Book picks similar to
Onyx and Starr by Lady Lissa


cliffhanger
reading-challenge
urban

Lawlessly In Love


Mercy B. - 2018
    The lack of attachments to anything other than the money that he liked to spend, unapologetically, assisted him in reaching his pinnacle. Women were a commodity that he frequently indulged in, but he never stayed too long or afforded them with too much attention. With an empire under his fingertips, his money and time are valued more than any aspect of his hectic life. The lone night, the one that fate leads him to the shared location with lowered lids and an elevated state due to the influence of marijuana, begins to decompose his perspective on the forbidden emotion. Gauge Morrison is simply looking for her forever, impatiently waiting for Mr. Right to show face. She’s gotten his occupation, demeanor, and beliefs figured out in that pretty little head of hers, yet she never expected her knight to wear red religiously, find comfort in his lonesome, avoid attachment, run a lucrative drug empire, tote a gun or two, or be one willing to risk anything for both his freedom and paper. She hadn’t imagined him being so lawless. She hadn’t fathomed he’d be Sosa Law. Happiness is accompanied by pain, and joy is the next of kin to sorrow. The venture to acquiring love for Sosa and Gauge is unmatched, undeniable, and unlawful. Gauge is forced to accommodate Sosa’s ruthlessness, as it begins to affect her personal life, while Sosa questions her loyalty and everything they are trying to obtain.

This Thug Love Got Me Trippin: A Houston Christmas


Anna Black - 2018
    A native of Houston, Texas, Zuriah now lives in Chicago and is in her third year of internship to become an anesthesiologist, and things are going perfect. Great loft, awesome career, and a doctor boyfriend, Zuriah has all she needs and falling for another man is not on her Christmas wish list. Jesiah Bowman is single and content with his lifestyle. He tries to be a family man but, when he finds out that the child he'd claimed isn't his, he has no desire to be in a committed relationship with anyone. Busy with work and maintaining his businesses is satisfying enough for Jesiah, until he sees his best friend Zachory’s baby sister, Zuriah, again after several years. Instantly, he is attracted to her and he doesn’t hesitate to let her know, but not only does she have a man, she lives in an entirely different state. They say love conquers all, but will that be enough to bring these two together, or will the distance and commitment to Zuriah’s doctor boyfriend be the reasons why these two lovers toss in the towel?

Nailah & Sage 2: A Love So Strong


Toy - 2017
    The past has definitely thrown a hard and fast curve ball for these two crime families. How will Nailah and Geronimo deal with the revelation of Nadia not only being alive, but that she has been in jail all these years? As much as it seems to only affect the Kahns, when family secrets, lies, and deceptions are revealed, The Youngs will have to deal with the lies of the past and the hurt of the present. When harm is brought to the families, it unleashes the beast in the elders. Creating savages out of Nailah and Baltimore, and leaving the new generation of The Youngs to try to keep things together. One thing for sure that the past can not change is how the Kahns and The Youngs will ride for each other as well as the connection that Nailah and Sage share, but what else can you expect with A LOVE SO STRONG? L

The JS Boys: Like Father Like Son


Shaytrece - 2017
    They were the eldest of the James/Santos offspring who were all either siblings or cousins and ranged in age from infants to early teens. But, now that the three boys were older, they had to face real life issues and responsibility. Lil Q’s name had already been run through the system due to the parents of his first puppy love, Jyla. Now the majority of his summer vacation was spent going back and forth to the courthouse trying to clear his name. Cons’ vacation was spent on his new career, but he later finds himself walking the footsteps of his father. Cons was a go-getter and had been that way since he could comprehend that people catered to children. Once Cons’ career blew up, he also figured out how much it brought attention from his peers, be it good or bad. Now that Cee saw how much drama had come into his family from his little brother and cousin, he chose to keep his feelings for his best friend at bay, not knowing that she liked him too. Cee, Cons, and Lil Q all knew the rules of the James and Santos family. Now that they were older, their parents felt they needed a little more freedom, but would it all be taken away after their parents learned just how much chaos surrounded their children?

Choyce and Zenia 2: Finding Love By Mistake


Hydiea - 2018
    She’s use to giving second chances, so Choyce was back on her good side with a raging soon to be ex-wife from hell. Carol is aiming for blood, if she can’t have Choyce, no one can. Zenia didn’t know loving Choyce would put her best friend in danger, let alone a coma. Joss placed himself in the picture showing his true colors, and just how dirty of a cop he was. Can Zenia continue to love Choyce, even though he comes with baggage? Can Choyce gain her trust back? Will Joss get what he deserves? Find out in this part 2 Finale what the future holds for this Dysfunctional group of people in New Orleans.

