Character Interview by Author Olivia Carter

Jake: The boy behind the story



Q: So Jake, first I just want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me today. We learned so much about you from Molly, but I can’t tell you how exciting it is to talk with you.
Jake: Yeah, I don’t usually do this kind of stuff. Molly does the storytelling. She’s got that longwinded thing going on. You know, like her Mom. But, I’ll do my best to give you a good conversation.

Q: I’m sure you will. Speaking of Molly, maybe you could start by sharing a little about the day the two of you met, you know, from your perspective.
Jake: Of course. Actually, the day I met Molly was not my best day. I almost lost my job the night before, boss was making cuts, you know. And Tad had come down with some kind of cold. It was just a bad day. And then she showed up, and I was just supposed to be rerouting some wires in the sound booth for Sunday. No big, right? But you know Molly, what with her attitude. She struck something in me from the beginning. It’s just like she puts it, when they drove away. I couldn’t stop thinking about her either.

Q: So there’s a little chemistry between the two of you then?
Jake: (Laughing) Yeah, no comment.

Q: All right, then let’s talk about something else. Every time Molly mentions you it’s at the church, but, obviously, a teenager like yourself has other pastimes. What kinds of things do you do for fun?
Jake: Ha, yeah. Um, for the most part, if I’m not working, then I’m out walking or biking or something. And if it’s too scorching for that, which it usually is, then I’m working on my music. Music is my life. It brings people together, you know? But, honestly, I spend a lot of time at home with Tad. Not your average teenager, I guess.

Q: You sure aren’t. But, I have to ask, if you love music so much, why aren’t you in the band?
Jake: Funny story, the guys asked me to be in their band. It was probably about two years ago now. They check up every now and then to see if I changed my mind. But I’m more of a solo act. Not like it’s an ego thing, just. I have a special relationship with my music. I don’t exactly like performing. I feel like everyone is always judging me.

Q: A trait you and Molly seem to share. What else have you noticed the two of you have in common?
Jake: Molly and I have a lot in common, I’m finding. We both love to write, for one thing. And we both love observing people. She’s a little more impulsive than I am. I like to think everything through logically, whereas she tends to just act. Actually, now that I think about it, we have about as much in common as we have different. But, it’s a good balance.

Q: Sounds like it. Now, you’ve basically grown up with your grandfather and Tad. That couldn’t have been a perfect balance all the time. What would your advice be to teens like yourself whose parents aren’t around?
Jake: Gee, that’s a tough one. But, I like to focus on the people I have in my life. Not the people I don’t. Everything happens for a reason, you know. People come and go, but the ones that stay for good, those are the ones who really matter. I can honestly say that not knowing my biological Mom always left me feeling a little incomplete. And when my dad left, it got even harder. But I always had Gumpa and Tad. And I figure there’s a reason I had the two of them instead of Mom and Dad. So, maybe, just focus on the good instead of the bad.

Q: That’s some really great advice. Obviously, your grandfather and your little brother are a very important part of your life.
Jake: You know, they really are. And now Molly is too. I have no doubt the two of us met when we did for a reason. Things have been a bit rough lately but I think having her around is really going to help.

Q: That is really great. Hopefully, the two of you can spend more time together now.
Jake: Yeah, actually, I think we’re going to end up going to the same school this fall. You know, for tenth grade. Geez, I tell you. It’ll be nice to have someone at school to talk to.

Q: So, am I to understand that you didn’t have many friends at your previous school?
Jake: Eh, not too many. Most of my friends are at church, and they’re really only surface friends, you know. It’s not like they really know me. The only good friend I have is Jim Collins. I think Molly mentioned him. We go way back, Jim and me. Used to race tricycles and have sand eating contests back in the day.

Q: Molly does mention Jim, actually. In fact, it almost seems as if she has feelings for him. How does that play into your relationship?
Jake: Truth is, Molly and I did hit it off. And it’s still hard, you know. I do love her. But I think the way things are is the way things should be. As far as Molly and Jim, well, between you and me, the two of them have secretly had it bad for each other forever. And if I know either of them I can pretty much guarantee you it’s going to be an adventure waiting for them to admit it.

Q: Well, that’s an adventure I think we’re all looking forward to. Thanks again for sharing with us. It has been great getting to know you a bit better and to hear the story ‘through your eyes’. And good luck with school this fall. We can’t wait to hear more about the special connection between you and Molly.
Jake: Sure thing. Molly definitely won’t be giving up on the story any time soon, I can tell you that.





