My debut novel, Moment of Truth, is set in my hometown of Columbia, SC. Here are some secrets about a location visited in the book.
The Blue Marlin Restaurant is located in the downtown area of Columbia, SC is known as the Congaree Vista, or simply The Vista.
The restaurant is housed in the former train station. Today a venue for fine dining, this distinctive circa-1912 building was known for decades as a hub for transportation into and out of the capital city. Its adjacent loading platform and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad baggage room, a smaller, circa-1905 building to the north, reveal the property’s original function. Both buildings benefited from adaptive efforts that transformed the Vista into a vibrant commercial and residential district.
Well into the early 1980s, the Vista’s light industrial and mercantile character remained largely unchanged. However, twenty years earlier much of its residential life had been erased through Fight Blight programs instigated by national trends in urban renewal. Totally lost was the almost exclusively African-American neighborhood known as Ward One, whose modest houses, stores, schools and churches fell for the construction of such buildings as the Carolina Coliseum in 1968. The new view by city planners was this district that lay within the shadow of the State House was ripe for redevelopment – a vision that would change its landscape within the next generation.
The shrimp and grits are a signature dish.
My favorite is the Firecracker Flounder with fries and greens along with a cup of She Crab Soup.
Adrienne and Christopher dine here after their visits to schools for his daughter.
I’m thinking about reviving a little thing I would do on the blog called Story Soundtracks. It’s where I take a song and write a story about it. Here’s one I wrote a few years back.
Here is another installment of story soundtracks featuring Miguel – “All I Want is You.”
Wrote a story about it, like to hear it? Here it goes………………………
Reggie stood in the VIP suite of Club Rain and wondered for the fifth time tonight why he even bothered coming. The air was thick with cigar smoke, and the scent of alcohol mixed with various cologne and perfumes was making him sick. The bass from the music blared from the speakers, some song with Lil’ Wayne, and the pounding echoes in his brain giving him a headache. He knew he should be happy. After all, they were here to celebrate his promotion. But Reggie was miserable.
He rubbed the beer bottle against his temple and untangled himself from the mass of people. The couches in the VIP lounge were crammed with bodies. Was the entire company crammed into this space? Reggie almost tripped over an errant high heel shoe that someone left in the middle of the floor. He found a somewhat quiet spot in the corner and surveyed the dance floor below.
“Let’s toast to my man. Bottles up people.”
Reggie turned at the sound of his friend’s voice and had to laugh. The usually impeccably dressed Lewis Carter could barely stand. His tie was twisted, and his shirt hung half out of his pants. This was obviously not Lewis’ first toast of the evening.
“To the new VP. Ladies show my man some love.” Lewis collapsed on the couch between two women. Their ample cleavage seemed to smother Lewis as he poured champagne on one and tried to lap it off.
Reggie shook his head. Lewis would always be a dog. He waved off a waitress that offered a tray of drinks and took a pull from his beer. He had to shake off this funk. Today he was named Vice President of Marketing for the Southwest Region at the McNair Corporation. Reginald T. Hamilton had finally seen all the hard work pay off. He got the promotion and the office with a window. But that wasn’t important. Reggie had arrived. All the late nights and sacrifices were worth it. He had everything he thought he wanted. Why did he feel like something was missing?
He should just leave. Reggie looked at his watch. How much longer did he have to stay at his own party? None of his boys would probably notice if he left. More women for them they would say. Looking around the room, the women outnumbered the men three to one. They were in all shapes and shades, a smorgasbord of female flesh ripe for the taking. He had rebuffed enough of them to be labeled an asshole. He wasn’t usually a jerk, but none of these women appealed to him. Not tonight.
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and thumbed through the numbers in his contact list. His finger hovered over the send button. He had thought about calling this number every day for the past month but couldn’t work up the nerve to push the button. Tonight wasn’t any different. He stuffed the phone back in his jean pocket and drained the last of his beer.
The strobe lights were playing tricks on his eyes, but he could have sworn a lady on the dance floor in yellow was Kelly. His Kelly. He blinked and looked again. It was her. Kelly Robinson. The woman he thought about every day. The woman he let walk out of his life under some illusion that he could do better. He stood frozen, watching her dance. Her sensual movements reminded him of their passionate affair. For a year, she moved like that for him. Underneath him and on top of him. Damn, he missed her.
