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Urban
Reviews: Tell us about your debut novel Other
People's Business.
Pamela Yaye:
In Other People's Business,
Washington D.C. native, Autumn Nicholson is trying
fruitlessly to keep her well meaning, but intrusive family
members out of her love life. The curvaceous beauty has it
all. A rewarding career, a tight-knit family--complete with
a meddlesome mother, who still treats her like a teenager; a
pair of supportive girlfriends, and her on-again-off-again
boyfriend of the last year has been pulling out all the
stops to win her back. But when a flat tire leaves her
sidelined on a traffic-congested road, and Tyrell refuses to
come to her aid, Autumn breaks up with him for good.
L.J.
Saunders doesn't believe in love at first sight but when he
stumbles upon an eye-catching woman at the side of the
highway, and then is re-introduced to her several hours
later at his best friend's engagement party, he's floored.
Autumn is intelligent, engaging and has a smile that could
give sight to the blind. L.J. is not looking to get into
anything serious but he can't ignore the crackling chemistry
between them either.
Despite the
fervent objections of her family and an ex-boyfriend more
troublesome than an in-grown toenail, Autumn Nicholson
learns to listen to her heart and embraces the love of a man
from the wrong side of the tracks.
Urban
Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for your
book?
Pamela Yaye:
A real-life incident gave me
the idea for Other People’s Business. My mom and I
were driving in North Dakota when my engine overheated and
all of the hazard lights starting flashing. We were stranded
on a back road with no cell phone (this happened almost 10
years ago!) A handsome European man stopped to help us. He
fixed the problem and refused the money he offered. Sweet,
huh? I was only 18 at the time, but as he drove off, I
couldn’t help thinking two things: I wish I was older and
this would make a great catalyst for a romance book!
Urban
Reviews: Can you tell us when and how you found out
about your book deal with Kimani?
Pamela Yaye:
My agent, Sha-Shana Crichton of
Crichton & Associates called me one wickedly cold morning in
February and told me Kimani books wanted to sign me to a
2-book deal. When we got off the phone, I must have jumped
at least three feet in the air and I was 5 months
pregnant!
Urban Reviews: Do
you feel that people treat you different for being a romance
author rather than a contemporary fiction author?
Pamela Yaye:
I haven’t been criticized for
being a romance writer (Thank God!) When people learn I
write romance books they are usually shocked that I’m so
young and wonder how in the world I find the time to write
novels with a full-time job, a toddler and another baby on
the way, a husband and a house to clean. The feedback I’ve
received from Other People’s Business has been
incredible and everyone I’m met is very supportive and
complimentary.
Urban
Reviews: Can you tell us a little about your upcoming
project? When can we expect that to be released?
Pamela Yaye:
Ebony Denise Garrett
always gets
what she wants. The owner of the widely popular lingerie
franchise, Discreet
Boutique, is as sensual and as exotic as the
merchandise she sells. And when it comes to getting what she
wants, she’s as persistent as a Jehovah Witness on a
Saturday morning. So, when she meets devilishly handsome
Xavier Reed
at a spring banquet at Jubilee Christian Center and he
rebuffs her advances she’s stunned. How could a man pass up
a night with a beautiful, sexually liberated woman like her?
Ebony is allergic to commitment but she wouldn’t mind some
companionship. Some romance. Some fun. And a few nights of
toe-curling passion. Is that too much to ask?
Xavier would be
lying through his teeth if he said he didn’t find the
titillating and seductive boutique owner attractive, but her
blatant come-ons and come-hither looks are a complete turn
off. He likes his women quiet, classy and demure-everything
Ebony Garrett is not!
To the surprise of
her family and friends, Ebony signs up to volunteer for the
‘Changing Lives Through Meals’ program at Jubilee Christian
Center. As coordinator of the homeless outreach program,
Xavier is expected to offer guidance and support to his
team, including Ms. Garrett. Could it be that he misjudged
the sexy siren? Or is her sudden interest in giving back to
the community all part of her elaborate scheme to snag him?
Xavier can only pray that the next twelve weeks goes by
fast, because every time Ebony flashes her smile his way or
“accidentally” brushes up against him, he has to remind
himself to breath. There is no denying the chemistry between
them. It’s crushing. Overpowering. Stifling. But getting
involved with a woman like Ebony will bring him nothing but
trouble…Or will it?
The Trouble With Luv
will be released on October 1, 2007
Urban
Reviews: Who or what inspired you to want to become a
writer?
Pamela Yaye:
My parents instilled in me at a
very early age the desire to succeed. I know it sounds
cliché, but they told me there was nothing I couldn’t do if
I worked hard and resolved to be the best. My husband,
Jean-Claude, used to introduce me to his friends as an
“author” long before I was published and that encouraged me
to pursue my writing career.
Urban
Reviews: What's the best advice you've gotten as far
as the business is concerned?
Pamela Yaye:
“Don’t be afraid to ask
questions, be professional at all times and be respectful of
people’s time.” That advice extends to my teaching job as
well. I pride myself on having a great reputation and I’d
never do anything to jeopardize my character.
Urban
Reviews: How have family and friends reacted to the
release of your book?
Pamela Yaye:
My parents are so proud you’d
think I’ve won an Oscar! It doesn’t matter if my dad is at
the grocery store, the mall or at church, he proudly shows
off my book and encourages people to visit my website at
www.pamelayaye.com. Most of my
family and friends expected me to be a published author so
they’re not fazed. Now, if I could make it to Oprah, they’d
be impressed! (Ha, ha)
Urban Reviews: What
do you hope to accomplish as a writer?
Pamela Yaye:
I’m not a one-book wonder. I
expect to be around for many years to come. Everyday I have
a new idea brewing in my head and I hope to bring them all
to life. I want to warm the hearts of die-hard romantics
(like me!) and I hope readers come away from my stories a
little more forgiving of others shortcomings and faults.
Love isn’t always easy, but when you invest the time and
commit to making it work, it can be the sweetest thing.
(Just like the Lauryn Hill song!) |
