Christian author has four books in the works

Iyasha Edwards has a lot of writing projects going on.

She currently is marketing her first self-published book, waiting on the second to be printed, waiting on illustrations for a children’s book and writing her fourth book.

But that’s not slowing down the self-made author, who works at King’s Fork High School as a secretary.

“I’ve been writing since I was about 18,” she said. “This is the first book I’ve written.”

The book, “Wave Your Troubles Away,” is about Jada Benson, a young woman from Georgia who moves to Virginia for college. She meets a basketball star, and the two eventually start dating.

However, Marcus also is dating another woman, and she’s not aware of it. When Marcus tries to break it off with Samira, she begins stalking the couple. Jada forgives Marcus for cheating, but is blown away when it comes to light that Samira is pregnant. She then has to move on and attempt to find true love.

“It’s just about life,” Edwards said. “How you get caught up with that first love. First love is always hard to get over.”

Edwards said she has known some people who have been in similar situations and seen what high school students go through when they realize their first relationship is not the one for them.

“Give yourself a chance to live life,” Edwards said. “Don’t settle for the first person that you meet.”

In Edwards’ second book, “Please Hear My Cries,” which is a sequel to the first, the story picks up with how the characters deal with the consequences of their decisions. They eventually wind up turning to God and getting back into church.

Edwards’ children’s book centers on her family’s experiences visiting their grandparents’ farm. And she’s currently writing a book about things that go on in church.

“You have to forgive people for certain things they have done for you,” she said.

Edwards will be one of the featured authors at Norfolk’s Books in the Park on Sept. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at TowneBank Fountain Park. The event features poetry readings, author presentations, book signings by national, regional and local authors, interactive workshops, children’s activities and more.

For more information about the festival, visit www.festevents.org.

To view Edwards’ website, visit www.iyashatoylingedwards.webs.com.