Book picks similar to
Secrets Within Her by LeTresa Payne


fiction
african-american
drama
letresa-payne

The Arrangement


Shay Gray - 2013
    Being granted only a few months to live, he constructs an idea on how to care for his four children in the event of his death. He comes up with an idea he calls, "The Arrangement". The only problem is convincing his wife and the two mothers’ of his children of his idea. "The Arrangement", is all three women must agree to move into one house for six months with their kids in order to receive any money from his will. When Terrance’s wife, Tanya learns the details of "The Arrangement" she is disgusted. She has basically put her life on hold after becoming pregnant to take care of her husband. She finds herself emotionally drawn to her husband’s best friend for comfort, as her husband’s illness takes a toll on her. Eventually,she finds herself facing her own demise and loses everything she has come to love Portia Jackson is the mother of two of Terrance’s children. She owns her own hair salon, drinks like a fish, and stays in brand name clothing. She is a rude, no nonsense, type of woman who makes it her business to let everyone know what she feels, or thinks, no matter whose feelings get hurt in the process. After a secret she has held on to for years threatens her inclusion in "The Arrangement", her world begins to crumble around her. Afraid of losing the glamorous life she is accustomed to having, she will stop at nothing to keep it.Amber Sykowski is the mother of Terrance’s oldest son. She comes from a long line of money and has always been ridiculed by her racist mother for having a bi-racial child. She feels the only way to escape her mother's disapproval is to go against everything she was taught, and make her own rules. When it almost costs her life, Amber has to make a hard decision that could turn her entire world upside down.In several unexpected events all three women eventually come to depend on each other forming a unique and unexpected bond. Will "The Arrangement' help them all to learn the value of forgiveness, love, and friendship?

A Mother for Rosie


Emma Ashwood - 2021
    

You Could Do Damage


C. Monet - 2018
    Big sister and guardian of her family, she is thrown to the world without a harness, no guidance, and no help. Dahlia is not afraid to get her hands dirty or do the unthinkable to make sure her and her sister aren't separated. Love is foreign and get it by any means reigns supreme for her. Raising her sister was her only concern, but as her sister Deja prepares to set sail on her own journey, Dahlia is forced to focus on picking up the pieces and finding her own way. What was supposed to be a favor for his little brother turns into so much more as Ty'Key spends time peeling back the layers of Dahlia Starks. Ty' Key Patterson is handsome, strong, and willing to suffer the catastrophe of any damage Dahlia brings his way as long as she is. Both alike in so many ways, they run into different situations that could not only damage them personally but damage a long-standing friendship. Will they be able to clean up the damage or crumble like ashes scattered amongst the rubbish?

The Wife Of A Kingpin 2: Malik & Micah's Story


Twyla T. - 2017
    The collaboration between authors Twyla T. and Patrice Balark in this series is off the chain as the magic between the pages leaps off in bounds. Unlimited pandemonium, uncovered secrets, and revealing truths are exposed as the drama continues in the second book of this series. After losing not only his mom, but his high school sweetheart, life became different for Malik Jefferson. He began to show everyone in the streets who the real boss was. Along with his best friend and right hand man, Rico “Goo” Grady, Malik is that Kingpin that people know not to mess with. However, it seems like someone didn’t get that message and decided to take the reign from the duo. Malik and Goo are being challenged again, and blood will be shed. Will the culprits ever learn their lessons? Or, will Malik lose his position as Kingpin. Micah Sanders’ life was good, with the exception of her brother’s death. While attending college and making boss moves on the sides, her silent, but efficient transport still caught the attention of the boss. Malik and Micah had undeniable chemistry and found themselves in a relationship that was good for both business and pleasure. Even though things were changing for Micah’s life, she still had one goal and one goal only…to find her brother’s killer. When the road leads to the man that she has totally fallen in love with Malik Jefferson, Micah’s world is instantly thrown into a world wind. Just when Malik and Micah think that everything is on an even kilt…BAM! Life comes right on it and knocks everything right off of its axis. Nothing will remain the same. No one will be left unaffected. Find out how all the chaos unfold in this installment of The Wife of A Kingpin 2. Warning: This book contains a cliffhanger.

