The blog tour continues. If you didn't have a chance to visit Te's spot on yesterday, you can drop by JL Campbell's place to see me there. Don't forget to drop a comment and enter the giveaway. That's right, you can be entered for the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or a signed copy of BeJeweled: Standing Strong.

Drop by today.

J. L. CAMPBELL

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Hello Beautiful People!!! I've been traveling on tour with BeJeweled: Standing Strong, but I have missed you all so very much. I'm bringing it home to rest today, as I start our annual 20 Days of Love tour!

I have several great authors in store for you, some friendly familiar faces and other new ones to The Beautifully Inspired Blog. I will be sharing one of my special treats with you today.

My next release will be in March. It is a duology entitled A Woman's Design. The first one is Afflictions.  Read on...

I hope that you enjoyed this excerpt, and come back tomorrow for another 20 Days of Love!

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This weekend's release party for BeJeweled: Standing Strong was a hit! Some great author celebrities arrived on the blue carpet, on the arms of the hottest male models and actors in the industry. Here's what you missed:

Book Giveaways
Gift Card Giveaways
Fashion Runway
Hottest Date
Hypest Hair
Most Divalicious Ride
Books 1-3 of the series, Free on Amazon this past weekend

...and a special guest appearance by Tyrone, top stylist from The House of BeJeweled. 

You're not out of luck though. Hop on over to Te Russ' blog today for a chance to win the giveaway. Today's the first day of the blog tour for BeJeweled: Standing Strong!

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Yay!!! It's the release of BeJeweled: Standing Strong, the final book in The House of BeJeweled series!

Tonight, we're celebrating online in our Facebook event. Special guests include:

Adrienne Thompson
Chicki Brown
Paulette Harper
Te Russ
W Parks Brigham

Each of those ladies will be giving away a signed or autographed copy of their novels, and Rae Lamar will give away a signed copy of her latest novel, Blur.

JOIN THE RELEASE PARTY ON FB.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY!

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CHELLE: Readers, welcome Mrs. Olivia back to the blog today. Hi, Olivia it's been quite a while since we've last seen you. You're looking great.

OLIVIA: Thank you, Chelle. You're looking beautiful, as well.

CHELLE: Thanks. Well, let's get to the heart of the matter. I understand there are a lot of changes happening in the final book. Are you excited about its release?

OLIVIA: I'm definitely excited, as well as nervous. You never know how the fans will receive what's about to happen, and there is a lot of drama.

CHELLE: There's definitely some drama in the mix. How are you feeling about some of the incidents.

OLIVIA: I will say that it shook my faith up quite a bit. I spent a lot of time on my knees seeking the Lord's guidance.

CHELLE: Can you tell us who some of the events happened to?

OLIVIA: I'll have to be very careful with this one. Let's see...well, I'm sure by now that everyone knows Black and Kianna have returned. That was the one that I wasn't quite ready for. I wasn't certain how Angel would handle it.

CHELLE: Angel has matured a lot over the years and her faith has definitely grown.

OLIVIA: That it has, but, it doesn't mean she can't be tested. And her walk with the Lord was on shaky grounds at the time. This is based on what she shared with me. Also, because of Black's return, a lot of attention went towards Alex. People were concerned about how he would handle some of the situations. New people have been introduced into this series, as well.

CHELLE: Tell the readers who's new this time around.

OLIVIA: Georgette, Brenda, and Sweets.

CHELLE: Hmmm...

OLIVIA: Please don't tempt me, Chelle. Let's just say these are new players in this twisted circle.

CHELLE: What about B.A.D. and Ty? Will we see them?

OLIVIA: Of course they will be around. The House of BeJeweled would not be the same without them. They definitely bring their share of the drama. Ty's doing some wonderful things which you will learn about this time around, too.

CHELLE: Raymond. How are things with him and the kids?

OLIVIA: (Takes a deep sigh). Let's just say they will have to read the book.

CHELLE: Is there a huge revelation in this one?

OLIVIA: Actually there are quite a few shocking revelations. We will say goodbye to a few people, and that's always hard.

CHELLE: Okay. I can't wait! Well, Olivia, thanks for dropping by. We know you have to get back to the salons. Is there anything that you would like to share with our readers?

