Gabrielle (Gabby) Jackson meets her fiancé Mario Tillman around the age of fifteen when he moves into her neighborhood, and they quickly become an item. When he enlists in the United States Army, Gabby leaves everything behind to join him in Fort Hood, Texas and five years after she moves in, he finally proposes. Even though Gabby learns that Mario is sleeping with other women, getting the news that one of his side chicks is pregnant, was too much and she finally throws in the towel. Ten years of lies, cheating and no wedding date, she decides to head back to Chicago, to get over Mario and have a fresh new start. Club owner, Gabriel (Gutta) Wilkerson is a true bachelor, and he loves the life he is living. Although he has a steady woman in his life named Trina Nichols, things are no more than physical for him and when he lays eyes on Gabby, one night at his club, Passion’s he doesn’t deny the instant attraction that he had for her and pulling the plug on his lover Trina was a breeze. He knew marriage, and kids were in the cards for him, but he just didn’t know the desires to make that happen, would come sooner than later, because from the night he met Gabby, he knew she was the one. But is she ready for what he has to offer, or will she let her past relationship with Mario dictate her future? Will Trina walk away as easy as Gutta predicts, or will she fight for what she believes belongs to her? They say loves always wins, but will that be the case for Gutta & Gabby?

    She went against the code of the hood, and now she is paying for it. One loyal yet twisted decision leads to Keisha hiding in a closet, in desperate need of help. Ryan sends the help she needs, but when she sees that help, she's mesmerized. From that moment on, Keisha doesn't want to imagine life without him, and she doesn't even know his name yet. Sheppard Andrews has only been in love once. That love was reserved for the mother of his daughter. When she was killed in Iraq, Sheppard entered a depression that no one could seem to pull him out of. Doing his best to walk a straight line comes to a screeching halt when he receives a call from long-time friend, Ryan, to save a chick named Keisha Landry. He doesn't know her, but if Ryan thinks she's worth saving, then that's all that matters. The moment he sees her, he knows that she possesses the power to have him groveling at her feet. So many obstacles stand in the way of Sheppard and Keisha's connection. He vows to take care of her and protect her from her not so over drama, but after blasting his way to her, they both realize that her troubles are following her wherever they go.

    Audrey Gibson was just three-days shy of turning twenty-two years old when her boyfriend, Sean, comes in from out of town after being on tour for months with superstar Antwan Jared. Audrey resented the music industry, which drove a wedge between her and Sean, a boy she’d been in love with all of her life. A hard-day’s work as a manager at Foot Locker leads to Audrey finally meeting Antwan Jared face-to-face. The rebellious, handsome superstar offers Audrey the chance of a lifetime—to compete for a songwriter position that had just opened at Instinctive Entertainment. After finding out that Sean may be cheating on her with her sister, she decides to confront the two and takes Antwan up on his offer, showing off her skills as not only a writer but a singer at a club. From the moment Antwan met Audrey, he knew she was someone that he wanted to have around. Her intentions were to piss Sean off; Antwan’s intentions were to win her over, despite the fact that she had a man. The performance changes Audrey’s life forever, forcing not only Audrey but everyone else in her life to confront their past.

    Being determined to care for those that she loves draws her to a new city. Luckily for her, she ends up scoring a win by getting a position at the Alcatraz of the South - Angola, Louisiana State Penitentiary. What seems like a promising job, turns out to be something that she has never experienced. She gets sucked in by a force she never knew existed. He's domineering, dangerous, powerful, and of course a thug that you just can't get enough of. This romance will pull you in from the very first page, and will have you wanting more Casanova... find out how Cassidy copes with this possessive force in Casanova & Cassidy: Thug Relationship Goals.

