Being published is a dream come true, but I write because I love to write. Most times, I look forward to slipping into my big, black leather desk chair, putting fingers to computer keys and following my characters wherever they take me. But, then there are days like this -- a hot-but-not-too-hot-for-me 85 degrees outside, not a cloud in sight and a four-day weekend ahead. The last thing I want to do is sit inside my apartment, staring at a computer screen. This is a day for the beach, the pool, the park or an outdoor concert. Anything, but being trapped inside.

But, beautiful weekend or not, I have a book due, and this is the last weekend I can push through with no interruptions to finish it. So, like any job, writing has its demands and rewards. Wish me luck on finishing Book #7!

Happy Fourth of July!

So far, I've seen X-Men: The Last Stand and the Da Vinci Code. X-Men was great -- if only for the chance to drool over Wolverine/Hugh Jackman for a couple of hours. The Da Vinci Code, on the other hand, was surprisingly boring. The book by Dan Brown is a page-turner (and fiction!), but the movie stopped the action too many times to explain what the book spent suspenseful pages building to. And I could not get over Tom Hanks' strange hairstyle, or the fact that he was an easy 20 years older than the female lead. Why does Hollywood constantly cast over-the-hill male actors opposite twenty-year old women? I think we all know the answer to that one: over-the-hill men run Hollywood!

On my must-see list is the second installment of Pirates of the Carribean and the movie version of the hilarious book, The Devil Wears Prada. I would have seen Mission Impossible III if Tom Cruise hadn't been in the starring role. I figure that nut is rich enough, without my $8.50 making him any richer.

Aside from the movie season, some of my favorite authors have new releases this summer. Some in the publishing industry consider summer a slow month, but I think there's nothing better than to kick back on a warm summer evening (or in the welcoming chill of an air-conditioned room) and get lost in a wonderful book.

I'm looking forward to Lisa Kleypas' latest Wallfower book, Scandal in Spring. If you like historical romances then Lisa Kleypas is the author for you. Her books are senusal, passionate and just plain fun. She has a way of making you feel invested in her characters, their relationship and the storyline. She's one of my auto-buy authors.

I also have become wrapped up in L.A. Banks' (a/k/a Leslie Esdaile, an African-American romance writer) vampire huntress series. The seventh book, The Forsaken, comes out in July. If you're a vampire fan and haven't been following this series then start! We, Black people, finally have our very own Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

A few years ago, I met Leslie at Romance Slam Jam. Her obvious enthusiasm for this series was infectious. We talked for, at least, fifteen minutes about the motivations and personalties of these characters, who are like real people to me by now after so many books. Leslie was also one of the featured speakers at that Slam Jam, and she was fantastic. If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, definitely go for it.

As you can tell, my summer is packed. I hope I have time to fit some writing in there somewhere!

And, remember, my new books will be out in 2007! I'm hard at work right now on the story of Charlie (short for Charlotte) and Graham. This is my first foray into straight romance, meaning there's not one gun, karate kick or punch thrown anywhere in the story, but, trust me, Charlie and Graham keep each other plenty busy.

Enjoy Summer and Keep Reading,

I have some exciting developments to share. First, The Way He Makes Me Feel won SORMAG's Reader's Choice Award for The Best St. Martin Romance of 2006. Thank you to all who voted for me! I've said it before -- and I'll say it again -- I had such a fun time writing this book. I'm so glad that others have enjoyed reading it too.

Second, I have a new two-book deal! I'm the newest author to join Kimani Press, the new African-American-centered line from Harlequin, the granddaddy of romance publishing. Both books will be out sometime in 2007. I'm so excited to write for Harlequin and Kimani Press! Check out Kimani's website at www.eharlequin.com. Stay tuned for release dates, covers and other news!

Until next time,

Last January, I made three resolutions: (1) lose weight, (2) be more patient with myself and others, and (3) write better and faster. I’m happy to report that I have lost weight – not as much as I would have liked or need to, but my resolution was not to become Nicole Richie, so I’m proud of myself. And as cliché as it sounds, I have to add that the thing I’m most proud of is not the weight loss, but the fact that I’m now living a better and more healthy life. Sure, I still have my bad days – I doubt I’ll ever be able to completely eliminate French fries from my life – but, like every human on this earth, I’m a work in progress.

As for Resolution #2, I guess I’d have to ask my family and friends to see if they noticed any change in my attempt to become a kinder and gentler Tamara. On second thought, I’ll just say that Resolution #2 may not have been as successful as Resolution #1, but I’m sticking with the “I’m a work in progress” line.

