Monday, December 29, 2014

My Top Five Reads for 2014

Like many Avid Readers, I set a yearly Reading Goal on Goodreads. I had to go on a reading binge toward the end, but I felt exultation when I saw I met my goal of 60 books!
60 books may not seem like a lot, but it is when you are also an author. I published four books this year, Walk A Straight Line, My Steps are Ordered, Color Blind and Unbound Hearts. I wrote two books, The Fall of the Prodigal and My Soul then Sings, which release next year, 2015.
Now, that I have met my goal, compiling a list of my top books is extremely challenging. Some books made me laugh or cry.
My Top Books are the ones that stay with me long after I've ended the last page.

5. Flawbulous by Shana Burton

Flawbulous is the final book in the Flawless series. In a series filled with so much drama, I was not sure what to expect in the conclusion. Like the previous books, the author did not disappoint.
Memorable Character: Desdemonda "I do admit I may have fanned a few flames."
Memorable Line: "If we claim to be serious about our Christianity yet don't correct even those closest to us when they fall, what does that say about us as Christians?" Angel.

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4. Pink & Patent Leather by Candy Jackson

First of all LOOK AT THAT BOOK COVER. Hottest cover ever and the words inside do not disappoint. Masterful storytelling. I'll be watching out for more from this author. 
Memorable Character: Pink
Memorable Line: "The man of God has been chosen for you."
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3. The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren

I just loved loved loved this read. It was a fairytale and reminded me of my favorite musical, The Sound of Music. 
Memorable Character: Chloe. So memorable, she got her own tale. (The Replacement Husband)
Memorable Line: "Estelle said, "Only the best for my son.""
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2. What's Done in the Dark by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Page by page, my nerves were ON EDGE. There was a time when I had to put the book down to BREATHE. A masterful tale with an unexpected ending.
Memorable Character: Greg!!!!!
Memorable Line: More like a memorable EVENT. That birthday party scene was something else.
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1. More Than I Can Bear by E. N. Joy

I tore through this book in THREE HOURS. What can I say about Paige's story? Whew! Here is my review I posted on Amazon.

"E. N. Joy's second book in the Always Divas series had a tough act to follow. I Ain't Me No More is now on my all-time favorite list. I didn't know what to expect with this one. However, the second book is more than just the beautiful graphics on the cover.
Within the pages is the story of Paige, a woman who faced much to bear. I laughed. I cried. I was taken on an emotional roller coaster than ultimately ended with me knowing God is in charge and He knows best. This was a woman's spiritual journey of facing tough times and then looking back to discover God was there and He had her all along. Readers expect to see God's Anointing in this one. How much can we bear? We can bear as much as needed for God to get us where we need to be. May God continue to bless the work of her hand and I know some souls will be led to the Word of God after reading this."


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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

99 Cents Sale!!

Just-In-Time for your 2015 TBR List


COLOR BLIND and UNBOUND HEARTS  of the "Able to Love" series are 0.99 cents each on Kindle, Nook & Smashwords! 

Click Now Read Later! For a Limited Time


About the Book

An accident has robbed Saul Sweeterman of his sight. Angry at the world, Aniyah ‘Annie’ Hays is the only person who can reach him. Her voice draws him like a siren. Saul falls for Annie hard and fast, not knowing that she’s of a different race.

As a physical therapist, Annie prides herself on her professionalism. But one glance into Saul’s deep blue eyes and she’s a goner. She’s falling in love and loving it, until she learns Saul opposes interracial relationships.

Since her heart refuses to cooperate, Annie wonders, Will Saul reject her because of the color of her skin? Loosely based on the story of Saul and the prophet Ananias, Color Blind promises to answer the question, Can you tell your heart who to love?

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About the Book:

Would you hire the person responsible for your losing both your legs? 

Before he lost both his limbs, Jasper Orion was on his way to being voted Most Valuable Player in the National Football League. A man of faith, his faith in God remains unshaken and he starts his own business. With God’s leading Jasper decides to hire Charmaine Evans, the woman responsible for his demise. But, unexpectedly, Jasper develops feelings for his newest employee. He longs to hold her in his arms. Wheelchair bound, will Jasper’s love for Charmaine motivate him to walk again? 

A backslidden Christian, Charmaine Evans’ ambitions left her broke, unemployed and a social pariah. Guilt-ridden, she returned home to Port Charlotte, FL to lick her wounds. To Charmaine’s surprise, Jasper not only offers her forgiveness but also a job when no one else would. Charmaine marvels at Jasper’s faith while grappling with her own. Bound by her past, will Charmaine learn to accept God’s plan for her heart and her life?

