What should you prepare yourself for if you choose to purchase this book of fiction? Emotional indecisiveness. Heartache. Laughter. Connection. Anger. Hopefulness. Acceptance. And so much more.
I would like to share an excerpt from four different stories in the book. And what way to do that than to reveal just a few here with this lovely community? Shall we begin?
Just as she was thinking about Zee, her phone rang. The Rolling Stones’ Miss You blared through the device’s speaker louder than normal. She’d changed the ringtone three days ago. It seemed fitting at the time. She blows a huff of air out of her weakened body and answers the phone.
“Hey, Zee. Did I leave something at your place?” “Hello, to you too, Mika. No, you did not. I called to see if you wanted to go to The Ladies of Neo-Soul concert on Sunday. Regardless of what we are now, we still love a good time.”
—Hearts of Burden, Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction, page 5
We don’t talk about that night. We don’t look into the eyes of her sons and wonder what happened—why they lived—why she didn’t. We don’t ask for answers. We don’t wait for answers. We stopped looking for answers. But my sister Alexandria does. She spends hours on the phone with private investigators—works overtime to pay meaningless dollars to an overweight, flighty man who lives at his place of business—too focused to go home—too greedy to know home. She is submerged in the knowing—the yearning—the need to find answers. We wish she would stop. We hope she won’t stop. We can’t get her to stop. But we don’t talk about Daniela.
—We Don’t Talk About Daniela, Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction, page 12
My name’s Toby Clemmons. I live five miles away from Mr. Bradford. My family’s his closest neighbors. Me and my best friend, Buddy Newsom, have walked his land in secret every other Saturday for the last three years. He’s got corn stalks, fields of wheat grain, collard greens, cucumbers, cabbage, and squash. Oh and his oxen. No chickens. No hogs or pigs. No horses.
My nana says he had his manhood stripped away from him when he was in his teens—something about being a sex-addicted fiend who couldn’t keep his third leg in his pants.
—Mr. Bradford and His Ox Collection,Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction, page 15
Phara was ten when her daddy laid up with her for what seemed like the thousandth time. He shuffled in one night, late from work, with Seagram’s Gin fresh on his breath as he panted his way down the hall. He never knocked. He always entered without permission. This was true for her door as well as the space between her girl-child legs. The night she knew he had done something worse than the times before, she bled. She bled for two hours before getting up out of the bed, removing her T-Shirt, and crawling the frailness of her body to the bathroom. He was locked and loaded and heavy with the burdens of the world and a job that did not pay much. Her ten-year-old self was what his thirty-two-year-old self craved.
There was no escaping the sweaty reality attacking her fragile mind. He took what he wanted. She had no choice but to let him. Little black girls don’t speak out of turn.
—ThePhara Series, Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction, page 29
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?
After waiting patiently for the global distribution of this book to take place, I decided to publish it directly to Lulu for General Access, and then go back and make alterations to have it considered for global distribution. I have never had to wait this long for global distribution to other online retailers. Such are the times in which we live, eh?
What can you expect from Séduire?
Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period of three years. Dive into the world of a little girl whose family uproots and moves to “The Deep South” because of a new opportunity presented to her father. Transport yourself to the life of a little girl who becomes a mother and a sister to her child at the hands of her sadistic and evil father. Walk with a grieving sister and her mother as they remember a woman who was brutally murdered by her partner. Her young boys live out her legacy as they mourn her.
Experience parenthood as you enter the world of soon-to-be young parents and their ups and downs in life change them significantly while they journey along their new path. Make a brief cameo into the hearts of a dedicated aunt and a rebellious teenage niece whose father has lost his grip on his child.
There are so many more characters with which to connect. As you thumb through each page, the author wants you to feel something; with these stories, you will.
The price for the paperback version of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction is $15.00, USD. You can snag your copy here!
The Specs:
The specifications & details, retrieved fromLulu.com.
You have been patient, and I am overjoyed by your presence and your willingness to wait just a bit longer. The E-Book versionis also available and can be purchased for $9.00, USD.
Of course, reviews would be appreciated; any and all (good, bad, and indifferent). This is how we grow as writers in our craft. I look forward to continuing this journey and sharing it with all of you.
Are you interested in reading my previously published books? You can do sohere.
Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Recently, I read Michele Lee Sefton’s novella, Honeysuckle Heat, and was left feeling a bit bothered by both characters. Before you ask, this is a good thing.
