Library Journal Review
Racing the Dark by Alaya Dawn Johnson
FANTASY
Like the other women dwelling on their seismically active island, Lana plans to become a diver for the jewels within the fish of the freshwater seas. Her first dive, however, turns up a rare jewel that marks her as a woman of power and causes her to flee her island home with her family in search of a teacher who can prepare her for the danger that lies ahead. Johnson's first novel presents a coming-of-age story with a strong female protagonist and an unusual and exotic setting.
For most collections. [Johnson, just 25, is currently at work on the sequel volume to this planned trilogy.-Ed.]
Photo Gallery
Go home…. 
Co Producer Mike Kuciak handling the music for "Bricks"
Toni Trucks & AEI client Joaquin Perles in “Bricks”
Doctor Dre and D. J. Kane in "Bricks"
With AEI client, Jen Minar on the set of “Bricks.”
KJA with Reem Raw, Doctor Dre, and D. J. Kane
Mike da Cop
Luis Moncada ("Rudy") and Ness Bautista ("Fuego")
On the Fox Studios’ set of Noire’s “Hitting the Bricks”
Casting Director, Co-Producer Mike Kuciak on the set of “Hitting the Bricks”
Alexandra Merejo with rapper Reem Raw on the Fox Studios’ set of Noire’s “Hitting the Bricks”
Jen’s birthday cake!
With itinerant cameraman (and granddaughter) Meggie McKenna
Meggie and Teddy on the set of “Bricks”
AEI V.P. L. A. Young as a parole officer on the set of Noire's "Hittingthe Bricks"
Texas Battle (as Mello) and Alexandra Merejo (as Eva) in Noire's "Hitting the Bricks" directed by Brian T. Jaynes
Millie Ruperto, Ness Bautista, and Katerina Monet in “Bricks”
Co Producer Mike Kuciak handling the music for "Bricks"
Toni Trucks & AEI client Joaquin Perles in “Bricks”
Doctor Dre and D. J. Kane in "Bricks"
With AEI client, Jen Minar on the set of “Bricks.” 
KJA with Reem Raw, Doctor Dre, and D. J. Kane
Mike da Cop
Luis Moncada ("Rudy") and Ness Bautista ("Fuego")
On the Fox Studios’ set of Noire’s “Hitting the Bricks”
Casting Director, Co-Producer Mike Kuciak on the set of “Hitting the Bricks”
Alexandra Merejo with rapper Reem Raw on the Fox Studios’ set of Noire’s “Hitting the Bricks”
Jen’s birthday cake!
With itinerant cameraman (and granddaughter) Meggie McKenna
Meggie and Teddy on the set of “Bricks” 
AEI V.P. L. A. Young as a parole officer on the set of Noire's "Hittingthe Bricks" 
Texas Battle (as Mello) and Alexandra Merejo (as Eva) in Noire's "Hitting the Bricks" directed by Brian T. Jaynes
Special Feature: Forecast by Jane Tara
It’s difficult to pinpoint the inspiration behind Forecast. There was never a moment or event that led to that light bulb going off, which is what normally happens to me. Instead, a family of psychics simply strolled into my head and wouldn’t leave. It wasn’t a matter of telling their story, but deciding which part of their story to tell. While I eventually stuck to modern day events, my characters and their ancestors mapped out a myriad of tales for me, dating back to the 1500’s. Continue reading….On top of everything else
Jane Tara now has a book video for herforthcoming novel, FORECAST. Take a look!
Atchity Entertainment International, Inc.’s new development deal with Spark Digital Media has optioned John Burke (aka Richard O’Connor)’s Duet in Diamonds (Putnam), a nonfiction character study of Diamond Jim Brady and his long romantic relationship with Lillian Russell for an “Aviator-style” feature film—from McIntosh & Otis (Evva Pryor and Ian Polonsky). Atchity will produce along with partner Chi-Li Wong and Spark’s Mark K. Sullivan.
Kayoko, Ken, and Dr. Mohammed Yunus
Kayoko and I had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Mohammed Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and author of Banker to the Poor, in person Sunday at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, to discuss the new venture we helped arrange between The Yoga Journal and The Grameen Foundation, thanks to Julia Wilson, Grameen’s West Coast Development Exec. Dr. Yunus is the founder of micro-credit, lending money throughout the world to people banks won’t deal with because they have no collateral. Repayment rate is 98%.Wow! Can’t get much better than this!
