It seems like June only lasted two days, but authors were very busy during that time. Here are a few black books released last month.
Children of Anguish and Anarchy
Tomi Adeyemi
New allies rise.
The Blood Moon nears.
Zélie faces her final enemy.
The king who hunts her heart.
When Zélie seized the royal palace that fateful night, she thought her battles had come to an end. The monarchy had finally fallen. The maji had risen again. Zélie never expected to find herself locked in a cage and trapped on a foreign ship. Now warriors with iron skulls traffic her and her people across the seas, far from their homeland.
Then everything changes when Zélie meets King Baldyr, her true captor, the ruler of the Skulls, and the man who has ravaged entire civilizations to find her. Baldyr’s quest to harness Zélie’s strength sends Zélie, Amari, and Tzain searching for allies in unknown lands.
But as Baldyr closes in, catastrophe charges Orïsha’s shores. It will take everything Zélie has to face her final enemy and save her people before the Skulls annihilate them for good.
Aja
Long awaited . . .
Two sets of siblings. One father. Now meet.
A father’s dream to completely recompense for his wrongs and love all his children together is granted to him. Will it be drama, or will it be all love? Maybe it’ll be both.
Listener’s note: Before listening to We Are One, listeners should have listened to the Soulmates series and the Enigma series books because We Are One is a union and reunion of both series.
Contains mature themes.
Danielle Allen
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an epiphany: this ain’t it. She knows what she wants, and she’s ready to move past casual hookups, flings, and situationships.
But for her family, the clock is ticking—after all, she’s almost thirty. And when they imply that her personality (and her body) might be too big to land a man, she lets them know they’ve gone too far—and her (nonexistent) man loves her curves, thank you very much. Now, she has seven weeks to find the perfect boyfriend to rub in their faces at the big, fancy birthday celebration she’s been planning.
After her first blind date goes wrong, charming local bartender Ahmad Williamson consoles her with a drink and some playful banter. Aaliyah takes him up on his suggestion to use a dating app—but the more she sees of his warm, funny, and easygoing nature, the less she wants to check her DMs. Will her next swipe bring her closer to true love—or is her real match closer than she thinks?
Brenda Barrett
Cayenne finds herself entangled in a web of confusion when she discovers her best friend’s co-worker, Dirk James, bears an uncanny resemblance to her teenage crush, Lance Cauldwell. Despite the striking similarity, Dirk seems to be oblivious to Cayenne’s existence and is more interested in her friend, Alex.
Cayenne was left with a mystery; how could two people be so alike and why did she feel the same with Dirk as she did with Lance?
ML Bash
Rook Barron, the youngest son of the Barron family, is led by his temper and need for respect before anything else.
When it’s his turn to accept a marriage planned by his eldest brother, Rook is skeptical about fulfilling his duties despite tradition.
When his temper causes mayhem in the life of a woman who has everything riding on a marriage, he quickly sees it as an opportunity to solve several issues at once, but their alliance may become the biggest issue of all as they navigate their newfound intertwined lives and their family’s expectations.
A. Blossom
Claim my heart and protect me like a bodyguard.
Protection. Monroe Iris has lived her entire life seeking it. She longs to have a safe space to fall in love—to be vulnerable. She’s surrounded by things and people that were put in place to fill her with security but has none. Her entire life has been molded around being the perfect wife for an imperfect man. She’s stuck following a family tradition that doesn’t mean her well, without anyone in her corner to save her.
Tradition. Dr. Royale London doesn’t do things for the sake of tradition. After choosing to walk away from his birthright as Capo of his family’s cartel, he dedicated his life to opening new doors and creating his own legacy. When Monroe shows up in his office seeking his services, he knows instantly that she needs more than what she initially came for.
For the first time in her life, Monroe is provided the protection she’s always wanted, but her duty to her family refuses to let her go. Will Dr. London be able to protect Monroe and help her carve out a new family legacy of her own, or will Monroe find that finding a bodyguard isn’t enough to save her?
Essie Chambers
It’s the summer of 1987 in Swift River, and Diamond Newberry is learning how to drive. Ever since her Pop disappeared seven years ago, she and her mother hitchhike everywhere they go. But that’s not the only reason Diamond stands out: she’s teased relentlessly about her weight, and since Pop’s been gone, she is the only Black person in all of Swift River. This summer, Ma is determined to declare Pop legally dead so that they can collect his life insurance money, get their house back from the bank, and finally move on.
But when Diamond receives a letter from a relative she’s never met, key elements of Pop’s life are uncovered, and she is introduced to two generations of African American Newberry women, whose lives span the 20th century and reveal a much larger picture of prejudice and abandonment, of love and devotion. As pieces of their shared past become clearer, Diamond gains a sense of her place in the world and in her family. But how will what she’s learned of the past change her future?
A story of first friendships, family secrets, and finding the courage to let go, Swift River is a sensational debut about how history shapes us and heralds the arrival of a major new literary talent.
Parker J. Cole
A woman burdened with a secret. A man haunted by loss. An Amish community where all is not as it appears.
When an unscrupulous thief depletes her film company’s funds, Tiana Morgan, a talented location scout and photographer, is compelled to secure a crucial filming location to save the project. The ideal spot lies within Cedar Creek, but the Amish community there strictly limits access to potential converts. Desperate, Tiana poses as a convert, risking everything for her company’s survival.
Unexpectedly, Tiana encounters Noah Giovanni, the younger brother of her estranged best friend. She learns of her friend’s untimely death—and the fact that Noah holds Tiana responsible.
