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Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of
Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in Black
Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta paper.. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its
Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
She first awakened her desire to write while in her second year of high school. She began her writing debut as a Sports Editor and as a News Editor for a local Atlanta college paper.
In 2009, the dream of becoming a published author was realized when she was able to publish her first title
Color Me Jazzmyne.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller. Reaching Amazon's #1 spot in the
Rhythm & Blues category, #2 in Inner-Child and
#7 in Performance/Voice for the amazing melodious tones developed through the voice of her main character, Naya Monà.
Color Me Jazzmyne was also ranked as one of the "Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
In Color Me Jazzmyne and the newly released
My Father’s Colors, Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark. Readers have been captivated by her emotional appeal and her flare for reality that continues to be weaved within the pages of her books.
Readers of My Father's Colors and Color Me Jazzmyne have been captivated by the depth of the emotional journey that the books takes them on. Both books dig deep into what it takes for women to embrace who they are no matter what size, color, educational background or social status. Sisters will learn to love themselves despite what society says or the voices that surround them!
Join top-selling author Marian L. Thomas as she takes you through the captivating pages of My Father’s
Colors. The book is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and get caught in the drama-filled story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery!
Visit Marian's website today at:
http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Here readers can read about her books, watch book trailers, read reviews, and view her author's media kit. Book clubs can also schedule a personal visit from the website or contact her via at email:
larrita@lbpublishingco.com.
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
In 2009, the dream of becoming a published author was realized when she was able to publish her first title
Color Me Jazzmyne. Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller. Reaching Amazon's #1 spot in the
Rhythm & Blues category, #2 in Inner-Child and
#7 in Performance/Voice for the amazing melodious tones developed through the voice of her main character, Naya Monà.
Color Me Jazzmyne was also ranked as one of the "Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Visit Marian's website today at:
http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Here readers can read about her books, watch book trailers, read reviews, and view her author's media kit. Book clubs can also schedule a personal visit from the website or contact her via at email:
larrita@lbpublishingco.com.
Red is fierce, most say. It is powerful.
It can often be used as a descriptive word that suggests anger, passion, love, strength and even pain.
Some suggest that the color red, gives off a warm tone. I personally haven't seen that.
To me, when a woman puts on a pair of red shoes, something in her attitude might change, a certain wave of confidence might enter into the swagger of her step, the bounce of her walk and the way that she speaks might suggest that she has an air of self-esteem going on within herself.
If you don't believe me, try it. Find a pair of high-heel, sleek to the toe— red shoes.
After putting them on, what emotions do you get? Now, what I am saying is not coming from some psych text book, more my opinion or rather observation.
However, if you decide to try this experiment and get warm tones, I'd like to know it.
Seriously.
In the case of my new release, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà
Continues, the main character, Naya Monà, wears a pair of red pumps on her journey to find out about the colors of her father and why at the tender age of thirteen, his touch became no longer innocent.
Could you imagine her having on a different color shoe as she dives back into that emotional-wrenching box of her past?
I can't.
Then, there's another character—Misty, that slides into a pair of red stilettos. She takes on more of the fierce, powerful and "I am all woman" approach to wearing her shoes.
I like her, that part of her personality that is. When writing her character, I certainly wasn't seeing any warm tones.
I'm just saying.
I reference colors in my books a lot, not just with shoes. A crayon box of colors to be exact. Why? As women, we are all made up of many colors.
I am not referring to the colors of our skin—but rather, the journey that life takes us on.
Every attitude, emotion, laugh, smile or tear, colors us in some way. We can either determine the colors in our box or allow someone else to color us.
Men, have a box full of colors too. I don’t care what they say.
This is certainly true of Chris—the husband of Naya. Chris is the type of husband who believes that his sole responsibility in life, is to protect, love and strengthen his wife.
How far will he go for love? That is the question that Chris wastes no time answering.
He will do whatever it takes to remove his wife’s pain, even if it means being the one to cause her the most.
Red will be the only color Naya sees when his secrets are revealed!
About the Author
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest-supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller and was ranked as one of
the " Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Marian welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues
on March 1, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Kindle and Nook.
Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another bestseller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
Visit the author's website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
The 5 Most Common Black-Leather-Shoe
Mistakes Women Make
by Marian L. Thomas
Ladies! There are a few simple things you can avoid that will save you from repeat
B.L.S.D (Black-Leather-Shoes Doom) that we all experience from time to time.
However, please remember that even after reading this, it might not prevent you from running into, marrying or dating a
B.L.S.D type of man overnight, but I hope that the information below will help you to see, acknowledge and accept the warning signs before it's too late.
Shall we begin?
Mistake 1—
Checking out his appearance and getting lost in his black leather shoes.
Solution: If his shoes are shinning more than what he says to you or does for you, run!
Mistake 2—
Forgetting to check out his background before thinking about your future together.
Solution: Do your homework. Find out about the past drama before you become the present drama.
Mistake 3—
Check the Compliments!
Solution: Ask yourself: Does it sound sincere? You want to be sure he is being sincere with his compliments and not just telling you something that fifty other women have heard.
Mistake 4—
Not having a 'line' in mind!
Solution: Know and have standards but make sure that you are up to par with them yourself.
Mistake 5—
Not Repeating this to yourself: "I am worth it"!
Solution: He smiled to capture your interest, brought your flowers and called you every night, now make sure that he keeps doing it.
That's it ladies, the five most common Black-Leather-Shoe Mistakes, we as women can make at some point in our lives.
