Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 21

Sexual Healing...

This #writerwednesday I'm sharing an excerpt from book 2 of A Woman's Design Duology. This one is entitled A Woman's Design: Redemption, scheduled for release late summer/early fall. I have used the beautiful Karen Denise Aubert, or K.D. Aubert/K.D. Rose to portray the visual depiction of what Paige looks like in my head.

Paige had many challenges to face in book 1, and at times some experienced pity for her, while others simply despised her ways. In book 2 she's back and ready to face up to and own all she's ever done. Yet, it won't be an easy road, as people from her past come back to hold her accountable. Read on...
Chapter 15: Sexual Healing

I sat on the sofa all in my feelings about the way he was treating me. I still didn’t see me as the one with the problem. I was being rejected by Vic. Not to mention I had been unable to find a one-night-stand all weekend.

I pressed my fists against my eyes trying to stem the flow of tears. What was wrong with me?

“Paige, I’m gonna be here for you and I won’t let you push me away. But we’re doing it on my terms, not yours. The last time I allowed you to use sex to run our relationship even when I just wanted to kick it. You ruined it. This time…our friendship will be based on mutual respect and understanding. I love you, but you’re not gonna run me. If we escalate into something more it will be built off mutual respect, honesty, trust, and friendship. I’m not into casual fucking. Is that language you understand?”

I was shocked. Vic had never spoken to me like that before. This aggressive tone and cursing at me was something completely new. I didn’t know how to feel about it.

“Look, I didn’t ask you to come over here and judge me, Vic!” I shouted. I stomped to my bedroom.

He followed after me and grabbed me roughly by the arm.

“I know you didn’t ask me to come, Paige! I came because—” He suddenly stopped and looked at the empty bottles lying on the floor on the side of my bed.

Grabbing a Vodka bottle and a gin bottle sitting on my night stand, he turned around and glared at me.

“What are you gonna do with all this?” His voice rose in anger as he pushed past where I stood.  

“What are you doing, Vic?” I ran behind him as he rushed through the bathroom door.

I slapped at his hands and screamed at him as he poured all of my precious booze down the tub.

“Stop!” I screamed repeatedly. But it was as if my words fell on deaf ears because he kept on. I tried to pull the remaining bottles from his hands, causing one of them to shatter in the tub.

I pounded on his back with my fists and began kicking him in the legs. Nothing I did seemed to faze him as he continued pouring out the last drops. I crumpled to the floor letting the sobs wrack my body.

“I hate you, Vic! Get the fuck out my house now!” I jumped from the floor and attacked him again.

Vic sat the bottles down in the tub, turned around and picked me up, and tossed me over his shoulder.

My fists flailed against his back as he carried me out the bathroom and tossed me on my bed.

I jumped up and ran after him again but he made it into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

I kicked at the door trying to get in. Unfortunately, the locks on my door weren’t simple to pick with a clothes hanger like the locks on our bedroom doors when I grew up.

I went back to my bed, lay down and succumbed to my sorrow and pity party.

I could hear him moving around inside and soon afterwards I smelt the scent of bleach, and the lemon cleaning agents I used in my bathroom.

Vic came out a while later as I lay on my bed, my face pressed against my tear-soaked pillow.

He had a garbage bag in his hand filled with the empty and broken liquor bottles clinking inside. He walked to my bed and stared at me for a second. I didn’t want to acknowledge it, but the only thing that I saw in his eyes was love. His patient attitude towards me was not warranted when I had been so vile towards him.

He leaned over me and spoke in a loving, but firm tone. “I’m out, Paige. And for the record I came because I cared. You act like you don’t know what to do with that. But I’m gonna teach you.” He kissed me on the forehead and left.
Book 1_A Woman's Design: Afflictions
If you haven't read part 1 of Paige's story, click the link below to find out how she got here...
Download Now
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Up Close & Personal With Selena...

Hi, good people! Author Selena Haskins is dropping by again to open up to us. The first time she stopped by to share her novel, Yesterday Was A Long Time Ago. Today, she's opening up allowing us to get to know Selena the writer and Selena the woman. Don't miss this one on one chat that she and I shared. So grab your mug, curl up in your favorite chair, and take a peek...
AUTHOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS_THE BEAUTIFULLY INSPIRED BLOG
 
CHELLE: Selena, we have to know just how organized or chaotic you are. Plotter or Pantser?

SELENA: Pantser

CHELLE: You’re already dear to my heart. I love the fly by the seat of our pants mentality that allows even the author to be surprised at what happens next. Tell us a little about yourself? Who is Selena the woman?
SELENA: I’m a woman who loves God, her family, and the craft of writing stories. I love to travel, listen to music, watch my Boston Celtics play, and spend quality time with my family.  

CHELLE: Another thing we have in common. I’m a basketball fan, too, and I love all of the other things that you just mentioned. It definitely makes life worth living. Tell the readers and our other writers who may struggle with this, how do you create work/life balance being an author?

SELENA: It’s a juggling act. I’m always making adjustments so that my Heavenly Father and family comes first.

CHELLE: Isn’t that truly the key? When those things are in place, everything else will fall into place. Describe a day around your house and in your ordinary life where writing is not key.

SELENA: An ordinary day around my house consists of taking care of my family’s needs spiritually and physically. Preparing dinner, helping my son with his homework, preparing for work, and making our weekends fun. As a family, we will watch movies, play games, and attend a fun event or gathering.

CHELLE: Most authors have a routine they settle into when they prepare to write. Yet, others toss routine out the window and go with the flow. Tell us about your writing routine.

SELENA: I definitely go with the flow. I find that using outlines or anything structured disturbs my creativity.

CHELLE: I have tried that in the past, and it didn’t work for me either. I believe everyone has their own special magic that they bring to their art. Now with that being said, I love music, and I love writing to music. Sooo…Pandora or Spotify? What would we find on your playlist?

SELENA: I actually prefer iHeart Radio. My playlist includes a mix of old school R&B & new. Phyllis Hyman, Teena Marie, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Teddy P., Luther V., EWF, Prince, MJ, MJB, Bruno Mars, Drake, the list goes on.

CHELLE: You’ve got some great ones on that list. I used to go back and forth between iHeart and Pandora, until I learned about Spotify. I think I’ll try them out again, since I haven’t tuned in for quite some time now. Did you keep a journal or diary as a child growing up? If so, what secret did you not want your parents to read?

SELENA: I did keep a journal as a child. I never wanted my parents to know about the crushes I had on different boys in school.

CHELLE: Oookay, the juicy stuff! LOL!! What genre do you write and why? What authors have influenced your writings?

SELENA: I generally write family sagas, but my latest novel is a historical romance. Authors who influenced my writing would be Connie Briscoe, Carl Weber, Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, and J. California Cooper.

CHELLE: If you could pair up with another author to write, who would you choose and why?

SELENA: I would love to pair up with Carl Weber. He includes a lot of twists and turns in his books that leaves the readers wanting more. I love the drama and suspense that he creates.

CHELLE: That definitely sounds intriguing. If your latest release were turned into a movie, what actors would you select to play the starring roles, and what music would comprise the soundtrack?

SELENA: Wow, I would be honored to see that happen! For Germaine Landry, I would select Monica Calhoun, and for Angelo Pearson, I would find a male model with beautiful eyes and a nice body or I would pick Christian Keyes and have him wear hazel contacts. LOL

CHELLE: Hmmm, sounds like you’ve put quite a bit of thought into that one. Yes, that would be an honor for a writer to see something like that come to pass. Truly a writer’s dream come true. How do you handle writer’s block?

SELENA: I normally step away from it for a while, sometimes weeks or months.  

CHELLE: Mountains or the beach?

SELENA: Beach!

CHELLE: I’m on my way to one this coming week! Provide one marketing tip for upcoming authors that has worked for you.

SELENA: Social media does work as far as reaching people from all over the globe. However, direct sales still work best for me. There’s nothing like face-to-face contact, and you’ll be surprised how excited people react when they meet and author in-person.

CHELLE: Thanks for that, Selena. If there was one thing you would want your readers to know after reading your works, what would it be?

SELENA: Love with your whole heart, learn to forgive, and move on. Accept what you can change and change, and what you cannot, let it go. That’s the theme for all of my books. 

CHELLE: Good advice, people, please take note. Selena, writers often have to forsake time with friends and family when deadlines are looming, or the creative muse is flowing. What one person has been your greatest supporter on your publishing journey? 

SELENA: We do sacrifice time, even our personal time. My greatest supporter has been my husband who tends to our son when I have deadlines.

CHELLE: Nothing like having an excellent support system in place. After all of the stress of daily living and writing, you need time to unwind. Describe your idea of the perfect “me-time.” 

SELENA: The perfect “me-time” is sitting on a beach under a shady umbrella while reading a good book.

CHELLE: Kobe or LeBron?

SELENA: Are you kidding me? NEITHER ONE!

CHELLE: Really, Selena? I’m so disappointed. LOL! We live life beautifully inspired here, at The Beautifully Inspired Blog. Leave us with an inspirational post, comprised of three words.

SELENA: Love, Forgive, Accept.

CHELLE: People, those are words to live by. If we can graciously and humbly do those three things life will be so much better. One day, one step at a time. Selena, thanks so much for joining us today and giving us a peek into your life. People, please show her some love by leaving a comment below.

