Amaleka McCall Brathwaite

Status: Marrieed

Children: 3, 4 to 16

Books: 5

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Amaleka McCall grew up fast watching the harsh streets destroy many of her family members and friends. She planned to become a criminal defense attorney, but in her sophomore year of college she became pregnant with her first child. Working a number of jobs and struggling as a single mother, Amaleka went on to earn her degree in Criminal Justice and Masters in Public Administration. Aptly dubbed the "intelligent hoodlum" by family and friends, Amaleka was always able to use a mixture of real life experience, imagination and education to create wonderful stories.

Amaleka moved to the D.C. metro area and went to work for the United States government. It was then that she decided to take her journals and her imagination and do something constructive with them. The result was the birth of her first novel A Twisted Tale of Karma (re-released as Myra, 2009.) With a love for thrillers and firsthand knowledge of government operations, politics, the criminal justice system, and the streets, she completed her subsequent urban mystery/crime thriller novels, Hush, Price of Fame, Hard Candy and Hard Candy Part 2.

Amaleka currently resides in Northern Virginia with her soul mate Ed and their three children. Amaleka loves spending quality time with her family, writing, watching movies, and reading books. She is hard at work on her upcoming novel Friend or Foe: Book 1 of the Brice Simpson Hood Mystery series.

BEHIND THE BOOKS

How long have you been writing? I have really been writing all of my life. I laugh to this day at a journal my mother saved from when I was about six. There were about fifteen stories in it, all fiction, but I had obviously tried to pass off as reality. I began writing novels in 2004, when my second child was two months old. She was such a horrible baby, so much so, I started suffering from insomnia. One of those nights I started pecking away at my computer and the character Myra came to life. Honestly, I started off writing my life story and although I went through some things, it didn't make for very good fiction. I continued and soon the character was alive in my head. Before I knew it A Twisted Tale of Karma was born. My story of how I started writing isn't that spectacular. Just a bad case of insomnia and bam!

What is a typical day in your life like? I guess my days are not normal in a "normal" sense, but nothing to write about either. I am at my desk at 6 a.m. before most people scratch their left butt cheek in bed. I call home to wake my kids up and I'm usually yelling on the phone with them for about an hour. LOL. I work my "regular" job, get home, work my "wife" and "mother" job-which consists of cooking, yelling, cleaning, yelling, doing homework or projects, a bit more yelling, and when all of those priorities are out of the way I make sure I write at least 2,000 words in whatever book or project I am working on. On Fridays, I work from home so most of my day is spent writing, if I don't get caught up in my On Demand or TiVo'd shows. There again, just the normal life. People often ask how I manage it all. I am not really sure, but it just happens. I have a pretty happy life in spite of it all.

How supportive is your family when it comes to a deadline? My husband is my ROCK in all things. He has always been supportive. My kids know when I slip into my ratty red robe and I am gulping down large cups of Dunkin Donuts coffee that I am writing for a deadline. They stay away! LOL. My youngest daughter made a sign for my office “Mommy Is in Crazy Mode” and in fine print she wrote “book deadline.” LOL! I will keep that forever. They know when it is all said and done they will reap the benefits. They are seriously spoiled. Especially my baby…he is the only boy!

What do you wish to accomplish with each book? Well, it's hard to say because usually the characters take on a life of their own. I always want my readers to say that the characters were so well developed that the reader understood the characters motivation and actions. I want readers to continue turning the pages. Most of all, I want readers to want to read my next book. I don't write to spread moral messages or be a role model, but if I do accomplish that by accident I think that is a plus as well.

What female authors have influenced you? I love so many authors it is not even funny. I am an AVID reader. If I don’t read I absolutely lose my fever to write. I have female authors from all different genres who inspire me. The top of my list is ALICE WALKER. She is my absolute FAVORITE author in the entire world. If I ever got to meet her I’d faint and die before the handshake. I also really like Tracy Brown, Bernice McFadden, Delores Phillips, Jodi Picoult (favorite too), Lisa Gardner…oh boy the list goes on!

Stay tuned next week as we highlight another incredible woman!

Tuesday Recommendations (3/13/12)

CJ Hudson

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...



