Delaney Diamond's Blog, page 15

Wednesday Writing Prompt (3 of 4)

Good morning! Welcome to week three of Wednesday Writing Prompt. What is Wednesday Writing Prompt? Every Wednesday in May, I and four author friends will write a short story from a writing prompt, and you can hop from blog to blog to read each one and see the different ideas that come from each prompt. 

The first two prompts are Chance Encounter and Count on Me with connected characters, but this week’s prompt is made up of entirely new characters. Without further ado, below is the writing prompt and my contribution, Better Late Than Never.

Writing prompt: The hero’s best friend sets him up on a blind date, but when he shows up for the date, his best friend is there.
Better Late Than Never

Why had he agreed to this?

Nelson straightened the collar on his shirt and walked into the coffee shop.

He didn’t do blind dates and certainly didn’t need help getting laid, but his friend Nisa was right. He’d been in a slump ever since his unexpected broken engagement, and he needed to shake it off and get back in the game.

If someone other than Nisa had set him up, he would have passed, but she knew him better than any of his other friends. Hell, they knew each other better than any of their other friends, having met in the first grade and gotten along ever since.

Thinking about her made him smile as he scanned the tables, checking if his date, Laura, had already arrived. The quick scan of the interior verified she hadn’t yet. She would only communicate with him via email, and she’d also requested a coffee date, something low pressure for the two of them. She said she’d be wearing jeans, a blue top, and a paisley scarf, but no one in the shop was dressed remotely like that. Good, because he’d shown up early to make sure he beat her there. Taking an empty table along the wall, he faced the door and waited.

Each time the door opened, he glanced up, expecting to see her. About two minutes after the hour, Laura still hadn’t arrived. Strike one. He was a stickler for being on time and expected other people to be early or on time, the way he always was.

He sent a text to Nisa. Your girl is late.

Knowing her, she’d probably have some sassy response. He chuckled softly to himself as he waited.

“Hey, Nelson.”

Surprised, he glanced up to see Nisa standing beside the table. She’d apparently come from somewhere in the back.

Nelson stood. “Hey, what are you…?”

She looked amazing as usual, with her thick natural hair splayed on top of her shoulders in her favorite style, a twist-out. What made him lose his voice was her attire. Jeans. Blue top. Paisley scarf.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Have a seat,” Nisa said, sitting in the chair opposite him.

Nelson sat slowly.

“I know you’re wondering why I’m here, dressed like this.”

“Yeah, the question did cross my mind,” he said carefully.

“It’s because… I’m your blind date. I’m the person you’re supposed to meet, and I’m the person you’ve been emailing for the past week.”

“What the hell are you doing, Nisa?” There was only silence at their table as everyone around them continued eating, drinking, and typing on their laptops. “We’re friends,” Nelson said tightly.

Nisa folded her hands on the table and made direct eye contact. “I know. Believe me, it was a difficult decision to let you know about my feelings for you, and I was hiding in the bathroom trying to work up the courage to come out here and face you. But I finally decided it was worth the risk.”

Nelson couldn’t believe his ears. “How long have you felt this way?”

“Years.”

“Damn. Why didn’t you just talk to me instead of this elaborate scheme?”

Nisa shrugged. “I guess I was afraid of your rejection, and this way I forced my own hand.”

Hesitation filtered into her face, but there was no need for her to be uneasy. He had always found Nisa attractive, but every time he was free, she was in a relationship. When she was free, he was in a relationship. They never seemed to be single at the same time. Until now…

“What are you thinking?” she asked quietly.

Nelson scrubbed a hand across his jawline and studied her across the table. “I’m thinking that blue looks good on you, like every color does. I like the paisley scarf. I like the way those jeans fit, and…I’m wishing I hadn’t let so much time pass without making a move.”

She bit her lip, which was the cutest, sexiest thing. “You feel the same?”

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because if we don’t work as a couple, how can we go back to being friends?” His chest tightened at the thought of losing her support, her goofy sense of humor, her ability to make him laugh even when he was angry or having a bad day. Nisa was his sanity in an insane world, and the one person he could always count on.

“I had the same worries,” she admitted. “But I figured it was worth it, especially after you and Nadia broke up and you didn’t get seriously involved with anyone else.”

“Me and Nadia,” Nelson muttered, shaking his head.

“What happened between the two of you? You never told me why you split.”

“Because I couldn’t tell you that she ended our engagement after she accused me of being in love with you.”
Nisa’s eyes widened. “Why did she say that?”

“Because I am.”

Her eyes went even wider.

He’d been in denial for a long time but Nadia forced him to face the truth. Now that Nisa knew how he felt, the rest of the confession came easily.

“We’d had a couple of fights about you. She didn’t like our closeness or the fact that there were things I wouldn’t share with her but I shared with you. She was always suspicious of our phone calls and our text messages. Didn’t matter when I let her see my phone to prove our conversations were innocent. In her words, ‘your face lights up every time her name appears on your phone.’ The last straw was when I whispered your name in the middle of us making love.”

