DUANE
“Y’all looking good,” Trey said, as tailors swarmed around our group of guys.
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It’s a chilly evening in Rochester, New York, and Eva Gordon, wife to basketball star Jaleel Gordon, sits comfortably in the kitchen of their family home. The sounds of the winter wind outside are muffled by the warmth of the house. As she sips her herbal tea, Eva watches her newborn daughter, safely asleep in the nursery, from the video monitor. Her eyes are soft with contentment, and there’s a quiet glow to her. She’s a mother now, and life has transformed in the most unexpected ways.
Eva’s calm demeanor suggests that she’s found peace in her busy life, which now revolves around family and balancing her flourishing yoga studio and juice bar with the demands of being a mother of two. As she settles into the conversation, she smiles warmly, a little bit tired but grateful for everything life has gifted her.
“Girl,” she said, “I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s rest but these kids make me so happy.”
As I settled into my seat, I started our conversation from there.
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Reconnecting with the Gordons had been on my mind from the moment I typed “The End” on their Christmas short story, Home for Christmas. I fell in love with this young couple even before I started writing, just from the outline. The way their love unfolded felt so organic, making it a joy to bring them back for their second chance romance. So when the idea of writing a New Year’s Eve story came to mind, Eva and Jaleel were the first couple I thought of. Their love is intentional—expressed through both words and actions—and Home Before Midnight showcases that beautifully, especially in chapter six.
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The way I keep mistaking 2025 for 2024! Like, as I was writing this blog, I kept saying “2025 wrap-up” or “2025 year in review.” That should indicate how much I want to get out of 2024—and fast—lol. I hope that doesn’t give the impression that I hated this year, though. It was a mixed bag for me. I had a love/hate relationship with 2024, and we’re going to get into why.
If there’s one thing that happened to me this year, and that was undeniable, it’s that I went through a major metamorphosis. On the career front, with my sights set on celebrating my 10th year in self-publishing in July 2025, I can confidently say that 2024 me is nothing like 2015 me.
So much has changed, so many awakenings have occured. I have a gift with the written word, so we’re about to get all these thoughts lol. But first, let’s start with the highlights of 2024.
Stories Published
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Jaleel Gordon is a fan favorite. He’s loyal, devoted, and loves him some Eva Gordon. When we first meet him, he’s a husband and father excited to return home for the holidays. This theme continues throughout the follow-up story to the holiday short, Home for Christmas, titled Home Before Midnight. And the follow-up only made us love him more.
Let’s get to know Jaleel Gordon more intimately.
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DIANA
I sat outside the villa, closing my eyes and letting the rhythmic sounds of the waves reaching the shoreline and retreating from the white sand wash over me.
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That video series I’ve been teasing? It’s finally here, and it kicks off with an end-of-year wrap-up! I’m so excited to bring you this new addition to Brookelynite Daily. Expect this to only get better with time—it’s a learning process, but I’m brave enough to dive in and to take you with me on this journey!
In this first vlog, I’m breaking down everything that happened in my writing journey in 2024 and giving you a glimpse of what’s ahead in 2025 and beyond. Hit play and enjoy!
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t’s hard to believe that Ebb & Flow is officially five years old! This story holds such a special place in my heart, and I’m beyond grateful for the love it’s received from readers over the years. To celebrate this milestone, Ebb & Flow is on sale for just $0.99 for a limited time.
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The couple that surprised me and completely stole my heart! Cadence and Meki were long overdue for an update, and I was thrilled to write one for them. It’s perfect timing too, since it was Christmas Day and being snowed in that originally brought these two together. They continue to be one of my favorite couples, and this alternate story ending just made it even more official. Enjoy!
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Home for Christmas holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite Christmas stories in my catalog, right alongside Rekindled. This story came to me completely out of the blue. As the holidays were approaching, I wanted to write something that captured all the Christmas vibes while being undeniably heartwarming. The premise? A separated couple brought together by their son, who asks for just one thing for Christmas: to celebrate the holiday with his parents under one roof. From that setup, you already know you’re in for a good time.
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