Posted in #BlackGirlMagic, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction, IR erotic romance, New Adult, Novella
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He’s a comedian. She’s an up and coming singer in the 1950s during segregation:
The chanteuse Contessa Earle, and her husband comedian David Latimore, from the decades spanning novel The Queen of Comedy
Big Love for Rhea Chappelle comes in the form of big man on campus Yohan Sukari, in the new adult ebook One on One
Pictured: Rhea Chappelle going for a jump shot in the ebook One on One.
One on one female athletes depicted
Nyesha and Takeshi, from the erotic Interracial ebook SENSEI
Posted in #BlackGirlMagic, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction, Paranormal romance
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Well, February has come and gone. My apologies, but I really wasn’t in a Valentine’s Day mood since my mom’s death, but I’m slowly getting better.
So, here are a few of my fictional lovers who rock:
Pagan and Karnage promo. She seems to be smitten with him in this promo, happy that he’s “mine.” And his expression seems to be “back off, because yeah, she’s mine.”
Paranormal Power couple: Karnage and Pagan are quite adventurous in the bedroom. That’s all I’ll say for now.
I did a few more with this couple. They are featured in an upcoming ebook. I think I’ll use this image for a new page on this site.
Young Love – Tanner Joseph and Nathalie Childress, teen lovers from The Saint of BOYStown.
I’m going to use this promo for my upcoming novel The Queen of Comedy:
And since TQOC takes place over several decades, including the 1960s, this JET magazine cover is sadly ironic:
Blast from the Past:
I want to end this post on an upbeat. So I’m posting this actual photo of an African American flapper from 1920s, by African American photographer James Van Der Zee:
See more of his wonderful photos of the past here:
The works of James Van Der Zee
Posted in #BlackGirlMagic, E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction, Women's fiction
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There was a time when black comedians were the hottest ticket in town. A comedic renaissance bloomed in the 60s, where a variety of different funny men and women tickled the fancy of American audiences. Let’s see, there was George Kirby (Kirby was also a master vocal impersonator), Nipsey Russell, Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Pigmeat Markham, Dick Gregory, Paul Mooney (also wrote for several other comics, like Richard Pryor), Scoey Mitchell, among others.
Female comics I recall watching on The Ed Sullivan Show included Totie Fields, Joan Rivers, Moms Mabley, Anne Meara, of Stiller and Meara (Ben Stiller’s mom), Phyllis Diller, and Carole Burnett. And of course CBS had the number one female comedian, Lucille Ball (who had other sit-coms after I Love Lucy, which co-starred her then real life husband Desi Arnaz).
I must also mention Jackie Gleason, Frank Gorshin (a wonderful impressionist) and especially the late, great George Carlin, talented funny men who were also popular back in the day.
The Queen of Comedy is the tale of a fictional black comedian, from her youth in the 1920’s, until she’s older and recalls the highs and lows of her career. One such highlight is her time at The Moulin Rouge, a real establishment that broke barriers. I’ve included links on The Moulin Rouge that are below the GIF:
It’s Her Time – The Queen of Comedy will be released shortly
. . . Then came the Moulin Rouge, in 1955, a neon cathedral dedicated to the proposition that the only color that mattered in Vegas was green.
Link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-vegas-hotspot-that-broke-all-the-rules-165807434/
A copy of this mag can be purchased here: https://www.oldlifemagazines.com/june-20-1955-life-magazine.html
Dancers from the Moulin Rouge during rehearsals in 1955
Posted in #BlackGirlMagic, E books, Excerpts, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction
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This is one woman’s story.
I really need to release my historicals (that also feature romance), so that’s what I’m fiddin’ to do 🙂
I enjoy writing love stories. But I also enjoy crafting historical fiction and Scifi featuring leads of color.
A historical romance that’s already been released on Amazon.com is JUKEBOX:
JUKEBOX Volume One – Midwest teens become America’s first interracial singing duo.
THIS EBOOK WILL BE RELEASED IN FEBRUARY MARCH:
Pictured: Stand up comedian/ film actress Honi Hawkins and her nephew, David Latimore, 1960s sit-com star and stand up comic.
