Author Guest Post
In my novel, The Mission, the main characters grapple with the idea of singlehood as they enter their 30s. One would think that after Sex and the City people would be used to seeing single 30 somethings. I know people are well meaning and no one asks these questions to be mean. It's just that people tend to think the way they live their lives and the opportunities that have been afforded them are normal. If we've gone to college we don't understand those who don't. If we love the suburbs we can't get why anyone would want to live in a congested city. If we are travel lovers we don't get how there are people who have never left the country. But when it comes to being a single 30 something person, some things happen on purpose and some things happen by chance. And for the most part, it's the latter. Therefore, asking a person in their late twenties and up these questions will rarely, if ever, provide you with a suitable answer. In fact, I provide matching questions that I find equally hard to answer to give a feel of just how difficult answering these questions can be.
1. Don't you still want to get married? Don't you still want to have your health?: Unless I profess not wanting to get married, asking me if I still want to get married because you have deemed that I should have been married by now doesn't help. Thanks for highlighting that I haven't met "the one" yet.
2. Why are you still single? Why haven't you won the lotto? For those who want to find love, being single, for the most part, is not a conscious decision. It just is what it is. I haven't turned down any respectable marriage proposals. I don't think any answer to this question will result in anything meaningful beyond "I just haven't found the right one" or "I'm taking a break on dating right now". Does that answer really satisfy you?
3. Why don't you have kids? Why haven't you lost that weight you've been talking about dropping? Ok, you might not want to really ask someone that but I find the first question equally annoying. Unless I have said that I don't want kids. If I am not married and never have been, then your answer probably is that since I'm not married or divorced/widowed, I don't have kids. It’s over yet. And the question is just uncomfortable.
4. Why don't you have a new/high end car? Why don't you give me some money? I think people assume that you have all this money if you are single and without kids. I wish. I have a child and she is called a student loan. And if you have no dependents or property you aren't getting as much back in your taxes. And not sharing the payment of rent/mortgage, utilities/cable/internet can add up for just one person to pay. So, don’t blame a single gal who keeps her car till the wheels fall off (then puts them back on).
5. Why don't you own a home yet? Will you co-sign for me? I am not a homeowner at this time for several reasons but I will tell you this: like I wrote earlier, it's easier on the pockets to split a mortgage. And when something goes wrong with the house, I'm an old fashioned gal, I'd like the man to fix it.
Any questions you wish people wouldn’t ask you about being single?
About The Author
The Mission is C.C.’s first novel and she is working on her next novel in the genre of urban fantasy.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Book Review
The Mission by C.C. Solomon
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: March 19, 2014
Format: eBook - 230 pages
Kindle - 498 KB
Nook - 288 KB
ISBN: 978-1483518398
ASIN: B00J4YAT5E
Genre: Chick Lit / Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: The Mission
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Rule #11: Always remember, no sex in the beginning. Make him wait!
Rule #19: You’ve got to give a little to get a little. Be giving of yourself, and it will make a lasting impression to keep your Mr. Right.
Sheila and Denise are successful, funny and attractive, but very single women. Not that being single is horrible; but when Denise is hassled to have a date to an old friend’s wedding-of-the-century, and Shelia needs an escort to an industry banquet where everyone who’s anyone will be in attendance, being single loses its perks. To add to the dilemma, Sheila tells a little white lie to her workplace nemesis about dating a successful music producer, which explodes into a career-threatening rumor. Under extreme pressure from family, friends and coworkers, they resort to making a pact. Their Mission: Get A Man in Three Months. They will use “proven” rules to finding their Mr. Rights. Rules that worked for a friend of a friend …how hard could it be?
Join them in their hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking adventures as chapter by chapter they follow a new rule, and delve into the treacherous world of Washington, D.C. dating. The gal pals suffer through speed dating (Sam Needs-a-Bath). They allow themselves to be set up on blind dates (Bitter Crying Kevin). They try a dating service (Apron-Strings Adrian). They try the bar scene (Smoky the Bear who smokes more than cigars). They even meet men in the beauty salon (Javier Not Quite Straight). And there’s more, much more. Surrounded by family drama, workplace stressors and their own hang-ups about love, will the rules actually help them find their Mr. Rights in time for their events?
Book Excerpt:
Chapter Three
Rule #2: Go to friends for possible dates. Having a friend introduce you to someone they know can be a great and safe alternative.
