Is This Artist Familiar to You?

Does anyone know anything about this artist? I'd love any information you might provide. Thanks in advance.

I think ...

Have I made this world a better place for you?

I think that is what I am supposed to do, isn't it?

Isn't me being a part of your life and you being a part of mine meant to make us better?

Is that my true purpose in life?

I think so?

A Book About Leroy W. Allen, Fine Artist

Photo:Kansas City Star First Anniversary of 9/11

Front Page of the Kansas City Star 

I'd promised myself that I was going to write a book about my brother, Leroy W. Allen, the extraordinary fine artist who left us in 2007. Shortly after his death I attempted to tackle the task and almost immediately realized it wasn't time and that it probably wouldn't be time anytime soon. I tucked my pen and thoughts away, allowed myself to enter and begin the journey of early healing and immersed my grief related creative urges in a host of other tasks.

It appears I'm approaching the time now when I might be able to do him, his art, his still unfolding legacy and the love we, his family, felt from and for him justice. I've begun to rumble through memories - both tangible (photos, writings, drawings, videos, etc.) and intangible more and more. I love what I'm feeling, thinking, seeing through eyes both of hindsight and new revelation. My hand now itches with the need to try to capture a part of him for posterity.

When and how long it will be? I have no idea, I just know that God willing it will now happen. I'm grateful.

An old photo of Leroy, his daughters, our parents and me.

Excerpt from Loving Buddy

Excerpt from LOVING BUDDY!

Chapter 2

We were just saying grace when the front door slammed and Buddy came rushing in. I heard the books he slung hit the steps in the hallway and listened as he ran to the bathroom and washed his hands before coming into the dining room to take his place at the dinner table.

At seventeen, Buddy was six foot one, his thick black hair added at least another inch, and he was a special kind of color that I couldn’t name if I tried. It was kind of red, but it was a brown, and sometimes it almost seemed like he was a little yellow. Even I knew he was handsome, but I would be the last one to let him know I thought so. He had our mother’s big brown eyes, while I had eyes like daddy that people said reminded them of a cat’s. I wished I looked more like mama and Buddy than like daddy and Grandpa Hawkins, but facts were facts and I took from daddy’s side of the family and Buddy took from mamas.

“Sorry I’m late!” Buddy said and slid into his seat almost sideways.

“That’s a chair, not a sandbag, boy!” Daddy said, but I got the feeling he was relieved rather than mad that Buddy was there.

Mama had started to pass the food around. She handed the platter of chicken fried steaks to daddy, but her focus was on Buddy. “And the reason you’re late, Byron?”

Daddy took the platter and laughed. “Byron?” He said, almost under his breath. We all knew that wasn’t a good sign. Buddy was Buddy until he was in really hot water with mama, then he became Byron.

“I caught a ride with Animal – I mean, Anthony, and he had to make a few stops before he dropped me off.” Buddy said, happy to take the platter from daddy that was coming his direction.

“Did one of those stops happen to be at the Joseph’s?” Mama asked pointedly.

“Uh oh!” I said, my hand flying to my mouth, but it was already too late. I couldn’t hold back the giggle, at least not until mama flashed that ‘cut you’ glance my way again. Heck, that glance can stop anything.

Buddy looked really surprised by her question. “No. Why would Animal take me by the Joseph’s house?”

“Well, someone is going to have to take you by there so you can apologize to that silly little girlfriend of yours, Byron! You better stop playing with these little girl’s emotions! I’m sick of them showing up on my doorstep ruining my day!”

“What?” Buddy said, color draining from his face.

“You heard your mother, Buddy. Soon as dinner is over I’m driving you over to Sister Joseph’s apartment and we’re going to sit down with her and Tarrah while you apologize for being unkind.”

“But –“

“But nothing, son. That’s just the way it is. Tarrah came by here really distressed cause you said you weren’t going to take her to youth convention dinner and Sister Joseph already spent, per Tarrah, nearly half her check on the new suit she bought Tarrah for the dinner.”

I had stopped eating, propped my chin in my hands supported by my elbows that I knew were forbidden on the table, but this was too good to be concerned with my table manners. Daddy’s voice was calm, mama’s face was still angry, and Buddy, poor Buddy looked almost sick.

“I’m taking Kelly to the convention dinner, daddy. I told Tarrah almost four weeks ago we weren’t going together any more.” He set his fork down on his plate loudly. “Oh man! I hate that old girl! I never did really like her that much!”

“Oh really? So you never did really like her that much, Byron? Then why did I catch you kissing her downstairs after Sunday school when you all were supposed to be upstairs with the rest of us?”

