A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious Mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian.
Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, has her sights set on the one and only Lucky Luciano, head of New York City’s five largest organized crime families. Other prosectors have tried to bring down Lucky, but they’ve all focused on the crime syndicate’s traditional businesses—bootlegging, gambling, loan sharking, and drug dealing—or tax evasion. No one has thought to approach the mob through its role in prostitution. Until Eunice. But she can’t get Luciano alone.
Polly Adler has worked long and hard to build up her high-class brothel business. Her client list is filled with well-known names, both the famous and the infamous, who all know her booze is top-notch, her music first-rate, her food exquisite, and her girls the best. But Lucky has gone too far, putting her girls in danger, and Polly finally sees the chance to end his reign once and for all.
Together, Eunice and Polly fashion a case utilizing a network of women. Bridging the enormous divide between them and risking their own lives, they assemble evidence bit by bit, under the nose of the man they’re trying to convict. It is this very alliance—of two women from vastly different worlds—that launches the most sensational trial New York City has ever seen.
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years of experience as a litigator. A graduate of Boston College and Boston University School of Law, she is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Daughter of Egypt, The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Lady Clementine, The Only Woman in the Room, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Other Einstein. She has also coauthored with Victoria Christopher Murray the New York Times bestselling The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for national book clubs. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including her most recent release Harlem Rhapsody. With Marie Benedict, she coauthored The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. She is an NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
With Her Baby on Her Back by Suzette D. Harrison Dual Timeline: Historical & Contemporary Fiction
Will she ever see freedom for her babies?
Mississippi, 1848. It’s a bright spring morning when enslaved midwife Zinnie is forced to begin an unimaginable journey: two thousand miles on foot. Her newborn baby is strapped to her back, her two little girls holding her hands, as she walks behind the slavers’ wagons.
Every mile brings blistered feet, aching limbs and the constant terror of what might happen to her children. But Zinnie carries an unbreakable determination to protect them. When they cross state lines, could it be her chance to fight for their freedom?
Texas, present day. Elementary school teacher and single mom Lynette is exhausted, balancing work, motherhood and life-changing decisions about her future. Then, while sorting through her grandmother’s attic, she discovers a sapphire brooch hidden among long-forgotten treasures.
The brooch unlocks an extraordinary family story of courage, sacrifice, and a woman who refused to give up. As Lynette uncovers the truth about her ancestors, will it have the power to change her life forever?
Excerpt: With Her Baby on Her Back by Suzette D. Harrison
Her name was Alretha. I’d noticed her kindness; how solicitous she was towards Miss Tandy, whose eighty-plus years made her revered. Alretha offered that same consideration now, joining me in pushing, prodding Tessie. She didn’t speak, was as silent as she’d been the few times our paths crossed while walking this long walk. “Your help’s much appreciated.”
She nodded in response.
I told myself this wasn’t no social setting. She wasn’t obligated to talk. Even so, I wanted to draw her out, to know what it was like to escape and be free. If only temporarily. Instead, I focused on moving Tessie and glanced down in the process. Alretha’s feet were bare, muddy, and slightly swollen. But it was the shackles about her ankles—a preventative measure against repeat escape—that arrested my attention and made my heart ache. Those metal bonds were cruel, animalistic, and I hated them.
I tore my gaze away and looked up again, encountering her stare.
“Being shoeless is part of my punishment for wanting freedom more than bondage.”
“Y’all hold on tight.” Lovie’s voice carrying across the distance interrupted my response.
I turned to see Lovie watching an oxcart carrying the first group of children across the stream, driven by her son, July, who wasn’t but a bit older than my Annabelle.
Our farm’s enslaved workforce was primarily women and children. Consequently, youngsters like July were delegated duties typically carried out by men. Many of the carts were hitched to the backs of wagons, creating a series of continuous conveyances. Others were free-standing and required human steering. Lovie’s July was just tall enough to reach my shoulders. That didn’t keep Master Ryland from ordering him to man an oxcart when we left Mississippi. Didn’t matter that he’d never handled such a task. July was subject to his owner’s demands.
Suzette D. Harrison writes like someone who was raised with books always within reach and no excuses to ignore them. As the middle of three daughters in a California home where reading was expected, she learned early that stories hold power and she planned to use it.
Her first taste of being published came in junior high, when her poetry made it onto the page and into the world. That early win stuck with her. She credits literary greats like Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison for shaping her love of storytelling. Still, it was Maya Angelou and her groundbreaking memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that truly lit the fire. That book did not whisper. It spoke directly, and Harrison listened.
She writes with a soft spot for happy endings, though she refuses to make the road easy. Her characters come with flaws, layered lives, and choices that do not always sit pretty. That is where the tension lives. That is where readers lean in. Expect twists that sneak up on you and moments that land harder than expected.
As the award-winning author of Taffy, Harrison balances her writing life with family and a background in pastry and baking. She brings that same patience and precision into her storytelling. These days, she is back in the kitchen and at the keyboard, working on her next novel somewhere between mixing batter and pulling cupcakes out of the oven.
SLM: How did your upbringing or personal experiences influence your storytelling style? I grew up with my head in a book. I was that kid who, when given a choice, preferred spending time in a library rather than being outdoors playing. Riding my bike to the public library (as well as being chosen as the library aide at my elementary school) hold some of my fondest memories. For me, the library was a magical place and oasis. It allowed access to a vast, wonderful world of books, and each book took me on adventures and opened doors to other worlds and dimensions. That proved a priceless reprieve for a young Black girl whose life was thrown into upheaval and chaos after my parents’ divorce.
As a writer, I understand the power and blessing of literary escape and do my best to infuse my writing with that blissful, transportive magic. I want my writing to whisk readers into my characters’ lives and worlds and give them an immersive experience like the one I had when hiding out in my childhood sanctuary, aka the library.
Additionally, I grew up as a Pentecostal kid in the Church of God in Christ, or C.O.G.I.C. for short. My childhood and teen years were filled with Sunday School, Sunday worship service, and a host of activities centered about our small, local congregation. Church was a home away from home inhabited by God-given family. It was where encounters with and demonstrations of Spirit were normal. Called upon. Anticipated. That spiritual upbringing influences my storytelling. Anyone who reads my books knows I don’t shy away from spiritual themes. Rather, I embrace and allow sacred space in my craft for the incorporation and presence of Spirit. It’s an immensely important part of my upbringing and I honor it even in my storytelling.
No One Has to Know by Shelia M. Goss Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
She’s chasing her Hollywood dream. He’s hiding behind his fame. When desire goes undercover, can love survive the truth?
Mona Johnson is an ambitious screenwriter working behind the scenes for one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers. Focused and fiercely protective of her future, she knows better than to mix business with pleasure, especially when the man in question signs her paycheck.
Terrance Beckham has power, prestige, and an industry reputation that opens every door. What he does not have is a love untouched by his fame. Tired of being wanted for the wrong reasons, he enters the world of online dating under an anonymous profile, searching for something real. What he finds is Mona.
Their online connection is effortless. In person, it is explosive and dangerously complicated. Secrets, proximity, and a truth that could cost them everything threaten to expose more than just their feelings.
In Hollywood, fantasy is easy. Reality changes everything.
Worth the Risk by Shelia M. Goss Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction
They built their empires under the spotlight. Now love might steal the show.
She built the brand everyone in Hollywood wants to touch.
He is the voice every playlist cannot live without.
When attraction collides with secrets and scandal, can love survive the glare of fame?
Charlotte Richards turned ambition into an empire, shaping her legacy one headline, one deal, and one star at a time. Polished, composed, and always in control, she promised herself she would never blur business with pleasure. Then she meets Sean Maxwell, R&B’s most magnetic performer, with a voice that moves millions and a presence that makes her forget every rule she swore to follow.
Sean has fame, fortune, and fans who can turn any mistake into a trending topic. But behind the swagger is a man who knows exactly what he wants, and what he wants is Charlotte. He is willing to risk his career, his reputation, and even his heart to prove it.
When old secrets resurface and viral rumors threaten everything they have built, Hollywood’s queen of strategy and king of smooth must decide whether love is the ultimate power move or the one risk neither of them can afford.
Praise for Worth the Risk by Shelia M. Goss
Romance, sex, and mystery are what you’ll find in Worth the Risk by Shelia Goss. Goss takes readers into the exciting and sometimes problematic world of Hollywood. This book has a good storyline with all of the glitz, glamor, and drama that Hollywood is known for. There is even a shocking mystery that is thrown in for good measure. Worth the Risk is a good fast-paced, spicy romance that is a great start to the Women in Hollywood series. ~ Urban Reviews
At its core, WORTH THE RISK explores the delicate balance between ambition and intimacy. It is an engaging and thoughtful romance. ~ Brenda Larnell, Romance in Color
If you like a good soap opera, or a good Hollywood drama, you will eat this up! I literally couldn’t put it down. I’m still shook at that last plot twist. ~ Dominique F
I liked the writing. It was easy to read and even though I’m such a slow reader and a busy gal it was hard to put down. ~ Emily C
Loretta “Ru” Harrison has always cherished October—the brisk autumn air, the vibrant foliage, and the sense of possibility that comes with the season’s change. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic engulfs New York, Ru’s once-vibrant world shrinks to the confines of her Queens cottage.
At 62, with her career behind her and her family scattered, Ru finds herself alone, grappling with cherished memories, emerging fears, and a yearning for connection. As she confronts family disputes, her sister’s profound grief, and her own aspirations in a city transformed, Ru must determine whether there is still space for hope.
“October” presents a poignant and intimate depiction of resilience, family bonds, and the bravery required to open one’s heart in a seemingly closed-off world. Margaret Johnson-Hodge’s latest novel beautifully captures the bittersweet essence of life during extraordinary times, reminding us that even in solitude, we are never genuinely alone.
Book Reviews for October: A Novel by Margaret Johnson-Hodge
“October stands apart from Johnson-Hodge’s earlier work through its intimate focus on a single protagonist navigating pandemic isolation, whereas her earlier novels typically centered on romantic entanglements and relationship crises across multiple characters. Master storyteller Johnson-Hodge crafted October with a reflective, contemplative pace that emphasizes emotional depth and interior life, a shift from the more plot-driven romantic dramas that defined her 2000s catalog…” I take that! –Yahoo Scout
“What immediately distinguishes Johnson-Hodge’s work is her choice of protagonist. Ru Harrison, at sixty-two, offers a refreshing perspective in contemporary fiction. As someone of the same age, I found myself connecting deeply with her character—a woman who loves October (my birth month as well), who finds solace in jazz played on vinyl, and who carries the weight of a love that never quite became what it promised to be. Johnson-Hodge’s prose has a comfortable, conversational quality that draws readers into intimate spaces. “Her attention to the small details—the vinyl jazz, the specific square footage of Ru’s home, the precise duration of the relationship (“two years one month and some days”)—creates a lived-in authenticity. These aren’t broad strokes but carefully observed lives.” –D. Bennett – Donna’s Book Addiction
“Margaret Johnson-Hodge is a master storyteller. “October” is a great story of family and the realities of surviving the pandemic. This is an honest read about love, strength, and togetherness.” –B. Glaze
“October” by Margaret Johnson-Hodge offers a deeply intimate and personal look into Ru’s life, revealing moments that feel honest, tender, and quietly profound. The story unfolds at a gentle pace, allowing space for reflection and emotional depth,…this unhurried rhythm suits the book’s contemplative nature. I would especially recommend this book to women, especially Gen Xers and Boomers, who may see echoes of their own experiences in Ru’s journey.” –D. Chan
“The characters are relatable, and experiencing the lockdown through their individual perspectives brought back the emotions and realities of that time. Margaret Johnson-Hodge’s storytelling is remarkable. Her vivid writing makes it easy to picture each scene as I read along.”–M. Coleman
“National Best-selling Author Margaret Johnson-Hodge has released her latest novel titled: OCTOBER a true-to-life drama about a family torn apart during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Set in Brooklyn, NY, October takes readers on the all too familiar and painful journey of life in 2020 when the world shuts down as a growing global pandemic changes the social dynamic of families, friends, and faith. –YAMS REVIEW!
About the Author Margaret Johnson-Hodge is the author of fourteen published novels. She has contributed to five anthologies, including the highly successful Proverbs of the People. Additionally, she is the author of a chapbook, a short story, and a non-fiction work.
She has received national acclaim. Her work has earned rave reviews from USA Today, The Dallas Morning Star, Midwest Book Review, Publishers’ Weekly, Booklist, The Library Journal, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine. She is a Bestselling Author with Essence Magazine, Blackboard, and Black Expressions.
Her works, described as ‘visceral,’ ‘brutally honest,’ and ‘refreshing,’ were considered by Showtime and Hallmark for book-to-movie options. Her novels have been used as part of the English curriculum at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she was a guest author, and was invited by Harvard University to submit a short story for their literary magazine.
Born and raised in New York, she now calls Atlanta, Georgia, home, but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up, and looks forward to telling more of them. “There is always some story inside of me,” is how she sees it, “and I just try and get it told…”
The Passion of Our Culture: Volume 1 A Celebration of Legacy. A Testament of Courage. A Call to Remember.
Co-authors: B. Lamont Lowery, Caleb Alexander, Cary Clack, Dr. Claude R. Williams, Sr., D.L. Grant, Dr. Loren D. Alves, Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson, Geoff Foster, George N. Miller, Jr., Judge Kristopher M. Colley, Chef Jerome Brown, Julius “Jay” A. Wilson, Rev. Dr. James W. Sanders Sr., Lenton Collins, Marcella Norton-Williams-Ashe, Margaret Richardson, Nevil “Butch” Shed, Norma Jean Bradford, Professor Frederick J. Williams, Dr. Sephira Bailey Shuttlesworth, Rev. Dr. Simon P. Bouie, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., and Toschia Moffett.
Foreword by James Pickens Jr., Star of Grey’s Anatomy Managing Editor: Dr. Loren Alves Curator: Toschia Moffett, JD, MPA
The Passion of Our Culture, Volume 1 is a dynamic and timely anthology created to honor the rich legacy, resilience, and brilliance of African Americans across generations. Featuring an exceptional collection of fiction, nonfiction, autobiographical reflections, and cultural tributes, this volume preserves the voices and stories that have shaped the Black experience in America.
Published by Prosperity Publications, LLC, and rooted in the African-American literary tradition, this anthology stands as both a celebration and a reminder: our culture is not simply something we inherit—it is something we protect, uplift, and pass forward with purpose.
With a foreword by acclaimed actor James Pickens Jr., star of Grey’s Anatomy, The Passion of Our Culture invites readers to reflect, learn, and embrace the enduring spirit of a people whose story continues to inspire the world.
This is more than a book. It is a legacy.
Available in paperback and hardback formats through online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. Distributed by IngramSpark and available to readers/vendors through online retailers, libraries, and wholesalers.
Love, loss, and the family you fight for—this novel will stay with you. What Love Leaves Behind by Marian L. Thomas.
Etta Harris has spent her life caring for other people’s babies as a nurse—but never had the chance to raise one of her own. When a newborn girl is left orphaned at the hospital, something inside Etta stirs. She knows this child belongs with her. But her husband, James, isn’t convinced—and the dream that once felt within reach threatens to unravel the foundation of their marriage.
Down the same hospital halls, Darren Johnson is shattered by the loss of his wife during childbirth. Though his newborn son survived, Darren is drowning in grief—struggling to connect with the baby who now needs him more than ever.
In the aftermath of heartbreaking loss, Etta—a nurse longing for motherhood—and Darren—a father paralyzed by grief—are drawn together by the children left in their care, and by the invisible threads that may already tie them together.
ReShonda Tate doesn’t just write books; she writes history with a heartbeat. The national bestselling author and award-winning journalist has carved out a lane that’s all her own, bringing Black stories to the page with beauty, grit, and purpose. With more than fifty-three titles under her belt, she’s proven that storytelling isn’t just her talent, it’s her calling. Her new novel, With Love from Harlem: A Novel of Hazel Scott, takes that legacy even further, reminding readers why her name stays on bestseller lists and her words stay on our minds.