Reunion (Joe Beck Book 2)


C.J. Petit - 2021
    

A Dirty South Love


Ca$h - 2012
    His rise was fast and he enjoyed all the luxuries of his hustle, including the fly chick on his arm. But his reign is short lived. Now he is in prison on a bogus murder conviction and everything he had is gone, including his woman.Beautiful and ambitious Lieutenant Nicole Wright is the fantasy of every convict at Georgia State Prison where she works. The furthest thought from her mind is falling in love with a convict. She is married to a successful doctor, and though their marriage is absent of passion, Nicole is content until she meets Prince. A hot, fascinating, but dangerous relationship kicks off threatening to explode at every turn. Will Nicole be able to ride for Prince like he needs her to? Will his bitterness engulf her into its flames? Will loving a thug cost Nicole to lose everything, including her life? The answers lie within as she and Prince embark on a journey that is truly A Dirty South Love.

A Real One Turned Me Out 3


Shameka Jones - 2019
    As if feeling Silk’s wrath isn’t enough, he throws a gut-wrenching punch, that leaves her wondering if she has lost him forever. Though, his love for Kenji is undeniable, Silk can’t let go of the hurt that her secret inflicted on him. He dives head first into his new assignment which proves to be his toughest job yet. Especially, when the job gets too personal. Will Kenji and Silk be able to work through their problem and repair their relationship? Or will Silk’s inability to let go, end them forever? Learning the extent of Laxton’s injuries, leaves Canary heartbroken, yet stronger than ever. As Laxton’s fiancée, she vows to stick by his side no matter what. That proves to be harder than she expects when Laxton injuries leaves him with an addiction to pills. Guilt and an addiction places him in a state that causes him not to care about losing everything he worked so hard to achieve⸺not even Canary. Will Canary stay ten toes down, or will she leave Houston just as fast as she arrived? Can Laxton fight off his demons before Canary to an end to what started as a loving relationship. With all that Makiyah has done, karma comes back to pay her an extended visit. After nearly being beaten to death by Ali, sweet revenge is the only thing that would make it even. In this explosive finale: relationships will be tested, more secrets will be revealed, and the girls will reunite once more. Finding a real one is what they all wanted but keeping a real one is easier said than done.

The Way My Heart is Set Up


Dechella Taylor - 2014
    After years of childhood abuse, Kylah finds herself grown, single, and scorned, and it isn't until life forces her to break down that she realizes that she must heal from yesterday's trauma's in order to move on to brighter tomorrow's. When Kylah loves, she loves hard, so when her old high school sweetheart walks back into her life only to end up destroying her heart, he validates her cynical view of men. She warns her sister Kyree and best friend Trixie about love, but soon enough, she finds herself falling in love faster than she could ever imagine. Then to make matters worse, her drug addicted mother pops back into her life, spilling secrets that turns Kylah's life upside down. When it's all said and done, Kylah is forced to either face the pain of her yesterday's or risk losing everything and everyone she loves for a past she can't seem to shake. Formerly My Yesterday's Text

The Stranger's Bedroom


Bijoy Munshi - 2019
    He has been muttering two names in his sleep: Kriti and Rohan. Ravish is an introvert associated with the technology world. Neha is an outrageously curious woman and a firm optimist.What brings them together? Who are Kriti and Rohan and what’s their story?Welcome to this tale of emotions and the fight against consequences of our desire

A Good Girl and a Hood Millionaire


Khadijah J. - 2020
    Being the good girl that she was, she had never smoked, drank, or done any drugs a day in her life. She had never even had a boyfriend, nor a first kiss. Pilar never found anyone worthy until one eventful night where she ran into one of the most sought-after men in her town. Legacy Powers came from an unstable household and had to practically raise himself and the adults around him. Known for his striking looks and charming demeanor, he kept three women in rotation and ran from commitment. That was until he ran into a rare beauty that set a fire in his once cold heart. Despite these two being total opposites, they find themselves incredibly drawn to each other like a magnet. After the first mishap on the first night they met, time quickly passes as they try to forget each other. However, what’s meant to be will be, despite what the journey throws at them. Could Pilar handle Legacy’s lifestyle and was Legacy ready to let his past life go? Will these two figure it out together or end up going their separate ways after the chaos ceases?

