This southern songbird has werked styles as versatile as her voice. Short and sweet or long and luxurious, she’s authentically Monica.

DIAMOND LIFE

By Aliya S. King

Alex Maxwell and her husband Birdie are enjoying his new-found fame as a multi-platinum-selling rapper. Groupies, a reality show, split allegiances and other traps of fame threaten the principles they vowed to hold onto as a couple.

A follow-up to King’s debut novel, Platinum, Diamond Life has the kind of storyline familiar to anyone who watches VH1′s prime-time reality shows.

But King adds enough surprises to remind her readers that even a familiar soap opera plot still bumps with energy when the soundtrack is really good.- RAKIA CLARK

LOVE IN A CARRY ON BAG

By Sadeqa Johnson

Erica and Warren have one of those love affairs where he “dips his lips” toward her and she “falls against him like syrup.”Rarely is intimacy in contemporary fiction this sexy without getting raunchy.

But lest things get too sweet, her new job in New York and his job in D.C. threaten to keep the bluesy duo apart. Throw in the additional nuance of family obligations and professional ambitions, and this very realistic novel is worthy of attention. -RAKIA CLARK

TERRELL MULLIN, makeup artist to the stars, has worked on some of the fiercest faces fashion, music, and television.

Although MULLIN is the cousin of America’s Next Top Model‘s EVA MARCILLE, he used his skills and hardwork as a makeup artist to become a prominent force in makeup.

The makeup pro caught up with Juicy to share some beauty tips to live by.

THE REVEREND’S WIFE

By Kimberla Lawson Roby

Reverend Curtis Black is back! The best-selling series- first published in 2000- centers around the good rev, his third and current wife Charlotte, and their ongoing struggle to stay saved, stay married and stay faithful.

Both Curtis and Charlotte have  had trouble with that last one. This time, it is Curtis’ turn to forgive. But with two dalliances to look past this time, he isn’t feeling very Christian-like.

Meanwhile, another woman has entered Curtis’ life, and she’d love nothing more than to be the fourth Mrs. Black.

It’s safe to say this will be Roby’s 10th best seller.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA

By Vanessa and Helen Williams

This tome covers a lot of ground, not that anyone is more than mildly interested in Vanessa Williams’ relationship with the woman who birthed her. (We were hoping Whitney and Cissy Houston would do that.)

Some of the dirt is so dated (hello, Miss America scandal) that few people under 35 will get it.

Still, it was pleasant to read Mama Williams’ account of her wild, hardheaded daughter’s road to fame and wiser, calmer waters. Their push-pull relationship is a mirror for countless mother-daughter duos with similar growing pains.

Armed with nearly two decades of experience, makeup artist SAM FINE is the celebrities go-to guy.

The makeup up mogul to stars like IMAN and JENNIFER HUDSON caught up with Juicy to share his expertise.

Beauty is in PAT SUMPTER-DAVIS’ blood.




As a beauty vet with 20 years in the game, Davis prides herself on developing real, one-on-one relationships with clients. Her goal is to help women understand…

ADA’S RULES

By Alice Randal

Ada is a married mother who has given so much to her (possibly) adulterous preacher husband, adult daughters, and career that she has neglected herself and put on 100 pounds since graduating from college.

When she receives an announcement about her 25 year college reunion, signed with a personalized wink from her former sweetheart, she begins a long weight-loss journey.

The author (Randall also penned The Wind Done Gone, a retelling of Gone With the Wind) lost 70 pounds while writing this book and does little to disguise it as a 300-pluss page PSA for exercising and healthy eating. But Randall does manage to give you a spoonful of sugar with medicine.