Michelle Lindo-Rice's Blog, page 42
March 2, 2015
Welcome WNL Tours
Author is giving away FOUR prizes. Two winners will received a signed copy of Love Is Everything and two winners will receive an Amazon gift card ($10 value) ENTER CONTEST BELOW.Book Title: Love Is EverythingAuthor: Elsie Hillman-GordonGenre: Fiction, Inspirational, Christian, RomanceBook Release Date: May 30, 2014Paperback: 106 pagesISBN-10: 1496112458ISBN-13: 978-1496112453[image error] wp-image-21 aligncenter" src="https://mimigirlstwo.files.wordpress...." alt="cooltext1885520243" width="374" height="50" />
Award-winning author Elsie Hillman-Gordon published her first fiction novella, Love Is Everything, in May 2014. Her book received the Gold/1st Place award for *Best Short Story* in the 2015 Feathered Quill Book Awards Program.Elsie lives in Washington, DC with her husband. She holds a BA in English and executive graduate certificates in editorial practices and marketing. She has worked for several media organizations, including NPR. In her free time, she stays busy supporting community outreach projects sponsored through her sorority, church, and non-profit organizations.Elsie’s passion is creative writing, but she also enjoys live theater, movies, reading, and long walks on autumn days. She believes in random acts of kindness and encouraging people to reach for their dreams.[image error] wp-image-20 aligncenter" src="https://mimigirlstwo.files.wordpress...." alt="cooltext1885521552" width="309" height="48" />[image error] wp-image-110 aligncenter" src="https://mimigirlstwo.files.wordpress...." alt="Revised Cover_Love Is Everything" width="432" height="648" />
Do you like to read inspirational fiction? Do you believe that people who have loved and lost can find true love again, that a hurting heart can heal, and that God’s love will see you through difficult times? If so, you’ll enjoy reading Love Is Everything.It’s the story of thirty-five year old Vanessa Dennison—a woman struggling to find joy in life and doubting her faith in God after losing her parents in a tragic accident. But after reluctantly accepting a blind date with Elliott Reeves, a handsome widower with a strong faith and young daughter, she embraces anew her relationship with God and the power of love.Sweet and emotional, this tale of rediscovering love, faith, and hope is sure to touch your heart. It’s a must read for anyone who’s ever loved and lost, especially those still reluctant to take a chance on love.
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Contest Giveaway: Author is giving away FOUR prizes. Two winners will received a signed copy of Love Is Everything. Two winners will receive an Amazon gift card ($10 value each)Enter to Win
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Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Elsie Hillman-Gordon and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com
February 23, 2015
A Spicy Blend of Purpose and Passion
I wrote this for Black Christian Reads and wanted to share with you :)In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon says that the whole duty of man is to fear God and to keep His commandments. Growing up in a minister’s home, I had a great respect and love for God. I was involved in praise and worship, teaching and preaching. However, I had compartmentalized my life. There was God’s ministry and then there was my guilty pleasure—reading. I read any and everything. I remember going to my neighborhood library daily and leaving with a pile of books in my hand.Sixteen years ago, I decided to pen my first novel, Keep the Knot Tight. I gave it to a minister friend to read. He admitted he found the story engaging but certain content was off-putting. Filled with profanity and hot sex scenes, I told him that I was keeping it real. The language and sex were authentic, I told myself. After numerous rejections, I self-published it under the pseudonym, Jasmine Stone.
Then I wrote Walk A Straight Line under Zoey Ann Rice in the space of six weeks. Right after that, I wrote Sing A New Song. I submitted both novels to hundreds of agents only to face rejection. Stumped, I could not understand why. So, I decided to put the writing ‘thing’ on hold and focus on my marriage and my young sons. I relocated in Florida eleven years ago because my family needed a change of pace and atmosphere.
On the job, I met Vivian Kehrer, and told her about my books. She encouraged me not to give up on my dream and I self-published Walk A Straight Line under the name, Zoey Ann Rice. I hid the book from my family and some of my friends. I knew they would never approve. Then, I met Jane Adams.
Jane was a teacher and gifted writer and I was drawn to her artistic nature. I opened up to her about my secret passion for writing. Jane volunteered to read Sing A New Song and share her thoughts with me. I can clearly remember the day she returned my manuscript.
We stood in the parking lot of an elementary school, and Jane’s face was deep red. Jane told me that while she was reading, she thought it was Christian fiction because the message in the novel moved her and then bam! She encountered the profanity and hot sex scenes. She said they caught her off guard. Jane went on to say how much she enjoyed the story, but I was frozen. Frozen because God used her to speak to me.
There was no secret pleasure. I couldn’t run from God and His purpose for me. God was ingrained in my life and He would appear into my work because He belonged there. Goose bumps rose on my arms. God had to be in every aspect of my life, especially my writing. That night, I revamped Sing A New Song. What I saw when I was done was a powerful work, which God could use to His purpose. I smiled. This felt right. Right for me, that is.
There was a place for me—the girl who liked writing stories with drama and messy characters but who also loved God. Imagine my joy when I discovered, I did not have to give up any part of me. Instead, I discovered a ministry fashioned with me in mind. God had brought me into the path of spirit-led women who have helped hone and shape my work so that He gets glory. His Holy Spirit constrains me and I am proud of the product I produce.
Finally, I understood.It had taken me years to get to this realization. I'm not knocking romances and the work of others, but God showed me what I was meant to do. I can't write what I want. I then penned my first Christian fiction novel, My Steps Are Ordered, with God's stamp of approval.Once I aligned my will with His, doors opened.One day I felt led to type the words faith, Christian and fiction in the Google search bar. Then, Tiffany L. Warren’s Faith and Fiction retreat popped up. And, wonder of wonders – God at work—it was being held right here in Florida. I registered and waited for the day. At the retreat, I learned a lot about writing and I rewrote my first chapter of Sing A New Song. After much prayer and fasting, I decided to pitch my work to the publishers and agents in attendance.At the retreat, I got a chance to meet some of my favorite authors during the planned events. What resonated within me was these women were not just talented but they were real women of faith. A group of us met one morning by the water and we sang and worshiped God. I remember, Joylynn Ross, the acquisitions editor for Urban Christian, breaking out in a praise dance and I felt as if I had come home.Before I left the retreat, I pitched Sing A New Song, and rejoiced when at the end of the session Joylynn requested I email her my first four chapters. That led to my first two-book deal with Urban Books. Now as a published author, I am proud to have my parents; siblings and church friends read my books. They see Him all throughout my work. Even as I write this, I shout, “Hallelujah!” I have since rewritten and/or re-published Walk A Straight Line and My Steps Are Ordered. I plan to revamp Keep the Knot Tight as well because there is a message there for someone.I’m now working on my sixth novel for Urban Christian and I know God will take me higher. He has more in store for me than I can even imagine. I know it because writing is not just a blend of my passion and my purpose. It is my ministry and all I can say is, "Use Me, Lord."www.michellelindorice.comwww.blackchristianreads.comamazon.com/Michelle-Lindo-Rice/e/B009...
Then I wrote Walk A Straight Line under Zoey Ann Rice in the space of six weeks. Right after that, I wrote Sing A New Song. I submitted both novels to hundreds of agents only to face rejection. Stumped, I could not understand why. So, I decided to put the writing ‘thing’ on hold and focus on my marriage and my young sons. I relocated in Florida eleven years ago because my family needed a change of pace and atmosphere.
On the job, I met Vivian Kehrer, and told her about my books. She encouraged me not to give up on my dream and I self-published Walk A Straight Line under the name, Zoey Ann Rice. I hid the book from my family and some of my friends. I knew they would never approve. Then, I met Jane Adams.
Jane was a teacher and gifted writer and I was drawn to her artistic nature. I opened up to her about my secret passion for writing. Jane volunteered to read Sing A New Song and share her thoughts with me. I can clearly remember the day she returned my manuscript.
We stood in the parking lot of an elementary school, and Jane’s face was deep red. Jane told me that while she was reading, she thought it was Christian fiction because the message in the novel moved her and then bam! She encountered the profanity and hot sex scenes. She said they caught her off guard. Jane went on to say how much she enjoyed the story, but I was frozen. Frozen because God used her to speak to me.
There was no secret pleasure. I couldn’t run from God and His purpose for me. God was ingrained in my life and He would appear into my work because He belonged there. Goose bumps rose on my arms. God had to be in every aspect of my life, especially my writing. That night, I revamped Sing A New Song. What I saw when I was done was a powerful work, which God could use to His purpose. I smiled. This felt right. Right for me, that is.
There was a place for me—the girl who liked writing stories with drama and messy characters but who also loved God. Imagine my joy when I discovered, I did not have to give up any part of me. Instead, I discovered a ministry fashioned with me in mind. God had brought me into the path of spirit-led women who have helped hone and shape my work so that He gets glory. His Holy Spirit constrains me and I am proud of the product I produce.
Finally, I understood.It had taken me years to get to this realization. I'm not knocking romances and the work of others, but God showed me what I was meant to do. I can't write what I want. I then penned my first Christian fiction novel, My Steps Are Ordered, with God's stamp of approval.Once I aligned my will with His, doors opened.One day I felt led to type the words faith, Christian and fiction in the Google search bar. Then, Tiffany L. Warren’s Faith and Fiction retreat popped up. And, wonder of wonders – God at work—it was being held right here in Florida. I registered and waited for the day. At the retreat, I learned a lot about writing and I rewrote my first chapter of Sing A New Song. After much prayer and fasting, I decided to pitch my work to the publishers and agents in attendance.At the retreat, I got a chance to meet some of my favorite authors during the planned events. What resonated within me was these women were not just talented but they were real women of faith. A group of us met one morning by the water and we sang and worshiped God. I remember, Joylynn Ross, the acquisitions editor for Urban Christian, breaking out in a praise dance and I felt as if I had come home.Before I left the retreat, I pitched Sing A New Song, and rejoiced when at the end of the session Joylynn requested I email her my first four chapters. That led to my first two-book deal with Urban Books. Now as a published author, I am proud to have my parents; siblings and church friends read my books. They see Him all throughout my work. Even as I write this, I shout, “Hallelujah!” I have since rewritten and/or re-published Walk A Straight Line and My Steps Are Ordered. I plan to revamp Keep the Knot Tight as well because there is a message there for someone.I’m now working on my sixth novel for Urban Christian and I know God will take me higher. He has more in store for me than I can even imagine. I know it because writing is not just a blend of my passion and my purpose. It is my ministry and all I can say is, "Use Me, Lord."www.michellelindorice.comwww.blackchristianreads.comamazon.com/Michelle-Lindo-Rice/e/B009...
