Black Book Chat – Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little
Written by RAWSISTAZ · May 4, 2010 · 1,449 views
Today we’re discussing our April 2010 Book of the Month selection, Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little, so keep in mind, there will be key parts of the books mentioned. Feel free to post your questions and thoughts on the book and remember, don’t just say “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it”. Tell us why…
If you missed out on the last chat with Terra when we discussed Where There’s Smoke, you can check it out by CLICKING HERE.
January 2010
ISBN 10: 1601622627
After a few ups and downs, Alec “Smoke” Avery and Anne Phillips have found a rhythm they can both groove to, and they’ve made a love connection. But just when they think they can finally settle down and tie the knot, their past comes back to haunt them in ways they never imagined. When the smoke finally clears, truths will have to be told and Anne will have to accept the fact that she and Smoke are more alike than she cares to admit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In 2008, Terra Little’s previously self-published title, Running from Mercy, made its debut onto 
the literary scene as part of a traditional publishing deal that allowed readers all over the world to discover her voice. Since then, Terra has gone on to create characters that readers can hear, touch, and feel, garnering herself an ever-growing following of discerning fans and ensuring that hers is a literary voice that will be around for years to come. Her rapidly expanding body of work refuses to be bound by a single genre, as Terra has penned novels that appeal to audiences across the reading continuum.
While Running from Mercy invites readers along on a journey of endearing self-discovery and ultimate healing, her 2009 release, Where There’s Smoke, is an intriguing blend of romance, contemporary fiction, and urbane lore. They’re two completely different efforts from the mind of one woman, who plans to keep readers guessing with stories that reflect the real world and the people in it. With more storylines in the works and upcoming titles scheduled for release, Terra is in the midst of carving out a place for herself among the literati and in the hearts of book lovers everywhere.
FOR MORE INFO
Visit her website at http://www.terralittle.com and her blog at http://www.terralittle.blogspot.com.
Where There’s Smoke 2 by Terra Little
Publication Date: January 2010
ISBN 10: 1601622627
ISBN 13: 978-1601622624
Price: $14.95 US/$17.95 CAN
Buy it Now!
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Borders
Indie Bound
After a few ups and downs, Alec “Smoke” Avery and Anne Phillips have found a rhythm they can both groove to, and they’ve made a love connection. But just when they think they can finally settle down and tie the knot, their past comes back to haunt them in ways they never imagined. When the smoke finally clears, truths will have to be told and Anne will have to accept the fact that she and Smoke are more alike than she cares to admit.
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group was founded in 2000 to support and promote the work of African-American authors. The groups, on and offline, represent close to 600 readers, writers, aspiring writers, and others interested in literacy and the impact on our communities.
Hey hey everyone! I’m posting this a bit early since I won’t be here at noon, but it is time to get your discussion on. Unfortunately I will be out all day at school activities, but the show must go on. Criss and a few others are going to take care of running the chat and I’ll be peeking in later this evening to catch up. So, have fun and try to be good while Mama Tee is away. LOL!!
Terra, it is always a pleasure and it’s great to have you here with us again. You know what to do.
For those who may not know you, give us the quick lowdown and then jump on into the discussion. (And ask them the hard questions too Terra…make’em talk.)
-Tee
Hey Terra. Welcome to the chat.
I just want to say how much I loved at the end of the novel where you let the daughter have a voice. I thought that was such a creative and unexpected thing for you to do. Where did the idea or inspiration come from?
Terra…I liked that as well. It was so cut and she’s a sassy little thing…LOL
Just like her momma….LOL! I like it, too.
You know she was going to be sassy and feisty…LOL!!!
Yes, that little girl was a mess but in a cute way. She didn’t want her momma touching her and got mad at the daddy for kissing Anne too. lol.
@ Sharon, Hope, Jaime & Criss
Since the rest of her family was certifiable, you know I had to throw her in there, too. There’s no way she could ever grow up to be anything but nuts with parents like Smoke and Anne!
Well as you know, Terra, I LOVE these characters. I can’t get enough of them. The way you left the end of this one, is there a possibility of another book one day about the children?
Hey Melissa!
Right now I’m not planning on another book. But I think, if I do revisit these characters again, the kids (Iris and beyond) would still be secondary characters. They won’t be old enough to do any real damage, the way Isaiah has. After a while, little children start working my little nerves, so I’ll probably keep the little ones little and out of the way as much as possible…LOL
LOL @ little kids working the nerves….girl don’t they? LOL!!
@ Sharon…I’m getting too old…
Hmmm, I got it. So what about Isaiah? I see something in the future for him:)
Well…
If I do decide to do a part three, Isaiah would be a big part of it. He’s a good guy, but he’s still Smoke’s son and the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree.
Hi Criss,
I think the idea to give Iris a voice was a little bit of a last minute thing. I know when my daughter was a baby she was always crying about something, one of those babies that hardly every smiled! And you know the old wives tale about how babies are the first to know when a woman is pregnant? I wanted to reveal the fact that Anne was preggo and it just hit me that Iris should be the one to let the cat out of the bag. Being feisty like she is, I thought, “Why not let her have a say, too?”
