In the book of 1 Samuel, we find Samuel has been sleeping but he hears a voice calling out to him repeatedly. Because he does not yet know the Lord, he mistakes the voice for that of Eli. After the third calling, Eli advises Samuel that it is the Lord calling to him, and when he hears His voice again, he should acknowledge the Lord and let him know that His servant is listening. When the Lord finally did speak, He confided in Samuel the plans that He had for Eli's family.

I can imagine that Samuel was probably nervous, excited, and maybe even a little afraid knowing the Lord wanted to speak with him. Scripture tells us in verse 1, a word from the Lord in those days had become rare and there weren't many visions as in times past. We can relate to that today.

However, I believe there are times when the Lord speaks to us. We have to be sensitive to the calling of Holy Spirit and to the voice of Almighty God speaking to us. There may be times that like Samuel, we don't recognize His voice. That doesn't always mean that we aren't in relationship with Him. I believe in these times, we get so caught up in the ways of this world and in daily living that we become "de-sensitized," if I can use that, to His voice.

Internet, social media, school, work, families, extracurricular activities, and financial and health issues all lead to stress, causing us to become consumed with worry and LIFE. When we are overwhelmed like this, it is easy to miss the voice of the Lord. However, He always has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). One that won't fail, and will eliminate the stress if we only trust Him to guide us. But how can we hear His voice, when we're so consumed with the world?

1. EARLY PRAYER - We must first carve out time to get alone with the Lord. Starting your day off early in the morning to allow Him to guide your day is instrumental. He provides solid instruction for what we should do throughout the day, and how to maintain ourselves in every encounter.
2. MEDITATE ON HIS WORD - Read His Word in the morning before you start your day. Meditate on some key points in the selected passage and ask Him to show you how to apply it to your life, or what you can learn from it.
   
3. SEEK GUIDANCE - Ask Him for instruction in various areas of your life. When you encounter situations, ask the Lord what to do and how to handle it. Don't move full steam ahead without hearing His response.
   
4. WAIT - Always wait to hear what the Lord says. In the morning when you pray, when you meditate on His Word, and when you seek His counsel. He wants to speak to you, as much as you desire to hear from Him. You must be patient.
   
5. UNPLUG - Turn off the radio, stay away from social media for a day or two, disconnect from distractions in your daily world. Sometimes, our brains are so flooded with messages from a variety of medium that we cannot enjoy a moment of peace and silence. It's in those moments of peace and silence that we're best able to connect with the Almighty and learn what He desires from us. We live in a world where we need constant and instant gratification and entertainment, that it is difficult to shut it down. Yet, that's when we become refreshed, rejuvenated, and empowered to be at our best and to draw closer to the Lord, Who will in turn draw near unto us (James 4:7-8).
   
6. RECOGNIZE - It isn't always a deep spiritual experience that you will undergo when the Lord speaks. Learn to recognize His voice, or His counsel in the reading of His Word, the voice of a family member, friend, co-worker, or even a complete stranger. You may find the answers you seek in a song playing on the radio, a book you're reading, or something someone says. The Lord will bring His answers in a variety of ways and they will always align with His Word. Just focus and pay attention.
   

Every day is not always easy to stay focused on hearing the Lord and pulling away from the cares of this world. However, if you take one step at a time and spend time in prayer and in His Word daily, it will become second-nature to you. Below are a few scriptures that will give you more insight into hearing from the Lord.

STRENGTHENED IN OUR FAITH (ROMANS 10:17)
CALL AND RESPONSE (JEREMIAH 33:3)
FOLLOWING HIS GUIDANCE (ISAIAH 30:21)
VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (JOHN 16:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALWAYS WITH US (JOHN 14:16-17)

This wraps up another Motivational Monday Moment. I would love to hear from you, so share your favorite Scripture, or an encouraging thought you have about hearing from the Lord.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

Write Now Literary is pleased to be coordinating a blog tour for Edward King. This tour will run August 23.  Book your own tour here.
 
Book Title: The Works of Christ My Proof of God's Existence           
Genre: Christian, Poetry, Inspirational
           
Paperback
ISBN: 9781498464451

In August 2010, Edward King was in a traumatic car accident that nearly ended his young life. From this accident, he had an incredible out-of-body experience. This is his story along with a collection of simple poetry designed to help one come closer to Christ.

TO PURCHASE:
https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781498464451&HC_ISBN=

Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday and a Fabulous Release! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

It's a #writerwednesday and today I'm sharing a throwback novel for many of you who aren't familiar with it. Is The Grass Really Greener shares the lives of 5 best friends, struggling with individual challenges. Each woman is comparing her own life to the lives of one of the other women in the group, desiring to have a different life. Yet, none of them truly know the other's deepest secrets.

Today, beautiful, feisty, and smart Pavielle is facing the largest challenge and scare of her life. Read on...

“Damn!” Pavi said aloud as she slammed the phone down on its cradle.

She breathed a deep sigh, reflecting on the phone call. Dr. Schwartz wanted to see her in the office today. That could only mean one thing…she might be dealing with the “C” word. 

Pavi recalled the morning that she had first found the swelling when she was finishing her shower before heading off to work. Santiago, her boyfriend, had already left for work after spending the night with her. She was finishing a hot and refreshing shower, reminiscing about the night before, when she started her breast self-exam. It was something she had done every month since she was a teenager, and an act she recommended to all of her family and friends. Pavi was diligent about being a health conscious person, working out, eating healthy, meditating, routine doctor visits, and staying as stress-free as possible.

It can’t be what I think it is…is it? No I’m being neurotic that wasn’t anything, just a little swelling, she thought to herself. Perhaps I have some type of bacterial infection under my arm, she attempted to reason with herself. She knew that it wasn’t there last month…or was it?

Before she allowed her anxieties to kick in, she got out the shower, dried off and made the call to Dr. Schwartz’s office for an appointment. That had been almost two weeks ago, and now she was getting the phone call that she had anticipated and dreaded simultaneously.

She turned away from her desk and stared out the window at the fountain in the park across the street­- seeing but not seeing. Her view of the square was exquisite, but it didn't hold her attention at the moment. Tapping a long Platinum Pink lacquered nail against her pearly white teeth, her mind was a million miles away. Strategic planning was her strength, not indecision. Indecision was for the weak, it was for the confused. She lived life on her own terms and dictated what did and did not happen. And that's what she was about to do now. She took her long, red hair and pulled it up into a messy bun, and plopped down into the high-backed tan leather swivel chair.

Picking up the phone, Pavi dialed extension 5387 for her assistant Carolyn.

“Yes, Ms. Herrera?”

 “I have three appointments today and I need you to reschedule them for me for some other time or preferably another day.”

“Okay, let me know which ones you would like to change. You have an 11:30 with Pete Ogilvie, a 3:15 with Nicholas Hambrick and a 1:00 lunch with Sharon in accounting, and that’s been rescheduled twice,” Carolyn stated with a bit of warning in her voice. If Pavi decided not to keep these appointments, it would be Carolyn’s responsibility to cancel, and she knew that Sharon was not happy about the two canceled luncheons already. She would never take her frustration out on Pavi, but Carolyn would definitely feel the effects of Sharon’s exasperation.

“Damn,” Pavi said again for the second time in less than five minutes. “Cancel my three o’clock with Nick until next week, and I’ll contact Sharon. It’s already after eleven so Pete’s probably on his way. Update my calendar for Nick and send a birthday card to Mike Eggers.”

Pavi hung up the phone before Carolyn could reply. Carolyn didn’t take offense at it; she knew that Pavi had just received a call from her doctor’s office and she had been distracted all week. Carolyn made a mental note to get Pavi a Thinking of You card.  Pavi had been a wonderful boss over the course of the past two years since Carolyn had been working at the real estate management firm, and was always thoughtful of what was going on in Carolyn’s life.

“Sharon…I’m rescheduling our luncheon this afternoon. Yes, the reports are in now, but I have to handle something that can’t be helped. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to consult your schedule and tell me what available opening you have on Monday. Yes, sure, I promise we can meet on Monday for lunch…on second thought scratch that; let’s move it to first thing Monday at nine, are you open?”

Pavi listened with a small thread of patience as Sharon consulted her calendar. They scheduled their meeting for Monday morning at nine, and Pavi hung up to prepare for her meeting with Pete Ogilvie. Life would go on.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Writer Wednesday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." Proverbs 19:21 ESV

Hey, y'all. I know it's been a while and for the last several months I seem to be in and out of social media space and blogging. I haven't given up on any of this and I hope you haven't given up on me. I have been busily plugging away at learning a new job that has consumed so much of my time. So, if you follow me on social media I announced on Friday that it was the last day of being a contractor for the Coca-Cola company.

At the beginning of October 2017 I was laid off from my HR job at a local company. There were a total of 176 of us that were part of a RIF (reduction in force). For the first time ever, I signed up with a temp agency (last resort) after applying for a job with them that I didn't realize was through a temp agency.

Long story short...in December of last year they placed me in the payroll department with Coca-Cola here in Atlanta, which has led to a full-time position. Praise Almighty God! Now, I've had payroll experience, but nothing like I've gained in the last 8 1/2 months. So, I'm back in business and focused. But my true purpose here today is to share with you a pain point in life for me, and I hope you will find motivation or inspiration in it for your journey ahead. Read on...

*******************************************************************

I am often conflicted. I know what I want to do, yet, it seems no matter how hard I may push in a specific direction I find myself somewhere entirely different. Almost like fighting against the wind. I have found this truth evident in may areas of my life, but especially in my career. When I slow up long enough to consider it, I know exactly why that is.

My plans that I make for myself are often dictated by my wants, my emotions, and my desires. They are not in alignment with Almighty God's will for my life, and I have not given them to Him in prayer, trusting Him with every facet of my life. I have not trusted Him to guide me and understanding that He knows what He has purposed for me.

In those rare events that I do sit back and wait on Him, ALL IS WELL.

I pursued my degree in Human Resources Management and received my MBA. I have worked in plenty of HR roles and gained expansive experience and knowledge, yet, I somehow always come back to roles dealing with NUMBERS.

I HATE NUMBERS!

Or that was the lie I always used to tell myself. As a child, I struggled in math and my father, who was excellent at it, was an impatient and lackluster teacher at best. If I struggled with a particular concept, rather than encouraging me and exhibiting patience, or trying to find a better way to ingrain the theory in my head, he would belittle me. Therefore, math became synonymous with fear, inadequacy, failure, and just being plain dumb.

It wasn't until years later that my husband would teach me various concepts of breaking math down in its simplest components that I realized it wasn't as difficult as I feared. But I still didn't like it. The next thing I know, I'm working at a bank, then in an accounting department, and so on and so forth.

So, maybe I don't hate math. I just dislike it, right?

