But what did we give the guys in our lives? Their favorite meals? Tools? A private peep-show wearing that lingerie?
This year I'm giving Calvin a special gift of the heart. He has a manuscript he'd written years before we met. He sent a copy to me while we were dating long distance. By the time I'd finished reading this tale of a bi-racial love story set in the early sixties, I was in love with the author.
Last year, Calvin pulled out that manuscript, revamped it, preparing it for self-publication. Then he set it aside. He claimed he didn't know anyone to format it for Amazon. Enter The Wild Rose Press's new self-publishing branch--Wildflowers Publishing. And the birth of my idea: I would move the process forward to get Calvin's Love in Opposing Colors published. It would be a gift to share part of his creative soul.
I hired Ariel Burnz to create a book cover. I set things in motion with Wildflowers. This would be my gift of love to Calvin this year. Yesterday, Ariel sent us two covers from which to choose. Here is the one Calvin picked...
In the mid-sixties, civil rights protests
dominated network news. Klan violence proliferated. In Washington, DC many
senators were convinced a communist lurked under every grain of sand.
Nationwide, Americans feared a Russian nuclear attack
was imminent. And my problems? Me? Paul Harris? I was young, fresh out of
college, book-wise, life-foolish, floundering, broke—and black. So, I didn’t
need to add another hurdle to my long list of challenges—especially one blonde named
Karen Ennslaw.
I met her the first day of my job at a large advertising
agency. Karen was my exact opposite and my new boss. She was a beacon of
contradictions, a magnet of silk over steel and the woman I would come to love
more than my next breath. Yet, societies—hers and mine—were against us. Their
hate and bigotry pushed us closer together, as close as any two people can be.
Ours is a story that needs shared: Love
in Opposing Colors.
33 comments:
What a gripping cover! And a very powerful blurb.
What a wonderful gift, Vonnie, for someone that sounds like a deserving husband, and for a blurb which sounds like it is an amazing book. Best of luck to both of you.
What a great gift, and I agree with Lilly: compelling cover and blurb.
You are an awesome woman, Vonnie. Calvin was a lucky man the day you met. What a thoughtful gift and that cover is truly beautiful.
Happy Valentines Day to you both. I can't wait to find out what he got you. Maybe some of that lingerie? :)
I'm still gathering details about my new book character! :lol:
Vonnie,
That blurb took my breath away. As a child of the sixties, I can so relate to what sounds like a wonderful book. Let us know when it's available. What a thoughtful gift.
I LOVE this cover. And am excited about reading this book. Yay that Calvin has another release coming!! Whoot! Great idea for a gift, Vonnie and you already know how I feel about Arial's work. :-)
XOXO
What a lovely gift, Vonnie. The cover and blurb are terrific.
Excellent! You have to tell us about his reaction.
Thanks so much, Lilly. Calvin lived in DC during that era, doing graduate work at Howard University, so he has memories of how the city was during that era.
Charlotte, Calvin and I met online--match dot com, can you dig it?--and have been married nearly ten years, so we're still in our honeymoon stage. He is so supportive of my writing. How can I not be supportive of his?
Thanks, Liz. I love the cover Ariel created out from my description of the story. She's an awesome graphic artist. She did the header for my website, too, and my email sig banner.
Lingerie, Calisa? Oh, he has a fashion for RED. Anytime I put on my Victoria Secrets Red stiletto mules with that band of fake fur, his engines start to rev...was that TMI??? LOL
Thanks, Margo. I will certainly announce when his book is available. I was a teenager during this era, graduating high school in '66. Calvin is several years older than I, so he's saw this era with a little more concern and involvement than I did.
AJ, we're both thrilled with this cover. As Calvin said, "She took my words and made them visual. The whole story is on the cover for readers to see."
Thanks for your thoughts, Brenda. He's the most thoughtful of husbands. He unloads the dishwasher every morning and vacuums the carpets so I can keep writing. He's even taken over mopping the kitchen floor. How awesome is that??? He spoils me and I spoil him.
He was so touched when I told him. He said, "This is so typically you. You're the mosst giving woman I know." Then when he saw the book covers Ariel created for him, he got teary-eyed. We writers are emotional souls, are we not? It's part of our creativity.
What a fantastic, heartfelt gift, Vonnie. I adore the cover, it's very striking, and it sounds like a fantastic book! This one's going on my TBR pile!
Okay, now I know why you write such amazing love stories, V. You're living an epic one!
Calvin he has excellent taste - in book covers AND women.
Thanks, Joanne. I'll tell Calvin. He'll be thrilled.
Mac, I am one lucky woman, that's for sure. But after a lot of painful years with an ex that shall not be mentioned and twelve years alone for my soul to heal, I was more than ready for my Black Knight, my gentle warrior for human justice, my soulmate.
What a terrific and loving gift. That blurb is killer. Calvin should be writing them for the rest of us!
Thanks, Jannine. Calvin taught high school English for 40 years. He was one of those teachers who would leap onto his desk and deliver a Shakespeare soliloquy. One of his students once told me there was no sleeping in his class for fear they'd miss out on something.
An absolutely wonderful story (both yours and the book!) Brought tears to my eyes... Thanks for telling us.
Thanks Andrea, I love talking about my Calvin.
Vonnie Davis said...
He was so touched when I told him. He said, "This is so typically you. You're the most giving woman I know." Then when he saw the book covers Arial created for him, he got teary-eyed. We writers are emotional souls, are we not? It's part of our creativity.
This brought tears to my eyes!! I'm soooo glad you two like the cover. I'll be honest, I agonized over this for several hours because I wanted it to be just right. I'm so glad it paid off. :D
Sounds like you and I hit the mother lode with our hubbies! My husband sounds just like Calvin - so helpful around the house and 100% encouraging of my writing. I'm glad I'm not the only one. I was beginning to feel sorry for the rest of the world!!
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading Calvin's book!!
Hugs,
Arial ;)
Calvin is the best. We are so alike and yet so different. But we have great respect for each other. As for your cover, it was perfect.
Vonnie, what a wonderful, wonderful gift! I KNOW you are going to have one of the best Valentine's Days ever--I'm sure that just seeing his reaction is something you will never forget. Hugs and Happy Valentine's Day to both of you!
Cheryl
I think you have Valentines Day 'covered,' my friend. What a delightful surprise for Calvin. Happy V-Day to you two lovebirds! Rolynn
Thank you so much, Cheryl. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too.
He's going to be thrilled, Rolynn. Just as I'm thrilled with all the sweet things he does for me. Valentine sweetness to you, too.
What a busy lady you've been, and such a fantastic gift, Vonnie. I'd think he'll be lost for words.
Oh that is so awesome, Vonnie! You two are an amazing couple!! I love it.
You two were so meant to be together. Two wonderful people and writers. What a magnificent gift. It fits perfectly with the equally magnificent blurb and that great cover. Can't wait to read the book. Sounds like a winner. Vonnie and Calvin, the Happiest Valentine's Day imaginable to both of you.
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