Three new Whitaker House urban romances are nearing the top of the Black Christian News national best-sellers list. Tia McCollors' Friday Night Love placed at No. 2 on the May list, while Pat Simmons’ No Easy Catch landed at No. 3 the same month. On the June list, Vanessa Miller’s Feels Like Heaven debuted at No. 3 upon its release last week.

“I think this is a good indication urban fiction lovers are giving the new Whitaker House romances a big thumbs-up,” said Whitaker House President Bob Whitaker Jr. “It’s good news for readers, too, because each book is the first in a series, so there will be plenty of good reading to look forward to in the coming months.”

Whitaker said the decision to triple the company’s African-American romance titles this spring was driven by the success of Miller’s previous books, a desire to serve what he considers to be an “underserved fan base in a growing market” and, most of all, to reach souls for Christ.

“Vanessa showed us much more than sales figures with her previous books—she demonstrated a heartfelt passion to share the gospel with readers regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation,” Whitaker said. “When she tours, Vanessa fearlessly steps outside the safety of the Christian book world, broadening her potential audience by speaking and signing books in community centers, urban libraries, schools, colleges and military bases.”

Whitaker said the company had sought and found in Simmons and McCollors veteran authors with Miller’s sense of mission and excellent writing skills.

“It wasn’t a surprise to learn these three authors are friends, support each other’s work and often tour together,” he said.

Simmons and Miller recently appeared together at the Romance Slam Jam in New Orleans, and McCollors and Miller will be Whitaker House featured authors at the International Christian Retail Show this month in Atlanta.

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