ReShonda has always had a knack for capturing complexity. From her debut to her latest, she’s built a career that blends journalism’s truth with fiction’s fire. Her works like Let the Church Say Amen and The Secret She Kept didn’t just resonate with readers; they caught Hollywood’s attention. Both were adapted for television, with ReShonda herself stepping in front of the camera for cameo roles. Her storytelling reaches across mediums because it’s rooted in real emotion, cultural honesty, and the kind of nuance that sticks long after the last page.
Her newest work, With Love from Harlem, set to release January 27, 2026, shines a light on the life and love of Hazel Scott, the brilliant Trinidad-born jazz pianist who broke racial barriers and redefined what it meant to be both artist and activist. The novel opens in Harlem, 1943, a city alive with rhythm and rebellion. Hazel, at just twenty-three, is already a prodigy, a film star, and a woman who refuses to dim her light for anyone. Then comes Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Harlem’s own firebrand preacher turned politician, equally magnetic and dangerously unavailable. Their connection burns fast and deep, thrusting them into the public eye and testing everything from loyalty to legacy.
ReShonda doesn’t romanticize the struggle or the fame. Instead, she paints Hazel as the woman history often overlooks, the genius balancing artistry, love, and the unrelenting cost of ambition. Through every note, every headline, every heartbreak, Hazel’s fight for autonomy mirrors the fight so many women still know too well. It’s not only a love story. It’s a reminder of the price women pay to be seen, to be free, and to be remembered on their own terms.
What makes With Love from Harlem stand out isn’t only its rich historical setting but how it humanizes icons we’ve learned to view from afar. ReShonda invites readers to pull up a chair in Harlem’s golden age, where the sound of jazz spills into the streets and legends like Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin orbit Hazel’s world. Each scene carries the rhythm of the era, yet the emotions are timeless, ambition, longing, defiance, and the weight of public scrutiny.
As one of the few authors who can move seamlessly between contemporary fiction, historical drama, and young adult stories, ReShonda continues to prove that her range is unmatched. Her recognition from the NAACP Image Awards, induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, and inclusion in the Texas Literary Hall of Fame all serve as milestones, but they only tell part of the story. The real proof is in her pages.
With Love from Harlem feels like a full-circle moment for ReShonda Tate, a celebration of brilliance, both hers and Hazel’s. It’s a book that hums with the energy of a woman refusing to be silenced, told by another woman who’s built a career doing the same. This novel isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about reclamation. ReShonda gives Hazel Scott the spotlight history tried to dim, and in doing so, she reminds us all that the most unforgettable women never fade quietly, they play louder.
ReShonda Tate is a national bestselling author of more than 53 books, celebrated for bringing history, heart, and humanity to the page. Her latest novel,The Queen of Sugar Hill (William Morrow), offers a vivid fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, Hollywood trailblazer and the first Black person to win an Academy Award. Her upcoming novel, With Love From Harlem, will shine a light on jazz great and civil rights activist, Hazel Scott. ReShonda’s work blends meticulous research with emotional depth, reintroducing overlooked Black icons to modern readers.
An NAACP Image Award multiple nominee and winner for Outstanding Literature, ReShonda’s books are perennial bestsellers and have appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, Essence, People, Jet, and Ebony, among others. She is a sought-after motivational speaker, award-winning poet, and a member of both the Texas Literary Hall of Fame and Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Several of her novels have been adapted for screen: Let the Church Say Amen was directed by Regina King and produced by TD Jakes and Queen Latifah, with ReShonda making her on-screen debut. The Secret She Kept also aired on TV One, where she appeared in a cameo. As a screenwriter, she has penned two holiday films—Christmas With My Ex (TV One) and Christmas in the Friendly Skies (Apple TV, Amazon Prime).
A veteran journalist, ReShonda has worked as a television reporter and anchor in Oklahoma City, Beaumont, and Houston, and currently serves as Managing Editor of The Defender newspaper. She is also co-founder of Brown Girls Books and Brown Girls Entertainment, amplifying fresh literary and media voices.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, ReShonda is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Jack & Jill of America. She and her husband Jeffrey Caradine share five children. Visit: http://www.ReShondaTate.com for tour schedule, book excerpts and more.
SLM: What first sparked your love for storytelling and how did that shape your career? ReShonda: I’ve always loved making up stories (my mother called it lying). As a little girl, I was that kid who stayed up past bedtime with a flashlight and a book, completely lost in another world. My father was a storyteller. He would create a story from an everyday slice of life – a fly in the car, a stray dog, a homeless man. He would just create these stories off the cuff and I would lose myself in his storytelling. That hunger to understand people and their journeys led me to journalism, where I learned to listen deeply and honor truth. Eventually, fiction became my space to explore the emotional truths behind the facts. Storytelling is in my soul.
SLM: What part of the publishing process taught you the most about your strengths? ReShonda: Editing. It’s where I discovered my endurance, my discipline, and my willingness to fight for the heart of the story. I learned that I’m not afraid of revision—I’m committed to refinement. In fact, I’ve discovered that good books aren’t written – they’re rewritten. That’s a strength that has carried me through 53 books and counting.
SLM: How did it feel to cross the milestone of writing fifty-three books and still have more stories to tell? ReShonda: Humbling. Surreal. And honestly? A blessing. To still feel excited, still feel curious, still feel hungry to create—after all these years—is a gift I don’t take lightly. Every story reminds me there’s more work to do, more voices to honor, more history to reclaim. I treat each book like it’s my first. Believe it or not, I still get nervous, wondering if this is the book readers will hate. Thank God, I’ve yet to deliver that book and hope I never do.
The Bliss of the Grave: A Brothers of the Dark Veil Novel (Orun and Aye – Heaven and Earth Book 2) https://a.co/d/0ETi0h4
Mehwish Zanzibari Heiress Mehwish Shumaila bin Said al-Murgebi murdered her grandmother to retrieve an ancient Grimoire that had been authored in hell. Without a backward glance, she boarded her future husband’s ship bound for the Americas with the book of black majick tucked inside her reticule. Mehwish’s destiny was a dark and twisted one that would lead her to the infamous Magnolia Hill Plantation where she would be forced to endure a life unlike anything she could ever have imagined—or feared.
Flossie A new kind of evil took up residence on Magnolia Hill upon the arrival of the Zanzibari witch. Flossie, the plantation cook, midwife, and Obeah conjure woman knew evil when she saw it. It was in that witch’s pitch-black eyes when Flossie stole her coveted book of black majick, knowing the witch would gladly kill her and her remaining descendants to have it back.
Just about anything can happen to a Nephilim who is foolish enough to venture on the wrong side of the Dark Veil. It is the year 1748 and the height of slavery. A member of the band of half-breed black angels could easily be mistaken for one of the humans enslaved on a nearby plantation or, even worse, a slave catcher or demon could get ahold of him.All hell breaks loose when the only son of a well-connected Nephilim aristocrat disappears from the Atchafalaya Swamp without a trace.
The Nephilim King orders the immortal Brothers of the Dark Veil to scour every inch of the swamp to find him, dead or alive. Preternatural and human worlds collide when a trusted member of the Brothers of the Dark Veil meets an Obeah Priestess enslaved on Magnolia Hill, the most infamous plantation in Louisiana. Theirs is a forbidden love that will pierce the Dark Veil and shatter the secret world of the half-breed black angels forever.
Behind the Dark Veil (Arun and Aye-Heaven and Earth Book 1) by Carolyn Holland https://a.co/d/9NH6Tbt
Step into a world where history whispers secrets, and the shadows hold stories of vengeance, resilience, and untamed power.
Keeper of the Souls is a historical dark paranormal fiction that reimagines the untold journey of a Black family in Meridian, Mississippi. Blending the horrors of white privilege with supernatural intrigue in the 1960s, this novel unravels malevolent mysteries while celebrating the strength and spirit of a Black mother’s love.
What to Expect from Keeper of the Souls:
Dynamic Characters: Complex, unforgettable figures shaped by their pasts and futures.
Atmospheric Storytelling: A vivid tapestry of historical and otherworldly elements.
A Unique Perspective: Stories of identity, empowerment, and the supernatural.
Whether you’re a lover of history, a seeker of the paranormal, or both, this novel is for you.
The National Book Club Conference (NBCC), one of the premier literary gatherings in the U.S., returns in 2025 with an electrifying lineup that promises to spark conversations and celebrate storytelling. Held from August 1-3 in Atlanta, the event will feature a diverse roster of acclaimed authors and a special appearance by NAACP Image Award-winning authors Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith, who are set to discuss their highly anticipated new thriller, Sounds Like Trouble. Together, these two powerhouses are set to captivate NBCC attendees with insights into their creative process and the unique challenges and triumphs of writing Sounds Like Trouble.
Spotlight on Sounds Like Trouble A must-read summer release, Sounds Like Trouble combines suspense, chemistry, and a thrilling plot set in Los Angeles. Centering on Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham—two contrasting yet magnetic private investigators—the book takes readers into a high-stakes world of mobsters and mystery. The story dives into the pair’s reluctant partnership, testing their skills and their boundaries as they face some of their toughest challenges yet. The book hits shelves on July 8, 2025, primed to be a crowd-pleaser for lovers of high-octane thrillers.
NBCC 2025: A Gathering of Literary Voices Founded by Curtis Bunn, the NBCC has long been a hub for readers, writers, and lovers of literature, particularly those from communities of color. Each year, the conference connects authors and readers in a space that celebrates the power of storytelling, cultural representation, and the joy of reading.
Book lovers and aspiring writers alike can expect a weekend filled with engaging discussions, book signings, and opportunities to connect with some of today’s most compelling voices. With Young and Smith headlining, the NBCC 2025 promises an experience that will deepen readers’ appreciation for stories that entertain, challenge, and inspire.
How to Join The 21st NBCC promises an unforgettable experience for those who treasure the art of storytelling. For more details on registration and the event schedule, visit NBCC’s official website at https://www.nationalbookclubconference.com. Make plans to be part of this unique celebration of words, culture, and community.
Meet the Authors: Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith
Pamela Samuels Young, often likened to John Grisham with a sister’s twist, is celebrated for her legal thrillers that feature characters and themes reflective of her background as an attorney. Her work in novels like Anybody’s Daughter, which won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction, has been praised for its gripping take on real-world issues, such as child trafficking. Pamela’s journey from attorney to bestselling author highlights her commitment to diversifying the legal thriller genre, giving readers stories that resonate and challenge perspectives. An alum of UC Berkeley Law, USC, and Northwestern University, Pamela’s background in journalism and law is evident in her meticulously crafted stories.
Dwayne Alexander Smith, a Bronx native and longtime Los Angeles resident, is known for his impact as both a screenwriter and author. With decades of experience in Hollywood working for studios like Warner Bros. and Lionsgate, Smith’s knack for thrilling narratives has spanned both page and screen. His debut novel, Forty Acres, established him as a fresh voice in suspense fiction, earning him the NAACP Image Award for Best Debut Novel. The Unkind Hours, his second book, is currently being adapted for film, adding to his growing influence in the world of literature and film. Fans are eagerly awaiting KINGSLAND, his upcoming 10-part Audible series, launching in 2025.
Together, these two powerhouses are set to captivate NBCC attendees with insights into their creative process and the unique challenges and triumphs of writing Sounds Like Trouble.
One Missing Person. Two Rival Detectives. Infinite Chemistry. This rollicking thrill ride told in alternating “he said/she said” perspectives is an irresistible blend of mystery, sexual tension, and humor.
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Sounds Like a Plan: A Novel by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith
One Missing Person. Two Rival Detectives. Infinite Chemistry.
Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham have a lot in common. They are both hard-working private investigators with their own firms in Los Angeles, each happily single, and very good at their jobs. But when they’re together, they are like oil and water.
After they find themselves working the same missing persons case, the idea of collaborating seems about as likely as a blizzard in Beverly Hills. But once it’s clear that they have been set up to take the fall for a murder, they have no choice but to join forces and make a plan that will expose the truth.
Told in alternating perspectives, this rollicking, romantic thrill ride makes for a swoon-worthy mystery.
READ AN EXCERPT BELOW
Chapter 1
Jackson
I’m not accustomed to leaving a woman unsatisfied, especially an attractive woman who’d already shown me a great deal of generosity. Still, it couldn’t be helped. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t catch Mrs. Green’s cheating husband in the act.
My name is Jackson Jones. I make my living sticking my nose in other people’s business. In other words, I’m a private investigator. I work out of a respectable-sized office suite twenty-seven stories above Century City. My picture-window view of Beverly Hills is pricey, but never fails to impress my well-heeled clientele.
J. Jones Investigations, Incorporated, specializes in servicing everyone from the well-off to those wealthy enough to have POTUS on speed dial. Truth be told, it’s been a while since a substantial case crossed my threshold. I try to pass on the routine gigs, so I’ll be available for the high-dollar cases. But if I’m going to keep the lights on, I may have to rethink that strategy.
Mrs. Allison Green, my latest client, fell squarely in the comfortably rich category. She was blonde and fortyish, but with a twentyish face and body that were miracles of modern science. She always dressed stylishly, yet strategically to display her goods. A former wanna-be actress, Mrs. Green shelved her dreams of stardom eighteen years ago when a loaded producer slid a diamond onto her finger. Now, a mansion and a yacht later, Mrs. Green suspected said producer of stepping out on her and scheming to trade up. Shrewdly, Mrs. Green wanted to get the goods on her husband so she could, well, get her husband’s goods.
It was for this reason Mrs. Green loomed over my desk, manicured hands planted on her hips, blue eyes drilling into me. She had the demeanor of a woman accustomed to getting what she wanted.
“Well?” she demanded. “Why is this taking so long?”
I ignored the heat of her stare and gestured casually to the chair facing my desk. “Mrs. Green, please. If you’d just have a seat I can explain.”
Except for the narrowing of her eyes, she did not budge. “I told you, Mr. Jones, I don’t want to sit. Stop asking me to sit. I didn’t come here to sit. I came to get answers.”
I flashed a smile in an attempt to cool Mrs. Green down. “That’s what I’m here for. To get you answers.”
I’m tall. A fit thirty-one years old, and Denzel handsome–and I’m talking Denzel from back in the 90s. My smile’s world famous for its soothing effect on the fairer sex. But on this white lady hovering over me, flashing my pricey dental work evoked the opposite effect.
“Are you sure?” Mrs. Green snapped. “I’ve been standing in this office for five minutes and you still haven’t answered a damn thing. Why is it taking you so long to get me the proof I need? You told me you’d have a photograph in two weeks at most. That was two months ago.”
Knowing Mrs. Green wouldn’t like what I had to tell her, I was trying ease into it. Clearly that wasn’t working.
“Okay,” I said, raising my hands. “It’s like this. Your husband is not a stupid man.”
Her perfectly micro-bladed eyebrows clenched. “Excuse me?”
“I suspect he knows he’s being shadowed so, of course, he’s being extra careful. I must ask. Did you let anything slip about hiring a private investigator? Like maybe during an argument?”
“Mr. Jones, you’re right. My husband isn’t stupid. And neither am I. In fact, I’m smarter than he is. So, don’t insult me. Of course, I didn’t let anything slip. Maybe he spotted you following him because you’re incompetent. That would explain your failure to meet your guaranteed deadline.”
Although I still wore a pleasant smile, I was quickly losing my patience. I’d come to expect a certain level of superior snarkiness from these high-net-worth types, but a brother can only take so much.
Maintaining my cool, I said, “I assure you, I’m the best at what I do. Also, I never guaranteed anything. I gave you an estimate and nothing more.”
“Then what’s your explanation?” she said. “How does he know you’re following him?”
“Like I said, he’s smart. If he is having an affair, he’s being extra careful. Behaving as if he’s being followed. That makes my job much more difficult.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, catching him in the act could take a few more months.”
“Months? Not at the rates I’m paying you.”
