Love @NateParker in @BeyondTheLights #amwriting #erotic #romance

Of course I saw Beyond the Lights this weekend, and while it’s not gonna win any Oscars, I consider it a triumph. First, it was uber romantic, so y’all know I’m a fan. Second, Gugu Mbatha-Raw was beautifully broken and soo relatable. Who doesn’t know what it’s like to be bullied and feel like you have no voice, even when you’re at the forefront of things? And three, Nate Parker. I’ve followed his career for some time – if you haven’t seen The Great Debaters yet, do – and think he’s terribly talented, but his portrayal of Kaz was it. Strong, responsible, caring, all about the do right and family values and sexy with it? Good Lawd. I write interracial romance, but that does NOT mean I can’t appreciate a beautiful black man. Also, shout out to director Gina Prince-Bythewood for creating a story black people can be proud of and for depicting such a fabulous male character. He’s got romantic hero written all over him.