Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 9

The Shelter...

I'm pleased to have Michelle Stephens come on the blog and share her favorite Scripture today, which also happens to be mine. It's amazing to see how the hand of the Lord God Almighty is at work in our lives, but especially joyful when we can share it with someone else to encourage them. See how Psalm 91 has impacted Michelle Stephens' and her outlook on this particular passage of Scripture. Read on...
I literally could not live without having Psalm 91 in my heart. This scripture is my favorite because it tells of the promise of God’s protection. It gives me not only life, but hope, courage and strength like nothing else in this world.
 
|The Secret Place
It begins by telling me that God has a secret place, which is a place of rest and that if I dwell there, I will be hidden under the shadow of His wings. I will be in His safety. To dwell with Him means to keep Him near at all times and remain in fellowship with Him.
 
|No Evil
 
When I live this way, the traps of the enemy can no longer touch me. Sickness will not affect me. I have absolutely nothing to fear!
 
|His Angels
 
I can be surrounded by chaos, evil and death that is causing massive destruction and I will be protected. His angels will be with me and keep me from harm. Danger can be right beneath my feet and no harm will come to me.
 
|My Psalm 91Testimony
 
I have been a witness to these promises with every unscathed recovery from sickness and loss, and each serious accident that did not happen until after I passed by or that narrowly missed me. Of particular note was when I was on the way to my first event as a featured author, with my God-inspired debut novel. Despite being unemployed, I was driving down to Atlanta from North Carolina after family and friends crowd-funded the trip at my release party. A loose tire came barreling down the highway and was stopped dead in its rolling tracks. It fell flat just before bouncing into my path with my right wheel just barely scraping past it. I also recall the time that a car came towards me head-on and the driver cut the wheel away with just inches between us. Another time, an out-of-control car was abruptly stopped just short of hitting me. Though it was turned the wrong way and was just beside me with less than a foot between us, I felt a sense of calm. The other driver was wide-eyed, and we briefly looked at each other with a look of knowing that God had saved us. I went on my way, safe in the care of His angels. I knew that their wings were the stopping force each and every time. I thank the Most High for the deliverance and long life He has bestowed upon me simply because I love Him and know His name!

About Michelle...
National Bestselling Author Michelle Lynn Stephens hails from Durham, North Carolina and is an inspirational writer who encourages others to overcome life’s obstacles through faith and perseverance. She is the author of The Divorcée Chronicles:Diary of a Divorcée Diva and her poetry collection, Straight from a Diva’s Heart , which was shortlisted as a Read Freely Best Indie Book of 2017. She is delighted to be co-author of the Brown Girls Books anthology, Single Mama Dating Drama . When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing, performing spoken word poetry, and dancing with her toddler. Connect with her online at www.michellelynnstephens.com.
Thanks for joining us for Motivational Monday Moments ! Please leave a comment below, Michelle would love to hear from you!

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March Inspirations, Deidra...

It's a Fab Friday, and a wonderful way to end the week is with a giveaway. Today's guest author for March Inspirations is Deidra Green, and she is sharing her Elite Affairs series, focused in my hometown, the ATL with us today.

​She will give away two copies of Elite Affairs book 1 to two lucky readers. Just comment on this post to be entered into the giveaway. About Elite Affairs... There’s a frequency, a vibration that powers the thriving metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia. Chrisette Duncan-Elliott, has tapped into that frequency with her prestigious event planning business, Elite Affairs. Chrisette’s company has made an indelible impression on the luxury landscape of high-end event planning in the jewel of the south. From baby showers, to bar mitzvah’s, Elite Affairs does it all with grand style.
​
But, all that glitters isn’t gold. There’s another frequency, an undercurrent that courses through the city, leaving broken hearts, empty promises and shattered dreams in its wake. Delve into the lives of the powerhouse women of Elite Affairs and see if anyone comes out unscathed.


https://www.amazon.com/Elite-Affairs-I-Orchestrated-Beauty-ebook/dp/B01BTHSC3O/ About Deidra... [image error]
I write the stories I like to read. It's just that simple. I love to be captivated by the pages of an intriguing storyline turning page after page to see what happens next!

You can subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to know, what I'm working on, whats coming up next, and also benefit from great giveaways and surprises! Sign up here!
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You can also keep up with all things Deidra on Facebook at
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​
Twitter @ https://twitter.com/DeidraG Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, Deidra would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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March Inspirations, Sheryl...

Love can make you do some crazy things! It can sometimes bring out the worst in you...especially when love brings an unexpected surprise your way. What am I talking about? You'll have to read Sheryl Lister's, Love's Serenade.

The excerpt is as sultry and spicy as the cover. It's another day of March Inspirations, and Sheryl's hosting a #giveaway. You'll have to read on to find out about this tempting novel. And don't forget to comment to be entered into the giveaway.
Escaping an arranged marriage, Leigh Jones flees her southern hometown for Harlem's vibrant jazz scene to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. She finds more than she expected, namely Miles Cooper. The smooth-talking musician walked out on her three years ago, taking her music and her heart with him. Leigh has no intentions of falling for Miles or his charms again, until he tempts her with the one thing she can’t resist: a recording contract. But when her past comes calling, she realizes Miles is the one person who can save her from a man who won’t take no for an answer.

