For a novel a bit more light hearted, but is still centered around a strong African American woman, you might try How Stella Got her Groove Back. You might remember this romance from the 1998 film adaptation starring Angela Basset and Taye Diggs.

Stella Payne is a high-powered investment analyst who does it all and well. Whether it is work, doing the laundry or getting her 11-year-old son, Quincy to Little League, if Stella doesn’t do it, it simply doesn’t get done.

To an outsider she has it all, a chic house, an expensive car and a personal trainer. One thing she doesn’t have is the perfect man. Not only does she not have the perfect man, she doesn’t have anyone at all! She doesn’t see the need for it, doesn’t think she would have time for love or its nasty fallouts. But when Stella decides to take a spur of the moment trip to Jamaica, her world gets turned upside down.

While in Jamaica, something other than the sun and beach catches Stella’s attention. It is something tall, Jamaican, and smell of citrus. Oh and he is half her age!

With this new tropical spell cast on Stella she has to confront her hopes and fears about love and questions all of her expectations, passions, and ideas about life and the way she has lived it.

***Terry McMillan accredits her interest in books from her time spend working at a library at the age of sixteen.