For years, I’d driven past a small white house on a busy commercial street without paying it much attention. It had been converted into a coffee shop during the era when coffee shops were all the rage (likely due to the series, Friends). Drinking coffee has always been a thing in these parts but not a pastime. This is more of tea and “Coke” country. And when I say “Coke,” I’m not talking about the illegal white chalk. No, down South, any soft drink is referred to as “Coke.” If you ask someone if they want a Coke, you very well could be offering them a Sunkist or Mountain Dew or even a Pepsi. It’s all understood. I’m pretty sure the Coca-Cola people don’t appreciate that much—but then again, I can’t and don’t speak for the company or brand. That’s just my assumption that they wouldn’t as an issue of trademark genericide/genericization.

Coffee is the drink that gets a lot of people going in the morning and continue going during the day. It was considered by many a staple and not a pastime. For that reason, there was no need for a special place to go “have coffee.” And the reason it wasn’t considered a pastime wasn’t, as I implied, due to its unpopularity. Rather, it had to do with the heat.

It’s hot here in the South, and most people are trying to cool off and not warm up. They want something cold and refreshing. Beer fills that for many people. Ice (or iced) tea is another favorite. Thus, in the evenings, people weren’t rushing for a cup of steaming java. So, how was this place staying in business? The answer is simple. It was homegrown—a mom-and-pop. People went because it felt “homey” and was a place to hang out with friends. Sometimes, there was a band, but most times, there wasn’t. Students went there for a quiet place to study or as a getaway from home where they knew their parents wouldn’t create much of a fuss about them going. It was the quiet little place on the hill.

Then, one day as I was passing, I noticed new construction. And I recall my precise thought. “What used to be there?” It was one of those thoughts that only entered my mind as I was driving by, and then out of sight, out of mind. It took several weeks until one day it dawned on me that the building that was missing was the coffeeshop. It had been completely demolished and the rubble hauled away in less than an hour. What had happened?

The easy answer would be the illness that broke the world in 2020. I’m sure that had something to do with it. It certainly didn’t help. The poor economy could also be blamed. But what I’m guessing was its downfall is always what had made it successful: community support. People like me never really “supported” it. Sure, I always said things like, “I hear it’s really nice.” I never had a negative comment to make about it, but I also was never a customer. On those days and evenings when I wanted a quiet place to write, I always forgot about them. The students graduated and moved away. Friends went off the air. Trends changed. Additionally, before the pandemic, I’d heard some people complain that a few of the servers (who were related to the owners) were quite rude to customers. Because of the blood kin, some customers didn’t feel the rudeness would be addressed and took their business elsewhere. If it’s one thing a small business almost can never survive, it’s bad customer service.

I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of everything that happened with this business, but I do know that it is a loss for the community. However, there is a good chance that the community could have prevented the closing from happening.

What prompted me to write this post was I mentioned going to another mom-and-pop establishment only to be told that they had closed as well. It made me realize that I took so many of these small, local stores for granted. I always assumed that they would be there. But how could they be if people like me never graced their doors to give them business? It had been more convenient for me to go to a big business drive-thru than get out of my car, walk into the shop, and order from a small business. Because these small businesses didn’t have flashy neon lights or billboards across the city, I tended to forget about them. When I drove by, they faded into the background like shrubbery. But if I want the mom-and-pop stores to stick around, I’m going to have to do better.

Here are six ways to support small businesses.

1. Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday occurs in November, generally following Black Friday. This day is designed to encourage people to shop locally and support small businesses during the holiday shopping boom. Large retailers go hard in advertising and promoting Black Friday sales and keep them going through the weekend. Of course, many have now begun starting their sales on Thursdays (or even earlier in the week) and offering pre-orders. For many consumers, these deals are appealing. However, it is important to remember that many small businesses may not be able to compete like this. So, please remember them and drop in their brick-and-mortar or shop at their online store.
2. Lists. This is so simple to do, yet, many people don’t. Make a list of local businesses and keep the list on your phone or another convenient place. When you need to buy an item, refer to this list first. I had multiple opportunities to purchase my lunch from the coffee shop. I was going to spend the money anyway. But I forgot them as an option.
3. Refer a friend. Many small businesses can’t afford large advertising budgets. They gain a lot of their business by word of mouth. It costs you nothing to give them a shoutout, especially if you enjoy what they have to offer. I see many of my friends on social media now doing this, and I have gone to some of these places as a result of seeing their posts.
4. Mailing list. Ask small businesses if they have a mailing list and to add your name. This way you can keep up with sales and what is going on with them. One small business that I liked to shop (but was a little on the expensive side) moved. Because I didn’t go there frequently (again, because they were kinda expensive), I didn’t realize they had moved. By the time I went to the store, the sign stating they had moved had been removed, and another business was preparing to move it. It was almost eighteen months before I realized they had moved across town to an area that I consider a “destination” shopping ground. What I mean is, there are plenty of businesses in that area and parking is hellacious at best. When I go there, it is with the intention of going to a particular store for a specific item. I’m not browsing or wasting time. It’s not because it’s an unsafe area. On the contrary, the area is extremely nice. However, there aren’t many businesses that have items of interest to me, the layout of the stores is a little wonky, and again…parking.
5. Social media. Along the same line as the mailing list, follow small businesses on their social media sites. It costs nothing and affords customers store and merchandise updates.
6. Reviews. If the business has a place to leave a review, consider doing so. One review can go a long way. Plus, owners like having feedback on what they are doing right and what can be improved. That is what helps a business to grow.

That brings this post to a close. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button, and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Future Goals

It’s time to hit the ice again in Future Goals. If you enjoy hot hockey players and steamy romance, this is a sports romance novel for you. Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: The winner is…Colleen C!
*~*~*

Madame Marie Selika Williams was born Marie Smith in 1849 in Natchez, Mississippi. The Natchez area of Mississippi had the largest number of free blacks in the state, but the hardships they faced were no different than those of their enslaved brothers and sisters. Not long after she was born, Marie’s family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where a wealthy patron enabled her to study music. She is also reported to have studied the Italian style of singing with Antonio Farini in Chicago. In the 1860s, she moved to San Francisco, studied with a Signora G. Bianchi, then made her debut in 1876 as a concert soprano. She married fellow concert artist Sampson Williams. They remained married until his death in 1911.

Together with her husband, Marie toured and performed in the US, Europe, and the West Indies. Newspaper accounts proclaimed her a “colored vocalist of rare ability.” She is said to have added “Selika” to her stage name from the heroine of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s 1865 opera, L’Africaine.

Thanks to an introduction from Frederick Douglass, whom President Rutherford B. Hayes had appointed Marshall of the District of Columbia, Marie performed in the Green Room of the White House for Hayes, his wife and others on November 17, 1878. This made her the first African American to perform in the White House. After she performed, her husband also sang. A Washington Post article stated, “The several pieces showed to great advantage the remarkable power, sweetness, and versatility of madame’s voice and accomplishments, the “Staccato Polka” especially proving her worthy of her title as ‘Queen of Staccato.'”

That same year she performed at the New York Academy of Music and in 1879 at New York’s Steinway Hall. She toured Europe twice, first from 1882-1885 then again from 1887-1892. Her performances were warmly received there as well. Benjamin Brawl in his book The Negro Genius quotes this from the Figaro of Paris, “She has a strong voice of depth and compass and trills like a feathered songster. Her range is marvelous, and her execution and style of rendition show perfect cultivation.” During the first tour, she gave a command performance for Queen Victoria in 1883.

In 1893, she performed with her husband at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. In October 1896, she performed at Carnegie Hall with two well-known African American women singers, Flora Baston and Sissieretta Jones.

Besides touring, Marie taught at a music studio which she opened in Cleveland, Ohio. She retired from the stage when her husband died. At age 67 she accepted a teaching position at New York’s Martin-Smith School of Music. She died in New York, aged 87 in 1937.

Once again, I stand in awe of women like Marie Selika Williams. For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share your thoughts in the comments.

