| Celeste O. Norfleet | |
| Birth Date: | 11 February 1959 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Novelist |
| Education: | Moore College of Art and Design (BFA) |
| Genre: | Romance |
Celeste O. Norfleet (born February 11, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a contemporary African-American novelist known for romance and young adult novels.
Norfleet was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After attending public school, she received her B.F.A. degree in fashion illustration from Moore College of Art and Design. She spent the next few years working in the advertising field, first as a graphic artist, and later as a creative art director.[1]
In 1991, Norfleet moved to Northern Virginia. A few years later, she began reading romance novels. After reading many novels in this genre, she wrote one herself in 1999. Priceless Gift, her first romance novel, was sold to BET Books in 2001, and published in March 2002. Priceless Gift began the Mamma Lou Matchmaker series of 11 books. Norfleet has since written more than twenty novels.
In 2007, Harlequin Kimani TRU released Norfleet's first young adult novel, Pushing Pause, which received positive reviews. This novel became the first in a series known as The Kenisha Lewis Series, written for teens and adults, which was followed by the books Fast Forward and Gettin’ Played.
Norfleet now writes romance novels full-time. She describes her stories as realistic with some humor, depicting strong, sexy characters involved in unpredictable adventures. She also writes dramatic fiction for young adults, reflecting current issues facing African-American teens. Norfleet has written for Harlequin's Kimani Press Arabesque, Harlequin Kimani Romance and Kimani Press TRU (young adult) lines.
Norfleet is the recipient of six awards from Romance Slam Jam (RSJ), as well as a lifetime achievement award. She was also honored with the BRAB, 2016 Frances Ray Lifetime Literary Legacy Award.[2]
Norfleet currently lives in Virginia with her family.