Resolution #3 has not gone well at all. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I have writer’s bloc, I just have time bloc. Like probably most of you out there, I find it hard to go to work, stare at a computer screen all day then come home and stare at a computer screen some more. Finding time for writing has never been easy, but lately it seems downright impossible. I’ve been writing since I could write and I’ve always had non-writing periods, but this time, it seems to be lasting longer. I’m not too worried though – I write because I have to write, and that urge isn’t going away. Maybe the urge for sleep will . . .

So, I’m not making any resolutions for 2006. Instead, I think I’ll make one general, Oprah-style resolution for the rest of my life: Live the Best Life I Can Live.

The Olympics are coming! The Olympics are coming! This year, the Games are being held in Torino, Italty. Here come all the strange winter sports that I forget exist until the Games come on – like the cross-country skiing/shooting one (who in the world thought that one up?). I watch the Winter Olympics for one reason and one reason only – figure skating. I’ve been watching figure skating since the days when Dorothy Hamill ruled the ice, and now I am a huge Michelle Kwan fan. Michelle is graceful, powerful, exciting and she’s probably one of the only skaters out there who realizes that skating is not just a sport, but actually art.

Michelle has won practically every medal that a skater can win – except for the elusive Olympic gold. I hope this is her year – assuming the Powers-that-Be allow her to compete for the United States at the Olympics since she didn’t compete at the National Championships. Whether Michelle Kwan wins or loses or even gets to compete, she’s the true Olympic gold medalist to me. Good luck, Michelle, and good luck to all the U.S. Olympic atheletes!

Lastly, as always, February is Black History Month. This year’s theme is Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civil Institutions. The theme is to recognize all the positive effects Black social organizations – like the AKAs and Jack and Jill – have had on our community. While I’m not necessarily a fan of any organization that excludes others on the basis of economics, background or shade of skin color as some of these organizations have been accused of doing in the past, I recognize that they have played – and continue to play – a valuable role in the African-American community. To learn more, check out www.asalh.org.

Until next time,

As I’m sure most of you have heard by now, there are even more exciting developments in the African-American romance world than what I reported last time. Not only is Harlequin – the granddaddy of romance publishing – developing a new A-A romance line, but Harlequin has acquired the Arabesque romance line from BET Books!

The word is that Harlequin will continue to publish Arabesque books and will still launch a new line of A-A romances. What this means for readers and writers is anyone’s guess, but it will be exciting to see the effect this has on the romance world, at large, and African-American romance, in particular. I still don’t have any more specifics than that, but when I do, I will let you all know.

This month, I have a special guest columnist – my mother. She writes about the meaning of the holidays . . . or, more accurately, the lack of meaning in the holidays. I agree with Mom – we should demonstrate our love for those around us throughout the year, regardless of a capital-letter holiday. So, in that spirit, I will say that I am grateful I have such a wise and loving mother, who makes it Thanksgiving and Christmas for me all year round.

Take it away, Mom . . .

By Patricia Sneed

Each year that Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around, I ask myself the same questions. Why can’t I get excited? Why do I almost dread these holidays? Why am I so much more excited about Easter than Thanksgiving or Christmas?

I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I love Easter because it’s about the resurrection of my Savior, not about how many gifts I’ve given to others or how many I’ve received. The Easter holiday does not pressure us to compete with others to demonstrate our level of expertise in the kitchen attempting to prepare an elaborate Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, or to overspend on presents we can neither afford nor really want to buy.

Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful for my family and friends. But, do I need to wait for the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday to declare my love for them? Of course not! We should be demonstrating our love for each other daily.

My parents are octogenarians who are facing the realities of death. I find myself thanking God for them everyday, as well as praying that He allows them another year with me. I call them several times a day, and I visit them two to three times weekly. Should I wait until the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday to do so? Of course not! Each day I look at them is Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I don’t have to cook or spend a penny to realize that!

My good friend, Reon Laudat, has a book coming out! It's called Wanna Get To Know Ya, and it promises to be another one of Reon's trademark sexy and fun romps. You can read more about it at www.reonlaudat.com/whatsnew. If you like strong, spirited heroines and sexy heroes, then Reon's books may be for you.

Now, for all you Harlequin romance readers out there, get ready! Harlequin, the granddaddy of all romance publishers, is starting an African-American line. Amazing, isn't it?

Currently, a few African-American romance authors like Brenda Jackson and Rochelle Alers write stories for Harlequin's majority-white author lines. But, this new line will solely feature African-American romances. The rumor is that the new line will be called Kimani Press. If you aren't getting enough of A-A romances from other publishers like Arabesque, St. Martin's Press or Genesis Press then definitely be on the look-out for Kimani Press. And, for all my fellow writers out there, I hear that Harlequin is looking for writers, so get your manuscript together and send it in.