The Hottest Summer Ever


Sai'jah St. James - 2017
    After finding out about a possible adultery between his wife and best friend, Big Nate goes into a violent rage, seeking answers from his supposedly loyal wife. One thing leads to another during the midst of the quarrel, Big Nate ends up murdering his wife in front of his two young daughters, Summer and Serena, and then eventually turns the gun on himself. Witnessing the bloody murder-suicide before their young eyes proves to be extremely traumatic to the girls, especially Summer, the eldest. She quickly realizes that after her parents’ death, her and sister will be going off into an unknown, dark future and they have no one else to support them other than themselves. Relying on each other for love and comfort, the girls suddenly are thrown into the complicated and unsympathetic Illinois foster care system, hoping perhaps someone would come and rescue them. After months of praying, finally a generous, loving white family comes to the girl’s rescue. Summer who is reluctant at first, eventually gives in to the idea of being reared by white people. Months pass, and the two sisters seem to be adjusting well to their new life until one day out of the blue, their mysterious grandfather, Granddaddy Rev. Luther Gaines, suddenly comes to take his granddaughters out of the foster care system and brings them back to the inner city where now the girls are forced to adjust to a completely new reality – Grand Boulevard Towers, the most dangerous housing project in the entire city of Chicago. Summer, who’s all out defiant, initially tries to fight against the abrupt change, but finds herself going up against a formidable, dark, oppressive foe – her strict, religious and overpowering grandfather. After using his brute force to discipline the girl into submission, Summer caves in and now is forced to adapt to this new hellish ghetto reality. She has to adjust to a new school, meet new friends and also deal with the tribulations of bullying, sexual harassment and other woes plaguing her surroundings. Summer, looking for a way out, eventually gets keen to her surroundings and has a plan to leave the projects. One event leads to another, Summer eventually discovers a deep and dark hidden secret about her so-called religious grandfather that eventually changes her perception about her life. This secret uproots everything she assumed to be true about her mother and father. Now armed with information regarding the bizarre circumstances surrounding her parents’ death, Summer goes on a mission to exact revenge. However, the mission will try her in so many ways that it even threatens to change her completely into a person she’d never thought she’d become -- a coldblooded, ruthless killer. Read more about Summer’s coming of age story in “The Hottest Summer Ever”.

Caught Up In A Rich Thug's World 2: The Finale


Vee Bryant - 2020
    

I'm Falling For A Louisville Savage


Keisha Elle - 2017
    A city with Southern roots and a Midwestern vibe. Even the grimiest of people are in search of their next come-up. Where most fail, a select few prosper. Born and raised in the city, Santiago has it all; money, power and free reign over the city’s drug trade. With his wife, Marley by his side, he built his empire from the ground up and strives to achieve more. There’s only one problem… Amaya. She’s more than just a pretty face and her ‘assets’ are enough to ensure Santiago’s demise. Tired of waiting for her time to shine, she takes matters into her own hands. With Santiago in her sight, no one, including his wife, is going to stand in her way. Everything that glitters isn’t gold. For Marley, loving Santiago is no easy task. When his late nights and constant excuses become too much to handle, she learns that loyalty means nothing in the streets. Friends turn to enemies and life as she knows it will never be the same again. While everyone else is out for self, Marley is determined to find happiness in the mist of chaos. Cashmere has one thing on his mind- money. He supplied the city with the best product around, and earned mad respect along the way. The only thing constant in his life is his little sister Kensley. Determined to seclude her from the grit and grime of the city, he kept his guard up. His no-nonsense approach allowed him to amass his empire, but being on top can be lonely. He wasn’t looking for love, it found him. Even the hardest of hearts can be softened. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Maybe you’ll fall for a Louisville savage too. Are you ready?

Humbled By A Real N*gga 3


Lisa Austin - 2021
    

Gemini


Denetria Gibson - 2014
    Although they work on opposite sides of the law; their lives are perfect. Until a case which involves Patricia leads her down a road that she thought she would never see again..in the mind of a Gemini.

I Need A Boss In My Life


Jessica M. - 2016
    She had to grow up fast and learn how to use what she had to get what she wanted. As the young protégé of her mother figure and boss, Trinity Daniels, she finds out early on the power of what she has between her legs. Ren has been doing things her way and on her own ever since the one person she trusted let her down. Therefore, when she has an encounter with a real “Boss” she doesn’t know what to do or how to handle it. She does all she can to avoid him and put off the connection that they both feel. Due to the curve balls thrown in her life, she has no clue what love really is until she’s pursued by a man who doesn’t take no for an answer. Everything about Bryan “Boss” Stephens screams money, power, and respect. Anything Boss wants, he gets, and right now, what Boss wants is the beautiful, sexy, intelligent, Ren Wright. Even though they meet in a way that’s not likely for most, they hit it off immediately, and he knows right away that he has to have her. The only problem seems to be that Ren doesn’t know her worth and is truly putting up a fight against allowing him into her life. Will Ren allow her past issues and present lifestyle to keep her from being with Boss? Can she be the woman Boss needs in his life or will she cause him more harm than good? Boss will have to step his game up to show Ren what it is to be with a real man. Lies and secrets come to light when these two decide to hook up. Are they ready to face the consequences of being together? Can they survive the storms? Let’s take a ride with Ren and Boss as they travel down the rocky road to love... Boss may be just what Ren needs in her life.

