Cheris Hodges's Blog, page 20

Hot M.A.M.A. Land: Can you cheer for a cheater?

Hot M.A.M.A. Land: Can you cheer for a cheater?: We love romance novels because of the happily ever after. But we love Scandal and Being Mary Jane , too. Let me set the scene for you, the...

AlTonya Washington's When Ice Melts: book and giveaway!

Book Blast and Giveaway. Author is giving away $10.00 Amazon Gift Card, One signed autograph copy and one ebook copy of When Ice Melts.  





Rafflecode: a Rafflecopter giveaway Paperback: 294 pagesPublisher: Al Tonya Washington (January 3, 2014)ISBN-10: 0989145557SBN-13: 978-0989145558Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Women FictionAge group: Adult 18+


  About The Book Icia Graham’s love affair with Rakim Transou had the makings of a fairy tale romance with the happily ever after ending, until the night of Rakim’s college graduation party. For Icia, it was the night her life was forever changed. So desperate to escape the horrific memories she’d suddenly been saddled with, Icia left school and the man she loved. The years passed and; in that time, both Rakim and Icia reached goals that carried them to the heights of success. For Rakim it was a powerful advertising agency that brought him a respected and revered name in the business. Icia’s accomplishment was a bit darker, but no less revered and she had no desire to revisit the past and be tortured by thoughts of love lost with the only man she’d ever wanted. A series of events however, would bring Icia right back to where she swore she’d never return. Once more Rakim Transou was back in her life and she was simultaneously overjoyed and distraught. How could she start anew with the man who still meant everything to her, when there were so many secrets between them? When the need for vengeance on those; who were still very much a part of Rakim’s life, still raged so viciously inside her?
About The Author   AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. In addition to being an author, AlTonya also works as a college Reference Librarian. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013.Her newest title with Harlequin Kimani is "Provocative Passion" nominated for an AMB Ovation Award for Outstanding Interracial Romance and the sequel to the January 2013 release "Provocative Territory". In November she will release "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga.
Buy Links Amazon ebook: http://amzn.to/1luSPdnAmazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1i7KQ1zBarnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dUKRdK
Social Links: Email: altonya@lovealtonya.comWebsite: http://www.lovealtonya.comWebsite: www.alsreaders.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/altonyawTwitter: www.twitter.com/RamseysgirlTour Hosted by WNL Book Tour www.wnlbooktours.com Author Tour Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/altonya-washington-when-ice-melts/
Sneak Peek:
 Houston, Texas~

