DJGBC Authors Spotlight: Mary “Honey B” Morrison “The Rich Girls Club”

Mary B. Morrison, New York Times best-selling author is the up and coming artist with a multiple book-to-film deal. Mary has seventeen published novels including her newest release, If I Can’t Have You.

She writes for Kensington Publishing Corporation as Mary B. Morrison and Grand Central Publishing as HoneyB. In her novels Mary addresses social and sexual issues while empowering her female characters.

“Women Rule,” that’s the way I see it. “Beside every great man there is a powerful woman. The same does not hold true for every successful woman. A lot of us are single because men want to wear the pants, even if they didn’t buy them.”

Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment and filmmaker, Leslie Small, optioned the film rights to Mary B. Morrison’s popular Soulmates Dissipate series (which includes seven novels). Her first book, Soulmates Dissipate, is being developed for feature film in 2013.

Mary is an Executive Producer on her film deal and she was Executive Producer and playwright for her stage play Single Husbands (based on her novel under her pen name HoneyB).

On June 3, 2000, Mary withdrew her retirement to self-publish her debut novel, Soulmates Dissipate. Mary has also sponsored an anthology publishing 33 students entitled Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders.

Lift Every Voice and Write is Mary’s non-profit. The organization is established to help increase literacy and support students interested in pursuing writing as a career.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mary is the middle child of seven. She’s a graduate of McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans and Berkeley Community College in Berkeley, California.

Her wonderful son, Jesse Byrd, Jr. is a 2010 graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and producer on Mary’s film deal. Jesse has recently completed his first novel and owns a clothing business, OiseauChateau.com.

Mary currently resides in Oakland, California.

DJ Gatsby Book Club Authors Spotlight: Lashanta Charles “Lovely Lies”

Lashanta Charles

Lashanta Charles was born and raised in the small town of Orangeburg, SC. She has always been an avid reader of all genres, but Urban/ African American Fiction has always been her true love and is what inspired her to pursue a writing career. In high school, she began letting her classmates read the short stories that she would write and based off of their feedback, her passion for writing pushed her to become a published author. Through trial and error, she has developed a unique writing style that she fully embraces. She penned her first official novel, Lovely Lies, in 2013 and is currently working on the sequel.Currently she lives in Waynesville, MO, with her husband and two children. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English at Drury University and also serving in the US Army. Her hobbies include spending time with family, traveling, eating, and of course, writing. Her motto is “strive to excel, not to equal.”

Lovely Lies

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

Makynzee has spent all of her life being dependent on people who’ve always disappointed her, especially her abusive mother. Everyone lies to her – her sister, her uncle, even her beloved father. When her mom strips her of her one true love, gymnastics, she’s determined to find and maintain her independence. There’s only one little problem…money. She sets out to find a job as a dancer at a gentelman’s club, but finds Kalil instead. With his looks, money, and charisma any woman would be crazy not to want him and Makynzee’s no different. Falling for him fast she soon discovers some things just arent adding up and Kalil may not be the man she thought he was. He wants to be with her and provide for her, but can he protect her? When a love-struck fan becomes obsessed and begins attacking and stalking Makynzee she questions Kalil’s ability to be her protector. Makynzee has no idea who he is, where he came from, or why he’s here, but he’s determined to have her even if that means eliminating everyone she knows and loves. By any means necessary, right? She belongs to him and he’s claiming what’s rightfully his, no matter the circumstances. When truths are revealed, they threaten to tear Makynzee’s soul apart and chaos becomes her life. Will she be able to escape this temporary insanity or will she become a permanent victim.

To Purchase “Lovely Lies” Click On The Link Below:

Lovely Lies (Delphine Publications Presents)

Visit : www.LashantaCharles.Com & Delphine Publications @
http://delphinepublications.com/home/authors/lashanta-charles.html

DJ Gatsby Book Club Authors Spotlight: Author Amaleka McCall “Cold Summer”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Amaleka McCall grew up fast watching the harsh streets destroy many of her family members and friends.  After graduating high school with honors Amaleka planned to become a criminal defense attorney, but in 1995, while a sophomore at St. John’s University, she became pregnant with her first child.  Working a number of city jobs and struggling as a single mother, Amaleka went on to earn her baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University and her Masters in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  Aptly dubbed the “intelligent hoodlum” by family and friends, Amaleka was always able to use her imagination and her education to create wonderful stories.

