Sheila Williams Books In Order

Publication Order of SheilaWilliams Standalone Novels

Sheila Williams
Sheila Williams is an author and has contributed to “A Letter for My Mother”, selected and edited by Nina Foxx. She’s been commissioned as the librettist for Fierce, which is an original opera composed by William Menefield for the Cincinnati Opera’s 100th season in 2020.

“Dancing on the Edge of the Roof” was adapted into a movie that dropped on Netflix, called “Juanita”. It starred Alfre Woodard, Blair Underwood, and Adam Beach.

“Dancing on the Edge of the Roof” is the first stand alone novel and was released in 2002. Juanita Lewis is running away from home at 41, courtesy of this one way ticket to Montana, which is a place that seems to be as far away from the poverty and violence of the Columbus, Ohio projects as the moon is. She’s looking for excitement and adventure, if such things even exist for a pre-menopausal African American woman with three already grown, deadbeat kids.

Juanita’s new life in Paper Moon, Montana starts at this local diner where this culinary face off with Jess Gardiner (chef and owner) finds Juanita in front of Jess’ stove and serving up some home cooking which lures in townsfolk just like a magic spell. And all of a sudden Juanita, who was merely passing through, now has got a job by popular demand.

Her heart can no longer hide, out here in this wide-open space, particularly once she sees herself through the eyes of the eccentric and wonderful people of this down-to-earth town. She is happy as can be in Paper Moon, she has found a home for herself, but can she actually stay? Then there is Jess. She has dreamed of romance, however never once she ever plan on ever falling in love.

“The Shade of My Own Tree” is the second stand alone novel and was released in 2003. Women surviving the worst that life can throw at them, and fight back in order to claim their right to be themselves, to be free, and live in.

The courage to change does not come easy at all. Opal Sullivan walks out on her abusive husband after 15 years, she’s just got her dreams in her back pocket. Her new start begins in Appalachian River country, where she sees a bit of herself in this graceful yet dilapidated house. Just like Opal, the place is worn out and a bit beaten up, however it still stands proudly and is deserving a second chance.

So Opal opens up her doors (as well as her heart) to this parade of unforgettable characters. There is short tempered Gloria and her son Troy, the sassy Bette Smith with her cantaloupe colored hair and four inch heels. The mysterious Dana, who dresses in all black and keeps exclusively nocturnal hours. Jack who never minds hanging out with an old black broad with a major attitude, and a dog named Bear that’s afraid of his own shadow. It’s Jack that winds up helping Opal understand this funny thing about life: you cannot move forward if continue looking back.

“On the Right Side of a Dream” features Juanita Lewis again and was released in 2005. Juanita first arrived in Paper Moon, Montana, thanks to a Greyhound bus, she was only looking for a short respite. But instead, she found friends, a home, and a man to love. However this leave-your-attitude-by-the-door woman made herself a promise, one she intends to keep. Now that she’s got a place to return to, she wants to see the rest of the world.

Taking a trip out West with Peaches, her eccentric trucker friend, leads to a cooking stint at this new age spa for skinny celebrities. Crazy yet it’s here that she decides to take her talents for cooking to a whole new level, and make it a dream. She also learns something about how it will turn out the way you planned, but be ready to change the plan just a few times along the way.

Right when her journey starts, she gets called back to Paper Moon, just having inherited this slightly haunted and old B&B, along with this huge pile of choices. There is her irresponsible and self centered daughter that insists that she get some sense and return home to Columbus, and son that is doing these things she just cannot bear to even think about. So how does this middle aged black woman from the projects possibly follow her heart when it is heading in all these different directions? By asking the right questions and then listening with her own soul.

“Girls Most Likely” is the third stand alone novel and was released in 2006. From the fifth grade all the way to their fifth decade, Susan, Vaughn, Reenie, and Audrey share these dreams and secrets with one another. Their lives being connected like silk threads through rich fabric, pulling yet never breaking at life’s unexpected turns and twists. Meet the girls that are most likely.

To Run the World. Audrey is the ultimate overachiever, however this takes a rather devastating toll on her health, her family, and her career. Perfection is a race where the finish line continues to move. What will she sacrifice to win?

To Be Famous. Susan, out of the ashes of a ravaged home life, amid some rumors and bad feelings, rises to fame as this glamorous network anchorwoman, and proves that success is the absolute best revenge. Forgiveness however is a whole other matter.

To Write the Great American Novel. Vaughn has got a flair for words which makes her the unofficial diplomat of the group. She’s great at keeping it all together for everyone. Except herself.

To Marry a Prince. Sassy Reenie is able to break hearts just as easily as she can take a bully out without ever breaking a nail. However her live-for-today attitude leads to this tragic mistake that’ll haunt the ladies for years.

This is an uplifting, emotional, and often hilarious glimpse into the lives of today’s ever-changing African American woman, each sustained by laughter, love, and sisterhood.