Simply Cheris. . .

The Reading Corner. . .Messy HEA with Synithia Williams

2024-02-01T20:42:00.004-05:00

COLUMBIA—If you remember sitting on the sofa with your grandma or your favorite auntie watching Victor Newman or Josh and Reva, then you need to meet romance author Synithia Williams.

If you’re reading Williams’ latest novel, The Secret to a Southern Wedding, you might think it’s messy, soapy and full of drama, that’s exactly what she was going for.

So, here’s the premise of the book:

It’s been years since Dr. Imani Kemp has returned home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia. As Tallahassee’s most sought-after OB-GYN, she doesn’t have much time for anything else. But when her mom announces she’s marrying a man she just met on a dating app, Imani knows she has to put a stop to it immediately. Let her mom be hurt again after the disastrous way her last marriage ended? Absolutely not. Always her protector, Imani won’t rest until her mom sees reason. She just never expected sparks to fly with the groom’s son…

After his mother’s tragic death, Cyril Dash and his father relocated to Peachtree Cove to escape the gossip and speculation. Now, in this quirky small town, they’ve made a new life for themselves, and after years of grief, his dad has finally found happiness again. And Cyril refuses to let Imani threaten that. The more determined he is to prove the strength of his dad’s love, the more drawn he is to this beautiful, complicated woman who’s determined to call off the wedding.

But when Cyril’s heartbreaking past comes to light, destiny won’t be denied. Because the secret to this southern wedding is you never know how far you’ll go in the name of love.

Not to spoil the book, but keep in mind that Imani’s mom was shot by her Dad’s mistress. It’s pretty clear why Imani drops what she’s doing to return to her sleepy hometown and try to stop the wedding. And at first, I wanted her to stop the wedding. If you’ve ever been on a dating app, you know one thing for sure, none of those people are the marrying type. But the joy of reading a talented writer’s book is, she’ll make you believe. That’s what Williams did in this book. One of the best parts about this book and her Jackson Falls series, which is a mixture of The Young and The Restless, As The World Turns and The Guiding Light but with better writing and no commercials.

The Jackson Falls series has four titles:

Forbidden Promises

Scandalous Secrets

Careless Whispers

Foolish Hearts

The entire series is set in a small North Carolina town where the Robidoux family lives. Think Genoa City and Black Victor Newman.

“I knew I wanted to write a Black Dallas,” Williams said. “I wondered if I could write a story where you could root for the sister being with the ex, ex-boyfriend, ex-husband or what have you. I think that’s kind of how it started, but I wasn’t sure if anyone was going to want to read it. It is messy. And I had readers who said they didn’t know if they wanted to mess with it or if they wanted to read it. But then they said they enjoyed it and everything.”

Every book in the series is amazing, but if I had to pick a favorite for me, it would have to be Careless Whispers.

Here’s what the book is about:

Elaina Robidoux knows how people view her: cold hearted, ambitious, ruthless. But it doesn’t matter. Running the family business is all she’s ever wanted and she’s so close she can almost taste it…until her father fires her and hires her nemesis—arrogant, unflappable Alex Tyson. Elaina may be hurt but she refuses to be defeated, so she throws herself into creating a business of her own. But she never dreamed that to close her first deal, she’d need Alex’s help…

Alex understands the power of a family legacy better than most and the last thing he wanted was to take that from Elaina. Her beauty and fierce strength are undeniable, but there’s a softer side that no one but him seems to see. She’s been taught that emotions are a liability, yet one impulsive kiss starts a chain reaction that neither of them wants to stop. But can love ignite—and survive—when secrets and loyalties collide?

If you thought you weren’t supposed to like Elaina after reading the first two books, you’d be right. She’s brash and cold. But this is the magic about Synithia Williams, she writes in a way that will have you cheering for a character you’d run away from or punch in real life.

“It would’ve been easy to make her evil. I could’ve made her the villain but I didn’t want to do that. Hard characters have reasons why they may be. I knew from book one that I was going to eventually write her story.”

And thank goodness she did.

Follow Synithia Williams on social media: X/Formerly Twitter: @SynithiaW, Instagram: synithiaw, Facebook: www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams

Visit her website: https://www.synithiawilliams.com/

"You write as if it's a soap opera" And do!

2023-04-11T08:24:00.000-04:00

The other day, I was doing some math in my head and realized, June marks the 20th anniversary of my first romance novel being published. Revelations was released by a now defunct publisher and I began my life as a romance author.

I love to tell stories that are rooted in realism, but have twists and turns that keep my readers turning the page and wanting more. And you know who I have to thank for that? My grandma.

If you're giving the post the side eye right now, let me explain. Growing up, we didn't have e-learning days so if I got sick, my grandma kept me while my mom and dad were at work. There were basically two rules to being grandma's favorite (which I was), don't talk when grown ups are talking and don't interrupt me when Victor Newman is on the TV.

So, in between ginger ale and chicken noodle soup and following the Price is Right, I'd sit by my grandma as the iconic piano chords of the Young and The Restless theme song began. Every day, my grandma tuned in to the antics of the Newman and Abbot family. Then there was The Bold and The Beautiful, As The World Turns and Guiding Light. I was hooked. And clearly millions of people were too. After the shows went off, my grandma would call up her friends and they would recap the shows, talking about the characters as if they were real people in our town. The word heifer was used a lot.

These characters were flawed, they were sexy and many of them were ruthless and I loved it.

When I went off to college, I was that stereotype, I made sure my classes ended at 12 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday because to me, those were the best days to catch the "stories," especially Friday. And whatever I missed on Tuesday and Thursday, there was someone happy to catch me up on what I didn't see.

Fast forward to 2000. I wasn't as soap centered as I had been. I was technically an adult. I mean, I had a real job, I was a reporter and my hours were crazy. I covered police and courts, my mornings started at the county jail to pick up arrest reports, then I headed to the sheriff's office and the police department to get incident reports about what happened the night before, it was depressing. In the newsroom, I listened to the police scanner. I saw more dead bodies and fatal accidents than I needed to.

But one night, I had a dream. It was a strange dream because I wasn't in it. And it started with a car crash, then a funeral. It was so vivid, so detailed.

I did what any writer would do, I hopped out of bed, grabbed my laptop and started writing what I remembered. This was 2 a.m. in the morning. And clearly I remembered a lot because the next time I looked at the clock, the sun was up and it was 7 a.m. I had to be to work in an hour and I still needed to shower and press my pants.

As I got deeper into the story, I realized (much later and with some editing notes) how much the pacing of soap operas kind of played into my writing. I tried to end each chapter with a cliffhanger. Yes, dear reader, please turn the page because what happens next is going to blow your mind.

