LaConnie Taylor-Jones is in the house....

LaConnie Taylor-Jones, a native Memphian, is a health educator consultant and holds advanced degrees in community public health and business administration. Married, she is the mother of four and resides with her family in Antioch, California located in Northern California. She is also an active member of the Contra Costa Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the African American Community Health Advisory Committee, Black Women Organized for Political Action, and the San Francisco Area and Black Diamond chapters of Romance Writers of America. You can visit her website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/.

When I'm With You Synopsis:

Caitlyn Thompson meets Marcel Baptiste when her car breaks down. Towed to one of his BMW dealerships, she initially thinks he’s the mechanic. They are drawn to each other from the start, but Caitlyn’s issues with trust become apparent.Caitlyn has no idea Marcel is the anonymous benefactor to who she submitted a grant request. Although Marcel realizes Caitlyn’s identity, he keeps the connection quiet. Marcel becomes aware of Caitlyn’s reticence to share personal information, but he refuses to be dissuaded. He slowly draws her into his protective embrace and loving family, and Caitlyn must free herself from her fears and allow Marcel to bring her the love and joy she deserves.

Read the excerpt!

Caitlyn tightly clutched her small handbag to her chest. “Thanks again for dinner. It’s been a wonderful evening.”

Marcel drove Caitlyn back to her apartment after dinner since she’d taken BART to San Francisco to meet him. Seated inside his plush, black BMW, Caitlyn glanced over to find he’d turned his back against the door. From the moment he’d put the car in park, he hadn’t said a word, but his penetrating gaze spoke volumes.

As far as she was concerned, he didn’t need to speak because what she saw in his eyes said it all. She saw unabashed desire and it burned her to a crisp. She knew if they ever got together, they would set off a five-alarm blaze.Caitlyn tore her gaze away and stared out the front windshield. Fear from the past reared its ugly head. At this point in her life, she didn’t want to feel an attraction for any man, and she certainly didn’t want to feel it this soon for the one sitting next to her. She’d experienced one disastrous relationship all because she’d foolishly placed her confidence in someone she thought she could trust. That error had nearly destroyed her, and it was one she’d vowed to never make again.

She sucked in a deep breath. “Marcel, I-I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” The words came out hoarse and choked, despite her best effort to maintain a rock-steady tone.

Marcel frowned. “Why?”

“I-I’m not the right person for you to get involved with.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong on that one, Caitlyn.” He grabbed her left hand. “Can you honestly sit here and tell me I’m solo in what I’m feeling?”

It was a long while before she could say anything. She could no more deny the attraction she felt for Marcel than not take her next breath. “No, and if I knew how to stop my emotions right now, I would.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it. “Tell me what you feel.”She turned to him, staring with a soft gaze. “When?”

“Right now.” He kissed the inside of her palm. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

“When I’m with you, I feel safe...like nothing in the world can ever hurt me.”

“Then hold on to that.” Releasing her hand, he inched over and braced his arm along the passenger seat. Caitlyn glanced over at him. “What do you feel?”

He trailed his finger along her cheek and focused on her lips. “I feel like I’ll lose my mind if I don’t kiss you.” Despite the darkness, he tried to search her eyes for permission. He wouldn’t rush her. She’d been hurt once and he vowed no one would ever do it again. He waited patiently for her answer. The moment she looped her arm around his neck and parted her lips, it was all the acknowledgment he needed.The kiss started out gentle, but grew hotter, more urgent, and she moaned under the assault of his mouth. Marcel deepened the kiss, and she clutched the lapels of his jacket as though they were a life preserver that would protect her against the carnal storm threatening to sweep her out into the Pacific Ocean.When they parted, Caitlyn fought to breathe, fought to control her heart, which was beating as if she’d run a twenty-mile marathon. With her head bowed, she placed her hand at the center of her chest. “There’s something you should know.”

Marcel released a long sigh of satisfaction. “Talk to me.”

“I-I’m ...”

Marcel gently lifted her chin and met her gaze. “Come on, Caitlyn. Talk to me.” He stroked his finger along her brow. “You can trust me.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “He hurt me.”“What did he do?”The words lodged in her throat. The pain was still too raw, the hurt too deep. Caitlyn shook her head, an indication she wasn’t ready to discuss it.

Marcel nodded his acceptance of her stance. “Listen, whenever you’re ready, all right?”

With a solemn look, Caitlyn turned her face to hide the fear in her eyes. “I’ve been running from him for three years.”

“Is that why you’ve been so reluctant to share information about yourself?”

“Yes.”

