In fact, that was the last thing she wanted. However, a chance encounter with Jericko Cook, A.K.A. Ricko, might just change her mind. Then again, it might prove why she’s steered clear of bad boys in the first place. Between shoot outs, other women vying for his attention and a long list of deceptive characters lurking, Arianna might not be able to handle being a dope boy’s woman, or she could find out there’s a lot more thug in her than she thought. Ricko was living life and enjoying the fruits of his labor. As the man in charge, cars, money, hoes and clothes weren’t just a saying to him; it was his everyday reality. He didn’t realize that real love was the only thing he had been lacking, but it could be just what he needed. Mia had it easy. She got all the perks of a relationship except a title. Getting Ricko to commit to her was proving harder than she thought. When he pushes her to the side for what she thought was just the new flavor of the week, she realizes that Arianna isn’t going anywhere. But, Mia will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even if that means making sure no one else can have him. Sophia is Arianna’s best friend, and she is always down to ride. She’s no stranger to the street life like her friend, so when she gets the chance to get with a certified thug in Ricko’s brother, Jabari Cook, she jumps at the chance to be the Bonnie to his Clyde. Will she be prepared for the ride this young thug has in store for her, or will she have to give up? Jabari Cook is looking to get to the money, everything else is irrelevant. He is on a mission to take what he believes is rightfully his and will stop at nothing to claim his throne. Jabari will remove whoever or whatever is in the way of his money; family or not. Sophia wants to be his ride or die, but will she be used as a pawn to get him where he wants to be, or will he finally meet his match? Come take this ride through the streets of Chicago with these two brothers as they build their empire while juggling deception and love.

    His life runs on a neat, orderly schedule until he re-unites with Allison Worthy. She was just a kid when Thurman left for life on the high seas. Now, she’s a vivacious and beautiful woman who threatens to turn his world upside-down. And the worst thing is…he has to work with her. Allison, cruise director on the ship’s maiden voyage, takes one look at grown up Thurman Swain and swoons. He’s become exactly what she’s looking for in a man, except he might be a little too concerned about what others think. The intimate confines of a ship at sea soon brew a romance between the captain and the cruise director. They conduct a clandestine love affair until Allison wants to bring their love out into the bright southern sun. When former lovers meet again on a holiday cruise, are they ready to face their past and their future... Murphy Gilbert has few regrets. His family owns a luxurious small cruise ship line, and he’s on the maiden voyage of the newest ship doing what he loves. As the company photographer and digital media specialist, the Christmas cruise on the Grand Islander should be just the right combination of work and play. However, as the ship leaves Charleston, he discovers a woman from his past on board. Losing her is one of his few regrets, but resisting her on a two-week cruise may be wonderfully impossible. After graduating from college with an art degree, Cecelia took off to Europe to study with the masters. She left behind her best friend Murphy, but not before a passionate but unwise fling with him the week before graduation. Now four years later, her work takes her aboard the Grand Islander and into the path of the dark-eyed man she hasn’t been able to forget. Letting herself fall for him means revealing a secret that will hurt them both, and Cecelia must risk everything before New Year’s Eve.