“I think my rates are more than fair.”
“I want a discount.”
“As I said, my rates are fair.”
“You’re a crook! I want my money back. Every last dime.”
I shouldn’t have laughed, but I couldn’t help myself. I was done with Mrs. Big Mouth. I stood, forcing her to look up at me. “I’m terminating our agreement. Go find someone else to yell at. Goodbye.”
For a moment she just glared, trembling, as if she were about to blow. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, “You’ll be hearing from my attorney.”
With that, Mrs. Green was gone. The fact that she didn’t slam the door told me she’d probably never call her lawyer. It’s been my experience that rich folks love to brandish lawyers, but seldom pull the trigger.
I sank back into my seat feeling a twinge of regret. Customers who paid well and on time, like Mrs. Green, were hard to come by lately. On top of that there was a notice on my desk from the landlord informing me that my million-dollar view was about to get even pricier. I was seriously considering intercepting Mrs. Green at the elevator when my assistant poked her head into my office.
“Whoa,” Nadine said, a smirk on her face. “Mrs. Green sure looked pissed.”
“She’s no longer a client. And, oh yeah, she’s suing us.”
“Us? I just get coffee and answer phones. Don’t get it twisted.”
We traded smiles.
Nadine’s my cousin. She’s a few years younger than me, “put-together plump,” as she likes to say, and funny as hell. We were crazy close as kids, then lost touch for a bunch of years. When we reconnected as adults she was fresh out of rehab and needed a break. For years, I worked without an assistant but decided to give Nadine a shot. Now I don’t know how I ever managed without her.
“Guess what.” Nadine gestured to the reception area behind her. “You have a walk in.”
“Okay. Just give me a couple of minutes. I need to make a few quick calls.”
“Are you sure? This is a new client. Very nice suit. Slick shoes too. Oh yeah, and a briefcase that probably costs more than my car.”
I put down the phone. “Briefcase, huh?”
She nodded.
“Lawyer?”
She nodded again. “Big time from the looks of him.”
“Wait. Are you trying to tell me Mrs. Green came with her lawyer?”
Nadine laughed. “No. He’s someone else’s lawyer. Should I send him in?”
“No. Send him on a sandwich run to Subway.”
“Ha-ha. Fix your tie.”
Yes, I wear a tie. Suit too. Sure, I’d be more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt like the PIs on TV, but this is real life. The type of clients I cater to don’t do business with black men in T-shirts.
I straightened my tie as Nadine disappeared then reappeared moments later ushering in a man in a finely tailored suit. He looked to be in his sixties, maybe even early seventies. His polished appearance, refined posture, and air of confidence brought the word dashing to mind. And Nadine wasn’t kidding about his briefcase. My visitor clutched a black Dunhill Heritage, definitely pricier than Nadine’s eight-year-old Corolla.
I rounded my desk and greeted him with a handshake.
“My name is Raymond Patterson,” he said. “I’d like to discuss engaging your services. The matter is quite urgent and will require your immediate and exclusive attention. Of course, your compensation would be commensurate with the level of dedication I’m requesting. Are you interested, Mr. Jones?”
“You definitely have my attention.” I gestured to the visitor’s chair and returned to my seat. “Please, tell me what I can do for you.”
( Continued… )
Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Sounds Like a Plan Book Review “This sexy, banter-filled mystery is so much fun you’ll lust after a sequel.” —South Florida Sun Sentinel
About the Authors Pamela Samuels Young is an attorney, an NAACP Image Award winner for Outstanding Literary Work, and the author of several books, many of which feature characters with legal backgrounds that mirror her own. Follow her on Tiktok @AuthorPSY.
Dwayne Alexander Smith is a screenwriter and author of Forty Acres, winner of the NAACP Image Award for Literary Work by a Debut Author. Follow him on Twitter @WrittenBySmith.
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Sounds Like a Plan: A Novel by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith Order your copy today – https://a.co/d/d4iOU9G Pub Day July 9, 2024
Reluctantly joining forces after discovering they’ve both been hired on the same missing person case, two rival Black private investigators find their mutual dislike evolves into an undeniable attraction in this rollicking, romantic thrill ride told in alternate perspectives from award-winning authors Dwayne Alexander Smith and Pamela Samuels Young.
Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham have a lot in common. They are both hard-working private investigators with their own firms in Los Angeles. They are both Black, happily single, and very good at their jobs. But when they’re together, they are like oil and water.
When they find themselves working the same missing persons case, the idea of collaborating seems about as likely as a blizzard in Beverly Hills. But once it’s clear that they have been set up to take the fall for a murder, they have no choice but to work together.
Bickering their way from Century City to Malibu and beyond, it becomes increasingly hard for them to deny the sparks flying between them. But with a small army of killers in hot pursuit, there’s no time to sort through their complicated feelings in this witty, fast-paced, and swoon-worthy mystery.
About the Authors
Pamela Samuels Young is an attorney, an NAACP Award for Outstanding Fiction winner, and author of several books, many of which feature characters with legal backgrounds that mirror her own. Follow her on Instagram @AuthorPSY.
Dwayne Alexander Smith is a screenwriter, the coauthor of Sounds Like a Plan, and the author of Forty Acres, winner of the NAACP Image Award for Literary Work by a Debut Author. Follow him on Twitter @WrittenBySmith.
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In Jesus’ Name is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace.
In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith. Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
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Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Prioritybooks Publications and the visionary behind In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption. Raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, she is a nationally recognized mental health advocate, faith-based training consultant, author, publisher, and creator of nonprofit training programs.
For more than a decade, Dr. Beavers has worked to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in faith communities. She has trained over 100 churches and over 1,000 individuals in mental health programming and has spoken to over 5,000 congregants, clergy, and community leaders on behavioral health awareness, inclusion, and ministry development.
As the founder of Prioritybooks Publications, she has coached over 100 authors to bring their stories to life and has published over 100 books. She is the author of twenty books spanning five genres, including Christian fiction, women’s fiction, mystery, urban fiction, and self-help. Her nonfiction works, Breaking Behavioral Health Barriers in Faith-Based Communities and Breaking Chains: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health in Black Communities, provide churches and community organizations with practical strategies for supporting individuals and families affected by mental health challenges.
Dr. Beavers earned degrees from Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University and holds a Doctorate in Biblical Exposition. She currently leads the Breaking Behavioral-Health Barriers (BBB) Faith Project, a national initiative that equips churches and organizations to address mental health needs with compassion, knowledge, and faith.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Beavers is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She resides in Florissant, Missouri, with her husband of over forty years, Cedric. Together they have one daughter, Adeesha, and one grandson, Isaiah.
Through writing, publishing, training, and advocacy, Dr. Beavers continues her mission of helping individuals, families, and faith communities find hope, healing, and purpose. For speaking engagements, training opportunities, or publishing inquiries, contact Dr. Beavers at beavers_rose@yahoo.com or visit http://www.rosejacksonbeavers.com.
SLM: Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers, what inspired you to gather these voices together, and what message did you hope readers would carry with them after turning the final page? When God placed the idea for In Jesus’ Name on my heart, I knew immediately that it was meant to be a testimony book. I felt Him calling me to remind His people that He is still present in our lives and still in the blessing business.
At first, I questioned whether I had truly heard God’s voice. Yet, by four o’clock the next morning, there was no doubt in my mind. The message was clear, and so was the title. What was remarkable was that the phrase “In Jesus’ Name” had already become a natural part of my daily life. For nearly a year, I had been ending my mental health videos with those words. I found myself saying them at the end of phone conversations, too. It was never intentional; it simply became part of who I was.
Then I felt God saying, “People are going through so much. They need to hear testimonies. They need to hear how others have survived pain, trauma, disappointment, and struggle through prayer and by walking with Me.”
That is when I knew this book could not be just my story. God wanted multiple voices sharing different experiences, challenges, and victories. The first confirmation came when every author I invited immediately said yes. The second came when I mentioned the project to my nephew. Without knowing the title, he excitedly said, “You should call it In Jesus’ Name.” At that moment, I knew this project was God-ordained.
The message I hope readers carry with them is simple: God’s promises are real. He never abandons us, and He never lies. Life brings challenges, heartbreak, illness, grief, delayed dreams, and seasons of uncertainty, but God remains present through it all. Some testimonies in this book speak directly to depression. Others address grief, broken relationships, illness, unexpected blessings, and personal transformation. Every story points back to God’s faithfulness.
My prayer is that readers will recognize God’s hand in their own lives as they read these testimonies. Sometimes hearing someone else’s story helps us see our own more clearly. If readers close this book with renewed hope, strengthened faith, and a deeper understanding that God is still working in their lives, then we have accomplished what God intended.
SLM: Looking back on your own testimony, what moment stands out as the turning point where you knew God was leading you toward healing and purpose? When I look back over my life, I realize it has been a testimony. I have felt God’s presence since I was a little girl.
As a child, I prayed often and asked God to help me through difficult situations. In my young imagination, I pictured Him as King Kong. While that may sound unusual, King Kong represented strength and protection to me. I imagined him carrying me on his shoulders when I felt weak and standing between me and anything that might harm me. Even then, I understood what I had been taught in church, that God protects us, strengthens us, and carries us through difficult times.
I grew up in church and often joked that I attended before I was even born because my mother carried me there while pregnant. Except for my college years, the church has always been central to my life, but God has been even more so. As I matured, I recognized God was not only protecting me but also preparing me. Throughout my life, people repeatedly affirmed that God had given me a heart for helping others. Looking back, I can see His hand guiding me through every season, shaping my purpose and opening doors to serve.
That purpose is reflected in my work today. Whether through mental health ministry, coaching, training churches, or writing books, my mission has always been to help people find hope, healing, and purpose. Across nineteen books and multiple genres, I have consistently written about real-life struggles, social issues, resilience, faith, and transformation.
There was no single dramatic moment when I discovered my purpose. Instead, God revealed it little by little. He has faithfully guided and protected me, reminding me that my calling is to encourage, educate, and uplift others. Seeing lives changed through my work reminds me that God was leading me all along.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace.
In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith. Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful. If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Award-winning author Ann Clay has been captivating readers since beginning her writing career in 1999. Known for her heartfelt storytelling, she creates memorable characters, meaningful relationships, and engaging plots that celebrate love, resilience, and the beauty of human connection. Her novels transport readers into richly imagined worlds where passion, hope, and romance take center stage.
A lifelong reader and admirer of strong, positive male characters, Ann has explored multiple genres throughout her writing career. While she enjoys stretching her creative boundaries, romance remains her first love and favorite literary home. Her stories are recognized for their warmth, emotional depth, and ability to leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Ann resides in Southern Illinois, where she enjoys spending time with her family and connecting with readers who have embraced her work. She values the relationships she has built through her writing and welcomes opportunities to engage with her audience. Through every book she writes, Ann continues to share stories that entertain, inspire, and celebrate the enduring power of love.
SLM: You began your writing career in 1999 and have explored contemporary, inspirational, and romance fiction. What first inspired you to become a storyteller, and what has kept you writing for over two decades? I’ve always been an avid reader and have been drawn to stories that leave people feeling hopeful, encouraged, and emotionally connected. Writing became a natural extension of that love for books. I wanted to create stories that readers could relate to, stories filled with memorable characters, meaningful relationships, and moments that stay with them long after they turn the last page. More than twenty years later, what keeps me writing is still the same thing that inspired me in the beginning: the opportunity to touch someone’s heart through storytelling and remind readers that even life’s ordinary moments can hold something beautiful.
SLM: Your books span several genres. How would you describe your writing style, and what do you hope readers take away from your stories? I enjoy writing stories that feel authentic and emotionally satisfying. Even when I venture into different genres, I tend to gravitate toward characters who are searching for love, healing, belonging, or a second chance. I believe readers appreciate stories that allow them to see pieces of themselves in the people on the page. If readers finish one of my books feeling encouraged, inspired, or simply reminded that kindness and connection still matter, then I feel I’ve accomplished what I set out to do as a writer.
SLM: What advice would you give aspiring authors who dream of seeing their own stories in print? I would tell aspiring writers to keep reading, keep learning, and most importantly, keep writing. Every writer grows by practicing the craft and staying open to feedback and new experiences. Being involved with professional writing organizations and connecting with other authors can also be incredibly valuable because writing may happen alone, but publishing is often built on community. The most important thing is not to wait for the perfect moment. Start where you are, trust your voice, and allow yourself the freedom to grow into the writer you are becoming.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers shares deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Coach Dagne Barton is an author, certified life coach, motivational speaker, trainer, and leadership consultant dedicated to helping individuals discover their value, pursue their purpose, and achieve meaningful results. A passionate servant leader, she has faithfully served at New Life in Christ Church since 2003 as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Communications, where she combines ministry, leadership, and strategic communication to support the church’s mission.
Dagne is the founder of ValUAdded Coaching and Consulting, a personal and professional development company that helps individuals, leaders, and organizations reach their goals with confidence and clarity. Through coaching, workshops, seminars, and training programs, she equips people with practical tools and strategies that inspire growth, productivity, and purpose-driven living.
An accomplished author, Dagne is best known for her book, Phenomenal Woman… Gurl That’s U!, which introduced her signature S.H.I.N.E. philosophy, meaning Special Happening Inside Nobody Else. She is also the author of A GURL with a PLAN, a journal and undated planner designed to help individuals stay focused, organized, and intentional while pursuing their goals.
With more than 30 years of experience in administration, information technology, training, and development, Dagne brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world expertise to every audience she serves. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Austin Peay State University and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Webster University. She is also a licensed minister at New Life in Christ Church.
Dagne resides in O’Fallon, Illinois, with her husband, Isadore Barton Jr. Together they share a loving blended family of adult children and grandchildren across the Midwest and both coasts. Whether serving as a wife, mother, mentor, coach, or ministry leader, Dagne remains committed to adding value, inspiring growth, and making a lasting difference in the lives of others. For more information, visit dagnebarton.com.
SLM: Your career spans ministry, leadership, coaching, technology, and training. How have your education and professional experiences shaped the work you do today? A: Every season of my life has prepared me for the work I do now. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Austin Peay State University and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Webster University, which gave me a strong foundation in leadership, organizational development, and service. I also bring over 30 years of experience in administration, information technology, training, and development.
Serving since 2003 at New Life in Christ Church as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Communications has allowed me to blend ministry, leadership, and strategy in a meaningful way. Those experiences taught me that people do not simply need inspiration. They need practical tools, accountability, and someone who believes in their ability to grow. That understanding became the heartbeat of ValUAdded Coaching and Consulting.
SLM: What inspired you to launch ValUAdded Coaching and Consulting, and what has the past nine years taught you about helping people pursue their purpose? A: Nine years ago, I stepped out on faith with a vision to help people discover their purpose, create a plan, and walk confidently in what they believe they were called to do. Since then, I have had the privilege of coaching leaders, supporting businesses, training teams, encouraging women, assisting aspiring authors, and watching people move from ideas to action. What I have learned is that vision is important, but faith is what helps you build.
Dreams do not become reality because we create beautiful plans. They become reality when we pair vision with discipline, consistency, accountability, and action. My goal has always been to add value to people’s lives by helping them see what is possible and giving them the tools to move forward with clarity and confidence.
SLM: Your newest books speak directly to women who are trying to grow, heal, and move forward. What can readers expect from these projects? A: My books are deeply personal because they reflect lessons I have learned through faith, growth, and experience. Phenomenal! GurlThatsU: Letters to My Younger Self – Faith Edition is a collection of reflections, prayers, wisdom, and encouragement that I would share with my younger self. I hope readers of all ages will see themselves in those pages and be reminded that they are already equipped with gifts worth celebrating.