Get her latest novel, Yesterday Was A Long Time Ago.

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Yesterday-Was-Long-Time-Ago-ebook/dp/B07289W3Y7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496197447&sr=8-1&keywords=selena+haskins

Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yesterday-was-a-long-time-ago-selena-haskins/1126422994?ean=2940157283681

KOBO:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/yesterday-was-a-long-time-ago
Please leave a comment below. Selena would love to hear from you!

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Love's Hope...

Hi people, It's another #writerwednesday and we're celebrating the new release of Love's Hope by Author Ja'Nese Dixon! Drop in and check out what she's got to share, and enter her giveaway! About Love's Hope...
Sandra James has life all figured out, or so she thinks. But her successful business, commitment-averse boyfriend, and her sister’s shotgun wedding threaten her health and sanity. She will run to Love Never Fails Retreat in hopes of relinquishing her childhood dreams and embracing her reality even if it breaks her heart.
This is Book 2 in an inspirational romance novella set in a small Texas ranch that you can read as a stand-alone or as part of the series.
Ready for Love Romance Series
Book 1: Caramel Surprise
Book 2: Love’s Hope
Book 3: Hidden Desire
LOVE’S HOPE is an inspirational romantic novella that originally appeared in Love Never Fails: An Anthology.

Excerpt...
“Don’t get me started again. My mascara can only take one meltdown a day.”
Their laughter filled the car. That was why she called him.

“And where does Alonso fit into this scenario?”

She knew she couldn’t slide that one pass him. Her boyfriend, correction, ex-boyfriend wanted to play house and told her he had no plans of getting married anytime soon. Her vision was cloudy again.
Sandra wiped away the tears, taking deep breathes. It was over.

“I can’t stay in a relationship not headed to marriage,” she stated. Not to mention her “Get Married” deadline was approaching. And there went her “Start a Family” goal too.

“So are the tears are for him?”

Sandra shook her head, “No.” Alone in her SUV. Sitting in traffic. She knew she looked a mess. She thought about the source of her pain. Was it the shock of finally ending it with Alonso? She knew they were nearing the end even if they both didn’t want to admit it. Maybe it was the thought of starting over? Or knowing the tears are…

“Sandi answer me…”

She took a deep inhale through the nose she released a very audible breath from her mouth. She could do this.

“No, Bruce. I know it won’t work between us, but I hoped it would. I wanted it to. I just fault myself for letting it linger longer than it should have. The tears are because, hold on,” she took the first exit she saw.

Sandra pulled into the Walmart-size gas station and located a parking space under a light. Again she placed the car in park. She looked around, and it was well lit, and she had another hour before the sun completely set.

“The tears Bruce are my way of letting go of it all. My dream,” she whispered, “I can’t find a husband. This means I can’t have kids. This means I won’t have a family. And I will live my life alone. And I just—“

“Really Sandi? You break up with the man for five minutes, and now you’re an old maid.”

“It’s not funny.”

She could see the smile on his face in Atlanta from Houston. The octave of his voice went higher when he smiled. And she smiled with him, lessening the hurt. A little.

“And to see Cindy get it all,” she continued, “I’m happy for her really.” She realized she must sound pathetic. It was her sister. Her baby sister at that. She was happy for her. However, she couldn’t help but compare their lives.

Cindy planned to marry her high school sweetheart who now played for the Houston Texans. While Sandra owned Coffee Confessions, a little slice of her heaven on earth.

The cafe served coffee and light food accompanied by a bookshop and intimate concerts. The business turned a profit every year, with great employees, customers, and a boyfriend until a few hours ago.

When would her someday come…
…

They disconnected with the rumble of his laughter lingering as she reentered the highway. Sandra didn’t share Bruce’s optimism, at least not yet, but she thanked God for him. He was the best friend a girl could have.

Before backing out of the parking space, she bowed her head for a quick prayer.

Father,
Help me use this time to let go of what is not for me. Help me to see and embrace Your plan for me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About Ja'Nese...
Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in various subgenres, including romantic suspense and sweet romance. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
She is an avid reader and coffee drinker living in Houston, Texas with her husband, three children, and diva dog. Visit her at http://www.janesedixon.com.

Website: www.janesedixon.com
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Giveaway...
Please leave a comment below. Ja'Nese would love to hear from you!

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Adrienna Turner's Tormented Dreams...

About Tormented Dreams...
Roya Whitmore has never had dreams like this before. Could her husband, Solomon, be cheating on her, after three kids and another on the way? More dreams come, and the events of her everyday life begin to match the events foretold in her dreams. As they do, she sees a path of faith and resilience that she never realized existed.

