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!

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 “What’s your plan to make it big? Go to New York?”

“Nope. Been there, done that. I don’t need to make it big. All I want is to open a boutique and design fashions everyday women and girls can offered for special occasions. I don’t need to be super rich. Just make a good living so I can support myself.” She cut her eyes at Pierce, giving him a sultry grin. “It wouldn’t hurt though if I had a banging eveningwear line for men. I’m still waiting on a certain someone to model for me.”

Teresa really wanted to climb in his lap when he let out the sexiest chuckle.

“Now that my training is over I think I can make that happen.”

“I’m going to hold you to that Mr. Harrington.”

As they pulled up to Alonzo’s home, it dawned on Teresa that she never gave Pierce her brother’s address. Her heart began beating fast as she thought back to when Pierce explained how he and Alonzo met. He wouldn’t!

Teresa punched Pierce in the arm. She ignored the pain in her hand from making contact with the solid flesh. She wanted to hit him again but feared she may have already fractured her dominant hand. An injury could affect her livelihood before it even got started if she couldn’t sketch for weeks.

“Alonzo hired you to follow me?” she shrieked way louder than necessary.

Heat fanned across her cheeks. She felt like the biggest fool in Philadelphia. He knew who she was all along. No wonder Alonzo was looking all weird. Just wait until she got hold of him. Pissed, she grabbed her clutch from her lap. Every time she tried to open the door, Pierce locked it from the control panel on his side of the vehicle.

“Pierce, if you do not let me out this car I swear once I get out, I will break every window!”

“Damn, baby, why so violent?”

The veiled humor in his voice spiked her anger. “You think this is funny?”

“No.”

“Let. Me. Out. Now.” She gritted between clenched teeth.

Pierce stepped out the car. Before he could get to the passenger side, Teresa was out slamming the door shut. He grabbed her hand to keep her from storming off.

He didn’t give Teresa a chance to protest as he threaded his fingers through her hair pulling her close. His mouth was warm and inviting. A pleasure Teresa couldn’t resist. Her mouth yielded beneath his as she allowed him to explore her sweetness.

Teresa slid her arms up and around his neck, melting into Pierce as he drew her closer. She moaned into his mouth at the feel of the hard bulge in his pants. Her nipples puckered, the throbbing between her legs begging to be satisfied. But that wasn’t happening. Not tonight anyway.

Teresa withdrew from Pierce’s embrace. She cast her eyes downward to conceal the heated desire in her dark gaze. Which was in conflict with the betrayal she was feeling.

“Teresa, it’s not what you think,” he pleaded.

Honestly, Teresa didn’t know what to think. The first guy she let her guard down with was guarding her! How crazy was that? And just wait until she got her hands on Alonzo. It was one thing when she was a kid and he meddled in her business. She was a grown woman. Alonzo had no right hiring Pierce to follow her.

“You know what, Pierce? It doesn’t even matter,” she lied, wanting to get as far away from him as she could. “Thanks for bringing me home.”

 

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Good day, beautiful people!

For those of you who enjoyed Alonzo and Jeanette’s story in Caliente Nights, I’m back with Teresa Castro’s story. Teresa is Alonzo’s younger sister and is ready to return home despite the pain that caused her to flee two years ago.

In Caliente Nights you got a glimpse of Teresa’s heartbreak and betrayal. In Sultry Nights, I dig deeper into the Castro family background and introduce Pierce Harrington. An incredibly, sexy alpha hero who will prove to Teresa he will go the distance for her love and then some.

Here’s a blurb of Sultry Nights.

Disowned by her parents for loving the wrong man, Fashion Designer, Teresa Castro returns to Philadelphia to fulfill a childhood dream.

Tall, dark, and irresistible, Pierce Harrington is a forbidden temptation she hadn’t planned on encountering. Teresa’s past has taught her love doesn’t play fair. Though she wants to resist Pierce, it’s impossible to ignore the smoldering chemistry between them.

Former Secret Service Agent, Pierce Harrington believed he had found his soulmate until his ex-wife cheated, making him an unbeliever until… Teresa Castro.

For two years, Pierce is hired to shadow the younger sister of professional athlete, Alonzo Castro. Each day his attraction is growing stronger for the Afro Cuban beauty. After his assignment is completed, Pierce makes his move to capture Teresa’s heart.

Will old family traditions, self-doubt, and a spiteful ex-wife spoil the couple’s happy ever after?

Sultry Nights is due for release on August 28, 2018. 🙂

Until next time,

Suzette

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GENRE: Women’s fiction with romantic elements, contemporary romance

BLURB: 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.

