Celeste O. Norfleet
Encyclopedia
Celeste O. Norfleet is a contemporary African American
novel
ist of romance
and young adult novels.
degree in fashion illustration
from Moore College of Art and Design
. She spent the next years deeply entrenched in the advertising
world, first as a graphic artist and later as a creative art director.
and rediscovering her love of books. A few years later she picked up her first romance novel
while at home with her young children. She quickly became a prolific romance reader and soon penned her first novel in 1999. Priceless Gift, her first romance novel, was sold to BET Books in 2001 and published March 2002. Priceless Gift began the Mamma Lou Matchmaker continuing series. Norfleet has since written over twenty novels.
In 2007 Harlequin Kimani TRU released Norfleet’s first young adult novel, Pushing Pause. Receiving rave reviews and continuing to sell out, The Kenisha Lewis Series is popular with teens and adults. The series continues with Fast Forward and Gettin’ Played.
Norfleet now devotes all of her time to writing and creating romance. Her romance novels, realistic with a touch of humor, depict strong sexy characters with unpredictable plots and exciting storylines. Her young adult novels delve into dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing African American teens.
Getting Played 2010
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
ist of romance
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
and young adult novels.
Early years
Celeste O. Norfleet was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended public schools, then received her B.F.A.Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
degree in fashion illustration
Fashion illustration
Fashion Illustration is the communication of fashion that originates with illustration, drawing and painting. It is usually commissioned for reproduction in fashion magazines as one part of an editorial feature or for the purpose of advertising and promoting fashion makers, fashion boutiques and...
from Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art & Design educates students for careers in the visual arts. Moore is an independent college of art and design. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Moore is the first and only women's visual arts college in the nation, and one of only two in the world...
. She spent the next years deeply entrenched in the advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
world, first as a graphic artist and later as a creative art director.
Writing
In 1991 she moved to Northern VirginiaNorthern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
and rediscovering her love of books. A few years later she picked up her first romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
while at home with her young children. She quickly became a prolific romance reader and soon penned her first novel in 1999. Priceless Gift, her first romance novel, was sold to BET Books in 2001 and published March 2002. Priceless Gift began the Mamma Lou Matchmaker continuing series. Norfleet has since written over twenty novels.
In 2007 Harlequin Kimani TRU released Norfleet’s first young adult novel, Pushing Pause. Receiving rave reviews and continuing to sell out, The Kenisha Lewis Series is popular with teens and adults. The series continues with Fast Forward and Gettin’ Played.
Norfleet now devotes all of her time to writing and creating romance. Her romance novels, realistic with a touch of humor, depict strong sexy characters with unpredictable plots and exciting storylines. Her young adult novels delve into dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing African American teens.
Acclaim
Celeste continues to gain critical acclaim and stellar reviews, including nominations for The Rose Award, Romantic Times Bookclub Reviewer’s Choice Award and RSJ Author of the Year. Celeste currently writes for Harlequin’s Kimani Press Arabesque, Harlequin Kimani Romance and Kimani Press TRU (young adult) lines.Romance
- Priceless Gift, 2002
- A Christmas Wish, 2002
- Since Forever, 2003
- One Sure Thing, 2003, (featuring winner of the 2002 Arabesque Man cover contest)
- Reflections of You, 2004
- Irresistible You, 2004
- Only You, 2005
- The Fine Art of Love, 2005
- A Taste of Romance in Back In Your Arms (with Sandra KittSandra KittSandra Kitt is an African-American author of contemporary romance novels. Her works have frequently made it to Essence magazine's "Black Board" bestseller lists.-Early years:...
and Deidre Savoy), 2006 - Love After All, 2007
- Following Love, 2008
- When Love Calls, 2008
- Sultry Storm, in Mother Nature Matchmaker (with Brenda JacksonBrenda JacksonBrenda Jackson is an American novelist who writes contemporary multicultural romance novels. She was the first African-American author to have a novel published as part of the Silhouette Desire line, and has seen many of her novels reach the USAToday Bestseller list.-Biography:Brenda Jackson was...
and Carmen Green) 2009 - When It Feels So Right, 2009
- Love Me Now, 2009
- Cross My Heart, 2010
- Heart’s Choice, in Millionaire Matchmaker (with Donna Hill and Adrianne Byrd) 2010
- Flirting With Destiny, (Kimani Hottie Series) 2010
Young Adult Novels
- Pushing Pause, 2007
- She Said, She Said, 2008 (with Jennifer Norfleet)
- Fast Forward, 2009
Getting Played 2010
Recognition
- Nominated - Rose Award, Since Forever 2003
- Nominated – Romantic Times Book – Reviewer’s Choice Award – Best African American Romance (2004)
- Nominated – Romantic Times Book – Career Achievement Award (2009)
- Nominated - Romance Slam Jam – Best Steamy Romance (2009)
- Nominated – Romantic Times Book - Author of The Year (2009)
- Finalist - YALSA - Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers List (2009)