By Ava Freeman
At the turn of the 20th century, being LBGT was regarded as “the love that dare not speak its name,” and all the attitudes that went with it. Not anymore, especially in the genre of romance. Diversity is making its inroads here, be it male/male romance, female/female romance, Black Love, or a combination of any of the above. That being said, for Pride Month, I am sharing the work of another Black LGBT author, Ava Freeman’s Love’s Divine.
Divorced accountant Genesis Malone is in dire need of a vacation. She is licking her wounds from controlling ex-wife Shannon and bratty little sister Mackenzie, and Barbados is the ticket. Frustrated because of a screw-up in her hotel reservations, she accepts the hospitality of guest quarters on the island estate of studio mogul Zuri Baker.
The granddaughter of Hazel Ellis and daughter of Veronique Milian (both famous Black actresses), Zuri prefers to work behind the scenes as head of Ellis Films, one of the few Black-owned studios in Hollywood and the legacy of her grandmother. She too needs time away from the day-to-day grind of business and artificial people, as well as reassessing her on-again-off-again, girlfriend-with-benefits relationship with actress Tracy Scott.
When they unexpectedly meet, the chemistry is palpable, as is the buildup of sexual tension. Over the next few months, in dealing with sexual harassment cases, spoiled starlets, starting over in a new business, and the interference of Tracy and Shannon, will Zuri and Genesis stop dancing around each other and own up to how they feel?
I am always up for a good romance, and Ava Freeman serves it up so well with a slow-burn process, as well as illustrating the challenges of being an African American woman in the film industry. The conflict between giving up what’s been comfortable and familiar and taking the risk for a true chance at happiness is there for these sistahs, as is the total package of love and passion that neither had fully experienced before. I loved the fact that this is a relationship between two women in their 40s. And of course, Black Love prevails with an HEA (happily ever after).
For all you romance lovers out there, Genesis and Zuri’s story in Love’s Divine is well worth the read, and I tip my hat to Ava Freeman’s unique voice. After all, if we don’t share our stories, who will?
W.D. Foster-Graham
W.D. Foster-Graham is a native son of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received a B.A. in psychology from Luther College, and he was an original member of the multi-Grammy-Award-winning ensemble, Sounds of Blackness. He has also been recognized by the International Society of Poets as one of its “Best New Poets of 2003,” is a guest writer for journalist/author/entertainer Wyatt O’Brian Evans.