Some 30 plus books and novellas later, I'm often thrilled when I read a reviewer say, "Romance author Cheris Hodges should consider moonlighting as a television writer. Her new African-American contemporary romance, Owner of a Broken Heart, which launches the Richardson Sisters series, reads like a primetime soap opera."

My grandma would be so proud!

Cheris Hodges Indie romance novels

2022-11-13T10:46:00.002-05:00

K.M. Jackson addresses the Keanu beef

2022-10-31T11:31:00.002-04:00

When an actor came for the Keanu Reaves, I had to talk with the bestselling author of “How To Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days” K.M. Jackson.

Watch our fun discussion here!

And if Rom Coms are your jam, check out Kwana "KM" Jackson's recs!

The Boyfriend Project series by Farrah Rochon

The Love Con by Seressia Glass

Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Romance awareness month: Here are some romance series that you should be aware of!

2022-08-10T12:30:00.002-04:00

It's romance awareness month and you know what that means? I have to make you aware of some of my favorite romance series.

Most people like to binge-watch shows, but I'm a binge reader. If an author writes a series, I'm all in.
Here are a few of my must-read series:
1. Farrah Rochon's The Boyfriend Project series.
Imagine finding out that your "man" is dating you and two other women. Instead of going all Real Housewives of whatever city, you and the other two women become best friends? And now we readers get to see Samiah, London and Taylor find the real love they deserve. And the friendship between these women is chef's kiss. I'm convinced that good friends teach folks how to love.
-The Boyfriend Project
-The Dating Playbook
-The Hookup Plan
These books are better than anything streaming on Netflix.
2. Synithia Williams is a writer who loves to create messy problems and give you a wonderful happy ending. If you watched the Guiding Light or still check out Victor Newman's antics on the Young and The Restless, then you need to get into the Jackson Falls Series.
Imagine coming home knowing that you're still in love with your sister's ex-husband, your brother is running for political office and you have to play the good little sister. And that's just the tip of the Robidoux family iceberg.
-Forbidden Promises
-Scandalous Secrets
-Careless Whispers
-Foolish Hearts
3. Deborah Fletcher Mello really knows how to satisfy the crime drama nerd in me and her series To Seduce and Serve gives Law and Order, which is my go-to comfort show, a run for its money.
The Black family of Chicago are tied to the law, but don't mess with the people they love because Elliot Stabler wouldn't be able to save you.
-Seduced by the Badge
-Tempted by the Badge

-Reunited by the Badge

-Stalked By Secrets
-(Coming in November) In The Arms of The Law
4. Kwana Jackson makes Harlem come alive in her Real Men Knit series. Imagine growing up with a woman so important to you, that you toss the ideas of what a real man is to the side to save her legacy. These are the rom-com stories that make you swoon with happiness and head to a yarn shop looking for a real man with a bag full of yarn.
-Real Men Knit
-Knot Again
And what's a binge read without throwing in a few classics? One of my favorite series that I've ever written was the Southern Loving Series. And I'm Cheris Hodges, by the way.
Mimi Collins and her best friend Michael Jane -- and yes, Michael is a woman, her mom was a bad speller. Navigate life, love and lawsuits in Atlanta. I had such a great time writing these books.
-Feel The Heat
-The Heat Between Us
These are definitely romance series that deserve your awareness this month!

Dear Daddy. . .Thank you

2022-03-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a little biased here, but the guy in this pictures with the mustache and his arms around that lady who looks like me is pretty damned perfect.

That's my Daddy. My rock. My ace. The man who never allowed me to believe that I couldn't do anything I put my mind to.

A few things he tried to get me into didn't work out. Like basketball. He bought me a really nice one from the hardware store and I sat on it and read a book.

This man still has my mold covered left handed softball glove at the house where I grew up. A few weeks ago, I asked him why was he keeping it and in Freddie fashion, he took the glove out of my hand and put it right back where I had gotten it from. That was the end of that conversation.

When I realized I wanted to be writer, it was my Daddy who got me a typewriter, then a word processor and my first laptop. He suffered though the sound of a dot matrix printer going off in the middle of the night because I was printing my "book."

And let's not forget, my Daddy is a legit hero. He has the metals to prove it. My Dad wasn't drafted, he volunteered to serve his country.

And he's probably the best romance hero that I have never written about. He married my mama on Christmas Eve.

When I first started writing this post, my Dad was still here. It was 2017 when I started this draft.

May, 2021, my father transitioned and left a huge hole in my heart. When I tell you this man loved me unconditionally and made me feel as if I could do anything. It hurts to know that’s missing from my life and no one will ever believe in me the way he did.

God truly broke the mold when he made my Dad and all I can do is thank him for always believing in me.

Celebrating Black History month with a betrayal

2022-02-27T20:00:00.001-05:00

Marlboro County High School was established in 1989. All of the high schools in Marlboro County became a big powerhouse, for sports at least. I mean, the school has struggled with educating the county from the start, you know because Marlboto County is the least educated county in the state.

If you grew up in Marlboro County, you've always been told to give back to your community, never forget where you came from and always represent your home in a positive light.

Do you know who does that spectacularly? Marlboro County High School principal, Dr. Jamane Watson. His hire as principal was a historic one. Watson graduated from Marlboro County High School in 1996. He is the first alumni from the school lead it.

He told SCnow.com in 2020:

“It means a lot because students who attend the school can see someone who walked the same halls they do, had some of the same teachers they do, came from similar backgrounds that they have, that they can make it,” Watson said. “I have a doctorate degree. That’s the highest level of education that you can possibly obtain ... I live by example. I always tell people I am not a role model. I’m a real model.”

Unlike many graduates of MCHS, when Watson graduated from South Carolina State University, he wanted to return to the Pee Dee region.

According to SCnow.com:

Watson said, he wanted to return to the Pee Dee region but found that no district in the area needed a physical education teacher. So, he took a job teaching fourth grade in the Savannah-Chatham County Schools in Georgia.

But Watson made his way back home. He was hired by the Marlboro County School district in 2020. Watson led the school during a pandemic. While students in this rural county that doesn't have wide reaching broadband internet, worked from home because of COVID-19, the Class of 2020 received over $2.7 million in scholarship offers.

Wingate University, where Watson earned his Ph.D, lauded him on it's class notes page for becoming the MCHS principal.

Watson is Black History. Watson is the star that Marlboro County needs to lure the best and brightest back to a county that little to offer other than a shrimp box from Dairy Dream.

But we end Black History Month 2022 with the betrayal and disrespect of Dr. Watson.

