My work in progress - snippet

Here's another little unedited snippet from my WIP 'Teardrops Know My Name'

“I don’t know where to begin.” She gazed up into the air and blew out a breath, in an attempt to hold back a teardrop that was forming. She had always been a strong person emotionally, but now she felt as though her strength has been knocked down a few notches. She had the notion that maybe she could combat the imminent ...fear if she knew who and why.

“Honey, just take your time and start wherever you like.” Carmen placed her hand over Linda’s and squeezed it lightly.

 Linda shifted her eyes to Carmen, “Someone has been stalking me.”

Carmen gasped, spilling a few drops of coffee from the cup she held. “Oh my God! Are you sure?”

Linda nodded her head and began briefing Carmen on the events from the first day that she was aware that she was being followed bringing her up to the latest phone call that she received while at the movies.

Carmen shook her head in disbelief and lifted off the bar chair that she was sitting on and hurried out of the kitchen in search of her cell phone.

“Carmen” Linda called after her. “Where are you going?”
She heard Carmen’s voice from the other room, “We have to call the police.”

Linda pushed her chair from the counter in pursuit of Carmen attempting to try and stop her from calling the police.

Carmen was gliding her fingers over her cell phone when Linda entered the room. “Carmen, no.” Linda grabbed the phone from Carmen’s hand.

“No what?” Carmen glared at Linda. “You have a crazy person running around after you and you don’t want to call the police? What’s the matter with you? And, what about Mr. Wonderful? He didn’t encourage you to call the police on that bastard?

“Carmen, please, listen to me” Linda pleaded. “You have no idea. You don’t think that I thought of calling the police? I don’t have enough evidence to show that I’m being stalked. You’ve seen the news, the police doesn’t do anything unless there is concrete evidence.” Linda fought back tears as she continued, “I wasn’t able to get a license plate number when he or she followed me while driving my car and whenever I received a phone call, it came from a number that didn’t register on my phone, therefore, I’m left with nothing to show proof.” She waved her hand in the air.

“Did you record the phone calls?” Carmen asked pressing for more information.

“No, he or she never stay on the phone long enough.

“So, you’re supposed to wait until that looney attacks you? I’m sorry Linda, but this doesn’t make any sense to me.” Carmen sat down on her bed drawing her knees up to her chest resting her chin on her knees.

Linda sat down next to Carmen, “I know, but unfortunately, there is nothing legally that I can do about it."

 “Who would want to scare you like that? There are some real whackos out there.”

Linda shrugged, “I wish that I knew the answer to that question.”

Carmen turned to Linda, “Maybe you should get a gun to protect yourself.”

“Are you serious?” Linda mouth curled into a small smile. She thought back to when she and Carmen went to a shooting range to learn how to shoot a gun and she had the lowest score that you could get. She was firing outside of the target and no one could understand how she ended up with that many shots outside the target. She shook her head and looked at Carmen. “Did you forget about how on point my shooting is?”

“On second thought, forget that suggestion.” Carmen started to giggle.

They held each other and laughed heartily about how bad a shooter that Linda was.

Linda’s laughter transformed into tears. Carmen wrapped her arms around her and wiped away a few teardrops. She rocked Linda gently and whispered softly “It’s going to be okay chica, God is not going to let anything happen to you.”

 

 

 

Until next time.........

Fourth of July

Here is Wikipedia's definition of the Fourth of July:

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

It's fun to get together with family and friends on this summer holiday.  In a way, I think of it as celebrating the beginning of summer.  I would like to share a fun Fourth of July dessert recipe compliments of The Food Network.  Pictured below is a Red, White and Blueberry Trifle.  Click on the link below the picture for the actual recipe.

What are some fun desserts that you have made for the Fourth of July?

 

 

Here is the link for the recipe:

 



http://bit.ly/1mAoJmb

Summertime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lazy days of summer has arrived.  I remember growing up as a kid, I couldn't wait for summertime to come.  It meant that school was over for ever.  At least that is what two months seem like as a kid.  It was time to hit the beach, go the amusement parks, picnics, chasing the ice cream truck, and play outside longer because I didn't have to come inside early to do homework.  I enjoy reliving those days through the eyes of children around me. 

 

I still enjoy the beach, amusement parks, picnics and will never give up eating ice cream.  Yep, I said never.  It's good to indulge in your favorite treats now and then.  There are a few other things that I enjoy doing in the summer as an adult like going to outdoors music events, traveling, wine tasting, sightseeing, and people watching to name a few.

