Book picks similar to
Tattooed Teardrops by D. Rashad Battle


m-m-romance
bisexual
urban-fiction
african-american-lead

Rise of a Kingpin's Wife


Vivian Blue - 2015
    Also known as Andrea Johnson, inmate number 194340. Shade was just released from a federal penitentiary, and headed back to St. Louis. She only has two things on her mind, getting back on top of the game. And, getting back the person who put her in that cage. There’s fire in her soul, because her ex-boyfriend Jefferson was the one who put her there since she wouldn’t tell on her best friend Mike. Shade’s loyalty to the code of the streets, and the love of her friend didn’t give her any other option, but to go to prison. Now faced with putting her life back together, and reconnecting with friends, Shade quickly sees that her best friend Tia, which happens to be Mike’s fiancée, doesn’t share the same sentiment, which was evident when Shade was locked up. And, her other two best friends Cali and Renee know that there’s an underlined envy that Tia carries around against Shade. But, when the truth comes out about why Shade went to jail, Mike’s lust for Shade begins to surface. And, Tia sees it from a mile away. While out celebrating Shade’s release, she meets a handsome Jamaican man named Kingston. He’s captivated by Shade’s beauty, but when he finds out she’s just released from jail, his intrigue and obsession begins. They exchange numbers with the possibility of hooking up later. The only interest Shade has in a man right now, is to use him for what’s in between his legs. Because, she’s on a mission, and a man would only complicate things. But what she doesn’t know is that her life is about to change forever.

Smoke Screen


Monique D. Mensah - 2011
    A serial killer is on the loose in Detroit, murdering men and leaving her mark, and each of these women has a motive to kill. Simone, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate for young girls, has begun to heal her wounds over the past ten years, but she is still trying to reclaim her life. Her mother, Jessica, thinks it’s unhealthy for Simone to immerse herself into a world of pain and jaded love when she has yet to fully heal herself. A new, unexpected love interest only complicates things further. Ryan is willing to do whatever it takes to become a mother, even if it means betrayal. With her biological clock screaming and a shameful ten-year secret bubbling to the surface, Ryan is determined to get what she wants, but she may lose her husband—and her mind—in the process. Lauren, one of Detroit’s most prominent defense attorneys, redefines justice and seeks a way out of the career that has left her feeling trapped and torn. She can’t set her moral standards aside for a $400,000 salary, winning acquittal after acquittal for the demonstratively guilty. But how far will she go to rid Detroit of its criminal filth? As Lauren, Ryan, and Simone’s lives collide yet again, forcing them to deal with the tragedies of their pasts, the three women regretfully learn that no one is safe behind the thin shield of a Smoke Screen.

CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk)


Tiece - 2010
    He is wanted by many attractive women, who will do anything to spark his attention. These thrill seeking women are known to him as his pawns and they anxiously wait for him to fulfill their sexual fantasies. In return, he’s paid generously for his adventurous deeds. His magnetism, good looks, and extraordinary style of love making is the key to getting him everything he wants, but falling in love was not part of the game plan until Candy makes her move on him. Things seem to be headed in the right direction until Candy’s world is turned upside down and Monty finds himself needing to be there to pick up the pieces. As the two grow closer, the balancing act between satisfying his pawns and being with his potential queen becomes a strategic move in wanting to have his cake and eat it too. Will this spontaneous high mean more to him than being with just one woman or will the love of the game entice him to continue to play? Will Candy continue to pursue the man of her dreams or will she ultimately realize that keeping her dignity is more important? One thing for sure is that Monty is going to continue to live life to the fullest and, at all cost, he intends on winning. Play at your own risk.

Goon


T. Styles - 2014
    Things appear to look up for Roman when Billy Bob Adams, a career criminal, finds him and whisks him to Baltimore, Maryland. With modern day slavery as his motive, Billy Bob teaches Roman every villainous trick he knows...including murder. From the moment Yoko was born she was unwanted. Born with a visible handicap people judged her upon first sight. Before long they turn the sweet child into a bitter young adult who does anything she can for attention. Even if it means taking responsibility for crimes she didn't commit. When Roman and Yoko meet they become an escape for one another. Since an idle mind is the devil's workshop they put their skills together and become living nightmares for unsuspecting drug dealers. Many years later, Roman vows to trade his turbulent childhood and crimes for a family of his own. Which means leaving Yoko and her volatile love of blood behind. When Roman must rely on his murder game to provide for his family, he excels and becomes the primary assassin for a multi-million dollar drug operation. But what happens when Yoko returns with a request that Roman doesn't want to honor? Explosive drama. Goon is an action packed thriller with unpredictable twists and excitement! Enjoy!