February 17, 2015
ANNOUNCING A BRAND NEW RELEASE: Live A Little by Rhonda McKnight
Rhonda McKnight has a unique way of tackling serious issues while inspiring her readers. I enjoyed getting to know Raine and Gage! Read the Excerpt below.
A grieving woman, an injured soldier and an abandoned dream...can they find hope for tomorrow in each other?
Raine Still has never had much of an identity outside of being the daughter of the old hippie couple that own Hope House, a transitional housing facility in the worse part of Charlotte, North Carolina, and that had been okay with her until her parents died and left her alone in world.Gage Jordan is a decorated solider discharged from the army after fourteen years due to a physical injury, but the emotional scars are far worse than anything he’s rehabbed from. He has a great job lined up and a mass of support from his family, but something is missing and he’s starting to feel like it’s Raine.Gage thought his wounded heart had issues, but Raine’s pain is much deeper. If something doesn’t give soon they will never have a chance at love. Can he convince her to see that “hope” and faith are the balm she needs to heal her hurting soul?
Buy LinksAmazon http://alturl.com/h7pb8Barnes and Noble http://alturl.com/h3bcrSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518282iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/live-a-little/id966415831?mt=11
About the Author
Even as she pursued degrees in Textile Technology, Organizational Leadership and finally, Adult Education, Rhonda McKnight ’s love for books and desire to write stories was always in the back of her mind and in the forefront of her heart. Rhonda loves reading and writing stories that touch the heart of women through complex plots and interesting characters in crisis. She writes from the comfort of her Atlanta home with black tea, Lays potato chips and chocolate on hand. At her feet sits a snappy mixed breed toy dog. She can be reached at her website at www.rhondamcknight and on social media at www.facebook.com/booksbyrhondaand www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight and www.blackchristianreads.comwhere she has joined with nine other Christian fiction authors to introduce her stories to the world.
EXCERPT They rode in silence to her house. The sugar Gage ingested seemed to have dulled his chattiness. The trip wasn’t long and traffic was nonexistent. His navigation brought them right to her door. He cut the engine. Gage looked through the window past Raine. “This is a nice house. Nice neighborhood. You were looking the last time we talked.” She had been house-hunting that spring. She’d found this one the very week he’d left. She inspected the shrubs that needed pruning and the trim that would definitely get a fresh coat of paint in the spring and replied. “Thank you.” “How long have you been here?” “Six years. It was a foreclosure during the early run of foreclosures. I’d finished my master’s degree and gotten a promotion at work, so I thought, it was time.” “I remember you’d just finished your masters. You mentioned it that day.” His memory was impeccable. Raine’s stomach flipped. That day. That day she’d shared a table with him in the mall food court because all the others were full. That day lunch turned into a trip to the movie theatre, dinner and a stroll through a bookstore. “No waiting for a husband to buy a house with, huh?” he asked, but then he didn’t wait for an answer. “I like that. The women in my family are very independent too.”Gage smiled. It sucked the wind out of her. Not because he was so good looking, or even because he had flashed his movie star, picture ready white teeth, it was the disposition behind the smile. Lazy, relaxed…Raine didn’t exactly know the word she was looking for. He seemed interested in her, again. He wasn’t making small talk to fill up the time, because they were here at her house. All he had to do was open the door and then open hers and walk her to the door of her house, if he was so inclined to do that. In seconds, he could be done with Raine Still for tonight and forever. But Gage wasn’t moving. He wasn’t trying to leave. The only man that had ever been interested in her was her father. He’d hung on to every word she’d said from the time she could talk until he took his last breath. But this attention from Gage was different. She didn’t know how to take it. She’d been here with him before and then he disappeared without a trace. “Can I ask you a question?” His tone was tentative. “What happened to your date tonight?” Raine had no idea what he would ask, but this question surprised her. “I didn’t have a date.” Gage’s expression posed the follow-up question before he did. “You said you were waiting for someone.” She shrugged. “I lied. I wanted to be alone and I thought it was easier to say I was waiting on someone than be rude to all of you.” He cocked an eyebrow. “That’s honest.” “I don’t like to lie and I don’t have any reason to lie to you now.” “Why did you have so many tickets if you weren’t expecting anyone?” Raine couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice. “Are you questioning if I’m lying about lying?” A beautiful crooked smile filled half his face, revealing one of his dimples. “I’m not questioning if you’re lying. I guess I’m just curious, nosy.” Raine explained how she came to have the extra tickets. Gage nodded. “That was God. You were supposed to help us out.” Raine didn’t think that made any sense. “Why wouldn’t God just make it so I had one ticket and your mother had the ones she needed?” Silence again and then, “Because if God made it happen that way then I wouldn’t have run into you.” She swallowed now. Hard. He was staring at her. Looking from her face to her lips. He leaned closer and put a hand behind her neck. Then he brought his face closer so that it hovered just inches from hers. Raine could smell his breathe, the mint he’d popped into his mouth after eating the ice cream. She could also smell his cologne, a strong, sexy masculine scent that rose from his pores to torment her. But then just as quickly as he’d pulled her close, Gage let her go and reached for his ignition key. “It’s late. I need to get you inside.” Get her inside. She didn’t have a curfew. Raine was disappointed. But more than disappointed, she was embarrassed. She wanted that kiss. “I can see myself to my door,” she replied, icily. She released her seat belt and grabbed the door handle. His hand was on hers. “Raine, let me explain.” She turned toward him and frowned. “Explain what?” “Why I stopped.”Raine thought she would die. No he was not going to explain why he was rejecting her. She sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be disrespectful.” The conversation was awkward, but he’d started it, so she questioned, “A kiss is disrespectful?” He didn’t remove his hand from hers, but he didn’t respond either. Oh my God, she thought. He has a girlfriend or maybe even a wife.Of course he did. How could she be so naïve? He didn’t want to disrespect his marriage. She dropped her eyes to their intertwined fingers. So why was he still holding her hand?He finally spoke. “I’m careful about what I start.” That only confused her more. “What does that mean?” she whispered. And then she thought, I don’t want to know. “Never mind. You don’t have to explain.” She grabbed the door handle again, but Gage squeezed the hand he held. She froze. “I do, because I don’t want you to think I didn’t want to kiss you. My stopping has nothing to do with you.”Raine didn’t look at him. If she could have jumped out of the car and run in the house without seeming rude she would have. She wanted to escape the pounding rush in her veins. The agony over the fact that the only man she’d ever wanted was taken. “Of course, I understand. You have to respect your wife or your girlfriend.”“Wife or girlfriend?” She could hear a frown in his voice. “You’ve been a real gentleman, Gage. I appreciate the ride.”“Wait,” he insisted. “I don’t have a wife or a girlfriend.” Raine knew she should not let the next question come out of her mouth because it was embarrassing and it would sound like begging, but she would drive herself crazy if she didn’t know. Since she knew she’d never see him again, she went ahead asked, “Then why did you stop?” The expression on his face was so serious it nearly looked pained. “It’s late,” he said releasing her hand. “I’ll be back in the morning.”“In the morning?” “I told you I was picking you up so we could see about getting your car towed.”She shook her head. “It is really kind of you to offer, but you don’t have to do that.” His words came swift and impulsively. “What if I want to do it?”Her stomach flipped again. “Why would you want to do it? We’re not neighbors.”“For the same reason I didn’t kiss you. I finish what I start. Once I commit to a thing, I have to see it all the way through.”He smiled and opened his door. Once she got out they fell into step up her long walkway. She said good night to her prince, pushed the door closed and peeked out to watch him disappear. Raine kicked off her shoes and realized the irony of having both shoes. She hadn’t left one behind, so the prince didn’t have one. Gage didn’t have a reason to come looking for her. He didn’t even have anything to look with, because he hadn’t even asked for her phone number to call to make arrangements for tomorrow. Her Cinderella story was a bust.
Buy LinksAmazon http://alturl.com/h7pb8Barnes and Noble http://alturl.com/h3bcrSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518282iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/live-a-little/id966415831?mt=11
A grieving woman, an injured soldier and an abandoned dream...can they find hope for tomorrow in each other?
Raine Still has never had much of an identity outside of being the daughter of the old hippie couple that own Hope House, a transitional housing facility in the worse part of Charlotte, North Carolina, and that had been okay with her until her parents died and left her alone in world.Gage Jordan is a decorated solider discharged from the army after fourteen years due to a physical injury, but the emotional scars are far worse than anything he’s rehabbed from. He has a great job lined up and a mass of support from his family, but something is missing and he’s starting to feel like it’s Raine.Gage thought his wounded heart had issues, but Raine’s pain is much deeper. If something doesn’t give soon they will never have a chance at love. Can he convince her to see that “hope” and faith are the balm she needs to heal her hurting soul?
Buy LinksAmazon http://alturl.com/h7pb8Barnes and Noble http://alturl.com/h3bcrSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518282iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/live-a-little/id966415831?mt=11
About the Author
Even as she pursued degrees in Textile Technology, Organizational Leadership and finally, Adult Education, Rhonda McKnight ’s love for books and desire to write stories was always in the back of her mind and in the forefront of her heart. Rhonda loves reading and writing stories that touch the heart of women through complex plots and interesting characters in crisis. She writes from the comfort of her Atlanta home with black tea, Lays potato chips and chocolate on hand. At her feet sits a snappy mixed breed toy dog. She can be reached at her website at www.rhondamcknight and on social media at www.facebook.com/booksbyrhondaand www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight and www.blackchristianreads.comwhere she has joined with nine other Christian fiction authors to introduce her stories to the world.
