Book Review by @JoeyPinkney: The Pride by Faydra D. Fields @faydra_deon

Joey Pinkney Book Review: The Pride by Faydra D. Fields Posted: 08 Feb 2012 09:45 AM PST JoeyPinkney.com Book Revew The Pride by Faydra D. Fields 5 of 5 Stars  The Pride, Faydra D. Fields' debut novel, is unconventional in concept, yet impeccable in its approach to an interesting conundrum: a single Black man with ten children by four different women. Sounds like it's going to be high in low-brow drama, right? Wrong! Taking a scenario that could quite well be a train wreck befitting a full episode of the Jerry Springer Show, Fields takes The Pride in a decidedly literary direction. Instead of making a mockery of the situation, as is popular in today's society, the author orchestrates a blended family which slowly becomes singular in purpose and remains varied in personalities and perspectives – like a real family. pride – (noun) pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself; (noun) a group, especially of lions Emanuel Portman loves all of his children and has a positive, respectable relationship with their mothers. He works hard, has flexible hours and spends as much time as possible doing what it takes to be in each of their lives. Emanuel has a very high social intelligence and compassion for the human condition, which powers his desire and ability to navigate the complexity of the attitudes and behaviors, especially with his children. The story is lively for two distinct reasons: Fields' writing style moves at a steady pace and there are plenty of characters at Fields' disposal to flesh out the inner-workings of such an intriguing tale.  The chapters can stand alone, but most are blended together. The end of one chapter usually dovetails right into the beginning of the next. And where it doesn't, Fields' jumps in continuity are well-played to keep you on your toes. If the women in Emanuel's life aren't at his throat, or each other's for that matter, what's going on in The Pride? Simple answer: survival. With Emanuel's help, Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are all trying to make ends meet and keep their kids on the right track. Denise has been shunned by her father for not having an abortion the first time Emanuel got her pregnant, and having two more babies by him did not make her situation any better. Determined to make the best life she can provide for her three children, she works hard and takes no hand outs. Angela is an Army vet that's a little rough around the edges. Her main source of income is her military disability, but that can only stretch so far when dealing with three children. Romina struggles with dyslexia. It's become an embarrassment as her children have grown beyond her intellectual capacity in terms of their school work. She has her own desires to make a better way for her children by getting a better job. Xavari is the youngest mother. At 19, she has a two-year-old and one on the way. This college student is far from dumb, and has the intelligence and determination to make something of herself in life. The youngest is in charge, so to speak, and she manages to rally the mothers to form a model of cooperative economics. Since each mother could use a little financial relief, Xavari's proposition of a communal living arrangement makes more sense to the other three mothers than the current alternative. Also, the children are more than familiar with each other, since Emanuel makes a point of raising them and spending time with them individually and collectively regardless of children's mother. Fields gives you more than enough to ponder as you learn about what makes each character tick. I got a kick out of seeing how in tune Emanuel was with his different children. I also enjoyed the cohesive friendships the children formed regardless of whether or not their mothers were familiar with each other. The world created by Fields is an enjoyable one. Emanuel is important but not omnipotent nor overbearing. Denise, Angela, Romina and Xavari are strong yet uniquely flawed. The children are lovable and through provoking. You won't be disappointed with The Pride. P.S. To join the JoeyPinkney.com Newsletter, click here. You can click on each banner as it scrolls by to learn more about each sponsor! You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.) Black History Month – Joseph Black – Major League Baseball Pitcher Posted: 08 Feb 2012 09:15 AM PST Professional Baseball Pitcher Joseph Black was born on February 8, 1924. He pitched in the Negro League and Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Redlegs, and Washington Senators and became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, in 1952. He appears prominently in Roger Kahn's classic book, The Boys of Summer. P.S. To join the JoeyPinkney.com Newsletter, click here. You can click on each banner as it scrolls by to learn more about each sponsor! You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.) You are subscribed to email updates from Joey Pinkney

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Phette L. Ogburn @phephi, author of It Can Happen To You via @joeypinkney