"Here you go, Val," Rakim Transou was saying to his assistant as he signed the last of the three contracts on his desk. "I don't have time, man," he grumbled to his Vice President.Charles 'Cory" Henderson shook his head at his boss and best friend, before perching his lean body on the edge of the desk. "You need to think about this, Kimm.""Is that it, Valerie?" Rakim sighed, pleased to see his mound of work slowly dissolving.Val scanned the documents and smiled. "That's it," she sang and headed out of the office."Kimm, what's the point of owning this place if you're not gonna have fun runnin' it?" Cory asked, once Val was gone.Rakim ran both hands over his soft, close-cut hair. "The last thing I need to do is waste my day looking at pictures.""Of models," Cory pointed out, smiling devilishly. "Do you know how stress-relieving that can be?"Rakim groaned. "Here we go," he said, leaning back in his leather swivel chair. "You know I get tired of you telling me how sad my life is. If I hadn't been focused on business all these years, you wouldn't be working for one of the most successful ad agencies in the country."Cory nodded, familiar with the speech. He cleared his throat and braced his hands on top of the polished cherry wood desk. "And given that you own one of the most successful agencies in the country, why can't you have some fun?"Rakim leaned forward to pin Cory with his deep, obsidian stare. "I don't want one of the most successful agencies. I want the most successful agency, period."Cory slapped a hand against his bald head. "Man, thinking like that'll never get you a steady woman.""I can live with that," Rakim easily replied, focusing his attention on the appointment book lying open on the desk."I give up," Cory mumbled and walked out of the plush, twentieth floor office.Alone, Rakim allowed the facade to fade. He massaged the bridge of his nose, then opened the bottom desk drawer and pulled a tattered envelope from the back. The expression was fixed, intense on his handsome, dark-chocolate face. His midnight gaze was riveted on the contents of the note he knew by heart.
Rakim,I'm so sorry I couldn’t be there today. Something's happened and I have to leave. I'll be changing schools. Don't try to find me. My parents won't tell you anything. I hate doing this to you, but I can't see you again.  I just can't. I do love you-so much. It's really better like this. I love you, but if you hate me now, I understand.  Coco.
            As usual, once Rakim finished reading the letter, he pressed the page to his nose. He swore he could still smell her perfume clinging to it.The relationship they shared had been so right. She was everything to him and he trusted her with his life. When he walked into his bedroom the afternoon of the graduation, his entire world changed. He found the note lying in the center of the bed. Icia Graham had taken anything else that would have reminded him of her-including all the pictures. The brief letter provided no answers. It was most effective; however, in helping him lose his temper. Rakim grunted as he remembered the way he demolished the house. Cory and Fred had been so spooked by his mood that they left him alone for a week.Just then, Cory's earlier comments filtered his mind. He had completely buried himself in work after Icia left. He took the job he'd been offered in Richmond and worked there while obtaining his Masters degree. Afterwards, he went back home to Houston and put everything he had into building his company. Now, The Transou Agency was respected by its competitors and clients alike.Of course, Rakim acknowledged that his private life may have suffered. Not that there weren't women. There had been several. Unfortunately, he only had to be in the relationship for a matter of months, before he began to compare his companion to Icia. Not even that flaw could keep the women away, though. Rakim Transou's good looks seem to intensify with age. He stood well over six feet and had been blessed with a flawless deep chocolate complexion and the type of lean, muscular frame that flattered everything he wore. The thick, curly afro he used to sport had been trimmed to a close-cut fade. The style only enhanced his pitch, deep-set eyes and sleek brows. His wide mouth was made more enticing by the set of double dimples w

I hope people in other countries don't believe reality TV

As I flipped the channels, I realized why I read as much as I do. TV sucks. If it's not some housewives show, it's a sports wives show.

All you see is loud, weave wearing black women making a mockery of themselves. It's just sad that Hollywood has turned it's back on original SCRIPTED TV. It's even sadder that those sports wives go to other countries and set back a race of women.

Who gets that damned excited over cognac? Even the reality shows with so-called intelligent movers and shakers turned into screaming and fighting matches. I'm done with reality shows. I'm super done with black women exploiting each other for a dollar. I'm looking at you Mona.

And VH-1 is the number one hater of black women! Followed by Bravo!

OK, rant over. I'm going to read a book or finish writing one.

Dear Lord, just let me stay single

I can't take this shaming of single women.

I am a single woman. I thought by the age of 37 I'd be married, but I'm not. And I'm good with that. I'm too old to be popping out off spring, I don't have the desire to deal with another person in my space all the time.

But thanks to pastors like Durham's Andy Thompson, I will never ever get married.
Pastor Thompson seems to think it is OK for a man of God to call women hoes.

Pastor Andy Thompson, founder of the World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, recently instructed married women to “shine it up” so their husbands will remain faithful instead of letting the “hoes he comes across” catch his eye.

So, if I'm correct, according to "Pastor Thompson" if I were to get married, I have to work out every day, keep my hair done, be the Michelle Obama to my husband's whatever. But what in the hell is my husband supposed to do? Sit at home and scratch his nuts?
He can get fat, but I'm supposed to look like a model so he won't get wayward dick syndrome?
No thank you.

Then you have the angry black man talking about what kind of woman not to date. Let me say this, there are more black men with multiple babies than women with multiple babies. I remember dating a dude with five kids. Yeah, I was young and stupid. He has five more kids than I have.