Having sought refuge in the tranquility of Cedar Creek for the past four years, Noah finds his new life disrupted by Tiana’s sudden appearance. As old wounds reopen, he grapples with his feelings towards his sister’s former best friend.
Noah soon suspects Tiana is hiding something and is determined to find out what it is. Soon he’s forced to confront his past. As Noah digs deeper, Tiana dodges his probes, pushing him to question everything he believed. Can he handle the truth or will it be more than he could bear?
Briann Danae
Fueled by her impulsive desire to create a memorable night, Sovanna approaches the finest man in the club. Boldly, she introduces herself to Zahir, confident he won’t reject her… and he doesn’t. Instead, he exceeds her expectations, making it clear that a mere one-night stand was just the beginning for them and the least she could’ve asked for. With Zahir, Sovanna realizes that she means much more to him than a fleeting, passionate encounter.
She’s Not a Star: Somebody Lied
Mel Dau
What do you do when life throws you lemons, but you hate lemonade?
For Assante Bowen, that was exactly how bittersweet his life was proving itself to be. The betrayal of loved ones was the cut in his skin. The consequences of said betrayal was the lemon juice dripped into that cut. After years of solitude, will it make him a better man ready to be received and most importantly forgiving? They say when God wants to teach you forgiveness, He puts you in situations that might just require you to forgive.
Majestic Starr Callahan’s name is definitely not a reflection of the life she’s lived. The aura of her name did not match the dimness that had fallen over her life. Once she decides to do something about it, it leads her down a road to a cabin. In this cabin, will she find everything she needs and wants, or will a sudden uninvited guest be termite to the already rotting wood that is her life?
All her life, Majestic has been told that she’s not a star. Will Assante be the man to prove to her that somebody lied? Let’s find out.
Shay Davis
Chasing your dreams is never easy.
Jade put her dreams on hold for love once and it was a mistake she vows to never repeat. It’s time for her to enter her boss era. The only thing that remains on Jade’s mind is building her net worth and looking good while doing it. If it’s not about the next big business deal, then it doesn’t belong in Jade’s world.
Growing up in Philly, Tate knew there were few paths for him to take. He could follow after his brother and friends, getting sucked into the streets, or he could work hard and find another escape route. Tate eventually finds his way, choosing to work tirelessly at chasing and achieving his dreams. Yet, even with a humble mindset and a go hard grind ethic, he finds himself in a situation where things begin to disintegrate before his eyes. He’s not built to be quitter, so Tate is prepared to do any and everything before he gives up the one thing he loves.
Jade and Tate both choose business over pleasure, but when the waters get murky, seemingly easy decisions suddenly become difficult. Dreams can come true and dreams can change. But what happens when the mind and the heart aren’t on the same page?
Delaney Diamond
Sparks fly between a matchmaker and her billionaire client, blurring the lines between love and professionalism.
Entrepreneur and acclaimed chef Bruno Santana is tired of the dating scene and reluctantly hires matchmaker Marissa Liburd to help him find a wife. As he embarks on a series of dates, none of the women measure up, and he quickly realizes why. Despite Marissa’s professional demeanor, he’s increasingly attracted to her and drawn to her warmth and personality during their consultations.
Marissa, a single mom juggling the demands of her career and son, faces an unexpected challenge. She’s captivated by Bruno, who embodies everything a woman could want. He’s successful, good-looking, and very wealthy.
Dating clients is strictly forbidden, and Marissa grapples with the intense chemistry simmering between them—aware that giving in could jeopardize everything she’s worked hard for—her reputation and her livelihood.
Phyllis Dixon
Money is security. Always. Margo Dupree has lived by that rule since childhood, when her father’s death plunged her and her mother into poverty. Marriage brought only disillusionment and struggle. But it also gave Margo the determination to migrate north in search of a better life for herself and her young daughter, Lana.
The north, however, isn’t the panacea she expected, and Margo finds herself contending with the all-too-familiar obstacles of racism and prejudice, not to mention the new stresses of urban living. But things change once she realizes that what was once her greatest shame is now her greatest asset—the skills she learned from her mother’s job as a cook. Using her tasty recipes, personality, and relentless hustle, Margo begins to build a successful restaurant chain. Yet despite her ever-more desperate efforts, she can’t earn her heart’s deepest desire: Lana’s forgiveness for her early absence.
As Lana becomes a beautiful young woman with an increasingly mercenary temperament, Margo wonders if she knows her daughter at all—and if she can save her from the bitter and frighteningly dangerous mistakes that may shatter both of their worlds . . .
Jenny Erlingsson
Desperate for extra income after her mother’s passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She’s working to save her parents’ legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.
John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he’s ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set–and definitely not a fan.
Sparks of tension–and could that be attraction?–fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John’s scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what’s right in front of them?
Desmond Hall
Deja is a “barrel girl”—one of the Jamaican kids who get barrels full of clothes, food, and treats shipped to them from parents who have moved to the US or Canada to make more money. Gabriel is caught up in a gang and desperate for a way out. When he meets Deja at a party, he starts looking for a way into her life and wonders if they could be a part of each other’s futures.
Then, one day while out fishing, Deja spies a go-fast boat stalled out by some rocks, smeared with blood. Inside, a badly wounded man thrusts a knapsack at her, begging her to deliver it to his original destination, and to not say a word. She binds his wounds, determined to send for help and make good on her promise…not realizing that the bag is stuffed with $500,000 American. Not realizing that the posse Gabriel is in will stop at nothing to get their hands on this bag—or that Gabriel’s and her lives will intersect in ways neither ever imagined, as they both are forced to make split-second choices to keep the ones they love most alive.