EXCERPT They rode in silence to her house. The sugar Gage ingested seemed to have dulled his chattiness. The trip wasn’t long and traffic was nonexistent. His navigation brought them right to her door. He cut the engine. Gage looked through the window past Raine. “This is a nice house. Nice neighborhood. You were looking the last time we talked.” She had been house-hunting that spring. She’d found this one the very week he’d left. She inspected the shrubs that needed pruning and the trim that would definitely get a fresh coat of paint in the spring and replied. “Thank you.” “How long have you been here?” “Six years. It was a foreclosure during the early run of foreclosures. I’d finished my master’s degree and gotten a promotion at work, so I thought, it was time.” “I remember you’d just finished your masters. You mentioned it that day.” His memory was impeccable. Raine’s stomach flipped. That day. That day she’d shared a table with him in the mall food court because all the others were full. That day lunch turned into a trip to the movie theatre, dinner and a stroll through a bookstore. “No waiting for a husband to buy a house with, huh?” he asked, but then he didn’t wait for an answer. “I like that. The women in my family are very independent too.”Gage smiled. It sucked the wind out of her. Not because he was so good looking, or even because he had flashed his movie star, picture ready white teeth, it was the disposition behind the smile. Lazy, relaxed…Raine didn’t exactly know the word she was looking for. He seemed interested in her, again. He wasn’t making small talk to fill up the time, because they were here at her house. All he had to do was open the door and then open hers and walk her to the door of her house, if he was so inclined to do that. In seconds, he could be done with Raine Still for tonight and forever. But Gage wasn’t moving. He wasn’t trying to leave. The only man that had ever been interested in her was her father. He’d hung on to every word she’d said from the time she could talk until he took his last breath. But this attention from Gage was different. She didn’t know how to take it. She’d been here with him before and then he disappeared without a trace. “Can I ask you a question?” His tone was tentative. “What happened to your date tonight?” Raine had no idea what he would ask, but this question surprised her. “I didn’t have a date.” Gage’s expression posed the follow-up question before he did. “You said you were waiting for someone.” She shrugged. “I lied. I wanted to be alone and I thought it was easier to say I was waiting on someone than be rude to all of you.” He cocked an eyebrow. “That’s honest.” “I don’t like to lie and I don’t have any reason to lie to you now.” “Why did you have so many tickets if you weren’t expecting anyone?” Raine couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice. “Are you questioning if I’m lying about lying?” A beautiful crooked smile filled half his face, revealing one of his dimples. “I’m not questioning if you’re lying. I guess I’m just curious, nosy.” Raine explained how she came to have the extra tickets. Gage nodded. “That was God. You were supposed to help us out.” Raine didn’t think that made any sense. “Why wouldn’t God just make it so I had one ticket and your mother had the ones she needed?” Silence again and then, “Because if God made it happen that way then I wouldn’t have run into you.” She swallowed now. Hard. He was staring at her. Looking from her face to her lips. He leaned closer and put a hand behind her neck. Then he brought his face closer so that it hovered just inches from hers. Raine could smell his breathe, the mint he’d popped into his mouth after eating the ice cream. She could also smell his cologne, a strong, sexy masculine scent that rose from his pores to torment her. But then just as quickly as he’d pulled her close, Gage let her go and reached for his ignition key. “It’s late. I need to get you inside.” Get her inside. She didn’t have a curfew. Raine was disappointed. But more than disappointed, she was embarrassed. She wanted that kiss. “I can see myself to my door,” she replied, icily. She released her seat belt and grabbed the door handle. His hand was on hers. “Raine, let me explain.” She turned toward him and frowned. “Explain what?” “Why I stopped.”Raine thought she would die. No he was not going to explain why he was rejecting her. She sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be disrespectful.” The conversation was awkward, but he’d started it, so she questioned, “A kiss is disrespectful?” He didn’t remove his hand from hers, but he didn’t respond either. Oh my God, she thought. He has a girlfriend or maybe even a wife.Of course he did. How could she be so naïve? He didn’t want to disrespect his marriage. She dropped her eyes to their intertwined fingers. So why was he still holding her hand?He finally spoke. “I’m careful about what I start.” That only confused her more. “What does that mean?” she whispered. And then she thought, I don’t want to know. “Never mind. You don’t have to explain.” She grabbed the door handle again, but Gage squeezed the hand he held. She froze. “I do, because I don’t want you to think I didn’t want to kiss you. My stopping has nothing to do with you.”Raine didn’t look at him. If she could have jumped out of the car and run in the house without seeming rude she would have. She wanted to escape the pounding rush in her veins. The agony over the fact that the only man she’d ever wanted was taken. “Of course, I understand. You have to respect your wife or your girlfriend.”“Wife or girlfriend?” She could hear a frown in his voice. “You’ve been a real gentleman, Gage. I appreciate the ride.”“Wait,” he insisted. “I don’t have a wife or a girlfriend.” Raine knew she should not let the next question come out of her mouth because it was embarrassing and it would sound like begging, but she would drive herself crazy if she didn’t know. Since she knew she’d never see him again, she went ahead asked, “Then why did you stop?” The expression on his face was so serious it nearly looked pained. “It’s late,” he said releasing her hand. “I’ll be back in the morning.”“In the morning?” “I told you I was picking you up so we could see about getting your car towed.”She shook her head. “It is really kind of you to offer, but you don’t have to do that.” His words came swift and impulsively. “What if I want to do it?”Her stomach flipped again. “Why would you want to do it? We’re not neighbors.”“For the same reason I didn’t kiss you. I finish what I start. Once I commit to a thing, I have to see it all the way through.”He smiled and opened his door. Once she got out they fell into step up her long walkway. She said good night to her prince, pushed the door closed and peeked out to watch him disappear. Raine kicked off her shoes and realized the irony of having both shoes. She hadn’t left one behind, so the prince didn’t have one. Gage didn’t have a reason to come looking for her. He didn’t even have anything to look with, because he hadn’t even asked for her phone number to call to make arrangements for tomorrow. Her Cinderella story was a bust.
Buy LinksAmazon http://alturl.com/h7pb8Barnes and Noble http://alturl.com/h3bcrSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518282iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/live-a-little/id966415831?mt=11
February 16, 2015
Contest Giveaway: Author is offering one winner a Cupid’s...
Contest Giveaway: Author is offering one winner a Cupid’s Error Goodie Package. Enter contest below
Author: Joy Avery
Publication Date: January 19, 2015
Genre: Contemporary RomancePaperback: 96 pagesISBN-10: 1507679599ISBN-13: 978-1507679593Age Group For Your Book 18+
Joy Avery is the author of the novels Smoke in the Citi, His Until Sunrise: an Indigo Falls romance, and Cupid’s Error: a novella. She is a North Carolina native with a passion for penning contemporary romances.
When not crafting love stories, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, and spending time with her family—which includes a husband, a child, and two dogs.Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.
Staffing agency owner Danica James is determined not to spend another Valentine’s Day alone. But purchasing a man for the evening? Out of the question. Then her best friend intervenes—gifting her a night of dinner and dancing with a Cupid’s Arrow escort. What could be the harm? Though Cupid’s Arrow is known for matches made in heaven, she’s not looking for a love connection. Then she meets her Cupid’s Fellow and everything changes.
Business mogul Weston Henshaw doesn’t need Cupid’s Arrow to get a Valentine’s Day companion, but Cupid’s Arrow needs him. Seems his sister’s charity event has done far better than anticipated. Only problem…a shortage of eligible bachelors to pamper all of the lonely hearts. When he agrees to be bait for an evening, he never imagines meeting the one woman who makes him wish the night would never end.An error by Cupid’s places Danica and Weston on a road to destiny, but will they maintain the course?
