Because My Heart Said So . . . Coming June 15!

Link Posted on May 25, 2016

‪#‎4Writers4Love‬

A Novella Collection from Nia Forrester, Jacinta Howard, Lily Java & Rae Lamar – Coming June 15, 2016!

Click the link below to join our group for exclusive content, giveaways & more!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BecauseMyHeartSaidSo/

 BMHSS

Because My Heart Said So . . . A Friends-to-Lovers Collection — June 2016!

Link Posted on May 15, 2016

At the start of the year, I set a goal…do more. Lofty, right? Yeah. I didn’t attempt a concrete plan; all I knew was that I wanted to push myself in a way I hadn’t before, to move the needle. To grow. Little did I know that I’d soon get a chance to do just that. An invitation to collaborate with a few of my favorite writers in a project that I can honestly say was all kinds of creative fun. And here’s the cool part – not only did I get to work with Nia, Jacinta and Lily, but I also got to know them better…and myself too.

So I can’t begin to explain my excitement about the release of Because My Heart Said So… in June! Yes, it’s a collection of friends-to-lovers stories, but it’s also a beautiful blend of voices that complement each other in a pretty great way. It’s what I hope that readers will enjoy most about what we’ve done with this project– four authors, four stories, for love… punctuated by a genuine respect and appreciation for our craft and each other.

For the next few weeks, we’re going to showcase this “beautiful blend” in our group on Facebook. From teasers and excerpts to music and giveaways, we’re going to celebrate all the way to release day and then celebrate some more after that. I hope you join us – Because My Heart Said So Facebook Group – it’s going be a blast!

#4Writers4Love | Because My Heart Said So . . .

Link Posted on May 15, 2016

#‎4Writers4Love‬ COMING JUNE 2016.

A new Friends-to-Lovers Collection from Nia Forrester, Jacinta Howard, Lily Java & Rae Lamar. 😀

Join Us on Facebook

FINDING KENNEDY by Jacinta Howard

Link Posted on May 15, 2016

Today, Author Jacinta Howard is stopping by to share an excerpt from Book 2 in The Prototype Series — Finding Kennedy! This highly-anticipated release arrives May 20th, so be sure to add Finding Kennedy on Goodreads.

In the meantime, discover The Prototype in Book 1 — Happiness In Jersey. I fell in love with Jersey and Zay (#JerZay), and I’m sure you’ll love their story as much as I do.

Now back to Finding Kennedy…enjoy this excerpt introducing Kennedy and Travis. Happy Reading! 

EXCERPT

We rode for what felt like forever. Until my mind quieted. Until the noise in my head was less than a hum. Until the vibrations of the bike were even with my breaths.

We pulled up to a place that sort of looked like a small house that’d been gutted and turned into a storefront. The entire street was lined with quaint buildings like it. It smelled like fall– crisp and clean. “Evan’s” was written on the sign that hung just over the front door.

“Where are we?” I asked once I’d pulled my helmet off, smoothing my braid, which was hanging over one shoulder. My body was still humming, coming down from the high of our ride. I was still seated on his bike and watched as Travis removed his helmet, raking his fingers through his hair.

“In Allen, just outside Dallas. I wanted a beignet and some wings,” he said, nodding toward front door of Evan’s as he climbed off.

A small smile touched his lips, and he helped me off the bike. “Was the ride too much?”  he asked, watching as I stretched my arms above my head.

“It was perfect.”

He smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“This place is owned by a cat named Evan from back home,” Travis explained, as I looked around. “It’s pretty low key,” he offered, reading my expression. “And it’s old school, so no TVs.”

I looked down at my boots.

“I gotta warn you though, dude is a little… off.”

“Off?” I met his eyes again, grinning.

“Last time I was in here, he was trying to tell me that world is actually flat. Like, he argued me down about it. Got all animated and shit, talking about how Antarctica is really an ice wall.”

I laughed and he shook his head, his dimple showing as he chuckled.

“Why does he think the earth is flat?”

“Your guess is good as mine. I tried to follow what the hell he was talking about– something about gravity being an illusion, and the earth really being a disc.”

I laughed, eyeing him. He smiled and grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers as we walked together toward the entrance.

“I kept thinking he was gonna laugh, but it never came,” he continued. “All he kept saying was ‘stay woke.’” He widened his eyes, looking like a zombie, and I laughed.

