10 Years… and Counting!

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 24 Comments

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Can’t believe it’s been ten years since this little blog began as a landing page for Region E of Michigan’s south central chapter of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) when I served as a local president, council president and board member.

A lot has changed.

My children are ADULTS, grown and on their own and I stepped away from PTA.

I got fed up with Facebook drama and transitioned this site to a book blog in support of mainly indie authors.

More than 5,000 posts have found their way to these blog pages and received more than 121,000 views and 4500 comments. Many thanks to followers and supporters who make Nesie’s Place a regular stop during their online time.

I’ve made some amazing contacts, and even better… some amazing friends.

I’ve self-published.

I’ve written and posted close 100 short stories on FeliciaDenise.com.

I learned what a Drabble is.

I won a writing challenge.

And I’ve learned quite a bit about blogging, writing, people… and myself.

I’m looking forward to the future and getting back to writing, though the journey will be bittersweet.

I lost my two biggest cheerleaders this year.

My husband, Dennis, in May

Den

(He was always my biggest supporter, reading everything I wrote… then complaining because there was no teleportation, earth-shattering explosions, epic battles, secret portals, guys named Gus and Deke… or zombies. He knew I hated zombies.)

and my mom last weekend.

It’s not lost on me that during my last conversation with Mom, she commented, “I should let you go. I’ve kept you on this phone for two hours and you probably need to write something or do one of those blog thingys.”

Mom. God bless her.

