Good News
Coming Soon …
I was playing around on Canva this weekend. While I’m waiting on the official cover to be developed, I needed a visual motivator to keep churning out the story. What do you think of this teaser cover for my upcoming novel?
Join the Facebook Group
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Cyber Monday Sale
Today through November 30th, you can purchase my novel for only 99 cents. Just in time for your holiday shopping.
Available at your retailer of choice:
Amazon: http://Moment of Truth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077M1QCLR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2g1-Bb3X3Z3Z8
Barnes & Noble:https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/moment-of-truth-michelle-d-rayford/1127885231?ean=2940159025739
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/799408
Thank you in advance. Enjoy!
Thoughts on Becoming
Like everyone else, I’m reading Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming. It’s a really good read but something in the first chapter stuck out at me.
In the chapter, Obama describes her big piano recital. She had practiced for hours on her aunt’s “less-than-perfect upright, with its honky-tonk patchwork of yellowed keys and its conveniently chipped middle C.” She knew she could play her piece without really thinking about it. But suddenly, she was sitting at a perfect piano with gleaming white keys and couldn’t figure out how to begin.
It was a moment I could relate too. The moment when “the disparities of the world” show themselves for the first time.
I grew up in a diverse neighborhood that experienced “white flight” by the time I became school age. We had one lone white neighbor left and the elderly lady kept to herself. My high school was majority black. You could count the white students on one hand.
Now, we weren’t naive enough to think that we had the best resources. Our teachers did the best they could with what they had and we all prospered. But it became clear to me the day I took my SAT at a high school in another district. A predominately white district.
I walked into this newly built high school and marveled at the shine on the floor, the spacious classrooms and bigger desks. We walked past the computer lab and I couldn’t believe the number of stand-alone computers that were available.
I sat in the big comfortable desk and stared straight ahead.
It’s hard to describe the sense of unfairness you feel. The moment you realize that “there are disparities in the world”. And those disparities make you feel “less than”.
But like Mrs. Obama, I had someone to show me where to start. Aunt Robbie showed a young Michelle where to place her hands on the keys. Words of encouragement from my wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Dantzler, played in my head and helped me find my way.
If you are reading, Becoming, please share some of your thoughts in the comment section.
A Gift For You
OUR GIFT TO YOU. Tasty cuisine from the talented authors and friends of Sugar & Spice. In this first edition of Sugar & Spice The Anthology COOKBOOK, get our stories, our lives, and a delicious taste of home for the holidays with recipes that are sure to tempt every palate.
Enjoy!
So, What Do You Think?
You’ve gotten your copies and the stories hooked you from the beginning.
You’ve laughed, cringed, wowed and got your freak on. Maybe even looked up other work by the author of that one story that spoke to you.
You’re wondering what do I do now?
I know. You can write a review.
Come on, it only takes a few minutes to let people know what you thought of the books. You can help another reader discover the wonderful stories inside.
Don’t you want to help people? Of course, you do.
And on behalf of all the authors, I thank you in advance.
#GetCaughtReading
Amazon Giveaway
I enjoyed this book so much I’m giving a copy away on Amazon. Click this link: https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/6b1c643194befa1a to enter to win.
Enjoy!
Sugar Ain’t So Sweet – Naleighna Kai
About Sugar Ain’t So Sweet by Naleighna Kai
Shannan overhears a conversation that forces her to walk out on her husband, seven children, and a successful career to find a sense of peace that has eluded her for years. She thought fate had been kind in giving her a husband who adored her. But she soon discovered fate had pulled a fast one, as her husband’s nearly impossible demands and those from his unrelenting family has pushed her to an edge where there might be no return. Zach has screwed up—royally. With his family following his lead in not appreciating Shannan, his wife shows him that since he can’t respect her presence, she’ll introduce him to her absence. Determined to win back the woman who is his anchor, first, he must find a way to deal with his overbearing family and disrespectful children that doesn’t cause him to lose more than he gains. While fighting to win back his wife, he’s forced to face some hard truths and family secrets that might mean he’ll lose Shannan forever.
