Author L.A. Jefferson's Discussion with 4 Kicks Book Club Meeting--May 2011

Earlier this month my novel, Unfinished Business, was the featured selection for the 4 KICKS book club. Consequently, I was invited to join the discussion. Since debuting my novel in 2009, this is the second time that I've received such an invitation so I was just as excited AND nervous as I was the very first time! Let me tell you, this was a VERY lively and fun group of women to discuss my novel with. To get the party--oops--meeting--started the ladies and I toasted with shots of Petrone! I did say lively, didn't I? LOL! Anyway, the meeting was ALOT of fun--reminded me of my own book club days! At the end of the day, the ladies and I had so much fun, they invited me to come back for other book discussions. I gladly accepted the invitation!

Below are some questions and comments that stemmed from the discussion.

Q.  What was your inspiration behind the story?
A. Honestly, it began with my personal to recapture the essence of my first love. The story evolved into what often happens when two people reconnect after years of separation only to realize that--after the ups & downs of life's experiences--they are no longer who they were when that love was born between them.

Q. What was the deal with Lena? Was she bi-sexual, lesbian, or just extra kinky?
A. Surprisingly, the word "lesbian" never came to mind when Lena's character was created. I simply envisioned her as a woman willing to go to great lengths to give her man whatever he wanted in the bedroom. Now, the real question is whether her motivation was to satisfy her man or control him?

Q.  On the night of the bridal shower, did Roy really sleep with Christian, the woman he met that night or did he just want Lydia to think that he did so she could realize what she was on the brink of losing?
A. I left that one open for the reader to decide...

"I'm glad that there was a couple in the book on the right track. It was refreshing to have that balance of Black love."

"As fine as Officer Chris Boyle was, I wanted to see him hook up with somebody in the story! He was too fine to end up by himself."

My question to the group: "What was your opinion of the end of the story? Was it a realistic or unrealistic end?"

"Personally, I couldn't see it happening like that, at least not so soon."

"I wouldn't say unrealistic, but it'd definitely make me want to know what happened later on down the line with the characters' relationship."

Who are the characters of Unfinished Business...

If you're a woman, you're probably quite familiar with the main character. Either you've walked in her shoes or know someone who has. Lydia Love is a smart, confident, career focused young woman. She has a strong family bond, terrific girlfriends, and is on the road to promotion at work. And she's got more than one man after her heart. For the most part, Lydia makes good decisions, unless Thomas Cunningham, the man she got herself sprung out on during college is involved. Then she just gets kinda stuck on stupid.

Or maybe you can identify more with Lydia's bestfriend, Sandra. Like Lydia she made some right moves too, at least attending college. But she was more interested in landing a man who would provide her with the finer things of life. Now that she's got that, she's wondering if the finer things in life compensate for the lack of fidelity on the part of her husband.

Thomas Cunningham is a man many women have encountered at one time or another in their lives, unfortunately. He's a "Mr. Lover Man". He's fine, he's sexy, he's the epitome of masculinity and sensuality and he knows how to make a woman feel that "thang". No wonder poor Lydia can't resist him :) Like most men, Thomas wants his cake and wants to eat it some, then more and more. And guess what? He'll keep doing it until he finally get's BUSTED!

Roy Collins is one of the good guys in the story, which of course, means he finishes last. Right? Maybe, maybe not. He may be kind, dependable, committment-phobia free, but he's not a complete sucker. Yes, he loves Lydia. Has loved her since they met as teenagers. But he also knows his worth as a man. Knows the right woman would be lucky to have him. And he has no plans of waiting for Lydia to take her sweet time deciding what man is best for her. Or does he?

Get ready for more. The book is on the way...

Your Author,

LA Jefferson