Saturday, January 5, 2008

New Year's Gift

Hello Everyone,

For 2008, I have decided to give free previews each week for five chapters of The Breaking Point, As Told By the Other Woman, and my new novel Beautiful Rage which will be released in February. If you like what you read, please visit my website at www.black-smithenterprises.com and receive a 10% discount on your purchase and free shipping just for mentioning this blog! So for the next few weeks, sit back and enjoy!

The Breaking Point

PROLOGUE

"I.D. please", the security guard said dryly as she looked over my paper work.

I slid my driver's license and reporter I.D. through the glass opening, and proceeded through the metal detector. After making it through successfully without setting off the alarm, I was ushered to the holding cell so that I could be escorted into the visiting chambers.

I was on assignment at Wayne County Women's Correctional Facility to interview Marion Hayes, who was sentenced to life in prison after brutally murdering her husband. I had to admit that initially I was a little bitter at the fact I had been given this story, because to be honest, it seemed pretty mundane. But, for some reason the Woman's Lib Magazine, for which I was a reporter, just had to have the story. You hear about women offing their husbands all the time for infidelity and domestic abuse. But, the further I dug into this case, the more intriguing it became.

I was very anxious to get in there and start the interview. By the time I had finished going through all of the security procedures and was escorted into the visiting room, Marion was seated at the table with her hands in her lap.

There are no words to describe my astonishment when I beheld the woman sitting in front of me. Even in the prison issued blue jumper she wore, she was a stunningly beautiful woman. At just a glance, you could see that she was a woman of strength and pride just from her posture. Her face held a certain hardness that was very intimidating, and her eyes gleamed with wisdom of life experiences.

I took a deep breath as I approached the table and extended my hand to introduce myself.

"Ms. Hayes, I am Vanessa Jackson," I began, "and I am very pleased to meet you. I would also like to thank you for granting me this interview."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jackson," she replied, as she lifted her hands slightly to acknowledge my gesture and to show that she was not able to shake my hand because chain linked handcuffs prevented her from doing so.

"Before we begin, I wanted to ask why you granted this interview to Woman's Lib after so long? They have been trying to get to you for a very long time,” I asked.

She looked earnestly at me and simply stated, "Well, sometimes you just need to get things off your chest, ya know?"

"Yes," I said, "I do know. Well, where shall we begin?" I asked, as I laid my tape recorder on the table.

"The beginning is always best," she responded sadly.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good opening! Sets the scene, two distinct characters introduced, and a plot unfolding that has the interest piqued. Good!

Paize Fiddler

Janaya Black said...

Thank you for taking the time to check it out! I hope that you will be able to tune in each week!

Unknown said...

I'm excited about the idea of having a reporter from Woman's Lib magazine getting an exclusive from Marion Hayes. (Let me just say her name is as mysterious as the story seems to be) - hee-hee

The way key sentences are dropped in this blog it forces the reader to make his/her way back this side of Blogtown again and again to answer not only one question but the MOST prevalent question of ALL "what common thing did Marion Haynes do in the most uncommon of ways"

Janaya Black said...

Thank you! Be sure to tune in next week for another chapter!

Becca said...

You caught my attention with the title and like Marvin says Good Opening Very good. I can't wait to read next weeks chapter.

Janaya Black said...

I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please be sure to invite all of your reader friends to tune in!