JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... James Scott, author of Buffalo City Czar

Written by (Joey Pinkney)--link
Book Reviews Editor
Staff Writer

About "Buffalo City Czar":

“Buffalo City Czar” is a crime novel. It details the story of a fictitious New York crime family syndicate in Buffalo City (and Cleveland, Ohio) headed by Cesare, who became synonymous with the Black Syndicate Organization. The novel covers the late nineties and also provides the back story of Cesare from early childhood to adulthood.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Buffalo City Czar”?

James Scott: I was inspired to write “Buffalo City Czar” after spending eight years in prison. As a product of my environment, I truly believed that my criminal life was how life was supposed to be. I was wrong.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Suzetta Perkins, author of In My Rearview Mirror

Written by (Joey Pinkney)--twitter
Book Reviews Editor
Staff Writer

About "In My Rearview Mirror":

Margo Myles is over 40 and giving birth to twins. But she doesn’t know who the father is – her soon to be ex-husband, Jefferson, or one-time fling, Malik Mason.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “In My Rearview Mirror”?

Suzetta Perkins: “In My Rearview Mirror” is the third and final installment in my Behind the Veil series. In this novel, I wanted to bring the Myles’ family full circle and hopefully iron out some of the wrinkles of the past.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Greatest Poet Alive, author of Revenge of the Orgasm

Written by Joey Pinkney
Book Reviews Editor
Staff Writer

About "Revenge of the Orgasm":

“Revenge of the Orgasm” is an erotic autobiography. It has all of the elements of a “tell all”, but it contains the discretion of a gentleman, speaking only of himself and his exploits but not the participants specifically.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Revenge of the Orgasm”?

Greatest Poet Alive: The inspiration for “Revenge of the Orgasm” stems from my intimate and sexual encounters with beautiful women.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Kennedee Devoe, author of Two Wrongs Doesn't Make a Right...It Makes Us Even

Written by Joey Pinkney
Book Reviews Editor
Staff Writer

About "Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right…It Makes Us Even":

“Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right…It Makes Us Even” details my shocking past: good, bad, and ugly, along with dating relationships and all the life lessons I learned in between.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right…It Makes Us Even”?

Kennedee Devoe: My real life dating experiences have been horrific over the last 15-20 years. I knew that a lot of people could relate to one or more of my experiences.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Larry Benjamin, author of "Damaged Angels"

Written by Joey Pinkney

Book Reviews Editor
Staff Writer

About "Damaged Angels":

“Damaged Angels” is my first collection of short fiction. The stories give voice to the invisible, the damaged: the drug addicts and hustlers, the mentally ill and the sick and the questioning and the men who fall in love with them.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Damaged Angels”?

Larry Benjamin: In the acknowledgements, I wrote”…to all the men and boys who inspired these stories—you gave your all. I hope I gave as much.” And that really was my inspiration—the men and boys I’ve met along the way. In some cases they were friends, in others, just casual acquaintances, in one instance it was my brother and some were much, much more to me

Interview: Actor Wesley Jonathan, Stamps from TV Land's "The Soul Man"

Written by Joey Pinkney

Book Reviews Editor

Staff Writer

You know him various roles on your favorite shows ("Jamal Grant" from NBC’s City Guys) and your favorite movies ("Sweetness" from Roll Bounce).

Wesley Jonathan sits down with Joey Pinkney and TheBlackUrbanTimes.com and talks about his role as Stamps on Cedric The Entertainer's "The Soul Man", which premieres Season Two on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 on TV Land.

He also tells us about his experience in the entertainment industry and his motivations as an actor.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Desiree Future, author of The Pastor's Heart

 About "The Pastor's Heart":

Pastor Kingston Carter is not only a pastor but the owner of Carter Market. He intends to show Sinclair just what real love is despite her past.


Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Pastor’s Heart”?

