Jasmine’s Law February 26, 2008

When you drop your children off at childcare, you assume they’re in a safe, loving environment. After all you’ve researched, investigated and asked for recommendations. If you’re from Tennessee, you probably checked out the facility on the Department of Human Services’ website.  

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So imagine the horror of a child dying at the hands of her child care provider. Carolyn Knox doesn’t have to imagine this horror. Unfortunately this exact thing happened to her granddaughter, Jasmine Mitchell. Day-care provider Versie Ramirez-Carr pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 15-year prison sentence. However, Ramirez-Carr was released from prison after serving four years.  After Jasmine’s death, the family learned that Ramirez-Carr, who had a valid day-care license, had pleaded guilty to a drug charge, skipped bond, violated probation and had a weapons charge in her background.

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Jasmine’s death has led Knox to start a petition to protect other children and parents who depend on childcare workers. The petition for Jasmine’s Law addresses three issues:

1. All persons seeking a child care provider license be fingerprinted and run through a national database. Anyone that has a criminal record of any kind be determined ineligible from receiving a child care provider license.
2. Child killers should have to register and be placed on a public watch list (similar to the one for registered sex offenders). 
3. There should be mandatory sentences with no chance of parole given to day-care providers found guilty of abusing a child.   

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Read more about little Jasmine Mitchell in The Jackson Sun.  

To read and/or sign the petition supporting Jasmine’s law, check here.

Fave Five February 24, 2008

NEW YORK TIMES (February 24, 2008) 

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. THE APPEAL by John Grisham
2.  7TH HEAVEN by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
3. DUMA KEY by Stephen King
4. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini
5. STRANGER IN PARADISE by Robert B. Parker

 PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett
2. ATONEMENT by Ian McEwan
3. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
4. NINETEEN MINUTES, by Jodi Picoult
5. THE KITE RUNNER, by Khaled Hosseini  

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollan
2. RECONCILIATION by Benazir Bhutto
3. REAL CHANGE by Newt Gingrich with Vince Haley and Rick Tyler
4. AN INCONVENIENT BOOK by Glenn Beck and Kevin Balfe
5. I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) by Stephen Colbert, Richard Dahm, Paul Dinello, Allison Silverman et al.

 PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. EAT, PRAY, LOVE, by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. THREE CUPS OF TEA, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, by Barack Obama
4. FAIRTAX: THE TRUTH, by Neal Boortz and John Linder with Rob Woodall
5. 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey   

USA Today (based on sales through Sunday, Febraury 17, 2008) 

FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
2. The Appeal by John Grisham
3. 7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
4. Bradfest At Tiffanys: The Clique #9 by Lisi Harrison
5. The Secret by  Rhonda Byrne 

 Essence Magazine (February 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Love & Lies by Kimberla Lawson Roby
2. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
3. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
4. The First Lady by Carl Weber
5. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey

 FICTION Paperback

1. Torn by Keisha Ervin
2. Still Hood by K’wan
3. Dice by T.N. Baker
4. B**ch Reloaded by Deja King
5. A Street Girl Named Desire by Treasure E. Blue

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
2. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
3. Do You! by Russell Simmons
4. Come on People by Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint
5. The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper
4. The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
5. A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

 CBA (February 2008) 

1. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
2. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
3. 3:16 by Max Lucado
4. Breaking Free Day By Day by Beth Moore
5. Become a Better You by Joel Osteen

 

ECPA (February 2008) 

1. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
2. How to Pray by John Wesley
3. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
4. 3:16 by Max Lucado
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

A NEW LOOK February 18, 2008

L. Nuchell Books has a new look. My signature brown banner with the pastel colors was added as well as a new welcome message. Two new features have been included: a link to my blog and a media kit link. The media kit features a bio, author’s photo, book cover, interview questions and a reading guide. All of these files can be printed by book clubs, reading groups or anyone needing information for speech or author appearance.

 

Special thanks to G. McBride for her comments and suggestions and to Teel Designs for their design expertise.

 

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Addendum to “Connecting with my characters”

 

Today I received a very touching email from Gwen Gorby (the artist mentioned in the “Connecting” post. After posting, I emailed Ms. Gorby to let her know how much I enjoyed her artwork and to let her know about the post on this blog. Ms. Gorby stated “I paint what I feel deeply about and I always hope that God is directing my every step to accomplish His purpose through the paintings. Once I have painted the painting, I usually don’t have the pleasure of knowing what happens as a result of the work existing.” She also shared that “Bo” is an actual person who enjoys being in her paintings. She forwarded my email and web address to “Bo”, as well as her cousin, who lives in Ohio. In closing, Ms. Gorby said “your e-mail has inspired and encouraged all 3 of us. Isn’t it wonderful how God works!”

Who’s in your FAVE FIVE? February 17, 2008

Since there are so many wonderful books out there (more than I’ll ever be able to talk about or read), I’ve decided to add a new category to my Book Buzz.  “Fave Five” will feature the five bestsellers from The New York Times, USA Today, Essence Magazine, Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA). Lists will be updated each Monday (monthly lists will remain the same until the next list comes out). I hope this will help provide you will a wide variety of reading materials: fiction, non-fiction, Christian, secular, new novelists and old favorites.

