#FlashbackFriday: Meet Margot Schultz

Office manager Margot Schultz is the closest thing  closed-off attorney, Olivia Chandler, has to a friend. Margot doesn’t know all the details of her boss’ painful childhood, but she knows enough to understand Olivia’s quirky behavior and stunted emotions.

Margot returns in Family Matters.  Her loyalty to Olivia will be tested when another devastating loss leads Olivia to refuse help and push everyone away.

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Dynamic and vivacious Margot Schultz never met an obstacle she couldn’t overcome… or knock down. Executive assistant and office manager to child-advocate attorney, Olivia Chandler, Margot always seems to know the right amount of charm, wit, and panache to use when dealing with anyone from grumpy judges to cagey Department of Children’s Service employees to Olivia’s peers – some of whom are less-than-ethical.

Early in her career, Margot worked for some of the less than-ethical-crowd. While they could be gods and magicians in the courtroom, pulling out wins from seemingly unwinnable cases, outside the courtroom was another matter. Margot could remember each and every personal errand she’d had to do, each gift she’d had to buy for multiple girlfriends and mistresses, and every lie she’d told to one of her bosses’ wives.

When Margot heard through the courthouse grapevine that the executive secretary of a successful young, female child advocate attorney was retiring for health reasons and had no replacement, she grabbed her resume, took an extended lunch and went in search of Olivia Chandler. Despite her unusual approach, Margot and Olivia clicked immediately.

The two women have worked side by side for over ten years. Olivia admired Margot’s work ethic. She encouraged Margot to continue her education when time allowed, and even paid for it, calling it a ‘sound investment.’ Margot would eventually advance from executive legal secretary to executive assistant and office manager.

Margot knows Olivia has no family and was a foster care kid. She doesn’t know the intimate details, but she does know Olivia’s adolescence was bad enough for Olivia to keep herself closed off to most people. Her boss seems to ‘live’ when focused and working on a case for their minor clients. The rest of the time, Olivia just seems to exist.

The divorced office manager is not one of those people who believe a woman needs a man in her life to be complete, but Bruce Bellamy has suddenly appeared in Olivia’s life, and Margot will do her part to keep him there.

Things are going to get interesting.

~~~

Margot Rose (Parker) Schultz

Age: She’s not telling – but probably mid to late 40s

Born: New York, New York

Marital Status: Divorced – has adult twin sons who are both Marines

Is two classes away from a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

Loves to dance and can be found on a dance floor most Saturday nights

Collects souvenirs from the Roaring 20s – always says she would have made a great Flapper

Plays acoustic guitar, but rarely does as it reminds her of her musician ex-husband

Is somewhat estranged from her parents and siblings since she dropped out of college nearly 20 years ago to elope with her now ex-husband

~~~

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Rena Averest – In The Best Interest of the Child – Character Profile


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Olivia Chandler’s latest client is eleven-year-old Rena Averest.

Rena and her parents were involved in a weather-related, multi-car accident. Her mother was killed and her father was severely injured and comatose for several weeks and remains hospitalized indefinitely.

Rena suffered extensive injuries and was also hospitalized for several weeks. When she was well enough to be discharged, the hospital ran into major obstacles. Her mother’s only living relative was an older brother who lived two thousand miles away. Suffering from chronic cystic fibrosis, he was unable to care for Rena and had in fact, even missed his sister’s funeral. Rena has grandparents, and two aunts on her father’s side of the family…and they want absolutely nothing to do with her.

A benevolent judge, taking into account all that Rena is currently dealing with, allows her to be placed temporarily with Courtney and Marissa Bellamy, friends of her parents since college, and Rena’s godparents. Not knowing how her father’s medical situation will resolve itself, the judge feels Rena needs the stability and familiarity of the Bellamy home. The Department of Children’s Services disagrees and take legal action to remove Rena from the Bellamy home and place her in foster care. The presiding judge spurred on by the irony of DCS wanting to remove Rena Averest from a non-relative home only to place her in a non-relative home, stays the case and appoints a child advocate attorney to research the case and protect Rena’s interest.

