RECKLESS is one of the hottest African-American anthologies on the market in 2012

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0758265417/bookremark-20


Available in trade paper, audio CD, and e-book formats.


Reckless showcases three of the finest writers in the street literature today: Cydney Rax, Niobia Bryant and Grace Octavia. Readers will be captivated by these thrilling tales of love, lust and betrayal. The anthology explores the choices a woman will make when faced with an indecent proposal: from desperate housewives with scandalous secrets to the life of a glamourous actress whose stardom is at stake.

Desperate Housewife by Cydney Rax


Carmen Foster thinks she has it all–a perfect house, kids, and marriage. Until she stumbles upon racy texts from her husband, Forrest, to his baby mama, Toni–who desperately wants Forrest back. Carmen is devastated and decides she can forgive Forrest if she just has an affair of her own. But when a scheming Toni gets involved and threatens to reveal Carmen’s secret, revenge takes an unexpected and explosive turn.

Sinful by Niobia Bryant

A psychologist specializing in addiction, Brie Bailey is surprised to find that her work is affecting her personal life in unexpected ways. For the first time, she has something to hide. And when her impulsive actions lead her into a web of danger, Brie finds herself losing control of everything. . .

L.A. Confidential by Grace Octavia

Stevie Silver, Black Hollywood’s sitcom sweetheart, is in for a run of very bad luck. Her conniving assistant, Kristine, has her sights on Stevie’s career–and on her T.V. producer husband. Kristine will do whatever it takes to win, from blackmail to seduction. But when a series of lies and betrayals comes to a head in the canyons behind the Hollywood sign, more than stardom is at stake. .

CRUSH - New Anthology Featuring Michele Grant, Lutishia Lovely and Cydney Rax

CRUSH - Give in to the thrill of the chase

Coming - March 29, 2011

FROM ONE LOVER TO ANOTHER - By Cydney Rax

Lorraine Eafford is done with bad boys. She's ready for someone nice and reliable - someone just like her new co-worker, Wendell. But her ex won't take no for an answer, and Lorraine is about to show him just how bad this good girl can be...



WANTED: YOU - By Lutishia Lovely

Chav Covington is the guy every man wants to be and every woman wants to have. So when a series of anonymous erotic letters begin arriving at his office, he is only mildly surprised. His prudish assistant, Lois, is shocked. But before it's all over, she won't be the only one...



WHITE MOCHA - By Michele Grant

Jayla has always played it safe, personally and professionally. Finding the perfect cup of coffee is about the most exciting thing in her life. But one look at free-spirited cafe owner Jason, and she's suddenly inspired to venture out of her comfort zone.


Order From Amazon.com -

National Black Book Festival Appearance 2011

Bringing Out the Book In You
Workshop Presenter:
Cydney Rax
Author, Brothers and Wives and My Daughter's Boyfriend

Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m.

Learn how to transform your experiences, ideas and creativity into a novel or non-fiction book. Designed for the beginning writer who wants to know how to get started.

Cydney Rax is the author of My Daughter's Boyfriend, My Sister's Ex, and My Husband's Girlfriend and Brothers and Wives. Her anthology, Crush, will be released on April 5, 2011. She is also founder of the www.book-remarks.com web site.

Get driving directions to the Doubletree Hotel

For more information, please contact us via e-mail at:
info@nationalblackbookfestival.com

Or visit National Black Book Festival.

An Evening With Cydney Rax

An Evening with Cydney Rax
Thursday, February 17 | 5:30PM
Mancuso Neighborhood Library

Join us for a special visit from author Cydney Rax, who will discuss and sign copies of her latest book, Brothers and Wives.

Danielle Frazier walked into her ex’s family reunion expecting some drama. But she never could have anticipated what happened next. At the reunion, Dani meets Scottie Meadows, a smooth bad boy with a killer smile who smells like just like the kind of danger Dani could get down with. And he isn’t shy about how he’s feeling her either. Too bad his brother is Neil, Dani’s ex and baby daddy, who wants the two to have nothing to do with each other, especially while Scottie is living in his house.

