Hey, yall,
Normally I don't do it, but this blog post by Rebekah Weatherspoon is giving me so much life, Ima just share it. She's strumming my pain with her fingers, singing my life with her words. Go on over to her blog and get schooled on how to support diverse romance. She said a mouthful, and I am HERE for it!
http://www.rebekahweatherspoon.com/2015/07/a-whole-lotta-talk-and-even-more-action/
Later,
Kianna
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Preparing for Tomorrow's #FlyHatEvent
I'm super-excited about the event. As one of the two newest M.A.M.A.s, this will be my first in-person event with the group. So not only am I looking forward to meeting you, dear reader, I'm also looking forward to meeting most of the other M.A.M.A.s for the first time.
It'll be easy to spot me. I'll be the one fan-girling over my fellow authors who looks totally out of place in a big ol', Sunday-morning-first-row-of-church hat. In fact, you should have seen the look on my adult son's face yesterday when I tried on hats for the event. One eyebrow cranked to the ceiling, jaw down to the floor.
Priceless.
At least I got a good laugh out of it. In the end, I picked two hats and I'll make my final decision tonight. Still, it'll be fun to step outside of my regular, low-key, ain't-nothing-to-see-here approach and take on the big hat persona. ('Cause a big hat definitely deserves its own persona.)
For the past two days I've been ticking items off my to-do list in preparation for tomorrow's Meet & Greet.
Shoes? Check.
Book cover graphics? Check.
Awesome giveaways? Check.
Fly hat? Double check.
Looks like I'm ready to go. Hope you are, too. :-)
Tomorrow will be a fun-filled, free event for lovers of multicultural romance. Great readers and authors. Yummy food. And, of course, lots of fun and plenty of laughter. I can't wait to connect with you tomorrow in Greensboro at the Greensboro Central Library on North Church Street from 2-6 PM.
Still on the fence about coming? Above is a sneak peek at some of the goodies you could win tomorrow, either in the fly hat contest, or by signing up for my Reese Ryan VIP Mailing List.
See you there!
Monday, July 6, 2015
(Re)Introducing - ADRIENNE KAMA!
Hi Kittens,
I'm branching out this month. For my July blog entry, I'm posting an interview with interracial erotic romance author Adrienne Kama so you all can get to know her. She's the author who will be co-hosting the "Kickin' It with Adrienne Kama and Bridget Midway" event in Williamsburg on November 7th, 2015.
How long have you been writing as Adrienne Kama?
I published my first book back in 2004 and wrote steadily until 2007, publishing eight stories. My marriage fell apart in 2006 and I ended up taking a very long hiatus from writing. I started publishing as Adrienne Kama again this year.
What was your first work out as Adrienne Kama, and is it still available?
The Nephilim War, a story about sexy fallen angels. No. It’s no longer available.
Where can readers find you? (URLs, FB - both accounts, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.).
My website: www.heatherelizabethking.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Adriennekama
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009725581892
Why do you write interracial romance?
I’ve always been an equal opportunist when it comes to dating so the stories I write reflect this. I’ve written stories with men of a few different ethnicities. Let’s see. I’ve covered, black, white, Indian, and Puerto Rican. Keeping it diverse makes it interesting for me, and hopefully, my readers.
Why do you write BDSM?
I wish I could say I had a grand plan, but honestly, it just sort of happened. I read BDSM stories; Anne Rice’s Sleepy Beauty series is one of my all-time favorites. Also, around the time that I wrote the Stella Rice series, my now ex-husband and I discovered the fetish scenes of Baltimore and DC. After reading Anne Rice’s series, I was curious, plus, they always played the best music! They had live BDSM shows at many of the clubs. We never took part. LOL But I was amazed that so many people were as interested in BDSM as I was. So writing a BDSM story seemed the next natural thing for me to do. At the same time, my author friend, Marianne LaCroix started a publishing house and asked me to submit. I’m paraphrasing, but she basically told me to go for it, as far as content. I hadn’t told her I was writing a BDSM story, but the timing was perfect. I could write the kind of BDSM story I enjoyed reading.
Why interracial BDSM romance?
No grand reason here, either. I’m kind of ridiculous that way. I’d gone for a run around the lake at my hometown and saw this very tall, gorgeous man running that day. He was fit and looked incredibly focused on what he was doing. My imagination took it from there.
Are you in the BDSM lifestyle in your real life? If not, how do you do your research?
I’m single now, plus I live in a small town, so there’s not much going on for me in the way of BDSM at the moment. Back when I lived in Maryland, with Baltimore and DC so close, everything was at my fingertips. Book research was easy.
I didn’t realize when I first became interested in BDSM the varying levels of interest that exist. For instance, just because someone is into BDSM doesn’t mean they like sado-masochism. They may prefer domination. Or if they do like bondage, they may enjoy being handcuffed to a bed, whereas someone else may be down with elaborate rope bondage. Once, when my ex-husband and I were in Georgetown, we went to this high end fetish boutique. Yes, they have those. And they had this elaborate leather arm bar contraption that the sub would slip her arms into. It covers both of her arms from hands to shoulders and laces up the middle. If I remember correctly, it was made for the sub’s arms to be behind the back, but could probably be worn either way. Five hundred bucks for this bad boy and it was a good seller. But something like that would make me feel claustrophobic! So there are so many levels of interest in BDSM. That’s one of the things that makes it so interesting to write about.
Any backlash from anything you’ve written? If so, for what work and what were the comments?
