The seasons have changed, and it’s offering us the chance to fall in love with some new authors and new books. Here are some of the black books released in September 2023.
Stacey Abrams
Trouble comes in threes…
One doomed love affair after another has made lovely Alex Walton swear off men. Now, she’s determined to try something that maybe she can succeed at: a writing career. Little does she know that a chance meeting with a strikingly handsome stranger, a mysterious obelisk, and a lost kingdom will change her life forever. As Alex is about to discover, truth can be stranger—and far more dangerous—than fiction.
…but true love comes only once.
After three years inside a terrorist organization, Phillip Turman is trying to rebuild his life. His first assignment is to pick up Alex Walton, the maid of honor for his best friend’s wedding, at the airport. His second is to deal with his instant attraction to her. But his third may be the toughest: to keep Alex out of danger as his past—and her need to know about it—threaten to destroy their future.
Yasmin Angoe
Until his untimely death, Nena’s mentor was the backbone of the Tribe. With his leadership position unfilled and despite the Tribe’s newfound misgivings about her, Nena has stepped into a new role she never wanted.
Politics is an entirely new venture for her, and now one of the Tribe’s own has been kidnapped, forcing her back to her origins as an assassin. But the only person qualified for such a rescue mission is Nena Knight—and a new team whose trust in her continues to waver.
Determined to harness the power of her former role to succeed in her new one, Nena must also face what she left behind. Old fears, resentments, and anger threaten the precarious hold Nena has on her new life as she realizes that the past—and the people from it—are never far behind.
A.C. Arthur
The next step…
For Talaya, the past ten months have been a roller coaster of emotions—fear, grief, joy, love. She’s not sure which ones are simply frequent visitors or which are the reality she can hold onto. All she knows for certain is that she wants Ridge, for however long fate allows.
Keeping Promises…
For Ridge, turmoil and influx aren’t new. Waking up every morning to a gorgeous headstrong woman in his bed though, well that’s something he’s surprisingly getting used to. Until her nightmares begin and the careful realm of normal he’d been trying to weave for them comes crashing down.
Now, to save the family they’ve both yearned for, they must fully embrace their healing and focus on the future. But will facing a new adversary open the gates to a world of death and destruction?
Nia Forrester
Former ADA turned defense lawyer Lainey Abbott is beginning to worry. It looks like the rest of her professional life will be spent representing dope boys in stop-and-frisk cases, just to help keep the lights on at her and Greg Knight’s law practice. Then a star football player from an elite college shows up at their door.
A young, beautiful classmate, with whom he had an erratic three-month fling, was just found dead, and right away he’s in the NYPD’s crosshairs. Could be a fairly straightforward case to defend. Or maybe not. He’s Black, and the missing girl is white.
Without hesitation, Lainey agrees to represent him. She and Greg are hungry for a case like this because they know firsthand how unequal American justice can be. Soon, the ‘straightforward’ case becomes much more complicated than they ever imagined. And if that weren’t bad enough, Lainey’s relationship with Det. Russ Sanders might be unraveling. He isn’t crazy about her working on criminal defense, and worse yet with a former lover as a law partner.
But the biggest test of all is yet to come, and once again, it’s about her missing sister, Stephanie.
Christina C. Jones
You ever accidentally ended up in perfect sync?
Jessica Lewis
Don’t go outside past dark. Come straight home after church. And above all—never, ever, go into Red Wood.
These are the rules Latavia’s aunt gives her when Latavia arrives in Sanctum, Alabama for the summer. Though, weird as they are, living in Sanctum does have its pros. Mainly, the cute girl who works at the local ice cream shop.
But Sanctum is turning out to be as strange as the rules—and the longer Latavia’s in town, the more suspicious she is that the people there are hiding something. And the more clear it is that she’s an outsider. Everyone’s nice enough, but they seem determined to prove everything is normal.
But it’s not. Because there’s something in Red Wood that the towns’ people are hiding. And if Latavia doesn’t follow her aunt’s rules, she might not be able to leave Sanctum. Ever…
Sheryl Lister
Located an hour away from San Diego, the small town of Blackmont, California, is known for its peaceful surroundings and majestic lakes. However, secrets and danger lurk just below the surface. And some secrets could prove to be deadly.
