"Shades of Us" is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of St. Clair University, where Destiny, a confident and driven black woman, finds her world colliding with that of Ryan, a charming and introspective white man. As their paths intertwine in the bustling corridors of campus life, they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and identity.
Their initial encounter, marked by a chance collision, sparks a connection that defies societal norms. Despite their differences, Destiny and Ryan forge a deep bond through shared interests and mutual respect. Together, they traverse the highs and lows of college life, finding solace in each other's presence amidst the chaos.
However, their journey is not without its challenges. Confronting prejudices and stereotypes, both internal and external, they must navigate the rocky terrain of interracial relationships. Faced with scrutiny from peers and resistance from their families, Destiny and Ryan must summon the courage to stay true to themselves and their love.
As their relationship blossoms, so too does their understanding of the world around them. Through heartfelt conversations and moments of self-reflection, they confront their own biases and learn to embrace the beauty of diversity. Together, they stand as a beacon of hope, challenging the status quo and inspiring those around them to embrace love in all its forms.
"Shades of Us" is a story of resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of love. Through its poignant narrative and relatable characters, it explores themes of identity, belonging, and the universal quest for connection. As Destiny and Ryan navigate the complexities of college life, they discover that true love knows no bounds-it transcends race, culture, and prejudice, shining brightly in the myriad shades of humanity.
An excerpt previously published in Love Journey's AMBW Anthology: Shades of AMBW: Asian Men and Black Women Short Story Collection, this tells the story of a man eating fox, who meets a young human woman and the two instantly fall in love. However, tragedy stuck the two lovers and the immortal creature wanders around the human realm with only one desire and that was to be human. He has to marry his 'Fox Bead Bride' in order to do so.
Centuries later, a young woman, who resembles the Gumiho's old flame, Amari crashes into the Gumiho's life and everything finally falls into place, or so the Gumiho thought. Is Amari what the Gumiho had been searching for and will she fall in love with him in time for him to be able to turn human?
This story entails of these character's journey to find everlasting romance, through trials and tribulations, scorned love, revenge, jealousy and those that seek the Gumiho's bead for greed. Can these two star crossed lovers stay together or will their relationship fall apart, forcing the Gumiho to remain an immortal being for all eternity?