Books By and About Desirable Women of Color

 

Desirable Women of Color--Cultural Touchstones & History of Body Positivity panelists Jamie Pope, Pamela Beverly, Delaney Diamond, Carla de Guzman, and Shai August generously agreed to chat about their work and trends in publishing, especially romance. The recording of that panel chat will post next weekend. 
In the meantime, the following reviews are intentionally brief and vague teasers to avoid spoilers while enticing you to add these authors to your TBR list—if they're not already on your reading radar.  

Return to Sweetheart Lake by (Jamie Pope writing as) Evelyn Jordan  Contemporary romance  Alcove Press, 2021  
Secrets, guilt, revelations, redemption. Childhood friends, young lovers, now grown-up strangers, Romey and Gray endure painful self-reflection to gain perspective and forgiveness in this multifaceted, deeply emotional second-chance love story that also celebrates the tastes and textures of family and community.  
Jamie also writes as Sugar Jamison, Ginger Jamison, and Jamie Pope.  Her earlier series:  Perfect Fit  Sunny and Warm  Love and Hope  Redemption  Tropical Destiny  Bad Boys of Destiny  https://www.authorjamiepope.com/


A Type of Hunger by Pamela Beverly, author & publisher  Adult contemporary fiction with romantic elements  2021  
What's the source of a person's intrinsic value, identity, and self-esteem?  How many hits can one person and a romantic relationship absorb before they collapse?  Will they recover, and how?  
Nate Hunter and Carla Pinkney experience the answers in A Type of Hunger. This novella packs in a full-length novel's worth of setbacks, crises, self-doubts, drama, and the importance of enduring friendships in addition to romance. Geographic location, social class, and complicated interpersonal dynamics make Carla and Nate's story resonate as an authentic, nuanced saga about the challenges and rewards of being responsible grownups.  
Pamela has written a children's book called What If an Octopus Followed Me Home? in addition to her other contemporary adult fiction works.  https://pameladbeverly.com/


Until Death (Plan B) by Delaney Diamond  Contemporary romantic suspense thriller  Garden Avenue Press, 2021  
Covert operative Cruz Cordoba is on a personal mission to avenge the death of whistleblower Shanice Lawrence, the love of his life. But is she really dead? Deceptions, conspiracies, double-crosses and shocking revelations set the stage for this smokin' hot sexy romance.  
Delaney's impressive writing productivity includes these series:  Family Ties  Cordoba Agency  Latin Men  Love Unexpected  Brooks, Johnson, and Hawthorne Families (individual series)  Quicksand  Royal Brides  https://delaneydiamond.com/ 


Sweet on You (Laneways) by Carla de Guzman  Contemporary romance  Carina Press, 2020  
It's a food fight as foreplay between neighboring business owners. Sari Thomas runs her family's Café Cecilia as part of continuing decades of tradition. Baker Gabriel Capras works to make his Sunday Bakery the beginning of a fresh start in more ways than one. Each business has weaknesses that are vulnerable to exploitation by the other, and formidable strengths just like Sari and Gabriel. Add meddlesome siblings, layered family dynamics, cultural legacies and vibrant charm with laughter, camaraderie and competition to get a Christmas romance that satisfies year-round.  
Carla's series include:  Laneways  Cincamarre  
Plus, she's a talented visual artist in addition to being a #romanceclass author. romanceclassbooks.com  http://www.carladeguzman.com/books-1


Social Aid & Pleasure (A Rare and Unknown World) by Shai August  Supernatural romance  Three Fortnights Press, 2019  
Three years ago historian, bartender, gig worker Chantal Plaisance let fear keep her from experiencing the decadent indulgences of being chosen by Ursa Major, Abarran Benat, as his bride for the night at the exclusive annual Mardi Gras Ball hosted by the Omega Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Now she's back for a do-over. Will it live up to her anticipation? This sizzling short of a teaser for the upcoming Beast in the East: The Origin Shifters delivers a resounding yes. Second chances, imaginative supernatural shifter lore seamlessly integrated with historical facts, poignant characterizations, and super sexy scenes make this a layered spicy bonbon of a quick read.  
In addition to her A Rare and Unknown World and Steward Files series, Shai produces her What Is Romance? podcast.   https://www.shaiaugust.com/