Groomed for “the good life” by his affluent family, Thaddeus Carmichael has a new MBA and a new outlook. Unfortunately, Thad is also embroiled in a power struggle with his girlfriend, the ever-fabulous Chelsea Fuller. Thad insists that living happily ever after is a state of mind, and he questions the state of Chelsea’s mind. As time goes on, their relationship is seasoned with deceit, betrayal, and obsession—ingredients for a bitter existence. Bad things happen to good people who wrestle with destiny, so Thad’s pursuit of his passion over his fate with Chelsea is a recipe for disaster. With pulsating dialogue and funky backdrops, Sin in Soul’s Kitchen is a voyage into literary sensuality and suspense. It’s full of high drama and vibrates with cultural ambiance, sexy encounters, riveting twists, and a shocking ending that will satisfy readers looking to get lost in a world of intrigue, intimacy, and insanity.
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STARTING OVER AND OVERT SEDUCTION
Blood was everywhere.
It was splattered across the bedroom of the posh penthouse. A psychedelic pattern streaked the white bedspread and soaked into the white carpet. Crimson beads stained the surface of the armoire, and red specks dotted the butterfly-shaped mirror. Half of a snow-white wall was blackened by a fire that, now, was as dead as the lifeless man on the floor.
Kayla Harmon covered her mouth in horror, smearing her lipstick. She stumbled backward and bumped into a large, rigid presence behind her. She whirled around.
"You're not allowed in here!" The reprimand was a stern whisper.
"I'm sorry," she tried to say through the fear clogging her throat.
"We're setting up the last shot. Go wait outside at the news van, Kayla," Adolfo Alvarez said. The suited anchorman took the pretty intern by her trembling shoulders and led her down the arching hallway, past a weeping woman with blood-stained hands. a team of cops, and a behemoth camera prepared to broadcast the tragedy into thousands of homes. "You'll get your chance to do this soon enough."
The shining sun above bathed a finely dressed sea of friends and families gathered below to celebrate, while the operatic sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" lingered in the ears of the crowd assembled at Columbia University.
"Thaddeus Coleman Carmichael, Jr.," announced the decrepit dean of the business school with his customary smug air. Turning in Thad's direction, the old man peered over the glasses on the tip of his red nose and dangled a folio in his hand.
The knot of anticipation in Thad's stomach tightened. Returning the dean's glare, he crossed the imposing stage steeped in tradition, adorned with a rainbow of flowers in full bloom and a collage of prestigious pennants and whatnot. He confidently snatched his diploma and shook the hand of a man who had doubted that he would make it to graduation day. Thad left the stage, leaving behind his less-than-favorable memories with it. And, instantly, it was over. Life's pressure cooker was shut off, and he had been tossed out. But the handsome young man, often praised for his astuteness, didn't feel fully cooked or ready for the world waiting to eat him up, so he shot an empty smile at his other skeptic. His father, totally oblivious to other graduates getting their diplomas, had rushed the stage to film the moment.
Thaddeus Senior, a mammoth man in an expensive tan suit, handed the camera to his seventeen-year-old daughter, Cynthia, and vigorously shook his son's hand. "Junior, how does it feel to be a Columbia grad like your old man? Now, aren't you glad you listened to me? Three long years, but we did it. That diploma is proof. Anyway, we're going to do wonderful things together with the family business." He put an arm around his son and released an agonizing sigh. "Thought I wouldn't see this day. Guess I can rest easy now, huh?"
Thad tensed his body to avoid whopping his father with his fist. "Yeah, relax. Your work is done, Dad." Thad smirked, waving sheepishly at the lens that Cynthia pointed close to his nose. Thad detested being on camera. He perspired under his black graduation gown, while the camera recorded his every uncomfortable reaction for posterity, to be laughed at later by those who took pleasure in watching moments he could never take ack. With the weight of his father's arm across his shoulders, Thad longed to be in Brooklyn with his buddies.
"We're so proud of you, Junior," rejoiced Thad's mother. The slim woman in a chic beige summer dress gave her son a congratulatory kiss.
"Mr. Carmichael, Sr., and Mr. Carmichael, Jr.," a creepy voice suddenly greeted.
