DUANE
It was after hours at The Sneaker Vault, and I’d just returned to my office after letting my final employee, Xav, out through the door before locking it.
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Vlog #2 is now live! In this episode, I share what’s coming up, including some insight on My First, My Last’s spinoff My Only and a sneak peek at the next serialized romance coming to Brookelynite Daily.
Click the video below to start watching!
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It’s a crisp morning, just a few months before Summer and Jayce’s wedding. They’re having brunch at an upscale cafe in the heart of New York City, just off Fifth Avenue. The restaurant has an elegant feel, with marble floors and walls decorated with fresh flower arrangements. Natural light pours in from the large windows, illuminating the table set with beautiful, mismatched china.
There are plates of warm croissants, fresh fruit, eggs benedict, and an assortment of cheeses. A bottle of rosé champagne is chilled in an ice bucket on the table, along with mimosas for a refreshing touch. Summer, always a fan of indulgence, smiles as she sips her drink while Jayce looks on, his hand resting comfortably on her knee.
“This is one of our favorite places to visit,” Summer noted, turning to smile at Jayce.
“And the most expensive,” Jayce joked, Summer reacting by playfully pinching his arm.
“But…” Jayce leaned in just a little to leave a kiss on Summer’s lips. “… she’s worth every penny and more. Ain’t that right, baby?”
Summer beamed with pride. “Yes, I am.”
Their relaxed smiles and soft laughter fill the space with an easy warmth, reflecting the love they’ve built together.
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Ray & Jay was one of those stories where you felt the tension from the start. A second chance romance with so much history and so many unresolved emotions—it was bound to be messy in the best way.
There were plenty of episodes where Ajani fought his way back into Rayla’s heart, but episode 11? This was the one. The moment Rayla finally let her guard down enough for him to slip back in.
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Danyelle Hayes (now Danyelle Ali) started as a side character in When Life Gives You Sunsets. While we first meet her now-husband, Clyde Ali, in earlier chapters of the summer romance, Danyelle makes her appearance when Clarke needs a little guidance while unexpectedly falling for a grieving Yusuf Baldwin on vacation. Though Danyelle didn’t appear in many chapters, her story with Clyde had me hooked. When I started developing her character for the When Life Gives You Sunsets spinoff, I wasn’t just locked in on her love story—I was locked in on her.
Let’s get to know Danyelle Hayes a little more intimately.
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DIANA
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It’s Valentine’s night, and the cozy, low-lit ambiance of NoHo Cigar Lounge sets the perfect backdrop for a night of intimate conversation. The rich, smooth scent of cigars mingles with the faint sound of jazz playing softly in the background. Over at the bar, the dim lighting glints off the high-end liquor bottles, while the quiet hum of the city outside blends with the warmth of the room. Seated in one of the brown leather quilted armchairs, Luke leans in toward Juliette, his hand wrapped comfortably around her waist as he whispers something in her ear that makes her smile. Her eyes reflect the flickering candlelight from a nearby table as these two show how far they’ve come from their college rivalry days.
“I love coming here,” Juliette voiced right after taking a sip of her whiskey. “Especially since we’ve reconnected. It’s our little spot, you know? Feels like home now.”
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Cali & Lee was a story I knew I’d love even as just an idea… after I redeveloped it. The original version followed only Calese, but after writing stories with dual points of view, I don’t think I can ever go back. Both Calese and Levi had something to say, and their perspectives made the story richer.
There were a lot of moments in this serialized romance where these two were fighting—either for what was happening between them or against it. But this episode… episode 11? This was the one we were all waiting for. And trust me, it was worth it.
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Amir Jones is by far my favorite book bae of them all. And trust me, with every new story and character I create, there’s plenty of competition. But Amir? He still stands in a league of his own. What I love about him is that he’s not perfect, and he never pretends to be. His flaws are what make him real, and he owns them without hesitation. He stepped onto an outline one day and has been living in my head rent-free ever since.
Let’s get to know Amir Jones more intimately.
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DUANE
I pulled open the bistro’s door and stepped inside, my attention already on Kelli as she helped a customer at the register.
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This Valentine’s Day marks seven years of Mr. & Mrs. Jones 🥳.
When I wrote this story, I knew in my bones that these two would always be a comfort couple for me. That couple I could check in with anytime and fall in love with love all over again.
And this alternate ending? It gave me everything I needed.
