inCHARACTER PROFILE: HEIDI KACHINA
AUTHOR: DASHAWN TAYLOR
BOOK: KISSED BY THE DEVIL
FEATURED SCENE:
Chapter 1
ONE YEAR LATER
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
10:46 pm
“You ever think about how you’re gonna die? Seriously? I don’t mean when you gonna die or where you gonna be when you die. I mean, have you ever really sat down and imagined how it’s going to feel when you pass away? It’s a scary thought right? Imagine your heart stopping suddenly or a blood vessel exploding in ya head and everything just going dark. No sounds… no sights… no smell… no touch… no nothing. Just dead! That shit is so scary to me.”
Heidi’s soft voice was overflowing with conviction and concern. Her sleek and well-manicured hands were slightly shaking as she grabbed the wine glass from the restaurant table and put it to her lips. She slowly took a small sip of the mixed drink and continued talking.
“It’s like, one minute you’re here and experiencing every good and bad thing about life. And the next thing you know, BAM! You’re dead! No more worrying about the good or the bad things anymore. Just dead! I don’t know about you but that shit is so scary to me.” Heidi’s mood slightly changed as she found herself listening deeply to her own words. “And then you can’t worry about nothing that was going on in your life because you can’t do shit about that now anyway. I guess that’s why life is so crazy. It’s almost like life has to be crazy you know? Full of ups and downs and crazy turns, all to distract you from dwelling on that sad day when you eventually gotta let it all go and move on.” Heidi sadly shook her head and stared across the table. She raised the wine glass above her head. “I propose a toast.” Heidi continued. “To Life………The Ultimate Distraction!”
Heidi twirled her wine glass in an effort to grab the attention of the young man sitting across from her. Twenty-nine-year-old Aaron Smith was sitting directly across from Heidi. His laid back vibe and smooth mannerisms seemed to match perfectly with his stylish button-down GLB shirt and DKNY jeans. Heidi shot the sexy young man a peculiar expression as he hesitated to grab his wine glass. Aaron was playfully staring at Heidi when a wide smile emerged on his barber-chiseled-face. A smirk grew on Heidi’s face as she started waving her wine glass like a dinner bell. Aaron shook his head and decided to humor her. He reluctantly raised his wine glass in the air.
Unlike Heidi, Aaron decided not to drink excessively tonight. From the time his phone rang just a few hours earlier, Aaron sensed he was in for a long night with Heidi. He glared at a clock on the wall of the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant. A subtle feeling of regret came over him as he learned that it was quickly approaching eleven o’clock.
“This is why you called me out here tonight, High?” Aaron asked. Heidi could tell he was only slightly amused by her moment of clarity. “Don’t tell me Imma miss the replay of the Knicks game for this?” Heidi grabbed his hand and forced the two wine glasses to tap together. The gentle sound caused a childish smirk to emerge on her face. She took another sip of the drink and turned to Aaron.
“No, sweetie. First off please don’t call me High.”
Aaron quickly nodded. “No doubt, Heidi. I’m sorry I forgot,” Aaron humbly said. “So tell me, is this why you called me out here tonight?”
“No, Aaron. I called you out here to talk to you,” Heidi said. “Sorry I’m zoning out like this right now. When my mind gets to racing, I can’t stop it. This is the first anniversary.”
Aaron shot her a concerned look. “First anniversary?” Aaron quickly asked.
Heidi put her wine glass down. “Wow, I guess I didn’t tell you much about my problem did I?” She slowly turned away from Aaron. “Well, today is the first anniversary of my fiancé’s death.” Heidi paused. The sound of her previous words sent a cold chill through her body. She felt her face getting warm and tried to fight her emotions. She lowered her voice and continued to speak. “I can’t believe it’s been a year. I swear. It feels like it was a month ago.”
Aaron was shocked. He didn’t say a word. He could tell that Heidi was going through a lot more than he had imagined. He could hear the pain in her voice as she continued to explain her mood to him.
“I never talk about him in public anymore,” Heidi said. “So I apologize if I never mentioned this to you. But my fiancé died a year ago. It was sort of like a freak accident. But that’s another story for another day. I don’t want to burden you with all the details. But I’m trying to get over it. I just can’t. Somethin’ about that night always bothers me.”
Aaron started slowly nodding his head. “You can talk to me. I don’t feel burdened at all,” he said. “That’s what we are here to do. You gotta talk these things through. I wouldn’t be a doing my job if I didn’t listen to your issues. You know what I mean?”
Heidi looked over to Aaron and pressed her lips together. She knew exactly what Aaron was referring to.
Questions
1. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND WHAT 5 ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE AND WHY?
1. Water – So I can survive.
2. Cellphone – So I can call for Help
3. Bottle of Hennessey – So I can numb the pain
4. A Good Vibrator just in case I don’t see my “friend” again.
5. My “Sanity”!
2. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WANT IN YOUR POSSESSION RIGHT THIS SECOND AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN?
A. Money! Anything and Everything to make it happen.
3. IF YOU COULD HAVE FIVE MORE MINUTES WITH YOUR DECEASED FIANCE – WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HIM?
