It's the final #ThrowbackThursday of the year. Today I'm going to reflect on 2015's happenings.

I changed my blog from Writing My Dreams on Blogger, to the Beautifully Inspired Blog here on my website. Here are some of the more popular posts of the year for this site:

THE PHONE CALL

THE SET UP

14 YEARS...14 YEARS

OPERATION MIDNIGHT

FAB FRIDAY FEATURE...CHRISTINA C. JONES

WRITER WEDNESDAY, JUST ONE NIGHT

Some of my most exciting events of the year were:

BRAB AWARD NOMINATION

THE HAIR CHRONICLES OF A CONFUSED BLACK WOMAN...

DELIVERY

BEJEWELED: A BEAUTIFUL BLEND

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I'm always looking for new ways to build and strengthen my brand. Recently I was invited to blog for Urban Image Magazine. As with anything else in life I went through a gamut of emotions over every decision I'm making for 2016.

For those who really know me, you know I'm an introvert and extremely shy in new environments. Once I'm comfortable you can't get me to shut up. So this year I'm embracing my challenges and getting out there on a new level. Other than blogging for the magazine, I plan to have two book signings this year, build relationships with my local librarians, and attend at least one author event.

As I looked at my To-Do list along with being a wife, mother, full-time employee, and author I instantly became overwhelmed. Then I went back to LaShaunda Hoffman's book, Building Online Relationships: One Reader At A Time.

Following her recommendations step-by-step I planned my 2016 calendar one week at a time. And although I haven't finished the book or the calendar, I'm well on my way and I have a plan. LaShaunda's question and answer session was thought provoking and enabled me to think about what I really want to accomplish in the upcoming year. While I was able to answer yes to most questions, there were questions that helped me to detail my marketing plan and consider options I had not thought of before. For instance, I realized that I need to put more work into building my newsletter. Speaking of which, please sign up for that here. You will get notified of contests, cover reveals, new releases, exclusive content and much more.

Now I only have to carry out the plan. It's easy to have a plan set up, but there must be follow through to be successful. I'm no longer as overwhelmed as I was before, because I have a plan, and I have my faith. I'm going into the New Year with a new and wonderful me, becoming the author and playwright He ordained me to be. Most of all...I have a vision.

What's your 2016 vision? Share it in the comments below.

If you haven't followed this blog, simply click "follow," "subscribe," or the "email" link in the upper right corner. 2016 is bringing great things!

Hey, Boo! I see you over there with your new lace Juicy Couture dress on. Somebody had a good Christmas this year. Mm-hmm, you must've been good to him allll year long, baby. Cuz he got you fitted from head to toe in the hottest fashion today!

Somebody's loving Ty, too. Honey, I'm about to name drop and show off my Christmas gifts. Ready?

Baby, Hugo is my signature scent. Cuz it ain't nothing like smelling like a Boss!

I'm rocking my silver cuff bracelet, designed by Lynn Todd! Girlfriend, you know silver look especially good against chocolate.

Now I might be a Boss by day in the shop, but baby at night, I'm oh so Juicy!

A special friend of mine knows what time it is. Time to get Juicy, baby!!!

Someone special really loves Ty. This pair of William II by John Lobb are perfect to feed my shoe fetish. The picture of comfort and style.

And honey this shoe **@$!'s (oops did I say that?) wardrobe wouldn't be complete without a pair of Stacy's!

Yes, baby, it's been a very Merry Christmas for Tyrone. I hope your Christmas was special, too. Drop in next week so we can make some resolutions for the New Year together. It's been real and it's been fun, but I gotta go clock them dollars. If you need your 'do did you know where I'm at.

Don't forget to check out Chelle's new book, BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend here. And follow this blog by clicking "follow," "subscribe," or "email" in the upper right corner, girls. Love you, boo! XOXOXO

Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. - Margaret J. Wheatley

This is the final Motivational Monday Moment for 2015. As I reflect on this past year there have been many ups and downs throughout this rollercoaster ride I call life. Some were good and others not so good. Yet, I must admit it was less challenging than last year.

Through it all I pray that I have learned more about myself and others around me, and grown stronger in my faith. I pray that if certain situations arise again I will pass with flying colors and make my Lord proud of me. I pray in all I do I will learn to point the way to Him and give Him glory through my behaviors and actions.

I have tried to take the life experiences I have endured and use them to produce positive, motivational messages for you. I hope that in my transparency at times you have been touched, encouraged, inspired, or motivated towards something greater.

More than anything I sincerely hope that I have learned to reflect on various times of my life and learn lessons from each segment. I don't want to have to repeat those lessons again, because I failed to learn anything.

I also pray that you will do the same. As the quote says, if we fail to reflect on our lives and choices (good and bad), we will continue to repeat the cycle, making the same mistakes. I think His intention is for us to learn from everything we have gone through and share our lessons with others that they, too, may be inspired through our testimony.

As you reflect on 2015 don't look at it as all bad. Regardless to what you went through or what happened to you, ask yourself what lesson can be learned from it all. What did you learn about yourself as you went through the fire. And as my husband, Marvin, says "when you have that quiet time alone, peel back the layers."

You might be surprised at what you find on the inside. Getting to the root cause of your attitudes, behaviors and situations serve to heal you and make you a better person. Don't stop at the surface and settle for the outer layer excuse of your issues. Rather dig down deep until you get to the root, or the heart of the matter. Get to know you even more by spending time in reflection and learning something useful through it all.

May you be blessed in this week. Go forth and prosper and may God keep you, grow you, and anoint you for an amazing 2016!

It's been another Motivational Monday Moment. Come back next Monday to see how I'm switching things up a bit. And don't forget to join this blog. Simply click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

Check out my newest release, BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend Here. 

Alicia left the library with Chelsea and CJ around 6:30 that evening. The snow had begun to fall again and she knew they had little time to make it to their hotel before they would be snowed in.

“Mom, I’m hungry,” Chelsea said, leaning her head against the passenger window.

“Me, too,” CJ yawned.

“Okay, we’ll have to get something to eat close to the hotel. It won’t be too long before these streets will be covered in snow. What do you guys want to eat?”

“I want some pizza,” CJ shouted from the back, suddenly wide awake.

“I don’t care,” Chelsea retorted.

“Okay. Pizza it is,” Alicia announced. She cranked up the heat and the radio. Christmas songs were playing and she sang along with the melodies. They may not be having much of a Christmas this year, but at least they were still together and she was determined to make the most out of it.

They made it to the little residential hotel after stopping for pizza at a local pizzeria on the way in. It seemed as if the skies opened up the moment she put the car in park. Snow fell down in large drifts, blanketing the lawn, trees, and the buildings around them.

Inserting the key into the door, she opened it up for the kids to go through first. Chelsea walked over to the dining table and sat the pizza down.

“Mom, can we go downstairs to the game room?” CJ asked.

“Maybe tomorrow, sweetie. Right now I want us to eat some dinner, take baths, and get ready for bed. It’s getting late.”

“It’s not that late Mommy. Besides we don’t have school tomorrow and nothing to do,” he whined.

“Yeah mom. It’s not like Santa’s coming to visit us, or something,” Chelsea declared in sarcasm.

“What!” CJ shouted in astonishment. “He’s not mommy?”

“Chelsea Monique Fairfield! I’m sorry you’re in a bad mood, but that’s no reason to be mean to your brother,” Alicia admonished. She was tired and wanted a bath and bed, but she knew she had to deal with this mess on her hands.

“But mooom—” Chelsea whined.

“But mom nothing. Go to the bedroom, right now. I’ll be in there to talk to you later.” She turned to look at her son. He wore a hurt expression on his face, his eyebrows furrowed and mouth turned down. She walked to him and unfolded his arms from across his chest. Pulling him towards the sofa with her, she sat down, and pulled him onto her lap.

“Look honey, I’m sorry your sister said what she said. She’s been a little grump lately and—” it was Alicia’s turn to get cut off.

“But is he coming mom? Didn’t he know we was moving?” CJ asked, his eyes watering.

It was all that Alicia could do to hold back her own tears. She and Charles had always explained to them the true meaning of Christmas. Maybe we didn’t do a good job, she thought.

Alicia pulled her son close in her arms and held him tight. She rocked back and forth before trying to explain. “Baby, yes he knows that we moved. But he might have some difficulty getting to us in the hotel. He hasn’t forgotten about you. I think he’ll just be visiting us at some later time that’s all.”

“But what about Christmas?” CJ asked, wiping tears away with the back of his hand.

“Well I’ve always told you Christmas was so much more than toys; Christmas is in your heart. It’s Jesus’ birthday and that’s who we celebrate. I mean we should be focusing on Him that day, giving our praise and worship to God, not mankind. Think about it like this…what if Chelsea were to receive gifts from me and dad on your birthday, how would that make you feel?”

“Huh? Why would you do that? Those should be my gifts!” CJ exclaimed. He looked at his mother with a confused look on his face.

“Well isn’t that what we do when we receive gifts on Jesus’ birthday?” Alicia asked.

Tears all dried up, the little boy wore a solemn look on his face and shook his head. He had some thinking to do. He looked up at his mother again, still slightly confused and kissed her on the cheek.

“Mama, I’m hungry.”

“Okay baby, go wash your hands in the bathroom and come and fix you a few slices of pizza. I’m going to talk to your sister.”

Alicia felt horrible about laying that guilt trip on her son. It wasn’t his fault his parents couldn’t provide him and his sister with gifts this year. It would be nice if Charles were around to help deal with this mess right now. Where is he? She thought.

After CJ came back out to get his pizza slices she went into the bedroom and sat on the bed her daughter occupied. Rubbing her gently on the back, she waited until Chelsea turned over to face her. “Sweetheart, I know this is hard on you. It’s been tough on all of us, but I need you to try with anything in you to work with me. Your brother has had the most positive attitude throughout this ordeal, and I really don’t want to kill his spirits.”

“But mom there’s no such thing as Sant—”

“Shh, don’t you say that! Honey if you believe in your heart, your wildest dreams will come true. You’ve lost the magic somewhere along the way and I don’t know how,” Alicia looked down at her eldest, who sighed and shook her head, as if her mother was losing her mind.

Alicia continued on, “I know things are a bit crazy right now, but trust me they will turn around.”

“Mom you keep saying that, but I don’t see how,” Chelsea countered.

“Baby, you have to have faith in God. When we go through things, He’s always right by our side helping us to make it through. There’s no way we could do it on our own. Right now I want you to get up, wash your face and hands and go get something to eat before it gets cold, okay?”

Chelsea shook her head and did as her mother told her to. Alicia went into the bathroom to escape the children for a while and pray. Where is Charles? She wondered again.

Alicia woke to her shoulder being shaken. She had fallen asleep on the couch in the living area, waiting to hear something from her husband. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up on the couch and looked into Charles’ eyes. He bent over to kiss her.

“Hey baby,” he greeted, with a tired smile on his face.

“Where’ve you been? What time is it?” she asked.

“It’s a little after 2:30. We got snowed in at Eli’s house and I ended up walking here.”

