Casanegra is a new book written by one of my favorite, most prolific horror writers, Tananarive Due, her husband Steve Barnes, and phenomenal actor, Blair Underwood. Mrs. Due is an award-winning literary horror writer, who has several books under her belt: MY SOUL TO KEEP (my personal favorite), THE LIVING BLOOD, THE BETWEEN, THE GOOD HOUSE, JOPLIN’S GHOST, and non-fiction pieces, THE BLACK ROSE and FREEDOM IN THE FAMILY. Mrs. Due’s prose will keep you begging for more! Steve Barnes is one of the few African-American male science fiction writers, and his work speaks for itself. He is awesome! And finally, Blair Underwood, who is a well-known, well respected actor, whom we all know and love. Steve Barnes (left), Blair Underwood (center), and Tananarive Due (right, of course)!

According to various sources on the Internet, this is what the novel entails: Casanegra follows the adventures of Tennyson Hardwick, a gorgeous, sexy actor and former gigolo, living on the fringes of the good life in Hollywood. This story, which chronicles the redemption of a prodigal son, combines the glamour of Hollywood with the seedy hopelessness of the inner city.

In this hot and steamy mystery, Tennyson struggles to hang on to his acting career and redeem his sex-for-pay history, which estranged him from his family — especially his father, a decorated LAPD captain who raised Tennyson to call him “sir.” Now, in the wake of his father’s sudden stroke, Tennyson has to save himself from taking the fall for the first murder of a female rapper. In the process he discovers his hidden talents — the hard way.

I absolutely cannot wait to read this novel by these three very talented people. It comes out in July 2007, but you can pre-order it now! Happy reading!

Hello Kiddies! We all have dreams, not only the literal kind, but the goal-oriented kind as well. Of course mine is to be a best-selling, famous author, with more money than I can spend! And a pool boy with no shirt! Excuse me—sorry—ahem.

Most writers just dream about becoming published. We all know naysayers who claim that we should think about something more practical and get the thought of a being a published writer out of our heads. Dreams are what keeps most of us going. The hope that we will one day achieve our goals. We have to believe our dreams!

Case in point: I live in the South, and there is this belief that if you dream about numbers, you should play them in the lottery; especially if a deceased relative gives them to you–it’s a sure win! Er, yeah. I always thought that was so dumb. WELL, I dreamt that my dad (who is ALIVE and WELL) was going to loan someone some money; a few hundred dollars. I woke up the next morning, and thought nothing of it. I’m not a gambler anyway. Just for fun, I played the numbers a few days later (Pick 3 in S.C.) and won 40 bucks. I was really freaked out! Crazy, right? I trusted my dream, and it came through for me.

We as writers should trust our gut feeling and go with it. If you eat, sleep, breathe, and live for writing, then that’s your dream and you should follow it. NEVER allow anyone to stifle your dream of writing, or any other dreams you may have! Keep writing!