She joins the Alliance Crusaders for Christ, founded by her pastor, Isaiah Williams. She learns that their stated purpose as evangelists is only part of a deeper mission, to prepare the Church to survive the last days. Throughout this series of apocalyptic novels, there will be references to things you know to be true, and extrapolations to things that are likely to occur. This first book of the Miss the Mark Series places, in a fictional setting, things that do occur in the lives of people who follow Christ, along with miracles and gifts from God. We are never perfect, but we know the One who guides our lives.

Buy Your Copy...




















Chief commanding officer, Les Blanche's presence alarmed the Task Force Special Operations officers and soldiers to halt and salute their leader. He stood near the sound booth and stared at the HD screens in front of him. He pressed one of the buttons to playback a report of a CNN broadcast of Salvator Lothar. Les surveyed the room and studied the facial expressions and slight gestures of the men and women as they watched the shortened video on the devastating events of world destruction. Les sought after an immense outcome.

He carefully observed a few officers. He saw one praying to her God by clutching tightly on her cross, mouth moving to a whisper unheard to her peers. Another with his eyes closed and head shifted upward as if he was praying in silence. A slight nod by another officer; Les sensed an unseen presence was in the room. He focused on Lothar's discussion but kept heed of these few officers whom he felt would be a problem. They were not proceeding with the new regulations and updated mandatory combat drills.

 "You've just seen a series of videos of war among third world countries like Syria and Iraq," said Les. "Some heads of state are doing this to their own countries as a result of evils introduced by previous rulers. They enforce their dictatorship in their countries with such catastrophic events. It is time for us to reinvent our scare tactics to show these countries that we're ready for whatever they may have in warfare. Our country is known as the land of the free, and we are free to make our own decisions as a leader of weaponry.?

Some of the commanding officers nodded in agreement. Others stared intently at Les. All were alert, awaiting instruction at a moment's notice.

"Therefore, as you see this man, Salvator Lothar, is our next standing world leader. He has propositioned tactics for this special force to govern a safer country and a peaceful one. We have positioned each man and woman in this room to be the first to not only protect our country but to receive the implant this delicate but powerful device in your bodies. Here watch this clip..." He pressed the next button. He saw their approval nods as the general atmosphere changed, but there still were a few skeptics in the room. He dug deeper into his spiritual sensor and detected that some had Christian beliefs against this proposal of the biometric chip.

Les knew he had to set the example. He needed these men to not only respect him but fear him. The next chief officer and president of the United States would unite all the nations, and also would be willing to exterminate any that didn't follow his will. After the viewing, he glorified their role.

"So, you see how you'll do a great deed for our country, and set an example for others." He looked around, noting still a few who appeared to be resolute, and continued, "We will become a safer nation. We won't have crime or theft because the security measures will track every move someone who will harm us makes. This device, as you can barely see, is only the size of a mustard seed."

Staring at the woman who fingered her cross, he said abruptly, "We will not tolerate any moles, traders, or those who will not take the will of our Messiah."

He heard an obnoxious sigh from someone in the room. His turned his head, and his eyes went to slits after targeting the perpetrator.
About Adrienna...
Adrienna Turner is an award-winning author and book reviewer. She is currently a state law librarian, Dream your Reality speaker and prophetess, and advocates for young people, as well as the cessation of human trafficking. She is a former magazine writer for both print and online, Religious Examiner writer, radio host of 3 Internet BlogTalkRadio programs. She has published her first series: Miss the Mark, book 1, Tormented Dreams under her ministry, Dream Your Reality Prophecies. She has former acting experience in high school drama and as Phoenicia in the musical: Fame.She’s also starred in a stage production for nearly two years as Drina in the Are You Ready? stage play.

WEBSITE:
http://www.dream4more.org and www.adriennaturner.net

BLOGS:
Dream 4 More:  http://dreammorefirm.blogspot.com/
Adrienna Turner: http://adriennaturnernetwork.blogspot.com/
 
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrienna.turner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriennaturner
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AdriennaDTurner
https://www.youtube.com/user/adriennaturner
Please leave a comment below. Adrienna would love to hear from you!

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

Fab Friday Features, Adrienna Turner...

About Tormented Dreams...
Roya Whitmore has never had dreams like this before. Could her husband, Solomon, be cheating on her, after three kids and another on the way? More dreams come, and the events of her everyday life begin to match the events foretold in her dreams. As they do, she sees a path of faith and resilience that she never realized existed.

