2008 Goals

For 2007, my goals for the year were:

* work out more – even if it’s nothing but a brisk 15 minute walk (this didn't happen)
* remember to take my iron pills daily (this didn't happen)
* manage my money more efficiently (Yeah! I did it)
* save money (could have but had no extra money to put into savings)
* spend more time with my girls (I did it)
* find small, different things to do with my husband (I did it)
* write something every day (didn't happen)
* give more of my time to God (did it, need to do more)
* have more patience (this comes and goes)
* be happy with who I am (I am)

For 2008, I have some of these same goals because they continue from year to year.

* continue to make God first in my life
* make quality time for me and my husband
* continue to spend time with my girls
* eat healthy and exercise
* write and complete Christian fiction novel
* continue to manage my money more efficiently
* save money
* enroll in school
* participate in business workshops
* be happy with who I am

50 Million Pound Challenge

50 Million Pound Challenge

Ever heard of it? I had been hearing about it on a local radio station. I finally remembered it and visited the website. It's very interesting and out of everyone who is trackng their progress, they've reached over 1 million pounds lost.

I signed up so that I could take part and track my progress also. My start date is January 1, 2008. What better time to start a lifestyle change than the first day of a new year.

The new year will bring great things, I can feel it.

So, if you too want to take part in the 50 million pound challenge, visit the website and sign up.

New England Patriots 16-0 Season

I can't believe this. The New England Patriots have ended the 2007 football season 16-0. With me being a huge Indianapolis Colts fan, this just isn't acceptable to me.

Just when I thought that the New York Giants would be able to pull it off and beat the team that no one else had been able to defeat the whole season, Tom Brady and the Patriots go up 38-28 with two minutes left in the game and that's when I knew that there would be no hope this year. Even thought the Giants did score again, it wasn't enough as they lost to the Patriots 38-35.

Now, I'm hoping that some one (Indianapolis Colts in particular) will beat the Patriots in the playoffs.

Looks like we'll all have to wait until Feb. 3, 2008 to find out who will be the winner of Super Bowl XLII.

1st To Die - James Patterson

1st To Die by James Patterson

This is only my second James Patterson book. The first one was Mary, Mary and it was pretty good also.

In 1st To Die there were twists and turns throughout the book. It seemed that by chapter 86 they had found the killer but I knew that they couldn’t have because there were still over 20 more chapters of the book left. So I had to keep on going just to find out who the killer really was.

I can’t wait to listen to 2nd Chance. It’s next on my list of audiobooks.

Fantasy Football

I played fantasy football in two different leagues this year. Last year was my first year playing. I’m the commissioner of both of the team, “Fam” and “Newbie”.

The Newbie league was not very competitive this year. I think people were excited in the beginning but as the season went on, people stopped managing their teams. My husband and I were the only ones managing our teams. And I had two teams in this one league. Of course, no one else in the league knows that I have two teams. But both of my teams are 1st and 2nd place.

The Fam league was very competitive. It is me, my husband, and his brothers, sister, and sister-in-law. They are a bunch. But it was a lot of fun to play with them. Our sister-in-law changed players so much that she has been nicknamed “The Fantasy Ho”. Her husband managed his team very well, he’s in first place right now. My husband is second and I’m third.

We’ll know in two weeks who the winners are for both teams. I hope it’s ME!!!
There’s nothing I will get for being the winner but the satisfaction of being a woman winning fantasy football.

Come back in two weeks to see who won.

I Am Legend

I Am Legend

I went to go see this movie last night. It turned out to be nothing like I expected but that was okay because the movie was really good. Will Smith did an excellent job.

The best advice I can give to anyone that goes to see this movie is to make sure you breathe. I found myself holding my breath throughout the movie because of the anticipation of what would happen next. And every time, I found myself jumping out of my seat.



My husband held on to my hand and laughed at me ever time I jumped. I admit, it was funny but I’ve never watched a movie that had me doing that through the whole movie.


Good movie and a must see.

God said No!

God said No!

I asked Got to take away my habit.
God said No!
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said No!
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said No!
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said No!
I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said No!
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said No!
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said No!
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said Ahhh, finally you have the idea.

"To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world"

"May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
May the Lord Make his face shine upon you,
And give you Peace......Forever"

"Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Why Did You Make Me Black, Lord?

Why Did You Make Me Black, Lord ?

Why did you make me black?

Why did you make someone the world would hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes,of grimy hands and feet.

Black is the color of darkness, of tired beaten streets.

Why did you give me thick lips,a broad nose and kinky hair?