Still, years later after my husband taught me how to tackle and face my issues dealing with math, I came to realize that I'm not afraid of it. When I finally tied my loathing for math back to my childhood experiences, I understood that I had this thing on lock. Writing and reading are still my core and favorite subjects and areas that I know I'm gifted in, but math no longer seems daunting and I embrace challenges to resolve problems and work my way through critical thinking skills. This is an essential skill in payroll, which is where my career has landed me.

Throughout the years, no matter how hard I tried to avoid jobs with high Math functions, the Lord always led me right back there. Why? Well, I believe there were some crucial lessons He wanted me to learn, some important issues He needed me to face, and some healing that He had in store for me. All in lessons of Math. Even more important, I came to learn that facing my fears wasn't as scary as I believed.

And you know what? I think there's so much more He has in store for me in that area, but I will no longer fight it. I'll sit back and allow Him to guide my thoughts, my directions, and the plans for my life. Because only then can I know true peace and success.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

Deborah Ann Spence listed over 60 homes during her first year in Real Estate by cold calling expired listings and 'for sale' by owners (FSBOs). In 2016, Deborah won Rookie of the Year, Top Units Listed, Top Units Sold, Top Combined Units Sold in her sales region in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. This type of success from a rookie agent (without any formal sales training) is unheard of in the industry. Deborah shares her story of what motivated her to stay the course, survive her first year in real estate sales, and to ultimately, come out on top. This is a true story of how one woman turned tragedy into triumph and hardship into success. In Burning Desire, Deborah will share with you the tools needed for success and the activities that, as a new agent or newer agent, should be your primary focus. After reading this book, you too, will be inspired and motivated to reach the top level of your field in real estate, mortgages, finance, investments, or whatever you choose to do. This is an opportunity for you to change your life. It was for Deborah, and it will be for you, as well. Purchase your copy today. Do not wait. As they say in real estate: time is of the essence.

"Once you dig down deep and find your burning desire, you will be able to use that as a motivating force."
--Deborah Spence, top-ranking realtor and author of Burning Desire
www.tinyurl.com/BurningDesireMotivational

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Deborah would love to hear from you!

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

It's another Fab Friday and I'm pleased to collaborate with Write Now Literary to be a host for Patricia Bridewell's tour. She's sharing a little something sassy and special from the book, so you can get a glimpse of what you're in for. Read on...

Title: Two Steps Past the Altar
Genre: Genre: Inspirational Romance/Fiction 
ISBN: 978-1732130913
ASIN: B07DCC5XFT


Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Sasha Edmonds, is a motivated high-flyer with a stellar track record. Being the top sales representative and having a fiancé who loves her is more than she could ever imagine. Her life spins in another direction when she discovers that her mom requires a life-saving medication and her fiancé, Damien, may be cheating. Devastated, she breaks off their engagement.

Amid healing, she becomes captivated by Wesley, a wealthy pharmaceutical businessman who may hold the cure for her mom, career, and wounded heart. Romance transforms into a love triangle, surfeit of lies, blackmail, and deception.
A story of love, trust, restoration, and forgiveness.

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Patricia would love to hear from you!

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

Finally! Release day for A Woman's Design: Redemption is here and I couldn't be happier. This novel has been postponed so many times, but sometimes you have to follow the flow of things and it cannot be rushed. I am giving my baby into your hands and it is my prayer that you enjoy it.

If you read #writerwednesday then you already know Ambiance had some 'splainin' to do about a few things. Well, today she's about to learn that dreams do come true. Read on...

One lucky reader who leaves a comment will receive a free copy of A Woman's Design: Redemption. And in celebration of today's release, all of my other novels are available for $0.99 this weekend.

Ambiance – After discovering her husband had an illegitimate child resulting from a lengthy affair, her world was torn in two. His untimely passing left her feeling she had been robbed of the chance to deal with the betrayal. Seeking to give herself a fresh start, she packs up and moves cross country to the West Coast. Pursuing her dreams as a business owner, she’s on top of the world, until the man who caused her to question her marriage comes knocking. Will he mend her broken heart, or uproot her new life and leave it in further disrepair?

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

Paige- Barely escaping a deadly snare created by her own devices, she is searching for healing and redemption. After two years of therapy, Paige is finally ready to face her demons. It won’t be as easy as it seems when accusations are constantly launched at her, and people from her past continue to pop up. A former lover is not ready to let go, and she soon finds herself making similar choices from her past. Will she open her heart up to love and be loved, and will she be convinced to open her life to Christ?
Three best friends search for healing and deliverance from their emotional wounds, as they come to grips that the affliction they’ve borne was at the burden of their own hands. They yearn for the redemption of their sins in the arms of men, the arms of a Savior, and in the eyes of one another.
 
When the heart mourns, redemption is born.

We made small talk as we walked the short distance to his hotel. Fortunately, we were able to stay away from the subject matter of “us.”

He shared with me how successful he had become in real estate development and how profitable his business was. In turn, I told him about my boutique I had started with the money left from Eric’s will. He was proud I had realized my dreams, and it showed in the way he responded to me. We were like two old friends catching up on the past.

That all came to an end when he stepped out of the shower and back into the room where I waited. I had only planned for him to come and change shirts and then leave. Now, he stood before me with a towel wrapped around his mid-section and another drying his long locs.

Girlfriends, if I sat here and told you I didn’t look, I’d be lying. My eyes feasted on his chest for a moment. The way each of his pectoral muscles shifted with the movements of his arms had me fascinated. Nick was super fine. I had always known it, but I had never seen his body without clothing. Eventually, my eyes took on a mind of their own as they dropped to the bulge protruding from his towel. Whew! My eyes savored what my body desired but could not have. The dreams I had been having did not quite do him justice.  

“Ambi.” He came to stand in front of me, and my eyes slowly rode up his body to meet his. The desire shining from behind his eyes matched the one underneath his towel.

“Nick, I need to get home.” I stood up, planning to move out of his path, but he gently grabbed my wrist.

Nothing more was said as he lowered his lips to meet mine. That kiss I had been longing for in my office two years ago was finally given to me. And it was worth the wait.

He explored the deepest recesses of my soul with that one single kiss. It was nothing like the sweet peck he had given me outside of Flaming Rio. That was the kiss that had led to the argument between Eric and me. It was that same kiss that drove him from home one last time before his car accident.
Suddenly overcome with guilt, I ended the kiss, pressing my hand against his chest. “Why now, Nick?”

“Why not, baby?”

“Because…because I’m involved again.” I choked that part out, because I knew my involvement with Denver had nothing to do with stopping me from being with Nick.

I had been contemplating leaving Denver alone for a while anyway. I was no longer feeling him like that, and I believed he wasn’t feeling me either. Now wasn’t the time to say that, though. Not sitting up in the hotel room with Nick like that. Not alone with a naked man that I had loved for the better part of the last two-plus years, though my mind tried to deny what my heart knew to be true.

“But your heart isn’t.”

I couldn’t break the stare, and his hand resting lightly on my waist had me paralyzed. The scent of his body wash mesmerized my senses, making me want to explore every inch of him with my tongue. I wanted to know if he tasted as good as he smelled. “How can you say that my heart isn’t involved? You haven’t been around me in two years.”

“Because you wouldn’t be up in this room with me letting me do this.”

Nick slowly removed the straps of my sundress from my shoulders and pushed my dress all the way to the floor. My breath caught in my throat as the chill from the air conditioner stroked my body, and I realized that I stood there in nothing but a thong. Every part of my body throbbed for his touch and ached for his lips to bring sweet relief. I didn’t have to wait or beg, because Nick instantly gave my body the pleasure it sought.

From the base of my neck to the tips of my toes and every spot in between, he licked, caressed, sucked, and nipped. When he picked me up and carried me to his bed, I offered no resistance. When he broke our kiss to grab a condom from his pants, I offered no denial. When he looked in my eyes as he lay on the bed next to me, and said, “Ambi, I’m gonna make love to you, baby. I’m gonna do everything I wanted to do for more than two years now. And I don’t want you to have no regrets in the morning. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy the moment right now.”

The morning? He didn’t plan to let me go tonight? Well, I didn’t plan to fight him. Instead, I spread my legs, pushed all thoughts of Denver out of my head, and prepared to open my body, heart, and soul up to the man. Not once did I close my eyes. Not once did I push him away. Not once did I have regrets.

If nothing happened past the night, I wanted every single vision etched into my memory and every single touch seared into my soul.

He kissed me sweetly. “What are you gonna tell your dude in the morning when he asks where you’ve been? When he sees the burns and bruises on your body that I leave tonight, and the fire and light I’m about to bring to your eyes, what’ll you say?”

I thought about one of my favorite singers, Ledisi, as the words to one of her popular songs floated through my head, and I truthfully answered his question. “I’ll blame you.”

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday and a Fabulous Release! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

This #writerwednesday I'm excited to bring a snippet from the much-anticipated, A Woman's Design: Redemption! The release is this Friday, and I hope that it's everything you wanted to be and so much more. There's some growing, changing, ties broken, and so much more. But through it all there is redemption. Read on...

Ambiance – After discovering her husband had an illegitimate child resulting from a lengthy affair, her world was torn in two. His untimely passing left her feeling she had been robbed of the chance to deal with the betrayal. Seeking to give herself a fresh start, she packs up and moves cross country to the West Coast. Pursuing her dreams as a business owner, she’s on top of the world, until the man who caused her to question her marriage comes knocking. Will he mend her broken heart, or uproot her new life and leave it in further disrepair?

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

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

Three best friends search for healing and deliverance from their emotional wounds, as they come to grips that the affliction they’ve borne was at the burden of their own hands. They yearn for the redemption of their sins in the arms of men, the arms of a Savior, and in the eyes of one another.
 
When the heart mourns, redemption is born.

My head was tossed back in passion as my body shivered all the way down to my toes. What was this man doing to me? I knew when I first met him that he would have the power to do things to my body I could never imagine before being with him. His strong, massive, dark hands encircled my waist and held me tight as I bucked, sliding up and down as if he were the pole and I was his private dancer.

“Ah, Ambi! Work it, my mocha princess,” he called out to me. When he said that I couldn’t help but look down to where our bodies connected. My cool, brown skin looked perfect against his sweat-glistened, chocolate rippled muscles. I lowered my head as I looked into his dark eyes. They were so beautiful, and I found myself getting lost in them. I needed to taste him, so I pushed plump, red lips against his full, dark brown ones. He slowly opened his mouth and snaked his tongue inside of mine. His kisses were sweet and tangy, his breath warm and smooth.

Nick flipped me onto my back and pulled me towards the edge of the bed. He lowered his head and did things to me that my husband had never done in all our years of marriage. He had me gripping the sheets tightly between my fists as I arched my back, allowing my core to meet his mouth. I felt the volcano erupting over and over into his mouth. I screamed his name out again and again. It didn’t stop him from lavishing his loving kisses onto my honey nectar. When he finally finished, he stood and entered me. He pushed my long hair away from my face, spreading it on the pillow.

