Wrapped Up - A Corseted Event with Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines

Fellow authors Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines are putting on an event called "Wrapped Up: A Corseted Event with Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines." The event will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why "Wrapped Up"? Their upcoming novels, Licorice Whips by Bridget Midway and Red Hots by Yvette Hines, are set in a candy store. Therefore, when you register for the event, you will get both of their contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance novels when you arrive! They will do book readings, have games, give away prizes, and have a corset contest. However, the big topper will be the Domme who taught Bridget everything she knows about BDSM. Author Dama de Noche will be there to teach attendees about BDSM as well as do demonstrations on a male and female submissive. Sound interesting? Then, you should hurry on over, register, and join them here.

The event will be at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 4449 Peek Trail, Chesapeake, VA  23321. To reserve a room, click here or call the hotel directly at 757-465-7000, and use Group Code: 600.

For more information on Bridget Midway who does not do things midway, please visit her site. 

An Interview with Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne)

We are pleased to re-introduce you to Ms. Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne), an award-winning crime/mystery and interracial romance novelist. She was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to allow One World Singles Magazine Blog to talk about her writings, accolades and plans for the future. Ms. Stacy-Deanne first appeared on our Blog in September 13, 2010. Since then, she was recently featured in USA Today and countless other mediums.

Please tell our readers something about yourself. Well I’m 35 years old and I’ve been writing professionally since I was 19. I got my first publishing contract in 2005 for Divas in the New Millennium, a compilation biography book focusing on popular female singers. My favorite genres to write are mystery and crime fiction (of course), anything with an interracial romance, and women’s fiction. My favorite genres to read are mysteries and historical romance. I am single, have no kids and I live in Houston where I was born and raised.

Who or what inspired you to become an author. I never planned to become an author. It’s not like I dreamed of it when I was a kid. The lightning bolt just hit me when I was 19 and that’s when I decided to pursue a career in writing. I always loved to read and I always had good writing skills.

What lessons have you learned as an author? I learned that being true to yourself is more important than anything. You won’t be satisfied unless you follow your heart. I learned that just because you get a publishing contract it doesn’t mean everything is peaches and cream from that point on. I also learned that there is just as much hard work and rejection after publication as before publication. The difference is that once you’re published you sometimes experience rejection from an entirely different group of people. The most important thing I’ve picked up in the business is that it’s a good thing to help others and support others. You need as many people supporting you in this business as you can get.

You are a crime/mystery and cross cultural/interracial romance novelist. Were you raised in a multicultural/multi-ethnic community? If so, is this the inspiration for your books? I grew up in a middle-class black neighborhood and it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I was personally exposed to different races. Of course I saw them on television but it wasn’t until I went to high school that I was around them. I was mostly around blacks all my childhood except for the people in my family. We have all kinds of ethnicities in my family. What inspires me to write interracials is that I’ve always loved white guys. LOL! I grew up having crushes on them and I always found them very attractive so writing black women and white men romances come natural.

Which came first: writing articles or penning your first book? My first book definitely. I didn’t start writing articles until I’d had three books published. That’s when I felt I had enough knowledge under my belt to advise others.

How does it feel to have been nominated for an NAACP award and profiled in Heather Covington’s Literary Divas: The Top 100+ African-American Women in Writing? LOL! Well Heather’s book was nominated for the award, not me. LOL! I was flattered that she wanted to feature me of course. She featured many successful and popular female authors in that book. I was in great company. That was also very early in my career so I was grateful to get that support.

As a writer, what has been your biggest challenge, trials or tribulations that you have overcome? I’d say self-doubt. Honestly I don’t think I’ll ever get over that. I’ve always struggled with that since I was a kid, but I have confidence in my writing. I think writers self-sabotage themselves mentally. I feel it’s important to be positive so I always try to be.

You have written, Giving Up the Ghost, The Season of Sin and The Wild Life, which will be released soon? Could you please give us a blur about The Wild Life? Giving up the Ghost and The Season of Sin are currently available. The Wild Life will be available this July 2013. I also have a short that should be coming out soon called When the Mouse Chases the Cat. All these books feature Detectives Brianna “Bree” Morris and her partner Steven Kemp.

The Wild Life:

When Albany Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris learns that Cuban crime lord Milan Varela wants her estranged father dead, she heads off to Miami to find out why. With Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews and her ex-lover Detective Steven Kemp she devises a plot to get close to the Varela organization.

Brianna finds herself attracted to the older Milan and falls deep into his web of seduction while fighting to keep her mind on her mission. Milan is equally drawn to Brianna and vows to win her trust and her heart.

Is Milan really the villain when it comes to Brianna’s father? Or is he the victim?