“And you still come here?” I asked as we paused in front of the door.

“You know how hard it is to find a good beignet in Texas?” He raised his brows.

“But beignets and wings?”

He nodded his gaze sweeping over me, landing on my boots. He grinned then met my eyes again.

“My taste is particular.”

“Guilty pleasure?”

“Nah,” he said, his eyes turning serious despite the playful grin on his face. “I don’t believe in that. You should never feel guilty for enjoying what brings you pleasure.”

A half hour later, we were seated at one of the plush booths, and I was completely in love. Evan’s was the coolest place I’d ever been—part restaurant, part bookstore, part record store. It smelled like vinyl and sugar. I chewed slowly, smiling at Travis who was watching me intently, waiting for my response since I’d told him I’d never actually had a beignet.

“So what’s the word, baby doll?”

I swallowed, relishing the sweetness of the pastry, and grinned.

“Yum.”

He laughed, stuffing the last of his into his mouth. Sly Stone’s “Just Like a Baby” played from the speakers, the lazy groove filling the space, seeping into my bones, relaxing me. Or maybe that was just Travis’s energy. I’d expected this day to be like last year, unbearable, too drenched in reality. But I felt almost… dreamlike. The sadness, the ache was still there, but it was hazy instead of overpowering. I could breathe with Travis.

BOOK BLURB

When Kennedy James unexpectedly shows up at her grandma’s house in Tyler, Texas, no one knows what to make of her arrival—including her. The only thing Kennedy does know is that something in her life has to change, and it needs to happen right now. She’s been numb for much too long.

Then she meets Travis Broussard, the perceptively cool guitarist of the indie soul band, The Prototype. The timing couldn’t be worse, but their attraction is instant, magnetic, and at times overwhelming, causing Kennedy to question if it’s possible to feel too much.

As Kennedy attempts to embark on a new path, she finds herself at a crossroads. But if she chooses to follow her heart, is she prepared to deal with what she might find?

FINDING KENNEDY |  View the book trailer

CONNECT WITH JACINTA HOWARD
Website & Blog  |  Amazon Author Page

Jacinta Howard is the author of women’s and new adult fiction. Since 2014, she’s released four novels, including the well-received Love Always Series. The first book in the series, Better Than Okay, was nominated for a 2015 RONE Award. She also released the USA TODAY Must-Read Romance, Happiness in Jersey, which the publication calls “full of flavor, while offering a mix of life lessons to ponder long after reading.”

Indie Love In the A Soiree — Don’t Miss It!

Link Posted on May 10, 2016

Saturday, June 18…can’t wait to see you! 🙂

Register Today | Indie Love In The A Soiree 

Rae Lamar Book Signing

CRAZY.SEXY.UNTHINKABLE.LOVE by P.K. Rashaan

Link Posted on April 26, 2016

Today, P.K. Rashaan is stopping by to give us a little taste from his debut — Crazy.Sexy.Unthinkable.Love!

Check out the excerpt below… Happy Reading! 🙂

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON…CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CRAZY.SEXY.UNTHINKABLE.LOVE NOW!

BOOK BLURB:

A painful breakup leads Deion McKenna to revert to his womanizing ways, deciding that being a player was the best medicine for his broken heart. Using his good looks and swagger as a top-level executive at RPK Entertainment, he endeavors to have any woman he wants…and no woman is off limits.

Alexia Anthony was focused solely on her music career as a member of the R&B group, Isyss, swearing off relationships until the group was signed to a record label. With an ex-boyfriend insistent on rekindling their affair, she does everything she can to avoid men altogether, and she can’t afford to be distracted by anyone, not when the group was so close to achieving their dreams.

A chance meeting threatens to turn both of their worlds upside down. Despite the promises made, the connection between Deion and Alexia is intense and undeniable. Alexia’s unexpected attraction to Deion’s best friend, Natalia, sets into motion an unforeseen course of events, culminating into a serendipitous union that pushes the boundaries of normalcy.

EXCERPT:

I let En Vogue roll with me for this segment of the story line, where Alexia had to deal with her ex, who wants to try to find a way back to them being together…

“WHY ARE YOU HERE? WHAT DO YOU WANT? I’m not in the mood for your BS tonight.”

Seeing the reason why I swore off men standing at the doorway to my apartment was the last thing I needed. I was still highly aroused from trying not to flirt with Deion, and I did not want to take my fuckstrations out on this son of a bitch.