 

Excerpt – The Thick of Things

      His laughter hit my ear before I saw him. The sound was full and rich, like a mouthful of dark chocolate.

     From where I stood, inside the ballroom door at the welcome reception, I craned my neck out of curiosity.

     Douglas Blythe entered the room, chuckling over something the man he was walking with had said to him.

     I couldn’t help wishing his smile was directed at me. While I stood spellbound, Nica, another volunteer, showed the stragglers where they should sit since the function had already started.

     The red jacket Douglas wore told me he was part of the Antigua Barbuda group and too late, my hand went out in a jerky motion. The man behind him took the program I was handing out, smiling politely when I muttered a greeting.

     Usually, I didn’t behave as if my brain was in go-slow mode, but something about Douglas Blythe threw me off-balance. I put him out of mind while I wondered if I knew what I was letting myself in for by volunteering for this event.

     I’d become a regular volunteer at these golf tournaments where my husband, Trent, competed because it was easier to pass the time working than to vegetate in the hotel room or by the poolside. Volunteers only worked half the day and the afternoon was free, if we weren’t involved in scoring.

     This time, I would spend the entire day working because Trent and I were halfway down a long and slippery slope. We had only been here for one day and I knew it was a mistake to come to Montego Bay. Trent insisted on arriving a day early so he could fit in an extra practice round. After the game, he spent the afternoon eating and drinking with his playing partners, which meant I was alone much of yesterday.

     We’d both thought being together in a different setting would help our failing marriage, but so far, I had no evidence that it would. Being confined in the same space for extended periods only reminded us of what we’d already lost, and neither of us had the capacity to deal with our emotional problems. Nor did we seem to have the desire or will to talk about them. Trent’s decision to socialize with his golfing buddies, instead of spending time with me, was a case in point. How were we ever going to work out our problems if we refused to sit together and talk about our relationship?

     That could have been why Douglas made such an impression. My preoccupation with him started when we met in the elevator of this same hotel last year. I was running late and stood waiting on the eighth floor, jabbing the button.

     A muted ping let me know the massive chrome stall was a floor away. When the doors opened, Douglas stood inside wearing knee-length shorts, loafers, and a creamy golf shirt that set off his deep-mocha complexion. I recognized him from the registration activity the previous evening.

     “Good morning,” I said, stepping inside while juggling my handbag and laptop, plus a file jacket.

     He nodded and let his eyes sweep my sandals, black pants and white shirt before he smiled. “Good morning to you, too.”

     After that I ignored him, staring straight ahead.

     His appreciative gaze unnerved me. Here was a man who was conscious of what he was doing and wasn’t afraid to let me know.

 

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It was hard catching up with widower, Frank Bass. I’m thrilled to report he’s agreed to give us a few minutes of his time.

Duffy: First I’d like to thank you for allowing me into your personal space.

Frank: Personal?

Duffy: (Laughter) Yessss. Since you’re short on time I’m going to jump right in. With the death of your wife and child, I can imagine it was hard for you to go on with life. How were able to deal with such devastation?

Frank: (Deep sigh) Duffy, I dealt with it like most men. (Shrugs a broad shoulder) I cut myself off from everything and everyone, except my work.

Duffy: Did you go through a period of being angry and not wanting to love again?

Frank: You bet. I was angry at God, angry at cancer, angry at myself. I didn’t think I was capable of putting my heart on the line to have it ripped from my chest again.

Duffy: (Smiles) Ahhh, but you were capable. I sat down with Reba a few weeks ago and she says you’re the first man to ever truly love her. So, tell me what was it about Reba? I’ve heard through the grapevine after the death of your wife you were quite the ladies’ man.

Frank: (Chuckles) Oh, come on, Duffy. I wasn’t that bad.

Duffy: (Laughter): If you say so. Now please answer the question, Mr. Bass.

Frank: The first time I met Reba I noticed she had the most beautiful eyes, but there was a sadness in them. I was drawn to her because I wanted to know her story. After getting to know her I was a goner. She showed me that it was okay to love again. That I didn’t have to live a miserable, emotionless life.

Duffy: So, there is love after tragedy?

Frank: (Smiles and glances over at Reba with Heather sitting on her lap.) You bet…

Duffy: Folks, so there you have it. To get the full scoop on Frank and Reba go to: http://bit.ly/suzettebooks

Alonzo’s foul mood evaporated the moment his eyes locked with Jeanette’s. Beautiful was the first word that came rushing to his brain. She wasn’t the statuesque, leggy type he preferred to compliment his six-four height. Her petite stature, caramel complexion, hazel eyes, and full, kissable lips were magnetizing. He wanted to reach out and rub the shoulder-length two-strand twists between his fingers to see if they were as soft as they looked.

