7th Annual African American Literary Awards Show Nominees - August 2, 2011

Voting for the 2011 African American Literary Awards Show is now open!

Voting started Friday, July 29, 2011 and ends on Friday, September 2, 2011
Winners will be announced at the live show on September, 22, 2011

Make sure you go to http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and cast your vote!

Here are the nominees:

Fiction

Dorothy by LaToya S. Watkins

He Was My Man First – Courtney Parker & Nancey Flowers

No One in the World: A Novel – E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson

Mama Ruby – Mary Monroe

Money Can’t Buy Love – Connie Briscoe  :-)   Click on title to see my review (and giveaway!)



Self help

How To Get Out Of Your Own Way – Tyrese Gibson

The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy – Shirley Strawberry

Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?: How To Think Like A Lady And Still Get The Man – Shanae Hall & Rhonda Frost  Priceless Inspirations – Antonia Carter

A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life – Demetria Lucas



Biography/Memoir

Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood – Ice T

The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring – Sugar Ray Leonard

Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir – Flavor Flav

Love Brought Me Back: A Journey of Loss and Gain – Natalie Cole

Transparent – Don Lemon



Christian Fiction

An Inconvenient Friend by Rhonda McKnight  :-) (click on the title to see my review)

Right Package, Wrong Baggage by Wanda B. Campbell

The Deal, The Dance & The Devil  by Victoria Christopher Murray  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Crowning Glory – Pat Simmons

Who Said It Would Be Easy?: A Story of Faith (Zane Presents) – Cheryl Faye



Erotica

Strawberries, Stilettos, and Steam – Imani True & Dreama Skye

Southern Comfort by Cynnamon Foster and Nina Foxx  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Sixty-Nine – Pynk

Smooth Operator – Risque

Nasty – Dr. XYZ



Street Fiction

Justify My Thug – Wahida Clark

My Kinda Girl - by Michael McGrew

The Prada Plan 2 – Ashley Antoinette

Welfare Wifeys: A Hood Rat Novel – K’wan

Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler – JM Benjamin



Non Fiction

I Shall Not Die: Living A Psalm 118:17 Existence – Kendra Norman Bellamy

Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure – Tavis Smiley

Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama – Sophia Nelson

Peace from Broken Pieces – Iyanla Vanzant

Becoming a Woman of Destiny: Turning Life’s Trials into Triumphs! – Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook



Mystery

Giving Up The Ghost by Stacy-Deanne

Ask Nicely and I Might by Lorraine Elzia

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey – Walter Mosley

Price Of Fame – Amaleka McCall

Surrender the Dark – L.A. Banks



Children/Young Adult

Getting Played by Celeste O. Norfleet

Drama Queens –ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Giant Steps To Change The World – Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Terrible Terrel – Whoopi Goldberg

Teen Girls Need L.O.V.E. by S.Dodson



Romance

Inseparable – Brenda Jackson

Sweet Persuasions– Rochelle Alers

Unexpected Interruptions – Trice Hickman  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Twice The Temptation – Francis Ray

The Proposal – Brenda Jackson



Short stories/Anthologies

A Woman’s Revenge by Tiffany L. Warren, Sherri Lewis and Rhonda McKnight –

Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships by Wanda B. Campbell, Dijorn Moss, Tyora Moody and Trinea Moss

Between the Sheets – Tamika Newhouse, NiCola Mitchell and Anna Black



Magazines (Non -Literary)

Black Enterprise

Ebony

Uptown

JET

Upscale





Magazines (Literary)

Mosaic Books

Booking Matters

Written

African Voices

Black Literature Magazine



Humorist Award of the Year (Stand-up Comics)