Story Notes: Sugar A’int So Sweet
What if’s. That’s what drove this story. What if I was a wife who’d been surrounded by people who were taking, taking, and taking and not realizing that I’d been giving. What happens when that wife strikes out to find herself and figure out what she’s willing to lose in order to find that sense of peace.
Naleighna Kai is the national bestselling author of several controversial novels. She’s the founder of the NK Tribe Called Success, NK Literary Cafe Magazine, and the Cavalcade of Authors Literary Tour. She is an agent, developmental editor, literary consultant and marketing and promotion specialist.
Excerpt – His & Hers by S. L. Jennings
Hers
Lauren bit her pouty, full lip as she waited for Marcus to receive the invitation to join them. Would he think less of her? Would he misconstrue her compliance as eagerness? The thought of having sex with someone else other than her husband scared her yet excited her, kindling a fire deep within that she hadn’t felt in years.
She’d always had unconventional desires, but she never dared act on them. She couldn’t risk being judged by her friends, her family, her church, and most of all, her husband. But watching him, fully erect, ready, and as burning hot as she was, it only solidified what she had always felt in her heart. She could do this. It was okay. It didn’t make her dirty or depraved.
She was still a good person.
By the time Marcus claimed his place in their little triangle of delicious deviance, Lauren thought she might burst right then and there. Here she was, panting, moaning, damn near whimpering, as hands massaged her round backside, moving down between her thighs in search of the humid flesh that ached for contact. Another hand fondled her breasts, tugging at her nipples just the way she liked it. A tongue caressed her neck while Marcus sought her mouth, parting her quivering lips to taste her. Just as she thought she could die a blissful death from the overwhelming sensation, a finger delved deep inside her, causing her to cry out.
“Mmmm, she’s so wet,” an amused voice rasped. “Taste.” And with that, a glistening finger eased inside of Marcus’s mouth, coating his lips with her arousal. But it didn’t stop there. Marcus grasped the hand, sucking it, teasing it with his tongue as it moved in and out, in and out. So…naughty. So taboo. And so insanely hot.
“I want you two to kiss,” Lauren found herself saying, chest heaving with every one of her excited breaths.
His
Marcus looked down at the hand in his grasp before gazing into unfamiliar sultry, brown eyes. He furrowed his brow, contemplating what this could mean for them. Once he crossed into uncharted territory, giving into hedonism without shame or reservations, could he and Lauren move forward? Would he still be committed to her and only her? Could he be? Or would his vows be tarnished by irresistible cravings?
Marcus didn’t want to speculate anymore. He wanted – needed – to find out for himself.
Without thinking, he followed his carnal desires, blocking out the niggling doubt that told him to slow down and think about the repercussions of his choices. He was tired of thinking. As an accountant, thinking was all he did. He wanted action. He wanted to feel. And yes, he wanted to go all the way.
With fire racing in his veins, setting his skin ablaze, Marcus gave into temptation, his tongue tasting sweet, forbidden fruit as his hands explored a soft yet toned ass and smooth back. The kiss was foreign yet exhilarating, rekindling the first-time feelings he relished when he and Lauren started dating. He craved that newness, that excitement. Hell, he craved more than just his wife, and that revelation brought him up short, causing him to part with the softest, fullest lips he had tasted since … since ever.
This was wrong. This was all wrong.
But it felt right also. Maybe too right. And that scared the hell out of him.
Abruptly, Marcus pulled away, urgently seeking the comfort of Lauren’s hooded eyes although he fully expected to see the opposite. Sure, they had both agreed to this, and Lauren had engaged in some fun of her own, yet he wouldn’t be surprised if she was pissed at the way he was acting – hungry and undeniably horny.
When their eyes locked, Marcus was relieved to find a sexy smile on Lauren’s lips, her gaze as heavy with lust as his. And their guest for the evening? Hot with expectation.
“Why don’t we move this little party to the bed?”
SUGAR is an anthology with the perfect blend of authors at the top of their game who have crafted stories that will leave you wanting more.#PreOrder SUGAR http://ow.ly/7ABT30l7J4h #Goodreads #Drama#Bookworm #GreatReads #Books #BookAddict #BookGeek