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Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Joy Avery and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com
SILENT PRAISE - Read the Prologue and First Chapter
Silent Praise is the third book in the Able to Love Series. Coming March 2015
Prologue “I can’t hold it.” Melanie “Lainey” King squeezed her legs together. Crouched over in the dark, she shivered from inside the three-foot oblong closet space. Lainey peered through the folds of the closet door. Her eyes were wide with fear. Mama and Uncle were asleep on the big bed. Lainey slept with Mama unless Uncle came around. Then she had to sleep in the closet.Lainey’s lower body shook. She had to go. Now. She pushed the closet door and crept outside. Lainey inched her way to her mother’s bed.“Mama, I’ve got to go pee.” Lainey whispered as quiet as she could into her mother’s ear. She did not want to wake Uncle. His snore bounced off the walls of the room. Lainey twisted her tattered, once-white nightgown, spotted with dingy brown stains. Her lips quivered.Oh no! A small line of urine trickled down her legs. She cupped her mouth to keep from crying aloud. If she peed on herself, Uncle was going to let her have it. She shook her mother again. “Mama! I’ve got to go to the bathroom!”Mama did not budge. But Uncle did.“What do you want?” He snarled at her into the darkness.Even through the dark, Lainey could see his hateful eyes.Uncle jumped and came around the bed to grab her shoulders. “What do you want?” Lainey’s teeth rattled. She opened her mouth but no words came. With a groan, Lainey emptied her bladder. Tears rolled down her face.“I didn’t mean to,” she said.Uncle sniffed. “Did you pee on the carpet?”Lainey shook her head. “It was an accident.”Uncle bent towards her. His stinky breath hit her in the face. “You’re five years old and old enough to stop peeing on yourself! Your mother’s bragging how smart you are, reading and writing and all that so you know better. But you know what, you’re just plain nasty. Yes, that’s right. You’re scrawny and nasty and I can’t stand the sight of you.”“Ahhh,” Lainey wailed, wiggling her body and holding her head. “Mama,” she screamed, but Mama did not hear her.Uncle dropped Lainey to the ground. He kicked her in the stomach. “I told you what would happen if you peed yourself again because you’re too lazy to go to the bathroom.”“I tried to wake Mama,” Lainey said. “I can’t reach the bathroom light and I’m scared of the dark.”Uncle reached down and snatched her under his arm. “But, no, you want to pee on the floor like you’re a dog.” He rubbed her face into the urine. “I’ll do you like I would a dog.”The pungent smell of her urine hit her nose. Lainey closed her eyes, pinched her lips tight, and closed her mouth. She knew this was the only way to keep from inhaling or swallowing it. Her hair and gown were wet from pee.Lainey bucked her body to fight her way out of Uncle’s strong arms. If he released her, she could run and hide. Her leg kicked him in the groin. With a plop, she landed on the floor.“You kicked me,” Uncle raged.Like a snake, she slithered under the bed. She saw Mama’s legs hit the floor. “Mama!” Lainey yelled.The lights came on.“What’s going on?” Mama seethed. “What’re you doing? Where’s Lainey?”“Your kid peed the floor and I’m tired of it.”Lainey saw his big, white feet at the edge of the bed and cowered into the center.“Don’t you put a hand on her.” Lainey heard her mother’s yell and relaxed. Mama would save her.Then, she felt a hand curl around her foot. She stiffened her body and dug her fingers into the ratty carpet. But Uncle was stronger than she was. He dragged her from under the bed and picked her up feet first, exposing her.“Leave her alone,” Mama cried, beating at Uncle with her fists.Uncle dropped Lainey and shoved Mama. Her mother hit the wall and slinked to the floor. Lainey remembered when they moved into this room and Mama had painted the walls bright yellow. Now the yellow was mixed with dirt from tossed food containers and beer cans. Mama’s head hung near the big hole from when Uncle punched the wall.Lainey saw her mother’s eyes drift close. Her shoulders sagged. Mama would not be able to help her now. Then Uncle redirected his gaze towards her. Lainey gulped. She scrambled over beer cans. Her tiny hands narrowly missed a sharp needle. Mama said never to touch the cans, needles, or white stuff. Ever.Uncle kicked the cans out of the way. He grabbed Lainey by the ears and pulled her to stand. His chest heaved. “I’ll show you what happens to girls who don’t know how to listen.” He bunched his fist and hit her right ear.Lainey screamed and fell to the floor. Her yell made Uncle madder than before; he punched her other ear.Lainey held her head. “Mama!” Uncle punched and punched her ears. Lainey kicked and scratched at him. “Mama!” Uncle punched again. Blood rolled across her face. “Mama … Mama … Help me.” Uncle kept punching away at her ears. Tears, snot, and blood made it hard for her to see but Lainey stretched a hand towards her mother. “Mama. Please … help.” Lainey went limp. Pain dulled her senses and eyes closed. For the first time in her life, Lainey was no longer afraid of the dark.***Shards of bright light hit her face. Lainey screamed. She woke up kicking and fighting. Uncle had been hitting her in the face and she had to stop him. She tried to open her eyes all the way but they hurt. Lainey clutched her head. There was a bandage around her head.“Mama!” Lainey looked around the room. Her heart started beating into her chest. Where am I? She was hooked up to monitors and she was cold. She shivered. Where’s Mama? Lainey screamed as fear shook her body.A short, brown lady—dark like her Mama—came over to her. Lainey could see the woman’s lips moving but she could not hear anything.Lainey panicked. “I can’t hear you. My ears are closed. I can’t hear you.” She grabbed her ears. “Ahhh! I’m trying to scream but I can’t hear myself.”Lainey saw the lady’s head nod and focused on her kind face. She was saying something. The lady wrapped her in her arms. Lainey stilled. This lady won’t hurt me. Lainey welcomed the woman’s soft touch. The lady lowered Lainey back to the bed and bunched the covers around her. Lainey felt a soft kiss on the top of her head.Then the doctor came in. Lainey knew him. He had fixed her broken arm and stitched her busted lip. She was so glad to see someone she recognized. “I know you! You’re Dr. James,” Lainey said. She knew she said the words right because she saw him nod his head.“I can’t hear myself, Dr. James,” Lainey said. “Can you fix my ears?”The lady covered her mouth with her hand.“Why is she crying?” Lainey’s eyes filled with tears. She looked at Dr. James. “I want my mama.”For some reason, her words made the lady cry even more. A tall, skinny man entered the room and Lainey saw the lady run to him. He gave her a hug.Melanie looked at Dr. James. “Please stitch my ears so I can hear. And can you tell Mama where I am? She might be looking for me.” She was surprised to see Dr. James wipe his eyes.She saw the needle he held and tried to move. “Mama said no needles!” She wiggled to the edge of the bed away from Dr. James. But Dr. James held her down. The last thing Lainey felt was the pierce from the needle, and then her eyes closed. “Dratted snooze button,” Melanie muttered. “I just had to press snooze one more time.” Boy did she regret her Thursday night Twilight binge. Melanie had stayed up until 2 a.m. re-watching the four movies in the Twilight saga. Edward, Jacob, and Bella had filled her thoughts that she had not prayed or read her Bible. What she would give to be in Bella’s shoes. She wanted two hot men fighting over her. Heck, she would even settle for one not-so-hot guy calling her ever so often. In her small town of Port Charlotte, pickings were slim, especially for someone with a disability.Melanie blew her curls out of her face and zipped her grey Infiniti across the lanes. It was mid-January, peak season for snowbirds. The normally scanty traffic lanes on U.S. 41 were packed with Canadian license plates. It was close to 7:30 a.m. Where were all these people going at this hour? Aren’t they supposed to be retired?Melanie saw the amber light ahead and hit the accelerator. She could not miss the light or she would be late and Nancy would be in her face. Melanie whizzed through the light right before it switched to red. She made a fist. Yes! She put on her indicator to make the left turn on Cochran Blvd. Melanie escalated to catch the green turning arrow. She glanced at the clock. She had two minutes to spare. Then she looked into the rearview mirror.Her eyes widened. Red and blue lights twinkled behind her. Moving at snail’s pace, Melanie pulled into the mini mall. Because of the early hour, they weren’t many cars in the lot. Besides the Wells Fargo, there was a Books-A-Million, Staples, Big Lots, and a McDonald’s. She hoped the officer would keep going. But he followed her. She pulled into a parking space.Great. Not only was she late, she was also going to be ticketed right outside her job. Melanie served as a bank loan officer and her manager stayed on her butt. Lord, please, now would be a good time for you to show up and show out.Melanie looked into her left side mirror. She saw tall, muscular legs unfold out of the unmarked police car. He had to be at least 6'3" with light brown hair cropped low on his head. He whipped off his sunglasses. Melanie took hers off as well.And, he was hot. She watched his confident stride. This man should be strutting on a runway somewhere. It was a sin he had his body covered under that green uniform, although he wore it well. She stole a glance at her reflection in the mirror. Her curls were in disarray. She rolled her eyes. Figures, I would be having a bad hair day.The officer tapped on her glass. Melanie plastered a smile on her face and lowered her window. She could smell the McDonald’s biscuits and coffee. Her stomach rumbled. There was no way she would have time to hit the drive-thru.Melanie made sure to keep her eyes on his lips. His lips parted to reveal white teeth and a beautiful smile.“License and insurance,” he said.Her breath caught. His sharp green eyes made her think of running through the lush fields on a hot Florida day. She nodded and dug her hands into her brown oversized Coach bag until she found her wallet. Her hands shook. This was only her second time being pulled over.Melanie handed the officer her information.She observed him keenly, noting the exact moment he saw she was deaf. He shot her a quick, sympathetic glance. Melanie stiffened her shoulders and tossed her hair. “Are you going to give me a ticket?” she asked.Her voice must have bellowed because he stepped back. “You can speak?”She nodded. “I also read lips.” This time she spoke above a whisper, she hoped. She squinted her eyes to read his name badge—Officer Chase Lawson. His name suited him.“Where are you rushing to this morning, Ms. Benson?” he asked, making sure she could see his mouth.Hearing the surname Benson jolted Melanie’s memory. She had a flashback of laying in the hospital bed. Her mama had taken her the next morning once she had awakened from her stupor. Melanie remembered her mother’s screams and terrified eyes. Uncle had been long gone. That day began her journey towards a whole new life. Melanie found out her mother had been arrested and she never saw her again.The lady and gentleman in her room that day were Gary and Rhoda Benson, her foster parents. They adopted her and gave her a new name and a new life. Melanie scrunched her nose. Why am I remembering this now?“Ms. Benson?”Melanie started. The officer had a hand on his hip and was waiting for her answer. She pointed to the bank.He smiled revealing a set of beautiful teeth. Officer Lawson patted her hand. Electricity shot through her spine. Her eyes widened. Had he felt that? Melanie affixed her gaze on his hand.His thumb caressed hers before he caught himself and removed his hand. “I’m letting you go with a warning,” Officer Lawson said. He made sure she saw his lips.Did he spare me because I’m deaf? Melanie bristled, “Just give me the ticket if I deserve it.”He shook his head. “Are you going to argue with me because I’m giving you a break?”She thought of the points on her license and her insurance bill. He was right. Why was she even arguing? “No, Officer,” Melanie said. “I’ll be sure to go to bed on time tonight.”He gave a little smile and held out his hand to return her documents to her. “See that you do that.”Their hands met. This time there was no denying the electric bolt shooting through her system. Her eyes met his. She knew he felt it too. His eyes narrowed. Officer Lawson looked around the still empty parking lot.“Melanie?”She covered her eyes with her hands to look at him. The sun was already out and viciously making its presence felt.“Listen, I know this is unconventional and in my five years on the job, I’ve never done this.” His eyes met her brown ones. He laid that smile on her again. “I’m Chase Lawson.” He held out his hand. Melanie touched his hand briefly.Her heart thumped but she made a point to look at her watch. Spit it out.“Would you like to meet up for a cup of coffee sometime?” he asked. “I’m feeling a connection here and I’d like to explore it further—”Melanie shook her head. “I can’t.”Chase held a hand up. “Oh, sorry. I should have asked if you’re seeing someone.” She watched a red hue build on his face.“I’m not,” Melanie said. She jutted her chin. “I don’t like cops. Thanks for the warning, Officer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for work.”Melanie opened her door and slammed it with a decisive shut. She reddened when she saw her floral skirt was caught in the door. She saw Chase's pearly whites and knew he was laughing at her. Melanie ignored him and opened the door to retrieve her skirt.“Have a nice day,” Chase said.Melanie held her head high and made sure she had an extra sway in her hips when she entered the bank. She turned around to see if Chase was still looking. He was already in his car. She swallowed her disappointment.“Who was that?” Rachel Morrison asked. She had been standing near the front door. Rachel and Melanie had been best friends since high school. The two of them, plus Tricia Yang, her adopted sister, made up the Tres Amigas.“I almost got a ticket,” Melanie breathed out, smoothing out her fuchsia blouse.“He could write me up any time,” Rachel said, flipping her shoulder-length blond hair. She did a two-step, not caring she wore a tailored navy blue business suit with matching sandals.Melanie giggled. “You’re such a flirt.”“Yes, and I’m proud of it,” she said, her hazel eyes flashing with excitement. “If that were me, I would have made sure to get his number.”Melanie shook her head. “Actually, he asked me out, but I turned him down.”Rachel furrowed her brows. “That was one fine man. You should have given him a chance.”Melanie pictured Chase’s smile and those green eyes. “I don’t do cops.” She glared. “You know why.”Rachel nodded. “I do, but I don’t agree.” “You don’t have to. I’m the one who has to live with my decision. Not you. Besides between work and my other commitments, I don’t have time for dating.” Melanie made her way to her office and turned on the light. Rachel followed her because Melanie felt a tap on her back.She groaned but turned to face her friend.“You don’t mind Emory,” Rachel said. “He’s a police officer.”“He’s different, and he’s Tricia’s husband. Plus we knew Emory when he was pimpled with thick glasses and braces.”Rachel’s chest moved up and down. “He’s now a perfect 10. Who knew he would have morphed into such a hunk?”Melanie saw Rachel look behind her and swung around. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Their boss, Nancy Devries had arrived. Rachel waved at Nancy before going into the adjacent office. “I need to speak with you,” Nancy said.Melanie took in Nancy’s frumpy white-colored grey dress. Which dumpster did Nancy find that in? “I have a busy day ahead of me,” Melanie said.“This cannot wait. You approved a couple of loans which needed my approval.”Lord, I don’t have time for Nancy’s nitpicking. Melanie looked at her watch. The bank was about to open. “How about we meet at 12:30? I have a couple of investment consultations and two loan reviews this morning.”Nancy bit her lip. “I’ll see you then.” Her eyes swept Melanie’s outfit. “You look colorful.”“And you look …” Melanie scanned her from head to toe, taking in Nancy’s frizzy red hair and ugly brown flats. Melanie shrugged. She could not think of something nice to say. She shrugged.Nancy’s mouth popped open before she stomped off.Melanie felt a hand tap her shoulder. She made eye contact with Rachel. “Couldn’t you be nice? You’re a child of God. You know better.”“Yes, I’m a child of God but I’m not a doormat. Nancy only double-checks my work. She signs off on your stuff without a second glance. But she scrutinizes everything I do.” Melanie signed her next comment. “She’s racist and you know it.”Rachel shook her head. “She’s jealous. Nancy almost got fired when she messed up that money transfer. You were her replacement.” Rachel signed back.A customer entered the bank and Rachel went to greet him. Melanie was glad for the interruption. She wandered back into her office to get started on her day. But, ever so often, Chase’s smiling face flashed before her. She touched her hand where his hand had rested. Then she pushed him out of her mind. Her life was too busy for romance—and romancing a cop was out of the question.
