Longing Lust and Love: Black Lesbian Stories edited by Shonia L. Brown (Dec. 2007 Pick of the Month)

Publisher/Date:  Nghosi Books, Jan. 2007
Genre(s):  Short Story, Romance, Erotica
Pages:  300
Website:  http://www.nghosibooks.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

First comes longing, the wishing for that special woman to come into your life.

When she arrives, then comes lust, that craving to express your feelings to her with more than words.

Finally, love takes hold, deepening with every passing moment in her presence.

Ladies and Studs seeking pleasures between the covers can look no further than LONGING, LUST AND LOVE: BLACK LESBIAN STORIES.

Written by 25 new and established writers, this collection of 28 sultry tales, edited by Nghosi Books founder Shonia L. Brown, traces the varying stages of black lesbian relationships – from the art of tease to tying the knot. Every story finds women in various forms of infatuation, pursuit and devotion.

Take for instance, in “Heartfelt” by Nikki Rose, longing is shown through the eyes of Taris, who immediately becomes attracted to a co-worker’s sister, Kai, who doesn’t give her the time of day. Taris, an aggressive businesswoman, isn’t used to getting the cold shoulder and determines to break down Kai’s icy demeanor – and manages to do it one rainy night.

Lust becomes desperate in “Look at Me When You Come” by Tasha C. Miller, as Alexis falls for an extremely sexy stud who grants her every bedroom desire. Married and miserable, Alexis abandons her unsatisfying relationship for a few gratifying hours with Taylor – but eventually Alexis wants something more than just passionate exchanges. Is her stud charming willing to give her what she wants?

Finding and sustaining love are two different things, but Brown’s own tale, “From Friends to Lovers” makes it look effortless between acquaintances Erin and Serita. Meeting at a party two years prior, the pair never quite found their way to one another. A brazen phone call one night unlocks the mystery of where their attraction could lead – from being distant to being together – without any distractions.

Longing, Lust, and Love takes women there and still keeps a realistic tone with every word. Brown has chosen a well-rounded concoction sure to have you melting, laughing and yearning for love, lust and longing – everything a woman wants.

Reviewed December 2007

A Deeper Love by Shonia L. Brown

Publisher/Date:  Writer’s Club Press, Sept. 2002
Genre(s):  Romance, Self-Love
Pages:  216
Website:  http://www.nghosibooks.com

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Completely spellbinding, A DEEPER LOVE is the thoughtful, affectionate tale of Angel written by debut author Shonia L. Brown. The introspective novel will move you from beginning to end.

Angel is a recently-dumped woman whose girlfriend, Val, left her for a white woman. Feeling down, she heads to a local lesbian club to drown her sorrows. Ironically she meets Kim, a friendly white girl who manages to drag her to another club, there Angel meets Paula. Beautiful and voluptuous, Paula helps Angel recover from Val. She’s a breath of fresh air from the rubbish in her life.

Together they build a slow relationship, and while courting, they discover each other’s pasts. Angel tells Paula about Val; Paula shares her family issues and being closeted. They attempt to help one another through their pain, all the while falling in love. The two are inseparable, or so it seems.

As love arrives, it soon vanishes. Paula is called away for a family emergency back home, and she disappears from Angel’s life. Paula cuts all ties and communication with Angel, leaving her devastated. At first Angel doesn’t know what to do with herself. But, through her solitude, Angel learns to depend on herself and look within for happiness. She becomes stronger in Paula’s absence and a better person. It took losing someone to discover all the love she needed was within herself.

Brown created a believable read with A Deeper Love that surprises you on many levels. It portrayed the discovery of new love, as well as the heartbreak of losing it–and all of it changes you for the better. By the end, Angel unearths a deeper love, and is ready to give herself fully to a worthy woman.

Reviewed September 2005