Happy Birthday, Sidney Poitier!

February 20, 2017 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

90 Years Young!

Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, is a Bahamian-American actor, film director, author, and diplomat. In 1964, Poitier became the first Bahamian and first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field. Image from Britannica.

12 Aug 2009, Washington DC, USA --- epa01821985 US President Barack Obama awards American actor Sidney Poitier the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 12 August 2009. Poitier is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award, receive an award at a top international film festival (Venice Film Festival), and be the top grossing movie star in the United States. EPA/MATTHEW CAVANAUGH --- Image by © MATTHEW CAVANAUGH/epa/Corbis — President Barack Obama awards American actor Sidney Poitier the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 12 August 2009. Poitier is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award, receive an award at a top international film festival (Venice Film Festival), and be the top grossing movie star in the United States. Image by © MATTHEW CAVANAUGH/Corbis

bh_poitier2 — Sidney Poitier in 1964 with his Oscar for Best Actor for *Lilies of the Field*. Image from Google.

“Forgiveness works two ways, in most instances. People have to forgive themselves too. The powerful have to forgive themselves for their behavior. That should be a sacred process.”

“I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father’s life.”

“If the image one holds of one’s self contains elements that don’t square with reality, one is best advised to let go of them, however difficult that may be.”

“To simply wake up every morning a better person than when I went to bed.”

“A person doesn’t have to change who he is to become better.”

“We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists… in the loved one, perfection.”

“History passes the final judgment.”

Happy Birthday, Toni Morrison!

February 18, 2017 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 1 Comment

86 Years Young!

Toni Morriosn — Toni Morrison (born Chloe Anthony Wofford February 18, 1931) is an American novelist, editor, and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. Her novels like *Beloved*, *Jazz*, *Sula*, and *The Bluest Eye*, are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her many awards Ms. Morrison received the 1988 Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) and the 1988 American Book Award for *Beloved*, the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature, and in 2012 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. Image from Google.

“All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.”

“As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.”

“At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.”

“If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.”

“In this country, American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.”

Quotable! – Frederick Douglass 1817-1895

February 14, 2017 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 4 Comments

Honoring Frederick Douglass on the 200th Anniversary of his birth.

Social reformer, author, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman

Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, the exact date of Frederick Douglass’ birth is unknown, and the year is disputed. He personally chose the 14th of February as his date of birth. The first recorded year of his birth is 1817 (from Douglass’ account).

Escaping from slavery on his third attempt when he was about twenty-one-years-old, Frederick changed his surname first to Johnson then to Douglass to hide his identity. He purchased his freedom in 1847.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

Quotable! – Ruby Dee

February 13, 2017 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 1 Comment

“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within – strength, courage, dignity.”

“The greatest gift is not being afraid to question.”

“God, make me so uncomfortable that I will do the very thing I fear.”

Guess what? I’m writing a book!

January 29, 2016 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 4 Comments

Masquerade Ball and Tour header

No, you’re not seeing things! I am taking part in a blog hop with authors because…I’ll be publishing my DEBUT NOVEL SOON! *SCREAMS!*

What started as a personal challenge during NaNoWriMo last November has morphed into a true WIP (work in progress)! I won NaNoWriMo with a whopping 56K+ word count, and you know what? I’m still writing! I’m getting really close to the 100K mark, but I’m sure I’ll lose a substantial amount during the edit process – my editor is BRUTAL!

About my book. It’s called “In The Best Interest of the Child” and centers around Olivia Chandler. As a ten year old, her perfect world is ripped apart by loss and tragedy. With no living relatives to take her in, Olivia is forced into the foster care system, and endures eight years of apathy, neglect, abuse and near rape. Olivia is gifted with a silver lining as she ages out of the system, and attends college and law school. Her goal is to become a child advocate attorney, and give a voice to as many children as possible who are rushed through the court system.

Now in her thirties, Olivia is a respected attorney who has not only won landmark cases for her juvenile clients, but she’s worked with public interest groups around the world to set new policy. Yet, she’s still alone – pushing away any man who gets too close. Her ordered little world is about to be upended when she’s handed a case that hits too close to home. She will meet her demons head on, and make a new friend who just may have the answers about her past she’s always wanted. Her latest case also leads her to a man who refuses to be pushed aside.

Will Olivia be able to make peace with her past, extend forgiveness, and open her heart?

ITBIOTC Teaser1

I love this story because even though it’s high on drama and inner pain, it’s also full of snarky dialogue, fun characters and plenty of laughs.

Remember to scroll down and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE! Follow my links in the Rafflecopter so you don’t miss my publishing updates and COVER REVEAL! I’ve seen the first cover draft, and OMG! It’s gorgeous…and it’s only a DRAFT! Cannot wait to see the finished product! The fabulous Jenn Cunningham is working her magic!

Thanks for stopping by! Hop on over to one of the amazing authors on the tour. There are some great releases AND back catalogs you need to check out!

Darlene Kuncytes