Cydney Rax is the author of My Daughter’s Boyfriend and My Husband’s Girlfriend. Born and raised in Detroit, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. Cydney is also an author promoter and her reviews have appeared on numerous books.

Brothers and Wives: A novel

Danielle Frazier walked into her ex's family reunion expecting some drama. But she never could have anticipated what happened next. At the reunion, Dani meets Scottie Meadows, a smooth bad boy with a killer smile who smells like just like the kind of danger Dani could get down with. And he isn't shy about how he's feeling her either. Too bad his brother is Neil, Dani's ex and baby daddy, who wants the two to have nothing to do with each other, especially while Scottie is living in his house.

But nobody cock blocks Dani Frazier, not even her baby daddy. Dani and Scottie start dating and suddenly, Dani is not only driving a wedge between Neil and his wife again, but she's also dividing two brothers who seem to have nothing in common except their love for Danielle Frazier. Dani's always dreamed of being "Mrs. Meadows," though not by the way of her ex's brother. But as she sees it, a little baggage never hurt anyone, and she's determined to prevent hers from messing with the future she desperately desires.

Inspired by readers’ reactions to My Husband’s Girlfriend, this is a juicy follow-up about the complicated entanglement of family, love, desire, and duty. It’s the kind of sexy, compelling story that everyone would be dying to read that only Cydney Rax could tell.

ISBN-10: 0307460097
ISBN-13: 978-0-307-46009-7
KINDLE EDITION: 5 KB
KINDLE ISBN: B0036S49U0
Publisher: Three Rivers Press (July 13, 2010)

Buy Brothers and Wives

If anyone thinks that black readers shouldn’t read ghetto fiction, they are naïve.

I was researching genres today and came across the famous author Nick Chiles’ article, “Their Eyes Were Reading Smut.” I read his arguments and complaints from 2006 about the plight of black literature which, at the time, had been overtaken by the explosive sales of urban lit. While I understand his concerns, my thoughts are this: Nobody, and I mean nobody, can dictate to an entire race or group of readers about what they should or should not read. I mean you can try to tell others what not to read, but it probably won’t do a lot of good.

C’mon. This is America. I was thinking that if ghetto lit never existed, but let’s say, black romance outsold literary fiction, would anyone be screaming about it? Is it the urban lit topic or the writing style that he didn’t like? Or, more importantly is it all about the money? If ghetto lit sold in small numbers, would he have a problem with it then?

First of all, I personally don’t think we have the right to tell others what not to buy. And (no disrespect), but why oh why did Nick list specific urban lit titles in his article? Telling people what not to read only made those individuals want to go out and buy those books even more. People want what they’re not supposed to have. Maybe if he said, “Hey, do NOT read Their Eyes Were Watching God. It’s so filthy and nasty, and smutty,” that would have sent droves of people to the bookstores to buy Zora Neale Hurston’s book.

Obviously, publishing urban fiction was a business decision. No would-be author placed a gun against an editor’s head and said, “Either publish my book or I’m gonna pretend like I’m a character in my book and shoot you.” The stuff sold, sells, or whatever it’s doing these days.

I just think it’s naïve to believe that street flavored stories which resonate with certain groups of the African American culture will be ignored. It won’t be ignored. It’s new, evolving, and young folks like to read these stories. It represents their lives, communities, and neighborhoods. Some (like me) read a few street lit books out of curiosity, because it is so different from what we personally know.

Rather than bash ghetto lit, why not invite people to also read the literature of Richard Wright, Alice Walker, and Toni Morrison? Allow us to experience both sides of the fence. Let me listen to my jazz, my pop, my gospel, and my R&B. Because to think I’ll only want to listen to Louis Armstrong or Stevie Wonder just isn’t reality.

My Sister's Ex - Cited by ESSENCE Magazine

I was very excited when I learned that Essence magazine selected MY SISTER'S EX as one of the best reads of 2009 (check out the Dec. '09 issue). Editor Patrik Henry Bass gave his thumbs up, and for me, for me, this is thrilling and amazing.