Desiree Future: My inspiration came when I couldn’t find many Christian romance novels in the stores compared to the regular romance. I wanted to read books that reflect who I am as a Christian, so I decided to write one myself. 

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Rochelle Campbell, author of Leaping Out on Faith

About "Leaping Out on Faith":

“Leaping Out on Faith” is a collection of short stories about four women at different stages of their lives and the decisions they make.

Depending upon their age, the women choose vastly different paths. Some of those paths are reasonable. Some? Not so much. Yet each story represents a truth for a woman in that moment that rings true emotionally. 

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write "Leaping Out on Faith"?

Rochelle Campbell: Inspiration came in dribs and drabs over approximately 15 years. The first story in this book was written during my last year in high school, and the last story was written a couple of years ago.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Ladi M., author of "9 Orange Roses"

About "9 Orange Roses":

“9 Orange Roses” chronicles the relentless sexual escapades of a woman whose insatiable sexual appetite leads her into on new experience after another.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “9 Orange Roses”?

Ladi M.: I had gone through a very rough period in my life. I was on the beach looking at the water and contemplating killing myself. Then I saw a rock in the middle of the water, and my imagination took over. Could I swim to the rock, or would I let the water swallow me?

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Lorieen D. Henry, author of "There is a Miracle in 21: God Completes"

About: "There is a Miracle in 21":

“There is a Miracle in 21: God Completes” is designed to encourage, inspire and motivate others by sharing my struggles. It’s a book of HOPE! Simply stated, “It is my therapy with God”.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “There Is A Miracle in 21: God Completes”?

Lorieen D. Henry: My inspiration came from my desire to change/improve. I didn’t want to continue the cycle of madness. I was spiraling because I was discontent after leaving a successful military career. I knew it was time to leave, but I wasn’t content with the changes that God had allowed.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Carolyn D. Ward, author of The Realm of the Unseen

About "The Realm of the Unseen":

“The Realm of the Unseen” is written in allegorical genre to tell the story of the Bride of Christ, the Church, as she attains to the Crown of Life. In order to do so, the heroine, Christianity must become one with the Armor of God that Paul wrote about in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Realm of the Unseen”?

Carolyn D. Ward: I have included how “The Realm of the Unseen” was inspired in my Preface in the book. The desire to write this book was given to me as an assignment by God when I was 12 years old. I was born premature. My parents were told to leave me in the hospital because I would not live, to which they responded that if I were going to die, I would die at home with them.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Lakeshia Ramsey, author of A Destiny God Ordained

About "A Destiny Ordained by God":

In life, we never know what awaits us. At a very young age, I had to deal with many things most children don’t have to dream of: a mother on drugs, the need to move from place to place only, having my body violated time and time again.

I had to endure an abusive relationship and living a street life just to make ends meet. BUT GOD! I just wanted someone to make me whole, so I found Jesus. My faith in God and perseverance brought me through.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “A Destiny God Ordained”?

Lakeshia Ramsey: My trials and tribulations have inspired me to write “A Destiny God Ordained”. I consider my writing to be a blessing from God. I could not sit back and know that God has ordained me to do something and not obey.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Stephen Witt, author of The Street Singer

About "The Street Singer":

When flat-broke subway singer Jason Spirit receives a large tip in his case from a sexy Russian woman, little does he know it leads to a relationship with Thaddeus Hoover – the high-powered New York City developer with plans to build a $5 billion basketball arena in Brooklyn.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Street Singer: A Tale of Sex, Money and Power in a Changing Brooklyn”?

Stephen Witt: As a journalist, I covered the $5 billion Atlantic Yards project that brought the NBA’s New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn. I thought this would make a good subject for contemporary urban fiction.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Sh'Moore, author of A Lover's Redemption

About "A Lover's Redemption":

Does God forgive sinners who enjoy their sins? Is there forgiveness for the adulteress that indulges in the coveting of her lover? Can a marriage survive after infidelity?

