Signing of “Show Me The Sun”

Signing: Show Me The Sun

Signing of “Show Me The Sun”

I had my first book signing on January 30 at Barnes and Noble. So many more people came than I expected. It was wonderful to see old friends and meet new people too. I enjoyed talking to people who love reading and those who are writing their own books. I smiled so much my cheeks should have been hurting but they didn’t. Getting ready for the day was hectic but I must say with help from many people the event was a success.  I couldn’t have asked for a better day and appreciate everyone who helped set up and came to the event.  I am so grateful.

Reading of chapter 3

Signing: Show Me The Sun

Book on the Shelf

On January 26th, I saw my book on the shelf for the first time, right at the top with other novels. A lady named Judy was browsing the book store and when she saw my book she decided to  give it a try. Judy bought my book and I signed it for her.

Show Me The Sun

I’ve been waiting to hold my book for so many months!I remember the excitement I felt when I got the first contract and now the book is here and I can read it in it’s magnificent cover. I know for sure that you can work hard at something but in the end it’s God who makes things happen, who opens doors and brings people who can make your dreams come true. I am so grateful to so many people who are ordering the book and telling others about it. I am also encouraged by people’s positive response to my book. I would like to mention Madeline, who is now my chief marketer. She alone is responsible for the sale of so many books. It’s amazing to have friends who believe in you and want you to aim high and succeed in your endeavours. I am grateful to Luke, who I know was the first person to read my newly released book and send such encouraging words my way.

Now I prepare for my first book signing and I am excited for what the day may bring.

Signing and Reviews: Show Me The Sun

I’m excited that this day has finally come. It’s been a long journey and I am grateful to God for  making everything happen at the right time.  Someone called me this evening and told me that they enjoyed my book and that they could not put it down. I was amazed and even though it’s not about getting all that praise I am pleased that someone will be touched after reading the book. I am excited to share with you a review by Rawsisters and a respected librarian, Luke.

Reviews

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) – See all my reviews

Raven Davies, daughter of a minister and a social worker with low self-esteem, may have found the man of her dreams in Amari Thomas, gorgeous NBA point guard for the Pistons, but she just doesn’t know it yet. When Amari meets Raven to discuss getting involved and helping to fund the children’s center, he thinks she is the coldest woman on the planet. Little does he know, Raven has been burned so badly in the past by men that Hell will freeze over before she becomes involved with another man. Raven is already convinced she will never have the picture perfect marriage and family she has always dreamed of. The feelings Amari evoke in her are nothing but love, and when he finally pops the question, Raven is thrilled, and she accepts. Their marriage is picture perfect for the next two years…but then comes the husband stealer, Lexie Hart, Hollywood movie diva. Lexie is intent on stealing Amari away from Raven and she will do anything, including slander and providing false information to the media, insinuating she and Amari are involved. When the news gets back to Raven, she is outraged and now Amari must convince Raven he loves her unconditionally. Will Lexie ever leave the picture or will she become a permanent third wheel to their lives forever? Or will Raven give up on love again?

SHOW ME THE SUN is a heartwarming romance novel about how one women’s low self-esteem almost got in the way of obtaining her goals. In this novel, Miriam Shumba explores family relationships and the meaning of true friendship. Her main female character also discovers how to forgive and overcome challenges in a relationship. I would recommend this book because it has valuable underlying messages throughout about the struggles in marriages/relationships, self-esteem issues and the pressure to fit in with the society around you. SHOW ME THE SUN proves there really is light at the end of the tunnel.

Reviewed by TygerLily
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

5.0 out of 5 stars Call Tyler Perry this needs to be a movie!, January 11, 2010 By LuketheLibrarian (Madison, WI) – See all my reviews SHOW ME THE SUN is a mix of Tyler Perry meets Paulo Coelho. I mean this in the most admirable way. When you read the prologue you will wonder how Raven would ever consider taking Amari back. It’s a book that will make you think with your mind, feel with your heart, and view relationships with crying open eyes. If you have ever wondered why a woman would take back a man that cheated on her…read this story and you will see the many complexities of that situation. Life isn’t black and white. Infact it’s many shades of black. I’m a librarian and this is one of the best stories I’ve EVER read. Oh and guys…it has basketball, a sexy movie star temptress and infidelity…what could be better? Great book!

