Interview and giveaway with "Vogue"

Ace of Diamonds

Book III in The Diamond Collection

by Vogue

About The Author:

Vogue is the author of Diamonds in the Rough and Diamonds Are Forever. A native of Greenville, South Carolina, she is a graduate of Winthrop University, possessing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Vogue currently resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

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The Ace of Diamonds

Book III of The Diamond Collection

Genre: Urban Fiction

Publisher: Crown Jewel Publishing

Release Date: February 11, 2013

Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Book Description:

Since his release from prison, Brookstone’s most notorious drug lord, Jay Santiago, has been hard at work rebuilding his life and empire. With two businesses under his belt and one in the making, Jay is readily known as one of New York’s elite men.

While the root of his financial status lies in the newly rebuilt Santiago cartel, Jay is determined to expand his wealth. After reconnecting with an old comrade, he believes that he has found the one thing that could increase his fortune and allow him to leave behind the dangers of his criminal enterprise for good.

However, as Jay’s new business venture begins to come to fruition, he quickly learns that the one material object that he loves the most could lead to his biggest downfall yet. 

Excerpt from The Ace of Diamonds

Excerpt #1

Carmen stared out the window as Kane’s Jeep backed out of the driveway. She wanted to call him to come back, but she knew that he wouldn’t. While they had cleared the air on one issue, another one had surfaced. This one, though, she couldn’t fix. She was nine months pregnant and Nyla was coming regardless of how Kane felt. He might not have liked the idea, but he knew when they renewed their vows that she was pregnant. He seemed okay with it then, but obviously the whole thing was an act.

When his car disappeared out of the gates, Carmen began to think that her marriage wasn’t going to survive. If Kane was running out now then she knew it would be worse when Nyla came. Jay would be around more than ever and she would be forced to communicate with him. There might even be times when he had to come to the house. The distance between her and Kane would only grow.

Carmen pulled the curtains closed as she made her way back to the bed. She sat down, and tried to fight back her tears. She and Kane had been fine until Jay’s lawsuit, which sent them spiraling back into a place that neither one of them wanted to be. Carmen wanted to come up with an answer to fix everything, but she couldn’t. Softly crying, she did the only thing she knew how; she prayed to God for guidance and strength. She told herself that this would be the last time she would allow Kane to leave. After tonight, she would put her foot down. If she wanted to

save her marriage, she had to act like it, now or never. 

Diamonds Are Forever

Book II of The Diamond Collection

Genre: Urban Fiction

Publisher: Passionate Writer Publishing

Release Date: October 25, 2010

Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Book Description:

Eight months pregnant, Carmen Davenport is unsure of what is waiting for her outside of the Metropolitan Correctional Facility. For six grueling months, she sat in a cold cell with only the thought of her unborn son, keeping her sane. Now, she has returned to Brookstone to discover that Flame is now a multi-million dollar enterprise, all thanks to her best friend, Tiara. Diamonds Are Forever is a reunion with familiar characters and another look into the dramatic lives of Brookstone’s finest.

Diamonds in the Rough

Book I of The Diamond Collection

Genre: Urban Fiction

Publisher: Passionate Writers Publishing

Release Date: June 1, 2010

Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Book Description:

Carmen Davenport is living the American dream. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she has anything that a twenty-one year old college student would want: supportive parents, a set of fly friends, and an inheritance to one of the most lucrative clothing companies in New York: Flame, Inc. The only thing missing is love, but that doesn’t seem to faze her until she lays eyes on Jay Santiago, a Puerto Rican drug lord who is destined to make Carmen his at any cost. Instantly, Carmen begins to fall for him despite his reign as the head of a multi-million dollar drug cartel.

After securing the rights to her inheritance, Carmen soon learns that Flame, Inc. is headed towards a downward spiral. Too ambitious to allow her dream to go down the drain, Carmen begins pulling at all lifelines to save her company. Putting aside everything she’s ever believed in, Carmen soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies, betrayal, and crime. However, Carmen knows that in order to achieve her goal, she must remain focused no matter how dangerous the road to success may get.

