DON'T BRING HOME A WHITE BOY

IN AN AGE WHEN AMERICA HAS EMBRACED a mixed-race president and a strong, independent black woman as first lady...when black women are on the move and more empowered than ever before...there remains one hot-button topic that stirs up cultural resistance and intensity of emotion like no other: interracial relationships -- or, specifically, when black women date or marry white men.
What is it about the black female/white male dynamic that sparks such controversy and depth of feeling? What keeps many single black women from exploring relationships outside of their race at a time when the pool of eligible black men is at an all-time low?
"Don't bring home a white boy" is the cultural message stamped deep into every black daughter, an enduring twenty-first-century taboo with origins dating back to the Civil War era, the turbulent Civil Rights decades, and beyond. Now at last there is an honest, eye-opening examination of this societal phenomenon that will resonate with women everywhere and give voice to all sides of the debate. Karyn Langhorne Folan, herself a black woman happily married to a white man, brings together historical, statistical, psychological, and personal perspectives in a groundbreaking book that boldly debunks the "notions" that can keep interracial dating off the table for many women, including:

"After slavery, I could never date a white man."

"I'm looking for a good black man."

"I'm just not attracted to white men."

"White men don't find black women attractive."

These are the things some black women say when the subject of interracial dating comes up. Although black men date interracially with little guilt and relative ease, black women remain hesitant about interracial dating-- even though recent Census data reveals that 70% of black women are single... and don't want to be.

Don't Bring Home A White Boy examines-- and refutes-- the notions that keep black women from expanding their dating options. From history to sociology to psychology and including dozens of interviews from experts and average women, Don't Bring Home A White Boy brings to light the myths and truths that cloud the black woman/white man dating dynamic. Available from Simon and Schuster's Karen Hunter imprint in January 2010.

DIARY OF AN UGLY DUCKLING

A NEW WOMAN - Audra Marks lives in a classic movies fantasy world of diva dames and handsome heroes, where the costumes are gorgeous, the good guys always win, and the love always triumphs. But in the real world, things aren't so simple. When she loses her shot with the handsome Art Bradshaw to the prettier and lighter-skinned Esmeralda Prince—she's willing to go to any extreme to get back her man. The solution lies in a new reality TV makeover show called “Ugly Duckling.” After all, if they’re able to transform a homely, buck-toothed white girl into a ravishing beauty, just think what they’ll be able to do with Audra!

But until she truly believes she’s beautiful inside, it won’t matter how hot and pretty they make the outside package. And Audra’s obsession with perfection may be leading her farther and farther away from what’s really important--and blinding her to the love that’s been waiting there all along

A PERSONAL MATTER

Alayna Jackson's dream is to be a lawyer -- and not even being the only African-American paralegal in a high-power, lily-white law firm will hold her down. Sure it's not the perfect job, but if it helps her reach her goal -- and gets her younger sister through college at the same time, Alayna will work for the devil himself -- namely Ben "Ice Man" Richards, the firm's arrogant, brilliant, insufferable, and unpredictable rising star. As long as Richards curbs his famous rudeness and treats her with respect, Alayna should be able to cope. But there's more to Ice Man than meets the eye, a fire smoldering beneath his hard, cool surface. And when personal disaster threatens, Alayna finds herself unlocking the doors of her private life to the last man she ever dreamed she'd let enter. And once inside, he may just alter Alayna's world and her outlook in glorious, frightening ways.

STREET LEVEL

Ex-gangbanger Thea kicked thug life to the curb when her testimony put her ex-lover, the brutal kingpin Jango, in prison. Now she's giving back to the streets she came from, running her own business with her best friend, Chandra, and helping to raise Chandra's son, Malik. But when she comes to the aid of a handsome mugging victim, everything she has built—and become—is suddenly in danger.

The badly beaten stranger is dignified, mysterious—and has the same remarkable gift that has guarded Thea her entire life. Through him, the absolute truth of her future becomes frighteningly clear: Jango's out—and looking for revenge. When the evils in her past threaten to destroy her present, Thea is left with no other hope but to hide in this evasive mystery man's world of money and power. But can a 'round-the-way girl really play princess and make it out alive? Or this time, will the price to keep herself and her loved ones off the streets finally be too high?

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Black activist Erica Johnson wears her causes on her sleeve—literally. With her class of beloved fourth graders depending on her to represent their concerns, Erica's ready to confront golden-boy conservative senator Mark Newman. And she's willing to suffer through a night in jail and a battle of wits with a real-life war hero, if it will help get the children the money they need.

Mark Newman's a worthy adversary. But there's a more human side to the ambitious politician with the dreamy blue eyes—from the physical pain of his war wound, to his grief over his wife's death. Though they disagree on every hot-button issue, Erica and Mark can't resist their attraction or ignore the unfinished business between them—much to the delight of those trying to use this new relationship against the senator. And when Erica starts receiving some particularly vicious hate mail she has to decide if this handsome dream from the right/wrong side of the political fence is worth risking her heart for . . . and maybe her life.