Tag Archives: Guest Author

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Patricia Sargeant Talks Hope, Love, Courage on the Decades Journey

Hi friends! I’m delighted to welcome back Patricia Sargeant, who is a total sweetheart. We’ve had a slight deviation in schedule, and Patricia, who has been awesome throughout the year with organizing posts and such, stepped in. <3 It’s a really thoughtful, wonderful post, so I hope you read it and chime in!

Also, if you’ve missed any of the previous Decades posts at ALBTALBS you can find them all here. šŸ™‚

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance
Guest Author Patricia Sargeant Talks Hope, Love, Courage on the Decades Journey

Note: The Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series launched in January 2018. It consists of 12 books, one released each month. Each story is set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page.

My research for my Decades story, Campaign for Her Heart ā€“ Decades: A Journey of African American Romance, Book 12, reinforced for me a widely held belief that history is cyclical. I realize that my story is set in the 2010, 2012 to be exact. But to understand where we are, itā€™s important to understand where weā€™ve come from. For example, Black Lives Matter was founded on July 29, 2013, in response to deadly violence against black and brown people by states and vigilantes. That fact takes on a different perspective when you consider that 96 years earlier, hundreds of people participated in the Silent March, a demonstration that took place in New York City on July 29, 1917, in protest of the vicious lynchings and other race-related violence against African Americans. Continue reading

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Zuri Day Brings Us Thug Love

Every month I wait with great anticipation to learn more about the next book in the Decades series.Ā  And every month I get to post an exclusive excerpt or an exclusive behind the pages peek at one of these amazing stories. This month, I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to authorĀ Zuri Day and share and exclusive excerpt from her upcoming book, Thug Love,Ā Ā which you will soon be able to preorder on September 15th for an October 1st release. In the meantime, you can head over to theĀ Decades Facebook pageĀ for #30daysofThugLovin.Ā 

 

Thug LoveĀ by Zuri Day is the 10th book in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American
RomanceĀ series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900
and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also
embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page.

Thug Love by Zuri Day

Thug Love by Zuri Day book coverAs the new editor-in-chief for LA Chronicle, Traci Johnson is determined to change the California paperā€™s narrative. Sheā€™s tired of stories about police brutality, gang violence and drugs, and wants to focus on positive African-American stories. But when rapper Tupac Shakur
gets shot itā€™s breaking news that must be covered, even though the incident epitomizes the type of topic sheā€™s trying to avoid, and the type of man she despises.

Marcus Moore is a product of South Central Los Angeles. He could have easily been one of its statistics but he stays out of trouble and becomes an undercover agent for the LAPD. When Tupac gets shot he knows itā€™s not random. In fact he believes the trail of blood will lead back to a group of men heā€™s investigating, the reason heā€™s in Vegas. Meeting sexy journalist Traci
Johnson is a tempting distraction, but her assumptions based on his appearance and the culture he embraces are a huge turn-off.

Tupac dies, and Marcus surprisingly finds comfort in Traciā€™s arms. Will what happens in
Vegas stay in Vegas, or can the two get past stark societal differences and turn one nightā€™s
passion into a lifetime of love?

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Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Elle Wright Travels to the 1980s

It’s Teaser Tuesday and we are so excited to welcome Elle Wright ALBTALBS with an exclusive excerpt from her contribution to the Decades series! I’ve been looking forward to Elle’s book since I learned she was going to be a part of the Decades project. I’m even more excited that her book takes place in my favorite decade, the 1980s. I can’t wait until I get this book in my hot little hands on September 1st!Ā 

Made to Hold You by Elle Wright is the ninth book in the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page.

Made to Hold YouĀ By Elle Wright

Made to Hold You by Elle Wright book coverLayla Johnson had a picture perfect life: a career as an educator, a beautiful daughter, a son on the way, and a loving husband. Only Layla didnā€™t count on the effect the burgeoning war on drugs would have on her family and her world. And on one rainy night, everything that she worked to attain is destroyed. Now, sheā€™s on her own, with two young children, a mounting pile of debtā€¦and the past knocking at her door.

Lincoln Wilson broke the one thing he treasured most. Instead of spending the rest of his life doting on his beautiful wife and children, heā€™s alone, haunted by his many mistakes. Determined to make amends, Lincoln works to put the pieces of his life back together again. And although itā€™s an uphill battle, he is up for the challenge. The last step in Lincolnā€™s program is to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs. When he shows up on her doorstep ready to reclaim his life, will Layla let him in?

