This is 2:13pm...
"I love to think that animals and humans and plants and fishes and trees and stars and the moon are all connected." —Gloria Vanderbilt
Originally this Newsletter was going to start off with me complaining about work and how my brain has been fried for weeks. But right now, there are some important matters that we need focus on. There is so much going on in the world, and in the book community and I feel as those it is my job as an author to be transparent, be clear, and make sure you understand who I am, along with how I show up in this world. This entire state of our country is so important. I want to make sure that I acknowledge it in every way possible.
To be very clear - read this newsletter at your discretion. It talks about topics surround equity, inclusion and justice for BIPOC folks. If that is something you don’t support or your political views are different, please happily remove yourself. Because it’s about to get real.
If you aren’t aware, I am a Black and Indigenous Woman. I want to be very clear about the identities I hold. I hold other ethnicities but these three right now are identities that I feel educated enough to speak about. As a woman of color, particularly a Black woman, this country and how it treats me and others like me is a constant life I live. I don’t get to wake up and not think about those things. I don’t get to stay silent because when I do, people assume. I don’t get to hide away. I wear my skin fully, loudly, and proudly.
This past weekend, we witnessed so much hate, anger, and dehumanizing acts. For some of you, this might be your first time really seeing this happen to someone like you. For me…it’s not. There are people like Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, George Floyd and hundreds more who I have witnessed be innocently killed, or met with injustice. And everyday, I do live in fear. I have a Black partner, a Black father, mother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, best friends etc. And at any point, those people and myself can be taken away from this earth because of our skin color.
I say all of that to say that what you are seeing is my reality. This is everyday life for folks like me.
Silence is our biggest threat. You may sit and think “I’m just one person, my voice doesn’t matter” but I’m here to tell you that it does. The difference between 134,568 votes and 134,569 is 1. And that 1, can change the trajectory of history. What we are witnessing it history repeating itself. We are witnessing people being mistreated in a place that is supposed to be called home. I’m not asking you do get up and start campaigning, but I am asking you to help support these people who are impacted. I am asking you to be vocal if you can or have the capacity. Donate to relief funds. Check on your BIPOC friends. And when it’s time to vote, or stand up, help us by being apart of the change.
And just so we are VERY CLEAR… I DO NOT SUPPORT ICE. I Stand with Human Rights, marginalized communities, and my people.
Thank you!
Please check out Stand with Minnesota. This site has a lot of donation options for organizations, and other ways to help communities all over. https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
NEW AUTHOR FRIENDS, SPOTLIGHTS & MORE!
I recently made some new author friends, and I want to shout them out here! Below is there information, along with opportunities to help them. These humans are lovely and I hope you will give them a follow, like or reshare!
Meet my friend Lailah!
I came across Lailah’s instagram and loved the vibes. Lailah has a book call After All This Time coming out this year! Look at that coverrrr. This book is a second chance romance!
Follow Lailah on Instagram for more information about what’s coming up, and also more about the book! You can also follow Lailah’s journey via this site! HERE
Don’t worry, when ARC sign ups go out, you’ll definitely be notified here in my newsletter!
Meet my friend Xavier Neal!
Xavier Neal is a USA Today bestselling author with a bodyguard romance! Who doesn’t love that? Especially a bodyguard who has one job, which is to make sure the client doesn’t get hurt! And yet..he’s in love with her. SIGN ME UP!
Also a man in a suit…I think we can all appreciate that.
Follow Xavier on Instagram, and also click the link below to get a copy of Shatterproof! You can also sign up for Xavier’s newsletter and find all of their works on their website HERE
Get your copy - HERE
Meet my friend Mimi Simone!
Mimi is someone I have recently connected with, and Mimi is amazing. Mimi has these really fun newsletters, and if you want to get in on the action, sign up HERE.
Mimi has a book coming out this March! And ARC sign ups are available! HERE
💋Bodyguard x heiress
💋All spice, little plot
💋Grumpy x sunshine
💋Forced proximity
💋Fast ”slow burn”
💋Forbidden romance
💋SHE is the down bad one
Recommendations of books I loved
Here are some wonderful books that I want to recommend for you! All of these I have personally read and enjoyed myself and think you might enjoy them too! I included the links to get your copy as well!
Your Until January by Ginger Walls GET YOUR COPY
Tumbling Over The Tight End by Vai Denton GET YOUR COPY
Mated For the Holiday by Courtney Corlew GET YOUR COPY
The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert GET YOUR COPY
I want to end this newsletter on a positive note. Book things are going well for me. Thank you all for being here, and supporting people like me. I hope you continue to do so. Also, please protect yourselves, please protect your mental health, and do what you need to make sure you are okay. Not everyone needs to speak out, some people need to process. And that’s absolutely okay.
Love you all dearly! See you in February!