Vocal Expressions

Poet’ s Bio: Buddah Desmond aka BDEZ (he / him / they / them) is an award-winning author, poet, artist, and singer based in the DMV. His writing shares lessons from adversity to triumph and offers messages of hope, love, faith, and persistence. He ’ s the author of multiple poetry collections, including the most recent releases  Everything I Miss(ed) At Home  (2023),  Coming Up From the Downside: Finding Joy in Our Song  (2024), and  Exotic Shifter: 11th Anniversary Edition  (2025).   His writing has appeared in  Creative Currents ,  Rebel ’ s Zeitgeist ,  Liquid Cat Quarterly ,  MelaNation ,  Mixed Mag , and  The Sound of the Collective Pen: A Poetry Anthology by Emerging Voices . He served as a healing leader in the DC-based arts + faith + social justice organization, The Sanctuaries. He ’ s currently a National Board of Trustees At Large Member (Beta Chapter) for the professional arts fraternity, Gamma Xi Phi. ...

This was my first time reading a novel by Lucia Jordan, and she definitely kept me intrigued—especially with that ending. Her writing style is engaging, playful, and perfectly suited for a seductive, fast-paced read. The story introduces us to Chardonnay Selby, who—at the urging of her roommate Cecily—agrees to go on a blind date with Cecily’s “hot” coworker. The instructions are simple: meet at the hotel restaurant and look for the man holding a white rose. But when Chardonnay arrives, she finds two men with white roses—one casually dressed in jeans and a sport coat, the other impeccably styled in a finely tailored suit. It turns out the sharply dressed man is Stephan Hale, and from the moment he appears, he commands the room—and the date. Stephan is confident, dominant, and deliberate in every move he makes. Though Chardonnay promises Cecily she won’t sleep with her blind date, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Stephan’s magnetic presence. When he whisks her away to Aria for an...

This was my first time reading a contemporary romance novella by Jerrica Knight-Catania, and I found her writing style heartfelt and engaging as she explored the theme of love. The story follows Melanie Smith, an aspiring actress chasing her Broadway dreams while waiting tables at a diner between auditions. Her best friend Lisa decides she needs a break from the city, and together with their friend Shauna, they set sail on a six-day Bermuda cruise.  Melanie, however, worries her job may be at risk if Cliff, her boss, discovers she doesn’t actually have a sick uncle—something Lisa concocted to secure her time off. On the first day aboard, the trio meets Devon Matthews, a restless millionaire who has taken a job as a masseuse on the ship. Intrigued by Melanie’s unhappiness, he offers the women free massage vouchers, secretly hoping to see her again.  Devon is nervous during Melanie’s massage session, but it becomes his chance to be close to her. When he finally asks her out, she...

This was my first time reading a romantic suspense novel by Lori Ryan, and I was immediately struck by her character-driven style. The story follows Detective Cal Rylan of the New Haven PD, who is paired with FBI Agent Eve Sands after one of the Bureau’s witnesses is killed by a sniper while being transported from the police station to the FBI office. The attack leaves Rylan’s partner, Jarrod, critically injured—a devastating blow that stirs up guilt from losing a former partner in the past. With Eve now at his side, Rylan struggles to balance his instinct to protect with his respect for her skills. He admires her sharp mind, steady composure with the press, and undeniable strength. Though he feels an instant pull toward her, he knows their focus has to stay on catching the sniper before more blood is shed.  As the investigation unfolds, the sniper strikes again—taking out men in the middle of violent crimes, from an attempted rape in a park to a gas station holdup. What begins as ...

This was my first time reading a short romance novella by Janica Cade, and her writing style struck me as sexy, sharp, and emotionally layered. The story follows billionaire Ethan Wolfe, who reluctantly agrees to take over Lane Entertainment Group at the request of its owner, Christopher Lane. The catch? He has to keep Lane’s daughter, Ava—the creative force behind the company—on board. Ava, unaware of her father’s decision to sell, is blindsided and furious, especially after learning her father is gravely ill. When he passes away the day after the deal is finalized, her anger toward Ethan only intensifies. Despite the tension, Ethan rushes to comfort her, and the two give in to their mutual attraction in a moment charged with grief and desire.  The plot thickens when Ava reveals documents stating that her cousin, Jonathan, was meant to take over the company in the event of her father and uncle’s death. The revelation shocks Ethan, prompting him to step back and temporarily hand co...

This was my first time reading a romance novel by Mia Black, and I found her writing style to be bold, relationship-driven, and full of heat and deception. The story centers around Jazmine (“Jazzy”), a freelance consultant for multimedia companies who recently ended things with her cheating boyfriend, Aaron, in Charlotte. Ready for a fresh start, she heads to New York to stay with her best friend Tami while she gets back on her feet. On the flight, Jazzy meets Quinton (“Que”), a handsome and charming stranger who keeps her calm during turbulence. They exchange numbers, and a week later, he invites her to explore New York City—he’s Brooklyn-born and Queens-raised, after all. Their chemistry is instant, leading to a steamy night at the luxurious Carlyle Hotel, with windows overlooking Central Park.  Though Jazzy is drawn to Que, she’s hesitant to jump into a new relationship. She enjoys his company but can’t shake her curiosity about his vague career in “sales.” Her doubts intens...