Prologue
April 1987

Just say no.

Layla Wilson gripped the wood bat in her hand and swallowed past the lump in her throat. In a few minutes, her life would change forever. It should hurt her, but over the past year all of her dreams, all of their plans had gone up in smoke. Literally. Gone were the wide eyes, the hopes of a good life with her small family of four. The warmth of a love that seemed to shine so bright she thought it would heat her forever had turned to a bitter cold. Continue reading

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Keith Thomas Walker Shares a Taste of His Series Contribution

Welcome! If you’re following along with theĀ Decades series,Ā and I really hope you are, then you’re in for a treat! Today we welcome author Keith Thomas Walker and an exclusive excerpt from the eighth book in the series, bringing us into the 1970s. I’ve really been enjoying this series and have found not only some amazing stories that I treasure, but some new-to-me authors who I plan to follow for some time to come. I hope you’ve been just as taken by this series as well.Ā 

Note:Ā Election Day by Keith Thomas Walker is the eighth book in the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page.

Election Day by Keith Thomas Walker

Election Day by Keith Thomas Walker book coverĀ Despite legal efforts to integrate schools, black students continue to struggle with separate and unequal environments in 1970. Leo Davis, an ambitious mayoral candidate, seeks to close a dark chapter in Overbrook Meadowsā€™ history, but the opposition is fierce. Falling for his campaign manager was never part of the plan. Leo and Carla must fight for their love, their safety,Ā and the future of their beloved city.

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Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Wayne Jordan Shares an Excerpt and Inspiration for His Journey

Hi friends! I hope you’ve been following along with the Decades series we’ve had every month so far this year. I’m loving it, and have discovered not only many new to me authors, but wonderful stories as well. Today we welcome Wayne Jordan, who came up with this entire wonderful project of these ~connected books.Ā You might have noticed that usually the posts are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month, but for June we pushed it back a week to line the post up with Juneteenth! šŸ˜€

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance
Guest Author Wayne Jordan Shares an Excerpt and Inspiration for His Journey

Note: Promise Me A Dream by Wayne Jordan is the seventh book in the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page,

When I conceived the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series, I wanted to do two things. I wanted to give readers 12 love stories with main characters of color, but I also wanted to explore the African America experience in each of the 12 decades. Iā€™ve read all the stories which preceded mine and I feel a sense of pride and achievement that each one was exactly what I wanted it to be.

The main action of my story, Promise Me a Dream, takes place in New York in March and April of 1968. I wanted my story to be about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King died on April 4, 1968, so my story will touch on the impact of his death. Along with that, my story is about the world of the theater. My heroine wants to be an actress, and as an immigrant, she discovers the harsh reality of New York and the theater world. When she meets the hero, Joel Donovan, she invites him into her world and he discovers that there is much more to life that the privileged world and life he has been living.

So why the 1960s? Not only was I born in the 1960s, but the Civil Rights Movement is the one definitive event that impacted me when I was a teenager. While I did not recognize its impact until I was in my late teens, I remember my heart breaking, bit by bit, when I discovered what blacks in the United States had continued to endure and suffer during that decade, despite the abolition of slavery. Most of all, I lauded the courage of those individuals who fought for respect, equality and justice.

So why would I want to set a romance against this background of ugliness? It was the decade in which unity and love were important; the decade in which strong men and women needed love the mostā€¦because it was love that kept them focused on the fight without losing their sanity.Promise Me a DreamĀ is set in the 1960s, but I am so fascinated by the decade, I will definitely write more against that background. Continue reading

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Carla Buchanan – When Inspiration Slaps You in the Face

Hi friends! Can you believe that we’re into the 1950s already? May! If you have no idea what I’m talking about … you can check out the information and excellent previous posts here.But! Today, we welcome first time A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet guestĀ Carla Buchanan!Ā 

PRIDE AND PASSION is the sixth book in the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page,Ā 

When Inspiration Slaps You in the Face

Pride and Passion by Carla Buchanan CoverHow does any writer decide what to write about? How does any writer decide what two characters to focus on or what story to tell?