Prologue “I can’t hold it.” Melanie “Lainey” King squeezed her legs together. Crouched over in the dark, she shivered from inside the three-foot oblong closet space. Lainey peered through the folds of the closet door. Her eyes were wide with fear. Mama and Uncle were asleep on the big bed. Lainey slept with Mama unless Uncle came around. Then she had to sleep in the closet.Lainey’s lower body shook. She had to go. Now. She pushed the closet door and crept outside. Lainey inched her way to her mother’s bed.“Mama, I’ve got to go pee.” Lainey whispered as quiet as she could into her mother’s ear. She did not want to wake Uncle. His snore bounced off the walls of the room. Lainey twisted her tattered, once-white nightgown, spotted with dingy brown stains. Her lips quivered.Oh no! A small line of urine trickled down her legs. She cupped her mouth to keep from crying aloud. If she peed on herself, Uncle was going to let her have it. She shook her mother again. “Mama! I’ve got to go to the bathroom!”Mama did not budge. But Uncle did.“What do you want?” He snarled at her into the darkness.Even through the dark, Lainey could see his hateful eyes.Uncle jumped and came around the bed to grab her shoulders. “What do you want?” Lainey’s teeth rattled. She opened her mouth but no words came. With a groan, Lainey emptied her bladder. Tears rolled down her face.“I didn’t mean to,” she said.Uncle sniffed. “Did you pee on the carpet?”Lainey shook her head. “It was an accident.”Uncle bent towards her. His stinky breath hit her in the face. “You’re five years old and old enough to stop peeing on yourself! Your mother’s bragging how smart you are, reading and writing and all that so you know better. But you know what, you’re just plain nasty. Yes, that’s right. You’re scrawny and nasty and I can’t stand the sight of you.”“Ahhh,” Lainey wailed, wiggling her body and holding her head. “Mama,” she screamed, but Mama did not hear her.Uncle dropped Lainey to the ground. He kicked her in the stomach. “I told you what would happen if you peed yourself again because you’re too lazy to go to the bathroom.”“I tried to wake Mama,” Lainey said. “I can’t reach the bathroom light and I’m scared of the dark.”Uncle reached down and snatched her under his arm. “But, no, you want to pee on the floor like you’re a dog.” He rubbed her face into the urine. “I’ll do you like I would a dog.”The pungent smell of her urine hit her nose. Lainey closed her eyes, pinched her lips tight, and closed her mouth. She knew this was the only way to keep from inhaling or swallowing it. Her hair and gown were wet from pee.Lainey bucked her body to fight her way out of Uncle’s strong arms. If he released her, she could run and hide. Her leg kicked him in the groin. With a plop, she landed on the floor.“You kicked me,” Uncle raged.Like a snake, she slithered under the bed. She saw Mama’s legs hit the floor. “Mama!” Lainey yelled.The lights came on.“What’s going on?” Mama seethed. “What’re you doing? Where’s Lainey?”“Your kid peed the floor and I’m tired of it.”Lainey saw his big, white feet at the edge of the bed and cowered into the center.“Don’t you put a hand on her.” Lainey heard her mother’s yell and relaxed. Mama would save her.Then, she felt a hand curl around her foot. She stiffened her body and dug her fingers into the ratty carpet. But Uncle was stronger than she was. He dragged her from under the bed and picked her up feet first, exposing her.“Leave her alone,” Mama cried, beating at Uncle with her fists.Uncle dropped Lainey and shoved Mama. Her mother hit the wall and slinked to the floor. Lainey remembered when they moved into this room and Mama had painted the walls bright yellow. Now the yellow was mixed with dirt from tossed food containers and beer cans. Mama’s head hung near the big hole from when Uncle punched the wall.Lainey saw her mother’s eyes drift close. Her shoulders sagged. Mama would not be able to help her now. Then Uncle redirected his gaze towards her. Lainey gulped. She scrambled over beer cans. Her tiny hands narrowly missed a sharp needle. Mama said never to touch the cans, needles, or white stuff. Ever.Uncle kicked the cans out of the way. He grabbed Lainey by the ears and pulled her to stand. His chest heaved. “I’ll show you what happens to girls who don’t know how to listen.” He bunched his fist and hit her right ear.Lainey screamed and fell to the floor. Her yell made Uncle madder than before; he punched her other ear.Lainey held her head. “Mama!” Uncle punched and punched her ears. Lainey kicked and scratched at him. “Mama!” Uncle punched again. Blood rolled across her face. “Mama … Mama … Help me.” Uncle kept punching away at her ears. Tears, snot, and blood made it hard for her to see but Lainey stretched a hand towards her mother. “Mama. Please … help.” Lainey went limp. Pain dulled her senses and eyes closed. For the first time in her life, Lainey was no longer afraid of the dark.***Shards of bright light hit her face. Lainey screamed. She woke up kicking and fighting. Uncle had been hitting her in the face and she had to stop him. She tried to open her eyes all the way but they hurt. Lainey clutched her head. There was a bandage around her head.“Mama!” Lainey looked around the room. Her heart started beating into her chest. Where am I? She was hooked up to monitors and she was cold. She shivered. Where’s Mama? Lainey screamed as fear shook her body.A short, brown lady—dark like her Mama—came over to her. Lainey could see the woman’s lips moving but she could not hear anything.Lainey panicked. “I can’t hear you. My ears are closed. I can’t hear you.” She grabbed her ears. “Ahhh! I’m trying to scream but I can’t hear myself.”Lainey saw the lady’s head nod and focused on her kind face. She was saying something. The lady wrapped her in her arms. Lainey stilled. This lady won’t hurt me. Lainey welcomed the woman’s soft touch. The lady lowered Lainey back to the bed and bunched the covers around her. Lainey felt a soft kiss on the top of her head.Then the doctor came in. Lainey knew him. He had fixed her broken arm and stitched her busted lip. She was so glad to see someone she recognized. “I know you! You’re Dr. James,” Lainey said. She knew she said the words right because she saw him nod his head.“I can’t hear myself, Dr. James,” Lainey said. “Can you fix my ears?”The lady covered her mouth with her hand.“Why is she crying?” Lainey’s eyes filled with tears. She looked at Dr. James. “I want my mama.”For some reason, her words made the lady cry even more. A tall, skinny man entered the room and Lainey saw the lady run to him. He gave her a hug.Melanie looked at Dr. James. “Please stitch my ears so I can hear. And can you tell Mama where I am? She might be looking for me.” She was surprised to see Dr. James wipe his eyes.She saw the needle he held and tried to move. “Mama said no needles!” She wiggled to the edge of the bed away from Dr. James. But Dr. James held her down. The last thing Lainey felt was the pierce from the needle, and then her eyes closed. “Dratted snooze button,” Melanie muttered. “I just had to press snooze one more time.” Boy did she regret her Thursday night Twilight binge. Melanie had stayed up until 2 a.m. re-watching the four movies in the Twilight saga. Edward, Jacob, and Bella had filled her thoughts that she had not prayed or read her Bible. What she would give to be in Bella’s shoes. She wanted two hot men fighting over her. Heck, she would even settle for one not-so-hot guy calling her ever so often. In her small town of Port Charlotte, pickings were slim, especially for someone with a disability.Melanie blew her curls out of her face and zipped her grey Infiniti across the lanes. It was mid-January, peak season for snowbirds. The normally scanty traffic lanes on U.S. 41 were packed with Canadian license plates. It was close to 7:30 a.m. Where were all these people going at this hour? Aren’t they supposed to be retired?Melanie saw the amber light ahead and hit the accelerator. She could not miss the light or she would be late and Nancy would be in her face. Melanie whizzed through the light right before it switched to red. She made a fist. Yes! She put on her indicator to make the left turn on Cochran Blvd. Melanie escalated to catch the green turning arrow. She glanced at the clock. She had two minutes to spare. Then she looked into the rearview mirror.Her eyes widened. Red and blue lights twinkled behind her. Moving at snail’s pace, Melanie pulled into the mini mall. Because of the early hour, they weren’t many cars in the lot. Besides the Wells Fargo, there was a Books-A-Million, Staples, Big Lots, and a McDonald’s. She hoped the officer would keep going. But he followed her. She pulled into a parking space.Great. Not only was she late, she was also going to be ticketed right outside her job. Melanie served as a bank loan officer and her manager stayed on her butt. Lord, please, now would be a good time for you to show up and show out.Melanie looked into her left side mirror. She saw tall, muscular legs unfold out of the unmarked police car. He had to be at least 6'3" with light brown hair cropped low on his head. He whipped off his sunglasses. Melanie took hers off as well.And, he was hot. She watched his confident stride. This man should be strutting on a runway somewhere. It was a sin he had his body covered under that green uniform, although he wore it well. She stole a glance at her reflection in the mirror. Her curls were in disarray. She rolled her eyes. Figures, I would be having a bad hair day.The officer tapped on her glass. Melanie plastered a smile on her face and lowered her window. She could smell the McDonald’s biscuits and coffee. Her stomach rumbled. There was no way she would have time to hit the drive-thru.Melanie made sure to keep her eyes on his lips. His lips parted to reveal white teeth and a beautiful smile.