Is it Love or Wishful Thinking? #romance

What makes you believe there is a chance you will find your Prince Charming? Not the guy who goes around shoving glass shoes and fragile promises in the faces of every female he encounters, but the man with all of the attributes you desire? The girls from Tripping Prince Charming find themselves asking that very question in this scene

"Listen, you two, if you can't change the subject I'm off the phone,"

"Fine, but I feel sorry for you. You can't let one mistake, horrible as it was, direct your steps for the rest of your life. "

"Carmella, I'm not having this conversation. Change it or I'm hanging up."

"Okay, don't get all puffed up. We'll change it."

"Besides ," Lillie-Rose, like a dog with a bone, had to gnaw a conversation until she was satisfied. "you know what's wrong with you Carmella?"

 "Nothing is wrong with me, but I know you'll tell me differently, Lillie-Rose."

"You have your mind wrapped in the pages of a romance novel and love doesn't work like that."

 "Why not?" Carmella put down her pencil and moved to the living room to flop in a recliner. She could already tell this conversation was going to take the turn towards a therapy session. "Why can't I have a beautiful love story? Why can't I have Franklin fall in love with me the way those girls do in those books? Why can't I have one of those silly fairytales your dad used to harp on, Ivy? I used to think they were really stupid until I saw, Franklin. Why can't I believe it can happen to me?"

"Because you are a Black girl, Carmella Candi." Lillie-Rose stated her answer with a clap of her hand between each word. "Wake up, you're dreaming. You have to work for the happily ever after. When you read those fairy tales, where was that pretty Black princess? You ever read a story where this little Black kid married a prince?"
 "At least we think she is." Ivy commented softly. She knew this was another sore point with Carmella.

"At least you think I'm what? Ivy I know you're not gonna go there this time of night."
 In a flash the two cousins were in the middle of an argument about what makes a person Black. Same argument they'd had all of their lives. The same argument that had been going on for generations in the African-American communities and it didn't help any that Carmella's mom was Asian.
"Hey, hey wait a minute." Lillie-Rose broke in. "Let's have that argument after I make my point. As I was saying, you're a Black girl and it doesn't work like that. We have to go and ‘get' our man." Lillie-Rose smacked her lips, the sound loud and irritating through the phone's receiver.

 "You think because I'm Black there's no guy going to come and sweep me off my feet? What does that mean? Go and get our man? Do I have to settle on being 'the baby mama' and call it my 'romance'? I'm not going to be part of some baby mama drama relationship."

"No, girl, it's just that no sincere Black guy runs around with flowers and candy. That romance stuff is just a figment of someone's imagination. I told you all through high school about reading those idiotic romance books; they'll warp your mind. You passed up some mighty fine guys back in the day, hiding your head in those books."

 "You should've read some Lillie-Rose and you wouldn't be so cynical and hard when a man approaches you."
 "I heard enough about the idiotic romances when Ivy's dad used to read us those stories as kids. Didn't believe them then and I don't believe them now. When Prince Charming comes poking around me, he better just watch out. As for now, Ms. Carmella Candi when a man approaches me then I won't be as cynical. All that's coming at the moment are the same broke boys still spouting the same lines they used freshman year of high school. Those fools thought they were cool then when those girls allowed themselves to be caught, but they were just luckin' out 'cuz those were the years the girls were tryin' anything and anybody to be part of a crowd."
"You see that's what I'm talking about. You're too hard."
 "I think I have a right to be. The one time I trusted a man, what did I get? And anyway we're talking about you? Just look how you ran from your heart throb, Carmella. You've been watching Franklin for the past year. Mooning and crooning over him, in my ear mind you. I thought he was ‘so romantic'."

 "I don't know about that. I mean I'm glad to know he likes me it's just disconcerting to know he went through such a devious extreme to get to know me."

 "Something someone in your novels would probably do." Ivy sighed loudly. "It's so sweet."

"Could be the best thing ever, but now that she's in it, she can't accept it." Lillie-Rose agreed. "She just left the man standing alone in a dark parking lot. Goes to show we're really not made for that romance junk. Remember what we used to say as kids? We'll run our own love story and not sit around waiting for the big swooning rescue scene."

"Again it just goes to prove my point. You don't have a romantic bone in your body. I think age has changed me and I can envision a love story. If things work out the way I am hoping they will, I'll be living the perfect romance."
"What do you think about that, Ivy?"
 "I'm with Carmella, Lee. I would love a little romance. If Bernard looked at me the way Franklin looks at her I would pass out."

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What makes you believe in love and the 'happily ever after'? Before you leave, please take some time to do this…

Write down a couple of quick notes for:

Ways this post or blog held or lost your attention.

Is there a way I can enchance it visually?

Did you find any interest in the featured book?

What social network would be best for you to share this information?

