Hey Beauties,

Happy Spring! In this next episode there’s a ton of tension between Wesley and Bianca. Check out the previous episodes to see what has Wesley hot under the collar.

That little stunt resulted in her husband giving her the silent treatment for a month. Every time she tried to plead her case, he’d walk away not caring to hear a word she had to say. Even though it hurt her to her heart that the man she loved acted as if she didn’t have a choice in how she lived her life, Bianca didn’t cave in. Because if she had given into his demands, she would have withered into a shell of nothing, becoming what he wanted her to be. Instead she poured herself into her studies and patiently waited for her husband to come around.

 

Bianca stopped her pacing as the tears welled up in her eyes. Taking in a deep breath, she tried to steady her emotions. Every time she relived that night, she always questioned whether she made the right decision by staying. Although she hadn’t left her mother’s home on good terms, after she and Wesley had their first big argument, she called home crying to her mom for help. A soothing voice is what she’d been looking for to calm her rattled nerves. Instead she got something else. She remembered having to hold the phone away from her ear, afraid her ear drum was going to burst from her mom’s squawking rant. “That’s what you get for running off with him! You’re lucky he ain’t start beating your simple behind. I told you he was no good! He probably got another woman running around town and that’s why he doesn’t want you leaving the house! Girl, bring your silly tail home!”

 

Though her mother’s words were harsh, she had considered taking her advice, packing up her things and going back home. Although he was being unreasonable with his demands, her heart wouldn’t allow her to leave him. Going with her gut instinct to not give up on her marriage had been the right thing to do, because things had gotten back to normal between them. Thankfully, she had allowed love to rule her decision and hadn’t listened to her mom. After much discussion, the couple had come to an agreement that if school interfered with her taking care of their home, she would quit and go back to being a full-time housewife.

 

Until next time,

Suzette

 

Hey Beauties!

Although I love writing, reading is my first love. Since I was a little girl, I enjoyed reading books that transported me to  another place and time. Not much has changed. I still get swept away in an intriguing story.

I thought it would be cool to share with you what I’ve been reading. And to give a little introduction of the author.

Along my journey as a romance author I’ve met many authors that I adore and enjoy their work. I’m kicking off my first post with J.L. Campbell. J.L. is a true sweetheart from Jamaica. Reading her books will give you a glimpse of the Caribbean island.

I had the pleasure of knowing her for years via the internet and finally had the chance to meet her in person last year. The experience was like seeing a family member I hadn’t seen in years. 🙂

For this month, my enjoyable read is The Thick of Things.

Life has a way of going awry when you least expect it, and Khalila Skyers learns this lesson the hard way. In one devastating blow after another, she loses her cozy existence. Then Douglas Blythe overtakes her life like a flood, and she’s not equipped to deal with an attraction that seems forbidden and overwhelming. But her body and heart want what they want, and leave her wondering if she ever knew herself at all.

Douglas is determined to help Khalila move beyond her obsession with the past and reach for love a second time. No matter how long it takes. No matter the distance. He’s going to prove he’s worth the risk.

Click here for more information.

Until next time,

Suzette

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Beauties,

Here’s Episode 2 of Baby Love.  Aren’t these itty-bitty sneakers adorable? 🙂

Afraid of the tongue lashing she would get from her mother, Bianca kept their budding relationship a secret. The few times Wesley had come to town to visit her, she would lie and say she was spending the weekend with Shelly. Unfortunately, one of her mother’s nosy friends spotted the couple having dinner at restaurant across town. The old bat had a nerve to come charging over to their table with threats of calling Bianca’s mother.

 

Seeing the terror in her eyes, Wesley had been adamant about going home with Bianca to face her mother. Outraged by the fact that her daughter had been sneaking around behind her back with some man she didn’t know, the woman had forbidden Bianca to continue seeing Wesley. This only fueled their passion, ending up with them running off and getting married.

 

At first everything was pure bliss, until Wesley had begun to slowly reveal who he really was. It wasn’t that he was a bad, or a physically abusive man. The problem was he had so many inner demons that she was not equipped to deal with as a nineteen-year-old bride. Because of his demons, he had a need to control every aspect of not only their marriage, but her life as well. For the most part, she would concede to his way of doing things to keep him happy and to keep the peace in their marriage. However, what he didn’t know about his seemingly quiet and timid wife was that she had a stubborn streak that would strike out every now and again.

