After a few bumps in the indie pub road, my first novel My Way to You is getting closer to release.
In celebration, I’m making available limited ARCs available to book reviewers and authors.
Finding Beauty Where Others Might Not
#openbloghop
What do you think are the 5 most beautiful things in the world?
Beauty can be an abstract term. What may be considered beautiful to some may not be for others. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, we all get it.
Despite the overwhelming amount of negative or “ugly” things we see every day in the news and on social media, I like to think there is equally as much if not more beauty in our lives. Things may be tough, but there’s no denying that if it wasn’t for the beautiful things, most of us would’ve thrown in our towels a long time ago.
The layers of work I do in cultural criticism, anti-racism advocacy and gender equity expose me to clashing visions of the world around me. Add being a mother of six to the mix, and it often becomes a challenge to appreciate the beauty that each has to offer.
Damsels and Beetles – When Fear Trumps Fierceness
#OpenBook Blog Hop
I know many people see me as the stereotypical strong Black woman who ain’t scared of nothing, but I have my fears, and this week’s Open Book question come me feeling all kinds of creepy. Like really? We had to go there?
This fear of mine causes me to experience a heap of ridicule from my husband and sons. They laugh their butts off while I’m yelling for them to come and rescue me from this abysmal pest.
It happens at least once a summer. I’m chillin’ in my bed; it’s usually dark with maybe the tv or computer running—or both #multitasker. Then a click, click, click begins to permeate the room. My heart rate ratches up; riveted to my spot, I usually peer at the ceiling, searching for the horrible intruder filling me with dread. Continue reading “Damsels and Beetles – When Fear Trumps Fierceness”
BOOK REVIEW The Minotaur’s Kiss – Some Nice Bull
Review by Lyndell Williams
THE MINOTAUR’S KISS
By Erin St. Charles
$3.99, pp 287, Kindle
A lot of people have had that one night stand that won’t go away. Who? Me? Man, this juice is good.
BTW, ***SPOILERS ALERT*** Now, Let’s do this. Feeling a little down, Diana Miller decides to have some fun with a hot guy she met at a party. Not bothered by the fact that he’s obviously a shifter, she invites him back to her place for a private party.
After all of the sexual frolicking, she unceremoniously bounces her bed buddy out of her house. All set, Diana goes to work, ready to focus on her career.
Well, guess who she runs smack into at the office? Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW The Minotaur’s Kiss – Some Nice Bull”
Love, Hate & the Complex Bad Boy
#OpenBook
This week’s Open Book Blog Hop asks authors to name and describe their favorite antagonist/bad gut/villain. Can I just gush with excitement for a moment.
Thank you. Now! I’m only on my second novel, but hands down, Raad Khouri from Building on Broken Dreams is my favorite baddest most multilayered antagonist. Continue reading “Love, Hate & the Complex Bad Boy”
Papa Bear’s Porch Seat
#OpenBlogHop
In this week’s Open Blog Hop, writers are asked to describe their favorite piece of furniture and any story there might be behind it.
My favorite piece of furniture isn’t because I enjoy it but because the man that I love and share my life with does. I affectionately call him Papa Bear on social media because he prefers that I don’t use his full name. I also like it.
I’m blessed with 27 years of marriage to a man that works damned hard for his family’s security. Continue reading “Papa Bear’s Porch Seat”
BOOK REVIEW Damaged Goods – Going Home Can be a Good Thing
Review by Lyndell Williams
DAMAGED GOODS
By Talia Hibbert
$1.99, pp 198, Kindle
Laura
Sometimes it takes turning back to move forward. We all make mistakes, and in Damaged Goods, by Talia Hibbert, Laura Burne made a big one in the form of her husband, Daniel. After years of abuse, she finally jets and makes her way back to Beesly—pregnant and alone.
The small seaside town is supposed to offer Laura solace from her torment as well as room to think about being a single mother to a child whose father is less than thrilled about its existence. However, she barely has a chance to swallow back nausea and make sure Daniel isn’t ready to pounce when she runs into her old flame, Samir Bianchi. Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW Damaged Goods – Going Home Can be a Good Thing”
Black Cloth Quads – Hijab Basics
Here we are at another #OpenBlogHop. Let’s do this!
Covering is an active act of worship for many Muslim women, and something I’ve observed for decades. Khimars (what I tend to call it as an AA Muslim)/hijabs are in an integral part of my faith, identity and wardrobe.
