Cheris Hodges's Blog, page 9
June 6, 2016
My nightmare night with Apple
It all started with a tweet.
Saturday I took my Apple Watch to the Genius bar in Northlake Mall. I made an online appointment two days prior because the back of the watch had come loose. I was freaking out about it because I've only had the watch since September.
My appointment was at 5:30. I arrived 15 minutes early, so I expected to wait. 5:30 came and I was still waiting while walk in customers were being serviced. I was annoyed.
I tweeted this:
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges Jun 4And the walk in people get helped before you. #AppleStore Northlake Mall0 retweets0 likesReply Retweet Like View Tweet activity More
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges Jun 4When you show up 15 minutes early for your appointment and the time comes but you are still waiting. @AppleSupport0 retweets0 likes
Sunday night, at 10 p.m., I received a call from a blocked number and the person on the other line said he was from the Apple Social Media department. Wanted to talk about the tweets. I asked him if he knew what time it was, it's Sunday night, I'm preparing for work and I don't have time or energy to sit on the phone with you.
He says: "So, I'll just say the issues has been cleared up and you're a dumb bitch." Everything went black and I called him all kinds of sons of a bitch and motherfuckers! I took back to Twitter and tweeted this:
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges 14h
14 hours agoSo, @AppleSupport calls my phone after 10 p.m, punk ass representative called me a dumb bitch. This is not going to stand.
Then I called Apple. Got a case number from Apple Customer Care, 1119631627. Told the representative the situation and what not. Done, right? Investigation getting ready to take place, right? Phone rings at 1:47 a.m., it's the Apple Support 800 number on Caller ID. The person on the other line says his name is Blake. Blake goes one to say no one called you. You are profane, your books are trash. We don't want to be associated with you and your filth. Take down your fucking tweets or we will consider this harassment. (Excuse me, you're calling me at nearly 2 a.m. and you're being harassed?) He went on to say, got to Samsung and return all of your Apple products to the store because we are repossessing them. He called me a bitch and I said, so is your mother.
Being that Apple corporate is in California, I had to wait until 11 a.m. to call them. And I honestly have to say the lady "tried" to work with me. She contacted their social media department and said we don't have anyone working that late. So we attempted to get the calls traced by my cell phone carrier and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police. Here comes the run around.
Sprint said: We don't trace calls, we have to have law enforcement contact us. CMPD (rudely) said: We don't trace harassing phone calls. We have to get that from Apple. Anytime we need a trace, we have to come through y'all. Apple Corporate: We can't trace calls, we were told from the carrier that we need to contact law enforcement. Me: Wow, this has been so helpful.CMPD: I know, I know. Apple: There's nothing more we can do. You can block the number. Me: Yeah and I'm going to get rid of this phone. The last person who called me at nearly 2 a.m. knew too much about this case not to be an Apple employee. Apple: I've gotten calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS saying if you don't pay this money you're going to jail. Me: Have a good day, lady.
THIS IS NOT OVER!
Saturday I took my Apple Watch to the Genius bar in Northlake Mall. I made an online appointment two days prior because the back of the watch had come loose. I was freaking out about it because I've only had the watch since September.
My appointment was at 5:30. I arrived 15 minutes early, so I expected to wait. 5:30 came and I was still waiting while walk in customers were being serviced. I was annoyed.
I tweeted this:
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges Jun 4And the walk in people get helped before you. #AppleStore Northlake Mall0 retweets0 likesReply Retweet Like View Tweet activity More
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges Jun 4When you show up 15 minutes early for your appointment and the time comes but you are still waiting. @AppleSupport0 retweets0 likesSunday night, at 10 p.m., I received a call from a blocked number and the person on the other line said he was from the Apple Social Media department. Wanted to talk about the tweets. I asked him if he knew what time it was, it's Sunday night, I'm preparing for work and I don't have time or energy to sit on the phone with you.
He says: "So, I'll just say the issues has been cleared up and you're a dumb bitch." Everything went black and I called him all kinds of sons of a bitch and motherfuckers! I took back to Twitter and tweeted this:
Cheris Hodges @CherisHodges 14h
14 hours agoSo, @AppleSupport calls my phone after 10 p.m, punk ass representative called me a dumb bitch. This is not going to stand.
Then I called Apple. Got a case number from Apple Customer Care, 1119631627. Told the representative the situation and what not. Done, right? Investigation getting ready to take place, right? Phone rings at 1:47 a.m., it's the Apple Support 800 number on Caller ID. The person on the other line says his name is Blake. Blake goes one to say no one called you. You are profane, your books are trash. We don't want to be associated with you and your filth. Take down your fucking tweets or we will consider this harassment. (Excuse me, you're calling me at nearly 2 a.m. and you're being harassed?) He went on to say, got to Samsung and return all of your Apple products to the store because we are repossessing them. He called me a bitch and I said, so is your mother.
Being that Apple corporate is in California, I had to wait until 11 a.m. to call them. And I honestly have to say the lady "tried" to work with me. She contacted their social media department and said we don't have anyone working that late. So we attempted to get the calls traced by my cell phone carrier and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police. Here comes the run around.