Love that thought!! I also like how Iris was so upset with her mother that she yelled forever and calmed when her father came into the room. I got so tickled when she was like he’s on my side, a thought occurred…he’s the reason your mom’s preggers again….LOL!!!! What you think about that Ms. Iris?
Iris was a die-hard daddy’s baby. I guess, like most ladies, she wasn’t immune to her daddy’s charms, either. If that wasn’t it, then I guess she was just being a spoiled brat!
Hi Terra,
I loved how you gave Iris a voice too. That was too funny ! LOL
I love the fact that little Iris, whom I imagined was a doll, had a voice in the end. Her voice gave me hope that there will be a Where There’s Smoke 3 and had me reaching for Where There’s Smoke 1.
Hey Terra. Welcome. I really enjoyed the book. You brought the drama. I was so happy to be laughing throughout the book. I haven’t read a book in a while that has made me laugh as much as Smoke 2 did.
So tell me, the daughter gets a voice in the end; is there a story for her coming?
A story for Iris? Nah. At least, I don’t think so. She may pop up somewhere else, though…. Nah…probably not…who knows? LOL.
Welcome Terra,
I’m going to be your cheerleader.. WHERE THERE’S SMOKE 3, WHERE THERE’S SMOKE 3! lol.. I feel u and u feel it.. lol
Hello Terra,
Welcome ..
I want to say that I enjoyed the book.
I read both book one and two last month.
Thank you, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed the books. I really had fun hanging out with the characters. They were like crazy relatives who had come for a visit and upset my household for a while! I always smile when I hear that other people enjoyed their visit, too!
Woo Hoo Barbara…it’s good to put a face with your name!!!!!!
Hi Terra,
I read, reviewed and loved both Smoke books…in book one Smoke reminded me of someone…winking…I also enjoyed Ann with all of her complexities…didnt really understand not telling Smoke about his son though…in book two Smoke was really tripping out…doing wrong and knowing you wrong..ummph…I love the realness of your books…
angelia
angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS
Angelia,
I agree with you all the way. I did enjoy Anne because she wasn’t a simple straight laced character without flaws, etc. I wanted to know what she was thinking and feeling. And I really enjoyed the fight even though I probably shouldn’t have. lol.
And Smoke was a mess in book two but he seemed to get it right at the end. I wonder if there will be another book.
Terra–Are you thinking about doing a Where There’s Smoke 3????
Smoke was definitely a mess in book II, but he had me at hello in book I…
angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS
Anne was my fav character….feisty, crazy, hilarious, no nonsense, independent
You can say that again, Angelia. From the time I began Smoke 2, Smoke was working my nerve and not in a good way either…LOL!!! He slowly redeemed himself, but in book one it was over, I knew if he asked I would have said yes immediately….LOL!!!!
Oh, how I love Smoke. The best character. Love his flaws and all. I was kinda shocked with Book 2 when he was really cheating on Anne. But somehow I still wasn’t totally through with him.
Hey Terra! I love your writing and have enjoyed all your books starting with Running From Mercy and Where There’s Smoke 1 & 2! I wanted to get in on this chat before I am pulled away to my son’s baseball practice.
My favorite character is Anne, I enjoyed her more in Smoke 1 than 2 though.
I was mesmerized with Smoke and was very disappointed that he would cheat with someone as simple as Diane. My greatest disappointment is that he went there more than once.
I am glad Anne was able to talk to her mother about her feelings and her mom explained where the verbal abuse was coming from. I understand why it took so long for her forgiveness especially considering the years she was robbed of as an addict because of the abuse.
I loved how Smoke was always two steps ahead of Anne, but he let her think she was handling things.
She did handle the school situation without Smoke’s help. As a matter of fact he had no idea who Ulysses was…LOL
Hi Paula!
I’m glad you enjoyed the storyline and the crazy characters! I had fun playing around with Anne and Smoke and all their foolishness. A lot of the things the characters did, I wasn’t really feeling either. But I knew I couldn’t have them be too perfect. I’m glad they still had some redeeming qualities, though.
Anne was my hero because her flaws did show. It made her more real. I enjoyed the fight as well b/c knowing me that is the exact same way I would have handled it. Don’t be talking about my kids…oh HELL to the naw…it is on then!! LOL
I’m right there with everyone.
Smoke got on my last nerve in book 2! And, yes, there would’ve been a similar showdown in my house, too. Through it all, though, I still found him sexy as hell, for some reason.
I made Anne the way she was because, as Angelia mentioned earlier, I like to keep things real…say things how people really say them and show the characters doing stuff that could actually happen. Anne has a little bit of me in her – that flip mouth and take-no-mess-off-no-man attitude. I don’t know if I would’ve been fighting in the middle of a shopping mall (or anywhere for that matter), but it seemed to fit her at the time.
