The Cheesecake Club
The Cheesecake Club
The vibrant personalities of Sapphire, Diego, Naomi, Marcus, and James shine as they navigate the complexities of high school life and their diverse cultural backgrounds. Each character brings a unique flavor to their friendship, with Sapphire’s creativity, Diego’s passion for tradition, Naomi’s determination to break free from expectations, Marcus’s humor in the face of pressure, and James’s supportive nature. As they bond over their love for baking, they create cheesecakes that reflect their identities, finding strength in their differences. Their journey toward a local baking competition becomes a metaphor for personal growth, teaching them invaluable lessons about trust, perseverance, and the joy of staying true to oneself amidst the challenges of adolescence.
"Timelines of a Writer" Book Series
Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Descent
This is a psychological thriller set in a hauntingly nostalgic carnival, Butler, Maya, and Reggie are drawn back to their childhood joy only to uncover a sinister reality lurking behind its cheerful facade. When Butler accidentally shatters the reflection of his darker self, Mirror Butler emerges, leading him down a spiraling path of obsession and violence as he strives for literary success and becomes entangled with a local librarian named Lily. As his friends Maya and Reggie race against time to rescue him from the carnival's chilling grip, they uncover its dark secret—the power to ensnare souls within its mirrors. With Butler's last manuscript skyrocketing to fame, the aftermath leaves Maya, Reggie, and Lily grappling with their friend’s fate and their own haunting memories. Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Descent explores the fragile boundary between ambition and self-destruction, revealing that confronting one's true self often demands the ultimate sacrifice.
Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Reality - The Canon Timeline
Set in the eerie town of Misthaven, Georgia, Butler Hansberry Walker, a ghostwriter grappling with schizophrenia, anxiety, and OCD, faces a mounting struggle as rejection letters threaten his dreams of screenwriting. In a bid to lift his spirits, his lifelong friends—Maya, Reggie, and Lily—take him to an abandoned carnival, where nostalgia quickly turns nightmarish. When Butler accidentally shatters a mirror in the dilapidated house of mirrors, he releases Reltub, a dark reflection of himself, who offers twisted success in exchange for fulfilling his sinister desires. As Reltub's influence warps Butler's reality, driving him to act on violent impulses and obscuring his true intentions, his friends realize they must rescue him from this malevolent force. Together, they uncover terrifying truths about Butler’s condition and the dark powers at play, confronting their own fears in a desperate fight for survival. Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Reality is a chilling exploration of psychological horror and supernatural intrigue, where the line between reality and reflection fades, challenging the bonds of friendship and the lengths one will go to reclaim their freedom. Will Butler escape the clutches of his evil mirror self, or will they all be trapped in a sinister reflection forever?
Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Trap
Welcome to the thrilling third potential timeline of the Timelines of a Writer series, Butler Walker and his friends confront the lingering shadows of their harrowing past. After narrowly escaping the mirror world, Maya, Reggie, and Lily are haunted by disturbing visions and eerie happenings that suggest Butler’s twisted mirror self, Reltub, may not be truly vanquished. As they grapple with the scars of their experience, Maya discovers a potential way to break the mirror’s curse for good. The group embarks on a perilous rescue mission back to the abandoned house of mirrors, racing against their malevolent reflections and the dark forces that pursue them. Tickle, Tickle: The Mirror's Trap weaves a gothic psychological thriller with supernatural horror, exploring the complexities of friendship, identity, and sacrifice. Filled with suspense and emotional tension, this captivating tale plunges deep into the mirror world and the intricate reflections of their souls. Will they succeed in freeing Butler from his past, or will they be trapped in the twisted timelines... beyond the reflection forever?
"The Flower Gift" Book Series
The Flower Gift: Furawāgifuto
Zara Koda, a passionate blogger and double major in International Relations and Journalism, embarks on an incredible journey after receiving a prestigious U.S. scholarship to study in Osaka, Japan, during her final year of university. As a Black American woman navigating cultural differences and language barriers, Zara faces the challenges of living abroad but finds solace in her writing and her blog, where she reflects on art, identity, and the vibrant cultural exchange around her. Throughout her time in Japan, she forms deep friendships with classmates like Haruto, a reserved painter; Nanaki, a free-spirited aspiring voice actor; and Yuki, her eager dorm mate dreaming of visiting the U.S. As she adjusts to her new life, Zara learns to balance her heritage with her experiences, discovering the beauty of embracing multiple identities while finding love, friendship, and personal growth in unexpected places. This heartwarming story explores cultural exchange and the strength of human connections across borders, making it perfect for readers who cherish coming-of-age tales set in a modern, multicultural context.
