That's right everyone--Mahalia Levey is gracious enough to stop by my crib today and share her latest release from Secret Cravings Publishing--Only Skin Deep!!! Take it away Miss Levey.
I see you…but do you SEE me?
I sat here asking myself one question. When do we lose
innocence? Maybe when we’re young, but if we’re sheltered, not until we’re
older.
Do we lose it piece by piece as it’s chipped off by those we
love and whose opinion matters the most?
Perhaps it’s chipped away bit by bit until there’s no
self-esteem left by an ex-lover or best friend.
In a perfect world hurt wouldn’t exist. People wouldn’t
betray us. Everyone would be accepting and tolerant even if they didn’t agree.
But….We don’t live in a perfect world. There’s a saying that
those you love most will hurt you the most. And there is no way to prevent
heart-break, not a little, not a bit not a lot. Heartbreak comes in many
different forms, the end result is the same. Walls are built, bridges are
burnt. Hurtful words are not forgotten, but remembered and replayed over and
over again.
It could be something as an offhand comment about weight
gain.
Maybe the color of someone’s skin.
Pressure from Family Members to do the right thing…their
thing.
Being seen as one of the guys in a male dominated career.
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Possibly Emotional and Physical Abuse
Manipulation
Some men and women will never recover. Others will.
Only Skin Deep is about three women who are afraid to go
after love for multiple reasons. One of these females takes the bull by the
horns so to speak, the other two have to decide to fight for what they want.
Love
is Worth Fighting All Obstacles
Blurbs:
All Woman: Officer Taleena Harris may have looked like one
of the guys in her uniform, but underneath lurked a sensual woman. Jason Treadway,
her target had no clue he was key to fulfilling all her fantasies. He might be
her boss, but she held all the aces. It was far past time to play them.
Jason Treadway had no
desire to be a one woman type of man. That was until the Armored Company’s
annual theme party. A mystery woman on the mechanical bull commanded his
attention. He’d do anything for a night of being skin-to-skin with her. The
only question… Would one night be enough?
Flaws and All: Nadja Mederios knows what she wants after
months of watching Donato keep order at Club Mist, and an intervention from her
best friend Taleena. As a lounge singer, she portrays a sensual, sultry woman,
but she’s not the high-maintenance girl people assume she is. In fact, a tomboy
lies beneath her protective costume. When the real woman comes to light, she
hopes Donato finds her just as sexy as the mask.
Donato Falcone isn’t looking for commitment, but when someone touches Nadja without permission, rational thought leaves him and rage steps in. After his temper cools, he sees a different side of Nadja. Her sleek sophistication may well be a front for the girl who could be his forever, if he can find a way to break down her barriers.
Donato Falcone isn’t looking for commitment, but when someone touches Nadja without permission, rational thought leaves him and rage steps in. After his temper cools, he sees a different side of Nadja. Her sleek sophistication may well be a front for the girl who could be his forever, if he can find a way to break down her barriers.
Against All Odds: Four months of casual dating isn’t enough. Not
for Derek Tresvant. His Deja may think financial security and a successful
career are essential to a good life, but he disagrees. The numerous excuses she
uses to push him away only entice him to prove he’s in the forever type.
If there’s one constant in life Deja Crane knows nothing is ever one hundred percent certain. After working her ass off to own her business and succeed on her terms, she’ll be damned if one hot sinful man will take all away from her with a marriage license, a picket fence and two point five kids. She’s got a plan of her own that doesn’t include messing with a man.
If there’s one constant in life Deja Crane knows nothing is ever one hundred percent certain. After working her ass off to own her business and succeed on her terms, she’ll be damned if one hot sinful man will take all away from her with a marriage license, a picket fence and two point five kids. She’s got a plan of her own that doesn’t include messing with a man.
Excerpt for Against
All Odds
In sleep Deja looked beautiful, even with the black knot on her head. He
noted the way her chest rose when she breathed and how relaxed she appeared.
She was always on the go, never still. Bringing how they first met to mind.“Excuse me.”
He shut his cell off and turned toward the angry voice peering into the cab window. “Yes?”
“You’re in my cab.”
Startled by her beauty, he missed what she said. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re in my cab.”
“Oh? I didn’t know it had your name on it. Says City Cab here, beautiful.”
“You city men. Look, while you were on your multimedia phone chatting, the cab driver I hailed stopped for me. Now get out so I can get to my destination. I don’t have time to deal with nonsense.”
Well she’d put him in his place, or so she thought. All that spirit and vinegar like his grams would say. “Where are you going, we could share.”
“Haywood Regency Hotel.”
“You’re in luck, I’m heading there myself.”
“I don’t want to share a cab, I want to relax.”
“Well good luck with that, it’s three in the morning and I don’t see any other cabs.” He thrummed his thumb on the window button in mock threat.
“Fine. No talking. We ride in silence.”
Chuckling as she gave in, he watched her stalk to the trunk and pound on it. And then she was sliding into the seat next to him. “Derek.”
“And?”
“You always this way?”
“It’s late and I’m tired.”
“Well it’s late and I’m tired, nice to meet you.” Her unladylike snort amused him.
“My name is Deja. Don’t be thinking that I want to get to know you any better.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He surmised he’d have fun keeping her going all the way to the hotel but chose not to nettle her. Her legs though, man, long enough to wrap around a man’s waist. Luscious lips on a charismatic face, maybe he should goad her just to watch her chest heave in indignation. “So what are you here for?”
“Did I say I was looking for conversation?”
“I’m here to buy a potential business.”
“Bully for you.”
She’d turned her attention out the window but he’d caught her appraising him. Her body language held a closed off expression. The cab turned sharply and hurtled her against him. He put his arms around her to right her, ghosting his hands over her soft skin for the first time. He couldn’t fight the urge. Dark brown eyes widened, and he took full advantage of the situation, kissing her.
When she didn’t fight back but melted into him instead, he became lost in the softness of her lips. Sweeping his tongue against hers, feather light, gauging, he slipped his hands into her thick long hair. She made him breathless, a teen again. When had a woman affected him so? Never. Without the waspish sounds, her mouth was made for pleasure. And then the cab stopped. He pulled back and watched her scoot to the other side of the seat. He half waited for a tongue lashing or an open palm to hit his face.
“Your room or mine?”
Damn. She’s just full of unexpected surprises.“Mine.”
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