The fight in the mall threw me off. I thought Anne had more class than that but it was very hilarious. I know she feels strongly about her children but I thought she would have sought revenge in different manner. I understand she has a takes no prisoners type additude but I saw her as being above that.
I guess we got to see that you can take the girl out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood all the way out of the girl. Plus, Anne already couldn’t stand Flossie. The incident in the mall was the last straw for her.
Anne can get down when she needs too. LOL
Angelia,
First, thanks for reviewing WTS and WTS2. Second…who did Smoke remind you of? LOL
Yes, who, Angelia? I want to know that too!
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~
angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS
Here are a coupld of questions to get the readers started.
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go?
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smike did?
Compare the two families (Smoke’s vs Anne’s). Can you relate to either? Do you think Anne was justified in her feelings towards her sister and her mother?
What do you think about the mother’s confessions? Was that enough to justify her mistreating Anne?
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go? There were times when I wanted them to make it work and other times when I was thinking, ‘why go through all that…” I liked them as a couple when it worked.
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smike did?
Oooo, the lengths are immeasurable, one never really knows how far one would go. To date I cannot think of doing what they did. However, almost four years ago a young kid my son befriended did a home invasion robbery on him…and a gun was fired. No one was hurt but I am here to tell you it took all I had not to look for that boy…after we had fed and clothed him…but thank God we allowed the system to handle it.
Compare the two families (Smoke’s vs Anne’s). Can you relate to either? Do you think Anne was justified in her feelings towards her sister and her mother?
Not relate exactly but I have heard much about the same kinds of situations. What is considered justified is relative to the person and how deep their pain runs.
What do you think about the mother’s confessions? Was that enough to justify her mistreating Anne?
Justify, no. but make more sense, kind of…hurt people hurt people..
angelia
angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go? I think they should have stayed together because they were made for each other. They’re the only two people that would be able to stand each other ways.
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smike did? Most parents will do anything to protect their children. I don’t know how far I would go to protect them.
Compare the two families (Smoke’s vs Anne’s). Can you relate to either? Do you think Anne was justified in her feelings towards her sister and her mother? Anne was definitely justified in her feelings toward her mother and sister. They wounded her deeply calling her names and making her feel ugly.
What do you think about the mother’s confessions? Was that enough to justify her mistreating Anne?
1. Anne and Smoke were good for each other despite the drama both of them brought. I am glad she finally said yes to him and that they were running off to be engaged.
2. I have to imagine I would go far for my kids but I can’t imagine doing what they did. It seemed a little extreme. And if you remember the first book, Smoke went after the boy once already and it didn’t fix it. I guess the second time was a charm though.
3. I can relate mostly to Smoke’s family but I have a family member who can be really anti-social at times too. Big Mama was probably my favorite family member of Smoke’s. And his brother with all the girlfriends was a trip.
4. I think it explained a lot but I still feel like the mom was completely wrong and should have handled it a different way. But that is easy for me to say since I haven’t had to deal with that.
I think Anne and Smoke complimented each other. I am glad that they got together, but I do wish Anne would have agreed to marry Smoke sooner.
I would do whatever I needed to do for my child.
Smoke’s family seemed more laid-back and casual. They seem to be close-knit. There was a lot of tension in Anne’s family. I think Anne’s reaction to her mother was justified. Her mother treated her badly for years without giving Anne any reason why. It is wrong to take your frustrations out on your children. Since Anne’s mother told her story…I do think there will finally be healing but this should have happened a long time ago.
I did like the voice of Iris towards the end of the book. I thought that was very cute.
Great questions, Criss!
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go? I can’t see them apart. I just can’t, so for me, staying together was the best thing. Although this is an odd thing for me to say, because I don’t normally believe in staying with someone who cheats, but each circumstance is different, I suppose, and I just couldn’t see Anne and Smoke with anyone else.
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smoke did? Hmm, well I don’t have any children yet, so who knows what I would do. But I know the father-to-be of my children would definitely go that far. I might want to go that far, but not have the guts to do it!
Compare the two families (Smoke’s vs Anne’s). Can you relate to either? Do you think Anne was justified in her feelings towards her sister and her mother? I love Smoke’s family dynamics. Makes me want to be a part that family. They are all crazy, fun, loving and protective of one another. I hated Anne’s family in book 1, but did think she was dragging things out in Book 2 when the mother and sister seemed like they wanted forgiveness. I was surprised by what ended up being the reason for her mother’s behavior. Didn’t expect that one. Glad I got to find out why, but didn’t expect that to magically change Anne’s feelings. Anne still had to go through everything she went through as a child, and learning why doesn’t change that.
What do you think about the mother’s confessions? Was that enough to justify her mistreating Anne? Guess I sorta answered this above. I don’t think anything justifies mistreating your child.
Hey Terra
and welcome to the chat!! I enjoyed reading ALL of your books.
