Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 49
June 17, 2014
WRITER WEDNESDAY WELCOMES_LAQUETTE & MY BEGINNING
Yep, it's day two of romance with LaQuette. Yesterday, the fun had just begun. Today she's back to share an excerpt from that steamy, yet dramatic novel we discussed on yesterday, My Beginning. It's book one in the Trinity series. Come on in for another Writer Wednesday, and check her out.
Take a peek »
Take a peek »
ONE DAY OF ROMANCE_LAQUETTE
Today we're welcoming Romance Author, LaQuette to Writing My Dreams. We are going to get in-depth and personal with her, as we learn more about the author and the woman. Check out the one-on-one interview that I had with her...Take a peek »
June 16, 2014
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY_OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS
I learned a very valuable lesson over the weekend. I found myself faced with a challenge, and I allowed that challenge to cause me to stumble momentarily. It had me second guessing myself. Sometimes in life we can become paralyzed by a poor experience or a challenge. We find difficulty in moving forward and growing past the moment. We live in a society dictated by the opinions of others.Take a peek »
June 11, 2014
A BIT OF STRANGE NEWS JUST MAY SCANDALIZE HER NAME
I've been writing a lot this week and didn't prepare any of my posts ahead of time. It's left me feeling a little out of sorts. I don't have a throwback Thursday, or a Thankful Thursday. It's gonna be a Tidbit Thursday. Someone or somebodies are determined that Olivia's plans for a second shop will not advance. And they're determined to scandalize her name, if that will further their game. I'll show you what I'm working on in book 2 of The House of BeJeweled:
CHAPTER 16_STRANGE NEWS:
“Who are you in love with now, Ty?” a client asked.
“Nonya” he replied, with a smirk.
“Who is that?” the young girl asked.
“None of yo business,” Tyrone replied, and started laughing.
Olivia shook her head at his foolishness.
“Honey, don’t pay Ty no mind. He in love with somebody new every two weeks. He fall in love more than some folks get a paycheck,” Belinda cracked.
“Girlfriend at least I got somebody to fall for and I ain’t playing with them toys on lonely nights.”
“Ladies, gentleman, let’s not be crass,” Olivia corrected.
Tyrone put his hand over his mouth and apologized. He had not seen Olivia enter the hair salon from her office in the rear.
“Hey is that our shop?” Darla asked, pointing at the flat screen TV hanging on a wall overhead.
“Yeah. What’s going on?” Maya asked.
“Someone turn that up?” Belinda hollered out.
As they were turning up the volume, Olivia had risen from her chair and began fast walking towards her salon doors. She clicked the locks just as she saw someone attempting to enter.
“What the hell is going on?” Belinda asked, with her hands on her ample hips. Frown lines creased the folds of dark brown skin around her eyes, and across her forehead. She laid down her beveling iron to move closer to the TV screen. There wasn’t an eye that wasn’t glued to that tube except for Olivia’s. She was closing the blinds over the windows of the shop. When the waiting clients in the lobby noticed what she was doing, they jumped up to do the same thing.
“Mrs. O, come here and check this out,” Tyrone called.
“…and it happened right here in this very shop. Here’s a clip of that fight that occurred back in the spring.” The TV panned to a very clear shot of Angel and Kianna brawling in the middle of the hair section of BeJeweled. If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just... Writing My Dreamsby: Chelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com
WRITER WEDNESDAY WELCOMES CHICKI BROWN'S TILL YOU COME BACK TO ME
It's almost officially summertime. And you know what that means readers, it's time to bring the heat. And with the onset of summer, comes hot books just for you. Today we welcome, Chicki Brown to the blog as she showcases an excerpt from her new release, TILL YOU COME BACK TO ME.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Atlanta plastic surgeon Charles Stafford is giving up his successful practice to volunteer his services in Nigeria with a medical organization. Even though he’s excited about this major career move, he has no idea how much his life is about to change.
Nurse Adanna Okoro is one of the six medical professionals working at a small village hospital thirty minutes outside of Lagos, Nigeria. She loves her job and is devoted to the people she serves. When the hospital is notified that it has been chosen to host a team of foreign doctors, Adanna meets the man she has always dreamed of.
EXCERPT:After a nineteen-hour flight from Las Vegas, Dr. Charles Stafford landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He entered the busy terminal thrilled to finally be able to stretch his legs and desperate to find a Starbuck’s. He smiled at the sight of travelers, and those coming to greet them, dressed in both western and traditional African attire. After a thirty-minute search, he gave up on finding his drug of choice. An airport without a Starbuck’s? Not a good sign.
