I Was On the Radio Y’all!

Hey Peeps,

Just wanted to drop by and let you know that I had my very first radio interview this past weekend! I was excited and nervous and I’m pretty sure I said ‘um’ much more than I wanted to, but other than that I think I did okay. The host, DuEwa Frazier, was warm and engaging. She made me feel comfortable and asked some great questions; that helped tremendously. So, here it is!

Interview with Author Faith Simone on Rhymes, Views and NewsTalk Radio

Shout out to Your Vision in Ink for obtaining this interview for me. Don’t sleep on the author services offered there!

OAN: I’m on Periscope y’all!!!! Well, technically I haven’t actually done a broadcast yet, but I am a registered user. For those of you not in the know, Periscope is a spin-off created by Twitter that allows users to stream live video to their followers. Think YouTube only live and much more casual. It’s like being invited into someone’s life for brief moments.

So far, I’ve toured an English garden in the UK, saw a couple of live concerts and got schooled on some publishing tips. The one caveat is that the streams are only available for replay for about 24-48 hours. So if you missed it, well… you missed it.  I’ll do my first broadcast once I familiarize myself with the platform a little more. I’m all crunked about it (are the kids still using that phrase?) because the broadcasts are live and I’ll be able to interact with you lovely people in real time! You can ask me questions and send your comments while I’m on the air. Chile, I’m over here feeling all Jetson like and whatnot. Where’s my flying car, ’cause we are doing the dog on thang!

Get yo’ life and follow me on Periscope @FaithSimone2011

If you took time to listen to my first radio interview, first of all thanks! Do you have any tips for me? I have another radio interview scheduled in August. School me now so I’ll have some time to get myself together. 

How do you settle your nerves before doing something out of your comfort zone? Me? I have a come to Jesus meeting, A.K.A. pray like it’s my last time! What’s your one bad habit when engaging in public speaking? 

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Book Review: Seasoned with Grace

I first discovered author Nigeria Lockley during a blog tour for her debut novel Born at Dawn. God was all in that thang, because she’s since gone on to become one of my top cyber buddies. So it is with great pleasure that I share with you Nigeria’s sophomore effort: Seasoned with Grace!

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Title: Seasoned with Grace

Author: Nigeria Lockley

Genres: Christian Fiction, Urban Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Description: Sentenced to probation, thirty-year-old, supermodel Grace King must put her plans of transitioning into acting to extend the longevity of her career on hold. Desperate to keep a close eye on Grace and his job Grace’s ambitious lawyer, Ethan Summerville has her complete community service in the last place Grace wants to be. His church.

Instead of God, Grace finds a “chocolate drop” of a man–Brother Horace Brown. However, Horace isn’t looking for a supermodel. He wants his woman saved and sanctified, but Grace has never met a man who has been able to resist her. Will Horace compromise his faith for a taste of fortune, fame, and Grace?While Grace focuses on the pursuit of passion Ethan finds one director willing to take a risk and cast Grace in his debut film, but this role fits Grace all too well. Will this film revive Grace’s relationship with God and her career or bring her closer to destruction?

My Review: Grace is one of those characters that you love to hate. At least in the beginning. She’s vain, selfish, abrasive and a real piece of work. Grace is the type of woman you wouldn’t want to leave your man around. But once you find out why she’s the way she is, you find yourself rooting for her to come out on top, despite her obnoxious attitude.

Like the main character’s name and the title of the book, grace is a paramount theme in this novel. Grace is surrounded by supportive characters that show her exactly what her name means, whether it be through tough love, protecting her reputation (what she has left of it) or standing with her once her full story comes to light. All of the characters are flawed in some way, which in my opinion makes them more believable. I’m a sucker to Christian Fiction that dares to tell the ugly truth, and Seasoned with Grace does not disappoint!

Pre-order Seasoned with Grace here! It officially drops July 28th.

What’s the name of the last book you read with a character that rubbed you the wrong way? Did you eventually grow to care/understand him or her? Do you think books always have to have main characters that readers can relate to?

***I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review, which I freely give.***

This Then Is the Work of the Spirit

I like to consider myself to be a bit of a poet, so when I come across someone who clearly has the skill down to an art form I have to share their words with the world! I’ll start with you. 😉 I hope you enjoy this poem by Louis Alan Swartz. It’s featured in his book of poetry entitled Constructed of Magic and Other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit.

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This Then is the Work of the Spirit

(Written for and dedicated to Carla Cohen)

You were sitting across from me,

That was the apparency.

Do you fully realize what you

Enabled me to see?

The depth of the aesthetic

You opened in me?

We stand in awe

As the spirit is freed.

In the little room

Faced to the south

Couldn’t believe the words

That came out of my mouth.

You listened beyond all

Imaginable listening,

Helped me see

A profound aesthetic that had

Always been part of me.

The depth of your listening

Has enabled me to hear

A music that has no sound.

This then, is the voice of the spirit,

It was always right there,

I was always right near it.

But before you listened to me

I just couldn’t hear it.

Bless you and the work you do.

This is the actual holy work.

The work of the heart.

The work of the spirit.

Thank you for listening to me

With such unearthly intensity.

There was truth

Right next to me

That for vast, vast eons

I couldn’t quite see,

An aesthetic that comprises

The very best in me.

You’ve helped me open this

For all of eternity.

For this, I cannot express

The degree to which

I thank thee.

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Good poetry leaves much to be interpreted by the reader, and this poem reminded me of what excellent counselors do: provide a safe place for people to open their emotions and their eyes to the endless possibilities life brings. What’s your interpretation of this poem?

If you want to enjoy more poetry by Louis, click here!