Foolish Choices Through Fixation

Natasha knew me too well. She waited until I was into the music before she pounced. "So, why am I dropping you off and picking you up from Josh when you said you'd broken up with him?"

"I never said we'd broken up."

"Right. This may mean I need a visit to the doctor's office to get my ears syringed, since my hearing is obviously shot."

I sighed and then went back to singing along with Chronixx's latest hit.

"So you're gonna ignore me?"

"Yes, since you're trying to stress me out."

She sighed and then glanced my way after letting a group of pedestrians cross the street. "I don't mean to come down on you, but like I said, Josh brings out the worst in you and even if things are great now, sooner or later the two of you will be fighting again."

I sat up in the seat. What she said might be true, but it didn't give her the authority to interfere in my life. "Josh makes me happy—"

Her eye roll stopped me in mid sentence. "What's that bit of drama supposed to mean."

"I just told you that boy makes you crazy as hell and you're telling me he makes you happy? Get your head on straight, Kell."

"Why are we arguing over this?"

She gripped the wheel hard and then sighed, long and loud. "You're right. It's your life. If you think the frequent ups and downs with him are worth it, then to hell with what I think."

"Exactly." I folded my arms and let out a sneaky grin. "He makes me soooo happy."

She gave me a killing glare. "What the hell did he just do to you?"

I couldn't hold her gaze, so I looked away.

She let out a spiteful laugh. "Don't tell me you let him feel you up inside that house."

I cleared my throat, but didn't say anything. The traffic became a source of fascination and I counted cars going in the opposite direction.

"You didn't," she said, adding a snicker.

When I still didn't speak, she crowed, "You did, didn't you? Stupid girl."

"For your information, we had fun. I enjoyed it and that's what matters."

She brought the car to a stop at my gate and turned to face me. "I'm sorry I laughed, but … " She opened her hands as if searching for words. "If it's not something the two of you agreed to do for the thrill factor, then it's what I said, him taking the opportunity to cop a feel."

"Not everything in this life has to be deathly serious, you know."

"I know, Kell, but I also know you. You're not the kind of girl who throws herself around."

"You're in a steady and happy relationship with Karim, so you think it gives you the right to tell other people what to do."

She pulled back, her eyes and mouth wide open. "You think that's what I'm doing?"

"Isn't it?"

She lowered her eyebrows in a frown. "I'm only telling you these things because I love you and don't want to see you hurting again. End of story."

"Thanks," I said in a tone that made it clear I wasn't the least bit grateful. "But, I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."

She licked her lip as if thinking about what she was going to say next. She waited until our eyes met before she spoke. "Well then, don't call me to take you back and forth as long as you're going to see him."

"Are you serious?"

"As a judge."

"But—"

"That's my decision and this is my car."

She had to be kidding, but her expression said she wasn't joking.

I flung the door open, stumbled out and nearly crashed to the grass. When I got my knees to hold me straight, I slammed the door and spoke to her through the window. "You can take your decision and your car and shove them right up your ass, Miss Goody-Goody."

Natasha got out of the car and I swore she would rip my head off right there on the sidewalk, but all she did was lock up while looking at me over the roof.

I didn't know what made me spew like that, but I also didn't want to apologize. Too bad I’d already typed up her damn paper and emailed it. Otherwise, she would have been in a spot because I wouldn’t be lifting a finger to help her.

Fixation on Amazon

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Forward Planning – June-December

It occurs to me that it's coming close to the time when I need to take a look at my writing schedule for the rest of the year. There is a deadline I won't make that's bugging me, but there's not too much I can do about it. Romantic Suspense novels are complex undertakings that cannot be rushed. I find these books the most enjoyable to write as they engage my brain in a way regular romances and YA novels don't. I'm not even going to try and put a deadline on this one, but I'd love to have it squared away by August, so I can move on to the next book in that series.

The novella I'm writing for a Christmas box set is on the front burner and the plotting and writing for that are going well. I've never done a 40,000 word book, other than a middle grade effort, so this will be a new challenge. If I get the hang of it then of course, I can do at least two additional stories, since I have a couple of potential covers I like that can work well with 2016 holiday themes.

With two books released in my New Adult series, my brain is nagging at me to complete the third book in that series. A good time is now, since the characters are fresh in my mind, but again, time might be a scarce ingredient. Still, I have to get some work done on this book.

As some of you know, I got back the rights on a couple of books in 2013 and there's a Women's Fiction novel I'd like to put back on the market. That story is dear to my heart and I want to run ahead and get it back out ASAP, but with things this important, it's important to be patient and get the job done right.

Fixation was released on Friday and the reception was good. I chose a winner on the Rafflecopter, so congratulations to Sheryl Lister.

It's a lot of work to write and promote, as we all know. I took a decision on Saturday that I hope will free up more time to get more writing done.

Other than pencilling out what I hope to achieve in the next seven months, there's the publication project I've undertaken and the other miscellaneous editing and proofing jobs that help pay the bills. Plus, I still need to make the rounds on the A-Z Reflections Posts.

Have you worked out your plans for the latter half of the year? What things have you busy. Do you see a way to carve out more time to write?

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Perfection on Sample Sunday

Karim & Natasha

And then it was crunch time for Karim …

Mom wasn't exactly the touchy-feely type, so the fact that she sat next to me holding my hands had to mean something.

