HOTBOOKS - January

Happy New Year!

I always love the new year. It always means a fresh start. This year I've decided to read a book a week. I'm hoping to read a different genre each week. Do you have any book reading goals for 2008?

2008 promises to be filled with many new authors that we will showcase here. So make sure to open up your newsletter on Fridays to see what's new on the shelves to add toyour book reading list.

We're trying to build our readership, so please feel free to forward this newsletter to all your friends who enjoy a good book. We're hosting a new membership drive contest. Five lucky winners will receive a SORMAG goody pak. You can win if they tell me you forwarded the newsletter to them. That means 10 winners. Winners will be announced in the first issue of the February newsletter.

Virtual Tours Listing

Are you going on a virtual book tour? Make one of your stops SORMAG Tours. All we ask for is a copy of the book to give out as gift to our readers.

See ya on the net,

LaShaunda


FEATURED AUTHORS THIS WEEK

Donald James Parker & Virgina DeBerry & Donna Grant


ALL THE VOICES OF THE WIND

This novel combines romance and humor with a cerebral search for truth. It does not pull punches. It names real people as it showcases most of the intelligent design/creationism arguments in one central location. This book is not for those unprepared for an intellectual challenge or a spiritual gut check.


GOTTA KEEP ON TRYIN'



Almost since Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made hit the shelves, readers have been asking for a sequel--something we never thought about after we completed that book. But 10 years worth of requests later--we decided to tackle the project. It was nerve wracking--but ultimately fulfilling to revisit the characters we'd put down so many years before. We thought long and hard about how to approach the story and concluded that the best way was to allow for time to have passed in Pat, Gayle and Marcus' lives too. So in Gotta Keep on Tryin' we pick them up six years after Tryin' ended and bring them forward to the present time.




CHRISTIAN

Happily Even After
Marilynn Griffith


Steeple Hill Books

0373785984

978-0373785988

In her old group of friends, Tracey Blackman was All That, but in her husband's new church circle, she's Nothing Much. Especially if you ask Queen Elizabeth, her haughty and harried mother-in-law who keeps putting Jenny Craig coupons in her diaper bag. Everyone from the pastor's wife on down seems to have it all together, right down to their perfect marriages. Tracey can't relate. She's got the man, the baby and the house, but this ain't no fairy tale. Right about now she's just hoping to live happily...even after all the mess.

http://www.marilynngriffith.com/




ONE HOLY NIGHT
J. M. Hochstetler


Sheaf House


ISBN-10: 097974850X

ISBN-13: 978-0979748509

On this bleak Christmas Eve, what God has in mind is a miracle. As on that holy night so long ago, a baby will be born and laid in a manger--a baby who will bring forgiveness, reconcilliation, and healing to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss.

http://www.sheafhouse.com

http://www.jmhochstetler.com/



MAINSTREAM

Things In Between
Nathanial Portis


Quick Press Publications

ISBN-10: 0976037203

ISBN-13: 978-0976037200

A touching tale about one young man's fervent effort to overcome "things in between" that are standing in the way of his success. With believable characters faced with true-to-life situations, Things In Between is an engaging read. Readers will feel Cameron's pain and cheer his triumphs. Portis also weaves in an element of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

http://www.nathanialportis.com/


http://myspace.com/nathanialportis



NON FICTION

The House That Love Built: The Story of Linda & Millard Fuller, Founders of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing
Bettie B. Youngs

Hampton Roads Pub Co

ISBN-10: 1571745467

ISBN-13: 978-1571745460

In the hearts of volunteers who mobilize resources to build houses, "Habitat for Humanity" signifies caring. However, few people know that thirty years ago, successful entrepreneur Millard Fuller and his wife Linda left behind their materialistic lifestyle and crumbling marriage to start over as missionaries in Zaire. Upon returning to Georgia, they started building houses to bring new life to the poverty-stricken as their personal Christian ministry.

Millard recruited Jimmy Carter to work with Habitat when he left the White House. Together they attracted leaders from church and state worldwide. Habitat became an international movement with 1700 affiliates and a Board of Directors comprised of increasingly large corporate donors. As it grew, a new, more secular vision evolved, and eventually Millard and Linda found themselves alone starting over. The Fullers responded with "God is not done with us." Within days, they were back raising money and building houses for The Fuller Center for Housing--for Katrina victims and in Nepal, Nigeria, and Romania.