Let me start by saying Sheila does not do set-ups of any kind. Don’t frame me. I don’t want to be your fall guy. I don’t want to be the butt of your joke. And I really, really don’t want to be hooked up with one of your friends you claim is a great catch, but who you really want to pair me up with just because of one of the following: he is male, he is also black, he is also an attorney, he too wants to get married, you want a couple friend to hang out with and/or he has a car. My answer to that is, boo, I’m not going. You gotta come better than that.
But alas, the darn rules say give it a shot, and this gal was single and sort of ready to mingle. So when Greg said he actually had someone for me, well, I said sure. I figure, birds of a feather flock together, so surely this guy would at least be cute and successful like Greg.
So here it was, Friday night, and I was getting gorgeous in my Bethesda, Maryland condo for my blind date with Kevin. We were going out to dinner and a movie. The usual first date activity. I played it casual but sexy in my tight, dark jeans with black sling-back heels and a black silk wrap blouse. My hair was in a low bun and long, dangling gold earrings accentuated my face. I applied shimmer-gold eye shadow, mascara, pressed powder, and M.A.C. red lip gloss expertly. I sprayed on my favorite floral perfume, and then examined myself in the mirror. Watch out, Kevin!
I continued my primping until I heard the doorbell ring. I glanced over at my clock. Seven o’clock on the dot. If that was Kevin, I was liking him already.
I sauntered to the door and swung it open. A smile touched my face as I saw an ebony vision standing before me. This had to be Kevin. He was tall. About 6’3”. Slender. Dark-brown eyes and short black hair. Clean-cut with a mahogany complexion. He wore a pair of jeans with a blue collared shirt that fit him right. A dark, fitted jacket hugged his upper body. He had to be no older than 30. And I … was… in … love.
“Hi, I’m Kevin, Greg’s friend,” he said, extending a hand.
I went to shake it. “I’m Sheila,” I whispered.
“Greg was right. You are beautiful,” he replied, and then turned my hand to kiss it lightly.
Well, all right. Greg so far would be getting my praises from now on.
“Shall we?” he asked, extending his elbow for me to hook onto.
I had my purse in hand, hooked my arm to his, and left.
This was going to be a wonderful night.
* * *
Kevin took me to a movie. Some adventure/comedy. I spent half the time sneaking looks at him. I was in heaven sitting next to every woman’s dream, inhaling his masculine cologne.
He then took me to an Italian restaurant in Georgetown, where we talked about any and everything. I found out he was a computer engineer for the federal government and originally from New York. Had two siblings, parents were still together. Had his own house. Loved the Lord. Was world-traveled. I was practically salivating, and it was not for the delicious-looking food put in front of us. This man had it all. And I wanted it. I wondered if he would mind being called James for one evening.
“What’s your take on relationships and love?” I asked, twirling my fork around the angel hair pasta on my plate. I wanted to know everything about him, down to boxers or briefs.
Kevin took a sip of his wine and looked above my head. He was going to answer this like a true politician. I could wait.
“Well,” he began. He put a bite of food in his mouth and chewed. Damn, was my question that hard to answer? He finished chewing. “I think love is a good thing.”
It took him all that long just to say that? Oh, no, there had to be more. I continued to stare at him quietly.
He sensed that that answer would not suffice and then sighed. “I guess Greg didn’t tell you.”
I raised an eyebrow, getting nervous.
Rule #2: Go to friends for possible dates. Having a friend introduce you to someone they know can be a great and safe alternative.
Let me start by saying Sheila does not do set-ups of any kind. Don’t frame me. I don’t want to be your fall guy. I don’t want to be the butt of your joke. And I really, really don’t want to be hooked up with one of your friends you claim is a great catch, but who you really want to pair me up with just because of one of the following: he is male, he is also black, he is also an attorney, he too wants to get married, you want a couple friend to hang out with and/or he has a car. My answer to that is, boo, I’m not going. You gotta come better than that.
But alas, the darn rules say give it a shot, and this gal was single and sort of ready to mingle. So when Greg said he actually had someone for me, well, I said sure. I figure, birds of a feather flock together, so surely this guy would at least be cute and successful like Greg.
So here it was, Friday night, and I was getting gorgeous in my Bethesda, Maryland condo for my blind date with Kevin. We were going out to dinner and a movie. The usual first date activity. I played it casual but sexy in my tight, dark jeans with black sling-back heels and a black silk wrap blouse. My hair was in a low bun and long, dangling gold earrings accentuated my face. I applied shimmer-gold eye shadow, mascara, pressed powder, and M.A.C. red lip gloss expertly. I sprayed on my favorite floral perfume, and then examined myself in the mirror. Watch out, Kevin!