“But that was two months ago, mama! So help me, right after that we – I – broke up with her.”

The swat that took my left elbow off the table caught me by surprise, as my head dropped suddenly. I forgot how good mama was at doing two things at one time. She snapped at me, “Finish eating your dinner, Kaye!” without missing a beat with Buddy.

“These little messes of yours are not cute, Buddy. Every Sunday now I’m hearing something else about you and I don’t like it, young man!”

Daddy put his napkin down next to his plate. He’d managed to eat most of his dinner while the other three of us had been caught up in the conversation, but it was his turn to talk now.

“Like I said, son, we will be going over to the Joseph’s. You will be apologizing to Tarrah. She is going to be your date to youth convention dinner, and thank God your new little girlfriend does not go to Mount Carmel and you and you alone will have to work out that mess!”

“Amen!” I couldn’t help adding my two cents. Buddy shot me a look that could have killed a lesser person, but I just flashed him a smile. I knew I’d pay for it later.

Buddy tried one more time. “Can’t you all see what Tarrah did? She’s just playing you. She let her mother buy that outfit knowing I wasn’t taking her. Everybody knows all they have to do is come running to you all about something you think is going to create a problem at church and you’ll do whatever it takes …”

Daddy leaped up and pointed one of his big, thick fingers in Buddy’s face. “Shut it up, boy! Don’t you start trying to lecture nobody about what we do regarding Mount Carmel or you’ll be looking for you a new home!”

“No he won’t, B.R.” Mama was on her feet now too, and my amusement evaporated. Both her hands were on her hips and the looked that flashed between her and daddy put a chill in my heart. I’d never seen anything like it before. It must have shocked Buddy too.

“Okay, okay, y’all, I’m sorry. I’ll go with you, Daddy. We can go now. I’m not hungry any more.”

“Eat your dinner first, Buddy, then you go.” Mama said, easing back down, but still eying daddy.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the car.” Daddy said, storming away from the table.

Mama watched after daddy for a moment then turned her attention to Buddy and me. “Eat!”

****

Rosalyn McMillian's We Ain't the Brontes

We Ain't the Brontes

Hi there,

I want to share with you some information about her latest book, We Ain't the Brontes, but before I do I also recently had an opportunity to ask Rosalyn McMillian a few questions.that she was kind enough to answer that I think you might find interesting.

What's Your Name and the title or titles of your books?

Knowing, One Better, Blue Collar Blues, The Flip Side of Sin, This Side of Eternity, Midnight Pawn, and We Ain't the Brontes.

What genre do you normally write in?

Fiction

Could you tell us just a little about yourself?

I'm in a second marriage of over 26 years.  I'm the mother of four and grandmother of six.  I read about one-fifty to two hundred books a year.

Will you give us a brief overview of your latest, or if you prefer, your favorite book?

My favorite book is Gone With the Wind.  I loved Scarlett and Rhett.

Where are your books available?

Amazon.com or on my website: rosalynmcmillan.com

Are you working on anything new at the moment?

Yes, a non-fiction book about the H1N1 virus.

What one statement would you like to make that you think our audience and your readers might benefit from?

Read everything you can about  a career choice; if you're informed, you're going to be successful.

Thank you so much Rosalyn!

So here's the latest press release about Rosalyn and her fantastic new book! Enjoy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Long Awaited Return of Best Selling Author, Rosalyn McMillan

 