Sprint said: We don't trace calls, we have to have law enforcement contact us. CMPD (rudely) said: We don't trace harassing phone calls. We have to get that from Apple. Anytime we need a trace, we have to come through y'all. Apple Corporate: We can't trace calls, we were told from the carrier that we need to contact law enforcement. Me: Wow, this has been so helpful.CMPD: I know, I know. Apple: There's nothing more we can do. You can block the number. Me: Yeah and I'm going to get rid of this phone. The last person who called me at nearly 2 a.m. knew too much about this case not to be an Apple employee. Apple: I've gotten calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS saying if you don't pay this money you're going to jail. Me: Have a good day, lady.
THIS IS NOT OVER!
June 4, 2016
Ode to lost love
Once upon a time, I used to love him. Thought about having his last name and his babies.
It didn't work out that way.
This happened twice.
People say the third time is the charm, but I'm not sure I want to try it again.
Whoever said it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all told a damn lie.
It seems as if the harder you love, the more you hurt. And then that hurt turns to anger and you wish that you could amputate your heart. Then when you realize that you kind of need that thing to live, you
put the rusty butter knife down.
But these dastardly bastards did teach me one thing: How to write an amazing villain!
1. Damien from Cautious Heart was inspired by the first heartbreaker.
Favorite thing I did to Damien:
Shot him after he had a one night stand with a stranger in a Charlotte hotel room. He never had a chance to survive. Made my peace with the heartbreaker.
2. Robert from Rumor Has It and I Heard A Rumor.
Robert wasn't based off someone who broke my heart, but a jackass who had to be crazy to pick me up in his pregnant girlfriend's car. He said we're not having sex, but then social media shows the baby shower pictures.
Favorite thing I did to Robert:
Took his power away and locked him up in jail.
And finally in the yet to be written story, the last heartbreaker will die a slow and painful death between the sheets. Orange won't be the new black for me in real life, but he will suffer.
Always remember this:
It didn't work out that way.
This happened twice.
People say the third time is the charm, but I'm not sure I want to try it again.
Whoever said it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all told a damn lie.
It seems as if the harder you love, the more you hurt. And then that hurt turns to anger and you wish that you could amputate your heart. Then when you realize that you kind of need that thing to live, youput the rusty butter knife down.
But these dastardly bastards did teach me one thing: How to write an amazing villain!
1. Damien from Cautious Heart was inspired by the first heartbreaker.
Favorite thing I did to Damien:
Shot him after he had a one night stand with a stranger in a Charlotte hotel room. He never had a chance to survive. Made my peace with the heartbreaker.
2. Robert from Rumor Has It and I Heard A Rumor.
Robert wasn't based off someone who broke my heart, but a jackass who had to be crazy to pick me up in his pregnant girlfriend's car. He said we're not having sex, but then social media shows the baby shower pictures.
Favorite thing I did to Robert:
Took his power away and locked him up in jail.
And finally in the yet to be written story, the last heartbreaker will die a slow and painful death between the sheets. Orange won't be the new black for me in real life, but he will suffer.
Always remember this:
June 2, 2016
Summer, Summer, Summer time (reading list)
It's about that time, time for vacations and hanging out by the beach and pool. What are you going to read?
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to write about some great books by great authors — and myself — that can make your summer a little more enjoyable.
So, what's new that you should check out?
Start with Kianna Alexander:
Her latest book is Every Beat of My Heart
Back blurb:
The rhythm of love Lina Smith-Todd is a winning bid away from owning a piece of musical history. The auction heats up when she discovers that her chief competition for a piano owned by Thelonious Monk is the man who once shared her bed. But the priceless baby grand isn't all that the seductive, supremely confident musician intends to possess. Rashad MacRae wants a second chance to be with Lina. Rashad's passion for music was inspired by the legendary Monk. But if walking away with the prize means losing his shot at a future with Lina, he's ready to concede defeat. To entice her back into his arms, Rashad has to find a way to regain the self-sufficient attorney's trust. And now a family revelation could cost him everything. Can doubt be swept away by the promise of an everlasting love song they both know by heart?
*This is the second book in The Gentlemen of The Queen City series.
Next, take KM Jackson with you.
Bounce Back makes Desperate Housewives look tame.
Back Blurb:
Because sometimes more than love is on the line…
Book 2 in the Loving On The Edge Series
All Sabrina Jacobs wants to do is focus on building her new life, and that starts with rebuilding her marriage. Her husband has moved back into their home and thankfully, exclusively into her bed, she’s making a name for herself with her home based finance business and she’s even starting to master the suburban mommy mafia game. Too bad she didn’t factor in being assigned as co-chair in charge of the annual Cougar and Cubs gala with her town nemesis. As busy as Sabrina is, she definitely doesn’t have time to deal with the likes of one Cassandra Stanton.
Currently a Cougar in waiting, Cassandra Stanton is well on track to being Edgewater town royalty, that is, if she can keep it together and pull off the fundraiser of the year. Too bad she’s saddled with co-chairing the event with the chronically clueless Sabrina Jacobs. Not to mention the fact that her husband, Richard, has chosen now to have his most inconvenient, can’t keep it in his pants, mid-life crisis. Cassandra just doesn’t have the time to deal with coddling him and pulling off the party of the year. But maybe the town’s new contractor can give her the tools she needs to work out all her problems and rebuild her life, only this time on her terms.
