On this episode of The Ink Is Black, host Tiffani Staten dives into Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — a haunting exploration of family secrets, inherited pain, and the supernatural threads that bind them.

Through the story of Mira Owens’s search for truth, from her mother’s mysterious disappearance to a hidden world of vampires and werewolves, Tiffani unpacks how silence, shame, and sacrifice pass through generations like a curse.

Blending myth and metaphor, this episode asks: What does it take to break free from the cycles we didn’t create but still carry? With spoilers included, Tiffani reflects on how Lewis’s darkly magical tale reminds us that healing begins when we stop running from the past and start naming it.

Host Tiffani Staten reviews Khalia Moreau’s He Burns by the River, exploring its vivid Trinidadian setting, lyrical voice, and themes of identity, family, spirituality, and the symbolism of river and fire across the African diaspora.

Staten shares a personal connection from a writers’ conference, praises the book’s honest portrayal of Caribbean life, and highly recommends it—teasing next month’s pick, Blood Moon by Brittany S. Lewis. Follow her @theinkisblackpodcast or connect at tiffani.staten.com

In this bonus episode, host Tiffani Staten reflects on Tina Knowles' memoir Matriarch, exploring how Knowles transformed personal struggle into collective empowerment. From witnessing her professional friends being disrespected at salons to needing an escape route from an unfaithful marriage, Tina built Headliners as both survival strategy and sanctuary for Black women.

The conversation covers industry pushback, generational wisdom, the art of lifting while climbing, and the emotional cost of holding everyone together. Staten connects Knowles' journey to the ongoing navigation Black women face today—creating spaces where we can thrive unapologetically.

Read more in Tiffani's companion blog post: HERE.