NEW YEARS

As the 2005 year closes and the 2006 period begins, please remember to be safe. Don't do anything stupid like drink or do drugs and drive. It's not just your life that you are gambling with when you act irresponsibly; you are risking the lives of many. Be safe, and God bless.
Happy Holidays

Lea

AMERICA'S HEROS

As we enter the New Year, I want to honor the brave men and women, making historical changes in Iraq, and serving abroad. Whether its our service men and women; missionaries; or doctors, if you have a loved one overseas making a difference, please contact me: leaa4u@hotmail.com. I want to add him or her to the list. Of my honorable heros.

Sincerely,
Lea

Heros List:

Barry Rashard
Tamika Rashard
Omar Chester
Terry Todd
Mandrell Atchison
Keith Hayes
Crystal
Shanquie
Tressi
Kno
Darkfaer
Questra
Moonbeam
Kia
Tamara
Linear
Pixis
Deleas
Sweetpea
Goldia
Randolph Byrd

KEEPING IT REAL

I've recently been criticized for my characters and the type of stories that I write. (I'm only on book 2 and already shit is happening).Ladies and gentlemen, I don't do fluff. I have on my website: When Real Life Hits The Pages of Romance. That means that you won't always see a hunky dory journey, because I've been in love with the same man for over twelve years, and although I am in paradise, it hasn't been neither hunky nor dory. Do you get my meaning? I love him and he loves me. We have a healthy relationship, but sometimes I imagine myself running him over in my minivan. And he's admitted to sometimes fantasizing about karate chopping me in the throat. It's just a passing thought that neither one of us would ever act on, but we do sometimes drive one another crazy.(Please do not mistake this for any type of violence, because the first time the Mr. ever lays his hand on me, he'll find himself in jail w/ Bubba, sans hand) And profanity is hardly ever used, but we do hash out our differences.
I relay different, non violent, types of behavior into my books. I'm not one to shy away from things that I find passionate, and sometimes, most of the time, it seeps into my writing. I want to thank the people who will support my writing style, I hope that they enjoy my stories as much as I love writing them, and if you don't like my stories, then that's cool, their is a lot of authors out there who can cater to your needs.

Lea

DARIAN'S XMAS PROMISE

Hey there,
Darian's Christmas Promise is now available on Ocean's Mist Press. I a so excited! Coming soon, interviews with some of your favorite authors.

Lea

Hey there Everyone,
I am looking for a name for the Pixie on my website: http://www.leaa4u.com
You can email me with your suggestions or post a comment at the bottom of the blog., or email me at leaa4u@hotmail.com

Lea

In regards to Pixie X, besides being the sexiest pixiein the forest, she is also in line to be "Keeper of the Knowledge."She's very smart and loves anything comedic. Caretaker of history bothhuman and subspecies, Pixie X is diligent in her pursuits ofknowledge. At only 99 years old, she is still single and happy. She'san avid sportspixie, as-well-as a volunteer for K-5 in pixiecare.She's looking for a human name so that she can become the youngestKeeper in the forest's history. Yes, my Pixie X is ambitious, howevershe has the know how to back it up.

DARIAN'S XMAS PROMISE

Jinger has done another extraordinary job on my book cover!
Darian's Christmas Promis comes to Ocean's Mist Press Dec. 19th
Jinger has also done the cover for The Price of Love. I love her work.

THE DEATH OF A SAINT

My heart is sadden at the fact that Stephanie Saint Blacque, writer extraordionair, is retiring her erotic romance pen. I have had the chance to read books, excerpts and coming soon, and the woman is
F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S-!!! I will truly miss her neurotic heroines, and fine as hell heros, but most of all, I'll miss the emotion that she brings to life with every sentence she writes.
On the flip side of things, my tweeners gain an excellent writer in which ever name Stephanie chooses to use for her young adult novels. So from the death of a Saint, there will emerge the rise of a star. Congrats, Ms. Stephanie you'll do well no matter where you are.

Lea

THE EXECUTION OF TOOKIE

Today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to spare the life of Stanley 'tookie' Williams, cofounder of the notorious gang The Crips, and convicted murder.
The nation is divided over whether or not he should be executed for his crimes because he has shown an incredible change over the years. I will not to influence readers on whether or not he should live or die, because after all, it is in God's hands, not Gov. Schwarzenegger's when his time will expire. I just hope that whatever happens, this nation can band together and heal, rather than let this decision act as a catalyst to divide us as a nation even further apart.
Also, I want to pray for everyone involved in this landmark decision. No matter which side of the fence you're on, it still hurts.

God bless,
Lea

SINGLE PARENTS

As this year come to a close, I want to recognize all of the single parents out there holding down the fort, while doing the 'damned thing'. I admire you. One story I want to mention, is a good friend of mine, SexyF., Sexy is a single mom of three sweet children, she works, and goes to school. Life's road hasn't been easy for her, but she's taking care of business. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments, keep up the great work.

