Things Forbidden- IT'S HERE!

Things Forbidden hit shelves Nationwide yesterday and I can't be more excited. This novel is more mainstream fiction and has drama around every corner.

I just checked out the Genesis Press website and the whole top portion is dedicated to Things Forbidden. Their new website is great and I want you all to visit ASAP.

I also want you to all run out and pick up a copy of Things Forbidden and if it's not at your local bookstore, make sure you request a copy!

A Page A Day- Day 5

“Just give me ten minutes,” Ajani pleaded, moving closer to me. “That’s all the time I’ll need to say what I have to say. Afterward, if you still want me to leave, then I’ll go.”
“Yvette, I think you should listen to him,” Wendy interrupted, inching further and further away. “Maybe you two should go back inside the suite. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Giving Wendy a tiny smile of gratitude, Ajani came all the way into the bridal suite, leaving me with no choice but to follow.
“You look beautiful,” Ajani said, shutting the door. I lifted the hem of my gown and backed away. I was deeply, helplessly, conflicted. I wanted Ajani, needed him, but it wasn’t right. My relationship with him had already cost me so much. “I’m getting married, Ajani. You shouldn’t be here,” I told him, my voice shaking uncontrollably.
“No, Yvette,” Ajani interrupted, his voice thick with anger and desperation. “You’re the one who shouldn’t be here. We both know that you don’t want to marry Terrence.” Ajani’s toffee-hued features were as perfect as I remembered. I envisaged running my hands along the contours of classic cheekbones, kissing his smooth neck…
“That’s not true,” I said, shaking my head to stop fantasizing. “I’ve planned for this a long time; everyone is waiting.”

A Page A Day- Day 4

“Just take a deep breath, and as you walk down the aisle, think about the wonderful man you’re about to marry,” Wendy urged, her voice sounding slightly and unaccountably sad as we headed for the door.
“You’re right as usual.” I forced a laugh, following Wendy into the hallway. And then I came face to face with the memory that I had tried so desperately to suppress. All composure vanished as I looked into his eyes, and before I could retreat to the room and close myself off to him, Ajani stepped close, so close I could smell his cologne, so close I could practically taste him.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered, panic filling every fiber of my body. A deep longing I thought I’d banished forever resurfaced and made me weak in the knees.
“I--I needed to talk to you. I’ve been calling and calling but…” He stopped when he saw Wendy staring at us. Then he turned back to me.
“I can’t do this Ajani. I won’t do this, not here, not now,” I said adamantly, my eyes again filling with tears. I knew what he wanted, what he’d always wanted and I wasn’t prepared to give in to him. I looked away, unable to bear the look of love in his eyes. I looked to Wendy for support, but she was smirking, amusement and a strange kind of satisfaction marring her pretty face.

A Page A Day- Day 3

“Yeah, well…” Wendy began, a hint of bitterness in her voice. She walked over to the mirror and dabbed at a bit of extra lipstick on her upper lip. “Let’s not pretend that you’re innocent in all this. You’ve done your share, too.”
I held my head between my hands, inhaling deep before standing. It was painfully obvious that I couldn’t talk to Wendy; she had her own agenda, although I wasn’t quite sure what it was. “Okay, I’m fine, I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
“That’s the spirit, Yvette!” Wendy said sarcastically giving me a thumbs up. In return, I gave her the middle finger.
Wendy handed me a bouquet of lilies tied with a red silk ribbon that matched her dress perfectly.
I wrapped my fingers around the bouquet and immediately felt my eyes well with tears. Wendy’s expression softened.
“I’m not trying to upset you,” Wendy said, hugging me stiffly. Her words were unconvincing but nonetheless comforting me. “I just think that you need to make a decision, because all this back and forth is--”
“I know and I made my decision,” I responded quickly, hoping to shut her up. “Thirty minutes from now, I will be Mrs. Terrence Hall, and then I’ll be able to put the last few months behind me,” I said with a conviction I didn’t feel.

A Page A Day- Day 2

“I really can’t get over how beautiful you look,” Wendy said, standing behind me and looking at my reflection in the mirror. “Like a princess, even more so than we dreamed remember?” Our eyes met in the mirror, and I forced a slight smile, “What’s with the phony smile Yvette? Aren’t you excited?”
“Of course I’m excited,” I replied halfheartedly, lifting my gown and going over to the bed. “It’s just…just maybe everything is moving too fast. I wish everything would slow down.”
“Slow down? You and Terrence have been together since college and, Yvette fifteen minutes before you’re supposed to say ‘I do’ isn’t the time to suddenly get cold feet.”
“I’m not getting cold feet. I--”
“A lot of women would kill to be in your shoes right now.” And with those few words, Wendy’s demeanor changed. In maybe ten seconds, she had gone from concerned, supportive friend to something else, something I didn’t recognize. Maybe she was one of those women who would kill to be standing in my shoes.
“I know. I get it, but don’t forget Terrence and I have been through a lot. He’s not what everyone thinks he is,” I said looking at Wendy with pleading eyes. Right now, I needed Wendy to be on my side; I needed her to show me that she was still my best friend. But since my return that seemed like more than Wendy could handle.

Things Forbidden Trailer/ A Page A Day- Day 1

Prologue

A vision in white silk, I thought ruefully, studying my reflection in the full-length mirror. The hotel suite, elegantly decorated perfectly for the “happy” occasion, was itself a vision. Bouquets of Casablanca lilies and red roses covering nearly every surface perfumed the air. Someone had placed a small-framed photograph of me and my bridegroom, Dr. Terrence Hall, on the bedside table. We looked the perfect couple; our arms were wrapped around each other, our smiles relaxed, expectant, genuine. But that seemed like eons ago; so much had happened since the day we happily posed for that photo.
“What am I doing?” I asked myself. “What am I doing?” I asked again, turning back to the mirror. The V-neck, spaghetti strapped wedding gown cost more than my car, but seven months ago when I watched Terrence hand over his Visa to the sales clerk, I hadn’t thought about the cost. But then again, seven months ago marrying Terrence was all I thought about. I thought a ring would keep him at home, keep him from wandering. Now my mind was crowded with conflicting emotions, and uncertainty had become a constant, and terrifying presence.

It's Crunch Time

June is here and for Things Forbidden it's crunch time. The book release is about a month away and I will be debuting the book trailer and the first page in the Page-A-Day event tomorrow.

I'm also in the process of sending out Things Forbidden to a few more reviewers who have waited paitently.

Much to my suprise I have been nominated for an African American Literary Award Show Award . The voting will begin in July.

In the meantime, pre-order your copy of Things Forbidden and check back tomorrow for the first page and brand new trailer.