Promoting Artistic Expression
SECTION i ADVERTISEMENTS
SECTION ii DEDICATION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SECTION iii PASSION PUBLICATION
I want to be lost in your eyes, listen to the world go silent in your embrace..until all I hear is the sound of your heartbeat being introduced to mine... -Crow
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:1- 800 -799-7233
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:1- 800 -799-7233
JUST MY THOUGHTS By Loiusa Woods Johnson
Secret Keepers... Women are the keeper of secrets, we learned from early childhood to keep secrets. We keep the secrets of our friends , our relatives, co-workers.. our own secrets. We often endure things in silence because we are the SECRET KEEPERS. The first time he slapped you, you were in shock!! You could not believe the man who treated you with respect , kindness and gave you compliments all the time. The man who ask you to be his wife, would not hit you. But he did, you are unsure what's going on and you know you will NOT let him do it again!! He immediately comes close to you, you jump back, afraid he will hit you again. Instead he looks you in your frightened eyes, filled with tears and he too has tears in his eyes. He tells you he's so sorry, he doesn't know what happened. He tells you how much he loves you, how this would never happen if he had not been drinking or smoking weed or whatever. He is holding you and crying, he's so weak and vulnerable and you can see he is sincere in his apology. You kiss his tears away and forgive him. You tell him you won't put up with that behavior, but you forgive and want to put it behind and move on. Although you feel you should do something you don't know what. You will not tell anyone, it was a one time thing He's your husband and he won't do it again and you are embarrassed. More importantly, you're the KEEPER of SECRETS.
Fast forward five years, you've moved to another City, left your friends and family; you have been verbally, mentally and physically abused, you try not to do things to make him angry. You know it's your fault he hits you, you just can't seem to be able to do things the right way. You have no one to turn to and even if you did, you are too ashamed to speak about it. You will just have to do better and make him love you like he used to. You are the KEEPER of SECRETS and you will keep this to yourself.
This is Domestic Violence Month and this is only one scenario of how it can be. There are many ways to get help and you deserve better. It is not easy to leave these situations and you are not alone. There are safe ways to leave , ways to plan your escape. You don't have to be ashamed and you no longer need to keep it a secret...
Call this number, just to get advice. You don't have to do anything, just know this is a safe alternative and they will KEEP your SECRET. 1- 800 -799-7233 or 1- 800 -787-3224.
VERONICA THORNTON Liar Tired, uninspired, constantly wired, undesired I think he is a liar He once set my soul on fire I would cater to his any desire But when it came down to the wire He was just slowly putting out my fire And now like the burning bed I’m looking for the gasoline and lighter I used to be a fighter now I’m just plain tired I thought maybe he was a liar Or maybe I’m putting out his fire And as he says I made him into a fighter Because there were some things I just didn’t desire But now I’m tip toeing like a bird on a wire Eggshells can’t even tell the pain I know oh so well My dream world turned into a living hell I’m tired of being constantly wired He has to be a liar He was once my King that treated me like a Queen And then something happened and he just turned mean Nothing was right I mean not anything And with that The anger and pain was no longer far and few between What happened to my King that desired his Queen What could I have done to make him turn mean Or he was pretending and things were never as they seemed I knew he was a liar My momma told me I was a fighter And I know I have been the object of many a man’s desires How could I allow someone like this to put out my fire And cross all my wires He never was a King if he doesn’t what the Queen means But then again he was a liar amongst other things “Vee”
TOYA VICKERS “I Was” What is a woman’s worth? How much does it cost to love her; To defend her honor and protect her heart? How long must she wait until you figure out that no currency could suffice for this precious stone, this rock, this flower, this earth? What is a woman’s worth? How much does it cost to respect her, to cherish her and adore her? How long must she wait until you figure out that no currency could suffice for this priceless antique, this artifact, this song, this vessel. What is a woman’s worth I ask? Is she a friend, a lover, a mother, a sister or a wife? How long must she wait until you figure out what her love means to you and that you want it You need it, you gotta have it. The currency; a price far above rubies, I was and I am.
Often people would look at me and say that I am a strong woman. That may be true, but what people don't know is, that while strength, for the most part, defines a person's character, mine came from a lot of physical pain, inflicted upon me as a young child. The type of pain that no human being should ever endure. My strength comes from abuse..