Rachel Howzell Hall
Bailey Meadows has just moved into the remote Topanga Canyon home of thriller author Jack Beckham. As his writer-in-residence, she’s supposed to help him once again reach the bestseller list. But she’s not there to write a thriller—she’s there to find Sam Morris, a community leader dedicated to finding missing people, who has disappeared in the canyon surrounding Beckham’s property.
The missing woman was last seen in the drought-stricken forest known for wildfires and mountain lions. Each new day, Bailey learns just how dangerous these canyons are—for the other women who have also gone missing here…and for her. Could these missing women be linked to strange events that occurred decades ago at the Beckham estate?
As fire season in the canyons approaches, Bailey must race to unravel the truth from fiction before she becomes the next woman lost in the forest.
Suzette D. Harrison
Floretta Coleman is young, determined, and gifted. A graduate of Madame C.J. Walker’s esteemed beauty school, Floretta is on the brink of a bright future with plans to explore the world after completing her studies at Oberlin College. Her long-held dreams seem within reach until one telephone call shatters everything. Her mother, Iva Rae Coleman, has died unexpectedly. Devastated, Floretta returns to the small, all-Black town founded by enslaved ancestors to lay her mother to rest and is forced to navigate the complexities of loss and family obligation. Her younger brothers need her. So does her homeless great Aunt Sis, whose misfortune was caused by a family accident. She must grapple with these responsibilities as well as her parents’ unconventional relationship while being drawn to Packer Sims, a captivating horse rancher and Seminole Indian. Told against the rich tapestry of 1949 in the southern U.S., Floretta’s story is one of identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. Join her journey as Floretta forges a path that is forever beautiful and uniquely her own.
Dane C. Hawkins
“Path to Manhood” is a novel that encapsulates the essence of friendship, growth, and the complex journey of becoming a man. The story follows the life of Jairus and his best friends Ducron, Mike, and Ovaughn, four young black men whose paths intertwine during their transformative years at an HBCU in Atlanta at the turn of the century.
Jairus and his best friends, Ducron, Mike, and Ovaughn, although diverse in their aspirations and backgrounds, embark on their journey to manhood united by the bonds they build in college trying to make a life for themselves. Over the course of four years, they navigate life’s challenges, triumphs, and setbacks, all while pursuing individual destinies that lead them in divergent directions.
Set against the backdrop of a bustling HBCU campus, “Path to Manhood” explores how these young men navigate the walk into adulthood and the dynamic relationships that shape their decisions. Their fathers’ influence, or lack thereof, echoes through their choices, shaping their approaches to relationships, careers, independence and personal growth. As they encounter life’s obstacles and temptations, they develop who they want to be while balancing doing what’s right.
Central to their journeys are the women who stand by their sides – family and love interests – offering steady support as they navigate the challenges that come their way. Peer pressure, heartbreak, the specter of failure, and the weight of grief all test their resilience. Yet, the strength of their connections sustains them as they face these trials head-on.
Taraji P. Henson
In this debut picture book from Taraji P. Henson, quirky, stylish and a bit off-the-cuff Lil TJ is ready for her first day of school. But when she gets there, TJ finds that everything she does is a little different than everyone else and she’s standing out in all the wrong ways. Once TJ’s classmate Beau notices, he relentlessly teases her. TJ is filled with anxiety and doubt until she recalls some important words of wisdom from her Grandma Patsy. When she looks inside to her own creativity and personality, she figures out how to help herself make new friends! —and helps someone else too!
Alexandria House
LILITH
He’s excruciatingly handsome, and well, fine as hell.
He’s also my captor.
He won’t take his eyes off me.
He won’t let me go.
All I can do is hope he’ll let me live.
RAY
She’s beautiful, but she doesn’t understand me.
She doesn’t seem to grasp that things have to be this way.
She has to be mine.
And if she isn’t mine?
Well, she will die.
The Village Shorts (audiobook)
Alexandria House
Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan, Sharif Stevens, Nate Strong, Marcel Davenport, and Azalea.
Run time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
This audio compilation of Shoppe Exclusive Village Shorts Series is performed by a full cast and includes the following stories:
Joon-teenth
F*cking on the Fourth
Schoolhouse THOT
Two Hearts
Tiffany D. Jackson
Few can weather the storm.
As a thief on the streets of Cairo, Ororo Munroe is an expert at blending in—keeping her blue eyes low and her white hair beneath a scarf. Stealth is her specialty . . . especially since strange things happen when she loses control.
Lately, Ororo has been losing control more often, setting off sudden rainstorms and mysterious winds . . . and attracting dangerous attention. When she is forced to run from the Shadow King, a villain who steals people’s souls, she has nowhere to turn to but herself. There is something inside her, calling her across Africa, and the hidden truth of her heritage is close enough to taste.
But as Ororo nears the secrets of her past, her powers grow stronger and the Shadow King veers closer and closer. Can she outrun the shadows that chase her? Or can she step into the spotlight and embrace the coming storm?
Miss Jenesequa
A relationship is the last thing she wants right now. For her, business comes first and mixing business with pleasure is something she vowed to never do.
In his mind, relationships are just not built for men like him. But when fate aligns his paths with hers, all the walls he’s had built up around his heart come crashing down.
Things between them were only supposed to be professional. But what happens when they realize that keeping things strictly professional just isn’t nearly enough?
