Category Archives: Bible

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Jacqueline J. Holness (AKA ME!) Reveals the Cover of Her New Novel ‘Destination Wedding!’ (INTERVIEW)

Hello World,

Sorry I had to do it. Write in the third person that is. I just couldn’t figure out how to state the fact that I have written my first novel without being a little extra. And referring to yourself in the third person is as extra as you can get on a written page. So pardon me for being braggadocios. It’s just that I’ve written a novel that I’m extremely proud of and it’s finally time to tell you all about it!

When I first imagined myself as a writer at the adorable age of six, I saw myself weaving words into worlds as a novelist. Well, maybe not a quite a novel, but certainly a work of fiction. As I matured and began to grasp that writing was not as simple as it seemed, I gravitated toward journalism where real life (just the facts, ma’am) was written down and every story was thankfully short. I just didn’t think I had enough words to write a whole novel. But in my heart, behind the wall of fear, I wondered if I would ever summon enough stamina and skill to craft a world of words also known as a novel. In 2009, yes, 10 years ago, a real-life event took hold of me and demanded that I explore this topic as a novel. And it literally took me 10 years to learn how to write a novel AND get it published. So Destination Wedding written by Jacqueline J. Holness (oh so extra I know) will be released in December to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the real-life event that inspired me and captivated me enough to write a novel at long last! So below is the synopsis followed by my interview with 96Kix’s Kimberly Kaye, who interviewed me as I wrote Destination Wedding. (Read and or listen to the interview.)

Three successful best friends in Atlanta believe they are thriving in the Black Mecca. Bossy bank executive Senalda breaks down men from business to bed no holds barred. Hip hop PR guru Jarena praises the Lord and pursues married men with equal persistence. Famous and infamous radio personality Mimi fights with her fans and for the love of her on-and-off-again boyfriend.

But when an ABC News Nightline report, “Single, Black, Female — and Plenty of Company,” asks why can’t a successful black woman find a man? The friends are suddenly hyper-aware of their inclusion in the sad statistic: 42% of black women who have never been married. Like the women in the report, they are career-driven, beautiful black women living in Atlanta who have everything — but a mate. They resolve to defy the statistic by marrying in a year and have it all by tackling their goal as a project with a vision board, monthly meetings, and more. Project Destination Wedding is born. A “happily married” best friend Whitney is a project consultant.

But as the deadline ticks closer, the women wonder if they can withstand another year of looking for love in the media-proclaimed no-man’s land of Atlanta. Senalda wrests a marriage proposal from the male version of herself, but the proposal comes simultaneously with a devastating secret. Jarena unleashes hell when her call to ministry coincides with dating her married college sweetheart. Mimi faces losing her career and jail time chasing her boyfriend and marries another man in the process. Whitney’s power couple profile plummets when her husband, a pornography addict, announces he would rather pursue photography than be an MD.

Inspired by an actual Nightline report, Destination Wedding charts four women’s journeys as they discover that love is not an experiment easily confined to a timetable.

These are the four main characters as I saw them in my mind as I was writing- Jarena, Mimi, Senalda & Whitney…Can you match the women to how they actually turned out on the cover?

Kimberly: 96 KIX. On the line with me, I have Jacqueline Holness. How are you Jacqueline?

Jacqueline: I’m great. How are you Kimberly?

Kimberly: I’m wonderful. Welcome back to the show!

Jacqueline: Thank you so much for having me!

Kimberly: You know the last time you we talked it was all about ‘After the Altar Call.’ Now, what have you been up to? I know I always read your blog. Always.

Jacqueline: Thanks so much for reading. I really appreciate that. You never know who is reading. Thank you so much.

Kimberly: How is it working with the blog?

Jacqueline: Well, I love to write so it’s a creative outlet for me. And I’m always surprised when people actually respond to what I write because it’s not something that I get paid to do. I just love to do it. Even if people didn’t read it, I would still write.

Kimberly: You said, regardless, you’re gonna blog!

Jacqueline: Yes! Definitely.

Kimberly: Now, how do you pick your topics to know what to blog about?

Jacqueline: Well, the most important aspect of my life is my faith so I always want to talk about my faith and whatever area I choose to talk about whether it be pop culture or whether it be more serious issues, I always try to look at it through the lens of having faith in God and how God would want us to see certain things that play out in our society.

