South Row (24 page)

These are the songs I found myself listening to as I wrote this novel. It was like a soundtrack to my writing. Also, it was fun doing dance routines to some of these songs to get a picture of how I wanted South’s exotic dancing scenes to play out.

The Weekend –
Wicked Games

Rihanna –
Skin

Jeremih –
Put It Down on Me
(Ft. 50 Cent)

New Kids on the Block –
Single

Chris Brown –
No Bullshit

Cobra Starship –
Hot Mess

Heart –
All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You

Hugo –
99 Problems

Ginuwine –
Pony

Dev –
Take Her

Guns
’n’ Roses –
Welcome to the Jungle

Guns
’n’ Roses –
Paradise City

Juicy J –
Bandz A Make Her Dance

Pat Benatar –
Heartbreaker

Def L
eppard –
Pour Some Sugar on Me

Aerosmith –
Crazy

Stone Temple Pilots –
Sour Girl

Rascal Flatts –
What Hurts the Most

Massive Attack –
Angel

Human League –
Don’t You Want Me Baby

Katy Perry –
Thinking of You

Labrinth –
Beneath Your Beautiful
(Ft. Emeli Sande)

I wouldn’t have been able to do this doggone thing without a few people. You guys have been my strength throughout this whole thing, and if not for you all, I don’t know how I would have finished this novel or even gone ahead with publishing it. It took a lot of late nights, but here we are. We’ve done it!

First and foremost, without God, none of this would be possible. He gave me this creativity and talent and I am honored that He would see it fit to bless me in such a way. I would also like to thank my husband, Chris, who spent many a lonely night clutching a pillow while I typed away into the wee hours of the morning. Not many men would put up with that and I am thankful that you didn’t give me any grief…well, much. Lol! You said it yourself: you may not understand or like what I write, but you support me anyway. Thank you.

To my parents and brother: Your undying love and support made my heart swell.  I love you both very much. Daddy, I can’t wait until I can read those memoirs you’ve been writing! Che, you are too cool. We’re coming from a far way and I’m glad I get to call you brother, big head.

Now, to my team. You guys have been the wind beneath my wings and all that cliché crap. Without your support and enthusiasm, I wouldn’t have had the drive to publish
South Row.
So, when I call your name, just get your asses up and take damn bow.

Elle, I can’t even exp
ress what your support meant to me. When you kick butts into gear, that’s what the hell you do! Thank you for loving this project and thank you for loving me. I owe you so much…and I know you’re about to collect. Lol!

Angelique…I’m speechless. You’ve been with me from day one, ever since
Woman Scorned
. You’ve given me tips, you’ve showed me unwavering support, and you’ve been like a sister to me over the past few years that we’ve come to know each other. It was a joy sharing every bit of my writing with you. I love you more than I can even express. As soon as you read this, send me a voice note. Lol!

To Petagaye and Mel, you girls have been behind me from the get-go. You guys saw my potential and loved my writing, and kept in my craw about getting my stuff out there. You guys are my team, my girls, my dearest, oldest friends and I aim not to embarrass you…much. Lol! I love you both so very much.

To my beta readers Raj and BJ, you girls are awesome! Thank you for your words of wisdom, your encouragement, your corrections and ideas. You’ve helped to make South Row what it is right now and I am so grateful for your help. BJ, hurry up and get that book out already! I wanna read some dystopian fiction, dammit! And Raj, you need to get a move on with that publishing thing already. Don’t you want me as a client??? Lol!

To K.S. Adkins, just wanna tell you that you’re a bad mamma jamma! Thanks for the support
, home slice! Can’t wait for Brawler, baby!

To Normin, thanks for making me a part of your blog Music, Books and Gravity, and thanks for all the support you’ve been throwing my way. Just remember what I said in the beginning of this book…never give up on your dreams.

To my
Goodreads
ladies: Angela, Donna J, Ellie, Shari-amor (still makes me sing that Stevie Wonder song), and Celeste. You guys ALWAYS make my day! Thanks for the love, support, naughty talks and positive vibrations (not talking about from a dildo now).

To my – and Elle’s – Charlie Boy: Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. You see, those women I’ve just mentioned supported me and loved my work, but you Charlie…you were my backbone. You are why I have gotten this far. If it weren’t for you and all you’ve done, I wouldn’t be writing this right now. You saw something in my writing and you worked with me until it was perfect. I am foreve
r indebted to you, Charlie Boy.

To Samuel Silva: Thank you so very much for allowing me to use your breathtaking drawing as my cover. You will never understand what that meant to me. When you gave me the go-ahead, I literally cried because I couldn’t believe my fortune. Your talent is so very unique and awe-inspiring. I hope
that when people see this drawing, they will fall in love with it like I did and that your drawing will be what pulls readers to my book. I pray God continues to bless you with the creativity to do what you do and that He keeps you humble throughout. Thank you very much, Mr. Silva!

Finally, and most importantly, thank you to all those who bought – and will buy – and read this novel. I wrote this for your enjoyment so I really hope you enjoy every bit of it and beg for more!

Look out for Luke & Lydia’s story. Check out a teaser below!

Luke

My mom left my Dad and me when I was 15,
saying that we were “holding her back from her dreams”; around the same time my girlfriend of two years, Penny, moved away because her Mom got a promotion to San Francisco. She could have stayed with her grandmother, but chose to leave me, knowing I loved her more than life itself. Women are selfish bitches, and ever since I learned that lesson, I haven’t let any of them close enough to leave me again.

Moving to San Francisco with my best
friend Collin was not just for job-related purposes. I wanted to see Penny again. All those years and I still missed her, still loved her. But what I found when I got here was women, women and more women. And God, do I love the women! God’s greatest creation since condoms and paternity tests. Am I right, guys?

Little did I kn
ow that I would also find THE woman. She’s crazy and, hell, is she beautiful! She’s my crazy fucking Amazon and if anyone tries to take her from me, it won’t be pretty. I’ve been hit over the head with a baseball bat called love and there’s no turning back. The guys are gonna have a damn field day with this shit. Fuck me.
Lydia

My fiancé is a rich, douchebag fag. No, r
eally, he’s a fag. I caught him getting it real good by a buff dude in OUR bed. I couldn’t get the image burned out of my head fast enough as I high-tailed it out of there and into the arms of my best friends. The high life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be with all its secrets and lack of love. That’s what it was between James and I and I won’t do it anymore…not until I find someone worth my heart and my…um, other intimate parts.

I’
ve been celibate for the past two years and doing well in my quasi-virgin, man-hating existence, until…boom! I saw him and it was over. Love at first sight doesn’t happen to me, but shit if my heart isn’t caving to Luke Somerville. He’s the one. My destiny; and if I have to fight, maim and behead every bitch who thinks they have a right to him, then I will. Sluts, be warned.

You can connect with Ghiselle via:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ghiselle.st.james

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29061184-ghiselle-st-james

Want to be the first to get updates on my latest books? Hit me up at:

[email protected]

Leave your reviews on:

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Find more Samuel Silva drawings at:

https://www.facebook.com/VianaArts

These books are currently in the pipelines:

The Impassioned Series

(Her Impassioned Plea)

MC
Romance Series:

(Sinner and Saint, Cruiser’s Woman, Law and Lady)

I just want to thank you all for buying and reading this novel. I am very proud of this piece and I loved the story I weaved.
My hope is that you enjoyed reading
South Row
as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Don’t be shy about contacting me or leaving a review. I hope to develop more than just a readership with you…a friendship sounds so much more appealing. Enjoy every book you read from here on out, whether it be mine or
that of another talented author!