Treasure had been looking for love, unashamed of the fact that she was on the search. Yet, he’d run away from it, unaware he was hunting for it in the darkness, when he closed his eyes to sleep. He was the biggest seeker of all, for denial had wrapped itself snugly around him, kept him warm and secure from the truth and self-awareness he so needed in his life.
It no longer mattered now. He’d learned his lesson. So now, here he sat in the present, enjoying his gifts. No one could tell him right then that he wasn’t the wealthiest man in the world. No one could tell him that he didn’t have it all. At that moment, the woman’s sweet perfume drifted past him, sending his groin into a series of fits… He lusted after her just as strongly as he had the first day he laid eyes on her… with her crimson robe blowing in the wind, showing her delectable wares.
The garbage had to be removed—and he did the grunt work so he could be complete, his broken self glued together, shining as if brand new. In some ways, he was brand new. For he’d done the construction, the reconstruction, and the repairs himself, while Treasure gave him the courage to look at the gunk, the filthy shit, take inventory, and make it right! He’d been so busy looking at the outside, window shopping for his own soul, that he forgot to first start his spiritual chores indoors…
Today, he deemed himself a titleholder. He’d won, mastered, and defeated his old self. Yes…he was the champ.
Sean had confronted Sean. He’d placed on his boxing gloves, turned on his battle music, and gone toe to toe with the man in the mirror. Sean was victorious! And the shimmery belt, the shiny gold trophy, and continuous accolades would always be his. He fought a good fight, but his best rewards were a true Treasure and three additional people who made their house a home. He was done with playing on the sidelines, not inviting himself to his own party. He was healed.
He’d mastered his demons, and won the fight within…
The End
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Author Bio
Tiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved away, and now lives inside of her mind, but her heart is occupied with her husband, two children, and twisted imagination. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, public speaking, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared toward those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also wish to become pleasantly caught up in the twisted, well developed journeys of her unique characters. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character. Her dedication to detail and staying true to her characters is evident in each novel that she writes.
Her works include “Cross Climax I,” “Cross Climax II,” “The Slave Master’s Son,” “The Naughty Sins of a Saint,” “I Want Candy,” “When Saint Goes Marching In,” “Swirled Satin Sheets I,” “In My Sister’s Shadow,” “Swirled Satin Sheets II,” “Saved and SAINTified,” “Addicted In Cold Blood,” “Forgive Me Father For I Have Loved,” “Saint’s Sacrament – Sins of the Father,” “The Tale of the Blood Diamond,” “The Unearthing of Blackstone,” “Saint and Sinners – The King Angel Child of New York,” “Smoke and Mirrors”, and “The Fight Within.”
If you wish to communicate with Tiana Laveen, please contact her at www.facebook.com/tianalaveen.
www.tianalaveen.com
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Thank You to My Readers
I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read my novel, ‘The Fight Within.’ It is much appreciated and my gratitude is genuine for I know the love from my readers is the fuel needed to keep pushing on. Your readership is a hug, encouraging me to keep sharing my work and keep fighting for the stories I want to write, and those you wish to read.
Love always,
Tiana Laveen
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Music Directory
All music mentioned in this novel is listed in the below directory. Music and scene setting are very important to me, as I am someone who grew up around musicians, a mother who can carry a nice tune and a father who showed out on drums. I am steeped like tea into virtually all types of musical genres, and have eclectic tastes; thus, I wish for everyone who so desires to experience the music pictured in my mind for each portion of this book. I encourage anyone who reads this narrative to go back through and re-read the scenes while listening to each song that set the stage for specific portions. It could very well enrich your reading experience and bring you additional fulfillment. If you enjoy any of the songs mentioned, please support the artist/band by purchasing a copy of their album and/or specific selection via iTunes or wherever legal copies of music are sold.
(Please note: The songs are not necessarily listed in the order that they appear in this book.)
SONGS FROM THE BOOK, ‘THE FIGHT WITHIN’
1. Muse – Madness
2. Muse – Knights of Cydonia
3. Cypress Hill – How I Could Just Kill a Man
4. Foster the People – Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)
5. Liza Minnelli – Cabaret
6. Skream – Roller Coaster
7. Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
8. Sam Smith’s – Stay With Me
9. Bl△ck † Ceiling – WVFFLIFE
10. DJ Khaled’s – Welcome to my Hood
11. House of Pain – Jump Around
12. Migos – Fight Night
13. Tyrese – Stay
14. Brandy – Almost Doesn’t Count
15. Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
16. James Taylor – How Sweet it is to be Loved By You
17. Little Dragon – Run About
18. SZA – Babylon
19. Empire of the Sun – Walking on a dream
20. Koi – Critical Hit
21. Board’s of Canada – Everything You Do Is a Balloon
22. Alt-J’s – Breezeblocks
23. Marion Harris – The Man I Love
24. Quirke – Acid Beth
25. DMX feat. Sean Paul and Mr. Vegas – Here Comes the Book
26. SchoolBoy Q featuring Kendrick Lamar – Collard Greens
27. Lakeside – Fantastic Voyage
28. MØ – Waste of Time
29. Lloyd – Feels So Right
30. Beyonce – Crazy In Love
31. Action Bronson – Strictly 4 My Jeeps
32. Pink Floyd – Money
33. Billy Joel – Stiletto
34. A$AP Mob featuring A$AP Nast & Method Man – Trillmatic
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Book Club Questions
1. This book deals with the love between a hard working blue-collar man and a woman who initially appears to be upper echelon as it pertains to income, style, and living arrangements. How do you believe this initial dynamic played a part in their mutual attraction?
2. Sean is a very layered character. He is a man that fits Smokey Robinson’s, ‘Tears of a Clown’ song quite well. Why do you think Sean used humor to escape himself as well as to help others?
3. As Treasure and Sean got to know one another, what do you think it was about Sean’s personality, etc., that drew her in, and vice versa?
4. Treasure’s divorce to Jackson affected her in a very profound way. How do you believe it possibly aided as well as made her relationship with Sean more challenging?
5. In this book, two children and their perspectives are explored. Treasure is the mother of two teenagers with very different personalities. Why do you think Sean was able to connect with them?
6. Sean’s parents provided comic relief, but also additional balance to the story. Why do you believe Sean, though often annoyed with his parents, liked and loved them so much?
7. Sean is very close to his brother, Colin. The only person that comes close to this relationship, for Sean, is Kyle. What do you believe were all the reasons that Sean was so heartbroken with what happened between him and Ky
le besides the fact that he was his best friend?
8. Treasure’s mother is another layered character, who unlike Sean, did not appear to want direction or to become a better person. Have you experienced a relationship with a loved one in which you had to ‘divorce’ yourself from them?
9. Treasure waited a long time (by today’s standards) to consummate her relationship with Sean. It was apparent that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, but due to her self-awareness and thoughts about the well-being of her children, she was cautious. Do you think she was right to be so cautious, or should she have simply followed her physical/sexual desires?
10. What in the story surprised you the most? Did anything leave you with food for thought?
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All books by Tiana Laveen can be purchased in paperback as well electronic version (kindle, nook, etc.) at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and where most books are sold.
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