After he retrieved his suitcase from baggage claims, he took a cab from the airport to the address he’d been given at the briefing. He handed the paper to the driver, who offered some reassuring information as they drove.
“This address is in a part of the city called Surulere. Almost all the roads there are tarred,” the driver said cheerfully. “One of the best things about the area is its security. Robbery incidents rarely occur. The area also has access to the water supply from the Lagos State Water Corporation.”
Those were givens at home. He’s saying this as though it’s something to be celebrated.
“Is robbery really as prevalent as I’ve heard?” Charles asked, hoping to get more details from the local man.
“Unfortunately, yes. I have been robbed more times than I can count. As a visitor, you need to be extra careful when you go out, especially at night. If you go out to the nightclubs or restaurants, don't flash your money around. Those fellows are on the lookout for tourists with money.”
“Well, I'm not really a tourist. I'll be living here half of the year and working at a village hospital." Charles had taken care of the necessities like opening a bank account with the Nigerian EcoBank and having the funds transferred electronically before he’d even left Atlanta. He needed to have access to money without any hassle. You could never tell what might happen when you were far away from home.
"Are you a doctor?"
"Yes.”
Charles was relieved when the cab stopped in front of a modern, four-story brick building that contained several flats. He figured out the fare and tip using an app on his phone, and paid the driver with the niara he'd had converted from dollars before he'd left the States. "Thank you for your advice. Maybe we'll see each other again while I'm here."
The driver retrieved his suitcase from the trunk, and then reached into his pocket. "Take my card. Call when you need a taxi and ask for me. I wish you the best, Doctor."
Charles perused the card for a second. "I will. Thank you, Mr. Adeyemi." He popped the handle on the pullman bag and rolled it up the sidewalk as he scanned the neighborhood. Two people standing across the street waved and smiled, and he waved back. He assumed they were used to foreigners occupying this building, if DWB used it regularly to house visiting staff. The front entrance was unlocked, which didn't thrill him. He was used to visitors checking in with the doorman at his building. But he wasn't at his building any more.BUY LINKS:
AMAZON
(Kindle only for the first 90 days)
CONNECT WITH CHICKI:
BLOG
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
PINTEREST
Amazon Central Author Page
GOODREADS
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just...
Writing My Dreams
by: Chelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Atlanta plastic surgeon Charles Stafford is giving up his successful practice to volunteer his services in Nigeria with a medical organization. Even though he’s excited about this major career move, he has no idea how much his life is about to change.
Nurse Adanna Okoro is one of the six medical professionals working at a small village hospital thirty minutes outside of Lagos, Nigeria. She loves her job and is devoted to the people she serves. When the hospital is notified that it has been chosen to host a team of foreign doctors, Adanna meets the man she has always dreamed of.
EXCERPT:After a nineteen-hour flight from Las Vegas, Dr. Charles Stafford landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He entered the busy terminal thrilled to finally be able to stretch his legs and desperate to find a Starbuck’s. He smiled at the sight of travelers, and those coming to greet them, dressed in both western and traditional African attire. After a thirty-minute search, he gave up on finding his drug of choice. An airport without a Starbuck’s? Not a good sign.
After he retrieved his suitcase from baggage claims, he took a cab from the airport to the address he’d been given at the briefing. He handed the paper to the driver, who offered some reassuring information as they drove.
“This address is in a part of the city called Surulere. Almost all the roads there are tarred,” the driver said cheerfully. “One of the best things about the area is its security. Robbery incidents rarely occur. The area also has access to the water supply from the Lagos State Water Corporation.”
Those were givens at home. He’s saying this as though it’s something to be celebrated.
“Is robbery really as prevalent as I’ve heard?” Charles asked, hoping to get more details from the local man.
“Unfortunately, yes. I have been robbed more times than I can count. As a visitor, you need to be extra careful when you go out, especially at night. If you go out to the nightclubs or restaurants, don't flash your money around. Those fellows are on the lookout for tourists with money.”
“Well, I'm not really a tourist. I'll be living here half of the year and working at a village hospital." Charles had taken care of the necessities like opening a bank account with the Nigerian EcoBank and having the funds transferred electronically before he’d even left Atlanta. He needed to have access to money without any hassle. You could never tell what might happen when you were far away from home.
