Championship Jeopardy Face Off Battle

This is the final Lost & Found Jeopardy game before the release of Smoke and Mirrors. The top three players from the previous weeks will face off for a chance to be the first to win Smoke and Mirrors. New players will battle for a chance to win one of the other titles in the Lost & Found series. This week, it's all about numbers. Review the rules below, including where answers maybe found. Good luck. Players... face off!


Category 1: Adding Up the Years
$400 - Marcus Clayton was born on this day (mm/dd).
$600 - Marcus entered the NFL after this number of years in college.

Category 2: A Numbers Game
$400 - This is the number of children Marcus has by the end of the first three series installations.
$600 - Marcus Clayton proudly wore this number throughout his football career.

Category 3: Rank and Serial Number
$400 - Marcus is number____ of his parents' children.
$600 - Robert and Camille Clayton have this many grandsons.

Reply with your answer and your email. Winners will be notified within 24-hours of the close Game 3.

Lost & Found Jeopardy Game Two

We are celebrating NFL Pro-Bowl weekend and the career of Lost & Found series protagonist, Marcus Clayton. Review the rules below and remember to check the Avah LaReaux FaceBook page or Avah LaReaux on Twitter (@avahlareaux) for this week's answers. Good luck!

Category 1: As the Years Pass
$400 - These are the number of years Marcus Clayton played football
$600 - Marcus achieved this title for his outstanding play on the football field

Category 2: Names that Team
$400 - This is the football team that drafted Marcus out of college
$600 - The college football team Marcus Clayton played for

Category 3: Places & Positions
$400 - This is the city where Marcus Clayton played football
$600 - This is the position Marcus played for his team

Reply with your answer and your email. Winners will be notified within 24-hours of the close Game 2.

TCJ - Installment Three

Installment 3 of The Counselor's Journal comes out this week! Have you been keeping up with story? Once you've read this month's entry, leave your comments and questions below. Missing the first two entries? Don't have any entries at all? FaceBook me with the message TCJ. All members of Avey World receive a monthly installment as an exclusive Avey's Insiders feature. Talk with you soon!

When the Smoke Clears

When he walked in the house, I had no idea what to expect. He was cold, quiet, contemplative. But, hell, that's Marcus. There's been more than one time when he's come home in one of his moods. Still, today was different and I knew it had everything in the world to do with me.

"I’m sorry," doesn't cut it anymore. "This was never the plan," can't possibly express my true emotions. It's all I have, though. Empty words, vague explanations, tears, sorrow; they’re all I'm left with. So, what should I do? Run to him and throw myself at his feet, beg for the Most High Court of Marcus to spare me, have mercy on me? I wish I could. I wish he could hear that, hear me. But you know Marcus. You know his temper. And what I've done... there's no forgiveness for.

When the smoke clears... there's nothing left but the truth

Blue Planet Publishing and Avah LaReaux present...

Smoke and Mirrors

Coming Fall 2011

The A-Spot Welcomes...Caramel Vixen

The Vixen's Bio:

Caramel Vixen is a native of North Carolina, where she resides with her family. She also juggles being a full-time student and computer lab tutor on her campus. For more information on the BBW Erotica Princess, visit www.caramelvixen84.webs.com and www.officeaffairs.webs.com.








Retail price: $13.95
ISBN-13: 978-0-9818094-6-5
Purchase Sites: Office Affairs site, Xpress Yourself Publishing, Amazon







Office Affairs Synopsis:

Plus size beauty, Allysia, has accomplished a lot, yet she feels a void. Will she open her heart and accept love or will she only open her legs? Davis is a single, hard working father. He lost his wife to cancer. Davis doesn't date. The one woman he wants won't give him the time of day. If Allysia would only open her heart to Davis, he would fill that void in her life.

"Office Affairs is a funny, erotic novel about love and the discovery of self worth!"


Discovering the Novel:

A-Spot: Who is the main character in the story and what is s/he like?

Caramel Vixen: The main character in Office Affairs is Allysia Donaldson, and she is a firecracker. She’s funny and sassy, with mad sex appeal. She's proud of being a BBW (big beautiful woman) and is not afraid to show it. Allysia is the fashionista that all women envy.

A-Spot: Who is your favorite character and why?

Caramel Vixen: One of my favorite characters in the story is actually LaDonna Jenkins. She is so funny and innocent.

