It’s a coming-of-age story that feels like Forever on Netflix meets Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It’s my love letter to Black girls, Black Southern culture, and historically Black communities. I wrote it because I’ve always been a huge fan of shows like The Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Teen Wolf, etc. If it’s a coming-of-age paranormal story, then I am SEATED. But Black teens are so rarely spotlighted in these shows, and we should definitely have tons more contemporary fantasy novels featuring Black protagonists. (Shout out to Tracy Deonn and her LEGENDBORN series because MY GAWD!! It delivers everything I’ve ever yearned for!!)
We so rarely get to see Black girls be magical, kickass protagonist wrapped up in mess, drama, and an entanglement with swoony love interests. LOVE SPELLS TROUBLE is the literal definition of Black Girl Magic! And Khy, the love interest, is described as being “a glaring green flag” but the amazing jennalitpicks when she chatted with me about the book for my launch event at Kindred Stories. I adored this description of Khy. And if you know me, then you know that’s super ironic because I write hella morally-gray, sometimes morally pitch-black, MMCs. But it was important to show a different facet with Khy while writing this YA novel because Black boys rarely get to be the swoon-worthy “prince charming” archetype in literature and in TV/cinema. My book launch at Kindred Stories was pure magic. My heart was so incredibly full while talking with readers and booksellers during the event. The Q&A portion brimmed with deep conversation + laugh, which is my favorite combo. My mama, sister, and 12-year-old daughter were also in the audience. And for some reason unknown to me, my daughter ended up with the mic. (Yes, I almost had a heart attack; she’s the one regaling Threads with her LEGENDBORN and Bree, Sel, Nick, and Alice takes. Haha!) I was STRESSED not knowing what hot take she was gonna give the audience, and she had the nerve to be insulted that I was stressed. Jeez.
So what did she end up saying? She told a hilarious anecdote about how I get so in the zone when I’m writing that she can come into my office, ask me a question, and I won’t hear a word she says. Then, I’ll emerge from my lair 20 minutes later asking her what she needs. This is, in fact, the truth. When a story comes to me, I see is as a cinematic movie inside my head. So everything in the outside world gets blocked out by the characters, their big personalities, their actions, their dialogues, their drama, their conflicts, their triumphs, and their huge emotions.
I can’t give up the details yet but definitely be on the lookout for an announcement about what me and Kindred Stories are cooking up for OUR VICIOUS OATHS, my adult dark romantasy that comes out in October — this one serves a morally pitch-black MMC. So many exciting things are in the works to celebrate my debut adult romantasy. You don’t want to miss all the cool announcements!
Since we’re on the topic of OUR VICIOUS OATHS and everybody’s favorite new Shadow Daddy with a grill, I recently commissioned new character art for Malachi and Kadeesha! You get to see it first here. If you’ve already preordered your copy, thank you!! If you’re a substack subscriber, all preorders will come with these two art prints below plus the original character art when them on the throne that I’ve posted, regardless of where you’ve preordered the book from. I’ll mail the art out after release day. Be on the lookout for a form to sign-up to receive your prints. And do it as soon as you can because I can only mail out the art as long as supplies last.
One more thing: please hold off on sharing the art online/ social media sites until I reveal it to the public. Thank you so much.
Okay, I know y’all are ready for me to stop yapping.
I think the first one with them in the bed might be my personal favorite because it is HOTTTT, but I also adore the one with Kadeesha and Malachi in the moonlit cave. Which one is your fave?
Columbus Book Festival
Columbus, OH
July 12
Rose City Comic Con
Portland, OR
September 5-7
Armadillocon
Austin, TX
September 12-14
Books, Gowns and Crowns
Washington, DC
September 25 - 27
Black Book Bash
Jacksonville, FL
October 3rd or 5th (I’ll confirm the specific date I’ll be in attendance soon)
Decatur Book Festival
Atlanta, GA
October 4th (I’m only here Saturday so I can be sure to make Black Book Bash!)
Our Vicious Oaths Midnight Release Party
(*This isn’t confirmed yet but I should be able to confirm it by the end of the summer. However, I am giving newsletter subscribers an early heads up in case you want to make plans to attend. Once I confirm details, trust me, YOU WANT TO ATTEND IF YOU CAN. This is going to be a whole affair!!)
Houston, Tx
October 27
Our Vicious Oaths Launch Event
Black Pearl Books
Austin, Texas
October 28
Steamy Lit Con
Anaheim, CA
October 31 - November 1
Love Y’all Bookfest (This is my birthday weekend, so we’re turning up!!)
Atlanta, GA
February 13-15
Black Romance Book Fest (I don’t EVER plan to miss this event. I had A TIME this past May. It truly felt like a family reunion!!)
Atlanta, GA
May 29 - 31
Imaginarium Book Festival
Washington, DC
June 5-6
The City Fling
Austin, TX
June 11-13
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