Christina C. Jones
For Rori Mitchell, delulu is decidedly not the solulu.
Getting her lick back is.
What starts as chance encounter at a sporting event ends up being a perfect distraction from the chaos of a broken heart. Instead of throwing herself into work, she throws herself – for good or bad – into Tatum Wilder.
An offensive tackle for the Connecticut Kings, Tatum is used to high-stakes games and intense scrutiny. On the field, he’s a powerhouse; off the field, he’s a country boy with gentleman tendencies… and a propensity toward knowing the right thing to say at all times.
Well.
Most of the time.
Their connection?
Immediate and undeniable.
Well…
They can deny it.
After all, with Rori on the heels of heartbreak, a relationship could be a disaster.
Free Agency might be a position of power.
Or maybe just a crutch.
Parker Jones
Savannah Salvatore is still reeling from her last failed relationship. After a failed situationship totally leaves her leery of dating altogether, a job offer from the hottest club in New York and its handsome owner have her rethinking her decision of staying single. She is settled in her new career as a content creator and isn’t sure she wants to take a chance on getting swept up in the world of Kingdom Enterprises.
Kingston Williams is the owner of Kingdom Enterprises, which is the home of several clubs throughout New York. Just a man from Harlem, he built his business from the ground up. A divorcee who is enjoying the single life has a chance encounter when Savannah is hired to host at his main location in Manhattan. He has lusted over her for a few years but never got the chance to be in her presence until now.
Upon their meeting he decides he must pursue her, but Savannah’s reluctance makes her even more intriguing. Will the King finally get his true Queen?
Sheryl Lister
When it comes to business, Mr. Black Los Angeles, Dante Powell believes in planning down to the smallest detail, and that includes the Juneteenth festival he’s spearheading. His personal life is another matter, however. He lives by one simple rule—no strings, only flings. But he didn’t count on the one night of explosive passion he shared with Jayana Cole or seeing her again.
A one-night stand. That’s all it was supposed to be. Now, Jayana isn’t sure it’s all she wants. Yet mixing business with pleasure could put her job in jeopardy. But Dante is a temptation she can’t resist, and she intends to show the die-hard bachelor that some rules are meant to be broken, and she’s his right now…and forever.
B. Love
Whiskee carries the weight of witnessing her mother’s tragic murder. With her father now gone, her only family is her older brother. Little does she know, her brother has a secret agenda that will reshape her destiny.
Beethoven struggles with the revelation that his father is not the honorable man he believed him to be. Faced with the news of an arranged marriage, Beethoven decides to break free from his father’s suffocating control.
As Whiskee’s life becomes entwined with Beethoven’s, a web of deceit, desire, and dangerous secrets unravel. Drawn to each other against all odds, they navigate a love they never saw coming.
In a world where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a currency, The Strongest Whiskee is a tale of love, redemption, and the struggle to break free from the chains of a treacherous legacy.
Tina Martin
Lavender Young left New York after being fired from Lush Magazine. She returns to the only home she knows – Lake Lure, North Carolina – under false pretenses. No one can know she didn’t make it big in the city, so she pretends she’s on assignment, photographing her hometown and writing an article about it. To keep up the façade, she gets money from her savings to hire a tour guide to update her on what’s new in the area. She never imagined that guide would be her ex, Jaysen Adams.
Jaysen always wondered why Lavender left him a year ago without any explanation. Will he push his anger aside to finally get the answers he so desperately needs?
Brandon Massey
After fifteen years of marriage, Adrian and Steph Wall’s relationship is in crisis. But their troubles multiply when their teenage daughter falls under the spell of Scarlett, a charismatic teen with a knack for shoplifting, joyriding—and secretly triggering tragic “accidents.”
Steph worries from the start about Scarlett’s negative influence on their daughter. But when Adrian discovers the girl’s connection to a powerful figure who could make or break his career, he’s torn between ambition and protecting his family from Scarlett’s growing menace.
As danger escalates and lies unravel, the Walls must confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets to save their family. Can they overcome the sinister forces threatening to rip them apart—or will bad influences destroy their family forever?
Rhonda McKnight
-The Present-
When summoned to Georgetown, South Carolina, sisters Mariah Clark and Sabrina Holland both assume their ailing grandfather’s health has gotten worse. Neither expects their grandmother’s undeniable request–save the family restaurant.
Mariah is at a crossroad in her life. After being dumped by her husband and forced to walk away from their diner that she helped rescue from bankruptcy, bitter feelings consume her. Even though the restaurant has been in the family for eighty-six years, giving her all to another struggling business isn’t something she wants to do.
Living out of her van and striving for a fresh start, Sabrina yearns for stability for herself and her daughter and a chance to turn her baking hustle into a bona-fide business. The family restaurant may be just the blessing she needs–but as old tensions and angry disagreements resurface, Sabrina wonders if her sister will let her have a say.
-The Past-
After falling victim to a love she thought would last a lifetime, Tabitha Cooper finds herself away from home and struggling to survive in Charleston in the early twentieth century. She is determined to turn corn into cornbread and to take care of her children the best way she knows how–by serving food that’s good for the soul–and along the way forges a path that leaves a legacy of success for generations to come.
Through letters that reveal Tabitha’s complicated past, the sisters discover truths that just might be the right recipe to mend their hearts–if they can find a way to savor the blessing of today and leave the bitter aftertaste of old memories behind them.