 

In 2004, Amaleka moved from New York to the D.C. metro area. It was then that she decided to take her journals and her imagination and do something constructive with them.  The result was the birth of her first novel A Twisted Tale of Karma (re-released as Myra, 2009.)  With a love for thrillers and first hand knowledge of the criminal justice system and street life, she completed her subsequent urban mystery/crime thriller novels, Hush, Price of Fame, Hard Candy and Hard Candy Part 2.

 

Recently, Amaleka was invited to join the Official Writer’s League, a new endeavor spearheaded by the dynamic writing duo Ashley and JaQuavis.  This deal has been by far the most exciting and rewarding Amaleka has embarked on in years.  With her writing career looking brighter than it ever has, Amaleka is looking forward to bringing you more authentic, well-written stories under OWL.

 

Amaleka currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.  She loves spending quality time with her family, writing, watching movies, and reading books. She is hard at work on her new release Cold Summer set to drop June 2013.

Follow This Author On Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/amaleka.mccallbrathwaite/

To Purchase Book By This Author Click On The Link below…

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Amaleka%20McCall&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank#/ref=sr_st?qid=1369057812&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AAmaleka+McCall&sort=daterank

DJGBC Authors Spotlight: Shiana

About Shiana,

I am author Shiana and CEO of Purple/Blaquk Rose Publishing LLC. I enjoy writing, writing beyond the means when it comes to street, urban fiction, thriller, erotic with all a little of a twist…I like going outside of the box leaving my readers in awe at the scenes making them feel as if they are looking at a movie in their head.

I enjoy the thrill as I write. Writing has been my passion for many years since I was a child and I am excited to share my stories with the world.

I live in Milwaukee WI with my two girls…that I love dearly. Not only am I a author/writer a wonderful mother that enjoy the love of the pen.

Hope you enjoy my work just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Smooches!

Authors Spotlight: Author K’WAN “Animal II”

Bestselling Author K’WAN  graces the cover of the May/June 2013 Issue of Pen and Profit$ Magazine.

DJ GATSBY, K’WAN, TREASURE BLUE & EYONE WILLIAMS AT THE 2012 HARLEM BOOK FAIR

I first met K’Wan at the 2012 Harlem Book Fair. He was chilling with the Cash Money Content  team of authors, Treasure Blue, “The Queen Of Street Fiction” Wahida Clark, And “Urban Lit’s Power Couple” Ashley & Jaquavis. When I walked over to talk to him he was standing with Author Eyone Williams from Washington,DC smoking a Newport & sipping on what I now think was Hennessey. He gave me some dap , I gave him a DJ Gatsby Book Club T-Shirt (I hit the whole team with them) and we took a few pictures. I chatted with him  for a few minutes more as he posed for pictures & greeted his fans and readers.

K’WAN AT SYLVIA’S RESTAURANT IN HARLEM,NY AFTER THE ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS EBONY POWER 100 PARTY @ 49 GROVE IN NYC

The second time I met K’Wan was at the Essence Magazine Celebration given for Ashley & Jaquavis At 49 Grove Lounge In New York City. Although I arrived late I was just in time to get invited to go uptown to Harlem & have dinner with Him, His Lovely Wife, DC Bookdiva, Eyone Williams, Ashley & Jaquavis along with a few more invited guests at “The Worlds Famous Sylvia’s Restaurant”. We were seated in the Presidential Dining Room and sat at the table where President Obama & The First Lady Michelle had dinner.

Okay that’s my story about how I met this talented Author, you are going to have to read the article in Pens & Profits Magazine to learn more about ” The Master Of Urban Fiction” Author K’Wan  #writetoeat #iamlegend #niggawakeup.

