The After Party

ISBN: 978-09824298-6-0
Retail: $14.95*
Genre: Fiction - Saga, Family
Retail Site: Avah on Amazon

{title also available online at Barnes & Noble}

* Wholesale, bulk, and large group rates available

A Birthday Toast

They tell me it's time for a toast. I'd be lying if I said I'm a man of few words. Guess everyone knows that.

The last two years have been amazing. I never imagined being able to share my story with so many people and have each of you embrace me the way you have. The journey to this point has been beautiful and it's because of you.

Each of you have inspired me to be something more than I am. I appreciate that. The Marcus I am today is so much more because of friends, family, individuals that cared enough to give input. Thank you.

So, on my birthday, I celebrate each of you as you celebrate me. Here's to evolution...

Reviews for What's Done In the Dark

Melissa Levine of Independent Professional Book Reviewers

Each scene pulses with a distinctive rhythm. Passion is fleshed out in vivid, hot descriptions making it a lead character in its own right… What’s Done in the Dark is an exciting, sexy, emotional story. It is the type of book that is read in one sitting… and then read again.


“Miss Missy” of Readers Paradise

I am absolutely changed by Marcus and Lynette's story and I curtsey to Ms. LaReaux for introducing me to such wonderfully developed characters.


Leigh O'Donovan of Author’s On The Rise

Readers will be wondering what decisions the characters will make, and how that will affect their lives. In the end, it will make readers think before they do anything in the dark.

Reviews for Song of the Siren

Distinct Ladies Book Club

...This was a very good book about racism. The way Avah brings the characters of this book to life is amazing. I would recommend this book as a must read.


OOSA Online Book Club

... Song of the Siren by Avah LaReaux is a book that will grab you from the very first page. The story was a very good read that leaves you hanging at the end, but it just makes this reader even more eager to find out what is going to happen next. This would make for a great summer read.


Southern Allure Book Club

Song of the Siren by Avah LaReaux is a book that will grab you from the very first page. The story was a very good read that leaves you hanging at the end. Overall, this a very good read about racism and all the obstacles and heart ache that comes along with it. I recommend this book to all readers and book clubs.

Reviews for Bastards

Avah LaReaux has mastered the art of story-telling. In her tale, Bastards, Ms. LaReaux has spun a story filled with laughter, tears, and most of all entertainment. She is very clever with turning a word that usually possesses a negative stigma into a powerful literary work. This authoress will make you look at yourself in the mirror and ask, “Am I a bastard?” Kudos, Avey!

~ Ni'cola Mitchell, Best-Selling Author of Over and Over Again and The Appetizer.


Bastards is Avah LaReaux at her best. Through the voice of Marcus, she skillfully re-defines a traditional term. Bastards is a fast-paced page-turner that kept me on edge from beginning to end.

~ Recha G. Peay, Award Winning Author of Table for Three, Illusion of Love, Intimate Betrayal, and Mystery of A Woman.

What We Working With...

Hey, ladies and gents. I know there are so many people here that it's hard to tell who's who. No worries. You know I got you. The honoree, as you know, is Marcus Clayton. He's rarely seen out, but peope hear a lot about him. Put your pens and notebooks away for a minute. Hold off on asking for autographs and easing in interview questions. Well, maybe a few interview questions will be alright. He loves the attention. To know you're talking to the right guy, here's what you look for...

** Athletic build
** Six-foot-three in height
** Smooth sun-kissed skin
** The face of a naughty muse highlighted by two, deep dimples, and hazel eyes
** Short-cropped hair, close to the scalp. Usually curly, but probably be straight tonight.


Note to family: Look for the one who looks like Uncle Joseph

Welcome to the Party...

Welcome to the party! Today, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., we will be celebrating the evolution of Marcus Clayton and the Lost & Found saga series. This series and character were debuted to the literary world in 2008. Since that time, book clubs, readers, and literary aficionados have seen many transformations. Today, all are welcome to post about those changes. Blog your reviews, leave your comments, and feel free to share concerning the man (and series) of the honor.


* Reviews left on this celebration blog will be posted to Amazon.com.

Looking Ahead

My five-year plan was a lot clearer before I stopped playing ball. I thought I knew exactly where I'd be, what I'd be doing. As you know, that all changed in an instant. I was utterly amazed by the incident. Most call it an accident. I don't. I do say that it was the day I realized that Marcus was not in control. All my life, I had been taught otherwise. The son of a great negotiator, the grandson of an outstanding entrepreneur, the great-grandson of a tribal chief. How could I not believe that my destiny was great?

