If youâre looking for a blessing in the fiction books you read, check out these authors who are using Christian and inspirational fiction to deliver a message despite the messes some of their characters encounter. This month, in celebration of the Christian Book Loverâs Retreat, which will be held October 27 to October 30 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Black Fiction Addiction is spotlighting Black Christian authors.
Meet the Authors
Here is a list of talented African American authors:
- Stacy Hawkins Adams writes contemporary womenâs fiction novels featuring the twists and turns faced by everyday characters seeking everyday joy.
- Michelle Lindo-Rice is an award-winning, bestselling author who enjoys crafting fiction centered about the four âFâ words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. Her debut novel, Sing A New Song was a Black Expressions Bestseller and Editorâs Choice Feature Selection.
- Michele Andrea Bowen grew up in St. Louis, Mo. She has lived in Durham, NC for several decades, and it is her second home. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with an undergraduate degree in psychology and graduate degrees in social work and counseling education.
- Natasha D. Frazier has penned an award-winning devotional, The Life Your Spirit Craves and a Henri award nominated devotional, Not Without You: 365 Days in the Lordâs Presence.
- Sharon Ewell Foster was a critically acclaimed award-winning author, speaker, and teacher. She was the author of Passing by Samaria, the first successful work of Christian fiction by an African American author, and The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part One: The Witnesses, which won the 2012 Shaara Prize for Civil War Fiction. Sharon was a Christy Award-winning author whose books earned her a loyal following that crossed market, gender, and racial boundaries.
- Pat GâOrge-Walker is the Essence, USA TODAY and National bestselling and award-winning author of the Christian fiction Sister Betty comedy series. Her books fearlessly burrow into issues sometimes labeled taboo or left unsaid by Christian and secular communities without subverting the Good News or watering down the potency of its message. Pat, a preacherâs kid, has quietly soaked up material from her fatherâs Baptist congregation and her motherâs Pentecostal assembly to create and keep her audiences howling with laughter, performing nationwide and on the high seas with her One-Woman comedy show, âSister Betty! âGodâs Cheerleaderâ
- Vanessa Davis Griggs is an author and motivational speaker who adores the power of words both written and spoken. At the end of 1996, this former BellSouth employee left 18 years of service stepping out on faith and decided to pursue her purpose and passion-writing.
- Patricia Haley-Glass is the trailblazing, award-winning, #1 Essence, and Christian fiction bestselling author of numerous titles. Patricia Haley is the award-winning Essence bestselling author of Nobodyâs Perfect, Blind Faith, Still Waters, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, and No Regrets.
- Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Linda has taught workshops on fiction writing to adults and teens.
- As she grew, Terri J. Haynesâ love for writing grew as she tried her hand at poetry, articles, speeches, and fiction. She is a storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers in the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.
- Piper Huguley is also the author of the Home to Milford College series, which follows the building of a college from its founding in 1866. On release, the prequel novella to the Home to Milford College series, The Lawyerâs Luck, reached #1 Amazon Bestseller status on the African American Christian Fiction charts.
- Norma Jarrett loves to inspire and encourage others to pursue purposeful passion.
- Vivian Kay is a Christian fiction author whose faith stories weave around the themes of human imperfection, redemption, and transformation. When sheâs not writing or daydreaming about writing, youâll find her playing simultaneous games of online Scrabble or snuggling up with a good book. Secret Places is Kayâs debut novel.
- Sherri Lewis left her 15-year career as a family physician to pursue full-time ministry and writing. She currently serves as a missionary in Buea, Cameroon, in West Africa where she continues to crank out her novels. Lewisâ life passion is to express the reality of the Kingdom of God through the arts including music, dance, film and television, and literature; and through sound biblical teaching.
- Tia McCollors entered the literary field with her debut novel, A Heart of Devotion (Essence Magazine bestseller, 2005).
- Even as she pursued degrees in textile technology, organizational leadership and finally, adult education, Rhonda McKnightâs love for books and desire to write stories was always in the back of her mind and in the forefront of her heart.
- Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessaâs creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian.
- Tyora Moody writes soul-searching mysteries with a dash of romance.
- Stephanie Perry Moore is the trailblazing author of the Payton Skky Series, the first African-American Christian teen series.
- Unoma Nwankwor writes contemporary Christian romances that span Africa and the African Diaspora. Unoma weaves romantic tales for readers who enjoy stories centered around faith, family, and the rich culture of Africa. Through the pages, she promises you humor, tight hugs, forehead kisses, and above all else, redemptive, sacrificial love.
- Vanessa Riley writes Regency Romances and Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities with powerful persons of color. Vanessa writes for historical romance readers who admire and acquire books that showcase women who find joy in sweeping kisses and strong sisterhoods.
- Kimberla Lawson Roby is a New York Times Bestselling Author and Speaker who has published 28 books, including her nonfiction title, THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Finding Success Through Faith-Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally. Kimberlaâs books have frequented numerous bestseller lists, such as The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Black Christian News, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many others.
- Leslie J. Sherrod, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, is the author of faith-based novels that speak to the hopes and dreams of diverse women. As both a writer and a social worker, Leslie tackles matters of current social significance, including mental health and wellness, healthy relationships, and spiritual growth-with the unique backdrop of page-turning, satisfying suspense and heartwarming humor.
- Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
- As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat Simmons is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience.
- Chandra Sparks Splond is an editor, speaker and award-winning author and blogger. She is a 2019 recipient of the Learning for Life award presented by the Orlean Beeson School of Education at Samford University.
- Michelle Stimpson the national bestselling, award-winning author of more than 50 books and 50 short stories.
- Kim Cash Tate is the bestselling author of several books.
- Jacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best-selling author with 85-plus titles published. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine. Jacquelin has published in the romance, womenâs fiction, inspirational and young adult genres.
- Denise M. Walker is a minister and founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries, Inc, a wife, a mother, an educator, author, and mentor. Through Hope-in-Christ Ministries, she evangelizes by taking the message of the cross to the world through speaking and teaching, through her blog ministry, her podcasts, Hope in Christ w/Denise and Building Literacy and True Identity and the Hope-in-Christ Book Club.
- Kendy Ward first garnered recognition as a winner of BETâs First Time Writerâs Competition.
- Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author who writes contemporary romance and womenâs fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist.
- Victoria lives in Washington, D.C. Victoria has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year - Female.
- Sherron Elise is a proud native of Houston, Texas. An avid reader since childhood, her passion for getting lost within the pages of a book soon transformed into using her vivid imagination to create stories of her own.
- Shei is a 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest finalist, and a 2012 semi-finalist. She is also a 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarterfinalist.
Themes and Characters
These authors delve into a variety of themes and create characters that resonate with readers:
- Kenya Williams is the First Lady of a fast-growing church. Her husband once had an affair that rocked the church.
- Reverend Simon Jackson has always felt destined to lead and he's done a good job of it, transforming his small Houston church into one of the most respected and renowned in the region.
- Kateevah Knight is a beautiful BBW who is living life on her terms.
- Grace could get any man she wanted physically, but obtaining love seemed to be impossible for her.
- Neil McClain is the screw-up, the one everyone hopes will win but expects to lose. He wants to live a better life, one that his late mother would be proud of.
- Anika was born into poverty, deep in the hood.
- Darrow belongs to the Reds, who toil at the mercy of the Golds.
African American Romance Collection that includes 10 books. Wealthy. Educated. Influential. Spiritual. Charming.
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Stay tuned for interviews from founding Christian fiction authors Jacquelin Thomas and Pat Gâorge-Walker, as well as from several authors who will be attending the Christian Book Loverâs Retreat.
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