“But Charles that’s about half an hour’s walk! Why didn’t you call me or just stay there?”

“Baby its Christmas. I wouldn’t miss being with y’all for nothing in the world. Besides I had nothing to do but think anyway. So why not do it and get some exercise in too?”

“Look at you, you’re wet and cold. Come on and get out those clothes, you’re gonna catch a cold.”

“Nah don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine. I want you to lay down and get some rest now. I’m going to take a bath. Oh by the way, we didn’t make it to the storage shed either. The truck is sitting with all the rest of our stuff in it at Eli’s house.”

“Oh no Charles. What else can go wrong?” Alicia asked.

“Baby, just go in the room and get some rest. It’s Christmas, we will be thankful we’re together and we’re warm.” He kissed her on the lips, and swatted her behind as she made her way to the
bedroom.

Alicia was cleaning up after breakfast in the little kitchen that Christmas morning when someone knocked on the door.
“I’ve got it hon,” Charles called out from the living room.
“It’s a policeman at the door, Mommy,” CJ ran into the kitchenette to share.
“What does the police want, Mom?” Chelsea asked, her eyes widening.
Alicia’s stomach was tightening in knots. She couldn’t know what a policeman would want with them, especially on Christmas day.
In answer to Chelsea’s question, Charles stepped back inside the door closing it behind him. “Hey y’all, everybody get dressed, we’re leaving,” he announced.
 “With the policeman?” Why?” “Where are we going?” all of their questions came tumbling out at once.

“Alright, everyone calm down, I’ll answer your questions one at a time. Yes, we’re leaving with the policeman; because he asked us to; and we’re going to a brunch, your boss, Amber, invited us to.”

“But we ate already dad,” Chelsea replied.

“Well I’ll eat your part if you don’t want it,” CJ cracked.

“Honey, I’m sorry. I told her that we would be fine. I don’t know why she’s insisting. Look, I can call her up and—”

“Nope. We’ll be fine, we’re gonna go and have a good time. Besides that police officer out there,” Charles said, pointing over his shoulder towards the door, “he won’t take no for an answer. He’s Amber’s husband, Ed. He says he’s not leaving until he sees us pulling out the lot, and he’s gonna escort us and make sure we arrive.” Charles chuckled.

Twenty minutes later they were wiping their boots off on the welcome mat on the porch, and ringing the doorbell.

Ed stepped onto the wraparound porch of the brick home, and squeezed between them all and opened the door.

They stepped inside the lobby and the children gazed at the beautiful wooden floors. To the right there was a mahogany stairwell with beautiful hand carved handrails. To the left was a living room with a Christmas tree standing about 8 feet tall. Decorated with big blown glass ornaments, glistening bows, and an African American angel on top, smiling down on all who stood in her presence, the tree dominated the room.

Presents large and small poured out from underneath the tree. The mantle over the fireplace held another handmade wreath, and plenty of other decorations.

“Ahhh…you’ve got to kiss her, because you’re standing underneath the mistletoe.” Amber came wagging her finger back and forth. She had silently appeared from somewhere in the back of the house greeting them in a singsong voice. Alicia guessed it must have been the kitchen.

“Hi! Merry Christmas,” Alicia greeted her boss.

“Merry Christmas to you, too. Now turn around and kiss that fine hunk of man of yours.”
Ed laughed in the background. “If you know like I know, you’d better listen to her.”

“Yes, you better listen to her,” Charles teased, getting in the Christmas spirit himself.

Alicia smiled at her husband as he bent his 6’3 frame down to her 5’5 height and planted a kiss on her lips. Wrapping his arm around her waist he pulled her in closer, and whispered “Merry Christmas” against her lips.

“Eewww…that’s gross,” came CJ’s reply.

“Grow up, that’s what grown-ups do, little boy,” Chelsea remarked, lightly shoving her brother on the arm.

The adults around her laughed and suddenly “Merry Christmas” rang out all around them. Alicia pulled back in embarrassment from her husband, and Charles looked up at the crowd around them.

“Merry Christmas Alicia, Charles, Chelsea, and CJ,” she stated handing a set of keys to Alicia. Susan grabbed Alicia in a quick hug, released her, and then turned to Charles and shook his hand.

“Those are the keys to your new home,” Mayor Perkins spoke up.

“But…but…but I don’t understand. What new home?” Alicia questioned.

“Honey, this is your home. It belongs to you, Charles, and the kids. It is mortgage free and it’s all yours and just needs your loving care if you’re willing to give it,” Amber explained.

“But how? When? I don’t get it,” Charles was also speechless.

“Every year in the town of Pristine, we choose a family to bless. So this year, we’ve seen your struggles, how you’ve tried to hide it, and how you’ve kept rising. But no matter how hard you tried you’ve been knocked back down again and again. We knew you were renting and your landlord has wanted to give up his properties since moving out west. So, we got a local construction company to donate time, materials, and labor towards the building of your new home earlier this year. Many of the town’s wealthier citizens pitched in to cover other costs and here you are,” Susan exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

“We’ll have your things moved in by this afternoon,” came Eli’s voice from the hallway.
Charles’ mouth dropped open when he spotted his brother. “You were in on it too?”

“Yeah man. And it was hard keeping things from you.”

Alicia stood with her hand over her mouth and couldn’t hold on any longer. The tears came flowing down her face like a river. Charles pulled his wife close in his arms and then pulled his son and daughter in tight together, basking in the warmth of Christmas love.

After giving them several moments Ed could take it no longer. “Son,” he said, to CJ.

“Yes sir?” the little boy looked up in awe at the police officer.

“Christmas just wouldn’t be the same if you and your sister didn’t open your gifts under that tree there,” he said in his deep Southern drawl and beamed a warm smile on the boy.

“They’re ours?”

“Yep.”

“Alright!” he shouted.

“OMG! You’re kidding right?” Chelsea let out the first signs of glee since moving to Pristine.

“No little miss. Those belong to you and your brother.” Ed shared.

“Well CJ, I guess there is a Santa Claus after all,” Chelsea remarked.

“Nope…Jesus Christ was kind enough to share His gifts with us today.” CJ replied.

“You’re right. Santa gets all the credit. And it’s because of God’s grace we’re here today.”

All the adults laughed and a few Amens and Hallelujahs rang around the room. Alicia tugged on her husband’s arm. They were standing underneath the mistletoe once again. “Merry Christmas Charles.”

“Merry Christmas, Alicia,” Charles replied and kissed his wife.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Join this blog for wonderful content for the 2016 year! Simply click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

Alicia stood at the sink washing out the pans she had cooked the eggs and bacon in. She was glad they had used disposable cups, plates, and forks. Eli and his friends were already here and the bedroom items had been loaded onto the truck. She kept the kids busy in the kitchen with her coloring, and reading. These were simple things they could do to keep their minds stimulated, and prevent them from becoming too bored. She knew it would only last so long and they would begin complaining that they had nothing to do. So she enjoyed it while she could.

The day rushed by in a flurry of activity as they drove back and forth to the storage unit dropping off bags and boxes that didn’t need to be transported by truck. The kids had been quiet all day and Alicia was starting to worry about them.

Driving through the snow plowed streets of Pristine, she came up with a wonderful idea to give them the balance she knew they needed. Alicia had practically raised the children in the library and they had enjoyed every moment.

“Hey guys, do you want to go to the library?”

“But mom, the library’s closed,” CJ disputed.

“Since when has that stopped us?” she asked with a giggle, looking at her little boy’s reflection in the rear view mirror.

CJ smiled back at her before replying, “Never!”

“That’s right. You two can use the computers while we’re there. I have a few things to catch up on while we’re closed.”  She looked at her daughter sitting beside her. Chelsea was staring out the window, looking bored. “Honey, you can use the computer in my office and chat with Lydia.” Alicia knew her daughter would love to talk to her old friend Lydia in Virginia.

“Okay, mommy,” Chelsea said, perking up only slightly.

Alicia pulled the car into the library’s parking lot, surprised to see five other cars already parked there. She recognized the cars of Mayor Albert Pickens, Susan the library director, and Amber, the owner of the Five and Dime Café. There were two other cars that she did not recognize.

“Honey, I need you to be on your best behavior, okay?” she reminded, CJ looking at him in the rearview mirror once again.

“Yes ma’am,” CJ replied, getting out of the car ahead of his mother and sister. He ran up the steps to the library door. He began hopping around restlessly waiting for Alicia to climb the stairs and unlock the door.

“CJ, no running in here, just because we’re closed doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply,” Alicia warned, one last time after she and Chelsea had climbed the stairs. Unlocking the door she continued to wonder why the Mayor and Amber were there. And who did the other two cars belong to? It wasn’t a surprise to see Susan there, she usually came in when the library was closed along with Alicia. She didn’t need any more bad news and the mayor’s presence there didn’t look too good. Were they closing the library? Alicia didn’t know, but she would soon find out.

After getting the children settled, Alicia hung up her coat in her office and removed her gloves and hat. She went in search of Susan to find out what was going on.

“Time is running out, I just want to make sure everything will be handled by then,” Susan stated, head cocked to the side, and one finger pointing at a red-faced gentleman, sitting at the other end of the table.

Alicia was only 5’2, but despite her petite frame, she had never been intimidated by her boss. But peering through the conference room door and seeing Susan rise to her full 5’11 stature, hands on her hips, she had second thoughts about that assessment. This was a side of Susan she had not seen before; she appeared to be irate. Light brown eyes framed by long lashes sat in cocoa colored skin. Her cheekbones set high in her face accentuated by the natural Afro she wore, usually gave her the look of a super model. But at the moment, her eyes seemed to be shooting sparks, and she looked more like Neema, the African warrior princess.

The red-faced man removed his cowboy hat from his head and began to speak. “Ms. Dwyer,” he said, addressing Susan, holding his hat to his chest, “my crew has been—”

“Look, Mr. Rafferty…tomorrow is Christmas! Christmas…do you know what this means?”

“Uh, er…yes ma’am, I reckon I do, and—”

“Then you understand what I expect,” she snapped, with a roll of her head.

“Mr. Rafferty, please understand that time is of the essence. When we contracted your firm to do this work, we explained everything that we needed. You assured us there would be no problem. Ms. Dwyer sat out the deadlines in clear terms and you accepted those terms in the contract. I think you can appreciate Ms. Dwyer’s concern at this time, right?” asked Mayor Pickens.

Alicia knocked at the door, not wanting to continue eavesdropping. Her heart had fallen to the pit of her stomach. They were putting a rush on things, and she didn’t know what to do. If the library were in fact closing, that would leave her family out on the street.

All heads turned at the knock on the door. Susan’s deep set eyes squinted tightly as she looked towards the door. Just as quickly as they squinted closed, they popped back open when she saw Alicia.

Susan quickly made her way to the door, holding a hand up to place her meeting on hold.

“Hi, Alicia. What are you doing here? I thought you were moving today.” Susan stated in a calm voice, as she ushered Alicia away from the room and closed the door behind her.

“Well, I am. But I just needed to do something to get the children out of the men’s way and keep them occupied. Today’s moving day and uh…well it’s a bit hard on all of us,” Alicia explained.

