african american authors romance novels

Often, they incorporate elements of African American culture. For example, family and community play important roles, just like in real - life African American communities. The characters may celebrate traditions, use African American Vernacular English at times, and deal with issues specific to the African American experience, all while exploring love and relationships.

Terry McMillan is a well - known author. Her books like 'Waiting to Exhale' and 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back' are very popular in this genre. Another is Zora Neale Hurston. 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' is a classic that showcases her writing talent in African American romance. Dorothy West is also famous for her work in this area.

Jasmine Guillory is a well - known author. Her novels often feature strong African American characters in contemporary romance settings. Another is Angie Thomas. While she is known for her works that touch on social justice issues, her stories also incorporate elements of love and relationships which are characteristic of contemporary romance novels. Brenda Jackson is also a popular author in this genre.

Ralph Ellison is a key figure. His 'Invisible Man' is a landmark in African - American literature. Ellison was able to capture the complex feelings of African - Americans in a society that often overlooked or misjudged them.

One great African American author of romance novels is Beverly Jenkins. Her works often feature strong African American characters and historical settings in the context of romance.

'Waiting to Exhale' by Terry McMillan is a popular African American romance novel. It focuses on the lives and loves of four African American women, exploring their relationships, heartbreaks, and hopes. 'Love in Color' by Bolu Babalola is also great. It retells classic love stories from around the world with an African and African - diaspora focus, including some really engaging African American love stories.

Another good one is 'A Big Beautiful Love'. This novel focuses on a BBW African American woman who is an artist. She meets a man who not only admires her art but also falls head over heels for her. The story delves deep into themes of self - love and finding love in unexpected places. It shows how their relationship blossoms over time, with both characters growing and learning from each other.

Ta - Nehisi Coates is one. His works often deal with race relations and African - American history and experience in a very profound way.

Toni Morrison is a well - known author who has elements of the Gothic in her works. Her novel 'Beloved' has Gothic elements such as the presence of the ghost of the baby, which represents the trauma of slavery. Another is Octavia Butler. Her works often explore complex themes in a somewhat Gothic - ish way. For example, in some of her science - fiction works that touch on race and power, there are elements of the unknown and the uncanny that are characteristic of the Gothic.

One of the notable authors is Zora Neale Hurston. Her works, like 'Their Eyes Were Watching God', are important in depicting African American life and culture in the early 20th century. Ralph Ellison is also significant. His novel 'Invisible Man' is a classic that delves into the experiences of an African American man in a predominantly white society. Alice Walker is another great author, famous for 'The Color Purple' which touches on themes like race, gender, and abuse.