Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind (Caribbean/Trinidad Family Saga)

· The Scarlet Yearnings Collection Book 2 · DKJ Enterprises
5.0
1 review
Ebook
176
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About this ebook

Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind – A Standalone Novella

A Summer of Passion. A Lifetime of Consequences.

When free-spirited Joromi Enoch falls hard for a mesmerizing dancer on a humid 1969 night in Trinidad, their brief but fiery affair ignites everything he’s ever known. Yet under his father’s harsh gaze—and faced with an unexpected pregnancy—Joromi abandons the woman he loves and flees to America, leaving behind his unborn daughter.

Decades later in Port of Spain, that daughter, Trisha, grows up sheltered by grandparents who refuse to let her feel unwanted. Still, questions of identity, longing, and the heartbreak of her father’s absence shape every choice she makes. Torn between following her own fierce desires and living a life of caution, Trisha’s journey echoes her parents’ fateful decisions—and dares to rewrite their legacy.

From the sizzling backyards of 1960s Trinidad to the punishing winters of 1980s New York City, Scarlet Birthright brilliantly contrasts two worlds, uniting them through the bonds of family, the ghosts of the past, and an unbreakable pull toward home.

Why You’ll Love This Novel

🔥 A Life-Altering Spark: Witness the impulsive choice that sets Joromi on a collision course with family, identity, and legacy—its aftershocks echoing across decades.

🌴 Vivid Caribbean Setting: Immerse yourself in the lush beauty and folklore of Trinidad, where family legacies run deep as the island’s roots.

💔 Generations of Heartache: Follow Trisha’s poignant struggle to find her place—and finally confront the father she never knew.

Ancestral Magic: Spirits, legends, and cultural traditions weave through every page, reminding us how the past guides our future.

💪 A Story of Hope & Redemption: Watch as one family’s destiny unfolds across decades and oceans, revealing the power of forgiveness and second chances.

Buy now to immerse yourself in a novel where passion transcends distance, heartbreak challenges fate, and one family’s destiny unfolds across oceans and decades.


REVIEWS

" I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction and an entertaining story. I really loved this book. The idea of it ending made me want to read it slower so that it doesn't end. The book is so entertaining, and it teaches a lot about Caribbean culture and the lifestyles in Trinidad." ★★★★★ - Scovia Odek, eBookFairs.

"It hangs true. We feel the emotions of each character and we understand their choices, even if we ourselves do not approve. Like life itself - messy, tangled, surprising - Birthright puts us in the shoes and souls of a family with drama and differences." ★★★★★ - Britni Pepper, Author via Goodreads.

"Scarlet Birthright resonated with me on a personal level. It's a novella exploring themes of love, family and abandonment" - Amanda Coreishy, Author.

"The novel is both sensual and heartbreaking, a reminder that chasing stability can sometimes mean giving up the very things that make life worth living. Five out of five stars from me!" ★★★★★ - Невена Паскалева, Author via Goodreads.

"The perfect read during spa visits, salon appointments, or short jaunt compliments of your favorite airline -trust me, you will not regret diving into this one!" ★★★★★ - C. Elyse, Author via Goodreads.

Ratings and reviews

5.0
1 review
Literary Titan
May 9, 2025
Scarlet Birthright is a story for anyone who knows that love isn’t always enough, that choices leave scars, and that healing takes more than just time; it takes courage. I’d especially recommend it to readers who like intergenerational family dramas, emotionally complex characters, and writing so lush it feels like stepping into another world. Bring tissues, and maybe a little grace for the characters you’ll love and hate all at once.
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About the author

SCARLET IBIS JAMES brings worlds to life where African spirits commune with their diasporic descendants, weaving Caribbean legacy with modern truths. Born in Trinidad and now based in New York City, she crafts stories that bridge islands and boroughs, generations and cultures.

Her short story, "The First Time I Met My Father," from the acclaimed collection Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire (2024), resonated so deeply with readers that it evolved into this novella, Scarlet Birthright.

When not writing, James can be found on the hunt for the perfect roti in Queens, collecting stories on subway rides, or tending to her beloved Aglaonema Wishes plant, Rosie, in her Harlem apartment.

Visit her at www.scarletibisjames.com.

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