Miles isn’t one for putting down roots or staying in one place for longer than a season. Yet, memories of Leigh's sultry voice, beauty and sass make him long for the life and love he forfeited. Having walked away once, but never again, Miles sets out to prove he's a changed man willing to go to any lengths to protect his woman. He's determined to show Leigh, one passionate note at a time that the music they make together will last a lifetime. Thunderous applause greeted her. She glanced around at the small band—Frank Dixon on piano, Samuel White on drums, Willie Young on trumpet and Loyce Douglas on clarinet—and smiled. The men were accomplished musicians and she knew Liz paid them well to perform as the house band. The music started and, once again, Leigh was transported to the place that gave her the most pleasure. She sang a mixture of jazz and blues tunes that kept the audience out of their seats.

The next song started and Leigh froze. She’d recognize that piano style anywhere. It can’t be. Her heart started pounding. She whipped her head around and her gaze collided with the one man she thought she’d never see again. Leigh’s breath stalled in her lungs. Miles smiled. She didn’t. She was so stunned she couldn’t utter a sound. His smooth voice floated across the space. Finally, she gathered herself and jumped in to sing the second verse of the blues duet they had written together. Before she knew it, they sang with a passion reserved for the two lovers described in the song.

When the song ended, Frank resumed his place at the piano. She finished her set and retreated to the dressing room. She scrubbed a hand across her forehead. Why in the world was Miles here? It had taken her months to forget about him and now he had the nerve to reappear. As far as she was concerned, he could go back to wherever he came from because she had no intention of starting up with him again. Leigh stayed in the room until the club closed thirty minutes later, confident that he would be gone.

Miles sat at the table closest to the stage and his was the first face she saw when she came back inside the club. Her steps slowed. She stopped in front of him. “What are you doing here, Miles?” The musicians stopped packing up their instruments, the servers paused in wiping down the tables and Liz watched her warily from behind the bar.

“I came to see you, baby,” he said softly.

He smiled again and something inside of Leigh snapped. She punched him in the jaw, knocking him backwards in the chair. “Go back to wherever you came from.” Ignoring the stunned looks on everyone’s faces, she spun on her heel and strode out.
Download...
About Sheryl...
Sheryl Lister writes sweet, sensual contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers. For more information, visit her website at www.sheryllister.com.

Website:  www.sheryllister.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/sheryllisterauthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/1Slynne
Instagram:  sheryllister
Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Sheryl would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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March Inspirations, Aja...

We're kicking off another week of March Inspirations with a giveaway from Aja Graves.

Aja is sharing ​Good Old Soul​ showcasing her usual flair of sensual romance and thought provoking writing style. Check out her excerpt and leave a comment to be entered into today's giveaway. If I were to tell you I wrote a story about a May/December love affair between music and a saxophone named Her, would you believe me? I didn’t think you would but it’s true. Music has been here since the dawn of time. It’s been the melody of life, unfettered, free, and always waiting for us to-dare I say-tame it and guide it with our voices and with our instruments. The musician may have picked up the sax and breathed air into Her, but it was from the music, the jazz that was created, that love was found and where it grew.

Amina Perrin isn’t looking for love. In fact, she isn’t looking for anything. She’s got her yoga, her massage therapy and the community she serves, keeping her plenty busy. That is until she bumps into a stranger who may change her free-spirited mind.

Gabriel Slade is living the good life. Financially secure, nice condo overlooking the city, and the occasional “drink” with a beautiful woman—he has no intention on getting caught up, especially not with one so much younger than him, but here he is… getting all caught up and picking up a long forgotten saxophone he calls Her.

If you’re opposed to sweltering love scenes between two passionate adults, this book isn’t for you.

To purchase Good Old Soul, click here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0791L7NVX
What was going on between us had become more than just hanging out and having great sex; it had become a relationship and neither of us were pretending it wasn’t. To say that I was surprised that I cared for Gabriel as much as I do was an understatement.

My dating game had fizzled long ago because I didn’t have the time to entertain anyone else, nor did I have the desire. My time with Gabriel had replaced all of that for the time being. I was wise enough to know that men got tired very quickly and everything would die. I tried not to have those kinds of thoughts while I was with him; even if it was hard considering our major differences, especially his age and his experience. I believe he knew exactly where and how far he wanted to our relationship because he had likely been down this road before, whereas I was just a novice. Love games weren’t games to me. I dated to have fun, but I had no intention of becoming emotional involved, and I told him so.

“Do you want a husband or children one day?” He asked me, his fingers running through my blown out ‘fro; something he seemed to really like doing when my hair was all out and not in twists or braids.

“No, not really. Honestly, I don’t think about it. I had a boyfriend once and it seemed like he and I would go to that place where I would at least consider it, but then he changed on me and I let that thought go.”

“Changed how?” The fact that he seemed genuinely interested made me want to open up to him. A lot of guys don’t care; they’re not listening when you speak so I’ve learned not to talk much about anything meaningful in an effort to save my time and energy. Not that I didn’t have very deep thoughts to share, but why waste my breath, right?