If you have the answers to these questions then stop reading right now, search this post for my email address, and send me a message with the correct answer because Iā€™m at a loss. In most cases, I have no idea what I want from myself or what the readers may want from me. No lie; I spend so much time pacing my living room space, talking to myself, bouncing ideas off my 12-year-old dachshund (who is never any help at all), a person would probably think Iā€™m insane. And though, the worn path in my carpet might actually be proof of my insanity, during one of these passes across I was actually inspired. It worked. I laid eyes on a picture of my grandmother-in-law across the room, and it all became clear. I found a love for writing and reading historical romances.

Now, in no way is PRIDE AND PASSION about my husbandā€™s grandmother, but if you met the woman youā€™d know what Iā€™m talking about. With a personality so huge, it can barely fit into a room, I knew I wanted bits and pieces of her strength, her vulnerability, her love for her family, her dedication, and her feistiness in each and every female character in PRIDE AND PASSION. She lived. She dated. She raised a family, and she matured during the 1950s. Just talking to her made me feel like I was transported to that time, further inspiring me toward the story I wanted to write.

As far as the military aspect in PRIDE AND PASSION, I have been fortunate enough to have married into a family with more than one member who has made a career in the military. The same woman who inspired my female characters was also a military wife just like my heroine. She lost her husband just like my heroine, but thatā€™s where their stories part ways and PRIDE AND PASSION takes shape becoming the kind of historical slice of life story anyone can relate to, whether they were alive during the 1950s or not. Itā€™s the kind of story youā€™ll sayā€¦ Oh my God, Iā€™ve heard about a town like that, people like that, or a place just like that from stories my mother, father, or grandparents have told me about.

I mean, who canā€™t relate to the pressures of family, the desire to live your own life, all while trying to find where you fit in. Just like we are influenced by the world around us, the characters in PRIDE AND PASSION are the same. I was inspired by how much like me, like us, people were during the 1950s. Continue reading

Guest Author Lucy Monroe: Writing Imperfect People is Empowering

We are beyond excited to have author Lucy Monroe join us today to share with us how the current social climate changes thanks to movements such as #MeToo have changed, or not changed, how she writes romance.Ā 

Kostas's Convenient Bride by Lucy Monroe Book CoverMay 1st is Protomagia in Greece, otherwise known as May Day (or Labor Day internationally), because this is the day that people take off work, and head for picnics in the countryside. Ā Honestly? I can’t imagine Andreas Kostas (Kostas’s Convenient Bride) taking the day off, any day off. I’m pretty sure that the years he spent living in Greece with his despised Georgas family, he never observed such a holiday. Ā He was too busy scheming for a way out. A way out of Greece, a way away from the family that caused his mother so much grief, a way to make his mark on the world without the Georgas influence.

Because he is an alpha hero, a man confident that he is supposed to have a place in the world and that place is not at the bottom of the ladder. Ā It’s at the top. He’s pretty damn sure that his best friend and business partner, Kayla Jones is supposed to be at the top with him.

But when he shows up in New York, tracking her down, she’s utterly shocked. Continue reading

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Teaser Tuesday Guest Author Kianna Alexander Shares an Exclusive Excerpt from Love’s Sweet Melody

Who’s been wanting to read an exclusive ALBTALBS teaser? I’m going to raise my hand high and proud today as we welcome author Kianna Alexander. Kianna is one of twelve authors participating in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series and I’ve been eagerly awaiting her book. I have been reading Kianna’s novels since 2015 and picked upĀ Every Beat of My HeartĀ from my local library. As Kianna brings us into the 1940s, I hope you agree that her books are just as beautiful as she is.

 

Welcome, Kianna, to A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet!Ā 

Love’s Sweet MelodyĀ by Kianna Alexander is the fifth book in the Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Ā Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on our Facebook page.Ā 

Hereā€™s an *unedited* excerpt of the first scene of Love’s Sweet Melody.Ā Hopefully it gives you a feel for the setting, the hero and heroine, and a few of the secondary characters. Enjoy!

Love's Sweet Melody by Kianna Alexander Book CoverAutumn, 1946

Warner Hughes returns home from war with the lingering effects of battle. Abandoned by his sweetheart and ostracized by his community, he feels he has no real home

Elizabeth ā€œBettyā€ Daniels has one love: music. Bettyā€™s family wants to see her married, busy with affairs of the home, leaving no time to pursue her art.

