Hitting the Right Note

By Rhonda Bowen

"Readers will be clamoring for more from Rhonda Bowen." --Tiffany L. Warren, Essence® bestselling author

JJ Isaacs' dream of becoming an R&B star has come true, and it's all thanks to Rayshawn, her amazing producer--and secret lover. But as JJ enters the spotlight, the relationship gets harder to disguise. And the more she hides the truth, the more distant she feels from her faith, and from her family's approval. But support may come from an unexpected place. . .

When JJ finds herself helping her estranged sister-in law, Sheree, through a difficult pregnancy, she discovers a surprising ally. But she also becomes enthralled with Sheree's doctor. Simon Massri is world renowned--and scheduled to leave the country. The more time JJ spends with Simon, the more she questions her choices--in love and in work. Now she'll have to face some tough decisions. Can she make peace with an uncertain future--if her heart is in the right place?. . .

Praise for the novels of Rhonda Bowen

"A powerful story." --RT Book Reviews on One Way or Another

"A sweet Christian romance." –Publishers Weekly on Man Enough for Me

"Enough drama, romance, and faith that keeps you turning pages." --Tia McCollors on Man Enough for Me

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Release date: Nov 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496702296

Book preview

blessed!

Chapter 1

"He asked me to marry him! We’re getting married!"

According to a recent report on ABC’s Nightline, 70 percent of professional African American women over the age of twenty-five are unmarried. As JJ held the phone away from her ear to avoid Sydney’s screams, she realized that her older sister had joined the 30 percent and left her stranded.

JJ Isaacs set the phone on hands-free and began applying mascara to her lashes. Though the news was not entirely surprising, it was not what she had expected to hear when she saw her sister’s number pop up on the caller ID. Not on this night, anyway.

Ohmigosh, JJ! He wants to marry me. Hayden Windsor wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Can you believe it?

Could she believe that ex–NBA star Hayden Windsor, one of the first professional basketball players to figure out how to retire from the game and not go broke, wanted to marry her sister? Of course she could. Who wouldn’t want to marry her tall, gorgeous, successful-business-owning sister? In fact, if they weren’t related, JJ would have married her.

Congratulations, hon, JJ said, pushing back a thin layer of irritation to find the genuine happiness for her sister that was camouflaged underneath. I’m guessing you said yes?

JJ grimaced and reached for her lipstick as Sydney screamed her response in the affirmative. She had never seen—okay, heard—Sydney like this. Her older sibling was usually the sane one in the craziness that was their big, dysfunctional family. Whereas everyone else was content to fly by the seat of their pants, Sydney was always the one with the plan. Getting married to a man she had dated for less than a year was not like her at all. But that’s what happened when people fell in love. Or so JJ assumed. Having had no firsthand knowledge of the being-in-love experience, she couldn’t say for sure.

That’s great, Syd, JJ said, reminding herself that she was happy for her sister. Hayden’s a prize.

He is amazing, isn’t he? Sydney said, managing to modulate her voice to a less ear-splitting volume. JJ, you should have seen his proposal . . .

JJ rolled her eyes and mouthed a silent no, thank you.

It was perfect, Sydney began. He took me to . . .

A banging on wood saved JJ’s sanity.

Five minutes to curtain, ladies, a booming voice called from the other side of the dressing room door.

JJ had never been so happy for a curtain call. She loved her sister and really was happy for her, but the last thing she wanted to hear from her sister, who had yet to remember what JJ was doing that night, was how her perfect boyfriend had done the perfect proposal to set off their perfect engagement.

Syd, I gotta go. JJ jammed her feet into heels and swiped a layer of gloss over her lips as the scramble of women around her picked up speed. I’m about to go onstage.

Oh, honey, I’m so sorry! I completely forgot you had a show tonight.

JJ tried to ignore her annoyance.

It’s okay. JJ stood and straightened her dress. I wouldn’t have wanted to wait till tomorrow for this news. In fact, you can call me back later tonight and tell me all the details.

By then she wouldn’t be as anxious and cranky as she usually was the last few minutes before a performance.

Okay, sure, Sydney agreed.

A hand tugged at JJ’s arm.

We gotta go, JJ, Torrina said, nodding toward the door.

JJ picked up the cell phone to end the call. Gotta go, Syd. Love you.