Why did you create someone who receives the hated stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye
when someone gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness,
Black is the color of dirt.

Why is my bone structure so thick,
my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,
and not the color of the sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin
and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand.
What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate me
and not know the person within?

Black is what people are "Labeled"
when others want to keep them away.
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.

Lord you know my own people mistreat me,
and you know this just ain't right.
They don't like my hair, they don't like my skin,
as they say I'm too dark or too light!

Lord, don't you think it's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?


GOD's Reply:

Why did I make you black?

I made you in the color of coal
from which beautiful diamonds are formed.
I made you in the color of oil,
the black gold which keeps people warm.

Your color is the same as the rich dark soil
that grows the food you need.
Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther,
Oh what majestic creatures indeed!

All colors of the heavenly rainbow
can be found through out every nation.
When all these colors are blended,
you become my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,
such a beautiful creature is he.
I am the shepherd who watches them,
I will ALWAYS watch over thee!

You are the color of the midnight sky,
I put star glitter in your eyes.
There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain,
that's why your cheeks are so high!

You are the color of dark clouds
from the hurricanes I create in September.
I made your lips so full and thick,
so when you kiss...they will remember!

Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick
to withstand the burden of time.
The reflection you see in the mirror,that image that looks back,
that is MINE!

So get off your knees, look in the mirror
and tell me what you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness,

I made you in the image of ME!

Tryin' To Sleep In The Bed You Made - Virgnia DeBerry & Donna Grant

Tryin' To Sleep In The Bed You Made by Virgnia DeBerry & Donna Grant

This story is about two friends that grew up together and then lost contact with each other. Their lives took turns that they hadn’t planned on but eventually, they found each other.
Gale was the prissy girl who seemed to get her way on everything. She was spoiled and everything was always about her. Patricia didn’t have what Gale had but was glad that Gale was her friend. But Patricia soon realized that Gale was all about herself.

Gale married Ramsey Hilliard and they had a daughter, Vanessa. Ramsey seemed like a good guy and he probably was but that demon, Gambling, took over his life and he staged his own suicide so that he could remain in hiding from being in so much debt from gambling. This left Gale and Vanessa with nothing and they ended up in a shelter where Patricia came back in contact with Gale.

Patricia found out who her father was and he didn’t want to have anything to do with her. Patricia was also doing really well at her job but from no where, she was let go and since her job was her life, she didn’t know what else to do. Marcus Carter, a childhood friend came back into Patricia’s life and they ended up getting married.

It took me a while to get through listening to this book but it was pretty good.

3 stars out of 5

Happily Never After - T. Wendy Williams

Happily Never After by T. Wendy Williams

This book was nothing like I thought it would be.

It seemed like the book took place maybe in the 60's but you really couldn't tell except for the mention every now and then about the coloreds only seating area in a restaurant and the mention of marching in DC with Martin Luther King.

Granted, Dorothy was going through hell with David and the way he was treating her but I really couldn't feel her pain. I was only reading about it. There was a lot of telling instead of showing.

It was really hard to get wrapped up in the lives of these characters while reading this book. It just didn't come to life for me.

2 stars out of 5

Beauty and the Beast - Deatri King-Bey

Beauty and the Beast by Deatri King-Bey

This book was actually pretty good. It is definitely a love story in my opinion.
Nefertiti was attacked in her home and Butch (the guy who attacked her) sliced her up pretty bad. Bruce, long time friend of Nefertiti, did his own investigating to find out who attached his “beauty”. The two stopped holding back their feelings for each other and eventually got married.
There wasn’t really too much of a surprise anywhere in the story. You already who attacked Nefertiti, you know who was responsible and what they were really after. You already know that Bruce knows what happens also. It was also obvious that Roy had issues and that he was up to no good also.
But like I said, it was pretty good and I really enjoyed reading it.

3.5 stars out of 5

The First Lady - Carl Weber

The First Lady by Carl Weber

This book really started off slow for me and took me longer than usual to finish. The characters were really boring to me and didn't have much going on.

Bishop TK Wilson (Thomas Kelly) is a recent widow. He's the pastor of First Jamaican and after his wife, Charlene, has been dead for six months, the women of the church think it's time for TK to find another first lady.

There are four women in the running: (1) Marlene - his daughter's mother, (2) Lisa Mae - an ex-first lady, (3) Savannah - daughter of one of the deacons, and (4) Monique - the woman classified as the church slut.