Love Unexpected


DeeAnn - 2020
     Dr. Moesha Kyle is a young, successful pediatric surgeon who is going through a divorce that gets stickier with each passing day. After her third miscarriage, her soon-to-be ex-husband, Aaron Kyle, steps out on her, and in result, gets his side-piece pregnant. Moesha drowns herself with work to avoid her emotions, stumbling upon Mr. Skylaire Watson. Skylaire is a single father whose son, Jacob, is suffering from brain cancer. Him and Moesha connect through Jacob, and they end up being each other’s unexpected peaceful distraction from their chaotic worlds. Peace never lasts long. A shocking turn of events with Jacob leaves Skylaire unsure of his newfound feelings for Dr. Kyle. Dr. Omery Steele is one of Moesha’s best friends and Aaron’s. Feeling stuck in the middle of their divorce, she leans on her husband, Adonis, for support. Ultimately, she sides with Moesha and steps back from Aaron. Omery is one of the top OBGYN’s in Houston, specializing in women of color. Her life is what some would call picture perfect. She has the job, dream house, support system, and mostly, the love of her life. Adonis treats Omery like any woman deserves to be treated, but he’s keeping one, life-threatening secret from her. Their world turns upside down once the secret is revealed, but the couple refuses to let it interfere with the foundation they have built.

Dare To Live!


Himanshu Bhatia - 2021
    Only the next moment, though, your laptop appears out of thin air and the pristine view is replaced by an excel sheet. Welcome to Atharv’s life!A free-spirited soul, Atharv is an IIT-IIM graduate who has had an accomplished career, till he lands up with Mandira, a difficult, bordering-on-insane boss who makes her team dance to her tunes. Atharv grapples with the mounting work and the daily pressures of an urban Indian man, as Mandira finds new ways to shatter his confidence and determination. While he battles it out with this virus of a boss and her insane ways of managing work, another virus strikes the world and enters his life.At times hilarious, at times dramatic, witness this corporate slave’s roller-coaster ride as he plans his retribution from the two viruses and Dares to LIVE!

Dorothea Benton Frank Collection: Sullivan's Island \ Plantation \ Isle of Palms \ Shem Creek


Dorothea Benton Frank - 2005
    Contents:Sullivan's IslandPlantationIsle of Palms

Savage Instinct


Leila Jefferson - 2011
    At the tender age of eleven she is given to Bank Roll, who has his hand in every type of hustle, to settle a drug debt for her parents. Bank Roll is much older and once he sees how unique Lexi is, he breeds her to be his special girl, falling in love with her in the process. She loves him as well, but has him ripped away from her life too soon.While many use the ‘molested at a young age’ story as an excuse, Lexi takes the cards she is dealt and learns all she can because she’s a grown woman in a girl’s body. Not one to settle or let life take over her, she uses the gems she has learned over the years and dabbles in everything she can, just like her mentor. A few chance meetings put her in position to use what she has to get what she needs, and while still in her teen years not only is she on top of the world, but she is also running it. Lexi knows that street smarts can get you so far, but can her Savage instincts take her where she wants to be?

The House That Hustle Built


Nisa Santiago - 2015
    Pearla is a born hustler, and Cash was born to steal. Pearla sets her sights on Cash and motivates him to take his petty crimes to the next level.Together, the two get money throughout the tri-state, while friends and family want to be upgraded without putting in work. At first, the couple makes it rain in the hood, taking care of those they love, but a hustler always knows when to draw the line.Suddenly, Pearla proclaims the ATM closed, and a quiet storm begins to brew. When the beggars can't beg anymore and the borrowers can't borrow anymore, friends become enemies. Words and bullets are exchanged, leaving The House that Hustle Built under attack and at risk of collapse.