Penelope D.
COMING TO KINDLE AND PAPERBACK OCTOBER 2015
Why are so many of our women in domestic violence relationships? Many of them have been exposed to this either from watching their parents go through it or they have had their early experience with it as teenagers in their own relationships. Parents talk to their kids about drugs, sex, peer pressure but not many talk to their children about the red flags or signs of an abusive partner. The abuser can be male or female so it's good to talk to both our sons and daughters. Many of the signs: jealousy, wanting to be with you or know where you are every second of the day, telling you who you can and can't be around and not wanting you to be with anyone but them are not the normal behaviors of someone who loves you. Control, jealousy, isolation, threatening you, monitor your messages, emails or social media activity and these are only a few. We must educate our kids early so they are well informed to make better choices. Myself and my co Author Cynthia Wilson, wrote the book Shattered Pieces as a tool to aid in opening the discussion with your children about this topic. Be proactive, don't allow your children to fall prey to abuse or abusive behavior. Author Vanessa S. Jerman
www.amazon.com/Shattered-Pieces-Anthology-Domestic-Vi olence/dp/1514352516
ANTHONY ARNOLD Who are you? Who are you? You terrorize your spouse Beat them down Thinking you reign supreme What are you? So you think that you’re right Because they return to you With a misguided sense of love How can you? Frighten your kids Show that it is ok to beat mommy or daddy That this is love Men and women beat down Rant and rave You will do what I say, how I say Every time I say Dinners late...Beat them down Not home when I call…beat them down Children crying…beat them down Drunk…beat them down Violence serves no purpose Except to hurt and maim Broken bones and black eyes Scarred children for life Take a look in the mirror Next time you strike your spouse Remember to ask yourself Who are you?
"Don't be delusional ladies; if he hit you once, he will hit you again..." Gymini The Delusional DV video: youtu.be/o9x8_sxDA_0
JANAE STEWART
He Loves Me I got to stop making him mad He is the best man I ever had He tells me what to do I can tell this love is true Baby I do love you Remember last week When you told me not to speak I didn't listen Now my teeth are missing Baby I'm sorry you told me to cook your dinner right away In the chair I stayed Now my back is all twisted up Baby can you give me that medicine that you gave me before in my cup Baby I love you Yes I do I know my love is true I have to do better listening to you If I don't I know where I got to stand I got to remember I am the woman And you're the man It is a shame to say I know women that think this way If you know one please tell her to try to get out of this abuse In reality she is really confused Domestic violence is no joke One wrong hit poof she will end up as the dust or maybe I should say gone like a blow of smoke..
Jayne Phlow THE GRASS AIN'T ALWAYS GREENER My man bought me yet another gift today.... A $200 pair of Donna Karans. You know...the sunglasses? Yeah...he does that sometimes. Actually he does that A LOT. Just buys me expensive gifts out the clear, blue sky. My girlfriends...I see the slight twinge of green undertones protruding from their pores.They see me in yet ANOTHER new exclusively designed dress; Stomping the pavement in yet ANOTHER new pair of Red Bottoms; Rocking yet ANOTHER new piece of ice in my ears; On my wrists; Around my neck. Never a hair out of place. Makeup always beat to perfection. They tell me they wish their men were like mine... And all I do is smile and shrug off the ignorance of their coveteousness. You see, They don't know that the exclusive designer dresses perfectly mask the exclusive designer bruises that cover my back. They don't know that the Red Bottoms hide the red bottoms of my feet....as I was made to stand in a tub of crushed glass for an hour as penance for his SUSPICION of my cheating. They have no clue that the ice that covers my ears, wrists, fingers and neck are nothing more than a mere upgrade from the ice that I use to cool his crushing blows. If they only knew what I went through on the daily, they would know that I only rock the best weaves that money can buy to hide the obvious patches where my natural hair has been ripped from my scalp.My makeup stays "beat" to hide each and every beating he lays upon my face. Yes it's true... I got more clothes And shoes And jewelry And purses And weave And bullshit than you can swing a fucking stick at. But instead of me packing up and leaving, clothed in nothing but the last shred of dignity I have left, I continue to suck it up, keep smiling at my girlfriends' envy and anticipate the next swing of the stick, And the goodies it'll get me. Originally Titled: DONNA KARAN, written January 18, 1999 Revised: September 12, 2014
DANIELLE RICHARDSON
I am not broken ! I am Blessed ! I may cry at night but my joy will come in the morning because am blessed! I may feel sad but never depressed because am blessed! I had a broken heart because of your mess I am heal from that distress because am blessed! I forgive you for making me feel a lot less because am blessed! I am a survivor of your abuse and pain because am blessed! I never will allow you to hurt me again because I am blessed! I am not broken ! I am BLESSED!