Kevin Hart

Sherri Shepherd

Chris Spencer

Tony Rock

Rickey Smiley



Self Published Author of The Year

The Ultimate Question: Will Love Ever Know Me – Tamika Newhouse

Con Test: Double Life – Rahiem Brooks

Twisted – Ni’cola

Devour, One Man’s Tale of Love, Intimacy, and Ecstasy – D.A. Williams



Breakout Author of the Year

Tour Secrets – Winkk

The Putting Away – Sharel E. Gordon-Love

Open Your Eyes – Schelle Halloway

Shady – Dell Banks :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Girl, Get Your Mind Right – Tionna Smalls



Publishing House Of The Year

St. Martin’s Press

Kensington

Kimani Press

Grand Central Publishing

Simon & Schuster



Independent Publisher Of The Year

Peace In The Storm

A New Quality Publishing

Delphine Publications

NCM Publishing

Black Dawn Books



Author Of The Year – Male

J.M. Benjamin – Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler

Walter Mosley – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson – No One In The World

Carl Weber – Choir Director

K’wan – Welfare Wifeys



Author Of The Year – Female

Victoria Christopher Murray (The Deal, The Dance & The Devil )

Kimberla Lawson Roby – Love, Honor and Betray

Pat G’Orge Walker – Don’t Blame The Devil

Nancey Flowers & Courtney Parker – He Was My Man First

Sophia Nelson – Redefining The Black Woman



Bookclub of the Year

Black Expressions

AAMBC

The D-Cup Divas

African American Literary Book Club (AALBC)

Go On Girl Bookclub



Television Writer Of The Year

Tyler Perry – House Of Payne

Ali LeRoi – Are We There Yet

Mara Brock Akil – The Game

Stacy A. Littlejohn- Single Ladies

Shonda Rhimes – The Practice



Screenwriter Of The Year

Tracey E. Edmonds – Jumping The Broom

Salim Akil – Jumping The Broom

Tyler Perry – For Colored Girls

Tyler Perry – Madea’s Big Happy Family



Comic Strip

Aarron McGruder – Boondocks

Jerry Craft – Mama’s Boyz

Ray Billingsley – Curtis

Keith Knight – The K Chronicles

Robb Armstrong –Jumpstart



Comedy Author

Girl, Get Your Mind Right – Tionna Smalls

Is It Just Me?: Or is it nuts out there? – Whoopi Goldberg

Don’t Blame The Devil – Pat G’orge Walker

More info at www.literaryawardshow.com

Book Giveaway - Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman

 Unexpected Interruptions  by Trice Hickman

Trice Hickman was kind enough to let me interview her, and I posted this interview today.  You can view the Interview with Trice Hickman. 


She is kindly offering  a free copy of her book Unexpected Interruptions for one of my followers.  Please leave a comment and your e-mail address.  I will pick one winner by random.org on Friday, February 18.


Good Luck!


You can get in touch with Trice Hickman at:
tricehickman@yahoo.com 
www.tricehickman
www.facebook.com/tricehickman
www.twitter.com/tricehickman
www.linkedin.com/tricehickman. 

Links to my reviews of Trice Hickman's Books:

 Unexpected Interruptions 

Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies 

Playing the Hand You're Dealt

Disclaimer: Thank you to Trice Hickman for offering t his book giveaway. I was not compensated for my review, interview, or giveaway. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Interview with Author Trice Hickman

 

Trice Hickman

Author of: Unexpected Interruptions

Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies

Playing the Hand You're Dealt

 Available wherever books are sold! Get Your Copy Today!

First of all Trice, I would like to thank you for taking the time out for this interview!  I have loved your writing since the moment I opened your book, Playing the Hand You’re Dealt.    I am so glad that you then sent me Unexpected Interruptions and Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies to read and review.  All three books were 5/5 diamond books!

I also have to thank you for your advice on naming my blog.  My blog was previously called The Books I Read.  I told you I love reading books by black authors and wanted some kind of name to reflect that.  You came up with some great blog names, and I am glad I decided on one of your suggestions: Black Diamonds Book Reviews.  That blog name really stood out and it works out well with having diamonds as ratings.

