WHAT IS GOING ON???

So I'm looking at the news and they are reporting that a woman may have died because a 10 month old camel tried to rape her. I was shocked! So shocked that I had to tell someone.
So I call up Layne Blacque to tell her what had happened, and of course, she topped me one.(She's a TV buff) She had a story about a 2 year old baby who was sexually assulted by a dog. I had to google the story and sure enough, there were several articles about it. Damn.

Here are the links to the stories:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/19/world/main3181944.shtml
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=51481

THANK GOD FOR OTHERS

I've been in pain and sick for a while and if it hadn't been for the concern of others, who knows how bad things would have gotten. Right now I am taking several different medications(the kind that makes me sleep all day and feel good when I'm not sleeping) for everthing from muscle spasms to diabetes and it seems like everything in between. I had been complaining about feeling bad since the end of July(I swore it was my Mother in Law's cooking, you know she uses pork in everything and I don't eat pork etc...) Anyway, it was more serious than that. My hubby and friends insisted that I go to see the doctor and it was more serious than I had thought. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to seek out treatment. Oh and you too Elle for reminding me that Aleve mask the pain, not cure it.

Lea

IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE FAMOUS

The other day the family and I went to TGIF and saw Justin Gatlin on a date. While in the middle of the date, the two was interrupted by a man who preceded to sit himself at the table with the pair. Boy did JG look pissed, and his date seemed politely, but a bit disconcerted by the intruder(the unwelcome guest obviously knew JG)
This went on for at least 15 minutes and then JG and his date, along with the man, got up to leave(mind you, their food was only half eaten). JG looked over at my hubby, closed his eye and shook his head. My hubby gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded. JG and the woman then left the restaurant.
Is it right to bombard celebrities whenever it's convenient for us? I don't think so. I mean, come on, this was Justin Gatlin, I can't imagine how Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie does it. And why do people feel as if they have an inalienable right to intrude on a star outside of RedCarpet events?

This has to get tiring quick.
Ohh, btw, if I were to see Tyrese anywhere, it's my right to mob him because he is just that fine. He's the exception to the rule.
hehehehe

Also, the death of Eddie Griffin on Friday may have been a suicide.
It's hard to ram your vehicle into a moving train and it be an accident. So sad. People around him says that he may have suffered from depression.
So, who's around when the famous flips out? I mean who was surprised at Anna Nicole taking her own life? Lindsey and Britney are a train wreck waiting to happen, as is Rod Stewarts' son; oh and DMX. Lord help him. I guess it doesn't pay to have an entourage. I mean, with all these people around them, no one's the voice of reason?
Hell, if I'm feeling pissy and out of place, I have plenty of people to call me out on it. If I'm sick or feeling isolated, I have people who will surround me and let me know that it's going to be okay. I have people who genuinely love me.
I guess it doesn't pay to be famous if you can't get even one person to have your back.

DOESN'T SABRA LOOK FAMILIAR???

I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance", and I almost did a double take. I thought Jennifer Love Hewitt had on an afro dancing across the stage(with a great tan). But no, it's Sabra. A real celeb look alike.


Lea

ARE BLACK MEN THE ENEMY IN E-BOOK LAND????

So I've released my book For The Love of Kira, previously released at OMP, as a free read on my loop. It's African American, both hero and heroine. The story doesn't feature the hero as a shape shifter, or an asshole, or a slave, or a gay best friend. He's just a good man. I've noticed that a few in ebook land, black men are hardly seen, or if so, they are type cast. So I wonder... Why are black men demonized, emasculated, and villainized in ebook land? (I happen to love black men myself.)
Just a question.
Anyone can respond to me on blog, or off. And you don't have to be PC about it. Just be respectful, please.

leaa4u@hotmail.com.

Lea

LAYNE BLACQUE QUOTEABLES

I love talking with Layne Blacque. She's my bff and I love... I mean Love... quoting her, especially in books. (too bad I spend a long time explaining to the power's that be, the dialogue in my books)

So I'll compose a few words and quotes that are simply Layne.
"Lord how mercy"
"Rolled up out of bed and decided to..."
"Sh*t out a..."
"Squat out a..."
"Dilapidated and broke down."
"She ain't whipping my ass, sh*t."
"I'm having a melt down"
"And I dare her to bless my mutha f*cking heart."
"You can't argue with crazy. Crazy always wins."
"Anyone willing to take a bone is willing to carry a bone, or some sh*t like that."
"Must Layne Blacque smack a bitch?"
"She opened her mouth and the whole projects fell out."

Yes, she and I have some colorful conversations. Some of my heroines are based on her, so blame her.

Lea

PUT UP YOUR DUKES

With my current book soon to be released, I've had time to look at the news. Fighting of some sorts is running ramped. This past week I've witnessed everyone from Britney Spears to Paula Abdul in some sort of altercation.(physical or verbal) BTW Rosie, don't sleep on Paula, she had to fight all through school. She's little and high. She'll whip your ass in person, I think.
However, fighting isn't limited to television. I've noticed some heated arguments going on right here on the web.
My favorites are the bloggers, especially the ones fighting over a man.
Hey, I have to get my entertainment where ever I can.

Lea

LOOKIE WHO'S RELEASED!!!

Okay, I have to give a shot out to my bff for this story. Love it!!!
It's called Breaking Becky, coming to Liquid Silver Book Aug.13. A must buy.



Becky Dommer is a stunning young woman willing to sleep her way into one of the world's oldest professions: trophy wife. But the rich doctor she charms into her bed is too devoted to his reputation—and wife of twenty-seven years—to ever consider helping her live out her dream.

Frustration leads her back into the arms of Jake Sawyer, the man she dumped to woo Dr. Unavailable. But when Jake, a normally easygoing and cool type, decides to take matters—and a very stubborn Becky—into his own hands, the once money-hungry vixen learns to submit to love. She learns to submit to everything...




This next author always deliver the steam!!!
Onyx Moon Rising by Taige Crenshaw. Available at Liquid Silver Books



Legends are born to face a task that will define the world. How they come out of it will resound for all time...

Tashana Rennix is used to being in charge of her own destiny. As a Nefer Investigation Force Agent, more importantly a Nefer Guardian, she makes decisions on a daily basis that affect the balance between life and death. Now faced with a challenge that will test all her abilities, she must fight to save the world, her soul and her life.

Sanjay Callens, a shadow dragon is part of the elite Marltes- dragon warriors. No one will stand in his way as he retrieves the stolen artifacts that were taken from the dragon home world. Being paired with a Nefer Agent who is reckless and a loner is not in his plan. Yet the Onyx Moon has chosen her and he must work with her to save all that he holds dear. All that he believes. For a man accustomed to control and order it will be a challenge. A challenge that is complicated by his desire to claim the warrior woman as his own.

There is an Onyx Moon Rising and the wind whispers that death is coming...

JINGER WITH A 'J'

Jinger With A "J" will becoming out on Aug.14th. My Loose Id editor has worked her magic, and a special shot out to the line editor and proofers, for making the story better.
Also, don't forget Jinger's diary. See how it all began:http: jingers-diary.blogspot.com/

Blurb:
I’ve desired another man’s wife everyday for two years. I am no better than David when he coveted Bathsheba. Being in such lust, I understand how his desire grew to commit the ultimate act of sin. I too have felt that need to set aside reason for carnal urges…for love, and I won’t let anything, including her stubborn pride, a desperate ex husband, or even a great job opportunity, get in the way of me having her.

Martin Constantine wants me. Wow! I want him too. I want him in my bed. I want him as my friend. I want him as my co-worker. I just don’t want to love him. I’ve made it through a marriage that left me devastated, and I didn’t care nearly for my ex-husband the way that I care for Martin. To lose my heart to Martin would be dangerous. If he were to leave me, the results would be catastrophic.
~Playing for keeps have never been this erotic~

WHATCH TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS???

So a fellow author and I are talking about the industry in general. You know the 'pros and cons' of the epub business. I brought up the fact that sometimes the industry bring out their 'clan' hat when dealing with black authors. She reminded me that its not just black authors that are getting discriminated against, but also authors of other races,especially when dealing with a niche company.i.e. We know of a company who treated the white authors horribly.
The author friend with whom I was speaking with says that at certain companies, she was treated less than the redheaded step child, she was treated like an "orphan who was only adopted to collect well fare and food stamps. 'No, not like Angelina Jolie and Madonna adopting helpless children, I felt like Gary Coleman with my parents pushing me on the stage making me say "Whatcha Talkin' Bout Willis'."Kind of orphan.
But despite the really bad experiences, she and I have landed in some great companies. Thank God for that.


