Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / April 29, 2004, edition 1 / Page 11
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
mm mmm 3B LIFE/ Ctatlotte Thursday, April 29, 2004 For romance fans, love’s worth reading Cheris F. Hodges ch£ris.lu>dges@t}i€charlottepost.com NEW YORK — Sometimes Brenda McDade just wants to escape reality. So, she picks up one of her favorite romance novels and does just that. At the Romance Slam Jam conference, McDade was just one fan of the genre who made the trek to the Big Apple loaded down with books to have them signed by her favorite authors. Some other fans who attended the confer ence brought suitcases lull of books. Why? What sets romance apart from other fiction? Why are these fans so loyal? “(The books) mirror real life, but it comes out pretty decent in the end,” said McDade, who is from Houston. Fans Emma Rodgers, Ashira Ibsihwe and romance author Francis Ray started Romance Slam Jam in 1995 in Dallas. According to the conference’s web site, the Jam grew out of a desire to recognize romance authors, and to celebrate their craft with avid fans. The conference has grown from just a few attendees to several hundred, and has PHOTO/OHERIS HODGES welcomed writers and fans from more than 25 cities and four countries. Romance novels make up 55 percent of pop ular paperback fiction and generate $1 billion dollars in sales each year, according to Romance Writers of America, Inc. In the early 1990s Black Entertainment Television launched Arabesque, a line of romance novels geared toward African Americans. It produces at least 20 books a year. Evelyn Palfrey, a romance author and fan, said she had been reading traditional romance novels since she was a child. “I would imagine the heroine had nappy hair, that the tall dark and handsome hero was really dark. It didn’t make much sense that my nappy headed heroine and dark hero were running through the streets of Scotland,” she said. Debra Ross, a fan from Houston, said when she first staiied reading romance, some of her favorite authors were white. She admittedly stumbled into African American romance novels, but has been hooked ever since. “I have stacks and stacks of books,” she said. Meet Laqueshh Likes Biking Riiding Football and Swimming Music and Singing Has accomplished many of her goals and needs assistance with others Looking for parents to believe in her and all that she can do. “Laquesha has a very pleasing personality. She's a happy Child She needs a family that will understand her needs.” Foster Mother. Laquesha (DOB 7/25/92) would like to have a forever family. When asked what kind of family she would like, she stated a 7good, kind, friendly family.” She hopes to maintain contact with her brother and sister. She has great poten tial and can succeed if properly motivated. She needs a family that will set and maintain firm guidelines. Mecklenburg Count)’ Youth & Family Services 720 East Fourth Street Charlotte, NC 28208 For more information contact: >’V t; Nichole Cause 704/432-1024 ,0- Min-' : Kss.,.. fv Aaeiiu 1 fKwe! r (DeCtaSyma ^fkta Sorority, Inc. Cfiarbtte SlCumnae Cfiapter (Presents Its 2004 ‘DeSutantes "fpuSies in tfie Sand"' LaKeshia S. Banks West Charlotte High Willie & Deborah Washington Zibiah P. Burden Providence High James & Debbie Childress Bianca S. Guinn Chantel A. Hemphill Northwest High West Charlotte High T. Michael & Valerie Todd Debra Hemphfll Jihan Cleveland West Charlotte High Winston Cleveland & Angela Roddey Maya Henderson Myers Park High Melvin & Cassandra Henderson Brittany Cuthbertson Amber C. Ellis Cambreia Freeman Vance High West Charlotte High West Charlotte High Anthony Cuthbertson & Henry & Deborah Lee Ellis Randy & Dottie Crenshaw Carletia Freeman Joselynn Freeman Hopewell High Hazel & Joyce Freeman, Jr. Alison Friday South Meek High Boyce & Marilyn Friday, Sr. Briana F. Gibson Ushedra Gilliam East Meek High Garinger High Fred & Bronwen Gibson Robert & Deborah Gilliam Bertha C. Hill Garinger High Terry & Carrie Hill Tamara Hunter Harding High Curtis & Ramona Johnson Brittany Jackson Harding High Stonewall & Cleauary Jackson, Jr. Christina Johnson Harding High Curtis & Ramona Johnson Rachel M. Johnson Shaughnacie Johnson Janel S. Joyner Myers Park High Northwest High West Charlotte High Cindy Scurry-Johnson Derrick & Andrea Johnson Stephen & Narell Joyner Alana E. Kennedy West Meek High David & Jayne Phoso Yuri L. Kennion Latoya J. Love Myers Park High West Charlotte High Robert & Brenda Kennion Kenneth & Cynthia Love ^ ^ M ^ ^ M Christina Mayfield Harding High Phillip & Sallie Mayfield Larilyn C. McGee Awnya R. Miles Independence High Vance High James & Cheryl McGee Alvin & Cynthia Miles, Sr. Ivey P. Moore Harding High John & Patricia Moore LaMonica P. .Moore Harding High Tracy & Cynthia Moore Shannon Morrison West Charlotte High Michael Morrison & Dorothy Ann Mayo Charisse T. Motley Hopewell High Gregory & Tracey Motley Courtney D. Nichols Jordan M. Nivens Tyra Pendergrass Raquel J. Ramseur Whitney Sessoms Latesha S. Spears Ebony L. Staten Vance High Vance High Harding High Vance High Independence High Butler High Garinger High George & Angela Nichols Moses & Saundra Nivens Norman Pendergrass, Jr. & Calvin & Vanessa Ramseur Connie & Flo Sessoms Kenneth & Carolyn Spears Lee Staten & Debra Pendergrass-Finklea Christian Bell Kate Sturdivant Garinger High Zavonda C. Tate We.st Charlotte High Herbert «fc Betty Sturdivant James & Jeannette Logan Tiffany J. Taylor Harding High Sheila Robinson Witney L. Thaxton Butler High Darryl & Lisa Thaxton s H ^ ^ Tomeka Thompson Latavia Turner-Drakeford Tiffany Waddell Amanda J. Walker Erica Wallace Vance High Independence High Vance High Butler High Harding High Gregory & Kelvin & David & Nelbra Waddell Crawford & Robert & Felice Wallace Phyllis Thompson Cassandra Drakeford Stephanie Walker JoVonne S. Walls Paris Washington Amisha V. Woods West Charlotte High Garinger High Garinger High Drayton Pagan & Michael & Paris Washington James Adams & Millicent Ann Walls Dorothy Woods Saturday, Slpri[24,2004, 6pm Cfmrlotte Cotwentim Center, 'Downtown Cfmrlotte DeButantes’ information includes 9{ame, tHiyH School and Tarents. Udelody tKarris & Jo Mn fRpe^ers, Cotillion Co-Chairs Mn ‘Boyd, ‘President Charlotte Jilumnae Chapter
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 29, 2004, edition 1
11
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75