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Black Pearls Magazine is a free digital magazine committed to inspire, encourage and empower a international group of readers. Our mission is to provide information that is essential, enlightening and entertaining. 

Every issue of this monthly published magazine will celebrate the accomplishments of authors and writers from around the globe, honoring proud traditions and spotlighting ways to enhance the reader's everyday life.

We are here to bring you those literary jewels, Black Pearls, that are sure to bring you and your love ones much pleasure and empowerment. Share this publication with your network and Give the Gift of Knowledge too!

              

Pearl Picks

Tywebbin Featured Blog and Radio Tour Books

Victorious Living for Women Online Tour

Victorious Living for Women is filled with the inspiration, wisdom and pathways to victory of 42 incredible women who share stories of their life experiences, from their heart to yours. They have endured personal pain and have come through empowered, encouraged and victorious.

As they take you on their personal journeys you will find inspiration, encouragement and blueprints for victory embedded in each chapter. You will discover principles for transforming your life. You can learn how to overcome fear, find you purpose, define your destiny, recover from divorce, heal your heart, physical healing, dealing with the loss of loved ones and so much more.

This stellar assembly of women with inspiring true-life stories will captivate you throughout each page as you read how their lives were transformed from anger to joy, disappointment to destiny and trial to victory. Their candor, wisdom and inspiration can help you to pursue your path of becoming a victorious woman. The book will be available November 24th, 2009.

Join the Victorious Living for Women Fan Page on Facebook

Visit the blog online to learn more about the Victorious Living Movement.
http://victorious-women.blogspot.com

Intimate Conversation with Cheryl Pullins

Intimate Conversation with Bernard Boulton

Ella: Greetings Mr. Boulton, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Bernard Boulton and I am a man who is in pursuit of his destiny and purpose. I believe that God placed me in the earth to communicate hope through the medium of communication. For twenty five years I have communicated His word through preaching and now I have enlarged that ministry through writing. 

Ella: Tell us about your passion for writing.
My passion for writing is ignited by my reading. I love to read and I love to read fiction. Reading fictional accounts about people who have been challenged by life always lights a spark in me to write. When I'm reading others stories those authors become voices in my spirit that pull out of me the narratives that I hear in my head. What God has set in my heart is a desire to write and the many novels that I've read has been the source of motivation for me.

Ella: What legacy would you say your writing offers future readers?
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers to say yes to your dreams and produce whatever your dreams are sparking to you so that when you leave this world you will leave something behind that will bless others. 

Ella: Where are you from? Favorite genre? How did you start your journey? 
I was born in Cleveland Ohio and I am living In Danville Virginia. Christian fiction is my favorite genre. I started writing stories when I was ten years old. I wrote stories that stretched my imagination. I remember after watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that I wrote a story about a little boy who went to live in the chocolate factory. In the story I was the little boy. When I reached my teens the interest in writing waned. It was after I went to college at the Cuyahoga Community College and met Dr George Eppley that my interest in writing returned. I did a lot of creative writing in his class and the spark was ignited again.


 Ella: Tell us about your new book, "DO YOU WANNA BE MADE WHOLE?" 
This is a story of overcoming the past to live in the future. The main character Pastor James Maxwell is a spiritual father to three men; Theo Dexter, Michael Cain and Adam Jones. The inspiration of the story is taken from the Bible in St John chapter 5 where Jesus comes to a man and asked him did he want to be made whole. The story is dealing with three men who with the help of Pastor Maxwell goes through the process of being made whole. Throughout the story Pastor Maxwell is transparent as he gives himself as an example of a man who made mistakes in his past and is now using the wisdom from his those failures to teach men that they can overcome.

Ella: What do you like about your two main characters?
Pastor James Maxwell knows the pain of making poor choices that damages families. He has dedicated his life to helping men avoid the mistakes that he has made in his life. Now he walks through the valley with three of his spiritual sons as they try to find their way to wholeness. Will Pastor Maxwell be able to help Theo find forgiveness for the one who betrayed him? Can he help Michael who suffered a great tragedy in his life? Will he be able to help Adam face his past and discover a new future?