Writing in the BDSM genre is a bit different from other genres. A bad review on Amazon with a reader complaining the author went too far, generally sells more books. Overall, I find that as long as the reader knows the heroine is having a good time, they feel comfortable enough to suspend reality and go on the journey with the author. If the reader feels the heroine is being raped or forced in any way, they won’t enjoy the story.
Do you have any current books out as Adrienne Kama? If so, post the titles and blurbs for each.
Sure. Most of my backlist is no longer available, but I’m re-publishing most of the stories.
The Chronicles of Stella Rice: Book One:
After one too many bad dates, Stella Rice gives up on men. Happily-ever-after doesn’t seem to figure anywhere in her future, unless it means being single in Baltimore where her closest companions are her three best girlfriends. But a trip to the gym and an unexpected encounter with her domineering kickboxing instructor, Jake Santos, leads Stella to wonder if she should give the man/woman thing another go. With a successful business, an exclusive home on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and stunning good looks, Jake seems like the perfect man to pull Stella out of her dating rut.
Half Puerto Rican and half Native American, with a mane of long sable hair, Jake Santos has the kind of dark good looks that make him impossible to ignore. What Stella doesn't know is Jake has secrets that will make every other man from her past look like a saint.
Now available on Amazon.
Again:
Can wishes come true? A simple wish to erase a particularly annoying man from her past brings Peyton Pendagrass face to face with the very man she was hoping to expunge. Peyton finds out just how confusing life can get when lust, time travel and a little white magic get entangled. For Christopher Grant, learning his one-time lover Peyton is engaged to marry someone else shatters his world. Six months ago his longing for Peyton left him too terrified to face the fact that he was falling in love with her, so he fled. But fear isn't an issue anymore. Alone with Peyton for the weekend, Chris is prepared to use everything in his arsenal to win her back. Even if he has to hold her captive, tie her down and use all of his sexual prowess to do it.
Now available on Amazon.
How did you and Bridget Midway come up with your “Kickin’ It with Adrienne Kama and Bridget Midway” event coming November 7th?
This is an event Bridget has done before. I think if it has to do with selling books, Bridget has done it! For this one, she was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to take part. I jumped at it!
Will you have a new release for that event? If so, what is it (title and blurb)?
I will. The Chronicles of Stella Rice: Book Three. I don’t have the blurb yet, since I’m still making changes to the story, but the book promises to be as fun as Book One and Book Two! Book Two, by the way, is coming out on June 26th!
Now available on Amazon!
Bridget Midway has been very open in saying that you inspired her to write interracial BDSM erotic romance. Do you have any inspirations - BDSM or otherwise?
There are two authors who write fantastic BDSM. Anne Rice, who everyone knows. And Morgan Hawke. If you’ve never read a Morgan Hawke erotic romance, you need to. Today. Right now. She’s incredible.
What inspires you to write BDSM?
It’s fun, exciting, and pretty much no holds barred. I have two additional BDSM books I’m considering writing. One is a fantasy, the other, a contemporary.
What inspires you to write?
I’ve always told stories. I’m only fully happy when I’m writing.
Where do you see Adrienne Kama in the next five years?
Honestly, I don’t know. I had retired ‘her,’ but there was so much reader demand for me to finish out the Stella Rice trilogy that I brought her back just to do that. But the response has been so positive, it’s hard to pack her away again. And like I said, I have so many other BDSM tales I’d like to tell.
BDSM is hot right now. Where do you see that genre going in the next five years?
I paranormal stories under my real name, Heather Elizabeth King. One series could have been classified as an urban fantasy, but the urban fantasy genre doesn’t sell as well as it used to. I don’t see the same thing happening with BDSM. It’s such a specialized area of fiction. The readers will always read BDSM. I’m an old heavy metal girl. One thing I love about metal is that the fans are devoted. Same goes for BDSM.
Besides BDSM, is there anything else Adrienne Kama writes?
I write paranormal romance and paranormal mysteries under my name, Heather Elizabeth King.
What is your writing process?
I work outside the home full-time as a business analyst in corporate America, so I don’t have as much time as I’d like. Typically, I get home from work and sort of meditate for about 30 minutes. It’s like I’m letting the business analyst go and becoming the author. Don’t laugh! It works for me. Then I make dinner, eat, watch a little TV, then I slide behind the laptop and write. My goal is 2,000 words a day. I don’t always get there. As long as I get over 1,000, I feel productive.
Any rituals you perform before you sit down to write?
Not really, other than my 30 minute quiet period. I look out the window, lay with the cats, and try not to think.
Pants-er or Plotter?
Total planner. But my outlines are what I call, living documents. I always feel free to make whatever changes the characters want me to make.
What was the best advice given to you before you got published, as a published author, and/or now?
Write. All the promo in the world doesn’t help if you don’t have anything to promote.
What advice would you give to a yet-to-be-published author?
Allow yourself a first draft that nobody will see except you. It doesn’t have to be pretty, you just have to get the story out. Making it pretty is what the 2nd and 3rd drafts are for. I typically do about 4 drafts of a book before I send it to my beta readers.
Chocolate or vanilla?
Both!
Any guilty pleasures?
As Tom Hiddleston once said, “The thing is, I never feel guilty about pleasures.”
Last book you read?
Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Fall. It’s the sequel to The Strain. Yep, I’m getting ready for season two of the TV show.
Last movie you watched?
"Out of the Dark", starring Julia Stiles and Scott Speedman. I’m a horror movie junkie!
One surprising fact that readers would be shocked to know?
I used to play lead guitar in a funk/rock group.
Dogs or cats?
Both are irresistible!
Boxers or briefs?
Boxers for sure.