According to the Herald-Advocate:

Marlboro County High School Principal Dr. Jamane Watson admitted to being “blindsided” with the news that his contract would not be renewed for the 2022-23 school year.
“I did not expect any of this,” he said. “I was kind of blindsided. I knew there were some areas that needed to be improved on. I thought I had more time to improve upon those areas that needed to be addressed.”
Watson met with Interim Superintendent Donald Andrews and three other district officials on Feb. 11 and was told that he would not be back as a principal at Marlboro County High School for the 2022-23 school year.
“I asked why, and they said they were moving into another direction,” said Watson, who is in his second year as principal at the school.
Watson was not offered a teaching contract or a demotion to an assistant principal.

On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14th, Watson job was posted online. You know what's not posted online? A listing for the superintendent position. Yeah, the person making a decision about the future of the high school isn't even a permanent employee of the district.

He emailed a statement to the local media and this is what the Herald reported:

Andrews, in an emailed statement, said the administration did not terminate any Marlboro High School administrators.
“Any information contrary to that fact is not accurate and not supported by the administration,” he said in the statement. “As plans are being considered for the 2022-23 school year, staffing positions, among other things, may be considered as the district experiences change and growth as we move forward together. Again, our top priority is our students, their families, and our employees. I look forward to addressing our community at an appropriate time and encourage our students to contact my office directly with any comments, ideas, or concerns, as I maintain an open-door policy for everyone.”

Somebody said, haven't we learned that leaders named Donald. And I am somebody.

The announcement of Watson's "dismissal" (the district has repeatedly said no one has been fired, but the job postings are online for the world wide web to see) students at the high school held two protests, one where Watson addressed the student body and told them to return to class.

And guess what they did, they went back to class, because he asked them to do so.

According to WPDE:

Students said the protest was not about being disruptive but sending a message to Marlboro County District leaders that they are making a huge mistake.

"It shows to me that, not only is it affecting me but it's representing from our freshman to our seniors. It represents everybody," said Alex Storman.

While the Marlboro County School Board continues to tell conflicting stories, you have to wonder how much trust should the public have in a board that didn't know they were using taxpayer dollars to pay for a frat house on school property?

It's safe to say that not one person on that board is worried about being financially responsible or what's best for the children of Marlboro County.

I said what I said.

Take a look inside Can’t Hide Love

2022-02-09T11:57:00.001-05:00

Look inside:

Can’t Hide Love, the final Richardson Sister’s book. It’s Alex’s turn.

No matter what, the four very different Richardson sisters always uphold their family’s reputation and legacy—a historic bed-and-breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina. But romance that one sister never saw coming will up-end all their expectations . . .

She's the responsible sister, making sacrifices to run the family’s treasured B&B. But for once, Alexandria Richardson decides to take a vacation—a singles’ cruise, where she throws caution to the wind. And the handsome stranger she meets is just what she needs to make every moment sizzle—for all seven wildly sexy days. Energized and refreshed, Alex returns home—only to discover her holiday hottie is also the renowned architect tapped for the B&B’s major renovation project. How is she supposed to manage a business—and an all-consuming desire?

Wesley Prescott knows how easy it is to put success above everything else. And he has a lot riding on the prestigious Richardson deal—and on working smoothly with the suddenly serious, buttoned-down Alex. But he can’t resist teasing out the daring, adventurous—and lovable—woman he knows she truly is. Will mixing business with way more than pleasure convince them both that this is one fling that won’t be so easily flung? . . .

Excerpt: Alex was all business because she had to be. She never wanted to be known as the pretty one when it came to the bed and breakfast. Alex wore more pantsuits than the law should’ve allowed to down play her figure. And her signature hair do, a tight bun, was just to show off that she was serious.

But she didn’t have to be serious on her vacation. Maybe there was another outlandish outfit in the box that she’d never wear in Charleston that she could take on the cruise. And there it was, Alex thought as she pulled out a white cotton romper. It was shorts, just like the yellow one. Alex wasn’t into shorts. Still, it was put together with such great stitching and it seemed as if Yolanda had put some of the things that she knew Alex would like into it. The lace around the bodice and the color. But in true Yolanda fashion, she made the shorts look like hot pants from the 70s as if she was daring Alex to wear them. When Alex tried the suit on she laughed because it hugged her body so well. However, Yolanda could’ve added more material to the legs or even made it a skirt.

Alex decided to take it with her anyway. Not that she planned to wear it, but she could at least shock her sister with a fake story about it. She made a mental note to make sure she went to Charlotte to see what Yolanda had for a business casual look when she returned from her cruise.

All right, I’m really doing this and I’m going to have a good time, she thought as she finished packing. Alex took a quick shower, pulled on her PJ’s and called Yolanda, hoping that she wasn’t waking her sister.

“Hey Alex,” she said when she answered the phone.

“Yo-Yo, how are you doing?”

“Umm, I’m okay, I guess. Your nephew has latched on to my breast but little Ms. Nora acts like her Auntie Alex. She has to have her milk pumped and put in a bottle. Treating me like I’m a red solo cup,” Yolanda laughed.

“I’m not going to keep you long, because you have two babies, but thank you for the clothes.”

“See and you thought I was going to load you up with some crazy clothes that you wouldn’t want,” Yolanda said. “Shh, shh. Nora wants all of my attention now that Bradford is sleeping.”

“Then give it to her. I’ll stop by to see you all before I leave.”

“Good night, Alex.”

When she hung up with her sister, Alex smiled. Maybe Robin had a point. She didn’t have to feel so responsible for her younger sisters anymore. She could see what that selfish life was all about.

Preorder today!

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Also, the first three Richardson Sisters books are available for .99 in ebook form!

Nina Richardson on Carolina QB, situation

2021-12-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

Sports writer Nina Richardson has covered a certain Carolina football team and she remembers what happened when then starting quarterback Cody Cameron called her sweetheart at a press conference.

Nina Richardson was pissed. The sportswriter had never felt more disrespected or more angry in her career. Did this quarterback just call her sweetheart in the middle of a press conference? Her male colleagues chuckled and tried to hide it behind coughs. Nina gritted her teeth and fought the urge to roll her eyes.
Be the professional, she told herself as she looked at his garish outfit. They weren’t in some nightclub; she was doing her damned job and he dismissed her question about his poor play and three interceptions with a sexist quip.
“Sweetheart, I’m going to get a suggestion box and put it outside this door and I want your suggestions about my route accuracy to be in there.”
Nina’s mouth dropped. Oh, I have a suggestion. You might consider not mixing plaids and stripes, because not only do you look like a clown, your current QB passer rating suggests you have the brains of one as well. And I don’t give a damn that it’s preseason.
“Any other questions?” the media relations representative asked, then ushered the quarterback from behind the podium. Nina seethed as she and the other reporters headed out of the meeting room. Part of her wished she could’ve said everything on her mind about that overgrown child. August was too soon for the bull. There was a lot of football to get through before the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.

“I was surprised when the team brought Cody back,” Nina said on a recent podcast. “And, let’s be frank, when he got cut he said he had a lot to prove and he went to a Boston team where he proved he wasn’t as good as he thought he was.”

