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Are
you looking for something new and exciting to read?
If you are, I have good news for
you. I recently discovered some hidden treasures.
As I read on Twitter last night
(yes, I finally joined; can you believe it?), I came across a post by a
fellow Tweeter: “Best 20 Christian Fiction of 2011: African-American.”
A link took me to a blog where the author spotlighted these particular
books because most Christian media and Christian bookstore chains
didn’t.
What’s up with that? If you ask
me, folks are missing a good read because of this.
I scanned the list, thinking the
blogger’s words couldn’t be true. As I studied each book, though, I
recognized only one author.
Being the inquisitive individual
that I am, I went to Amazon and searched for the books. The authors’
accolades astounded me. How could these talented writers have slipped
under my radar?
Although I’m nobody famous, I do
read a lot. I’m a member of numerous writing groups, where folks
promote their work, as well as the works of others.
Maybe I should get out more.
Or perhaps it’s the cultural
difference . . . but Amish novels are prevalent and their culture is
different.
I’m including the list for your
perusal, along with a few lines about each author, just so you can see
for yourself. Although I
haven’t read their works yet (remember, I just came across this last
night), I will after this. I feel like an old woman in a candy store.
Sharon Ewell Foster, The
Resurrection of Nat Turner: The Witness: You’ve heard of
gospel music? Well, Sharon, a Christy Award−winning author, writes
best-selling, award-winning gospel novels. Her books combine insight,
faith, and literary style. Bishop T. D. Jakes says, “Sharon is the
Picasso of the pen!”
Booker T. Mattison, Snitch:
Booker is a filmmaker, author, and professor. Snitch received
a starred review in Publishers Weekly and has been
submitted for consideration for a 2012 NAACP Image Award nomination for
Outstanding Literary Work Fiction.
Vanessa Miller, A
Promise of Forever Love: Vanessa is a best-selling author,
playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include Get
You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t
You Hear Them Crying.
Shana Burton, Catt
Chasin’: In addition to Catt Chasin’,
Shana has written Suddenly Single, First Comes Love,
and Flaws and All. Cat Chasin’ was a Georgia Book
of the Year Nominee and Double Day Book Club Pick.
Kim Cash Tate, Cherished:
Kim
writes to color a person’s life with the perspective of Christ. She is
also the author of More Christian Than African American,
Heavenly Places, and Faithful.
Patricia Haley, Broken:
Patricia
is an award-winning, national best-selling author. Her works include Nobody’s
Perfect, Blind Faith, Still Waters, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie,
and No Regrets. She is a graduate of Stanford
University and the University of Chicago.
Serita Jakes, The
Crossing: Serita serves alongside her husband, Bishop T. D.
Jakes. Her first book, The Princess Within, has
sold more than 200,000 copies to date. She is also the author of Beside
Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing by Him.
Vanessa Davis Griggs, Redeeming
Waters: Vanessa is the author of numerous novels. Some of her
newer releases are Blessed Trinity, Strongholds, If Memory
Serves, Practicing What You Preach, Goodness and Mercy, The Truth Is
the Light, Ray of Hope, and Forever Soul Ties.
Tia McCollors, Steppin’
into the Good Life: Tia is a best-selling author who entices
her readers with a blend of faith and fiction in her inspirational
books: Zora’s Cry, The Last Woman Standing, The Truth about
Love, and A Heart of Devotion. She’s also
coauthored several anthologies.
Pat
G’orge-Walker, No Ordinary Noel: Pat is in a league
of her own. She’s an accomplished author and comedienne. Her works
include Somebody’s Sinning in My Bed, Somewhat Saved,
Cruisin’ on Desperation, and Sister Betty! God’s
Calling You, Again!
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Kendra
Norman-Bellamy, Upon
This Rock: Kendra is the national best-selling author of
numerous faith-based titles. She is best known for her fiction writing
but is also the author of one nonfiction title, I Shall Not
Die, an empowerment book that was inspired by her own life
experiences.
Michelle Simpson, Someone
to Watch Over Me: Michelle is a wife, a mom, an educator, and
the owner of one crazy dog. When Michelle is not busy procrastinating,
she actually does write Christian books as well as insightful short
stories for high school students.
Claudia Mair Burney, Exorsistah:
X Restored: Claudia is the author of Murder, Mayhem
& a Fine Man, Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz
(both titles in the Amanda Bell Brown Mystery series), and her young
adult novel, Exorsistah.
Sherryle Kiser Jackson, Taylor
Made: Sherryle strives to be a fresh voice in Christian
fiction. Her triumphant debut novel, Soon and Very Soon (2007),
was followed up by her sophomore releases, The Manual (2009),
Soon After (2010), and
Taylor Made (2011) for
Urban Christian Books.
Rhonda Bowen, Man
Enough for Me: Rhonda is a writer and event planner based in
Toronto. She enjoys spending time with her family, trying on shoes she
can’t afford, and enjoying life’s unexpected twists and turns.
Victoria Christopher Murray, The
Deal, the Dance, and the Devil: Victoria is the author of
nine Essence best-selling novels, including The
Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine.
She is the winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction
and Author of the Year (Female).
Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Say
Amen Again: ReShonda is the #1 national best-selling author
of eight previous novels for adults, as well as the Good Girlz teen
series. She has won numerous awards for her journalism and fiction.
Kimberla Lawson Roby, Love,
Honor, and Betray: Kimberla is the award-winning, New
York Times best-selling author of Love, Honor, and
Betray, Be Careful What You Pray For, A Deep Dark Secret, The Best of
Everything, One in a Million, Sin No More, Love & Lies,
and numerous other novels.
Shelia M. Goss, Delilah:
Shelia
is the Dallas Morning News and Essence
Magazine’s best-selling author of Ruthless,
Delilah, Savannah’s Curse, My Invisible Husband, Roses are Thorns,
Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, and Hollywood
Deception.
Cheryl Faye, Who Said
It Would Be Easy: Cheryl is the author of six novels. Who
Said It Would Be Easy is her most recent. She’s a proud
mother, grandmother, and daughter. Her greatest loves are her family.
Oh, and she likes good food, too.
As I said, these are some hidden
treasures. Isn’t that awesome? I hope you enjoy them.
And just think, I didn’t want to
Tweet, let alone Twitter, but I’m glad I fluttered on over and found
these.
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