About The Book
Two people in the same city but worlds apart.
Until Ray is an unconventional love story of how two young people transitioning into adulthood find each other and develop a bond that will be tested through three decades.

RAY IS LOST …
He lives in northwest Detroit with his mother. When he’s not at home, he’s either at the mall selling women’s shoes or in the club. In both places, he's focused on one thing—picking up women. Only now he’s ready to make a change but isn’t sure how to do it.

THEN SARITA ARRIVES …
At twenty-four, she has an MBA, is a CPA, and works in upper-level management at GM. But all that success comes at a cost: she’s lonely and craves the one thing she’s never had—attention from men.
Dive into a love story filled with soul-searching drama told from two very different perspectives. Until Ray, the first book of a trilogy, is set in the mid-eighties in Detroit, where the author was born and raised.

Read the first 4 chapters here: https://www.untilraytrilogy.com/chapters1-4
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qanuqdKBoBI
Connect Socially:
Website: https://www.untilraytrilogy.com

RAY
 
When I walk into the Big Boy at Northland Mall, Boone’s already seated at a booth in the crowded restaurant eating a hamburger and fries. He has a chocolate shake on one side of his plate and his cowboy hat, sitting on its crown with the brim up, on the other side. He’s wearing a short-sleeved, three-button placket shirt, his usual pair of Wrangler jeans, and one of his many pairs of cowboy boots. You can take Boone out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of Boone.
            “I’m getting another burger,” Boone says.
            “Another Big Boy burger?” I ask him. A Big Boy isn’t a small burger like a White Castle; it’s a double-decker cheeseburger.
            “Don’t worry, man, I’m paying for it.”
            “Sharon’s not feeding you? I know she wants you to lose weight, but is she starving you so that you will? Two Big Boys?” I shake my head. I guess he’s not trying to lose weight. Boone is always going to be a big dude, and Sharon just has to accept that.
“You know Sharon don’t cook, but I didn’t marry her for her cooking, and I’ll leave it there.”
I order lunch, and Boone adds another Big Boy and then asks if they have free refills on shakes.
            “Did you just ask this young lady if they have free refills on shakes, man?” Then I say to the waitress, “Please excuse my friend. He’s from Jefferson, Texas.” I turn my attention toward Boone again. “Maybe in Texas, where everything’s bigger, they refill shakes, but not in the Motor City. If you want another shake, man, you have to pay for it. I agreed to treat you to one lunch, not two.”
            “Just bring me some water,” he says to the waitress. Then when she walks away, Boone says, “Did you see how she was staring at you? Do you know her?”
            “Nah. How was she staring at me though? The way all the other women in Michigan do?”
I slide my First Federal Savings and Loan bank envelope over to him. “Here’s the money I owe you for the tow.”
            “Thank you.” He takes the money from the envelope and slips it in his wallet. “That’s one thing I will say about you. You always pay me back. Most of the time before I’m even expecting it. So what’s up, man? You must’ve had a big commission if you’re treating me  to lunch and everything.”
            “I’ve been thinking a lot about Sarita.”
“Who?”
“Isn’t that her name—Sarita? The one you were telling me about that’s never had a boyfriend—the wholesome one. I need something like that in my life.”
“Something like that or someone?”
“Don’t get all technical, you know what I mean. Someone—is that better? I’m ready for someone who’s real. I need to settle down, stop playing games, and commit. She could be the one.”
Boone isn’t paying me any attention. He’s almost finished with his food, and he’s scanning the restaurant, worried about where the waitress is. “What’s taking her so long? I wish she’d hurry up with my burger. I’m starving over here.”
“Are you listening to me, Boone?”
            “You’re ready for something real? Yeah, I heard you. The problem is, I don’t believe it.” Boone shoves his last few fries in his mouth and starts to chew. “How can you possibly be ready when you have a stalker? You need to get that in check. Sarita works in upper-level management for GM. She doesn’t need any unnecessary drama in her life. So, no, I don’t feel you’re ready.”
            “I am ready. Having a woman stalk me lets me know it’s time to stop playing. I need to meet a sweet young lady, and Sarita sounds like the one. Introduce me to her, please.”
            “She’s a very sweet young woman, but I don’t have the final say in this. Only Sharon does. She’s very protective of Sarita, and I’m very protective of both of ’em. If Mrs. Sawyer says yes, then I’ll have to go along with it.”

