A Heart Not Easily Broken Book Discussion!

Wow! I can't believe A Heart Not Easily Broken has been published for two months!!!

After four long years of planing, writing, revising, and oh man does the list go on,  it's been two months since my debut novel has been put into you, the readers hands! The comments, ratings, and reviews have been amazing! I've had so many questions asked that I decided to host a book discussion  on my  Facebook Author Fan Page!

Be sure to stop by and say hi on Thursday, November 15th, from 8pm to 10pm where I will answer questions about the books, the characters, the Butterfly Memoirs series, and the next book, Jaded.

If you'd like to chat with me, grab your copy and write down your questions. Haven't read yet, what are you waiting for? Buy your copy today! Still not sure if this book is what  your looking for? Stop by the book discussion and see what the readers think! I will be giving a way three ebook copies of A Heart Not Easily Broken for Kindle or Nook to a few lucky visitors!

I look forward to seeing you there!

 M.J. Kane's Facebook Fan Page

 A Heart Not Easily Broken....

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn't expect is a blond haired, blue-eyed bass player -who won't take "no" for an answer - to accept the challenge.  

When Ebony's attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and a career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friends trust. 

BUY your copy of the Amazon Bestseller today!  4.7 out of 5.0 STARS!!! Available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and iTunes! Prefer Paperback? Find it on Amazon or B&N!!!

Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

Defining The Butterfly Memoirs

What are The Butterfly Memoirs?

Butterflies symbolize change, evolution, the shedding of the old and bringing out the new. We've all seen the plain looking caterpillars in the spring, plain Jane, ordinary insects that haunt the leaves of the bushes nearby. Until one day when they disappear into their cocoons and emerge, completely changed. They're now beautiful winged insects that capture our attention and our imagination as they float by on a breeze. The definition of a memoir is a story,a narration  told by a person, first hand, of their personal experiences.

And from this, The Butterfly Memoirs were born.

The series is a collection of stories, told in first person by the characters themselves. It is Contemporary/Multicultural Romance and Women's Fiction, addressing the realistic trials men and women face when in a relationship. My goal is to inspire hope, comfort, and encourage anyone who may be able to relate to these stories.

The first book in the series, A Heart Not Easily Broken, addresses the subject of black/white romance, friendships, and secrets.

Twenty-six-year old Ebony Campbell is a black woman working hard to achieve her dream of becoming a veterinarian at the Los Angeles Zoo. For the past seven years, her focus has been maintaining her grades, nothing, not a man, not even her friends, come between her, and her education. Until one night, her roommates convince her to put the books down and go out to have a little fun.

Brian Young is a musician, cool, confident and well on the path to making his musical dreams come true. He owns a business cutting yards during the day and makes music at night. The moment he sees Ebony dancing in the crowd as he plays on the stage, he's hooked. Determined to get to know her, he ignores her discomfort of their racial differences. His attraction isn't based on the color of her skin; it's in her eyes and her mind...and of course her curvaceous body.

As soon as things heat up between them, Brian scores the chance of a lifetime, an offer he can't refuse that will take him away from Ebony and the relationship he's convinced her to build for three months. Ebony's cool with that since her final year of college is about to begin. The less distractions she has, the better start she'll have of her senior year.

Everything runs smoothly until one night when Ebony finds herself trapped in a situation that changes her life. The secret she must keep from Brian and her best friend, Yasmine, threaten to ruin everything she's dedicated her life to achieving over the past seven years. Her education, her friendship, and the new love in her life.


MJ

What Makes a Woman Independent?

Independence. It's something everyone, male or female,  yearn for as a child, even more so when they reach their teens. High school graduates are anxious to move out of their parent's homes and spread their metaphorical 'wings' as they break free of their cocoons. No longer larva, or caterpillars, they are now butterflies.

The word independent has various meanings, twenty, according to dictionary.com. Yet, when it comes to the sexes, independence is a word with both positive and negative connotations, especially for women.

Let's explore a few of those meanings.

in*de*pend*ent (adjective)

1.not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker.