Without uttering another word, Marcel got out and walked around to the other side of the car. He opened the passenger door and helped Caitlyn out.Caitlyn looked up at him. “Marcel, I’ll understand if you don’t want my baggage at your doorstep.”

He didn’t bother to shut the door and kept his gaze steady with hers. “When can I see you again?”

Married People Sex

Yep, the title is correct. Believe it or not, married sex has become a writing fetish of mine. Having been married for--let's just say I almost got the dust from Moses' march across the Red Sea--I realize that hot, steamy passion is thought to diminish over time. We are taught to expect this.

But why is that? Honestly, I can't live a life without passion. As long as I'm able to "use what my mama gave me" I will. And I refuse to have pitiful, dragging "married people's sex" in real life or in my character's lives. Why can't the sheets being on fire be the norm not the exception? Why does married sex and boring pop up on the word association game.

I write how I like living for the most part. There is always an element of "me" in every story. How miniscule or humongous it is, I won't tell, but I'm there. (I'm a big voyeur) So when there is an opportunity to put a fresh marital dating idea out there or situation or X_my choice here__ I seize it. As Tyra says, I become "fierce!"

Again why?

If I write it well, he will come...and come....and come. Win win all the way around.

Peace out

Syd

Another Virtual Book Tour for Sydney!

Follow me around cyberspace as I blog about Devil's Orchestra here, there and everywhere!

http://www.sydneymolare.com/calendar_II.html

Thanks to: Virtual Book Tours for Authors

Afraid to Live and Afraid to Die...

My title thought hit me out of the blue a few days ago. How many of us don't live like we want because of our own fears yet we aren't ready to die either? Ironic indeed.

What, exactly, is the problem with our mental hard wiring? Why do we allow outsiders who are unknown/contribute nothing to our well-being to control our destiny? Why get all bent out of shape when you get a bad review. Consider the source, evaluate whether the content is worthy and realistic but don't let words written by a "shadow human" stop your show.

My mother was a fearful woman. She always told me I could do anything, yet she was afraid to do almost anything unless I pushed her. I wanted her to try so many things but she died having never flown, ridden a cruise boat or traveled outside of the country. Vacations were always long driving events. Fly and lay around in a hotel and chill? Uh uh. Wasn't gonna happen. If you didn't have an agenda, you were wasting your time, her time and that was NOT allowed.

I oftentimes now wonder where her fears came from and why she allowed them to hold her back. But I also know she couldn't have always been this fearful. My uncles told me stories of her riding horses, working with animals. In fact, she had a scar where she fell from a horse. Where was THIS mama as I grew up? I never saw her. I think she lived her adventures through me since I love challenges and would jump into a situation without a parachute in a heartbeat.

But one thing I do know, writer's you can't be afraid to live the life you want. Somebody is, so why NOT you? Because when you die, unlike money, you CAN take those great stories with you.

Think about it.

I May be the next candidate for the Witness Protection Program...LOL

Why?

Well, it all started around 6:30 AM on my radio show You Don't Know Jack!

Carol and I had author, Dennis Griffin, who just happened to have written a book entitled Cullotta, based on the real life mafia crime figure, Frank Cullotta.

At ~6:35 and 45 seconds, give or talk, is when the fun really began...

It seems that Frank is alive and well BUT in the Witness Protection Program AND Frank sometimes shows up with Dennis at his book signings AND Frank currently has a standing contract on his life. Now I didn't know all this very essential-need-to-know information when I asked Dennis if he'd like to do a joint book signing...

OK, Is this wild or what???

Dennis even hosts Mafia tours in Las Vegas AND he and Frank jump on occassionally to the thrill of the customers. I can see the tour bus exploding just after Carol and I buy our tickets.

Check out this photo of Dennis. He looks like a mafioso himself, huh?

Anywho, join me at www.blogtalkradio.com/sydneymolare to hear what Dennis has to say about possibly getting "whacked" and other good stuff. He also will join us this Sunday @ 2pm EST for the "Books Instead" on You Don't Know Jack!

Pray that we didn't reveal any info to the bad guys....

Can't say we don't keep it interesting... LOL

The Sexiest Man Alive author, Diana Holquist

I had the great pleasure to host Diana on You Don't Know Jack's radio show. I'm sure you guys will enjoy her just as much as I did...

I love to write. That’s pretty much all I do. Ask my family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that I rarely find time to get dressed in the morning. Actually, if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. "Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool," say my filthy children. God bless them, they don’t know what panty hose are.

Oh, my poor husband.What else do you want to know about me? I love kids. I love cats. I love chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order.) I live outside of Philadelphia now with my husband, two kids, and one cat.


