#FirstFiveFriday

One of the hallmarks of my writing is that I always center my stories in my home state of North Carolina. Since publishing my first novel in 2012, I have selected settings of metropolitans, college campuses, and small towns to celebrate my idea about Southern Sisterhood.

I invite all those curious about the lives and loves of the Southern Sorority women who come to life through my work to enjoy a little taste of my writing, which I call #FirstFiveFridays. I will share the first five lines of one of my short stories every First Friday of the month. To learn more, subscribe to my newsletter. Enjoy

Few things in life irked Nona Essex’s soul more than people who didn’t know how to shut up and have a good time. That truth pulsated in her brain as she sat in a plum and platinum-decorated ballroom serenaded by electronic swing music.

Less than an hour earlier, she witnessed the joyous nuptials of one of her favorite sorority sisters. The twilight beach ceremony under a clear September sky left her wanting to hug and kiss everyone who crossed her path.

It was only a short drive from the beach to a reception in downtown Wilmington filled with those drunk on love and a variety of liquid pleasure.

Posted in First Five Friday, Just the Tea-What's New with Toya | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on #FirstFiveFriday

#FirstFiveFriday

One of the hallmarks of my writing is that I always center my stories in my home state of North Carolina. Since publishing my first novel in 2012, I have selected settings of metropolitans, college campuses, and small towns to celebrate my idea about Southern Sisterhood.

img_3492

I invite all those curious about the lives and loves of the Southern Sorority women who come to life through my work to enjoy a little taste of my writing, which I call #FirstFiveFridays. I will share the first five lines of one of my short stories every First Friday of the month. To learn more, subscribe to my newsletter. Enjoy

Kathleen took a sip of her Saturday afternoon delight and watched Wonder Woman walk by in front of her home.

Dorothy Gale, Moana, and Peppa Pig followed in an exuberant sea of gingham, brown, and pink attire. Kathleen noted each of the four clutched a bag probably filled with calorie-causing confections.

The four fictional characters were in good company with the other creatively-attired children filling the sidewalks throughout Kathleen’s Carrboro neighborhood. Pumpkins, bats, and spiderweb decorations in front yards confirmed today’s date- October 31.

Posted in First Five Friday, Just the Tea-What's New with Toya | Tagged , | Comments Off on #FirstFiveFriday

#FirstFiveFriday

One of the hallmarks of my writing is that I always center my stories in my home state of North Carolina. Since publishing my first novel in 2012, I have chosen settings of metropolitan areas, college campuses, and small towns to celebrate my idea of Southern Sisterhood

I invite all those curious about the lives and loves of the Southern Sorority women who come to life through my work to enjoy a little taste of my writing, which I call #FirstFiveFridays. I will share the first five lines of one of my short stories every First Friday of the month. To learn more, subscribe to my newsletter. Enjoy

“You know I’m an ordained minister. We can get two of your friends over tomorrow, set up in your living room, and get this whole wedding situation nipped in the bud,” Leah Tubman’s office manager said while the two stood waiting for the office coffee maker to finish brewing their morning salvation.

The mechanical purring of the twelve-cup appliance punctured her offer. Completing its task, the deliverer of all good things hot and black sat waiting.

“I mean, I’m not trying to be all up in your business, but I hear you on the phone, trying to coordinate everything. Some days, you make me want to pull my hair out.

That is saying a lot,considering how much I paid for this sew-in last month.”

Posted in First Five Friday | Comments Off on #FirstFiveFriday