From Mistress to Wife


Angie Hayes - 2014
    Fed up with Troy and his games, Alicia calls it quits. She soon runs into Shawn, an old friend, and in no time begins to believe that she actually has a chance at happiness. With wedding bells in her near future, will Alicia go from mistress to wife, or will everything crumble when she finds out that Troy isn’t the only one with secrets? Keisha, Alicia’s cousin, has raised her daughter on her own since her ex walked out on her years ago. She meets Keith, they hit it off, and before long they are engaged; preparing to spend the rest of their lives together. That is until something shocking is revealed. Candy is Alicia’s close friend, and one of the people that she trusts the most. The problem is Candy isn’t who she seems, and is also holding in a deep dark secret, that is so bad, it will destroy their friendship forever. Cassandra, Troy’s wife, isn’t as naïve as he believes she is. She knows that her husband is cheating; always has. It could be because every time she turns around, another woman pops up pregnant with Troy’s child. Tired of trying to save her family Cassandra comes up with a plan of her own. In From Mistress to Wife, you’ll find out that everyone has a secret. The question is which ones are forgivable, and which ones are deadly?

Nothing Ever Happens


Sue Brown - 2011
    Then a new couple moves in down the street, and Andrew finds himself falling for Nathan in a big way. Nathan is straight, married, and just about to be a father, but after one fateful night out together at a club, Nathan has to face the fact that his feelings for Andrew go way beyond that of a friend and neighbor.When Andrew’s wife asks for a divorce, both men’s lives are thrown into disarray. Arguments about their responsibilities to their wives and children, doubting themselves and each other, and some harrowing lies pull them apart… but they never leave each other’s thoughts.

Gangland


K'wan - 2011
    Louis Alexander aka Lou-Loc found himself a hunted man. Trying to stay one step ahead of the gas chamber he flees to New York to try and pick up the pieces of his life.Fate throws him a curve ball when he meets Satin Angelino and finds himself headover heels in love. Satin is young, fine and keeping a secret that could cost him his life.

A Bittersweet Hood Dilemma: A Naptown Love Story


Natavia - 2015
    Tokyo is what you call an around the way girl. Life has not been easy for her since she ran away from home to be with, Darrion. Darrion was the love of Tokyo's life. She was his down chick until she finds out Darrion has another life.Tassana is the girl good that wants a taste of hood life. She does anything to live it. She too has another life. She has a craving for dope boys.Kauzie and Tokyo has been friends for thirteen years but he is secretly in love with her. Only problem is he can't get rid of Tassana who is Tokyo's sister.In this twisted hood triangle there is a lot of deceit, lies, and heartache. Two sisters and one man. Who can he choose? Tassana has a plan to conquer all.

Thugs Cry


Ca$h - 2012
    The two friends grew up eating noodles off of the same fork, now they are primed to eat off the drug game. From the Bricks to the ATL nigga's must bow down or get laid down.Cam'ron epitomizes the grimy streets of Newark, he's a supreme hustler with a vicious murder game. Cam'ron loves four things: his money, family, his homie, and his boo. Touch either one and you get served, Cam'ron warns the streets. Of course Newark niggas are the grimiest so they don't take heed to Cam'ron's threat, they touch all of the above. Tamika who is Cam'ron's boo makes shit hotter when she sets out to show him that he's not the only hustler checkin for her and she does not have to condone his womanizing. When Tamika gets with a hustler who refuses to let her go back to Cam'ron the consequences get catastrophic for somebody.Meanwhile, Raheem who is the polar opposite from his man, is quietly putting his G down in the Dirty South. When ATL thugs test Raheem's gun they find out that a quiet storm is the deadliest. Raheem is as gentle with his woman as he is proficient with his murder game. Kayundra, Raheem's shorty has fallen into drug addiction and it has her in a vice grip. Raheem's love for Kayundra never wavers. He helps her beat her addiction and soon she's refocused on her dream of becoming a R&B diva. With Raheem's help Kayundra lands a recording deal and almost overnight she becomes a star. But success comes at a price that threatens to shatter their love. Raheem and Cam'ron go hard for what they want, and they attain it, leaving a lot of bodies along the way. They make many mothers bury their sons and shed tears, but on the road to hood fame and riches they learn that sometimes the enemy strikes back and its your turn to cry.When the blood and tears stop falling will what Cam'ron and Raheem gained be worth what they both lose?