Can these two unlikely allies come together for a cause and give the Cougars of Edgewater a night they won’t soon forget, all the while gaining control of the chaos their own lives have become?
Pack up some Candace Shaw in your reading bag.
Her latest book is His Loving Caress.
Back Blurb:
Hearts in harmony? Instead of falling apart when her childhood sweetheart chose his music career over marriage, Elle Lauren fled to Paris to study fashion design. Her stunning wedding gowns now give other brides the happily-ever-after she didn't have. Ignoring Braxton Chase's long-distance apologies has been easy. But meeting him once more stirs the deep longings and desires that a decade has not erased. Braxton walked away from the pressure to marry at a young age, and he's regretted breaking Elle's heart ever since. From the moment he sees her again at his Atlanta jazz club, he knows he wants more than forgiveness—he wants a second chance at the body-and-soul connection that they once had. Can he convince her to trust the sweet, seductive melody of their lost love?
* This is book four in the Chasing Love series.
And so you can get your laugh on, you can't leave Phyllis Bourne at home.
Her latest book is Between a Rock and a Hot Mess:
Riley Sinclair has man problems. Trouble is, everyone has one but her.
After years on the sidelines at weddings, the head of Sinclair Construction now sits home alone on what used to be girls night. Her only companions are television, a bottle of wine and a crush on a stranger she doesn’t have the guts to approach. Too bad she isn’t more like the daring heroine of her favorite show Hot Mess. Men want to bed and wed the glamorous Delilah Cole, while rough-around-the-edges Riley is relegated to the friend zone.
Enter the perfect solution - an interactive app where the star of Hot Mess dishes style, beauty and relationship advice guaranteed to transform any woman into a man magnet. Riley re-invents herself, and thanks to the app, is on the brink of landing her dream man…and another she didn’t count on. Soon Riley’s embroiled in her own hot mess and has to choose between the Cinderella fairytale with the man she wants or the soul deep passion found only in the arms of the man she needs.
*This is the first in the Sinclair Brides Series.
Join me again next week for more reads!
And leave what books you have on your reading list in the comments!
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to write about some great books by great authors — and myself — that can make your summer a little more enjoyable.
So, what's new that you should check out?
Start with Kianna Alexander:
Her latest book is Every Beat of My Heart
Back blurb:
The rhythm of love Lina Smith-Todd is a winning bid away from owning a piece of musical history. The auction heats up when she discovers that her chief competition for a piano owned by Thelonious Monk is the man who once shared her bed. But the priceless baby grand isn't all that the seductive, supremely confident musician intends to possess. Rashad MacRae wants a second chance to be with Lina. Rashad's passion for music was inspired by the legendary Monk. But if walking away with the prize means losing his shot at a future with Lina, he's ready to concede defeat. To entice her back into his arms, Rashad has to find a way to regain the self-sufficient attorney's trust. And now a family revelation could cost him everything. Can doubt be swept away by the promise of an everlasting love song they both know by heart?
*This is the second book in The Gentlemen of The Queen City series.
Next, take KM Jackson with you.
Bounce Back makes Desperate Housewives look tame. Back Blurb:
Because sometimes more than love is on the line…
Book 2 in the Loving On The Edge Series
All Sabrina Jacobs wants to do is focus on building her new life, and that starts with rebuilding her marriage. Her husband has moved back into their home and thankfully, exclusively into her bed, she’s making a name for herself with her home based finance business and she’s even starting to master the suburban mommy mafia game. Too bad she didn’t factor in being assigned as co-chair in charge of the annual Cougar and Cubs gala with her town nemesis. As busy as Sabrina is, she definitely doesn’t have time to deal with the likes of one Cassandra Stanton.
Currently a Cougar in waiting, Cassandra Stanton is well on track to being Edgewater town royalty, that is, if she can keep it together and pull off the fundraiser of the year. Too bad she’s saddled with co-chairing the event with the chronically clueless Sabrina Jacobs. Not to mention the fact that her husband, Richard, has chosen now to have his most inconvenient, can’t keep it in his pants, mid-life crisis. Cassandra just doesn’t have the time to deal with coddling him and pulling off the party of the year. But maybe the town’s new contractor can give her the tools she needs to work out all her problems and rebuild her life, only this time on her terms.
Can these two unlikely allies come together for a cause and give the Cougars of Edgewater a night they won’t soon forget, all the while gaining control of the chaos their own lives have become?
Pack up some Candace Shaw in your reading bag.
Her latest book is His Loving Caress.
Back Blurb:
Hearts in harmony? Instead of falling apart when her childhood sweetheart chose his music career over marriage, Elle Lauren fled to Paris to study fashion design. Her stunning wedding gowns now give other brides the happily-ever-after she didn't have. Ignoring Braxton Chase's long-distance apologies has been easy. But meeting him once more stirs the deep longings and desires that a decade has not erased. Braxton walked away from the pressure to marry at a young age, and he's regretted breaking Elle's heart ever since. From the moment he sees her again at his Atlanta jazz club, he knows he wants more than forgiveness—he wants a second chance at the body-and-soul connection that they once had. Can he convince her to trust the sweet, seductive melody of their lost love?
