BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List - Fiction - February 2010
Discover the BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List for Fiction from February 2010—a curated collection of top Christian and inspirational novels. Featuring standout titles like *Lady Jasmine* by Victoria Christopher Murray, *A Deep Dark Secret* by Kimberla Lawson Roby, and *The Pastor's Wife* by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, this list highlights compelling stories of faith, family, and redemption from celebrated African American authors. Explore the bestsellers that defined the month.
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The Ideal Wife
by Jacquelin Thomas
Newlyweds Jana and Lawrence return from their Caribbean honeymoon to Los Angeles, where Lawrence is a partner in a prestigious Beverly Hills law firm. After Jana moves into Lawrence’s home in Hollywood Hills, she undergoes a complete lifestyle change and now spends her time shopping and doing charity work with the wives of the other partners. Her days as a student at Bible College seem like a distant memory now that she’s a full-time wife.. Soon Jana and Lawrence’s values begin to clash, and the marriage falls apart. After a spat over Lawrence’s sexual appetite, he tells Jana he wants a divorce. Confused and heartbroken by the sudden turn of events, she slowly realizes that it was physical attraction that drew Lawrence to her—it was never about love. She was nothing more than a trophy wife. So when three months later she meets Garrett Ransom, a handsome widower, she vows that this time, she’s going to do things right. . In The Ideal Wife , Thomas has written an engaging and inspirational novel featuring ordinary people facing everyday challenges, as they struggle to achieve personal happiness and success while maintaining their faith-based principles..
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The Other Side
by Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together. With the addition of a brand-new author's note, this special edition celebrates the tenth anniversary of this classic book. As always, Woodson moves readers with her lyrical narrative, and E. B. Lewis's amazing talent shines in his gorgeous watercolor illustrations.
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Lady Jasmine
by Victoria Christopher Murray
The beloved—and hated—Jasmine larson bush returns to battle her own past in a compelling new novel of love, faith, and shame from the Essence bestselling novelist. In Temptation, A Sin and a Shame, and most recently, Too Little, Too Late, Jasmine Larson Bush—a scheming, manipulative, man-stealing diva who was “saved” just in time to become a preacher’s wife—entertained fans with her conniving ways and acts of redemption. In Lady Jasmine, a desperate time from Jasmine’s past threatens the family and the future she worked so hard to build. In order to save her marriage with Reverend Hosea Bush, Jasmine was forced to reveal every secret that remained in her past to him—her real age, her real weight, her real shoe size. She thought she had told Hosea everything. But when Jasmine is blackmailed about a terrible truth from her past that she “forgot” to tell Hosea, more than just her marriage is in jeopardy. Determined to keep the life she fought so hard to save, Jasmine is willing to commit any sin, even murder, to leave her past behind her. No one can know the truth about the First Lady of City of Lights Riverside Church. No one can know that, beneath Jasmine’s veneer of a redeemed Christian wife, there lies a sinner—especially her trusting husband.
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Dreams That Won't Let Go
by Stacy Hawkins Adams
Everything is going well for Indigo Burns as she prepares to marry the man of her dreams, but her life is thrown into chaos when her brother Reuben comes home after many years of absence and seeks reconciliation with his sisters.
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A Deep Dark Secret
by Kimberla Lawson Roby
The New York Times bestselling author returns with the moving story of a family who learns to overcome betrayal and secrets with courage and love On the outside, twelve-year-old Jillian Maxwell is the perfect child. She's helpful with chores around the house, gets straight As in school, has plans for college, and stays out of trouble. She seems to have everything a girl could want: a big, beautiful new home, an adoring little sister, a mother who cares about her, and an attentive stepfather. But inside, Jillian harbors a terrible secret. Too frightened to tell, convinced that her friends and loved ones, especially her mother, won't understand—and worse, will blame her—Jillian endures her pain in silence, believing that things will get better. However, as time passes and her dilemma intensifies, the bright, hardworking girl becomes sullen and disinterested in her studies. Then, just when it seems she's on the verge of losing everything, Jillian discovers she has more strength than she ever imagined…and the power to change her fate. With sensitivity and grace, Kimberla Lawson Roby addresses a very real and serious issue, while delivering the inspiring tale of one family's mission to shed light into the darkest corner of their lives.