Is Brianna’s father really in danger or is there more to the story than anyone could ever imagine?

Brianna risks her life to save her father’s but will she end up losing her own? (From Peace in the Storm Publishing)

Are you planning to write any more books in the near future? I’m always writing something. It might take my work a little while to come out but I always have something ready to go. I have two releases coming out in 2014. One is called The Ultimate Rush, which is a standalone novel, and Harm a Fly is the fourth installment in the Bree and Steven series. I have other work I am finishing up as well.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book? Do not rush into any decision and research. You should take your time and learn about the business before jumping into it.

How can our readers get in touch with you? Readers can contact me through my Website. They can also reach me through Facebook and Twitter

Thank you for allowing us to dialogue with you. Do you have any words of wisdom for upcoming writers and/or authors? Believe in yourself and never be afraid to follow your dreams. If you want to be a published author you must believe you can make it happen. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

Thanks for having me!

Sustaining a Healthy Marriage - It Is Not As Hard As One May Think - Part 2

Love at first sight and thinking it is the right reason to get married so quickly may be a short-term sensation. Getting to know someone is imperative and should be a long-term endeavor. Be observant. How does the person treat his or her parents, other family members, friends, and strangers?  Does the individual, you are attracted to, treat others fairly? Is he or she courteous, respectful, caring, and compassionate? How does the person behave in private and in public? Is the person appalling behind locked doors and a so sweet thing in public? The way a person behaves towards others is the same way he or she will deal with you.

As the saying goes, show me your friends, and I will tell you what type of person you are. If your future spouse loves to party all night and stay up all day with his or her friends, then this may be a sign that you will be spending many nights alone.

Never assume you have the power to transform someone’s negative mannerisms. If a person is an obnoxious jerk when you meet him or her, then he or she will continue to be an unbearable jerk during the marriage, unless there is some divine intervention.

Looks, money, and status alone will not tell you who a person really is, but how one handles unforeseen challenges in his or her life will. Beauty wilts, money can disappear, and a person’s position can change, for better or for worst during the marriage.

The questions you should ask yourself are what is important to me, and what do I expect to get out of a marriage. Are you looking for love, money, or security? If these are the only components that you are seeking in a marriage, then you should already possess these elements before committing yourself. If having children is important to you, it should also be important to your future spouse. If you are knee high in debt and you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, then perhaps you need to evaluate your financial situation before taking that big step.

What ever the reasons you have for getting married, take a long look at yourself and your future spouse. Examine the qualities you both take pleasure in, and see if those characteristics make for a good sense of balance in both of your lives. Discuss your likes and dislikes. Marriage is not an institution to be taken frivolously. If there are existing problems, unnecessary drama, or turmoil during the courtship and engagement phase, then the both of you should take time out, evaluate your state of affairs, or go your separate ways. You can always do well or bad by yourself.

Sustaining a Healthy Marriage - It Is Not As Hard As One May Think - Part 1

Marriage is the union between people who vow to protect and honor each other and sustain a loving and healthy relationship.  Most individuals dream of meeting that breathtaking soul mate, going through the getting to know you and the dating and romantic stage, and then finally popping that question, “Will you marry me?

Having an unforgettable wedding is usually the couple’s vision. When planning a wedding, so much emphasis is place on preparation, time, and effort to put together a memorable ceremony. However, sometimes less importance is placed on the type of marriage one is seeking, not realizing there is a difference between a wedding ceremony, a short-term affair, and an everlasting union.

Sadly, the declarations couples make to each other are sometimes short-lived. With over fifty percent of marriages ending in divorce, a person should ponder the following before taking that big step: How does a couple maintain a long and healthy marriage.

Based on my observations of couples who have been married for over twenty-five years, they share many unique personas:

1. They usually have the same moral codes and aspirations, share a mutual respect for each other and enjoy each other’s company.

2. Power play rarely exists in their relationship. There is usually a give and take on both sides.

3. They definitely have a good sense of humor.

4. Communication is central, which means they talk as well as listen to each other.

5. They do not necessarily agree on every issue, but they respect each other’s views.

6. They work as a team to make the relationship work, seek fairness, sensitivity, sincerity, intimacy, romance, and commitment from each other.

7. Finally, they live life to the fullest.

There may be many more characteristics. I am just listing the uniqueness of these couples.  This is not to say their marriage was flawless or without challenges. It means they went into marriage with the promise of dealing with any obstacle as a twosome. When a setback comes their way, throwing in the towel was not an option.

Marriage is not for everyone. Many couples do not realize this until it is too late. It is a good idea to search into your heart and soul and really think about how you see yourself as an individual, and whether you are ready to share and commit yourself to another human being.