During a recent book signing at Harlem's Hue-man Bookstore & Café, author Helena Andrews regaled visitors with tales of her adult life and childhood as she read from her compelling memoir 'Bitch is the New Black.'

The title is what screenwriters like to call a MacGuffin, a Hitchcockian way of saying a red herring.

While it conveys a story about bitchy blacks prevailing over the universe, it really is the tale of a young woman who was raised by a lesbian mother as the only black kid on Catalina Island. In this touching, yet humorous memoir, Andrews tries to answer the perennial question of whether a "strong, single and successful black woman can ever find love.''

"A lot of my story is unique, but it's extremely universal,'' she told the audience, explaining that the book is not just for black readers.

The impressive Ivy League graduate (Columbia University), who has worked at O magazine, Politico and as a clerk at the New York Times' Washington Bureau, recently spoke to BV on Books about her memoir. Below are excerpts from the conversation.

Zane Sex

Jessica Holter has never been known to mince words. For over a decade, she has transfixed audiences with her poetry that explores sensuality and sexuality.

In 2007, she hit a milestone when Zane, the critically acclaimed author and publisher of erotica, released 'Verbal Penetration,' which propelled Holter into the spotlight.

Now comes 'The Punany Experience: The War Between Tops and Bottoms, Not Your Average Down Low Story' by Holter, which is sure to raise eyebrows.

It is the story of Stormy Talbert, a bisexual, Korea Smith, an androgynous businesswoman and Hartford, a married man. And it takes you down mental alleyways and passages you never imagined.

Black Voices caught up to Holter. Below are excerpts from the conversation.

BV on Books: How did you come up with the title?
Jessica Holter: The first part of the title is what I call the theatrical episodes fans have when they attend a show by The Punany Poets [which she created in 1995 after the untimely death of gangsta rapper Eazy-E]. "The War Between Tops and Bottoms" is the title of a poem published by Zane in 'Verbal Penetration.' The novel is based on that poem, which details a night of taboo love making between two lesbians and a married man. The last part of the title "Not the Average Down Low Story" intends to let readers know that this book is not about a gay man, but a straight one, who happens to be curious about anal sex -- though not with a man.

'Platinum,' a new novel by music journalist Aliya S. King is a summer hot pick full of fabulosity that will keep you reading from front to back in one sitting. So, grab some lemonade, a visor, sunscreen and head for the beach or a nice shady seat on the porch.

The sizzling tale gives a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when the social exigencies of the hip-hop lifestyle surpass the importance of love and commitment.

While interviewing several wives of hip-hop artists for an article for Vibe magazine four years ago, King said she witnessed the trials and tribulations of marriage and relationships. She saw that the worlds of wives and girlfriends were not all made up of Jimmy Choos, red carpets and private jets, which inspired the novel. While 'Platinum' is fictional, the stories are based on what she learned about the women for the article, she said.

'Platinum' revolves around Alex Maxwell, who is about to marry Birdie, a rising star in the hip-hop industry. Meanwhile, she is ghostwriting a scurrilous tell-all by video vixen Cleo Wright, who claims to have bedded all of the famous hip-hop stars, executives and producers. And she's got videos of some sexcapades!

Raegan L. Burden grew up thinking she needed to gain weight to get more "play,'' or attention, from boys.

Floree Williams learned the hard way that her negative internal voice could be far worse than that of any enemy.

And Shalena Broaster learned that sharing too much information about a lover's spat with friends and family could cause them to stand in judgment of them both even after they make up.

These powerful lessons appear in, 'Souls of My Young Sisters: Young Women Break Their Silence with Personal Stories That Will Change Your Life,' written and edited by Dawn Marie Daniels and Candace Sandy.

It is a collection of poignant stories by 60 women, ages 18 to 30, who share their personal stories to inspire other young girls at a time when surveys suggest that young women continuously struggle with self-image, skin tone and self-esteem.

Take E. Lynn Harris' posthumously released novel, 'In My Father's House,' to the beach this summer and you just might burn under the hot the sun trying to finish it.

Yes, it is just that hot.

Harris completed it nearly a year ago just before his unexpected death. The book hits shelves today to commemorate the iconic author's lifetime of achievements.

