But after his mother passed and his father, Terry “Big Cali” Sands decided that it was time for him to finally step down, Cameron could only think of one person he wanted by his side and that was his little brother, Canan. Canan “School Boy” Sands grew up around his father’s empire but elected to keep his hands clean and stay out of the family business. However, now that his father was stepping down, both Cam and Big Cali had been urging Canan to step up and take his father’s place.Even though Canan had been around the business all his life, he never really saw himself being a part of it, but now that he just graduated from college and couldn’t figure out what was next, he finally gave in and stepped up to be by his brother’s side and run BCE. Family over everything, so when Cam said he needed his brother by his side, Canan knew what he had to do. Canan had been with his girl, Chelsey for two years, and even though everyone in his life knew that Chelsey was no good, Canan wasn’t trying to hear it, until he finally saw her true colors. Canan finally lets Chelsey go and falls for Avery, whose life is just as complicated. Being the daughter of an addict and having a father that died during a drug deal when she was a baby, has Avery hesitant about Canan’s decision to run BCE with Cam. Will Canan be able to convince Avery to give him a chance or will his decision to run BCE cause him to miss out on love. Meanwhile, Cameron has decided that he needed to find someone to settle down with. He was tired of one-night stands and wanted someone in his life to be there for him and help him raise his four-year-old son, CJ since CJ’s mother, Justine was more concerned with whom she could get in her bed versus taking care of her son. Cameron meets Lauren but is not interested in her, until he sees her at the mall one day with her boyfriend and jealousy kicks in, making him realize that he wanted more from Lauren than just friendship.Being on top is not as easy as it seems because Canan and Cam have to constantly watch their backs, especially when it comes to people wanting to see them fail. Cam and Canan have no idea what they’re about to face, but together the Sands brothers are ready for anything.

    Zion Holiness Church. Feisty Natalia Freemon is the "head" of the crew. Rebellious and outspoken, she has no problems challenging the church status quo. Years later however, her loss of faith will tragically impact her life. Michelle Hanks, a country girl from a hardworking farm family is the peacemaker and "soul" of the crew. Although struggling with self-confidence she is wise beyond her years and can't wait to escape the farm life and find success; even if it costs her soul. Missy Jones, the "heart" of the crew, has the face of an angel and a voice sent from heaven. A pastor's daughter raised in the church, Missy loves the ministry and her place in it. But the flesh is tempting, especially when it comes in the form of sexy church musician and Mt. Zion playboy Tommy. In spite of her dedication to the word, Missy falls hard for Tommy, and then falls out of favor with the church. Trapped in a cycle of relationship abuse, Missy's world is falling apart until Beanie, a reformed stick-up man turned Deacon, shows her real love. But when tragedy strikes, Missy is torn between the truth, that could jeopardize every-thing she loves, or a lie that could be her damnation. These three best friends drift away from each other and the church but come back together through spiritual downfall, relationship crises, drug addiction, and even murder. Can the crew survive the drama involved in That Church Life?

    Who will come out on top? “Family isn’t everything; it’s the only thing,” has been the code Tyrik Anderson, aka, Tye has lived by since his first child came into the world and breathed his first breath twenty-one years ago. However, just because Tyrik lives by codes and morals, that doesn’t mean his son Shy does. When Tye’s connect Carlos is viciously robbed, Carlos vows vengeance against all involved. Circumstances causes Tye to exit the game, however, he soon learns that he’s more involved now than ever before. Tye has no idea what’s going on around him, but he’ll soon find out that the same person he’s willing to take a bullet for, also happens to be the same one behind the gun. Although raised by one of the city’s most respected drug dealers, Shy just can’t seem to stop fucking up. Cars, clothes, and trust funds aren’t enough to an ungrateful Shy, who seems to would rather trade the streets over his comfortable lifestyle. Instead of listening to his father, Shy chooses to embrace the streets with his two friends Drama and Rum. Up to no good, and with ill intentions, they soon begin what will ultimately be a bloody war in the streets. Tye’s daughter Tasha seems to be doing it all right, and to her, it’s finally paying off. Enrolled in college and successfully running her dad’s business, she still finds time to make room for love. Rich is like a dream come true to a naive Tasha. However, just like her father and brother, he’s tied to the streets in more ways than one. More titles coming soon from UPTOWN BOOKS. If you enjoy reading titles by MESSIAH RAYE, check out his colleague SHONTAIYE

    A deadly warning directs his course as he strives to carry out his orders.Complications set in when his mentor's beautiful, sexy, and rebellious daughter Lissha, who is as comfortable carrying a gun as she is carrying a Gucci bag, forces Kiam to decide between his sizzling desire for her and his immense loyalty to big Zo.Amidst the torrid but unspoken passion that builds between Kiam and Lissha like a blazing inferno, lies hidden alliances and deceit that threaten to explode at every turn.With sex, money, murder and dark secrets lurking around every corner and a team of beautiful yet dangerous women he is forced to work with, who will ultimately be the Bitch he can’t trust.