My other book, Eyes to See & Faith to Build: More Than a Vision B.O.A.R.D., challenges readers to move beyond dreaming and begin building the life they envision. I also believe journaling is an important self-care practice, which is why Phenomenal Woman… Gurl That’s U! was designed as a guided journal with stories and prompts, while A GURL with a PLAN serves as an undated journal and planner that helps readers stay intentional, organized, and focused on the goals that matter most.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful. If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Carol Hanks Aucamp is an author, former world-ranked tennis player, community advocate, and woman of faith whose life has been marked by perseverance, service, and a commitment to breaking barriers. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Carol discovered her love for tennis at an early age and began competing nationally at just 13 years old. Her talent quickly gained attention as she traveled across the United States and internationally, competing in prestigious tournaments from New York City to London.
During her remarkable tennis career, Carol achieved a world ranking of No. 9 in 1964 and remained among the top ten women tennis players in the United States for five years. She reached the U.S. Singles Semifinals at Forest Hills, won nine U.S. titles, competed at Wimbledon four times, and captured the National Clay Court Doubles Championship alongside Justina Bricka with a victory over Billie Jean King and Karen Hantze Susman. She was also a close ally of tennis legend Arthur Ashe during a pivotal era in the sport’s history.
While attending the National Doubles tournament in Boston, Carol met the love of her life, Donald Aucamp. What began as love at first sight grew into a marriage that has flourished for more than six decades, built on faith, friendship, and unwavering support.
Today, Carol continues to inspire others through her writing, advocacy, and commitment to truth, faith, family, and community. At 83, she remains active, engaged, and passionate about sharing lessons learned through a life rich with experience. Her work reflects her belief that courage, honesty, and faith have the power to change lives and strengthen future generations. Carol lives in St. Louis, where she continues to write, mentor, and leave a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
SLM: Carol Hanks Aucamp, what gave you the strength to keep moving forward when life felt uncertain? When we lost our daughter in a skydiving accident, the Lord just gave me new strength morning by morning. The Bible says that there is power in praise. It also says that Jesus wept. Those two verses together sort of express how I started each morning. I would try to sing some praise songs, but the singing would usually very quickly turn into tears. I knew it was OK to cry because Jesus did, but I also learned from a priest that our tears have healing properties. In the midst of my tears, I usually gave thanks to God because I knew our Alison was really, really happy being in heaven with Jesus and no more tears or pain. And I knew I would see her again one day because we shared the same faith in the same Savior. The tears were because I missed her. And God gave me some new ways to serve Him with new friends that I loved.
SLM: How has sharing your testimony changed the way you view your own story today? Sharing my testimony about how I came to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior helped me see that it might help others who might feel like second-class Christians if they did not have an exciting testimony about how they got saved. I’m sure there are other Christians who are like me, but maybe don’t even feel sure that they are Christians, since virtually all the testimonies that get in magazines or are testified in church are usually quite emotional ones. So I was glad to have a chance to write about mine in a book so that maybe some readers could benefit from my experience. The real evidence of being a Christian is the Holy Spirit in our lives and the changed lives that He empowers us to live.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Wanda Johnson-Hall, also known as Realati Lyphe, is a writer, author, book publisher, comedienne, and lifestyle coach originally from East St. Louis, Illinois. She earned a Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in Journalism from Belleville Area College and later continued her education at National Louis University. Wanda’s early career included work with the YWCA in Evanston, Illinois, where she held administrative roles and worked at the Battered Women’s Shelter, experiences that deepened her commitment to community service and advocacy for women and families.
In 1997, Wanda relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, where her creative and professional work expanded through community theater, poetry events, and writers’ groups. In 2004, she founded Goose Creek Publishers, Inc., which has published more than 30 books. She is also an award-winning columnist, having written for Today’s Woman Magazine for nine years and receiving the “Best Columnist” Award. Wanda has been honored with the key to the city of Louisville and the Distinguished Citizen Award. She is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother of one. After retiring in January 2024, she now embraces each day with gratitude.
SLM: Your journey spans journalism, community advocacy, publishing, and creative arts. What experiences shaped the foundation of your work? A: My foundation was built long before I ever became an author or publisher. I studied Journalism with a Liberal Arts focus at Belleville Area College and later continued at National Louis University, but some of my most formative education came through real-life work. Serving at the YWCA in Evanston, especially in roles connected to the Battered Women’s Shelter, gave me a front row seat to the struggles women and families face behind closed doors. That experience changed how I see storytelling. It is never just about writing words. It is about giving voice to people who are often unheard. That commitment to service and truth has stayed with me through every chapter of my career.
SLM: You founded Goose Creek Publishers, Inc., which has produced more than 30 books and supported many authors. What inspired you to step into publishing, and what impact has it had? A: I stepped into publishing because I saw too many powerful stories sitting on the sidelines. I wanted to create a space where writers could bring their work to life without losing their voice or their vision. In 2004, I founded Goose Creek Publishers, Inc., and since then we have published more than 30 books. My background in journalism and community work helped me understand both the discipline of storytelling and the responsibility that comes with it.
I also spent nine years writing for Today’s Woman Magazine, where I was honored as Best Columnist, and that reinforced how meaningful it is when readers connect with your words. Publishing has never just been a business for me. It has been about legacy, access, and making sure stories from everyday voices get the platform they deserve.
SLM: You are also known as Realati Lyphe, a comedienne, lifestyle coach, and creative voice. How do all these identities come together in your work today? A: I have never been one-dimensional, and I do not think life calls us to be. Realati Lyphe is the creative expression of everything I have lived, learned, and laughed through. From poetry events and community theater in Louisville to coaching and storytelling, I have always found ways to connect with people through honesty and humor. I relocated to Louisville in 1997, and that move opened up space for me to grow creatively and professionally in ways I did not expect.
Now, after retiring in 2024, I move through life with a deeper sense of gratitude. I am a mother, grandmother, and creative who has been honored with recognition such as the key to the city of Louisville and a Distinguished Citizen Award, but what matters most is still the same. I want people to feel seen, heard, and inspired to tell their own story without shrinking who they are.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Dr. Ollie Robinson is an accomplished author, Christian minister, humanitarian, and community leader whose life’s work has been dedicated to serving others through faith, advocacy, education, and compassionate outreach. A devoted mother and grandmother, she has spent more than five decades uplifting individuals and families facing hardship while sharing a message of hope, healing, and purpose.
Dr. Robinson holds a Doctorate in Ministry and is deeply committed to helping others discover and fulfill their God-given purpose. She often expresses her personal mission in the words, “Change hearts to change minds,” a philosophy that continues to guide her ministry, writing, and community service.
Since August 2019, Dr. Robinson has served as the second President of New Life in St. Louis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting underserved and economically disadvantaged individuals through food assistance, clothing distribution, advocacy, inspirational education, and community support services. Her involvement with New Life in St. Louis spans more than 50 years, reflecting a lifelong commitment to caring for those in need. Inspired by the example of the virtuous woman described in Scripture, she believes that a meaningful life is one that remains open-handed in service to others.
Her dedication to humanitarian efforts has earned her numerous community recognitions, including the prestigious Gold Medal Humanitarian Award presented by the Hospital Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Dr. Robinson actively serves within her church’s Community Outreach Program, where she co-facilitates biweekly Bible study sessions for senior adults, providing spiritual guidance, fellowship, and encouragement.
As a self-published author, Dr. Robinson uses the written word to inspire readers to embrace faith, perseverance, and personal growth. She is the co-author of several impactful books, including The Beautiful Empowered Purpose Driven Woman, Arts of Christianity, and Broken Chords: God Tunes His Church. Her work speaks to individuals seeking spiritual renewal, inner strength, and a deeper understanding of their unique calling.
Her book, The Beautiful Empowered Purpose Driven Woman, offers readers practical and faith-centered insights to recognize their inner gifts, pursue purpose with confidence, and overcome life’s challenges with grace and resilience. The book is available through Amazon and continues to encourage women who desire to live intentionally and walk boldly in their God-given assignments.
When she is not engaged in ministry, writing, or community outreach, Dr. Robinson enjoys singing and cherishes spending quality time with her daughter and grandchildren, embracing the joy and blessings of family life while continuing to serve others with compassion, wisdom, and unwavering faith.
SLM: Dr. Ollie, what kept your faith anchored during moments when circumstances seemed stacked against you? I would have to say prayer. I was taught to pray as a young child, having got saved at the age of 15. Prayer is what we have to align ourselves with when facing difficult moments. Prayer should, in essence, become our anchor, allowing us not to be easily shifted when circumstances are stacked against us.
Making prayer the foundation of your daily life supports clarity and peace. The bible says: “He spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” St. Luke 18:1
SLM: What part of your story do you believe readers will connect with most deeply, and why? That even in grief or any life challenge, God is able to keep and restore us if we let him. This requires us to fully trust him even in our most vulnerable moments. When we let go and let God, this is transformative. The bible says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” St. John 16:33
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Dr. Brandy S. Peoples is from St. Louis, Missouri. She is a licensed psychologist who received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Presently, Dr. Peoples is on staff at the St. Louis County Family Court, where she specializes in forensic and clinical psychology. Dr. Peoples also has an extensive background in trauma and has trained over 100 churches in the St. Louis area on the importance of becoming a “trauma-informed congregation.”
As an ordained minister and author, Dr. Peoples has written the book “A Journey Toward Purpose and Promise,” in which she draws on rich life lessons to show others how to claim God’s promises for their lives. Her second book, “Wisdom While Waiting,” is a 31-day devotional with a journal that uses scripture to encourage Christian singles to pursue wisdom while they’re waiting for marriage.
Both books: “A Journey Toward Purpose and Promise” and “Wisdom While Waiting: A Daily Devotional for Christian Singles” can be purchased on Amazon. You can read more from Dr. Brandy on her blog www.drbrandyspeoples.com
SLM: Dr. Brandy, how did your relationship with God deepen through the challenges you experienced? Through the challenges I’ve experienced, I’ve seen another side of God. Yes, we all know Him as the Alpha and Omega, but in my time of weakness and vulnerability, I simply saw Him as my Father. He comforted me in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep, He talked to me when I felt all alone, and no matter how many times I cried about what I was going through, He never complained.
In those moments, God saw me – the real me. Not the psychologist, not the minister, not the woman who is used to having everything under control. He saw His daughter and He heard my cry. Although I would’ve liked to avoid the pain, God used desperation to deepen my relationship with Him, and He showed me what His love, a Father’s love truly feels like.
SLM: What advice would you give someone who is waiting for answers to prayers that seem unanswered? The best advice I would give someone who is waiting on God is in James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” During the waiting season, you’ll need God more than ever because He is the only one who can help you endure. He’ll comfort you when you get frustrated; He’ll send people to encourage you; He’ll remind you of His promises; and He’ll even give you supernatural encounters to build your faith. God doesn’t waste anything, and the time you’ve spent waiting is preparation before your prayers are answered.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Danielle Freeman is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur based in Louisville, KY. She is the founder of Naturally Created 4 You, a natural skincare business that has served nearly 1,000 families across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico since 2020. What began as a skincare business grew into a ministry and community where Danielle shares her faith through her podcast, TikTok channel, and writing.
In 2025, she released her first book, Every Testimony Matters. The book walks readers through her testimony of finding purpose in her pain through God’s saving grace. More than her own story, Every Testimony Matters is an open invitation for others to share their testimony. Danielle’s book is available on Amazon and at everytestimonymatters.com.
SLM: Danielle, what was the hardest truth you had to face before healing could begin? The hardest truth for me to recognize was that I would never be able to do enough to heal myself. This is hard because it means giving up control, and if you are like me, you feel safe when you have control. However, real healing comes from a place of humility and surrender, not control. I had to humble myself before the Lord and ask Him to help me heal, and trust that He would. Then, I had to surrender to His way, instead of my own thoughts and desires. This process of humility and surrender has not only brought healing but a deeper relationship with Christ.
SLM: What do you hope readers learn about resilience through your chapter in this anthology? When I look back over my poor choices and hard times, I see how each season drew me to God and ultimately led me to salvation. Resilience is not from how strong you are, but how faithful God is. My strength comes from the Lord. Every breath in my body is because of God’s grace. I want readers to know that resilience comes from putting our faith in who God says He is.
It’s not about us, but what God can do through us. The Bible tells us that even in Paul’s imprisonment, he was preaching the gospel and encouraging others. Paul never made it about him, but used every opportunity to point people towards Christ. This teaches us that when we live to love and serve God, we can trust that He will give us the strength to endure hard times.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Dr. Neva Brooks is passionate about helping creative and professional women move beyond seasons of uncertainty and self-doubt into lives marked by clarity, confidence, and freedom. As a Certified Life Coach, Mental Health Coach, and Behavioral Health Registered Nurse, she draws from both her professional expertise and personal experiences to support women who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from their purpose.
She is the CEO of Diamond Sharp Coaching, LLC, and the founder of Diamonds Sharpens Diamonds, a women’s ministry inspired by the biblical principle found in Proverbs 27:17. Through her signature “Diamond Polishing Table,” a weekly virtual gathering, women are invited into a nurturing space where they can share openly, receive encouragement, and strengthen one another through authentic connection and faith.
Dr. Neva earned a Doctorate in Ministry with a concentration in Biblical Counseling and is a licensed and ordained minister in the Christian faith. She serves as Minister of Protocol at Anderson Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Cecil Golder III.
Committed to promoting emotional and spiritual well-being, Dr. Neva partners with churches to establish mental wellness ministries that support healthy, thriving congregations. She is also a published author and columnist whose work reflects her passion for helping women heal, grow, and live with intention. Above all, she treasures her roles as a mother, nana, sister, daughter, and devoted sister-friend, finding her greatest joy in faith, family, and meaningful relationships.
SLM: You work at the intersection of faith, mental wellness, and coaching. What shaped your path into this work, and how does your background support the women you serve today? My work is rooted in both lived experience and professional training. I am a licensed and ordained minister with a Doctorate in Ministry focused on Biblical Counseling, and I am also a Certified Life Coach and Mental Wellness Coach, along with my background as a Behavioral Health Registered Nurse. That combination allows me to see women as whole people, not pieces of a problem. I walk with creative and professional women who often feel stuck in conflict, whether emotional, spiritual, or relational, and help them move toward clarity, confidence, and freedom. My calling is to create safe spaces where women can be honest about where they are and still believe in where they are going.
SLM: You founded Diamond Sharp Coaching, LLC, and the Diamonds Sharpens Diamonds ministry. What is the heart behind those spaces, and what happens inside your “Diamond Polishing Table” gatherings? The heart behind Diamond Sharp Coaching and Diamonds Sharpens Diamonds is simple. Women are not meant to go through life isolated or silently struggling. According to Proverbs 27:17, we sharpen one another through honesty, support, and encouragement.
The Diamond Polishing Table is a weekly virtual gathering where women come together to share real-life experiences, pray, process, and build each other up. It is not about perfection. It is about becoming stronger, clearer, and more grounded together. I wanted a space where women could drop the mask and still be met with respect, care, and truth.
SLM: You also coach churches and leaders around mental wellness ministries. Why is this work so important inside faith communities, and what does your Comfort Companion program offer? Many faith communities are filled with people who are carrying emotional weight but do not always have the language or support to address it. My work helps churches close that gap. Through my Comfort Companion program, we help churches identify mental wellness needs within their congregations and build systems of support, education, and referral.
I also teach on Faith and Mental Wellness, which looks at how emotional health and spiritual growth are connected from a biblical perspective. The goal is to reduce stigma, equip leaders, and help churches become places where healing is not hidden but supported with wisdom, care, and understanding.
Connect with Dr. Minister Neva Brooks Diamonds Sharpens Diamonds™️ Diamond Sharp Coaching, LLC Website: https://www.diamondsharpcoach.com
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace. In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love. Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful.
If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Geraldine Smith is a native of St. Louis and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Horton. She attended Catholic schools in St. Louis and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Webster University. She is also a graduate of the Army Management Staff College.
Ms. Smith is a retired Department of Defense Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity Program Manager with a career dedicated to advocacy, leadership, and community service.
