BLISS
by Rhonda Jones

Genre: Romance Fiction
Format: Paperback
ISBN-10: 978-1-4343-8433-1

FROM THE BACK COVER:
By the decree of her father Stu, Natrisha Kincaid is sold into an abusive marriage to have his monetary debts forgiven. Her older sister, Lenora Kincaid is heartbroken as she watches their father drag her beloved younger sister from the family home in the late evening and thrown into the arms of the town menace, Don Risor. After seeing the sale of her sister, Lenora becomes at odds with Stu and blames him for Natrisha’s ordeal. Eventually, Lenora seeks help at Pathways, a battered women’s shelter. There she meets Shayna Lawson, a social worker and abuse counselor. Together they will fight the judicial system with the hope of convincing the judge to grant Natrisha a divorce and remove her from Risor’s house to safety.

On a silent dark night, Lenora is brutally murdered in her father’s home and Stu Kincaid also loses his life. News of their deaths is shocking to both Natrisha and Shayna. After Lenora dies, Shayna decides to take on the monumental tasks to free Natrisha and solve her sister’s murder.

In the midst of their trials, an English business man comes to Miami. Carter Wesley is looking to expand his multi-million dollar real estate empire and decides to purchase and renovate a deteriorating residential tower on Miami’s ocean front. The current owner of the tower, the shrewd Paul Kolinsky, frequently taunts Carter. This business deal will add more drama to Carter’s life than he expected.

Just minutes before he is scheduled to meet with Kolinsky, Carter sees Natrisha working the breakfast rush hour at his luxury hotel. He is instantly mesmerized by the raven-haired beauty. He has to have her. His attraction for Natrisha will lead to a steamy encounter between them that will bind them together for eternity.

MEET THE AUTHOR:
Rhonda Jones

Writing, working with words to compose a story in order to convey a meaning has been my passion for years. While earning my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, I wrote many research papers, theses, and term papers throughout my college career at Troy University. I was born in Dothan, Alabama on September 30, 1981 and raised in Abbeville, Alabama. I now live in Montgomery, Alabama. My parents, Bobby and Peggy Jones and my younger brother, Bobby Jones Jr. are my biggest supporters. I am proud to be their daughter and sister. And I dedicate all of my works to them. I am truly blessed to have such loving parents and a loving brother. I also thank GOD that they are still in my life. And I thank GOD for giving me the talent and skills to write good stories.

Romance novels have always been my favorite books to read since I was a teenager. I am intrigued to read about people overcoming adversity to find true love and happiness. Last year, I used these elements to write my very first novel, BLISS, when I was struggling through a depressing time in my life. I felt as though I didn’t have much of a future and I asked myself: What am I going to do with my life? To escape a depressing and boring reality, I picked up my pen and notebook and began writing a journal of my thoughts. The more I wrote, I began adding fictional names to my story.

My purpose in writing novels is not just to entertain but to teach young girls and women to respect themselves, their bodies, and maintain a high level of morality; and also to highlight the consequences of engaging in pre-marital and un-protected sex. I believe that since I will write about sexual intimacy, I should also mention the necessary precautions a woman must take to protect herself. I also want my audience to understand that there is more to relationships than just having physical relations. These ideas came to me, as I talked with girls who were in un-healthy relationships. I became so frustrated with how women were allowing their boyfriends to abuse and neglect them.

And finally, I approach writing as a craft that I will perfect overtime.

READ AN EXCERPT:

Natrisha walked through Wesley & Benson’s extravagant dining room carrying an arm full of dirty plates. She had been working since six in the morning. It was barley eight o’clock and the breakfast rush was just beginning. She had spent the bulk of her first day on the job washing pots and dishes. Her black and white maid’s uniform was already soiled. About to drop the plates she walked faster and ran into Carter as he stood from his breakfast table. A waitress standing at a nearby table was reaching out to stop her from falling but Carter was already holding her tightly by the waist.

“Slow down,” he said graciously.

