April Alisa Marquette said:

For Mothers Everywhere

05/11/2012 08:40:00

Hi friends and fam,

Today, I’d like to wish all the mothers, and those who will soon become mothers a lovely Mother’s Day. As I was thinking about this special holiday, I couldn’t help but think about my own mom. Thinking about her caused me to think about other moms, and about a friend of mine who will soon again become a mom. Mothers, if they are anything like mine, are so precious—even those who have passed on. For my own mom, I truly thank God each day. I am overjoyed that she is yet here.

When I think back, I see that while growing up, my siblings and I believed our mom was fearless. We believed she could answer any question,make anything happen. It is only now that we’ve reached maturity that we see, the majority of that wasn’t true. However, this new knowledge does not at all diminish her in my eyes. For me, knowing that she was afraid sometimes and other times in a quandary, lets me know she wasn’t Wonder Woman, but simply human.

The realization, now, that she pushed herself to be better,and more –for her children’s sake, really moves me; then when I think about how she did the same to and for us, I smile. My mom was fiercely protective of us when we were little. Then as we started getting older, she began to nudge us out of the nest, out of our comfort zones. In her house, some things, like respect and higher education were non-negotiable. Miz Jessie also always told us that we had to face things, head on. She said we could not ‘hide our heads in the sand,’ like the ostrich. She had little sayings that at the time I despised. Now they cause me to chuckle. Often as I’m getting on with a project, I will hear her voice, encouraging me, or telling me to go farther, to give more.

The thing that she says, that I will always remember is that she never wants to be a person who allows things to make her bitter. That ,she adheres to. Now in her seventies, she is sage, sweet and solid. By that I mean she never wavers, never changes; she ever remains someone whom I can rely on and look up to—even though now I’m taller than she. :)

One of my siblings once asked why isn’t Mom the same feisty lady that she was while we were growing up. It was asked because now Mom is so mellow. Her reply was simple, “I no longer have to be. I’ve raised you guys.” She was telling us, with those few words that she has put her Wonder Woman suit away. She lets us know all the time that she isn’t a super hero, as offspring sometimes think of their parents. Mom lets us know, now, that she is simply human.

My prayer is that I let her know that she is wholly loved.

For every other mother out there, I pray the same for you.

Happy Mother’s Day, every day,

April

Some people should keep their advice to themselves...

05/04/2012 11:26:00

I just saw an interview with Gabourey Sidibe who starred in the movie ‘Precious.’ In this interview she told of how an actress who is older than she is, an actress that she looked up to, advised her to get out of show business. Why? Because the actress, Joan Cusack to be exact, said the biz is image-conscious. What does that mean? Does that mean that the heavier person is not an image that we should see? I hate to pull the race card, but I wonder. Could Joan have meant...the darker person is not an image to be seen?

Quite frankly, I don’t care what she meant. I simply want to say to Joan and others like her that there are all kinds of people in the world. I guess you can figure that when I saw that foolishness, my ire rose --to say the least. All I could think was: the nerve! I also thought, Joan has big balls, telling someone that.

(Inhaling…) Now let’s look at the other side of the coin. Perhaps the older actress meant well. She has been in the business longer. Perhaps she meant that young Gaborey would be spared hurt feelings and rejection. However, even if Joan did mean any one or all of those things – news flash! Rejection and hurt are part of life. Those things can help to make one strong, if that one doesn't begin to pity his or her self and wallow in acrimonious feelings.

I happen to believe the ills in life create resilience in a person. Just because a chosen path has the potential to cause one discomfort does not mean they should turn away from that path.

That is all I have to say. Don’t let hurt or the fear of rejection keep you from moving forward in life. Someone once said 'success is a moving target.' And for the love of money, do not allow others to dictate what will be best for you!

As always, my darlings,

Be blessed.

See the Bravo TV interview here.

April

A Tranquility Tale – Read About the Preacher and His Family

04/27/2012 08:58:00

Hi friends and fam,

Today, I’d like to apologize to you for being unplugged for a little while. Among other things, I was working on my new novel that will soon be released. It’s called REBUKE and it is the first of quite a few tales that I have set in the sleepy town of Tranquility.

