• I’m thrilled to tell you that, in May ’08, the second novel in my IT CHICKS teen series is hitting bookstores everywhere! SIXTEEN CANDLES picks up where the last book left off, only now, the first-day-of-school buzz is officially over! It’s a month later, and the most spotlight-obsessed, drama-filled crew at Manhattan’s Louis B. Armstrong Performing Arts High have gotten themselves into all kinds of craziness. Expect tons of juicy fun—star-crossed lovers, crazy confrontations, over-the-top diva behavior, and even a potentially deadly wardrobe malfunction. You’ll love it! Tell all your friends! For more info on the IT CHICKS series (and to see adorable illustrations of your favorite characters), check out myspace.com/theitchicks.

• Hey guys! I'm BEYOND excited to say that, in April '07, the first novel in my new series for multi-cultural teen girls is hitting shelves! It's called IT CHICKS (Hyperion/Disney) and it's about a group of very sassy, showbiz-obsessed teens that go to a competitive New York City performing arts school (yes, I was deeply into "Fame" as a child). Check out It Chicks on myspace. Girls, I'm so damn proud of this book...the characters are adorable, the love storyís juicy, and it's chock full of drama, drama, drama! Okay, yes, I know it's for teens, but if you've ever spent an entire Sunday afternoon watching a "My Super Sweet 16" or "The Hills" marathon, than you'll lick IT CHICKS up with a spoon!! So buy one, or two, or fifteen...go on, make this series a bestseller, and then maybe it'll be a movie and I can invite you all to the premiere :-)

• Yes, that’s me in the Olay Total Effects commercial you probably saw during America’s Next Top Model or American Idol or The View (and yes, my bottom teeth really are that crooked.)!! CAN YOU BELIEVE I'M IN A COMMERCIAL? If you haven’t seen it, here’s the setup: Its a beauty editor (moi) in her office, and as she's rifling through all her different beauty products and says something to the effect of "I have access to a zillion beauty products, but Olay Total Effects is the only one that truly melts my butter." Well, not exactly, but you get it. When you see it, let me know what you think! I've posted it on my blog also.

• For reasons that baffle everyone familiar with my technological ignorance, I'm profiled in the Spring '06 issue of VIBE VIXEN on their "Gadgets" page! Yep, folks, the lovely ladies at VV decided that a girl who has all shades of trouble navigating her voice mail was fit to discuss the latest and greatest in gadgetry. The best part? My petrosexual Miniature Pinscher, Mr. Chappie James Cabezas, managed to wiggle his way into the shot. Isn't he darling in his mint-green cashmere Polo cable-knit? Squeal!

• SHAKE YOUR BEAUTY, my humble little style blog, has not only just received its millionth hit…but it has the honor of being included in About.com’s prestigious list of the hottest beauty blogs! If you’re not familiar with About.com, it’s the most extensive internet guide on the web, with over 500 channels spouting tons of consumer advice and info—from movie trailers and fashion tips to recipes and home stuff. Love!

• If you haven’t yet, you MUST check out the hottest new fashion and beauty web-magazine, Glam.com! Especially since I’m profiled in their “Tastemaker” section, where I list my favorite fashion and beauty staples. We also love the glamazons o’ Glam.com because they link to SHAKE YOUR BEAUTY on their favorite beauty blogs page .

•My Darling Muchachitas,
Check out my Q&A and ACCIDENTAL DIVA excerpt on www.bet.com! If you think I sound like an ornery schizophrenic totally lacking in irony (“...that movie, ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’ really pissed me off!”), imagine the sound bytes you’d deliver if expected to be eloquent about the media’s portrayal of black women....the morning after a recurring nightmare in which your second novel’s protagonist shoots you with flaming arrows. But enjoy! And thanks Tonya!
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