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Our Hot List also features a sobering debut novel by Chika Unigwe, of Nigeria, about three women from West Africa who move to Belgium seeking a better life but end up working as prostitutes. Readers also will find something hot and steamy from Zane's male protege Cairo (who releases his 'Deep Throat Diva' this month), and the acclaimed favorites by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and Connie Briscoe.
Happy reading.
10 Books To Read This Season
The big winter thaw is on and BV on Books has chosen 10 spring novels that are worth your attention this season. Check out the BV Hot List for Spring 2011.
Wench' is the 2010 debut novel from Dolen Perkins-Valdez. The arresting novel tells the stories of Lizzie, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu, whose friendships developed during their summers in the idyllic Tawawa House resort in the free state of Ohio. Perkins-Valdez weaves an engaging narrative about the harsh realities of slavery leading up to the Civil War. Available in paperback now.
'Dirtier Than Ever,' by Vickie Stringer, is an engaging and sexy thriller about the hottest trio in urban lit: Raven 'Red' Gomez; Bacon, her kingpin boyfriend; and Quentin Carter, Red's true love. In the third installment of this popular series, Stringer delivers a rapturous tale about love, greed and friendship that will leave you wanting more. Available now.
'He Was My Man First,' by Nancey Flowers and Courtney Parker, is an engrossing saga about Valentine Daye, a phoenix from the streets. She leads a fairy-tale lifestyle after marrying Richard Washington, a former drug runner turned kingpin. But her world is turned upside down when Vanessa Knight steps in and puts dibs on Washington; she wants him for herself. Daye, however, is no shrinking violet in this tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Available now.
'Sisters and Husbands,' by best-selling novelist Connie Briscoe, is the 15-year follow-up to 'Sisters & Lovers.' Beverly, the commitment-phobic protagonist, is 39 and engaged, by all accounts, to a great catch. But the disintegration of her sister's marriage forces her to rethink her walk down the aisle, causing family members to await her next move with baited breath in this 2009 best-selling novel. Available now.
'Deep Throat Diva,' by Cairo, is a sexy novel about Pasha Willow, a young, brainy woman willing to go to any length to hide secrets that could destroy her impending nuptials to a fiancé, who put a four-carat diamond engagement ring on her finger. Available in March.
'On Black Street Sisters' is the haunting novel by Chika Unigwe, a writer who was born in Nigeria and lives in Belgium. She weaves the tale of four African women from disparate worlds who made their way to Belgium seeking fame and fortune. Instead, they sell their bodies from the windows of Antwerp's red-light district. Unigwe came up with the idea after cruising the streets of Antwerp herself to research material for this stunning must-read novel. Available in April.
'Midnight and the Meaning of Love,' by New York Times best-selling author Sister Souljah, just might be her most captivating yarn to date. It is a coming-of-age story about love and the distance people will go to keep it. Available in April.
'Dutch III: International Gangster,' by Teri Woods, is the authentic grand finale of the Dutch series. It's authentic because another author, not Woods, penned 'Dutch, the Finale' in 2007. Now, Woods has encrypted her signature style on the end of the searing series about Dutch, who is on trial for "the Month of Murder.'' But he disappears after a bloody courtroom shoot-out, and he's back on top in this riveting finale. Available in May.
'Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife,' by Nikki Turner, is the gripping sequel to her best-selling novels 'A Hustler's Wife' and 'Forever a Hustler's Wife.' This time, Yarni Taylor, a successful corporate attorney, tries to get her husband, Des, to renounce his hustler ways and commit to being a pastor. But Des isn't willing to walk away just yet, especially with a death target on his head. But his decision is complicated by a sudden visit from an 18-year-old daughter he didn't know about. Readers will be fascinated by Des's attempt to commit to a life of the cloth while dodging bullets. Available in May.
Comments: (15)
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By: samah on 3/09/2011 8:50AM
Call me a book snob but it's unfortunate how many "urban lit" books there are on this list. I'm just sayin'...
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By: peachcobblerNY on 3/09/2011 10:04AM
I am glad you said it!! Although I was thinking it! LOL
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By: kieraht on 3/09/2011 10:52AM
I guess I'm a book snob too. I am a little disappointed in this list.
Just picked up "Wench" last night. So far it's a good read.
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By: sistaharlem on 3/09/2011 4:58PM
It is unfortunate that paranormal romance, romance & teen lit is not represented. I mean Leslie Esdaile Banks aks L. A. Banks has releases in all of these genres this year. Why isn't she represented on this list!!
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By: 3040Reads on 3/09/2011 11:19PM
I just finished reading this book by a brother named Previn Taylor titled, "Missing Pages." A friend of mine had it on her coffee table and I just picked it up to peep it. She said she ordered it for her book club from Amazon.com. Turned into a good read. I don't know why but I couldn't put it down. I't not "urban lit" or anything like that. Really, it's just a pretty good story. You might want to check it out.
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By: Hanifah on 3/10/2011 11:22AM
I agree with comments the lack of diverse topics listed. I read Wench..good read. I strongly recommend "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson which is a non-fiction account of the migration of Blacks from the South to North. She tells the true lifetales of 3 individuals and how their journeys unfolded via leaving in different decades (1930's, 1940's and 1950's). Excellent historical documentation..great read!
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By: Gloria Williams on 3/10/2011 1:59PM
Wow I would only pick up 3 out of the 10 books! I'm reading Wench now!
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By: IowaBlaque on 3/10/2011 7:25PM
Seriously? Slaves, Drug runners and Deep Throat Divas? I've got two Previn Taylor books, "The Friday Dilemma" (2005) and last year's "Missing Pages" I loved them both. Taylor is living proof that black authors can write fiction that's based on characters that you can relate to, we really need to leave the term "Urban" behind.
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By: Brenda on 3/12/2011 7:59PM
Read, I Look Back and Wondered How I Got Over, it's an autobiography by a new black author Priscilla Flint. Easy read, good book. I believe you can order it from Amazon.com.
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By: Destiny Brown on 3/13/2011 8:48PM
We as Blacks need to stop reading this Black Fiction and read the Bible and other books that tell us how to maximize our life, potential and money. I get tired of these Black romance books. It's time to arm ourselves with knowledge, not fantasy. Read Suzy Orman's book and 'Live in the Truth' about ourselves, ourlives and our money. Zane and others made alot of money from Black fiction, but what has she done to help blacks reach their full potential? Not just her but many urban authors only want to make a buck.
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