It's the final day of March Madness! I'm so sad to see it go because we've had so much fun. However, I have been impatiently waiting for this day, this book, this author to come along for a moment. I've in-boxed and harassed her about this book to no end. Join me in welcoming, Chicki Brown and those sweet, sexy, Stafford Brothers!

Ladies, let's meet Nick Stafford, the baby of the bunch, if you can call him that. (Laughing naughtily). Don't forget to comment on this post to be entered into the giveaway!

Blurb:
Nick Stafford is the youngest in his family. He's recently graduated from medical school and finished his internship. Everything was going well for him until Cherilyn, his girlfriend of two years, starts hinting about marriage. The thought of adding more responsibility to the pressure he is already facing getting ready to take the last of his board exams and the nearly quarter of a million dollars in student loan debt already hanging over his head is too much. He breaks off their relationship.

Eight months later, he runs into Cherilyn at an event on the arm of another doctor, and she's wearing an engagement ring. Seeing her with another man stirs up a jealousy like he's never experienced before. Now all Nick can think of is how he can get her back. 

Excerpt #2
Their glasses met once more, and then Charles declared, “We can’t forget about the beautiful women who were sweet enough to give us a boys’ night out.”

“Speaking of the ladies,” Charles said after they took a few minutes to look over the menu and ordered their meals. “Is mine the only one who became paranoid about her weight after she had a baby? Adanna is driving me crazy.”

Vic snickered. “Mona’s always been irrational about her weight, but I thought that came from all those years on the beauty pageant circuit.”

“Gianne could’ve used some extra weight, but since she didn’t give birth to ChiChi, that was a non-issue.” Marc savored the fresh fruit in his 925 Stripped Sangria, the only drink on the menu he was willing to ingest.

“I don’t see why any of them are concerned about their weight,” Nick added with a chuckle.

“These women can get crazy about that scale,” Vic interjected. “You don’t understand, since you like big girls.”

“I don’t like all big girls. I just like Cher.”

Vic shook his head. “That’s something I admit I don’t really get. That’s too much woman for me.”

Nick leaned back in his chair with a wide grin. “She’s gorgeous, man, and when you see all of that uncovered, it can bring a man to his knees.

“Truthfully, I believe he’s been blinded by those titties.” Greg pumped his open palms in front of his chest.

“And I have a theory about why he’s a breast man.”

 Nick reared back in his seat. “Really? Let’s hear it, man.”

“According to Mama, all of us were bottle fed. Back in the day, women weren’t into doing things the natural way. He was the only one that was breast-fed.”

“Now that makes a lot of sense!” Marc agreed as he slapped his baby brother on the back and all of them howled.

“If you guys want an honest answer, the sex is so much better with a big girl,” Nick continued. “As the saying goes, there’s more cushion for the pushin’.” Nothing is worse than having sex with a woman who feels like she’s going to snap like a twig when it gets good and you’re stroking hard.”

“I have to admit I felt like that with Gianne at first. She was so frail after being sick, I was almost afraid I might hurt her.”

Greg cocked one eyebrow. “But it didn’t stop you, did it?”

“Hell, no!” Marc said with a sly grin. “I was just careful.”

Jesse used the topic as a segue. “Speaking of stroking, are you still declaring urology and men’s medicine as your specialty?” 

“Sure am, but that might not even be an issue if I don’t pass the last part of my board exams.”

Vic leaned forward and folded his arms on the tabletop with an expression of concern. “Why do you think you might not pass?”

“I’m not ready.”

Charles frowned. “Do you mean you’re not ready because you’re nervous or because you haven’t studied?”

“Both, I guess. I can’t find a place to study when I get off from work. I need silence.” Two servers appeared with their food. He waited until they were done placing their meals on the table before he continued. “My place is like Saturday at Lenox Mall all the time. Everywhere else I’ve been is too distracting. The libraries close at nine, and they’re not quiet at all.”

“Where were you studying before?” Vic asked then realized he’d asked a rhetorical question. “Oh. Cher’s not playing, is she?”

“Not by a long shot, man. I need help with this last exam.”

The brothers exchanged surprised glances then bowed their heads and said individual silent prayers over their food.

“Look, Nick, you have to pass that test,” Vic said, once they opened their eyes. “We have plenty of extra space at my house. You can use one of our guest rooms to study. Mona won’t mind. Maite can make you something for dinner, and I can quiz you one evening a week.”

“So can I,” Charles added.

Jesse concurred. “I can help you too, but with the three kids, quiet is in short supply at my house. Why didn’t you say something sooner? More importantly, why don’t you tell your roommate to get his shit together?”

“I knew how busy you guys were, and I thought I could change Cher’s mind.” Thunderous laughter from the three married men underscored just how absurd his words were.

“Seriously, man,” Charles reiterated. “You pay half the rent, so why can’t you negotiate some kind of middle ground with Jay?”

Nick snorted. “Finding a guy to split the costs who wasn’t a wacko was hard enough. Jay and I have been roommates for years now. We’ve become good friends. I’d rather keep the friendship and find somewhere else to study.”

In a rare moment of humor and what appeared to be an effort to lighten up the conversation, Jesse said, “Since you’ve decided on men’s medicine, I guess you know they performed the first successful penis transplant in South Africa recently. They haven’t agreed on the official name for the procedure, but from what I hear, it’ll most likely be called an attachadicktomy.” Again, a roar rose from their group. Other diners turned in their direction looking as though they were dying to know what was so funny.

Nick gazed around the table at the faces of the men who were not only his blood but his personal heroes. For so long they had treated him as if he were still in middle school. His brothers didn’t trust him to make decisions and relentlessly teased him. It wasn’t until he graduated from college and got accepted into medical school that they started looking at him as an equal. No longer did they treat him like the baby of the family, even though he was.

He admired them for what they each had been able to accomplish in their professional lives, but now he found himself looking up to them for their successful marriages. They had different personalities. None of them dealt with their wives in the same way, but this was his brain trust when he needed career or personal advice. And he loved them with a fierce devotion.

BUY THE BOOK:

US link: http://amzn.to/1qi7bFc

UK link: http://amzn.to/1UUfALq

Author bio:
Contemporary women’s fiction/romance author Chicki Brown has been featured twice in USAToday. She was the 2014 B.R.A.B. (Building Relationships Around Books) Inspirational Fiction Author and also the 2011 SORMAG (Shades of Romance Magazine) Author of the Year. Chicki was also a contributing author to the Gumbo for the Soul: Men of Honor (Special Cancer Awareness Edition).
A transplanted New Jersey native who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Brown still misses the Jersey shore, the pizza and the hot dogs.
Nia Forrester, Beverly Jenkins, Iris Bolling, Lisa Kleypas, and J.R. Ward are among her favorite authors.
 
You can reach Chicki here:
Amazon Central Author Page: http://amzn.to/l2kjXQ
Blog: http://sisterscribbler.blogspot.com 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chicki663 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chicki.brown
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/qcsiMD

Thanks for participating in March Madness all month long. Show your love for Chicki by leaving a comment and to be entered into the giveaway.

Join us tomorrow when our Fab Friday Feature returns! To join this blog, simply click the "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the right panel.

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Hi, I’m Xio Axelrod. I write contemporary romantic fiction that often examines how and why we fall, and the decisions we make when we do. Both good and bad. My novel,l, Falling Stars, is set in Hollywood; a place not really known for its authenticity. Still, my guy and my girl find themselves on a collision course. They’re soul mates, if there ever was such a thing, but the circumstances…well…they’re far from ideal. I’m giving away a signed copy of Falling Stars. Enter to win!

Falling Stars Overview:
What if you met the right person at the absolute wrong time?
 
Val Saunders and Sam Newman are two Hollywood actors at opposite ends of their careers. Hers is skyrocketing while his never really took off. Fate brings them together when they’re cast as lovers on a steamy new television series. The on-screen chemistry between them is off the charts and when it spills over into a real life attraction, they find themselves in a situation.
                        
Sam is an honorable man. He has been faithful to a toxic, Hollywood marriage for nearly half his life. He’s never strayed and isn’t about to start now, despite the fact that he is falling head over heels for his co-star.
 
Val’s worked hard to get her career on the path to the A-list and the last thing she wants, or needs, is a scandal. If only her heart and her brain were working with the same script.
 
Romance is an ideal. This is a love story. It explores the possibility of second chances and asks hard questions about duty, fidelity, life in the public eye, and the cost of being happy. Falling Stars is the beginning of a sexy, sensual, and emotional roller-coaster ride that reminds us that love, while not often easy, is always worth it.

Excerpt ~
Sam hadn’t been on the lot in days. Not since that day. Had he been avoiding her, or was she just being paranoid? She’d gotten used to everyone being on set, hanging around like it was one, giant clubhouse. When he didn’t come back after they filmed episode six, a whisper of panic shot through her. The little voice in her head told her that he’d known how attracted she was to him – a married man – and it had made him uncomfortable. She needed to talk to him. To apologize, to explain, just to say…something.

“Ugh, don’t be stupid, Val. He’s got a life outside of work.” She gathered her purse and the sack of freshly-baked pepperoni bread that she’d brought for the viewing. And opened the door just as Sam appeared at the bottom of the hill.

He stopped when he saw her.

“Here we go.” Val got out of the car and closed the door, leaning on it for a beat longer than needed. She took a steadying breath before turning around.

“Hi.” He slowed to a stop a few feet away from her.

“Hi.” She smiled, her pulse suddenly off to the races.

They stood there for a moment, saying nothing. Just staring. Sam ran a hand through his hair. He had a sexy, sorta Robert Redford thing going on, white button-down shirt, crisp jeans and tennis shoes. It was like seeing yet another side of the man. A more relaxed version. It suited him.

“Haven’t seen you for a couple of days, everything okay?” The sun framed his body, giving him an unearthly aura. Val shielded her eyes.

“Yeah…yeah.” He dismissed her concern, moving slightly to block the glare. “Just been busy. Had some stuff to do. Things to take care of. Karen, the usual.” Sam shoved his hands into his pockets and the gesture suddenly made him seem, at once, very young and very male. Val blushed. He knew.

“Sam, I-“

“Please, Valerie, don’t. You don’t have to…I mean, I know what you’re going to say and I’m-“

“Sorry.” They spoke at the same time.

“Wait, what?” Confused, Val walked toward him. Sam took a half step back. He looked like a man that wanted to melt into the asphalt and disappear. “What are you apologizing for?” He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. A pained expression flashed across his face.

“Last week, at the shoot, we…I-”

“I hear they loved it.” She cut him off. Things were awkward. Val didn’t like awkward. She gave him her best, talk show smile. He smiled back and seemed to relax a little. “If one more person tells me how hot it was.” Val rolled her eyes. Just go with it, Sam. Please.

“Yeah, well, it was pretty believable. I think.” Sam’s laugh faded. Her skin began to itch under his gaze.

“Oh yeah, totally.” She rushed to agree. “I mean, I’m sure it looked that way.”

Val had to look away. This was excruciating. She pretended to find something interesting up in the trees. Their co-stars had gone on and on about how, together, they’d made the scene sizzle. Carla and the network execs were convinced that the ratings would go through the roof once America got a glimpse of TV’s hottest new couple.

All Val could think about was going into Carla’s house to watch herself fall in lust with Sam onscreen, in a room full of people. As much as she dreaded it, another part of her wanted to relive that day. See if it was as amazing as her memories.

“Acting,” Sam said, snapping her back to reality. “Genius!” He grinned, pointing one finger at the sky in exaggeration.

“Wow, I haven’t heard that one in a long time. My dad loves those old SNL sketches.” She laughed, some of the tension melting out of her body. She was almost convinced that Sam hadn’t shared in her insane, lust-crazed delusions. It was merely acting. Really superb acting. And, of course, his natural, physical response to stimuli. That’s all. Lucky him.

***

Somewhere along the way, Sam had begun to study her. Memorizing the way she twirled her hair when she laughed, the curve of her neck, the way her silver jewelry looked against her copper skin. He gazed at her for a moment longer than was proper. She practically glowed in her off-white sundress. He loved her in those. Her arms were bare. The contrast between the color of the fabric and the tone of her skin brought back memories of the last time he’d seen her. The lace of her intimates sliding across his fingertips, her flesh soft against his lips.

She was absolutely gorgeous. So full of easy confidence and in the prime of her life. Plum. Succulent. He smothered the sudden impulse to kiss her.