And that’s exactly what Olivia intends to do.

Rena Irene Averest

Age: 11

DOB: May 6, 2003

Parents: Duncan and Irene (Deceased) Averest

Siblings: None

Favorite color: Yellow

Favorite music: Todrick Hall and all songs Disney-related

Favorite Book: The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

Pets: A turtle named Brutus

BFF: Margie Macy

Wants to be a surgical nurse when she grows up


Best Interest multi cover

“In the Best Interest of the Child”

Amazon US http://bit.ly/BestInt

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/BestIntUK

Amazon CA http://bit.ly/BestIntCA

Amazon AU http://bit.ly/BestIntAU

Goodreads  http://bit.ly/BestIntGR


 

Margot Schultz – In The Best Interest of the Child – Character Profile

business-924902_640

Dynamic and vivacious Margot Schultz never met an obstacle she couldn’t overcome… or knock down. Executive assistant/office manager to Olivia Chandler, Margot always seems to know the right amount of charm, wit, and panache to use when dealing with anyone from grumpy judges to cagey Department of Children’s Service employees to Olivia’s peers – some of whom are less-than-ethical.

Early in her career, Margot worked for some of the less than-ethical-crowd. While they could be gods and magicians in the courtroom, pulling out wins from seemingly unwinnable cases, outside the courtroom was another matter. Margot could remember each and every personal errand she’d had to do, each gift she’d had to buy for multiple girlfriends and mistresses, and every lie she’d told to one of her bosses’ wives.

When Margot heard through the courthouse grapevine that the executive secretary of a successful young, female child advocate attorney was retiring for health reasons and had no replacement, she grabbed her resume, took an extended lunch and went in search of Olivia Chandler. Despite her unusual approach, Margot and Olivia clicked immediately.

The two women have worked side by side for ten years. Olivia admired Margot’s work ethic. She encouraged Margot to continue her education when time allowed, and even paid for it, calling it a ‘sound investment.’ Margot would eventually advance from executive legal secretary to executive assistant and office manager.

Margot knows Olivia has no family and was a foster care kid. She doesn’t know the intimate details, but she does know Olivia’s adolescence was bad enough for Olivia to keep herself closed off to most people. Her boss seems to ‘live’ when focused and working on a case for their minor clients. The rest of the time, Olivia just seems to exist.

The divorced office manager is not one of those people who believe a woman needs a man in her life to be complete, but Bruce Bellamy has suddenly appeared in Olivia’s life, and Margot will do her part to keep him there.

Things are going to get interesting.

 

Margot Rose (Parker) Schultz

Age: She’s not telling – but probably mid to late 40s

Born: New York, New York

Marital Status: Divorced – has adult twin sons who are both Marines

Is two classes away from a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

Loves to dance and can be found on a dance floor most Saturday nights

Collects souvenirs from the Roaring 20s – always says she would have made a great Flapper

Plays acoustic guitar, but rarely does as it reminds her of her musician ex-husband

Is somewhat estranged from her parents and siblings since she dropped out of college nearly 30 years ago to elope with her now ex-husband


Best Interest multi cover

“In the Best Interest of the Child”

Amazon US http://bit.ly/BestInt

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/BestIntUK

Amazon CA http://bit.ly/BestIntCA

Amazon AU http://bit.ly/BestIntAU

Goodreads  http://bit.ly/BestIntGR

Martin ‘Marty’ Knight – In The Best Interest of the Child – Character Profile

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After their initial visit to the hospital where Rena has daily physical therapy, she and Olivia meet hospital volunteer, Martin ‘Marty’ Knight as they leave. Marty is concerned about the sadness in Rena’s eyes and tries to cheer her up as he helps her into the car. He is shocked to find out that Rena’s injuries and the death of her mother were caused by the same weather-related, multi-vehicle accident that claimed the life of his best friend, Victor Roddy.