“At first, it was beautiful,” I started, noticing the tension in his body against my face that was lying on top of his chest, but I continued anyway, “But he soon became a jerk. He would say to me in the beginning how he wanted to have something real where his girl was honest and intelligent, and a freak in bed. I was all of those things and then he stopped appreciating it.”

“Maybe he didn’t know what he had in you,” he murmured softly.

“He knew, I think, but he got tired of how much work being with someone so intelligent, so … deep was. Eventually you all do. Women become the very thing you say you want and in my case, I had already been all of those things, but then he stopped noticing. He stopped talking to me, stopped listening to anything I had to say, stopped complimenting me on my accomplishments — or even me. I had just gotten my license as a massage therapist and called to tell him. He said, “Cool”, but then said he had to go. It was as if nothing big or monumental had occurred. Am I wrong for wanting a man that is truly for me?”

“No, not at all. He should be your supporter in all things if he’s serious.” His chest was so comforting. The slow and steady heartbeat was soothing to me.

Darryl had stopped being a supporter of mine long before we broke up, I thought. I remember him telling me that a man should be the one to tell his woman she is beautiful and that I should hear that each and every day. He stopped complimenting me. He became one of those men he seemed intent on separating himself from.

“That’s what I thought. When I spoke up, something an assertive woman would do, he said all I did was complain, but he claimed he liked assertive women. Let’s just say that after a while, I realized he didn’t really want me and it was over.”

“Are you over him?”

“I’d like to think that I am.”

“But, not really.”

“Not really. I’m over him the guy, but I’m not over what happened. It was like all that energy and all that time I was in the relationship with him, was for nothing. He took but stopped giving and I was left hurting, so then I stopped giving. I date, but that’s as far as it goes because in that, there is no losing, not of myself and not of my heart.”

We lied there breathing quietly and I guess, in our own thoughts. I wondered if he would open up. Whether I had said too much, and I probably did, but for some reason, I wasn’t worried about it like I might have been in the past. Either he wanted the truth about me and would appreciate it, or he’d want the lie that looked pretty and leave when he didn’t get it. All that mattered was the good time we were having right now, right?
​
Eventually he did speak and his words rumbled against my ear, his fingers moving through my hair threatening to lull me to sleep. “You’re right. In the beginning, both men and women say what they need to get what they want. Usually, they mean it though. Something changes along the way and all of the intentions on how you want to be with that person gets lost. Distractions come in. Life happens and the goodness fades away. You’re left with the skeleton, which can’t be hidden. I’ve been there too. I’ve been the one to tell the well-meaning lies and I’ve received them.”
​
“So, we have both been burned.”

“Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean you give up completely unless you’re positive you want to be a ship drifting alone on the temperamental sea with the waves pushing you to and fro.”
I thought about his words. Trying to take something meaningful from what he was saying to me. When Gabriel spoke, I listened. Maybe it was his maturity over me, although we almost seemed matched, but surely his experience made him wiser. I don’t know, I just know when he spoke I listened and considered.
I considered whether it was worth the risk of getting further involved with a man that could tear me apart and not see it coming. Darryl was a slow demise. I saw it coming over time. Less calls, dates and visits. No real conversation that went beyond the cursory ‘how are you’. We died over time, so I could feel it and prepare myself for it even if it still hurt me. Gabriel seemed like he could sneak the ending up on me because he was everything I was beginning to fall for and never knew I really wanted.
“I don’t know if I’m a ship out at sea or docked. I just know for now, I like the freedom of being either.” The freedom to be either with him, is what my heart said.
“I hear you.”
“So, now that we’ve been philosophical for the day, what would you like to do? I don’t have to start work until 2 o’clock today.”
“Hmmmm, let me see. I haven’t made love to you in over an hour. That seems like something I should handle right away. What comes next can remain a mystery. Okay?”
Smiling against his chest, I agreed. “Definitely, okay.”
© Aja 2018 About Aja... Aja is the writer of sensually erotic women’s fiction. Her stories allow readers to experience realistic, inspiring and soulful interactions between her characters and intense passion between couples overcoming life’s challenges.
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Raised as an only child, using her imagination to create stories came naturally to her. Writing her first book in the first grade encouraged her doting and supportive mother to enter her into writing contests to help her hone her craft. Inspired by soulful music and sensual art, she crafts her stories on a whim, using the snatches of time her characters grace her with and stringing them together for completion. She loves prose but has been known to be poetic which can be found, if looking, in some of her published work.

With two published series of books already, including the Unexpected series penned with Roy Glenn, she is working on several projects including Love’s Required and Good Old Soul, a soulful May/December romance.


Author Links:

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Aja/e/B00K30K138/
Facebook Profile- https://www.facebook.com/aja.thewriter
Website - http://ajathewriter.com/
Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Aja would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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March Inspirations, Selena...

We're kicking off another week of #giveaways with March Inspirations. Today's featured author is Selena Haskins, and she's sharing her novel, Yesterday Was A Long Time Ago. If you haven't had a chance to read it, here's your chance to win a free copy. Simply leave a comment at the end of this blog post for Selena...
About Yesterday Was A Long Time Ago...
Southern gal, Germaine Landry wants to become a writer in the big city of Washington, DC. She meets a privileged heartthrob, Angelo Pearson, who is used to having anything, and every girl he wants. A loner by nature, Germaine is not easily impressed with Angelo's bravado, but he eventually charms his way into her heart. This pair of opposites develops a friendship that catches fire. Their love is seemingly shatterproof until a malicious scheme leads them down a dark path that could end tragically.