His gaze continued to roam as he took in her small breasts outlined in a teal long-sleeve tee shirt, her tiny waist, and snug-fitting jeans showcasing curvy hips. Childbearing hips. He tossed that crazy thought out of his head. His mother’s nagging earlier this morning to settle down with a nice Cuban girl and start a family was messing with him.

Alonzo suppressed the urge to lick his lips. Over sensitized by women throwing themselves at him, it had been forever since he desired a woman on sight. They all looked the same. Cosmetically enhanced breasts, fake eyelashes, caked on makeup, silicon-injected lips, and butts. This Jeanette Adams was on the other end of the spectrum. Her natural beauty was captivating.

 

Oh…my… God… Breathe…Jeanette… Breathe… Who in the world is this Laz Alonso clone? Jeanette wondered. She’d seen just about every movie or television show the sexy, Afro-Latino played in.

Jeanette was nervous as she approached the stranger who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Gloria said he looked unhappy. Did something happen in such a short span of time? She had braced herself to deal with a grizzly bear of a man. Instead, his eyes were slowly taking her in as if he was interested in what he saw. Jeanette quickly shook off that foolishness. This man was here to squeeze money out of her that she didn’t have.

“Hi, my aunt said you were here to see me?’

“Jeanette Adams?”

Surely this angel couldn’t be responsible for the minor dent and scratches on his vehicle.

“Yes,” Jeanette answered, trying to control the shaking in her voice. His penetrating gaze was setting off flutters in her belly.

Alonzo reached into an inner pocket of the black, leather jacket he wore. Jeanette’s face flushed when he pulled out a recognizable piece of paper.

“You left this note on my car?”

“I’m … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit your car. It’s just that I was so tired after working my second job and I put the car in reverse instead of drive and—”

As Jeanette floundered in a feeble attempt to explain her unintentional carelessness, three-year-old Mya entered the room whimpering. On impulse Jeanette went to the child thankful for the interruption. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to take those sexy, dark eyes staring her down.

“Another bad dream, sweetie?” Jeanette softly asked Mya as she stooped down to lift the child’s tiny body into her arms.

Mya snuggled close, tucking her head in Jeanette’s bosom.

Yes,” the child whimpered wiping at moist eyes.

“It’s okay. You’re safe with me,” she whispered, reassuring the child as she made her way back to Alonzo.

Alonzo’s heart melted as Jeanette approached him with the child on her left hip. His mother’s words came rushing back at the uncomfortable pulling in the center of his chest. He came there prepared to lash out at Jeanette for being so careless. After her honest confession and witnessing her tender interaction with the child, there was no way he could go through with being outright mean. And there was no way this woman had purposely staged an accident to wiggle her way into his bed. Truthfully, with her incredibly sexy, petite body he wished that had been her intent. He would have been more than ready to indulge her.

“I’m sorry for the interruption.” Jeanette apologized as she continued to cradle Mya.

“It’s fine. Is she alright?” Alonzo queried with concern, nodding in Mya’s direction.

Jeanette tightened her hold on the tiny body. If she hadn’t, she might have dropped the child. The man’s voice was sexy and deep with a hint of Latin flavor causing her knees to slightly buckle.

“She’ll be fine in a few minutes. As I was saying, I’m sorry about hitting your car. I know what I did was stupid.”

Jeanette’s face turned a tinge of pink. She couldn’t believe she called herself stupid in front of the sexiest man alive. What she was about to say next sent her into a panic thinking about the money she didn’t have for an increase in her premium rate.

“I do have insurance. If you wait a minute I can go get my wallet and give you my information.”

Jeannette didn’t wait for a response as she rushed out of the room through another doorway.

Alonzo’s phone rang. Glancing at the name on the display he answered. “Hey, Julio. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. Checking to see what time you’ll be by the restaurant. I have some numbers I want to run by you.”

“I’m in the middle of something. When I’m done here, I’ll swing through.”

“You caught up with the chick who hit your ride?”

“Young lady,” Alonzo corrected.

Julio chuckled. “That’s not what you were calling her last night.”

Alonzo cringed. He had thought the worst of Jeanette before meeting her a few minutes ago, and his colorful name calling hadn’t been too gentlemanly.

“Let’s just say she’s not what I expected her to be.”

“Is she ugly?” his younger brother teased.