I haven't heard when the new line will be launched, but as soon as I have more details I will share them with you. A new venue for African-American romance readers and writers is truly exciting! Whether you're a a Harlequin reader now or not, be prepared to see more books from some of your favorite writers.

Until next time, keep reading, laughing and loving,

I’m certain that all the cities destroyed by Katrina will be re-built, but it will take a long time, and it will never be the same. Hopefully, this country will never be the same after the apathetic – at best, or racist – at worst, response by the federal government, and the slanted coverage by the news media. Sometimes it takes a great tragedy to teach us all how far we have to go. But, now we know, and we can build on this to become a stronger nation and a better people.

You can make donations to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, either at www.redcross.org or to the joint relief fund headed by former Presidents George Bush (#41) and Bill Clinton at www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org. And if you can't give financially, prayers help too.

Until next time keep reading, laughing and loving,

Most times when I walk into a bookstore I head straight to the romance section. Usually, I head there to browse the shelves for books to purchase and also to look for my books and the books of my fellow African-American romance authors. More and more, I’ve found that heading to the Romance section of the bookstore is only my first stop in the search for A-A romance books.

Once I see that there are no books with brown faces on them in the Romance section, I head to the General Fiction section and then, more often than not, the African-American Fiction section. Sometimes I’ll find a book or two by an A-A author in one of those sections, sometimes not. Whatever happens – finding an African-American romance novel in most chain bookstores has become an exercise in frustration. When Black romances first came out in the early 90s, most were shelved in the romance section. But, somewhere during the last few years, the major bookstores – like Borders and Barnes & Noble –started treating these books differently.  These bookstores, and others, started shelving A-A romance books anywhere, but romance.

Some readers of A-A romance have said they like having the books shelved in the African-American Fiction section because it’s easier to find the books they want to read, instead of unburying one or two A-A romance books in the middle of a sea of white romances. Some publishers have said they like housing A-A romance in the General Fiction section because they might draw in those readers who are prejudiced against romance, but who would actually buy and enjoy the story, if the romance label wasn’t on it.

I don’t know about other A-A romance writers, but I want my books shelved in the Romance section for one simple selfish reason – I’m a romance reader. And when I see one of my books sitting under that “Romance” sign, it always reminds me that I’ve actually written a book (and had it published!) in the genre that I love so much.

Regardless of where A-A romance books are hidden in the stores, readers of African-American romance continue to find these books and to demand more. So, thank you, readers! And next time you’re in a bookstore and you can’t find an A-A romance, keep looking or ask for help. You’ll be happy that you did!

Until next time keep reading, laughing and loving,

I'm not supposed to pick favorites among my books, but I have to admit that I love this book! First and foremost, I'm a romance reader and The Way He Makes Me Feel incorporates all of my favorite romance themes: fish-out-of-water, ugly duckling, unrequited love, a reformed cad, and — of course — a little suspense and humor. Then there are the characters: the hero is sexy, charming and sweet and the heroine is smart, funny and brave. These two belong together! All of these ingredients combine to make a (hopefully) can't-put-down story.

I'm not saying this book is perfect — as with everything in life, some people will like it, some will love it and some will want to throw it across the room in disgust — but I am extremely happy with how the final product turned out. And, as most writers will attest, being completely satisfied with a book youíve written is not something that happens often.

So, I hope you all enjoy reading The Way He Makes Me Feel, as much as I enjoyed reading (and writing!) it.

Until next time keep reading, laughing and loving,

I've written about cops, secret agents, princes and lawyers. Now, I finally can add an electrician to my list of heroes. I love writing about dashing, debonair heroes, but I may have more fun writing about the everyday guys. And Duncan Hillston, the hero of The Way He Makes Me Feel, is about as everyday as they come.

His three biggest joys in life — in no particular order — are his family, his job and women. Things are going great for Duncan until he and his two childhood friends make a bet that Duncan cannot make their old nemesis from high school, Claire Scott, fall in love with him. I almost felt sorry for Duncan when he accepted the bet because the poor guy had no idea that Claire was about to turn his world upside down. It's a bumpy ride for Duncan, but he and Claire get their happy ending.

Besides the release of my book, summer also means the onslaught of the big blockbuster Hollywood movies. And I cannot wait. During the year, I may see one movie every three or four months, but I become a regular at the theatres during the summer months. Since Angelina Jolie is my favorite actress, I canít wait for the much-hyped action movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which also stars the newly-single and too-good-to-be-true Brad Pitt. Although, I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan, I'm excited about War of the Worlds. And, of course, since I am a child of the 70s and 80s, I will be there on opening day to see the final chapter in the Star Wars trilogy.

