NEVER DEAD
by Jumata Emill Jones

THE PERFECT COUPLE?
Emerson McGee has spent most of his life living with a secret, and the first-year law student’s menacing struggle with his sexuality is only the half of it. His wife, Danielle, has her own scars of adolescent heartache—which she thinly veils behind her façade as an upper-middle class princess. The newlywed’s cookie-cutter marriage is abruptly interrupted when they make a reluctant move into the quaint house Emerson inherited from his deceased grandmother. Unbeknownst to them, there’s already something else living there: A malevolent entity hell-bent on exposing its connection to Emerson and the tragic secret they share.

A GHOST’S STORY
While a mysterious narrator recounts the details of his abject life, the McGees’ vengeful poltergeist pulls Danielle deeper into a mystery that has haunted an impoverished ghetto in South Baton Rouge—aptly called “‘Da Bottom”—for nearly a decade, and spills into the provocative world of New Orleans hoodoo. Before its final scare, Never Dead concludes with a bloody twist the McGees never saw coming.

 

NEVER DEAD  Reader Book Review:

The first thing that caught my attention before opening the book were the words on the cover ... "Never Dead  is an E. Lynn Harris meets Stephen King." I love Stephen King and my love for E. Lynn Harris is beyond what my words can express, so when someone says that I take notice. After reading this selection, I'm not ready to compare Jumata Emill Jones with E. Lynn Harris or Stephen King. I will say this.. Jumata Emill Jones is in a category of his own.

“Never Dead” is a welcome change from what I have been reading lately... I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns he dared to take with this book. His writing style is captivating, stimulating, and very memorable. There were times I was nervous as I was read the words in this book.  I applaud this author for giving the readers a solid read.
Reviewed by Orsayor Young, Book Referees


 

PRAISE  FOR NEVER DEAD
Never Dead by Jumata Emill Jones  has (26) 5-star reviews!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dead Breathes Life Into AA Fiction
Reviewed by Monique D. Mensah "Author of SMOKE SCREEN"

After meeting this bubbling and enthusiastic author at a recent writer's convention, I had nothing but high expectations for his debut novel, NEVER DEAD, and I prayed that it did not disappoint. Well, whoever said prayer doesn't work, has never tried it, because this book blew me away. The first thing to capture my attention was author, Jones's, seemingly effortless and mellifluous craft of writing. His words fit together so beautifully, forming metaphors and analogies that had me rereading, just to soak up the words a little bit longer. I was captured from the prologue, and thus began the race to finish this well-crafted novel.

Jones puts a unique and original twist on a played out and tired theme. He takes a flat and mundane plot and twists it up into a thrilling work of art like origami. I thought I had the story figured out pretty early on, but I quickly dismissed the idea, figuring Jones was too intelligent of an author to give it to me that easily. I finished in haste, just to see how wrong I was, and boy was I wrong! Being wrapped up in the pages of a good book; it's probably the only instance when I actually enjoy being wrong. This is no ordinary ghost story. Somewhere in the midst of the drama and the thrill, Jones manages to teach the readers valuable lessons and opens our eyes to the truth that's either hidden or that which we choose not to see. And I applaud him for that.

I would give a 4-star rating for the story alone, but the author's writing skills had me so enthralled, I had to bump it up to 5. Bravo Jumata Emill Jones. Look forward to a long, successful career as a bestselling author. You've only just begun. I just hope the world is ready for what else you have in store.



4.0 out of 5 stars Strange Things Are Happening
Reviewed by Jennifer Coissiere "The Tough Critic"

A chill ran down my spine when I received Never Dead by Jumata Emill Jones. I thought it ironic that this book had an endorsement by the late, great LA Banks, who had recently passed away. This book was about a ghost who had unfinished business to tend to. I was on pins and needles as I dove into the pages and the lives of Emerson and Danielle McGee's life.

Danielle and Emerson are newlyweds, who decided to move back to South Baton Rogue, to live in the house once owned by Emerson's grandmother. They thought it would make life easier for them since Emerson was in law school and living off Danielle's salary would be difficult if they had to rent an apartment anywhere else. It was not without trepidation that Emerson moved back home, because something happened 10 years before that sent him running from that house.

Danielle had not gotten the house decorated before some strange occurrences lead her to believe someone did not want her in the house. Every time she attempted to share what was happening to her it seems as though Emerson pulled away from her more and more. In an attempt to save her marriage, Danielle began digging around, and what she finds may be more than she bargained for. How is what she found out tied to her husband? What exactly did Emerson run from?