This time Alonzo chuckled. “Far from it. Have everything ready for me when I get there.”

“Alright bro. See you later.”

“Later.”

As Alonzo was sliding his phone inside his pocket, Jeanette returned to the room with Mya now on her right hip. She handed him a slip of paper.

“I jotted down my information. I called my insurance company this morning to inform them I had an accident, so they’ll be expecting your call.”

While she was speaking another toddler, this time a little boy, wandered into the room leaning against Jeanette’s left leg. He stared at Alonzo with wide curious eyes.

An emptiness he couldn’t explain settled over him as he watched the children clinging to Jeanette for comfort.

“I can see you’re busy. Why don’t I come back after you close this evening so we can talk?”

What did they have to talk about? Everything he needed was on the paper she’d given him. Was he going to demand she pay out of pocket instead of going through the insurance company? She hoped not! She was dreading the five-hundred-dollar deductible she had to pay that was going to wipe her entire savings out.  Reluctantly, she agreed with a nod.

“Come back at seven.”

When he smiled showing a straight row of white teeth, her knees did that buckling thing again.

“Seven it is,” Alonzo said as he turned and headed toward the door.

As he reached for the doorknob Jeanette called out, “Hey, what’s your name?”

With his back to her an amused grin curved his lips. She doesn’t know who I am. This could be interesting.

“Alonzo Castro.”

 

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Lezlie frowned as she gazed at her cell phone. Three days had gone by and she hadn’t heard from Jason. Every time she called him, the call rolled over to voice mail. He wasn’t returning her texts either.

Frustrated, she tossed the phone on the nightstand before going into the bathroom to take a shower. Here it was a Friday night and she was all alone. Turning on the tap, she stepped in, not caring that the water was a tad bit too hot. Tears mingled with the falling water as she replayed their last conversation in her mind. Maybe she shouldn’t have shared with him how her folks felt about their budding romance. But he hadn’t seemed upset with what she told him. If anything, he came off as very supportive.

“What happened?” she wondered aloud. This pain was worse than Earl’s betrayal. She thought she and Jason had connected on so many levels. What was it about her that turned men off?

She thought he was different. She believed him when he said he wouldn’t hurt her.

The running water drowned her sobs as she went on with her nighttime routine.

She shut off the faucet, stepped out the shower and began to dry off. Towel wrapped around her body, she padded to her bedroom. Her eyes were drawn to the cell phone like a magnet to metal. A glutton for punishment, she tried calling again. This time the phone rang several times until it went over to voicemail.

What kind of game was he playing? Whatever it was, she wasn’t having it. Anger replaced sadness as she dialed again. Who did he think he was, treating her this way? No more! She wasn’t letting another man trample over her again!

The chiming doorbell startled her. She looked at the phone in her hand, trying to decide if she should go see who was at the door or cuss Jason out. At the beep, she said, “I’ll get back to you later!”

Blood boiling, she didn’t think to put on a robe as she marched to the front door with nothing on but a towel. Nor did she bother to look through the peephole before yanking the door open.

“What do you—”

With his hands in the pockets of his leather bomber jacket, Jason lifted a thick brow. “Do you always answer the door dressed like that?”

Eyes wide, Lezlie looked down at herself. “Oh my God,” she shrieked, jumping behind the door.

Jason stepped across the threshold, dropped the duffle bag he was carrying, before he closed and locked the door. Staring down at her, he smiled before pulling her to himself. She didn’t fight him as he slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her hard and deep.

Breaking the kiss, she remembered that she was mad at him. She placed her hands against the wall of his chest and pushed him. It didn’t do any good though, because he held on, not budging.

“Jason, get off me.” Her voice broke when she said, “I’ve been trying to call you for three days.”

He hugged her close, hating the hurt in her voice because of him. “Babe, I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind and needed time to think.”

This time, he didn’t hold her when she pushed away. With her chest heaving, she shot back, “That’s no excuse for not answering my calls or texts! You could have at least texted me back saying so.”

He took a few steps to close the distance so he could lean down and nuzzle his nose on her damp, soft curls. He loved the floral fragrant shampoo she used. It was delicate and feminine, like her.

“You’re right. I should have called you back,” he murmured, leaning down further to kiss her neck. Man, she smelled wonderful.

Lezlie’s nipples hardened and she moved closer in hopes of assuaging the sensual ache between her thighs. She shuddered from the thick bulge in his jeans. Goosebumps popped up all over her body when he held her waist and picked her up so that her breasts were at his eye level. She shivered as his cold fingers gently pulled down the towel…

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