No Wedding No Womb Launch Campaign PSA

No Wedding, No Womb Launch Campaign PSA -
September 22, 2010 from Courage Network on Vimeo.

Founded by Christelyn Karazin, No Wedding, No Womb is a new initiative that will be used to help empower African American women to take responsibility for their bodies and say no to unwanted pregnancies through education and awareness. Broken homes contributes to many social epidemics including domestic violence. The campaign will help address many social issues, particularly in the African American community. The campaign launches September 22, 2010 with the support of approximately 100 bloggers across the internet.

www.noweddingnowomb.com

I'm excited and honored to be one of the 100 bloggers taking part in this online movement to speak out about this crisis affecting African American children. Look for my written contribution on September 22nd!

~Angela Nichelle

Transitions...

August is just about over and I really don't know where the summer went, but it's disappearing fast. Autumn is my favorite time of year though, so I'm looking forward to the heat wave coming to an end. I'm sure that's still a few weeks off, but I've already seen some yellow-hued leaves on the trees. There's so much going on with both of my kids heading off to school, I'm dragging behind in everything it seems. I know things will settle into a comfortable pattern in a few weeks. I've just gotta keep my sanity until then. Wish me luck!

~AN

Friends in Cyberspace!

(photo by clix)

I'm a bit of a loner. I think a lot of writers are, but as an author I force myself to reach out. To make contacts and maintain a visible profile on various social media outlets. I used to fret about what to say or share, until I realized every single post or tweet doesn't have to be profound. It just has to be me. Simple right?

Well, it has gotten easier and now I appreciate networking. I'm actually GLAD to be a part of internet social circles. When I first joined these sites, I never expected to make new friends. I may never meet some of them face to face...hell, I may not ever SEE their face, but that doesn't matter. 

Call me crazy, but I'm thankful for my internet buds that have encouraged me, offered suggestions on my WIP's and listened to my frustrations as a writer. I hope I've been as helpful to them as they've been to me.

You guys know who you are, thank you!

~AN

I'm Hooked on my Nook!

I'm an avid reader. I simply adore reading books. Love stories, horror, thriller, fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, chick-lit...OK, you get the idea. I love holding paperback books in my hand, touching the glossy cover, flipping through the pages as slip into my latest literary escape. So, I'll admit I was a little skeptical on just HOW much I would enjoy using an e-reader. I questioned whether I really needed to buy one. I told myself, I didn't really need one, but I still wanted one.

As an author of e-books, I decided I had to at least be aware of the technology I'm expecting my readers to use to enjoy my stories. So, I researched them all. My husband was convinced I should get the Ipad.

What a beautiful device. So many apps and endless possibilities, but I didn't want a multitude of apps or possibilities. I simply wanted the very best e-reader for my needs...or wants.

The Ipad e-reader display was just like reading on my computer. Definitely, not what I wanted since I stare at the computer screen all night. Although, beautiful and useful to many around the world, the Ipad was not for me.

On to the Kindle and Nook. Both devices have e-ink. I liked the Kindle display, but when I held the Nook in my hands, I fell in love. The colored screen at the bottom, the ease of use and beautiful design won me over. I was in the middle of reading a paperback book when my husband surprised me with my Nook for our anniversary and I haven't been back.

I've already read over 5 e-books that I've been planning to get to on my computer whenever I had a free moment from writing. A free moment to do nothing, but simply read. Those rare moments hardly happened and now I'm so excited to have a device that is easy and fun to use. The screen is so clear it's like reading a book. Except this e-reader can bookmark, enlarge font and remember the spot I last stop reading automatically!

I believe e-books are going to continue to explode in the marketplace and with readers around the world. If you haven't looked at e-reader, you should. I'm not sure I'll ever buy a paperback book again. I'm saving trees and discovering new and old authors all over again.

~AN

From the Beginning to The End...

"The End," there's nothing like writing those two words at the end of a story. After months of writing, plotting, editing and re-editing a WIP, it's such a relief to finally be done. And yet, I always feel a little lost after I've submitted the work. It's hard letting go of the characters that have consumed your world for so many months. I've taken almost a week off from writing and now I'm ready to start my next story. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in my current project. I need the creative distraction as I await word from the publisher!

Now, I just have to decide which story to tell. I've got several tempting ideas. I think I'll let the characters in my head duke it out. The loudest heroine's voice wins! I will set up a very brief plot outline and dig in. I love the slight uncertainty of how the book will shift and change as the story unfolds while I write. Most of all I just love being creative. I'm so happy I've found another way to express myself and my passion for, well, passion, love and romance!

~AN

(photo courtesy of Kriss Szkurlatowski)

Love Unrealized by Angela Nichelle Bradley

photo by Nyuszika

When you look at me
I want you to see
the beautiful woman
you once had

The woman who gave you
all she had to offer of herself
and more

So much more

When you look at me
I want you to see the body
you held in your embrace

An embrace that forever changed my world

When you look at me I want you to see the tears

Hiding behind my eyelids

The tears are for me and my pain but they should be for you

You lost my love without realizing you were loved

Open your eyes,

See me -

See me walk away from you

Forever


~Dedicated to a very special friend~

Christmas in July!

I can't believe how fast this year is flying by! We're half way through 2010! What a year it has been for me as a mom, wife and writer! I still can't believe my son will be going to Kindergarten in the fall and my daughter will head off to preschool. My babes are growing up fast!

July is a special month! I'm looking forward to celebrating my sixth wedding anniversary with my husband on the 11th! I love him more now than I did when we first married. I think the love grows stronger and deeper as the years past. All of our experiences together whether good or challenging have tempered the love between us. My husband is truly my champion when it comes to my writing and I can't express how much that means to me.

I thought I'd celebrate Christmas in July with an excerpt from my holiday story, A Christmas for Carol which can be found in Noble Romance's Winter Kisses Anthology. This sweet short story flowed like magic when I was writing it and I think it captures the essence of the holiday season. Enjoy!

"This is for you.”

Carol stared at the beautifully wrapped gift with surprise. “Grant . . . .”

"Just open it.” He flipped on the overhead light.

Her heart hammered as she yanked off the red ribbon and lifted the box top to reveal an exquisite gold chain with a delicate charm. The little coffee cup sparkled with tiny diamonds. “It's beautiful!” Carol gasped. “I can't believe you got me a gift. Thank you. I love it!” On impulse she leaned over to give him a quick peck on the cheek, but Grant pulled her in closer. He tasted like cinnamon as he deepened the kiss, brushing his lips slowly across hers. Pulling off her hat, he laced his fingers through her hair, holding her in place as he teased and tasted every inch of her mouth.

Carol whimpered, overwhelmed by her need for him. Desire ignited and raged through her body as he caressed her tongue with deliciously deliberate strokes. She raised her hand to touch his beard, loving the way the short hairs tickled her fingers. Her craving for him was undeniable. She wanted to let go and give herself over to the feelings rushing through her as he massaged her scalp.

Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe it was time to let her heart feel something other than pain and guilt.

He pulled away, leaving her lips throbbing and tingling. Neither of them spoke for a few seconds, the hum of the heater the only sound in the truck.

Grant stared out the window at the snow falling more heavily on the windshield. “There's something between us, Carol. Something I've never felt before with any woman and I know you feel it, too."

Carol loosened her scarf, still frazzled from his kiss and her own chaotic emotions.

“I know we’ve only been on one date—“

“Three.” Carol corrected him, blushing when she saw the triumphant look on his face.

“I know. I was just checking to see if you were counting our lunch dates. I feel like I already know so much about you and I still want to spend more time with you.”

Carol shook her head. “We hardly know each other.”

Grant looked at her. “That's not true. I know you're a morning person. I know you like cream and sugar in your coffee. I know you like to wear the color yellow. I know you don't like to wear a lot of make-up. I know you obsess over tiny details at your job. I know you like to laugh. I know holiday music makes you crazy.”

Carol looked at him in shock until she couldn't see him because of the tears in her eyes again. “Stop. Stop!”

Grant grabbed her hand. “I can't, because I want to know more. I know you've been through something tragic and life changing. I understand that, but I have to know if I even have a chance with you.”

Carol wiped her tears. “Grant . . . .” She wanted to admit there was something between them. She'd felt it the first day he walked into her café all those months ago.

Grant lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Don't think this is just about the smokin' sexual chemistry we have, because I want more than just your naked body under mine. I want a chance at your heart.”

Read A Christmas for Carol in Noble Romance's Winter Kisses Anthology today!
Click here to purchase!