Lea

THE DIARY OF A MAD BLACK COVER ART RECIPIENT

I've just received the cover art for my latest book. I rejected it! Besides having a naked guy on the cover,(I hate naked man titty on my covers) I also received that girl who is on every AA/IR ebook cover.(sigh)
Is it hard to find a black woman in stock photos?
Yes, I'm sure some will argue that maybe there are only a few black women; but come on, we as black people come in many different shades and colors.

I was speaking with Layne Blacque about this, and she was telling me about her bad cover art experience. We've come to conclusion that we won't stop being picky. We put a lot of work into our books, and pride ourselves on being unique. We want the cover of our books to reflect these expectations.

Lea

NERVOUS

I'm having a near melt down at the thought of my daughter going to high school next year. For most parents, that concept alone is frightening. Add to that, my daughter is autistic; and I have to say, I am a wreck! Yes, I have faith, but to be honest, when I think about all of the things that can go wrong, my faith is tested, and hope seems to flee. I am a bag of nerves trying to train my children on 'what if' scenario's. I'll admit, the thought of a gunman walking around shooting students have my insides turned. I am not sleeping well at night.
On top of that, I've been avoiding the Dr. since my sugar is sky high.(I'm diabetic)

So, I was taught to pray. And I will. Having faith in God: I must have. And trying to hold on to sanity while dealing with transition: My goal.
I really need to be more like my husband. He worries only about the things he can change and leaves the rest up to the Man Upstairs. I guess praying the Serenity prayer all these years really works(he needed some sort of guidance being married to me). I'll start tomorrow. Actually, it's 2:00am, so I'll start tonight.

I'm out,
Lea

ME: A BITTER BITCH

So tonight I'm talking with a friend. Actually, we were gossiping. And you should have heard me slinging mud all over the place(thank God you hadn't). Looking back, I can't believe how arrogant and harsh I was. But then again my own back door is mighty filthy, so it's easy to pass judgement on others. I am stressed as hell about my books. I'm starting a new chapter in my life as far as careers goes, and preparing for next year is a bitch! Mostly, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of the changes that are in store for my family and myself, and for the changes going on in our lives. So rather get fixated on what's going on what's eating me up, I gossiped like a gossipmonger. Shame on me. Next time I'm feeling the stress, I'll not gossip. I'll clean up my own back door.

I'm out,
Lea

MYSPACE

I was talking to my daughter, who happened across my myspace website. She hated the pic on there, and I understand why. But I have to be honest. I felt kinda creepy being on a site where my daughter and her friends frequent. It kind of felt like going to the club with you tween. Yuck!

So I thought about getting rid of my myspace journal, since I hardly ever use it. But then I realize that my daughter also have a blogspot account and a bravenet account too, so I'll just chill out and get used to the fact that I'll be sharing cyberspace with my tweens.
(Sigh)

Lea

BLOGGING FOR TAY

I've found the inspiration to blog today. I have way too many blogs to keep up with, and the fact that I'm a lazy blogger doesn't help.
I've recently turned 33. I still feel the same as I did when I was 32, no surprise there, I guess. 3J's recently graduated.(they're my girls, ages: 13, 7, and 10).
I've been reflecting back over the years. The family and I have gone through so many ups and downs in such a short period of time. I'm proud of the fact that we are all fighters, and have come out stronger for every hardship and obstacle we've gone through. We were young, (my hubby, me and the 3J's)but we are warriors. Giving up isn't an option.

Enough about me, let's move on to a subject near and dear to my heart: Iraq.
No, I won't pass an opinion on whether or not we should or should not be there. I am more concerned about our troops that are coming back to failing businesses, no jobs, and broken homes. My first thought is primarily reflected to the Reservist. There isn't any safe guard to help these men and women who are putting their lives on the line, to keep their businesses safe while they are deployed. What can we do to protect these hero's and heroines lively hood?

Also, how can we keep the family unit intact when our service members are not coming back home the way they've left? They have been apart of war. Most if not all, are broken in some way. How can we restore, and rebuild these individuals and their families?
Holla at me

Lea

GRADUATION

My girls graduated this week. 1st grade, 5th grade and 8th grade. With honors!!! I am such a proud Momma.
So Congrats to all of the Graduates. May God bless you all.


Lea

WE REMEMBER

(Nov. 17,1955-May 15, 2007)
Yesterday Yolanda King died. She was an activist, leader, speaker, and some times she was an actress. She carried on the legacy of her great parents' work with pride. She will really be missed.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day!

WRITER'S BLOCK

I have writer's block like a MoFo! I'm suprised that I can type on this blog.
Maybe it's due to stress(I am really stressed out). I don't know. But right now I am drawing a blank. I feel impatient, and unmotivated.
Ever get the feeling that the world is on hyper speed and you're functioning on in slow motion? That's how I feel right now.

I'll be reporting my progress soon.

I'm out,
Lea

AMERICAN IDOL

I looked up this morning and saw that Sanjaya is still going strong. Wow. You really don't have to be talented to be a pop star in America.

Lea

WHERE I'VE BEEN

I haven't been blogging very much lately. Mostly since I haven't had anything good to say. And you know what they say "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all..."(silence)


Lea

A TIRED SHOT OUT

I am getting my website done. I know that it may not seem like a big deal, but to some authors, it's like air.
Anyway, the woman that is doing the site is amazing! She's really captured me in this site. She's a true artist and I feel blessed to have her doing my site for me. We were on the phone all night (dedication)and God bless her, she has impressed me to no end.
So I want to take this time out to thank my webmistress.
The site is not done yet, but I am really happy with it.

Lea

IN THE NEWS

Okay, they have just found the body of a 6year old boy in Ga. The little boy was assaulted by a sex offender who had been off of the radar for years.
I am soooo tired of these bastards sex offenders getting a slap on the wrist by incompetent judges, spineless prosecutors, and heartless defense attorneys willing to turn a blind eye to their crimes. They don't get it!!! All bets are off when it comes down to our children being victimized by these animals. These aren't your run of the mill deviant criminals. These are predators of the worst kind. Worst than killers, worst than thieves, worst than drug dealers. These predators want to inflict mental, emotional, and physical damage to others; while gradifying their sexual urges. Children are especially vulnerable to predators. I am wondering why these judges are acting like a**holes? Are they perverts themselves who will sympathize with their fellow perv? I wonder. Or are they so comfortable that there are no pedophiles in their neighborhood that they don't care about what happens in our?
***Sigh.***
As Americans, we can know whom we elect into office. The judges position is an elected position, so that means that we can boot their butts out of office if need be.
Know the issues and the judges track records.

Lea

JINGER WITH A 'J'

Jinger will be available for free to the readers in my loop.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaa4u/
http://jingers-diary.blogspot.com/

Check out her blog. She's bananas.

Lea

ANNA VS JAMES (NOT REALLY, JUST WANTED YOUR ATTENTION)

Okay. Anna Nicole's body is decomposing so rapidly that the coroner believes that she may have to have a closed casket. So sad. I may not have known Anna Nicole personally, but I'm sure that the last thing she'd want, was a closed casket funeral.
Speaking of funerals, is James Brown off of tour yet? Come on people, it's been 2 months already(he died Dec.25), please bury the man.
Ohh and how is it that James Brown can be on tour around the country, chill out at his estate, everywhere, and not decompose, but Anna Nicole has been on ice for two weeks and she's been decomposing at a rapid rate(according to Court TV)? Have they not em bombed her for DNA reasons? Why not get her DNA first and then em bomb her. They'll have to drain her blood anyway.keep it on file for future use? What's the delay people??? Sheesh.

I'm outta here.

lea

ANNA NICOLE FAMILY KNOWS NO SHAME

I'm suspious of Howard K. Stern. He just seems so slimy to me. I wouldn't be surprised if he ushered Anna Nicole's demise. But this is all speculation and just my opinion. Saying all of that, I do believe that he should gain control of the body. I believe that he will adhear to Anna's wishes. He'll most likely bury her next to her son. I believe that he may be the best person for the baby too.(And I think he did it.) That doesn't say a lot about the other players in this circus. It's a sad situation. Oh and did you see the judge? He's caught on tape referring to Anna Nicole's body as "That baby" and saying "It's my body"? OMG that man is another slimy s.o.b. It's just sad.

lea

WHATCHA DOING???

