Message from the Author Dear Reader,                 Thank you for coming along for what was for me, a joy ride.  A Better Pair of Shoes was written to further emphasize Kayla’s journey of recovery.  In the process of that intention, a world of very relatable matters came to the surface.  As was the case with Renegotiating Kayla , in this new book, I leaned on my ability to characterize emotions, pains, hurts, and confusions.  The two main quests of ABPOS were, “Where do we look in the face of failure” and “How do we maintain composure when our past reemerges in our current circumstance”.   As an author of fiction, I never thought to answer the questions for the readers, but present possibilities.  I hope they were enjoyable to read and imagine.  I wish you all the best in all of your quests and questions, and I challenge you in life, to always:  choose honesty, find courage, and acknowledge the Grace of God.     NaTisha R. Williams Author (Click on the Image

Congratulations Jeffrey Dunbar for "A Moving Performance!"  Start the book now:  https://abetterpairofshoes.blogspot.com/2017/05/chapter-1-camies-secret.html

Congratulations Aisha for "A Captivating Performance!"  Start the book now: https://abetterpairofshoes.blogspot.com/2017/05/chapter-1-camies-secret.html

Congratulations Kayla!! Excerpts from Kayla’s Role the Book… A Better Pair of Shoes, Novel “My eyes settled on a thin envelope with large cursive writing in heavy blue ink, and I became very curious to know what was enclosed.” “I sat in silence for a few moments after Camie had dragged her skeleton out of the closet.  I tried to put myself in her shoes and say something similar to the kind of thing I would have wanted to hear, but I couldn’t seem to put the words together.  Eventually, I heard myself mutter “wow”.   This was obviously a hat I had never bothered to try on, and surely there was a good reason why; it just didn’t fit.  ” “How our individual orbits had directed us both to Dr. Kat Shepherd, I did not know.  As I made the dreadful realization, my heart began to pound fast and hard.  I tried to get a look at my sister without staring or making a fuss.”

Congratulations to Reece! Excerpts from Reece’s Appearance in the Book… A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel “ She had a way of talking and smiling at the same time.   Her sway was definitely intentional and sent waves through the large room, but up until now, it was still unknown what it was after.” “Just then, I noticed Reece at one of the tables across the floor, joined by a couple.  I assumed they were her guests.” “Reece smiled and just like that; she was gone.”  

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel The Outro! Jeff             Ketly and I took all of our dreams and leaped forward.  We’d gotten married the next morning after the engagement party.  We hadn’t shared it with anyone, but we eventually planned to.  It was just us two and Shayne and the Justice.  We’d decided to come together under the penname J.K. Dunbar, but first we needed to make our union official.  I’d handed off my last book to my current publishers, and had found a small up-and-coming publisher in Miami with a notable portfolio and solid ideas.  Ketly wasn’t under contract and was easily on-boarded.  We were still planning on continuing our sessions with Pastor Andre.  After all, we wanted to give our marriage the best possible shot. Jennifer My thirtieth birthday had brought lots of magic.  Derek had not disappointed with a bold proposal after we’d dined at a beachside restaurant.  We’d talked so much about it, and I knew it was coming, but that didn’t take

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel Chapter 40-b Aisha and Tony Rolls Out the Red Carpet                It had been months since any of us had walked through the double doors at Catalina’s.  This time six of us were expected to be there, rather than our usual four.  Camie was in tow with her sister Erilyn, and her newest girlfriend and hairdresser Nohle.   I thought about Kayla’s craft, and hoped for Nohle’s sake that Camie’s hair was on point.  I was surprised to see that our usual valet guy had been moved up to some sort of management position, and was working on the inside of the restaurant.  It was quite a cool thought however.  When I made it around to where our table was, Kayla and Ketly were already seated, and snacking on bread.  I quickly moved in on Ketly, who stood happily to greet me.  It was astonishing to see her glow.  She was not the woman I’d seen just a few weeks prior.  Then again, nor was I.  A huge storm had anchored its head over our circle, but I was happy