The book goes on about these four women trying to catch the attention of TK and ends with TK choosing with his heart and not what the members think it should be. TK marries Monique.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Choices Men Make - Dwayne S. Joseph

Choices Men Make by Dwayne S. Joseph

About three men and the struggles they go through with their women.

Vic, a white boy, is married to Julie, a white girl. Vic isn't in love with Julie and no longer wants to be with her. He's always been in love with black women. He was raised by a black woman and was around black people. The only reason Vic married Julie was because she was pregnant and he wanted to do the right thing. Vic left Julie and met Latrice, a woman at his job. He and Latrice start takling and eventually get married and have three boys.

Roy is a car salesman who is married to Stacey. They have two girls. When Vic leaves Julie, Stacey gets really upset and takes it out on Roy. Roy tries to tell her that it is none of their business about what happened between Vic and Julie. Stacey's obsession about what happened pus a strain on Roy and Stacey's marriage. Turns out that Stacey wasn't really in love with Roy and married him because he had proposed to her in front of his family and she really liked his family. They eventually get a divorce and have joint custody of their girls.

Colin is the player out of the three men. He's with a different woman all the time until Vic sets him up with a blind date with Latrice's white friend Emily. Colin is upset at first when he finds out that Emily is white. He's never dated a white woman before and had never planned on doing so. But he and Emily end up having a good time and start talking. They end up dating and eventually they get married and have a baby.

3.5 stars out of 5

Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' - Mata Elliott

Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' by Mata Elliott

Story about two people that had some forgiving to do towards people that had changed their lives forever. But with the help of god, they are able to forgive and move on with their life.

I didn't like the way the book ended. It left me hanging. Did Trevor and Cassidy adopt Herbie? Did they have any kids together?

Trevor lost his wife to a drunk driver accident. He was left with two girls, Brittney and Brandi. the three of them were staying with Odessa. She was an elderly lady that went to the same church as them. Trevor had set his kitchen on fire accidently and Odessa offered her house to the family.

Cassidy was the niece of Odessa. Odessa had raised Cassidy. When Cassidy arrived home from a time out of town, she found Trevor and the girls staying there. She did not like Trevor at first but he frew on her.

Together, they come to realize their love for each other and get married.

4 stars out of 5.

Last Bride Standing - Patricia Anne Phillips

Last Bride Standing by Patricia Anne Phillips

Wanda Gray is a journalist who works for the LA Times. She's married to Steven. Wanda gets an assignment in Kenya for three weeks. On her flight from London to Africa the plane crashes. Wanda's body is found on a ranch. She is taken to a hospital where she stays for several weeks. Wanda can't remember who she is so she's given the name Orchid.

Back at home in LA, Wanda is believed to be dead. Steven had been sleeping with Wanda's best friend, Marie. When Wanda was believed to be dead, Marie thought that she would be able to marry Steven but Steven had other things in mind.

While Orchid is in Africa, she falls in love with Ahmed and falls in love with life on a ranch in Africa. When Wanda remembers who she is, she flies back to the states. While there, Wanda can only think about Ahmed and then she finds out she's pregnant with Ahmed's baby.

I enjoyed the parts about Wanda in Africa but hated reading about what Steven was doing.

4 stars out of 5.

The Shirt Off His Back - Parry "EbonySatin" Brown

The Shirt off His Back by Parry "EbonySatin" Brown

Terry is the father of twin girls, Arianna and Alisa. Their mother, Catherine, was in college and didn't want to let children get in the way of her career so she gave full custody to Terry.

Terry has been dating Jackie for four years and is going to marry her. Jackie has twins, boy and girl.

Roland, Terry's best friend, starts liking Mercedes, Jackie's best friend and they start dating.

Catherine wants to be president of her company, so she decides to get custody of her girls to get that to happen. She tries to buy the girls off and make every body else's life miserable.

In the end, everything turns out the way it should.

4.5 stars out of 5.

Secrets of a Housewife - J. Tremble

Secrets of a Housewife by J. Tremble

First off, I never would have thought of a character being named "Secret" but it was very suitable for this book becasue there were plenty of secrets.

It was very foolish of Tarron to pull that stunt in the woods at his son's football practice.

Also, there were definitely some communication issues in this marriage. Tarron wanted a freak but didn't think his wife was one. Secret wanted to be a freak but wasn't getting the attention she wanted from her husband.

And plus, all the crap that she did has a housewife, Tarron should have been showing Secret a lot more appreciation.

It was messed up to find out about the secret between Secret and Jay. And then for Jay and Victoria to drop that bombshell on Tarron at the end of the book... That was some stuff. I can't wait to read the sequel More Secrets More Lies.

