Covers of the Week #46: Black Couples in Love

This week, Sweet Savage Flame celebrates Black History Month by showcasing retro romance novels with black or Afro-American couples on their covers.

Theme: Black or Afro-American Couples on Covers

The month of February in the United States is recognized as Black History Month. So this week, Sweet Savage Flame takes a look at some retro romance novels that portray Afro-American or black couples in intimate embraces on the covers.

It wasn’t until the mid-1990s, when Pinnacle started their Arabesque line, that mainstream romances began depicting relationships between black partners.

Or even half-pairings. I’ve read many old-school romances with interracial couplings. Invariably, the partner with African heritage was biracial, and that part of their identity was usually kept secret.

Since then, the horizons have broadened. There is a greater variety of characters in romance today than ever before.

Still, there were positive aspects of the late 20th century that brought us to where we are now.

Part of me wanted to make this an all-Beverly Jenkins edition. Jenkins is a pioneer in the romance genre and the “Leading Lady of Historical Romance,” featuring black couples. Her covers were (and still are) divine. Lamentably, I haven’t been able to track down all the illustrators for her 1990s books. Avon has a spotty track record of identifying cover artists.

The Covers

In honor of Black History Month, for the week of Monday, February 21, 2022, to Sunday, February 26, 2022, let’s appreciate some older romance covers with black or Afro-American protagonists.

Your Opinion

What do you think of this week’s selection for our Covers of the Week? Which is, any, of the covers do you like best?

Please let us know if you have any suggestions for future Covers of the Week ideas!

As always, please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance!