Fidel M. Love

 It is FOR and ABOUT authors.  Here we shine the light on authors who we’ve read, reviewed and recommend to others.  In this edition we are shining our light on another gifted author…
Fidel M. Love is a poet/writer born and raised on the southside of Chicago. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English & Communications. He developed his passion for writing at a young age; collaborating with classmates to create a comic book of their own, only to learn that he was much better at coming up with the stories, plots, and characters than actually drawing them on paper. From there, he pushed the pencil and drawing books aside to pick up a pen and notepad, and began painting the pictures of the worlds he visited in his imagination through his words.  

Over the years, his writing began to take on a deeper meaning. It wasn't just a hobby anymore - it was a must! Writing was therapeutic. He began writing poetry in high school, influenced by Hip-Hop and the emcee's ability to use wordplay to create imagery. His poetry was intimate and personal, compiled in several notebooks throughout the years.  


Motivated to make his lifelong dream a reality, he self-published his first collection of poetry, "Cry Through The Pen" in 2012. Although it was a major accomplishment after many years of yearning, it was only a small ripple compared to his ultimate goals. Since then, Love has been writing, reading, studying, and learning as much as he can about the literary world. For some, writing is work - for others, it is a way of life. In May 2013, he collaborated with new up-and-coming authors for an urban fiction anthology, "CrazySexyCruel." Poems, short stories, novels, even film scripts -- he has plans for them all. He is always writing across genres with no limitations on what his imagination can bring to life!

GETTING TO KNOW FIDEL…


What is your favorite snack? Anything covered in chocolate *lol* but since I'm trying to eat healthy, I'm learning to like yogurt.

Of the electronics that you own, which is your absolute favorite and why? My Xbox 360, because I'm amazed at how advanced technology has come from Atari. I can't wait till the day you don't just play the game -- you live it!

How many books did you read last year? I think 10...I have so many more that I need to finish.


What is your all-time favorite movie? The Last Dragon...I know the whole movie word for word. SHO-NUFF!

You're stranded on a deserted island. You get to pick one person to be stranded with you. Who do you pick and why? If I don't say my girlfriend, I'm going to get in trouble, soooooo....Her! Because I love her! And I know she'll cook us a delicious coconut dish! Hey Babes:)

If you were a criminal mastermind, what would be your criminal racket? I'd rip off casinos like George Clooney and the Ocean's crew...the payoff is too huge to miss, and no one would be the wiser.

What is your least favorite ice cream? That pink bubblegum flavor...I'm at Dunkin Donuts frowning at it right now.

What cartoon do you still like to watch? The Simpsons will be my favorite till the day I die. Every year, I'm afraid they will announce this will be the last season.

What was the first thing you learned to cook? Grilled Cheese...yeah, I'ma Kraft kid.

Who is your celebrity crush? Lauren London and Christina Milian! I need two ‘cause I have so much love to give:) J/K

PRAISE FOR CRY THROUGH THE PEN
 “I would recommend this to those who enjoy the art of poetry and street verse. I liked that the emotion in each piece was raw and real. Some poets have lost that art, but Love was able to personalize his pieces and make the reader feel as if they were written for them.” - Candice M. Martin  

“Poet Fidel M. Love has done a incredible job of carefully conveying true feeling and emotion throughout this book.” – Kisha Green
“Author/Poet Fidel Love delivers with ‘Cry Through the Pen.’ Even if you aren't a poetry lover, you will find something in this book that will connect with you.” –OOSA

“Prolific gives the reader the ability to live through his words with his colorful descriptions and vibrant words. It's definitely a must-read.” - Queen

This Week's Reviews Include...

The Book of Purpose: The You Testament by Tracy McNeil      His Betrayal Her Lies by Angel De Amor     Spell by A'ndrea Wilson
  The Final Hour by Murder Moe     Lights Out by George Sherman Hudson     The Acquittal by Pat Simmons

This Week's Reviews Include...

