In the Author's Corner with Etienne

Note Time Zone Change: 15:00 (3:00 pm) UK, 11:00 am AST, 10:00 am EST, 9:00 am CST, 8:00 am MST, and 7:00 am PST Morton Morelli, the author of “Sardine Packing”, a complex relationship thriller that he launched in December 2015. It is available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.  “Sardine Packing” is set in World War II. “Sardine Packing” is the deplorable term the Nazi's gave to the mass graves where they shot Jews, to fall like Sardines in a can. The camp is the first death camp where Jews are to be transported and then executed. Himmler, who had the idea in the first place, visits the camp to meet Hitler to put his final solution in practice.  Morton set out to show a beautiful place involved in the War. Old footage of the War always looks bleak, but Europe was still very beautiful. He set the scene to highlight this as he liked the contrast between the beauty and the horror of war. He also showed the financial impact of the proposed slaughter of some 5 million Jews. Hans is a good guy, and soon comes to realize that people are the same no matter what creed they may be. A relationship forms with him, and Sophie, and he intends to help her escape.  Currently working on “Sardine Packing 2”, the sequel, Morton has given it a working title of “The Gathering”. In due course, he will be posting sample chapters on his website. Stay in touch.  Visit Morton at: www.MortonMorelli.com/ Now, we’re also on Stitcher.com at: http://j.mp/1Ur4Ser.

Jasmine Christine Scott, a/k/a JCS, the author, was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, where she still resides. As the mother of three, she is also a “maid, cook, playground, encyclopedia, teacher, and lover”, in her own words. With the luxury of being a stay-at-home Mom, she is allowed the liberty to write, illustrate, and promote to her best abilities. Her first love is art. In the beginning, her intention was to illustrate for graphic novels, but having character composite sketches works just fine for her. However, Epic Fantasy and Sci Fi will always be a must. It seems, that no matter what genre one reads from, there are lackluster books. To insure she didn't make that mistake, she joined what used to be known as Authonomy.com, a British-based website that allowed the opportunity to be published by Harper Collins. It didn't work out because those running things were only interested in Romance and Erotica, but, she soon learned that her writing is truly a gem. Her first released series did well, with the exception that she did not release her third book from The Anguished Immortals Trilogy. Then, my first book to my second series did so well, it almost seemed like there was nothing that could be said. For three weeks, Bleeding Stars and Paper Hearts-Adrianna is Mine sat at the number 7 spot for 3 weeks, and briefly, before she pulled the book due to it being published, it stayed at number 1 for a week. According to JCS, “That's an accomplishment for a site like that.” Visit JCS at: www.byondepicent.com/

Originally from Benton Harbor,Michigan Victor "Birdman" Johnson received his B.A. degree in Social Science from John Wesley College in Owosso,Michigan. With an AA degree in Networking Admin from ITT-Tech and a Computer Tech Certificate from JTI, he has become a mobile app developer for iPhones and Androids Smartphone devices. You may find his own personal apps at the Google Play Store under the name of Birdman313 and Skipper313.  After trying out for the NBA in the California Summer Pro-Basketball League and the Eastern Basketball League, he spent several years playing semi-pro basketball.  After relocating to Houston, Texas in 1980, he published 4 poetry books, three published chap books, and articles in Forward Time Newspaper, Storm Magazine, Harbinger Asylum, Indiana Review Newsletter, The Permian Basin Poetry Society Anthology and Silver Birch Press.  He is a member of the Austin Writers Roulette and host of the Spoken Word Contest at the National Black Book Festival.  His awards include several Editor’s Choice Awards in Poetry, a Plaque with the Poem “She”, Gold Medallion and Pendant.  If that were not enough, he has appeared in a YouTube documentary entitled Poetry is Dead by Weasel Patterson of Vagabonds press in the Houston area. 

Note Times: 11:00 am in the UK; 7:00 am EST; 6:00 am CST; 5:00 am MST; and 4:00 am PST Valerie Tyalin Hutchinson-Morgan also teaches Art History and is trained and worked in the museum field in curatorial, conservation and research. Born in Jamaica in the West Indies, Valerie grew up in Manchester, England. After studying Art & Design at Liverpool Polytechnic, she completed graduate studies in Education at Sussex University. Upon relocating to the United States, she completed the Master of Applied Arts/Museum Studies program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, (SUNY) New York.  From her work in the museum field included research, conservation and curatorial she was able to  gain valuable experience at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan and the former Black Fashion Museum in Harlem, New York.  Valerie’s greatest inspiration comes from nature, people, history, and culture. She is inspired by artists who create using age old, traditional, and handed-down techniques. Artisans in different cultures around the world who create objects with whatever materials they have available is another source of inspiration. Her teaching links art, history, culture, and traditions.  Tyalin Art is place for sharing updates on my artwork, poetry and information on art history, inspirational artists, and designers. Visit Tyalin Art at:  www.facebook.com/Tyalin-Art-Valerie-T-Hutchinson-Morgan-Fineartamericacom-420823104712159/timeline All images are copyright © Valerie Tyalin Hutchinson-Morgan and are used by her permission. Images may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights reserved. 

