Karen E. Quinones Miller
Revives Age Old Controversy
with New Novel
"PASSIN"

Philadephia, PA -  Essence Magazine and Blackboard bestselling author, Karen E. Quinones Miller returns to the literary scene delivering the water-cooler book of the season -- PASSIN' (Grand Central Publishing; $13.99; February 15, 2008).  This tantalizing new novel tackles the controversial and century old subject of "passing" - when light-skinned blacks decide to pass for white - bringing to light that people are conducting the seldom talked about practice in the new millennium, but often suffering great consequences in doing so!

Shanika Ann Jenkins is the pride of her African-American family-smart, beautiful, and born with blue eyes and blonde hair. Though her grandmother and father are happy because she represents "marrying well" to pass down light skin and "good hair," Shanika's mother insists on giving her youngest child a name which reflects her African-American heritage.

When Shanika gets turned down for a job at a prestigious New York PR firms she changes her name to Nicole, reapplies, and secures the position. She then finds that letting people assume she's white has a multitude of advantages, from getting respect at work to getting picked up by a cab when other African-Americans are passed by. She even starts dating a successful white colleague, continuing the lie, despite the guilt she feels at disappointing her mother and denying her heritage. When she then falls for a handsome African-American business man, she must finally face who she is, what she has done, and where her ancestral loyalty really lies, even if it means losing everything and everyone she loves.

In keeping with her journalistic background, Miller weaves real-life people who have passed - such as Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Anatole Broyard -- in her novel, and has even set up a website about the subject, which includes a sexy soundtrack for herbook. 

Miller has also planned a book release party for Passin', to be held Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Warmdaddy's, located at 1400 S. Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia, at 2:00 p.m. Festivities include a performance of the novel's soundtrack by rapper, Chocolate and a "To Tell the Truth" contest where the guests will have the chance to guess which of the three "white" women on the panel is actually "passin'!"

Passin' is a book that is sure to have people talking . . . and talking, and even wondering about the person next to them. And once you read it, you'll see why!  To find out more about the novel, Passin', as well as more information about "passing" go to www.passingonline.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen E. Quinones Miller is the author of the Essence best selling novels Satin Doll, I'm Telling, Using What You Got, and Ida B., (nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction), and Satin Nights. She is also the co-author of "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson."  Formerly a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, she self-published her first novel, Satin Doll, and sold 3,000 copies in just six weeks --and subsequently sold 28,000 copies in six months. Miller, who is included in the book Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Literature, is often referred to as the "Aretha Franklin of the Publishing World," and has been a mentor to many new and upcoming authors.  To find more about Miller visit: www.karenequinonesmiller.com

Note to Media:  For a  copy of Passin' forward your name, media outlet and mailing address to makeda@jazzmynepr.com or makeda@aol.com .  Karen Quinones E. Miller is also available for interview - please email your requests.