Show Me The Sun now available

Show Me The Sun is now available on amazon.com. Click below on the book  to get your copy today!

I’m excited to let you know that my book is now available to order by clicking above.  This story of betrayal, faith, and forgiveness will tug at your heart and  lift your spirits as you take the journey with Amari and Raven from the U.S to Africa.

Show Me The Sun:Be the first to Read the first Chapters

Prologue

Raven shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She wished she could be anywhere but here, sitting in front of this kind, beautiful woman with warm understanding eyes. She didn’t want her sympathy, or pity, or anything. She just wanted a divorce. Quickly.

“Raven,” Janice said softly, leaning forward on her pristine desk and clasping her piano player fingers on it. Raven noticed her exquisite diamond rings and a picture of her perfect looking family, a handsome husband and three children. They were studio shots and they all looked like models, happy and perfect.

“I would really like to help you if I can. I know this must be very difficult for you.”

Raven nodded, not yet able to find her voice while trying to hide her resentment. She had wanted a family too. She had wanted one that belonged to her. Her own family to love her and for her to love. Finally she wanted to accept that it was not to be.

She had walked in the office and declined a cup of tea or water and greeted Janice before settling down in the over stuffed but comfortable chair.

Raven was only here because her father had insisted, had set up the appointment and driven her there. She had resisted and even now as she sat there with her back straight and shoulders held back by sheer will power. Her body language spoke volumes and what screamed loudest to Janice was that this woman was fragile and if she said the wrong word she would break into a million pieces.

“Would you like to tell me what I can do for you?” Janice asked, her kindness seeming to be an endless well.  Her gentleness flowed to her like rain but she didn’t let it enter her heart.

Raven pursed her lips harder feeling the headache and the tension in her shoulders again, all the pain of the last few weeks was collected right there, almost stopping her circulation.

“I really don’t need counseling,” Raven began, the tears coming into her eyes. She didn’t trust some of these church folks. This counselor was associated with her church and she feared that what she would say would be heard by everybody she knew. She was already the subject of gossip and whispers and she didn’t feel like spilling anymore to a woman she barely knew, kind or not.

“I think it’s good to talk to someone don’t you think?”
“I’m all talked out, Ms…”

“Call me Janice.”

“Janice. I have nothing more to say.”
“It must be hard having all your life plastered in the media but have you yet talked about reconciliation with your husband? Have you given it some thought?”
Raven just shook her head and wiped the stray tears running down her cheeks. She wondered where they were coming from because she had already cried oceans.

“We usually like to try every other avenue before taking the drastic measures of terminating a marriage. Is there anything we can do to help you and your husband reach  a new conclusion. Maybe counseling…..”

“No Janice. I’ve made up my mind. I only came here to appease my father but as far as I’m concerned my marriage is over. Now I’m just waiting for the papers, the formality but in my heart and physically we are already divorced.”

Janice didn’t know what else to say. Raven seemed determined to end a marriage that had been once the talk of the city. A marriage that was now falling apart in appalling scandals and national media coverage.

“Is there nothing that you can think of that can save it? Think back to how you met, how you felt then. If there is a sliver of any of that emotion then maybe you should reconsider,” Janice insisted though her voice remained patient and calm.

Raven glanced behind Janice’s desk, at the beautifully framed copy of Charles Sebree on the gold textured walls. The whole room was peaceful, tranquil like Janice Francis. Warm colors, structured and well lighted.  The tranquility didn’t reach her at all.

Yes she could remember how it was when she met him. It wasn’t so long ago but it seemed like twenty years instead of two. How things had changed. How trust had been destroyed so cruelly.  Meeting him, marrying him had made her feel like finally, she would be accepted, finally she could hold her head high. How naive she had been.  Now she was worse than an outcast. No, she was the laughing stock of Detroit.