    Just when she thinks the nightmare can’t get any worse, her father is charged with the crime. Rachel will do anything to prove his innocence, but her loyalty is tested to the limits when she crosses paths with Nicholas Hunter, the ruthless prosecutor bent on sending her father to prison… Nick Hunter is thirsty for justice, a man made cynical by the horrors he experienced in childhood. He shows mercy to no one…until he encounters Rachel Calloway, the first woman ever to make him question his convictions. From the moment they meet, a forbidden attraction sizzles between them that neither can ignore.As danger lurks in the shadows, Rachel soon finds herself in the biggest fight for her heart…and her life.Ghosts of Fire is a 97,000 word romantic suspense novel that was originally published in 2002.Praise for the Romantic Suspense Novels of Maureen Smith“…a haunting, suspenseful story that documents Maureen Smith as a writer of considerable promise and ability” — Midwest Book Review on Ghosts of Fire “Few authors pen work that is so thoroughly engrossing the characters leave a lasting impression” — Romantic Times on With Every Breath“…keeps you guessing and hoping that these two will get together and find the perpetrators responsible…one of the best romantic suspense stories I’ve read in a long time” — The Romance Readers Connection on A Heartbeat Away“With a deft touch and solid cast of characters, Smith gives equal credence to spicy romance and nail-biting suspense on her way to an explosive conclusion” — Publishers Weekly on Whisper My Name“Smith weaves a captivating tale of mayhem and murder…a romantic suspense thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page” — San Antonio Express-News on Whisper My Name“…a tense page-turner that will further enhance Smith’s reputation in the romantic suspense genre—a reputation that is well deserved” — Romantic Times on Like No One Else

    The oldest of four girls. Graduate of New York Law School, two years earlier than expected, at the top of my class and apple of my father’s eye. After years of hard work and dedication, I’m finally rewarded by being able to sit in on one of the biggest trials in the city, being handled by the district attorney himself. I’m excited and terrified about working with him. After all my years of dreaming, the time has finally come. But then I met him... Luke “Outlaw” Murray. The youngest of six boys. Graduate at the top of his class at hood university where he got his degree in the streets. Certified in Street Nigga-ology. He’s rude. He’s arrogant. He’s abrasive and he’s… did I say he was rude? He’s everything I don’t want in a man. Everything I shouldn’t want… until I do. And this... this is a story about us. But beware, because it's not your average love story.

    The very same hood she craved but was off limits to her after the death of her father, one of the state’s biggest kingpins. Being released from the reigns her mother kept hold of, she finds her way back to the hood….and attracted to one of its most eligible ballers. Demonte is every woman’s wet dream…tall, dark, handsome and paid. When he crosses paths with Orchid, he’s determined to make her his. Eventually wearing her down, a one of a kind love begins that doesn’t go unnoticed. When jealousy, deception and envy come into play, lives are lost and the drama begins. Having lost the love of her life, Orchid struggles with picking up the pieces of her heart and raising a son on her own. After years of living in solitude, she emerges bigger and badder than ever….ready to take on life. When she finally opens her heart and again let’s love in, her past catches up with her and puts in jeopardy her happily ever after……or does it?

    Being a librarian and a self-made entrepreneur is what she lives for. Her parents and boyfriend Roland of four years however, aren’t as supportive of her dreams. When Roland does the unthinkable, Nykee is left with just the clothes on her back and is forced into a dilemma that her feisty mouth and alluring looks can’t save her from. Handsome and business-savvy Cuban native, Thiago ‘Phresh’ Avila, 30, is focused on one thing only: making money. In a bind with one of the biggest Cartels, he and his brother Santino are grinding hand over fist to clear their family's name. When Nykee runs into Phresh, he willingly offers help in exchange for her to keep quiet about a secret she that she becomes privy of. Though Phresh and Nykee cross paths by accident, their attraction to one another is undeniable, and their chemistry is off the Richter scale. What was meant to be strictly business turns into much more and they find themselves almost completely open for one another. They’ll both soon learn that being too nice comes with sacrifices neither of them are willing or ready to hand over.

    With her mother on drugs, she has to work the block to keep food on the table for her sibling and herself. Now at 18 years old, she is ready to leave the street life behind and focus on college. It has always been her dream to get out of the slums of Mississippi and move on to a better life. All of that changes when the infamous Romario Jones sets his sights on her. Standing at 6'3, smooth light brown skin, mesmerizing light brown eyes, and a fly swag to match, Romario Jones has always been the ladies dream catch. Things only gets better when their former mentor, Hypno, steps down and hands Romario and his friend Jace, his drug empire. Thing quickly unravel as jealousy, love, and tragedy strikes. Jace won't stop at nothing until he gets back what Romario has stolen from him. Can Eniyah survive the grimy streets of the Sip while also steering clear of her growing feelings for Romario, or will she stay in the game that she is fighting to get out of?