If you haven't picked up your copy, it's not too late. I still see the book on the shelves at Border's and Barnes and Noble. Black Expressions magazine carries it too, as well as other online and brick and mortar stores across the nation. What I especially love is the support from so many libary systems. You can check out the print copy or listen to the audiobook.

Thanks so much for your suppoert. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Which of my books is my favorite?

When an author writes multiple books, in general, he will love all his books for various reasons. But if I had to pick my favorite out of all novels that have been published so far, it would be MY HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND. I still can rememeber how that book came into existence. I could clearly hear the main characters' voices inside my head. Anya is kind of no nonsense. Neil is a little bit of a tight a#% in that outwardly he appears mature and sensible, but when he hooks up with the other woman, Dani, his love for her makes him lose his mind. And Dani, she's by far the character I've enjoyed writing the most. She is sooo naughty, sexy, child-like, bold, yet vulnerable and tragic. I love the story, the setting, the scenes, the characters, and the ending of MY HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND. If any of my books could be made into a film, this is the one I'd want to see up there. This is the novel that people ask about more than the others. It seemed so real I guess. At least in real life, in somebody's world out here, there is a true My Husband's Girlfriend.

FaceBook

Not too long ago I joined FaceBook. Initially, I set up the page because I needed to establish one for my day job. I wanted to get a feel for it. And I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Trust me, it's going to take a while to get used to FaceBook. I enjoy seeing people I haven't spoken to in a while. On the other, I pray I won't become addicted. I'm already consumed with so many other life-happenings. We'll see how things pan out.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Cydney-Rax/100000365044630

Woman, Stop Messing With My Man

Hey everyone,
Here's a link to a radio interview conducted with S.B. Redd. I love talking about relationship issues. Enjoy...


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/maverick-media/2009/08/13/maverick-media-on-BTR

Author Cydney Rax Internet Radio Interview w/The Risque Cafe

Yo,
I hope y'all take time out of your busy Sunday afternoon to listen in on my Risque Cafe Blog Talk Radio Interview | Sunday, September 13 | 5:30pm Central Standard Time

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TheRisqueCafe/2009/09/13/Interview-with-Best-Selling-Author-Cydney-Rax

I've done a lot of these interviews and they're always fun and unique. If I'm not mistaken, we're doing a giveaway of some of my books.

See ya then.

Photos from Written Works Expo

Author DeMonica Gladney was kind enough to share photos posted on photobucket.com. Several Houston area writers served on a panel at the Written Works Expo on August 22nd at the Kashmere Gardens Library.

http://s530.photobucket.com/albums/dd342/newhorizonpub/Written%20Works%20Expo/?track=share_email_album_view_click

Black Excellence Book Club and McCrane-Kashmere Public Library
presents

THE WRITTEN WORKS EXPO
August 21-22 (2009)
Houston Public Library
McCrane-Kashmere Neighborhood Library
5411 Pardee
Houston, Texas 77026
832-393-2450

What is a "written works expo?" It is a community project which attempts to bring local African-American authors together to share their works with an interested public. Works such as fiction, poetry, short story, and more will be presented, and writers/authors will speak to maturing and/or up-and-coming writers/authors to guide them in the right direction. Such discussions will focus on improvement of the craft, publishing, editing, and selling.
Meet your favorite author or poet and have your book signed!
Get connected with all the information you need. If you are a writer, book lover, or someone who loves to meet authors, come and enjoy what Black Excellence Book Club and McCrane-Kashmere Neighborhood Library has to offer.

Writers and authors who will be present during the event include:

DeMonica Gladney, author of Willing to Wait.

Geri Guillaume, author of Winter Fires and Her Brother's Keeper.

Sheila Dansby Harvey, author of Illegal Affairs and Bad Girls Finish First.

Cydney Rax, author of My Daughter's Boyfriend and My Husband's Girlfriend.