I am sick to death of people making single women feel as if we are unworthy, after every man with a penis or that having standards make us "high maintenance." So, to the pastor and the president of the He Man Woman Haters Club, don't nobody give a damn about your thoughts.
Have several seats. 

Book Blast: Captivated (Book 2 in the Bruised Series) by Stacy Deanne

When she first lays eyes on Mya Riley’s slashed up body, Baltimore Detective Lisa Swanson is certain that the Sandman, a ruthless serial killer from her past has reemerged. Lisa dives headfirst into the case with her partner Dee, and lovesick Winston Lewis, a detective who grows more captivated with Lisa by the day. The Sandman wreaks bloodthirsty havoc throughout the city, and this time he is determined to make Lisa his victim. Armed with intense hatred for the Sandman and a stifling fear of who might end up dead next, Lisa struggles to solve the case by the book. But when the Sandman switches up his plan and goes after her lover Jake…Lisa ignores all the rules.Excerpt from Captivated:
“There’s a song stuck in my head.” He hummed it. “I was listening to it earlier but can’t think of the name.” He swayed Lisa while he hummed. “It’s been a while since we danced.” He twirled them around in circles.            Lisa laughed. “Whoa! You’re putting allthe moves on me.”“You always like it when I do this.” He lifted the front of his wheelchair off the floor and came back down. “You like that, huh?”“Whoa!” She laughed. “You’re right. It’s been a while since we went dancing.” She put her hand in his as he swerved them across the kitchen. “So we can go dancing then.” She lifted her head from his shoulder. “We could both use a break, don’t you think?” She played with a button on his shirt. “We can go to the Rush.”            He rolled his eyes. “How come we always go to the wheelchair nightclubs?”            “I thought it was your favorite place. I just want you to be comfortable.”            “I want us to go dancing for real.” He laid his arm on the armrest. “I used to love dancing.” He got teary-eyed. “I miss that the most.”She kissed his hand.            “I wanna take you dancing like a real man would.”            “You are a real man.” She got off him. “And we can dance the regular way right here.”            He got a paper towel off the table and dabbed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”            She went across to the living room and turned on the stereo in the entertainment system.“Okay, let’s find something good.” She stopped on her favorite station that played old-school slow jams. The sultry beginning of Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” began. “Uh-huh.” Lisa bobbed her head. “That’s what I’m talking about.” She shimmied back into the kitchen.            “I love this song.” Jake tossed the paper towel on the table.            Lisa stood in front of him and held out her hands. “May I have this dance?”            “What?” he whispered.            She bent down. “You said you wanted to dance the real way. Let’s dance the real way.”            “You know my legs are too weak.”            She took his hands. “Then lean on me.”            He took a deep breath and slowly rose from the chair. “Oh.”            “It’s okay.” She put her arms around him. “I got you.”He stood straight and put his weight on Lisa. “I’m six three and two hundred pounds.” He leaned on her. “I’m gonna crush you.”“I’m stronger than you think.” She laid her head on his chest. “Just take it slow and relax.”            He stumbled a bit then picked up his feet in perfect rhythm.“Wow.” Lisa held him tighter. “You’re a smooth dancer, Jake.”            His lips brushed her cheek. “This feels amazing.” He swayed. “Just like the old days.”            “See?” She moved her hand up his back. “Now you’re leading.” She lifted her head. “How does it feel?”            “I…” His voice cracked. “I haven’t danced since two thousand eight.”            “Well, you’re dancing now.” She kissed him. “And you’re doing it beautifully.”
Dream Cast:

Nia Long as Lisa
Ryan Philippe as Jake
Christian Bale as Winston

Publisher Link: http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1&zenid=c3eb9402ba170decf717c8b78407b845(Will be on retailers shortly after release)Captivated @ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...Disturbed (Book 3) Coming April 12, 2014!

