BLOG TOUR: Guilty by Association Blog Tour

About the Author

Pat Simmons is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth. She is passionate about digging up the dirt on her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She has been a genealogy enthusiast since her great-grandmother died at the young age of ninety-seven years old. Pat has won numerous awards for her novels which include: Talk to Me, Grace and Humility and Still Guilty, which was voted the Best Inspirational Romance for 2010. Pat is best known for her Guilty series: Guilty of Love, Not Guilty of Love, and Still Guilty. She is continuing the series through the Jamieson Family Legacy trilogy: Guilty by Association, The Guilt Trip, Free From Guilt. Pat has recently been nominated for the best Christian fiction award by the African American Literary Awards for her latest release, Crowning Glory.  Pat and her husband live in Missouri and have two children. Visit Patricia at http://www.patsimmons.net.

About the Book

The Jamieson Family Legacy series follow the lives of two Jamieson brothers in Boston, Kidd and Ace, and their cousin, Cameron, from St. Louis. The older brother, Kidd, is struggling with anger and resentment issues toward his absentee father who never married his mother. Yet, he had the audacity to demand his illegitimate sons carry his Jamieson name. Ace, on the other hand, is on his collision course to be a chip off the old block when it comes to women. Their highly MIT educated cousin, Cameron Jamieson, is all about saving family from self-destruction. Through genealogy research, Cameron's mission is to show his cousins their worth as the eleventh generation descendants of a royal African tribe and to give them a choice: live with the stereotypical "angry black men" syndrome or to crush any obstacles that try and stop them to become strong successful black men.

There are three books in the Jamieson Legacy series: Guilty by Association (Kidd's story), The Guilt Trip (Ace's story), and Free from Guilt (Cameron's story). Each of the three Jamieson men have to accept that their past and present are in God's hand, and without Him they can't advance to their future blessings. The bonus storyline in Guilty by Association is one that progresses the story of the much-loved character in the previous three book Guilty Series, Grandma BB. This time, she picks up a sidekick Mrs. Valentine.

Guilty by Association is the story of Boston bad boy Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson.  His gripe is with his father who dared to insist that his two illegitimate sons carry his last name.  To add insult to injury, the man never bothered to stick around to provide love and guidance as his boys matured into men.  Kidd's anger overflows into every area of his life. As his animosity festers, Kidd becomes as a roaring lion, seeking whatever and whomever he can devour.  He's as gritty as his cousin in St. Louis, Parke Jamieson VI, is polished. The two strong-willed men clash when Kidd relocates to St. Louis where his cousin assures him it's a land of milk and money in job opportunities. Where is lands a job is far from it. 

Through a series of events that involve Grandma BB, her dog named Silent Killer and her Stacy Adams shoes, Kidd meets two women who recognize his hostile tendencies and immediately begin to administer CPR to his soul. LPN Eva Savoy eventually becomes his "Eve," a woman God created from the underlying goodness hidden in Kidd's own heart.

Reluctantly, Kidd allows Parke to divulge information about their royal family heritage. While everyone's care and compassion begins to smother Kidd, he struggles to keep up the bad boy attitude as his walls start to crumble. Kidd learns it's not his association with the name that identifies him, but the man he becomes that defines him.

Purchase the Book Online at: Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Book Trailer:

Book Review

Date:                     1/29/12

Title:                     Guilty by Association

Author:                  Pat Simmons

ISBN 10:                 0802403689

ISBN 13:                 978-0802403681

Pages:                   353

Publisher:              Lift Every Voice Books

Cover:                  Paperback

Reviewer:             Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant– Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                  4 Stars

           Guilty by Association, by Pat Simmons is the first installment of the Jamieson Legacy. Kevin Jamieson, affectionately nicknamed “Kidd”, has been struggling with abandonment issues. And, like many black men, he’s angry at the world and his father. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t have his father’s last name. The Jamieson meant everything he never wanted to be.

          Kidd is soon sought after by Jamieson descents, and Kidd is none too happy about it. After much thought, Kidd finally gives in to the Jamieson plea for him to learn more about his family history, Kidd heads to St. Louis, Missouri for a better life, love and revelations of his African heritage.

          The book was slow at times, and I found myself having to put it down on occasion, as I could not read it in one sitting. Nonetheless, it was a good book. I enjoyed the way Simmons weaved genealogy and ancestry into the storyline. I am interested in the other installments of the Jamieson Legacy and am equally interested in following Kevin and Eva through their journey.

          

For More Information

Visit the author online at:

www.patsimmons.net

twitter.com@patsimmons

facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor.