About the Author Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in Black Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta paper.. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
In 2009, the dream of becoming a published author was realized when she was able to publish her first title Color Me Jazzmyne.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller in
three categories, including the #1 spot in the Rhythm & Blues
category. Color Me Jazzmyne was also ranked as one of the "Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
In Color Me Jazzmyne
and the newly released My Father’s
Colors, Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark. Readers have been captivated by her emotional appeal and her flare for reality that continues to be weaved within the pages of her books.
For details and ordering information, visit Marian's website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
The Reality Check
A Short Story by Marian L. Thomas
Jenna walked into the room with a frown on her face. Her countenance was full of worry and her eyes began to push forward the tears that had been building up within her for the past few days.
She sat down on the worn-out brown sofa and let out a sigh that the whole house (if the walls were listening) could hear.
Chris didn’t look up from his morning paper. He kept his eyes focused on the words of a reporter’s column although he honestly knew he cared less about the actual content. He needed something other than the obvious gloom in the air to keep his attention.
Jenna looked across the room at her husband; she noticed his obvious attempt to ignore the situation and that fueled the anger that was just at the stage of boiling over. He kept nodding his head slowly, pretending as if he were really engaged in the story.
She wanted to scream at him but she sat there in silence. Silence had become part of the family it seemed for the past month. She remembered when she opened the door and found it on her door-step with packed bags, ready to move in for what appeared to be longer than she cared for. She hated silence. It was like a bug that no matter how many times one hit at it, it always managed to get away and annoy the mess out of you.
She sighed again. Louder. Chris turned to the next page and immersed himself into another story.
Jenna stood up and walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain to allow the sun to ease the anger inside of her. It was raining outside. The corners of her eyes began to shake uncontrollably and tiny tear drops began to slide down the center of her cheeks. She turned and looked at him, wanting him to see the pain he was trying so hard to ignore.
Chris raised the paper slightly higher than before. He knew this might be taking the moment to another level, pushing the envelope too far. He could feel her stare and knew that at this moment the tears were streaming down her face. What could he say to her to ease the pain? There was nothing.
They both had known this moment would be upon them. They had fought hard to avoid it, even tried to avoid each other.
He heard her footsteps getting closer to him. His body began to tense.
She reached out, hands shaking. Emotions uncontrolled and grabbed the paper. The ripping sound was astonishing. The effects lay upon the floor, pieces here and there.
She walked out of their living room and headed up the stairs. He knew what was coming next.
The slamming sound the door made caused him to shift his position in his chair.
He put down the paper and leaned back. He found himself staring at the ceiling fighting off his own tears. Men don’t cry, he told himself.
He knew it was time to break the cords of silence that had been choking their relationship for the past month. If she only knew how her pain cut to the core of his heart, she would understand why he just couldn’t look at her.
He eased himself out of the chair and as he stood up he looked at the stairs that led to the upper level of their home. He knew she would be a mess. He knew she had every right to be. The situation was neither of their faults.
He wiped the tears away making sure there were no traces and began what would be even a more painful moment for them. He had to tell her that it was time to face reality, together.
As he reached the top of the stairs he stopped and stood there for a moment, listening for any sounds that she might have calmed down. Nothing.
Placing his hand upon the knob of their bedroom door, he turned it ever slowly until he knew that in a moment he would be standing in their room and she would be waiting for him to do what he should have done a month ago. Be a man.
He saw her lying across the bed with her face buried in a pillow. He didn’t hear the slight hint of tears still flowing so he went over and slipped into the bed next to her. He reached out and slowly placed his arm around her waist and pulled himself close. His voice a whisper but he knew she was listening.
“We might lose the house, but we still have each other. We will get through this together. I know it hurts, I understand it’s painful but the reality of the situation calls for us to look at other options. Know that I love you and that I will always be here, house, furniture or not.”
Jenna took a deep breath, finally she felt like the sun was shining.
About the Author
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest-supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller and was ranked as one of
the " Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Marian welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues
on March 1, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Kindle and Nook.
Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another bestseller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
Visit the author's website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
How to Publish Yourself
by Marian L. Thomas
For the last couple of months, perhaps years —you have stared at a monitor, pecked away at a keyboard and searched the depths of your imagination for something real, fresh and captivating that will show the world who you are from a written page.
Finally, you have put your last period at the end of a sentence and sat back with a smile of disbelief. Did you just finish writing your first book?
Will it be a bestseller? Yes, and Maybe.
Okay, why did I say maybe? When you decided to begin your journey to authorship, you also decided to publish yourself. To put 'you' out there to all who have never heard of 'you' before.
It's a scary thought, but such a reality that stares you in the face and asks "are you ready?"
A valid question.
So just how do you go about getting not just your book published but you for that matter? Before I answer that, remember this fact: that one can have an amazing book, an amazing cover, and the best story out there, but if you fail to publish yourself who will know it?
So when should you begin the process of publishing yourself? It is highly recommended that you begin this process before your book hits the online venues and brick and mortars. Actually, studies have shown that you should begin to market yourself at least three months prior. How?
Here are three steps to help get you started on the task of publishing yourself.
Step 1- Do research on developing a marketing plan—a game plan on how you are going to get your name out there. It's amazing what the www. can do for you. Use it.
Step 2-
Get on social media sites and begin making connections. Who knows better how to market yourself than other authors that have done it. Ask questions, take notes and continue to step three.
Step 3- Get a blog going and use the research information you found in step one as your posts.
