Hi! How are you holding up? We're all going through a very rough time right now with the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the world, but my hope is that Queen of Barrakesch can whisk you away for a few hours and provide the escape you crave.​

The novel takes place in Barrakesch, a fictional Middle Eastern country where they speak English and Arabic. Make sure you don't miss the translations at the beginning of the book to help you understanding the meaning of the words in the dialogue. 

Tropes: fake relationship, forced into marriage

Characters: Arab hero, Black heroine

​Blurb: They had no idea how much their lives would change…forever.
Imani Karunzika is fiercely independent and refuses to be forced into a loveless marriage with the domineering man her parents want for her. When her friend Crown Prince Wasim al-Hassan of Barrakesch learns he’ll be passed over for the throne because he has no wife, she suggests a plan where they enter into a fake engagement. He can then secure his birthright, and she can get her parents off her back.
But the marriage must proceed as planned. Wasim becomes the king, she becomes the queen and is now under the rule of a man whose power and authority is unmatched. But Imani’s greatest struggle lies not within the walls of the palace, but inside herself as she fights to keep the ultimate secret—that she’s madly in love with the king.

Buy links:  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Paperback
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This is the last book in the series. Like the first two, it will only be available on Amazon. Eventually, the books will be available at other retailers, but not for a while. To read them now (they're free with the Kindle Unlimited subscription) without a Kindle, download the free Kindle app to your computer, phone, or tablet. 

Wasim crisscrossed the lawn, mingling with the guests and stopping to tease the children. As he greeted a small group of adults playing horseshoes, his sentence trailed off when Imani exited the house and stood at the top of the steps.
For a moment, he was speechless. He’d never seen her hair like that before, parted on one side and flipped up at the ends. She wore a mustard-colored tunic and matching pants. Brownish-red lipstick complemented her bronze complexion and coated the fullness of her lips, drawing his eyes and hurtling him back in time to the taste of that same mouth and how much he’d enjoyed kissing her.
He quickly abandoned the guests and walked over to her. Smiling, she stepped down onto the grass.
“Hi.”
“You finally decided to make an appearance. How nice of you to show up…late.”
“You didn’t give me a specific time, and you should be glad I’m here considering you begged me to come.”
“Let’s not exaggerate. I invited you.”
“Because this wouldn’t be much of a party without me. You’re welcome.”
“I didn’t thank you.”
“You were about to.”
Wasim laughed. He’d miss their verbal sparring when she went back to Zamibia.
“I see you’re doing something different with your hair.” He hadn’t planned to comment on her hairstyle, but the words just came out of him.
Imani fingered the strands, suddenly more subdued. “I’m trying something different.”
“I like it.”
She glanced at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re wearing a different scent, too.”
Her eyebrows raised a little in surprise.
She had no idea the close attention he paid to everything about her—her clothes, hair, the scents she wore.
“I am wearing a different scent. Normally it’s shea butter infused with passionfruit, but I’m trying a new fragrance from a line of creams and lotions made locally by the women’s cooperative of Zamibia. This one is shea butter infused with mango.”
She was truly amazing. Imani didn’t only publicize and encourage the women’s work, she supported them by buying their products. She’d also worked out a way to invest in their businesses with money from the oil revenues once they started pouring in.
“I like it,” Wasim said. She smelled so good he wished he could carry the scent of her with him at all times.
“You’re full of compliments today.”
“You deserve every one.”
Before she could reply, Malak ran over, squealing excitedly at the sight of Imani. Dropping to her haunches, she gave him a big hug and kissed both of his cheeks. “Oh my goodness, look at you! You’re getting so big. How old are you now?”
“Four.” He held up four fingers.
Her eyes widened. “I better be careful or you’ll catch up to me soon.”
Malak’s little face brightened from laughter. “Do you want to see my chimpanzees?” he asked.
“Wait a minute, they’re your chimpanzees now?” Wasim asked.
“Yes.” The little boy giggled.
Wasim folded his arms across his chest and affected a stern expression. “You bought them?”
His nephew nodded vigorously.
“Where did you get money?”
“When I went to the hotel to work with Baba,” he replied.
“Now you know,” Imani said with a laugh as she let Malak pull her away.
Wasim kept his eyes on her regal walk. Rubbing his bearded cheek, he let his gaze swing back and forth with the movement of her hips. She could make any outfit sexy—including a loose-fitting tunic and pants that did more to hide her figure than display it.
Her legs were completely covered, yet he couldn’t help but notice how she moved with effortless sensuality. Perhaps because he knew what lay under the clothes. Outside of Barrakesch, he’d seen her toned legs in fitted skirts that showed off her curvaceous shape and plump bottom. He’d had many thoughts about getting his hands on that ass.
Imani sat down on a rug on the lawn and proceeded to play with Malak and five other kids. They fed bananas to the chimp and cuddled with the lion cub, who practiced its roar—which sounded more like a squeak.
“You made a good choice.” Yasmin had sidled up beside him.
“You think so?” Wasim shifted his gaze to look at his sister. At four months pregnant, she only had the smallest baby bump.
Yasmin nodded. “You’re the perfect match. I don’t think you could have done better. We all like her.” She sauntered over to a bench where Farouk sat and joined him.
Wasim went back to mingling with the guests but remained attuned to Imani’s every movement. His sister’s words resonated with him.
Imani was perfect. Where would he find another woman who fit so perfectly within his culture and life? An equal. A woman whose deep love for her country made her put in long hours on the oil drilling project because it would improve the country’s economy. There was no better woman to have by his side as a life partner.
But their entire relationship was fake. Made up. Not real.
But what if it wasn’t?
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Read the rest of the story on Amazon.  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Paperback

Catch up with the other books in the Royal Brides series:

​Princess of Zamibia (Royal Brides #1), between Dahlia Sommers and Crown Prince Kofi Karunzika—a secret baby romance where the prince comes to claim his heir.

