High Anxiety & Hopefulness

In real life the harsh truths of war compete with the majestic images and inspiring words of the successful Artemis II mission. The following fiction reads examine the complicated nature of humans on Earth.

[3 books from left to right: The Charmed Library, Hearts on the Fly, Husband of the Year]

The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman wasn't available for renewal due to being requested by a whole lot of other patrons (yay for this author!) so I'll try again. The speculative supernatural premise is very intriguing.

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh

Christian contemporary romance

Bethany House Publishers, February 2026

Val and Jabari struggle with unexpected circumstances that challenge them to reconsider the purpose of their lives. Personal and professional connections make things messy.

Husband of the Year (Teachers in Love #4) by M.A. Wardell

contemporary romance

Forever, 2025

Olan and Marvin each believe they've found their forever love. Now they're forced to work out healthy ways to protect and grow their love despite internal and external pressures, and planning a destination wedding. Variations on choosing to love and accept people while setting boundaries anchors this charming romp that addresses serious themes.

[The Harvey Girl atop Still Into You, both atop a trade paperback book showing only its bottom edges; all three books stacked atop a folded polka-dotted gift bag and a decorative gift box]

The Harvey Girl by Dana Stabenow

19th c. historical mystery

Head of Zeus, March 2026

Intrepid Pinkerton agents, bold outlaw robbers, and clever placement of cameos of actual historical figures make this investigative saga about operative Clare Wright a page turner.

Still Into You by Erin Connor

contemporary romance

Forever, February 2026

Sloane and Dax have history. Like so many first loves, the end was painful. Three years later working together could relaunch both of their professional paths to greatness if they're willing to risk working together. Super angsty drama with the early 2000s grunge rock scene as backdrop unfolds along with sharp commentary about the gendered, racial, and socioeconomic factors that influence media coverage and spin.

Always wishing you good health, peace of mind, safety, joy & some pleasure every day

Comments

New Arrivals Giving BRBF Vibes + BAC Issues

Even as my friends and I enjoyed a fantastic community event yesterday in and around the Bowie Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, there was envy in my heart for all of the attendees and participants at the Black Romance Book Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Reports of issues of crowding just made me happy for the event organizers' success while they posted apologies and corrective strategies for crowd control during the last day. In the meantime, the new arrivals shelves at the closest library in the neighboring county offered a variety of books by BRBF authors. "Where the Melanated Are Celebrated" indeed. [9 books, from left to right: Positive Obsession, Communion, Big Girl Blitz (atop a bookstack), The Started Ex, Fire Sword & Sea, Leave Your Mess at Home, Archangel's Eternity, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, First Sign of Danger] Currently reading Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Mo...

When What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funny

Need to laugh out loud? To feel inspired? To feel seen? To feel encouraged to pursue your heart's most ambitious desires despite overwhelming odds against succeeding? Read Zarna Garg's memoir, which offers an intimate, compelling coming of age, immigrant's journey, family saga, and keen observations about humans and life as experienced by a hilarious, intrepid individual. [front cover of "Zarna Garg, This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir" showing the Statue of Liberty holding the author in her arms with the New York City skyline in the lower half of the background] This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg non-fiction memoir Ballantine Books, April 2025 Universal themes of family love and family conflict, support and abandonment, grieving as a years' long process with lulls, parenting and being parented (or not), finding your people in friendship, romance, community presented and dissected with the author's sharp wit ...

The Best Man: Unfinished Business by Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen Delivers All the Feels

Black love. Black joy. Black drama. Humanity in its vast melanin array. [front cover of a paperback ARC for The Best Man: Unfinished Business; silhouette of three adults] The Best Man: Unfinished Business by Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen adult contemporary fiction with romantic elements Storehouse Voices, July 2025 First, dedicated fans of The Best Man franchise and its beloved characters need not fear how they’re treated in this first of three novels. In fact. One thread of Harper’s storyline seems to reflect the real-life author/screenwriter/director’s battle to protect and maintain the integrity of The Best Man universe. Mission accomplished. Second, once readers - fans or not - start this novel they won’t want to stop. The compulsion to re/watch The Best Man movies and limited series and maybe even to reread this book while anticipating the release of book two in 2026 will prove difficult to resist. Who are you? Who are your people?...

Search This Blog