Strings of Color by Marian L. Thomas

2011 Christian Writer’s Literary Festival

Event Date: December 10, 2011

Event Start Time: 11 a.m.

Event End Time: 4 p.m.

Event Summary:
Join more than two dozen Christian fiction and non-fiction authors on December 10, 2011 in the Office of Student Services at the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library for a Christian Writer’s Literary Festival. Christian authors from around the country will share writing/ministry tips and read book excerpts.

Location:
Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library (Office of Student Services)
400 Cathedral Street (21201) in Baltimore, Maryland

For more information, see http://christianauthorsontour.com/.

2011′s Bestselling African American Christian Fiction

The top-selling Christian fiction featuring African Americans or by African American authors, from Amazon.com.

1. The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil: A Novel by Victoria Christopher Murray
   (Touchstone, 2011-06-07)
   

   What would you do for five million dollars? Adam and Evia Langston have lived in their own little garden of Eden since the two married at the age of seventeen. Working their way up from the humblest of beginnings, the Langstons have thrived beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Now they live in the finest home, drive the best cars, and indulge in all the trimmings that signify their massive success. But then the recession hits and rips apart the family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do. Until Shay-Shaunté, Evia’s multimillionaire boss, comes to the Langstons with a five-million-dollar offer that seems so hard to refuse. Will the Langstons make this deal? Or will they recognize that the glitter of five million dollars may be far from gold?

    

2. Say Amen, Again by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
   (Gallery Books, 2011-07-05)
   

   The spirited Houston congregation featured in ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s Let the Church Say Amen and Everybody Say Amen has a major scandal unfolding—and, as always, the outspoken Rachel Jackson Adams is at the heart of the drama.As the First Lady of Zion Hill, Rachel is not only Pastor Lester Adams’ wife—she’s currently his eight-months-pregnant wife, who’s going toe-to-toe with Lester’s onetime mistress, congregant Mary Richardson, also pregnant. Her baby may or may not be Lester’s, but Mary’s doing all she can to win sympathy and turn her fellow churchgoers against Rachel—even threatening to blackmail Pastor Adams with a paternity agreement. After all, where can an unmarried mother-to-be go but to the Lord? Rachel has a few choice answers for exactly where Mary can go . . . but as these expectant moms do battle, hostilities erupt into a drama unlike anything Zion Hill has ever seen! Something has to give, and while Rachel contemplates everything from transferring her lifelong church membership to packing up and leaving Lester, she knows deep down God is calling her to forgiveness. Will the arrival of the new babies bring a new understanding? Or harden forever the anger that’s dividing them?

    

3. I Can Do Better All By Myself (New Day Divas) by E.N. Joy
   (Urban Books, 2011-11-01)
   

   The singles ministry at New Day Temple of Faith is beginning to unravel, and the pastor is considering dissolving the ministry. Some members believe the only way to hold it together is by getting their pastor to join. And why shouldn’t their leader show support by joining, considering the pastor’s own single status? Some church members support the idea, while others frown upon the fact that they are being led by a shepherd who is single in the first place. It becomes an all-out war, with one side wanting the pastor to embrace singlehood, while others secretly play matchmaker.Marriage has been the furthest thing from the pastor’s mind, not because there hasn’t been an opportunity, but because there really hasn’t been time. With a needy congregation facing trials and tribulations, Pastor has no time to play the dating game. Being a pastor on call twenty-four seven, who has time for a serious relationship period, other than the one with God? Eventually, decisions have to made around New Day. Will these decisions mend the ministry or destroy the church?

    

4. Broken by Patricia Haley
   (Gallery Books, 2011-08-23)
   

   #1 Essence bestselling author Patricia Haley takes sibling rivalry to a shocking new level as one man tries to heal his broken family in this compelling series based on popular biblical stories. Don Mitchell is certain the Lord has a plan for him to reconcile his family, when his younger half brother, Joel, suddenly resigns as CEO of their father’s company. The gesture comes after Joel has nearly sent the enterprise into bankruptcy. Don’s first order of business as newly appointed head of DMI is to bring his estranged older sister home. It isn’t easy. Tamara has been running from the past for years. But once she is home, she plans to claim her rightful place in the multimillion-dollar family ministry—no matter what it takes or who gets hurt. Joel, meanwhile, is regretting his decision to step down and is doing everything in his power to resume his path to greatness. As Don finds himself waist-deep in the corporate mess Joel left behind, his love life is also in flux. He must balance a complicated friendship with Abigail, his right-hand woman at DMI, with a budding romance involving his beautiful business partner in South Africa. Just as Don begins to realize that forgiving and forgetting may be his greatest weapon, a terrifying ordeal rocks the family to its core, and they must turn to God and to one another for the answers.

