#ReShonda Tate Billingsley

[brooklynbornhaitian]

Started "Seeking Sarah" by ReShonda Tate Billingsley last night and finished this morning, felt like myself for once

[rtbookreviews]

We're so pleased to announce our August Seal of Excellence winner — the very amazing THE DUCHESS DEAL by @tessadare! And so many congrats to our nominees: Marcus Sakey, Jodi Ellen Malpas and ReShonda Tate Billingsley — READ MORE

[loveblackculture]

[pickeringtonlibrary]

We all have a reality show that we love, whether it involves just watching the everyday drama of people’s lives, watching chefs cook food that you wish you could make yourself, or watching ordinary people take on extraordinary challenges. We love to watch the unscripted magic of people being people.

But, as much as we love reality TV, it also comes with its dangers. There are issues of privacy and of whether or not show creators go too far when it comes to getting the reactions or drama that they want to make a reality show more appealing. These issues are raised in author Gina Damico’s new book, Waste of Space, which is being released on July 11. The book follows a group of teens that are cast on a reality show in which they think they are taking a trip into space on a spaceship. What the teens don’t realize is that the space adventure is all just Hollywood magic. They are really just on a replica spaceship on a sound stage with advanced special effects. What happens when the show creators make the teens believe that their ship is in danger?

Sound awesome? Then try these other titles that explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of reality TV!

Reality Boy, by A.S. King

For Real, by Alison Cherry

Life in a Fishbowl, by Len Vlahos

Something Real, by Heather Demetrios

Rumor Central, by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Everybody Knows Your Name, by Andrea Seigel

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

The Pretty App, by Katie Sise

Countdown, by Michelle Rowen

Royce Rolls, by Margaret Stohl

Scripted, by Maya Rock

The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High, by Laurie Boyle Crompton

The Vault of Dreamers, by Caragh M. O’Brien

Flash Point, by Nancy Kress

[bookclub4m]

Episode 143 - Amish Romance

You voted for it, so this episode we’re talking about Amish Romance! (Just in time for Valentine's Day!) We discuss romance, sex, chasteness, cultural appropriation, bonnet rippers, and terrible pies!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | RJ Edwards | Tillie Yoder

Things We Read (or tried to…)

The Amish Widow's Secret by Cheryl Williford

The Coffee Corner by Amy Clipston

Made with Love by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore

An Amish Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Beckstrand, Charlotte Hubbard, and Kelly Long

Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs

Other Media We Mentioned

The Dawn of Christmas: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country by Cindy Woodsmall

Snowfall by Shelley Shepard Gray

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Little Fish by Casey Plett

Amish Vampires in Space by Kerry Nietz 

A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews

Amish Christmas Baby Gone by Samantha Price 

An Amish Husband for Tillie by Amy Lillard

"Weird" Al Yankovic - Amish Paradise

Protector of the Realm by Gun Brooke (lesbian spacestation captain romance)

Justice League of America: The Nail by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer

Kim Luna und der Fluch des Wiedertäufers by Dietmar Krüger

PunisherMAX, Vol. 1: Kingpin by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Thrill of the Chaste: The Allure of Amish Romance Novels by Valerie Weaver-Zercher

Podcast Links

Just Plain Wrong Podcast

A Non-Euphemistic Barn Raising: A Discussion on Forbidden Rumspringa

Gendered Burping: A Book Discussion on An Amish Husband for Tillie

Bishop Better: A Discussion on Amish Christmas Baby Gone

The Pacifist Vampire Soul Dilemma: Three Books about Amish Vampires & Mennonite Assassins

Podcasters Panel: A Glimpse Behind the Microphone

Down Time with Cranston Public Library

93 - Is Wordle a Video Game?

Book Club for Masochists: 

Episode 061 - Romance Fiction

Episode 070 - Erotic Romance

Episode 119 - Regency Romance

Links, Articles, and Things

Anabaptism (Wikipedia)

Amish romance (Wikipedia)

Pennsylvania Dutch language (Wikipedia)

Hutterite German (Wikipedia)

Long s (Wikipedia)

Rumspringa (Wikipedia)

Why do the Amish practice shunning?