 

What are some things that you enjoy doing in the summertime?

 

Until next time......... 

 

 



 

Sly and the Family Stone "Hot Fun in the Summertime".

I had a fantastic week.  My book Mirrored made it to Amazon’s Top 100 Best Sellers List for Women Detective Fiction.  My WIP, ‘Teardrops Know My Name’ is coming right along.  Below is a little unedited snippet:

The memories were fading out of her head as her focus was drawn to her voicemail.  The first message was from Carmen reminding her where to leave the car keys so that she wouldn’t have to disturb Linda from her sleep tomorrow morning.  Next, there was a message from her mother letting her know what time that she will be arriving at LaGuardia Airport. Lastly, there was a message that was silent at first, then a muffled, hoarse voice came on, “Hope that you enjoyed the movie” and it ended with that horrid laugh again. Linda’s eyes widened and her hands begin to shake as she pressed the button to end listening to her messages.  She quickly scanned the movie theater, turning her head from left to right. She wondered if the caller was watching her as she listened to her messages.  She felt violated that whoever this crazy person is knows her every move.  She glanced at Steve with a frightened look upon her face.

            “Baby what is wrong?” Steve pulled her close to him with both hands resting at her waist.  He raised one hand and cupped her face,” You look like you just heard some horrible news. Is everything okay? Who was you listening to? Was that your mother?  Is she okay? Tell me what’s wrong?”

            Linda stared out into space for a few moments before she was able to speak. She had to admit to herself that this last phone call had really crippled her with fright. She swallowed hard before speaking, her voice began to shake as did her body, “it was my stalker” she said in a low trembling voice a few decibels above a library whisper.

 

Until next time………..

 

 Last week I took a trip to New York City to see the Broadway show, A Raisin in the Sun.  The show was fantastic and so were the cast.  I didn't take advantage of many Broadway shows when I lived in New York, however, I now find myself intrigued. 

A Raisin in the Sun

 

David Cromer as Karl Lindner, Bryce Clyde Jenkins as Travis Younger, LaTanya Richardson Jackson as Lena Younger, Anika Noni Rose as Beneatha Younger, Denzel Washington as Walter Younger & Sophie Okonedo as Ruth Younger in A Raisin in the Sun

 

I love New York and I sometimes miss the culture of living in a city like New York.  The location setting in my book, Mirrored, is in New York.  The new book that I'm currently writing is also situated in New York. 

After the show, my friends and I dined at a really great restaurant inside the Paramount Hotel on West 46th Street.  If you're ever in the area, I suggest eating there.  The food was great and the décor was beautiful.  I'm thinking about including it in one of my stories.  Below is a picture of the lobby:

Paramount Hotel Lobby

Until next time......wishing you a fantastic week!

I can’t believe that I’m just discovering the magic of using a crock pot.  A friend of mine had given me one as a house-warming gift two years ago.  It sat on the kitchen counter collecting dust until this past weekend.  Another friend of mine was over to the house and saw that I had taken out a package of beef chuck steaks to thaw and bake in the oven.  She suggested that I try using the crockpot to cook the steaks.  I was a little hesitant at first, because I didn’t know how they would turn out. Well, I should have cooked them in the crock pot some time ago.  It was easy peasy.  I say that because those who know me know that I’m not a big cook.  I seasoned the meat and placed it in the slow cooker (another word used for crock pot), cut up some red peppers, green peppers, onions and put them in along with the meat.  I turned the crock pot on high (I wanted it ready within 5-6 hours) and went about my business.  Five and a half hours later, it was ready to be served.  It was so delicious.  I regret that I didn’t cut up some carrots and potatoes to throw in.  

 What are some of your favorite crock pot recipes?

Titles can be very challenging to come up with.  The title for the current book that I'm writing came to me in the middle of the night.  I had to get up out of bed and get a pen and paper to write it down so that I wouldn't forget.  You know how that goes. When you wake up in the middle of the night with a bright idea and don't write it down, by morning it's forgotten.  Anyway, the title will be 'Teardrops Know My Name'. It touched my soul.

I've been doing a few blog hops talking about my latest release, Mirrored. I had fun doing the interviews and appreciated the awesome bloggers for inviting me. I will have to return the hospitality and invite some authors to be featured on my blog.

On a different note, I would like to share with you my upcoming event.  I will be signing copies of my book Mirrored on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 2pm - 4pm at Bull Run Regional Library in Manassas, Virginia.  If you're in the area, stop by and chat with me.

Until next time......