I think it’ll do the same for you too!
This time, we’re heading back to a pivotal moment from Girl Code—the story that Mr. & Mrs. Jones is a sequel to.
They’re back in Jamaica, having a full-circle moment, and we get to see every second of it.
Enjoy.
MELODEE
It’s Valentine’s night in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The outdoor stadium, just a stone’s throw from the beach, is packed with thousands of screaming fans.
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Mr. & Mrs. Jones had a lot of standout scenes—some that made us swoon, others that made us cry. But this chapter? This chapter in chapter twenty-three made us applaud Amir Jones for going to get his woman.
By this point, Amir and Melodee’s marriage has reached a boiling point. The emotions, the tension, the loss, the pressures of Hollywood—it all piles up, and Melodee decides that Los Angeles just doesn’t feel like home and probably never will. It’s a breaking point, but instead of signaling the end, this chapter shifts things toward a new beginning for one of my favorite couples.
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Much like his wife, Danyelle, I took a liking to Clyde based on his and Danyelle’s story. Whenever I develop side characters, their stories are never as detailed as the main characters. I usually create their profiles as brief summaries, and if I feel there’s a story worth telling, I don’t hesitate to explore it. That’s exactly what happened with Clyde Ali. His love for Classic R&B and the intrigue of his relationship with Danyelle—starting when she was just his little sister’s best friend—were all driving forces behind me taking a trip down memory lane to tell the origin of their love story.
Let’s get to know Clyde Ali more intimately.
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⚠️ Trigger Warning: Emotional Abuse & Manipulation
This episode contains discussions of past emotional abuse, manipulation, and distressing relationship dynamics as Diana recounts her experiences. Reader discretion is advised. If you find this content triggering, please take care of yourself and proceed with caution.
DIANA
I blinked my eyes awake, opening them to my dim bedroom. The weight in my bladder was what woke me, but the warmth of Duane’s arm resting on me kept me right in place.
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Yup, it’s official—I’m in love with these two lol. A short story wasn’t enough. Neither was this alternate story ending! We need to talk more about Clyde and Danyelle because, honestly, I love them!
We first met them briefly in When Life Gives You Sunsets and then on Valentine’s Day in their story Living Out a Love Song, and now we’re catching up with them on another Valentine’s Day. So, sit back and enjoy their alternate story ending.
And if you haven’t read about them yet, please do!
DANYELLE
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Living Out a Love Song delivers one of the most highly anticipated moments in the story with this chapter. Up until this point, we were clued in on the secret romance between main characters Danyelle Hayes and Clyde Ali. We knew they had been seeing each other behind closed doors, unbeknownst to Danyelle’s best friend, Clarke—who also happens to be Clyde’s younger sister. We had also been given glimpses of how their love story began, dating back to their teenage years. But in this chapter, Clyde decides he’s done loving Danyelle in secret, and when he makes his move, it’s a moment neither she nor the readers will ever forget.
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I knew from the outline for Girl Code that I would really like Melodee. Truthfully, her story started as a what if question that my mind ran away with. I loved how much of an around-the-way girl Melodee was—down-to-earth and deeply devoted to the people she loved, for better or for worse. She’s a lover girl at heart, someone who cherishes her relationships and the idea of love and romance. Despite the heartbreak she experiences and the disappointment of divorce, she still believes in love. And she and I have that in common—we love love.
Let’s get to know Melodee Delon-Jones a little more intimately.
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DUANE
“What do you know about Diana’s ex?”
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Mykal and I sat in the modern, open-plan headquarters of The Ellis Daily, with large windows framing the city skyline. The hustle of journalists typing away at their desks and the occasional ringing of phones fills the background, but Mykal has carved out some quiet space in Desmond’s office. It’s a bright, welcoming atmosphere, with the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air. Desmond’s office is minimalist, but there’s a certain warmth to it, especially with a large desk scattered with personal touches—a photo of Mykal and Desmond from their trip to Hawaii, a few framed mementos of their accomplishments, and the first edition of The Ellis Daily proudly sitting on his shelf.
Mykal looks relaxed, comfortable in the environment Desmond has built with his new venture. There’s a baby step away from the whirlwind pace that comes with running a major newspaper, yet her presence here as an editor feels both intentional and right.
“Sometimes life just takes you where you’re supposed to be, and you just have to trust it,” Mykal says with a smile as she sits back, reflecting on everything that led her here.