About the Author:

Olivia Carter is a dual enrolled high school and college student residing in Arizona. She lives with her parents, younger brother, seven rescue cats and three dogs. She enjoys painting, photography, and looks forward to attending University with a major in ancient history.

Website: http://ocarterbooks.com/

Click for list of Jake's blog tour schedule at Irresistable Reads.




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Carmen Davenport Interview by Author Vogue

Vogue, born April L. Blanding, is a 2007 graduate of Winthrop University possessing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Vogue moved to Rock Hill, SC in 2003 to attend Winthrop University and decided to make it her home after graduating.

Upon entering college, she began focusing her attention on songwriting, but eventually birthed the idea of The Diamond Collection. In 2003, she challenged herself to write ten novels with the first being Diamonds in the Rough, which was not completed until 2007.

In March of 2010, Vogue signed with Passionate Writers Publishing to release her first novel, Diamonds In The Rough. Currently, she is writing and editing Black Diamonds, the fourth book in the series.

Carmen Davenport is living the American dream. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she has anything that a twenty-one year old college student would want. This includes an inheritance to one of the most lucrative clothing companies in New York. The only thing missing is love until she lays eyes on Jay Santiago, a Puerto Rican drug lord. During their courtship, Carmen learns that Flame, Inc. is headed towards a downward spiral. Too ambitious to allow her dream to go down the drain, Carmen begins pulling at all lifelines to save her company. Putting aside everything she’s ever believed in, Carmen soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies, betrayal, and crime.

Character Interview with Carmen Davenport

Vogue: When we are first introduced to you, you come across as a sheltered young woman with strong values and morals until you become romantically involved. Why do you believe that some women, including yourself, allow themselves to sink so far into a relationship that they sometimes lose themselves?

​Carmen: Well, first off, I don’t believe that the decisions that I made were a direct reflection of the relationship I was in. My boyfriend was a drug dealer, but he wanted to protect me from his business not get me involved. Being twenty-one years old, I know right from wrong and am able to make my own decisions even if I don’t always make the right choices. However, with some women, there is the fear of being alone, which forces them to stay in unhealthy situations. Everyone wants to be loved and feel accepted, which is why some women believe that a part of a man is better than no man at all. Those are the women who run the risk of losing themselves because of their relationship.

Vogue: So what kind of influence did your boyfriend have on you if you don’t think it was negative? Let’s keep in mind that you were dating Jay Santiago who ran one of the biggest drug cartels in America.

​Carmen: Jay showed me a different side of life. My parents kept me protected from everything. I grew up in a wealthy neighborhood and all I knew was school and church. When I met Jay, he shared things with me that I thought only happened in the movies. He had seen so much starting at an early age that a lot of things were second nature to him. It is because of his childhood that he has anger and trust issues. When I betrayed him, these issues just went to a level ten. To be honest, I had more of a negative effect on him than he did on me.

Vogue: Well, did he influence you business-wise? You both are entrepreneurs. You inherited your mother’s clothing store, Flame, and he owns a club, Sapphire, which are both located in Brookstone, New York. What advice do you give to people who are looking to be their own boss?

Carmen: ​The first thing I generally tell people is that you have to be an ambitious and determined individual. That is a given. That is also something that Jay taught me. He wanted to see me work harder for the store, which is why he refused to give me any money or become a silent partner. You also have to know your market. Fashion and trends change all the time. You have to keep up with it and study your craft. As long as you keep giving quality product and service, the people will come.

Vogue: Inheriting a failing business that was headed to bankruptcy had to be hard. You said that all you knew growing up was school and church. Where was your faith during this time? Was it nonexistent?

Carmen: ​You can describe it as being nonexistent. I was blind during that time. All I saw was the goal I was trying to reach and I got lost in this new world I was experiencing. There were times when I did think about what I was doing and I told myself that I was going to stop. I just never did until it was too late. Now that I think about it, I didn’t have any faith. I took matters into my own hands instead of waiting on God. From going through that experience, my faith has definitely grown. If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t have made it out.

Vogue: What do your parents say about your current situation?

​Carmen: Initially, they were very upset because they knew they raised me better. They had moved to Dallas so they were unaware of everything I was involved in. My mother did have her suspicions, but she never expected for things to end like it did. Since, I’m their only child, they supported me, but I knew I had disappointed them. Right now, I’m just working to gain back their trust.