Courtney Lamont Smith

Brandis Thomas

ATTENTION Authors and Writers: There is no standard registration fee/rate for an author table. To attend, email your information to darryl.kiser@cityofhouston.net or call 832-393-2450 and bring your materials to the event. You will be able to meet-and-greet and publicize your works to the Kashmere community, Houston Public Library users, local book clubs, the Neighborhood Civic Club, schools, and more.

Refreshments will be available.

To register for a table, download and fill out the form below, and email it to Darryl Kiser at darryl.kiser@cityofhouston.net or fax it to him at 832.393.2451 or mail it to:

McCrane-Kashmere Neighborhood Library
5411 Pardee
Houston, Texas 77026

Woman, Stop Messing With My Man

One of my biggest pet peeves is when a woman goes out of her way to try and steal someone else's man. Please join me and S. B. Redd during his BlogTalkRadio Show on Weds., August 12th. We're going to get down and dirty and openly discuss why some women go to any lengths to pursue relationships with men who are already taken. We will also be discussing my new novel MY SISTER'S EX. If you're a female and have ever chased someone else's man, we'd love for you to call in (or listen in). At any rate, I look forward to thoroughly discussing this topic and more.

What: Maverick Media (on Blog Talk Radio)

When: Wednesday nights 10 p.m., eastern; 9 p.m., central; 8 p.m., mountain, 7 p.m., pacific

Show's duration: 60 minutes

Call-in number: 347.215.9680

Show topic: Woman, Stop Messing with My Man!

Show's website/chatroom: www.blogtalkradio.com/maverick-media

Maverick Media (on Blog Talk Radio) statistics:

Since June 2009, Maverick Media (on BTR) has consistently ranked among BTR's top five shows in the entertainment category, and it has peaked at the No. 1 spot among entertainment shows for at least one day the following weeks: 7.8.2009 thru 7.10.2009; 6.23.2009; from 6.16 thru 6.18.2009; and from 6.10 thru 6.12.2009. (The are more than 250,000 original shows on BTR; more than 25,000 new shows each month on BTR; there are more than 10,000 hosts on BTR.)

And since the week of 5.13.2009, Maverick Media (on BTR) has consistently ranked among BTRs 20 most popular shows overall, peaking as high as No. 6 (7.30.2009), No. 9 (6.11.2009), No. 12 (6.25.2009, 7.16.2009, 7.31.2009), and No. 15 (7.9.2009, 7.30.2009).
As of July 1, 2009, Maverick Media (on BTR) averages more than 1,000 daily downloads and more than 7,000 downloads per weekly show installment. That translates to more than 30,000 listeners each month; a download/impression occurs every 90 seconds. (Blog Talk Radio boasts of more than 4 million listeners each month for all the shows that are hosted on this medium.)

Past guests:

Marvin Cobb, former NFL player and college athletic department administrator

Lloyd Gite, former television reporter and freelance journalist

Brenda Russell, Grammy-award nominated performer

Jesse J. Holland, reporter for the Associated Press; he covers the U.S. Supreme Court

Chris Barnes, professional bowler, future PBA Tour hall of famer, candidate for the PBA's bowler of the decade (2000-2009).

Take care and "see" ya next week.

Cydney Rax
Author of My Husband's Girlfriend
www.cydneyrax.com

Winners of MY SISTER'S EX Contest (& More)

Below is the list of the readers who won an advance copy of MY SISTER'S EX.

Phyllis Jackson of Jamaica, NY
Shameka Warren of Houston, TX
LaMonica Jones of Washington, DC
Tamica Gatling of Ft. Eustis, VA
Marla Ofor of Houston, TX


Congrats to all the winners. Sale date for MY SISTER'S EX is Tues., August 4th. If you do get a chance to get a copy of the book and read it, please make sure to post your review on Amazon.com, BN.com, Borders.com, or any number of other review sites. You are also welcome to post your comments on my blog.

Here is a link to a brief sample of my new novel:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307454409&view=excerpt

This Stuff In My Books Are Real

I was just going through many e-mails that were written by folks who've read my books. And every so often I come across "fan" mail that confirms many things. My book titles and topics may seem implausiable to some, but people in real life are going through baby mama drama, women who are going after their men, or they know someone in that very situation.

