Must-Read or Else: 9 Black Authors to Discover This July
Make Your Way Home: Stories by Carrie R. Moore
A debut collection set in the American South, exploring Black men and women’s struggles for love and belonging amid painful histories. Spanning Florida marshes, North Carolina mountains, and Southern cities, eleven stories reveal characters confronting family curses, unspoken faith, and escaping to freedom. Through vivid portrayals of place and history, Moore examines belonging, inheritance, and intimacy, marking her as a fresh, vital voice in American fiction.
The Illusion of Power: Passion and Politics by J.L. Seegars (June 30, 2025)
A spicy contemporary romance following future First Lady Selene Taylor during her husband’s campaign. She faces his infidelity, the risks of being a Black woman near political power, and falling for her two protectors. Fans of Sierra Simone’s New Camelot and Kennedy Ryan’s All the King’s Men will enjoy this debut. Rated 4.3/5 stars (18 reviews).
Savvy Summers Mysteries by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
A sparkling debut mystery set on Chicago’s South Side. Savvy Summers, owner of Essie's soul food café, faces a murder probe after Grandy Jaspers dies from her famous sweet potato pie. Despite police ruling it accidental, bad press threatens her business. With assistant Penny Lopés, Savvy hunts the real killer while managing a pushy investor, wary customers, and her ex-cop husband. Can she save her café and solve the crime before it all falls apart?
The Game Is Afoot by Elise Bryant (Paperback, July 8, 2025)
A witty mystery featuring Mavis, a newly unemployed mom juggling motherhood and a murder investigation. When Coach Cole dies mysteriously, Mavis steps into detective mode amid PTA drama and shady parents. Battling panic attacks, self-doubt, and an unexpected romance, she must uncover the truth—and maybe herself.
All the Men I've Loved Again: A Novel by Christine Pride (Hardcover – July 8, 2025)
Christine Pride’s solo debut follows Cora Belle, who in 1999 starts college seeking change but falls for Lincoln, experiencing first love’s complexities. Then Aaron arrives, deepening her conflict through heartfelt letters. Twenty years later, nearing forty, Cora must choose again between the two men who captured her heart.All The Men I’ve Loved Again is a poignant coming-of-age tale about love, fate, and second chances.
The Reaper by Jackson P. Brown (Hardcover – 10 July 2025)
Amy, an empath sensing supernatural auras in London, seeks answers nightly. Gerald, a Reaper on the brink of awakening, is both weapon and reluctant hero shaped by family demands. When Amy encounters his unique aura, she aids him. In return, he offers partnership and access to the hidden underground city. Their first mission: find the girl who killed Amy’s parents.
The Payback: A Novel by Kashana Cauley (Hardcover, July 15, 2025)
Jada Williams, once a Hollywood wardrobe designer, now works a low-paying retail job and is overwhelmed by student debt. When the harsh Debt Police target her, she teams up with two coworkers to plan a bold heist to wipe out their loans and fight back against a flawed system. Sharp, clever, and deeply insightful, The Payback boldly examines race, power, and survival in today’s America.
Quarter-Love Crisis by Jasmine Burke (Paperback – 17 July 2025)
A witty, relatable rivals-to-lovers rom-com about navigating your twenties. Maddison Clarke, stuck in an assistant role, gets to lead a major event but must team up with her charming rival, Aiden Edwards. When he challenges her to break free from routines, their clashes spark a deeper connection. What starts as a quarter-life crisis might just turn into a quarter-love one.
Love You To Death: A Novel by Christina Dotson (Hardcover, July 22, 2025)
Two best friends, Kayla and Zorie, crash weddings for cash. At an antebellum-themed wedding, their last heist turns deadly. Branded the “Wedding Crasher Killers,” they flee from Georgia to the bayou. Amid danger and old grudges, Kayla uncovers dark secrets. A sharp, twisty thriller you won’t forget.
