“Where are the black romance writers!? WTF?!”

Has this thought ever cross your mind as you type in “romance writers” on Google and see no people of color on the first results? I feel you. It hasn’t crossed my mind until I started digging into some deep research.

As a black romance reader, I grew up reading romance novels from Bertrice Smalls, Virginia Henley, and Cassie Edwards. Note: they’re all white writers. I didn’t think deeply about it at the time; I was too busy gobbling up their books.

Later, I discovered black romance authors Beverly Jenkins and Alyssa Cole. They made me happy particularly because they show black love does exist. Not all of it is what you probably see on TV with cheaters and baby momma drama. Nope, none of that, just pure black love down to its core.

With that said, here’s the “who’s who” list of black romance writers you should check out. That’s right, they do exist!

1. Adrianne Byrd

The Quick Facts

• Currently lives in Georgia
• Sold her first novel to Kensington Publishing
• Her book Comfort of a Man was a 2003 finalist for the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie
• Also a screenwriter

Recent Books

1. Milk and Honey (Kappa Psi Kappa #5) (2019)
2. I Promise (2018)
3. Queen of His Heart (2018)
4. The Beautiful Ones (2018)
5. To Love a Stranger (2018)
6. Unforgettable (2018)

2. Alyssa Cole

The Quick Facts

• Writes sci-fi
• Anime fan
• Mainly resides in Martinique
• Inspired to write romance after reading Sandra Kitt’s The Color of Love when she was 11 years old.

Recent Works

1. The A.I Who Loved Me (2020)
2. Radio Silence (Off the Grid #1) (2020)
3. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals #3) (2019)
4. Can’t Escape Love (Reluctant Royals novella) (2019)
5. An Unconditional Freedom: An Epic Love Story of the Civil War (The Loyal League #3) (2019)
6. Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals novella) (2019)

3. Beverly Jenkins

Quick Facts

• Named one of the Top Fifty Favorite African American Writers of the 20^th century by the African American Literature Club in 1999
• Nominated for the NAACP Image Award in 2003
• Studied Journalism and English Lit at Michigan State University
• Born as Brenda Hunter

Recent Works 

1. On the Corner of Hope and Main (2020)
2. This Christmas Rivalry (2019)
3. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (2019)
4. One Masked Night (2019)
5. Rebel (Women Who Dare #1) (2019)
6. Hawaii Magic (2019)

4. Brenda Jackson

Quick Facts

• The first African American writer to be published in the Silhouette Desire series
• Wrote romance novels as relief from job-related stress
• Met writers Rochelle Alers and Francis Ray at a writers’ conference
• First African American romance writer to make it into both the USA Today’s and The New York Times bestseller lists.

Recent Works

1. All for Love (The Westmorelands #20) (2020)
2. Flames of Attraction (The Westmorelands #19) (2020)
3. Claimed By a Steele (Forged of Steele #13) (2020)
4. Claimed for Destiny (The Westmoreland 18) (2020)
5. Seduced by a Steele (Forged of Steele #12) (2020)
6. Wishes for Tomorrow (The Westmorelands #17) (2020)

5. Briana Cole

Quick Facts

• Graduated Cum Laude from Georgia Southern University in 2009
• Delta Sigma Theta sister
• Atlanta native
• Started a greeting card business while she was in high school

Recent Works

1. The Hearts We Burn (The Unconditional #3) (2020)
2. The Vows We Break (The Unconditional #2) (2019)
3. The Wives We Play (The Unconditional #1) (2018)
4. Laurielle (2018)
5. A Different Kind of Love Story (2016)
6. Heart Breaker (2015)

6. Cheris Hodges

The Quick Facts

• Freelance journalist
• Graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in journalism
• Currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Wrote for Creative Loafing Charlotte and Covington News (Covington, Georgia)

Recent Works

1. Revelations: A Throwback Love Story (2020)
2. Owner of a Broken Heart (Richardson Sisters #1) (2020)
3. Tempted at Midnight (2019)
4. The Business of Love (2019)
5. Strategic Seduction (2018)
6. Another Chance to Love (2018)

7. Donna Hill

The Quick Facts

• Published her first short story in 1987
• Writing inspirations include Walter Mosley, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, and Jeffrey Deaver.
• Teaches writing at The Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center in New York City.
• Won the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for her books

