Lakisha, the Author

Daily Devotional – 6/1/16 “FOBO Syndrome!”

With a new month upon us, it’s only right that I ask this question … “What are you doing?” What are you doing with your spirituality, yourself, your family, your job and your talents? We’re six months in now, anything changed? Have you seen some improvement from January or are you still waiting? Or could it possibly be, you’re fearful? I’m only asking because we will allow fear to run us. I’ve been hearing this commercial (a lot lately) from HH Gregg that says the lady wanted to buy new appliances but she had FOBO, which stands for Fear of Better Options. And of course, this piqued my interest because a lot of us are walking around with this same syndrome. Yea, we suffer from FOBO because we are scared that we might actually get something better. Think about it. You won’t let that no good man or woman go because you’ve become comfortable in the situation of not really having to tap into who you really are and you’re afraid you might just find someone who’ll treat you like you’re supposed to be treated. You’re still holding on at that place of worship because you are afraid that you may go somewhere else and find what you’ve been needing spiritually. You’re staying at that job because you’re afraid you may just get the career that actually utilizes your skills. You’re afraid of going to another doctor because he or she may just be better than the one you’ve been seeing for the last 15 years. Yes, you have the FOBO syndrome. You are afraid of better options.

It’s like this. The washing machine you’ve had for 22 years breaks down. You go into the appliance store and have the option to get the same model you’ve had or an upgrade for the same price. Now, you’re actually standing there trying to decide. Why? Because you’re used to the old model, you know how it works and you’re fearful of getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new. You’re not looking at the fact they don’t even make parts for the old one anymore, you want what you’re comfortable with. You are fearful of something better. Why tho? Don’t you believe you are worthy and deserve better? Then why are you afraid of better? I don’t know about you but I serve a God who says if I ask in faith, I shall receive that which I ask for. So, every day I seek better because I know I deserve better. And so do you. Why do you think cars, electronics, houses and etc. are upgraded constantly? It’s because things change. Of course, not all changes are good but the majority are and we shouldn’t be fearful of them. This is why we seek knowledge, to become better. The bible says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” God gives us the strength to overcome fear, we have to tap into it. Stop allowing your ideas, your vision, your work, your talents to be swept aside all because you are fearful of something better. There’s a remedy for this syndrome, it’s God!

Daily Devotional – 5/26/16 “Thank you!”

Thank you! Yes, you … thank you. Thank you for choosing to read my devotionals, thank you for looking to me for a word of encouragement and thank you for believing in me. See, I’ve realized, sometimes you just need to tell folk thank you. Don’t wait until they do something for you, show them you’re thankful simply because they are there. A lot of times, we get in our feelings saying things like no one cares about me, they just take me for granted when in reality; all they need to hear is thank you. It goes a long way. It lets them know you’re appreciative of them. It lets them know, I may not be able to show my gratitude by way of monetary value but I want you to know that I am thankful for all you do. And whether you know it or not, genuine thanks is worth more than money; there is no value. This is why I said thank you. It’s because I need you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you. Yes, I could write devotionals without you but what good is that if no one reads them but me? I need you. This is why I had to let you know that I am grateful for you.

Saying thank you, I appreciate you, your hard work isn’t going unnoticed, I’m proud of you, you can do it, don’t give up or I believe in you means more to a person than buying them flowers that will soon die. Let me show you what I mean. There’s an older lady, at the church I grew up in who used to give my sister and I a dollar on our birthday every year, she never forgot. I haven’t been a member there in over six years but I still visit. This year on our birthday, she called. She called to let me know she was proud of me and the things that I’d done and do. I let her know that I am the woman I am today partly because of being raised there by women like her. She had me in tears. It wasn’t about the dollar that I’d normally receive but it was the genuine love she has for me. Her call, her words, her love meant more to me than anything. These are the type of people you ought to have in your corner. Those who will call you out the blue and say I love you, I see you working, I’m proud of you and etc. Saying thank you even to someone who should say it to you throws them off. Saying thank you to your spouse, your family and friends; it helps. Saying thank you to God, lets Him know His sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed. Try it and I can bet you, it’ll go farther than you’d ever expect. Thank you!

