Sadeqa Johnson, a former public relations manager, spent several years working with well-known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan and Bishop TD Jakes before becoming an author herself. Her debut novel, Love in a Carry-on Bag is the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley award for Best Fiction and the 2012 USA Best Book award for African-American fiction. She is a motivation speaker, inspirational blogger, wife and mother of three incredible children.
All the World Can Hold (2026) Jung Yun "Astounding and exquisitely written, Yun masterfully guides readers into the tender, fragile days following the 9/11 tragedy. With emotional precision, she unveils the inner lives of her three deeply nuanced characters, peeling back their insecurities one page at a time. An unforgettable portrait of grief, resilience, and our human connection."
With Love from Harlem (2026) ReShonda Tate "Vibrant, richly detailed, and emotionally resonant, With Love from Harlem traces the extraordinary life of jazz icon Hazel Scott with unflinching honesty and grace. Tate has a rare gift for storytelling that strikes straight at the heart. Raw, powerful, and deeply human, this novel illuminates a remarkable woman whose legacy deserves to be known by all."
Where the Rivers Merge (2025) Mary Alice Monroe "Where The Rivers Merge is simply captivating. Monroe is a master storyteller and her lyrical depictions of the Lowcountry and the natural world awakened all of my senses and left me breathless at every chapter's end. The characters leapt off the page and stayed with me long after the book was finished. Stunning in every way, a must-read."
The Lion Women of Tehran (2024) Marjan Kamali "The Lion Women of Tehran had me under arrest from the start. A deeply nuanced story of family, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of true friendship. It is as heart wrenching as it is achingly beautiful."
Shelterwood (2024) Lisa Wingate "Lisa Wingate works her signature magic in creating strong, smart, and willful children who survive at any cost. Shelterwood is as heartwarming as it is mysterious and utterly absorbing."
All We Were Promised (2024) Ashton Lattimore "As beautifully written as it is historically sound, and ripe with the overwhelming struggle to right America's greatest wrong: slavery."
The House of Plain Truth (2024) Donna Hemans "Emotionally honest, The House of Plain Truth is ripe with secrets and sacrifice. Teeming with family drama, and lush descriptions that leapt off the page and rooted me in place. Hemans' writing is lyrical and her characters stayed with me long after the book was over."
The American Queen (2024) Vanessa Miller "The American Queen brings to light another hidden triumph in Black American history. Queen Louella is frankly a woman that everyone should know. Filled with bravery and cultural beauty, this marvel of a novel transported me while educating me on the sheer determination of an emancipated community to not only survive but to also thrive."
Queen of Exiles (2023) Vanessa Riley "Queen of Exiles is the riveting account of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's first and only Queen. Bold, ambitious, historically sound and beautifully told."
The Paris Daughter (2023) Kristin Harmel "he Paris Daughter is an all consuming tale of war, love and family, and at its core is a heart touching look at a mother's love and the sacrifices we make for our children....Historical fiction at its best!"
Crow Mary (2023) Kathleen Grissom "Crow Mary left me breathless. Kathleen Grissom has the gift of waking up the past with fever, illuminating an aspect of American history that few know. Each page engulfed me in a world of conflict, love, and heartache. Tender, compelling, and a profoundly educational and satisfying read. The strength and sheer bravery of Crow Mary will stay with me for a long time."
The Secret Book of Flora Lea (2023) Patti Callahan Henry "The Secret Book of Flora Lea is a beguiling blend of hope, mystery, and true familial love. It exposes the deep wounds of a family tragically separated because of war. Told in an utterly fresh way with dual timelines and a host of unforgettable characters, this is a story that is both necessary and satisfying through the last page. Powerful and spellbinding!"
Black Candle Women (2023) Diane Marie Brown "Richly imagined and elegantly told, with plenty of satisfying secrets, heartaches, and twists. Black Candle Women is a promising debut."
The Thread Collectors (2022) Shaunna J Edwards and Alyson Richman "A brilliant story brimming with unexpected friendships and family ties. Historically sound and beautifully stitched, The Thread Collectors will stay with you long after the last page is turned."
Carolina Built (2022) Kianna Alexander "Carolina Built is an integral addition to a part of our history that omits the accomplishments of Black women. Filled with passion and perseverance, Josephine Leary is frankly a woman that everyone should know."
Yonder (2022) Jabari Asim "Brilliant! A fresh telling of a story we think we already know, Yonder is wholly engrossing and expertly executed. With beautiful language laced with raw honesty, Jabari Asim has written a novel that I know will forever impact the way I think of the merciless nature of slavery and the enduring power of love."
