Cece In The City

Tag: Books

  • Interview with Nefertiti Austin

    Interview with Nefertiti Austin

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. Tell us about Nefertiti?

    A. I am the proud mother of two children, whom I adopted from the foster care system. I’m also a writer, author and my memoir. Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and parenting, debuted on the 3rd hour of the Today show in September 2019. I have a master’s degree in African American Studies from UCLA and speak at training sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services prospective foster and adoptive families.

    Q. What is one of your greatest experiences in life?

    A. One of the greatest life experiences was becoming a mother through adoption. Motherhood was always something I wanted though I wasn’t ready until my mid-30’s.

    Q. What advice can you give to other people who want to be an author?

    A. The best advice I can give is to simply read, write, edit, and repeat. Become intimately familiar with the genre you want to write. If you love sci-fi, then read sci-fi books to get a feel for the pacing, language and topics. Find a skilled editor, not your friend or your work. Be prepared to write multiple drafts of your books. It’s a very long process but worth it, if you stick with it.

    Q. What other projects are you working on?

    A. I am currently developing two tv shows and working on a children’s book. I also need to dust off a couple of novels that I started many moons ago.

    Follow me at @Iamneferitiaustin and website is www.nefertitiaustin.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

     

     

  • Interview with Anna Black

    Interview with Anna Black

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell us about Anna Black?

    A. Well I am a mom; I have one daughter who is now 22. I am originally from Chicago, born and raised and I have been living in Texas for a little over twenty-two years. I am not a full-time author just yet; my day job is Hotel/Hospitality management. I am a GM at a Wyndham property currently.

    Q. Who or what influenced you to be an author?

    A. Oh wow, I always had a love of reading, and I can’t say that anyone actually had an influence on me becoming an author, but a divorce from my first husband prompted me to write my very first book. After I had completed my fourth novel, I shared it with some friends, and they all encouraged me to pursue publishing.

    Q. What is one of your greatest experiences?

    A. Walking into a Walmart and seeing my book on the shelf. It was so gratifying, and I think other than becoming a mom that is one of the greatest moments.

    Q. Who is your favorite author?

    A. Brenda Jackson

    Follow me at @annablack72

    To see full article go to  https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Lerazia

    Interview with Lerazia

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell us who Lerazia is?

    A.  LeRazia, is a driven woman. Outgoing, friendly, kind and caring vibe. A motivator. A goal getter, and most importantly a mother.

    Q. What or who inspired you to do fashion and be an author?

    A. When I was in high school, I was inspired by a lot of the new decade designs. Coming into the early 2000s there were a lot of new trends popping. There was always a hot book being passed around. I just wanted to be a part of Triple Crown Publications.

    Q. Tell us about your company “Petite with Curves”?

    A. Petite with Curves was inspired by myself and a few of my friends who desire a different taste in clothing. There is always an issue finding either small clothes or larger clothes that are stylish. So, I decided to hand make my own. Something that would continue to make me and the rest of the world unique.

    Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

    A. A designer in DC and/or New York Fashion week!! And I will speak it into existence until I am there.

    Follow me at @Petite_with_Curves

    Website http://www.petitewithcurves.wixsite,com/petite

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Darius Slaughter

    Interview with Darius Slaughter

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell us who Darius the author is?

    A. That may actually be the hardest question I’ve gotten thus far. Let’s see: Mind west born, Third Coast raised, the fat kid who was overlooked and ignored, all district football player, National Merit Scholar, etc., and so on. On the flip side an ‘in-house bastard’- my pops remarried and decided I wasn’t necessary- so by JR year I had an 18-man crew and was a ghost. Now at 47 after multiple indictments, over half a decade in suspended animation and having enjoyed the best and survived the worst life has to offer I would simply say I am a survivor.

    Q. Tell us about your book “Hostile”?

    A. Hostile is a non-biased look at my last 7 years in the game it is neither a glorification nor a knock, but rather an intelligent look-a window if you will-into the complex world that comprises the darker side of society. HOSTILE provides an uncut, raw look at my decisions, my mental motivations, and the consequences and repercussions of said decisions.

    Q. What advice can you give to other authors?

    A. Believe in yourself and your vision and dedicate the time and energy into making your dreams a reality. As your project grows, know that support will come and go but success is solely in your hands.