The ghost wanted someone to know what really occurred in its lifetime. Oh what a short and disturbed life it was. The anger it has towards the person who did it wrong, kept it from crossing over into the afterlife. It treated Danielle in the same manner that it experienced while alive. There were people walking around who knew what happened on the night when its breath was stolen and now is the time to pay. Who knows what really happened? What will become of that person?

Never Dead is a combination of mystery and paranormal. There was a little erotica as well. Tastefully written erotica. Mr. Jones did an excellent job developing this group of complex characters. I guessed wrong about who did what as I read. It was the perfect what is done in the dark will come to light storyline. I cannot wait to read more stories written by this author. I recommend Never Dead to readers looking for a good suspense novel.  The author provided a copy of the book for review purposes.  Reviewed by Jennifer Coissiere, APOOO BookClub


 

SNEAK PEEK FROM NEVER DEAD


 

PROLOGUE

None of them could believe what was happening: The spectrum of flashing lights dancing in the black night, front yards littered with neighbors—dressed in only their pajamas—studying the every move of the bevy of policemen, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians all scrambling behind the yellow tape that temporarily fenced off the most modest home on their block, the knot of journalists gathered along the sidewalk across the street from the crime scene. It was senseless confusion the residents that lived along Duncan Drive didn’t know how to comprehend because although their neighborhood was located deep within the often crime-infested streets of South Baton Rouge (aptly called “Da Bottom” because of the abject poverty that consumed it), for years, their block had remained untouched by the violence and debauchery that infested the community’s decaying infrastructure.

Ida Mae Patterson claimed she saw this coming. But that was a lie. Just like everyone else that lived on the street, Ida Mae was thrilled the day a U-Haul pulled up in front of Thelma Hawkins’ empty house, quietly announcing the arrival of their deceased neighbor’s grandson and his new bride. It was going to be great to have a young couple in the neighborhood again, Ida Mae had told the newlyweds’ next-door neighbor LuGertha Sims.  Most of the people that still lived on Duncan Drive had watched Thelma’s grandson grow up right before their eyes. The well-mannered boy used to mow their lawns during the summer for pocket money.  And although they didn’t share the same history with his wife, the few that had gotten the chance to converse with her in the days that followed her move in had quickly come to the conclusion that the boy had been lucky to find such a nice girl to settle down with.

The truth of the matter was no one saw this coming, making the theories that were being discussed in whispered conversations about why such a polite girl would do such a thing just as morbid as the brutal crime that had pulled them out of their beds that night.

“You think she might have been on drugs or something?” LuGertha asked Ida Mae.

The two women were standing on Ida Mae’s front porch, their eyes locked on Thelma’s house, which was directly across the street.

“LuGertha, hush,” Ida Mae hissed. “That chile didn’t dabble in that foolishness.”

LuGertha’s brown, withered hands pulled her pastel-printed terrycloth robe more securely together at her sagging neck. She had been the one who called 911 after the girl’s blood-curdling scream jolted her out of her nap on the sofa.

“You think Thelma might have been right about that house and—”

“LuGertha, I said hush,” Ida Mae said, irritated. “Don’t start talking that foolishness. Thelma was crazy and I’ll think you are too if you start mouthing all that nonsense.”

“Well, Ida Mae, something had to make that girl go off like that,” LuGertha said. “I overheard one of the police officers say she stabbed that boy over thirty times.”

Ida Mae’s attention remained transfixed on Thelma’s house, even when she felt LuGertha staring at her. With her crown of grey hair wound up in rollers and covered with a plastic bonnet cap, LuGertha couldn’t help but notice how much the flashing lights on top of the police cars made Ida Mae’s skin look less wrinkled and angry.
   
“Excuse me, ladies,” a male voice said.

Neither of them had realized one of the journalists had broken away from the cluster, gathered in front of Ida Mae’s house, and was now standing at the foot of the steps that climbed up to Ida Mae’s covered porch.  

“My name is Royce Turner, and I’m a reporter with The Baton Rouge Times,” the short and stout white man said.

“Mr. Turner,” Ida Mae said, curtly. “I’d appreciate it if you stepped out of my yard and joined your friends there on the sidewalk. I already told the rest of them I’m not answering any questions.”

“But, ma’am, I promise it won’t take long,” Royce said, pulling out a slim notebook and pen from the back pocket of his lazy-fitting jeans.

 “Mr. Turner, good-bye,” Ida Mae said, glaring at him.  