(blushing) Thanks, Sharon!
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go?
I was happy with Smoke and Anne’s relationship. i was glad that they got together.
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smike did?
I would do anything for my child. If the chemistry was there with me , like it was for Anne and Smoke, I can see that happening, but not only just for the child.
Barbara…I see you’ve got a little gangsta in you! LOL (Me, too! Shhh, don’t tell nobody!)
That she does, coming up with rules all of a sudden, too. I haven’t forgotten, Ms. Barbara…LOL!!!
Will there be a third book ?
You know what, Barbara? I really hadn’t planned to write a third installment, but I have gotten a lot of emails asking for one, so I don’t know. I’m asking myself, “What more can these crazy people do?”
Do you think there should be a third book? If so, why?
I’m on the fence with another book at this point. I liked both stories and enjoyed reading both and getting know all the crazy characters. I’ll play it my ear…LOL!!!
I’m on the fence, too, Jaime. I don’t want to wear out readers, but I could easily come up with some more drama… Decisions, decisions…
Do it…we really like these people, you can write about some of the backstory characters and work Smoke..umm I mean work the others in…
angelia
angelia´s last blog ..SOME DAYS
ROFL @ Angelia!
To be honest…no…I mean what more could they do?
And, plus, I don’t think I could come up with another “Smoke-related” title…LOL
Ok, I thought about it a little more. I would like to see Anne and Smoke as the supporting characters, but the main focus would be on Isiah, say maybe 10 years from now… Other than that I’m not sure what else can happen. Just a thought…
I was thinking along those lines too, Jaime. It would Isaiah’s turn to run the show, so we could see what he’s made of.
Hi, Terra. Welcome! I enjoyed both books…your writing style is very unique and had me laughing from the beginning of the book until the end.
Are you currently working on any new projects? If so, what?
Hope,
I’m just going to go ahead and be honest. LOL. Really, when people tell me that the book(s) made them laugh, I always wonder at what specifically? Back when WTS first came out and people were saying it had them cracking up, I would go back to the book and flip through it to see if I could find points that jumped out at me as funny. I had no idea that it would be so funny. I’m glad it is, but I still can’t figure out what I did to make it like that.
That doesn’t even make sense, I know…LOL
Hope (and everyone),
My next project is titled “JUMP.” In it, the main character is just released from prison for committing a heinous crime (by society’s standards) and has to face the task of putting her life back together. She’s been away for almost a decade and a lot of things have changed – including her daughter – and a lot of things have remained the same. I’m really excited about it, because the main character really grew on me and I think her story is a very important one.
Oh, I forgot to say that 2011 is when it will be released. I’m not sure of the exact month yet.
This sounds interesting and I can’t wait to read…please keep us updated on the release date!!!!
Can’t wait to check this out!
Sounds good, Terra. I’ll definitely look for it next year.
In book one I was cracking up when Isiah walked in on Anne and Smoke the first time, cause everyone’s reaction…LOL!!! Anne acted like I would’ve while the men were more calm and relaxed, hilarious. I also hollered when they got together at the end and told Isiah and he was like yeah I know, thinking the whole time wait til I tell Uncle Don-I think- so he can give me my money…LOL!!!
In book 2, I hollered at all these scenes and keep in mind I read while I was at work…LOL
Anne took Smoke’s truck and he was trying to find her
Anne fought Diana
Iris’s scenes were a hoot
When Erica first met Anne
The fellows were talking at the family gather and Sister Hempstead’s name was mentioned
Dino and Anne having lunch
Those are just a few….
Hi Terra,
I laughed when Anne beat that girl’s butt in the mall!! Iloved both books by the way.
@ Jaime and Radiah (Hi, Radiah!)
Now ya’ll got me over here laughing!
OK, when I get home tonight I am gonna pull out my book and send you a note of what lines/scenes had me cracking up specifically. I often read them out loud to people because they make me laugh so much. I know one of the things that pops into my head now that had me laughing was when Anne and Diana (I can’t even remember if this was her name, but the chick Smoke cheated on Anne with) were in jail, and they had to pee, and Anne was checking out Diana’s undies to see if they were as classy as hers! I think you said something like how they were cotton, but didn’t have holes or anything in them. Just that line of thought on Anne’s part had me laughing!
Melissa, I had to stop and read lines out loud to people too. There were some funny moments.
I can easily imagine the various scenes throughout the book playing out…and witnessing that is too funny! Examples include Anne and Smoke’s back and forth banter….Smoke calling Anne up on the phone trying to act concerned about her…for a hot minute, but then getting straight to the point re his truck; Laverne’s drunk tail and demanding that Anne stop treating their mother so badly. How Don’s wife (I think) had to get all up in Jeff’s girlfriend’s grill when she threatened to fight Don…I can just see these scenes playing out and it’s funny.