Old Habits Die Hard - La Jill Hunt

Old Habits Die Hard by La Jill Hunt

I was glad that this book started just where Too Close For Comfort left off. That helped me get back into the story. Also, I was right about the person who was talking to Lincoln in the salon.

I'm not too happy about the ending. There were so many unanswered questions for me.

1) What happened when Yaya confronted Fitz about Micha? I mean, come on, Yaya's a diva and a bitch as many have called her. You know she flipped her lid.

2) What happened when Camille confronted Terrance? I think she had it in her to do so. Especially since she gave up her virginity to him. Which I thought was stupid on her part since he said he didn't want to be in a relationship.

The only part that was complete was Taryn and Lincoln. I thought he was cheating on her but I guess it was his alcoholism.

Oh, and Celeste and Kasey have some serious issues and need some help. LOL

But overall, the story was good. If it wasn't, I would not have read it in one day.

Watercolored Pearls - Stacy Hawkins Adams

Watercolored Pearls by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Serena & Micah: They are still the happy couple I expected them to be in the third book. Good to hear about the pregnancy after Serena's struggles in Nothing But the Right Thing.

Tawana: I was glad to see that she was doing a good job in law school and had went on to higher educaiton. I thought her mother, Ms. Carter, would have been more differnt towards her daughter. But towards the end there was a noticable change.

Erika: I never believed that Elliott had changed and Erika was upsetting me because she wouldn't drop Elliott and get with Derrick who was obviously in love with her.

Bethany & Ian: Bethany was a trip and she got what she deserved. I just hate that Ian and Victoria got pulled in to it.

I believe that Watercolored Pearls was better than Speak to My Heart and Nothing But the Right Thing but it was definitely an enjoyable series to read.

Zora's Cry - Tia McCollors

Zora's Cry by Tia McCollors

I was hoping for Zora to find out about her birth parents by the end of this book. I also couldn't wait for Monét to find out about Bryce. He always seemed shady to me. I was glad when Monét and Jeremiah hooked up and loved that he was moving to Baltimore.

I was hoping more information would have been given about Paula and Darryl. I wanted to know if their marriage worked out and if he ever accepted his baby that she was carrying.

Overall, the book was good. Tia did a good job on this book with real life issues just like she did in A Heart of Devotion.

Women Who Could Be Your Best Friend

Women Who Could Be Your Best Friend

These women have it going on and could easily be in my circle of best friends.

I want others to get to know these characters the way that I have so I will only be listing names of characters, the book, and the author. You'll have to read the book for yourself to know why I love or hate the character.

1) Phoenix Perry - "Pretenses", "Sugar & Spice", "Hell Has No Fury" - Keith Lee Johnson

2) Zora Bridgeforth - "Zora's Cry" - Tia McCollors

3) Taryn - "Too Close for Comfort", "Old Habits Die Hard" - La Jill Hunt

4) Camille Davis - "Too Close for Comfort", "Old Habits Die Hard" - La Jill Hunt

5) Ciara Miller - "Risky Business of Love" - Yahrah St. John

6) Serena McDaniel - "Speak To My Heart", "Nothing but the Right Thing", "Watercolored Pearls" - Stacy Hawkins Adams

Women You Love To Hate

Women You Love To Hate

These are some women characters that I want to reach out and strangle.

I want others to get to know these characters the way that I have so I will only be listing names of characters, the book, and the author. You'll have to read the book for yourself to know why I love or hate the character.

1) Catherine Hawkins - "The Shirt Off His Back" - Parry "EbonySatin" Brown
2) Marie - "Last Bride Standing" - Patricia Anne Phillips
3) Demetria - "Bittersweet" - Freddie Lee Johnson III
4) Anjelica Hopkins - "Drama Queen" - La Jill Hunt
5) Celeste - "Too Close for Comfort", "Old Habits Die Hard" - La Jill Hunt
6) Kasey Davis - "Too Close for Comfort", "Old Habits Die Hard" - La Jill Hunt

Men You Love To Love

Men You Love To Love

These are the male characters that I just want to reach out and hug and never let go of.

I want others to get to know these characters the way that I have so I will only be listing names of characters, the book, and the author. You'll have to read the book for yourself to know why I love or hate the character.

