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!

 

 “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.”

 

Get your copy now!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/SultryNights-NightSeries

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iBooks: http://bit.ly/SultryNights-iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/SultryNights-KOBO

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

Summer is near. The school year is almost over. This means vacations, relaxing, and lots of books! Fill your KINDLE with the latest African American, Interracial, and Multicultural Romance books.

Shop our Summer Book Fair and Giveaway!

Click around and learn more about the featured books. Grab one, two…or snag them all for your summer reading pleasure. PLUS enter to win one of three prizes including African American, Interracial, and Multicultural Romance ebooks and Amazon Gift Cards.

Participating Authors:
Aarti V Raman
Dana Pittman
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Suzette D. Harrison
Suzette Riddick
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Tee Smith
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Enter for a chance to win!
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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.

 

Get your copy today!

Amazon: The Thick of Things

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