*** Slight Sizzle *** Christian Fiction Read


Read Sample Chapters and,

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

God Has Spoken Book Blast and Giveaway


Theresa is giving away Two (2) autograph copies of God Has Spoken 
 One (1) $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. 
Enter contest below.
Author: Theresa A. Campbell
Book Title: God Has Spoken
Genre: Christian Fiction
Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Urban Books (November 25, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1601626819 ISBN-13: 978-1601626813


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Theresa A. Campbell
Theresa A. Campbell is the author of the captivating novels, "Are You There, God?" and "God Has Spoken." She was born and raised in Jamaica West Indies. She received her associate's degree in business administration from Bronx Community College, a bachelor's degree in business administration from Baruch College, and a master's degree in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Theresa has had a deep passion for reading since she was a child. It is her desire to inspire readers by writing stories from the heart to uplift their faith in God.



About the Book



HOW HARD IS IT TO FORGIVE?
After finding the biological mother who abandoned her as a baby, learning the identity of her birth father and her biological brother, Dupree is left distraught and betrayed. Like a volcano about to erupt, she vows to have nothing to do with her newly discovered family--so help her God! However, if Dupree's mother, Tiny, has anything to say about it, Dupree won't be able to keep that vow. 

How does a former teenaged runaway become a wealthy, sophisticated business executive? Tiny's quest for happiness and independence in Kingston, Jamaica, has taken her on a life-altering journey through hell. After a vicious attack and a serious sickness that leaves her fighting for her life in the hospital, Tiny prays for death . . . but then God speaks. Will she listen to His voice? What exactly is He saying?



Read An Excerpt
Moments later, her eyes popped opened and widened in terror at the faces looming above her. A scream started in her throat but was muffled by the huge hand covering her mouth. She tried to move her arms, but they were pinned to her side. Desperately, she tried to kick her legs, but they wouldn’t move. She attempted to twist her body but could barely move. Tiny was pinned down to the ground.
Helpless, the tears leaked down the side of her eyes, wetting her neck before disappearing in the grass behind her body.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” the menacing voice boomed in Tiny’s ear. “I think Santa is a little early this year.” A chorus of harsh laughter rang out into the night. A cold chill ran down Tiny’s spine.
Visibly shuddering, her panic intensified, again, Tiny tried to move her body, but to no avail.
“Relax!” the command echoed in her ear. “You give us a hard time, and I’ll put a bullet in your skull. Understand?”
But Tiny writhed even more. Twisting this way, turning that way, she felt her body loosen a little against the human restraints. A burst of energy washed over her, and she kicked out her right leg, making contact with something soft. Angry expletives reverberated in the air.
Baff! A hard fist connected with Tiny’s left eye, snapping her head further back into the grass. Pain exploded in her head as she thrashed wildly in the grass. Arms frantically tried to hold her. But she bit into the hand over her mouth and screamed in terror.
Tiny was slapped repeatedly. Her face was on fire. Undeterred, like a wildcat, she clawed and yelled. “Help! Help! Somebody, help me!”

Theresa would love to hear from her readers. You may contact her at:
www.theresaacampbell.com
https://www.facebook.com/theresaacampbell
https://twitter.com/theresaacampbel
http://theresaacampbell.blogspot.com




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Author is giving away Two (2) autograph copies of God Has Spoken and One (1) $25.00 Amazon 
Gift Card. Three winners will be randomly chosen.
Contest ends: January 2, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally

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Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Theresa A. Campbell and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Monday, December 22, 2014

Unbound Hearts Book Blast and Amazon Gift Card Giveaway


Author is offering Two $10.00 Amazon Gift Cards Giveaway
Two Winners will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter
Contest ends: December 24, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
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ASIN: B00QR552TG
Genre: Interracial Christian Romance
Author: Michelle Lindo-Rice
Unbound Hearts (Able to Love Book 2)
Would you hire the person responsible for your losing both your legs? 
Before he lost both his limbs, Jasper Orion was on his way to being voted Most Valuable Player in the National Football League. A man of faith, his faith in God remains unshaken and he starts his own business. With God’s leading Jasper decides to hire Charmaine Evans, the woman responsible for his demise. But, unexpectedly, Jasper develops feelings for his newest employee. He longs to hold her in his arms. Wheelchair bound, will Jasper’s love for Charmaine motivate him to walk again?
A backslidden Christian, Charmaine Evans’ ambitions left her broke, unemployed and a social pariah. Guilt-ridden, she returned home to Port Charlotte, FL to lick her wounds. To Charmaine’s surprise, Jasper not only offers her forgiveness but also a job when no one else would. Charmaine marvels at Jasper’s faith while grappling with her own. Bound by her past, will Charmaine learn to accept God’s plan for her heart and her life?
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Michelle Lindo-Rice enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. Her first published work, Sing A New Song, was a Black Expressions featured selection.
Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Lindo-Rice calls herself a lifelong learner. She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, and Teachers College, Columbia University. When she moved to Florida, she enrolled in Argosy University where she completed her Education Specialist degree in Education Leadership.
A pastor's kid, Michelle upholds the faith, preaching, teaching and ministering through praise and worship. Feel free to connect with her at michellelindorice.com You can read her testimony, learn about her books, PLEASE join her mailing list, or read a sample chapter at michellelindorice.com
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Prize: Two $10.00 Amazon Gift Card for Two winners
Contest ends: December 24, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Michelle Lindo-Rice and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