Recent Works

1. The Other Sister (The Family Secret #2) (2019)
2. When I’m with You (The Lawsons of Louisiana series) (2018)
3. Indiscretions (2017)
4. Surrender to Me (The Lawsons of Louisiana series) (2017)
5. For the Love of You (The Lawsons of Louisiana series) (2016)
6. My Love at Last (Sag Harbor Village #5) (2015)

8. Farrah Rochon

The Quick Facts

• Louisiana native
• Received a bachelor’s in science from Xavier University
• Loves football, Broadway, and Disney World
• Named the Shades of Romance Magazine’s Best New Author in 2007

Recent Works

1. The Boyfriend Project (2020)
2. Christmas Kisses: A Holiday Romance Collection (2019)
3. Return to Me (The Holmes Brothers #8) (2019)
4. Pleasure Rush (New York Sabers #4) (2018)
5. Field of Pleasure (New York Sabers #3) (2018)
6. I’ll Catch You (New York Sabers #2) (2018)
7. Huddle with Me Tonight (New York Sabers #1) (2018)

9. Francis Ray

The Quick Facts

• Her book Incognito was made into a TV movie for BET
• Written 54 books
• Awards: Romantic Times Career Achievement, The Golden Pen, Borders 2008 Romance Award for Bestselling Multicultural Romance, and the EMMA.
• Started writing romance while working as a nurse

Recent Works

1. All That I Desire (Grayson Friends #11) (2013)
2. Any Rich Man Will Do (Invincible Women #2) (2013)
3. All That I Need (Grayson Friends #10) (2013)
4. After the Dawn (Family Affair #3) (2013)
5. All of My Love (Grayson Friends #9) (2013)
6. All I Ever Wanted (Grayson Friends #8) (2013)

10. Honey

The Quick Facts

• Raised in Macon, currently resides in McDonough, Georgia.
• Her third-grade teacher encouraged her to write.
• Wedding singer
• Didn’t start writing full-time until she retired from social work

Recent Works

1. Full Figured 15 (2020)
2. Vexed (King Family #2) (2020)
3. Swirl Secrets (2019)
4. Love’s Broken Vow (2019)
5. Oh, What a Man (2019)
6. Addicted to an Addict (2018)

11. Kayla Perrin

The Quick Facts

• Originally planned to be a full-time teacher until her town started laying off teachers left and right as soon as she graduated from college.
• Resides in Toronto
• Has written over 50 novels
• Written for St. Martin’s Press, Harlequin, and HarperCollins Publishers

Recent Works

1. Undeniable Attraction (2018)
2. Sizzling Desire (2017)
3. Flames of Passion (2015)
4. Burning Desire (2014)
5. Until Now (2013)
6. Playing With Fire (2013)

12. Latrivia S. Nelson (now Welch)

The Quick Facts

• President and CEO of Riverhouse Publishing LLC
• Graduated from historically black university LeMoyne-Owen College in 2003
• Well-known for her interracial romances
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sister

Recent Works

1. The Stripper (2019)
2. Dmitry’s Redemption: Book Two (The Medlov Men #8) (2019)
3. Dmitry’s Redemption: Book One (The Medlov Men #7) (2018)
4. Warlocks: The Creole Coven (2018)
5. Anatoly’s Retribution: Book Two (The Medlov Men #6) (2017)
6. Anatoly’s Retribution: Book One (The Medlov Men #5) (2017)

13. Lutishia Lovely

The Quick Facts

• Alter ego: Zuri Day
• Radio show host, singer, and actress
• Lives in Manhattan Beach, California
• Loves cooking vegetarian meals

Recent Works

1. Saving Her Shadow (2020)
2. A Date with Destiny (Hallelujah #9) (2016)
3. The Perfect Revenge (The Shady Sisters Trilogy #3) (2015)
4. Crush (2015)
5. The Perfect Deception (The Shady Sisters Trilogy #2) (2014)
6. Mind Your Own Business (Business #2) (2014)
7. The Perfect Affair (The Shady Sisters Trilogy #1) (2014)

14. Maureen Smith

The Quick Facts

• Worked as a reporter and a freelance writer before writing stories full-time
• Currently resides in Houston, Texas
• Interned with a former U.S. presidential candidate
• Graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing

Recent Works

1. Sin Bin (Denver Rebels #3) (2019)
2. A Guilty Affair (The Affair #2) (2018)
3. The Swede (Denver Rebels #2) (2017)
4. Weapon of Seduction (2016)
5. Wicked Games (Denver Rebels #1) (2015)
6. This I Promise You (The Wolf Pack #8) (2015)