Susan took Alicia by the arm and turned her in the opposite direction. “I know it is. But being at work is no place for you either. You should be spending time with your children.”

“I know but…there’s nowhere for us to go, or nothing to do at this time. So anyway, I thought I would come in and catch up on some work, while the kids played on the computer.”

“Oh…okay. Well that’s fine I guess. But I don’t want you to feel compelled to be here when you don’t have to be.”

“I understand.”

They had arrived back at the offices of the library and Susan was turning around to leave again, when Alicia recalled why she was looking for her in the first place.

“Susan wait…” she called out after her boss’ retreating back.

“Yes,” Susan said, turning back to Alicia.

“Is everything okay? I mean with the library and all?” Alicia asked.

Susan took a deep breath in, looked at the floor, and then back at Alicia. She gave a short smile, nodded her head, and said, “Yes, Alicia. All is well. Go and take care of those kids will you?” She walked away and left Alicia wondering

Alicia’s heart thundered in her chest. She knew from Susan’s evasive answer that everything was not okay. She did not know what was coming, she could only guess. But she knew she needed to take steps to prepare and protect her family at all costs.
 
Will Alicia lose her job, or is she overreacting? Come back tomorrow for more.

Sitting around the dinner table their last night in their rental home, the tone was anything but somber. Charles had pressed upon the kids the importance of being thankful even in the challenging times.

“We thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed upon us throughout the year. We thank You for the food on this table and blessing us with a place to rest our heads tonight. In Jesus’ name we pray.”

“Amen,” Alicia, Chelsea, and CJ replied, as they unfolded their hands and began to eat their meal.

“Daddy, how can you thank God and we don’t even know where we’re gonna sleep tomorrow. We’re about to be homeless, how can you thank God for that?” Chelsea asked. The scowl she wore upon her face, like a tattoo, was beginning to etch permanent frown lines in her forehead.

“Sweetheart, we are blessed whether you realize it or not. Tonight, we have a place to lay our heads. Tomorrow, we’ll be sleeping at the residential hotel and we’ll have heat and be warm, which we don’t have now. So we aren’t exactly homeless. I need you to understand that we must be thankful in all things, even when we’re facing obstacles. You know why?” Charles asked his daughter; at the shake of her head no, he went on to explain, “Because I’ve never faced an obstacle in all of my 42 years of living that He didn’t bring me through.”

Alicia nodded her head to support her husband’s assertions.

Charles continued, as he watched his family eat their humble meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas. “Baby girl, I’m just glad to still be here and have to face challenges. At least I’m still alive and breathing to try to make today better than yesterday, and I still have y’all.”

They all knew he was thinking about his father’s passing, and his brother’s challenges. Charles’ brother had gone through a divorce this year and was battling his wife for custody; he didn’t have his children to spend the holiday with.

“Will we go to the same school?” CJ asked.

“Yes, honey. You know there aren’t that many schools here in Pristine,” Alicia answered. She turned to look at her daughter to see what her response would be. They had discussed it already, but Chelsea always acted like everything was new news to her.

After putting the children to bed that night, Alicia and Charles stayed up packing the remainder of their possessions. Charles and the children had already taken care of the majority of the packing, since they were home from school on Christmas break. Alicia just wanted to make sure they had everything properly packed and labeled.

In the morning Eli, Charles’ brother, would be at the house with a Haul-It-All truck, loaned to him by the owner of the local truck moving company. Eli would be bringing a couple of friends with him to help move their belongings to storage. She and the kids would have to do minimal work. Alicia was grateful for the help they were receiving.

Sitting in the bedroom putting away the last of her and Charles’ clothes in a suitcase, Alicia crumpled to the floor. She had been as strong as she knew how. She knew that her husband didn’t like complaining and whining, but she couldn’t stand anymore. Her children were losing the only stability they had had in the last year. No matter what changes they had to undergo moving to the small town, they could always feel at home, as long as they could run to the little house on Bleeker Street, and be together.

Tears took a circuitous route down her face, as she reflected on the arduous task ahead of them.

Not knowing what their future held, scared her more than she cared to admit. Moving to the town had cut deeply into their savings, which continued to dwindle while she searched for a job. Just when they were on the upward move again and began discussing saving money once more, Charles had lost his job. They were now living paycheck to paycheck.

“Baby, I just—” Charles started. “Baby! What’s wrong...Chelsea, talk to me baby?” Charles said, bending on the floor beside his wife as she sat on the floor, her body racked with sobs.

“I…I...can’t dooo this anymooore” she sobbed.

“Come on, baby. We’ve come too far to give up now. Please don’t break on me now. I’ve got you. I don’t know how we gonna turn this around, but we will. We’re here for a reason.”

“Your ddaddy—” she continued sobbing.

“No baby. Nothing to do with my daddy. I mean the challenges we’re going through right now, we’re here for a reason. We have to rest on His grace right now to pull us through.”

“But it’s Chrissstmaasss…and we…and we…always have a nice Christmas for themmmm,” she continued sobbing.

“Baby. I know that, but we’ve also always taught them the true meaning of Christmas. We’ve taught them that it’s not about toys, clothes, and gifts, but about the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We’ve taught them how special this day is because it is a manifestation of love, the greatest love ever, was God’s only Begotten Son coming here on Earth. We’ve taught them how important it was to give to others, love them, and care for them. It’s about peace, and love, and joy. That’s what’s important, not the gifts. Yes, baby, I know they’ll be disappointed, but they won’t break. They have something strong in them…they’ve got their mama’s and daddy’s blood flowing through them and that’s some tough stuff to be made from.”

“But, we’re usually the ones volunteering and donating to the homeless and I never thought we’d be in this situation,” Alicia sobbed.

“Leesha, it’s temporary. We aren’t homeless, we just have to find something else to rent. It’ll be okay after the holidays; I’m sure we’ll find something. I think it’s just our timing right now.

You gotta trust and believe, Alicia,” Charles pleaded.

Alicia nodded and then rested her head against her husband’s chest. Charles held her close and rocked her back and forth. She fell asleep and after twenty minutes he stood up, cramped legs and arms rocked him, but he stood strong. He laid his sleeping wife on their bed, and covered her with the blankets.

You won't want to miss what happens next...come back tomorrow for more.

The smell of frying chicken wafted straight to her nose as she opened the door and entered the little home they had been staying in.

“Smells like someone’s cooking up something yummy,” she declared out loud as she hung her coat on the hook next to the front door. Standing in the living room glancing around she did a quick mental survey to make sure she had packed up everything in here. The only thing remaining was two couches and the TV over the fireplace. Everything else was in boxes and ready to load on the truck in the morning.

Walking back to the kitchen she saw her son and husband both floured up to their elbows.

“Look at my two chefs,” she said, grinning at the two of them. No matter what challenges they faced, her family made life worth living.

“Yep, mommy we’re cooking your favorite tonight. Daddy even let me make the cornbread muffins all by myself.”

“I hope they’re no eggshells in them,” she half teased, swatting her son on the behind.

“I made sure to get all of ‘em out Mommy,” he replied, grinning at her. He was so adorable, she felt her heart lurch in her chest. Their children deserved so much more than she and Charles were capable of giving them at this moment. She suddenly experienced a flash of anger overtake her. She had known it was a bad idea to move here. She had insisted on moving Charles’ father to Reston with them and getting him good care there. But Charles and his brother had insisted their father wanted to pass away at home. While she understood and respected that, it didn’t make it easier to know they had uprooted their whole life and now had to struggle along, while everyone else went on about their lives as normal. This feeling she was experiencing was nothing new. She only needed a moment and she would be alright.

“Where’s Chels?”

“She’s in her room moping as usual,” Charles said with a loud sigh, turning a piece of chicken over to fry on the other side.

Alicia turned to leave the kitchen in search of her daughter. Knocking gently at the little wooden door with the handmade sign “Keep Out, All Little Boys” hung on its exterior, she felt another flash of sadness overcome her. She recalled a daughter who had been outgoing, loving, and kind before moving to Pristine. This moody, abrasive stranger that had taken her daughter’s place was someone she still had not gotten used to.

“Who is it?” came the little pouty voice.

“It’s mom, honey. Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

Alicia turned the doorknob and walked into the bedroom.  Her daughter was lying on her back on top of the covers staring at the ceiling. Seeing the tears streaming from her eyes made tears well up in Alicia’s own eyes.

“Come here, honey,” Alicia said, sitting down on the bed next to her daughter. Gathering Chelsea in her arms she didn’t say anything. She just held her close and rocked back and forth with her. Inhaling the warm ginger fragrance her daughter wore made her smile. She recalled when they had first purchased the cologne at the mall last year before the holidays. Those wonderful girls’ days where they had shopping excursions were now over.

The girl’s shoulders shook as she released a year’s worth of disappointments and sadness.

When she finished, Alicia stood and walked over to her dresser and pulled tissue from a box to wipe her baby girl’s face with.

“Baby, life is filled with disappointments and this is just one of many along the way in life that you will encounter. When you stand strong, and take on the challenges, you will find that it will be easier than fighting them. I love you and it breaks my heart to see all that you went through this year. I know it’s been hard moving to Pristine, but we’re gonna make it baby. We just have to stand strong and support daddy on this move. You know this was so important to him,” Alicia explained, murmuring in her daughter’s soft, thick hair.

“But Granddaddy’s gone. Why are we still here?” Chelsea asked between sniffles.

“It’s not that easy to pack up and move a family from one state to another. We moved here and we knew Daddy had a job. We didn’t know if I would be able to find one or not, but God blessed us and I did. Now if we pack up and move back to Reston I have no idea what we would do. We don’t have jobs there and nowhere to go.”

“But we don’t have nowhere to go here either. Besides, can’t you and Daddy go and get your old jobs back? Your boss told us that she would miss you and you always had a place there,” Chelsea reasoned.

“Honey, sometimes adults say things but don’t really mean it. She couldn’t just hold that job for me. It’s been almost a year since we left, and I stay in contact with them from time to time. She’s hired someone for that job.”

“Can’t we stay with Nana or Uncle Dave, or Uncle Mike?” she asked in despair.

“No sweetheart, they have families of their own and Nana doesn’t have a lot of space in her condo for all of us. We’re just going to have to make it past the holidays. Everything will work out after that, I promise it will.”

“Are you sure mommy?” Chelsea asked.

“Yes, I promise honey, it will work out,” Alicia explained. It had to, come hell or high water things had to get better.

I hope you enjoyed this story. Come back tomorrow for more.

The days were winding down and Christmas Eve was tomorrow. The first snow of the season was falling as Alicia stared out of the library’s floor to ceiling windows. She wanted to get her children something for Christmas, but there was just no way that was about to happen. And Lord knows she wasn’t going to be able to afford anything for Charles this year. She liked surprising him every year with some random gift. He had already told her this year not to worry about getting him anything. He told her they didn’t need to purchase gifts for one another, but it didn’t set right with her. Lost in thought about what she could possibly buy for him that wouldn’t cost a great deal, she missed the town’s mayor, Albert Pickens, come through and go straight to the conference room in the back. Looking at her watch, Alicia realized she only had 20 minutes before it was time to go home for the day. She turned back to the computer to enter returned books and update accounts before going home.