Stay sexy,
BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com
I'm branching out this month. For my July blog entry, I'm posting an interview with interracial erotic romance author Adrienne Kama so you all can get to know her. She's the author who will be co-hosting the "Kickin' It with Adrienne Kama and Bridget Midway" event in Williamsburg on November 7th, 2015.
How long have you been writing as Adrienne Kama?
I published my first book back in 2004 and wrote steadily until 2007, publishing eight stories. My marriage fell apart in 2006 and I ended up taking a very long hiatus from writing. I started publishing as Adrienne Kama again this year.
What was your first work out as Adrienne Kama, and is it still available?
The Nephilim War, a story about sexy fallen angels. No. It’s no longer available.
Where can readers find you? (URLs, FB - both accounts, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.).
My website: www.heatherelizabethking.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Adriennekama
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009725581892
Why do you write interracial romance?
I’ve always been an equal opportunist when it comes to dating so the stories I write reflect this. I’ve written stories with men of a few different ethnicities. Let’s see. I’ve covered, black, white, Indian, and Puerto Rican. Keeping it diverse makes it interesting for me, and hopefully, my readers.
Why do you write BDSM?
I wish I could say I had a grand plan, but honestly, it just sort of happened. I read BDSM stories; Anne Rice’s Sleepy Beauty series is one of my all-time favorites. Also, around the time that I wrote the Stella Rice series, my now ex-husband and I discovered the fetish scenes of Baltimore and DC. After reading Anne Rice’s series, I was curious, plus, they always played the best music! They had live BDSM shows at many of the clubs. We never took part. LOL But I was amazed that so many people were as interested in BDSM as I was. So writing a BDSM story seemed the next natural thing for me to do. At the same time, my author friend, Marianne LaCroix started a publishing house and asked me to submit. I’m paraphrasing, but she basically told me to go for it, as far as content. I hadn’t told her I was writing a BDSM story, but the timing was perfect. I could write the kind of BDSM story I enjoyed reading.
Why interracial BDSM romance?
No grand reason here, either. I’m kind of ridiculous that way. I’d gone for a run around the lake at my hometown and saw this very tall, gorgeous man running that day. He was fit and looked incredibly focused on what he was doing. My imagination took it from there.
Are you in the BDSM lifestyle in your real life? If not, how do you do your research?
I’m single now, plus I live in a small town, so there’s not much going on for me in the way of BDSM at the moment. Back when I lived in Maryland, with Baltimore and DC so close, everything was at my fingertips. Book research was easy.
I didn’t realize when I first became interested in BDSM the varying levels of interest that exist. For instance, just because someone is into BDSM doesn’t mean they like sado-masochism. They may prefer domination. Or if they do like bondage, they may enjoy being handcuffed to a bed, whereas someone else may be down with elaborate rope bondage. Once, when my ex-husband and I were in Georgetown, we went to this high end fetish boutique. Yes, they have those. And they had this elaborate leather arm bar contraption that the sub would slip her arms into. It covers both of her arms from hands to shoulders and laces up the middle. If I remember correctly, it was made for the sub’s arms to be behind the back, but could probably be worn either way. Five hundred bucks for this bad boy and it was a good seller. But something like that would make me feel claustrophobic! So there are so many levels of interest in BDSM. That’s one of the things that makes it so interesting to write about.
Any backlash from anything you’ve written? If so, for what work and what were the comments?
Writing in the BDSM genre is a bit different from other genres. A bad review on Amazon with a reader complaining the author went too far, generally sells more books. Overall, I find that as long as the reader knows the heroine is having a good time, they feel comfortable enough to suspend reality and go on the journey with the author. If the reader feels the heroine is being raped or forced in any way, they won’t enjoy the story.
Do you have any current books out as Adrienne Kama? If so, post the titles and blurbs for each.
Sure. Most of my backlist is no longer available, but I’m re-publishing most of the stories.
The Chronicles of Stella Rice: Book One:
After one too many bad dates, Stella Rice gives up on men. Happily-ever-after doesn’t seem to figure anywhere in her future, unless it means being single in Baltimore where her closest companions are her three best girlfriends. But a trip to the gym and an unexpected encounter with her domineering kickboxing instructor, Jake Santos, leads Stella to wonder if she should give the man/woman thing another go. With a successful business, an exclusive home on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and stunning good looks, Jake seems like the perfect man to pull Stella out of her dating rut.
Half Puerto Rican and half Native American, with a mane of long sable hair, Jake Santos has the kind of dark good looks that make him impossible to ignore. What Stella doesn't know is Jake has secrets that will make every other man from her past look like a saint.
Now available on Amazon.
Again:
Can wishes come true? A simple wish to erase a particularly annoying man from her past brings Peyton Pendagrass face to face with the very man she was hoping to expunge. Peyton finds out just how confusing life can get when lust, time travel and a little white magic get entangled. For Christopher Grant, learning his one-time lover Peyton is engaged to marry someone else shatters his world. Six months ago his longing for Peyton left him too terrified to face the fact that he was falling in love with her, so he fled. But fear isn't an issue anymore. Alone with Peyton for the weekend, Chris is prepared to use everything in his arsenal to win her back. Even if he has to hold her captive, tie her down and use all of his sexual prowess to do it.
Now available on Amazon.
How did you and Bridget Midway come up with your “Kickin’ It with Adrienne Kama and Bridget Midway” event coming November 7th?
This is an event Bridget has done before. I think if it has to do with selling books, Bridget has done it! For this one, she was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to take part. I jumped at it!
Will you have a new release for that event? If so, what is it (title and blurb)?