K.C. Mills
When a wife becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder, this criminal psychologist must forget everything she thought she knew in order to clear her name in this debut psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Shanora Williams’ The Wife Before.
Cassidy Evans is the blueprint. As a Criminal Psychologist, Cassidy is a savant. She spent years solving groundbreaking cases by shifting through the minds and behaviors of those driven by the darkness that controls them. After years of dedicated field work, Cassidy decides to retire and share her expertise of killers’ mentalities as a novelist.
As a published author, she’s now happily married and spends most of her time traveling the world and sharing with others how to understand the twisted minds that drive bad behaviors. Unfortunately, with all of the knowledge that Cassidy is armed with, she somehow overlooks the lies of the person closest to her. When she tags along to a crime scene with and old colleague, Cassidy is shocked to discover that the victim is her husband. If that’s not enough to send her world spiraling, she also finds out that the identity of the murdered victim, doesn’t match the name on their marriage license.
Things quickly escalate when Cassidy becomes the main suspect. Not knowing the man she is married to is the least of Cassidy’s problems. Everyone believes she is a murderer, and none more than the lead detective on the case¾Nathanial Davis. He is determined to find the truth while proving to the world that Cassidy isn’t who she claims to be. In doing so, he decides to keep Cassidy close while digging through her past to uncover all of her untold truths.
While she’s hiding secrets that could totally destroy the world she spent years building, Cassidy learns that things are never what they seem. With such an intricate familiarity of seeing through lies, how is it that Cassidy is happily married to a man who she loves and adores, but doesn’t truly know? Suddenly, losing her career is far less important than maintaining her freedom. In the end, she may lose both.
M. Monique
When crushes fall…
Since Poppi “Hood” Bloom was a kid, her love for flowers has been deep. She is devoted to her craft of making beautiful arrangements for whatever occasion her clients may desire. When a beloved teacher passes, Poppi makes it her business to show her respects to the person who helped shape her childhood. An encounter with the teacher’s grandson leaves a lasting impression on Poppi that refuses to let her go.
When Memphis “Mems” McCorvey dedicated himself to making his grandmother proud, he never imagined leaving the streets would lead him to a life so much more fulfilling. He has everything he never knew he wanted…
Except Hood.
Will a vacation out of the city help them discover the crush they have harbored for each other is real and not a figment of their imagination? Or will trouble in the form of exes prevent them from having the picture-perfect ending?
M. Monique
When crushes fall…
Boston Kelly is a married man who thought divorce was never a way out. He’s committed to making his marriage work no matter the circumstances. What happens when the wife he has done everything for betrays him?
Nikki McCorvey is engaged to be married to the love of her life. Or so she thinks. When Nikki is betrayed by her man she rushes to the one place where she knows she’ll find peace.
Crushes are sometimes stubborn. However, once the door is open, all bets are off.
Wanda Morris
Deena Wood’s life has fallen apart in the aftermath of losing her beloved mother, her marriage, and her prestigious job at an Atlanta law firm. She needs what the Geechee people of coastal Georgia call a “dayclean,” a fresh start.
She returns to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, to heal. But her return is anything but the respite she thought it might be. To make peace with all her loss, she often drives through the city. One day, she unwittingly finds herself on the oceanfront property of a loner widower who is fighting to keep land that has been in his family since the end of the Civil War. He threatens her and warns her to never return. But shortly after, he disappears, and his very expensive property is quickly put up for sale. Curious about what has happened to the man, Deena digs into his disappearance and finds a family legacy at risk. What starts out as a bit of curious snooping, turns into a deadly game of illegal land grabs and property redevelopment in poor and rural communities with dark and powerful forces at work.
Without realizing it, Deena finds herself caught up in a nightmarish scheme that threatens her community and her family. She’ll need help and finds it in a close but unlikely source because she knows she must do whatever it takes to stop the sinister forces at play before she becomes their next target.
First Ladies (paperback)
Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict
The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.
This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.
Chigozie Obioma
The first images of the vision are grainy—like something seen through wet glass. But slowly it clears, and there appears the figure of a man.
Set in Nigeria in the late 1960s, The Road to the Country is the epic story of a shy, bookish student haunted by long-held guilt who must go to war to free himself. When his younger brother disappears as the country explodes in civil war, Kunle must set out on an impossible rescue mission. Kunle’s search for his brother becomes a journey of atonement that will see him conscripted into the breakaway Biafran army and forced to fight a war he hardly understands, all while navigating the prophecies of a local Seer, he who marks Kunle as an abami eda—one who will die and return to life.
The story of a young man seeking redemption in a country on fire, Chigozie Obioma’s novel is an odyssey of brotherhood, love, and unimaginable courage set during one of the most devastating conflicts in the history of Africa. Intertwining myth and realism into a thrilling, inspired, and emotionally powerful novel, The Road to the Country is the masterpiece of Chigozie Obioma, a writer Salman Rushdie calls “a major voice” in literature.
Patricia Raybon
On a lovely June night in 1924, amateur detective Annalee Spain is mingling bravely at a high-class political fundraiser in the lush backyard garden of famed political fixer Cooper Coates, one of the wealthiest men in Denver’s Black neighborhood of Five Points. When Coates’s young daughter discovers a pretty stranger dead in her father’s garden shed, Annalee is thrust onto the baffling new case just as she’s reeling from another recent discovery—a handwritten letter, found buried in her own garden, that reveals the identity of her mother.