    

5. Quiet as It’s Kept by Monique Miller
   (Urban Books, 2011-07-01)
   

   Will Tracy is a good, God-fearing man who had a shaky childhood as he watched his father abuse his mother. But now he’s grown and feeling confident and secure that he has finally met the woman he’s been praying God would send him to be able feel the security he’s always craved. Morgan is beautiful and appears to be the perfect Christian woman. But once Will pledges his life to her, he nearly loses his…. After a series of strange, inexplicable “accidents” plague him, he starts to wonder if the woman he married is all that she outwardly appears to be—or if he’s indeed sleeping with the enemy. He continues to honor the vows he made to God and to Morgan. But is this wife of his really a gift from God? Or is she the devil in disguise?

    

6. Something Special (Morgan Love Series) by Stephanie Perry Moore
   (Lift Every Voice, 2011-05-01)
   

   Morgan, wanting to fit in with the crowd, teases a large girl and a special ed kid  at school.  When she is caught she has to go to the principal’s office.  When she finds out how much her teasing hurt her classmates she feels bad. Even though she feels bad, the principal disciplines her.At home things become weird when she tells her parents about what happened at school.  They get upset with Morgan and start arguing with each other about the best way to punish Morgan. Once again Morgan feels bad and sees that going along with the crowd is not always a smart thing to do.Later, while playing together, Morgan and her cousins all share a secret wish.  Morgan wanted to be prettier.  Drake wanted to be taller.  Sadie wanted longer hair.When Morgan goes to vacation bible school she learns that God made each person just the way they are for a good reason.  As she thinks about this, the wishes she and her cousins made and even those other kids she laughed at, Morgan realizes that they are okay just the way they are and that to God they are all something special.   The Morgan Love Series is a chapter book series written for girls, 7 – 9 years old.  The series provides moral lessons that will aid in character development.  It will also help young girls develop their vocabulary, english and math skills as they read through the stories and complete the entertaining and educational exercises provided at the end of each chapter and in the back of the book.

    

7. Who Said It Would Be Easy?: A Story of Faith (Zane Presents) by Cheryl Faye
   (Strebor Books, 2011-02-08)
   

   Who Said It Would Be Easy? is the story of a man and woman who rely on their faith in God to live and love, despite formidable trials and tragedy. Charisse Ellison is a beautiful twenty-nine-year-old single woman who is new to her faith, but convinced that her relationship with God is the only way to have the truly fulfilling life she desires—one that includes a husband and children. Stefàn Cooper is a thirty-three-year-old bachelor who has no desire to change his ways. Tall, muscular, and strikingly handsome, Stefàn is used to getting what he wants from the opposite sex but is intrigued by Charisse’s seeming indifference to his charms. The couple’s intense romance leads them on a journey that challenges the bravado Stefàn has held on to for most of his adult life and forces Charisse to see that God’s answered prayers don’t always come packaged the way we expect. Who Said It Would Be Easy? is a story that offers hope in situations that, at first seem hopeless, and shows that through faith in an all-powerful God, even the most painful experiences can culminate in true joy and peace.

    

8. Sex in the Sanctuary by Lutishia Lovely
   (Dafina, 2011-03-01)
   

   From exciting new author Lutishia Lovely comes a steamy debut in the manner of Victoria Christopher Murray and Kimberla Lawson Roby. Set in a church community on fire for the Lord–and for each other–Sex in the Sanctuary is filled with scintillating sisters, playing brothers, and church matrons trying to run everybody’s business… As first lady of Kingdom Citizen’s Christian Center, Vivian Montgomery has it all: a beautiful home, lovely children, and a pastor husband who makes her shout Hallelujah–and not just in church. There’s no doubt Pastor Montgomery has a healthy appreciation for the Lord and for the pleasures of the flesh, namely his wife’s flesh. If only Vivian’s best friend, Tai, was so blessed… A first lady herself, Tai’s husband, King, is pastor of Mount Zion Progressive Baptist Church. But with two affairs under his belt, Tai wonders just what “progressive” means. In fact, she strongly suspects her husband is at it again. Now she can follow her mother-in-law’s example and threaten to shoot any would-be-husband-stealing floozies, or she can take Vivian’s advice and listen for God’s instruction. But Tai’s husband isn’t the only one fighting temptation. Whether trying to wait until marriage or just waiting until the next mating opportunity, these congregations are filled with members whose eyes are on more than Jesus! The result is a page-turning read, not soon to be forgotten.