Five Signs of love by guest blogger, Shelia Goss

Five Signs You May Be Falling in Love or NotBy Guest Blogger Shelia M. Goss
1. You can’t stop thinking about him.He crosses your mind throughout the day no matter what you’re doing. He’s part of your thoughts whether you’re sleeping or awake. No matter how hard you try, you can’t stop thinking about him.
Be careful that you don’t neglect others (family/friends) while focusing so much energy into your new man.
2. You get butterflies every time you hear his name.You haven’t felt this way since your first love. The strange feeling leaves you feeling a little fluttery. It’s a feeling that comes over you every time you hear his name.
Be sure this feeling isn’t trying to alert you to something else.
3. You see yourself dating him exclusively.  You’re at a point you want to commit to him and him alone.  You’re willing to take a chance to an exclusive relationship.
Don’t go fantasizing about matching towels just yet. Make sure you know what you’re getting into.
4. You walk around with a silly grin on your face.Your friends and family comment that you have this goofy smile on your face–for no apparent reason. You try to curb your enthusiasm,, for your new beau, but it’s unavoidable.
Don’t fret that your family and friends don’t feel the same way about your man. Give them some time.
5. You hear a love song on the radio and it reminds you of your man.Every slow jam that comes on the radio reminds you of how you feel about your man. You download old school slow jams to your mp3 player.
Be careful that you’re not getting caught up in the “idea” of being in love.
Love is a beautiful thing; especially when it’s reciprocated.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShelia M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on several best sellers lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Book Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers so feel free to contact her via her website: www.sheliagoss.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheliagoss or Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.
BLURB
Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.

On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control. 
To read an excerpt, go to: https://www.smore.com/sjq3-the-joneses
Order your copy of THE JONESES from Simon & Schuster (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Joneses/Shelia-M-Goss/9781593095222) or purchase from other online retailers such as: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593095228/simonsayscomBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-joneses-sheila-m-goss/1115884720?ean=9781593095222IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781593095222
Available in stores everywhere on February 18, 2014.

THE JONESES GIVEAWAY
Lexi Jones, one of the main characters, from THE JONESES loves her handbags so it’s just befitting that the grand prize be a handbag.  Contest ends on February 25, 2014.
GRAND PRIZE:One (1) random entrant will receive a small Coach handbag {Retail value: $188.00, 10 3/4″(L) x 7″(H) x 3 1/4″(W)} and Bath & Body Works minatures (Retail value: $19.75)
RUNNER UP:One (1) random entrant will receive an autographed copy of Montana’s Way.
10 ENTRANTS:Ten (10) random entrants will receive the electronic version of the book Hollywood Deception.
Open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Avoid where prohibited by law.
To enter please use the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mimi Collins goes primetime . . . The Life and Times of Mimi Collins

I introduced you to Mimi Collins on this blog last year.

Now, she's going prime time with the first in what may be a two part series: The Life and Times of Mimi Collins.

Mimi isn't about romance. She's more like the girlfriend who calls you in the middle of the night with man drama. She's trying to learn from her mistakes -- but will she? Do we?

Accidental novelist, Mimi Collins, put her heartbreak to paper but she never thought her tale of love woes would take off. Or get her sued!
As Mimi embarks on a new life in New York, she learns that before she can look forward to a bright future, she has to come to grips with the darkness of her past.

Get your copy of this e-novella from Amazon!

The City of Charlotte does not deserve the CIAA basketball tournament

This is the last year that the CIAA Basketball tournament is contracted to be in Charlotte. Here's my hope, I hope another city comes in and takes the tournament away.


Yes, I live in Charlotte. The greatest CIAA school in the world, Johnson C. Smith University, is in Charlotte but the City of Charlotte doesn't deserve this tournament.

Over the last nine years, the city has made an average of $50 Million. The CIAA has made $9 Million for the member schools scholarships. That. Is. Not. Right.

According to At stake is one of the city’s biggest tourism events, estimated to generate more than $40 million in economic impact."

If the City of Charlotte is making that much money off the league, there is no way in habanero hell that the league should have a short fall. $1 Million of scholarship money over the last nine years is a joke and disrespectful. It's like The Rolling Stones making millions from Satisfaction while Otis Redding made pennies.