Kelly was fine. Reggie knew she looked good on his arm, but she was much more than that. She was smart, and she had a quirky sense of humor. And the woman made the best macaroni and cheese he ever ate. They met at the gym, and from the moment they shared a smoothie at the cafe, they were inseparable. The chemistry was instant. They were good together. Things were good between them until she started hinting that she wanted more. He avoided her subtle hints and ignored her efforts to talk about their relationship. That is until the night Kelly demanded an answer or she threatened to walk. He let her walk.
The problem was that he bought into the hype. Reggie was a single, heterosexual, professional Black man. His six feet tall athletic frame and clean-cut good looks were a hot commodity. Why should he limit his options to just one? In short, he was a fool for letting the one woman he needed get away. That woman was now on the dance floor, smiling at some other brother.
That was it. Reggie had to talk to her.
Lewis blocked his path. He moved quickly for a drunk guy. “Where you going? The party is just starting my man.”
Reggie pointed and tried to push past, but Lewis grabbed him. “Is that Kelly? You still hung up on that. Look at all the fineness we got right here.” He spread his arms wide to include the whole room.
Reggie slipped past Lewis and avoided getting liquor on his shoes. “How long is a brother supposed to play? Do you want to be the old man in the club?”
“You been trying to ruin my high all night.” Lewis slurred. He mumbled something else, but Reggie was already out the door and down the stairs.
The music was even louder down on the floor, but Reggie was focused on finding Kelly. He scanned the room and finally found her walking to a table near the veranda doors. Her date whispered something in her ear that caused her to smile and nod yes. The man walked toward the bar, and Reggie pushed his way to the table.
“What’s up, Kelly?”
When she looked up, Reggie thought his heart would beat through his chest. She was beautiful even when she raised her eyebrows in shock, and her smiled turned into a smirk.
“Reggie.”
“It’s good to see you,” he began. Reggie felt sweat bead on his forehead. Kelly just stared at him, so he kept talking. “I’m glad I saw you tonight. I really need to talk to you.”
“What else is there to say?”
“A lot, actually. I know things didn’t end well between us.” That was an understatement. Their last conversation was a heated exchange after Kelly gathered her things and left his condo. He had called to talk some sense into her. It ended with Kelly hanging up on him after he accused her of being overly dramatic.
Kelly leaned back in the booth and crossed her arms. “As you can see, I’m on a date.”
“How long you been seeing this guy?”
She ignored the question. “What do you want?”
“I want to talk to you.”
“Talk.”
Reggie looked around the crowded club. “Can we go somewhere quieter? Somewhere we don’t have to shout.”
Kelly shook her head. “I’m on a date.”
He was about to slide into the booth beside her when he felt someone behind him.
“Excuse me, bruh.” Kelly’s date had returned to the table. Reggie stepped aside, and the man took his place beside Kelly. He handed her a martini and set his drink on the table.
Reggie continued to stand there, so Kelly made introductions. “Brian, this is Reggie. Reggie, this is my date.”
Brian put his arm around Kelly. “What’s up?”
Reggie recognized the power play, but he tamped down his ego. It wouldn’t benefit him to get in a dick-swinging contest with this dude.
“No disrespect to you, man, but I need to holler at Kelly for a quick minute. Then I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Brian turned to look at Kelly, but she was studying Reggie. She knew that determined look on Reggie’s face and figured it was best to hear him out. She leaned over and whispered in Brian’s ear. He wasn’t happy about what she said, but he leaned back in the booth and picked up his drink.
Kelly slithered out of the booth and grabbed Reggie by his sleeve. She led him outside on the veranda and put her hands on her hips. “Now, what is it?”
The crisp night air felt good after the stifling smells in the club. Reggie took in a deep breath and ran his hands over his head. He thought he had his case laid out, but looking at the angry woman in front of him, he was at a loss to recall the words.
“I was a fool to let you go,” he blurted.
Kelly rolled her eyes. “Is that all you have to say?” She could have told him he was a fool months ago when he so callously pretended not to care if she left. She turned to go back inside.
Reggie talked fast. “A good thing happened to me today, and you were the first person I wanted to call. Regret kept me from dialing your number. I was wrong then, and I know that now. I just hope you’ll give me a chance to make it up to you.”
Kelly turned around. She had never seen Reggie look so unsure of anything. His handsome face looked broken. Her first instinct was to hug him, but she resisted. She hated that she still had feelings for this man who had caused her so much pain. “A chance? We were together for over a year, Reggie. You had your chance every day. Now it’s the next man’s chance.”
She knew she had landed a blow when Reggie stepped back. “What’s up with you and that guy anyway? You didn’t waste any time getting back out there. It’s been what? Two months?”
