MEET THE AUTHORS!

Event Founder

Award-winning blogger and literary activist, La Sheera Lee, M.Ed., is a wife, mother, educator, podcaster, moderator, literary agent, literary event planner, and magazine contributor. She is on a mission to help others to see the beauty of their own voices.

La Sheera, also known for her savvy as a social media strategist and book influencer, loves to help people connect the dots. She utilizes the power of social media to inspire, inform, and educate on a global level.   

She is also the founder of the artistic event Lights! Camera! Action! #LCA is an experience that integrates books and the arts into an interactive weekend. Readers, authors, and publishing experts converge to have a weekend that is literally one for the books.

Your goals are too powerful to give up! Keep Shining!

You can connect with her @readyoulater on Twitter and Instagram.

Iris Bolling’s published her first novel, Once You’ve Touched the Heart in 2008. This self-published work was the first of the five additional books to complete the Heart Series. The popular Heart Series has captivated the hearts of readers and awarded Iris the Emma Award as Debut Author of the Year in 2010

In May of 2011, Iris introduced a new cast of characters in her in Night of Seduction Series. The second book in the series, The Pendleton Rule was reviewed in USA Today and received, the 2014 Emma Award for Suspense of The Year.In 2014, Iris stepped into a new venture geared towards bringing books to film. She produced The Heart, a television series based on her popular novels. Season two aired in the spring of 2016 and is now available on Amazon Video. Iris is now producing and directing Deadly Sexy, a novel written by the USA Today best selling author, Beverly Jenkins. The movie is tentatively scheduled for release in 2018. Next up will be Unfinished Business with NY Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson.

Adding more to her resume’ Iris is now doing quest-speaking engagements to share her experience and to encourage others to follow their dreams.

Romance author, Monica Walters, is best known as the queen of country hood love stories. As an Amazon best-selling author with multiple award nominations and 2021 winner of Literary Jewels Literary Awards for Best Romance Author, 2022 Breakout Author of the Year from The Reading Warriors Choice Awards, 2023 Literary Gem Awards for the Readers’ Choice Award, 2023 AAMBC Romance Author of the Year, and Black Girls Who Write Lit Awards 2023 Author Queen of the Year, Monica has always had a passion for creating different worlds with words. 

As Founder and CEO of T.Y. Entertainment, she creates, acquires, develops, produces and ensures the distribution of scripted and unscripted film, television and new media productions. Her network relationships and collaborations include Lifetime, BET, ESPN, Harpo Films, MGM, Nickelodeon, The Speed Channel, TV One, and the Bahamas’ ZNS-TV. In addition, she leverages new markets by partnering with the streaming distribution market.

La Jill Hunt is a native of Mobile, AL who burst onto the literary scene in 2003 with her debut novel, Drama Queen. The memorable characters she created and the entertaining stories she told quickly drew best-selling success and a following of fans, young and old. Although known for her urban chic-lit novels, she has also contributed to the street anthology series Around the Way Girls and penned an urban romance Another Sad Love Song. Currently, in addition to writing her own drama filled novels, she co-writes "The Family Business" book series with fellow author, Carl Weber, and is the Script Coordinator for the television series as well. Her first holiday novel "Perfectly Fine Christmas" is entertaining not only for current fans, but also mature young adults, as well.

Michelle Harris Deadwiler is a woman who wears many hats. She is the CEO of a woman-owned CDL school, a truck driver, and the founder of the nonprofit TRADE. Her story is inspiring, showing how hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to success. She is the founder of the nonprofit TRADE. Her story is inspiring, showing how hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to success.

Michelle’s work is transforming the transportation industry with her bold mission to give opportunities for second chances to many people. She continues to push the preconceived notions and stereotypes in the industry.

As founder and executive director of Norma McLauchlin Global Ministries, Chosen Pen Publishing, Ministers’ Mates Matter, Free to Choose Ministry and the annual Lady Lifers TM Women’s Conferences, Dr. McLauchlin inspires women to embrace spiritual change and live more fulfilling lives. 

