Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 17

Loving After I Do...

It's relationship Thursday and I want to talk marriages this week. We fall in love with that special someone and we plan our special day to dedicate our lives to them forever. Several months or years later, you can't stand his shadow, let alone his funky drawers! (Record scratch...) Read on...
Let's Work...
Anyone who has ever been married knows it takes some serious work. By work, I mean work on you...It's not always roses and romance, and you're not going to always like him. But guess what? He's not always going to like you either.

There will be times when the two of you cannot agree on a single thing. You feel as if you're always going through a gamut of emotions when you're dealing with one another, or the relationship has become combative. I believe these are times for growth opportunities in the marriage. Apparently you or him, or both are changing in some way.

Do you believe that change can be productive or counterproductive in a marriage? Is it necessary to change?
Compromise...
Use this as a time to promote positive communication. Find out what's going on in your spouse's heart and mind. What has him taking the stance he's taking, and why are you taking the stance you're taking.

Then take a moment to consider how it might impact you or the marriage if you were to compromise in this area. Trust me, there will be times when you might feel you're compromising more than you should.

You feel like it isn't fair. In the overall scheme of things, will the compromise really break you...or will it bring peace to your marriage? Get out of your emotions, and keep it real.

Who does the most compromising in your marriage or relationship?
Protect & Nurture...
I think one of the most important lessons to learn is protect and nurture your relationship. Protect your marriage from external forces (anything other than you and him), and nurture your marriage. One of the worst mistakes that I have seen people make is sharing their marital issues with family and friends.

Do not go putting your husband on blast to your family. First, you're giving them fodder for gossip, if they're the gossiping type (mine is). Second, if he does or says something that upsets them, they will continue to hold that against your spouse, long after you have forgiven them.

You're upset now, but you will get over it eventually. Work through your problems with your husband, and if you need some cooling down time...take it! If you need to talk to anyone, talk to him after you calm down, and pray if you need to get it out before dealing with your husband.

Nurturing your relationship comes along with protection, but it also comes along with speaking words of encouragement to your spouse. It shows itself in speaking life into your marriage when you face turbulent times, and even in the good times. Don't allow your mind to linger on the negative aspects, but learn and grow from them.

Focus on those areas that are weak and strive to build them up. My husband is really good at this, I still struggle. (Keeping it real!). He takes time to discuss those areas to see where "we" went wrong. More often than not, the "we" is me, but he takes it on, as well. He refuses to allow me to carry the baggage on my own. Then he maps out a plan for how we grow from here, but what I will say is, if you don't address how you got to a specific stage in the first place, it's impossible to grow from there.

What do you think about seeking marital advice from a best friend or family member? Are there times they can be trusted?
Most Admired Celeb Couple...
I tweeted that the celeb couple that I most admire would be Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, and asked my followers to name their most admired celeb couple. The ironic thing about this was I posed that same question to my husband, and they were the same couple he chose. We had never discussed this.

We both chose them, because they are the depiction of protect and nurture. In their 20 years of marriage, we have never seen negative posts about them. We have never heard an argument or anything derogatory. In the heart of Hollywood, where drama and scandal abounds you don't see them splashed across social media or the tabloids. This isn't to say that they don't have issues, but they definitely keep it in house.

They are both amazing actors in their own right, and they shine without taking up one another's spotlight. From what we can tell, they build each other strong, and when they discuss one another it's with the highest level of respect, love, and admiration. They recently celebrated 20 years of marriage in October. Way to go!

Who's your most admired celeb couple and why?
Thanks for joining me! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.
About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Complicated...

Happy November, readers! It's a #wonderfulwednesday and what an awesome way to kick off the month of November than by sharing a book. A Woman's Design: Redemption is wrapping up at the editor's, and we're working towards the release. This book is just as dramatic, as book one with a little more romance, a little more heat, and a whole lot of forgiveness.
About AWD_R
Ambiance – After discovering her husband’s illegitimate child resulting from a lengthy affair, Ambiance’s world was torn in two. His untimely passing leaves her feeling she has been robbed of the chance to deal with the betrayal. Seeking to give herself a fresh start, she packs up and moves cross country to the West Coast. Finally pursuing her dreams as a business owner in the fashion world, she’s on top of the world, until the man who caused her to question her marriage comes knocking. Will he mend her broken heart, or uproot her new life and leave it in further disrepair?

Naomi – Dealing with empty nest syndrome, she discovers everything everyone ever said about her is true. She has no life. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and entering the dating world after years of being alone, she’s unprepared for the games that lie in wait. Juggling her feelings between two very attractive men, she will soon learn that one is playing a very deceptive and dangerous game.

Paige- Barely escaping a deadly snare created by her own devices, she is searching for healing and redemption. After two years of therapy, Paige is finally ready to face her demons. It won’t be as easy as it seems, when accusations are constantly launched at her, and people from her past continue to pop up. A former lover is not ready to let go, and she soon finds herself making similar choices from her past. Will she open her heart up to love and be loved, and will she be convinced to open her life to Christ?

Three best friends search for healing and deliverance from their emotional wounds in the arms of men, and the arms of a Savior, as they yearn for redemption of their sins.
Excerpt...
“Hey,” I greeted opening my front door wide to allow Vic to enter.

He stood on the threshold a bit uncertain as he eyed me up and down. He looked relieved, almost as if he did not know what to expect.

“Hi,” he said, stepping in as I held the door open for him. “You’re looking good.”

It had been two years since we had laid eyes on one another. After the original incident with David, Vic hung around until I was released from the hospital into my mother’s care. He called a few times to check up on me, but that ended a month after the episode.

“So, do you. Would you like something to drink?” I asked, going to the kitchen grabbing a couple of wine glasses.

“Sure. You have a nice place,” he called out.

“Thanks!” I was grabbing a bottle of VinRoc 2012 Chardonnay. My hands shook, and I had to steady myself to prevent from dropping and breaking both the bottle and the glasses. I had not been around this man in such a long time, and the mere act of being in his presence was unnerving.

“How long have you been living here?” he asked, as I padded back into the living room in my bare feet.

Setting both glasses on the table, I opened the bottle of wine before turning and answering his question. I was having difficulty performing menial multi-tasks in his presence.

“About six months now.”

“Did you go back to your house at all? After the hospital I mean,” he clarified.

“No. My mom, Naomi and Sasha went back and packed everything for me after I hired a cleaning crew. I couldn’t.” I shook my head, as if I could clear away the horrible memories.

“So, where’d you go?” Long tapered fingers wrapped around the glass I handed him.

“With my mom. I stayed there for the first six months. Then I leased an apartment for a year when I was ready, while I looked for another place to purchase. Naomi handled the sale of the old condo for me.” I took a small sip from my glass.

“She’s a great friend.”

“That she is. She was there for me through it all. I appreciate her.” I thought about Ambiance who had not spoken to me in some time.

“I’m sorry.” Vic set his glass on the table, looking over at me.

“For what?”

“Not being there for you.”

“Vic, you have nothing to be sorry for.” I set my glass next to his. “You did nothing wrong.” I folded my hands in my lap and looked at them before gathering the courage to look at his face.

“I owe you an apology, Vic. I never should have hurt you the way that I did. I know I played with your feelings and that was never my intent.”

“Did you feel as if I wasn’t enough man for you, Paige? Did I not satisfy you? I tried to give you the world, but you wouldn’t open up and let me.” His eyes searched mine as if he could find the answers to his questions there.

I turned and looked away. I didn’t know if I wanted him to see what was there. The shame, the guilt, the pain of my actions and their impact on all those who loved me.

“It wasn’t that, Vic. I had issues of my own that had never been properly dealt with. I tried to eliminate the pain of my past by not caring about anyone. I figured if I pushed everyone far enough away from my heart, I would never get hurt.”

“I always told you whatever it was you were dealing with; I would be there for you. I wanted to help you. I knew you were carrying baggage that was too heavy for your shoulders. But you have this independent woman thing down to a science. I always figured there was a part of you I didn’t know. A part you didn’t want me to know,” Vic observed.

“I was ashamed, Vic. Who goes around telling the world they’re a sex addict and a whore.”

“Hey, don’t say that.” He reached out and lightly touched my arm.

“It’s the truth. Do you know what one of my lowest points was? The point I knew that I had to
 change?” I asked looking into his eyes, but recalling a time long ago.

“The day you walked in and found that lunatic naked in your bedroom?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow. There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, but it was too difficult for me to laugh about the situation.

Although David was dead and gone, the situation still frightened me. I had nightmares about it at any given time I closed my eyes. Sleep or awoke.

“No. The day that I knew I had to change was when I woke up from a one-night stand one morning and he wanted me out of his house. He treated me like I was some prostitute, barely acknowledging my presence. He acted as if I weren’t good enough to use his washcloths and towels to take a shower. Just the night before he’d been down for whatever. And the worst part was he tossed money my way to pay me for my services.”

Download Book 1...


Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Writer Wednesday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Fab Friday Features, Darliss...

It's another Fab Friday today, featuring author, Darliss Batchelor. She's giving us a glimpse into her novel, The Make-Believe Wives! It promises to be exciting and intriguing. Don't forget to drop her a line. Read on...
About Make Believe Wives...
Janay and Evan Ingram have it all, a beautiful home, a loving marriage and three wonderful daughters. However, Janay feels she’s missing something from this perfect picture and needs a period of time away from her family to regain her perspective. She soon disappears and Evan wonders if/believes she’s run away from home.

Faith Richards, the children’s babysitter, steps in as a helping hand and finds herself in an unexpected love triangle with her employer, Evan and his missing wife, Janay. When Janay returns, she finds another woman in her place.

Evan has a choice to make. Who is his real wife and who is the make-believe wife?  
Excerpt...
Janay slammed the glass into the bottom of the sink and watched it break into a million pieces. She chased it with two plates and a bowl that were within reach. No need to worry about washing those. Frightened by the noise, her baby girl screamed and she joined her. Unlike Naomi, Janay’s scream was from sheer frustration. She pulled herself together and went to gather her daughter from the adjoining family room. Naomi raised her arms as her mother approached and Janay picked her up. Once comforted, the toddler wiggled to get back to her playtime. Janay returned her to the center of the toys she had spread out over the family room floor and exhaled.

Her husband, Evan, had taken Nahla and Nia out for a daddy-daughter day. Naomi was too young for today’s activity. Janay returned to the kitchen and stared at the glass and ceramic gumbo in the sink. She picked up a few of the larger pieces of glass and sat them on the granite countertop, mentally adding resealing it to her already overloaded to-do list. She remembered literally vibrating with excitement when they bought this stone. Now, it brought tears.

Janay went to the bathroom to wash her face, hoping it would make her feel better. She pulled the plush fire engine red face towel from the bar and ran cold water over it. Looking in the mirror, she noticed the frustration etched in her face and the tent city that had formed below her eyes. These had become her constant companions. She patted the area with the cold towel and went back to the family room to check on Naomi. Her routine had gotten old.
 
***
 
Janay watched as Evan moved bowls and plates around in the cabinet, undoubtedly looking for something in particular. Next, he searched the dishwasher. “Hmph,” Evan said as he closed the door, looking at her with both hands on his waist, which usually meant he was stumped about something.

“Babe, do you know what happened to that blue bowl? I can’t find it.”

“Which one?” Janay asked trying to figure out the best way to tell him about his favorite cereal bowl’s fate.

“We only had one. It was deep blue.”

“It got broken. Accidentally. The other day,” she replied.

Evan stepped down into the room and sat next to his wife on the beige leather sofa. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Why?”

“A lot of dishes are getting broken lately. I wonder why.” He looked at her so intently it was clear he already knew the answer.

“You think so?” She tilted her head to the side.

“I keep finding broken dishes in the garbage. What’s going on?” Evan reached for her hand.

“I drop a dish or two from time to time. The ceramic floor is unforgiving.” She shrugged, “No big deal.”

“If it was more than that you would tell me, right?”

“Yes, you would be the first to know.”
Purchase Your Copy...
Print: Author Website Print:
http://bit.ly/2syQE5p

Ebook:
Kindle: http://amzn.to/2uvChi2
Nook: http://bit.ly/2u1MUqP
About Darliss...
It was on a white sand beach in Cozumel, Mexico that Darliss received the call to write her first book. Secrets was born ten years later and she hasn’t stopped. Her books Hell is a Skyscraper: A Trio of Novelettes and Something Else to Want followed. Her newest book, The Make-Believe Wives, joined her book family in June 2017. Walking in the footsteps of her Christian playwright grandmother, Darliss was also commissioned to write and witnessed the performance of her short play, One Simple Yes.

A passionate writer, Darliss desires to write stories of fiction that have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of her readers. She continues to work toward the commission to write entertaining inspirational and women’s fiction for years to come.

When she is not writing, she can be found spending time with her husband of over thirty years, Greg, her son, Brandon and grandson, Bentley. She also enjoys reading, cruising, Detroit Pistons basketball and watching court shows on television.

You can find more information about Darliss at her website at www.DarlissBatchelor.com and on social media at www.FaceBook.com/booksbyDarliss.

Website: www.DarlissBatchelor.com
FaceBook: www.FaceBook.com/BooksbyDarliss
Goodreads: www.Goodreads.com/DarlissBatchelor

Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday Feature! Please leave a comment below. Darliss would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Grown Woman...

Have you ever had that moment where you know you're looking pretty good, and you feel confident in your skin? Then she walks in...you know the one...your guy's ex, and she's everything that you're not. That's what Ambiance is dealing with on today's #writerwednesday post. Get a glimpse of book 2, A Woman's Design: Redemption.
 I had taken a midday break to visit Denver at his shoot. I parked on the pier deck, and hopped out of my car. Inhaling the ocean breeze, I took a moment to marvel at the beauty of my surroundings. This was something that I couldn’t find back home in Atlanta. Every time I felt a wee bit homesick, I walked outside of my apartment and down to the beach. This was a priceless feeling.

I knew that Denver’s photo shoot was down on the beach. For all his faults I could not deny his professionalism or his talent. Denver had a great eye for art and he created it through the lens of his camera. Some of his favorite spots were the pier, Third Street Promenade, the boardwalk at Venice, and of course the canals.

His work had quite often hit the pages of Muscle and Body, LA, Los Angeles Magazine, and Entertainment Today just to name a few.

I finally spotted his crew and models some ways down from the Ferris wheel. The breeze coming off the ocean felt good against my skin, despite the midday sun shining furiously in the sky above.

I watched the girls playing around in their skimpy bikinis, tossing a beach ball back and forth, while Denver captured each shot. Tourists walking along the beach couldn’t get enough of the women playing and laughing in their barely-there-bikinis. More than a few women were tugging the arms of their men to regain their attention.

Denver was shooting Lynn, Kelsey, Rhonda and Felice today. I had to admit they were beautiful women with gorgeous bodies. They could make even the sexiest woman feel inferior, especially that Felice.

I glanced down at my white long-sleeved top and my cropped lime-green swim shorts and began questioning my choice of attire. Shaking it off, I didn’t care if my thick brown thighs weren’t muscular and toned like her small, shapely ones. Denver was no longer with Felice. I was his woman now and that was all that mattered. Or should have mattered, but lately I was questioning every part of our relationship.

I found a place to sit and pulled my towel out of my bag. Unfolding it, I laid it down and plopped down on it to wait. Pulling my sunglasses from the top of my head, I removed my phone from my pocket and pulled up my Kindle app to catch up on some reading, while waiting.

No more than fifteen minutes had passed, before I heard laughter and voices growing louder. Looking up I saw everyone walking in my general direction. Denver was at the back of the crowd, following slowly behind. He still had not spotted me just yet. It appeared he and Felice were engaged in an argument.
The roar of the ocean and all the other voices around us blocked out the sound of their voices. Yet, their body language depicted they were having a lover’s quarrel. A feeling of unease came over me and settled in the pit of my stomach.

They came to a standstill as the rest of the crew continued and passed by me. I was sitting about twenty feet away from the water’s edge. They were so immersed in their horseplay none of the crew recognized me. I was grateful at the moment, because my intent was to determine what was going on with Denver and Felice. I did not want my attention distracted and caught up in conversation with the rest of the crew members who knew me.

Denver appeared to be angry and Felice was rubbing his arm up and down to calm him. A slight flicker of jealousy coursed through my veins, watching her touch him so intimately. Worse still was how he responded to her touch.

All the fire went out of him as I watched his shoulders sag, the nodding of his head and the slight, crooked smile that took over his features. She took both of his hands in hers and continued to talk, while he nodded his head up and down intently listening to her words.

I wanted to move closer in the hopes that I could hear what they were saying, but I also realized that despite the crowd on the beach that day, their attention would be drawn to me. I chose instead to sit still and pay attention.

Felice begin to smile and instantly threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. My heart rate sped up, as I sat up a little straighter. Familiar feelings of betrayal rushed through me as I found myself thrust back into the heat of my relationship with my deceased husband.

All the treachery I had experienced with each of his infidelities took hold of me. I thought back to how everyone in his family knew about his affair with Kendra and their child except me. It had taken a few years to admit to myself I knew all along about his relationship with her. I just had not wanted to accept what was my reality. I had lived a lie for several years. In that moment I wondered if I was still that same woman. Would I continue to live a lie just to have a man? Would I continue to live a lie for convenience sake?

Felice’s hands moved from around his neck to rest on both sides of his face. She continued to stare at him, as did I; wondering what he would do next.

In that moment he looked up and spotted me.
A Woman's Design: Redemption Coming Soon...
 Download book 1, A Woman's Design: Afflictions now, if you have not read it. Click the image below.


Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Writer Wednesday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Plotting The Path...

Have you ever come to that place that you know what you want to do, and you know how you want to do it, but for some reason things appear to be coming to a standstill? Well, that's where I'm at right now. I came to a fork in the road in my life, and I began praying over the direction that I needed to take. Without receiving clarity, but knowing that I had to take steps, I began to pursue both routes. I had a plan for route A and one for route B. I was extremely excited as I mapped out the path for each. However, both of those areas appear to just be in stasis. See, I'm that person that has difficulty staying still and waiting.

Do you usually map out a plan for your path and purpose, or do you go with your intuition and let the moment guide you? Are you always that way?

As I ask the Lord for further clarification, the only message that I keep receiving is "Keep moving." I don't know if that means to pursue one route, or the other, so I continue to pursue both. At times, I'm receiving confirmation on one particular route, or the other. Great things will occur, but then everything just stops. Then I begin to question is that actual confirmation or is that my heart speaking out loud about it's desire.

Have you been at a place where you weren't certain if it was your heart, or the Lord speaking?
I search the Bible to gain clarity, and Proverbs 21:5 tells me, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." So, then I'm really confused. On the one hand, I'm planning, so I must be doing great. But then again, on the other hand, I ask myself, "Am I being hasty? Do I need to slow down a bit?"

See, I'm kind of hard-headed and I quite often have to ask Him for confirmation, because He knows that I have difficulty following and understanding clear direction. So, I guess I'll just be like Gideon, who kept asking the Lord for confirmation, until I receive it.

I figure if I continue to pursue both routes until I receive clarity, that it will all work out, because His plans will prevail in the end, according to Proverbs 19:21. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Even if neither of those routes work out, I know that He will take care of me in the end. I continue to go back to Jeremiah 29:11, whenever I began to worry too much, because it brings me peace. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

How do you handle internal conflict? Have you ever been at a place where you were completely torn about what to do?

Were you paralyzed by fear, or did you forge full steam ahead with confidence, knowing that it would all work out in the end? Let me know. I need a word from the wise. In my novel, BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend, (Book 3 of The House of BeJeweled), Wes faces internal conflict, as well. His heart has been torn on the direction he should take regarding his relationship, but this isn't the first time he's been there. He previously was conflicted about the relationship he had with his father and step-mother, and uncertain what route he should go in terms of his future. Once his decision was made, he never had regrets. However, this time is completely different. 

Wes knew that whatever path he chose, someone would be hurt, but he had to make a decision and stand beside that decision. Everyone would not necessarily understand or support his decision, but it was his to make.

Nikki is another character who faces internal conflict. She's not certain whether she should continue to uphold the vows of a marriage that has turned abusive, praying for healing and deliverance, or if she needs to break the chains that bind her and her husband.
Download BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend, by clicking the image above.

About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

The Dinner...

Barely escaping a deadly snare created by her own devices, Paige is searching for healing and redemption. After two years of therapy, she is finally ready to face her demons. It won’t be as easy as it seems, when accusations are constantly launched at her, and people from her past continue to pop up.

A lover from the past is not ready to let go, and she soon finds herself making similar choices from her past. Will she open her heart up to love and be loved, and will she be convinced to open her life to Christ?

It's a #writerwednesday and I'm sharing the next book in A Woman's Design duology with you. It's A Woman's Design: Redemption.
I pulled into the driveway of my mother’s house and sat for a moment. I needed to have a talk with her and I wasn’t sure I was emotionally strong enough to pull it off. For so long, I had used sex as an outlet of my pain. My lackadaisical attitude towards life had almost cost me mine. Of course, my mother had raked me over the coals for my choices, and she had every right.

My sex-capades had run me into a nightmare situation with a psychopath, two years prior. David had been one of my lovers until he turned into a stalker. His decision to hold me hostage for several days led to a swat standoff, in which he finally released me. Convinced he was ready to surrender, I walked out of my condo with my hands in the air. As my foot stepped over the threshold I heard the pop of my handgun going off and immediately threw myself onto the floor.

My initial thought was that I had been shot until SWAT officers rushed into my condo. Looking back, I could see straight to my bedroom. David’s body was slumped on the ground, where he had blown his brains out.

I still cannot think back on that day and tears not come to my eyes. I suffered nightmares for a long time afterwards. While his actions were that of an insane person, I never expected him to commit suicide.

Pulling myself back to the present before I could drown in my emotions, I stepped out of the car and walked to my mother’s house, letting myself in.

“Paige, is that you, baby?” my mom called from the back.

“It’s me, Mommy.” I don’t know why she always asked that when I visited. No one else had the key to her house except for me.

“Are you ready?” I was cooking dinner for her. Taking her to dinner or cooking for her at my place had become a weekly event between me and her. I hoped that maybe we could discuss some controversial topics with a positive outcome.

“Yeah. Let me grab my purse.” I heard her voice coming from the rear.

I knew she was going to hit the roof when my father arrived. They pretended they could not stand one another, but the truth was they were as intertwined with one another as a pretzel, despite the distance between them.

I seldom spoke to him, but I always tried to keep in touch for my own peace of mind. I had been distant towards my father as an adult. I had difficulty dealing with the abuse heaped on my mother and me by him. I knew he would be full of excuses, but I didn’t care. As the two of them got older it was time for me to deal with some of the issues they had heaped upon me, so I could forgive them and heal. This meeting was not to make them feel guilty, but to face the truth.

My mom chatted the entire ride not realizing I had not spoken a single word. She kept her red cup close by her. She thought I didn’t know what she had in that cup. We’d be okay as long as she didn’t spill it in my car.

I glanced at her after I pulled into my garage. I had sold my condo after David committed suicide there. Even if he had not taken his life, after my abduction and torture, I had no plans to stay there anymore with its horrid memories. I put it up for sale and found a cute little townhouse in a gated community.
Safety? That was a relative word. It would probably be years before I would arrive at that state of mind again.

Mom was still chattering away about something she had seen on a gossip show.

“Mommy, be careful that you don’t spill the contents of your cup when you get out of the car,” I warned.

“Child, you think I don’t know how to handle my business? You act like I ain’t used to going out or something. You tell me that every week when we go to dinner, whether it’s at your house, or a restaurant. I’m not your child, you’re mine,” she chastised me.

“And every week, you grab that cup carelessly with the same hand you’re grabbing the door handle with. I think you’d have spilled something by now, if I didn’t say anything,” I reminded her.

“Hmmpph. You think you know me,” she said, rolling her eyes, and setting the cup on the floorboard, while opening the door. After she got out of the car, she bent back in to grab her cup with one hand and her purse with the other.  

While she unlocked the door to my townhome, I stayed behind a moment texting my father to see how far out he was.

We made small talk as I prepared the dinner. She was catching me up on the latest gossip about her neighbors and my cousins by the time my father showed up.

My heart beat faster as I went to answer the door. “Mom, go ahead and set the table for me, please,” I called over my shoulder as I left the kitchen heading into the living room.

Exploring New Boundaries...

Change in our lives is inevitable. If you live long enough you will experience a multitude of changes that have the opportunity to shape your character, define your outlook, and strengthen your faith. It's how you handle the change that will make you the person you're destined to be.

Have you undergone any major changes or transformations in your life recently? What are some of the ways that you have handled major change in your life?

Recently, I have undergone another major life transformation. Did it shake me? A little. Did it create fear in me? Somewhat. Yet, I know that it is a chance to build upon my faith, and encourage those around me by demonstrating my faith.

As a result, I have began to identify options for growth in other areas, and I'm currently exploring and working towards expanding my reach in those areas.

I have prayed, studied the Word of God, and sought confirmation to my prayers and answers that I have believed I have received.

One of those confirmations came this weekend, as I participated in a book signing for Indie Author Day. I made some great new contacts, received professional tips, and encouragement. I'm extremely excited and while I'm not ready to reveal just what that is yet, I invite you to stay on this journey with me, as I explore it further.

Did you find yourself facing fear when you've undergone changes? How did you handle it?

When change comes, do you embrace it, or do you find a way to preserve the current state of things?

Although the change in my life can have the potential to be extremely impactful, I did not attempt to preserve the current state of things. I actually had no desire to do so, and I have found myself welcoming the change. It's giving me the opportunity to learn a lot about my character, my desires and dreams, and exploring the depths of my faith.

I want you to come along with me on my new journey, as I reveal new ideas, goals, and open doors. In the interim, I ask that you continue to pray for me, as I pray for you.

My future is bright! My future is brilliant! And I cannot wait to share this journey with you...
About Chelle...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

For exclusive content, contests, cover reveals, and more join my newsletter.

Fab Friday Features, Tonya...

This is one of my stops during the two month tour for The Little Girl Inside: Owning My Role in My Own Pain by Tonya Barbee. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs October & November.  Follow the tour here .  Book your own tour here WNL
Book Title: The Little Girl Inside: Owning My Role in My Own Pain
ASIN: B00VJFVN5Q
ISBN-10: 0692564802
ISBN-13: 978-0692564806
Genre: Non-Fiction
Tonya Barbee
About Tonya...
TONYA BARBEE is a novelist and aspiring playwright. Her most recent published work is titled, The Little Girl Inside Owning My Role in My Own Pain. She is currently working on another project that complements this book. Tonya grew up in Durham, NC, a family of four daughters and one son. Her father, Woodrow served his country for twenty years as an Army officer, retired then taught ROTC for another twenty years and her mother, Doris, a college administrator. She is a proud 1980 graduate of Frank W. Ballou High School in Washington, DC. She worked in operations and management for Department of Agriculture for twenty years. For the past ten years, she’s worked as a project manager for Department of Defense in Washington, DC. She studied at National-Louis University where she earned her Masters in Business Administration in 2009.

Although she’s worked her way up the ladder in the federal government, she had no idea she would end up writing professionally however she has always enjoyed sharing her personal life through story telling with those she thought she could help. Then something clicked. As she writes, she is in hopes that her work reaches her readers that have been through something and have contemplated giving up. Her goal is to enable her readers to become empowered to keep moving forward to accomplish their dreams no matter what challenges they have been faced with.

Tonya resides in Bowie, MD with two of her youngest children, Christian and Zachary. Her eldest two, Andrew and Jessica left the nest years ago and have blessed her with seven beautiful grandkids.

About The Book...
The Little Girl Inside is a prolific story of triumph and discovery of inner peace. With each page, the reader will be captivated while the author uses the writing pen as a sowing tool-seaming a garment of praise, banner of victory and fabric of joy. With imaginative color, the book is a perfectly designed combination of patterns expressing the maturation of a woman.

A uniquely designed transparent jewel every woman should own in her jewelry box. The Little Girl Inside is a ministry resource tool for women in search for transparency in the human heart. The author shows us how to overcome the inner battle of doing the right thing the wrong way, going from finding love in the wrong places to allowing love to be revealed in the right time and in the right place.

Excerpt...
I made room for Sir Intellectual to bring what I thought were the remainder of his things. I also made room on my health insurance policy just in case he didn't have any. Too bad it didn't occur to me to ask him. My ability to confront was non-existent. I decided not to wait until I returned to work to handle it. I contacted my carrier and updated my policy to include my new husband. The whole time I felt sad that he wasn't contacting his carrier to include me. I had a husband, though what caliber of husband, I wasn't sure. Sometimes I wanted to slap myself for being so needy that I overlooked important things and ignored flags, bells, and whistles.
Connect with Tonya...
Social Media Contacts
Website: http://www.iamstillarose.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamstillarose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paes/I-am-Still-a-Rose/1429623497335690
 
Purchase Links
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/y768n67m
Amazon ebook: http://a.co/7V9fOx6
Amazon paperback: http://a.co/b9qsRcs


Tour hosted by Write Now Literary

Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday Feature! Please leave a comment below. Tyora would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

For exclusive content, contests, cover reveals, and more join my newsletter.

Giving To You...

It's another #writerwednesday and I'm excited. Writer Wednesday may perhaps be one of my favorite days (outside of Fridays and Saturdays, of course), because I can share with you what's in store, what I've got planned, what's currently out there, and anything else related to writing. And writing is my passion!

So, today I'm sharing with you a sale and an in-person event. Don't miss what today's post holds...
 BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel is filled with drama, spice, attitude, and scandal. It was the perfect way to kick off a series about salon-owner, Olivia Morris, and three other talented, beautiful women in a salon, with several supporting characters. You learn about their individual attitudes, fears, flaws, and what's going on in their personal lives behind closed doors. It's a depiction of the lives our stylists sometimes lead. We sit and gossip with them, share our lives, and partake of a bit of theirs. But do we really know their hurt, their pain, their dreams, and goals?

Book 1 of The House of BeJeweled series, is my take on these women's reality. Get to know their men, their families, and their challenges and victories. You will connect with or be angered with some of the characters; however, each character will blossom and grow, and encourage your own personal journey to triumph.

BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel, is currently on sale for $0.99. Click to get your copy today. If you've already read it, or any of the other books in this series, please give me a shout out here:

REVIEWS
BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel Download...
The House of BeJeweled Series...
Let's Meet...
We talk on social media, you leave likes and comments on this blog, you receive newsletters from me in your inbox, but have we met in person? If not, here's your opportunity.

I will be at the Clayton County Library at Battlecreek, this Saturday, October 14th from 10 AM until 3 PM. Check me, my author friends, Chicki Brown and M.J. Kane, and several other authors out for a day of celebration. It's the Indie Author event, and we'll be doing giveaways, book signings, and more.

What a pleasure it will be to meet you in person! So, if you're in the metro Atlanta area, come on out and meet me. I can't wait to see you! About Chelle Ramsey... Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday Feature! Please leave a comment below. Tyora would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

For exclusive content, contests, cover reveals, and more join my newsletter.

Fab Friday Features, Tyora...

Readers, it's another Fab Friday and today's featured author is Ms. Tyora Moody. You know what I love about her books? She weaves three of my favorite elements into one...suspense and Christian fiction, and she throws us a splash of women's fiction to sweeten the pot. Check out what she's sharing on today...
Thank you, Chelle for hosting me on your Beautifully Inspired Blog today. I want to thank your readers for stopping by today to learn about the Reed Family.
 
Currently there are three sisters featured in three novellas, Broken Heart, Troubled Heart, and Relentless Heart. In 2018, I hope to continue the series with the brothers.
 
For the third and final week we will focus on the third book in the series, Relentless Heart . Below you will find a synopsis and an excerpt from the book.
Relentless: A Novella...
Assistant District Attorney Asia Reed is relentless about not losing a case. But she’s fighting a losing battle in the faith department. Now approaching forty, never married and with no children, a growing sense of unease has made her weary about her career and life.
When a former boyfriend and prominent defense attorney is gunned down in his office, Asia is jolted into action, determined to find out who’s responsible. Only hours before his death, Adam Locklear insists they meet about information she needs to know. Did Locklear’s death have anything to do with what he wanted share?
Detective Isaac Coleman seems to think so. Will Asia's persistence put her in the path of a killer?
Order Online at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074S6JF3B/

Excerpt...
She stepped inside. The Locklear Law Firm was a sleek set of offices fitted with modern furniture, not at all like the traditional look and feel of her state-owned office building.

She called out, “Adam?”

His office was probably less than ten yards away directly to her left. She expected him to step out like he usually would. His thick hair would tell her what kind of day he’d had. If it was smoothed back, he’d obviously had a big win that day. If his salt and pepper mane was tousled, Adam had spent most of the day about to pull his hair out over a case. He didn’t like when things were messy, but he enjoyed the challenge.

That was the other thing she liked about him. He presented this persona in the courtroom and with clients, but she’d seen his “real” human side.

Asia frowned. Maybe he was on the phone. As she moved closer towards his office, she would have heard his booming voice. He wasn’t the kind of person with an inside voice.

Something was wrong. It was way too quiet. Adam expected her so he wouldn’t have stepped out.

Before she stepped inside Adam’s door, her senses heightened. There was a metallic smell in the air.
She gripped her bag and compelled her legs to move inside Adam’s office. There were two lamps on, one on the desk and a tall lamp in the back corner across from his desk. She could see the buildings across the street through the two large windowpanes on either side of the desk.

Whether her mind was preparing her for the scene, she didn’t know, but her eyes focused on Adam’s thick hair first. It was tousled. Then she saw his face. She stared in disbelief as her already wearied brain tried to process. Somewhere she heard a screeching noise.

It was coming from her. She was screaming.

Her eyes watered as she observed the blood-spattered wall behind Adam’s desk. His head was leaned back against his beloved black leather chair, eyes vacant.

She covered her mouth and stumbled backwards. Tears ran down her eyes as she fumbled for her phone.

She had to get help.

Oh, Adam. What happened? Who did this?
Broken Heart: A Novella (Book 1)
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Heart-Reed-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B01B9YP3M0/
 
Troubled Heart: A Novella (Book 2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N58JRX4
 
Relentless Heart: A Novella (Book 3)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074S6JF3B/
About Tyora...
Tyora Moody is the author of Soul-Searching Suspense books which include the Reed Family Novellas, Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Serena Manchester Series, and the Victory Gospel Series. She is also the author of the nonfiction book, The Literary Entrepreneur’s Toolkit, and the compilation editor for the Stepping Into Victory Compilations under her company, Tymm Publishing LLC.

As a literary-focused entrepreneur, she has assisted countless authors with developing an online presence via her design and marketing company, Tywebbin Creations LLC. Popular services include virtual event planning, book covers and book trailers.

To contact Tyora about book club discussions or for book marketing workshops, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.

You can find her on social media at  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday Feature! Please leave a comment below. Tyora would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

For exclusive content, contests, cover reveals, and more join my newsletter.