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Miracle's Boys
by Jacqueline Woodson
From a four-time Newbery Honor author, a novel that was awarded the 2001 Coretta Scott King award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize For Lafayette and his brothers, the challenges of growing up in New York City are compounded by the facts that they've lost their parents and it's up to eldest brother Ty'ree to support the boys, and middle brother Charlie has just returned home from a correctional facility. Lafayette loves his brothers and would do anything if they could face the world as a team. But even though Ty'ree cares, he's just so busy with work and responsibility. And Charlie's changed so much that his former affection for his little brother has turned to open hostility. Now, as Lafayette approaches 13, he needs the guidance and answers only his brothers can give him. The events of one dramatic weekend force the boys to make the choice to be there for each other--to really see each other--or to give in to the pain and problems of every day.
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Practicing What You Preach
by Vanessa Davis Griggs
The wedding between Angela Gabriel and Brent Underwood promises to be the Birmingham event of the year--and aspiring event planner Melissa Anderson has been working feverishly to make it happen. During this hectic time, she even agrees to go out on a date with a most unlikely prospect: Marcus Peeples. When it came to Marcus, it definitely wasn't love at first sight. But after a lovely evening together of Bible study at Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center, Melissa has a change of heart. She learns not only is Marcus a successful investor, but he's also a gifted minister. There's just one hitch: He's divorced--a fact Melissa can't reconcile with scripture even though she knows he's a good man and father. But when Marcus's diva ex-wife decides she wants him back, Melissa soon discovers love, divorce, and faith have quite a bit in common. . . Praise for Vanessa Davis Griggs and her novels. . . "This inspirational novel leaves the reader eager to know what Griggs plans next for this spiritual family." --Publishers Weekly on Blessed Trinity
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Up at the College
by Michele Andrea Bowen
Devastated by the unexpected end of her marriage, Yvonne returns to her North Carolina hometown, where her attraction to a successful university coach prompts questions about her faith and innermost desires.
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A Sin and a Shame
by Victoria Christopher Murray
After breaking up her best friend's marriage by seducing her husband, Jasmine Larson takes up an insincere Christian lifestyle in New York, becomes engaged to a minister, and discovers she is pregnant with another man's child.
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I Know I've Been Changed
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Raedella Rollins left Sweet Poke, Arkansas on a Texas-bound bus with four mismatched suitcases, a newsroom job offer and a promise to herself: never look back. Now she's a top-rated talk show host and fiancee to Houston's star councilman. When her ragtag family comes knocking, the last thing she wants is an unexpected reunion with her over-the-top relatives. But when her picture-perfect life turns out to be an illusion, can Rae open her heart to the healing that only faith and family can provide?
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If Memory Serves
by Vanessa Davis Griggs
Memory Patterson has been hiding from her family for much too long. Her instinct has always been to run, and never more so than when a chance meeting with Pastor Landris and his pregnant wife, Johnnie Mae, leads to a shocking revelation about Memory's mother. Meanwhile, when Johnnie Mae has complications with her pregnancy, Pastor Landris learns that he may have to make an impossible choice - one that will amount to spiritual warfare.
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The Last Woman Standing
by Tia McCollors
Four years after mutual workaholism ended their marriage, Ace and Lynette Bowers discover their lasting love for one another in the wake of Ace's girlfriend's determined schemes and his unwillingness to commit to marriage.
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Redemption
by Jacquelin Thomas
The Essence best-selling author of The Prodigal Husband and Defining Moments looks at the role and rewards of redemption as she follows the life of a woman whose desperate and fateful decisions could destroy her, in a modern-day retelling of the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer. Reprint.
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Second Sunday
by Michele Andrea Bowen
This story is set in St. Louis in the 1970s. The 100th year anniversary celebration of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church is approaching and the pastor has died. How will the church pull itself back together and find a new pastor in time to prepare for the church centennial, let alone survive one more day? It seems as though everyone in the church has an idea about who the new pastor needs to be and what direction he should be going. In the tradition of Gloria Naylor's Women of Brewster Place, Bowen weaves the hilarious stories of several church members as they plan, plot, and connive to have their choice installed as the next pastor before the anniversary celebration. Second Sunday refers to one of the main worship Sundays in small traditional Baptist churches. In the book, it is the day of the scheduled centennial celebration.
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Speak to My Heart
by Stacy Hawkins Adams
Serena is successful, sassy, and saved. But can she come to terms with her mother's secret and past relationships before it's too late?
