Joined On: Jul 29, 2008
Last Online: Dec 19, 2009
Last Online: Dec 19, 2009
Dena Tyson
is currently reading I recently completed my 4th novel "Black Beans 'N Rice" and now working on the screenplays!.
Close Up
Location:
Midwest
About Me:
ABOUT ME...
As a young girl at 17 you’d think the least of my worries should have been about finding a secure place to live and more about my hair and what I should wear or the big zit that appeared on my face from out of nowhere, a critical state of mind wondering how much longer before it would disappear. That’s what teenagers do right…? It’s considered our right of passage. A time to live and explore freely, having the love and support of our mother and father, our family’s to secure us as we experience some of life’s fragile insecurities.
Life is all about making choices but unfortunately I spent those years looking over my shoulders in fear, hoping the nightmare of abuse would come to an end, and I would finally be able to enjoy my life no longer locked in fear, after all hadn’t I gone through enough in the years before? In the months my mother left I will always remember this one day… I was 14 years old and thrown out on the streets of the west side of Chicago by my own sister no less, with no place to go and no one to turn to. Yet here I was now 17, and my abandon this time was to flee.
“Xceptance” is my story of trying to find a place in the world, and the abuse I suffered in “Black Beans ‘N Rice” as I found the strength to walk away and the courage to let go. I never knew the fruits of the reward in store for me would be finding real love for the very first time at 25. In my journey I learned that I am worthy and so are each and every one of you, and I hope that I am able to captivate, motivate, and inspire you as well. It takes place in 1980’s Chicago west side, Oak Park, and the Hyde Park area of Illinois. In addition to writing books I am also an Advocate for Stroke survivors, and the creator of the Kuckabug Collection of African Dolls.
What I crave...? I love to write drama and suspense stories that capture you from the very first page and lock you in to a journey you won't soon forget, but will find yourself laughing at the memories you recall. Are you ready...?
Currently I live in Illinois with my husband and family.
Questions:
What people like most about me...?
My sense of humor, also the fact that I'm a country gurl and I keep it real!
What people find most interesting about me...?
I speak Spanish and I also speak "Polish!" (I know right?)
Lookin forward to learning and sharing, peace y'all!
Holla,Adios, do widzenia!
Check out my interview on WGN Midday News as I discuss my new release "Black Beans 'N Rice" http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/middayfix/wgntv-hblock-090409,0,5400649.story
________________________________________
Another review for Black Beans 'N Rice
by: The Pathfinder 8/16/09
Author Dena Tyson has written a wonderful yet, abusive story about love, pain, friendship, and finding one’s self despite the suffering, heartaches and other emotions that are sparked and triggered when one is involved in an abusive relationship. The only way out is to escape by any means necessary. You feel the pain and loneliness that will sometimes feed doubts into the mind of someone trying to escape from such a situation. Dena touches upon the tenderness, warmth, love, pain and horrors of what it takes to get through an abusive relationship.
Bianca also called Binx is the protagonist. The story revolves around her naivety, impressionable choices and decisions that she made at a rather young age. Unsure of her faith and what awaited her in life, a young Binx encounters Spooney an older man. Captivated by his maturity, and the manner in which he dealt with her, Binx fell head over heels in love with him. Soon thereafter, the control factor began along with the abuse. Unsure and afraid Binx confides in her gay friend, Hershey. Hershey was a constant in her life as she contemplated her next move. Hershey listened and advised her on what to do and what not to do concerning Spooney. After getting up the nerves and courage to walk away from Spooney, Binx encounters Eason. They immediately fall in love. Unbeknownst to Binx, Spooney finds out. Not one to give in rather easily Spooney made his rounds. Binx eventually tells Eason about Spooney but instead of being there for her, he chose his cocaine and his friend Sweets instead. Sweets would end up raping Binx, but love is bliss and despite the turmoil that he had put her through Binx reached out to Spooney who came to her rescue. Sweets was quickly taken care of.
Believing he now had a chance; Spooney was back in his comfort zone once again. Binx needed to let go and for an instant she fell into that old trap. She made love to Spooney with a lot of reservation and doubts. She knew what she did wasn’t the best thing to do. She questions not only her own motives but Spooney’s as well. Would he want her back? What if she told him she didn’t? Would he walk away and leave her alone? Would she ever find true love? Was there someone out there much closer to her age awaiting her? These were some of the questions Binx contemplated.
