Lendle

Book Overview:

Hopeless romantic Janelle Anderson is a twenty-eight year old voluptuous paralegal who’s tired of living in her size zero little sister Toni’s shadow.

Between office gossip and her mom’s constant criticism, Janelle finds comfort in reality TV catfights and baking cupcakes with her cat Dandelion. But just when she thinks her mediocre life can't get any worse, Toni announces her upcoming engagement.

With the wedding date fast-approaching, things soon spin out of control as Janelle kicks her dating life out of park and into drive.

All hope seems lost -- until an unlikely lover comes to Janelle’s rescue.
 

Book Excerpt

…

“I hope you're going to use that bat on a real burglar instead of just opening the door for strangers,” my mother says sashaying her way into my apartment.

The bat hits the floor as I take a step back to let her inside my tiny apartment. To use the word ‘surprised’ to see my mother would be an understatement.

She waltzes in with her Chanel powdered pink skirt and crisp white blouse. Her pearls and diamond earrings bounce off the lighting in my kitchen. A light floral scent of lavender and cotton candy suddenly fill the air. Her heels click-clack across the wooden floor.

Just like that, my day goes from bad to worse, within a matter of minutes. I close my robe tightly and shut the door. I’m almost too embarrassed to even look at my mother. At 56, she still has the physique of a woman half her age.

Money and time can afford you the luxury of working out five days a week, I think.

I stand behind the door and avert my eyes occasionally looking in the same direction as the woman who gave birth to me. I can tell by her raised brow and her nose in the air that she doesn’t approve of my living arrangements.

My apartment feels like home to me. I love the oversized pillows of different shapes and patterns that complement the coffee-colored couch I often fall sleep on; the aqua colored rug I bought at the thrift store; unique art on the wall purchased from a local artist in Charlotte, whom I support at least once a year; oversized scented candles filling each corner of the room; African statues and tiny pieces of ethnic art here and there; stacks of books from the library; and a few photos of me with my friends over the years strategically placed.

It’s my home, and I like it.

“Ah-choo!” my mother lets out.

“Bless you,” I say.

With disgust in her voice, my mother asks, “Do you have a cat?”

“Yes,” I nod.

“Get rid of it!” she demands, clutching her purse.

I walk over to Dandelion and pick her up, cradling her like a newborn baby in my arms. “I beg your pardon,” I ask, rubbing her softly.

“I’m allergic,” my mother barks, searching inside of her Michael Kors handbag for a napkin.

I place Dandelion back into her bed. Folding my arms, I hear myself reply, “This is Dandelion’s home, not yours.”

“Fair enough. We won’t be staying long anyway,” she says roaming her eyes over the apartment.

“We?”

The doorbell doesn't ring, but the doorknob turns at my front door, and in walks my arch nemesis. Toni. Dressed in thousand-dollar Vera Wang eight-inch heels, a black pencil skirt, and a sheer black blouse, Toni bounces into my apartment, unannounced. Long black tresses cascade down the shoulders of her petite frame. My sister smiles briefly in my direction and frowns while surveying what was my sanctuary, up until a moment age.

Note to self: Always lock your damn door!

Toni and her high heels catwalk all over my apartment. With each step, she makes my ears cringe. Awkward silence covers the room as we all stand in a wide triangle. She runs a finger over my bookshelf.

“Dusty?” she whispers.

I grit my teeth. Be cool Janelle. You don’t want to mangle the bride before her big day.

__________

BBW Romance, BWWM Romance, Multicultural Romance