Not ready to face the truth about her hidden past, Annalee throws herself into solving the mystery of the young woman’s demise. With the help of her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her orphaned buddy Eddie, and her trustworthy church friends, Annalee follows the clues to three seemingly disconnected settings—a traveling carnival set up downtown, a Black civic club, and a prestigious white seminary on the outskirts of Denver. Intriguing advice also comes from a famous, real-life Denver visitor. But is Annalee on the right track or just running in circles, fleeing from conflicts racing in her heart?
Kay Renee
The old saying “love conquers all” gives starry-eyed lovers hope, but when the hurricane lands and the tornado whirls, will the foundation be strong enough to stand?
Milena Bane’s routine stop at the dealership becomes anything but usual when Lorenzo Irish, the unusually handsome service manager, steps into her orbit. Attraction instant, Milena contemplates how to get to know him better – intimately better.
Of course life is anything but routine and the Universe has plans of its own for our would be lovers. Old flames reappear with hopeful plans for the future, relentless secret crushes, and warring families form the perfect storm of chaos.
One thing is certain, Milena and Lorenzo better buckle up for the ride of their lives.
K.D. Richards
She won’t quit until she gets justice.
He won’t stop until she’s safe.
After her brother dies under a cloud of suspicion, Alexis Douglas will do whatever it takes to clear his name. Enlisting the help of TJ Roman proves a double-edged sword. Her brother’s onetime best friend, the ex-military PI can’t afford any missteps. Alexis’s safety is all that matters, despite the powerful attraction drawing them closer. Up against a killer desperate to keep the truth buried, TJ must step up his game before he and Alexis are both silenced forever.
Suzette Riddick
Jillian Hart has reached her breaking point. Every moment of her day is seemingly consumed catering to her family’s needs and wants as a wife and mother of two. Her only source of solace is the day spa, where she works as a part-time esthetician. Even that is at risk of being taken away by Ivan Hart, Jillian’s demanding husband, and his unrealistic expectations.
When her husband does the unthinkable, Jillian flees with her children to Colemanville, North Carolina to the home of her maternal grandmother, Nana Flo. At her lowest, Jillian must reassess her life and confront the choices that have derailed her dream of owning a day spa specializing in esthetician services.
In Colemanville with Nana Flo’s help, Jillian discovers she and her great-grandmother, Iva Rae Coleman, are kindred spirits after learning intimate details about Iva’s life. With this revelation, she accepts that the crumbling of her marriage was unavoidable to propel her toward her destiny to carry on the Coleman family legacy.
Join the journey of this wandering beauty to see if family secrets, scandals, and her husband’s determination to reconcile will hinder Jillian from fulfilling her destiny.
Farrah Rochon
Ashanti Wright is thrilled over the success of her doggie daycare, Barkingham Palace. But handling the business and taking care of her teen twin sisters is a lot. And now that the antics of her adorable French bulldog and poodle bestie are blowing up on social media, things are even more chaotic than usual. And they only get worse when the world’s worst dog hater shows up.
Thad Sims is not a dog person. He’s barely a person’s person. But after his grandmother is transferred to a senior living facility that doesn’t accept pets, the former army officer agrees to care for her annoying standard poodle, and his first move is taking Puddin’ out of daycare.
Now Ashanti’s beloved Duchess is bereft of her companion, social media is outraged, and Ashanti’s business is hanging in the balance. Her only option is to make nice with the surly, sexy Thad at all costs. But it’s gonna take a tiara-wearing Frenchie, a well-dressed poodle, and a whole lotta treats to teach these humans a few new tricks about falling in love.
D. Rose
Since making his first appearance in the rap duo Fame & Fortune, Keyan “FAME” Martin consistently found himself under the scrutiny of celebrity gossip. His personal life was dissected for public consumption at every turn. Without feeling compelled to address rumors, Keyan navigated life with an unyielding confidence, shrouded in a steel armor. That was until a chance encounter on a random night out with an unexpected acquaintance weakened his armor, thrusting them into another tidal wave of rumors.
Following a heated online feud with a label mate, Emory “HEAVEN” Thomas aimed to gracefully return to the limelight. However, as she reintroduced herself with new music, she unexpectedly becomes the focal point of public attention, now linked as Fame’s latest romantic interest. A seemingly innocent invitation sets her world into a frenzy, putting her relationship with the notorious heartbreaker under intense inspection.
When interest in their relationship draws the attention needed to advance her career, Emory and Keyan agree to fake date for a year. Initially, the agreement appeared straightforward, given their complex histories that deemed them unsuitable for love. Then, suddenly, during their shared quiet moments and confidences, adhering to the terms of their arrangement became challenging. Soon, the obstacles that once prevented them from being together became insignificant.
Morgan Rose
“I’ll call you my favorite name for you, Heartbeat. I swear if you let me, I’ll show you why you’re the reason why mine beats.”
Kelaya Harper knows two things when it comes to Hezekiah Perez.
One, she loves him.
Two, they can never be together.
They are from two different worlds and blending them will be a tragic misstep.
Hezekiah knows his heart belongs only to Kelaya and will do anything to prove that they are meant to be.
Just when he thinks they are finally locked in, everything implodes and he fears his life will never exist with the love and balance he craves.
Tiffani Quarles Sanders
ALABAMA 1931:
Annie Lawson thanked the Lord everyday for the life she and her husband, Sam, had made for themselves as sharecroppers on the Moore plantation. They were even more blessed to raise their granddaughter Liz, a bright, observant, book-loving girl who longed to continue her education past the primary grades. But when Mary Moore decides she wants Liz to drop out of school and become her private maid, Annie calls on her friends, the Miller siblings, to save Liz without risking eviction for her family.