Without telling all their business, some readers, especially my male readers, are very forthcoming about the struggles they have in their own marital relationships. Married yet sexless. Men who have met "Dani's" in real-life and were so drawn to his "Dani" that he couldn't give her up. Bottom line, this stuff is real. It's just that we don't talk about it because it is humiliating. And feeling humiliated is totally understandable.

But it's good to be able to discuss these issues.

Right now I am going to share a Dear Abby column that completely represents what I'm trying to convey about what people endure behind closed doors:



DEAR ABBY:

I am 43, the mother of four children and just celebrated my 20th anniversary. Is it normal for someone to be married all this time and still not want your husband to see you naked?
I do not reveal myself to him. The lights must always be off, and I keep a shirt on. It's not because I am ashamed of my body; it's that I'm not attracted to him. I never was.

I married my husband for security and have learned to love him. But I love him like a brother, in a sisterly kind of way. I feel I owe him.

Should I tell my husband how I feel and risk losing my security after all this time? I had to talk to someone, so I confided in my best friend. She advised me to say nothing.

My husband had an affair a few years ago, and frankly, I was secretly relieved. Sometimes I wish he was still with her. Now that it's over, I'm back in hiding. Abby, please advise. -- HIDING IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR HIDING: What a sad situation. By marrying your husband feeling as you did, you have cheated both of you. Not only have you "not revealed" yourself physically, you have not revealed yourself emotionally or in any other way. You wish he was still with his lover because it took the pressure off you.

Your husband had an affair because instinctively he knew something important was missing in your marriage, and if you were happy you would not have written to me. What you have described is not a marriage; it is an "arrangement."

My advice is to talk to your husband about making another kind of arrangement -- one in which he supports the children and possibly makes some kind of settlement with you, while you both pursue your separate lives. Frankly, it won't be much different than what you are already experiencing.
copyright Jeanne Phillips 2009




Okay, this situation says a lot. This wife did not want to have sex with her own hubby, for her own reasons. And she's glad he had sex with another woman so she didn't have to. Wow! What you may not put up with another woman will (bad grammar, but you know what I'm trying to say).

I'd love to generate a discussion.

What are some things you're shocked you've put up with in your own relationship. We ALL do this!! :-) We may be embarrassed to admit it, but we do.

Like, do you tolerate your current man's need to stay in touch with his ex-girlfriends? That's a good one!! Let's talk about it.

My Husband's Girlfriend

A celibate husband and wife are the two most dangerous people on earth . . .Neil and Anya Meadows are stuck in a sexless marriage. Anya suffers from a hormonal disorder that leaves her with no sex drive at all, while Neil has a voracious sexual appetite. After one unfulfilling encounter too many, they make a deal: Neil will be allowed to have a mistress, but only for oral sex and only twice a month. And he’s forbidden to fall in love with her.Things don’t exactly work out as planned. Neil and his mistress Danielle have a child together, and all of them—Anya, Neil, Danielle, the new baby, and Neil and Anya’s daughter—decide to live together as Houston’s most complicated blended family. The tension builds as each is forced to make difficult choices, as well as to come to terms with the past—and the future.Fast-paced, provocative, and sexy, My Husband’s Girlfriend explores issues of morality, emotional ties, family, love, and monogamy, and is an eye-opening novel about the complexity of modern love.

Read an excerpt

Buy the book




REVIEWS



Publishers Weekly


"Rax manages the fallout...with insight, zip and wit, and airs multiple conflicts within black middle-class life in compelling detail."




DisilgoldSoul Magazine
One of the most provocative, entrancing and insatiable naughty novels of the year has arrived. Cydney Rax is on her way to being a serial bestseller as the author of the reigning book, "My Daughter's Boyfriend."



Ann Brown of RAWSISTAZ.com
Cydney Rax has opened Pandora's box...My Husband's Girlfriend is an explosive story about the sanctity of marriage, infidelity and the other woman; it will evoke lively discussions.





