|
Amazon
A Choice to Yield
Laurence (Lonz) Cook
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN-10: 0741453444
Type: Fiction
Pages: 359
Copyright: July 10, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780741453440
A Choice to Yield is a dynamic story of love, race, friendship, and careers. The heroine, Angela, becomes intrigued with interest from an unlikely source. She is a typical Midwestern girl who received limited exposure to minorities. After relocating to Atlanta with her best friend Paula, she befriends an African American man, which they eventually enjoy an
evening of fun. Paula is appalled and warns Angela of a perceived future
with such interest and friend. Paula persuades Angela to dismiss her
interest and date what she calls acceptable candidates.
During the story, Angela eases her friend's concern and dates guys like;
Bill whose likeness and belief holds ethnicity and race separate and not
equal by any means. Christopher, a self centered gentleman and surely
Paula's approval, isn't capable of grabbing Angela's heart. And Eric, a
gentle soul, soothes Angela's troubled moment, but unfortunately doubtful as
a companion.
Angela makes new friends who expands her views; Margo a charismatic artsy
socialite; Karen, the interior decorator; and Amy, an indecisive romantic. Each friend injects ideas influencing Angela's final decision. Angela makes a self discovery decision while facing the cross roads of true love or social acceptance.
As soon she thought today would be more of the same, Angela’s world changed in an instant. A tall, clean shaven, but hardly metro sexual, muscular African American man appeared smelling of the hottest fragrance. He was a smooth talker and charismatic as gathered by how he handled the sales woman who could barely stop smiling. Intrigued but hesitant as he was not what she would typically show off to her friends and family. Angela’s Caucasian circle was openly un-accepting. However, Angela could not resist. She had to get to know him better. After all, he could be the one. Couldn’t he? It is the 21 century, right?
Paula, Angela’s best friend, hated her dark interest. She persuaded Angela to deter the romance and explore acceptable companions. Angela eased her friend’s concern and dated guys like; Bill whose likeness and belief held ethnicity and race separate and not equal by any means. Christopher, a self centered gentleman, and surely Paula’s approval, wasn’t capable of grabbing Angela’s heart. And Eric, a gentle soul, soothed Angela’s troubled moment, but unfortunately doubtful as a companion. Angela battled to avoid the man she chose. How long will Angela follow Paula’s advice?
Angela emerged from strongholds of perceptions and social ideologies. Her intrigue allowed Mark to weave through her life while she journeyed to self discovery. Along the way, she became acquainted with: Margo a charismatic artsy socialite; Karen, the interior decorator; and Amy, an indecisive romantic. Each new friend injected ideas of love and happiness influencing Angela’s final decision.
A Choice to Yield is Angela’s cross roads to embrace true love or live for acceptance.
Excerpt
Angela toyed with the intoxicating interest from an unlikely source. The idea felt flirtatiously dangerous, and sparked with excitement. “Nothing ventured without a simple conversation,” she reflected while contemplating her response when he spoke to her again. She sat next to Mark in one of Barnes and Noble’s reading areas. “How dare I think of it? No, not him, don’t do it. But my goodness he looked great. He smelled yummy,” Angela smiled, her face hidden behind a book. She glanced at him, blushed, and hoped no one noticed. Mark recognized her peek, saw her reflection, and chuckled. He held his spark to laugh out loud. He then turned and said, “It must be a great book.”
“Excuse me?” Angela responded.
“You’re blushing. It must be a great book or you’ve read something dirty.”
“Oh, no it isn’t. I actually had a thought of…”
“What? Please, do tell.”
“…You smell really nice. What kind of cologne are you wearing?”
Mark hesitated before responding. He wanted to say something profound, but not too direct. He placed his book on his lap, looked at her, and softly whispered, “Secret.”
“Huh? I didn’t get that,” Angela said as she leaned closer leading with her ear forward.
Mark looked around as if someone may eaves drop on his answer. He leaned next to Angela and whispered, “Secret.”
“You mean the deodorant?” Angela loudly responded.
“Shhhh, not so loud; to answer your question, yes partially and no not quite. I use a secret concoction I haven’t patented it yet. It works great. Do you really like it?”
“It’s nice. What’s in it?” Angela asked with curiosity.
“A little of this, a touch of that, and a pinch of the other,” Mark smiled in response.
“Whatever it is, it works well for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the compliment.”
“You’re welcome.” Angela smiled and returned to her book. It was the first time she actually allowed herself to speak freely. “That was easy,” she thought while holding a book closer to her face. In the beginning of her dating, Angela found boys were so into themselves that she had to force attention. She did a number of things most girls wouldn’t do so guys would find her interesting. Angela could crush cans with the best. It caught the attention of a popular twelve year old, which later became her first boy friend.
Mark read while seated next to Angela. Early times, he engineered ways to spark any woman’s interest. He has a patented approach to all women; a voice with charismatic flair, a subtle method for conversing, and offered them ease in responding. He projected enthusiasm, as he looked into a woman’s eyes every time she spoke. It was his intense listening and responding with substance, which offered freedom of speech to every conversationalist. Mark created an avenue of opportunity for Angela. “Excuse me,” Mark spoke as he looked at Angela. She placed her book in her lap, turned, and then answered, “Yes.”
“I couldn’t help but notice you’re in great shape; dancer or a gymnast?”
“Neither. I workout daily and it’s a way of life for me. What about you, do you workout?”
“I workout at least three times a week and play sports when I’m not in the gym,” Mark answered while contemplating his next question. “What is your favorite activity in the gym?”
“I enjoy running the most. It’s nothing like pushing yourself and reaching that high. You know what I mean?”
“I know exactly what you mean. You’re referring to the runners high. It makes you feel great while going along mile after mile.”
“That’s it. You know it. I hate missing a day running. My body gets mad or my day becomes shot.”
“That means you’re in fantastic shape. You can’t miss running on your routine days. It’s not good and you feel withdrawal pains.”
“You are a fitness guy, so you know the feeling.” Angela felt comfort in her response on a subject dear to her heart.
“Actually I’m not that much into fitness. I mean, I workout, but I’ve never achieved a runner’s high.”
“Then how do you know it so well?” asked Angela.
“I read it in this runner’s book. It was fascinating how the author described the feeling. Just proves he’s a great writer.” Mark smiled with his answer, and said, “Since you’re into running, maybe I can show you his book. It offered a few techniques to improve your abilities. I’m not saying you need to by no means.”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Angela rose with Mark and they walked to a topic interest aisle of the bookstore. She noticed Mark’s build, again, a fine man, slender build, right height, and nice derriere. Angela smirked at the site of him and then looked to see if anyone noticed her glance. She smiled under her breath not believing the attraction. “I can’t do that, stop thinking that way. Damn it, he’s black,” Angela thought as she followed him, still looking at his butt. Without paying close attention to Mark’s actions, she bumped him when he stopped at the shelf. “Excuse me, I’m sorry,” Angela said.
“No problem, it’s ok,” Mark responded and showed Angela the book. He turned page after page and stopped to discuss specific quotes and comments. They talked about the book in its entirety, as if common interest exuded into a greater realization of compatibility.” Wow, look at the time.” Mark said as he looked at his watch when he placed the book on the shelf. “I have to run. It was nice meeting you today. And you said your name was?”
“Angela, its Angela, nice meeting you too.”
“I hope we meet again soon. I come here quite often.”
“Me too, I’ll catch you the next time,” Angela said as she turned in a different direction from Mark thinking, “Don’t look back, don’t look back, don’t look back.” She then peeked.
|
