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DT: COULD YOU TELL BLACKREFER.COM READERS HOW YOU GOT INTO WRITING AND HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN WRITING?
CR: I’ve been writing since I was eight years old, but I discovered my voice as a writer when I started writing plays. That effort proved successful. I’ve written 22 plays so far and 20 have been produced. Yet, while I had mastered writing dialogue I found that I needed to improve my narrative writing skills. With that as a motivation I started writing novels in the mid-nineties

DT: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE? OR DO YOU WRITE IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES?
CR: I write fiction. My first two novels are categorized in the romantic suspense genre. The other books I’m writing now are a combination, some romantic suspense, others general fiction. Whatever the genre, I hope that my books leave readers entertained and wanting more. I like to deal with underlying issues in each of my books-religious hypocrisy, the consequences of stubborn pride, the color complex among African-Americans-whenever there’s a subject that is of interest to me I like to write about it. So I hope that readers find something to think about and to discuss in each book that I write.

DT: COULD YOU GIVE US A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF YOUR FIRST BOOK “SIN”?
CR: My first book Sin is a romantic suspense novel. It’s the story of a woman minister named Nedra Davis, who has chosen a career that isn’t an easy one for a beautiful woman, but she has gained respect and garnered renown for her innovative approach to eradicate drugs in her community. The media has dubbed her “The Anti-Drug Queen. Her present and future are bright. Nedra is introduced to a handsome, mysterious stranger named Sinclair Reasoner, who goes by the name, Sin.

It becomes a name that will prove to be prophetic as coincidence and circumstance keep bringing Nedra and Sin together and their attraction for each other grows. However, Sin harbors a secret. Although a prominent businessman, he lives in the shadows and knows that bringing anyone else into his life could be dangerous. Unknown to Nedra, or anyone else, Sinclair Reasoner launders money for the biggest drug dealer in town. People may order Sin on Amazon.com or from Genesis Press @ www.genesispress.com, The ISBN# is 1-58571-017-2.

DT: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST RELEASE?
CR: My second novel, Sweet Sacrifice is about a woman whose little brother is kidnapped. She is shocked and baffled when she’s forced by the abductors to request the ransom from a stranger-an arrogant, self-made millionaire who proves to be less than cooperative. Sweet Sacrifice was released in the fall of last year and has been very well received. The reviews have been wonderful and the book has received a five out of five star rating on Amazon.com from reviewers.

The publicity I’ve been able to garner as the result of Sweet Sacrifice has been great I’ve been featured on the radio show “Around to It” where I was interviewed by none other than Ms. Delores Thornton. I was the RAW SISTAZ Online Book Club Spotlight Author for the month of August. C&B Distribution spotlighted me as September’s Aspiring Author. I was featured in a Meet the Author profile in the September/October Anniversary Issue of Shades of Romance Magazine and also featured in several sections of the February 2002 Valentine Issue of Booking Matters Magazine.

I’m scheduled to be interviewed on BookCrazy.com radio in March, and I’ll be featured in the April 2003 debut edition of The Written Word Magazine, as one of the Ten Up and Coming Authors in the Midwest. One of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou, will be on the cover of that magazine and is the featured interview. Believe me, I’m very pleased with what has been happening.

DT: HAVE YOU RECEIVED AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS FOR YOUR WRITING?
CR: As a playwright I’ve received numerous nominations and awards, but I was thrilled when recently Sweet Sacrifice was nominated for The Romance in Color Annual Reviewers’ Choice Award as Romance Suspense Book of the Year. It was totally unexpected, and the fact that Sweet Sacrifice is only my second novel made it extra special.

DT: COULD YOU GIVE US AN EXCERPT FROM SWEET SACRIFICE?
CR: Sure. Let me do a little lead in: Media mogul, Brandon Plaine, a self-made millionaire has settled down in his favorite restaurant for lunch when a strange woman sits down uninvited in the booth that he is occupying. The woman is attractive, but unfortunately she looks as though she has slept in the clothes that she is wearing. She tells him that it is urgent that she speaks with him saying that it’s a matter of life and death. He is skeptical to say the least. Annoyed by the intrusion, he rudely barks at her to just tell him what is so urgent so that he can get on with his meal.

EXCERPT:
Sash gave a shaky sigh. “I know that you’ll be skeptical about what I’m about to say, Mr. Plaine. You’ll probably think that I’m certifiably insane, but believe me so much has happened over the past few days-”. Her voice wavered a bit, but she quickly regained her composure. “You see, Mr. Plaine, three days ago I was kidnapped.” “Kidnapped?” Brandon looked up from his plate and raised a disbelieving brow. She nodded. “Yes, kidnapped. I know you don’t believe me, but all I’m asking is that you hear my story before you totally dismiss me.” Increasing his guard, Brandon nodded reluctantly. He would do anything to get rid of this woman. “Well, it all started three days ago, when Sweet and I went…” “Sweet?” “My brother, Trent. Sweet is his nickname. It’s short for sweetheart. You see, Sweet and I were in the parking lot of the Barnyard Shopping Center when…” It goes on from there taking the reader on a roller coast ride of intrigue and romance.

DT: DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNING NOVELISTS OR PLAYWRIGHTS?
CR: The best advice I can offer any aspiring writers is to learn as much as possible about the craft of writing. Just as important is learn about the business of writing. If you want to write books, learn about the publishing industry. Publishing is a business and that needs to be understood in all its aspects. If you’re a playwright, learn about theatre production. Yet the best advice I can offer is believe in yourself. Why should anyone else believe in you if you don’t have faith in your own abilities?

DT: DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE WITH OUR READERS?
CR: Well, readers may order Sweet Sacrifice at their local bookstore. When you order the book give the bookstore the following ISBN#: 0-9719586-1-0, and tell them that they can order the book from Baker & Taylor Wholesaler, A&B Distributors, or African World Books Distributors. Readers can also order Sweet Sacrifice online at amazon.com or from my web site at www.crystalrhodes.com. I’m also available for readings and discussions at libraries and for book clubs. Readers can contact me at my e-mail addres, by clicking here.

DT: WE HERE AT BLACKREFER.COM THANK YOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW, AND WE PRAY FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS.