Books by Monica Lynne Foster
Hands Off My Man by Monica Lynne Foster
A Chanelle Series Novel – Book 2
Chanelle Slate believes she has it all. Beauty, a six-figure career, love of family, and a ride or die best friend. But the best part of her life is that she’s in love with a man she’d only dreamed about. She knows her marriage proposal is around the corner and she can’t wait to be Mrs. Chanelle Faust. Then she meets her man’s ex, and discovers his ex suffers from a mental illness. Will Chanelle find a way to keep her man without crossing the line and driving his ex over the edge?
Twyla Logan-Faust is used to being a kept woman. But when her boyfriend is sentenced to life without parole and her accountant takes off with her money, her world falls apart. She turns to her ex-husband, Rick, hoping to resume her position as his wife. Rick is the only man who knows about her bipolar condition and he’s the only one she can trust. Even when she discovers he’s moved on, she remains confident that no other woman can replace her. With a little coaxing, she’s positive she’ll be Mrs. Twyla Faust again.
Rick Faust is caught in the middle. His love for Chanelle is undeniable, but he was married to Twyla for years. He knows Twyla’s condition is real and he’s worried about what she might do if he rejects her. It’s impossible to make both women happy and he realizes his decision will change all of their lives forever.
The battle is on! With both women determined to be the new Mrs., who will be able to say… Hands Off My Man!
Hands Off My Man Book Reviews
I'm telling you, within a year, this is a writer everyone will know.
– Victoria Christopher Murray, award-winning author of Stand Your Ground
Monica Lynne Foster is an extraordinary new voice in African American fiction whose writing captivates you from beginning to end. The novel is intriguing, loving, suspenseful and well written.
– Maria D. Williams, Film/TV Producer
Reading Monica's story was a pleasure. She has created characters that leap off the page, and she has captured the secret formula to crafting a great novel.
– Richelle Denise, Co-Author of Pay Day
Hands Off My Man captured my attention at page one. This is sign of a great read when you care about the characters! Monica Lynne Foster does that well.
– Carolyn Barry-Ginyard
This is the first piece of literature I have read by Mrs. Foster and it will not be the last. She keeps her readers on the edge of their seat from page one. It is a must read.
– Kanika N Payne, Greensboro NC
Using the precision of an expert weaver, Monica has crafted a tale of mystery and intrigue, while also calling attention to the issue of mental illness. This book is definitely a must read!
– Arnitris L. Strong, Creator of blessedbethetie.com
Monica has done it again! Reading this book was very enjoyable. I could not tear myself away. This book contains all of the good stuff. It is juicy, has action, emotions, thrills, and chills.
– Debbie Greggs
I read this book without reading the first book in the series, but I wasn't disappointed! Monica's writing style is easy to read and straight to the point, which made it easy to follow the storyline. Great read!
– Rochelle Prestage
Excerpt from Hands Off My Man
Chapter 1 – Chanelle Slate
Did my boyfriend’s ex-wife really call and say she was taking him back from me? I looked over at him, sitting on the couch watching television, and my spirit filled with more love than I ever thought was possible. He was everything I’d asked God to bring me. Strong arms that held me when I needed it. Hazel eyes that looked at me with passion, love, and the right amount of lust. Broad shoulders designed just for me to lean on. And deep pockets that allowed him to spoil me. But the best part of my man, was his big heart. A heart that had enough room to love me unconditionally. I could feel my marriage proposal coming and I was excited about starting our life together as one. And then I got that call from that heifer.
Well, actually, it wasn’t me she called. It was him. A week ago today, Rick received a call from Twyla, but I was the one who answered his phone. I thought back to that day…
“Hey, sweetie,” Rick said, meeting me out on the deck where I was grilling salmon and asparagus.
“Hey, babe.” I greeted him with a peck on the lips. “Dinner is almost ready so go wash your hands.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he joked, and set his sunglasses and phone on the table before heading inside.
As he walked out of the sunroom, his phone rang. “Babe, would you grab that?”
Still smiling, I said, “I got it.” I glanced at the caller ID and it said, “Unknown.”
“Hello?”
“Who is this?” a female voice asked.
“Who is this?” I responded with my own question.
“This is Rick’s wife. Twyla.”
I was taken aback. “Excuse me, but don’t you mean his ex-wife?” I corrected her.
“Once a wife, always a wife. Now is Rick there?” she demanded. “Because I want to speak with my husband.”