Pretty self-explanatory, it could go for both men and women. This is the level teens strive for when separating themselves from their parents.

2. not subject to anothers authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free: an independent businessman

You pretty much need to be this way these days in order to make ends meet...self-employed. If not, your hard pressed to find a job.
3.not relying on another or others for aid or support.

This could go either way, male or female, depending on whether or not they are financially able to take care of themselves without combining their income with others (roommates; renting a room)  in order to make ends meet.

4. rejecting others' aid or support; refusing to be under obligation to others.

Again, this could also be a male or female. This way of thinking is based on pride not allowing them to do otherwise. Even if that means running up every credit card, or worse, becoming enraged when others offer them assistance.

5.expressive of a spirit of independence; self-confident; unconstrained: a free and independent citizen.

This one, in my opinion, would be where most independent women (those who feel there is no need for a man in their life or significant other) tend to fall. 

Is this type of independence the kind every woman dreams of? Is it what they truly want out of life? Or do they feel or act that way because of what life has thrown at them? Are the daily challenges they face forcing them to take on that mentality in order to survive? 

Does an independent woman really want to be completely independent, free of romantic attachments, relationships, or responsibilities for the rest of her life?  

That is one of the questions asked in The Butterfly Memoirs. If you've been keeping up with the #Six Sentence Sunday blog post for the first book in the series, A Heart Not Easily Broken, you've been introduced to a few of the characters. If not, please scroll over to the tab and take a few minutes to aquaint yourself. 

Ebony Campbell is the central female character of the story. She's twenty-five, nearly done getting her college education, and single. She is smart, independent, and focused on reaching her goal. Since graduating high school, she has made it her life ambition to get the degree of Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, so she can get her dream job of becoming a veterinarian. For seven years, she hasn't allowed a man to distract her in any way. 

           "What was the saying? ‘All work and no play make Jane a dull girl?’ It was something like that. But it didn’t matter. A relationship of any length, even temporary, was not a priority for me. 

             I did just fine on my own without a man in my life. I managed to pay my own bills. The only thing a man could do for me would be to keep me company at night. A nice firm body to lie against, and of course sex. Even that would require time and some form of commitment.

             Good sex led to feelings. Feelings led to love. Love led to marriage and kids. Three things I did not have time for…except for sex."- Ebony

With that mentality, would it be possible for her to leave that way of thinking behind if the right man came along? What would he have to say or do to make her feel differently? Well, you'll have to stick around to for more Six Sentence Sunday to see what happens next. Also, say tuned for further information as to when the book will be available so you can read the whole story.
Until then, all my independent ladies (as you see, independence comes in more than just one way), I am including this video for you to enjoy, Independent, by Destiny's Child. When your done rocking out, please post your comments.

Last but not least, here's some food for thought: 

“A woman does not need a man to feel complete. Neither does she need to be single to be independent.” ~Mariluz Lozada

So, are you and independent woman? 

MJ

Connect with me on the following sites: 

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Linkedin

#Six Sentence Sunday #7 A Heart Not Easily Broken

Well, well, well, another Sunday has arrived. Thank you for coming back!

Last week, Ebony shared what it would take for a man to catch her eye.  After spending the evening in the club, wearing a dress she’s not comfortable in, and being pressured by her roommates to find a man to have a summer fling with, Ebony has finally decided to go with the flow. Maybe the drink she had gave her a dose of liquid courage? Either way, the prospects have been slim. Nobody’s been bold enough to talk to her, and she is determined not to be the one to make the first move. Being ogled from across the room is has become annoying. Just as she begins to get bored, the music stops and action on the stage grabs her attention.

The band came onto the stage; Diverse Nation, their name suited them. The different members represented every nationality it seemed. My attention immediately went to the drummer.

He had dark mahogany skin, and it was impossible to judge his height since he stood on a stage. His build was exactly what I liked - shoulders the width of a doorframe and muscles bulging through his t-shirt like the Incredible Hulk. 

He took his place on stage, tapped his drumsticks together, and proceeded to drum out a rhythm, making the crowd go wild.