When I was writing those scenes, I was drawing from my family get togethers. There’s no walking in on folks getting busy or any of that, but there is always – like Anne said – three particular things that happen. 1. at least one argument, 2. somebody has too much to drink and acts a fool, and 3. a card or domino game, which almost always ends up in an argument, because the people playing have had too much to drink. It’s always hilarious!
What part do I play?
I’m usually more like Smoke…hollering at folks’ kids for running around my house like they’re crazy and sitting back laughing at everyone. More often than not, I’ll have a glass of wine in my hand while I’m doing it, so I’m sure I provide some comic relief myself.
1) When it worked, it worked well; when it didn’t work, bring on the drama! I wanted them to stay together if they could get past all of their issues…they seemed to be on the way to doing this at the end of the book.
2) I would go to great lengths for my son…I don’t think I would go as far as Anne and Smoke did…
3) I can relate to Smoke’s…close, loving, always socializing. I think that Anne was justified.
4) Not enough to justify…it just explained her actions. But, I guess it was enough for Anne to move forward which was good for all of them.
I liked that Anne and Smoke stayed together, I just wished they got married. Guess I’m a little old fashioned, if I’m good enough to sleep with and have babies with I’m good enough to marry.
I will kill for my children, when they make here…LOL!!! They’re mine and if you mess with them you behind is mine!!!!
I understood Anne’s feeling about her family and her relationship with them, but there were times when her actions were a bit much, like not wanting her mother to hold Iris at the dinner. I kept asking when are you going to let that go, girl?
Like her child she did what she only knew how to do at the time. If she had talked about her feelings sooner with Anne, it would have saved them both from a lot of heartache.
For everybody that wants a book 3- If you were writing it what are some of the events you would include?
What did you think about Smoke and Anne’s relationship? Should they have stayed together or just let it go? I liked Smoke and Anne’s relationship. Relationships have problems. They both loved their kids and they loved each other but had to work through some things. I am glad they stayed together.
What lengeths would you go to for your child? Would you go as far as Anne and Smike did?
I will kill a dead man about mine…nuff said.
Compare the two families (Smoke’s vs Anne’s). Can you relate to either? Do you think Anne was justified in her feelings towards her sister and her mother?
I can relate to both families. I liked that Smoke’s brothers stuck together. I have had to deal with the same type of hurt that Anne dealt with so that really tugged at my heart.
What do you think about the mother’s confessions? Was that enough to justify her mistreating Anne?
I don’t think anything justifies the way Anne’s mother treated her.
HI Everyone!
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today! Let me scroll up and start from the top, reading comments and questions really quick, and then I’ll start replying. I’m a little scatter-brained this morning – yes, noon is “morning” to me – LOL!
LOL, I’m not even mad at you!!! When I can’t I don’t start moving before the noon hour. It’s all good, girl!!!
I’m the mother of all night owls!
Girl, I have my moment too. Love the night time, sometimes I think I may be a vampire…LOL!!! I just tolerate the sun…LOL!!!
What do all really think happened between Anne and Ulysses, even though she said she did sleep with him?
I think Anne only said that to make Smoke mad and let him know that he wasn’t the only person that was desired or who could get down. Let him see how it felt. I think they probably went to the room and talked. Maybe he Ulysses tried to come at her but she was like no, I can’t do it.
Why did I feel guilty when I wrote that scene? LOL
I was like, “Anne, girl, don’t do that! Don’t go there!” But then again, I wanted Smoke to get a piece of his own cake. I don’t really know what happened in that hotel room…I closed my eyes and didn’t look. LOL.
Come on, Jaime…tell us what you think happened…
I’m not shamed, I think she got her groove on and told Smoke what he wanted to hear. After all she did say she was a good actress and we do have a way telling you what you need to know on a need to know basis
Just saying….LOL!!!
Um…(looking both ways to make sure no one is around to hear)…I agree!
I knew it!!!
I’m sorry, but I thought Ulysses had a little Southern swagger himself. He was just a little too sexy to sleep on…no pun intended. LOL! I had to let him get some play and I wanted to make him a real threat to Smoke.
You did a good job, sis!!! Notice she never said she didn’t make love to him, she told Smoke she didn’t hump him…ummm!!! Plus he did just help her son, so why not…LOL!!!
One more thing, you did portray that old man as sexy!!!! I’m not mad at all, I probably would’ve done the same. Once again, I’m just saying….
HA! I knew it too! She did it as a proper “goodbye and thank you” to him and to make Smoke jealous!
I don’t think she was quite counting on Smoke showing his butt the way he did! ROFL!
Yeah, she did it. She needed to let Smoke know what his betrayal with Diane felt like. I ain’t mad at her.
I’m not either, Paula. I’m not either… Let me take my behind to the corner someplace…
You know…as crazy as the characters are and despite all the drama, I wanted to really touch on a few issues that are prevalent in the AA community still today – skin color issues, substance abuse, parenting teens – and deal with them in a realistic way.
Do you guys think I did that? If so, why? If no, why not?