In the quiet of Carla’s tree-lined street, Valerie was studying him too. He couldn’t interpret the expression on her face but something moved behind her eyes that made his heart pound loudly in his chest. He needed to stop this fantasy. It was getting dangerous and could threaten his career. Valerie had been nothing but a professional, but he was behaving like a schoolboy. He briefly closed his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek. Penance for his betrayal of their innocent relationship. Valerie stepped closer, a concerned look on her face.

“Hey. What’s going on?” She placed her hand on his shoulder and he had to fight not to jump out of his skin. Determined to stamp his budding infatuation down as far as he could get it, he swallowed before speaking.

“I’m alright. Really.” He smiled tightly. “You?” He licked his lips and she inhaled quickly.

He felt himself drifting in. Her hand tightened on his shoulder. That spark, that fire, it roared to life. How was he supposed to go inside and watch himself fall all over her on screen? Watch as she kissed him, caressed him. The others would know, if they didn’t already, how far down the rabbit hole he had tumbled. He’d be a joke. A laughing stock. Deservedly so. But it wasn’t like he could walk away now. Valerie tilted her head as if she had read his mind.

“Sam-“

“Shall we?” Too loud, man. Unsure of what she was about to say, he’d panicked. Valerie stopped mid-breath. Sam gestured toward the door and she nodded slowly. Giving his arm one last squeeze, she let go and walked past him. “Here, let me.”

He took the parcel of bread from her, offering to carry it while she opened the door and they stepped inside. Into the lion’s den.

Book Trailer ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=846AR2mU_zI
“Yellow” (Single from Falling Stars soundtrack) ~
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NZwJP7
iTunes: http://apple.co/1MXQ44G
 
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26175703-falling-stars
 
Buy Links ~
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SzZh22
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/falling-stars/id1060179367?ls=1&mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/falling-stars-17
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-stars-xio-axelrod/1123021141?ean=2940157870218
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fallingstars-1924176-149.html
 
 
Audio Book:
Audible: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_1_srAuth?searchAuthor=Xio+Axelrod&qid=1453828812&sr=1-1
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Xio-Axelrod/e/B00JCFOOHY
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/xio-axelrod/id949645180?mt=11

About Xio ~
Xio Axelrod, is an award-winning author of love stories, contemporary romantic fiction and (what she likes to call) strange, twisted tales. She also writes erotica and women’s fiction. Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, not-so-secret name of course). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and one part-time cat.
 
Connect with Xio ~
Website:  http://www.xioaxelrod.com/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Xio-Axelrod/e/B00JCFOOHY
Email Signup: http://eepurl.com/SunFL
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/XioAxelrod
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/xioaxelrod
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/xioaxelrod
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+XioAxelrod
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/xioaxelrod/
Instagram: http:// http://instagram.com/xioaxelrod/

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Inez by leaving a comment.

Join us tomorrow for another March Madness! To join this blog, simply click the "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the right panel.

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It's another March Madness giveaway, and Sheryl Lister is back with Tender Kisses. It's a sweet and tender moment between friends. Or are they? You be the judge. Read on and leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

Excerpt from TENDER KISSES

“Look, I don’t…” Her eyes widened and her sentence trailed off. “Justin. What…what are you doing here?” She had forgotten she’d given him her address.

“Can I come in?”

She hesitated for a split second before backing up and waving him in. She closed the door and leaned against it. His gaze burned a slow path down her body and back up and Siobhan felt a sudden need to cover herself.

“Nice outfit.”

Since she didn’t have plans to leave the house, she’d put on an old pair of cut-off jean shorts that revealed more than they covered, and a tank top. “I wasn’t expecting company, so… Anyway, you never answered my question.”

“You canceled our date…by text,” Justin said, as if that explained it all. “Why?”

If anything, she had expected him to call in response to her text, not show up at her house. “I told you, I have a lot of work I have to finish.”

“It’s Saturday, Siobhan.” He closed the distance between them, braced one hand on the door above her head and brought his face within six inches of hers. “You’re going to have to do better than that, baby.”
Siobhan’s breath caught and her pulse spiked.

“Did I say or do something wrong?”

She shook her head.

“I thought we had a good time both times at the coffee shop.”

“Yes, but—”

“But, what? When two people enjoy each other’s company it seems logical that they’d want to spend more time together.”

“Justin, I think you’re a really nice guy, but I don’t want to lead you on or give you the impression I want anything from you other than friendship.”

A slow grin tilted the corners of his mouth. “And you think by us going to dinner and a movie, I’ll think you want more than friendship.”

Siobhan nodded.

“What if I promise I won’t assume you want anything other than a good time? Then will you go out with me?”

“What about you? What do you want?”

“All I want is to spend the evening with a beautiful woman.” Justin eased close enough for their breaths to mingle. “So, Ms. Hunter, will you go out with me?”

With his lips so near and his eyes locked on hers, Siobhan could barely form a coherent thought, let alone answer him. Everything inside her screamed no, but she heard herself answer, “Yes,” just before his mouth came crashing down on hers. Unlike the previous kisses they had shared, this one was more urgent and demanding. She felt her control slipping and pulled back.

“I made reservations for six-thirty,” he whispered against her lips. “That way we’ll have plenty of time to see one of the later showings at the theater.”

Still trying to get her heart rate under control, she said, “I need to change my clothes.”

He moved back.

“You can wait in here.” She led him to the family room. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Justin took a seat on her recliner. “No, thank you. This is really nice. Did you decorate it yourself?”

“With a little help from my sister.” She had chosen neutral beiges and tans with splashes of coral to complement the stone fireplace. “I’ll be right back.”

In her bedroom, Siobhan paced and rubbed her temples. “What are you doing, Siobhan?” she mumbled.
“All it took was a stupid kiss and you’re going back on your word.” But, damn the man could kiss.

Buy Links for Tender Kisses:
 
Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1ZCdGQu
B&N:  http://bit.ly/1XIxsGq
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/20HG1Vj 
Harlequin:  http://bit.ly/20HGo1X

Giveaway prize – mini swag pk (mug, Starbucks GC, pen, etc.)

ABOUT SHERYL:

Sheryl Lister has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Her first novel, Just To Be With You, earned her a 2015 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Debut Author of the Year, and she was awarded 2015 Best New Author of Building Relationships Around Books (Online Book Club). When she's not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-sized desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife, mother of three daughters and one son-in-love and a grandmother to an adorable grandson.    

CONNECT WITH SHERYL:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Sheryl by leaving a comment.

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It's another #MarchMadness giveaway. Today's host, Michelle Spady shares a mysteriously sweet excerpt! I cannot wait to read this one! Take a moment to enjoy, and leave a comment for Michelle to be entered into the giveaway.

ABOUT MICHELLE:
Michelle  Morgan Spady, Author, former teacher, and publisher of five books; An Artist and His Obsession; 7 Days 2 Tell; and ShoozyQ and the AB Crew in Bully on the Playground; her debut novella, Enough was Never Enough, and her latest release Kiana S.M.A.R.T. for Class President.  Her children’s book projects were collaborated with her son, Bradford O. Spady, an artist and visual storyteller. Michelle is the VP of Creative Services with B’Artful, LLC in McLean, VA.  B’Artful is a company that empowers, inspires, and promotes emerging authors, and artists by providing them with opportunities, and space to enhance, and exhibit their creative talents.
Michelle is featured in the 2015 release of LEGENDARY LOCALS OF MCLEAN by Carole Herrick, and penned two reflections in THE SIDS SURVIVAL GUIDE by Joani Horchler.
Michelle is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, McLean, VA. She resides with her husband and son in McLean.
CONTACT MICHELLE:
www.michellespady.com
m@michellespady.com

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Michelle by leaving a comment.

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Such a sweet and gracious love. It's the type of love that comes only with time, nurturing, and faith. It's the love we all hope to have one day. Inez Reilly is taking over March Madness with an excerpt from her upcoming novel, Leaven...

Read more and don't forget to comment to be entered into the giveaway.

ABOUT INEZ:

Inez Reilly was born in Queens, New York to a heroin-addicted mother who abandoned her when she was ten months old. She is a survivor of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, most of which was experienced during her formative years. She attributes her endurance to prayer, positive affirmations and her subsequent acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  She is the proud mother of three natural children, one spiritual daughter and three grandchildren… Keilah, Joshua, Seraya, Joy, Haliek, Ryan and Sidney. She currently resides in Richmond VA.

Ms. Reilly refers to herself as a scribe, a composer of written work. She is a writer, at heart. She views life in storybook fashion. Through the lens of her eyes, situations are words and words become art. Writing has been in her blood from early childhood; putting pen/pencil to paper to create stories and poems. At the age of ten she began an autobiographical work, entitled How I Became Me, which she turned into a teacher and received accolades.

Writing has afforded Inez an avenue of opportunity to express herself when verbal communication was not an option. She would write her prayers, keep a daily journal and create vision statement for her life. Now, she shares her creative imaginings with the world through her works of fiction and non-fiction inspirational books.

Ms. Reilly is a counselor, teacher, mentor, minister and life coach to many. She has traveled across the United States speaking to mixed audiences, sharing her testimony of victory over the situations of her life. She utilizes the tools she has garnered under the tutelage and spiritual nurturing of Dr. Katherine Corbett, as well as the educational support in the Human Services field.

Currently, Inez Reilly has completed five books, a self-help inspirational book, ALL OTHER GROUND, and four Christian fiction novels, HOW TO TASTE IT AT THE END OF THE DAY,  COVENANT, LIKE A ROARING LION and BEHOLDEN (all are available on amazon.com - http://amzn.to/21nJicz ). Ms. Reilly is working on several projects, including two books, LEAVEN and SHEER INJURY targeted to be released in the near future.

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Inez by leaving a comment.

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Today's March Madness author, Te Russ is serving up some heat and spice! It's a slam dunk on love when two long-lost lovers cross one another's path again. But one has an unexpected surprise for the other. Read on and don't forget to comment to be entered into the giveaway...

OVERVIEW:
 
Savannah McAllister is only focused on one thing: raising her son. When she decides to take him on a long overdue vacation, the last person she expects to run into is the only man she's ever truly loved...who also happens to be her son's father.
 
Ethan Porter gets the surprise of his life when he discovers he has a son. Now, he wants answers and he wants them from the one woman who was able to steal his heart with nothing more than her smile.
 
Both Savannah and Ethan are determined to make the best of their situation for the sake of their son, EJ. But in the process, they quickly discovered that all of those feelings they had years ago, have been lying dormant and the passion they shared is about to come back to life.
 
EXCERPT:
 
Ethan was stretched out in his bed with his arms over his head as he stared at the ceiling. EJ had been thrilled when he found out they would be spending the night at Ethan's place. After dinner, they played some of the old boards games, Ethan found in one of the closets.

Eventually EJ grew tired and Savannah sent him off to get ready for bed. Since the sleepover was a last minute idea, they hadn't brought any extra clothes, so Ethan gave EJ one of his t-shirts to sleep in. The shirt swallowed EJ up, and Savannah thought he looked adorable.

After they'd tucked him in, Savannah and Ethan had stood outside the bedroom door quietly.

"I guess this is good night," he said.

"Good night," Savannah said, quietly. "And thanks for the shirt." Ethan had given her a shirt to sleep in as well.

Now, he was lying in bed, imagining what Savannah looked like walking around in nothing but his t-shirt.

The sound of a light knock on his door had him sitting up slightly.

"Come in," he said, wondering which of his house guests were at his door.

The door crept open and a long bare leg peeked through, causing Ethan to sit all the way up. He felt a twitch beneath his boxers as Savannah came fully into view. She quietly shut the door before looking at him.

His shirt engulfed her as well, but it stopped right her thighs.

"Savvy," he finally said. "Is everything all right?"

She opened her mouth to say something then stopped, clamping it shut. Then she crossed the room. His pulse quickened as he watched her climb in the bed, straddle his lap and wrap her arms around his neck.

"Savvy–"

Whatever he'd been about to say got cut off when Savannah thrust her tongue into his mouth. He gripped her thighs before sliding his hands higher, underneath the shirt. He let out a groan when he discovered she was wearing nothing underneath. In a flash, he had her on her back and he shoved the shirt up so he could admire her entire body.

He knew he needed to slow down, but for the moment, he couldn't stop himself. He reached down and circled one of her nipples with his finger, before he gave in to temptation and bent down to pull it into his mouth.

She arched against him, pushing her breast further into his mouth and he greedily tasted her. When he moved to the other one, she gripped his head and let out a moan.

He felt her hand inch closer to his erection and he finally found the strength to pull away.

