Introducing The Cooling Board

The Cooling Board was birthed from a place in my soul and mind that is both personal and common knowledge. I wanted to share some of my experiences in dealing with the death of a loved one. I knew that I wasn't the only one to experience these things. I knew that there were people out there that were going through some of the same things I had gone through and I wanted to talk about that and share it with others.

The Cooling Board is a book about family and about healing. The Darling and Devereaux families have been held together by the matriarch, LuluBell, who has been the glue that kept the family composed. When she passes away, she has delegated the responsibility of holding the family together to each of her immediate family members- whether they want the responsibility or not!

When you read The Cooling Board, I want you to see that mean old ornery aunt that you have. I want you to see that part of you that is complacent and content with where you are. I want you to see that part of you that yearns to be free in another space. I want you to see that everyone's families have faults, no matter how hard you try to hide it or how hard you try to make it seem like crisis doesn't exist. Every family has issues that lie underneath the surface if you look hard enough- and half of the time, you don't have to search too much!

By reading this blog, you'll meet each of the main characters.

Jhonnie Bell who has left home and won't come back for fear that she may really find herself there instead of in the place that she would like to be.

Therese who has the ideal life in Regal City. She's married to the town mortician and has a comfortable life with her husband and children, but jealousy and envy threaten to push her and her sister Jhonnie Bell further apart.

Matthew, the town preacher who is LuluBell's only son. He's married to a woman who makes an less than ideal First Lady and he is unable to mend the broken relationship between his sisters Jhonnie Bell and Therese.

MamieLee is LuluBell's oldest sister. She can't imagine life outside of Regal City and that goes for her daughter Lena Holiday who would like to leave the confines of Regal City as soon as possible. Will Mamie Lee and her husband Daryl drive their only daughter away with their stifling ways?

JB is LuluBell's only brother. He's always been closest to 'Bell. But will her passing away make him take the time out to really get to know his own son? And when his son Lawrence returns to town for his aunt's funeral, will JB be able to deal with the secret life his son has in New York City?

Connie Sue is LuluBell's youngest sister and confidant. She is charged with the task of helping the family mend it's broken fences. Will she be able to follow through with 'Bell's wishes before the family decides that they've had enough of each other?


Each month until the Jan 09 release of The Cooling Board, you will get the chance to hear from each of the story's characters as they fill you in on the life of the Darlings and the Devereaux's.

Don't miss a minute of The Cooling Board! You'll laugh, cry, get angry- but that's what family does to you!