Show Me The Sun, Chapter 1

Chapter one

“Oh no,” Raven muttered under her breath, as she looked in the review mirror and saw the flashing red and blue lights. “Stupid cops. Oh God forgive me. I know he’s just doing his job but I’m so late! Why did he have to stop me?”

Raven stubbornly continued to drive then turned right onto a side street. How fast had she been going and what was the speed limit? She angrily drove her ancient mini cooper into park and sat back taking deep breaths and trying to calm her beating her heart. Only when she heard a knock on her window did she roll it down manually and stare at the officer, a tall dark skinned man dressed in the black uniform. Raven had never been good with authority and cops were on her list of people she had little patience for. God was working on her but right now she wished that the ground would just open up and swallow the man whole and his white marked car.

“License and registration please, ma’am,” he said in a deep authoritative voice.

“Oh yes,” Raven responded looking for her purse. She was late and didn’t even know if she had put her wallet in her oversized bag. Digging around her bag she pulled out the files from her social work office and then the binder from the Philips Center where she was about to go to and have an important meeting with one of the Pistons. Their star too, the point guard, Amari Thomas. Her father, Pastor Philip Davies had stressed how important it was that they impress this Piston guy so the center could get more exposure and funds. This was the second time the meeting had been set up. The last time Amari Thomas had called and cancelled deepening her dislike of all athletes.

The officer impatiently stood by her window while she searched. She knew that she should apologize for the delay but couldn’t bring herself to do so. He can stand there and freeze. Didn’t he have something better to do?

Raven gave a sigh of relief as she pulled out her wallet and then started digging through the various credit cards and gym memberships to find her driver’s license. Without looking at the officer she handed it to him then began the arduous task of putting her things back in the bag.

“Raven Davies,” the officer said as if tasting her name on his tongue. “Are you related to Pastor Philip Davies? Of Calvary Church?” Raven nearly rolled her eyes but instead she nodded.

“I thought I had seen you somewhere before.”

“Please just give me the ticket so I can go. I’m really late for a meeting.”

“I’ll just let you go with a warning ma’am. Any child of Pastor Davies does not deserve a ticket. In fact I have seen you there before. I see your beautiful sisters more but I certainly know you.”

“Thank you,” Raven said then reached out for the license. Officer Derek Johnson was taken by surprise at her lack of excitement that he had not given her a ticket.

He gave her back her license and walked back to his car. She wished she could see his face as she pulled into traffic and sped away from him as fast as her beat up car could go.

Raven loved the heart of the city of Detroit and didn’t even mind seeing some of the run down buildings mixed up with the tall Renaissance Center that gleamed in the early morning sun. Detroit was like an old lady who was now going for plastic surgery one part of her body at a time. Starting with the nose, then the eyes, and slowly working her way towards the breasts and stomach. Though sections were falling apart the facelift would be completed soon and a new and gorgeous city was about to emerge. Raven could already see the beauty in the delightful Campus Martius Park with live bands, exotic waterfalls in summer and skating and drinking delicious hot chocolate in the winter. She could see hope in the people that walked to work with brisk paces and smiling faces. She could taste the city’s future in the air and it filled her with excitement. Maybe Detroit will one day shake off its negative image of being crime ridden, poor and ugly.

********

When she arrived at the center, Raven looked in the mirror and didn’t like what she saw. Her skin seemed darker and her full lips too shiny and dark. She wished her hair was thinner and easier to manage.  Some mornings she tolerated the way she looked but not this one. How many women wished they looked a little different.

As her mother, Clare would say, “the world unfortunately is a beauty pageant. You are always being judged by what you wear and how you look whether you want to be or not.”  Clare Davies always dressed like she was in a pageant but Raven refused to compete. What was the point?

The Philip Center for Children was located in the down town area, a few blocks from Comerica Park and not even five minutes from her apartment but somehow Raven had attracted the wrath of that early morning officer. Raven found parking in the street and made her way towards the front of the building. The entrance wasn’t that appealing but the main concern for the center was raising money for kids not for appearances. That would come later but after many other important needs had been met.