OLIVIA: Absolutely! Please come out and support Chelle and all of us on tomorrow. The release party is on Facebook at seven PM, Eastern Standard Time. You can attend from anywhere around the world. Simply upload your outfit, shoes, hairstyle, date, and car you're driving. Even if you don't have those things in your closet, you can picture shop online and share them with us. There will be giveaways from other authors, gift certificates, and Chelle you're giving away the entire autographed collection of The House of BeJeweled, correct?

CHELLE: Exactly. You heard her. Join us tomorrow. That's Saturday, January fourteenth at seven pm eastern standard time. The link will be below. Thanks again, Olivia, for dropping by.

OLIVIA: Thanks for having me. Everyone be blessed! 

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It's going down this Saturday! Black and Kianna are back with a mind-blowing revelation. Get ready for the Release Party on Facebook! I'd love to see you there. Several authors are giving away both signed and eBook copies of their latest releases. We will be giving away gift cards to various places, and someone will walk away with the autographed collection of The House of BeJeweled series!

Yes, that's right. Someone will win the entire autographed collection. But you have to show up online at the event. Upload a picture of your favorite outfit, shoes, and hairstyle. Don't forget to show us who your date is for the night, and what whip you'll be rolling in. If it doesn't exist in your reality, go online and find it!

BEJEWELED: STANDING STRONG RELEASE PARTY

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM BOOK 4 OF THE HOUSE OF BEJEWELED SERIES:

BEJEWELED: STANDING STRONG_CHAPTER 19 (CAN'T TRUST HER)

Black pulled up at Angel’s apartment. She had sent him a text asking him to meet her at six. It was always a good day when he could see his ex-wife and son.

“Come on in,” Angel invited, holding the door open for him.

“Where’s my lil’ guy?” he asked, looking around expecting TJ to come running, shouting “Daddy” at any minute.

“My mom’s house,” she said in a choked voice.

It was the first time Black had directly looked at her. Her eyes were swollen and red, as if she’d been crying. The pile of hair on her head was tangled and disheveled. She looked as if she had just gotten out of the bed.

“Angel! What’s wrong, babe?” he asked, reaching for her, but she pulled away. “TJ, okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah. He’s cool.” She turned her back on him and walked into her living room.

“Then what’s wrong?” Black stopped in mid-stride and stared at her.

Angel sat on the couch staring at the space between her feet.

Black’s heart broke watching her. To him, she looked so hollow, as though she had lost her soul. Who did this to her? Was it Alex? I swear if it was, he’s a dead man, he thought.

“You called me this morning and told me for the next month or so, some things might not be what they appear to be.”

“Yeah.” His stomach began to tighten.

“You said some things might be lies…did you know Kianna was coming to my salon?”

Her voice was so low Black had to struggle to hear her. “What?”

Angel held her head up and stared at him with red-rimmed eyes. “I asked—”

“Nah, I heard what you asked. I can’t believe…what the fuck!” Black pulled his phone from its holster on his hip and began punching in Kianna’s number as he paced back and forth.

“Hang up, Black,” Angel whispered. Then more ferociously, “Black! Hang up! This is between you and me.”

He hit the end button on his phone and looked at Angel, trying to gauge her mood. He had expected Kianna would pull something, but he wasn’t sure what it would be. He had hoped she wouldn’t strike against Angel so soon. But he should have known better. All she’d needed was a little leverage, and he knew he had given her that when he had agreed to take those pictures. Under duress.

“She said you two were back together.” Refusing to meet his glance, Angel stared at the floor again.

“Nah, Ang, it’s—”

“Stop…just stop,” she repeated, shaking her head and holding her hand up to stop his words. “I saw the pictures.”

“Look, babe. I told you things might look a certain way for a while, but you gotta trust me. Shit ain’t what it seem.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” The softness of her voice betrayed the pain she felt. Tears were welling up in her eyes again as she stared at him. Yet, he knew by the haze in her eyes she wasn’t seeing him, rather some image in her head.

“Them pictures ain’t what they look like, Ang,” he insisted, punching his fist in the palm of his hand, punctuating each word.

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I am convinced that no matter how much we have good intentions to write, there will always be something to distract us from our goals. Family. Relationships. Children. Jobs. Chores. Life.

We have to push forward to make any progress. No matter how challenging, frustrating, or painful it may become we have to push, just as a woman in labor pushes to birth the greatest miracle life has to offer.

At the end of the day when we have completed that novel, blog post, or article, and it is published and in the hands of our readers, there is a sense of completion and fulfillment.