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Pyrex (Wikipedia)

15 Religious Romance books by Authors of Colour

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by POC (People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams

The One Who Rocked Away by Joanna Alonzo

Courting Samira by Amal Awad

The Summer of Me by Angela Benson

Everybody Say Amen by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon

Passing by Samaria by Sharon Ewell Foster

The Preacher's Promise by Piper Huguley

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

Sunday Brunch by Norma L. Jarrett

Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins

Forbidden by Faith by Negeen Papehn

She Wore Red Trainers by Na'ima B. Robert

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Sushi for One? by Camy Tang

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, February 15th when we’ll be discussing “What is a book?”

Then on Tuesday, March 1st when we’ll be discussing the genre of Anthropology Non-Fiction!

[blackkudos]

Lela Rochon

Lela Rochon Staples (born April 17, 1964), known professionally as Lela Rochon, is an American actress, best known for her starring role as Robin Stokes in the 1995 romantic drama film Waiting to Exhale. She also had notable roles in films Harlem Nights (1989), Boomerang (1992), The Chamber (1996), Gang Related (1997), Knock Off (1998), Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998), and Any Given Sunday (1999).

Early life

Rochon was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of Zelma, a nurse practitioner, and Samuel Staples, a business owner and graphic artist. She graduated from Cerritos High School in Cerritos, California in 1982. After high school, Rochon attended California State University, Dominguez Hills where she earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism, with minors in Sociology and Theatre. In 2016, Rochon returned to give the commencement speech at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Career

Early works

In 1984, Rochon appeared as an extra in the movie Breakin’, where she met the man who would later become her husband. From 1986 to 1988, while attending college, Rochon was one of the "Spudettes" featured in over 30 national spots for the Spuds MacKenzie Budweiser/Bud Light TV commercials. She also appeared in the 1985 made-for-television film A Bunny's Tale starring Kirstie Alley and Delta Burke, based on Gloria Steinem's experiences as a Playboy Bunny. She appeared as the love interest of Gerald Levert in the video for "My Forever Love" by Levert, and in Luther Vandross' "It's Over Now" video. She also appeared in the music video for Lionel Richie's single "All Night Long (All Night)", in Al B. Sure's video for the song "Natalie", and in Tupac Shakur's video "I Get Around" as one of the female dancers. She had many guest starring roles in a number of sitcoms, include The Cosby Show, Amen, 227, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Rochon made her film debut in 1985, when she starred opposite Fred Williamson in Fox Trap. In 1987, she played the role of Debby in the film The Wild Pair, starring Beau Bridges and Bubba Smith. In 1989, Rochon acted opposite Eddie Murphy in 1989's Harlem Nights, as the memorable "Sunshine" character. She again worked with Murphy in the successful 1992 romantic comedy, Boomerang. In 1995, she was regular cast member during the first season of The WB sitcom, The Wayans Bros.

Breakthrough

In 1995, Rochon landed one of the lead roles opposite Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine in the adaptation of the Terry McMillan novel and highly successful drama film Waiting to Exhale. She played the character Robin Stokes, for which she was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance and NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. In 1996, Rochon starred opposite Timothy Hutton in the Showtime cable network film Mr. and Mrs. Loving, receiving a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Actress. Later that year, she played the female lead in the crime thriller film The Chamber. The following year, she starred alongside Jim Belushi and Tupac Shakur in the crime thriller Gang Related. In 1998, Rochon had the leading role alongside Halle Berry and Vivica A. Fox in the romantic drama Why Do Fools Fall in Love, and well starred in Knock Off with Jean-Claude Van Damme, and The Big Hit, as love interest to Mark Wahlberg's leading character. In 1999, she appeared in Any Given Sunday directed by Oliver Stone. In 2001, Rochon made her return to television with one of leading roles alongside Bonnie Bedelia, Nancy McKeon, Tracey Needham, and Lisa Vidal in the Lifetime crime drama series, The Division. She left the series after a single season.

