#BondingThruBooks Speaker - Leiann B. Wrytes

Virtuous Deception  by Leiann B. Wrytes




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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 earlier Lisa 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