The only good thing about today was that she didn’t have to go in to the Five and Dime Café. Amber had given her the evening off so that she could finish packing up their little house. They would have to put their things in storage, because they still hadn’t found another house to rent. They would stay in a little residential hotel on the outskirts of town until they could find something. It had been difficult sharing this with Chelsea. Alicia recalled how angry her daughter had been when she and Charles had told her they would have to move. It was not an easy conversation to have, especially when she learned they didn’t have a place to go. She suggested they move back to Reston. She didn’t understand why that was so difficult. The cost of living in Reston, Virginia was a lot more expensive than in the little town of Pristine, Georgia. And like there had been no guarantees jobs would be in place in Pristine, there were no guarantees in Reston either.

Alicia had thoughts similar to those of her daughter’s, wanting to pack up and return several times over the last year when things got tough. She didn’t want to complain, but it was so hard working two jobs and trying to take care of the entire family. She knew her husband did what he could, but it didn’t make life easier. She was extremely tired these days and often wondered what the future held for them.

“Have a good night and a Merry Christmas,” Verdell, the library assistant called to her on the way out the door.

“You too, Verdell, you too,” Alicia replied with a smile on her face, that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The only good thing that had come out of the last few weeks was that they had gotten the car fixed and the kids had a break from school. It would give Chelsea time to calm down from all she had been going through after her fight at school. According to CJ the kids had gained a new respect for her and no one bullied her anymore.
 Will things turn around for Alicia's family? Come back tomorrow for more.

Alicia sat in the café of the Five and Dine warming her hands on a mug of hot chocolate. Amber Dernier had purchased it for her and told her to take a break. She was the owner of the Five and Dine, a little café.

“So what are you going to do?” Amber asked, returning to the table with her own mug of hot tea.

“I don’t know. It seems as if every time we take one step forward, then we’re taking two steps back. No matter how hard he tries, Charles can’t seem to catch a break and find a job, now Chelsea’s in trouble in school again and she just got suspended two weeks ago for fighting.
Now this time she’s being insubordinate with the teacher and I just don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

“Honey, children tend to act out the frustrations of their parents. She sees that you two are going through hard times and she probably feels powerless to do anything about it. Kids only want their parents to be happy and proud of them. Anything short of that, they feel useless themselves. I know, I’ve got five of my own,” she said, pride glistening from those iridescent blue eyes.

“I don’t know how you manage,” Alicia said, shaking her head.

“Children are your blessing. You don’t manage, you just love ‘em and be the best you can for ‘em. Don’t get so down in the dumps, it is Christmas time and it’s a time to be happy for friends and family alike. You have to lift up your spirits no matter what you’re going through for those kids. You think my Ed and me don’t go through hard times?” she asked, referring to her husband.

“I’m sure you do.” Alicia replied and then took another sip from her mug.

“Of course we do, darling. But we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and keep on forging right ahead. Honey how you think I started this café? I got laid off and we didn’t know what we were gonna do. I sold Avon for a while and with Ed being a police officer and all we didn’t have much money coming in. But I was walking past this place one day on my way to the kids’ school and realized it had been standing empty for over five years. No one paid it any attention anymore and it always had this for sale sign in it. I decided we needed to do something with it, as a town it was a bad reflection on us, an eyesore. So I said something to Ed and we got a few neighbors, some people from the school, and a few other folks from the community; and we all volunteered to come down and paint it, scrub it, and just get it cleaned up. Well as luck would have it, Shirley Dubose, the realtor came past as we were out here cleaning it up. She wanted to know what we were doing, and I told her. Wouldn’t you know the owner happened to be her cousin; she said he was looking to get rid of the thing. Well long story short she set up a meeting with him and me and my husband and we got this old building for dirt cheap. I used the severance pay and retirement packet I had gotten from working at the paper mill and Ed took some of his money out of his 401k and we bought this thing for nothing. Shirley’s cousin was happy to get rid of it, and we were happy to own it. Some of the community pitched in and helped us make the repairs and everybody donated a little time and money here and there, and 10 years later here we still sit. You just gotta find your niche in this life, whatever that may be. And then you gotta believe in it enough to make a go at it girl. Same with Charles, you gotta find out what your husband dreams about and then get behind him and push. Cuz what good is a man’s dreams without his woman right beside him believing in his dreams? Well that’s enough of me yapping, I gotta get back in this kitchen and you got some customers to tend to.”

Amber stood up and wiped away at the little spot on the table where she had been drinking her tea, folded the towel over her arm, winked at Alicia and went back to her kitchen.

Alicia smiled, she knew life wasn’t a fairytale but what was it without your dreams. Amber had been right. She just had to figure out what Charles dreamed about other than winning the lottery.

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Here's day 2 of A Pristine Christmas:
Alicia received the devastating news about losing their rental home and having to move out on Christmas Eve; the gas was off, there were no groceries, and their vehicle had broken down. With Christmas approaching, her husband Charles, was still unemployed.

As the story closed on yesterday, her children were returning home from school. Read on to see what Day 2 brings and what news the children will share:

 A PRISTINE CHRISTMAS: 


Charles handed Alicia a paper towel so she could dry her tears. He left the kitchen to head their children off at the pass before they could see their mother upset. Alicia was thankful for her husband, he was as good as they got.

“Boy, what I tell you ‘bout running and screaming through this house like a wild animal, we ain’t running no zoo up in here,” Charles voice boomed to the little boy. The squeals following Charles statement told Alicia he must have picked their youngest up and swung him around in the air. Charles came back into the kitchen holding CJ by the feet hanging upside down, and a somber Chelsea following behind them.

“Mommy, guess what?” CJ asked when Charles put him right side up on his feet again. The little boy was taking off his coat, despite the frigid temperatures in the house.

“What’s that baby?”

“Chelsea’s got kicked out of school today.”

“Did not!” she shouted.

“Did too,” he argued back.

Their children were the perfect images of them. CJ with his father’s dark coloring and curly hair, had inherited his paternal grandmother’s dimples. He also had Charles’ warmth and charm. Their daughter, Chelsea, on the other hand showcased her mother’s caramel coloring, with a thick mane of chestnut colored hair.  Her almond-shaped dark brown eyes always seemed to be brewing a storm behind them, and even more so in these days when she had become a temperamental pre-teen.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Charles said, turning to his daughter. “What’s this about you getting kicked out of school?”

“I’m not being kicked out of school,” she replied crossly, folding her arms across her chest.

“Honey, what is your brother talking about?” Alicia asked, the scowl on her face clearly showing signs her patience was wearing thin.

Chelsea walked over to the kitchen tale, sat her bag on the floor beside a chair, and plopped heavily down as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

“I got into a fight,” she grumbled.

“What?!” Alicia and Charles shouted at once. They were both flabbergasted. A straight A-student, Beta club member, and student citizenship award recipient Chelsea had never been in trouble before.

“What do you—” Alicia began to ask.

“This girl Nina kept picking on her,” CJ interrupted, “she was being mean to Chelsea and she pushed her and then Chelsea pushed back and the next thing I know Chelsea was on top of Nina on the ground punching her. Chelsea won the fight, even if she is being kicked out!” he exclaimed, as if his sister were some superhero.

“I’m not kicked out, CJ! Would you quit saying that, you idiot!” Chelsea snapped and folded her arms on the table and laid her head down to drown out everything around her.

“Hey! Chelsea you know the rules about name calling in this house. I don’t care what happened at school, me or your mother won’t tolerate that,” Charles admonished his only daughter.

“I’m sorry. But he keeps saying that and it isn’t true.”

“Honey what happened?” Alicia asked, pulling out a chair next to her daughter to sit in, and began rubbing her daughter’s back to soothe her.

“She kept talking about how we were poor and wear the same clothes every week. Then she said CJ always looked dirty. She does this every day mom, and every day I ignore her. Today she followed me outside and she started in on me again. I turned around and told her to quit and she said make me, and then she pushed me and called me poor again. So I pushed her back and when she swung to hit me, that’s when I just pulled her by her arm and knocked her on the ground. She started it mom.”

“So what happened after that?” Charles asked with a softer tone than he had last used.

“Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Preston broke it up. They took us both to the office and I got suspended for a week. They gave me this note,” Chelsea said, leaning over to open her back pack. She pulled the note out and handed it to her mother. “They couldn’t call because our phone is off so they told me to bring the note home.”

“What am I going to do with you, huh? It’s cold in this house, there’s no food, no phone and I have to go to work tomorrow and your dad has business to take care of!” Alicia fussed “I mean there’s nothing here for you to eat for breakfast and lunch. You get free meals at school. What are we supposed to do Chelsea?”

“We’ll work it out, honey. Don’t worry about it,” Charles said, attempting to assuage his wife’s concerns.

“Look, Charles I have to go to work now. I need to go next door to Ms. Rose’s house and use the phone to call a cab. I’ll be right back,” Alisha said, standing to leave the cold kitchen for a warmer temperature.

Charles shook his head and placed his hand against his forehead. “Come on you two, we need to make some cornbread to go with dinner.”

Come back for Day 3 on tomorrow to see what happens next on A Pristine Christmas.

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It's another Fab Friday Feature and today I'm happy to be featuring one of my favorite romance authors, Té Russ. She's showcasing her new release, A Winter Rendezvous. And if you know anything about Té's characters, you know that they are feisty and sizzling hot! So grab your fan, because the heat's about to turn up a few notches...

OVERVIEW:

Chrystal and Jackson meet while vacationing for the holidays and give into their attraction, sharing an incredible night together. Not expecting to see each other again, they are both shocked when they run into each other days later in the mostly unlikely place.

Both are hesitant to continue where they left off from their night in the mountains, but they quickly learn that they can't seem to run from the inevitable. Their passion is hot enough to melt the snow outside, but can they overcome obstacles thrown in their path and create something that can last a lifetime?

EXCERPT FROM A WINTER RENDEZVOUS:

"Are you cold?" he asked, reaching over to grab her thigh.

"What?" she asked. She'd been staring out the side window. He noticed her lip tugged between her teeth whenever a street light illuminated her face.

"Are you cold?" he repeated, even though he already knew the answer.

"No."

"Nervous?"

She turned and looked down at his hand on her leg, before looking up at his profile.

"Anxious," she said, with a sexy grin as she corrected him.

That one word tempted him to press down on the accelerator a little harder. But he was already speeding as is. He gently squeezed her leg, before putting his hand back on the steering wheel.

Soon enough, they were pulling into the driveway of his house.

"Nice," he heard her say, as he drove into the garage.

He shut the garage with a key fob, then got out and went around to the passenger side to help her out.

He unlocked the door and allowed her to walk in.

"Very nice," she said, looking around. She turned to face him, "Though I would have thought you to be more of a condo type of guy."

Jackson shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets, as he watched her walk around taking in her surroundings. When she stopped in front of his fireplace, she turned to face him.