Nisa’s mouth fell open.

“Yeah, it was pretty terrible. I gave her a lame excuse, that your names were close together because they both start with N. She saw through the lie.” Nelson sat forward, looking deeply into her eyes. “The truth was, I had been thinking about you while I was with her, and the closer we got to our wedding date, the harder my relationship with her became.”

“I don’t know what to say. I thought I would have to convince you to give us a try, but it seems we’re on the same page.”

“As usual. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

They stood and Nelson took her hand as they walked out of the coffee shop. As soon as they exited the door, he pushed her against the outside wall and captured her lips with his. Her mouth was soft, pliable, and tasty. Better than he had ever imagined. Knowing that he’d been missing out all these years because he’d been worried about messing up their friendship, made him want to give himself a swift kick in the behind.

His tongue swept the inside of her mouth and she groaned. That spurred him to slip his arms around her waist and pull her tight against his body. They’d hugged numerous times over the years, but this hug, this embrace, was hotter and made him hornier than ever before. Tracing her waistline with his hands, he moved his palms upward and barely managed not to squeeze her breasts. There would be time for that later.

Nelson released her mouth reluctantly and lifted his head. Nisa looked at him with passion-drunk eyes.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he breathed.

“I’m glad you finally did,” she whispered, her breath brushing his mouth in a gentle caress.

“Your place or mine?”

“I live too far away. Yours.” She did that cute little thing again where she bit her bottom lip.

Nelson gave her another quick kiss, already addicted to her mouth.
​
Then he took her hand and led her to his car.
​______

Readers,
1. Would you let a friend set you up on a blind date?
​2. Should Nelson have spoken up sooner? Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the next  writing prompt. Then hop to the next four blogs to see what the other authors came up with. 
Nyora René:  nyorarene.com
Tiye Love:  tiyelovebooks.com
J.L. Campbell:  joylcampbell.com ​
​S. Taylor:  staylorromance.com

Wednesday Writing Prompt (2 of 4)

Welcome to week two of Wednesday Writing Prompt! What is Wednesday Writing Prompt? Every Wednesday in May, I and four author friends will write a short story from a writing prompt, and you can hop from blog to blog to read each one and see the different ideas that come from each prompt. 

Last week you met Layla, Tamika, and Dana, and I wrote about Layla in last week’s prompt. In this week’s prompt I wrote about Dana, who works on documentaries for my favorite alpha female, Sylvie Johnson from the Brooks Family series.

All of us writing the prompts have to stick to a certain word count, and I had a hard time limiting myself this week. I wanted to write more, but I’m confident you’ll enjoy what I did write about this couple. Without further ado, below is the writing prompt and my contribution, Count on Me.

Writing prompt: The hero and heroine work late and end up locked in the building alone. Count on Me

​Dana stood, yawned, and stretched, tired after a long day at work as a documentary film editor for SJ Media.

The phone rang and she answered right away when she saw the call was from one of her best friends, Layla. “Hey, haven’t heard from you since that text you sent Saturday.”

“I’ve been busy,” Layla said coyly.

Dana checked her reflection in the window, smoothing a hand over the stretchy cotton dress that showed off the ample curves of her plus-sized figure. “Busy with Chance?”

“Yes. You’re not going to believe this, but except for picking up clothes Saturday morning, I’ve been at his place ever since.”

Dana picked up her giant purse from her desk and flung it over her shoulder. “It’s Wednesday!”

“I know. I feel so good with him, it’s crazy.”

Dana left her cubicle and headed toward the elevator. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks, honey. Can’t talk long, but I want you, me, and Tamika to go out on Friday night again, okay? Don’t forget.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. Talk to you later!”

Dana hung up and exited the elevator. She had never worked this late before and downstairs was unusually quiet.

“Dammit!” a male voice yelled.

She paused, surprised she wasn’t the only person there and also because she recognized that voice. Slowly, she rounded the corner. Her ex, Brandon, stood in front of the exit.

She came up behind him and asked quietly, “What’s the matter?”

He swung around. When he saw her, his jaw hardened and the fire in his eyes dimmed. His reaction twisted pain in her chest. He never looked at her like that before they broke up. It could be a bad idea to get involved with someone you worked with, but she’d made an exception with Brandon. With toasty brown skin and a tall muscular build, he was a good-looking man who also had a great personality.

He trained her when she first arrived at SJ Media. They became friends and eventually lovers, and then she had done what she had to do. Let him go.

“Door’s locked,” he grumbled, as if it was her fault.

“What do you mean locked?”

“Locked, as in, we can’t get out. We’re stuck here.”

“No.” Dana marched past him and pushed on the door. It opened fractionally but not all the way because of the thick metal chain wrapped around the outer door.

“Like I said, locked.”

Dana turned around. “What about the back door?”

“Also locked. That’s where I was going to leave from because I parked my truck in the back.”

“So we’re really stuck here?”

Together?

“Afraid so.” Brandon walked away.