The Queen of Comedy takes center stage. Also pictured: David Latimore.
As a child star David Latimore had a winsome, bucktoothed grin and expressive, molasses brown eyes. His film debut was in a musical feature when he was seven, around 1941, just after World War II broke out. The tiny angel costume he wore looked more like a white nightgown with a bent coat hanger stuck up his back with feathers glued to it. The white sparkles they’d given him to toss around always made his nose itch. “Saints and Sinners” was a Vanguard studio rip-off of “Cabin in the Sky” and MGM’s “Green Pastures.” But “Saints and Sinners” proved to be such a money maker that a couple of songs from the film score had been top forty hits.
Posted in E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction
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Pictured: Stand up comedian David Latimore and his wife, singer Contessa Earle
Contessa Earle’s glamour photo in black and white
To be continued . . .
Posted in E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction
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Since I was already researching the past (The Queen of Comedy, JUKEBOX Volume 1 and JUKEBOX Volume 2) I decided to write a book on African Americans during World War II. Specifically, The African American WAC during wartime.
African American WAC Nina Womack during WW II
A look at the Army life of an African American WAC during WWII
PFC Nina Womack in 1944
I’ve also written two books featuring a multi-cultural group of women in today’s military.
Sisters of Mercy ebook cover
Posted in #BlackGirlMagic, E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction, Women's fiction
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The beautiful woman with the hourglass figure gracing the cover of author Nichelle Gainer’s book “Vintage Black Glamour” is actress/singer Eartha Kitt.
Beautiful and talented, the late great Eartha Kitt
So don’t let anyone tell you that black people didn’t have a middle class or wealth during segregation and during the swinging 60s, because there are a number of photos and writings that prove otherwise. From Madame C J Walker, to sports heroes, educators, inventors, businessmen and businesswomen and entertainers, African Americans resided in a variety of socio-economic lifestyles.
We were, and still are, not a monolithic group. Whether through education or ambition, undeniable talent or heart stopping beauty, blacks back in the day became successful in spite of obstacles like inequality.
The book Vintage Black Glamour can be purchased on Amazon
Brief bio on Eartha Kitt from The Guardian.com:
” ‘Once called the “most exciting woman in the world” by Orson Welles, Kitt became a singer and dancer whose suggestive and sensuous performances captured the public imagination in the 1950s. Her former lover Charles Revson, the billionaire founder of Revlon cosmetics, even created a lipstick for her, calling it Fire and Ice. In the 1960s she made the role of Catwoman her own when she became the first black woman to achieve mainstream TV success in America with Batman, even breaking racial taboos by flirting on screen with Adam West in the lead role.’ ” – Adam Luck
Read more about Eartha Kitt here
Additional examples of black cool and glamour:
Popular band leader and singer Billy Eckstine. Women swooned mightily over this man.
Singer Della Reese
Before Sidney, before Denzel, there was fine as hell trailblazing actor James Edwards
Boyishly handsome Sam Cooke not only sang, but also wrote his biggest hit “A Change is Gonna Come.” Other songs by Cooke include “You Send Me” “Only Sixteen” and “Bring it on Home to Me” (Lou Rawls also sang on this hit).
Lola Falana and Sammy Davis Jr
Can you name these famous black celebrities?
Highlight the blanks for the answers: 1. Nat King Cole 2. The Nicholas Brothers 3. Josephine Baker
4. Sammy Davis Jr 5. Dorothy Dandridge 6. Lena Horne
7. Sidney Poitier
Here’s my fictional glamorous heroine from the soon to be released The Queen of Comedy:
Click the photo to read an excerpt from The Queen of Comedy
Dinah Washington was known as the Queen of Jazz and also the Queen of Jukeboxes
Nina Simone. The Legend.
Jazz artist and actress Nancy Wilson
Abby Lincoln, Singer and Actress
Posted in Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Historical womens fiction
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His name is Ozzy, and he’s a fictional rapper in my ebook The Player:
Veterinarian and sometime singer Adam Takaura is also introduced in the book. Since I already had Hui’s spot on imitation of Michael Jackson in the ebook HUI, Adam’s passion is for R&B music.