"Would you like something to drink?" Jackson asked Chrystal.

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm good."

He grabbed a remote that controlled just about everything in his house. He hit a button and the fireplace came to life, filling the room with warmth. He hit another button and a sexy R&B station came on, playing a song about a man making love to his woman for days until the cops came knocking.

He hit one more button and dimmed the lights, then tossed the remote onto the couch.

"Is this how you set the scene for all the ladies you bring home?" she asked, her eyes clearly conveying that he was setting the mood just right.

"I've never brought another woman here before. Besides, I just moved in. Even still, I typically wouldn't bring a woman back to my place."

"Another rule?"

"That I seem to have no problem breaking where you're concerned."

He stopped in front of her and watched as she pressed her back against the wall next to the fireplace.

He reached out and touched her cheek with his fingertips, grazing them down her neck to the tops of her breasts that nearly spilled out of the dress. He palmed one of them in his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Chrystal's head fell back against the wall as she let out a tiny moan. He wrapped his fingers around the front zipper of the bodycon dress.

"From the moment I walked into that party and saw you in this dress..." he said huskily. He'd wanted to do exactly what he was about to do, grab this tempting little zipper and see what was underneath this dress.

She arched against him. "Do it," she dared him, as if reading his mind.


About Té:

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.

Contact Té:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeRussNovels & www.facebook.com/TeRussAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeRussNovels

Blog: www.terussnovels.blogspot.com

Email: terussnovels@gmail.com

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Hey everyone! Today's #throwbackthursday and I'm sharing a #TBT blog post. This is a Christmas story that I wrote on my old blog in 2013. I will be sharing this story over the next several days ending on Christmas day. The only day it won't be shared is tomorrow. Check it out...

TBT POST:

Over the next several days I will be sharing a fictional story with you about a fictional little town called Pristine, GA, and a special Christmas for one special family. I pray it brings encouragement, love, and joy...even in the difficult moments. Read on...



A PRISTINE CHRISTMAS

Alicia had done the best she could all year long, but despite her best it looked like Christmas wasn’t coming to 926 Bleeker Street this year. Charles had lost his job at the local car factory over the summer and had a hard time finding another one. Alicia’s salary of $42,000 as a librarian youth coordinator at the public library wasn’t much and she had to supplement that income with a part-time evening position at the Five and Dime Cafe. That was scarcely enough to supplement her current salary, but it kept food on the table.

She sat alone at the kitchen table two hours before her evening shift shivering in the cold.

Charles had gone out to find some day tasks to help out with the bills, but if the last week were any indication he would have no luck at it. People simply weren’t hiring at the holidays in the small town of Pristine.

Alicia and Charles had moved their little family back to the town of Pristine, Georgia to take care of his dying father at the beginning of the year. It had become too much for his brother to do on his own. The thought of leaving a secure job as library director at the public library in Reston, Virginia terrified her. Especially when she wasn’t even sure she would have a job when she arrived. Charles had quit his job as an airline mechanic, but his brother had assured him he would have a position at the car manufacturer. And he had…until this summer.

“What am I going to do?” she asked herself aloud, battling back the tears that seemed ever present these days. Throwing the notice from the landlord onto the table, she got up from her seat and shuffled over to the oven. Rubbing her hands in front of it to keep warm she looked at the clock on the stove. The numbers 2:39 were blaring at her in angry red letters. Her children would be home from school soon and she had no snacks for them, except day old bread and some peanut butter and jelly. It would have to do for now.

When the kids began to have to sacrifice after Charles lost his job, Alicia had felt bad and tried to do whatever she could to compensate for it. As if he could read her thoughts she heard the front door bang close.

“Leesha!”His booming voice called from the living room.

“I’m in here, honey,” she called back.

Charles was still a good looking man at 42 years old. Standing an even six feet tall, his broad shoulders and thick muscular arms were her favorite part of her husband’s chocolate toned body. Those light brown eyes glistening like two marbles from that dark skin, didn’t have the same light to them today as they had so often in the past. Walking into the kitchen the fact that he didn’t remove his coat was an indicator that it was probably cooler in the house than it was outside.

“How was your day today, baby?” she greeted, leaning up to kiss him on the mouth. He stood behind her at the stove and wrapped his arms around her, and bent over kissing her gently on the lips.

“Oh you know same ol’ same ol. Nobody’s hiring, and the lines at the unemployment office were off the chain.”

“Did you complete your extension paperwork?” she asked, in a worried tone.

“Complete it? I never got to see nobody.”

“Oh well, you can always go back tomorrow,” she replied.

“Mm-hmm…about that. Baby the car broke down on the way home, today.”

Alicia’s shoulders sagged, things couldn’t keep possibly getting worse.

“Well that explains why I didn’t hear you pull up in the garage. How did you get home?”

“I walked.”

“From where?” she asked in disbelief.

“Down by the mayor’s office,” he squeezed her tighter, looking for strength of his own.

“You walked that far?”

“I didn’t have no choice. I called Eli, he’ll be by later so we can try to fix it, after he get off,” Charles said, referring to his brother.

“How am I supposed to make it to work this evening, Charles?”

“Well that’s the good news. I got $20 so you can catch a cab,” he smiled down at her.

Alicia turned around in his arms and pulled back to see his face.

“Where did you get $20, Charles?”

 “Shhh woman…” he quieted Alicia and pulled her back into his arms. “Sometimes I need you to let me be the man and do things my way, okay?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. Mustering up the courage to share more bad news with him despite what he thought had been positive news, Alicia pulled from his arms and walked to the kitchen table.

“I was thinking this $20 could go to some food, but you gon’ need that for a cab to work. Your stew smell good, how long it’s gon’ be before we can eat?” he asked, turning around to face her. Eyeing the letter she was holding out, he took in a deep breath, and looked back at his wife. “What’s this?” he asked, taking the letter from her hand.

“They’re foreclosing on the house; the landlord is losing a few of his properties, including this one. We’ve got to leave on Christmas Eve,” she explained. Just saying the words broke the resolve that she had built up. The tears got caught in her throat.

“Damn!” Charles shouted, throwing the paper to the floor. He gathered his wife in his arms and held her close, rubbing her back up and down as he tried to console her. They were still standing in the same spot moments later, when the front door banged again for the second time in less than half an hour.

“Mama! Mama!” came CJ’s voice screaming through the house.
 
I hope you enjoyed this story. Come back this Saturday for more.
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I have been working on a piece for some time now. It's actually complete, but I'm not ready to publish it just yet. However, I will share an excerpt from A Woman's Afflictions with you.

Paige, is a different breed of woman in her own right. Using her body to stem the tide of emotions that come with the bondage of her past, keeps her shackled to a life of promiscuity.

EXCERPT:

When I arrived I was impressed with his home. The brother was living in a nice area of McDonough in a gated community. His two-story brick home had a well landscaped four acre lot with a three car garage. He was the first man that I had met in a while that appeared to be doing well for himself. The others were thugs or just working a routine 9 to 5.

He met me at the front door in tan slacks, a sky blue silk pullover shirt, and some tan loafers on his feet. Jacob smelled nice. He was wearing a light sporty fragrance that wasn’t too overpowering, but nicely enveloped you.

“If I didn’t know any better I would swear you were peeping through my window when you dressed this morning,” he teased.

I smiled as I realized I too was wearing tan and sky blue. My tan skirt stopped at my knees but hugged my curves so lovingly. Of course my strappy sandals matched my skirt and my tan and sky blue bag. But nothing was as hot as my sky blue halter top that showcased cleavage galore, and allowed my smooth golden back and shoulders to be exposed to his lips if he so desired. I had left my suit jacket to the skirt in the car.

I looked up at him with green eyes that I knew melted any man’s heart and sashayed my way through his door. “Hmph, I’m sure it was the other way around,” I teased him back about our matching colors.
Jacob led me into his den where Bobby Womack was singing from surround sound. I was counting on Bobby’s words…that I would not be lonely tonight.

“So, why would a man like you need a house this huge? There wouldn’t happen to be a Mrs., would there?” I asked after he took me on a tour of his home. I had not seen any pictures of women or children. The décor of his home was nice, but definitely lacking a woman’s touch.

He laughed a gentle teasing laugh. “Not quite. If there were, trust me you wouldn’t be here. I’m not that type of man. When I find the one…she will be the only one.”

“So am I to assume there are several now?” I asked, as I took a sip from the glass of wine he handed me.

“You’re free to assume what you like. But you can also ask and I’ll tell you point blank.”

“I like that. A man with no reservations and no games. Straight to the point and keeping it real,” I confessed.

“Good, that’s how I like my women,” he smiled at me.

The smile that split that pretty earth brown skin in half showed a beautiful string of pearls behind those luscious lips.

We made small talk for a little while until we had finished our second glass of wine. His eyes looked like pools of dark chocolate upside down half-moons. “Tell me about you, Ms. Dougherty,” he said, as he poured me another glass of wine.

“There’s not much to tell. I love to shop, eat at nice restaurants, save money, save the children in my life and have sex.”

He slowly shook his head as he took me in from head to toe.

“And what about you, Mr. Hawthorne? What do you like?”

“I love to ski, sky dive, go rock climbing, ride my bike, good food, good wine, and have passionate sex.”

“Okay, so we have two things in common. I’ve had dinner and I believe you have as well, so let’s cut straight to the other thing that we have in common and see how compatible we are.”  I don’t know if it was my normal ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude taken to another level by the glasses of wine I had consumed, or our spirits connecting, but I was ready to throw it all out there.

It seemed as if Jacob glided across the room. He was standing right in front of me now with his hand extended pulling me up from my seat towards him.

He lowered his head and with his right hand caressing the nape of my neck he kissed me, taking the lead and not bothering to ask permission. But hell, why did he have to when I’d already given him an all access pass to my body, lock, stock and barrel.

His tongue was thick and luscious with a strong fruity taste and a slight hint of alcohol. As he ran his hands down my sides to hold tight to my waist, I felt my nipples hardening and the tingling in between my legs had begun.

I slipped my hands underneath his silk shirt and felt the hardening of his muscles around his abdominal cavity and on up to his chest. Oooh good, no hair! I loved it!

His lips slipped down to my neck and his hands lowered to my behind as he squeezed it and moaned into my mouth.

It wasn’t long before I pulled away and turned my back to him, allowing him to unsnap my halter top and unzip my skirt. I shrugged out of my body fitting skirt until it pooled to my feet and then pushed the top down my hips and to the floor with my skirt.

I now stood before Jacob in a hot pink lace thong, I wore no bra. He could see how pert my breasts were and how my nipples stood to attention waiting for him to taste them. Jacob didn’t disappoint, he grabbed my left breast with one hand and sucked it so gently and lovingly. I arched my back making sure he didn’t miss out on one single drop.

Before I could make another move, Jacob swooped me up in his arms, left the den, and carried me upstairs into his master suite.