Sounds like someone’s gotten her attention. Could he be the one?

Come back next Sunday to find out!

MJ


Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

#Six Sentence Sunday # 6 - A Heart Not Easily Broken

Welcome back!

Last week we learned Ebony wasn’t looking for a relationship because it could lead to distractions she has no time for. Things like love, commitment, and family.  But she’s got her mind set on sex. So, what does it take to turn the head of a independent woman?

I preferred a man who was tall, had thick lips, and eyes that could peer into the depths of my soul. A man with the body of a sex machine, yet had no problem working hard for a living and wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. One of the first things I noticed about a man was not his shoe size, but his hands. If they were too pretty and soft, the man didn’t believe in hard work. If they were overly calloused with visible dirt under the nails and full of scrapes and bruises, those were signs that a man didn’t take care of the little things, which meant the rest of him would be questionable. Now, a man with hands somewhere in between, calloused from work with no traces of dirt under his nails, those were signs of a hardworking man who could clean up nice…everywhere.

A good man, it seems, is exactly what she looking for, whether she want to admit it or not. After all, who’d be that picky over a one-night stand?

Stay tuned ladies, he is coming, and I promise, like Ebony, you won’t be disappointed!

See you next week!

MJ


Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

Does Your Family Choose Who You Love?

As much as we'd hate to admit it, family, in some way, influences the decisions we make. No matter how old we get.

As children, we look to our parents and other family members to guide us on the road to adulthood. How we dress, how we speak, what we think. Our beliefs are shaped by the experiences of those wise in their years. Why? Because as blank sheets, we have to learn how the world works.

Then we hit the dreaded teenage years. Our desire to become individuals, independent of those who taught us, and stand out from our peers emerges. What we now think, feel, and believe does not always coincide what we were taught. Our style of dress, word choices...our minds are now our own. Our personal experiences begin to break the mold of what we were taught.

But what about our beliefs? By beliefs, I'm not refering to religious ones, because everyones personal beliefs are their own. The beliefs I'm refering to are what determines who we fall in love with.

No matter where you go in the world, race - in some places more than others - is an issue. Who you decide to become friends with and whom you fall in love with is influenced by those closest to you. If the one your heart guided you to is not of the same race, the relationship may be frowned upon. Family, friends, and society as a whole often feel they have the right to give you their opinions.

But what about your opinions? At what point do you put your foot down and go with your heart?

Nearly everywhere you look, families of mixed races can be found. The reactions to interracial relationships depends on where you live. The youth of today have learned to embrace the racial and cultural differences between them and their school mates. They look at the quality of a person and ignore skin color. I applaud this. What remains of prejudice comes from older people who are set in their ways, or from young ones who are still living under the raciest influence of those around them. When it comes to finding love, your heart should be your guide. Not family, not friends, not the people in the town you live in.

Family influence is a subject that is brought up in A Heart Not Easily Broken. Ebony Campbell comes from a black family in North Carolina. Her family has taught her to be open minded, to never judge anyone because of the color of their skin, and to make her own decisions. Ebony's parents are in their late 50's and grew up when racial relations were tense. Their experiences taught them that races don't mix when it comes to family. The constantly try to introduce her to every available black bachelor, which causes Ebony to be warry about getting involved with a man of any other race than her own.

Brian Young sees things differently. Growning up in southern California, he comes from a very liberal family. He has been taught to see a person for who and what they are, no matter what race. When Brian meets Ebony, he is interested in who she is as a woman, the color of her skin only intrigues him. Brian has to work to break down the barrier Ebony sets up and convience her he has more to offer than just friendship. When their relationship progresses to more, Ebony must chose. Does she allow how her family will feel about her dating a white man cause her to loose the happiness she has found?

Here's this week's question: Does your families' opinions continue to affect the major decisions in your life? Where do you draw the line?

#Six Sentence Sunday #4 - A Heart Not Easily Broken

Hello everyone! 