I will. The Chronicles of Stella Rice: Book Three. I don’t have the blurb yet, since I’m still making changes to the story, but the book promises to be as fun as Book One and Book Two! Book Two, by the way, is coming out on June 26th!
Now available on Amazon!
Bridget Midway has been very open in saying that you inspired her to write interracial BDSM erotic romance. Do you have any inspirations - BDSM or otherwise?
There are two authors who write fantastic BDSM. Anne Rice, who everyone knows. And Morgan Hawke. If you’ve never read a Morgan Hawke erotic romance, you need to. Today. Right now. She’s incredible.
What inspires you to write BDSM?
It’s fun, exciting, and pretty much no holds barred. I have two additional BDSM books I’m considering writing. One is a fantasy, the other, a contemporary.
What inspires you to write?
I’ve always told stories. I’m only fully happy when I’m writing.
Where do you see Adrienne Kama in the next five years?
Honestly, I don’t know. I had retired ‘her,’ but there was so much reader demand for me to finish out the Stella Rice trilogy that I brought her back just to do that. But the response has been so positive, it’s hard to pack her away again. And like I said, I have so many other BDSM tales I’d like to tell.
BDSM is hot right now. Where do you see that genre going in the next five years?
I paranormal stories under my real name, Heather Elizabeth King. One series could have been classified as an urban fantasy, but the urban fantasy genre doesn’t sell as well as it used to. I don’t see the same thing happening with BDSM. It’s such a specialized area of fiction. The readers will always read BDSM. I’m an old heavy metal girl. One thing I love about metal is that the fans are devoted. Same goes for BDSM.
Besides BDSM, is there anything else Adrienne Kama writes?
I write paranormal romance and paranormal mysteries under my name, Heather Elizabeth King.
What is your writing process?
I work outside the home full-time as a business analyst in corporate America, so I don’t have as much time as I’d like. Typically, I get home from work and sort of meditate for about 30 minutes. It’s like I’m letting the business analyst go and becoming the author. Don’t laugh! It works for me. Then I make dinner, eat, watch a little TV, then I slide behind the laptop and write. My goal is 2,000 words a day. I don’t always get there. As long as I get over 1,000, I feel productive.
Any rituals you perform before you sit down to write?
Not really, other than my 30 minute quiet period. I look out the window, lay with the cats, and try not to think.
Pants-er or Plotter?
Total planner. But my outlines are what I call, living documents. I always feel free to make whatever changes the characters want me to make.
What was the best advice given to you before you got published, as a published author, and/or now?
Write. All the promo in the world doesn’t help if you don’t have anything to promote.
What advice would you give to a yet-to-be-published author?
Allow yourself a first draft that nobody will see except you. It doesn’t have to be pretty, you just have to get the story out. Making it pretty is what the 2nd and 3rd drafts are for. I typically do about 4 drafts of a book before I send it to my beta readers.
Chocolate or vanilla?
Both!
Any guilty pleasures?
As Tom Hiddleston once said, “The thing is, I never feel guilty about pleasures.”
Last book you read?
Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Fall. It’s the sequel to The Strain. Yep, I’m getting ready for season two of the TV show.
Last movie you watched?
"Out of the Dark", starring Julia Stiles and Scott Speedman. I’m a horror movie junkie!
One surprising fact that readers would be shocked to know?
I used to play lead guitar in a funk/rock group.
Dogs or cats?
Both are irresistible!
Boxers or briefs?
Boxers for sure.
Stay sexy,
BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com
Friday, July 3, 2015
Less than two weeks away! Fly Hat Luncheon with the MAMAs!
You don't want to miss this event!
Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet on July 11th from 2-6PM in Greensboro. Reserve your space:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-hot-mama-fly-hat-society-… #FlyHatEvent
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Summertime Serenity...
Good day, readers of the Hot M.A.M.A world! Summer has officially arrived! The kids are out of school, ready to play and driving most of us crazy to go somewhere and have fun!
One of the most sought out places to visit is a beach of some sort.
Even with the recent shark attacks upon East Coast shores surfacing almost daily, it's not deterring visitors from enjoying their place of serenity. No one is cancelling their trips due to the nature that has found its way closer to our shores--and that's a good thing! We simply have to respect their way of life and be mindful of our surroundings.
On to the good stuff...what to bring to the beach! Sunscreen is a must in this day and age for everyone. You may think you won't burn, but the sun will prove otherwise. If you're on any type of medicine, a hat, umbrella or cabana for shade will be helpful as well. First aid kit, keep a mini one in your beach bag. Hydrate! Drink water while out and about but wait an hour before getting into water if you've eaten.
The most crucial item one must have is something to read! Yes, this is the perfect environment to take in the surf, sounds, warm sand and get completely lost in a book! Relaxation is premier when spending time at the beach. Besides, you've earned it! Here are a few suggestions to carry along in paperback and save your electronics for later.
Now, what are you doing Saturday, July, 11, 2015 from 2-6pm? Come on out and meet all of the HOT M.A.M.A.'s at the #FLYHATLUNCHEON which is free! We'll be at the Greensboro Public Library, 219 North Church Street. We're going to have an amazing time! Join us!
Time for me to run but until next time, rule your day! -- Loretta R. Walls/Embue #nucherte
Good day, readers of the Hot M.A.M.A world! Summer has officially arrived! The kids are out of school, ready to play and driving most of us crazy to go somewhere and have fun!
One of the most sought out places to visit is a beach of some sort.
On to the good stuff...what to bring to the beach! Sunscreen is a must in this day and age for everyone. You may think you won't burn, but the sun will prove otherwise. If you're on any type of medicine, a hat, umbrella or cabana for shade will be helpful as well. First aid kit, keep a mini one in your beach bag. Hydrate! Drink water while out and about but wait an hour before getting into water if you've eaten.