2000s-present

In 2004, Rochon co-starred opposite Katie Holmes in the romantic comedy film First Daughter. In 2009, she had cameo in crime drama Brooklyn's Finest directed by her husband, Antoine Fuqua. In 2013, she played one of leading roles in Regina King's directorial debut Let The Church Say Amen, the film adaptation of ReShonda Tate Billingsley's 2005 novel for BET. She later had roles in films Supremacy (2014) with Danny Glover and Derek Luke, and Reversion (2015), playing Aja Naomi King's character's mother. In 2017, she had a recurring role in the CBS crime drama series Training Day, and in 2019 on the Oprah Winfrey Network drama David Makes Man.

Personal life

Rochon has been married twice and has two children. Her first marriage was to dancer and actor Adolfo Quiñones, better known as Shabba Doo from 1982 until divorcing in 1987. Rochon dated singer–songwriter Jackie Jackson from 1989 until 1991. In 1999, she married film director Antoine Fuqua. Together, they have two children; Asia Rochon Fuqua (b. 2002) and Brando. During her marriage to Fuqua, Rochon suffered a miscarriage in 2001.

[yesdreamilyenchantingbouquet]

Book Pick of The Week: 'More To Life' Is A Thought Provoker

Book Pick of The Week: ‘More To Life’ Is A Thought Provoker

Fall means time to come back inside. Boy, do I have the book for you. I have a a gauge to how good a book is. I ride the train everyday for over an hour.

If I have to check where I am and nearly miss my stop, this is a good book.

I have long considered Reshonda Tate Billingsley great writer.  I even wrote a plea to Shonda Rhimes to make  tv shows of a few here in my story:  Make It Now: 3 Book…

[misscsolo]

The Book in Room 316 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

The Book in Room 316 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Angel ~ a spiritual being superior to humans in power and intelligence.  Do you believe in angels on earth?  We have all said that when a loved one passes away that they are watching over us but is it possible to have a guardian angel?  We all have met someone where their actions just made us think, “Wow where did he/she come from?  They were right on time!”  Is it just good luck or do we have a…

[kinglyfe69]

{Born On This Day} ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Happy Birthday to @ReShondaT! We adore you over here at BPT!

Happy Birthday to ReShonda Tate Billingsley! We adore you over here at BPT! May all of you dreams continue to come true.

Bio ReShonda Tate Billingsley always did have an active imagination. From making up stories to crafting award-winning poems, the national bestselling author has maintained a love for storytelling. After numerous rejections from publishers, ReShonda stepped out on faith,…

[blogbibliophilia]

Book Review: Miss Pearly’s Girls by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

•

Synopsis (from Amazon.com): Raising four very different daughters on her own in rural Arkansas wasn't easy for Miss Pearly Bell. And she's always regretted that the sisters went their separate ways for good—and never wanted to see each other again. But when Pearly is stricken with a terminal illness, she summons them all home—determined to somehow help them get right with each other and forgive...But that means dealing with past secrets and lies first.

As the oldest sister, pastor's wife Maxine took her responsibility way too seriously—and never fails to judge everyone else. But a secret she can no longer keep will explode everything she stands for. Youngest sister Leslie is all about making a very different life with her new love—but she didn't expect a shattering past truth to be suddenly revealed and uproot everything she ever thought she knew. Elegant PR professional Stella and her earthy twin, Star, don’t see eye-to-eye on anything—and now a long-ago deception could wipe out their last chance at a relationship.

Soon each sister must confront the illusions they've taken refuge in for so long and deal with each other woman-to-woman. But can building an all-too-fragile trust repair the damage done—and help them come together when they are needed most?

•

Book Length: 272 pages

•

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

•

My Review: This book reminded me of the movie Soul Food. It had a underlying message about family secrets and making amends which I thought made for a good story but I also found the secrets kind of predictable. The characters were relatable and I loved how different they were. They each brought something unique to the storyline.