"Are you a doctor?"
"Yes.”
Charles was relieved when the cab stopped in front of a modern, four-story brick building that contained several flats. He figured out the fare and tip using an app on his phone, and paid the driver with the niara he'd had converted from dollars before he'd left the States. "Thank you for your advice. Maybe we'll see each other again while I'm here."
The driver retrieved his suitcase from the trunk, and then reached into his pocket. "Take my card. Call when you need a taxi and ask for me. I wish you the best, Doctor."
Charles perused the card for a second. "I will. Thank you, Mr. Adeyemi." He popped the handle on the pullman bag and rolled it up the sidewalk as he scanned the neighborhood. Two people standing across the street waved and smiled, and he waved back. He assumed they were used to foreigners occupying this building, if DWB used it regularly to house visiting staff. The front entrance was unlocked, which didn't thrill him. He was used to visitors checking in with the doorman at his building. But he wasn't at his building any more.BUY LINKS:
AMAZON
(Kindle only for the first 90 days)
CONNECT WITH CHICKI:
BLOG
Amazon Central Author Page
GOODREADS
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just...
Writing My Dreams
by: Chelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com
June 10, 2014
FIND OUT WHAT THESE FOUR BOOKS HAVE IN COMMON...
Okay we're halfway through the year and I am sharing my top 4 books of 2014 and why they're on my top list of faves. You'll get access to reviews or excerpts, and links to where you can purchase the books.
JANUARY 2014 - Brenda Barrett's PRIVATE SINS
Hmmm...a book about the First Lady and Pastor? I was unsure if I wanted to read this book. As I predicted it was heartbreaking. But it was an interesting read. You can check out my review of this book here: PRIVATE SINS REVIEW You'll learn what I loved about this book, and what I didn't like. You'll also see how I rated it.
THERE WAS NO BOOK REVIEWED IN FEBRUARY. OTHER AUTHORS CONTRIBUTED POSTS FOR THE MONTH OF LOVE.
MARCH 2014 - Charmaine Galloway's THE SECRETS THEY KEPTThis is the second book in a series about a group of best friends. I am not emotional in terms of shedding tears when I read, but this was a real tear jerker. Find out why it's such an emotional read.
I love books that deal with real-life issues. Check out the book and the review: THE SECRETS THEY KEPT REVIEW
APRIL 2014 - Tyora Moody's WHEN PERFECTION FAILS
This book introduced me to a genre I was unfamiliar with: Christian suspense. I had already found a new genre when I was recently introduced to Christian Fiction, but I never heard of Christian Suspense. This was a perfect combination for me, because I enjoy reading Christian Fiction, but making it even sweeter is my first love of mystery. This book wasn't reviewed on my blog. However, I did leave one on Amazon. WHEN PERFECTION FAILS REVIEW
MAY 2014 - Chelle Ramsey's BEJEWELED: THE FLIGHT OF AN ANGEL
I would just be dead wrong, if I didn't feature my latest novel. It's one that I am proud of, as it holds the distinction of many firsts. It's the first series I've ever written. It's the first book in a four book series; my first professionally designed book cover; the first true collaboration with my husband, and the first paperback I've produced. Yes mama's proud. Of course I didn't review it, but I would love to share an excerpt with you. BEJEWELED: THE FLIGHT OF AN ANGEL
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just...
Writing My Dreams by: Chelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com
June 8, 2014
AUTHOR KIM BROOKS BOOK TOUR_SHE THAT FINDETH
About the Book
Ten years of believing, yet still no husband in sight for Shenita Love. The Bible does say “Wait on the Lord,” which, for Shenita, means waiting for God to deliver her a soul mate. Then again, God helps those who help themselves.
On her thirty-fifth birthday, Shenita’s fear of never starting a family has reached a fever pitch. Her trusty “rule book”—filled with guidelines for dating—simply isn’t cutting it. Soon Shenita is signing up for online dating sites, hitting on men at sporting events, and putting herself out there in ways she never imagined.
When Shenita stops playing by the book and takes matters into her own hands, she finds anything can happen.
Meanwhile, her closest friends are struggling with their own issues of sexuality, acceptance, divorce, insecurity, and financial strain. Always the faithful shoulder to lean on, Shenita wants to be there for them, but her desire to find a man leads her to an unforeseeable circumstance. A place where she must examine her relationship with God and reconsider her priorities.
