Michelle's Site

August 9, 2019August 6, 2019

#National Book Lovers Day

Today is the day for all lovers of books. To honor this special event, let’s post our favorite book quotes.

I’ll go first. I have two favorites. The first is from the woman that inspired me to put words on paper, Maya Angelou. From “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”:

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou

And from my new favorite. I love the way she paints a picture with words. Leesa Cross-Smith’s “Whiskey & Ribbons”:

“I can hear it coming. Healing. The train tracks leading to my heart are warmed by it. I can put my hand there and feel it hot. It is rattling towards me. Rumbling. The buzzing sound of a flickering light at the end of the tunnel. A grief train rumbling away from us. A healing train coming our way… Everything. In rhythm. All of it – glowing and glowing – light spilling and pouring and rushing through the cracks of the bits glued back together. This shattered life. This broken bright.”
― Leesa Cross-Smith

Now it’s your turn. In the comments below, share your favorite book(s) and add a quote.

Happy Reading.

July 23, 2019

New Release Alert

USA Today, New York Times, and National Bestselling Authors work together to provide you with a world you’ll never want to leave. The Castle. Powerful men unexpectedly brought together by their pasts and current circumstances will become a force to be reckoned with.

When their mentor and founder of The Castle ends up on the business end of an assassination attempt, Grant, Alejandro, Shaz, Mariano, Vikkas, Jai, Daron, Kaleb, and Dwayne are snatched from their daily lives and successful businesses in order to right old wrongs and track down the men responsible for the attempt on his life. Their combined efforts to find the people responsible for the attempt on their mentor’s life is the beginning of dangerous challenges that will alter the path of their lives forever. Not to mention, they will also draw the ire and deadly intent of current Castle members who wield major influence across the globe.

Fate made them brothers, but protecting the Castle and the women they love, will make them Kings.If you like romance, suspense, or contemporary fiction, it’s past time for you to visit … The Castle.

This world was brought to you by: S.L. Jennings, Naleighna Kai, Martha Kennerson, J.L.Campbell, Lisa Watson, Karen D. Bradley, Janice M. Allen, London St. Charles, and MarZe Scott.

iBooks preorder
[http://bit.ly/KingsofthecastleiBooks](https://bit.ly/KingsofthecastleiBooks?fbclid=IwAR3uuxcEEXCI0G1P17cTqm9vCxnls1O7xGijPKnDMD4VPf-xFAEdF_DWZ6c)

Nook/BN preorder
[http://bit.ly/KingsoftheCastleBN](https://bit.ly/KingsoftheCastleBN?fbclid=IwAR29DFQiqD9PBzHIDUFqfwTcmoTpz_u9kfb3QeL5uwDju1ZN51NMp9hitnU)

July 22, 2019

2019 EMMA Awards

CONGRATULATIONS TO TRIBE MEMBER TERRI ANN JOHNSON AND NKPP MEMBER VANESSA RILEY FOR THEIR NOMINATIONS.

2019 Emma Award Finalists Announced

Romance Slam Jam (aka the RSJ Book Lovers Convention), the networking event for diversity in literature, announces the finalists for the 2019 Emma Awards. The Emma — the premier award for diversity in romantic literature — recognizes excellence in published romance novels, novellas, and women’s fiction featuring diverse and multicultural protagonists (such as black, African-American, Latino American, Hispanic Americans, biracial, etc.). Winners will be announced on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

BEST INSPIRATIONAL/SPIRITUAL ROMANCE
*******”Faith Alone” by Terri Ann Johnson*********
“Butterfly Arising” by Landis Lain�“Love At First Sight” by Cheryl Barton

BEST INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
“Pleasure Awakening” by Stephanie Morris
*******”Bittersweet Bride” by Vanessa Riley********
“Crazy Old Money” by Kilby Blades
“Within The Skin” by Zara West

DEBUT AUTHOR
Arron Braxton
******Terri Ann Johnson****
Michele Sims

July 17, 2019July 16, 2019

Summer Giveaway – Take A Chance!

Enter my summer giveaway for a chance to win an Amazon gift card. Click the link below:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a69ff88316/

July 15, 2019July 14, 2019

10 More Best Books I’ve Read This Year – 2019

1. Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell

I enjoy suspensful stories and this one doesn’t disappoint. I couldn’t put it down until the end.

2. I’m Fine and Neither Are You – Camille Pagan

An all too relatable story of a woman and marriage.

3. Fire in the Water – Pat G’orge-Walker

An entertaining read with a lesson about letting go of past hurts and embracing your blessings. I laughed along with the main character and screamed at her to get her act together.

4. My Sister, the Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite

A laugh out loud distrubing story about a woman and her sister. How far would you go to protect your family?

5. Bring Me Back – B. A. Paris

This book kept me guessing until the end. A wonderful thrill read about past lovers and secrets.

6. A Spark of Light – Jodi Picoult

I love Jodi. This story tackles women’s health issues and paints a realistic picture of people of all sides of subject.

7. Monday’s Not Coming – Tiffany D. Jackson

I still think about these characters months after finishing this book. The storyline involves a missing girl and her best friend’s determination to find her. You begin to love these characters and feel their heartbreak vividly. I love this author.

8. The Last Thing You Surrender – Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Set in the time of World War II, this story takes you on a journey following the lives of a young white affulent Marine, a young black widow and her brother who witnessed their parents brutal lynching. How do you keep your morality in a time of turmoil?

9. The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls – Anissa Gray

A story about dysfunctional family dynamics and the generational ties that can manifest in a myraid of ways.

10. Don’t Walk Away – Victoria Kennedy

Beautiful writing with an engaging storyline about that grown up type of love.

That’s my list. What books have you read that you can recommend? Please feel free to comment below.

See previous books I like here:

https://michelledrayford.com/2019/04/22/ten-more-best-books-ive-read-this-year/

July 9, 2019July 8, 2019

7 Fun Facts About Me

Let’s get to know each other better. Here are some fun facts about me:

(#1) My first car was a “hoopty” I named Bruno. It was a 1970 something, mud brown muscle car. There was no air conditioner, heat flowed from the floorboard, the windows would get stuck if you rolled them all the way down and the ceiling pilings fell on your shoulders like snowflakes. But I had a ride.

(#2) I was a member of the Navy ROTC in high school. I learned quickly that the military life wasn’t for me. I fainted from standing at attention for an hour.

(#3) I learned all the moves to Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done for Me Lately” and “Pleasure Principle” videos. I spent hours watching the videos on repeat.

(#4) I lived my football dreams by playing in the Ludy Bowl at Columbia College. I was a wide receiver. Didn’t score a touchdown but I did pick up a first down.

(#5) I love playing NBA 2K on my cell phone. We bought an Xbox for the kids and I played it more than they did.

(#6) To get over my first heartbreak, I played “Careless Whisper” by George Michael on repeat. For an entire week. I made an entire cassette tape of that one song by recording it off the radio.

(#7) Favorite boy band: New Edition. We’re the same age and I just knew I would meet and marry Ronnie DeVoe one day.

Now it’s your turn. In the comments, share a fun fact about you.

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019

Celebrate

One of my favorite childhood memories is gathering with the other neighborhood kids and watching the fireworks show one of the Dad’s would put on every year. Lighting sparklers was a major deal for a six year old me.

What are some of your 4th of July childhood memories?

#4thofJuly #summertime #childhoodmemories #mdrayfordwrites