#RRBC BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY!!

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WELCOME TO RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY!

Block Party Badge(2) (1)


HOSTED BY “OUR LADY OF VICTORY REMEMBERED”

LOCATED IN SOUTHEAST, MI SURROUNDED BY THE FIVE GREAT LAKES!! 

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AND HERE ARE THE WINNERS!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

1st place – Lisa Kirazian
(1) 10.00 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!

2nd place – Yvette M. Calleiro
1 Autographed Paperback copy of OUR LADY OF VICTORY, THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

3rd place – Beem Weeks
1 Autographed paperback copy of CRAZY! HOT! AND LIVING ON THE EDGE!!

4th place – Lizzie Chantree
1 Ebook Copy of RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITERS SOUL 2014

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HERE ARE MY SELECTIONS: A little something about me, and a blurb to acquaint you to what the titles are about. 

 

OUR LADY OF VICTORY, THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

I’ve been an Indie Author since 2007 when I came out with my very first book, Our Lady of Victory, The Saga of an African-American Catholic Community. I wrote it because I felt that our history was about to be lost forever and I had a strong urge, that I couldn’t shake, to make sure it didn’t happen. I re-published again under a different publisher and had a Facebook Re-Launch Party to introduce it through 4WillsPublishing. It has been an amazing journey.

Upon learning what these amazing pioneers did was a source of pride for me. We didn’t see much in our lives to be proud of and so any little found nugget was a delight. When I met Nonnie Jules on Twitter, it was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. She had a vision and my book was about to get some long overdue recognition. Plus she was a part of an elite few to give me an honest review. Before RRBC, people who did a review mostly wrote like they had to tell a story and do a lot of embellishment. You really have to know how to write a genuine review. And so I appreciated Nonnie so much for being so real. It started a conversation that I had been dying to have. Like most of us authors I was on my own, not realizing that in helping others I would help myself. Such a novel concept, but it works. I’m glad I found that out.BetterCoverImage

BOOK TRAILER

EXCERPT:

When we came of school age, my brother, sister, and I started attending George Washington Carver Elementary School. While living in Royal Oak Township we were not exposed to door to door evangelization. Here is how my mother found out about the church. For some time she had noticed a young boy walking, very early in the morning, past our two-story housing project unit at 10729 Hinsdale Court. He wore blue pants, a white shirt and a tie. She was so impressed with his appearance that she just had to find out where he was going. She stopped him one morning and asked. He told her that he was attending the new school affiliated with Our Lady of Victory Church. My parents immediately sought out this church and started taking instructions, because they wanted us enrolled in the school. Mother was doing just what the other parents were doing—looking for a good education for her children. The boy’s name was Frank Cryer, and we became classmates. Walking to school dressed in a uniform was a kind of evangelization, because it sure made an impression on our mother. As soon as the school doors opened, we were right there. Around this time my whole family started attending and preparing to become baptized Catholics…

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CRAZY! HOT! AND LIVING ON THE EDGE!!

My second book was created out of a need to share personal traumas experienced in a relationship gone bad; and life examples of the health problems that ensued from it. This book was never supposed to see the “light of day” but stranger things have happened.

Crazy!_Hot!_And_Livi_Cover_for_KindleBOOK TRAILER

EXCERPT:

I recall one night, while preparing my baby son for bed, I sat down and laid him on my chest to rock him to sleep. Suddenly, I started to feel this tightness in my chest. It felt like I was being squeezed and it got worse and worse until I was writhing in agony and pain. I had difficulty breathing. I tried and tried but I just couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. My mother called for help, but when the police arrived and offered to take me down to Detroit Receiving Hospital, she exclaimed:  “Over my dead body! You are not taking my daughter downtown!” At that time, Receiving Hospital had a reputation for admitting a lot of violent criminals and crime victims and she didn’t want me in that environment. So the officers left. Fortunately, they returned with the decision to take me somewhere closer to my mother’s home. We rode to Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, right in our neighborhood. The doctors went through the normal line of questioning, including personal inquiries about my marital status. When I told them I was separated from my husband, they all looked at me with the same sympathetic but knowing expression on their faces…

