Raynetta Mañees
Encyclopedia
Raynetta Manees is an African-American romance novel
ist.
, and is a graduate of Cass Technical (Honors) High School and Wayne State University
, where she received a BA degree in Mass Communications. She is retired from a 28+ year career as a federal government executive administrator. Ms. Mañees now writes full time, as well as owning an antique and collectible shop, “Raynetta’s Romantiques”. She currently resides in Southfield, Michigan
. Mañees has one adult daughter.
Ms. Mañees’ second novel,Wishing on a Star, was also a best seller and was critically acclaimed even before its official release.
Ms. Mañees’ third novel, Follow Your Heart, was rated a 4½ star Gold Medal Top Pick classic by Romantic Times Magazine. The novel was also awarded the “Award of Excellence” from RomanceInColor.com
Romantic Times rated four stars to Ms. Manees' fourth release, A Mother's Touch, May 1999, an anthology which contains Ms. Manees’ novella "All the Way Home." Also in 1999, Mañees released her fourth full length novel, Fantasy.
Her fifth novel, Heart of the Matter, reached the top ten of Amazon.com list of best-selling multicultural romances.
Ms. Mañees was a 1994–1996 member of the Board of Directors of the Riverwalk Theater of Lansing, Michigan
, and she has appeared on the Riverwalk stage in several productions, including "West Side Story", and was the leading lady in the Afro-American drama "Sty of the Blind Pig." She also appeared in the role of Mrs. Murphy in the Pulitzer prize winning play "JB" at the Spotlight Theater in Grand Ledge, Michigan
.
Ms. Mañees’ acting led to an invitation to do commercial radio, and she was for two years an on-air personality on AM 1180, WXLA
, in Lansing. Ms. Mañees has also performed in radio and television commercials.
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
ist.
Personal life
Mañees was born and raised in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, and is a graduate of Cass Technical (Honors) High School and Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
, where she received a BA degree in Mass Communications. She is retired from a 28+ year career as a federal government executive administrator. Ms. Mañees now writes full time, as well as owning an antique and collectible shop, “Raynetta’s Romantiques”. She currently resides in Southfield, Michigan
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
. Mañees has one adult daughter.
Work
Mañees had published several short stories and newspaper articles before All for Love, her first novel, was published in 1996. All for Love was a finalist for the Best Contemporary Ethnic Romance of 1996, Affaire de Coeur Magazine, and made Ingram's list of best selling romance novels.Ms. Mañees’ second novel,Wishing on a Star, was also a best seller and was critically acclaimed even before its official release.
Ms. Mañees’ third novel, Follow Your Heart, was rated a 4½ star Gold Medal Top Pick classic by Romantic Times Magazine. The novel was also awarded the “Award of Excellence” from RomanceInColor.com
Romantic Times rated four stars to Ms. Manees' fourth release, A Mother's Touch, May 1999, an anthology which contains Ms. Manees’ novella "All the Way Home." Also in 1999, Mañees released her fourth full length novel, Fantasy.
Her fifth novel, Heart of the Matter, reached the top ten of Amazon.com list of best-selling multicultural romances.
Other artistic work
Ms. Mañees’ love affair with the fields of entertainment and communication began at age five, when she began her performance career as a vocalist. She has performed as a solo artist in numerous venues in Detroit, Chicago, Lansing, and the Caribbean. Her singing rapidly led to stage performances in musicals, which in turn led to numerous non-musical acting roles.Ms. Mañees was a 1994–1996 member of the Board of Directors of the Riverwalk Theater of Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, and she has appeared on the Riverwalk stage in several productions, including "West Side Story", and was the leading lady in the Afro-American drama "Sty of the Blind Pig." She also appeared in the role of Mrs. Murphy in the Pulitzer prize winning play "JB" at the Spotlight Theater in Grand Ledge, Michigan
Grand Ledge, Michigan
Grand Ledge is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city lies mostly within Eaton County, though a small portion extends into Clinton County, and sits above the Grand River 12.7 miles directly west of downtown Lansing. The population was 7,813 at the 2000 census...
.
Ms. Mañees’ acting led to an invitation to do commercial radio, and she was for two years an on-air personality on AM 1180, WXLA
WXLA
WXLA is a commercial AM radio station located in Dimondale, a suburb of Lansing, Michigan. The station broadcasts on 1180 kHz with 10,000 watts during most daytime hours. During the two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset it cuts back to 2,000 watts...
, in Lansing. Ms. Mañees has also performed in radio and television commercials.
Works
- Heart of the matter, released January 2002, ISBN 1-58314-262-2
- Fantasy, released August 1999, ISBN 1-58314-030-1
- A Mother's Touch, an anthology containing Manees' novella, "All The Way Home", released May 1999, ISBN 1-58314-015-8
- Follow Your Heart, released September 1998, ISBN 0-7860-0560-2
- Wishing on a Star, released August 1997, ISBN 0-7860-0423-1
- All for Love, released September 1996, ISBN 0-7860-0309-X