Showing results by narrator "Susan Spain" in All Categories

Rachel Harper’s debut novel has won praise for its vivid protrayal of a mixed-race girl coming of age in a family that’s falling apart. Nellie’s white mother and black father are breaking up. Nellie, whose black skin and blonde hair have always made her feel like an outsider, feels even more out of place traveling across the country with her dark-skinned dad, taking her white, sassy cousin Jess to meet her own father. But they might have more in common than they all think.

Thirty-something writer Regina lives in Harlem with her four-year-old daughter. And no matter what she does, drama follows her wherever she goes. Her world is thrown for a loop when shady Little Joe re-enters her life looking for some action. Unfortunately, her lingering feelings for her congressman ex-husband aren't helping either.

Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction, Essence® best-selling author Victoria Christopher Murray delivers a cautionary tale about debt and the dangers of an overly tempting offer. Married at 17, Adam and Evia Langston have worked their way up from rags to riches. But as they are enjoying all the trappings of their success, a financial downturn leaves them teetering on the brink of disaster. And that’s when Evia’s boss makes the Langstons a fivemillion dollar offer they can’t refuse.

Newlywed Serena Jackson has finally married the man of her dreams. Life is great, broken relationships are on the mend, and serving in ministry is better than ever before. Serena believes that even greater things are on the horizon for her, until her life makes a detour down an unexpected road. Her dream of having the perfect life with what God has blessed her with soon becomes a blur. Everything Serena holds dear to her heart is being snatched away from her.

Winner of multiple literary prizes, Laura Castoro pens novels in genres as diverse as contemporary fiction, Westerns, and period romance. Love on the Line stars unforgettable mother and daughter Thea and Jesse Morgan. Recently widowed, Thea has become a successful business woman and is now rekindling a love affair with a former star athlete-turned pastor. Meanwhile, Jesse struggles with her mixed race heritage as she tries to fit in at college.

Massage therapist Isrie Walker and plus-sized fashion photographer Deja Douglas are best friends for life. After a bout of bad luck with the opposite sex, these two divas go on a mission to findthe love that’s been missing in their lives.

Award-winning author of the national best-seller Tumbling, Diane McKinney-Whetstone is an immensely talented author of African American fiction. It is 1965 in Philadelphia and Clarise, Finch, and their three adolescent daughters are living a financially privileged life. But when Finch’s business falls on hard times and Clarise suffers a mental breakdown, their idyllic world is shattered and their daughters are endangered.

Fannie Johnson has seen darn near all the world has to offer at her Thank the Lord Boarding House. It is home to a variety of interesting people who regard each other as family. One such is Sarah Jolene Tilman, who is ready to strike out on her own. In stark contrast, Richard Peterson has done more than his share of living and is looking for simpler pleasures. Under Fannie's watchful eye, each will embark on a path of self-exploration and find that life is nothing if not a wildly unpredictable journey.

Nappily Married follows the lovable, sharp-witted Venus Johnston as she strives to make a name for herself while juggling the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. Former flame Dr. Clint Fairchild just might be the one to give her a hand.

Stanice Anderson, motivational speaker and author of 12-Step Programs: A Resource Guide for Helping Professionals, delivers a personal guide to dealing with failure and turning to triumphs. By examining her own obstacles, Anderson relates to problems that many people face today.

Honored by the NAACP and optioned by major Hollywood film studios, the top-selling novels of Trisha R. Thomas are favorites of readers everywhere. After the hospital high jinks of Nappily Married, Venus and her husband Jake are ready to get away from all the nonsense. So they move to Atlanta - and that's where the drama really begins.

Joy, a work of both romance and tragedy, is bound together by the unshakable faith of its protagonist. Anya Mitchell seems to have it all - a profitable financial services business, a handsome fiance, and an expensive diamond ring. But there are unwelcome doubts lingering in her mind. Danger also looms on the horizon, as a stalker lurking at the edge of her life draws closer.

Best friends since the fifth grade, Vaughn, Reenie, Susan, and Audrey have always been considered the most likely to write the Great American Novel, marry a prince, find fame, and run the world, respectively. Now in their 50s, they are all still chasing those dreams - which sometimes makes the "girls" collide.

Cris Burks won widespread acclaim for her engaging first novel, SilkyDreamGirl. Burks' second offering follows the life of a determined girl struggling toward adulthood in 1950s Chicago. The devastating discovery that "Daddy" is not her real father opens a great chasm in Neecey's world and leads to Neecey's abusive mother bringing a succession of no-good men into the home. Nevertheless, as she grows into a woman, the resilient Neecey strives to overcome despair and forge a new life for herself.

After Hannah's fiancé is caught cheating, she leaves him to pursue her cheerleading dream, while still working at RockStar Records. Hannah will have to deal firsthand with Cheerleader Rule #1: don't fall in love with a player.

Must a young woman choose between her commitment to her marriage…and to God? Brianna was 10 years old when she first met 25 year old David R. Shepherd, a devout and gifted gospel recording artist who would ultimately become world renowned megastar, King d.Avid. He left an impression on Brianna she would never forget. And they were destined to meet again…

Venus has the chance of a lifetime to take a trip alone. No children, no husband. The women's retreat promises daily massages, meditation, and divine meals prepared by a top chef. What she doesn't see in the ad are locked gates, militia-style security guards, and a mysterious driver who isn't who he appears. The trip she deserves turns into a dangerous, heart-pounding, sexy adventure she will never forget.

Venus wasn't planning on falling for someone else. Her heart always belonged to Jake Parson, the enviable hot boy, starting from the moment he swept her off her feet with an impromptu proposal and a surprise wedding she never expected. Not a dull moment in the Parson household, to say the least. Their heat and attraction could spark a flame in a cold, wet room. But marriage, children, and too much distance, along with the constant swirling rumors of Jake's infidelities, have put their relationship to the test.

The ever witty and fun Venus Johnston is back and the subject of a reality show with her movie star husband, Jake Parson. Her world is turned upside with cameras following their every move and revealing the chinks in their marriage armor. Their home becomes a battle ground for the stardom Jake craves and the normalcy Venus needs to raise their children. Including Christopher, Jake's son who he only recently found out about after pop starlet Sirena Lassiter admitted the young boy she's pretended to be her little brother is actually her and Jake's son from their teen years.

Erika Powell has lived in hiding for years to protect her son from his wealthy, tyrannical grandfather. Wary of strangers, she’s suspicious of James West, who’s renting a neighboring cabin, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when attempts are made on Erika’s life, James fears he may have endangered her—because the undercover PI’s investigation of Erika may have led someone dangerous right to her.