Book Notes: My Review of “The Moses Quilt” by Kathi Macias (BOOK GIVEAWAY)

Hello World,  mosescover

I had been holding off all month about posting about Black History Month because I knew I would be writing about Kathi Macias’ latest book “The Moses Quilt.” In this book, we meet young couple Mazie Hartford and Edward Clayton, who live in Langsdale, California nearby San Francisco. The couple are clearly in love, and Edward wants to marry Mazie, but for some reason, Mazie won’t say yes to his proposal. Edward is a Christian, a successful lawyer and devoted to Mazie. Mazie is also a Christian, getting ready to start her teaching career and equally devoted to Edward. Everyone in their families believes they are a good match even if the two are different races. Edward is black while Mazie is white. Although Mazie is not racist, it becomes clear as the story continues that their different races is causing Mazie to be fearful about being an interracial married couple.

Mazie’s great-grandmother Mimi, who moved from Alabama to live with Mazie and her mother, understands Mazie’s apprehension about moving forward with Edward. Although she is an elderly white woman from the South, she is not racist. In fact, she believes that she can help Mazie move past her fear by telling the story behind her beloved Moses quilt. The Moses quilt was named after Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who became like Moses in the Bible as she led hundreds of escaped slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Throughout the rest of the book, Mimi shares stories about Harriet Tubman with Mazie and Edward. As I learned about Harriet Tubman as a child, I did not expect to learn more about this courageous woman but Macias obviously thoroughly researched Tubman’s life and shared details I did not know. Mimi’s storytelling becomes even more precious to Mazie and Edward as it becomes clear that the 93-year-old woman is nearing death. Does Mazie marry Edward? Will Mimi get to finish her story before she passes away? What secrets are interwoven in the Moses quilt? Of course, I cannot answer those questions! You have to get the book! What I appreciated most about Book 1 in “The Quilt Series” is how Macias was able to stitch together a modern day love story and a story about one of the most beloved women in black history.

For more information about “The Moses Quilt,” please check out the book trailer below:

For more information about Kathi Macias and her other books, please go to kathimacias.com.

If you would like to win a free copy of  “The Moses Quilt” please see the link below. By entering the contest, you are also subscribing to my e-mail list :) Don’t worry. I don’t e-mail very much :) For more opportunities for free copies of “The Moses Quilt” by Kathi Macias, please visit Facebook.com/CSSVBT.KathiMacias.

Any thoughts?

Note: I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting a book review on my blog; however, the opinions are mine alone.

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DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good and other celebrity couples celebrate black love with Wal-Mart…

Hello World, walmartblkluv3

As you know if you’ve read even a few of my posts, I’m always writing about single women and the search for love…Well, in honor of Black History Month, Wal-Mart hosts “Black Love and Relationships” tonight at Morehouse College from 6:30 p.m. to 8 pm. This forum, moderated by Dr. Alduan Tartt, psychologist and CNN on-air personality, features celebrity couples DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good, Anthony & Tarsha Hamilton & Bishop Paul S. Morton and Dr. Debra B. Morton. It seems that three unique perspectives of marriage will be offered from the newlywed perspective to the seasoned perspective. Also, as at least two of the panelists are ministers, a Christian perspective of black love and relationships will be offered as well.

To RSVP for this FREE event, go to hthatl.eventbrite.com. However, while the event is free and open to the public, seating is offered on a first come, first served basis. The forum will be held in the Bank of America Auditorium, Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center, 830 Westview Drive, SW Atlanta 30314. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. However, if you are unable to come, the forum will be broadcast LIVE via www.walmart.com/historyteachinghistory.If you have a question for the panelists, tweet them at #hthalt.

And since this is the month of love in addition to Black History Month, I have to post my favorite new love song…”You & I” by Avant featuring KeKe Wyatt…I love their duets! I think they have a vocal chemistry similar to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell….What do you think?

Any thoughts?

Church Scandals…from Bishop Eddie Long to Kandi Burruss…

Hello World,

As I was perusing the March issue of EBONY magazine which is dedicated to all things scandalous with Kerry Washington, star of the hit television show “Scandal,” appropriately on the cover, I began thinking of all of the scandalous things that have happened in churches throughout the country…And then I wondered how are we to deal with all of this drama…

In EBONY, Senior Writer Margena A. Christian breaks down the background leading to the mysterious death of Megachurch Pastor Zachery Tims. By the time I finished reading her informative and insightful story, I realized that fame and fortune, while alluring to most anyone, can truly become a prison of isolation if you are unprepared and or just not equipped to handle all that comes along with them. I also realized that all people, particularly those in positions of power, need to be accountable to someone. And I realized that everyone that claims they are of God are not truly of God which is stated in the Matthew 7:21.

So below are a few of the headlines I recently came across that are truly scandals…

1. Jesse Jackson Jr. Accused of Misusing Campaign Funds from The Washington Post…As the daughter of a reverend myself, this story really saddens me…

2. Bishop Eddie Long Accuser Centino Kemp To Release Tell-All Book from NewsOne…Ever since the original scandal with Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church broke in 2010, there has been a seemingly endless stream of new scandals surrounding Bishop Eddie Long and the church…

3. Former New Birth members Sue Bishop Eddie Long from The Atlanta-Journal Constitution…Yes, more Bishop Eddie Long news…

4. RHOA Kandi Burruss Releases Gospel Song “Stay Prayed Up” with Marvin Sapp from the Kandi Burruss Facebook Fan Page…Apparently, Marvin Sapp will be on tonight’s episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta…Is it right for a purveyor of sex toys to sing gospel songs?

5. Sentencing Set in Church Vandalism Case from KATC.com…A black man pleaded guilty to setting two black churches on fire to frame his ex-girlfriend who is white…

6. Catholic Church To Elect 1st Black Pope? from WorldNetDaily.com…I’m not Catholic, but I imagine this could be scandalous news for many…

7. White Supremacist Repents, Joins African-American church from WSMV.com…This is actually a very good story, but I’m guessing this caused a scandal in the church…

So how should the church handle scandals? What do you think of these scandals I mentioned? What church scandals are currently brewing now?

Any thoughts?

Check out Kandi’s single below! Do you like it?