The First Ladies, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Mary Bethune was the founder of the Racial Justice movement. An African American, she inspired Eleanor Roosevelt, and together they motivated one another to right wrongs. Mary helped Eleanor to better understand the Black experience. The two friends listened to one another and learned from one another. This was the basis for their work toward Racial Justice. A new historical novel, The First Ladies, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, draws the reader into an understanding of the women’s experience and achievements. In doing so, readers become better informed and inspired to work for justice.

A grieving widow, Lydia arrives in in Philippi in search of healing, a closer relationship with her daughter, and success as a businesswoman in the purple dye trade. Above all, she wants to escape the dark void residing in her soul. Little did she know what lay ahead: a new love, coming face to face with the Good News of the Promised One and stepping up to be its standard-bearer. My historical novel, Lydia, Seller of Purple: From Darkness to Light, is available as an e-book and as a paper book on Amazon.

I must admit I do not have the stomach for Stephen King’s novels—even though they are well-written. I have a low tolerance for terror. But I must say, King’s work, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, is top notch and I have not only savored it, but I diligently put King’s tips on writing into practice in my own writing.  A sampling of King’s wisdom for writers and readers follows: “…come to writing any way but lightly…you must not come lightly to the blank page.” “The best form of dialog attribution is said, as in he said, she said…If you want to see this put…into practice…read a novel by Larry McMurtry…” “…it is possible with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.” “I have written because it fulfilled me…I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can …

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