So, many of you know that I'm with out a publishing company. No worries, I have plans in motions to rectify this problem. I'm working on Jinger With A "J". I'm editing it now, it's over 25k and I still have so much to say. I'll be offering it as a free read to readers who want a copy.(You know the rules, must be 18 years and older, and a member of my yahoogroup.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaa4u/)
I'm also working on a number of projects. Passing Fancy(bw/lm), Making Love Count(bw/wm), Taming Nyderiah's Sheik(bw/am). I'm also reediting The Price of Love, and extending For The Love of Kira(In addition to an extension it also gets a name change). I'll have some short stories too. You'll see Darian and Sandy again, and a few more surprises this year. I'll keep you all updated on where you can find these titles.

Also, I'll be working on a new site. Time for a change.
I'll holla back at ya later.
Hope you all had a Happy Valentine.

Lea

I am awe! I can't believe that Anna Nicole has left us so soon. I'm not in shock, but I still can't believe it. Wow. She will surely be missed. So, anyone knows for sure about what happened?
Shhh. I am sooooo suspicious of Howard K. Stern.

Lea

GANGSTA ASTRONAUT

This is hard core fatal attraction mess. Lisa Nowark, 43 years old, drove over 900 hundred miles, to kidnap some woman who she thought was messing with her man. Problem is, the man in question, wasn't hers.(Hit it and quit it I'm guessing)
This woman is an astronaut ya'll. I guess driving over 900miles when you've flown over 2million AU isn't nothing. Oh and this chick was serious. She wore a diaper so that she wouldn't have to make pit stops! BTW. Did I mention that she had a husband and 3. I repeat: 3 children.
And I thought Martha Stewart was hard. Hell, this is some Jack Bauer stuff.
Here's a link to the entire article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070206/ap_on_re_us/astronaut_arrested

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE OR ROBIN THICKE

www.rapcommunity.de/news/index.php?cat=Site+News
posterhappy.cisteam.com/STARLINE%20POSTERS


Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake are two strong vocalist. Who do you think has the best falsetto voice. I personally love Robin Thicke, but Justin can blow too. So for me it's a dead tie.

Lea

THIS DAY IN BLACK HISTORY

In 1913, Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama

ON THIS DAY

On this day in history, Langston Hughes was born in 1902.

BOOKS NOT FOR SALE

Just a reminder. My books are not available at OMP anymore. I'll keep you updated later.

NEWS

I was told that OMP was closing, but they are going to stay open (under new management)due to fans overwhelming love and support.

LEA

A HOTMAIL MESS

Some Asshole has logged into my hotmail account. So if you get an email from leaa4u@hotmail.com, it's not from me. What a fucking cunt.

Lea

AIN'T THIS SOME SHIT

I was reading this article in the AP. This 29 year old pedophile enrolled into middle school as a 12 year old student. And if this isn't weird enough. The perp was living with two male child molesters who he met online. They were angry when they found out that the perp was 29, and not 12. Ain't that some shit.

ANGELINA JOLIE A BLACK WOMAN

Angelina Jolie is playing the role of Mariane van Neyenhoff, Daniel Parl's wife. Okay. I understand that Angelina is a box office sure bet, but she's playing Mariane van Neyenhoff. I would understand this decision if Angelina Jolie looked like Marine. She doesn't. Not to me anyway. I can understand if Angelina was African American/Black. She's not. I could even understand if Jolie were Hispanic. No dice. Hell, Angelina could even be Jewish and I'd understand. But Angelina Jolie is not. She doesn't look like this woman. So why is Jolie playing a black woman? I know of other actresses who would have made a better choice: I have few suggestions:
This is Angelina Jolie:


This is the real Mariane Pearl



My top picks:





Okay, so I added my pic for fun.

Don't be surprised if Jon Voight plays Martin Luther King.

TOMI RAE HYNIE. SHE REALLY KNOWS NO SHAME

James Brown isn't even in the grave good(and I am not commenting on how long it took for his family to bury him.)and Tomi Rae Hynie is acting like a damned fool. This chick is putting her son by James Brown, in the front of the camera begging. Bitch get a clue. Whoops! I didn't mean to say that, I've tapped into my inner Jinger.
Anyway. I have a problem with a woman willing to exploit her 5 year old for any reason.

AMERICAN IDOL

I love American Idol auditions. I've never laughed sooo hard for so long. Simon is funny with his Frankenstein hair cut; he had me laughing at his facial expressions. Paula. She's dopped up out of her mind. Bless her heart. Randy has gained 90% of his weight back. Who's surprised? Jewel is a refreshing addition. She never laughs at these fools.
But the contestants. They are priceless. The juggler. OMG. How funny is he.(parents, he's the reason why you shouldn't lie to your kids about their talents). Ohhh the Lion woman. She was funny. If I only had a voice....

Who's your favorite contestant?


Lea

MARTIN LUTHER KING

www.mosaicvoices.org/,www.wbez.org/audio_library/848_rajan00.asp

I want to take this time to pay my respects to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Had it not been for him, many of us wouldn't have the opportunities that we have today. His sacrifices led to opportunities for every race, sex, and religion, and we as a nation was blessed to have him.

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King.

MUSHROOM GUT UPDATE

Last Nov.(2005)I blogged about my Mushroom gut. You know, the kind of gut that laps over your jeans, giving the illusion of a mushroom affect. Well, a year, and some change later, I no longer have a mushroom gut. I've lost over 30lbs. yeah!!! I am happier and healthier. Thank God.

I'll keep you all updated next year on my weight.

Lea

I REALLY LIKE THIS BLOG

I really like this blog. Check it out.



http://thephink.com/thethink/2006/04/12/wards-mixed-kids-foundation/
http://thephink.com/thethink/2006

THE SCROUNGE

I saw this story at Layne Blacque's site. It's called The Scrounge. It's about two saleman who are in the same business. One of the salesman wants to reach success of honestly. The other man wants to achieve success on the labor's of the other man's back. I've linked to the site.
Read it. Holla back if you want to tell your story of a scrounge that you know of.

http://saintblacque.com/2007/01/scrounge-allegory.html
Lea

IN THE NEWS

Did observers really see a space ship at O'Hare? I don't know, but it seems as if the FAA is trying to shut this theory down real quick. (Makes me suspicious when the Federal Govt. interferes in anything)

So I'm thinking, what if we aren't alone in this vast Universe. If we're alone, that's nice, but far be it of me to assume that the Big Man upstairs just made us.
Anyways, I can't wait to see how all of this unfolds.

Lea

SADDAM HUSSEIN ANNOUNCEMENT

It's 9:24 p.m. CST, and we've just got word that Saddam has been executed, according to ABC News. For such a defining event, the mood is very nonchalant. The media interrupt the 20/20 interview with Perez Hilton, I would have rather watched the interview than to have Saddam take up more of my time, but I digress. It is important to report of such events for future generations, so they'll know how the average person feels about this matter. I wish that I could record in time my feelings from the day the Towers went down, although the memory is still with me, the emotions are gone.
I for one, feel anxious and have felt anxious all day. I'm afraid of repercussions. If there were ever a reason to use the death penalty, Saddam's case was it. I'm just wondering how many people has to die martyring him.
So I'll pray. And I'll continue to pray. For Peace. For guidance, for understanding.


Lea

SADDAM HUSSEIN

We are several hours away from the execution of Saddam Hussein. I have to admit that I am nervous about the repercussion for Saddam's execution. I pray that he is laid to rest and forgotten about, and that no one seeks to martyr him. I pray that the Middle East, especially Iraq and included in this sentiment, the United States, can begin to heal from the pain that Saddam has inflicted on his people.

I guess with the death of Saddam closing out the 2006 New Year, it is in a way a new beginning. Maybe this is hope. I remember in Astronomy class, we talked about the Death of a Star. With the death of a star comes new life. Maybe with Saddam's death, new life, or a new way of life, will emerge.



Lea

PRODIGAL AUTHOR LAYNE BLACQUE STILL NOT READY FOR PRIMETIME

You’ve seen her before. She dipped her toes into ebook publishing’s shallow waters briefly before disappearing into a search portal. Her name’s Layne (well, one of her names, anyway) and she’s not like other girls. While many authors jockey for mass love and attention, she sits in a dark corner of cyberspace blogging. And waiting.

