The Book Partay

There are book parties and there are book partays. I'm happy to say that the launch of my second novel, Hunger, fell into the latter category! With over 225 loved ones, artists, writers, filmmakers, book aficionados, and other assorted tastemakers feelin' the vibe at New York City's Crash Mansion on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, it was the kind of spirited, music-filled, happy people event that I had hoped for.

It was great to collaborate with my husband, Kevin Webb--executive producer of A Love Noire/Hunger: The Soundtrack--to make it possible. I could not have asked for a better partner! And the love was flowing with a strong showing of friends and family as well as an incredible group of fans.

Adding to the festivities was the musical showcase that featured artists from the Soundtrack. Playing to a standing-room only crowd, Gordon Chambers kicked things off with a medley of his songs (several from his own album and some popularized by the likes of Anita Baker and Beyonce), Marlon Saunders and his band Mood Control definitely heightened the feel-good vibe with funky rhythms and lyrics, and Leisa Johnson's voice blew folks away and had them calling for an encore. The musically ambidextrous LEANiN6, featuring a fearless Kevin Webb on vocals, took folks on a journey of the mind, heart, and soul. And Soulfege connected all points of the contemporary Diaspora with their fluid Afrobeat/reggae/hip-hop sound and conscious lyrics.

With books and CDs tucked under their arms, folks left only reluctantly but with the promise of being transported, once again, to the world of Innocent and Noire with a glass of merlot, their brand-new copy of Hunger, and the Soundtrack striking just the right note.