UPDATES AND COMING SOON

Hi everyone. I wanted to take this time to plug my new book and my website: Darian's Christmas Promise is coming December 19th to Ocean's Mist Press!!! It answers the long time question of whether or not friends can become lovers successfully. Don't forget the other incredible books out at OMP. Have a happy Holiday, and stay tuned.
The Price of Love will be out Jan. 9th at OMP.

Congrats Neomi, Anisa, and Nia for your successful reviews!

Happy Birthday this month goes out to:
MOTHER--MY GRANDMA MARY
TASIA
AARON
DREK--MARDRICE(yes, he really does exist)

Also, much love to my brothers on lock down

Coming Soon, Interview with Cover Artist extraodinare, Ginger, so if you have any questions you wish for me to ask her about the 'how to's' email me at: leaa4u@hotmail.com.

Lea

THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS FROM KATRINA VICTIMS!!!

...So the local radio station is trying to raise money for Katrina victims so that they can have a good Christmas is in affect. We live in the Gulf Coast and we have a lot of displaced Katrina victims who are trying to get themselves situated. Anyway, the radio station got their hands on a guitar by someone famous(I don't have a clue as to who this person is), however, the radio station were to auction off this guitar to raise money to buy gifts for children who are victims of hurricane Katrina when a bidding war started. This woman pledge $65,000 claiming some sad story about losing her child and wanting to do something for the Katrina victims, well, the woman lied! I am furious that a person could be so mean spirited! Ohhh you are in big time trouble with the man upstairs come judgement day missy!

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

I've been asked to republish this post and tis the season for it:


I love Christmas as much as the next person, however, I am sporting the remnants of a migraines due to some woman's loud home made European Red heavily decorated Christmas sweater with matching stretch pants!!! This ladies shirt was a work of art, in a bad sense. She had Xmas trees, and holly; mistletoe and reindeer, and you think that because the shirt was full, she would stop there? No, she went to the stretch pants and put on some snowflakes and Santa. Xmas lights and Mrs. Clause was the only this missing. It was ugly, tasteless and harmful to my eyes. I immediately got a headache.
So if you are that individual who feels the need to flaunt the decorative shirt, sweater, or pants...Don't. It's ugly, tacky and harmful to others.
If someone gives you this item to you as a present, they hate you and is probably plotting your demise.
If your favorite store sells this crap, exit smartly and never go back there for your clothing needs.
If you make this junk, drop the beadazzler, glue gun, and glitter. Move away from your crafts table, and take up pottery.

Thank you.

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS. NO, DON'T MESS WITH SINGAPORE!!!

"Singapore hanged young Australian drug smuggler Tuong Van Nguyen at 6 a.m. Friday (2200 GMT Thursday), despite widespread condemnation in Australia", reports AP news. I am normally not one to try and tell a country what to do, however, doesn't seem to be a bit barbaric to hang an individual for smuggling a small amount of drugs OUT of the country??? WTF?
And travelers, it would behoove you to know the country you're traveling to before you arrive there. Know the rules and regulations, and penalties for breaking the laws. Govt. holds no clout in other countries, so your ass is grass if you get caught w/ your hands in the cookie jar.

Hey Singapore, have a freaking heart. Stop killing people for petty crimes!

CROOKED LAWYERS

I want to make readers aware of a scheme going on in the legal community that may affect your case. Your lawyer may be getting a side fee to sabbatage your claim. Your lawyer may be getting paid to low ball you in settlements, so be prepared.

ALLOWANCES

I have three girls, and two of them have chores around the house that they share. I have them taking out the trash, feeding the dog and fish, cleaning the dinner table and cleaning up the poop in the yard. Now my nine year old feels as if she should be paid for this task! She wants a weekly allowance for her the 'labor' that she does around the house. I'm against that concept. I'm against handing out allowances based on whether or not they've done their chores. My husband and I give them money as a lesson in responsibility and because we just feel like it, not as a rewarding system.
We feel as if chores are just that: Chores. I don't want my girls to confuse getting an allowance for chores assigned to them for earning one's keep, they're our children, being born until they reach the age of eight teen is 'keep' enough for us, they don't have to earn the right to stay here. I view chores as part of the family structure, and that shouldn't be tainted with payoffs for a 'job well done' , or punished for a 'job not done, or a job half done'. This is a responsibility issue, not a job related issue, but getting this point across to a nine year old is hard.

In all fairness, my daughter feels as if she should get paid for her chores.
What do you think? Should they get an allowance?

