Urban Reviews:  How did the idea for this book come about?
Kyus Philnesta:  The idea for Because of Love came from a narrative poem in my first self published book, To the Heart of Things, a Chapbook of Poetry. As I was writing material for my poetry book, I ended up with about four narrative poems. I told myself that if I could write these, I could write a book! I took a look at my poems and choose The Color of a Leaf, as my debut novel. The name was changed based on my editor's recommendation.

Urban Reviews:  What was it that pushed you to want to become a writer?
Kyus Philnesta:  Being a writer was not something I always dreamed of becoming. As a child, I just remember that I always enjoyed English and the art of writing. I wrote a lot of poems and as I got older my friends would tell me I needed to put them in a book. But it wasn't until I was given the 'Gift of Giving' from God that pushed me towards publishing. It was God's promise to bless me financially through my writing for the sole purpose of being a blessing to others. This was the key to publishing my poems and taking one of those poems and turning it into a novel.

Urban Reviews:  What has been the biggest challenge with regard to your novel?
Kyus Philnesta:  I think my biggest challenge right now is promoting and selling my novel. First, it's time. There never seems to be enough of time to do all I need to do to promote my novel. There's always a need in my family that has to be met, especially with a four year old.

Then there's making sells. I've been told so many times that one of the best places to sell my novel is in hair salons and barber shops. But it is so hard for me to step outside of my box and go to salons or barber shops, selling myself. I just feel so uncomfortable going up to strangers, trying to convince them to buy my novel. But I know this is something I need to grow out of because it's the means to my success.

Urban Reviews:  What are your ultimate goals as far as the book industry?
Kyus Philnesta:  It is my desire to be recognized as an established author by the book industry. I'm not trying to be a household name (although that would be nice). I just want a publisher or literary agent to say "Hummm, this girl has something to say. I think we should listen," and pay me for it.

Urban Reviews:  What things did you do to help prepare you for your literary journey?
Kyus Philnesta:  Research was the key for preparing me for my literary journey. When I published my poetry, I learned so much; all the "dos and don'ts." I made a lot of mistakes. I sent copies of my manuscript to big name publishing companies in New York City, just to have some returned, unopened. And those that were returned opened had a form letter stating "we do not publish poetry." Some didn't even respond.

I also sent manuscripts to literary agents. Again, if they were returned, they were returned with the same message.

The mistakes I made, I learned from them and I used them for my benefit. With my novel, instead of sending out my manuscript, I just looked for ways to get my book reviewed. I mailed out several copies to book clubs and book stores and some have paid off.

But I'm glad that the one mistake I did not make was signing up with a publishing company and spending out so much money to do what I discovered I could do myself.

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any ideas or plans for an upcoming project?
Kyus Philnesta:  After completing Because of Love, I started working on my next novel, also derived from my book of poetry. But after releasing Because of Love, I had so many people tell me that I needed to write a sequel. So, after much prompting by my supporters, I put the other book aside and I am now writing the sequel.

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any favorite authors or books?
Kyus Philnesta:  I love reading great books. I can't say that I have a favorite author or book though. I enjoy Walter Mosley, Mary Monroe, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and Carl Weber. But I have a few books I enjoyed by not so popular authors like, Satisfy My Soul by Colin Channer and Dessa Rose by Sherley Anne Williams.

Urban Reviews:  What things do you like to do outside of writing?
Kyus Philnesta:  I enjoy going to church with my family (I use to sing in the choir) and spending as much time with them as I can. I work on weekends so when I'm off, I treasure our time together. My husband and I are also members of the Sunshine Slopers, a black ski club in South Florida. We try to get in at least one good ski trip in a year. We also enjoy white water rafting during the summer and we like traveling. We are 'social butterflies'. We entertain at our home a few times year. I also enjoy line dancing. I have a group of friends who get together once a month to learn new dances. My husband and I also look for ways that we could be a blessing to others through our church or the church my bother-in-law pastors.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
Kyus Philnesta:  I'm not a big talker when it comes down to talking about myself, but my novel is a different story. I had a blog interview with author R. L. Taylor. One of the questions he asked me was: What do I want readers to take away from my book?

Here's how I answered:

There are two things I want to bring to light in my books. First I want to focus on issues that changes my protagonist life. I don't want to just write love stories (although Because of Love is a love story) or write about the drama that goes on in relationships. I want to take issues like rape, death, teenage pregnancy or serious illnesses like cancer and place these issues in their lives. I want to show strong, solid relationships (marriages, friendships, families, couples) being shattered by uncontrollable events and then show how these issues is dealt with.

The second thing I want from my readers is to awaken their moral consciousness. When they find themselves facing a crisis beyond their control and must make a moral decision, do they allow what they have been taught to shape their decision, even if their heart is wrapped up in pain? Or do they allow the pain or anger or hatred or what ever the emotion is, to be the guiding factor on how the crisis is handled.