March excerpt for Crowning Glory

This is the last excerpt for Crowning Glory before it is released at the end of the month.





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Excerpt from Chapter 4:

Karyn is having second thoughts about going on a date with Levi as she gnawed on her lips. She had too much on her plate without worrying about a romantic entanglement.

“I’m not going,” Karyn decided.

“Oh yes, you are.” Buttercup squinted.

“No, I’m not. I should’ve never encouraged him by accepting his gift. He said if I tried it on, it was a yes. Since the tag is still on it. I’m giving it back.”

“Well, I guess it’s settled.”

Something wasn’t right. Buttercup never backed down and rarely agreed with her. Karyn became suspicious as Buttercup towered over her. She walked out of Karyn’s bedroom through their shared sitting area to her bedroom then returned.

Karyn recognized her roommate’s on-a-mission expression. Karyn swiped the garment off the bed. “What do you think you’re doing?”

In a swifter action, Buttercup snatched it out Karyn’s arms. With one yank, Buttercup tugged on the tag until it came off. “Oops. Sorry, but scissors are prohibited. Hope I didn’t rip a seam.” She grinned.

“Give that back!” Karyn frowned at her vain attempt to wrestle the dress from Buttercup. Karyn was hot with disbelief.

“Sure.” Unzipping the dress, Buttercup produced a marker and scribbled something on the inside before tossing it back on the bed.

“Are you crazy? What did you do that for?” Karyn raced to her bathroom. “You’re nuts,” she yelled over her shoulder. She came back with a wet hand towel. “I hope I can wipe off those marks, or you better keep one eye open while you sleep, crazy.”

As long as Karyn had known her suite mate, Buttercup had never done anything without thinking it through since her release. Clearly, Buttercup’s blood sugar was low or something.

“I doubt it will come out. Permanent usually means permanent,” she said smugly. “And hey, I’m a jailbird. You know I know how to sleep with one eye cracked.” Folding her arms, Buttercup struck a pose that reminded her of the stereotype Indian stance.

Rolling her eyes, Karyn deciphered the messy inscription: Gift from God. “What is wrong with you? Now, I can’t return it. I don’t even know if it’s my size.”

“You better believe it’s your size. If not, you’re missing dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow. Don’t make me withhold water to squeeze you into that beauty.”

Tears of frustration temporarily blinded Karyn as she flopped on the bed. “This won’t work.” She covered her face with her small hands.

“Listen, Wallace, you’re a new creature. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us.” Buttercup pointed. “Old things are passed away. All things are new. Can’t nobody pin anything on us.” She thumped her chest, then joined her friend on the bed. “This Levi guy sees something in you God has shown him…”

Karyn temporarily zoned out. Hadn’t Levi said something similar? Buttercup’s raving snapped her out of it.

“People go on dates all the time, except for me of course. Halo and I are just bidding our time. Once we complete our parole, then look out. But for you, a date could mean dinner, dancing, or a movie, not a marriage proposal or a contract to bear his children.”

February excerpt

Here is February's excerpt of Crowning Glory. The release is less than 60 days away on April 1, 2011.
Pre-order yours today. Be one of 50 readers to post a review between April 1-April 30, 2011, and enter into a drawing to win a crystal shoe table lamp in honor of Cinderella.

CHAPTER 3

Rossi was one of the most sought-after youth ministers at Living for Jesus Church where two sets of the Tolliver family fellowshipped. He knew how to pray, and at times, God allowed him to discern demonic criminal activity around him. Levi was also the most sought-after bachelor at the church. Rossi relaxed and smiled as he closed his Bible. “Levi, you have really moved on with your life. You have been emotionally healed,” he spoke to the wind in his quiet third-floor condo.

He lived in an upscale building that was the brainchild of Tollivers Real Estate and Development. Business partners, Rossi and Levi’s company had overseen the renovation of the former sixty-five-year-old warehouse. The six-story building featured multi-level lofts, condos, and a penthouse. Several of their family members were residents.

The cousins were often referred to as the comeback construction kids. The Tollivers had an eye to discern when to renovate or when restoration was the only way. They were known for transforming long-forgotten black neighborhoods into majestic masterpieces. If an area was blighted, their crew gave it a facelift. If they couldn’t resuscitate a building, their demolition crew took it down.