Speaking from the heart of her own experiences as a wife, mother, co-pastor, and administrator, she has the unique ability to connect to women from all walks of life. She has accepted the call to help women develop their self-esteem and self-worth. She is also a Tedx Speaker and a Forbes Speaker.

Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.

She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR.

Danielle Allen is a novelist, professor, and life coach.

Living authentically has been the key to her living her best life. With a background in social sciences, helping people better understand themselves so they can become the best version of themselves is one of her passions. Writing contemporary romance novels that change the status quo of the genre is another.

Danielle writes books that captivates her readers. One of her books Broken Clocks is a fan favorite.

AC Arthur has worked as a paralegal in every field of law since high school, but her first love is and will always be writing romance. She’s written and won awards for her acclaimed Donovans and Shadow Shifters contemporary and paranormal romance series. Under her pen name, Lacey Baker, she created the quaint small town of Sweetland and wrote the novelization for the Original Hallmark Channel Movie, A Gingerbread Romance.

After years of hosting reader appreciation events, AC created the One Love Reunion, an event designed to bring readers and authors together to celebrate their love of books.

AC resides in Maryland with her family, where she’s currently working on her next book…or watching Criminal Minds.

B. Love is an award-winning, bestselling author of over 110 titles in the African American romance, urban romance, and nonfiction genres. In just five years, Love has accomplished more than anyone her age, which led to her being aptly called the Prolific Pen Pusher.

Love is a self-love and womanhood maven. Since age 12, she has been spreading life-changing content that helps cultivate growth, self-awareness, compassion, and gratitude. Love has readers from all over the world, all of which she has challenged to explore the many facets of love, passion, and life through her riveting books.

Every captivating word and plot in Love’s portfolio is geared towards empowering, enlightening, and entertaining whoever chances upon her writing. Because of this burning desire to catalyze others’ growth through continuous learning and self-reflection, Love founded her publishing company, earning the title of Ambassador of Black Love stories, where she helped publish over 300 enthralling books for over 50 talented authors.

Jahquel J. has been writing since 2014 with a bunch of books under her belt. Best known for her Homies, Lovers, Friends, Staten Island Love Letter series, she has no plans on slowing up - anytime soon. Her audiobooks are also a fan favorite.

Jahquel lives in Georgia with her husband, sister + seven dogs that are all full of character. She's known for her love of sneakers, fashion + and all things books.

Author KC Mills penned her first novel in July 2015. In the past eight years since being published, she has solidified a her career as a number one best-seller celebrated the honor of being a recipient of Rolling Out Magazines Sisters With Super Powers award, spoken on an Essence Panel, as a guest of Love Freedom Movement in 2019 to share her personal journey to being a Number One Best-seller author.

In 2022 Mills won Romance author of the year with Black Girls Write and in 2023 won Romance Author of the year and Legendary award with Literary Gems. She was also a guest on Sister Circle where she was celebrated for her accomplishments and able to share her experiences and success with the hopes of inspiring others.

With over 150 published titles, over half ranking as Number one Best Sellers, Mills is leaving her mark in the world, one word at a time.

Tatum writes romance with an edge and women's fiction author. She loves creating unique storylines and unpredictable plots. She has been a published author since 2018, starting with her novella Identical Sins. In the past few years she has penned 20 plus titles. She loves to paint pictures with words. Her mind is constantly creating stories and when Storytelling and music are two of her favorite things. Her series Rhymes & Reason highlights those passions. She is a South Georgia native from a small town called Abbeviile. Being from the rural south encouraged her to develop a wild imagination at a young age. She has also worked as a nurse for over a decade.