She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Project Manager for the Crisis Counseling Program, SHOWMEHOPE Missouri, where she helped educate more than 435,000 residents across Missouri and Illinois about emotional support resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is the founder of the First Ladies Network–FAVOR (Connecting Families) and the Rev. Carl S. Smith, Sr. Legacy Foundation, both of which focus on strengthening families and empowering communities.
Ms. Smith currently serves as a Human Relations Specialist with the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency for the City of St. Louis. She is the President of the Board of Directors for Northside Youth and Senior Service Center. Lady Smith is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Xi Zeta Chapter. She is the widow of the late Rev. Carl S. Smith, Sr., a mother of four, grandmother of four, and an active member of Living the Word Church in Collinsville, Illinois.
SLM: When do you think about your life’s challenges, what blessings emerged from a situation that once felt hopeless? Geraldine: I think about life’s challenges when I think about three death occurrences in my life. They are the death of my unborn child at (7) months – I didn’t understand why she did not live. The death of my Mother – I didn’t understand why she kept saying “I’m tired” and then stopped talking and just slept until she took her last breath. The death of my husband – why was it so sudden, and I was not with him when he took his last breath.
In those challenging situations, I remember the scripture: Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. “I want to meet my maker as those who have gone on before me. For I know God is saying, “Come home, my child, take your rest.”
In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul writes about the necessity of moving forward in faith. He emphasizes letting go of past regrets and accomplishments to focus entirely on pursuing spiritual maturity and the heavenly reward offered by God through Jesus Christ.
SLM: What message would you share with someone who feels they have made too many mistakes to start over? Geraldine: I would tell them not to dwell on the mistakes, be they one or many. I would tell them to stop beating themselves up, move forward, and embrace God and His mercies. I have learned that if I keep looking back, then I can’t move forward to see what God has waiting for me.
I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:17, God says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.”
Also, in Isaiah 43:18-19, it reads, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
When we forget the things behind us, we can reach for the prize God has waiting. It would be a shame to miss that. You think!
Geraldine Smith, MS Psychology Board President, Northside Youth and Senior Service Center President, First Ladies Network: FAVOR-Connecting Families CEO, Rev. Carl S. Smith, Sr. Legacy Foundation
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace.
In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith. Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful. If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Mary L. Wilson is a God-fearing woman, devoted mother, and proud grandmother with a deep passion for writing. She has published four novels since 2005 and has a new book, “Gracefully Broken,” forthcoming. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Mary chose resilience over fear. She earned her GED, completed an associate degree at Florissant Valley Community College, and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Harris–Stowe State University.
Mary is committed to serving the unhoused. She is in the process of launching a nonprofit organization focused on support and advocacy. Through every season of her life, she has learned to move forward in faith, firmly believing never to do anything without God’s permission.
“God is everything. Man may fail you, but our Father above will never leave you or forsake you.”
SLM: What inspired you to be transparent about your experiences, even when sharing them may have been difficult? Mary: I asked myself this question many times. Then I realized that my experiences could help someone else get through their own situation.
While I was battling cancer, I met a young woman who confided in me that she felt alone. She told me it looked like I had everything together. I shared with her that I was actually going through a very difficult time and was barely holding on myself.
We became friends, and as we talked about our stories, trials, and hardships, I realized that sharing my journey could give hope to others. We both sought counseling, and she later told me that my story was powerful and needed to be heard. She also shared that she hadn’t realized how much our conversations had helped her through her circumstances.
That experience showed me the value of being transparent. If my story can help someone find hope, strength, or healing, then it is worth sharing. That is why, whenever I have the opportunity to tell my story, I do so without hesitation.
SLM: How do you stay encouraged when life presents new challenges after overcoming old ones? Mary: At this point in my life, my walk with God is stronger than it has ever been. I do not do anything without Him. I allow God to fight my battles, and He is the center of my life.
Now, I’m not saying that life is always easy or pleasant. Challenges still come, and difficult seasons still arise. But when those trials arrive, I know that God is right beside me.
Those moments strengthen my prayer life and deepen my faith. I have learned to trust Him completely, even when I don’t understand what is happening. My faith does not waver because I know that God has carried me through difficult times before, and He will continue to carry me through whatever lies ahead.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace.
In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers share deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith. Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful. If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Tamela Wright serves as Director of Community Initiatives at the Behavioral Health Network of St. Louis, Missouri. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Psychology, as well as a Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky.
Tamela brings extensive experience in developing and implementing educational and prevention services and is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and stigma reduction within the African American community. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor for youth and adult populations.
SLM: Tamela, what moment in your life confirmed to you that God was working behind the scenes? The moment that confirmed God was working behind the scenes was when He finally answered my question of “Why me?” after months of anger, fear, treatments, and uncertainty. I had prayed over and over, asking God why I had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer shortly after becoming a wife and mother. I wanted answers, but all I heard was silence.
Then one night, I woke up and heard God say, “Just Listen.”
At first, I did not understand what He meant. A few weeks later, He revealed the meaning to me while I was driving. Through those two simple words, He gave me a roadmap for my journey. He reminded me to lean not on my own understanding, to trust Him, to seek Him first, and to remember that nothing could separate me from His love.
Looking back, I realize God was working the entire time. Even when I could not see it, He was strengthening my faith, surrounding me with praying family and friends, and teaching me to depend on Him completely. His answer did not come when I wanted it, but it came exactly when I needed it.
SLM: What do you hope readers take away from your testimony about faith, perseverance, and hope? I hope readers take away the understanding that God is always with us, even during the most difficult seasons of our lives. Sometimes we face challenges that we do not understand, and we may ask God, “Why?” just as I did. But faith is trusting Him even when the answers do not come right away.
My testimony is a reminder that perseverance is possible when we place our trust in God. There were days when I was tired, discouraged, and afraid, but God carried me through those moments and strengthened me along the way.
Most of all, I hope readers leave with hope. Whether they are facing illness, loss, uncertainty, or another difficult journey, I want them to know that God has not forgotten them. He is still working, still listening, and still able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think. Sometimes the greatest thing we can do is be still, trust God, and “Just Listen.”
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers
Black Pearls Magazine is shining the spotlight on the In Jesus’ Name Contributors
In Jesus’ Name featured contributors include Dr. Rose Jackson-Beavers (compiler), Ann Clay, Carol Hank Aucamp, Coach Dagne Barton, Danielle Freeman, Dr. Brandy Peoples, Dr. Minister Neva Brooks, Dr. Ollie Robinson, Geraldine Smith, Glorina Jackson, Mary L. Wilson, Pastor Rosemary Jackson-Moore, Tamela Wright, and Wanda Johnson-Hall.
Together, these accomplished women bring a wealth of wisdom, life experience, faith, leadership, and personal insight, creating a powerful collection of voices that inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
In Jesus’ Name: Real Stories of Healing, Hope, and Redemption by Dr. Rose M Jackson-Beavers is a powerful anthology of real-life testimonies that illuminate the transforming and redemptive power of God’s grace.
In this sacred collection, a community of courageous writers shares deeply personal journeys of grief, addiction, illness, depression, loss, restoration, and renewal. These are not distant stories told from a mountaintop; they are lived experiences from valleys walked in faith.
Each contributor offers an honest account of how God met them in their darkest moments and carried them toward healing and hope. Together, their voices form a tapestry of perseverance, mercy, and triumph, reminding us that no struggle is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Within these pages, you will find reflections that mirror your own questions, your own waiting seasons, and your own prayers whispered in the night. You will be reminded that joy still comes in the morning, that God hears every cry, and that His timing is always purposeful. If you have ever wondered whether God sees you or walks beside you in your pain, this book stands as a resounding testimony: He does, and He is still working in your life, in your story,
Glorina Jackson is the proud mother of five adult children, a grandmother of nine, and the great-grandmother of three. She devotes much of her time to caring for her disabled daughter and finds joy and peace in cooking, an expression of love she shares generously with others. Cooking not only relieves her stress but has also become a way for her to nurture and connect with people, many of whom seek her out for her delicious meals. Known for her warm spirit and friendly nature, Glorina is committed to giving back to those who supported her when she needed intervention, deeply believing in second chances and the power of community. When needed, she happily volunteers for local organizations.
SLM: Glorina, how did your understanding of God’s grace change through the experiences you share in this book? God’s grace changed my life for the better. Through my addiction, I lost so much. Most people don’t realize that addiction takes away your self-respect and the trust of others. People can no longer count on you. Your children are being cared for by someone else, in my case, my mother.
When you’re addicted, you’re constantly searching for drugs and the people who can supply them. But deep down, I was really searching for help. Because I grew up in a God-fearing family and spent my life in church, I knew who God was, and I called on Him often. The problem was that the drugs kept calling me back.
When I finally got tired and no longer wanted that life, I knew my only hope was God. I prayed earnestly and asked Him to take the taste for drugs out of my body. He answered my prayer, and I have now been free from crack cocaine for more than thirteen years. I wanted to share my testimony because I know we cannot do anything without God. With Him, all things are possible. By the grace of God, I was saved, and I knew that if He could do it for me, He could do it for someone else. I want people to know that with God, there is more than hope; there is restoration. He can give you your life back. All you have to do is ask, trust Him, follow through, and keep praying.
SLM: What does healing mean to you today compared to what it meant at the beginning of your struggle? At the beginning of my struggle, I didn’t really understand healing. I knew that if I were sick, I could go to the hospital. I went to the hospital many times, but I wasn’t healed. When I left, I went right back to the streets. To me, that wasn’t healing; it was only a temporary break.
I couldn’t stay clean because I always wanted more. But healing through God is different. God heals you from the inside out. He works on your heart, your mind, and your spirit.
Doctors work on the problem, and I thank God for doctors. But when God touches your heart, it is like being born again. That’s the difference. When you go to God and ask Him for help, He opens His loving arms to you. The choice is yours to accept Him and walk with Him. I had to give my life back to God because I could no longer control it on my own.
Today, healing means peace. It means freedom. It means knowing that I don’t have to live the way I once lived. I want people to know that they can find healing, peace, and restoration through God if they give Him a chance.
God never left us—we left Him. But the beautiful thing about our loving Lord is that the door back to Him is always open.
Rosemary Jackson-Moore is an author, speaker, women’s JourneY Coach, and founder of Taking Off the Masks, LLC (TOTM), where she serves as CEO (Chief Encouragement and Empowerment Officer). After a 28-year career with the Missouri Department of Social Services, where she helped individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve self-sufficiency, Rosemary dedicated her life to empowering women to find hope, healing, and purpose.
In 2000, she developed Taking Off the Masks, a Bible-based, Spirit-led ministry that has grown from a life-changing workshop into seminars, retreats, peer support groups, coaching programs, conferences, and her award-winning book, Taking Off the Masks: Telling Our Story and Giving God the Glory. During the pandemic, she expanded the ministry to Clubhouse, where she launched the JourneY Club, a thriving coaching community.
Rosemary has extensive training and experience in behavioral health, mental health coaching, substance abuse, domestic violence victim advocacy, prison ministry, and crisis counseling. She also served as the founding pastor of a certified Behavioral Health Friendly church for 15 years and as a FEMA Crisis Counselor during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2026, she became a contributing author to the anthology In Jesus’ Name.
Rosemary and her husband, Nathan, live in Florissant, Missouri. Through coaching, speaking, and ministry, she continues to encourage women to remove the masks that hide their pain and embrace the freedom, healing, and purpose God has for their lives.
Connect with Rosemary To learn more about Rosemary’s coaching, speaking ministry, workshops, and retreats, visit her website at takingoffthemasks.wixsite.com/mysite
SLM: Pastor Rosemary, what has your personal testimony taught you about God’s timing and purpose? RJM: My personal testimony has taught me that both God’s purpose and His timing are equally important. Every time I tried to do things my way or pursue what I wanted rather than what God wanted, it led to disappointment, failure, or something even worse. Likewise, whenever I sought to please people rather than please God, I ended up either hurting or being hurt. My relationship with God suffered, and so did my relationships with others.
Even after I knew God had called me and revealed His purpose for my life, I had to learn that His timing is just as important as His calling. We can know what God has called us to do, but if we move ahead of Him, we can delay or complicate His plans for our lives.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that Romans 8:28 is absolutely true: “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” That includes my greatest mistakes. God has redeemed every setback and every failure because I love Him and am called according to His purpose—not mine or anyone else’s.
SLM: How have the lessons from your story shaped the way you lead and support others today? RJM: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I must strive to live what I teach. I don’t just encourage others to work through the principles in Taking Off the Masks—I periodically work through my own book for continued growth, healing, and spiritual well-being.
I lead from a place of honesty, transparency, and authenticity because people don’t need someone who appears perfect—they need someone who has experienced God’s healing firsthand.
I also remind the women I serve that there is no quick fix. Taking off the masks works—but only if we’re willing to do the work. It begins with becoming completely honest with ourselves and then bringing those truths before our Heavenly Father. He already knows our hearts, but healing begins when we honestly acknowledge them before Him.
As we spend time with Him, He helps us see ourselves the way He sees us. He renews our minds, heals our hearts, and reveals the plans He has for our lives. Our responsibility is to keep listening, learning, trusting, and obeying Him.
I’ve witnessed time and again that when God heals us, He doesn’t stop there. He sends us back out to encourage and help others with the very comfort, hope, and healing we’ve received from Him. That’s exactly what Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, and it has become one of the guiding principles of my life and ministry.
Pip: Black Pearls Magazine Blog, where the reading list arrives fully loaded — historical reckonings, domestic chaos, and at least one woman who showed up at the door after fifty years like she just stepped out for milk.
Mara: That’s the territory today, thanks to Ella Curry, EDC Creations. We’re moving through voices history tried to sideline, the secrets and desires that spiral into real consequences, and a first year of marriage that is anything but a fairy tale.
Pip: Let’s start with the historical record — and who gets left out of it.
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Historical Voices And Legacy
Mara: The question running through this segment is who gets credited for shaping culture — and what it costs when the answer is “not you, not yet.”
Pip: The Harlem Rhapsody review puts that tension right on the page. The setup is Jessie Redmon Fauset working at The Crisis, lifting writers like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, and the review lands here: “You feel Jessie’s frustration, her discipline, and the cost of staying excellent in rooms that never planned to fully credit her.”
Mara: That line is the emotional spine of the whole review. It captures what historical fiction can do when it stays close to its subject — not just dramatizing an era but naming the specific tax that excellence without recognition extracts.
Pip: The review does note the romance with Du Bois occasionally pulls focus from Jessie’s own authority, which is a fair tension to flag. The book is strongest, it argues, when Jessie’s voice and impact stay centered.
Mara: That same concern — who gets credited, who gets erased — runs directly into Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, the profile of Houston advocates Mack and Sara Freeman Smith. Their novel A Nation Without: The History America Forgot asks it as a direct question: what would we lose if we forgot the people who built this country?
Pip: The Smiths have spent decades opening doors the system preferred closed — Mack in community finance, Sara in disability advocacy after losing most of her sight. The novel channels all of that into a redemption story about a CEO forced to reckon with exactly the unsung labor he’s been ignoring.
Mara: Both works are making the same argument from different angles — that reclaiming these narratives isn’t nostalgia, it’s correction.
Pip: And speaking of things that refuse to stay buried — the next segment has some of that energy too, in a much more unsettling key.
Shelia M. Goss is a national bestselling and award-winning author celebrated for her captivating romance novels, high-glam storytelling, and emotionally layered heroines. With more than twenty-one books to her credit, including the Essence bestselling My Invisible Husband and the critically acclaimed The Joneses and Delilah, Goss has built a reputation for delivering heart, heat, and sophistication on every page.
In 2026, she unveils her bold new Women in Hollywood Collection, three powerful, standalone novels set against the backdrop of ambition, love, power, and secrets inside the entertainment industry.
The collection begins with Worth the Risk (January 2026), followed by No One Has to Know (May 2026), and concludes with Off Script (September 2026). Each novel centers on a dynamic Black woman navigating career, desire, and the delicate balance between public success and private vulnerability.