15. N.D. Jones

The Quick Facts

• Founder of Kuumba Publishing
• Loves mythology
• Resides in Maryland
• Was a high school social studies teacher for nine years

Recent Works

1. A Queen’s Pride (Feline Nation #1) (2020)
2. Heat, Hunt, Hope (Winged Warriors #2) (2020)
3. Fire, Fury, Faith (Winged Warriors #1) (2020)
4. Of Fear and Faith (2019)
5. Crimson Hunter: A Little Red Riding Hood Reimagining (Fairy Tale Fatale #1) (2019)
6. Rhythm and Blue Skies: Malcolm and Sky’s Complete Story (The Styles of Love series) (2019)

16. Nana Malone

The Quick Facts

• A romantic suspense novel inspired young Nana into romance writing
• Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author
• Resides in San Diego
• Graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1999 with a B.A. in Psychology

Recent works

1. The Benefactor (See No Evil Trilogy #2) (2020)
2. Big Ben (See No Evil Trilogy #1) (2020)
3. Playboy’s Heart (Playboy Prince Duet #2) (2020)
4. Royal Playboy (Playboy Prince Duet #1) (2020)
5. London Soul (London Royal #2) (2019)
6. London Royal (London Royal Duet #1) (2019)

17. Niobia Bryant

The Quick Facts

• Writes urban fiction as Meesha Mink
• Currently resides in South Carolina
• Her works have appeared in Ebony Magazine, The New York Post, Essence Magazine, and The Library Journal
• Studied nursing, social and behavioral science, and psychology in college

Recent Works

1. Strong Loving (Strong Family Ties #9) (2019)
2. Madam, May I (2019)
3. Tempting the Billionaire (Passion Grove #2) (2018)
4. Mistress for Hire (Mistress #5) (2018)
5. Welcome Back, My Love (Strong Family Ties #8) (2018)
6. A Billionaire Affair  (2018)
7. Love Without Limits (2017)

18. Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Quick Facts

• Writes LGBTQ romances along with M/Fs
• The Twilight series and the fanfiction community inspired Weatherspoon to pen her own romances
• Worked as a middle school teacher, a library assistant, and a movie producer.
• Originally from New Hampshire but currently lives in Southern California

Recent Works

1. Harbor (Beards & Bondage #3) (2020)
2. A Cowboy to Remember (Cowboys of California #1) (2020)
3. Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience (Loose Ends #2) (2019)
4. Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny (Loose Ends #1) (2018)
5. Wrapped: A FIT Adjacent Christmas Novella (The Fit Trilogy #4) (2017)
6. Sanctuary (Beards & Bondage #2) (2017)
7. Haven (Beards & Bondage #1) (2017)

19. Reese Ryan

The Quick Facts

• 2018 Donna Hill Breakout Author
• Former president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter
• Currently resides in North Carolina
• Panelist at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Recent Works

1. A Reunion of Rivals (The Bourbon Brothers #4) (2020)
2. Her Secret Seduction (Harlequin Summer Reads) (2020)
3. Candidly Yours (Carnivale Chronicles series) (2020)
4. Secret Heir Seduction (Texas Cattleman’s Club: Inheritance #4) (2020)
5. Off Limits Lovers (Texas Cattleman’s Club: Houston #6) (2019)
6. Seduced by Second Chances (Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List #3) (2019)

20. Rochelle Alers

The Quick Facts

• Her award list includes the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award, the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority sister
• Writes under the pen names Susan James and Rena McLeary
• Hideaway was Alers’ first published novel in 1988.

Recent Works

1. The Seaside Café (The Book Club #1) (2020)
2. Starting Over in Wickham Falls (Wickham Falls Weddings #9) (2020)
3. Second-Chance Sweet Shop (Wickham Falls Weddings #8) (2020)
4. To Take a Chance (The Blackstones of Virginia series) (2019)
5. The Bridal Suite (The Innkeepers #4) (2019)
6. The Only Man (The Blackstones of Virginia series) (2019)

21. Sheryl Lister

The Quick Facts

• Worked as a pediatric occupational therapist
• Didn’t get down into full-time writing until 2009
• Lister’s mother encouraged her to finish her first book before she passed away.
• A list of her favorite authors include Beverly Jenkins, Maureen Smith, Rochelle Alers, Adrianne Byrd, and Brenda Jackson