You can visit Diana's website at http://www.dianaholquist.com/


SEXIEST MAN ALIVE

Synopsis:

Jasmine Burns has always wanted to know the name of her one true love. Her sister Amy is a psychic who can read the name of a person's true love, but she's always refused to tell Jasmine hers...until one day Amy needs Jasmine’s help bad.

When Amy finally gives it the name, Jasmine can't believe it. How is it possible that her one true love is People Magazine's SEXIEST MAN ALIVE, one of the biggest box office movie stars around, and a fixture on the red carpet? Shy by nature, Jasmine envisioned warm nights spent cuddling in front of the tv with her beloved, not the frightening flash of a paparazzo's camera as he chases her down the street. This can't be true!

For once in his life, Josh Toby wants to be taken seriously as an actor. He's sick of playing either the boy toy or the action star—he wants parts he can sink his teeth into. So he's done the scariest thing he can imagine—he's accepted a part on Broadway in "Romeo and Juliet". The problem: no one can know it's him or it will turn into the second coming of the Beatles.

The solution: an undercover disguise at the hands of budding fashion designer Jasmine Burns, the most charming, genuine, and delightfully eccentric woman he's ever met.Before long, chemistry sizzles between the shy wallflower and the most recognizable movie star in the world. But can true love really blossom between two polar opposites?

Check out the trailer: YouTube

Guest blogger- Michael Simon

I hope everyone's holiday was wonderful! Today, we have author, Michael Simon dropping in. Michael is the author of four novels, the latest being The Last Jew Standing. Visit his site at http://www.michaelsimon.info/.

Living with Your Main Character
By Michael Simon

As the fourth of my Dan Reles novels gets launched into the universe, I think back on how Dan came into my life. I was a struggling New York playwright, hoping to buy fame, fortune, and more important, immortality, by writing a crime thriller. I had no trouble finding secondary characters for the book, villains and colleagues often modeled on my co-workers in the probation office in Austin. Neighbors and stoolies and girlfriends.

But a main character is harder. He has to be vivid, and also three-dimensional. Distinct, but dynamic, changeable.

For many of the supporting characters, I had an image in mind, often a real-life acquaintance, just as often an actor, a face and a voice onto which I could graft a personality of my own creation. (Torbett was played in my mind by the actor Joe Morton.)

But the main character was harder. I knew he’d be with me all the time, for years.

So I started with the old acting technique, the magic “if.” To get to the character, I imagined what I would be like, if I were living under his circumstances.

To start, I’d be about three inches taller, an even six feet. I’d have broad shoulders, and an extra seventy pounds of muscle. Instead of being stooped with the posture of someone who spends his life in front of a computer, I’d be stooped with a boxer’s musculature. And I could punch. And I’d have the power of arrest. And a gun.

Dan’s mother left when he was ten, leaving him in the care of his emotionally distant ex-con father. So I’d be tough, jaded, and damaged.

An image came to mind, far enough from me that I could see him. A cross between, say, Nicolas Cage and Adrian Brodie. He developed a speech rhythm. He became real.

He lived in my brain for nine years.

Michael was also my guest at You Don't Know Jack blog and radio show. Visit: www.youdontknowjack.blogsavy.com and www.blogtalkradio.com/sydneymolare to read and listen to more Michael.

Talk to your food? Intuitive Cooking with author Dyan Garris!

Hello everyone. Today we have a guest, author/clairvoyant Dyan Garris, whose latest release in her Voices of the Angels series is: Talk to your Food: Intuitive Cooking.

For many years, Dyan Garris has been counseling clients in order to help them positively move forward in their lives. She is clairvoyant, clairsentient, and clairaudient. In addition, Dyan is also what is known as a voice recognition psychic and trance channel. This means that she can help her clients via phone, which is how she conducted her readings throughout her career.

Growing up in Illinois, Dyan became aware of her clairvoyance, and other gifts, at a very young age. She spent years learning how to appropriately use these gifts for good and to help others.In 2005 she created a CD series of music and meditation for self-healing, relaxation, chakra balancing, and vibrational attunement. Her interest in music began as a child. A blind piano teacher taught her to “feel” music and “see” through different eyes and influenced her at a young age. Dyan continued her music studies with the violin. Through the violin, she learned how easily music vibrates throughout the body and, hence, all of the chakras. This was her first lesson of how the power of music and sound could be used for healing.