A-Spot: What was the best part about writing this book?

Caramel Vixen: The best part about writing this book was that it was the first thing I had ever written other than poetry and I’ll never have a debut release again.

A-Spot: If you could add yourself as a character in the book, who would you be and how would you affect the story?

Caramel Vixen: Wow, I loved this question. No one has ever asked me this before. It really made me think. I would want to be a banker in the building that Allysia owns, that houses Ample Delights. My name would be Trisha Gardner and I would have my sights on Davis, the object of Allysia’s secret affections. Allysia acted like she didn’t have time for him. Trisha would have gladly taken him off her hands.

A-Spot: If you could carry one character from Office Affairs over to another novel, who would it be and why?

Caramel Vixen: It would be Allysia and her fashion company, Ample Delights. The majority of all of my female characters are plus size women and that’s who Allysia's company caters to, exclusively.

Watch the Trailer:

Office Affairs Trailer

Win the Book:

Win a copy of this hot story by answering the question below. Leave your answer here for Caramel Vixen.

Q: What is the title of the song playing on the homepage of the Office Affairs website? Who is the artist? Visit www.officeaffairs.webs.com for the answer.

A: ??? {accepting answers until 9 p.m. Eastern}

You Want This Book...

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

Chapter Two Excerpt

{A toast as we read...}

Camille Clayton usually left the house at eight o’clock every morning. She was predictable that way. She didn’t have to be at work until nine, but Mrs. Clayton liked to be early to most everywhere she went. Her husband, Robert, knew that about her.

During the school year, Marcus usually arrived at his grandparents’ house around seven-thirty every morning. The only exception was when he spent the night with his father’s parents, which was most of the time. And like his grandmother, whom he called “Ma’dear,” Marcus was predictable. Robert knew that, too.

Ma’dear and Robert, or Poppa C as Marcus called him, lived next door to their son and his wife, which provided an excellent convenience with regards to childcare. It had been that way since Marcus was born. Though he was not the oldest grandchild, he was the only boy, and was Poppa C’s favorite. It was a given that Marcus would be wherever his grandfather was and that fact was never challenged or questioned. It just was.

For the most part, Marcus practically lived next door because Launa and Jewel both worked long hours most days. This left their only son alone. In a big house. By himself. Even with Marcus having been trained to check in with his grandparents before and after school and even with him playing football at the Bradhurst Club, adult supervision was still needed for a youth as creative as Marcus had become. So, when Jewel and Launa said “check in,” they meant, “Take your butt to your grandparents’ house and stay there until we come get you.” And that’s just what Marcus did.

During the summer months, the routine was virtually the same. Ma’dear would leave at eight o’clock and Marcus would show up a short while prior, and always just in time to eat breakfast before he was out the door and up the street to visit his friends. His ritual.

At eight-thirty, Poppa C’s Barber Shop would open for business with the flicker of fluorescent lights and the sound of jazz music as the side entrance would open and the screen door was unlocked. At eight-forty-five, a tall, slender, honey brown-skinned woman would walk through the side entrance, close the door, lock it, and slide out of her A-line dress. By nine o’clock, there was no mistaking the lady’s yells for anything other than pleasure. At a little after ten o’clock, the lady would be redressed and headed toward the side door to go about her day. That was also usually when Marcus would appear in the doorway, scowling.

“What, Dino?”

Marcus generally refused to answer.

“If you came to clean the shop, wait until later this evening.”

“I didn’t come to clean the shop. You just opened up.”

“Then why you standing there giving me the evil eye?”

“’Cause I hope you catch something.”

“I’ma catch yo’ little ass and beat it.”

“I’ll tell Ma’dear you doing the oochie coochie with Miss Anna.”

“And I’ll kill you.”

“You better watch yourself, Granddad. I’m your biggest ally.” Turning to head back up the hill, Marcus would add, “Or your biggest enemy.”

That was their relationship. Marcus and Robert Clayton. The ten-year-old and his grandfather. Unfortunately, that was the way they interacted for years after the first time Marcus walked in on his grandfather, having sex with someone other than his grandmother.

The Vixen of Vixens

Office Affairs
Caramel Vixen

Join us right here this Saturday, February 27, as Caramel Vixen lights up The Spot with her revealing interview for her latest release, Office Affairs. Meet Caramel Vixen, get to know the Office Affairs characters, and get a surprise of your own. We'll be waiting for you right here, all weekend.