Love may be a distraction neither of them will live to enjoy . . .
When Zahra Chandler unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s small-town home and bookstore, she jumps at the chance to leave LA. There’s just one problem: she also, unknowingly, inherits a long-buried secret that someone would go to any lengths to protect, including murder. The only thing standing between her and a killer is the town’s arrogant, but irresistibly sexy sheriff—a man who ignites in her a passion she’s never felt.
Kendall McKnight takes his job as sheriff seriously and is always prepared for anything . . . except his instant attraction to newcomer Zahra. As they’re drawn together in their search for clues, protecting her becomes less about civic duty and much more about carnal desire and he’s in danger of losing the one thing he vowed never to risk again—his heart. But the threat is closer than they realize and the truth could tear them apart forever.
Contains mature themes.
Vanessa Miller
Two girls’ lives are irrevocably intertwined the summer of 1985 in the streets of Brooklyn, New York, and neither will ever be the same in this coming-of-age story that spans decades.
In the summer of 1985, Lisa Whitaker is a church kid headed to college on a scholarship while her best friend, Dana, is floundering in the wake of her mother’s latest eviction. Though Lisa tries to help, their paths diverge. Fifteen years later, Lisa has a beautiful family and is stepping into her dream job as the director for a social services organization. Everything is going right—until her future is snatched away by identity theft. Her life begins to unravel, and Lisa wants nothing more than to see the woman responsible pay for her crimes.
When she was a teenager, Dana Jones always felt alone in this world. Her mother was addicted to drugs, her boyfriend was entering a life of crime, and it seemed Dana, too, was heading down the wrong path. The only bright light was her friendship with Lisa. Now, in the new millennium, Dana finally gives herself permission to dream—to believe she is stepping into better days. But when the betrayal of their friendship comes to light, it will take a lifetime to forgive the destruction that youthful summer in Bed-Stuy set in motion.
In this latest story from beloved author Vanessa Miller, two girls from the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, find that their paths have been woven together by the love of community and a friendship that is tested by time, betrayal, and unforgiveness.
Denene Millner
Meet Grace: raised by her beloved grandmother in tension-filled, post-segregation Virginia, Grace is barely a teenager when she loses her grandmother. Shellshocked, she is shipped up North to live with her formidably ambitious Aunt Hattie―a woman who firmly left behind her Southern roots in pursuit of upward mobility. Feeling like a fish out of water in the high society world filled with fancy teas and coveted debutante balls, Grace’s only place of comfort is with the smart, handsome son of one of the society’s grand dames.
Meet Delores: beautiful, intelligent and fierce, Delores a.k.a. Lolo has never had it easy. Once she makes it north, she puts aside her dream of being a model to do what she has to do to survive as a woman with little money and no mooring: get married and have a family of her own. When secrets start to spill out and she and her family slowly begin to unravel, Lolo is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her dream intact and those she loves together.
Meet Rae: when Lolo’s headstrong daughter, Rae discovers that she is adopted, it’s just one secret among others that her family is keeping. When Rae finds out that she’s about to become a mother herself, she knows that there is an important reckoning that must be faced about herself and her two mothers.
Tyora Moody
Eugeena Patterson-Jones and her husband, Amos Jones, finally head out for their long-awaited honeymoon in Music City. As part of a surprise, Eugeena is treated to a concert starring one of her favorite singers. Cinnamon Waters, also a childhood friend, invites Eugeena and Amos backstage. Behind the glitz and music, tension brews and Eugeena finds out someone wants to harm Cinnamon.
When one mishap after the other keeps happening, the couple’s romantic getaway takes a backseat to trying to save her friend’s life.
His Main Attraction (audiobook)
Stephanie Nicole Norris
As an emerging star with her girl group Genesis Rising, lead singer Tina Braddon’s career elevates at every turn. She has the best of friends and her close family she cherishes more than anything. Beautiful, healthy, and a lover at heart, Tina absorbs all the goodness life has to offer—including her healthy competitiveness to win. But the man of her dreams is the one person who remains out of her reach. He’s here today and gone tomorrow, and Tina can’t help but wonder if it’s for the best.