* This is book four in the Chasing Love series.
And so you can get your laugh on, you can't leave Phyllis Bourne at home.
Her latest book is Between a Rock and a Hot Mess:
Riley Sinclair has man problems. Trouble is, everyone has one but her.
After years on the sidelines at weddings, the head of Sinclair Construction now sits home alone on what used to be girls night. Her only companions are television, a bottle of wine and a crush on a stranger she doesn’t have the guts to approach. Too bad she isn’t more like the daring heroine of her favorite show Hot Mess. Men want to bed and wed the glamorous Delilah Cole, while rough-around-the-edges Riley is relegated to the friend zone.
Enter the perfect solution - an interactive app where the star of Hot Mess dishes style, beauty and relationship advice guaranteed to transform any woman into a man magnet. Riley re-invents herself, and thanks to the app, is on the brink of landing her dream man…and another she didn’t count on. Soon Riley’s embroiled in her own hot mess and has to choose between the Cinderella fairytale with the man she wants or the soul deep passion found only in the arms of the man she needs.
*This is the first in the Sinclair Brides Series.
Join me again next week for more reads!
And leave what books you have on your reading list in the comments!
May 6, 2016
#Diversityinlove Black people are real, Vampires are not. Can you relate?
Growing up, I wasn't a fan of romance novels. I know. Sounds strange, right. But I got tired of stretching my brain to turn blue eyes brown, porcelain skin tan and long blonde hair into an afro.
So, I read three books and decided that I was done with these love books because obviously they didn't reflect my life and my reality.
What's more romantic than a war hero returning home and getting married on Christmas Eve. That's a real story, my mom and dad's to be specific. Of course, I've been told that I can't write about their love story. However, I'm inspired by them every time I sit down at the computer and open up blank document.
Then there's my sister, married to a Marine and a cop, 25 years they've been together, faced a war —like Desert Storm— and held each other through some real life loses. She also told me that I am not authorized to tell her story. Yet, when I sit down and plot my Marine romance, I think about my sister and my brother-in-law.
What pisses me off and makes me want to throw rocks at people is the lack of respect given to romances written by people of color by these so called experts. From publishers to bloggers, we get no respect.
Make no mistake, this is a business and it's about selling books. The romance novel industry is a billion dollar business, yet minority writers struggle to get their piece of the pie. It's as if some gate keeper at some big publishing house said, we're going to let two, maybe three minority authors get ahead and the rest of them can suffer!
Let me drop some knowledge on you about
minority characters:
Minority heroes and heroines can have PhDs and it's not far fetched to believe that it is true. Black men are not scary. They're pretty sexy and they don't all look like Idris Elba. Neck rolling and hand tossing is not a trait of black women. African American is not a fucking category! Black people, Asian people, Hispanic people are real. Werewolves, vampires and shape-shifters are not —yet, you can't identify with minority characters?
So, I read three books and decided that I was done with these love books because obviously they didn't reflect my life and my reality.
What's more romantic than a war hero returning home and getting married on Christmas Eve. That's a real story, my mom and dad's to be specific. Of course, I've been told that I can't write about their love story. However, I'm inspired by them every time I sit down at the computer and open up blank document.
Then there's my sister, married to a Marine and a cop, 25 years they've been together, faced a war —like Desert Storm— and held each other through some real life loses. She also told me that I am not authorized to tell her story. Yet, when I sit down and plot my Marine romance, I think about my sister and my brother-in-law.
What pisses me off and makes me want to throw rocks at people is the lack of respect given to romances written by people of color by these so called experts. From publishers to bloggers, we get no respect.
Make no mistake, this is a business and it's about selling books. The romance novel industry is a billion dollar business, yet minority writers struggle to get their piece of the pie. It's as if some gate keeper at some big publishing house said, we're going to let two, maybe three minority authors get ahead and the rest of them can suffer!
Let me drop some knowledge on you about
minority characters:
Minority heroes and heroines can have PhDs and it's not far fetched to believe that it is true. Black men are not scary. They're pretty sexy and they don't all look like Idris Elba. Neck rolling and hand tossing is not a trait of black women. African American is not a fucking category! Black people, Asian people, Hispanic people are real. Werewolves, vampires and shape-shifters are not —yet, you can't identify with minority characters?
April 26, 2016
Elle Wright is back with Her Kind of Man
ABOUT HER KIND OF MAN
When Mr. Right is oh so wrong
I'll never let you go . . . Allina had always dreamed of hearing those words. But when her fiancé, Isaac, utters them, it isn't a promise-it's a threat. Scared and confused, with only moments before the wedding, Allina knows what she must do. Forget walking down the aisle; it's time to run. Back to Michigan. Back to Kent.
Kent has loved Allina for longer than he can remember. Out of respect for their friendship, he's never crossed the line, but when she turns up on his doorstep wearing her torn, tearstained wedding gown, the fire inside him ignites. He'll do whatever it takes to make Allina feel safe-like the beautiful, desirable woman she is. But as Kent and Allina grow closer, and their passion pushes deeper, it's clear that something bigger than a botched wedding still lingers between them . . .