    Q. Where can we get your book?

    A. The hardcopy and EBook are available on Amazon. Com under Hostile: An Urban Tragedy. For an autographed copy and more visit my website www.hostilebook.com

    Follow me at @hostilebook.com and website www.hostilebook.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Interview with Karen Arrington

    Interview with Karen Arrington

    By: Where It Begins

    Q. Tell everyone who Karen is?

    A. I am Karen Arrington-Empowerment coach, Author, Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Founder of the Miss Black USA Pageant, and international Philanthropist. I’m here to help women write the new rules of power, opportunity + life-changing confidence. I’m here to give women the tools, inspiration & connections they need to redefine their destinies and defy expectations.

    Q. What or who inspired you to be this empowering woman you are today?

    A. I grew up around strong, intelligent black women like my mom. I was also strongly influenced and inspired by the stories of Abolitionists Lucretia Mott, Ida B. Wells, Maria Weston Chapman, Sojourner Truth and others who carried an insurmountable weight while challenging sexism and black people’s access to the ballot box. They paved the way for us to rewrite the rules of power and opportunity.

    Q. I see that you are an Ambassador for Goodwill. How did you get into that?

    A. A goodwill Ambassador of a country is a huge honor. It’s considered an honorary diplomat

    Q. What inspiration can you give to others?

    A. How BIG do you want to live? Your NEXT LEVEL life is closer than you think. Don’t settle for a life of invisibility and mediocrity. Set ambitious goals, reach for bigger opportunities, and know that you are brave enough to get what you deserve.

    Follow me at @karen_arrington and website at www.karenarrington.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

    Book: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

    Author: Abbi Waxman

    By: Cece Hymes

    Finally got a chance to read this book. It’s been on my list for awhile now. This book was about Nina. She was the only child to her mom who was always on the go and traveled the world so she was raised by her nanny. She never met her father; her mom told her she didn’t know who he was. She worked at a bookstore and loved doing trivia games and book club meets for the youth. She would always go by agenda.

    One day A man came into the bookstore to let Nina know that her dad had passed and left her something in his will for her. She is now in her 30’s to find out about her dad and that she has brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Nina also likes this guy Tom, and he likes her too but they are both too shy to tell each other. They do trivia against each other on trivia game nights.

    Nina is not used to a lot of things going on all at one time she will get anxiety. Having a guy in her life, work problems, a family she just now meeting seem to be a lot for her. Could you imagine having all these thrown at you at one time? Do you think it’s time for change for Nina? Do you go by an agenda every week? I know I do an agenda to try to stay on task but it’s fine for things to pop up. It helps me to not forget meetings and things I need to get done. I think Nina is a nice person and has a big heart. I definitely could hang with her because I love to read books. It also made me think of opening a bookstore and how it would be.

    Check out the book and let me know what you think about Nina and Tom? Nina’s new family? Things always happen at the right time when you unexpecting it and it comes right on time. It seemed like everything came at the right time for Nina just all at once was too much for her. I liked the book. Hope it’s a part two. I would love to see what she does next.

    Make sure to Join Cece Book Club on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Interview with Author Elle Spencer

    Interview with Elle Spencer

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Quote from Elle Spencer

    “One of my best experiences happened in 2015 when I signed an official marriage certificate.”

    Q. Tell us more of who Elle Spencer is?

    A. I come from a large, close-knit family. We lived near the Rocky Mountains so my siblings and I spent our youth skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding down whatever hill we could find. It was a great place to grow up, but I prefer a warmer climate now which is a good thing since I live in California. I’ve had all kinds of jobs-massage therapist, frame builder- but nothing that was ever a passion until the writing came along. Now, I’m a full-time writer of lesbian romance. Still hard to believe that’s my job.

    Q. Tell us about the book 30 Dates in 30 Days?

    A. 30 Dates in 30 Days is my third full-length novel. It’s an irreverent humorous (I hope) look at dating when you’re trying to find “The One.” The main character is Veronica, an overworked attorney who’s trying to make partner and be married by the time she’s thirty-five. She’s about to achieve her professional goals, but her love life is pretty much non-existent. Her assistant Bea intervenes and sets Veronica up on blind dates that she’s chosen for her through a dating app. Since Veronica wants to be efficient about everything in her life, Bea suggests 30 dates in 30 days. Of course, chaos ensues because how could that ever go well? I think it’s a fun read, but I’m biased.