This story, about a preacher and his family, spans four decades and offers readers a look behind the veil. By that I mean, in this book I am giving readers a glimpse into the private lives of the quintessential neighborhood preacher and his family. Sure, we often see them in church, or in the community. Yet there, we see their public personas. However, in this story that is set back before mega churches and the super nova televangelist, I take you past that, into the priestly family’s most private lives.

Why would you want to do that? Someone might ask. Simply because I can.

Available within weeks on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble you will be able to read about Elijah Moon, the preacher who often taught about salvation as well as sin. You will get to see that he has secrets—quite possibly even sins of his own…

You will get to read about his wife, who appears to be the picture of perfection. However, she has her own issues, things that you the reader may not readily suspect.

Pastor Moon and his wife have a talented daughter who seems dutiful and destined for a life of service, just like her parents. But just maybe...she has other ideas; maybe she wants a different type of existence. To find out, you’ll have to get either the paperback or the e-book.

There is a son too, but his very existence has caused complications and confusion, a rift in the family. That’s all I’ll say for now.

As many of you are aware, I grew up a PK, a preacher’s kid, so this story is one that is dear to me. I gave it my all. However, that doesn’t mean that I did not tell you the truth about a host of things that church people often attempt to ignore. This story is complicated—multi-layered, like an onion, and as you begin to peel back the layers, your eyes just may smart. You may even feel apprehensive as well as angry. There are parts that will cause you to laugh out loud too. I truly believe you will come away from my novel REBUKE seeing even your own priest or pastor out of new eyes.

In time, we will discuss this more. I know you are busy and so am I, therefore, as always, I thank you for your precious time.

In all things my darlings, be blessed.

April

The Cohort Trilogy – What he did to keep his secret from being splashed all over...

03/30/2012 11:24:00

Hi friends and fam,

Today, I’d like to continue discussing Iniquities – Book III of The Cohort Trilogy. I’ll tell you, I wanted to have a copy of the book before me while I spoke to you about it, but alas, I cannot. The truth is…I can’t keep enough copies of them in. They are going faster than I’d dreamed they would. I will however, have to tell you about this wonderful story anyway, from memory.

Now readers met Beau, our gay male lead in the first book of the trilogy. They met his women friends there too. What struck me most was that although readers liked the ladies well enough, they fell in love with Beau. It’s not just that this character is beautiful, charming, and buff, but I believer eaders like him because I’ve made him true to life.

By that I mean, I given Beau very real flaws. I’ve given him heartache, and due to these things, I have also given him compassion. I have made it so that Beau can look at another person and not readily judge them. I didn’t cause Beau to one day wake up and become someone whom readers would adore.I attempted to skillfully craft him from the beginning. Take a look at the following excerpt. It shows him when he was quite young and experiencing something that –unfortunately– many young people experience.

BACK then,young Beau would have been overjoyed to hear it, but now he was miserable, especially when he found out ‘the solo’ forced him to spend additional time with pot-bellied, florid-faced Mr. McCuddy. The man had smelly coffee and cigarette breath.

Beau also hated that when he and Mr. McCuddy were alone; the teacher inappropriately touched him...

Becoming emboldened with each next attempt, because no one else saw, slimy McCuddy rubbed his fat belly against Beau.

Sick of all the pawing, Beau wanted to confidein Mireya, but then again he didn’t, because what if she changed toward him? What if she began eyeing him with disgust, the way Mr. McCuddy did?

Not wanting that, Beau opted for silence.

He did think about telling his aunt though. Feisty and round, Nell Moore would put a stop to Mr. McCuddy’s mess; Uncle Brantley would too. He might even kick the man’s flimsy behind, because nothing angered Beau’s uncle more than men trying to misuse his nephew.

Yet to keep the peace, and to keep his secret from being splashed all over school, Beau kept quiet. Until McCuddy tried to out him…

Although Beau experienced the above, and much more -- things too graphic to depict here, I did not allow the experiences to sour him. Beau’s experiences – like many of ours – became the catalyst for him to become a person who can show compassion. I wrote him like that, because isn’t that what should happen to us, when we’ve been through something? After the hurt and the tears, after wondering why, shouldn’t we become better…instead of bitter?