“Where are you going?”

“To find something to eat. I’m starving.”

Dana was starving, too and had planned to grab a bite on the way home. She rushed after Brandon. “Is there someone we can call for help?”

“If you know someone, let me know. I don’t know anyone we can call.”

He stabbed the button on the wall. The doors immediately opened and they stepped in. He hit the fourth floor button and when the elevator stopped, Dana followed him down the hall. She stood inside the door of the break room as he opened cabinets and pulled out caramel popcorn, beef jerky, and protein bars.

“That’s dinner?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

“Got a better idea?” he shot back in a hostile tone.

“No.” She wished he wouldn’t look at her with such anger. She wished he’d speak to her in the softly amused voice he used to use on the phone or when they were sneaking a kiss in this very room.

Dana went to the vending machine. “Coke?”

“Can’t believe you asked that.”

She smiled. He had a Coke addiction, one she’d tried unsuccessfully to save him from during their five months together.

She chose a Vitaminwater, set both beverages on the table, and sat across from him. She emptied popcorn onto a styrofoam plate and chose one of the protein bars.

“Mmm, not bad,” she said, licking crumbs from her lip.

Brandon stared at her mouth, and she stopped chewing. He kept staring at her, mouth set in an angry line.

Dana lowered her gaze. The silence was as dense as the protein snack, and she didn’t know what to say or do.

“Why did you break up with me?” he asked.

“I told you why.”

“You claimed you weren’t interested anymore, but that’s bullshit. We had fun together, we like the same movies, the same food, we went out all the time. You liked spending time with me as much as I liked spending time with you. Why did you dump me, Dana? You owe me a real answer.”

Dana hated the hurt she saw in his eyes. Knowing she caused him pain hurt her, too, but she kept her voice even and hoped the longing and regret that filled her wasn’t obvious. “I don’t owe you anything. Accept what I said and move on.”

She pushed back her chair and rushed from the table. Brandon jumped up and blocked the doorway.

“What are you doing?” She needed to get away from him and hadn’t expected him to challenge her.

“Tell me.”

“Stop it, Brandon.”

“Did I do something to hurt you? Was I insensitive in any way? Did I—”

“Stop! Please stop,” she finished softly.

Silence.

His shoulders dipped lower. “I love you. I don’t understand what I did wrong.”

Dana laughed softly, miserably. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I must have. You broke up with me.”

She blinked back tears and when she settled her gaze on him, knew she had to tell him the truth. He blamed himself when he was the epitome of a great boyfriend. “I did, but only because…because I didn’t want you to be stuck with me when I get sick.”

“Sick? What are you talking about?”

“A few weeks ago I found out I have breast cancer.” Her voice trembled. “It runs in my family, and I guess it’s my turn.” She shrugged.

“That’s why you broke up with me?”

“I have a long road ahead, and I didn’t want to drag you into my problems. If you stayed with me out of pity...”
She choked, unable to finish the sentence.

“You never thought I’d stay with you out of love?” Brandon asked quietly.

“We were only together for five months. That’s not a lot of time to have to go through such a life-changing experience with someone. I don’t expect you—”

“I love you. I told you that after three months, meant it, and still do. Having cancer doesn’t change my feelings or make me want to walk away when you’ll need me most.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious.” He came closer. “I love you, and I want to be right there with you, fighting, and helping you beat this thing.”

“I didn’t think…”

“Nah, you didn’t think.” His smile softened the words.

Heart filled with happiness, Dana stepped closer. “It won’t be easy. My mom really suffered. My dad could barely handle it, and they were together for ten years by that time.”

“Don’t count me out.”

She released a long breath. “Okay.”

Brandon cupped her face and kissed her softly. Like always, her toes curled. She tugged him closer and he laughed against her lips, and she laughed.

“Ready for dinner?” Brandon asked.

“I guess. But what about sleep later?”

“We can go to the lounge to watch TV and sleep on one of the futons.” Brandon pulled out her chair and she sat down.

When he sat across the table from her, Dana smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He bit into a beef jerky stick.

“I love you.”

​He grinned. “I know.”
________

Readers,  should Dana have told Brandon the truth from the beginning, or can you understand her fears? Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the next  writing prompts. Then hop to the next four blogs to see what the other authors came up with. 
S. Taylor:  staylorromance.com
Nyora René:  nyorarene.com
Tiye Love:  tiyelovebooks.com
J.L. Campbell:  joylcampbell.com 

Wednesday Writing Prompt (1 of 4)

Welcome to the very first Wednesday Writing Prompt! What is Wednesday Writing Prompt? Every Wednesday in May, I and four author friends will write a short story from a writing prompt, and you can hop from blog to blog to read each one and see the different ideas that come from each prompt. 

This scene takes place at Dilligan’s Sports Pub. As I sometimes do, I reuse the names of fictional places in my stories, and Dilligans’s is the bar where Diego and Ronnie from One of the Guys had their pool shooting competition. It's also where Malcolm in The Roommates works as a bartender (on my Free Reads page).

