BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List - Fiction-July 2009
Explore the BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List for July 2009, featuring top fiction books that dominated the charts. Discover the must-read novels and acclaimed titles of the year.
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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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Miracle's Boys
by Jacqueline Woodson
Winner of the 2001 Coretta Scott King Award, in Miracle's Boys, three young outsiders struggle to make it through when their parents die and leave them to survive on their own. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
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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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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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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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Playing God
by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Hammond explores the heartache that can come when women try to play God in their own lives. This riveting novel with intersecting story lines reminds readers that God is loving, all-knowing, merciful, and the One completely in control.
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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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Divine Match-Up
by Jacquelin Thomas
There's only one boy for Divine.... When Divine Matthews-Hardison left the Hollywood fast lane to live with her aunt and uncle in sleepy Temple, Georgia, she figured she could say good-bye to dating excitement. Who knew she would find a guy she's crazy about in her small-town high school? Madison Hartford is all Divine thinks about...and he's crazy about Divine, too. But when they get "married" at an online wedding site, their friends think they may actually be crazy! Is Divine ready for "I do"? It's not a legal marriage -- more of a role-playing game. But the honeymoon is over when Divine's delicious secret gets out and races around school.... Meanwhile, real wedding bells are ringing for Divine's superstar mother, who's put her painful divorce behind her and found true love. It's all too much for Divine, who's read all about her mom's fiancé in the tabloids and thinks her mother is making a big mistake. But it's Divine who has a lot to learn about what it truly means to love someone, heart and soul.
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Fair-Weather Friends
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
When racism separates members of Good Girlz, a church-related community service group, the girls must remember that what is on the inside matters more than the outside, and while they may not be able to remove the world's prejudices, they can change themselves.
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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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Getting Even
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
The fourth book in The Good Girlz series from national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley One guy is leading them on.... Best friends forever, Camille, Alexis, Jasmine, and Angel always stand up for each other. So when Camille runs into boy problems, Jasmine is ready to settle the score -- even ready to fight! Camille convinces her it's not worth it, even though she was attacked by some girls who are jealous of the attention she's getting from Vic, a cute guy Camille met at a football game. But Camille's boy troubles are just starting.... Should they forgive -- or make him pay? Alexis is dating a guy named Anthony, and it doesn't take long for Jasmine to discover that he's Anthony Vickers -- the very same Vic that Camille has fallen for! When the truth comes out, the girls cook up a scheme for payback, something that will teach a two-timing guy the error of his ways. But their dramatic plan may be backfiring, tearing at the bonds of their own friendship, and showing them that the price for revenge is high -- for everyone.
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Jezebel
by Jacquelin Thomas
A modern retelling of the biblical story of Jezebel chronicles the exploits of manipulative Georgia beauty Jessie Belle, who, as part of her plans to escape town, weds trusting pastor Traynor Devereaux, who has no idea that his cunning bride is not only planning for a whole new life but is also running from a past that could destroy both of their reputations. Reprint.
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Nothing But the Right Thing
by Stacy Hawkins Adams
In her heartwarming second novel, the award-winning author of "Speak to My Heart" explores the journey of faith, friendship, and the power of prayer.
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The Ex Files
by Victoria Christopher Murray
There are four ways a woman can handle heartbreak: She can fall apart, seek revenge, turn cold, or move on. The Ex Files follows the reverberations of heartbreak in the lives of four women. When Kendall Stewart finds her husband and her sister in bed together, she vows to never let anyone get that close again. But when she is faced with saving the life of the woman who destroyed hers, will she be able to forgive? In another thread, NBA superstar tells his mistress, Asia Ingrum, that he's decided to honor his marriage vows, her shock quickly gives way to revenge—but her decision may come back to haunt their five-year-old daughter. Then there’s Vanessa Martin, whose life revolves around obsessing over why her husband has committed suicide. Even worse, she contemplates joining him in eternity. Will Vanessa be able to gather the strength to live again? And Sheridan Hart is finally finding her way after a lie destroyed her seventeen-year marriage. Her new love is ready to get married, but will she commit to this younger man or is her ex-husband taking up too much space in her heart? When their pastor asks Kendall, Asia, Vanessa, and Sheridan to meet weekly for prayer, they can't imagine they will have anything in common. But then a devastating tragedy strikes, and these strangers are forced to reexamine their choices. Will they find true friendship, or will prayer—and their union—fail them?
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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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Watercolored Pearls
by Stacy Hawkins Adams
Each at different places in their lives, three women--Serena, a stay-at-home mom; Erika, who is haunted by her abusive past; and Tawana, a lawyer trying not to let her ambitions destroy her life--turn to each other, and to God, to unleash their inner beauty.
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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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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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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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Church Folk
by Michele Andrea Bowen
Mississippi, 1963. Essie Lee Lane is a small-town girl who doesn't take "stuff" from nobody. Yet even she isn't ready for the Reverend Theophilus Simmons, one of the South's most fiery and respected young preachers. Down-to-earth, caring, and oh-so-fine, he's everything Essie never thought she'd find in a man, and he realizes she is everything a pastor needs in a wife. But Essie and Theophilus soon discover that dealing with the contentious members of Theophilus's church will be no honeymoon-especially when a couple of First Lady wannabes and a few blasphemous preachers enter the picture. With their parishioners in turmoil and their denomination facing a major scandal, Essie and Theophilus must put their faith and love to the ultimate test as they struggle to lead their congregation to God's sweetest rewards.
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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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Seasons
by Bonnie Hopkins
This wonderfully well-written and compelling book looks at the life of a single woman's "seasons," from the raging storms of her life's winter to the sun-drenched days of her summers--and how she endures it all with God's love.
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True Friends
by Stephanie Perry Moore
When her African-American family moves to a new town after her father takes a football coaching job at a historically black university, ten-year-old Carmen learns important lessons about friendship and prejudice.
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Holy Ghost Corner
by Michele Andrea Bowen
Theresa Elaine Hopson, 46, owner of Miss Thang's Holy Ghost Corner and Church Women's Boutique is puzzled. She can't, for the life of her, figure out why even Baby Doll Henderson, despite her false teeth and her navy-blue-socks-with-yellow-jelly-sandals-wearing self, can find a man and she, Theresa, can't. Theresa's been looking all of her life, and it seems like the only thing she finds are things that need to say lost. Like, for example, her on and off "friend" and sometime escort, the sneaky businessman, Reverend Parvell Sikes. So, when church mother Queen-Esther Green reacquaints Theresa with the older woman's backslidden player nephew, Lamont Green, it seems like the same old story. But this time, Theresa decides to listen to God and what she hears soon brings a smile to her face with the realization that the Holy Ghost has been in her love corner all along.