Full Series – Ms. Nice Nasty

Ms. Nice Nasty is the one series that you should definitely read! Yep! Please note, I am not saying this because I wrote it (maybe I am) but I am saying this because it is a great series.

Download, read it and see for yourself. Then once you are hooked on Cam, leave a review and share it with all your reading friends and family. I’d really appreciate it.

Here are the books within this series:

Ms. Nice Nasty

Camille Holden-Shannon has always been who she says she is, a woman who can command a courtroom and bedroom without opening her mouth! She’s sexy, confident and not afraid; her credentials speak for themselves. She loves her family and her career but she cannot deny the fact that she loves sex and lots of it. She doesn’t break up homes; she simply gets what she needs and she’s gone!

Her career suddenly takes a turn in the right direction and she is thrown into the public’s eye and all hell breaks loose! A secret adds more fuel to the fire already burning inside her chaotic home and to make matters worse she finds herself being tormented by a ghost from her past! Can she hold it all together or will she break under the pressure? Will Ms. Nice Nasty hang up her stilettos or can she come out on top like she’s known to do.

You can download it for $1.99 by clicking HERE

Ms. Nice Nasty: Cam’s Confession

When you allow your past hurt to push you into present sin, it may not work out so well!

For Camille, she proudly proclaims to be “unapologetic” about the way she lives her life but when her actions start affecting everything she knows, she has to make a choice between being ‘nice’ or ‘nasty’.

In Cam’s Confession, Camille finally takes therapy serious. She slowly opens the box of her past as she deals with the hurt that made her a woman scorned. Dr. Scott hopes with her finally releasing this demon, she can now move on with her life. But can she?

She thought revenge was what she needed but it only made matters worse. She thought sex would do it but it only made her worse. Now what?

With her life, marriage and career barreling out of control; will she be able to stop the train before it wrecks?

Find out in this 11,000 words special edition of Ms. Nice Nasty. Also, get a sneak peek into the first two unedited chapters of Ms. Nice Nasty 2.

You can download it for FREE by clicking HERE

Ms. Nice Nasty 2

All of her past skeletons come tumbling out at the same damn time!

Just when Camille thinks she has the chaos of her life under control, the clouds break and she has a hard time controlling the storm. Her already shaky marriage is crumbling before her eyes, add to it her husband’s pregnant side chick and all the skeletons in her closet; she may be in over her head!

Now, she’s standing face to face with Karma and it’s the last person she’d ever expect it to be. The same person, who has been tormenting her the last six months, is now threatening to ruin everything she has worked so hard for.

She should have listened when her mom told her, “your actions have consequences” because now she’s finding out the hard way. Will she back down under the pressure of being exposed or will she lay all of her cards on the table? What will it take for her to open her eyes?

Maybe she should have listened to her therapist or maybe it’ll take the possibility of losing her career, a near death experience of someone she loves or the unexpected death of a loved one, to open her eyes. Or is it simply too late?

Has her actions left her with more than she can conquer or can she survive with her mind, marriage and career intact? Find out in the series finale of Ms. Nice Nasty!

You can download your copy for (a limited time) for $0.99 by clicking HERE

I hope once you’ve downloaded, read and reviewed that you liked it enough to share with others. If you have a book club, reading group or social club that would like to feature any of these novels, please contact me at authorlakisha@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

As always,
–Happy Reading!
Lakisha

Daily Devotional – 5/25/16 “Let us pray…”