Princess of Estoria (Royal Brides #2), between Angela Lipscomb and Prince Andres Luis Vasquez Alamanzar II—inspired by current events.
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​When you're finished signing up, listen to the audio samples below. Yes, the Brooks Family series is finally coming to audio! The first books have been completed: A Passionate Love and Passion Rekindled. Much thanks to Producer Tove Audiobooks and Narrator Sean Crisden. Enjoy a little taste of each while we wait for ACX to approve the files. 
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Heart's Desire, part of the Unparalleled Love series collaboration I did with Sharon C. Cooper and Stephanie Nicole Norris, was initially released only on Amazon. Now you can get the book at all the other retailers! Links are below. Enjoy!
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​Coworkers Nathan Crenshaw and Janice Livingston once had a passionate relationship that went up in flames and created a strained environment at their place of employment. Since then, Janice has tried to move on. Unfortunately, they have to work together, and unfortunately, she’s still very attracted to Nathan.
Nathan can’t forget his connection with Janice—a connection he hasn’t experienced with any other woman. After an earth-shattering kiss rekindles their flame, will these two finally get it right— or will an outside force get in the way?

Read the other books in the series!
Soul's Desire by Sharon C. Cooper
Everlasting Desire by Stephanie Nicole Norris (only on Amazon)

💋Amazon US: https://amzn.to/328BTnp
💋Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2zpfrK8
​💋Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/33Yzldc
💋Nook: http://bit.ly/389JNk1
💋Apple: https://apple.co/2RpQ2dG
💋Google Play: http://bit.ly/366O2uW
💋Kobo: http://bit.ly/342oZYI
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​My latest release, HEART'S DESIRE is now available! So I'm really excited for you to read this novella. It's a second chance romance and office romance, and dare I say, even a sprinkling of opposites attract.  This couple is hot, hot, hot! I love Janice's personality, and Nathan is... well, you know how I write my heroes. He's definitely swoon-worthy.

As a reminder, the book will be released only on Amazon initially. After the 90-day exclusive period has expired, Heart's Desire will be available on other platforms. If you don't want to wait 90 days, you can download the FREE Kindle app to any computer, tablet or phone and read it now.

Soul's Desire buy links:  AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA 
Everlasting Desire buy links:  AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA 
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To celebrate the release of Heart's Desire, I have a contest with some lovely prizes. Here are the details:
PRIZE(s): 1) reader's choice of a $25 gift card or Paypal cash and 2) the lovely bangle below. The double heart design is rose gold plated and dusted with Swarovski crystals. 
HOW TO ENTER: Click the link below and enter your name and email address into the form. 
ELIGIBILITY: Open to U.S. and international entrants. NOTE: Because the jewelry will be drop-shipped, an international entrant is only eligible for the gift card. 
DEADLINE: 11:59 PM EST, September 15, 2019

​​I was lucky enough to be invited into Apple's audiobook romance series starter collection. They're having a massive promotion right now, and the Love Unexpected series is part of it. You can get THE BLIND DATE for only 99 cents, and the other audiobooks are discounted from $4.99 to $9.99. So take advantage. The starter page disappears after the 11th, but the sale lasts until September 30th. 

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​You can still start the Brooks Family series for 99 cents, with A PASSIONATE LOVE. Sale ends September 30th. In the meantime, I'm working on Deeper Than Love, Reese and Nina's story, which is the last book in the series. Get ready for an angsty love story that pulls at the heart strings. 😊

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​That's all for now! Go ahead and 1-click the UNPARALLELED LOVE series, and have a fabulous reading day. 

Last night, Building Relationships Around Books (BRAB), an online book club with over 1600 members, announced their nominees for their annual book awards. And I was fortunate enough to receive FOUR nominations! 

I couldn't wait to share my great news with you! I'm super-excited and honored to be nominated. Knowing that readers have so many choices makes this even more special that I was included on these lists with the other amazing authors. 

So I'm feeling mighty good today, and I'm channeling those good vibes into more sexy and emotional stories I look forward to sharing with you. I'm currently working on DEEPER THAN LOVE, Reese and Nina's story, the last book in the Brooks Family series. It's going to be sooo good ya'll! These two are putting me through the emotional wringer!

Here are the nominations:
* Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year Award
* Book Husband of the Year: Stephan Brooks from Two Nights in Paris
* Best Interracial: Princess of Estoria
* Adrianne Byrd Queen of Comedy Romance: Two Nights in Paris