CrossReads Book Blast: In the Cleft: Joy Comes in the Mourning by Dana Goodman

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In the Cleft: Joy Comes in the Mourning
By Dana Goodman

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About the Book:

Author and Counsellor, Dana Goodman, shares her painful journey through heart breaking tragedy. After losing her 12-year-old son and 30-year-old husband to cancer, she must put back together the broken pieces of her life and her faith. Drawing hope from Christ, she describes how even the worst of tragedies can be rewritten into love stories so seeds of hope can be imparted to others. Ron Dart, Professor of Philosophy and Politics at the University of the Fraser Valley, says this about In the Cleft:
"I read the missive in a single sitting--was charmed and entranced, enthralled and captured by the poignant and evocative insights--- it's a burnished gold of a book---a real beauty---tragedy and hope, in an honest and raw way, jostling wisely and judiciously in your vulnerable soul--take heart---your well told and painful journey will bring healing and restore life to many---thanks for the sacrament and chalice of eternity so generously shared."
author photo graphic 48Dana Goodman, author and counselor, Dana Goodman, lives in Kamloops British Columbia. She wrote In the Cleft: Joy Comes in the Mourning as a tribute to her son after he died of an aggressive brain tumor called Glioblastoma Multiforme. His unquenchable faith gave her the courage to visit grief layers and find healing and life after unbearable heartache. Dana's greatest joy in life is Jesus Christ, even on the topsy-turvy days when he is hidden. She loves simple things like hot coffee, deep talks with girlfriends, journaling and having wonderful adventures with her family.
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Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Dana Goodman! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Meet Debut Author, Princess L. Gooden, Co-Author of Touched by an Angel

I'm reading this and let me tell you, Princess and Victoria know how to grab you from the first page!

Tell us about your journey to publication.
About two years ago I signed up for Victoria Christopher Murray sessions because for years I wanted to write a book, but I wanted it to be done right. (A lot of people just told me to write, and send it out there. Well I knew it couldn't be that easy.) She shared any and everything I wanted and needed to know. After many sessions, and lots of edits I was offered the opportunity to work on a couple of projects for Brown Girls Publishing.  One of the offers was to write a Christmas novella with her on a mentorship project. (I couldn't believe it). It was already a blessing to have a book published but to have one published with her was an even greater blessing. 

What inspired you to write Touched by an Angel? 
Victoria Christopher Murray. She has a gift to pull out your strengths and  teach you how to build around your weaknesses. I'm a visual learner, and she helped me to see and do the entire process. 


About the Author  

Princess F. L. Gooden is respected in all of her gifts.  She is a first time author, dramatist, poet, motivational speaker, novelist, educator, producer, director, actor, dancer, and singer.

Born on January 7, 1972, in Atlanta, GA (Grady Memorial Hospital), Princess was raised in the West End of Atlanta with her grandmother, mother, and three siblings.

As a young girl, Princess became fascinated with writing. She later discovered her love for the arts of drama and dance.  Her first writing job, at the age of 12, was for a large church in the downtown Atlanta area.  At 13, she was asked to write a second play for her home church (The Move of God, Pastor Edward Harris). Princess had the dream but not enough drive, which caused her to place her gift of writing to the side. She became extremely active in sports and dancing. Meanwhile, her pastor and several of her teachers saw her talents and allowed her to use them freely. She continued to create programs/plays/skits for her church, other churches, schools, and local venues.

After working actively as a youth leader at three churches, Princess branched out and began doing stage plays and teaching liturgical dance throughout Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. She also traveled to different cities and states ministering through dance and speaking to various youth and congregations.

In 1998 Palace Productions, Inc. was created. Princess has written, directed, and produced fifteen stage plays & 29 skits. God allowed two of the stage plays to go on five city tours.

Princess is married to Reginald R. Gooden, a Command Sergeant Major in the United States Army. They collectively have six children. All of which are wonderfully gifted as well.


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Synopsis

There's nothing like a Miracle to make you see things clearly...Savannah Hudson always looked for a surprise from her husband, Sheldon, when he returned home from his travels. It was a tradition that began at the start of their twenty-three marriage. But when her husband returned from his latest trip, Savannah finds a surprise she never expected. 
 