View the blog tour schedule at : 

http://www.tywebbin.com/blog-tours/authors-on-tour/2012-tours/ 

BLOG TOUR: Alec London Virtual Book Tour

INTRODUCING THE ALEC LONDON SERIES
The Alec London Series is a series written for boys, 8 – 12 years old. Alec London is introduced in Stephanie Perry Moore’s previously released series, The Morgan Love Series. In this new series, readers get a glimpse of Alec’s life up close and personal. The series provides moral lessons that will aid in character development, teaching boys how to effectively deal with the various issues they face at this stage of life. The series will also help boys develop their English and math skills as they read through the stories and complete the entertaining and educational exercises provided at the end of each chapter and in the back of the book.


Making the Team

Alec London is a fourth grader whose have a tough time.  His dad is the new assistant principal at school; his classmate Tyrod is bullying him; his brother, Antoine is mad with him and his mom is going away for a long period of time because of her job.  Through the game of football, lessons from his dad and a story about a man named Joseph, Alec learns that God cares about him and will help him out when he is struggling.








Learning the Rules

Alec feels abandoned by his mom. Now his brother Antoine and their cousin Little P are mad with him. At school when his tries to take up for a new kid in school he gets into trouble. Alec is trying to do his best but he just can’t seem to get things right. When he goes to church on Easter Sunday, the pastor shares a message that helps him to look at everything a different way.










Going the Distance

The school year is ending. Alec is looking forward to sleeping late and no bullying. But dad and mom have other plans for him this summer. Dad wants him to play baseball and mom puts him in an acting camp. He doesn’t want to do either but decides to try anyway. Alec hates baseball but dad won’t let him quit. He loves acting but mom won’t let him continue when he gets a part in a Disney show. Alec is upset with his parents but he learns that even when things don’t go his way he must still obey God by honoring his parents.






Winning the Battle

The summer is over and Alec is back in school. Tyrod has a new friend Zarrick who also bullies Alec and mom is still away. In response to all that's going on in his life Alec begins to act out in school, sleep in class and hang around with the wrong crowd.  And, to protect himself, he starts taking karate lessons. With the help of his karate instructor, parents, old friends, Alec learns that being disciplined and learning to respond to things in a way that pleases God are important when it comes to winning the battle.


Taking the Lead
Alec is voted class president and joins the track team. Though Tyrod continues to bully him, Alec tries to become friends. Everything is going well for him until he loses his grandmother. Alec becomes sad and gets off track but running track and working with the Special Olympics kids helps him work through the things happening at home and school. When his team wins the county title Alec thinks about how proud his grandmother was of him for learning how to take the lead.



ABOUT THE AUTHORS

STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of many Young Adult Christian fiction titles, including the Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. She is also the co-editor for the impactful BibleZine, REAL. Mrs. Moore speaks with young people across the country, showing them how they can live life fully and do it God’s way. Stephanie currently lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, a former NFL player and author, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com.

DERRICK MOORE is a former NFL athlete who played for the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals following his successful college football career. Since his retirement from the NFL in 1998 he has been in demand as a motivational speaker for professional teams, civic groups, churches, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is on staff with FCA, serving as the chaplain of the football program at Georgia Tech. Derrick is the author of The Great Adventure and the general editor for the Strength and Honor Bible.


BOOK REVIEW

Date:                     1/29/11

Title:                     Making the Team (Alec London Series)

Author:                  Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick Moore

ISBN 10:                 0802404111

ISBN 13:                 978-0802404114

Pages:                   160

Publisher:              Lift Every Voice

Cover:                  Paperback

Reviewer:             Yolanda – Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                  5 Stars

           I am always glad when I can find something positive for our young children, our African-American children, especially African-American boys.

          Making the team is about an AA boy named Alec London. Alec endures adolescent issues that are expected when a child is displaced from one area and school to another. In addition, Alec witnesses his parents in several arguments and eventually his mother moves across the country to pursue an acting career. In addition, Alec is having troubles in school while missing his mother dearly.

          The Moores’ have done a swell job in showing African-American boys in a positive light. Not all young black males, do drugs, join gangs and other mischievous activity that media has made them known for.

          I love the letters Alec writes to his mother at the end of each chapter, along with the various types of puzzles and quizzes. In my opinion, this breaks up the monotony for its readers and challenges them not only to read, but also to think. So many children’s and young adult titles are geared towards females; it’s refreshing to see literature for boys.

          I recommend this book, and the entire series, to any young boy, of any culture. 

Purchase the Books Online at:

Amazon.com

BarnesandNoble.com

 

For More Information, Visit the author online at:

http://www.stephanieperrymoore.com

View the blog tour schedule at: 

http://www.tywebbinvirtualevents.com

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The Essential Handbook for Buying a Home by Karen Rittenhouse

Date:                     12/31/11

Title:                     The Essential Handbook For Buying a Home

Author:                  Karen Rittenhouse

ISBN 10:                 0983775249

ISBN 13:                 978-0983775249

Pages:                   143

Publisher:              Southeastern Investments, LLC

Cover:                  Paperback

Reviewer:             Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                  5 Stars

           The Essential Handbook for Buying a Home by Karen Rittenhouse is a great tool for first-time homebuyers, those who have previously owned a home and those who currently own a home.