[lazaroschamberger20]

The Prada Plan 5 Audiobook Online

[Book] The Prada Plan 5 Audiobook Online by Ashley Antoinette

In this explosive addition to the New York Times bestselling series, Ashley Antoinette brings you pain, pleasure, love, hate, as YaYa struggles to hold it all together before life blows up in her face, in The Prada Plan 5. Disaya finally has it all. The man she fought for is hers at last. Her name is Mrs. Indie Perkins and their daughter is safe. Leah is gone. Life is supposed to be good. So why isn't she satisfied? Why does life suddenly seem so bitter? YaYa's Prada Plan had worked but with the riches comes pain. She and Indie have grown apart, and with Parker now a permanent fixture in their lives, Indie is pressured to juggle it all. But YaYa's patience is running thin. Indie is loving her wrong. Her life isn't what she wants. Her Prada Plan has changed...and now, it's time to pursue a plan B in order to get what she really wants...

Free Download The Prada Plan 5 Audiobook Online by (Ashley Antoinette)

Duration: 8 hours, 56 minutes

Writer: Ashley Antoinette

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Narrators: Nicole Small

Genres: Nicole Small

Rating: 4.5

Narrator Rating: 4.4

Publication: Saturday, 01 July 2017

The Prada Plan 5 Audiobook Online Reviews

Brittany H.

Didn’t like the narrator I thought she tried way to hard kinda made the men sound like old dudes!!! Other than that great book great story line love Ashley she’s amazing!!!

Rating: 5

Janice Z

Prada Plan 5 is an awesome read. Nicole Smalls rocks this narration and adds authenticity and depth to the characters. Ashley Antoinette plus Nicole Smalls equal magic every time.

Rating: 5

Danielle M

Tear jerker. Great read! Need the next installment of the book

Rating: 4

Nicole S

This was well worth the wait! You did it again Ashley!!!

Rating: 5

Mel C

I love Epic!!!!!! I can't wait unitl the book about him is released!

Rating: 5

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[how-to-best]

With salons closed due to the coronavirus, Houstonians are turning to DIY beauty

With salons closed due to the coronavirus, Houstonians are turning to DIY beauty

[ad_1]

ReShonda Tate Billingsley still can’t believe she shaved off one of her eyebrows while social distancing at home.

“I have no lashes, half a brow, my nails are a hot mess and my hair looks crazy,” said Billingsley, an acclaimed author who has written more than 50 novels.

With salons closed due to the coronavirus, Billingsley said she tried to microblade her own brows. It didn’t work. Then…

[loveblackculture]

[kaybeesbookshelf]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW Pay Day by Reshonda Tate-Billingsley & Richelle Denise My rating 4 out of 5 stars MY TWO CENTS Let me tell you something, money just makes you more of who you already are. The characters had me laughing so hard and shaking my head at the same time. Cousin Daryl would have caught these hands because he was acting a plum fool. It was a wild ride and I truly enjoyed each and every moment of this book. It was a plus that the production was well done and narrators Janina Edward's & Leon Nixon did a fantastic job. Good Listen! 📚👏 Audiobook review provided by @kaybeesbookshelf team member @tblackallday #kaybeesbookshelf #bookclub #writers #readers #writersofinstagram #bookstagram #writingcommunity #kaybeesbookshelf #kaybeesbookshelfreview #literature #stories #words #pages #narrators #bookreview https://www.instagram.com/p/B8tyMgHjQ06/?igshid=przjagg0m1xs

[bookclub4m]

15 Religious Romance books by Authors of Colour

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by POC (People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams

The One Who Rocked Away by Joanna Alonzo

Courting Samira by Amal Awad

The Summer of Me by Angela Benson

Everybody Say Amen by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon

Passing by Samaria by Sharon Ewell Foster

The Preacher's Promise by Piper Huguley

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

Sunday Brunch by Norma L. Jarrett

Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins

Forbidden by Faith by Negeen Papehn

She Wore Red Trainers by Na'ima B. Robert

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Sushi for One? by Camy Tang