    He never had good intentions with my heart from the beginning. Novah, Billie and Normani navigate through life with their heads held high despite their tumultuous relationships with the men they fathered kids with. Novah fell into love quickly with Carter. They were young. He was a rising NFL star and she was a popular video vixen. Years skate by and Novah realizes he isn’t the man she thought he was. After ending their love affair, she learns of their twin sons. Novah does the best she can to keep the peace. While the media makes her out to be the bitter, gold digging baby momma she takes it to the chin. For her sons, she will eat up any negative accusation the world has to say about her. Her only aspiration in life is to give her sons a good one. When Novah begins to stand up to Carter and his demanding ways things go left. He shows her a side of him that she’s never seen before and Novah is left with two choices. Turn another blind eye to his foul ways or finally expose him for the hateful person that he really is. Billie was born to model. It flowed through her being effortlessly. Billie only wanted two things in life. That was to model and be with Dreux. Dreux, however. wanted out of Detroit. He watched his brother fall victim to the streets and vowed to be different. Despite Billie’s love for him he left Detroit and attended college out of state. While being apart from Dreux, Billie found comfort with his cousin Malachi. Malachi was Billie’s yes man. Whatever she needed he was there to make it happen. Billie wasn’t attracted to him but was grateful for his presence. One lonely night Billie found herself in bed with Malachi. From that encounter, a child was created. Billie immediately regretted her decision to be with him and because she wanted nothing else from him Malachi turned bitter. Billie allowed for her broken heart over Dreux to lead her down a dangerous path. She partied more and ended up losing her son to Malachi. It was a mistake that he refused to let her live down. Now that Billie is better than ever and ready to get her son back Malachi is fighting her at every turn. Billie wants peace in her life but with Malachi constantly bringing her chaos she’s fearful that the old Billie might resurface and that’s the last thing she needs. Normani is young and full of life. While in her first year of college she met the popular DJ to the stars Tru. Tru was like a dream come true for her. The unattainable man that somehow wanted her and immediately she became engrossed by him. Without having to think about it she gave up school and allowed for her life to revolve around Tru. She became his biggest fan and after being together for a few years their daughter was born. Suddenly Normani began to see things in Tru that she hadn’t seen before. He was controlling, distant and selfish. Normani had only known two parents. She had an amazing childhood and wanted her daughter to have the same but Tru was making it hard for her to do so. When Normani’s childhood friend Azariah comes home for good and starts to garner her attention Tru takes notice. He makes big strides to show Normani that he is a changed man but for Normani it may be too late. This is a two-part series.

    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?

    With a mother who hated her very existence and a father who was locked away in prison for the attempted murder of her mother, she just couldn’t catch a break. With a stressful home life, Dominique's only ray of sunshine is her boyfriend, Kaleb. As teens, the duo was madly in love, with plans to marry and raise a family together. That is until Kaleb unintentionally breaks her heart. Crushed, Dominique does the only thing she can think of, and that is to leave. Kaleb realizes that he’s ruined their chances when Dominique moves away and goes off to college; leaving behind no way for him to contact her. After a few years, Kaleb eventually accepts the fact that Dominique is gone forever. By then he has his life on track and is now a very successful businessman with the world at his fingertips. A chance encounter reconnects the two ex-lovers, and Kaleb sees it as a chance to right his wrongdoings and finally be with the one who captured his heart all those years ago. There’s one problem, not only is Dominique engaged to marry another man, but she is also the mother of her fiancé's son. To make matters worse, Kaleb gets involved with a woman who loves him unconditionally. Although faced with a sticky situation, Kaleb refuses to allow Dominique to slip away again. He vows to get her back at any cost. Even if it means destroying a home that Dominique doesn't know is damaged, to begin with. Will these young lovers reconnect and have their happily ever after, or will they realize that their ships have passed? Find out how Dominique and Kaleb's story unfolds in the complete series of "This Could Be Us But You Playin'".

    So being bad for him was never on her agenda... right? Running away from her father’s house to live a life with her boyfriend of four years was supposed to be her perfect fairy tale ending. Until six months later, he kicked her out, forcing her to live on the streets of Detroit. Vowing to only focus on what matters, Zoerina Banks bounces back, grinds her butt off, and stacks her paper. However, it becomes easier said than done when the biggest distraction hits Ms. Banks—sending her life on a wild, uncontrollable rollercoaster. It’s his way or no way. That’s the number one rule Khadarious ‘KD’ Dixon has always stuck by and been successful with. He’s ruthless on the streets, ruthless to his enemies, and even ruthless with his women. Even with his heavy past influence in the streets, he’s always been specific on wanting to be low-key. But being low-key when your name is always in everyone’s mouths is much easier said than done. Those that know who he is, either love him, fear him, or loathe him. And the streets always know how to lure him back in, one way or another. He’s arrogant, spoiled, and everything she shouldn’t want in a man—everything she should be running far away from. But her attraction toward him is undeniable, undeniable and dangerous. She convinces herself that she doesn’t want anything to do with him. But who is she trying to kid? He’s never been one with commitment. She’s never been one without it. A new hood love. An irresistible chemistry. A perfect match. But could Zoerina’s biggest enemy, turn out to be the dangerous man she’s fallen in love with?