Excerpt from She That FindethChapter 1
“Happy Birthday to ya…Happy Birthday to ya…Happy Birth-day!” sang and clapped my three closest girlfriends at a small table inside a quaint restaurant in downtown Detroit. Too bad it wasn’t karaoke night; that was Thursday. But I was still too excited that my birthday fell on a Saturday in March this year. That made up for the fact that it was my 35th and here I am celebrating it with a bunch of females.
I love my girls and all, but sometimes a sister just wants the presence of a man.
Here I am all decked out with my off the shoulder purple blouse, short fitted gray skirt, silver stilettos and matching Gucci bag yet no man to compliment me on how good I looked. I had just gotten my hair cut and colored with a light brown Mohawk on top that faded to black in the back and my makeup was flawless. I even bought and wore hazel contacts, which I was hesitant to buy at first because of my brown complexion – but they actually looked kinda cute on me.
I was feeling this “new look” and new me, yet there was no man seated next to me to whisper in my ear how I was the finest thing in the room. Nope, at thirty-five, here I am with not a prospect in sight. No man, no boyfriend, not even a “special friend.”
Nobody.
Lord knows I just knew I would have been married with at least two kids by now.
I’ve been believing God for a husband for over 10 years now.
I keep my list of ten things I’m believing God for in a mate tucked away in the zipper part of my Bible cover and have done so for years. I guess I never really attached a timetable to my requests – maybe I should have said something to the tune of, “Before my eggs dry up and I have to believe God like Sarah and Abraham, Lord.” Maybe then my prayer may have been granted a little earlier. At the rate I’m going, I’m going to have to take in vitro and believe God for twins. Thank God for technology.
“Haaaa-peeee-birthday…Happy Birthday…Happy Birthday…”
I could tell the waiters and waitresses, all of diverse hues, were getting a kick out of my friends’ rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic as they grinned from ear to ear and nodded their heads. I wondered if they had ever heard it before.
Or maybe they were laughing at my girl Danielle, also known as Dani, who swayed wildly with her Android taking pics in one hand and her glass of Sprite on the rocks in the other. If you didn’t know Dani was saved you would think she was drunk, and at just two years shy of forty, one would never know by the way she carried herself. Always ready for a good time, Dani took pics of herself showing off her fresh makeover, which brought out the peach undertones in her tan complexion, and her new black-and-gold minidress, which flattered her tall, curvy frame; and she also took pics of me and the rest of the crew and uploaded them to Facebook simultaneously, half of which I hadn’t even seen yet to approve. Lord, I hope she doesn’t tag me in any pics where I’m looking crazy. Candid shots get on my nerves.
“Make a wish, girl!” Danielle yelled while snapping her head swerving her long, black layered weave to the other side, almost hitting Jackie in the face.
Jackie just looked at her and rolled her eyes as she proceeded to stir her black coffee. She wiped the cheek where Danielle’s hair almost smacked her, probably hoping it didn’t turn her fair skin pink, as Jackie bruises easily. She had stopped singing the song a while ago and looked ready to go home. At thirty-six, Jackie appeared as if she had had enough of all the many years of singing birthday songs and probably wanted to catch a rerun of her favorite show, Law and Order, again. With her being a prominent, well-respected attorney in the city she was greatly intrigued by that show. I wouldn’t be surprised if my birthday festivities weren’t ruining all her normal Saturday-night fun. Jackie ran her fingers through her short curly red hair, then rested her hand on her forehead.
“Yeah, Shenita,” sprang Pippa while scooting her chair in closer to the table and positioning her round frame just right as she pointed her light brown manicured finger toward me matter-of-fact, “The Word says in 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, so it’s okay to make a wish and blow out the candles.”
At thirty-two and the youngest of the crew, I wondered if Pippa really thought I needed her approval based on The Word on whether or not I should make a wish? I guess she didn’t know me as well as I thought she did, otherwise she would know I’ve been making wishes and blowing out candles ever since I got saved fifteen years ago. I wasn’t convicted about it then and I sholl ain’t convicted about it now.
Man, this birthday cake had so many candles on it that it looked like if I didn’t blow them out fast someone would have to call a fire truck.
Thirty-five candles – one for each year of my long, unfruitful life.
I take that back, as a public relations specialist for the Detroit chapter of a national non-profit, One Love Initiative, from the outside looking in, I had all the makings of a success. I literally have had hundreds of people come up to me in tears and say how the non-profit I work for, which as a result of fundraising efforts provides housing options for single parents and low-income families, how I, or at least how my efforts, changed their lives. I love what I do, and thank God for the job that definitely keeps a sister’s condo association fees paid and Benz car payment up to date, but even still, I feel my life is lacking in one area. Love.