The two main characters are Pastor Maxwell and Theo Dexter. I like the portrayal of Pastor Maxwell as a gentle giant. He is a man of strength who has a passion for aiding men in their spiritual walk. I like Theo's struggles between doing what he wants to do and doing what is right. In both of these men I like their imperfections but at the end of the day they represent a manner of manhood that I believe appeals to both men and women. 

Ella: How does this book add value to your reader's life?
I hope that this story will add value to people's lives by causing them to celebrate and appreciate what the message of this novel is conveying. I hope that it empowers people who are trying to put the pieces of their lives back together after a crisis and and that it encourages people to know that what they went through yesterday does not have to be everyday in their life. 

Ella: Name 3 things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion.
In my opinion a successful author is a person who first pursues their writing consistently. Secondly success is having a mentor who is willing to teach you. And third success is writing stories that connect with people in a meaningful way. 

Ella: What can we expect from you in the future? 
In the future you can expect a sequel to DO YOU WANNA BE MADE WHOLE? and a nonfiction book that deals with a topic of interest to a great many people. 

For more information, visit http://www.bernardboulton.com 
Readers visit the author's website to order the book and to read excerpts.

Intimate Conversation with A. Life...

‘Author-preneur’, A. Life’s love for writing goes beyond just putting pen to paper. It’s a part of her life’s make-up. And having gone through life's many struggles, she chooses to display in her work, characters of triumph. She considers her works not to be ones that push Christianity but words that flow from the mouth of a Christian author’s pen. 

Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain by: A. Life... is a novel about four women; Charlene; a church-going woman who is married to an adulterous preacher, Denise; an exotic dancer who eventually finds out her ‘best customer’ holds the title of her rapist, Michelle; the wife of an abusive, jobless, porn addict, and Katrina; a successful businesswoman who secretly has abortions to maintain her status. All of them lead totally different lives while unknowingly wearing the same mask. Each woman believes no one else can see or feel what she is going through, but will individually find out that the painful wounds she is experiencing are deep enough to be seen and felt by the world. 

Ella:  Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? 
Charlene Brown is a wife of a minister and a mother of 2, who takes care of not only her actual family but her church family as well. She is also a successful businesswoman who ironically, failed to take care of the business of keeping track of her husband’s infidelity. She hides behind the false sense of security that her life’s many jobs give.

Denise McLeod is a single mother of five who is also an exotic dancer. Her life’s downward spiral began at the age of 13 when she was raped. She hides behind the mask of false strength because after all, she has to do so for her children. My favorite character is Denise. Although I can relate, in one sense or another, to all of the women; she has gone through individually what the others have experienced collectively and has triumphed though all odds were stacked against her.

Michelle Baker is a newlywed who married an abusive man because she didn’t want to be lonely and because she thought ‘a piece of paper’ would change his ways. Her decision to marry such stems from a painful childhood and she hides behind the pain of abusive love that repeatedly says, “I’m sorry.” 

Katrina Dangerfield is a young woman who has it all together. She has taken care of herself financially without the help of a man. Yet, because her childhood too was painful, she didn’t and wouldn’t allow anyone to get close to her; to the point of having one abortion after another, just so she could continue to hide behind her fear of failure. 

Ella:  Are your characters from the portrayal of real people? 
All of my characters portray real people; not dead on; but I may use characteristics from five different people to create one character in the novel. I believe when and if you can make the character more life-like; it makes not only the character more believable to the point of relating to the reader; but it also makes the book as a whole; a better read.

Ella:  Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
Depending on the book, I try or I will always try to indirectly relay a message. In the case of Secret Wounds and Hidden Pain; the message I think I want the readers to grasp is the fact that we all at one point in time, wear and have worn masks of fear to cover our ‘open wounds’ brought on by life. But in order to be healed we must be willing to remove the mask-like band-aid, so the air of life can act as a healer and  ‘SWAHP’ (swap) the wounds for scars of remembrance, so one maybe able to give God praise for all he’s done.

