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!

 

 “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

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/SultryNights-BN

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
Ja’Nese Dixon
Rae B. Lake
Regina Morris
Suzette D. Harrison
Suzette Riddick
Taylor Love
Tee Smith
Yolanda Hatcher
Enter for a chance to win!
Enter here: http://www.blacklovebooks.com/book-bargains/june-book-fair/