Kimberly: Right,  well that’s great. Now, also I saw that you are getting ready to write another book for us.

Jacqueline: Yes, I grew up reading fiction books, but when I got older, I just veered off into non-fiction books. But recently, I rediscovered my love of fiction and I decided to write a fiction book about three single black women in Atlanta.

Kimberly: Alright. Can you give us a little bit more? Or is that all you can give us?

Jacqueline: (Laughter) I’ll tell you a little more about it, but I’m not finished yet. But basically, I’m not sure if you saw the ABC News Nightline special that came on in December 2009 where it was quoted that 42% of black women have never been married?

Kimberly: Wow! That’s a high percentage.

Jacqueline: Yes, a very high percentage and they featured black women in Atlanta who had everything but a mate. And from there, there was a debate that was held in Atlanta. Steve Harvey was here. Sherri Shepherd. A lot of notables came in town to debate this issue in Atlanta. So as a black woman, I was single at the time, I’m married now, it really impacted me. And I thought what if I wrote a book about black women, fictional black women, who saw this report, and decided to defy the statistics and get married in a year.

Kimberly: Now you live in Atlanta?

Jacqueline: I do live in Atlanta.

Kimberly: Do you see that problem?

Jacqueline: Well, I see it all over. When I travel, I meet a lot of single black women, but for some reason, Atlanta seems to be the epicenter I guess of single black women. And because I was single and just got married at 40 years old, I know what it’s like to be single and I know what it’s like to wonder, ‘Why aren’t men choosing me?’ So I decided to write a book from my own personal journey and do it through the lens of fiction.

Kimberly: That sounds great. Do you know when you will be finished?

Jacqueline: Well, I hope to have the rough draft finished very soon. I’m going to work on it for the next few months. What interested you when you read, I know you read the blog post about me working on this book. What interested you? I’m just curious.

Kimberly: Like you said, we have a lot in common, Jacqueline.  I got married when I was 40. Same thing.

Jacqueline: Oh really?

Kimberly: Yes, we have that in common. I was going through life, and I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m gonna ever get married.’ But once I quit thinking about it, dwelling on it, it happened so that’s what kind of intrigued me. It takes a lot. You wonder, Am I doing something wrong? Is it me? Why didn’t I get married when I was in my 20s or in my 30s? So that’s why I was interested.

Jacqueline: Wow! So I’m so glad we have that in common. We may have to talk off the air later about that as older women who have gotten married. That’s a category in itself – older brides. I may have to write something about that.

Kimberly: (Laughter) Yes! Well, I’m anticipating it.

Jacqueline: Yes, well, please go to my website AftertheAltarCall.com and you will see updates about the book. I’m really excited about, and I hope it will be on bookshelves as soon as possible.

Kimberly: And that’s also why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to spread the word about your blog. I think it’s just terrific, and I want everyone to be aware of it.

Jacqueline: Oh, thank you so much!

(Note: There is just a minute or so more left of the interview, but I included what pertains to today’s blog post.)

 

Below are some advance reviews I have received about Destination Wedding!

“Jacqueline J. Holness has penned a delightful read that puts a new spin on the age-old dilemma of the beautiful, successful, single black woman finding a mate! Did I say beautiful and successful? Set in the Black Mecca – The ATL – Destination Wedding will have you asking, “Why is this so hard?” I found myself in the moment, rooting for these women – and thoroughly enjoyed their journeys to happily-ever-after.” – Monica Richardson, author of the Talbots of Harbour Island series

“In need of a getaway? Destination Wedding is the read you need. Filled with characters that will remind you of your girlfriends and unexpected adventures, it’s the perfect vacation read.” – Chandra Sparks Splond, author and blogger

“In Destination Wedding, Jacqueline J. Holness takes readers on page-turning twists and turns that hijack several friendships on the path to love. If you’re eager for an entertaining read that will leave you rooting for the characters as if they’re your friends, pick up your copy today.” – Stacy Hawkins Adams, multi-published author of Coming Home, Watercolored Pearls, The Someday List and more

So Destination Wedding will officially debut on Dec. 3, but it is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound and Target right now! And I’m not gonna be shy about this: I want this book to be a best-selling book so your pre-orders will help me achieve that goal! As a matter of fact, I will be offering some free gifts if you pre-order so come back here often for updates!