MUSHROOM GUTS

This Holiday Season, I'm going to finally take the time to tone up this baby fat that I have accumulated over the past several(I mean seven) years.
I am usually not a vain person, so gaining a few pounds here and there didn't matter that much to me; however, when I put on a favorite pair of jeans that I hadn't warn in a while because I had gotten sooo big, I was flabbergasted at what I saw. My stomach looked like a mushroom cap hanging over the stem, my jeans. It was gross. I know, I need to tone up and I hope that this visual image is incentive.
And NO! Buying a larger size jean is not an option. I'll keep posting my progress.

A VERY COLD WINTER, THANKS WASHINGTON

So I'm burning every chopped tree and piece of wood on the block to keep warm, so that I won't have to pay the OIL COMPANIES(and yes, they get all caps, because anyone who is screwing me this hard deserves a shout out) trillions of dollars this Holiday Season. I'm looking at the news and to recoup losses for the disasters, the war in Iraq, and other 'pet projects' that the govt. Is involved in, the administration has come up with a great solution "cut funding from federal programs that will impact the less fortunate." Just a little bit from everyone whose pockets are already strained by this sagging economy."
No, they don't want to squeeze the assholes who pimped the American people by raising the gas prices every time there was a tropical system in the Atlantic. They want to snatch money from 'big brother/big sister' programs, and programs that help senior and the disadvantage get medicine and financial aid. I am so tired of getting fucked by both Democrats and Republicans alike! Every time I see them bickering on the news, I feel like that girl who's being argued over by the two boys vying for her virginity, while laughing and winking at each other behind her back. What can we do? I don't know. Elections are over, so I guess we just bend over, lube up, and take it. And if you don't vote, you deserve to take it sans lube. At any rate, I hope that some good comes out of this mess. Despite my rant, I do believe that we live in a great country. We just have piss poor leaders on all sides!

KNOW A SERVICEMAN/WOMAN, HUG'EM

HAPPY TURKEY DAY

I want to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day!

MISSISSIPPI MESS

I'm furious at the state of Mississippi. I have a relative who has committed crimes(accessory to bugulary). I agree that he should be punished. However, they scared him and the other boys into pleases that will have them locked up for 3 and 4 decades!!! Did I mention that all of the boys who were convicted of the crimes all suffer mental illness, ranging from my relative, mentally retarded to ADHD. The ages ranged from 17-18, except for the 'ring leader' who was 21, and very sane. While the mentally ill boys got screwed up the ass, the ring leader copped a plea!!!(they later accused him of trying to escape so he's now serving 4 decades). The Public pretender worked in close conjunction w/ the States Attorney's office to have these boys cop pleas for the things that they did, and some things that they didn't do. And how do I know this? Because eye witness placed other individuals at the scene of the crime, one of the eye witnesses described the ringleader, and one other caucasian male. The other three mentally challenged boys were charged and pleaded guilty(or face 75 years if they didn't) while the ring leader was rewarded w/ trustee status, which will significantly lower his time.
Now I am no way a convict sympathizer, however, fair is fair. I am sure that none of us would want to sit on decades for crimes that we didn't commit. The state can do this because there isn't enough money to pay an attorney it's lenghty legal fees. And the public pretender has a boss. That's the States Attorney, the one prosocuting these individuals, so there goes your best defense. I tell you, laws need to be changed. Politicing with peoples lives is dangerous.
Whose looking out for those who have wronged us? No one. We say throw them away. 'They did the crime...." What happens when they are forced to plea to things that they hadn't done, and the lawyers and judges know this? What happens when mental illness is involved, but not considered a factor? Do we just ignore it? Go on about our lives, pretending that all is well in the world? Or do we stand up for justice? Do what's right when someone has done wrong. If incidents like this is allowed to continue, the justice system becomes worst than the inmates it convicts.
I am in no way an advocate for soft punishments, however, I feel that if we allow our states to punished biased, we will reap the seeds of deceit then we'll sow trechery.

As we enter into this Holiday Season, I challenge everyone of us to 'adopt a sad soul.' It can be a life changing experience.
I use to work in the Chaplain's office, and every year between the months of November and December, we noticed a fluxuation in suicides. I asked the chaplain what was going on, and he informed me that it was depression, and loneliness. The Holiday's seems to magnify the hurt that individuals feel during this festive time of year. And that very often, the Holiday's are closely associated to tragic events in a person's life.
I was so moved by the chaplain's comments, that I started a tradition "adopting a sad soul."
This entails being a little more individuals lives that you come in contact with.
Now, I'm not asking you to be a busy body. I'm just asking you to maybe be a little nicer to the neighbor.
Maybe the woman/man across the street from you has a loved one serving in Iraq this Holiday, taking a pie over to them and letting them know that you care even though you hardly speak to one another, goes a long way.
Or how about smiling and waving to the mean person down the street.
How about encouraging the local youths in your area, to reach for their dreams. You never know, you may be the only one to have done so, and it may changes their lives.
Or how about giving a bit more in your charities.
What about volunteering at your local school or church? They can all use the help.
Or forgiving someone who has wronged you, and maybe doesn't deserve your forgiveness.
How about holding a friend's hand, as he/she goes to the doctor?
I challenge everyone to do this this Holiday season, and I double dare you to not let it stop on Jan.1, but to continue for as long as you live.