“Nina,” host Del Wright laughed. “You just don’t like that man because of sweetheart gate.”

You could hear Nina shift in her seat and sigh. “Let me say this, you know that it’s hard for Black women to get respect or be taken seriously in sports media. So what if I win awards and know the game better than 85 percent of my colleagues? When a then superstar throws that kind of shade at you on national TV, it can impact your career. But as the old saying goes, the ball don’t lie. Since his return four passing touchdowns and five interceptions says it all.”

Del let out a low whistle. “Can’t argue with the facts. Do you think he’ll hang it up after this season?”

Nina paused. “Do I think he’ll hang it up, no. Do I think he should? Absolutely. He can go back to eating cereal on the sofa. Or maybe a judge on Project Runway.”

“And on that note, we’re out. Nina, thanks for coming to visit with us today.”

“Anytime.”

Read Nina’s story and meet the Richardson Sisters for .99 in Owner of A Broken Heart

Happy Valentine's Day. . .

2021-02-14T14:03:00.004-05:00

Spend Valentine's Day in Elmore, South Carolina.

Hot single dad

Cool sexy neighbor

A Mustang

And desire. . .

#AnotherChanceToLove .99 this week on Kindle! 

Buy Here!

The woke ones always let you down . . .

2021-02-06T10:58:00.001-05:00

Winston, Winston, Winston . . .

Jessica Davis

Last week Charlotte's revolutionary city councilmember showed the city and all the Black women across the Queen City that the misogynoir is strong in this one.

It's clear that Charlotte's establishment is afraid of Jessica Davis, who is Black, brilliant and full of fresh ideas that would: take the shine off a mayor that may or may not be purchased by developers, a city councilman who's claim to fame is getting arrested and going viral and the old guard who hasn't had a fresh idea since Cash Money took over for the 99 and 2000s.

If you don't support Black women and elevate Black women, you aren't pro Black. Full stop.

Some Black folks don't throw up the power fist for Black women

And if you don't do your job on city council, maybe it is time for you to go. You can't change a system when you block people from participating. Braxton Winston said about abstaining from his vote to have Davis fill the at large seat left vacant by former city councilman James Mitchell, who resigned earlier due to a new job, that because Davis lost in the 2019 primary to District 2 rep Malcolm Graham that he wouldn't vote for her.

To be fair he didn't vote for the eventual pick, Greg Phipps, stating that Phipps didn't address the council before the vote or whatever, according to media reports. But it was his dig at Davis that did it for me. People lose elections and then turn around and win them. Ever heard of this guy named Barack Obama?

The betrayal of the Charlotte City Council vote runs deeper than petty Winston, though.

According to WSOC TV:

Mitchell shared his recommendation to councilmembers and Mayor Vi Lyles through email.
“Jessica has an understanding of how city government works. Jessica is a team player and passionate about helping to improve the lives of our citizens,” Mitchell wrote. “If Jessica is fortunate to receive your vote, I’m confident she will be 100% committed.”
Historically council has appointed the person the outgoing member recommends. Malcolm Graham recommended Greg Phipps, Patsy Kinsey recommended Billy Maddalon, John Autry recommended Dimple Ajmera and Al Austin recommended Carlenia Ivory.

So, what was different about Jessica Davis? Why wouldn't Mitchell's endorsement be enough as it had been in the past when other former council members did the same thing? Looking at Charlotte's mayor and shaking my head.

Lyles had the tie breaking vote.

She did what has been doing since she was elected mayor, she let us down.

Why is Charlotte afraid of Jessica Davis? Is it that this city is used to lackluster leadership from women and seeing a woman rise to power who can make a difference causes the status quo to shiver in their boxers?

Is Charlotte afraid of a Black woman who is smart, unbossed and not for sale?

Do all the people in the city claiming to support women like Keisha Lance Bottoms, Stacey Abrams and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, only want to see qualified and smart Black women lead other cities?

I'm asking for all the little Black girls who watch Black male leadership in their city turn their back on them. . . .

In response to the vote Monday, Mayor Lyles released the following statement:
"To the 143 people who took the time to apply and contact us, I remind you that filing opens in July and I encourage your continued participation in the electoral process. This was a difficult decision. As the former budget director and as the Mayor, it is essential we have someone who understands our city budget and is able to move quickly to navigate the budget process. We have our first budget workshop on Wednesday and without a solid financial foundation, we can’t create the programs and services that are essential to our citizens – particularly during this time. Jessica Davis will continue to be someone willing to serve this community and I am encouraged by her willingness to participate in the process. I hope that everyone in our community will recognize both of them as true servant leaders."

Y'all's mayor is up for reelection too, IJS.

Small town, big drama, happily ever after: Welcome to Elmore, South Carolina

2020-11-29T16:31:00.000-05:00

Growing up in a small town, I know there are so many stories there. Of course, there's the gossip. Phone lines burn up when Sally Mae gets a new car, but her house in foreclosure. Then there's Mr. Graham and his secret family two counties over. But outside of the gossip, there is so much love and devotion in the small towns. Since I grew up in one, I had a good time creating one, Elmore, South Carolina.

Not too far from Columbia, the state capital, yet close enough to Myrtle Beach for a romantic getaway. This is the kind of town where you can come back for a second chance at love, a new career or to reclaim the one who got away.

I wrote three books in Elmore and I hope you take a moment over the holidays to check them out.

Just Can't Get Enough (Published 2007) Both down-home sweet and seductive, Cheris Hodges's new novel is about breaking the rules, going back home. . .and finding more than your heart's desire. . .

Celina Hart had security, a steady job, a predictable fiancé. . .and nothing that was making her truly happy. She gave it all up to gamble on her talent and found success she'd never imagined as one of New York's hottest painters. But when she returns to her South Carolina hometown to care for her ailing father, she gets an even bigger surprise. That "bow-legged" neighbor's boy she used to play with has grown up into Darius McRae, a lawyer who gave up the D.C. fast-lane to get back to his roots. Now, Darius' dark-chocolate build and slow, easy smile are proving to be just as tempting as any city lights. . .

The last thing Darius was looking for was a relationship. He'd been burned by too many women who put finance over romance--including his conniving ex-girlfriend Cortina. But Celina's sense of humor and unpretentious ways are igniting more than his passions. And when Cortina starts stirring up a mess of trouble, Darius will do whatever it takes to show Celina a home-grown love is a dream worth everything. .
If It Isn't Love (Published 2011) His star rose, but their love faded. . .
Jason Campbell, known to his adoring fans as Jay Slade, has had enough of the spotlight. When he returns home to Elmore, South Carolina, he has one thing on his mind: winning back the love of his life, Ingrid Russell.
But Ingrid isn't ready to take him back. She's a widow with a restaurant to run and a son to raise. There's no way she's going to let Jason back into her life. Especially when she has a secret that she's determined to keep from him. And the same women who tore their relationship apart three years ago are still there.
But would Jason be in the small home town he hates if it isn't for Ingrid's love?
Another Chance to Love (Published 2018) Brian Jackson is blindsided when his marriage ends and his wife leaves him and his son in their sleepy South Carolina hometown. Now, his life revolves around his five-year-old and being a school resource officer at Elmore High School. And he was content until she drove into his life.

