Author: lyndellwilliams47

Author exploring romance through intersections of race and faith.

#MFRWauthor – Italian Ramadan

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Ramadan is a special holiday for Muslims all over the world. Those who are able to spend daylight hours fasting and engaged in increased worship, which is the primary purpose of the month.

But when the sun sets, there are 30 days of some of the best eating of the year. Whether at home with family, invited to neighbors and friends homes, or visiting one of the many large community meals, the food is fantastic.

Here in the United States, the diverse American Muslim population means that break-fast meals (known as iftar) can have a cornucopia of food from people of native-born (i.e. African American, Latinx American, Native American, European American) and immigrant Muslim backgrounds.

One staple dish in my family is baked ziti. I make a big pan to feed my husband and kids fasting for a couple of days. I will also make a couple of pans to bring to my local masjid (mosque) for a community meal. I always bring home empty pans.

Recipe

Continue reading “#MFRWauthor – Italian Ramadan” →

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First Time Unboxing

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#OpenBook

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

People often romanticize the idea of the first time, which-ironically-I as a romance writer tend not to do.

Steeped in perfection-only the best parts about doing and/or experiencing something are brought to the front of our memories and shared. Even when the experience is not so fantastic, we tend to tell it as a form of comical relief. Not exclusively, but we frequently do sugar coat and look forward to doing or seeing things for the first time, despite the actual quality of the experience.

The first is not always a good or even the best time a person may experience. Let me see… Continue reading “First Time Unboxing” →

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Review: My Way To You by Lyndell Williams

Maryam J.'s avatarThe Road Less Read

SYNOPSIS:

Lawyer Simon Young is smart, confident, and adept at keeping things with women casual—until he meets his best friend Marcus’s sister, Regina. Immediately intrigued by Regina’s beauty, Simon becomes increasingly enthralled and ultimately risks his friendship to have her for himself.

Social justice writer and activist Regina Kent is usually cautious and savvy. Yet, unable to resist her attraction to the handsome Simon, she plunges into a torrid affair, knowing that she chances angering big brother and her less tolerant followers, many of whom will not accept that one of their most popular pro-Black bloggers is dating an Asian man.

As their clandestine romance evolves, Simon and Regina fall deeper in love. Making sure that things stay between them becomes progressively impossible, and neither knows how much longer they can keep Marcus in the dark and the world at bay.

REVIEW: ★★★★★

When I was young my…

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BOOK REVIEW – Twisted Minds

 
Twisted Minds: Book 1 of the Twisted Minds series by [Kendric, Keta]

Review by Lyndell Williams
TWISTED MINDS
By Keta Kendric
$12.99, 138 pp, paper
$0.99, 150 pp, Kindle (Free, KU)

Click here to enter and win a Kindle copy of Twisted Minds by Keta Kendric

Some of the best romance novels are the ones with the rawest passion. Not always. Some authors take primal lust and make it gross.

But when well-done, an author can tap into readers’ baser sensual instincts, reminding them that just wanting someone isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

That is what Keta Kendric does in her novel Twisted Minds.  From the moment main character Aaron sees Megan serving up grub to his father and the rest of the August Knights Motorcycle Club cretins, he’s immediately charged with a desire to have her.

Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW – Twisted Minds” →

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Death on a Calendar

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If you had the option to know the date of your death, would you want to know?

Death is something that we as humans generally avoid like—well—death. We spend an incredible amount of time, energy and money during our waking hours keeping the Big Sleep at bay.

It motivates a lot of the things we do and buy.  Billions are spent on pills, potions and procedures. Even after death, more money is dumped into preserving bodies from becoming rotting carcasses. It’s been that way for millennia. I’m looking at you, Egyptian Pharaohs.

Look at those big things, and what they did to the bodies *gag*. That’s how uncomfortable people generally are with the idea of dying. So why the heck would anyone want to know when they’re dying? Continue reading “Death on a Calendar” →

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BOOK REVIEW REBOOT: Her Justice – When Everyone is Playing Head Games

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Review by Lyndell Williams
HER JUSTICE
By Nasheed Jaxson
$9.99, pp 162, paper
$4.99, pp 228, Kindle (Free, KU)

I can’t believe it’s been over three years since I began uploading book reviews on YouTube.  I loved getting in front of my cell phone and letting my teeny tiny audience of watchers know about the great Muslim fiction that authors were releasing to the world.

