Hey Love Letter Collectors 💌,

May was everything I hoped it would be and more.

This month reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. I had the incredible honor of being a featured author at Black Romance Book Fest in Atlanta, Georgia, and my heart is still full from the experience. From meeting readers who have embraced my stories, to connecting with fellow authors, content creators, and industry professionals, every moment felt like a reminder that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be.

May also brought the release of Collateral Love into the world, and watching Zayden and Kenya's story find its way into readers' hands has been such a rewarding experience. As always, I'm grateful for every preorder, every review, every recommendation, and every person who chooses to spend time with my characters.

Book Updates

 

Chanel’s Interlude is Coming

Something new is on the horizon 💜 Collateral Love is coming June 30th.

Patreon & Substack got to experience Chanel’s story in April & May. I wasn’t planning on adding it to Kindle but Jordanaé and Gee poured into me during their TikTok live and mentioned that they believe everyone deserves to experience Chanel’s journey through grief, loss, and refinding herself. 

About Chanel’s Interlude

Chanel thought love would be enough. But after Xavier is taken from her, everything she believed in begins to unravel. Forced into silence and separation, she is pushed into a life she never chose, one where grief has no language and loss has no closure.

In the years that follow, Chanel does what she must to survive. She buries herself in distractions, chasing numbness through reckless nights and empty connections. But even in her darkest moments, the echoes of what she lost, and the girl she used to be, never fully fades.

When she meets Charles, he offers her something Xavier never could—stability, structure, and a future that makes sense. With his help, she rebuilds her life from the outside in, earning her place in law school, becoming a prosecutor, and eventually a wife and mother. To the world, she has everything she once dreamed of.

But fulfillment and truth are not the same.

Audiobook Spotlight

 

I'm so excited to share that 1:09 AM is coming to audio, narrated by the incredibly talented Harper Wilde and Winston James.

If you've been with me for a while, then you already know how much this story means to me. Princess A and her journey to explore her sexual liberation holds a special place in my heart, and knowing that readers will soon be able to experience every emotion, every moment of vulnerability, and every ounce of chemistry through audio is something I still haven't fully wrapped my mind around.

There is something magical about hearing characters you've carried for so long come to life. The tension feels sharper. The emotions hit deeper. The quiet moments linger a little longer.

And with Harper and Winston behind the microphone, I already know they're going to bring something truly special to this story.

What I’ve Been Reading

I had an amazing time reading in May!

Here’s what I tapped into this month:

• Stalking Lauren by Tessa Stone
• Saving Jacob by Tessa Stone
• Finding Claude by Tessa Stone
• Loving Amir by Tessa Stone
• The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha Thomas
• Finding My Way by Kiriah Kache
• Unexpected Pass by A. Blossom 
• Rah by Jessica N. Watkins

BRBF Recap 

Black Romance Book Fest owes me NOTHING. 🥹

As a new Black author, I could not have imagined the amount of love I experienced this weekend. Every hug, every “I’ve been waiting to meet you,” every reader who stopped by my table, every book signed, every conversation, every smile… It all reminded me that I am exactly where I belong.

Over the weekend, I sold 499 books with the help of the best author assistant Cookie✨ With also the help of my emotional support humans my husband, Jazz, Linds and Keli & Tee from Tomfoolery The Pod 💙

The readers this weekend helped feed my family, but more than that, y’all helped feed my dream. You poured into me in a way I will never forget.

And beyond the love from readers, the opportunities BRBF created for authors were unmatched. From pitching to audiobook companies to connecting with traditional publishers, this weekend was a reminder of what happens when Black entrepreneurs realize we don’t have a seat at the table and decide to build our own.

The BRBF team created space, access, opportunity, and community. I am forever grateful.

To every reader who showed up for me, every author who encouraged me, every vendor, every organizer, every person who made this weekend what it was. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Gratitude Always

This month, my gratitude feels bigger than usual.

Maybe it's because I spent a weekend surrounded by readers at Black Romance Book Fest. Maybe it's because I got to watch Collateral Love make its way into the world and hit the top 50 on multiple Amazon charts. Maybe it's because every time I look up, one of you is recommending a book, leaving a review, posting a quote, or telling a friend about my stories.

Whatever the reason, I don't take any of it for granted.

Thank you for every preorder.

Thank you for every review.

Thank you for every conversation at my signing table.

Thank you for every hug, every photo, every tag, every message, and every chance you take on one of my books.

Being an author can feel like sitting alone with a blinking cursor for months at a time. Then moments like May happen, and I'm reminded that these stories belong to all of us now.

Thank you for allowing my words a place on your shelves, in your earbuds, in your group chats, and in your hearts.

You are the reason I get to keep doing what I love, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Events / Where to Find Me

 

Closing Message

Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. I’ll see you at the end of June with another wrap up 🤎

Follow me on all of my socials 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lbgainestheauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LB-Gaines/61578740271428/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Fs8TzKSay/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lbgainestheauthor

Substack: https://lbgainestheauthor.substack.com/

With Love 💋, 

L.B. Gaines