Adult Contemporary Fiction Author

Welcome to your home away from home.

Hey, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a women’s contemporary author and emotional intimacy novelist. What that means is my novels feature flawed main characters that do the shadow work necessary to heal and clearly define the terms of the love they want. I aim to create safe spaces for women to embrace their beauty and uniqueness. You deserve to be loved unconditionally and, if nothing else, you will find the tools to give and receive the love you possess and deserve right here.

I blog on self-love, feeding the passion in your romantic relationship, and maintaining sexual chemistry to help you focus on the benefits of being your beautiful self. If you find a blog particularly helpful, please leave a comment. Love from my people is what keeps me motivated to turn off reality TV and get back to writing!

~ Peace and prosperity,
ZLB

My debut contemporary women’s novel, Beauty Beheld, was released on March 23, 2023!

Here’s what people are saying:

“Banks dramatizes [unresolved issues] with power and weight, connecting readers to the individual humanity of these characters.”

– Booklife Reviews by Publisher’s Weekly

“I needed this story to remind me that good stories still exist and great writing can still be found.”

– Stony Rhodes, #1 Amazon bestselling author

“A story of hurt and healing, love, family, friendships, and forgiveness.”

– Dawn M., NetGalley Reviewer

of Beautifully Complicated Love

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Beauty Beheld: A Beauty is Her Name Novel

Life is practically perfect for Patience Hampton. She enjoys her challenging work as a voice actor, has a supportive network of family and friends, and is expecting a proposal from her long-term boyfriend, Daniel. But, when Patience is blindsided with shocking news, in an instant, everything she’s placed her trust in comes crashing down.

While recovering from her explosive breakup, Patience is finally determined to focus on defining happiness. So, when she crosses paths with Mr. Charisma, Lennox Davenport, while on a business trip out of town, she’s open to spending the night with the handsome stranger. Lennox is everything Patience didn’t know she needed: assertive, encouraging, inquisitive, and has a sex appeal that leaves her senseless. As their interactions quickly intensify, she realizes she doesn’t know herself at all.

Patience wants much more from her casual relationship with Lennox and begins recognizing how the relationship residue left by an absent father and a manipulative ex poses harm to her growth, healing, and happiness. Is she ready to finally release her emotional baggage and love freely? Or will her toxic habits resurface to sabotage yet another chance of finding real love with the man who has finally managed to behold her beauty within?

Recent Blog Posts

Ready to Launch a Book Club?

March 2, 2023

It’s Time to Stop Settling For Less, Sis.

February 16, 2023

8 Rules For Fighting Fair With Your Partner

August 16, 2022

Are You Being Empathetic or Emotionally Invalidating?

May 16, 2022

Blogs That Hit Home

Created with thriving self-love and romantic emotional connections in mind, these blogs will fill your cup with love, strength, and power. Then, and only then, sis, can you serve the ones you love with the overflow from your saucer. Grab a mug (or glass of wine) and settle in for a few good reads.

Sign up for new content alerts!

While I love a good read about self-made millionaires, CEOs, and kingpins, I think the world could use more steamy fiction starring everyday beautifully flawed characters finding love.

If this is your thing, sign up to be notified of my latest content updates, including self-care and relationship tips, newsletters, and steamy short stories. You’ll also be the first to get updates about my debut novel, Beauty Beheld, and when the upcoming sequel Beauty Betrothed is available.

Writing complicated love stories for women who believe true love still exists.

Electric stories touching on physical, emotional, and personal intimacy.