Another Sunday has arrived, and so has the chance to introduce  another character in The Butterfly Memoirs Series. Like Yasmine, who was introduced two weeks ago, Kaitlyn Rodgers will also have her own story, Book 3, that is currently a #wip.

Kaitlyn is another of the main character, Ebony Campbell’s, best friends. She is a woman all her own. Independent, quirky, stubborn, even if she knows she’s wrong…hold up, that sounds a lot like me! But no matter what, she has proven to be a good friend whenever either of the girls needed her. How does Ebony view her? Let’s see:

            The olive satin fabric matched her green eyes, and she’d pinned her long blonde hair away from her face.

Despite her outfit, Kaity’s bubbly laugh and infectious smile attracted men like a magnet. Her large breasts on a slender frame didn’t hurt either. Somehow, her country twang seemed to fascinate the men in southern California. Whenever we went for a girl’s night out, Kaitlyn always got picked-up first. Her innocent, Farmer’s Daughter facade won men over.

Kaitlyn is not from around here! LOL…and like Ebony and Yasmine, she is a beautiful woman who has a story to tell…when it’s her turn.

Thanks again for visiting! Come back next Sunday when Ebony’s outlook on love, men, and relationships is questioned.  As always, don’t forget to ‘like’ The Butterfly Memoirs on Facebook, follow this blog, and on Twitter!

MJ

Connect with me on the following sites: 

Twitter

Google+

Linkedin

Facebook

#Six Sentence Sunday #3 - A Heart Not Easily Broken

Welcome back to this week’s installment of A Heart Not Easily Broken. So far, we have met the main character, Ebony Campbell, and one of her best friends, Yasmine Phillips. Ebony has been talked into going on a girl’s night out and wearing a dress obviously not her style. Why not? I’ll let her tell you herself.

           Yasmine’s high-yellow complexion, slender ballet dancer body, long legs, and B-cup breasts suited her personality. There were times I wished my body was more like hers, though. It would make shopping for clothes a lot easier. As it was, I had been blessed with the shapely figure my Nana called “bootylicious”. According to her, and her photo albums, I looked just like her when she was my age, with caramel-colored skin, perfectly proportioned hips, a butt that drew major attention, and D-cup breasts, making it hard for a man to look me straight in the eye. 

          I groaned while making another wardrobe adjustment. 

 I empathize with you sister! I hate to shop for clothes to cover a voluptuous figure!

Come back next week when I introduce the third women in The Butterfly Memoirs series, Kaitlyn Rodgers. My goal was to create different woman, ones you can easily recognize in your own group of friends. If you haven't seen yourself yet, could Kaitlyn be you??? Come back next week to find out!

Don’t forget, find The Butterfly Memoirs on Facebook and ‘like’ the fan page, follow this blog, and look for them on Twitter!

M.J. Kane


Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

#Six Sentence Sunday - #2- A Heart Not Easily Broken

Welcome back!

My goal with The Butterfly Memoirs is to bring a new and fresh voice to the romance genre. The stories I tell reflect a life many of us live, no matter what are economic status. I hope somewhere in the group of amazing, strong willed, yet emotionally vulnerable women, you the reader, will be able to relate.

This week I introduce you to Yasmine Phillips, a close friend and roommate of the book's heroine, Ebony Campbell. Yasmine is the complete opposite of Ebony. She is confident in her sexuality, and says what she means regardless of the consequences.

When we last saw Ebony, we learned she was uncomfortable in her club attire. What did Yasmine have to say about that?

 I turned to face Yasmine. “Freakum dresses are your thing, not mine.” 

 Yasmine laughed. “True, true, everyone’s not blessed with a body like mine.” She ran a hand over her hips, striking a pose. “Besides, I love showing mine off.” 

Yasmine obviously has no problem wearing the kind of dress Ebony was coerced into putting on. Ladies, we all have a friend who is extremely confident in themselves. If you don’t have one... then you’re probably it!

**Book two in the series, Jaded, is Yasmine's story. It is currently in editing phase!**

Come back next week to read more! In the meantime, please visit The Butterfly Memoirs on Facebook and ‘like’ the fan page. Also, follow the ladies of the series on Twitter! Until next time!

