Book picks similar to
The Color Line by Walker Smith


african-american
historical-fiction-20th-century
racial-tolerance
social-justice

Sins of the Father: A Mafia Thriller (The Consentino Crime Saga Book 1)


Vincent B. Davis II - 2019
    They’ve led a powerful and influential Mafia Borgata for generations, but when trouble with another family begins to develop, Alonzo Consentino must make an impossible decision.In an attempt to save his children from a life of crime and violence, Alonzo sets sail with his family for The Promised Land: America. But peace and safety don’t follow them for long. Will Alonzo be able to forget his past and create a new life, or will old habits die hard? Will his boys be able to live a different life, or will they follow in their father’s footsteps? Set against the backdrop of prohibition and The Great Depression, flapper girls and gangsters, Sins of the Father, the first book in the Consentino Crime Saga, is a Mafia thriller sure to keep the pages turning.

The Queen’s Consort: The Story of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley


Steven Veerapen - 2018
     He is handsome, ambitious - and an unwitting pawn in a game of thrones, played out by the rival queens of England and Scotland. As he escapes northwards, Darnley falls in love with the enigmatic Mary, Queen of Scots. But is the beautiful and regal woman all that she seems? As Darnley is drawn into Mary's web - and bed - he discovers that being a king does not mean wearing the crown. As one of the most passionate marriages in British history falters, Darnley must pit his wits against his wife. There will be blood. The end of their affair will shape their hearts - and history. Recommended reading for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Sarah Gristwood. Praise for Steven Veerapen: "A superb, page-turning debut. The author balances gimlet-eyed research with narrative drive and clever reveals... Danforth is a strong yet torn central character... I look forward to reading the second book in the series." Richard Foreman. Steven Veerapen was born in Glasgow and raised in Paisley. Pursuing an interest in the sixteenth century, he was awarded a first-class Honours degree in English, focussing his dissertation on representations of Henry VIII’s six wives. He then received a Masters in Renaissance studies, and a Ph.D. investigating Elizabethan slander. Steven is fascinated by the glamour and ghastliness of life in the 1500s, and has a penchant for myths, mysteries and murders in an age in which the law was as slippery as those who defied it.

His Destiny


Demettrea - 2015
    She was dead tired and just wanted to nap. "My babies! I'm so glad you all made it." Caroline met them on the porch. "Hey, ma." Adonis hugged her and then Destiny hugged her before she took the baby out of her hand. "Look at granny's baby," she cooed over AJ. "But I thought I was your baby, granny," Serenity pouted. "You sure are my baby. Come give me some love, sugar." Caroline loved her grandbabies. "Oh my goodness, he looks just like you, Des." "I know right. All he has of his daddy is skin tone," Destiny replied. "Well y'all come on in here." They went inside. "Where is Tamara?" Adonis asked about his sister. "She's at work but she'll be here later," Caroline replied as she kissed all over AJ's face. "Oh ok." He responded. "Adonis take y'all stuff to the guestroom and you know ReRe has her own room here now 'cause I want to start getting her during the summers," she said, referring to Serenity by the nickname she had given her. "Nah, I'm getting a hotel room. Des and the kids are staying here with y'all." Caroline looked at him like he had grown two heads. "And why the hell can't you stay here with your family?" His mom still didn't know that he had a new girlfriend. It was now or never. "My girlfriend coming up here to kick it with me," he sort of mumbled. Even though he was a grown man, his mothers' opinion mattered. "What the hell did you just say?" Caroline only cursed when she was pissed. "Look ma, not now okay." He let out a frustrated sigh. He knew how much his family liked Destiny but they had to accept the fact that they weren't together. "So you brought Destiny and my grandbabies up here knowing your girlfriend was coming too?" "Yeah, man. But it's not even like that. I invited my girl before I knew Des was coming." Adonis felt like a little kid who was being reprimanded by his mother. "Well, the minute you found out Des was coming, you should have canceled that other chick." Caroline was so disgusted by her son that she got up and left the room. "Look, I didn't know coming here would cause problems. I was just trying to make it better for AJ." Destiny was apologetic. "Nah, Des, you good, ma. But I need to go take care of something. I'll be back later." He stood to leave. "Okay." Destiny hated to see him leave because she knew he was going to meet up with Nikki. Yeah, she was actually jealous.