Note Times: 11:00 am in the UK; 7:00 am EST; 6:00 am CST; 5:00 am MST; and 4:00 am PST Valerie Tyalin Hutchinson-Morgan also teaches Art History and is trained and worked in the museum field in curatorial, conservation and research. Born in Jamaica in the West Indies, Valerie grew up in Manchester, England. After studying Art & Design at Liverpool Polytechnic, she completed graduate studies in Education at Sussex University. Upon relocating to the United States, she completed the Master of Applied Arts/Museum Studies program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, (SUNY) New York.  From her work in the museum field included research, conservation and curatorial she was able to  gain valuable experience at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan and the former Black Fashion Museum in Harlem, New York.  Valerie’s greatest inspiration comes from nature, people, history, and culture. She is inspired by artists who create using age old, traditional, and handed-down techniques. Artisans in different cultures around the world who create objects with whatever materials they have available is another source of inspiration. Her teaching links art, history, culture, and traditions.  Tyalin Art is place for sharing updates on my artwork, poetry and information on art history, inspirational artists, and designers.Visit Tyalin Art at:  www.facebook.com/Tyalin-Art-Valerie-T-Hutchinson-Morgan-Fineartamericacom-420823104712159/timeline All images are copyright © Valerie Tyalin Hutchinson-Morgan and are used by her permission. Images may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights reserved. 

An Excert from Wedding Day: Bryan Flynn loves to catch fish on the Yellow River in Florida's Panhandle. He loves to drive couples to and from their weddings in his limo and he loves to stay out of people's business until one day he receives a gift that turns his world inside out. ****************************************************** From Ron Vincent: "Unlike Wedding Day, the language will not blister skin. But I hope to make you laugh, perhaps shed a tear or two, and encounter characters who entrance you. If I had to categorize Wedding Day, I would call it both a satire and a romantic comedy. Heavy on the satire part. I hope all my Kindle reader friends enjoy the story. For my soft cover readers, I will be doing signings in Northern and Southern California this year and the South - as in the southern U.S. this summer."  ****************************************************** A brief biography: Ron Vincent grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and has graduate degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Notre Dame. He has taught high school students in California's Central Valley for almost thirty years. His comic novel Mother's Day reflects the cadences, humor, and eccentricities he remembers growing up in Okaloosa County, Florida. ******************************************************

"I began the journey if this book in 2013 for the National Novel Month but the idea for this book began in July of this same year. It is amazing how one character from a show can impact so much of my life and it did when I awoke to the tragic news of his death.   It was something so profound and for me it felt like losing a part of my family." "I thought about the pain and hurt it caused those he loved and this is when Chasing Clarity was born. However I did not want to write his story. It was more about bringing the theme of love and loss and how my main character Mia will try to overcome the tragic obstacles and be able to find a purpose and pursue on her dreams.  I went ahead an researched the five stages of grief and incorporated this into the novel.  I know friends who are like family that have been through this type of pain and my hope is that Mia’s story will help in the healing process of their own hearts." ~ Sylvia Stein What happens when you lose the person most important to you and are left to pick up the pieces?  Mia Gerard had always wanted to be a trained dancer yet she has just lost the love of her life in a tragic accident. Leo Dancy was her best friend and soul mate. As she tries to deal with losing him, she finds his absence unbearable and she feels lost without him. But then a great opportunity arises for Mia that she just can’t turn down. She is accepted into the New York Dance Academy of performing arts. At first she is overwhelmed but once she gets there she begins to allow herself to heal. This is when she comes across Henry Watson a painter with aspirations of acquiring his own exhibit one day. While she ponders her feelings for Henry, will she be too late? Or will she find the clarity she needs and chase after him?