Uncle Brian, Kyle and she had returned from St. Ann's Bay forty-five minutes ago and she'd sent them off on an ice-cream run. Knowing Kyle, he'd drag his father half-way around the city while they were at it. The look in her eyes now told me it had been a deliberate move.

Before I returned to the island, I told her I didn't want to know the results of the test I'd asked her to do until I was home. She'd attempted to tell me on Friday, but I stopped her. I wanted that one evening with Tasha before I had to deal with anything potentially life-changing.

An envelope with the logo and address of a diagnostic facility lay on her lap. She lifted the flap and had a slip of paper halfway out before I stopped her. Since she already knew the results, she was only doing this for my benefit.

"Mom, just tell me."

She ran her fingers over the back of my hand, the way she used to do when I was much younger. Leaning forward, she kissed my cheek.

I swallowed, grunted and prepared myself for what I knew was coming.

"Reem, Zoey isn't your daughter."

Her words came at me from a distance and my head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton. I swallowed, and the sound of it echoed inside me.

The first thing that came to mind was how Tasha had examined Zoey yesterday and then turned her eyes on me. She hadn't said anything, but from her expression I could tell what she was thinking. Whether I wanted to face facts or not, Zoey didn't look anything like me, which most people would consider odd. Being a fool, I hadn't thought about it much until lately.

I scraped my teeth over my lip, pulling hard, wanting to ground myself in reality. I'd had so many clues that I'd ignored. I closed my eyes, hearing the echo of Mom and Dad's voices.

If you didn't have sex with her, your name wouldn't have come up.

You made your bed hard, now you have to lie down hard.

You have to man up to your responsibility.

We'll help you, but you're the one who made the choice to sleep with her.

She says you're the father, so you have to take care of that baby.

I wanted to lash out at Mom. Between Dad and her, they had ensured my involvement in Zoey’s life. I could have walked away because Sonya wasn't my girl and we’d had a one-off encounter. Plus, she wasn't a virgin when I slept with her.

When she said she was pregnant and I told them, they ganged up on me and insisted I do the right thing.

I covered my face with both hands, thinking about all the shit I had taken from Sonya in the last two years—her demands, dropping Zoey on me whenever she thought I was interested in any girl and her complaints about how I ruined her life, although she wasn't doing anything to further herself.

I ground my teeth together, wishing I could throw a fit, break something, but that would be childish, not to mention pointless. I relaxed my jaw and scrubbed at my eyes. My parents were right. I'd put myself in this predicament, but still …

Perfection is still available at $1.99 on Amazon. Get your copy today!

New Adult Journey & A-Z Blogging Challenge

In twelve days, I’ll be releasing another book. This time it’s a New Adult novel, which has taken me on an interesting journey. Perfection will be the start of a three-book series, which captures the lives of the young ladies from Distraction, Retribution and Absolution. Let’s just say in typical fashion, the daughters of my main characters decided they had their own stories to tell. Being an obedient storyteller, I followed through on this mission.

I’ve re-learned a couple of things on this journey—that I can write everyday if I put my mind to it,  complete stories still come to me and with research and patience, I can move in new directions

Here’s the cover and the mini synopsis.

Natasha is ready to give relationships a break, until she meets Karim—her boyfriend’s cousin. He’s home for the summer and has no plans to tie himself to anyone, because he's been burned a time or two.  Will the flame of their interest ignite, given Natasha's reluctance, Karim’s past and the present he wants to keep hidden, but can't?

Pre-order at $1.99. Price to increase on release. Get the early-bird special now!

The Blogging from A-Z Challenge sign-up hit the road with a bang and is growing steadily. If you haven’t yet signed up, hit this link to do so today.

I’ve moved from minion to co-host this year, so I’ll be looking for helpers to assist during the Challenge.  If you can help with visiting blogs during the Challenge, leave me a message in the comments or email me and say you’ll help. The job is simple and will result in more friends and followers for you. Be reminded this week Wednesday is IWSG post day.

New week. New opportunities. Let’s make the most of them. What are your plans for this week?

IWSG & News on #NewAdult Novel - Perfection

Here's wishing for you a wonderful year filled with productivity.

The first big thing for the IWSG is coming on Wednesday. We'll be asking you to include a brief introduction with your IWSG post. Just a little bit about who you are and what you do. Remember to keep your posts concise since there are a lot of group members to visit. Also, please try and stop in with at least five persons who are new to you and share the love.

The year is off to a rollicking start for me with my next book scheduled to be released on February 14. I have put a tentative schedule in place for the first half of the year, but need to work out the second half.

Since it worked so well last time, I'll be doing another Thunderclap campaign for February's New Adult story, Perfection. I'm asking you to help me send out a tweet on February 14 to announce the book's release. Click on the picture below and it will take you to my Thunderclap page. It will ask you if you want to support by Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr. Choose the option/s that best suit/s you. Thanks so much for your help.

Click through to Thunderclap page.

Perfection can be pre-ordered at the special price of $1.99 on Amazon. The cost will increase on the release date, so reserve your copy now!

What new thing are you trying this year? Have you worked out any kind of schedule for your writing or whatever else you plan to achieve?

See you on Wednesday for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post!