The Woman Behind the Salon...

Today is a #tbt and I'm sharing a post from my old blog, Writing My Dreams. I sit down in a one-on-one with Olivia Morrison to discuss her views on her team, her salon, and the drama of books 1 and 2. Sit back and read on...


Today's Take A Peek Tuesday post will take you into the background story of The House of BeJeweled. I'm interviewing Olivia, owner and operator of The House of BeJeweled. There were a few things that were left lingering in book one that I want to address today. We'll see if she gives us the answers we're searching for.

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ME: Hi Olivia! Welcome back to Writing My Dreams.
 
OLIVIA: Thanks for having me, Chelle. I'm excited to see what you have in store for me today (she laughs nervously).

ME: I'm just as excited to have you on the proverbial hot seat, so to speak. Okay, we know that in book 1 your long time friend Raymond moved back to town. Apparently, what he didn't know was that you had been in love with him for years, despite the fact that he was married and you had been involved in relationships of your own. How did he react when you told him how you felt about him?

OLIVIA: Well, for those who've read book 1 you know that Ray shared his feelings for me, as well. Apparently, my feelings for him weren't a shock like I thought they would be. He'd known about them for a long time. I just didn't realize he knew. But, I didn't expect those feelings to be reciprocated. And once he told me about the drama with Bethany and the kids, I was floored. Yet, it opened up the opportunity for us to pursue a relationship.

ME: And pursue you did! Actually, it was the pursuit of those feelings that started your own personal drama between you and Raymond. He seemed to be supportive of your "vow" that you took in the beginning, but as the relationship progresses we realize he seems to have second thoughts about that. Why do you feel he backtracked?

OLIVIA: Because I wasn't being realistic with him about my feelings. Ray felt as if I were judging him, and that wasn't what I was trying to do. I was working hard to cover my true feelings so I didn't compromise the vow I had made prior to his return to town.

ME: Did you find it hard at any point to stay true to that vow?

OLIVIA: (she laughs again). Boy did I? You know Chelle, I have a close spiritual walk with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but I am human. I'm made of flesh and blood too, but there were times I was wondering if His blood was going to be enough to cover the sins of my flesh and blood, if you know what I mean. It was a battle on many occasions when Ray and I were alone. But Holy Spirit guided me through and kept me strong. I almost lost Ray because of that vow. But I conceded to God that if I lost him for that reason, he wasn't mine to begin with.

ME: I feel you. But I don't know many women who could've held strong under such pressure, myself included. You're a great role model for many women to look up to. How do you advise someone in such a situation to stand strong under that kind of pressure?

OLIVIA: Well, if you've made a vow to keep yourself pure to God regardless of whether you're a virgin or not, you have to stand strong for something. It's foolish to believe you won't be tempted, or that you can do it on your own. Both are so far from the truth. But when you realize that you have to completely rely on Him and begin to do that, you're closer to winning the battle. And it's important to know His Word. When you call Scripture to remembrance during temptation, you'll know that He will keep you in perfect peace. You'll recall that He knows the plans for your life to cause you to prosper and not harm. And you'll know that He'll work all situations out for your good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

ME: Preach it Minister Olivia! (I laugh)

OLIVIA: (She laughs as well). Not quite, but His Word does keep me.

ME: With the heated things going on between you and Ray your two primary stylists Kianna and Angel had drama as well, which led to a knock-down, drag out fight. How does that unfold in Book 2?

OLIVIA: (She blows out a breath). Well, you might recall in book 1 Angel and I did come back together to discuss it all. Unfortunately, her and Kianna were not able to move past that point and someone was not able to come back to the shop to move forward with the rest of us.

ME: One of the clients, Ame, recorded the drama as it unfolded and posted it to social media. It seems to have an impact on the opening of your new salon in Buckhead in book 2. How do you deal with that?

OLIVIA: Whew! Well that one breaks out into a scandal of epic proportions. I have to face some formidable foes in attempting to open that second shop and there are many out there that don't want to see it come to pass. But when you serve a God like mine you don't fret nor worry, but you hand it over to Him and allow His will to be done. So, even if things don't unfold the way we desire, it works out for the best. Plus, I met some new friends during that ordeal as well.

ME: Your nail tech Nikki has some serious drama brewing in book 2 that is unknown to you. How did you miss everything that was going on with her right under your nose?

OLIVIA: I was consumed with the twists and turns of my new relationship with Raymond as well as the opening of the second shop. Not to mention although you all will have the opportunity to read her story, Nikki is a very private person. There are a lot of rumors floating around out there about her, the marriage, and her friend, but there's no facts behind them. My wonderful staff of Belinda, Darla, and Tyrone enjoy nothing more than gossiping. It doesn't matter to them if it's true or not. So, often I ignore their gossip, unless I see firsthand evidence. Nikki worked hard to cover up what was going on with her. I had my own concerns but she directly dismissed them.

ME: What about when things became explosive at, well I don't want to name the event and give away things to come in book 2, but what about the catastrophe at the big social event? At that point you welcomed her into your home. You knew what she was going through but you let her slip through your fingers once again. Why?

OLIVIA: You can only do so much for a person. If they're not willing to change the cycle themselves, all of your assistance is in vain. I begged and pleaded with her but at the end of the day, she had to make her own choices. I could only be there to catch her when she fell.

ME: Olivia there's something that Nikki is wishing for from the beginning of book 2, that actually comes true for her towards the end of book 2. What's your thoughts on that?

OLIVIA: Be careful what you wish for. When something appears too good to be true, usually it is. You have to count the cost for what you want in life. Sometimes it's worth it, and other times it isn't. That's all I have to say on that matter.

ME: And of course I can't forget Mr. Wesley. He's something special for the young ladies, especially the single ones. Talk to us about him.

OLIVIA: And the not so single ones, too. Many women both married and single fall in lust with Wes. And yes, I said lust. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, but many of them haven't taken out the chance to get to know him. Wes has his own relationship with the Lord and he's growing and maturing, but he's been hurt in the past, too. So he's at a point in life where he's not sure what he wants. That's a dangerous place to be because many people close to you get hurt. He has some serious maturing to do. Unfortunately, his choices will hurt others in the process, but you all will have to wait until books 2 and 3 come out to see what I mean.

ME: Wow! Sounds like there's lots of drama waiting for us at the shop. I can't wait until it's release.

OLIVIA: There's drama, inspiration as usual, and definitely life lessons. It's not all fun and games, but there are teachable moments that your readers will be able to relate to. It's great stuff and very heart warming. Yes, there are still the moments where you want to fight some of the characters, as I've heard your readers express in the past. There are times your heart will break, but in the end you will see each of them grow in their own way. And we only hope everyone can take something from it to grow on in their own personal lives.

ME: Okay. That's what I'm talking about. Well, our readers will have to wait until the end of May to get the drama. But thank you for stopping in with us, Olivia.

OLIVIA: Thanks for having me once again.

Click HERE to get your copy of books 1, 2, or 3 in the series. For a signed paperback copy, email me at chelleramseywrites@gmail.com

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