New Age recording artist and creator of a music and meditation CD series for vibrational attunement, Dyan Garris is the author of the innovative cookbook, Voice of the Angels Cookbook – Talk To Your Food! – Intuitive Cooking. This is not just an ordinary cookbook. The artist calls it an adventure in opening one's creative centers.“Intuitive cooking is listening to your inner voice and hearing what your body wants to be fed,” explains Garris. “Communicate with your food so that it can transform from raw ingredients into what nourishes you on every level. We all have the ability to create that which resonates for us in a complete, healthy way. It’s vibrational attunement of mind, body and spirit using food, rather than sound frequency, as in my CD series. This does not necessarily translate into lettuce and tofu,” she continues. “You learn to make what your body wants in a loving and delicious way. My goal is to teach people to feed not only the body, but the mind and spirit, as well. Turn ordinary food into something special. Talk to it!”

The cookbook is available at the author’s website: http://www.voiceoftheangels.com/, where Garris posts an inspirational Daily Channeled Message.

The cookbook includes twelve channeled messages, such as, "The Secret Recipe of Life," “Ode to Popcorn," and numerous "Intuitively Speaking" paragraphs .The book comes with a warning: This is real food! A variety of original recipes are included, from sinfully rich “Love Bars," to "Healing Soup," easy fish recipes, and skillet suppers, incorporating enticing blends of colors and flavors. The author's Greek heritage shines through in such recipes as "Easy Baklava Roll-Ups."Garris learned to cook from her grandmother. “She didn’t measure anything! I would ask, ‘How much?’ She replied, ‘Some.’ ” This fueled Garris’ curiosity about food preparation. Her family’s restaurateur background allowed Garris to further develop her culinary skills. “I’ve been talking to my food for as long as I can remember!”

It's coming...

Satisfy Me Again (978-0758221919 )

Folks, it is with pleasure that I announce my upcoming anthology novella, Satisfy Me Again, will be released December 2007!

My novella, Matinee, also known as book 2 of this anthology is my first paranormal work. I truly enjoyed how I stretched my imagination forming the various characters in this story.

Here is a quick synopsis:

Mina Sinclair has witnessed a mob shooting AND the mob knows who she is and where she lives. She is quite aware of this once the "stranger" shows up at her house requesting that she be quiet, avoid the police and a suitcase full of cash for "any inconveniences." Mina wasn't slow. She knew hush-hush money when she saw it...and she also knew the mob had a short memory. No gentleman's deal was valid when they saw fit to change the terms.

Mina took the loot and hot-footed it out of town, ending up in St. Paulus, a small logging community. Of course, she had no job, no clothes and no transportation. But she did have a good bit of money--even if it was dirty--that she could put towards her dream: Owning her own business. After juggling the figures, that dream transitioned into: Finding a place she could live and work.

As luck had it, there was an empty building in St. Paulus--an old XXX theater. Mina felt the building had "good bones" and bought it immediately. Of course the mind-blowing orgasm she had in the film room probably had something to do with it.

What Mina doesn't know is the old theater is inhabited by its former owners--John and Cal. They've been cooped inside the walls for thirty plus years...and are horny as hell. The Reinitiation into Sex, aided by an unsuspecting Mina, has them jubilant...as well as upping the ante.

Join Mina, John and Cal for this hot, illicit and ethereal ride.

Let's Celebrate!

Wanted to drop you guys a line to let you know that my short piece "Uma" was selected by Zane to be in the upcoming Purple Panties: The Eroticanoir Collection anthology.

Just when I thought it was a no go too. I'd encourage any fellow authors to submit, submit, submit. Competition is good for the soul and validates your writing, or it does for me in my mind.

ALSO, heard from Kensington Books (Satisfy Me/Satisfy Me Again) and I have been asked to be part of another novella collection. Guess we are meeting the advances. LOL. Satisfy Me Again will drop in either December or January and I'm guessing the next novella collection will be at least a year in the distance.

I'm also getting good feedback on Payback, Inc., my work in progress which is slowly consuming my mind. Who knew I could be as devious as I'm becoming **wicked laugh**. As always, Payback is still posted on the myspace blog, www.myspace. com/sydneymolare (Click on the blog link) as well as being graciously hosted by my author soulmate, Sylvia Hubbard at www.sylviahubbard. blogspot. com.

That's it. Smooches and remember, I'd love to have you join me on my Global Blog Tour! Just drop me a line.

Peace out,

PS: For this impromptu celebration, if you bring the champagne, cognac, wine, MD2020, Boone Farm or a 40...I've got the cups

Syd

Sydney Molare' Books...Fiction that satisfies the soul...
Website * Blog * YahooGroup * MySpace* Radio

Kim Robinson- family dedication

Dedication from the Roux in the Gumbo

Watching the shell that remains of my maternal Grandmother, devoid of her vibrant life, her encouraging smiles and constant conversation was the final factor in my decision to vote with the rest of the family to let her expire. We could not allow her to continue to endure so much pain.