Now, what are you doing Saturday, July, 11, 2015 from 2-6pm? Come on out and meet all of the HOT M.A.M.A.'s at the #FLYHATLUNCHEON which is free! We'll be at the Greensboro Public Library, 219 North Church Street. We're going to have an amazing time! Join us!
Time for me to run but until next time, rule your day! -- Loretta R. Walls/Embue #nucherte
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
You never forget your first time: Blissful Summer
Today is the ebook release of my first Kimani romance.
In my story, Make You Mine Again, Bradley Stephens has to win the love of his life back. He pushed her away during an emotional time in his life. Now, they are thrust together during his sister's wedding.
Here's a sneak peek:
You are cordially invited to celebrate the union of Miss Shelby Eaine Stephens and Mr. Jacques Luc Renard Saturday, the 25th of April, at half past three in the afternoon at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris Jansen Douglas smiled at the invitation that arrived to her photo shoot in Harlem, but her smile quickly turned to a frown when she realized that attending Shelby's wedding would more than likely mean seeing her ex-lover, Bradley. Talk about a blast from the past, a painful memory that the years and her success as a model hadn't erased. But, whatever. She wasn't going to miss Shelby's wedding! She simply had to meet the man who'd been able to tame the young Miss Stephens.
Shelby had a reputation that spanned the East and West coasts as a love-them-and-leave-them type of chick. Of course, some of the stories had been wildly exaggerated. Like the one about her and an A-list superstar and the fact that she had been the reason for movie star Ian Kelly's trip to rehab.
Shelby and Ian had starred in a movie together that bombed at the box office, but their exchanges on social media made it seem as if they had something else going on.
After the movie failed to launch Shelby's career, she decided to move from being an actress to living off the trust fund that she had received from her family. Some people called her a professional party girl. She, however, was simply a woman of leisure.
This didn't make Bradley happy at all, since he thought Shelby should've been working with the family business.
Unlike Bradley and Ian, she and Shelby had remained close over the years. The one rule to their friendship: never mention Bradley. But she knew that he was going to be front and center at this wedding.
So, she thought as she filled out her RSVP card and added a plus one. She'd planned to be in Paris this spring. She'd had five years of being "the Face," an international top model. But over the past three months, her bookings had declined and she noticed a decrease in the fees she commanded. Granted, she was still making a hefty salary, coming in at number two on a recent Forbes list of top-paid models, but her accountant did tell her that her income had dropped ten percent.
It was a good thing that she didn't spend as extravagantly as many of her colleagues in the industry.
"Jansen," the photographer called out. "We're ready."
Smiling, she glanced down at her rainbow silk dress from the new collection of Branford Diaz, and then headed to the studio and took her mark. Photographers loved Jansen because she didn't do the diva thing, even though she was well within her rights to do so. Instead, she took direction, criticism and ended up with fabulous pictures. She'd been the favorite model of some of the top photographers, according to industry rumor.
"I'm ready," Jansen said with her trademark smile.
Bradley Stephens, CEO of the Stephens Family Resource Center, was two seconds from screaming. Shelby, his younger sister, was getting on his nerves with this wedding that she was supposed to be paying for, though he'd just received a stack of bills from France.
"Yancy," he said, calling for his assistant. The comely blonde walked into his office and offered him a cautious smile.
"Yes, sir?"
"Please do me a favor, remind me that when my sister gets married, she will no longer be my problem," he said then shook his head in anguish.
"I'm sorry," she said with a shoulder shrug.
"Yancy, have you gotten the contract from the catering company about the banquet for the girls?"
"Yes, they just arrived. Let me get them," she said.
"And then you can take the rest of the day off," Bradley said. "I appreciate all the work you've done for this banquet."
"I just wanted it to be a success as much as the last one was," she said as she walked out of his office.
Bradley paused. The banquet had been the brainchild of Jansen Douglas. She had been the one who'd suggested that the foundation have a celebration to thank the donors a few years ago. They'd been wrapped in each other's arms in bed that night.
Her skin had been as smooth as silk as he'd stroked her arms while she laid out the plans for the event.
Memories of Jansen Douglas always made him shiver with regret.
Bradley quickly busied himself with a report of the financial reports for the foundation's first quarter. Private donations were down fifteen percent and that gave him pause. He wondered if he needed to funnel more money into marketing the foundation or if he should follow the Kickstarter trend to get the new shelter in Atlanta funded.
One thing he knew for sure, this wedding wasn't going to be the multimillion-dollar event that his sister had dreamed up in her head. Shelby was quite frivolous and he needed to rein in her spending. And he knew it wasn't going to be long before he had to deal with his bean-counting brother, Kenyon, who would be griping about Shelby's wedding. Though Bradley had been surprised that it had even gotten past the invitation stage. His little sister was a bit of a commitmentphobe. He couldn't blame her. Love was about sacrifice. Something he could write a book on. But, at the end of the day, if Shelby was going to settle down, it would be worth not reading about her exploits in the gossip rags. Glancing at a picture of his parents, Bradley smiled. They were either laughing or shaking their heads in heaven at their three children.
The car accident that took Joan and Winston Stephens haunted him, shaped him, made him afraid to give his all to anyone because he couldn't handle losing her. The way he'd lost Jansen. Slamming his hand on the desk, he didn't have the time or energy to get lost in emotions or the past. He had to call his sister and tell her that her fairy-tale wedding was about to be too much for him to pay for. It wasn't that he didn't have the money; she just needed to realize that there were more important things to do with three million dollars.
