Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if there’s one thing we love, it’s African-American authors. This year is the perfect chance for you to fall in love with some old favorites and to find a few new Christian, mainstream and romance authors. Here are a few we love. Please note, this article contains affiliate links.
Stacy Hawkins Adams
Why you’ll love her: She has a way with words and storytelling
Check out: Winds of Change series, as well as her novel, Watercolored Pearls
A.C. Arthur
Why you’ll love her: Her romances offer intriguing plots, and her young adult novels take on the paranormal.
Check out: The Donovans series, including her latest, The Donovans, Volume II
Angela Benson
Why you’ll love her: Her characters and stories are real and relatable
Check out: Genesis House series, and preorder her upcoming release, The Summer of Me
ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Why you’ll love her: She consistently delivers great stories
Check out: Amen series featuring Rachel Jackson Adams, as well as her latest novel, Mama’s Boy
Francine Craft
Why you’ll love her: Her contemporary romances will make you happy
Check out: Never Without You Again
Angie Daniels
Why you’ll love her: She’s not afraid to write what’s on her mind
Check out: The Beaumont series, including her latest, Breathless
Bettye Griffin
Why you’ll love her: She shows us real-world romance
Check out: From this Day Forward
Vanessa Davis Griggs
Why you’ll love her: She deftly incorporates the spiritual into real-life issues
Check out: Blessed Trinity series, including The Other Side of Divine
Donna Hill
Why you’ll love her: Whether you’re interested in romance, women’s fiction, chicklit or mysteries, she’s got you covered.
Check out: The Lawsons of Louisiana series, as well as her latest novel, Murder in the Aisles, which is under her pen name, Olivia Hill.
Piper Huguley
Why you’ll love her: She brings African-American history to life with her 20th century tales
Check out: Home to Milford College series, including her latest, The Representative’s Revolt
Brenda Jackson
Why you’ll love her: She creates stories that make you want to fall in love
Check out: Westmoreland series, including her latest Bane
Norma Jarrett
Why you’ll love her: Her books will remind you of hanging out with your girlfriends
Check out: Sunday Brunch series, including her latest, Bridal Brunch
Beverly Jenkins
Why you’ll love her: She’s the pioneer and queen of African-American historical romance, and her modern-day stuff will hook you
Check out: Forbidden, her latest historical romance
Wayne Jordan
Why you’ll love him: He’s one of the few men writing romance, and he does it oh so well.
Check out: The Knight Trilogy, including One Gentle Knight
EN Joy
Why you’ll love her: Her books offer drama—with a message
Check out: Forever Divas series, including her upcoming, One Sunday at a Time
Tia McCollors
Why you’ll love her: Her Christian fiction stories have a realness that is unmatched
Check out: Days of Grace series, including the most recent one, Monday Morning Joy
Rhonda McKnight
Why you’ll love her: Her Christian fiction stories just seem to get better and better
Check out: A Good Samaritan novella, Righteous Ways
Vanessa Miller
Why you’ll love her: Her stories minister to readers
Check out: Rain series, including Through the Storm
Stephanie Perry Moore
Why you’ll love her: She is one of the few authors writing Christian fiction for kids and young adults
Check out: Swoop List series, including Give It Up
Victoria Christopher Murray
Why you’ll love her: She has a gift for storytelling and a way with words
Check out: Lady Jasmine series, as well as her latest novel, Stand Your Ground
Kendra Norman
Why you’ll love her: She pens stories that could happen every day
Check out: Solomon series, including Song of Solomon
Kimberla Lawson Roby
Why you’ll love her: She delivers powerful stories of family and friendship
Check out: The Reverend Curtis Black series, as well as her latest novella Best Friends Forever
Pat Simmons
Why you’ll love her: Her inspirational romances include genealogical subplots
Check out: The Jamieson Legacy series, including The Confession
Maureen Smith
Why you’ll love her: She writes several genres, and she does them all well
Check out: Wolf Pack series, including her latest, This I Promise You
Michelle Stimpson
Why you’ll love her: Her books are relatable and will have you laughing out loud
Check out: Mama B series, as well as Stuck on You, the first book in her Stoneworth series
Kim Cash Tate
Why you’ll love her: She does not shy away from tough subjects and tells them in a way that leaves you wanting more—of a relationship with God and more of her stories
Check out: Hidden Blessings
Jacquelin Thomas
Why you’ll love her: She writes Christian fiction and romance in a way that no one else can
Check out: The latest installment in her Jezebel series, Jezebel’s Daughter
Tiffany L. Warren
Why you’ll love her: She writes great characters
Check out: Using Lies as Alibis series, as well as her latest novel, When Trouble Comes
Lisa Watson
Why you’ll love her: Her characters are memorable and fun
Check out: The Match Broker series, including her latest Love by Design
Pamela Samuels Young
Why you’ll love her: Her legal thrillers spotlight people of color in a way rarely seen
Check out: Vernetta Henderson series, including her latest, Lawful Deception
What authors have you fallen in love with and why?