Love you, hon. Have a great—

JJ didn’t hear the end of her sister’s sentence. She barely got to toss her phone on the dressing room vanity before Torrina, her fellow backup singer, dragged her through the door and down the narrow backstage passageway. Sturdy iron beams holding the stage in place, and swiftly moving black-clothed men and women holding the show in place, barely registered with JJ as she hurried behind the other singers to her place near the second curtain.

Everyone on your marker Curtains go up in five, four, three, two . . .

JJ didn’t hear the end of the countdown. Just the drummer’s intro as the band started up Jayla Grey’s Sunday to Sunday. JJ was already up onstage with the rest of the backup vocalists as the curtains rolled up. Jayla would make her entrance in only a few seconds as she sang the first verse to one of the most popular songs off her Juno Award–winning album, Desire. JJ remembered when the Sunday to Sunday single first started blowing up the airwaves a couple years back. She never dreamed that she would be part of the performance for that song, but here she was at the Festival Place with hundreds of eyes watching her perform. Okay, so they weren’t really there for her, but she was part of the show.

Jayla’s strong, sultry contralto voice came in with the first few lines of the song, about a woman who was willing to slave for her man because she loved him. The crowds began to clap in rhythm and cheer.

JJ’s own hips began to move to well-choreographed steps as the song progressed. Beads of perspiration began to dot her forehead and chest as the hot strobe lights shone down on her and everyone else onstage. But it just energized her and set her blood pumping as her voice came in strong for the pre-chorus. Her body began to feel the music, catching its own rhythm, making the steps her own. The sweet melodies curled out of her, blending with those of her fellow singers to bring a rich, lush harmony that cushioned Jayla’s flawless voice. The screams of the crowd soaked into her like a light, warm drizzle on a humid day. JJ was in heaven and she never wanted it to end.

But eventually it did. Much quicker than she expected, with the fifty-minute set feeling like only fifty seconds. Her body still buzzed with energy as she skipped down the steps from the stage, her five-inch platform heels clicking gracefully. At first she could barely walk in the things. But after four months of wearing them onstage, she could manage a sprint if she needed to.

Good show tonight, guys, Coley, the show’s producer, said as he met JJ and the rest of the singers at the bottom of the steps. He pushed the mouthpiece of his headset up to his ear. You guys were awesome, as usual.

Good to know, Donald, a fellow singer, commented as he uncapped a bottle of water. Especially since I felt like I was melting underneath those lights up there.

Yeah, Torrina agreed, with a cheeky smile. Plus I almost broke my neck on the wires on the floor back there in our little area.

I guess it’s a good thing I work with professionals then, Coley said, returning his mouthpiece to the right position as he began to walk away. Lesser singers would have complained.

They all laughed as they headed back to the dressing rooms. Jayla, who was already in her robe, met them at the doorway.

Thanks a lot, guys, she said, hugging each of them. I was just telling Philip and the rest of the band, everything was almost perfect tonight. Couldn’t have asked for a better show.

Does that mean we get a raise? Mark, the other male singer, asked with a grin.

Jayla smiled. You better talk to Todd about that. He’s the one signing your checks, not me. I just dish out the praise. You guys enjoy the rest of the night and this week. On Monday we’ll start rehearsals for the tour.

JJ smiled but said little. Though everyone had been really nice to her, as one of the newest members of the team of backup singers, she still felt a little on the fringes. Truth was, she was only there because one of Jayla’s original singers, Amina, got in a tiff with management and quit. Torrina had shared the dramatic details with her not long after JJ joined the crew.

However, her newness meant she didn’t get all the inside jokes and she didn’t always get invited to all the social events. But over the past two months, as she spent more time with the team, she was starting to feel like one of the family.

I’m gonna head out but just wanted to say you were amazing tonight, Jayla, JJ said, squeezing the older woman’s arm. She was about to turn away when Jayla grabbed her.

You weren’t too bad yourself, Jayla said with a smile. I caught you doing your thing out there. You’re coming on tour with us, right?

JJ’s eyes widened. She knew Jayla was going on a major tour in a couple weeks, but she had assumed that the main three would be going as backup. No one had talked to her about being a part of that team, and she honestly hadn’t even considered it.