During Marty and Rena’s conversation, Olivia finds herself staring at the man, convinced they have met before. She just cannot remember where. Marty also cast several glances in Olivia’s direction trying to figure out why she looks so familiar. His memory fails him.

As the story unfolds, Marty Knight will not only become a good friend and ‘grandfather’ to Rena, he will play a pivotal role in Olivia Chandler sorting out her past…and navigating her future.

  • Martin Eugene Knight
  • Age: 71
  • Retiree, Veteran, and Hospital Volunteer
  • DOB: October 31, 1943
  • Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Marital Status: Widower. Wife, Sarah, passed away three years ago after a difficult battle with liver cancer.
  • Sarah died two weeks after their 50th wedding anniversary.
  • Has five children and eleven grandchildren.
  • A veteran of the Vietnam War. Entered the war near its beginning and served four years.
  • Received a Purple Heart and Medal Honor.
  • Enjoys building miniatures, fly fishing, and watching westerns.
  • Carries a keychain with a picture of his wife on one side, and a picture of his dog on the other. His dog passed away two months after his wife, at the age of 16. Sarah named the dog Dwight because she was convinced he looked like Dwight D Eisenhower.

Best Interest multi cover

Amazon US http://bit.ly/BestInt

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/BestIntUK

Amazon CA http://bit.ly/BestIntCA

Amazon AU http://bit.ly/BestIntAU

Goodreads  http://bit.ly/BestIntGR

 

©2016 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved

Courtney and Marissa Bellamy – In The Best Interest of the Child – Character Profile

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As best friends to Duncan Averest and his late wife, Irene, Courtney and Marissa Bellamy knew they would stand by Duncan. Whatever it took to help him through the loss of his wife and the serious injuries sustained by him and daughter, Rena, the Bellamys would do. And, as Rena’s godparents, of course she would live with them until her father was well enough to take care of her. They took their vows as godparents very seriously. But someone is trying to stop them. Someone is trying to keep them away from Duncan and make sure Rena gets sent into the foster care system.

Court-appointed child advocate attorney Olivia Chandler is the answer to their prayers. They’re moved by her genuineness and promise to “do right by Rena.” There is an immediate bond between the attorney and her young client, and Marissa cannot help but wonder if it has more to do with the flashes of sadness she sees in Olivia’s eyes than with simple job commitment.

The instant interest in Olivia by his cousin, Bruce, hasn’t been lost on Courtney. Abandoned by his ex-wife when their children were mere toddlers, Bruce hasn’t shown little more than a passing, casual interest in any woman since. Olivia will be spending quite a bit of time with the Bellamy family in the near future, and Courtney thinks it’s just enough time to do a bit of matchmaking. And, where you find Courtney…you find Marissa.

Let the games begin!

Courtney Ardan and Marissa Anne (Monroe) Bellamy

Met in Botany 101 during their freshman year of college

Married November 30, 1996

Two sons – Bishop, 18 and Brian, 16

Courtney works in IT/Computer Systems for the local school district, Marissa is head of Library Sciences for Hennepin County Public Libraries

Courtney (Caucasian) and Marissa (African-American) are an Interracial couple who haven’t suffered much of the disdain shown to interracial couples by some of society due to their steadfast commitment to each other and the love and total support of their families.

Bruce Bellamy – In The Best Interest of the Child – Character Profile


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A former amateur race car driver, and current owner of a successful chain of auto repair shops, Bruce Bellamy is a cousin to Rena Averest’s current caregivers. He and Olivia meet for the first time when she gives Rena a ride home from physical therapy, and he is there trying to diagnose the problem with his cousin’s car.

Bruce is instantly smitten with the attorney. Her voluptuous body pulls him right in, but it’s the guarded sadness in her eyes that propels him to get to know her. She has a beautiful smile, and he thinks she should use it more often.

The easy going business owner has been alone for nearly two decades, when his ex-wife walked away from him and their four children in search of a more affluent lifestyle. Her callous, mercenary heart caused him to close his off, and he’s not been in a relationship since, nor had any involvement with women worth mentioning, choosing instead to concentrate on raising his children and making his business successful. So when Olivia gets his attention, the entire Bellamy clan takes notice, and proceeds to help him win her over.

