he number of books for African Americans that cover self-care issues always seems to be increasing. Recent offerings include an inspirational autobiography by a beauty products entrepreneur, a new book on hair, and a number of advice books for young adults, for whom little seemed to be available in the past.

The businesswoman Lisa Price is the creator and founder of Carol's Daughter, which produces and sells bath and body-care items through its store in Brooklyn, on its Web site, www.carolsdaughter.com and through body spas and salons in 14 states. She lectures on entrepreneurship at colleges and seminars. Her book, an autobiography and how-to, has recently been featured on NBC's Today show and other national television programs. The book includes recipes for body-care products and a resource guide on ingredients.

Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion by Lisa Price and Hilary Beard One World/Ballantine, April 2004 $24.95. ISBN 1-400-06109-1

Lisa Price's success is more than sweet. It's life saving. The Brooklyn native who started her $2 million a year bath and body-care product company, Carol's Daughter with $100, says folks tell her that the indulgent scents of her lotions and bath salts helped them survive illness, homelessness, and hopelessness.

The autobiography written with Hilary Beard, a senior producer with NiaOnline.com, begins with Price's memory, as a five-year-old, of being spellbound by the scent and sight of a basketful of rose petals she carried during a wedding. In fact, Price loved the petals so much, she dropped only a skinny trail up the aisle; she wanted to keep the rest! The church rocked with laughter.