http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ8nlsgII0w

Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray

Francis Ray is one of my favorite authors and for that reason I bought Not Even If You Begged…which I hope to read on vacation next week.  I remembered she had a book trailer for this book, which I’m profiling via APOOO.  Question, for those who have read the book, does the character in the video look like the character in the book?  For those who haven’t read the book, will this trailer entice you enough and make you give the book a try?

Article taken from APOOO – http://www.apooobooks.com
URL to article: http://www.apooobooks.com/2008/07/03/begged-francis-ray/

On the outside Traci Evans is a strong, successful woman who owns her own business and has a fabulous home, but appearances can be deceiving. Deep down Traci is self-conscious about her appearance and her sexuality. Through her neighbor Maureen Gilmore, Traci is recruited to join The Invincible Sisterhood. A group widowed women who have and have formed a bond with each other that goes beyond any other relationship that Traci has ever experienced. They are loyal and devoted to each other without question or judgment.

Unlike the other members of the Invincible Sisterhood, Traci’s husband was not the love of her life and she has a hard time letting go of the anger that she still carries. She hardens her heart and vows never to let another man deceive her ever again. But Maureen’s son Ryan has other plans. Seeing that Traci has placed protective barriers around her he becomes determined to peel away all of her self-defense mechanisms to show that all men are not lying and deceitful.

Maureen Gilmore meets sexy Simon Dunlap and despite the fact the she herself is attracted to him, decides that he is perfect for Traci.  Simon knows who he wants and it is not Traci. He sets out to woo Maureen despite the differences in their ages and although she tries hard, Maureen cannot fight the obvious attraction between the two.

Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray is a refreshing and entertaining book. Each character is well-drawn and full of life. The Invincibles are hilarious, charming and a fine example of women who can grow older with grace and dignity. This book had everything – love, romance, sensuous love scenes and even some true life decisions. I was able to read this novel in one sitting. My only complaint is that Maureen and Traci’s stories were so interesting I believe the Ms. Ray could have made each one their own book. This is an excellent book for everyone, but especially for mature readers who are looking for a book that have characters that they can relate to. Not Even If You Begged is an enjoyable read and highly recommended.

Cydney Rax
Author of My Best Friend and My Man
Published by Three Rivers Press
Sale Date: June 3, 2008

http://www.powells.com/biblio/0312948174?&PID=31230

I just found the link. 

Please be kind. ]]> http://www.francisrayblog.com/news/enter-for-a-chance-to-win-from-powell%e2%80%99s-bookstore-neiyb/feed 0 http://www.francisrayblog.com/news/essence-best-selling-books-3 http://www.francisrayblog.com/news/essence-best-selling-books-3#comments Wed, 21 May 2008 20:47:11 +0000 Francis Ray http://www.francisrayblog.com/?p=182 Paperback
3. Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray (St. Martin’s Griffin, $13.95)*

June 2008 Extended Best Sellers List

1. Dutch 3 by Dutch (Dutch, $15) (1)
2. True to The Game II by Teri Woods (Grand Central Publishing, $14.99) (7)
3. Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray (St. Martin’s Griffin, $13.95)*

4. Torn by Keisha Ervin (Triple Crown Publications, $15) (3)
5. The Boss by Tysha (Urban, $14.95)*
6. Queen by Cynthia White (Triple Crown Publications, $15) (4)
7. Amongst Thieves by Quentin Carter (Triple Crown Publications, $15)*
8. B—- Reloaded Part 2 by Deja King (Triple Crown Publications, $15) (5)
9. Former Rain by Vanessa Miller (Urban, $14.95)*
10. Block Party 3 by Al-Saadiq Banks (True 2 Life Publications, $14.95) (8)

ABOUT THIS LIST: The Essence Best Sellers List is based on reports of retail sales. Respondents are African-American bookstores. Numbers in parentheses indicate last month’s position. An asterisk indicates a debut title on this list.

http://freshfiction.com

http://allthebuzzreviews.blogspot.com

All the Buzz – Blogging with Francis Ray
Renee Williams
Literary Signature Dinners & All the Buzz

Francis Ray

St. Martin’s Griffin, January 2008

$13.95 US, ISBN 0312948174

Unconditional love…

Luther Vandross said it best when he sang, “There’s nothing better than love…” And whether it is the devotion of your friends, family, spouse or significant other, the sense of completeness you feel when real, unconditional love abounds, is…simply indescribable.

Meet Traci & Maureen, friends, neighbors and members of the Invincible Sisterhood, who find love when they least expect or want it.