So with a big inhale and then a huge blow over the strawberry shortcake with my favorite cream cheese icing, I silently made the same wish I’ve been making since I was twenty-five: “I wish to find true love and happiness” Except this time I did something I had never done before with my wish. I added these four words,
“This year, Lord . . . please.”
About the Author
Kim Brooks is the Award-winning author of non-fiction and fiction books for singles including Black Expressions Bestseller, He’s Fine…but is he Saved? and her newest novel release, She That Findeth.
Kim is a former guest columnist for Gospel Today Magazine and featured on The Word Network and she publishes a monthly eNewsletter, The Single Heart, and an online daily devotional for single women which encourages thousands worldwide and is subscribable for free on her website, Kimontheweb.com
ORDER THIS BOOK
SHE THAT FINDETH (Trade Paperback): AMAZON B&N BAM INDIEBOUND SHE THAT FINDETH (eBook): iBooksAmazon KindleB&N NookBlioBAM Google Play
Ten years of believing, yet still no husband in sight for Shenita Love. The Bible does say “Wait on the Lord,” which, for Shenita, means waiting for God to deliver her a soul mate. Then again, God helps those who help themselves.
On her thirty-fifth birthday, Shenita’s fear of never starting a family has reached a fever pitch. Her trusty “rule book”—filled with guidelines for dating—simply isn’t cutting it. Soon Shenita is signing up for online dating sites, hitting on men at sporting events, and putting herself out there in ways she never imagined.
When Shenita stops playing by the book and takes matters into her own hands, she finds anything can happen.
Meanwhile, her closest friends are struggling with their own issues of sexuality, acceptance, divorce, insecurity, and financial strain. Always the faithful shoulder to lean on, Shenita wants to be there for them, but her desire to find a man leads her to an unforeseeable circumstance. A place where she must examine her relationship with God and reconsider her priorities.
Excerpt from She That FindethChapter 1
“Happy Birthday to ya…Happy Birthday to ya…Happy Birth-day!” sang and clapped my three closest girlfriends at a small table inside a quaint restaurant in downtown Detroit. Too bad it wasn’t karaoke night; that was Thursday. But I was still too excited that my birthday fell on a Saturday in March this year. That made up for the fact that it was my 35th and here I am celebrating it with a bunch of females.
I love my girls and all, but sometimes a sister just wants the presence of a man.
Here I am all decked out with my off the shoulder purple blouse, short fitted gray skirt, silver stilettos and matching Gucci bag yet no man to compliment me on how good I looked. I had just gotten my hair cut and colored with a light brown Mohawk on top that faded to black in the back and my makeup was flawless. I even bought and wore hazel contacts, which I was hesitant to buy at first because of my brown complexion – but they actually looked kinda cute on me.
I was feeling this “new look” and new me, yet there was no man seated next to me to whisper in my ear how I was the finest thing in the room. Nope, at thirty-five, here I am with not a prospect in sight. No man, no boyfriend, not even a “special friend.”
Nobody.
Lord knows I just knew I would have been married with at least two kids by now.
I’ve been believing God for a husband for over 10 years now.
I keep my list of ten things I’m believing God for in a mate tucked away in the zipper part of my Bible cover and have done so for years. I guess I never really attached a timetable to my requests – maybe I should have said something to the tune of, “Before my eggs dry up and I have to believe God like Sarah and Abraham, Lord.” Maybe then my prayer may have been granted a little earlier. At the rate I’m going, I’m going to have to take in vitro and believe God for twins. Thank God for technology.
“Haaaa-peeee-birthday…Happy Birthday…Happy Birthday…”
I could tell the waiters and waitresses, all of diverse hues, were getting a kick out of my friends’ rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic as they grinned from ear to ear and nodded their heads. I wondered if they had ever heard it before.
Or maybe they were laughing at my girl Danielle, also known as Dani, who swayed wildly with her Android taking pics in one hand and her glass of Sprite on the rocks in the other. If you didn’t know Dani was saved you would think she was drunk, and at just two years shy of forty, one would never know by the way she carried herself. Always ready for a good time, Dani took pics of herself showing off her fresh makeover, which brought out the peach undertones in her tan complexion, and her new black-and-gold minidress, which flattered her tall, curvy frame; and she also took pics of me and the rest of the crew and uploaded them to Facebook simultaneously, half of which I hadn’t even seen yet to approve. Lord, I hope she doesn’t tag me in any pics where I’m looking crazy. Candid shots get on my nerves.