"Why'd you stop?" Savannah asked.

He shook his head and raked his hands down his face. He felt like an idiot. An extremely horny idiot.

"As difficult as this is for me to say...we can't do this. Not yet."

"But...I thought..." Savannah mumbled. She sat up quickly and pulled her shirt down, covering her body. "Never mind. I'm sorry."

She went to scramble out of the bed, but Ethan stopped her. "Savvy, wait." He blew out a frustrated breath. "Don't misunderstand me. I want you. Desperately. But...Are you honestly comfortable with this happening for the first time with EJ right down the hall? What if he hears us? Or what if he gets up looking for you?"

He could tell by the look in her eye that she wasn't comfortable with that thought.

"When I finally make you mine completely again, I want to make love to you all night, uninhibited and uninterrupted. I don't want to have to explain why mommy was screaming all night," he said with a grin.

Savannah's lip twitched and she said, "You're right, I know." She covered her face with her palms. "I'm so embarrassed, sneaking in here and jumping you like a little tramp."

"Hey!" he said, pulling her hands away from her face so he could look into her eyes. "You're no such thing, you hear me? It's my fault for giving you the impression that that's what I meant when I invited you to spend the night."

Savannah shook her head. "It was my own interpretation."

"We will have our night together," he said. "And I promise you it will be worth the wait."

ABOUT TE:
 
Té Russ found solace in literary arts at an early age. Reading was a vehicle which broadened her horizons as writing became a form of self-expression. She began writing love stories as an adolescent to expel her youthful thoughts of love into words. Since then she has gone from writing stories and thoughts of love in journals to attending college for journalism and falling in love, which has allowed those youthful words of love to blossom into a series of stories in her romance novels. When she doesn’t have her nose pressed deeply into a book or her fingers flying across the keyboard, this Texas wife and mother of three can be found jumping out of airplanes, cheering her husband on at the top of her lungs at MMA fights, buzzing down the interstate on the back of motorcycles, or kayaking.
 
 
CONNECT WITH TE:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeRussNovels & www.facebook.com/TeRussAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeRussNovels
Blog: www.terussnovels.blogspot.com
Email: terussnovels@gmail.com
 
Buy link: www.amazon.com/author/teruss

McAllister Family Series
 

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Te by leaving a comment.

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Technology can get us into a world of trouble, if we allow it! Today's #MarchMadness author, Cathy Jo shows us how. Read on and remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

TRANSITIONS EXCERPT:

E-MALE
 
Subject: Last Night
From: “Michael Adams” <boing@funmail.com>
Date: Mon 2/5/07 6:50:44 A.M.
To: “Rita Collier” <R.Collier@Hemphilstores.com>
 
Good morning, sunshine ☺. Last night was the bomb! I think we must have set a new record for the longest lovemaking session in the world. Girl, I didn’t know that you had a li’l freak in you! I like that thing you did with your tongue. Let’s hook up tonight. Hit me on the hip when you get this.
 
Mike
 
Without a moment’s hesitation, Rita Collier pointed the cursor to the delete icon and mashed the button hard, obliterating any vestige of the offensive message. She stared with incredulity at the blank screen of her Dell monitor. Who would send her such garbage? She wondered. Surely, this must be a joke. She was a good Christian woman and under no circumstances would she ever behave with such reckless abandon with a man.

“Ugh!” she said under her breath. That is what is wrong with the world now: men and women do not respect each other; thus, they do not respect themselves, Rita thought.

Rita knew all about disrespect. In fact, before she got saved she was probably the foremost sinner in that regard. She and several of her coworkers would frequent nightclubs and bars in search of a good time, which more often than not would result in one if not all of them leaving with men who an hour or so earlier were complete strangers. Although Rita had given up that shameful lifestyle, her coworkers had not. “What a pity,” she’d often remark.

Rita was no nun, of course. She had desires and needs like any woman; however, she was no longer willing to settle for just any man. The man she would be with had to be saved also, and his life more than his words had to demonstrate that.

Rita wondered what sort of man this Michael person was. Probably the playboy type. She’d certainly had her share of that type of man; it was just that sort that had caused her to seek the comfort of God’s merciful embrace. Fed up with ill treatment from her sometimes abusive boyfriend, Eric, and at the insistence of her mother, Rita had gone to church. The sermon that day had been about Jesus and the woman at the well. Though Rita didn’t immediately change her lifestyle, she did make it her goal to attend church every Sunday, a goal she had maintained for five years. She was determined not to be an Easter-and-Christmas Christian. She believed that God had worked through her mother and that it was God’s will that she be there on that particular Sunday.

An arbitrary thought interrupted Rita’s justification routine and she inhaled sharply. Suppose the mysterious man who had sent her that vulgar e-mail was half of a couple who were meant to be together, destined even, and that it was she whom God had chosen to . . . to what? Save them? Yes, that must be it. Why else would she have received the e-mail? If only she hadn’t deleted the message. There was no way to retrieve it.

Rita quickly shot off an e-mail to Jaki, her co-worker across the aisle. While it would have been just as easy to walk the ten steps to Jaki’s cubicle, Rita didn’t want to risk being caught socializing by Mrs. Marbury, her boss.

Rita had worked in the National Accounts Department at Hemphil Department stores for eleven years.

And for just as long, she had disliked her boss. She was so exacting, so demanding, and quite unreasonable in her expectations of Rita—so unlike Jesus, who was patient and understanding. Mrs. Marbury expected Rita to be working every minute of the day, except for her lunch. Rita suspected that if Mrs. Marbury had her way, Rita wouldn’t even get a lunch break.

When Jaki didn’t respond right away to Rita’s e-mail, Rita decided to risk the wrath of Mrs. Marbury and suffer the consequences. This was much too important.

PURCHASE LINKS
No More Expectations
AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/j6dv7bu
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/zdyblun
Smashwords: http://tinyurl.com/jhmkwu9
 
Transitions: short stories for a rainy day
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Transitions-short-stories-rainy-day-ebook/dp/B0067DCZ20/ref=la_B0056W8608_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458658694&sr=1-2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/transitions-cathy-jo/1113032053?ean=2940032907688
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/111181

ABOUT CATHY JO

As far back as she can remember, Cathy Jo has always been a writer, driven by her desire to control the outcome. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is a proud graduate of the Cleveland Municipal School District. When Cathy Jo isn’t writing, she’s spending time reading, studying, watching movies, or talking to people about the Word of God. While her writing doesn’t necessarily espouse her religious beliefs, it is guided by Godly principles.

Cathy Jo always knew that someday she would be a published author and 2011 her dream came true. With the publication of her first book, Transitions: short stories for a day, Cathy Jo was determined not to be a one-book author. She is working on her third book, which is titled Promise Me You Won’t, that is due for publication this summer.
 
CONNECT WITH CATHY JO
Web site: http://www.twistedwordpublishing.com
Twitter: @mzcatjo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathyjog1

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Cathy by leaving a comment.

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What happens when love turns you upside down on your head? Todays' March Madness author, Joy Avery shows us what happens when her characters decide to play a little game called love. Leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

Book: A GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
 
Blurb:
 
When it comes to love, all deals are off!
 
Blake Farrington knows exactly who to call when he finds himself needing crisis management. Yes, this task is outside Eunice Howard’s usual realm of responsibilities, but he’s willing to make it worth her time. Plus, she’s ideal for the role. Who better to play his pretend lover than the one woman who knows him almost better than he knows himself?
 
The last thing Eunice Howard expects when summoned to her boss’s office is a request to play the role of his new love interest to appease his mother, restless to marry him off. Foolishly agreeing, she ventures with him to Farrington Estates for the Thanksgiving holiday. She thought she’d seen all sides of Blake Farrington, but the man who emerges is a man she could easily love.
 
Their agreement blossoms into a connection neither expected—nor are willing to admit. When the lines between make-believe and reality blur, something phenomenal occurs.
 
 
Excerpt:
 
The second they rounded the corner, Eunice snatched her hand away. “What the hell was that?” she asked in a whisper.
 
“What?” He wasn’t truly that clueless, but played so.
 
She released a heavy sigh and hiked up the stairs. Inside the bedroom, he was on her heels—right until the moment she stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door in his face.
 
Blake leaned against the door jamb. “Are you upset?”
 
“Yes. No. I mean—” She cursed under her breath.
 
He couldn’t understand why she’d gotten so distressed. Okay, maybe he’d gone a little overboard, but…
 
Eunice continued. “I don’t know. Did you—”
 
She yelped once the door slung open and he was standing there. He flashed one of his award-winning smiles in hopes of lightening the mood. She pushed him out of the way and moved toward the bed. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she wore a simple white nightgown shirt. It was sexy as hell.
 
“Did you have to take it that far?” she said.
 
“We’re supposed to be a believable couple, right?” She narrowed her eyes at him. Had she been a bull, he had a feeling this was the moment she would have charged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my words would affect you so…deeply. They were pretty poetic, huh?”
 
Eunice snatched a pillow from the bed and hurled it at him. What was with him and women with pillows?
 
“Enjoy the floor, Mr. Poetic.”
 
Blake barked a laugh.
 
Eunice climbed in bed.
 
He sobered.
 
She pulled the covers to her chin.
 
Blake pulled his hands to his waist. “Eunice?” When she didn’t answer, he rested his hand on the back of his neck. “Come on. You can’t be serious. You’re really making me sleep on the floor?”
 
“Goodnight, Prat. Sweet dreams.”
 
There was a hint of laughter in her tone. Frankly, he didn’t find anything funny. “Seriously, that bed is the size of a small island.”
 
“In that case, you should feel privileged. You have the entire ocean to yourself.”
 
Every damn body is a comedian in this house. “Okay. I’ll remember this.” This time, humor played in his tone. “See if you get a Christmas bonus.” He escaped into the bathroom, did his before bed rituals, then returned and made a pallet on the floor. Using the remote, he shut off the lights, then attempted to find a comfortable position.
 
“Blake?”
 
Ah-ha. I knew she’d feel sorry for me. “Mmm-hmm,” he hummed.
 
“Your story… This is going to sound strange, but it actually happened to me in Central Park. Weird, huh?”
 
Not weird at all. Unlike her story, his had been steeped in truth. All except for the approaching her part. Unbeknownst to Eunice, he’d seen her in the park doing exactly what he’d stated. He’d also wanted to ask her out. But before he could, he discovered she’d recently started working for his company. Imagine his surprise when they’d bumped into each other at the annual Spring Fling he threw for his staff.
 
“Huh. Yeah. That is weird.” 
 
Purchase link: http://bit.ly/agentlemansagreement

Giveaway Details:  Leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

Prize: A Joy Avery goodie box

ABOUT JOY:

By day, Joy Avery works as a customer service assistant. By night, the North Carolina native travels to imaginary worlds—creating characters whose romantic journeys invariably end happily ever after.
 
Since she was a young girl growing up in Garner, Joy knew she wanted to write. Stumbling onto romance novels, she discovered her passion for love stories; instantly, she knew these were the type stories she wanted to pen.
 
Real characters. Real journeys. Real good love is what you’ll find in a Joy Avery romance.
 
Joy is married with one child. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, pretending to expertly play the piano, driving her husband insane, and playing with her two dogs.
 
Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

CONNECT WITH JOY:

www.joyavery.com
www.facebook.com/authorjoyavery
www.twitter.com/authorjoyavery

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Joy by leaving a comment.

Join us tomorrow for another March Madness! To join this blog, simply click the "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the right panel.

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There will always be that one. That one that you fell for. That one that you gave your heart and your soul to. That one who breaks your heart. That one you still long for. Today's March Madness author Michele Kimbrough, shares such a love with us. Check out her excerpt and don't forget to comment to be entered into the giveaway.

WILDFLOWER OVERVIEW: She falls in love with him hard and fast. But when she learns who he really is, will their love survive?

EXCERPT:

She promised herself months ago that she’d delete his number once and for all, yet she hadn’t. She clicked on his name as it illuminated her screen – Peter Mayweather – and hovered her thumb over the “delete” button. It was as if by deleting his number, she would delete everything he once meant to her – all the memories, all the good times, all of the possibilities that still lingered in her heart.  Even the picture she associated with his contact information made her heart flutter.  She knew she wasn’t ready to completely erase him from her life, but it was time.