Uh, I . . . I don’t know, JJ stammered.

Jayla nodded thoughtfully. Let me talk to my people and have someone get back to you. But keep your calendar open.

JJ opened and closed her mouth a couple times to answer and just ended up nodding.

Jayla chuckled. See you next week, JJ.

JJ stumbled through the dressing room, barely able to focus as she gathered her things and exited the building. As soon as she stepped through the door into the cool, dark night, a hand grasped her upper arm, yanking her forward.

Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Torrina asked, her voice several pitches higher than usual and her eyebrows arched several inches higher than normal.

She wants me to come on tour with her!

Both women squealed and jumped around in the parking lot, holding on to each other. JJ wasn’t normally a screamer, but maybe there was something in the water tonight. She couldn’t help herself.

Jayla Grey wants me to come on tour with her! JJ shrieked again. She told me she was going to talk to her people. She invited me to rehearsal on Monday. She wants me to come on tour with her!

Oh, that’s amazing, Torrina said, still bouncing even though her feet were planted firmly on the ground. It would be so much fun to have you with us. I mean the other guys are great, but it would be great to have a girlfriend on the bus.

I know, JJ said. And, girl, I’m gonna need you to have my back. Someone’s gonna have to keep me from making an absolute fool of myself when I see Angie Stone.

Girl, I don’t know if I can help you there, Torrina said, slapping a hand on her hip. Last year I saw John Legend backstage at a show I was doing and I near lost my mind.

JJ burst out laughing.

I’m serious! Torrina said, eyes widening and hair flashing in the normal dramatic way in which she told her stories. I was trying to climb over the barriers from our backstage area to his, nearly ripped my thousand-dollar dress. I almost got to him too, except his security guard got to me first.

Oh no! JJ covered her mouth. That must have been embarrassing.

Torrina grinned. Just a little. But I could take a little embarrassment for some John Legend. You know what I’m sayin’?

JJ laughed. Only Torrina.

The door swung open again, letting out a blast of sound and another round of musicians and performers, some of them from Jayla’s team.

JJ, Torrina, you guys heading out with us?

Where’s everyone going, Sam? Torrina asked the short, stout guy wearing a spiky Mohawk and sunglasses.

Probably going to grab a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant, then hit a couple bars downtown. One of the other guys says he knows a spot where they have a live band all night. Wanna come?

Sure, Torrina said with a nod. I could eat. You too, JJ?

I’ll head back with you guys to the hotel, but I’ve gotta crash, JJ said. I’m exhausted. I think my body’s still reeling from the excitement of these last couple nights. Plus I feel a headache coming on.

Not used to life on the road yet, are you? Donald asked. He threw an arm around JJ, tugging her against him as he joined their circle.

No, not yet, JJ said with a tight smile as she casually eased herself out of Donald’s uninvited embrace. Still a newbie.

JJ followed the group over to the two huge, black SUVs that would take them back to the hotel where they had been staying for the past two days, making sure to be seated between Torrina and the door. As the vans pulled out of the parking lot, Torrina leaned over and whispered in JJ’s ear.

It’s okay. You can come with us tonight. I’ll keep Donald out of your way and make sure they lay off you at the bars. No one will give you a hard time.

JJ was grateful for Torrina’s concern. She knew that Donald’s unwelcome attention created an issue for JJ, especially when they all hung out socially. In any other situation JJ would have just told him to back off. But she was trying to make a name for herself in the industry and didn’t want to stir up drama over what might just be a minor issue. The fact that she opted not to party like a rock star already made her stand out. She didn’t want to be called a whiner on top of it too.

Thanks, but I really am tired, JJ whispered back. Three shows in three days is crazy.

Torrina’s lip curled. I know that’s right.

Plus my sister got some big news today and she’s supposed to call me back tonight, so I really want to catch her, JJ added.

Gotcha. Torrina nodded. If you change your mind though, just text me and I’ll let you know where we are. We’ll probably be out till four a.m. anyway. When we finish a set of shows like this, these guys like to go hard and then crash for a couple days.

JJ chuckled. I can imagine.

The SUVs pulled up to the hotel entrance and they all got out. JJ waved to the others as they split up in the lobby; she headed toward the rooms, they headed to the hotel restaurant.