The heart of a survivor ! I just wrote this ! Love Me Don't Hit Me Stop Domestic Violence !
ROSALIND CHERRY There Was Plan~! There was plan she sat there in many days heading right towards you not knowing what to say she mad yet she deep in her thoughts of many struggles that heading towards some one way perhaps knocking at there door pushing their way in trying to punish you one more time hurt you MONSTER" Whole time she has that look he reminded of YOU" even if she had the chance to speak to you would you listen or worse yet go on back to the same SITUATION? This was love never set out to hurt you in first place very first time it happen AGAIN" broken promises to you this is where the cycle STARTS" his fist waiting hit you AGAIN"
DIAMANTE' PUBLICATIONS PRESENTS: AN EXCLUSIVE
Sexual abuse, drugs, alcohol, wrong relationships, drama! What happened to the dreams of happily ever after? Wyvette grew up in a dysfunctional environment where sexual abuse and even rape were part of her every day life. As a teenager, the cycle continued when at 15 she got pregnant by an abuser who beat her daily. The death of her firstborn baby boy produced the courage to get away from her toxic relationship. Still no happily ever after. Wyvette's life starts to spin out of control with the birth of more babies and a need to feel loved. Wyvette gets entangled in a dangerous and forbidden love affair with a married man. She begins to think her life is a mistake and that she has been marked as damaged from birth. These feelings lead Wyvette to drugs, sex, and alcohol as a means of escape from her reality. As the years go past on her journey, she continues to hit milestones that send her left when she should be going right.
COMING SOON
Will Wyvette ever get to the happily ever after that she dreams of? Will the drama continue as she holds on to high hopes as her story unfolds?
My berries are concrete Concrete is all this tyke have ever seen from my eyes were at my knees Brick wall view out my window Forgive me for using my bic to sit under charcoal crush velvet skies inside the gazebo My berries are concrete In my neighborhood morality is rotting, those appointed to protect and serve are annihilating my race. Boastful bragging directly in mourNing mothers face Showing zero remorse for fallen grace Forgive me if I put quill to parchment and scribble down an ink escape Visit the Congo and admire the plush greenery of the jungle, watching the silver backs in their origin place My berries are concrete Day before yesterday by the hospital two police officers were executed, the air outside was misty and people wore the strangest looks on their face Everyone is discussing politics, words that comes to mind are sacrifice, suicide, escalate, revolution, capitalism, democracy, blood-spilled covered snow the way my mind works; hate grape I wonder why I try to air brush literary skies, whether stomping on tundra grounds, creating igloo mounds and looking out over the shimmering gold waters of the Egyptian Nile or sitting under drunken trees watching lazy fire flies glow in the purple of the night My berries are concrete My footprints are cemented to the grounds Reality and all its sounds Eric Garner, Mike Brown obese and African American I can relate, Mr.Garner I can not breathe as well. The audacity of the smirking t-shirts on display saying breathe easy and I can breathe. Is without a doubt a smack in the face No justice, No peace, No balance who's being challenged? An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, Ghandi says .. bring on the canes and the seeing eye dogs; this grease is no longer for sloping hogs These new kids on the block with their chocolate dipping cocks, needs to go back to the starting gates the mansion is not the place. When the leaders knew the blocks there were no need for Glocks. Rest in peace our beloved major Koch, our adhesive is a name brand only the best; our tape is scotch My berries are concrete Through prickly winds, the frosty season for our kids have been hued with blues screaming disrespect I am one of the unwanted toys; made up of broken girls and boys Dried fruit no juice Christmas caroling through the noise; jotting shattered shards filled bars
My berries are concrete
LeSHAWN SMITH
Passion Publications
PASSION PUBLICATIONS
LATOYA CHANDLER CEO/AUTHOR PASSION PUBLICATIONS
Passion Publications is an independent publishing company that is owned and operated by Latoya Chandler. We are a maturing business and we take pride in publishing quality Contemporary, Urban/Street and Christian Fiction as well as Erotica, Poetry, Thrillers, Romance and Non-Fiction/Self Help etc. Our goal is to provide authors an opportunity to display their innovativeness with stories so compelling they leave readers thirsting for more. We want book lovers to fall in love with their reading experiences from the first to the very last page. Passion Publications motto is to help you take your book to the next level.