“We ain’t the Brontes, baby!”
A Tale of the Gross Atrocities of Sibling Rivalry.
The literary world KNOWS her.  She is the bestselling author of “Knowing”, “Blue Collar Blues”, “One Better”, “The Flip Side of Sin”, and “This Side of Eternity.”  Book clubs, the serious and the “leisure” reader, the professional woman, the sister around the way, and the brother we all know but would never “suspect”; audiences and readers from the boroughs to Rodeo Drive  and every socio-economical station in between have anxiously held their breath for the return of THEIR voice.  Noted and bestselling author Rosalyn McMillan has returned with a gripping and captivating tale entitled, “We Ain’t the Brontes”.  Taking time to equip herself now with years of research, Rosalyn a renowned author delves into the quagmire that is sibling rivalry.  She uncovers all of the “dirty little secrets” of sabotage and betrayal that are perversely evident, but fiercely hidden in families.  
Nashville, TN – November, 2010 – “We Ain’t the Brontes” is a Mani-fold literary work.  While the book is loosely autobiographical, its truest meaning and purpose are to offer answers and a sense of “community” to persons who have experienced this ugly reality.  Rosalyn, a published expert in the matter of sibling rivalry, uses the art form of fiction to deliver a powerful truth regarding this subject. Rosalyn’s national tour will shed light on this very dark subject, with the hopes of providing long sought answers and healing.  Please visit Rosalyn online at www.rosalynmcmillan.com, follow her on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.  This body of work is very personal for Rosalyn and she looks forward to becoming re-acquainted with her fans and sharing their stories. The book is already gaining momentum with readers.  Here a few quotes for the folks that matter most, the FANS!
”. . . Reading the book and talking about said book for days speaks volumes about the author . . . Rosalyn McMillan and her book “We Ain’t the Brontes” will take their rightful place as a great book and an even greater author . . . this book is clearly one that will give her another chance to reach her goal of becoming one of New York Times bestselling authors. Thanks for showing us and reminding us that although sibling rivalry between sisters may exist, it does not negate the fact that eventually love really does conquer all. And while you may not be a Bronte, you are an inspiration to us all.
 Loretta McNary,
TV Talk Show Host/Empowerment Speaker/Author The Loretta McNary TV Show
You can order your copy of “We Ain’t the Brontes” pre-sale at www.rosalynmcmillan.com or at www.Amazon.com.   The book goes on sale nationwide January, 2011.
 About the Author, Rosalyn McMillan

Rosalyn McMillan is a dedicated wife and devoted mother of four, and grandmother of five, who is currently surviving both rheumatoid arthritis and Alopecia Totalis, a disease that causes bodily hair loss.  Rosalyn worked as a sewing machine operator at Ford Motor Company for nineteen years before medically retiring.  She used the challenges in her own life as inspiration to become a successful novelist.  Rosalyn loves to research newsworthy stories and use them as sub-plots in her real-life novels.

Her first novel, Knowing, debuted as a highly successful initial achievement.  Knowing sold over 70,000 hardcover copies and over 400,000 paperbacks.  It was a national best-seller and charted admirably on many book lists.

Rosalyn then followed the success of her first book with One Better, then Blue Collar Blues, The Flip Side of Sin.  This Side of Eternity was Rosalyn’s fifth novel; the plot centered on the sanitation workers strike in 1968.

Rosalyn remains a loyal student of her profession by reading two to three hundred books a year.  She feels that it’s imperative for an author to keep abreast of the New York Times best-sellers as well as fresh voices of fiction.

Some of her favorite authors are John Sanford, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, John Grisham, Toni Morrison, Eric Jerome Dickey, Kimberla Lawson-Roby and Terry McMillan.

Currently, she lives in Memphis, TN, with her husband, John, where they relax fishing in their stocked pond.

Contact:

Ms. Chairidee Smith, President and Principal Consultant

KMF Consulting Firm

(Acting Publicist for Ms. Rosalyn McMillan)

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 73526

Houston, TX 77273

            Direct:      832.541.1508
            Fax:          281.821.5403
           Personal:    Kmf_businessandrealty@live.com  

Ms. Jazz Smith, Publicist

Rosalyn McMillan Books

Direct:    305-989-9255

Personal:    mrs.pysd@yahoo.com

Memories Restored Page By Page

From Essence Magazine - September 1999

I was clearing out some old files to make way for the new and stumbled upon a plethora of magazines, catalogues, and other materials that were from 1999 going into the 2000 new millennium.  Buried in the pages was the thunder of a brand new century at the door, the terror of what might await us, the nostalgia of what we were leaving behind, the desire to try to predict the future, and a sense of American innocence we have since lost.

I remember the dealers at antique malls who offer pages from vintage magazines, old ads and signs and I knew there was a storehouse of valuable memories worthy of keeping in my newly found treasure trove. The "original ad" or the "original article" has significant value for the potential collector, so I spent a good part of my afternoon carefully thumbing though many of them. I was fascinated by so much of what I was revisiting.

From Essence Magazine - September 1999

Enjoy a couple of the intriguing ads I found. If you're a collector look for some of the most intriguing ads, articles, and whole catalogs or magazines on my favorite auction "blocks" soon!

Loving Buddy eBook

Loving Buddy eBook

When Love Deceives ...Delilah by Shelia M. Goss

If You By Guest Blogger Shelia M Goss

The Delilah When Love Deceives tour makes a stop on Peggy Eldridge-Love's blog. Besides writing fiction, I write poetry every blue moon. If my character Delilah would write a poem, she would tell you not to follow in her footsteps.

If You

by Shelia M. Goss

IF You followed In my Footsteps,

Then You will know, I did not always Know

The right way to Go.

