Happy New Year!
It is my prayer that each of you enjoy a blessed and properous 2009. Remember, what’s to come is better than what has been.
In line with the pupose of this blog, which is to encourage, motivate and promote, I begin this year with the anthology, Somebody Prayed for Me by authors Allyson M. Deese, Linda R. Herman, and Tinisha Johnson.
The anthology combines both short stories and poetry that raises the reader’s awareness of the social issues faced by women and young people. The stories are designed to remind readers that when they encounter problems, they are not alone. The book proves that many people are dealing with similar problems and that when you can’t pray for yourself, someone else can and will.
“Somebody Prayed For Me is truly inspiring! These uplifting poems and stories really fill your soul with peace and optimism!”
- Tamara Angela Grant, author of Promises Made, Promises Kept.
“Have you ever been in a position where you couldn’t or didn’t think to pray for yourself? In Somebody Prayed For Me, literary sisters Linda R. Herman, Allyson M. Deese, and Tinisha N. Johnson reminds you of that place. While taking you through the valley, Somebody Prayed For Me, restores faith and an appreciation for that old congregational song.”
- Wanda B. Campbell, author of First Sunday in October.
ISBN-10: 098180943X
ISBN-13: 978-0981809434
Welcome, Ladies. Introduce yourself and share how you began writing.
Hi, I am Allyson M. Deese and I have been writing poetry since the age of 10. I started writing extremely short short stories around the age of 16, and have been writing professionally for almost two years now. I write contemporary fiction. I also write romantic fiction under a pen name.
My favorite writers are, Linda R. Herman, Tinisha Nicole Johnson, Jessica Tilles, Allison Hobbs, Kenda Bell, Victoria Wells, and Brenda Jackson are just a few of the many authors I love to read. I have always loved to read.
I’m Tinisha Nicole Johnson an author, writer and poet. I reside in Denver, Colorado with my family. Besides writing I also host political teleconferences. I started writing poetry at the age of eleven, which soon turned into short stories and then novels. I like to mainly write in the suspense or mystery genre. However, I’ve also written inspirational and romance. My favorite writers are Stephen King, Zane, and James Patterson.
Learn more about me at my website: www.tinishanicolejohnson.com
I am Linda R. Herman and for as long as I can remember I’ve loved reading. It was that love of reading along with a creative mind that led me to write. It’s truly a blessing.
Kimberla Lawson Roby is my favorite author. I absolutely love the Curtis Black series. I’m also a fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, Zane, Tiffany L. Warren, Jessica Tilles, and several new authors I’ve met since I began writing.
Most of my work is contemporary but I have written erotic short stories as well. My first story chosen for publication, “Almost Identical” is featured in Zane’s Succulent: Chocolate Flava II.
How was Somebody Prayed For Me conceived?
Allyson: I originally was planning to do a book of poetry and a couple of short stories. I was struck with the title SPFM as if a light bulb went off in my head. I told Linda about it and how excited I was about it, and asked her if she wanted to join me. She loved the title, joined me in my excitement, asked Tinisha to join us and thus the project came to life. We started this project as friends and ended it as sisters.
What can readers expect from Somebody Prayed For Me?
Linda: After reading Somebody Prayed for Me, I’ve been told by readers that they felt inspired by the stories and poetry within this anthology. What we set out to do was remind people to never underestimate the power of prayer, and I hope every reader walks away with that lesson.
What is your favorite story/poem in Somebody Prayed For Me, and why?
Tinisha: I would have to say my favorite poem is “I Am But One.” I wrote this poem for a friend of mine - her teenage daughter who was going through some challenging times in her life, as many young teenagers do. That’s the period of time, where you’re questioning how you look, wondering if you are good enough and so on. Peer pressure is at its highest and some teenagers don’t know how to handle it by making poor choices. So I really believe in our youth and wanted to write a poem about that hardship in a young teenager’s life, especially a young girl.
Ladies, thank you so much for being my first guest. Much success with your writing career.
Watch out for Discovering the Joy Within, the novel by Allyson M. Deese. Coming 2010.
The pain of losing a child has been said to be the greatest pain next to losing a parent. As a teenager, Jordyn Thomas, experiences this devastation times two when she loses her beautiful, twin daughters at the abusive hands of her lover, Carlos. Where life for her should be beginning, for Jordyn she feels that her life is already over. Journey with her as she discovers her joy within, finally realizing that the greatest love of all has nothing to do with loving or wanting to be loved by a man. It’s all about the love you receive from The Man upstairs!