C.J. Hudson hails from Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up surrounded by crime, violence, and drugs but was determined not to succumb to that way of living. An avid reader, C.J. was introduced to urban fiction by his then-future wife when she gave him Carl Weber's “Married Men.” Although he enjoyed his first urban fiction novel, he craved to read about the type of street stories that he saw on a daily basis in the inner city. That led him to Borders searching out street lit books where he came across a novel by K'wan.

After being laid off from his job, C.J. decided to try his hand at writing. He acquired a publishing deal with Life Changing Books. His titles include: “Chedda Boyz,” “Next Door Nympho,” “Mo Chedda,” and “Hood Luv.”

C.J. Hudson is married with two sons.

GETTING TO KNOW C.J…

You've invited friends and family to dinner at your place; what do you serve and why? I would probably order out, wings and fries.

Top 5 basketball players of all time (in order): Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant.

If I could credit one person for changing my life, it would be: My wife because she taught me that life is too short to hold a grudge.

Teachers are...severely underpaid and underappreciated.

Laptop or PC? Laptop.

Every boy/man should own at least...one nice suit.

Given the chance to be on one reality TV show for a week, which show do you choose? None, I hate those shows, lol

Cell phone, never leave home without it.

You’ve been given $10,000 to donate to any one charity. What’s the charity of your choice and why? Finding a cure for the genetic disease, trisome eighteen, because my daughter died from it.

The Voice or American Idol? American Idol.

PRAISE FOR CHEDDA BOYZ


“’Chedda Boyz’ was a pleasantly surprising hit! With much of urban fiction reading like the story before, ‘Chedda Boyz’ was absolutely refreshing.” – Niccole Simmons

“This is Mr. Hudson's first time out and he did a very good job…I enjoyed the way Mr. Hudson told this story and am looking forward to reading more of his work...Job well done.” – L. Taylor

“I'm an avid reader and love taking a chance on new and upcoming authors and once I read his novel he reassured that very fact. The book had me hooked from the very first page and I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.” - Jessica A. Robinson

PRAISE FOR MO CHEDDA



“C.J. Keep up the good work. I have enjoyed the twist and turns of the plots…Keep on doing you.” - Earlene Simpkins

"TWO THUMBS UP. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I didn't want it to end!!!!! I can't wait for Part III.” - Theresa T. Foggie

“From start to finish it had me hooked…full of drama, hate, greed, drama, envy. Download asap. You will not be disappointed.” - Anele Howell

PRAISE FOR NEXT DOOR NYMPHO



“I am impressed at how, as a male writer, he was able to present three strong female characters successfully. There is never a dull moment, as the reader is always kept intrigued by some antic or another…Overall, I finished the book with a satisfied dose of enjoyment, and welcome the next book by Mr. Hudson.” - ARC Book Club, Inc.

“CJ Hudson's ‘Next Door Nympho’ is one of the best written books I've read for the 2011 year! Good job, CJ! This book kept me turning pages and not wanting to use my bookmark, repeatedly…a must read for lovers of drama.” – C. Towns

“I give this book 5 stars, it's a page turner…well told story and had enough background information on the characters to add drama.” – Writer’s Vibe

PRAISE FOR HOOD LUV



“This book was an excellent read could not put it down…I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this story, it would be interesting to see the path of the characters. If you haven't read ‘Hood Luv’ this is a MUST read!!” - Tanakia Harris

“This was such a good book…This is definitely one to add to your collection, it'll have you on the edge of you're seat.” – Dee Dee

“This story was by far one of the best I have ever read…All in all this is a MUST READ!! Hats off to Author CJ Hudson for this one!! Great job!!” – Mrs. Eiland

For more information about C.J., visit his website: www.authorcjhudson.com.
Twitter: @authorcjhudson
Facebook: Cjthewriterhudson

Coming Soon…Hood Lawz


Book Trailer Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qvIvYmhYuI&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HJ1G1_5us4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTd6J-vxx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w2F1WNRot0&feature=related

You Sholl Is Ugly!

Stepping to the stage is: Nakia Laushaul



“You sholl is ugly,” was funny coming from the drunken lips of Shug Avery and maybe a tad bit true. Celie was a bonafide 2.5 out of 5.0 stars. Out of the kindness of my own heart, I bumped her up to a 3.0 because she’d been through so much. I’m a little curious, did you ever, just once empathize with how Celie must have felt to hear those words? Yes, I know it’s only Hollywood, but still. And did you know that Young Celie was played by an attractive actress by the name of Desreta Jackson?