I have piles of khimars all over my house. Folded stacks sit in storage in the corner of my bedroom. Some hang from hooks on my closet, and with three daughters, they’re draped on the back of chairs and across sofas. They vary in style but two constants remained a part of my covering—my khimars are either square or rectangular and black is in abundance. Continue reading “Black Cloth Quads – Hijab Basics”
First Author Signed Giveaway Book Arrived!
There is an awesome feeling that runs through an author when a fellow offers support and encouragement. I trodded to the mailbox the other day and immediately lit up when I saw the large yellow envelope containing a signed copy of Nasheed Jaxson’s Her Justice.
The crime romance is one of my favorites, and I was thrilled when Jaxson agreed to send me a signed copy for a book giveaway.
Continue reading “First Author Signed Giveaway Book Arrived!”
Lost in Translation
#OpenBookBlogHop
After a fabulous Zumba class taught by my girl Maritza Flowers, the women’s sauna is the hottest spot to be in the gym. Women pile in and chat about everything under the sun while they swelter. We laugh, offer advice and sympathy.
Meet the Brothers in Law
Meet the six leading men of the Brothers in Law romance series. This short story tells how the group of men meet and become friends for life.
I am featuring each of the six brothers in a novel that follows him and his quest for love. Continue reading “Meet the Brothers in Law”
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – BWWM Short Story Collection
Why Short Stories?
Some readers thrive on short stories, microfiction and flash fiction. They’ve been a staple of literature for centuries.
Short stories also offer authors opportunities to tell a tale that may not be necessarily long or involved enough to fill the pages of a novel. Writing a short story can also help hone writing skills (sometimes it’s harder to tell a story within a small amount of page space) and share work with readers between the release of novellas and novels.
Continue reading “CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – BWWM Short Story Collection”
BOOK REVIEW- Black Kyoto Love
Review by Lyndell Williams
BLACK KYOTO LOVE
By Love Journey
$0.99, pp 64, Kindle
You swore to uphold the law, but he’s so fine and smooth, and you’re a sucker for those tats. What’s a cop to do when she gets the feels for a Yakuza bad boy? Black Kyoto Love by Love Journey is an intense romance involving police officer Eryka Miyamoto and Azukai family member Kentaro Yamazaki. Both throw caution to the wind to satisfy their unbridled passions for each other, but who out of the pair has the most to lose?
Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW- Black Kyoto Love”
BOOK REVEIW – Loving HER WILDEST DREAMS
I started reading some of the short stories featured in the AMBW romance anthology Shades of AMBW. Check out my video review of one of my favorite stories “Her Wildest Dreams” by Love Journey.
I enjoyed Love Journey’s vampire erotic fiction. Unlike so many stories featuring the paranormal bloodsucker, she made sure that the sensual exchange between the vamp and the human he desired was consensual. There was no “glamming” or “hypnotizing.”
Sexual Abuse and Survival with Nadiah Mohajir — NbA Muslims
I really enjoyed and learned so much from this discussion with Nadiah Mohajir.
Despite international appeal, the government of Sudan is preparing to execute 19-year-old Noura Hussein after she was convicted of killing her husband. Hussein was gang-raped by her husband and 3 of his male family members. 21 more words
via Live Interview: Sexual Abuse and Survival with Nadiah Mohajir — NbA Muslims
AMBW Flash Fiction-A Diverse Anthology
Don’t let the name fool you. Flash fiction is a form of storytelling that requires concise and precise plot and character development. An author takes on the challenge of telling an engaging story in 1k words or less. Continue reading “AMBW Flash Fiction-A Diverse Anthology”
BOOK REVIEW Saved by The Chase-Some Good Deeds Pay Off
Review by Lyndell Williams
SAVED BY THE CHASE
By Love Journey
$7.99, pp 134, paper
$0.99, pp 132, Kindle
Some good deeds don’t go unpunished. As a matter of fact, one might get to fulfill one of their wildest dreams. That’s what happened to Monique when she scoops up main character Hyun-Li in Love Journey’s novella Saved by the Chase. Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW Saved by The Chase-Some Good Deeds Pay Off”
My First Author’s Reading
I’ve been chattering away to friends and family about the plethora of stories I have in my computer that plan on turning into novels. My first novel My Way to You is currently in edits, and I’m starting to think the same way the authors whose work I edited probably thought—What’s taking so damn long?!
Beginning My Author’s Journey
I’m so excited to have completed my first manuscript! *cue the trumpet!→*
It took a lot of work and dedication, but my interracial romance My Way to You. Is in the capable hands of my fantastic content editor.
Lyndell Williams 