Sydney began writing at the tender age of nine after a couple of her cousins tricked her into a dare and she got hooked. The next thing she knew the pen and pad were a permanent part of her life. She started writing poetry before she was ten which turned into songs, and by the time she was twelve she was writing short stories and breathing life into some of her favorite characters. Throughout high school she wrote and published weekly articles for her school newspaper.

Years later she was asked if her songs could be used in singing competitions and talent contest. One of her songs was sung on Amateur Night at the Apollo in the early 1990’s.

Sydney’s style of writing is like a breath of fresh air. Her stories are unique and very realistic. She provides suspense and anticipation giving her readers something to look forward to. Her writing captivates the reader and pulls them in with the turn of each page.

Sydney often admits that when she isn’t writing, she is thinking about writing. She has been quoted saying “I love to brain storm about book ideas and storylines. Ideas come to me in all sorts of places. In the shower, when I’m dreaming, or even when I’m watching television. I pick up my pen and pad and just go with the flow as I breathe life into my stories. I do a lot of brainstorming on rainy days. The sound of the rain hitting against the windows is very relaxing to me. It puts my spirit in a calm and peaceful place giving me the freedom to explore my mind and vivid imagination.”

Reading is something else she enjoys. She loves to cuddle up with a good book and dive headfirst into the story.

Drama… Another Man’s Girl is the first of her Drama installment series. Most recently she enhanced her craft by penning her first original screen play titled Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Dame.

Besides her love for reading and writing…Sydney is a wife and mother. She is a super proud mom to a 25 year old son, a 13 year old daughter, and a 10 year old daughter. They are the light of her life. She love’s spending quality time with her family. She says there is nothing else like it.

- Another Man’s Girl Synopsis -

In this sizzling urban tale you are introduced to Chassidy Fondain a gorgeous young woman who hasn’t been so lucky in love. Since her past relationships have thrown all sorts of curve balls at her, she is certain that the well of good men has run dry. Enter EL, a legitimate business man with a long line of impressive accomplishments; who happens to be dashingly good looking with street smart savvy, giving him the potential to sweep Chassidy off her feet.

As time passes Chassidy slowly lets her guard down and decides to trust in her new found relationship with EL. That is, until an incredible twist of fate lands her in the path of Shane, a no-nonsense, well respected, drug lord with an insatiable desire for her. Chassidy and Shane’s instant animalistic attraction quickly develops into a love affair stronger than either of them could have ever imagined as they embark on an unforgettable path of lust, lies, betrayal and deceit.

When EL is faced with the reality of losing Chassidy forever he begins plotting his revenge enlisting the help of an unsuspecting ally who has the potential to bring Chassidy to her knees. As the two form a deadly alliance, Chassidy soon comes face to face with the one person who will stop at nothing to destroy her.

To read a chapter excerpt or buy Another Man’s Girl, the novel, please visit the author’s official website: In Sydney’s Words.

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I had the pleasure of meeting Author Lacresha Hayes on facebook several months back and we immediately hit it off. We both belong to a dynamic group of like-minded women called the D.I.V.A.s. Lacresha is doing big things. She’s an author, business owner and daughter of the KING.

She is the bestselling author of her book, The Rape of Innocence. This book is an account of horrific childhood sexual and physical abuse and being raped even as an adult by a minister. In The Rape of Innocence, you see Lacresha go from a broken down child with a beaten down spirit to a true Godly woman of beauty. You will cry at times and rejoice at others.

So without further ado, let’s learn more about Lacresha Hayes…

Please tell a little about yourself.

I never know where to start with this question. I’m an ordained elder, wife and mother, business owner and author. I love doing any kind of work that helps people, particularly anything that changes their mindset from victim to victorious. I work tirelessly in trying to help victims of abuse, especially sexual abuse and domestic violence. I suppose that’s my biggest passion. It’s not easy, but worth every moment.

When did you know you wanted to become a writer and when did you begin to write?

I tried to write my first romance novel as a child, which didn’t work out. LOL. I penned my first book (CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES: MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY) in 2001 after beginning the ministry. I self-published and used Kinko’s to print it. It sold well, but was expensive to keep up. My first nationally published book came in 2007, which is my bestseller THE RAPE OF INNOCENCE.