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BOOK BLURB:

Imagine experiencing emotions that have you questioning your sanity. Your body gets overheated at the least bit of excitement and you scramble to find a fan or some air. Or you find yourself in the throes of a panic attack and can’t understand how to shut it off, so you are filled with anxiety wondering when the next one is coming. What if every time you take a drug you experience side-affects that you are warned about on the label?

The title was conceived in my mind after I thought over all the situations I had found myself in, getting out of them, and the affect all of this had on my overall physical and mental well-being.

Crazy! Hot! And Living On the Edge!! Is the True Story of My Upside Down Life!

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RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITERS SOUL 2014

Rave Reviews Book Club put together this powerful anthology of the member’s works. I entered in two categories and WON!! I was so thrilled to have my work validated this way. Here are the winning entries…

Childhood Memories: A Walk Down Memory Lane
Love & Relationships: Go After What You Want

BOOK BLURB:

The RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER’S SOUL Anthology is a compilation of motivational, inspirational and humorous stories from some of the most talented writers of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB. These stories and poems are meant to inspire you and lift you up at the exact moment you need it. We all know how soup warms our bodies, and there are so many different brands on the market to choose from, but for a writer, only RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER’S SOUL will do! So pick up your literary spoon and ENJOY!


Excerpt from A Walk Down Memory Lane

I will never forget being introduced to my own father. I didn’t know him because he was gone more than he was there. So we didn’t get the chance to bond with him. He told us to call him daddy. I looked at mother and she nodded her head in approval. I couldn’t believe she did that nor did I believe that he was my father. But I had to do what I was told. So I called him daddy – reluctantly. I never forgot that moment because it was traumatic. He had no one to blame but himself for this predicament. He actually seemed a bit annoyed that we didn’t draw closer to him. He was a stranger! How do you forget something like that?

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Check out my Amazon Author Page

Thank you so much for stopping by and joining the Party.  Do share your comments and do stop by again. Please share this post on your way out.

I’ll see you at the next stop of the #RRBC BOOK and BLOG BLOCK PARTY!   

Shirley Harris-Slaughter, Author

 Book Club Badge Suggestion copy (1)

79 thoughts on “#RRBC BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY!!”

  1. reviewsbynonnie

    Shirley, this is such a nice post! It was refreshing to hear that after your book had been published for so long (since 2007) without any “movement,” that once RRBC got behind you in 2014, it started to move! Kudos to you and here’s to so much more movement, until that which you speak about, turns into a worldwide MOVEMENT!

    I love the trailers under each book, by the way! Great profiling!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. harmonykentonline

    This is a lovely post about you and your books, Shirley! Kudos to you on your book sales after joining RRBC! Very best of luck with everything 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. Adam boustead

    Lovely blog lovely comment that sounds really interesting than the open it’s not an old are RBC answer as got you are you are they are a wonderful group only and the good luck with the with the blog tour because of the people I will buy the books and read them and review them when I get chance good luck with the blog

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  9. Traci Sanders

    Thanks for being such a supportive member of RRBC , Shirley. I hope you have a great blog showcase day! Since I’ve already read OLV, if I win today, I’d love a copy of your new book, ‘Crazy! Hot! And Living on the Edge!’. Have a great day!!

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  14. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    OMG! I wake up and find you all here. How nice to see you first thing in the morning. And how nice is this party? Thank you so much. I’m grinning from ear to ear. SteveK1889 you caught my attention because you noted my work trying to save a train station. I don’t know about me sometimes. I have been one ball of energy. I love you all so much for your support. lol

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  20. johnfioravanti

    I enjoyed reading about your books and how you got involved with RRBC in the first place… that resonated with me as I was reminiscing just last evening about my own personal journey after I joined this fabulous literary community. Where else can you find a great party like this? Has John Howell served up the Margaritas yet? John… can I place my order? Pretty please???

