Posts Tagged ‘Reviews Rep’
JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Tremayne “GS” Johnson, author of A Drug Dealer’s Dream
(Strip Kidz Entertainment)
(click on the picture to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)
Take a walk with one of the most relentless drug kingpins to ever promenade the streets of New York: Ahmed Yung. His father was an old-school gangster, and his mother passed away after giving birth. That left Ahmed to fend for himself. Witnessing his father’s death at the early age of 12, Ahmed made a commitment to become one of the most respected hustlers on earth.
Upon his release from six years of incarceration, Ahmed, 23, is forced to deal with the pressure. His comrades have the game on smash, and they’re just waiting for his return to the streets. Christal and Malique, his girlfriend and son, depend on him to adjust his lifestyle. The choices he contemplates ultimately determine his destiny.
This is the story of almost every hustler who decides to play the game. Mistakes are made, hearts are broken and lives are lost. But one thing is for sure: decisions will have to be made. Strap up for a ride down a path of pain and glory. This is A Drug Dealer’s Dream.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Drug Dealer’s Dream?
Tremayne “GS” Johnson: The idea and inspiration for the book came about from life experiences, seeing and being involved in the game first hand. The trials and tribulations of making those decisions I made at a young age had me speeding down a long road to nowhere. Writing has always been a part of my life, whether it was music or just writing down exactly what I felt at that particular moment. I was incarcerated for a couple of years. I figured if I didn’t make use of my time, I’d more than likely be right back in the same position. That’s when I put the pen to the paper and birthed A Drug Dealer’s Dream.
JP: What sets A Drug Dealer’s Dream apart from other novels detailing the pitfalls of drug hustling?
GS: It doesn’t matter if you aspire to be the president, a pro athlete, doctor or hustler, we all, at some point, dream about becoming something. We try to set goals and focus on obtaining them. My book is not only a street tale; it’s a JEWEL to the children of the future letting them know the choices we make dictate our destiny. It sets itself apart from every other novel because the story is told through the characters. It feels as if you’re watching a movie or right in the midst of what takes place.
Question 3: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to A Drug Dealer’s Dream getting out to the public?
GS: I apply my hustle tactics and my drive to push this project to where it needs to be. I’m determined to make a mark in the literary world. I feel like anything I put my mind to gets done. I’m dedicated to my work, and I strive for nothing less than greatness. A Drug Dealer’s Dream will solidify my spot in this game.
Question 4: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish A Drug Dealer’s Dream?
GS: My process is rather odd because I usually come up with an idea, form a plot, map out the main characters and from there, I begin writing. The story forms itself as I go along. Most of the time, I don’t even know what the exact outcome is going to be. I have an idea of what I want it to be, but things always change as the procedure goes forward. I do this so I don’t become bored while writing. It took me about a year and a half to complete A Drug Dealer’s Dream.
Question 5: What’s next for Tremayne Johnson?
GS: Right now, I’m just on my grind pushing A Drug Dealer’s Dream. It’s set to drop in December ‘08. Since I’m self-publishing, I have to really get out there and make the public notice my work. I’m trying to be everywhere with this. I’m promoting this book as if it were the newest hip-hop album by the best rapper in the game, you know?
Other than that, I’m getting the sequel correct, finishing that up, and working on a few other projects. The world needs to get ready for the new face of urban lit.
Joey, thanks for the luv. I appreciate it. Peace!
Tremayne ‘GS’ Johnson
For inquiries, please contact:
www.myspace.com/tremaynejohnson1
drugdealersdream@gmail.com
stripkidz@gmail.com
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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews
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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Toni Coleman, author of Blood Money: The Beginning
(Seraphim Publications)
 
(Click on the pictures to see this book on Amazon.com)
When Jameelah gets a hunch that her man, Michael Mines, CEO of L.A.’s hottest new record label is on the creep, she decides to do some creeping of her own. While paying him a surprise visit, she learns what it really means to be a ride or die chick! She unknowingly becomes involved in a sinister plot of backstabbing betrayal, greed, and murder that exposes her to the darkest side of the music business, and herself.
Jameelah is thrust into the center of power and position, which nothing could have prepared her for. Her swift rise to the top takes her from the streets of South Central Los Angeles, to the boardrooms of Beverly Hills, from sleazy strip clubs to shady business partners. She learns the hard way that all money ain’t good money, and that even good money, can be BLOOD MONEY.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Blood Money?
Toni Coleman: The idea and the inspiration to write Blood Money: The Beginning, came from seeing that the music business was far different from what the public sees. By being a songwriter, I would hear stories and see things. If people only knew some of the scary things that happen behind the glitz and glamor, they would think twice about wanting to be a part of it all.
JP: What sets Blood Money apart from other novels in its genre?
TC: Really, I think that my writing style sets Blood Money apart from other urban fiction novels and the fact that it’s about a world that people want to be apart of instead of a world that people are trying to escape from.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Blood Money getting out to the public?
TC: Perseverance was definitely the most important thing. A lot can be said about not giving up. The second thing was just me really believing that the story was something that people would want to hear.
JP: As a person intimately involved in the music industry, were you afraid that you may be singled out for exposing too much of how some record companies operate?
TC: No, because I didn’t focus on the labels themselves too much. I focused more on the artists and the situations that some of them finding themselves in when they gain fame and fortune. You have only to listen to some of the music or watch some of the movies about the business to know how cut throat the business is. Some artists expose it themselves subtly.
JP: What’s next for Toni Coleman?
TC: I’m currently working on my second novel and I’m continuing to write songs, but next, I want to take on the film industry with Seraphim Film Production.
www.seraphimpublications.com
myspace.com/seraphimpub
toni@seraphimpublications.com
seraphimpublications@yahoo.com
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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews
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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
The New York Times and Essence Best Seller Mary Monroe, author of Deliver Me From Evil
(Dafina)
 