Iesha Bree pens passionate tales that stir the depths of the heart. With lyrical prose and emotionally intuitive narratives, she transports readers into poignant worlds where the power of love illuminates even the darkest nights. After years of honing her craft through reading the greats, Iesha found her calling in sharing her versions of love that remind us of our worthiness for love, even if her characters experience their fair share of hardship. Dubbed "the Toni Braxton of books," Iesha always mends their broken hearts by the final page. Let her stirring stories sweep you away today!

Kimberly Brown is a South Carolina born and raised author of contemporary/urban romance, women’s fiction, and erotica. She strives to create stories that readers can visualize in their heads as the pages turn. Writing has been a part of her journey since a young age but really became a focal point during her high school years. She began sharing her love of words with others. In 2019 she took her first step towards becoming a serious writer with self-publishing. August of 2021, she made her BLP debut with “Pretty Caged Bird” and is continuing to grow her catalog. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from South Carolina State University, Kimberly loves to incorporate mental health into her writings as she feels it is not talked about or address enough within the African American community.

Jacquelin Thomas' books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance in Color Reviewers Award, Readers' Choice Award, and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. She was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction in the Young Adult category. Jacquelin has published in the romance, inspirational fiction and young adult genres. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. 

Her first book Hidden Blessings was published in 1997 by Kensington Publishing. BET adapted this title into a made-for-television movie. In 2005, Jacquelin was an honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of Hidden Blessings.

Writing since she was old enough to put pen to paper, Deborah Fletcher Mello firmly believes that for her, writing is as necessary as breathing. Her first novel, TAKE ME TO HEART, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2008, Deborah won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, TAME A WILD STALLION. Her publication, CRAVING TEMPTATION was named one of Publisher's Weekly Best Books for 2014 and was also nominated for a 2015 Emma Award for Book of the Year. As well, her novel PLAYING FOR KEEPS was a Library Journal Best of 2015 and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award for Best Multicultural Romance. Most recently, Deborah was named.the 2016 Romance Slam Jam Author of the Year.

A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love. She was a 2023 Audie Awards finalist. In addition, she is the cofounder of Audio in Black.

Her books have been included among other “must-read” lists published to sites such as Shondaland, Oprah Magazine, and BookRiot. She is also the author of two Audible Original projects.

When she’s not engaging her readers on social media, you can find this Arkansas native writing her next bestseller or feeding her fashion addiction.

New York native, Joan Vassar is an avid reader and storyteller. Joan graduated from the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in NYC which heightened her interest in journalism. She has always had the in-depth ability to astutely relate, interpret and bring words to life. Joan works as a software analyst by day, but her true passion is storytelling. She enjoys writing narratives that bring to life the African American experience both past and present. Joan is the author of Introduction to Love and Self, Unfortunately Francine, The Black Series and Loving Africa. She loves to hear from her readers. She is also one of the cofounders of Audio in Black.

Bailey West is an accomplished author who has captivated readers with her thought-provoking and conversation-starting novels since her first release, Blue's Beauty (The Bluette Men Series) Book One. Her writing has consistently topped the charts, and she is passionate about empowering people through the written and spoken word. Bailey's ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impression on everyone who reads her books. Bailey's work is highly regarded by peers and readers alike.

LaKisha Johnson, is an author of over thirty Christian Fiction novels, devotionals, and journals who throughout her career has had the privilege of winning the 2018 Drunken Druid Book of the Year Award for The Forgotten Wife, the 2019 Top Shelf Christian Fiction Book of the Year for Dear God: Hear my Prayer, 2020 Distinguished Authors Guild Award for I’m Not Crazy and was a 2020 TopShelf Women’s Fiction Finalist for When the Vows Break.

In addition to being a self-published author, she’s a wife of 24 years, mother of 2, Grammie of 1, and Asst. Pastor of Macedonia MB Church in Hollywood, MS; Sr. Business Analyst with FedEx, Devotional Blogger, Vlogger of Dear Sis, and a college graduate with 2 Associate Degrees in IT and a Bachelor of Science in Bible.