 

Their first serious argument had been over Bianca wanting to go to college to get her degree in social work. He was adamant about her being a stay-at-home military wife. But she wasn’t having it, and became terribly angry arguing with him over the matter. She was completely out done, when he offhandedly quipped, “Go to the nursing home and volunteer a few hours a week if you’re bored.”

 

His arrogant and dismissive suggestion to her complaint about not having anything to do while he was away serving his country, had grated on her last nerve. Slamming the grocery bag on the table, bruising the plum tomatoes in the process, she angrily glared at him. “Why do you get to have a career going around the world saving your country and I can’t go to school to become a social worker?”

 

With smugness oozing out of his pores he shrugged a broad shoulder. “Because I said so. I’m your husband and that’s how it’s going to be.”

 

He had the nerve to grin at her and then flex his pectoral muscles. Any other time that sexy grin and the flexing of the muscles would have had her panties wet, and he knew it. But not that time. He was too busy being a jackass for her to respond.

 

Stunned, her eyes rapidly blinked to keep the tears from falling. I’ll show your smart behind. She didn’t mumble a single word as she put the groceries away like a good little wife. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to be a social worker. It was one of her life’s dreams to have a career, where she could help people and make a difference in their lives. And now because she was a wife, his wife, he was telling her she couldn’t have a career too. Did he think they were still living in the early twentieth century?

 

Not giving into his unrealistic demands, she patiently waited three months, until he was away on his next assignment, and drove herself right down to Methodist University in Fayetteville. By the time he returned home, she was enrolled in fall semester classes.

 

Stay tuned for the next episode! And be sure to check out my Amazon page at http://bit.ly/suzettebooks

Until next time,

Suzette

Now that we’re a month into the new year, have you reflected on how 2018 was for you? Are you glad it’s over? Are there things you wish you had done better or hadn’t done at all? Or was 2018 awesome? And if you could, you would have stayed suspended in time.

For me, 2018 was a year of revelation. It was a time where I really envisioned what I wanted out of the upcoming decade of my life. This wasn’t done in a day or even a week. For once, I didn’t rush through the process, but prayed for guidance. I talked with my husband and two of my closest friends about my dream of becoming a full-time writer and part-time nurse practitioner.

2018 was my year to lay the foundation of the blue print to get me where I want to go in the next five years. I’m sure as I travel along the way I’ll have to make some adjustments. I might even have some setbacks or roadblocks. But with God’s help I’ll shall overcome and keep on moving.

2019 I welcome you and I’m looking forward to every blessing that God has for me this year. I’m embracing all the wonderful things coming my way as I journey towards my dream.

What are you hoping 2019 will bring?

Until next time,

Suzette

Hey Beauties!

For those who aren’t familiar with my work, I’ll be sharing Baby Love, the first book in my Two Hearts as One Series in episodes throughout 2019. I hope you enjoy this story as I take you on a journey to love. If you’re enjoying Bianca and Wesley’s story, please share my blog with your romance reader friends. 🙂

Let’s get started on our journey!

 

Bianca Benjamin was in big trouble. Nibbling on her thumb nail as she paced the floor, she racked her brain to come up with an explanation that would appease her husband. She didn’t have much time. According to her calculations, he would be home any day now. As much as she missed her man, she wasn’t quite ready to face him just yet. His reaction to what she had done might very well be the breaking point of their marriage, which was already, on shaky ground.

 She was a freshman in high school, when she met the twenty-year-old Wesley at her best friend Shelly’s home on a cold Thanksgiving Day morning. She had dropped by to pick up Shelly so they could get to the football field early to get decent seats. It didn’t surprise her to see Donald, Shelly’s older brother. He’d always come home for visits, whenever possible. But what did take her by surprise was the visitor named, Wesley, he’d brought home with him.

 The second they stepped foot out the door she began to question her friend about Wesley. “Dang! You so nosy, Bianca!” She had teased.

 Nudging her friend, she shot back, “Am not!” The entire time praying Shelly would give up the info on Donald’s friend.