Vogue: Speaking of trust, you said your actions affected your boyfriend’s trust issues. Where does your relationship stand right now with Jay? Are you working to gain back his trust?

Carmen: Due to our current situation, we do not speak. We don’t have any communication. I would like to apologize and have a conversation with him, but at the moment, it is not possible.

Vogue: What do you want people to get from your story?

Carmen: I don’t want people to view my story as the answer to how they need to reach their goals and dreams. I don’t want people to make the same mistakes that I did. I don’t have any regrets because all of my experiences have helped me to make me a better person, but I will never people to do what I did. I want people to see my ambition, take that, and use it in a positive manner.

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What do you think of Carmen Davenport? 

Diamonds in the Rough can be purchased from:
Passionate Writer Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books A Million
Vogue’s official website: www.simplyvogue.net

Raymond Clark Interview by Denise Turney w/ Giveaway

Denise Turney, has over 36 years of writing experience. She is a full-time writer whose works have appeared in: Essence, Ebony, The Network Journal, Madame Noire, Bahiyah Woman, Today's Black Woman, Parade, Sisters In Style, Your Church Magazine, and Modern Dad Magazine to name a few. Denise has spoken at major festivals, conferences, colleges and universities, including Black Herstory, Spelman College, Emory University, Take Our Daughters to Work Day, Philadelphia Bible College and the Philadelphia Community College. She is a newspaper and magazine columnist and the editor of the literary periodical  The Book Lover's Haven  which you can subscribe to by clicking Subscribe BLH.
Denise host the international radio program Off The Shelf which airs on Blog Talk Radio live from 11AM-12PM on Saturday and 24/7 throughout the rest of the week. She has interviewed  New York Times  bestselling authors like Zane, Francis Ray, Roland Martin, Omar Tyree and Tracey Price Thompson and Grammy Award nominee, Awiatka.

Interview with Raymond Clarke, of Love Pour Over Me

Denise: How are you able to love Brenda so deeply considering the fact that your mom, the most important woman in a man’s life, left you?

Raymond:  If you’ve ever known something was right deep in your gut, you’ll understand when I tell you I knew, I instinctively knew, Brenda was my woman. Despite all we went through, nothing could disturb that.

Denise: Did you ever go looking for your mother? 

Raymond:  (Sigh). No. I thought about her a lot, especially when I was a kid, but I never took off and starting looking for my mom. I wouldn’t even have known where to start.

Denise: Why did you choose UPemb? 

Raymond:  Coach Carter (he’s probably the closest thing I had to a loving father) and the school’s awesome track and field program. Track is my passion. Thank God, I’ve been very good at the sport since I was a kid. Plus, I got a scholarship to UPemb and with Coach Carter’s help I know I can earn a gold medal in the Olympics.

Denise: You hang out with a cool group of friends. What do these guys mean to you? 

Raymond:  Oh, man. Anthony, Patrick and Doug, these three dudes are my brothers. Sure. We’ve had our close calls, especially me and Anthony. The two of us have damn near cheated death and more than once. But we always work things out. I love those dudes. They’re like family. (shaking his head) We have some good times together! Our ladies get along pretty good with each other too, well. . . most of them.

Denise: Do you keep in touch with your friend from high school, the guy you ran with back in the day?

Raymond: If you’re talking about Paul, no. We don’t see each other that much. I don’t even know if I’d recognize him if I saw him today. Life happens so fast, you know.

Denise: What’s Anthony up to these days? 

Raymond:  (chuckles) Aw, he’s doing his thing in the NFL. He always had it in him. Too damn bad we had to keep that secret for so many years. It got to be a heavy weight, but, yeah . . . to answer your question, Anthony’s good. He even got married.

Denise: Still go big dreams, Raymond? 

Raymond:  Yeah. I definitely want to marry Brenda and have a family. And after the Olympics, I’d love to run Master’s Track. It’s in my blood. But, we’ll see. Already so much has happened sometimes I wonder how I get through many days. But, yeah, I’ve still got big dreams. The hard times aren’t gonna beat the life out of me. I’ll keep pushing . . . I’ll keep pushing forward. God, Brenda’s love and my boys . . . it’s enough. I swear it is.

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To stay up to date with Denise Turney visit her at the following: 

Official Website:  

Blog 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble  

Ebookit

What do you think of the character Raymond Clarke?

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