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Dr. Bria Adams, a burnt-out African-American literature professor, has spent years studying cultural traditions she no longer feels connected to. When a mandatory sabbatical forces her out of ivory tower isolation, she volunteers at the Umoja Cultural Center to facilitate Kwanzaa workshops-and collides with Makasi Lukeni Mutombo, the center's passionate director who challenges everything about her academic approach. Their fierce debates over scholarship versus lived experience, theory versus practice, ignite both intellectual sparks and undeniable romantic attraction as they clash over how to honor African-American cultural traditions.
Through seven workshops exploring Kwanzaa's Nguzo Saba principles, Bria transforms from distant observer to engaged community member, discovering authentic connection and purpose she never found in academia. But when the university offers her a prestigious position at sabbatical's end, she must choose between the security she once craved and building something real with Makasi and a community that's become home-risking her career, her future, and her carefully guarded heart to belong somewhere that truly matters.
Sometimes the most revolutionary act is choosing to belong.
A heartwarming romance about finding purpose through community, bridging worlds that seem impossibly far apart, and discovering that the most rigorous scholarship happens when you're brave enough to practice what you teach.
Perfect for readers who love community-centered romance, cultural celebration, intellectual connection, and stories where love and purpose are inseparable.
Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Closed Door Romance
Slow Burn Romance
Workplace Romance
Found Family
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Barbara Howard is a mystery, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance author based in Northeast Ohio with a passion for creating stories that delve into complex relationships and hidden truths. Her works often explore themes of love, trust, and the past's influence on the present. With extensive experience as a Department of Defense/Pentagon Project Manager, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music, Ms. Howard brings a unique perspective to her writing. Now back in her hometown, she spends her days treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.