Ella:  What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
I honestly believe there is more than one powerful scene in the book but one of the most powerful scenes to me is the ‘SWAHP SUMMIT’;  when all of the lead characters colorfully describe the different ways that lead them to the putting on of the ‘masks’, why they wore them for so long, and how with the help of God; they were able to remove them. 

Ella:  Do you write full time? Describe your writing schedule for our readers.
I do not write full time but because my time is so full I write all the time, sporadically! I wear so many hats that I am grateful for spell check because without it, I probably would misspell the word ‘time.’ (LOL)

Ella:  What do you like to do when you're not writing? 
I am a salon owner/operator, a product designer, and a fitness trainer, but more importantly, I have two reasons to get up every morning! Being a mother of daughters is a task in itself but it keeps me doing what I do!

Ella:   What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Just write but be authentic! Be truthful to who you are as an author and don’t try to mimic others because when it’s all said and done, the truth will come out in the wash!

Contact: A. Life...  contact: www.eborya.com  ; aisha@eborya.com  ; gantaisha@yahoo.com  

Intimate Conversation with Shelia E. Lipsey 

Shelia E. Lipsey is a multi-award winning author.  She is a 2009 SORMAG Readers’ Choice Award Recipient, and Black Pearls 2009 Top Book Awards Recipient.  She is the author of Into Each Life, Sinsatiable and My Son’s Wife. Beautiful Ugly is Lipsey’s fourth novel. Lipsey was also awarded 2008 Author of the Year by Conversations Books Club, a Top Shelf Award recipient of Urban Reviews and 2007 SORMAG Readers’ Choice Award Recipient. 

Ella: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
 Words in print can never be taken away, even after our physical bodies have gone on eternally.  As much as I am sorrowful about the recent deaths of authors such as E. Lynn Harris and the first AA Romance Novelist, Elsie B. Washington, there works will forever live on.  My books are my legacy.  They not only showcase my talent to the world, but they will forever linger in the lives of my children, grandchildren and on and on.  

I envision that perhaps one day after I have met my demise, that someone, somewhere, in the distant future will pick up a book and they will note the author is Shelia E. Lipsey.  From one generation to the next, words live.  From one generation to the next, words change lives. From one generation to the next, our words speak volumes about the past, present and future.  

Words are powerful.  They are even more powerful when they are written.  That’s why the Bible and what God says inside the Bible can never be taken away or destroyed.  It is written, God says, man shall not live by bread alone.  Even God uses the word written. God says my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.  The word of God also says "Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.  I write not only because I have to write because it is God’s gift and purpose to me and for me, but I write because there are so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions inside of me that are eager to give birth.  Everyone leaves a legacy.  Everyone has a choice whether the legacy they leave for the future is one that will positively or negatively impact families, loved ones and the world. I choose to leave a legacy of the redeeming love, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.
 
Ella: Introduce us to your latest book, Beautiful Ugly.
Beautiful Ugly is the story of three close friends.  Each one of them has life challenges, and each of them love, encourage and support each other through the good and the bad.  Sometimes we look in the mirror, like Layla does in Beautiful Ugly, and we see an ugly image of ourselves.  We fail to see the beauty that God has created.  Or we may be like Envy, whose life is based on her name.  She struggles with who she really is and why the person she sees in the mirror is not the beautiful, intelligent, smart woman that God made her to be.  Instead she sees a young woman who has deep, dark secrets that only she and God know about.  As for Kacie, she equates beauty to having a man.  She looks in the mirror and she sees a physically handicapped woman with a bad limp, and six children with six different baby daddies.  Her vision of herself is one of low self-esteem and self-worth.  How do they face the problems of life?  How do they look at themselves and see that they are all wonderful creatures designed by God.  When will they learn that beauty comes in so many different ways that even the human eye cannot conceive?  Three friends struggle to learn their true identity that only God can define for them. 