Call me if you need someone to scrape you off the bar floor, JJ called.

She grinned as the sound of Torrina’s laughter followed her across the lobby.

Pushing the door to the stairwell open, she began her trek up the steps to the sixth floor. She spent most of her life bypassing elevators for the stairs, so her thighs were used to the workout. Once inside her room, adjacent to Torrina’s, she slipped off her jacket and sank down onto her bed to take off her strappy shoes. She had just freed her toes from their confines when she heard a knock on the door.

Room service.

She grinned and hurried to open the door. Her bellhop was dressed in a gray ribbed sweater and leather jacket instead of a uniform, and carried several take-out containers and a bottle of something sparkling instead of pushing a hotel dinner cart. Plus she was sure it was illegal for someone to look that deliciously handsome.

She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him inside.

Perfect timing, she murmured before his lips met hers. He managed to kick the door closed and wrap his arms around her without dropping any of his packages.

JJ snuggled closer, slipping into the familiar place where her body fit in his arms. Okay, so she may not be getting married, and her sister may have just abandoned her in the single zone. But at least she wasn’t hanging out there alone. Being in the 70 percent might not be so bad after all.

Chapter 2

"Good show?" Rayshawn Forbes asked with a chuckle, when they finally broke away from each other.

You tell me, JJ said, settling her arms around his shoulders. Weren’t you watching?

I got there late from my meeting, he said apologetically. Only caught the last part of the performance.

JJ pouted, and he kissed her upturned lips briefly. From what I saw it looked great, though.

He paused, and JJ watched as his deep brown eyes roved over her face. I’m so proud of you, babe.

She ran her hand over his smooth, nut-brown skin, touching his strong, angular jaw, catching her finger in the dimple in his cheek, feeling the stubble of his goatee and razor-thin mustache beneath her fingertips. She smiled. She had always thought he looked more like an R & B singer than a talent manager. But he was a manager. And he was hers.

Thank you. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.

Her eyes floated closed as his lips met hers again with gentle, soft kisses that she had come to get used to over the past few months. She had always thought it a bad idea to mix business and personal life, but when she first met Rayshawn several months earlier, the attraction between them had been immediate and undeniable. She had met him at Lost and Found, the little jazz bar she used to sing at. That first night, when he gave her his card, she had passed it off as a pickup line. But then he showed up the next night, and the night after that with two other associates, one of whom invited her to audition for backup vocals for Deborah Cox. She never got that gig, but the things she learned through the process were priceless. In a matter of weeks she had signed on with Rayshawn to manage her, and in turn his agency, Franklin and Forbes, provided her with a vocal coach, a demo CD and a press kit and everything she needed to get her foot in the door of the music industry. By the time she got around to auditioning for Jayla’s team, she was ready.

During that whole time they had done their best to keep things entirely business. But once she got the Jayla Grey gig, all that changed. All it took was an unplanned kiss at a celebration dinner and it was all over.

He pulled her closer as his kisses deepened. She melted into him, glad to finally have a few moments together. They were both traveling in Alberta, Rayshawn for some business meetings, and JJ for a weekend concert blitz for Jayla Grey. But so far their schedules had allowed them barely any time together. This was the first occasion they’d had to be alone in the past three days.

Rayshawn’s hands gently traced her shoulders, her back, the curve of her spine, and then edged lower. JJ gently pulled away, putting some distance between them.

Our food’s getting cold, she said, trying to slip out of his embrace.

Let it. He pulled her back, capturing her lips for a brief moment.

Shawn . . . , she murmured against his lips, pulling away again.

He knew what that meant. He sighed and released her. JJ, you’re going to kill me one of these days, he grunted, releasing her. Go get some plates.

You started it, JJ threw back slyly as she headed over to the single cupboard above the sink to look for dishware. What did you get us?

Cheap Chinese food, he said, opening the cartons in front of him. "I know you love that. Plus I picked up two movies. Do the Right Thing and Inside Man."

JJ smiled. Another Spike Lee night, I see.

Rayshawn grinned. I’ll let you pick which, babe.

She brought the plates over and put them next to the food containers.

I’m gonna let you get away with that tonight, she said, her wagging finger a mock threat. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.