Schedule your writing time this year and remain committed.

1. Wake up thirty minutes to one hour later to write, if mornings are your creative time.
   
2. Go to bed thirty minutes or one hour later to write, if nights are your creative time.
   
3. Take a lunch break and write while you eat.
   
4. Commute via carpool, your job's commuter service (if offered) or public transportation. This gives you a chance to focus on unrestrained writing.
   
5. Find time on the weekends to get some writing in.
   

Dedicate yourself to the finished project this year, and let nothng stop you from accomplishing your goals! It's all about sacrifice. But it's well worth it.

Be Motivated. Be Committed. Be Inspired.

Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world. Malala Yousafzai

Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself. Octavia E. Butler

“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.”
—Virginia Woolf

Thank you for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment!

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It's time to don your hottest fashions, coolest whip, and your most fab hair ever! Pull out the weaves, wigs, and the au naturales, because The House of BeJeweled fashion show is coming to your town! There will be awards for best dressed, the most fabulous hair styles, the sexiest dates, the attendant who sent the most invites, and more.

Tell your friends and all of your reading buddies. Everyone from The House of BeJeweled will be in attendance. Don't miss it!

WHERE: Facebook on the "BeJeweled: Standing Strong_Release Party," event page.
WHEN: Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 7:00 PM EST

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Last year multiple things happened that impacted my time in the studio! Okay, perhaps not the studio, but the writing lab. I became exasperated by the changes that were truly blessings. It's interesting how often we can pray for something then become disappointed that it didn't pan out the way we thought it would

Last year, I was busy with life. The new job that I had been praying for finally came. With it came more responsibility and much longer hours. Last year, I was blessed with two writing contracts to ghostwrite for new clients. With it came more dedication to someone else's projects, and less time for mine.

In the scheme of things both of these opportunities are wonderful blessings and good sources of income. However, I found myself frustrated more often than not, because these ventures were draining me of my time and creativity that was usually reserved for my own projects.

At the end of the year, I became fed up with never having time to do the one thing I'm most passionate about. Write! Yes, I was writing, but I wasn't writing what I wanted to write. I came to the conclusion that while I love more money, and greater opportunities, it's not everything. Living my dream is truly everything! Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the blessings and they are a part of the dream, but they were consuming the original dream in its entirety.

That fed up state that I was living in became more than I could bear. I sat down, composed a plan and I am dedicated to sticking with that plan. It will give me the time that I need to attend to these other projects, while ensuring I have time to contribute to my first love...my books.

And even that will be placed into perspective, because I know if I'm not careful, that too will consume time meant for family. So, this year, you will see different things from me. I plan to re-release two books I had pulled from the shelf. I will release three projects that I've completed, AND I plan to release some short stories along the way. That's a challenge, as you know all of my novels have been 80k+. Not only will I make that change, but they will be in the romance genre.

For those of you who love the drama and the attitude that you find in my books, no need to worry. I'll still be working on my women's fiction, and bringing all the spice and attitude you've grown used to in my works. I hope you plan to stick around to see what I have in store. I plan to be more visible and available in 2017 than I was in 2016...God Almighty willing!

Well that's my annual #writerwednesday commitment for what you can expect from me in 2017. Let's do this, ladies!

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Every year people are looking forward to closing the door on the old year, and welcoming a new one in. They want to erase the disappointments and sorrows that occurred in the previous year, and look forward to the victories of the new year.

That's a fine sentiment to have, but more often than not it isn't reality. There are many sorrows and disappointments we will experience in life. There are issues we will have to overcome that we wished never happened to us. Unfortunately, we cannot control every aspect of life. Those challenges, failings, setbacks, disappointments, and heartaches molded you into the person you are today; and they were more than likely the catalyst for greater change in your life.

Those situations that did not send you completely over the edge were the same issues that God Almighty used to strengthen you. Take time this year to reflect on the ways you've grown through the challenges of the past, and how you handled yourself in the midst of adversity.

Rather than focusing on what you don't want to happen, think positive thoughts, and determine to have a faith mentality when issues do arise. Simply put...determine to be the best that you can be at all times. No one can ask anything more than that.

The brand new me? I've learned to love myself for who I am, the good with the bad. Yet, I've also learned from my husband that all I need to do, is be the best me that I can be, every moment that I'm blessed with.

So, this year the brand new me, will be the same old me, being the best me that I can be.

Happy 2017!

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