Just as she was about to press ‘delete’, her phone buzzed again. Not checking the caller ID, she immediately answered, somehow hoping it’d be him — Peter. But it wasn’t. It was her sponsor asking where she was. She was running late for her AA meeting, and traffic wasn’t being kind to her.  She maneuvered around the evening rush hour traffic, turning down side streets and manipulating her way through a few residential communities. Proud of her driving savvy, Iris whipped her car into the small parking space in front of the cleaners. She grabbed her clothes out of the back seat and rushed into the building.

“Iris.”

“Mee.”

“The usual?”

“Yep. Monday?”

“Uh huh.”

She dropped the bundle of clothes on the counter, grabbed her ticket, and pushed through the glass door. The hot breeze hit her in the face, blowing loose a few strands of her messy ponytail. She ran to the car and noticed her suit that she wore for interviews laying on the seat. Ugh! She grabbed it and began her trek back into the cleaners when she saw him. She did an about-face on her heels to head back to her car, hoping he wouldn’t see her — not like this.  Fate would have it that she’d run into Peter when she looked her worst.

“Iris?”

She stopped in her tracks, straightened her posture, and turned to face him. She feigned a big smile, her eyebrows raised nearly to her hairline.

“Peter! Wow,” she said, trying not to make eye contact.

He spread his arms out and wide, but Iris was hesitant. She didn’t want to walk into his embrace. It had been a long six months trying to get over him. But before she could extend her hand instead, he scooped her up into a hug.  She hoped Peter wouldn’t see through her nonchalant façade as time stretched between them. His voice was still soothing to her ears. His touch, still warm and gentle. When he kissed her forehead, his full lips were as soft as she remembered.

“It’s so good to see you. You’re looking good,” he said, flashing his killer smile. She tried not to notice how good he smelled or his brown eyes gazing down at her. But she did.

“I’m just dropping off my clothes...”

“Oh, I see you still use Mee. He’s great, isn’t he?”

“Yeah.”  Her eyes roved his body from head to toe during the uncomfortable silence. He was dressed impeccably, as always.  He wore the suit she’d bought him when he made the pitch for a new corporate acquisition. He won. He was a winner anyway — a beast in the board room. The suit was only frosting, making his arrogant intelligence more palatable for a group of people who believed he thought too much of himself. And he did. His father wanted him to get commissioned in the military, the Air Force specifically, but his strategic mind was designed for business.

She took a deep breath and continued, “Well, I should get this to Mee,” lifting her arm that the suit was draped over.

“It’s good to see you, Iris.”

She nodded, and before she could stop the words from rolling off of her tongue, she said, “It’s good to see you, too.”

She backed away then walked towards the door. Peter ran to open it for her. He watched her walk in, admiring the snug fit of her cutoff shorts around her tight behind — courtesy of her spinning class. He waved at Mee, who returned the gesture. When Iris looked back at Peter, he waved at her, too.

Was that a ring on his finger?  Was he still wearing his wedding ring?  She smiled at the thought of it. Maybe he wasn’t over her after all. Maybe he was as miserable as she. Maybe?

When the door closed, he walked away after taking a moment to look back at Iris, who was staring in astonishment.

She rushed through the door, but he was already out of sight. Was it truly over between them? After all, what divorced man still wore his wedding ring?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Leave a comment to be automatically entered into the drawing for a gift card of your choice: Target, Amazon, Starbucks. 

PURCHASE YOUR COPY: AMAZON

ABOUT MICHELE:

Michele Kimbrough lives in Chicago (but cheers for the Green Bay Packers).  She’s an Air Force veteran and formerly a nonprofit corporate executive.  She describes herself as a work in progress, and counts coffee and red wine as the best discoveries of all times.

Michele writes stories because she loves peeling back the layers of messy truths that come with living life. Her characters are flawed and encounter challenges that either grow them or destroy them. Her passion is writing and she’s written freelance articles and contributed to various blogs. 

CONNECT WITH MICHELE:
www.facebook.com/michelekimbroughwriter
www.twitter.com/madambition
www.michelekimbrough.com

You can email Michele at:
michelekimbrough@outlook.com
 

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Michele by leaving a comment.

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I must admit, Adrienne Thompson definitely has me intrigued with this excerpt. All I can think of is "Video Girl," when I read her excerpt for today's March Madness post.

Read on and then leave your comment to be entered into the giveaway and show Adrienne some love.

Blurb: Rochelle Warrior is tired of living the life of a single mother and soon hatches a plan to solve her problem. But will love find its way into the equation?
This is book two of the Latter Rain series—stories of women over forty finding love. It can be read as a stand-alone, but you are encouraged to read book one first.

 
No Pain, No Gain Excerpt:

Prologue
 
Rochelle
Then…
 
I stood in a room crammed full of girls situated in lines of ten. The vast majority were teenagers or had just transitioned from teenagers to young adults. Taut bodies and long hair that may or may not have naturally grown from their heads were abundant, as was dewy skin and heavy make-up. They were beautiful, every man’s fantasy, and there I stood among them, much older than most of them at thirty-three years old, but no one could tell thanks to excellent genes and melanin. My tiny waist and curvy everything else were the assets that got me there. I hoped those same assets would ensure I would become one of the chosen ones.

I stood with my head held high, smiled brightly, stuck my ample chest out, and silently prayed that he’d like what he saw, that he’d see me and instantly decide I had the “it” factor.

“Here he comes,” a girl whispered, sending ripples of the same words throughout the room. I panicked a little, tried to stand taller. Then I started wondering if I had anything in my teeth. Was my lipstick smeared? Was my smile bright enough or too bright? Was I standing there looking like The Joker?

Would he think I was crazy, too enthusiastic?

He entered the stuffy room, looking even more handsome than when I’d seen him in the past. There was a softness to his looks; he was more pretty boy than rugged. His brown eyes, which had always looked a little sad to me, swept over the room as he quickly assessed each girl. His thick eyebrows furrowed as he focused on a girl who sadly was not me. I kept wearing that smile, though, and kept silently praying. Five girls, that was how many would be chosen. So I still stood a chance… I hoped.

He whispered something in her ear, and she giggled before stepping out of her line and being escorted out of the room by one of the burly men who stood on either side of the door. I dropped my smile for a split second and released a quick breath before smiling again. He moved throughout the room slowly, chose another girl. This one squealed with delight before virtually bouncing out of the room. Then a third girl was chosen… then a fourth, and my spirits dropped a few notches with each choice. The chosen were all very young, very thin, and very European-looking. There I stood with the curves of a woman my age, thick lips, a wide nose, and sun-kissed brown skin, and the reality that I was obviously not what he was looking for hit me full force, and at the same time, I dropped the smile and let my shoulders slump. I stopped arching my back and lowered my breasts, and by the time he made it to my row, I had a bit of an attitude.

He walked down the row, stopped at the girl next to me, and I inadvertently rolled my eyes. She was a cookie-cutter version of the other girls—tall, lean, and light, bright, damn near white. I softly scoffed when he leaned in and whispered in her ear. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his head snap up and in my direction. His soft eyes met mine, and something inside of me melted a bit. “Did you say something?” he asked.

His voice.

I’d heard it before, knew it well, but there in the same room with me, it was so soft, so gentle, so… sexy. I was left speechless.

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s try this: what’s your name?”

“Chelly,” I said, giving him my self-assigned professional name.

“Chelly. I like that.” He left the girl next to me and stood directly in front of me, a couple of inches taller than me in my uncomfortable heels. I stared at him against my will, and my eyes took in those sad brown eyes, smooth tan skin that boasted his half-black, half-Puerto Rican heritage, and thin lips that I already knew would eventually part into a pristine white smile. No facial hair. He was a beautiful man, more beautiful than any woman I’d ever seen. He leaned in close to my ear; minty breath brushed my skin as he whispered, “I think we’d go good together. You?”


GET YOUR COPY

 Purchase Links:
Kindle: http://amzn.com/B01BSV9AE6  
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BSV9AE6  
Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01BSV9AE6  
Amazon Australia: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01BSV9AE6  
Nook: http://ow.ly/YyE76
 
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/GFjZY1SJtLc

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Adrienne Thompson has worn many titles in her lifetime: teenage mother, teenage wife, divorcee, registered nurse, and author. This mother of three young adults currently resides in Arkansas in her newly empty nest where she writes and publishes her stories full time.
 
CONNECT WITH ADRIENNE:
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/jnDmH      
Amazon: Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/adriennethompson  
Website: http://adriennethompsonwrites.webs.com    
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneThompsonWrites     
Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_H_Thompson    
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5051327.Adrienne_Thompson    
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ahthompsn/    
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ahthompsn/    
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/muusikluvver  
Email: tapestrywriter@gmail.com

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Adrienne by leaving a comment.

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It's the 17th day of March Madness! We're over halfway through the month and we're bringing in another all-star player!

Ann Marie Bryan is new to The Beautifully Inspired Blog, but she's not shying away from bringing the heat! You don't want to miss her excerpt from her new release, Mirrored Hearts: Sealed By Fire.

Don't forget to answer her question at the end to be entered into the giveaway.

BLURB_MIRRORED HEARTS: SEALED BY FIRE

When life takes unexpected twists and secrets are laid bare - remember to breathe.

Larry Kanate and his wife, Rozene, would be considered a modern day power couple. Years in the making, they have managed to keep love alive while supporting each other’s dreams.

Their undeniable love connection is unshakeable… seemingly unbreakable, until Larry discovers his wife’s crushing secret. As their picture-perfect world falls apart, she does everything in her power to get away from her past sin, but he is bent on never letting her forget it, all the while keeping his “little secret” close to his heart.

When Larry’s day of reckoning comes, will fear hold him hostage or will he be completely honest with himself and God? Will their marriage be strong enough to survive mirrored secrets? Will their faith help them to handle the ultimate solution – a marriage sealed by fire?

EXCERPT: (Larry & Rozene Kanate)

A few minutes later, he entered the bedroom looking for Rozene when he heard her soft gasp.

Rozene’s heart whipped to and fro in her chest, and her mouth hung open, as Larry’s legs moved closer. How could he just casually stand there in his black boxer brief that seemed to be painted onto him?

He walked over to her, smiling. “What’s up? Was wondering where you were.”

Unconsciously, a sigh danced from her lips, as she slowly regained her wits. She glanced at him and found a pair of startlingly warm brown eyes assessing her in return.

An exhilarating, yet familiar sensation passed between them and he leaned down and placed his hands on either side of her while flashing his pearly whites. “What are you so spellbound about?”

She blinked rapidly and her mouth twitched as she gazed at him wondering how to respond. She licked her lips nervously, and then broke their stare to catch a closer glimpse of his gorgeous physique. He was magnificent.

Copyright ©2016 Ann Marie Bryan

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: eBooks of Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (2 Winners)

How to Enter: Answer this question - What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
(Leave your response in the comments section below.)

Two winners will be chosen from the entries and announced on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 12:30 pm EST. Winners will be notified via email. Announcements will also be made on Victorious By Design’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/victoriousbydes/

ABOUT ANN MARIE:

Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a passion for excellence. She is the CEO and Founder of Victorious By Design, an organization dedicated 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. Ann Marie’s greatest passion is to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God given potential. She enjoys dancing, teaching, writing, meeting people and traveling.

OTHER BOOKS BY ANN MARIE

Shades of the Heart (Book 1 - Encounters of the Heart series)
Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along


CONNECT WITH ANN MARIE:

Website: www.victoriousbydesign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriousbydes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriousbydes
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/victoriousbydes/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448888.Ann_Marie_Bryan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriousbydes
Google+: https://plus.google.com/106686897896390365782/posts
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1SpMmUn

Newsletter: (Sign up using this link) http://eepurl.com/bOw6sr


Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Ann Marie by leaving a comment.

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It's another wonderful March Madness giveaway. Today's guest author, Xyla Turner is here to share a little something short, sweet, and sassy! Oh how I love those Alpha males, and she has one right here.

Read on for more about Xyla, her story, and her giveaway. Remember to be entered into the giveaway, you must comment on her post. Best wishes!

ABOUT XYLA:

Xyla Turner was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a teenager, Xyla wrote short stories and essays that have won numerous awards in local to nationwide competitions. She is an avid reader, but a sucker for romance. Specifically, sassy females and dominant males. Xyla is a dedicated educator and a life coach. Outside of reading, Xyla likes to spend time with her family and travel. She writes different genres, but her favorite is romance. 

To stay in touch with Xyla, sign up for her mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bfltf9 and received text alerts: Text EZXYLA to 313131 or http://clk2.it/I7iV5E 

Social Media Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorXylaTurner
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1mPP9I3
Twitter: @xylaturner
Instagram: @xylaturner
Tumblr: xylaturner.tumblr.com
Pinterest: @xylaturner
Xyla Text Alerts: http://clk2.it/NceMjj
Xyla Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bfltf9

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Today's guest author is Kim Golden. She's celebrating March Madness with spice, drama, and juiciness! That's all I'm telling, so read along.