She joins the Alliance Crusaders for Christ, founded by her pastor, Isaiah Williams. She learns that their stated purpose as evangelists is only part of a deeper mission, to prepare the Church to survive the last days. Throughout this series of apocalyptic novels, there will be references to things you know to be true, and extrapolations to things that are likely to occur. This first book of the Miss the Mark Series places, in a fictional setting, things that do occur in the lives of people who follow Christ, along with miracles and gifts from God. We are never perfect, but we know the One who guides our lives. Chief commanding officer, Les Blanche's presence alarmed the Task Force Special Operations officers and soldiers to halt and salute their leader. He stood near the sound booth and stared at the HD screens in front of him. He pressed one of the buttons to playback a report of a CNN broadcast of Salvator Lothar. Les surveyed the room and studied the facial expressions and slight gestures of the men and women as they watched the shortened video on the devastating events of world destruction. Les sought after an immense outcome. He carefully observed a few officers. He saw one praying to her God by clutching tightly on her cross, mouth moving to a whisper unheard to her peers. Another with his eyes closed and head shifted upward as if he was praying in silence. A slight nod by another officer; Les sensed an unseen presence was in the room. He focused on Lothar's discussion but kept heed of these few officers whom he felt would be a problem. They were not proceeding with the new regulations and updated mandatory combat drills.


 "You've just seen a series of videos of war among third world countries like Syria and Iraq," said Les. "Some heads of state are doing this to their own countries as a result of evils introduced by previous rulers. They enforce their dictatorship in their countries with such catastrophic events. It is time for us to reinvent our scare tactics to show these countries that we're ready for whatever they may have in warfare. Our country is known as the land of the free, and we are free to make our own decisions as a leader of weaponry.?


Some of the commanding officers nodded in agreement. Others stared intently at Les. All were alert, awaiting instruction at a moment's notice.


"Therefore, as you see this man, Salvator Lothar, is our next standing world leader. He has propositioned tactics for this special force to govern a safer country and a peaceful one. We have positioned each man and woman in this room to be the first to not only protect our country but to receive the implant this delicate but powerful device in your bodies. Here watch this clip..." He pressed the next button. He saw their approval nods as the general atmosphere changed, but there still were a few skeptics in the room. He dug deeper into his spiritual sensor and detected that some had Christian beliefs against this proposal of the biometric chip.


Les knew he had to set the example. He needed these men to not only respect him but fear him. The next chief officer and president of the United States would unite all the nations, and also would be willing to exterminate any that didn't follow his will. After the viewing, he glorified their role.

"So, you see how you'll do a great deed for our country, and set an example for others." He looked around, noting still a few who appeared to be resolute, and continued, "We will become a safer nation. We won't have crime or theft because the security measures will track every move someone who will harm us makes. This device, as you can barely see, is only the size of a mustard seed."

Staring at the woman who fingered her cross, he said abruptly, "We will not tolerate any moles, traders, or those who will not take the will of our Messiah."

He heard an obnoxious sigh from someone in the room. His turned his head, and his eyes went to slits after targeting the perpetrator.

Buy Your Copy...
About Adrienna...
Adrienna Turner is an award-winning author and book reviewer. She is currently a state law librarian, Dream your Reality speaker and prophetess, and advocates for young people, as well as the cessation of human trafficking. She is a former magazine writer for both print and online, Religious Examiner writer, radio host of 3 Internet BlogTalkRadio programs. She has published her first series: Miss the Mark, book 1, Tormented Dreams under her ministry, Dream Your Reality Prophecies. She has former acting experience in high school drama and as Phoenicia in the musical: Fame.She’s also starred in a stage production for nearly two years as Drina in the Are You Ready? stage play.

Connect With Adrienna...
WEBSITE:
http://www.dream4more.org and www.adriennaturner.net

BLOGS:
Dream 4 More:  http://dreammorefirm.blogspot.com/
Adrienna Turner: http://adriennaturnernetwork.blogspot.com/
 
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrienna.turner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriennaturner
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AdriennaDTurner
https://www.youtube.com/user/adriennaturner
Please leave a comment below. Adrienna 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.

Born To Be Wild...

It's another #writerwednesday and I couldn't think of a better way to share this day with you than by celebrating my author friend, Chicki Brown's new release, Born To Be Wild.

First let me say that I love this cover! It's gorgeous, sexy, classy, and chic! I had difficulty choosing an excerpt from the ones that she provided. They were all so good, but one thing whittled it down for me...I love a man who knows how to use his hands. You'll have to read it to see what I mean.

Don't forget to leave Chicki a comment, just to say "hello," or tell her your thoughts on this new release.
Read More...