NEW YORK TIMES (February 17, 2008) 

PAPERBACK TRADE FICTION

1. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
2.  Atonement by Ian McEwan
3. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
4. The 6th Target by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
3. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
4. The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
5. The Innocent Man by John Grisham

USA Today (based on sales through Sunday, Febraury 10, 2008) FICTION AND NONFICTION

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
2. 7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
3. The Appeal by John Grisham
4. Bratfest At Tiffanys: The Clique #9 by Lisi Harrison
5. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Essence Magazine (February 2008) 

FICTION Hardcover

1. Love & Lies by Kimberla Lawson Roby
2. Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
3. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
4. The First Lady by Carl Weber
5. Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey

 FICTION Paperback

1. Torn by Keisha Ervin
2. Still Hood by K’wan
3. Dice by T.N. Baker
4. B**ch Reloaded by Deja King
5. A Street Girl Named Desire by Treasure E. Blue

 NONFICTION Hardcover

1. Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes
2. The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
3. Do You! by Russell Simmons
4. Come on People by Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint
5. The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell

 NONFICTION Paperback

1. The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
2. The Willie Lynch Letter by Willie Lynch and Kashif Malik Hassan-el
3. Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper
4. The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
5. A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

 CBA (February 2008) 

1. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
2. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
3. 3:16 by Max Lucado
4. Breaking Free Day By Day by Beth Moore
5. Become a Better You by Joel Osteen

 ECPA (February 2008) 

1. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
2. How to Pray by John Wesley
3. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
4. 3:16 by Max Lucado
5. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

Connecting with my characters February 15, 2008

Have you ever been searching for something on the Internet, click one link and see something that catches your attention, so you click on that link? The cycle continues and pretty soon you can’t remember what you were looking for in the first place. Most times when I do this it’s a big waste of time, but today’s web adventure led me to the website of Gwen Gorby. 

Gwen was a finalist in an art showcase hosted by a national home décor retailer. Gwen’s entry Treasures of Her Heart and the corresponding description caught my attention, so I clicked on her website. My first thought, “wow, she’s good”. I scrolled through her gallery until one particular piece leapt from the screen shouting “It’s me—Bo”.

Alone With Him reminded me of a scene in my latest manuscript where the main character (Bo) is incarcerated and his only possession is a Bible that someone has given him. I could feel the anguish and frustration of the man in the painting, thus giving me a deeper understanding of how my character must be feeling. That’s no doubt that I’ll use this painting for inspiration to finish my story (now I don’t have to spend a night in jail).

If you’d like to find out more about Gwen and her artwork, click here.

BE MY VALENTINE February 13, 2008

Try these “Sweet Reads”  

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A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson 

A Love So Strong by Kendra Norman Bellamy 

Defining Moments by Jacquelin Thomas 

Everything Her Heart Desires by L. Nuchell 

First Mates by Cecelia Dowdy 

Happily Even After by Marilynn Griffith 

Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck 

Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren

God’s Grace & Mercy February 9, 2008

 

The clock on Union University’s bell tower documented the time of the Super Tuesday Tornado.

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Since my last post, my hometown was hit once again by a devastating (F4) tornado. This was the third major tornado to hit our city in the last nine years (1999, 2003, 2008). Tuesday night’s storm wreaked havoc on one of our colleges, Union University. Almost every building on campus was damaged and the dormitories were destroyed. I worked as the residential living director at Lambuth for five years and my heart sank at the thought of Union’s administration scrambling around a dark campus trying to account for 1200 on-campus residents. The university was greatly blessed and protected by the Lord. None of their students, faculty, or staff lost their lives; although several students were trapped beneath rubble and over fifty had to be taken to the hospital. 

As usual the community has come out in droves to help the university and the students. Union President, Dr. David Dockery, has been poised and humble through the entire event. When you’re a Christian you tend to look at tragedy differently. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and asking why, you thank God for his grace and mercy and press on. 

Union began the clean-up process almost immediately. The plan is to re-open the week of February 18, 2008. Of course clearing debris from the campus is the easy task. Arranging housing and classes for over 3000 students is another matter all together. I shutter just thinking about the process. 

I have no doubt that Jackson will bounce back. While I wouldn’t say we’re accustomed to tornadoes, we have learned how to come together as a community. We’ll move on and try to be prepared for the next time. 

If you are interested in helping Union University with their efforts, they have established a website with updates and other information (click here).

To read more about the Super Tuesday tornado or see photo galleries of the damage, visit The Jackson Sun’s website.

Stuck in the Middle February 5, 2008

Virginia Smith’s latest release Stuck in the Middle, Book 1 of The Sister-to-Sister Series (Revell) hit the bookstore shelves this month.  Joan Sanderson is stuck. While her sisters are off making lives for themselves, Joan lives at home helping Mom take care of her kooky grandmother. She’s been deserted by her father, dumped by her boyfriend, and God seems like a distant observer. Then a Christian guy moves in next door – a doctor, no less! If only her little sister wasn’t such a flirt …  

Virginia (Ginny) Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am. Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle. Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”  

Made sure you check out Ginny’s website. She’s hosting a Sister-to-Sister Contest and the winner gets a $500 Visa gift card. Entering the contest is easy and you get multiple entries if your refer someone else. So what are you for? Couldn’t you use a $500 shopping spree?   

P.S. Books 2 and 3 in The Sister-to-Sister Series are in the works! Age before Beauty will be available February 2009, and Last but Not Least is scheduled for February 2010.

The Father of Black History February 4, 2008

 

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson holds an outstanding position in early 20th century American history. Woodson authored numerous scholarly books on the positive contributions of Blacks to the development of America. He also published many magazine articles analyzing the contributions and role of Black Americans. 

To recall and celebrate the positive contributions to our nation made by people of African descent; this distinguished author, editor, publisher, and historian established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred February 12, 1926.

Woodson received his Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College, Kentucky. From 1903 to 1907, he was a school supervisor in the Philippines. Later he traveled throughout Europe and Asia and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In 1908, he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago, and in 1912, he received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University.

THE MIS-EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO (1933), probably Woodson’s most popular book, remains a bestseller today. 

To learn more about Carter G. Woodson and see a list of his books and articles, click here.  

The History Channel and biography.com both have great websites on Black History Month and the contributions African-Americans made to America.