Francine Craft Gift Basket Winner

Congratulations to Gerri Curless! She was the lucky winner of the Fall in Love All Over Again This Holiday Season with Francine Craft gift basket.

Gerri, you should receive your basket any day now. Enjoy!

Fall in Love All Over Again This Holiday Season with Francince Craft

Alright, alright, ALRIGHT! All the Buzz Literary Reviews, a subsidiary of Literary Signature Services, is proud to be an official stop on TheGRITS.com Virtual Book Tour. Being a preferred stop on this tour, I will be featuring and interviewing authors, reviewing their books, and providing promotional gifts and prizes for the tour.

It is with great pleasure that I end what has a been a fabulous tour with the "Fall in Love All Over Again This Holiday Season with Francine Craft" gift box drawing. One lucky virtual tourist will win a gift box of tender romances and experience the sensual touch of Warm Spirit pleasure products.

This gift box ($90 value) will include:

PASSION’S FOOL
Relaxing Lavender Eye Pillow

IF LOVE IS GOOD TO ME
6.4 oz. Paisley Polished Hands

THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL
1 oz. Paisley Body Soufflé

NEVER WITHOUT YOU AGAIN
10 oz. Paisley Soy Candle

INTIME4PLAY Game for Couples

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

ELIGIBILITY: This drawing is ONLY open to United States citizens 18 years of age or older. Literary Signature Services and their dependents are not eligible to enter or win.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, send (1) email with your name and complete mailing address.

HOW TO WIN: All entries must be received by Monday, 11:59 pm PST, December 17, 2007. Literary Signature Services is not responsible for missing or delayed entries due to any malfunctions of the entry form on this site. Winners will be randomly selected from all entries received by Literary Signature Services staff. Each book must be accepted as awarded, for it is not transferable and has no cash surrender value. All winners will be notified by email no later than Tuesday, December 18, 2007 and they must respond to the confirmation email before the book is mailed to them.

PRIVACY DISCLAIMER: Literary Signature Services does not release names, email addresses, and mailing addresses collected from book contests and give-a-ways to anyone. All information collected by us is used only to serve you better in the event you are a winner.

Deadly Sexy

Deadly Sexy
Beverly Jenkins
Avon, October 2007
$6.99 US, ISBN 0061246395

Love on a lonely highway…

When sports agent JT Blake, or Lady Blake as she is better known, and Reese Anthony, a highly respected attorney and part owner of his family’s international trucking company, meet on a deserted stretch of highway after JT’s car breaks down, the attraction is instantaneous and so explosive that the two don’t even try to fight it.

JT is a little leery at first of getting involved with Reese, but Reese is having none of it. Even though they live on different coasts, Reese’s new job with the football league brings them within close proximity of each other. Determined to wear down JT’s defenses, he begins courting her. And despite her best efforts, JT succumbs, and the two embark on a beautiful, torrid love affair. But as life is known to do, more than a few curve balls, some with serious consequences and repercussions are thrown at Reese and JT.

What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man! Maybe I should change that to what a book, what a book, what a mighty good book! Either way, the line from a classic Salt-n-Pepa song aptly describes how I feel about Reese Anthony and Deadly Sexy. I’m a die-hard romantic, and I love the courting aspect of romance. Courting is an aspect of romance that has really been lost, but Jenkins brings it back in true fashion. Reese is the perfect epitome of old school and new school. And let’s not forget JT. She is, to sum it up in one word, fierce!

Needless to say, I truly enjoyed this book. I’ve read every Beverly Jenkins novel to date, and I must say, this is my favorite. And I believe it’s her best work yet!

- Renee Williams, All the Buzz

Wild Sweet Love

October was Wild Sweet Love for TheGRITS.com online reading community. I was the hostess with the mostest. LOL Even though Wild Sweet Love by Beverly Jenkins was released in late April, it was still my reading selection for the month. I read it when it was first released, and then did a re-read in October, and I must say I enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time around.

I'm sure you're thinking why I chose the month of October for a romantic theme. LOL Sweetest Day, a holiday mainly celebrated in the northern states, is the 3rd Saturday in October, hence my choice. LOL

To end the month, the members of TheGRITS.com and members of Beverly Jenkins online reading community came together for a wonderful chat. We had a ball! Lots of prizes were given away. Everyone who attended the chat received a gift, including Beverly. We were also joined by another of my favorite romance authors, Evelyn Palfrey.

I loved Wild Sweet Love and can't wait for the next Beverly Jenkins release.

Review - How Strong Women Pray

How Strong Women Pray
Bonnie St. John
Faith Words, November 2007
$16.99 US, ISBN 0446579262

Prayer will fix it…

How do you pray? Do you speak with God like He’s sitting right next to you and you’re having a conversation with Him? Do you go in your prayer closet and cry out to Him or do you speak out loud?

