Romance author Michelle Monkou has a really nuanced and thought-provoking post on race and romance over on her new blog. I like that she comes at the issue from a variety of different angles and shows that the issue is neither cut-and-dry nor black-and-white. You can check out her post here:

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

This is how we do the old to the new…

Maybe it’s about a sweet melody and an inspiring message… I don’t know. But I do know that I get almost the same hyped-happy-I-can-accomplish-anything feeling when I hear Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky” that I get when I hear Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.” I don’t know if it is the melody, or the thought of moving on up and touching the sky. But I do know that Kanye did well by the Curtis Mayfield classic. And I love the video for Kanye’s video because it takes us back to the early 70s. Nostalgia. Gotta love it! I also like the nod to Evil Kanevil. I could have done without Pamela Anderson and Tracey Ellis Ross in the video… But other than those two, it’s a pretty cool video. I can almost see why he threw a fit when he didn’t when an award for this video a few years back. I mean he did spend a million dollars for it… He should have won that world video award… LOL. Just kidding… Anyway… Enjoy!

Curtis Mayfield, “Move On Up”

Kanye West, “Touch the Sky”

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Author Dyanne Davis was kind enough to feature me on her website. I asked Dyanne to be my author for March when she set up the interview between me and the vampire Adam Omega. She in turn asked me to be one of her feature authors and I couldn’t say no. It was a fun interview so check it out. And be sure to stop back on March 1 to check out my interview of Dyanne.

You can read her interview of me here:

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Katherine D. Jones’s Perilous Passions

Talented author, Katherine D. Jones left us far too soon when she passed away last May. However, she left us with one final work to enjoy along with her many other novels. Her latest release Perilous Passions was just released by Parker Publishing and I can’t wait to read it. I had the pleasure of interviewing her last year. You can check the interview out here:

Book Blurb:
Former policewoman, Karen Bryant, creates a new life for herself after a career-ending injury. Instead of finding a way to help criminally-troubled families in her Cleveland neighborhood, she finds a way to prevent criminal activity with a program aimed at the youth. Unfortunately, her one obstacle appeared to be sexy officer, Caro Spencer. Caro Spencer is a cop with a chip on his shoulder. He’s been tasked to work with Karen, following his convalescent leave, and he’s not happy about his reassignment. A misunderstanding separates them, but once they realize they’ve both been immature and stubborn, they find that anger was just a cover up for a sizzling desire for one another. Karen and Caro fight crime during the day and fight their passion for each other at night, until unstoppable desire pushes them over the edge. Karen and Caro fall headlong into each other’s arms and into a Perilous Passion that will have them fighting for their lives and their love.

Romantic Times Book Review:
“This late author’s talent for characterization and plotting is obvious in this steamy, suspenseful and unforgettable novel, her last — and possibly greatest — work.
Summary: Karen Bryant is the director of a youth center that brings in police officers to mentor students. Caro Spencer, a police detective assigned to work with Karen’s center as a part of his rehabilitation, is not happy about being a “babysitter.”
Karen and Caro clash at their first, second and third meetings, but one thing they’re both clear on is the searing-hot chemistry that envelops them whenever they’re in the same room. Can they protect each other when there’s danger lurking around every corner?” ~ Eleanor S. Shields for Romantic Times Book Review

Those Magic TV Moments…

Do you remember the soap’s first black super couple, Angie and Jesse from All My Children?

Well, they’re back!

And all I can say is black don’t crack for real! Debbie Morgan and Darnell Williams have reprised their roles on All My Children and they look like they haven’t aged a bit it the twenty years that have passed. I have to admit this super couple predates my soap addiction. I vaguely remember some of their story line. But I didn’t really become hooked on soaps until college. I wasn’t so addicted that I scheduled my classes around them or anything, but…. Anyway, I have weaned myself off of the soaps too many times to count. And now they’ve taunted me by bringing the first black super couple back, complete with a “back from the dead” storyline. You know I couldn’t resist. I mean there’s no secret baby or anything… But back from the dead is just as intriguing to me. I had to see what she would do when she saw him after twenty years. I knew what I would do. I would hug him and kiss him and cry and scream and just be so happy before I hauled off and slapped him and said, “Nucca! Where the hell have you been for 20 damn years?” But this is daytime TV we’re talking about and I guess they didn’t want to go there. I know I’m probably the only one who has been sucked in by the return of Angie and Jesse. I’m the only one watching it on Soap Net when she comes home at night. But at least the return of Angie and Jesse has cured me of my Food Network addiction for now….

