Khalia Monreau writes for young adult and adult readers. Khalia Moreau is a Brooklyn-based doctor and aspiring forensic pathologist who loves writing twists and turns. When she’s not in the hospital or doing something book-related, you can ﬁnd her watching anime or K-dramas while snuggling up with her cats.

The Novel is: THE PRINCESS OF THORNWOOD DRIVE

One year ago, a tragic car accident killed 22-year-old Laine’s parents and left her 18-year-old sister, Alyssa, paralyzed and nonverbal. Now—instead of studying animal nutrition or competing as one of the few equestrians of color—Laine is struggling with predatory banks, unscrupulous health care organizations, and rude customers at the coffee shop where she works. That’s why when Lake Forest Adult Day Center offers to take care of Alyssa, free of charge, Laine is relieved.

Alyssa isn't relieved, though. After all, in her mind, there was never a car accident. Instead, she and her parents—the king and queen of Mirendal—were attacked one year ago in the forest, her parents kidnapped while she was cursed, and now must spend her days in Lake Forest's Home for Changels—a temple caring for mortals such as herself. Perhaps there, she could meet other changels who show her how to embrace her new life.

However, there is a dark prince at Lake Forest, one who has taken a peculiar interest in not only Alyssa but her sister as well. And while Laine struggles to make ends meet on an everyday basis, Alyssa finds herself leading a battle that threatens to destroy not only her and her sister but their entire kingdom.

Denise Crittendon is an award-winning journalist, author and teen motivational speaker. She's the former editor of the NAACP's Crisis Magazine and has served as staff writer for numerous publications including The Detroit News and The Kansas City Star where she often filled in as editor of the teen page. The veteran journalist is author of "Girl In The Mirror, A Teen's Guide To Self Awareness," a book that has been lauded by Essence Magazine, Rawsistaz.com, The Detroit Free Press and national radio personality and CNN pundit Joe Madison, aka, The Black Eagle. Her passionate writings and dedication to youth has earned her countless awards, including The Spirt of Detroit Awards, One of the Most Influential Black Women In Metropolitan Detroit and the Life Direction's Mary J. Ball Children's Advocacy Award.

The Novel is: WHERE IT RAINS IN COLOR REPUTATIONS

Lileala has just been named the Rare Indigo – beauty among beauties – and is about to embrace her stardom, until something threatens to change her whole lifestyle and turn the planet of Swazembi upside down.

Colonized by the descendants of Earth’s West African Dogon Tribe, the planet of Swazembi is a blazing, color-rich utopia and famous vacation center of the galaxy. No one is used to serious trouble in this idyllic, peace-loving world, least of all the Rare Indigo.

But Lileala’s perfect, pampered lifestyle is about to be shattered. The unthinkable happens and her glorious midnight skin becomes infected with a mysterious disease. Where her skin should glisten like diamonds mixed with coal, instead it scabs and scars. On top of that, she starts to hear voices in her head, and everything around her becomes confusing and frightening.

Lileala’s destiny, however, goes far beyond her beauty. While searching for a cure, she stumbles upon something much more valuable. A new power awakens inside her, and she realizes her whole life, and the galaxy with it, is about to change…

Authors KHALIA MOREAU & DENISE CRITTENDON in conversation, Beyond Boundaries Panel 19