Throughout her entire life this woman took good care of any and everyone who came into her world. It just does not seem fair. Then again, how often was fair a factor for black people?

Anyone who had ever been in the company of her spirit would know that she would not want to exist this way–her body twisted from multiple strokes, her limbs failing, and the cancer eating away at her spine. This was more than any soul should have to bear. To starve her to death seemed so cruel, yet it was the only legal way to let her pass on. The fate of someone who had fed half of Los Angeles was to starve to death.

Helen, whom everyone called ‘Mother,’ would feed anyone who was hungry. She always said, “Anything I give, God will make sure I get back tenfold.” You had to know her to understand her way of thinking. Maybe this book will help to clarify and glorify a woman who is certainly an angel in heaven. When she died, she left seven children, twenty-four grandchildren, and thirty-eight greatgrandchildren.

Mother was the kind of woman that no matter what you did she is “gonna” still love you unconditionally. Don’t get it twisted now, she would be the first to tell you when you did wrong, but still be there for you.

Anyone could knock on Mother’s door or come into her café, and say they were hungry and she would feed them. If you needed clothes, she would take you to her second-hand store and clothe you. Many people took advantage of this, but she knew exactly what was going on. More often than not, when these people got on their feet, they always came back to repay her. Some said they could never do enough for her. Her good deeds were often the catalyst in helping them get their lives together.

Mother always said, “Folks is folks. There are good white folks and good black folks. There are bad white folks and bad black folks, She also said, “Every person’s life is like a pot of gumbo, you get out what you put in.

Gumbo is a very popular Louisiana dish, a kind of soup. There must be a million variations on how to make it. Every person who makes it thinks theirs is better than the next. I have seen people arguing over what is the best way to make this dish. Just like life, everyone has some input on what would make the next person’s life better. Some people want more sausage, more shrimp or no shrimp. Some want crab or oysters. Some prefer more spice, more
file’(feelay). One thing they all have in common is a Roux (Roo).

Roux is the gravy base and the foundation of this dish. It gives the soup its flavor and is what makes you get that second bowl.

Everyone has a Roux in his or her life. Someone who influenced every step they took, and in some way gave their life direction.

Mother was my Roux.

In order to see into this incredible woman, you have to know what came before and what came after. That is where we are going in this book. Let’s go, it is going to be an adventure.

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler
Let the good times roll!

http://therouxinthegumbo.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/therouxinthegumbo http://www.kim-robinson.com/
http://www.jadorepublishing.com/ http://us.f501.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Kim@kim-robinson.com http://us.f501.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kimscrew@yahoogroups.com

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler with Kim Robinson this week!

CAN YOU SMELL WHAT KIM ROBINSON IS COOKING? It's gumbo!

Good People, we are welcoming Kim Robinson, author of The Roux in the Gumbo, a fascinating book chronicling her family. Sit back and enjoy a taste of Kim and her family gumbo! ~Syd


Hello everyone:

I want to thank Sydney for being so gracious and inviting me to swap blogs. Please stop in at my blog and myspace and check her out. http://therouxinthegumbo.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/therouxinthegumbo


With the winter months coming, everyone needs to put something warm on their stomach. I am going to share a famous recipe that has been in my family for over 200 years. This recipe kept my grandmother’s restaurant busy, and the Hollywood studios used to cater it in. They say it has healing in it.

I am also going to share a little history about Gumbo and a little poetry.

So get out your biggest stock pot and let’s start cooking. I also prepare my gumbo at book club events. You buy the food and lets get cozy in the kitchen and while you watch me put my foot in it, you can ask me questions about my book, “The Roux in the Gumbo,” which is my family history, or my cookbooks, Food for the Soul and Sweet Satisfaction which features two hundred authors.

I will also give you some juicy excerpts from my upcoming book Street life to Housewife, my life story about how I came to share my testimony in churches across the country. Find out how a drug dealer, addict, madam and call girl washed her sins away.

Life Is What You Make It

To be a woman around times of slavery
You are subject to many acts that are unsavory.
In order to be able to keep your head up
through the depravity
You have to command from your soul
a certain kind of bravery.
The only true freedom that you have
no one can enslave
With your brain you fight back,
even if outwardly you behave.
For the people who keep you back and bound in chains
You pray to God that one day they will know this pain.
They can put chains on your arms, your legs,
and even your behind
But the thing that can’t be restrained is your mind.
Keep the curtains drawn on the windows of your soul, your eyes
Don’t let them see the strength that is inside,
your pride.
Say your prayers every day; hold on to your faith
Just in case, the after life is the place,
The place where you get your taste
Of the good life that our oppressors don’t appreciate
But with some hustle and creativity
you might not have to wait
And the days and nights in this life
don’t have to go to waste.
Life is not how you take it
Don’t spend all your time looking for answers
Your life is what you make it.