Here are a few “Quotes: he recently left for his fans on one of his Facebook Pages…

AUTHOR K’WAN FOYE

“I write from sun up to sun up, relentlessly working to perfect my craft not because I’m flushed with deadlines, but because I know there’s an unpublished author somewhere with a notebook, a 40 and two loosies staring at my book cover and listening to his stomach growl”. #niggawakeup #Write2Eat

“My goal with Animal 2 is to have a higher body count than Animal while still delivering a solid story. I’m all for blood and guts to lure you in, but murder alone does not a great read make. The body count is the bread, but a captivating storyline is the meat and cheese. Now let’s make a fucking sandwich”. #A2 #TeamAnimal

“Been working round the clock to get both of these novels ready for the end of the year. You already know #A2 is dropping in Oct. and that’s going to be a MONSTER and a fav of the gun clappers, but I’m also keeping the ladies in mind and releasing another Hood Rat novel for the new year. Revisiting the old cast, Billie, Reese, Yoshi, Ms. Pat as well as adding some new characters. The title of this installment of the series is hands down the best one and is going to leave some people speechless and give others something to talk about. Yup, I went there with it. Stay tuned”.

K’Wan is currently signed to Cash Money Content Publishing and working on Animal II and another book in the Hood Rat Series.

The magazines mission is to provide significant and practical solutions to help both authors and entrepreneurs whose struggle for success are similar accomplish their business and publishing goals. The magazine presents best practices in book publishing, business management, marketing, workflow and technology.

It is a magazine for authors needing to learn the business of publishing and entrepreneurs struggling to get their businesses off the ground or start a business. They realized that both authors and entrepreneurs have a lot in common and this magazine is dedicated to helping them both.

Pen and Profit$ Magazine is known for interviewing heavy hitters in book publishing and business. At least one featured guest in each edition is well known and very successful. One of the most famous people they’ve interviewed and featured has been 13 book, New York Times Bestselling Author-Michael E. Gerber.

DJGBC Authors Spotlight: Zoe & Yusuf Woods The Legend Of Billy D “The Awakening of A Don”

Zoe Woods  entered the literary scene with the release of the Blood of My Brother trilogy, a saga created in dedication to and collaboration with her husband, co-author Yusuf Woods. A history relative to those within urban communities who are enthralled by street life resulted in her husband being sentenced to prison for many years and inspired them to share their work. Having witnessed the struggles and triumphs of her husband’s life, the direction that Zoë and her husband wanted to take their project was one that would encompass realism, showing a glimpse of history and the severity of consequences that often result from being caught up in this kind of lifestyle; including the devastation endured by the families of those who are entangled.

The child of an alcoholic mother who was often in and out of prison during her childhood and teenage years, Zoe found solace in activities that would allow her to express herself and if only for a short time, escape the negativity that surrounded her. Entering high school she continued to practice her love for art, design, and poetry, further developing her writing later in life with the collaborative series. When the opportunity was presented for her to release her debut, Zoe and her husband gave their all for the creation of one of their most powerful and personal stories and have not put their pens down. Since the release of the Blood of My Brother series, Zoe has also contributed to the Lipstick Diaries part II anthology with a short story titled Rush: The Sweetest Sin. She continues to develop stories in multiple genres with great unique substance while staying true to her passion and delivery with what is said to be a new generation of urban literature to her readers. Zoë considers her greatest gifts and sources of inspiration; life itself, being a wife, and a mother. In addition to enjoying the time she spends with her family, she is an enthusiast of education and is an advocate for the prevention and awareness of domestic violence.

