Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Sayonara 2013



Sayonara 2013
By
Imari Jade

2013 sucked. And this should be the end of this blog, but it isn’t. It’s time to look back at the year from hell and send it off properly.

The year began on a bad note. My neighbors had a ball on New Year’s Eve, setting off fireworks. When I got up on New Year’s Day I found all their debris on my lawn, in my driveway and in my yard. They could have set my darn house on fire. Plus the new paint on my house had burn marks on it.

Tax time rolled around and of course I expected a refund before I did my taxes. Funny, my 1099s said I made a lot of money writing in 2012. Funny, my bank account didn’t show it in March 2013 while I was doing my taxes. So I found out I had to pay IRS. I wrote them a check because I don’t look good in orange or in stripes.

I had an asthma attack at the end of winter 2012-2013.

My mother died on May 1, 2013. And if that wasn’t traumatic enough I inherited my fifty-year old brother and became his financial support because he and Social Security can’t see eye to eye on his disability.  They won’t give him any. I don’t know how I got dragged into this shit. My mother didn’t have any burial insurance, which I didn’t know until I went out to Mississippi to bury her. So I had to pay for the wake and the funeral.

Then the people on Capitol Hill couldn’t reach an agreement on a budget so I went through a sequester followed by a furlough. Our taxes went up, our insurance went up and we were in year three of no monetary increases in salary. So I had to push bills back….something I didn’t feel comfortable doing and I’m still trying to catch up.

The cost of my medication hit an all time high. Did you know that if you’re a Federal, State or City employee you can’t use some discount prescription coupons? Let’s see, I pay a premium, I pay a co-pay, but I can’t use a coupon on a $100.00 a month medication I need to treat my asthma. The heart doctor gave me a second high blood pressure medicine. It costs about $60.00 a month. He gave me a coupon too. I couldn’t use that one either. What damn difference does it make who I work for? Medicine is expensive and I should be able to use a damn coupon just like anyone else.

Two of my publishers, Wild Horses Press and Noble went out of business.

On the good side, I had five books published last year:
Love Lies and Nosey Girlfriends, Dark Enchantment, Distraction, Halo and Silver Bells. 

















Even though I am proud of this accomplishment, it falls short of 2012. I did a lot of writing, but I just didn’t get it finished and submitted. Sometimes life gets in the way.

On a good note we made it through hurricane season this year without having to evacuate.

On a very good note, I welcomed my seventh grandchild into the world on Thanksgiving Day….Legacy Briscoe. 

Well, at least someone had sex this year, because once again I didn’t meet my Prince Charming. 

My son got the flu the day after Legacy came home from the hospital. One week later I had another asthma attack. I went to my follow up appointment yesterday and the doctor told me to stay out of the cold. Today I waited for a bus 65 minutes in 40 degree weather. I have a feeling I’ll be sick again before this winter is over. I still don’t have that $100.00 inhaler for December. I chose to buy food to feed my family.

When I walked out of the house this morning there was a ton of garbage on the sidewalk. Today was garbage day in the neighborhood. It wasn’t my garbage, but I had to clean it up. It’s seven o’clock in the evening, it’s raining and my neighbors are out popping fireworks.
So what are my plans for tonight?  My days of going to New Year’s Eve parties are over. I have several choices. Either I’ll be on-line watching K-Dramas, or reading manga, but more than likely I’ll be asleep. Sayonara 2013.

Imari Jade

Saturday, December 21, 2013

New Interracial and Multicultural Romances by Imari Jade



New Interracial/Multicultural Romances
By
Imari Jade
Hello Everyone,
This is a promo for my latest interracial and multicultural romances releases. I have two very special ones this time.

Silver Bells
A rich fashion designer meets and falls in love with a candy maker from Louisiana.