MY FAMILY’S GUMBO
3 lbs. snow crab, cleaned and washed
15 chicken wings, cleaned and washed
1 lb. chicken gizzards, chopped fine
4 lbs. diced smoked sausage (Hillshire Farms).
Fry lightly to remove some fat
3 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 packs dried shrimp
2 lbs. baby shrimp
4 stalks of cleaned and diced celery
3 diced onions
3 packs of onion soup mix
2 cans of okra; preferably “Trappeys” brand. Drain off liquid and fry in ¼
cup of oil. This removes the slime
gumbo file’ (ground sassafras leaves)
seasoning salt
black pepper
celery salt
prepared rice
Roux:
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of flour

If you prefer a thicker soup, add more flour. Heat the oil over medium
heat. Sprinkle flour over grease while constantly stirring, so as not to scorch,
based on your preference. I prefer a nut brown or caramel color. Some people like a darker roux. You can always taste as you go along. Set aside.

Gumbo

Use a large stockpot. Fill half way with water and set on high to boil. You
can divide ingredients into 2 or 3 smaller pots. I prefer this method, because it
takes a while to get the water to boil. It will also decrease the chance of your
Gumbo sticking to the bottom. There is nothing worse than a burnt pot of
Gumbo. “Chile just thinking about it makes me want to cry, Gumbo is
something that every time it’s made it just gets better as you add or take away
ingredients to tailor to your taste, much like a fine suit of clothes. Other
variations have bell pepper, tomato puree, oysters, crawfish, rabbit, turkey or
chicken, parsley, green onion and garlic. I could fill this book up with various
ways to prepare this dish. Do not be afraid to experiment.

Add gizzards, onion, celery, onion soup mix, dried shrimp and sausage.

When it reaches a rapid boil, reduce flame to low and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Add Roux and stir. Add chicken, crab legs, okra, black pepper, seasoning and celery salt. Be very careful with celery salt, it can overpower the other flavors. Add 1 teaspoon to entire pot. You can always go back and add more. Boil for 35 to 40 minutes. Add shrimp and boil 5 minutes more. Remove from heat add 1 teaspoon of gumbo file to each pot.

Serve in a bowl over rice.

Sprinkle file’ to taste. Do not be afraid to get your fingers dirty. Also, do
not forget to suck the gravy out of the crab legs before you open them up.

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler
Let the good times roll!
http://therouxinthegumbo.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/therouxinthegumbo http://www.kim-robinson.com/
http://www.jadorepublishing.com/ http://us.f501.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Kim@kim-robinson.com http://us.f501.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kimscrew@yahoogroups.com

Tamara Grant's Last Stand....

for this tour anyway...LOL. Syd

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

I sincerely hope that you enjoy the story that I have crafted for you. You've had a chance to meet me and get to know some of the characters in Promises Made, Promises Kept. The book takes you on the journey of a family that could be yours, mine, or the next door neighbor.

The characters experience love, heartache, and the need to make decisions that will affect not only themselves, but the family as a whole. Readers will definitely be transported back to their teen years with Mia to experience first love, friends, family, and that familiar feeling of being too young to be grown, but to old to be a kid.

Promises Made, Promises Kept guarantees to bring you a well crafted story that can be related to by all. The story is meant to be a catalyst for conversation between mom and their teens. As an author, I promise to bring you stories that have real 3-D characters that experience some issues that we may not want to talk about. I have to. It's my duty. I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't challenge you or hold that mirror up to our society and what's really going on!

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get your copy of Promises Made, Promises Kept today! And please don't hesitate to visit http://www.tamargrant.com/ and leave me a message to let me know what you think. I always answer my emails!

Tamara Promises Made, Promises Kept

http://www.tamaragrant.com/www.myspace.com/maraangel

Aunt Lena has PLENTY to say...