Her good mood continued to stretch through the evening as they lounged together, watching Inside Man and picking at their food. Rayshawn stretched his arm around her shoulders and she snuggled deeper into his embrace. This was nice. This was how life should be.

JJ had just paused the movie as Rayshawn went to refill their drinks, when the phone rang.

JJ, we have an emergency.

JJ curled her feet up under her. What kind of emergency?

She knew her sister Lissandra, and so she knew that she should wait to be concerned until after she got details.

You will not believe what Sydney is trying to do. I swear, she and Hayden got engaged like two seconds ago and it’s like she lost her ever-lovin’ mind, do you believe she wants to—

Lissandra, get off the phone and leave JJ alone, Sydney said.

Hey, Syd, JJ said, acknowledging her eldest sister, who had likely just picked up another extension of their home phone line.

Hey, JJ, Sydney said cheerfully. How was the show?

JJ grinned. It was amazing, Syd. The room was packed and the crowd was full of energy. Jayla was on fire tonight. Oh, and I have news!

What news? Sydney asked, echoing JJ’s excitement.

Jayla wants me to come on tour with her!

Oh my goodness, JJ! Sydney squealed. That’s amazing!

Yeah, yeah, that’s great, Lissandra said, cutting in impatiently. But we have bigger issues here. Do you know Sydney wants to move Sheree into the house?

JJ momentarily forgot her news at the mention of the name Sheree. What!

Now, JJ, before you jump to any conclusions, hear me out, Sydney said. You know I wouldn’t do this unless it was really serious. Plus I didn’t say for sure that we were going to do it, I was just saying we should consider it.

Consider it? JJ asked, her stomach tightening. You want me to consider living with Sheree, the woman who lied about being pregnant so she could marry our brother, Dean, then stole his money, and left him so distraught he ran his car into a tree and ended up in the hospital?

I know but—

Sydney, this is the same woman who almost ran you off the road with her car less than six months ago, JJ continued. The same woman who left us with debt up to our eyeballs from Dean’s medical bills. The same woman who has caused our family nothing but chaos since we met her.

I agree, but—

This woman almost ruined your relationship with Hayden, JJ argued.

I know, Sydney said, cutting in. But Hayden is the reason I am asking you guys to consider this. He is Sheree’s half brother and pretty much the only family she has left. If he doesn’t want to give up on her, how can I? And now that we’re talking marriage, I have to accept that she is going to be a part of my life too. Actually, all our lives.

Oh, hell no, Lissandra said.

Sydney, you can’t be serious. I can’t think of anything that would make me be okay with moving Sheree into our home, JJ said.

Well, maybe—

Babe, Rayshawn called from the kitchenette. You think they have any club soda? Was thinking of making some of your sangria.

JJ winced and covered the mouthpiece of the phone. But the dead silence on the line told her it was too late. With the mouthpiece still covered, she rushed over to her mini fridge, dug out a bottle of carbonated water, and tossed it at Rayshawn before slipping into the bathroom and closing the door.

Who was that? Sydney asked finally.

JJ cleared her throat. Uh, no one.

So no one has a deep male voice and calls you babe? Lissandra asked.

JJ said nothing.

Don’t tell me that Saint Judith has a man in her hotel room, Lissandra said with a laugh. Oh, this is too good.

JJ’s cheeks burned, even though she knew her sisters couldn’t see her. She needed to end this conversation now.

So you were about to say something about Sheree?

Uh-uh, Sydney said. We’re not about to skip over this. Do you really have a man in your hotel room, JJ? Please tell me that Lissandra isn’t right.

There is someone here, JJ said. But it’s not what you think. We just had dinner and so he was just making sure I got back to my room okay.

It wasn’t a complete lie. They really did just have dinner. But a year ago, JJ would have condemned her sisters if they had tried to pull off a half-truth like that one. However, she had told so many half-truths to so many people over the past couple months that it was almost becoming second nature. She was a better liar than she thought. Or maybe the assumption that people made that she never lied—which had been true up until recently—just made her lies that much easier to get away with.

I know you’re not trying to sell me that.

Except with her sisters.

Look, are you going to explain about Sheree or not? JJ asked impatiently.

And she’s catching attitude too, Sydney, Lissandra said. What is really happening with our little Diana Ross?

Sydney? JJ pressed, ignoring Lissandra.

We can talk about Sheree when you get back tomorrow. Nothing’s happening before then, Sydney said soberly. Right now, I think you have more important things to deal with.

JJ didn’t miss the disappointment in her eldest sister’s voice, and it hurt more than the teasing from Lissandra.

Okay, JJ said quietly. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

Alright, Lissandra said. She chuckled. And remember: no glove, no love!

She heard Sydney sigh. Bye, JJ.

JJ hung up the phone, closed her eyes, and rested her head in her hands. Her guilt felt as real as the pressure of her fingers against her temples. What was she doing? Why was she letting Rayshawn stay, even though it was almost two a.m.? Undoubtedly he thought he would be crashing for the night in her hotel room. And why wouldn’t he think that? They had let it happen before. And even though nothing other than sleeping had happened yet, it was only a matter of time. Her body had already come close to betraying her more than once.

J, everything okay?

JJ opened the door to the bathroom and found Rayshawn standing on the other side, concern marring his handsome features.

What happened? he asked.

She dropped her eyes and slipped past him into the room. You know it’s late. I think we should call it a night.

There was a pause, but JJ busied herself picking up plates instead of turning to face him.

It was your sisters on the phone, wasn’t it?

She nodded. Yes, but it’s not about them. She carried the plates and food containers to the kitchenette. This is about me. And I can’t keep doing this.

He raked his hands through his hair brusquely. Doing what?

Acting like we can sit here together, and fool around at two in the morning in my hotel room, and nothing’s gonna happen. JJ dropped the plates into the sink, the crash jarring her senses. You know I’m not trying to have sex with anyone right now . . .

And you feel like I’m trying to do that? Rayshawn asked, an edge in his voice. JJ, we already talked about this. I know you’re celibate, and I’m cool with that.

Are you? JJ asked, turning around to look at him. ’Cause I don’t know too many guys who are . . .

I’m not too many guys, he said, crossing the room to stand in front of her. I thought you already knew this.

JJ’s eyes fell to the floor.

Babe. He lifted her chin with a gentle touch. My hands may wander from time to time, and I’m sorry. It’s just reflex, and just me wanting to be close to you. But have I ever forced you to do anything you didn’t want to?

JJ sighed. No.

Then trust me, he said. What’s important to you is important to me too. And I know this thing, waiting, is important to you. So I’m respecting that.

JJ nodded.

He looked at her a long moment. You know, maybe if your sisters met me . . .

No, JJ said, moving around him and out of his reach.

Babe, if they got to meet me, they would know who you’re with all the time, he said, his eyes following JJ as she busied herself around the room, picking up items out of place and straightening furniture. They’d see I’m a good man and I’m not trying to hurt you. Maybe they would even like me.

It’s not that simple, Shawn, JJ said.

Then what is it? Rayshawn asked. She could see his frustration, sense it bubbling at the surface. He was a good man, and he was good to her. How could she tell him, then, that no matter how good he was, her sisters wouldn’t think he was right for her because he was too different? His values were too different. His faith—or lack of it—was too different.

She walked over to him and put her arms around him, kissing him deeply before pulling away. Thanks for the dinner, Shawn.

He closed his eyes and let his head fall back. You’re kicking me out.

She smiled and stroked the sides of his face with her thumbs. Just saying good night.

His head came forward and his eyes met hers. JJ. Sooner or later . . .

I know, she said. JJ followed him to the door as he grabbed his jacket and keys, then tipped up to kiss him briefly.

Call me when you get in, she whispered against his lips.

She watched him walk down the hall until he turned the corner. Then she closed the door and leaned back against it. Rayshawn was right. Sooner or later she would have to make a choice about them. She had a feeling it was going to be sooner. She just had no idea what that choice was going to be.

Chapter 3

"Honey, I’m home," JJ called jokingly as the pulled her suitcase through the front door and dumped it in the entryway. She looked around at the mid-Toronto house that had been her home for the past seven years but which over the past seven months she had barely seen in the light of day. Everything looked more or less the same. From the front door she could see down the short hallway into the open-concept living-dining area. A wide counter separated the dining area from the kitchen, the place where the sisters spent most of their time.

