Cupid’s Countdown

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

If you’ve been following me on social media (BlueSky, Threads, IG) then you know we have been celebrating 14 days of Black love leading up to Valentine’s Day. Here are all the books in the celebration.

Aisle Be Yours by Nina High
Claire Briscoe has her life down to a science: hard work, structure, and zero distractions. She just got promoted at her law firm, and a cross-country move is calling her name. Love? Spontaneity? They can both sit all the way down—Claire’s got goals.
But a last-minute seat mix-up on a Valentine’s red-eye throws her plans off track. Enter Deion Taylor: a fine, smooth-talking celebrity chef in a smedium shirt who somehow manages to irritate and intrigue her at the same time. With his quick comebacks, pop culture references, and sly digs at her “power bob,” Deion has Claire laughing when she least expects it—and thinking about him long after the plane lands.
Seven hours of banter, chemistry, and a few sparks were definitely not in Claire’s plan. But sometimes, the best connections happen when you’re not looking for them.

Love Me Not by Ayla Cox
If love is war, Cassia James is the mushroom cloud.
Three years ago, Cassia “Cass” James went nuclear on a Hollywood red carpet, exposing her cheating fiancé and backstabbing best friend in front of the world. The fallout? A career in shambles, a reputation in ruins, and a yearly resurgence of memes that make February feel like a cruel joke.
Now, with a podcast feature promising her one last shot at reclaiming her image, Cass is ready to stage the performance of a lifetime at her annual Love Me Not anti-Valentine’s Day party. There’s just one problem: she needs a date to sell the charade.
Enter Malik—the tattoo artist who’s been quietly holding her together for three long years and the only person Cass trusts enough to ask for help.
But Malik isn’t just another prop in Cass’s chaotic narrative. He’s the steady presence who’s seen her at her lowest, the one who challenges her razor-sharp defenses without flinching. And as they continue to fool the world, Cass begins to realize something terrifying: Maybe it’s not so fake after all.
Cass must face the truth she’s been running from: you can’t rewrite your story until you stop hiding from it.
Love is messy. Love is hard. But love might just be worth the risk.

The Perfect Match by Lesanda Moore
With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the last thing on Derell Hughes’ mind is finding a date. All he wants to do is settle into his new normal after playing major league baseball for a decade. When waitress/caterer Deonka Campbell crosses his path, Derell is captivated by her delicious appetizers and undeniable beauty.
Due to his failed marriage, Derell hesitates to put himself out there again. Also, Deonka has a no-dating policy until she finishes her culinary program. Because of his fears and her boundaries, Derell wrestles with his attraction.
Will he let his ego stand in the way of finding a valentine or will he swallow his pride and pursue the woman of his dreams?

With Love, From Brooklyn by Treasure Malian
Serenity, a gifted creative writing professor, and Nasari, a passionate film producer, are two souls shaped by the streets of Brooklyn. As they navigate their artistic worlds—one through the power of words and the other through the language of film—the city itself becomes their guide and muse. A series of heartfelt clues and unexpected encounters draws them closer, revealing that their creative passions are not so different after all. They discover that love can blossom when two artists finally share the same canvas.

Valentine’s With A Boss by Coya Wilson
The upset façade was wearing off, and I watched her squirm under my gaze. As if reading my mind, she said, “Just do it already.”
Nyemi and Kraft are back, and things get intense and very filthy. In a battle between the mind and the heart, some life-changing decisions have to be made. Will it be too much? Or will it be too right?

The Sweetest Silence by SkyNova
Beneath the polished exterior I present to the world, I wear a mask—a facade that shields my vulnerabilities and silent struggles. As a lawyer, I project confidence and authority, but behind that mask lies a story filled with insecurities and fear. Then a monster enters my life— this wild, dark and unpredictable force. He marks me as his prey the second we meet.
His name is Saint but he’s buried in sin. He’s everything I’ve been taught to be against. The opposite of the rightful side of the law.
He’s like a storm that disrupts my orderly world. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying, like standing at the edge of a cliff, ready to leap into the unknown. He wants to own me and peel off my mask. He’s not afraid of silence. Im scared that I’ll like his darkness and fall for him. The only thing is my wings are broken now, so if I fall for him I might not recover.

Hooked on Valentine’s by Jessica Terry
“Just like some people need their kiss on New Year’s, I need my booty rubbed on Valentine’s Day.”
Marlow Love has been on a months-long affection drought that’s left her aching and frustrated, and has no one to help fulfill her tradition of a touchy-feely Valentine’s Day. Her flighty, smooth-talking ex-boyfriend Jag is more than willing to give her all the affection she wants, but Marlow refuses to get sucked in again, even if he is her only prospect with just a week to go.
Meeting Damian ‘Dame’ Hooks seems to come at just the right time, as he has no problem helping her stiff-arm Jag by acting like her man. But Marlow quickly realizes her desire for Dame isn’t an act.
Marlow and Dame’s chemistry is amazing, but is he just a nice guy doing her a generous favor, or is he feeling her like she’s feeling him? Could he be what she’s longing for on Valentine’s Day?
Content warning: super brief mention of death (off page).