Aunt Lena

Family has always been important to me. There is no way that I would ever turn my back on my family. So I knew what I had to do when my sister was not in her right mind to care for my niece. I love Mia as if she was my own. She and my son were raised like brother and sister instead of cousins. It's hard enough to be a single mother raising a son, and now added to the mix is me taking care of my niece while my twin sister, Patrice gets herself together.Really, Mia's father should be here taking responsibility for his own child. But you can't squeeze water from a rock. I wonder what he was thinking leaving the way he did? This child needs him desperately. Don't get me wrong, Mia's a good girl, but kids nowadays have a big chance of making that turn down the wrong road. That's why I keep my own son, Mookie so close to me. I know what happens when these young kids mess around in these streets.Mia can stay as long as she has to. My home is always open. I'm just praying everyday that my sister understands that there is a good reason for her to take the medication that her doctor prescribed for her. She needs to be stable enough to be a parent to her child since Mia's father is obviously not going to step up to the plate. I just pray for the strength to raise these two kids to do their best and be positive and productive. I know things can get crazy and it's no joke out in these streets. If my job in the family is to be the peace maker, then so be it. I know I just have to make things work out for the best.

Promises Made, Promises Kept

http://www.tamaragrant.com/www.myspace.com/maraangel
Available on sale at http://www.tamaragrant.com/http://www.amazon.com/

Cliff...I'll never understand a man's logic

Cliff

What kind of man just walks out on his family? I guess I never knew that man could be me. I was suffocating and there was no way that I could achieve my goals if I continued to live under the same roof as Patrice. I love that woman. I love my daughter. There is only so much that one man can take though. The threats, the abuse, the yelling and screaming. It wasn't what I envisioned when I dreamt of that happy home that we all want.Patrice and I have been together since high school. She was what I saw in my future. There was no one else. There was just no way to make her understand that. You just can't rationalize with her. She gets into these rages and then all hell breaks loose. One minute she's this sweet, loving woman. The next, she's attacking me violently and accusing me of things I didn't do. We're supposed to take the Bar Exam soon. How are we supposed to concentrate on accomplishing all that we planned if I can't be in the same room as you half of the time?Don't get me wrong, I would never put my hands on a woman- EVER! But Patrice drives me to that point where I want to hurt her. That's when I knew that it was time to go. I won't be gone for long though. Right now, I have to clear my head and get on point to pass this exam. I- I mean, we had a goal of becoming lawyers and I intend on making that happen so that I can provide for my daughter. My child is the best thing that ever happened to me. And to be honest, I thought that motherhood would make Patrice mellow out, but I was wrong. So I've made my decision to go stay with my mom and get on my feet. I know that I have to still provide for my family even if I'm not there, so I'm committed to doing that. I just hope that my daughter can understand the type of sacrifice that I'm making here and that there will be no ill feelings between us. I promised that I would be back for her, and I always keep my promises.

Promises Made, Promises Kept
http://www.tamaragrant.com/, www.myspace.com/maraangel Available for sale at www.tamaragrant.com and amazon.com

Check out my novel "Promises Made, Promises Kept"! ISBN 0-931761-33-6 http://www.tamaragrant.com/
Or leave a comment for me on www.myspace.com/maraangel
Tamara Angela Grant

Mia sets things straight...

Mia

Life is so unpredictable. Here I am trying to pick up the pieces of my family when I'm supposed to only be worried about things that teens worry about. You know things like what boy I like or what I'm going to wear to school tomorrow so I can look real fly. But no, I have to figure out how my otherwise normal life went into a tailspin.

You could say that it started when my dad walked out. No goodbyes. No "I'll see you later." He just didn't come back home. No warnings. No closure.Living in a two parent home wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but come on, who doesn't want that? Sure my parents were always at each other's throats and they were arguing all of the time. I wonder if they ever knew that I was listening in when they argued? There was a lot of love in my home too, but I guess it wasn't enough to keep my dad at home with us.

So now I'm pissed 'cause my dad rolled out on us. he could have let me know about how my mom flips out though. I heard my aunt, who is her twin sister, say something about her needing to take the medication that she is prescribed. Maybe that's why he left. Shit, I really don't know what's going on anymore. All I know is that I prefer to chill at my aunt's house where shit ain't so crazy. I get a little piece of mind there. I love both of my parents, but I'm too young to have to deal with their mess.My dad breezes back through and promises that he's going to be back for me. Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll be just fine without you here.

My mom promises that she will get herself together and be a better parent. But that's in between puffs of weed and when she doesn't have some random man coming in and out of our house.Really, I don't believe either one of them. I'm just glad that I have my aunt and my cousin here with me to have my back!

There's been so much going on in my life already at 16 years old, what else could possibly happen next?

Promises Made, Promises Kept
http://www.tamaragrant.com/www.myspace.com/maraangel

Available for sale at http://www.tamaragrant.com/ and amazon.com

Tamara Grant guest blogging this week...

People ask me when did I know that I wanted to write. My answer- when I learned to read.