Luke Skywalker was the first man I remember having a crush on, and Iím glad that the very finnne Hayden Christensen — who plays Anakin Skywalker (also known as Darth Vadar, also known as Luke's father) — is also worthy of some little girl's first crush. The light saber duels in this movie promise to be even more spectacular than the previous ones. I'm a sucker for a good light saber duel. In fact, whenever I see a Star Wars movie, I start thinking of various plots for a future romance book that could involve a light saber fight. So far, nothing has stuck. I think it would be too hard for one of my heroines to use a light saber while in her Prada heels.

Until next month . . . May the force be with you,

This Spring, I’ll be at home (unlike last Spring when I hit Costa Rica, New York, Atlanta and Dallas!), doing some mental plotting. What is mental plotting? For me, it’s just a more fancy way to say – I’ll be spending a lot of time daydreaming. I’m one of those fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants writers. When I write a story, I have no idea what will happen until it appears on the computer screen. I think that’s half the fun of writing. Sometimes the idea works out and I get a book out of it, and sometimes it fizzles after a few chapters or, even, a few paragraphs. But, the “mental plotting” – the daydream — is always the first step.

An example of prime daydreaming that turned into a full-fledged book is this summer’s The Way He Makes Me Feel. That book began with these two questions: “what if a woman, who is a genius, fell in love with a man who is not a genius in any way, shape or form?” and “what if it was the same man she had a painful crush on fifteen years ago in high school?” Three hundred-plus pages later, I had the answers to my questions! If you want to receive a reminder from me when this book hits shelves or have the chance to win a free copy of The Way He Makes Me Feel in a contest, sign up for my occasional newsletter, Tamara’s Talks. (If you’ve signed up before there’s no need to do it again.)

Enjoy Spring, wherever you are, and keep reading,

Romance Slam Jam, the premiere African-American romance writer and reader conference, takes place this month in Dallas, Texas. The first Slam Jam I attended was in Orlando, Florida in 2001, which was the first time I had met anyone who had read my book who wasn't related to me, and the first time I met a fellow romance author. I also went to the 2003 conference in Atlanta, where I won the Favorite Romantic Comedy EMMA for When I Fall in Love (that night taught me the true meaning of the phrase, 'you could have blown me over with a feather'!), and the 2004 Slam Jam in fabulous New York City.

I've had a blast at every Slam Jam I attended. Not only because I was able to visit some wonderful cities and talk with readers about my books, but also because I had the chance to meet and – in some cases – become friends with other African-American romance authors. You've probably heard it before, but it's true – 'writing is a lonely profession' – and being able to talk with someone who can understand first-hand the frustrations and disappointments of the publishing industry is invaluable. So, to all the Slam Jam attendees, have a great time and I'll be thinking of you!

Another great event taking place this month is the return of America's Next Top Model. I have been waiting for this moment since my girl, Eva, started bawling after Tyra announced her as the winner in the last episode of the last season. Move over American Idol and The Amazing Race, the reality show to end all reality shows has finally returned!

Keep reading,

Exciting news: next month, my first published novella, 'Fantasy Man,' hits bookshelves in the titillating anthology, An All Night Man! This novella is a departure from my usual work. It’s the first story I’ve had published where no character is in danger of being thrown off a building or shot.

Writing a novella was much more challenging than I anticipated. One would assume it would be easier to write a shorter story, but the short length is the exact problem. You have about one-third the space you’re normally accustomed to working with to develop three-dimensional characters, create interesting, believable dialogue, build a realistic world for the characters to populate, mold a likable heroine and drool-worthy hero, and – in the midst of all this – make your hero and heroine fall in that once-in-a-lifetime love. That’s a lot to fit in 20-30,000 words! That’s the exact reason why in most romance novellas, the author cuts a few corners by giving the hero and heroine some kind of history – whether ex-lovers, friends or enemies (as in the case of my characters in 'Fantasy Man'). With the first meeting in the backstory, the hero and heroine’s feelings about each other are usually set (for the good or bad) and resolving those feelings can start immediately.

More exciting news: my good friend, Reon Laudat, also has a book coming out in February! It’s called If You Just Say Yes, and I’m betting it will be a blockbuster like her last two books, It’s A Love Thang and What A Girl Wants. Reon has a very fun voice – with just the right amounts of humor and sensuality. Check out her website at www.reonlaudat.com.

My editor recently sent me a copy of the cover for my June single-title release, The Way He Makes Me Feel. It’s another slam-dunk cover – fun, gorgeous, and vibrant all rolled into one – from St. Martin’s Press. I’ve been so thrilled with all of the cover designs for my St. Martin’s books, and this one is no exception. I’ll post it for you all to check out within the next few months.

Until next month,