Episodes

  • Stewards of the Wilds: How Analeigh Sbrana Empowers Through Fantasy
    Dec 25 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes Sunday Times Bestselling author Analeigh Sbrana to the pod!

    We talk about her duology "Lore of the Wilds" and "Lore of the Tides", the power of Black heroines discovering their own magic, and how courage, stewardship of the land, and community create opportunities for freedom and belonging.

    Fantasy and romantasy lovers, especially those who appreciate stories centered on Black girlhood, identity, and representation, this episode is for you!

    Lore of the Wilds

    Lore of the Tides

    Make sure you pick up the Lore duology from where you get your books!

    Follow Us:

    @butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.com

    Follow & Find Analeigh Sbrana:

    analeighsbrana.com | @analeighsbrana

    Shop With Us:

    Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIB

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

     Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

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    47 mins
  • "You Wanted a Worshipper, Not a Wife": Dominion with Addie E. Citchens
    Dec 11 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes Addie E. Citchens, inaugural recipient of the Farrar, Straus and Giroux Writer's Fellowship and debut author, to the pod! We talk about her novel Dominion, the cost of maintaining false narratives, and how women become the custodians of family reputation and community silence in the Black church.

    Perfect for readers who appreciate stories centered on Black womanhood, Southern life, faith, complicity, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Make sure you pick up Dominion from where you get your books!

    Follow Us:

    @butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.com

    Follow & Find Addie E. Citchens:

    addiecitchens.com | @addiecitchens

    Shop With Us:

    Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIB

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

    Keeping healing...but make it books. Peace y'all

    Mentioned in this episode:

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

     Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

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    53 mins
  • Under the Neon Lights: Big Names, Belonging, and Black Girlhood with Arriel Vinson
    Oct 9 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes Arriel Vinson, Reese's Book Club LitUp Fellow and debut author, to the pod! We talk about her novel-in-verse, "Under the Neon Lights", the power of Black girls with big names, and how change—whether it's gentrification, divorce, or growing up—creates opportunities for freedom and belonging.

    YA lovers, especially those who appreciate stories centered on Black girlhood, identity, and community, this episode is for you! Make sure you pick up "Under the Neon Lights" from where you get your books!

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find Arriel Vinson: arriwrites.com & @arriwrites

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

     Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

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    45 mins
  • Where There's Smoke, There's Love...(w/ Aricka Alexander)
    Sep 11 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes Aricka Alexander, Young Adult Romance & Queer Adult Romance writer, to the pod! We talk about her newest release, "Where There's Smoke", growing up in the South, and how love is driving force for what we do and inspiration that we find right in front of us.

    Romance lovers, especially my sapphic romance lovers, this episode is for you! Make sure you pick up "Where There's Smoke" from where you get your books!

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find Aricka Alexander: instagram & website

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    African Ancestry

    We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

    African Ancestry

    The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

     Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Villains, Heroes, and Last Women Standing... w/K.Powell
    Aug 29 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes K.Powell, a thriller writer you need to know about! We talk about her newest release, Say I Do and explore the lines between love, obsession, possession, and what it means to be the last woman standing.

    Thriller lovers, this episode is for you! Make sure you pick up "Say I Do" from where you get your books!

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find K.Powell: instagram & website

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

     Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

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    36 mins
  • Second Chances & Redemption...(w/Tanvier Peart)
    Aug 14 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes Tanvier Peart, social advocate by day and giving us the feels at night! We talk about her newest release, Tender Offer and explore second chances, redemption, growth, social advocacy layered in romances, and cinnamon role main characters.

    You won't regret listening to this conversation. Make sure you pick up "Tender Offer" from where you get your books!

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find Tanvier Peart: instagram & website

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

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    49 mins
  • Romance as Medicine...(w/ Black Romance Book Festival)
    Jul 31 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes the masterminds behind one of the biggest Black book festivals, the Black Romance Book Festival. We talk about how this amazing event sold out in 30 minutes (30 MINUTES?!), why Black romance, the healing power of community and love and so much more.

    Lock in to this amazing conversation. Come for the vibes but stay for the healing. Remember tickets go on sale on August 15th.

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find Black Romance Book Festival: instagram & website

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

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    53 mins
  • Writing the Books We Needed...(w/ Author Kristina Forest)
    Jul 17 2025

    Join Niccara as she welcomes USA Today bestselling author Kristina Forest, whose mission centers on writing the books she wished she had as a young Black teenager. In this powerful conversation, we explore how Black romance serves as a source of healing and affirmation for readers across both YA and adult genres. Kristina opens up about her journey of crafting stories that intentionally showcase Black joy, healthy family dynamics, and the transformative power of love through works like her Greene Sisters series, "The Neighbor Favor," "The Partner Plot," and her latest YA novel "Heartsick."

    Whether you're seeking books that affirm and transforms, this conversation offers healing romance and coming-of-age stories, this is an episode for you!

    Follow us at: @butmakeitbookspod @thebookishhottie

    Follow & Find Kristina Forest: instagram & website

    Use my Mahogany Books link here using code BMIB.

    Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

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    42 mins