About this Event
Book Signing & Author Talk with Tina Shelton
Featuring her debut novel Ain’t No Promised Land
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 12–2 PM
Da Book Joint | Pen & Paper
Join us for a heartfelt and unforgettable afternoon with Tina Shelton, as she celebrates the release of her debut novel, Ain’t No Promised Land—a raw, emotionally charged story rooted in faith, family, and the resilience of Chicago’s South Side.
? About the Book — Ain’t No Promised Land
No matter how far you run, you can’t escape yourself—or outrun the love of God.
When Charlotte’s husband dies, the weight of her past mistakes becomes too heavy to bear. Unable to face the truth or the consequences, she slips a goodbye letter into the family cookie jar and disappears—leaving behind her three daughters and the life she built in Chicago.
Back home, sisters Gracey, Angel, and Tisha—ages sixteen, fourteen, and twelve—are doing everything they can to survive alone. The South Side community rallies around them with food, rides, and support, but nothing can replace the mother who abandoned them. As the girls spiral into destructive decisions to cope with their pain, the cracks in their world grow wider.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Charlotte is unraveling. Haunted by her choices, she attempts to rebuild her life while forging a surprising friendship that reframes her understanding of God, grace, and redemption. But when the past finally catches up to her, she must make the hardest decision of all: confront the truth or lose her family forever.
Set in 1980s South Side Chicago, Ain’t No Promised Land is an unflinching story of generational trauma, abandonment, hidden abuse, and the fight to break free. Perfect for fans of Black Cake, Miss Pearly’s Girls, and Becoming, this novel invites readers into a deeply human journey of healing and homecoming.
??? About the Author — Tina Shelton
Tina Shelton is a Chicago native, debut novelist, and gifted storyteller whose work reflects her commitment to truth, healing, and emotional transformation. With an authentic voice shaped by lived experience and deep community roots, Shelton writes stories that illuminate generational trauma, resilience, and the complicated journey toward redemption.
Her mission is to create narratives that are honest, faith-centered, and reflective of the communities that raised her.
Ain’t No Promised Land is her powerful debut.
? Event Highlights
- Author talk & reading
- Audience Q&A
- Book signing
- Light refreshments
- Books available for purchase
- Community-centered conversation you won’t want to miss
?️ Tickets
- Free General Admission — Limited
- $17 Admission — Includes a signed copy of the book
Seats fill quickly, and this is one conversation you’ll want to be in the room for.
✨ RSVP today!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Da Book Joint, 6900 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 18.84