Charlotte doesn't make this kind of money from the professional basketball team that plays in the arena where the tournament is held. What's sad about the changes in the tournament over the last nine years is that this week is less about basketball and more about parties and celebrities. More about paying $70 to $80 to park in spots that were free last week.

The City of Charlotte has exploited the CIAA and the fans of the tournament. Party promoters start flooding social media and email inboxes on Jan. 21 --I know because that's how long I have been deleting emails -- with parties and nonsense that has nothing to do with the games.

For years, the CIAA allowed others to take control over how their tournament was covered. If you turn on a local news station during CIAA week, there's more talk about parties and vendors at and near the arena that the basketball games.
Have you ever seen the ACC tournament covered in this way?

New CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter came to the association in the fall of 2012 from the NCAA, where she worked to stage the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
She said Friday the association will release its formal request for cities to bid on the event in “a few weeks.” She said 10 cities have expressed interest, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Greensboro, Washington D.C., Brooklyn, N.Y. and Baltimore.
“The CIAA is no different from any other sporting event,” Carpenter said, in that it wants to maximize the value of the tournament to the association’s schools.
The athletic association’s tax return for the year ending in June 2012 suggests the CIAA may need more money. The CIAA ran a $1.7 million operating deficit that year, on revenues of $5.9 million.
Carpenter inherited that deficit from Leon Kerry, the CIAA’s longtime commissioner who retired abruptly in the fall of 2011.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014...

Go on, Miss Jacqie! I don't blame you for making sure that the league gets the money it needs. I applaud you and when you move the tournament, I will be the first one to defend what you did and why you did it.

For one, some of the main party spots where folks will be spending thousands of dollars this week, only open their doors to African Americans for one week a year.
And I, for one, will be damned if I'm going to spend money where I'm not openly welcomed every day. Or, in my Samuel L. Jackson voice, every damned day.

Too many people come to Charlotte for the "CIAAs," who know NOTHING about the member schools or they can't even spell school with out a K. Stop saying you're coming to the tournament, when in truth -- you're coming to a damned party.


 

Iris Bolling is my hero

Oh how I wished I lived in Richmond, Va.
Iris Bolling, author of the wildly popular Heart Series, has taken her books to TV on her terms.
Bravo!
I saw the first episode on YouTube.

And baby, I'm hooked.

I'm glad Iris is the writer and producer of this series. I'm glad her baby is being well received --cause it is good -- and it shows that writers know how their books should be presented.

Bravo to Iris Bolling, my hero. My role model.

And if you want to bring this series to your local CW, sign this petition!

About Richard Sherman . . .

I just realized that Richard Sherman is my nephew.
What, you ask?
My oldest nephew is 25. So is Richard Sherman.
My nephews are smart. So is Richard Sherman.
All week we've heard about Richard Sherman's rant. Why haven't we been hearing about the other things Richard Sherman is known for all season?

He's a graduate of Stanford. He graduated from high school, number two in his class. He runs The Blanket Coverage non profit organization that helps kids get the most out of their education. When he launched this in September, I don't remember hearing a damned thing about it. Didn't see wall to wall coverage on it.

But his post game rant is still being played. And you know what, I'm not going to call it a rant. I rant every day. And when I do, you can best believe there is some colorful, sailor like language going on. Richard Sherman did none of that. NONE. OF. THAT.

But this Vine is funny.

I find myself looking at people wanting to shout, "Don't You Ever Talk About ME! Don't you open your mouth!"
But I digress. I've heard a lot of white people say Richard Sherman is a jerk, a thug, a loser and a jerk.
I think what they really mean is, I'm jealous of Richard Sherman and I wish I was as smart and as rich as he is.

Look, white folks who are mad at Richard Sherman, Peyton Manning is not going to be your savior and the Seattle Seahawks are going to win the Super Bowl.
And if Richard Sherman yells at the end of the game, America: You. Will. Deal!