It’s not going to be easy, but I’d better get busy writing… and doing those blog thingys.

~~~

“The Mother: A Novel” by Yvette Edwards

January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 ~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

1.99 at time of posting!

The Mother cover

The Mother: A Novel

by Yvette Edwards

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Family Life

The unimaginable has happened to Marcia Williams. Her bright and beautiful sixteen-year-old son, Ryan, has been brutally murdered. Consumed by grief and rage, she must bridle her dark feelings and endure something no mother should ever have to experience: she must go to court for the trial of the killer—another teenage boy—accused of taking her son’s life.

How could her son be dead? Ryan should have been safe—he wasn’t the kind of boy to find himself on the wrong end of a knife carried by a dangerous young man like Tyson Manley. But as the trial proceeds, Marcia finds her beliefs and assumptions challenged as she learns more about Ryan’s death and Tyson’s life, including his dysfunctional family. She also discovers troubling truths about her own. As the strain of Ryan’s death tests their marriage, Lloydie, her husband, pulls farther away, hiding behind a wall of secrets that masks his grief, while Marcia draws closer to her sister, who is becoming her prime confidant.

One person seems to hold the answers—and the hope—Marcia needs, Tyson’s scared young girlfriend, Sweetie. But as this anguished mother has learned, nothing in life is certain. Not anymore.

“In The Best Interest of the Child” by Felicia Denise #Excerpt9 #DebutNovel #ComingSoon

September 7, 2016 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 4 Comments

We’re just over a week away from PUBLICATION DAY! I’m nervous but excited! This book has been a looonnng time in the making, and as hard as it is to walk away from, I’m about to do just that. Okay, maybe not this very second…but soon!

Enjoy this small glimpse of Olivia Chandler and Bruce Bellamy navigating their way to friendship…and more.

Add In The Best Interest of the Child to your Goodreads TBR!

*Unedited and subject to revisions.

Having arrived fifteen minutes early, Olivia took a few minutes to visit the ladies’ room to check her hair and makeup, and wash her hands. She was glad no one else was around because every time she glanced at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t stop herself from grinning. “Get a hold of yourself, Olivia Louise! It’s just lunch with a man. You’ve done this more times than you can count.” Exhaling slowly, Olivia hung her head. Yes, lunch with a man who seems to like me. Lunch with a man that I actually like even though I just met him. Olivia groaned and leaned against the sink. She should never have agreed to this. Bruce seemed like a decent man. He didn’t need to be getting involved in the dark pit that was her life. But even if she walked out the restaurant right now, Bruce would not disappear. Courtney and Marissa were his family, and he was very much involved in Rena’s life. The silly grin returned to her face. Honestly, she didn’t want him to disappear. They may never do more than have lunch, but Olivia wanted it badly. She wanted to be normal and have a life without her past hanging over her like the Sword of Damocles. Steadying herself with a couple of deep breaths, Olivia decided to stop hiding in the ladies’ room and talking to herself like a crazy person. She grabbed her handbag and went in search of her lunch date.

Approaching the hostess stand, Olivia gave her Bruce’s name.

“Yes, Ma’am. He’s already here.” Laughing, Olivia shook her head slowly.

“That man. Of course he is.” The hostess smiled but looked confused, not understanding the joke. Olivia waved her hand. “It’s nothing. Lead the way.”

Olivia tried to spot Bruce as they approached the main dining room, but was caught off guard when the young hostess turned right and proceeded down a short hallway. No stranger to the Black Dragon, Olivia knew there were formal banquet rooms in the opposite direction, but she’d never been down this hallway. The hostess stopped in front of a small elevator. “I never realized the restaurant had an elevator. I thought it was a single story building.” Connie nodded.

“You’re right, it is.”

“Then where does this lead? You have a basement?” Covering her mouth to hide her giggles, Connie nodded.

“We do, but trust me, you do not want to go down there. This elevator goes up to the mezzanine.” The elevator doors opened as she finished speaking, and both women stepped inside.

“Well, I didn’t know you had one of those either!”

“Not many people do. The owners don’t advertise it much. It’s usually for special guests or customers who request a more…intimate setting.” Olivia’s eyes quickly widened. Connie gave her a knowing grin.

Intimate setting? She had no more time to process the moment. The doors opened. Connie took a step outside the elevator and motioned to the left.

“Your date is right over there.”

“Date? But this isn’t a da-…” Connie quickly stepped back into the elevator, leaving Olivia with a wink as the doors closed.

“What am I going to do with this man?” Olivia again thought chuckling to herself. She only had to take three steps before she spotted Bruce. Olivia froze as her eyes widened and mouth gaped open.

Rising from the table, Bruce walked towards her. Olivia still had not moved, too shocked at his appearance. Gone were the weather-beaten jeans and worn Henley shirt. The thick heavy work boots? Gone too. The Bruce Bellamy standing before her was elegantly attired in a charcoal grey, two-piece Brooks Brothers suit and grey Sardegna Loafers. And he’d had his hair cut. He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“Good to see you again, Olivia.” He glanced at his watch. “And right on time. Why am I not surprised?” Olivia still stared at him, wide-eyed. Bruce frowned. “Olivia? Is something wrong?” Taking a deep breath, she finally found her voice.

“Who are you? And what’s all”, she motioned up and down his body, “…this?” His big boyish grin returned as he took her hand and led her to their table.

“I’m a successful businessman having lunch with a gorgeous, successful attorney in one of the city’s finer restaurants. I couldn’t very well show up in jeans and boots, could I?”

“Well, no…but-“

“And besides, I had to show you I could dress myself and behave appropriately in public.” Olivia threw her hands up, laughing.

“There you are, Bruce! How nice to see you again!” Filling their wine glasses, Bruce stopped mid-pour to keep from spilling it the laughter hit him so hard. Laughing along with him, Olivia visibly relaxed and placed her hand on his arm.
“And just so we’re clear, Mr. Bellamy, I like you in jeans and work boots too.” The smile he gave Olivia nearly took her breath away. Suddenly self-conscious, Olivia placed her hands in her lap. Bruce didn’t miss the gesture, but continued pouring the wine while changing the subject.

“Would you like to look at the menu, or do you already know what you want?

“No menu needed! I definitely know what I’m having!” He chuckled as he handed her a glass of wine, then signaled for the waiter.

“I had a feeling.” Olivia smirked.

“Think you have me figured out already, Bellamy?”