Louisiana Book News: 'Other People's Skin' looks at issues of skin color
Walking around in 'Other People's Skin'
Euleatha LeMoyne was not what her mother expected.
A descendant of LeMoyne brothers, founders of Louisiana, Euleatha's mother, Peaches, is proud of her light skin, setting her apart literally and socially from her dark-skinned neighbors. When Euleatha is born the shade of "scorched caking mud," Peaches faints at the sight of her.
So begins the heart-wrenching story by best-selling author Tracy Price-Thompson titled Other People's Skin, one of four novellas in a book of the same name that tackles the issues of skin color and hair among black women (Atria Books, $14).
TaRessa Stoval's advertising executive confronts prejudice from a black client who insists on a lighter-skinned model while NPR's Desiree Cooper dissects skin color issues in relationships. Elizabeth Atkins Bowman offers a woman who's "too white to be all the way black. Or too black to be all the way white."
But it's Price-Thompson story set in 1970s Louisiana that anchors the book. A winner of the 2002 Hurston/Wright Award for short fiction, it delivers a scorching testament to the prejudices that occur on both sides of the paper bag test. While Euleatha grows up with resentment from her mother and sister, her great-grandmother provides the love and wisdom she so desperately needs, including the ultimate lesson in which Euleatha must walk in other people's skins.
It's a marvelous collection that offers great fodder for discussion.
Walking around in 'Other People's Skin'
Euleatha LeMoyne was not what her mother expected.
A descendant of LeMoyne brothers, founders of Louisiana, Euleatha's mother, Peaches, is proud of her light skin, setting her apart literally and socially from her dark-skinned neighbors. When Euleatha is born the shade of "scorched caking mud," Peaches faints at the sight of her.
So begins the heart-wrenching story by best-selling author Tracy Price-Thompson titled Other People's Skin, one of four novellas in a book of the same name that tackles the issues of skin color and hair among black women (Atria Books, $14).
TaRessa Stoval's advertising executive confronts prejudice from a black client who insists on a lighter-skinned model while NPR's Desiree Cooper dissects skin color issues in relationships. Elizabeth Atkins Bowman offers a woman who's "too white to be all the way black. Or too black to be all the way white."
But it's Price-Thompson story set in 1970s Louisiana that anchors the book. A winner of the 2002 Hurston/Wright Award for short fiction, it delivers a scorching testament to the prejudices that occur on both sides of the paper bag test. While Euleatha grows up with resentment from her mother and sister, her great-grandmother provides the love and wisdom she so desperately needs, including the ultimate lesson in which Euleatha must walk in other people's skins.
It's a marvelous collection that offers great fodder for discussion.
Forecast continues gaining momentum
Here's her latest, from Romantic Times. Jane is now co-signed with RGM Management in Sydney. Hurrah, Jane!
Forecast by Jane Tara 4 1/2 stars
A breezy and lighthearted romance by an author who knows her new age and alternative philosophies, this one will put a smile on your face. Tara makes the para-normal normal and the happily-ever-afters seem like destiny. Wonderful characters and a well crafted story arc make this a recipe for a beautiful weekend. Continue reading….
Forecast by Jane Tara 4 1/2 stars
A breezy and lighthearted romance by an author who knows her new age and alternative philosophies, this one will put a smile on your face. Tara makes the para-normal normal and the happily-ever-afters seem like destiny. Wonderful characters and a well crafted story arc make this a recipe for a beautiful weekend. Continue reading….
More great news
Noire's Thong on Fire won #1 Erotic Fiction Award at the Annual African-American Literary Fiction Awards.
FORECAST received a wonderful, 4 1/2-star review from Romantic Times.
They say:
A breezy, lighthearted romance by an author who knows her New Age and alternative philosophies, this one will put a smile on your face. Tara makes the paranormal normal and the happily-ever-afters seem like destiny. Wonderful characters and a well-crafted story arc make this a recipe for a beautiful weekend.
Racing the Dark
By Alaya Dawn Johnson
Agate, $24
By Alaya Dawn Johnson
Agate, $24
A young girl grappling with mysterious powers becomes the apprentice of a reclusive witch.
Below: Producers of “Hitting the Bricks”: (left to right) Chi-Li Wong, Brian Jaynes (also directing!), Kayoko (Ken’s wife), KJA, and Mark Sullivan
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