1) Keyth Perry - "Pretenses", "Sugar & Spice", "Hell Has No Fury" - Keith Lee Johnson
2) Preston Fields - "Zora's Cry" - Tia McCollors
3) Trevor Monroe - "Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin'" - Mata Elliott
4) Terrence "Terry" Winston, Jr. - "The Shirt Off His Back" - Parry "EbonySatin" Brown
5) Christian - "Loose Ends" - Electa Rome Parks
6) Ahmed - "Last Bride Standing" - Patricia Anne Phillips
7) Craig Bennett - "All That and a Bag of Chips", "Been There, Done That" - Darrien Lee
8) Stelson Brown - "Boaz Brown" - Michelle Stimpson
9) Marcus - "Beyond Desire" - Gwynne Forster
10) Jakoby Jackson - "Another Sad Love Song" - La Jill Hunt
11) Alexander "Lex" Macmillan - "Count On This" - Niobia Bryant

12) Jonathan Butler - "Risky Business of Love" - Yahrah St. John

13) Micah McDaniels - "Speak to my Heart", "Nothing but the Right Thing", "Watercolored Pearls" - Stacy Hawkins Adams

Men You Love To Hate

Men You Love To Hate

These are the men characters that I just want to reach out and strangle.

I want others to get to know these characters the way that I have so I will only be listing names of characters, the book, and the author. You'll have to read the book for yourself to know why I love or hate the character.

1) Steven Gray - "Last Bride Standing" - Patricia Anne Phillips
2) Brice Matthews - "The Ties That Bind", "Loose Ends" - Electa Rome Parks
3) Craig - "Drama Queen" - La Jill Hunt
4) Reed Hamilton - "Risky Business of Love" - Yarah St. John

Characters - The Ones You Love, The Ones You Hate

From here on out, I will be having 4 on-going blogs.

(1) Men You Love to Hate
(2) Men You Love to Love
(3) Women You Love to Hate
(4) Women Who Could Be Your Best Friend

These blogs will be based on characters in books that I have read about.When I read, the characters come to life for me and some of them I just want to reach out and strangle them and then others, the men, I want to reach out and... well, you know.

I want others to get to know these characters the way that I have so I will only be listing names of characters, the book, and the author. You'll have to read the book for yourself to know why I love or hate the character.

2007 Book List (repost)

These are the books that I have read thus far for 2007.
I will enter separate blogs for each book later letting you know what I thought about the books.

January 2007
The First Lady by Carl Weber
Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' bu Mata Elliott
The Shirt off His Back by Parry "EbonySatin" Brown
Last Bride Standing by Patricia Anne Phillips
Boaz Brown by Michelle Stimpson (audio)

February 2007
This Just In by Yolanda Joe (audio)
Another Sad Love Song by La Jill Hunt

March 2007
In Another Man's Bed by Francine Ray
Before I Let Go by Darren Coleman (audio)
Don't Ever Wonder by Darren Coleman (audio)
Temptation by Donna Hill

April 2007
Sex in the Sanctuary by Lutishia Lovely

May 2007
A Fenced Yard by Penny Harris Smith
Good To Me by LaTonya Mason

July 2007
Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
The Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden (re-read)
Let's Do It Again by Niobia Bryant
My Soul Cries Out by Sherri L. Lewis
The Ex Files by Victoria Christopher Murray
Rain Storm by Vanessa Miller

August 2007
Don't Get It Twisted by Eric Pete (audio)
A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors
The Complete Church Newsletter by Jeffery P. Dennis
Sweet Devotion by Felicia Mason
Drama Queen by LaJill Hunt
Count on This by Niobia Bryant
Long Distant Lover by Donna Hill

September 2007
The Oath by Frank Peretti (audio)
Mommy's Angel by Miasha
The Midnight Hour by Brenda Jackson
Time Will Tell by Francine Matthews

October 2007
The Aftermath by Anna J
The Last Chance by Darrien Lee
Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray
Speak To My Heart by Stacy Hakwins Adams
Nothing But The Right Thing by Stacy Hawkins Adams
A Family Sin by Travis Hunter
In Too Deep by Dwayne S. Joseph
Hell Has No Fury by Keith Lee Johnson
How Sweet The Sound - Jacquelin Thomas, Francis Ray, Felicia Mason

November 2007
Too Close For Comfort by La Jill Hunt
Zora's Cry by Tia McCollors
Daddy Cool by Donald Goines
Risky Business of Love by Yahrah St. John
The Honeymoon is Over by Keith Lee Johnson (audio)
Watercolored Pearls by Stacy Hawkins Adams
Old Habits Die Hard by La Jill Hunt
Secrets of a Housewife by J. Tremble

December 2007
Happily Never After by T. Wendy Williams
Beauty and the Beast by Deatri King-Bey
Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant (audio)

The following are on my future read list:
Obsession 101 by Michelle McGriff
He's Fine...But is He Saved? by Kimberley Brooks
Dissolve by Jonathan Luckett
Not Easily Broken by T.D. Jakes
Celluloid Memories by Sandra Kitt
Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey

New Books

I went to a book sale today and bought 49 books. It's really hard for me to go to book sales now because my collection is getting really big and there are tons of books that I have not read yet. So I buy books and then get home and realize I already have them. But I'm glad that this time, I only bought 3 duplicates. So, I'll pass them on to someone else.