Praised by USA Today for her “easy, flowing style with her prose,” and recognized as an AAMBC Romance Author of the Year and a Library Journal Best Books honoree, Goss continues to redefine contemporary romance with stories that blend glamour with emotional depth.
Behind the glamour lies power, passion, and secrets, and Shelia M. Goss is ready to tell it all. Learn more at http://www.sheliagoss.com.
Meet the Women in Hollywood They built their empires under the spotlight. Now, love might steal the show.
She built the brand everyone in Hollywood wants to touch. He’s the voice every playlist can’t live without. When attraction collides with secrets and scandal, can love survive the glare of fame?
Worth the Risk (The Women in Hollywood Collection Book 1)by Shelia M. Goss
They built their empires under the spotlight. Now, love might steal the show.
Charlotte Richards turned ambition into an empire, shaping her legacy one headline, one deal, and one star at a time. Polished, composed, and always in control, she promised herself she would never blur business with pleasure. Then she meets Sean Maxwell, R&B’s most magnetic performer, with a voice that moves millions and a presence that makes her forget every rule she swore to follow.
Sean has fame, fortune, and fans who can turn any mistake into a trending topic. But behind the swagger is a man who knows exactly what he wants, and what he wants is Charlotte. He is willing to risk his career, his reputation, and even his heart to prove it.
When old secrets resurface and viral rumors threaten everything they have built, Hollywood’s queen of strategy and king of smooth must decide whether love is the ultimate power move or the one risk neither of them can afford.
No One Has to Know (The Women in Hollywood Collection Book 2) by Shelia Goss
She’s chasing her Hollywood dream. He’s hiding behind his fame. But when desire goes undercover, can love survive the truth?
Mona Johnson is an aspiring screenwriter working behind the scenes for one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and award-winning producers. Smart, focused, and determined to protect her future, she knows better than to mix business with pleasure, especially when the man in question signs her paycheck.
Terrance Beckham has it all: power, prestige, and an industry reputation that opens every door. What he doesn’t have is love that isn’t influenced by his fame. Tired of being desired for the wrong reasons, Terrance steps into the online dating world under an anonymous profile, determined to find something real. What he finds is Mona.
Online, their connection is effortless and intoxicating. Offline, it’s complicated by secrets, proximity, and a truth that could destroy everything before it begins. As outside pressures mount and past relationships refuse to stay buried, Mona and Terrance must decide whether revealing the truth is worth risking their hearts and their careers.
In Hollywood, fantasy is easy. Reality changes everything.
Off Script (The Women in Hollywood Collection Book 3) by Shelia Goss
She writes the rules for television’s biggest stars. One night rewrites her own. And nothing goes according to script.
Kem Phillips is the powerhouse producer behind one of television’s highest-rated shows. On screen, she controls every detail. In real life, she keeps love firmly off the schedule.
A discreet one-night stand with the leading man of her latest project feels safe enough. No promises. No complications. No repeats.
Brent McKenzie never planned to be temporary. The night they shared still lingers, and when an emergency sends Kem rushing home to Shreveport, Louisiana, he offers to go with her, stepping into a life she’s worked hard to keep separate.
As truths from Kem’s past surface and carefully built walls begin to crack, the connection she tried to keep casual refuses to stay contained. Now she must decide whether trusting Brent means losing control, or finally letting her life go off script.
In Hollywood, success follows a formula. Love never does.
Warning: This story contains not-safe-for-prime-time heat, a leading man who proves heroes exist off screen, and a woman discovering that the best love stories are never written in advance.
Shelia M. Goss & The Women in Hollywood Collection
Today, we’re talking to national bestselling author Shelia M. Goss, a powerhouse storyteller with over 21 novels who has mastered romance, ambition, and emotional heat. Her newest series, The Women in Hollywood Collection, takes us behind the velvet ropes of Black Hollywood where love, power, and secrets collide. Book one, Worth the Risk, is available now and book two, No One Has to Know, is now available.
Shelia M. Goss is a national bestselling and award-winning author celebrated for her captivating romance novels, high-glam storytelling, and emotionally layered heroines. With more than twenty-one books to her credit, including the Essence bestselling My Invisible Husband and the critically acclaimed The Joneses and Delilah, Goss has built a reputation for delivering heart, heat, and sophistication on every page.
In 2026, she unveils her bold new Women in Hollywood Collection, three powerful, standalone novels set against the backdrop of ambition, love, power, and secrets inside the entertainment industry.
The collection begins with Worth the Risk (January 2026), followed by No One Has to Know (May 2026), and concludes with Off Script (September 2026). Each novel centers a dynamic Black woman navigating career, desire, and the delicate balance between public success and private vulnerability.
Praised by USA Today for her “easy, flowing style with her prose,” and recognized as an AAMBC Romance Author of the Year and a Library Journal Best Books honoree, Goss continues to redefine contemporary romance with stories that blend glamour with emotional depth.
Behind the glamour lies power, passion, and secrets, and Shelia M. Goss is ready to tell it all. Learn more at www.sheliagoss.com.
♥ Worth the Risk by Shelia M. Goss ♥ No One Has to Know by Shelia M. Goss ♥ Off Script by Shelia Goss
SLM: How did your upbringing or personal experiences influence your storytelling style? My upbringing instilled in me a deep appreciation for resilience, ambition, and the importance of presentation. I grew up understanding that success required both discipline and grace, and that how you carry yourself matters just as much as what you accomplish. Those lessons naturally shape my storytelling. I am drawn to characters who are ambitious, polished, and strategic, yet emotionally layered beneath the surface. I write about love in spaces of influence because I have always believed that Black women deserve to see themselves thriving in powerful rooms, navigating both professional success and deeply personal vulnerability without shrinking in either space.
SLM: What part of the publishing process taught you the most about your own strength? Shelia M. Goss – The part of publishing that taught me the most about my strength is promotion. Writing the book is the creative side, but getting the word out, navigating industry shifts, adapting to trends, building visibility, and constantly working to reach new readers require persistence. Learning how to advocate for my books, secure reviews, and stay visible in a crowded market showed me that success is not just about talent. It is about endurance, adaptability, and continuing to believe in your work even when the response is slow or unpredictable.
SLM: If Hollywood greenlit The Women in Hollywood Collection tomorrow, what would excite you more…seeing your characters cast on screen, or walking the red carpet as the creator? Seeing the characters cast on screen would excite me more. Watching Charlotte and Sean from Worth the Risk, and Mona and Terrance from No One Has to Know, come to life would mean the world expanded beyond the page. There is something powerful about seeing words written in solitude transformed into living, breathing performances. The red carpet would be a beautiful moment, but witnessing those characters resonate visually with an audience would be the real reward.
SLM: You went from earning a degree in engineering to becoming a national bestselling author. When you look back, what did that pivot teach you about betting on yourself? Earning a degree in engineering taught me discipline, structure, and how to approach challenges with strategy. It trained me to think analytically and to build solutions step by step. Writing allowed me to apply that same mindset to storytelling. Instead of abandoning one path for another, I realized I could use both sides of who I am. I could be technical and creative at the same time. Betting on myself meant trusting that my voice deserved space. It meant understanding that success does not always follow a straight line. When I began building my writing career, I approached it with intention, patience, and consistency. That mindset continues to shape my work today, especially in The Women in Hollywood Collection, where ambition, risk, and emotional depth all coexist.
SLM: You’ve written romance, suspense, and young adult, but this Hollywood-centered universe feels cinematic. Why was now the time to create this world? Shelia M. Goss – As a former entertainment writer, I saw firsthand how fascinated people are with celebrities, and how quickly that fascination can turn into criticism. I had the chance to speak with public figures in ways that humanized them beyond the headlines. Those conversations revealed the pressure of being watched, judged, and often misunderstood. It made me deeply aware of how image can overshadow identity.
That experience directly shaped The Women in Hollywood Collection. I wanted to explore what love looks like when every decision can become public commentary and every mistake can become a headline. Hollywood is glamorous, but it is also unforgiving. Writing in that world allows me to examine power, perception, and vulnerability, and to remind readers that even those who seem untouchable are still navigating very human emotional risks.
SLM: You consistently center ambitious, powerful Black professionals in love. Why is it important to show Black love thriving in spaces of influence and visibility? It is important because visibility shapes belief. For a long time, Black love has been portrayed through struggle alone, without equal space for success, luxury, influence, and emotional security. When I center ambitious, powerful Black professionals in love, I am expanding that narrative. I want readers to see that Black excellence and Black intimacy can exist in the same frame. Success does not cancel softness. Power does not eliminate vulnerability.
Showing Black love thriving in spaces of influence also affirms that we belong in those rooms. We belong in boardrooms, studios, executive suites, and red carpet moments, and we deserve to experience joy and deep partnership there. I write these stories to normalize that reality. Love does not require shrinking, and ambition does not require isolation. Both can coexist beautifully and boldly.
SLM: Okay! Let’s jump right into discussing Worth the Risk (Book One – Available Now).
SLM: The title Worth the Risk suggests love comes at a cost. Without spoilers, what kind of emotional gamble are readers signing up for? Shelia M. Goss – In Worth the Risk, the emotional gamble is about choosing love when pride, reputation, and public perception are all at stake. Charlotte has built her empire on control and strategy, and falling for Sean, a global R and B superstar who lives under constant scrutiny, threatens the very image she has worked so hard to protect. Sean is willing to risk everything for her, but Charlotte must decide whether opening her heart is worth the potential fallout. Readers are signing up for a romance where love demands vulnerability, and where protecting your brand may cost you the very connection you want most.
SLM: If someone is standing in a bookstore deciding whether to pick this up, what would you tell them they’ll experience that they won’t get anywhere else? If you pick up Worth the Risk, you will experience what it feels like to fall for someone whose world constantly challenges trust, loyalty, and pride. At its heart, it is about a driven career woman learning that love requires vulnerability, even when everything around her says to stay guarded.
If you pick up No One Has to Know, you will step into the tension of a workplace dynamic where ambition and attraction collide. It explores what happens when a focused professional woman finds herself falling for her boss and must decide whether protecting her career matters more than protecting her heart.
SLM: We are especially excited to hear about No One Has to Know (Book Two)! This story begins with an anonymous online connection. What intrigued you about exploring love that starts without fame attached? What intrigued me was exploring what happens when attraction already exists, but anonymity creates emotional safety. Mona has always been aware of Terrance’s presence and power, yet meeting him online without titles attached allows her to connect with him in a more honest and unguarded way. Their digital connection becomes a space where vulnerability feels easier, which makes the eventual collision between secrecy, desire, and real-world power dynamics even more intense.
SLM: Introduce No One Has to Know and the main characters. Which character was the most challenging to write in this second book? No One Has to Know follows Mona Johnson, an ambitious screenwriter determined to build her career on talent and integrity, and Terrance Beckham, a powerful Hollywood producer who is used to control, influence, and being desired for the wrong reasons. Their relationship begins with undeniable chemistry in the workplace and deepens through an anonymous online connection that allows them to see each other without titles attached. What makes their story compelling is the tension between ambition and vulnerability, and the very real risk that love could disrupt everything they have worked for.
Terrance was the most challenging to write. On the surface, he is confident and accustomed to getting what he wants, but beneath that is a man who struggles with trust and the fear that people see his power before they see him. Balancing his authority with emotional depth required peeling back layers so readers could understand both his strength and his insecurity.
SLM: When readers finish this series, what do you hope they believe about love, especially love between two people who both refuse to shrink? When readers finish The Women in Hollywood Collection, I hope they believe that love does not require shrinking to be sustainable. Two ambitious, driven people can come together without one sacrificing their voice, their goals, or their identity. Real partnership is not about dimming your light so someone else feels comfortable. It is about choosing each other while still standing fully in who you are.I want readers to walk away believing that strength and softness can coexist, that vulnerability is not weakness, and that the right love will meet you at your level rather than ask you to lower it.
SLM: What other art forms feed your creative soul? Storytelling moves across mediums for me. In addition to novels, I am a screenwriter and have worked as a ghostwriter on a television series for a streaming service, as well as served as writer and director on the short film Black Butterfly. I am also a songwriter, and most recently I co-wrote and co-produced the Southern soul track “Lay You Down,” performed by Mr. I’m From Louisiana. Whether it is a novel, a screenplay, or a song, I am always drawn to exploring vulnerability, desire, and connection in different creative forms.
SLM: How can readers connect with you, and what’s the best way for them to support your work beyond buying a book? Readers can connect with me through my website at http://www.sheliagoss.com and. I’m also active on Facebook and Instagram. For those who want a more direct connection, joining my newsletter is the best way to receive exclusive updates and early announcements. Beyond buying a book, the most meaningful support comes from leaving reviews, recommending the stories to friends, and engaging online. Word of mouth still carries power, and every shared post, review, and conversation helps these stories reach new readers.
If you love romance wrapped in ambition, power, and secrets…this is your next obsession! Follow Shelia to keep up with book signings and events coming to your area or Zoom.
Soignée Intimate Conversation with Margaret Johnson-Hodge
There’s something about the month of October that slows everything down. It makes you sit with yourself, whether you want to or not. This new novel, October, does that same thing, placing readers inside Ru’s quiet, complicated world.
We’re sitting with Margaret Johnson-Hodge, a writer who does not rush past truth. Her work stays honest, even when it stings. This conversation leans into that same honesty. Allow me to introduce her.
Margaret Johnson-Hodge is the author of fourteen published novels. She has contributed to five anthologies, including the highly successful Proverbs of the People. Additionally, she is the author of a chapbook, a short story, and a non-fiction work.
She has received national acclaim. Her work has earned rave reviews from USA Today, The Dallas Morning Star, Midwest Book Review, Publishers’ Weekly, Booklist, The Library Journal, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine. She is an Essence Magazine, Blackboard, and Black Expressions Bestselling Author.
Her works, described as ‘visceral,’ ‘brutally honest,’ and ‘refreshing,’ were considered by Showtime and Hallmark for book-to-movie options. Her novels have been used as part of the English curriculum at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she was a guest author, and was invited by Harvard University to submit a short story for their literary magazine.
Born and raised in New York, she now calls Atlanta, Georgia, home, but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up, and looks forward to telling more of them. “There is always some story inside of me,” is how she sees it, “and I just try and get it told…”
SLM: How did you begin your writing career? When were you first published? I began writing when I sat down at my older sister’s electric typewriter to ‘see’ if I could be a writer. I had been reading since the age of four, and when I was twelve, I read Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” I thought that if this Negro woman (we were still called that back in the 1960’s) who went through all she went through, grew up to be a writer, maybe I could too. That book I started at that young age became my first published novel 28 years later.
I just kept believing in myself, and I still have my original manuscript—all block typing, dialogue running into other dialogue, and not a margin in sight! It’s a mess because I had no idea what a book manuscript looked like, and the pages are crumbled and browned at the edges. But I love it because it’s tangible proof of where I started and how far I’ve come.
SLM: How did your upbringing or personal experiences influence your storytelling style? I grew up in a magical time of possibility and change. It was the sixties, and the world felt full of a hope that seemed tangible. We had the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, the Flower Children Movement, and young people were coming together in a way that had never happened before. It planted in my soul the promise of more, better, and that nothing was impossible. The world was wide open, and all I had to do was take a step. So, I did with ‘pen and pad,’ writing an interracial relationship story at age12, because I believe we were finally all coming together.
SLM: What part of the publishing process taught you the most about your own strength? When I walked away from mainstream publishing, not once but twice. I had to rely on myself and support from family and friends. I had to bite back the fear of not having those publishing corporations behind me and do what I know God called me to do—write stories that matter. And I have.
SLM: What has writing forced you to confront about your past, your relationships, or your purpose? I’ve come to see my own flaws and my own strengths because there is always a little part of me in all the main female characters I write. Recognizing it is the easy part. Trying to fix it, well, as we like to say: “God ain’t finished with me yet,” lol.
