The Official Press Release for Strapped by Sharon D. Smith
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Sharon D. Smith
Seven Stages Publishing House
Post Office Box 1164
Roswell, Georgia 30077
7stagespublishing.gmail.com
LESBIAN AUTHOR PROMOTES LOVE BEYOND SEXUAL IDENTITY
Georgia author discusses an uncommon bond of friendship within the label-plagued Black community
ROSWELL, GA (May 22, 2009) – Sharon D. Smith, author of Love and Liberation, returns with her second novel entitled Strapped. Centered on the uncommon relationship of two friends who share common interests, Strapped takes a close look at lesbian romance from the perspective of two very aggressive women who self-identify as studs.
Strapped is the story of two friends, Taz and Silk, who share similar interests like basketball, billiards, and video games. One is a prominent sports attorney and avid basketball player while the other is a former women’s boxing champion. In addition, they each have a unique past, one that plays a huge role in the decisions they make throughout the book. As they continue to hang out and do things together, their friendship evolves and is taken to a new level, at least for one of them. It doesn’t take long, however, for their quiet affair to become known. As the story develops, the two are met with huge obstacles like homophobia, Southern prejudice, and internal struggles pertaining to their sexuality. All of these lead to some very difficult decisions they each have to make.
Kristal Davis, a university professor in South Georgia, says Strapped “has a healthy dose of erotica and urban appeal.” She goes on to say the book “crosses literary genres and should be included in the canon of lesbian and women’s studies courses.” Some have described the book as “an intense read” while others have commented that Strapped is “a label busting story that shows that all lesbians, no matter the label, just want and NEED to be loved…Taz and Silk have crossed the blurry line of Black lesbian labels.”
Sharon felt it was necessary to write Strapped and share it with other women so they would understand there is more to lesbian relationships than just labels that do nothing more than limit one’s individuality. She wanted lesbians to be proud of their sexuality and their personal preferences and not be afraid to express them. She admits that writing this book was a challenge for her for several reasons. It seemed surreal that anyone would actually be interested in reading about the struggles and obstacles of stud lovers. Her main concern, however, was the response she would receive from the Black community. In her book, Sharon admits that the code of unwritten regulations that govern lesbian love and dating “could possibly limit your potential for true happiness.”
Sharon has plans to write subsequent books dealing with African American lesbian erotica and poetry.
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Sharon is a published author who lives in Roswell, Georgia with her life partner. She is available for comment by mail at P.O. Box 1164 Roswell, GA. 30077, by email at 7stagespublishing.gmail.com, or visit her website at strapped2009.ning.com.
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