About Born To Be Wild...
A quiet bookworm, Tangela Holloway has always been content working at her an independent bookstore in the sleepy little town of Eufaula, Alabama. But lately, Tangie discovers that she’s bored and frustrated, especially since the man she’s been dating for two years seems to care more about his business than he does her. When Reese Turner rides into town on his Harley, Tangie’s heart feels like it’s beating for the first time. She not only sees the most exciting man she’s ever met, but also a chance to experience something other than backyard BBQs and fishing at the lake.
After ending a drama-filled relationship with a high-maintenance fashion model, Reese wants nothing more than to make a road trip to Florida with his motorcycle club. Never did he expect a quick stop at a small town bookstore would introduce him to a shy bookworm who makes him re-think his vow to remain single and unattached.

Excerpt...
I looked up and Karly, her husband, Sal and Breelyn, their day waitress and my best friend, were staring as if I’d grown a third eye. They had also never seen me out with a man other than Johnnie. They were the perfect café owners. Sal had the culinary expertise, and Karly had the personality. Several years ago they passed through our little town on their way to Florida and fell in love with it. Six months later, they left New York City and bought a house here. Immediately, they started looking for a spot to open their restaurant.
 
“Hey, Tangela, how’s life treating you?” Karly asked from across the room in her loud New York accented voice.
 
In the five years I’d known her, she’d never asked me that question. It was obvious she was fishing for details about the man sitting next to me. “I’m just fine, Karly. How’re you doin’?”
 
“Bree will be over with menus in a minute.” She and Bree put their heads together and whispered before Bree sauntered over wearing a surreptitious smile.
 
“Welcome to Karly’s Kafe’. My name is Breelyn, and I’ll be serving you today.” I laughed at her formal welcome, obviously given for Mr. Turner’s benefit. “Can I get drinks for you and your…friend?”
 
I sent her the side-eye. “Bree, this is Mr. Turner. He’s passing through town on his way to Florida. Bree is my best friend.”
 
He smiled. “Pleased to meet you, Bree. My name is Reese, and I’d like the biggest sweet tea you have with lots of lemon.”
 
The way she grinned back at him made me want to slap her upside her silly head. “Here’s today’s menu. I’ll be right back.”
 
His gaze followed her across the dining room. As soon as she moved out of hearing distance, he said, “You’re not drinking anything?”
 
“She knows what I always get.”
 
“Oh, okay. I thought she was dissing you.” He glanced at her again. “She has an interesting look.”
 
“Like she doesn’t belong here, right?”
 
“Well, yeah. It’s not often you see a black woman with purple hair in a country town.”
 
“Eufaula isn’t country. It’s the largest town in Barbour County.”
 
He snickered and checked out the short menu. “I’m from Atlanta. Believe me, this is country.”
Bree brought our drinks and blatantly studied him while he concentrated on the menu. Her gaze did a slow scan from his boots all the way up to the turquoise and silver necklace beneath the red bandana at his throat, and then she raised an eyebrow.
 
I nixed her reaction and asked if he was ready to order.
 
“Think I’ll try the meatball parm sandwich and a side salad with Italian dressing.”
 
“Good choice,” Bree said. “Sal’s meatballs are amazing, but I suggest you get that on the toasted garlic bread.”
 
“Okay. Recommendation taken.”
 
“And what are you having today, girl?”
 
“I’ll make it easy for you. Give me the same, but with the balsamic vinaigrette on the salad.”
She scratched the order on her pad and sent me another questioning look. “This shouldn’t take long.”
 
“Are you vacationing in Panama City?” I asked once she left the table.
 
“Not really. I belong to a motorcycle club. It’s Black Bike Week, and the annual rally is being held there.”
 
Now his outfit made more sense. I’d never known anyone who belonged to a motorcycle club, and I wanted to know more. “What happens during Black Bike Week?”
 
His wicked laugh tickled my senses. “What doesn’t happen. The rally used to be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the same time as the Harley Davidson rally, but this year the organizers decided to change it. The last couple of years the local newspapers and TV stations painted the black bikers as underclass criminals who come to the rally to steal and murder. They called the white bikers examples of American Individualism whose behavior was celebrated as defiant acts against authority."
 
I loved the way he spoke. Not at all what I expected from a biker. “Typical.” I shook my head at the trite judgment. “So where do you go after you leave the rally?”
 
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
 
“Don’t you live on the road and travel from place to place?” My stomach did a little somersault again when he grinned.
 
“Somebody’s been watching too much television.”
 
“That’s not true?”
 
“No. Most motorcycle clubs are basically social groups. Riders get together mostly on weekends to share their love for bikes. There are even a few RUBs in my club, the Ebony Knights, but we all have jobs, businesses and families to take care of the rest of the time.”
 
The heat of embarrassment crept up the back of my neck into my cheeks. “It’s just that I—
 
“That’s a common misperception. I’m not offended.”
 
“What’s a rub?”
 
“It stands for Rich Urban Biker.”
 
“Oh, wow.”
 