Well, my darlings, that’s it for us today. Write me back and let me know what you think. I love spending time with you, so meet me again next week. And by all means, in all things, choose joy.

Be blessed!

April

The Cohort Trilogy – Peek further into Beau’s life

03/23/2012 10:52:00

Hi friends and fam,

I hope all is going well for you. Today, for the first time we are discussing Iniquities – Book III of The Cohort Trilogy!

I have to tell you, I gave this book all I had, not that I don’t do so with everything that I write, but this book was special to me for many reasons; one of which was…initially, I had not intended to write it.

When I wrote Absolution -- what has now become the first book in this trilogy, I moved on to a totally different novel. However, readers kept asking about the four friends, the ladies and our beautiful, buff Beau. They wanted to know more about him and his lifestyle. Therefore, the second and the third books in the trilogy were born, and in this the third book I go in depth.

Sure, readers like the three ladies, Beau’s Cohorts, but they specifically asked to further peek into his life. Thus, in this book -- the trilogy closer -- I show you how Beau and the women in his life became forever friends. With the help of my male friends, gay and not, I was empowered to show readers the many private sides of Beau. In Iniquities readers get to see his longings, and his loves—and yes, even his same sex escapades. I must tell you, this book is truly adult, and not for the faint of heart.

Read portions of what author Tamela Quijas said in her review of The Cohort Trilogy’s Book III…

Beau is one of those believable human beings that has suffered through the trials and tribulations of a life that started out terribly from the onset.

Ms. Marquette’s Iniquities is a beautiful journey into Beau’s life. I adored how he reflected back on moments in his life, and the situations that molded and changed him.

Moving and pulling at the heartstrings, just as the other novels in this trilogy did, the reader journeys through Beau’s life from a front seat. As a fan of Ms. Marquette and Beau, I found Iniquities to be a stunning novel…

It is my hope that you will think so too. I also thank the paranormal romance author for her lovely words. To read the review in its entirety, go to my ‘Reviews’ page. Don't forget to pick up your copy today. You won’t be disappointed.

Next week we’ll chat more. I may even tell you about my soon to be released novel called Rebuke. Or we can simply speak more about Beau and the gang. They've got so much going on in the new book. We’ll play it by ear, but until then… Be blessed!

April

The Cohort Trilogy – It Gets Emotional

03/16/2012 08:10:00

Hi friends and fam,

I hope all is going well for you. Today we are yet discussing Progression – Book II of The Cohort Trilogy. We’ve already covered that in this book you get to meet three women and beautiful buff Beau, our main characters – The Cohorts. We discussed you meeting a self-serving young man whom we’ll call Red. We also discussed another male hottie who happens to love one of the Cohorts. We discussed the mamas –Beau’s mother in particular who is a trip. Therefore, today I want to discuss another aspect of the story.

You know I give you fun and laughter…but I also offer readers the emotional. I think both are needed to create an interesting read. I believe the tears and the heartache in a story make the laughter that much sweeter. And in this story there is heartache. Some readers have written in to say that they felt like they were in the story with The Cohorts when the four friends hit their rough patch. I felt the same way while I was writing it.

I don’t want you to get the idea that while reading Progression you will be mired in defeatism and depression—goodness no! Who would want that? But you will get a sense of what the characters feel. Then, magically, I will lift you up, and bring you out of that sad place into a place of joy. It’s what I’m good at. I keep telling you. :)

I think in the past I’ve also mentioned that I feel that in every story, there should be hope. Sure, things happen, and all of them aren’t fun or good, but in a story, I try to offer an alternative. I’m not saying every story has an upbeat ending. These are not fairy tales, I don’t end with ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ However, I do end in a way that will cause you to close each of my books with a wistful sigh. Then it’ll be on to the next!

And it’s on to the next book, when we meet again. I have so much to tell you about Iniquities – Book III of The Cohort Trilogy.

Well, gotta run. I look forward to chatting with you again.