Select different topics each week. If they came from another blog-make sure you link back to them. Not only do you help other fellow bloggers who might return the favor for the link back to them as the publishing source, but it helps to get your name out there in the writing community as a great resource. People like freebies, advice and places they can go to get questions answered.
Become an expert on some topic that is worth them coming to your blog about.
About the Author Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest-supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller and was ranked as one of
the " Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Marian welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues on March 1, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Kindle and Nook.
Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another bestseller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
Author's Website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
5 Easy Steps to Get Your Book Noticed by Book Clubs! by Marian L. Thomas
Talk with most authors and they all have one thing in common—to get their books noticed by as many book readers as possible. Book Clubs today have become the means to accomplish that task. Book clubs represent book lovers, and book lovers are the ones that buy books.
So how do you get your book noticed by book clubs? Hopefully, following these five easy steps will help.
Step 1-
Website. Get a website created with your own custom domain name.
It has been common in the industry to see author domain names that are geared toward the title of their first book, however, it might be more effectively in the long run to get a domain name that features your first and last author name.
For example: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Why is this important? Book clubs need somewhere to go to read more about you, your book (s) and to see how to purchase your book.
A website also helps you establish creditability as a serious author.
Include on your website the following:
- Home Page: A photo of yourself is often displayed on the home page.
- Author's Bio: Keep it simple but give it some substance.
- Book Page: Book synopsis, purchase links for your book, Reviews, links to book video trailer.
- Media Room: To set up this page, first make sure you set-up a free press room at
http://www.prlog.org. Once your press room has been created, ensure that any press releases that are written about your book, book events or other news that is media worthy is linked to your press room. You can then add a link to your press room under your Media tab. Be sure to include any links to articles that you have written or radio shows on this page.
- Contact: Use this page for comments, a way for readers to reach you or as a guest book.
- Calendar: Must have! Google Calendar is great, free and can be embedded on your website.
Step 2 -
Sponsorship. Sponsor three to five book club meetings during the first month of your book release. Book clubs are often looking for sponsors for their events or meetings. The result, if you get 25 to 50 book club members the first month of your release, that's 25 to 50 more people that know about your book! Word of mouth is vital as you continue on your journey to authorship.
Look for a local coffee shop to hold your events. Here's an idea for a good theme:
Coffee & A Book. Buy the first round of coffee and consider having finger-type foods or sandwiches if available.
Step 3
- Network. Use the Internet to invite book clubs to your event.
Try websites like: http://www.meetup.com
to find book clubs in your area and reach out to the coordinator. Set-up a "Like" page for your book and do a search on 'book clubs' on
Facebook. Invite them to 'like' your page. Also, look for groups on
Facebook that are geared toward readers, authors, writers or poetry. Offer to send a book club president a signed copy of your book.
Step 4-
Live Chats. There are many book clubs out there that won't reside in your local area or State for that matter.
You want to have a means to reach them as well. Skype can help. Invite book clubs to schedule a 'live' chat with you on Skype.
I f they have Skype already set-up, then it's a free call for you and them.
Skype also allows you to do a video call. Of course, there are others companies that offer this, so do your research and find one that book clubs are also using.
Step 5-
Cash or Credit. Make sure you display lots of copies of your book at your event and be sure to have a means for your guest to purchase them.
If you have an iPhone or Blackberry, there are credit card companies out there that have great apps that can be installed on your phone. This gives you the ability to take credit cards whenever someone says
"I want your book"!
About the Author Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in Black Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta
paper. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
In Color Me Jazzmyne and the newly released
My Father’s
Colors, Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark.
For details and ordering information, visit Marian's website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
5 Easy Steps to Sell 100 Copies of Your Book Fast!
by Marian L. Thomas
Talk with most authors and they all have one thing in common—to sell their books. For some authors, writing their book was the easy part, putting down their pen and picking up their marketing hat—is not as easier.
Hopefully, following these five easy steps will help get the marketing juices flowing and your books out the door, fast!
Step 1-
Get a website created with your own custom domain name. It has been common in the industry to see author domain names that are geared toward the title of their first book, however, it might be more effectively in the long run to get a domain name that features your first and last author name.
For example: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Why is this so important? Readers need somewhere to go to read more about you, your book (s) and to see purchasing options.
It also helps to establish creditability as a serious author.
Include on your website the following:
-Home Page: a photo of yourself is often displayed on the home page.
-Author's Bio: Keep it simple but give it some substance.
-Book Page: Book Synopsis, Purchase Links for Your Book, Reviews, Links to Book Trailer
-Media: To set up this page, first make sure you set-up a free press room at
http://www.prlog.org. Once your press room has been created, ensure that any press releases that are written about your book, book events or other news that is media worthy is linked to your press room. You can then add a link to your press room under your
Media tab. Be sure to include any links to articles that you have written or radio shows on this page.
-Contact: Use this page for comments, a way for readers to reach you or as a guest book.
-Calendar: Must have! Google Calendar is great, free and can be embedded on your website.
Step 2 -
Plan a major book signing/launch event around a theme. Everyone loves to go to a themed party, so have one. Invite everyone you know and ask them to invite 5 to 10 people that they know.
If you get 50 to 100 people to attend, that's 50 to 100 books sold! Make sure to include the cost of your book in the ticket price if possible and feed your guest!
Live entertainment is always good to have. Look for someone local. Local author, local entertainer.
Win-Win.
