It’s officially fall, and thankfully, there’s lots of great books to snuggle up with. Here are some of the books released in October.
Knight of Paradise Island
J.L. Campbell
Someone is killing women and the villain’s next target strikes too close to the Kingdom of Durabia.
Dorian “Ryan” Bostwick is a protector and he’s one of the best in the business. When a King of the Castle assigns him to find his former lover, Aziza, he stumbles upon a deadly underworld operating close to the Durabian border.
Aziza Hampton had just rekindled her love affair with Ryan when a night out with friends ends in her kidnapping. Alone and scared, she must find a way to escape her captor and reunite with her lover.
In a race against time, Ryan and the Kings of the Castle follow ominous clues into the underbelly of a system designed to take advantage of the vulnerable. Failure isn’t an option and Ryan will rain down hell on earth to save the woman of his heart.
Scavenger
Christopher Chambers
Christopher Chambers, author of A Prayer for Deliverance and Sympathy for the Devil (NAACP Image Award nominee) brings a 21st-century take on hardboiled noir tales in SCAVENGER, a gripping thriller underscored by themes of race, homelessness, hustling, and the savagery―and salvation―of the human psyche.
The novel centers on Dickie Cornish, a Black streetwise survivor living in a homeless camp near D.C.’s Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Framed for the murder of two of his closest friends and facing life in prison, Dickie crosses paths with wealthy ex-Homeland Security Secretary, Jamie Bracht. Bracht offers him a chance at a new life if Dickie can navigate an underground world to uncover a prize Bracht will stop at nothing to acquire.
As Dickie searches, SCAVENGER tracks its way through an underground population of Washington, D.C., where hustlers, drug addicts, homeless, and undocumented immigrants jostle for crumbs while trying to survive. Chambers paints a portrait of D.C. from the ground up, with back-alley streetscapes, gentrification clashes, and unexpected encounters between politicians and bottom-rung natives―all set against a soundscape of patois, street Spanish, and D.C. slang. A hopeless amateur detective at first, Dickie quickly learns the ropes of being a sleuth in a cat-and-mouse game of greed, deceit, double-crossing, and murder.
Ring Shout
Djèlí Clark
IN AMERICA, DEMONS WEAR WHITE HOODS.
In 1915, The Birth of a Nation cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan’s ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die.
Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan’s demons straight to Hell. But something awful’s brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up.
Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world?
Daughters of Jubilation
Kara Lee Corthron
In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move.
On top of all that, Evvie’s magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation—a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie’s talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface…
And when the demons of Evvie’s past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her.
Class Act
Jerry Craft
Eighth grader Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn’t afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted?
To make matters worse, Drew begins to feel as if his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids. He wants to pretend like everything is fine, but it’s hard not to withdraw, and even their mutual friend Jordan doesn’t know how to keep the group together.
As the pressures mount, will Drew find a way to bridge the divide so he and his friends can truly accept each other? And most important, will he finally be able to accept himself?
The Last Rule of Makeups
Nina Crespo
Cori Ross is thanking her lucky stars. Sure, her long-time boyfriend just dumped her, but that’s a good thing. In her rush to find Mr. Right, she realizes she almost settled for Mr. Just Okay. And that’s definitely not okay. So, tonight, she’s out with her friends at the Breakup Bash—a private party for women celebrating their break-ups—and she’s actually celebrating. Still, it was too close a call. So she makes a deal with herself—no guys for six months.
Unfortunately, just as she’s leaving the club, she runs into her old boyfriend, Grey Latham—the guy she’d always wanted to be Mr. Right. Great. What a time to swear off guys. Maybe she needs to change the deal—no relationships for six months. There’s no reason why she can’t have a fling, right? Because Grey still holds the title of the best sex she’s ever had.
There’s no way this could go wrong. Grey is on his way to international DJ fame—he’s only in town for a short time, and then he’ll be gone again. No harm in burning up the sheets while it lasts.
Sins of a Saint
Sherelle Green
Ever lock eyes with someone from across the room and know it was sinful?
HIM
Deliciously dangerous and addictive. That’s how I felt when I kissed her. My gut knew she was trouble before my heart did, but she betrayed both. I swore on my Crowne family, that trust was something I’d never give twice. But with the past creeping back to light – and her along with it – it seems my world might fall victim to the messy kind of secrets I’m usually so good at cleaning up.
HER
If sin had a taste, it would be him. But in our world, trust isn’t given, it’s only received once you’ve proven your loyalty. I doubt he’ll ever look at me the same again, but he’s the only person I can turn to. The only one for the job. It takes one look from him to know I’m in more trouble than I thought. He might be a saint, but sinful is his nature. Unfortunately for me, I’ve always been the sinning type.
Please Note: Sins of a Saint contains sex, violence, and profanity and is the thrilling introduction into the Crowne family. It is not required to read the sexy, fast-burn prelude – Face Down Fridays – first, but highly recommended for overall enjoyment.
Judge’s Girls
Sharina Harris
Three very different women. Only one thing in common. But when their family patriarch dies and they must share his estate, the truths they discover will test them—and everything they think they know about each other.