Traci Evans, a beautiful, plus size, widowed lawyer, had such a bad marriage that she’s not only bitter when it comes to matters of the heart, but she vows never to let another man get that close to her again. So when Dr. Ryan Gilmore sets out to become more than her neighbor’s son, Traci is having no part of it.

Maureen Gilmore is a wealthy, established 59 year old businesswoman, and also widowed. Her marriage was idyllic; a once in a lifetime experience. After the death of her husband, Maureen wasn’t expecting to find that kind of love again. But when love calls, you have to answer, even if it’s in the form of a younger man.

To say I loved this book would be a gross understatement. I immediately identified with Traci. Not only are we the same age, but my entire life, I’ve experienced the same self-esteem issues with regards to my plus size frame, wondering if people would ever see past the exterior and recognize the goodness that lies within.

And the Invincibles…they were hilarious and truly epitomized what real friendship should be. Everyone should be so lucky to have a group of friends who are with you through thick and thin; the good and the bad, dropping everything to be there by your side when you need them the most.

Not Even If You Begged, national bestselling author Francis Ray’s latest release, is an exemplary celebration of true friendship, undeniable passion, pure adoration and bona fide devotion. In my humble opinion, this is Ray’s best work to date.

–Renee Williams, All the Buzz

Interview | Francis Ray

Francis, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a housewife, mother, and author. I graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in nursing and a minor in sociology/psychology. Presently I’m employed by a large independent school district as a School Nurse Practitioner.  My hobbies include reading and gardening.  I love flowers as anyone who has read any of my books can tell.  My musical taste usually run to soft and romantic.

While researching my first mainstream novel THE TURNING POINT (later reissues as TROUBLE DON’T LAST ALWAYS) about an abused housewife, I was horrified to learn that my home state leads in domestic violence deaths.  To help women leave abusive and dangerous situations, I established the Turning Point Legal Fund to assist women with legal fees.  I give a portion of each royalty check to the fund that is administered by The Family Place, a women’s shelter. Anyone who purchases one of my books is helping a woman who can’t help herself.

How do you find time to connect with God?

Just as you make time for all things important, you have to put God at the top of the list. This month my church, Concord Church, is having a 21 day Daniel fast for that very purpose.  We live busy lives, but we shouldn’t forget what is the most important.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

Jacquelin Thomas – REDEMPTION, Francine Rivers – REDEEMING LOVE., Bette Ford – AN EVERLASTING LOVE, Donna Hill- WICKED WAYS

Tell us about your journey to publication.

I read a wonderful book that showed true love.  Despite the many problems the couple faced, they stayed monogamous.  I wanted to write a similar story that celebrated real love and devotion – to love a person in spite of.  I joined a writer’s group, joined a critique group and began to learn about writing – character, motivation, plotting and all the factors that make a good book.  It took me five years to sell a short story to a confession magazine, and another two to sell that first novel on December 24, 1991.  FALLEN ANGEL was published by Odyssey Books in October, 1992.  Since then I have 37 titles in print.

Tell us about your current book?

Widow Traci Evans sits in on meetings with the lovely ladies of the Invincible Sisterhood because for a little while she can feel as if she  belongs. The members are all sweet older women who have lost their  husbands, but not their passion for life. However, unlike the other  women in the Sisterhood, Traci’s husband died while cheating on her.  Traci has no intention of letting a man make a fool of her again. Not  even if he begged. Even her newfound friend and neighbor, Maureen
Gilmore, can’t convince her to open her heart to love again. But when  Maureen’s gorgeous son Ryan admits he’s attracted to Traci, she might
have to rethink everything she knows about love. Maureen has some soul  searching to do as well. She’s interested in a young  policeman…and then the unthinkable happens, she starts having hot  flashes

Two women – two impossible situations.

NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED in stores January 24, 2008

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I wanted to celebrate friendship and widowhood.  Unfortunately, several women in my neighborhood have lost their husbands.  However, they are still active in church and civic groups.  This story is to commend them for their courage and faith.  I also wanted to say that beautiful, intelligent, successful and strong women come in all shapes and sizes.

List your three most recent books.

• ONLY YOU
• IN ANOTHER MAN’S BED
• IRRESISTIBLE YOU

What’s next for you?

Hopefully more books.  THE WAY YOU LOVE ME, a romance is scheduled for August 2008, I just finished another romance about NASCAR,  and I start this week on a untitled mainstream about a woman whose husband leaves her for a younger woman, then he gets hurt and has to move back home.  Should be an interesting book to write.

Where can visitors find you online?

www.francisray.com is my web site.  I also have a MySpace page at myspace.com/francisray