At first, I thought not being able to play football would diminish who I was. I was short-sighted in that regard. Now I know better. And because I know better, I do better. I guess that's my plan. To continue to do better than I did the day before. To not become stagnant and idle. I've had to learn a lot of hard lessons and, no doubt, I've got plenty more coming. The one thing I will do, though, is keep moving forward. I'm destined to do that, if nothing else.


Marcus Clayton
From the Interview with a Bastard blog series

The Important Things

What do I hold dear? That's almost a loaded question. I hold many things dear. Number one and most important is my family, specifically my children. I have two beautiful daughters and they have me wrapped around their pinky fingers. I don't complain because I like it. I deserve it, right? Next are my sons, Joshua and Austin. I'm blessed to have them. They are hard-headed sometimes, but they aren't bad boys. I'm glad to have the two of them to teach my heart to. I love my daughters and I teach them things, but there's nothing like a heart-to-heart with another male, especially when that male is your seed. My kids complete me, let me know there's more in the universe than fame and fortune. To them I'm not Marcus Clayton, famed linebacker, T.V. star. I'm just daddy. I love that.

Special women? You being funny now, Avah. My wife of course. Lynette Clayton is a jewel. My mom and grandmother have always been special. They are why I appreciate women. They worked hard to raise me, love me, provide for me. Who couldn't love someone who loves you the way they have? And yeah, I'll say it for you. Renee. Austin's mother means more to me than I can tell you in this interview. She's very special. She holds a piece of my heart no other woman will ever have.

Well, that's my list of special people. What else you got?


Marcus Clayton
From the Interview with a Bastard blog series

A Day in the Life

I've told you before that I grew up in a religious household. My grandmother was very prominent in our church, First A.M.E. of Charlotte. My parents were members there as well and as such, I was expected to be at every service, rehearsal, practice, planning meeting...you get the point. It was a way of life for me when I was younger. I couldn't really say anything if I was tired or sick or just plain didn't want to go. Poppa C, my grandfather, was my only advocate, but Ma'dear rarely listened to him regarding spiritual things. That's funny because he was actually one of the most spiritual guys I knew.

My granddad...Robert Julian Clayton. I started calling him Poppa C when I learned to talk and I called him that until he left the planet. Apparently, he liked it. He changed the name of his barber shop to Poppa C's when I was two. After that, everybody called him C. He was my hero and my best friend. It broke my heart when he died. Did it make me stronger? Not really. I think I was as strong then as I am now. I just realize it now.

When I think about it, I attribute more of my knowledge of God and my place in the universe to Poppa C than to Ma'dear. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying Ma'dear didn't lay a good foundation, because she did. But it was C who taught me what it meant to be created in the image of perfection. I learned that by sitting at the feet of twelve Cherokee warriors, old men. One was C and another was the Chief of the tribe, my great-grandfather. They are the ones who taught me everything I use today. I attribute that to Robert Clayton.

Anyway, I hate when you get me talking about this stuff. Quick picking my psyche. Next question...


Marcus Clayton
From the Interview with a Bastard blog series

In Marcus' Eyes

I wouldn't consider myself a player or a playboy. Although, my brother-in-law, Keith, calls me that like it's my name. I simply say I love women.

My grandfather taught me a lot of things and one of those was appreciation for the opposite sex.Even the Bible teaches that a man should love a woman with his entire being. I would like to think I'm doing my part.

I know what you're thinking. I'm going too far. Don't put God in this, right? Now we're talking about something Ma'dear taught me. She always said that no matter where I went or what I did, I should take God with me. If I was going to the club, I better have him with me if I expected to make it out. Well, I was never much for the club or most of what went on inside those walls. But I understood what she meant. So whatever I did, I made sure not to forget that no matter what, God was watching.

A contradiction? Not really. How is that any different than people who smoke, over eat, under eat, whatever? It's not. God is watching all of us. Justified? Not in my own actions, no. Look, I've got faults, for sure. I'm human. But you love me because I'm real with my shit. It is what it is.


Marcus Clayton
From the Interview with a Bastard blog series

Happy Birthday, Marcus!

Saturday, May 8, is Marcus Clayton's birthday and we will be celebrating with a Birthday Review Party! All book clubs, readers, and literary professionals who have shared in this two-year journey with me are invited to post your reviews and comments about the star of the Lost & Found saga series. You all have helped make this possible and we want to share it with you.

Marcus is a character (literally), so you know we can't relegate him to just one day. All week, there will be blogs leading up to the big party. Stop by, read posts, and get ready to give Marcus what he wants... all the attention.