Anyone who’s read Liquid Assets, her first shot at a romance, will you tell you her voice is rather…interesting. It’s certainly loud. And here’s something Layne will tell you herself: her stories are anything but romantic. While her stories may lack in sweetness, they certainly are abundant in truthfulness, intensity and fireworks.

On December 22 2006, she reemerged from her cave to give us Cold Comfort, her saucy, soapy tale of love and forgiveness.

Layne agreed to chat with me because I asked her. Well, I threatened her. In any case, she’s here to share and care on Christmas.


L.T. Rashard: So, where have you been?

Layne Blacque: Working. Writing articles and other non-fiction. Studying various genres. I was stressed out and needed time to unwind. Personal stuff got in the way and I had to make some choices. At the time I felt it wise to leave sensual writing by the wayside. But it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be, lol. Writing sexy couples is addicting. Damn if I don’t like it!

L.T.R: Did you really go crazy over a lover?

L.B.: What young woman hasn’t lost her mind over a hot piece of guy at least once or twice? I wouldn’t call it going crazy. I’d call it being caught up in the rapture. We had to part ways a few months back. I was so caught up in the rapture, I got very little done. At the time, that seemed like a good thing, but after awhile we both realized we had little in common other than…being caught up in the rapture, lol!

L.T.R: With all of the controversy surrounding OMP; why go back there?

L.B.: Why wouldn’t I? Take a stroll over to Piers Anthony’s site sometime and note how rare it is for any ebook company to dodge negativity. All of them have had their skirmishes. My experience with OMP has been very pleasant. The publisher doesn’t seem to mind that my heroines are prone to tantrums and eye-rolling. I don’t mind that people seem to want to take potshots at the company. I’m sure they have their reasons. But those reasons are none of my business, are they?

L.T.R: What are you writing now?

L.B.: Well, one of the stories I’m working on is top secret. Seriously. After a bigger, less controversial pub blatantly lifted an idea from Ocean’s Mist Press this year, I was sworn to secrecy about my next project. I can say it’s coming sooner than you might think, and it’s never been done before. It’s a labor of love for my publisher and me.

L.T.R:. How do you feel about what's being published now?

L.B.: I like stories with real heart and soul. Whether e-pubbed or released from a New York house tales with real feeling touch me the most. When I find one of those, I’m always happy.

L.T.R: What's in the future for Layne Blacque?

L.B.: I really can’t say. I don’t plan life. It sorta happens to me. My mentor is trying to groom me for my New York shot. She’s trying to get me to behave and follow the rules. Whatever happens, though, I’ll still be writing in some form or another. So that means more rejections for unsympathetic characters. Not that I mind. One of my seven identities always gets in to fit in. I never allow anyone to stop me. I just take stock, refocus and sneak in there. That’s always fun.

L.T.R.: Thank you for spending time w/ me Ms. Blacque.

L.B.: See, the interview had gone so well until this last bit. “Thank you for spending time w/ me Ms. Blacque”? Like we’re strangers? Like we don’t talk everyday? Lea, please.


Get Layne at www.saintblacque.com.

Layne and L.T.’s stories are available at Ocean’s Mist Press.

JAMES BROWN IS DEAD

Today the godfather of Soul music today. According to published reports, the 73year old Brown, died of pneumonia.


eil.com/Shop

LIKE MY BLOGGIE

My blog has gotten an overhaul. My friend Stephanie did it(thanks), and I really think it looks wonderful.

Speaking of new things, what are your New Years resolutions? Any plans for leaving '06? I personally can't wait for the year to end. I've spent most of it sick and I am looking forward to having a fresh start, and illness free.

Other 'O7 plans include:
Learning to bake
Taking a family vacation
Earning more money
Acquiring a NY contract
Starting my own business
Going back to school
Improving on my "writing" craft
Blogging more

'07 for me is going to be about learning. I will become a student again in every sense of the word. I want my writing to be stronger, and better.

What are your goals? Holla back


Lea

CAN'T HARDLY WAIT

I've had the good fortune of meeting new authors and reading their works.

Layne Blacque is back! I have an interview with her, and it's gonna be hell hot!!!



Alyiah Burke, she's one to keep your eyes on.


Shay Leonard spins a tale that will have you saying: Damn she's good!


KL Bjork will tells an exciting tale that will keep you wanting more.


Marie Rochelle tells stories that will captivate you.


Check them out.

Lea

WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?

I haven't been around lately(Like anyone f-ing cares, right), anywho, I've been M.I.A. since Dec.14. The family and I have been ill.
I'm feeling better, Thank God.
But that's all for now.
Pray for a serviceman(woman) and his family.



Peace,
Lea

INTRODUCING: L.T.

So I'm writing and my phone rings. I answer it and it's my sister. She and I commence to gossiping as usual. At any rate, she notices that I am using a lot of "colorful words." So much so that she was really taken aback by the fact. After she and I hung up, I realized that I was still operating in writer's mode. L.T. was still in control of my emotions when my sister and I were on the phone together, so there for she wasn't use to me cursing and carrying on. I am usually pretty mild mannered, and Lord knows, I hardly curse in front of my family.

So, after all this time, my sister finally met my alter ego: L.T. She liked her, but said it felt a little weird being around her.



Lea

DEJA VU WRITING

So I'm reading a book and it seems that I'm having a case of deja vu.
That's french for 'already seen'or something like that.(I'm sure
Layne Blacque will run onto her computer to google the word and
inform me of it's true meaning and origins.)Anywho, so I'm reading
this book and some of the scenes seems oddly familiar... So, I go
into my mental roller dex, and realizes that the scenes in the book
is one of a montage of different authors works, rolled into a book.
This particular author was very clever. She decided not to use exact
words, but rather put her "stank" all over the collection of stories.
I was really bothered by this, so a friend of mine told me to blog
about it.

I started to research this and realized that this is running rampant
in the publishing world and we as ebook authors are particularly
vulnerable.(I know, I'm a horrific speller...bare with me.)
So, who's watching whom in this industry?
And I'm not naive about similar plots and storylines. Hell, I
remember reading a book and swearing to God that someone poached The
Price of Love, until I read the trademark,(Sister girl knew that she
was going to get paid)and realized that the other book had come out
in 2003. I felt like an ass. (I had already called up publisher ready
to sue) Especially since I was only 2 pages into story. I decided not
to finish book.(Don't want to feed any paranoia) sigh.

But no, this is different. This is someone stealing scenes from
someone else and casting it off as their own.

I want to hear from both writers and readers. What do you think about
this unscruplious practice?

Lea

HAPPY HOLIDAY

HAPPY HOLIDAY EVERYONE.


Darian and Sandy have loved and protected each other all their lives. A promise made seventeen years earlier will bring them back together. Proving that a promise made at Christmas may be magical.
If you are looking for a feel good novel, Darian's Christmas Promise is for you.


Lea

TYRESE

Tyrese CD will drop tonight! He is one fine man.

IN THE NEWS

Fucking Ebola! So thousands of gorillas have been killed by the Ebola strand. Isn't that the same virus in that movie Outbreak that came out a few years ago w/ Cuba Gooding Jr.
This shit is crazy! Scary. The virus moved from gorillas to humans in the movie.

This is from the Associated Press:

PARIS (AFP) - An outbreak of Ebola virus in northwestern Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 gorillas, helping to push the threatened species even closer to extinction, a study says.

ADVERTISEMENT

The estimate is made by a team of scientists in Europe and central western AFrica, who say there was a "massive die-off" of gorillas in Congo's Lossi Sanctuary park from 2002 to 2004.

The great apes which died were western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), one of two gorillas species.

The other species is the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei).

"The Lossi outbreak killed about as many gorillas as survive in the entire eastern gorillas species," laments the paper, carried in Friday's issue of the US journal Science.

But the death toll is probably only a "small fraction" of gorillas likely to have been killed by Ebola in the past decade, it says.

"Add commercial hunting to the mix, and we have a recipe for rapid ecological extinction. Ape species that were abundant and widely distributed a decade ago are rapidly being reduced to remnant populations."

Lead author is Magdalena Bermejo of Ecosystemes Forestiers d'Afrique Centrale (ECOFAC) in Libreville, Gabon.

Ebola first came to light in 1976 in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and is named after the river with which this outbreak is associated.

It is of four categories of viruses that cause viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF), a disease whose outbreaks among humans are sometimes traced to the bushmeat trade -- gorillas and chimpanzees that are killed, butchered and sold for meat.

VHF causes the feverish patient to bleed under the skin and in severe cases, from the mouth, ears and eyes. Blood loss, shock and organ failure lead to coma and delirium and, in many cases, to death.

