Welcome to Day 4 of the “NO PEDIGREE” Blog Tour! @nonniejules #RRBC #RWISA @4WillsPub
Today I am honoured to feature a guest blog from Nonnie Jules, who is Founder and President of the Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC) and Rave Writers - Int'l Society of Authors (RWISA). I am a proud member of both.
This is Day 4 of a blog tour organised by 4WillsPublishing and is a post dedicated to Nonnie's newly released short story 'No Pedigree'.
Hi, and thanks for dropping in on Day 4 of my NO PEDIGREE blog tour! I’d like to also thank Robert for being kind enough to allow me to share a bit more about NO PEDIGREE. |
What “NO PEDIGREE” Is Really About
We live during a time in society where most would like to believe that racism is no more. Lie. NO PEDIGREE is not a book about racism nor is it a book about hate. Yes, both of those subjects are tactfully tackled throughout the book, but, neither are the focal points of the story. NO PEDIGREE is a story about a young woman being courageous enough to stand up for herself, and unapologetically daring to be different when everything around her shouted that she should make herself invisible and be silent.
Bullying, when left unchecked, morphs into unthinkable actions, as was the case in Baylee’s story. Entitlement when bred, leads to unhealthy behavior, most often at the detriment of others. These wounds never heal – no matter how lengthy the healing period.
As parents and guardians, we are our children’s protectors, whether they are 8 months old, or 18 years old (and beyond) … we chose to bring them into this ugly world, thereby entering into an unwritten commitment to always teach them how to be brave, how to be strong and how to speak up and stand up for themselves.
Baylee’s mom modeled bravery and strength and no matter what we tell our children, it is what we show them that they will grow into.
I penned a quote years ago that says, “Nobody ever told me I couldn’t, therefore, in all things I think I can.” This is how all children should be raised. “Tell them they are strong … they will be strong. Tell them they are brave … they will be brave. Show them that you’re a doormat, and the world will walk all over them.”
Although a short story, this was my most favorite read that I have penned to date. As authors, we tire of reading and re-reading our own work but, after about 40 reads, I am still enjoying picking up my Kindle and reading NO PEDIGREE, as if it was the very first time!
If you decide to pick up your own copy, I hope that it will cling to you in the same manner.
Review by Author, John Fioravanti
This is one of the best short stories I've ever read. It is flawless, very well written, and the story holds the reader's attention from start to finish. No Pedigree clearly illustrates the awful price that victims of this crime of racial hate must pay... again and again. Considering the fact that racial hate crimes are on the rise in the United States and many other countries worldwide, Nonnie Jules' timing is as flawless as her writing. It is a shockingly painful story that sports a powerful ending that I never saw coming! As well, I was pleased that all the loose ends of the tale were neatly tied up in the final chapter. I highly recommend this read whether you normally enjoy short stories or not.
BOOK BLURB…
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Baylee never quite fit in... anywhere. She was taunted and teased because her clothes had no designer labels, and spit upon because her only pair of shoes had holes in the bottom. The butt of many jokes, she was excluded from all social activities, sneered at by the parents of her peers after school as she waited for the bus, watching them drive away in their fancy cars; assaulted in the most unthinkable fashion.
Having been born to a white father and a black native American mother didn't make things any easier. In fact, that circumstance made her life ten times harder - until the day she made them all stand up, take notice, and regret every ugly word and deed they had inflicted upon her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Hi, I’m Nonnie Jules – President & Founder of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB {RRBC} and RAVE WRITERS – INT’L SOCIETY OF AUTHORS {RWISA}. As a writer who values the (polished) written word, it is my mission to help my fellow authors understand that their reputations as writers should be treated as rare treasure, and that the only way to be taken seriously in this business, is to ensure that your writing (no matter the forum) is impeccably written and well edited. If not, you’re just another “Joe” with a pen who was the first to raise his hand when Amazon asked, “Hey, any old Joe out there wanna publish a book? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be good and there’s absolutely no hard work involved.”
FYI: If you don’t care what you put out into the world, you’re just a laughingstock in the literary community … and your name is “Joe.”
Connect with Nonnie via Twitter: @nonniejules
To purchase your own copy of NO PEDIGREE, https://www.amazon.com/NO-PEDIGREE-Really-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B083SB1RMN/
To learn more about Nonnie and other ways to connect with her, please drop in on her RRBC Author Page!
If you’d like to schedule your own 4WillsPub tour to promote your books in similar fashion, click HERE.