Writing is not a hobby to me, it's my passion. I'm an avid reader, so I love to get caught up in the worlds that other authors create for me to enjoy. There is nothing better than picking up a book and time stopping as you say to yourself, "I just have to know what happens next!" You're flipping through the pages, about to burst because you have to know what the character is going to do next. Now as a writer, I can bring people into my world, into my realm of thought and hook them the same way that my favorite authors do for me. Writing is a beautiful thing. It allows me to not only express myself, but to be therapeutic for my readers as well.

People are reading my work and saying, "I've felt the way that Mia did when I was that age," when they talk to me about my debut Promises Made, Promises Kept. They have come to me and talked about my characters as if they were as real as you and I. It always makes me smile, because that's the way I feel when I read the authors that I like. My characters will always be people with real problems and feelings. I'm intrigued with the way that people react and interact with each other. The characters in my books will not always make the right decisions and things will not always end happily ever after. They will be in conflict with each other and themselves. They will be hooked on drugs, promiscuous, walk out on their spouses and families. I promise, if you don't find yourself in my characters, you will find someone that you know. My characters are not necessarily based on real people, but they are based on real emotions that we all will feel or have felt before. That's why you will be able to connect and cheer for them!

Promises Made, Promises Kept is the first of many books to come. There are plenty of stories floating around in my head. I hope that the literary world is ready! So sit back with your hot cocoa or your steaming cup of tea and get ready and grab one of my books! Tamara Angela Grant has much more on the way and I'm here to stay!

Check out my novel "Promises Made, Promises Kept"! ISBN 0-931761-33-6
http://www.tamaragrant.com/
Or leave a comment for me on www.myspace.com/maraangel
Tamara Angela Grant

Tamara Grant will be the guest blogger this week!

Tamara Grant, author of Promises Made, Promises Kept will be the guest blogger this week! So sit back and enjoy what she had to say. You might find your next "must have" read!

Syd

Bamboozled?

A cousin of mine recently accused me of writing about our family in my short story collection, Somewhere In America. This surprised me. Yes, my book is about the outlandish things humans do, but is it primarily about my family? No, indeed!

Anyone that knows me knows I believe in F-A-M-I-L-Y. And to break the family code and spread our business to the massess...uh uh. Ain't gonna happen.

Honestly, when I was writing Somewhere In America, I was venting. I was trying to deal with a difficult situation and letting my fingers exude my stress positively. At no time did I want to spotlight my family issues in print. And let's be honest here. Foolishness is universal.

Like my back cover says..."You'll see your family, your friends, your spouse...you might even see yourself!"

Guess she saw herself, huh?

Peace out.

Sydney
http://www.sydneymolare.com/

Love...Redux

I originally posted this over at my friend Minnie Miller's blog:http://msprissy-dreamweaver.blogspot.com/ but after yesterday and the ridiculous comic book sex references, I was stressed and needed to read this again. I also wanted my fans to also read what I had to say BUT there is more, much more I had to say in my visit with Ms. Minnie. You'll just have to travel over to Ms. Minnie's blog to read it for yourself though. LOL.

Syd*************

LOVE!

Something that everyone desires to have tons of. It's amazing how the routine thought process is that love is a "woman's" thing. Not true. Hide behind the gruff exterior, clamp down on your emotions, but men love L-O-V-E as much as any woman.

But how do we view love? Do we have a healthy view? Respect, everyone feels they are getting what they deserve out of the relationship? Or is it toxic? Let's just say things are...lacking, for whatever reason in whatever area.

A few years ago, my agent submitted a romantica novella I'd written to various publishing houses. I'll never forget the comment one company, I think it was Avon books, gave me: Great imaginative writing, just not "romantic" enough.

Now my friends (i.e. local critic group) thought the piece was a killer. The sex was sizzling, the situations over the top...A WINNER. Then, I'm told it wasn't romantic enough.An eye-opener indeed.Made me rethink my whole love viewpoint. Made me rethink the focus of my "romantica."

See, in my writing experience, toxic love sells, especially in the AA community. Sad but true, but I'm finding that the more one-night-stands, infidelity, and degrading sex/toxic love you can put on a page, the faster the check arrives in the mail. That had to change. I've made a commitment to my writing fans that sex will either be paranormal (ghosts) or within the confines of marriage.

Unrealistic?

Not really. I was reared in a two-parent household and my parents were married 44 years until my mother’s death this year, so out of all the people in the world why wouldn't I believe in deep, committed love?I do and I plan to stay true to my True to Life Colors.

Syd

Sydney Molare' Books...Fiction that satisfies the soul...

http://www.sydneymolare.com/,

Do you MySpace? http://www.myspace.com/sydneymolare; http://blog.myspace.com/sydneymolare