The new study suggests that the gorillas were not only infected by some animal reservoir -- last year, three species of African fruit bat were fingered as an Ebola source -- but also by contact between ape groups themselves.

THE KING IS TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET

I saw this at metacafe, thought it was funny.




Cheating Wife - video powered by Metacafe

PAM AND KID ROCK

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Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock to divorce 44 minutes ago


They said it wouldn't last....And it didn't.


LOS ANGELES - Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock each filed divorce papers Monday seeking to end their marriage of less than four months. Anderson's representative would not comment on the reason or any particulars of the divorce. Anderson and Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, each cited "irreconcilable differences" in their divorce filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

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"Yes, it's true," Anderson wrote in a brief statement on her Web site. "Unfortunately impossible."

A message left with Ritchie's attorney wasn't immediately returned.

The relationship

MIKE TYSON

I googled Mike Tyson's quotes, and got these sayings. There is a disturbing video that Mike has out on You tube that supports my claims of Mike madness. Mike Tyson is deeply disturbed, he facinates me, with his insanity.

"I'll fuck you 'til you love me, fagot!"

“[He] called me a ‘rapist’ and a ‘recluse.’ I’m not a recluse.”

On Lennox Lewis

"Lennox Lewis, I'm coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!"

"My main objective is to be professional but to kill him."

"I want to rip out his heart and feed it to him [Lennox Lewis]. I want to kill people. I want to rip their stomachs out and eat their children."

On Evander Holyfield

"You got nothing coming, man. I'm going to enjoy this fight."

After biting Holyfield he said, "This is my career. I have children to raise. I have to retaliate. He butted me. Look at me. My kids will be scared of me."

"I felt Holyfield was using his head illegally. I told the referee I wasn't getting any help, so I went back to the streets. I cannot defend it, but it happened."

On Razor Ruddock

"You're sweet. I'm going to make sure you kiss me good with those big lips. I'm gonna make you my girlfriend."

On Tyrell Biggs

Tyson on Tyrell Biggs' complaining to him about low blows "Low blows? Low blows? Huh! Motherf**ker you're fittin' to die!"

"He was screaming like my wife."

"I could have knocked him out in the third round but I wanted to do it slowly, so he would remember this night for a long time."

On His Wife

"I paid a worker at New York's zoo to re-open it just for me and Robin. When we got to the gorilla cage there was 1 big silverback gorilla there just bullying all the other gorillas. They were so powerful but their eyes were like an innocent infant. I offered the attendant $10,000 to open the cage and let smash that silverback's snotbox! He declined

...AND MARLBORO CO AUTHORED HER BOOK

So I'm chatting with a friend and she informs me that she's back to smoking. I'm like WTF? She took a week long hiatus from smoking and developed writers block. Okay. Me being a non-smoker tried to explain to this woman that Marlboro doesn't write her stories, so she's not blocked because of smoking. And I used my clinical psychologist voice on her too. It didn't work. She went back to smoking and pumped out 10k that day, she and Mr.Marlboro Man have been writing in a smokey haze ever since, so for real, should the Marlboro man get half her royalities for serving as her motivation? After all, she has admitted herself, she couldn't have done it with out him.

Lea
Love ya Blacque, Smooches

GAS PRICES2

Okay, the cost of gas has gone up this week. Who here is surprised? LOL.


Lea

BACK FROM THE BLACQUE

Layne Blacque is now back, and she has dumped her boy toy; cleared her head from her foggy haze and writing in her Layne Cave. Interview at my blog coming soon.



Lea

DIDDY AS 007 WOW!!!

Can you imagine P.Diddy as James Bond? Well,I say 'gon' on w/ ya bad self'. Who'd thought hip hop would take him so far? Here's the article:



Diddy says he wants to be the first black James Bond

11/03/2006 2:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dotmusic

Diddy says he wants to be the first black James Bond. The rap star put himself forward for the role at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen last night.

Diddy, who's only previous acting role was in Monster's Ball five years ago, said: "One day the time will come for a black Bond, and hopefully I can audition for it.

"It's a dream of mine to play a great role like that," he admitted before insisting he was the man to keep Bond fans entertained should he get the part in the future.

However, Diddy has backed new 007 Daniel Craig, who takes a bow as in Casino Royale later this month.

He said: "I love the Bond they have now. He's a great actor and I think they made a great choice."







I say, Good for you P.Diddy.

I'm out

Lea

HOMELESS: BUT I GOT A JOB!!!

I'm watching the news and it's talking about the rise of individuals with jobs and are homeless. Isn't that almost an oxymoron? Apparently not since the working class is becoming the fastest growing group of homeless. Whatever happened to the days where if you worked hard, you were rewarded with great things: A house, cars, boats, etc...? Now if you have a great job you're rewarded with: A roof over your head and hopefully some cable. This is bananas. I live in a state where the minimum wage is under $6.00 and hour. How can you honestly expect a grown adult to survive off of this, especially if that adult has a family? Why do Americans have to work 3 jobs, or 1 job and a hustle, to survive? Something's wrong here, and we need to do something about it before this trend of the working homeless becomes a larger problem.
I wonna hear your take on this.

Holla back
Lea

IN THE NEWS

It's messed up stories like this to make me thank God that I live in the U.S.:


KIRKUK, Iraq (AFP) - Gunmen broke into the house of an Iraqi women's rights campaigner and shot her dead in front of her three children, police have said.


Human rights activists say the lives of women in Iraqi society have worsened dramatically since the US-led invasion of March 2003, amid a general break down in law and order and the rise of conservative Islamist militias.

Captain Imad Khudhir of the Kirkuk police said Saturday 38-year-old Halima Ahmed Hussein al-Juburi was killed late on Friday by 10 unidentified attackers who broke into her home in the northern town of Hawijah.

"We do not know the motive behind the crime," he said.

Juburi was the head of the Human Rights organisation of Maternity and Childhood in Hawijah, a lawless town in an area plagued by violent Sunni insurgent groups.

Her husband was not at home at the time of the attack.

Professional women and rights campaigners are often targeted by conservative Islamist groups who adhere to a strictly traditional view of women's role in society and use violence to drive women out of public life.

These are some mean M.F'ers to have done something so cold and heartless. And the police claims to not know the motive behind the crime??? Okay...
Dear God pray for that nation and it's occupants, and especially this woman's family.



I'm out.
Lea

VOTE FOR GAS!!!

As the Mid-term elections draws near(Nov.17 for Floridians), I've noticed that the gas prices are going down. I wouldn't be such a conspiracy theorist if the prices starting going down like in Aug. Floridian's have been paying tripple their usual gas prices since Ivan hit back in Sept. of 2004; so now the govt. wants to lower our gas prices? Thanks, but I my mind about our govt. hasn't changed.


Oh well, we'll see what happens.

lea

FOR THE LOVE OF KIRA

My book For The Love of Kira is out!!! I am so excited.








For The Love of Kira by L.T. Rashard
Genre: Contemporary/Multicultural
Cover Art by Jinger Heaston
Read an Excerpt
About the Author
Length: Novella
Rating: Tidal Wave


After Leslie finds out that a sexual predator her daughter, Kira, had met online was stalking her, Leslie decides to enlist the help of the only man who can help protect her daughter: Antoine Mardrice, her daughter's father.


Antoine is rich, handsome and single. His life was uncomplicated until his mortal enemy struts into his office needing his help protecting a child she claims is his. Now his seemly uncomplicated life is very complicated, thanks again to Leslie.


Lies broke them up, but will the need to keep their child safe be the push Leslie and Antoine need to bring them back together?

An Excerpt from For the Love of Kira

by L.T. Rashard

Antoine hadn’t had time to respond to Daisy before the object of his nightmares walked into his office. The she-devil was even more enticing at thirty-three than she had been at age seventeen when he’d last seen her. He had often dreamt of the day that he’d meet up with her again—preferably at a function where he was donating money to someone less fortunate, and she was the recipient. He would then make her squirm for the money she needed, while he smiled at her misfortune. Shame, she didn’t look destitute. In his fantasy she was fat with about six kids surrounding her and one hanging from her sagging breasts.