As teenagers, Rossi, who was two years older than Levi, was the ringleader of seven cousins. As men, Rossi’s bond with Levi never waned, and their bloodline had little to do with it. When Rossi repented of his sins, he set a standard for salvation that most of the young Tolliver men followed.

Rossi and Levi were alike in many ways. They worked in the same profession. Where Rossi enjoyed buying up large tracts of land in depressed areas, Levi had the vision to develop them. Both were diehard college football fans; Rossi cheered for the Baltimore Ravens, Levi was behind the Philadelphia Eagles all the way, and the Tollivers believed in strong family ties. Levi and Rossi would take soul food over barbecue any day and had the same taste in clothes—stylish but conservative.

Most times they shared the same taste in women—physically appealing, not necessarily outright stunning, and a healthy dose of temperance in their response to situations. They had to know how to hold it together when things didn’t work in their favor. In the past, Levi and Rossi had a close enough relationship to sometimes guess what the other was thinking. They didn’t agree on everything, and that was the source of heated debates. Still, they loved each other and had each other’s back.

Levi and Rossi Tolliver were also distinguishable. Where Levi was barely six feet, Rossi made up for it at six five. Levi wore glasses, Rossi had perfect vision. Levi was too light skinned for Rossi’s taste, considering Rossi was a degree away from being called midnight black. Levi could thank his Jewish mother for that one. Rossi appreciated his sole African heritage.

It was argued that the Tolliver clan included cousins in every state. Rossi never challenged the assertion. With a Pentecostal upbringing, the Tollivers spawned babies as if they were in a race to see what the end would be. It was the norm for their households to have five-plus children. However, Levi and Rossi’s parents didn’t make the cut. Levi’s father, Victor, had three sons. Rossi’s father, Ross, had four sons; neither brother had daughters.

Before Diane came along, Rossi often joked, “If she has a sister, hook me up.” Well, Diane did have a sister, but the woman was crazy. Jesetta wasn’t a bad person or bad looking. She was a born dictator and expected everyone else to line up behind her without question. Following the death of her sister, her mood swings were almost unbearable.

Over the past four years, Rossi never left Levi’s side--always a phone call away. Levi had a massive hole in his heart and life. Rossi had silently prayed for his cousin to get out of his personal purgatory where the past seemed to have a steady grip. It would never close, but the right woman, the right circumstances, and the right blessings from God could keep it from growing.

Crowning Glory January 2011 excerpt

Coming April 2011...
Pre-order on Amazon.


“So, you finally asked her out—”

“Correction, Rossi, Karyn finally said yes. That woman hustled me, probably without knowing it.” There was no way Levi would disclose how he eliminated more of Karyn’s excuses. While shopping for Dori, Levi went to Macy’s to pick up a suit. As he walked through the women’s section, Levi devised a plan after a dress caught his eye on a mannequin. He envisioned Karyn’s face and body.

Turning on the Tolliver charm, he approached three unsuspecting ladies—probably another act of stalking—and asked if they wouldn’t mind helping him out. They eagerly agreed to model outfits until they learned it was for a woman who wasn’t his mother, sister, or cousin. After telling them the sad story about his wife, two ladies relented. They tried on several dresses until one held his attention. Although another woman modeled it, Levi envisioned Karyn Wallace enhancing it. He guessed the woman was about Karyn’s size.

Besides his daughter, Levi had never bought a woman a piece of clothing before. Not even for his mother, Sharon, who preferred cash, or Diane, who enjoyed the thrill of ordering out of catalogs. On the rare occasions when Diane did venture into the malls, she never deviated from her routine: Go into a store with a mission, come out with it completed.

“Seriously, Rossi, it’s something about Karyn that makes me want to jump into the water whether I can swim or not. There’s a certain level of mystique about her and that fascinates me.”

Rossi barked out a laugh before sobering. “Sounds like a Tolliver man talking. I just hope she lives up to your hype.”