What is the name of your book? What motivated you to write it?

I have multiple books on the market, but the one I’d like to answer this question about is THE RAPE OF INNOCENCE: TAKING CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE. This book is special to me because it chronicles part of my life and my personal battle to overcome sexual abuse and later on in life, domestic violence. This book is a survivor’s manual because I wanted others to know not only can you live through the worst stuff, but you can go on to be happy again.

Is there a specific message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

The book is about hope. Bad situations sometimes put us in the position where we are afraid to hope again. We don’t believe anything good is left for us in this life. Not true. Readers need to know that no matter what has been, we can still live again and do it better and more successfully than before. I want them to be empowered, to get their vision for their lives back, and to see that God didn’t make it happen to them, but He is going to help them heal if they want Him to.

How long did it take you to complete the book?

From idea to first completed draft was about 6 weeks.

What genre(s) do you write?

Christian fiction and nonfiction, as well as poetry.

How do you balance your family, writing, business, and other obligations that you have?

Well, it’s difficult sometimes. There are weeks when I don’t get to write at all because everything else intrudes, but then there are weeks when all I do is write. For me, I assign everything a value in importance and judge how I spend my time accordingly. Family is first. Then business. Then writing. It works out best that way for me.

How have your loved ones supported you in your writing ventures? What are their feelings?

My son has a huge imagination so sometimes just listening to him gives me ideas on top of ideas. My husband often listens to a chapter here or there and gives me feedback so that I can tell if I’m on the right track. Sometimes he asks questions that further feed the story. Everyone in my life is happy that I write. It hasn’t disrupted anything for us.

So tell us about your road to publication. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

My husband and I own a small publishing company so the road to publication was not as difficult for me as it is for some. All I have to do to be published is write a book and everything is handled for me after that. I do realize it isn’t that easy for other authors. However, the options to publication are many, especially to those who want to self-publish. It’s important not to give up on your writing dreams because in these times, it’s not necessary to have a publishing house behind you to see your book in print. And the last part of my advice: just because you’ve finished a book does not mean it is ready for the world to read it. Take the extra time and money for a great editor so that you give your readers their money’s worth.

So, what’s next for you as an author? What are you currently working on?

I’m currently trying to finish with edits on BLACK DAKOTA, a Christian fiction novel about a woman who tries to escape justice and finds Jesus; I’m also working on THE SNARE OF A STRANGE WOMAN, a book about the dangers of adulterous affairs for men and the women who love them, SPLINTERED, about our secrets and what we do to hide them, and CASCADE OF TEARS, about my battle through chronic pain and illness. I’m excited about all these books and know that my readers will love them. For more information on my books, the readers can visit my website at http://lacreshatheauthor.weebly.com.

Thanks for inviting me over, Chrishawn. I always enjoy working with you.

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I had the pleasure of meeting Patricia Dorsey on Facebook a couple of months back and asked her if she would like to send in a biography and an excerpt from her book, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia – A Life in Poems. She was happy to oblige. So here we go…

Patricia Neely-Dorsey is a 1982 graduate of Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Mississippi… located in the beautiful red clay “Hills” of Mississippi..and yes, the birthplace of Elvis Presley. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. After living for almost 20 years in Memphis, Tennessee, working in the mental health field she returned to her hometown in August 2008. Reflections, her first book of poetry was published in Febraury 2008 (GrantHouse Publishers).

Patricia currently lives in Tupelo with her husband James, son Henry and Miniature Schnauzer, Happy. She is a proud, active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,an avid reader and passionate writer. Patricia says that she has always considered herself a “Goodwill Ambassador” for Mississippi and the south.

She feels that we can bridge many gaps of misunderstanding across regional, racial, cultural, generational and economic lines by simply telling our stories.
Reflections has been called, among other things, a poetic autobiography and a love letter to the south. The author agrees with both.

Patricia Neely Dorsey’s Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is “a
true celebration of the south and things southern.” The author states , “There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed. I invite readers to meet Mississippi (and the south) through poetry, prose and the written word.”

SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I’ll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You’ll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There’s ice cold tea that’s syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You’ll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems

BOOK AVAILABLE: www.Amazon.com
AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

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