“Oh God,” LuGertha cried out. “They’re bringing her out now.”

Everyone gathered along the street seemed to inhale simultaneously as the boy’s wife was escorted out of the house by two uniformed police officers. Royce scurried to rejoin the coven of journalists that were scrambling to get as close as they could for photos and video footage.

She looks so frail, Ida Mae mentally observed as she descended her porch steps and walked into the street to get a closer look as well. The girl was wrapped in a dark blanket that barely covered her half-naked body. She was only wearing a bra and panties. Her long black hair was saturated with blood and matted to her head. When Ida Mae was finally able to push her way through the throng of journalists, she realized the girl’s entire body was covered in blood too as the two officers stuffed her in the back of the police car. The girl was violently shaking—like it was thirty degrees outside rather than a muggy eighty two.  

 “Hurry up and get her out of here!” a man dressed in khaki slacks and a white button-down shirt barked to the two officers. His gold badge was clipped on his belt. The way the two uniformed officers scrambled into the car made it obvious the man was their superior.

Just as the police car roared to life, the girl’s head slowly lifted and she locked eyes with Ida Mae who was intensely staring back at her over the shoulders of the wall of journalists. The two women never broke eye contact with one another until the police car speed off into the black night.

 “Ida Mae, what’s wrong?”   She hadn’t realized LuGertha followed her into the street.

 “LuGertha,” Ida Mae said. “You’ve seen that girl up close and personal haven’t you?”

“Yeah,” LuGertha answered. “I spoke with her earlier today when she was coming home from some out-of-town visit. Why you ask?”

 Ida Mae slowly turned around and said, “Have you ever noticed that she has the prettiest cat-green eyes I’ve ever seen?”

 LuGertha frowned, that didn’t sound right. “No, Ida Mae, that girl’s eyes are brown, not green,” she said after a silent beat.  

 “That’s what I thought,” Ida Mae said, looking back over her shoulder in the direction the police car had disappeared just seconds ago. “That’s what I thought.”


( Continued... )


Copyright © 2011 by Jumata Emill Jones. Excerpted and reprinted for promotional purposes with permission of the author, Jumata Emill Jones. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.  


NEVER DEAD  by Jumata Emill Jones
Genre: Paranormal mystery/horror;    ISBN: 978-0615412160
Order books from author's website:  www.jumataemilljones.com

About the Author
Jumata Emill Jones is a native of Baton Rouge and a Southern University alum. When he’s not writing fiction, he divides his time working as a journalist and being a TV junkie. Never Dead is his first, published novel. To find out more about him visit his website:  www.jumataemilljones.com.

 

Intimate Conversation with Jumata Emill Jones



 

Jumata Emill Jones is a native of Baton Rouge and a Southern University alum. When he’s not writing fiction, he divides his time working as a journalist and being a TV junkie. Never Dead is his first, published novel. To find out more about him visit his website:  www.jumataemilljones.com.

BPM:  What are you the most thankful for now?
Fans. People who take a chance on my book and end up loving it. They’re genuine treasures to debut authors like me because readers now have so many choices and options out there when it comes to spending their money, and time, on books. My hustle as a debut self-published author relies heavily on convincing people to pick up my book and read it. And when they do and send me emails, tweets and Facebook messages telling me how much they loved it, or how they added me to their list of favorite authors, it warms my heart to no end.
 
BPM:  When did you get your first inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing?
After I wrote a skit in the third grade for a class assignment. My teacher let me cast my friends in it and we got to perform the words I wrote in front of the entire class. After that, I was consumed with the passion to create stories that entertained people. While my friends were outside playing, I was jotting down any idea that popped into my head into notebooks. From doing that I also developed a love for reading and started reading any and everything that interest me. I didn’t know it then, but reading helped build the foundation I would need to become a more gifted storyteller.
 
BPM:  What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published author?
That I’m a lot more outgoing and personably than I ever thought. I’ve always been a more reserved person that favored lingering in the background, observing others rather than engaging in conversation with a bunch of strangers. But being introverted doesn’t help you sell books. I learned that quickly.  

BPM:  What are some of the benefits of being an author that makes it all worthwhile?
Being able to capture a stranger’s attention and hold it for however long they’re reading my work. I write because I love to entertain. And when I hear folks tell me they couldn’t put my book down, or they got so engrossed they ended up reading it in a day, I feel I’ve accomplished what I set out to do when I began this journey.

