For Immediate Release Contact: Loretta Watson

(804) 335-7470

My Mama, My Teacha is a heart wrenching novel about Monica Butler, a determined young high school teacher, who juggles her teaching responsibilities at a new high school, her well-meaning but overbearing family, and a new relationship with the man of her dreams – a handsome smooth-talking preacher.

The author, Loretta Watson, is a Richmond City middle school teacher and poet. Her first poetry book, There is Hope, was endorsed by renown poet Nikki Giovanni. In her novel My Mama, My Teacha, Monica Butler is consumed with making a difference in the lives of her new students at West Side High School, known for academics as well as athletics. There, she meets four talented seniors: Tasha, who aspires to be class valedictorian, Bernard, a skilled football player, Tyrone, the best basketball player in the state, and Royalty, one of the fastest students to ever step foot on a track.

Monica Butler, the daughter, struggles to live up to the expectations of her "tell-it-like-it- is," Bible quoting, God-fearing mother and close-knit family, who have overcome poverty and despair while growing up in one of Wilmington’s toughest housing projects.

Monica Butler, the woman, has fallen head over heels in love with flamboyant Reverend Monte Morrison, the man of her dreams, and imagines herself as "first lady" of his thriving church. Yet, against her better judgment, she overlooks the "red flags" that hinder her inner peace.

While coping with the sudden death of her mother, Monica finds that her life and the lives of her students and friends are dramatically affected by their "mamas," their first teachers.

For more information about this exciting new book, contact Loretta Watson at

(804) 335-7470.