Here is my first attempt at Thursday Thirteen. Looking for Hot and Steamy books to read? Here’s a few I’ve read personally and can say they may require towels.

1. Exit to Eden by Anne Rice (writing as Anne Rampling)
2. Unfaithful by Devon Scott
3. One Ain’t Enough by Mo Flames
4. Big Juicy Lips by Allison Hobbs
5. Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
6. A Bona Fide Gold Digger by Allison Hobbs
7. The Enchantress by Allison Hobbs
8. Between My Thighs by Naija
9. Genevieve by Eric Jerome Dickey
10. Sweeter Than Honey by Mary B. Morrison
11. Caught in the Middle by Cassandra Daniels
12. That’s How I Like It! by Makenzi
13. The Last Affair by Rachee

Currently I have several stories I’m writing. But my main focus at this time is a Christian fiction piece called “CROSSING OVER.”

My characters are filled with different emotions. They are all so different yet so alike in many ways. Each character has lost somehow, but they handle their lost differently. It amazes me, that in reality that is how it really is.

So many twists and turns from the characters, unbeknownst to me. I wish they would have asked me first, but I’m ok with it. I like the journey they’re taking me on. It started before I even started writing this story.

I remember when I was plotting out my story and developing my ideal characters and up pops two characters I had no intention of writing about, but they said here I am and I’m going nowhere. So I had to stop come up with names and figure out where they would fit in.

I’m not sure how long this story will be, but it will be something poignant and memorable, there is a lesson in there maybe two lessons, but either way it’s in there.

WIP: 22,390

I hope to cross 30,000 words before the week is out. I will keep updating my word count weekly. I hope to have something good to say about a new revelation from my demanding cast.

…school begins on Friday for my children. I feel almost as happy as the munch kins in The Wizard of OZ, when they were singing “Ding dong the witch is dead, ding dong the wicked witch is dead…”

These kids tried my patience, but I can’t wait for them to have homework wear them out. Test and projects, of course the projects I help them with. But once they are consumed in school I can’t be a little more relaxed.

…the year is only four months away from hanging up it’s happy. Where has the time gone and how can I get some of it back? We as a nation has watch Obama triumph over all the other Democratic nominees including poor Hilary, and now in November we can watch him take the victory. I don’t see how he can lose, unless they cheat us like they did when Bush got into office.

He can do it I have faith in the country and the world that things are changing, and we all a part of that change. We’ll all be a great part of history, put on your best smile for the history books.

…if gas and food prices get any higher, we will need to start growing our own source of food in our backyards. There is no way we will be able to continue to live as we do. Most people live from paycheck to paycheck, a lot of people are living a dollar or two above the poverty line, something has to give.

I saw a man the other day, riding his bicycle taking in the sights as he glided along. I smiled to myself and thought, you are saving on gas, repairs to your car, the quality of the air we breathe, and your keeping healthy. You go boy.

…I have been writing my behind off, trying to prove to myself that I can right. It’s not all in my mind like the characters busting to get out. I’ve been dreaming small for a long time, too afraid of failing. Well not any more I’m dreaming big. I will be the next best thing since slice bread, if only to my family.

Enjoy life today, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

I’ve been reading for years. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. I would read during summer breaks from school, on the bus, on the train (back in my NY days) just for the simple bliss of escaping my dismal Urban City life to travel the French Riviera, back in time, England, the islands, where ever it was I loved it.

Of course with age my reading patterns has changed, as well as my craving for certain authors. Now I know some authors have been writing for a very long time, and I never really thought to give them the time of day, but here lately in the on-line book club I’m apart of I’m receiving a bag full of new authors. Not new to the business of writing, but new to my reading cravings.

In the last six months, I’ve been introduced to Pearl Cleage (Seen It All and Done The Rest), Carleen Brice (Orange Mint and Honey) with her she mainly wrote non-fiction, but her first fiction book beautiful. ReShonda Tate Billingsley (I Know I’ve Been Changed and a couple others I have on my TBR pile), Victoria Christopher Murray (Joy…I will definitely indulge in more), Rochelle Alers (Secrets Never Told, Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer…can’t wait to read more.) I just opened the pages to Diane McKinney-Whetstone for the first time and I can see she writes in a style I’m sure to like. When I’m finished reading Trading Dreams as Midnight, I may have to venture out and find some of her earlier works to entertain my cravings for words on paper.

As I get introduced to these wonderful authors, I introduce them to my mother and anyone else I know can appreciate a good book like I can. Now we as human beings can sometimes be as selfish as ever, but make the first step today to a different you, a different world. Share an author you have discovered to be fining dining in reading, with someone you know will love it. First, share one here, you never know you might open up someone’s eyes to something new and different.

Romans 12 vs. 19-21

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I have had this scripture in my head since five o’clock this evening. It is God talking to me telling me to calm my nerves and the anger I’m feeling right now.
Once again I’ve been let down by someone close to me and I want to inflict the hurt and the pain on them I am feeling, but I cannot do that. I don’t think prison stripes would look nice on me. However, an eye for an eye will not get me into heaven. I need to pray for them, myself and for release of the anger consuming my body. I need to let go and let God.

All right along with my other addictions nothing illegal of course; I realize I’m addicted to reading blogs and if I don’t read enough of them I feel like I’m missing something. I can’t even list them all because I will go to one then go through their blogroll to find new and better places talking about different things. What should a girl do?

Here’s what I’m asking for the best blogs you frequent on at least a weekly basis. I love food, natural hair, books, writing, flowers and I’m married with children. So anything in those categories is good, but if you have something really good outside of that box, tell me. I will read it.

I need to go back to writing before my writing buddy finds out I’m slacking off.

I’m trying to keep my mind stayed on my writing goal for the month of July. I must admit it is hard to do. For the past couple of days it’s been hard. Doctor appointments and regular every day errands has got me busy as can be. But…

the main reason is because today is officially nine years I’ve been married to the man I’ve been with for the past fourteen and a half years. When I tell people that they say wow, that’s so good. But…

being married and staying married is hard work. It’s worth it if you’re with your soul mate, but if you are not well…I wouldn’t know. I believe I am with the one God intended me to be with. We have been through the storm, the fire, and the rain. And we are still going strong.

I love me some him and well he has got to love me because I’m not a pushover and I am strong-minded and strong-willed.

So while I’m writing I’m keeping my mind stayed on my husband.

Now it’s time for me to start thinking about we will do when we get to the tenth year of marriage next year. Now taking suggestions.