Author Yusuf Woods

With an ever present flair for entertaining and an impressive talent in creating captivating literature, Yusuf Woods, a Pennsylvania native penned his first novels, the Blood of My Brother series in collaboration with his wife, author Zoë Woods. Yusuf began writing through his love for literature and desire to share some of the true dangers of urban life that he has witnessed. His hopes were that his past experiences, the consequences he paid, and his knowledge of street life would entertain and show younger generations along with the world, that there are no real winners in the “Fast life.” Knowing firsthand how the death of people’s dreams, relationships, and spirits could happen so quickly; Yusuf used an innovative approach to present their debut to show the dark side of living the fast life as well as the temptations that seem so fascinating, yet are only consuming. Not only do he and his wife aim to provide literature that captivates and excites, they also unleash their distinct creativity to portray scenarios that are happening in urban cultures today. Being multifaceted in his writing abilities, added with an entrepreneurial spirit, Yusuf has set a precedent and demonstrated that there are other options and life choices that are imperative to successfully making it out of the street life. He and his wife Zoe continue to create new literature with the same depth and excitement that brought them into the literary industry. Yusuf also devotes his time to studying Islam, his family, being a father, and counseling others

Website:
http://www.ManUpPublications.com

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers, Entertainment

For Books By Zoe & Yusuf Woods Click On The Link Below..

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Daps&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1366826321138#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=yusuf+woods&sprefix=yusuf+woods%2Caps%2C133&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ayusuf+woods

DJGBC Authors Spotlight: Morenike’ Matory “Taste Of Insanity”

Morenike’ is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. She attended Provine High School and graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s in English. Continuing her education, Morenike’ is currently a graduate student at Jackson State University pursuing a M.A. in English. Morenike’ has been writing short stories and poems since she was a young girl in elementary school. Her passion for reading and writing stemmed from her early introduction to reading from her parents. She states that, “reading was very important in my home, my parents’ relationship started from the discussion of a book, reading created my family.” Her goals are to one day become a world-renowned novelist, focusing on African American Fiction, poems, and short stories that reflect the African American community. Her latest work includes the poem and short film, “Shoeicide” and the anticipated release of her debut novel, “Taste of Insanity” from La Femme Fatale Publishing. Morenike’ can be contacted at AuthorMorenike@gmail.com or connect with her at www.facebook.com/AuthorMorenike.

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Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2013

Egypt Roberts is privileged, spoiled, and living the good life afforded to her by her parents and fiancée. Still living with her mother and father at the age of 24, Egypt wants for nothing and is cared for by her childhood nanny and her father’s wealth. But after the death of her nanny, the lies that crafted her perfect life unravel and cause Egypt’s mental and emotional breakdown. Meet Andrea Atkins, a young girl with a bright future; although her life is a living hell thanks to a mother with substance abuse issues she has hopes of escaping her life after her high school graduation. But before she can make her escape, Andrea’s world comes crashing down after a business transaction gone wrong is interrupted by her mother. Andrea’s life is flipped upside down and she retreats into silence; protecting the secret of the night her mother was killed. Blakely Hammond is a lost and confused soul with no knowledge of her past or who she is due to suppressed memories. A graduate student with dreams of becoming an author and college professor, she is never able to stay on the straight and narrow because of her best friends’ schemes. After a scheme gone wrong Blakely is landed in jail for a crime she doesn’t remember committing and a best friend that has gone M.I.A. Tragic events lead Egypt, Andrea, and Blakely to the Rose Program at the Rosa Lee Institution for Women and Children where they discover things about themselves and their lives that they never knew were possible. Through individual and group sessions in the Rose Ward, Egypt, Andrea, and Blakely create bonds with one another and the staff while getting a sample of what crazy tastes like…

To Purchase  This Book Please Click On This Link ..

Taste Of Insanity (La' Femme Fatale' Publishing)

DJGBC Authors Spotlight: Dyphia Blount a/k/a Gemini Phoenix

Dyphia is the best-selling author of the erotic/romance novel Dicmatized:  The Doctor Is In.  This book reach #5 top rated best erotica on Amazon after only three months and held the spot for approximately two months afterwards.  Dyphia has since then started a publishing company called, Gemini Phoenix Publications LLC where she reaches out to authors who are looking to become a team of supporters and change the way people view the publishing world.

