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Beverly Jenkins is one of the USA Today bestselling authors of the African-American descent, who likes to write her novels based on the contemporary and historical romance genre. In most of her novel, she has given a particular importance to the 19 the century Afro-American life. So far, she has written around 5 historical romance book series in her writing career, from which many novels have gone on to become bestsellers all over the world. Author Jenkins and her family live in the southeastern region of Michigan. Author Jenkins was born in the year 1951 in Detroit and completed her high school studies from the Cass Technical High School. Later, she enrolled herself in the Michigan State University and graduated with a major in English Literature and Journalism. As of today, author Jenkins has written and published a total of 16 books in her writing career and has also received several prestigious awards for dedicated efforts. The list of prominent awards in her writing career includes a Book of the Year award by the Detroit Free Press, 3 Best Sellers Awards from Waldenbooks, a Black Writer’s Guild Golden Pen Award, and a couple of Career Achievement Awards by the RT Magazine.
In the year 1999, author Jenkins was voted to be one of the top 50 Afro-American Favorite writers of the twentieth century by the AABLC, which the largest online Afro-American book club of America. It was in the year 2002 that author Jenkins wrote and published her debut historical novel for the young adults. The novel was called as ‘Belle and the Beau’. This was followed by her second young adult book in the year 2013 titled ‘Josephine and the Soldier’. Because of the success of most of her written work based on the historical and contemporary romance genres, author Jenkins has been able to feature in a number of national publications, such as the People Magazine, Vibe Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and the Dallas Morning News. She has given lectures at numerous prestigious universities such as the Oberlin University, Michigan University, and the Illinois University. In most of her speeches, author Jenkins speaks widely on the 19th century Afro-American history and romance. She has delivered lectures on these subjects at a number of gatherings in libraries, organizations, schools, colleges, and literary organizations like the RWA, African-American Genealogical and Historical Society, etc.
Apart from spending her time in writing her novels, author Beverly Jenkins spends active time in her community works and church gatherings. In November 2001, she received the Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA. In the year 2004, author Jenkins released the 1st contemporary book of romantic suspense of her writing career, titled as ‘The Edge of Midnight’. This was followed by several other romantic suspense novels over the course of the next few years. Being an active speaker on the Afro-American history of the 19th century, author Jenkins received sponsorship from the Savannah Black Heritage Festival to speak for the Series W.W.Law Lecture. Author Jenkins believes that the Afro-American history is overlooked very often, and this is the reason why she took to writing about it so that people can understand value and rich heritage of history of Afro-America during the 19th century. However, she had faced some difficulties in trying to publish those novels in the beginning because the publishers did not think that people will like the stories involving rich African-American history of the 19th century and not the slavery of that time.
The Blessings series written by author Beverly Jenkins consists of 6 books in total, published between 2009 and 2015. The debut novel of this series was released under the title ‘Bring on the Blessings’ and was published by the William Morrow Publications. The main characters in the plot of this book include Bernadine Brown, Trent July, Leo Brown, and Lily Fontaine. At the start of the story, author Jenkins has depicted the occasion of the 52nd birthday of Bernadine Brown. She receives quite an unexpected gift from her husband named Leo, whom she catches in bed with his secretary. Bernadine was very much hurt and angry, but she did not sit and cry. Instead, she hired a top lawyer of the city and sued her husband for cheating on her. As a result, she received $275 million as compensation and an easy divorce. Knowing that much will be expected from her when much is given, she begins to pray to God to give her a purpose in life.
It turned out that the purpose was a town named Henry Adams, located in Kansas. This town was believed to be among the last surviving towns which was founded by the freed slaves after the end of the Civil War. Seeing that the town was up for sale on the internet, Bernadine decided to buy it. The mayor of the town named Trent July did not want to see his birth town to sell to an outsider, but he did not have any option because of the heavy debt on it. However, when he saw Bernadine, he became very much impressed by her strength and vision. He also liked the way she gave hope of a second chance to the remaining residents of the towns as well as to the handful of the children, who were in desperate need of such an offer. But, it appeared that Bernadine Brown’s offer was not appreciated by everyone in the town of Henry Adams. There were a few people who did not want changes to happen to the present situation. However, Bernadine, Trent, and his first love named Lily Fontaine seemed pretty much determined to preserve the legacy of the town and usher into a new era of a more promising future.
The next book in the series was also published by the same publishing house and was titled as ‘A Second Helping’. This book contains a story filled with heartwarming love, family, and community, and seems to provide a reading confection to the readers that is expected to last long. Author Beverly Jenkins has once again set the story in Henry Adams, an enchanting town located in Kansas. Similar to the previous book in the Blessings series, this book too shows instances of laughter, love, and mayhem. Author Jenkins has filled the wonderful and poignant story with endearing and eccentric characters. She has even used her trademark setting of the rich historical backdrop in this story. The book appears to be such a delight that it provides a satisfying fare to the readers. The Detroit Free Press has described the author as a superstar and the novel as an amazing description, which will be definitely liked very much by the fans of Kimberla Lawson Roby.
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7 Responses to “Beverly Jenkins”
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I love to read black authors. I happened to stumbled on the first book of Mrs. Jenkins. It was through the storm . It was amazing and I was totally hooked on the historical romances. So far my favorite is Indigo. When I finish that book I wanted to pick it up and read it again . She is truly one of my favorite authors. So far I have read 10 of Mrs. Jenkins books and can’t wait to read them all . Mrs. Jenkins you are an extraordinary author. Thanks for your contribution, your time and your talent.
I started reading books by various writers until I heard about a writer named Beverly Jenkins at the library in my area. I was interested in checking out one of her early writings and I was not disappointed. I was so impressed I continued to read her books two, sometimes three and was able to complete them in 3 weeks. Reading her books I find humor, action, love, and education, which keeps my attention. I have read quite a bit of her collection.
I discovered that the Historical romance novels nourish me since I became a widow in 2016.
Born in 1958, a child of orphaned blacks. I was not exposed or taught to embrace black history: just shattered and hidden families histories. My yearning has blossomed to know and understand where I came from. My WWI orphaned father, 1 grandmother, siblings and mother showed me a lot of love. However, a lot of history is missing.
I would love to see a character tree as I price them together in my mind. Thank you so much Beverly Jenkins!
I have read every book written by Beverley Jenkins and would very much love to see a genealogy chart of the July Family of Henry Adams. That would be so great to be placed in the front of the next book and future books in the series. Thank you Beverly Jenkins for teaching true American History through your books. We love you. I continue to pray for your successful writings.
While I wait for #10-11of Blessing series,I went back to 1990.Do I have a list that I missed,hope there are some movies being made from some of these 59titles.Stay strong and keep writing!!
Good Afternoon
Just wanted to “Thank you for all that you do”.
Your books are exciting, engaging, and essentials to the African American community.
Retired Military/Educator
ATL 2022
I started a book club (Turning Pages) and Ms. Jenkins’s first book we shared was. Bring on the Blessing. After that, we all fell in love with Ms. Jenkins and now reading On the Corner of Hope and Main and we love it. Which books that are in middle should be our next book. We love her writing and the characters of Henry Adams.