Paige Grayson’s arrival in Elmore, South Carolina is her chance for a fresh start after her smart mouth got her in trouble In Nashville. She never expected to find a tempting cop living across the street.

As Paige and Brian give in to their desire, his ex-wife returns wanting her family back. Will Paige and Brian have a chance to love or does his ex still have a place in his heart?

Vi, girl . . .

2020-10-23T00:22:00.000-04:00

When you look at other Black women mayors across the country, like Keisha Lance Bottoms and Lori Lightfoot, don’t you feel proud? Like Black women lead.

Then, you remember you live in Charlotte and Vi Lyles is your mayor. Real tears.

Lyles was super invisible at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. She hasn’t kept her campaign promises and sat back while Charlotte Mecklenburg Police gassed protesters during a peaceful march in Uptown.

(Why is she not on the ballot so I could vote against her? Next year, y’all/)

But earlier this month,Lyles and members of Charlotte City Council made total asses of themselves when they visited a local bar.

This is what the Charlotte Observer reported,

The initial reservation was for 6 p.m., then it started getting pushed back, DeLoach said. The council members, along with Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones, and other city employees showed up at 7:45 p.m., she said.

Also in attendance on Monday night was Queen City Nerve publisher Justin LaFrancois. LaFrancois is a regular at Hattie’s, and he said he couldn’t wait to visit the bar after its reopening. “It’s one of my second homes,” he told CharlotteFive on Tuesday.

LaFrancois said he has never seen a group of City Council members visit the bar before. And their behavior surprised him, he said. He watched them repeatedly being asked by staff to wear masks.

When Lyles first arrived, she was asked to put on a mask. After looking for it in her purse, she had to return to her car to get her mask, LaFrancois and DeLoach both said in separate interviews.

Lyles and City Council member Tariq Bokhari had to be reminded to wear masks and follow other COVID-19 precautions inside the establishment multiple times, DeLoach and LaFrancois each said. LaFrancois told CharlotteFive that he witnessed both of them not wearing masks while they were walking around the premises.

DeLoach said while staff had to tell council members to put on their masks “often,” they did comply when prompted.

Both LaFrancois and DeLoach said Bokhari made multiple comments that were disrespectful. . .

As Lyles was leaving Hattie’s, LaFrancois said Lyles leaned in — closer than 6 feet — to say goodbye to him. He described Lyles and Bokhari’s actions as nonchalant, but not surprising.

“They weren’t as affected by this pandemic as everybody else was, including the small business owner whose establishment they were at that they felt that they were being supportive of, so I didn’t expect them to take it as such a big deal,” LaFrancois said.

Then today, according to a shared Facebook post, Lyles went on WFAE's Charlotte Talks and said the whole incident was a joke. At this point, Mayor Lyles, you are the joke.

City leaders do NOT get to threaten business owners with the police and laugh about it. That's not how local government is supposed to work. And if you think that's funny, girl, you got to go.

You, my dear, are the Donald Trump of mayors. You didn't live up to what you ran on. And now this is how you run a city that's recovering from a shutdown?

I never thought I'd type these words, but I miss Pat McCrory.

John Lewis . . .

2020-07-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

I remember May 2, 1999. That’s the day I graduated from Johnson C. Smith University. All of us excited graduates piled into the Independence Arena, now the Bojangles Arena, early that morning to receive our degrees from our beloved HBCU. Some of us were still tipsy from the night before, some of us were nervous about tripping as we walked across the stage to accept that degree. And some of us were just happy that we made it through.
I was excited because four years earlier, I had no idea if my Dad would’ve been in the audience to see my walk across that stage. He had a heart transplant my freshman year. And the family kept the seriousness of his condition from me until that summer. Fast forward four years later and he was in the audience with a big smile on his face, holding my mother’s hand.

That day, our commencement speaker was Representative John Lewis. Civil rights icon, an American hero who risked his life and health so that America would live up to the promise of all men being created equal. His voice boomed through the speakers as he encouraged a class of fresh faced adults to do something with our lives and to remember the shoulders we stood upon. And then he talked about those shot gun houses.

I think that stuck with me some twenty one years later because when he talked about those houses, everyone laughed and smiled. I remember his strength as he gave a word that resonated like a sermon. I remember his smile.

I’m thankful that I was in that room. That I had a chance to hear his voice. Rest in Paradise, Mr. Lewis. And thank you for a job well done.

Can we fix this city, please?

2020-06-08T07:55:00.003-04:00

If the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery haven't taught us the importance of local elections, I don't know what it will take for us to learn that lesson.
Yes, the federal government is a dumpster fire right now. But we're touched by what the people in our front yard do.

Stream the latest City Council meeting here. (Starts at 5 p.m. today)

And a lot of times, those touches are more like punches to the face. Take Charlotte, for instance, during this global pandemic, our mayor was basically MIA. When protests started in the Queen City, Mayor Vi Lyles finally showed up. She wanted to talk. She talks a lot. As well as the Charlotte City Council.
Charlotte has been talking since the 2016 uprising after the killing of Keith Lamont Scott by CMPD. Lyles was a city council member during that shooting. She proposed a seven-point plan to reduce racial and class divisions in the city, parts of which were approved by the council. Presently, nothing has come from this proposal except task forces.

If anything, CMPD has proven to be worse than it was four years ago. I mean, how horrible is your department when the current chief, Kerr Putney, was willing to break the law to retire early? And then there was the "attempted murder" (allegedly) of protesters on Fourth Street.

The system is broken and clearly the people in place who are running the system aren't trying to fix it —unless they're named Braxton Winston.

“City Council can take a major step toward reforming policing in Charlotte on Monday - and set an example for America,” Winston said. “You’ve seen our police department, and departments across the country, release clouds of tear gas into crowds protesting the killing of George Floyd, stinging eyes and causing marchers to remove masks in coughing fits in the middle of a health pandemic.”

Winston says he will introduce the motion Monday that will recommend adjustments to police spending and policy. Winston says he is making a substitute motion to direct the administration not to spend money on new or existing stocks of chemical agents used for crowd control in 2021.