Cheryl currently resides in the Sunshine State with plans to return to her hometown Detroit shortly. For the past fifteen years, she has been busy writing contemporary women’s fiction. While writing is her first love, making delicious green smoothies is easily her second. She also enjoys spoiling her miniature Schnauzer and whipping up healthy meals from recipes she finds online. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntilRayTrilogy
 
Blog Contest # 2
https://www.untilraytrilogy.com/single-post/2017/06/09/Meet-the-Characters-Giveaway
 
Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours www.wnlbooktours.com

Follow the tour here: http://wnlbooktours.com/cheryl-robinson

Today is a very special day. I am celebrating two momentous occasions. The first being my wedding anniversary of 14 years to Mr. Marvelous Ramsey, and the second is my 5th year author anniversary.

It's a special event and you're invited!

It's my five year authorversary and my author friends and I are celebrating by giving gifts to you! Come join the party with us today on Facebook at Chelle Writes. We're kicking off the event at 9 AM until 9 PM EST. Hop over and join us, we want to see you!

Our fabulous line up includes:

Adrienne Thompson
Aja Graves
Chelle Ramsey
Chicki Brown
JL Campbell
Ja'Nese Dixon
M.J. Kane
Mary Finley
Serena Haskins
Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
Tracee Lydia Garner
TruFiyah

It's been fourteen years of marriage to my best friend, my superstar, my Marvelous Marv. Without him these novels I create would not be. He has believed in me since day one, long before I believed.

He is the one person everyone in my family and his family can count on to keep it real, give sound spiritual advice with a dose of love and reality. I am so blessed to be married to such a loving, compassionate, and spiritual man.

Happy Anniversary, Big Marv!

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Please leave a comment below. Loretta would love to hear from you!

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As my fifth anniversary of being a published author approaches (which coincides with my 14th wedding anniversary), I have begun reflecting on my first release more. Reflections of Promises was released June 28, 2012.

I have learned so much since those earlier days and I still have such a long way to go. My writing style has changed, as well as my opinions on a variety of topics. I initially pulled the novel from the shelves in 2015, but since then I've sent it to my Betas, and I'm preparing to send it to my editor. The cover design has completely changed, and I can't wait for its re-release in a couple of months.

I'm sharing a special piece from the novel today on #WriterWednesday. Check it out...

Patricia realized she had let one of her secrets slip. She looked up at Terrence with tear filled eyes. “Please…don’t ask me that. I don’t want to lie to you, but I’m not ready to reveal my lies,” she stated.
 
He nodded his head encouraging her to go on. She found comfort in knowing he would respect her wishes.
 
 “One day I realized I would be throwing everything away, if I didn’t get up and handle my business and get my degree like I’d planned. I mean if I kept going at that rate, I was going to fail school. Then I would have thrown our relationship down the toilet, and still not have an education to show for it.” 
 
“You are one amazing woman. I think that I do owe it to you to admit that you were right. I truly don’t think that I could’ve remained faithful all those years, but I also don’t believe that you could have either,” Terrence confirmed. 
 
“Looking back now you’re right. But you couldn’t have told me that then,” she replied with a smile.
 
Terrence turned to the back door to go back inside the house, as the music once again became loud. The upbeat tempo of “Back that Thang Up” started playing out of the speakers and the teenagers began bumping and grinding. 
 
“Come on, let’s freshen our drinks. We can finish the conversation in the living room where it’s a little quieter,” Terrence invited. 
 
“Sure,” Patricia replied, following Terrance inside. 
 
Time seemed to fly by as they sat in the living room and caught up on old times over a couple of glasses of wine. They laughed and giggled as they reminisced on how silly they had been as teenagers.
 