One Breath Away
by Michal Scott

Sentenced to hang for a crime she didn’t commit, former slave Mary Hamilton was exonerated at literally the last gasp. She returns to Safe Haven, broken and resigned to live alone. She’s never been courted, cuddled or spooned, and now no man could want her, not when sexual satisfaction comes only with the thought of asphyxiation. But then the handsome stranger who saved her shows up, stealing her breath from across the room and promising so much more.

From One Breath Away…

He really wanted to dance with her. She blinked, speechless. A warning voice protested.

Resist.

Her heart countered.

Surrender.

She firmed her lips, heaved a sigh then accepted his invitation. Felicity’s sputtered shock and Widow Hawthorne’s happy cackle accompanied them to the middle of the dance floor.

He placed his fingertips respectfully but firmly above the rise of her buttocks and held her in place against him. A tickle invaded the wool of her skirt where the tip of his middle finger rested at the head of her crack. Pleasure tripped up her spine and trickled between her thighs. But, from the recesses of remembered experience, a voice of caution persisted.

He wants something, Mary. Beware.

“Why—why do you want to dance with me?”

He smiled with the serpent slyness that probably charmed Eve. “I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you.”

“I might.”

He turned his head slightly. “Really? Your practiced calm says otherwise.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Practiced calm?”

“The face you present to the world until something touches your heart.” He gestured to his right. “Like when that baby there cried. Your expression changed to one of concern, then changed to one of contentment when his mother satisfied his hunger.”

Mary blew a breath through her mouth. This man was studying her. Really studying her. Should she be flattered or worried?

Buylink: https://amzn.to/2u5XQYY

ANNOUNCEMENT:

I’ve finished selecting the stories that will appear in SECRET IDENTITIES: A BOYS BEHAVING BADLY ANTHOLOGY!

Congratulations go out to the following authors!

Of course, there will also be stories by Elle James and myself, too.  I’m super-excited about this book! ~ Delilah

UPDATE: The winner is…Jennifer Beyer!
*~*~*

First, big thanks to Delilah Devlin for hosting my visit today! I love being able to chat with readers—some who know my work well and some who haven’t read my books yet. Hello to you all!

I’m Heather Slade, author of shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense.

What seems like eons ago, I gave myself the gift of writing a book for my birthday. It was a milestone celebration (shh, I turned fifty). This came after years spent in the publishing industry editing other authors’ manuscripts.

On the plane ride back to Colorado, after a trip “home” to a village in Western New York called East Aurora, I decided I had a story to tell. My husband, amazing guy that he is, said, “Go for it, honey,” when I told him my plan. Six weeks later, my first book was finished. Now, I’m working on number sixty-three.

The joy for me is in the storytelling. I love it when characters lead me in directions I never thought they’d go, or when my brain conjures a plot twist when I least expect it.

That was true with Code Name: Puck, a book that releases TODAY! If you read my reviews, I’m known for neck-snapping twists and turns and boy did Puck and Seshat deliver! You can read more about their story in the blurb below.

Another thing I’m known for is characters from past books showing up in current releases. Everything for me began in a place called Butler Ranch, which is now responsible for nine spin-off series. Beloved characters from my very first books still make guest appearances in my current titles.

For a chance to win a digital copy of the Butler Ranch Boxed Set (all five books), tell me what tropes you love best. For me, enemies to lovers and friends to lovers are my favs. What are yours?

And, thanks again to Delilah for having me. Happy reading, everyone!

About Code Name: Puck

A tortured man.

A redemptive man.

Puck is desperate and driven—

a man to be watched.

As an MI5 agent assigned to the UK’s task force of the United Nations Coalition Against Human Trafficking, I’ve walked a fine line between right and wrong—always making sure to do what’s necessary for the greater good. Kidnapping my commander for help is no exception. I do what needs to be done.

But when I discover that the woman who captured my heart is still alive and in danger, I need all the help I can recruit to save my beloved Seshat. With the full-force of the coalition and SIS searching for her, we have to be stealthy and quick. Time is of the essence. Seshat’s secrets and past are riddled with enemies who will stop at nothing to destroy her and her future happiness.

And now that I know the truth about everything, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. Can I save the only woman who matters before it’s too late?