Since the city of Charlotte has a council-manager system, which means in this form of municipal government, an elected city council—which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body—appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.
Then in 2021, we need to elect a mayor and city council who will fire the current city manager and begin serious reform in a corrupt system.
Charlotte residents NEED to stop voting for the name they recognize and judge politicians by their actions. If not, we're going to continue to have broken system littered with promises and people who use this city as a stepping stone to something bigger.
If you're inclined, run for office. Not only is Councilman Winston one of the hardest workers in city government, but he stepped in and stepped up to be a part of the system he wants to change. Too bad the others on the council seem fine with the status quo.

But you’re the police chief. . .

2020-06-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

What happened to protesters in Uptown Charlotte was city sanction attempted murder.
Yep. I said it with my whole chest.
Tuesday night, Queen City Nerve live streamed the attempted murder of peaceful protesters and y'alls police chief doesn't know who gave the order to shoot pepper balls, flash bangs and tear gas at unarmed people.

According to WBTV, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police chief Kerr Putney addressed a crowd who wanted answers about the deployment of chemical agents on protesters Tuesday night.

Chief Putney addressed questions from the community. When he arrived, he expressed his frustrations with police brutality and had a question for the crowd.

“I understand the frustration. I have it too. But I want to know, what do we really want to do about it?” Putney said.

The crowd had many questions about why Tuesday night’s incidents were allowed.

"Who gave the order?” Someone in the crowd asked about tear gas being deployed during Tuesday protests.

Chief Putney says he authorizes certain actions when protests go from peaceful to violent, but said leadership in the civil emergency unit also makes decisions.

As the leader of the city's police department, his statement was lacking. Seriously lacking.
Is this why Putney is trying to rush out of the department? What is so corrupt at CMPD that chiefs are so quick to leave?
Things haven't been the same since Rodney Monroe left.
CMPD likes to act as if they have clean hands when it comes to police brutality, but that's not true.
Danquirs Franklin was killed while following an officer's orders.
Keith Lamont Scott was killed for just sitting in the parking lot of his apartment complex.
Johnathan Ferrel was killed after he knocked on a woman's door seeking help after a car accident. Of course, this happened when Chief Monroe was in charge and the killer cop, Randall Kerrick, was charged. But as the story goes, he was found not guilty and the the city used our tax dollars to pay him off. Because why wouldn't he sue for being held responsible for taking a life?

Charlotte could've been "Wakanda." Black mayor, Black police chief, Black sheriff, Black fire chief.
Instead the Queen City is more like WTFanda. At this point, we need to let the Mecklenburg County Sheriff run the show. Because the rest of them are: (fire chief not included)

Open letter to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles . . .

2020-05-31T18:14:00.000-04:00

Hey, Vi.
Girl, where have you been?
There's a whole pandemic going on and the citizens of the City of Charlotte, the ones you duped, I mean who voted for you and swallowed your campaign promises, haven't heard a word from you.

Let's face facts, Charlotte mayors are figure heads. The city manager and council run the city. Clearly the police too, but we'll get there in a minute.
Not only have you been missing, but you've changed.

I was proud in 2017 that my adopted home of Charlotte, NC had its first woman mayor who was African American. But my grandma was right, all your skin folk aren't your kin folk. But you tricked me, sis. I remember when you stood for something.

Following the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in September 2016, (Lyles) proposed a seven-point plan to reduce racial and class divisions in the city, parts of which were approved by the council.

It's four years later and here we are—again.
So, you sat out the pandemic and while I have no proof, and this is just my opinion, you've sold out the city. But Friday night, you claimed to care about the people on Beatties Ford Road. All because Food Lion was damaged.
I watched in disbelief as you talked about one of the most gentrified areas in the city where residents have been forced out and hipsters have gleefully taken over. What happened to the affordable housing task forces. Cause, you love a good Taskforce. I'll tell you this, you can talk. You love talking.
And on Saturday when you asked the Black sororities and fraternities to be your window dressing while you talked again, I was done.
I'm still done.

I want to know where this Vi Lyles is:

"It's an incredible honor to be elected Mayor of Charlotte in such a historical election," Lyles said in a news release. "As I've often said throughout my campaign, I can walk through any part of Charlotte, and I expect to be a mayor for all."

I don't even recognize you anymore and I hate being duped. But that's clearly what you did to the city of Charlotte. I mean, like mayors across the country you can point at Minneapolis and that killing of George Floyd. But Charlotte should sweep around her own front door and Vi, you need to be holding the broom or get swept out with the dust, whatever.
But are we going to forget that Keith Lamont Scott was killed while sitting his car. That the officer who shot him is still on the job? That the Mecklenburg County DA never charges cops, whether a killing is caught on camera or not?
And then there was the killing of Danquirs Franklin last year. March, 2019 ( probably the last time we saw you as a city leader, but I digress).
Maybe my lying eyes deceived me, but the body cam video from the killer cop showed Danquirs putting the gun down as he was ordered to. But here we were again watching the death of a Black person at the hands of the police that we pay with out tax dollars. Maybe that day you were securing that RNC contract, girl I don't know.
But don't ride your high horse of Charlotte is different when you talk about police killings because CMPD, Minneapolis Police, NYPD, all the same.
And you know folks are angry out here. You know there are folks who are scared, because HELLO, still a pandemic.
Yet, this is your concern?

“I always want to remind people that if you disrupt the convenience store or the small restaurant there, that’s going to be a huge difference during a pandemic to the survival of that business,” Lyles added. “That’s one of the things we’re so carefully talking to those owners of small businesses in the city right now.”

Two quick questions?

Where was this concern about small businesses when the pandemic first started?
What happened to you?

Midnight tease . . .

2019-07-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

Coming this September, Tempted At Midnight is gaining advanced praise.

“Scandal and seduction…nobody does them better.” —Zuri Day, author of the Sweet Heat

“Once again, Cheris Hodges brings the heat with a sensual and romantic page turner that doesn’t disappoint. In Tempted at Midnight, Sylvie and Erik heat up the page!” —K.M. Jackson, author of As Good as the First Time

For fans of Brenda Jackson, Cheris Hodges brings the heat in a new contemporary romance where New Years Eve fireworks last long past the stroke of midnight.

Here’s a little sneak peak inside this forthcoming novel!

Ten!

Sylvia hated the countdown to a new year. Especially in a crowd of couples. Everybody would be kissing in nine seconds and she was standing there with her third glass of champagne. Sylvie didn’t even like champagne but as the room celebrated the engagement of her best friend, Olivia Brown and her man LJ, she had to drink the swill. The ballroom was buzzing with excitement, though. Everyone wanted a look at Olivia’s ring and the portrait LJ, a renowned artist who’d just finished a family portrait for the former first family, had painted of his future wife. It was beautiful. The night was romantic. Sylvie was bored.

Glancing around the room, she glanced around the room and locked eyes with the only other guy who looked as he wanted to be anywhere but there.