Our Father, whose name is Holy and worthy to be praised; I come petitioning your throne today, thanking you for everything. God, I know sometimes we aren’t worthy of asking yet you still provide; you still forgive us and still bless us in spite of and for that I say thank you. Thank you for loving us even when we are too selfish to love others. Thank you for covering us even in the midst of our mess. Thank you God for paying a debt that we’d never be able to repay. Now, as I come before you; I come not only for me but for that mother who doesn’t think you’re hearing her prayer; for that daddy whose been away from you too long and afraid to call your name, for that sister who’s in pain and can’t get a word out, for that brother who’s struggling just to live, for that pastor who feels like he/she is doing what they can and it’s still not working and for the person who’s contemplating suicide because it hurts too much to live. God, I come asking that your will for us on Earth be done as it is in Heaven. I come asking you to give us today, the daily bread we need to strengthen our weak places. Then, oh God forgive us. Forgive us for the daily sins that keeps us from being like you. Forgive us for the faults we so blindly hold on too. Forgive us for the hate that we’ve carried for years and forgive us for the debt that is consuming our lives. Forgive us, Father. And don’t allow us to fall into temptation, for you are our shield of protection. Deliver us from the hands, mouths and arms of the evil ones who have us trapped by fear and lies. Set us free from the things that keep us from you. Destroy chains of circumstances, bondage of burdens, handcuffs of hatred, shackles of self-doubt and governing generational curses. Cast out sickness and disease, sexual and spousal abuse and addictions. You said, if your people who are called by your name would humble themselves, seek your face and turn from their wicked ways; you’d come and see about us; well, here am I oh God, asking you to come and see about your children. Our cities need you, the killings have to stop, the police brutality and killings have to cease, the burying of our children; it has to end. We need you Father, for yours is the kingdom and you are the power and the glory; forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

Daily Devotional – 5/24/16 “Smile anyway!”

When you pass me by and you see a smile, it doesn’t necessarily mean everything is going great in my life. My smile simply means, in spite of the circumstance and regardless of my situation, I’ll yet trust God. This smile you see, the positive things I post and the encouragement I give means that I’m blessed in the face of the situation. This smile is hiding a multitude of things and that’s because even though I may be going through, God is still keeping me. This is why you can’t judge a person based on what they look like. I can bet that if you stopped at a local chemo or dialysis treatment facility, most of the patients don’t look sick. If you were to speak to half of the people who park in a handicap space; most of them don’t look like they’re dealing with chronic pain either. Just because someone looks healthy, it doesn’t mean they are. Although you can’t see a person’s tear stains, it doesn’t mean they didn’t spend all night crying but it could mean they’ve found someone to dry them. Even if you can’t hear it in their voice, it doesn’t mean a person hasn’t been hurt; it could mean they’ve connected to someone who can take their pain away. While you can’t see someone’s past, it doesn’t mean they aren’t affected by it but it could mean they’ve hooked up with the best past eraser. Just because I don’t look like the hell I’ve been through, it simply means I have access to the best plastic surgeon there is and He reconstructed me well. Yea, I sometimes have to go through remodeling but just pardon my dust!

Beloved, I don’t know about you but the enemy shows up and when he’s lost before, he comes back harder the next time yet stand like Job. Yea, the fire is hot but God is the flame resistant covering, money can’t buy and He won’t allow you to be burned. Yea, the tests are hard but we’ve been granted use of the ultimate teacher who’ll give us what we need. So it doesn’t matter what the world does, what people say, how folk treat you; all that really matters is how you come out. Chile, we may go through the storm of hell and come out looking like a wet dog but all that matters to God is that we endured and pressed our way through for He’ll reward our effort. This is why we have to push through the tough moments, stand while being hit on every side, smile in the face of the adversary, hold on to the rope and don’t let go and refuse to jump off of give up cliff. God is the reason we rejoice in the midst of chaos. So, if you happen to be going through, smile anyway! When the tears flow, smile knowing they’ll have to soon end! When the pain come, praise knowing it won’t always be there! When your legs get tired, stop and catch your breath knowing God will give you strength to walk on! When your heart is hurting, help somebody because you’ll heal in the midst! When folk walk out on you, shut the door and dance knowing they didn’t mean you any good anyway! And when it seems like you’ve done all you can do, pray on knowing that God will answer your call! Smile through it, even if it hurts because it’ll confuse the enemy