One pretty red thong. Lots of questions. But before Savannah can get answers, her husband goes into cardiac arrest. 

Now, as Sheldon fights for his life, Savannah struggles to put her bitterness aside. As every female in his life becomes suspect, and Savannah finds herself questioning everything she's ever believed, a handsome doctor may be the only one WHO can help Savannah get through to the truth.


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Hot NEW RELEASE! Unbound Hearts by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Unbound Hearts is Book Two of the "Able to Love" series. As a special educator, I've had the opportunity to work with many students with varied disabilities. These students overcome many obstacles to achieve. To honor them, one of the main character will have a disability. Please enjoy! And, look out for our next hero or heroine in the series!

 Purchase on Amazon

About the Book:
Would you hire the person responsible for your losing both your legs? 

Before he lost both his limbs, Jasper Orion was on his way to being voted Most Valuable Player in the National Football League. A man of faith, his faith in God remains unshaken and he starts his own business. With God’s leading Jasper decides to hire Charmaine Evans, the woman responsible for his demise. But, unexpectedly, Jasper develops feelings for his newest employee. He longs to hold her in his arms. Wheelchair bound, will Jasper’s love for Charmaine motivate him to walk again? 

A backslidden Christian, Charmaine Evans’ ambitions left her broke, unemployed and a social pariah. Guilt-ridden, she returned home to Port Charlotte, FL to lick her wounds. To Charmaine’s surprise, Jasper not only offers her forgiveness but also a job when no one else would. Charmaine marvels at Jasper’s faith while grappling with her own. Bound by her past, will Charmaine learn to accept God’s plan for her heart and her life?

*** Slight Sizzle *** Christian Fiction Read

Read Sample Chapters and,
Purchase on Amazon
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Sunday, December 7, 2014