SLM: After all these years of writing, what ideas still demand your attention and refuse to be ignored? Funny that you should ask that. I have been writing my great-great-grandmother’s fictional account of her life for many years now. She was the first “Margaret’—the name given by her slave master. Her granddaughter (my grandmother) was named after her, and I was named after my grandmother. I am Margaret to the 3rd power, which is a beautiful lineage. She was stolen from Africa when she was just twelve years old, and I’m re-imagining what her journey was like and what life in America meant for her. I’m not fond of research, and this demands research. So, I write a little here and there, glad to find joy in what I am writing. I’m so glad she is patient with me, because it is taking me longer to write her story than any story I’ve attempted.
SLM: Introduce your latest novel and the main characters. Why did this story need to be told now? “October” is a moving, intimate portrait of resilience, family, and the courage it takes to open your heart when the world feels closed. It captures the bittersweet beauty of life in extraordinary times, reminding us that even in isolation, we are never truly alone.”
Meet Loretta “Ru” Harrison, the main character. She is a 62-year-old, single woman living in New York when the pandemic hits. Unmarried and childless, the isolation the pandemic forces upon her is not an easy thing to navigate. Her social support system of sisters and friends has been disrupted, leaving her feeling isolated and alone. But when an unexpected visitor arrives at her front door, life seems to be looking up, or is it?
El, Ru’s oldest sister, had been a medical doctor for decades. But when the health system gets overwhelmed with new patients, she is forced to abandon the one thing that she’d always been proud to be—a doctor.
Lil, Ru’s youngest sister, is happily married and the ‘firecracker of the family.’ Nothing and no one is going to stop her show, and she will tell you like it is and how she’s feeling it, in a New York minute. But when the unexpected happens, all her fierceness can’t save her from the reality of what she must come face-to-face with.
Reecey, who abandoned a great career as an attorney to pursue Hollywood dreams, is finding that her dream is slowly drying up. Hustling to maintain a living while studios shuttered their doors, a lucky break arrives. But it comes with consequences that she is not sure she will be able to handle.
The story needed to be told because of the historical significance of the pandemic. I’ve written on other historical moments—the AIDS epidemic in “Butterscotch Blues,” and 911 and the crack epidemic in “Red Light Green Light.” So, penning a novel around current events is not new for me. “October” came to me like so many of my stories do—sorta sly, like it wanted to be told, but I had to do some work. I had to dig deep, find my way out of a dark ‘none-writing’ cave, make myself put word after word on the page, not necessarily happy with what I was writing, and then wait for the story to grant me ‘permission’ to tell it (open up to me.)
SLM: What’s something about the book that readers won’t find in the description or the blurb? The issues women aged sixty and over face as they age. I’m thrilled to be able to explore this stage of a woman’s life with raw truth and sometimes brutal honesty (what I’m known for). Most books center around a much younger generation. It was a delight and a God-send that I got the chance to pen a novel about a segment of our population that is often overlooked—the mature woman. Statistics show this age group is the most avid of readers, and I’m pleased I could tell a story they can truly relate to.
SLM: What has October come to represent in your life, and how has that meaning shifted over time? The month itself has always felt like a renewal season for me—like it’s my new year. Maybe because I was conceived in that month. I’m not sure. But I’ve always loved October. When I was in New York, I looked forward to “Indian Summer.” Though it only lasted a few weeks, it was a soft, sweet season to experience. The air was not too hot and not too cold. The sun shone brighter, and the turning of the leaves was beautiful to behold. Now that I live in a place where the autumn foliage is absolutely gorgeous, I really enjoy October. It represents renewed possibility and hope to me.
SLM: Why was it important to center a 62-year-old woman as the emotional core of this story? It was not intentional. Nothing about the story was. I was on Facebook one day, in the middle of the pandemic (October 2020), and the Holy Spirit said ‘get off Facebook and get to writing.’ I had no clue about what I was about to write. But, by the time I logged off Facebook and opened a ‘new document’ on my computer, the first line came to me: “She’d always loved October.”
Even as I wrote that, I didn’t know who the character was or why she loved October. But I just opened my mind to what words should come next. And lo and behold, Ru was born. It’s how I often write stories, clueless, but trusting the process. I don’t know how a story is going to end until I know. It’s the reason why I don’t use outlines or breakdowns of what’s going to happen. I let my story tell itself, whether I like how it’s told or not, lol. Can you say “True Lies”? Some readers were upset with me about how it ended. Even I was surprised. But, I had to let the story have its way and did.
SLM: How did you keep the pandemic from overpowering Ru’s personal story while still honoring its weight? That was not hard. The story isn’t about the pandemic. It’s really about Ru and her sisters and how they handle challenges that come with a shutdown. I dove into their humanness, not the disease, and that allowed me to craft an honest and in-depth look into who they were, how they managed, and who they became. No, “October” isn’t a ‘pandemic’ story; it’s about life, family, difficult times, and getting through.
SLM: Why was it important to show emotional desire and reflection still alive in women later in life? Oh, that’s easy! As a woman in her later years, I can affirmatively say that we are still alive, well, kicking, loving, laughing, enjoying, and being as vibrant as we were in our 20’s. Age is only a ‘number’ if you allow it to be. And like myself, I know many women who are still living their lives to the fullest, and I mean fullest!
SLM: Your details feel intimate and precise. Do they come naturally, or are they carefully constructed? When I write, I always try to dig into the character as far down as I can go. I try to feel what they feel, say what they would say, and do what they would do. I don’t have a degree in psychology, but I have lived long enough to observe human behavior in all types of situations, and so I pull from the well of observation and make my characters as true-to-life as possible. I know I succeed when someone says, “You wrote my story.” That is such a good feeling.
SLM: How can readers connect with you, and what’s the best way for them to support your work beyond buying a book? They can post pictures of themselves holding a copy of “October” on their Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok post and tag me/repost on my page. I love to get those types of pictures. They can tell their family and friends about it and how they can get a signed copy at http://www.mjhodge.net They can post their own reviews about “October” on their social media. Invite me to do an interview if they have a podcast. And, they can email me and let me know what they thought of “October” at: mjhodge@bellsouth.net. All of that will be welcomed!
American Library Association (ALA) annual conference
Librarians, June 26-29, 2026, Sara Freeman Smith will present “A Nation Without: The History America Forgot”, co-written with her husband Mack E. Smith, at the American Library Association (ALA) annual conference in Chicago, IL. In partnership with Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), there will be a large exhibition space for members’ books. “A Nation Without” will be on display and in their catalog.
A Nation Without: The History America Forgot by Mack E. Smith and Sara Freeman Smith
A Nation Without is a bold and timely novel that reimagines a familiar redemption story on moral reckoning for modern America. When a man immersed in prejudice is confronted with undeniable truths about the world around him, he discovers that everything he takes for granted—his daily comforts, his freedoms, the very fabric of his life—rests on centuries of minority and immigrant labor, ingenuity, and resilience he’s never acknowledged.
Through a journey that exposes America’s hidden debts and dependencies, this bold novel asks: What would remain if we stripped away contributions we refuse to credit? Can recognition shatter even the most hardened prejudice?
Timely, unflinching, and deeply human, A Nation Without is a story of transformation that challenges listeners to see their own complicity—and their capacity for change.
Work It, Momma!: 5 Biblical Principles for the Budding Mompreneur by Leslie J. Sherrod New Release – https://a.co/d/02HEC7aU
A new book aimed at empowering mothers to embrace both entrepreneurship and purpose.
Two hours. One bold beginning.
You’ve poured your heart into parenting. Now it’s time to pour into your possibilities. Work It, Momma! is a soul-stirring guide for mothers ready to reclaim their voice, their vision, and their divine assignment. In about two hours, you’ll read and reap wisdom, ponder pathways, and begin planting the seeds of a purpose-driven business rooted in faith and flourishing.
If you can gift yourself more than two hours, go back and sit with the reflection questions and guided prompts, designed to help you tend to your unspoken dreams. Work It, Momma! invites you to sow bold faith, nurture practical next steps, and align your business plan with biblical principles-or at least get you thinking about it.
Whether you’re planting your first entrepreneurial seed or reviving a long-buried dream, this is your gentle nudge toward provision, potential, and power.
This isn’t hustle culture. It’s holy cultivation. This isn’t pressure. It’s promise.
This is your moment to rise while rooted. The road to your hope’s harvest begins here.
About the Author Leslie J. Sherrod, a visionary blending compassion and creativity, has forged entrepreneurial paths as a writer, clinical social worker, and founder of a private psychotherapy practice. Author of eight faith-based novels and other uplifting works, she inspires hope, healing, and joy in readers, with her books spotlighted by book clubs, literary events, and media outlets nationwide. Married since the 90s and mother to three young adults, Leslie enjoys family game nights and planning travel adventures. Discover more at http://www.LeslieJSherrod.com.
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Co-authors: B. Lamont Lowery, Caleb Alexander, Cary Clack, Dr. Claude R. Williams, Sr., D.L. Grant, Dr. Loren D. Alves, Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson, Geoff Foster, George N. Miller, Jr., Judge Kristopher M. Colley, Chef Jerome Brown, Julius “Jay” A. Wilson, Rev. Dr. James W. Sanders Sr., Lenton Collins, Marcella Norton-Williams-Ashe, Margaret Richardson, Nevil “Butch” Shed, Norma Jean Bradford, Professor Frederick J. Williams, Dr. Sephira Bailey Shuttlesworth, Rev. Dr. Simon P. Bouie, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., and Toschia Moffett.
The Passion of Our Culture Volume 1 is an anthology born of love, respect, and deep appreciation for Black culture. It is both a celebration and a testimony, a reminder of where we have come from and a guidepost for where we are going.
With a foreword written by James Pickens Jr.—beloved by millions for his performances on stage and in the award-winning television series Grey’s Anatomy—this anthology honors our ancestors while affirming the resilience of our culture. As the book of Habakkuk reminds us: “Write the vision and make it plain.” That is precisely the spirit of this work.
The Passion of Our Culture seeks to entertain, educate, and enlighten. It is a bridge between history and the present moment, a preservation of our truths in a time when erasure and rewriting threaten our narratives. Most importantly, it is a celebration of the brilliance, beauty, and boundless strength that defines Black culture.
Available in paperback and hardback formats through online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. Distributed by IngramSpark and available to readers/vendors through online retailers, libraries, and wholesalers.
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Prosperity Publications is an African American publishing company dedicated to preserving history, amplifying Black voices, and creating books that inspire, entertain, and educate. Founded on the writings of three Black cultural icons, the company builds on a legacy rooted in storytelling, cultural preservation, and community impact.
The company supports authors, poets, and writers by providing a platform to share their work with wide audiences while maintaining a strong focus on excellence and authenticity. Prosperity Publications is committed to documenting African American experiences and ensuring those stories are shared across generations.
Beyond publishing, the company actively invests in community engagement. It partners with schools, housing communities, churches, and organizations nationwide, hosting book clubs, workshops, and literacy programs designed to strengthen reading culture and educational access. These efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to grassroots outreach and cultural development.
Prosperity Publications operates with a clear purpose: to elevate diverse narratives, support literary talent, and contribute to equity through education and storytelling. The company values inclusivity, freedom of expression, and responsible publishing practices that respect both people and the environment.
At its core, Prosperity Publications exists to publish meaningful work, preserve cultural memory, and support writers who are ready to share stories that matter.
Worth the Investment By Taliah Givens, MPA Growing Student Success from Mentorship to Scholarships
What happens when a whole community decides every child is worth investing in?
In Paterson, NJ, a remarkable village of family members, teachers, coaches, and community leaders quietly built a formula for student success—one mentoring relationship at a time. Their collective investment in young Taliah Givens unlocked her journey from a child with a speech impediment to a history-making teen leader, full college scholarship recipient, and Black female engineer.
In this memoir and practical student guide, Taliah unveils the achievement-tree youth development framework and reveals the Five Areas of Achievement that her community instinctively got right—giving students, parents, educators, and community leaders a proven, replicable blueprint to grow college-ready, scholarship-worthy, and purpose-driven young people.
The formula worked then. It will work now because very student is worth the investment.
About the Author Taliah Givens is a nationally recognized, student success and career development leader who grew up in Paterson, NJ, overcoming a speech impediment, self-doubt, and bullying by building her confidence, talents, and leadership into earning full academic scholarships—graduating nearly debt-free from Alabama A&M University and Georgia Tech. A National Urban Fellow with a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College, CUNY, and a 20-year career in youth development, she now serves as Senior Director at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), leading 40+ student professional development programs with America’s leading corporations and organizations. She has launched 1,500+ college students into careers through her work, which bridges education and workforce pipelines while centering equity, access, and intergenerational mentorship.
Her book—and its accompanying student study guide—demonstrates how intentional mentorship, community support, and early planning can unlock scholarships, leadership confidence, and purpose-driven futures. Through her company, Given to Serve, LLC, Taliah Givens continues to coach students and families in “career to college” planning, guided by her motto: “As we stand honored to serve you; pay it forward and serve someone else.” Her message is clear and empowering: every student is worth the investment—and capable of greatness.
Worth the Investment: Student Study Guide by Taliah Givens, MPA Growing Student Success from Mentorship to Scholarships
Student Study Guide
This hands-on companion to Taliah Givens’ memoir of the same title guides students—alongside their parents, educators, and mentors—through a personal growth journey built around one powerful question: How do I become a student worth the investment?
Through activities and journaling exercises across the Five Areas of Achievement—Academics, Artistry, Athletics, Activism, and Architecture—students will:
Discover their GRIT: gifts, resources, interests, and talents
Identify growth areas in skills and character
Map their mentoring community and resources
Build and visualize their personal Achievement Tree — a living record of accomplishments inside and outside of school ready for the college, scholarship or other competitive application processes.
The pinnacle: students research dream careers aligned to their deepest strengths—completing the work that transforms an average student into an exceptional one whose preparation meets opportunities for increasing levels of success.
About the Author
Taliah Givens is an engineer turned nationally recognized student success and career development leader whose life story proves what becomes possible when mentorship, strategy, and determination intersect. Raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Taliah’s journey began as a young girl navigating a speech impediment, bullying, and self-doubt—challenges that could have derailed her future but instead developing her interests into talents became the foundation of her purpose.
With the support of transformative mentors and a strong academic foundation, Taliah earned full academic scholarships to study engineering at Alabama A&M University and Georgia Tech, graduating nearly debt-free. Along the way, she received prestigious scholarship honors including the Alabama A&M University Full Presidential Scholarship and awards from the Duracell/National Urban League, AAUW, and the U.S. Department of Energy/NAACP Scholarship Program. She later earned a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, CUNY, as a National Urban Fellow.
Today, Taliah serves as Senior Director of Student Professional Development Programs at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), where she has led a dynamic team overseeing more than 40 internship and career readiness programs, successfully guiding over 1,500 students into professional careers with America’s leading corporations and organizations. Her work bridges education and workforce pipelines while centering equity, access, and intergenerational mentorship.
In her memoir, Worth the Investment: Mastering Student Success from Mentorship to Scholarships, Taliah chronicles her personal journey and shares a practical blueprint for students, families, schools, and youth-serving organizations. The book—and its accompanying student guide—demonstrates how intentional mentorship, community support, and early planning can unlock scholarships, leadership confidence, and purpose-driven futures.
Through her company, Given to Serve, LLC, Taliah continues to coach students and families in college and career planning, guided by her motto: “As we are honored to serve you; be inspired to serve someone else.” Her message is clear and empowering: every student is worth the investment—and capable of greatness.
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Twice The Vows, Twice The Grace: From Heartbreak To Healing by Gregory L. Napier and Carolyn L. Napier
“I want a divorce!”
Those four words nearly destroyed everything. But they weren’t the end of the story.
Marriage Coaches Pastor Gregory and Carolyn Napier have walked through the fire—infidelity, broken trust, divorce papers signed. Yet here they stand: remarried, restored, and proof that God specializes in impossible comebacks.
This isn’t theory. It’s their life—raw, real, and redeemed.