Giveaway Win all three e-books (Maybe Baby, Maybe Tonight and Maybe Forever) in the Maybe... series. All you have to do is answer the following question:

Do you think it's possible to be in love with two people at the same time? Why/Why not?

A random winner will be picked on March 17 at 6PM CEST (or noon EST).



 Blurb - long
Imagine finding out you could never have a baby with the man you love…

Expat American Laney Halliwell finds out the hard way when Niklas tells her he had a vasectomy before they met and isn’t interested in reversing it. Why should he? They’ve got his kids from his first marriage and an enviable life in Stockholm.

What if you fell in love in the most unexpected way…?

But Laney wants more. So when a friend suggests she look into an alternative sperm bank in Copenhagen to find a potential father for her baby, things don’t go exactly as planned. Especially when Laney meets Mads and finds herself falling in love.

EXCERPT

"Anton invited a friend of his to join us. He figured you two wouldn't mind."

"No, that's fine with me. Is it Adam?" Adam was also American. He lived across the street from them and was a teacher at the local community college. Niklas didn't like Adam. He thought Adam wanted to sleep with me, but Adam was gay. He always mistook Adam's enthusiasm for hanging out with Ingrid and me as a latent desire to be with us sexually. Sometimes, it made me wonder just how good a therapist he really was.

"Adam's in the States again. His sister's getting married," Ingrid said as she stacked two of the plates. I uncorked a bottle of white wine and set it in the wine chiller. "I don't think you've met this guy. He's a new friend of Anton's, but I think he's a good egg."

The doorbell rang, and Anton came in from the yard and answered. I was just putting the flatware on the table when I heard the voice from behind me. I turned quickly. Standing there, holding a bottle of red wine was Mads. I glanced quickly at Ingrid, but she was oblivious to my attempt at eye contact. Mads hadn't seen me yet. He was laughing with Anton and speaking Danish. Why had I never noticed how tall he was? He was taller than Anton by a good three or four inches. Niklas was just coming in from the garden. He went forward and introduced himself, and then gestured at me. That's when Mads turned and saw me.

I tensed inside. Everything in me wanted to run to him, throw my arms around his neck and greet him with a long, deep kiss. I wanted to feel his lips against mine, and the pleasure of his arms encircling my waist. But I couldn't. Not now. And panic was taking hold inside me. What if I said the wrong thing? What if Niklas figured out that Mads and I knew one another already? Or if he recognized him from the Copenhagen Cryo files? I opened my mouth to speak, but for the briefest of moments no words came to me. What was he doing here? I was happy to see him, even if I couldn't be with him, but I was scared of making a mistake. I rushed forward and shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."

He gave me a puzzled look but went along with the charade.

God, was Fate playing tricks on me?

BUY THE BOOK:

Kindle: http://bit.ly/AmazonUSMaybeBaby
Kobo: http://bit.ly/KoboKGMaybeBaby
iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBooksMaybeBaby
Nook: http://bit.ly/NookUSMaybeBaby
ARe: http://bit.ly/AReMaybeBaby
 
Paperback (Amazon): http://bit.ly/PBMaybeBaby
Paperback (BN): http://bit.ly/PBMaybeBabyBN
Add to Goodreads TBR list: http://bit.ly/GoodreadsMaybeBaby

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Golden was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1995, she left the US and moved to Sweden for love with a capital L. When she isn't writing fiction, she writes copy about lipstick and perfume for a Swedish cosmetics firm.
She writes stories for people who know that love comes in every color.

Follow Kim:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/SeeKimWrite
Website: http://kim-golden.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimiGM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimigm/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimigm/

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It's a Magnificent Monday and another March Madness giveaway! Author Dalia Florea is here to celebrate the month of March with us and she has a great excerpt in store. Oftentimes, we struggle to find love after experiencing a heartbreak. We cannot open our heart up to suffering once more. What happens when love is staring you right in the face and won't give up on you?

When there's a question about rebound, will she or won't she? I loved this book...it's one of my favorites. For your chance to add it to your collection, don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway. Read on...

She regarded him silently for a moment, gazing into his dark brown eyes and watching a smile curve his lips. “I think that it would be. You don’t know me very well. I’ve had too many heartbreaks, and I’m in a vulnerable state right now where I may be incapable of making good choices. I don’t ever want to end up where I am right now—in this same place—again. For God’s sake, my last boyfriend was married, and I had absolutely no idea. How could I not have known? Other people were able to see the red flags, but I didn’t see a thing.”

“I hear what you’re saying, and I understand, but you can’t live the rest of your life that way. You can’t shield yourself from getting to know someone and never open yourself up to love again because of your past relationships.” He sipped water from the glass in front of him. His eyes were fixed on hers.

He stood and came around to her side of the booth, sat next to her, and reached for her hand, taking it into his and intertwining their fingers. He slowly lifted her hand to his mouth and gently pressed his lips to the back of it. Feeling his warm breath against the skin of her hand made her tremble. “I promise you that if you give me a chance, you won’t need to worry about anything. You will see no red flags when it comes to me. I have no secrets and no hidden agenda,” he said softly, lips brushing against her hand again. He lifted his eyes, looking her straight in the face.

Damn. He’s making this difficult. She couldn’t think clearly. Her senses had been heightened by his sensual touch, his silky smooth dark skin, and his masculine musk mixed with the spicy cologne he wore. She had to stop herself from being drawn in by this magnetic force that threatened to take her over mentally and physically.

He tipped her head up with his finger and lowered his mouth onto hers, brushing his lips against hers, teasing her, barely touching them at first. Then he whispered against her lips, “Please give me”— soft kiss—“a chance.”

Linda had to admit that she wanted Sean. There was something about him that stirred her soul. But was she willing to throw caution to the wind as she had done in the past? When she thought about it, she had always jumped from one relationship to another without giving herself a break in between. Maybe that was the problem. Was she codependent? Did she need to be in a relationship in order to feel whole? She needed some distance from Sean to find out more about who she was and what she wanted for herself in life.

It took every bit of her self-control and willpower to pull away from his kiss. She breathed in deeply. She knew she needed to say what she didn’t want to say. She mentally prepared herself to resist what she knew would be another attempt from him to pursue the idea of them being in a relationship. She slid a few inches away from him in an effort to prevent any further temptation, and she watched his shoulders droop.

GET YOUR COPY NOW: AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 Dalia grew up in Queens, New York and now makes her home in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C.   She has earned a degree in nursing and a degree in Psychology.  She continues to hold her license as a registered nurse.  She is an avid reader.  She has always been fascinated by words and stories. She finds it fascinating to create fictional worlds and write the kind of stories that she want to read. Although she enjoys writing fiction stories with a mixture of mystery, suspense and a dab of romance, however, she doesn’t want to be put in a box.  When she isn’t crafting, she enjoys reading, attending live music concerts, visiting wineries and solving puzzles.
 
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:

Social Media links:
Facebook Author Page: http://on.fb.me/SCoq2T
Twitter: @DaliaFlorea
Instagram: @DaliaFlorea
Pinterest: @DaliaFlorea
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1vOHNrF
 
Website:  www.daliafloreabooks.com\
Email:  daliafloreabooks@gmail.com
 
 

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All that glitters isn't gold. Or is it? That's the question that popped into my mind when I read Deborah Hall-Branch's excerpt from Theona. I can't wait to learn more about what happens between her and "Mr. Gray Suit."

Deborah is giving away an eBook copy to the first three people who can guess what Nomed's name really means. Start reading so you can start guessing...this one'll be fun!

Blurb:  Alone on the elevator, Nomed glanced at her.  His stare seemed to burn through her soul.  She felt a sudden strong passion for him within her loins.  It drew her body closer to his.  Finally, she’d found the man of her dreams.  Her knight in shining armor … Mr. Gray suit.  Overtaken by him, she made a decision to ignore what her mother called “a woman’s intuition.” 

Excerpt:

The sound of rain drummed against her condo windows as if trying to get in. She could hear a faint chirp coming from the alarm clock her father bought for her when she was in college. “I hate this clock. Sounds like a wounded bird. Where’s the snooze button? Hmmm, be nice to sleep in late—cuddle up with a good movie, hot herbal tea and warm hands. Oh well, must not keep my clients waiting.” Theona staggered into the bathroom. The shower massager caused the hot water to fall evenly across her back. Her body felt alive. She slowly lathered her body as she closed her eyes and listened to her breathing shorten. A few minutes later, her body shuddered as she pressed her hands against the glass door. Turning off the pulsating water, Theona stood there for a few moments. Embarrassment flushed her face. She cried in silence.

Discomfiture remained with her on her drive to work. She took a quick survey around the well-lit parking lot. “Hmm, something’s wrong with this picture; no Marsha this morning. I guess all the excitement has worn off.” Theona held her briefcase tight to her as she ran for the elevator.

“Hold the elevator please!” At that moment, a dark hand reached out and held the doors ajar. They reopened with a soft hiss sound. Adorned in an unassuming nature, Mr. Gray Suit handsomely stood there, alone. He reached out to hold them at bay. Theona gasped for breath as she stepped on. “Rain’s really coming down. Thank God we park inside and, wow, the elevator finally works.”

He cleared his throat quietly before he responded, “Although he aims to please, I’m sure God had nothing to do with you being able to park your car inside. I think that was just wise planning when they built this building. As for the elevator, I’ve been on here for more than ten minutes, pushed every button, but it just sat here. Perhaps it was a mechanical problem, or do you have some kind of magical powers …”

Theona didn’t pay any attention to his comment. Instead she gave him an unimpressed glare. She extended her hand towards his, “Theona, my name is Theona. Magical powers, hardly, although my parents questioned it a time or two when I was a kid.”

“Theona, that’s a nice name—unusual for a young woman. I take it you were named after your dad or a favorite uncle?”

Stunned, she responded, “Good guess. Not too many people get that right away. Yes, after my Uncle Theopholus. Of course, you have not told me your name yet.”

“Nomed.”

“Nomed—and you call my name unusual. Hmm, sounds Hungarian. Were your parents born in the United States or were you named after a favorite uncle?” The contemptuous glint in Theona’s eyes signaled her disapproval. In an amused tone, he responded, “No, actually, my dad is from a small English town called Painswick and my mother was born here in the United States… The elevator door opened. Well, Ms. Theona, this is where I get off.” He reached over and touched her right hand, holding it firm within his. A sense of warmth embraced her body and tenderness in the way he touched her. “Nice to officially meet you, pretty lady. Maybe we will run into each other again.”

Overtaken by his charm, her hand searched for the elevator’s gold buttons as though she were in darkness. With a slight grin he said, “Here, let me get that for you. What floor?” Warmth continued to flash through her body. Unbuttoning her wool jacket, she said, “Woo, it seems a little warm in here. Feels like the air vents are blocked. Have to give maintenance a call. I’m sorry, fourteenth floor please. Thanks.”

Still dazed, Theona stumbled into her office. Her body fell limp as she sat down in the soft tweed chair. She slowly laid her head back and closed her eyes. The warm sensation lingered.

“Is it me—am I just horny?” she wondered as she blushed in embarrassment. “I feel like a silly little girl fondled by a boy for the first time. Theona, get yourself together.”

A few moments later Theona noticed the pink signature paper sitting on her desk. She immediately recognized Marsha’s handwriting. The note read, “Theona, can you meet me for lunch; my treat.”

“Just what I needed after such an arousing experience with Mr. Gray Suit; lunch with church girl. Oh well, it can’t hurt. Beats eating alone, but, for right now, Mr. Gray Suit shall remain my personal secret. No need to share our little interlude with her right away.” She smiled wistfully at the thought.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
The first three people who can guess what Nomed's name really means will win an eBook copy of "Theona."