Note: Kristan is rescheduled Monday, Nov. 23rd at 2:00 pm Eastern. Former WWE/TNA superstar, Joe E Legend, a superstar on South Africa TV, and his co-author, Kristal McKerrington, have signed with Shawn Cain CEO of Shawn Cain Films to have their novel, Waking Up His Wife, made into a movie. It runs along the same lines of the WWE's show, Total Divas. One of the best-selling books that Kristal McKerrington and Joe E Legend have released is set to go into production with some former WWE superstars. Blurb: Anna wakes up married to Adam yet can't remember, how or when. Nothing comes to her about the night before. Her brother is on the way to lay his wrath down onto Adam for taking advantage of his sister. Adam is battling against the clock and against Anna to convince her that she loves him. A group is going to be sent on a spiral that will not feel like its going to end any time soon.  Synopsis: Anna has been the agent to Adam for years and has been a part of the wrestling world since her brother dragged her into it. Over the years her and Adam have grown closer, both never letting themselves give into their emotions. One night with alcohol ends with Anna marrying Adam. Only she wakes up the following day where she can't remember anything.  The group is sent into a tail spin over Adam and Anna's union. News of their union soon reaches her brother Drake who works on the other side of the country. He starts to make his way towards them. Relationships are strained while Adam tries to win Anna over and make her remember why she loves him, that she does.  Kristal began working with Joe E Legend from 2013.

Former WWE/TNA superstar, Joe E Legend, a superstar on South Africa TV, and his co-author, Kristal McKerrington, have signed with Shawn Cain CEO of Shawn Cain Films to have Waking Up His Wife, a drama that runs along the same lines of the WWE's show Total Divas. One of the best-selling books that Kristal McKerrington and Joe E Legend have released is set to go into production with some former WWE superstars. Blurb: Anna wakes up married to Adam yet can't remember, how or when. Nothing comes to her about the night before. Her brother is on the way to lay his wrath down onto Adam for taking advantage of his sister. Adam is battling against the clock and against Anna to convince her that she loves him. A group is going to be sent on a spiral that will not feel like its going to end any time soon  Synopsis: Anna has been the agent to Adam for years and has been apart of the wrestling world since her brother dragged her into it. Over the years her and Adam have grown closer, both never letting themselves give into their emotions. One night with alcohol ends with Anna marrying Adam. Only she wakes up the following day where she can't remember anything.  The group is sent into a tail spin over Adam and Anna's union. News of their union soon reaches her brother Drake who works on the other side of the country. He starts to make his way towards them. Relationships are strained while Adam tries to win Anna over and make her remember why she loves him, that she does.  Kristal started to work with Joe E Legend from 2013 and has been finding the experience out of this world. She loves to pick his brain and get caught off guard. 

Nanette Marie, the 7th of 9 children, playwright, narrator, director, and author among other titles, is passionate about the works the Creator allows to flow through her. “Words have always intrigued me. While growing up, I enjoyed playing Scrabble for hours. It nourished my love for words, and I especially cherished playing with my mother. Scrabble also helped build my vocabulary, which ultimately prepared me to become a playwright and writer. I still very much enjoy playing this game.” ~ Nanette Marie Mamas' Drama is inspired by her story, and has been a means for healing from the "mama's baby, daddy's maybe" condition for her and others. Taking artistic license, Mamas’ Drama is classified as a traditional play and historic fiction book. It focuses on the females’ choices relative to secrets and lies about the biological father(s) of their child(ren) for 4 generations.  With Mamas’ Drama debuting in 2011, both Mamas' Drama and Suzette’s Saga, have been juried and performed nationally at theatre festivals since 2012. She’s grateful that her book version of Mamas' Drama is another instrument for healing. Also a poet, she wrote and recorded a lullaby for a children's book prior to becoming a playwright and author. Directing, producing, and coaching are other aspects of theatre in which she is involved.  Visit Nanette at: http://mamasdramaplaybook.com/

Somer Dawn wears several hats: veteran, widow, mother, nurse, author, PTSD awareness advocate, and founder of her nonprofit that supports PTSD victims and their families. Somer created True Blue Patriots Inc. to address the unaddressed issues concerning the consequences of PTSD sufferers. Its mission is simple: to support our soldiers and their families dealing with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and be part of the solution. And to do so before the problem becomes too large within our growing civilian veteran population. According to Somer, “PTSD is not a game. We want to set an example, not present another excuse.” Subsequently, Somer wrote a book, Halo Jumping, about the ravages of PTSD. True Blue Patriots Inc. is concerned with: Promoting healing and mental health awareness to combat the growing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) epidemic within our US Military.  Addressing the needs of military personnel and their families in times of crises.  Supporting resources designed to assist family and friends cope with the disorder, facilitate its diagnosis, as well as its treatment, and prevent/cope with the unfortunate loss of a loved one due to this illness. Visit Somer at: www.TrueBluePatriotsInc.org/ or www.Facebook.com/TrueBluePatriotsInc.org/

