Estee: Conversations' Female Artist of 2012

by Cyrus Webb

Recording artist Estee first came to my attention in 2010 when she was promoting her single I WOULDN'T from the album JOY---and I have been a fan ever since. Her ability to take the listener on an amazing journey of self-reflection and gift of reaching the heart in the process made her an easy choice for Conversations' Female Artist of 2012, and it is my pleasure to bestow that honor upon her.

For Estee 2012 has already been one to remember, as she has been able to take her ministry of music and its message to the masses in so many great ways. As she has traveled, she has also been able to share some powerful songs along the way. One of my favorites became I'M STILL HIS, which allows the listener to admit their mistakes but also the realization that God still loves us and wants the best for us. Then came her single EXCUSES which also spoke to me in a big way. It takes you through the things we could say as excuses for not doing all we can in God's service, and then remind us that Jesus Christ gave so selflessly of himself, paying the ultimate price for our salvation.

During the holidays Estee also gave her fans and new listeners some amazing renditions of classics like O Holy Night that reminded us of the reason for the season.

This year she could do no wrong with her music, and the attention she is getting for it is more than deserved.

To find out more about Estee visit www.omega7productions.com.

Cyrus Webb Presents Tony Lindsay: Conversations' Author of the Year, 2012-13

by Cyrus Webb

Choosing the Author of the Year for Conversations over the past few years has been one of my greatest challenges, however, it also allows me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the wordsmiths that are delivering some of the world's greatest work. Past honorees have been Andrew Neiderman, John Saul, Wahida Clark and most recently Stuart Woods. All of them have been guests of mine through Conversations, and they all have shown themselves to be incredible at telling a great story.

For 2012 there was one author that consistently kept coming to the forefront of my mind because of the impact he was making, and it is for this reason that Tony Lindsay, author of titles like URBAN AFFAIR, ONE DEAD LAWYER, ONE DEAD PREACHER and now ONE DEAD DOCTOR (one of Conversations Top Books of 2012), is Conversations' Author of the Year 2012-13.

I first interviewed Lindsay some six years ago for Conversations Magazine. I was a fan of his that really wanted to share his story with our readers, and he was gracious enough to work with me in making it happen. We met face-to-face for the first time in 2008 when Conversations Book Club hosted him in author events in Mississippi and Louisiana.  It was great to spend some time with the storyteller, and get to know more about what motivates him as an author.

The gift that he has is one that I think is universal, but you will hear many talk about him in the singular vein of being a great "urban fiction" author. Being one that is not huge on such titles or generalizations, I would rather think of Tony Lindsay as a man that is able to tell a story in such a way that he can gather readers of various genres together around his work. He is definitely not a one-note. You might think you know him by reading books like STREET POSSESSION and URBAN AFFAIR, and then you might hear someone speaking about CHASIN' IT or MORE BOY THAN GIRL, and you will definitely get a different flavor of his literary palette.

In 2012 what struck me was that I was just getting the opportunity of digesting the lessons from his latest book of short stories called FAT FROM PAPA'S HEAD when ONE DEAD DOCTOR hit the market. Once again Lindsay was able to take us into the life of David Price and the issues he faced, reminding us of how much fiction can gave a true commentary on the events of our lives.

I hear people say if you are a fan of author Donald Goines you will like Tony Lindsay. That may be true to some, but it is not my experience. For me, Goines doesn't capture a world that speaks to me like Lindsay does. If anything, Tony Lindsay is the Donald Goines of my time. His words lift up and off the page into the reader's mind and heart, leaving an imprint that makes it almost impossible to keep it to yourself.

It is my pleasure to honor Tony Lindsay in this issue of Conversations Magazine and throughout 2013. His is a talent that the world deserves to know.

To discover him for yourself, look up his books at www.amazon.com.

Cyrus Webb Presents "Conversations Top 100 Books of 2012"

It is without question one of Conversations Media Group's most exciting events: revealing the titles that make up its Top Books of the year. For 2012 Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine found it to be an increasingly difficult task.

"There were so many great books that came out this year it was almost impossible to narrow it down," he says. In the end he found his top fiction and non-fiction titles that he believes best represent not only what he loves about books but the world as well. Once again there are established authors as well as rising stars that are featured, keeping in step with Webb's desire to feature talent wherever it might come from.

What are the requirements for making Conversations Book Club's Top Books list? They are very simple. First books that make the list must be reviewed in print form. (No e-books are considered.) Secondly Webb would have had to have read the title by Nov. 1st of the previous year and by Nov. 1st of the current year for consideration.