Jacob begin by kissing the arches of my feet, and then he took my toe into his mouth and sucked on it. Now, I might be a freak, and you can call me what you want, but that was some freakish shit right there! But even more surprising it got me all tingly down there. He slowly kissed his way up from my feet and pressed little kisses at my inner ankle and worked his way up my calves to my thighs. In little teasing bites he took the flesh of my thighs into his mouth, until he reached my Mother Pearl.

I tensed as I felt the sweet heat of his mouth near my glistening jewel and anticipated the feel of his tongue licking and sucking at me. I arched my back, ready to let him explore my inner sugar walls. He blew on it for several seconds before moving up to my belly and skipping my mound altogether.

To say I was thoroughly disappointed was putting it mildly. Why had he teased me, if he wouldn’t eat my fruit? Oh well, he was missing out on a good thing. But I couldn’t be mad because I barely knew him and I damn sure wouldn’t be taking him into my mouth.

As his mouth made its way to my breasts, I begin to arch up pressing my throbbing jewel against his protruding muscle. But once again he pulled back.

“Give me just a sec,” he stated, pulling away from me long enough to grab a condom from his nightstand.

After he ripped it open, I took the condom from him and rolled it down his manhood, squeezing it as I went along, watching the head contract. I couldn’t wait to feel him inside of me. And I didn’t have to wait long, because as soon as I lay back on the bed, he placed his fingers inside of me as if checking my moisture level. But in and out he allowed his fingers to glide, and I worked myself up and down on them, waiting for the real thing.

I didn’t have to wait long, because soon after he replaced his fingers with his shaft. The wicked gleam that came in his eyes and the pounding he was giving to my lotus flower took me to a new high. Oh this man was the best I’d ever had up until this point. I was glad that Rodney had walked out, because he had definitely been replaced…him and David both!

When I say that man loved me all night long, I mean he loved on me allll niiiight longggg!

When I thought we were finished he would contort my body in a new position and show me moves I had never seen before. And I’m a woman who is very experienced sexually in the karma sutra, something I feel I’ve got mastered. But Jacob took my experiences to new heights.


If you enjoyed this sample of A Woman's Afflictions, join this blog. You will receive inspirational posts, book excerpts, meet other authors and so much more. Simply click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

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Hey girlfriends!!! Last week I shared my Christmas list with y'all. Somebody went back and told Nikki what I said, and she got a 'tude on this week, but I don't care. Anyhoo, I went to a fab Christmas party this week and girl, when I tell you this diva was glamorous...you have no idea!

I rocked a fashionable outfit and a gorgeous hairstyle. But speaking of hairstyles, honey, they was doing too much! Who in the name of all that is sweet and honey told these fools to walk around looking a hot mess?

When you get ready for your holiday party I know you want all attention on you. And ain't nothing wrong with that shuga, trust me, I have all eyes on me. But don't be walkin' 'round lookin' like boo-boo the fool.

After the party, I got with Mrs. O and Chelle and we pulled together a list of hairstyle do's and don'ts for the Christmas holidays. I have all the don'ts, baby. So check it out below...

See what I mean? That was just atrocious! Ain't nothing cute 'bout no lights and ornaments in yo' hair. Leave 'em on the tree where they belong, boo.

Mrs. Olivia's choices range from short to long hairstyles. Turning simple ponytails and braids into a classic design can make you the picture of elegance at your party this year, girlfriend! If your hair isn't this long, honey add a piece or a few pieces. But rock that look, baby!

Chelle chose some really cute styles for you naturalista sistahs! Whether you rock it short or long, there are plenty of cute styles to get your Christmas groove on this holiday season. So, do you, girlfriends! But please whatever you do, don't do the styles I listed up above. If you do...I'll be back over the next coupla weeks talkin' 'bout you. Ain't no shame in my game.

Now I hope I helped you out. For those of you who need a little more help, drop by the shop and I'll hook you up.

For more on the drama surrounding my life, Mrs. O and the rest of the team, treat yourself to a Christmas gift. Get Chelle's books below...

CHELLE'S BOOKS

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And you can subscribe to her newsletter for contests, book specials, cover reveals and more by clicking here.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
Charles Spurgeon

In this life I have been blessed with I have faced many challenges. Throughout most of the challenges I have found myself overcome with anxiety and worry about the outcome. Yet, when I look back on all of them they all worked out just fine by God's grace.

There is a lesson to be learned in all of the events. However, the greatest lesson to be learned is each time I allow anxiety to creep in it seems to have its way. It appears to take complete control to the point where I become subjected to a state of paralysis. I am robbed of making a clear decision, because of the weakness that has overtaken me.

On the other hand in the instance where I choose to "Trust God," I find a place of peace. He carries me through and regardless of the problems that arise, I know that He's working it out for my good. I understand that He has my best interest in mind and His plans are designed to cause me to prosper. In those times I enjoy supernatural strength. Situations that would have broken me in the past I seem to walk through with my head held high. And it is those times that I know He's in the midst of it all.

None of us can determine the outcome of tomorrow, because tomorrow is not promised. Yet, we can control how we react to today's problems. With a positive and determined attitude we can go through our tribulations and still have peace in the midst of the fire. We can trust in God, and rely on His grace to give us strength and peace in the midst. We simply must choose to not submit to the anxiety, worry, and panic the enemy wants to surround us with. He knows that when we do, he wins. He knows that he causes us to be paralyzed with indecision and lack of faith.

Instead we must lay our burdens at the throne of God, choosing to bring our burdens to Him and take His burdens and yoke, which are light and easy. At that point we have peace and strength.

It has been another Motivational Monday Moment. Go forward in this week, trusting God to give you strength for whatever comes. Be blessed.

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Today's featured author, K. Harris, shows us another side of her versatile writing style. She's showcasing an excerpt from her latest release, Fate or Plight. Tune in for a bit of fantasy...

Darian was awestruck watching Rachel walk down the aisle. All of his attention was on her even when he wasn’t staring directly at her. His peripheral had never averted from its target; always keeping her in eye or earshot. In the beginning she was a bright bulb of sunshine but as the vows were exchanged he watched her demeanor change a bit. It took a drastic drop to a serious thoughtful place. Since he has gotten to know her intimately he has learned her behavior patterns.

The all-knowing signs when she is happy, sad, or in deep thought were all too familiar to him now. His wolf often contemplated whether taking them to another level was the wise choice. For some strange reason he was hesitating. He felt a storm brewing, like someone or something was coming. Thinking maybe if he accepted their compatibility that another would come along meant to be his choice mate. Of course it would be his ultimate choice to mate with another, he just wanted to be sure Rachel was the one.

Picking a choice mate was like a human dating, getting acquainted, and deciding they couldn’t live without another. The proposal, marriage, and everything else to follow would fall into place. There were no sparks and instant knowing of forever. Instead it would be the traditional dating of fumbling until the decision is confirmed. A decision that has to be mutual between human and wolf. They had to be in agreement or the possibility of disaster could be present.
 
Watching his best friend and brother take up his mate to become his wife was a site for sore eyes. Darian always envisioned himself in the same predicament but alas he was cursed with a heartless mate. A conniving broad that tainted his entire outlook on the mating process. Often after finding out about her deceit he’d cursed the moon Goddess in the flesh for pairing him with such a mess. Wondering where he went wrong to be stuck with such a terrible, selfish person.
 
Then thoughts of how Rachel was cursed to lose her mate before they had a chance to meet were devastating as well. Darian was angry enough for the both of them for Rachel soon seemed to get over the devastation. True to her word, the old witch Cecilia had helped them a great deal. She had even offered to make them forget the pain of the revelations but Darian knew it was needed as a reminder. Darian selfishly wanted to hang on to his memory as a reminder to be leery of who will get anywhere near his heart again.
 
For some strange reason he has been sensing that treacherous ex-mate of his nearby. While the boys were out for Idris’s bachelor party the night before, he could have sworn he smelt her scent strong in the air. When he went to inquire further, it seemed to disappear. The problem was he smelt something else mingled with her scent so he was thinking he had lost his mind for a bit. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him. From the alert look on his face, Idris and others started to get worried so as to not ruin their evening he dismissed his worries.

 If Cynthia was to come around, he was sure it wasn’t going to be pleasant for he knew Idris had his claws ready for a ripping if he came in contact with her again. From what he was told, she hadn’t stopped her snooping nor trying to do some under handed things, even resulting in using a poor innocent girl to do her bidding. According to Idris it took some serious restraint not to rip, the server’s throat out when he detected something was wrong with the drink he had.
  
His wolf picked up on something out of whack when the waitress approached the table. She smelled faintly similar to Cynthia meaning she was near. His ears twitched alerting him he was being watched rather closely. When Monica waddled in he got a bit distracted forgetting about the drink until she went to take a sip. The server running to retrieve the drink he was already skeptical about, he got all the confirmation he needed. Monica excusing herself to go to the restroom caused a conflict within himself but he had faith that his mate wouldn’t do anything reckless. 

Like confronting Cynthia, who thought she was getting away Scott-free hadn’t crossed his mind. It was when he went to check on her after confronting the waitress, he found her sneaking back into the front entrance. A permanent scowl etched on her face meaning only one thing, there had been a clash between the two. From what Idris stated, the look he gave his feisty mate shook her to the core. Being caught in a lie, she wasted no time revealing her intentions.

 Darian had to give it to her, she was not backing down for any other she-wolf who made it clear they wanted Idris. The new and improved Monica King didn’t play when it came to their Alpha. Even before the baby was born she had started her own personal training and made Idris promise to train her further once Jade arrived. Mon was determined no one would ever get the best of her. With enemies all over the globe, that wasn’t such a bad idea.

"Are you alright?” He asked Rachel as he escorted her from the church. The nuptials were now over and it was time to celebrate at the reception.

 “I’m fine.” She sniffed avoiding eye contact with him.
 
“Sure about that?”
 
“Yeah, it’s the wedding thing.”
 
“It was a beautiful wedding.”
 
“It was.”  She said but sounded a bit sad to him. “I’m so happy for them.”

“Same here.” Before he could inquire further about her dampened mood they were ordered to line up for pictures. Snap. Snap. Snap. Picture after picture was taken from every angle imaginable. It turned into a small group of just the wedding party and parents. Laughing, joking, and having a good time right where they were. The pictures with the two standing together almost felt surreal as if it was going to be their last time. 

During the reception, they shared a dance that held some tension between the two. A rift was separating them from one another and there was nothing he could do about it. An uneasy feeling was clouding his judgement. The normal horny feelings he would have being this close to Rachel were replaced with confusion. A finality that said he needed to make a choice regarding her and soon. His trust issues just wouldn’t go away though. That was enough to suggest that it probably wasn’t going to happen just yet for them. Somehow, just the thought of saying the words to

Rachel made his head spin a bit.

 ~
 

“Congratulations brethren.” Darian gave Idris a bro-hug.
 
“Appreciate it man.”
 
“You’re a lucky man.” Adrian remarked. The men were sipping their beers while watching the women interact with one another. Gail cradled baby Jade with no signs of letting the little doll get away. An outsider would swear she gave birth to the baby instead of being the grandmother.
 
