Raynetta Manees is an African-American romance novelist and entertainer.
Personal life
Raynetta Manees was born and raised in Detroit, and is a graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University, with a degree in Mass Communication. She retired as a Federal government executive administrator after a 28-year career. Manees now writes full-time, as well as owning an online antique and collectible shop, "Raynetta's Romantiques." Manees is the best selling author of six print published novels, all of which are due to be released as e-Books. Manees is currently working on her seventh print novel. She lives in Michigan.
Writing career
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. Her second novel,Wishing on a Star, was also a best seller and was positively received by critics. Her third novel, Follow Your Heart, was rated a 4½ star Gold Medal Top Pick classic by Romantic Times. The novel was also awarded the “Award of Excellence” from RomanceInColor.com Romantic Times rated her fourth release, A Mother's Touch, released in May 1999, with four stars. It is an anthology, which contains 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's list of best-selling multicultural romances.
Other artistic work
Mañees performance career as a vocalist began at the age of five. She has performed as a solo artist in numerous venues in Detroit, Chicago, Lansing, and the Caribbean. Her singing led to stage performances in musicals, which in turn led to numerous non-musical acting roles. Mañees was, from 1994 to 1996, a member of the Board of Directors of the Riverwalk Theater of Lansing, Michigan, and she has appeared at the Riverwalk 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. 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. She has also performed in radio and television commercials.