“License and insurance,” he said.Her breath caught. His sharp green eyes made her think of running through the lush fields on a hot Florida day. She nodded and dug her hands into her brown oversized Coach bag until she found her wallet. Her hands shook. This was only her second time being pulled over.Melanie handed the officer her information.She observed him keenly, noting the exact moment he saw she was deaf. He shot her a quick, sympathetic glance. Melanie stiffened her shoulders and tossed her hair. “Are you going to give me a ticket?” she asked.Her voice must have bellowed because he stepped back. “You can speak?”She nodded. “I also read lips.” This time she spoke above a whisper, she hoped. She squinted her eyes to read his name badge—Officer Chase Lawson. His name suited him.“Where are you rushing to this morning, Ms. Benson?” he asked, making sure she could see his mouth.Hearing the surname Benson jolted Melanie’s memory. She had a flashback of laying in the hospital bed. Her mama had taken her the next morning once she had awakened from her stupor. Melanie remembered her mother’s screams and terrified eyes. Uncle had been long gone. That day began her journey towards a whole new life. Melanie found out her mother had been arrested and she never saw her again.The lady and gentleman in her room that day were Gary and Rhoda Benson, her foster parents. They adopted her and gave her a new name and a new life. Melanie scrunched her nose. Why am I remembering this now?“Ms. Benson?”Melanie started. The officer had a hand on his hip and was waiting for her answer. She pointed to the bank.He smiled revealing a set of beautiful teeth. Officer Lawson patted her hand. Electricity shot through her spine. Her eyes widened. Had he felt that? Melanie affixed her gaze on his hand.His thumb caressed hers before he caught himself and removed his hand. “I’m letting you go with a warning,” Officer Lawson said. He made sure she saw his lips.Did he spare me because I’m deaf? Melanie bristled, “Just give me the ticket if I deserve it.”He shook his head. “Are you going to argue with me because I’m giving you a break?”She thought of the points on her license and her insurance bill. He was right. Why was she even arguing? “No, Officer,” Melanie said. “I’ll be sure to go to bed on time tonight.”He gave a little smile and held out his hand to return her documents to her. “See that you do that.”Their hands met. This time there was no denying the electric bolt shooting through her system. Her eyes met his. She knew he felt it too. His eyes narrowed. Officer Lawson looked around the still empty parking lot.“Melanie?”She covered her eyes with her hands to look at him. The sun was already out and viciously making its presence felt.“Listen, I know this is unconventional and in my five years on the job, I’ve never done this.” His eyes met her brown ones. He laid that smile on her again. “I’m Chase Lawson.” He held out his hand. Melanie touched his hand briefly.Her heart thumped but she made a point to look at her watch. Spit it out.“Would you like to meet up for a cup of coffee sometime?” he asked. “I’m feeling a connection here and I’d like to explore it further—”Melanie shook her head. “I can’t.”Chase held a hand up. “Oh, sorry. I should have asked if you’re seeing someone.” She watched a red hue build on his face.“I’m not,” Melanie said. She jutted her chin. “I don’t like cops. Thanks for the warning, Officer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for work.”Melanie opened her door and slammed it with a decisive shut. She reddened when she saw her floral skirt was caught in the door. She saw Chase's pearly whites and knew he was laughing at her. Melanie ignored him and opened the door to retrieve her skirt.“Have a nice day,” Chase said.Melanie held her head high and made sure she had an extra sway in her hips when she entered the bank. She turned around to see if Chase was still looking. He was already in his car. She swallowed her disappointment.“Who was that?” Rachel Morrison asked. She had been standing near the front door. Rachel and Melanie had been best friends since high school. The two of them, plus Tricia Yang, her adopted sister, made up the Tres Amigas.“I almost got a ticket,” Melanie breathed out, smoothing out her fuchsia blouse.“He could write me up any time,” Rachel said, flipping her shoulder-length blond hair. She did a two-step, not caring she wore a tailored navy blue business suit with matching sandals.Melanie giggled. “You’re such a flirt.”“Yes, and I’m proud of it,” she said, her hazel eyes flashing with excitement. “If that were me, I would have made sure to get his number.”Melanie shook her head. “Actually, he asked me out, but I turned him down.”Rachel furrowed her brows. “That was one fine man. You should have given him a chance.”Melanie pictured Chase’s smile and those green eyes. “I don’t do cops.” She glared. “You know why.”Rachel nodded. “I do, but I don’t agree.” “You don’t have to. I’m the one who has to live with my decision. Not you. Besides between work and my other commitments, I don’t have time for dating.” Melanie made her way to her office and turned on the light. Rachel followed her because Melanie felt a tap on her back.She groaned but turned to face her friend.“You don’t mind Emory,” Rachel said. “He’s a police officer.”“He’s different, and he’s Tricia’s husband. Plus we knew Emory when he was pimpled with thick glasses and braces.”Rachel’s chest moved up and down. “He’s now a perfect 10. Who knew he would have morphed into such a hunk?”Melanie saw Rachel look behind her and swung around. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Their boss, Nancy Devries had arrived. Rachel waved at Nancy before going into the adjacent office. “I need to speak with you,” Nancy said.Melanie took in Nancy’s frumpy white-colored grey dress. Which dumpster did Nancy find that in? “I have a busy day ahead of me,” Melanie said.“This cannot wait. You approved a couple of loans which needed my approval.”Lord, I don’t have time for Nancy’s nitpicking. Melanie looked at her watch. The bank was about to open. “How about we meet at 12:30? I have a couple of investment consultations and two loan reviews this morning.”Nancy bit her lip. “I’ll see you then.” Her eyes swept Melanie’s outfit. “You look colorful.”“And you look …” Melanie scanned her from head to toe, taking in Nancy’s frizzy red hair and ugly brown flats. Melanie shrugged. She could not think of something nice to say. She shrugged.Nancy’s mouth popped open before she stomped off.Melanie felt a hand tap her shoulder. She made eye contact with Rachel. “Couldn’t you be nice? You’re a child of God. You know better.”“Yes, I’m a child of God but I’m not a doormat. Nancy only double-checks my work. She signs off on your stuff without a second glance. But she scrutinizes everything I do.” Melanie signed her next comment. “She’s racist and you know it.”Rachel shook her head. “She’s jealous. Nancy almost got fired when she messed up that money transfer. You were her replacement.” Rachel signed back.A customer entered the bank and Rachel went to greet him. Melanie was glad for the interruption. She wandered back into her office to get started on her day. But, ever so often, Chase’s smiling face flashed before her. She touched her hand where his hand had rested. Then she pushed him out of her mind. Her life was too busy for romance—and romancing a cop was out of the question.February 12, 2015
Hot off the Presses! When the Real Thing Comes Along
Title: When the Real Thing Comes AlongAuthor: Faith SimoneGenre(s): Contemporary Romance, Inspirational Fiction, Edgy Christian FictionRelease Date: February 13, 2015Giveaway HTML code included at the bottom!