Their relationship had spanned a time period of two years. Terrence had been Patricia’s only friend, during a very difficult and depressing time in her life. After she had gone through a rough patch he had been the one to inspire her to move forward and believe in herself.
 
He encouraged her to give her best even when she didn’t feel like it. He had even been the one to help her to apply for college and make out her five year plan at that time. So, it was no wonder that both of their worlds had been rocked when she left him without a word.  
 
“Terry, I knew that if I had kept in touch with you, the changes that I made to that five year plan wouldn’t have occurred. I know you,” she shared.
 
“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You would’ve made me remain true to myself. That wasn’t an option at the time. We’d known each other since third grade, and although we didn’t become romantically involved until sixteen, no one knew me like you did. Being back here with you talking like this is like being at home again,” she confided.
 
“You are home, girl,” he teased, lightening up the moment.
 
“No, Terry, you’re home for me. You wouldn’t have approved of my need to change. You knew me in ways that no one else ever did or would. I’ve missed that, and I didn’t realize how desperately until tonight,” Patricia revealed.
 
“Wow.” He cleared his throat and rubbed his hand over his head, clear signs to Patricia that he was feeling discomfort.
 
Changing the subject, she asked “So your…wife what’s she like?”
 
“She’s…I don’t know. She’s…my wife. Umm,” he cleared his throat again. “She’s very intelligent, beautiful, inside and out, and very hot tempered.  Did you ever consider getting married?” Terrance asked.
 
“How do you know I’m not married?” Patricia bristled.
 
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to assume that you weren’t. I just noticed that you weren’t wearing a wedding ring.”  
 
Patricia absently looked down at her finger. She had left it packed in her suitcase, until she had a chance to tell her mother. She laughed to throw off the tension. 
 
“Actually, you’re right, I’m not. I guess I just don’t have time with my career and all.”
 
She ran her fingers through her hair and looked back up into his face.  Terrance had always been on the lean side. But over the years he had put a little meat on his bones, she noticed not without appreciation. He still had those dark brooding eyes, the cleft in his chin and that crooked grin that was so sexy, it could make a woman lose her mind. 
 
She ran a hand through her hair again to clear those thoughts, because she was a married woman whether he knew it or not. And he was definitely a married man, with a ring to prove it. Although Jared had probably run back into Lauren’s arms by now, she refused to stoop to that point. No matter how tempting the eye candy. Besides, what they had was something between two foolish kids. Yes, he had been a true friend to her as well, but they were two full grown adults now. 
 
“Is your wife a jealous girl, Terry?” Patricia asked, as she pulled her legs up on the couch underneath her. Terrance watched as her dress slid up just a little, exposing her thighs.   
 
“Normally, no, but she might be under these circumstances,” he confessed.
 
“Why?” Patricia asked, as she began rubbing his arm tenderly and staring into his eyes.
 
“Because you’re a very beautiful, tempting woman. A woman who…a woman who was my first love.”

He ran his hands down his face and kept his face hidden for a moment. Sighing loudly, he turned his head sideways, allowing his eyes to caress her.
 
“There’s more. Shawn, I don’t know how to tell you this, but…” Terrance held his head down in his hands and then looked up at Patricia with a sad look in his eyes. 
 
She reached out to rub him on the shoulder to offer him comfort. She was startled when he jumped back, almost as though her touch was venomous.
 
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you or offend you by—” 
 
“No, stop, Shawn. You didn’t offend or upset me in any way. Girl, I’m just having a hard time keeping my head clear around you,” he began. His voice lowered to a whisper as he continued to scoot closer to her.
 
“I mean, coming here today I didn’t expect to see you. Hell, Shawn, I didn’t even know you were back in town. When I stepped out on the deck this afternoon, you were the last face I expected to see. But…as soon as I saw your profile, I knew it was you. You’ve changed a lot, yet, the way that you sat and held your head was Shawn from way back. It’s like you being back has me questioning my life now,” he admitted.
 