---

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Phette L. Ogburn, author of It Can Happen To You JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Phette L. Ogburn, author of It Can Happen To You (Phette L. Ogburn) http://www.phetteogburn.com The 1st installment in the It Can Happen To You series features the three short stories: “S & M: Sexts & Messaging”,” The ID” and “Organized Karma”. The stories follow Sabra, Nya and LaTrease on their journeys as they cope with issues of loneliness, lust, sex, betrayal, deceit and love. Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write It Can Happen To You? Phette L. Ogburn: My inspiration drew from a combination of my personal experiences as well as that of others, topped with some creativity for sensationalism purposes. JP: What sets It Can Happen To You apart from other books in the same genre? PLO: I’m finding it difficult to pinpoint a “genre” for my work, aside from that of fiction. The book encapsulates themes from that of drama to erotica. So, I suppose that’s what sets it apart. JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to It Can Happen To You getting out to the public? PLO: A strong support system. I am fortunate to have the backing of my husband, my family and friends, and my mentors. Also, not to mention, the social networking mediums: Facebook and Twitter. They’ve allowed me to reach people I never imagined. JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish It Can Happen To You? PLO: I wrote each short story at different periods in my life. For instance, I wrote “The ID” about three years ago, and ”S & M: Sexts & Messaging” and “Organized Karma” a year ago. When I truly started entertaining the notion of putting them into a book of short stories, the process took less than six months, including professional editing and graphic designing for the cover. JP: What’s next for Phette L. Ogburn? PLO: After getting such positive feedback from the 1st short story: “S & M: Sexts & Messaging”, a local producer read it, and it has now been optioned to be turned into a film. Production is scheduled to start early February 2012. http://www.phetteogburn.com http://www.facebook.com/phephi http://www.twitter.com/phephi Linked In – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/phette-ogburn/34/503/615 Facebook Fan Page – http:/www.facebook.com/phetteogburn Sext Messaging Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/sextmessaging Sext Messaging Twitter Page – http://www.twitter.com/SextMessaging Check out “Anderson Place”, a weekday, urban soap opera on the web, written by myself and two other amazing writers. http://www.apblogopera.blogspot.com P.S. To join the JoeyPinkney.com Newsletter, click here. You can click on each banner as it scrolls by to learn more about each sponsor! You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: My Mind’s Eye By Kire Senoj @kire_senoj via @AAMBookClub

My Mind’s Eye is a collection of poetic works inspired by what I see, hear, and feel throughout everyday life.

I use words to express the passion and pain of love; the struggles of race; the self-conflicts between sexual orientation and religious freedom; and the ever consistent delirium of genocide within the African American community.

In order to bridge the gap between people of diverse backgrounds, my words have been penned to provoke thought, provide insight, inspire change, and prove that struggles have no respect of person.

PURCHASE BOOK NOW 

Excerpt: Sik MuthaFuka

It’s sick’nin… Reading a newspaper or turning on the news
afterwards feeling the Miles Davis kind of blues. Everyday
someone is killing their child or molesting a baby. Babies havin babies, Mother’s throwing their babies away; such an awful price 2 pay when WE lay. Damn! Why are things turning out 2B this way? GOD R U Lis’nin 2 the wordz I say? A fellow lyricist wrote “I believe the children are our future, teach them well”…but all we’re doing is sending them 2 a mental hell, holding their mindz, heartz, body and soul hostage in a locked Unpadded cell.

How can a parent kill their child? Sik MuthaFuka! telling the judge it was a build up of stress because your husband left and you feel your life’s a mess? Uuh Uuh Uuh…U Sik MuthaFuka I guess. U killed your child because your husband went bucwild, Gave his time, money and lovin’ 2 anotha chick

You’re a sik demented little witch. I hope hell has a seat waiting while you’re sitting in jail contemplating on what U should do Sik MuthaFuka I’ve had enuff ov U and the so called king of R&B who has a fetish for urine and teenage girls, U know the 1 who says he has the best of both worlds. Sik MuthaFuka got a wife and children ov your own, No longer can U command respect when U step 2 the microphone. Singing your song I believe I can fly Sik MuthaFuka Y U Lie? U don’t see nuthin wrong with a lil bump n’ grind? It is when it fucks with the mind of a girl under developed and underage because U had her lay center stage While U took the time to degrade her body and yourself, Risking your own and her health. Everyone’s bringing the noize because you’re famous and U sing, but didn’t father so-n-so do the Xact same thing?

Now the Cardinal wants trust restored into the catholic priests, My GOD when will this madness cease? For centuries, decades, and years little boys have gone home crying so many tears; afraid 2 tell and ashamed 2 say that a sik muthafuka touched them the wrong way. Saying:”U must never tell, or your soul will surely go to hell”. Help me understand; is this apart of GOD’s divine plan? 4 my life? Is filled with much pain and strife. All this has caused major confusion; I don’t know if my life is real or an illusion. 2 much shit 4 a young mans’ mind, 2 much shit 4 a mental rewind. Going back 2 the day when momma asked, R U gay? Where did I go wrong? I didn’t raise U that way! Get the fuck out, and find some other place 2 stay!