“Make a wish, girl!” Danielle yelled while snapping her head swerving her long, black layered weave to the other side, almost hitting Jackie in the face.
Jackie just looked at her and rolled her eyes as she proceeded to stir her black coffee. She wiped the cheek where Danielle’s hair almost smacked her, probably hoping it didn’t turn her fair skin pink, as Jackie bruises easily. She had stopped singing the song a while ago and looked ready to go home. At thirty-six, Jackie appeared as if she had had enough of all the many years of singing birthday songs and probably wanted to catch a rerun of her favorite show, Law and Order, again. With her being a prominent, well-respected attorney in the city she was greatly intrigued by that show. I wouldn’t be surprised if my birthday festivities weren’t ruining all her normal Saturday-night fun. Jackie ran her fingers through her short curly red hair, then rested her hand on her forehead.
“Yeah, Shenita,” sprang Pippa while scooting her chair in closer to the table and positioning her round frame just right as she pointed her light brown manicured finger toward me matter-of-fact, “The Word says in 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, so it’s okay to make a wish and blow out the candles.”
At thirty-two and the youngest of the crew, I wondered if Pippa really thought I needed her approval based on The Word on whether or not I should make a wish? I guess she didn’t know me as well as I thought she did, otherwise she would know I’ve been making wishes and blowing out candles ever since I got saved fifteen years ago. I wasn’t convicted about it then and I sholl ain’t convicted about it now.
Man, this birthday cake had so many candles on it that it looked like if I didn’t blow them out fast someone would have to call a fire truck.
Thirty-five candles – one for each year of my long, unfruitful life.
I take that back, as a public relations specialist for the Detroit chapter of a national non-profit, One Love Initiative, from the outside looking in, I had all the makings of a success. I literally have had hundreds of people come up to me in tears and say how the non-profit I work for, which as a result of fundraising efforts provides housing options for single parents and low-income families, how I, or at least how my efforts, changed their lives. I love what I do, and thank God for the job that definitely keeps a sister’s condo association fees paid and Benz car payment up to date, but even still, I feel my life is lacking in one area. Love.
So with a big inhale and then a huge blow over the strawberry shortcake with my favorite cream cheese icing, I silently made the same wish I’ve been making since I was twenty-five: “I wish to find true love and happiness” Except this time I did something I had never done before with my wish. I added these four words,
“This year, Lord . . . please.”
About the Author
Kim Brooks is the Award-winning author of non-fiction and fiction books for singles including Black Expressions Bestseller, He’s Fine…but is he Saved? and her newest novel release, She That Findeth.
Kim is a former guest columnist for Gospel Today Magazine and featured on The Word Network and she publishes a monthly eNewsletter, The Single Heart, and an online daily devotional for single women which encourages thousands worldwide and is subscribable for free on her website, Kimontheweb.com
ORDER THIS BOOK
SHE THAT FINDETH (Trade Paperback): AMAZON B&N BAM INDIEBOUND SHE THAT FINDETH (eBook): iBooksAmazon KindleB&N NookBlioBAM Google Play
June 4, 2014
WRITER WEDNESDAY_WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE PAIN RUNS DEEP?
Today's Writer Wednesday brings another side of me. I write my fiction stories, words of encouragement, and share my thoughts on what's going on in the world. But today, I want to share a little bit of poetry with you. This poem that I've written is called: What Do You Do When The Pain Runs Deep?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE PAIN RUNS DEEP?
What do you do when the pain runs so deep?
When all you want to do is run and hide away from the world but there’s nowhere to escape?
What do you do when you know you’ve caused the heartache others are experiencing and if you could take it away you would, but you can’t go back and undo what you’ve done?
What do you do when your soul cries out, but you feel like God can’t hear you, but you know that He does?
What do you do, when you feel like prayer just isn’t enough?
You seek the solace of God’s love, you seek the peace that comes from being in His presence.
Yet it evades you like the darkness evades the light.
Just as the light comes to chase away all the shadows.
You feel so empty, so broken and all alone.
You’ve prayed, you’ve cried, you’ve asked for forgiveness.
And you know that He forgives, but what if those walking through the storm with you don’t?
