The Pruning Principle
3 years ago
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Spring Blog Crush Awards
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Gospel Fiction's First Contest
Dee's in full effect this morning. So much so that Gospel Fiction's hosting a contest for my registered readers(ergo you must have a Gospel Fiction registeration to enter. Check its sidebar. Where it says META: Register)
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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Review: More than Grace
More than Grace
Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Kimani Press
ISBN # 1-58314-551-6
3 stars
Dr. Gregory Dixon contemplates leaving his neurosurgeon position at Robinson Memorial in DC after he becomes attracted to his temporary stint at prestigious New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital. Although his wife, Jessica Grace accepts whatever decisions he makes, she hopes that these changes in Gregory’s career will not affect their marriage. She misses the time they once had together.
Although Greg’s love for Jessica has grown stronger, their best friends, Derrick and Sherri Madison have weakened. Derrick has been pushing Sherri to have another child, a son, while negating their daughter, Dee. When Derrick pushes Sherri to leave their home and live with the Dixon’s tensions mount between the two best friends. Grace wonders if Sherri has an eye for Gregory.
Bellamy ends the Grace trilogy with another sweet story. She creates loveable couples that readers want to root for.
However, too many subplots, back-story, passive voice, close attention to unimportant details takes away from the beauty and romance in this novel. And although romances have happy endings, too many loose ends wrap up too coincidentally at the end. Note this novel has various sensual scenes that may distract Christian readers from the illumination her novel provides—God’s providence manifested in fatherhood. Nonetheless, Bellamy’s fans will enjoy this spicy and sweet alternative to secular romance. (April, 256 pp, $14.00)
Dee Y. Stewart,
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Monday, April 17, 2006
Review: Defining Moments
Defining Moments
Jacquelin Thomas
New American Library
ISBN # 0-451-21775-6
Rating: 3 tambourines
New York businesswoman/bad girl Sheila Moore takes a leave of absence from her graphic design firm after she’s diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and decides to return home to Charleston, South Carolina to fight the disease. But before she returns home she bumps into Nicholas Washington, a man who knows all about the private shame that forced her to move from South Carolina in the first place. When he offers his friendship to help her through her battle she becomes suspicious. Is he in cahoots with his friend/her enemy, Tori Madison to ruin her life? She’s not sure, so to safeguard her heart from any further humiliation Sheila vows to keep her growing feelings for Nicholas a secret.
Charleston novelist, heartthrob Nicholas Washington hopes his decision to befriend Sheila Moore will not destroy his friendship with Tori Madison. Her dubious past nature still sits fresh on Tori and Jake Madison’s mind. He knows that Tori hadn’t forgiven Sherri for trying to steal her husband, Jake four years ago. And her moving back to Charleston only makes matters most. Yet, Nicholas sees something good in Sheila. He prays to God to speak to Sheila’s heart. But since he’s still unsure of Sheila’s character, he vows to keep his feelings for her a secret.
Thomas’ long awaited sequel to the Prodigal Husband is a story of friendship, redemption and self-discovery. Unlike the prequel this novel isn’t filled with page turning conflict. Instead it is a slow study on faith and forgiveness that will delight Thomas’ loyal fans. Nicholas is almost angelic in his devotion to his prayer life and to Sheila. But he can speak a little too cliché when he counsels Sheila about faith and how it relates to her illness. Thomas’ Gullah references and discussions on MS are commendable. However, for new readers and fans of the Prodigal Husband, the slow pace, various subplots, overwriting and awkward chapter endings make this story a harder read than its prequel.(April, 256 pp, $22.95)
Dee Y. Stewart,
Reviewer
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Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Rock, Meth & Bad Boy Lovers
Remember when Michael Jackson showed up at an AME Church a few weeks before his trial? Or what about Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston getting baptised in the River Jordan by the African Israelites? Weird and over the top, huh?
Well imagine Everett Lester, front man for DeathStroke--the most popular alternative rockband in the world. Do you think anyone will believe that this satanistic stonehead would be sitting on Larry King Live spouting biblical scripture and Christianese?