Ella: Introduce us to the Beautiful Ugly characters.
The main characters in Beautiful Ugly are three, 30 year old women.  They have been good friends for eleven years.  There is Layla Hobbs, who has a singing voice that could easily give Jennifer Hudson a run for the money.  She is the lead singer in her church choir, but she battles some serious issues over her size. Envy Wilson is a beautiful, intelligent successful business woman, who is also very promiscuous, something her friends do not know about her.  She also has a deep, dark secret that haunts her life.  Kacie Mayweather, is a part time cashier, lives on Section 8 and has six children by six different men.  She has real self-esteem issues because of her physical disability of cerebral palsy.  The message in Beautiful Ugly can only be determined by the person who reads the book and dares to stand before the mirror and see themselves for who they are and for how God created them, which is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Ella: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?  Yes, my stories are from the portrayal of real people because that is the way I write.  I write about every day people, so that somewhere, someone will pick up one of my novels and be able to identify with someone in the book, or know of someone like my characters.  That is the essence of my gift of writing.  I call it perfect stories about imperfect people.

Ella: What inspired you to write this story? I write stories according to what God places in my spirit to write.  At first, a title is given to me, and from that point, God orchestrates the words on the pages.  Beautiful Ugly is such an everyday story for many women in the world today.  We all have issues of some kind with our outward appearances whether we consider ourselves fine, thick or ugly and fat.  Society just about bases everything on outward appearances, which is not the way it should be.  Unfortunately, it is what it is; the world is warped when it comes to defining the difference in Beauty and Ugly.

Ella: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book? 
Beautiful Ugly addresses issues of how the world views individuals based on outward appearances.  It discusses issues of low self-esteem, self-consciousness, secrets that we hide from the closest of friends and families, and the importance of loving one’s self.  

Ella: How difficult was it to complete the novel? 
Beautiful Ugly, surprisingly was not difficult to write.  Having a physical disability of my own, I was easily able to get into the lives of my characters.  I faced many of the same type of problems and issues they have; not all of them, but I can say that looking around today, I saw something of my characters in everyone my path crosses.

Ella: Why did you decide to pick the Christian fiction genre for your book?  
I did not pick Christian fiction as my genre.  Christian fiction picked me.  When I self published my first novel back in 2000, I called it inspirational because at that time there was no such thing as AA Christian fiction, at least not that I recall.  I started out with the great fiction authors like Victoria Christopher Murray, Vanessa Griggs and Jacqueline Thomas.  They have taken their writings to a much higher level and enjoyed tremendous success. Knowing and seeing how God has prospered them in their genre of writing, gives me hope to rise to their level of greatness and beyond.

Ella: What is your most valuable lesson about the publishing industry? 
The publishing industry can afford to be very choosy about who they offer a book deal.  Today, the AA market and non AA markets too, are bombarded with a flood of authors.  It is an industry that I believe will forever remain, and I believe we will see an even larger influx of self published authors coming on the literary scene.

Ella: What writers inspire you and why?  
I am a J. California Cooper fan because her writing is so pure.  What I mean by pure is that she is able to weave a story that compels readers to her character(s). She is one that will go down in the great history of literature and be talked about in years to come like other great authors such as Faulkner, Washington, Walker, Morrison and so many more.

Ella: What did you hope to accomplish by writing this particular story? 
What I hoped to accomplish is for those who reader Beautiful Ugly will close the pages of the book and be drawn toward their own inner beauty.  I hope that those who do not like the person standing in the mirror, will read Beautiful Ugly and then see the wondrous, unique individual God Himself created him/her to be.

Ella: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
Some of my latest news is that I was awarded several times over, the 2009 SORMAG Readers’ Choice Award.  I was also awarded the prestigious 2009 Black Pearls Top Book Awards.  Beautiful Ugly will be available nationwide August 1, 2009.  Also the sequel to My Son’s Wife will be released September 2010 and the title is My Son’s ex-Wife-The Aftermath. 