“Open your eyes,” he commanded. When I didn’t obey, his voice came out gruff. “Look at me. I want you to know who’s making you feel like this. I don’t ever want you to mistake me for another, you hear me?” His slanted eyes turned into little slits.

“Yeeesss,” I cried out in passion. He took one large hand and covered my breasts. And let me tell you, these puppies are not small. He rubbed them back and forth in circles and then massaged one at a time. My nipples began pulling towards his mouth, begging for just one little lick, until they felt sore with desire. His eyes lit up, and he continued to play with them before finally giving in to my need.

Releasing my tender nipples, he once again claimed my mouth in his. His tongue searched and made love to mine the way it had just made love to my core. Yes! He was a man who went down and did it well.

“Ambi…I want you to be with me. I’ll do everything he hasn’t done. You deserve to be treated like royalty. You’re so beautiful…so fine…and sexy,” he shared between kisses. “And you’re such a strong, passionate woman. Whatever you want, or need, don’t be afraid to ask me,” he whispered.

“Nick, baby, you know I can’t get involved like that,” I whined.

“Ambi…baby, you’re involved now. Very much so,” he said, looking at me with those sexy eyes. I was so tired, all I wanted was to drift into sleep lying in his arms. I didn’t want to argue with him.

Nick continued to caress my body, and he was making me feel so good from my head to my toes. My body would be sore, and red bruises would surely pop up in the morning. Everywhere he had kissed my skin would show the markings of the whiskers that were growing out on his face. They felt good and rugged right now, but they were sure to punish me come the morning light. I hadn’t felt this good in such a long time. 
 
“Ambi! Ambi!” the voice called through the darkness.

I felt a rough hand shaking me, and my eyes popped open. “Hmm?” I moaned, closing my eyes rapidly against the morning sun slanting through the curtains.

“Who the hell is Nick?” Denver asked, frowning at me through the haze.

“Huh?” I asked, turning to bury my face in the pillow again. I wanted to go back to sleep and finish my dream.

“I said, who the hell is Nick?” Denver grumbled.

“I don’t know. Why you ask?” my muffled voice groaned into the pillow. I peeked my eyes open, heart beating fast.

“Cuz, you called him baby just after you were moaning and groaning like you were having sex or something. So, something you wanna tell me?” Denver asked, pulling the sheets from my shoulders as he disentangled his legs from mine. He jumped out of the bed and grabbed a pair of jeans from a chair near the window.

Denver? Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he’s my boyfriend of six months?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Denver.” I reached down, my fingertips seeking the edge of the cover. Finally, bunching it in my fist, I pulled the cover back up over my head with my eyes peering out watching him closely.

Denver’s back was turned to me as he pulled his jeans on, and I was thankful. If he could see my face, he’d know I was lying. Just thinking about that dream had me blushing, my heart racing, and…yep, my panties were wet. I squeezed my thighs shut and tried unsuccessfully to squeeze images of Nick’s nude body out of my mind.

“Yeah, I bet you don’t. Look, I gotta go. I have a photo shoot in just over an hour and a half that I need to set up for,” he replied, looking at his wrist while he fastened his watch.
I sighed deeply and turned over, my back to him.

 “We’ll talk about this tonight. Are you going to work today?” Denver pulled the cover from over my head.

“Umm, yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know what you’ve been doing with your days, Ambiance.” He released a loud sigh and flicked the covers back over my head. He headed into the bathroom, and I could hear the water turn on. I assumed he was washing his face and brushing his teeth after hearing gargling noises a few minutes later.

There was no way I could get back to sleep, or back to my precious Nick waiting for me in my dreams.

Great! What a wonderful way to start the day. I pulled the covers from my head and watched him walk back into the bedroom, grabbing a T-shirt from his drawer. I felt somewhat guilty, but how could I control the dreams that I had? It was impossible. But then again, there was no way I could explain this dream to him. I didn’t want to explain it. I hadn’t had time to process it myself.

“Denver, please don’t accuse me of something you know I’m not guilty of. I go to work at my shop, just like you do every day. The last thing I’ve got time for is messing around with someone,” I defended.

“Besides, you keep me worn out. I don’t have anything left to give anybody else.” I pouted.

He shot me a doubtful look before making his way back to the bed.

Uh-oh, maybe my acting career went a little too far. The last thing he needed to know was that my panties were wet after I’d been dreaming of another man.

“What are you doing?” I asked, in what I hoped was a controlled voice.

“Wearing you out, to make sure you have nothing left for anyone else.” He unbuckled his belt and then unfastened his jeans as he leered at me.

I was thinking of an excuse to stop him in his tracks fast, but I didn’t have to. Saved by the bell.

As he looked around for his cell phone, I whispered a quick prayer, something I hadn’t done in quite a while. He found it on the nightstand and frowned at the number.

“Hold up a sec, babe,” he apologized, holding a finger up to me. I took advantage and scrambled out of the bed.

My only hope at this point was rushing into the bathroom. There was no way I could pretend that my panties were wet because of his actions toward me. Closing the bathroom door, I took off my panties and buried them at the bottom of the clothes hamper. I turned the shower on and adjusted the temperature until it was the right feel.

I had only been in the shower for a few seconds before the door opened and Denver came in, pulling the shower curtain back.

“Aye, I gotta run. Can I get a raincheck on that?” He pointed at my private area.

I smiled shamelessly at him and winked. “She’ll be waiting.”

He kissed me, giving me a little tongue action before he was out the door.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for Writer Wednesday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

Image by: Edwin Lester https://www.pinterest.com/blackart/black-christian-art/

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11

In the heat of the moment it's easy to have an emotional reaction to an event or situation that impacts you in a negative manner. Your first instincts kick into gear and your emotions go into overdrive as you search for ways to protect your heart from hurt, and your pride from damage. You go on the defensive because you don't want people to misjudge, misunderstand, or mistake you for a weak person.

I have experienced more of these moments than I would care to admit. The number of occurrences have been drastically reduced as a result of my husband's guiding hand in these critical moments. He always has an encouraging word to speak, or tells me to calm down and wait to see how things play out. More often than not we will blow things out of proportion because we did not wait to see what the true outcome would be. We examine a situation and judge it with our hearts rather than our minds.

As the Scripture above states when we respond in this manner we are fools. Why?

1.) We did not take out the time to understand the other party's perspective and why they said or did a particular thing. Rather, we responded on how the situation or words made us "feel."

2.)We failed to give the benefit of the doubt, assuming the other party purposely meant us harm. There are instances where we did not misunderstand what the other party did or said, but we misunderstand their intentions. We are offended because surely they meant us harm. Sometimes, nothing is further from the truth. Maybe they were not in a position to explain themselves or bring clarity to why they did or said a particular thing.

3.) We are judging from the seat of our emotions rather than allowing Holy Spirit to guide us into the truth. He will never lead us astray, but instead the gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to us to lead us in counsel. (And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2)

It's not always easy to sit back and wait for the truth of a situation to come to light. It's easier to respond and defend yourself in the heat of the moment, to prove that you're not going to let people walk all over you.

OR IS IT?

Actually, the easier thing to do is to give in to your emotions. It's not easy to control your tongue and emotions. James chapter three specifically verses two through ten has a lot to say on the matter. James 3:2-10.

While it may not be easier to control your tongue in the heat of the moment, it is WISER. Allowing your emotions to control you and speaking what you want to in an emotional moment will cause:

1. Regret
2. Broken relationships
3. Hurt
4. Disappointment

And later have you asking Almighty God to forgive you. Especially when you knew better. Honestly, in that moment if you breathe deeply, and try to remain calm, you will hear the Holy Spirit guiding you and telling you what to do. You simply have to be in control of you, rather than allowing the enemy to control you from the seat of your emotions.

Are there any broken relationships in your life resulting from a heat of the moment argument?

Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from?

Is there someone you need to forgive?

Pray and ask the Lord for guidance in that area of your life. You may also want to confide in a trusted confidant, such as your spiritual advisor, prayer partner, or other trusted person in your life.

Be on the lookout this week for ways the enemy is trying to control your emotions. Stand back and view all things from a spiritual place and trust Holy Spirit to guide you through.


I leave you with this Scripture in parting to give you strength for the week ahead:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Have a blessed and beautiful week, and thank you for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment.

Thanks for joining us for a Motivational Monday Moment! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

It's another Fab Friday and we're back with all the drama, fire, and spice you're used to. Today's featured author delivers up a spicy love in her signature style. Aja is here with her novel, Good Old Soul. Read on...