As they work out a plan to free Liz from Mary Moore’s clutches and secret her off the plantation, the Millers reach deep into the pain of their past, harkening back to the 1870s and confronting the moment when Bill Moore altered their lives forever. As an influential and powerful white man in the deep south, Bill was never charged for his crimes, leaving the Millers devastated and forever caught in the shadow of his vile act.
Frederick Smith
One night of passion and possibly one more chance at love…
Determined, motivated, goal-driven, and eternally single, Dr. Taylor James is an accomplished university administrator in San Francisco determined to get his campus successfully through an upcoming accreditation process. The process could set him up for his ultimate career goal–to be one of the only Black and openly queer university presidents in the US. Taylor gives himself just one day a week to have fun and let loose with friends–a one and done Sunday Funday brunch in the Castro District.
Dustin McMillan is a consultant and project manager who reluctantly returns to the Bay Area, his hometown, for an assignment. The first in his family to finish college, earn a healthy six-figure income, and have choice and agency in his life’s direction, Dustin is fearful that returning home could mean falling back into roles that he’d thought he’d resolved by moving miles away…and equally fearful of falling back into bed with one sexy and toxic ex-boyfriend who still lingers in his memories.
One chance encounter. One night of passion. Will Taylor and Dustin leave it at one and done?
L.S. Stratton
Shanice Pierce knows better than to heed bad omens. But she has a hard time ignoring the signs when she finds herself newly single and out of a job on the same seemingly cursed day.
Then, while cleaning out her grandmother’s house, Shanice comes across a painting she hasn’t seen in years. Drawn to the haunting portrait in a way she can’t explain, Shanice accepts her grandmother’s offer to keep the family heirloom.
She soon uncovers the story of the artist, a Harlem Renaissance painter named Estelle Johnson. The young woman was taken under wing by the wealthy art patron Maude Bachmann—or “Godmother” as she insisted her artists call her—and vanished shortly after Bachmann’s brutal murder a century ago.
As Shanice digs deeper, a paranoia that’s haunted her for years returns. She becomes convinced she’s being stalked, and that the deaths happening around her are connected to the staggering offer she turned down for the painting.
But the truth hiding in plain sight is even more shocking—and deadly—than Shanice could possibly have imagined . . .
Jacquelin Thomas
Can a former US marshal
Protect an agent running for her life?
Not even leaving her old life behind can keep former Homeland Security agent Rylee Greenwood safe from the ruthless cartel hunting her. After a murder leaves her WITSEC identity compromised, Rylee joins forces with former US marshal Kaleb Stone. But uncovering evidence to take down a powerful enemy who’s always one step ahead plunges them into a deadly game that could cost them their lives…
The Secret Keeper of Main Street
Trisha R. Thomas
1954: In the quaint town of Mendol, Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery is a Black dressmaker for the wives and daughters of local oil barons. She earns a good living fitting designer gowns and creating custom wedding dresses for the town’s elite. But beyond her needle and thread lies a deeper talent, one passed down from her mother: the gift of insight. With just a fleeting touch or brush against the skin, Bailey has sudden flashes of intuition— witnessing the other person’s hopes, dreams, and nightmares, as well glimpses of their past and future. To protect herself, she wears gloves to keep from grazing the skin of her clients as she pins them into their gowns.
Brides have whispered that Bailey can see if their true love is faithful, or if their marriage will be a success. Her aunt Charlene has always warned her, “It’s safer to stay out of White folks’ business.” But Bailey will reluctantly provide a reading during a fitting, as long as the bride promises to be discreet.
Now Elsa Grimes, daughter of one of the richest oil men in Oklahoma, has come to the Regal Gown as the least joyful bride Bailey has ever seen. Elsa’s big society wedding is imminent and her gown is gorgeous, but what Bailey’s intuition uncovers when she touches Elsa’s hand horrifies her. Against her better judgment, she’s determined to help Elsa in whatever way she can. But when the son of a prominent family turns up dead on the eve of Elsa’s wedding, and the bride-to-be is arrested for his murder, Bailey is suddenly at the center of a firestorm that threatens to overtake her and everyone she loves.
Tiye
Dear Lipstick
I think my best friend just proposed to me . . . am I tripping? How could he remember, he can’t be serious. A pact that we made when we were only teenagers couldn’t still ring true . . . could it?
I promised my best friend that we would get married if we were both thirty-five and still single. At the time, I was a teenager and believed that I would be married long before that age. But I was wrong. So very wrong. I’ll be thirty-five on my next birthday and still single.
He just reminded me of our promise, I should be happy because he’s offering me the ending without the uncertainty of the journey. Yet, something is holding me back.
Contains mature themes.
T’Lyn
Solomon Tate lives by one rule, loyalty over everything and leads by example. Solomon takes care of his people and all he expects in return is for everyone on his team to remain solid. Anyone who refuses to show loyalty no longer earns his favor, family is not exempt.
Kaori Randall embraces one concept. Love and be loved. She is raised by parents and grandparents who are the example of happy healthy relationships. Kaori has high expectations when it came to her own personal happiness which makes the fail of her own love life a huge disappointment.
Instead of allowing herself to wallow in disappointment, Kaori refocuses her efforts into school and work. She hasn’t given up on love but refuses to set herself up for to fail, however, an encounter with a man who defies the exception of everything she believes she wants and deserves once again has Kaori hopeful.