Having spent her adult life avoiding romantic entanglements, Olivia knows she’s walking a tight rope by allowing Bruce to get too close. Rena’s case has brought Olivia’s childhood back to the forefront of her mind, making her believe she has nothing to offer Bruce.

He seems to think otherwise.

Bruce Ambrose Bellamy
Age: 42
DOB: June 28, 1972
Place of Birth: Duluth, Minnesota
Divorced
Has four (adult) children
Owns a chain of successful auto repair shops
Loves ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘Married with Children’ reruns
Has a BA and MA in Business earned while attending night, and online classes
Hates golfs and considers it pointless
Loves football and is a diehard Minnesota Vikings Fan


Best Interest full cover

Amazon US http://bit.ly/BestInt

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/BestIntUK

Amazon CA http://bit.ly/BestIntCA

Amazon AU http://bit.ly/BestIntAU

Goodreads  http://bit.ly/BestIntGR

2017 Color of Love Blog Hop

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Welcome to the 2017 edition of the COLOR OF LOVE Blog Hop co-hosted by Empi Baryeh, Kiru Taye, Nana Prah, and Love Bites and Silk. This year’s hop is on from today 23 November to 3 December 2017.

We’re celebrating People of Color in romance and offering you a chance to discover new books and new authors, as well as giving you a chance to win prizes. We have 30 blogs participating this year, each featuring an interracial or multicultural romance book!

This year, we’re doing things a little differently. We’ve separated the cash and book prizes so more people can win:

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

BOOK PRIZES
We’re introducing daily book prizes. Be sure to comment on blog posts and join the conversation on our FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE for a chance to win one of our 24 book prizes.

CASH PRIZES
Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win:
· 1st prize $50 GC
· 2nd prize $25 GC
· 3rd prize $15 GC
· 4th prize $10 GC

 


One lucky visitor to my blog will win digital copies of three great reads by three great authors!

Once Upon a Princess Duet by Deborah A. Bailey

Cinderella and the Wolf Prince by Siren Allen

Haunted by Kiru Taye

To enter for a chance to win, all you have to do is:

  1. Follow this blog
  2. What’s your favorite multicultural/interracial read of 2017? Tell me in the comments!

On Monday, December 4th, a random winner will be chosen and receive all three books!

My 5-Star Review of Once Upon a Princess Duet

Fairytales were my first favorite childhood genre, and in my later years, I haven’t strayed too far from them. The list continues to grow of fairytale mash-ups, retellings, dark, and inspired versions. A few missed the mark, but most get it right. Once Upon a Princess Duet nails it!

In Heart of Stone, we have Leesa, princess leader of a kingdom in ruins. Those who killed her family and destroyed the land are gone too. Leesa ekes out a living for her grandmother and the people of her village the best way she can.

This leads Leesa to search for treasures at Silver Palace, also in ruins and once home to her betrothed who never returned from the war.

Leesa is caught by Willem, the gargoyle, self-proclaimed guardian of the castle ruins. He makes Leesa an offer—stay with him in the castle for three weeks and he will give her all she needs to care for her village.

This grownup version of Beauty & the Beast doesn’t deliver a wide-eyed, naïve ingenue and a loathsome beast, but a thirty-year-old woman who’s left her days of royalty and privilege behind and a snarky, supernatural creature who may or may not be just a bit pervy. *HA! *

The bargain is not an easy one even as a guarded trust grows between the mismatched couple.

Trouble arrives in the forms of Lester and Sir Kyle, who’s determined to take the castle’s hidden riches… and Leesa as his wife.

With problems temporarily abated, Willem releases Leesa from their agreement, insisting she leaves before the nefarious Kyle returns with backup. Leesa is reluctant to leave—she has come to care for the gargoyle—and wants to fulfill her part of the agreement… and perhaps even help free Willem from the enchantment which binds him to the castle.