All of them could hold their own around a stove—Jackie Isaacs, their mother, had made sure of that—but Sydney had a special touch when it came to the oven. She took after their father that way and had followed directly in his footsteps by opening her own gourmet pastry shop less than a year earlier. They all thought she would have inherited their father’s store, which she had run for over a year after his death, but things hadn’t turned out that way. Thankfully, however, all that was in the past and now Sydney was settled into her own place, still named Decadent in honor of their father’s old bakery but fully owned by Sydney and her boyfriend-turned-fiancé, pro-basketball trainer Hayden Windsor. A fiancé who, judging by the size thirteen Nikes at the front door, was in the house right now.

JJ, we’re in the kitchen, a familiar baritone voice called out. Your sister is trying to give me a heart attack and gross me out at the same time.

I am not! she heard Sydney reply.

Grinning, she slipped off her shoes and padded down the hallway, through the living area to the kitchen.

So I guess Sydney is experimenting again? she asked as her sister and Hayden came into view.

Yes, I am trying out a sweet cabbage strudel recipe, but forget about that—you’re home!

Yes I am, and just in time apparently, JJ said with a grin. Let me see it!

Sydney pulled off her oven mitt with a grin and held out her glittering left hand. JJ squealed as her eyes took in the white gold engagement ring which featured a round diamond surrounded by elegant clusters of diamond side stones.

Oh my goodness! It’s beautiful. Congratulations, Sydney! She threw her arms around her sister.

JJ felt the last bits of the Alberta cold disappear as her sibling wrapped warm arms around her in a giant hug. It had only been a few days but she had missed her big sister. And regardless of how she had felt when she first heard the news, she really was happy for Sydney.

Good job, Mr. Windsor, JJ said, playfully punching Hayden on the shoulder.

Thanks, he said with a grin. Gotta do my best to keep this one happy.

The look that passed between him and her sister was so full of love JJ had to look away.

It’s so good to see you. Sydney beamed when she finally remembered JJ was there. How was the trip?

It was amazing, JJ said with a sigh as she plopped down onto the stool next to Hayden, at the counter. We did three shows while we were there, including singing at a children’s hospital. We shared the stage with a whole bunch of other musicians. I got to meet K’naan!

Wow, Hayden said, looking impressed. Look at you moving up in the music world.

That’s awesome, JJ, Sydney said. I’m glad it was great. I hope nothing happened to spoil the occasion.

She gave JJ a meaningful glance, which JJ read clearly.

No. Nothing happened, JJ said, emphasizing the nothing.

The

Reviews for Hitting the Right Note

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Hitting the Right NoteAuthor: Rhonda BowenPublisher: Dafina Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: 5Review:"Hitting the Right Note" by Rhonda Bowen was one very "powerful and wonderful Christian novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat with all of its drama. Truly this Isaacs family members seemed to be something to reckon with in this well written story. I believe the two main characters JJ (Judith) Isaacs the R&B star and Simon Massri the renowned doctor were quite a pair that only God would be their for them and finally get them on the right path.It wasso very interesting how this author was able to portray this young women JJ who was a very good person so well grounded in her knowledge and belief of God and was quite the pillar for her siblings only to find that something was wrong with what was going on in personal life. As JJ gets caught up with this new 'star' life she wanted she will distance her life from her faith and even her family's approval. It was only after JJ comes in contact once again after a number of years with a Dr.Simon Massri will she be able to see her life more clearly that she isn't going in the right direction as she knew she should be travelling? Will JJ be able to break free and finally make the right choice for her life and in the end get that special someone to love?There will be a lots going on in "Hitting the Right Note" you will have to keep up to see from this read: like from problems with a sister in law pregnancy, a producer, secret lover, the Isaac sisters, new band members and their problems, faith in God promises, new love, contracts signing on to trusting in God and knowing he will bring it all out was quite some interesting read. This is where I say to fully understand it all you must pick up "Hitting the Right Note" to see just how this author presents it so well to the reader. The characters were simply off the chart good ...well developed, real, believable, well portrayed, colorful along with being so captivating presenting to the reader such a fascinating amazing emotional read. When you get to the ending of "Hitting the Right Note" you are only left saying Wow that was some powerful read and Yes.....'will be hitting all the right notes!' I thought that "Hitting the Right Note" was a excellent good Christian read and that I would definitely recommend.