    What could be more elemental than Phire and Ice? Sapphire Henson and Isaiah Harrison had been riding together since childhood. She held him down through his days in the game and his thot-filled nights. But Phire had grown tired of Ice’s arrogance and when he crosses one bridge too many, is there a way for this couple to bounce back… especially when a sexy arms dealer known as Bleu is waiting in the wings to make her his own “Sapphire Bleu?” Elijah Harrison, II, can’t understand the back and forth nature of his brother Ice’s relationship with Phire. He’s convinced that Ice should be more like him and avoid drama by dodging relationships altogether… that is, till a wounded angel crosses his path one night. Ariana Alexander makes Jah throw away all his no-attachment rules. But will she allow her past to destroy any chance of their future? Joshua (Jace) Taylor was supposed to get his family out the hood the legitimate way—with his phenomenal basketball talent. His best friends, Ice and Jah, work hard to keep him out of the game and Jace works just as hard to keep up his college kid façade. Meeting the beautiful Laila MacNamara stirs his darkest desires, bringing out the side of him he wants to keep under wraps. Her heated responses to his dominance make it unlikely that the bad boy in him will stay hidden. Just as they begin to explore the limits of their passion, the intoxicating world of professional basketball, with its endless excesses, pulls at him. At twenty-one, can Jace stay strong enough to be true to Laila? Join these childhood friends from the East Side of San Antonio as they struggle to figure out where life—and love—will take them.

    With the life style her father lives, she made it her business to branch off. Even though her beauty was evident, men wanted her more because of her last name. The Banks name carried weight in the streets and for once Air wanted her own life. She moved out of the city and focused on herself. One encounter at a restaurant led her into the arms of a man that was just as heavy in the dope game as her father. Not knowing of his way of life, she started falling for his charm. Ghoul has always been a cool, calm, and collective guy. He’s very calculated and knows how to keep it together even in the toughest situations. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done. Ghoul has been a Dope Boy for years and one thing he knew how to do was keep the street life and home life separated. Besides making sure his money was stacking up, his only other concern is taking care of his dying mother. Who knew by him doing something so drastic one night, would have him shift his energy to Air. Air was sassy, sexy and had a spark to her that made him want her even more. Ghoul laid all of his cards on the table for her in the beginning. There was nothing she didn’t know but Air had one secret she kept away from him, for a reason. With secrets being kept and enemies plotting, once the two collide, lives may be destroyed. Will these two have a chance of survival once Air finally reveal her secret? Will Ghoul have to constantly fight for Air’s attention to get her to see that even, Dope Boys Need Love too? Secrets will be told, love will be lost and only the strong will survive.

    

    After opening her third salon in the D.M.V, she gets an unexpected visit from her best friend. Alexia Horton is in town for a conference to check in on her friend and reclaim everything that was once hers. While Asharia is taking huge strides in her career, Sebastian Dupre is facing the music that maybe his wife is stepping out of his shadow. With fear of losing his wife to her overdue success, Sebastian's behavior becomes erratic and lands him in a situation he doesn't want to get out of. While Asharia is taking care of her business, Alexia is lurking too close for comfort. Sebastian's skeletons start creeping out the closet for one last rendezvous. Can Sebastian fix the impact of the damage, or will the news of his lies tear him and Asharia apart forever? Find out in The Way You Lie!

