Excerpt: Virtuous Deception
Lisa
inhaled deeply, the cold autumn air filling her aching lungs. This
moment had been a long time coming. She wondered if the earth felt her
vibration, if he knew how much she needed this. She rose to her feet
anxiously awaiting her turn. Lisa had not intended on sharing this
moment with so many, but out of all the people present, his was the only
familiar face. The soft ground was porous, its delicate constitution
nearly mirroring her fragile state of mind. Even in her flats, it was
difficult to keep her feet from sinking into the earth during the walk.
The air felt different as she drew near to his side, each step speaking
to the miracle of her living. Before long it was time as she stood
beside the man she had loved. She brazenly ran her fingers across his
cold, full lips, and etched them along his square jaw line. He was
beautiful lying there. As tears filled her eyes, she let
them roam over his six-foot frame and drink in his chocolate features.
It was certainly worth the wait. His wife had chosen well; his navy blue
suit was impeccable. The brother was designed for Tom Ford. She stifled
a moan as memories flooded her mind. She could still feel him. For a
moment she longed for more time before dismissing the thought as quickly
as it came. As she turned to leave, she shot a quick glance at the
weeping widow. The poor girl didn't know the man she married. She
chuckled at the thought and raised her face to the peaking sun. The rays
highlighted her caramel complexion. A smile found its way out as she
departed the funeral grounds. She sighed with relief. The bastard was
dead and Lisa was free.
...Three weeks earlierLisa
sat on the edge of the bed and fumbled with the zipper on her dark
denim jeans. She had spent the better half of the last thirty minutes,
vainly, trying to repair it. She looked out the window and admired the
view from the penthouse suite. She was impressed. The soft white sand
against the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea made for a truly breathtaking
scene. Charlie caught her by surprise with this but the trip was only
prolonging the inevitable. Their getaways were becoming too commonplace,
risky, but Lisa could never turn down a trip to Saint Maarten. She felt
like the air wrapped itself around her there. She could only guess that
was why Charlie suggested it. Charlie began as a random
Instagram snapshot and it would've ended with their drunken dance
beneath sheets had Lisa not received a special request every day for
three weeks. Though she should have probably been alarmed by the
persistent, nearly stalker, vibe, she was turned on by it instead.
Giving up on zipping her jeans Lisa walked out onto the balcony. There
was something about the water that gave her peace. She lost her thoughts
in the waves. Frank. She was missing Frank, her husband. For a second
she wondered how she had arrived at this intersection in her life, a
point where no available direction seemed optimal. Lisa
hoped it was not too late to go back. Charlie might have had her singing
a sweet melody in the early morning hours, but Charlie was no Frank.
Frank alone had the power to alter her soul, if he cared enough to try.
Lisa loved Frank but he failed her. Frank lost his ambition, his
drive. She had big plans before she met Frank. Plans before her
heart nestled with his and on the eve of the big "4-0," she felt like
her life was losing its hue. Frank had only managed to provide her with
moments of greatness when she wanted a lifetime. Those two
words, "I do," changed everything. They changed Frank. Frank was a
six-foot-four inch bronzed demigod. He was gorgeous, and for two decades
she'd been waiting for her husband to WOW her, waiting for the
all-consuming fire that she dreamed her marriage would be. Frank was the
kind of man movies were made of, the kind that melted in your mouth.
She was convinced her life would be amazing, but that fire never really
blazed. The memory was still fresh, still hurt. After only one week of
marital bliss, Frank made a decision that changed their lives forever. The
Mason's weren't ready to be parents and since they had planned to
honeymoon for a year via a private cruise around the world, they were
obviously aware of this truth. Their parentage was a stipulation, a
business move. It may have seemed cruel, heartless, but their lifestyle
was one they individually and, in this case, collectively, went to great
lengths to maintain. Frank proposed after a mere three months of dating
but Lisa didn't mind. She was relieved. Lisa Raine had plans had for
that twenty million, falling in love simply sweetened the deal. ( Continued... ) ©
2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the
author, Leiann B. Wrytes. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the
author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional
purposes only.
Meet the Author
Leiann B. Wrytes
is an author, poet, and playwright. Leiann found a love for words early
on as a spoken word poet and was inducted into the International
Society of Poets at 15 years of age. She went on to become a staff
writer for her high school newspaper, editor of her church's newsletter,
and that of the local Key Club, a volunteer organization on campus.