When do you pray? Do you find yourself calling out to God only in the midst of your trials and tribulations, or do you praise Him at all times, during the good and the bad seasons of your life? I believe there really is not a wrong way to pray, as long as you pray.

In How Strong Women Pray, Bonnie St. John, an amputee who overcame many obstacles, going on to become an Olympic skier and silver medalist, not only shares her struggles and successes in life, but also how prayer plays a vital role in her life.

Wanting to know how prayer played a part in the lives of others, St. John interviewed many women of different races, religions and creed. Some of the women were famous and some, not so famous. Readers are allowed an intimate peek into the prayer lives of such notables as Maya Angelou, Barbara Bush, Vonetta Flowers, and Kathie Lee Gifford, to name a few.

In a recent interview with Natalie Morales of NBC’s The Today Show, St. John talks about How Strong Women Pray and “how it can give you strength as well as help you heal.”

Normally, when I am enjoying a book, I find myself racing through the pages trying to find out what’s going to happen next. But this was not the case with this book. I was so moved by the stories that I found myself re-reading passages, and sometimes even chapters, making notes, and yes, even stopping to pray when certain aspects of the stories spoke to my inner being.

How Strong Women Pray is a powerful testimonial of God’s grace and mercy, and will only enhance the lives of all who read it. I will recommend this to everyone I know.

- Renee Williams, All the Buzz

Review - Slow Burn by Brenda Jackson

Slow Burn

Brenda Jackson
St. Martin’s, November 2007
$6.99 US, ISBN 0312940491

When love calls…

Alright, alright, alright! The Madaris family is back! It’s been approximately 2 ½ years since we were last given a glimpse into the lives of our beloved Brenda Jackson family. But with the release of Slow Burn, the story of Slade Madaris, we’re reintroduced to the whole clan, including Justin & Lorren, the couple who started it all.

Skye Barclay gets the shock of her life when she finds out that not only is she adopted, but that she also has a brother; a brother who turns out to be Vincent Madaris, the adopted son of Justin & Lorren Madaris.

Against her family’s and her fiancé’s wishes, Skye heads to Texas to meet Vincent. She’s scared of what will happen once she gets to Texas, and understandably so. But her fears are quickly allayed when the Madaris family opens their homes and their hearts to her.

The moment Slade Madaris lays eyes on Skye, he feels an instant inexplicable connection with her. And the fact that Madaris blood runs strong in his veins, Slade pursues Skye, quickly wearing down her defenses and embarking on a beautiful love affair. Their euphoria is short-lived, however, when danger comes calling. Will Skye give into the pressure, or will she stand and fight for her newfound happiness?

Slow Burn is classic Brenda Jackson. You know an author has mastered their craft when you can literally feel the emotions portrayed between the characters; whether it be the familial bonds or the romance and passion between the couples. Each novel that Jackson writes is a testament to this fact. I’ve yet to be disappointed with any of Jackson’s literary offerings. I’m a fan for life.

- Renee Williams, All the Buzz

I Stand Accused by Monica Frazier Anderson

I Stand Accused

Monica Frazier Anderson
TyMac Books, May 2007
$12.95 US, ISBN 097863781X

When the past comes back to haunt you…

Everyone has a past; some more traumatic than others. Sometimes there are certain aspects of our past that we would honestly rather forget. But at the most inopportune times, skeletons we believe are long buried, manage to break free of their ghostly abodes, and torment us with their secrets and sins. In, I Stand Accused by Monica Frazier Anderson, main character James Adams, finds himself haunted by youthful indiscretions that just won’t go away.

First, there’s the drama of his philandering father who spends all his time at a local strip club where he’s not just getting lap dances. When his father is savagely murdered, it’s anybody’s guess who did it and why. Then there are problems going on with several of his siblings, and a most embarrassing episode with his high school sweetheart, rocks his family’s foundation to it’s core. As soon as James graduates from high school, he shakes the hometown dust from his feet, ditches the East Texas twang, and becomes a successful ophthalmologist. He’s enjoying his new life very much when the past rears its ugly head and forces him to deal with a lot of unresolved issues once and for all!

When I read Ms. Anderson’s novel, When A Sistah’s Fed Up last year, I was impressed with her skills as a new writer. With the publication of I Stand Accused, her excellent writing skills are again realized even more. The telling of this story — with flashbacks to past and present occurences — is done so effortlessly that readers never feel confused by all that is going on in the story. Ms. Anderson also manges to realistically portray the small country town in East Texas where James and his family were raised right down to the dialect! With the exception that this novel did not have as much suspense as I would have liked, I Stand Accused is solidly written — engaging and entertaining! I definitely look forward to more literary endeavors from Monica Frazier Anderson.

--Renee Williams, All the Buzz

Hot & Spicy!