Terrance distractedly began tracing a finger down her jaw line. As Patricia kept staring into his eyes, she found herself getting lost in the memory. Her heart began thrumming as she anticipated a kiss between the two of them. As their lips touched, she instantly drew back with a questioning look in her eyes. It wasn’t the fact that they were both married that had Pat’s head reeling. 
 
That little niggling thought that had been bothering her since he arrived, came back stronger. And she had to clear it out of her mind, and him out of her system. She stood up and walked to the other side of the living room to place distance between them. 

Welcome to another Fabulous Friday where today's Featured author is T. M. Brown. Take a look around as you sample her inspirational stories, and find entertainment along the way. She's new to The Beautifully Inspired Blog, so please make her feel welcome. Read on...

This is the Part 2 of Struggles of the Women Folk. Angel is Georgie's daughter who explains to you what occurs before, during and after her abduction. The story takes place during the turbulent 1950s.
Accompany Angel as she travels the world with Miss Emily Barker and her mother's husband Ricky, as her challenges are compounded by her coming of age experiences:

 "The silence of the house and the solitude of my secret were such a treat. I felt my body easily reaching climax and knew that at any moment I would be there. My mind filled with dreams of the day when someone, anyone, would be pleasing me and there would be no need for this substitution for affection. How I prayed for the day when a man would make me feel like this. I could only imagine how much more satisfying that would be." 

You can purchase this novel on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2k5jrGc

In A Life Not My Own, Tina shares her personal experiences of child abuse and neglect, her struggles as a teenager and in her young adult life.

The book started as a journal and was her attempt to address many of the secrets she had pushed to the back in her mind. As the memories continued to resurface, she was forced to address the issues that ultimately led to her sharing her past with readers around the world as a powerful force of inspiration. 
You can purchase this memoir on Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2jDKsna

Please leave a comment below. Tina would love to hear from you!

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It's a Writer Wednesday and today I'm sharing a new release from fellow author, Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku. Her characters are always hot, her novels are spicy, and her book covers bring the heat. Well today is no exception, so please join me in welcoming her back and helping her to celebrate her new release, Enticed Forever...

Middle of the night at 3 a.m.
 
Bang! Bang!
 
The crashing sound and Aize’s howling sent Theo racing down several flights of stairs, half-naked. His feet thudded across the carpeted hallway all the way to the guest room.
 
Out of his mind with fear, he pushed the door open.
 
The room was bathed in absolute darkness, so he stabbed on the wall switch. On the bed, Aize shielded her eyes with her right hand from the sudden glare of light.
 
Near the bed, one of the bedside teal-coloured table lamps was broken to pieces. ‘Jeez!’ he exclaimed. The table lamp must have received a hard knock.
 
As Theo stepped forward, his heart broke when he saw Aize’s face awash with tears. Getting into bed beside her, he crooned, ‘My God! Shish baby, I’m here. Don’t cry, you’ll be alright.’
 
Cradling her head on his bare chest, he ran his fingers through her thick, wavy hair, careful not to touch her plastered temple. ‘Calm down, baby,’ he soothed when her breathing remained rapid and shallow.
 
Her distress, quelled the tension in his groin.
 
‘I had a nightmare,’ Aize whimpered when she could speak. ‘It was terrifying.’
 
‘I’m here, okay?’ he assured her.
 
Suddenly, she scowled at the room and turned up her eyes to glare at him. ‘Where am I?’ she wailed, fright oozing from her voice.
 
‘You’re in my home and you’re safe. Calm down baby, I’ve got you in my arms. No one is going to hurt you.’
 
Aize pushed away from him and jumped from his lap, moving to sit at the other end of the double bed.
 
‘In your house? How did I get here?’ she asked, narrowing her eyes. ‘Why didn’t you take me to my own home?’

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y1QBTJR/
 
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B06Y1QBTJR/
 
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/717887
 
Okada Books: http://okadabooks.com/book/about/enticed_forever__a_bad_boy_romance/13744
 
Amazon US Paperback: http://amzn.to/2pnsCp1
 
Amazon UK Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enticed-Forever-Bad-Boy-Romance/dp/1543203175/
 
Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6945767

I'm Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, the author of several toe-curling & heart-fluttering Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels consisting of Contemporary/Interracial and Historical & Paranormal Romance. There are 17 published books so far.
Just so you know, I'm a romantic freak, mother of two fun - loving teenagers, married to my gorgeous husband and we live in London, UK. If my teens had their way, they would fill our home with a dozen pets. Swimming on my back like a star-fish is one of my skills.
 