About the Author

Bettie B.Youngs, PhD, EdD, teacher of the year, university professor and Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of 32 books published in 24 languages.

Website address: http://www.bettieyoungs.com/



POETRY


Speaking Me: A Youth Anthology
Pam Osbey


Osbey Books, Inc.

ISBN - 9780975266243

From heavy topics of alcoholism, affects of death, losing loved ones, domestic violence, teen violence, body image issues, spirituality, frustration with the government, music, and much more, Speaking Me: A Youth Anthology is a poetry and prose book that compiles the best in teen writings. Featured writers in this anthology include Carmen Li, Jeannette Anderson, Dahiana Baez, Tamasia Johnson, Marah Langellier, Sayre Mingan, Mary Williams, Gabriel C. Tyler, David Oliver Cousins, Jr., Milton Brawner, Derrick Barber, Bryent Edwards, Michelle Cole, Zakiya Zemmott, Jenny Perez and Ericka Dickerson.

Website address - http://www.osbeybooksinc.com/


Where can it be purchased from - http://www.authorsbookshop.com/speakingme



ROMANCE

Love.com
Teresa Alessi & Therone Shellman

Third Eye Publishing, Inc

ISBN: 0-9771004-4-8


Harold is not the best looking guy in the world, but he is a good husband, employee and friend. His life is shattered when he finds out his wife of eight years Linda is cheating. To make matters worse she divorces him. Heartbroken he decides to create a profile on a dating site called 'Love.com' Will Harold prevail and find true love?

Websites:

http://www.thirdeyepublishing.org/

www.myspace.com/theroneshellman




One Foot Outside The Door
Vina St.Fran


Zam Publishing

ISBN-10: 0615137970

ISBN-13: 978-0615137971

Cyndarella Worthy is a beautiful, 30-something African-American woman who owns a successful minority advertising agency in Southfield, Michigan. About to marry Thad Mitchell, Cyn has a blast from the past in the form of her high school sweetheart and first love, Bashar Bazzi, an Iraqi gentleman who comes back with an agenda of his own for his former lover. Will she ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after, or find herself back in circulation?

http://www.vinastfran.com/


http://www.zampublishing.com/




NEVER WITHOUT YOU AGAIN
Francine Craft

Kimani

ISBN-10: 0373860374

ISBN-13: 978-0373860371


How can I forget our past?
Theda Coles wondered as Hunter 'Brave Wolf' Davis once again grabbed hold of her heart and refused to let go. Hunter was back in town and back in her life. And the fire that had seared both their hearts a decade ago flared hotter than ever. Theda now struggled to uphold her daytime reputation as a small-town high school principal, even as she secretly reveled in the passionate loving only Hunter could give her at night. Each time they were together, Theda vowed it would be their last. But she couldn't stop seeing him. Even though their relationship meant risking her career.

Author's Website:

http://www.francinecraft.com/


www.myspace.com/francinecraft



2008 CONFERENCES


Romance Slam Jam 2008

The Event for Readers and Authors of Black Romance

12th Annual National Conference

April 30, 2008 - May 4, 2008

Chicago, IL

http://www.romanceslamjam.org/




2008 RSJ Aspiring Author Contest

This contest is open to all aspiring authors of Black romance/women's fiction.

http://www.romanceslamjam.org/conference/AAContest.htm



Are you hosting a conference? Advertise it here for $25.00

NEWSLETTER CALENDAR

FEBRUARY - Black History & Valentine

MARCH - Children Books

APRIL - Poetry

MAY - Mother's Day

JUNE - Father's Day


Do you have a book that's perfect for these special issues? Promote your book - http://sormag.com/AUTHOR.html

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PROMOTE?


SORMAG IS THE PLACE FOR YOU

Didn't see your name or your book?

Lock in your 2008 promotions before the slots fill up.

If you would like to sponsor our newsletter, send me an email and I'll send you more information.

SORMAG has different packages to fit every authors budget.

Check out our rates and let us introduce you to our readers.

Get your spot today - http://sormag.com/AUTHOR.html

Please feel free to forward this newsletter and tell your friends looking for a place to promote about our great rates.