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Title: Two Steps Past the Altar
Genre: Genre: Inspirational Romance/Fiction
ISBN: 978-1732130913
ASIN: B07DCC5XFT
Meet Patricia
Reading
and daily journal entries were the catalyst to Patricia’s first novel,
Reflections of a Quiet Storm, published by an independent publisher in 2009. An
avid reader, her previous published work includes two books, multiple short
stories, monthly health care columns for an online magazine, and several health
care articles for a local newspaper. She also enjoys reading Women’s Fiction
and Romance novels, which occupy many seats on her bookshelves.
Patricia
is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner, she holds Adjunct Nursing Faculty positions at two universities.
She is a member of the National Black Nurses Association/Council of Black
Nurses – L.A., Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Black
Nurses Rock, California Association of Nurse Practitioners, and International
Black Writers & Artists.
Patricia’s
church home is Greater Zion Church Family in Compton, CA. She considers music,
reading, and prayer as the keys to relaxation and creativity, and she loves
spending time with her family.
Patricia’s
short story appears in the Brown Girls Books Anthology Single Mama Dating
Drama, an AALBC two-time best-selling book. Two Steps Past the Altar is her
third and latest novel. She is currently working on her fourth novel.
About The Book
Pharmaceutical
Sales Representative, Sasha Edmonds, is a motivated high-flyer with a stellar
track record. Being the top sales representative and having a fiancé who loves
her is more than she could ever imagine. Her life spins in another direction
when she discovers that her mom requires a life-saving medication and her
fiancé, Damien, may be cheating. Devastated, she breaks off their engagement.
Amid
healing, she becomes captivated by Wesley, a wealthy pharmaceutical businessman
who may hold the cure for her mom, career, and wounded heart. Romance
transforms into a love triangle, surfeit of lies, blackmail, and deception.
A
story of love, trust, restoration, and forgiveness
Excerpt
Two Steps Past the Altar
As Sasha stood in the mirror, admiring how well the dress
complimented her figure, she paused. Dad.
She rushed out the room, holding up the bottom of her dress
so she wouldn’t trip as she made her way into the living room. Sasha whirled
around. “You like my dress?”
“It looks nice,” he said, walking right past her.
Sasha tilted her head. “What’s wrong, Dad?” He frowned and
mumbled under his breath before opening the refrigerator. From the expression
on his face, something must have happened.
“Hi, hon,” her mother said. “When’d you get in town?”
Sasha turned and saw her mother hugging Damien.
“This morning,” Damien said, peering at Sasha beneath a
raised brow as he sat in a corner chair in the living room.
Sasha squinted at him and moved her attention back to her
father in the kitchen. Her dad’s behavior made sense now. Damien had told him.
Why else would her dad be acting so strange? She glared at Damien, who slightly
shrugged his shoulders looking unbothered.
“What’s the occasion for the dress?” Her dad’s tone stung
like acid.
“Tamar’s wedding is Sunday,” Sasha explained. “This is my
bridesmaid dress.”
“Humph. A Sunday wedding? So, I’m guessing you won’t be at
church,” her dad said.
Her shoulders felt heavy from the disappointment in his
voice. “No, I won’t be there. Ebony’s leading the Women in Prosperity Ministry
until my job slows down. Right now, between me trying to get this promotion, my
business trips to Atlanta, and Tamar’s wedding, I’m swamped.”
Her father scrunched his face but didn’t comment.
“We understand, and you’re planning your own wedding. This
gown looks nice on you,” her mother said, touching the fabric. “Fits you
perfectly. Ebony did an excellent job, and I’m loving the color. Doesn’t it
look good on her, Damien?”
With his attention on Sasha, Damien got up and crossed the
room, closing the space between them as he examined her in the dress. “Yes, she
looks stunning. But she always does.”
Sasha forced her pouty lips to smile. “Thank you,” she said,
taking a moment to observe his well-sculpted physique. Even in his camouflage
cargo pants and black t-shirt, he could turn a few heads any day. But she
refused to allow his striking appearance or cotton candy sweet talk to woo her.
The fact remained; he had disrespected her, and their wedding was off. If he
couldn’t be faithful to her for 365 days, how in the world could he commit to a
lifetime?
He stretched out his arms for an embrace, and her skin
bristled. Just the thought of his touch made her cringe. At the same time, she
knew if she avoided his hug, it would raise questions from her parents that she
didn’t feel like discussing. She’d just have to play this one out.
Her back stiff, she allowed him to wrap his arms around her
briefly and then stepped back. “I…uh, I didn’t know you were coming down today.
You usually call first.”
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I enjoyed this novel...''Two Steps Past the Altar.' It was indeed a enriching read!
ReplyDeleteArlena, Thank you for your kind support.
DeleteThanks Arlena for the continual support
ReplyDelete