I'll post the interviews here once they're removed from the original sites. For now, they can be viewed at:
Cataromance interview:
CR: For those who haven’t “met” you yet, tell us about yourself. Where
are you from? When did you start writing? Did you always want to be an
author?
YG: Hi, my name is Yolonda Greggs. I'm married to my childhood
sweetheart and I'm the mother of three. I'm formally Yolonda Scott and I
grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I lived on Ontario with a bunch of lovable
kids called the Ontario Trojans and Trojanettes. Me, Angie, who was my
best friend on the street, Julie, who was my best friend at school, and
Sherri, started writing the first black soap opera in middle school and
it starred these very kids. None of us could type at the time so my mom
used to type them for us and I'd hear her saying "Mmm" and "Hmph!"
because we had some pretty racy stuff in there--you know, for preteens.
:-)
CR: Tell us about your book, Honor’s Destiny. Who’s publishing it and
what is it about?
YG: Honor's Destiny is the first of a sister trilogy involving the
McIntyre women. It's a coming of age story as well as a love story.
Honor is a strong woman but she doesn't know it. She's been through a
lot and she just dealt with it as it came never realizing how much
strength it took. She's going to come to the realization during the
course of this journey. Honor's Destiny is published by Arabesque/BET
books.
Honor longs for a "normal life". Something she hasn't had since her
oldest sister, Mia's, problems began just before her senior year in high
school. When the story opens, Honor's retiring from modeling and plans
to go back to college. She wants to get married and have kids--just have
a normal life. But, the man she wants has trust issues and her struggle
with an eating disorder in the past has possibly left her unable to
conceive. Her plan for a normal life is in jeopardy. How will she
respond?
CR: Where’d you get the titled Honor’s Destiny? It’s very intriguing.
YG: I didn't choose the title. :-)
CR: What do you hope readers will take away with them after they’ve read
your book? Is there a central theme or premise that you think is
important?
YG: To be yourself. Honor hides behind her image because it's safe but
it's not until you step out from behind your safety net(s) that you
really live.
CR: What sets your book and your writing apart from others on the shelf?
YG: My editor said she chose me because I can turn a phrase and she
likes the humor I incorporate into my stories. I've been told I have a
strong voice. With this book, I hope it's my portrayal of Nic as a
loving black man. Award winning author B. J. Daniels said, "I fell in
love with Nic -- but then who wouldn't?" So often the black man is
portrayed negatively in the media and in print and I want to represent
my father, my husband, my brothers, my sons who will grow into black
men. I believe I did that with Nic. He is a sweetheart.
CR: What’s next for you? Any upcoming books?
YG: As I mentioned earlier, Honor's Destiny is part of a series.
Sweetest Taboo is Cai's story. She was also affected by what happened
with Mia. She felt ignored--the middle child usually does--but it's
magnified in this case, so she was ready to be swept off her feet by a
debonair older man. She runs off to Vegas on her eighteenth birthday to
get married, finds herself pregnant immediately, and ten months later
her baby's kidnapped from the hospital. We meet her again nine years
later on a mission to find her daughter--and I'll never tell who has
her. :-)
CR: Will you be making any appearances where your readers could meet
you?
YG: I'll be in Dallas Texas for the Romance Slam Jam March 10-12.
Wyndham Dallas North by the Galleria 4801 LBJ Freeway.
On March 13th, I'll be at Waldenbooks 2600 Beach Blvd. Biloxi, MS
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Then on March 26th, I'll be at B. Dalton Booksellers 2753 S. Hamilton
Rd. Columbus, Ohio 1-4 p.m.
I'm planning to do a book signing in Hampton VA and Jacksonville FL but
I don't have dates yet. Please check my website as I'll be updating
frequently.
CR: Where can readers learn more about you and your book? Where can they
contact you?
YG: http://www.yolondagreggs.com
yolonda@yolondagreggs.com