About Scarlet Yearnings

This collection is perfect for anyone craving quick, emotionally charged stories to add a little love and longing to their day. Each tale will tug at your heartstrings and leave you reflecting on the imperfect yet beautiful nature of human connection.

About the Author

Scarlet Ibis James, a vibrant contemporary romance author, infuses her stories with the warmth of her Trinidadian heritage and the electric energy of New York City, where she now resides.

Although a sucker for a happy ending at heart, James’ characters are delightfully flawed and relatable, mirroring her zest for life and introspective nature.

Her engaging narratives delve into the complexities of love, self-discovery, and the unexpected, all brought to life with humor and a touch of whimsical world fantasy.

Book Club Guide

Welcome, book clubs! This guide is designed to spark thought-provoking and heartfelt discussions about the themes, characters, and emotions in Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire. Each question invites you to explore the depths of love, longing, and identity presented in these vivid stories.

Flexibility of Formats

Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire is available in a variety of formats to suit your reading preferences and lifestyle:

For Book Clubs

Scarlet Yearnings is a collection of twelve contemporary love stories featuring protagonists from diverse Black experiences. Through relatable characters and settings, the stories explore the complexity of love—its beauty, pain, and transformative power. Whether your club reads the book all at once or story by story, this guide will help frame your discussions.

General Questions

Which story resonated most deeply with you? Why?
How does the theme of yearning manifest differently across the stories?
In what ways do the characters’ ethnicities and cultural identities shape their experiences of love?
Did any of the stories challenge your perspective on love, relationships, or desire?
What role do setting and atmosphere play in the collection? How does Harlem, in particular, influence the characters and their stories?

Story-Specific Questions

The First Time She Met Her Father

What does Trisha’s longing for her father’s attention reveal about the lifelong impact of first impressions in parent-child relationships?
How does the symbolism of the color red evolve from hope to heartbreak in this story?

Love Me, Daddy

How does grief blur the boundaries between memory, fantasy, and desire in the protagonist’s search for connection?
Do you think her attraction to the stranger reflects healing, or is it another attempt to fill an unfillable void?

Love in Cosmic Times

Tessa invests in an imagined love that ultimately unravels—what does this suggest about the dangers and power of digital intimacy?
Wright/Sheldon hides behind an invented persona. How does deception complicate the story’s exploration of destiny and choice?

Love & Marriage

Both Amy and Jim reflect on the sacrifices and compromises of their marriage. How do their inner narratives complement—or contradict—each other?
What role does economic status play in shaping both love and resentment in their relationship?

Seven Was the Symbol of Their Love

The number seven frames the couple’s milestones and breakdowns. What do you think this number symbolizes in their story?
How do Nancy and Bill’s silences shape the arc of their marriage more than their words?

We Couldn’t Then, But We Can Now

How does timing alter the meaning of love—does finding each other later in life make their relationship more fragile or more resilient?
In what ways does grief open (rather than close) the possibility of new love for Georgieta and Jakub?

Behind the Grand Doors of Paradise

Carlos imagines the lives of the residents he watches—how does this act of storytelling reveal his own desires and disappointments?
In what ways does Cleolin represent both possibility and impossibility for Carlos?

Love Is Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance

How does Oorun’s pursuit of therapy challenge traditional expectations of loyalty and endurance in marriage?
Do you think forgiveness in this story is more about healing the self or salvaging the relationship?

Love of My Mother’s Mother

How does the grandmother’s bitterness shape Aisha’s sense of self and her decision to leave?
What role does the compass play as a symbol of destiny and choice in the story?

Hot Subway, Love

Damon’s brother’s voice continues to guide him after death. Do you see this as a burden, a blessing, or both? Why?
How does the subway, with its heat, delays, and sudden encounters, mirror Damon’s emotional journey?

Love, Lift Me Up

Marcia’s daydream blurs the line between fantasy and reality. What does this suggest about how desire shapes perception?
Does the elevator ride serve as more than just a physical space—perhaps a metaphor for intimacy, risk, or rising passion?

Love, Mystical and Destined

How does destiny shape the characters’ choices—do you see their union as inevitable, or dangerous?
What does the story suggest about the tension between surrendering to fate and asserting free will in relationships?

Themes to Explore

The Power of Yearning: How does longing shape the lives and decisions of the characters?

Cultural Influence: Discuss how the stories explore love through the lens of cultural traditions and expectations.

Family Dynamics: How do familial relationships enhance or hinder the characters’ journeys toward love and connection?

The Other Side of Love: Were there moments in the book that focused on the pain or challenges of love? How were they resolved or left open-ended? What stories do you wish to read more about?

Activities for Book Clubs

Create Your Love Story: Write a one-paragraph love story inspired by a theme from the book and share it with the group.
Character Portraits: Assign each member a character to embody and discuss their motivations and challenges.
Yearning in Real Life: Share a moment from your life that aligns with the book’s themes of love and longing.
Leave a Review: Share your thoughts and reflections about the book by leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

Closing Reflections

If you could ask Scarlet Ibis James one question about her writing or the stories, what would it be?
How do these stories compare to other love stories you’ve read?

Share Your Thoughts!

We’d love to hear about your book club experience! Share your reflections and photos by tagging Scarlet on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram using #ScarletYearnings.

Thank you for journeying into
Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire. 🌺

Visit www.scarletibisjames.com for updates, book signings, and more!

What the Club Should Read Next

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler
The Whale House and Other Stories by Sharon Millar
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