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Alright John. We don’t want anyone to know who the lushes are. We must keep this party to ourselves. Oh wait, another John! Where is my Margarita? Love!

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Langie my darling daughter. Thanks for dropping in. I hope you pick up a nice prize especially if you make all the stops on today’s tour. Everything that they do over here is different & unique. Glad you like it.

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  26. Jan Hawke

    Hi, Shirley – my fellow Partay Pioneer! Love seeing your books looking splendiferous – RRBC is without a doubt the best and nicest place to get your books noticed and reviewed. You deserve every success with all your work, and this is such a great way to showcase it all. 🙂
    Thanks for having us all over – now I’m going to have a boogie with Joy! 😉

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Jan you are the best and so are all the members of this unique club. You are so talented. I feel like a little peon in the scheme of things and yet I know that I offer something unique as well. I love being surrounded by so much awesome talent and you stole the show today. Take care my friend!

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  28. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    Cassidy I hope you pick up your copy and you will find out; or you might win it. Thank you so much for joining us.

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  31. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    Hi Maggie and thank you for joining us. Inspiration for OLV started in my head. I kept ignoring it until I had to do it. I didn’t know what I was doing so I left it in His hands. I felt that he was the one in my head so He would help me and He did. The second book came about after a constant, annoying nudge from Nonnie Jules (I love you NJ). She kept after me until I succumbed. This story was so personal that I never intended to tell it. I’m glad I got it out there. Everyone was so receptive to it. A personal friend of mine got a paperback copy of Crazy Hot and started following some of my suggestions. Its unbelievable where these books are taking me. There is more to this story. I guess I’ll have to blog about it. lol

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  33. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    Annette I’m so glad to meet a fellow Michigander. We have a few in the club that I am aware of. The club can always use more readers and reviewers if you are interested. Thank you so much for your support.

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  35. Linda Mims

    “Like most of us authors I was on my own, not realizing that in helping others I would help myself.” That quote from you, Shirley, sums up how I feel about RRBC! This tour is AWESOME!!! I loved the excerpt from “A Walk Down Memory Lane” and I can’t wait to read “Crazy! Hot! And Living On The Edge”. Also, thanks for your past support!

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Linda, I am so thrilled that you took the time to read my post and leave such a meaningful comment. Yes RRBC is supporting and receiving support from fellow authors. I can still remember being out there all alone thinking about me, me, me, and getting nowhere fast. I’m glad the excerpt got your attention and you will enjoy Crazy! Hot! just because of the humor that was injected in the story in order for me to get through the writing. There is humor even in the worst of circumstances. It helps us to get through anything. Thank you so much for your awesome support.

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  36. lizziechantree

    Hi Shirley. What a great way to start a party! It’s interesting to learn how you met Nonnie and became involved with RRBC. It really is a fabulous place to be! Congratulations on being part of the RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER’S SOUL Anthology. I look forward to reading it soon.
    Rave waves, From Lizzie.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Yes Lizzie, the anthology was a validation that my writing is worth reading. Sometimes we do need to be told. I’m still waiting on the paperback which I intend to get for a keepsake. Nothing like the real thing. lol

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  38. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

    Hi Michael Lynes, Linda, Lizzie and my Michigan friend Beem Weeks. This tour epitomizes what RRBC is about. I’m glad I’m saying something that resonates. We take these tours all the time, but sometimes we miss something and then something is said that starts an interest all over again. I appreciate you all so much because you learn something new from me and I learn something new from you.

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  39. Janelle Jalbert

    Enjoyed your mix of insights and teaser/blurbs. I love reading about how other writers gain momentum and begin to ride that big, fun wave. Thanks for the enjoyable read, and I’vegot you on my short list to check out as read too =)

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Janelle Jalbert, thank you so much for your support. I am thrilled that there is renewed interest in my books. But then the topic never grows old.