Step 3 -
Use the Internet to invite book lovers, book clubs or social groups to your event. Try websites like:
http://www.meetup.com to find book clubs or social groups in your area and reach out to the coordinator. Offer to send him/her a free signed copy of your book if they would be willing to share the news about your event with their members.
Step 4- Send out press releases in a
Microsoft Word.doc to your local newspaper. Don't forget to include any newspapers or media that might be close to your event venue. Some of your local papers have a free event listing or calendar. Use them! Great way to get your event out to the public and did I mention that most are free?
Step 5-
Presentation. You've gone through quite a bit of trouble to get things going in the first three steps so don't blow it by not having a professional presentation set-up for your book. Invest in a good large and tall banner of your book. Make sure you display lots of copies of your book at your event and be sure to have a means for your guest to purchase additional copies.
About the Author Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in Black Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta
paper. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
In Color Me Jazzmyne and the newly released
My Father’s
Colors, Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark.
For details and ordering information, visit Marian's website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
My Flow by Marian L. Thomas
Some ask how do I write
I say to them that I don’t write
My heart begins to sing
And my mind begins to breathe
When my pen stops
Then the words drop
Slipping off my chin
To create the poetry from within
It’s like a flow
A constant passion
That moves me to
Think, create and feel
It’s essence
It’s not sexy
Or rehearsed
Just a flow
Of the poetry from within
It’s a moment
Not of silence
But of inspiration
Desire and compassion
To create this poetry
This flow
Of the poetry from within
It’s not just smooth
But soothing
It’s not romance
But romantic
When I begin to flow
you can feel the poetry from within
It's no longer written
what drops off my tongue
It's not even poetic
It's My flow
Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved by Marian L. Thomas.
About the Author Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in Black Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta
paper. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
In Color Me Jazzmyne and the newly released
My Father’s
Colors, Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark.
For details and ordering information, visit Marian's website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Readers, I would like to introduce you to a fantastic rare, new book, Color Me
Jazzmyne. This is one of those rare books that has no profanity or curse words! This book could be read by a 14 year old as well as a 90 year old!
Readers of Color Me Jazzmyne have been captivated by the depth of the emotional journey that the book takes them on. It digs deep into what it takes for women to embrace who they are no matter what size, color, educational background or social status. Sisters will learn to love themselves despite what society says or the voices that surround them!
Author Marian L . Thomas not only delivers her first novel but takes on real-life topics that are affecting society today.
The topics that are discussed throughout her book are ones that are often rejected by mainstream publishing houses.
She cuts to the core of serious subject matter: rape, the mental health of Black women, self-esteem issues with women and the
cut-throat world of the music business and lands the reader into the thick of a good story.
Read on to enjoy the journey of Marian and Naya!
My Father's
Colors
The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Mona Continues
by Marian L. Thomas
Four Drama-Filled Journeys, One Incredible Destination filled with Betrayal, Lies & Shocking
Secrets. My Father's Colors by Marian L. Thomas Delivers!
Naya Monà is back on another emotional and drama-filled roller coaster as she finds herself fighting to find her voice, discover her father's past and search for her daughter. How do you find a daughter you never knew you gave birth to?
Then there's Chris-her husband. How far would one go for love?
That is the question that Chris wastes no time answering. He will do whatever it takes to remove his wife's pain, even if it means being the one to cause her the most.
Let's not forget Misty. Fame and Fortune have been the determining factor for Misty ever since her father passed away.
How far will she go, this time, to achieve it?
Introducing, Carl Thompson. Carl has found the love of his life, only she doesn't know it. Green eyes and hazel brown hair fill his dreams for the future.
Does he have enough love for the both of them?
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia. Her debut title,
Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller and was ranked as one of the
"Top 100 Books" -1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Marian welcomed the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues
on March, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Kindle and Nook.
Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another bestseller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. What impact do you want your book to
have on the readers?
Passion is a hard word to describe because it's like describing what it feels like to have something move you so much that you can't help but act upon it... are their real words for that?
For me, writing is more of a release from reality, a way to express the obvious using melodious tones that soothe the reader and allows them to live in a world other than their own.
That is my goal when writing. That is what drives me.
BPM: Finish this sentence-
“My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...”
That the term 'color' doesn't necessarily refer to the color of a woman's skin.
Rather, it can refer to the colors that make up her crayon box of life. As women—our journeys, emotions, experiences, tears, joys, laughter and even pains in life help determine the colors in our box.
We can either create our own box of crayons or allow others to do it for us.
BPM: Share with us a little about your debut novel Color Me Jazzmyne before we move into the newly released sequel
My Father's Colors.
Child abuse, rape, struggling to make money to live—these are all the things that women have gone through at least once in their lifetime. When a father's touch is no longer innocent, how do you find the courage to forgive?
Women will relate to the drama, romance, and struggles Naya Mona goes through in Color Me Jazzmyne. She has a voice that commands the attention of its readers and takes them on a rollercoaster ride as she confronts a son whom she never got a chance to name. How do you tell your son that your father is his?
There are so many questions that face Naya and she tries to explain just what color is Jazzmyne.
BPM: Are your characters, in the debut novel Color Me Jazzmyne, a portrayal of real people?
In Color Me Jazzmyne, I discussed several current issues in society, such as rape and incest. Rape is often the "hush" word in our lives. It's the thing that we prefer to put into the closet of other skeletons that we pray no one has the key to. Child abuse often occurs at a young age and more than often it is done by someone that is very close---a family member or friend of the family. It's a difficult thing to get over, it's even more difficult to explain. According to one statistic.... one out of every six women will be raped over their lifetime and 73% of all rape victims know their assailants. In fact, studies have shown that 60% of all sexual assaults are not reported.