My ex-boyfriend Troy had this grin on his face as I walked toward him, opening his arms in an attempt to welcome me with a hug. That grin quickly faded when it was met with stone-cold contempt. “Come on, baby girl, I know you’re not still mad at me?”

He tried to close the space between us, but I placed my palm against his chest and straightened out my arm to let him know my personal space would not be invaded. He no longer deserved that right. “Okay, I think that answers my question.”

“I hate repeating myself. What do you want, Troy?” My food was getting cold, and this wasted conversation threatened to piss me off. “I have a lot of stuff to do in the morning, and I need to get some sleep.”

“See, that’s the problem, you were always thinking it was about me.” Troy exhaled. He cocked his head to the side, realizing he couldn’t figure out my mood. “You know that I was always focused on us, baby girl.”

“Mmmhmmm, so focused that you decided that having another chick sucking and fucking you in my car was for our benefit, right?” I shot a look at him that immediately shut him down. “That’s what I thought. Focused…yeah, right.”

“Aight, look, Alexia, I ain’t come to argue.” Troy’s demeanor changed up, switching to a more serious tone. He was never serious while we were together. “I know I fucked up, but we were good together, you know that.”

“Yeah, you fucked up, that part you definitely got right.” I huffed, pushing him out of my way to get to my door. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to try and eat something before I crash.”

“Yeah, I know, your music career comes first,” he spat. The anger in his eyes was definitely something new. That was something he never mentioned before, even when things went bad between us. He never bad-mouthed my music or the group, especially since he was an up-and-coming hip hop artist, trying to break out solo from the group he’s been with since before we got together.

Whatever.

He had me pegged for being a wannabe superstar’s girlfriend who was cool with being behind the scenes.

That’s…not…me.

Now that I thought about it, the whole issue with ol’ girl really didn’t bother me all that much. We were dating, so it wasn’t like he locked me down with a ring or something like that. My ring fingers were as bare as naked daylight. If he was straight up, I might have been good with the program. As high as his sex drive was, he was wearing me out, I would have welcomed the break to let some other chick do the sex marathons I wasn’t willing to bother with anymore.

Truth be told, he was becoming a bit boring in bed anyway, pulling the same tired moves to get me aroused and the same tired strokes to keep my juices flowing. If he had the chance to learn something new from some other bitch and bring it home to switch things up, I might have been able to roll with that.

Still, he violated my car with a bitch that didn’t hold a candle to me despite her belief that she was willing to do what I wouldn’t do, and I still won’t do: be a groupie and to the “great” TraumaDryl.

“Yeah, my career comes first, and the fact that you didn’t bother supporting it, but you could support your need to keep your magic stick wet even though I was fucking you like a porn star is the reason you’re stuck right now.” I let him have it with both barrels, no longer in the mood for this conversation to continue.

“Alexia, I…okay, I caught you at a bad time, and you need some sleep, maybe that’s why you’re all hormonal right now.” Troy finally backed off, heading toward the parking lot. “But we’re not done talking about this. I know you’re not over me yet, I can feel it on you, shawty.”

“Go, Troy.” I slammed the door on him, irritated beyond words.
Damn, he completely killed the buzz that I was on, and I hated the fact that he was right.

I wasn’t over him…yet.

But it was times like this that made it easier to forget about him.
I was tempted to reconsider my initial consideration while he was still within arm’s reach. I was definitely in heat since I was unabashedly fantasizing about a man that I had yet to even have a full conversation with. My body wanted it, if only for the temporary release, but my mind made it explicitly clear that I’d made that mistake once before, and I was not about to make that mistake again.

In short: he simply wasn’t worth the trouble.

Considering that he caused me to have to microwave my food before bed only gave me another good reason why I was glad I didn’t let him in. I really wanted to beat his ass for causing my food to get cold, but that anger would have manifested itself into something else. It always did when it came to us.

No matter how feral I felt, I couldn’t let him back inside. He’s been gone too long to ever get back in like that.

No fool, no more.

ABOUT PK RASHAAN:

P.K. Rashaan is the “alter-ego” of erotica and mystery author Shakir Rashaan. Although he is not as edgy as his more celebrated counterpart, P.K. brings a more sensual, yet intriguing universe, delving into genres and topics that he and Shakir agree are more palatable for a widespread audience. You can see more of Rashaan at his virtual home or connect with him on Facebook.