(ahahhahahaha)I have 2 laugh 2 keep from crying because inside momma I am surely dying. My mind nor my heart can conceive that it was a sik muthafuka U chose 2 believe instead of ….me…

The 1 U nursed, nourished and carried for 9 months, but later pushed me aside 4 some alcohol, a dick, and some blunts. Your boyfriend took sumthin from me I can never get back, but I was the 1 U choose 2 attack? He stole my purity, my innocence, and my childhood

I was only 10 so I never understood how 1 could or why 1 would do that 2 a child, momma your man is nothing more than a pedophile!

This poem is dedicated to the sik muthafuka’s who have killed or wounded their children sittin in jail awaiting their final sentence 2 Hell. This is a shout out 2 that R&B singer, songwriter and producer who used his lyrics, his voice and his status 2 seduce a slew of little girls robbing them of their virginity and stealing their precious pearls. This goes out 2 every minister; mother’s boyfriend, teacher, and priest living or deceased that have used a little boy for their favorite past time sexual toy. Children are supposed to be handled with care they’re not put here to have so many burdens 2 bare. Children are a gift from GOD above they are to be kissed and embraced only with LOVE; because LOVE is what GOD is all about!

PURCHASE BOOK NOW 

ABOUT AUTHOR: 


Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH; Kire Senoj discovered his gift for writing while attending Wilberforce University. His writing talent has afforded him the opportunity to present on various platforms throughout the nation and has garnered mass appeal.


His direct and in your face writing about uncomfortable situations such as homophobia, racial prejudice, HIV/AIDS, religion, and the absence of positive role models for youth has been applauded by all that have had the privelage of hearing his writings.


Kire has a desire to share his message with the world and bring light to some very dark situations. He believes that his voice has been created to aid in bringing about change by any means necessary and will not stop until he has witnessed a transformation in the attitude and thought of those he targets. He is passionate about his work and the impact that it can have on a person’s psyche and will continue to ignite flames of change from every microphone he utilizes.


In order to bridge the gap between people of diverse backgrounds, my words have been penned to provoke thought, provide insight, inspire change, and prove that struggles have no respect of person.

PURCHASE BOOK NOW 

Getting to know Kire:

1. How long have you been writing?
“I’ve been writing since childhood; writing song lyrics and short stories, but I never took writing seriously until 2002 when I was entered into a spoken word class project without my permission by a close friend. Reciting my words, seeing the reaction from the audience and the comments made afterwards pushed me to into for real.


2. What inspires you to write?
“I’m inspired by GOD, family, LOVE, music, people, places and all things beautiful. Also, by what I see every day outside my window or on the news and what I and others around me go through.”

3. Who are some of your writing influences?
“Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Dianne Warren, Lalah Hathaway, Deana Dean, T.D.Jakes, E. Lynn Harris, Ledisi, Carl Webber, Rahsaan Patterson Jean Toomer and so many others; I love writers who write straight from the heart.”


4. Is My Mind’s Eye vol.1 autobiographically written?

“Not entirely. The short stories are purely fiction, but only a few of the poems are about me or involve me.”

5. With the poems about or involving you, was it easy to be so open about yourself and the things you’ve been through?
“Well, yes and no. It surely made me think and rethink about revealing myself, my insecurities, failures and some of my weaknesses to the world, but thinking about the reactions and comments I receive after reciting some of my poetry made it an easier task. If I can help anyone with my words then it’s all worth it.

6. What is your goal or objective with this book?
“My goal and objective is to inspire, motivate, encourage, and provoke thought”

7. What future projects do you have in store and are you working on anything else at the moment?
“Currently I am working on an as of yet untitled novel. The last short story of My Mind’s Eye vol.1 titled One More Chance is the prequel to this upcoming novel. I’m looking to release it the last quarter of 2012 or the first quarter of 2013.

PURCHASE BOOK NOW  

Find the Author:

www.facebook.com/kire.senoj

www.twitter.com/kire_senoj

kire_sennoj@yahoo.com

lifepainlove@gmail.com

Find the Book:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnobles.com

www.lifepainandlove.blogspot.com

PURCHASE BOOK NOW