In our new mini-series, “Who Gets an HEA”, that showcases romances with marginalized heroes and heroines, episode 13 has romances that feature Black main characters. Y. M. Nelson and Nerdy Romantics Marcie and Staci along with new Nerdy Romantic Jen recommend several romance novels that showcase the wonderfulness that’s Black Love.
What’s even better? These books are by Black female authors! 😍🥰😍🤩
While we recommend several books, this is just the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to masterfully done Black romance. Yes, Black characters should get an HEA, but who should read these? EVERYONE who loves a well-done romance!
In this episode, we recommend:
While We Were Dating and Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory (The Wedding Date books 6 and 4):
In While We Were Dating marketing exec Ben Stephens and award winning actress Anna Gardiner get together on set of a commercial Ben’s company pitched to a tech company where Anna has been hired as talent.
In Royal Holiday, forty-something Vivian Forest visits England over the Christmas holiday and meets Malcolm Hudson, one of the secretaries for the Royal Family.
Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson:
Book 1 of the series brings together Jessie and Kerry as they deal with the death of Mama Strong, Jessie’s mother and owner of a yarn shop where Kerry works.
A Cowboy to Remember and If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Cowboys of California, Books 1-2):
Zach Pleasant and once true love and reality star chef Evie Buchanan reconnect after Evie has had an accident that has left her with amnesia in A Cowboy to Remember. In If the Boot Fits, Younger brother Sam Pleasant is on a search to find the woman he’s dubbed as “Ms.Cha-cha” after a memorable night winning an Oscar and being with her. When Ms Cha-Cha–Amanda Queen–realizes she’s taken the wrong swag bag, the one with Sam’s Oscar in it, she’s thrust back into his orbit, and into the struggle of hiding her job as a lowly assistant from the A-lister.
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins (Old West Book 1) :
Eddy Carmichael’s been robbed and left for dead in the NV desert, damaging her dream of moving to CA to start her own restaurant. Rhine Fontaine spots her and saves her from near death. Their attraction is palpable, but Eddy refuses to be a mistress because Rhine is white. Or is he?
The Heart series and The Gems and Gents series by Iris Bolling:
Follow the evolution of the Heart family, navigating through the world of politics, and the gems and gents of the Lassiter family as they find, struggle with, and ultimately keep love.
What we point out (without being too much of a love fest):
- Book or series’ title and author
- What the selection is about
- Why we love these Black main characters
- Why we love the stories
- And who these stories would be perfect for (heat levels, tropes, character types)
Where to find these books:
*The links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase using these links, I will receive a small commission. This does not affect what you pay.
Not a fan of Amazon? Support Indie Bookstores by buying at Bookshop:
- While We Were Dating and Royal Holiday* by Jasmine Guillory
- Real Men Knit*by Kwana Jackson
- Cowboys of California (series 1 and 2)* by Rebekah Weatherspoon
- Forbidden * by Beverly Jenkins
- The Heart Series and The Gems and Gents Series by Iris Bolling (These are direct link to the books on Amazon. I am not an Amazon affiliate.)
*The starred books above are linked to Bookshop.org. I will receive a small commission for each purchase when using these links. (This does not affect what you pay.)
Where you can find some of our Nerdy Romantics
While Staci represents herself here, she is also a permanent guest on the L-5 podcast on YouTube. Check it out!
Jen Graybeal is “a book coach and freelance editor working with romance authors that want to take their books and their business to the next level.” She also loves talking all things nerdy, so look for her on some future episodes.
Want to contact her?
Jen is accepting new clients for both coaching and editing. She offers a free 30 min coaching session for new clients. (sign up on her website).
Website: www.jengraybeal.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentheeditor/
Clubhouse: Romance Author Community https://www.clubhouse.com/club/romance-author-community
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