Black Authors Network Literary Talk Show  

Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 2/13/2008 7:33 AM UTC

  A Taste of Java by L.J. Wilson
  

  A Taste of Java
  
  

  

  
  
  A Taste of Java
  

   

  Synopsis:  Like the sweet aromatic flavor that exudes from coffee houses and pleases the sense of smell, the people who visit A Taste of Java, will definitely stimulate the soul. A Taste of Java brings a fascinating love story, which features a complicated cast of characters. This rib-tickling novel mixes in a tablespoon of love, two cups of comedy, and a triple shot of drama, sure to keep readers turning the pages.

   

  Inga Tyler and Nathaniel Gates are best friends, who find themselves crossing a skeletal line where physical attraction resides. Inga suppresses her true feelings for Nathaniel because of his recent engagement to longtime girlfriend, Rochelle Parsons. Inga is far from a man stealer and very reluctant to jeopardize her solid friendship with Nathaniel. At the same time, Inga struggles with the snare of temptation whenever Nathaniel is in her presence. In the name of true love, Nathaniel is determined to dump his fiancée to pursue a monogamous relationship with Inga. Just when Nathaniel is certain nothing else stands in his path to happily ever after with Inga, a clumsy tea spill leaves Inga intrigued by one chocolate hunk of a construction worker, named Charles Smith-McAlister. Once Charles enters the picture, the dynamics of Inga and Nathaniel’s friendship are challenged. For better or for worse is the question that will linger until the end.

   

  Distributors: Gifted Pen Publishing, P.O. Box 101137 , Chicago , IL 60610 , Amazon.com

   
  

  Author’s Bio:  Chicago native, L.J. Wilson is a wife and mother of four. She is employed as an analyst for a government agency. A great deal of her free time is spent writing novels, short stories, and poetry. In fact, it is her love for reading that sparked her writing ability. Her mission is to write well-crafted stories that entertain, yet provoke serious thought on issues that affect all humanity, but specifically African-Americans.

   

  As a young girl and as an adult, she has always expressed herself through writing. A person reading her feelings on paper is someone actually listening. She has learned that people occasionally use silence as a smokescreen when someone else is speaking. Secretly, they await their turn to talk, never really giving heed to what is being said. Reading requires attentiveness and no rebuttals, at least not until the end.

   

  Her writing credits include her latest release, A Taste of Java (February 2008). She also has two short stories published, Reappearing Acts in Crimes of Passion: The Anthology (July 2006) and Something Special in Voices of Autism (May 2008).

   

  You may visit the author's website at www.ljwilsonauthor.com

   

   

   

  Book Review

   

  Look out world here she comes! This quiet and timid author roars with her gifted pen and takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster ride. You laugh, cry and love right along with Inga and her friends. You’ll find yourself torn between Inga’s two love interests, Nate and Charles just as much as she is. You’ll also want to throw a few blows on Inga’s behalf to protect her from the hater, Rochelle. L. J. Wilson’s well-written love octagon will have you turning the pages and wanting more until your reading palate is fully satisfied.
  Deanna Michelle Smith, Author of Reign Storm and Outlaw City

   

   

   

  
  SLS Intimate Conversations Showcase

   

  Recently Ella Curry, CEO of EDC Creations (www.edc-creations.com) and founder of the Sankofa Literary Society (www.sankofaliterarysociety.org)  had the opportunity to talk with the author of the  book A Taste of Java, L.J. Wilson.
  

   

  Tell us something about the story that we can’t read on the cover.

   

  My main character, Inga Tyler is getting ready for a first date with a new guy she’s just met, Charles Smith-McAlister. When her doorbell rings, Inga is caught off guard when she opens the door to find her best friend, Nathaniel suddenly takes her into his arms and passionately kisses her while professing his love. Swept up by her own feelings, Inga ends up making out with Nathaniel. Her expected date rings the doorbell just when she’s at the point of nakedness.

   

  What makes this novel different from others in its genre?

   

  A Taste of Java is hilarious, adventurous, romantic and serious. My character, Dwight is so eccentric, readers will have no choice but to fall in love with him. From his off beat humor to his odd ball dialogue, he’ll have women rethinking their requirements in a mate.

   

  Tell us a little something about your publishing journey. Did you have a manuscript that was submitted to several publishers?

   

  I started writing my first novel about four years ago and thank God I was able to realize my novel was not yet ready to be published—even after having it professionally edited, there was still more work to be done. The cohesion and backstory were largely omitted and there were too many characters trying to tell the story. Everyone thinks it’s easy to write a book, but their assumption could not be further from the truth. There are many elements to writing and aspiring authors have to read up on or take classes to understand and execute the craft properly. With A Taste of Java, I decided to self-publish because I didn’t want to wait on anyone to tell me they thought my story was worthy of being published. I enjoyed creating my characters, laughed at their dialogue and followed their every thought and action. After having my worse critic read and review my book, then give me her blessing, which is something she rarely does, I knew A Taste of Java was ready to be shared with the world. 

   

  In your opinion, what is the absolute best thing about being a writer?

   

  Having the freedom to create people as I see them and sometimes allowing them take on a persona other than what I have ascribed. Also, having the authority to relieve them of their dilemma or either adding on much more than they can bear is just plain old fun.

   

  As a writer, what are some of the most important things you try to get across through your books?

   

  The two most important things I try to get across in my writing is for people to love one another and to forgive each other. In today’s system, these two elements are grossly underrepresented.

   

   
  • Permalink