I'd love it if you told me your answers in the comments below so I can know how to serve my readers.

Would you like to read a sample of my writings in other genres? Download a free copy of, " WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES" At Smashwords HERE Put in code: MP63V

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When a Man Loves a Dream #trippingprincecharming

Nathaniel is a man determined to hold the woman from his dreams, in his heart like a precious pearl clasped in his hand. This is a tidbit of his anguish.

Nathaniel leaned back on the porch swing of the Gardiner home until his head was resting on the wrought iron frame and closed his eyes. The metal was as uncomfortable to his flesh as his thoughts were to his mind. Sighing deeply he searched his heart to try and figure out exactly what he need to do about Lillie-Rose. In his heart there was nothing but love for the woman. He knew without a doubt she was the one he wanted to spend the remainder of his life with. The problem was, Lillie-Rose was scared to death.

The mere mention of the word marriage and she practically ran away mentally and physically. Not that he blamed her. After living through a violent and abusive marriage at a young age, and an equally violent childhood, he could understand her running in terror. Though he was doing his best to court her slowly with small gifts, attending quiet dinners in her huge hideout of a home, sometimes engaging in extremely sensual make-out sessions, full blown overnight lovemaking and patiently listening to her voiced fears, he was afraid to initiate a conversation that could possibly take their relationship to the final level or kill it where it stood. Sighing again, he leaned forward. Legs apart, hands hanging and swinging mildly between his knees. The well manicured fingers nearly touching the porch's marble flooring. After six months he no longer wanted to be the hidden silent boyfriend. He wanted to place a ring on her finger and be considered a public fiancé.
 "You're looking pretty darned miserable there, Son."
Nathaniel startled at the sound of Michael Gardiner's voice. He hadn't noticed the man come out on the porch and take position on the recliner, a part of the wrap around porch's outdoor furnishings.

Michael Gardiner took a sip from the coffee cup he held in his hand, silently staring at the younger man. "So, what's going on, Son?" Nathaniel cleared his throat before answering. Pop Gardiner had always been like a second father to him and out of habit he wanted to rush in and confess his feelings and spout his doubts about his relationship to Lillie-Rose, but as a man sworn to secrecy, he held his tongue. "So, what's up boy? Cat got your tongue? Or should I say, ‘Leelee got your tongue?"

Nathaniel's head jerked up in surprise. His eyes encountered the laughing gaze of the older man and he smiled sheepishly. "How do you know?"
 "I know everything when it comes to the people I consider ‘family'."
 "Oh yeah? Did you know Lille-Rose hates being called by that name?"
"Yeah I know, but it was her nickname as a child. All it took was a sadistic bastard of a husband, and a no good father to steal every facet of her being. She feels if she changes her name she changes the past. I refuse to let her give up on the person she is. I think only a good man can do that for her. You are that man."

 "Really, now how do you even know she sees me that way?" Pops' hearty laughter filled the air, the chuckle turning into a strangling cough. Jumping up to thump the man on the back, Nathaniel had to laugh along with him.

 "Son," Pops cleared his throat. "Only the unobservant wouldn't know about the two of you. You disappear every night, can't concentrate on your duties around here and you switch between euphoria and grief at the twitch of an eye. That is the serious sign of a man in love with a woman and you should do something about it. "
 "I assure you Sir, I will." Nathaniel stood to leave. "And this time, make sure you don't make her cry during the process."

 "Oh no Sir, I won't have her crying ever again if I can help it."

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She calls Tripping Prince Charming, A Modern Fairytale #romance

What is your opinion of book reviews?

Honestly,  to me they are the epitome of giving candy to a child...I love candy.

Check out my newest piece from an avid reader.

I enjoyed this book with the 3 interwoven love stories. My favorite character, Lillie-Rose, reminded me of many women I know and she felt like a truly believable person.

I found  myself rooting for the guys more than the girls and was very surprised by some of the honest dialogue that the male characters had.
 It was refreshing and gave me hope. The historical aspects placed strategically throughout the book were informative as well as entertaining. All in all Tripping Prince Charming was a great read. I always enjoy a grown-up and modern fairy tale. Ey Wade, I look forward to more titles from you in the future and will be going back to read your other works as well. Thank you for sharing your characters with the world!Yes,I love candy
Kindle, Smashwords , Sony or Kobo, Scribed
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You Need a Little Love in Your Life #romance #trippingprincecharming

How do you handle it when your best friend thinks she knows exactly what you need in life?
Often, and without our knowledge, friends see our love life and relationships as a playing field that they control. Ivy gets a kick out of pretending she's the world's best matchmaker.