Leiann has since then performed spoke word poetry at numerous events and
had a stage play performed to a modest audience which received good
reviews. Leiann's background is in customer service but writing has
always been her first love. Leiann B. Wrytes currently resides in Dallas
TX with her family feverishly working on her sophomore novel.
BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book?
My
debut novel, Virtuous Deception, is the first in the deception series.
We slid it into the industry as a contemporary romance novel but it has a
little bit of everything in it. It has the who is really guilty
question that we love about Scandal fused with the complicated emotional
family dynamic that we enjoyed from Soul Food. A fast paced drama about
family, friendship, and finances. Laced with healthy dose of lust and
love.
BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
Writing
was always in the cards for me. N'Tyse entered into my reality at a
really good time. I was in an excellent space, prepared emotionally and
mentally, for everything that would eventually be borne out of my
relationship with her. This book happened because I was able to
recognize and seize the opportunity as it was presented to me. She
opened the door to a new phase of my life but it was on me to walk
through that door. She really encouraged me to take the leap and once I
decided to jump, it was done. There was no going back from there.
BPM: Why publish Virtuous Deception now?
It
was time, it really was, and the transition was seamless, not without
pain, but absolutely necessary for my growth not only as a writer but as
a woman.
BPM: Does your upbringing, prior relationships or life experiences inspire your writing?
My
life is like a smorgasbord of literary gifts. The human experience is
so varied and rich that I cannot help but be inspired by it.
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven? Why?
My
stories are derived from reality 99% of the time. The story I have in
mind, when my fingers first graze the keys, morphs into something
completely different by the end. The books are definitely character
driven. As an avid reader, I have found that the characters stay with
you a lot longer than their situations. If you fall in love with the
character, you will follow them anywhere. The potential, then for an
author to make an impact on a reader, is increased exponentially.
Overall, though, I aim to entertain, more than that, I want to encourage
personal evolution in some way. Leave something of value with the
reader.
BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one special?
Virtuous
Deception is an ensemble. The main characters are Lisa, Frank,
Michelle, and Brianna. Each of them in their own way bring something
beautifully unique to the story. Lisa is a mother, wife, a fighter. She
carries her titles proudly and weaves between them so effortlessly that
we hardly notice. Frank is on the edge of a change and it adds a layer
of vulnerability to him that's interesting to witness. Michelle and
Brianna are two sides of the same coin. The story tosses them into the
air forcing them to land somewhere different.
BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author?
There
are no limitations for my writing career. I love every aspect of this
business and I want to do it all. Success is a state of mind. Naturally I
want to sell books but that's only because, sales are confirmation that
you have created a product that people love. That people are willing to
invest in you, to support you. Personally this moment, speaking with
BPM, is a testament to my success as an author.
BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book?
I
hope that the readers enjoy it first and foremost. Secondly, I hope
that it's a catalyst for a serious dialogue about the dynamics of family
and friendship. The human condition is durable but extremely sensitive.
We need to handle one another with love. Everything that is said or
goes unsaid makes a difference. I would like for readers to operate with
this in mind.
BPM: Did you ever ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? Should I change course and maybe try to get something else?"
Never.
I have stretched myself paper thin in order to do this and it almost
feels like I would be cheapening the process thinking that way. This is a
part of who I was, am, and will be. I cannot imagine a time where I
would ever need to question why I am doing it.
BPM: Do you feel as if you are a role model for women and other authors?
I
am not perfect but I will shoulder that position with humility and the
dignity it deserves. I won't run from it or cower under the pressure.
The decisions I make are for me and my family but I understand that we
are all apart of the human experience.
BPM: What projects are seen working on at the present?
Currently,
I am working on Virtuous Deception 2: Playing for Keeps, The Storm a
literary fiction novel, and a short that will be in an anthology next
year. I have a lot going on but I wouldn't want it any other way.
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Please
reach out to me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @ leiannbwrytes. I
also will have a web page soon, www.leiannbwrytes.com. I would love to
hear from them! My novels are available on Amazon
(www.amazon.com/author/leiannbwrytes), Barnes & Noble, or you can
request it from your local bookstore. Again please feel free to reach
out to me as well!
Connect with Leiann B. Wrytes
www.twitter.com/leiannbwrytes
www.facebook.com/leiannbwrytes
www.instagram.com/leiannbwrytes
www.pinterest.com/4myWryters
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