Finally, if you would like to be a member of my book launch team which means getting a FREE advance copy of Destination Wedding, email me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com!

Thank you so much for reading this blog post, and I hope and pray you will be reading my first novel Destination Wedding very soon!

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

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Greenleaf Recap Season 4 Episode 1: Original Sin…

Hello World,

The wait for the return of OWN’s “Greenleaf” is OVER!!! So I won’t make you wait to get this Greenleaf Recap Season 4 Episode 1: Original Sin …

O.G. Original Gangster

Like the original gangster that he is, Bob Whitmore is front and center on the stage between his henchman Phil DeMars and Grace as Calvary’s praise and worship (led by a woman who is not Charity) ushers in Sunday morning service. Once the praise and worship is complete, Bob strides up to the podium and says, “Good Morning Calvary.” He delivers his cheery greeting with all of the sincerity of a snake. “Wasn’t that a wonderful performance? So much energy.” He then proceeds to compliment the congregation on all of the “beautiful hats” he sees in the church. First of all, praise and worship is not a performance. It’s praise to and worship of the Lord. And secondly, he sounds like an original neophyte instead of an O.G. making a comment about church hats. A hat in a church is almost as common as a Bible in a church.

Whitmore goes on with his speech over a podium where the Harmony & Hope moniker is now clearly displayed. “Welcome to the family,” he says before introducing Phil, who is the southeast conference leader of the church stealing conglomerate.  He also said that he was so glad that Deaconness Connie Sykes approached him about taking over Calvary as he had been eyeing the church from afar. He recalls that he said, “I’d like to get in on that.”

Looking on from the audience, Bishop tells Lady Mae that what Bob really meant to say is that he would like to “get in on that money.” It’s so disconcerting to see all of the Greenleafs except Grace in the audience rather than on stage as they were before. And even Grace is not getting her respect as Bob whispers to Grace to keep her sermon short after he introduces her as the interim pastor.  Once the service is over, the Greenleafs critique the service as well as the overall feel of the church now that they are simply parishioners rather in the pulpit. Bishop says he feels like a “ghost moving unseen in a house that I built” while Lady Mae says Grace’s sermon was “concise.” But Grace reminds her parents that they must remain cool if they are to reclaim their church.

Lady Mae agrees but then she approaches Bob anyway. She tells Bob that her daughter’s sermon was more like a “minister’s minute.” When Bob says something to the effect that time is money, she points that “money shouldn’t be a metric when measuring things of the spirit.” Bob points out that a shorter service would pave the way for a third service and that congregants want to know what to expect when coming to a Harmony & Hope church service similarly to a McDonald’s. (I guess this episode was shot before the Chick-fil-A/Popeye’s war teehee.) And then Lady Mae delivers one of her zingers. “There are two things that human beings do together that are best done when done slowly and preaching is one of them.” LOL. I will let you guess the other thing…

Grace meets with Phil to discuss hiring Jacob and Charity as associate pastors. But Phil shuts her down by reminding her about what happened at Triumph although Basie Skanks framed Jacob and what happened with Charity being nearly accused of kidnapping her child. She tells him that they don’t have to be officially associate pastors. They can even be called assistants, but Phil says, “It’s never going to happen.”

You’re An Original…

Although Bob is at Bishop’s desk when Bishop charges into his vacated office, it’s clear that there will never be another like Bishop. In his walk and talk and overall presence, he’s got the ingredients of a beloved shepherd. Bob is just fooling himself if he thinks he is going to erase Bishop’s legacy and steal the flock for himself. Bishop tells Bob that he knows what the man is up to and his reputation has preceded him. Apparently, a pastor friend of his, Mike Evans, who was the shepherd over Jericho Faith Fellowship, was pushed out of his own church due to Harmony & Hope Ministries. The organization hired a private investigator to drum up some dirt on him and discovered that Pastor Mike got addicted to painkillers after injuring himself while helping Katrina survivors. Bob and his gang shared that intel with Jericho’s board and Pastor Mike was pushed out. Harmony & Hope brought down the wall around Jericho and took it over as a result.