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Nothing But Drama
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
The first book in an exciting and inspiring new series from national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley Their lives are nothing but drama. . . . Camille can't believe her bad luck when she's ordered to join a church youth group after hiding her boyfriend from the police. She'll bide her time if that's what it takes to get everyone off her back, but it's the last place she ever expected to make a new friend. Angel has a secret that's got her running scared, so when she sees a flyer for the group, she heads to the church, hoping to find an answer to her problem. Now Rachel, their group leader, has a task for them that may just end their daily dramas and give them a whole new beginning. They just have to take a leap of faith. . . . Along the way, they meet tough-as-nails Jasmine and society-darling Alexis, forging friendships built on strength, loyalty, and faith. As the girls take up Rachel's challenge to honor their parents, they find that walking a new path isn't always the easiest way to go. But together, Camille, Angel, Jasmine, and Alexis will embark on adventures that only the best of friends can share.
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With Friends Like These
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
The third book in an exciting and inspiring new series from national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley Only one girl will be chosen.... In the year since Camille, Alexis, Jasmine, and Angel joined Rachel Jackson's church youth group, the four best friends have bonded over boys, pitched in on community projects, and shared their deepest secrets. There's nothing they don't know about each other -- or is there? When a special guest arrives at Rachel's group and announces auditions for a television talk show, the girls will come to know a side of each other they never knew existed. And they may not like what they see. Will the four friends become enemies? The race to find the perfect host for KRCP's Teen Talks is heating up -- the competition is fierce, and so are the lies the girlfriends tell about each other in order to win the coveted spot. But more painful than any lies they can concoct is the cold, hard truth: none of them will reach their ultimate dreams if cutting each other down is how they choose to get ahead. Is winning a place in the spotlight worth losing their friendship? Includes a reader's group guide! Be sure to read the previous novels in ReShonda Tate Billingsley's fresh and fun series that looks at the Ten Commandments in a whole new light: Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise -- now available! ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club. Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books. She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith. Visit her website at www.reshondatatebillingsley.com.
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He's Saved-- But is He for Real?
by Kimberley Brooks
In her sequel to inspirational romance He's Fine, But Is He Saved? Kimberley Brooks takes another look at the lives of Michelle, Liz and Sandy. Michelle is falling for friend David, but her feelings are thrown into confusion when her old boyfriend returns; Liz's insecurity and jealousy are threating her two great blessings - her calling as a minister and a man who loves her; Sandy's had the strength to get her ex out of her life, but meeting a spiritual man to replace him isn't easy, and soon loneliness leads her to someone who should be off-limits...
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The Pastor's Wife
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
From bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billinglsey comes a charming novel filled with love, laughter, inspiration and drama as Pastor Terrance searches for his Mrs. Right. Most men barely survive one mother, but Terrance Ellis has three: his aunts. His grandmother Essie's sisters—Eva, Dorothy Mae, and Mamie—lovingly raised him after Essie died in a tragic accident. They made sure that troubled young Terrance got on the right path and made something of his life. And now that he's all grown up and the rising pastor of Houston's Lily Grove church, the endlessly argumentative sisters agree on one thing: Terrance needs to find a wife. And not just any wife—but the right young woman to stand beside him as First Lady of Lily Grove at the fast-approaching one-hundredth-year Christmas service. Humble and handsome, Terrance is focused on preaching more than dating and has kindly fended off the advances of more than a few perfectly available ladies. So why, of all women, is outrageous, flirtatious Savannah McKinney drawing him in? Seeing Terrance falling under her seductive spell has got his aunts frantically matchmaking since time is running out and gossip is flying. Who will be the pastor's wife? Only heaven knows for sure. But before he finds her, some surprising and dramatic revelations are in store for Terrance, his congregation, and the three aunts who love him most in the world.
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Veronique
by Victoria Christopher Murray
From the bestselling author of The Personal Librarian comes the third in the The Divas series following the stories of four fifteen-year-old girls who form their own singing group. Veronique wants to be a star just as much as her fellow Divas do, but there's more to it than just fame for her. Unlike her middle-class friends at Holy Cross Prep, Veronique is there on scholarship, and if she wins a recording contract, she can move her mother and brothers out of their crummy apartment. But Veronique has another dream that's hers alone. She longs to meet her dad, who disappeared to New York when she was just a baby. Could going to the Big A with the other Divas be Veronique's big chance to find him? Veronique knows she'll have to do some legwork on her own, though, so she turns to the internet for help. While it seems like a miracle when she gets a response, her friends aren't so sure. Is Veronique putting herself in danger, just when the Divas are on the brink of really making it big? And will her faith and her friends be enough to keep her safe?