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel Chapter 40-a Aisha and Tony Rolls Out the Red Carpet         I could recognize the surroundings, and the brick exterior that told me it was Sax.  The woman was familiar to me, but I couldn’t identify her.  I could see that Tony was not happy.  There was a short exchange of words, and then she moved slowly and deliberately into his personal space.  She cuffed his ear, and delivered whatever was she’d wanted him to know.  I saw Tony’s face change from upset to concern, and I instantly sprung up from my sleep unaware of where I was.  I looked around for a few seconds, and realized that I was at home, in bed with Tony.  The disturbance of my quick awakening did not awaken Tony however, and so I returned my head to my pillow.  I lay awake holding onto the things I’d seen, and then out of nowhere, there was a voice, a whisper in my consciousness, that said, “He knows.”   I jumped up again and this time I sat on my side of the bed for a few moments

Congratulations Ketly Chenille!! Excerpts from Ketly’s Role in the Book… A Better Pair of Shoes, Novel “The drive was pretty quiet.  There was lots of anxiety.  …Raina was not cool.  She was not care-free, and bubbling over with smiles and funny stories she’d heard.  I understood it, and left it alone.” “It felt as though I was in the belly of the whale with guts all around me.  …When I’d collected the parts of me I wanted to leave with, I made my way back to my seat.” “When it was all over, everyone was there, and Raina was gone.”    

Congratulations to Jeffrey Dunbar who didn't have a name in "Renegotiating Kayla", but certainly made a name for himself in ABPOS. Excerpts from Jeff’s Role in the Book… A Better Pair of Shoes, Novel “…I just wish you could be patient.  I love the way I feel when I’m with you, but I don’t know that I can be faithful to you.” “I hadn’t written a single word in over two weeks.  … I kept trying to pin point what was so different about her.” “I stepped into the large tub, and relaxed my heavy mind.  I waited for the water to overtake me, and in the meantime I continued to flood my insides.”   Start the book now:  https://abetterpairofshoes.blogspot.com/2017/05/chapter-1-camies-secret.html

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel Chapter 39-b Ketly Recovers Pt.2 My mom and dad had insisted on keeping Shayne, and we agreed.  I quickly thanked everyone for coming, and said my good-byes.  I could see both Kayla and Aisha with many questions on their minds, and so I promised to call as I stopped to hug each one.  Moments later, we were alone.  The short walk to the car felt like a long walk in a park.  We held hands, but did not begin to sum anything up with words.  Actually, I didn’t have any words.  As we began to journey, I began to dream again.  Jeff and I were still holding hands.  It was too scary for me to let go just yet.  There was still so much that needed to be said, but perhaps we were both searching for the words.  Then, came the break in the silence we were both wanting.             “How’d you like the book?”             “It’s your best yet.”  I had long caught up on all of Jeff’s writings.             “You think so?”             “I know so.”  I assured.

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel C hapter 39-a Ketly Recovers           When I turned the last page of Jeff’s book, much of my hurt had dissipated.  There was a lot to show that Angela had been me, but there was nothing to prove that I was Angela.  There was no surprising note hidden in the pages of my copy of the book with a marriage proposal.  Yet, I was healed to know that my heart had not simply been a board game.  Everything I had remembered— all the truly important moments Jeff and I had shared, did not only stand out in my mind, but his as well.  I felt almost ready to pick up the pieces of the dream that had fallen apart, and make something of my reemerging hopes.  Since Angela had declined Jeff’s offer, and I hadn’t gotten one, I knew the book had come to help me to see Jeff in a different light, and for the sake of Shayne, I needed that.  I’d finished the book three days ago, and despite all it had done to move me along, I stuck it in the corner of my upper closet und

A Better Pair of Shoes, a novel Chapter 38 Kayla Takes Aisha’s Suggestion It was Monday again, and finally after three weeks, we were back in the swing of things.  Wood and I had made an early practice of playing basketball on Monday mornings.  It was my usual day off, and Wood didn’t go into work until noon on Mondays.  The last two weeks, while Ali was on vacation, we hadn’t made it out.  I wouldn’t say the delay had been welcomed, but it did work well, considering the sudden awkwardness between us.  For me, the combination of being exposed before my husband, Tony, and Dr. Kat had started to eat away at my confidence.  It also didn’t help that the last time Wood and I had tried to make love, I’d completely shut down and taken a pass.  Neither of us had seen it coming, and since then, it seemed as though we were both avoiding the issue.  Today perhaps was the moment of truth.  We could no longer continue to bypass each other.  When we got to the court, as usual there wa