Levi removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes “Although I wasn’t actively looking for a lady, it’s as if God placed her right before my eyes, sorta like ‘Here Adam, take Eve.’”

“I hope Jesetta will see that as divine intervention.”

Next excerpt February 2011. The release is April 2010. Pre-order your copy of Amazon now.

December excerpt

Coming April 2011....Cinderella had a prince; Karyn has a King

CHAPTER 2 EXCERPT
“You stalked the woman?” Rossi Tolliver asked incredulously over the phone. “Have you lost your mind? There are laws against that…” He rattled on, advising Levi of the repercussions.
Annoyed with his cousin’s scolding, Levi gritted his teeth and huffed. Although his intentions were genuine, leave it to Rossi to overreact. What was stalking anyway—a misdemeanor? “Call it what you want, but it was for her protection.”
Satisfied with his own explanation, Levi finger combed the fine hairs of his mustache. At thirty-one, Levi had retired his thrill-seeker fixes the day after he hit twenty years old.
After the death of his wife, it was the counsel and prayers of Rossi, who was a youth minister, had cushioned the blows to Levi’s distraught spirit. Levi thought back to the day forty-eight months ago that changed his life forever. Some might have considered his questions juvenile, but his state of mind at the time was anything but logical.
“Is it okay to be angry with God? Does that make me less of a Christian?” Levi braced himself, fearing the answer. When Rossi didn’t comment, Levi rambled on. “The Lord allowed the devil to steal the most important person in my life. He allowed it to happen.” It was a bold accusation.
Levi had sniffed as they sat in matching chairs, facing each other in the bedroom Levi had shared with Diane. It was the night—a nightmarish day—before her funeral. A closed door separated the cousins from the crowd of comforters who did everything but console. Laughing and eating mocked the sad occasion.
Nodding, Rossi clasped his hands. His weary expression was a reflection of Levi’s. “God has grace for all emotions, but in the end, God is God, and He doesn’t make any mistakes.
“Whatever you do, don’t sin against God, man. Our thoughts aren’t God’s thoughts, so we’ll have to wait until we get to the Holy City for answers. Maybe then the Lord will explain all this to us.” Rossi swept his arm in the air for dramatics. “Remember, God never takes anything away without replacing what you lost. Our hope is to believe Psalm 115:16: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
Levi didn’t know what he had expected from Rossi, but yet again, Levi wasn’t finding any comfort. “Look, man, I’ve got a little girl in there—” He paused, pointing an unsteady finger at the door—“who is two months old. Dori won’t have a mother when she begins to talk, walk, or take snapshots at her first birthday party. She’ll never know Diane…”