I just love making gift baskets! Back in February 2007, I had a chance to create two more fabulous gift basket for contest prizes. I'm a member of the RAWSISTAZ online reading community. Each month, the members take turn hosting a selected theme. Well February was Hot & Spicy month, and that was my month to host. I'm a die-hard romantic, and if you had a little spice to the romance, then I'm really good to go. LOL

As part of my hostess duties, I came up with a contest called RAWSISTAZ Survivor. Yep, just like the hit reality show Survivor. There were three rounds, and the final member left standing was the lucky recipient of the basket you see above.

This was the ultimate reader basket. It included:

Books

Taming the Wolf by Maureen Smith

The Enchantress by Allison Hobbs

Making Him Want It by Renee Luke
A Delight Before Christmas by Angie Daniels
Poems of the Heart by Gregory Bryant
Somebody's Gotta Be on Top by Mary Morrison

Fabric covered handcuffs with feather tickler

Chocolate flavored edible body pen

Fabric rose

Fabric rose petals

Chocolate flavored love potion drink mix

Eye mask

Scented tea light candles

Warm Spirt Dark Chocolate Kiss body frosting (it's not edible; a body moisturizer the texture/consistency of cake frosting)

Warm Spirit Dark Chocolate Kiss soy candle (when the candle is melted, the oil can be used as a warm, sensuous massage oil)

Russell Stover chocolate candy

Valentine Coupon Book

Games

Naughty & Nice Spin the Bottle

Love Dice

I hated to give that basket away! LOL It was fun making it, and even more fun giving it away. So remember, if you are in need of a unique gift basket, contact me!

The Stuff's Inside - All Occasion Gift Baskets

Another service I provide are custom gift baskets. Whatever the occasion, I can create a unique basket just for you.

Authors, are you promoting your newest release via a contest? For a unique, custom gift, choose a literary themed gift basket, featuring your books and the exquisite, nature based products of Warm Spirit.

Here's a sample of some baskets I've done previously:

Review - Only You by Francis Ray

Only You

Francis Ray
St. Martin’s, October 2007
$6.99 US, ISBN 0312948743

Sweet surrender…

Ruth Grayson is now four for four. She has successfully married off all of her sons, and now she faces the toughest challenge of them all, getting Sierra, her only daughter, to the altar. If her brothers’ easy capitulation into marital bliss is any indication, Sierra’s day are certainly numbered.

From the first moment she heard his voice, Sierra felt an immediate attraction to billionaire real estate mogul, Blade Navarone. The attraction is mutual, and intensely so, when the two actually make each other’s acquaintance. Never one to let anyone or anything stand in the way of what he wants, Blade arranges to be the highest bidder to secure a dinner date alone with Sierra during a charity auction.

From there, the desire between them continues to build, almost out of control. No matter how hard he tries to fight it, Blade finds himself hopelessly enraptured by everything that is Sierra. Blade has loved and lost once; so he refuses to open himself up for that kind of pain again. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. When he wasn’t looking, Blade finds Sierra firmly entrenched in his heart. But will he be able to fight his demons once and for all, and allow himself to truly love again?

Francis Ray has done it again! She has crafted a story so blissfully romantic, I found myself wanting to trade places with Sierra, and claim Blade as my own. Although I’ve enjoyed each of the Grayson love stories, Only You has become my favorite in the series. The portrayal of Blade’s hurt and pain was so real, my heart literally ached for him. Not many authors can evoke that type of emotion from me with a single read. But Ray manages to do that on a consistent basis, and this is why she is one of my all time favorite authors.

- Renee Williams, All The Buzz

How Sweet the Sound Book Review

How Sweet the Sound
Jacquelin Thomas, Francis Ray, Felicia Mason
Steeple Hill, February 2005
$12.95 US, ISBN 0373785348

Love, sweet love...

Whether you have a new love, or get a second chance at love, you are experiencing the greatest emotion given to us by God. In How Sweet the Sound, bestselling authors Jacquelin Thomas, Francis Ray, and Felicia Mason bring us three inspiring, uplifting, and blissfully romantic stories of love.

In "Make a Joyful Noise" by Jacquelin Thomas, Desiree Coleman loves to sing and desires to be the lead soloist in the choir. The only problem is, her voice isn't quite the angelic or soulful sound that she believes it is. Choir director Bradley Rhodes wants her out of the choir, but Desiree refuses to give up her dream. Slowly but surely, Desiree not only becomes a better singer, she manages to work her way into Bradley's heart.

It's old school vs. new school in, "Then Sings My Soul" by Francis Ray. Grace Thompson and Caleb Jackson find themselves at odds when their ideas for song selections for their upcoming choir competition don't exactly mesh. Tempers rage, but soon anger turns into something much sweeter for Grace and Caleb.