    Q. What are some of your other hobbies?

    A. I love to travel. I love to read. I love a good Netflix binge. Since my wife and I bought a home last year, most of my spare time is spent on home improvement projects. Browsing in Home Depot is my new hobby, or lowes, or Ikea. You get the picture.

    Q. What advice can you give to other authors?

    A. If you think you have a compelling story to tell, then get it out there. I think that’s especially important where voices are underrepresented. So, in my case, that’s LGBTQ, but the same is true for people of color and people of different socio-economic or cultural backgrounds. It’s so important that we all get our stories out there whether it’s romances, suspense thrillers, mysteries or any other genre. The more the better.

    Follow me @ellespencerwrites and www.ElleSpencerBooks.com

    To see full article go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_may_2020_06_

  • Scenes from My Life a memoir Michael K. Williams

    Book: Scenes From My Life a Memoir Michael K. Williams

    Author: Michael K. Williams with Jon Sternfeld

    By: Cece Hymes

     

     

    This book was a memoir on Michael K. Williams. Just reading about his journey and the different things he went through in life. To start it off just to hear about how his mom treated him as a kid I felt really bad. He wasn’t shown the love that he needed. He was bullied in school for the type of clothes that he wore. He lived in the rough parts of the city. Michael got on drugs at an early age. He was on hard drugs. He had been molested in his life and had been through a lot at an early age. Going through so much pain and not having people to really talk too would take you down the wrong path. That’s when drugs and alcohol come in place then you get an addiction and want to stay in that zone.

     

    Michael K Williams had been homeless and staying at house to house in the time when he got a call for a video and later a film. I can say he was very talented and even through all the things I have read and the things he went through. He was going to be a model at one point of time and got into an altercation where he got his face cut up. That still did not stop him from getting gigs. He learned to be an actor in the process. He did all these things while being in a dark place. Can you imagine being molested, being young and homeless, feeling like your family didn’t care and getting bullied so young. When he got in the film the wire, he really blew up everyone knew his character even Obama watched the show and knew who he was. He talks about that also in his book. He did good in the community and even spoke to kids about the hard life he had been through. I hate that he kept relapsing and going back to drugs.

     

    Even though he had an addiction it did not make him a bad person. With the addiction he still did things for the community he still pushed himself to do gigs and even though his mom was rough on him he still was there for her. You can not judge a book by its cover.

     

    Make sure to check out Michael K. Williams book if you are a fan and R.I.P. to him. Glad he got a chance to tell his story before he left this earth. Let me know your thoughts on the book and also join Cece Book Club on Facebook and Instagram. 

  • Love Her or Lose her book spotlight by Tessa Bailey

    To see full article go to
    https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_magz_april_2020-update_28032020_26b45b5598d0a6

  • Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

    Book: Fake It Till You Bake It

    Author: Jamie Wesley

    By: Cece Hymes

    This book was a great read. It was about Jada and Donovan and their Journey. Jada comes from a rich family, but she wanted to build and get her own money. She went on this reality show which was like a dating show, and she ended up becoming the main contestant until he proposed. Donovan on the other end is a football player that wants more for the future. He and his best friends open a cupcake shop called Sugar Blitz, the cupcakes are great but just not getting the business it deserves. Jada and Donovan meet each other and I would not say it’s a great first meet. Come to find out she has to work for Donovan for some months. It’s rough at first but then they get to know each other and build a friendship and more. They fake a relationship for plenty of reasons but is it really fake……….

    I like these two characters. It shows that they both needed each other to balance. They both needed to find their way and become successful and to find love. I always go by the saying people come into your life for reasons and seasons. So come at just the right time. In this case they both came at the right time to push one another, to help one another with building a business and getting out their shell.

    They show me that there still are good men and women out there that love still exists. I know it’s a book, but it keeps my hope up that it will come to me soon. I love a good romance. One that shows you that life is not always easy but keep pushing and never give up. Something good is waiting for you on the other side. This book also showed how people can use you especially in this time and age. You have to watch out for the snakes.  Remember if you are single not to give up on love someone is out there waiting to meet you and you never know where you are going to meet that special person at.

    Check out the book andtell me what you think of the book also Join Cece Book club on Facebook and Instagram