“It’s been four months, and I know you aren’t trying to check me. What was I supposed to do? Sit around and pine over your ass. You’re trying to tell me you haven’t been seeing other people.” Kelly hoped her words were strong enough to convince him that she had moved on. In fact, she had sat around longing for Reggie. For two months, she was moped and wondered what happened. She replayed every conversation. Every moment of their time together until she almost drove herself batty with the “what ifs.” Her girlfriends convinced her to start dating again. This was only her second date with Brian.
Reggie looked down at the tile. There had been a couple of women, but they didn’t compare to Kelly. He tried to get over her by celebrating his freedom with new women, but it got old real quick. He didn’t consider that Kelly might be doing the same thing. “I went out a couple of times, but it wasn’t anything serious.”
“I bet.”
“Are you jealous?” Reggie suppressed a smile.
“Are you?”
“Hell yeah. That dude is all wrong for you.”
“How would you know?”
“Because he’s not me.”
“You’re right. He’s my date, and I’ve kept him waiting long enough.”
“Wait,” Reggie reached for her hand and spun her around. He felt that familiar sizzle between them and pulled her close. Her curvaceous frame fit against him like the last piece of a puzzle. Reggie inhaled the scent of her hair and ran a hand down her back. “I don’t want to lose you, Kelly. I know I messed up, but I love you. Now, if you’re ready to move on then, I guess I’ll have to understand that. But I don’t think that’ll make either one of us happy.”
Kelly struggled to get away, but the more Reggie whispered in her ear, she began to relax. These were the words she wanted to hear. Why couldn’t he have said all of this when they were still together?
“I don’t know,” Kelly said. “I think we both want different things. I’m ready for something more.”
“Baby, I’m ready for that too.”
Kelly pushed Reggie away. “Then why did you let me leave? How could you just sit there and let me walk out the door?”
“You were the one that decided to reduce our relationship to an all or nothing proposition. Why would you play that game? You backed me into a corner. A man has to have some pride. What was I supposed to do?”
Kelly fought back tears of frustration. He still didn’t get it. “You were supposed to choose me.”
“But I do. Look at me. I can’t live without you. I tried to deny it, but you are the one. I got that promotion today, and you were the only one I wanted to tell. You make me feel like I can do anything, but only if you are there beside me. I don’t want to waste another moment without you.” Reggie stood there and let her study him. He wanted her to see how every pore in his body was yearning for her.
She didn’t say anything, so he took her in his arms and kissed her. Their shared past danced on their tongues. The heat between them spoke of a promise. Reggie used his lips to convey everything he was feeling. All of his love and all of his regret. When they finally broke, Reggie was panting. “Baby, just tell me what you want.”
Kelly felt unsteady. This was happening too fast. She couldn’t just leave with Reggie. She was on a date. “What about Brian?”
“I don’t care about Brian. All I want is you.”
The words hung between them for a beat. Reggie knew the next move was up to Kelly. Either she would give them another chance, or she would leave him standing there drowning in regret.
“Call me later,” she said and slid through the veranda doors.
Now Reggie felt like celebrating. But he didn’t go back into the club. He looked at his watch as we walked toward his car. He would Kelly an hour to get rid of that dude. Then he planned to call and go over to her place. He was going to show her just how much he wanted her.
Back in the day, I used to make up stories based on some of my favorite songs. I think I’ll start it up again.
Here’s an oldie to get things started. “Same Script, Different Cast” by Whitney Houston featuring Deborah Cox.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an official video but I found one that was put together on YouTube.
My story:
Monica Taylor sat in the dimly lit bar of the Atlanta restaurant and waited for her guest. Outwardly, she was the picture of a calm and confident woman. Every hair on her short sassy haircut was in place. Her makeup was flawless and highlighted her mocha complexion. She had spent hours picking out the perfect dress; a simple black wrap that hugged her ample curves which she accessorized with silver jewelry and strappy black high heel sandals. Inwardly, her stomach churned and she wondered if she would have the nerve to carry out her mission for the night.
She checked the time on her watch and glanced around the room. If she had any doubts about her appearance, the appreciative looks from the male patrons caused her to sit up straighter and smile. When the offer of a drink came, she politely
declined. She had already purchased a glass of wine and could not afford to get distracted entertaining some man who thought the price of a drink earned him something in return. She no longer had the patience to deal with men. Especially when the one man that she loved took her for granted.
Monica shifted on the stool and took a sip of her drink. She had chosen the perfect perch so she saw the moment her guest entered the foyer. She looked exactly like her picture. Long flowing locks, skin the color of coffee with cream and the height of a model. Well, she didn’t look exactly like the picture Monica saw. The woman had on clothes tonight.