The Black Market (The Black Market Series Book 1)


Kiki Swinson - 2018
    Now she turns up the heat as a young woman cashes in on a sure thing—only to find some addictions are always killer . . .  Break the rulesAt first, Misty Heiress just wants to help. With her cousin Jillian in constant pain, and the doctor refusing to prescribe, Misty steals opioids from the Virginia Beach pharmacy where she works. But when Jillian starts reselling them to local dealers and gets big money, Misty grabs an unbelievable opportunity to get out of debt—and fulfill all of her and Jillian’s dreams . . . Live the dreamMisty soon realizes that her boss, Sanjay, has the same idea, ordering more drugs than patients need and always being out of stock. And when the new pharmacy owner takes an interest in Misty, she knows that time is running out for her and Jillian to make their plans work . . . Pay the priceBut then the Feds come calling . . . and Sanjay’s mafia partners want to increase orders . . . and Jillian’s bringing in partners to rob the pharmacy. It’s all too much for Misty. It’s only a matter of time before everyone’s plans to make money will have them all paying the ultimate price . . .Praise for Kiki Swinson  “A well-crafted plot. Pitch-perfect dialogue, juicy sexual trysts, cold-blooded betrayal, and ruthless violence mark this suspenseful fast-moving tale that is topped off by a shocking epilogue.” —Library Journal on The Score (Starred Review) “The suspense never stops in this edgy, violent thriller. Readers will be riveted and ready for more.” —Booklist on The Mark

My Brother's Keeper


Jade Jones - 2012
    Intelligent. Respectful. Considerate. At only nineteen he already has a promising future ahead of him. Nothing can deter his bright path to success. Not even his twin brother, Chance, who has consistently dragged Wisdom into his own drama since childhood.Meet Chance. Crude. Hot-headed. Reckless. Dropping out of high school at an early age, Chance has already accepted the fact that he's destined to be a "screw up." Unlike his brother, Chance finds solemn running the streets of Philadelphia. His reckless behavior ultimately leads to some bad decision making that will change his life forever.Spring break has arrived, and Wisdom decides to return home after an entire year of avoiding doing so. During this short amount of time, their love and respect for another is tested after Chance makes some reckless mistakes that ultimately leaves a loved one dead.My Brother's Keeper is a fast paced, gritty, Cain and Abel like tale that will leaving you wondering just how far you'll go to protect a loved one.

Midlife Crisis (Loyalty Series)


La Jill Hunt - 2019
    She and her handsome husband, Garrett, are the epitome of success: an immaculate house of their dreams, a beautiful and talented 17-year-old daughter, flourishing careers, and nearly twenty years of perfectly wedded bliss. Just as they are making plans for their vow renewal celebration, a call in the middle of the night interrupts their picture-perfect lives. Now Sylvia has to deal with the reality of Garrett’s dead mistress, a love child she never knew about, and the fact that the man she’s been married to for the past twenty years may not be the man she knows at all.Unlike her sister Sylvia, when it comes to love, Janelle Hudson can take it or leave it. Her on again, off again, noncommittal, stress-free friendship with Jarvis Baldwin is fine with her. But her life becomes complicated when she is faced with choosing between a sure thing with a good man or what feels right with the wrong one.Bestselling author LaJill Hunt is back with Midlife Crisis, an emotion-packed story of love, betrayal, and family loyalty. When lies are unveiled and secrets are revealed, can love be strong enough to forgive, even when you can’t forget? An abbreviated version of this novel entitled Jaded was previously published.

Bump This


L.T. Ville - 2012
    He has a life plan that includes being the class valedictorian and going to Columbia University. His mother is a recovering drug addict and his family is broken in most meanings of the word, but he has remained unfazed by his surroundings. He meets two cousins, Jesse and Derrick, and his senior year is turned on its head as he finds himself in a love triangle that leads to the discovery of details from his past that his mother wanted to keep hidden forever.

Marry Me


Mia Monroe - 2020
     The idea of facing my cheating ex at a friend’s upcoming wedding sends me right back to the chubby, insecure guy I was when I met my very straight best friend. Since then Jude has been the most supportive person in my life. So when I ask him for a favor, he steps up and becomes the best fake fiancé a guy could ask for. With three months before the big day, my friends rally to make sure we come across as authentic as possible. Jude takes to the lessons better than any of us anticipated. Especially the kissing. Now the fake engagement is starting to feel kind of real. This wedding should be really interesting… Marry Me is a steamy, best friends to lovers, fake fiancé, gay awakening, low angst story. It is book one in the Tattoos and Temptation series featuring hot Miami nights, Latin desserts, and guys with ink. It can be read as a standalone.

The Men Who Sleep With My Husband


Alicia Coston - 2008
    Conspire with a hitwoman to murder my husband’s lovers.2. Frame my husband for their murders.3. Tell no one and to hell with the church.This is just the beginning of a vengeful to-do list for beautiful pastor’s wife and successful salon owner Lavender Wallace. After all, it’s not every night she finds her husband of almost twenty years, Pastor Quincy Wallace, with a prominent deacon kneeling before him in the pulpit—if only it were in prayer. With God taking entirely too long, Lavender satisfies her growing contempt by teaching her husband a malicious lesson that his faith never could. But trying not to fall for the detective investigating the case of her husband’s disappearing lovers proves difficult for a lonely and scorned wife. Shielding a doting teenaged son from his father’s secrets is even harder. As old lies are exposed and a deadly plot backfires threatening to destroy those she loves most, Lavender is forced to make a life-altering decision—the bible or the bullet?