Greetings  Lutishia and welcome to APOOO!

Thanks Yasmin, it is my pleasure!

In 140 words or less, tell us a  little about Lutishia Lovely.

Lutishia Lovely is an actor, motivational speaker and former radio personality and talk show host. Her foray into the written word began as a child and turned professional when after pitching a stageplay idea to a writer friend, was given the life-changing suggestion to “write it yourself”. She worked as managing editor of a holistic magazine before independently publishing Sex In The Sanctuary, a story of two best friends who happen to be preacher’s wives, experiencing two very different marriages. The series idea was quickly picked up by Kensington Publishing, with Love Like Hallelujah and A Preacher’s Passion joining the series known as “Hallelujah Love”. Lovely and her family split their time between various cities in Europe and Los Angeles, CA.

In 140 words or less, tell readers why Reverend Feelgood would make a great addition to our personal library.

This novel offers up a unique storyline and a fresh perspective. Some topics are uncomfortable—fidelity, teenaged sex, molestation, pastor/congregant relations, while others inspire—perseverance, positive self-esteem, the sanctity of sisterhood and the power of faith. While it’s true that there is nothing new under the son, I think readers will agree that they haven’t met a man quite like Nate Thicke!  This is a book that will elicit provocative discussion within your friend circles and/or book clubs, one you’ll want to pass on and then read again when it is returned. Reverend Feelgood will make you laugh. It might make you cry. But most of all, it will make you think.

How did you come up with the plot for Reverend Feelgood?

The idea started percolating around the time the polygamy case unfolded in Texas a few years ago. Remember the one where they removed over four-hundred children from a compound out in the  middle of nowhere? There were many interviews with the women, who called each other sisters, and how they lived in harmony while sharing both husband and household. I found this fascinating, especially since in some parts of the world sharing a husband with at least three other women is also “normal”. Then I remembered a real-life situation involving a particular minister and ministry, where the pastor added his own definition to the term “spiritual covering”. He and other ministers in his circle routinely had intimate relationships with certain females in his congregation. What is going through the mind of a woman who does this? What about the man? And just what is normal? Is it all about perspective? Instead of judging, it felt expansive to try and understand. These and many other things were on my mind as the character voices flowed through me and unto the page.

Are you working on another book and, if so, can you share a brief summary with us?

For those Hallelujah Love Series fans, I just completed book six, Heaven Forbid, which releases in August. I am very excited to now be working on the first non-series Lovely book! This is a trilogy, involving a soul food dynasty. In the first book, All Up In My Business, readers will be served up the usual Lovely fare of drama, humor, controversy and inspiration, and will be asking the question, “While blood is thicker than water, is it thicker than some multi-million-dollar-making barbeque sauce?” Stay tuned!

What was your favorite 2009 moment?

Wow, this is difficult because there were so many. I spent almost half the year in Europe, and saw friends from decades ago. But to pick out one, I think it would have to be standing front and center –albeit a couple hundred yards away – as our first Black president took the oath of office. Millions of bodies and multitudes of love, and did you know that there was not one arrest associated with the event that day? Amazing…

Which living person do you most admire?

There’s two of them…Mama and Daddy.

What are your most overused words or phrases?

Baby! (with the emphasis on first syllable), Okay? (yes, I’m still saying that and someone should slap me), and my favorite…however comma…

If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

It would probably be Jesus, and I’d say…thank you. Then I’d ask if he’d teach me how to turn water to wine so I can save some $$$ on the cabernet savignon, okay?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Negative, judgmental people and ideals.

What is your most surprising talent or interest – the one that makes people say “I didn’t know you (did/liked/knew)…”?

Hum…probably that during the 90s I was often billed as “the Rhaptress”, my self-coined title combining rapper and actress (but spelled along the lines of a rhapsody). And, baby, I could spit with rhythm and flow freestyle. I wrote my own music. One of my favorite songs from this era is “Holy Ghost High”.

What’s one song that people would be surprised to know is on your IPod (or in your music collection)?

Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying. And so many others that my best friend often looks at me when I know the lyrics to something corny and says, “who are you”?

Name five things that make your world go round.

Friends

Laughter

Sunshine

Writing

Love

Lutishia thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules and spending a few with APOOO.

Hugs and Kisses to the APOOO community. I appreciate you!!!

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