What was going on between us had become more than just hanging out and having great sex; it had become a relationship and neither of us were pretending it wasn’t. To say that I was surprised that I cared for Gabriel as much as I do was an understatement.
My dating game had fizzled long ago because I didn’t have the time to entertain anyone else, nor did I have the desire. My time with Gabriel had replaced all of that for the time being. I was wise enough to know that men got tired very quickly and everything would die. I tried not to have those kinds of thoughts while I was with him; even if it was hard considering our major differences, especially his age and his experience. I believe he knew exactly where and how far he wanted to our relationship because he had likely been down this road before, whereas I was just a novice. Love games weren’t games to me. I dated to have fun, but I had no intention of becoming emotional involved, and I told him so.
“Do you want a husband or children one day?” He asked me, his fingers running through my blown out ‘fro; something he seemed to really like doing when my hair was all out and not in twists or braids.
“No, not really. Honestly, I don’t think about it. I had a boyfriend once and it seemed like he and I would go to that place where I would at least consider it, but then he changed on me and I let that thought go.”
“Changed how?” The fact that he seemed genuinely interested made me want to open up to him. A lot of guys don’t care; they’re not listening when you speak so I’ve learned not to talk much about anything meaningful in an effort to save my time and energy. Not that I didn’t have very deep thoughts to share, but why waste my breath, right?
“At first, it was beautiful,” I started, noticing the tension in his body against my face that was lying on top of his chest, but I continued anyway, “But he soon became a jerk. He would say to me in the beginning how he wanted to have something real where his girl was honest and intelligent, and a freak in bed. I was all of those things and then he stopped appreciating it.”
“Maybe he didn’t know what he had in you,” he murmured softly.
“He knew, I think, but he got tired of how much work being with someone so intelligent, so … deep was. Eventually you all do. Women become the very thing you say you want and in my case, I had already been all of those things, but then he stopped noticing. He stopped talking to me, stopped listening to anything I had to say, stopped complimenting me on my accomplishments — or even me. I had just gotten my license as a massage therapist and called to tell him. He said, “Cool”, but then said he had to go. It was as if nothing big or monumental had occurred. Am I wrong for wanting a man that is truly for me?”
“No, not at all. He should be your supporter in all things if he’s serious.” His chest was so comforting. The slow and steady heartbeat was soothing to me.
Darryl had stopped being a supporter of mine long before we broke up, I thought. I remember him telling me that a man should be the one to tell his woman she is beautiful and that I should hear that each and every day. He stopped complimenting me. He became one of those men he seemed intent on separating himself from.
“That’s what I thought. When I spoke up, something an assertive woman would do, he said all I did was complain, but he claimed he liked assertive women. Let’s just say that after a while, I realized he didn’t really want me and it was over.”
“Are you over him?”
“I’d like to think that I am.”
“But, not really.”
“Not really. I’m over him the guy, but I’m not over what happened. It was like all that energy and all that time I was in the relationship with him, was for nothing. He took but stopped giving and I was left hurting, so then I stopped giving. I date, but that’s as far as it goes because in that, there is no losing, not of myself and not of my heart.”
We lied there breathing quietly and I guess, in our own thoughts. I wondered if he would open up. Whether I had said too much, and I probably did, but for some reason, I wasn’t worried about it like I might have been in the past. Either he wanted the truth about me and would appreciate it, or he’d want the lie that looked pretty and leave when he didn’t get it. All that mattered was the good time we were having right now, right?
Eventually he did speak and his words rumbled against my ear, his fingers moving through my hair threatening to lull me to sleep. “You’re right. In the beginning, both men and women say what they need to get what they want. Usually, they mean it though. Something changes along the way and all of the intentions on how you want to be with that person gets lost. Distractions come in. Life happens and the goodness fades away. You’re left with the skeleton, which can’t be hidden. I’ve been there too. I’ve been the one to tell the well-meaning lies and I’ve received them.”
“So, we have both been burned.”
“Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean you give up completely unless you’re positive you want to be a ship drifting alone on the temperamental sea with the waves pushing you to and fro.”
I thought about his words. Trying to take something meaningful from what he was saying to me. When Gabriel spoke, I listened. Maybe it was his maturity over me, although we almost seemed matched, but surely his experience made him wiser. I don’t know, I just know when he spoke I listened and considered.
I considered whether it was worth the risk of getting further involved with a man that could tear me apart and not see it coming. Darryl was a slow demise. I saw it coming over time. Less calls, dates and visits. No real conversation that went beyond the cursory ‘how are you’. We died over time, so I could feel it and prepare myself for it even if it still hurt me. Gabriel seemed like he could sneak the ending up on me because he was everything I was beginning to fall for and never knew I really wanted.
“I don’t know if I’m a ship out at sea or docked. I just know for now, I like the freedom of being either.” The freedom to be either with him, is what my heart said.
“I hear you.”
“So, now that we’ve been philosophical for the day, what would you like to do? I don’t have to start work until 2 o’clock today.”
“Hmmmm, let me see. I haven’t made love to you in over an hour. That seems like something I should handle right away. What comes next can remain a mystery. Okay?”
Smiling against his chest, I agreed. “Definitely, okay.”
© Aja 2018

Aja is the writer of sensually erotic and passionate women’s fiction. Her stories allow readers to experience realistic, inspiring and soulful interactions and intense passion while overcoming life’s challenges. She is inspired by soulful music and sensual art to craft her stories. Her published works include the Love & Passion series featuring her new release Good Old Soul. Aja is working on her next love story, Love’s Required.
 
Contact Aja:
My website: http://www.ajathewriter.com
Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Aja/e/B00K30K138/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aja_thewriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThewriterAja
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/ajawriter/
Sign up for my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/cnEs1f

Click here to join our mailing list for upcoming releases and book promo specials.

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Aja would love to hear from you!

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

The You-Song celebrates, in a way young children can understand, the unique and vital place each of us occupies in God's world and encourages them to fill their place in it with joy. Written by a teacher who's helped many children overcome reading challenges, "The You-Song" is user-friendly, consisting of words that are either familiar or easy to decode. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 50 heart-warming photos, it's also fun to read aloud to pre-readers.
Genre:  Juvenile Nonfiction

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Joanne would love to hear from you!

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

It's another Fab Friday and today's featured author is Danyelle Scroggins. She's here to share her novel, Enduring Love. The plans of our lives don't always align with the plans of God. When we become lost in our thoughts and plans, the Lord has a way of bringing things back to reality. Read on...

No one ever truly realizes the power of their love, until love is tested and they have to endure things unimaginable and sometimes hurtful. And if the truth is declared, no one wants to but…
Sometimes we find ourselves standing in the test of love, and this is exactly where Priscilla Marshall finds herself. Married to Steven since she graduated college, together they were the perfect couple. Both making successful business moves, both loved their choices, but one had a secret that could change their lives.

Priscilla, now forced to make a plan to secure her future, finds out that a plan without God involved is not a plan at all because “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

What will God use to make this woman’s plan come full circle with His own, and after the test, will they find that they truly do have an Enduring Love?

Priscilla is the wife of Steven Marshall and the owner of Marshall’s Mortgage. She’s too wise for her own good and has decided that instead of exposing her husband, she would rather clean him dry and leave the marriage. Her plan seems to be going just fine until Priscilla gets the shock of her life.
Now confused, she attends the Love Never Fails retreat in Loving, Texas hosted by her college friend and roommate, Serafine. Priscilla finds out that no plan will ever work outside of God’s plan which will always prevail. And this causes her to determine if she and Steven truly have an Enduring Love.
 
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Priscilla reasoned why God would choose her to be the carrier of life. Married for almost fifteen years, sexual pleasures only happened on special occasions. Often without romance, and starting with a touch here, feel there, and a real quick release on his part. The thought of making a baby vanished long ago.

In reality, indecisiveness plagued her like a severe toothache regarding being a wife or instead, being his wife. Her mind and ambitions settled on being the audacious executive she fancied herself. Relinquishing all thoughts of motherhood, that were now nowhere in the plan.
Many are the plans of man…but it is the Lord’s plans that prevail.

Dr. Thorpe’s private practice became her haven, the place where swift answers and solutions to her most pressing issues materialized. Today, he acted as the grim reaper delivering death-blows instead of solutions. Death to her plans, dreams, and her one hundred and thirty-five-pound figure. She worked hard for her body, and to destroy it for a child neither of them wanted put her in a complete stupor. 
      
As she sat in a makeshift gown barely covering her breasts, Priscilla sighed. Moving to get more comfortable on the green leather table-bed covered with a sheet of wrinkled white paper, she felt hopeless. Priscilla swung her legs as though they could propel her into another space in time. She took a deep breath. Lumps in her throat seemed to suffocate her and caused her to give in to the explosive stream of tears cascading down her face.

How am I going to care for a child in the midst of running a company? Marshall’s Mortgage a premier mortgage company and her baby, her purpose that bequeathed her employees who became family. A creative concept and idea birthed right after leaving college with a degree in accounting and nourished with intensity and integrity. The thought of leaving it with anyone for more than a day or two frightened her. Because of this baby, she would have no choice.

“Priscilla? Are you alright?” Dr. Thorpe inquired.

Startled by his voice and still confused, she hadn’t noticed his return. “Dr. Thorpe, I’m not alright. This pregnancy is so unexpected. I thought maybe the flu or a virus. But this? I took a darn pill every day since Steven and I married. They’re supposed to prevent this. I don’t understand how it could happen,” she responded with a pant and sniffle between words.
      
“I’ve been an OB doctor for well over twenty years, and I promise I see women who swear they took their birth-control pill on time and still got pregnant. I know you are quite familiar with God and His work. And, I consider us close friends so I can say this.”
 
Priscilla nodded.

“No matter what and how we try, we can never abort the plans of God. He knows this child is going to gain a complete knowledge of Him. The Father chose you and Steven to protect, nurture, and train him or her in the way they should go. Priscilla instead of the questions why and how be excited, and grateful God chose you.”

“I don’t feel like this is something I want to do. I don’t even know if I can do it.”

“Talk to Steven about this before you make any rash decisions. If you want my opinion, I believe you can do all things through Christ. Priscilla, He will strengthen you. Could this baby be the next president or a future author? Who knows? But one thing is for sure, you will never know if you don’t allow this child the opportunity to be presented to the world.” As Dr. Thorpe patted Priscilla on the shoulder he continued, “Now, you can get dressed. Here’s a little baggy with goodies in it like prenatal vitamins, iron pills, and a couple of packages of ointment for your skin to prevent stretch marks.”

“I guess. I sure would prefer some more birth control and condoms, but since it is what it is, my choice doesn’t matter. Gotta find a way to accept what God allowed. Thank you for my goodies.” She smirked, acknowledging the brown paper bag in her hand.

"Exactly.  Now get dressed. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Priscilla slid off the table, pulled the paper gown off, and glanced at herself in the mirror over the sink. She retrieved her panties, skirt, shirt, scarf, and blazer from behind the dressing area and in slow motion began to dress. Fully clothed, she threw the paper gown in the trash and peered at herself once again.

Noticing the trail of tear stains on her cheeks, she snatched a couple of the brown napkins from the dispenser. Priscilla turned on the faucet, wet the napkins, and wrung out the excess water before washing her face. She reapplied her makeup to restore the picture of perfection before she’d received the shock of her life. Priscilla’s mind drifted to the man who refused to pull out in time.

Steven warned her on rare occasions during sex God would not punish him for spilling his goods on the ground. He did what she cautioned him not to do. And now this. She felt upset, and by her book, had every right to be. Although being upset would not solve anything, at least having somewhere to direct her anger could bring relief. The more she thought of Steven, the angrier she got. So much she answered, “What?”, when Dr. Thorpe knocked on the door.

“Here’s the reminder of your next appointment date.” Even though she didn’t respond, he continued.

“On your next visit, you’ll have an ultrasound to determine the around about day of conception. We would like to get as close as possible to the date of conception so the little person won’t have to be in his or her mother’s womb a day or hour longer than needed”. 

At least he’s not like other doctors acting as if they could specify the date of conception to the tee. Heck, I know precisely when Steven bombarded his way into my private space.

After hugging Dr. Thorpe without saying one word, she gathered her stuff, walked out the room into the waiting area, and nodded goodbye to nurse Carol. Retrieving her keys from the bottom of her champagne colored Steve Madden bag, she sighed. Put your big girl panties on Priscilla.

Her navy wool blazer did little to protect her body from the sharp piercing Louisiana wind. Instinctively, she draped her beautiful pink multicolored scarf around her neck and used the excess fabric to cover her head. Moving in swift strides, with hopes of keeping as warm as possible, Priscilla pushed the button on her keychain to her convertible BMW 435i.

She opened the door, placed the brown bag of goodies in the backseat, then climbed into her car. After securing the locks and her seatbelt, Priscilla searched through her car’s artist collection for some music to minister to her broken spirit. She selected Marvin Sapp’s “Here I Am.” “Come on, Pastor Marvin, convince me please God has His hands on and around me,” she mumbled as the song began to play. “God, I know You will provide for me. This is Your will.”

Invasive tears cascaded down her face ruining her makeup again. This time she decided not to repair, because instead of going back to her office, Priscilla drove towards home. With a quick push of the phone button on the radio console, she instructed the voice-activated operator to dial her office. After the third ring, a female voice answered.