Unfortunately, life shifted, and I haven’t been able to do a review for a while, but I think I’ll start again. So, I’ve decided to share one of my favorites this week.

Her Justice by Nasheed Jaxson is unique because it is the first romance I’ve read written by an African American Muslim man. Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW REBOOT: Her Justice – When Everyone is Playing Head Games” →

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The World’s A Stage for Writers Too

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#OpenBook

This week’s Open Book Blog Hop question is one I’ve  asked so many authors—”What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a writer?”

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**Side note – I will send the first Open Book Blog Hop blogger who tells me the GIF reference a My Way to You ribbon bookmark :)** UPDATE – Congrats, aurorawatcherak!

Okay, now. It is a staple question on my and many interviewers’ list because it’s very important.

Writers make writers.

Well-written creations offer examples and inspiration for those seeking to make a mark in the world with ink—hence the adage “read good writing to become a good writer. There is also so much to learn from talented writers’ blood, sweat, tears (real ones-’cause writing is no joke) and experiences.

Like most writers and someone who’s been at various layers of the writing process (teacher, writer, editor, author, mentor, etc.), I have a lot of advice, but I think one of the most important things I can tell aspiring writers and authors doesn’t involve the craft—not directly. Continue reading “The World’s A Stage for Writers Too” →

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An Interview with Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos) — International Book Promotion

Have you always enjoyed writing? Absolutely not. When I was younger, I was plagued with terrible handwriting and teachers who constantly criticized me for it. I hated writing because of it and limited myself and either spoke my ideas or remained silent. It wasn’t until I attended a trade school for word processing and then […]

via An Interview with Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos) — International Book Promotion

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An Interview with Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos)

Jasveena R Prabhagaran's avatarInternational Book Promotion

Author Pic_Blue Lyndell Williams (Layla Abdullah-Poulos)

1-My Way to You Cover Photo My Way To You

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Absolutely not. When I was younger, I was plagued with terrible handwriting and teachers who constantly criticized me for it. I hated writing because of it and limited myself and either spoke my ideas or remained silent. It wasn’t until I attended a trade school for word processing and then studied literature in college.

What motivates you to write?

I write for a variety of reasons, but my primary ones are that I want to tell the world about the experiences of people often overlooked and convey stories filled with social commentary. I want to express humanity in an often an inhumane world.

What writing are you most proud of? 

Any of my work that positively affects people gives me pride. I’ve had people tell me they’ve felt empowered or learned something I wrote in a…

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Things More Important than Names

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#openbook

What do you want people to remember about you?

From the time I was very young, I’ve heard people expressing a desire or encouraging others to “make a mark” in the world or “leave a legacy.” The notion is usually associated with doing something on a grand scale to ensure that one’s name is not forgotten. However, I think we get sidetracked by the “name” part of people remembering us. Continue reading “Things More Important than Names” →

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BOOK REVIEW: Everything is Love – Fine-ness is a Game Changer

5189ce023plReview by Lyndell Williams
EVERYTHING IS LOVE
By Aubree Pynn
$2.99, pp 169, Kindle (Free, KU)

Okay, I’m done! No more men. Oh, wait a minute. Who dat? Damn, he’s fine.

Yeah, how many women have decided to go the celibacy route only to have a gorgeous hunk of…man pass their way? Suddenly, all resistance starts to whittle away. Who me? Is this bottled water?

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So, where was I? Oh, yeah. ***SPOILERS ALERT***  Now, Let’s do this.

In Everything is Love by Aubree Pynn, Baylee is in “manless me” mode when fly basketball player, Dakari bumps into her at a party. The tiny run-in and subsequent bickering mark the beginning of their worlds colliding. Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW: Everything is Love – Fine-ness is a Game Changer” →

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BOOK REVIEW Doctor’s Desire-Learning to “Swallow” One’s Medicine

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Review by Lyndell Williams
DOCTOR’S DESIRE
By Love Journey
$8.99, pp 162, paper
$2.99, pp 107, Kindle (Free, KU)

Have you ever loved someone so much and been so happy that you felt like Okoye at the beginning of Black Panther? You’re in Wakanda, chillin’ with W’Kabi, then he gotta go and screw it up by siding with friggin’ Killmonger! I mean, WTF, W’Kabi?!