Dyphia’s love for writing has become obvious to her friends and fans and will continue to grow with the hard work and dedication she constantly achieves.  She is also the Co-editor & Chief of Literary Lounge Magazine where she writes an advice column called, “Let’s Talk About With Gemini Phoenix.”  Please don’t hesitate to friend her on Facebook under Dyphia (Gemini Phoenix) Blount.  Her motto is: “Why try to fit in when you’re meant to stand out!”

 

Book Description

Publication Date:March 12, 2013

Ladies why are you always in the club, leaving your man at home or to do whatever makes him happy? If he’s not complaining about you being gone all the time, he’s probably not thinking about you or enjoying his freedom to be with the next chick. As soon as that guy approaches you asking, “Where is your man and why are you here alone?” you are leaving room for drama. Take care of home first before the one you return to is empty and you are left alone. If what you have at home isn’t all that you need, stop playing games and move on. Stop wasting his time and yours wondering what you can do to make your relationship better. Your struggle is with yourself because you don’t love and know yourself enough to understand your own worth. Take a walk with me through this brief journey and learn how to find a soulmate within yourself first and then the right man will find you!

Book Description

Publication Date:June 7, 2012

Dr. Lenese Stringfield Puts the “Sex” in Sex Therapy as she takes the profession by storm with her new and innovative techniques. Her seductive nature and sexy demeanor has her clients eating out of the palm of her hand; amongst other things. Lenese has loved once and lost. So, if she can’t be with the one she loves; she will love the one she’s with. But, amazing sex doesn’t come without a price tag. Too bad life has a lesson to teach this freaky therapist! She will soon learn that Karma is the “one bitch” that has everyone’s address. Fooling around with another woman’s husband is dangerous, but falling in love with one can be deadly.

To Purchase  Books By This Author Click On The Link Below..

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Gemini%20Phoenix(%20Dyphia%20Blount)&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=dyphia+blount&sprefix=dyphia%2Cdigital-text%2C151&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Adyphia+blount

DJGBC Authors Spotlight: T. Styles “Pretty Kings”

Pretty Kings (The Cartel Publications Presents) [Paperback]

T. Styles

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2013

The Pretty Kings became the most notorious drug lords in the United States. This is how their reign begins. Bambi and her sisters in law have it all. They’re married to cousins of the highly respected Kennedy family, rich and hopelessly in love. As promised, the Kennedy Kings decide to get out of the drug game, after, a one hundred million dollar meeting with The Russians, whom they never met personally. First, the Kings have to return home from LA. But, while in a casino, something so devastating occurs, which their wives witness via video calling, that changes the wives lives forever. The next day, emotionally beaten, Bambi remembers the meeting with The Russians that is to take place on Saturday. Although grieving, she considers how life will be without her husband and penniless. Bambi tries to facilitate the meeting without their husbands but is unsuccessful. The Russians are expecting the Kennedy Kings only. Not wanting to miss and opportunity to take care of her family for the rest of her life, Bambi comes up with a plan. However, for this plan to be executed, the wives would have to take over their husbands identities. They must become the Kennedy Kings. If it works, they will continue to afford the lifestyle they are accustomed. If not, they might suffer a fate so brutal, death would be better.

Author, Publisher & CEO of Cartel Publication T. Styles

is the owner of the thriving publishing house, The Cartel Publications. With books on their roster like the Shyt List Series, she has bogarted her way to the top of the hip hop publishing industry.

With a goal to become one of urban fictions finest novelists, T.Styles, Essence Magazine’s best selling author of “Black & Ugly As Ever” and “A Hustler’s Son 2″, has launched her own company, The Cartel Publications. Born in Southeast Washington, D.C, she does a supreme job of weaving tales from her hometown.

She credits her creativity to God, the hundreds of DVDs she has in her collection and trailblazers such as Sister Souljah, saying that, “In order to be blessed, you have to pay homage to those who’ve paved the way.” Although writing is her love, she is certainly multi-talented. Having worked as a Certified Massage Therapist, Model and Public Speaker for major companies/organizations such as The Office of the US Supreme Court, Marriot, Carefirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Eduserc, she has discovered that her true passion is writing and publishing.

