#TBT - Celebrate the new year!!

#MusicMonday - "The Way It Is"

#MusicMonday - "Silent Night" by The Temptations

I'm Currently Binge-Watching... Criminal Minds!!

I'm an admitted, unapologetic Netflix binge-watcher. I've enjoyed consecutive hours of 24, Lost, and CSI: Miami in the past. My new binge-worthy obsession? Criminal Minds.

I've been enjoying this series for a couple of weeks now and am well into season five. All I can say is, why have I not been watching this show??!! Great writing, great acting, and great eye-candy (Shemar Moore). Who could ask for more?

If you haven't already, be sure to check it out!!

#MusicMonday - "Kissing You"

#MusicMonday - Arctic Monkeys

#MusicMonday - "Centuries" by Fall Out Boy

#MusicMonday - "Who's Crying Now" by Journey

#MusicMonday - "See Through" #Kpop

#MusicMonday - "Come Away to the Water"

#MusicMonday - "Why Can't I Fall In Love?"

#MusicMonday - "First Love" by Goapele

#MusicMonday - "Lovesick"

#MusicMonday - "Cold"

#MusicMonday - "Alone Together"

#MusicMonday - "Made To Love"

#MusicMonday - "Use Your Heart"

#MusicMonday - "Show Me"

New Release!!!!!

Be sure to check out my latest novel!!!

Sixteen year-old Tomeka Brooks ran away from home for the love of Abraham Rios, a twenty-two year-old ex-convict out on parole--leaving her family behind to worry. Madly in love, she and Abraham make a new life in a new place. But when Tomeka's world begins to fall apart, will love be enough to save her? 

Step into Tomeka's world of forbidden love on the run as seen through her eyes. 

(This is a follow-up to Blues In The Key Of B)

Purchase Links:

Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00M4Y8BMY

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M4Y8BMY 

Nook: http://ow.ly/zDeaM 

Kobo: http://ow.ly/zPSfc 

Paperback coming soon...

#MusicMonday - Jimmy Cozier

#MusicMonday - Superstition

#MusicMonday - Maneater

#TBT - My Fav 5 Remixes

5. R. Kelly's "Gotham City" Remix

4. Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" Remix [with will.i.am]

3. Mya's "Fallen" Remix (featuring the Pharcyde)

2. "Butterflies" Remix - Michael Jackson (featuring Eve)

1. "I Get Lonely" Remix - Janet Jackson (featuring Blackstreet) 

#MusicMondey - RIP Bobby Womack

#TBT - Promise Me

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 9

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 8

Sooo, I'm not doing to well with this challenge, am I? LOL. Well, I'm not starting over so, here's day 8:

#TBT - There'll Never Be

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 7

#TBT - Roxanne

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 6

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 5

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 4

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 3

30 Days, 30 Pictures - Day 2

30 Days 30 Pictures - Day 1

So, I've decided to do the 30 Days, 30 Pictures Challenge. Today is Day 1.

#MusicMonday - Nu Shooz

#TBT - Steve Perry

#RIPMaya

#MemorialDay

Have a blessed Memorial Day!!

#MusicMonday

#ThrowbackThursday

6 Interesting YouTube Channels

So, I have a teeny tiny YouTube addiction. I cannot tell you the number of hours I've wasted viewing video after video. But some of them are so interesting and/or entertaining, it's hard for me to stop! Here are six of the most interesting and/or fun YouTube channels I've found:

1. Kevonstage

He's a comedian who offers comical commentary on everything from popular Instagram photos to YouTube videos. He also creates his own videos and is the creator of Cartoon Scandal. Check him out!!

2. The Playmakers

Three comedians, including Kevonstage, who post parodies and just plain random fun, often church-related. 

3. Drew Disaster

I just love her style. I don't know why. I just do :)

4. Gabe & Babe TV

Just a sweet couple sharing their life. I love watching their family vlogs :)

5. grizzlypeak

He's a good ol' boy who likes to explore abandoned cabins and I like to watch him while he explores them.

6. relaxshacksDOTcom

I love watching the tours of these tiny houses!! I mean I really love it! These are my dream houses!!

#TBT

A Jam for Monday :-)

Enjoy!!

I'm Obsessed with... Monsieur Nov

I just stumbled upon some of the best R&B I have had the pleasure of hearing in a very long time. Since finding Monsieur Nov's video for his song, "TROP FRESH" I have had it on repeat, and imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that his entire ALBUM is good!!! He sings in French. No, I don't know French, but I know good music. I am truly obsessed with his voice. His music reminds me of when I first heard Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite or D'Angelo's Brown Sugar. Yep, it's like that. Check him out!!

#Scandal Finale Recap

Waxing Poetic - Happy National Poetry Month!!

Since it's National Poetry Month, I thought I'd share some poems penned by me and some of my friends. Enjoy!!

Photo by Mattox, courtesy of freeimages.com

Time Trapped in a Bottle

By Selena Haskins © 2009

I wish I could trap time inside of a bottle 

so I could keep you near 

you would be my present, 

my past, and a future I wouldn't fear 

If I could trap time in a bottle 

it would be filled with every yesterday 

and the sun would shine upon your smile 

taking all your pain away 

But as time keeps on moving I cannot trap it in 

not inside bottle nor inking my feeling with pen 

so all i have is now 

and that's good enough for me 

because I will keep on loving you 

as time just let's us be.