Code Name: Puck buy links:
Kindle: https://oashort.com/s/to_puck_a
Buy direct sexy paperback: https://oashort.com/s/to_puck_pb_bd 
Buy direct object paperback: https://oashort.com/s/to_puck_pb_o_bd
Buy direct discreet paperback: https://oashort.com/s/to_puck_pb_d_bd
Amazon paperback: https://oashort.com/s/to_puck_pb_a

About Heather Slade

USA Today and Amazon Top 15 Bestselling Author Heather Slade writes shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat romantic suspense. She gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Sixty-plus books later (and counting), she’s having the time of her life. The women Slade writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of her books in your hands.

Visit Heather at:
Website: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_web
Newsletter: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_news
Facebook: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_fb
Facebook Reader Group: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_HEA
Instagram: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_ig
TikTok: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_tt
X: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_x
Goodreads: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_gr
BookBub: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_bb
Amazon: https://oashort.com/s/to_hs_a
Email: heather @ heatherslade dot com

When my first book was released back in October of 2004, the big debate among those in the romance publishing community was whether an e-book could be considered a real book and if the people who wrote them were real writers. It seems absurd now, but e-books were relatively new and exclusively sold on the websites of those companies that published them. That’s right, Amazon wasn’t selling them back in those days, and the traditional publishers were skeptical.

The e-book business allowed some incredibly talented authors to get a foothold in an industry where it wasn’t easy to break in. These online publishers eagerly sought out new talent, willing to take a chance on an unknown writer. And the gamble paid off as sales skyrocketed. E-books were less constrained by traditional subject matter and expanded the romance genre as a whole.

Then, a funny thing happened. Traditional publishers took note, and they not only began to publish e-books but also signed many of the same writers they’d previously snubbed.

There have been tremendous ups and downs over the past twenty years. Amazon changed everything—on one hand, making books more widely available, while on the other, lowering the amount of money authors and e-book publishers made for each sale. The industry floundered. Some companies went under; others rose. Some authors vanished while others flourished. I’ve been fortunate enough to hold my ground, thanks to my amazing readers.

Then came the rise of self-publishing, giving those technically inclined authors another outlet for their work. I admire any author who takes this route and can make it work. I admit that’s beyond me. I’m seriously technically impaired—you have no idea how much—and I’m also horrible at promotion. I’m an incredibly private introvert in a world that is constantly demanding you put more of yourself out there.

When it comes to books, I’ve always been of the mind that it doesn’t matter whether you enjoy hardcovers, softcovers, e-books, or audiobooks, whether they’re published by a company or by the author. All that matters is that you enjoy the book the author has put their blood, sweat, and tears into creating.

I’m a dinosaur in this ever-changing industry. I do my best to keep up while slowly falling behind, but I’m still here, writing the books I love, grateful to the people who read them.

However you enjoy your books, don’t ever stop reading (or listening). I know, I won’t.

If you haven’t checked out my Lone Wolf Legacy series, the first two books in the trilogy are available.

Protecting the Gray Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 2

If they want his immortality—they’ll have to take it…

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

Author Note: This book is told in third person point of view, even though the blurb is in first person.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXC8HTG/
Entangled Publishing: https://www.entangledpublishing.com/books/protecting-the-gray-wolf
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-the-gray-wolf-n-j-walters/1144686015
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/protecting-the-gray-wolf
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/protecting-the-gray-wolf/id6476511670

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

Do you like young adult books with drama and elements of romantic comedy? Do you like pop star romances with a Cinderella trope? Then check out my YA contemporary novel, Can Dreams Come True, that’s free through April 24th on Amazon.

Can Dreams Come True

Cecily has always had a huge crush on singer Andrew Holiday and she wants to be an actress, so she tags along when her friend auditions for his new video. However, the director isn’t looking for an actress, but rather the girl next door—and so is Andrew. Cecily gets a part in the video and all of Andrew’s attention on the set. Her friend begins to see red and Cecily’s boyfriend is seeing green—as in major jealousy. A misunderstanding leaves Cecily and her boyfriend on the outs and Andrew hopes to pick up the pieces as he’s looking for someone more stable in his life than the models he’s dated. Soon Cecily begins to realize Andrew understands her more than her small-town boyfriend—but can her perfect love match really be her favorite rock star?