GET THE BOOK:
http://www.amazon.com/Through-Eyes-Abuse-Forgiveness-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00T6TC1VW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453600145&sr=8-2&keywords=through+the+eyes+of+abuse
http://www.amazon.com/THEONA-Deborah-Hall-Branch-ebook/dp/B017RSJIUK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1450730538&sr=1-1&keywords=theona
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/theonaebook-2015-deborah-hall-branch/1122948452?ean=2940156687251

ABOUT DEBORAH HALL-BRANCH

Deborah Hall-Branch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  A unique author whose promo tag is “Sometimes Fantasy.  Sometimes Reality.  Always Spiritual.”  After working many years in the health field, a job separation nudged her to begin writing about her life’s experiences.  Deborah is also a multi-genre published author, co-author, and motivational speaker who teaches about abuses warning signs, its devastating aftermath, how to break free from their low place to women, children, and men.  Her first book, Through the Eyes of Abuse was published in 2009.  She has written more than several published five star articles.  Her compassion to help someone else be healed from this horrific stigma became her mission and to share her most intimate stories with others has opened many doors such; as, C.O.P.E. (Coalition of Prison Evangelists) a well-known organization throughout the United States of America, CASA, a nonprofit network supporting and promoting court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children, Youth and Teen symposiums, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta Mu Chapter) “The Morning Aphter” Programs.  A licensed/ordained Elder in the ministry where she serves, her addressees has also been those of leadership positions within the Christian denomination.  Married nineteen years, mother of three adult daughters, and grand mom to three handsome grandsons, and one beautiful granddaughter.  Deborah and her husband now reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

In November 2015, Deborah published her first women’s faith-based novelette, THEONA available now on e-book format.

Connect With Deborah:
  
www.deborahhbranch.com
deborahbranch@att.net
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/deborahbranchha
www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-hall-branch-7480581a
www.pinterest.com/deborahhallbran
Facebook:  Author Deborah Hall-Branch

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Day 10 of March Madness is here and Unoma Nwankwor is bringing us an excerpt from Anchored By Love. Sometimes we try to build a wall of defense around our hearts, protecting it from outside intrusion. However, when our Heavenly Father has a plan, those fortresses are bound to come tumbling down.

Unoma is giving away a copy of her book to a random person who BOTH leaves a comment AND subscribes to her blog.

About The Book
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing John 15:5

When cardiac surgeon, Jabir Danjuma met Damisi Odinga at the University of Michigan seven years ago, their attraction can’t be denied. Their ensuing one year romance is passionate and intense, and he begins to feel the forbidden emotion—love. Just as he starts to let his guard down, Damisi breaks up with him and moves half way around the world to Lagos, Nigeria. He knows immediately that the demise of their relationship has something to do with that church she joined. His studies are the most important thing to him, so he did what any sane man would do, let her go.

Popular television personality Damisi Odinga, needs to end the fourth season of her show Becoming Ruth, with a bang. The trending topic in the country is the fairy-tale wedding of the heir to the Danjuma Empire. Coverage of the wedding weekend will give her show the boost it needs and reclaim its number one rating. No one can get an interview with the couple but she had a way in, her ex-man, Jabir Danjuma. So what if he broke her heart and she hasn’t been able to get over him? This was kingdom business, right?

Years ago, Damisi left him without an explanation and now Jabir has her just where he wants her. Their encounter sets off a series of events that leave them both with fresh pain and hurt. Will they stick it out long enough for the Potter to perfect their scars and pain for His purpose or will distance and time steal the day.
 
Excerpt
 
“So I guess you’re my knight in shining armor coming to rescue the damsel in distress…”

The tone of her voice was not lost on him. There was an edge in it he didn’t like.

She continued, “How many of us have there been over the years?”

“What?” He stared down at her.

She sat up straight and scooted away from him. She stared at him. “How many of us have there been? Six years…let’s see…yeah, I remember the three-month rule, so what is that, twenty-four?”

“You want to do this? Now?” His forehead creased in confusion. What had he said? How could she go from sweet one minute to this the next?

“We might as well. All this pretending we’re all good is making my stomach sick.”

He sighed. He wasn’t going to take the bait. Besides, she really didn’t want the answer. She just wanted to find a way to not let him into her heart.

“Answer me. How many?”

“No.”

“No?”

“N-O. No.”

 Get Your Copy:
Amazon Link: http://amzn.com/B0175FT2EC

About the Author:

Born in Akron, Ohio to Nigerian parents, Unoma Nwankwor spent her childhood and early adulthood years in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. She possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Global Management. Her publishing credits include An Unexpected Blessing (2013), The Christmas Ultimatum (2013), When You Let Go (May, 2014), A Scoop of Love (Jan, 2015) and Anchored By Love (Dec 2015). She is also the recipient of the 2015 Nigerian Writer’s Award for Best Faith Based Fiction Writer. Her work has appeared in Africa Book Club, USA Today HEA blog and The Kenyan E-zine; Wamathai.  Her stories are described as a fusion of faith, romance and African spice. Unoma is also the co-owner of KevStel Group LLC and resides in Atlanta Georgia with her husband and two children.

 Connect with Unoma:

Website: http://www.unwankwor.com
Blog: http://www.unomanwankwor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/unwankworauthor
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/unwankwor
 

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Unoma by leaving a comment.

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Another day of March Madness unfolds! Our author for today, JL Campbell is truly bringing the madness in her excerpt today. As you read the excerpt, think about what you would do in the situation. Then prepare to answer her question at the end to enter the giveaway.

DISSOLUTION EXCERPT:

Sherryn wanted to close the door on the proof of her husband's infidelity, but there was no going back.

She avoided looking at the child in front of her, whose cupid's bow of a mouth and tawny eyes confirmed that he shared the same genes as her children. But the similarity ended there—his ashy skin, underweight body, and wash-worn clothes pointed to a lack of concern for his well-being and appearance. The woman with him smiled—a smug grimace that deepened Sherryn's suspicion.

She didn't hide her distaste at the sight of the snug tank top holding in a belly about to surge out of control, or the denim skirt that did little to cover a pair of lumpy thighs. A lustrous, blonde weave complemented the woman's caramel complexion, and false eyelashes emphasized the spite in her gaze.

A quick scan tagged her as the stereotypical product of one of Kingston's ghettos. For timeless seconds, Sherryn felt as though she was stuck in an early 1900s silent film. The wind stirred the flowers and shrubs in the front yard, dried leaves blew over the lawn, and a car drove by, but she heard nothing.

Then the dancehall queen look-alike pushed the little boy forward, dragging Sherryn back to the unthinkable scene unfolding on her doorstep. "Tell Maurice him can have him pickney."

Sherryn suppressed a shiver by pulling her shoulders back. She stood tall, squeezing the doorknob as a shipwreck victim might cling to a life-saving piece of flotsam. After a glance at the boy, she whispered,
"Oh no, you're not leaving him here."

"You ca'an decide dat. Since Maurice won' take care of him, him can keep him."

The woman dropped a knapsack, and spun away with an exaggerated wiggle of the hips and the jangling of gold-plated jewelry, to saunter down the driveway to the gate, where a marked taxi waited.
Ghetto rat! Why leave her child on my doorstep like unwanted baggage?

The boy's bottom lip trembled and he blinked hard several times. Sherryn's chest heaved, and she struggled to slow her breathing. It wouldn't help either of them if she fell apart. Pressing her lips together to keep her focus, she picked up the threadbare knapsack and touched his shoulder. "Come with me."

She left him sitting on the sofa inside Reece's office.

Over the years, Maurice had been shortened to Reece. The inane thought reminded her that she had spent half her life with a man she doubted she would ever really know, and here again, was proof.

The purpose for leaving the boy in Reece's study was twofold. First, he was hidden from her, as if he didn't exist and second, Reece's world would spin off its axis—just as hers had—to find his secret tucked away in his private space. She hoped the experience turned out to be as gut wrenching and devastating as hers.

Buy Link
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GAQQg4

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN THE COMMENTS SECTION:

What do you think Sherryn did and how would you handle the situation?

ABOUT JL CAMPBELL

J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written thirteen books, four novellas and two short story collections.

Her novels include the Island Adventure Romance series, which currently has five exciting, stand-alone stories and features feisty women and determined men. Campbell's mission is to write stories that entertain and educate readers. She is a certified editor, who also writes non-fiction.

CONNECT WITH JL:
 
Website: www.joylcampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcampbellchambers
Twitter: @JL_Campbell
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thewriterssuite/

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for J.L. and enter the giveaway by leaving a comment.

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A broken marriage.

A former lover.

A passion for success.

A recipe for disaster.

It's Day 8 of March Madness and there will be two winners today! Nigeria Lockley is tempting us with a touch of sin in today's excerpt. And all I can say after I finished reading it was "Yeah...why???" So read on and prepare to enter the giveaway at the end!

About the Book:
Kira Seagram is frustrated by her husband Mason’s zeal for the Lord, so she pours all of her attention into her work and reserves her soprano singing skills for the shower. Kira would rather not use them if she get can’t the adoration and recognition she feels she deserves and doubts she’ll find singing lead for Mason’s choir. When a routine drop off at her son, Nate’s private school turns into a ten-year reunion with her ex-boyfriend, Quincy McAdams, Kira isn’t interested in Mason's half-hearted affection or willing to keep her voice to herself. With a firm offer from Quincy to help Kira cut a demo and possibly revive the love they let die, Kira has some choices to make. When Kira finds herself tempted to touch will she remain faithful to her husband or yield to the desires of her flesh?
 
Excerpt
After securing a thirty-two ounce cup of coffee I pushed Nate towards the exit. We moved in such a flurry there was no time for me to brace myself for a collision with another parent during the morning Manhattan shuffle. The Manhattan shuffle was what I had dubbed the mad dash from the subway into the school and out the door followed by a nod and wave at the principal, then you hurtle back through the door desperately trying to avoid the president of the PTA who was trying to corner you for your signature, a donation, or cupcakes.

I shook my head and refocused my eyes on the hand that once safely cradled my cup of Joe, which was now dripping from my fingertips and rolling up the sleeve of my trench coat.

“Are you okay, Ma?” Nate inquired, looking up at me.

“I’m sorry, Kira,” a familiar voice said with his head bent in my direction and his hand full of tissues extended towards me.

“Ma, are you okay?” Nate asked again tugging on the strap of my suede tan hobo. No, I’m stuck on stupid. Thankfully that didn’t come out of my mouth. I replied with a strong and soothing, “Yes. Hun, I’m fine,” before snatching the napkins from the palm of Quincy McAdams.

“Thank you, Quincy.” I dabbed at my arm and Nate pulled on my purse string again.

“Uh…who is this?” Nate asked doing his best imitation of his father’s gruff voice.

“Nathan, this is Mr. McAdams, an old friend of mine,” I said doing my best to appear pleasant and mask the nature of our relationship.

Quincy hiked up the legs of his tailored slate grey trousers and crouched down to Nate’s height. “Nice to meet you, Nathan.” He extended a balled up fist for Nate to tap. “You know,” he drew back the sleeve of his blazer and glanced at his watch, “in about two minutes you will officially be marked late and I would hate for that to happen.”

Nate winced. “Me too.” He looked back at me. “If you’re good, Mom I’m going inside,” Nate declared, releasing my purse string and trotting towards the doors of Emblem Academy.

“Nate,” I called to him following him out the coffee shop.

Nate turned back, smiled at me, and waved. “Bye, Ma.”

Please don’t leave me alone with six feet of fineness who was, by the looks of it, a lil’ bit too delighted to have spilled my coffee. I waved back trying to see past the face in front of me. Emblem Academy was a few feet away from Joe’s House of Java, but I wasn’t worried about Nate’s safety, I was concerned about my own. I wanted to look away from his monsoon-deep eyes, but I was too dazzled to turn away.

Quincy didn’t waste a moment seizing upon my apparent weakness; he inched closer as I backed away. 

“Kira, if you keep backing up you’re going to crash into another person. Stop playing.” He grabbed the underside of the sleeve on my coat pulling me in closer. “I’m not going to bite you. I just wanted to wipe the coffee off your arm before I hug you.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Of all the coffee shops on the Upper West Side you could have walked into and accosted a woman in, why’d you have to walk into mine? Oh forget it.” I waved my hand at him putting his response on pause.
 
Copyright ©2015 Nigeria Lockley
 
Purchase Tempted to Touch on:
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and for autographed copies visit www.inheritancebooks.co 
 
Giveaway Details

Prize: Two autographed copies of Tempted to Touch

How to Enter: How Do You Handle Temptation???
Temptation is the major issue that Kira Seagram, the protagonist of my latest book, Tempted to Touch has to deal with. We all have to face down temptation in our daily walk. Sometimes, it’s small and sometimes it large like the battle Kira has to face. Being tempted isn’t a sin, but how we respond to it—whether we walk away when someone cusses us out or decide to turn what seems like a simple office conversation into regular night time banter can lead us into sin. How do you handle temptation??? Leave your response in the comments for a chance to win an autographed copy of Tempted to Touch. 

