Keleya Smith is a confident Southern woman who finds herself at an inadvertent crossroad at age twenty-six, waiting for life to unveil meaning and purpose. She thought she had the ultimate catch with Kris, but their four-year relationship is destroyed with one night of deceit. The breakup forces Keleya to come to a discomforting realization: she is unfulfilled, often seeking refuge in her hobby, family, and friends. Despite the emotional damage, Keleya remains loyal to love. So when fate drops someone new at her doorstep, she transfers the yearning for intimacy, respect, and friendship to Jordan-an attractive twenty-nine-year-old native of Philadelphia. This newfound relationship with Jordan catches Keleya by surprise and tests her looming desire for her old confidant Kris. But when feelings for Jordan transform into more than casual dating, her faith in authentic relationships is challenged by an unforeseen circumstance. In the struggle to manage trust and vulnerability, Keleya finds herself caught in a whirlwind of old loves and new possibilities. On top of romantic woes, Keleya has to navigate relationships with her best friend, JaCola, and immediate family members. Now, more than ever, she is at odds with her gossiping sister, Nkosazana, and pained by the broken relationship with her father. Over the course of a year, Keleya has to face some shocking truths. But in the end, she finds solace in her love life and herself.
About the Author: During childhood and teenage years, author L. Cherelle wrote short stories and plays, but it was not until 2009 that she decided to take a leap of faith and prove to herself that the process of writing and publishing is surmountable. In December 2009, she transferred her passion for all things handmade to the art of storytelling. L. Cherelle writes stories that reflect the lives and relationships of Southern, lesbian identified Black women in the hope that readers will seek authenticity in their relationships and within themselves. "Through my characters, I hope that all women shed damaging stereotypes and tainted expectations. We can expound on the meaning of womanhood by forming our own definitions." L. Cherelle uses her relationships and experiences as a jump off for characterization and plot development, pulling lessons from the joys and pains of friends and family members. "It is important that my characters be relatable and a reflection of who I am and what we-Black, lesbian-identified women-experience." Accept the Unexpected is L. Cherelle's debut novel and definitely not her last. She is currently writing and editing future Resolute Publishing titles. "Novel writing is an adventure. It has forced me to push myself and believe in myself as well. I look forward to expanding my imagination even more and growing for readers." L. Cherelle is a native of Memphis, TN.