About the Book
She loved and lost…Will faith give her the courage she needs to love again? Jacelynn appears to have it all together: a great relationship with her boyfriend Jason who is truly a man after God’s own heart, a decent career and the love of family and friends. But when an unwelcome reminder from her past shows up, her previously uncomplicated world is turned upside down. Will she jeopardize what she has with Jason in an attempt to rewrite the mistakes of her past? They say you never forget your first love, no matter how hard you try. So far, Jacelynn has done a pretty good job of forgetting Taylor, the boy who had her heart first. When Taylor returns several years later as a man requesting a second chance, what’s a girl to do…Especially when she already has a new man?The hidden issues of Jacelynn’s heart come to light and she’s forced take a hard look in the mirror while making choices that will change her future forever. Will she be able to reconcile who she was then, with who she is in Christ now? Living and loving in faith isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. That’s what happens… When the Real Thing Comes Along
EXCERPT
She struggled to absorb all that he’d told her. “Why should I believe what you’re saying? How do I know that you’re not here because of your ego?” He cringed. “I understand your reasoning. If I were you, I’d think the same thing about me. I’d think that I was running another game on you, and if you had accepted my explanation without any reservations, you wouldn’t have been the girl I remember and love.” Her airway momentarily constricted. She took a shallow breath. “Don’t . . . don’t say that. You never loved me. Love doesn’t behave the way you did.” She had to believe that, had to believe that no man who ever loved her could hurt her so badly. “You’re right. Love is patient, love is kind, it seeks not its own, it is not boastful, it does not envy. See, I didn’t know about what love truly was back then, but now I do. I know that love never fails.” Her mouth dropped. This man across from her quoting scripture couldn’t possibly be the same person who stepped all over her heart. He grinned. “I see I’ve got you speechless. Jacelynn this is no game. I’m for real. My love for you won’t fail this time around.” “I-I have a boyfriend.” She held her head in her hands, eyes wide with shock. “I have a boyfriend.” She hadn’t thought of Jason once since she’d sat down. And here was this good-looking man, saying all the right things. The man who had her heart first, stirring up all kinds of feelings inside of her. He nonchalantly stated, “We’ve met.” “What am I doing here? What am I doing here? I don’t need this drama.” She reached for her purse. “Taylor, I’m ecstatic about your conversion. If you’re sincere, I wish you the best in your walk with God. But as far as you and I go, we’re history. I forgave you a long time ago and I have moved on. I have a beautiful relationship with a man who is established and rooted in God. I’m not jeopardizing that because someone from my past shows up with a few poetic speeches. If you were ever in love at all, it was with a naïve girl who didn’t have sense enough to see you for what you really were; a jive talking immature little boy. I have grown up, and I suggest you do the same.” She stood to leave and he took her hand as she attempted to pass him. “I won’t pretend that hearing what you think about me doesn’t hurt. But I’ve grown up. You’re rejecting me based on my past and that’s fine. I’ve rejected it too. But I need for you to give me the chance to show you’ve I’ve changed.” She glared down at him. “I don’t owe you anything.” “You’re right, you don’t. But I owe you so much. If you didn’t see my flaws, it was because you were looking at my heart. You saw what I could be and you loved me.” He stood up and his proximity to her made it difficult for her to breathe. When his lips touched her ear, she turned her head away. “I’m not going anywhere Ja. I don’t mind proving who I’ve become to you. And as far as your little boyfriend goes, you never said you loved him.” He waited. She knew he was giving her time to confess her love for Jason now. When she only lifted glittering angry eyes to him, he continued, “I don’t mind if he’s holding you now. Go ahead and lean on his shoulder for a while. But it’s me you’ll be thinking about and it’s me you’ll be remembering.” She snatched her hand out of his and stepped back, hoping to diminish the heat ricocheting between their bodies. “Your so called love won’t fail this time around, because there’s never going to be another chance for us. Never.” She turned and walked out of the restaurant without looking back. CBuy LinksAmazon: http://amzn.com/B00SRRKTPY(The e-book will also be available on Barnes & Noble Nook, however I don’t have the buy link at this time, as the publication date is in the future and they don’t offer it in advance. If you don’t mind searching and adding it to your post after publication, I’d appreciate it. If you don’t, I still appreciate everything else you’ve done!)
About the Author
Faith Simone is a poet, playwright and novelist. She is also an active blogger, sharing her personal thoughts, book reviews and tips for writers on her website FaithSimone.com. Simone is passionate about using her gift of writing as a tool to help promote humanity, understanding and compassion.Social LinksWebsite: FaithSimone.comTwitter: @Faithsimone2011Facebook: Author Faith SimoneGoodreads: Faith Simone
Giveaway Info Faith is giving away Three (3) Amazon Gift Cards! Click on the rafflecopter giveaway button to enter!
Giveaway HTML Codea Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Book
She loved and lost…Will faith give her the courage she needs to love again? Jacelynn appears to have it all together: a great relationship with her boyfriend Jason who is truly a man after God’s own heart, a decent career and the love of family and friends. But when an unwelcome reminder from her past shows up, her previously uncomplicated world is turned upside down. Will she jeopardize what she has with Jason in an attempt to rewrite the mistakes of her past? They say you never forget your first love, no matter how hard you try. So far, Jacelynn has done a pretty good job of forgetting Taylor, the boy who had her heart first. When Taylor returns several years later as a man requesting a second chance, what’s a girl to do…Especially when she already has a new man?The hidden issues of Jacelynn’s heart come to light and she’s forced take a hard look in the mirror while making choices that will change her future forever. Will she be able to reconcile who she was then, with who she is in Christ now? Living and loving in faith isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. That’s what happens… When the Real Thing Comes Along
EXCERPT
She struggled to absorb all that he’d told her. “Why should I believe what you’re saying? How do I know that you’re not here because of your ego?” He cringed. “I understand your reasoning. If I were you, I’d think the same thing about me. I’d think that I was running another game on you, and if you had accepted my explanation without any reservations, you wouldn’t have been the girl I remember and love.” Her airway momentarily constricted. She took a shallow breath. “Don’t . . . don’t say that. You never loved me. Love doesn’t behave the way you did.” She had to believe that, had to believe that no man who ever loved her could hurt her so badly. “You’re right. Love is patient, love is kind, it seeks not its own, it is not boastful, it does not envy. See, I didn’t know about what love truly was back then, but now I do. I know that love never fails.” Her mouth dropped. This man across from her quoting scripture couldn’t possibly be the same person who stepped all over her heart. He grinned. “I see I’ve got you speechless. Jacelynn this is no game. I’m for real. My love for you won’t fail this time around.” “I-I have a boyfriend.” She held her head in her hands, eyes wide with shock. “I have a boyfriend.” She hadn’t thought of Jason once since she’d sat down. And here was this good-looking man, saying all the right things. The man who had her heart first, stirring up all kinds of feelings inside of her. He nonchalantly stated, “We’ve met.” “What am I doing here? What am I doing here? I don’t need this drama.” She reached for her purse. “Taylor, I’m ecstatic about your conversion. If you’re sincere, I wish you the best in your walk with God. But as far as you and I go, we’re history. I forgave you a long time ago and I have moved on. I have a beautiful relationship with a man who is established and rooted in God. I’m not jeopardizing that because someone from my past shows up with a few poetic speeches. If you were ever in love at all, it was with a naïve girl who didn’t have sense enough to see you for what you really were; a jive talking immature little boy. I have grown up, and I suggest you do the same.” She stood to leave and he took her hand as she attempted to pass him. “I won’t pretend that hearing what you think about me doesn’t hurt. But I’ve grown up. You’re rejecting me based on my past and that’s fine. I’ve rejected it too. But I need for you to give me the chance to show you’ve I’ve changed.” She glared down at him. “I don’t owe you anything.” “You’re right, you don’t. But I owe you so much. If you didn’t see my flaws, it was because you were looking at my heart. You saw what I could be and you loved me.” He stood up and his proximity to her made it difficult for her to breathe. When his lips touched her ear, she turned her head away. “I’m not going anywhere Ja. I don’t mind proving who I’ve become to you. And as far as your little boyfriend goes, you never said you loved him.” He waited. She knew he was giving her time to confess her love for Jason now. When she only lifted glittering angry eyes to him, he continued, “I don’t mind if he’s holding you now. Go ahead and lean on his shoulder for a while. But it’s me you’ll be thinking about and it’s me you’ll be remembering.” She snatched her hand out of his and stepped back, hoping to diminish the heat ricocheting between their bodies. “Your so called love won’t fail this time around, because there’s never going to be another chance for us. Never.” She turned and walked out of the restaurant without looking back. CBuy LinksAmazon: http://amzn.com/B00SRRKTPY(The e-book will also be available on Barnes & Noble Nook, however I don’t have the buy link at this time, as the publication date is in the future and they don’t offer it in advance. If you don’t mind searching and adding it to your post after publication, I’d appreciate it. If you don’t, I still appreciate everything else you’ve done!)
About the Author
Faith Simone is a poet, playwright and novelist. She is also an active blogger, sharing her personal thoughts, book reviews and tips for writers on her website FaithSimone.com. Simone is passionate about using her gift of writing as a tool to help promote humanity, understanding and compassion.Social LinksWebsite: FaithSimone.comTwitter: @Faithsimone2011Facebook: Author Faith SimoneGoodreads: Faith Simone
Giveaway Info Faith is giving away Three (3) Amazon Gift Cards! Click on the rafflecopter giveaway button to enter!
Giveaway HTML Codea Rafflecopter giveaway
February 11, 2015
Hot Off the Presses! Society Wives by Renee Daniel Flagler
Society Wives
Blurb
Meet the Days, Howards, Madison, and Lees. Four wealthy couples obsessed with keeping up appearances. Pearson, Vonita, Nadalia and Ryan want the world to believe that they live flawlessly prosperous lives but behind the custom made doors of their elaborate mansions, lay salacious secrets that are becoming harder to hide. Pearson may be forced to choose between her husband and vodka. Vonita could be at risk of losing her lavish fairytale lifestyle but only finds out when it’s too late to do anything about it. Nadalia’s picture perfect life seems to be slowly falling apart at the seams until an ugly truth finally shatters her world. And for Ryan, living under the thumb of an A-list husband isn’t all that it is cracked up to be—especially since she doesn’t seem to know where he is half the time. Saving face may be a priority for these wives but scandal, addiction, financial ruin, and infidelity threaten to reveal their truths to the world—and worst of all, each other.
About The Author
Renee Daniel Flagler is an award-winning freelance journalist, award-nominated author, teaching artist, a seasoned marketing professional and relationship expert on Chicago radio stations, Power 92.3, Soul 106.3, and Rejoice 102. Renee has treasured the art of writing since she was a young girl and in 2004 she took her love of creative writing seriously and self-published her first novel, Mountain High, Valley Low. She later released Miss-Guided, and the highly-anticipated sequel to her first book entitled, In Her Mind. Renee’s latest novel is Raging Blue. She is currently working on her next releases, Still Raging and The Relationship Survival Guide. Renee is the founder of The Self-Publishing Symposium, a business conference for self and independent publishers, The S’Indie Awards, which honors the works and accomplishments of self and independent publishers and the Divas of Literature Tour, a multicity book tour. Renee is the founder of SheBiz.net a lifestyle blog for women pursuing their passions. Renee received an award for Excellence in Journalism by the New York Association of Black Journalists, was honored by Black Star News for her accomplishments in business for starting the Self-Publishing Symposium, and honored at the 2009 Unlock Your Dreams conference. She also received the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2005 by C&B Books Distribution. Renee and her works have been featured in The Network Journal, Ebony Magazine, The New York Amsterdam News, Our Times, Caribbean Life, Jolie Magazine, Booking Matters, and Black Star News to name a few. She has also appeared on The Angie Le Mar Show on Choice FM, the UK’s leading Hip Hop and R&B station, WAOK Talk Radio in Atlanta and WHCR in New York City. Renee teaches creative writing in the Arts in Education programs of the New York City and Nassau County Departments of Education. She’s also dedicated to mentoring at-risk teens and impacting literacy in inner city communities through her mentoring program, Futures by Design. Renee is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing and is a graduate of New School University with a Masters in Media Arts, and St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She is a member of the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter Inc.