I loved how Dena intertwined her naivety and impressionable behavior throughout the story to display Binx’s remarkable maturity despite her young age as the story progressed. I loved how she used Binx, to dictate each characters role and how they were defined in the story. She didn’t allow any of the other characters to upstage Binx and vice versa. Binx was the initiator and in spite of her friendship with Hershey whom I thought was funny as hell (no pun intended) and Spooney’s stalking mentality she didn’t allow them to take away her hurt, pain, love and redemption when she needed it. This story is about walking away from an abusive situation and having the courage to do so. Kudos to you Dena Tyson, one of the better books I have read so far.
About my other books:
"Xceptance" A mother uses her child as a pawn to get what she wants, then blames the child for everything bad happening in her life leaving her to face the world alone at 14 with no place to go and no one to turn to, simply because she was born.
Reviews for Xceptance:
Dena,
Based on your book trailer this book sounds like a winner!!! It speaks to and will inspire the soul of humanity. God Bless you on your endeavors.
~Kym Franklin
Spiritual Soul Goddess 2008
Aardvark Records
9-18-08
Dena I finished reading Xceptance on Monday. I must say your books really make a person think about some of the struggles one has had in life and how they overcome those
struggles. Your character Augie had to be in the hands of God from day one. For a young girl to be out on her own at a young age and over come her obstacles that was nothing but
God. She always seemed to keep a level head despite of everything going on in her life. I feel her family missed out on a wonderful relationship with Augie. She sounds like a very determined young lady. And if the sisters and mother would have opened their eyes, and heart , maybe she could have been a positive influence in their lives. But you know what that's their loss. I can't wait for the third book. Keep up the good work.
~L.W
"Give me the Strength" Is all about taking back control of your life. Last year my husband was on his way home from work and had a stroke behind the wheel in the middle of rush hour traffic. He was paralyzed and couldn't walk or talk or anything. I never allowed him to stop believing that he could, he never lost hope and he never gave up. God is good, and today he is a walking talking miracle before my eyes and I thank the heavens above. My husband (my Tony "bologna" as I like to call 'em) inspired this story.
Reviews for Give Me the Strength:
A True Commitment... 9/14/2008
I just finished reading your book. I must say I really enjoyed your first book Give Me the Strength. You really showed what a true wife is and what your marriage vows really
mean. You stood by Tony from day one. I know it was a trying time for you but God gave you the strength to go on daily. You had to put a lot of people in their place I think you
handled it well. Some people have a lot of nerve. You have a very determined husband and with a wife like you there's nothing he will not accomplish. I respect the bond the two of you have together and don't ever let anyone come in between that. The family members
sound like they're jealous of the relationship the two of you have. God will only continue to bless both of you. All I can say is, "You go girl". You made it through the jungle and
there's nothing ahead except a great big fat blessing for both of you. Keep your head up and don't let nothing turn you around. Always remember what God has! For you is for you. Tony I must say you are a trooper. After reading this book I realize nothing in life is impossible. I admire you and Dena.
Take care!
~LW
Moving and inspiring... 5/20/2008
Reviewer: Ken
I was pulled in from the first page and just kept on going. This book relays the story in a manner that everyone can understand. Kudos!
As a young girl at 17 you’d think the least of my worries should have been about finding a secure place to live and more about my hair and what I should wear or the big zit that appeared on my face from out of nowhere, a critical state of mind wondering how much longer before it would disappear. That’s what teenagers do right…? It’s considered our right of passage. A time to live and explore freely, having the love and support of our mother and father, our family’s to secure us as we experience some of life’s fragile insecurities.
Life is all about making choices but unfortunately I spent those years looking over my shoulders in fear, hoping the nightmare of abuse would come to an end, and I would finally be able to enjoy my life no longer locked in fear, after all hadn’t I gone through enough in the years before? In the months my mother left I will always remember this one day… I was 14 years old and thrown out on the streets of the west side of Chicago by my own sister no less, with no place to go and no one to turn to. Yet here I was now 17, and my abandon this time was to flee.