She regained a grip on the plates and looked at him. Carter admired her beauty and smiled. He gently moved a strand of hair from her face. He found her to be very attractive – fine bone structure, an oval face with arched eyebrows and high cheek bones. She had a luscious set of lips and beautiful brown eyes. Her long black hair was pulled back in a school girl’s ponytail. If he decided to become involved with a woman in Miami he would choose her.

“Are you okay?” His masculine voice was truly alluring

She had to literally tear herself from his hold. He was still holding her as if he would never let her go.

“I’m fine, thank you.” She was about to gather another grip on the plates when the waitress took them from her. The dining room was filling with people ready to eat breakfast. Everybody looked on wondering why the owner of the luxury hotel was trying to help a maid.

“How long have you been working at the hotel, Natrisha?” He asked reading her name tag. She continued to walk towards the kitchen and Carter walked with her. She looked up at him. His eyes looked warm and inviting.

“I’m sorry sir but I have to get back to work.” Dressed in a maid’s uniform she felt embarrassed. He had on a business suit and tie with an aristocratic look.

“It’s an innocent question,” Carter said. He had a point. It was harmless question.

“This morning is my first day of work.” She finally said trying not to look at him but that was unavoidable. She found him to be overtly handsome. His black hair and goatee where neatly trimmed and he looked clean in his tailor made suit.

“Do you like working here?” He continued to walk by her side. She sped up trying to get away from him.

“It’s a job and I do the best I can.” He listened to her closely. She spoke well and softly. His attraction to her innocence was strong. Carter didn’t want her get away. Women like her were hard to come by in a city such as Miami.

“Let’s go somewhere to talk.” He wasn’t asking her. He was telling her. His tone was rather commanding. Carter took her hand and began leading her to a back office down the hall. He needed to be alone with the lovely raven haired lady. His meeting with Kolinsky would take place in the upstairs conference room but he wasn’t thinking of that now. Satisfying his manly needs was more important. By his choice he hadn’t had a woman in awhile. Being close to Natrisha sent his hormones into over drive.

“Where are you taking me mister?” She walked with this handsome stranger not wanting to cause a scene in the dining room. Natrisha already felt the stares of people watching them. She hadn’t been this close to a man since her ex-husband. No matter how much she wanted to deny it. Her body was tingling with excitement.

“You’ll see my lady.” He was already claiming her as his.

“I’m not your lady. I don’t even know who you are.”

“Are you thinking about the childish saying of never talk to strangers?”

“I’m not a child.” Natrisha was trying to stand her ground against this powerful business man. She was losing her stance more as Carter got her further and further away from the crowd. She continued her resistance but Carter was only thinking of what his body needed.

“I don’t think going to a remote room with a stranger is safe?” He looked over at her.

“It’s up to you if you’re hurt or not Natrisha.”

“What do you mean by that?” He said nothing.

Reaching the office, Carter pushed open the door and locked it behind him.

ROMANCE READERS CHATS WITH THE AUTHOR:
a conversation with Rhonda Jones...

What was the purpose of writing this book?

I wanted to show how a young woman can overcome life’s difficulties to find happiness in the end.

What age group should read this book?

Young women of high school age and older will find this book entertaining and enjoyable.

Where does the story take place?

A majority of the story is set in Miami, Florida. The rest of it takes place in London, England.

What do you want the audience to take away from this story?

I want my audience, especially young women, to understand the consequences of pre-marital sex, the importance of using birth control and a respect for themselves and their bodies.

Why did you name the novel BLISS?

Bliss means supreme happiness, spiritual joy. My lead character Natrisha Kincaid found so much joy after her trials and tribulations. She never thought that happiness was possible after losing her only sister to a violent murder and suffering abuse at the hands of her husband. But she found immense joy at the end.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Throughout my high school years and college years, I wrote many research papers and terms papers. So I have always been interested in writing. I decided to write my first novel, when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I enjoyed creating this dramatic story. And I plan to write many more novels.

Where do you get story ideas?

I will write about my fantasies. I’ll include some of my own life experiences in my stories.

What is will be your next novel?

My next novel is called ROYAL DISSENT: The Royal House of Seranos. I have finished this novel and will have it published next year.

I am currently working on my third novel called Forbidden Desire.

 

RomanceReaders
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