1. How long have you been a part of this industry/business? My debut novel Torn: I Don’t Need You, But I Want You released January 2015. So I have pretty much been in this industry/business for seven months now. 2. How did you get your start? I began this journey as an avid reader and in October of 2013 I began to pen my first novel which is self-published under Passion Publications. After researching the in’s and out’s of getting published I fell in love with the process which prompted me to start Passion Publications in February 2015. 3. If you will, give me one pro and one con you have found in this industry. Pro’s of the industry would be there are many resources available via social media and I’ve made some great connections because of it and these connections because of it and these connections have made some of the process a little less stressful for me. As for the con’s Id say we live in a microwave generation and it forces all of us to want things in and instant with instant gratification and the process to happen over night forcing us to reproduce quantity instead of quality. I personally had to slow down and take a step back and redo some things and have learned from these mistakes. 4. Has this always been a lifelong dream or something that happened unexpectedly? I’ve always dreamed of writing a book and it has been a dream come true. As for as publishing, that happened unexpectedly. However you never know when a love will hit and knock you off of your feet because that’s exactly what publishing has done to me.
5. With whom have you ha the pleasure of working with? My team at Passion Publications, Darryl Carr, Kendra Reeves, Chandra Spencer, Latonia Butler, Karen Lyons, Stephanie Goodgame, Tylera McIntear. I’ve also had the honor of working with Indie Love Promotions, Kosha Jordan, Navi Robins, Robin Chanel, Cachet, Tameka Newhouse, Mario Patterson, Gloria Palmer and a host of others that I can't list in this space. 6. People see the glitz and glamour, but how hard is the work? It takes a tremendous amount of consistency, dedication and perseverance. Sometimes I have to remind myself that this is a MARATHON and not SPRINTS so take your time and keep in mind there will be some early mornings, late nights and less of a social life but it will all be worth it in the end. 7. If you weren’t doing what you do, what do you think would be your chosen profession? I would more than likely have gone back to school for law or social work which right now isn’t such a bad idea. 8. Who and what inspires you? My main inspiration comes from my children. They are my driving force along with the love of my life and most importantly God, because I know I can do all things with and through him. 9. What is your advice to anyone trying to succeed in this industry? Before you do anything research and research some more. Make sure you make time to read because reading and writing go hand and hand. Get a professional editor and graphic designer. Take your time it’s not a race. This industry requires patience, consistency, tough skin and most importantly remain HUMBLE. 10. Any words of encouragement or shout outs you would like to add? No matter what believe in yourself. Have confidence in who you are and your craft it will take you a long way. Take your time and if you’re a writer, WRITE don’t allow anything or anyone stop you from pursing your dream.
Passion Publications is proud to present eight new authors from various walks of life and residences. However, we share the same common goal, drive and session for literature. Our first male author from Brooklyn, New York is Darryl Carr. Darryl's first novel "Victim of Love" debuted April 2015 and has a follow, Victim of Love: Master in My Bed" releasing October 2015. Chandra Spencer from Baltimore, Maryland is the first author to sign to Passion, and her debut novel "To Love and Be Loved" released May 2015. Hailing in from Nashville, Tn. is Kendra Reeves, who is the author of The Crush, an erotic novel which also released in May. Next we have Author Latonia Butler from Texas and her novel "The Ex Files" released July 31. Also on the Passion roster/team is Stephanie Goodgame, from Catersville, Ga., and her debut novel, " A Thin Line Between Yours and Mine" is due to release Fall/Winter 2015. Karen Lyons stomping in from Greenville, will be bringing you "Playing Games While Keeping Secrets" sometime in December 2015. Last but not least we have Author Tylera McInter reigning in from North Charleston, SC and her debut novel "Love Me or Hate Me" is due to release Fall/Winter 2015.
BASED ON THEIR VIEW (Official Video) youtube.com/watch?v=ceEUB4Nez1w