Her heart begins to explore the idea that she just might find her one. Unfortunately the risk feels greater than the reward because she’s not positive she’ll remain standing through all the chaos and destruction once the Smoke clears.
Unique
As a professional football player, Jrue should be living a life of luxury when he’s not on the field. Yet, he finds himself with the odds stacked against him. If it’s not his money hungry and resentful family members trying to dip in his pockets at every opportunity, it’s women coming at him from all angles, trying to attach themselves to Jrue. Tired and frustrated, Jrue finds himself being traded to Atlanta, his hometown, and he can only hope for some peace. Yet, his cup is looking half-empty instead of half-full. Fleeing one problem, only for several more to be waiting for him causes Jrue to experience a mental spiral. He tries to keep his head down, but the universe seems hell-bent on disrupting any chance at peace.
Jream has never been the center of anyone’s universe. Not her mother’s – who’s suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s and other mental issues, not the man she can’t seem to escape – who think it’s his right to treat her like trash, and not the world who refuses to value Black women. Jream is tired of the terrible cards she’s always beendealt. A little bit of light between the stormy clouds is all Jream wants, but it feels so out of reach. When things get darker than ever before, Jream pushes herself up one last time to reach for that ray of sunshine.
Jrue and Jream are two broken, and tortured souls. Entering one another’s orbit could be dangerous, causing everyone to be sucked into a black hole, or they may just have the luck of a shooting star on their side, making their life’s wishes of much more come true.
Monica Walters
Having God’s grace and mercy is a blessing to those who receive it, but to embody it is a miracle.
Mercy Grace Speaks has her life all figured out. She has obtained a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, along with a teaching certification, and is pursuing a master’s degree in marketing and graphic design. Whether she chooses to teach it or start her own business, she knows she will be successful simply because of her strong desire to be so. Being sheltered from the wilds of the world, has helped her stay focused on her aspirations.
Shanora Williams
An upstanding political candidate. A determined stalker. A shattering lost weekend. Now, when his worst secret comes calling, how far will one man’s elegant, all-too-devoted wife go to uncover the truth . . . or bury it?
For Jolene “Jo” Baker, the least she can do for her adoring husband, Dominic, is give unwavering support for his North Carolina gubernatorial run. He is not only the love of her life, he’s also helping her prove that she’s far more than just a pampered trophy wife. With huge crowds showing up at Dominic’s speeches and the polls consistently in his favor, she’s never been happier to stand proudly by his side . . .
Until she and Dominic start seeing the same, strangely ominous woman turning up all along the campaign trail. Until their tour starts becoming a nightmare of botched events, crucial missed information, and increasingly dangerous “accidents.” Suddenly Jo can’t get any answers from Dominic—or understand why he is acting so paranoid and terrified . . .
What Jo can do is start digging into his past—one she’s never really questioned beyond his perfect image and dazzling accomplishments. What results is an alarming series of events that leave her baffled: Good friends turn into enemies, truths are revealed to be lies, and all clues lead back to one secret, shattering weekend that changes Jo’s entire life. With her world splintering into pieces, can Jo risk trying to set things right? Or will hiding the bitter truth by any means necessary destroy her as well?
Synithia Williams
The trouble with bad boys is that they’re so unforgettable…
Andre Kemp. Just hearing the name makes Tamara Bradford want to roll her eyes. Popular, gorgeous and arrogant…and every girl in high school wanted to date him. And while Tamara can’t deny how attractive he was then—and is now—she has no time for schoolgirl crushes. Charged with revitalizing downtown Peachtree Cove, Tamara has a full plate, and that includes managing a contractor to lead the town’s efforts. So when Andre walks in the door for the project meeting, she can’t control her surprise.
When Andre left Peachtree Cove, he swore he’d never move back. Too many bad memories. But when his mom needed his help, there was nowhere else he’d rather be. Still, seeing Tamara again blows his mind. She may have been a Goody Two-shoes back in school, but he never could forget those luminous brown eyes and kissable lips. Getting involved with her isn’t smart…for so many reasons. But he can’t seem to get her off his mind. And the more time they spend working together, the harder it is to let her go.
Mr. Down for Whatever (audiobook)
Elle Wright
Have you ever received the wrong text from the right person?
One thing about me? I don’t play games. Another thing about me? I don’t waste time.
I’ve built my reputation by treating my patients, my students, and my colleagues with respect.
In my role as Mr. Black Detroit, my focus is supporting my community and planning the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
Again, my time is valuable. I should’ve ignored the text. But . . . there’s something about Daphne that makes me want to engage. Maybe it’s the way she commands a room and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Or maybe it’s the glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes. It’s probably just her. Whatever it is in the beginning quickly morphs into something else entirely, though.
Soon, I can’t get enough of her. But can I convince her to take a chance on me?
Nicola Yoon
Jasmyn and King Williams move their family to the planned Black utopia of Liberty, California hoping to find a community of like-minded people, a place where their growing family can thrive. King settles in at once, embracing the Liberty ethos, including the luxe wellness center at the top of the hill, which proves to be the heart of the community. But Jasmyn struggles to find her place. She expected to find liberals and social justice activists striving for racial equality, but Liberty residents seem more focused on booking spa treatments and ignoring the world’s troubles.
Jasmyn’s only friends in the community are equally perplexed and frustrated by most residents’ outlook. Then Jasmyn discovers a terrible secret about Liberty and its founders. Frustration turns to dread as their loved ones start embracing the Liberty way of life.
Will the truth destroy her world in ways she never could have imagined?