Without further ado, below is the writing prompt and my contribution, Chance Encounter. 

​Writing prompt: The heroine is at a bar playing a drinking game with her friends and loses, and as a result is told that she has to ask the next man who comes through the door out on a date.​ Chance Encounter
​
“Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug!”

Layla shot daggers across the table at her two best friends who softly chanted the words at their booth in Dilligan's Sports Pub. The popular hangout was about halfway full, with empty tables and seats at the bar that would be full within a couple of hours.

“This game sucks,” she said with a pout.

They were on round one of the game Never Have I Ever, and she already had to steel herself to toss back a vodka shot. Layla glared at her friend, Tamika, who wore a cute pixie cut and a denim jacket over a tank top. She had been the one to say, “Never have I ever had a one-night stand.”

Tamika smirked. “Drink up, Miss One-Night Stand.”

Layla took a deep breath and tossed back the liquor, grimacing as it burned on the way down. She slammed the glass on the table and shivered. Whew, that was strong stuff. Now part two. She had to ask the next man who came through the door out on a date.

“Whose idea was this again?” she asked.

Dana, plus-sized and wearing glasses and an off-the-shoulders blouse, giggled. “Yours,” she reminded Layla.

“Oh yeah,” Layla muttered. She thought a drinking game with a challenge would be a nice way to spice up their Friday night out. Lesson learned.

While they waited, they chatted and within a few minutes, Tamika nudged Dana. “There’s our victim.”

Layla turned around in her seat, and her heart stopped. No. She immediately recognized the buzzed cut, the smooth, handsome face, and the easy-going stroll that suggested he had all the time in the world.

She quickly turned back around. “Um, can I ask out the next guy?”

“The next guy? What’s wrong with him?” Tamika asked, looking at Layla as if she’d lost her mind.

“He’s foine,” Dana said, leaning sideways out of the booth to get a better look.

“The next guy would be better.” Layla wiped clammy hands on her jeans.

Tamika leaned across the table. “The deal was, you have to ask out the next guy that comes through the door, not the second next guy. And frankly…” Tamika’s eyes shifted over to the bar. “You could do a lot worse than that fine ass man.”

“Go get your man,” Dana said.

Knowing they wouldn’t budge, Layla pressed her lips together. “Just so you know, we’re not best friends anymore.”

“Whatever,” they said in unison.

Layla slid sideways out of the booth and stood. She smoothed a hand over her long hair, happy she’d been to the salon earlier so that her hair looked and smelled good, and the green halter top tucked into her skinny jeans was flattering. Heck, she looked good.

With bolstered confidence, she strutted over to the bar, ignoring a couple of men who looked appreciatively in her direction. As she drew closer to Chance, her heart beat faster. He’d taken a spot near the end of the bar and sat with his back to her—a broad back she recalled clawing two weeks ago as sweat beaded her forehead and she moaned from intense pleasure.

Rebound sex. Mind-blowing, nipple-clenching, rebound sex.

Her breathing stuttered and she swallowed hard.

Rebound sex after she and her ex-boyfriend mutually agreed they should split because the relationship had simply fizzled. Despite agreeing, losing him had hurt. They’d been together for almost two years.

But here was Chance Lopez, a friend of a friend had introduced them on her rare night out to a nightclub to forget her aching heart. Chance had made her mindful that she should never settle for fizzling again. She touched her neck at the memory of his lips whispering over her skin.

Layla stepped up to the bar and squeezed between two stools. “Hi, Chance.”

The moment he turned and faced her, sparks thickened the air between them, and she was once again struck by the beauty of his brown eyes. One eyebrow lifted higher and a slow smile slipped across his lips and caused between her thighs to blossom with heat. Damn him.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Layla Strong.”

He spoke with a thick accent though he said his family moved from Colombia when he was in elementary school. She was pretty sure he kept the accent because it was sexy and drove women like her wild.

Layla held up her hand. “Before you start, I need to tell you that I approached you for one reason and one reason only. I’m sitting over there with my two girlfriends playing a drinking game, and I had to ask the next man who came through the door on a date. That happened to be you. It’s ridiculous, I know.”

Chance glanced in the direction she indicated and saw her friends staring unabashedly at them. His smile widened to reveal pretty white teeth, and he folded his arms over his chest. “Ask me.”

“Ask you?”

“Yes.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Ask me,” he said softer, looking steadily into her eyes. He had a way of repeating sentences to get you to do what he wanted. It worked.

“Would you go out with me?”

“When?”

Her heart started racing again. This time not from nervousness but from excitement. “Tomorrow night.”

“Hmm.” Chance lifted his eyes toward the ceiling. “Tomorrow night I have plans.”

“You jerk!” With a laugh, she swatted his arm.

“I’m kidding. I accept.”

He hooked a finger through a loop in her jeans and tugged her between his legs. They were way too close, but she didn’t mind. He smelled divine, and when she rested her hands on his thighs, she was reminded of how he’d repeatedly powered into her.

