Summer Spotlight Author Linda R. Herman

Linda R. Herman is a native of South Georgia where she works as an emergency 911 dispatcher. Together, she and her husband are raising two teens and a toddler. There’s never a dull moment and Linda often turns to reading and writing to balance out her hectic life. To learn more about this passionate author, visit her online at www.LindaRHerman.org, www.asanetwork.webs.com, www.XpressYourselfPublishing.org, and www.LadyLeoPublishng.org.


Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I think I’ve known since fourth grade that I was in love with the written word. I remember making up stories back then, but it took winning the Black Expressions Annual Fiction Writing Contest in 2005 to finally convince me that it was my destiny to be an author.

Q: What sets you apart from other authors in your genre?
My heart bleeds and with that passion I pen stories that parallel reality.
I am passionate about the issues that I write about, especially HIV/AIDS being that it’s the leading cause of death in African American women 25-34. That’s a wake-up call for a 33 year old Black woman such as myself.

Passion flows from my pen in every story I pen.

Q: How many books have you written so far?
To date I have penned four books that are in print.

Consequences When Love Is Blind is my novella that debuted in February 2008. It was published through Xpress Yourself Publishing and made quite a grand entry with its bold message about men on the down-low and the spread of HIV. Reviewers agree that this is a must-read book.

Somebody Prayed for Me is an uplifting and inspiring anthology that I penned with my sistahs, Allyson M. Deese (Discovering the Joy Within) and Tinisha Nicole Johnson (Searchable Whereabouts). This book has a story that every one can relate to as each character faces life’s challenges and are able to prevail through the power of prayer. Xpress Yourself Publishing presented this title in December 2008 and it has truly been an inspiration to readers.

Consequences is my debut novel. Originally when the novella, Consequences When Love Is Blind was published, we were going to print a 3 book series of novellas, Consequences When Love Is Blind, Consequences The Life She Chose, and Consequences Let Every Tongue Confess. The readers, however, wanted a full novel, and that’s exactly what Xpress Yourself Publishing delivered in February 2009. For those who didn’t want the novella to end, please pick up your copy of the novel. It does NOT disappoint.

My fourth and most recent novel is, Cost of Our Affairs. For readers who enjoy a storyline filled with drama and a lesson well-learned, this book is for you. If you’re thinking about having an affair, Cost of Our Affairs will definitely make you reconsider.

I am also the author of several ebooks published through Lady Leo Publishing under my legal name as well as my pen name, Sunshine Royal, for the more sensually erotic stories.

Chemistry 101 is definitely a read for a mature reading audience as it is heavily dosed with hot & steamy scenes; without a doubt, erotica at its finest.

From Hooker to Housewife is a much calmer read that is actually a contemporary romance; a love story between a hooker and a pastor. It goes to show there’s no limit on where love can be found. It’s one of my favorites.

A Time for Love is a sweet, contemporary romance about love, self-forgiveness, and redemption. It was first published with Lavender Isis Press in July 2007 and was re-published with Lady Leo Publishing in December 2008. It is a beautiful story of how we can rise above our falls. I am working on making this novella into a full-length novel.

Lying to Myself is an inspirational piece about domestic violence that I recommend to readers of all genres. A married woman gives an account of her abusive relationship and how she gained the strength to finally let go before it was too late.


Single Again is a mildly erotic story with a twist of romance. When the main character, Brandi Jackson finds herself single, a whole lot of drama unfolds when her past comes face-to-face with a possible future.

And coming soon is the first story in a series, Hide & Seek: What’s Done in the Dark. Twins, Neveah and Angel Marquette will leave readers speechless with their sexual escapades.

I’m also a contributor to the follow anthologies:

Succulent: Chocolate Flava II (Atria)
Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage (Xpress Yourself Publishing)
The Triumph of My Soul (Peace in the Storm Publishing)
Mocha Chocolate: Taste A Piece of Ecstasy (Nayberry Publications

Look for my title, Love in the Fourth Quarter, which is included in a Lady Leo Publishing print anthology that releases next year.

Q: Which of your works are your favorites? Why?
My absolute favorite work to date is Consequences. I truly poured my heart and soul into this novel in a sincere effort to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. I also love the stories and the messages found in the anthology, Somebody Prayed for Me. From Hooker to Housewife is my favorite ebook as it proves love exists beyond a fairytale and is usually found when its most unexpected.

Q: What will your next book be about?
My next print book which is slated for a 2010 release is Our Truths Be Told and it’s the sequel to Cost of Our Affairs. In Our Truths Be Told questions are answered as more secrets are revealed and more drama unfolds. The roller coaster ride continues…full throttle.

Q: Are you involved in any social networks? Which ones and why? Have they helped or hurt?
I am the co-founder of ASA, Authors Supporting Authors, a network formed for the purpose of being a support system to upcoming, new, and established authors. We also aspire to make a valiant effort in the eradication of illiteracy. This group has definitely helped many authors, myself included.