The way he spoke intrigued me. “What kind of work do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
 
“Do you ever watch HGTV?”
 
I knew he wasn’t going to tell me he was a television star. “Yes, all the time. Why?”
 
“Have you seen any of the house flipping shows?”
 
“Uh huh. Flip or Flop used to be one of my favorites, until Tarek and Christina split up. Now it’s hard for me to watch them.”
 
“That’s what I do-buy houses, restore them and flip them for a profit. I own the business, but I do a lot of the actual work myself.”
 
Well, that explained his incredible shoulders and arms. Reese Turner became more interesting by the minute.

Buy The Book...
Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072R147RV 
Nook -  http://bit.ly/2twWU9M
Paperback - https://www.createspace.com/7262080
UK Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072R147RV

About Chicki...
Contemporary women’s fiction/romance author Chicki Brown has been featured twice in USAToday. She was the 2014 B.R.A.B. (Building Relationships Around Books) Inspirational Fiction Author and also the 2011 SORMAG (Shades of Romance Magazine) Author of the Year. Chicki was also a contributing author to the Gumbo for the Soul: Men of Honor (Special Cancer Awareness Edition).

A transplanted New Jersey native who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Brown still misses the Jersey shore, the pizza and the hot dogs.
Nia Forrester, Beverly Jenkins, Iris Bolling, Lisa Kleypas, and J.R. Ward are among her favorite authors.

Connect With Chicki...
Blog: http://sisterscribbler.blogspot.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/@Chicki663 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chicki.brown
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chicki663/
Amazon Central Author Page: http://amzn.to/l2kjXQ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/qcsiMD
Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday Feature, please leave a comment below. Chicki would love to hear from you!

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Fab Friday Features, Cheryl Robinson...

Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Until Ray Virtual Book Tour, with author Cheryl Robinson. June 19- July 14, 2017.
Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary

About The Book
Two people in the same city but worlds apart.
Until Ray is an unconventional love story of how two young people transitioning into adulthood find each other and develop a bond that will be tested through three decades.

RAY IS LOST …
He lives in northwest Detroit with his mother. When he’s not at home, he’s either at the mall selling women’s shoes or in the club. In both places, he's focused on one thing—picking up women. Only now he’s ready to make a change but isn’t sure how to do it.

THEN SARITA ARRIVES …
At twenty-four, she has an MBA, is a CPA, and works in upper-level management at GM. But all that success comes at a cost: she’s lonely and craves the one thing she’s never had—attention from men.
Dive into a love story filled with soul-searching drama told from two very different perspectives. Until Ray, the first book of a trilogy, is set in the mid-eighties in Detroit, where the author was born and raised.

Read the first 4 chapters here: https://www.untilraytrilogy.com/chapters1-4
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qanuqdKBoBI
Connect Socially:
Website: https://www.untilraytrilogy.com
Excerpt...
RAY
 