What do you do when the pain runs so deep? Chelle Ramsey If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just... Writing My Dreams by: Chelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com
June 3, 2014
ANYBODY'S DAUGHTER_BOOK SPOTLIGHT
I have missed bringing you all the book spotlight of the week. The last month, I have been out touring my latest novel, BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel. It was fun but as you know anytime you're gone from home too long, you start missing it with everything in you. That's how I feel about my blog. I have truly missed bringing you all the weekly inspirational posts, book reviews, and all the other goodies. Although I was out touring I didn't stop reading. So with no further ado, I bring you this week's book review. OVERVIEW:
Based on the real-life horrors faced by thousands of girls, award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young takes readers deep inside the disturbing world of child sex trafficking in a fast-paced thriller that educates as much as it entertains.
Thirteen-year-old Brianna Walker is ecstatic. She's about to sneak off to meet her first real boyfriend—a boyfriend she met on Facebook. But Brianna is in for a horrifying surprise because her boyfriend doesn't exist. Instead, Brianna unwittingly becomes the captive of a ring of drug dealers- turned-human traffickers who prey on lonely girls from dysfunctional homes. But they’ve made a big mistake in targeting Brianna because she doesn’t meet either of those criteria.
Brianna’s Uncle Dre, a man with his own criminal past, is determined to find the niece who is more like a daughter to him. Rather than sit back and rely on police to bring Brianna home, Dre scours the dark corners of Los Angeles looking for her. He is stunned to learn that the trafficking of children isn’t just happening in other countries. It’s occurring at epidemic levels right in his own backyard.
Dre is not alone in his desperate search. Loretha Johnson knows this world well. A social worker who previously lived “the life,” Loretha now dedicates her time to saving as many young girls as she can find. She turns out to be an invaluable resource for Dre, who ultimately gets a lead on The Shepherd, a mastermind in the trafficking world whose every move is fueled by ego and greed. Dre vows to bring his reign of terror to an end.
While Brianna makes a futile effort to thwart her captors, Dre is getting closer and closer to finding her. The woman he loves, attorney Angela Evans, knows the dangers faced by sexually exploited children because she represents them in juvenile court. Angela lends her moral support and, eventually, an important clue to Brianna’s whereabouts.
As he races against the clock, Dre ultimately comes up with a daring plan—one that puts many lives in danger, including his own. But will he find Brianna before it's too late?
REVIEW:
The novel, Anybody's Daughter by Pamela Samuels Young posed the question "is anybody's daughter ever safe?" No matter how many precautionary measures you take, your child just might not be safe from the lurking predators. In a world ruled by social media and predators, it seems there is nothing you can do to protect your child anymore. Donna Walker tried to do everything in her power to protect her daughter from predators, by forbidding her to engage in social media. However, when she is provided with an iPhone by her Uncle Dre` she jumps at the opportunity to get on Facebook, where she meets her first boyfriend, Jaden.
In a sordid tale of twists and turns, Pamela Samuels Young takes us through the streets of California. She gives an in-depth view of the horrors that goes on in the sex-trafficking industry and in the world of prostitution and run-aways.
I had a difficult time reading this book. Not because it was boring, or slow, or bad writing. It was anything but that. What it was, was a fast-moving story, which was also highly emotional. The challenge that made it difficult to read, was seeing the realities of what children endure when they are sold into the sex-trafficking industry. As a parent the realities of what is going on in this world is a necessity to be aware of. Yet, reading about the graphic horrors does not make it any easier. It was very interesting, well-researched, and she did a wonderful job of scaring the hell out of me! But adults need to be aware of the dangers and perils of not only social media, but the world as a whole. This book was very informative and educational. What this book did was reinforce what I already believe in...educate, educate, educate! Not just yourself, but your daughters and your sons!
I rate this book a 5- On Fiyah! To see more details about my ratings please see the tab up top labeled Book Discussions.
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just...
Writing My Dreams,
by: Chelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com
June 2, 2014
UNOMA NWANKWOR_WHEN YOU LET GO
Today I have the pleasure of having one of my author friends, Unoma Nwankwor to visit the blog. She's sharing an excerpt, which promises to be hot, exciting, and tempting. And this is from her newest release: WHEN YOU LET GOAbout The Book:
An answered prayer. An unforeseen betrayal. A family healed by grace.