That Bona Fide Hood Love: Pluto and Galaxi


Taneice - 2019
    Now at twenty-one-years-old, Galaxi vows to do whatever it takes to get her sister back where she belongs—with her. Galaxi is reunited with her sister but everything imaginable happens, leaving her having to make certain choices to ensure their survival. Those same decisions left her indebted to the sexy irresistible Pluto and he’ll stop at nothing to get what’s rightfully his.

4 Ever Down With Him 2


Tay Mo'Nae - 2017
    Nike, is still in mad after finding out his sister is pregnant by his best friend and shuts them both out, while dealing with the aftermath of Noni’s shooting. Nike is on the hunt for Deshawn, who seemed to vanish after shoot both Nike and Noni. Duke and Trina are trying to make it work but can’t seem to get it right. Trina finally let’s go of her childish ways and is ready to be the woman Duke needs, but when things get rough Duke flees one too many times, creating space between him and Trina. Trina, fed up, decides she wants to co parent with Duke, but Duke isn’t willing to accept it. Will these two get it together? Evelynn and Deshawn are working together, trying to separate Noni and Nike from each other. But after the shooting things change, and sides are switch. Find out if these couples are strong enough to make it through the jealous ex’s, new love interest and if friendships and relationships can be restored. Or will they all throw the towel.

Rhythm & Hood (A STAND ALONE NOVEL): A Dope Boy's Heartbeat


Niqua Nakell - 2016
    Young and sassy, Rhythm's only concern is graduating high school and having some fun. Raised by her hard working mother, Rhythm learned early on to love herself first and not to believe every boy's lies. Everything her mother has taught her get's put to the test when she constantly runs into the hood's most infamous bad boy that just so happens to go by the name, Hood.Hood is beyond rude, but to most that's part of his charm. With a sex appeal that is too strong for her faint hear, Rhythm ends up giving into his advances even though something is telling her she is destined for heartbreak.Hood lives by the saying cash rules everything around me, and is motivated by the drugs and fast life. Life for him is no longer the same when his heart starts beating to a different tune after Rhythm catches his eye. His desire for Rhythm brings out foreign emotions that he's just not ready for.Hood and Rhythm explore the possibilities between them and find out head first that love can be a dangerous game. With both of their hearts being involved, death and tragedy comes crashing in causing the two down a lonely highway. Follow the sound of Hood's heart beat in this hood love story to see just how Rhythm became a dope boy's heartbeat.

His Rib, Her Rider: An Urban Love Story


Saja Jay - 2017
    But neither knew their carefree natures would lead to Seven being pregnant at the young age of sixteen. Despite the love and connection that Jamal's mother shared with her son while in her tummy, somehow after birth, baby Jamal was lost through the system. The minute his young feet landed on the front steps of the home of his new foster mother, Jamal didn't stand a chance. On an everyday basis he was teased, bullied, and made fun of by his peers. His foster mother was abusive and neglectful, only seeming to care about her biological son, Marquise, and no one seemed to care. Only one person had Jamal's back from the day they met. Tyra Smith was one of the prettiest girls that Jamal had ever laid eyes on. What made her even more special was that she didn't care about the way Jamal dressed or how big his clothes were. His matted down unkempt hair didn't faze her a bit because Tyra saw Jamal for who he really was inside. From the day the two first met, she never passed judgement. But how could she when even her life wasn't as perfect as people on the outside assumed? Living in a home with an abusive stepfather and a mother who didn't seem to care, Jamal was all that Tyra had. After forced Jamal to make a decision that would forever change him and Tyra lives, they were pulled out of the jam by Wali, who noticed Jamal and took a sudden interest in the young savage. Everything about Jamal reminded Wali of himself at that age, even the way he had love for Tyra was all too familiar to Wali. This caused him to become immediately intrigued. Taking Jamal under his wing, Wali allowed his wife, Fallon, and sister Yaya to mentor the pretty Tyra. Wali and Asim showed Jamal the ins and outs to surviving this cold world. But when Wali and Asim’s past comes back lurking around the cut, everything starts to get chaotic. Now the trio is determined to end whatever old beef and drama that's threatening to come into their life and shake things up. But that's easier said than done, and if the crew thought it was going to be a walk in the park, well they were wrong. Come take a journey with these new and old characters, but let me warn you… it won't be sweet.