When I walk into the Big Boy at Northland Mall, Boone’s already seated at a booth in the crowded restaurant eating a hamburger and fries. He has a chocolate shake on one side of his plate and his cowboy hat, sitting on its crown with the brim up, on the other side. He’s wearing a short-sleeved, three-button placket shirt, his usual pair of Wrangler jeans, and one of his many pairs of cowboy boots. You can take Boone out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of Boone.
            “I’m getting another burger,” Boone says.
            “Another Big Boy burger?” I ask him. A Big Boy isn’t a small burger like a White Castle; it’s a double-decker cheeseburger.
            “Don’t worry, man, I’m paying for it.”
            “Sharon’s not feeding you? I know she wants you to lose weight, but is she starving you so that you will? Two Big Boys?” I shake my head. I guess he’s not trying to lose weight. Boone is always going to be a big dude, and Sharon just has to accept that.
“You know Sharon don’t cook, but I didn’t marry her for her cooking, and I’ll leave it there.”
I order lunch, and Boone adds another Big Boy and then asks if they have free refills on shakes.
            “Did you just ask this young lady if they have free refills on shakes, man?” Then I say to the waitress, “Please excuse my friend. He’s from Jefferson, Texas.” I turn my attention toward Boone again. “Maybe in Texas, where everything’s bigger, they refill shakes, but not in the Motor City. If you want another shake, man, you have to pay for it. I agreed to treat you to one lunch, not two.”
            “Just bring me some water,” he says to the waitress. Then when she walks away, Boone says, “Did you see how she was staring at you? Do you know her?”
            “Nah. How was she staring at me though? The way all the other women in Michigan do?”
I slide my First Federal Savings and Loan bank envelope over to him. “Here’s the money I owe you for the tow.”
            “Thank you.” He takes the money from the envelope and slips it in his wallet. “That’s one thing I will say about you. You always pay me back. Most of the time before I’m even expecting it. So what’s up, man? You must’ve had a big commission if you’re treating me  to lunch and everything.”
            “I’ve been thinking a lot about Sarita.”
“Who?”
“Isn’t that her name—Sarita? The one you were telling me about that’s never had a boyfriend—the wholesome one. I need something like that in my life.”
“Something like that or someone?”
“Don’t get all technical, you know what I mean. Someone—is that better? I’m ready for someone who’s real. I need to settle down, stop playing games, and commit. She could be the one.”
Boone isn’t paying me any attention. He’s almost finished with his food, and he’s scanning the restaurant, worried about where the waitress is. “What’s taking her so long? I wish she’d hurry up with my burger. I’m starving over here.”
“Are you listening to me, Boone?”
            “You’re ready for something real? Yeah, I heard you. The problem is, I don’t believe it.” Boone shoves his last few fries in his mouth and starts to chew. “How can you possibly be ready when you have a stalker? You need to get that in check. Sarita works in upper-level management for GM. She doesn’t need any unnecessary drama in her life. So, no, I don’t feel you’re ready.”
            “I am ready. Having a woman stalk me lets me know it’s time to stop playing. I need to meet a sweet young lady, and Sarita sounds like the one. Introduce me to her, please.”
            “She’s a very sweet young woman, but I don’t have the final say in this. Only Sharon does. She’s very protective of Sarita, and I’m very protective of both of ’em. If Mrs. Sawyer says yes, then I’ll have to go along with it.”
About Cheryl...
Cheryl currently resides in the Sunshine State with plans to return to her hometown Detroit shortly. For the past fifteen years, she has been busy writing contemporary women’s fiction. While writing is her first love, making delicious green smoothies is easily her second. She also enjoys spoiling her miniature Schnauzer and whipping up healthy meals from recipes she finds online. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntilRayTrilogy
 
Blog Contest # 2
https://www.untilraytrilogy.com/singl...
 
Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours www.wnlbooktours.com
Follow the tour here: http://wnlbooktours.com/cheryl-robinson
Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday Feature, please leave a comment below. Cheryl would love to hear from you!

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Happy ...Versary!

Today is a very special day. I am celebrating two momentous occasions. The first being my wedding anniversary of 14 years to Mr. Marvelous Ramsey, and the second is my 5th year author anniversary.

It's a special event and you're invited!

It's my five year authorversary and my author friends and I are celebrating by giving gifts to you! Come join the party with us today on Facebook at Chelle Writes. We're kicking off the event at 9 AM until 9 PM EST. Hop over and join us, we want to see you!

Our fabulous line up includes:

Adrienne Thompson
Aja Graves
Chelle Ramsey
Chicki Brown
JL Campbell
Ja'Nese Dixon
M.J. Kane
Mary Finley
Serena Haskins
Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
Tracee Lydia Garner
TruFiyah
14th Wedding Anniversary...
It's been fourteen years of marriage to my best friend, my superstar, my Marvelous Marv. Without him these novels I create would not be. He has believed in me since day one, long before I believed.

He is the one person everyone in my family and his family can count on to keep it real, give sound spiritual advice with a dose of love and reality. I am so blessed to be married to such a loving, compassionate, and spiritual man.

Happy Anniversary, Big Marv!

Celebrate You...

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment, please leave a comment below. I  would love to hear from you!

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Fab Friday Features, Loretta...

Meet Siobhan, Catina, Felecity and Ra'Chelle Fordham-Marshall born in Beverly Hills, California to entertainment attorney, Gavin, and former model, now registered nurse, Toni.

When things take a turn in their lives, Toni decides a change must come. Upon their new life in Chamberlaine Grove, they must follow a new journey without the privileges they used to have.

Follow the four women to see if they can endure the challenges of chasing their dreams in the midst of it all. 
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About Loretta...
Loretta R. Walls has been writing since the age of thirteen and was inspired after reading Secrets by Danielle Steel. Throughout her teen years, she completed over a dozen books for personal enjoyment.  Her debut novel, Spices of Life was released in 2005.
 
 An innovative thinker, Loretta enjoys taking her audience to places most dream of visiting and all the while, making her readers feel as if they are among it all.  The author enjoys taking risks with her creativity, always striving for a new level of interest with her characters she places in the forefront. 
 
The author lives in the Richmond, Virginia area with her family.
When it comes to writing a story, The Princess of Original Urban Romance is like no other.
 
Follow Loretta via social media:
Facebook: Loretta R. Walls
Instagram: @NCPCEO
Twitter: @NCPCEO and @Embue1
Website: www.nucherte.net

Please leave a comment below. Loretta would love to hear from you!

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