Excerpt:

Andrew sat back and nodded. “Well, the music video director just got the song, you know? He understood what I was looking for—a relationship where two people understand each other on a spiritual level. You know, where their souls connect. Make sense?” 

“Yeah, is that what you have with your girlfriend?” I asked hoping it didn’t look like I as phishing for info on who he was dating. 

He shook his head. “Nah, I’ve never had anything like that before. But it’s the ultimate idea though, you know? How about you?”

“No, never,” I said and then I felt guilt wash over me. “I mean, I’ve had deep connections with people—just not what you’re talking about or what Dimitri said—the whole deep mystical thing.” 

Andrew stared at me and I felt like he was looking into my soul. “Sometimes it feels like it’s impossible to get that connection with anybody. Or you think you’re halfway there and they say they get you, but then something happens and you know they weren’t as deep into it as you were—or at least as deep as you were hoping. That’s the inspiration for next song I’m working on. It’s about when you want to believe so badly that you have a soul connection, then something happens and you realize it was just another superficial relationship. That’s the title: Just Another Superficial Relationship.” 

“Wow, I can’t wait to hear it.” 

“I can sing you the chorus if you want,” he said. 

Holding my breath, I tried to be cool and not squeal with delight that my favorite singer was about to not only sing for me, but let me hear an unreleased song. This was like a dream come true and it made me question if I hadn’t indeed fallen into the water and hit my head on some rocks, and was now either dreaming this in a coma somewhere or this was my own personal version of heaven. I felt guilty for inwardly gushing over Andrew when I had a boyfriend. But this wasn’t about me being interested in going out with Andrew. It would never happen anyway. This was just me meeting my crush who happened to be a singer, who I felt understood my feelings more than anyone else. 

Andrew sang the chorus and a warmth washed over me. The song was perfect—the yearning, the longing—I had experienced all of it myself. It was like he had taken all my innermost thoughts and somehow put them into words. 

“Amazing,” I said. My whole body was warm as my mind raced. Was I actually sitting here with him and having him trust me enough to share a new song? This was beyond anything I had dreamt of happening today.

*~*~*

What people are saying about Can Dreams Come True:

​​“Can Dreams Really Come True?” is a wonderful novel for those who love cute, adorable romances. With elements of romantic comedy and teen drama, it’s a well-balanced story that will leave listeners feeling good throughout!” -InD’tale Magazine

“Heart Warming, Fun, Sweet Contemporary Romance! Perfectly Suitable for YA Readers!” -Dash Fan Book Reviews

Get it here for FREE today:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S/
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S

Find me here:
Website: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/

Last week…

• I finished two editing jobs for other authors.
• I found the art work for a series I’m republishing.
• I continued reading stories for the Secret Identities anthology.
• I worked on art for #The100DayProject.
• I sat at the art center to keep the doors open to the public for a kids’ art show.
• I’m still recovering very slowly from an injury to my knee. At first, I got around with a limp, then I used a knee brace, now I’m on a cane. It’s getting better now, but slowly!

This next week…

• I will work on three editing projects for other authors, finishing two!
• I will finish reading the rest of the stories for my next anthology, Secret Identities.
• I will begin editing one of five stories I previously published, so I can republish it soon.
• I will continue creating small art daily for #The100DayProject.

I can’t wait to get through this coming week because I’m going to take it easy for a couple of days—until the end of the month, when I have to burn a fire under my ass to write another book. 🙂

Open Contests

1. The End! (Of TYSON’S MISSION, that is) (Contest + Excerpt) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Sliding Puzzle: Mayan City (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. The Montana Bounty Hunters are opening a new office in West Yellowstone! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Will you enter? (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Tell me a story… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Flashback: Animal (Contest — Three Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
7. Word Search: Another cloudy day… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Puzzle-Contest: Happy Eat Cake Day! — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Tell me a story… — Win an Amazon gift card!