Twenty years later, thoughts of yesterday still haunt Germaine until an unexpected encounter leads her to the pearls of truth. Germaine just may have a second chance at love or finally free herself from the memories of a long time ago.
About Selena...
Selena Haskins is a native Washingtonian whose love for reading and writing started at the tender age of nine. Selena’s greatest loves are God and family and she uses both as the central theme in all of her books. By writing in various genres, particularly, historical fiction, family saga, and romance, Selena’s stories cross the generation lines and bridges the gaps between modern and contemporary fiction. Following the paths of legendary authors who came before her, Selena would like to continue writing good memorable stories that reflect a moral message, and African American heritage.
 
Book: Yesterday Was a Long Time Ago
Blurb: “You are my dreams with my eyes open.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Yesterday-Was-Long-Time-Ago-ebook/dp/B07289W3Y7/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
 
 
Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorselena.haskins
Twittter: @booksbyselena
Instagram: @booksbyselena
Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Selena would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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

A Heart Issuance...

"You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 118:28-29

In life we encounter trials and tribulations as often as we have times of joy. During these trial periods we can become involved in our feelings. They can consume us if we are not careful, and we have an emotional reaction versus a spiritual response.

If we switch our focus from our problems to our amazing God Almighty we soon become aware that our problems are able to be resolved and we grow stronger in the process.

"How do I switch my focus when I am burdened and overwhelmed," you ask.

​When you are inclined to complain, worry, or fear, think about your past. Recall the times the Lord has saved you before. Recall the blessings you have received. Think about how He spared your life and His amazing salvation. Then from your heart, allow gratitude to pour forth and issue up a word or song of praise.

In the beginning, this attitude may not come naturally. However, as you begin to practice it and make it a habit, it will become like second nature to think about His goodness and love towards you, and your response in trials will be to exalt Him and praise Him because He is good no matter the circumstances, and because He loves you even when you're at your worst.

Thanks for joining us for Motivational Monday Moments ! Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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March Inspirations, Nigeria...

It's a phenomenal day of Inspiration! Nigeria Lockley is here to inspire us to pursue our passions in a Godly fashion. There's no better way to celebrate March Inspirations than this.

She has a prayer and words that set my passion on fire anew, reminding me of my purpose. But I don't have to tell you, read on and see what I mean. Need a little more incentive? She's giving away 3 different titles today! Simply leave a comment for your chance to win. About Pursuing Your Passion In A Godly Fashion... Learn how to make God the CEO of all your endeavors and connect with Him on a deeper level with, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.

Christians are often taught that God must be involved in all that they do. Yet there is little guidance on how to get God more involved in our business ventures in a meaningful way. In Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, author Nigeria Lockley explores areas of struggle that creative Christians and entrepreneurs must overcome in order to excel. Through transparent testimony, biblical guidance, and a prayer strategy pulled from the book of Nehemiah, Lockley provides believers with prayers to take the pursuit of their passion out of this world. Purpose is the buzzword of this millennium. What’s my purpose? is not a new question. However, with the advent of social media, the popularity of life coaches, and the phrase “be a happy quitter” floating around, it seems like everyone is pursuing their purpose.

In order to pursue your passion in a Godly fashion, your purpose must be aligned to God’s purpose for your life. Your gifting is not your purpose. Gifts and calling come without repentance. God is not going to use a vessel that is in direct opposition of what He wants to do. Nevertheless, He equips every vessel with what they need to function. I am a writer and I am passionate about writing. I declared at the age of four that I would write a book and I have been writing ever since. But God’s purpose for me is not to just fill pages with words—His purpose for me and for you is more expansive than that and in order to experience full joy on the pathway to pursuing your passion your purpose has to be aligned with God’s.

What’s Your Why?

What do you believe your purpose is? What is it that you believe must be accomplished through the work that you do? Before you say, It’s not that deep, I just want to write a book or start a knitting class, let me tell you about a boutique owner who was crushing the game with her expensive merchandise and winning souls for Christ—Lydia the seller of purple. The few lines in the Bible that make mention of her offer us a master class in branding, but for right now let’s stick to gifting, passion, and purpose.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us” (Acts 16:14-15).

Lydia sold purple, which was an expensive material at the time. She was basically like the Diane Von Furstenberg of her day. If she sold an expensive product, her customers had to be the government officials, priest, and the affluent of that time. Yet she was a worshipper of God. When the Lord opened her heart, the earnings from her great entrepreneurial business became the means by which she was willing to support Paul and other early Christians by using her home as a place for them to stay. Paul returned to her home after being released from jail. Lydia took her gifting and used it to help and strengthen her fellow brethren. That is the purpose of our gifts as Paul explains in Ephesians, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

You do not have to be a preacher in a pulpit or a Sunday school teacher to operate in your gift and give it away. Jesus preached everywhere He went and taught everywhere He sat. The purpose of your gift is to draw men and women into the body of Christ or strengthen those that are already in the body.

