Thanks for the Input!

I want to personally thank everybody for their input on Pretty Packages. All of it was helpful, even the input that made me revisit why I entered the Secular market in the first place. I needed to reaffirm my peace in that area. Needed to make sure I hadn’t gotten off track somewhere.

To the person that prompted that re-visitation, I want to say a fond THANK YOU for having my spiritual back. I need people who aren’t afraid to call me on the carpet about a few things, even if we end up agreeing to disagree.

Now, in case y’all are wondering which line I finally decided to put/keep Pretty Packages under, it is the Secular line. Here’s why:

1. I can reach more people this way. People who may never go in the Inspirational section of a bookstore, never pick up a Bible, and never go to a church. I'm counting on God to use Pretty Packages (and other books like it) to plant seeds of hope and inspiration into the hearts and minds of the people that I just described above. In order to do that, I need to keep the book in a category that they will be quicker to gravitate to.

2. I didn't want to dilute the fiery attraction between Giada and Kentucky because that's what caused her to want to do so much changing in the first place. That attraction and then her love for Kentucky eventually meant more to Giada than money. Which turned her life completely around.

3. Because of an email that I received from another Christian woman named Clara Ehikioya. Clara almost single-handedly caused me to put Pretty Packages under the Inspirational line. In her very detailed email, she began to list all the life lessons she got out of Pretty Packages. Lessons that include (shortened for brevity):

  • Have faith in yourself as a person regardless of your facial attributes and physical features. They are nothing compared with the real 'you'.
  • Learning to respect our bodies instead of using them in unpleasant ways to make money.
  • How life is too short to waste one minute with the wrong person.
  • How important it is to be forgiving. Whatever is in the past should be left there. How this lesson was demonstrated a lot throughout the book (Our precious sista Clara even named the instances where she’d seen it in the book. It made me tear up).
  • How we should pursue worth-while ventures instead of indulging in extravagant lifestyle.
  • The virtue of telling the truth at all times.
  • How important it is to accept a person in totality knowing that each one has his or her personality and individuality.

And that’s not even listing all of Clara’s points. lol. I love it!

Anyway, Clara then went on talk about the image builders she saw in Pretty Packages and how they affected the lives of others, how the book was a motivator and had life lessons for everyone. She was able to pull all this from the book, despite some of the raw scenes.

Do you see why I HAD to leave Pretty Packages in the Secular line? More than just Christians need to be exposed to such lessons. These lessons need to be made available to ALL!

So it’s official, y’all. Pretty Packages will remain in the Secular line.

Now…

*whispering to my dear friends*

Because you were so kind as to read this long post (lol) and so kind to even visit my websites period, I want to give you a gift. Another FREEBIE. Yay!

This one is a short story (entitled The Professor) that I’m offering for FREE on lulu.com. And don’t worry, there is no 2008 expiration date for this book. The Professor will remain free until I expand the storyline sometime in 2009. And believe me, after you read this story, you’re going to want it to be extended.

Keep in mind that The Professor is under my Secular line, too, so you can elect not to read it if that line is not appealing to you.

For those who are interested in reading The Professor, here’s the link and the blurb to get you started. And THANKS again, everybody!

Enjoy!


Blurb for The Professor:

Willing to do whatever it takes to finish college and help her family out of poverty, Aurelia Bunting does the very thing that she hates – she becomes an exotic dancer. On top of that, her steady boyfriend just cheated on her with her best friend and she has a large tuition bill due.

Fresh from a breakup, too, Professor Baron Weaver is not so deep in grief to overlook the beautiful Virgin Island native that attends his brother’s bachelor’s party.

Since anonymity is key at events like these, Aurelia has no idea that the man she’s dancing for is going to be one of her new professors this year. If either of them had known, they would have never even considered finding comfort in each other’s arms.

Link to download The Professor:

http://www.lulu.com/content/3070207

Comments

Carmel Beauty said…
Suprina,

I just want to say that your books and others like it have presented the word so to speak in a completely different way to me. As I have explained to my husband and to my spirtual couselor your books have been inspiration to change many things in my life my faith has been stregthen and some of your characters have shown me charaterics of myself that I know need to be improved upon. You have also shown me that I can still be the sexual creature that my husband loves and still be the woman of GOD that I want to be. For this I will always thank you. I could have sent this in a personal email, but for anyone reading this I want you to take the time to read all of Suprina's book both secular and inspriational because I haven't read them all yet, but those that I have I have always picked up something that I can apply to my everyday life. Sometime truth be told I pick up more than just one thing I might pick up about five or six.

Be Blessed,

Carmel Beauty
Suprina said…
Carmel B: Me and my hubby just had a lengthy and very candid conversation about your comment.

First of all, I shared it with him with tears in my eyes, because you GOT IT! Or rather you got me and part of what I'm trying to do with my writing.

As everyone knows by now, I like to leave messages throughout each story. Messages that I hope will change your lives for the better. One of those messages is the need for women to embrace their sexualities. That you can be saved AND fierce in the bedroom. That you don't have to become a cold fish after salvation.

Carmel B, I learned that lesson the hard way. Because my hubby knew me before salvation (we even had 2 kids before then), he had complaints (and even some resentment towards God) when I suddenly stopped doing all those special things that he liked. Things I liked, too. lol.

You see, I erroneously THOUGHT Christian women wasn't supposed to be so sexual. Not even the married ones. Since other Christian women around me weren't discussing those things and only frowning upon sex when they did, this message was affirmed repeatedly.