    Even though his family's expectations and the burden of not letting them down weigh heavily on his shoulders, he cannot help but follow his true calling with every chance possible. When rustlers attack his ranch he is about to lose way more than just his cattle... Seeing no other option, he will take it upon himself to right the injustice and avenge his family. Will he find the courage to keep him going when he realizes that there's even more at stake, including the fate of the woman he deeply cares about?In the midst of all the chaos and angst, Ian meets Tara Gallagher. Her family had one of the most popular stores in town but since the loss of her father, she's been living a lonely life under the watchful eye of her mother. Although their upbringing was so different, Ian and Tara both wish they could march to the beat of their own drum. Their feelings for each other don't take long to manifest but soon enough, Ian will be confronted with yet another challenge. Tara's uncle arrives in town with a snobby suitor for her. Will their romance survive when Ian embarks on his dangerous journey, leaving Tara with the promise of his love but not of his safe return?Ian's quest is fraught with immense difficulty, and soon he'll find himself in the desert, traveling with two men who have every reason to want him dead. Will he manage to step up his game and prevail, or will both his and Tara's fates fall under the sway of corrupt, murderous men?A pulse-pounding drama, which will make you turn the pages with bated breath until the very last word. A must-read for fans of Western action and romance."A Rancher's Matter of Honor" is a historical adventure novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, only pure unadulterated action.

    

    However, he soon realizes that no matter how well he knows the job, no one plays by the rules. In his quest to track down a suspected killer who's seeking shelter with his father, a foreman at the gold mining mill, Paul will have to fight with powerful demons. It will not be long before he has to confront the Sheriff himself, discovering that sometimes lawmen aren't all on the same side. When things go from bad to worse and Paul has to defend himself in front of the prominent town magistrate, an unlikely ally steps up right when justice is bent to the whims of the corrupt. Will Paul find the courage to defend everyone, or is something worse on the horizon that will put his own life at risk?The moment Paul meets Eliza Tilman he thinks that his luck has finally changed, and the beautiful woman immediately captures his heart. To his surprise, her father, the town magistrate, will decide to intervene when he finds out that Paul shows up to return a fugitive from justice. With the owner of the gold mill and Eliza's father conspiring, Paul and Eliza will join forces, determined to solve the case and put evil behind bars. Will Eliza manage to be the gateway to justice Paul has been looking for? Or will her father abort their every attempt to uncover the dark truth?With guns blazing and knives slashing, Paul must act fast, otherwise, he might not come out alive. Plunged into a quagmire of corruption and wickedness, will Paul survive the greatest challenge of his life? Will the fearless bounty hunter rise to the challenge and eventually find peace?A pulse-pounding drama, which will make you turn the pages with bated breath until the very last word. A must-read for fans of Western action and romance."Manhunt In the Wild Mountains" is a historical adventure novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, only pure unadulterated action.

    

     Nola Bentley is the oldest of the Bentley sisters. She’s capable of giving her sisters relationship advice but can’t seem to apply it to her own. After being in an eight-year relationship with her boyfriend, Rue, without receiving a ring, she begins to second guess whether their love is worth the fight or not. Rue is a selfish man who only thinks of himself and what will benefit him; not even their son can change that. His selfish ways drive Nola right into the arms of his boss, Desmond McEntire, who’s had his eyes on Nola for years. Things get heated in the love triangle, leaving Nola stuck to make a decision that will leave one of them hurt. Izabel Bentley is the middle Bentley sister who has completely given up on love. After being constantly cheated on and manipulated by her ex-boyfriend, Josh, Izabel vows to never love another. She puts all her time, love, and energy into her foster care business and two daughters she shares with Josh. An unexpected, messy situation with one little boy tugs at her heart; leading her to his father, Omari Marks. Not usually the one to bend her own rules, Izabel finds herself battling the thoughts of giving love another try. Omari seems to be the perfect man to give in to, but will Izabel’s stubborn ways cause her to miss out on a love that could be real? Tatum Bentley is the youngest of the Bentley sisters, and has endured the most out of the three. An abusive, controlling relationship with an older man leads her to doing the unthinkable; attempt of suicide. During the relationship, she’s forced to shut out everyone she loves; including her best friend, Dylan Pierce. Dylan saves her from ending her life, then leaves her to fight for herself. Years pass by before they’re reunited, and old and new feelings emerge from both sides. The only thing keeping Dylan from professing his love for Tatum is his fiancée, Monet. Knowing Tatum is who he’s supposed to be with, he goes above and beyond to show her, but will his disappearance make it impossible for Tatum to forgive him?