I said all that to say this; behind every book is a real person, an author with real feelings. Now, I won’t defend or deny the allegations that there are books out there lurking in the stacks with very disparaging quality issues. I have taken some pretty questionable material home myself. I don’t just write—I read, too. I will say that every book is not for every reader and when the wrong reader gets a hold of the wrong genre, literary style, context content, etc, then non-favorable results can happen, and it is quite possible that someone will end up pulling the cover back and calling my baby, my book, ugly to my face. Gasp! Ouch! Faint! Fighting words!

Okay, so I won’t go so far as to tell anyone… I repeat, I am NOT telling anyone not to leave an honest review. The truth is the truth and if the rating fits then the author must own it, good, bad or indifferent. I’m speaking from experience here; I have some reviews that haunt me. However, I am saying that if I whine, moan, gripe or complain, get pissed or go the h. e. double hockey sticks off about a review, so what? My book, my reviews and I can cry if I want to. Those are all very natural and human responses anyone would have if someone called their baby ugly, right? Of course I’m all teeth when I get a favorable review. Don’t we all chin and grin when someone stops, peeks inside our baby’s carriage and says, “What a cutie you have in there. Can I hold it?” Proud Mom coming through! Clear the way for a good book! Everybody come see!

So, why get upset you may ask? Because, I initially wrote that book to make me happy—to quench that internal fire inside of me screaming for words. You know, live out my purpose and all that positive stuff. I published that book to make you, the reader, happy. It’s for sale. You paid your hard-earned money and with your coins jingling in my pocket I had hoped for a fair exchange—no robbery. Out of all the books on the shelves you took my baby home and I really wanted you to be satisfied until the last page. I wanted you to tell all your friends, “Hey, look at Nakia’s pretty baby.” But you weren’t and I failed you. Noooooo! You feel let down and I feel like I let you down. None of which was not my intent, even if I needed to go back to the drawing board, take some writing classes, get my day job back or hire a better editor (Lol, I had to laugh myself). I didn’t give up months/years of my life, my sleep to peck out 90K words just to make you, the reader, miserable for a couple days. One happy reader makes me smile and one dissatisfied reader hurts a thousand times over. I don’t know why, it just does.

Girl, you better grow some thick skin, they all say. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you, but anything that has to grow takes time to do so. But, for right now …

I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit. – Erykah Badu

Nakia Laushaul is an inspirational poet, motivational speaker, novelist and entrepreneur. Her titles include: “The Truth As I See It: In Poetry & Prose” and “Running from Solace,” the 2011 USA Book News Best Books Award Winner for African-American Fiction. Nakia is currently working on her third book and resides in Houston, Texas, with her son.

This Week’s Reviews Include…

Tuesday Recommendations (3/6/12)

Portia A. Cosby

Status: Divorced

Children: 1, 7 years old

Books: 3

A novelist, poet, and screenwriter. Her distinct style addresses controversial issues and relates them to the African-American community. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Film and Video Production and a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Training. After revisiting an old screenplay that she wrote in the ninth grade, she decided to fully embrace her passion for writing and turned Too Little, Too Late into a novel.

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Portia divides her time between Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and Stone Mountain, Georgia. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and enjoys playing with her daughter, watching movies, and listening to music in her spare time. She is currently working on her next novel.

BEHIND THE BOOKS

How long have you been writing? I've been writing for 18 years. I started writing poetry and what I called movie scripts in ninth grade. I wrote my first novel 10 years ago.
What is a typical day in your life like? I get up at 6 or 6:30, and get myself and my daughter ready for work and school. My workday often lasts until 7pm; sometimes until 9 or 11. I'm able to get some writing done at work sometimes, so I'll sneak in a few words when I can. If I'm up to it, I try to write when I get home after I check my daughter's homework or help her complete it.

How supportive is your family when it comes to a deadline? My mother helps a lot with my daughter. I don't ask her to accommodate me when it comes to deadlines, because she already does enough.

What do you wish to accomplish with each book? With each book, I hope to entertain and enlighten. I introduce controversial issues that make readers wonder how they would handle the situations if they were in my characters' shoes. I also like to give readers characters that will stay with them for years to come.

What female authors have influenced you? Terry McMillan and Lolita Files have been major influences on me.

Stay tuned next week as we highlight another incredible woman!