Amara and Ejike Dike had been married for six glorious years. Amara was convinced Ejike, was the perfect gift from God. Loving, charming and very easy on the eyes. They had a beautiful life. Well, not so beautiful. Amara’s inability to bear children made her feel like a less than the perfect mate for her husband.
Then after many years, God lifted her faith and had finally heard her cry. The Dikes couldn’t be happier.
A surprise visit from Chinelo, Amara’s long lost cousin, turns Amara’s world upside down and threatens to turn her once-perfect existence into ashes.
Ejike loved his wife with a passion. They shared a burning desire and faith in God that burned deep. However Chinelo’s appearance would open a Pandora’s Box that had purposely been kept shut.
Faced with the loss of all she holds dear, Amara finds herself at crossroads. Would she lean on God’s sustaining grace to let go and travel the rocky path to forgiveness? Or would she throw everything to the wind and walk away?
When You Let Go is a novel about people who know what the Word of God instructs but struggle with actually doing it when the chips are down
Excerpt
This was working out better than I thought. Amara had been gone for a little over half an hour. She had tried calling Ejike before she left but couldn't get him. Chinelo smiled because that meant Ejike had no idea that he'd be coming home to her.
As soon as Amara left the house, Chinelo took a quick shower and put on her blue jean mini skirt and a sheer white blouse. Despite the black tank top underneath, it still had the effect she was going for.
Moments later, she could hear the garage door opening. That must be Ejike. Amara couldn't have made it back so soon.
Chinelo put her hand on her blouse and adjusted the twins on her chest. Even if God hadn't done anything else, He had endowed her with a good cup size and a figure she could always count on. She hiked up her skirt a little and sat on the sofa.
"Showtime, phase one," Chinelo whispered under her breath.
The adjoining door to the garage door opened. Chinelo snickered when Ejike stopped dead in his tracks. He blinked a few times, then regained his composure. She felt the emotion in his eyes as he made a quick sweep of her body. Scorn. Discomfort. But she noticed that didn't stop him from staring at her legs a second longer. That was what Chinelo had counted on...she knew he was a leg man. She remembered it was Amara's legs he had salivated over first. It was nice to know that being a church man hadn't affected his sight. Chinelo did a sweep of her own. Now that Amara wasn't home, there was no need to steal glances like she had done at lunch the other day. Ejike Dike was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His neatly cut hair and lean but toned frame could be lethal on any sane woman's hormones. His dark eyes always seemed to have the ability to see right through someone. Chinelo also noticed his style hadn't been affected by the years either. He had on dark blue khakis and a Tommy Hilfiger, multi-colored T-shirt that hugged his muscles like it was especially made for him. Chinelo stood up and reached out to grab his portfolio and the bottle of wine he brought home.
"Where is Amara?" Ejike walked past her and scanned the room with his eyes.
Chinelo felt her blood rise. He just walked by her as though she didn't exist. She couldn't lose her head though. She was on a mission. This man hasn't seen anything yet.
"Well, hello to you, too," Chinelo said.
"Hi, where is Amara?"
"You trust your wife now. She's always trying to rescue people. She had to run out for a bit to meet with a client." Chinelo made an attempt to reach for his portfolio again. This time he let her have it. She walked to the staircase and set it down at the foot of the stairs. She would have taken it into the study, but this time they had was valuable before his goody two shoes wife returned. She was not about to leave him alone. Every moment was precious.
About The Author:Born in Akron, Ohio to Nigerian parents. Unoma Nwankwor spent her childhood and early adulthood years in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. She is a romantic at heart and is passionate about telling stories of faith and hope about love. She hopes to capture her readers through stories that are faith based with an element of love. After all, “and now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” ~1 Corinthians 13:13She is the published author of An Unexpected Blessing (2013) and The Christmas Ultimatum (2013) and many published flash fiction and short stories. Her work has appeared in Africa Book Club and the Kenyan Ezine ;Wamathai as well as numerous radio shows and blogs. She is currently working on her next novel When You Let Go (May, 2014) and A Scoop of Love (October, 2014).
Her readers are in love with her unique way of telling stories that capture the essence of her present home base; Atlanta, Georgia and her Nigerian culture. She calls them her God-given stories and strives every day to be able to use her gift to His glory.
Social Links:
Website Facebook Twitter Email
Buy Links:
AmazonUS ebook AmazonUK Barnes&Noble:
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.
Come check out my books, and learn more about the woman behind the blog at my website www.cmichelleramsey.com . Until the next time I'm just...
Writing My Dreams
by: Chelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com
