Blessings

On Bernadine Brown's fifty-second birthday she received an unexpected gift-she caught her husband, Leo, cheating with his secretary. She was hurt-angry, too-but she didn't cry woe is me. Nope, she hired herself a top-notch lawyer and ended up with a cool $275 million. Having been raised in the church, she knew that when much is given much is expected, so she asked God to send her a purpose. The purpose turned out to be a town: Henry Adams, Kansas, one of the last surviving townships founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. The failing town had put itself up for sale on the Internet, so Bernadine bought it. Trent July is the mayor, and watching the town of his birth slide into debt and foreclosure is about the hardest thing he's ever done. When the buyer comes to town, he's impressed by her vision, strength, and the hope she wants to offer not only to the town and its few remaining residents, but to a handful of kids in desperate need of a second chance. Not everyone in town wants to get on board though; they don't want change. But Bernadine and Trent, along with his first love, Lily Fontaine, are determined to preserve the town's legacy while ushering in a new era with ties to its unique past and its promising future.

"A story done in a way that only Beverly Jenkins can do. Simply superb!"-New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson "[A] heartwarming story of love, community, and family….Bring on the Blessings is a tasty reading confection that you'll savor long after the story ends." -Angela Benson, author of The Amen Sisters Beverly Jenkins, the bestselling author of Bring on the Blessings, returns readers to the enchanting Kansas town of Henry Adams for A Second Helping of love, laughter, and mayhem. Filling her poignant and wonderful tale with a cast of endearingly eccentric characters-and setting it against the rich historical backdrop that has become her trademark-Jenkins ("A superstar" -Detroit Free Press) delights from page one. Kimberla Lawson Roby fans take note: A Second Helping is supremely satisfying fare…and you'll definitely be ready for thirds!

Beloved bestselling author Beverly Jenkins introduced readers to the delightful town of Henry Adams and its unforgettable residents in Bring on the Blessings and returned for another visit in A Second Helping. Now she brings us back to the people we have grown to love in Something Old, Something New-this time for a long-awaited wedding that will live forever in our hearts! Already one of the premier names in African-American historical romance fiction and thrilling contemporary romantic suspense, Jenkins is a wonderfully versatile storyteller who enchants with this poignant, heartwarming, and funny tale about the joys and trials of a uniquely endearing community that fans of Kimberla Lawson Roby and Angela Benson will especially appreciate.

"Returning to Henry Adams, Kansas, is akin to attending a family reunion. The characters are rich, and the kids all have a story to be told." -Romantic Times "This series is a winner." -Minneapolis Examiner Bestselling author Beverly Jenkins takes readers back to Henry Adams-a small town originally founded by freed slaves-for a delightful fourth visit with A Wish and a Prayer. Time spent in this close-knit community of lovable eccentrics is always quality time, and this trip promises to be especially memorable, with a pig on trial and new love blossoming. Loaded with heart and wit, Jenkins's A Wish and a Prayer is like coming home-a welcome return that readers of Kimberla Lawson Roby and Angela Benson and African American romance fans will certainly want to experience.

NAACP nominee and bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to the charming town of Henry Adams, Kansas-a place that always feels like home-in this heartwarming story of family, friendship, and the surprises hidden in our lives. Henry Adams has had its fair share of drama ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town with her divorce settlement. Now just when things are starting to settle down, it's about to get crazy again . . . Cephas Patterson doesn't just want to be left alone-if you dare step onto his property, he'll meet you with a shotgun and a warning to stay away from his gold. He reminds Zoey of the lonely time she spent living on the streets, so she quietly begins leaving him small offerings. But then Cephas dies and leaves a saddlebag of gold-to Zoey. And that's not all. Zoey's parents are going through a trial separation, her former BFF Devon is giving her fits, and friend Crystal has run away from home. Then there's Bernadine's mean-spirited baby sister who has arrived unexpectedly, and an ongoing battle with a neighboring town is about to heat up. Will Henry Adams ever be the same again?

NAACP nominee and bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to Henry Adams, Kansas-an unforgettable place that anyone would want to call home-with a story of family, friends, and the powerful forces from our past that can irrevocably shape our future. Mayor Trent July and his wife Lily are enjoying life as newlyweds and embracing the challenges and joys that come with being foster parents to two wonderful boys. But being a foster father has inevitably forced him to think about his own birth mother. Raised by his grandmother Tamar-and in many ways the good people of Henry Adams-Trent was blessed with a childhood full of love. But now he can't help wondering what happened to the scared teenage girl who handed him over to Tamar. And questions that he's never voiced are now begging to be answered: Who was she? Is she still alive? Why didn't she want him? Trent has always believed no good comes from dwelling on the past, especially when you have a loving family, a strong community, and folks who depend on him. But when the past comes to Henry Adams and Trent has no choice but to face it-and the woman who left him behind. The truth will shake his very being and everything he thought he knew about life, love, and the bonds that hold families together…yet can also tear them apart.

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to the town of Henry Adams with a story of family, friendship, love, and second chances. In Henry Adams, Kansas, you can't start over without stirring things up . . . Many a good woman has had to leave a no-good man, but how many of them took a back-seat to his 600-lb. hog? On her own for the first time, Genevieve Gibbs is ecstatic, even if certain people preferred the doormat version of Ms. Gibbs. Finding someone who appreciates the "new" her has only just hit Gen's to-do list when T.C. Barbour appears in her life. A tiny Kansas town is a far cry from his native Oakland, California, but it's just the change T. C. needs. While helping his divorced nephew acclimate to single fatherhood, T. C. lands a gig driving a limo for the most powerful woman in Henry Adams. It's a great way to meet people-and one in particular has already made the job worthwhile. All it takes is a short trip from the airport for Genevieve to snag T.C.'s attention for good. But it wouldn't be Henry Adams without adding more drama to the mix. When Gen's ex Riley returns with his hog in tow, it sets off a chain of events that can ruin everything-unless the residents pull together once again to save the day.