Here's my list of books (excluding the duplicates) that I got today:

So You Call Yourself A Man - Carl Weber
Sexy/Dangerous - Beverly Jenkins
Deception Point - Dan Brown
The Wave - Walter Mosley
It's Like That - Cheryl Robinson
Can't Get Enough - Connie Briscoe
Love in the Lineup - Deborah Fletcher Mello
No Hiding Place - Valerie Wilson Wesley
A Meeting in the Ladies' Room - Anita Doreen Diggs
Dream In Color - Darlene Johnson
A Little Piece of Sky - Nicole Bailey-Williams
Everybody Got Issues - V. Anthony Rivers
Mama - Terry McMillan
Celluloid Memories - Sandra Kitt
Far From the Tree - Virginia Berry and Donna Grant
Never Again Once More - Mary B. Morrison
Playing My Mother's Blues - Valerie Wilson Wesley
The Vow - Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray, Mitzi Miller
Dissolve - Jonathan Luckett
Dogism - Mark Anthony
Risky Business of Love - Yahrah St. John
Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned - Walter Mosley
Minion - L.A. Banks
Killer Chameleon - Chassie West
Men Cry in the Dark - Michael Baisden
Momma's Baby Daddy's Maybe - James L. Dames
The Laying on of Hands - Brenda Rhodes Miller
Breathing Room - Patricia Elam
He Say She Say - Yolanda Joe
When Somebody Loves You Back - Mary B. Morrison
What You Won't Do For Love - Wendy Coakley-Thompson
Grown Folks Business - Victoria Christopher Murray
Nothing But The Right Thing - Stacy Hawkins Adams
Help! I've Turned into my Mother - ReShonda Tate Billingsley
All Things Hidden - Judy Candis
Unfinished Business - Karyn Langhorne
Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made - Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
Someon to Love Me - Francis Ray
Daddy Cool - Donald Goines
Getting Our Breath Back - Shawne Johnson
Love on the Dotted Line - Dave E. Talbert
Babylon Sisters - Pearl Cleage
Red on a Rose - Patricia Jones
The Playa's Handbook - Brenda Jackson
How Opal Metha Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life - Kaavya Viswanathan


Now that's a lot of books. Some of them I have already read but I wanted them in my collection. Others that I have read are a part of a series and I want the series.

So add these to the others that I have on my shelf that I have not read and I have a lot of reading to do.

Too Close For Comfort - La Jill Hunt

Too Close For Comfort by La Jill Hunt

The only reason why I picked up this book to read was because I read Another Sad Love Song and Drama Queen and I really liked Another Sad Love Song and Drama Queen was okay.

After finishing Too Close, I have to say that it was pretty good. The characters were cool and the book was pretty easy to follow. The synopsis on the back of the book had me all confused though. It had Yaya/Qianna's name as Charysse and the back talked mainly about Quincy and Paige but the book was mainly about Yaya.

The ending really drove me mad. I couldn't believe that the book ended the way it did. I immediately grabbed my computer and got on line to find an email address for La Jill Hunt. I wanted to find out what the heck was going on with the ending. But after logging on to the http://www.urbanbooks.net/ site, I found out that just this month, the sequel to Too Close For Comfort, Old Habits Die Hard, is being released. That makes me feel a lot better and I'll be sure to check it out. I have got to find out who Lincoln was talking to even though I have an idea of who it was. But I'm sure it'll be a big surprise.

Speak To My Heart - Stacy Hawkins Adams

Speak To My Heart by Stacy Hawkins Adams

This book was comprised of believable characters who were going through believable situations. I love the way Stacy revealed each character and the roles they played throughout the book.

Micah, of course, was my favorite character. His personality was so warm and he definitely seemed like the best friend type.

I can’t wait to find out what happens in “Nothing But The Right Thing”. I hope Serena and Micah’s relationship develops into something more.