“Good afternoon, Marshall’s Mortgage. How may we be of service to you?”

Regina answered with professional charm because Priscilla would have it no other way. Greetings were Priscilla’s pet peeves. She desired warm and friendly interactions with her staff and demanded the same for the clients at Marshall’s Mortgage.
      
“How are you?” Priscilla asked Regina Jones, the best assistant and secretary ever. She valued her because she only instructed her once for anything and it happened.

“I’m fine, Mrs. Marshall. How did your appointment go? You sound a little different.”

“We will talk about it later, Regina. Right now I’m too weak even to hear myself explain it. Nothing too serious, so don’t get all worried. But it’s enough to alter my emotions.”

“Okay, I understand. But it won’t stop me from praying for you.”
 
“Thank you. While you are at it, ask God if He’s sure He picked the right person?”

“You know they say ‘nothing just happens,' so if God allowed, He will provide with all the provisions you’ll need. Are you coming back to the office today?”
       
“That’s why I called. I think I better go home and lie down. The doctor’s appointment drained me, and if I do not get some rest, I might hurt someone. Would you please phone all of my afternoon clients, apologize for me canceling, and reschedule them for Monday?”
      
“Yes, ma’am. I pray you feel better. I will only call you if anything comes up I cannot handle and I’ll tell all of your originators what’s going on.”
      
“Thank you. I appreciate you. And Regina, please don’t disclose or share concerning my doctor’s appointment. I’m not asking you to lie, but find a unique way to explain the cancellations to my clients and the staff.”
      
“Sure and you’re welcome.” Priscilla motioned to move the phone from her ear when she heard, “Mrs. Marshall!”          

“Yes, Regina?”
      
“Get some rest, please!”
      
“I will.” Priscilla smiled at the demand.

“See you soon, Mrs. Marshall.”

Danyelle is the Senior Pastor of New Vessels Ministries North in Shreveport, Louisiana, who is a dynamic author of both Christian fiction and non-fiction books. She studied Theology at Louisiana Baptist University, has a Psychology Degree from the University of Phoenix, an Interdisciplinary Degree in Psychology /Biblical Studies, and a Master’s in Religious Education from the Liberty University. She owns Divinely Sown Publishing LLC and is an avid reader. She is the wife of Pastor Reynard Scroggins and the mother of three.

To find out more about Danyelle Scroggins the pastor or author, and her ministries, visit www.danyellescroggins.com, www.newvesselministries.org, www.facebook.com/danyellescroggins, or www.twitter.com/PastorDanyelle.

Website & Blog: www.danyellescroggins.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danyellescroggins
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pastordanyelle
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/danyellescroggins
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/danyellescroggins
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pastordanyelle

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Danyelle would love to hear from you!

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

A beautiful story of love between a man and a woman. Photographer Kennedy Holloway has changed her life, and is now pursuing her first love in a career of creating beautiful art from behind the lens of a camera. A freelance photographer for Courtside Magazine, she’s begun rubbing elbows with some of the NBA’s elite players. Running from heartache and disappointment, she’s come to the end of the road when she meets Atlanta Cobras’, Elias Dacosta.

Touted as the NBA’s #1 shooting guard and designated all-around ladies’ man, Elias’ private life is off limits to the paparazzi. No one really knows the man off the court, and he’s blocking every attempt from anyone getting too close, until he meets Kennedy on assignment. Her attempts to hide behind the camera only piques his interest further. He won’t rest until he wins at the game of love.
​
Follow Kennedy and Elias through three years of ups and downs, as they learn about one another and themselves. Deemed to be the “perfect couple,” Kennedy’s past rises up as a barrier between them. Will a lesson in sacrificial love keep the two of them apart, or will it be the bond that they need to bring them together again?

Finishing her last shot of the night, Kennedy had packed her bags away in her trunk. Tired, she had decided she was going home after capturing the last shots. The entire day had been spent running errands for her paternal grandmother, developing photos for a family she had recently taken family portraits of, and working on her own website.

She returned to get something to drink, when she heard the announcement about a new neo-soul band that she had been wanting to check out. Despite being tired, at the last minute, she chose to stay at the café, since she had nothing else to do. It would be a break from the monotony that had become her life. Most days she came home after work to develop photos, and when she finished that she would sit in front of the TV and veg out or read a good book.

Outside of her photography, Kennedy loved a good book and music. Her favorite music artists were Ledisi, India Arie, Kindred and the Family Soul, Floetry, and Lucy Pearl. Tonight’s featured groups included, Eggs and Toast, a pop band, and a neo soul group she had heard much about, RohoMalkia.

Their name, which meant Soul Queen in Swahili, was meant to empower and uplift black men and women alike. As important as they believed it was for women to be powerful, they also believed it was just as important to lift and support the black man, to keep the black community and families strong. Kennedy connected with that deep within her soul, because her family had failed all around.

“Thanks,” Kennedy stated, grabbing her cup of chai tea and fruit salad from the café attendant at the bar.

Smiling, she maneuvered her way through the growing Friday night crowd. Chairs were filled up with a few empty seats here and there. Couples and a few individual people danced on the floor in front of the stage. Kennedy spotted a free space near the tinted windows to the left of the stage, and quickly made her way there. Sitting down in the empty club chair, she set her food and mug on the table.

The fast, upbeat tunes made its way throughout the café, as she enjoyed her small meal. After a big lunch, she decided to go light on her dinner. Fruit and tea were the perfect recipe to keep her feeling light tonight.

Snapping her fingers to the frenetic, fast-paced beat, she enjoyed the atmosphere. The rhythm made her want to be wild and free in the outdoors. An hour had passed in no time, and Kennedy was feeling extremely relaxed.

A café attendant had come by and replaced her mug of tea, with a glass of white wine. She had placed the order earlier when she had paid for her fruit and tea. Laid back in the comfortable chair, she applauded with everyone else, as RohoMalkia came onto the stage.

Their reputation proceeded them, and she looked forward to what they had to offer. She wasn’t disappointed as the soulful, powerful vocals of the two sisters on stage took over the café. No music accompanied their lyrics, just the snap of their fingers, and the sway of their hips.

Kennedy’s shoulders loosened as she began to flow with their beat. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against the chair’s back. Fingers lightly gripping the stem of her wineglass she pulled it up to her lips and took a sip.

The taste was cleansing, light, and crisp. A soothing feeling coursed through her, as she let the power of the lyrics pour over her. The twang of a guitar kicked in with the tinkle of piano keys.

The song Pour It Out, talked about a woman being healed from a previous heartbreak by the love of a good man. It described a love that he poured into her, that was so amazing and powerful, it allowed her to pour out all her heartache and pain, and become a better, stronger woman. It talked about how her newfound confidence and power, became her new man’s refuge and strength.

Tears made their way down her face, as she let the meaning of the lyrics penetrate her brain. She pushed the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her to the side. A cool breeze passed in front of her, and she felt something lightly brush up against her arm.

When the touch moved from her arm to her shoulder, Kennedy finally peeled her eyes open. Surprised to find Elias kneeling in front of her, he held a tissue out to her. Smiling she accepted the tissue from his hands.

“Thank you.”

Elias pulled his tall, muscular frame up to his full height. “I’ll be right back.”

She watched as he disappeared behind the stage and she turned her attention back to the group on stage. Kennedy worked hard not to get pulled too deep into the lyrics, because she was embarrassed to have been caught crying the way she had. She didn’t want to experience another crying jag.

Within moments, Elias returned with an armchair that matched hers, and sat it beside her. His long legs stretched beyond their table, as he crossed them at the ankle.

He never spoke, simply nodded his head to the beat of the music. What intrigued her the most, was the fact that none of the patrons seemed to be caught up in his presence. While they nodded and smiled when he came in, and appeared to display the highest level of respect, they did not flock to him and disturb his space. They simply enjoyed the live entertainment.

After that set ended, Groove Theory flowed through the overhead speakers, and Kennedy turned her attention to Elias.

“No groupies or fan clubs out tonight?” she asked, holding her hand midway in the air, one eyebrow lifted.

Elias held his head down and chuckled. “Nah, not here. This isn’t even that type of place.”

She nodded her head slowly. “I’d’ve thought a celebrity of your stature wouldn’t be able to go anywhere in public without a mob coming after you.”

“I get that some places, but there are many places celebrities can go and feel free to live without all of the attention and the paparazzi following us. I told you, we’ve got our spots. We pay a high price for our privacy, but it’s well worth it. This is one of those places. A chill spot that welcomes different people from different walks of life, but there are boundaries in place that must be respected.”

“That’s good, Elias. I always worry about that for you guys. I know that I couldn’t live my life in a glass bubble, always under the microscope, with someone dissecting my every move.”

She watched in the dimly lit room as Elias’ facial expression changed from light and fun-loving, to dark and grim.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asked.

“Nah, just lost in thought about some business I need to tend to.”

“I really like the groups you had out here tonight,” she stated, changing the subject. She somehow doubted the truth behind his words.

“Thanks. They’ve worked hard to get where they are, and they’re still putting it in to keep moving. I just do my part by supporting their dreams. Speaking of…what’re yours?”

Kennedy finished sipping the last of her wine, before handing it off to an attendant who had come to her side.

“What do you mean?” she asked, turning her head to watch RohoMalkia sign autographs.

“Your dreams? What are they? All I know about you is that you’re a beast behind that camera. You bring things to life in a way I’ve never seen before.”

“So, you’ve said. And you’re a beast on that court. You really did your thing by the way,” she said, lightly patting his hand.

Kennedy giggled.

“What’s so funny?” his low voice asked, sounding so intimate in the public space.

“Just that I’m not a sports fan, but I really enjoyed myself that night. I was so caught up in the energy that flowed through the arena, that I felt like a diehard fan, although I had no idea what was going on.”

“Do you do that often?” Elias asked, rubbing one finger on the back of her hand.

“What’s that?” she asked, dropping her voice low and her eyes to his finger.

Kennedy swallowed, pulling back the heat that surged through her. She wasn’t certain if it was the wine, the dim lights, or just his nearness. Biting her lip, she pulled her hand back from his touch.

“You always manage to turn the subject away from yourself. I know very little about you, even after the long talk we had the night of the championship game.”

Pressing her lips together, she wished in that moment she was anywhere else but there.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for Writer Wednesday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

What does the above passage of Scripture mean to you?

There is a church on the corner of Peachtree Street and North Avenue in Midtown Atlanta. In the mid-nineties, I used to walk by that church or ride by it on almost a daily basis. When walking my eyes would be drawn to a depiction of Jesus with His arms spread wide, in a welcoming embrace. Below the mural is the passage of Scripture from Matthew 11, verses 28 through 30 which I always found peace in reading as I walked by.

It was a comforting passage of Scripture, reassuring me that I could always come to Christ to be renewed, revived, and restored. It was a personal invitation to me that would be guaranteed to change my life if I accepted His offer. Through the next twenty years it would pop up in my mind again during my Bible reading, other readings that I would encounter, or if I passed through the area again.