Ex-fashion model turned designer Sterling Silver comes to the aid of Louisiana candy maker Bree Lafitte after she gets knocked down by a big dog while delivering a birthday cake to the home of one of his friends. Sterling sees the humor in the situation until he looks into the eyes of an African American goddess and he loses his heart to the southern beauty.

Bree loves her job as a candy maker. After agreeing to supply the desserts for Sterling's annual Christmas Gala, Bree finds herself up to her elbows in holiday orders and a handsome man vying for her attention. Will she follow her heart and get the man of her dreams?


Read an Excerpt.



Boo-Thing 

When Lacey Davis’s business partner dies she fears she has to deal with Chin-Sun, the man’s wife who has never liked her and often accused her of sleeping with her husband. As a twist of fate Duck-Young leaves his half of the company to his twenty-four-year-old son, Seung Kwang, with the stipulation that he remain in South Korea. If not the entire company goes to Lacey. 
Chin-Sun, pissed for being left out, plots to get her hands on Kwang International even if it means sacrificing her relationship with Seung to get it. Twelve years ago Chin-Sun sent Seung away to boarding school in Switzerland because she was jealous of the attention Duck-Young gave to him. She also did it to separate her son from Lacey after she noticed how much Seung looked up to the older woman. Seung is all grown up now and he can care less about the business. All he wants is a romantic relationship with Lacey Davis.
A Siren Erotic Romance


Enjoy,

Imari Jade

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

New IRMC Release - Boo-Thing, by Imari Jade



New Release
Boo-Thing
By
Imari Jade
From
Siren-Bookstrand



When Lacey Davis’s business partner dies she fears she has to deal with Chin-Sun, the man’s wife who has never liked her and often accused her of sleeping with her husband. As a twist of fate Duck-Young leaves his half of the company to his twenty-four-year-old son, Seung Kwang, with the stipulation that he remain in South Korea. If not the entire company goes to Lacey.

Chin-Sun, pissed for being left out, plots to get her hands on Kwang International even if it means sacrificing her relationship with Seung to get it. Twelve years ago Chin-Sun sent Seung away to boarding school in Switzerland because she was jealous of the attention Duck-Young gave to him. She also did it to separate her son from Lacey after she noticed how much Seung looked up to the older woman. Seung is all grown up now and he can care less about the business. All he wants is a romantic relationship with Lacey Davis.

