Happy Monday! I’m hoping you had a lovely weekend. I sure did. It was a proud one as I saw my DD receive her Associates degree in liberal arts this weekend. This is what I hope is her first higher learning degree as she is going right onto continue her studies for her bachelors next semester. It was blooming smiles all around even if it was a tad drizzly. Nothing could dampen our spirits.

And speaking of good spirits… we have a winner in my Get Ready For Seduction Giveaway! The lucky winner is… Vanessa N! Thanks Vanessa and thanks so much to you all who entered. And please remember that Seduction’s Canvas will be out on May 27^th and you can pre-order it now. You can also get an exclusive sneak peek over at Heroes and Heartbreakers right now.

Have a great start to your week!

All the best,

KMJ

Live it up! You only get one so enjoy the special moment while you can.

All the best,

KMJ

image from we heart it.

Yesterday the President was in Connecticut to give a very important speech on gun control, speaking for the tragic Newtown victims and countless others on this issue that in my opinion needs attention, action and a vote NOW.

Well, he choose my DD’s college sports center as the venue to hold that speech. On Friday she was one of the many students to line up and score one of the hottest tickets in town. She and her friend were so excited when they called me screaming after getting their tickets that I was feeling giddy right along with them.

And here my beauty is, looking quite Presidential herself, sporting some old school Jackie O style with her peplum dress. Definitely ready to meet the press or President Obama if the opportunity should come up.

Finally, here are some pics from inside the arena. She told me it was amazing to see him (yes , the word handsome came up, but that could have been from me) and to hear him speak. She said it was quite life changing to be in the presence of a sitting President and feel that energy.  I know I was so excited for her.

I was also so proud. You see as a parent of young African-American adults, in moments like this, I can’t help but think back to a history not that long ago when a moment like this was nothing but a dream and a struggle in this hearts of a people.  And in the minds of some, a reality to never be seen. But here it is. In front of our eyes.

All the best,

KMJ

my book 2 deadline and feeling like a real gah! “author, author.” I was near tears though, happy ones after practically gutting my poor brooding hero. You see for some reason I found it necessary to put the man quite through it and I was so happy for it. A hot ready to pull my hair out over the emotional changes that I had made mess, but in the end happy because I knew the story would be the better for it. Because you see for me, a good romance is all about the character’s emotional journey.

But then, not long after in some sort of divine conformation, my son came to me all excited about this TEDx video that he saw and wanted to share with me about Why and succeeding in the work that you do and how that can transfer into consumers believing in you and your message. I’d like to share it with you today. And leave you with the question: Is your Why lined up with your What?

All the best,

KMJ

Happy 19^th Birthday Dear Twins!

Now of course a big part of me wants to just spend today reminiscing and listening to Adele over and over, but  I won’t. Well, maybe just a few melancholy sniffles if you please.

But then I will stop and smell the roses of the past 19 years…

And tell you to eat all the cake both of your heart’s desire…

And really enjoy this…

And most of all… Don’t rush things…

Slow down and make this a wonderful year full of family, love, laughter and joy,

because what I do know is that time is going so fast that right now it does feel like you both are….

Love you forever,

Mom

Images thanks to We Heart It all except the last. That would be mine.

Today I woke and like so many others with hope that yesterday was just a bad dream. But no, it happened and that overwhelming feeling of sadness is left to nestle in and find a place in the corner of our hearts where all grief goes.  Then I walked past the little stone plate that I keep hung in my home and have had so many years (see it’s had its share of dings over the years as we have) that I’ve honestly forgotten where I got it but remember I was drawn to it all those years ago when my two angels where just little ones.  It’s an angel holding two small babies safely in her arms.

I can imagine the angel’s arms are overflowing today. Sending hope for healing hearts in Newtown and all over the world today.

Love and Peace,

KMJ

A new storm may be coming but I’m so thrilled today that the storm of the election season has passed. I got 2 wonderful late night happy calls from my first time voter twins with tales from the college campuses and the excitement of the moment when the election was called for The President. I so enjoyed hearing the joy and the expectant optimism in both their voices. What an amazing and proud mama feeling.

(flag pic taken fm my local polling place)

Now I feel energized and ready to move forward to finish up the current book I’m working on (book 2 in my Creative Hearts series). Let’s hope I keep the power through this next storm. But no real worries because either way I’m pushing #Forward no matter what.

All the best,

KMJ

Beautiful First Family image from here and beyond

Good morning lovelies and Happy Monday!

I’m a little (see a lot) tired this morning after a busy non-writing weekend with The DD who decided early Saturday morning that she could not live another moment without her mother. Nah! That’s not true. Though she missed me a bit, she really wanted to come home to get her hair done and begged me to come and pick her up for it. And yes, I relented (of course). But first I did the same thing she did and called my mom begging for someone to ride with. So I packed her up along with my sweet God daughter and we took a fun road trip checking out the gorgeous fall foliage along the way. Here is a lovely pic from on campus. What a day!

I went old school with pulling winners for Jax’s Date with a Siren contest and our winner are Toni and Stephanie! Congrats ladies. Please email me at kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com with your info and Jax will be in contact!

Have a great week everyone!

All the best,

Kwana

The DH and I took our love on the road this weekend heading up to the kid’s schools for a visit. It’s so strange seeing them out in the world and navigating things as best as they can on their own. They have to come outside to let us up and into their space. Once inside, here and there are the tell-tale signs of a hasty clean up. You look around and see how things have been moved around from when you first dropped them off and how they have put their own decorative touches on the place showing off their personality and not yours.

But still you’re a parent and you ask, “Is there anything you need? Anything at all?, looking for some reason to stay around a bit, add your mark. Then you find it. “More hangers! A new pencil sharpener! Let’s go shopping.”

So you take them out to get your little trivial items, grab a bite to eat before you say goodbye once again. Leaving them to their little rooms where you don’t know what times they come in, or how much they study but all you can do at night, at home from your far away bed, is say a prayer that they are there and all is well with the world.

Best,

Kwana

posters thanks to the kids.

Letting go is not easy, but this weekend I had to do it again. With a heavy, fast beating heart and a churning, hot burning stomach, I bit my lip, said my silent prayer (wishing I could get a receipt at the end) and added my goodbye peering through eyes that had seen little sleep the night before. This letting go thing, no, it doesn’t get easier for me and I doubt it ever will. But still, I do my duty, open my arms and step away. Next week I will do it all over again.

This is the joy of having twins.

Happy Monday!

Best,

Kwana

Oh and it’s not all melancholy over here. Through The Lens is out and 1 week. Did you hear that 1 week from today!!! Have you likes my FB author page yet? Becuase now would be agreat time to do that. Wheee!!!