Recent Works

1. Embracing Ever After (Once Upon A Baby #1) (2020)
2. Never Letting Go (Carnivale Chronicles series) (2020)
3. Love’s Sweet Kiss (Sassy Seasoned Sisters #1) (2020)
4. Her Passionate Promise (Women of Park Manor series) (2020)
5. Closer to You (2019)
6. The Reluctant Bid (Distinguished Gentlemen Series) (2019)

22. Stephanie Nicole Norris

The Quick Facts

• Hails from Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Always had a love for reading. Used to read tons of Goosebumps and Sweet Valley High books
• Published her first novel Trouble in Paradise in 2012
• Grew up with six siblings

Recent Works

1. Forever My Lady (Lunch Break #5) (2020)
2. However Long It Takes (Reckless #2) (2020)
3. Reckless (2020)
4. A Moment of Forever (Lunch Break #4) (2020)
5. Cabin Fever (Lunch Break #3) (2020)
6. Move Your Body (Carnivale Chronicles) (2020)

23. Synithia Williams

The Quick Facts

• Fell in love with romance novels after reading her first book when she was 13 years old
• Her first novel: You Can’t Plan Love (2012)
• Writes under the pseudonym Nita Brooks
• Didn’t start writing until 2010

Recent Works

1. A Heart to Heal (Southern Love #3) (2020)
2. Worth the Wait (Southern Love #2) (2020)
3. You Can’t Plan Love (Southern Love #1) (2020) *re-released*
4. Forbidden Promises (Jackson Falls series) (2020)
5. The Promise of a Kiss (Jackson Falls series) (20220)
6. Just My Type (Henderson Family series) (2019)

24. Tasha L. Harrison

The Quick Facts

• Lives in South Carolina
• Freelance editor
• One of her first writings was a poem dedicated to her grandmother titled “Grandmother, If You Lived in the Biblical Times.”
• Contributes to Edible Upcountry

Recent Works

1. The Bad in Each Other (Small Town Romance series) (2020)
2. A Taste of Her Own Medicine (Small Town Romance series) (2019)
3. The Way Things Are (The Truth Duet #2) (2019)
4. The Truth of Things (The Truth Duet #1) (2017)
5. Having It Both Ways (The Lust Diaries #3) (2016)
6. Everything She Never Wanted (The Lust Diaries #2) (2015)
7. In Her Closet (The Lust Diaries #1) (2011)

25.  Trice Hickman

The Quick Facts

• Self-published her books before writing for Dafina Books.
• Attended Winston-Salem State University for her undergraduate degree and Wake Forest for her Master’s.
• Involved in multiple non-profit organizations
• Didn’t get into writing full-time until she was laid off from her traditional 9-5 job.

Recent Works

1. The Other Side (2019)
2. Deadly Satisfaction (A Dangerous Love #2) (2016)
3. Secret Indiscretions (A Dangerous Love #1) (2015)
4. Breaking All My Rules (2014)
5. Troublemaker (An Unexpected Love #4) (2014)
6. Playing the Hand You’re Dealt (2014)
7. Looking for Trouble (An Unexpected Love #3) (2013)
8. Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies (An Unexpected Love #2) (2012)
9. Unexpected Interruptions (An Unexpected Love #1) (2012)

26. Zane

The Quick Facts

• Lives in Washington D.C.
• Lionsgate Films has adapted Addicted to a movie.
• Attended Howard University
• Real name: Kristina Laferne Roberts

Recent Works

1. Vengeance (2016)
2. Addicted with a Twist (2014)
3. The Other Side of the Pillow (2014)
4. Busy Bodies (Chocolate Flava #4) (2013)
5. Everything Fades Away (2012)
6. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (2012)
7. Z-Rated (Chocolate Flava #3) (2012)

27. Zuri Day

The Quick Facts

• Used to sneak into her older sister’s Harlequin collection
• Native Jamaican
• AKA: Lutishia Lovely
• Owns a precious ragdoll kitty named “Namaste.”

Recent Works

1. Ready for the Rancher (Sin City Secrets #2) (2019)
2. Sweet Heat (The Blue-Collar Lover #3) (2019)
3. Sin City Vows (Sin City Secrets #1) (2019)
4. Thug Love (Decades: A Journey of African American Romance #10) (2018)
5. French Quarter Kisses (Love in the Big Easy #1) (2018)
6. Decadent Desire (The Drakes of California series) (2017)

Which black romance authors have you read? Any recommendations? Comment your suggestions down below! ^.^

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