Marissa Monteilh, author of Make Me Hot


“My Husband’s Girlfriend is a heartfelt special delivery of faith and doing the right thing. Rax has penned a moving, poignant example of the true measure of a woman.”


MY THOUGHTS ABOUT MY HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND

• This novel is my favorite. I love the story, the characters, the writing style, and the emotional depth.
• I received criticism regarding the storyline. Some said it was so implausible. But when I began receiving emails from readers who were in that situation, or know people who were going through the things my characters went through, it confirmed that people go through all kinds of situations behind the scenes. That just because a reader hasn't heard of a scenario before, doesn't mean it's not happening to someone else in real life.
• This is the book that male readers respond to the most. As a matter of fact, they confessed that many married men would love to have a wife who doesn't mind if the hubby has a girlfriend.
• People write and say "Why don't you turn this into a movie?" Oh okay, sure thing. Right away. No prob!
• The sequel to this novel will be released in summer 2010. Can't wait!

My Best Friend and My Man

MY BEST FRIEND AND MY MAN

Read an excerpt

Buy the book

My Best Friend and My Man is endorsed by

USA Today

The things women will do–to men and to each other–in search of loveVeron Darcey is a twentysomething African American woman who wants it all: a successful career, an upwardly mobile life, and a loving, attentive man. But the last few men Veron has been with have either added her to their five-woman rotation or relegated her to the dreaded “just friends” zone.After one particularly bad date, Veron caves in and asks her best friend, Demetria Sparks, to share her secrets. Demetria is a gorgeous woman who has something special–men line up to paint her toenails and lavish her with Caribbean cruises and diamond rings. Demetria tries to give Veron a mind-and-body makeover, but sweet Veron struggles with being aggressive. And when Demetria demonstrates her method on Veron’s dream guy, Seaphes, his lack of interest provokes her to pull out all the stops–and forces Veron into a fierce competition between mentor and student. With pressure (and sexual tension) mounting, Veron begins to wonder if changing herself is a mistake. But is it too late to back off her new game now that she’s gotten a juicy taste of just what she’s capable of?

REVIEWS

“Whatever’s in the water in Houston, Cydney Rax should drink eight glasses a day.” --Patrik Henry Bass, Senior Editor, Essence Magazine

My Best Friend and My Man glows with sexuality, warmth and drama! Cydney Rax has done it again! --T. Styles, Essence Magazine bestselling author of A Hustler’s Son and Black and Ugly

I really enjoyed My Best Friend and My Man. There are some parts where Cydney has you laughing out loud and others where you want to reach in and throttle the characters. Cydney has another hit on her hands! --Desiree Day, author of Crazy Love and One G-String Short of Crazy

Smart, sexy and wickedly funny! Once again, Cydney Rax displays her keen ability to weave a story of romance and mayhem with characters that you'll both love…and love to hate.--Nancey Flowers, Essence Magazine bestselling author of No Strings Attached

Gearing Up for My Fourth Novel

It's almost April 2009. Life has been so very busy, so utterly dramatic, that sometimes I can't even believe half the things that happen. New prez. Changed economy. New ways of using the Internet. New job responsibilities. Oh, and a new book!! Wow, about ten years ago I remember feeling anxious about getting into the publishing industry. I wanted to be a novelist. Wanted to do what the other writers were doing. Back then you'd walk into the library or the bookstore and would find stories by Sandra Kitt, Bebe Moore Campbell, Connie Briscoe, Omar Tyree, Sheneska Jackson, E. Lynn Harris, and Marita Golden. Back then the idea of books by and about black people seemed so pure. Pure in that it was like a brand new thing. At least that's how it felt to me. Back then was different, way different, than now. We only had a few shelves of books, and we were so happy to be able to read those books. Now we have rows and rows, entire sections, in the bookstore and the library. And there's no way on earth anybody can read every book written by African American authors. Not anymore. Too many books. And not enough time.



So, the fact that I have a new novel coming out this summer, is amazing. It's like my dream is still in motion. And that is a wonderful feeling.