Without any further ado here are Conversations Book Club's Top 100 Books of 2012:


Fiction (Listed in no particular order)

1. "Fractured" by Karin Slaughter (Bantam Dell)
2. "Watch Me Die" by Erica Spindler (St. Martin's)
3. "Into the Darkness" by V. C. Andrews (Simon and Schuster)
4. "Married in the Nick of Nine" by Alretha Thomas Diverse Arts Collective)
5. "Tony's Tiffany" by John Mobley (FreedomInk)
6. "Shades of Orange with Many Greens: Visions of Paul Cezanne" by by Walter E. Thompson
7. "Who?" by Tiona Brown (DaSaint Ent.)
8. "I Do Solemnly Swear" by D.M. Annechino (Thomas & Mercer)
9. "Devil's Gate" by F. J. Lennon (Simon and Schuster)
10. Yield" by Bryan K. Johnson (Bedside Books)
11. "Tilt" by Ellen Hopkins (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster)
12. "The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls" by Julie Schumacher (Delacorte Press)
13. "Darling Nikki" by E. V. Adams (Strebor Books/Simon and Schuster)
14. "Biten" by Dan O'Brien (unknown)
15. "The Stalker Chronicles" by Electa Rome Parks (Urban Renaissnce)
16. "The Choice" by Robert Whitlow (Thomas Nelson)
17. "Flying Solo" by Jeanette Vaughan (Age View Press)
18. "The Lost Daughter" by Lucy Ferriss (Penguin)
19. "The Aloha Trilogy" by Stephen A. Enna & Dennis J. Wootten (Authorhouse)
20. "An Echo Through the Snow" by Andrea Thalasinos (Forge)
21. "Q Awakening" by G. M. Lawrence (Variance Publishing)
22. "Kill Shot" by Vince Flynn (Atria Books)
23. "Love in a Carry-On Bag" by Sadeqa Johnson (12th Street Press)
24. "The Floater" by Sheryl Sorrentino (unknown)
25. "Suzy's Case" by Andy Siegel (Scribner/Simon and Schuster)
26. "The Cutting Season" by Attica Locke (Dennis Lehane Books/Harper Collins)
27. "Alligater Lake" by Lynne Bryant (New American Library/Penguin)
28. "How Angels Die" by David-Michael Harding (Q & CY Book)
29. "One Dead Doctor" by Tony Lindsay (Pen Knife Press)
30. "The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln" by Stephen L. Carter (Alfred A. Knopf)
31. "Twisted Seduction" by N'Tyse (Strebor/Simon and Schuster)
32. "Last Chance Texaco" by Joe Lee (Dogwood Press)
33. "Bone Shadows" by Christopher Valen (Conquill Press)
34. "Drawing Breath" by Laurie Boris (unknown)
35. "Trickster's Point" by William Ken Krueger (Atria Books/Simon & Schuster)
36. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" by M. T. Pope/Tina Brooks McKinney/Brenda Hampton/Terry E. Hill (Urban Renaissance)
37. "Beauty to Die Foe" by Kim Alexis & Mindy Starns Clark (B & H Book"s)
38. "Coming Home" by Stacy Hawkins Adams (Zonderman)
39. "Cheeseland" by Randy Richardson (Eckhartz Press)
40. "Twelve Months" by Steven Manchester (The Story Plant)
41. "Damage Control" by John Gilstrap (Pinnacle/ Kensington Books)
42. "The Last Refuge" by Ben Coes (St. Martin's Press)
43. "Payback Ain't Enough" by Wahida Clark (Cash Money Content)
44. "A Fistful of Collars" by Spencer Quinn (Atria/ Simon and Schuster)
45. "Citycide" by Gary Hardwick (HardBooks Publishing)
46. "Better Than Chocolate" by Sheila Roberts (Harlequin/Mira)
47. "The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D." by Nichole Bernier (Crown/Random house)
48. "Deadrise" by Robert Blake Whitehill (Calaveras Media)
49. "Friends Forever" by Danielle Steel (Delacorte Press/Random House)
50. "The Heat of the Night" by Pynk/Niyah Moore/Lorraine Elzia/Ebonee Monique/Lalaina Knowles/Elissa Gabrielle (Peace In The Storm Publishing) 

Non-Fiction Titles (Listed in no particular order)