In addition to writing for major companies like, Triple Crown Publications, Kensington, and her own company The Cartel Publications, T spends her time speaking honestly about the issues she’s experienced with the law as a juvenile to steer others toward a more fulfilling life.

She has been featured on, The Urban Book Source.com, as one of the Most Underrated Authors, Don Diva Magazine, and Urban-Reviews.com for her contributions to the urban literary community with her prior releases and her new publishing company. She has also been featured in the Washington City Paper, the Baltimore Sun and Essence Magazine.

To Purchase Books By This Author Click On The Link below:

http://www.amazon.com/T.-Styles/e/B002LQ40O8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Websites:

• 
  http://www.thecartelpublications.com
  
• 
  http://www.twitter.com/authortstyles
  
• 
  http://www.cartelcafeandbooks.com
  
• 
  http://www.myspace.com/authortstyles
  

DJGBC March 2013 Book Of The Month: Airtight Willie & Me By Iceberg Slim

DJ Gatsby’s Book Club

Iceberg Slim a/k/a Robert Lee Maupin, in Chicago on August 4, 1918, he spent his childhood in Milwaukee and Rockford, Illinois until he returned to Chicago. When his mother was abandoned by his father she established beauty shop and worked as a domestic to support both of them in Milwaukee. ^[1] In his autobiography Robert expressed gratitude that his mother didn’t abandon him as well. She earned enough money working in her salon to give her son the privileges of a middle-class life like a college education, which at that time was not an option for the average person. He attended Tuskegee University, but dropped out when he found he could make money being a pimp. His mother had wanted him to be a lawyer, but Robert, seeing the pimps bringing women into his mothers beauty salon was far more attracted to the model of money and control over women that the human traffickers provided.

In 1969, his first autobiographical novel was Pimp: The Story of My Life, published by Holloway House.

Reviews of Pimp were mixed; it was quickly categorized as being typical of the black “revolutionary” literature then being created. However, Beck’s vision was considerably bleaker than most other black writers of the time. His work tended to be based on his personal experiences in the criminal underworld, and revealed a world of seemingly bottomless brutality and viciousness. His was the first insider look into the world of black pimps, to be followed by a half-dozen pimp memoirs by other writers. Of his literary contribution, a Washington Post critic claimed, “Iceberg Slim may have done for the pimp what Jean Genet did for the homosexual and thief: articulate the thoughts and feelings of someone who’s been there.”^[2]

Pimp sold very well, mainly among black audiences. By 1973, it had been reprinted 19 times and had sold nearly 2 million copies.^[3] Pimp was eventually translated into German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish and Greek. Nevertheless, the book’s audience remained predominantly black.

Following Pimp, Beck wrote several more novels: Trick Baby, Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim (Los Angeles: Holloway House, 1971), Mama Black Widow, Long White Con, Airtight Willie & Me, and Death Wish: A Story of the Mafia. He sold over six million books prior to his death in 1992,^[4] making him one of the best-selling African-American writers (after Alex Haley). All his books were published exclusively as paperbacks. Iceberg Slim also released an album of poetry called Reflections in the early 1970s.

Iceberg Slim’s Catalog Of Books Are Currently Owned By Cash Money Content Publishing.

*Book Of The Month For March 2013    Airtight Willie & Me By Iceberg Slim  Released March 12, 2013

Book Description:

In this collection of six gritty tales from the underground, Iceberg Slim creates a tribute …to the streets and those forced to try to survive them. From slick con men, classic tales of revenge, to a heist gone awry, Robert Beck, the man many know as Iceberg Slim, brings us on a ride through the terrifying urban streets. With the same unforgettable and distinctive prose, Airtight Willie & Me is further evidence that Iceberg Slim is the only author capable of capturing the language of the streets. Compelling always, funny sometimes, and typically bleak at their ends, Slim gives us six slices of city life that will leave you thirsting for more.

To Purchase This & Other Books By Iceberg Slim Click On The Link Below:

Airtight Willie & Me