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Just Friends is my first self-published friends-to-lovers story, and it’s the one that sparked my love for the trope. Chapter three perfectly captures why I adore this theme. It’s more than just two friends reconnecting—it’s about the comfort and ease of two people who feel so natural around each other, even after years apart. While this story recently underwent a creative reboot with the release of the Author’s Cut, chapter three still holds the charm that makes friends-to-lovers stories so lovable. And it all starts on the night of Noah’s surprise birthday party.
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There’s not enough words to express how much I love Everett Peters and his emotionally and self-aware self! I always wondered how the children of therapists would be like, and I got the chance to live vicariously through Everett and his sister Eryn. Everett’s story, Gluttony, is the longest story I’ve written to date. It was pages of detailed development that resulted in a story rich enough to sink our teeth into. For a seven deadly sin I thought I wouldn’t know what to do with, Everett made that journey such a pleasure.
Let’s get to know Everett Peters more intimately.
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DIANA
I blinked my eyes open when a flash of sunlight, escaping through a gap in my window blinds, shone against my eyelids. A deep inhale later, along with a slight shift of my body on my bed, reminded me instantly of the night before.
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The Armstrongs are a couple I absolutely fell in love with while fleshing out their short Valentine’s Day story. There’s so much to adore about them. Readers loved them so much they wanted to spend more time with them, and we get to do just that with this alternate story ending. Winter has made its presence known across the country, but here’s your chance to escape to sunny Mexico for the next few minutes. Catch up with Desiree and Zane while soaking in a little sun. Enjoy!
DESIREE
I closed my eyes as I sunk even further onto the hammock’s soft cushion. I moaned a second later as the warmth of the sun overhead kissed my calf.
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Second Serving is my first Thanksgiving short story, and I couldn’t be more excited about how it turned out. I’ve wanted to write a Thanksgiving-themed story for a while but wasn’t sure what storyline would be interesting enough to write—and read. Themed stories are my thing; I love how they provide a cohesive foundation for every part of the story to flow seamlessly. That was definitely the case with Second Serving. From the title to the leftovers, every moment served a purpose (pun intended), moving the story forward toward a satisfying conclusion. Chapter three is where things truly take off, as main characters Alexis and Keith share the page for the first time.
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Desiree Armstrong’s story was short but impactful. Readers fell in love with her and her husband almost immediately upon meeting them. This is the magic of a short story—it demands getting to the heart of the characters quicker than a novella or slow burn. Her story was unforgettable (pun intended) and left a lasting first impression. It takes a special kind of person to navigate the journey back to themselves the way Desiree had to after losing her memory.
Let’s get to know the FMC from Twice in Love more intimately.
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DUANE
“We have come to the part of the ceremony where Serenity and Trey will express their vows to one another,” the officiant, Reverend Elias Ward, said at the front of the altar.
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On Monday, I celebrated 6 months of Brookelynite Daily! This milestone means so much. It marks 6 months of creating content I genuinely love. The excitement I feel when brainstorming the content schedule and crafting the stories to share with my Brookelynite Daily subscribers is unmatched.
The main reason I created Brookelynite Daily was to give my stories and their happily-ever-afters an extension. To me, the story never truly ends… it’s just the beginning. Brookelynite Daily is where the stories continue, week after week.
If you’re not familiar with Brookelynite Daily, don’t worry! I’m here to give you a sneak peek at what you’ve been missing.
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Apryl Wilde is definitely one of my standout characters. She’s successful, headstrong, and has a knack for turning life’s hardest hits into fuel for her fire. She’s one of my alpha women characters, a type of FMC I truly love writing. Apryl was, and still is, the perfect other half of the fifth book in the Love is Cure series, with most readers liking her instantly. Let’s dive deeper into Apryl’s story and uncover what makes her tick.
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DIANA
“Do you think I should tell him?”
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If I could, I’d give these two another story—no question about it. Honestly, I’m starting to notice I say that a lot about my previously published characters, but it’s true! Every time I check in with them for these alternate story endings, I fall in love with them all over again. Love just looks so damn good on them. Everett and Apryl are no exception.
In Sloth, we got an update on them when Eryn visited her big brother and his fiancée at their duplex in Manhattan. This alternate ending takes us back to move-in day for Everett and Apryl at that very duplex. Let’s see how it all went down. Enjoy!