 Grinning, Shelly never passed up an opportunity to gossip, no matter how trivial. Bianca listened as she told her how the guys became really tight during basic training. “I don’t think he has any family that’s why Donald asked Mom and Dad if he could come home for Thanksgiving.”

 A wave of sadness filled Bianca for the stranger she’d just met. “That’s a shame.” Immediately, something inside of her was drawn to him.

 For years she’d been crushing on Donald. She fantasized about how they would have a big wedding and she’d wear a white gown fit for a princess. And after they were married they’d have at least three babies. But when she set eyes on Wesley, all her childhood fantasies went up in a puff of smoke.

 

Her new crush was six-three, dark chocolate, ruggedly handsome, and powerfully built. At a mere five-feet two inches, she had to tilt her head back to look up at him to say hello. Yup, they would marry and have beautiful, chocolate babies.

 

Of course he didn’t pay her an ounce of attention the day they met. After all, she was just a teenaged, ugly duckling with a terrible case of acne. It wasn’t until he returned home with Donald a few years later, shortly after she and Shelly had graduated high school that he had taken notice of her.

 

Bianca had morphed into a beautiful swan with clear skin the color of creamy milk chocolate with a hint of cream. And her petite frame held curves in all the right places. She knew Wesley was hooked the second she caught his dark, predatory gaze scanning her from head to toe with pure male interest. Flattered by his heated gaze, she blushed, shyly looking away.

 

She was a bundle of nerves when he sauntered over to her, striking up a conversation about, of all things, the yellow butterfly tattoo at the center of the nape of her neck. If she could have, she would have kissed herself for wearing her hair up in a sleek bun.

 

Before leaving the cookout at Shelly’s parents’ home, the two exchanged numbers. She didn’t think he was serious when he promised to call her the following day. Bianca felt like the luckiest girl in the world when he followed through on his promise. That night they stayed up until dawn on the phone getting to know each other.

 

With him living several states away it was difficult for them to date like a traditional couple. But they didn’t let that stop them. It was Wesley’s idea for them to rent the same movie, watch it and then have a lengthy discussion afterwards. And it was Bianca’s idea for them to Skype as they ate dinner. On Saturdays they would go for early morning walks, talking on their cell phones, as they made plans to see each other again.

Stay tuned for the next episode! And be sure to check out my Amazon page at http://bit.ly/suzettebooks

Until next time,

Suzette

One of my greatest accomplishments might seem a bit corny. However, for me it’s something I’m very proud of. Each January 1, I start the year off with selecting a daily devotional to read each morning to get my day off to a good start. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I need the presence of God in my life every day. Although I have good intentions, somewhere around the end of February, I get sluggish. Pretty soon, my morning readings are hit or miss throughout the year.

2018 was different. I was determined to start my day off with God first. I was going to change my sluggish ways. Check out how it all happened. 😊

As usual, late December 2017 I went to Barnes and Noble and browsed the area with devotionals. I came across Closer to God Each Day by Joyce Meyer. I’ve read other books by Joyce Meyer and was familiar with her down to earth approach. After reading the introduction, I was intrigued and purchased it.

This devotional truly changed my life. It helped me to examine all the different ways available for me to grow closer to God. Do I still mess up every day? You bet! But thank God, He knows my heart and loves me in spite of my struggles.

There were only four days in 2018 where I didn’t read because I had traveled out of town. Usually, I would take a photo with my phone camera of the days I would be away from home. This allowed me to keep up with my morning readings. I felt so out of sorts those days I didn’t read.

In 2019, I’m going to begin my mornings with A Woman’s Daily Prayer Book. This devotional is composed of three parts: a scripture, a prayer, and words of wisdom/encouragement. Hopefully, in 2019 I will remain as committed.

If you read devotionals, I highly recommend Closer to God Each Day by Joyce Meyer!

What was your greatest accomplishment of 2019?

Until next time,

Suzette

Hey, Beautiful People!

It’s My Turn is a second chance love story. The only problem is, Beatrice and Charles are sworn enemies with years of bad blood between them. But that all changes when Beatrice if forced to humble herself and ask Charles for help. Little do they know, an unexpected romance is going to take them by storm.

Get lost in It’s My Turn.

Available now in Kindle Unlimited!

Click here to purchase!