“It’s good to see you, Layla, considering last time I saw you was the morning you rushed out of my house with barely a goodbye, and you didn’t leave your number.”

“I don’t know why I left like that.”

“Good to know it wasn’t something I did.”

“Definitely not. Everything you did was…perfect.”

“Oh really? In that case…” He lowered his voice and pulled her so close their breaths mingled. “How about we get out of here and go back to my place for a repeat of that night?”

“I’m here with friends. I can’t just leave them.”

“You can.”

“Chance, I can’t.” But she wanted to.

“You can. Then we can go back to my place for a repeat of that night.”

That repetition thing again, in that sexy Colombian accent. Her resistance crumbled.

“Give me two seconds.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Layla rushed back over to her friends. “Sorry girls, but I have to bail on you. I’m leaving with him.”

“You can’t leave with a complete stranger!” Tamika said.

Layla fit her cross-body bag across her chest. “Actually, he’s not a stranger. He’s my one-night stand.”

Their mouths fell open.

“Ta-ta,” she said with a wave, walking away before they could say a word.

As she approached Chance, he stood, his brown eyes sweeping over her in renewed appreciation, as if he were already imagining her naked. She did the same to him, biting the inside of her lip as she recalled in vivid detail the muscled abs, his firm thighs, and the way he worked his hips to give her multiple orgasms in one night.

Chance let her precede him to the door and rested one hand in the small of her back. Heated anticipation filled her skin.

“Can’t wait to get you home,” he whispered near her ear.
​
She tossed a flirtatious look over her shoulder. “I can’t wait, either." _________
Okay readers, looks like Layla is about to have a great Friday night. What do you think?  Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the next three writing prompts. Then hop to the next four blogs to see what the other authors came up with. 
J.L. Campbell:  joylcampbell.com 
Tiye Love:   tiyelovebooks.com
Nyora René:  nyorarene.com
S. Taylor:   staylorromance.com

Wild Thoughts is on sale for 99 cents!

Don't miss this sale! Wild Thoughts (Brooks Family #4) is on sale for 99 cents. If you've already read the book, tell a friend so they can take advantage of this deal. Sale ends May 5th!


It started with a little white lie...
Lindsay Winthrop's weekly podcast on sex and dating has garnered thousands of listeners across the country, thanks to experience with a loving fiancé she's been with for years. Except, her husband-to-be doesn't exist, and now she's in a bind. With a book deal on the line, she has to find a man fast, and Malik Brooks might be just the man she's looking for.

If he knows what's good for him, he'll stay away from her...
A few years ago Malik gave up sex and now works hard as a metal sculptor. In doing so, he's created enough pieces to fill a gallery, and his vow of celibacy has kept him focused. When a major deal falls through, Lindsay makes him an offer he can't refuse, and all he has to do is pretend to be her fiancé. Sounds easy at first, but after one kiss, he wants more. Then things really get interesting.
​
Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon CA 
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Queen of Barrakesch is live!

Hi! How are you holding up? We're all going through a very rough time right now with the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the world, but my hope is that Queen of Barrakesch can whisk you away for a few hours and provide the escape you crave.​

The novel takes place in Barrakesch, a fictional Middle Eastern country where they speak English and Arabic. Make sure you don't miss the translations at the beginning of the book to help you understanding the meaning of the words in the dialogue. 

Tropes: fake relationship, forced into marriage

Characters: Arab hero, Black heroine

​Blurb: They had no idea how much their lives would change…forever.
Imani Karunzika is fiercely independent and refuses to be forced into a loveless marriage with the domineering man her parents want for her. When her friend Crown Prince Wasim al-Hassan of Barrakesch learns he’ll be passed over for the throne because he has no wife, she suggests a plan where they enter into a fake engagement. He can then secure his birthright, and she can get her parents off her back.
But the marriage must proceed as planned. Wasim becomes the king, she becomes the queen and is now under the rule of a man whose power and authority is unmatched. But Imani’s greatest struggle lies not within the walls of the palace, but inside herself as she fights to keep the ultimate secret—that she’s madly in love with the king.

Buy links:  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Paperback
_____
This is the last book in the series. Like the first two, it will only be available on Amazon. Eventually, the books will be available at other retailers, but not for a while. To read them now (they're free with the Kindle Unlimited subscription) without a Kindle, download the free Kindle app to your computer, phone, or tablet. 
EXCERPT

