Nostalgia....

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore

But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore

But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days...

I know I'm the not the only one who remembers this song, or who feels this way.

I regret ever saying (or even thinking),  "I can't wait until I'm grown!" when I was a teenager.

It seems like yesterday when I would sit outside on the front porch, thinking how much better my life would be once I got my own place and got out of my strict mama's house. Now, as a mother of two (a 15 yr. old son who turns 16 next month and a 10-going-on-30 yr. old daughter), and a husband-who acts like one of my kid's sometimes- I would give anything to go back to those days where my only concern or responsibility was to do the dishes when it was my turn, clean up my room, and do my homework. After those things were done, I had nothing else to do other than walk back and forth to the corner store for Icee's and chips and lie across my bed reading Sweet Valley Twin's books. I did get a  job when I turned 16, but I worked by choice, not because I had to.

Fast forward 20 yrs. and now if I look like I'm relaxing for even a minute, my kid's always seem to find a way to make me have to get up off the couch and tend to them. It's true- a woman's/mother's work in NEVER complete. My daughter thinks she should be able to do any & everything her big brother does and when I tell her she can't, the first thing she says is, "I can't wait until I'm older!"

If she knew like I do, she wouldn't be in any hurry to grow up...

Addicted Movie Review **SPOILER ALERT**

**SPOILER ALERT**

I really don't know where to start so I'm just going to dive in. I think I read Addicted before, but it was so long ago I actually forgot most of it. Luckily, I came across the book a few weeks ago on Amazon for .99 cents. I wanted to read it so I cold get re-acquainted with the plot before the movie came out and I wouldn't be totally lost. If you've ever read a Zane novel, you already knew there was going to be some sexing going on and you know how most movies have watered down sex scenes? (ex- in Breaking Dawn Part 2 when Edward & Bella finally got it on and you just knew that after them waiting four years, their vampire sex was going to be HOT and while it was sensual, it was very PG-13)  Welp, not this one! 

I think there was a sex scene in the first five or ten minutes of the movie and it was on from there. The story centers around Zoe (Sharon Leal), who is happily married to her husband, Jason (Boris Kodjoe- who is handsome but really does nothing for me) but there is one problem...he does NOTHING for her in bed, which leads her down a path to seeking pleasure outside the marriage, starting with Quentin (played by William Levy) Y'all, that man is so freaking sexy, I was squirming in my seat several times throughout the movie. Those steamy sex scenes- along with his sexy Spanish accent- had a sista feeling some type of way. (Takes a moment to fan myself) #HotFlashes

Okay, I'm back....so Zoe gets sexually involved with Quentin, seeking  to satisfy her sexual urges, only he falls in love with her and demands she leave her husband- the love of her life- for him. She refuses and while she still sneaks over to his place to get her back cracked, she also begins another sexual affair with Corey (Tyson Beckford). Now, I've never thought Tyson was all that hot (except for that one time back in the 90's when he was in Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart video), but those sex scenes between him and Zoe....(I have to fan myself again.) And I'm quite sure all the sex  scenes were simulated, but DAMN if it didn't look real to me, especially the one with Quentin and Zoe on top of his car. #LawdHaveMercy Now if I remember correctly, in the book Zoe also sleeps with Quentin's sexy female neighbor, Diamond (played by Kat Graham- the girl from The Vampire Diaries) but the movie didn't really focus on that issue. 

Zoe is in counseling throughout most of the movie, talking to the therapist- played by that LOUD woman from the Tyler Perry movies- (Tasha Smith), trying to get help for her sexual addiction, but she just can't stop creeping on the D.L. with both Quentin and Corey. She has no idea that Quentin is a psycho who will try to kill her in the end. Why is it that the fine one's are always crazy as hell???? #RandomThought

I saw a few people on social media say they were disappointed because the movie didn't stick to the book, but I disagree. I think the movie followed the book very well, until the end. In the book, it's revealed that Quentin murdered his siblings, as well as Corey- Zoe's other lover- and Diamond, but this wasn't shown in the movie. Other than a few other minor changes, the screenwriter really didn't deviate too much from the book. 