Jansen washed the makeup from her face and sighed. Photo shoots were starting to get tiring, but the runway was still her first love. "Jansen," her assistant, Dove Lace, said as she walked into the washroom. "Donovan Strange just called. He wants you to meet him for drinks tonight."
"Finally," she exclaimed with a smile. She'd been trying to meet with him for three weeks.
"Said he'll meet you at the Flatiron Lounge around eight."
Jansen glanced down at her Burberry watch. "That's less than two hours from now." She frowned, then nodded. "If you don't mind, call him back and tell him I'll be there."
"I already told him that you're available. He's so handsome."
Jansen rolled her eyes. Handsome men were a dime a dozen and she wasn't looking for love—not ever again. Not that selfish kind of love that meant she had to turn her dreams off to make a man happy. Closing her eyes, she chided herself silently for allowing Bradley to slip back into her mind. She was supposed to be so over that man, but every now and then he'd rear his handsome face in the rearview mirror of her mind. Men from all over the world had romanced her. But in her heart of hearts, she knew no one could take Bradley's place. And she hated that she compared everyone to him. An egomaniac, lovable and deliciously sexy man who made her hot just thinking about him—after all this time.
Yes, Donovan Strange was handsome. He was also one of the most powerful names in the fashion world. He'd designed some of the hottest gowns and red-carpet looks. Stars like Beyonce, first lady Michelle Obama and other A-listers sought him out when they needed a one-of-a-kind look. His work had been highlighted at Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, New York and Los Angeles.
He was known just as much for his business acumen as he was for his designs. Jansen wanted him to help her transition from model to model agency owner. There were things that Jansen wished she'd known about the fashion industry before that day in Lenox Mall.
With Donovan's help, she hoped to open a full-service agency for models to groom them for life in front of and behind the camera. She hated that the stereotype of models was beauty and no brains. Jansen had fought it her whole career. There had been plenty of people who'd underestimated the fact that she had a master's degree in public policy and had experience with a world-renowned nonprofit agency that helped women and families. Sometimes she missed that work. Missed doing more than just lending her face and donating money to groups that did what the SFRC did. And even though her relationship with Bradley had ended badly, she still supported the center and its mission. There he was again, in her head. She needed to get her game face on because she had business to attend to. She picked up her bag and headed out the door. When Jansen saw a car waiting for her, she wanted to kiss her assistant for saving her the hassle of hailing a cab in the sweltering spring heat of New York. Hopping into the airconditioned car, she smiled in relief. As she was about to lean back and close her eyes, her cell phone rang.
"Yes?" she said when she answered.
"Ooh, someone is in diva mode."
"Shelby! You have a nerve. Besides, I'm channeling my inner Shelby. Girl, I'm just hot and tired."
"Yeah. I heard it's steamy in New York, but here in Paris, it's a cool sixty degrees."
Jansen sucked her teeth. "Just rub it in, heffa. So, tell me about this man who actually got you to say yes."
"We can talk about that this weekend. I'm flying in to New York to get some ideas for my wedding dress."
"Baby, you're in the fashion capital of the world, why are you coming to New York?"
"Great, then you'll come to Paris." Shelby sounded like a kid asking to get picked up from camp early.
"Negative. I have another photo shoot in a few days, and then I have… Wait, why do you want me to come to Paris?"
"To talk me out of this wedding." She said it breathlessly, as if she'd been holding it in for weeks.
"Shelby, why do you need anyone to talk you out of getting married? Your lovely invitations have already been sent out."
She sighed and Jansen couldn't help but wonder if her friend was getting married to satisfy her family—more specifically, Bradley. She groaned inwardly, there she was thinking about that man again.
"What if I love him more than he loves me?"
"Why do you feel that way?"
"Because of you and Bradley."
"Ugh! I'm going to hang up on you."
"I know we're not supposed to talk about that, but you gave him everything and what did you end up with?"
"Think about your parents," Jansen said. "They loved each other unconditionally."
Shelby groaned this time. "You know our generation doesn't roll like that. I'm not trying to get married and then find out that the man I love is screwing around on me or."
"That never happened with me and Bradley. I'm just saying."
"Jacques is amazing and beautiful. But the French are different."
"Honey, you're different. You're the kind of woman who a man can't get over. You're overthinking it."
"Or maybe I didn't think enough. I'm always jumping into something headfirst. That's it, I'm calling the wedding off."
"Girl, that's crazy and impulsive. Why did you agree to marry him if you had such doubts?"
"Because I love him. I'm just being crazy and your favorite Stephens is driving me nuts. He had the nerve to tell me that I need to tone my wedding down. Hello, it's Paris. Over-the-top is expected."
Jansen marveled at how Shelby went from canceling her wedding back to planning it in a single bound. "You're my favorite Stephens."
"Sure, if you say so. You know, he's going to walk me down the aisle."
"That's great," Jansen said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
"Anyway, maybe."
"Let me stop you right there. I don't care what your next statement was going to be, I don't want to hear another word about your brother."
"Well, your serial dating only proves that you're not over him."
"I don't serial date."
"Jake Bensimon doesn't think so. I took him off the guest list."
"Whew, thank you so much."
Shelby laughed. "I thought he was going to be the one for about fifteen minutes. He's the reason Jacques and I met."
"And you're not inviting him to the wedding?" Jansen asked, furrowing her brows. "That just seems rude."
"Honey, it wasn't as if it was a good thing. Jake was drunk on the French Rivera and was lamenting about you. He was getting loud and embarrassing, so I kept trying to get away and he kept pulling on my arm. Jacques came rushing over and knocked him out. I love a Frenchman's passion."