Bishop says, “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but I’m going to find out.” He then tells Bob that his “magic carpet of a denomination is going to dissolve like smoke” when he’s through with him. Yaaas, Bishop! Tell him! “Your days are numbered,” are Bishop’s final benediction. Bob says he hopes the Lord releases him from the “spirit of resentment.” And then he really sticks it to him by telling Bishop that he met Bishop’s ex-wife. “She’s a spitfire! How did you let her get away?” I guess that was Bob’s way of saying that if he let his beloved wife get away and then it’s no wonder that his church is being stolen from him. That’s alright, Bishop. You made some mistakes, but you can make up for those mistakes. That’s what repentance is all about.

Speaking of mistakes, since it was revealed last season that Lady Mae’s indiscretion resulted in the birth of Grace, Aaron is as much her brother as Jacob is. And so he calls his big sister and for the first time, she refers to him as her “little brother.” Was I the only one who was a little “weirded out” by their conversation? I know they are related, but I still only see Jacob as her only brother.

Original Prankster…

Zora Greenleaf, our favorite juvenile delinquent, has moved along with her parents back to the Greenleaf home on the estate. But her little brother, who is finally growing up a little, is annoying her as he is always passing gas. She tells her parents that she is a “grown-a$$ woman” and she should be allowed to move into Noah’s old cabin for the sake of her sense of smell and overall sanity. This woman-child is beyond bold. I mean the girl caused her parents to go through hell last season and now she wants to rewarded with her own place rent-free?! I think she should be forced to sleep with her stinky brother.

And speaking of things that stink…When Jacob gets a voicemail from a Dora Saunders, Kerissa is paranoid that Dora is really Tasha Skanks. “How come I’ve never met her?” Kerissa asks Jacob. She wonders aloud if Basie, Tasha and Rochelle, three pranksters for real, are still conspiring to further damage Jacob and Kerissa. She says to Jacob, “Don’t call back.”

Meanwhile back at Calvary, the two new pranksters of Season 4, Bob and Phil, discuss their plan to completely conquer Calvary. Bob is concerned that although the Greenleafs seem to be reasonably compliant, they are likely concocting a scheme as they speak. And Bob is right. Back at the estate, at the family dining room table, Grace reveals to her family that her request to get Jacob and Charity put on as associate pastors has resulted in “dookie” in Charity’s words. (I think she’s still dranking…and she’s  not the only one as you will find out later…)

And Kerissa goes on to say that the Greenleafs have been on a “swift slide down” ever since the prodigal daughter Grace returned. She tells her in-laws that they can “side eye me all you want.” And furthermore, she tells that the family that she is not at all happy that she is living under the Greenleaf roof again before she stomps out of the room. Bishop says to Jacob, “You need to handle your business and keep her out of the wine.”

And then top all of that off, Charity screeches that she should be an associate pastor before she also stomps out of the room like the petulant last child that she is. Lady Mae says, “The sins and stupidity that this poor table has seen. I’m surprised it doesn’t just crash to the floor.” You’ve got to love Lady Mae and her language! Once the room has cleared, Lady Mae goes to Grace. She tells her daughter that she did nothing wrong. Wow! I hope Grace burns her mother’s words in her memory because she may never hear those words slip from mother’s lips ever again.

Grace wants to tell Jacob and Charity that she is really their half-sister, but Lady Mae says, “We will tell them once we have won our church back.” I agree. Right now, their efforts need to be laser-focused and if they find out that Grace is their mother’s love child, they family would be splintered, in more ways than one, in their efforts. She then tells her daughter that she should not ask that her brother and sister be hired. She should tell them they will. And she kisses Grace on the cheek!!!

Per usual, Jacob defies his wife’s instruction and calls Dora Saunders back. Apparently, her son plays NBA basketball for the Memphis Red Devils and needs a spiritual adviser and or life coach. The team’s name alone should get Jacob running not walking in the opposite direction, but the man is without a job so the devil’s offer beckons him.

Later on that evening, Bishop, with his sly self, sees Lady Mae slip off her clothes to reveal lingerie. It’s been all last season since those two became one so to speak and Bishop wants to move back into their bedroom. “When do you see me moving back in here?” Lady Mae replies, “When we’re in love.” Bishop is surprised that Lady Mae didn’t just fall back in love with him and asks her if flowers and a ring will do the trick. Lady Mae levels with him. “You are courting a woman who has had everything. You will have to sweep me off my feet…in ways that I can’t even imagine.” Wow. Although the Greenleafs have to win their church back, Bishop has to win Lady Mae back too.