“LaKeisha Johnson.” Monica was by her side in an instance.
“Yes? And you are?”
Monica said her name and waited for the light of recognition to cross the woman’s face. When it came, LaKeisha clutched her purse and took a step back. “Where is Michael?”
“Michael isn’t coming. I thought we needed to talk. Our table is ready.” Monica turned to the maître‘d and indicated that they were ready to be seated.
LaKeisha hesitated. “What is this about?”
“Please,” Monica said. “I will explain everything.”
They followed the hostess to the reserved table. It was a secluded place setting for two located in an alcove that would afford them some privacy from the other diners. The irony of this place wasn’t lost on Monica. Michael had brought her here the night he asked her to move in with him. She thought it would lead to marriage.
It seemed right that it should end here as well.
The waitress appeared as soon as they were seated. Monica requested another drink to replace the one she had abandoned at the bar. LaKeisha declined.
“Are you sure you don’t want a drink?” Monica asked.
“All I want is to know is what is going on here?” LaKeisha sat on the edge of her seat.
Monica shrugged. “Suit yourself then.”
She dismissed the waitress and turned to focus on the woman across the table from her. She studied LaKeisha’s features looking for some flaw but found none. The woman was pretty in that girl next door kind of way. From the research that Monica did on her, she knew that LaKeisha was an accountant with one of the biggest firms in town. She was in her early thirties and didn’t have any children. Michael had a type and she definitely fit the mold. Just like Monica.
The waitress returned with Monica’s drink and she was grateful for something to do with her hands. Now that her replacement was sitting across from her, Monica didn’t know what to say. Her carefully planned speech had abandoned her. Then she realized that LaKeisha was studying her in the same way. She wondered how much the woman knew about her.
LaKeisha broke the silence. “Are you sure that Michael isn’t coming?”
“He isn’t coming.”
“But I got a text from him a couple of hours ago.” LaKeisha dug out her phone. “He said to meet him at 8 ‘o clock.”
Monica knew what the text said. She had composed it herself.
Catching an earlier flight. Boarding plane now. Can’t wait to see you. Meet me at Houston’s at 8. Wear that thing I like. M
Of course her ruse depended on three things. One, that LaKeisha would believe the text was from Michael. Monica knew the last line would sell it. Michael mainly communicated via text messages and that last line was one of his signature sayings. Two, LaKeisha had to believe that Michael couldn’t respond to a reply because he was on the plane. And lastly, Monica had to hope that even if LaKeisha sent a response that it would be generic enough that Michael wouldn’t actually respond for real and unknowingly spoil her plans.
“Michael is still in New York.” Monica stated with certainty. The GPS tracker she had installed on his phone confirmed his location in the 212 area code.
“What are you talking about? This text came from his number. Why would he send me a text saying he was coming back early from the conference.”
“That’s because Michael didn’t send that text. I did.” Monica took a cell phone out of her purse and laid it on the table between them.
“Did you steal his cell phone?”
“I didn’t have too. I cloned it.”
LaKeisha sat back in the chair and her eyebrows furrowed. “Cloned it? How? “
The how wasn’t important. Working as a computer programmer, Monica had picked up some tricks over the years. But Monica was ashamed to admit that she let a man drive her to a crazy place. She had been living in Crazyville for the past few months. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact date that she knew she was losing Michael. It was a gradual sense of knowing that someone you love is shifting away.
Michael became distance and moody. The man she fell in love with was replaced by a stranger that began to treat her like an afterthought. He began to have a lot of reasons to leave the house. The man who loved to have sex most nights was suddenly content to get into bed and turn his back.
Of course Michael wouldn’t talk about what was going on so Monica became a spy. She snooped and electronically stalked the man until she had the answers to the questions that Michael wouldn’t answer. But she didn’t like what it turned her into.
When Michael mentioned that he would be attending the medical conference in New York (the conference she joined him at last year) she knew it was time for a hange.
She moved her things out of their condo and closed their joint account. She was all set to begin her life without him but there was one more thing she had to do.
“I know he’s leaving me for you.”
LaKeisha’s mouth fell open in surprise. Monica coolly sipped her drink and waited for the woman to deny it.
“How do you know that? I mean, who told you?”
“So, it’s true.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes.” LaKeisha tossed her hair over her shoulder. “He plans to tell you soon.”
“I was wondering what he’s telling you. Could it be the same things that he told me?”