See Me


Adrienne Thompson - 2012
    Can you handle her truth? "I loved him so much. I loved him and I hated him. I needed him and I needed to be free of him. He was everything to me and he'd taken everything away from me." Olivia Moy, widow of a beloved author, struggles to cope with the untimely death of her husband. Seeking solace with her only child, she soon befriends a neighbor and begins to reveal closely-held marital secrets. Can she find healing without destroying her late-husband's legacy?

The Silent Invader


Thomas Wood - 2017
    This is the story of one man’s war. Staff Sergeant Charlie Manning is a twenty-two-year-old pilot in Britain’s Glider Pilot Regiment, who finds himself responsible for safely landing thirty elite paratroopers, in one of the most daring operations of the Second World War. All Charlie wants to do is get through this battle and make it home, but when he is distracted by other thoughts, he puts his own life at risk, as well as the other men in his Horsa glider. On the eve of being sent to war, any young man would relish in an encouraging pep talk from his father, but what Charlie received instead, haunts him. Caught in the middle of the Normandy landings, which he doesn’t think he is courageous enough for, Charlie must battle with his own mind to stay on task. Will he manage to stay focused? Will he land his glider safely? Or will his thoughts get the better of him? Don’t miss The Silent Invader, the first book in the ‘Gliders over Normandy’ series by Thomas Wood. If you usually like fast-paced, war thrillers by people like Andy McNab or Chris Ryan, then this book will keep you racing through the pages!

The Cortés Enigma


John Paul Davis - 2014
    Twelve hours later it appeared again, this time much closer to the mainland…Who was on board or where they came from remained a mystery…No trace of the vessel was ever found…1904: In an old graveyard in a remote part of the Isles of Scilly, a distinguished academic makes a surprising discovery. The inscriptions on the gravestones are unlike any he has ever seen, at least in that part of the world. The clues point to an astounding possibility: a maritime legend and a priceless treasure. And a four-hundred-year-old cover-up!Present Day: History Lecturer Dr Ben Maloney is sitting in his office when the phone rings. A call from his cousin is rarely anything out of the ordinary, but today what he has to say is anything but normal. His great-great-grandfather’s ship has been discovered near a deserted island in the Isles of Scilly. Along with his murdered corpse!Dropping everything, Maloney’s decision to visit the site of his ancestor’s demise soon proves to be one fraught with danger. With nothing but a hundred-year-old diary and legends from the island’s past to guide him, Maloney’s only chance to solve the riddle of his ancestor’s death is to unravel the pieces of an altogether greater mystery. An unimaginable treasure remains unfound. And some will stop at nothing to find it…

Getting to the Good Part


Lolita Files - 1999
    Misty's work life is thriving & she has found Mr. Right at last. Although Reesy's trying to be happy for her friend, she is troubled by this intrusion into the one friendship that has always come first for both women. Nonetheless, Reesy's dreams of a dance career have become reality & she is also seeing a man who might be a keeper. Unfortunately, her self-destructive tendencies threaten to destroy her, until true love & friendship save the day.

This Side of the Sky: 6


Elyse Singleton - 2002
    A first novel. Reprint.

A Quiet Strength


Embassie Susberry - 2019
    But when it is decided that two of her brothers are to be sold, she is forced to make a decision she never hoped to make. Sam’s greatest desire is to be free. Free from the bonds of slavery, free to choose his own path, free to become the man God created him to be. But when circumstances conspire to lead him only further into slavery, he is pressed to make a choice that will change the course of his life forever. When Laura and Sam cross paths, they find themselves on an unlikely journey to freedom that spans the western United States and leads them on a journey that requires all of their strength.

The Good Stuff


Michelle Stimpson - 2008
    But despite the fact that Kennard is a faithful breadwinner, his emotional distance from the family makes Sonia believe that a good marriage must be more than in name only. Sonia is a grown woman with responsibilities; she’s too old for make-believe…Adrian couldn’t love her husband, Darryl, more if she tried. He’s the one person who’s shown her what real love means. But when it seems that Darryl’s more interested in making money than making babies, Adrian wonders what marriage is for? And when a devastating secret from Darryl’s past emerges, it seems that their vows may truly break.The two women are heartbroken and on the verge of divorce when a common friend, Miss Erma, invites them to a prayer group. Between the prayers come stories of marriage—the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Sonia and Adrian discover that marriage is more than wedding dresses and happily ever after. It is compromise, sacrifice, and patience—The Good Stuff!