Reality is always a part of us and as such what we read must adhere to some form of it in order to make it so that one can relate to the story that is being told. Naya is clearly a reflection of the many women that I have met over the years and the struggles that they have gone through. I do not remove myself from that reflection. Misty represents all the so-called friends that revolve in and out of our lives and Chris is what I term the 'life-time' type of husband. He represents the compassion and love that we as women need, want and deserve.
BPM: Now let's move forward, introduce us to the sequel My Father's Colors.
My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues, takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one incredible destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets. Naya Monà is back on another emotional and drama-filled roller coaster as
she finds herself fighting to find her voice, discover her father's past and search for her daughter. How do you find a daughter you never knew you gave birth to?
BPM: Who were your favorites in My Father's Colors, the sequel to Color Me Jazzmyne?
In this book, my favorite character is Chris. He is a devoted husband who makes mistakes but his motives and love for his wife are pure, real and felt throughout the choices he makes. Each of the characters portray a version of someone we can all relate to, whether in a good or bad way. I think that element of reality helps make a good reader connection.
BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write My Father's Colors?
Watching the struggles, pain and abuse of children prompted me to tackle the subject within the pages of my books.
BPM: What are two major events taking place in My Father's Colors?
First, there is the inner struggle that the main character Naya Monà must face. She must find peace within herself, within her past and dig within the depths of her heart to find forgiveness for her father.
Second, there is the inner struggle of Jonathan—Naya's son. How do you deal with knowing that your mother was raped and that you were the result? How do you find the strength to forgive when your heart can't let go of the past? How do you see your future—your wife and children and realize that their love is what matters most?
BPM: Who do you want to reach with My Father's Colors and the message within?
For women who have gone through what Naya has, I hope that when they close the book, after reading the last sentence, they feel as if they too can find their voice. Their inner-strength and their desire to be a survivor.
BPM: What are some of the specific issues, needs or problems addressed the book?
One of the issues addressed in the book is the desire that some show for fame and fortune. Family, friends and even love are still part of the essentials in life and the materials things don't define or determine our worth in life.
BPM: Share with us a quote from one of the most powerful chapters.
My Father's Colors: Chapter Three- Finding Strength
Throwing the diary down and slipping out of bed, Naya makes her way to the bathroom. Inside she finds herself staring into the mirror, still trying to see her face. Her knees become weak and she finds comfort in the coldness of the floor. Head leaning against the tub, tears falling, heart breaking. She pulls her knees into her chest and squeezes tightly. Staring at the door, her lungs begin to expand, lyrics flowing.
I came into the world spreading my arms toward you. I loved you with my smile. Adored you with my charm. I trusted you with my heart and you listened from the start. You were my father, the one who was supposed to wrap me up and shield me from the pain.
Night came... You held my heart in your hand. I watched you let it fall, shattered glass upon the floor. I want to scream how much I hated you until I couldn't find the strength to whisper it anymore. I want to remember how much I loved you but the ache in my kidneys, the pain in my bones and the sorrow in my memories won't allow me to go back that far.
This is my song for you, daddy.
This is what my heart keeps beating for.
This is my song for you, daddy
A child's heart you kept reaching for A memory in a touch
This is what I find myself living for
Tears and fears for a man I loved before
This is my song for you, daddy
I wish you could hear what I'm begging for.
Naya opened her eyes and saw Chris standing in the doorway, tears flowing down his cheeks and it made her cry even more. He came to her, wrapped her in his arms.
###
BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
My website is: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Here readers can read about my books, watch book trailers, read reviews, view my media kit and book clubs can schedule a personal visit. I can also be reached via at email:
larrita@lbpublishingco.com
Purchase copies of the
books by Marian L. Thomas today!
Marian L.
Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston, in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a loyal supporter of victims of abuse and has been featured in the
Atlanta Skirt! Magazine as one of Atlanta's 9 to 5 Women in the Media Industry, in
Black Pearls Magazine and CrossRoadsNews, a East Metro Atlanta paper.. Marian was recently featured by 11Alivenews.com in its Atlanta Reads April Events Alert.
She began her writing debut as a Sports Editor and as a News Editor for a local Atlanta college paper.
In 2009, the dream of becoming a published author was realized when she was able to publish her first title Color Me Jazzmyne.
Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller.
Reaching Amazon's #1 spot in the Rhythm & Blues category, #2 in Inner-Child
and #7 in Performance/Voice for the amazing melodious tones developed through the voice of her main character, Naya Monà.
Color Me Jazzmyne was also ranked as one of the "Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Visit Marian's website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Here readers can read about her books, watch book trailers, read reviews, and view her author's media kit. Book clubs can also schedule a personal visit from the website or contact her via at email:
larrita@lbpublishingco.com.
BPM: Marian, have published two top-selling books, why do you write?
For me, writing is more of a release from the reflection of the world around us. It is a way to express the obvious using tones that soothe, excite, uplift and allow the reader to step out of their comfort level. That is my goal when writing. That is what drives me to create characters
such as Naya Mona.
BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. What impact do you want your book to
have on the readers?
Passion is a hard word to describe because it's like describing what it feels like to have something move you so much that you can't help but act upon it... are their real words for that?
For me, writing is more of a release from reality, a way to express the obvious using melodious tones that soothe the reader and allows them to live in a world other than their own.
That is my goal when writing. That is what drives me.
BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
My mentors are people who encourage me. Who tell me to "never give up." They become my inspiration and my drive to write. My husband, mother and mother-in-law, along with friends and readers have become both mentors and inspirations for me.
BPM: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
I wouldn't consider myself powerful but I hope that people who read my books, make a powerful connection with them in some form or fashion.
Be it mentally or emotionally. If that occurs, that gives strength to my pen.
BPM: Did you self-publish your books? If so, what was the process like?
When you write something that has taken on part of who you are, you want to own it--not "lease it out".
No one will believe in your story like you do. No one will own it, live it or tell it...like you can. I never went to a publishing company, I simply started my own.
I knew from the beginning this was going to be my story from beginning to end.
My book is under my middle names ( I have two believe it or not) and my company is under my first name so that I keep them separate. When you self-publish, it is vital that you understand that when you're an Author you speak as one but when it comes to business--that requires a totally different
hat. I do plan to publish other titles besides than my own, but I will do so with the author from the beginning to the end and I will treat their story as if it were my own.
I will make it a part of me.
BPM: What is your most valuable lesson about the publishing industry?
That fiction gets very little love so you have to cultivate it. It's easy to read "how-to books" and don't get me wrong they serve a purpose but reading the experiences of life through the eyes of a character that grips onto your inner-self and never lets go until you close the book...that's priceless.
For your readers, I will share a few of the things I learned in publishing my
first book.
How to "Publish" Yourself
For the last couple of months, perhaps years —you have stared at a monitor, pecked away at a keyboard and searched the depths of your imagination for something real, fresh and captivating that will show the world who you are from a written page. Finally, you have put your last period at the end of a sentence and sat back with a smile of disbelief. Did you just finish writing your first book?
Will it be a bestseller? Yes, and Maybe.
Okay, why did I say maybe? When you decided to begin your journey to authorship, you also decided to publish yourself. To put 'you' out there to all who have never heard of 'you' before. It's a scary thought, but such a reality that stares you in the face and asks
"are you ready?" A valid question.
So just how do you go about getting not just your book published but you for that matter? Before I answer that, remember this fact: that one can have an amazing book, an amazing cover, and the best story out there, but if you fail to publish yourself who will know it?
So when should you begin the process of 'publishing you'? It is highly recommended that you begin this process before your book hits the online venues and brick and mortars. Actually, studies have shown that you should begin to market yourself at least three months prior. How?
Here are three steps to help get you started on the task of publishing yourself.
Step 1- Do research on developing a budget, publicity plan and marketing plan—a game plan on how you are going to get your name out there.
It's amazing what the www. can do for you. Use it.
Step 2- Join social media sites and begin making connections. Who knows better how to market yourself than other authors that have done it. Ask questions, take notes and continue to step 3.
Step 3- Get a blog going and use the research information you found in step 1 as your posts. Select different topics each week. If they came from another blog-make sure you link back to them. Not only do you help other fellow bloggers who might return the favor for the link back to them as the publishing source, but it helps to get your name out there in the writing community as a great resource. People like freebies, advice and places they can go to get questions answered.
Become an expert on some topic that is worth them coming to your blog about.
If I give
you any more tips, I would have to charge you! LOL. This is a start, now take off
and just do it! Much success!
Meet the Author
Visit the official Marian L. Thomas
website today at: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Here readers can read about her books, watch book trailers, read reviews, and view her author's media kit.
Book clubs can also schedule a personal visit from the website or contact her via at email:
larrita@lbpublishingco.com.
Purchase copies of the
books by Marian L. Thomas today!
Join top-selling author Marian L. Thomas as she takes you through the captivating pages of My Father’s
Colors. The book is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and get caught in the drama-filled story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery!
Please read the
featured excerpt from My Father's Colors -The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues,
sequel to Color Me Jazzmyne, also by Marian L. Thomas.
"I know that I'm not paying you a thousand bucks an hour for you to tell me to start talking to
myself!"
"I'm not telling you to talk to yourself. I'm telling you to express yourself. Using a tape recorder will give you the ability to capture your feelings when you are, in fact, having them instead of keeping them bottled up inside."
The two women sat in silence for what seemed to be another hour.
Naya left her doctor's office that day, knowing that she would never return. A tape recorder, she
thought, I'm not the only one who needs to be lying on someone’s couch.
Two months later, however, she found herself struggling to take her doctor's advice.
"Okay tape recorder, it's just you and me. I'm expressing myself so you had better listen."
"Once-upon-a-time I was a little girl who loved my father. That fairytale stopped at the tender age of thirteen. I'm still trying to get back to that moment, back to the time when his touch was innocent. For the past thirty-seven years, I've been tracking it down, running after it and yet, here I am. One could say that I'm complaining; in some ways, I know my heart is."
"It's four o’clock in the morning, my diary in hand, pen dangling on the tip of my fingers. Thoughts lingering as my mind searches for the right words to write down on a piece of paper that is bounded rather tightly to a book that will probably never be read by anyone other than me. Eyes are heavy. Heart beating underneath a gown that I've decided to wear for the first time. I've been sitting here for five minutes scribbling down absolutely nothing and saying absolutely nothing. This is crazy."
Maybe I should pretend like I'm still in the doctor's office. What would she do at this point?
She would probably ask me something stupid like—how do I feel? I would say something like, "how do I feel about what?,” just to get some type of reaction out of her. It's a game I'd play until I look at the clock and realize that I'm paying to watch her sit in her chair, watching me like I am crazy, which by the way is why I'd be sitting in her office in the first place at a thousand bucks an hour.