Contacthttp://reneedanielflagler.com/rflagler@aspicomm.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ReneeDanielFlaglerLinkshttp://www.amazon.com/Renee-Daniel-Flagler/e/B001JS57BO/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1http://browngirlspublishing.com/catalog-item/society-wives/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1345414.Renee_Daniel_Flagler
Blurb
Meet the Days, Howards, Madison, and Lees. Four wealthy couples obsessed with keeping up appearances. Pearson, Vonita, Nadalia and Ryan want the world to believe that they live flawlessly prosperous lives but behind the custom made doors of their elaborate mansions, lay salacious secrets that are becoming harder to hide. Pearson may be forced to choose between her husband and vodka. Vonita could be at risk of losing her lavish fairytale lifestyle but only finds out when it’s too late to do anything about it. Nadalia’s picture perfect life seems to be slowly falling apart at the seams until an ugly truth finally shatters her world. And for Ryan, living under the thumb of an A-list husband isn’t all that it is cracked up to be—especially since she doesn’t seem to know where he is half the time. Saving face may be a priority for these wives but scandal, addiction, financial ruin, and infidelity threaten to reveal their truths to the world—and worst of all, each other.
About The Author
Renee Daniel Flagler is an award-winning freelance journalist, award-nominated author, teaching artist, a seasoned marketing professional and relationship expert on Chicago radio stations, Power 92.3, Soul 106.3, and Rejoice 102. Renee has treasured the art of writing since she was a young girl and in 2004 she took her love of creative writing seriously and self-published her first novel, Mountain High, Valley Low. She later released Miss-Guided, and the highly-anticipated sequel to her first book entitled, In Her Mind. Renee’s latest novel is Raging Blue. She is currently working on her next releases, Still Raging and The Relationship Survival Guide. Renee is the founder of The Self-Publishing Symposium, a business conference for self and independent publishers, The S’Indie Awards, which honors the works and accomplishments of self and independent publishers and the Divas of Literature Tour, a multicity book tour. Renee is the founder of SheBiz.net a lifestyle blog for women pursuing their passions. Renee received an award for Excellence in Journalism by the New York Association of Black Journalists, was honored by Black Star News for her accomplishments in business for starting the Self-Publishing Symposium, and honored at the 2009 Unlock Your Dreams conference. She also received the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2005 by C&B Books Distribution. Renee and her works have been featured in The Network Journal, Ebony Magazine, The New York Amsterdam News, Our Times, Caribbean Life, Jolie Magazine, Booking Matters, and Black Star News to name a few. She has also appeared on The Angie Le Mar Show on Choice FM, the UK’s leading Hip Hop and R&B station, WAOK Talk Radio in Atlanta and WHCR in New York City. Renee teaches creative writing in the Arts in Education programs of the New York City and Nassau County Departments of Education. She’s also dedicated to mentoring at-risk teens and impacting literacy in inner city communities through her mentoring program, Futures by Design. Renee is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing and is a graduate of New School University with a Masters in Media Arts, and St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She is a member of the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter Inc.
Contacthttp://reneedanielflagler.com/rflagler@aspicomm.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ReneeDanielFlaglerLinkshttp://www.amazon.com/Renee-Daniel-Flagler/e/B001JS57BO/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1http://browngirlspublishing.com/catalog-item/society-wives/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1345414.Renee_Daniel_Flagler
February 9, 2015
Author is giving away 2 Free E- books and 2 Fre...
Author is giving away 2 Free E- books and 2 Free signed paperbacks. Enter contest below.Living in the Seventh DayAuthor: Jeanetta BrittGenre: Christian FictionPublisher: Twelve Stones Publishing LLC (September 30, 2014)ISBN-10: 069-2300503ISBN-13: 978-0692300503
*Amazon Bestseller!*
Jasmine, Leeza, and Cristal are thrown together by a chance meeting at the Atlanta Airport during Hurricane Allee. Under normal circumstances, these three diverse women wouldn't have said word-one to each other. By all appearances, they have absolutely nothing in common. But during the long layover caused by the killer storm, they're forced to set aside their differences--at least for the moment--and form a lasting connection. Going their separate ways, it's not long before their own well-ordered plans spiral out of control. Will their lives be blown away like their broken dreams and the six-day reign of Hurricane Allee, or will they be able to help each other find the faith and courage to let go and begin again...Living in the Seventh Day?
Bestselling author and award-winning poet, Jeanetta Britt, graduated with honors from Fisk University and The University of Michigan. She completed a successful executive career in Dallas, Texas, before returning to her native Alabama to live and to write. "My faith in Jesus Christ means more to me than anything, and it has proven to be the most valuable asset in my life," she says. "That's why I write Christian Fiction novels and Gospel poetry...to share the love!" Jeanetta's novels are also filled with juicy drama and edgy suspense--exciting the senses while inspiring the soul. She also writes inspirational poetry.In addition to being a sought-after encourager for youth and adults, alike, Jeanetta is also an avid gardener and community advocate. She founded Twelve Stones CDC—a non-profit organization that operates two community gardens in rural Alabama. “We provide free, fresh food for our community and an opportunity for our youth and senior citizens to form vital intergenerational bonds--and get some free exercise, companionship and sunshine, too.” She smiles. “No rules—just love!”
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Tour Hosted by: Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours
Author is giving away Two (2) autograph copies of Living in the Seventh Day and (2) e-book copies.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Jeanetta Britt and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com
February 3, 2015
Book Title: The Secret Mandate of RahabGenre: Christian N...
Book Title: The Secret Mandate of RahabGenre: Christian Non-FictionAuthor: Dr. Ezreaonne JacksonPaperback: 96 pagesISBN-10: 1300191856ISBN-13: 978-1300191858[image error] About the Author
Retired from being a Senior Pastor and refocused to oversee her Spiritual daughter’s pastoral mandate, Dr. Ezreaonne Jackson embraces a new chapter in her life. Her endeavors are to further her education to include Marketing and Media, serve her community, utilize life coaching skills, embark on International ministry and expand her literary expressions. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theological Studies from the Regency Christian College in Jacksonville, Florida and received an Honorary Doctorate in Ministry from Trinity Bible College in Richmond, VA.Dr. Ezreaonne Jackson’s message is one that is precise in the strategy of developing and defining vision and purpose.
[image error] About the Book
We must come to a place in our lives that our self-worth and value are esteemed and in unity with the Father’s worth for us. You too can resurrect from the ashes of your past, the mockery that crouches on the stoop of your incarcerated life, and resume a position to charge with aim and tenacity to get your life back!The relevance of this book addresses the common thread of the wrong turns in life which man and women make when searching for their true identity and purpose for life. Our postmodern philosophy masks an old social outcast profession by bringing glamour to degradation and self-mutilation renaming it reality shows. Dr. Ezreaonne Jackson brings to the forefront how a life can spiral downward when the need to belong is mishandled and abused. A compelling and powerful memoir that has the potential to bring healing, hope, comfort and faith to the reader.
Buy Link Amazon: http://amzn.com/1300191856Author website: http://www.ezreaonnejackson.org
Social Links Twitter: https://twitter.com/ezreaonneWebsite: http://www.ezreaonnejackson.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezreaonne.jackson
January 31, 2015
Now on E-Book
THE FALL OF THE PRODIGAL is Available on Kindle and Nook! Ready to Read.
Order Your CopyExcerpt
Rape.
What an ugly four-letter word. The very idea was preposterous. He had been arrested for rape. Michael Ward shook his head, remembering the charges written under his mug shot. He did not have to take any woman by force. Look at him.
He was at the top of his game. He began as an architectural designer. Then he moved into real estate where he purchased, rebuilt, and resold properties. It took some time, but his name meant something in the hotel resort business. Patrons knew any building bearing the MJW seal signified quality and topnotch service, for a price, of course. He had two MJW hotels in New York City, three in Atlanta, two in London, and one in Dubai. He had spa resorts sprinkled across Florida, Texas, and Chicago, all with the MJW stamp of approval.
Now, after all his hard work to build his empire, Michael could not imagine a nineteen-year-old bringing him to his knees.
Last week, he had been cracking open a bottle of champagne, celebrating his newest property acquisition in Colorado. This week, he was squatting in the corner of a four-foot cell, waiting on Verona “Tiger” Stachs to post his bail and negotiate the terms of his release.
How had he gotten here?
He had been booked on multiple sex and assault charges and had almost lost his cool at his arraignment. The fact that it was September 11 was not lost on him either.
Someone had set him up, and once he was out of here, he intended to find that person and make him pay. For the past few years of his life, Michael had become an expert at payback.Copyright (2015) by Michelle LIndo-Rice
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Order Your CopyExcerptRape.
What an ugly four-letter word. The very idea was preposterous. He had been arrested for rape. Michael Ward shook his head, remembering the charges written under his mug shot. He did not have to take any woman by force. Look at him.
He was at the top of his game. He began as an architectural designer. Then he moved into real estate where he purchased, rebuilt, and resold properties. It took some time, but his name meant something in the hotel resort business. Patrons knew any building bearing the MJW seal signified quality and topnotch service, for a price, of course. He had two MJW hotels in New York City, three in Atlanta, two in London, and one in Dubai. He had spa resorts sprinkled across Florida, Texas, and Chicago, all with the MJW stamp of approval.
Now, after all his hard work to build his empire, Michael could not imagine a nineteen-year-old bringing him to his knees.
Last week, he had been cracking open a bottle of champagne, celebrating his newest property acquisition in Colorado. This week, he was squatting in the corner of a four-foot cell, waiting on Verona “Tiger” Stachs to post his bail and negotiate the terms of his release.
How had he gotten here?
He had been booked on multiple sex and assault charges and had almost lost his cool at his arraignment. The fact that it was September 11 was not lost on him either.
Someone had set him up, and once he was out of here, he intended to find that person and make him pay. For the past few years of his life, Michael had become an expert at payback.Copyright (2015) by Michelle LIndo-Rice
Purchase on AmazonPurchase on Barnes and Noble
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