MISCELLANEOUS BLUES is a book which some readers are calling the hottest novel since WAITING TO EXHALE. It’s an explosive book about sisterhood, love, and betrayal! Sisterhood is one of the strongest bonds that women can have. The relationship between sisters is a complex, albeit loving one. Even though these sisters can fight hard, they tend to love even harder. In MISCELLANEOUS BLUES, you’ll get to explore this intricate relationship of sisters Cookie, Victoria, Mya, and Lola. They call themselves “The Dexter Divas” and pride themselves on always being there for each other. Cookie is trying to keep her marriage on track after her husband throws a curveball in their “perfect marriage.” Victoria is trying to lose weight off her body as well as dead weight in a slacker live-in boyfriend. Mya is determined to get her “married boyfriend” to divorce his wife and finally marry her. And Lola, the baby of the family, is finally trying to move past the violent death of her son’s father and allow love into her life again.
They don’t always see eye to eye but these sisters realize that through all of life’s drama, they can always depend on each other for strength. These Dexter Divas know that no matter what, sisterhood is forever. MISCELLANEOUS BLUES will give you a chance to live vicariously through The Dexter Divas as these sisters help each other through their relationships, marriages, and careers. You will become so engrossed in the lives of these sisters that it will feel like you are actually part of the Dexter family.
Excerpt:
I immediately ran downstairs to get some boxes so I could start evicting Jacob. I also found some old clear storage containers that I had bought from Target a couple of years ago. The rest of his clothes were just going to have to go in some extra trash bags that I had stuffed in the closet.
I didn’t go into Bernadine mode from Waiting to Exhale and just start burning Jacob’s stuff out in the front yard. I was definitely pissed at Jacob, but truth be told I was more pissed at myself for being a fool for so long. But I was about to put all my PISSTIVITY to an end, if that’s even a word. I gathered Jacob’s books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, photo albums and everything else that I could squeeze into the containers and boxes.
I picked up my stereo remote and blasted Rihanna’s ‘Take a Bow’ as I kept stuffing Jacob’s clothes into trash bags. I started singing along with major attitude. Every time Rihanna sang another verse, I started singing louder. I didn’t even care that I was singing off-key. Finally, I let Rihanna finish the rest of the song as I kept packing.
My back and thighs started to sweat so I took off my shirt and capris and threw them on the pile of clothes hanging on the back of my unused treadmill.
I marched upstairs in just my bra and panties and started yanking Jacob’s clothes, coats and shoes out of our closets. I opened a large green trash bag and started cramming as much of his stuff as I could put in there. Two hours and forty-five minutes later, I felt relieved. I put my clothes back on and plopped down on the sofa. I looked around the living room. Fourteen boxes. Eleven storage containers and twenty three Hefty trash bags. The UPS man should be here any minute to pick up Jacob’s stuff. I didn’t mind paying the expensive UPS price to get Jacob’s stuff out because I just wanted this to be over. I didn’t want his stuff sitting here if he decided to show up because he would probably get ornery and just start unpacking it right in front of me.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Thank God it was the UPS man.
“So, you got some stuff that I need to ship for you?”
“Yeah, come on in.”
“Okay.” He looked around my cluttered living room and was probably wondering what the hell was going on.
“Well, here are the things I need to be shipped,” I said, pointing to all the stuff I had been packing up for the last three hours.
“Not a problem. Where is all this stuff going?” he asked curiously.
“My ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend’s house.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, I know. It sounds like some Jerry Springer mess. I just want his stuff out of my house before he comes back home.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you with your…ex-boyfriend.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry too,” I mumbled. Thirty minutes later, the UPS man was putting the last load of things into the truck when Jacob came strolling through the front door. He took off his socks and shoes and started smirking. “What’s up, boo,” Jacob said, swatting me on my behind.
I gritted my teeth and rolled my eyes. “I can’t believe you got the nerve to come gallivanting up in here at 11:00 in the morning.”
Jacob got right in my face and licked my lips. I could smell the cognac on his breath. “I already told you how it was going down. Don’t act brand new on me, baby.”
“Ugh,” I shrieked, wiping my lips frantically. “Don’t lick me, kiss me, or touch me!”
“Why? You know you like it,” he said, squeezing my butt and nibbling on my neck.
“I just want you to get your things and get out,” I screamed. “The UPS man is almost done taking all of your junk out of my house.”
Jacob ran to the front door and watched the driver close the UPS truck door. “What the hell is going on, Victoria? What did dude just load up in that truck?”
“What you think, fool? Don’t act brand new on me, baby!” I said, mocking him.
Jacob lunged forward at me, but at the sound of the driver starting up the truck, I guess he changed his mind. So like an idiot, Jacob started chasing the truck down the street. He looked like a plum fool wearing a wife-beater, blue-jeans with no socks or shoes running after a UPS truck. “Hey, playa! Stop that truck! Yo, bruh! Hold up! That’s my stuff on that truck! Wait!”
The driver sped up and took off down the street, enveloping Jacob in a cloud of dust.