If you’re not using your gift to do one or the other, if the pursuit of your passion isn’t helping someone else see God’s majesty and glory—you’re not doing it the Godly way.

You’re doing things your own way.

Prayer
One of the great things about serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is unlike an earthly king who will sentence you to death when you go against his decree, God gives us another chance. Use this prayer to open up a dialogue between you and Him. Use this prayer to get your purpose aligned with His purpose for your life and life’s work.

I bow before You, O Lord, the sovereign God who reigns over this earth and the heavens, whose purpose cannot be thwarted. Please hear my heart’s cry and look upon my misguided estate. I confess that I have boasted in my own works and placed my will, my desire, and purpose for my life far above Yours. There have been times that my own gain and the plans I have prepared took precedence over winning souls for Your kingdom and strengthening my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please remember, O Lord, the plans and thoughts of peace that You have for me. Open up Yourself to me, my Father, because You have said that when I seek You with my whole heart I will find You. I beg You, O God, to be attentive to my prayer. I want Your peace, Lord. I don’t want to be found outside of Your will, having my own righteousness, because I know I will not be able to stand. Don’t allow my passions to lead me away from Your purpose for my life and my gift. Please reconcile the longing and desire in my heart with Your work, Your will, and Your purpose for my life. I want to be a light for You and fully aligned with Your purpose, both now and for evermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Use the space below to create your own prayer for Alignment of Purpose.

Address God using an attribute of who He is.
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Confess your sins. What actions have you committed in this area of your life against His word?

Remind God of a promise He has made in the word of God concerning His will or purpose.
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State your petition. What is it that you want God to do with you, to you, or through you to help you get aligned with his purpose? About Nigeria... Nigeria Lockley possesses two Master's degrees, one in English Secondary Education, the other is in Creative Writing. Born at Dawn, Nigeria’s first novel won the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction. Seasoned with Grace, her second novel received favorable reviews in Publisher's Weekly. After achieving every author's dream - a coveted publishing deal and then losing it, she launched Inheritance Books and transformed into the passion and purpose pusher. Now she works viciously to not only share her faith in her writing, but to ensure that every Christian creative and entrepreneur she comes in contact with is prepared to #getyourInheritance.

​Sales link: http://gum.co/PYPGF

Contact Nigeria: www.nigerialockely.com
Instagram: wwww.instagram.com/NewNigeria
​Fb: www.facebook.com/AuthorNigeriaLockley Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Nigeria would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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

March Inspirations, Jacinta...

It's another wonderful day of March Inspirations, and Jacinta Howard is here with her novel, Keeping Willow. I love, love, love this series.

Join us today for a sexy love excerpt, and leave a comment. You just might be chosen to receive a signed copy of Keeping Willow...
About Keeping Willow... Devin Walker, drummer for The Prototype, has one priority: turning his alt-soul band into the superstar act it's destined to become. Singularly focused on his music, his creative passion is all-consuming—that is, until he crosses paths with his best friend’s college roommate, Willow Harden.

Willow was drawn to Devin from the moment she first saw him. And when Devin does, finally look Willow's way, she's easily seduced from her protective bubble into the lure of his fast-paced ambitions, though at times, she wonders if she can handle it.

Unable to resist their potent chemistry, Devin and Willow free fall into a relationship that makes them question each other and doubt themselves. Devin knows he should probably leave her alone; Willow knows life for her might not be any good without him. Can they possibly make their love work? And if so, at what cost? “Low Low, you gotta get up.”

Nothing. The lump in the bed didn’t move.

“Willow.” I touched her shoulder, partly because I couldn’t see her head. It was buried underneath my comforter.

“Baby, you gotta get up.” I shook her shoulder this time, and she finally stirred, blinking up at me sleepily. I smiled, even with tired eyes and her hair wrapped in up in a red sleep rag thing, she was gorgeous. Just stupid pretty. My gaze dropped to her full lips before meeting her eyes.

“It’s almost 3:30.”

She blinked heavily again. “Already? Shoot.”

The fact that she was wearing her nighttime hair tie meant she was serious as hell about that nap. “You’re gonna be late.”

I sat down on the edge of the rumpled bed, searching for my shoes. It was mid-afternoon but it’d been cloudy all day. The light trying to stretch its way through the window was muted, casting a soft blue-ish glow over the room because Low insisted on buying me blue curtains a couple of months ago.

“It adds dimension to the room,” she told me. I didn’t care about curtains but they did make the room look more relaxing, I couldn’t lie. Marvin Gaye was playing on my record player and I grinned because Low had finally really gotten into the warm sound of vinyl after fighting me about being “old school.”

She yawned and rolled onto her back and tucked her arm underneath her head, like she didn’t need to be at the airport in Dallas by 5:30 to catch her flight home.

“I have a little time. It only takes an hour and half to get to Dallas and my flight doesn’t leave until seven.”

I shook my head, eyeing my shoe underneath her backpack. Other than her bag in the floor, the room was clean and airy, because of Low. It was so comfortable, I felt like crawling into bed with her and crashing too.