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Every time she looked in Lillie-Rose's direction, Ivy smiled. She couldn't wait for her cynical friend to meet Nathaniel.
Within the few weeks she'd come to know him, she knew he was the guy for Lillie-Rose. They had the same critical sense of humor, but that was where the similarity disappeared, Where Lillie-Rose pretended to be tough, Nathaniel was the epitome of the protective dependable male. Just what Lillie-Rose needed, a prince who would stand by her side and be the husband she'd always secretly wanted? Lillie-Rose walked around the flower shop tinkering with the small items on the shelves. The frequent sideways glance she was receiving from her friend was making her a little nervous. "What are you smiling about Ivy? Each time I've looked up, you're looking at me and smiling. Is it Bernard? Are you so in love you can't see anything but rainbows and butterflies? The love bug has surely eaten a hunk out of you."

Ivy laughed. "I guess you could say that. It's funny, but I see the potential for love all around."

"I'm sure you do. From the gushy phone calls I was getting from you and Carmella, you both seem to have cornered the market while I was away these past three weeks."
 "If you only knew the half of it, you would want to be a part of the love fest." Lillie-Rose chuckled nervously. The gleam in her friend's eyes that she had mistakenly labeled love, now shone for what it really was the freakin', painfully conniving glare of the match maker. "I'll learn it from watching the two of you. Not everyone in life needs to experience love, Ivy."

 "Ah, but Lee you'll miss so much." Trying to ignore her friend's look of enthusiasm, Lillie-Rose focused her vision on what was in her hand and almost choked. She hurriedly replaced the small statue of a couple kissing, onto the shelf before moving away to sit on the edge of the desk. "Looks like you're up to something, Ivy and I don't like it." Pointing her finger in her friend's direction, she squint her left eye. "If you're about to pull one of your famous match-making fails, stop right now."

"Come-on Lee, just think..."

Lillie-Rose immediately shut her mind to what her friend was saying. The last thing she wanted to be was ‘fixed up' with another one of Ivy's date rejects. Especially when her every free, thinking space of her mind was filled with the image of a beautiful knight standing under a tree.

 For three weeks she'd prepared files, succeeded in balancing accounts for clients, all of the time chewing her nails in anticipation for her return home so she could finally question Ivy about the beautiful man on the mountain. If anyone would know anything it would be Ivy. Just the thought made her smile, her fantasy interrupted by the sudden squealing peal of Ivy's voice.

 "What? What happened?"
 "Oh Lee, you don't know how happy this makes me. You won't regret it."
 I'm regretting it already and I don't even know what I've done."

 "You agreed to meet a friend of mine. He should be…."

"No, I didn't." Lillie-Rose's quick denial was brushed aside by Ivy's infectious giggle.

Yes, you did. I was telling you about him and you were smiling and nodding…"

"No, stop. We're not going through that kind of thing again."

"Wait, before we get into the conversation, I have to run to the back. It won't take me a minute. You think you can watch the shop until I get back?"

"Not a problem."

"There might be, Branson and the stupid brothers will be here to drop off a delivery. Try to get them to bring the load to the greenhouse. I've been having a lot of issues with my thick headed brothers, but I know you can make Branson see the way."
 "Will do." Lillie-Rose agreed happily, she'd do anything to get her friend out of the room and off the subject of a possible blind date. "I'll just sit behind the desk and rest, but don't take too long. I came here straight from the airport because I have something I wanted to ask you."

 "Okay, I just have to grab a couple of things."she hurriedly left the room. From the vantage point she'd had on the opposite side of the flower shop, she was privy to the view directly outside the building's windows. The sight of Nathaniel parking his truck was the catalyst she needed to get her little plan on the roll. :-a

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She calls Tripping Prince Charming, A Modern Fairytale #romance

What is your opinion of book reviews?

Honestly,  to me they are the epitome of giving candy to a child...I love candy.

Check out my newest piece from an avid reader.

I enjoyed this book with the 3 interwoven love stories. My favorite character, Lillie-Rose, reminded me of many women I know and she felt like a truly believable person.

I found  myself rooting for the guys more than the girls and was very surprised by some of the honest dialogue that the male characters had.
 It was refreshing and gave me hope. The historical aspects placed strategically throughout the book were informative as well as entertaining. All in all Tripping Prince Charming was a great read. I always enjoy a grown-up and modern fairy tale. Ey Wade, I look forward to more titles from you in the future and will be going back to read your other works as well. Thank you for sharing your characters with the world!Yes,I love candy

Read More

Release Day-Tripping Prince Charming

Thank you so much for visiting the site on the premier of Tripping Prince Charming.

Tripping Prince Charming is all about romance and the excitement of falling in love ... when the women aren't trying to run the hunt. 1~No baby mama drama, no drugs, and no bang bang shoot'em up. Just boy meets girl, good old sexual tension, and sweet romance like the great American love story should be told. 2~ No, this is no ordinary tale. Written in acts and scenes, each scene is written with a particular girl in mind and they may crossover and join one another. The main characters have their special avatars and each couple has a theme/favorite song. Watch for the signs and the road will be easy to travel. TRIPPING PRINCE CHARMING. <- get your copy. Three strong, independent women with no time for romance or girlish notions of knights in shining armor, meet their match in three lovestruck men determined to make them believe in Prince Charming and happily ever after.

