A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague's murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich, Kellye Garrett, and Ali Hazelwood.

As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, working on her next academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.

The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.

Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on her own investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus.

This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine.

One mistake was innocent until it wasn’t.

After almost a ten-year relationship, Jersei Lane is forced into a journey of self-discovery. Her codependency made her put her own life on the back burner, but with one spark to her soul, everything shifted.

Vayce Denver is the school counselor at Sweet Pea Academy. His life is built on saving others until it is time to address his own. Love became a distant memory and peace became his priority.

How sweet can a guarded heart’s lesson be? Is love possible if we keep it Off the Charts?

Bestselling author Janae Marks returns with a bighearted and empowering sequel to the critically acclaimed From the Desk of Zoe Washington, following Zoe and her recently exonerated father as they build their new relationship and work to open their own restaurant together.

You are listening to On Air with Zoe Washington . . .

Two years ago, Zoe Washington helped clear Marcus’ name for a crime he didn’t commit. Now her birth father has finally been released from prison and to an outpouring of community support. So, everything should be perfect. Right?

With Zoe and Marcus now co-workers at Ari’s Cakes, it’s true life has never been better. But when Marcus reveals his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, Zoe becomes determined to help him achieve it—with her as his pastry chef of course. She still has a lot of new desserts to invent! 

However, starting a new place is much more difficult than it looks, and despite being innocent—Marcus is having a harder time re-entering society than anyone expected. Determined to find a solution, Zoe starts a podcast to bring light to the struggles exonerees experience and fundraise for their restaurant.

Between hosting her show, testing recipes, managing shifting friend dynamics, and trying to make sure Marcus and her stepdad each have enough time with her—Zoe is stretched thin. She knows the power of using her voice. But with waning public interest in their story, will anyone still be listening? 

Book Three in the All To Me Series

Forever

It’s a long time

But you hold my heart in your hands

I vow to love you

To hold you

To cater to every need you didn’t know you had

Until the ends of the earth 

And some..

Forever is a long time

But that’s how long I’ll love you

Forever

The Wright Way

We're meeting to discuss History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook!

BOOK CLUB MEETING DEETS

When: Tuesday, September 24 @ 7PM CST

Where: Kindred Stories (2310 Elgin St, Houston, TX 77004)

How: RSVP ONLY to let us know you plan to attend! Support the Romance Book Club by purchasing a copy of the book from Kindred Stories here!

ABOUT HISTORY LESSONS

A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague's murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich, Kellye Garrett, and Ali Hazelwood.

As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, working on her next academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.

The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.

Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on her own investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus.

This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine.

Let's celebrate a few of the new-ish Black women mystery writers! 

EVENT DEETS

When: Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 6:30 PM CT

Where: Virtual! Sign up and we'll send you the link to the Zoom. 

How: RSVP ONLY to get the link to the Zoom! RSVP WITH BUNDLE to get a copy of each of the authors' book and support the bookstore!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Zoe B. Wallbrook is a recently tenured professor whose academic research has appeared in outlets such as the New York Times and The New Yorker. She was selected for mentorship by LA Times bestseller Elizabeth Little, and History Lessons, her first novel, was a runner-up for the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award. Zoe’s hobbies include beginning all emails with, “My sincerest apologies for my slow reply,” pretending to understand how astrological signs work, and crying at the end of every Call the Midwife episode. She and her husband live with their stalker, a black lab/pittie mix named Sophie.

SANDRA JACKSON-OPOKU is the author of Hot Johnny and the Women Who Loved Him and the award-winning novel The River Where Blood is Born. She also coedited the anthology Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks. Her fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works have been published and produced in Adi Magazine, Midnight & Indigo, Aunt Chloe, Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, New Daughters of Africa, Obsidian, storySouth, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and others.

Elise Bryant is the NAACP Image Award-nominated author of Happily Ever Afters, One True Loves, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, and It’s Elementary. For many years, Elise had the joy of working as a special education teacher, and now she spends her days reading, writing, and eating dessert. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Long Beach, California. You can visit her online at www.elisebryant.com.

Black love. A love built on something true. A love so pure. A God sent love, is what Kaivon Lewis and Harlee Rivers found within one another.

Something worth fighting for. After two extremely beautiful years, the duo’s past starts to interlock with their future. Greed and bitterness from both sides, forces the hand of someone close. The domino effect it causes is one that neither, Kaivon nor Harlee, can shy away from.

Kaivon Lewis is the definition of making something out of nothing. As the highest paid defensive back in the NFL, he was given the opportunity to create a better life and leave all he knew in his growing years. The streets. They are a way of life for some, but now an option for Kaivon. It was once how he survived and protected. It is still his to manage. His secret attachment is not one he can easily cut ties with. His natural instinct is to protect and provide. When duty calls, he answers, especially when the ones he love are a factor. Whatever Kaivon loves, he is All In for.

Harlee Rivers is a successful nail artist, dominating in an industry that was never created for women that resemble her. Harlee is the backbone for everyone else around her, except herself. When tragedy struck, claiming the life of her Granny, her battle with anxiety doubled. Harlee quickly learns that what fills, spills. The battle to regain self-love and overcome anxiety is a struggle but fortunately, she’s both a lover and fighter. Harlee is All In and determined to conquer whatever comes her and her family’s way.

The duo can only pray that love is enough. The struggle to disconnect from what is familiar, could be the same thing that destroys everything. Three things are the determining factors. All three can give them the highest of highs and lowest of lows. When combined, one or all three could lead to a tragic demise. Can Kaivon and Harlee juggle them all? Will the Big Three be the very thing to take them down?

Love. The Streets. Football.