Amazon: http://amzn.to/26jAjfWB&N: http://bit.ly/1WhdTHFiBooks: http://apple.co/23NY7KhKobo: http://bit.ly/1r4fZz5IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1WhecSKGoodreads: http://bit.ly/1SAyxCY
Here's a sneak peek into this tantalizing tale of romance and revenge!
Allina got up and carried her dishes over to the sink. She turned on the faucet and filled up the basin with water. “I’m going to clean up and get ready to go to the store.”He finished up his plate and joined her at the sink. Not thinking, he dropped his mug into the dishwater, splashing the soapy water on Allina. She screeched and stumbled back. He reached for her, sensing she was getting ready to fall. Instead of preventing her fall, she ended up pulling him with her and they both landed on the floor, her on her back and him on his side.“Ouch,” she groaned from her where she lay on the tile. “That hurt.” She wiped her face and pushed her hair back, leaving a few suds on her face.He chuckled. “That was . . . clumsy.”She laughed then. “It was crazy. How did I fall? There was no water on the floor.” She pointed at him. “It was your fault.”He grabbed her finger. “It was not my fault you can’t stay on your feet.”She flicked some remaining soap on him. It was a running joke with their crew. Syd was dramatic, Cali had no filter, and Allina was clumsy as hell. It didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing, Allina always seemed to get hurt.Before he knew it, they were both laughing in earnest. She turned to him. “I needed this.”He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Glad I could help. I’ve never met anyone who is more accident-prone than you.”She grinned, her eyes gleaming. “Hey. Don’t say that.”He stood up and held out a hand to her. When she placed her tiny palm in his, he pulled her to her feet.Brushing off her clothes, she murmured, “My body is al- ready sore from that run. Now my back is throbbing.”“Maybe you should go lie down for a little bit before we go to the store,” he suggested. “I have a heating pad some- where if you need it.”She waved him off. “I’m good.” Peering up at him, she smiled again. A wide grin. “I need to keep moving.”Kent observed her. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes dancing and he found himself inching closer to her. A piece of her hair was stuck to her forehead and he pushed it to the back.“I must look crazy,” she said, smoothing a hand over her hair.One of the things Kent found so attractive about Allina was her sultry, deep voice. She talked like she was singing a lullaby. It was low, even, and sexy as hell. And what made it even better was she had no idea it could have an effect on a man.As if he had no power or control to stop himself, he leaned closer. She peered up at him and froze. Instead of retreating, she stayed where she was, her eyes on his. The air changed in that instant. He brushed her cheek with his thumb and she gasped. Their noses were almost touching. He knew he should step back, walk away, but he couldn’t. His body had a mind of its own.His nose bumped into hers. Her breath still smelled like the honey from her tea. It was warm against his skin. He wanted to kiss her, more in that moment than ever before. Then her lips brushed against his. It wasn’t a full-on kiss, but enough to make him want more. He framed her face with his hands and kissed the corner of her mouth, enjoying her sharp intake of breath. She squeezed his biceps, her nails digging into the sensitive skin.“Kent,” she whispered. “Are you sure you want to do this?”“Do you want me to?” he asked, unable to keep his eyes off her mouth. It was amazing how one simple touch had opened up the box that labeled them “very close friends.” He imagined how it would feel to really taste her, to feel her tongue against his, to touch her the way he wanted.But then where would that leave them? Confused and awkward around each other? Allina wasn’t just any woman. He couldn’t do her first and ask the hard questions later, be- cause she deserved better than that. They had never really talked about sex with each other before, but knowing her the way he did, he figured she was careful about who and what she did. Being with her, or even kissing her, was a game changer. But, damn-it, I want to.Sighing, he stepped back. He scratched his head. “I’m sorry. This isn’t right. We better get going.”Then he left her standing there in the kitchen.
ABOUT ELLE WRIGHT
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan near Ann Arbor, Elle learned the importance of reading from her mother. It was also her mother who, later on in her life, gave Elle her first romance novel: Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. From that moment on, Elle became a fan of Ms. Jenkins for life and a lover of all things romance. An old journal she wrote back in college became her first book (which she still wants to publish one day).
Website: http://bit.ly/1WhehWoFacebook: http://bit.ly/23NYAvSTwitter: http://bit.ly/1XMDHtU
Enter to win! https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/dis...
April 22, 2016
When the music died: 4/21/2016
All I wanted for Christmas that year was the Purple Rain Soundtrack and a Barbie doll. Every morning as we woke up to get ready for school, Z-103 played Let's Go Crazy.Growing up in Bennettsville, SC, concerts never came close enough for me to go see Prince when I was a kid. But I heard his music every day. And then we got cable! I saw his videos. When Doves Cry made me cry. Christmas came and I was happier to see my little cassette tape than Barbie.