Nine!

That man is fine!she thought as she set her empty glass on the edge of a table. Maybe she was tipsy and that’s why she started walking toward Mr. Sex Appeal.

Eight!

Sylvie heard the voice of reason telling her to stop, pump her breaks and don’t head over to this stranger. It wasn’t as if she had a right to expect a midnight kiss from him. But her feet wouldn’t stop, especially when their eyes met.

Tempted At Midnight Reveal . . .

2019-06-20T17:14:00.000-04:00

She wasn't expecting a kiss to change her life . . .
#NewYearsEveKiss
#KissingaStranger

Have you read The Rancher's Return? Kathy Douglass talks Sweet Briar and sweet love

2019-03-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

By now, you have to be a fan of romance author Kathy Douglass. If you're not, then let me tell you that it is time to treat yourself to some of the sweetest romance on the shelves right now.
Kathy introduced us to the small town of Sweet Briar, NC in HOW TO STEAL THE LAWMAN’S HEART – Harlequin Special Edition – February, 2017

Forgiveness starts with a stolen kiss…

Chief of police Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls. Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotion — awareness of Carmen as a woman. On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife’s memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at life — and Carmen’s shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home again — with the help of a certain lawman.

And she takes us back in her latest, THE RANCHER’S RETURN – Harlequin Special Edition – March, 2019

“That’s all you have to say? You’re back now?”

Ten years ago, the love of Raven Reynolds’s life disappeared without a trace. Now Donovan Cordero is back, standing on her doorstep. Along the way, Raven had the rancher’s child—though he didn’t know she was pregnant! Now her prayers have been answered, but happily-ever-after feels further away than ever. Because how can she rebuild a life with her child’s father if she’s engaged to another man?

Kathy has taken the time to talk to me about her latest book and the lovely town of Sweet Briar. (Trust me, you're going to want to live there!)

1. You gave us all the feels, where did you get the idea for this second chance romance?

My editor contacted me with the opportunity to be a part of the Linda Lael Miller Presents promotion. There was one condition – the book had to be a western. Even though my books take place in North Carolina, I have ranchers in the series so they still qualify. I had been working on another book at the time and we discussed moving those characters to a ranch, but it wouldn’t work. Their backstory had already been established and they lived in Sweet Briar. I was going to have to start from scratch.

I’d mentioned Donovan in THE RANCHER AND THE CITY GIRL. He was Jericho’s friend who’d disappeared without a trace some years ago. At the time, I had no more information about Donovan. All I knew was that he’d vanished. I decided that he would be the hero of my new story. Then I imagined that there would have been someone left behind. Someone special that he’d loved more than life. That someone was Raven. I thought he’d lost enough in life and deserved the chance to make his relationship work the second time around. Happily it did.

2. Donovan and Raven had such heat, even though it is a sweet romance. All of your characters do. How do you balance that while keeping things nice and sweet?

Well, I’m not quite sure. It just sort of happens. All of my couples love and desire each other passionately. I just keep most of the longing in their minds and all sex behind closed doors.

3. I love all the kids that you've written about, but Elias is my favorite so far. How did you come up with his personality?

I love the kids in my books. They are so much fun to write. Whenever I write a kid, I start with the premise that he or she is basically a good kid. With Elias, I tried to imagine what a boy living on a ranch with his mom and grandparents would feel. What would his days be like and what would he want? Then I set him loose on the page. His personality was revealed a little bit more with each scene he was in.

To be honest, the people in my books are real to me and I let them tell their own stories. I don’t think I’m creating their personalities as much as they are revealing who they are. I’m a pantser so I generally don’t know what they’re going to do until they do it. Sometimes I’m surprised by their behavior, but generally it’s in line with their personality so I shouldn’t be.

4. There's a heartbreaking scene with Elias and Donovan in the book that really got my eyes sweating. But it was real. Was it important to you to show these kind of emotions and not have a Disneyland reunion?

Yes. I want to keep it as real as I can. People get angry when they think they’ve been betrayed or feel like someone has made a fool of them. They often say really nasty and cruel things in an effort to make the other person hurt as much as they do. I just couldn’t imagine Elias being thrilled at the way he found out the truth. But I could imagine him being furious. And hurt. To me his reaction was understandable and real. And my eyes were sweating there, too.

5. You've made Sweet Briar such a character in your series, how did you come up with this town?

The town just sprung up out of my imagination as a nice place to live. I like to pretend that I pictured the entire place at once, but that’s not true. The town has grown with each book as new places become necessary. I wish I would have made a map of the town before I started writing, but I didn’t. Hopefully one day I’ll get to that. In HOW TO STEAL THE LAWMAN’S HEART, a restaurant, beach, and youth center were necessary so I created them. Later I needed a garage so I added it. Now we have a doctor’s office. I do love this little town and all of the background characters that go with it, like the retired gentlemen who play checkers outside the barber shop.

6. Do we really have to wait until August for the next story? Whose story will it be?

Yes and no. My next Sweet Briar Sweethearts book won’t be out until August. It’s Joni and Lex’s story. The title is A BABY BETWEEN FRIENDS. I am so excited for people to read that one. But I have another book coming out in May. THE CITY GIRL’S HOMECOMING is part of a multi-author continuity centered around a pet rescue. I had so much fun writing this book. It doesn’t take place in Sweet Briar, but it is set in a small community.

7. I know this is hard, but do you have a favorite Sweet Briar book?

Whenever I’m writing a book, I fall in love with those characters, and that book becomes my favorite. So at one time or another each book has been my favorite.

But if I had to choose a favorite favorite, I would say HOW TO STEAL THE LAWMAN’S HEART. Not that I love the characters more than the others. I love all of the heroes and heroines. I think it’s because it was the very first book that I had published. And although they weren’t the main characters, I really loved Alyssa and Joseph’s relationship. So with LAWMAN, you get Trent and Carmen and Alyssa and Joseph. Two romances in one book. When you add up all of that, that’s what put this book over the top and makes it my favorite.

A few random thoughts . . . .

2019-02-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

I went to a historically black college, Johnson C. Smith University. And while a lot of people my age credit A Different World for the reason why they chose an HBCU, for me it was only one of the reasons.
The main reason I wanted to go to a historically black college was because of my aunt and uncle. Two of the smartest people I had ever known, she was a graduate of Benedict and he was a graduate of South Carolina State. They both made history in education, he at the University of South Carolina and she in Richland County's school district.
I wanted to be like them.
And it started with going to a black college. My uncle passed away earlier this month. And the tributes to this wonderful man have been pouring in like a soothing rain.

White was USC’s first African-American coach in any sport, but his greatest impact on the school and on hundreds of its athletes came after he left that role to become an academic advisor for the team and then build from scratch the athletic department’s academic support department.

