Book picks similar to
He Was Mines First by Linette King


urban-fiction
african-american-literature
suspense
urban-romance

Issa Hood Love Story: Eden & Bounce


Sabrina A. Eubanks - 2018
    Their great chemistry makes taking a man down easy work and they trust each other with their lives, each being the other’s ride or die. Beneath their stellar working relationship is a smoldering mutual attraction that has always been waiting to claim them both. When Bounce has a conflict with her and finds that his baby’s mama, Amina, may have committed a serious violation against him with a hot shot dope boy from the other side, he becomes obsessed with killing him before he has a chance of doing the same thing. When he finally rids himself of the problematic Amina, he and Eden finally get the chance to build something with each other that they’d each been searching for. They don’t realize it at the time, but that one confrontation with Amina sets off a chain reaction of events that will remold their lives for better or for worse, making them experience love, pain, and extreme loss, and Bounce will discover dark secrets hidden from him for his entire life. It’s hard for love to survive in the best of times… can it make it through the worst?

Ain't Nothing Like A Chi-Town Thug


Kevina Hopkins - 2015
    Due to her low self esteem she believes that she will never find a man that she can call her own. It isn't until she meets the charming Aaron Givens that she sees her true beauty.Aaron is handsome, smart, and wealthy. He has all of the qualities that Antionette wants in a man. There's only two issues to that. He has all the qualities that every other female around the way wants as well and he's heavy in the streets.Antionette has to figure out if she has what it takes to be a thugs leading lady or will she throw in the towel when things become unbearable. Find out what happens when a good girl and a bad boy's world become one. Love, lies, secrets, and betrayal are straight ahead.

A VERY MODEL MURDER: An Inspector Rudolph Riley Mystery


Jack G. Hills - 2017
    But to add further angst to the growing list of gruesome killings is his boss’ decision to re-open the cold case involving the disappearance of a school boy in what has become an annual test of endurance… The Ten Tors Race. Unsure why a twenty year old case has suddenly come to the top of his in tray, his suspicions are aroused further when the murder victims all appear to have been school friends of the missing boy. Adamant that coincidences don’t exist in police work Riley sets about trying to find the link between Sam Haldane’s disappearance and the recent killings, other than the obvious connection of friendship. Added to his troubles, is the presence in the area of a fugitive, who has his own ideas about revenge and justice and an unscrupulous developer, who wants to buy the land surrounding his farm and turn it into a theme park, with scant regard for the history or the people who were thrown off their land prior to D Day. With the disappearance of the schoolboy and the final showdown all set around the infamous Fox Tor Mire, which was allegedly the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Grimpen Mire in the Hound of the Baskervilles, the murderer is finally revealed but not without one final twist of the plot. But in all the blackness and soul searching there is one ray of brightness for Riley, and its one that will bring him a little closer to his brother and shows a different side to the curmudgeonly detective.

Arquez and Palmer: A Detroit Love Saga


Dominique Thomas - 2016
     Arquez was there for me; he’d somehow became the shoulder I cried on when Ishmael let me down. See the problem was that Arquez was his best friend. More like his brother. I guess the best way to describe Arquez was that he was somewhere between a sweetheart and an asshole. Yet, I couldn’t stop myself from falling for him. So what’s a girl to do when she’s fallen for the last man she should ever be with? Do I give in to these feelings or do I stay with a man that I don’t even have all of? I’m Palmer and this is my story.

Somebody Else's Thug


Tina J. - 2019
    Her mom was barely in their lives, but her presence was always around. Sunshine had a decent job, and she tried her best to help around the house; yet, nothing she did was good enough. Taking matters into her own hands, she stumbles across a man who can give her all that she needs and more, but at what cost? Her boyfriend is no good, and when he does help, he’s caught doing something Sunshine could never imagine, leaving her heartbroken and unsure of what to do. Shady is the rising track star of the family, and while protecting them, things go terribly wrong, and it lands her in jail. She turns to someone from her past for help. All he wants in return is her love, and she decides to give the relationship a chance. Unbeknownst to her, he’s done things in the past that can hurt their future. Moony is the baby of the family and trying her hardest to keep her head above water. With her sister trying desperately to remove them from poverty, she decides to find a job to help out the best she can. But what happens when her best friend is hiding secrets that will destroy Moony’s happiness? Can she be forgiven, or is it best for Moony to move on from what she’ll soon consider as dead weight?