    

9. Cherished by Kim Cash Tate
   (Thomas Nelson, 2011-08-30)
   

   Before healing can begin for Kelli and Heather, they need to believe they are worth cherishing. Kelli London once dreamed of being a songwriter. As crazy as it seemed, she hoped that God would use the lyrics that came to her even while she slept. She dreamed about Brian too, that the love they shared as high-school students would grow into marriage. But choices that still haunt her destroyed those dreams. Until now-when a series of love letters reawakens her hope for the future. Heather Anderson’s life has spun out of control-first, an affair with a married man, then a one-night stand with the drummer of a popular Christian band has left her devastated. Broken and alone, she cried out to the only One able to save her. He met her there, but it was just the beginning. Because now she must take a different path. And the one God has planned for her looks nothing like the one she envisioned. As Kelli and Heather awaken to their true worth, they find the freedom to pursue their dreams-and relationships-based on the security of knowing God’s unconditional love.

    

10. Still Standing by Nicole S. Rouse
    (Urban Books, 2011-11-01)
    

     

11. In Laws And Play Cousins by Robyn Gant
    (lulu.com, 2011-06-18)
    

    Nubia is a successful black film maker with unknown enemies seeking revenge. Her closest circle of friends include Tracie, a computer expert whose personal vendetta backfires; their friend Eva, a jurist leading a double life; and Eva’s cousin Tina, who takes risks that jeopardize her professional career. They all have her back, but with fame and fortune comes jealousy and heartbreak. From the heart of Los Angeles to the South of France, In Laws and Play Cousins tells a story about love and romance, deceit and envy and the price it ultimately commands.

     

12. My Son’s Next Wife by Shelia E. Lipsey
    (Urban Books, 2011-06-01)
    

    First Lady Audrey Graham is gone and her husband suffers from loneliness and the after-effects of his second stroke. Their son, Stiles, now minister of his father’s church, is engaged to Detria and has found happiness at last—despite his heartbreaking divorce from Rena. Rena’s now living in another state and has found a new love herself, Robert, though she resists his marriage proposals because she doesn’t feel she could ever be completely forgiven for her past sins. Things take a turn for the worse when Stiles’ father suffers another stroke and Detria has a miscarriage, and his faith is tested like never before. But who knows in whose arms he will land up in the page-turning conclusion to My Son’s Wife series!

     

13. Redeeming Waters by Vanessa Davis Griggs
    (Kensington, 2011-08-01)
    

    Must a young woman choose between her commitment to her marriage…and to God?Brianna was ten years old when she first met twenty-five year old David R. Shepherd, a devout and gifted gospel recording artist who would ultimately become world renowned megastar, King d.Avid. He left an impression on Brianna she would never forget. And they were destined to meet again…Brianna’s best friend, Alana Norwood, hasn’t had the best encounters with men, but she’s always been a good friend to Brianna, no matter what situation the two may find themselves in. But despite their bond, the next time Brianna encounters King, she’s a lonely young wife seeking solace in religious studies. While Alana’s quest for fame has her living a life that seems to be going nowhere fast, King’s companionship offers Brianna the deep emotional connection she longs for. But when both a tragedy and a blessing enters Brianna’s life, she finds herself wrestling with questions of faith, fidelity, forgiveness, and the sovereignty of God…like never before. “Griggs address[es] the challenges of living by Biblical rules with homespun humor. Fans will be pleased.” -Publishers Weekly on The Truth Is the Light”A smart novel that addresses an issue that many in the church shy away from-divorce-with frank realism.”-Library Journal on Practicing What You Preach

     

14. Upon This Rock (Shelton Heights Series, Book 4) by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
    (Urban Books, 2011-03-01)
    

    The much-beloved and acclaimed Christian fiction author delivers a redemptive delight with the story of an ex-con who learns the hard way that it’s better to be with God than without Him. Deon “Rocky” Rockford is released after serving nearly twenty five years in jail. He may have been “saved” on the inside, but now that his term, originally a life sentence, has been overturned, and he’s free from the shackles of the prayers of the men’s ministry of the New Hope Church, he wants only to focus on himself. As fearless as he is strong, this big, brawny guy won many brawls behind bars, and feels ready to forge a new life in the infamous community of Shelton Heights. But he soon starts to see that the only “rock” he can count on is God.