I think you did a good job of addressing all of those issues. In the first book, I liked how you showed how hard Anne was trying to raise Isiah on her own but she needed Smoke’s help. The skin color issues was interesting too. I understood that Anne’s mother was hurt but the way that she treated her all of those years was just extreme. I can also understand why Anne still didn’t want to fully trust her mother or have her hold the baby.
Radiah,
As crazy as it sounds, there are still people around who actually feel the way Anne’s mother’s family felt. It was really bad back in the day, but it still lingers to this day.
I was actually inspired to write WTS after meeting a woman who was treated badly by her family because she was the darkest child. I thought, “WTH?” And I knew I had to do something with that. This woman was talking to me, telling me about how her mother and sisters treated her growing up, and all the while, Anne was coming to life in my head. Smoke and Isaiah just kind of spun off from her and filled in the rest of the plot.
Yes..you graphically described all those issues. From Anne raising Isiah the best she could until he started hanging around the wrong elemnet, the dark skin vs. light skin issues which still plague our people today…and it’s bad enough when society puts in you that glass bubble, but when your own family members do it…the emotionally scars it leaves are devastating, and the drug abuse in the Black community is just horrendous, and also the fact Smoke was out of the game but not out of the game.
Terra,
I think you did a great job of exploring the issues in both novels. Anne’s drug use was clearly explained and it showed another aspect of why people get addicted but more importantly, that they can get clean and stay that way. I was happy decided to have Anne abstain from alcohol too (although I think she had a sip or two) because often people replace one addiction with another and I wouldn’t have wanted Anne to go down that path (I’m talking like she is somebody I know or something hahaha). I also enjoyed how you worked the color issues in there and I felt like you were saying Black women are beautiful no matter what the shade.
Fatherhood was a big part of the stories and it seemed realistic. We need more portraits of strong black fathers because they do exists. I was glad to see that even though Smoke had his issues he was still a good dad. Well except for when he wanted to beat his son for telling him the truth (Referring to how Isaiah fussed at Smoke after seeing him and the other lady at the store)
Thanks, ladies! I was wondering about that, hoping that I’d managed to slip a little serious-ness into the storyline.
Terra,
Do you have a website ?
What are some of your other books ?
@ Barbara (and everybody)
My website addy is http://www.terralittle.com.
Aside from the “Smoke” books, I have “Running from Mercy,” which was published in JAN 2008.
Thanks for asking!
Barbara,
We read Running from Mercy as a group awhile back and you will not be disappointed when you pick it up.
Thanks, Criss! Glad you guys enjoyed RFM!
Why does my first time stamp say “1:09″?
I just want to go on record as saying I was here at 12:09, not 1:09. I’m not trying to get in trouble with Mama Tee! I was here! I was here!
It’s just now 1:28 here. I’m on CST.
Ummm hmmm, it wasn’t noon YOUR time. It was noon EST. All tardy for the party for your own chat. Oh the shame! I’ve been blocked in at the school for 30 minutes and would still be sitting there if I hadn’t taken charge. The car rider lane refused to back it up and the mom who came for the field day must be inside running her dang mouth, not knowing she has us all blocked in. Good grief! The don’t-care-about-nobody-but-yourself-edness that I just saw is absolutely ridiculous.
But an-ty-way….you were late, Terra. ROFL. I’ll be back in a bit.
Okay…EST…I didn’t know that.
Sorry, ladies!
(Tee is Im’ing me, getting me together! Ya’ll know how she is!)
Took me an hour to get that gravatar to work …getting my picture..
who designed the cover for book 2.
It’s nice
I like that
Barbara,
It went like this…(email) “Here’s your cover.” Same thing with the first WTS book. I like the second cover better than the first book’s cover, but I still don’t think it accurately represents the characters. I hope the next cover is even better!
Terra,
Its funny you say that because when I saw the cover for the first one I was wondering what that had to do with the book. Sometimes I think I’m just picky or creating issues when I want the cover to match though so I don’t feel so bad when the author says the same thing.
Criss,
I took one look at the WTS cover and said, “Who are these people?” So don’t feel bad. I’ve lost count of the number of emails I got from readers, wanting to know what the deal was with the cover. I couldn’t tell them anything, because I was clueless. Someone suggested that it was possibly a cover waiting for a book and I’m inclined to agree.
Maybe the guy in the front is “Isaiah” and the guy behind him is “Hood.”
To me it fits the characters
i really like it
That’s the same thing I said. Who those people supposed be. That’s not Smoke and that definitely is not Anne. Sigh….thank goodness I don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
This one does fit the story better. Thanks, Barbara!
Ladies, how do you think Anne’s life would’ve been different if she had staying in Mississippi with Ulysses?
I don’t think she would have been happy. I think she needed to leave Mississippi and the comfort zone of that area and start her life over. She needed to make sure she could really stand on her own two feet. And I don’t know too much about Ulysses but he didn’t really seem to fit her. Part of me feels like she was with him because she wanted a man to fill the father void. He helped open her heart and taught her a few things but I just didn’t see him as the one for her like I did with Smoke.