Bastards Blog Party

ISBN: 978-0-9824298-6-0
Pre-Order at: www.bppbooks.com

Join me on February 26, right here, for the release of the third installation in the Lost & Found saga series. We'll be celebrating the debut of Bastards and blogging all day long. Stop by, share some love, and maybe even win a copy of the book. You have to leave me a comment, though.




Contests participants agree to opt in to my bi-weekly newsletter On My Mind

Day 12: Channeling

It's day twelve and I'm still at it. Haven't blogged in two days, since I'm only doing week day blogs, and I thought I better get you caught. I'm laying chapters like stones for the temple. Working it out for my readers. I'm thinking about you. Channeling what you want. I want to give my people what they want...

Day 10: Assembly

I'm almost there. A few more chapters and I will have woven the pieces together the way Wisdom has instructed. I've always loved puzzles. I wonder if our love of certain games and our disposition toward certain activities as youths have anything to do with our paths of destiny. As a child, I love puzzles and I LOVED to write. I still love both of those things and oddly enough, they seem to go hand-in-hand at times. Well, a few more days and delivery will be made. I hope my readers like my puzzle.

Day 9: Layering

I believe we all have an anointing for the things we do, the talents we have. I also believe that enhancing your skills for things that come "natural" to you is a great asset. It may not be something everything can or wants to do, but I find value in studying my craft. I agree that natural gifts and talents are wonderful and come with a certain set of unique particulars that can't be obtained through studying. I also believe that the time I spend developing my natural gifts, through practice and study, helps me thicken and improve plots, characters, scenes, etc. The more layers of knowledge I add to me innate abilities, the more layers I can give my readers in the stories I choose to write. For me, it's like dressing for a winter day. The more layers, the warmer the body.

Day 8: Organization

Lots of thoughts and ideas. Now I can see how to lay them straight, how to connect the pieces. It's just amazing to me how this has come together. I am in awe of how this information has been given to me to share. This has to be divine. There is no way I would have known each piece would fit like this. I began this journey in 2002 and while I am still walking this path, I can see that I've come so far. I am more the grateful. And I am more than excited about what lies ahead.

Day 7: Returning

Yesterday was mostly about silence for me. I worked a short day, though not on purpose, but very needed. Today, I've got projects that are very near the final stages - one I plan to complete today.

I still have a few rewrites, a few places to improve with Book Three, but I'm getting there. Today's Literary World is filled with so many people who either want to tear authors down or mimic what we're doing because "it's not that hard." In the midst of all of those voices that bombard us when a new project is on the horizon, we must push through and give our best. My husband says it best, "I'm my own competition. No one can beat me, but me." You know I can't let that happen.

Day 5: Relaxation

I'm back from New Orleans and if I've never had characters speaking to me, I do now. Lots of history and symbolism in that city. Lots of information that gives me background on the Broussards and the Claytons. Even so, I need to decompress and chill. Information overload is the enemy of creativity. I've got a baby to present. Creativity is a must in giving birth.

Day 4: Resolve

I've been working on this title since 2002. It is now 2009. This work is like wine, as are all of my novels. I've researched angles and explored many options with the information I intend to present. I've put my all into this and I will serve no wine before it's time.

Day 3: Realization

I'm putting myself in a box. That's a no-no for an author. We should never allow someone else to put us in a box and we should never voluntarily get in a box. Even if it's our own. I'm sorting. I realize that now. I can almost see the ideas rolling around in there. I can't rush this. If I do, it will suck. That's not an option. Deep breath, breathe out, and...

Day 2: Acceptance

So, I thought about him all night. Ways to make him better. Scenes to remove, dialogue to spice up, characters to develop. I could actually hear a conversation between a few of the peripheral characters. I want to add it to the story, but I don't know yet if it's needed. This is what I call hugging and kissing, the process of pampering my baby. Getting him ready for the world. He has a job to do and it's my responsibility to make sure he's well equipped.

Day 1: Anticipation

Gotta turn my baby in to the editor this week. I feel good about the writing, but I want to hug and kiss him some more. Once I let go, I still have to deal with Cover Anxiety. The shoot went well, but I haven't seen the cover yet. I know it will be beautiful, but the wait is excruciating.

Why? Why must I wait for what I love so much?! Angst...