DeShawn Snow formerly of The Real Housewives of Atlanta recently held an exclusive book signing for her new children’s book series.

The event, held at Mingles Bar & Lounge in Downtown Atlanta Thursday, May 3, 2012, was atteneded by several of Snow’s close friends and supporters and even Pat Houston (Whitney Houston’s former manager/sister in-law) stopped through to show support.

As you know, the ex-RHOA reality star has the esteemed title of being the first wife booted from the popular reality show and at the time, it was due to the fact that her storybook storyline during the show’s first season was a bit too boring.

Apparently Bravo gave up on DeShawn too soon because her life changed drastically once the cameras stopped rolling and after suffering through a tumultuous divorce from her cheating retired NBA baller hubby, DeShawn shed the baggage and a ton of weight and has now renewed herself as a children’s book author.

More photos + details about DeShawn’s ‘Lil Shawnee’ book series…

I spoke with DeShawn at length during the event and she reveals that she’s glad the camera’s weren’t rolling during all of her personal trials.

[Sidebar: Can you imagine going through some of the worst moments of your life in front of a camera? And then having to relive them in re-runs?? No sirrrr…. not me! But I digress.]

Deshawn with Vince Bailey (Professional Announcer)

DeShawn and I spoke about what she’s been up to in the years since she left the show and she revealed that while she did go back to school to get her Masters of Divinity, she didn’t finish.? But with three rambunctious boys to raise, I’m sure it was a challenging task to maintain.

Snow says she developed the Lil Shawnee book series based on her own trials and self-esteem issues growing up and that she (like us all) is still a work in progress.

Lil Shawnee is a classic book series that provides empowering and encouraging messages perfect for tween girls in grades three to six.

Nevaeh, Lil Shawnee?s spiritual guide, provides a sprinkling of heavenly advice and a ?you can do it? message to overcome negativity and build inner strength.

There are three titles in the series so far:

Taking Center Stage (Lil Shawnee)
Keeping Up With the Joneses (Lil Shawnee)
The Rumor (Lil Shawnee)

More information about the book series can be found at LilShawnee.com.

Special thanks to Mingles, Jamahl King (S.T.E.P.S. Event Planning Firm) and Ben Evans (Photo Images By Ben/Ben Evans Photography).

FULL PHOTO GALLERY