RENT ANYTHING

I am a woman who comes from a very colorful family. I have family who are geniuses, and some who are mentally handicapped. I have honorable dignitaries, and I have some who are street pharmacist. I have rich relatives, and I have poor relatives. I have all types of folks in my family, and usually their eccentric behavior doesn't shock me. However, a close relative of mine has managed to do just that, shock the hell out of me.

I recently had a conversation w/ a close relative of mine, and this person preceded to tell me that she plans to: Rent to Own some dogs!.
Now ladies and gentleman, this comes off of learning that anther relative was planning on renting to own some rims from a place called, and I swear to you that this is the name, Rent and Roll.
This got me to wondering what we'll be renting to own next? Rent to own children. How about Rent to Own spouses(or is that dating?).

Hmmm. Crazy.

I'm going to take this time to rant a little. I want to express my disappointment in some of our 'great' publishing companies. I have to say that if any of you are looking, a lot of you have disappointed the reader to no end with your "Politically correct" sterotypes and bigotry.
I am complaining that there is a lack of creativity in the diversity of nontraditional contemporary romance.

Problem number One : Black/brown/yellow people read too! Stop assuming that black people and my sisters and brothers from the islands, and across the waters, don't read, because we do. We love to read books that reflect our culture. Diversify your publications. I know of some really great quality African American/Hispanic/Asian writers, that will blow your mind while acquiring you an untapped market.
Need some names? Anisa Damien, Jade James, Marilyn Lee, Stephanie Saint Blacque, Noemi DeLeon, Camille Anthony, Stephanie Buke,Eve Vaughn... the list goes on and on.
I'm not just limiting my list to ethnic writers only, I know a few sisters from the Caucasian pursuasion that can lay it down.
Marianne Lacroix, Deanna Lee, Jeigh Lynn, Dar Thomlinson and Jaci Burton
So there is no excuse for not seeing more ethnic looking faces in the book catalogues.

Problem number Two: The quality of work produced by the 'masses'(don't want to say white market), is great. The publishing companies believe in giving quality work to their mass market.
When it comes down to the ethnic line, it seems as if the editors are on vacation. I see flaws, type o's and major faux pas. Hell, there were a few times when I caught some name changes for one character in one book. *sighing*
And publishers, don't assume that we haven't caught on to the unequal distrabution of ethnic stories, because we have.
Hint: If your company hasn't published more than one colored face in the past month, shame on you.*tsk*tsk
However, on the flip side of that, African American publishers, get out of the sterotype. We want more than the same story w/ different characters. And how about caughing up a couple of dollars for an editor? I'm not talking about your kin folk and work buddies, unless he or she holds a degree in English. Editing is important, and is sadly over looked in some of our publishing companies.

Point number three: I know that it's a secret, but, (I'm whispering this tid bid of info to you)come closer now, I don't want this to get out, GAYS AND LESBIANS READ TOO! I am sure that they want their stories told in a beautiful way, and told often. Why do they have to wait for Haley's comet to see another M/M, Lesbian themed book?
Sheesh people get a clue!

I want to end this rant by saying that minorites want equal representation as our non minority counterparts. It would behoove you to think about my points. If you take heed, we all will benefit. If you publish it, readers will come.

APPRECIATING UR LOVED ONES

I am very saddened by the death toll in Iraq. I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families, and friends to the love ones whose fought for this country and died.

*A moment of silence*

I also want to thank God for the service men and women who came back alive. Your struggles will supersede the battlefield, and I love you all for it. I'll never be able to express in person my gratitude, but I hope that my message reaches you.

HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING WELL

I was listening to the news regarding the victims of hurricane Wilma. I want to send out my prayers to all of you, both State side and abroad.

Hi everyone. I wanted to take this time to invite you to an OMP chat. All is welcomed. Stephanie Saint Blacque is hosting tonight. She's the author of Liquid Assets.
http://www.enchantedinromance.net.
At 8:00pm EST.

GOOD MORNING

Hello everyone, I wanted to take this time to welcome you if you've made it here. I've been giving out, rather I've been advertising the wrong blogsite. *sigh* . I know. I'm a freaking genius.

Also I'll be starting my interviews w/ those individuals at the top of their games in the epub world. So stay tuned.

Happy Birthay and Belated Birthday to the following:
Gene
Eve
Hershey
If I've left you out, don't fret, just post it.


Ciao,
Lea

WELCOME

Hello everyone. I wanted to welcome you to my blog spot. It's going to be insane here. I'm planning on having fun w/this. So stay tuned.

Lea