Announcing the Release of Balance: A Crown & Glory Lesbian Love Story

I’m thrilled to announce the release of my newest novel, Balance: A Crown & Glory Lesbian Love Story. This book stretched me as a writer in ways I did not expect. It is an enemies-to-lovers romance, but different from the usual trope—because Black women love differently, argue differently, and heal differently.

In our lived experience, Black women cannot afford to be enemies in public. The world is already watching, judging, and misunderstanding. Our conflicts tend to happen behind closed doors, after work, in private spaces away from prying eyes. And when tensions rise, they often come from deeper places:

• competing for visibility

• scarcity of opportunity

• exhaustion

• fear

• jealousy

• generational differences regarding survival tactics

• and the unanswered longing to be seen

Why this story was difficult (and necessary)

Writing Imani and Saffron’s dynamic forced me to put words to two very real Black-woman worldviews.

Imani is from the generation that had to be twice as good for half the acknowledgment.
Who played by the rules in systems designed to break them.
Who aimed for perfection because anything less was used against them.
Who proved and proved and proved themselves, only to watch positions of leadership go to less qualified white men.

I know this reality deeply. It is dispiriting. It is soul-wearing.
I understood Imani intimately.

Saffron, on the other hand, represents the shift happening now.
She is creating her own lane, building her own platforms, crafting a life that does not depend on institutional acceptance. To someone like Imani—and someone like me—that kind of freedom can feel risky. Unstructured. Flimsy. Rootless. But Saffron’s work, creativity, and courage are real, and her pathway requires its own brand of discipline and resilience.

Their conflict is not petty.
It is philosophical.
It is generational.
It is born from survival.

And yet…
Like so many Black women throughout history, they eventually learn to complement one another, trust one another, and build something powerful together. Side by side, they are far less likely to be exploited or overlooked. Together, their energy becomes synergistic—greater than the sum of their parts.

We have seen this in history countless times:

• The women’s suffrage movement stalled until Black women joined the fight.

• The civil rights movement gained power because Black women propelled it with labor, strategy, creativity, and grit.

• Progress moves forward when Black women stand shoulder to shoulder.

What makes Balance distinct from my other books

This novel includes more humor—genuine, belly-deep, Sisterhood-style humor. There’s even a nod to classical Greek literature through the salon “chorus,” which comments, meddles, and provides comedic relief throughout the story. I experimented with tone, dialogue, pace, and emotional tension in a new way. I hope you find the result refreshing, tender, funny, and deeply human.

Subscriber Bonus: Exclusive Spotify Playlists

As a special thank-you to my newsletter subscribers, I created four custom Spotify playlists:

🎧 Imani-Balance: Crown & Glory Spotify Playlist — structured, smooth, and grown
🎧 Saffron-Balance: Crown & Glory Spotify Playlist — boho, vibey, and chaotic good
🎧 Quiet Storm-Balance: Crown & Glory Spotify Playlist— for grown-woman …um, affection
🎧 Celeste's Aux Crimes-Balance: Crown & Glory Spotify Playlist— listen at your own risk!
(Absolutely not safe for work unless you’re trying to get written up!)

Each playlist captures the energy, essence, and emotional world of the characters. I’ll be creating playlists for future books as well and will send them as they’re ready.

Thinking of Adding Recipes

Many readers have asked for recipes from the Crown & Glory universe. The Sisterhood fellowships around food, after all. And food builds culture, comfort, and community. So don’t be surprised if future newsletters include special recipes straight from the salon kitchen.

Mark Your Calendar: FREE eBook Days

Balance will be FREE on Amazon: December 18, 19, and 20.

Please download your copy, share the news, and—if the story moves you—leave a review. I read every single one.

Your support keeps this series alive and growing.

Thank you for welcoming these characters into your life, for loving these Black women, and for allowing me to write the stories of my heart.

With deep appreciation and gratitude,

Zuri Amara