My stories are dotted with unexpected twists and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe and enchanting America. An emotional spin is what you get when you read my books. Please write or connect with me on social media. I love reading from you. https://www.amazon.com/Stella-Eromonsere-Ajanaku/e/B004LXE09E/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4538936.Stella_Eromonsere_Ajanaku
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flirtyandfeistyromancenovels?v=wall&ref=pdem
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106790524289597144280/posts
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/eromonsereajana/
Blog: http://flirtyandfeistyromance.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Please leave a comment below. Stella would love to hear from you!

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There is beauty in being a woman. It doesn't exist in the way that we dress, the curves of our body, the makeup applied to our face, or the styling of our hair. The beauty of being a woman exists within our hearts, our souls, the power that we hold in being the best that we can be for someone else, and our gift of being nurturers and sometimes creators.

Children and men alike listen to hear what we have to say. They look to us for guidance within the family, and knowing what's necessary for living our best lives. We hold the power to encourage our sisters, our girlfriends, and our daughters. We are empowered to strengthen our men, our sons, and our brothers.

We have been beautifully molded and shaped in the image of Christ, and we are spiritual beings who show our love through our actions, words, and our ability to just be there when needed. Let your beauty from within shine today, and transform a world. We are the creators and nurturers, and the power to revolutionize our small circle lies within our hearts and souls.

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

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Please leave a comment below. LaToya would love to hear from you!

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Lately, I've been working on several projects at once. One of these projects happens to be my first published book. Written in 2004 and published in 2012, I allowed this book to remain on the bookshelves for two years before pulling it.

Although the core of the story remains the same, I realized my writing style had changed quite a bit since those early years. I also knew that this story needed to be edited, something that I did not do when I first came out. It's currently in the hands of one of my Beta readers, and then it will go to my editor.

Sometimes the people that we're dealing with are not exactly who we think they are. Sometimes, the person we're looking at in the mirror is a different one that we present to the world. When we cannot accept our own deception, we create alternate realities, living two different lives. Here's a snippet of Reflections of Promises...I hope you enjoy this #writerwednesday with me. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Time seemed to fly by as they sat in the living room and caught up on old times over a couple of glasses of wine. They laughed and giggled as they reminisced on how silly they had been as teenagers.
 
Their relationship had spanned a time period of two years. Terrence had been Patricia’s only friend, during a very difficult and depressing time in her life. After she had gone through a rough patch he had been the one to inspire her to move forward and believe in herself.
 
He encouraged her to give her best even when she didn’t feel like it. He had even been the one to help her to apply for college and make out her five year plan at that time. So, it was no wonder that both of their worlds had been rocked when she left him without a word.  
 
“Terry, I knew that if I had kept in touch with you, the changes that I made to that five year plan wouldn’t have occurred. I know you,” she shared.
 
“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You would’ve made me remain true to myself. That wasn’t an option at the time. We’d known each other since third grade, and although we didn’t become romantically involved until sixteen, no one knew me like you did. Being back here with you talking like this is like being at home again,” she confided.
 
“You are home, girl,” he teased, lightening up the moment.
 
“No, Terry, you’re home for me. You wouldn’t have approved of my need to change. You knew me in ways that no one else ever did or would. I’ve missed that, and I didn’t realize how desperately until tonight,” Patricia revealed.
 
“Wow.” He cleared his throat and rubbed his hand over his head, clear signs to Patricia that he was feeling discomfort.
 
Changing the subject, she asked “So your…wife what’s she like?”
 
“She’s…I don’t know. She’s…my wife. Umm,” he cleared his throat again. “She’s very intelligent, beautiful, inside and out, and very hot tempered.  Did you ever consider getting married?” Terrance asked.
 