Okay, let's try again.
"So Naya, how do you feel? Let's see. Being honest with myself, I'd say that right now I feel frustrated, to the utmost degree. Humiliated, just a little. Why you ask? Well, because in the end I'm still talking to me. How is that for feelings!"
Horrible, girl. Just horrible and you know it.
No matter how she tried to escape it, sadness swept through her like the chill in New York's air on a crisp Saturday morning.
She leaned her head back and stared at the tape recorder. I need help. Naya found herself glancing at her husband, watching him sleep and whispering within… How I love this man.
She stroked the side of his face. Just touching him soothed her, calmed her mind and helped her to focus. Just that simple action, mixed with her emotions, helped her to find her voice. Feel her strength. It's funny how a man can give you both.
The tape recorder is still going although she puts the diary down. She finds herself whispering the words her hands wouldn't allow her to write.
Here beside me lay not just a husband but also a love, A friend and an intimate companion.
He has given me what was taken away, just as he promised
Honesty in his touch. In his touch I found nothing meant to hurt me Or destroy the “once upon a time” life that every child lies in their bed and dreams about.
Just honesty in his touch.
Touch. Touch.
She's feeling it now. Her head is swaying, her fingers, gently snapping as she envisions the band playing in the background. There it is, the music mixing with her vocals.
In his touch there is more than a fairytale;
There is more than a dream.
In his touch there is a reality
That captures me
Wraps me in the essence of its embrace
Each and every day.
Yes, a touch can mean so much.
I feel honesty in his touch.
The emotions in his hand.
Feels like butter, baby
Smooth.
Do you feel that?
I can feel that…
I can feel the
The honesty in his touch.
Her voice getting slightly higher. Bed moving just a little.
I want to do it again,
Touch ever so gently
The softness of your skin
I feel myself restraining.
Too many moments like these
Have found me wrapped up in your arms
Allowing your heartbeat to rock me back to sleep again.
Can you feel that?
I can feel that
Sweet honesty.
The honesty in his touch.
Oh baby. Sweet.
Sweet honestly
The honesty in his touch.
He moves. Naya stops. Man that felt good. She glances at the clock; it's four-thirty.
How I wish I could close my eyes and just sing myself into a sleep filled with dreams.
"I'm too old for that it seems."
She reached for the tape recorder.
Time to turn you off. Now what do I do? What you always do? Don't kid yourself.
Pulling the covers off, she slid quietly out of bed and tiptoed over to the bedroom door. Stomach held tightly in, breath about to leave her as she reached for the knob. For a moment, she stands and listens.
She was watching for any moment, a fringe of hope. A slight jerk of the hand, a move of the head. There was nothing but silence. She didn't want to admit that her heart had wanted him to wake up.
It had wanted to scream that she needed to be rescued once again from the inevitable, the reality that has been a part of her ever since she first read the letter.
She felt the air releasing as her stomach came back to normal; it was obvious that this time she would be on her own. Disappointment set in the pit of her kidneys; it was probably for the best. I can’t keep running to him, she said to herself a couple of times.
It didn't stop her from glancing once more, just to be sure as she reached and placed the tape recorder in her pocket.
Feeling a fringe of confidence building inside of her, she glides out into the foyer, closing the door behind her as if it were never opened. As she moves in the darkness she can feel the lushness of the carpet gracing her feet and easing her steps. Her mind doesn’t stop to consider where she's going; her heart already knew the answer.
Although the scene was more than familiar, she could still feel the anticipation beating within her.
Down the hall, turning just to the left she found herself standing in front of her office door. Her nerves tapping her on the shoulders. Her hands uneasy as she reached for the solid brass handle, her grip soft but with purpose.
Relax girl, she whispered.
Inside, she flips on the light, as if she expected something to be different. Her eyes scan a room she has been in a thousand times. Reaching inside her desk drawer, she grabs hold of it.
It’s still here. Isn’t it always? Wouldn't it be nice if just for a moment, it didn't exist? So nice.
Look at me, holding it in my hand. I want to scream; here I am life, once again I'm going to sit down on my white leather sofa and stare at a yellow envelope that is about fifteen years old. How many times can I continue to do this? Do you have an answer for me, life?
Life, it seems is out of responses today; did I really expect one? It would have been nice.
Naya pulls out the tape recorder and places it on the sofa table.
Here I go, more moments of expression.
She allows herself to go back to that day. Back to that moment when she stood outside his penthouse home, upon his doorstep and reached out her hand to a man who couldn’t find the nerve to hand her a letter that would tell her where her son was.
I can still feel the anger I felt that day, I can still hear my heart pumping at a thousand beats as I had come to the realization that the beast, my Father that is, sent his butler to deliver the letter to me. He couldn’t even come to the door himself. What a coward! I still remember Chris and me running down the steps like fools, envelope in hand, stopping only for a moment to see him standing at the window watching us. I remember not caring. How I wish that today, at this moment, I still didn’t.
Wouldn't that be nice? Better, perhaps. It would be perfect. She looks down.
Upon this same sofa, Chris and I sat, staring at this same envelope.
The scene was still vivid in her mind. Her hands responded by gliding over the
words “To my daughter, Naya Mona” that were written on the outside of the envelope. Even with her eyes closed she could trace each letter, envision each stroke of a ‘T’, and remember each dot of an ‘I’
"So now how do you feel?" She asks herself. "I admit that opening this envelope tonight is like opening my father’s colors. Although he’s been dead for five years now, I still refer to him as ‘The beast,’ I am convinced that I will never stop thinking that way about him. Why? Because I hate him. Plain and simple. Those are my feelings; those are my thoughts. My expressions. I wish I could change them, but I can't.