How far from accurate was he. The object of his hate was about five foot six inches of curves. Her sheer cream top was open in the front exposing creamy golden skin and full breast, firm and supple enough to entice without the aid of a bra. A thick black belt held the garment closed, while a long beaded necklace hung loosely around her chest area, keeping her from exposing too much skin. She wore green knee high baggy cargo pants that clung to her narrow hips, leaving a space between the hem of her shirt and the top portion of her pants, to expose a small waist, and a tone, flat abdomen. Looking further down her body, he took note of long slim legs, which seemed to go on forever. She wore green beaded high-heeled open toed sandals that laced up to her muscular calves, making her ankles look delicate and alluring. Even her toes were sexy. She wore an American manicure with the tips painted black with diamond studs on them. He knew that when he made love to her again, he would pay special detail to her feet.

Shaking his head, he looked up into her big golden brown eyes.

“Now I have to say, I am completely surprised by your visit. What do you want?” He asked, looking her up and down, not even extending the courtesy of asking her to take a seat, or even standing to welcome her in. He just sat back comfortably in his desk and assessed her openly.

“I need your help.” He watched her full luscious lips move, instead of concentrating on what the mouth was saying.

He shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable at the direction in which his thoughts were taking him.

Lust.


Happy Reading.

Lea

WTF???A SPECIAL KINDA EVIL

What in the hell is going on? With the recent shootings at schools, pedifilers are going plum mad, and politicians too busy trying to cover up their perversions rather than step down and address the problems I'm afraid for my family and yours! I wonder if we as a nation, are going to hell in a Marc Jacob handbag. Who and the hell wants to hurt little children? This woman in this story, is going to hell on a concord flight, because it takes a special kind of evil to do this:




Police: Suspect Says She Stole Fetus, Drowned Kids
Search For Missing Children Of Dead Pregnant Mom Ends Tragically
(AP) EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. A woman accused of killing a pregnant woman and her fetus told police she drowned the woman's three young children and stuffed them into a washer and dryer at their apartment, an official said Sunday.

Preliminary autopsies on the dead children Sunday appear to show they were drowned, Ace Hart, a deputy St. Clair County coroner, told The Associated Press.

As of Sunday, Tiffany Hall, 24, had not been charged in the children's deaths, but prosecutors on Saturday accused Hall of killing their mother, Jimella Tunstall, 23, and her fetus. The fetus had been cut from her womb, authorities said.

According to Sunday's autopsies, there were no signs of physical abuse or trauma on the children -- ages 7, 2, and 1 -- and toxicology tests were pending "to see if they were poisoned or possibly drugged," Hart said.

"They were not drowned there in the wash machine," Hart stressed.

On Sunday, the community turned to prayer to understand the slayings at a service for the slain family.

"This is an opportunity for people to turn to God," said Debra Kenton, a member of the New Life Community Church. "Who else can explain things like this?"

Authorities suspect Tunstall was slain on or about Sept. 15.

That day, Hall summoned police to a park, saying she had given birth to a stillborn child, Hart said. She was arrested after she told her boyfriend during the baby's funeral that the baby wasn't his and that she had killed the mother to get it, authorities said.

Tunstall's body was found Thursday, and authorities began a furious search for her children. Police said the children were last seen with the Hall on Monday.

Authorities had visited Tunstall's apartment Friday but noticed nothing amiss while looking for photographs of the children for media outlets to publicize in their search, Hart said.

While in custody, Hart says, Hall told investigators she killed the children at another location, then hauled them home and hid them in the washer and dryer.

Hall said he understood why investigators may have overlooked the children during their previous trip to the apartment. "Who would be looking in the washer and dryer?"

By Saturday night, Hart said, "you could find them by the smell."

The oldest, 7-year-old DeMond Tunstall, was found in the dryer and the younger two children — 2-year-old Ivan Tunstall-Collins and 1-year-old Jinela Tunstall — in the washer. Two of the children were found nude, the third wearing only underpants, Hart said.

Hall remained jailed Sunday on $5 million bond, charged with first-degree murder in Tunstall's death and with intentional homicide of an unborn child.

Meanwhile, stuffed animals continued to mount outside Tunstall's apartment, its door crisscrossed with white evidence tape. There was a white teddy bear, and a stuffed race car with DeMond's name.

An autopsy showed that Jimella Tunstall bled to death after sustaining an abdominal wound caused by a sharp object, believed to be scissors, Hart has said. Authorities believe her womb was cut open after she was knocked unconscious.

Relatives say Tunstall grew up with Hall and had let her baby-sit her children. Hall has two children of her own. Illinois State Police Capt. Craig Koehler said they are "safe and sound."

Hall likely will be arraigned Monday on the two charges, each carrying a 20 to 60 years or life in prison, prosecutors said. The murder count could be punishable by the death penalty.

DNA tests should determine definitively whether the baby was the one Tunstall was carrying, Hart said.

IN THE NEWS

Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin is dead. Associated Press reports that he died of a wound to the chest by a stingray, while diving. Sad, I'm gonna miss him.

Someone stole Iraq's best soccer player. Why?

God bless the families in Russia who has lost their loved ones in the terrorist assault in a school.

God bless the 6 souls that died in a Chicago fire because they didn't have electricity so they used candles for light. The house caught on fire. Victims were children ranges in ages from 3-16. God bless the family. There were three survivors.

ABU RANA, terrorist leader was captured and he's singing like a bird! It's amazing how these monsters are so dreadful and dangerous, until they are caught. Then they become punks.

Lea

IN THE NEWS

I Pray that they catch the killer of the little angel, Jon Benet Ramsey. She deserves to have her murder solved.
I am however bugged that the media is doing so much coverage on her, God rest her soul, and the pervert claiming to have killed her, and not on pressing issues, like Iran's giving the middle finger to the U.N. about creating a nuclear weapon. Or the fact that Russia and China are basically saying 'What's the big deal? Let them make a Nuclear bomb.'
Or how about the media covering stories about how we are suppose to handle military persons forced to do their 3rd, 4th, and 5th tour in Iraq? Or the batallions who were scheduled to come home this week, but were just told that they have to stay at least 4 more months!!! Why isn't the media addressing the long term psychological impact that this will make.
Ohhh got one for ya: How about the media focusing on the academic achievements of young students today? Children are doing better in school.
Or the media can report on how to save money during this sluggish economy.

And if you want to be a victim's advocate, how about the media focus's some of it's attention on this nutjob Karr, and redirect it on a little brown, black, or Asian child that is missing, or dead and need media coverage to solve it's case before it becomes cold. Or to reopen it w/ new clues if it is.

But then, I may be asking too much.

Lea

THADIUS

I have to say, BellSouth has the best customer service I've ever used, hands down. So I was complaining about something(really can't remember), and this guy, actually, his name is Thadius, from Bellsouth, helped me with not just my problem, but with another problem that I was having, all the while he was really curtious.
So, I want to take this time out to say "Thanks Thad", you've done well.

Lea

BACK TO SCHOOL

School is now back in session and I am sooo excited! I've made it through another summer, Praise the Lord!

Now, this wouldn't be a typical L.T. blog with out mentioning some of the things that I've observed that has bothered me.
J1, my eldest daughter, is in the 8th grade. That's middle school. Middle school doesn't look the same since I've entered middle school over 2 decades ago(sheesh, has it been that long?)
These days, they have, amazon's and linebackers, in the 6th,7th, and 8th graders. It has to be something in the water.
Also, a lot of these young boys and girls have a blatant disrespect for themselves and others. They curse like sailors(I know, I was in the Navy)and a lot of them are just very obnoxious. (And she goes to an excellent middle school academically).

As I'm looking around the middle school, I notice a lot of young girls in the office. No need to explains why, it's obvious. They are in violation of the shcool's dress code. Young girls who think it's appropriate to come to school with skirts so short they look like belts!
Now, I don't blame the children, they are, after all, children. I blame the parents for buying these items. Maybe I wouldn't be so peeved if the kids looked destitute. You know, the theory: They have nothing else to wear.
No! These girls were shiny and new.

Now, being a mother of 3, I can't play ignorant to what's going on. I just wondered when parents stop being the ones in control and started becoming servants to the demands of our precious children?

Holla back,
Lea

LANCE BASS

Lance Bass former member of the boy band "NSYNC" has announced that he's gay and in a good relationship. Is anyone surprised by this news? Are we as a society so far behind that individuals has to deny who they really are to appease us into buying what they are selling? I don't think so. However, I maybe wrong about this, because I am one of these individuals who believe that racism still exits in America and especially in the world.
But Whoo is me. Good luck Lance, I hope the best for ya.