I made some Mistakes

Along the way. Learning how to Live

Day by Day.

So don’t follow in my Footsteps,

Don’t make the same Mistakes.

Know that there is a better road to Take.

IF You followed in my Footsteps,

Then you will See, My life was not always as easy as it Seemed.

Sometimes I struggled, But I made it Through.

With Faith and Guidance, so can You.

Shelia M. Goss is the Dallas Morning News and Essence Magazine Best-Selling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are Thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, Savannah's Curse (March 2011) and the teen series The Lip Gloss Chronicles. Delilah is her tenth novel and first Christian fiction novel. To learn more, visit her website: www.sheliagoss.com, www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss or www.facebook.com/sheliagoss.

What readers are saying about Delilah:

"Many stories that include preachers are over-the-top, but the author's creative nature blends this topic along with deceit and betrayal into the story, making it just right." ~ Review by Teresa Beasley-APOOO Book Club

"The book was highly entertaining, yet never lost sight of the Christian message. I recommend Delilah to those who love Christian fiction and to all readers who enjoy great writing and storyline."
--Angelia Menchan, Author and Avid Reader

"Delilah is a good read even for those who are not regular readers of urban or Christian fiction." ~ TaKeshia Brooks-AAMBC Reviewer

More about Delilah:

Behind every successful man is a good woman. The downfall of a good man is a woman up to no good.

Thirty and fine, Samson Judges is preacher of the Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church . He’s beloved by his congregation, but temptation is about to strike in the form of divalicious beauty Delilah, and only the Good Lord knows if Samson will be able to keep his head on straight with her. Especially considering he’s about to be married to Julia Rivers. Julia helped shape Samson into the man he is, but Delilah wants to knock him down. He doesn’t know she’s been hired to distract him by real estate developer William Trusts, who wants to acquire the land where Samson’s church stands.... Samson feels like his relationship with God puts him above it all, but his weakness for Delilah may just cause him to lose everything. ~ Black Expressions Book Club

Delilah is Shelia Goss' tenth book. It's available in hardcover and paperback and is available in stores or online from any of the online outlets such as Amazon.com, BlackExpressions.com, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc.

Holding It Together With Band-Aids and Safety Pins to Kindle Books

Recently I was notified by Mobi-Pocket that my Ebook, "Holding It Together With Band-Aids and Safety Pins" was going to be migrated to Kindle Books. I noticed today that the migration process is in its final stage and (perhaps even as I write and almost certainly when you read this) the Ebook will be available for purchase and download from Kindle very soon.

Check out this short trailer:




I believe Kindle readers will enjoy this work very much!

My Birthday, My Mother, My Joy

It's my birthday and my thoughts have turned to my mother and that special bond that existed between us from moment one! In my recent chapbook the title poem is "Peach Seeds" and it is about that wonder that was ours. I thought it appropriate to share it here today:


Peach Seeds

She didn't like that I thought I was adopted.
She leaned her face into mine so that we
were eye to eye.
I was the worst pain she'd ever known;
nine hours with complications, having
decided to come along with snow thunder
one early January Kansas night.

She was no more amused when I decided
I was really the reincarnation of an English
princess held captive
by a bevy of sixteenth century dysfunctional nuns.
That I was seven was no excuse
for being ungrateful for who I was
and who I wasn't.

But, by eight she recognized that mine was not
a heretic's soul, nor the musings of a wish-I-was.
By eight she knew I was made up of purple streamers,
silver bells, Northern Lights, tea leaves from Ceylon,
angel hair, wild Palominos, wood nymphs,
peach seeds, shrill whistles
and endless sticky kisses

and she let me take her hand any time
I needed her to travel with me.

We shared worlds and life and love
and us and them, all born from her womb
and his seed that became the incubator
for all the gifts that poured from that
crack in the universe that somehow
God had allowed us
to wiggle through.

She didn't flinch the last time I knelt beside her
to gently remove the clothes she
didn't even know she wore. She trusted my hands
that stroked her thick gray hair and whispered
a tiny prayer and sealed it with a kiss. She didn't
remember as I leaned in and we were once
again eye to eye

that she'd given me life and had stirred, spun,
lifted, launched, released, poured and retrieved,
sailed and thrust it,
with the rhythm of an ocean,
but in that brief moment when her hand grasped
mine, one last time,
I know she knew she would

always have hold of the other end of my
unbreakable purple streamers.




From "Peach Seeds" by Peggy Eldridge-Love published by Mipoesias Chapbook Series