1. "The Obama Question" by Gary Dorrien (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers)
2. "By Faith, Not By Sight" by Scott MacIntyre (Thomas Nelson)
3. "Side-Yard Superhero" by Rick D. Niece (Five Star Publications)
4. "Charlie" by Barbara Lampert (Langdon Street Press)
5. "Dear Marcus" by Jerry McGill (Spiegel & Grau (Random House)
6. "Self-Made Myth" by Brian Miller and Mike Lapham (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)
7. "Fearless" by Maimah S. Karmo (Brown Books Publshing Group)
8. "Lefty: An American Odysssey" by Vernona Gomez and Lawrence Goldstone (Ballantine Books)
9. "Soul Rape" by Heyward Bruce Ewart (Loving Healing Press)
10. "Crossing the Tracks" by Dolphus Weary (Kregel Publications)
11. "Redemption" by Bryan Clay (Thomas Nelson)
12. "Confessions of a Microfinance Heretic" by Hugh Sinclair (Berrett-Koehler)
13. "Uncle Yah Yah: 21st Century Man of Wisdom, Part 2 " by Al Dickens (Wahida Clark Presents Publishing)
14. "At the Feet of Jesus" by Joanna Weaver (Water Brook)
15. "Dramas of a Bald Head Queen" by Nina C. Brewton (Write Right Publications)
16. "Creating Time" by Marney K. Makridakis (New World Library)
17. "Single Black, and Government Owned" by Omegia (O) Keeys )Passionate Writer Publishing) 
18. "Fastest Man in the World" by Tony Volpentest (Bettie Youngs Books)
19. "Boxing with God" by Robert Coons (USIAA)
20. "Slow Democracy" by Susan Clark and Woden Teachout (Chelsea Green Publishing)
21. "7 Secrets of a Phenomenal L.I.F.E." by Howard Partridge (Sound Wisdom)
22. "The Shyster's Daughter" by Paula Priamos (Etruscan Press)
23. "Unbinding the Heart" by Agapi Stassinopoulos (Hay House)
24. "King Peggy" by Peggilene Bartels and Eleanor Herman (Doubleday/Random House)
25. "Against Wind & Tide" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (Pantheon Books)
26. "Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power" by Jon Meacham (Random House)
27. "Marilyn" by Lois Banner (Bloomsbury)
28. "Fraternity" by Diane Brady (Spiegel and Grau)
29. "Everyday Meditation" by Tobin Blake (NewWorld Library)
30. "Journey into Thought" by Sidney Andrews (iUniverse)
31. "Tough Truths" by Deirdre Maloney (Business Solutions Press)
32. "Life & Love: Through My Eyes" by Ramona Jones (FreedomInk)
33. "Growing Up Ziglar" by Julie Ziglar Norman (Guideposts)
34. "The Sacred Thread" by Adrienne Arieff (Crown Publishers)
35. "A Dark Journey to a Light Future" by Tommie Mabry (WestBow Press)
36. "Embraced by God" by Babbie Mason (Abingdon Press)
37. "Beginning with the End" by Mary R. Morgan (Vantage Point)
38. "Get Off Your Attitude" by Ryan C. Lowe (Sound Wisdom)
39. "Identity" by Stedman Graham (FT Press)
40. "No Problem!" by E M Hanley (Livre)
41. "It's Your Life: Live Big" by Josh Hinds (Sound Wisdom)
42. "24/6" by Matthew Sleeth (Tyndale House Publishers)
43. "Cyber Bullying No More" by Holli Kenley (Loving Healing Press)
44. "I Ain't Trying 2 Hear It" by Melvin White (Authorhouse)
45. "Leaning Into Sharp Points" by Stan Goldberg (New World Library)
46. "You Can Buy Happiness(and It's Cheap" by Tammy Strobel (New World Library)
47. "Rocky Spirit" by Felice Cantatore (iUniverse)
48. "The 12 Principles to Wellness" by Eleanor R. (Balboa Press)
49. "Today: A Book of Daily Affirmations" by Christopher LaKeith Price (Estrus Publishing)
50. "Live To Give" by Austin Gutwein (Thomas Nelson)

Interested in having your title considered for 2013? Contact Cyrus Webb directly at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. Follow Cyrus Webb on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyruswebb and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyruswebb. 

To check out previous lists by Conversations Book Club or to stay abreast of upcoming literary events, visit www.conversationsbookclub.com. Keep inspired. Keep focused. Keep the Conversations going! 

Conversations with Music Magazine Nominated For 1st National Award

Conversations Media Group is pleased to announce that Conversations with Music Magazine has been nominated for Internet/Print Press Group of the Year by the Rhythm of Gospel Awards.

"We are excited and humbled by the nomination," says Mississippi native Cyrus Webb, Editor-In-Chief/Publisher of Conversations with Music Magazine. "This shows that the hard work and dedication that we have given to this bi-monthly publication is paying off."

