teller. When I figured that to be the case, I tried my hand at writing stories for free sites and ahem, adult sites.

Rawiya: Mhmm, and you told everyone that you were boring.

Michael: (Laughs) I am, just because I’m a bit of a perv doesn’t mean I’m all that fun. Anyway, people were telling me that I should really think about publishing. I thought about it a moment, and after much indecision, I went for it.

Rawiya: And now, months later, you and I are neck in neck in published stories, my friend.

Michael: Yep, but we work as a team, not in competition, Rawiya.

Rawiya: I know, but you know how I am. Okay then, tell the readers about yourself.

Michael: Well, I’m a middle aged gay man, single, still looking for that special partner. I have lots of pals though, in you especially that keep me going. I have a cat, live in a small apartment in Chicago…that’s about it, told ya, boring!

Rawiya: (Laughs) Not at all, let’s get to the latest project. Tell us about it.

Michael: Well, the latest published product is called, “Only When I Lose Myself,” part of the My Sexy Valentine Anthology edited by Sascha Illyvich. It’s an M/M contemporary romance about a musician who falls in love with a young janitor who has a social disorder.

Rawiya: Shyness?

Michael: Nope more, complex. It’s a rare form of ADD. I don’t want to give too much away.

Rawiya: I got ya. I already know the story but tell the SNSD readers the story behind the story?

Michael: Well, the inspiration is from a young man that I had been talking to online that’s in college. He has this rare form of ADD and was telling me about it. I asked him some more questions because I found it quite fascinating. After doing a little research, I came up with the story and these are the results.

Rawiya: It’s a really good story Michael. Secondly, tell us what’s next on the docket for you?

Michael: Well, besides a couple of other shorts that you and I have coming out from various publishers, I am looking to get my first novel out called African Sun. It's a four part series with book one in edits. I hope to get the first two out by summer.

Rawiya: And this is different for you, it is an M/F! (Rawiya laughs)

Michael: Yes, it is. Thanks for the help on hetero sex. I’m very rusty in that department.

Rawiya: Not a problem. Well, before we get outta here, tell us about your first book that is already out. This writing team that we’ve got going only has one sole author book available and that's yours. Congratulations!

Michael: Ah… (He waives his hand) You and BL will get there. It’s called “The True Meaning of Love” from XOXO publishing. It’s about a gay couple, older man, younger man who learn a lesson of love when tragedy strikes their seemingly perfect union. Like “Lose Myself” it was rejected on the first try and picked up on the second. Looking back on it now, I wish I added more. I hope that maybe when African Sun is done, that I’ll revisit it.

Rawiya: That’s awesome and a big kudos to XOXO, they are fantastic. They have worked with both of us. Lastly, do you have a message to our readers?

Michael: Keep reading, it’s the source of imagination and great knowledge. Instead of playing games and turning on the TV, read a book, it'll be more worth your while.

Rawiya: Preferably yours and mine.

Michael: (Laughs) Yes, exactly.

Rawiya: Thank you Michael for being here today, and thank you readers for stopping by.

Michael: Thanks everyone.