CIA operative Malik Anthony Clark has a jones in his bones for the stunning lead singer of Genesis Rising. But his top-secret missions keep him in the shadows—only able to watch her from afar while longing for her like a figment of his imagination. However, when an opportunity arises for Malik to give Tina his undivided attention, Malik never looks back, taking a chance on love that he hopes will last an eternity.
Robbi Renee
Justin Davenport’s effortless swag and business prowess make him a hot commodity in Haven Pointe. The second oldest son of the Davenport family dynasty, Justin is a man who is all work and a little play, with many disturbances. Tortured by traumatic loss, he copes by entertaining distractions in the form of beautiful women. Justin always delivers a good time but never promises a tomorrow with him, let alone a lifetime. He is who he is; take him or leave him, but women rarely want to depart. But what happens when emotionless distractions are no longer enough to mask the hurt?
Elori Maxey is a single mom, dancer, and yoga instructor hustling hard to rebound in a familiar, yet new city after the death of her biggest supporter, her daddy. Elori’s effortless beauty, zen spirit, and Brooklyn swagger doesn’t go unnoticed in Haven Pointe. She’s looked for love in all the wrong places but still hopes to find a kindred soul connection. Elori’s free spirit begins to play tricks on her when she finds herself desiring to be more than just a diversion.
Justin and Elori find themselves in unsuspecting territory – battling between restored passion and empty adoration. What happens when two anguished souls collide? Is it a beautiful distraction or a catastrophic disruption?
Kay Shanee
Kamille Boatwright appears to have it all. As the owner of a successful business, her funds are unlimited. However, her professional life is the only thing that seems to be working in her favor. Aside from Ari, her best friend and business partner, Kamille’s social life is nonexistent, and her relationship with a few members of her family leave a lot to be desired. As her two-week-long family vacation nears, Kamille is excited until her cousins point out that she’s going solo, once again. Kamille doesn’t have a problem with being single, but she gets sick and tired of it being thrown in her face. Ari suggests Kamille uses an upscale escort service to find the perfect man to accompany her on the trip. Kamille isn’t sold on the idea, but eventually, she takes her friend’s advice.
Qaseem Mavens is every woman’s dream. He’s handsome, successful, and every bit of a gentleman but will resort to his street instincts in a heartbeat. When the chance to become a legitimate business owner was dropped in his lap, Qaseem didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity. Ten years later, he owns and operates Platinum Connections, the Midwest’s most well-known, elite, and lucrative escort service for wealthy Blacks. When Kamille reaches out for an escort, something tells him she isn’t the average client, and Qaseem wants to make sure he connects her with one of his best escorts. However, when plans fall through at the last minute, he decides to take the job himself.
Find out what happens when this unlikely duo is charged with pretending they are madly in love for two weeks. Will there be a love connection, or will Kamille and Qaseem return to their lives when it’s time for them to part ways?
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Toni Shiloh
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Yahrah St. John
Free-spirited Asia Reynolds dreams of opening her own jewelry store—but her inheritance alone won’t cover the cost. When she meets sexy billionaire Blake Coleman, everything changes. They spend one sensational night together and then he’s gone…and aspiring businesswoman Asia discovers she’s pregnant!
Asia is determined to succeed on her own without telling Blake about the baby. He wanted just one night, so that’s all he’ll get. But the former playboy can’t forget Asia and vows to make her his. When Blake learns the truth about his pending fatherhood, will it stop him in his tracks or lead to the family he never expected?
Anise Vance
After the murder of an unarmed Black teenager by the hands of the police, protests spread like wildfire in Bliss City, New Jersey. A full-scale resistance group takes control of an abandoned housing project and decides to call it Hush Harbor in homage to the secret spaces their enslaved ancestors would gather in to pray.
Jeremiah Prince, alongside his sister Nova, are leaders of the revolution, but have ideological differences regarding how the movement should proceed. When a new mayor with ties to white supremacists threatens the group’s pseudo-sanctuary and locks the city down, the collective must come to a decision for their very survival.