“Family Ties” by Maxx Kilbourne

Synopsis:

Even though Spelman-educated Riley Gammons had proven herself as a tough-as-nails leader in corporate America, the mortality of a sick child is more than she can handle. Fear fills her icy veins for the first time. The usually strong-willed woman questions every move she’s ever made as baby Kelly suffers in an incubator. Riley is forced to choose between her spouse, and maternal family as a child abuse investigation unfolds. Riley finds herself alone, pushed into a corner by paranoia and maligned loyalty. She’s faced with questions of fidelity, allegiance, and trust. Her husband Jody, fresh from the arms of another woman, has questions of his own.

Jody Gammons was a fallen hero. His past grievances were well-documented legends, but few thought he’d hurt a child, until doctors suggested otherwise. When questions of paternity swarm the Gammons household, Jody becomes the prime suspect in a case of infantile child abuse, until an unlikely suspect appears.

Like many men in his position, Jody claims innocence and fights the charges with every breath. As the story unfolds Jody discovers the true colors of people he claimed to know well, his wife, mother-in-law, favorite cousin, and his side-piece all have secrets he never imagined. One secret threatened his sanity, one challenged his manhood, and one forced him to choose between the law and family. Knowledge of each secret filled his mind with vengeance, guilt and sorrow. Each plagued his thoughts with anger, each compounded the stress of his primary concern, the health of his infant daughter, Kelly Gammons.

Maxx Kilbourne’s gripping, emotionally layered novel of family drama explores the seductive and damaging nature of loyalty. Love and honor, trust and deception, and mortality—all come to a head in this compelling drama of karma and Family Ties.

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About the author:

Maxx Kilbourne is one of the most versatile young urban writers in America today. He’s the author of 5 critically acclaimed books, including the popular crime story, “Unraveled.” Maxx Kilbourne’s novels are as diverse as the man himself, spanning the genres of Drama, Historical Fiction, Street Fiction, and Erotica.

Maxx gained notoriety for his ability to write dramatic dialogue without profanity through the use of clever word play and realistic sequences. Although his latest novel, “Family Ties” incorporates four-letter words, it’s as cleverly written as his previous works.

Maxx has been featured in Rolling Out Magazine, The Source Magazine, the Detroit News, Conversations Magazine, in addition to several other print and broadcast outlets.

Maxx is a native Detroiter currently residing in Houston, Texas. Maxx is a husband, father of three and proud graduate of Western Governor’s University, where he earned an MBA of Business Management and Strategy. For more information visit www.maxxkilbourne.com

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Excerpt

“Family Ties” by Maxx Kilbourne

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/134374034

“Young?” Horniness got the best of me. “I’m sorry Cheryl, but I need something to fuck, preferably young and adventurous. Need a woman in my arms and a warm pussy in my lap. I want something to grab-on, something that moans and sweats, I need that raw shit Cheryl. Something to tug and toss around. It’s been so long since I’ve felt a soft thigh, or the excitement of seeing an ass for the first time. I need it.”

“Listen” Cheryl answered, “You’re jeopardizing our friendship at this point. I’ll always be a shoulder to cry on, but I’m not a trick. There’s no way I’m fucking you Jay, you’re MARRIED! Cheaters hurt more than a marriage, they devastate kids. Can you live with that?”

“No. But I can’t live with blue-balls either, a man has needs. If Riley screwed me from time-to-time my nuts wouldn’t be scrubbing the ground, and just maybe this misery would pass. So look, . . -What’s up with your roommate?” Cheryl took a deep breath before blurting a phone number, “Three-four-five. … “

“Girl NOO!” the roommate complained, “My sister pays for that phone, use the other number.”

Cheryl asked one last question after sharing the digits, it was weird and unexpected, but unimportant at the time. “Do you have any relatives I can talk to? A man? From the city?”

“Huh? Nah” I answered. “Not down here.”

“Oh. Thought you might’ve had a visitor, never mind.” At that point I should’ve known something was wrong, but its hard to think with sex on the brain.

A few minutes later shit got real. After a short conversation and cell-phone picture I found myself exiting the highway and entering a Westin Hotel parking lot. The chick refused to send a head-shot but the body was enough, her ass-shot sealed the deal. Besides, I only wanted curves to hug and a hole to punch, her face didn’t matter. A second photo arrived as I backed into a parking space, giving me an immediate erection. It grew harder as an incoming call from Riley flashed across the screen.

“What’s wrong now” I answered, my dick thumping the steering wheel.

“Besides your attitude? Nothing” she replied. “Momma taking the kids to Birmingham, to see big-ma.”

“Whatever, is that clown going?”

“She said they broke up.”

“Okay” I replied, unwilling to rehash a recurring conversation. “Whatever. . . .” I paused, knowing the next statement would start a fight. “My visa didn’t work last night, . . . and a charger is missing from my desk.”