Unbound Hearts: The Second Book of the "Able to Love" series

Chapter One 


He had better not be looking up my dress.
Charmaine Evans eyed the man who held her feet in his hands while she stood on his shoulders. Benson Harris turned his head in the opposite direction. She rolled her eyes. Good thing her nude colored bra and undies matched. “When I give the word, give me a push.”
She did not get an answer. He was looking up her dress.
Charmaine dug her feet into Benson’s broad shoulders. His muscles strained and he wobbled a bit struggling to maintain his grip but Charmaine didn’t care. “If you want your eyes, you’d better focus them somewhere else. Or you may feel the effects of a well-placed foot in your face.”
Benson shifted his gaze and cleared his throat. “Sorry. I’m ready when you are.”
Charmaine forgave him. Her long legs were well toned from hours in the gym. She would be offended if he did not look. “Okay, on my count, get me over this fence. One … two …”
Benson gave her a hard shove, and Charmaine went airborne over the fence.
“Ahhhh!” Charmaine crash-landed through some azalea bushes onto spikey mulch. Like a cat, she sprang to her feet. “Benson, I didn’t say three! And now I’m all banged up! Throw me my shoes.”
Benson tossed her the flat-heeled shoes. He crawled over the fence and dropped next to her. “Sorry.” At six foot-three, Benson had been an officer in the navy before he retired at thirty-eight. He still maintained his strict workout regimen running four miles a day and he ran marathons for sport.
“Look at my knees.” Jagged lines and red welts marred her skin. The Inquisitor did not pay her enough for this mess. Okay, they did pay her enough—when she delivered a picture worthy enough to grace the front page.
Charmaine dusted mulch and dirt off her yellow Ann Taylor dress and jammed her feet into the gold flats. If she had known this morning, she would be jumping a fence she would have worn her jeans and a shirt. But when a tip came in, you jump on it. No time to run home and change.
Benson handed Charmaine her prized Nikon SLR 70 mm camera. Charmaine had paid serious money for it. “Let’s go,” she whispered.
They made their way across the lawn. Skulking in the shrubs, Charmaine held back her whoop of jubilation. They had done it. They had infiltrated NFL quarterback Jasper Orion’s stunning 11,000-square-foot brick home in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Showtime.
Her conscience pricked. This was trespassing. She was invading someone’s privacy. Just as quickly, Charmaine shoved away the thought. She was going to get that picture. Word was the NFL’s most outspoken Christian was shacked up with Amanda Moon, the model and girlfriend of Jasper’s best friend, Matthew Lands.
Social media buzzed. Everybody chatted it up and wanted to know how much of a hypocrite Jasper was. Charmaine’s picture would give them the answer—and add twenty-five thousand dollars to her piggy bank. Cha-Ching!
“They’re on the move!” Benson whispered. He pointed inside the house.
Charmaine scurried to the window, glad she had had bribed the gardener to secure Jasper’s Dobermans for the night. She released short rapid breaths as she and Benson scuttled around the back of the house.
“I can’t get a shot,” she moaned. Even though she was five-eleven, the privacy screens were a foot above her head.
Charmaine was not going to give up that easily. She moved to stand in front of Benson. “Put me on your shoulders again.”
Benson cupped his hands. Charmaine stepped into them and climbed up until she straddled his shoulders. Her dress was a hindrance. In a swift move, Charmaine yanked her Anne Taylor dress over her head. Whatever had possessed her to wear bright yellow was beyond her. Even though it was September, it was in the eighties. Thank God for beautiful Atlanta weather. She tossed her dress to the ground.
With expert precision, she peered into the lens. Charmaine scanned the living area taking in the crystals hanging from the chandelier. She noted the deep purple drapes, firelights and the orchids lining the wedding arch. Her mouth drooled at the two-tiered white wedding cake resplendent with silver beads and flowers taking center position on a large cherry wooden table. Charmaine snapped several pictures and wiggled with excitement.
“Keep still,” Benson said, gripping her legs.
Charmaine giggled. “We’re going to get paid.” Her eyes took in the blond head belonging to Jasper Orion. She wished she could have captured those stunning blue eyes of his up close.
Charmaine shrugged. The world knew his backside. They would know it was Jasper. She adjusted her lens and waited for him to turn around.
Amanda entered the room dressed in a chiffon white gown. The styling was deceptively simple, but Charmaine knew it had set the model back several thousand dollars. Her glorious dark hair, which had been featured in hair commercials, was pinned with cascading curls.
The couple hugged. Yes! Charmaine could see their faces. Here was her money shot.
Focus. Aim. Click.
Flash? Oh, goodness. When had she turned on the flash? Jasper and Amanda turned toward the window.
“We’ve been made!” Charmaine cried. “Let me down!”
Charmaine swung her legs behind Benson’s shoulders and slid down his back. She handed him her camera. “Run!”
Benson grabbed it and sprinted across the lawn.
“They’re on the move!” a voice yelled.
Jasper Orion!
Charmaine took off for the fence and saw Benson disappearing over the top. Instead of turning to assist her, the oaf left her behind. She turned her head and saw Jasper hot on her trail.
“Stop!” Jasper yelled.
Like a good reporter, Charmaine had studied the layout of Jasper’s immense property. She knew there was a patio on the side of his house overlooking the ravine. Think, Charmaine, think! Where was the patio? She closed her eyes to pull up a mental picture. Yes. She could see it. It was on her left. She executed a sharp turn and bolted in that direction.
As Charmaine ran across the lawn toward the trees, her brain registered a strange sound. Her eyes widened. Howls. She heard the distinct sound of howling. The dogs. Someone let the dogs out. She dodged around the trees, willing herself not to panic.
“She’s over there!”
With every ounce of athleticism she possessed, Charmaine made her way to the patio. She edged closer to the two-foot brick fence. Charmaine bent over to look into the darkness of the valley below and gulped. The distance to the ground had to be at least two hundred feet. Charmaine trembled. I hate heights!
“I think I see her!”
Charmaine hyperventilated. You have to do this, she told herself, battling the sudden urge to pee. When she heard heavy panting and several howling dogs behind her, Charmaine knew she had no choice. She gripped the brick fence, twisted her body and flipped over. Holding on tight, Charmaine dangled over the cliff. Her hands were cutting into the scaly brick chips. Charmaine considered her next move. There were shrubs and very tall trees a few feet behind her. If she jumped at an angle, she might land in one the trees and she could hide out until morning. As the voices drew closer, Charmaine knew what she had to do.
Taking a deep breath, she hurled her body toward the trees.

