Amid the Cacophony of Cries

About the Book

      A passionate and sensuous, yet ultimately gripping and spiritual read with a supporting cast of stalkers, racists, killers, and a scorned, broken-hearted woman hell bent on vengeance. When SABRINA learns that her long time boyfriend Trevor Sabaru is having an affair, she finds herself hitting rock-bottom, emotionally speaking. What’s worse, she’s plagued with the demons of bad decisions she’s made in the past. In the interim, she crosses paths with Caleb Shapiro, a witty twenty-something year old with hypnotic piercing blue eyes, who helps her to change her perception of herself.  But then everything quickly descends a downward spiral in her life as she learns heart-wrenching news about her best friend. As she struggles to find herself, she becomes spiritually conscious, tapping into ancient, esoteric wisdom from a recurrent mysterious dream.

     In this sexy, soulful tale of betrayal, sex, love, and friendship set in modern-day West Hollywood, nothing is as it seems. An edgy, honest portrait of contemporary life with beautiful dalliances in exotic places such as Japan, Morocco, and Hawaii. However, things go from bad to worse for Trevor, as well. He keeps getting pulled into everybody else’s turmoil. The irresistible “Mrs. Right-Now,” Milan is not who she says she is. Getting entangled with this dangerously seductive femme fatale and her secret lifestyle proves to be more than he bargains for. What happens when Trevor uncovers Milan’s true identity? Will Sabrina’s mysterious dreams materialize in her life? In alternating voices, Trevor and Sabrina tell us what preys on his or her mind. Get ready for a scorching hot read full of twists and surprises from an author who has a style like none other.

About the Author

Brandi L. Bates was born July 16th, 1979 in Los Angeles, California to Beverlee and Marion Bates. She is the third of four siblings. She attended Spelman College, where she majored in Biology Pre-Med and began to hone her creative writing skills. In 2004, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a career in Real Estate.

After landing a part-time job at a local coffeehouse, Brandi L. Bates' artistic talents surfaced, inspiring her to become a spoken word performance artist. She soon began working the local and national spoken word circuit. Brandi L. Bates married in 2003 (and divorced in 2006). In 2007, after the tragic death of her mother and best friend, she took this as an opportunity to embark on a successful writing career and to accomplish her long held dream of becoming a published author.

Having written several essays for her school journalism club, Bates started writing poetry and short stories. In 2001 she went into the studio to record a spoken word compilation CD under the production of producer Gary Franks. Brandi L. Bates has showcased her literary skills from coast to coast and has frequently performed at Los Angeles’ Dough Boy’s Dozens, Poetry Lounge, Spreading Love & Spoken Word, as well as Atlanta’s Blue Milk , Java Lounge, and Apache Café where she has won several poetry slams. Her works are known for their portrayals of the African American woman's life. She depicts vividly the sexism, racism and poverty that make that life often a struggle. But she also portrays as part of that life, the strengths of family, community, self-worth, and spirituality. Amid the Cacophony of Cries is her first published work.

Brandi L. Bates currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her five year old son, Aristotle.