INTERVIEW:

     For people who haven’t heard of The Ace of Diamonds, make a brief description. Famous for its glitz and glamour, the city of Brookstone is also known as being the home of one of New York’s most notorious drug lords, Jay Santiago. The son of a famed politician and socialite, he spent the last seventeen years of his life in federal prison only to return to the city that took him captive. In true underdog fashion, Jay rises from the bottom and rebuilds an empire and cartel that is as powerful as its leader. After linking up with an old comrade, Jay believes he has found the one material object that will allow him to leave his criminal enterprise for good. However, his most prized possession could lead to his biggest downfall yet. 

   Which of your characters is your favorite and why? 

Currently, my favorite character is Jay Santiago, the book’s protagonist. Jay is a character who is viewed as being invincible, sometimes ruthless, but deep down, is really a gentle giant. He has a strong desire to have the traditional family and to become a legit businessman. What I love the most about his character is his protective nature. From the beginning of the series, he has always been a person who will do anything to keep his loved ones out of harm’s way.

 If you could have coffee with any character of any book, who would it be and why? 

Although this character is currently quite minor in my series, Silvas, who is Jay’s personal butler, is a character who I would want to chit-chat with. He has a wealth of knowledge about Jay’s family and also knows a lot of secrets. I actually had started a character interview with him for my blog, which you have now encouraged me to finish.

    If you could meet any person in the world who would it be and why? 

There are a number of people who I would like to meet, but if I had to narrow it down to one then my choice would be singer, Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money. Her drive and determination to continue her music career independently was the encouragement I needed to move forward and publish my third novel under my own imprint. I would love to meet her and simply tell her thank you for being an inspiration.    

  Would you like your book turned into a movie? Do you have any actors in mind? 

I have gotten this question numerous times and the answer is no. I wouldn’t want it to be a movie, but a television series, preferably a nighttime soap. In terms of the actors/actresses who would play each role, my readers have pretty much already picked Laz Alonso for the role of Jay Santiago. I am a huge fan of Gabrielle Union, so I would probably want her to play the female lead, Carmen Davenport and D.B. Woodside from Single Ladies to play Michael Kane, who is the federal agent responsible for sending Jay to prison.

What are you reading right now? 

I am reading two books at the same time, Power & Beauty by T.I. and The Climax by Sharee Beasley.

  Tell us about something crazy you’ve done. 

The craziest thing I’ve done thus far is the Cinnamon Challenge. I had watched the videos on YouTube, but didn’t know exactly what was going to happen once I had the cinnamon in my mouth. I learned fast and once I swallowed the cinnamon became lodged in my throat and I was literally motioning for my sorority sisters to give me water! I will never do that again because it was the worst feeling ever! I wish I had of recorded it so I could’ve posted it on my YouTube channel. I could’ve had a viral video!

 How do you react to a bad review? 

I am a person who will vent. I also have to stop myself from responding because I know my anger and rage will take me to a place that is very unprofessional. Negative reviews only hurt when the writer does not give constructive criticism. I received a three-star review on my first novel and to this day, it is one of the best reviews because the critique was very constructive. I used the criticism and tried to improve. The reviews, which get under my skin, are the ones written with malice. People love to voice their opinion in a destructive manner online because they are hiding behind a computer screen and believe they are invincible. After I’ve vented, I try to remember that good or bad, I have people talking.

Do you review others’ books? Are you nice or are you mean? :P 

I love to review books! I actually have started accepting book reviews for a page on my blog entitled Book Spotlight. I have not received any requests, however, I am currently only posting about books I feel confident about, and I feel others should read. 

 What are your favorite TV shows?

I am a reality TV show junkie and I have a regular line-up of shows I watch: Real Housewives of Atlanta, Mob Wives, Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Love & Hip-Hop, Black Ink Crew, Tia & Tamera, The Braxtons, and American Idol to name a few!

Favorite movies? 

My favorite movies are Belly and Bad Boys I and II. I have seen a ton of great movies since these films have come out, including Colombiana, but these are still my favorites!

  If someone made a movie of your life, which event MUST be included? 

The most tragic event was losing both of my parents before the age of 22. Their deaths were a major turning point in my life because I was forced to grow up somewhat faster than my peers. When I was in college and my friends were returning home for the summer, their concerns were totally different from mine. Some of them were planning a summer vacation while I was concerned about finding a job and making sure I had a place to live. While I wish my parents were still here, I have learned to be independent and the experience has only strengthened my faith as well as my determination to become bigger than what I am.  

Giveaway:

One Signed Copy of Ace of Diamonds

Open to US/Canada 

International Winners will receive an E-Book

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