Nic’s Essential #GHYM20 Reads

Every year I always say that when I do events I want to read the work of my fellow scribes who will be there alongside me. I feel like it’s lip service to say “oh I look forward to reading your work”, so I’ve actually done The Work™ this year and read something from every author attending an event that I am featured at. I won’t front, it was easiest to choose #GHYM2020 because I’d read a vast majority of these writers already, so it was just a matter of delving deeper into catalogs of folks I’d only cursorily read.

This list isn’t…like their best novels or even my favorite works by them in some cases or, hell prolly not even what they would recommend, really. It was me - during a night fueled by insomnia - compiling a list of projects that are sort of the heart and soul of these writers by my estimation. They are shining examples of their writing styles, what to expect from their typical projects, in my opinion anyway. It was a fun exercise, combing my brain for suggestions and without further ado, I give to you—Nic’s Essential #GHYM20 Reads:

AC Taylor - Worth the Wait is the second book in Taylor’s Hightown series, a friends to lovers tale that follows Channing, a charismatic bar owner and Solé, a bartender at his establishment. Placed in each other’s orbit due to their siblings’ relationship, these two try to deny the inevitable in a battle of wills. But we all know, when that love jones comes down, it’s impossible to stop.

Anita Davis - Hues is a multi-faceted story of a woman named Liv Summers, a supermodel to whom there is more than meets the eye. Famed photographer Parker Anderson is STEAM PRESSED to get Miss Liv to be his muse for his annual shoot and will stop at nothing to ensure that he gets his way. As their tale unfolds, a sweet bond that leads to happily ever after kicks off the inaugural book in Davis’ Limelight series. 

Alexandra Warren - Wins and Losses by Alexandra Warren is easily one of the books that I tip back to reread every now and again because it’s just so masterfully crafted. Carmen’s world is turned upside down with the death of her father and at his funeral she sorta reconnects with a former classmate who is now her younger brother’s basketball coach. Nasir has taken a shine to Carmen’s brother and together the two of them work to keep him on the right path after the death of his father. As Carmen struggles to keep her brother on the right path, she and Nasir grow closer, letting the natural attraction between them unfurl into a tale filled with heartwarming sentimentality as well as glasses fogging steamy moments.

Alexandria House - Anyone who’s everyone will tell you to read the McClain Brothers series by the legend that is Miss House, however—I’m a contrarian and I’m telling you to pick up Book 3 of her Strickland Sisters series—Be With Me. Nicky Strickland is a handful in the best and worst of ways, but her lifelong friend Damon Davis’ large capable hands are more than up to the job of containing her.

Bailey West - Serving Time by the hometown hero Bailey West is the story of two lawyers brought together due to Samuel, the hero, needing Averie, the heroine’s help. These two headstrong litigators soon find common ground and build a lovely relationship. This book does end on a cliffhanger, but lucky for you book two is published for your reading pleasure.

Bianca Xaviera - Take Me As I Am by Bianca is a standalone in which the heroine, Avian, literally falls into the hero, Casyrius’, life. Reeling from her husband springing that he wants a divorce on her, Avian embarks on a trip to Mexico that was supposed to rekindle her relationship. While at the resort she and Casyruis cross paths and though he is planning to marry someone else, the chemistry between these two is undeniable. Escandalo!

Bria Felicien - Care for Me is the second in Felicien’s Postgrad series and is a heartfelt tale of two twenty-somethings navigating some pretty traumatic personal issues, but are drawn to one another when they become co-workers. Kenn is hyper focused on professional success while Derrick is dodging demons of his past as he maneuvers day to day.

BriAnn Danae - My Heart Was a Fool brings us Esmin and Greigh, a couple who is as unique as their names are. Es tries his hardest to not forge a connection with the alluring Greigh, but the best laid plans are just a plaything for the universe’s bidding. So what starts as mutual attraction evolves into an all-consuming rollercoaster of a ride to love.

Chelsea Maria - Our Type of Love introduces us to rapper and family man KC and his lovely wife Delilah. The couple is deeply entrenched in their love and happy as can be, with one noted exception. And this exception becomes exploited when a blast from KC’s past comes to town and gives him the one thing his wife can’t seem to. As they come to grips with the surprise dropped at their doorstep, KC and Delilah go through it, but in the end make it through all of their storms.

Christina C. Jones#relationshipgoals is the GORL from CCJ I’m picking. This was difficult because sis’ catalog? The power that it has. The intelligence that it has. The influence that it has. Anyway I digress, #relationshipgoals brings us Nick and Noah who meet in a very unconventional way that could have gotten the cops called on Nick if Noah wasn’t so zen, LOL. Their by chance meeting morphs into such an organic and beautiful budding relationship that just makes me smile just thinking about it.

Love Belvin - In Love Delayed, LB introduces us to the rockstar bad boy, basketball superstar Stenton Rogers aka StentRo. A chance encounter puts the goodest girl of them all Zoey Barrett in his path and instantly he likes what he sees and wastes no time going after what he wants. He’s irrepressible, that StentRo, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A true alpha male, Zoey’s nearly powerless to resist and they embark on a journey that is wrought with ups and downs. This book is the first in the two book series and you’ll be ready to slide on over to book two immediately after you finish.

Nicole Falls - Moving along, nothing to see here. I’m not that much of a Leo. SIKE - yes I am! LMAO! Though I will say I was torn what to recommend of mine until I remembered I always tell folks to start with Sparks Fly—five short stories. The first and last are interconnected, the three in the middle are independent of those two and each other. Some sweet, some heat, and all trademark Falls feels.

Phyllis Bourne - We all know Phyl as the queen of the romcom, but I’m going back in the archives for my pick, Taste for Temptation! Neighbors Brandi and Adam make each other’s acquaintance when the sinfully delectable smell of chocolate sends Brandi to Adam’s doorstep and pretty soon chocolate isn’t the only temptation Brandi is facing.

Sherelle Green - Claimed By Crayson’s titular character is something else. Crayson Madden is definitely the baddest of the brothers with his filthy mouth, penchant for straight shooting, and irrepressible charm. He meets his match in Jordyn Jameson who’s trying her damndest to not give into the pull of attraction she feels toward Cray. But when his latest cigar lounge opens adjacent to her bar, it’s only a matter of time before she succumbs. 

Té Russ - Irresistible is book five in Russ’ Coalton, Texas novellas series which tells the tale of Brooke, a widow who returns to her hometown with her two adolescent children in tow. Upon settling in at home she is reacquainted with her childhood friend who has gone from geek to chic a la one of those old school Jenny Jones episodes. Trevor had always had a thing for Brooke, so her reemergence is the perfect time for him to finally take his shot at her.

Welp, that’s it that’s all. If you’ve read any of these ladies, tell me—what are you favorite titles by them? What one book would you recommend to a friend who was new to their works? Talk back to me, I really do wanna know.

-Nic