    
 Tiyanna is just like many women who can’t decide if she wants to stay or leave her husband, Charles, whom she has been married to for years. She finds herself being held hostage in an abusive relationship for the sake of keeping the picture-perfect image.
 However, with a best friend named Briesha in her corner, she leans on her for support and advice, not knowing that Briesha isn’t being a real friend because, even though Tiyanna is opening up to her, Briesha is keeping secrets. 
Find out the price you’ll pay when you fall in love with a dope boy by reading Loving a Dope Boy Through It All by Prenisha Aja’. You’ll find yourself glued to your seat as you ride a wave of a storm as Tiyanna walks a tightrope as thin as sewing thread that will eventually snap.
 Blood will be drawn, secrets will be kept, and love will be lost, but will death be the only way out?

    Ace Jackson Jr. resembled the Wileys and not his father, Ace Jackson Sr. His mother, Celia Jackson, told him to ignore the whispers and the innuendos, he was Ace Sr.’s son and not the son of their former gardener, Micky Wiley. For thirty-six years Ace Jr. managed to do just that. He ignored the speculation because he didn’t want to upset the status quo. However, a part of him was curious as to what was the truth of the situation, but he would honor his mother’s wishes. And then he met and developed feelings for Kiya Brady, the rumored love child of Micky Wiley, and then he realized that maybe he shouldn’t be honoring his mother’s wishes after all…

    Coveted has them all. Naima Ari Fairchild has a life that dreams are made of - a handsome, NFL husband of eight years (Kaden), two beautiful children and a glamorous lifestyle, with a big house, fancy clothes, and lots of money - or so everyone thinks. No one can begin to understand what it's like for Naima, living with a husband that can't embrace reality. Will she be forced to find a new love in Damir? Naima's best friend Haven, doesn't know the meaning of the word loyalty and truly tests their friendship. Emeri is a mysterious stranger who threatens to shake up Naima's life in more ways than one. How much can one woman take? Follow the stories of five characters, whose lives are intertwined by lurking secrets that should have been buried a long time ago. Read as the lines between lovers and friends, and right and wrong become crossed. This book might have you thinking twice before trusting someone that you call your "friend". Come explore what it is like to be...Coveted

    When she lost both of her parents, one to the system, and the other to cancer, poor Kylei was forced to grow up quickly and be raised by her aunt and uncle; grounded and living a good life. The only thing is that her heart is long gone, with no point of return in sight. That is until Lux Alexander comes around. Lux is an up and coming rapper, determined to make it big. He was raised by his single mother after his father was killed when he was young. After a small altercation with some bad people in Chicago, his mother forces him to move to Milwaukee to live with a man he considers his uncle. Thinking he’ll just be in Milwaukee for a short while, Lux is taken aback when he lays his eyes on Kylei again for the first time in years. Two years into their official relationship and Kylei experiences the ultimate betrayal at the hands of the man she loves with all of her being. After that, Kylei wants Lux out of her life for good. Years have now passed since Kylei washed her hands free of deceptive niggas, and she is a new woman from who she was before. Living in a new city with her best friend, she is excited about her new life. As she finishes college and is making the next steps in her career, Lux catapults his way back into her life causing havoc. Her feelings for him never having changed, Kylei is thrust back into the world that once again revolves around Lux. Will she again lose herself in him or will she prevail victorious, not feeling like anyone’s victim? After many years of love and heartache, will Kylei prove that she is not easily broken?

    They married and created a picture-perfect family. But, after only a few years of love and happiness, Selina discovers a horrible secret about her Mr. Right's past. It was hidden in the most unexpected place, his Bible.

     NEEMA ALI has just suffered a break-up that's made her gun shy on love. She doubts she will ever repair her heart and risk its well-being again, even if love and happily-ever-after is the tradition of her beloved Strong family. DANE JACKSON was raised to believe that the male members of his family find their soul mate once they possess the Jackson heart—a slave relic one of his ancestors made in celebration of his love for his wife. Dane’s no stranger to beautiful woman, but he is looking for something more than just the physical...especially when he meets Neema Ali on the very night his aunt bestows the Jackson heart to him. Dane must believe his feelings for Neema are more than just a fiery physical attraction and Neema must release the hold her pain has on her heart to allow a good man to give her the good love she deserves. In time, they both discover they are stronger and happier together than they are apart...if they both just say yes to love.