Happy Friday, Dear Readers!
t’s been two weeks since Ced and Nikki’s story went live, and I am overwhelmed with joy over the positive comments from readers.
I’m an author, so of course I love all of my books and characters. But just like that kid a mom claims isn’t her favorite when all of his siblings know he is…that’s Ced and Nikki for me right now. I adore these two. Their journey to love—filled with growth, self-discovery, and the revelation of secrets—is so special to me. I love the vulnerability they’re both willing to show and how they care for each other. And I’m glad readers are loving it, too.
Do you want a signed, paperback copy of NEVER THE RIGHT TIME? Get your copy by clicking the button below. Want to read another exclusive excerpt of the book? Keep scrolling. I’ll also tell you what I’m currently obsessed with, besides the U.S. Open.
Is there a TV show, music, or an activity you’re obsessed with right now? Share it with me here.
Here’s What the Story is About
Nikki
I went from gracing magazine covers as a member of a best-selling female group to being the subject of a blog article on “The Downfall of Nikki Hart.” After the flop of my solo album and a failed engagement, my anxiety is at an all-time high. I’m in desperate need of a fresh start, so I’m headed to London in hopes of kickstarting my solo career. But first, I’m returning home to Atlanta for my old high school’s jubilee celebration. I’m here to heal the rifts caused by my manipulative ex and to repair my friendship with Ced.
Cedrick
I’ve known Anika Hart was the woman for me since we met in high school. But family obligations and our individual music careers have always interfered. I was destroyed by her engagement to the one person in this industry I’d love to see take a long walk off a short pier. Now that she’s back, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her to stay.
Nikki believes the road to her solo career runs through London’s music scene. But I’m an award-winning record producer and co-owner of a brand-new boutique record label. If she’ll give me twelve weeks, I’ll prove we’re the perfect match in love and music.
Note: NEVER THE RIGHT TIME deals with a variety of issues that may be difficult for some readers. Please check the content note on the retail page.
“Wow.” Nikki opens her eyes and smiles. “Does this mean we’ve unlocked the level where we go from knowing each other well to being actual mind readers?”
“I don’t know about mind reading. But I’d like to think I know you pretty damn well.” I chuckle. “And I wanted to do something to thank you. Not just for making tonight so amazing. For being there for my mom when she needed you and for me and the girls. You always seem to know what I want and what I need.” I nod toward the handmade wooden box that serves as both a cigar ashtray and a whiskey glass holder. One of the countless gifts she’s bought me over the years.
“That? That was no big deal.” Nikki closes her eyes again as I massage the sole of her foot with my thumb.
She squirms and murmurs like I’m giving her a finger job, which only makes me intensify my efforts.
“It was a big deal to me,” I say. “It’s a gift that shows how well you know me. I was talking to KiKi the other night and… have you ever heard the term pebbling?”
“No, I don’t think I have.” She opens her eyes and stares at me quizzically.
“There’s this type of penguin that shows affection by giving what they consider the perfect pebble to the penguin they want to be their life partner. It translates in dating as giving the person you like small thoughtful gifts. And it doesn’t have to be a physical thing. It could be something like sharing memes the person will think are funny or an article they might find helpful.” I try to recall the pertinent details of my chat with my sister.
“Hmm…” Nikki’s sitting up now, and I can tell she’s mining our long history for examples of us both doing exactly what I described. “So the promise ring, the cigar box, the cologne, and the clock… they’re all examples of us pebbling?”
“Exactly.” I switch to massaging her other foot. “But it’s not just the things we’ve bought for each other,” I continue. “It’s you volunteering to stay with my mom so I could take my sisters on what turned out to be really special trips. You taking the time to learn my mom’s recipes. Being there for my sisters through the years when I didn’t even know it. It wasn’t some transactional thing done in exchange for something you wanted. You just did it because you care about—”
“Because I love you, Cedrick Brown,” Nikki interjects.
My heart expands in my chest hearing her say those words.
“You did it because you love me,” I say. “And that’s why I’ve done everything I can to be there for you.” I massage the heel of her right foot.
“Like the deal with Peachtree Records and your offer to go to Europe with me,” she says. “I still can’t believe you were willing to do either of those things.”
“Maybe I bent over backward to get you as favorable a deal as I could with Peachtree Records. But don’t get it twisted. We fully expect that both sides will come out winners in the end. We made an investment in you because we believe in you.” I trail my thumb up the sole of her right foot with as much pressure as I think she can comfortably take.
“Pebbling, huh?” Nikki nods thoughtfully. “I like that.”
A soft smile lights her beautiful brown eyes. She’s practically glowing. The genuine joy and happiness in her expression is contagious. It’s also fucking sexy. It feels like she’s a million miles from who she was when she returned to town a couple months ago sad and broken.
I know the anxiety isn’t gone. But it feels like she’s gotten the upper hand on it, even if it’s just for now. And I hope that, in some small way, I’ve been a part of that. But good days or bad, I’ll be here for Nikki, as long as she wants to be in my life.
Read the First Two Chapters of NEVER THE RIGHT TIME
In case I’ve never mentioned it before, I’m obsessed with NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. There have been so many amazing ones over the years. Some of my faves include: Usher, Sam Smith, Anthony Hamilton, Niles Rodgers, Adele, Harry Styles, Alicia Keys, Babyface, Snoh Aalegra, Dua Lipa, the cast of Wicked the Musical, Jasmine Sullivan, Justin Bieber, Kirk Franklin, and the list goes on. I was introduced to artists like Moonchild, Masego, Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei, and a number of jazz and classical artists.
I’ve watched all of these concerts and more multiple times. But confession: I’ve probably rewatched (or at least listened to) Kehlani’s Tiny Desk Concert fifteen or twenty times at this point. And yes, I’m listening to it now as I watch the U.S. Open and prepare this newsletter. LOL. Click the button below to check out Kehlani’s Tiny Desk Concert. Or go on YouTube and search for any of the other amazing artists listed.
Victoria Monét made her mark in the music world while writing songs for artists like Ariana Grande, including “7 Rings”, one of my favorite songs of hers. I first discovered Victoria as an artist when I added her song “F.U.C.K. (Friend U Can Keep)” to the playlist for THE BAD BOY EXPERIMENT. I love several of the songs on her new JAGUAR II album, like “On My Mama” and “How Does It Make You Feel.” But my hands down favorite is “Good Bye.” There are many reasons I love this song. The music, the lyrics, her phrasing, the sentiments of the song… But what I love the most is that it gives me all of those things and a huge dose of nostalgia. This song reminds me of “blue-eyed soul” songs I grew up listening to by artists like The Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates, Average White Band, Bobby Caldwell, Ambrosia, and more. Check out “Good Bye” by Victoria Monét by clicking the video graphic above or the button below.
Happy Reading!
