Sometimes life throws you a curveball...
Navigating life has become a challenge for Genelle "Gigi" Golden. First the death of her mother, then her long time live-in boyfriend abruptly trades her in for a new model. Determined to restart her life Gigl packs her bags and heads to the Southwest. When things don't go as planned, Gigi finds herself caught between the proverbial 'rock and a hard place'; and an impulsive decision turns her life in an unexpected direction.
Then ex-military man Desmond Wright enters her life. Although physically changed by a skin disease it hasn't dampened Desmond's confidence or lessened his appeal to the opposite sex. But, Desmond's life is complicated by an spoiled adult daughter, who treats his home like it has a revolving door, and a mother who won't let him forget that he's yet to find the love of his life.
When things falls apart, Gigi discovers that true friends reveal themselves in the toughest times and that grace comes when you least expect it.
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My Story
My first novel, Plenty Good Room was published in 2005. As a self-taught writer, I wanted to write more--and, better--so when a position didn't pan out as expected I decided to return to school and in year and a half finished the 83 credits I lacked to earn my B.A.
The new education seemed a catalyst for other changes in my life. I had been a mostly single mother since the age of 23, and once my youngest son left for college, I was alone with no one to focus on but myself. It wasn't long until I realized I didn't like my life much. When my mother passed, I suppose I was ready to leave worry, sadness and chronic underemployment behind, since on a whim I decided to move to the Southwest. Within a few weeks, I had packed my three bedroom townhouse into a small storage unit. I fit what I could into my Olds Alero and soon my doggie Mocha and were making our way through a dismal gray rainy ride here to Texas. In hindsight I realize how much I had taken on, because I'd never lived anywhere but Illinois.
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Thankfully, I didn't wind up in my car like my character, Gigi, but for a good while it was tough going. New beginnings are never easy and as Desmond's mother likes to remind him, 'I'm no spring chicken.' Truly, the kindness of friends and strangers held me up and pointed me in new directions. Six years later, I have earned a Master's in English and will defend my dissertation for my PhD this Fall. Two years ago I accepted a position as an Associate Professor at a large community college.
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"Telling Stories" is about new beginnings, friends, and family. It is a romantic comedy, with some dramatic moments. For almost four years I've kept company with Gigi, Desmond and their friends and family.
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I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
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Cheri
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reader And Critical Praise
The protagonist of this debut novel is Tamara Britton, a reserved, devoted child welfare worker. The 30-something's quiet, tidy life is turned upside-down when her boss asks her to temporarily take in a foul-mouthed teen runaway named Sienna. During this stint as a foster mom, Tamara has to supervise homework, discuss teenage sexuality and wade into the murky world of pop culture. She is also motivated to put together some of the pieces of her own interrupted childhood and travels to prisons and hospitals in search of birth parents she never knew. Edwards richly develops the novel's characters, especially those who play supporting parts. Tamara's outrageous friend and colleague, Lynette, is a hoot, and Lynette and Tamara's sharply dressed but racist boss is well drawn. Still, the novel is far from perfect. The two plots—Tamara and Sienna's relationship, and Tamara's own childhood—tie together at the end, but the connections require coincidences that strain credulity. The stock features of CBA fiction are all predictably there: Tamara, who has never dated, is suddenly wooed by two fine men. And she not only finds love but also her faith—at a church altar call. This contribution to the flourishing field of African-American Christian fiction is promising, though it also suffers from first-timer flaws. (Apr. 20)
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