BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List - Fiction

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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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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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.

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.

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.

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?

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..

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.

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.

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...

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.

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....

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?

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

BCNN1/BCBC National Bestsellers List - Fiction - March 2010