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For at least two books in the Love is Cure series, readers have been eagerly awaiting Eryn Peters’ story. She’s danced around conversations about her past relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Simeon, for long enough. In Chapter 9 of Sloth, the very thing Eryn vowed to avoid happens—she reunites with her first love, the man she believes broke her heart. It’s one of the most memorable reunions in my book world.
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Readers loved Zane Armstrong from scene one. His patience stood out immediately, followed by his unwavering, devoted love for his wife, Desiree. After her near-tragic car accident left her without any memory of him, Zane didn’t feel defeated—he rose to the challenge. Through heartfelt efforts, he guided them both down memory lane, recreating their cherished moments and taking readers along for the emotional ride. Though Zane and Desiree’s story in Twice in Love is short, it’s undeniably sweet.
Let’s get to know Zane, the man who stole hearts from the very beginning, more intimately.
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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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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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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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Eva Gordon is one of those characters who feels like a warm hug wrapped in a love story. She’s the definition of grace, balance, and knowing your worth, even when life throws curveballs your way. When I created Eva, I wanted her to represent the kind of love that doesn’t just exist for someone else but also for yourself. She’s deeply relatable, from her bubbly personality to her firm boundaries, and her story is one of resilience, healing, and rediscovering love on her own terms. Eva’s journey in Home for Christmas was a joy to write, and she’s a character that stays with you long after the last page.
Let’s get to know Eva Gordon more intimately.
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DUANE
“Yo, Duane.” Ryder patted my chest and gestured ahead. “It’s our light.”
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We find ourselves in Clarke’s cozy, sunlit apartment in New York City. The faint scent of red wine and the sounds of the bustling city below seep through the windows. Clarke, with her effortless style and sharp wit, has settled into a comfortable chair across from me, a glass of wine in hand. As we settle in, she reflects on her life now with Yusuf, their journey together, and what the future holds.
Clarke, wearing a fitted sweater and high-waisted jeans, grins at me as she takes a sip of her wine. “You’re lucky I’m sipping this wine instead of running after some of the crazy ideas you’re about to throw at me.”
With a warm laugh, I start the conversation.
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Rekindled was honestly a dream come true for me to write, especially as a close proximity romance. In fact, it’s because of Rekindled that I ended up working on another close proximity story—a friends-to-lovers tale that I can’t wait to share with you soon. But back to Rekindled: this story was part of a collaboration I did with a group of amazing women during Christmas 2020. It has one chapter in particular that I absolutely love and looked forward to writing because it’s exactly where the story takes off. It’s the moment when two exes discover they’ll be spending the Christmas holiday together… under the same roof.
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Meki Knight is a reader favorite because he’s far more than what his surface suggests. When we first meet him in Unsilent Knight, Meki comes across as a bit aggy, with little patience for our FMC, Cadence. But as his character unfolds, particularly in A Love Deferred, we discover a deeper, more endearing side of him that’s impossible not to fall for. Meki is a man shaped by his past, someone who seeks love and isn’t afraid to admit it—even if it takes time.
Let’s get to know Meki more intimately.
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DIANA
The second I pulled open the bar’s door, my eyes lit up at the atmosphere.
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There’s something about Christmas and romance that just hits differently, right? Maven and Kai’s love story started with a cabin, some snow, and a not-so-accidental double booking by their friends. Fast forward, and here they are—married and back in Aspen, but this time in their very own cabin. This alternate ending gives us a glimpse into their first Christmas Eve as husband and wife, full of warmth, laughter, and the kind of love that only grows deeper over time. Let’s catch up with these two and soak in the magic of their forever love.
MAVEN
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Unsilent Knight was my very first Christmas-themed short story. But let me tell you, this wasn’t your typical holiday read. It was more of a story that just happened to take place around Christmas rather than being drenched in the hallmark-style, Christmas-y vibes you might expect. And honestly, that’s why I wrote it. Unsilent Knight was meant to be a holiday side treat—a way to promote Girl Code, which was released shortly before Christmas. I even included a sneak peek of the first few chapters from Girl Code in Unsilent Knight.
So, please know, this story wasn’t supposed to become “the moment.” But somehow, Cadence and Meki stole hearts. Readers fell in love with them, demanding more—and I delivered with A Love Deferred. But before ALD, there was Unsilent Knight and this pivotal chapter that turned what was supposed to be a side story into one readers couldn’t stop talking about.
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