“And? My phone doesn’t use your charger Jody, and that credit card is probably demagnetized, again.”

“I know. But I. . . I found the charger in your momma’s room. This shit has to stop.. . . . Okay?”

“Gotta go” she mumbled in typical Riley fashion. Always running from conversations about her mom. She never had time to talk. Somehow, the woman I loved for her sacrifice, was busy, all the time. She had no idea where I was, or what I was doing, I was certain she didn’t care. Even more reason to fuck somebody else.

It took several minutes to convince the desk attendant I didn’t have identification, the first to two red flags. The middle aged woman shot an evil frown of disgust when I left a key for a nameless woman wearing a teal dress. Didn’t matter much, my dick and I had one mission, a mission no one was going to ruin. Both of us ignored the woman’s nasty smirk, and our wedding vows to Riley.

As I entered the elevator my wedding band fell into a pocket, the first time it left my hands in years, I was all in. After leaving five newly minted one-hundred dollar bills on a night stand, I dimmed the lights and shut the curtains. To calm my nerves I sat in the Jacuzzi, but the heat heightened my anxiety. Reminded me of game day. Nervousness took made me giddy as a kid awaiting Christmas. My heart raced and I couldn’t wait to rip into the young girls’ pretty ass.

‘Click-click. ‘I swallowed hard as the door lock disengaged and my new fuck buddy walked in. Afraid to make eye contact, I turned my back to the door. Jacuzzi bubbles ticked my balls, nearly causing orgasm as my dick jerked from left to right, growing larger and stiffer as perfume entered the air. The anonymous girl moved silently through the room as a stealth warrior, not making a sound except the gentle thud of clothes hitting the floor. Danielle Steele couldn’t describe the tension inside my loins or sexually-charged atmosphere we created. It was the start of a great sex-capade, until the money was counted.

“Won, two, tree, fo-.” The girl quickly distinguished herself from the well-read Cheryl. The girls’ voice was sweet, but her delivery was crude. She was hood. Like a dice-game in the projects hood. But her hands were soft and her body was warm. “Imma’ rock yo’ world” she whispered. Her hands gently rubbed shoulders and forced my eyes closed. Tiny, soft fingers massaged my back and pushed me towards orgasm, it was the greatest touch I felt in years, far better than Riley’s, from what I remembered.

“Baby, what’s your name?”

“My dance name is Mary Jayne, but people call me Mary.” Two bullet sized nipples pressed the back of my neck, teasing and tantalizing my skin. I lowered my head and took a deep breath before turning to see the goods. Mid-turn my body celebrated as it prepared to devour young flesh, my eyes bulged to see pert titties, I was ready, willing, and eager to partake the devils pie. . .

-Instead.

The last woman I’d ever want to touch stood before me. My penis deflated as her head cocked sideways our eyes met.

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Author Q&A

1. Tell us the story behind the story. How did “Family Ties” come to be?

I was walking through the new Children’s Hospital in Birmingham Alabama and I saw a man crying like a baby, but he wasn’t childlike at all. His face held pain I’d never seen before, it was rage, but it wasn’t violent. It was hopeless and contagious. I only saw him for a few seconds but it really opened my mind to the prospect of a sick child. I sat in the lobby and wrote the outline ten minutes after seeing him.

2. What was the most challenging aspect of writing Family Ties?

Holding the pain I saw in that man’s eyes was a challenge. It was so real that it bothered me and kept me in a dark place while I wrote. That was tough. The image is virtually burned into my brain.

3. What is the message you want readers to take away from your book?

It takes time to destroy your life. It takes a conscious effort to ruin a marriage or throw your life away. The characters in “Family Ties” had many chances to fix their lives, but they constantly made mistakes. They consciously made bad decisions. I guess the most important message this story has is to TAKE YOUR TIME in life. Made good choices and stay away from impulsive decisions.

4. Black Lives Matter? Or All Lives Matter?

The politically correct answer is “All Lives Matter” but I’m all for the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Of course everyone is important in this world, but the lives of Black people has been discounted since slavery. We were 3/5 of a human back then, I’m not sure what we are now. The general disrespect shown towards Black people in this country needs to change, so yes, I’m team #BlackLivesMatter

5. What books are on your nightstand? What are you currently reading?

On my shelf right now is “Animal” by K’wan, “Easier Said Than Done” By Nikki Woods, and “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein.

6. Favorite Authors?

Claude Mckay is my favorite, hands down. I also enjoy Walter Mosley and Nikki Giovanni.

7. What are you working on now?

Television pilot. Trying to get a deal, keep ya’ fingers crossed for me!

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Find the author/ buy the book

Novel Website

http://www.familytiesnovel.com

Book Trailer

https://vimeo.com/134374034