Wasim crisscrossed the lawn, mingling with the guests and stopping to tease the children. As he greeted a small group of adults playing horseshoes, his sentence trailed off when Imani exited the house and stood at the top of the steps.
For a moment, he was speechless. He’d never seen her hair like that before, parted on one side and flipped up at the ends. She wore a mustard-colored tunic and matching pants. Brownish-red lipstick complemented her bronze complexion and coated the fullness of her lips, drawing his eyes and hurtling him back in time to the taste of that same mouth and how much he’d enjoyed kissing her.
He quickly abandoned the guests and walked over to her. Smiling, she stepped down onto the grass.
“Hi.”
“You finally decided to make an appearance. How nice of you to show up…late.”
“You didn’t give me a specific time, and you should be glad I’m here considering you begged me to come.”
“Let’s not exaggerate. I invited you.”
“Because this wouldn’t be much of a party without me. You’re welcome.”
“I didn’t thank you.”
“You were about to.”
Wasim laughed. He’d miss their verbal sparring when she went back to Zamibia.
“I see you’re doing something different with your hair.” He hadn’t planned to comment on her hairstyle, but the words just came out of him.
Imani fingered the strands, suddenly more subdued. “I’m trying something different.”
“I like it.”
She glanced at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re wearing a different scent, too.”
Her eyebrows raised a little in surprise.
She had no idea the close attention he paid to everything about her—her clothes, hair, the scents she wore.
“I am wearing a different scent. Normally it’s shea butter infused with passionfruit, but I’m trying a new fragrance from a line of creams and lotions made locally by the women’s cooperative of Zamibia. This one is shea butter infused with mango.”
She was truly amazing. Imani didn’t only publicize and encourage the women’s work, she supported them by buying their products. She’d also worked out a way to invest in their businesses with money from the oil revenues once they started pouring in.
“I like it,” Wasim said. She smelled so good he wished he could carry the scent of her with him at all times.
“You’re full of compliments today.”
“You deserve every one.”
Before she could reply, Malak ran over, squealing excitedly at the sight of Imani. Dropping to her haunches, she gave him a big hug and kissed both of his cheeks. “Oh my goodness, look at you! You’re getting so big. How old are you now?”
“Four.” He held up four fingers.
Her eyes widened. “I better be careful or you’ll catch up to me soon.”
Malak’s little face brightened from laughter. “Do you want to see my chimpanzees?” he asked.
“Wait a minute, they’re your chimpanzees now?” Wasim asked.
“Yes.” The little boy giggled.
Wasim folded his arms across his chest and affected a stern expression. “You bought them?”
His nephew nodded vigorously.
“Where did you get money?”
“When I went to the hotel to work with Baba,” he replied.
“Now you know,” Imani said with a laugh as she let Malak pull her away.
Wasim kept his eyes on her regal walk. Rubbing his bearded cheek, he let his gaze swing back and forth with the movement of her hips. She could make any outfit sexy—including a loose-fitting tunic and pants that did more to hide her figure than display it.
Her legs were completely covered, yet he couldn’t help but notice how she moved with effortless sensuality. Perhaps because he knew what lay under the clothes. Outside of Barrakesch, he’d seen her toned legs in fitted skirts that showed off her curvaceous shape and plump bottom. He’d had many thoughts about getting his hands on that ass.
Imani sat down on a rug on the lawn and proceeded to play with Malak and five other kids. They fed bananas to the chimp and cuddled with the lion cub, who practiced its roar—which sounded more like a squeak.
“You made a good choice.” Yasmin had sidled up beside him.
“You think so?” Wasim shifted his gaze to look at his sister. At four months pregnant, she only had the smallest baby bump.
Yasmin nodded. “You’re the perfect match. I don’t think you could have done better. We all like her.” She sauntered over to a bench where Farouk sat and joined him.
Wasim went back to mingling with the guests but remained attuned to Imani’s every movement. His sister’s words resonated with him.
Imani was perfect. Where would he find another woman who fit so perfectly within his culture and life? An equal. A woman whose deep love for her country made her put in long hours on the oil drilling project because it would improve the country’s economy. There was no better woman to have by his side as a life partner.
But their entire relationship was fake. Made up. Not real.
But what if it wasn’t?
___
Read the rest of the story on Amazon.  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Paperback


Catch up with the other books in the Royal Brides series:

​Princess of Zamibia  (Royal Brides #1), between Dahlia Sommers and Crown Prince Kofi Karunzika—a secret baby romance where the prince comes to claim his heir.

Princess of Estoria (Royal Brides #2), between Angela Lipscomb and Prince Andres Luis Vasquez Alamanzar II—inspired by current events.
​

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Quarantine Resources

Hi all,
I'm going to update this space to list freebies or other helpful information we can use during the Covid-19 pandemic. Google is also a good way to find resources, particularly for your specific state. If you're aware of other resources, share it in the comments. Let's follow the CDC instructions on how to protect ourselves, listen to health care officials, be considerate of others, and stay safe! 
​ Reading and Education You can now download over 300,000 books from the NYPL for free: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-download-over-300-000-books-from-the-nypl-for-free-031820

2 months free Kindle Unlimited for new signups (expires 4/30/2020): https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/promoLanding?promoCode=7cad7d39-c2cf-4e3d-9b17-4ebafbb03a41&tag=tbpre-20&ascsubtag=04OaMT4pCIueEBs5uDqI2En&fbclid=IwAR0AxSc1bzkootLKNGWEcpSxLxKxaVsCK8QuiXT4wHdai-7oKPMS_AQuRs8

My Royal Brides series and Quicksand series are in Kindle Unlimited, so you can read them for free with the 2 months free KU special. 