ABOUT NIGERIA:

Nigeria Lockley possesses two master's degrees, one in English secondary education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second master's degree is in creative writing. Nigeria's debut novel, Born at Dawn received the 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction. Nigeria serves as the Vice President of Bridges Family Services, a not-for-profit organization that assists student parents interested in pursuing a degree in higher education. She is also the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. Nigeria is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters.

KEEP UP WITH NIGERIA:

Website: www.nigerialockley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley
Instagram: www.instagram.com/NewNigeria
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NewNigeria
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Welcome back to another week of March Madness! I am so excited about today's post! I begin March Madness a few years ago in celebration of my birthday. It has been an exciting event to showcase other authors, and to bring prizes to you, the reader.

Today's my birthday and I could think of no better way to celebrate than by sharing a post with you. I'll also give away a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of one of my novels, of your choosing, to one random person who leaves a comment.

Here's an excerpt from book three in The House of BeJeweled series, BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend.

BLURB:

Olivia believes she can have it all. A successful business and a loving husband. But his ex-wife is not ready to walk away, and continues to threaten any chance he and Olivia might have at happiness. When Olivia discovers she’s being stalked, secrets her mother took to the grave come creeping out.

The baby Nikki and Carlos have been planning is finally on the way. One problem…the paternity is at question, and Carlos is in the dark. To protect her secrets, Nikki’s ready to sever ties to both men that hold the key to her heart. But one half of her heart won’t let go, and the other half is willing to fight until the end. The birth of her child may lead to the death of her marriage.

One test has the power to determine the truth. One test will change their lives forever.

Deception will bring separation, and destiny will mend two broken hearts. And in the end, everyone must work together to create a beautiful blend. 


EXCERPT:

 “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, Ivy. He’s just a harmless homeless man. They do travel around, but maybe it isn’t the same person you saw at the Buckhead location,” Raymond assured Olivia over dinner that night.

“I don’t know, Ray. He not only looked like that man, but he sounded like him, as well. There was something about his eyes. I know I’ve seen him before,” she debated.

Raymond speared a chicken breast chunk with his fork and put it in his mouth. He wore a thoughtful expression, and his mind appeared to be a million miles away.

“What is it, Ray?” She set her fork down on the side of her plate. She removed her napkin from her lap and walked into the kitchen to grab the pitcher of tea from the refrigerator.

Walking back into the dining room, she noticed her husband was still far off in thought.

“Hey, what’s on your mind?” Olivia refilled his glass with tea and then her own.

“I’m heading out of town this weekend,” he murmured, and then took a sip of his tea.

“What?” She looked up from her task and inadvertently spilled a few drops.

“I said, I’m heading out of town this weekend,” he repeated, a little firmer and louder than she thought was necessary.

“To Boston?” she asked quietly, wiping her spill with a paper towel.

His trips back to Boston to visit his ex-wife and kids had become more frequent lately. He had visited two weekends prior. She believed the only reason he hadn’t gone last weekend was because he had to speak at a seminar for fire professionals. Each time he returned home, he came back in a bad mood.

“Yeah.”

“Why do you have to keep going up there, Ray?” Olivia whispered. She suddenly had lost her appetite and removed her plate from the table.

As she entered the kitchen she turned to look back at her husband through the breakfast nook.

She thought she saw a glimpse of guilt on his face.

“They’re my kids, Ivy. I thought you understood that. How else am I going to see them?” His eyebrows wrinkled in frustration.

“I do understand that, Ray. But I also understand you haven’t fought for your rights. Why don’t you take her to court? She cannot keep battling you and refusing to allow you time with them unless you return to Boston,” Olivia argued.

“I told you once before; I don’t want to drag her to court. She might’ve been crap as a wife, but first and foremost, she’s the mother of my kids. And I will give her the respect she deserves for that, if for nothing else.” He scooted his chair back and grabbed his plate to bring it into the kitchen where she stood. From the looks of his plate, she wasn’t the only one who had lost their appetite.

Prize:  An eBook copy of your choice of a book from The House of BeJeweled series and a $25 Amazon gift card.
How to enter: Leave a brief comment in the comments section below.
Deadline: Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST **Winner(s) will be notified via email by March 9, 2016 and announced in the comments section below.


HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY? LEAVE ME A COMMENT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION TO BE ENTERED TO WIN!!!

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Author Bio

Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic - loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award - Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net

Find Sharon Online
Website |  Mailing List  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Blog  |  Goodreads

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Show your love for Sharon by leaving a comment.

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Another day of March Madness brings Eartha Watts-Hicks your way. Let's welcome her and see what she has in store today.

"Love Changes is a heartfelt, touching and compelling story about the pitfalls of looking for love outside, without first learning to love yourself, and of the beauty that follows when you discover the joy of self-love." David Lamb, Award-winning playwright Platanos Y Collard Greens

LOVE CHANGES is a cautionary tale about a single mother torn between the father of her baby and her (male) best friend during the Summer of 1995.

Find out why my debut novel LOVE CHANGES is NOW setting women's book club discussions ablaze.

EXCERPT FROM LOVE CHANGES:

“Can we switch mothers?”

“Dawn told her about the keys, huh,” Romell laughed.

I know he thought I was stupid for telling her. Dawn’s mouth was bigger than her behind. But with all my girlfriends out of state—and me with no long distance carrier—who else would I call about girl stuff? Mommy? I sucked my teeth. “Are you a psychic friend?”

“Nah, my advice is free. Next time, save yourself the trouble. Tell your mom from the get-go like I suggested.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“Chocolate, when it comes to you and your family, I blow the whistle and wear the stripes. Now, hold on. I have someone on the other line.” The phone line clicked twice, but the call switched back to me. Romell’s voice had turned to syrup. “Yeah, Akasma. Like I was saying, I feel real bad. I really do, because you and I have a lot of fun together. But, I’ve got to be honest. We don’t have much in common. So, I guess—”

I cut Romell off, doing my best to imitate his voice but sounding more like Cookie Monster, “It’s best that we just be friends.” I got a chuckle out of him, so I kept it up. “The last thing I want to do is waste your time. I’d still like us to hang out once in a while, if that’s okay with you.” I closed by saying, “And the Oscar goes to….”

Romell’s voice was just above a whisper but it had bass—that combination could lull me right to sleep or wake me up from it. Even though I didn’t sound a bit like him, I knew I had the script down cold, because he was still laughing when he said, “Trust me, Chocolate. If I ever give you something stiff, bare naked, and about that size…it won’t be an Oscar. Now, knock it off. She won’t buy it, unless I’m composed.”

I never bought into any of his flirting. Romell and I were just friends. Actually, Romell was my closest friend. An investment banker, big and built, bald, brown, and dimpled, but he was a mess. Not only did he collect women like he did luxury timepieces, he remained unattached and had absolutely no time for “sistahs.” He even had the nerve to have very specific taste. His type was blue-eyed, with big lips, hips, boobies, and black girl booty, courtesy of Stairmaster.
Romell was back on the line with me sooner than I expected. “Okay, what’s the story?”

“Do you want the whole story or the abbreviated version?”

“The truth, Chocolate! Don’t add any plot twists or cliffhangers. Just tell me what happened. I know how you are.”

“Well, first of all, Mommy shows up here unannounced and uninvited. She doesn’t even bother to say hello, right? She just pushes past me, gruntin’ and complaining. ‘Hmmh, you look tired. Hmmh, this place is disgustin.’ And I’m tryna be nice. I’m like, ‘Hi, Mommy. You look great. Would you like something to drink?’ She ignores me, walking all through here like she owns the place, turning her nose up at everything.”

“Okay, that’s nothing new.”

“Wait, let me finish. It gets better. She snatches Tee-Bo from me and starts yelling, ‘He looks horrible! What kinda mother are you? You ain’t doing nothin’ for his rash!’ And then she starts calling Spider all kinds of broke bums, while she is holding my baby. So I try to take him to put him in the room, and Mommy is snatching him from me, and we are having a tug of war with my baby. Tee-Bo is screaming at the top of his lungs. Finally, I pry him from her vice grip, take him back in the room, and calm him down. I come back and Mommy starts shaking me like I’m a two year old, pointin’ to the mirror, saying ‘Hmmh, look at you. You’re busted! Ain’t no man ever gonna marry you! I don’t know why I wasted my money on your education! You ain’t nothin’ but a fool!’ And then, she hauls off and slaps me!”

“Whoa, time out!” Romell whistled.

“Chocolate, come on now. That’s foul!”

“What? You think I’m lying?”

“I know you’re lying! I’m just trying to find the nugget of truth in this gold mine of yours.”

GET YOUR COPY:

Kindle Editions are currently available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

The Complete Revised Edition of LOVE CHANGES (which includes all licensed music content, the Music Index, Reading Group Guide, and Excerpt from Chocolate Love) can be purchased on Amazon. (Autographed copies available through my Earthatone website)

CLICK to PURCHASE http://ow.ly/INWgc

The Complete Revised Edition of LOVE CHANGES (all 56 chapters, which includes licensed music content, the Music Index, Reading Group Guide, and Excerpt from Chocolate Love) can be purchased through my Earthatone website and can also be purchased on Amazon. http://ow.ly/PFfuG

Also, discounts on bulk orders to book clubs and women's organizations. Email Requests to Earthatone@aol.com or visit my website www.earthatone.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eartha Watts-Hicks is the founder of Earthatone Enterprises, LLC and Earthatone Books. She is a fellow of the Center for Black Literature and the Hurston-Wright Foundation, as well as a member of the acclaimed Harlem Writers Guild. In June of 2013, Eartha Watts-Hicks received the Just R.E.A.D. 'literary game changers' Award by the NYCHA branch of the NAACP and was named a NAACP New York City ambassador for literacy. Her title has been featured in the New York Amsterdam News, January Magazine, FAN Magazine, Harlem World Magazine, and was selected for the 2014 Congressional Black Caucus.

Thanks for participating in March Madness. Enter the giveaway for a prize from Eartha by leaving a comment.

Join us tomorrow for another March Madness! To join this blog, simply click the "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the right panel.

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Day 2 of March Madness brings you W Parks Brigham. She writes such sweet romances, with authentic characters, expressing genuine love and realistic flaws. In today's game of love, her characters are making a rebound from their broken hearts...

 Shelly Roberts and Joffrey Matheson have watched friends fall in love and take that giant step—marriage—promising to share their lives together.  Now it’s their turn.  They’ve been paired as the perfect couple, according to Allanville’s Matchmakers Committee.   Yes, their friendship has developed and grown. Yes, they are compatible, enjoy each other’s company, and want the same things out of life.  Most importantly, they’re both seeking a meaningful relationship.  Family and friends are excited as they cheer them on. Everyone is anticipating and waiting for the big news. 

Humph, that’s a joke! 

Instead, they keep getting sickening, whining excuses; there are no sparks…no chemistry…we’re just friends…you know, a yummy peanut butter sandwich but with syrup instead of jelly. The million-dollar question, how can you develop a serious relationship when you’re still carrying a torch for someone from your past? Where they do that at? In the small town called Allanville?  

Let’s see how two young people in Allanville, Texas tried to make a go of being in a relationship that just wasn’t working out in spite of what the matchmakers thought. Why, because their hearts belonged to someone else. 

EXCERPT:

“Betsy, are you sure about this couple?” asked Minerva.  Her sister, Connie, nodded in agreement.  The Guillory sisters pretty much thought alike and stood together during the group’s matchmaking endeavors.

“I know Shelly is your niece and you two know her well.  But Margaret Ann asked for our help. Her boy has been pining over Deidra Hollands for far too long.  His family feels that if they don’t step in and help him bury the past, they may lose their youngest son like they did their eldest. Remember, he was supposed to have made a career out of the army, but got out after five years behind a broken heart. And we all know the rest of the story.  So yes, they are concerned and seeking our help.  Margaret Ann sees the same pattern, but this time she’s going to intervene, with our assistance.”

The committee members listened as Betsy expressed the views of the Mathesons with reservation.
 
“Betsy, our heart goes out to the Mathesons but Joffrey and Shelly,” Minnie said in disbelief.

“Really? They’re like oil and vinegar.  She’s spirited and flashy whereas he’s conservative and nerdy.  And what about the age difference? You know she’s a few years older.” ♥
           
“Good morning, Ms. Roberts.  I love your outfit,” complimented Misty, Joffrey’s secretary.

“But you always look pretty.  You can go right in.”
           