Crowning Glory November 2010 excerpt

More Chapter 1

“Do you have a moment?” Levi didn’t wait for an answer to his summons as he turned and headed to the elevated platform that claimed to be the café’s territory near the entrance. It was the only spacious area in the cluttered bookstore. Already, Karyn’s fist was fishing for a comfortable resting spot on her hip as she formed an attitude. If I do, am I supposed to jump?
Marking his spot at a white round parlor table, he laid his bag in a black wood chair with a black vinyl cushioned seat. The buzz in the coffee shop didn’t miss a beat as he unbuttoned his black suit coat and claimed an adjacent seat. If he wore a coat, he must have left it in the car. Levi crossed his ankle over one knee and leaned back. His demeanor was relaxed and carefree as if it was his designated VIP seating.
She hadn’t planned to follow, but curious as a feline, Karyn set aside the new shipment of stuffed animals that recited bedtime stories when squeezed. She strolled to where Levi was camped out as if he was royalty. He met her eyes with tenderness. Levi’s simmering smile was ammunition to detonate a romantic explosive in some poor woman’s life.
For a fleeing moment, Karyn felt unworthy in his presence with her red canvas apron smeared with dust from opening boxes that had been sitting in warehouses. “What’s going on?”
“It’s a late birthday gift—Happy Birthday—or an early Christmas present—Merry Christmas, whichever works in my favor,” he explained, patting the bag with a Macy’s logo.
Speechless, Karyn fretted with her braid as her heart pounded wildly. She indulged in a secret moment of excitement. The contents represented anything but a birthday or Christmas present. It was a bribe gift. Karyn knew it and was flattered—confused but thrilled.
“But I…” She grasped for an excuse not to accept it, although her birthday and Christmas were ideal reasons.
Levi remained focused as he stood and pulled out another chair as if she was adorned in a ball gown. Karyn scanned the store. Besides the few pockets of café customers, it was a slow night, easily manageable by the supervisor and two other employees. Patrice could stretch any small task into an eight-hour shift.
“Let me go clock out first.”
Suddenly, Patrice appeared, arms folded and eyes suspicious as Karyn signed out for a ten-minute break. Patrice didn’t smile or frown, but her eyes hinted she was waiting for juicy tidbits to spread—true or false. Karyn always felt uneasy around the unkempt woman. Patrice spoke her mind without fear of censure. Fellow employees called Patrice harmless, but Karyn was wary of the woman’s best intentions. Beware was written in invisible ink on her coworker’s forehead. Since jobs were hard to find, and Karyn didn’t want any rumors floating back to her boss to find fault with her, Karyn gave an unnecessary explanation, “It’s quiet, so I’m taking my last break.”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ve got your back,” Patrice encouraged with a wink, then added over her shoulder as she walked away. “Watch it. That guy is way out of your league.”
Karyn knew that, but Patrice didn’t have to bluntly voice it. Ignoring the small stab to her heart, Karyn headed for the café.
Levi waited at his post in a military stance. She stole a deep brave breath as she obliged his invitation at the table and rested. Levi retook his seat, inching his face closer to hers.
“Do you remember the first time I asked you to go out with me?”
“Yes.”
“Me too.” He grunted, amused, and shook his head. “How about the second?” After she nodded, Levi recounted word for word each instance she had turned him down. “To an ordinary man, you would’ve crushed his ego. I’m not one of them. I’m calling your bluff after your last textbook recital of ‘I don’t have anything to wear.’” He presented his offering. “Problem solved. I happened to be in the mall this weekend, and you weren’t working.” Disappointment briefly brushed his face as his words mildly scolded her. “Dori and I made a special trip to buy a book from Miss Karyn. When you weren’t here, I thought I was going home empty-handed. My little girl had other ideas for my wallet, so we shopped until I practically dropped.”
Karyn laughed. Levi possessed a wonderful sense of humor. He often appeared serious—until he smiled. He was a handsome man.
“When I saw it on a mannequin, I imagined you in that the outfit. I don’t know why,” he teased with a shrug. “Here’s the deal. Since we’re both Christians, I know honesty won’t be an issue. When you get home, try it on. If it fits, then you’ve just agreed to dinner with me on Friday night.”
This time Levi didn’t ask for a date. He already had one orchestrated as he gathered his car keys. Levi shook his head as if he could hear her formulate another ridiculous excuse. “I’ll pick you up at seven, and I’m always on time.”
Not only had Levi outwitted her, he had removed his wedding band. Karyn wondered at the meaning. On his first visit, thanks to his chatty daughter, Karyn learned his status.
“Daddy’s a wido’. Sometimes he’s sad. I think he needs someone to play with,” Dori babbled on and on as Levi stood nearby, seemingly unfazed by his daughter’s assessment. A few visits later, he confirmed his daughter’s biography with his ring finger still bearing signs of his bond to his deceased wife.
Karyn looked away, hoping for a customer who needed her attention despite the fact she was on break. When there were no diversions, she swallowed. Accepting whatever was in that bag meant more than a simple dinner. He was challenging her. Again, she hated dares.
Once Karyn found her voice, she shoved doubt aside. She never gambled, but she hoped she was wearing a poker face. She couldn’t wait to tear open her present. She knew his taste in men’s clothes and little girls’ outfits, but what did he envision for her? She beamed anyway. “I agree with your terms.”
“I’ll cherish your smile until Friday.” He winked then adjusted his glasses.
“Don’t you need my address?”
“Nope. I followed your bus home awhile back,” Levi said, unashamed, then exited the store more conceited than when he first entered.
She didn’t register his last remark as she peeked into the bag, but the gift was protected with an army of colored tissue. “Yep. This is definitely some kind of test,” she whispered to herself. She had mapped out a schedule for school, work, and church. How was she going to make room for a man?