Snow Rush


James Easton - 2020
    But the quiet resort is about to become the venue for a brutal clash between dangerous men who feed on violence and a woman of honour who won’t back down.Ex-firearms cop, Carolina Carrasco, is reluctantly chaperoning precocious teenager Miguel on a snowboarding trip when a group of heavy-duty criminals moves in next door. So does Robin King, a journalist chasing a career-defining interview with the gang’s leader, the notorious Jean Haim.A chance event leads Carolina and Haim into a deadly game of cat and mouse. When Haim targets Miguel, Carolina unleashes in defending him and there is only one way it can end.Snow Rush is a fast, violent, sexy origin story for Carolina Carrasco, a hero who works, loves, and always, always shoots straight.

Talon (Talon #1)


Brent Towns - 2022
    What she pieces together is a group of misfits—no longer wanted by anyone else—with talent to burn.Led by disgraced German Intelligence officer Anja Meyer and SAS reject Jacob Hawk, the team is autonomous, utilizing the full force of the Global Corporation and its resources as they trek across different continents in pursuit of their elusive foe—a worldwide phenomenon called Medusa.

Baby Girl You're His Blessing


K.B. Cole - 2017
    Like her dad always tells her, ‘happiness is within.’ Maybe that’s why all of her relationships fail, she’s looking for happiness in a man. After her boyfriend Kofi breaks her heart it makes her realize she needs to focus on herself. If love is meant for her than it would have to find her. Menace has just ended a messy long term relationship and isn’t looking for love. He hates drama and when him and Blyss cross paths she’s causing hella drama. But for some reason he’s still drawn to her. When he finds out that she has been helping his family he knows there’s more to her than just good looks and attitude. Menace and Blyss aren’t looking for love but their chemistry is undeniable. Things are just easy for them, but it wouldn’t be a hood love without drama. When enemies come for them will they be able to last? Blyss won’t let Menace be drawn into her mess. She’d rather leave him then put him in danger. But, Menace isn’t an easy man to get rid of. Will Blyss really be his blessing or his curse?

Something About His Love


Lex. C. - 2018
     Colton “Colt” Harris is the epitome of a real man. Not only does he pride himself on being a real man, but he’s got a heart that won’t allow anything less from the men who cross his path. While Colt may be a little rough around the edges, he loves hard, and with just cause. Colt’s world is full of women who need him, and when Giana finds herself on the cusp of a life changing decision, it just so happens to land her at the center of it. With Colt’s love in high demand and Giana’s love being something she’s not sure she wants to give, these two find themselves in a drama-filled whirlwind that not even a love like Colt’s may be able to weather until the end.