Hearts Afire by Shameka Erby
Journey back to Luna Lake as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Nate Harper and Sassy Dumont (Staying Power) – Nate Harper is a talented barber, and the one younger, single, man in Luna Lake that Sassy Dumont can’t have. He does want her; he just doesn’t want to be seen as a throwaway lover. But after a nasty divorce, Syreeta Dumont is happy with her freedom and refuses to trust any man with her heart again. Can Nate change her mind?
Hassan and Everly Meadows (New Growth) – Hassan and Everly have been drifting from each other after the loss of their baby, and frustration from outside pressure has them turning away rather than sticking together. Hassan has a plan to put the romance and intimacy back into his marriage, and help his wife heal. But Everly loves her husband just as much—and she has plans of her own.
Lilah Meadows and Aislin Kendall-Ross (Book Bae) – Lilah Meadows is the shy, nerdy owner of the only bookstore in Luna Lake. She lost her first love a decade before, and has been hiding herself ever since, but she’s ready to get swept away for the first time in a long time when she meets Aislin Kendall-Ross, avid reader and the new music teacher/ band director at Luna Lake High School.
Aislin is in Luna Lake licking her wounds after losing her job for getting involved with her co-worker, so she’s wary of everyone, even the welcoming people of Luna Lake. But the beautiful bookstore owner with the kind eyes might get her to trust again.
Rick Wilkins and Violet Harrison (Arrested Hearts) – Officer Rick Wilkins loves his quiet life in Luna Lake, as well as the time he spends with his girlfriend Violet and her daughter Sasha, who live a stone’s skip away in Wilmington. He has plans for a special Valentine’s Day for BOTH his ladies—and an offer of permanence that could change their lives. But Violet’s ex shows up, wanting his family again, and Rick must stake his claim.

Sweet Turtleberry Jam Volume Three by Turtleberry
Short Valentine’s Day visits with characters from other Turtleberry books.
Pamala & Aiden
(Aiden Davis from These Women)
Pamala’s boyfriend breaks up with her while she is waiting for him to arrive for a dinner date. Aiden decides to make her a special meal to cheer her up.
Raeshel & Andre
(both from Family Found)
When Andre finds out that Rae doesn’t have plans for Valentine’s Day, he takes this opportunity to really shoot his shot. They have been casual lovers for a while but he wants much more. He just hopes and prays that she is ready and willing.
Candace & Brooke
(Candace from Sweet Turtleberry Jam Volume Two)
Candace is at her favorite bookstore’s Blind Date with a Book event. She meets Brooke when they both pick the exact same book. Then they see each other again in other parts of the store because clearly they have the same reading taste. They decide to go and discuss books over coffee. Something more than coffee is brewing between them.

Deja Vu by Olivia Linden
Many times in life, we talk about the one that got away. But how often do we bring up the ones we can’t let go of? Déjà vu is a second-chance romance with explosive chemistry. The kind that everyone else in the room notices, and you try to pretend doesn’t exist. Except you can’t.
Deja is grown and about her business. Van is… well, growing. Hopefully.
From the moment they meet, they’re all that each other can see.
But the thing about timing is it isn’t always right.
Until it is…
Deja thought she had Van out of her system. She’d spent years burying the memories—the heated glances, the way his touch could unravel her, the way he always knew exactly what to say to get under her skin. She convinced herself that moving on was the only option, that their connection had burned out just as fast as it ignited. But some flames never truly die.
When fate—and a not-so-subtle setup—throws them back into each other’s orbit, all the feelings she swore were long gone come rushing back. The fire between them doesn’t just reignite; it explodes, hotter, hungrier, and far more dangerous than before. Because this time, walking away won’t be so easy. And the closer she gets to Van, the harder it is to ignore the truth—she never really let him go.

Finally Good In His Arms by Ke’Asia Morris
“Listen to yourself, fam. Listen to how you talkin’ about the mother of your child. No wonder she ain’t fuckin’ with you no more,” Demoni said to Rory before turning towards me. “Say good night and get your ass in the car.” He was pissed.
When the past meets the present, the pull of one is stronger than the other. Layton has a choice this Valentine’s as two men battle for her heart. Will Cupid strike up a new love, or will the old love overcome the obstacles before them?
Find out in this Valentine’s novella.

Roses Are Red by Ciana Smoak
Kayani has always hated Valentine’s Day. And nothing can change her mind. It’s been nothing but a string of horrible memories year after year: from being cheated on, and receiving dead flowers, to the passing of her grandfather, since then Kayani has sworn off Valentine’s Day and refuses to celebrate with anyone other than her niece after always receiving dead roses.
Rosen has always fought his feelings for Kayani, especially after accidentally sharing a kiss with her in high school, and has done everything not to break their pact to stay friends. But when she vents to him about her horrible Valentines, Rosen is determined to show her the true love she deserves and show her roses are red this year and every year.
Will Rosen change Kayani’s mind or will Kayani suffer another year of heartbreak?

Be His by Lily S. Flowers
Charm Hayes:
Yayo is in town? Though years have passed since our last encounter, the thrill in his voice alone is enough to make my heart pound with excitement. He was my first boy crush and my very first kiss. Am I being selfish in wanting to bring him into my relationship with Gem and El, or will it work itself out?
Ayodeji Ojo:
The last time I saw Charm was in high school before I moved away. As my childhood best friend, he held a special place in my heart, and our first kiss remains a significant and unforgettable memory from those years. Having recently moved to his city, I want to make him my valentine, but he’s in a closed triad.

Pieces Of Love And War by Pamesh
A man of dual worlds, Wolfgang Ivanov is a cold, calculated boss hiding behind the façade of a successful architect. Revered and feared, he’s built a world through uncontested control; however when a reckless move sparks a bloody war, he finds his neatly crafted house of cards teeters on the edge of chaos.
Kyinia Jay is a driven psychology student who does her best to keep her head down while she finishes her degree. Yet when day lands her in the wrong place at the right time, her carefully constructed life is shattered and she becomes the object of a few mens’ dangerous obsession including Wolfgang.
Amid the betrayal in every shadow tightening the noose around them, Wolfgang and Kyinia find themselves locked in a battle of wills that blurs the line between desire and destruction. In a world where power is everything, their twisted connection may cost them both their lives and ultimately their humanity.

Check out each of these books! Be sure to leave a review!