His novels, 'Basketball Jones,' 'Just Too Good to Be True' and 'I Say a Little Prayer' hit the best-seller lists of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. They are among his 10 celebrated novels, as well as his memoir, 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.'

'In My Father's House'' will definitely be added to the best-sellers list. It's a potent tale of love, lust, betrayal, murder and redemption spun around Bentley L. Dean III, who jeopardizes his right to his family's multimillion family fortune simply because he reveals his homosexuality. The owner of Picture Perfect, one of the hottest modeling agencies in Miami, comes out to his beautiful fiancée, Kim Boston, in order to be with his lover, Warren Stubbs.

Few artists can cross over from one discipline to another successfully, but Damon Wayans, an award-winning actor, stand-up comedian, writer and producer, has done a fine job with his debut novel, 'Red Hats.'

He imbues the story of Alma, 64, a recent widow, estranged from her adult children, with his gift of dialogue in an uplifting story of a woman who unearths the fruits of life through friendship. It is a poignant and provocative read worthy of taking to the beach this summer even though it roils the soul. Alma tries to commit suicide after her husband Harold dies, but she is rescued by a group of passers-by known as The Red Hats.

Wayans, known for his skits on In Living Color, the early-1990s cutting-edge sketch comedy show, and later as executive producer and star of ABCs hit, My Wife and Kids, recently took time to speak to BV on Books about writing his first novel.

When literary icon and gay rights advocate E. Lynn Harris passed away suddenly last year, not only did he leave a trail of brokenhearted fans, he left a procession of grieving writers whom he mentored.

The list includes Terrance Dean, Victoria Christopher Murray, James Earl Hardy and Stanley Bennett Clay. Now, Dean, Hardy and Clay have come together to pay tribute to Harris in 'Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris.'

Each story is written in the hot, engaging style about gay black men searching for love on the so-called "down low,'' a genre that Harris helped create. A cameo of the legendary bestselling author is featured in the stories, which follows Harris's signature style.

Dean, author of 'Hiding in Hip Hop,' the story of the gay culture in hip hop and Hollywood, and 'Reclaim Your Power,' spiritual meditations for men of color, said he came up with the idea for 'Invisible Lives' because he wanted to commemorate Harris's life with more than a blurb in a newspaper or online column.

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond's coming-of-age novel, 'Powder Necklace' is indeed one for the ages. As I devoured each page, engrossed in the story of a young girl in London whose mother sends her back to Ghana for school after an 'incident,' I was incredibly moved by the main character's extraordinary journey.

Teenage Lila struggles with her stark new surroundings, attempting to find solid ground beneath her feet, while questioning her mother's love, and why she was sent away. She questions God, in disbelief that her new life is so vastly different than the one she left in London.

This remarkable story not only points out how easy Western living has become, but teaches us that there is growth in hardship, and that when we allow ourselves to experience life through the eyes of others, we reconnect with our own humanity. I had the honor of sitting down with this exceptional writer, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, whose incredible voice gave birth to this unique and fresh novel.

Best-selling author Dr. Ian K. Smith is world-renowned for his medical and diet advice. He is the expert and host of VH1's 'Celebrity Fit Club.' And in 2008, he created the Million Pound Challenge, a free national weight-loss initiative.

Now, he is helping people in another pursuit: the pursuit of happiness. In his new book, 'Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life,' Smith explores the human psyche from a scientific perspective to determine how happiness can be achieved. Surprisingly, it's simple, he said. It is connected to spending time with family, community involvement, doing good deeds and other uncomplicated steps.

Smith recently sat down with BV on Books to talk about happiness:

If you thought you knew gospel artist Kirk Franklin through his music and interviews about his porn addiction and childhood abandonment, think again. The seven-time Grammy award winner opens up further in his new autobiography, due to hit shelves on May 18.

This time, however, he provides a blueprint to help others triumph over life's challenges through his powerful and awe-inspiring life story in 'Kirk Franklin: The Blueprint, A Plan for Living above Life's Storms.' Developing a blueprint includes embracing "non-sexies" or good works that do not involve obvious payoffs, examining your relationships with others and establishing a good support team.