June is National Audiobook Month! Founded by the Audio Publisher’s Association, National Audiobook Month highlights the increasing popularity of audiobooks, and spoken-word entertainment, with the hashtag, #LOVEAUDIOBOOKS.
Let’s celebrate the Big Black Chapter’s way with African American Fiction Audiobooks. Below is a list of our favorite audiobook new releases by Black and African American writers.
7 Audiobook New Releases by Black Authors
Healing requires separation. When Ethic discovers malice in a woman he thought was perfect, he walks away from their love. Keeping his family safe is his main priority and falling for Alani Lenika Hill is dangerous. The history of their love haunts him, however, and getting over her isn’t easy. Alani has beguiled his two youngest children and they crave her presence as much as Ethic. They want a mother. He wants a woman, but with ghosts and lies between them, the couple is forced apart yet again.Â
With love comes pain, and Ethic feels all of it. He can’t focus on anything and while he is distracted by heartbreak, his eldest daughter, Morgan, is caught up in a deceptive affair. With bad boy Messiah, pledging allegiance to Morgan, she is willing to defy everything and anyone to keep his love forever. This story is a soul-stirring journey of love, loss, and forgiveness.Â
Will Ethic finally receive everything he deserves? Or will karma circle back for him and destroy him for good? Ashley Antoinette has penned a new classic with the Ethic series. Ride with her as she paints a poignant picture of Ezra “Ethic” Okafor, the imperfect man who gives perfect love.
What are the odds? Statistics tell us that African-American males who grow up in a single-parent household are nine times more likely to drop out of high school and 20 times more likely to end up in prison than any other demographic. But what would it take for one young man not only to rise above those statistics but also become a Navy SEAL, actor, entrepreneur, writer, and successful husband and father?
In Transformed, Remi Adeleke takes you back to stories from his childhood, from living as Nigerian royalty to losing his father early in life and being financially stripped of everything by the Nigerian government. He delves into being raised by a single mother in the Bronx and doesn’t shy away from his illegal activities as a young man that threatened to derail his future. At every turn, including throughout his naval career, Adeleke found a way to overcome the odds, even when it didn’t make sense. His is an inspiring story of true personal transformation.
Getting Schooled: Wright Brothers, Book 1Â by Christina C. Jones
Sean Crisden (Narrator)
Adenrele Ojo (Narrator)
When 26-year-old Reese accepts a position as a grad assistant, she has no idea an unpleasant encounter with a student will lead to the discovery of what she calls “the trifecta”: fine, intellectual, and a little bit rude – three qualities she finds irresistible in a man. She has no intention of doing anything with that discovery – nothing long term, at least. But everybody knows what happens to best laid plans.
Jason is a grown man. Twenty-eight years old, seasoned, and scarred by his real-life experience in the world, he’s at Blakewood State University to finish his degree and move on. The last thing he’s interested in is the female population on campus…but sexy, infuriating Reese might be a notable exception.
This isn’t a story of opposites attract.
More like counterparts clash.
Neither of them is afraid to do battle, and neither is willing to back down. Love and war, win or lose…somebody’s gonna end up getting schooled.
Contains mature themes.
Rebel: Women Who Dare by Beverly Jenkins
Kim Staunton (Narrator)
The first novel in USA Today best-selling author Beverly Jenkins’ compelling new series follows a Northern woman south in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War….
Valinda Lacey’s mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon, she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life – and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq.
As an architect from an old New Orleans family, Drake has a deeply personal interest in rebuilding the city. Raised by strong women, he recognizes Valinda’s determination. And he can’t stop admiring – or wanting – her. But when Valinda’s father demands she return home to marry a man she doesn’t love, her daring rebellion draws Drake into an irresistible intrigue.
The Prodigal Captive: A Gripping Mystery with Suspense and Romance: A Palmchat Islands Mystery, Book 1 by Rachel Woods
The Prodigal Captive is Book 1 in Rachel Woods’ popular Palmchat Island Mystery series, but can be listened to as a standalone.
A mind-blowing mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat until the shocking ending.Â
On a gorgeous morning in paradise, tourists find a dead body on the pristine white beach of St. Killian, an island in the Caribbean. The victim was killed in a ritualistic murder. The dead man was castrated and branded. Burned into his skin is a strange word – “eros”. Â
Investigative journalist Vivian Thomas-Bronson heads to the scene of the crime. She’s got to cover the story alone. Her husband, Leo Bronson, has to do a mysterious favor for his father. Leo is less than thrilled when he’s asked to find the missing son of a billionaire. There’s only one clue to go on – something known as “eros”.Â
Could the missing scion be connected to the dead man on the beach? And what is the mystery behind “eros”? Their investigation uncovers an ultra-secret cult whose members perform bizarre rituals.Â
When Leo goes undercover to get more information, he finds himself face to face with a demented killer. Can he escape with the truth? Or, will he fall prey to a psychotic villain who believes that murder is a sacrifice worth making?
Society Wives by Renee Daniel FlaglerÂ
Joell A. Jacob (Narrator)
Meet the Days, Howards, Madisons, and Lees. Four wealthy couples obsessed with keeping up appearances. Pearson, Vonita, Nadalia, and Ryan want the world to believe that they live flawlessly prosperous lives, but behind the custom-made doors of their elaborate mansions lie salacious secrets that are becoming harder to hide.
Pearson may be forced to choose between her husband and vodka. Vonita could be at risk of losing her lavish, fairy-tale lifestyle but only finds out when it’s too late to do anything about it. Nadalia’s picture-perfect life seems to be slowly falling apart at the seams until an ugly truth finally shatters her world. And for Ryan, living under the thumb of an A-list husband isn’t all that it is cracked up to be – especially since she doesn’t seem to know where he is half the time.
Saving face may be a priority for these wives, but scandal, addiction, financial ruin, and infidelity threaten to reveal their truths to the world – and worst of all, each other.
His to Claim: The Westmoreland Legacy by Brenda Jackson
Ron Butler (Narrator)
New York Times best-selling author.
It could be his toughest mission yet:Â win back his wife.
When Navy SEAL and honorary Westmoreland Mac McRoy returns home, he discovers his wife has left. Teri has retreated to the Wyoming ranch they’d planned to visit together and is resentful when he follows. She doesn’t want a second honeymoon; she wants a marriage Mac doesn’t take for granted. But life-or-death circumstances are about to put their love to the ultimate test.
Do you listen to audiobooks?
Drop us a comment letting us know your favorite audiobooks. If you haven’t tried audiobooks, we suggest you do. Hopefully, one of the above book suggestions will have you rushing to Audible.
New to Audiobooks?
Give them a try with a free month Audible subscription. With the free trial, you get credits for 2 free audiobooks and 2 Audible Originals.
Audible membership is $14.95/mo, so be sure to cancel before your trail date ends…because Amazon will surely snatch their coins. However, if you decide you love audiobooks, you’ll receive 3 audiobook titles each month with a regular Audible subscription.
