Rhyme Report

Published on February 9th, 2016 | by Tamika Newhouse

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New comer Casheena Parker talks Ruthless and love

casheena bookWhat is your take on the depiction of black love in fiction written by African American writers?

Since I was younger I have always had a passion for not just writing but also reading and as a reader I have noticed that most African American writers are more realistic. Black Love is portrayed as it really is depending on the situation in that particular novel or the genre of the novel. In most urban fiction black love is portrayed with all the challenges that most normal urban families deal with. It in most cases show the harsh truths about the reality of urban families. In women fiction black love takes a less urban approach. The situation usually shows the underlying problems or challenges of suburban families. Black love in any situation can be both beautiful and challenging no matter the genre. But that beauty is also dependent upon the reader. When you have a reader who is unaccustomed to the situation that is being explained in that book it can be hard to relate to and easily misunderstood. It always been said you can’t understand someone else situation unless you have walked a mile in their shoes. As a writer I believe this can also be said for the characters in the story.

How did Ruthless storyline develop?

Each time I am asked this question it takes me back and in an odd way places a smile on my face. In most cases people are shocked at my response when I tell them, I dreamed it. I dreamed of Ruthless and it was just as raw I wrote it. It haunted me as if Eva wanted the world to know her story. To me, she came alive as did every other character in the novel. I was so connected to the character that I would feel their emotions as I wrote their part. To me it feels as if they wrote their own story. The book came alive for me and each character became real. In an odd way I wanted to make sure that each character gave the reader the same vibe I felt when I dreamed of them. I wanted to bring the reader into Eva’s messed up and ruthless world.

With Ruthless what makes Eva’s character relatable to other women who may read your book and see themselves in her?
Eva is relatable to other women who read my book because like most women she is found in a situation that she has no power over and has no idea how she got there or how she can change it to remove herself and get back on track. Mostly all women have found themselves once or twice in a situation that they didn’t plan for. Simply because we as women are naturally nurtures and we consider others before ourselves until life’s lessons teaches us otherwise. Eva is like most women, she is powerful in her own way and she doesn’t know how strong she is until life throws her the ultimate curve ball. My hope is that this is what the reader picks up and gravitates to about her. To me all women are strong and powerful in their own unique way. We are built to withstand all things, Eva shows just how much this is true and how she adapts to the life she has been forced into, without folding and giving up.

In Ruthless Focused and goal driven, fifteen year old Eva Rodriguez is unlike most girls her age. Instead of worrying about boys and the latest gossip, she prides herself on her hard work ethic and the fact that she uses her brain instead of her body. She is wise beyond her years and has dreams of one day becoming a real woman of substance.

Her mother, Anna, has completely different ideas for Eva’s life. She believes that Eva should stop trying to be something she’s not and take her place in their family’s legacy, escorting. Anna has dreams and goals for her own life and she will stop at nothing to make them a reality.

Jason Bingham is a powerful business man with a twisted mind. He is the man who helps Anna introduce Eva to her new life. The question is, will he help Eva get all the desires of her heart? Or will everyone else’s plans flip her world upside down?

Follow Casheena on Twitter @CasheenaParker and Instagram @AuthorCasheenaParker

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About the Author

Tamika Newhouse is the publisher of one of the country's longest running independently black own publishing houses. She is the author of 13 books and has been seen in Essence, Vibe Vixen, Uptown, on BET, and Centric TV.


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