You can contact Shelia E. Lipsey at shelialipsey@yahoo.com.  You can learn more about me by visiting my website www.shelialipsey.com.  All books are available in bookstores nationwide as well as online at sites such as Amazon.com; bn.com; target.com; Wal-mart.com; Black Expressions.

Intimate Conversation with Rhonda McKnight

Rhonda McKnight’s debut novel, Secrets and Lies was released in December 2009. Rhonda is the owner of www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com, a popular Internet site that highlights African-American Christian fiction and Legacy Editing, a free-lance service for fiction writers. She’s also a member of Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta and the mother of two wonderful sons. Her website is www.rhondamcknight.net 

Ella:  Tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you?
I write because it’s a gift that I don’t want to waste. I was in college before I actually realized the ability to write was not something everyone had, so it’s special. Special things shouldn’t be wasted. What drives me? Honestly, now that I have a book on the shelves, it’s the readers. The feedback is incredible and so inspiring. 

Ella:  A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers... 
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers the truth about the things Christian’s struggle with. Faith, consistency in prayer, forgiveness, honesty and for sure the patience to wait on God’s timing. Being a Christian doesn’t make anyone immune to trouble or faith challenges. 

Ella: How did you start your writing journey? What is your favorite genre? 
I grew up in Asbury Park. A small town on the New Jersey coast, but I’ve lived in the Atlanta metro area for the last twelve years. Christian fiction is by far my favorite genre, but I love a good mainstream suspense story.  I made a decision that I wanted to write a novel and I wanted to hold a book in my hand. The problem was I didn’t know anything about writing. I started attending meetings hosted by a local writers group, attended some conferences and then joined a Christian critique group. I studied the craft for years, because I wanted a book deal with a traditional publishing house. 

Ella: Please introduce us to your book, Secrets and Lies.
Secrets and Lies is a story about a couple who are struggling. Faith, the wife is struggling to have patience with God’s timing. Jonah, her husband is struggling to believe in anything other than what he can find in a medical journal; and even those journals are giving him the blues. It’s a story about our hidden childhood issues, the things we’d rather not talk to our spouses about, that we’ll lie to keep a secret. There’s also a low-down character who’s put a plan for revenge into action that makes this already troubled marriage, much worse. 

Ella:  Who are your two main characters and what do you like most about them? 
Faith and Jonah Morgan are the main characters. I like the fact that Faith is teachable and I love Jonah’s complexity. He has many layers and readers get to know him very well. 

Ella:  How does this book shape or add value to the reader's life? 
It illustrates the message that forgiveness is liberating. We all need to remember that. I believe everyone eventually struggles with forgiving someone. No matter how big the infraction, to forgive is divine. Un-forgiveness is a cancer. 

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book? 
I hope they’ll be entertained as well as inspired by the themes in the novel. 

Ella: Who would this book really "speak to" and why? 
Most people will think my ideal reader is women who are married. While I believe the book will definitely appeal to married women, I’d love for single woman who are thinking about marriage or waiting on Mr. Right to read the book. There is a valuable lesson for single women in the story. Faith chose to overlook a very important issue prior to her marriage to Jonah. This issue becomes a huge source of pain for her. Ten years later her ideal black man has her pulling her hair out. Sisters beware. 

Ella:  What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer? 
I’m a newbie, but I was thrilled to be nominated for Romance Slam Jam’s Emma Award for Best Inspirational Novel and Favorite Debut Author. We’ll find out if I won in April. It was also very cool to have made OOSA Book Club’s list of Top Reads for 2009 and Dee Stewart’s list of Top Ten Best Christian Reads for 2009. All of those honors are a big deal. 