If you have to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?

Answer: First, I have to start by giving you a big thank you, Cheryl! I appreciate you giving me this opportunity to connect with your blog readers! Well, to answer the question, the one word I would use to describe myself is Effervescent!

How do you come up with the stories and characters?

Answer: I think about the what if’s. I come up with a story line and then think, “what if” the character does this or that? For instance, with my first book, Unexpected Interruptions, I thought about the common story line of a love triangle where one woman has to chose between two men—but then I thought, “what if” one man was black and the other was white. My characters are a product of my vivid imagination. As I develop characters, I create a biography for each one so that I know them individually, inside and out. Doing this helps me to effectively tell their story in their voice and not my own.

What type of research goes into your books?

Answer: I do a combination of internet and good old fashion hands-on research for my books. In Unexpected Interruptions, one of my characters is a surgeon, so I shadowed a physician for one day to see what his typical day at the hospital was like (I got permission from him to do this, of course).  I research my character’s profession, the city they live in, the places/establishments they frequent in the book, the organizations and businesses they are associated with, and anything else that makes their lives become real. It’s important to get the little details right so the characters and their stories are authentic. 

Is there a place you go for inspiration to write?

I love to write in my home office late at night. The comfort of this room inspires me because it gives me a sense of peace and calm, like I’m tucked away from the world in a place all my own. It was originally  an attic (it’s quite roomy ) that we converted a few years ago. Two of the walls are exposed brick, giving it a warm, cozy feel, and I painted the other two walls a soft sage green. It’s comfortable and relaxing. I even decorated with large pillows, and made a small sitting area for those times I want to lounge while I’m working.

What is one food item that you can’t live without?

Answer: Oh, now that’s a really good question! I guess I would have to say potatoes. I love potatoes, and I can eat them any way—baked, fried, mashed, roasted, stewed…you get the picture!

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing (hobbies, etc.)

Answer: I absolutely love cooking! During the holidays or when I’m going to throw a large party, I’ve been known to cook from sun up to sun down. I also love working on home improvement projects. I have a power drill and a tool belt…and I know how to use them!

Are you reading anything right  now?

Answer: Kimberla Lawson Roby’s book, Love, Honor, and Betray, which is excellent! Also, I had started reading Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff, a few months ago, but only got a chance to read a few chapters when things got really hectic in my life. I’m going to pick it up again and finish it. It’s a very interesting book.

Do you have any other special talents besides writing?

Answer:  I’m not sure if this is considered a special talent, but I’m pretty good at cooking and decorating, which are two of my hobbies. I love doing both because just as with writing, they require a certain level of creativity, concentration, and patience.

What advice would you give to those aspiring writers out there?

Answer: The first and most important thing is to not give up. This is a tough business, but if you continue to push through you will eventually get your book published. I would also advise any aspiring writer to do their research. There is so much to learn and know about the publishing industry. Being informed helps you to make wiser decisions which can save time and money. I offer coaching sessions for aspiring writers that will teach them what they need to know about everything from writing a book to promoting and selling it. Information can be found on the Writer’s page of my web site (www.tricehickman.com).

What is next for you in 2011?

Answer: Thanks for asking! I’m excited about 2011! My originally self-published novel, Unexpected Interruptions, will be re-released by my new publisher, Kensington (Dafina Books), March 29, 2011. I’m writing my fourth novel, working on an exciting new Internet project with a few other authors (more to come on this soon!), and attending book events each month.

Will you be coming to Michigan for any kind of book tour?

Answer: Oh, I sure hope so! I was in Detroit two summers ago, (my first time!), and I would love to visit again. If there’s a book club, book store, or avid reader and blogger (hint, hint!) in Michigan that would like to host an event for me, I’ll be there with diamond studded bells on!

How can your readers contact you?

