TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME - Rochelle Alers Dafina Books BUY (24 October) Reviewer:  |  Rating: MAINSTREAM FICTION

From a cloistered 1950s Mississippi town founded by freed slaves to the striking diversity of Paris and Rome in the 1960s and 70s, through Wall Street’s glittering Roaring 80s to the present day, this sweeping, unforgettably moving novel from the national bestselling author chronicles one southern Black girl’s remarkable journey through some of history’s most turbulent decades—and the four men who challenge her to fight for happiness.

AUGUST 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

HER ONE NIGHT CONSEQUENCE - Yahrah St. John Six Gems (Book #3) Harlequin Desire BUY Reviewer:  Cheryl McNeil |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

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?

FALLING FOR DR. MAVERICK - Kathy Douglass Montana Mavericks: Lassoing Love (Book #4) Harlequin Special Edition BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: B+ CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Rodeo rider Corinne Hawkins has had a thing for Mike Burris for years. Now their on-again, off-again relationship might be off—for good. Mike is in medical school, and their attempts at long-distance romance have been a disaster. Corinne doesn’t want to walk away from her brainy, sexy cowboy but feels she has no choice. Luckily for Corinne and Mike, their meddling, matchmaking families are on the job!

THE MARRIAGE DEADLINE - Niobia Bryant Cress Brothers (Book #5) Harlequin Desire BUY Reviewer: Jennifer Copeland |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Handsome, successful chef Lucas Cress is ready for marriage and he has a deadline. Eve Villar, former mean girl, should be the last person on his seduction list. But when the two come together at a class reunion, the chemistry ignites! The chase is on. Sexy, confident Lucas can’t resist this new, kinder Eve. He plans an irresistible seduction—and a proposal to make her his wife. But can she trust that they both have really changed enough for a future together? Or will their past stand in the way of “I do”?

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME - Lacey Baker A Christmas Novel Thomas Nelson BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Ella Wilson has avoided home and the holidays for nearly a decade. For her, the season is plagued by a jinx that’s brought nothing but painful memories: her mother’s death nearly two decades ago, her fiancé’s abandonment last year, and now the loss of her job as an art curator. But without work to occupy her, home is exactly where Ella has ended up. And somehow, she’s also been roped into planning the town’s Christmas tree auction—side by side with her first love.

	DOWN TO THE WIRE - Patricia Sargeant The Touré Security Group (Book #1) Harlequin Romantic Suspense BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
On the trail of a hacker, IT security expert Malachi Touré finds…a woman from his past he’s never gotten over. Dr. Grace Blackwell is no hacker. She’s a medical researcher, and someone has stolen a potentially deadly formula from her computer. Despite the still-simmering attraction between them, Mal is wary of trusting her again. Then everything changes when a killer has Grace in their sights…

ALL HAIL QUEEN DUCHESS - Sherelle Green Crowne Legacy (Book #9) Independently Published BUY Reviewer: Cheryl McNeil |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

I always wanted to have a big family. That’s why I created my own. My husband is my heart. My mom is my ribs. My kids… They are the air I breathe. Without them, I’m not whole. Everyone has dark secrets, yet mine are the kind of life-altering skeletons that could threaten the very mission I’ve spent my entire life fighting. My children think they know my story, but they don’t. Not all of it. Not the parts that would make them question everything they know in life. My constant has been my love for Stan and that’s a truth I’ll always share.

FIANCÉ FOR HIRE - Sharon C. Cooper Men For Hire Amaris Publishing BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Neither of them were looking for love, but that’s before they met each other. As a professional model and actor, Drevon Ross lives a life of luxury. Now he’s ready for his next role—movie producer. But first, he needs to deal with his personal life that became way too public months ago thanks to his ex-girlfriend. He wants to lay low for a while. Unfortunately, that can’t happen thanks to his match-making aunt and her belief that he’d be the perfect arm candy for a particular woman-in-need.

	BOYFRIEND FOR HIRE - Delaney Diamond Men For Hire Garden Avenue Press BUY Reviewer: Cheryl McNeil |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
A one-night stand leads to much more...Montez Ross’s family owns At Your Service, a unique company that provides clients with men for both dating and handyman tasks. When the woman who left him after a one-night stand seeks their services, Montez, unaccustomed to being left, is annoyed but agrees to help her out.

DATE FOR HIRE - Reese Ryan Men For Hire Sinfully Sweet Publishing BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

When Amaya Walker hires a landscape designer, the last person she expects at her door is John Edward Thomas—her unrequited high school crush. Back then, she was the chubby book nerd who was often teased while he was the handsome heartbreaker who was out of her league. But now she’s a big-shot creative director at a well-known recording label. And no one dare tease this plus-size diva who calls the shots and has learned to embrace her show-stopping curves. She’d like to keep nursing her grudge against Jet, but she’s more attracted to him than ever.

THE OTHER PRINCESS - Denny S. Bryce A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter William Morrow BUY (3 October) Reviewer:  |  Rating: HISTORICAL FICTION

With a brilliant mind and a fierce will to survive, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a kidnapped African princess, is rescued from enslavement at seven years old and presented to Queen Victoria as a “gift.” To the Queen, the girl is an exotic trophy to be trotted out for the entertainment of the royal court and to showcase Victoria’s magnanimity. Sarah charms most of the people she meets, even those who would cast her aside. Her keen intelligence and her aptitude for languages and musical composition helps Sarah navigate the Victorian era as an outsider given insider privileges.

	WE ARE ONE - Aja The Enigma Series (Book #4) She Loves Words BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
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

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER - Beverly Jenkins Blessings (Book #11) Avon Books BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A+ CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi “Mal” July has had its share of ups and downs. But now they’re finally ready to say “I do.” Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing, and families both local and extended begin to gather for the festivities, that long awaited walk down the aisle hits a speed bump that may derail everything.

VOWS FULFILLED - Unoma Nwankwor The DuBois-Arazi Family (Book #3) KevStel Publishing BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Salma DuBois-Arazi, the strong-willed and fiercely independent last born of the DuBois-Arazi clan, keeps herself busy with her role as the Director of Guest Services at the family's luxurious resort, Grand Amour. Work and family provide the perfect distractions to drown the painful memories of a time when she believed she could have it all. Her mission has been to keep her secrets buried deep within and her heart shielded from the past. She's been successful in her endeavor—until her grandmother's eightieth birthday celebration, when Qasim's return threatens to shatter her meticulously constructed world.

HER ROYAL MAJESTY - Stephanie Nicole Norris The Royal House of Kera Asnela (Book #4) Love Is A Drug Ink BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

King Isaac Winthrope, a charismatic and progressive monarch, finds himself irresistibly drawn by the allure of Cynthia Denise Clark, a strikingly divine woman from a different world. Their attraction is magnetic, a collision of hearts and desires that ignites the night. But in a world where expectations and tradition collide with contemporary ideals, their story is far from conventional. King Winthrope yearns to explore the uncharted territory of love with Cynthia, who believes in seizing the present moment with erotic nights.

S.I.B.LINGS - Iris Bolling The Society of Intellectual Beings (Book #2) Siri Austin Entertainment BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A THRILLER

Supported by his adopted brothers, Wade delves deeper into his newfound powers and uncovers a link to The Society of Intellectual Beings. Their investigation leads them to a scientist who plans to infiltrate the government using genetically engineered beings. Wade's brothers, along with other individuals who are connected to powerful positions within the government, were unwitting participants in the same experiment. As they strive to identify their siblings and thwart the sinister scheme, the burden falls on Wade and his untested abilities to prevent the scientist's murderous plans.