Photo by Plusverde, courtesy of freeimages.com

Hell

By Adrienne Thompson © 2013

You were the closest thing to heaven

But it's been hell without you near

 I believed your words,

Your promises to be true

I believed in us

I believed in me and you

 I thought you were the one

My God-sent mate

But as usual, I misjudged

Realized the truth too late

 My heart aches for you

My smiling eyes so full of tears

Agony and despair

Got me holding back the years

For you I long

It is you I desire

Your words rang so true

Set my heart afire

In you I placed my trust

Would've followed you anywhere

And today I pay the cost—

Of my error, I'm more than aware

 A gaping hole in my heart

The only sign you were ever here

You were the closest thing to heaven...

But it's hell without you near

Photo by tpacific, courtesy of freeimages.com

Young Mother

By Nicole Dunlap © 2013

They seize us at our most vulnerable

Long hair, short hair, light brown, white,

Black skin, yellow skin and a plethora of shades in between,

We make changes in order to change them,

We excuse their errors in judgment and on occasion their wandering eyes or that Which wanders next

to steel thighs,

We grow within the womb, carrying their child…

On occasion, we’re not alone as others are carrying their child,

Giving them all we have in order to mold them, change them, sculpt them into the Fathers we may or

may not have had…

All to find out,

They love the lives they lead,

We, in our quest to keep love, have developed and learn loves lessons,

Some of us almost in the nick of time…

Our eyes have opened and we, as women, finally will take no more.

Photo by Mattox, courtesy of freeimages.com

Someone To Love

By Tremayne Moore and Cynthia Lamb © 2010

My girls and I wanted to go out for a girls’ night out.

We decided to check out the club scene and see what it’s all about.

While chilling, I noticed one guy and we hit it off well.

To see that we’re digging each other is not hard to tell.

After a few days of chatting via telephone, we decide to hook up tonight.

It sure feels good to have someone to love, because my flesh is ready to unite.

He enters my crib, and we’re feeling on each other.

We’re so fixed on each other that I don’t want to be with another

He tells me that he loves me, and he cares for no one else but me.

I fall so deep into his words, and it feels like I’m living in a fantasy.

Our clothes come off, and we’re going all the way.

There’s no stopping us now; he’s mine until the break of day.

Here it is, the next morning, he says, “we can only be friends.

I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, but this relationship has to end.”

I say, “Was I just a one night stand?” He says, “Yes, but think about this:

You just wanted someone to love you, and I wouldn’t doubt this.”

I say, “That’s beside the point; you don’t treat a woman this way,

On some level, I was using you, but you’re still going to have hell to pay!”

As he leaves, I start crying and wishing he would die.

I feel so used, and he didn’t even tell me good-bye.

God, why did You allow this to happen to me?

If You loved me, You would’ve shielded me from this tragedy.

I want You to explain to me Your rationale for this.

I’m so angry with You, and saying I hate You is hard to resist.

God silently said to me, "Dear Child, free will is a great gift,

But just like the farmer you must learn to sift;

As not every grain of wheat is fit for your plate,

This lesson if learned will clarify your fate.

Let not this hurt blind you, consume you, nor misguide you.

Instead, embrace the love of my Son, and let it make you new.

The devil comes to kill and destroy,

And often comes disguised as a decoy,

Such as a new man whispering sweet nothings in your ear,

Who will tell you lies that only feed into your worst fear!

The emptiness you feel deep within

Can never be satisfied living in sin.

Find refuge in my Word, and put on the armor

That's meant to heal you and make you stronger.

Come know Me, and you will experience great love,

Comparable to none; it comes from heaven above.

I have never left you; I have been here all along,

Waiting patiently for you to hear my joyful song!

I will bring you peace; I will heal your wound.

Trust in Me to love and make your heart anew."

I'm Obsessed with... Unbowed

This movie right here is why I LOVE Independent Films!! A beautiful and unique interracial love story, Unbowed is full of passion that is felt through the screen. Don't believe me? Check out the clip below.

And that Jay Tavare (who plays the male lead)? Woo, Lawd!!

Be sure to click the image at the top of the page to purchase a copy!!

Women's History Month - 5 Phenomenal Voices

Continuing with our celebration of Women's History Month, we bring you our list of the top five voices in music history. Enjoy!!

1. Aretha Franklin

2. Billie Holiday

3. Ella Fitzgerald

4. Phyllis Hyman

5. Whitney Houston

Who would you add to the list? Comment below and let us know!!

Women's History Month - 5 Inspiring Entreprenuers

This week we're honoring women who specialized in making a lot of something out of nothing!! These ladies are truly inspiring. Check them out!!!

1. Madam C.J. Walker (Trailblazing Hair-Care Mogul)

2. Mary Kay Ash (Cosmetics Mogul)

3. Oprah Winfrey (Media Mogul)

4. J. K. Rowling (Yes, she's an author, but she is also the creator of the Harry Potter empire)

5. Sophia Vergara (Not only is she an actress, she is the founder of new media company, LatinWE and her own clothing line, among other ventures.)

Women's History Month - 6 Soul-Stirring Scribes

Continuing with 2nd Street Blog's celebration of Women's History Month, today we salute 6 wonderful writers! Check them out!

Zora Neale Hurston

Toni Morrison

Maya Angelou

Alice Walker

Phillis Wheatley

Lorraine Hansberry