The Flower Gift: Zara Koda's Blog Posts
Zara Koda reflects on her transformative journey through Osaka, Japan, where she navigated her identity as a Black American woman in a vibrant new culture. A passionate blogger and double major in International Relations and Journalism, Zara shares her heartfelt and relatable experiences as she confronts the challenges of language barriers and cultural differences. Along the way, she forms deep connections with her classmates Haruto, Nanaki, and Yuki, each offering unique perspectives that enrich her time abroad. Her blog, The Flower Gift, serves as a canvas for her reflections on art, identity, and the beauty of cultural exchange. Balancing her heritage with her adventures, Zara’s story invites readers into a world of self-discovery and personal growth, illustrating the power of connection across borders. Through unexpected challenges and joyful moments, she embraces her journey, celebrating love, friendship, and the strength of her multifaceted identity.
Beyond The Tides
Beyond The Tides
Each chapter of Beyond the Tides represents a week in Lena’s year in Busan, South Korea, documenting her growth, experiences, and friendships. The chapters are thematically linked, focusing on cultural encounters, language lessons, celebrations, challenges, and small victories. Lena’s journey is shaped not only by her friends but also by her solo explorations, encounters with locals, and quiet moments of reflection by the sea. The characters support each other through their unique challenges, creating a lasting bond that transcends their differences.
As Lena and her friends grapple with their individual identities, they learn from each other’s experiences, creating a tapestry of cultural exchange, respect, and understanding. Lena’s photography becomes the story’s silent narrator, capturing the essence of Busan, its people, and the emotions of the year.
"The 7 Deadly Black Diaries" Series
Envy's Diary: The Soul's Covet Within the Bayou
In the depths of Louisiana’s mysterious bayou, Charlotte Dupree, a talented yet overshadowed artist, envies her sister’s fame as a singer. As she journals her feelings, envy gradually consumes her, pulling her into a world where the line between ambition and obsession blurs. Set against the rich Creole culture of the bayou, Charlotte must confront her inner demons and discover the value of self-worth before envy destroys everything she holds dear. A tale of identity, family, and overcoming the poisonous grip of jealousy.
Gluttony's Diary: Hunger's Feast on Savannah's Secrets
Malcolm Jameson, a successful chef in Savannah, Georgia, chronicles his insatiable desire for more — more wealth, more fame, and more indulgence in life’s pleasures. As he gains success, his hunger for excess begins to take a toll on his relationships and well-being. Malcolm’s diary reveals the devastating impact of gluttony, both physically and spiritually, as he uncovers dark secrets hidden beneath Savannah’s charm. He must learn to control his appetites before he loses himself entirely.
Sloth's Diary: The Whispering Shadows of the Gullah Islands
Set on the Gullah Islands off the coast of South Carolina, Delilah Moore, a once-promising writer, has succumbed to a life of procrastination and avoidance. Her diary reveals the growing weight of guilt as she neglects her passions, relationships, and ancestral heritage. When mysterious shadows begin to haunt her, Delilah must confront the dangers of her inertia and the cultural legacy she’s been ignoring. Through spiritual encounters and self-reflection, she learns that action and purpose are essential for growth.
Wrath's Diary: The Crimson Temptations of Harlem's Shadows
In 1920s Harlem, jazz musician Quincy Robinson chronicles the seething anger that festers within him after years of racial oppression and personal betrayal. His wrath leads him down a dangerous path of violence, gang ties, and destructive temptations. As his rage consumes him, he risks losing not only his music but his soul. In the vibrant yet tumultuous backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance, Quincy must learn to channel his anger into positive change before it destroys everything he loves.
Pride's Diary: Fragile Reflections of New Orleans' Masks
Amid the allure and mystique of New Orleans' masquerade balls, socialite Veronica Baptiste records her journey of unchecked pride. Obsessed with maintaining her flawless image, she hides behind masks of perfection, both literal and figurative, while concealing the cracks in her life. Her diary exposes her inner struggles with vulnerability and her fear of imperfection. When her world begins to unravel, Veronica must confront the fragility of pride and the liberation that comes with embracing authenticity.
Greed's Diary: The Drowning Echoes Beneath Chicago's Skyscrapers
Marcus Thompson, a real estate mogul in Chicago, chronicles his relentless pursuit of wealth and power, fueled by greed. His diary captures the moral compromises and fractured relationships that arise as he climbs the ranks of the city’s elite. When a business deal involving the exploitation of marginalized communities comes to light, Marcus is forced to reckon with the cost of his greed. Amidst the towering skyscrapers, he learns that some things — like integrity and community — are more valuable than money.
Lust's Diary: Shattered Innocence of the Plantation Manor
On a once-grand Southern plantation, now a historical museum, Danielle Halloway, a young historian, becomes entangled in a dangerous affair with a wealthy patron. Her diary reveals the intoxicating allure of lust as she finds herself slipping further into a web of desire, deception, and betrayal. Set against the haunting backdrop of the plantation’s dark history, Danielle must confront the consequences of her choices and the legacy of trauma that surrounds her. Can she reclaim her innocence and self-worth before it's too late?