4 Books Published by The Malibu Press on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

As much music history as biography, “A Wop Bop Aloo Mop" celebrates ”Little" Richard Wayne Penniman who burst onto the American scene in 1955 with his mega-hit “Tutti Fruitti.” Almost by himself, Little Richard wrote the anti-rules and poured the concrete for the foundation of a new musical art form he created. Alan Freed would call it “Rock & Roll.” Dubbing himself “The Architect of Rock & Roll,” Little Richard had the biggest impact on musicians and singers black and white with his wild, flamboyant performances and outrageous, costumes which included sequined tuxedo’s, velvet capes, pancake make-up, eyeliner, and a six-inch pompadour hairdo.

He was one of the first artists to make the androgynous look popular, and his influence could be experienced in the music and performances of Mick Jagger, The Beatles; Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, James Brown, and David Bowie-who all cite Richard as their inspiration from whom they all stole. But Little Richard also had demons he struggled with throughout his career—his complicated relationship with his sexual orientation, and its effect on his faith. Little Richard left secular music 18 months after his first hit to sing "for the Lord" in an effort to suppress his homosexuality.

Four years later, he was back on stage in London with The Beatles as his opening act shaking his hips, singing his hit Tutti Frutti, a song that originated as a testament to gay sex. He helped solidify The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Preston, and the Beatles as major acts who used his onstage antics for their success. A terrible car crash sidelined Little Richard for months causing him to miss his own induction into the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 for his contribution to music. But he later appeared in movies, television shows, and tours showing everyone why he remains the “Originator, the innovator, and the ”Architect of Rock & Roll.

The unknown story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a young African princess who was rescued from beheading in West Africa by a British naval captain. She was brought to London as a “gift” for young Queen Victoria and became the queen’s goddaughter to the consternation of Victoria’s eldest son—the Prince of Wales who plotted against her. Nonetheless, Sarah lived in the palace, was educated and dressed as an aristocrat, and came to influence the sovereign all while finding love with three men.

Charlotte Sophia was Queen of England. Wife of "mad" King George III. But when did her king, her country, or her lover discover she was of African descent? Is this why King George went mad?

In this sweeping portrait of one of England’s most unexplored yet beloved queens, award-winning author Tina Andrews (Sally Hemings An American Scandal) combines meticulous research and her adept mastery for “connecting historical dots.” This, the second edition of her successful novel boldly imagines the aristocratic intrigue, sexual deviance and family dysfunction in the odyssey of the German princess for whom King George III bought Buckingham House which has become the world-famous "Buckingham Palace."

The story begins in Mecklenburg, Germany where young Princess Charlotte learns a family secret before her father’s death that would send her on a lifetime quest. Meanwhile, newly crowned King George III is informed he must marry. But to his dismay, he cannot wed the woman he loves because she is Catholic with a defective bloodline.

Thus a search begins for an appropriate German, Protestant royal. Charlotte has been forced to hide her tawny ethnic coloring under white Elizabethan make-up by her mother anxious for a suitable for the title-rich-but-cash-poor family. Now Charlotte has the opportunity to be interviewed as a potential wife for the British king. But Charlotte, too, is in love with someone else - the talented, dashing, but commoner Johann Christian Bach (son of JS Bach).

Now, in order to attract the rich, eligible king she must give up Bach. Does George give up Lady Sarah? What is the high price Charlotte must pay to be a British Queen consort? And what of her family secret and quest for answers? All is revealed. The novel spans 50 years in the life of a formidable queen whose history collides with lust, betrayal, politics, murder…and madness.

Written by the screenwriter/exec. prod. of one of the most highly rated miniseries in history, here’s the story behind the controversial miniseries Sally Hemings: An American Scandal. Was she a mistress or a victim?

Decide for yourself & get the behind-the-scenes story of all the drama that was caused by this groundbreaking miniseries. Hemings was rumored to have been the slave mistress of Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd Pres. of the U.S. Here Andrews chronicles the extensive research conducted, incl. the shocking DNA discovery that Jefferson fathered a child with Hemings, & all that went into producing this touchy tale. Photos. Winner, NAACP Image Award for Outstand. Achievement in Literary Nonfiction.