If you know her and her writing then you know she writes from the heart and will never take the credit for what God does. If you were to strip away everything, you’d see she’s simply a woman who boldly, unapologetically, and gladly loves and works for God. Ask me and I’ll tell you, “It’s not just writing, it’s ministry.

Vivian Award-winning author, Reese Ryan, is the author of thirty published works of romantic fiction and counting. Her stories, often set in small Southern towns, feature a cast of complex, grown folks characters. She presents them with challenging love interests, career crises, family drama, and life-changing secrets while treating readers to an emotional love story with humor and unexpected twists.

The two-time recipient of the Donna Hill Breakout Author Award is an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction. Reese is the host of Story Behind the Story—an interactive YouTube show where readers and authors connect. Her books have been featured on Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, and BookRiot

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of Island Queen, A Good Morning America Buzz Pick and the forthcoming Queen of Exiles. Riley's historical novels showcase the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and dazzling multicultural communities. Her works encompass historical fiction, historical romance, and historical mystery and have been reviewed by the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publisher Weekly, and the New York Times. Riley was named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Literary Fiction Winner for Sister Mother Warrior.

 This Southern, Irish, Trini girl holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and an MS in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. Riley also earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. Her research skills have helped NASA, GM, Hewlett Packard, and several startups. Yet, her love of history (Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency) and lattes overwhelmed her passion for math and has led to the publication of over twenty titles.

 Vanessa is a member and former president of Regency Fiction Writers, a member of Georgia Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, Crime Writers of Color, and on the Board of Directors of Christian Book Lovers Retreat.

Hailing from the illustrious South Carolina State University, Aubreé Pynn is a self-proclaimed “lover of love!” With multiple titles published under her pen, she has no plans of slowing down. Her mission: cultivating enticing tales centering Black love. Her hope: you’ll buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Aubree Pynn also writes contemporary and small-town love romances under Cassandra B.

Her Ganton Hills series is a fan favorite.

Before I was "Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author, Dylan Allen", She was a lawyer who was unhappy at work and a bookworm who wanted nothing more than to get lost in stories she loved. Dylan has always pen stories for herself. One day she decided to do something about it. So.... she wrote a book. Her books are well loved by readers.

That book, now called Then Came You, was so warmly and broadly received that she decided to write another. And then another... And two years after she accidentally found this amazing career, she left her job and followed her dreams.

She loves connecting with her readers.

Marlee Rae is a reader and writer. She started reading books as a child but never had aspirations of writing until she was well into adulthood. She loves escaping the real world and creating romantic fantasies focused on Black love. When she’s not reading or writing her interests include decorating, baking, and traveling. She dreams of one day living on an island near the beach during the winter months. Her favorite thing to do is spend quality time with family and friends. During downtime she can be found reading, chatting on the phone or indulging in whimsical nail polishes

Joslyn Marks is an avid reader and lover of all things that encompasses a black love story. She is also the founder of Indie Love. A company that promotes AA indie authors. She also is the founder of the Indie Love literary event. She can often be found talking about the merits of a good book.

Author and poet, Untamed brings about enlightenment and amusement through real-life, everyday stories with resonating characters. This Cum Laude graduate of UMUC attributes her passion for the literary arts to her magnet school educational background. Her unique style of writing landed her awards such as Coca-Cola Young Writers Award and UBAWA’s Top 100 Authors 2018. Her creative talents afforded opportunities with SWAG Magazine, Boss Magnet Media, and a multi-book deal with Urban Books. As an expert movie quoter with a hankering for the 90s, Untamed resides in Georgia and relishes family time with her husband and children. She continues to push the creative envelope—delivering content that is unapologetically real and undeniably untamed.

Natisha grew up in Goldsboro, NC. She discovered her passion for reading in the 3rd grade, and began writing at 12 years old. Just writing for fun and never thinking it could make her money, she didn't become serious about publishing until 2012. She signed with her first publisher in 2015 and began writing full-time. After signing with a few different publishers, Natisha, to date, she's penned close to 100 novels.