Keeping Misery Company is an inspirational tale about Ruth Wilcox, the only daughter of prominent Chicago minister, Reverend Isaiah Clayton and his feisty wife, Queen Esther. Ruth has her hands full trying to cope with mounting marital problems and the onslaught of physical changes her body is going through. Lately, Ruth and her husband, Daniel, have drifted apart like two ships passing in the night; with zero visibility between them. The two don’t even share the same bedroom anymore. Daniel hasn’t been happy in the marriage for some time and seeks solace in the arms of his young mistress, Lenora. He oversleeps after a tryst between the sheets with Lenora, and when he arrives home, all hell breaks loose.
Keeping Misery Company is a poignant tale about a religious family in spiritual crisis. Secrets, lies, betrayal, and forgiveness are at the forefront of this story. It culminates with a triumphing of the spirit and soul.
About The Author
By day I am a Systems Programmer, employed by one of the largest outsourcing firms in the USA. I am a native of the Windy City. I am happily married and the mother of two adult daughters.
I've have been writing since the fifth grade. My teacher submitted an essay, which I read in a citywide competition. I graduated from South Shore High School, and attended the University of Illinois, Chicago Campus. My other published work is a poem entitled, Land of The Free, Home of The Brave, part of a series compilation, published by the International Library of Poetry collection called Seasons Change. I am a avid reader and enjoy discussing books with anyone, anytime. I've written poetry for family, and friends, to celebrate weddings, funerals, birthdays and other milestones. I'm working on my tenth manuscript tentatively named, Couples Therapy.
Michelle Larks is the author of the following books, A Myriad of Emotions, released in March 2003, by Ebony Energy Publishing, Crisis Mode was originally released in March 2004 with AuthorHouse. I re-released Crisis Mode in May of 2005 under my own publishing company F&M Enterprises. Mirrored Images, an e-book published by OceanMist Press was released February 6th, 2006 and Who's Your Daddy was released on May 3, 2006 with Book Surge. My latest novel Keeping Misery Company will be released by Urban Christian books in the fall of 2007. Please visit her website to learn more www.michellelarks.com
Change for a twenty
Growing up is hard enough, but when six completely opposite people meet to argue, cry, laugh, pledge, fight, and hang together on a Historically Black College campus, a bond is formed. Seleste is a college junior with her own place, no boyfriend, and determined to hold on to her virginity. Her best friend, Cara, is a college junior who lives in the dorms, has an on-again off-again boyfriend, Arnez, and thinks sex is the answer to all her problems. Travis, nicknamed Memo, is a troubled senior from New York who came to Chicago, running from his father's past as a crooked cop. Jermaine wants to join a fraternity and O wants to get rid of the Super Senior trait he's earned. Change for a Twenty is a fiction novel set in Chicago about six college friends, two nemeses, and the path to adulthood
Round trip
College graduation is usually the time to collect a cap, a gown, and find a career. But for three graduates, it's a time when they'll come face to face with the real world. Jermaine believes in no secrets in marriage, but after proposing to Cara, she may not be ready to divulge the truth, regardless of what her ex-fling Arnez decides. Memo reaches out to Seleste, but his recently paroled father pulls his attention another way. With the wedding in Atlanta, the graduation in Chicago, some unfinished business in the boroughs of New York, and news that one of the crew may have AIDS, how will they cope?
About The Author
Shamontiel L. Vaughn, the creator of this novel, has 60+ published articles, 4 short stories, and 4 poems in various locations including www.associatedcontent.com /shamontiel www.timbooktu.com/shamont l/shamontl.htm and magazines such as Citizens in America Magazine (NY), Fate Magazine (MN), and Underlined Magazine (IL). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from Lincoln University (MO) has taken courses for an M.A. in Writing at DePaul University (IL). She is a professional Assistant Copyeditor, a freelance editorial writer, and a novelist. Shamontiel's interests include diversifying the literary canon, urging young people to be careful of their sexual partners, working with organizations to help homeless people, and fighting against racism. Please Visit her website to learn more www.lulu.com/shamontiel
Liar, Liar
Six months prior to their wedding, Stormy Adair Knight, learns that her fiancé, Camden Brooks, is cheating on her -- with another parishioner from their church! After this revelation, the wedding is called off due to Camden's unfitness for marriage. But months later, Stormy is informed that God has “delivered” Camden from the demons that made him unfit for marriage. Believing in Camden's transformation, Stormy agrees to marry Camden . Their lavish ceremony and expensive honeymoon signal the start of a wonderful married life.
Once married, Stormy is in turmoil when she discovers Camden hasn't changed at all. And if that isn't enough, a scorned, ex-lover from Camden 's past resurfaces and begins to stalk them all.
Will Stormy and Camden 's marriage fall apart after enduring explosive episodes of scandal, lies and deceit, or will they withstand the turmoil and live happily ever after?
About The Author
My life and career have been inspired by the bible verse from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I am a graduate of University of Maryland Eastern Shore where I received a BS degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation I worked for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services as a Human Services worker in the Foster Care Unit. I had a caseload of twenty-four children, half of whom suffered from some type of emotional, physical, and/or learning disability.
It was during my experience as a Human Services worker, God placed it upon my heart to teach. After a few weeks of prayer and contemplation I landed my first job as a seventh grade, Special Education teacher. I also began pursing my Master’s degree in Special
Education from Coppin State University. As a Special Education teacher my favorite subject to instruct is English, where I try to communicate my own love of writing to my students.
As a girl I always had a vivid imagination and loved writing in a journal. I was able to further explore the craft of writing as a student in high school and college, and I received good guidance from my own teachers. Being an avid fiction reader and having a passion for writing for many years, I finally acted upon God’s inspiration and grace to pursue my dream of becoming a novelist.
I began writing Liar, Liarand queried many literary agents to represent the novel for publication. I received several rejection letters. But with the support of family and friends and the strength of God, I pressed on; I knew that all it takes is one “Yes”. Soon I obtained a literary agent eager and willing to represent the manuscript, and was offered a publishing contract byQ-Boro Books shortly after.
My favorite activities are reading, writing, Florida vacations and watching reality television shows and soap operas. I am a member of African American Sisters in Spirit Book Club and Ebony Readers. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently I live in Alexandria, Virginia with my wonderful husband, Reginald and our darling baby girl, Reagan.
Please visit her website to learn more www.latresesncarter.com