I was seven years old when I fell in love with Prince. I wanted to and still want to dress like Prince, rock boots like Prince. But I knew I'd never play or sing like Prince. Nobody would. Prince was always cool. Besides my Daddy, Prince is the only man I will punch you in the face over.When I made my first online purchase, it was Prince's New Power Soul CD. And it didn't stop there. In college, I bought everything that said Prince. Work study check came in and I headed to Willie's Records off Freedom Drive and headed for the Prince section.
I won a Prince CD from a local radio station. When the DJ asked me what was my favorite Prince song, I had to stop myself from saying Irresistible Bitch on the air.
I've watched Under The Cherry Moon about 90 times. And if I'm not wearing pink or green, I got on something purple.
I bought this hat because it reminded me of the one Prince wore in the Mountains videoI even had purple hair once. Prince created the soundtrack of my life. Heartbreak, love, sex and spirituality.
Then in 2011, Prince came to Charlotte.
I knew I was going the minute the concert was announced. I sat at my desk and waited for the icon on Live Nation to go live. I'd already decided what I was going to wear and of course it was going to be purple.
What a time it was to see my love on stage sing Shh. . . to me. And yes, he was singing to me, damn it.
So, 4-21-16 came. Day off. Met my best friend for lunch. The news of Prince's death hit me like a ton of bricks.
Not my boo. Not my muse. Not the soundtrack of writing. Not the artist who got me through so many sad times, happy times and yes — horny nights.No more Dance. Music. Sex. Romance.
Prince was more than an entertainer to me. Prince is an icon who transcends music. He taught us business. Taught us that we should own our rights to our stuff. We're the creators of the art and we need to hold our masters.
Did I cry? Sure did. But then I let the music play.
There will never be another Prince Rogers Nelson, but I was here see, hear and feel the music of this genius.
Rest in Purple Paradise Prince. See you on the other side.
April 4, 2016
Bounce Back by KM Jackson! New release today!
Hi Cheris and friends! Thank you so much for inviting me on your blog today and hooray it’s the release day for BOUNCE BACK!I’m so thrilled to finally be back in the BOUNCE world and the not so sleepy fictional town of Edgewater, New York and peeking in once again on the lives of Sabrina and Sean Jacobs. Over the past year many readers have asked me what’s been going on with Sabrina and Sean Jacobs and their sexy but often tumultuous marriage. Well I’m happy to say that the love between them is still going strong, but of course life being what it is there is always a curveball around the corner. And this time it comes in the form of Sabrina’s neighbor and nemesis, Cassandra Stanton.
Here is bit about BOUNCE BACK:
Because sometimes more than love is on the line… Book 2 in the Loving On The Edge Series
All Sabrina Jacobs wants to do is focus on building her new life, and that starts with rebuilding her marriage. Her husband has moved back into their home and thankfully, exclusively into her bed, she’s making a name for herself with her home based finance business and she’s even starting to master the suburban mommy mafia game. Too bad she didn’t factor in being assigned as co-chair in charge of the annual Cougar and Cubs gala with her town nemesis. As busy as Sabrina is, she definitely doesn’t have time to deal with the likes of one Cassandra Stanton.Currently a Cougar in waiting, Cassandra Stanton is well on track to being Edgewater town royalty, that is, if she can keep it together and pull off the fundraiser of the year. Too bad she’s saddled with co-chairing the event with the chronically clueless Sabrina Jacobs. Not to mention the fact that her husband, Richard, has chosen now to have his most inconvenient, can’t keep it in his pants, mid-life crisis. Cassandra just doesn’t have the time to deal with coddling him and pulling off the party of the year. But maybe the town’s new contractor can give her the tools she needs to work out all her problems and rebuild her life, only this time on her terms.
Can these two unlikely allies come together for a cause and give the Cougars of Edgewater a night they won’t soon forget, all the while gaining control of the chaos their own lives have become?
I guess when done correctly, quickie parental sex can be quite the thrill. I mean, I know for some, getting freaky midday on beautiful pre-spring Friday afternoon while on top of a vibrating washing machine, mid-spin no less, is the height of a good time, but for me it was just not doing it.Really, Doctor Love, this is your idea of homework?I inwardly shrugged. Well, we were home and it sure as hell felt like work, so at least our marriage counselor got it right with the tag.I shifted my body to the left while crooking my right leg tighter around my husband Sean’s lean hips. Even with taking some yoga classes, this was no easy feat. I let out an unintentional sigh and Sean immediately noticed—he’s like that, since our past year of ups, downs, outs, therapy and back ups…literally, Sean seemed to notice my every inflection.Could it be he was now noticing a little too much?I told myself no. That I was just being nitpicky and looking for problems where there were none. At least that’s probably what my sister, Jan, and most probably our therapist, Dr. Love, would say. With my mind wandering in that direction while Sean was expertly massaging my left breast and nipple, I was starting to think they might be right.But Sean just looked into my eyes and smiled. Smiled with an expression of infinite patience, and dammit if it didn’t prick at me a little bit. “You’re hating this, aren’t you?” he asked.I pushed up against him and purposefully lost myself for a moment in his beautiful light hazel eyes. “‘Hate’ is a ridiculous word when my legs are wrapped around your fine waist, Mr. Jacobs.” I smiled, trying to bring light to the situation, then I looked around our laundry room. “This isn’t so bad. If memory serves, we’ve made love in plenty of worse spots. But I won’t talk about that. I’m a respectable married woman now and a pillar of the community.”Sean laughed and his still-tight abs rippled in response. Oddly though, his shirtlessness reminded me of the next load of colored clothes that needed to go in the wash after the one vibrating under my ass was done. My mommy brain does its thing. Let’s see, I have that load plus two client calls to make before it’s time to pick up the kids at school. Then if timing and traffic work, pick up the dry cleaning on the way back home.