All Garden Avenue Press author titles are in Kindle Unlimited, so you can read them free with the 2 months free KU special.

With a Hoopla and Overdrive account, access audiobooks and ebooks for free through your public library (where available).

Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public: http://www.universitytimes.ie/2020/03/jstor-makes-database-accessible-to-the-public/ 
​ Health and Economic Resources YMCA launches free online classes for at-home exercise: http://ed.gr/ca2xi

United Way Worldwide Launches COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund: https://www.unitedway.org/the-latest/press/united-way-worldwide-launches-covid-19-community-response-and-recovery-fund
​ For Kids List of free  educational resources during the outbreak, for kids of all ages: https://abc7ny.com/6035120/

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offering free online biology classes for children: 
https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/03/17/cleveland-metroparks-zoo-offering-free-online-biology-classes-children-during-coronavirus-school-shutdown/
​
List of Georgia schools offering student meals during the outbreak: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/list-of-georgia-schools-offering-students-meals-during-coronavirus-outbreak
​
Free Audiobooks for kids on Audible for as long as schools are closed: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
​ Miscellaneous Free resources for schools: https://thejournal.com/articles/2020/03/13/free-resources-ed-tech-companies-step-up-during-coronavirus-outbreak.aspx

Where to get free financial assistance, food, and more: https://laist.com/2020/03/20/where_to_get_financial_assistance_food_and_more_during_the_coronavirus.php

Free cooking classes by Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura: https://www.sunnyskyz.com/positive-good-news.php?newsid=3699/Stuck-At-Home-This-Award-Winning-Chef-Is-Teaching-Free-Cooking-Classes-On-Instagram 

GIVEAWAY SIGNUP ABOUT TO CLOSE!

​There's still time to sign up for the Release Day Blitz for QUEEN OF BARRAKESCH (March 27th). You could win a $25 gift card! Click the link below and fill out the form. Images will be emailed to you no later than March 20th. Bloggers and readers are welcome to participate!

➜ https://forms.gle/KUf1jjPPmBrCYriX9

I’m giving away THREE gift cards – one on Twitter, one on Facebook, and one on Instagram. So you have 3 chances to win! ​When you're finished signing up, listen to the audio samples below. Yes, the Brooks Family series is finally coming to audio! The first books have been completed: A Passionate Love and Passion Rekindled. Much thanks to Producer Tove Audiobooks and Narrator Sean Crisden. Enjoy a little taste of each while we wait for ACX to approve the files. 
​ #wsite-video-container-993785735989449221{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/83249540-373095939302838329/a_pasionate_love_headliner_922.jpg); } #video-iframe-993785735989449221{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/play-icon.png?1234); } #wsite-video-container-993785735989449221, #video-iframe-993785735989449221{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-993785735989449221{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/@2x/play-icon.png?1234); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } #wsite-video-container-104744661637834276{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/83249540-373095939302838329/passion_rekindled_author_headliner_934.jpg); } #video-iframe-104744661637834276{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/play-icon.png?1234); } #wsite-video-container-104744661637834276, #video-iframe-104744661637834276{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-104744661637834276{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/@2x/play-icon.png?1234); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } }

Heart's Desire is now available everywhere!

Heart's Desire, part of the Unparalleled Love series collaboration I did with Sharon C. Cooper and Stephanie Nicole Norris, was initially released only on Amazon. Now you can get the book at all the other retailers! Links are below. Enjoy!
​ ​Coworkers Nathan Crenshaw and Janice Livingston once had a passionate relationship that went up in flames and created a strained environment at their place of employment. Since then, Janice has tried to move on. Unfortunately, they have to work together, and unfortunately, she’s still very attracted to Nathan.
Nathan can’t forget his connection with Janice—a connection he hasn’t experienced with any other woman. After an earth-shattering kiss rekindles their flame, will these two finally get it right— or will an outside force get in the way?

Read the other books in the series!
Soul's Desire by Sharon C. Cooper
Everlasting Desire by Stephanie Nicole Norris (only on Amazon)

NEW RELEASE: Heart's Desire is here! (and there's a giveaway)

​My latest release, HEART'S DESIRE is now available! So I'm really excited for you to read this novella. It's a second chance romance and office romance, and dare I say, even a sprinkling of opposites attract.  This couple is hot, hot, hot! I love Janice's personality, and Nathan is... well, you know how I write my heroes. He's definitely swoon-worthy.

As a reminder, the book will be released only on Amazon initially. After the 90-day exclusive period has expired, Heart's Desire will be available on other platforms. If you don't want to wait 90 days, you can download the FREE Kindle app to any computer, tablet or phone and read it now.

