Luther Vandross Leaves a Legacy of Love

"You've got to constantly keep yourself motivated and inspired."--Angela Bassett


For actors I'm sure the inspiration has to come from deep within and must be compelling. But so it is with each of us in our daily work. What inspires you to do what you do? How do you force yourself to awaken each day and do the best you can? As an author of romantic novels, some days I don't feel an ounce of romance in my bones. And it is extremely difficul when I need to write that especially tender love scene where the hero and heroine consummate their love. To get through those dry spells I usually drop a Luther Vandross love ballad into my CD player. There is no other voice like Luther's to help me remember the Power of Love because love is So Amazing. After listening to Mr. Vandross croon I remember why my character has to say, "Let Me Take You Out Tonight."Mr. Luther Vandross' is gone, but his music remains. And oh, how I need it to do what I do.

Plenty More Love

Today I completed the final edit on my fourth novel. It is the story of Lisa Stevens, a goal oriented career woman whose greatest thrill in life is negotiating ironclad contracts. She has no intention of combining marriage with her career until she receives a marriage proposal. This proposal leads her to consider marriage for the first time ever. The only problem is, it's from the wrong man. Being a clever negotiator, she immediately takes the offer to the right man, Jonathan Hill. She tells Joanthan, a man that she's dated off and on for more than a year, of of her offer, asking him to counter it.

Jonathan declines and sends Lisa away again. When he sends her away this time, she vows that she'll stay away from him for good this time. But a chance meeting throws them together once again. There's something about Jonathan that Lisa can't resist. True, he's stoic and there's a sadness about him that she can't penetrate. But she appreciates his passion for those things that deeply interest him and his compassion for others. She also likes the way he treats her and the way he makes her feel.

He's a good man but has a troubled past that makes him think he's not good enough for her. As a fireman, Jonathan is in the right profession. His purpose in life is to rescue people. Not only does he try to save victims of injuries and accidents, but also his family and friends. He tries hard to resist Lisa's advances, but she's a woman who won't be denied. Before it is all over, he is totally enraptured by her energy, spirit, and forthrightness. Her joie de vivre is contagious and when he catches it, he sheds the burden of an unhappy past.

Before the couple can get to "happily forever after," they must discover who is setting fire to the buildings that Lisa manages for her family's real estate conglomerate. If they can't figure it out, Lisa will most likely take the blame for the fires. As they work to solve the riddle, their bond of love and trust is strengthened.

This is a story of letting go of negative self- images from the past and embracing the future. It is also a story of love and acceptance. Jonathan is a stoic man of integrity with loyalty. Lisa is a woman from a loving family background with plenty of love to share with Jonathan. She teaches him to love and laugh.

This book will be out in October 2005 and is published by BET/Arabesque. My other titles include Sweet Desire, Passion's Promise and Love on Hold. I'll tell you about them in future blogs.

Birthday Celebration

My birthday came in with a whimper and went out with a bang. I finally finished the final edit of Plenty More Love. That is my novel that will be released in October 2005.

In addition to finishing the edit on Plenty, I worked my day job too. This was the first time in ages that I had to work on my birthday. But when you have a small three-person office you do what you've got to do. Months ago I'd given my assistant the day off so that she could go to her family reunion.

After work I took my daughter to the mall to meet friends at the movies. Upon returning home, I found myself all alone with rare moments to be reflective. As I thought over the various periods of my life--living single, married with children and now with one child gone and another in her senior year of high school--I wonder what this new era will bring. I pray that my husband and I will enjoy good health and have the opportunity to travel the world as we've dreamed.

Our seven-year old twin niece and nephew refused to allow me too long to contemplate. They insisted that birthdays have to be celebrated on one's birthday. They could not accept the explanation that I had special plans to commemorate my birthday on Saturday night. To them birthday is synonymous with a party and cake. And party we did. I threw on clothes and joined my siblings with the younger children in the family (all the teens and young adults have plans onFriday night) for an impromptu party. Their simple affair was just as fun as the more eleborate long planned events we've had in the past.

Saturday night my husband had to work, but my sisters took me to the Barn Dinner Theater. We enjoyed the professional production of Goodbye Charlie. The night marked the first major outting for my eldest sister who had knew surgery in March. It was difficult for her to navigate the buffet, but with our help she managed to get a full meal and dessert. The most wonderful part of the evening was the play's beautiful set and nostalgic music.

My birthday weekend continued this morning when my sixteen-year old surprised me by agreeing to go to early morning worship with me. What a hallelujah good time! There is nothing more peaceful nor inspiring than praising our Savior in the fresh light of a summer day. The pastor's sermon was taken from Psalm 37. "The son of our righteous man will not go hungry." That verse brought a large degree of comfort to me.

Now I'm awaiting the arrival of my six-month old granddaughter. Her mother is bringing her to spend the night with her grandmere. Got to go and prepare the house for her.