“You’re pushing it,” I told her instead. “You still gotta get dressed and you know what an event that is.” She wasn’t wearing anything except my old red Hawks t-shirt. “I don’t want your dad thinking I’m the reason you missed your flight home.”

Willow sighed audibly when her phone buzzed on the bed next the pillow. She picked it up, squinted at the screen, and tossed it back onto the blue comforter.

“My mom,” she answered my unspoken question. “I just didn’t want to talk to her while I was over here.”

“What’s up with that?” I met her eyes, brow furrowed.

“She thinks I’m ‘playing house’ with you because I’m over here so much.”

“Since when did she say that?”

Willow shrugged, pulling off her hair thing and tossing it onto the bed. “The other week. She says she doesn’t know why they pay for me to live on campus when I really live over here.”

I bit the inside of lip, my gaze scanning the room. Willow’s books were on the small desk she insisted on getting for me. Her clothes took up practically half of my closet space. One of my dresser drawers now belonged to her and her soaps and girly whatnots were in the bathroom shower rack. But I liked it that way. I wanted her near, all the time.
We hadn’t spent a single day apart in months and I was kinda tripping because I really didn’t want her to leave now, even though I knew she needed to see her fam for the Thanksgiving holiday. She was flying in to Houston a little earlier though, since she’d be coming into Atlanta the day after Thanksgiving to be with me. Our new manager, Jay Little, had three shows lined up out there--- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Trav was still hesitant about buddy but these gigs proved he was ready to handle us, in my opinion. Plus, I was looking at what he was doing with another band out of Atlanta, Black Bottom. They were blowing up and had just brought him on as their manager a few months before.

Doing the gigs in Atlanta was big but I also wanted to check for my moms and Omar, see how they were doing. Moms finally landed a job, not where she wanted, but it was something at least, working in the cafeteria at Omar’s middle school. But the gap between unemployment and her finding work left them in a tight spot. And her punk ass landlord went up on her rent. I’d been sending money when I could but my paper was low too.

“Can you give Kennedy back her headphones for me?” I looked down at Willow, who yawned and stretched again. She worked the early shift at Aroma today, the coffee shop near campus where she started at the beginning of the semester.

“Where are they?”

“On your dresser somewhere I think. Or maybe in your truck?”

She twisted her lips, thinking. “You’re bad as Jersey, losing other people’s stuff.”

“They’re not lost!"

“But you don’t know where they are.”

“They’re somewhere near here. I do know that.” She smiled, as I absently rubbed her calf, since she still hadn’t made a move to get up. “Oh my gosh, last night she was amazing, right?”
​
Kennedy joined the band as a singer at the beginning of the semester, when she moved to Tyler to stay with her grandma Pepper, Trav’s neighbor from the down the street. Kennedy changed everything when she joined Prototype. Zay elevated the band when he’d joined. But Kennedy completed it. She’d changed Travis too, because dude was in love with her on some “alter my entire existence” type shit. Buddy actually told me that the other day, and was dead ass serious.

“She’s next level. She’s startin’ to get why she’s dope, which is the key. You can’t just be good. You need to know what separates you from everyone else so that you can lean into it.”

Willow’s eyes were lowered when she looked at me and she tugged at the bottom hem of my t-shirt.

“I love it when you talk like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like all…” she shrugged grinning. “Devin-y. I’m gonna get t-shirts made with your quotes.”

She bit her lip, still smiling at me. I knew that look in her eyes and I grinned, my groin tightening because that look, coming from Willow Elizabeth Harden, was better than any high I’d ever known.

“What’s up?” I asked, letting her pull me toward her by the hem of my shirt, wrapping me in her coconut scent.

“We have a few minutes,” she breathed, against my lips. She bit hers, then released it.

“Nah, we don’t, love.”

She nodded against my mouth, “We do,” she whispered, reaching and wrapping her arms around my neck, pressing her mouth against mine, her tongue tracing the seam of my lips, making me uncomfortably hard.
​
She pulled back suddenly, and in one quick motion, pulled her t-shirt over her head. Her eyes were still on me, her cheeks flushed because she was still brand new and getting used to her body, and to me looking at her body. But she liked it.

“We do,” she said again, as she kneeled on the bed in nothing but a pair of purple underwear. The afternoon light creeping through the blinds left a zigzag pattern on her belly that I traced with my fingertips. I bit my lip shaking my head as I took her in. Damn.
​
“You better look and see what time the next flight is.” About Jacinta... : "Love is beautiful. Humans are messy. I write about the space in between." A longtime journalist and lifelong music lover, Jacinta Howard resides in the Atlanta area with her daughter and husband. She finds happiness in the pages of a great novel, on the beach, listening to good music and hanging with her family. She is the author of women's fiction and contemporary romance, a USA TODAY Must-Read Author and a two-time RONE Award nominee. Visit her at jacintahoward.net Contact Jacinta... Website & Blog: http://www.jacintahoward.net/
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​Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jacinta-Howard/...
​Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Jacinta would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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March Inspirations, Chelle...