Lea

UPDATES

My contest is now closed, however, I want to take this time to thank each individual for taking the time out to submit. Shiree McCarver is our winner.Congrats Ree. The new name is: For The Love of Kira.
Now, my new book, Jinger with a "J" is coming soon. My favorite cover artist inspired it, so thanks Jinger. Also, instead of a Prelude to the book, I've created an online diary for Jinger which will lead up to the book.
http://jingers-diary.blogspot.com
Come and check it out.

Lea

*CONTEST*

I'm in need of a name for my book and I need your help. I'll be
taking suggestions of names for my upcoming book currently titled
Reunited(i'm cringing w/you about the name). I needed to go to
contract so I picked something real quick. I'll change the book name,
but I need your help. I'll be accepting name entry's today for my
yahoo members, next week for the public. I'll narrow the selection
down to 5 titles. The five individuals picked will have the title's
they've suggest posted for the group to vote on, July 2. The polls
will close July 5. The winner will receive a Mary Kay for Him basket,
and other goodies worth at least $80.
So, tell your friends, bring your man, and enter to win.
Good luck and happy reading.

Blurb:

After Leslie finds out that a sexual predator her daughter had met
online was stalking her Kira(her daughter), Leslie decides to enlist
the help of the only man who can help protect her daughter: Antoine
Mardrice, her daughter's father.

Antoine is rich, handsome and single. His life was uncomplicated
until his mortal enemy strutted into his office needing his help
protecting a child she claims is his. Now his seemly uncomplicated
life is very complicated, thanks again to Leslie.

Lies broke them up, but will the need to keep their child safe be the
push Leslie and Antoine need to bring them back together?


CHAPTER ONE

Antoine sat the phone back on its cradle and cursed; another damned
rejection from Nina. He didn't know why he was so determined to get
her, since it was apparent that her only interest in him was his
merchandise, and nothing else. From what he'd heard, and witnessed
for himself, her boss Adrian Constantine was the only person she was
interested in. Damn shame.
He buzzed his secretary. "Daisy, can you give me Nina James' number.
Not the one at Constantine Inc. I need her personal cell-phone
number."
"It'll take me a minute; however, you have a Ms. Jackson here to see
you."
"Who?" He asked annoyed. He knew in his gut that the person that
Daisy was going to name was the woman who was responsible for his
mistrust in women. Actually, that she-devil didn't deserve the title
woman; `Bitch' was a better description of her.
"I don't know of a Ms. Jackson. At any rate, I am busy. Tell her to
make an appointment, preferably with someone else; a junior salesman
maybe." He stated in short, clipped words, clearly annoyed by the
interruption.
Daisy looked at the woman and what had to be her daughter, and her
boss' and decided to make a judgement call.
"Antoine, I think you better make time for this one. Clear whatever
you have scheduled, and see Ms. Jackson immediately. As a matter of
fact, I'm sending her in right now."
"Daisy! I said that I don't have time for…." He was cut off with a
loud buzzing sound.
"Right through that door Ma'am. Wait here with me, Sweetheart." Daisy
said to the young lady accompanying the woman. She knew that whatever
information her boss was about to receive was going to be a shock to
him and this young lady didn't need to be witness to it.
"Thank you." Her mother said and went into the office, closing the
door behind her.


