Chatting with Marcena Hooks

Today, I welcome Marcena Hooks to The Reading Life with Yolanda. Marcena is another contributing author for The Dating Game anthology published by Brown Girls Books.

 Briefly, introduce yourself to the readers.

I am a native of Oklahoma, and relocated to California about two years ago. I am a married mother of two working on my MFA degree in Creative Writing. The love of reading and writing was inspired and instilled in me by my mother, and I hope to pass that love on to my children.

Please tell us what your story; Just Call Me Honey is all about? I love the title by the way. Just Call Me Honey is a story of two people Delaney (a.k.a. Honey) and James who are on a journey to try love again after being in bad relationships. They lead secret “double lives” but see themselves in each other. They figure it would be better to work through their redemption together as a couple.

 

Paperback: 334

Publisher: Brown Girls Books

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1625176745

Click here to purchase from Amazon

Click here to purchase from BN

You’re at the night club with your date, what’s that one song that will get you up on the dance floor?

Even though I haven’t been to the club in ages, I love this question! Without a doubt, it would be The Electric Slide.

If your short story was turned into a made for TV movie, who would you want to play the roles?

Wow, I haven’t thought about this. Maybe Malik Yoba as James and Sanaa Lathan as Honey. If this ever came true, I’d love to be a part of the casting call and/or auditions if that were allowed.

Is this your first published work? If no, please tell us your other works. How does it feel to be a published author?

I am blessed and honored to be published in The Dating Game; it is my third published work. I am also included in The Motherhood Diaries and The Motherhood Diaries 2, two anthologies by ReShonda Tate Billingsley. Being published is still unbelievable at times, and I long for the day my name will grace the cover of a book.

 Click here to purchase from Amazon

Click here to purchase from BN 

 Click here to purchase from Amazon

Click here to purchase from BN 

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading novels for school including Joplin’s Ghost by Tananarive Due and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Are you working on anything new?

I am working on my workshop submission for the summer residency at school. I’d also like to develop a sequel to Just Call Me Honey into a novella.

How can readers stay connected to you?

I’d love to connect with readers via Facebook facebook.com/Marcena.hooks and Twitter: @Marcenahooks

Chatting with Cherritta Smith

Today, I welcome Cherritta Smith to The Reading Life with Yolanda. Cherritta is another contributing author for The Dating Game anthology published by Brown Girls Books.

Briefly, introduce yourself to the readers. 

Hi, my name is Cherritta L. Smith.  I’m the mother of three beautiful young adults and a native of Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Please tell us what your story; Sunday Love is all about? I love the title by the way.

My story is classic but difficult.  One of love, disappointment, infidelity, and triumph between two characters Romell and Carmella who happens to share breathtaking moments on Sundays.

Paperback: 334

Publisher: Brown Girls Books

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1625176745

Click hereto purchase from Amazon

Click here topurchase from BN

 You’re at the night club with your date, what’s that one song that will get you up on the dance floor?

I don’t really go to clubs but if I was at a function where music was played and the DJ spun I Can’t Describe by J Hud (Jennifer Hudson) on the one and twos that would most definitely get me up out of my seat, and on the dance floor.

If your short story was turned into a made for TV movie, who would you want to play the roles?

I would love to see Wesley Snipes bring my character Romell to life and Taraji P. Henson as Carmella.  My character Carmella is kind of a handful so Taraji would do her justice and Wesley Snipes is an Alpha male which would be a perfect fit for Romell.

Is this your first published work? If no, please tell us your other works. How does it feel to be a published author?

Sunday Love is my first published work.  I’m blessed to be surrounded by great people and to share my first experience of being published with Princess F.L. Gooden, Richelle Denise, Kay Trina Morris, Keleigh Hadley & Gina Johnson, Patrice Tartt, Victoria Kennedy, Tania Renee Zayid, LaChelle Weaver, Gina Torres, Trenekia Danielle, Natalie Woods Leffall, Cheryl Ashford Daniels, M.C. Walker, Marcena Hooks and Loureva Slade.  It has been a phenomenal ride.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading Faith Evan’s memoir titled Keep The Faith and it was written by Aliya S. King.  I read a lot of fiction and nonfiction books.  I was told by my mentor, Victoria Christopher Murray, that the more you read the better writer you’ll become.  So, I make sure that I write and read every day.

Are you working on anything new?

I have a book coming out soon with Richelle Denise and Princess F.L. Gooden.  Also, I’m currently working on a biography and my debut novel. 

How can readers stay connected to you?

Readers can find me on Facebook under my name Cherritta L. Smith.  I’m on there constantly.  I love the on spot interaction with people.  I’m on Twitter: @gsplwriter. My email address is gsplwriter@gmail.com.

Hanging out with Gina Torres

Today, I welcome Gina Torres to The Reading Life with Yolanda. Gina is another contributing author for The Dating Game anthology published by Brown Girls Books.

 

 Briefly, introduce yourself to the readers.

Hi I am Gina Torres. I am a voracious reader. I love a great many things. But reading gives me life. This love is directly connected to writing. I have been a lover of words since I was very young.  Writing is joy and pain! I can’t quit it.  Over the years I have written web content, articles, bios, essays and my first love, fiction.

Please tell us what your story; The What If? Game is all about? I love the title by the way.

The What If? Game is about loving and losing yourself to that love. It is about realizing that love is not butterflies and lust. Love is deciding to have your actions line up with the best interests of someone else. Even when you don’t feel like it. Love is work. But it doesn’t mean that you check out intellectually. It shouldn’t be one-sided. So the main character has to determine if the relationship she has is the best match for her. 

Paperback: 334

Publisher: Brown Girls Books

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1625176745

Clickhere to purchase from Amazon

Clickhereto purchase from BN

You’re at the nightclub with your date, what’s that one song that will get you up on the dance floor?

So many! Off the top of my head Cha- Cha Slide. It is an oldie but I love line dancing. LOL

If your short story was turned into a made for TV movie, who would you want to play the roles?

I would like my niece Brittany Mayti to be the lead character (Brittany Mayti IMDB Page).  For Jason, I wasn’t thinking of him when I wrote it, but I would like a Jason Momoa type.  Christina would have to be an unknown sista with shocking natural red hair and freckles.  Ian, a Paul Walker type.

Is this your first published work? If no, please tell us your other works. How does it feel to be a published author?           

This is my first short story I had published alone. I have written for articles and web content. Currently I am a regular contributor at www.forharriet.com.

What are you currently reading?

Passing by Nella Larsen and On the Head of a Pin by Walter Mosley.

Are you working on anything new?

I am. I am working on a project with my writing partners Richard Fitzgerald and DeJuan Mason. The title is Big Girls.

How can readers stay connected to you?

@geeshouse Twitter and Instagram.