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  41. Pingback: The GUNDERSTONE REVIEW stop on the Rave Reviews Book Club BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK and BLOG BLOCK PARTY! | The GUNDERSTONE review

  42. Micki Peluso

    Hi Shirley,
    I just loved your book, ‘Crazy! Hot! and Living on the Edge and am working on a review for it even as we speak. That book was so uplifting that it gave me the impetus to agressively attack my lyme disease with similar symptoms. Your book, ‘Our lady of Victory’ sounds wonderful and again comes right at the time I have been considering doing some Christian writing. Are you an angel in disguise? lol Best of luck on your tour and you’ll have my review soon.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Micki its wonderful to hear that you enjoyed Crazy! Hot!. I wasn’t so sure it would be well-received but it went beyond anything I had hoped for. If it is helping you, then I did my job. Folks will read it and see something in it for themselves. As for OLV, well I was able to write in my own style and my personality comes out in that book as well. It makes for an enjoyable read. I even like it myself and you know how critical we can be of our work. Thank you Micki for your awesome support. Looking forward to your review.

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Natalie its just so overwhelming the support we get at RRBC. There is nothing else out there like it. Since you’re following me, I took a look at your profile. You write poetry. Well we do that here as well. Nonnie J. did a collaborative effort and put out an amazing poetry book. Watch for my tweet about it.

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      1. Natalie Ducey

        Hi Shirley! Thanks for viewing my profile. Very kind of you. 🙂 I read Nonnie’s collaboration ‘If only there was music…’ a few weeks ago. An absolute gem! Thanks again.

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  44. Maurice G. Miller

    Having grown up Catholic and attended Catholic school, (yes, I wore a uniform :)) I can relate to your Our Lady’s story. Quite an impressive and diverse set of books that you’ve written. Thanks for getting the #RRBC block party off to such a great start. – Maurice

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Thank you Maurice. Yes we did wear those uniforms right up through high school. I balled mine up and threw it away after graduation. The books may seem diverse but I would not have been able to write the first book had I not gotten a handle on my health. There is a connection. Now I’m wondering what the other posts are going to look like. You know they will be trying to top us by pulling out all the stops. lol

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    1. Bette A. Stevens

      Great post and I’m looking forward to winning a prize or two along the party trail. Indeed I will… (must get busy setting it up). What a great idea–a whole month of partying, prizes and fun! That’s not surprising from “The Best Book Club on the Planet”: #RRBC & its members ROCK! And, of course, Nonnie, our fearless leader is THE BEST. ❤

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Christa you are so right, and not a moment too soon. Thank you so much for offering your comment. Its appreciated.

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  48. Rhani D'Chae

    Hi Shirley, it’s so nice to stop by your blog again. Life has been such a turmoil the last few months that I haven’t been able to do much blog hopping. I’m really looking forward to the geat stuff I’ll be seeing this month! Take care. *Hugs*

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter Post author

      Rhani I’m just glad you made it. Thank you so much for your comments and support. It has been quite an experience today. What will NJ think of next? lol

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  49. Yvette M Calleiro

    Thanks for sharing a bit about your different works. I agree with you that HONEST reviews are so valuable. It’s refreshing to find readers who are capable of loving your work while also being able to critique its not-so-perfectness. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  50. Jack James

    Hi Shirley. I’m so glad I stopped by to learn a little about you and your books. I’m a history buff, and just love that you have preserved a little bit of history that is important to you. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Shirley Harris-Slaughter

      Why thank you Jack James. There are lots of people who love regional history and I’m glad you are one of them. Those that don’t usually enjoy my book anyway. I’m making up a chest to leave all my important accomplishments to my children. I am very much a history person but didn’t find it out until later in life. Thank you so much for stopping by and pointing that out.

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