Was she serious? “My man is unavailable at the moment, but I’ll tell him you called. Would you like to leave a message?”
In a tone drenched with sex, she replied, “Humph. Yeah, as a matter of fact I do. You tell him that we’re not over. I’m comin’ back to take what’s mine. He knows the number. Have him call me.” Then she hung up before I had a chance to respond.
“Babe, who was on the phone?” Rick asked, coming up behind me and nuzzling my neck.
I turned to face him. “That was your ex-wife. She said to call her. She wants you back.” I pushed the cell phone into his chest and stormed out of the room.
He was speechless and in an instant, I saw the peace of my life shatter. I had a feeling I would be calling Michele later that evening because I had a problem and she was the only one I trusted to help me fix it.
And I did call Michele, who was my best friend since childhood, and my ride or die when necessary. She’d been married for years and told me that it wasn’t unusual for a woman to occasionally reach out to her ex to test the water. She said I handled it appropriately and not to worry. I was reminded that Rick was in love with me and wasn’t going back to Twyla. But I’d wasted the better part of my twenties and the beginning of my thirties with a man who I discovered was on the down low. Now that I had Rick and the love I wanted, I wasn’t going to let anything steal my future. A future that I’d waited far too long to become my present.
Rick reassured me that he hadn’t loved her in years and I had nothing to fear. But still, I didn’t like the fact that she’d resurfaced after so much time had passed. There was no way any good would come of her return and I was going to nip this, whatever ‘this’ was, in the bud.
( Continued... )
© 2016 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Monica Lynne Foster. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Order Hands Off My Man by Monica Lynne Foster
A Chanelle Series Novel – Book 2
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit
http://monicalynnefoster.com/books-by-monica
Bad Choices Can Be Deadly
Book 2: Hands Off My Man
Monica Lynne Foster
Bad Choices Can Be Deadly by Monica Lynne Foster
A Chanelle Series Novel – Book 1
By the time the love she's wanted all of her adult life is finally in front of her, the mistakes, and sins, of her past come back to haunt her. And she quickly learns that it will be impossible for everyone to make it out alive.
Bad Choices Book Review
Monica Lynne Foster is an excellent writer. Just excellent. In her novel, Bad Choices Can Be Deadly, she had my heart racing, trying to figure out who was stalking. It was well-written, fast-paced, a true page-turner. —Victoria Christopher Murray, Author of Stand Your Ground
Intimate Conversation with Monica Lynne Foster
Monica Lynne Foster is an international selling author of fiction novels and Non-Fiction inspiration. Her novels focus on the lives of relatable characters who continually find themselves at a crossroads. Sometimes they make the right decisions…and sometimes they don’t.
In addition to being an author, Monica and her husband own American Gas Works, a gas contracting company in Michigan. She’s also the co-founder of Women Who Run Their World, a women’s organization whose purpose is to Encourage, Inspire, and Support our Sisters in Our Pursuit to Live Our Lives on Our Terms.
BPM: When did you get your first inkling to write, and how did you advance the call for writing?
I started writing when I was seven. I wrote a four page story titled Charlie and the Dunce. I remember reading it to my family and receiving applause. Only God knows if it was actually any good. Interestingly enough, my aunt kept it and showed it to me recently. I re-read it and it was pretty good, if I do say so myself. LOL. But it was the beginning of the 2000’s when I read Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray that the desire to write novels was truly sparked within me. I remember reading her novel and it was the first time I’d read a novel that I enjoyed and didn’t blush my way through it! In 2003, I began working on Bad Choices Can Be Deadly and, because of my corporate career, it took me over eleven years to finally bring it to life.
BPM: Tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you?
I write because I love it. It gives me life. I write both novels and inspirational non-fiction. With my novels, I enjoy the feeling of freedom that I experience when my mind gets to break away from reality and enter the realm of fantasy. I can be as outrageous or as tame as I want to be. My characters can say and do things that Monica would never say or do! And I always hope and pray that my readers get to take that same mental escape when they’re enjoying my work. When I write my inspirational pieces, I share my life story and how I transitioned from being a corporate executive to an entrepreneur and author. And I write a blog that is a by-product of my quiet time with God.
BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? Did you ever self-publish?
I am a self-published author and I love it. If I’m being honest, I’ll say that when I first published, I had a negative view of self-publishing. As though self-publishing was inferior to traditional publishing. But what I’ve learned through several bumps in the road is that being a self-published author, with the right team, can be very lucrative and rewarding.