Beloved Georgia judge Joseph Donaldson was known for his unshakable fairness, his hard-won fortune—and a scandalous second marriage to his much-younger white secretary. Now he’s left a will with a stunning provision. In order to collect their inheritance, his lawyer daughter Maya, her stepmother Jeanie, and Jeanie’s teen daughter, Ryder, must live together at the family lake house. Maya and Jeanie don’t exactly get along, but they reluctantly agree to try an uneasy peace for as long as it takes . . .
But fragile ex-beauty queen Jeanie doesn’t know who she is beyond being a judge’s wife—and drinking away her insecurities has her in a dangerous downward spiral. Fed up with her mother’s humiliating behavior, Ryder tries to become popular at school in all the wrong ways. And when Maya attempts to help, she puts her successful career and her shaky love life at risk. Now with trouble they didn’t see coming—and secrets they can no longer hide—these women must somehow find the courage to admit their mistakes, see each other for who they really are—and slowly, perhaps even joyfully, discover everything they could be.
Sanctuary
Alexandria House
Young love lost.
Two hearts in limbo.
An unbreakable bond.
A love story for the ages.
Sweetest Taboo
Brenda Jackson
The moment Sonya Morrison gazes into Mike Kelly’s deep blue eyes she knows that he wants her. But she also knows he is wasting his time. She doesn’t do vanilla, and is surprised when he boldly informs her that he’s never acquired a taste for chocolate. Mike and Sonya are in for quite a surprise when struck with an urge to sample the forbidden, and that can only mean one course of action for this couple who risks savoring the sweetest taboo.
Twins
Varian Johnson
Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran — a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!
Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there’s nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good?
B. Love
When Maddox’s grandmother dies and leaves him with her half of the only black owned movie theater in Legacy Lakes, the last thing he wants to do is leave his highly lucrative job and beautifully well-kept woman behind… especially to deal with Daliah — the other owner of the theater and his childhood nemesis.
Unlike Maddox, Daliah wants to keep the theater open and improve it to bring in a younger crowd. While they may not agree on what to do with the business left to them, they can agree on one thing — neither of them wants anything to do with love.
As always, fate begins to work in their unwilling favor. While Daliah works to create reel love within Maddox… he begins to create real love within her. Will they accept both of their grandmothers meddling from their graves and surrender to fate… or will this be one romance that ends without a happily ever after?
A Simmering Dilemma
Tyora Moody
Eugeena and Amos are married, but the happy couple may see their new life fall apart when Amos’ daughter moves in next door. Briana Jones is cooking up mayhem when she hooks up with old friends.
When Amos receives a call in the middle of the night, he jumps into action to help his daughter whose quickly becoming a suspect in a murder. Eugeena doesn’t want to rock the boat between Amos and his daughter, but she can tell Briana is keeping secrets.
How is Eugeena going to help find the real
Long Way Down
Jason Reynolds
Will’s older brother, Shawn, has been shot.
Dead.
Will feels a sadness so great, he can’t explain it. But in his neighborhood, there are THE RULES:
No. 1: Crying.
Don’t.
No matter what.
No. 2: Snitching
Don’t.
No matter what.
No. 3: Revenge
Do.
No matter what.
But bullets miss. You can get the wrong guy. And there’s always someone else who knows to follow the rules…
Take You Down
D. Rose
Falling in love was never a part of the plan.
For Leslyn Harvey and Ogun Olumide, all they needed was someone to answer when called. At first, the trips, gifts, and sex were enough to keep them pleased.
But what happens when the need becomes emotional?
Leslyn and Ogun must put their fears aside and do the one thing they swore to never do, fall in love.
Where She Lays
Dahlia Rose
Patrick Royale is the first born into a wealthy family with seven sons who were the most eligible bachelors in San Francisco. With his mother on his case about getting married, Patrick and his brothers are hesitant to bring any girl home. Then there was Jewel, a waitress with a streak of pure white hair and a smile that could outshine the sun. instantly smitten, their relationship begins hard and fast. Jewel doesn’t care about his money or what the hell he drives. She doesn’t wasn’t fancy clothes and is more attached to her favorite mug and her truck than people. It leads to steamy nights in her home on wheels aka her silver airstream nicknamed ‘baby’. That was until it was stolen, and Jewel has nowhere to go.
Come home with me, the solution quickly came to his lips, but then the Royale talisman comes into play and so does his crazy rich chaotic family. No one has ever been able to sleep in that bed with the coin under the mattress and Patrick comes up with his own plan to thwart his mother. Jewel was too important, and no coin was going to dictate who can have his heart. But that damn talisman was more like a curse than anything else. It could cost Patrick the woman of his dreams who encouraged him to reach past the stars for himself first and no one else. Except Patrick wants to give her the stars and moon combined.
Hate to Love You
Sabrina B. Scales, Kelsey Green, Kimmie Ferrel, Candice Johnson
There’s a thin line between love and hate… Or is it?