"I bet," she replied. "And you want to give that up?"
"Oh, hush. I'm just suffering from cold feet. And. Let me call you back."
"All right, and I can't wait to see you in that great wedding dress." After hanging up with Shelby, Jansen closed her eyes and sank into the leather seats, wanting nothing more than ten minutes of sleep. But all she could think about was how she was going to ignore Bradley when she ran into him in Paris. Then another thought popped into her mind. What if Bradley arrived at the wedding with his new woman?
So what. It's time for us to move on anyway. I'm sure Bradley Stephens isn't thinking about me at all, Jansen thought as she opened her eyes and blankly watched the passing cars.
Shelby had a reputation that spanned the East and West coasts as a love-them-and-leave-them type of chick. Of course, some of the stories had been wildly exaggerated. Like the one about her and an A-list superstar and the fact that she had been the reason for movie star Ian Kelly's trip to rehab.
Shelby and Ian had starred in a movie together that bombed at the box office, but their exchanges on social media made it seem as if they had something else going on.
After the movie failed to launch Shelby's career, she decided to move from being an actress to living off the trust fund that she had received from her family. Some people called her a professional party girl. She, however, was simply a woman of leisure.
This didn't make Bradley happy at all, since he thought Shelby should've been working with the family business.
Unlike Bradley and Ian, she and Shelby had remained close over the years. The one rule to their friendship: never mention Bradley. But she knew that he was going to be front and center at this wedding.
So, she thought as she filled out her RSVP card and added a plus one. She'd planned to be in Paris this spring. She'd had five years of being "the Face," an international top model. But over the past three months, her bookings had declined and she noticed a decrease in the fees she commanded. Granted, she was still making a hefty salary, coming in at number two on a recent Forbes list of top-paid models, but her accountant did tell her that her income had dropped ten percent.
It was a good thing that she didn't spend as extravagantly as many of her colleagues in the industry.
"Jansen," the photographer called out. "We're ready."
Smiling, she glanced down at her rainbow silk dress from the new collection of Branford Diaz, and then headed to the studio and took her mark. Photographers loved Jansen because she didn't do the diva thing, even though she was well within her rights to do so. Instead, she took direction, criticism and ended up with fabulous pictures. She'd been the favorite model of some of the top photographers, according to industry rumor.
"I'm ready," Jansen said with her trademark smile.
Bradley Stephens, CEO of the Stephens Family Resource Center, was two seconds from screaming. Shelby, his younger sister, was getting on his nerves with this wedding that she was supposed to be paying for, though he'd just received a stack of bills from France.
"Yancy," he said, calling for his assistant. The comely blonde walked into his office and offered him a cautious smile.
"Yes, sir?"
"Please do me a favor, remind me that when my sister gets married, she will no longer be my problem," he said then shook his head in anguish.
"I'm sorry," she said with a shoulder shrug.
"Yancy, have you gotten the contract from the catering company about the banquet for the girls?"
"Yes, they just arrived. Let me get them," she said.
"And then you can take the rest of the day off," Bradley said. "I appreciate all the work you've done for this banquet."
"I just wanted it to be a success as much as the last one was," she said as she walked out of his office.
Bradley paused. The banquet had been the brainchild of Jansen Douglas. She had been the one who'd suggested that the foundation have a celebration to thank the donors a few years ago. They'd been wrapped in each other's arms in bed that night.
Her skin had been as smooth as silk as he'd stroked her arms while she laid out the plans for the event.
Memories of Jansen Douglas always made him shiver with regret.
Bradley quickly busied himself with a report of the financial reports for the foundation's first quarter. Private donations were down fifteen percent and that gave him pause. He wondered if he needed to funnel more money into marketing the foundation or if he should follow the Kickstarter trend to get the new shelter in Atlanta funded.
One thing he knew for sure, this wedding wasn't going to be the multimillion-dollar event that his sister had dreamed up in her head. Shelby was quite frivolous and he needed to rein in her spending. And he knew it wasn't going to be long before he had to deal with his bean-counting brother, Kenyon, who would be griping about Shelby's wedding. Though Bradley had been surprised that it had even gotten past the invitation stage. His little sister was a bit of a commitmentphobe. He couldn't blame her. Love was about sacrifice. Something he could write a book on. But, at the end of the day, if Shelby was going to settle down, it would be worth not reading about her exploits in the gossip rags. Glancing at a picture of his parents, Bradley smiled. They were either laughing or shaking their heads in heaven at their three children.
The car accident that took Joan and Winston Stephens haunted him, shaped him, made him afraid to give his all to anyone because he couldn't handle losing her. The way he'd lost Jansen. Slamming his hand on the desk, he didn't have the time or energy to get lost in emotions or the past. He had to call his sister and tell her that her fairy-tale wedding was about to be too much for him to pay for. It wasn't that he didn't have the money; she just needed to realize that there were more important things to do with three million dollars.
Jansen washed the makeup from her face and sighed. Photo shoots were starting to get tiring, but the runway was still her first love. "Jansen," her assistant, Dove Lace, said as she walked into the washroom. "Donovan Strange just called. He wants you to meet him for drinks tonight."
"Finally," she exclaimed with a smile. She'd been trying to meet with him for three weeks.
"Said he'll meet you at the Flatiron Lounge around eight."
Jansen glanced down at her Burberry watch. "That's less than two hours from now." She frowned, then nodded. "If you don't mind, call him back and tell him I'll be there."
"I already told him that you're available. He's so handsome."