***


“She jumped!” Matt Lands yelled pointing to the patio. He raked his hands into his red curly hair, his eyes wide with disbelief. His once crisp white dress shirt hung over his pants, and he had popped several buttons.
Jasper Orion squinted and shoved past his burly friend. “She wouldn’t.” What would possess someone to jump over a ravine?
Jasper’s two Doberman Pinschers, Compass and Atlas, barked, baring their teeth. Jasper bent over to rub the dogs’ ears. “It’s all right, boys. You did well.”
He peered over the cliff.
Jasper cupped his mouth. “Are you down there?”
The men heard a distinct feminine shriek. “She’s in one of the trees,” Jasper said.
“Help me!” she screamed.
“She fell!” Matt’s eyes were wide with horror.
Amanda Moon raced to their sides. She had taken off her heels, and her feet were wet and muddied from the dirt and dew. Amanda held a flashlight, which she aimed toward the voice. Amanda’s green eyes widened and the men stared. Jasper saw a woman garbed in nude undies, tangled in a tree branch.
“Who are you?” Jasper asked. His eyes scanned her chocolate skin.
Matt gave a slight whistle before Amanda poked him in the chest.
“My name is Charmaine Evans,” she said. “I’m with The Inquisitor.
Matt groaned. “A reporter. I should have known.” He shook his head.
“She’s not a real reporter,” Amanda said. “That’s a trash mag.”
“Paparazzi,” Jasper snarled. He looked at Matt and Amanda. “Sorry about this, guys. I didn’t mean to ruin your wed—”
Amanda placed a finger against her lips.
Jasper understood. The interloper was no doubt listening.
“Amanda, go call the cops.” Jasper crooked his head at Matt. “Let’s get this invader and bring her inside.”
Jasper made his way to the small fence. He saw the young woman huddled in the branches with her arms wrapped about her. He stretched a hand toward Charmaine. Matt held onto Jasper’s other hand to keep him stable. “Make your way to the edge of the branch and give me your hand.”
“I’m afraid,” she chattered. “I’m afraid of heights.”
Jasper scowled. “Then why on earth did you jump?” He did not bother to wait for an answer. Instead, he motioned at her with his fingers. “Let’s go. The police will be here any minute.”
“No, I can’t be on the news!” the woman shouted.
“Oh, but it’s all right for you to plaster my face all over your filthy paper.” Resentment filled him.
The young woman grabbed a branch and attempted to climb down.
Jasper swung an arm to grab her hand. He encountered thin air. “Matt hold my legs,” he said.
“Just leave her and let the cops handle it,” Matt said.
“She’ll freeze. The temps are already dropping,” Jasper said. He plunged over the fence and reached a hand out. “Charmaine, take my hand,” he yelled.
She shook her head. “I’ll fall.”
“I’ll catch you. Trust me,” Jasper said. He turned to face Matt. “Hold me.”
Matt nodded. Jasper inched over the cliff so his upper body hung off the cliff. He felt two large hands clamp his legs.
Charmaine held out both of her hands. In a powerful motion, Jasper scooped her in his arms. He heard Matt grunt behind him.
“Hold on, Matt,” Jasper said from between clenched teeth. It took serious strength but Jasper flipped Charmaine onto his back.
Charmaine bucked her body against him. His mind registered muscle and a well-toned body.
“Help!” Charmaine screamed.
Jasper recognized her fear. “You’re not going to fall. Calm down.” He heard Matt yelling the same thing but Charmaine was a mean fight. He was getting scratched and kicked in places he could not mention. She was in full panic mode.
“Grab her, Matt!” Jasper screamed.
Matt released his grip on one leg to snatch Charmaine off him. Jasper twisted, hoping to rely on his upper body strength to grab the fence. But Matt’s grip slipped and gravity worked against him.
Jasper felt his body arch backwards, almost in slow motion. At that moment, Jasper knew his fall was inevitable.
He saw Matt skid to the ground. He flung a hand Jasper’s way. “Jasper!”
Jasper grabbed at air. His arms flailed backwards. He hunched his body preparing for impact.
“No!” Matt screamed. “Jasper!”
Jasper’s body bent further backwards.
“Jeeeeessssusssss!” Jasper screamed as he flipped over the precipice.

(C) Copyright 2014 by Michelle Lindo-Rice, All Rights Reserved.


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Saturday, December 6, 2014

Autumn's Child Book Tour with Nicole Murray


About The Book

"I am hurting. Fractured in places stitches can't heal." Autumn’s Child tells the desperate story of Layla, as a young and naive twelve year-old girl. Over ten critical years, her life quickly changes like the colors of the trees in autumn. The accidental death of her parents forces her to abandon her religious, middle-class lifestyle. She moves to the inner city of Chicago with her grandmother and aunt, her only living relatives. Layla tries to approach her new life with optimism, but the perfections of her past life haunt her tormented journey. After coming to grips with the reality over the years that her only aunt despises her, Layla soon discovers that she may secretly hold the keys to helping her aunt’s diminishing health in her hands. Layla’s faith and sanity are continuously tested as she matures throughout each season of her life. She stumbles through her new found reality while learning how to play the distinct set of cards she’s been dealt. Layla’s neighbor and best friend, Shay, helps guide her from adolescence into adulthood. Autumn’s Child chronicles a life on the opposite side of the coin; where friendships grow out of tragedy, and the pressure of a marginalized life weighs heavily on pure souls. Layla must make many compromising decisions, all while perpetually asking the reader, What would you do?
About The Author

L. Nicole Murray is a creative writer by passion, training, and profession. She is a Columbia College graduate with a degree in Fiction Writing and Marketing. Nicole’s dual Gemini personality helps her pursue creative writing as a personal profession. Nicole explores the creative landscape of the mind to craft fiction out of real emotion. She currently writes short stories, novels, poems, and screen plays. Autumn’s Child is her first novel.

