"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life"

— Charles Darwin

My Story

12:56 a.m. could have been anytime. It simply marks the moment I was born—and with it, the beginning of my perspective on this world.

Every photograph, piece of art, book, quote, and carefully chosen item you find here has passed through that same lens. This space is a reflection of life as I experience it: the places I’ve traveled, the stories I’ve written, the art I’ve created, the gifts I’ve curated, and the products I’ve come to love along the way.

I’m Rita, a romance novelist and graphic artist creating bold, beautiful stories and visual art that celebrate love, culture, and the beauty of Black women. A former corporate baddie turned globe-trotting storyteller, I write contemporary Black and interracial romances infused with luxury, passion, and emotional depth, where happily-ever-afters are non-negotiable. Named among Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Best of 2024, I have also earned international recognition as the cover artist for Taming a King, which was selected for the Intercontinental Bienal exhibitions at the National Museum of the Republic and the Twin Towers in Brasília, alongside other artists’ work. Across media, my work celebrates Black women being cherished, desired, and loved completely.