Ummm…no Smoke, no Mississippi…sorry Ulysses…
angelia
LOL That Ulysses sure was a bold one wasn’t he… didn’t he know showing up could have gotten both he and Ann killed???
Ulysses probably knew, he just didn’t care. It was probably obvious that he still cares for Anne and would take her back in a hot minute. You know how men get into pissing contests. And even if Anne did want his involvement to be a secret, he wanted Mr. Smoke to know what was what and who was who. And he probably wanted to see the competition for himself.
Men…
I don’t know, what would have happened. There was something that made Anne not want to commit to him, though. I think she comforted by him and I can see why.
What are some things that you didn’t like about WTS2 (or WTS) and why?
Don’t be worried about offending me. We’re all family here, ladies…LOL
Hmmm. I didn’t like how Anne’s mother took so long to explain why she treated her like that all of her life. I still don’t think that Anne’s mother took enough ownership of the part she played in the downturn of Anne’s life. I wanted to see Anne and her mom get some sort of counseling.
Good points, Radiah. To tell you the truth, Anne’s mother was my least favorite character. I had a hard time feeling sympathy for her, even if she did tragically lose her husband. I agree with everyone else. There is no excuse for her behavior. She was wrong, period. She isn’t alone though. Some parents just don’t know what to do or when to do it and she was one of those parents. I don’t think she really knows how to fully express herself. It was like she had just shut down inside or something. One of them had to be the bigger person and I guess Anne decided that it might as well be her. I also wanted to stir up a little outrage for Anne’s sake and shed some real light on some of what can make a person turn to substance abuse for comfort. Sometimes, when people think of other people who abuse drugs, they don’t stop to think that there are very real reason why that happens. We know that so-and-so stole our TV or our car, but how did they get to that point?
I agree to a point with the mother, yes she took too long, but when I found out why I understood. Grief is a booger to deal with, others can maintain while others can’t. I’ve seen it, had a friend who son was killed years back she was so grief stricken that she that consume her and her life. She stopped talking to her friends and family, withdrew from life.
I don’t care… there is absolutely no reason a mother should treat their child like that.. now after they turn 18 and they act ignorant….that’s different. I don’t think I would have forgiven her.
I’m leaning in your direction, Yolanda. I hate to say it, but I would’ve had some issues with forgiveness myself. Old girl was off the chain and she really didn’t have to be…
Forgiveness is earned and I think mother earned a bit. I’m glad that Anne did forgive her mother, because her the bitterness eating at her. I wanted her to forgive Alice for her own sake and not for the sake of Alice.
I didn’t say it was right, just said that grief is powerful.
Terra,
I agree with Radiah about the mother taking to daggone long to talk to Anne about what was going on. I also think there should have been more of an explanation about the sisters treatment of her too. (I’m drawing a blank right now on if it happened so correct me if I am wrong). Oh, and Smoke knew he needed to get his business straight and get away from his ex. I didn’t understand why he kept letting himself get caught up. He seemed smarter than that but I guess sex can make you do some not so smart things.
Poor old dumb Smoke let the wrong head do the thinking for him. After all, he is JUST a man. LOL.
I agree that Anne’s mother should’ve come clean a long time ago. But then, my mother is the same way. There are things that happened in the past that she still won’t talk about and, if she does, she gets defensive about her role in them, rather than accept that she is human and not perfect. Sometimes people think that if they “forget” about them everyone else will, too. But we all know it doesn’t work like that.
What I didn’t like and I know I make get some questions, was how once the truth about Isiah was discovered no one question if he really was Smoke’s son. I understood that he looked like his father, but I was just waiting for someone to ask the question how do you really know this is your son? I know acceptance happens, but I also know that someone may bring the drama too….LOL!!!!
Good one, Jaime! Smoke did question Isaiah’s paternity in the very beginning, but the boy looked so much like him, I guess he couldn’t deny him. I see what you’re saying, though. That could’ve been a Jerry Springer moment, for real.
I do remember he questioned, I guess your right I was looking for the you’re the boy’s father moment…LOL!!! I also remember Big Momma telling Anne that she knew when she saw Isiah that Smoke was his father.
You know us mamas be knowing! LOL
Yes, ya’ll do. That’s another way to find out if your pregnant. My mother called my sister out, and 2 days later my sister was like I’m pregnant. Now if my mother can just stop looking at me with those eyes….LOL!!! I DECLARE, that I’m NOT!!!!
Show of hands… Who here has a family member or friend who is just like one of the characters in the book?
Which character and in what ways?
I’ll go first. I have an uncle who is just like Deeter (from Where There’s Smoke). Ya’ll remember Deeter? If you do, then you’ll know how…sigh.
I remember Deter, he was a mess…LOL!!! Had one of them too, my uncle, he’s now saved and an ordained minister, so there’s hope. Now the same uncle, is like Uncle Don, always up in someone’s business, LOL!!!!