     

15. Beneath The Surface by Roy Glenn
    (Escapism Entertainment, 2011-04-18)
    

    Now that he has taken care of all of the people responsible for the murder of his wife, Cassandra, Mike Black faces his toughest opponent, Carmen Taylor, an old girl friend who has recently returned to the city. Carmen is an entertainment reporter for a local television station, who wants to do bigger things. Her opportunity comes while she is covering the opening of an art exhibition. A woman is found murdered, and Carmen is the only reporter on the scene. The police say that the victim, a known call girl named Tangela House appears to have been strangled during sex. Anxious to prove she can do more than just fluff stories, Carmen begins her own investigation into the victim s past, and quickly finds that there is more to the case than just rough sex gone wrong. Now with the help of Mike Black, Carmen must stay alive long enough to uncover what secrets lay beneath the surface.

     

16. Abundant Rain (Urban Christian) by Vanessa Miller
    (Urban Books, 2011-08-01)
    

    Elizabeth Underwood. Bold. Vivacious. Confident. Her life was about to be turned upside down. As far as Elizabeth was concerned, the Underwoods were the poster family for GodÕs blessings. She had two beautiful children and an elegant home. Her husband was the CEO of his own technical consulting firm and he truly loved her. But when the storms of life interrupt ElizabethÕs world, will she become entangled in her struggles or will she rest in the promises of God?

     

17. My Son’s Wife by Shelia E. Lipsey
    (Urban Books, 2011-05-01)
    

    First Lady Audrey Graham believes she’s found the perfect woman to become her eldest son, Minister Stiles Graham’s wife. Sweet, sensitive, kind, and of course a fine Christian girl, Audrey couldn’t ask more of lovely Rena Jackson. But skeletons fall from the closet when Audrey and Stiles discover that Rena is in love and committed to the troubled, rebellious, ex-con, Frankie. My Son’s Wife is more than a love triangle, it’s a time bomb set to explode with twists, turns, entanglements and sinful revelations that only a loving God can make right

     

18. Promise Of Forever Love (2nd Chance V3) (Second Chance at Love) by Vanessa Miller
    (Whitaker House, 2011-04-05)
    

    Ever since the death of her husband almost two years ago, the church that Yvonne Milner pastored with him has been losing members and money–fast. When the board decides to find a new senior pastor, Yvonne determines to hang on to her position and do a better job of shepherding her flock. She’s neither ready nor willing to hang up her minister’s robe just yet. Just before a pivotal meeting of the church board, Thomas Reed steps back into her life. The handsome, world–renowned motivational speaker was her husband’s best friend, and, as a widower, he knows the pain she’s going through. With his help, Yvonne fights to stay in the ministry, trusting that God has great plans yet for the church. When a threat of a different kind targets the church, as well as her daughter, Yvonne is grateful to have Thomas standing by her side. But when long–buried emotions arise in their friendship for the first time, Yvonne hesitates, not wanting to betray her husband or break her promise to love him forever. Will her passion lie forever buried in the past, or can she let it live again?

     

19. Steppin’ Into the Good Life by Tia McCollors
    (Lift Every Voice, 2011-02-01)
    

    Shelia Rushmore thought she’d be the last woman standing when it was time to fight for her man. Instead Ace, her boyfriend of two years, chose to reunite with his ex-wife, leaving Shelia emotionally devastated. It’s a year later when Sheila is convinced that sneaking into their wedding ceremony will put closure on the gaping hole in her heart. But it’s on the back pew of the church where a new relationship begins for Shelia. She can’t explain the touch she received from God on that day, but she’s determined to be a better woman-a woman of faith. Since high school, Shelia has been chasing her definition of the good life – it’s left her with no home, no man, and no money. But now that’s she’s living life for God, things should get better, right? Shelia learns that living a faith-filled life isn’t always easy. With faith, tough love, and some tough decisions, Shelia realizes that the life she’d been praying for she could have for herself is actually attainable. Being wrapped in God’s arms, she decided, was by far the safest place she’d ever been.

     

Flaws and All by Shana Burton

The Memory Quilt: A Christmas Story for Our Times by T.D. Jakes

Atria
Available 11/03/09 in Hardcover

A perfect Christmas for Lela Edwards this year would include the presence of her husband, her three daughters, and her favorite granddaughter, Darcie. They would each be happy, healthy, and properly married. But life doesn’t always unfold in a perfect way, even for God-loving, churchgoing people like these. Lela’s husband of fifty years, Walter, has recently passed, and the daughters now live in towns and states far from the Chicago neighborhood where they were raised.Darcie is traveling to Missouri City, Texas, to be with her mother, not to Chicago to be with her grandmother, whom she expects to come down hard on her for deciding to divorce her husband and the father of her unborn child. Lela is upset and annoyed with Darcie and herself for breaking her own time-honored tradition of making a quilt to celebrate each family wedding. The quilt is still in separate pieces, and apparently so is the marriage of Doug and Darcie.