My Sister's Ex will be released on Tuesday, August 4th (Barack Obama's birthday). The story of two siblings who must sort out raw feelings over a two-timing Casanova named Jeffrey Williams. Some elements of this novel may be considered classic Rax, but there's still something different about it. This time around, I got to explore family dynamics in a way that I haven't done before. Family drama is real. Family drama can be scary, frustrating. Emotional. Life-changing.

So make sure and mark the date on your calendar. Add My Sister's Ex to your wish list. Read the novel. And, if you're a brave soul, let me know if you have your own personal testimony about a sister and an ex-boyfriend.

Book Titles

Just popping in early Sunday morning to break out a discussion regarding titling books. As you know my book titles are:

My Daughter's Boyfriend
My Husband's Girlfriend
My Best Friend and My Man

Now, cutting to the chase: some readers LOVE my titles, think that they are catchy and are intrigued enough to put the books on their shopping list, etc. Others, as I am starting to find out, are wondering what the heck is going on and why do I name my books in this manner, yada yada.

One lady wrote me and said that the titles don't leave room for imagination and am I going to consider changing how I do things.

Which brings me to this -- titles sell books. An author or a publisher is trying his or her best to choose a title that will immediately click with a potential reader. You want your titles to stand out. You want it to perfectly convey the gist of your story. I am 100% aware that my books reach a certain target market so, of course, there will be readers that automatically pass up my books because they may be turned off by the content, titles, etc. And that's fine. I don't believe there is any book that every single person on earth is going to want to read. Not even Harry Potter and these sell millions (yet I've never read an HP book).

So I know my audience. And it is true that it takes several books before your readers find you. It takes years to build an audience. And usually the way to do that is by carving out a niche in the literary world -- a niche that identifies you as an author. Carl Weber, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Zane, Noire, Shannon Holmes, Victoria Christoper Murray, and countless others (well maybe not countless) but lots of authors have successfully managed this. I think it is too risky to write 7 books and all of them are drastically different from one another. You're dividing up your audience when you do that. So long story short, in order to build your career, in the beginning you're looking for consistency so people can know who you are, what you write.

A little history - when I was unpublished and first wrote My Daughter's Boyfriend, I had no idea that anyone would want to publish the book. It wasn't like I purposely said "I'm going to write lots of books that start with the word MY". That wasn't the case. I knew that MDB was a catchy title from the jump. The agent loved it and so did my publisher. And that is the reason I got my foot in the publishing door in the first place.

My second title My Husband's Girlfriend was actually created by my then editor. So I didn't name the book. My title was The Arrangement. But she actually started this trend for my books and I am grateful. It works! My books consistently sell. No, maybe not 100,000 per title but I have sold 100,000 copies collectively (or at least 100,000 are in print). The point is the publisher knows how to market my books. They know what they are doing and I am glad about that.

Now, at this point I have no idea what a 7th or 8th title would be. Not there yet. Hope to be there, but we'll see. I love writing books, love meeting fans, love it when people email me and say how much they enjoyed my books, how they are addictive, and how they connected to the story. These are the people that inspire me. I write for them. The ones that get it. Now, for the ones who don't, I'm sorry that they read the books and take it so seriously. They act like the characters existed in real life (LOL) and have a major attitude. But that's fine because my books are very emotional. You're going to feel pissed off when you read my books. And that is an amazing feat to me -- to take unreal people, fictional situations -- and cause readers to experience a myriad of strong, (STRONG) emotions, that sometimes sends them over the edge. Whew! Scary!

And the title, the cover, the storyline are what makes a reader pick up my book in the first place.

The next novel My Best Friend and My Man, same thing. You kinda sense what the book is about, but it won't be 100% predictable. (Hope not anyway, that would be scary too).

I'm currently reading a book called Why Black Men Love White Women. Hey, I love the darned title. It drew me in. And the book is fascinating and not what you think, it has surprises. The title is catchy. Some will write it off immediately without having read one word. Their loss. Take a chance though. Pick up a book with a title that makes you upset. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Signing off now...to finish reading a book with a controversial title.