If you have not seen it yet, go and check out APOOO’s amazing new website! Yasmin has really outdone herself with the slick new design and it has all kinds of great new features. You can check the
site out here.

And while you’re over there… check out who was one of their featured authors…

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Welcome to my new spot! Along with the new look we’ll have a different format here on the blog. I’m still working out the logistics. But I hope you all come along for the ride.

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

I made it back from lovely Urbana, IL this afternoon. I’m so tired I need at least a three hour nap. Traveling can be so taxing… Anyway, I found out about two more great reviews for Protect and Serve . APOOO gave it 4 Stars. Here’s a snippet of the review:

Protect and Serve was a real life story that answered the question of whether home is really where the heart is. Bolton addressed many issues that suddenly pop up while preparing for a funeral and some issues that families simply try to hide and not discuss. The story was funny, a bit of a mystery and romantic. Once you meet the Hightower family, I am sure you will look forward to reading the other books in the series. ~ Priscilla C. Johnson, APOOO Book Club 4 Stars

And The Real Page Turners gave it 5 Stars! Here’s a snippet of the review:

Bolton proves why she is an award-winning author in this captivating story. She stirs in dangers of the hood, mixes in a little dysfunctional family spice, and peppers the story with the breakdown of friendships which cooks up a sensual love story. The characters add to the recipe by using strong emotions that will unveil family secrets that will either tear them apart or bring them together. As in most African American families, Big Mama’s spirit helps them – to forgive each other, overcome prideful spirits and love as families should. Protect and Serve is the first part in the Hightower Honors series and if this is any indication of future installments…they are must haves for any romance lover. ~ Deltareviewer, The Real Page Turners Reviewers, 5 Stars

Check out the wonderful review here and leave a comment if you get a chance:

And the third Hightower book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. Just in case you can’t stand to wait. LOL. You can pre-order your copy here:

Now it’s time for a little nap…

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

I’ll be gone for a minute. I’m headed to Urbana, IL for work-related travel. I’ll check in when I’m back later this weekend. Have fun while I’m gone…

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Protect and Serve is a powerful story about truth and drama in the ‘hood.’ Ms. Bolton captures the primal essence of the hopelessness prevailing in the inner city while showing the strengths of family, spirituality and love that is essential in overcoming that hopelessness. A truly beautiful love story that will keep you captivated until the end. ~ Lani Roberts, Affaire de Coeur Magazine

A well written book with thwarted love and a little mystery thrown into the mix, Protect and Serve is a sensual romance with which to while away a pleasant afternoon. The romantic tension and sizzle when Penny and Jason are in the same room make this a book a romance that readers won’t want to miss. ~ Marilyn Heyman, Romance Reviews Today

Gwyneth Bolton masterfully handles some serious social issues in Protect and Serve without allowing them to overpower the romance.
~ Debbie R. Sims, Romantic Times Book Review

John Pough
August 17, 1946 – May 4, 2003
I always loved you more than you knew. Rest in peace, Daddy.

Luther Vandross, “Dance With My Father Again”

Happy Father’s Day, everyone. If you are blessed enough to have your father still here, give him a hug and appreciate the time.

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Deniece Williams has one of those voices that calls to mind all that is sweet and good and pure. I swear it sounds like the clearest of chimes and bells. I’ve been a fan of her music ever since I was a kid. “Silly” got me through many a grammar school crush… In high school, “Free” seemed like the perfect thing to be when a relationship I thought was going to last forever came to that parting fork in the road. “Let’s Hear it for the Boy”… “Black Butterfly”… “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle”… I could go on and on listing songs of hers that I love. I wish I could hit those high notes like her. Here’s a live performance of “Free.”

Free

Do you remember Deniece Williams? What songtress from the 80s did you love? I could probably add folks like Stacy Lattisaw, Gwen Gunthrie, Shirley Murdock and many more. But Deniece Williams will always be high on my list of female vocalists with voices that just take you there. Who’s on your list?

much love and peace,

Gwyneth

Check out K. D. King’s hilarious post on Big Girls in romance. I have to say I feel challenged to write more big girl heroines after reading it. It’s laugh out loud funny and thought provoking to boot. Check it out and join the conversation over on her blog, No Sex in the Metro.

Algebra Blessett

If not… you really should be. Her voice is amazing. Her lyrics meaningful and soul-stirring… I could go on and on about how much I’m feeling her debut. I knew I would love her when I heard the single “U Do It For Me” last year. So I anxiously awaited the CD.

U Do It For Me

Then I got the CD and realized I pretty much loved every song on it. It is the kind of CD you can play track after track without skipping. And I love that! But my favorite song on the CD is “Run and Hide.” Yep, I have a new favorite singer to add to my list.

Run and Hide

So what’s getting heavy rotation in your CD players and IPods right now?

Things that Make You Go Hmm…

That was an old Arsenio Hall line for those of you old enough to remember the show… Anyway, ever since Mariah Carey married Nick Cannon folks have been wondering what in the heck she could have been thinking. And I have to say, at first I raised my eyebrow because he’s so much younger than her. Then I figured she got a little “Tender Roni.” Good for her! But then I started thinking and I thought Mariah might be on to something… I came up with the a little theory. So bear with me…

In 1987, Patrick Dempsey was a dorky looking guy who played in the film Can’t Buy Me Love . It was all about a, well dorky guy who paid this rich beautiful girl to pretend to date him so that he could be popular.

In 2003, Nick Cannon was a dorky looking guy who played in the black remake of Can’t Buy Me Love , Love Don’t Cost a Thing . Now before you start saying so what, Gwyneth… Let me say… Patrick Dempsey went from skinny dork to McDreamy.

And I’m not saying Nick Cannon is going to all of the sudden morph into a stud muffin in about ten years… although brother is getting cuter and buffer as the years go by…

But I’m just saying Mariah might be on to something and she might have picked her future McDreamy a little early so that she can watch him blossom… I’m just saying… What do y’all think?