The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth and meaning of Christ; about the hope and inspiration that the story we revisit each year offers. So, as the days of the season progress, Lela participates in a Bible study group that focuses on the Virgin Mary. This is the cold season in Chicago and rough weather, literally and figuratively, is ahead for Lela, her family, neighbors, and fellow church members, but in the Scriptures are messages and guidance. If they heed the lessons of the Virgin Mary, they will learn from their mistakes and misjudgments of each other and find favor with God.

Be Careful What You Pray For by Kimberla Lawson Roby

William Morrow
Available 02/01/10 in Hardcover

New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby returns with this delightful sequel to The Best of Everything, in which the infamous Reverend Curtis Black’s beautiful daughter, Alicia, is all grown up — and headed for trouble of her own

Her first marriage didn’t work out, but that isn’t going to stop Alicia Black, the privileged daughter of the charismatic Reverend Curtis Black, from getting what she wants. One month after her wedding to her second husband, she can’t believe her good fortune. God has heeded her prayers, blessing her with Pastor JT Valentine, a handsome, dynamic man of the cloth with his own large congregation, just like her father. Unfortunately, Alicia doesn’t understand just how much like Curtis her new husband truly is. She doesn’t know that JT has been sneaking around town with other women — or that he only married her to get close to her father’s money and fame. But while Alicia is blinded by love, her dad certainly isn’t. He warned his little girl that JT simply can’t be trusted. After all, it takes one to know one, and who better to see into the darkness of a sinner’s heart than Curtis? It will take a miracle to save the day. But God acts in mysterious ways, and soon a host of lies, longtime secrets, and acts of betrayal comes to light, and Alicia must face some very crucial and life-changing decisions. This time, she’s got to be careful what she prays for. . . .

Something Old, New, Borrowed & True by Pamela R. Jeffers

Something Old, New, Borrowed & True
by Pamela R. Jeffers

Harvest Time Innerations                                                                                                                                           Available 11/2/09

Tvoya Harrington is a woman caught between two loves and too many lies. She’s about to marry the man of her hopes and dreams when a childhood sweetheart returns home to bury his father. Perfectly-laid wedding plans start to crumble as long-buried secrets are unearthed and Tvoya begins to wonder if the man she thinks is the answer to her prayers is really God-sent.

Something Old, New, Borrowed & True, by debut Christian Fiction author Pamela R. Jeffers, is an engrossing and inspirational tale about matters of the heart and trusting God – even through the unexpected twists that test your faith, friendships and family.

Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight

Secrets and Lies
by Rhonda McKnight

Urban Books
Available December 1, 2009

Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of poor communication and neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married.

Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?

Everybody Say Amen by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Gold Pen Award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley returns to the Houston congregation of her #1 Essence magazine bestseller, Let the Church Say Amen, in this warm and powerful sequel.

When her husband hears God’s call to become a preacher, Rachel Jackson Adams is distressed — she grew up a preacher’s daughter, and knows how difficult life under the microscope can be for a reverend’s family. But hot-headed Rachel has toned down her wild ways, and for the sake of her marriage and her two children, she is now the reluctant first lady of Zion Hill, unafraid to rock the boat with her unconventional ideas for revitalizing the church. When her son, Jordan, begins fighting at school, Rachel turns to the boy’s father, Bobby — Rachel’s first love from years ago. Married now himself, there should be nothing between them except their concern for Jordan — so why does seeing Bobby again feel so distractingly tempting? With her brothers facing dramas of their own, and her father, Reverend Simon Jackson, recovering from illness, Rachel must listen carefully to discover what God truly wants for her — and to decide if Bobby is the lover of her dreams or the devil in disguise.

The List by Sherri Lewis

The List by Sherri Lewis

In Stores March 2009

Single and satisfied? Not Michelle, Angela and Lisa. These saved but sexy, successful black women think they’re getting too old to keep waiting on God to send their soulmates. Under the protective eye of their more spiritual sistergirlfriend, Vanessa, and the scrutiny of newly saved manhater, Nicole, the ladies go on a hilarious adventure to “be found” by their husbands.

Armed with their list of essential must-have’s, would-be-nice’s, icing-on-the-cake’s, and total-deal-breakers, they start their search – but soon encounter issues specific to the saved woman on the dating scene. Is online dating okay for Christians? How long do you wait before you tell the hottie you just met that you’re celibate and plan to stay so until married? He’s too fine to pass up – how saved does he really need to be? And of course, how do you keep things holy when he’s oh-so-sexy?

It’s not long before they realize they still have to trust God to know what’s best for them and that He loves them enough to send them everything on The List.