I continued my primping until I heard the doorbell ring. I glanced over at my clock. Seven o’clock on the dot. If that was Kevin, I was liking him already.
I sauntered to the door and swung it open. A smile touched my face as I saw an ebony vision standing before me. This had to be Kevin. He was tall. About 6’3”. Slender. Dark-brown eyes and short black hair. Clean-cut with a mahogany complexion. He wore a pair of jeans with a blue collared shirt that fit him right. A dark, fitted jacket hugged his upper body. He had to be no older than 30. And I … was… in … love.
“Hi, I’m Kevin, Greg’s friend,” he said, extending a hand.
I went to shake it. “I’m Sheila,” I whispered.
“Greg was right. You are beautiful,” he replied, and then turned my hand to kiss it lightly.
Well, all right. Greg so far would be getting my praises from now on.
“Shall we?” he asked, extending his elbow for me to hook onto.
I had my purse in hand, hooked my arm to his, and left.
This was going to be a wonderful night.
* * *
Kevin took me to a movie. Some adventure/comedy. I spent half the time sneaking looks at him. I was in heaven sitting next to every woman’s dream, inhaling his masculine cologne.
He then took me to an Italian restaurant in Georgetown, where we talked about any and everything. I found out he was a computer engineer for the federal government and originally from New York. Had two siblings, parents were still together. Had his own house. Loved the Lord. Was world-traveled. I was practically salivating, and it was not for the delicious-looking food put in front of us. This man had it all. And I wanted it. I wondered if he would mind being called James for one evening.
“What’s your take on relationships and love?” I asked, twirling my fork around the angel hair pasta on my plate. I wanted to know everything about him, down to boxers or briefs.
Kevin took a sip of his wine and looked above my head. He was going to answer this like a true politician. I could wait.
“Well,” he began. He put a bite of food in his mouth and chewed. Damn, was my question that hard to answer? He finished chewing. “I think love is a good thing.”
It took him all that long just to say that? Oh, no, there had to be more. I continued to stare at him quietly.
He sensed that that answer would not suffice and then sighed. “I guess Greg didn’t tell you.”
I raised an eyebrow, getting nervous.
My Book Review:
The Mission is an entertaining story that engages the reader to follow best friends Sheila and Denise as they embark on a mission to find Mr. Right in three months. Set in Washington, DC, these two successful, attractive, single women's adventures in the crazy world of dating are filled with enough humorous trials and tribulations that will make you laugh-out-loud.
Who doesn't remember their own foray into the dating scene? I had no problem sympathizing and relating to Sheila and Denise, and when I think back to my own dating adventures, I could relate to their dilemma. I too had family and friends posing the dreaded question: "when are you going to find a man and settle down" (ugh), and even thought to myself plenty of times that singlehood might not be so bad after I had kissed my fair share of frogs. But what I took away from the dating experiences was that love will happen in its own sweet time, so be true to yourself, live your life, and just be happy.
In her debut novel, author C.C Solomon weaves a sassy fun tale that is filled with realistic and believable dating situations that had me shaking my head in agreement, snickering in amusement, and saying out loud "Amen sister, preach it to the choir!" I loved the wit, drama, humor, comedic dating situations, and lessons learned. I loved how the author began each chapter with a rule from the online dating guide, if you sit and think about it, they really do offer some valuable insight, advice, and guidance to those venturing out into the dating world.
If you are looking for an enjoyable chick lit novel about the dating game, romance, looking for love, personal lifestyles, friendships, and family drama, then The Mission is the book for you.
RATING: 4 STARS
Contest Giveaway
Win A $20 Amazon Gift Card
Everyone who leaves a comment on The Mission tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases a copy of The Mission by September 8 and sends their receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com will receive 10 bonus entries!
Virtual Book Tour Event
Tour Schedule:
August 19 – Second Bookshelf on the Right – Q&A
August 21 – Fiction Dreams – Q&A
August 26 – The Modern Jane Austen – Excerpt
August 27 – Little Miss Drama Queen – Review & Excerpt
August 28 – Relatively Yours – Guest Post
September 1 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review
September 1 – Chick Lit Goddess – Guest Post
September 2 – Two Children and a Migraine – Review & Excerpt
September 2 – Two Children and a Migraine – Guest Post
September 3 – Karma For Life Chick – Review
September 4 – Ski-Wee’s Book Corner – Review
September 5 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
September 5 – Chicks That Reads – Guest Post & Excerpt
September 8 – Book Suburbia – Excerpt
September 8 – The East Village – Review
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