Tha Risque Cafe

My name is Cydney Rax and I am a bestselling novelist who writes controversial yet topical stories concerning African-Americans. This website lets you know everything that’s going on with my books (My Daughter's Boyfriend, My Husband's Girlfriend, My Best Friend and My Man and My Sister's Ex: A Novel) and other current events of topical interest. Thanks for hanging out with me online.The fact that I have a new novel, My Sister's Ex, coming out this summer is amazing. It's like my dream is still in motion. And that is a wonderful feeling. The release date for My Sister's Ex is Tuesday, August 4th (Barack Obama's birthday). It’s a spicy and emotional rollercoaster about two sisters, Rachel and older sister Marlene who are the poster kids for sibling rivalry. Some elements of this novel may be considered classic Rax, but there's still something different about it. This time around, I got to explore family dynamics in a way that I haven't done before. Family drama is real. Family drama can be scary, frustrating. Emotional. Life-changing.

Stanley Bennett Clay received 2 NAACP Theatre Awards and 2 Drama-logueAwards for writing and directing the stage play “Ritual.” The film version, starring Clarence Williams III and Denise Nicholas, marks Clay’s film writing/directorial debut and was voted The Jury Award at the 2000 Pan African Film Festival. Clay produced on stage the GLAAD, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Times and NAACPAward-winning musical “Children of the Night” and the world premiere ofJames Graham Bronson’s “Willie & Esther.” That production received2 L.A. Weekly Awards as Best Play and Best Ensemble Performance.Clay wrote, directed, and composed “Street Nativity” (commissioned by the National Council of Negro Women for the Black Family Reunion Festival), wrote/directed the play “Lovers,” (Theatre of Arts) directed west coast premieres of “Jonin’” at The Harmon Theatre (Drama-logue Award/Direction) and “The First Breeze of Summer” (Theatre of Arts). He is the author of three novels, “Diva” (Holloway House), “In Search Of Pretty Young Men” and “Looker,” (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books). “Search” won the 2004 N.Y. Hotep Society Book Award for Best Gay Novel. Former Editor-In-Chief of Black Beat magazine and American Correspondent for London’s Blues and Soul magazine, Clay published and edited SBC magazine for 10 years (1991-2001), at the time the most widely distributed periodical for the black LGBT community.A Los Angeles-based actor, he starred, guest-starred, and/or has been featured in over 200 TV episodes, films and commercials, including “Good Times,” “Cannonball,” “Minstrel Man,” “Man Friday” and “Cheers.”His received the NAACP Best Actor Image Award for his stage performance in the Inner City Cultural Center’s production of “Anna Lucasta” and was nominated for the same award (and won another Drama-logue Award) for his performance in the Lafayette Players West’s production of “Zooman and the Sign.” Other stage performances include “Or” by Felton Perry (One Flight Up), “So

I am originally from Arkansas and currently resided in Northern Virginia. I am pursuing my doctorate in education. I have a MA in counseling and a BA in psychology. I enjoy cooking, reading, writing, and spending time with loved ones. I recently began writing for writer’s POV online magazine. I am apart of the 2010 Literary Sistah’s tour group. I have always had a passion for writing. My latest novel is titled Cheating On My Mistress. I am currently working on the sequel and a motivational book. I expect to have these finished within the next year.

Striving to establish a new flair to the term contemporary fiction, Ni’cola entered the literary scene with her debut self published novel entitled OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Establishing the publishing company NCM Publishing; Ni’cola wanted to create themes in her work revolving around situations that are a compulsive desire to see women over come challenges. Her next novel THE APPETIZER will be released in 2010. Ni'cola Mitchell is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. Currently she resides in North Las Vegas, Nevada with her two daughters, Destani and Diamond. She holds a Bachelors degree of Science in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in HealthCare Management. When Ni'cola isn't writing, she loves to spend time with her family and volunteer as a mentor for youth activities.

Who is Lutishia Lovely? She's the author of the Hallelujah Love series which readers have made bestsellers! The series currently includes Sex In The Sanctuary, Love Like Hallelujah and the current release is A Preacher's Passion. Growing up, books often provided the excitement that was lacking in my small, Kansas hometown. She was and still is a voracious reader. This love affair with words, began with Dr. Seuss books, has largely shaped her adult career choices: actor, ten-year radio broadcasting career and current work as a full-time author.In addition to writing, Lutishia is an actress and producer. She is an excellent motivational speaker with a personal message of how believing in dreams can help them come true. Other topics of expertise include holistic living, spirituality, positive thinking, inspiration, and laughter as the best medicine.