All in all, this was a very good movie and I will definitely try to go back and see it again...okay who am I fooling, I really just wanna go back and see William Levy's sexy ass again (and I mean that literally...there is some nudity in this movie so be prepared if you haven't already seen it.) I wanna personally shake the hand of whoever decided to cast him in this movie, because to me, he stole the show. 

Bravo to the cast and to Zane for writing such a great novel. Aside from the sex, there was a positive message in the story about sexual addiction. It's real- just like drug, alcohol, and gambling addictions- and if not treated, it can ruin your life. After seeing this movie, Fifty Shades of Grey (which comes out on Valentine's Day) better bring it. 

Week In Review

I come across so many crazy news stories in a week's time...these are a few that really got my attention. First of all, the lesbian who's suing the sperm bank because she got a black baby (insert side-eye). First of all, the baby is beautiful and it's a good thing she's too young to know what type of ignorant heifer she has as a mother. Out of ALL of the issues in the world today, she's concerned because of the child's race??? This ish made me mad for real, especially her talking about how she'd never known a black person until she went to college and how her uncle makes racist statements all the time, but the baby's race is not the reason why she's suing the sperm bank....umm hmm, okay (insert eye-roll). She, as a lesbian, should know exactly how it feels to be discriminated against or talked bad about for being different, yet she'd subjecting this baby to the same thing. #GIRLBYE

It breaks my heart to have to say R.I.P. to the Little Rock realtor, Beverly Carter, who was reported missing and later found dead. Because I'm an Investigation Discovery/First 48 addict, I knew after the second day went by that this lady would probably not be found alive and it brought tears to my eyes when I came across the story on Facebook that her body was found, buried. The a$$hole who kidnapped and killed her says he only targeted her because she worked alone and was wealthy, which scared the hell out of me, because you never know what psycho is out there watching your every move, plotting to do something stupid. The fact that he was so nonchalant about it just pissed me off even more. Now, her husband and kid's are planning a funeral (I'll never forget her son crying on Nancy Grace) while the killer's dumb a$$will still live for years, even if he does get the death penalty (which he definitely deserves). R.I.P. Beverly

However, at least one innocent victim's family finally got justice though- Michael Dunn, the racist prick who shot and killed unarmed teenager, Jordan Davis while he sat in the backseat of a car- because he didn't like his music and because Jordan DARED to talk back to him and stand up for himself- was FINALLY convicted of murder. In the first trial, he was charged with three counts of attempted murder for the other three young men who were in the car with Jordan when he was killed, but there was a hung-jury on the murder charge and another trial was scheduled. It never should have taken a second trial, but I'm so glad the jury got this one right and didn't let another racist murderer walk free like Zimmerman did. R.I.P. Jordan.

Lastly, I heard about the racist cartoon about President Obama and I didn't really dwell on it because let's face it, we've been seeing and hearing racist statements like this about this man since his first term. It's not the first and won't be the last one. All it shows it that no matter how much some people want to CLAIM that their issues with the President has nothing to do with his race, dumb ish like this only proves they're lying. Also in regards to the President, I pray he gets some REAL protection around him because with all the nonsense that's gone on over the last few weeks (an armed man allowed on an elevator with the POTUS, the man who jumped a fence, overpowered security, and made it into the White House-talk about an inside job) it's only a matter of time before some fool succeeds with his plan to harm this man and no matter how bad a job some people think he's doing as POTUS, he has a life and a family and deserves the same respect as all of the other President's before him. 

Welp, I'll be back next week to talk about more news stories....unfortunatley, there are so many to choose from.

I've been acting like a lady and thinking like a man looonnnngggg before Steve Harvey came out with his book....

Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

Law & Order: SVU's Solange/Jay Z, Ray Rice, Donald Sterling Episode

So...I'm just now watching last night's episode of Law & Order:SVU because Bring It was on and NOTHING comes before my girls... #DD4L (btw- last night was the season finale...what am I supposed to do with my Wednesday night's now?) 