Crowning Glory October 2010 excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter 1 (unedited)
Coming April 2011. Pre-order your copy.

Without a test, there can be no testimony. Karyn Wallace reminded herself five minutes after she agreed to a date with Levi Tolliver. She wasn’t Cinderella, and Karyn doubted the widower would be her Prince Charming.

Yes, she was affected by the most beautiful dark chocolate eyes she had seen in her lifetime. They were hypnotic, even camouflaged behind designer glasses, which were angled perfectly on his chiseled nose. Levi’s skin was a blend of chocolates: dark, milk, and white, which created a creamy undefined tone. His thick, black wavy hair and thin mustache were nice touches, but it was Levi’s dimples that seemed to be on standby, waiting for his lips’ command to smile.

Buffed at—she guessed about—five feet, eleven inches, Karyn wasn’t intimidated by Levi’s height as he towered over her petite stature. “You might as well surrender to what God has stirred between us,” Levi stated as if he had sealed a business deal after his seventh visit and counting in a month to Bookshelves Unlimited where she worked as a kid specialist bookseller.

Suspicion set in. What does he know about God in my life? At twenty-seven, Karyn was too old to play games. Sometimes the devil injected the word God into conversations as bait to Christians so they would believe they’ve found a kindred spirit. Where was Levi’s spiritual allegiance? She didn’t have time to test the waters to see if she could survive another relationship gone awry. The memories of one bad relationship had a way of lasting a lifetime.

When he moved intimately closer, his lashes mesmerized her, catching Karyn off guard. “Deny the attraction, Karyn.”

She hated dares. Bluffs got people into trouble, hurt, or sometimes killed. Karyn blinked. Now, she was getting carried away. Anchoring her elbows on the table in the store’s café, Karyn nestled her chin in her hands. She took pleasure in delaying her response. After all, he was interrupting her dinner break.

“I’m attracted to flashy cars, white kittens, black-eyed peas, and—”
“Me,” he interjected as a fact.

Karyn refused to confirm or deny his assumption, but she silently admitted she was enjoying their banter. There was something intoxicating about a person who oozed confidence. Despite her outward boasting, building her self-assurance was—at times—an inner struggle. Shrugging, she continued as if she didn’t hear him.

“Although I don’t own a flashy car or a white kitten, I can put away some black-eyed peas.”
“Your preferences are noted.” Levi lifted a brow and held it in place to make sure he had Karyn’s attention.

Only after she became impatient did he soften his features and smile, offering his sidekick dimples for her pleasure.

“My Buick LaCrosse is new, but not flashy. My daughter is allergic to cats, and my mother can throw down on any beans, peas, or greens.” A dimple winked as he stretched his lips into a lazy grin. “For the past four years, my spirit has laid dormant, waiting on a word from God. Now, all of a sudden, with no warning, I got a message plain enough that even a caveman could read it.” He snickered.

Karyn smirked. “I’ve seen those GEICO commercials, and I’m not impressed.”

About Crowning Glory (2011)

Cinderella had a prince. Karyn Wallace has a King.

Crowning Glory is not your typical love story where poor girl meets rich guy or good girl meets bad boy. Karyn served four years in jail for an unthinkable crime. She embraced Christ through the Crowns for Christ prison ministry. Once released, Karyn is strong and confident despite the stigma society places on ex-offenders. She will not be swayed from the scripture “He who the Son has set free is free indeed.”
Levi Tolliver doesn’t have a record, neither a tardy slip in high school nor a speeding ticket. For the most part, Levi is a practicing Christian. The only exception is he doesn’t believe in turning the other cheek. He believes there is a price to pay for every sin committed. His perfect life is shattered by the senseless killing of his wife during a blotched grocery store robbery. He questions why bad things happen to good people, so criminals get no pity from him, “Lock them up and throw away the key.”
But Christ is for the underdog. What will happen when Perfection (Levi Tolliver) meets Imperfection (Karyn Wallace)? God has the combination to keep Levi from locking out Karyn. Levi has a decision to make and the odds are against him.