Unimaginable unless God really does exist.
And if he does...who wouldn't shout the Gospel full effect live? Or in Creston Mape's second book to the Rock Stars Chronicles case-- who wouldn't rock God at Full Tilt?
Everett hopes he can, although the media and his new fans are starting to not believe his hype. Will his Living Water tour will revitalize Christ's image? Can he reach his old fans? More importantly can he reach his vengeful, meth-dealing nephew, who wants him dead?
Creston sat down with my writer's group last month and candidly wondered if Everett's plight resonates with our Christian counterculture. From what I read, I think he's dead on. In North Georgia and I'm sure in other parts of America, meth has become a demon, hell bent on taking out our little sisters and brothers. As a local christian reporter who is also an unmarried single mother, I completely understand what Everett is going through. People are always watching to see if you're what you say you are, and they are quick to alert the rest of the world when you slip. Sometimes I want to stay in the house and keep my novels under my bed. (Wait a minute. I still do that. :) )
Written very well, fast-paced, realistic, and eye-opening. Full Tilt is my April book pic for this month. For women you will find this novel and the entire series enjoyable, since Everett's conversion is credited to his wife--a woman who has prayed for his soul's deliverance since she was a teenager. Romantic and hopeful for us bad boy lovers.
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Monday, April 03, 2006
2 Time Crunch Reads
Check me out at The Master's Artist today. I have two short reads to recommend to those of you who are like me this week- celebrating Spring Break with your child or just swamped with Easter egg hunts, paying bills, and life. I love short stories. How about you? Click here to see my picks. And come back this week I will have some more for your fancy. And if you are a short story writing phenom I have a writing opportunity for you.
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Friday, March 31, 2006
Niche Jesus
Marina Woods and I had a long discussion last night that was sparked by the unfair treatment the movie ATL had received from certain suburban Georgian malls(my neighborhood mall included,) And the week long discusion over at Dave Long's Faith*in*Fiction Blog about niche marketing and the quagmire for African-American novelists:
- an excerpt from Dave Long's F*i*F discusion-How to Avoid the Niche...
These books and authors[African-American] are in some ways in a no-win situation. If the books don't look "black" enough they might miss their core audience. Yet such covers and title threaten to make them invisible to the majority of the buying audience.
Anybody got any ideas?
Anybody got any ideas?
You can read the discussion to find my remarks to Dave and others that chimed in. But the question never was answered. And in all honesty I don't think it could be at F*i*F, since most of the writers there are non-Black, so its revelance and importance doesn't matter as much to them. Correct me if I'm wrong...
There are some African-American writers who specifically only want to target African enclaves in the world. While, others would like to crack the CBA code. With such a predicament to be in, I can see how easier it would be to not approach the CBA publishers, and either self-publish or form partnerships with Walk Worthy Press, Urban Christian, CAABA or other similar in make-up.
However, there is another factor--in my opinion--that is more important then niche marketing, demographics and race. It is Jesus and his commision for all of us(black and white.)
- an excerpt from Scott McKnight's The Church, Embracing Grace and Racism 1....
If you embrace a kingdom vision of the gospel itself, racism is nothing short of disgusting. If you embrace a judicial perception of sin, the Cross, and the gospel, racism is more tolerable. I’m sorry to put in such bold terms, but it all comes down to how you understand the gospel.
I am not an expert on the topic of racism, nor am I a paragon of a colorless and a raceless (not the same thing) perception of our world. But, I want the Church to be better because I believe racism is a denial of the kingdom vision and gospel of Jesus.
So starting today through next week we will explore this discussion:
Grace & Race in Christian Publishing
Grace & Race in Christian Publishing
It will explore:
- Book Cover and Local Color
- Creating a Marketing Incubator for ethnic Authors
- Reading outside the box
- writing outside the margins
- adding characters of different ethnicities in WIP
- major misconceptions
- championing diversity on bookstore shelves
- what else?
If you would like to join in on this discussion contact me here or off loop at dee at gospelfiction dot com.
OT: This is an open trackback day.
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