In the early 90’s, one of my favorite places to go in Baltimore was the GLCCB – Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore. There was the youth group on Saturdays – and afterward a trip to Never On Sunday for pizza. A black lesbian support group that met either Thursday or Friday?

The ground floor of the center was a bookstore: Lambda Rising. Imagine not knowing that lesbian books or magazines existed at all and suddenly you find a room section full of it. It’s were I bought my first Audre Lorde titles, On Our Backs, etc.

I always scanned the shelves for mysteries featuring black characters and most days I came away empty. On days I found a book, it was really like hitting the jackpot. Nikki Baker and Penny Mickelbury – I could not wait for their books to come out.

I thought that, one day, I’d like to write a mystery series of my own.

Introducing The Girl Trouble Mystery series. It features three friends – Debra, Gina and Shanice – who have a knack for getting into trouble. Each one will be the lead in her own mystery, with her friends providing the assist.

In book 1, The Closet Case, Shanice tries to help an ex-girlfriend and ends up in the middle of a murder investigation. You can pre-order the eBook edition now; both eBook and print editions will be released on June 16th.