Excerpt

Seung followed her down the hall past some of the smaller offices to Duck-Young’s office. Lacey opened the door and entered. “We haven’t had time to clean or remove any of your father’s things yet.”
Seung walked around looking. He ran his finger along the desk and then finally walked over to a window and looked out. “This will do nicely. I remember there being ducks in the pond across the street.”
“They’re still there. Duck-Young used to say they were his brothers.”
“His scent is still here,” Seung said.
“Yes. It’s still a little hard to face the fact he won’t be sitting behind that desk again.”
Seung turned to face her. “I will try my best to work hard with you, Lacey.”
Lacey? He was twelve-years-old the last time he was in this office. He called her Noona then. “Thank you. When are you scheduled to go back to the United States?”
“I had planned to return tomorrow, but I’ve cancelled the reservation. I need to find some place to stay.”
“What about with your mother?”
Seung’s expression darkened. “That is impossible.”
Lacey chuckled. “I understand.” She walked over to the desk, opened a drawer and took out a key. She handed it to him. “It’s to Duck’s corporate apartment. It’s yours now.” Their fingers touched. Lacey felt warm all over. Seung’s fingers were soft and gentle. “Would you care to see it?”
“I have a car waiting,” Seung said, not rushing to remove his fingers which were working their way around her hand.
“I’ll have to put my shoes back on,” Lacey said. “And get my purse.”
Seung removed his fingers. “Okay. I’ll wait for you.”
Lacey slowly walked from the room. Seung continued to watch her leave. What the hell’s the matter with me? He’s a child. Her erogenous zones begged to differ. They were all tingling and twitching at the same time.
Lacey hurried to her office, changed her shoes and got her purse. She stopped by Kari’s office to let her know where she was going.
“Are you leaving so soon?” Kari asked.
“I’m taking Seung over to Duck-Young’s corporate apartment.” She tried to keep her voice normal.
“Okay,” Kari said, eyeing her suspiciously. “Make sure you bring protection.”
Lacey chuckled weakly. “Girl, don’t be foolish.” She waved and damn near ran to Duck-Young’s old office.
Seung was still taller than her after she put on her heels. “What were they feeding you in the United States? When you left here I was taller than you.”
“I eat my vegetables,” Seung said, escorting her out of the office.
A white limousine and chauffer waited at the curb for them. Lacey slid inside first and Seung followed. Lacey gave the driver the address. She sat back in the seat. “I don’t know what shape the apartment is in, but you should be comfortable.” She paused. “Shouldn’t we stop by your mother’s home to pick up your things?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Seung said. “I brought everything with me.”
“Okay,” Lacey said. She didn’t blame him. She didn’t think she could stay in a house with Chin-Sun either.
The conversation stalled between them, but she was very conscious of the young man next to her. He reminded her lot of Duck-Young when she first met him.
The driver pulled up to the high-rise apartment building where both she and Duck-Young lived. The driver got out and opened the door for them. Seung grabbed a suitcase, a suit bag and a small travel bag from behind one of the seats.
Lacey led the way into the building.
“Do you still live here too?”
“Yes,” Lacey said. How does he remember? “It’s close to work and perfect for single people.”
“You’re still single?”
Lacey nodded. “Although I have been told on several occasions that I’m married to my job.” The elevator arrived and they stepped inside. “Your apartment is on the tenth floor.”
“Where is yours?”
“Mine is on the ninth floor,” Lacey answered. Hers was right below his.
The elevator opened on the tenth floor and they stepped out. There were only two executive apartments on both floors.
“This one is yours,” Lacey told him.
Seung used the key she’d given him and opened the door.
Lacey didn’t know as she stepped through the door that her life was about to change.



Monday, December 16, 2013

Yo Ho Ho and an Bottle of Woe is Me



Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Woe is Me
By
Imari Jade
I learned four things this weekend:
(1) You do need your lung to breathe,
(2) You can die in a doctor’s office during a routine visit, 
(3) Every bone and muscle in your body can ache at the same time, and
(4) Barbeque alligator tastes like pork.

Okay let’s start from the beginning. Right now I am sitting on my bed giving myself an asthma treatment while watching Bizarre Foods America. It’s Monday night, and all of this began last Thursday.

I started coughing on the bus on Thursday afternoon. It doesn’t take much to set me off since I’m allergic to just about everything under the sun, and probably the sun too. I thought it might be the heater blowing directly in my face from one of the vents, or maybe construction dust from one of the other passenger’s clothing. I put a cough drop in my mouth because I didn’t have water with me. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway if I had water with me or not since you’re not supposed to eat or drink on public transportation. I can understand to a point because some people are just dirty and prone to spill stuff or leave their trash behind to draw ants and roaches on the buses. But there is also a sign that says no radio playing without ear buds, but they allow people to talk on their phones which I think is a bigger distraction to the driver. Anyway, I got off the bus at my stop and then got a whiff of all the fireplaces in the neighborhood. It was very cold on Thursday and I understand that people have a right to burn logs in their hearths, but for people like me it is the worst scent in the world. I can’t breathe direct heat or cold air up my noise without getting sick. So I was dealing with (a) direct heat from the heater on the bus and (b) direct cold air when I got off the bus, and (c) too much wood burning in the neighborhood.