HEARTS DESIRE TEASER

“And how was your weekend?” He poured a cup of coffee. He drank his with no sugar or cream, one of the many details she remembered from their relationship a few years ago.
“Nothing special.”
“Did you go out?”
“I did. Went to a club and danced the night away. It was fun.”
He slowly nodded. “Still partying hard, huh?”
“Not too hard.” On occasion, she went to a club or lounge to relax on the weekend and unload the stress of the work week.
“I’m sure you had men lined up to be your dance partners.”
“Nothing quite so dramatic,” Janice demurred, though she was pleased by the compliment.
Nathan chuckled, low and sexy, showing off pretty teeth and dimples. She hated that laugh. Not because it annoyed her, but because it was so enticing she longed to hear it over and over again and highlighted the smallest regret that she and Nathan were no longer a couple.
But they were in a good place now, and she had to remember that. Friendly, able to engage in polite conversation and the occasional banter the way they used to before they became romantically involved.
“At least you’re not still wasting your time with boys,” he said, amusement filtering into his eyes.
Janice arched an eyebrow. “Who says I’m wasting my time with boys?”
“I’ve seen the men you date now, remember?” He lowered his voice, arching an eyebrow right back at her.
Janice’s voice also went lower. “Once. One time you saw me on a date with a younger man. That’s not my norm.” Unfortunately, she’d run into Nathan at the movie theater she and her date had gone to.
At thirty-six, she figured she’d try something different, so why not try a younger man? She’d assumed younger men were easier to deal with in relationships, and she wouldn’t have to worry about getting serious because they were in their prime and not looking for anything permanent. Au contraire. Her experiment had been a bust. The first one she dated was too immature and saw her as a bank to borrow money from. The second became attached way too soon, so she’d had to end the relationship before it started.
“You shouldn’t waste time with boys when you could have the benefits of being with a real man.”
“And I suppose you can tell me all about the benefits of being with a real man?” Janice asked sweetly. They were entering dangerous territory.
Nathan locked eyes with her, seemed about to add more, and then shook his head. After a few seconds, he said, “I’m not going there.”
“Say what’s on your mind,” Janice said, her heart rate speeding up a fraction.
“Nah. Not a good idea.” His gaze swept the room as if searching for someone.
“Tell me before I beat it out of you.”
His attention came back to her. For a second, he hesitated, but then he finally whispered, “I can show you all the benefits of being with a real man better than I can tell you. But you already know that.”
They locked eyes again, and her stomach tightened.
Janice swallowed. “You did, but that didn’t work so well, did it?”
“So you say.”

Heart's Desire buy links: AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA
The other two books in the Unparalleled Love series are EVERLASTING LOVE by Stephanie Nicole Norris and SOUL'S DESIRE by Sharon C. Cooper. The books can be read in any order, and paperbacks are already available for all three novellas. 
​ Soul's Desire buy links:  AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA 
Everlasting Desire buy links:  AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA 
​ GIVEAWAY TIME! To celebrate the release of Heart's Desire, I have a contest with some lovely prizes. Here are the details:
PRIZE(s): 1) reader's choice of a $25 gift card or Paypal cash and 2) the lovely bangle below. The double heart design is rose gold plated and dusted with Swarovski crystals. 
HOW TO ENTER: Click the link below and enter your name and email address into the form. 
ELIGIBILITY: Open to U.S. and international entrants. NOTE: Because the jewelry will be drop-shipped, an international entrant is only eligible for the gift card. 
DEADLINE: 11:59 PM EST, September 15, 2019 Click here to enter Take advantage of these sales that end in September ​​I was lucky enough to be invited into Apple's audiobook romance series starter collection. They're having a massive promotion right now, and the Love Unexpected series is part of it. You can get THE BLIND DATE for only 99 cents, and the other audiobooks are discounted from $4.99 to $9.99. So take advantage. The starter page disappears after the 11th, but the sale lasts until September 30th.  ​

​You can still start the Brooks Family series for 99 cents, with A PASSIONATE LOVE. Sale ends September 30th. In the meantime, I'm working on Deeper Than Love, Reese and Nina's story, which is the last book in the series. Get ready for an angsty love story that pulls at the heart strings.

GREAT NEWS: I'VE BEEN NOMINATED!

Last night, Building Relationships Around Books (BRAB), an online book club with over 1600 members, announced their nominees for their annual book awards. And I was fortunate enough to receive FOUR nominations! 

I couldn't wait to share my great news with you! I'm super-excited and honored to be nominated. Knowing that readers have so many choices makes this even more special that I was included on these lists with the other amazing authors. 

So I'm feeling mighty good today, and I'm channeling those good vibes into more sexy and emotional stories I look forward to sharing with you. I'm currently working on DEEPER THAN LOVE, Reese and Nina's story, the last book in the Brooks Family series. It's going to be sooo good ya'll! These two are putting me through the emotional wringer!

Here are the nominations:
* Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year Award
* Book Husband of the Year: Stephan Brooks from Two Nights in Paris
* Best Interracial: Princess of Estoria
* Adrianne Byrd Queen of Comedy Romance: Two Nights in Paris