Answer: I love connecting with readers and hearing their feedback, so by all means, I encourage them to contact me. My direct email is tricehickman@yahoo.com. They can also find out more about me, my books, and my literary journey by visiting my website at www.tricehickman. They can also become friends with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tricehickman, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tricehickman, or connect with me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/tricehickman. 

Trice, 
Thank you so much for this interview!  I learned more about you, and I am glad to know you! - Cheryl

Thank you, Cheryl! The pleasure was completely mine. I appreciate and value all that you do to support and promote authors!  - Trice

Links to my reviews:

 Unexpected Interruptions 

Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies 

Playing the Hand You're Dealt

You can read another interview with Trice Hickman at my friend Yolanda's blog: yolandalgore.blogspot.com

Disclaimer: Thank you to Trice Hickman for this interview. I was not compensated for my review of her books or this interview. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Review of Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies by Trice Hickman

Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies

by Trice Hickman

Paperback, 285 pages

Published June 23rd 2009 by Platinum Books (first published June 22nd 2009)

From Goodreads:

What would you do if the secret you were keeping could set you free...yet ultimately devastate the ones you love?...Victoria and Ted are the ultimate power couple. She's a beautiful, business savvy sister who owns one of Atlanta's most sought after event planning companies. He's a powerful, blue-eyed CEO who knows how to take care of business in and out of the boardroom. But their seemingly happy life begins to unravel in the blink of an eye when long-held desires and decades old secrets come back to haunt them!

My thoughts:

This book is a sequel to Unexpected Interruptions.  Ted and Victoria are married and now have a daughter named Alexandria.   They are worried about the race issue and are putting her in a school called Jack and Jill.  Who happens to have a child there?  

"When she finally reached the main office and opened the door, she froze in her tracks.  She wanted to believe that she was imagining things, or that she was witnessing a mirage, the result of sleep-deprivation.  But as much as she wanted to dismiss it, she knew what she saw in front of her was real.  Even though his back was turned to her, she knew it was him.  The broad, muscular shoulders, and alluring scent of citrus and spice could only belong to one man.  It was Parker Brightwood, and he was shaking hands with Katie Palmer, the Director of Admissions.  What the hell is he doing here?"  P.35

You will have to read Unexpected Interruptions to find out about Victoria and Parker's previous relationship.    This just makes her life more complicated when he shows back up after all these years.  To make things worse, her best friend Tyler started dating his cousin Samantha.

On top of all that, Ted's mom isn't so well, then he finds out a secret that nobody else but his mom knows.  He isn't sure what to do with the secret.  He is getting all stressed out.

You will have to read this book to see what the secrets and lies are and who had the secrets and lies.  You will be surprised.  It all isn't what you might think from just looking at the cover of the book. 

Race plays a big part in this book, and Trice Hickman did a great job with this story making the characters come to life.  My favorite character is Victoria.   In the first book Unexpected Interruptions she began as a single woman and she just was a great woman that I know I would be friends with.  She  continued to be my favorite character in this book.  Although I didn't necessarily agree with some of the things that she did, in the end I was happy with the outcome.  The end almost made me cry.  I really like her friend Tyler too.  He was such a good friend to Victoria and really gave her great advice.

5/5 diamonds
Awesome book!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Trice Hickman for sending me an autographed review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Review of Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman

Unexpected Interruptions

by Trice Hickman

Unexpected Interruptions

What happens when a young woman finds herself falling for two men--one black, one white, both determined in their pursuit for her affections?...Love, passion, drama and secrets are just the beginning!

Paperback, 310 pages

Published November 1st 2007 by Platinum Books (first published 2007) 

My thoughts:

Victoria is described as a tall African American woman.  She is the senior director at Via Tech.  Her boss Ted seems like a really great guy and her friends thinks he wants her, but he is white.    She has never dated a white man before.  She is lonely and just wants a man.

Victoria went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory alone and sees "Mr. Gorgeous", but he isn't alone.  Victoria falls and "Mr. Gorgeous" helps her and seems to have some interest in her.  She hopes she gets to see him around again.