Joy - Victoria Christopher Murray

Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray

It didn’t dawn on me until the end of the book how the book got its title. I didn’t even think about it while I was reading why the book was titled “Joy”.

I really enjoyed reading the book and enjoyed trying to guess who had attacked Anya. I never thought from the beginning that she would end up with Braxton.

It was really weird though what was going on with Alaster. I guess you never do understand a crazy person because never understood what was going on with him.

The book had a great ending and it was a “joy” – no pun intended- to read.

Hell Has No Fury by Keith Lee Johnson

Hell Has No Fury by Keith Lee Johnson

I’m a murder mystery type of gal but not a graphic one. “Hell Has No Fury” is graphic but I couldn’t put it down.

I’m such a big Phoenix Perry fan and could not put the book down. The story was excellent and really threw me at the end. It’s amazing how an authors’ mind works.

This book gets 5 out of 5 stars and if you don’t know about Agent Phoenix Perry, check her story out in the following books by Keith Lee Johnson: 1. Pretenses 2. Sugar & Spice 3. Hell Has No Fury

Peaceful Places

Do you have that favorite spot where you can go and just relax? A place where you can forget about everything that's going on in your life?

My favorite spot is right there next to this fountain. Just sitting there clearing my mind and listening to the water is such a beautiful thing.


Even now, I can hear the way the water sounds in my head without me even being there. That only makes me want to get there even though I can't.

I have to enjoy my special place while I can because during the winter, the fountain is shut down. Which is understandable. And plus, in the winter, I'm not trying to sit outside anyway.


Think about that special place that you love to visit. The place where once you get there, all your worries and cares are gone, if only temporarily. I encourage you to visit that place again soon if you haven't in a while.

NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo also known as National Novel Writing Month takes place every year in the month of November. You have 30 days (Nov. 1 - Nov. 30) to write a 50,000-word novel.

Sounds hard doesn't it? Well, it really isn't if you're commited to getting it done.

Last year was my first time Nano-ing and it was a blast. When Dec. 1st hit, I couldn't wait until November 2007 so that I could do it all over again.

Yes, it is torture. Yes, it seems like the rest of your life is put on hold because you're trying to crank out at least 1,667 words per day to meet the 50K-word goal.

Even though last year I did no laundry, no cooking, no cleaning, no checking of homework, and no family social time, my family was very supportive. I think they were shocked that I had commited myself to something like this and they wanted to see me finish it. I thank them for that. But now that I've done it once already, I wonder how supportive they'll be this year.

Last year I did all my writing in the comforts of my home. I sat on the couch in the living room while my husband and kids talked or watched television. I think this year I'm going to try and venture out to some coffee shops and book stores.

NaNo is not a time to try and write a perfect novel in 30 days. NaNo is meant to get a novel on paper. You go back later and do any editing, if that's what you want to do. It seems a lot of people just do it for the challenge but never intend on their NaNo piece being published. With NaNo, you let your inner editor off for the month and you just write away.

If you've ever read a book and thought, "That was horrible," or "I could do better than that," then now is your chance to get your story told.

I invite all to visit http://www.nanowrimo.com/ and sign up. Join the thousands who venture out every year to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I love watching the CBS TV show “Ghost Whisperer” but I don’t believe in ghosts.
My daughter can’t stand to watch the show no matter what. She thinks anything that has to do with ghosts is scary. No matter how much I try and explain to her that there’s nothing to be afraid of and ghosts don’t exist, she still can’t handle it.

I really don’t know what it is about the show that keeps me coming back week after week for more. I remember crying at the end of the first or second season when Andrea died. I guess when you watch you become attached to the characters and they become a part of your life.

So tell me, do you believe in ghosts?

In Too Deep by Dwayne S. Joseph

In Too Deep by Dwayne S. Joseph

I like the way the book was set up - with each person owning its own chapter. It helped to get into the head of each person to see what they were thinking because so much was going on with this story.

I also liked the way Dwayne connected Travis to Abe through Brian. That was very clever.

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. It really left me hanging. The book started off with Randy, Monique, and Tina but ended with Taki? That didn’t make since and I was disappointed.

2007 Book List

These are the books that I have read thus far for 2007 starting in July.
I will enter separate blogs for each book later letting you know what I thought about the books.