In Times of Trouble by Yolanda Tonette Sanders     Sweet Little Lies by Bianca Sloane Can't Keep A Bad Bride Down by Miranda Parker

  I Spoke, I Conquered, Now I'm Free An Uninterrupted Testimony by Lakisha Louissaint    Sizzle Stories by Vonda Howard     What is Love? Perspectives on Love by Fadi Hattendorf

Yejide Kilanko

 It is FOR and ABOUT authors.  Here we shine the light on authors who we’ve read, reviewed and recommend to others.  In this edition we are shining our light on another gifted author…



Yejide Kilanko was born in Ibadan, a sprawling university city in south-western Nigeria. She read just about anything she could lay her hands on and that love for reading led her to poetry writing when she was twelve. It was the best way she made sense of the long, angst-filled teenage and young adult years that followed. After a big, loud, African wedding, she joined her husband in Maryland, USA. For a decade she stayed home to raise their three children, moved to Canada and went back to school to become a social worker. Yejide started writing her debut novel, Daughters Who Walk This Path, in 2009 and it was published in Canada (2012) and in the USA (2013). Prior to 2009, she didn't think she could write a novel, so she’s living proof that life can bring new dreams when least expected.


Yejide currently lives in Chatham, Ontario, where she's working hard on her second novel. Set in Nigeria and the USA, the novel, When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters, will be released in the spring of 2014.


GETTING TO KNOW YEJIDE…


What was the last film that really moved/disturbed/thrilled you and why? The last film I watched that really moved me was Sparkle. It was a reminder that no matter how much we love the people in our lives and want the best for them, they are ultimately responsible for their actions.


What characteristics do you dislike in yourself? My tendency to overanalyze situations and to sweat the little things.


When was the last time you cried laughing and why? I had listened to the Nephew Tommy "Mean Usher" prank call on YouTube. It was just hilarious.


What would be your dream vehicle? Since I'm dreaming, that would be a Mercedes-Benz SUV.


What was your favorite toy as a child? I didn’t have one. Spent most of my time playing outdoors.


McDonald's or Burger King? Burger King.


What two things are always in your refrigerator? Bread and apples.


Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with?
I’m claustrophobic so it wouldn’t matter who’s there to hear my screams.


I'm totally addicted to: Reading.


It's 3 a.m. you wake up, can't go back to sleep. Are you reaching for the remote or the computer? The computer. I love to play online Scrabble.


PRAISE FOR DAUGHTERS WHO WALK THIS PATH

“A finely-nuanced albeit heartbreaking read, Kilanko weaves a story that is brought to life through lyrical prose, the use of thought-provoking African proverbs, and fables. It touched my soul and stayed with me long after I finished it.” – Z. Hayes

“The author's writing style is gentle, caring, and insightful. This story wrapped around you…After finishing ‘Daughters Who Walk This Path,’ I am still inspired by the women young and old and the bonds they shared. Words escape me as to how to describe the ‘wisdom’ this novel possessed. Daughters... shows the strength of a strong female community and how it empowers, molds, and shapes its daughters from the cradle to the grave. ‘Daughters Who Walk This Path’ was just an all around beautiful piece of work.” – Vernadette Barnes“‘Daughters Who Walk This Path’ is a phenomenal story and one which I didn't want to see end. I hope Ms. Kilanko will consider writing a sequel to it someday.” – Louise Jolly


“‘Daughters Who Walk This Path" is a great debut. I felt a range of emotions…I would highly recommend this book to those who can appreciate a relatable experience.” - OOSA “Yejide is a master story-teller. She sucked me in from the first page. Very apt descriptions of home for any Yoruba girl. Utterly captivating and true to life…This is an amazing work of literary fiction. Deep, with nothing off limits and as sad as it is funny. It is a complete piece of work…Highly recommended read. I look forward to her next piece of work.” – Folake Taylor


“The characters are fully realized and are people anyone might recognize or identify with, and this means that the book is all the more moving and compelling…Yejide writes very well, in language that is easy and engaging, and any reader will find themselves running the whole gamut of feelings, from laughter to tears and back, by the time the book concludes.” – Myne Whitman



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