“Raven!” Kendra greeted her smiling.  Kendra’s early morning eagerness was contagious. Kendra’s smile was like the sun itself. Raven felt gaudy standing next to her. Even her dress was a lovely colorful blue number which showed a little bit of cleavage that begged for attention. She knew that any of the Pistons players would enjoy meeting Kendra.

“Hey, Kendra,” Raven said. “I guess our benevolent basketball players haven’t arrived yet.”
“Actually they are here. He’s here,” Kendra said with a gleam in her eye. The last time Raven had seen Kendra this excited was when she had won five thousand dollars at the Greek Town Casino.  Raven was surprised and annoyed at the same time.

He’s already here? Before me? She knew she was being unreasonable. If he was late she would have still been irritated.

“He’s in the office,” Kendra continued gesturing towards the only office in the building.  Raven straightened her formal jacket and entered the office.

A tall  man stood up when she opened the door.  Raven reached her hand out to shake his and was so bothered at the effect the man had on her. His looks startled her more than anybody ever before in her life. He was so gorgeous she almost didn’t find the words to start her greeting as she looked into his soft, brown eyes.

“Good morning. I’m Raven Davis,” she finally said wanting to take charge.

“Amari Thomas. Pleasure to meet you.” Raven decided the only way she could get through the day was if she found him annoying. Why was he smiling like that? Did he expect her to fawn over him and ask him for his autograph or something? She didn’t even know what he played and hell would freeze over before she ever asked any celebrity for an autograph. To her that was the most demeaning thing to do.

“I understand you would like to help our program? What made you interested in this center?” she asked gesturing for him to sit down and taking her place behind the desk.
“My cousin goes to the church that started this. Thought it was great idea and I want to be a part of what you’ll are doing here.”
Raven didn’t want to say it was her father’s church that started the center. “It’s not an easy job to do. We work with very difficult students who are not motivated in school. It’s a place where they can get tutoring and after school activities in a safe environment for free.”
“I know. I read the plan and I’d like to do more than just donate money. I want to get involved and bring awareness to the program.”
“Fine. But I thought your team has its own initiatives?”

“This is my own project. I don’t always do things with the team. I’m an individual person and the team is just my job.” They looked at each other. Raven could see Amari was getting a bit put out and she knew she was being unreasonable. She had never seen anybody who just did things without wanting something in return and she certainly didn’t trust Amari. Nobody that good-looking could be that good a person. It would be unfair.

“Well, I have some time to show you around. I volunteer here too as do most of the staff here. What in particular would you want to do?”
“Maybe some coaching and tutoring in math,” Amari replied as they left the office.

“That’s good. We always need more math tutors. I struggle in math myself so can’t help there,” Raven said.

“Do you need tutoring?”

Raven stared at him like he had lost his mind, “Are you for real?”
“Sorry. Just a joke.” Raven didn’t even crack a smile as they walked to the classrooms and then to the gym.  Amari shook his head and whistled and got another frosty look from Raven.

“This building used to be a preschool,” Raven explained.

“It has potential. Where do the kids play basketball?”
“We have a court outside. The vision is to build an indoor gym and also build a library, computer room and a cafeteria.”

“You have a wonderful vision,” Amari said.

“It’s not my vision. It’s my father’s.” she said then covered her mouth as if she had let out a secret.  “If you don’t have anything else I have to go to work. Kendra can answer the rest of your questions. She’s the only full time staff here.”
“That’s all, Ms. Davis,” he said holding out his hand.  She shook his hand then walked away leaving him alone in the hallway. Amari felt more relaxed when he saw the gorgeous Kendra walk towards him with the smile.

“So when is your next game Amari? I watch you play all the time,” she gushed taking him by the arm.

Writing Workshops

I miss going to writing workshops. Everytime I go to one I come back with more energy and enthusiasm for writing. At the workshop I attend once in a while I meet people who are at different stages in their writing but all have a passion for it.  They always have great speakers who are successful in their chosen area, publishing, distributing or writing, and they are all eager to share their knowledge and passion. When I leave a workshop I always ask myself, “Why don’t I go more often?”  and then I get busy and forget to go or decide to go home and rest instead.