“Don’t I know it, she gave me another chance. I’m bloody blessed.” Idris stated proudly. The entire time he was getting dressed for the wedding; he was either looking at pictures of Monica or baby Jade. The room they were dressing in had a digital album that was on a constant scroll of their family. “I apologize for being selfish, how are you?” He tore his gaze away from his lovely wife to address Darian.
 
“I’m making it.”
 
“What’s going on with you and Rachel?”
 
“This is not the time to discuss that. I don’t want your wife coming over here showing out because I changed the mood.” 

“That bad huh?”

“Not necessarily bad. It’s just…”

“You’re not ready?” Adrian and Idris chimed in at the same time.

“Pretty much.”
 
They stood conversing for a bit before it seems the mood changed on its own. Being that they were on their pack lands, everyone’s senses were aware when there was a shift. Monica thought it would be wiser and safer to have the reception outside with tents set up. Now the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma realized how much of a good idea that ended up being seeing as though they have company. All the men tried to go see what the commotion was about but the women were hot on their tails.
 
Idris issued a command that everyone continue with the events that everything was under control. His mother and father were dashed away with Jade to the nursery Darian could only assume. Luther was acting the Alpha role protecting the room with a head nod. They’d gotten a link from the border patrol that a cab was approaching with a female passenger. Obviously, this woman was not invited and there was obvious tension awaiting the arrival.
 
“Sweets, why don’t…”
 
“Hell no!”
 
“Sweets…” Idris tried to get stern but Monica shot a look at him hushing his attempts. “Monica?”
 
“Idris?” She settled on a stern look of her own. It was obvious they were having their own silent conversation by the looks on their faces.
 
Finally, he stormed off towards the front of the house. Darian and Adrian followed closely behind. Monica and Rachel were bringing up the rear surprisingly keeping up with their long strides. Monica still in her wedding dress, Rachel in her maid of honor dress, and the men still adorned their tuxedos. When the front door was swung open with some serious force. The group was both shocked and livid to see who the uninvited guest was.
 
From the lustful look on the woman’s face when Idris stepped out first with his tie and the first two buttons of his shirt undone, she hadn’t changed a bit. Although she looked all of the men over it was clear she was leaning more towards the leader. The sensual smile she had on her smug face was wiped away when Monica in her wedding dress made her appearance known. Standing directly next to her husband as if telling the skank to bark up another tree.
 
“Was my warning not clear, skank?” Monica barked bitterly.
 
“Skank?”
 
“I didn’t stutter.”
 
“Sweets, calm down.” Idris cooed but his power was crackling in the air. It was clear the intruder was finding it hard to withstand the need to bow.

“Relax, I’m not here to start any trouble.”

“That would be the first.” Rachel sneered. Darian had instinctively rested a hand on her back that visibly calmed her down a bit. The attention didn’t go unnoticed.
 
“What do you want Cynthia?” Darian asked. Growing tired of the intense stare off.
 
“I hear congratulations are in order.” She addressed her attention to the ticking time bomb by the name of Idris. Monica snorted.
 
“May we talk in private?”
 
“Over my dead body.” Monica snapped.
 
“There is nothing to discuss.” Idris boomed so loud everyone shook and fought the urge to bow.
 
“I beg to differ.” She turned to the opened cab door. Assisting a small replica of herself out of the car. “Meet Dasia, our daughter.” The earth seemed to stop turning on its orbit at the revelation. Monica and Rachel stopped breathing it seems, while two of the men stared in horror. That was the evil that lurked and popped up on their doorstep. Things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

For more of Fate or Plight, click the link below: 

http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Plight-Forgive-forget-start-ebook/dp/B0170YOT6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445683107&sr=1-1&keywords=fate+or+plight+k.+harris

It's a Thankful Thursday and I can think of no greater person to thank except a reader. Our readers continue to give us a reason to write. Whether it be through the purchase of our books, sharing a kind word on a review, or promoting it via word-of-mouth, they are exceptional!

Today, I want to thank Lynette Shelton. She has been marvelous in helping me with the greatest challenge that I face. Promoting!

Recently Lynette not only wrote wonderful reviews on Amazon and Goodreads for both books in The House of BeJeweled series, but she also shared my books all over Facebook. In one day she posted accolades for both books on those book sites, and on Facebook in her reading groups, pointed other readers towards the books and encouraged them to read it, and shared her thoughts in my readers' group.

She apologized if I felt as if she were putting me on blast. I loved it, Lynette! It simply made my day. And today, I'm putting you on blast! Thanks for buying my books, sharing my books, and putting my books on blast! You rock, girl.

I encourage you to read Lynette's blog, The Unique View. She writes encouraging, spiritual posts that you don't want to miss. You can click her blog title to check her out and follow along.

I would love to have you follow my blog. Simply click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

It's a Wonderful #writerwednesday! And today, I'm sharing a bit about the third book in my series The House of BeJeweled.

BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend is Nikki's story. After finally conceiving in book 2, she was faced with a horrific problem. Who's her child's father? Her husband who she's attempted to conceive a child with for the last eight years, or her close friend with whom she had a one-night stand?

OVERVIEW:

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 for is finally on the way. One problem…the paternity is at question. And Carlos doesn’t know it. To protect her secrets, she’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.

When the truth is revealed, will The House still stand?


EXCERPT:

Nikki blew out even breaths and rolled her eyes at her sister. Now was not the time for the two of them to feud. Tears rolled down her face. They were tears of sorrow, frustration, happiness, pain and expectation. Her sorrow was for what could have been between her and Carlos had God answered their prayers years ago. The frustration was the fact he couldn’t be here to see the birth of his first child. She was certain this was his child. She knew it in her heart, now. She had been uncertain throughout her pregnancy, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this child exiting her womb belonged to Carlos. And he wasn’t even here to celebrate the entrance of his first child into the world. Her tears of pain and happiness were intermingled at the expectation of this coming child.

As she continued pushing, Dr. Sylvania walked in the door with a huge smile on her face. “Nekana! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. How are you feeling, sweetie?” she asked, with a warm and loving tone.

Nikki blew out a deep breath and growled something unintelligible to her and everyone else in the room.

“Okay, let’s do this. It’s time to bring this little one into the world and make it a brighter place,” Dr. Sylvania said, taking the nurse’s place at the foot of the bed between Nikki’s legs.

Nikki caught a glimpse of light shining through the door. She looked up with unshed tears shining in her eyes. When she noticed that Wesley stood in the doorway and quietly closed it behind him, she released the tears she had been holding back.

Wesley came and stood on her right side, and quietly took her hand in his without speaking a word. He never took his eyes from hers from the moment he walked into the room. Nikki knew he didn’t see the doctor, nurses, or her family. He didn’t care about anything at that moment except for her and she could see it in his eyes. She was still upset at her sister for inviting him.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Hey, girl. You got this and I’m here for you. Let’s do it, aight?” he coached, smiling into her eyes.

She nodded her head at him, not able to find the words to respond. She wasn’t prepared for the disappointment she would see in his eyes when he saw the baby for the first time. It wasn’t his, and she knew it. But he didn’t know yet. How would he handle it? In her mind she knew it would be a good thing. He could be free to go on with his life and not have anything tying him to this mess she called a life. He deserved better.

 “One more push and that should do it, Nekana,” Dr. Sylvania coaxed, after fifteen minutes of pushing.

Nikki was tired and didn’t believe she had what it took to give another push. Yamile stood to her left wiping the sweat from her forehead with a cloth. And Wesley stood on her right holding her hand, biting his bottom lip as she dug her nails into the back and palm of his hand.
Scrunching her face up and inhaling as much breath as she could, Nikki bore down and blew the breath out, pushing with all her might, until she heard a loud cheer erupt in the room.
Wesley still stood by her side, never letting go of her hand. Yamile rushed to the foot of the bed alongside the nurses, doctor, and her mother.

If you have not read books one and two, check them out below.

BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel

BeJeweled: What A Tangled Web We Weave

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Heyyyy, boo! It's a Tête-à-Tête Tuesday with Tyrone, and girlfriend I'm 'bout to scratch somebody off my Christmas List! I don't have time for wishy-washy people. Either you gon' be naughty or you gon' be nice. My naughty list was easy, cuz almost everyone got kicked off the nice list.

Anyhoo, check out my list I'm showing off below. You just might find your name, boo...


NICE:

Olivia - Strong's Bible Concordance (like she really needs another reason to preach)

Angel - Game of clue (she needs to know what a good man is and how to keep him!)

Maya - A perm. (How you gon' work in a salon and can't check yo' edges, boo?)

Raymond - A prayer. (He need a helluva lot of it to keep up with a woman like Mrs. O.)

Alex - Bottle of water. (He's too thirsty, chasing Angel the way he does. I know a few people that wouldn't mind getting with him).

Chelle - A life. (Why she all the time all up in ours? I know her husband and kids tired of seeing the back of her head, bent over that computer).

Now my naughty list is for the grown and sexy crowd. So even if you grown, it don't mean you can read this list. Check yo' sexy at the door and make sure it's on point, boo.

NAUGHTY:

Wesley - Sexy Truth Or Dare Pick A Stick. (I can think of a few dares that might teach him a lesson). LOL!!!

Black - Sir Richard's Condoms. (He need to wrap it up the way he runnin' around like he's the stick-up kid.  

Nikki - Duet Vibrator. (This little toy will keep her company every time she runs away from Carlos. The way I figure it, if she's getting a little stress relief from time to time, she won't miss him so much. And it's easily charged by plugging it in the computer's USB port. She can stick it in...both spots and get a boost of energy.

Kianna - Naughtigirl Pleasure Pack. (She got all her toys, lubes, and protection in one basket). The way she gets around, she need something to keep that thang in check.

Darla - Position of the day playing cards. (I figure Darla and her man can try out some new fun ways to keep each other entertained. Then she won't have time to gossip with that Belinda. And they won't have to worry about who and what I'm doing in the bedroom).

Belinda - Vibrator with wireless remote. (She need a man! Seeing as how she can't get one or keep one, she gon' suffer from a lot of lonely nights. Get yo' lovin' on, boo).

Carlos - Body Massage Candle. (Scented candle and massage oil in one. If he gets too out of pocket with Nikki, maybe she can heat it up a little hotter and light his ass on fiyah!)

Rory - Incognito Droplet Necklace (A little birdie told me she gets a little kinky in the bed, and has violent tendencies. But you didn't hear it from me, girlfriend. Yep, you guessed it. It's a nipple clamp.)

Baby, if your name wasn't on my list, drop by the shop and I got a surprise for you. I gots to go! It's time for me to do some 'do's and make them dollas.

But before you go, check out The House of BeJeweled series below. Don't forget book 3 will be out this month.

BeJeweled: The Flight of an Angel

BeJeweled: What A Tangled Web We Weave

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"Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It's hard to stay on top." Paul Coffey

When you look at where you are today and where you've come from are you satisfied? Are you proud of your accomplishments? If so, that's good, but don't become stagnant. Achieving the goal is no reason to quit working hard. Just as you worked hard, fought and sweated along the way to get to where you are now, you have to do that and even more to remain there.