Book Excerpt-Chapter One
The walls are not white to give off the feeling of security so needed in a place such as this. Instead, they are yellow, the faded color of perfection. But Dr. Patel is my savior now, the one that will fish me out of this sea, the lifeguard that jumps in when you’re already half dead, my shrink, or, as some would say, my therapist. It’s interesting how truthful you can be with a total stranger, but it is so easy to lie to yourself for years.
“Have you ever had something that you gave away so easily stolen from you?” I ask, as hidden truths regurgitate from my mouth like a sinner ready to give his life to the Lord.
“Slow down Layla. What are you referring to?” she asks in a yoga instructor’s tone.
“Okay, not that. Let’s start with my shitty failures or maybe my abandonment.” I take a deep breath in as the ticking of the clock calculates my lifeline.
“Would you like for me to call you Layla or LaLa?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Okay, Layla. We are not going to start with your abandonment. We are going to start from the beginning. Think back.”
~~~~
So I drift back to eleven years ago, to my truth as I remember it. My mom woke me up. She was happy as usual, singing her Saturday morning song, which was uplifting, and annoying, but routine. “Rise and shine and give God the Glory, Glory. Rise and shine and give God the Glory, Glory.” Her tune replayed, louder and louder, over and over until I realized it was not a dream and, yes, my mother was really that happy every morning at 7:30 a.m. I woke up to the smell of pancakes, peaches, and lavender Lysol disinfectant spray. Those scents were my only true inspirations to wake up with a smile on my face. I remember her as some kind of Betty Crocker mom, one of those perfect mothers that just happened to be in a great mood all the time. She would wake up every morning at 5 a.m., read whatever portion of the Bible she had assigned me that day, cook breakfast, wake my father up, and then nudge me out of bed. Our home was a large framed house with a big enough back yard, since I was an only child. But most things seemed big then considering that the Lord of Host probably came by to pay my parents a personal visit from time to time. You know, with him being the topic of every conversation. Let me put it like this: I knew the names of every book of the Bible in order, New Testament and Old, before I knew how to spell my own name. But that didn’t bother me. I grew accustomed to it. It was the only life I knew at the time and the only life I still crave now, but that was years ago when the weather was never that bad in Pleasanton, California, always 75 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain.
On this particular day there were no Bible scriptures to memorize, no church picnic. It was my day, the day my parents finally agreed to allow me to go to my best friend from school’s birthday party by myself, unattended by her, or him, or Jesus. Just me, my friends and cake. I hurried to the kitchen table to see my daddy’s wide smile, “There’s my pretty song. Good morning butterscotch. How you feelin’ this morning?”
“Well. How are you?”
“Blessed and highly favored,” he replied, as usual, in scripture form. In the mornings, my mom was always busy getting ready for the day, so breakfast was typically one-on-one time for my daddy and me. We both dug into our pancakes and my mom’s heaven eggs when he asked as expected, “You’re going to be my little good girl today, right?”
“But of course,” I looked up and gave him my most convincing smile.
“I know you will.”
We both finished our food and I excused myself from the table to get ready. I put on my long blue jean shorts and ‘love is’ embroidered T-shirt. We both dashed out the house and drove down Driftwood Boulevard until we reached my best friend Sara MacNair’s house.
I remember singing my heart out the entire way. Choir rehearsal was immediately after the party and I was planning to audition for a lead in the junior’s. I practiced, imitating my mom’s beautiful voice. I wanted to show everyone that I could not only have the lead in the kid’s choir, but I might also be ready to join the teen choir even though I was slightly shy of thirteen.”
“If anybody ask you,” I sang and my mother followed with perfect back harmony, “Anybody ask you.”
“Where I’m going.”
“Where I’m going.”
“Sooooon, I’m going up e yonder to be with my Lord ord ord.” I just sang and sang until I opened my eyes and I saw her watching me through the rearview mirror at a stoplight.
“That’s some voice you got girl. Where did you get that voice from?” she giggled proudly.
“You.”
“Naw, baby girl, you got that voice from the Lord. Keep singing like that, they’re going to put you in the adult choir. You’ll be singing with your mama. I can’t wait to see you on stage at auditions tonight. I want you to do it just like that. Sing from your diaphragm, you remember, the bottom of your soul where Jesus lives and let it all come out.”
“Yes, Mama.”
We were nearing the corner of Sara’s house when she turned around to say,
“Now I talked to Ms. MacNair and she promised me she was going to keep a special eye on you. I’ll be back to pick you up later. I can’t be with you today. Got a lot of errands to run before the church picnic next week.”
“Yes Mama.”
“I know you’re a good girl, but you know not everyone’s like us. Not everyone has found Jesus yet, but it’s our job to help them. You understand? So if they’re playing that worldly music you just sit back in the corner and pray for their souls. But for no reason are you allowed to dance to those devil songs, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mama,” I said. I knew this speech in my sleep. It had been inculcated in my brain since conception.