Warnerā€™s only solace is in the sweet melody of Bettyā€™s music. To Bettyā€™s mind, marriage means giving up the freedom to pursue her art. Can Warner let love in, and can Betty make room for love?

Seated at the baby grand piano in the center of the dining room of the Cashwell Hotel, Elizabeth Daniels worked her fingers over the keys. The daily lunch crowd had just begun to fill the tables around her, bringing the space to life with the din of many conversations. Playing through the first stanza of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, she hoped to help the diners ease into their lunch break. She’d spoken to many of them in the year or so she’d been piano, and knew that their jobs in the city sometimes put them under a great deal of stress. Times being what they were, the black folks of Fox Den, Virginia had plenty to be concerned about. Continue reading

Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Suzette D. Harrison Shares an Exclusive Excerpt of The Art of Love

One of our goals on ALBTALBS is to give you excerpts for upcoming books you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Today we’reĀ thrilled to share with you an exclusive excerpt from an author who is newĀ to ALBTALBS, Suzette D. Harrison. Ā Suzette is a participating author in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series.Ā Her novel,Ā The Art of Love,Ā Ā will be released on April 1st, and will bring readers into the 1930s, a time when prohibition was gasping its last breath and the Great Depression ruled the economy. Suzette’s contribution toĀ Decades spins a romantic tale that full of heat and heart.Ā 

Welcome, Suzette, to ALBTALBS!

The Art of LoveĀ is the fourth book in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American
RomanceĀ series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900
and 2010.Ā  Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also
embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on their
Facebook page.

Book CoverAva Lydell is chasing her dream. A gifted artist, sheā€™s fled the violence of the Deep South for the seduction of sunny California. As luck would have it, the economic crisis of The Great Depression interferes with her hopes and plans. Without patronage and reliable sales, her fledgling art studio fails. Now she faces poverty, evictionā€¦and the distraction of a mysterious, young stranger engaged in a questionable trade that delivers danger to Avaā€™s front door.

In an age of Prohibition and poverty, Chase Jenkins has more than most Colored men. Heā€™s savvy, successful, and hazardously employed. A bootlegger living on the wrong side of the law, heā€™s determined to discover who murdered his baby brother. He has no time for diversions. Especially one packaged in the form of a ā€œmidnightā€ beauty with sultry lips and curvaceous hips. Unable to deny her allure, he involves himself in her affairs despite better judgment. What begins as a crisis quickly becomes a risky romance. Join Chase and Ava on their journey to outlive danger and indulge in the art of love.

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Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Guest Author Sheryl Lister

It is such a pleasure that during Smithsonian Black History Month (SBHM) we have an exclusive excerpt from new to ALBTALBS author Sheryl Lister. Ā Sheryl is a participating author in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series.Ā Her novelĀ will be released on March 1st, and will bring readers into the 1920s Harlem’s jazz scene. BasedĀ on the excerpt below, this book is going to keep me reading until the wee hours!Ā 

Welcome, Sheryl, to ALBTALBS!Ā 

 

Note:Ā Loveā€™s SerenadeĀ is the third book in theĀ Decades: A Journey of African American RomanceĀ series. This series consists of 12 books, each set in one of 12 decades between 1900 and 2010. Each story focuses on the romance between African American protagonists, but also embraces the African American experience within that decade. Join the journey on theirĀ Facebook page.

Book Cover

Escaping an arranged marriage, Leigh Jones flees her southern hometown for Harlem’s vibrant jazz scene to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. She finds more than she expected, namely Miles Cooper. The smooth-talking musician walked out on her three years ago, taking her music and her heart with him. Leigh has no intentions of falling for Miles or his charms again, until he tempts her with the one thing she canā€™t resist: a recording contract. But when her past comes calling, she realizes Miles is the one person who can save her from a man who wonā€™t take no for an answer.

Miles isnā€™t one for putting down roots or staying in one place for longer than a season. Yet, memories of Leigh’s sultry voice, beauty and sass make him long for the life and love he forfeited. Having walked away once, but never again, Miles sets out to prove he’s a changed man willing to go to any lengths to protect his woman. He’s determined to show Leigh, one passionate note at a time that the music they make together will last a lifetime.

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