Remember there's always someone else watching and waiting for you to slip. There's always another in the wings wanting to be where you are. And they'll work harder, push further, fight longer and sweat more than you ever did to get to that place. They're hungry and thirsty for what you have. And if you want to keep it, I suggest you don't allow that hunger to die. Never become satisfied.

When I say never become satisfied, I don't mean in terms of not being appreciative. You should always be humble and appreciative, but I mean don't settle. Always give your best in every situation, even when you have reached the top. The fall back down is hard and not an easy one to take.

Today, this week, and in this moment think about the hard work you've put in. Now hunger for more, thirst more, and always work harder!

It's been another Motivational Monday Moment. Thanks for stopping by and if you want to read more inspirational posts, meet new authors, experience my works, or just want to kick it, simply follow this blog. Click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

Also, stay tuned for more exciting news and my vlogs coming in 2016!

It's a Fabulous Friday Feature! And today's featured author is Tre L. Bryant. Ms. Bryant is the author of the inspirational novel, Where There's A Will There's A Way. This novel is a survivor's tale of overcoming domestic violence, molestation and rape. It's her true story and an inspirational tale designed to help other victims overcome.

So grab your mug, cuddle up on your couch and let's chat with Tre.


CHELLE: Good morning Tre, and welcome to Beautifully Inspired. We're so excited to have you here today. Let's get to the heart of the matter. When it comes to your writing practices, are you the planned and organized plotter, or the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, pantser?

TRE: Panster!

CHELLE: Can you tell us a little about yourself. Who is Tre the woman?

TRE: I'm an author, businesswoman, makeup artist, personal stylist, blog talk radio show personality, a fashion and beauty blogger , a significant other and mom to two amazing young adults (ages 18 & 20). I wear many hats and stay very busy.

CHELLE: The epitome of today's woman! As a woman we often wear many hats, and it can be daunting at best. How do you create balance between work, being an author and your personal life?

TRE: Multi tasking comes naturally to me and once you get that groove it just becomes one more thing to adjust to in your busy life.

CHELLE: Give us a glimpse into your ordinary life around the house, where writing is not a key activity.

TRE: Busy and full of creativity because my mind runs constantly non-stop.

CHELLE: Many authors have a writing routine that they settle into as they prepare to write. Still others toss routine out of the window and just flow. What's your writing style?

TRE: I really don't have a process, but I like to be relaxed and I find that being spontaneous and writing when the mood hits works best.

CHELLE: Pandora or iHeart, which is your preference, and what would we find on your playlist?

TRE: iheart and some of everything from The Bee Gees and John Lennon to the late great Gerald LeVert. I'm very diverse in my music selections but every now and then I have to listen to hip hop.

CHELLE: We are kindred spirits, Tre. Maybe I'm being a little nosy here, but I'm sure our readers would love to know. Did you keep a diary or journal as a child, and what was a secret that you wouldn't have wanted your parents to find out about?

TRE:  Yes and OMG it was so much stuff that not one particular thing sticks out. But I was writing my thoughts down as early as age 8. I still remember the red velvet diary with white hearts on it and the lock and key for privacy to keep my mom out.

CHELLE: What genre do you write, Tre and why?

TRE: Self-help because I wanted to help people and inspire them with my story and let them know that they are not alone in their struggles.

CHELLE: If you could pair up with another author, who would you choose and why?

TRE: Imani Wisdom and Lakia Nichole are definitely two amazing women that have been very influential in my literary journey.

CHELLE: If your latest release were turned into a movie, what actors would you select to play the starring roles, and what music would comprise the soundtrack?

TRE: Nia Long as myself and Idris Elba can play my happily ever after. I'm sure there are a few other actors/actresses that I would love to be a part of the project as well . I have several favorites so it might be a bit of a process to pick the right ones.

CHELLE: Girl, everyone would be tuned in to look at Idris! LOL!!! How do you handled that dreaded obstacle, writer's block?

TRE: A great cup of tea and some old school 90's R & B .

CHELLE: I love that resolution! Two of my faves. The mountains or the beach?

TRE: Absolutely the beach because I love the water and that is where I find my peace and tranquility.

CHELLE: One great challenge for aspiring authors is marketing. Please provide one marketing tip that has helped you.

TRE: Brand yourself with poise and positivity. Remember people pay attention to everything you do even when you think they don't.

CHELLE: What one thing would you like your readers to know after reading your works?

TRE: Be inspired, pursue your dreams, press forward and stay focused.

CHELLE: As a writer you often have to sacrifice time with family and friends when deadlines loom, or the creative muse is flowing. What one person has been instrumental on your support team to becoming published?

TRE: My angel here on earth has been right by my side. It's because of his support and unconditional love that I found the strength and courage to write my book.

CHELLE: That's so sweet. I'm happy that you were able to get what you needed to get your story out there. I hope that women find empowerment and strength through reading your book. Tre, describe your idea of the perfect "me-time."

TRE: A mani and pedi and some great shopping.

CHELLE: Relaxing! Hopefully you're an NBA fan. I am so sad to see Kobe retiring, but I understand the necessity of it. He's had an excellent career. With my influence put in, LOL, I have to ask. Kobe or LeBron?

TRE: Kobe of course. LOL!!!

CHELLE: We live life beautifully inspired here, at the Beautifully Inspired Blog. Leave us with an inspirational post, comprised of three words.

TRE: Life is Beautiful!

CHELLE: Thanks for visiting us today, Tre. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. You heard it folks, Life is beautiful! Straight from a survivor's point of view. It's all about becoming empowered to live your greatest life ever and it starts with your positive perspective.

You can pick up a copy of Tre's book, Where There's a Will There's a Way on Amazon.

For more information on  your favorite authors, inspirational posts, my works and more, follow this blog. Simply click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.

I am always encouraging you to pursue your dreams, and share your gifts and talents with the world. I know I've said many times before, it was my husband who encouraged me to share my writing with the world. He told me that "God doesn't give us our gifts to hide them away, but to share them, to bring Him glory."

With that being said, I'm so proud of one little young lady, who's doing just that. My niece, Selise, has begun doing her own fashion haul videos. She's also learning to edit her videos and she has other things up her sleeve. I won't reveal those at this time, but you'll definitely be hearing more from her.

Here's the little cutie in action...

Show her some love, by liking and sharing her video. You're also welcome to leave encouraging comments for her here, and on her video on YouTube.

If your darling daughter is into fashion, you can follow Selise, or have her follow Selise here:

Soriana.Closet

And for those of you who are into hair, you can follow her mother, Stephanie here:

Improve Beauty

If you enjoyed this video, and want to see other inspirational posts, meet authors, or hear my news and views, simply follow this blog. You can click the "Follow," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

It's my favorite time of the year! The Christmas movies are on, lights are strung everywhere, and there are parties galore to attend. I'll be singing Christmas songs, and playing Pandora holiday music all day long.

There's shopping to be done, and gifts to be wrapped. Dinner to cook, rehearsals to practice, and Church to attend. Don't forget we've got presents to be opened in the end.

Was there something that I forgot on that list? Of course, when will we have time to write?

It's so easy to get bogged down by all the holiday events. As a result, we will forget or convince ourselves that we simply don't have time to write.

Despite the barrage of activities to be performed, you can still find time to write with these simply, yet easy tips.

1. Create a daily schedule - It's impossible to accomplish everything. Select what's most important to you to complete each day. Write those things on your schedule, and determine the amount of time it will take to accomplish each task. Don't forget to configure time for the inevitable mishaps. Then take advantage of small breaks in your schedule to write. It may be a mere 20 minutes to a half an  hour. In this time frame you can create an outline, or if you already have one, you can begin to focus on the individual tasks, bringing you one step closer to your goal. You will feel accomplished as you tick items off your list.
   
2. Make family a priority - Despite that daunting list of activities that you must complete, you cannot let your family feel forgotten. Whether you spend time watching holiday movies, singing songs, baking, shopping, or creating new traditions they are the most essential part of your holiday experience. Spending time with your family will not only cause you to feel refreshed, but relieves that feeling of guilt. You don't have to worry about putting everything before them, because you actually have made them a priority. After that time spent, you will be well ready to expunge a little creativity.  
3. Stay dedicated - We don't always accomplish the goals we set. Things pop up that are just beyond our control. However, you must remember what your goal is and stay focused on it. Maybe, you did not get to write for the 20 minutes you planned for, or maybe you did not write what you wanted to write. It's okay. There's always tomorrow. 
4. Be genuine - Let your writing reflect your heart and passion. It's the holidays and there are so many new books being released, beautiful covers, and creative ideas. It's okay to take inspiration from everything going on, but don't lose yourself in it. Stay true to your writing style, allowing your authentic voice to be heard. I sometimes struggle with this myself. I simply go back and read it out loud and then I know. I know if it's me, or if it's an amalgamation of other ideas I have been exposed to. 
5. The season is your muse - Bask in the creativity, festiveness, joy, and love of the season. Soak it up in your soul and allow your creative spirit to be released. Flow with whatever is inside of you at that moment, and let it pour out on paper. You can always go back and edit later, but don't stop the creativity from flowing.
   

Regardless of what goes on this season, don't give up on writing, but most important don't forget to enjoy the season, and show some love. <3 <3<3

Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

I cracks me up!!!! Yeah, ya'll know I can't sang worth a lick, but ask me if I care. Hey girlfriends! Yes, divas it's me and Tyrone's here to have a little hair chat today. I'm blogging to you from the shop, cuz my fingers all tangled up in some hair today. Honey, I've had more natural clients walk up in BeJeweled today than I've ever had on any one day. I ain't mad at ya'll for taking it back to the Motherland.

Girl, I was doing this one sista's hair the other day for Thanksgiving, and this other diva with weave all down her back had the nerve to say she didn't understand 'why everyone's getting hyped off women with bad hair, feeling confident enough to wear it.'

EXSQUEEZE ME!!! No this heffa didn't say 'bad hair.' She ain't got one lick of hair on her head and she gon' have the nerve to talk about somebody else's. How I know? Cuz, I'm the one that sewed all that weave flowing down her back into her head. That's how.

Don't get me wrong, if you got a love affair with weave I ain't mad atcha. But don't go judging sistas who're beautiful and bold enough to rock their own. I can't stand people talking 'bout good and bad hair. I have to get on Chelle 'bout that all the time. She be running 'round talking about she got bad hair. She has beautiful hair and she better love it and work it!

Okay, I got off my stool for a moment, now I'm getting back on. I was here to show you sistas how to rock some natural hairstyles when you THINK your hair is unmanageable because it's extra kinky or coily. Now that the holidays are here, I want ya'll to keep being gorgeous and doing you, boo! This is for ya'll 4c hair types. Take a peek below, boo...

Mm-hmm. Fierce! You can still be beautiful and a diva, rocking short, natural, kinky hair. Anyhoo, I gots to get back. So, if you're looking for a style, take a peek on YouTube for tips on natural hair styling. Or come to visit me at the salon. My card's below, baby.

If you want to hear more from me, or check out your girl Chelle's fab books and writing tips, follow this blog. Click the "follow," "subscribe," or "email" links in the upper right corner.