Jeryl F. Hodge’s book, Save the Pages for Future Generations, is of special value to her for a personal reason. She and her mother had a good relationship when her mother died at age 59. Although Jeryl thought about how much she valued her mother, she wanted to write about their lives. She believes some of the stories might help resolve old conflicts and promote understanding among family members. Jeryl takes a great deal of pride in recognizing the role of her late parents, Esmie and Charles Frazer, during the course of her life. In 2011, Jeryl was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 57 years old. She learned to manage her therapy throughout her life. Jeryl F. Hodge now loves to read, write, and collect information on the early history of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. Her interest in the final was to write a book about her family history as it was in her homeland. Another reason for writing this book is that her mother told her about her experiences growing up in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and was not able to publish them. Jeryl recalled wonderful, often-forgotten experiences and have written them on paper since she retired. Jeryl, a native of Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands, grew up in Saint Thomas with her parents and in Tortola with her grandparents and aunts. A graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, Jeryl lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida. A former employee with 38 years of employment with VITelCo (Virgin Islands Telephone Company), now Innovative Telephone Company, Jeryl is best recognized for singing with the eleven-o’clock choir at Christ Church Methodist. She is the wife of Irvine Hodge Sr. and a mother of two children, Irvine Jr. and Devin. Visit Jeryl at: http://www.savethepages.com/

Author, Songwriter, Poet, Songstress, Photojournalist, Jack-of-all-trades from Seat Pleasant, MD, Keesha D. Fox is also a wife, mother of four (J.A.K.A.B), and all around goofball that can’t live without nature and music. At the age of 6 Keesha started writing short stories, songs, and screenplays about anything her imagination could provide.  Writing was a means of escape for her: a path to a fantasy world that she created. Her walk into poetry started after a very interesting relationship I had about 15 years ago when she decided to create a journal of her feelings about what was going on in her life at that time. Out of those writings came, Life and Love from My Eyes.  This is a book of poetry that reveals one woman's story about her journey in finding the true meaning of love: unconditional love for self. As she continued her journey, Me: Naked, her second poetry book was born. Me: Naked. is a raw, stripped account of what she felt as a single woman searching for true love. The poetry came from growth and understanding of the woman she had become, having learned much about myself: her needs, wants, and dreams. One of those dreams was to write a novel. In 2013, that dream finally came true. Her first novel, Unthinkable emerged from a dream Keesha had about meeting her celebrity crush. Look for the second installment of Keena and Chase’s crazy love affair in her second novel, Unbreakable. Visit Keesha at: www.KkeeshaDFox.com/

You may know that Tamika Moseley is an advocate for sickle cell disease. You may also know that she spends most of her time speaking at events and posting beneficial information on all her social media sites. She will forever continue to raise awareness and educate people on this disease because she was once in a position where her son was suffering from sickle cell and she had no help, nor anyone to reach out to for guidance. Now that she has the knowledge and has gained the education from reputable homeopathic advisors, she vows to spend the rest of her days helping others! Tamika Moseley grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Relations and Business from Amberton University in Garland, Texas.  She is the project manager for Healing Blends Global, a company whose focus is to improve the quality of health and life for individuals, families, and communities around the globe. Tamika's purpose in life is to be of service to others. As a member of Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas, she serves on the Benevolence and Missionary teams. Because her son has sickle cell disease, she has a huge passion to help others in this fight. She wants to share her amazing story with other parents and all who suffer from this disease. Tamika's current focus is teaming up with Dr. Charlie Ware and aiding the sickle cell battle in Africa, where the disease is so prominent. Their main goal is to provide education, guidance and useful information on the importance of natural herbs and how they can help sustain our health while living with sickle cell disease.  Visit Tamika at http://www.ssnaturalhealing.com/ and info@ssnaturalhealing.com

Phil Coale of Tampa, Florida, heads up the Phil Coale Band, a modern mix of rock n roll, blues, soul and old time country with Mike Merritt on bass and Brian Jones on drums. On August 13th performers, including Phil Coale Band, Kimberly Fulton, Devin C Wynn, Hometown Hero, and others participated in the spoken word and musical artists’ competition as they competed in I Want to Be Heard Showcase. Phil Coale emerged as the victor. Subsequently, and as one of his prizes, he earned tonight’s interview. Visit Phil at www.Facebook.com/PhilCoaleMusic.