          In the current down turn in the housing market, homeowners and potential homeowners need to be armed with as much information as possible to help them decide if owning a home is really for them and if now is the time to own one.

          Rittenhouse’s book includes information that most real estate agents and lenders won’t necessarily tell you. For instance, there are opportunities available that will allow a buyer to lease a home before they buy, but many potential buyers may not get this information unless they know to ask.

          The Essential Handbook for Buying a Home will arm its readers with valuable information such as the differences between pre-qualification and pre-approval, things that will hurt a potential buyer’s chance of getting a mortgage, the importance of credit, and buying options such as short sales, foreclosures and REOs.

          This book is chock full of information that is imperative to a potential buyers ability to obtain and maintain a mortgage. I wish this book were around when I bought my first house.

          Kudos to Karen for putting what can be a grueling and complicated process, in simple, laymen terms.

REVIEW - Sinners & Saints by V.C. Murray and R.T. Billingsley

Date:                     1/5/12

Title:                     Sinners & Saints

Author:                  V.C. Murray/R.T. Billingsley

ISBN 10:                 1451608152

ISBN 13:                 978-1451608151

Pages:                    226

Publisher:               Touchstone

Cover:                   Paperback

Reviewer:              Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                   5 Stars

           Whether you’re teach Rachel or team Jasmine—whether you’re a Victoria Christopher Murray or ReShonda Tate Billingsley fan, if you love drama, you’ll love this novel.

          I happen to be a fan of both authors and Sinners & Saints was a brilliant idea that is well written and well paced. I was excited to see the collaboration of these two authors as they worked their “first-diva-drama” magic.

          First lady Jasmine Larson Bush has a tainted background but she is the crème-del-a-crème of first ladies and she is not to be crossed. Her husband, Hosea Bush, is the pastor of a church of over ten thousand members.

          Fist lady Rachel Jackson Adams also has a less than savory background, and like First Lady Bush, First Lady Adams will go to any lengths to get what she wants. Her husband, Lester Adams, is the pastor of about three thousand.

          The two ladies’ worlds collide when both their husbands are nominated for the leader of the American Baptist Coalition. These two first ladies pull no punches as they try to on-up each other, to ensure that their husband wins the nomination and becomes the leader of one of the largest and powerful religious groups. In addition to making each other’s lives miserable, the two ladies fight to win the approval of the coalition’s current first lady, Cecilia King.

          Sinners & Saints had me laughing and shaking my head. In this sad but true tale of how some folk really act in the Christian church; both Murray and Billingsley have remained consistent in bringing their readers true-to-life characters that we can all relate to.

          Sinners & Saints is a 2012 must read—Murray and Billingsley, seamlessly, merged the lives of their villains in this excellent tale of mercy and grace—and lots of drama!

          

REVIEW - The Blood Done Signed My Name

Date:                    12/4/11                                    

Title:                     The Blood Done Signed My Name                           

Author:                  M. ANN RICKS                                     

ISBN 10:               0-615-45273-6        

ISBN 13:               978-0-615-45273-9            

Pages:                            

Publisher:             May House Press & Publications, LLC                      

Cover:                   Paperback                      

Reviewer:              Tamara Bryant – Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                  3.5    

THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME begins with details from a family’s past. M. Ann Ricks attempts and succeeds in detailing family issues that can affect offspring for years if we don’t remember that even with our issues, God can deliver us from all.

The main character, Honey, is dealt an abusive life. As a child and tends to live her life within the shadow of the abuse even as she matures and accomplishes many of her goals. However, Honey’s greatest challenge is seeking to fill the void that only God can fill.

Honey’s journey to find the peace and love that only God can provide takes her back to her past surroundings and she discovers truths that will finally set her in a direction that may set her free if she will only be willing to listen to God’s calling.

REVIEW - 30 Poems, 30 Days: Inside a Poet's Mind

Date:         October 21, 2011  
Title:         30 Poems, 30 Days: Inside a Poets Mind  
Author:       A.D. Joyce  
ISBN 13:    Electronic ARC  
Pages:       46  
Publisher:   Unknown 
Cover:    E-book
Reviewer:  Gregory W.  Bryant – Literary Wonders!  
Rating:  4 Stars 


Author, A.D. Joyce has created an innovative take on poetry month.  Her strategy of composing a poem a day into book form is very interesting.  


Author Joyce shows versatility in different styles of poetry, particularly Japanese forms of Haiku and Tanka.  I am now familiar with the poetic form of Fib and Cinquains. She gives a definition of each form as well as her motivation for writing the piece, which I truly found informative.   


She has a multitude of forms from Sonnets to free verse.  I especially liked the poem Incomplete Sonnet.  There   Is something for everyone in this book. I truly recommend this as a good read.  


Good luck to you author A.D. Joyce and thank you for taking the reader on a poetic journey.