(click on the pictures to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)
Once upon a time, Christine Thurman had the perfect marriage. A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, she made good by marrying Jesse Ray Thurman and helping him build a business worth millions. Together, they were the perfect couple–attractive, successful, and deeply in love. Christine was convinced she’d spend the rest of her life by her handsome husband’s side.
But twelve years later, J.R. has become obsessed with building his video store empire and is taking his wife for granted. Feeling trapped and alone in a dead-end marriage, Christine finds herself tempted by her old haunts and the people she thought she left behind long ago. Suddenly, without J.R. even realizing it, their seemingly unshakable bond has started fraying at the seams–and Christine will do anything to break free.
Enter Wade Eddie Fisher, a bad boy with good looks from Christine’s past. Wade left their hometown long ago to follow his Hollywood dreams, but now he’s back, penniless, and as tempting as ever. Even though Wade is far from dependable, he offers Christine something she can’t seem to resist. Soon she’s immersed in a sultry affair, and before she knows it, she’s concocted a scheme so risky that it promises to deliver everything she could possibly want–or shatter the lives of everyone close to her…
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Deliver Me from Evil?
Mary Monroe: My ideas and inspiration come from a variety of sources. I had read a newspaper article about a woman who had faked her own kidnapping and gotten away with it until her accomplice spilled the beans. The characters in this book are all composites of people I know.
JP: What sets Deliver Me from Evil apart from other novels in its genre?
MM: I don’t think of this book as being “set apart” from others in its genre. Its simply a mainstream story that could have been written by any other author.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Deliver Me from Evil getting out to the public?
MM: My publisher did a fantastic job of promoting this book. I was sent on an extensive national book tour, I did numerous TV, radio, and telephone interviews, and I made a lot of public appearances in bookstores and libraries throughout the country.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Deliver Me from Evil?
MM: I don’t have a set routine. But I write off and on throughout the day, almost every single day. It took about six months to write this book. I went through about four drafts before the manuscript was ready to go to my editor.
JP: What’s next for Mary Monroe?
MM: I have two new books coming out next year! In March 2009 The Company We Keep will be released. It is based on an original screenplay by Roy Campanella II and will be released in trade paperback. (The release date of the movie is still pending.) In September 2009 God Ain’t Blind will be released in hardcover, and it will be the fourth book in my on-going God Don’t Like Ugly series.
P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html
P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews
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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Essence Best Selling Author Big Boom, author of How To Duck a Suckah: A Guide to Living a Drama-Free Life
(Fireside Books)
 
(click the pictures to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)
Big Boom, a.k.a the “Bodyguard to Women’s Hearts” hit a nerve with his straightforward advice in If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start with Your Legs (June 2007). Big Boom returned in the same vein with raw, uncensored advice in his new book How To Duck a Suckah: A Guide to Living a Drama-Free Life.
In How To Duck a Suckah, Boom explains his controversial past and why he has decided to take a stand against suckahs by guiding women out of the “sitting duck syndrome”. Boom says, “Men are always looking for something to catch or shoot and if you aren’t careful you will be their next target”. A relationship book designed specifically to empower women and safeguard them physically, mentally and emotionally, How To Duck a Suckah helps women duck that potentially hazardous relationship.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write How to Duck a Suckah?
Big Boom: The idea to write How to Duck a Suckah came from my first book If You Want Closure In Your Relationship Start With Your Legs. I felt like I had more to say and wanted to get women out of that ‘Sitting Duck’ syndrome and influence their decisions to lead a healthy, rich, drama-free lives. I decided to express that sentiment in How to Duck a Suckah.
JP: What sets How to Duck a Suckah apart from other novels in its genre?
BB: How to Duck a Suckah is nonfiction. From what I’ve been told, women love the truth whether they can handle it or not. This is what sets my books apart from other titles on relationships. I try to be as honest as possible, but I try to do it with love and support. It’s the culmination of my life experience, common sense and its coming straight from the heart.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to How to Duck a Suckah getting out to the public?
BB: Wanting to make a change and help one woman to have a happy, loving life. Believe that your book will help, inspire, motivate and change someone. I believe I have an authentic message that needs to be told, and I try to do that publicly.
A good marketing and publicity plan (lectures, book signings and interviews), promotional material to hand out to the public and never assume that everyone already knows about your books.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish How to Duck a Suckah?
BB: My first process, I put all my information on a hand held recorder. Second, I get my ghost writer to transcribe it into a book form. Third, it’s read to me over the telephone. I make changes via telephone even while traveling! Six months later I have a master piece. Not bad for a man with no formal education…
JP: What’s next for Big Boom?
BB: Since I’m known for telling the truth, my next book is going to tell women what men really want them to know about themselves. This a danger zone! Somebody must do it! What better person then me, a person that cares and has a proven track record of delivering with sincerity.
www.bigboombooks.com
www.bodyguardforwomenhearts.com
www.myspace.com/bigboombooks
If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start with Your Legs and How to Duck a Suckah are both Essence Best Sellers.
P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html
P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews
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