Rose Gold Press is excited to bring you a collection of four short, page-turning love stories. From sweet and heartwarming moments to hot and steamy love scenes, the unforgettable characters in this collection are bringing you a little sweet, dipped in a whole lot of sexy.
The Art of Love by Kelsey Green
All it took was one night to bring Peyton back into Hasani’s life. But with passion, lust and revelations seeping from every blurry memory, Hasani will have to do her best to remember how it all fits together. For the art of love is painted in the details.
Stuck With You by Kimmie Ferrell
Landon only has ten days to show Gianna he’s not the man she thinks he is. But the uphill battle to win her heart is not easy. As the two rival event planners work to pull off the wedding of the century, they realize sometimes the best kind of love is unplanned.
Uber Intentions by Candice Johnson
Laken’s debut novel is poised to blow up every book list. But author Knight’s poisonous pen – and plagiarism lawsuit – threatens her potential best-selling title. Not only are they former secret friends with benefits, but they’re essentially telling the same story. Will Knight and Laken remain enemies? Or will they reconcile… via Uber?
Restored by Sabrina B. Scales
Ten years after their bad break-up, Deja and Orlando are forced to spend time together. As expected, tensions are high and it’s impossible to imagine reconciliation after such a long rift. Will Lando and Deja be able to restore what was lost or will they continue down two paths leading in opposite directions?
Claimed by the Hero
Yahrah St. John
As the oldest son of a legacy a military family, Caden Mitchell has always done what was expected of him. Get straight A’s, go to West Point, become a Major in the Army. Check. Check. Now Caden wants a career in the political arena and with his family connections, the governorship of Maryland he has his eye on is within his grasp.
Too bad, his love life took a backseat to his ambition. Back in the day at West Point, Caden found Savannah Grace Vasquez, the love of his life, but after a few short months together she disappeared from his life never to be heard from again. But now that’s he’s back in the spotlight, Savannah has resurfaced bringing with her an autistic son he never knew he had. Should he risk it all for the love they once shared and could have again? Or should he marry the woman his family has chosen for him as the perfect political wife?
Asha and Boom, Part 2
Keith Thomas Walker
All hell breaks loose when Asha saves her cousin from a notorious kingpin. When Mr. Brown retaliates against her, he unwittingly unleashes every one of Boom’s demons. The streets of Overbrook Meadows have never been so bloody.
Memorial
Bryan Washington
Benson and Mike are two young guys who live together in Houston. Mike is a Japanese American chef at a Mexican restaurant and Benson’s a Black day care teacher, and they’ve been together for a few years—good years—but now they’re not sure why they’re still a couple. There’s the sex, sure, and the meals Mike cooks for Benson, and, well, they love each other.
But when Mike finds out his estranged father is dying in Osaka just as his acerbic Japanese mother, Mitsuko, arrives in Texas for a visit, Mike picks up and flies across the world to say goodbye. In Japan he undergoes an extraordinary transformation, discovering the truth about his family and his past. Back home, Mitsuko and Benson are stuck living together as unconventional roommates, an absurd domestic situation that ends up meaning more to each of them than they ever could have predicted. Without Mike’s immediate pull, Benson begins to push outwards, realizing he might just know what he wants out of life and have the goods to get it.
Both men will change in ways that will either make them stronger together, or fracture everything they’ve ever known. And just maybe they’ll all be okay in the end.
If the Boot Fits
Rebekah Weatherspoon
Working as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood’s cruelest divas has left Amanda Queen more determined than ever to sell her screenplay and gain her independence. In the meantime, she’ll settle for a temporary escape. When her employer is felled by the flu on Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, Amanda gets her glam on, struts out the door, and parties with the glitterati. But she never expects to come face to face—and closer than close—with one of the hottest stars in the game . . .
Following up his first Oscar win with a steamy after-hours romp with an enigmatic woman seems like the perfect way for actor Sam Pleasant to celebrate—until she suddenly disappears. Worse, she’s vanished with the wrong swag bag: the one containing his Oscar statue, leaving Sam even more intrigued about the beauty’s identity—and wondering if a repeat performance of their amazing night is in the stars. And when a second chance encounter happens, only a trip to Sam’s family ranch—and revealing the whole, not-always-glamorous, truth about themselves—will give them a chance to turn one magical night into forever . . .
Knight of Irondale
J.L. Woodson, Naleighna Kai, Martha Emmerson
Neesha Carpenter is on the run from a stalker ex-boyfriend, so why are the police hot on her trail?
Neesha escaped the madness of her previous relationship only to discover the Chicago Police have named her the prime suspect in her ex’s shooting. With her life spinning out of control, she turns to the one man who’s the biggest threat to her heart—Christian Vidal, her high school sweetheart.
Christian has always been smitten with Neesha’s strength, intelligence and beauty. He offers her safe haven in the kingdom of Durabia and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even enlisting the help of the Kings of the Castle.
Neesha and Christian’s rekindled flame burns hotter even as her stay in the country places the royal family at odds with the American government.
As mounting evidence points to Neesha’s guilt, Christian must ask the hard question … is the woman he loves being framed or did she pull the trigger?
This post contains affiliate links.