Her Thickness Was His Weakness 2


Nichole DeCari - 2016
    As soon as I reached the doors for the west wing ICU, I looked around for the family visitation room. I entered the doors with my adrenaline on overload. The first face I spotted was Ma Lique. She stood over Rah as he sat in a chair with his arms draped over his knees and his head lowered slightly above them. Ma Lique was stroking his back and I feared the worst. My steps seemed to fail me as it felt like forever to make it next to where they sat. Feeling my presence, Ma Lique looked my way with a tear-stained face. “What the fuck is going on?” I asked worry etched in every word I spoke. Ma Lique spoke first. “Calm down, baby. Deena was in an accident. She’s in surgery. We’re waiting to hear from the doctor,” she uttered through muffled tears. “It wasn’t no fucking accident!” Rah shrieked rising to his feet and moving toward the window. “The bitch ran her off the road and tried to kill her and my unborn seed.” “Man, what the fuck happened?” I asked as I followed him. “Man, I don’t know all the details. All I know is the highway patrolman said witness statements indicate her truck was clipped and rammed by another vehicle. By the time both cars came to a standstill, a tractor trailer slammed the other vehicle pushing it into her car before both cars went spiraling down an embankment.” “Do they have any idea who did this shit?” I asked Rah as I huffed and puffed. “Yeah, man. It was that bitch, Cashmere. She’s in this mothafucka somewhere. When I get my hands on her she’s a dead bitch,” Rah seethed, teeth clenched and his right fist hitting the palm of his left hand. “Nah, my nigga. I got that bitch. I’ll tell you about the bullshit as soon as Pimp is out of the woods,” I sneered attempting to rein in my anger towards Cashmere. I patted Rah on the back. “Pimp is going to be alright, man. She’s strong and a damn fighter. There’s no way in hell she’ll let a bitch like Cashmere take her out. Plus, she’s going to fight tooth and nail to hang on for CaLi and RJ. Trust me, man. She’s gonna make it.” “I keep telling myself that, man. I love her so much. Man, if I lose her I don’t know what I’ll do.” A few minutes later, we heard a little commotion and turned to see CaLi and her grandparents coming through the doors. Rah turned and CaLi ran straight into his arms. He hugged her tightly. “She’s going to be alright, CaLi. Your momma isn’t going to leave you.” CaLi cried uncontrollably. “I can’t lose her, Rah. I just can’t. What about my baby brother? I can’t lose him either. Who would be so mean to do this to my mother?” Ma Lique walked over and pulled CaLi into her arms. “Baby, your momma is a fighter. She’ll fight for you and your brother. Come with me and your grandparents to the chapel to pray.” She gave CaLi a few tissues to wipe her face and the four of them walked away. A few minutes later, CoCo appeared carrying a take-out tray with four cups with lids on it. “Hey Monty,” she spoke, as she handed Rah a cup first and then passed one to me. I gave her the “What’s up,” head nod and then lifted the cup to my lips. When the liquid slid down my throat and the taste of Cognac hit my taste buds, a smile formed on my face.

Gangland: A Real Chicago Love Story


Leo Sullivan - 2018
    With dreams of making it big, she is already on the right track to a new life after building a following by doing make-up tutorials and posting sexy photos of herself on her Instagram page. Though a good girl, she’s infatuated with the violent and merciless street king, Polo, the head of the city’s most notorious gang. She wants nothing more than to help him drop his current girl so that she can be the woman in his life. But Star gets more than she bargained for when a series of events lead her to not only be Polo’s main chick but forces her to be the leader of the female counterpart to his gang. Tragedy strikes when Star’s own dope fiend of a mother robs Polo’s trap house and the act sends Mink, Polo’s baby brother, and Kato, Polo’s right-hand man, blasting right through Star’s front door. When the night ends with Kato shot and Mink murdered at Star’s hands, Polo demands to know who is responsible for killing his brother but she quickly covers her own tracks to save herself from his wrath. Unfortunately, Star doesn’t know there is a witness to her crime. Kato, who she thought she’d killed is actually alive and in a coma fighting for his life. When he suddenly awakes, Star is afraid that her fate will be sealed as soon as he tells how Mink really died. However, Kato is not the same man that he was before and things between the two quickly begin to change. When sparks fly and Star feels she’s found true love in the one man she thought she hated more than anyone on Earth, will the real truth of her lies come to light and ruin it all? This is the first part of a series written not for the faint at heart. Brace yourselves for a story of love, loyalty and survival on Chicago's Southside.