Turning around, Thad met familiar eyes of steel in a wrinkled face framed by thin silver hair. Thad gave the bearer half a handshake. "Dr. Hausbruck."
"As the long-standing dean of Columbia's Business School, I've seen many young minds come and go," Hausbruck commended Thaddeus Senior in a stale German accent. "Yet none quite as enthusiastic as your young Mr. Carmichael."
"Thank you. I'm just glad we can add another Columbia grad to the collection. I guess the MBA doesn't fall far from the tree." Thaddeus Senior beamed, patting his son on the back while sharing a hearty laugh with the old dean.
"He'll do well." Hausbruck forced a smile at Thad. "He certainly gave the administration a run for our money. He's a shrewd businessman. A real fighter."
"Well, if anyone here knows that I'm a real fighter, it's Dr. H." Thad chuckled. "Our dicey history has schooled each of us on the stubbornness of the other."
"Indeed." Hausbruck stepped close to Thad. "Good luck, Mr. Carmichael."
Bullets of different shades, their eyes locked. Instantly a new awareness hit Thad, who rested a hand on the shoulder of the short man with the tall ego. "Dr. H., don't forget my vow. It was a promise, not a threat." He flashed a smile that had the effect of a middle finger, as Hausbruck yanked his shoulder away and headed back to the stage.
"We're going to the chancellor's reception," Thaddeus Senior announced. "Some of my old classmates should be there."
"I'll pass," Thad replied. "I have a lunch date with Chelsea, and then the guys are having a party for me tonight."
A teary Mrs. Carmichael frowned. "Junior, don't you want to spend time with your family? You're cutting this special occasion short for us."
"Mom, the family's been here all week. I'm sure you've had enough of me."
"But, Thad, honey, this is the big day, the reason we traveled to New York." Mrs. Carmichael sighed, wiping lipstick from her son's cheek. "Okay, I won't pester you. We'll be at the Waldorf, and then we leave for Norfolk tomorrow. Call us with your plans, Junior."
"Hey, good job, Thad." Cynthia handed the camcorder to Thaddeus Senior to film her embrace with her older brother. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks for flying in from the South to support me, Birdie," Thad whispered.
"Don't bring up my childhood nickname. This situation is corny enough." Cynthia slapped Thad's arm and looked shyly at the hem of her pink dress.
"Okay, well, I'm taking off. The professor who showed me the ropes here is leaving, and I just got schmoozed by the dean who wanted to lynch me with those ropes, so the energy in this space isn't tasting like celebration champagne."
"Junior, I told you I don't like you saying such things."
Thad ignored his father, removing his mortarboard and placing it on Cynthia's head. "Take care of that for me, Birdie." He handed his gown to his mother, which she folded over her arm with sad pride in her eyes.
"I'll take that!" Thaddeus Senior grabbed the diploma and tucked it tightly under his arm. "Good work, son. We'll talk about plans for the company later. Have a good time tonight. Let's go, arbara. Cynthia," he said, walking off without them.
"Dad's anxious to stake claim to his latest accomplishment."
Mrs. Carmichael released a conflicted breath. "No, Dad's enthusiasm just gets misdirected sometimes."
"Toward loving selfishness?" Thad suggested, while Cynthia rolled her eyes, assuring him she understood his irritation. But as his mother and sister disappeared into the mingling mass of pressed and pretty people, Thad wondered if she truly did.
On One Hundred Thirteenth Street, the smell from Thad's favorite hotdog vendor called his name. He instinctively reached into his pocket for change before realizing he was en route to meet helsea Fuller for lunch at the eatery a couple of blocks down. Deep in thoughts that made the walk seem shorter than usual, he crossed over to Fifth Avenue. Striding past the last of the chichi dress shops, Thad entered Primrose Café and spotted Chelsea at their usual window table giggling into her cellular phone. Her hair was styled in perfect fluffy waves, and she was dressed in a reppy peach pantsuit and tasteful platinum accessories.
The tiny, quaint café was busy with its usual lively, chattering clique of young corporate America -- old minds in young bodies; expensive ties on inexperienced necks; and hands that held tickets to filthy rich futures playing with the cute, desert rose napkins on the tables.