Jansen rolled her eyes. Handsome men were a dime a dozen and she wasn't looking for love—not ever again. Not that selfish kind of love that meant she had to turn her dreams off to make a man happy. Closing her eyes, she chided herself silently for allowing Bradley to slip back into her mind. She was supposed to be so over that man, but every now and then he'd rear his handsome face in the rearview mirror of her mind. Men from all over the world had romanced her. But in her heart of hearts, she knew no one could take Bradley's place. And she hated that she compared everyone to him. An egomaniac, lovable and deliciously sexy man who made her hot just thinking about him—after all this time.
Yes, Donovan Strange was handsome. He was also one of the most powerful names in the fashion world. He'd designed some of the hottest gowns and red-carpet looks. Stars like Beyonce, first lady Michelle Obama and other A-listers sought him out when they needed a one-of-a-kind look. His work had been highlighted at Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, New York and Los Angeles.
He was known just as much for his business acumen as he was for his designs. Jansen wanted him to help her transition from model to model agency owner. There were things that Jansen wished she'd known about the fashion industry before that day in Lenox Mall.
With Donovan's help, she hoped to open a full-service agency for models to groom them for life in front of and behind the camera. She hated that the stereotype of models was beauty and no brains. Jansen had fought it her whole career. There had been plenty of people who'd underestimated the fact that she had a master's degree in public policy and had experience with a world-renowned nonprofit agency that helped women and families. Sometimes she missed that work. Missed doing more than just lending her face and donating money to groups that did what the SFRC did. And even though her relationship with Bradley had ended badly, she still supported the center and its mission. There he was again, in her head. She needed to get her game face on because she had business to attend to. She picked up her bag and headed out the door. When Jansen saw a car waiting for her, she wanted to kiss her assistant for saving her the hassle of hailing a cab in the sweltering spring heat of New York. Hopping into the airconditioned car, she smiled in relief. As she was about to lean back and close her eyes, her cell phone rang.
"Yes?" she said when she answered.
"Ooh, someone is in diva mode."
"Shelby! You have a nerve. Besides, I'm channeling my inner Shelby. Girl, I'm just hot and tired."
"Yeah. I heard it's steamy in New York, but here in Paris, it's a cool sixty degrees."
Jansen sucked her teeth. "Just rub it in, heffa. So, tell me about this man who actually got you to say yes."
"We can talk about that this weekend. I'm flying in to New York to get some ideas for my wedding dress."
"Baby, you're in the fashion capital of the world, why are you coming to New York?"
"Great, then you'll come to Paris." Shelby sounded like a kid asking to get picked up from camp early.
"Negative. I have another photo shoot in a few days, and then I have… Wait, why do you want me to come to Paris?"
"To talk me out of this wedding." She said it breathlessly, as if she'd been holding it in for weeks.
"Shelby, why do you need anyone to talk you out of getting married? Your lovely invitations have already been sent out."
She sighed and Jansen couldn't help but wonder if her friend was getting married to satisfy her family—more specifically, Bradley. She groaned inwardly, there she was thinking about that man again.
"What if I love him more than he loves me?"
"Why do you feel that way?"
"Because of you and Bradley."
"Ugh! I'm going to hang up on you."
"I know we're not supposed to talk about that, but you gave him everything and what did you end up with?"
"Think about your parents," Jansen said. "They loved each other unconditionally."
Shelby groaned this time. "You know our generation doesn't roll like that. I'm not trying to get married and then find out that the man I love is screwing around on me or."
"That never happened with me and Bradley. I'm just saying."
"Jacques is amazing and beautiful. But the French are different."
"Honey, you're different. You're the kind of woman who a man can't get over. You're overthinking it."
"Or maybe I didn't think enough. I'm always jumping into something headfirst. That's it, I'm calling the wedding off."
"Girl, that's crazy and impulsive. Why did you agree to marry him if you had such doubts?"
"Because I love him. I'm just being crazy and your favorite Stephens is driving me nuts. He had the nerve to tell me that I need to tone my wedding down. Hello, it's Paris. Over-the-top is expected."
Jansen marveled at how Shelby went from canceling her wedding back to planning it in a single bound. "You're my favorite Stephens."
"Sure, if you say so. You know, he's going to walk me down the aisle."
"That's great," Jansen said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
"Anyway, maybe."
"Let me stop you right there. I don't care what your next statement was going to be, I don't want to hear another word about your brother."
"Well, your serial dating only proves that you're not over him."
"I don't serial date."
"Jake Bensimon doesn't think so. I took him off the guest list."
"Whew, thank you so much."
Shelby laughed. "I thought he was going to be the one for about fifteen minutes. He's the reason Jacques and I met."
"And you're not inviting him to the wedding?" Jansen asked, furrowing her brows. "That just seems rude."
"Honey, it wasn't as if it was a good thing. Jake was drunk on the French Rivera and was lamenting about you. He was getting loud and embarrassing, so I kept trying to get away and he kept pulling on my arm. Jacques came rushing over and knocked him out. I love a Frenchman's passion."
"I bet," she replied. "And you want to give that up?"
"Oh, hush. I'm just suffering from cold feet. And. Let me call you back."
"All right, and I can't wait to see you in that great wedding dress." After hanging up with Shelby, Jansen closed her eyes and sank into the leather seats, wanting nothing more than ten minutes of sleep. But all she could think about was how she was going to ignore Bradley when she ran into him in Paris. Then another thought popped into her mind. What if Bradley arrived at the wedding with his new woman?
So what. It's time for us to move on anyway. I'm sure Bradley Stephens isn't thinking about me at all, Jansen thought as she opened her eyes and blankly watched the passing cars.
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