Malcolm MacPhail's Great War


Darrell Duthie - 2017
    THE WESTERN FRONT IS IN STALEMATE. Captain Malcolm MacPhail of the Canadian Corps has been in the trenches for longer than he cares to remember. He’s just landed a new job on the intelligence staff, but if he thinks staying alive is going to become any easier, he’s sorely mistaken.The rain is pelting down, the shells are flying and the dreaded battle for Passchendaele looms. Malcolm reckons matters can still get worse. Which proves to be an accurate assessment, especially as his unruly tongue has a habit of making enemies all on its own.The Allies are fighting desperately to swing the tide of war, and Malcolm’s future hangs in the balance, so keeping his head down is simply not an option… Authentic and gripping military historical fiction. Praise for MALCOLM MACPHAIL'S GREAT WAR: "Darrell Duthie skilfully blends history and fiction... He brings his invented hero, Malcolm MacPhail, into conjunction with real characters, to inform and stimulate readers... Malcolm MacPhail's Great War is realistic and often gripping... deserves a Mentioned-in-Despatches at least!" -- Dr. Peter Stanley, professor, former principal historian of the Australian War Memorial, author"The concept of trench warfare... is a prominent theme in this very readable work of 'faction'... The friction between HQ politics and the front line resonates throughout this tale. All in all, it is an enjoyable read."-- Soldier Magazine (magazine of the British Army)

Struggles of the Women Folk


T.M. Brown - 2013
    She is a young black girl growing up in the 1940s in a small, rural town in Virginia. Life is hard and she dreams of better life. She experiences great loss and heartache. She loses friends and family, as well as the love of her life. And still, she remains strong. This emotional and inspiring story has a gritty dialogue. TM Brown's signature writing style is captivating. You will find it difficult to stop reading once you begin...

In Love and War


Lily Baxter - 2014
    With the approach of war about to bring tragedy and heartache to families all over England, Elsie longs to do her duty for King and country.She heads to London to act as an interpreter for thousands of Belgium refugees. But although she enjoys her work, she longs to do more. And when the opportunity arises she joins the foreign office, travelling to France as an undercover agent. When circumstances force her to return home, she joins the FANYs. And on the battlefields of Europe, she must find the courage to help save lives, each day hoping that one day she’ll be reunited with the man she loves.

A Last Goodbye


Dee Yates - 2018
    In time they're joined by rugged farmhand Tom, come to lend some muscle to Ellen's ageing father, who has begun to find sheep farming hard to manage alone. Almost inevitably romance grows between Ellen and the new arrival but once married however, Ellen discovers that Tom has a brutish side to his character. As war in Europe spreads, she begins to dream of him leaving for the trenches as a way for her to escape.Even with Tom fighting abroad however, the family can not hide from the realities of war as a group of POWs are brought to their valley to build a reservoir. And amongst the men, sworn enemies and shunned by all the locals, Ellen finds a gentler heart that she finds difficult to resist...

This Could Be Us But You Playin'


Cachet - 2016
    With a mother who hated her very existence, and a father who was locked away in prison for the attempted murder of her mother; she just couldn’t catch a break. With a stressful home life, Dominique's only ray of sunshine is her boyfriend, Kaleb. As teens the duo are madly in love, with plans to marry and raise a family together. That is until Kaleb unintentionally breaks her heart. Dominique is crushed, and does the only thing she can think of; and that is to leave. Kaleb realizes that he’s messed up when Dominique moves away and goes off to college; leaving behind no way to contact her. After a few years Kaleb eventually accepts the fact that Dominique is gone forever. By then he has his life on track, and is now a very successful business man with the world at his fingertips. A chance encounter reconnects the two ex-lovers, and Kaleb sees it as a chance to right his wrongdoings, and finally be with the one who captured his heart all those years ago. There’s one problem; not only is Dominique engaged to marry another man, but she is also the mother of his son. To make matters worse, Kaleb himself is involved with a woman who loves him unconditionally. Although faced with a sticky situation, Kaleb refuses to allow Dominique to slip away again. He vows to get her back at any cost; even if it means destroying a home that Dominique doesn't know is damaged to begin with. Will these lovers reconnect, or will they realize that their ships have passed?