Finally, God sent a wonderful female pastor my way. She showed me how to loosen up, how not to 'throw the baby out with the bath water' after salvation, and how to honor my marital bed from simple things such as setting the atmosphere with candles, nice linen, lingerie, to deeper things like becoming a student of my hubby in order to give him the ultimate pleasure. In short, she showed me how to keep my hubby satisfied and keep my competitive edge over the women in the world (who don't have no problem picking up my slack).

I later meet a male pastor who gave me the male POV on the issue of sex. He even went so far as to share how men had cycles, too. Cycles of sexual need, that is. And how important it was for wives to understand their husband's cycles and cater to them like we want them to cater to ours.

Well, Carmel B, this sista took all those things to heart, prayed and did Bible study on the issue, got her mind right, and then sprung into action.

As a result, my hubby is a happier man in that area, I'm happier being ALL of me (including that sex kitten part) and my marriage is stronger because of it.

In order to help other women, saved or unsaved, avoid some of the things I went through, I decided early in my writing career not to flinch from the topic of sex. To show women that they can embrace all sides of themselves as well (as long it didn't violate any of GOD's principles, NOT man's principles), and have fun doing so. That there really was freedom in Christ and that it didn't have to stop outside the bedroom door.

Sorry for the long post, but I couldn't resist giving my testimony on the subject.

Thanks again, Carmel B. Your words mean a lot to me.

Suprina
Paula said…
I have to agree with Caramel B, your writing really do bring both of them together. As a married woman now for a year I am in the process of finding myself and place in my marriage. I am a work in progress as my sister would say.

NOW, I would like to thank you for putting my hometown in your book. I am a VI gurl till the end. I was very excited when I realized Aurelia was from the VI.

This was a very inspirational and secular book for me, because it drives home the point of the dangers that is out their concerning STD. It also pointed out the problems facing many marriages in todays society.

Thank you very much for this interesting read and TO ME YOUR BOOKS ARE ALWAYS INSPIRATIONAL no matter what category you put them in.

As my husband and I say......Nuff Respect!
Suprina said…
Paula, I appreciate those words. And I have to admit, I kinda missed those CAPS. lol.

Anyhoo...

Yes, my girl Aurelia/Aurora is from the VI. I'm trying to expand my horizons by not having all my characters be from Southeast part of the US where I'm from. That's why this story will be based in California (west coast) with them traveling to various places like Cabo (Mexico) and then a later trip to the Virgin Islands.

When I do my research on the VI in order to make it more authentic, can I call on you for an interview? It can be conducted via email and there's a free book of your choice (or two depending on how long the interview is) in the deal for you.

Just let me know if you're open to the idea.

Much luv.

Suprina

P.S. Don't know if 'Nuff Respect' is VI lingo, but if it is, that's exactly the kind of stuff I would need to know for my character.
Paula said…
You can email me anytime for information about my hometown. I love telling people about where I am from.......St. Croix USVI.

This is going to be a very good book. Nuff Respect is not VI lingo but it is definitely Island lingo.

This is going to be so much FUN!

PS. I love sharing my CAPS with you and others. LOL Going back to read Age...is More Than a Number.

Bye Now....I gon go finish Read! (VI Lingo)
Suprina said…
Paula: LOL! Girl, you crack me up with laughter. Going back to my finals now.

I'll be getting in touch on that interview thing.

Suprina
Suprina said…
Paula: I forgot to say thanks for buying Age...is more than a number. That support means a lot.

Carmel B: Thanks for recommending my books to others. That kind of support means a lot to me, too. Word of mouth advertising can turn books into best sellers.

To everybody: I'm going to relax for a while. The final I completed tonight was longgggggggg! One more to go on Tuesday and then I get a little break. Can't wait. May even write another short story on that break. Who knows. lol.

I'll probably end up doing some editing though. lol. So many books are waiting in the wings for me be starting something else new. lol.

Stay focused, Suprina Michelle, stay focused. lol. I must be tired, talking to myself now.

Anyway, toodles for tonight!

Suprina
Sylvia Hubbard said…
I was very happy to happy to help and encourage just as you have done me and your work has been really very good, Suprina!
Suprina said…
Sylvia: Thanks again...for everything!

Suprina
Anonymous said…
thanks a lot suprina for your surprise Freebie!! i will surely read it and will reply your email when i'm done.. hopefully i will have less work in the office :P - mary :)
Suprina said…
Mary: You're welcome. Enjoy!

Suprina
Anonymous said…
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT YESTERDAY I WROTE A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG COMMENT AND ON CHECKIN' TODAY I REALIZE YOU NEVER GOT IT. I don't know what happened when i sent that send comment button but i am MAD. technology fer ya'
just wanted to give my heartfelt thanx for the terrific SHORT (sigh)freebie suprina and although i am still single i hold dear all those fantastic little tricks and tips you give freely in your stories. These stories have also helped me to realize that being a christian doesn't mean you can't get wild in the private with your hubbie and be that sex kitten for him and him alone!! thanx again for the wonderful advice on all ranges that one gets from your stories too be they inspirational or secular, there's always a golden nugget of wisdom to be found.

sharon
Suprina said…
Sharon: I never got your long comment, but this one will do just fine. *grin*

It's a writer's paradise when readers make comments. Especially those that reveal how one's words have touched their lives in a positive way.

Thanks for being so forthcoming with your comments at all since there are many that simply pause to read and then leave without giving any feedback. Although that's fine too, especially if one is reading at work...lol...feedback does provide authors with a radar (for lack of a better word) of where and how well their stories are being received.

Much luv.

Suprina

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