    Young, pretty, and wild, both females will do whatever it takes all for the mere love of convenient cash. However, will things become more than either woman can handle after some reckless decision-making? Hood, gritty, and raw, "Pretty Young Things" will take you on a wild ride unlike you have ever experienced.

    

    She is a nice girl with an attraction to the wrong types of men. No one seems to understand why she would get involved with a notorious criminal. After settling into a dangerous relationship with Devon, her life takes a drastic change for the worse. Caught between his material gifts and controlling behavior she searches for a way out. The battle to save Carlie from Devon's grip puts the lives of many people in jeopardy. By the time she realizes that force is needed when going up against Devon, it is too late. Carlie's fight to stay alive will keep you on edge. Will she give in? Or die trying?

     Twenty-year-old Arnessa didn’t grow up on the streets. But when her mentally ill mother abandons her and her older brother is murdered, Arnessa has no choice but to hustle just to keep herself and her little sister alive. Kisa “Kane” Montega, on the other hand, has a wonderful marriage, two beautiful children, and lives in a stunning home on the outskirts of Charlotte. Her cousin, Kennedy, has spent two years away from the volatile music industry, focusing on her children and building a solid foundation with her rap star fiancÉ, Chaz. But in spite of their success, both Kane and Kennedy are gravitating back to their old ways and the game they thought they’d left behind. After a chance meeting, Arnessa goes from being a low-level dealer to partner in their cartel. But the bigger their empire gets, the more haters they have to contend with—and the more each one of them stands to lose. Sexy, suspenseful, and unflinching, Danielle Santiago’s Allure of the Game gives fans exactly what they’ve been hoping for—a deeply satisfying conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy, packed with insight into the mean streets she knows so well.

    However, nothing ever came of the sparks that had been ignited. Four years and a college degree later, Sanchez is finally ready to stake his claim. Against her mother's wishes, Kamey takes a daring chance on falling in love with a Thug. Drugs, jail, and a slew of deranged side chicks quickly become Kamey's reality. With the odds stacked against her, will her love for a Thug prevail?

    Sequel to This Can't Be Life

    When it felt like the world had finally changed the hand that she d been dealt, reality continued to creep up on her. With a mom on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and an alcoholic crack-addicted father who use to beat her mom in front of her, who could blame Tiara for finding a family on the streets. Tiara s loyalty to her friends was undeniable. The crew consisted of, Tiara, Tamika, Shavon, Renee, Ke Ke and Karen. They jumped, robbed and fought other girls who stood in their way. When trouble surfaced, the crew had no problems with getting their hands dirty. Tiara was faithful to her crew handling any drama that presented itself. But when jealousy get s the best of friends, things continued to get ugly. With an older brother Tre James wrapped deeply into the streets becoming a drug dealer at 13, their younger brother Sharod had no choice but to admire both Tre and Tiara s lifestyle. Tragedy continued to hit home and Tiara s life continued to go down hill. She lost people who she loved and trusted the most to death, jail or betrayal. From welfare, section 8, jail, drugs, abusive relationships and lies, Tiara s future seems uncertain. Will she finally rise above the drama that meets her at every corner, or remain trapped in the jaws of the hood? Brace yourself as Tiara James takes you on a rollercoaster ride in her footsteps, in her hood, telling her story.

    Betrayal, lust, lies, murder, and love all come into play in this urban love story.The Alton brothers run the Detroit drug game, and it was a long time coming! Now these boys have their act together and plan on going all the way letting nothing or no one get in their way.When Sacario, the second youngest of the four, fall for an insecure waitress in the men’s popular hot spot- things get hectic.Will they stand the test of time or will the game of love prove to be just too Hard?

    Almost thirty years old, with a three-year-old son who worships the ground he walks on, a pregnant girlfriend whose family hates every breath he takes, and a slain best friend whose death racks him with guilt, Jermaine realizes it's time to change. But can he step up to the challenge, or will he continue to be a Trouble Man?

    It was lust at first sight, and Rhapsody isn't going to let young Malcolm leave her presence without a promise to fulfill her fantasy.Malcolm had no idea when he accepted Rhapsody's invitation to her bedroom that he was selling his soul to the devil. Malcolm thinks he can bed Rhapsody and simply walk away, but she is not one to settle for a one night stand. Rhapsody goes to desperate measures to keep her cub extremely close to her. Gifting Malcolm a very expensive SUV, filling his belly with home cooked meals and funding a trip to Cancun are just a few of the tactics that Rhapsody uses to ensure that Malcolm spends his nights in her bed and no one else's. However, when Rhapsody finds a mysterious package on her doorstep containing proof of Malcolm's betrayal and deception, she seeks revenge and seals her own fate.

    His brother, O bon, finds himself having to survive the game of being his only sibling. Together they'll navigate you through a single tale of lies, lust and revenge. Two very unpredictable endings will teach you why it's called Stained Cotton.