Be blessed,

April

The Cohort Trilogy – A Smorgasbord of Male Hotness?

03/09/2012 08:56:00

Hi friends and fam,

I hope all is going well for you. Today we are yet discussing Progression – Book II of The Cohort Trilogy. We’ve already covered that in this book you get to meet three women and beautiful buff Beau, our main characters – The Cohorts.We discussed you meeting a self-serving, greedy, and far-reaching young man too. Well, what I didn’t tell you is that you also get to meet a different man, one who loves unconditionally.

Actually –come to think of it—you get to meet three such men. Mmmm…a smorgasbord of male hotness, huh?

We don’t have time to discuss all of them, not at the moment; so let’s just start with one. This particular man finds himself drawn to one of the Cohorts. I won’t say which, but he loves that person with all of his heart. By now, you’re aware that each of the women, and Beau –the Cohorts, have their foibles, but this man does not care. All he sees is the object of his desire.

I’ll tell you a secret. The Cohort that this man loves just may feel the same way about him too! But there is a catch. It is sure to grab your heart and have you in pieces by the time I’m done with you. That I promise. No bragging here, I’m just that good when it comes to emotional situations or scenes.

The reason I know that this part of the story will long stay with some of you is because we have all experienced that one…the person that we loved with our whole heart. With that person, there was no half-stepping. If you’ve been on this earth for any lengtho f time, you too have had someone for whom you’ve longed. However, our situation, or our lover’s did not allow us to be together at the time.

Well, that’s what happens in Progression. The two characters desire to be together, but for reasons that you’ll have to read, they cannot. It doesn’t stop them from thinking and visualizing though. Nope. Through their daydreams they get to vividly experience what they otherwise can’t. Cool huh? I told you,I got you. If I can’t make it happen for the characters one way, then in the universe that I’ve created I’ll get it done another way.

Well, it’s been fun, but I’ve got to run, and you’ve got things to attend to yourself. I thank you though for taking this time to meet me and read more about our Cohorts. It is always a pleasure.

Remember…whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability, and…be blessed!

Until next time,

April

The Cohort Trilogy – Meet the Ex-Lover...

03/02/2012 10:06:00

Hi friends and fam,

Forgive me for not chatting with you on Thursday. Just know this…I try to get with you between Thursday and Friday.

So… (big sigh) today we are yet discussing Progression –

Book II of The Cohort Trilogy. I’ve already mentioned that in this book you get to meet people who are important to the three women and beautiful buff Beau, our main characters – The Cohorts. Among the newcomers that you’ll meet is a red-haired freckle-faced character who I will not name. (You’ve gotta get thebook or e-book for that.) Still, let me ask you something. Have you ever met someone who was just so self-serving and greedy and far-reaching that it did not take long for you to figure them out? Well, that’s this guy. We’ll call him Red.

Our lovely Beau winds up with Red. Why? Who knows; but what we do know, what I do show you in the book is that Red does not deserve Beau. Actually, Beau should never have looked twice at this character. Although readers have told me that Red made them sick or he made them laugh, no one really likes him.

These types of characters I love. I must admit it. I adore crafting and creating them -- in all their malevolent glory. They are so different from the good guys. What I like is if the character is ugly inside, I can give him or her one redeemable quality, or none. I like that as a writer, I can show you their actions – their narrowed eyes as they find themselves heinously plotting. I like that I also get to show you their emotions as well as their thought processes. You see, I believe its one thing to notice what a person does. However, wouldn’t it be great to know why that person acts as they do? Well, in books, those that I write, I can and do show you.

Now when you see why Red acts as he does, I promise you; that really won’t change the way you feel about him. Plain and simply put, he has skewed thinking. He sees the world from his warped little viewpoint, only. I will tell you this too. The female Cohorts, Beau’s friends don’t particularly care for Red. I had to make things that way because as I always say, art should mirror life. When you read

The Cohort Trilogy’s Book II, I want to hear from you. Please drop me a line. Go to the ‘Contact Us’ page at my website. http://www.aprilalisamarquette.com/Contact-Us.html. There, let me know what you think.