Ambiance – After discovering her husband had an illegitimate child resulting from a lengthy affair, her world was torn in two. His untimely passing left her feeling she had 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. Pursuing her dreams as a business owner, 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 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, as they come to grips that the affliction they’ve bore was at the burden of their own hands. They yearn for redemption of their sins in the arms of men, the arms of a Savior, and in the eyes of one another.

“What took you so long?” Denver asked, looking at his watch.

“Baby, I was only five minutes late.”

“I know, but you told me you’d only be there another forty-five minutes,” he whined.

“I know what I told you, but it couldn’t be helped. I got caught up in traffic on the way over. There was an accident. Some pedestrian was hit by a motorcycle. If it weren’t for that, I’d have been fifteen minutes early.”

“Yeah, well…you could’ve called. I was worried about you. I ordered you the capriccio imperiale. I know how much you love their seafood,” he said, taking my hand in his.

I fought not to snatch it back from him. It was amazing how I had gone from one man who didn’t show me any attention no matter how much I begged, to another man who wouldn’t allow me breathing room.
I was upset about him taking the liberty to order for me, and it obviously showed on my face.

“What’s wrong, Ambi? Don’t you want the salad? You usually always order that when we come here.”

“I know. I was just in the mood for one of their pizzas tonight. Nothing more.”

“I was just watching your calories for you. I’ve noticed you put on a few pounds lately, and I thought
I’d help you out,” Denver supplied.

I know my eyes bucked in my head when he said those words. Instead of going straight ghetto on him the way I wanted to, I pushed down a scream and turned away from him. My back turned to him, I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut until I knew I wouldn’t scream or rant at him. I chose to watch the other couples laughing and smiling around us. I wondered what their lives were like.

“Aren’t you gonna talk to me, baby?” he asked, after the waiter placed our dishes on the table. Denver had been going on about his day for the last fifteen minutes, and I hadn’t heard a thing.

I had chosen to block out his words and focus on the dream I had yesterday. It had been some time since I’d allowed Nick to rent a corner in my head space. But, I couldn’t deny I had always wondered how his touch would feel against my naked body.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, I focused my attention back on the man in front of me. I plastered a fake smile on my face and tuned in to his words. “What is it, babe?”

“I was asking if you thought you might be able to get a couple of my models I work with in your fashion show?”

“Which ones?” I asked guardedly, still smiling with my chin cupped inside my hand. I had been stirring my food around on my plate absently. I wasn’t really hungry.

“Um…I was thinking Lynn and Felice,” he answered.

The smile suddenly slipped from my face. I know he did not just ask me to place Felice into my show. I was not a jealous woman by nature, but something about having your husband of four years cheat on you made you somewhat suspicious of ex-girlfriends. And I did not see the benefit of using Denver’s ex-girlfriend, Felice, in my show.

“I don’t think that would be such a good idea, Denver.” I speared some calamari and green beans on my fork and shoveled them in my mouth. My food had lost its flavor, but I needed to preoccupy my mouth to prevent me from saying something I would later regret.

“Why not? I think it would be wonderful. I mean, after all, they’re both talented and experienced models. Two beautiful women who will definitely sell the designs and the show,” he laughed.

From the way he stared at me, I could tell Denver couldn’t understand why I couldn’t perceive the ingenuity behind his idea.

Slowly chewing my food, I stared at him as if he had lost his mind. After I finished swallowing the last bit, I realized I could no longer prolong my answer.

“We’re only using the women from the shelter. This isn’t just about the sales to raise funds and gathering donations, but it’s about building their self-esteem,” I explained for the umpteenth time.

“Okay. But don’t you think it’d be great to add two professional models in their to show them how to walk, how to pose, how to project confidence, and all of the intricacies of modeling?” he implored, setting his fork beside his plate.

“No, I don’t. In fact, it might hinder what we’re trying to do. I can only imagine the women who don’t have the confidence or self-esteem constantly comparing themselves against your models. They’ll never get to where we’re trying to get them to be. Besides, none of them are rail thin like Lynn and Felice. If anything, they’ll walk away from this a bit more scarred than they were before.” I began eating my food again.

“How can you turn down the opportunity to have two professional models working with them, Ambi? Isn’t that selfish?”

“No, it isn’t. Actually, what you’re asking me is a bit selfish. I don’t see how this is going to benefit the shelter or the women in the slightest. Anyway, we already have professional models, as you say, teaching them how to walk the runway, how to pose, and give the look,” I said, using air quotes. “The only difference is they won’t be on the runway stealing the spotlight from our ladies.”

“What was that comment supposed to mean?” he asked.

“What comment?”

“The one about me being selfish?”

I looked out the window of the restaurant at the passersby. I wished I could take my words back, because I knew they would lead to an argument. “Look, Denver.” I leaned forward and placed my fingertips together in a steeple, elbows on the table. I meant business. “Here’s the deal: I’m not interested in working with your ex on this show; not today, not tomorrow, and never in the future. Why is it so important for her to get on this show anyway?”

Denver looked back at his plate once more and pushed it away from him. “It’s not about why it’s so important, Ambi. I just asked for one simple damned favor, and you couldn’t do that for me,” he said, shaking his head.

“Look, let’s not do this here,” I said, looking around the restaurant. This was one of my favorite places to frequent, and I didn’t want to spoil it by having a confrontation with my boyfriend in public.

