ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Crystal Charlotte (CC) Lane is the pen name of a newcomer to writing fiction. Lane has already received the status as an eight-time, award-winning author. She is a retired university professor who has written numerous documents and articles relative to her discipline, related fields of study, and profession. Lane is also a retired, high-level public administration official whose career included the preparation of documents that benefited communities and improved residents’ quality of life. In addition, she has completed competitive writing projects for which she has received recognition and various awards.
Lane’s debut romance novel, “Kevin and KatheRINe in the Next Lifetime,” explores the complexities of interracial love, its differences, and the impact of these relationships on loved ones. And her second novel, “Shilpa’s Blue Crayon,” follows the life of Shilpa, a gifted African American artist whose unusual ocean-blue es set her apart in ways that both inspire and isolate her. She demonstrates a fresh perspective that adds depth to these captivating tales of love across boundaries.
Look for Lane’s signature, “the color blue,” in her work because of its meaning of serenity, stability, inspiration, and wisdom. Her writing reflects blue as well because of its representation of open spaces, the striving for freedom, intuition, imagination, and sensitivity.
AUTHOR APPRECIATION
Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful reviews and thoughtfulness of my readers. I am so happy you enjoyed the fictional love stories of both Kevin and KatheRINE in their journey to the next lifetime; and Shilpa’s navigation of two worlds as Jacob stood by her.
You’ve conveyed your emotions of tears and happiness that these books have brought about; and your feelings about the lead characters’ physical and spiritual connections that made you believe in the power of love. You’ve even brought about conversations that go deeper into the mind sets of each character; and compared their love stories to some of the most awesome movies ever made. I cannot thank you enough, and I’m more grateful than you’ll ever know. I look forward to the feedback of many, many more readers in the future.
LITERARY AWARDS
Crystal Charlotte (CC) Lane; Seven-Time, Award-Winning Author
Author Shout Ready Reader Award: 2025 Recommended Read
Kevin and KatheRINe in the Next Lifetime
American Writing Awards: 2024 Finalist
Kevin and KatheRINe in the Next Lifetime
Firebird Book Awards-Speak Up Talk Radio: 2025 Winner
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
Independent Press Award: 2025 Distinguished Favorite
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
BookFest Award: 2025 Award Winner
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
International Impact Book Awards: 2025 Winner
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books:
2025 Honorable Mention (Romance Category)
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
Independent Author Awards, Finalist, 2025
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon
— Review —
Shilpa’s Blue Crayon is an enchanting and unpredictable romance, gracefully penned by Crystal Charlotte (CC) Lane. With lyrical prose and a plot rich in emotional depth, this novel pulls readers into a journey that feels both intimate and otherworldly.
At the heart of the story is Shilpa, a down-to-earth African American woman in her thirties. Devoted to her art and deeply committed to those she holds dear, she lives a quiet, contented life in the picturesque and supportive community of “Little Village.” Though outwardly serene and composed, Shilpa carries a quiet ache, a melancholy tucked beneath the surface, an emotional weight she keeps hidden even from herself.
Everything begins to shift when vivid, almost hyper-realistic dreams begin to haunt her sleep. In them, Shilpa discovers a parallel life, one filled with love, a husband, and children she has never known. These dreams, compelling and intense, blur the lines between imagination and reality. As her longing for deeper connection grows, she finds herself straddling two distinct worlds: the tangible life she has built, and a dreamscape that offers everything her heart desires.
The narrative unfolds with a measured pace. Early chapters gently introduce readers to Shilpa’s current reality, a life filled with creativity, loyal friends, and a nurturing village atmosphere. The third-person narration allows for a sweeping view of her world, bringing her neighbors and community to life in vivid detail. There’s a warmth to this village, a place where kindness and familiarity are a given.
Then, without warning, the story pivots. A startling plot twist reveals that Shilpa is not merely dreaming, but entering a parallel universe each time she sleeps. In this alternate existence, she meets the love of her life and experiences the kind of family connection she’s always longed for. The romance is magnetic, bold, passionate, and impossible to ignore. As readers, we are swept alongside Shilpa into these dual realities, savoring the contrast between them.
More than a simple love story, Shilpa’s Blue Crayon is layered with complexity, emotion, and imagination. Lane blends romance with mystery and self-discovery, crafting a tale that is both heartfelt and unexpected. Wholesomeness pervades the narrative, mirroring Shilpa’s resilient and nurturing spirit.
Shilpa’s journey is not without hardship. As a Black woman navigating personal ambition and emotional vulnerability, she faces challenges, some rooted in societal prejudice, others born of her own self-doubt. Yet through it all, she rises. With grace and strength, she claims her right to live, love, and be loved boldly, completely, and without apology.
This is a story that lingers. Poignant, surprising, and undeniably human, Shilpa’s Blue Crayon invites readers to explore not only parallel lives but the parallel selves we all carry within.
Rating: 5 Stars