Yet, it has not been until twenty years later that the Scripture took on a new meaning. Twenty years later and now I'm no longer living in the area, but working in that area and I still see the Scripture whenever I drive by. Recently, the Scripture spoke to me in a different manner. Last week, I read the Scripture in the daily meditation of Our Daily Bread. As I meditated on the Scripture and the message shared, I began to see my journey in a whole new way.

How do you find "Rest" in the Lord?

Rest. It seems as if I have been focused on the entire Scripture for so long, that I missed the power in the word "Rest." I worry and stress about things beyond my control quite often. Why? Because I like to have control over things circulating in my world. When they are evidently beyond my control, as is everything in this world, I try really hard to make things go the way that I believe they should. In the end, it always turns out some other way, or disastrous in the impact of the journey getting to the end. It's because I have no control over life's circumstances, none of us do. We can simply take every moment and give our best and trust the Lord Almighty to work out the rest.

There is that word again. Rest. This time as I focused on the word, I found Him telling me that I need to learn to truly let things go and allow Him to work it out for my good, and the good of the others who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I cannot force the ending that I believe is the best ending, no more than my readers can re-write my novels with a different ending. When I understand that He is good and He wants us to have the best life possible and live a life that glorifies Him, then I can let go of the stress and strain. Then I can move into a space of trusting Him and giving my best in every encounter, every interaction with others, and every situation.

This kind of rest in God allows me to be delivered, healed, and freed from the inner turmoil that comes from stress and worrying. It allows me to have peace knowing that He holds all things in the cradle of His arms and when I truly rest in the Lord, I can be still and know that He is God and I can have freedom in my mind and in my soul to follow the way He leads and guides me. When I have this rest, I can hear His voice clearly giving me guidance, wisdom, and speaking to me in clarity. It is at this time that I am able to move freely, because I know my steps are ordered by Him. It is now that I can say with sincerity of heart that "ALL IS WELL."

What is your favorite Scripture?

It's a Fabulous Friday and today's featured author is Ann Marie Bryan. Love can be difficult to work through in the most blissful situations. Throw in heartbreak, time and distance, and secrets from the past and it can be daunting. Will true love prevail in the end? Read on...

His heart rate kicked up and he raked a hand over his head as uneasy dread shot through his veins. Still, wisdom demanded he move speedily to help, even if the situation would force him to come face-to-face with someone he was unprepared to see.

“God, help her,” he prayed aloud, before jumping into action.

He moved swiftly to grab his Jeep keys from the coffee table then rushed through the door. He did not relish the journey that now lay before him. Nor did he wish to confront the one thing that would never let him rest—the one painful remorse that continually aggravated his gut. The one thing in his life he needed to fix—his relationship with the woman he had nicknamed Em.

Madison Emma Kanate. She was his first love….

Once his soul found her, he loved her.

One look and he was helpless to her pull. She had caught his attention and lingered in his heart ever since. He had endured two years of being near Madison—drowning in her love. She always stirred him. Around her, he constantly felt the flutter of butterfly wings in his stomach. She made him feel things he longed for… things he couldn’t have.

Despite all the love she offered him, he could not bring himself to reach for her. Fear held him bound, propelling him to escape the source of his misery.

At the first opportunity, he had left it all behind.

He ran.

He had run away like a frightened animal.

And he had kept moving. He hadn’t looked back.

But, he couldn’t outrun the memories or the guilt that haunted him.

Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a passion for excellence. She is the CEO & Founder of Victorious By Design, an organization committed to providing top quality professional writing services, comprehensive personal and professional development programs and exceptional performing arts services to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations.
 
A Christian Fiction author, Ann Marie writes to educate, inspire and empower others. She desires to tell great stories with fascinating characters to show the awesome power of God in the lives of people and places. Shades of the Heart is the first book in her bestselling, Encounters of the Heart series. Book 2 - Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire was released February 2016. Book 3 - A Place For My Heart, the highly anticipated third installment in the series, was released in March 2017. Book 4 - Where My Heart Belongs was released in April 2018.
 
Ann Marie's greatest passion is to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God-given potential. She enjoys writing, reading, dancing, teaching, meeting people and traveling. With all the knowledge and experiences that God has so graciously blessed her with, Ann Marie is determined to make her life a ministry for the Lord.


LET’S STAY CONNECTED
 
Website: http://www.annmariebryan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorannmariebryan
Facebook Readers’ group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorannmariebryan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorabryan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorabryan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorabryan
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bOw6sr
Google+: https://plus.google.com/118441643599687205816
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ann-Marie-Bryan/e/B008VTK62O
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448888.Ann_Marie_Bryan

Standalone books in the Encounters of the Heart series:
Book 1 - Shades of the Heart (The story of Blake & Gabrielle Montgomery)
Book 2 - Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (The story of Larry & Rozene Kanate)
Book 3 - A Place For My Heart (The story of Chandler Peynard and Sabrina Benjamin)
Book 4 - Where My Heart Belongs (The story of Tyler Bradshaw and Madison Kanate)
 
 
Other books:
Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along
Truth Awaits You on the Other Side: An Anthology about the Consequences of Sin
Mirrored Hearts (A Short Story)

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Ann Marie would love to hear from you!

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

It's another Fabulous Friday and today's featured author has a wonderful story to tell. Natasha Frazier is sharing her story, Kairos, which is a sweet romance that teaches us a little something about waiting on His timing, and not our own. Read on...

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Those were the Scriptures that Kensi had chosen to live by, and her desires were simple: career progression and family. Today she was trusting God to bring one of those to pass. She could feel it in her bones; besides, she’d been positioning herself for this promotion since she was hired eight years ago.

Today was the day she’d dreamt about for the past few years— Kensi was certain of that fact as she strode into the editor-in-chief’s office, dressed in her favorite burgundy colored suit with matching pumps, pearls around her neck and hair straightened down her back. She was dressed for the occasion. When she entered Mrs. Samantha Elkins’ office, she accepted the bottled water offered to her, sat at the edge of her seat and crossed her legs at the ankles, excitement bottled up within her. She was ready. She smiled and nodded anxiously as her boss gave her accolades over her past assignments, one of which was the high profile story of Joshua Archer’s retirement from the NBA. Samantha Elkins’ praise was nice, but Kensi’s nods were intended to move her on to the good part
 — 
the part where they discussed her promotion.
 
“I’m impressed, Ms. Jacobson. You’ve outdone yourself this time and your efforts have not gone unnoticed.” Samantha tapped the most recent issue of The Big Apple Arts Chronicle as she spoke.
 
“Thank you, ma’am.” Kensi’s response was rushed. She’d been rehearsing this scene in her mind all morning and it was moving much slower than she’d anticipated.
 
“And you know what this means, right?” Samantha smiled, waiting on Kensi’s nod of confirmation. “I have an even more perfect assignment for you. You’re so talented, Kensi, and the world of journalism could use more journalists with your skills, so you’ll be working in Pepperton, Texas, training a few newly hired journalists for the  Pepperton Quad. You’ll also be covering Pepperton’s Christmas celebration festivities, which I believe will be the perfect piece for our Christmas issue. Something new and refreshing,” Samantha dramatized with her hands. “It’s a lengthy assignment, but I know it’s nothing that you can’t handle,” Samantha finished and handed the file to Kensi. With electronic media being a preferred method of communication for most, Samantha still preferred paper, as evidenced by the paper file she handed to Kensi; she needed something that she could  feel between her fingers, she’d always said.
 

 Kensi slowly reached for the file, waiting for the rest of the news. However, Samantha’s attention had turned to her computer and it seemed that Kensi had been dismissed. Kensi stood to leave when Adam walked into Samantha’s office, uninvited.
 
“What a great opportunity! Kensi, since you’re leaving, I’d like to inform you that Adam is going to be our new assistant editor-in-chief!”
 
Kensi glanced from Adam to Samantha, attempting to mask the scowl, confusion, and disappointment that crept across her features. Was she supposed to offer congratulatory remarks?
 
“Give us a minute, will you, Adam?”
 
“Yes ma’am.” Adam gave Kensi a pitiful look before turning to leave. He wanted to be the one to tell her about the promotion. He hated that she had to find out this way, especially since they were more
than just coworkers.

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Natasha would love to hear from you!

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

It's a Fabulous Friday and I'm honored to feature the award-winning, Angelia Vernon Menchan on today's Fab Friday Feature. She is the queen of writing when it comes to grown folks talk, and her female characters believe in owning their sexuality, knowing who they are, what they want, and letting nothing hinder them from getting it. Today's novel is no exception to the rule. So grab your favorite mug, curl up, and read along...

When Crea arrived, James was filling mugs with coffee and had blackberry bread and other pastries on a small glass plate with curls of butter. Crea swallowed down nervousness, sliding onto a padded chair. James sat across from her, those damn eyes staring into her. 


“Why didn’t you ever write, Crea? I loved you,” He asked and heat flew up her neck. 


She felt ambushed and wanted to flea but sat still. Inhaling and exhaling allowed her to control the agitation, filtering through her. Picking up a piece of bread, she buttered it, taking a couple of bites before sipping her perfectly brewed coffee. Only then did she engage his searching look. 


“I couldn’t. I knew you were doing something but I had no idea how deeply you were involved. When I saw you in cuffs, something in me died. By the time you were sentenced, my goal was placing one foot in front of the other. I was a nineteen, about to graduate college, and in love with a man who would be in prison for longer than either of us had been alive.” Her voice shook with emotion. “I couldn’t commit myself to that or you, James. Writing would’ve given you false hope and I couldn’t do that to me or you. I grieved you as if you died, and went on trying to live.” Her honesty and shaking voice touched his heart. He knew she did the right thing but it cut like a hot knife through his heart. 


“Did your mom advise you?”


“She didn’t know. Our relationship remained private. I told her several years after graduating.” Swallowing the sudden lump filling his throat, James accepted that Crea made her own decisions on not visiting or writing. 


“She didn’t seem surprised but she didn’t say anything. I know the image my mother gives off but she understands love. The thing is, I’ve always been her number one priority. James, all I had after you left was school and work and I made it work.”


“I hear you but that shit was like a shiv in my back. I adored you Crea. It was all you. When I was released three years ago with no parole and completely free, I moved to Miami. Then enrolled in school and never planned to return to this place...”


“You’ve been out three years...” she whispered, pain pooling in her belly, at the realization he hadn’t sought her out in all that time. Seeing the puzzled look on her face, he reached for her hand. 


“I have and planned to stay in Miami longer, but Janice reached out and I couldn’t refuse. I avoided you. I was no longer hurt or angry but... seeing you at the rec center raised up my feelings again. I had to know.” He said. “Thanks for being straight with me.” Crea nodded, extracting her hand from his. 


“Was that your man at Ms. Roberta’s?”


“No, he’s one of my teachers,” she replied, realizing he meant Tony. “We both love her.”