I probably should’ve told Sean to go and take a shower after his run and gone about my usual work, but when he caught me in the laundry room, coming in all sweaty and sexy from his run on his day off, reminding me that we had all of two hours alone before it was time to collect the kids andwe still had Dr. Love’s homework to get to before our session, well hell, it was time to multi-task. That and the fact that once he rubbed up against me and kissed my neck on that spot he knows I like so much, he turned my inhibitions to a puddle of goo. I was all in. Besides, when I was still down on two feet, it didn’t feel like homework at all.
March 18, 2016
Major publisher doesn't believe black love exists
We need diverse romance. But Pocket Books didn't think so last year. Here's the details:
Atria is a very diverse line. Zane's imprint Strebor Books is published under this line. You can find women's fiction, erotic, urban fiction, urban fantasy and non fiction under Atria. But I'm still looking for romance.
Romance, especially African American and Multicultural Romance, is never given the respect it deserves.
And when a major publisher says we don't have the need to publish diverse romance, how are writers of romance novels that reflect America supposed to respond?
Do we white wash our characters, just to get a deal? Do we fight for spots on the publishing calendar of the few publishers who buy our work but fail to market it?
Pocket Books offered an open letter to RWA:
During the Spotlight on Pocket at the 2015 RWA Conference, an attendee asked Executive Editor Lauren McKenna, “Are you working at all on diversifying your author list?” When McKenna requested clarification, the attendee observed that it seemed most of Pocket’s authors were white. McKenna then responded:“Right now, we [Pocket] don’t have an African-American line. Our sister imprint—because we are all Simon & Schuster—we are just two different imprints that we spoke about today within Simon & Schuster.“Our sister imprint, Atria, has an entire two lines dedicated to African-American titles, and they really do corner that market. We find doing just one in a larger list, it tends to lose its focus and it really doesn't get the attention and time it deserves, so it also requires a different marketing and publicity plan.“So we leave that, whenever we get something strong like that in, in a multicultural topic or author, we can defer to our sister imprint who really does focus on publicizing those titles, marketing those titles, getting placement in stores.“So no. I hear you. We also have a Latino line as well, with Atria. So we do do it, just not within Pocket and Gallery.”Now, let's look at the lines where Pocket said readers could find black romance. Atria.
Atria is a very diverse line. Zane's imprint Strebor Books is published under this line. You can find women's fiction, erotic, urban fiction, urban fantasy and non fiction under Atria. But I'm still looking for romance.
Romance, especially African American and Multicultural Romance, is never given the respect it deserves.
Seressia Glass @seressia 4h4 hours ago4 hours ago@seressia that's why the Pocket spotlight was distressing for many. Not knocking Atria, but they are litfic and urban fic, not romanceWhy is it that publishers have a problem with black people, hell brown people, or people who don't have blue eyes and blond hair, falling in love? The door has been opened for a few black romance writers. A small number.
And when a major publisher says we don't have the need to publish diverse romance, how are writers of romance novels that reflect America supposed to respond?
Do we white wash our characters, just to get a deal? Do we fight for spots on the publishing calendar of the few publishers who buy our work but fail to market it?
Pocket Books offered an open letter to RWA:
We write to clarify a misunderstanding that has arisen out of the Spotlight on Pocket Books panel at the 2015 RWA Conference. Unfortunately the panel, and subsequent communications between Pocket and RWA leadership, may have left RWA members with an incorrect impression regarding our commitment to publishing diverse authors.What I'd like to know is, has Pocket Books offered a contract to a POC.
Let us be clear: at Pocket Books we are, and always have been, committed to publishing diverse authors. Our publishing list, which includes both established and rising authors of diverse background, reflects this commitment, and we are proud of our efforts-to-date in this field. We would like to reassure you that all our editors and staff, to a person, embraces our important role in encouraging diversity in publishing: we understand that our acquisitions and publishing must continue to give voice to multi-cultural authors and satisfy the needs of an increasingly diverse and changing readership.
We regret any confusion that may have arisen out of the panel last summer. Pocket Books has for decades enjoyed and valued our relationship with the Romance Writers of America, and we fully support RWA’s Code of Ethics and efforts to encourage diversity in publishing in the romance field. We look forward to more dialogue with RWA on this important issue, and to continuing to publish great books by romance writers of all backgrounds.
Louise Burke (on behalf of the staff of Pocket Books)
March 9, 2016
Book sale alert: Making It Real by Synithia Williams
My South Carolina sister writer, Synithia Williams, has a treat for readers in the form of Making It Real, which is on sale through March 14th. If you haven't had a chance to check out this romance, let me let Synithia tell you why you should!
