Press & Features

“Black & Blue: Love, Sport and the Art of Empowerment is a thoughtful, personal, and often fiery fictionalized recounting of her pursuing a dream that she never consigned to oblivion. Sweep all considerations of gender aside – this book is an important reading experience no matter what your reproductive organs are and a critical text for understanding one facet of many in our nation’s ongoing and transformative dialogue about equality.” Read more. 

“…an entertaining and wholly satisfying reading experience that will hold up under repeated reading.” Read more. 

“Black & Blue: Love, Sport and the Art of Empowerment is part testimonial, part memoir, part sports fiction. Andra Douglas brings the sweat and crunch of an uniquely American sport to vivid life populated by a cast of characters that are difficult to forget…Her book is wise, knowing, and filled with a rush of energy carrying readers through from its humble beginnings to an ultimately triumphant conclusion that leaves a smile on your face.” Read more. 

“Black & Blue explores family relations. It delves into how individuals respond to temporary victories and defeats. It dives deep into the marrow of a personal obsession fostered in youth to live with intention rather than having your destiny dictated to you. It isn’t a book that only women can glean inspiration from, though it is geared towards that audience – instead, anyone who harbors unrealized dreams can take away from this book a sense of possibility if you are willing to follow your inner voice and never be denied.”

“…this story isn’t just about sports, it’s about a woman persevering in business and breaking down the walls of female stereotypes. There’s the struggle, the hard work, the tears – all of it. This book is not just for the girls, but for everybody.” Read More. 

“This book is gritty and authentic, with lots of hilarious trash talk from all the players. I got an excellent grasp of the trials and tribulations of what goes on behind the scenes of a football game. Unfortunately, I also got an excellent look at how the women are still considered to be second class citizens and how their teams were not financially backed as well as the pro men’s teams. I’m certain that the pros don’t need to come up with $40 to pay for their own jerseys.” Read more. 

“Let’s get this out of the way: I am a huge sports fan. So when I had the opportunity to review a book about a group of women determined to play tackle football at the highest level, I was game. What I got was far more than a simple feel-good novel in the vein of Rocky or Rudy. Black & Blue (Book Baby) by Andra Douglas is an important story of breaking societal norms, battling stereotypical prejudices, and coming to terms with what defines you as a person.” Read more.

“Whether you are a fan of football or sports in general you will adore this book. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, this story is still an engaging read.” Read more. 

“Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what Andra Douglas brings us in the future." Read more. 

“…an exciting, intriguing, and engaging novel of women who live their dreams to play football…I would recommend this novel as an example of women setting out to do what they wanted, and live their dreams.” Read more. 

“Andra Douglas was a girl from Florida who had a passion for football. Always being told she doesn’t belong in sports, Douglas persisted and found her own way into the football world. She shares her many struggles along the road in her book Black & Blue: Love, Sports, and the Art of Empowerment.” Read more. 

“BLACK & BLUE not only challenges gender stereotypes, but takes readers behind the scenes of one of America’s least understood sports. Readers will cheer Christine as she doubles down to fight for the women who want nothing more than to be allowed to play the sport they love.  This is a story of empowerment that will inspire anyone who is struggling to fulfill their dreams.” Read more. 

“From the first page I was enthralled about how this story would unfold. It was an inspiring and sometimes humbling tale about not one woman, but many women, who have made the choice to journey into the sports that were dominated by men and succeeded. Bravo to them!” Read more.