American Literature

Essence best-selling author Pat G'Orge-Walker delights millions with her hilarious send-ups of church life. On a road trip, Sister Betty and a gaggle of colorful characters discover what matters most. Sister Betty determines to carry out her friend's last wishes by delivering million-dollar checks to three pastors in Baltimore. Others give chase - hoping to convince her to spread the wealth.

Patricia Haley’s inspirational series following the drama-filled Mitchell family shot her to the number-one spot on the Essence best-seller list. Anointed transports listeners back to the saga’s beginning, when Dave and Madeline Mitchell were still married, raising a family, and building a million-dollar business. Then Dave hires a pretty young assistant named Sherry Henderson, and temptation gives way to desire - setting events in motion that will haunt the Mitchell clan for decades to come.

A luminous figure in both Christian and African American fiction, Vanessa Davis Griggs pens gripping faith-based tales eagerly anticipated by fans. In The Other Side of Goodness, 50-year-old Alabama Congressman Lawrence Rudolph Simmons is facing an uphill battle in his bid for re-election. His chances are further jeopardized when a woman from his past resurfaces with terrible news: the love child they gave up for adoption needs a bone marrow transplant. Helping the child could ruin Lawrence’s career, but that may be the only right thing to do.

Angel, Jaz, Tasha, and Kyra are four girlfriends pulling themselves out of the ghetto - and trying to bring their hearts up to higher ground with them. Now Angel has started her own law practice and new life with Kaylin. But when an unwanted guest crashes their wedding, all the rage and bloodlust from the hood comes bustin' out - and Angel's gonna need every prayer in heaven to make it to the altar alive....

Reverend Grayson Young and his wife Chyna seem to have the perfect marriage. Yet despite Grayson and Chyna's public railings against adultery, they're both involved in multiple affairs. And then the lecherous poser catches his wayward wife in flagrante.

It's 1876 and Dr. Viveca Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed upon female physicians of color. When she is offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all-black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan, she leaves her California home and heads east. The very determined Viveca knows all about fighting for her rights. But she may need more than determination to face down the distractingly handsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor.

Demonstrating the same verve for storytelling that rocketed her previous novels onto the best seller lists, Deliver Me from Evil introduces Christine Thurman, a vivacious 31-year-old about to enter a dangerous new phase in her life.

The congregation at the Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ doesn't know what to think when their pastor, Bishop Lance Howell, returns from a vacation in Jamaica with a wife in tow. As if Lady Elect Arykah Miles' false eyelashes, scarlet red fingernails, and fishnet stockings aren't flashy enough, the blond wigs and sky-high stilettos she wears send Mother Gussie Hughes and Mother Pansie Bowak into panic mode.

Veronica Cruz has been through hell and back. After disconnecting with the world two years ago to be at the side of her dying mother, she's left alone, unemployed, overweight, and feeling a decade older than her 28 years. When her best friend coaxes her into joining the local gym to ditch her depression and rejuvenate her life, she meets Noah. What she least expected was for him to fall for her, but he has. There's just one problem: Noah is eight years younger.

Single Ladies is back! Get ready to deal with the drama of baby daddies, side chick issues, divorce, child custody, child support, medical issues, money problems, infidelity, lust, in-laws, jobs, law enforcement, incarceration, and everything else that comes along with being a Single Lady in the hood! Tammy, Falisha, Kim, and Lisa return, with new issues and old relationships threatening each lady's happiness.

Coreen Treadwell heads a prominent social welfare agency, but she is haunted by her past. Raped and impregnated as a teenager, she gave up her baby without ever seeing her. Now the legacy of violence continues in her daughter's life. Abused by her adoptive father, the young woman has vowed vengeance on Coreen for abandoning her.

Carl Weber is a New York Times best-selling author who’s made a name for himself with wildly entertaining works marked by his trademark wit and storytelling panache. In The Choir Director, Bishop T.K. Wilson is banking on dynamic new choir director Anthony Mackie to reverse the failing congregation’s fortunes. But while Anthony’s got more than enough chops to raise a heavenly chorus, he’s also got a weakness for the ladies that could make the Devil himself stand up and take notice.

When it comes to love, hate, trust, honesty, lying, cheating, deceit, betrayal, drama, money, power, respect, and backbreaking, limitless, raw, and uncut sex, this monthly urban soap, Single Ladies, takes you to a whole nother level of play. There will be no holding back, no biting of the tongue, and best believe the gloves are coming off when five childhood friends take you through the everyday life of living as a female in the hood. Expect everything...but boredom!

It's been two years since Johnny Mayfield's murder rocked Amber, Alabama. His death, along with the illicit personal scandals that preceded it, created more drama than the town had ever seen. But now life is back to normal, at least for his widow, Geneva. Or so it seems. Happily remarried, Geneva has to admit her life is better than ever. Her upscale salon is thriving, and she finally has the baby she always wanted.

Former "player" Terrell thinks he's got it going on. Then the past comes calling, and suddenly his best prospects are endangered.

Alexis Griggs has worked hard to get where she is in life. She owns several clinics that service people in need and is a pillar of her community, but looks can be deceiving. Alexis and her brother, Jace, are both leading double lives, which are both illegal and deadly. It leaves little time for Alexis to have a personal life; that is until she has a chance encounter with single father Kevell Farrell.

The Great Partnership has the power to change how we think about Confederate strategic decision-making and the value of personal relationships among senior leaders responsible for organizational survival. Those relationships in the Confederate high command were particularly critical for victory, especially the one that existed between the two great Army of Northern Virginia generals.

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson received the Coretta Scott King Award for her children’s book Almost to Freedom. Here she relays the extraordinary story of Bass Reeves, a lawman in the Old West who escaped slavery to become one of the most successful U.S. Marshals in history.

Ji-won’s life tumbles into disarray in the wake of her Appa’s extramarital affair and subsequent departure. Her mother, distraught. Her younger sister, hurt and confused. Her college freshman grades, failing. Her dreams, horrifying… yet enticing. In them, Ji-won walks through bloody rooms full of eyes. Succulent blue eyes. Salivatingly blue eyes. Eyes the same shape and shade as George’s, who is Umma’s obnoxious new boyfriend. George has already overstayed his welcome in her family’s claustrophobic apartment.

355: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring chronicles the lives of three remarkable women who use daring, skill, and, yes, a bit of flirtation, to help liberate America.