Trouble returns, and it is chaotic. Leesa’s resolve weakens as she believes she’s lost someone else important to her. It builds to an excellent ending, which for me, could have gone on and on.

While she only appears in a few pages near story’s end, Polly, a no-nonsense barmaid from town, leaps to the top of my favorite characters list. Polly wasn’t up for any foolishness and did not suffer fools lightly.

In Beauty and the Faun, Kayla and her mother are taken in by her uncle after Kayla’s father dies.

Although they are equals, Kayla and Julia, her mother, are treated as servants…like Cinderella. The good-natured women don’t mind… much, as they both miss their life living in the woods with Christopher, Kayla’s late father.

When Julia fell in love with Christopher, a woodsman, her family didn’t consider him good enough for Julia and she had to choose—her wealthy family and easy life or poverty with Christopher. Of course, Julia chose love with no regrets. But illness took Christopher all too soon.

Now Kayla learns Sir Frederick, her uncle, and a habitual gambler is ready to marry her off to help settle his gambling debts.

The plan is to marry Kayla off to the son of a king. Usually a coveted betrothal, King Reynard has been unable to find a bride for his son because Reynard is a wolf-shapeshifter and his son… changes into things. The young prince is also said to be wild and disappears for weeks at a time.

Despite Kayla and Julia’s objections, the wedding plans proceed, so Kayla decides to solve her own problem.

Striking a deal with fellow servant, Jackon, Kayla plans to go into the village and find a job so she can take care of her mother and be away from Frederick’s control. Jackon tricks Kayla and leads her into an attempted kidnapping. Kayla escapes and eventually ends up with Del, a woodland faun.

Loved the twists and turns of this quick read which included a wedding ball, a fairy godmother and… pomegranate.

Leesa and Kayla are two great characters—women just trying to figure it all out. They’re not sitting around waiting to be rescued, but Prince Charming does arrive… in his own way! You’ll enjoy rooting for their happily-ever-afters.

I highly recommend these two engaging fairytale sendups. But, don’t buy them for your twelve-year-old. Yes, there’s sex, (but it’s not over-the-top). We grow up, why can’t our fairytales?

Enjoy!


Color Of Love 2017 Featured Books

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1. Author Kiru Taye (INT) 11. Georgia Lyn Hunter 21. Tasha L. Harrison
2. Author Nana Prah (INT) 12. Sharon C. Cooper 22. Kay Blake
3. Author Empi Baryeh (INT) 13. Reana Malori 23. J.L. Campbell
4. LBAS Book Blogs (INT) 14. Elle Wright 24. Sheena Binkley
5. RWOWA (INT) 15. Candace Shaw 25. Bex n Books (INT)
6. Sexy Romance Novels (INT) 16. Author/Blogger Shonda Brock 26. Natalina Reis
7. Felicia Denise, Author 17. L. Loren (INT) 27. Dahlia Donovan (Int)
8. Sharita Lira, Author 18. Koko Brown 28. Debra Elise
9. Freddy MacKay 19. Siren Allen 29. Kim Golden
10. Platypire Reviews 20. Amaka Azie 30. Kai Tyler (INT)

“Color of Love Blog Hop 2016!” #CoLHop

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Welcome to the Color of Love Blog Hop 2016! This amazing event celebrates love and romance in all its many different hues. Tour the hop and meet some incredible authors and check out their great reads!

SPOTLIGHT

One of my favorite multicultural romances is the The Maybe Baby Saga from Kim Golden!

maybe-baby_special-ed

Amazon          Goodreads

MAYBE BABY
Imagine finding out you could never have a baby with the man you love…

Expat American Laney Halliwell finds out the hard way when Niklas tells her he had a vasectomy before they met and isn’t interested in reversing it. Why should he? They’ve got his kids from his first marriage and an enviable life in Stockholm.

What if you fell in love in the most unexpected way…?