“Thanks, Misty.”  Shelly knew that meant for a big girl, but she didn’t mean any harm. 

Girlfriend was calling it as she saw it.  That was one thing Shelly prided herself on, looking good whenever she stepped out.  Shelly believed in representing the plus-size sisters. Today, she wore a coral pencil skirt topped with a coral smudge dot blouse which had an elastic scoop neck and raglan sleeves, comfortable crisscross open-toe pumps in taupe, and gold jewelry which toned the bright color down a notch for work. She only stopped by to bring Joffrey and his secretary a treat.
 
“This is for you,” she said and gave Misty her package.
 
Excitedly she asked, “Is this what I think it is?”

Shelly told her yes which caused them both to smile.  She then disappeared behind the door to Joffrey’s office.  He greeted her with his charming smile, stood, pointed to the chair in front of his desk, and mouthed give him a minute.  Shelly walked over and gave him a friendly kiss before she took her seat.

She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but she was sitting right there. Shelly couldn’t help hearing the conversation. It was obvious he was talking to his oldest brother.  Whatever they were discussing, Joffrey was getting nowhere. From the time Joffrey Matheson returned to Allanville; they had been dating on a regular basis, thanks to the Allanville matchmakers’ committee at their local church. The other guys she had been paired with just didn’t work out, regardless of them being compatible according to the matchmakers. Since she and Joffrey started dating, they discovered their commonalities were surprisingly amusing, which kept their routine dates quite entertaining. For the time being, they were engaging in harmless male and female companionship.

Shelly realized shared similarities were not enough for a more in-depth relationship. Something was missing that was preventing them from becoming more than mere friends.  And it had nothing to do with their age difference.  There was no passion between them.  A kiss on the cheek and lips or a soft touch was not enough.  She yearned for sensuous thrills, hot sizzling sparks, and unadulterated lust. Humph, what she actually had the pleasure of experiencing three months ago. She read about it, heard testimonies from college friends, and even her BF, but nothing prepared her for the actual mind-blowing, slam-bamming, thank you sir, adult fun she encountered.  Now she understood perfectly well why it was stressed during her teen years that sex is for married people along with all the other biblical and moral clichés she’d been taught.

What she’d really learned, the Bible spoke it plain and simple, it’s better to marry than to burn.

If the truth be told, she actually prayed to God for His divine intervention to allow their paths to cross again. That was what the word said, ask and ye shall receive…yeah, right. Shelly knew that was not what the scripture meant.
           
Instead of their paths crossing, her divine intervention was Joffrey Matheson. Joffrey was a great guy with all the attributes, moral and physical, a woman in her right mind would want in a husband. Her good sense kept stressing, don’t push this one away. He could be your last chance.  

You would think, after all this time, she was over him, especially with her new beau.  Not true, no one compared to the brother she met in Vegas…a black skillful sensuous lover whose body rippled with muscles, long powerful limbs, eyes dark as the night, skin the color of dark molasses which was smooth and soft to the touch, and a hypnotic masculine scent. The mere memory of her birthday gift still caused her body to tingle and juices to flow as she recalled every melodious whisper, each desirous and delicious touch, lick, stroke, and thrust.  As her best friend had often expressed to her, “Shelly Roberts, you’re incorrigible,” and she was in the worst kind of way. But what would one expect, when every bone in her body lusted and ached for what did not belong to her. The things he did to her were singed into her soul…mind, body, and heart. That was why she couldn’t focus on the handsome man sitting in front of her. Lord, she was going to burn in hell if she didn’t get a grip.  Heatwave! Her body began to shout. 

Flapping her legs for air, she was glad Joffrey couldn’t see what was happening in front of his desk; what a sight. ♥

“Good little bro, now how serious are you about Shelly Roberts?”

“Why?” he asked with scrunched brows.

Leland held his hands up in defense of his question. “No particular reason, just asking.  I know you’ve been on several dates, and you two were very cozy at Uncle Liam’s Retirement Party.  I was wondering, are you two more than acquaintances?”

“For your information, we’re very good friends and enjoy each other’s company.  We’ve also decided to take our relationship slow.  Now, if you’re through prying into my personal life, I’ll get back to work.”

Joffrey went back to his desk. However, work was the farthest thing from his mind as her lingering feminine scent held him hostage.  He knew what his brother was alluding to, but it was none of his business.  Besides, it was nothing he could tell him about women.  He often wondered, what if he hadn’t listened to Leland and their cousins, and waited until he was really ready to have sex? Maybe things would have been different.  He and Deidra Hollands would be married with children. She wouldn’t have gone through the ordeal her mother put her through alone.  But thanks to them, he hadn’t been there for her and as far as he was concerned, he lost out completely.  Joffrey wished he could get his self together and move on with his life; better yet, have a life instead of just being present. 

It was true he had a wonderful job that he loved. He was a CPA at Matheson Savings and Loans, located in the Matheson’s business park. Joffrey had loved working with numbers since he was a boy.  Once he completed his MBA, he was given his current position at the family business and his share of clients.  Consequently, his career was secured and intact.  He was now ready to find that special woman to marry and have a family.  At twenty-five, he’d had enough of the single life. Besides, Matheson men were raised to be husbands and fathers. He and Cam were the only male cousins in their small clan still single.

Shelly Roberts was a gorgeous, delightful, and caring woman who would make any man proud to have her on his arm.  They were considered the ideal couple in and around their community, and complemented each other in every aspect.  Nevertheless, their relationship was merely platonic with friendly touches and kisses here and there. One might say they had the friendship part down pack.  Joffrey had hoped that eventually their friendship would’ve developed into something more personal, on an intimate level.  He had no idea how Shelly felt on the subject since it had not come up in any of their conversations. 
 
Yes, he was drawn to Shelly’s fun-loving and sexy sassiness, but something was hindering him from stepping up his game. The vibes he’d received from her lately didn’t help his lack of confidence, especially since her birthday weekend.  Once Shelly returned from her Vegas holiday, it was obvious her demeanor had changed.  He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was definitely different. Instead of them getting closer, they were moving farther apart. It seemed her entire persona had been altered and it had nothing to do with her new position as the Director of Human Resources at the hotel.  Lately, he’d caught her daydreaming while in his presence about something, or perhaps someone. 
 
Joffrey noticed today Shelly was in deep concentration while she waited for him to end his telephone call.  Whatever was going on with the both of them, he wished they could shake it off and become more than mere friends.  It was safe to assume they had their reasons; he knew he did, although they were useless.  Lord knows he’d thought of his first and only love often enough.  On several occasions, he’d taken drives by her apartment complex, praying she would appear. Joffrey couldn’t count the numerous times he wished he could turn back the hands of time.  Without any uncertainties, he would have remained in Texas and attended PVU until she graduated from high school and they both could have attended Howard.            

Yeah, so much for what could have been. Unbeknownst to anyone in his family, he knew of her last whereabouts somewhere on the outskirts of Houston.  He just hadn’t taken the initiative to pay her aunt and uncle a visit to get a telephone number or address.  Why?  Because he was afraid to face her after what she had been through.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

W Parks Brigham would like to invite you into her world of love and romance.  She has penned some of the sweetest tales with plus size women as the heroine, touching your every emotion. Her heroines are attractive, educated, and sophisticated with high self-esteem. They are not looking for a man to validate their worth…just love them for who they are.  Drama, the element of surprise with lots of twists and turns, romance, love, and semi-steamy intimacy are featured in each story. She has often said; when you need a break from some heavy drama, take a break with one of her aww how sweet romances. You won’t be disappointed! 
Besides being a writer of AA romance and women fiction, W Parks Brigham is an avid reader and must have her nightly fix with a good book.
 
 W Parks Brigham Author Page: www.amazon.com./-/e/B00G4IPAMU
 FB Author W Parks Brigham
 Website: http://www.wparksbrigham.com/.
  Email: wparksbrigham@writeme.com
 
Available books by W PARKS BRIGHAM
 DESTINED TO BE….REIVISED
PROMISES
WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO LOVE
SURVIVING THE STORM
YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME (ALLANVILLE’S MATCHMAKERS BOOK #1)
YOU BELONG TO ME (ALLANVILLE’S MATCHMAKERS BOOK #2)
 
NO STRINGS ATTACHED (ALLANVILLE’S MATCHMAKERS BOOK #3)
 
YOU’RE THE ONE FOR ME (ALLANVILLE’S MATCHMAKERS BOOK #4) 
 
A New Series…The Golden Years
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR LOVE (The Golden Years Book #1)

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Hey good people, allow me to introduce to you ‘The First Lady’s Choice.’ So many times, we have heard or witnessed the corruption that has transpired in and around the church house. The first thing many folks do is place blame, point the finger, and judge where there is no room for an amateur.

This story will push the envelope in following the vows said during the wedding ceremony or following the heart. A mind is a terrible thing to waste but the heart can easily be broken. A marriage is simply a union joined in holy matrimony without complicating matters of the participant’s profession or status.

‘Who do you run to’ when the one person that vowed to love and to hold is the same person dealing the dirty blow?


EXCERPT:


“How was the rest of your day?”
 
“It was fine, and yours?”
 
“It was alright. I met the cutest little flower girl today during the wedding consultation I am doing.”
 
“…” I didn’t miss the eye-roll and exasperated breath William just pulled.
 
“Wow…”
 
“What?” He looked up with concern as if he had no clue what I was getting at.
 
“The look you just made when I brought up the little girl. And there it goes again.” I pointed out. “That idea repulses you that much?”
 
“You’re imagining things honey.”
 
“Right, just like I have imagined that I have to schedule any intimacy with you.”
 
“Here we go again. Let it all out and hopefully this will be the last time we have this argument.”
 
“You know what… you are absolutely right. Why would I continue to pick an argument with an unchanging person such as yourself?”
 
“Now you are going to act salty. Use your words Megan, we are not children.”
 
“Nor are we having any either, that much is clear.”
 
“I don’t think we are ready for children after-all you are acting like one as we speak.”
 
“Excuse me?”
 
“You are excused. The ghetto persona you snap back into isn’t helping matters either. What is the matter with you? Because I won’t roll over like a good boy and knock you up, I am the bad guy. You have to be kidding me. You already complain about me not being home more and now you want to add a child into the equation.”
 
“…” He really did have a point and I disliked him that much for pointing out the facts.
 
“You have nothing to say to that?”
 
“…”
 
“I tell you what, why don’t we revisit this topic on our little mini-vacation?”
 
“No need,” I wasn’t being salty at the moment, if anything I felt defeated. My husband controlled it all at that point. What was the point of fighting a no win battle? He had no qualms about not having any children so I guess I should back off.
 
“Don’t be that way Megan.”
 
“What way William? You have made it pretty clear that I’m not ready to be a mother because I’m too immature. I can only take your word at face value. Like you said, I already complain enough so why add to it?” I rose up from the dinner table to dump my plate; I had officially lost my appetite.
 
“Those are not my words, those are yours.”
 
“The meaning in the phrasing of the words is the same and it’s alright. I won’t bring it up again.”
 
“Wait, you haven’t even finished your dinner.”
 
“I guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought.”
 
“Honey,” William exhaled long and hard again like he was trying to pick his words wisely.
 
“It’s alright William, no need to pacify me any further.” Since we vowed never to go to bed with anger, I bid him goodnight. “Enjoy the rest of your dinner.”
 
“We can’t end the night this way. You’re angry,” he stated as if it pained him to say it or possibly, he was losing patience. It was hard to tell now.
 
“Actually I’m not angry, just swallowing the hard pill called ‘truth’.” Which was the absolute truth I wasn’t angry, I was hurt. “Goodnight,” I kissed his cheek in passing. He’d laid a hand on top of the one I laid on his arm to stop my movements. With all the energy I had left, I forced my lips upward into what I’m sure was a sad smile. Removing my hand from his, I made my retreat.

ABOUT K.K. HARRIS

Kanika K. Harris was born and raised in Little Rock, AR. She attended and graduated from the historical Little Rock Central High School in 1999. Kanika is married to her wonderful husband of nine years and mother to three children. She spends her days working diligently alongside her partner and husband running their home based business. Wanting to be an urban fiction novelist has always been a dream of hers and finally in 2013 she self-published ‘Love Drug’.

The first released novel only increased the hunger to see what other plateaus she could reach. Her twelfth novel ‘The First Lady’s Choice was released January 2016 and there is so much more to come from this author. Although the writing process can be trying at times, she is looking forward to many more stories to come.
 
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