BlackChristianNews/BCBC Bestsellers-Fiction-April 2009-PT 1
Discover the top Black Christian fiction bestsellers from April 2009, featuring powerful stories by Vanessa Davis Griggs, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, and Victoria Christopher Murray. This curated list includes acclaimed titles like Practicing What You Preach, The Pastor's Wife, and Holy Ghost Corner, spanning contemporary fiction, juvenile reads, and faith-based dramas. Perfect for readers seeking uplifting, spiritually enriching literature from BlackChristianNews and BCBC.
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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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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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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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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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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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Happy Princess
by Stephanie Perry Moore
In the fifth and final volume of the popular series, Carmen enters the uncharted waters of adolescence, discovering that her changing moods and growing body bring new challenges to her life.
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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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Pressing Hard
by Stephanie Perry Moore
When Perry wakes up in a very compromising position after having a few drinks too many, he realizes it's time to stop the crazy partying and turn his attention back to his future. Meanwhile, Perry's best friend Damarius is wasting his time doing too much weed. When tragedy strikes, will Perry's faith be strong enough to help him do what's right?
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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.
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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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Chosen
by Patricia Haley
The inspirational first novel from #1 Essence bestselling author Patricia Haley's series based on the popular biblical kings David and Solomon After Dave Mitchell abandoned his wife and business partner, Madeline, and their four children for a younger woman, the battle between his two families began. Dave's oldest son, Don, had been groomed from birth to take over his dad's business. Nothing prepared Don for the shock of his father's decision to appoint his inexperienced half brother, Joel, as CEO of the multimilliondollar ministry. Confused, Don flees the country to become his own man, while Madeline won't go down without a fight. Seeking to regain control of the business for her family, Madeline tries to sabotage Joel's every move. But as the ministry grows and charismatic Joel captures the nation's attention, his hunger for power and lust just might be his downfall....
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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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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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Divine Confidential
by Jacquelin Thomas
Divine is used to getting what she wants.... Thanks to her loving Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Reed, Divine Matthews-Hardison has a place to call home after the Hollywood life she was accustomed to fell apart at the seams. Getting away from the spotlight that nearly destroyed her own parents, Divine has changed for the better -- though there's still enough diva in Divine to keep life in Temple, Georgia, very lively, from mall shopping with her cousin Alyssa and her fashion-challenged aunt, to worshipping at her uncle's church, to dating. But what if it's too much too soon? Divine has boys on the brain and she's itching for a social life -- at least as much as is allowed under Uncle Reed's watchful eyes. She knows she's too young for the kind of secretive drama her cousin Chance is going through with his girlfriend, but still.... Turning to the internet, Divine gets a major crush on sixteen-year-old Sean, who sounds and looks like the perfect guy. But she is about to learn a difficult -- and potentially dangerous -- lesson: Things are not always what they appear to be....
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Finding Your Faith
by Stephanie Perry Moore
Thirteen-year-old triplet Yasmin tries to find solace in prayer while helping her family recover from her older brother's suicide, as well as dealing with all of the drama of middle school and life in the projects.
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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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Saved Race
by Stephanie Perry Moore
As Payton leaves high school and goes on to college, she and her friends learn to deal with racism and other difficult issues.
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Truth Be Told
by Victoria Christopher Murray
The author of The Personal Librarian and Essence bestsellers Temptation and Joy returns with a story about one woman's personal and spiritual journey to overcome the consequences of her husband's dark secret. Grace Monroe has the ideal life: a devoted husband, adoring daughters, and a booming career in politics. Newly elected on a Christian platform to the Los Angeles city council, she is determined to put her mistakes behind her and focus on her bright future. But when a secret from her husband's past is revealed, setting off a chain of attacks that threaten to rip her family apart, Grace must face a dilemma that will force her to question her life and her faith.
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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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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.