“He was looking at you like a shark...” James said, causing Crea to look up at him. The way he was staring liquified her insides. “I understand, I want to devour you right now on this damn table.”


The room suddenly seemed tilted, Crea stood, gathering her plate. 


“James, I can’t do this... right now,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion betraying how affected she was. 


“Right now... right now gives me hope.” James smiled and her heart seemed to still. “Get out of here before I change my mind and turn you into a buffet.” Grabbing her things, Crea raced out to her car. Her entire body aflame. Quickly turning they key, she turned up the air conditioning, sitting until her mind recalibrated and her heart rate returned to normal.

Angelia Vernon Menchan is wife, mother, nana and mentor. Since January 2006, she has published 34 printed books and an additional 124 ebooks through her small publishing company, MAMM Productions. She is also the Co-founder of Honorable MENCHAN Media, through which she has published books for 15 authors to date.

Her personal motto is, ‘There is abundance through God for all of us; we simply have to be open for our blessings.'

In 2017 she decided to add her hallmark phrase “Just LOVE” to coffee mugs and tee-shirts. This phrase has taken on a life of its own! In addition, Angelia is a prolific public speaker and mentor to women of all ages. She resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and cover designer, Maurice Menchan.                
CONNECT WITH ANGELIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angeliam
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/AngelMenchan

IG: https://www.instagram.com/angeliamenchan7oo/

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Angelia would love to hear from you!

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

As we began a brand new week, let's start it by focusing on the promises of Almighty God upon our lives. Today, my friend and fellow author, Chicki Brown is here to share her favorite Scripture. Read on about how it has impacted her life and share your thoughts, as well on this Motivational Monday Moment...

Welcome to another Fab Friday Feature! Today's featured author is Patricia Saunders and she has the power of weaving reality into emotion-moving works of art in the form of poetry. Today, she's sharing work from There Is Sunshine After the Rain. Drop in and read along...

Self-Published Author, Patricia A. Saunders was born and raised in Connecticut before relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area nearly 25 years ago. She received her Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix in 2011. After the passing of her mother who had Alzheimer’s, Patricia decided that all the words that she kept to herself were to be released.
 
Her work has been featured on a Coast to Coast Book Tour at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Toronto Word On The Street, Sacramento Black Book Fair, Tucson Book Festival, Miami International Festival of Books and AARP Life@50+ Spring Convention, National Book Club Conference and Bay Area Book Festival. Also, on In the Company of Poet, Women Owned Business Club Magazine, and Alysha Live! Radio Show and Coach Deb Bailey Secret of Success Talk Radio. She performs locally at spoken word events and Capital Jazz SuperCruise Open Mic with Grammy Award Winner Eric Roberson.
 
She is a monthly blogger of her own blog Blessed & Curvy who covers today’s hot topics.
 
Her latest book There Is Sunshine After The Rain: Making It Through Life’s Struggles (2018) is an autobiography infused with poetry. The book will take you on the journey of a young girl growing up in Connecticut, who had to take some stumbles along the way to come into her own and realize instead of tearing herself down for the decisions she made, there is a lesson. Love is greater than anyone can imagine and can warm you like the sunshine after the rain.
You went from the beginning, the journey, the test, and the testimony to say, “There Is Sunshine after the Rain.”
 
She released her first self-published book Through the Fire (March 2012) which covered emotions from situations, circumstances, and life lessons that have influenced her over her lifetime. On a mission to complete a book a year in case she inherits the ugly disease she released her second book Loving Me (2013) and third Let It Rain (2014) which is also self-published and covers various topics from love, grief, self-image, self-esteem, bullying, and discovery of self-love. Her fourth book (2016) This Too Shall Pass was inspired from three note cards she received after the passing of her mother when she felt like giving up on life, on the brink of losing her home and being unemployed that encouraged her to live for those who loved her.
 
She works as a supervisor for a Christian Radio Station. In her spare time, Patricia enjoys writing poetry, traveling, spending time with family and wine tasting.

Patricia A. Saunders
Psaunders320@gmail.com           
510-427-0889
www.patriciaAsaunders.com
http://www.twitter.com/blessedpoetpat
http://www.facebook.com/blessedpoetpat
http://www.instagram.com/blessedpoetpat

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure Patricia would love to hear from you!

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

A quick little untruth here. A twist of the truth there. Keeping this to yourself for the time being. We've all done it. Right? But do secrets in the relationship hurt it or help it sometimes? It's time for Relationship Real Talk.

 “I only spent $50 on that ball cap last week. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” “I forgot to pay the light bill last week, I’ll just pay it this week. He doesn’t need to know.” “I went out for lunch this week, even though we agreed to not spend unnecessarily. He won’t even know.” “I ran into my ex yesterday and we had drinks, but it’s better if I sweep that under the rug. She’ll just get jealous if she finds out.”

These are just the little secrets here and there that won’t hurt anyone, especially if they’re taken care of on the back end. Or will they? Those little white lies that some find so easy to tell, those carefully covered details that are twisted to deter your significant other from finding out the truth will come back to haunt you.

It doesn’t matter if the other person learns the secret or not. It will haunt you. When you look at the mirror and deal with the true person hidden there, your conscious or in some cases the Holy Spirit will convict you of your wrong-doing.

“Well, it’s only $5 spent on the earrings I really wanted,” you say. Yes, but if the two of you agreed to not spend any extra money that $5 extra dollars becomes an untruth that sets up to fester between the two of you like an untreated sore.

Where you’re seeing it as only $5 or some other trivial matter, it’s a bigger matter than you realize. Truthfully, if you’re willing to hide a small matter it’s easy to hide something larger that you know will create problems. Those little white lies become like landmines in a relationship. You’ll have to constantly step over them, and carefully cover your tracks to make sure they’re not uncovered and blow up on you. That’s done by telling another lie and another.

“Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” I’ve heard this saying by older women telling younger women to keep certain things to yourself and never disclose everything to your man. Well, that saying is taken from the Bible and completely twisted to suit their own purposes.

The scripture reads “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3 NIV. The scripture that many use for their own purposes was a set of specific instructions Jesus gave about our hearts. When we’re practicing acts of righteousness we should do it from a place of love and obedience, not so that others may see, or to receive praise from others. It has nothing to do with hiding secrets in the relationship.

When you’re tempted to be dishonest in the relationship, no matter how trivial or large the matter ask yourself a few questions.

Why is it that you cannot be honest?

How will your significant other feel if he learns what you’re doing?

Reverse the roles and ask yourself how you would feel if he were to hide a secret from you, no matter how trivial.

What impact will the secret have on the relationship if he uncovers it?

If you often feel the need to create diversionary tactics or hide secrets in the relationship, perhaps it’s time for you to reevaluate the relationship, or yourself.

Do you believe there are times when secrets in the relationship are justified? Share below...

Thanks for joining me for Real Talk! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

Fab Friday is here again and today you're in for a special treat. Four fabulous authors here at your favorite place. Grab a delicious beverage in your favorite mug and hop in your favorite chair and read on...

Write Now Literary is pleased to be coordinating a blog tour for four authors Siera London, Tonya Barbee, Donneil Jackson and Sierra Kay. This book blast tour will run April 20, 2018.  Book your own tour here.

The Grim Reaper has visited Echo Charles so often he might as well have his mail forwarded to her address.
Echo never quite recovered from the loss of her parents to a tragic accident on her twenty-first birthday. Now fourteen years later, she mourns their death of her career, her social life, and if the reaper has his way, the death of her best friend’s lover. The only ray of light in all this darkness is Dr. Brandon Hall, who has had run-ins with the reaper himself—especially when his ex-wife put a choke hold on his bank account along with his belief in love.
 
Dr. Daniel Ellington’s touch provided the electricity that pumped Telia Arthur’s heart, and a life without his smile was unthinkable. However, an unfortunate accident spared the lives of their children and left his hanging in the balance. Now Telia must deal with a challenge only a few people know about, in addition to Dan’s mother who has descended on Telia intent on securing control of Daniel’s wealth as well as his heirs, all while her son is fighting for his life.  Telia and Echo began a friendship in elementary school that has blossomed into sisterhood. But their emotions are being dragged over concrete. Will love conquer all or become another victim of the reaper?
 
Genre: Suspense
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/sierrakay

 It's love (or the misconception of such). It's betrayal. It's triumph! It is all three wrapped into one self-reflecting book written by an author whose relationship struggles helped shape and define her as the self-sufficient woman she is today.
 
If you have endured the difficult dynamics of a relationship and often wondered why the cycle kept repeating then this book is the perfect guide to help you evaluate yourself internally before giving your heart externally. You will find the much desired answers to your "who's," "what's," "when's" why's," and "how's" of your past relationship issues.
 
Aren't you exhausted from the same ole same ole? It is time to STOP, reflect and make changes that will help you get it right!
As you read this book, you will experience the author’s journey as she continuously seeks the fairy tale relationship only to discover the fairy tale relationship never comes.  Her pain will become yours as you begin to relate with the various bad relationships documented. However, her victory will become yours as you will learn how to effectively build upon and maintain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.  You will quickly become empowered and inspired to start afresh and live your life to the very fullest.
 
Genre: Nonfiction, Inspirational
Amazon: https://bit.ly/LittleGirlInsideTBarbee

Thanks for joining us for another Fab Friday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I'm sure our friends would love to hear from you!

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

She is bold, courageous, beautiful, humble, and strong. She moves in sync with her man and uplifts him when he's down. She doesn't care about what society says, but what the Lord Almighty says. She is a queen, a black queen. Sisters, let's have some real talk today...

Queen – a woman or thing regarded as excellent or outstanding of its kind.

Fighting for equality. Individualism to express oneself freely through fashion. Desire to prove that no one can judge you. There’s always a reason we have for upholding certain attitudes. Black women were recognized as strong, proud, spiritual women of virtue. Standing side-by-side in the fields with our husbands, brothers, and sons as the sun beat down on us we worked to provide for our families. Later, as that same sun set we came home to establish a place of refuge for our husbands to turn to as he sought to escape the pressures of the world.

We taught our daughters to love and respect our men and showed our sons what to expect from their prospective wives. We upheld the word of our husbands as law because they were our man of God sent from the Almighty to guide and lead us. And the Word of God we held close to our bosom ruling our households by its very truth.

Certain things were held sacred, like respect, love, honor, virtue, and the words of our husbands. Sundays were designated for worship, but the other days would not find us too far from following the word of the Lord. In tribulation we remained regal, holding our head up even when our shoulders were burdened down. A smile graced our lips and love flowed from our hearts. Even when there wasn’t enough to give to our own families, we would provide for those less fortunate in our communities. If our husbands were less than loyal, we kept our own integrity intact, not allowing hurt to cause us to place our virtue at stake. And as black queens we did not allow lust to rule our bodies.

As time progressed these things changed.