I’ve been working slowly on my third novel. It’s half way through but because I hadn’t touched it in over a year I am doing some revision before carrying on. This third novel is called “Chasing the Wind” . A family drama about finding your purpose in life instead of chasing for what the world chases, but to little or no satisfaction. I’m excited about this book.  Most of my research is in The Bible wanting to to know what God says about everything because I want this book to be filled with God’s plan for our lives.

Writing Tips

Often when I tell people about my writing I’m always excited to discover that they also want to write a book or have already started writing. Some want to write children’s books, others want to write self-help and many different genres. I’ve noticed that some people, just as I did, want to write something similar to what they’ve read or heard about. I tend to read many different genres. I read anything as long as it’s good and can give me an interesting view on life. I love to help people begin their writing careers too and if asked, enjoy sharing what I’ve learned in this journey. Here are a few lessons from my ten years of writing.

• Write from your heart. To me this means writing what I am passionate about. For a long time I would find myself wanting to write like some author I was reading or be more descriptive like this person, or develop my scenes like that person. What I’m learning is that I enjoy so many different kinds of writing. I enjoy authors who describe their characters in detail that I end up knowing them more than I know myself. I also enjoy fast paced thrillers that move quickly through action and not much internal dialogue or character analysis. I enjoy books with romance and those with very little. So in the end, what I want to write about will resonate with many other people though not necessarily everyone. The key is to try my best in making my story and my kind of writing the best it can be and not try and be like everyone else. It’s good to learn from them but not lose your voice while getting lost in theirs. At the beginning of this year I went to a Christian Writers workshop. The speaker assured me that often God puts the ideas inus to write so people’s lives can be changed and improved. So if your idea to write brings positive change and is from God then God will bless it and use it to help His children.

• Join a critique group to keep you on track. I am grateful for the different critique groups I worked with in the past. We all used to meet once a month or more and because I had to have something to post each month, I was able to complete more writing that way.

• Write what you know. I always heard this. Sometimes, you alone can tell your story better than anyone. I’m trying to do that more. So my future novels will most likely be about Zimbabweans living abroad, as it is something I have experienced first hand.

• Keep a note book. I’ve gone through about 20 little notebooks and they are full of ideas, quotations and thoughts that may or may not make it into my novels. I’ve been angry with myself many a time when I think of an idea by the time I get home can’t remember what it was but just that it was a very good idea. That’s all I have for now.

If you have any ideas please send them to me and I’ll be happy to post them.

My manuscript is back!

I was so excited when I got my manuscript back from the copyeditor. I danced around my living room. She loved my book and talked about how I developed my characters well and had a great pace. Almost every page was marked and I was so grateful to have a professional editor guide me and correct my errors. Even though I had read it over 20 times and had critique group members go throught it there was a lot that needed fixing. With her help my novel will be the best it can be.

Fun and hard work

I also have to write a dedication. I will be dedicating the book to the person who has always encouraged my writing since I was in primary school. This person used to send my childish comic books to publishers, always believing in me. The person will find out when the book comes out.

I had ten days to complete the editing process but I set a goal to finish it this weekend. How did I manage that? First of all outside was so cold I never left the house. I stayed in for three days and set a goal of 100 pages a day. Fortunately I didn’t have work on Friday (due to the low temperatures) and today I can do a final read through because it’s Martin Luther King Day. Last night I completed at 2:15 am. I felt so excited. The journey to get published is getting closer and I know God is working it all out for me.

So tomorrow is the inauguration of Barack Obama. I think no matter who people voted for this is an exciting time for the country and the whole world. No matteer what the future holds, I wanted to do something different on this day. I usually go to bed early on a school night but tomorrow I am having a party at home. We will be watching the balls and other events with some friends and sharing food, ideas and conversations. It’ll also be a good time to pray for the new president, and pray for all leaders of countries.

Poster made at school to mark history