Charmaine Wilkerson’s BLACK CAKE, published by Ballantine Books, is the February Read With Jenna book club pick, it was announced this morning by TODAY Show host Jenna Bush Hager. This moving debut novel tells a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. As the narrative unfolds, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past—a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake.

In this Three Questions for an Editor interview, Ballantine Executive Editor Hilary Teeman delves into what drew her to Wilkerson’s writing and storytelling ability, the nature of their editor/author process, and who she thinks will most enjoy BLACK CAKE. Continue reading →