“Xceptance” is my story of trying to find a place in the world, and the abuse I suffered in “Black Beans ‘N Rice” as I found the strength to walk away and the courage to let go. I never knew the fruits of the reward in store for me would be finding real love for the very first time at 25. In my journey I learned that I am worthy and so are each and every one of you, and I hope that I am able to captivate, motivate, and inspire you as well. It takes place in 1980’s Chicago west side, Oak Park, and the Hyde Park area of Illinois. In addition to writing books I am also an Advocate for Stroke survivors, and the creator of the Kuckabug Collection of African Dolls.
What I crave...? I love to write drama and suspense stories that capture you from the very first page and lock you in to a journey you won't soon forget, but will find yourself laughing at the memories you recall. Are you ready...?
Currently I live in Illinois with my husband and family.
Questions:
What people like most about me...?
My sense of humor, also the fact that I'm a country gurl and I keep it real!
What people find most interesting about me...?
I speak Spanish and I also speak "Polish!" (I know right?)
Lookin forward to learning and sharing, peace y'all!
Holla,Adios, do widzenia!
Check out my interview on WGN Midday News as I discuss my new release "Black Beans 'N Rice" http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/middayfix/wgntv-hblock-090409,0,5400649.story
________________________________________
Another review for Black Beans 'N Rice
by: The Pathfinder 8/16/09
Author Dena Tyson has written a wonderful yet, abusive story about love, pain, friendship, and finding one’s self despite the suffering, heartaches and other emotions that are sparked and triggered when one is involved in an abusive relationship. The only way out is to escape by any means necessary. You feel the pain and loneliness that will sometimes feed doubts into the mind of someone trying to escape from such a situation. Dena touches upon the tenderness, warmth, love, pain and horrors of what it takes to get through an abusive relationship.
Bianca also called Binx is the protagonist. The story revolves around her naivety, impressionable choices and decisions that she made at a rather young age. Unsure of her faith and what awaited her in life, a young Binx encounters Spooney an older man. Captivated by his maturity, and the manner in which he dealt with her, Binx fell head over heels in love with him. Soon thereafter, the control factor began along with the abuse. Unsure and afraid Binx confides in her gay friend, Hershey. Hershey was a constant in her life as she contemplated her next move. Hershey listened and advised her on what to do and what not to do concerning Spooney. After getting up the nerves and courage to walk away from Spooney, Binx encounters Eason. They immediately fall in love. Unbeknownst to Binx, Spooney finds out. Not one to give in rather easily Spooney made his rounds. Binx eventually tells Eason about Spooney but instead of being there for her, he chose his cocaine and his friend Sweets instead. Sweets would end up raping Binx, but love is bliss and despite the turmoil that he had put her through Binx reached out to Spooney who came to her rescue. Sweets was quickly taken care of.
Believing he now had a chance; Spooney was back in his comfort zone once again. Binx needed to let go and for an instant she fell into that old trap. She made love to Spooney with a lot of reservation and doubts. She knew what she did wasn’t the best thing to do. She questions not only her own motives but Spooney’s as well. Would he want her back? What if she told him she didn’t? Would he walk away and leave her alone? Would she ever find true love? Was there someone out there much closer to her age awaiting her? These were some of the questions Binx contemplated.
I loved how Dena intertwined her naivety and impressionable behavior throughout the story to display Binx’s remarkable maturity despite her young age as the story progressed. I loved how she used Binx, to dictate each characters role and how they were defined in the story. She didn’t allow any of the other characters to upstage Binx and vice versa. Binx was the initiator and in spite of her friendship with Hershey whom I thought was funny as hell (no pun intended) and Spooney’s stalking mentality she didn’t allow them to take away her hurt, pain, love and redemption when she needed it. This story is about walking away from an abusive situation and having the courage to do so. Kudos to you Dena Tyson, one of the better books I have read so far.
About my other books:
"Xceptance" A mother uses her child as a pawn to get what she wants, then blames the child for everything bad happening in her life leaving her to face the world alone at 14 with no place to go and no one to turn to, simply because she was born.
Reviews for Xceptance:
Dena,
Based on your book trailer this book sounds like a winner!!! It speaks to and will inspire the soul of humanity. God Bless you on your endeavors.