Now you have to put your bliss on hold and significant other in his place because he insists on being a…man.

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***SPOILERS ALERT***  Now, Let’s do this. That’s precisely what Chyna had to do to Jimin in Love Journey’s Doctor’s Desire. The couple meets at their medical school, and each of them is immediately struck. They have a whirlwind courtship full of passion. Things progress very quickly. Jimin is totally down with making Chyna his permanently and she completely plays off of his confidence and her own desires.

Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW Doctor’s Desire-Learning to “Swallow” One’s Medicine” →

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Precious Second Chances-Who Deserves one?

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#openbloghop

Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

I’m assuming this week’s blog hop question refers to personal relationships. So, here we go.

When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.

Maya Angelou

We miss you Lady Maya!

The idea of second chances can fill people with a sense of hope. All doesn’t have to be a loss. As a romance author, I’m a huge fan of books with a second chance at love plot.  Heck, a lot of my stories feature one or both protagonists stepping back up to the plate to give love another try.

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And…cue in the crappy metaphor.

The thing is, those are made up people with characteristics that I design in them to ensure the required romance HEA (Happily-Ever-After). With real people, it’s much more of a gamble to trust again. Hence, Maya’s famous quote.

People rarely change and will adjust how they treat you even more infrequently. So, whenever someone screws up, there are a few things to consider before allowing them a second chance.

Continue reading “Precious Second Chances-Who Deserves one?” →

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Finding Beauty Where Others Might Not

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#openbloghop

What do you think are the 5 most beautiful things in the world?

Beauty can be an abstract term. What may be considered beautiful to some may not be for others. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, we all get it.

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Despite the overwhelming amount of negative or “ugly” things we see every day in the news and on social media, I like to think there is equally as much if not more beauty in our lives. Things may be tough, but there’s no denying that if it wasn’t for the beautiful things, most of us would’ve thrown in our towels a long time ago.

The layers of work I do in cultural criticism, anti-racism advocacy and gender equity expose me to clashing visions of the world around me. Add being a mother of six to the mix, and it often becomes a challenge to appreciate the beauty that each has to offer.

Continue reading “Finding Beauty Where Others Might Not” →

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Damsels and Beetles – When Fear Trumps Fierceness

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#OpenBook Blog Hop

I know many people see me as the stereotypical strong Black woman who ain’t scared of nothing, but I have my fears, and this week’s Open Book question come me feeling all kinds of creepy. Like really? We had to go there?

This fear of mine causes me to experience a heap of ridicule from my husband and sons. They laugh their butts off while I’m yelling for them to come and rescue me from this abysmal pest.

It happens at least once a summer. I’m chillin’ in my bed; it’s usually dark with maybe the tv or computer running—or both #multitasker. Then a click, click, click begins to permeate the room. My heart rate ratches up; riveted to my spot, I usually peer at the ceiling, searching for the horrible intruder filling me with dread. Continue reading “Damsels and Beetles – When Fear Trumps Fierceness” →

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BOOK REVIEW The Minotaur’s Kiss – Some Nice Bull

51lxocmppjlReview by Lyndell Williams
THE MINOTAUR’S KISS
By Erin St. Charles
$3.99, pp 287, Kindle

A lot of people have had that one night stand that won’t go away. Who? Me? Man, this juice is good.

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BTW, ***SPOILERS ALERT***  Now, Let’s do this.  Feeling a little down, Diana Miller decides to have some fun with a hot guy she met at a party. Not bothered by the fact that he’s obviously a shifter, she invites him back to her place for a private party.

After all of the sexual frolicking, she unceremoniously bounces her bed buddy out of her house.  All set, Diana goes to work, ready to focus on her career.

Well, guess who she runs smack into at the office? Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW The Minotaur’s Kiss – Some Nice Bull” →

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