* * * * *

Antoine hadn't had time to respond to Daisy before the object of his
nightmares walked into his office. The she-devil was even more
enticing at thirty-three than she had been at age seventeen. He had
often dreamt of the day that he'd meet up with her again—preferable
at a function where he was donating money to someone less fortunate,
and she was the recipient. He would then make her squirm for the
money that she needed, while he smiled at her misfortune. Shame, she
didn't look destitute. In his fantasy she was fat with about six kids
surrounding her and one hanging from her sagging breast.
How far from accurate was he. The object of his hate was about five
foot six inches of curves. Her sheer cream top was open in the front
exposing creamy golden skin and full breasts that were firm and
supple enough to entice without the aid of a bra. A thick black belt
held the garment closed, while long beaded necklaces hung loosely
around her chest area, keeping her from exposing too much skin. She
wore green knee high baggy cargo pants that clung to her narrow hips,
leaving a space between the hem of her shirt and the top portion of
her pants, to expose a small waist, and a tone, flat abdomen. Looking
further down her body, he took note of long slim legs, which seemed
to go on forever. She wore green beaded high-heeled open toed sandals
that laced up to her muscular calves, making her ankle look delicate
and alluring. Even her toe were sexy, she wore an American manicure
with the tips painted black with diamond studs on them. He knew that
when he made love to her again, he would pay special detail to her
feet. Shaking his head, he looked up into her big golden brown eyes.
"Now I have to say, I am completely surprised by your visit. What do
you want?" He asked, looking her up and down, not even extending the
courtesy of asking her to take a seat, or even standing to welcome
her in. He just sat back comfortably in his desk and assessed her
openly.
"I need your help." She was saying, however he was watching her full
luscious lips move instead of concentrating on what the mouth was
saying.
He shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable at the direction in
which his thoughts were taking him. Lust. This bitch was walking
lust, and he, being a red-blooded male, was not immune to her charms.
"Are you listening to me?" Leslie asked, her eyes bore into his and
her voice rose in volume.
She was standing with one leg out and her hands on her hips. She
sure looked irked, but he didn't give a damn. She had her nerve,
coming into his office, looking like a golden goddess, asking him for
a favor, when he was certain she was the devil in the flesh.
"No, I wasn't listening to you. I was wondering why you've decided to
dye your hair blonde, after stating that black women shouldn't wear
such a hideous color. But I guess that was one of your lies too?"
"I'm not here about my hair color, Antoine. I need your help, and at
this point, I'd do anything to get it, even endure your insults.
However, I'll ask that you save them until you've heard my dilemma."
He noticed how she shifted the weight of her legs, and the balling up
of her fists at her sides as she stood there.
He thought she looked ready for battle, and in a sense he guessed
that she was.
"As much as I am enjoying this here moment…" Antoine stood up and
moved past her toward the door, "I have to stop you before you
humiliate yourself any further. It would take an act of God to get me
to help you. Actually, I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire;
much less grant you a favor. Now get out, I have more pressing issues
to attend to." He opened the door, signaling for her to leave. She
moved towards the door and closed it, standing face to face with him.
"I'm not going anywhere. You will hear me out and you will help me."
She looked right into his eyes challenging him. "And for the record,
I wouldn't ask you to piss on me for any reason, much less if I were
on fire. You've pissed on me enough during our relationship. Now, I
have a problem. A sexual predator my daughter met online is stalking
her."
Rolling his eyes, he tried to open the door, but her foot blocked
it. "Although I am sorry to hear this, I still refuse to help you.
How about seeking out the help of the police, or better yet, the
girl's father, if you know who he is. Now move." He attempted to open
the door again.
"I've tried the legal system, but he's too powerful to beat by
myself; and I am asking her father for help… You." Leslie looked him
dead in the eye as she dropped her proverbial bomb.
Tugging her away from the door in anger, he opened it and shoved her
out of the door.
"Get the hell out of my office and don't come back…" His word trailed
off when he saw the young woman near his secretary. She had long
brown hair, "good hair" his mother would have called it, a wave of
curls cascading past her shoulders. Her skin complexion was her
mother's, light skinned, with a honey yellow hew to it. But it was
her large green gaze that signified that she was his daughter.
Although brighter than his own hazel gaze, she had eyes just like his
mother, brother and sister. Then he remembered again, just like his
brother's eyes. She looked just like his family members.
"Daisy, get my brother in here pronto." He grabbed Leslie by the arm
back inside his office and closed the door.
"So what's your game plan?" He asked accusingly. "You know that my
brother is married with children, so you pin this child on me? Jesus,
Leslie, how old is she?" He held is head down and closed his eyes,
shutting out the loud roaring going on in his head, willing the anger
that was threatening to explode to calm down. He heard his brother in
the lobby talking in that high-pitched voice he got whenever he was
nervous. He must have seen the girl.
Antoine opened the door. "Get your ass in here. Norman." His brother,
ready to lie, started to explain. "I have no idea…" His words trailed
off, relief in his face when he saw Leslie. "Thank you, Jesus." He
prayed, constructing an air cross with his fingers. "Leslie. How are
you doing? You are looking good, girl. That's your daughter in the
lobby?" He asked, sighing heavily.
"I take it you've seen the girl in the lobby." Antoine said as
agitation dripped from his every word.
"Yeah, she looks just like our family bro. It's no denying that one."
Norman gave him a sympathetic smile.
"So what are you going to tell your wife?"
"That she's an aunt. I can't imagine her being upset by the prospect
of you fathering a child. I know you've always promised to leave the
company to the boys in case you didn't have any children of your own,
but you don't have to worry about the twin's future, they're set."
"No you idiot, you're the father of the girl out there! You and
Leslie have a child. What will you tell your wife about that child?"
Antoine gritted his teeth as he said the words.
A sickening look came over Norman's face and he took an aggressive
stance. "Did she tell you that?" He accused, looking from Antoine and
back to Leslie.
"No I –" He didn't let her finish her statement.
"Because I never had sex with her!"
"What do you mean you've `never had sex with her? You swore to me on
your honor that you and she had sex together, and you begged me to
forgive you." Antoine's fists clenched, he was ready for a fight. He
wanted to wake up from this nightmare that was threatening to steal
his sanity every second he was in it.
"I lied when I said that I slept with Leslie, and so did Eric and
David. We thought that we could split you two up by telling you that
we all had sex with her in order to get you to go to college in State
rather than follow her to San Diego. We couldn't risk you leaving.
I'm sorry for all of the trouble our lie caused." Norman looked at
his brother and then at Leslie.
"Get the fuck out. I'll deal with you later." Antoine gave his
brother an icy stair.
"I'm truly—" Norman started.
"Out!" Antoine yelled. He slumped down in his chair wishing he had
something strong to drink.
"I really don't know what to say." He started.
"I'm not expecting you to say anything except you'll help me keep my
daughter safe. Please." She came over to sit down in the chair front
of his desk.
"I'll need a DNA to confirm that she is mine, without question,
however, in light of the current information, I'll help you."
"Thank you." Leslie closed her eyes in relief.
"Now I need to know what happened, but before I do that, I want to
meet my daughter." He buzzed Daisy's desk.
"Daisy, send in…" He paused mid sentence realizing that he didn't
know his daughter's name. `What's her name?'" He whispered to Leslie.
"Kira." She supplied, he raised an eyebrow and repeated the
name. "Kira."
Letting go of the button, Antoine held his breath as the statuesque
beauty regally walked into his office. He stood up and walked over to
the nervous teen. He embraced her, relishing in the warmth of her
hugs. It dawned on him at that moment. He had a daughter.
* * * * *
Leslie watched as father and daughter hugged for the first time.
Because of everything that she had gone through after Antoine's
desertion, she dreaded this day happening. However, if she was honest
with herself, she'd admit that maybe it wasn't a good idea keeping
Kira from him. For the past few years, Kira has asked excessively
about her father. Leslie tried to appease her curiosity with all of
the information that she could about Antoine, without being bitter.
She explained to Kira that her father was a nice man who was kind
enough to donate the sperm it took to make a baby, and that to
intrude on his life saying "Hi dad, I'm home" was unfair to him.
Leslie hadn't realized how much her daughter had missed having a
father. A few months ago, Kira started conversation on the Internet.
Leslie thought that it was harmless until it started becoming a real
problem. Kira started missing gymnastics classes, and cheerleading
practices. She started living in her room, always on the computer, so
one day while Kira was at school, she logged onto her computer and
found some disturbing correspondence between Kira and some pervert
logging on as silver_fox057. Leslie was alarmed by his login, so she
started to investigate. The idiot posted a picture of a young man,
however after reading all of the correspondence between the man and
her daughter, she was able to extract some clues as to the man's
identity. She was horrified at her discovery.
This Logan Hudson guy gained her email address through a common
website page popular to teens and young adults now a days. There, he
began to chat with her, using the information that Kira had made
public. She was appalled at how vulnerable her daughter had made
herself right on the Internet. The conversations started out innocent
enough. Questions about home and school. Then it progressed to
boyfriends and school activities. And ultimately it ended with
the "perv" asking for sex and pics. She was shocked at how this
stranger was able to tap into her daughter's needs and exploit them
to his convince. She never realized that by denying Kira an
opportunity to know her father, it was opening a door for predators
to come in. Hell, Kira probably would have been better off with any
strong male role model rather than none at all. It was definitely a
big mistake to have kept her from her father, she was sure of that.
She was afraid that by allowing a man into her home it would open up
an opportunity for Kira to be violated, the way she had once been
violated.
Leslie was so deep in her thoughts, she hadn't realized that
her daughter had come to sit down by her, and Antoine was back at his
desk barking orders to his secretary.
"Daisy. Reschedule everything I have for next week. Let my brother
know that he has the helm today." He then hung up the phone.
"Now tell me exactly what is going on with my daughter, and I want to
know everything."
* * * *
"It all started about six months ago. I was interested in a
boy from my school. Since I'm not allowed to date" Kira rolled her
eyes at her mother, who gave her a stern look back, she continued her
story. " I started chatting online with this boy from my school.
Everything was going fine until he wanted to take the relationship
past the `let's meet at lunch, and let's talk on the computer' phase.
I knew that Mom would be virtually impossible to fool when it came
down to sneaking out and cutting school, and since I go to a strict
Christian School where boy/girl fraternization is a big `no no'; he
broke it off with me. I started to feel really depressed when I
received an email from his father telling me what a jerk Avery had
been for breaking up with me." She paused for a minute and closed her
eyes as the tears fell down her pretty oval face. "It started out
innocently enough. He was very friendly. I was even considering
introducing him to Mom. He told me that it wasn't a good idea and
that he wasn't over his late wife and that no one would find an ugly
old man like himself attractive. I asked him to send me a picture of
himself and he did. He wasn't bad looking and I told him so. He
confided in me that I was a breath of fresh air, and that I seemed
really mature for my age and that's probably why Avery couldn't
handle a woman like myself." Kira started to break down crying again,
and both Leslie and Antoine went over and hugged her.
"Look, this is upsetting her, and it's pretty graphic. Antoine get me
a piece of paper and a pencil, I'll give you access to her email
account." He did, and for the next hour and a half he read the
graphic emails and looked at graphic photos.
"So let me get this straight." Antoine said in a murderous
tone. "After you reported this pervert to the authorities, he was
sentenced to four months in jail. He gets out and begins to stalk
her! His son assaults her and gets sentenced to counseling!" The rage
was building up further and Antoine struggled to keep a lid on his
anger. "So he begins to stalk her, taking pictures of her in her bed
room, at the pool, and at cheerleading practice, threatening to post
it on the Internet!"
"Yes."
"And the police says what about this?"
"Logan Hudson is the son of a prominent retired attorney in our city.
After his arrest and release, he was able to disappear, except he
manages to get in contact with Kira and he's near because he's taking
recent photos. I've taken out a restraining order against him, but
nothing seems to deter him. He believes that Kira is his `soul mate'
and he'll stop at nothing to get to her, and that includes seeing me
dead."
There was a brief silence over the room.
"Is there a chance that you've been followed by him?"
"No, I don't think so. I've been using cash, and I drove down here
from California. I'm sure that he doesn't know we've gone yet. Why?"
"I want to talk with you alone. I'm sure Kira is hungry, so I'm going
to send her out with Daisy; I need to make sure she's not in any
danger. This building has a restaurant on the bottom floor." Antoine
stood up and buzzed Daisy again. She agreed to take Kira to the
restaurant to grab a bite to eat. What he needed to talk to Leslie
alone.


"How far are you willing to go to protect our daughter?"
Antoine asked Leslie as he closed the door behind Kira. He walked
over to her with panther like movement, leaning in close to her face.
"I am willing to do anything to keep my daughter safe. Getting in
contact with you should be a testament of how far I am willing to go
to ensuring her safety." Leslie was still feeling salty after all
these years of feeling betrayed by him, and she wanted him to feel
her anger, or so he reasoned.
"Good, because I plan on making you my wife, and having you move in
with me."

CONTEST

I'll be having a contest for my upcoming release. The individual who can come up with a unique title to my upcoming novel will receive an $80(or more) Mary Kay Basket for him. I have already released the details of the contest to my yahoo group members, and I will be making the details of the book public next week. Just click on the yahoo icon located on this blog site for a head start.
I'll keep you posted.


Lea

BE SAFE

Okay Floridians, are you already for the start of the new storm season? As a reminder, Don't forget to take pictures of your home and personal belonging just incase. Make sure you are familar w/ exits out of town, including new intersate routes, and highways. Check on your neighbors, especially first time storm goers and elderly.


Many blessing and be safe,
Lea