“Now what’s our scripture of the day?” she asked looking back into the rear view mirror, “Stop biting your nails.”
“You didn’t give me one today.”
“Well, what’s the one from yesterday?”
“John 3:17. ‘God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved,’” I rambled off as easily as the Pledge of Allegiance.
“That’s my girl. You remember that. You’re a child of God, too, you know.”
My mom walked to the door of the sinful house and before entering she turned around and asked, “You nervous?” But it was she who was nervous about not being there to bodyguard me from any demonic force that could possibly cause a distraction from her will. To oblige her I said, “Yeah, I’m kind of nervous, but it’s okay. I have the shield of righteousness.” I knew she would like that. She always loved it when I spoke her language. Her smile shined down on me on their doorstep and I looked up to her in more than one way. Looking back, she was beautiful that June day. God’s third eye, the sun, articulated her skin making it manifest into the color of Shea butter intertwined with honey. Smooth, sweet, and beautiful she was and that face is what’s tattooed on my inner eyelids as we speak.
We walked into their finely decorated townhouse as my mother scanned the rooms quietly as if searching for Satan lurking in a corner. Everyone had been out back in the yard grilling hot dogs and burgers, all the foods that a sixth grade birthday party should have. My mother walked over to Ms. MacNair by the grill who smiled at my mother the way the Gentiles would have smiled at Jesus: cocky, but fearful. Sara waved me over towards her and my mother tapped my arm, “Not without my hug,” she said.
I remember feeling embarrassed to hug her, timid with all eyes on me, so I reached up, patted twice on her back, and attempt to let go, but she was glued to me, held me tightly like it was the first time. Finally her grip loosened and she whispered in my ear before fully letting go, “You sure you don’t want me to stay?”
“You can go now, Mama.”
“Remember what we talked about. I’m going on a few errand runs and to pick your father up. We’ll be back a little later.” She then leaned in closer and whispered, “If you want me to pick you up earlier just leave a message on the house phone, K?”
I shook my head and finally headed towards my friends playing Twister as the food cooked. My mother loitered around making idle conversation with Ms. MacNair.
I was on the mat, two legs on red and one hand on yellow, when Tiffany pointed toward the back door and asked confusedly, “Your mom’s leaving?” I bent my head down and looked between my legs. There she was, upside-down and walking out the door. The girls glared over at me as if my Siamese twin detached herself miraculously right before their eyes, like we were playing some kind of stunt that we had practiced the day before. I looked at all of them. Amber was picking her nose, searching for her next appetizer. Tiffany’s cheeks scrunched as she watched, making her glasses wobble slightly on her thin nose. Rebecca just stood there waiting for Tiffany to say something of value that she could co-sign with a laugh. Then I looked over to Sara and took off running through the backyard and up the stairs with Ms. MacNair yelling after me.
“What did you girls do to her?” she screeched over her shoulders to my friends. I was out the door by then and luckily my mom was still in the driveway when I knocked on the car window. She looked up and opened the door quickly as if a mugger was chasing me.
Her dark eyes brightened as I crawled into the sweaty leather backseat of her pearly white BMW. I grabbed the Little Mermaid wrapped box and ran out the car. “Thanks, Mom,” I yelled behind me with a self-assured arrogance.
“Alright princess. You be good.”
Almost back at the front door, I heard her voice again, “LaLa come here for a second.” I kept walking. “LaLa.”
I turned around. What could she want now? “We forgot to put a bow on the box.” Sitting sideways in the driver’s seat, her long gold summer dress still accenting her curvy mom’s figure, she twisted around and got a plastic grocery bag off of the floor on the passenger’s side. She told me to turn around and took something out of the bag, placed both her hands behind her back, and said, “If you sing our song, I’ll let you pick a hand.” I started singing. I already knew what it was; I was at the store when she bought it.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” And I held the last note a second longer because I knew she liked that.
I pointed to her right hand as she bit her bottom lip and smiled that sunshine smile again. She handed over a big bag of purple Skittles. I could not believe she gave me the whole bag. “Share with your friends.”

I grinned the entire way back to the house and this time I saw her drive away. But, you know, what I remember most about the walk back was her pearls. Those beautiful pearls with a cluster of diamonds, in the middle, centered above her heart. I hardly ever saw her without them. My daddy use to call her his ‘little pearl girl.’ My mother always said, “Only a real lady can wear pearls.” I just guessed I wasn’t a real lady yet because I could only wear plastic or fake jewelry. But those damn pearls, you know, they made her skin look new, pure like she was my age. When I think about her in those pearls they make me think that there is something perfect in the world, outside of the oysters and blood diamonds, that somewhere, maybe here or there, something or someone is perfect.

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