But Laney wants more. So when a friend suggests she look into an alternative sperm bank in Copenhagen to find a potential father for her baby, things don’t go exactly as planned. Especially when Laney meets Mads and finds herself falling in love.

MAYBE TONIGHT
Mads Rasmussen has had enough: of being a sperm donor, of feeling disconnected, of being alone.

Then someone walks into his life in a most unexpected way…

Maybe Tonight gives us a glimpse of Mads’s life just before and after he meets Laney and lets us see what happens when love takes you by surprise.

**NOTE: This special edition contains Maybe Baby and its companion novella, Maybe Tonight. Both titles have been previously published as separate books **

 

Remember to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at some great prizes!

  • 1st prize $75 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 2nd prize $50 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 3rd prize $30 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 4th prize $15 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 5th prize $10 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 6th prize $5 GC + 7 ebooks

Enter the Rafflecopter

Leave a comment and I’ll draw a random winner for a $10 Amazon gift card at the end of the event!

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Hop to the next blog on the list!

1. Kiru Taye 15. Ines Johnson 29. Rina Gray
2. Nana Prah 16. Sharon C. Cooper 30. Joyfully Reviewed
3. Empi Baryeh 17. Candace Shaw 31. Synithia Williams
4. RWOWA 18. Natasha Blackthorne 32. L. Loren
5. Sexy Romance Novels 19. Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 33. LaQuette
6. Kai Tyler 20. Kenya Wright 34. Jamie Wesley
7. Love Bites and Silk 21. Delaney Diamond 35. A.J. Locke
8. Felicia Denise 22. LaVerne Thompson 36. A.C. Melody
9. Guinevere & Libertad 23. Tia Kelly 37. Kay Blake
10. G.L. Tomas 24. Patience Saduwa 38. Sheena Binkley
11. Georgia Lyn Hunter 25. Paulette Harper 39. M.J. Kane
12. Lea’s Crazy Nights 26. LENA HART 40. The Reading Addict
13. Lily Harlem 27. S.W.Frank 41. Reviews by Crystal
14. Kim Golden 28. Reana Malori 42. Dionne Grace

 

 

“Color of Love Blog Hop 2016!” #CoLHop

col_banner4

Welcome to the Color of Love Blog Hop 2016! This amazing event celebrates love and romance in all its many different hues. Tour the hop and meet some incredible authors and check out their great reads!

SPOTLIGHT

One of my favorite multicultural romances is the The Maybe Baby Saga from Kim Golden!

maybe-baby_special-ed

Amazon          Goodreads

MAYBE BABY
Imagine finding out you could never have a baby with the man you love…

Expat American Laney Halliwell finds out the hard way when Niklas tells her he had a vasectomy before they met and isn’t interested in reversing it. Why should he? They’ve got his kids from his first marriage and an enviable life in Stockholm.

What if you fell in love in the most unexpected way…?

But Laney wants more. So when a friend suggests she look into an alternative sperm bank in Copenhagen to find a potential father for her baby, things don’t go exactly as planned. Especially when Laney meets Mads and finds herself falling in love.

MAYBE TONIGHT
Mads Rasmussen has had enough: of being a sperm donor, of feeling disconnected, of being alone.

Then someone walks into his life in a most unexpected way…

Maybe Tonight gives us a glimpse of Mads’s life just before and after he meets Laney and lets us see what happens when love takes you by surprise.

**NOTE: This special edition contains Maybe Baby and its companion novella, Maybe Tonight. Both titles have been previously published as separate books **

 

Remember to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at some great prizes!

  • 1st prize $75 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 2nd prize $50 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 3rd prize $30 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 4th prize $15 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 5th prize $10 GC + 7 ebooks
  • 6th prize $5 GC + 7 ebooks

Enter the Rafflecopter

Leave a comment and I’ll draw a random winner for a $10 Amazon gift card at the end of the event!

book-covers-1

book-covers-2

Hop to the next blog on the list!