July 2007
Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
The Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden
Let's Do It Again by Niobia Bryant
My Soul Cries Out by Sherri L. Lewis
The Ex Files by Victoria Christopher Murray
Rain Storm by Vanessa Miller

August 2007
Don't Get It Twisted by Eric Pete
A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors
The Complete Church Newsletter by Jeffery P. Dennis
Sweet Devotion by Felicia Mason
Drama Queen by LaJill Hunt
Count on This by Niobia Bryant
Long Distant Lover by Donna Hill

September 2007
The Oath by Frank Peretti
Mommy's Angel by Miasha
The Midnight Hour by Brenda Jackson
Time Will Tell by Francine Matthews

October 2007
The Aftermath by Anna J
The Last Chance by Darrien Lee
Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray
Speak To My Heart by Stacy Hakwins Adams
Nothing But The Right Thing by Stacy Hawkins Adams
A Family Sin by Travis Hunter
In Too Deep by Dwayne S. Joseph
Hell Has No Fury by Keith Lee Johnson
How Sweet The Sound - Jacquelin Thomas, Francis Ray, Felicia Mason

November 2007
Too Close For Comfort by La Jill Hunt

The following are on my future read list:
Not Easily Broken by T.D. Jakes
Zora's Cry by Tia McCollors
Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey

The Young and the Restless

Why is it that I can not get enough of this show?

I mean sometimes it drives me crazy. The people on the show are totally ridiculous. I usually want to reach out and strangle most of them.

But, like an addiction, I can't help it. I keep watching and getting all involved in all their drama.

My most favorite character: I actually don't have one

The ones I hate the most: Obviously all of them since I don't have a favorite

What show is your addiction?

What Is Customer Service?

It’s obvious that the employees at the Popeye’s Chicken on W. 38th street don’t know what customer service is.
Yesterday, I was craving for some waffles and chicken. Yeah, I know, crazy right?
Well, anyway, I figure the next best thing would be to get some chicken. So myself and two of my coworkers
went to Popeye’s. They both ordered. It was 11:46am. I was told that there wasn’t any more spicy chicken cooked.
And that it would be another 7 minutes before it was ready. I told them okay, that I would wait. At 12 noon
(that’s 14 minutes later) I went back to the counter to get my food. I was told that it would be another 10 minutes.
10 minutes later, the cook came around and told me that spicy chicken was up. I walked up to the counter at 12:10 and
Stood there without anyone acknowledging me until 12:15. I stood there for 5 minutes. Then when they finally acknowledged me
And gave me my food. There was no “sorry for your wait,” no, “next meal is on us,” absolutely nothing. And the manager was
Right there. I think I’m going to place a call to the corporate office and see what they have to say.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and it turned out to be really good.
From the ending, I’m hoping there are more in store. And that Will Turner…mmm…mmm…mmm.
I would watch every Pirates they came out with as long as Orlando Bloom is playing Will Turner.


I am inlove with that white boy. LOL!
No, really, it’s the characters that he plays that I think I’m in love with.
Like the elf in Lord of the Rings or the guy in Kingdom of Heaven.

Pirates is a must see for anyone who’s into that kind of thing. But you have to have seen
1 (The Black Pearl) and 2 (Dead Man’s Chest) before seeing At World’s End.

American Idol Season 6 - And The Winner Is....

America the next American Idol is

Jordin Sparks


You Go Girl!!!!

I am so happy for Jordin. She did such a good job through the whole competition.
Even though she was not my first choice, and not that it matters anyway, she still came out on top.

American Idol Season 6 - And Then There Were Two

Jordin Sparks


Blake Lewis





Who would have thunk it? Is that a word? Probably not but oh well.
I mean, Jordin yes, but not Blake.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not hating on Blake. I actually like him.
I personally don’t believe he is good enough to be in the top two that’s all.

Jordin by far outsang Blake on the last song of competition.
And when she sang the last song “This Is My Now” (or something like that)
I could just tell that it was getting ready to be her time.

American Idol Season 6 - And the final 2 are

So they let my girl go. The one who I thought would take it all the way to the end.

I'm just in so much shock that there's really not much for me to say about it.

So that means there are two left - Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis

Melinda Doolittle

American Idol Season 6 - 1 down 2 to go

May 9. 2007

Farewell to a really good singer. LaKisha came out and did her thing the entire season. But, America has voted, or rather, not voted and it's her time.

American Idol Season 6 - Sanjaya Hair Sytles

Sanjaya Malakar and his hair




March 13-14
This was not cute.











March 20-21
Believe it or not, I did like this look.











March 27-28
Now tell me, what in the world was he thinking?











April 3-4
Now this wasn't too bad. Looks more like a boy.











April 10-11
Needs to definitely lose the curly look.











April 17-18
Yeah, that's the way to do it, hide the hair.