African American romance book series in reading order

Rochelle Alers, born August 7, 1943, is an American romance novelist who has also written as Susan James and Rena McLeary. The catalogue lists 95 books from Careless Whispers (1988) to A Maverick of Honor (2026). Subjects cover African American romance, contemporary and historical romance, widows and New Orleans. Series include Hideaway Legacy, Eatons, Wickham Falls Weddings, Cavanaugh Island, Blackstones of Virginia and Whitfield Brides. Hideaway (1995) is among the titles.

Farrah Rochon writes African American romance, with 42 books in the catalogue from Deliver Me (2007) to Be Prepared (2025). Release Me (2008), Rescue Me (2009), Huddle with Me Tonight (2010) and A Forever Kind of Love (2012) are among the earlier titles. Rochon series include Holmes Brothers, Moments In Maplesville, Bayou Dreams, New York Sabers Football, Boyfriend Project and Doggone Delightful. Subjects include single mothers, businesspeople, reunions, Louisiana and the restoration of historic buildings.

Brenda Streater Jackson, born February 2, 1953, is an American author of contemporary multicultural romance. Jackson was the first African-American author published in the Silhouette Desire line, and in October 2013 became the first African American to publish a 100th novel. The site lists 154 books from Tonight And Forever (1995) to Beneath The Dawn (2026). Madaris Family & Friends, Westmoreland Legacy, Forged of Steele, Catalina Cove and Grangers are among the series. Subjects include African American women, ranchers and romantic suspense.

Sherelle Green writes African American contemporary romance, with 61 books catalogued from 2013 to 2026. A Tempting Proposal (2013) is the first, followed by If Only For Tonight and Red Velvet Kisses (2014). Enticing Winter (2015), Falling For Autumn (2016) and Waiting for Summer (2016) come next, and A Miami Affair and Blue Sapphire Temptation date from 2017. Ruthless Pledge (2026) is the newest. Series include Crowne Legacy, Bare Sophistication, Naughty Season, Maverick Dynasty, Elite Event, To Marry a Madden and Dark Trinity. Chicago and secrets appear in the subject tags.

Sharon C. Cooper is a writer of African American romance and romantic suspense, with 50 books published between 2012 and 2026. Best Woman for the Job (2012) is the first catalogued title, and Still the Best Woman for the Job followed in 2013. Series include Atlanta's Finest, the Jenkins Family, Jenkins & Sons Construction and the Priestly Family. Subjects name African American women lawyers, architects, single fathers and women pediatricians. The newest title is Loving Her Enemy (2026).

Keisha Ervin writes urban fiction and African American romance. Thirty-eight books carry her name, published between Me & My Boyfriend in 2000 and The Untold Stories Vol. 2 in 2021. Chyna Black, Material Girl, Mina's Joint, India Black, Cam & Gray, McKinley's Journey, Cranes In The Sky and First Wives Club are among the series. Relationships, adultery and street life supply the material, and the 2010s were the busiest decade.

Alyssa Cole

25 books• 5 series

Alyssa Cole, born in 1982, is an American novelist who works across historical, contemporary, science fiction, mystery and thriller registers. Her characters carry a wide range of professions, from Civil War spies to present-day epidemiologists, and her romances cover both straight and gay relationships. The Loyal League follows Black agents during the Civil War; Reluctant Royals and Runaway Royals handle the contemporary side. Twenty-five books span 2014 to 2024, from Eagle's Heart to One of Us Knows.

Mary Monroe writes African American fiction about women, friendship and family life. The God Don't Like Ugly novels run through the catalogue, joined by the Mama Ruby books, the Lexington, Alabama and Wiggins novels, Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart and Neighbors. Monroe's catalogue holds 35 titles, from The Upper Room (1986) to Bad Seeds, with publication continuing into 2026.

Wahida Clark writes urban fiction about African American women, the men in their lives and the criminal economies around both. Thugs and the Women Who Love Them (2002) opens the Thug series, followed by Every Thug Needs a Lady, Thug Matrimony and Thug Lovin'. The Payback books, Golden Hustla and Urban Isis follow. Thirty titles make up the catalogue, which ends at Covid, Mayhem and Murder in 2023.

Beverly Jenkins

60 books• 11 series

Beverly Jenkins writes historical and contemporary romance with a focus on 19th-century African American life. Born in Detroit in 1951, Jenkins was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2013, and in 1999 the African American Literature Book Club named her among the top 50 favourite African American writers of the 20th century. The catalogue holds 60 books from Night Song (1994) to Calling All Blessings (2025), including the Blessings, Old West, Le Veq Family and Grayson Family series. Recorded subjects include mail order brides, Kansas, and city and town life.