There are a number of Asian singers who can SANGGGG. Check out JiHwan, 지환 He’s South Korean (1/2 of duo called 2BiC). I first saw him on Youtube in these videos: JiHwan covers R&B singer Joe’s “(All The Things) Your Man won’t Do”
JiHwan covers R&B singer Donnie Hathaway’s “A Song for You:
I LOVE his voice.
You can check out his new video here:
Just finished up some new promos for JUKEBOX Volume II, the sequel to JUKEBOX Volume I. Volume II is set in the late 1960s to the 1970s:
Funk and Soul Diva Simone Westwood is married to badboy Southern Rocker Johnny Burr in the ebook JUKEBOX Volume II.
Black Power salute and the African roots movement are featured in JUKEBOX Volume II
Posted in Adult Novella, Adult Novellas, E books, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction
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My Wednesdays will never be the same now that EMPIRE is on hiatus until the fall. I’m so happy for Taraji P. Henson, as well as the other stars of the show.
Only Cookie can tame the supernaturals of NIGHTSTALKERS
As I mentioned in a previous post, I need to get back to a few of my older novels in order to take them forward with their sequels. JUKEBOX II is also on that list:
Simone Westwood goes solo during the 1970s, releasing her inner funk diva in JUKEBOX Volume II
I’m going to include JUKEBOX One in the MARCH MADNESS deals that kick off this week:
Posted in Adult Novella, Adult Novellas, Blog, Contemporary Romance, E books, Excerpts, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, New Adult, Paranormal romance
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Hmmm . . . it was faster to file a copyright and upload my Sampler on Scribd than Amazon.com
So, I’ve gotta go with Plan B. Click the cover and you’ll be re-directed to SCRIBD: **Update** Since its now live on Amazon I’ve taken it off Scribd in accordance with Amazon’s terms of service. Click the cover and it re-directs to the Amazon page:
A FREE PDF download is available for a limited time on SCRIBD. Just click the little “Share on social networks icon” to the right of the page:
**UPDATE** So the book is live on Amazon but the wait continues, because the nearest date to list it as free is tomorrow, Sept 30th.
Posted in Adult Novella, Adult Novellas, Blog, Contemporary Romance, E books, Excerpts, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, Women's fiction
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Before September ends, pick up the **FREE** Wikkid.Sexy.Cool. Book Sampler on Amazon starting Sunday, September 28th Or Monday, Sept 29th, because it takes a bit longer for a book to go “live” on Amazon now.
I’ve been busy writing and honoring my promise to create more works with Asian, African, and First Nation lead characters.
I’m calling this promo Stock up September, where expanded excerpts from many upcoming novels will be featured. Some examples:
I did a couple of mock up promo posters using different effects.
In the land of the rising sun a free woman is enslaved, until a Samurai pledges his sword . . . and his love
I realize historicals may not be for everyone, so I’ve also got a few contemporary novels with diverse leading men that may appeal to readers. But I truly enjoy researching and writing historical novels for women.
The Prince, a character featured prominently in the scifi time travel novel Miss Brighton’s School for Exceptional Young Ladies which also features magicians of the 19th century. The Prince is from India.
Posted in E books, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, Women's fiction
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I wanted to do something special for African American history month, so I think I’ll release The Queen of Comedy. While there is romance in the book, there’s also a lot of history. It’s an epic, generational tale that spans the 1920s until the present day.
I’ve posted a five chapter excerpt of The Queen of Comedy and I’m going to have a free download this week on Amazon with fifteen chapters (this book is long). It’s more for those who enjoy fictional history, especially the history of African Americans who were stars and were wealthy during a time period that had barriers, both visible and invisible. In addition, there’s the rivalry between family members when one becomes a bigger star than the other.
It’s an exploration of family dynamics, and how black women were viewed during that era, especially those who were highly independent.
Brilliant comic. Flawed woman. One legendary career.