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins continues her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel about what really makes a family. There's never a dull day in Henry Adams, Kansas. Tamar July has never had a great relationship with certain members of her family. In fact, she'd characterize it as a "hate/hate relationship." But when her cousin calls her with the news that she's dying and wants Tamar to plan the funeral, she's shocked but is willing to drop everything for her. After a horrendous storm, Gemma finds a young boy and his little sister walking on the side of the road. She takes them in, and quickly falls in love with the orphaned siblings. But when Gemma contacts Social Services to try to become their foster mother, she's told a white woman cannot foster African-American children. In the midst of these trials, Jack and Rocky are trying to plan their wedding. The entire town comes together to lend a helping hand. Though the residents of Henry Adams face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, each of them will discover that family comes in many forms, especially during the most trying of times.

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins continues her beloved Blessings series with a new heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas. Malachi "Mal" July has run into trouble in the past. With a reputation as a player, he's now a recovering alcoholic and has made progress in redeeming himself in the eyes of his family and the citizens of Henry Adams, Kansas. He's not only turned his diner into a profitable business, but also mentors the town's foster kids. And he's even staying true to one woman-Bernadine Brown. But all it takes is a moment of pride to blind Mal to his blessings-a moment that makes him betray his friends and family, and lose Bernadine's trust and love. Will he ever be able to win her forgiveness? Meanwhile Homecoming Weekend is fast approaching, and store owner Gary Clark is reunited with his high school sweetheart. All it takes is a few minutes for them to realize the spark is still there, but is it too late for second chances? A little help from the good people of Henry Adams may give both Mal and Gary the best second chance at the happiness they missed the first time around...

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins celebrates her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas. "If you haven't yet gotten your hands on [this] author's work, you should do so immediately."-Shondaland Citizens of Henry Adams, Kansas, know there's never a dull moment in their small town… Trent July has been the mayor of this historic town for the past four years, but now he's ready to let someone else take up the mantle. Barrett Payne, a former Marine, decides he wants the job. But when a surprise candidate also enters the ring, the town has opinions on who would be the best candidate. And of course that's not the only drama, as Malachi "Mal" July continues to make reparations for the damage he's caused and to the people he's betrayed, especially his lady love Bernadine. Is she finally ready to forgive him and let the past go? As the residents of Henry Adams have learned, life will throw obstacles their way, but it's how they come together and rise above these challenges that keep the bonds of their close-knit community strong.

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to her beloved Blessings series with a Christmas wedding in the town of Henry Adams, Kansas. Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi "Mal" July has had its share of ups and downs. But now they're finally ready to say "I do." Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing, and families both local and extended begin to gather for the festivities, that long awaited walk down the aisle begins to look like an obstacle course. But Mal and Bernadine's relationship isn't the only one being tested. Amari, one of the original foster kids who found a home in Henry Adams, takes stock of how far he's come, especially with the help of his best friend Brain. But now he worries what may happen to their friendship when Brain goes off to college next year. And when Amari's birth mother decides she wants to spend Christmas with her son, bringing with her plenty of drama, the town and its people must come together and remember the real meaning of the holidays.

NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins celebrates her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas. "If you haven't yet gotten your hands on [this] author's work, you should do so immediately."-Shondaland Tamar July, town matriarch of Henry Adams, KS, is being haunted by dreams of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago, when she discovered her intended, Joel Newton, was already married. The truth left her furious, heartbroken, and carrying a child, her son Malachi "Mal" July. Why are these dreams coming to her now? And is the great horned owl perched on her backyard shed somehow connected? When Joel's legitimate son comes to Henry Adams wanting to meet his half-brother, Mal, Tamar must deal with her past, her anger, and explore what it means to truly forgive. Tamar isn't the only one being tested. Teenager Devon July wants to be anyone but himself. When he first arrived in Henry Adams, as an eight-year-old foster child, he wanted to be a preacher. Then, to be like his adopted brother, Amari. Now, he's decided to be a variant of James Brown-wig included-rather than who he really is, a boy who lost his beloved grandmother and is the son of a mentally challenged woman. Will Tamar be able to guide his spirit quest and place him on the road to finally being at peace within himself? As the big August 1st celebration nears, town owner Bernadine Brown has a lot on her plate, chief among them, what to do with former mayor Riley Curry's monstrous tribute to his hog Cletus. There are no secrets in Henry Adams, but there's never a dull moment either. "This storytelling is uplifting and engaging and proves it really does take a village." - Al Roker on Beverly Jenkins's Blessings series "Jenkins' signature heart and meticulous character-work gets a holiday boost of cheer in A Christmas to Remember." - Entertainment Weekly "Jenkins's characters come to vivid life, and the town is as well developed as those who live there... Henry Adams remains a place of faith where marriages deepen and relationships are mended. This is the best of the series so far." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) for On the Corner of Hope and Main "Each page in Jenkins's unique series offers insight into human nature within a well written adventure. In Henry Adams, people are offered second chances and forgiveness, with a check on foolishness. Readers will wish they could live there." - Booklist (starred review) for On the Corner of Hope and Main