"Hi, Thaddeus." Chelsea stood to kiss him. "Congratulations, honey."
"Thank you, baby." Thad sat, squeezing her slender hand.
"Oh -- my -- God! I was just talking to Kayla. She's all broken up. I'm stuck in an office doing research, and she's up in the ritzy part of the Bronx on location at a crime scene with Adolfo Alvarez. Anyway..." Chelsea continued to speak, while Thad dove deep into her hazel eyes, trying to recall why he had not sprung for the chili cheese footlong with extra ketchup. "...Channel Two's running the broadcast all weekend. But enough about my drama," Chelsea insisted, petting his wrist. "So, my man got his MBA. Our future is looking oh so bright. I'm proud of you, Thaddeus."
"I'm just glad to be away from all those philistines and phony intellectuals. Damn, you should have seen them -- all in a hurry to staple their new validations on their foreheads. As if that Columbia diploma means a damn thing in the real world."
"Hello! I still attend that school you're insulting."
"Sorry," Thad whispered. "Really, I simply wanted to get away from my father."
"Thaddeus, your father merely wants the best for you."
"Yeah, but it's hard to look at him as anything other than a well-intentioned bully. I wanted to be happier than I actually elt. In fact, in a corny kind of way, I'd hoped my graduation day would feel more like one of those UNCF ads."
"A UNCF ad?"
"Yeah, you know." Thad drifted off dreamily. "The universe was upposed to move in slow motion as a gospel choir harmonized an inspirational hymn. Mommy, Daddy, and baby sister were supposed to bawl like big babies as I proudly displayed a black man's greatest passport to the good life -- my kente-cloth-covered diploma."
"Oh, for the love, Thaddeus. Please, stop with ...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hot, Hot, HOT,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Sin in Soul's Kitchen (Paperback)
I looked at this novel several times before ordering it and once I did, I was pleasantly surprised. This was an incredibly enjoyable novel.This is the story about, Thad, a Howard University grad who is caught between what he wants to do with his life and what he is expected to do based on his father's life. In the end, Thad follows his own path and along with other friends, opens a restaurant, 'Nubian Rhythm Kitchen' which has as it's base theme a place where African American from all walks of life can come and celebrate their culture and history Of course, there are many setbacks, a conniving, obsessive and dangerous girlfriend who ultimately leads to his demise, an overbearing, unaccepting father who ultimately accepts and respects his son for who and what he is, an interesting interaction with a strickingly beautiful yet hard to figure out woman, and the loss of two friends, one through betrayal. I was impressed by the authors portrayal of these young African American college graduates coming together and working hard to accomplish their dream and goals and doing so with a sense of ethnic pride and awareness. Unfortunately in the end, Thad comes full circle in a very interesting manner. This is actually a very good book which I think had been somewhat overlooked.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Who's in the Kitchen with THAD?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sin in Soul's Kitchen (Paperback)
Sin was an interesting story of individualism and rising above the status quo. While an obsessive tug of love was the underlying theme, the struggle Thad encounters trying to spread his wings and make his dreams manifest was inspirational. Through his whole eye-opening journey and labor to please his woman, father, mother and the memory of his brother, I enjoyed this novel mainly because it shows the downside of bringing others into your dream and how friendships can be as phony as a three dollar bill. From a relationship aspect, this novel is a psychotic terror filled ride as Thad is strapped on to a woman who makes Glen Close in Fatal Attraction look like Martha Stewart meets Mr. Rogers.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slow but Sure,
By Typereader "Typereader" (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sin in Soul's Kitchen (Paperback)
I carried this book around with me for awhile, trying to make it through the first chapter. I make a habit of reading and finishing whatever I've purchased, no matter how bad or how long this takes. A lot of times I find it worth my while. That is the case with Sin In Souls Kitchen. Hold out past the first chapter and you'll be hooked through to the end. I guarantee. ...Talk about a 'sick chick'. Her name is Chelsea and she's got major issues. A major manipulator. What she gets away with in the name of the 'coochie' is insane. ... Learn some lessons from this brothers book and tape it to your mirror. It might save you some heartaches as well as nightmares.
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