Most people recognize the face, if not the name. That apple cheeked, rich brown face with the inviting smile that adorns baking products worldwide. Older movie goers fondly recall her role as the friendly, wise cracking maid in over one hundred films. But to her family and spurned lovers, the tongue of Honi Hawkins was brutally uncompromising and anything but funny, as she strived to become THE QUEEN OF COMEDY. ©
Posted in Adult Novella, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical womens fiction, Paranormal romance
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I’m busy editing and working on promotional GIFS for a number of ebooks, like RAZHER, Rise of the Gargoyles, RUSH, Gaijin and the upcoming serial The Men of Hilton Hall.
More GIFs will be up shortly!
Over at RED, I’m experimenting with a new photo gallery plugin, in order to show more multicultural books from various authors on the site. I think I’ll go with multiple sliding galleries, because that way more books can be highlighted.
Posted in Adult Novellas, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, New Adult, Paranormal romance, Scifi, Urban Fantasy, YA Paranormal
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It’s Download December, where readers can get early access to some of the new books coming out from wikkid.sexy.cool.com
Starting this week, multiple chapter excerpts will be available to download on Amazon. The excerpts will be in a variety of genres, from scifi, military, suspense, new adult and commercial fiction (with a romance and diverse characters at the core of each story)
A motorcycle gang protecting their territory
Refugees attempting to revitalize a run-down area
A deranged man determined to keep his loved ones imprisoned
It all begins and ends in a RUSH
Posted in Adult Novella, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical womens fiction
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I’ve decided to write a few blogs posts regarding Race and Romance, to be housed in another section of this site. I hope to put up the first post this Saturday, since I’m using the long weekend off from work to hunker down and get more stories finished.
A few novellas I’ve created covers for that I’m currently working on are below, and they feature a number of older characters. I think all these models are stunningly beautiful women and I’m committed to the creation of works that feature diversity, but also making certain my covers represent not just African American women, but women of color from around the globe who are far too often under-represented in romance:
Valerius Rex, a sword and sandals tale set during the Fourth Crusade
There’s an interesting discussion going on at Dear Author, regarding the woeful state of the Historical Romance genre. Here’s the link:
http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/we-should-let-the-historical-genre-die/
Regencies appear to be the only historical romances major publishers are promoting.
But only a handful of authors are able to profit doing Regencies, so where does that leave authors who wish to write of the past, but not in the Regency time period?
Well, I don’t have the answer to that. All I know is I’m readying a couple of books that are definitely historicals, but not so much historical romance, though loving couples are part of the storyline. One is GAIJIN. The other is an era spanning epic called The Queen of Comedy, which tells the tale of a legendary female comedian during the 1930s and 40s, and her less than successful nephew who played a hip, wisecracking manservant on TV during the 1960s.
Gaijin – A Colored Maiden’s Voyage and Recollections of Japan in the 1860s
GAIJIN
The Queen of Comedy takes center stage
JUKEBOX Volume One is a YA Historical, set during the 1960s.
Posted in Blog, E books, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, Scifi, Urban Fantasy, YA Contemporary
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Working on: Editing Love scenes
Listening to: Maxwell’s Whenever Wherever Whatever and Robin Thicke’s Lost Without You
For which books: HEAVEN and The Queen of Comedy
The Queen of Comedy takes center stage
Excerpts from Queensrealm and the Queen of Comedy will be up this weekend.
Posted in Blog, Contemporary Romance, E books, Historical fiction, Historical womens fiction, Novella
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I’ve made a change to the cover of JUKEBOX Volume II:
JUKEBOX Volume II
This was the previous cover:
JUKEBOX Volume II (Old version)
Since the covers depict the primary characters (Eli, upper left, Simone upper right, Johnny in the middle) during the 70s, the new cover makes Johnny a bit more prominent.
JUKEBOX Volume II
With the 60’s coming to a close, Simone Westwood Burr is a nineteen year old superstar dubbed the “Siren of Soul” with her funky, cutting edge music. Now married to the ultimate bad boy of Southern Rock, she tries to juggle a career and being a new mother, Continue reading
We’ve (my daughter and I) finally reached agreement on the cover for the second book:
JUKEBOX Volume II
The three main characters are still represented on the cover, with Eli pictured in his new profession during the end of the 60s into the 70s, which is as a Spaghetti Western star. Simone embraces Funk music and Johnny’s demons drive him from country into Southern rock, and finally hard rock.