This book is for you if:
Your marriage feels beyond repair
You’ve drifted so far apart you can’t remember the way back
You’re wondering if love can survive another betrayal
You need hope that restoration is actually possible
Inside Twice The Vows, Twice The Grace: From Heartbreak To Healing you’ll discover practical wisdom, honest confessions, and the transformative power of putting God at the center of your covenant. Whether you’re newlyweds or rebuilding from rubble, this book proves that vows can be honored again and grace is always enough.
Your marriage isn’t over—not even close. It’s standing at the edge of breakthrough, waiting for you to take the first step toward redemption. This book is that step. Don’t let another day pass wondering “what if?” Your comeback story starts now.
Together, Gregory and Carolyn lead by example, demonstrating what happens when two people surrender their marriage, their pain, and their future into God’s hands. They are passionate advocates for marriage restoration, emotional healing, and covenant relationships, using their testimony to guide couples through seasons of brokenness, forgiveness, and renewed purpose.
Twice The Vows, Twice The Grace: From Heartbreak To Healing by Gregory L. Napier and Carolyn L. Napier Now available as a Kindle eBook or a printed paperback. Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G26P8CCC
What if the stress you carry every day does not have to run your life?
Living More, Worrying Less meets you in that restless space where your mind will not slow down and your body feels the cost. Julius Kane lays out a clear spiritual foundation for people who are tired of being told to “calm down” while their thoughts race at 2 a.m. This is not fluffy advice. It is grounded, faith-centered direction that connects your spiritual beliefs to your physical well-being.
Inside these pages, you will find a steady plan to break the cycle of overthinking, fear, and emotional burnout before it shows up in your body. The goal is simple. Peace that feels real. Faith that feels active. A life that feels lighter.
If you are ready to stop worrying yourself into exhaustion and start living with clarity and confidence, this book is waiting for you.
Defeating Negative Energy: How to Identify, Divide and Conquer Negativity by Julius Kane Read more: https://a.co/d/08FHmNvl
If you’ve found yourself surrounded by negative energy, it’s time to take action. This book identifies all levels of toxic, time wasting, clout chasing, undermining energies. This self-empowerment book outlines various negative energy fighting techniques, including physical and emotional strategies, to help you overcome the negativity in your life. You’ll discover how to eliminate people and objects that bring misery into your orbit.
About the Author Julius Kane is the author of dozens of titles. His resume boasts an eclectic array of genres and categories including, fiction, non-fiction, stageplays, essays, poetry, and most recently, sci-fi. Julius Kane is a community activist and social reform advocate who currently resides in the DMV area. Website: https://juliuskane.org
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In The Last Days of Haz’elle Mae, a woman believed gone for nearly fifty years appears at Millie’s front door like she never left. She looks older. Colder. Familiar in a way that makes your stomach flip.
Millie knows exactly who she is. Her grandson Jerome thinks it is fear talking.
Until his little sister drinks something she should not have.
What starts as suspicion turns into a race against time as a secret potion, old grudges, and buried history threaten to destroy the entire family from the inside out. Now Jerome must decide if family lore is madness or warning before Haz’elle Mae claims what she believes is hers.
Excerpt From ‘The Last Days of Haz’elle Mae’
The boys looked the woman up and down, head to toe-in astonishment. They couldn’t believe their eyes. She was old, real old. Obviously older than Jerome’s own grandmother. Her slim line face was over done with makeup, as if she couldn’t stop putting it on. The young men winced at the discolored warts on the woman’s face. It was almost as if she was wearing a Halloween mask. It reminded them of molded bread, dry and discolored. She stared hypnotically at Jerome from behind wide eyes that almost bulged out of the sockets. Her hair was dry, brittle, and obviously not her real hair but an unkept wig. She wore a sweat suit over her body that sagged, drooped, and protruded in certain areas. She was a repulsive looking woman. The kind of woman immature boys without tack would whisper and joke about.
( Continued… )
Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Julius Kane. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
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After leaving his favorite bar, a wild, womanizing advertising executive takes a woman back to his place and immediately regrets it.
Jack begins to hear a strange voice telling him to do horrible things. Initially thinking his house may be haunted, he becomes extremely paranoid after finding out he is being watched by other world beings.
In order to get to the bottom of the aliens’ fascination with him, Jack joins up with a group of misfits who’ve had a few bizarre encounters of their own. After receiving a reliable tip, the group goes into the notorious Dark Entry Forest looking for answers; despite the disappearance of dozens of people who entered before them.
Along the way, they find out their ruined lives are connected by tragedy. Jack and his new friends then get caught in a life-and-death struggle against many powerful forces.
Chapter Excerpt from Ignore The Voices In Your Head
A clear, masculine voice responded. It was the same voice from last night I heard laughing. The same pitch. The same tone. A nervous pain shot through my abdomen. Who the hell was in my house? I stared anxiously down the hall towards my bedroom. The door was partially cracked. I couldn’t remember if that was how I left it. The bathroom door was shut. Did I close it this morning? I grabbed the biggest knife I saw from my kitchen cutlery set and went to investigate. I intentionally left the front door cracked; just in case I needed to run out fast. I didn’t want to fidget with the doorknob. Cautiously, I searched my bedroom; prepared for some fiending drug addict to jump out at me. The closets and hideaways were clear. I opened the bathroom door; nothing.
“Great!” I was relieved. But I was hearing things. I chalked it up to an overactive imagination. That was my reasoning. That was how I would be able to get through the next hour… the next day… the next week without checking myself into Bellevue.
I hurried to close my front door. I shut and locked my window as well. I didn’t want that giant fur-ball sneaking back in. I was hoping nobody got off the elevator and saw Mrs. Toombs’ cat Flandy dead on my living room floor. That would be a huge headache I didn’t need. I grabbed about five trash bags and a pair of work gloves I sometimes used whenever my trash can became extra nasty. I didn’t know how pet owners disposed of their dead pets in New York, but I was going to throw Flandy into the dumpster out back. She wasn’t my cat. She wasn’t my problem. And that oversized fur-ball that killed her didn’t belong to me either. But here I was in the middle of this weird- God knows what- shit.
Julius Kane is the author of dozens of titles. His resume boasts an eclectic array of genres and categories including, fiction, non-fiction, stageplays, essays, poetry, and most recently, sci-fi. Julius Kane is a community activist and social reform advocate who currently resides in the DMV area.
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Victoria Christopher Murray takes a bold swing with Harlem Rhapsody, centering Jessie Redmon Fauset as a woman whose influence shaped an entire literary era, even while her name stayed in the background.
The novel places Jessie inside The Crisis during the Harlem Renaissance, where she works under W. E. B. Du Bois. Their relationship sits at the core of the story, and Murray leans into that tension. At times, it adds depth. At other times, it risks pulling focus from Jessie’s own work and authority, which is where the story is strongest.
Where the book really lands is in its portrayal of what Jessie faced as a Black woman in literary spaces that praised her output while limiting her recognition. Her role in uplifting writers like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen is handled with care, and those moments give the novel weight.
The writing has rhythm and confidence, though it occasionally leans heavy on the romance with W. E. B. Du Bois. Still, the emotional core holds. You feel Jessie’s frustration, her discipline, and the cost of staying excellent in rooms that never planned to fully credit her.
This is a strong, character-driven historical novel that shines when it stays focused on Jessie’s voice and impact. It’s worth reading for anyone who wants a fuller picture of the Harlem Renaissance and the woman who helped shape it from behind the scenes.
Harlem Rhapsody is a love letter to ambition and an invitation to reclaim the narratives of women like Jessie. If you’re ready to feel every ounce of pride, rage, and joy, this book is calling your name.
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray Category: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction Purchase here: https://a.co/d/iKZ40zY
Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels. Her novels, The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, which she co-authored with Marie Benedict were both Instant New York Times bestsellers and her novel, Stand Your Ground won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work Fiction. Four of her novels, Lust, Envy, Wrath and Greed have been made into TV movies for Lifetime. Visit her at http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com. http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com
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WE ALL HAVE SECRETS. BUT SOMETIMES SECRETS HAVE US.
The award-winning author of Anybody’s Daughter is back with a gripping tale of passion, deceit, and murder.
Miles Slade looks every bit the successful lawyer, but his swanky office and designer suits hide some desperate truths. A flailing law practice. Massive debt. A dying sister in need of expensive care. Miles is willing to do just about anything—to cross any line—to raise the cash he urgently needs.
Then he meets Nicole Paxton. Beautiful, sophisticated, and unlike any woman he’s ever known. Like Miles, Nicole has her own secrets. She ignites a passion in Miles so intense, he’s ready to give up his secret life. But before he’s able to do so, both he and Nicole become entangled in a new web of deception—one that involves murder.
Amid the suspicions, lies, and overpowering desires, is there still a chance that love can conquer all?
Take a break and escape into a lighthearted, faith-filled comedy by author and therapist Leslie J. Sherrod. Her new novel HOUSEBROKEN follows the wild ride of a young woman’s challenging first year of marriage.
THE SURPRISES BEGIN WHEN THE HONEYMOON ENDS Where is her happily ever after? Selena Wayland’s first year of marriage is a disaster. Too much too fast is happening, threatening to interfere, instigate, and eradicate what was supposed to be a God-ordained union of love. Her parents “gifted” her a money pit of a home, igniting a family war.
Her bougie and bitter mother-in-law, who can’t stand her, is a perfector of devious schemes and manipulation. And then there’s her husband, Evan. He is at a make-or-break moment in his budding law career, but the stress may be straining his sanity in unusual ways. Oh, Selena’s new boss? She’s Evan’s ex-fiancée – a small detail he’d somehow forgotten to mention – and whom had been his mother’s first choice for him.
And is a baby on the way?
Ripped floorboards and scattered nails, deception, lies, and blackmail threaten the foundation of all Selena believes about her man, her marriage, her fight…and her faith. With her home and her heart both falling apart, will she even want to make it to year two?
Pray for a sister. The wedding is over. The honeymoon is done. Now, the marriage – the making of two into one – has begun.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leslie J. Sherrod is the author of eight faith-based novels, spanning suspenseful mysteries to heartwarming humor. She also writes short stories and is a contributor to an anthology and several devotionals for women. A clinical social worker, Leslie draws on raw emotions to bring messages of hope and healing through satisfying, page-turning reads. Leslie resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her family. Learn more at www.LeslieJSherrod.com.
Excerpt: Housebroken: A Novel by Leslie J. Sherrod
CHAPTER 5 — The Mother
His mother and godmother had just come back from a shopping trip, they said—a several-thousand-dollar shopping spree in Tysons Corner, Virginia to reward their hard work for our wedding. They’d also raided a gourmet food store to ensure we had initial groceries for our return home. Mrs. Wayland had “forgotten” to mention their “impromptu” visit when she called on her cell phone half an hour ago. Don’t think I missed she’d probably only called to make sure we were home and available for their surprise visit.
“We thought we’d drop in to make sure you didn’t need anything. We won’t be here long.” The godmother, Judge Grant, scanned the downstairs with a hard frown and then set herself on unloading a Nordstrom’s bag on the dining room table. She threw a smile on her face, but the corners of her mouth wobbled like the table teetering under the weight of the crystal vase she was balancing on it. That vase probably cost more than the entire oak dining set and the curio cabinet that matched it.
My mother had found both, unfinished, at a yard sale, along with a claw foot bathtub. All three pieces, including the tub, were the highlights of the dining room décor and were among the many projects my mom had started and never completed. The curio was still filled with the yard sale owner’s ceramic dog collection. And, now, it also held a plate inside of it that Mrs. Wayland picked out for my wedding registry. (Yes, I mean a plate, as in one plate. At Mrs. Wayland’s insistence, I’d registered for an entire eight-piece set of platinum-rimmed plates crafted in a quaint town in Italy. An old neighbor was actually kind enough to buy one and presented it to me at my bridal shower.) My brother CJ or my mom had been kind enough to place the single plate inside the newly dusted cabinet.
Anyway, Judge Grant was stooping eye level with the table while Mrs. Wayland went through the rest of the kitchen, stepping over and around raw beams and poles, opening the cabinets and fixtures that still had doors, turning the faucets on and off, when Evan had a bright idea.
“Mom, Ms. Nessa, since you’re here, why don’t you stay for dinner? I’m sure Selena can whip up something from this food you bought, so we might as well make it a small feast and have our official first dinner at home.” He rustled through the paper bags of fine foods scattered on the kitchen floor. “Mmm, truffles.”
“What a wonderful idea. See, Vanessa, I told you these place settings would come in handy.” Mrs. Wayland took out seven dinner plates identical to the one in the curio cabinet, along with eight each of matching salad plates and soup bowls. She gave the kitchen another scan, as if a proper place to put the elegant dinnerware would suddenly appear. She settled on the untreated block of wood serving as a cooking island. “Selena, what do you have in mind to prepare tonight? I’ll be glad to help you.”
The horror on her face said otherwise. Especially considering the stove looked like it was from 1981 and a box of matches sat next to it to help get the single-functioning burner started.
But there was another, bigger issue here. Maybe the man thought this was some kind of Cinderella story where with the wave of a magic wand your dreams come true. What was he thinking? Evan knows I can’t cook.
I come from a long line of women responsible for bringing only the cups and plates and maybe a dessert—if it was store-bought—to potluck dinners. Saying “I do” days ago has not changed that fact. And his mother pulling an apron, cooking mitt, and ceramic cookware out of another bag has not changed that fact. Not to mention the stove still only had one working burner. I glared at Evan, suddenly realizing we haven’t spent twenty minutes alone since we left our honeymoon.
Suddenly realizing this man thinks—expects—that I really know how to put a dinner together for him, his mother, and the Honorable Judge Vanessa Grant with the packages of truffles, fig chutney, chicken liver pâté, and quail legs they’d brought into my home. Nope. I had not signed up for a newlywed version of The Food Network’s Chopped, the show where contestants compete to make fancy dishes from random ingredients in a fast-moving thirty minutes.
I wished I had some of that magic sparkle dust Evan’s obviously been snorting to poof a meal on that wobbly table. Jesus, tell me what to do, I prayed.
Forty minutes later, the three of us were sitting around my mother’s yard sale find eating the Saturday night delivery special from Bamboo Express. Conversation was at a minimum as the two ladies, dressed in their tailored suits and gemstones, sloshed beef lo mein noodles and egg foo young in the soy sauce that puddled in clumps on the platinum-rimmed plates. The sterling silver forks and knives looked particularly elegant on the linen napkins Mrs. Wayland insisted we use to complement the flower arrangement the judge finally balanced in the center of the table. I was praying nobody noticed the table slightly shifted every time one of the wineglasses filled with cherry cola was lifted.
(Continued…)
Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Leslie J. Sherrod. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Miami Beat: The Secret Society by Frederica Burden
Welcome to Miami! When the sun-kissed beaches and clear blue skies fade into the darkness things really heat up. Miami nights give way to tantalizing temptations that can excite and coerce the darkness out of even the best of us. Sidney is learning this the hard way.
A young, vibrant woman, Sidney is on a mission to pursue her dreams. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Sidney also has a goal that she will stop at nothing to see through.
Losing her father to police brutality at a very young age became the catalyst in Sidney’s life, setting her family on a spiral that she desperately tries to end.
Once an Explorer in the police department, she learned a great deal about law enforcement, which she intends to use to bring her father’s killers to justice. The only thing standing in her way is her heart. There are two love interests in Sidney’s life and she’s forced to choose.
Two is company… Major Marcus Mystic is her former boss and her current love interest. Since the day she met him, she has been fixated on the handsome, intelligent, virile man. A complex man with an even more complicated home life, Mystic has secrets that could get them both killed. Will Sidney be the one to save him or will their love lead to destruction?
Three is a crowd… Officer Arturo Garcia is her former coworker and mentor. A sexy police officer with a rough edge and muscular body, Garcia has had Sidney’s attention for years. There’s no denying the red-hot attraction between the two. There’s also no denying the secrets that threaten to explode in a fiery storm engulfing them all in flames. Everyone won’t make it out alive.
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