So, kick off those glass slippers, grab your copy and enjoy yourself. Stay tuned for prizes and giveaways.

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Drinking Coffee Makes You Black

Nathaniel smiled softly as he watched Lillie-Rose cuddling up to Ms. Rose Esther, Ms. Rose E as she preferred to be called. The two sat on a rose patterned loveseat flicking through photo albums and sharing history. Lillie-Rose with one arm draped around the older woman's shoulders was obviously whispering words of comfort, every once in a while using the tissue in her hand to wipe the tears sliding down the old woman's chunky cheeks. It saddened him a little to realize the old lady barely recognized him from the few trips he had made to do errands around her little house. They'd spent many hours talking about Lillie-Rose and she was one of the main people to influence his feelings for the girl. Blowing air hard to untangle some of the stale mixture of the mothball/rose potpourri odor from the hairs of his nostrils, he lifted the steaming cup of coffee to his lips, the action causing him to chuckle with the remembrance of Rose Esther's remark when she put the cup in front of him. "Drink this slow, boy. Coffee makes you black and I don't want you to die from the culture shock." Her loud burst of laughter was the tickle to his funny bone and he laughed along with her. "Too late Ms. Rose E, I was born Black." "Sure you were boy. You just have way more cream in your coffee than either of us." She grabbed Lillie Rose by the hand. ‘This girl here didn't take any of the color from her lovely Momma. Just the hair and the beauty, thank God she took her giving sweet nature from her momma. You'll be doing yourself the best favor in life if you marry this girl, Son." Ms. Rose pointed her tubby finger in his direction. "Let her go and you'll be a fool regrettin' your existence for the rest of your life. If she had turned into anything like that evil, ‘scuse my French, bastard like her dad, I would've drowned her in the bathtub. You ‘member I used to keep you as a baby Lillie-Rose?" She caressed her hands down both sides of Lillie-Rose's cheeks. "She named you after me, you know. I used to talk to you in her belly. Calling you my lil rose. I used kept your mom too when she was little and when that charcoal fool came around sniffing at her like she was the last piece os sweet bread, I wanted to cut his tiny over cooked little weiner off." Her abrupt burst of laughter invited them to join in. "Y'all can laugh, but he was just color struck. Wanted him a high yella gal with pretty hair so he good parade her around like a trophy or somethin'. And when he got her, what did he do? Smack her around damned near to death. I used to be so glad when you would sleep over with that sweet Ivy and her cousin. Real nice family. They helped your mom out a lot, but that's another story. I wanna get this talk about that mess with all those White people over with. To me, that riot was one of the worst things to happen in Beaumont. I was about eight or nine. Horrible, horrible days. My ma was never the same. She was scared all of the time. Wouldn't let us girls outta the house for nuthin'. She wouldn't even go out to hang laundry. Heard tell a couple little girls came up missing, I don't know if thats true though. But I do know them people burned down some mighty fine houses and stores. Black people worked hard for that stuff. Weren't easy for us to get ahead and some people had done real good and they lost a lot. Daddy hid for a few days in the attack and Ma had to tell the men who came to the door that he was gone. They spit in her face and shot our dogs. My oldest brother was twelve years old and he was never right in the head after they attacked him when he went to save a puppy. Forever after, all he wanted to do was kill him some people. My parents finally sent him to Louisiana to live with my Momo. I missed him a lot. Eventually, he went in her woods and killed himself." Sighing deeply, Rose-Esther stopped talking for a moment. "Let's talk about something different. I'm really glad you're doing this book for me, Sweetie." Patting Lillie-Rose on the back of her hand, she smiled. "In my old age I can barely remember my present let alone the past. My past I would like to forget. That's the same thing I want for you in life Lillie-Rose Esther." She called the younger woman by her full name, a sure sign she was getting tired and slipping into her memories. Pulling Lillie-Rose close to her chest she whispered in her ears. "I want you to give this man a chance, girl. I've talked to him many times and I can tell he loves you to the bone. You've made one mistake in life, don't act a fool and let him get away. It would be your biggest mistake."

Before you leave, please take some time to do this…

Write down a couple of quick notes for:

Ways this post or blog held or lost your attention.

Is there a way I can enchance it visually?

Did you find any interest in the featured book?

What social network would be best for you to share this information?

I'd love it if you told me your answers in the comments below so I can know how to serve my readers.

Would you like to read a sample of my writings in other genres? Download a free copy of, " WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES" At Smashwords HERE Put in code: MP63V

Read More