Conversations with Music Magazine began in early 2012 as a supplement to the monthly publication Conversations Magazine. It's purpose? To give a platform for nationally recognized artists as well as rising stars in music to share their stories and share how they have grown along their journey and what we can all learn from them and where they are going. Since it's debut it has featured the likes of Trey Lorenz, Ruben Studdard, Higher Authority, Israel Houghton, Freda Battle,Travis Malloy, Byron Cage and others. 

 Held in Jacksonville Florida, July 24-28, 2013 the 5^th Annual Rhythm Of Gospel Awards (   www.therhythmofgospelawards.com ) is an annual nationally televised awards show filled with a variety of innovative and exciting showcases, choir competitions, pageants and achievement galas, bringing in over 6,500 excited, tourists, church, social and civic groups, families and business professionals throughout the entire USA, Canada, and Bahamas. 

                         

The Rhythm Of Gospel Award Show will spotlight 52 categories of recognition through various Churches and Religious Groups, Business/Community Leaders, and Independent Gospel Music Artist, giving them the opportunity to network formally while congratulating trailblazers from various sectors of the community and music industry.

This award show is an ongoing project and after only 5 years it has already been rated #3 amongst some of the more prestigious awards shows in the nation.  This newly acclaimed show is constantly growing and is said to become one of the nations best premiered events in the country for unfound gospel talent.

Nominees like Conversations with Music Magazine will be voted on by the people. Because of this Webb will be coordinating "Voting Parties" for supporters of Conversations Media Group and Conversations with Music Magazine to help spread the word. Online Voting will start November 1, -March 1, 2013. Log on to http://www.therhythmofgospelawards.com/VOTING.html to count your vote today and for more information. To contact Cyrus Webb, email him at cawebb4@juno.com or call 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.conversationswithmusic.com. 

(Sat. Oct. 6th) Conversations Magazine Release Event in Pearl, MS

Join Conversations Magazine Editor-In-Chief Cyrus Webb and special guests author Glenda L. Hunter, recording artist Gutta Mane 601, fashion designer/stylist/talk show host Gail Ambeau and actor/model John Westley Dean as they celebrate the release of Conversations Magazine Sept./Oct. issue as well as the Conversations Model Citizens Oct./Nov. issue. This will take place at Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E * Pearl, MS) beginning @ 6p.m. Admission is free, however, copies of the new issues of the magazine will be available. For more details contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.conversationsmag.com.

Author/Blogger Tracy L. Bell Joins Conversations LIVE's Prime-Time Line-up

Conversations Media Group is excited to announce a new edition to the Conversations LIVE radio family. Beginning Thursday, September 20th at 8p.m. et (7p.m. ct/5p.m. pt) author/blogger Tracy L. Bell will begin hosting a weekly segment each Thursday called "Conversations of a Sistah".

The name of the segment is the same as her book Conversations of a Sistah and will include real topics and bold conversations that deal with everyday issues.

"I'm genuinely thrilled to have Tracy join the Conversations family," says Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group and host of Conversations LIVE radio show. "It's been great to see how her book and blog have been so effective in stirring up genuine discussions, and I know she will be able to bring that same energy and excitement to this radio format."

With Bell's "Conversations with a Sistah" coming to Conversations LIVE, Webb has restructured the Thursday primetime line-up to make her the main focus of the evening. Beginning Thursday, September 20th the 30 min. time slot which begins at 8p.m. et will consist of a song of the week, Conversations' resident chef Bruce Tretter's Quick and Easy Cooking Segment, followed immediately by "Conversations with a Sistah".

"There is such an excitement about joining Cyrus Webb’s house of diversity with books, music and news combined with good entertainment and great conversation," says Bell, who will not only host but Co-Executive Produce the weekly show with Webb. "My feel is the vibe is live and always merry, and my “Conversations Of A Sistah” will add great commentary. My hope is to have bold conversations, bringing real talk to listeners about true experiences from everyday occurrences that deal with a reality of issues on so many levels. I want my segments to be impactful and personable that will lead to constructive conversations well after the talk."

Make plans to join Bell and "Conversations of a Sistah" beginning Thurs. Sept. 20th @ 8p.m. et (7p.m. et/5p.m. ct) on www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive. To contact Tracy Bell email her at conversationsofasistah@readywriterproductioncompany.com.

Cyrus Webb Presents "Issues That Matter, 2012"

Conversations LIVE radio show presents "Issues That Matter,2012": a look at three key components that will play a part in this year's election and the future of the United States. Joining host Cyrus Webb will be authors Marie Friedmann (LIVING ILLEGAL), Richard Kirsch (FIGHTING FOR OUR HEALTH) and Meira Levinson (NO CITIZEN LEFT BEHIND). Listen to the show here:   Cyrus Webb Presents "Issues That Matter, 2012" 06/11 by Cyrus Webb | Blog Talk Radio