When Jacob’s baggy pants started falling down as he was running after the truck, I couldn’t hold my laughter in any longer. I was doubled over, clutching my stomach watching Jacob chase the truck down the street.
I guess common sense must have finally hit Jacob because he stopped running after the truck and turned back toward our house. A few of the neighbors came out on their front porch to see what the ruckus was about. A couple of them were even pointing and laughing. Our neighborhood was pretty quiet most of the time so Jacob’s shenanigans were obviously the highlight of everyone’s day. I know he had to be thoroughly embarrassed. As he came running back toward the house, I scurried back into the house and locked the door. I knew if I let Jacob back into the house, we would have a huge fight and it would probably turn physical. He would just have to find his way back to Shonqueesha’s house, barefoot and all.
Erica L. Crump is a storyteller that loves to make characters come alive. She is truly excited about writing books that inspire, encourage, and entertain her readers. She has been an avid reader and writer since she was a child. Once Erica discovered Judy Blume novels in her school library, her love for reading and writing became insatiable. As a child, her dream careers were becoming a lawyer, a judge, a teacher, a writer, and a newscaster. Even back then, she believed that she could be a phenomenal, renaissance woman. Erica understands that she has been created for such a time as this and believes that this is her season to share her writing with the world.
After teaching elementary and middle school students for over ten years, Erica decided to take a leap of faith and complete her debut novel. To her dismay, she received ninety-five rejection letters from agents and publishers. Undaunted, she took the bull by the horns, launched JX Enterprises and published the novel herself. A native of Oak Park, Michigan, and a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Erica currently resides in Michigan with her son, Joshua, and is excitedly working on her next novel.
Get to Know:
1. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Erica L. Crump and I am the author of the explosive novel, MISCELLANEOUS BLUES. I am a storyteller that loves to make characters come alive. I am truly excited about writing books that inspire, encourage, and entertain my readers. I have been an avid reader and writer since I was a child. Once I discovered Judy Blume novels in my school library, my love for reading and writing became insatiable.
After graduating from Howard University and teaching elementary and middle school students for over ten years, I decided to take a leap of faith and complete my debut novel. To my dismay, I received ninety-five rejection letters from agents and publishers. Undaunted, I took the bull by the horns, launched JX Enterprises and published the novel myself.
2. How long have you been writing?
I’ve actually been writing since I was a child. I have always had a very over-active imagination and always had to put my thoughts on paper somehow….whether it was a journal, short story or poetry. Over the years, I have started many stories but never finished them. But I am SO proud that I saw this particular novel through to the end! MISCELLANEOUS BLUES is the first book that I have actually completed…and it is definitely filled with drama, love and laughter!
3. What’s the easiest and hardest part about writing a novel?
Wow! The easiest part and the most fun is when ideas simply flow. I get so excited when I get ideas that flow like water…whether it’s book titles, character names, story lines. That’s the absolute best!
Hmmm, the hardest part is disciplining myself to actually organize the thoughts that sometimes overpower my brain. Sometimes I have so many thoughts running through my mind, I don’t know where to start! So I definitely have to make a conscious decision to come up with an organizational strategy so I can properly tell a story.
4. Please tell us about your book and why you think people should read it?
MISCELLANEOUS BLUES is a book which some readers are calling the hottest novel since WAITING TO EXHALE. It’s an explosive book about sisterhood, love, and betrayal! Sisterhood is one of the strongest bonds that women can have. The relationship between sisters is a complex, albeit loving one. Even though these sisters can fight hard, they tend to love even harder. In MISCELLANEOUS BLUES, you’ll get to explore this intricate relationship of sisters Cookie, Victoria, Mya, and Lola. They call themselves “The Dexter Divas” and pride themselves on always being there for each other. Cookie is trying to keep her marriage on track after her husband throws a curveball in their “perfect marriage.” Victoria is trying to lose weight off her body as well as dead weight in a slacker live-in boyfriend. Mya is determined to get her “married boyfriend” to divorce his wife and finally marry her. And Lola, the baby of the family, is finally trying to move past the violent death of her son’s father and allow love into her life again.
They don’t always see eye to eye but these sisters realize that through all of life’s drama, they can always depend on each other for strength. These Dexter Divas know that no matter what, sisterhood is forever. MISCELLANEOUS BLUES will give you a chance to live vicariously through The Dexter Divas as these sisters help each other through their relationships, marriages, and careers. You will become so engrossed in the lives of these sisters that it will feel like you are actually part of the Dexter family.
5. What are your plans for the future?
I would love to see MISCELLANEOUS BLUES made into a movie! As I was writing my novel, I could actually see the scenes playing out on a movie screen. I already have the entire cast written down in my notebook also! I am speaking it into existence so I have faith that it will happen at the appointed time.
6. Is there anything else you’d like to share? I really love connecting with my readers. So please visit my website to keep abreast of what’s going on in my world: www.ericacrump.com I can also be reached on Facebook (Author Erica Crump) and Twitter (ericacrump)
Buy Book link: http://www.amazon.com/
author link: http://www.ericacrump.com/