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Worth Fighting 4
by Jarold Imes

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 “Divine Jacquelin” by Jarold Imes

Say the name Jacquelin Thomas and you think of such inspirational and uplifting titles like The Prodigal Husband, Saved in the City or Singsation. Or you (gasp) remember her from her romance genre days. Ask a twelve or thirteen year old who Jacquelin Thomas is and they’ll tell you she is the author of Simply Divine; the first of three new inspirational teen series to recently hit the market.

“I had a large teen audience reading my women's fiction titles and I felt some of the subject matter was just too mature for them. Plus, I have a heart for teens and the issues they face--it's hard enough being a 'tween' (too old to be a child but too young to be an adult) so I wanted to write books that would entertain, educate and encourage them during this transitional period in their lives.”

Thomas is definitely not lying about that. I remember when I was a teen, I moved on to E. Lynn Harris and Eric Jerome Dickey after going through Walter Dean Myer’s catalogue at least once. I didn’t have another black teen author to read about and authors like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Chester Himes and Zora Neal Horston created academic works that were more geared for adults. Now Ms. Thomas comes to us in a 14 year old girl who believes that the world and everyone in it revolves around her. A girl whose issues of materialism and self-consciousness reminds us of our humanity and how such frail things often get the best of us.

“Divine is a typical teenage girl just like most teens--she wants to be popular in school; she adores fashion; she thinks parental rules prevent her from having fun and enjoying life, etc.” Thomas tells me, “Divine is someone looking for acceptance, approval and while it takes her a minute to realize it--she's looking for love and security.”

Thomas concurs that Divine has had more freedom than she had as a teen and that she was more outgoing and outspoken. Thomas also admits to being shy but enjoying everything from Shakespeare to Historical fiction novels and mysteries. Being that I am approximately 75 miles west of her in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in one of the states that makes up the “Bible Belt” and that she is know for her inspirational fiction titles for adults, I asked her if she felt teens felt pressured to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior to which she replied:

“Actually, I don't believe that.  No one can force or pressure anyone to accept Jesus Christ.  More and more people are standing up boldly for Christ, including teens.  Ministry is not just confined to the church anymore--our faith has become more of a lifestyle--not just something you talk about or hide away in a closet until Sunday.  Some television shows, movies, music and even novels such as Simply Divine give you Biblical truths without being preachy.  The information is out there and it's clear and simple:  God is the answer to ALL of our problems.”

Pocket Books, a unit of Simon and Schuster, which is also home to Simon Pulse, a leading publisher of paperback books for teens is working with Thomas to release at least two more novels in the series. Divine Confidential, which is the next book has a release date of February 13, 2007.  A third book, Divine Secrets will be released in the Fall/Winter months. 

Thomas would love to see a series of books featuring teen males and she wants readers to be entertained, educated to be make informed choices and to be ministered to.

 

Simply Divine is one of many titles available in our book store and is also available in stores nationwide.

 

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