~Kym Franklin
Spiritual Soul Goddess 2008
Aardvark Records
9-18-08
Dena I finished reading Xceptance on Monday. I must say your books really make a person think about some of the struggles one has had in life and how they overcome those
struggles. Your character Augie had to be in the hands of God from day one. For a young girl to be out on her own at a young age and over come her obstacles that was nothing but
God. She always seemed to keep a level head despite of everything going on in her life. I feel her family missed out on a wonderful relationship with Augie. She sounds like a very determined young lady. And if the sisters and mother would have opened their eyes, and heart , maybe she could have been a positive influence in their lives. But you know what that's their loss. I can't wait for the third book. Keep up the good work.
~L.W
"Give me the Strength" Is all about taking back control of your life. Last year my husband was on his way home from work and had a stroke behind the wheel in the middle of rush hour traffic. He was paralyzed and couldn't walk or talk or anything. I never allowed him to stop believing that he could, he never lost hope and he never gave up. God is good, and today he is a walking talking miracle before my eyes and I thank the heavens above. My husband (my Tony "bologna" as I like to call 'em) inspired this story.
Reviews for Give Me the Strength:
A True Commitment... 9/14/2008
I just finished reading your book. I must say I really enjoyed your first book Give Me the Strength. You really showed what a true wife is and what your marriage vows really
mean. You stood by Tony from day one. I know it was a trying time for you but God gave you the strength to go on daily. You had to put a lot of people in their place I think you
handled it well. Some people have a lot of nerve. You have a very determined husband and with a wife like you there's nothing he will not accomplish. I respect the bond the two of you have together and don't ever let anyone come in between that. The family members
sound like they're jealous of the relationship the two of you have. God will only continue to bless both of you. All I can say is, "You go girl". You made it through the jungle and
there's nothing ahead except a great big fat blessing for both of you. Keep your head up and don't let nothing turn you around. Always remember what God has! For you is for you. Tony I must say you are a trooper. After reading this book I realize nothing in life is impossible. I admire you and Dena.
Take care!
~LW
Moving and inspiring... 5/20/2008
Reviewer: Ken
I was pulled in from the first page and just kept on going. This book relays the story in a manner that everyone can understand. Kudos!
Achievements:
WGN Midday News interviews Dena Tyson as she discusses her new release novel "Black Beans 'N Rice" check out the link to see the footage. http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/middayfix/wgntv-hblock-090409,0,5400649.story
I was nominated and won Author of the Month by Authortreehouse.com (what a surprise I am so honored), I am a Stroke Advocate and an Author Advocate as well. I have published 2 novels with my 3rd title "So Said To Be" now completed. My fourth novel "Black Beans 'N Rice" is now available!
On July 30, 2009 I was an invited guest and served on the panel for "Women who survived burning coals" at the Chicago Black Womens Expo. I represented women who have overcome great obstacles in their life and are still standing. It was was awesome and such an honor!
I was nominated and won Author of the Month by Authortreehouse.com (what a surprise I am so honored), I am a Stroke Advocate and an Author Advocate as well. I have published 2 novels with my 3rd title "So Said To Be" now completed. My fourth novel "Black Beans 'N Rice" is now available!
On July 30, 2009 I was an invited guest and served on the panel for "Women who survived burning coals" at the Chicago Black Womens Expo. I represented women who have overcome great obstacles in their life and are still standing. It was was awesome and such an honor!
Favorites
Interests:
I love to travel, a good comedy movie to take me away from writing for a minute, I also enjoy working on my Kuckabug Doll collection I've created.
Periodicals:
WGN Midday News interview as I discuss my new release 'Black Beans 'N Rice" check out the footage here! http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/middayfix/wgntv-hblock-090409,0,5400649.story
Quotes:
Mine... "The more you do the better you become" I repeated this to my husband as he recovered from his stroke last year.
Websites:
http://denatysonfans.webs.com/
http://www.denatyson.com
http://Authorsden.com
http://blog.denatyson.com
http://Authortree.com
http://Authornation.com
http://booktour.com
http://relentlesstv.ning
http://urbanlit.ning
http://www.denatyson.com
http://Authorsden.com
http://blog.denatyson.com
http://Authortree.com
http://Authornation.com
http://booktour.com
http://relentlesstv.ning
http://urbanlit.ning
Poems (5)
Books (4)
Black Beans 'N Rice
Genre: Romance
Genre: Romance
Give Me the Strength
Genre: Drama
Genre: Drama
So Said To Be
Genre: Suspense & Thriller
Genre: Suspense & Thriller
Xceptance
Genre: Drama
Genre: Drama