“How do you know I’m not married?” Patricia bristled.
 
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to assume that you weren’t. I just noticed that you weren’t wearing a wedding ring.”  
 
Patricia absently looked down at her finger. She had left it packed in her suitcase, until she had a chance to tell her mother. She laughed to throw off the tension. 
 
“Actually, you’re right, I’m not. I guess I just don’t have time with my career and all.”
 
She ran her fingers through her hair and looked back up into his face.  Terrance had always been on the lean side. But over the years he had put a little meat on his bones, she noticed not without appreciation. He still had those dark brooding eyes, the cleft in his chin and that crooked grin that was so sexy, it could make a woman lose her mind. 
 
She ran a hand through her hair again to clear those thoughts, because she was a married woman whether he knew it or not. And he was definitely a married man, with a ring to prove it. Although Jared had probably run back into Lauren’s arms by now, she refused to stoop to that point. No matter how tempting the eye candy. Besides, what they had was something between two foolish kids. Yes, he had been a true friend to her as well, but they were two full grown adults now. 
 
“Is your wife a jealous girl, Terry?” Patricia asked, as she pulled her legs up on the couch underneath her. Terrance watched as her dress slid up just a little, exposing her thighs.   
 
“Normally, no, but she might be under these circumstances,” he confessed.
 
“Why?” Patricia asked, as she began rubbing his arm tenderly and staring into his eyes.
 
“Because you’re a very beautiful, tempting woman. A woman who…a woman who was my first love.”

He ran his hands down his face and kept his face hidden for a moment. Sighing loudly, he turned his head sideways, allowing his eyes to caress her.
 
“There’s more. Shawn, I don’t know how to tell you this, but…” Terrance held his head down in his hands and then looked up at Patricia with a sad look in his eyes. 
 
She reached out to rub him on the shoulder to offer him comfort. She was startled when he jumped back, almost as though her touch was venomous.
 
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you or offend you by—” 
 
“No, stop, Shawn. You didn’t offend or upset me in any way. Girl, I’m just having a hard time keeping my head clear around you,” he began. His voice lowered to a whisper as he continued to scoot closer to her.
 
“I mean, coming here today I didn’t expect to see you. Hell, Shawn, I didn’t even know you were back in town. When I stepped out on the deck this afternoon, you were the last face I expected to see. But…as soon as I saw your profile, I knew it was you. You’ve changed a lot, yet, the way that you sat and held your head was Shawn from way back. It’s like you being back has me questioning my life now,” he admitted.
 
Terrance distractedly began tracing a finger down her jaw line. As Patricia kept staring into his eyes, she found herself getting lost in the memory. Her heart began thrumming as she anticipated a kiss between the two of them. As their lips touched, she instantly drew back with a questioning look in her eyes. It wasn’t the fact that they were both married that had Pat’s head reeling. 
 
That little niggling thought that had been bothering her since he arrived, came back stronger. And she had to clear it out of her mind, and him out of her system. She stood up and walked to the other side of the living room to place distance between them. 
 
“Terry, if you didn’t come over because you’d heard that I was in town, why did you come? Mama, didn’t tell me that she had maintained a relationship with you all this time. Hell, she didn’t even tell me that she had invited you.” 
 
“It’s not that. I mean yeah, your mom and I still have a relationship, but that’s not why I came today. I mean that’s not the only reason why,” he confessed.  

Thanks for joining me this #writerwednesday. Share your comments with me below. I love talking to you.

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There have been many challenges and changes that have occurred on my job over the last several weeks. As the changes were nearing I realized that I had two options...1.) Embrace the change and flow with the state of things, or 2.) Resist the change and get run over by it.

A logical, sound person would easily say number one. However, I am anything but. What I understood was that if I chose to go with the state of things, I would abide in peace regardless to if I liked or disliked the changes. I knew that at some point, I would get used to the way things were being done and I would adapt. That's not a problem in and of itself, unless of course you don't want to adapt.

I did not want to adapt, I wanted to be transformed by the renewing of my thinking and not conform to the ways of my environment. That is what I set out to do and purposed in my heart; however, my attitude did not undergo the transformation necessary to accomplish that.