-A. Who Killed You? And Why?
4. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS
The Baddest Queen!
5. WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR DARKEST, DEEPEST SECRETS?
I am a lot more EVIL than people take me for! If you read my story you will understand my struggle.
BONUS QUESTION*
6. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF IN DURING YOUR JOURNEY IN KISSED BY THE DEVIL WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHY?
I would have never trusted a total stranger…and I would have never have turned my back on my mother Pearl. But I just pray that I get more time to make it up to her!
ABOUT DASHAWN TAYLOR
Dashawns’ career in entertainment started early in his life at the age of 16. He was featured in a national Hip-Hop music video that was filmed in Trenton, NJ produced by Tony D and Profile Records. The Hip-Hip culture and music has influenced him throughout his life. After graduating from Rutgers University he founded REAL-HIPHOP.COM with his partner Kyle Newsome.
Dashawn’s big break came in the 2005 with the reality TV series, ”Ultimate Hustler Show” hosted by Hip-Hop CEO Damon Dash; where he came in second place overall. The exposure of the show allowed him to take his company to levels never imagined. The show aired on BET in October of 2005 and ran for ten weeks.
About The Books
“A powerful tool for the underestimated generation.”
That is the quote from Lidia Mitchell from Vibe Magazine in response to Dashawn Taylor’s new book; “From Poverty To Power Moves”. Since a young boy, Dashawn has set out to defy the odds and accomplish things even greater than his own existence. Being a product of the inner city only encouraged him to work harder. From Poverty To Power Moves is an in-depth look into the life of this entrepreneur. Here, Dashawn walks us through his battle with poverty and discouragement to his near death experiences-from his educational excellence to his hip-hop aspirations.
Dashawn’s second book is his first Novel entitled KISSED BY THE DEVIL. This wild ride is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.
Publisher: NEXT LEVEL PUBLISHING
Genre: CONTEMPORARY URBAN FICTION
Page Count: 256
Copyright Year: © 2007-2010
Scheduled Release: NOVEMBER 13, 2007
ISBN #: 0-9800154-0-5
EAN #: 978-0-9800154-0-9
Retail Price: $15.00 (USD) $19.00 (Canada)
Weak women will never survive in this world of cold-hearted men! That’s the first lesson that Heidi Kachina (a.k.a. High) learns after a domestic dispute that leaves her in the hospital and her fiancé Jayson dead. Now, just one short year later, Heidi finds herself trying to replace the pieces of her shattered life.
Armed with a frozen heart and a cynical soul, Heidi’s jaded ways seem to backfire on her as she quickly finds herself fighting for her life and the lives of her family. Kissed By The Devil is a fast paced tale of lies and deception from the outset. It will keep you holding your breath until the very end…
…..TRUST NO ONE!
Dashawn Taylor
(Managing Partner ∙ 33rd Street Media)
(CEO ∙ Real-Hiphop.com)
(Author ∙ “From Poverty To Power Moves”)
(Author ∙ “Kissed By The Devil”)
PO Box 83
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 634-8421
publishing_nextlevel@yahoo.com
________________________________________________________________________
Summary: Dashawn’s entertainment career started early in his life at the age of 16. Dashawn was featured in a national Hip-Hop music video that was filmed in Trenton, NJ produced by Tony D and Profile Records. Hip-Hip music influenced Dashawn throughout his life. And soon after graduating college at Rutgers University, Dashawn founded REAL-HIPHOP.COM with his partner Kyle Newsome. Dashawn’s big break came just recently in the 2006 Reality TV Series Ultimate Hustler Show hosted by Hip-Hop CEO Damon Dash
Education:
09/93-05/98 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
B.A., Communications
Minor: Computer Science
Awards: Independent Publisher Award Nov 2005 Lightning Source
MLK Achievement Award May 2006 Columbia University
Outstanding Publisher Award January 2007 Chicago Writing Festival
Experience:
05/00-Present REAL-HIPHOP.COM, Newark, NJ
CEO/Founder/Staff Writer
- Online Hiphop Magazine focusing on the music business and urban culture.
- Released Print Magazine version in Aug 2005.
- Reached over 12 Million users worldwide since 2003.
- Release Real-Hiphop.com Documentary in July 2007
09/05-Present NEXT LEVEL PUBLISHING
Author / Publisher
- Released 2 Books: “From Poverty To Power Moves” & “Kissed By The Devil”
- Sold over 20,000 Copies independently in the United States.
- Received numerous awards and currently tours colleges and high schools lecturing students
on the subject of finance and social empowerment.
06/05-12/05 BETs ULTIMATE HUSTLER SHOW, New York, NY
Contestant / Finalist
- Reality Show dubbed as Hip-Hop Apprentice Show hosted by HipHop Mogul Damon Dash and aired on BET Networks for 12 Weeks.
- First Runner Up of 16 Contestants.
- Final Show viewed by over 14 Million viewers.
Dashawn Taylor ∙ Real-Hiphop.com ∙ From Poverty To Power Moves
Next Level Publishing ©2006-2009 ∙ All Rights Reserved
Great answer. Cant wait for part 2 to drop. Keep up the great work Dashawn