The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Book Cover for: Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind, Scarlet Ibis James

Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind

Scarlet Ibis James

Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind

A Father's Choice + A Daughter's Fate

šŸ† Winner of 2025 NYC Big Book Award: Multicultural Fiction šŸ„‡ First Place, 2025 International Firebird Book Awards: Multicultural Fiction šŸ… Winner of 2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction

When free-spirited Joromi Enoch falls hard for a mesmerizing dancer on a humid 1969 night in Trinidad, their brief but fiery affair ignites everything he's ever known. Yet under his father's harsh gaze and faced with an unexpected pregnancy-Joromi abandons the woman he loves and flees to America, leaving behind his unborn daughter.

Decades later, in Port of Spain, that daughter, Trisha, grows up sheltered by grandparents who refuse to let her feel unwanted. Still, questions of identity, longing, and the heartbreak of her father's absence shape every choice she makes. Torn between following her own fierce desires and living a life of caution, Trisha's journey echoes her parents' fateful decisions and dares to rewrite their legacy.

From the sizzling backyards of 1960s Trinidad to the punishing winters of 1980s New York City, Scarlet Birthright brilliantly contrasts two worlds, uniting them through the bonds of family, the ghosts of the past, and an unbreakable pull toward home.

Why You'll Love This Novel

  • šŸ”„ A Life-Altering Spark: Witness the impulsive choice that sets Joromi on a collision course with family, identity, and legacy-its aftershocks echoing across decades.
  • Vivid Caribbean Setting: Immerse yourself in the lush beauty and folklore of Trinidad, where family legacies run as deep as the island's roots.
  • Generations of Heartache: Follow Trisha's poignant struggle to find her place and finally confront the father she never knew.
  • ✨ Ancestral Magic: Spirits, legends, and cultural traditions weave through every page, reminding us how the past guides our future.
  • A Story of Hope & Redemption: Watch as one family's destiny unfolds across decades and oceans, revealing the power of forgiveness and second chances.

Buy now to immerse yourself in a novel where passion transcends distance, heartbreak challenges fate, and one family's destiny unfolds across oceans and decades.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Dkj Enterprises: Discovery and Key
  • Publish Date: Mar 24th, 2025
  • Pages: 178
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.50in - 5.50in - 0.56in - 0.78lb
  • EAN: 9798991590983
  • Categories: • World Literature - Caribbean & West Indies• Sagas• African American & Black - Women

About the Author

James, Scarlet Ibis: - Award-winning author, SCARLET IBIS JAMES, brings worlds to life where African spirits commune with their diasporic descendants, weaving Caribbean legacy with modern truths. Born in Trinidad and now based in New York City, she crafts stories that bridge islands and boroughs, generations and cultures. When not writing, James can be found dining with her family all over New York City, hunting for the perfect roti in Queens, collecting stories on subway rides, or tending to her beloved Aglaonema Wishes plant, Rosie, in her Harlem apartment. Visit her at scarletibisjames [dot] com.

Praise for this book

PRAISE FOR SCARLET BIRTHRIGHT
  • "A raw, emotional novella about love, abandonment, regret, and redemption ... messy, real, and haunting in the best way."-Literary Titan, starred editorial review
  • "A riveting tale about love, family, and figuring out where you belong ... I devoured this book in one sitting."-Readers' Favorite, starred editorial review
  • "James' lyrical tale reads like an imagistic poem ... a must-read for lovers of language and literature."-Joseph Ferguson
  • "A rich, multigenerational Caribbean saga that punches you in the chest then hugs you afterward; this is a must-read." -The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile
  • "A captivating and heartfelt story that spans generations and continents... rich with Caribbean storytelling traditions and offers a perfect blend of love, regret, and self-discovery." -Amazon Reviewer
  • "I recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction and entertaining stories. I really loved this book. The idea of it ending made me want to read it slower so that it doesn't end." -eBookFairs