Anyway, I know SVU does a lot of 'RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES' stories (I.e.the Chris Brown/Rihanna episode and that Paula Dean/Trayvon episode-which pissed me off), but it seems they're all over the place with this one. They combined Ray Rice, Solange/Jay Z, and Donald Sterling's racist arse all in one. (sidenote who is this cheesy guy who's replaced Det. Amaro??? He's sooo annoying) 

I had hope that this would be interesting the first few minutes of the show, but then it became predictable- women coming out the woodworks accusing the popular black athlete of rape, only to find they had been paid to lie, which led to the racist rant from the Sterling character. I found myself rolling my eye's at 'Sterling', although the actor did his job well because I wanted to slap the bell out of him when he told his daughter she's lucky she didn't catch "THE AIDS" and the comment about the bastard baby. 

Overall, I think they hyped this one up more than necessary because the previews made me think this would be a lot more juicy when it was the typical story that I feel like I've seen on SVU before. They kind of rushed this one but lucky for Dick Wolf, there will always be plenty of headlines for him to choose from to get the next one right.

**HOLIDAY ROMANCE SERIES**

I get so excited around fall because it kicks off all of my favorite holidays- Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.

There's nothing like sitting at home on a cold, rainy day, watching the cheesy holiday romance movies that come on the Hallmark and Lifetimes Channels every December, which is where I got the inspiration to write a Holiday Romance Series of novella's and short stories.

I know in this crazy world we live in, there is no such thing as 'happily ever after' but that's why we watch/read these love stories...they make us happy (at least for a little while) even if some of them don't seem very realistic. 

So, the first book in the series is Passionate Christmas Kisses- a story about a girl who's heart was broken by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve. She vows to leave men alone for good...until she meets one who dares to make her change her mind about men & love.   

It's short, sweet, and to the point but full of drama and steamy romance. 

It's still in it's editing phase, but I plan to release it around the first of December and I hope you'll check it out. 

**SPOILER ALERT**

So I haven't seen a good movie in a long time. I just haven't had much time to go this summer like I'm used to. However, once I saw the trailer for this movie, I knew I had to be front and center when it hit theaters for two reasons: 

(1) Idris Elba is in it- DUH!!!!! and 

(2) I love a good psychological, suspense, thriller.

Another reason is because African-Americans don't get a variety of movies in Hollywood these days (I know I'm not the only one who's OVER all the slave movies). 

Now, I saw Twelve Years a Slave, D'Jango, and The Help and all the rest and while they were interesting, we are so much more than slaves and maids. About the only time WE are portrayed in roles other then these is if a biopic is being made about someone's life. 

**Sidenote: I still need to see the James Brown movie**

Anyway, back to No Good Deed. I was so happy to see Idris playing a role we don't normally see him in. I think he does crazy quite well. I knew almost from the beginning that he was out for blood and wouldn't stop until he accomplished what he wanted to do. 

I've dated guys like his character, Colin- they start out sweet and charming then all of a sudden they turn on you with seemingly no warning. As for Taraji's character Terri, I could see from the moment her husband came onscreen that he was having an affair. His interaction with her was so dry and forced. She wanted his attention and he had no time for her which is more than likely, the reason why she was obviously so smitten with Colin the moment he knocked on her door, i.e.-trying to fix her hair when she ran in the bathroom to get him a towel to dry off. Here was this dark, sexy, mysterious man at her door and for a moment, she let her guard down and gave in to his charm.

As the movie went on, she began to realize he was crazy as hell and the cat & mouse game played out until the end and while I couldn't wait to see what would happen in the end, I was left wanting more. The movie was only 84 minutes, which made everything go fast and it seemed rushed. I wanted the scene to play out more once Terri found out her husband was sleeping with Colin's girl- which is the reason for him going to her house in the first place. I enjoyed the fight scene between Colin & Terri but again, it seemed to be over so fast. And am the only one who thinks that Colin still wasn't dead in the end? 

Overall, it was a good movie and I hope to see more movies like this from Black Hollywood in the future. Good job to all the actors. I give this movie an 8 out of 10.

If the camera man had aimed just a tad bit lower when Idris stripped down in the shower, I would have rated it a 10. I mean I get it was PG-13, but I see more nakedness and teens kissing and making out like grown folks on Lifetime and other tv shows. A little butt cheek action  up against the shower door wasn't going to hurt nobody...IJS!