This reminds me of something else, Jaime. In writing Anne’s character, I wanted to make a point of showing how she got her life together. I find that, most of the time, where men who were once drug addicted but are now clean, they have a much easier time living down their past. People are more willing to forget “Pookie the Crackhead” and all of his antics now that he is an upstanding citizen. He has a testimony.
But women how have cleaned themselves up and moved on with their lives don’t seem to ever be able to out-run their past. People always seem to remember who she once was and every little detail about what she was like back then.
Anne made a statement for me about my perception of this. It’s completely backwards.
You’re right, the double standard. That is what I liked most about both books, how you showed Anne, her recovery and determination to stay clean. The scene where Anne was having issues with drinking beer, made me see how she still struggled.
My views on the book.
1. Smoke seemed sexy as hell to me and I don’t like the “thug” type.
2. Smoke seemed romantic as heck… had me fantasizing that I was Breanne…wha???
3. The whole light skinned dark skinned annoyed me.. made me have a School Daze flash back
4. There were many funny parts in the book… but one I can remember right now was when BreAnne lit into Erica’s butt. But Erica was about to bring it.. I was cracking up I almost peed myself.
5. I wish you could have utilized Ulysses a little more.
6. Even after Anne’s mother told her why she treated her the way she did.. I STILL didn’t like that heffa.
7. I wish that after Anne’s mother explained her actions that perhaps Laverne could have done a little explaining.
8. I hope that when you write Where There’s Smoke 3.. QQ.. that you have Erica and …what’s that boys name.lawd.. altzheimers setting in… Jay? Smoke’s son…. getting married..
9. I pray that Smoke 3 comes out in 2011 some time.
Tell us how you really feel!!!! I agree I would have liked to learn more about Ulysses, too. I was waiting for Laverne to say something too…sigh…
Right…but Terra is going to elaborate on that in Where There’s Smoke 3…aren’tchya Terra?
Right, Yolanda! LOL.
Might not be 2011, though. I seem to be on a once-yearly schedule and JUMP is already scheduled for 2011. But I’ll see what I can do…
Good points Yolanda! Now I like how little Ulysses was touched on. It was just enough characterization to bring him and having him fade out.
Hi Yolanda,
Smoke was sexy as hell to me, too, and he was a closet romantic. A few times there I caught myself channeling Anne, too.
I think, if I do decide to pen a part three, I will use Ulysses more because we can learn a little more about Anne through his eyes. And Laverne has something to offer, as well, so I would definitely use her more the next go round, too. For the most part, I think she was just doing what she was being done, following her mother’s example and caught up in the whole, “I’m light skinned so I’m prettier” complex. It took her growing up to learn differently.
Marriage is definitely in Zay (LOL) and Erica’s future, but I’m wondering how much of Smoke’s baser instincts will come out of him in the future…
Yeah, I would like to see Isiah older and married with children of his own. See whether he’ll be more like his mother or father…
I think he’ll definitely be more like his father, but it would be interesting to see exactly to what extent.
Dang-it!!! Ya’ll gone make me start writing! ROFL
ROFL!!!
Ok, ladies, I’m going to step out for a bit. I may peep in later once I get home and settled. Terra, thanks for the interesting chat today, I’ll be in touch with you soon.
Thanks for hanging out, Jaime! See you soon!
Hi Tera,
I just wanted to congratulate you on your new book and wish you continued success! I have not gotten a chance to read the books yet, but reading the questions from your readers and the amount of detail of enthusiasm they have shown toward the characters I am honestly looking forward to making this book the next on on my reading list. Keep up the good work!
Hi Janaya (pretty name by the way…don’t be surprised if you see it again!)
Thanks stopping by, and for your kind and encouraging words. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on WTS and WTS2, so hit me up when you’re done reading!
Well, Ladies,
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for hanging out with me today and for making me think! I enjoyed myself, but then, I always enjoy myself when I’m on RAW territory. There is no other place like it and you simply cannot find a greater group of people!
Again, thanks so much!
I had a ball hanging out and chatting with you today!! Thanks again!!!
Wow, wow! I love my RAWSISTAZ! I will have to read all the comments & discussion after I return from my volunteer shift at the school this afternoon, but just wanted to extend a big hug and hearty THANKS! I appreciate you all coming out and hanging with Ms Terra and chatting it up, and had hoped to make it back last night.
I enjoyed the book and I would have to say the best part of it for me was the humor. It was peppered in perfectly and helped keep the pace moving along quickly. Talking one-on-one with Terra gave me a peek into her humor, but there were spots in the book that I was LOL and that’s always a good thing. The characters? I enjoyed seeing them “after” the initial here’s-your-son-I-need-help from book 1 and I don’t normally care for sequels (mainly the waiting), but I think Book 2 was definitely needed. Now about this Book 3 thang…more on that later. ROFL.
-Tee
(Leaving y’all hanging like some of these authors do…)