“Let’s not do it at all. I’m out,” he said, tossing his napkin on the table and storming away.

I shook my head and laughed. Denver was so petty and immature. This wasn’t the first time he had stalked out on me in the middle of dinner. It also wasn’t the first time he had stuck me with the bill. Hell, he would do that whether he was mad or not.

What did I expect? I was thirty-four and he was twenty-seven. There was an age gap there, but when I met him, I never thought it would matter. Guess I was wrong. 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 us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Chelle would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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March Inspirations, Alexandria...

When love is the last thing on your mind, the last thing you expect is to find it in the least likely place with the unlikeliest person. Today's March Inspirations post is from Alexandria House and she's drumming up love and giving away a prize to an unsuspected reader today. Simply leave a comment. Read on... About Let Me Love You...
Trying to put past hurts behind you is hard when your ex is a fool, but buoyed by child support and alimony, Jo Walker is moving forward with her life, pursuing a career, raising her little girl, and trying to live in peace. She believes she has all the bases covered in her world. But what about her heart?

Rap legend Everett “Big South” McClain is divorced, too, knows all about failed relationships, and has relegated his love life to casual connections rather than pursuing something real. That is, until he lays eyes on Jo.

She’s exactly what he never knew he needed.

He’s what’s been missing from her world.

Will she accept what he has to offer and let him love her? Oba walked closely behind me as I stepped through the elegant lobby toward the elevators. My legs felt like rubber as the weight of what I was doing settled on my shoulders. I was delivering an insanely expensive piece of jewelry to someone, someone obviously rich and probably famous. What if someone had followed us from Bijou Park and tried to rob us? Sure, Oba was huge and armed, but what if a group of huge, armed dudes tried to rob us? What if they kidnapped me and held me for ransom and—the elevator dinged, making me jump, snatching me from my thoughts and prompting me to step inside. Moments later, the doors opened, and after we exited the elevator, Oba had to give me a little nudge so I would start moving toward the only door in the hallway. A cavernous bassline grew louder and louder as I approached the door, and when I knocked timidly, I doubted it could be heard over the music.


Oba reached over my five-foot-two frame, which seemed even smaller in stature with his imposing one towering over me, and beat his fist against the door, startling me even though I saw him do it. I glanced up at him nervously. He gave me a shrug and a smirk.


The music was lowered, and the door swung open. A man that damn near matched Oba in height and girth appeared with a scowl on his face. He and Oba were on opposite ends of the skin tone spectrum. Where Oba was dark as night, this man was extremely light-skinned with orangey-colored hair. He frowned down at me, then let his eyes climb up to Oba. That’s when a smile appeared on his face. As I stood there, he reached over my head and gave Oba dap. “‘Sup, my nigga?!”


Oba was just as animated as he said, “Sup, Dunn?! You know…same ole grind. Park didn’t tell me we were coming to see your guy. Wish I’da known. I ain’t know what I was getting into.”


“Who dat?” This querying voice came from inside the suite.


“Tell Boss Man Peter Park’s folks are here with that piece,” Dunn said.


“A’ight,” answered the voice.


“Y’all come in,” Dunn offered, and then he smiled at me. “O, man? Who we got here?”
I rolled my eyes before I could stop myself. Because I was running late this morning, I’d thrown on a pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt, didn’t bother to apply a stitch of makeup so the freckles that I’d always hated were prominent on my face, and my wild natural hair was pushed away from my face with a thick, cloth headband. I didn’t look hideous, but I wasn’t displaying anything that made me worthy of his leer.


Before Oba could introduce me to Dunn and vice versa, the voice returned and I found it was attached to another behemoth of a man—all height and muscles like Oba and Dunn with a skin tone somewhere in between theirs. “Aye, the boss said y’all can go on back there,” he announced, nodding toward a door deeper in the suite.


“A’ight, Tommy,” Oba said, looking from the voice to me. “Lead the way, Jo.”


I swallowed and moved toward the door only to hear mumbling and snickering behind me, sure one or both of the two giants who evidently resided in that suite were looking at my ass. I rolled my eyes again.


Knocking on the door, I felt my heart begin to race. Who was this boss man of theirs? Was he rich and famous or just rich? Oba obviously knew who he was, because he was familiar with his security. I wished I had time to ask Oba who—


“Come in!” was yelled through the door.


I turned the knob and walked inside, stopping without giving Oba room to enter.
I recognized him instantly, but anyone would’ve since he was probably the most recognizable rapper on the planet. He wasn’t old, only in his late thirties, but had been in the rap game for so long he was definitely considered one of the old heads at this point. Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling, world-renowned, skilled like no other, and fine as all hell. That’s how I’d describe Big South. I was shocked, pleasantly stunned into silence and paralysis. Download...
About Alexandria...
A southern girl at heart, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music and tall black men in suits. When this fashionista is not shopping, she’s writing steamy stories about real black love.

Website: http://www.msalexhouse.com/
Blog: http://msalexhouse.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @msalexhouse
Twitter: @mzalexhouse
Facebook: Alexandria House
Thanks for joining us for March Inspirations ! Please leave a comment below, Alexandria would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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