Straying men. Hardship. Hardheaded children. Oppressive times. There are dozens of excuses that we as black women have used for why we uphold the attitudes contradictory to those of our ancestral mothers. Yet, the truth lies within us. From the beginning certain men have strayed, times have been challenging, children have been disobedient, and hardship has knocked at our doors. Yet, that did not stop black queens from being who we were ordained to be. Queens.

Queen – a woman or thing regarded as excellent or outstanding of its kind.

We are to be an example of righteousness, faith, and strength in our homes, families, communities, and on the job. Our lifestyle is to be a paradigm of worship in how we communicate and interact with others. We cannot continue to point at society, our men, and anyone else for our failure to hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard of living, one that compares to the Lord’s expectations and not those of other people. Rise above your limitations, by having faith in the Lord, belief in yourself, and allowing Him to give you strength when you’re weak, because we know His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

At what point do we stop becoming so defensive but look within to let the healing begin. Raped? Molested? Abused? Cheated on? Promiscuous? Insecure? Scorned? We cannot allow labels of hurt, shame, and defeat to define who we are, rather we should allow them to strengthen us, determined to love others and extend grace to them. We cannot continue to break down our black brothers in a futile effort to build ourselves up. We must stand apart and recognize the beauty within ourselves, while lifting our black men, our sons and our daughters.

We do not have to be epitomized as angry black women, rather we are strong just by adhering to the character Almighty God ordained us to uphold. That’s nothing less than giving our best in the good and the bad and remembering that we are queens. Women of great virtue, courageous, mighty, and strong, excellent and outstanding.

My husband said something one day that rang true with me. He shared the following story:

A man has a few of the fellas over for a game of dominoes, just as his wife and kids go to bed for the night. They’re playing and enjoying themselves and getting caught up in the game. Everyone is keeping the volume down out of respect for the wife and kids, when one of the men slams a domino on the table and shouts.

All the men around the table go quiet, staring at one another. The husband is giving his friend the evil eye and shaking his head back and forth. Then the bedroom door opens and the moment all the men have feared is upon them. Out steps the wife. They hear each one of her footsteps until she’s standing in the doorway staring at them. She tilts her head to the side, narrows her eyes and gives them a look. That one look puts all the men in check.

Not once does she have to go toe-to-toe with her man, front on him or his boys, or get over the top and loud. Just a look. One simple look from a queen that speaks volumes. No need to step beyond the boundaries of being a woman, because getting in his lane throws everything out of bounds. The power and respect of being a woman alone is all that we need, and we will receive our respect just by being the woman we are. Stand up queen and be elegant, powerful, and virtuous in your own right. Let’s restore ourselves and our men to our rightful authority as children of the Most High King, and prepare our sons and daughters for a future of hope, peace, and prosperity.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for Real Talk! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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

The last couple of months I have had various authors as guests sharing their works and giving away gifts to you, the readers. Today is the first day that I'm back with #WriterWednesday and I cannot wait to share with you. We're one week away from the release of A Woman's Design: Redemption and I'm so excited about the release.

I am giving two lucky readers a free e-copy of A Woman's Design: Redemption upon its release date. Simply share this blog post and tag me in it, and you will be entered into the giveaway. Read the excerpt below...

I was so excited, I couldn’t contain it! I had forgotten one thing after another that morning and probably would have forgotten my head if it hadn’t been attached. At 11:15, I was going to my closing and finally purchasing a home. On my own.

Patti LaBelle’s lyrics to her song, On My Own, flowed through my head as I drove in silence to my destination. I looked forward to settling down in Santa Monica, claiming my new life, and staking a claim for my future.

During negotiations, the buyer had insisted on a quick closing. This was no problem for me, since I was ready to put behind me the memories of Denver and Felice, which haunted my apartment. We had agreed upon a purchase price of nine hundred and five thousand. Chiku was right when she said the seller was ready to get rid of this property. I was glad to be of assistance.

Pulling up into the parking lot of the law offices where we would conduct our business, I found a spot underneath the shade of a large palm tree. I admired the landscaping. A blanket of lush green grass spread out across the office park. Stately columnar symmetrical-shaped incense cedars lined the walkway leading to the building. Orange-gold buttercups blossomed at the glass double entrance doors, creating a glorious welcome to visitors. I had a brief flashback of my home in Atlanta. Eric and I had spent a mint on landscaping, and I could appreciate the beauty of what lay in front of me.

Quickly pulling my attention from my past and into the present, I glanced into the overhead mirror. I grabbed my makeup bag and freshened up my lip gloss. Smiling at my reflection, I was proud that I was about to become a homeowner on my own for the first time.

My heels clicked across the marble flooring once I stepped inside the building. The blast of cool air from the air conditioning instantly dried the moisture that had begun to bead at my hairline. It was a sauna outside, and I was thankful for the cool air flowing inside. It was rare that the temperatures would rise to the sultry eighty-three degrees we experienced this day. So, I really couldn’t complain. I enjoyed Santa Monica’s balmy temperatures year-round. Surely, I could put up with the sporadic extremes.

“Hi, I’m here looking for the offices of Everly and Goldstein,” I said, approaching the security desk.

“Second bank of elevators. Third floor. Right off the elevator and straight ahead. Double glass doors with their names etched on ‘em. Can’t miss it.”

The bored and tired-looking security guard never glanced up from the game he was playing on his phone. Clearly, he had better things to do than direct visitors around the facility. That surely left me with a feeling of safety. At least I knew if someone came in to pose a threat to the safety of the building’s occupants, we had the protection of Elite Security Forces’ finest on duty.

I glanced again at his name tag underneath the company’s name and logo. “Earl Montgomery.” I laughed. “That figures. I bet he’s about as goofy as Martin was in National Security,” I mocked aloud.
Stepping away, I looked back once more. He was not the least bit concerned about my commentary. He probably had never seen the movie anyway.

Despite his oblivious attitude to the facility’s visitors, the security guard gave excellent directions. I arrived at my destination determined not to let anything deter my happiness that day. I was prepared to close on the place of my dreams. At least for now, anyway. If I ever planned to marry and start a family one day, this place would be an excellent rental property or vacation spot for my friends coming to town.

I knew Chiku had not arrived yet. She had sent a text informing me she would be fifteen minutes late. I was offered a cup of tea and some cookies by the receptionist, who was much more alert than the fake security guard downstairs. She showed me into the conference room where we would be meeting, informing me that I was the first to arrive. She would notify the attorneys when everyone was present.
I took an opportunity to gather my thoughts as I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Little seeds of doubt started popping up in my head. Was I making the right decision? I had abandoned everything to come here. My family. My friends. My memories.

Eric’s constant reminder of his infidelity.

This wasn’t the first time my thoughts wondered to his son.

Although Eric’s brother, Stephen, sent receipts to me showing proof of the monthly allotment of four hundred dollars sent to Kendra to take care of Eric’s son, I couldn’t help but wonder about his overall well-being. Then I began to wonder if I would ever have children of my own. I whispered a silent prayer, asking the Lord to free me of the envy I often experienced when thinking of Eric’s son.

“I see I’m not the first to—” My thoughts were interrupted by the presence of someone walking into the conference room.

Turning around, all thoughts and words flew from my head. My heart sped up as my breathing became labored. I sucked in dry air, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone formulate verbal communication. A prickly, stinging sensation took over my body. I felt as if a thousand pin pricks were poking me at once, while my eyes were burning. As instantly as I had been overwhelmed with the sensation, it left me. I felt incomplete.

A different energy replaced the first one. This one caused me to feel warm and sensual, all woman-like. I suddenly became aware of every thick curve of my body. My femininity was accentuated by the racing of my pulse, the heaving of my breasts straining against my simple, white blouse. The jeans caressing my thighs wanted to peel off all by themselves. Surprised at the unexpected moisture, I clenched my thighs tight. I needed to get out of the room. My thoughts took over and turned my body into the enemy.
That smooth caramel face, chocolate, almond-shaped eyes, and full lips did something to me. The smoldering look he gave me made me feel as if I was standing before him naked. I wanted to prance, letting everything loose…letting him see what he could not have. Allowing him to take a glimpse at all that I knew he desired from the look in his eyes.

Then I recalled running my fingers through those dreads in the heated throes of lovemaking. I flushed as I realized he was having those exact thoughts. He stood before me making love to me with his gaze, biting his bottom lip. I wanted to taste it. I needed to taste all of him.

Pissed at myself, I released a verbal assault that in the physical, would have brought me up on charges.
“What the hell are you doing here? You know what…save your sorry ass excuse, because whatever it is, I’m sure I don’t want to hear it. You fucked up a good thing, but I’m glad I missed out on the best thing I never had!”

I felt Beyoncé’s lyrics in my heart and soul and understood with clarity what she meant. My hands squeezed shut into fists, and I breathed deeply in and out, attempting to control my rage and hurt.

“I’m…I’m…why are you here?” Nick asked.

“Not that it’s any of your damned business, but I’m going on with my life! I’m here to close on my home!”

Slowly, Nick’s eyes widened at the same time mine did.

I shook my head, laughing in the face of fate. “You’re the real estate developer?” I asked, pointing at him, disgust evident on my face.

“Yeah…uh, I…Yeah,” he repeated, pulling his hand down his beard.

If you haven't read book 1 in the duology, A Woman's Design, click the image above to download A Woman's Design: Afflictions.

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

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
BLOG: http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another #writerwednesday! Please be so gracious as to leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you, and you will be entered into today's giveaway!

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

I love the Miley Cyrus song, The Climb. The lyrics can be applied to so many situations we face universally, and they are definitely inspirational. As I sing them, I think about, life, work, and my art.

This Monday morning at work kicks off the start of a new software system we are implementing. As you can imagine, Murphy's Law kicks in and everything imaginable is not working properly.

Yet, I trust and believe Almighty God will work it out for our good. I stand back and check my attitude through the process. Will I be knowledgeable enough? Am I patient enough? Am I operating efficiently and is my communication clear and concise? Is my faith strong enough to pull me through the challenges, or will I gripe and moan? Above all I want to ensure that I do not become dragged down by the emotions of others.

The ironic part is that I have asked these same questions in my personal life. There will always be another battle to face, another obstacle in our way. The question is, how will we allow the fight during the battle or the energy exerted while moving the obstacle to define us? Will we whine and complain, or will we trust Almighty God to grow us?

No challenge is going to be easy, but if we allow it to our faith will grow stronger, our integrity and resolve will be strengthened, and our character will improve. Just allow Him to work through you, keep pushing ahead, and hold on to your dreams. No matter how hard, never give up, never rush the process, but take a look around while going through it. Ask Him, "Lord, what do you want me to learn?" Then be open to His answer.

​Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" lyrics:

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming, but
There's a voice inside my head saying
You'll never reach it
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels lost, with no direction
My faith is shaken

But I, I got to keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna want to make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just got to keep going

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

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

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.

LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

Thanks for joining me for another Monday Motivational Moment! Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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