Ella:  What advice would you give a new writer? 
Read a lot. Write what you enjoy reading, otherwise it won’t be good. I’m a free-lance editor and I can always tell when someone is writing in a genre they don’t read. Take a writing course and/or invest in craft books. I have 28 of them and have probably borrowed at least another 15 from the library. Read them and learn from them. Apply the things you learn. Join a writers group. If you can’t find one, start one. There are bound to be other writers looking for a group also. If you build it, they will come. Lastly, don’t be thin skinned about criticism and critiques. Be teachable. Writing is a gift, but it’s also a craft that has to be learned.

Ella:  Name 3 things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion? 
The ability to write a strong story, the endurance to promote the book the story becomes, and the willingness to connect with readers. If you can do those three, you’ll make it. 

Ella:  What can we expect from you in the future? 
My 2nd novel, An Inconvenient Friend will be released on August 1, 2010. The trouble maker in my first novel spins off and gets her own book and boy is she worse. 

Contact Rhonda:
www.rhondamcknight.net  
www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight 
www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com    

Seeking Book Reviewers
EDC Creations seeks to add avid readers to our community as book reviewers. We would like readers to share their honest opinions about the books they read. You do not have to be a professional writer, we want to feel your passion for reading. Reviewers receive books from EDC Creations’ publishing partners monthly.  You can review our policy for book reviewers by clicking here.  Email Ella Curry for more details at: edc_dg@yahoo.com 

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Seeking Book Club Interviews
Ella Curry and EDC Creations celebrates the rise of book clubs in the publishing industry. We host monthly tributes and parties for our featured book clubs. You too can become a Black Pearls Bookclub Star! Request that your book club obtain a  interview and receive a gift bag of books!

Your book club and network of friends are invited to check all the great authors in the Bookclub Reading Room and to explore the magazine for your next featured book of the month. Email Ella Curry for more details or to request the interview questions at: edc_dg@yahoo.com 

We host weekly Skype video session to introduce authors to our readers. Do you want an author to visit with you and your friends without leaving home? Add us as a friend at Skype and you can join the fun.

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Seeking Blog Tour and Radio Hosts
Each month EDC Creations hosts a tour of 5 wonderful authors. We travel across the web sharing our message of Give the Gift of Knowledge. We are now seeking bloggers, book clubs and book lovers to host the authors on their websites, blogs or radio shows. If you would like to feature authors on your website or blog, we provide all the material for you. It's as simple as emailing us your interest.

We will hold live readings weekly and would like for readers to share the news on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace. Gather 5 or more friends and meet us for an online party! We promote great books via the phone, Skype and the web. Great benefits available for tour hosts. Email Ella Curry for more details on joining the tours at: edc_dg@yahoo.com  Please take a moment to view our previous tour hosts here.

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Business Interviews Requested
Do you have a great business that serves our community? Tell Black Pearls Magazine about it! We are seeking community leader interviews. We showcase 5 business owners per month. Email Ella Curry for more details at: edc_dg@yahoo.com 

The Black Pearls Magazine family wants to take the time to thank each of you for joining us monthly in celebrating the best in literature and the arts.  Our team of writers, bookclubs and authors are so humbled that you have allowed us entrance into your life. It amazes me each month as I check our subscribers how many of  you deem us worthy of your time and support.  We appreciate each of you for telling 10 people about the magazine and for driving people to this site. YOU make Black Pearls the magnificent publication that it is, by sharing the gift of knowledge!

Please know, as we prepare each issue for you, we look for those stimulating conversations, the most thought provoking articles and most of all the best books on the shelves. We want each page of this magazine to add value to your lives!  Your comments and feedback are welcomed. Join our blog and share your news, advice and wisdom with the other readers. Tell us what you want to read too!

As we take off in this new decade we hope to bring you more provocative topics and life empowering books to shape your lives. We have contest for the readers and more interactive sections added to the magazine. Let us know what you think of the fresh new content by emailing us here.  Thank you!

Ella Curry, President of EDC Creations
Founder & Editor In Chief Black Pearls Magazine