Victoria then goes to pray that god sends her a man and sends him fast, but she says it twice.

She ends up bumping into "Mr. Gorgeous" again and finds out he is a surgeon.  His name is Parker.  She has quite the decision to make.  Does she hold on to Parker, the African American surgeon, or does she go for Ted who is also her boss and a white man?

What I liked about this book:

1. This is the second book that I have read by Trice Hickman and I love her writing! 
2. Victoria just seemed like such a nice lady and deserves a great man.
3. I just felt so comfortable while reading this book like I really could picture the story unfolding. 
4. This book was not at all slow or boring to me like books can sometimes get.  I never found myself drifting off at all while reading this book.
5. I received this book from the author, and she autographed it!  (That in no way influences my review).  Trice just seems like such a sweet lady.  She is my friend on Facebook and I would really love to meet her in person some day!

What I didn't like:
There was nothing about this book that I didn't like.  I liked every bit of it!

5/5 diamonds
Loved this book - Go Out and Buy This One!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Trice Hickman for sending me an autographed review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.  
 

Review of Playing the Hand You're Dealt by Trice Hickman

Playing the Hand You're Dealt

by Trice Hickman

Emily Snow is a gentle, kind-hearted young woman who plays by the rules, makes good decisions, and does all the right things. But her quiet and rather uneventful life soon changes when her mother dies--the only family she had left, leaving her devastated and grief-stricken. Ready to bury her sorrow, and with coaxing from her best friend, Samantha Baldwin, Emily decides to make a fresh start, moving from her hometown of Atlanta, to the power capital of Washington, DC. There, she fights to build a new life and tame a secret demon that's been gnawing at her for years--the one thing her heart has always desired....her best friend's father!..........Samantha Baldwin is an ultimate rebel, not necessarily with a cause! Wild and bold, she does whatever she wants without a second thought. From her poor choices in bad men, to her tumultuous and strained relationship with her mother, Samantha has always run from truth and straight into trouble. But when a chain of events threatens to spin her life out of control, she doesn't think things can get any worse...until her best friend betrays her in a way she never imagined. Now, Samantha must tap into an inner-strength she never knew she had, and hold on to a family she realizes is worth fighting for. (less)

Published August 24th 2010 by Platinum Books (first published August 9th 2010)

My thoughts:

I saw this book on the Black Expressions Blookclub website. It sounded like a great book, so I ordered a copy since it is a newer book. The cover really caught my eye, a picture of a black woman in kind of a sexy position with a dress cut low in the back and a necklace drapped down. She looks maybe like she is dancing or something or trying to get a man's attention. The woman in the picture is the main character, Emily Snow. Emily is in love with her friend Samantha's father, but nobody knows, not even Samantha's father. She is sure he doesn't feel the same about her. No man has ever made her feel the way she feels when she is around Samantha's father. Samantha's father's name is Edward and his wife is Brenda. Edward and Brenda really don't have a passionate marriage. They only had sex about once every 4 months. Brenda is all about status and he just wants something more than material things. Emily moved in with Samantha's family for a time while she was looking for a place of her own. She just had to get out of there. She couldn't stand how hot she felt for Edward when she was around him. She ended up getting her own place and finding a new friend in Ruben who is her neighbor. She finds out that Ruben can see the future, and he has some important news for her that scares her. He sees that someone may die, and she worries that it may be someone she loves. She will be surprised what comes about out of all this. I kept wondering how Emily could have such strong feelings for a much older man, who is her best friend's father. After getting to know his wife Brenda, I really was hoping that Edward would ditch the bitch and hook up with Emily. Yeah she is young and the best friend of his daughter, but he has to be able to live his life. I really felt like I got to know the characters and was sad to see the book end! 5/5 diamonds Highly Recommend! Disclaimer:  I purchased this book. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel. © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.