M.J. Kane


Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

#Six Sentence Sunday- #1- A Heart Not Easily Broken

This is my first #Six Sentence Sunday post. Thank you for stopping by! I hope to keep you coming back for more! My book is entitled, A Heart Not Easily Broken. The genre is Contemporary Romance, Interracial Romance, and Women’s Fiction. The book is completed and is the first in The Butterfly Memoirs Series. I am currently searching for a publisher. Wish me luck!

In the meantime, I am going to share with you snippets of the first chapter.

Ebony Campbell is nearing the start of her final year of college. For the past seven years, her focus has been on school and not men. The goal is to become a Veterinarian Technician at the Los Angeles Zoo where she  works as an intern. Her best friends, and roommates, Yasmine Phillips and Kaitlyn Rodgers, have encouraged her to put down her books for the night and search for a summer fling. After all, school is out  for the next three months. In this introduction to the main character, Ebony Campbell, she is obviously uncomfortable in her evening attire. Enjoy!

“This is the last time I wear this dress.”

“Oh, please, Ebony,” Yasmine, my best friend and roommate, yelled in my ear. The music pounding out of the nightclub’s speakers made it nearly impossible to hear her.

“Stop fidgeting. You look uncomfortable,” she added, winking at the bartender who handed us our drinks.

No matter how many times I adjusted the hem of my dress, it was impossible to ignore the warm air tickling the backs of my thighs as people pushed past me in the crowded bar.

Ladies, haven’t we all been there? Wearing a dress we should have left hanging on the rack in the store? LOL….

See you next week when I share more!


M.J. Kane 



Connect with me on the following sites: 
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Facebook

What Does Friendship Mean To You?

Welcome to The Butterfly Memoirs Blog!

For those of you who have followed my author blog, This Writer’s Life-mjkane, you know what I’ve gone through over the past two years to write my first book, A Heart Not Easily Broken. It’s been a very interesting journey. I have now reached the point where the book is complete and I am searching for a publisher.

***UPDATE!!! Since this blog was posted, I have since ford a publisher! Look for it September 20th as an eBook, October 4th as a paperback!****

In the meantime, I have set up this blog to focus on the series, the characters, and the subject matter addressed in the series. I would love to hear your feedback. So, let’s begin!

What is the meaning of the word, friend? According to Dictionary.com, a friend is: a person attached to another by affection or regard.

During the course of our lives, we have friends on many different levels. There are acquaintances, people we are friendly with at work or socially. There are also people we do not view as being hostile - yet is considered a friend or friendly. People who donate to charity are considered friends of that organization.

What about the act of being a friend, or to be more exact, friendship?

The definition of friendship is: 1.) The state of being a friend, association as friends, 2.) friendly relation or intimacy, 3.) friendly feeling or disposition. (Dictionary.com)

As children, there were people we hung out with, got in trouble with, and made lasting memories with. Many of them may have navigated their way in and out of our lives over time. Yet, there is always that one - if we’re lucky, two - people who managed to dig their way in and mean something. Those are the friends we would stand up for, help in times of trouble, and if the situation called for it, give our lives. And they would do the same.

This type of friendship is addressed in, A Heart Not Easily Broken. Ebony Campbell, the heroine, shares a home with her two best friends, Yasmine Phillips, and Kaitlyn Rodgers, whom she met while in college. The three women have gone through the difficulties of maturing for the past six years. They know each other’s secrets, motivations, and fears.

When Ebony must deal with a situation that, even though it has damaged her, has the potential to devastate one of her friends, she has a decision to make. Does she tell her friend and begin healing emotionally from the damage done, yet knowingly destroy her best friend’s already damaged heart? Or, does she keep it bottled up, putting her friends feelings first, and protect the friendship that means so much to her?

Now, here’s a question: Would you be willing to keep a deep, dark secret from your best friend if you knew it could devastate them in the end, no matter what it would do to you?

M.J. Kane