As the saying goes, home is where the heart is.
Although Crystal Black Davis has left her home, Indianapolis, for a life in New York City, her new book transports readers to the 317 area code, and allows them to experience the ups and downs of life from a Midwest perspective.
In Shaken and Stirred, readers follow the life of Christian Cullen through the pages of her journal. The story only covers a small part of the 30-something’s life, but bookworms go with Christian on her journey throughout entrepreneurship, finding love, trying to balance work life and real life, rediscovery of faith and managing her issues with her family and friends.
“She’s trying to do it all and trying to maintain control, but she has to learn to let go,” said Black Davis on her main character. This book blends the importance of friendship with personal growth.
Shaken and Stirred is a story, set in Indianapolis, that is fun, eye-opening, clever, inspiring and purposeful. It is also a story that many women of all walks of life and in all parts of the country can relate to.
Black Davis is very close to her main character in that she took elements from her own life and friends to create the novel. She got the idea to write an “everywoman” type of novel after finding and reading her old journals.
She decided to fictionalize it and offer readers something different, a light-hearted, witty, smart, and comical story.
“This book is different and refreshing. It’s good to read about strong Black families, Black love, to read about things that are contrary to what we are impressed upon in the media,” said Black Davis. “You will definitely fall in love with Christian and her friends.”
Black Davis also earned the title “Women’s Fiction Bronze Winner” of the Independent Publisher’s Living Now Book Awards, which celebrates the innovation and creativity of newly published books that enhance the quality of life.
“These books help people find a balance with the natural world around them,” said Awards Director Jim Barnes. “Today’s fast-changing world, with all its technological and ecological issues, and good books are necessary to inform and inspire us to keep ourselves healthy – today, and for future generations.”
In addition to Black Davis being an author, she is also an entrepreneur. She owns a full service gourmet food marketing company called Savvy that strives to create awareness and demand for gourmet and specialty brands. Black Davis is also at the helm of Savvy Marketing Group and Hudson Row Publishing.
For more information, visit www.shakenandstirredbook.com, www.amazon.com or www.crystalblackdavis.com.
Entrepreneur and author Crystal Black Davis reads an excerpt from her new book, Shaken and Stirred, a coming of age tale set in Indianapolis. The reading took place at Butterfly Consignment shop, which was the first stop on the book’s national tour.
A sneak peak
Below is an excerpt from Shaken and Stirred.
The Start of a New Beginning
Change is like noticing your baby sister grow up. Though you know it’s inevitable, you won’t pick up on it if you look too hard or too often. It’s when you’re not paying attention and life preoccupies your time with stress and responsibility that you then notice her chubby round cheeks are gone, her legs are long and lanky, and before your eyes she’s become a young woman – that’s when you think to yourself, where did all the time go? Better yet, where was I when it happened?
So, in the spirit of reclamation and to finally notice life’s subtle changes, I went out and bought this journal. Too many major events have happened in my life that are just blurs, so I figure, now’s the time to start documenting them.
Hello world, this is my story. The trials and tribulations, life and times, and thoughts and vibes of Christian Maureen Cullen.
