Change Isn't So Bad...

…in fact, it can actually be very beautiful, and autumn is proof of that. Summer has always been my favorite season, but fall follows close behind, so if there is anything that makes leaving the long days and warm summer nights behind easier, it’s the cool air and changing leaves of Autumn. The smell of pumpkin spice, fall treats, and the cozy feeling of sitting by a small fire with your favorite blanket while reading a good book…or writing one.

Seeing the beauty in the change gives me a reason to let go of what must come to an end. So like our lives, when one door has closed or one season has ended, for those who abide in Christ, it will always work out for their good. In every battle and every painful circumstance, the rain will subside, the clouds will clear, and the sun will shine. It always has.

Allow the seasons to change. Don’t hold on to what’s meant to no longer be there. Something else is on the horizon. Something good. Something befitting for your current season. Something that will guide you further into what the Lord has purposed for you. So, as change approaches, fall in to the comfort of the Lord’s UNCHANGING hand.

My fall home decor…

Newsletter!

Good news, good people! The fist official monthly newsletter has been released. The newsletter will include the latest news, updates, and will also include exclusive information only available to subscribers. Releasing the first of every month, September's newsletter includes an excerpt of my new untitled novel that's not set to release until next year!

Wanna know more?

Sign up-- using only your email address--to become a subscriber, located on the home page, welcome page, and at the very bottom of every page on the website. I look forward to sharing with you! 

-Tamarria

Book Signing!

Relief, joy, accomplished, thankful, and full of praise are a few words that describe how I felt once I survived my first book signing. One might think that this pivotal moment should be an exciting time in any author's career, right?

WRONG...well, maybe. Okay in my case, it wasn't. Not until it happened, anyway. Let me explain.

I was scared--scratch that--I was down right terrified to have my first book signing. So much so that I tried several failed attempts to convince my husband why I shouldn't do it. I thank God for my husband's stubbornness, persistence, and awesome ability to ignore my whining when he knows what's best for me (just don't tell him I said so). Once I accepted the fact that this book signing was happening with or without me, literally, because the hubs had already sent out invitations and there was no turning back (insert deep sigh here), I had no choice but to put my big girl pants on, and prepare for the best.

When I tell you that I had the time of my life!

I have to give it to my man, he came through in a big way. He met me halfway with the nerves by throwing an intimate event with some of my closest friends and loved ones in our own home. Now you might think that I took the easy way out, but trust me when I say that that's how bad my nerves were regarding this signing. It also boosted my confidence for the next event and hopefully several more to come.

Keeping with the theme of Spirit Lake, he ordered food reminiscent of the party scene at Jamie's condo, and I even wore a "Goonies" t-shirt to...well, you'll have to read the book to know why I wore that particular shirt. We then had the book signing followed by a book discussion for those who'd already read the book and some who didn't, but didn't mind the spoilers. They just wanted to be a part of the conversation. I was blown away by the viewpoints, and perspectives from both men and women. The readers came away with ideas that I hadn't even intentionally tried to include in the book, which was more confirmation to me that that Holy Spirit had been writing along with me the entire time.

Let me tell you, I am so thankful for what God is doing with the gift that he so unselfishly blessed me with, and that's why I can encourage all of you to walk confidently toward whatever God is calling you to do. Pay no mind to the naysayers or the "what ifs". If God has declared it, nothing will stand in your way. Be blessed friends! Muah!   

Below are some of the pictures from the evening. A big thank you to my amazing husband, Miguel, for putting everything together, niece, Adel, who worked her tail off to make sure the evening was beautiful, photographer, Max Moments Photography, for capturing the special moments, Mikey, Tammy, and Tomika for the delicious food, and all the guests who attended.

For your copy of Spirit Lake, click here!

Spirit Lake Excerpt...

Teylor backed into the hallway until her spine hit the wall. She watched helplessly as a team of medical personnel rushed into the room she’d just been ordered out of. She knew they’d been trained to remain calm and focused in such circumstances but she could feel the panic in the air. She could see the urgency in their eyes. Teylor inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly to keep away the dizziness that was threatening to bring her to the floor. Her hands were trembling so badly she thought they’d fall off. She brought them to the wall and steadied herself. With dry eyes full of fear, all she could do was watch as the door closed.

For as long as she could remember, her mother had always been fond of the bottle, and the older Teylor became, the less she saw her mother sober. Life had been difficult growing up with an alcoholic single parent, but Teylor loved her mom just the same. Her mother was what most would call a “functioning alcoholic.” She held a steady job, made sure the bills were paid and there was food in the fridge, but not much more. By the time Teylor started junior high, she was doing all of the cooking and cleaning.

After work, her mother would fall into her customary routine of asking about Teylor’s day while pouring her first drink. Then she’d make sure her daughter did her homework while having a couple more; eventually she’d pass out with a bottle in her hand. After Teylor went away to college, her mom’s drinking became worse, and she was hospitalized for the first time. Teylor knew what she had to do, and after her first semester ended, she moved back home to care for her mother. Determined that she would never become a college dropout, Teylor drove an hour to school each day and made the same journey back home when classes were over. As hard as it was, her mother was her priority. Teylor was all she had.

Eventually, her mom’s liver and kidneys began to fail, and she became too sick to do anything. Teylor dedicated nearly every moment to seeing after her mom. It was a miracle she found the time to finish her last semester, a bittersweet accomplishment because her mother was too sick to attend the graduation ceremony.

Over the next few years, the hospital visits became more frequent, the stays longer. For the past two weeks, she’d been confined to the bed in the room Teylor was now watching as if her own life depended on it, because in a way, it did. What would she do without her mom? More than anything Teylor wanted her mother to get up out of that hospital bed, grab her by the hand, and in her familiar feisty tone say, “Let’s get outta here, sugar. I’ve had ’bout enough of this place,” but that was wishful thinking. Still Teylor hoped for a miracle and pleaded with the God of heaven and earth. “Please,” she whispered to herself as she gripped a metal bar bolted to the wall. “Please let her live.” She couldn’t pace; she couldn’t cry. All she could do was watch and wait.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as Teylor stayed slumped against the wall, frozen. After what felt like an eternity, the door opened. Teylor still didn’t move. An older black man wearing blue scrubs and a white coat came her way. Everything else blurred, and she focused in on his expressive coal-black eyes. His eyes said it all. Her mother was gone.

Everything went quiet around Teylor. The man was speaking but she couldn’t hear him. Her knees buckled but she didn’t fall. She gripped the metal bar tighter. She tried to breathe but her lungs were on fire. She wanted to go to her mother and tried to push herself off the wall just as the double doors to the right of her swung open. Teylor turned her head and looked into familiar eyes, full of love and sympathy. Suddenly she wasn’t alone anymore. She reached for him as her legs gave out. He ran toward her, and before she could hit the floor, she felt him catch her. Then everything went black.

Coming summer 2018...