Don’t judge me! I had a valid reason for being a snitch. I take my job as a nurse practitioner seriously. In my line of work if I make a mistake it could be a gravely one for the patient. And for that reason, I’ve made it a practice to never take shortcuts. Another human’s life is literally in my hands. Now, this is not to say honest mistakes don’t happen in the medical world, because they do.

Moving on… Since I have high standards and strive to provide my patients with optimal care, I expect my colleagues to do the same. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Several years ago I worked with a doctor who was copying my history and physical notes without examining the patient! Did y’all read that? He/she would copy my notes word for word, never touched the patient, and would bill for the highest level of service. Sir/ma’am, that’s medical fraud!

I know some of y’all are probably asking, “Suzette, how do you know this?” I’m so glad you asked! 🙂

Here’s what happened. One day I noticed a patient’s chart was opened on the counter. I read  the doctor’s note and noticed it was identical to mine! So, I asked the medical assistant (MA) who was at the desk, “Did he/she go see the patients?” The MA answered, “I don’t think so.”

I marched my five-foot self into the treatment room where the doctor was leaning against the sink. Not once did he/she make a move to examine the patient. Instead they walked out and into the next exam room. Y’all know I followed… The result was the same.

Oh, Lord. What was I to do? I didn’t immediately report what I witnessed because I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions. Maybe, he/she was pressed for time and had to be somewhere else. It does happen. For the next month I observed the same behavior. I knew I had to report it to my supervisor. Who reported it to her supervisor. Who reported it to hospital administration.

The reason why I reported the doctor wasn’t because he/she was committing medical fraud. Although that would have been a good reason. I reported him/her because as the covering physician it was his/her job to make sure the patient was examined by another clinician besides myself. What if the patient’s status had changed since I last examined them? (BTW, I checked on patients hourly. But that’s besides the point!) And when he/she didn’t do this it made me wonder what kind of care  he/she was delivering when they saw the patients at clinic appointments?

Sickle cell patients can be fragile due to the many complications they are at risk of developing. They are constantly fighting physical challenges that interrupts their lives. And it worried me because I didn’t believe this doctor was providing the patients with the care they deserved. Anyone, who knows me know that I am crazy attached to my patients. I love them and view them as family. And we all know you don’t mess with family!

The doctor is no longer at the institution where I work . I don’t know the details why. Could it have been because I snitched? Who knows? All I know is that I would do it all over again, because at the end of the day it’s about the patient.

Fast forward several years later. I have my own panel of sickle cell patients I provide care for as their primary care provider. I work with a wonderful team consisting of a medial assistant, social worker, internal medicine physician,  hematologists, and other specialists. And together we’re making lives better!

Was there a time you ever snitched? If so, would you do it again?

What’s a lazy day? I haven’t had one of those in forever! As a wife, daughter, mother, Gigi aka grandmother, friend, nurse practitioner, and author, I’m pulled in multiple directions. When I think I have a minute to myself someone wants or needs something from me. I’ve always been one to say yes to everyone. And as a result there goes my me time.

However, every once in a while I get up the nerve to say “NO!” And that’s when I can enjoy a lazy day. A lazy day starts with staying in bed until about 9:00 am. After taking care of my morning hygiene, I eat breakfast while I watch HGTV. And then I’ll watch some youtube videos. Some of my favorites are natural hair, makeup, Dr. Pimple Popper (I loooove those), and planner videos. If it’s a cold, rainy/snowy day, I’ll get back in bed and watch the ID Channel for hours, while I drift off and on asleep between the murder and mayhem. 🙂

Now that I’ve been a bum all day and it’s early evening, I’ll get up, take a shower, and get dressed. By this time hubby has completed all his errands and I’m looking at him like “What’s up? Are we going out or what?” LOL. By now I’m tired of being cooped up in the house. Usually, we head off to the mall, go to Lowes for home improvement ideas, try a new restaurant. or catch a movie.

I don’t get many lazy days. But when I do, I sure enjoy them!

What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

Until next time,

Suzette

P.S Isn’t this doggie the cutest? 🙂

 

 

 

Hey, Beautiful People!

Have you read Caliente Nights? If not, here’s your chance to win a copy. All you have to do is click on the link below and follow me on Amazon. That’s it!

Click here to enter!