Henceforth is the word the pastor left us with as his funeral service came to an end. Now and forever my uncle will be remembered as a great man who touched the lives of everyone who knew him. A man who valued education, honored God, loved his family and football. Oh, he loved football. Word on the street is that when I was born, he said I would've been a great football player. I was a big baby. Uncle Harold was a man who could admire. He wanted all of us to be better. He taught a lesson in every conversation. You might not have gotten it at first, but in a quiet moment when you thought you couldn't do something, his words would push you forward.
I remember summers at my aunt and uncle's house. Him trying to teach me to swim. I was a horrible student. The cookouts. The lessons. But most of all the love.
You always think there will be more time. You never think that your heroes will die.
Thank God that I had this legend in my life. And I can selfishly wish for more time, but I'm going to be thankful for the time I had. Rest in paradise, Unc!

When you can't say it, your friends can! "For Colored Girls, When No Should Have Been Enough… I’m Sorry We Continue To Fail You"

2019-01-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

I'm lucky to have a tribe of friends who are smarter than I am. Who are better writers than I am. And what a blessing it is to know, KD King!

First, let me introduce you to my sis!
KD King is the author of Torn:

Anaria Okam breathes war. She lives for vengeance. Wekari, an enemy planet, took the most precious thing from her –her mother. Though her mother lives in body, she is broken in spirit. Since the time Anaria could understand words, her father, ruler of the planet Loden, instilled in her the need to seek vengeance and destroy Wekari.
While trading goods on the neutral planet of Atlzo she spots the enemy, Marshall Kalil Umba, leader of the Wekarian armies. Seizing an opportunity, she follows him. As she gets close to him, her body lights with need. Then the embers of desire cause her whole body to glow.
Kalil, of the space ship Destruction has finally found his mate. He realizes she is a warrior from the enemy planet of Loden. He captures her. Now he must make her trust him, love him, and leave everything she has ever known.

KD King is also the Edusexual!
And she is the author of a blog that sums up my feelings on how we as a society, community and a nation have failed black girls.

As a black woman in America there is not a time or space where I get a break — a break from sexism, racism, misogyny, or patriarchy. I don’t get a break from feeling some undeserved sense of loyalty to black men and the backlash I get from my community when I don’t. Let me be honest here, I’m loyal to ME. I’m loyal to BLACK WOMEN. And that loyalty is a fight. A fight against my brothers, a fight against my sisters, a fight against a world that does not support black women. It’s an emotionally draining fight endured almost daily.

So, I was dishonest with myself in what I could push out at that time. Time did NOT heal wounds. For that to happen, folks would have to quit stabbing it.

Did society suddenly change in the past year?

Nope.

Okay then.

What sparked me to finish this is simple, I was leaving too many damn comments on social media.

Hell, I started a damn blog post about all the shit I’m saying in random comments. Guess it’s time to finish it.

And with the documentary Surviving R. Kelly, it’s definitely time.

So, to all the black girls out there. I’m so sorry we have and continue to fail you. And to all the women, who have overcome or have yet to overcome the traumas of childhood, I’m sorry for the little girl we failed.

The system fails black girls — Cyntoia Brown a sex trafficking victim who killed her assailant, will die in jail. Her trauma will never be cared for. She was failed at every level and continues to be failed.

Read the full blog here.

Dating sucks in 2018

2018-12-29T22:00:00.002-05:00

Let’s say you’re at the gas station in the rain and sexy-ish silver fox offers to pump your gas.

It’s cold outside and you accept the assist. He asks your name and you tell him. He comments on how you drive a nice car. And you smile because you agree. Then he asks you out on Saturday night. You don’t have anything going on and you haven’t been on a date in a while.

And did I mention that he’s cute? Stylish and smells good. What could possibly go wrong?

EVERYTHING.

1. Dude is boring. He asked me what type of work did I do? I said, I’m a writer and a salesperson.

He said he doesn’t have time to read. My face turned to stone. The last thing you should ever say to a human — especially one who writes — is I don’t have time to read.

I could almost hear my sister telling me to stop being judgmental. But when do I listen to my sister?

2. He’s a Carolina Panthers fan. Dude, you 50. You are not loyal. Then he started defending Cam Newton’s sexism. Well, you guess how that worked out for him. Not fucking well. I picked up my smartphone with the intention of showing him the video of my episode with Cam. Then my group text started popping. So I responded. He said I was being rude. He had no idea what rude was.

So, I put my phone back inside my purse and smiled while he talked about some shit that I didn’t want to hear. And then while he was in mid-sentence, talking about himself, I stood up and excused myself to the bathroom. We were having sushi and I love sushi.

I had two rolls. I can easily eat ten. I headed toward the bathroom, I made a quick left and headed out the door.

I got into my nice car, started it up, block his number and burned rubber out the parking lot.

From now own, I’ll pump my own damn gas.

Unapologetically Dope . . .Dr. Nicki Washington's love letter to black women in tech (and everywhere else!)

2018-11-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Want to know why Dr. Nicki Washington is the right woman to write a book titled Unapologetically Dope: Lessons for Black Women and Girls on Surviving and Thriving in the Tech Field?

1. She is the first black woman to earn a Ph.D in computer science from North Carolina State University.
2. She's been coding since she was a child!
3. She was the first black woman faculty member of the computer science department at Howard University.
4. And she is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University (Just like me, so that makes her doper than your average off the gate!)

Today I got a chance to visit with Dr. Washington in her office on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, fitting place for a Rock Star like Nicki!

What I'm thankful for . . .

2018-11-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Some times you may turn the TV on and watch the craziness that has become the world and want to throw your hands up in despair.
Some time, you're tired of seeing bad people win while good ones suffer. You might get up in the morning and curse the job that you're heading to; oh wait, that's just me. . .
But there is always more to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for every breath I take, thankful for my mama's mac and cheese, thankful for my daddy, thankful for God blessing me with a passion for writing.

I'm thankful that I had 13 good years with my grandmother, who taught me how to love and how to throw shade. I'm thankful for my brother and my sister who made me an auntie — actually, the coolest auntie in the world.

I'm thankful for my friend who introduced me to sushi and shrimp sauce. I'm thankful to my niece who reminds me every day that life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.
I'm thankful to my nephews and the men they have become and continue to grow into. I'm especially thankful that they have girlfriends who aren't crazy or ugly. (Super thankful for that last part)

I'm thankful that people want to read the stories that I tell, that I'm allow to escape into a world of fantasy and share it with world. I'm thankful that I'm alive and I have a chance to make mistakes and learn from them.

So, on this day of Thanksgiving, while we fellowship with our families and enjoy mac and cheese that doesn't have blueberries in it, remember someone who doesn't know how much they have to be thankful for and show them some love.
Remember that you are loved and someone is thankful for you right now.