Welcome to Blues Landing

Welcome to Blues Landing – A Southern second-chance romance begins

Hey y’all,

Welcome to Blues Landing Weekly, a cozy corner of the internet where second chances aren’t just possible—they’re sweeter the second time around. I’m so excited to invite you into the fictional world of Blues Landing, South Carolina: a Black Southern town full of warmth, wisdom, and just enough mess to make it interesting.

Love doesn’t always come easy—but in Blues Landing, it sure knows how to find you when you least expect it.

What is this series?

Blues Landing: Second Time Sweeter is the first novella in a contemporary Black romance series. It follows Imani Brooks, a stylish, guarded interior designer retreating from heartbreak, and Malik “Brick” Thompson, a hometown bad boy-turned-garage owner who never quite got over the one that got away.

Together, they’ll learn that love in your 40s comes with history, healing—and the possibility of something sweeter than before.

Meet the Main Characters

Imani Brooks (43)

She’s got a sharp eye, a sharper tongue, and zero patience for foolishness. After a public breakup and career fallout, she lands in Blues Landing to redesign a luxury suite—and ends up redesigning her life.

Malik “Brick” Thompson (45)

Retired NFL star. Local legend. Co-parent to a grown son who’s not done healing. His garage is called Steel & Soul for a reason: he fixes what’s broken—sometimes even his own heart.

What to Expect

Each week (or every other week), you’ll receive a new chapter from Blues Landing: Second Time Sweeter, plus behind-the-scenes extras like:

- Character notes and spotlights

- Southern vibes, playlists & porchlight quotes

- Small town gossip (fictional… mostly)

- Author notes and story inspo

🌾 Meet the Town

-Imani Brooks– Atlanta-bred designer with something to prove
- Malik “Brick” Thompson – Hometown hero, garage owner, former NFL bad boy
- Aunt Geneva– Town’s unofficial therapist and porch philosopher
- Jabari Thompson – Malik’s son, chasing music and healing
- Tasha Deveraux – Imani’s bestie, part hype-woman, part truth-teller
- Sarai James – Malik’s old flame... still burning, maybe?

📅 What to Expect

Starting Sunday, May 11, you’ll receive one chapter every week, taking us through Imani and Malik’s journey—from tension to tenderness, past hurt to future hope.

Here’s how the story unfolds:

- Part One: Return & Resistance
- Part Two: Familiar Fire
- Part Three: Second Time Sweeter

Each chapter is snackable (2,000–3,000 words), perfect for your lunch break, a bathtub soak, or your wine-down hour.

Coming Next Week:

Issue 1 – “Back in the Roots”

Imani returns to her family roots in Blues Landing, unimpressed but intrigued.

A flat tire leads her straight into the hands—literally—of Malik “Brick” Thompson.

Before You Go

Leave a comment if you love Black romance, small towns, or messy-sweet second chances.

And if you're feelin’ generous? Share this newsletter with a friend who needs a little Southern warmth and grown-folks love in their inbox.

See y’all soon,

Titkela

Author of Blues Landing: Second Time Sweeter

Welcome to Blues Landing.

This is where grown folks fall in love again.

I'm Titkela, a storyteller who writes contemporary Black romance with soul, spice, and Southern charm. Blues Landing: Second Time Sweeter is the first novella in a series set in a fictional South Carolina town where love shows up in unexpected ways—and healing comes wrapped in porch lights, second chances, and Sunday plates.

If you love:

Black romance led by grown-ass characters

Stylish heroines and emotionally layered men

Aunties who don’t mind their business

And fictional places that feel like home

…then Blues Landing Weekly was made for you