Check out the promo for the return here:

The Sweetest Taboo by Risque

Here’s the blurb:

The sweetest taboo–if you want it, come get it. . . .

Yuri and Drae are keeping secrets–each caught up in her own whirlwind of scandal and passion. They swore as children that they would never conceal anything from each other, but now, as adults, they realize that not everything is meant to be told. Yuri is married to Jeff, a man she never really loved yet settled for. During a trip to the Caribbean she begins a torrid affair with her longtime friend Britt, a rising reggae star she has always secretly desired. Drae, a high school guidance counselor, is married to Hassan, a sadistic porn king who makes her “audition” his actors and actresses while he gets off on the wild, and not always consensual, sex. As Yuri and Drae struggle to keep up their double lives, their clandestine cover-ups come to light–and the consequences are more than either of them bargained for.

Here’s what I thought:

Last December when I made my usual monthly… err… okay… bi-weekly… err… okay, fine… weekly trip to the book store, I saw this book by an author whom I hadn’t heard of before. I have to admit I made a couple of trips past the book before picking it up. There was something about the cover… It didn’t really speak to me. I guess I’m just not all that turned on by naked women on a cover. But something, I don’t know what, kept bringing me back to this book, beckoning me to pick it up. Maybe it was the author’s name. Bold, one word, cool: Risque . In any case, I picked up the book after about the third time walking by it and read the blub. ‘Hmm, interesting blurb. Seems like it’s going to be full of drama,’ I thought. So I purchased the book. I started reading it that night and stayed up all night to finish it. The book was so good I went back and re-read parts right after I finished it. I had one of those ‘how in the hell did she do that’ moments that we writers get when we read a really good book. The book was so amazing to me that I got up from my bed, went to the computer to try and figure out who this Risque person was. By now you can probably sense this isn’t a typical book review. That’s because I can’t really put into words all the things that I loved about this book. It was funny, full of drama, hot as all get out, took my emotions through the ringer and back again, and it even had some romantic elements. The characterization was crisp, on-point and made for a dynamic read. I had so many laugh-out loud moments as I read it. And the sex scenes had me searching for a fan… or something. It’s like Risque figured out a way to combine the best of a variety of genres and mold them all together in this one fantastic read. I think the book should be a case study for how to mix and blend elements from a variety of genres. It has become one of my favorite books. And I’ve since figured out who this author is and found some of the books she has written under her real name and she has become one of my must-read authors. If you are interested in reading a fantastic blend of erotic, urban, romantic and comedic fiction that will make you laugh, cry and get good and mad all while you turn the pages as quickly as your little fingers will allow, then you are looking for The Sweetest Taboo . If anyone else has read this book, I’d love to hear what you thought about it.

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Yasmin Coleman and the ladies of APOOO will be featuring a different black author each day of black history month with wonderful and insightful articles. Today is my day! Check out my feature “Sex, Love and All of the Above: Some Thoughts on Erotica and Romance.”

Check out my author spotlight and all of the other wonderful articles here:

I’m sending you cyber chocolate, wine, chocolate covered strawberries and lots of good vibes. Enjoy the day!

Much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Tyhitia the “Demon Hunter” will be honoring four African American poets during Black History Month.

“In celebration of Black History Month, I have decided to feature four poets whom I admire. I’ll feature a different poet each week during the month of February. I love poetry and will post my favorites by each poet. Please remember that Black History is everyone’s history.”

Check out her post on her blog:

The Black Romance Reader will be highlighting African American Romance authors on her blog this month and there is a chance to win fun prizes!

“In the silent recesses of Black History Month lie the many, many talented men and women who have picked up a pen (or turned on a computer) and set their thoughts onto paper for all to see. During certain times this was dangerous, as it was, for a moment in history, illegal to teach a slave to read and write. Later, it morphed from being accepted, but only if writers stuck to “black subjects” like slavery, racism, and “the struggle.” And to an extent it still is today. But I don’t want to worry at the hardships black authors experienced; Black History Month is supposed to be a celebration. So to celebrate the achievements of black romance authors, I am hosting a scavenger hunt where many fun prizes can be won. Starting Monday, a six o’clock am, keep your Google skills handy.”

Be sure to visit her blog and participate for your chance to win! Check out the contest here:

Yasmin Coleman and the ladies of APOOO will be featuring a different black author each day of black history month with wonderful insightful articles.

“During the month of February, join us as each day we will spotlight a different author and recognize their contribution to African American Literature. 29 Days of wisdom, wit and perspective.”

Check out the wonderful author spotlight articles here:

The Romance Slam Jam schedule is up. And it is jammed packed full of lots of interesting workshops and reader sessions. This is going to be one great Slam Jam! Check out the schedule here:

On Valentines Day I will be giving a reading with fellow Central New York romance author Cara Summers.

“Love in the Afternoon: A Reading and Discussion about Romance Writing with Carolyn Hanlon (Cara Summers), the Writing Program, and Gwen Pough (Gwyneth Bolton), the Writing Program and Women’s Studies
3:30 p.m., 500 Hall of Languages
Gwen and Carolyn will read selections from their latest romance novels and will talk about working within and against the genre of romance writing. A book signing and reception will follow.”

Check out the write up about the event plus wonderful reprints of articles written in the town newspaper about Cara and myself here:

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Is No Not Clear Enough For You? , Angelia Vernon Menchan

Angelia Vernon Menchan’s latest release Is No Not Clear Enough For You? proves that sometimes it’s about more than a book. It’s about a mission, a calling and a passion. She pens a novel for young women advocating the power of saying no to others and yes to themselves. An in doing so she brings her passion for working with young women and her passion for creating dynamic and engaging stories together. I wanted to highlight, Angelia’s latest book because I think it’s amazing and encouraging that she has found away to bring her passions together in what she calls “ageless fiction.” I interviewed Angelia back in August, and I’m very pleased to have her back to chat about her latest book.

So Angelia, can you tell us a little bit about what sparked your desire to bring the wonderful work with young women that you’re doing in the community together with your fiction writing?

AVM: It was time and very necessary, young women are being cultured to say yes to everything. They are often not allowed voices. I see many successful adult women who feel they must do it all, because they were never taught to say no to anyone. As young adults they are taught that no matter how smart they are they must take care of everyone and everything and often to their own detriment. Looking back I think most women will find they wished they had said no more often. No doesn’t have to be a negative if it is about not being pressured, manipulated or shamed into doing something that isn’t good for you, or that leaves you unable to care for yourself.

GB: Malaaka Green is a teen facing pressures that many young women face and many succumb to. The teenage pregnancy rates and growing HIV/AIDs rates for young women of color show that many young women are having a hard time when faced with having sex before they are really mentally ready. What is your biggest dream for the impact that sharing Malaaka’s journey might have?

AVM: My biggest prayer and dream is that through Malaaka, young women will see that there are choices. My experience has taught me that mostly teenage girls are becoming sexual before they are ready, simply to please someone else, oftentimes a boyfriend. Or more frighteningly they are using their bodies to get material things. Not realizing that no amount of ‘stuff’ is worth giving away their very essence. Through Malaaka and my own experiences I want them to know they can say NO, while having fun, going to church, parties, dating and all the really cool things that are out there. Most, importantly they can get educated and have empowered lives and great family relationships. The most compelling part of Malaaka’s story is how much she learned from her elders mistakes.

GB: I think we can all relate to Malaaka’s struggles, and perhaps some of us wish we could go back in time and hold what was precious to us by saying no at that critical time in our lives. Are there any other issues that teens face that you plan to deal with in future books? What do you think is most pressing issue for us to be concerned with as far as teens today are concerned?

AVM: Actually, in the African-American community there is an issue that astounds me and that is the one about not allowing people to know you are smart. I saw a bit of that with my youngest son, he had awesome grades and won scholarships but most of his friends thought of him as this real, hip-hop kid, as though it weren’t important to be as smart as you are hip. He never disclosed his grades or how well he was doing academically. Fortunately, for him he had parents who didn’t fool around when it came to grades and responsibility, but we are going to have to kill this idea that proper speech patterns and good grades aren’t “Black” enough. So, I will definitely be writing about that!

GB: What’s next for you? Do you plan to write another Young Adult novel?

AVM: I will, but I am actually writing Schae’s Story right now. Schae is a woman at a spiritual crossroads. She has used her beauty to get what she wanted from men since a very young age. At forty-five she knows she should be on a higher spiritual path. What people, particularly the men in her life will discover is under all that makeup and behind those curves lives a spiritual, smart woman who is on the road to transformation. There are components of her young life, however, that will explain why she became who she was perceived to be which ties into my young adult messages.

GB: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us about this important project, Angelia!

Thank you Gwyneth for always supporting authors and allowing us to talk about our work, bless you!