BPM: Do you ever let the book stew – leave it for months and then come back to it?
Absolutely! I let my first book stew for eleven years! LOL. But seriously, I do put books on pause for various reasons. The books and the characters tell me when they’re ready to be written. I give myself target dates to complete my work, but I’m gentle with myself and if it takes a little longer than I’d anticipated, then I just flow with it.
BPM: Are there any areas of your writing career that you wish you could go back and change?
Not at all. Because every step we take, even the steps that hurt, lead us to where we are. And I’m very happy with where I am and where I’m going.
BPM: What’s the most important quality a writer should have in your opinion?
There’s more than one that rank side by side at the top of the list. Writers need to be observant. A great idea for a storyline can come from anywhere. Writers need to have thick skin. Everyone has an opinion and some will have opinions about our work that are complimentary, and others may have negative views. And the same Internet and social media worlds that we need to support us, are the exact same worlds that can crush our bubble. Give everyone the space to have their own thoughts about our work and be okay when it’s less than flattering. Understand that writing is only part of the journey. If we want people to read our work, then we have to be ambassadors for our brand and let people know what we have to offer. And finally, keep the joy. It can be tough at times, dealing with the ancillary parts of the business and the industry. But it’s necessary. Just remember how great you feel when you’re creating. And when you have a particularly tough day, go write something. You’ll feel better!
BPM: Can you share a little of your current work with us? Introduce us to your book and the characters.
My upcoming novel, Hands Off My Man is the second book in my Chanelle Series. It asks the question, “How far would you go to protect your relationship?” It’s a story that many women will initially find familiar. The title character, Chanelle, has kissed a lot of frogs and now has her Prince Charming. However, her happily ever after is threatened when her man’s ex-wife resurfaces and decides she wants him back. The situation is further complicated by his ex’s mental illness. Is Chanelle able to hold onto her relationship without pushing his ex over the edge? You have to read it to find out. ?
BPM: What genre is this book? Do you write all of your books in this category? Why?
The Chanelle Series is Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit. My novels are all written in this genre. My non-fiction work is Christian motivation/inspiration. I write in the genres that I enjoy reading.
Listen to a reading from Bad Choices Can Be Deadly – Book 1 in A Chanelle Series.
http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CRkzZSqx
BPM: Do you set out to educate or inspire, entertain or illuminate a particular subject?
In my novels I like to explore the imperfections in people who have good hearts and mostly good intentions, but who make costly mistakes. And I do that in an entertaining fashion. With my inspiration, I hope that by being transparent with my life, my shortcomings and challenges, as well as my triumphs, I can inspire others to go after what they want out of their own lives.
BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book?
Review it! Tell others about it if they enjoyed it. And hopefully, they’ll want to continue reading the series.
BPM: What are you the most thankful for now?
I remain thankful and grateful for what’s most important in my life. My God. My family. My relationships. My peace and joy.
BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
Just do it! Seriously. Every author I’ve listened to, interviewed, been coached by, all of them will tell you that they cringe when they think about their first book. You write your first book because everyone has to have a first. As you continue writing, you will continue growing. And improving. In today’s world of self-publishing, you don’t have to wait for some publisher to believe in you. Believe in yourself. Produce a quality product and get to work! I’d also suggest that you find a book coach. Someone with experience can help guide you through the process and save you from making costly mistakes.
BPM: We are here to shine the spotlight on your new book, but what's next?
I always have a few projects in the hopper. I’m writing the third novel in the Chanelle series and it’s scheduled to be released by summer/fall 2016. I also have Blogging with Monica: 31 Days to Help You Live Your Best Life. It’s a devotional and is coming out in 2016. And I am accepting submissions for my Mustard Seed Faith project. It’s a collection of short stories and poems by women in specific areas where they have overcome challenges to live their best lives.
BPM: How may our readers follow you online?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlfoster5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/booksbymlfoster
Website: http://www.monicalynnefoster.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaLynneFoster
FB: https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyMonicaLynneFoster
Order Hands Off My Man by Monica Lynne Foster
A Chanelle Series Novel – Book 2
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit
Website: http://www.monicalynnefoster.com
Order Bad Choices Can Be Deadly by Monica Lynne Foster
A Chanelle Series Novel – Book 1
Link: http://amzn.com/B0125U3EFK