In this episode of Urban Whispers: LaCie Knight Chronicles, LaCie and Sloane are talking audiobooks, book festivals, Black romance, and the books that have been keeping them busy.

LaCie shares her experience at the Bronx Book Festival during Juneteenth weekend, including seeing S.A. Cosby, Kennedy Ryan, Tiffany D. Jackson, Natasha Bishop, and other authors in a space that felt deeply rooted in New York's literary community. She also reflects on why supporting Black authors, local bookstores, libraries, and reader-centered spaces matters.

Sloane breaks down her return to audiobook life after dealing with Kindle app issues, WhisperSync problems, narrator preferences, and the great audiobook speed debate. From there, the episode turns into a full reader chat covering mafia romance, hockey romance, second-chance love, toxic but entertaining men, secret baby tropes, fated mates, and paranormal romance.

Books and authors discussed include elle kayson, Alexandria House, Nek Mills, Asia Monique, Tatum James, Tiffany Patterson, Shai August, Jaquel J., Kami Holt, and more.

The episode also includes updates on the podcast's upcoming summer schedule, plans to bring in more library-centered conversations, and a reminder to support the bookish spaces doing real work in the community.

Books & Series Discussed

Asia Monique

• "Mafia Misfits" series (the whole run)
• "Wyatt" (the side book)

Alexandria House

• "Goal," "Holding," and "Assist" (the St. Louis Sires series)
• "Let Me Love You"
• "Lilith" and "Memphis" (the Three Kings books)

Nek Mills

• "Cuffed by a Certified Maniac," "Loved by a Certified Maniac," "Desired by a Maniac"

Tatum James

• "To Have and Hold: Faking Love"

Jaquel J.

• "Demon's Dream"
• "Crack Money Cocaine Dreams"
• "Rich and Rotten"

elle kayson

• "Real Love" and "Reclaiming Love" (the Emancipation, Louisiana series)

Tiffany Patterson

• "Chosen," "Wanted," "Forsaken," and "Taken" (the Nightwolf Pack series)

Shai August

• "The Shifter Bachelor" (The Rare and The Unknown series)

This week on Urban Whispers, LaCie and Sloan are back with a packed episode full of books, mess, romance, and Black bookish joy.

LaCie recaps her experience at the Black Romance Book Festival, from the author panels and signed canvases to the crowds, the chaos, the R&B kickback, and the beautiful reminder that Black women readers are going to show up and show out for the authors they love.

Then we get into the reads. LaCie talks about "Rah" by Jessica N. Watkins and why Rah may be one of the most trifling characters ever put on a page. Sloan finishes The Dillinger Chronicles by Kimberly Brown and breaks down the family drama, favorite characters, kidnapping chaos, and why Mia had everybody stressed.

We also talk paranormal romance, IR romance, old-school urban fiction, fake dating books, and authors you may want to add to your TBR.

Books and series discussed in this episode:

• Rah by Jessica N. Watkins
• Secrets of a Side Bitch by Jessica N. Watkins
• The Dillinger Chronicles by Kimberly Brown
• Deuce by Kimberly Brown
• Beyond Measures by Kimberly Brown
• Where Secrets Find Solace by Kimberly Brown
• As Luck Would Have It by Drea Anderson
• The DeLuca Brothers Saga by Takara
• Too Many One Nights by Takara
• Juke by Takara
• Treacherous Twins series by Natasha Rainer
• Carried Away by Natasha Rainer
• Justice by Natasha Rainer
• Big Bad Wolf by Mel Dau
• S.O.L. / Save Our Love by Kami
• Love Script by Tiffany Ashley
• Night Wolf Pack series by Tiffany Patterson
• Townsend series by Tiffany Patterson
• Drama Queen Saga by LaJill Hunt
• G-Spot by Noire
• The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
• Ride With Me duology by Joy Deja King
• Can’t Block My Love by Xavier Neal
• The Hockey Gods series by Xavier Neal
• Tiny Truths by Tara Lynn Mitchell
• Rosa Oaks series by Tara Lynn Mitchell
• Stolen Love by Aubrey J.
• Heat Seekers by Zane

Authors also mentioned:

Zane, K.C. Mills, Kennedy Ryan, Jahquel J., Evelyn Latrice, Alexandria House, Masterpiece, Kami Hope, Brenda Jackson, Wahida Clark, Ashley Antoinette, Keisha Ervin, T-Styles, Noire, LaJill Hunt, Chanel Parker, Monroe Writes, and Shelf Addiction.

Full old school author list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12QpRBgtPZ-vXoCnU3tuDUOjgDSZyMKMjwsP6XebEwv0/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Want more Black romance and bookish goodies?
Check out ReadHer Book Box using LaCie’s referral link: https://readherbookbox.com/?ref=LaCieKnight

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and tell us which character had you ready to throw the book across the room.

LaCie and Sloane hop on live to test out StreamYard, but of course the conversation turns into a full bookish breakdown.

With Black Romance Book Festival less than a week away, they talk through what they’re currently reading, the chaos of Kindle WhisperSync, Kimberly Brown’s "Dillinger Family" series, reckless heroines, complicated men, toxic relationship dynamics, and the books that have stayed with them over time.

From Beverly Jenkins’ "Indigo" to D.A. Young’s "Sweet Obsession", Brenda Jackson’s connected family worlds, Chenell Parker’s "When It Comes Back Around", and Keisha Irvin’s "Torn", this episode is part reading update, part book club debate, and part love letter to Black women authors who know how to write unforgettable romance.