Tell the readers about your book Making it Real?
The easiest way to do that is with the blurb. After five years in prison, Kareem Henderson is starting his life over. Though business is good at his barbershop, his goal is to open a high-end gentlemen's salon. But the road back is rough, and he needs connections in the society he once snubbed to make his dream a reality. He just never expected his second chance to come from the sexy female barber he hired last year.Patrice "Neecie" Baldwin escaped the pressure of being the perfect daughter in one of North Carolina's most prestigious families to live life on her own. When family responsibilities call her home, she fears going back will expose her to the pressures that nearly ruined her. Neecie needs a shield, and tall, handsome, bad boy Kareem seems impenetrable. So she offers him a deal: If he'll pretend to be her fiance, she'll introduce him to all of her well-connected relatives.But the more time they spend together, the more the irresistible attraction between them builds. They're from such different worlds, but can this fake relationship make the cut and become something very real?
And how long will the special offer on this book last?
The e-book is on sale for .99 between March 7-14 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes and Google Play.
What was your favorite part about writing this book?
My favorite part of writing this book was the flirting back and forth between Kareem and Neecie. They’re both trying to pretend as if they aren’t falling hard for each other. While pretending that they’re in love with each other they actually fall in love.
Do your characters ever wake you up in the middle of the night?
They don’t wake me up, but they will keep me from falling asleep at night. I usually spend at least twenty to thirty minutes after I lay down thinking about my characters, going over dialogue and wondering why they do the things they do.
How can readers reach out to you?
Readers can find me online on my website (www.synithiawilliams.com) where I give updates on my writing and ramble about life and relationships. They can also find me chatting on Twitter (@SynithiaW) or via Facebook (www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams).
Tell the readers about your book Making it Real?
The easiest way to do that is with the blurb. After five years in prison, Kareem Henderson is starting his life over. Though business is good at his barbershop, his goal is to open a high-end gentlemen's salon. But the road back is rough, and he needs connections in the society he once snubbed to make his dream a reality. He just never expected his second chance to come from the sexy female barber he hired last year.Patrice "Neecie" Baldwin escaped the pressure of being the perfect daughter in one of North Carolina's most prestigious families to live life on her own. When family responsibilities call her home, she fears going back will expose her to the pressures that nearly ruined her. Neecie needs a shield, and tall, handsome, bad boy Kareem seems impenetrable. So she offers him a deal: If he'll pretend to be her fiance, she'll introduce him to all of her well-connected relatives.But the more time they spend together, the more the irresistible attraction between them builds. They're from such different worlds, but can this fake relationship make the cut and become something very real?
And how long will the special offer on this book last?
The e-book is on sale for .99 between March 7-14 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes and Google Play.
What was your favorite part about writing this book?
My favorite part of writing this book was the flirting back and forth between Kareem and Neecie. They’re both trying to pretend as if they aren’t falling hard for each other. While pretending that they’re in love with each other they actually fall in love.
Do your characters ever wake you up in the middle of the night?
They don’t wake me up, but they will keep me from falling asleep at night. I usually spend at least twenty to thirty minutes after I lay down thinking about my characters, going over dialogue and wondering why they do the things they do.
How can readers reach out to you?
Readers can find me online on my website (www.synithiawilliams.com) where I give updates on my writing and ramble about life and relationships. They can also find me chatting on Twitter (@SynithiaW) or via Facebook (www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams).
March 8, 2016
Never thought I'd write these words, but leave Kim Kardashian alone. . .
Twitter is all a buzz about Kim K revealing nude selfies. Ok. We've seen this before. But the nasty comments from other women —even a woman I respect, Bette Midler, have me thinking about body shaming and slut shaming.
Bought or not, Kim K has a nice body. She had two children and I guess she wants people to see that she's held up well.
Some people are saying that she's showing young women that their worth is just their bodies. But when did Kim become a role model? Why did we put her on that pedestal?
She's famous for a sex tape. She pretty much owns her sexuality. This isn't anything new, so why blast her?
What do you think she's going to do? Take the insults and change her ways? Nah, that's not going to happen. What do we care what she does anyway? Kim could tweet a picture of fried chicken and the would would turn upside down with: She's being racist. She's promoting cholesterol. Or something along those lines.
I get it, folks don't like her. Me, eh. She's not paying me. But when celebrities attack celebrities, all of them look foolish.
Don't want to see Kim naked, unfollow her.
Leave the chick alone.
Bought or not, Kim K has a nice body. She had two children and I guess she wants people to see that she's held up well.
Some people are saying that she's showing young women that their worth is just their bodies. But when did Kim become a role model? Why did we put her on that pedestal?
She's famous for a sex tape. She pretty much owns her sexuality. This isn't anything new, so why blast her?
What do you think she's going to do? Take the insults and change her ways? Nah, that's not going to happen. What do we care what she does anyway? Kim could tweet a picture of fried chicken and the would would turn upside down with: She's being racist. She's promoting cholesterol. Or something along those lines.
I get it, folks don't like her. Me, eh. She's not paying me. But when celebrities attack celebrities, all of them look foolish.
Don't want to see Kim naked, unfollow her.
Leave the chick alone.