Determined in my mind that I would let certain people know that I did not agree with the changes and that there had to be a better way, I chose to become obstinate and withdrawn. What did this do for my state of mind? It robbed me of my peace, joy, and happiness because I allowed it to. I embraced a bitter and negative attitude that was contrary to my normal disposition. Worse still, I proved nothing of essence to anyone.

I have had the opportunity this weekend, especially Sunday to reflect on my attitude. I had begun thinking about it over the last week and a half, but throughout the weekend, the Lord really ministered to me about it.

You know that thing...the one where the Pastor begins to check you, boo, telling you all about everything that you've done and what all you gotta step up and bring your A game on. Yeah, that one. The one that has you peeking around wondering who went back and told Pastor all your business, or better yet, who was hiding in your closet since you hadn't told anyone.

Well, that's the little thing that I know is none other than Holy Spirit doing the checking. I can't even form my lips to began to say "Don't come for me unless I send for you." Yes, I can get that off with mere mortal, but when He comes...oh yes, your girl knows she has to get things in order. There's no time for laughing or joking when he pulls your card. Simply get it straight.

There is a humbling going on in my spirit right now and I welcome it with open arms. See, there's something else that I understand. The something else is when I follow His leading, He won't steer me wrong. Even if I don't understand, I know He's got me. With Him having my back...I know that I'll have peace. So no matter what rises up, or no matter what worries my coworkers and I have going on at work, when the Lord is on our side, we know He's going to work all things together for our good.

Regardless of what challenges and obstacles you face on this week, no matter how confusing or scary, know that the Lord has your back and you can't go wrong. Once you know that...then you'll have perfect peace that alludes you during the storms that you try to navigate on your own.

Push out all of the negative and resentful thoughts that you harbor towards situations and others. Move aside that pride, allow love to rejuvenate, restore, and replenish your spirit. Replace negative attitudes, with compassionate and positive ones. Then watch as the Son shines in your heart and brings great peace within.

Thanks for hanging out with me for this Motivational Monday Moment. Please leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

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Southern gal, Germaine Landry wants to become a writer in the big city of Washington, DC. She meets a privileged heartthrob, Angelo Pearson, who is used to having anything, and every girl he wants. A loner by nature, Germaine is not easily impressed with Angelo's bravado, but he eventually charms his way into her heart. This pair of opposites develops a friendship that catches fire. Their love is seemingly shatterproof until a malicious scheme leads them down a dark path that could end tragically.

Twenty years later, thoughts of yesterday still haunt Germaine until an unexpected encounter leads her to the pearls of truth. Germaine just may have a second chance at love or finally free herself from the memories of a long time ago.

Selena is a native Washingtonian who enjoys music, spirituality, basketball, and spending quality time with her family. As a young girl, Selena always had a vivid imagination, and would tell make-believe stories to her friends. As a teenager, Selena begin to journal her personal thoughts, and write poetry. Before long, her talent for writing was recognized by her high school English teacher, who encouraged her to write articles for the school newspaper. The articles motivated Selena to write many stories and essays, mostly as a hobby. After completing high school, Selena would major in English at Johnson C. Smith University, and the University of the District of Columbia.

Although Selena would ultimately end up working in the legal and financial fields, her love for writing never stopped. She continued to participate in many local writing workshops and community outreach groups, where poetry, short stories, and other creative pieces were read as public expressions, and as a way to bring hope to the disenfranchised.

In 2013, in between working full-time, Selena completed one of her life's goals by publishing her first novel, A River Moves Forward. In her debut novel, Selena tackles issues of poverty, race, abuse, and the family dynamics. She also infuses messages of hope, love, and forgiveness, which she believes are the qualities of true humanity.

The reception of A River Moves Forward continues to be favorable, earning 5-star reviews on Amazon, and progressively gaining favor of those in her community. The enthusiastic response has motivated Selena to write a sequel, Riding the Waves, scheduled for release in 2014.

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO

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Please leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

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