LaKeisha did the hair toss again and sat up straighter. If the woman sitting across from her thought she would be intimated then she was mistaken. “He told me that he loved me.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“He told me I was ………”
Monica held up a hand. “Let me guess. He told you that you were beautiful. That he never met a woman like you. That he feels trapped in his current relationship and is waiting for the right time to break the news. He told you that he wanted to be
totally honest with you. He said he wanted you to share his life.”
“How could you know all that? Did you tap his phone too?”
Monica ignored the slight. “I’ve been there. He told me those things too. I was once where you are now. I was the new woman in Michael’s life.”
“Well, if you couldn’t keep him then that’s your fault.”
Monica shook her head. Denial is always the first step toward healing. The truth was that Dr. Michael Anderson was the type of man that women considered a good catch. He was a pediatric surgeon with a charming manner that put children and adults at ease.
And the man looked good. When he smiled at you with those hazel eyes you were hypnotized. Michael was six feet tall with an athletic frame that wore clothes well. He was meticulously groomed from his low cut Caesar haircut and light beard to the manicured nails on his hands.
Those hands.
Monica would miss those “healing hands” along with his sculpted abs. She took another sip of her drink at the thought of those passion filled nights.
“Do you really believe that I couldn’t keep him? You and I aren’t so different. I’m not hating on you, girlfriend but I wish the one before me would have warned me too.”
LaKeisha’s brows furrowed. “The one before you? What are you talking about?”
“Do you know I’ve been with Michael for two years and he has already changed cars four times? The man has a restless spirit and commitment issues. Surely you’ve picked up on that.”
LaKeisha had but she wouldn’t admit that to this woman. “What you’re saying may be true? But how can I take advice from you?”
Monica nodded. She understood the position that LaKeisha was in. Being loved by Michael could blind you to the truth.
The waitress returned to the table. “Are you ladies ready to order?”
“Yes.” Monica was suddenly famished. “I’ll have the thai steak and noodle salad.”
“Nothing for me.” LaKeisha said. She waited for the waitress to leave before she continued. “You know what? Michael has changed now. I’ll prove you wrong. He loves me.”
“He’ll hurt you.”
“Just leave us alone.”
Monica waved her hand. “He’s all yours. Just remember you’ve been warned. Enjoy it now but it won’t last.”
LaKeisha stood. “I’m out of here.”
“Be sure to tell Michael that I’ve moved out.” Monica watched LaKeisha walk away. She was probably calling Michael right now.
Monica leaned back in her chair. It was done. She was finished with that part of her life and she felt free. She picked up her glass and toasted the empty seat across from her. “Same script, different cast.”
What is it? A group of authors who cross-market and promote within the following genres: contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance, suspense/mystery, Christian fiction, paranormal/sci-fi/speculative.
Upcoming Opportunities: Black Women’s Expo – Chicago, Black Women’s Expo Atlanta, Cincinnati Music Festival Program Book, Cavalcade of Authors Chicago, Cavalcade of Authors Bahamas, Cavalcade of Authors North Carolina, BARR, Great Midwest Book Fest.
Group Sampler, Duet Promo Cards, Newsletter Subscriber Building. BookBub Follow Building, promotional Cook Books, … for starters
Requirements. Covers need to be clean and professionally created. Content is professionally edited and devoid of excessive foul/vulgar language. Only the genres listed above are considered.
Inbox or email with interest.
Lissa Woodson, USA TODAY Bestselling Author Naleighna Kai www.naleighnakai.com 773.263.6512 / lissawoodson@aol.com Founder of the 15th Annual Cavalcade of Authors at Cambria Chicago Magnificent Mile September 27-29, 2019 www.thecavalcadeofauthors.com NK’s Tribe Called Success NK Literary Cafe Magazine
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.
I had my first book signing, ya’ll! Now, I’ve been to more than a few signings for my favorite authors but it’s different when you’re on the other side of the table.
I didn’t know what to expect. Would anyone show up?
I was nervous. What do I say if they show up?
I was excited. Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening!!
And it turned out great. It was a big crowd and I sold more books than I thought I would. Here’s what I learned from the experience:
Invest in a tablecloth. At the last minute I thought about the table covering and bought one from Dollar General. It got the job done but next time I want a more professional look.
Pre-sign books. It will save time.
Take more pictures. I tried to do this myself and missed some good shots because I was talking with people. I might have to recruit a family member as my photographer.
Pass out cards and bookmarks to everyone that walks by. They may not be a book reader but I bet they know one.
Do a better job getting the notice out. Don’t rely solely on social media.
Invest in bags. It’s another good way to advertise.
Have fun!
The last one is the most important. I definitely had fun and meet some wonderful people.
