3 Books Published by M. J. Simms-Maddox on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

Click for more detail about Priscilla: Engaging in the Game of Politics by M. J. Simms-Maddox Priscilla: Engaging in the Game of Politics

by M. J. Simms-Maddox
M. J. Simms-Maddox (Jun 12, 2018)
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One way to facilitate discussions about the contentious subject of race is to use ’The Priscilla Trilogy’ as a conversation piece; the series dives head-on into the subject.

Set in the early 1980s, "Priscilla Engaging in the Game of Politics," (Book #1 in the series), portrays the coming-of-age of an African American young woman, strongly bound to her father—a Methodist minister and consummate politician about who she has conflicted feelings. Shortly after she begins her career as an assistant professor of political science at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, her father mysteriously asks her to relocate closer to home (Prendergast, New York). She contacts an Ohio state senator for whom she performed an internship during her graduate studies at The Ohio State University and with whom she had an affair. The senator offers her a job as his legislative aide. She accepts. The story is off and running.

As it so happens, Priscilla’s father has taught her, by example, how to deal effectively with racism, and politics, too. And although she is African/British/Choctaw on her father’s side and African/Irish/Cherokee on her mother’s side, she is regarded as black in America.

Like a primer, "Priscilla" takes a deep look at the forces which made her what she is: her family roots in highly-segregated Mississippi, her upbringing in upstate New York where subtle racism leaves its scars despite her loving father’s protection, a campus date rape that leaves her with unhealed wounds and, a scintillating season as a high-powered legislative aide in a life-altering political scandal.

"Priscilla" provides a wide range of powerful, historically accurate and apt subject matter for conversations about race, politics, and much more.

"Priscilla" is the debut for political science professor-turned-fiction writer M. J. Simms-Maddox.

Book Review

Click for more detail about Mystery in Harare: Priscilla’s Journey into Southern Africa by M. J. Simms-Maddox Mystery in Harare: Priscilla’s Journey into Southern Africa

by M. J. Simms-Maddox
M. J. Simms-Maddox (Jun 12, 2018)
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FOREWORD

"I have no doubt that this book has broken new ground," says Virginia Phiri of Zimbabwe Women Writers.

"Mystery in Harare" is a thriller … that demonstrates the wit and skill in which Simms-Maddox carefully crafts, reflecting Priscilla’s leading role in what could be described as mission impossible, since the issue of Apartheid South Africa has always been sensitive. Because of natural resources in diamonds and gold, the system could not let go.

This book cuts across cultures and nations, reflecting that the question of kith and kin cannot be underestimated, as clearly shown by the sacrifices and the commitment made by Priscilla and her abductors to bust an apartheid assassins’ network thousands of miles away from home.

In the end, Priscilla is the heroine in the liberation of a nation.

Fictional histories, futures and current affairs of Black Women in the political arena must continue to be written by women themselves in all corners of the world. The struggle continues!

VIRGINIA PHIRI

Ms. Phiri is a founding member of Zimbabwe Women Writers, active in The African Literature Association and an orchid expert. She has published over 50 articles in orchid journals and four novels: "Desperate" (2002), "Destiny" (2006), "Highway Queen" (2010) and "Grey Angels," (2017).


Click for more detail about Three Metal Pellets by M. J. Simms-Maddox Three Metal Pellets

by M. J. Simms-Maddox
M. J. Simms-Maddox (Jun 12, 2018)
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Political science professor-turned-fiction writer M. J. Simms-Maddox earned her Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University, served as a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate, has owned and operated a public relations agency, and has published in various academic, community and religious publications for over thirty years.