I had become invested in their love affair, their actions, and the one-sidedness and obsessiveness of their relationship. I felt bad for Matthew and total contempt for Jacqueline. Michele developed layered characters who are believable and easy to relate to.
Here is the review for it:
“Short, Sweet, & Devastatingly Good
Honeysuckle Heat is a novella that starts off passionate and strong but rolls into details of a man obsessed with a woman who appears to be self-centered and narcissistic.
Matthew, I thought, was such a layered character who devoted his love, time, and care to a woman, Jacqueline, who only seemed satisfied when the world revolved around her.
I thought the author did a great job sharing their personalities and crafting their story around the occurrences surrounding their complicated relationship.
I felt sorry for Matthew because he was so blinded by Jacqueline’s beauty and body that he couldn’t tap into how one-sided their brief reunion was.
I was happy with the turn of events at the end. It was unexpected, but definitely comforting to read. It leaves me wondering what will happen for both of them in the near future.
This is another great read by Michele Lee Sefton, allowing the reader to see the sensual side of her creative mind.”
If you’re a fan of sensual, passionate, love/like/lust, this book is one you should read. You will definitely become just as invested as I did.
Screenshot of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction taken from Lulu.com.
The long-awaited day is finally here! Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction (E-Book Version ONLY) is available to purchase via Lulu.com. This was and still is a labor of pure love. Below is the best way to describe Séduire and what you should expect as its reader/purchaser from the stories and tales included in this book:
Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period of three years. Dive into the world of a little girl whose family uproots and moves to “The Deep South” because of a new opportunity presented to her father. Transport yourself to the life of a little girl who becomes a mother and a sister to her child at the hands of her sadistic and evil father. Walk with a grieving sister and her mother as they remember a woman who was brutally murdered by her partner. Her young boys live out her legacy as they mourn her.
Experience parenthood as you enter the world of soon-to-be young parents and their ups and downs in life change them significantly while they journey along their new path. Make a brief cameo into the hearts of a dedicated aunt and a rebellious teenage niece whose father has lost his grip on his child.
There are so many more characters with which to connect. As you thumb through each page, the author wants you to feel something; with these stories, you will.
The price for the E-Book version is $9.00, USD, and it is currently pending distribution to other retailers (i.e., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc) but if you’re anxious and want your copy ASAP, you can buy it directly through Lulu.com, by clickinghere (and by clicking on the image and the caption below).
The specifications and details for Séduire taken from Lulu.com.
As stated in the previous post about the delay for the paperback version, as soon as it has been approved to be released (after I receive my proof copy and review it), I will make an announcement about it, too.
Stay tuned for the paperback version which is tentatively expected on November 04, 2024, to November 06, 2024.
Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction paperback front cover.
Of course, reviews would be appreciated; any and all (good, bad, and indifferent). This is how we grow as writers in our craft. I look forward to continuing this journey and sharing it with all of you.
Flit Flutter Float by Gail Boenning Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Gail Boenning is a writer/artist I became acquainted with on one of my used-to-be-favorite writing platforms, Medium. She is intentional with her word selection, fluid in her delivery, and a great artist, too.
I reviewed another book of hers in December of last year—POISE: Facing Cancer with Grace and Resilience, but did not share it here. You can read it via Amazon by clicking on the link. But here is a blurb about it just to heighten your curiosity:
Gail’s story in bite-sized vignettes was helpful and fulfilling. I felt as though I was walking right along with her throughout every phase, but not directly–indirectly. I was an outsider looking in, and I enjoyed my time spent there.
It was of no surprise to me that Flit Flutter Float (a playful guide) would be just as enjoyable. I was wOWed, sent to my #happyplace, and remained there the entire time.
The review:
“A Bit of Sunshine During These Gloomy Days
Gail never ceases to amaze me! I am happy to see her take her art to a whole new level. In Flit Flutter Float, she offers 33 fun, philosophical, and witty micropoems that remind us to be limitless.
For each poem, there is an animal with a suitable name, a quirky dilemma, and an airtight solution. The illustrations made me smile, and I connected with a number of the poems shared. I would venture to say the book is definitely for ages 13 and older.
Some of the references may go over the younger ones’ heads, but I am certain anyone can take delight in the art shared.
I could read this over and over again, and I have this feeling, I would never tire of it.”
If you need some light reading with a playful air about it, too, I highly recommend Flit Flutter Float.
A Cornered Gurl 
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