Keyshia and Cashmere: A Jersey Hood Love Story


Karma Monae - 2015
    And with beauty, education, and a hustler’s ambition, she proved just about everyone who doubted her wrong. Making it to the top wasn’t easy, but with her brother Ru, and his crew behind her, she was destined to make it happen. But she soon learns what goes up must come down and that having a few secrets of her own may just come back and bite her in the ass along with tearing her relationship with her brother apart at the same time.Ru had been raising Keyshia since she was a little girl, ever since their crack head mother ran off and left them for dead. After he steps up and does what he knows best, which is getting money, it’s only fair he takes his right hand man Cashmere with him. But what happens when they both end up facing 20 years in the feds? With his wifey Tandy by his side, Ru is prepared for anything as long as she is riding. But will she ride when she finds out Ru’s been hiding secrets of his own? Cashmere was the hoods hot commodity for as long as he could remember. Fast cars, pretty bitches, and racks of money were nothing new to him. Neither was going to jail. But after getting done dirty by his baby momma, he realizes the only person he ever loved was Keyshia, but being with Keyshia meant betraying his right hand man something he wasn’t sure he wanted to do. What happens when Keyshia’s big secret is revealed, will Cash still want her or will he write her off like all the other bitches who done him dirty?It’s a thin line between loyalty and love, and with secrets on the horizon not everyone is strong enough to make it. Take a ride with the crew in the first installment of “Keyshia and Cashmere: A Jersey Hood love Story”

Money Makin' Mamas


Silk Smooth - 2013
    Taffy Douglas, the real bitch in charge, is the mama of three sexy, smart and highly creative daughters who use their skills with Internet video porn to make paper. Chyna, Karrine and Simone have a hands-off approach when it comes to men, and they prefer to handle their business with high-dollar Ballers who are willing to pay up for a sneak peek at the sisters from the other side. Whenever the rules are broken and their true identities are revealed, the sisters find themselves in many sticky situations that have consequences. But if Mama has to come to the rescue, shit will hit the fan and the bond they all have will come tumbling down.

Tangled Webs: Love, Lust, & Diamonds


Zarkia - 2018
    Takes you to the highest of the highs. Lust. Sends you crashing back down to earth to face your own reality, especially when you’re lusting over the wrong person. For Raquel Davis, she unearths both sides of this dainty coin. Cameron is the man of her dreams, and she wants nothing more than to marry him and to love him unconditionally. However, her monthly appointment has Raquel diving deep into the garden of forbidden fruit. Will partaking of the delicious fruit cost Raquel her ultimate dream? Or will love conquers all and make Raquel’s dreams come true? Cameron Hodges is living his best life. With his woman Raquel firmly by his side, he’s accomplished one of his biggest goals in life, owning a jewelry store with his best friend Daree. Diamonds. Supplying the highest quality of diamonds and gold to people everywhere. Even though he has a plethora of good things happening in his life, Cameron quickly learns that everything that glitters ain’t gold. Try as he might, Cameron gets caught up in a tangled web that is much harder to break through. Tracey Thompson is married to Daree and is the epitome of a perfect wife. She has the perfect body, perfect hair, is the perfect mother to her children, and prides herself on being nothing less than the best. Anything her man wants, she’d do without question. Until she accidentally stumbles across what she thought is her husband’s biggest secret, instantly sending her spiraling out of control. Tracey’s perfect world is no longer perfect and coming to terms with this new reality is proving to be a much difficult task. Will Tracey get a grip on life or will she get caught up in a web of her own demise? Daree Thompson just wants to be loved, be appreciated for the strong man that he is, wants to work hard, and to take care of his family. He prides himself on being the most loving and trustworthy man, husband, and father. His beautiful wife Tracey makes him the happiest man on earth...or so he thought. Getting pushed to his limits was never a part of the plan. We all know what they say when a woman’s fed up, it ain’t nothing you can do about it. But what happens when a man is fed up? Will Daree and Tracey survive the sudden upheaval in their marriage and their lives? This sunny South Florida crew will get you so tangled up in their webs, you won’t want to break free. Twyla T Presents brings you this new urban romance debut by upcoming author Zarkia. Find out just how woven are these webs in this first book in the Tangled Web: Love, Lust, and Diamonds series.

Clinical Error


John Egerton - 2017
    Kate Westbrook inherits a concierge medical practice near Austin, Texas. Things go very wrong. Medical mistakes or sabotage? Jack Stone, her live-in lover, has what he thinks is an answer to her problems, but could it make things worse? Modern technology and the best of intentions do not always provide the best outcome for the patient. As they try to solve the mystery that surrounds them they discover the horrifying truth that is not only threatening patient's lives but also their own.