Naya placed the letter in her lap and just sit there trying to imagine what it would have been like if it didn’t exist. She knew that some might feel that the years that had gone by should have given her heart the time it needed to heal. She wondered if they had ever had their fairy-tale of a childhood ripped away from them, stolen in the blink of a moment and then left alone in a world of realities that can never forget the past. This was as far as she had gotten, still trying to push past the pain. Always it seemed she found herself doing just as she was doing now, allowing that letter to sit upon her lap, unable to stretch out the paper enough to gaze her eyes once again upon words that always left her wanting more than answers.
She thought of her son.
"Ten years ago I sat in this office and handed this same blue inked letter to him. I, for the very first time, gazed upon the whiteness of his skin, looked into the depth of blue eyes and realized that the color of snow had sunk deep into the veins of my son. How hard it was for me then. I had to sit here and hear my son read the words of the beast, Jonathan Creek. My never-to-be-again father. But that was not the worst part of that day. I had to be the one to tell him that the beast was also his father. How do you tell your son, one whom you never got a chance to name, something like that? How? I wish the beast could have been there; I would have made him do it!
Ask me again why I hate him."
The beast was a white man with broad shoulders and a barely-get-by sort of attitude in life. There was a moment in her life, a moment that went by like the flicker of a candle, when she could recall being happy just to be near him.
"He was a coward, nothing but! I remember how I felt the moment I read in that letter that his parents had given my son the name Jonathan. I cried. No, I screamed and I threw things. How could they give my son that name, knowing what he did? They knew and still.
"I have strong feelings for them as well, and it isn't love, that much I can tell you."
Calm down girl. I really wish I could. She knew if Chris were with her right now, he would be whispering some of his smooth words into her ears, soothing her heart. She stared at the letter again, her tears falling upon it. She didn't care.
"I remember watching Jonathan, my son, that day. I remember listening to each sentence that fell off his lips and feeling like they were ripping at my insides, shredding my bones. No mother should see what I saw. Pain and agony upon their child's face. Feeling like there was nothing you could do as they struggled to put the pieces of their life together. To him, it was like a puzzle that never seemed to fit. I was a mother that never wanted him, one that never cared. "
"Back then, when we first met, I ached from wanting to scream out from the rooftops that I did care, that I did love him and that I had always wanted him. For a time, he didn't want to hear it."
How long I waited to be more than a once-upon-a-time mother to a once-upon-a-time son. It had taken a week just to hear the word—mother— fall off his lips. Even now as I think about it, I wish I could go back and capture that moment, lock it up in a bottle and place it upon my heart. It felt so good. No one understands that, not even that crazy doctor at a thousand bucks an hour.
I'd say the breaking point for us came when it was discovered that he really wasn’t my father’s son. He only had the beast's name. It was like sunshine on a cold and miserable day when I learned that. I, Naya, had been raped by another man as I came home from school one day. It's a story I had to tell to my son, a moment in my life that I had to relive; I'm certainly not about to do it here, not again.
Reliving what the beast did to me is more than enough. For now.
"I'm still holding this letter, unfolded. I find my present life staring me in the face; it's enough to fringe a smile. I need one right about now. Just a tiny one. What makes me smile? I see in my mind’s eye, pictures of my husband and me, my son and his wife, my grandchildren. They are smiles clouding out the skeletons in my closet."
Naya allows the tears to flow now. She clicks off the tape recorder and pulls her knees into her chest, her thick hazel-brown hair, hanging off the side of her shoulder. She finds a small amount of comfort in the confines of an old pillow that she won't allow her staff to throw away.
Silence and tears appear to be at war inside of her. It is a battle she has never won. She dared not imagine that today would be any different. But it was.
She turned the tape recorder to the on position. She pretended like she was on stage, performing for the walls, the chandelier and even the pictures that held her memories.
Here I go again, she thought.
"I 'am going to read it this time, out loud, although I feel that I could recite every word, even in my sleep if I were asked about it in a dream. Here's a piece of reality, it really doesn't matter, my eyes could be open or closed, for me, the effect is the same. The anger of it all still comes rushing through me. But not just anger, there are times that I feel lost, trapped inside darkness and even downright loneliness. It's because of these feelings that I have never allowed myself to get past the nightmare and look deeper into the meaning. I admit that. Today, however, seems different somehow. I wish I could explain why but I just can’t."
"Doesn't matter anyway. Here I go; I know my hands are moving, I feel my heart pounding. In my mind I'm telling myself to go slow. I can feel myself unfolding the paper and stretching it out, okay, now just open your eyes, girl, and read."
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Red is fierce, most say. It is powerful.
It can often be used as a descriptive word that suggests anger, passion, love, strength and even pain.
Some suggest that the color red, gives off a warm tone. I personally haven't seen that.
To me, when a woman puts on a pair of red shoes, something in her attitude might change, a certain wave of confidence might enter into the swagger of her step, the bounce of her walk and the way that she speaks might suggest that she has an air of self-esteem going on within herself. 
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia. Her debut title,
Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon bestseller and was ranked as one of the
"Top 100 Books" -1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review. 
BPM: Did you self-publish your books? If so, what was the process like?
The
Black Pearls Magazine 