National Bestselling author Joy Deja King is representing a new genre of young, hip and sexy novels that take readers behind the velvet rope of the glamorous, but often shady entertainment industry, and introduces street life in all its complexity. Born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in California, Maryland and North Carolina, Ms. King is emerging as the Urban version of Best Selling author Jackie Collins. Ms. King attended North Carolina Central University and Pace University in New York City, where she majored in Journalism. Emerging onto the entertainment scene, Ms. King accepted an internship position, and immediately began to work her way up the ranks, at The Terrie Williams Agency. Working hands-on with top celebrity clients and events; such as Johnnie Cochran, The Essence Awards, The Essence Music Festival, the NBA Players’ Association, Moet & Chandon and many other entertainment executives and celebrities.Wanting to pursue new endeavors, Ms. King moved on from the public relations firm to pursue the arts, she attended the famous Lee Strasburg Theater Institute. While attending the acting institute she received a job offer from Click Radio as Director of Hip Hop Artist Relations. As Director of Hip Hop Artist Releations, she developed segments featuring the biggest names in Hip Hop. Ms. King pushed her department to new levels by producing an outlet that placed Hip Hop in the forefront of the cyber world. Ms. King made her literary debut with the release of her first novel, “Dirty Little Secrets” (under St. Martin’s Press) and followed it up with the bestselling sequel “Hooker to Housewife”. A prolific writer Ms. King also secured a publsihing deal with Triple Crown Publications for the first three installments of her popular Bitch Series. Wanting to expand her reading audience, in 2006 Ms. King founded Young Diamond Books. YDB produces urban street fiction books for young adults, ages 13-17, that focuses on the complex street life without the raw

A saga fiction writer, Avah LaReaux has a talent for penning stories that focus on the lives of everyday people while conveying messages of empowerment, optimism, and inspiration. Beginning her writing career as a poet, Avah first realized her love for the craft as a youth. Since that time, Avah has transitioned from poetry to novels and yet maintains the same passion for writing as she had as an elementary school poet. In 2002, Avah began writing her first novel, Bastards, and found the characters of the novel to have "lives" of the own. From this novel, Avah's debut release, What's Done In the Dark, as well as what has become the Lost & Found saga series was born. In April 2008, What's Done In the Dark breathed its first breath and was subsequently re-released with an alternate ending in May 2009. Currently, Avah is preparing for the October release of the third installment to the Lost & Found series, Bastards, as well as the December release of Sugar and Spice: An Anthology for the Grown & Sexy. Publishing under Blue Planet Publishing, the imprint owned by her and her husband, Avah strives to produce works that are relevant as well as entertaining. Avah's work and prose has been featured in various anthologies including In-Between Days and Under A Quick Silver Moon in the United States and abroad in the United Kingdom in the anthology Theatre of the Mind. Information about Avah LaReaux and her works as well as her blog forum can be found at www.avahlareaux.com.

Huntsville’s own Marc Lacy, a graduate of Alabama A&M University is a nationally renown, award-winning poet/author and spoken word artist. He has performed all of over the country for many national literary events and spoken word venues. Marc is the author of Rock & Fire - Love Poetry from The Core, and The Looking Heart - Poetic Expressions from Within. He is also the producer of REFlux and RTIQLation spoken word CDs. Marc is the contributor to many anthologies such as: The Soul of a Man, Step up to The Mic, and Witness the Truth. He is the co-host of Essence Best Selling Author Donna Hill’s...The Donna Hill Blogtalkradio show which airs weekly. Marc is due to release during the summer of 2009: Wretched Saints - Spiritual Fiction Short Stories, LyriCode 256, and LickOrice spoken word cds. Marc is a member of ArtNSoul Society of Expression, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Church Street CPCA, Huntsville Literary Association, and National Society of Black Engineers. He credits his faith in God and love of family for providing energy to succeed. Checkout marclacy.com, myspace.com/mlacy, and Facebook (Marc Lacy).Coming the Summer of 2009 by Poet/Author Marc Lacy: Soul of a Man (Short Stories) Anthology - Peace in The Storm Publishing Wretched Saints (Spiritual Short Stories) - Assuanta Fay Howard/Marc Lacy -AVO Publishing Lyricode 256 Spoken Word Cd - AVO Publishing/Quiet Girl Music Production Lickorice Spoken Word Cd - AVO Publishing/Quiet Girl Music Production

Vernon J. Davis jr. has been writing poetry since the early seventies. He was first inspired by Langston Hughes's poem "Impasse", which started his journey and adventure into the world of poetry and the spoken word.Vernon's very first published poem,"Beautiful Black Woman"(the basis for his poetry book) came out in 1978 in a magazine called Black Forum. More poetry followed in other magazines like SoulWord and Dawn, a magazine supplement to the Los Angeles Sentinel, an African-American newspaper.Mr. Davis has also taught Creative Writing and recited his poetry in talent shows, Church gatherings and open-mike forums. He is still inspired by and in awe of Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou. His Idols.His creative collection of Love poems,"Love,is, the Beautiful Black Woman" is his 1st book. Vernon's 2nd book of poetry--"The Emosewa Woman"--is due out July 2009.

Tamika Newhouse is the author of The Ultimate No No. She is also known as the creator and President of African Americans on the Move Book Club, which is an online book club catering to avid readers across the nation.In December 2008 Tamika will make her publishing debut under the AAMBC Publications, which will publish anthologies showcasing various authors’ talents. She wanted to bring a new genre of writing and allow each author to express themselves to the fullest. Tamika can be heard on the syndicated AAMBC Radio, where she interviews new and seasoned authors. The show showcases many of the author’s talents and their current projects. Tamika will also be on tour in the year of 2009 with Authors With a Passion Book Tours, a organization herself and author Ndea B created. She is currently living in San Antonio with her husband son, and daughter. She plans to release her second book The Ultimate Moment in September 2009.