“Not even close, beautiful one. But I do look forward to the adventure.” She grinned at the compliment and the comment.

“Oooo! I’m an adventure!” Bruce couldn’t help but stare at her face. The way her eyes sparkled, the genuineness of her smile. She was the same woman he met in his cousin’s driveway, but there was no sign of the sadness he saw in her eyes that day. Bruce had long ago made peace with his own issues of abandonment, but Olivia was the first woman to actually make him want to risk his heart again. Bruce was getting lost in Olivia Chandler, and he had no problem with that.

*********

Get ready to 1-click on September 17th!!

#WIPWednesday: Meet Rosalind Jenkins from “In The Best Interest of the Child”

July 13, 2016July 13, 2016 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 4 Comments

Rosalind Jenkins never planned to be a social worker. It was extremely ironic that she ended up in the Department of Children’s Services since children were the reason her marriage ended, and the love of her life walked away. Or rather, the lack of children. What she first believed was a small case of stomach flu ended up being cervical cancer. Six days later, she had no womb and no chance to ever have children of her own. Her husband told her it didn’t matter. They would adopt, or simply spend their life together loving and cherishing each other.

Less than a year later he was gone, saying he’d fallen in love with a woman who wanted children as much as he did.

Of course, Rosalind dealt with depression. But she maintained her composure. She lived a solitary life, still teaching voice at a small, exclusive girl’s academy. However, just 10 ½ short months later, after hearing that her former husband and his new wife had just become parents, Rosalind broke. Unable to function and carry out her duties, the girl’s academy had to let her go.

Rosalind stayed locked away in her home for three months. Her sadness and depression festering…growing into anger and bitterness. Exhausting her savings, Rosalind knew she needed to find a job or sell her house. Calling an old friend from college for job leads, she was instead given the contact information for a manager with the Department of Children’s Services. Her friend assured Rosalind that with her degrees and years of experience, she would definitely be offered a position and above entry-level pay.

And she was.

Rosalind performed well at her new job, and her supervisors were pleased. Her reports were always complete and filed on time. But Rosalind was not good at her job. She lacked the empathy and compassion essential to help children who were as broken as she was, and to educate and assist parents in bettering their situations to maintain a safe loving home for their children. Instead, Rosalind loathed the parents for being able to have children so easily, then carelessly and recklessly make them a part of recurring domestic violence situations, drug addictions, and keeping them in dilapidated housing where frequently, there was no utilities.

And the children? Rosalind detested them for even being born. More often than not…right or wrong, Rosalind Jenkins removed more children from their homes than anyone else in the department. For the next twelve years, the irreparably broken and bitter case manager did nothing else but her job. Rosalind made no friends and lost touch with the few she’d had. She didn’t have a pet, or even a television. Spurred on by the always smoldering rage deep inside her, Rosalind poured over case files and department policies, seeking new ways to separate families and keep them apart.

It was this unbalanced, spiteful woman who walked into the hospital room of a barely conscious ten-year-old Livvie Chandler. Four days after losing her father, and while her mother still remained in a coma, Rosalind Jenkins would forever change the course of the little girl’s life.

Rosalind Doria (Chesney) Jenkins

Age: 62

DOB: December 9, 1952

Place of Birth: Lynn Woods, Massachusetts

Divorced, no children

Level 5 Social Worker/Case Manager with Minnesota DCS

Review – “Long Time Coming (Hot Rods Book 8)” by Jayne Rylon

December 11, 2015 ~ Felicia Denise ~ 1 Comment

Amazon Goodreads

5/5 Stars!

Excellent!

Tom London and Wilhelmina “Willie” Brown are friends brought together by circumstance. Willie’s two daughters have married Tom’s sons. But could there be more between the two lonely middle-age single parents?

Both lost their spouses – Tom’s wife died soon after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Willie lost her husband in a tragic accident. After more than 20 years, Willie is ready to admit she’s met a man she’s attracted to and interested in. Tom feels the same way, but can they each let go of the past and find a future together?

Willie’s life has not been an easy one. Her hometown disapproved of her interracial marriage. After numerous threats, and with questions surrounding her husband’s death, she grabs her two girls and leaves town soon after the accident. Many times homeless and struggling to get by leaves Willie suffering with migraines and anxiety that medication only partly helps. She only truly begins to feel settled when her girls take up with the Hot Rods – seven young men and their father/foster father.

Tom’s late wife had been the love of his life. Her death devastated him. He kept her memory alive by doing what she loved – helping others – and that’s what led him to take in the troubled youth who he would come to love as much as his own son.

The two mature adults finally open themselves up to the possibility of a future together when Willie’s world is suddenly rocked by a devastating truth about her late husband’s death. I wanted to literally stand up and applaud the author for the revealing scene! The situation could have gone in a few different directions, but kudos to the author for not “going there”, creating angst just for the sake of angst. I feel the author showed us…and let Willie show us…that she was not as broken and much more intelligent than she believed. IMHO, this is the best scene in the entire story because it is the one where Willie and Tom show the most clarity.

As everyone tries to move on in spite of the recent events, Willie is once again caught off guard with troubling news. My heart broke for her. While I do not agree with how she handled it in the beginning, I understand. It was the “logical” choice considering the history of the man she had come to love.

Willie raised some pretty sharp girls, and it doesn’t show more than during their talk with Tom. The pace and scenarios that followed were perfect and felt very real.

I cannot remember how I stumbled across this great read, but I’m sure it was in one of my never-ending searches for romances involving older couples. The author highlights their wisdom as parents, their mutual respect as friends, and their flaws, which are all what pull this read together. It also shows that aging does not mean less sex or lack of sexuality. Go Willie and Tom! (YAAAY!)

While the Hot Rods series is not something I would usually choose to read, the author weaves the young people into Willie and Tom’s story so well, I feel I need to know their stories and how this group came to be friends, spouses and family.

I cannot tell you where to start in the series, just make sure you do not miss THIS one!

matureadult interracial lgbt contemporary romance family loss