Aleisha Jenkins-Bey

With chapters that will make you laugh, a couple that will make you cry, and some that will make you say, "What the ----!," Mahogany Butterfly captures the thoughts and emotions of a misguided and vulnerable girl. Neena surprises us in both good and bad ways as her childhood experiences continue to manifest throughout adulthood. With a tendency to make choices she knows are not right, Neena gets tangled up in sex, lies, and relationships and is not sure if she can come out on top. Mahogany Butterfly is a modern, coming-of-age drama in which Neena Smith, a young woman from the south, has encountered some negative influences as a child. Neena's issues with her self-esteem and the bad habits she develops wreak havoc on her personal life. When she takes these habits with her to college in Baltimore, she finds that making a fresh start isn't as easy as she thought. Her decisions get her caught up in bad relationships, and not only threaten to destroy her emotionally, but also eventually pose a threat to her career. The author, Aleisha, says she wrote the story based on some of her own experiences and situations she observed. “I have heard so many young women, especially college students, discussing some serious issues and I find that they have the same problems, and make the same mistakes, as I have at some point in life. Even when you’re an attractive college student with a supportive family who seems to have it made, this is not always the case. Many young women arrive at college with baggage, then add more onto it, but will not seek support from their families for different reasons. My own biggest reason was being ashamed of the trouble my bad choices caused me. Although they often exude confidence, so many young women are unsure of who they are and are afraid of what they might become. They have to know themselves and develop self-respect before it is too late. Neena represents these young women.” Mahogany Butterfly takes an introspective look at Neena's journey through life as she pushes past the boundaries of all that is expected of her.