Shamia Kennedy is in love with her husband as much as she is with herself. She knows that he loves her, but she misses the attention he once offered. In her means to occupy her time, she becomes intrigued by a conversation she has in an internet chat room. One that eventually leads to secluded hotel bedrooms!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “A Lover’s Redemption: The Beginning”?

Sh’Moore: Life. Some of the story is fiction, and some is reality. As part of my self therapy, I wrote. Although the story is fictional and many parts have been flipped and changed, “A Lover’s Redemption” is one of those pieces that was born of real life experiences.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Vogue, author of The Ace of Diamonds

About "The Ace of Diamonds":

Since his release from prison, Brookstone’s most notorious drug lord, Jay Santiago, has been hard at work rebuilding his life and empire. With two businesses under his belt and one in the making, Jay is readily known as one of New York’s elite men.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Ace of Diamonds“?

Vogue: “The Ace of Diamonds” is part three of a series. Most of the storyline is a continuation of subplots that have occurred in the previous books – “Diamonds in the Rough” and “Diamonds Are Forever”.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... LaSheka Hollingsworth, author of "What If?"

About "What If?":

The book, “What If?” is for each person that has allowed the past to define their future. We all have had that “what if” moment in our lives, but God has a plan for all of us.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “What If?”?

LaSheka Hollingsworth: Honestly, the inspiration to write a Christian based book was due to all of the interesting ordeals in my life that caused me to lean on the word of God for peace.

JoeyPinkney.com Book Review of You Have Permission to Succeed! by Edwin Haynes

Edwin Haynes’ “You Have Permission to Succeed” offers solid advice in a concise package. There is no filler. There are no wild and zany ideas to conceptualize. Haynes brings laws of Christianity, economics and common sense together to explain the foundation of his second rise to multi-millionaire status.

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Brittani Williams, author of Black Diamond 3: Lucky Chance

About "Black Diamonds 3":

“Black Diamond 3: Lucky Chance” is the third installment of this drama filled saga. In Part 3, two years have passed. Diamond and Black have been living comfortably in their high-rise condo with their daughter, Dior. They’ve left the drug business behind them and have enough money to continue their lavish lifestyle without going back to the streets to re-up.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Black Diamond 3: Lucky Chance”?

Brittani Williams: The inspiration for “Black Diamond 3″ came directly from part two. When I first wrote “Black Diamond 1″, I only had intentions on writing one sequel. People fell in love with “Black Diamond 1″ and “Black Diamond 2″. My publisher actually requested that I write “Black Diamond 3″.

JoeyPinkney.com Interview with Donovin Freeman, author of Running in Place

(This interview was conducted with Donovin Freeman on September 30, 2012, prior to the release of “And Still…”) 

Joey Pinkney: Hello, Donovin Freeman. Thank you for joining me and granting me this interview.

Donovin Freeman: No problem. I’m glad to be here. 

Joey Pinkney: You are a man of many hats in the entertainment industry. Could you give a brief run down of your various projects and achievments?

Donovin Freeman: My first novel is entitled “Home”. It is based on a true story about my mother, her brother and her two sisters. After I did that, I started writing screenplays and finally directed and produced the movie “Stuck on Broke” which starred southern rapper OJ Da Juiceman and Nicki Minaj, but Nicki left. I followed that up with the release of my latest novel “Running in Place” which has been getting good buzz so far. 

JoeyPinkney.com 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... NeNe Capri, author of The Pussy Trap 2: The Kiss of Death

About "The Pussy Trap 2":

“The Pussy Trap 2: The Kiss of Death” is the second installment to the series. KoKo is back with a thirst for revenge. Treachery looms thick in her midst as she plants the brutal Kiss of Death on whoever is in her way.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Pussy Trap 2: The Kiss of Death”?

NeNe Capri: There is no better inspiration than to know that the readers you write for love what you do. When I first set out to write my first book entitled “The Pussy Trap”, I initially wrote to put something hot on our label Wahida Clark Presents.