denise Leora madre

By now, you’ve seen or heard about the dramatic finale of last night’s Academy Awards, namely that La La Land was initially announced as the winner for Best Picture, but a few moments later, it was announced that there had been a mistake and that Moonlight had actually won. Here is that moment: One could invent all kinds of conspiracy theories, ask so many questions, and discuss this moment ad nauseum for the next twenty years. Some folks will gleefully engage in all three preoccupations.

Because I'm stuck in the 90s musically, I'm usually late to most listening parties. So by the time I've heard a song and become obsessed with it, most people have moved on to something else. And I'm okay with that. Such is the case with "Mercy" from Brave New World,  the 2015 debut project from Bethel Music's Amanda Cook. (And see, I was going to call it an "album," but I'm trying not to date myself more than absolutely necessary.) Like most music that is new to me, I heard it one Sunday morning courtesy of our amazing worship team. At the time, I was captivated by the mood of the melody, the poignant emotions conveyed by both the vocalists and the musicians.

The big day is FINALLY here! The Kindle version of my debut novel, ANOTHER 4.0 , is available for immediate purchase at Amazon.com .  This day has been a looooooooong time comin'...cue The Winans...and I'm so excited to finally share this book with you. The print version is coming in a few weeks, but for now, head on  over to Amazon and snag your Kindle copy today! SUMMARY: Daria Nelson’s life seems perfect. She’s the apple of her father’s eye, the love of Maurice’s life, and a straight-A sophomore at Howard University. But all is not as it seems. Daria is angry with her father...because her father is angry with her. After four years, Adrian Nelson still doesn’t like Maurice, which makes no sense to his daughter. Maurice is the handsome owner of a successful West Philly barbershop and the kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have. So what’s not to like? Well, no, Maurice hasn’t exactly supported Daria’s decision to matriculate some 150 miles...

Happy Thursday, all! I'm continuing the celebration of my forthcoming debut novel, ANOTHER 4.0 , with a full summary and excerpt. Check 'em out! SUMMARY: Daria Nelson’s life seems perfect. She’s the apple of her father’s eye, the love of Maurice’s life, and a straight-A sophomore at Howard University. But all is not as it seems. Daria is angry with her father...because her father is angry with her. Apparently Adrian Nelson still doesn’t like Maurice after all this time, an attitude which makes no sense to his daughter. Maurice is the handsome owner of a successful West Philly barbershop and the kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have. So what’s not to like? Well, no, Maurice hasn’t exactly supported Daria’s decision to matriculate some 150 miles away. He expected her stay local and attend the University of Pennsylvania like she promised and hasn’t quite forgiven the drastic change in venue. But Daria understands his frustration because college h...

Today is the best Tuesday EVER. I am indescribably excited to finally announce that my debut novel, ANOTHER 4.0 , will be released this fall! And heeeeeere's the cover: (God bless you, T.M. Franklin. It looks amazing!)

A nother beautiful brown body L ies face-down on the bloody ground while T alking heads indulge their privilege: O pting to ignore the truth and N egate our outrage. “He S houldn’t have been doing T hat,” they say, “that” being whatever E gregious sin gave the triggermen R easons to gun him down. “Black L ives Matter!” we scream until hoarse. I ndifferent and armed they disagree, N otching another one on their broken blue belts. G od bless America.