1. Kiru Taye 15. Ines Johnson 29. Rina Gray
2. Nana Prah 16. Sharon C. Cooper 30. Joyfully Reviewed
3. Empi Baryeh 17. Candace Shaw 31. Synithia Williams
4. RWOWA 18. Natasha Blackthorne 32. L. Loren
5. Sexy Romance Novels 19. Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 33. LaQuette
6. Kai Tyler 20. Kenya Wright 34. Jamie Wesley
7. Love Bites and Silk 21. Delaney Diamond 35. A.J. Locke
8. Felicia Denise 22. LaVerne Thompson 36. A.C. Melody
9. Guinevere & Libertad 23. Tia Kelly 37. Kay Blake
10. G.L. Tomas 24. Patience Saduwa 38. Sheena Binkley
11. Georgia Lyn Hunter 25. Paulette Harper 39. M.J. Kane
12. Lea’s Crazy Nights 26. LENA HART 40. The Reading Addict
13. Lily Harlem 27. S.W.Frank 41. Reviews by Crystal
14. Kim Golden 28. Reana Malori 42. Dionne Grace

 

 

“In The Best Interest of the Child” #MondaySnippet

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“In The Best Interest of the Child”

by Felicia Denise

Women’s Fiction/

Release Date: September 30, 2016

Snippet:

Remembering all the cars parked out front, Olivia knew there were quite a few family members in attendance, but when Marissa threw open the family room doors, Olivia was stunned. There had to be at least forty people before her, and a third of them were children. Leading the overwhelmed attorney through the throng of family, Marissa loudly announced, “Bellamys, this is Olivia Chandler. Olivia…the Bellamys. You’ll learn names in time.” Olivia managed to give a short wave as her evidently new life coach forged on. Passing through a doorway into the formal dining room, they approached four older women sitting at the table in a very animated discussion.

“You were always wearing ruby red lipstick, trying to get attention!”

“Well, you were always dying your hair blond!” Marissa dropped Olivia’s hand and threw her own up in frustration.

“Please tell me you’re not having another ‘Who Was the Biggest Floozy’ argument? What if any of the grands heard you? Don’t make me call the Bellamy men in here!” Olivia figured that was not something the women wanted because they remained quiet and looked properly chastised. Marissa moved to stand behind the two bickering women, resting her arms on their shoulders. Motioning to the woman on her right, Marissa introduced her. “Olivia, this ruby red lipstick wearing firecracker is my mother-in-law, Bernadette Bellamy, and the bottle blonde here is her sister-in-law, Bettina Bellamy. They are married to brothers, but they are also cousins.” Olivia smiled at them both.

“Mrs. Bellamy and Mrs. Bellamy…it’s a pleasure.” Bernadette held her hand up.

“None of that Mrs.-stuff. I’m Aunt Bernie and she’s Aunt Bettie. She’ll answer to ‘streetwalker’ too!” Olivia’s hand flew up to cover her mouth and muffle her laugh, but the other women roared with laughter. Through narrowed eyes, Bettina glared at her cousin.

“You’ll pay for that.” Bernadette pulled a face while still laughing. Marissa shook her head and stepped behind the other two women.

“And this is my mom, Gladys Monroe, and her sister, Darlene Preston.” Olivia smiled at the women, but this time was hesitant to address them. They resolved the issue for her.

“You can call me Lena”, Darlene grinned broadly and nudged her sister. Gladys waved her off.

“You can call me whatever you like if you give me that gorgeous suit you’re wearing.” Olivia glanced down at her suit and back at Gladys Monroe, who wasn’t much taller than her daughter.

“Um, thank you…for the compliment.”

“Don’t mind my mom, Olivia. She’s just always been a fan of tailored clothing.” Gladys waved her daughter off.

“Olivia has excellent taste and a great eye. I wish I was built like you, young lady. You’re probably beating the guys off with a stick.” The flustered attorney grinned.

“I’m not. But I do appreciate the compliment.” Marissa saved Olivia by changing the subject.

Olivia’s journey is filled with fun and laughter…and tears and sadness. Will she get her happily ever after?

Find out by 1-clicking today!

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