And even later that evening, in the middle of the night actually, Grace gets a call from some inmate…Is this a prank call?

Get Original…

You must know that Lady Mae is an original. When you think you are getting something that you want from her, you realize that she will always get what she wants first and foremost. She allows Zora to live in Noah’s abandoned cabin. (Remember Noah from Season 1? He was Grace’s original love.) But in exchange for her more free living arrangements, she will resume meeting with her grandmother for their early morning Bible study sessions.  Speaking of Noah, he calls Grace and asks her to call him back per her voicemail…Hmmm…

Charity decides to come up with an original plan to regain Calvary. She, by her lonesome, meets with Phil. She tells him she is better than Grace. Phil picks up on Charity’s frustration and asks her to be his “eyes and ears” among the Greenleafs in exchange for a position.

Speaking of a position, Jacob meets with a member of the Memphis Red Devils management team. He is told he is more likely to get the job as a spiritual adviser and or life coach if he is already on staff at a church, especially after what happened at Triumph. Unlike Charity, he still believes that his sister is working on his behalf to secure a position at Calvary. And Grace is. She tells Bob that she is willing to walk away from Calvary if he doesn’t hire her brother and sister. Bob tells her that he has been following her since her days as a television reporter in Arizona. Uh-oh. You know this means that Bob has dirt on her just like he did on Bishop’s friend Pastor Mike. He tells Grace that “putting family first is a mistake” although he does agree to bring on Jacob as an associate pastor.

Now that Grace has secured Jacob’s position at Calvary, his position as the spiritual adviser and or life coach for Dante Saunders of the Memphis Red Devils is set and Zora tells her cousin that she wants to be Daunte’s love coach. Sophia points out that Zora is always falling for the bad boy. Apparently, this dude drove over a Confederate statue or something while drunk.

But Charity is not satisfied that at least her brother was hired as an associate pastor. When she hears the news, she calls Phil and tells him, “I’m in.”

Grace has more to worry about than her spying little sister though. Noah calls her again and finally reaches her. He says, “Why haven’t you called me back? An inmate from Arizona called me and he says he’s our son!” Well, close my Bible and call Grace a sinner. Lady Mae isn’t the only one with a love child. What we thought was an original sin in the Greenleaf family is actually a legacy sin. Like mother, like daughter…Wow…More will be revealed I’m sure.

In the voice of the incomparable Bishop T.D. Jakes, “Get ready, Get ready, Get ready.” In fact, Saints, cash app me your tithe because I’m about to put in work this Season 4 I can already tell…LOL…

Thank you sooo much for reading my Greenleaf Recap Season 4 Episode 1: Original Sin and my other recaps so far. If you would like to keep up with OWN’s “Greenleaf,” and my recaps, please click on this link to subscribe to my blog 🙂!

Any thoughts?

 

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Gospel Singer Israel Houghton Tells Follower to Stay Out of a Woman’s Uterus After He Criticizes Wife Adrienne Bailon For Not Getting Pregnant…

Hello World,

On Saturday, my husband and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary! I love him more now than I did when I married him on August 10, 2013. On our anniversary, we also attended the wedding of dear friends. And then on Sunday, we officially celebrated our anniversary since we had no other commitments other than church. It was a weekend bookended by love. My husband and I and our friends weren’t the only ones who celebrated our marriages this weekend. Gospel singer Israel Houghton and his wife Adrienne Bailon, who is a co-host on “The Real” also celebrated their third “askiversary” on Aug. 11.

Israel posted a beautiful Instagram message to commemorate this special date. See below…

That is sooo sweet that Israel and his wife Adrienne, in addition to their wedding anniversary, also honor the day that they proposed to one another! But one of Israel’s followers, instead of posting a congratulatory message or saying nothing at all, chose to question the fact that they have yet to have children together. See the rude post AND Israel’s response below…

I agree Israel…Don’t ask a woman about her age, her weight and the status of her uterus unless you know her like that. You don’t know if they have issues that prevent them from having a child or even if they have decided to not have children altogether. Either way, it’s their business to tell or not tell.  Lastly, I’m glad he found classy words to defend his wife as even he tells Tyson to find his own “good thing/wife.”

What say you?

Any thoughts?