On Friday I went to work. It was still cold that morning, but it had heated up by the afternoon. I work in a very warm (no hot office). So, I’m out of the cold into the heat. You see where this is leading. I remember forgetting to put my thermals on under my pants on Wednesday. I had them on Thursday, but took them off because I was too hot sitting in the office. And I didn’t wear them at all on Friday because one of my co-workers was picking me up at the bus terminal and I figured I wouldn’t be out in the elements long enough to notice. I think I remember coughing a couple times on the bus on the way home Friday, but it wasn’t until later that night I got a headache. And then my damn right ear and throat started to itch. It kept me up until two on Saturday morning. It was then that I decided to take the last teaspoon of infant Benadryl we had in the house. For some reason the bottle of adult Benadryl I buy for me always disappears. It stopped the itching and I finally went to sleep.

I got up around seven on Saturday morning because I had an 11:30 doctor’s appointment. I was just about to leave out the house at 10:00 to catch a bus when one of my daughters-in-law texted me and wanted to know if I had anything to do. She usually takes me to the grocery on Saturday. I told her I had a doctor’s appointment. She showed up around eleven with two of my grandchildren. But unfortunately kids weren’t allowed in this particular doctor’s office so my daughter-in-law and the kids waited in the car. Usually it’s an in and out thing. I was just there to find out how my blood test came out. My doctor had tested my Vitamin D count a week ago and the reading was supposed to be back.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the door was that there were three patients ahead of me. The second thing I noticed with the plug-in air freshner. I got sick just that fast, trying not to cough on anyone. I started wheezing. By the time they called my name the doctor said, “Oh yeah, you sound congested”. She put me on a scale, and then took my blood pressure (190/80). Okay, I’m not a doctor, but right then and there she should have done something. My mouth was dry and no one offered me a cup of water. I was still wheezing when they moved me around to two other rooms. Then she gave me a shot. She moved me to another office to talk about my Vitamin D count and to tell me she wanted me to see a specialist because one of my red blood counts was too high. I didn’t have time for no new sickness, I was slowly sinking fast. Then she sent me to admin to check out with a prescription for my inhalers and an antibiotic…no cough medicine. When I tell you that shot didn’t do anything, it didn’t. I moaned and groaned all night because I couldn’t catch my breath and it felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest. I had a dry cough and I was sweating up a storm.

I stayed in bed all day yesterday. I think I set some kind of record. I still had on my nightgown at lunch time...something that never happens even on my day off. The elephant was gone from my chest but I was still wheezing. I took breathing treatments every six hours and used my inhaler every four hours. 

Somewhere around four I got this bright idea to take the trash out of the kitchen and my bedroom and bring it out to the trashcans in the yard. Halfway there I realized I made a big mistake. I could smell the fireplaces and I barely made it inside my back door. I had to lean on a chair at my kitchen table until the world stopped spinning.

I finally got a good night sleep last night.

This morning every gland in my body ached from my neck to my crotch. I woke up still wheezing and knew right then and there I wasn’t going to make it to work. I texted my co-worker so she wouldn’t try to pick me up at the terminal and then I called my boss to let her know I was ill. Regardless to what she might think I don’t have enough sick leave to stay out all winter. Well, maybe I do, but I’m not going to test it. Once I get over this, then I’ll have to wrap up my mouth and nose with a mask and my scarf and look like a mummy walking through the street. I’ll probably have to kick my youngest son out of the house since he and I are still at odds over this central heating. I may have to close my vent because it’s ninety degrees in my room right now and I have the window cracked so I can breathe. Do you see a trend here? If the window is open then the odor from the fireplaces will get in and I’ll never get better. Winter better end fast, then I’ll just have to deal with hay fever in the springtime (sigh). Sometimes being me sucks.

Oh yeah, “Boo-Thing” will be release tomorrow from Siren-Bookstrand. I’ll post again tomorrow if I’m still around.

P. S. I was watching an episode of Man Vs Food Nation and Adam and some people were eating barbequed alligator, I think they were down in the Florida Keys. Everyone agreed it tasted like pork. It’s a good thing I have high blood pressure and I have to stay away from the other white meat.

Imari Jade