"Heartsongs", by Felicia Mason, is the story of TC Holloway and Carys Shaw. After 25 years, the two meet again at their class reunion, and find themselves given a second chance at love.

Romance and Christian fiction are my two favorite genres, and How Sweet the Sound is a perfect combination of both. Not only was each story well written, they were heartfelt and wonderfully exemplified what love is all about. This anthology has found a spot on my all-time favorite books list, and reserved spot on my bookshelf. It's one I know I will read again and again.

Renee Williams
All the Buzz

Well, I think I've got you all caught up. LOL Let me get busy with some reviews now.

Self-Published Authors Forum

On Saturday, June 9, 2007, I had the privilege of attending the Self-Published Authors Forum in Dallas, presented by the Jus' Sistahs Book Club and Half Price Books. Authors in attendance were Dr. Moe, Monica Frazier Anderson, Evelyn Palfrey, Vonda Lovell Brigham, Tom Greer and Sean Chandler. Marlive Harris, of TheGRITS.com, was also in attendance as a expert in the literary industry. Authors Lesley Hal and N'Tyse were also in attendance, but as guests.

This was a wonderful, well attended and very informative event. The authors were very open and honest about everything they have experienced as self-published authors, the good and the bad. There was a Q & A with the members of the audience, and no matter what kind of question was posed, or comment given, the authors were very receptive and responsive.

I'm glad that I got the chance to attend this event, and look forward to attending more events as a reader. Check out some of the photos from the event:

Literary Signature Dinner with Francis Ray

After the event at the Houston Public Library, later that night we made our way over to Boudreaux's Cajun Restaurant where a good time was had by all. There was lots of good food, lots of door prizes, and each attendee walked away with a bag of goodies. Francis was very gracious; taking pictures with everyone, answering questions, giving us a quick peek into her upcoming storylines, autographing books, etc.

Here's a few pictures from both events:

How Sweet the Sound Event Recap

Well, this was my first official event, and even though I was nervous, I think it went off without a hitch. LOL

How Sweet the Sound, a romantic Christian anthology, with fellow authors Jacquelin Thomas and Felicia Mason, was Francis' first foray into the Christian fiction genre. Each novella was either based on a well known gospel song, or the song was featured in the storyline. Although Jacquelin Thomas nor Felicia Mason were unable to attend, their stories were still featured.

After my welcome speech, Marlive Harris, of TheGRITS.com, introduced our soloists and gave a brief history of each song selected. Our first soloist was Gwendolyn Ross, who sang I believe in conjunction with "Make a Joyful Noise" by Jacquelin Thomas. Our second soloist was Nicole Taylor, who sang How Great Thou Art, the theme of Francis Ray's "Then Sings My Soul". Our final soloist was Bettye Armstrong, who sang Just As I Am in conjunction with "Heart Songs" by Felicia Mason.

I tell you, each of these women had such beautiful voices that they moved me to tears. For a minute I forgot we were having a literary event and felt like I was in church.

After each soloists were done, Francis then came forward and not only shared how she came to be a part of this anthology, but also gave us a little personal history on her journey as an author. We finished up with refreshmens, a book sale, courtesy of Borders Books in Meyerland Plaza, Houston, Texas, and a book signing.

All in all, I believe the event was a huge success.

First, let me take you back to where it all started. On July 23, 2005, I hosted two events for Francis Ray. First there was the How Sweet the Sound book discussion and signing of her first Christian fiction release, How Sweet the Sound, and anthology featuring stories not only from Francis, but also Jacquelin Thomas and Felicia Mason.

Here's the official press release:

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:

Renee Williams, CEO

Stuff Happens! Event Planning

936-650-3952

stuffhappensep@yahoo.com

HOW SWEET THE SOUND
July 23, 2005

HOUSTON, TX (May 2005) – In celebration of the publication of her first Inspirational novella, Francis Ray presents HOW SWEET THE SOUND, to be held Saturday, July 23, 2005, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., in Houston, Texas at the Houston Public Library – Central Branch, located at 500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77002, (832) 393-1313. This event, free and open to the public, is a venue for fans of Francis Ray to meet the national bestselling author, and to hear her speak about her involvement in this anthology.

Scheduled events include stirring solos based on the hymns each story comes from, book sale and signing, refreshments, and contests. For more information, or for parties interested in being a sponsor for this event, contact the event planner at stuffhappensep@yahoo.com.

Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award. Ms. Ray's titles consistently make bestseller's lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written fourteen single titles and eight anthologies.

Welcome to All the Buzz!

Welcome to All the Buzz! Here you will find reviews of books I've read and recaps of events I've hosted. I'm new to this blogging thing, LOL, but I think I'm gonna enjoy it, and I hope you do to.

Authors and publishers, if you want me to review your book, feel free to contact me at the information listed.

Well, here goes!

Renee