BPM:  Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t, it’s too hard or no one will buy your book. Have faith in yourself. And be dedicated to the craft. Most of all, respect the industry and those who came before you. Like anything else, networking and knowing all the “right” people will help you achieve your goals much faster.
 
BPM:  Introduce us to your book and the main characters.  Do you have any favorites?
NEVER DEAD is a suspenseful tale about a love triangle between two newlyweds, Emerson and Danielle McGee, whose marriage is being threatened by another person, who happens to be dead, and shares a sordid past with the husband. At the core, it’s a story about disillusioned attempts, by the main characters, to run from one’s past and the consequences that can be involved with harboring secrets from your spouse. It’s about losing yourself and ignoring your instincts just for the sake of being in love with someone. There’s also an unconventional love story that glues the plot together, unfortunately, it’s that love that wrecks unholy havoc on our main characters’ lives.
 
BPM:  What inspired you to write this book? Why now?  Ever experience writers block?
My love of horror, thrillers and mysteries—a genre I feel has been largely ignored by African-American writers. The inspiration to write NEVER DEAD came from a quote I stumbled upon from Toni Morrison that went something like: “If there is a book you want to read that hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Mrs. Morrison’s words spoke to me a couple of days after I had walked out of the bookstore, frustrated that I couldn’t find anything I wanted to read that was different from everything else that was popular at time in African-American fiction. Essentially, this book is a book I wanted to read and I’m hoping others wanted to read too. I feel like African-American readers have been pigeonholed into certain genres by the “publishing gatekeepers” and I don’t think that’s fair. We want variety. We want an array of fiction options to choose from too, and that’s what I’m hoping I can give them.
 
BPM:  Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences?
I must tread lightly here because I don’t want to get too personal (smile), but there are elements in the story of my novel’s mysterious narrator that slightly mirrored by experiences in high school. Like him, I was very confident in who I was and what I wanted to be, but that often conflicted with my romanticized views of love. NEVER DEAD is also set in my hometown—Baton Rouge, Louisiana—so most of the action that takes place during the book happens at real locations around the city. I did that to help ground the reader in the real world given the novel’s supernatural lean. I believe it made things seem more real…a little more creepier even.
 
BPM:  Who do you want to reach with your book and the message enclosed?
Anyone who thinks the unacknowledged past, or burying their secrets, makes it easier to hide who you truly are from others. I think one reviewer said it perfectly when she noted that my book is the perfect, “what is done in the dark will come out in the light” story. Both of my main characters—especially Emerson—harbor disillusioned views about their lives. And Emerson is completely living a lie. I’m hoping my book will speak to individuals who are afraid to live their truths. I want them to see that when we try and bury who we really are, there can be dangerous consequences. And in the case of my book, extreme dangers because trying to bury the secret only made the supernatural force that’s haunting the couple stronger.  
 
BPM:  What should readers DO after reading this book?  
Go to church (laughs), post a review on Amazon, spread the word if they enjoyed it and stay away from hoodoo practitioners—in that order.
 
BPM:  Share with us a quote or brief excerpt from one of the most powerful chapters.
“The past is never dead.” That one line speaks volumes about the book’s message. So often we are eager to disassociate from the things in our past that either hurt us or we aren’t proud of. I think a better way of dealing with it is to acknowledge where we came from, learn from the mistakes and let them shape us into a better person. You can’t change what you’ve done, but you have all the power in the world to shape your tomorrow.

BPM:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online?  
Right now I’m hard at work on my follow up novel, which will be an entirely new story that features several minor characters from NEVER DEAD. That book will dive into the controversial topic of Greek hazing and the horrific outcome that could occur if a hazing death got out of hand. I’m hoping to publish it by the fall of 2012.

Readers can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/JumataEmill.  
Or like my Facebook fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jumata-Emill-Jones-Fan-Page/293652620269
And for more information about me and upcoming releases they can log on to my blog at:  www.jumataemilljones.com  and make sure they sign up for my newsletter!
 
BPM:  Thank you, Jumata,  for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!
 
Purchase Never Dead by Jumata Emill Jones Today!
Buy from the author, click here. http://www.jumataemilljones.com

Inside Never Dead by Jumata Emill Jones
Three primary subjects or topics from the book are: Black gay mens' ongoing to struggle with their sexuality and acceptance/the DL "phenomenon," hoodoo/voodoo and Southern folklore and love/marriage and the scarifies people make for them.

ISBN-10: 0615412165
ISBN-13: 978-0615412160
Amazon link:  http://www.amazon.com/Never-Dead-Jumata-Emill-Jones/dp/0615412165



 

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