One woman wrote and said she felt like she’d met ‘that little red-head kid.’ You know I laughed right? I did because I try to create characters that all of us can relate to, characters that we have all met, in some form or another.

Well, I gotta go. I’m working on a novel about a preacher and his family—ooh! It is so yummy. I can’t even begin to tell you. But I will…in time.

Before I go, I specifically want to speak to those of you who aren’t feeling up to par today. Hang in there my darlings. Sometimes everything seems to be going wrong. I know, but there is hope.

For all of you who read this blog and my books, my prayer is that you will be blessed, tremendously. Remember: everyday that we wake up, we’ve received our first blessing.

Until next week!

April

The Cohort Trilogy – introducing the mamas

02/23/2012 12:54:00

Hi friends and fam,

Today we are yet discussing Progression – Book II of The Cohort Trilogy. In this book I did something that I hadn’t done before. I brought in a mother figure. Sure, in the first book [Absolution] you heard about the mothers of different ones, but I didn’t allow you, the reader, to interact with them. I didn’t want to sidetrack you. I wanted you to focus wholly on The Cohorts, Beau and his women friends.

However, in Progression you get to meet the woman who raised our beautiful buff Beau. You also get to meet the woman to whom he was born, and is she a character! It’s no secret that Beau’s mother was abusive. It’s no secret that she abandoned him as a child. Yet when you get to ‘see’ her, now, and when you get to view her mind-set, you may simply shake your head. When you see that she gets involved with an ex-lover of Beau’s, I hope you won’t become apoplectic, or have a fit…but that is dirty, to say the least.

I will surely tell you about Beau’s lover too, perhaps next week. Boy, is he another somebody who needs to be dissected. However, I introduced the mother figure in this book to give the story a sense of stabilization. I like that mothers, good ones do that, even in real life. The woman who raised Beau does that in this story. Readers have said they’ve fallen in love with her. Awww, that I really like. But! I did not make this woman perfect. She’s got her faults, as do all of the characters. I made her and them that way, because who can relate to someone who is perfect, or one of those annoying people who thinks they’re perfect?

In this story, I give you the two mothers so that we can see from whence Beau gets his many facets. In Progression I must warn you, he may shock you—even more than he did in Book I but that is the beauty of a sequel. I believe it should build on the first story and climb from there.

Don’t worry, if you haven’t read the first book -- and the second or even the third catches your eye, then go ahead, read them. I try to make it so that if you missed any prior book yet you can follow the story. I also attempt to make it so that you will definitely want to go back and get the ones you missed. Read them on e-book…or do like I do. Get a good old-fashioned paperback in your hand and take a few minutes and delve in. My darlings, you will not be disappointed. Let me immerse you...

Well, gotta go, gotta run, but remember, my prayer is that you will always be blessed—even when you think you’re not.

April

There is yet confusion and drama--conframa...

02/17/2012 09:32:00

Hi friends and fam,

Today I want to discuss Progression – Book II of The Cohort Trilogy. I want to let you in on a little secret. I didn’t intend to write this book, a sequel. I simply wound up jotting down tons of things while writing a different book. Then readers kept asking what was going to happen, because of the way that Book I closed. So I went back to my notes. As I assembled them I saw that I had a ton of chapters. So I began the process...

Progression then seemed to unfold, and take on a life of its own, quickly. In it, you get to see the beloved Cohorts again, beautiful buff Beau and his three heterosexual women friends. In Book II, although they are older—now in their late thirties—the foursome have not changed much, well not basically. They still find themselves up to their ears in antics. This go round however, the stunts aren’t so much ones that they pull. There are others who keep conframa—confusion and drama—going.

In Progression – Book II of The Cohort Trilogy, readers, you get introduced to people whom you may have only glimpsed in Book I (Absolution). You also get to ‘meet’ totally new characters; that’s always fun. These people will make you feel things, and none of it will be ambivalence. I assure you.

Okay, I’ve got a meeting. You know I’d love to stay and chat but duty calls…

It is always a pleasure. I look forward to next week and discussing more.

Until then, be blessed,

April.