Book picks similar to
ValENDtine by Hydrus


poetry
22
5-star-reads
anthology

Adored By A New York Drug Lord


Tya Marie - 2018
    An endless bankroll, access to the latest designer clothes, and the envy of every chick on the block are all part of her fantasies when she meets Ward, an up and coming dope boy. When Ward stakes a claim to the beautiful Normani, she accepts without hesitation, a decision she makes without considering the consequences that comes with dating a dope boy. The lifestyle Ward provides is as lavish as Normani expects, but she soon pays the price for being a thug’s solace when she’s the victim of a botched murder-suicide. Unable to return home, Normani is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Brooklyn. It is there that Normani lays eyes on a shiny red Lamborghini with no idea that its owner was going to change her life for better and worse. Uriah “Urban” Mackenzie has always been held in a high esteem throughout the streets, and not because of his charismatic charm, deep chocolate eyes, and politician’s smile. Urban is the head of “The Trust,” a prestigious crime organization known for running guns, human trafficking, and funneling millions of dollars in cocaine throughout the East Coast. Urban leads The Trust with an iron fist, refusing to allow anyone to one up him lest they deal with his wrath. He has New York City in the palm of his hand, with everyone bending to his will, except a bold and brazen Normani. Love has never been on Urban’s radar—even with a longtime girlfriend on his arm—but Normani’s beautiful eyes and damaged smile pulls him in. Soon Urban finds that he's willing to risk the life and legacy he’s built to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side.

Kaine and Karma 3: Luvin' A Savage


Sha Jones - 2017
    With her dangerous outbursts and inability to let go of Kaine, she puts a new spin on the phrase "baby mama from hell!" Once she finds out that Karma is now expecting a child with Kaine, she turns up the heat on the beef that she has with Karma and wreaks havoc! Her level of rage is at an all time high, and she's now digging her cat claws deeper into Karma's flesh. In the midst of the drama, Kaine desperately tries to hold on to the undying love that he has for Karma while trying to keep Tameka under control, which seems almost impossible. After many intricate blocks and obstacles in Kaine and Karma's relationship, things start to get better, but their happiness comes to a screeching halt when the events cause abrupt changes in their lives. Secrets and lies pour out, and when an unexpected event bumrushes Karma like a speeding freight train, it hits Kaine where it hurts, sending him into a frenzy. The new beginning that Kaine and Karma planned together becomes a life and death situation, and with the odds stacked against him, Kaine has to make an unfortunate decision that will finally end all of the drama. In this last installment to Kaine and Karma's love story, there will be more scandal and infamy that will leave you gasping for air!

Ain't No Savage Like The One I Got


Tina J. - 2019
    Wolf's father always told him if anything happened he would be the man of the house. Unfortunately, the tragedy forced him to be that and to make sure his siblings were always safe. Journey was finishing her Masters degree and excited to start her endeavor into the world. However, she meets Colby who she swore would never be the kind of man for her. He was too thuggish and rough around the edges. That is until they end up at the same party with a mutual friend. Sparks fly but Journey won't give him the time of day because of his girlfriend. Unbeknownst to her Colby has his own agenda and will stop at nothing to get her. At the age of fifteen Jax gets hit with a five year bid that keeps him away from his sister that he and Wolf go to great lengths to protect. He doesn't allow her to visit so when he is released the homecoming is bittersweet. He does find love behind those bars and will do anything to make her believe he wasn't just giving her jail talk. Wolf could care less about love. All he wanted to do was protect his family and make money. However, his past will catch up to him, which puts everyone he loves in danger. Will he find the person causing all this hurt in their lives or will it be too late?

Immeasurably More


Leah Atwood - 2016
     “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” – Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Come to Me Free by Leah Atwood … Dani Trahan is solely focused on keeping her restaurant afloat, until tragedy strikes. Rob Jackson doesn’t do relationships, but Dani makes him want to believe again. Can they learn to rely on faith to move beyond friendship before it’s too late? If Only in My Dreams by Belle Calhoune … Self-made multimillionaire Brandon Donahue yearns for true love. Principled beauty Rose Maddock, Brandon’s secretary, doesn’t see much in Brandon to find endearing. When he moves his business and Rose to his hometown, will she see a side of him that has her rethinking her decision not to mix business with pleasure? A Reason to Run by Christina Coryell … Camdyn Taylor is a bestselling author, but she carefully guards that secret. Her chaotic personal life isn’t quite so easy to keep hidden, nor is her propensity to run when things aren’t perfect. Will a quest to retrace her ancestor’s footsteps, and a chance meeting with the charming Cole Parker, be enough to convince her to stop running? Love So Amazing by JoAnn Durgin … Dance instructor Ava Carlisle and pedicab owner Sawyer Mancini shed past heartaches to find the kind of love that happens only once in a lifetime. Months after meeting Ava, Sawyer discovers the two share an unfathomable bond. Will a cruel twist of fate tear them apart or is it somehow God’s perfect plan? Blue Columbine by Jennifer Rodewald … Andrew and Jamie have always been best friends – maybe more than friends – until addiction shatters everything. Caught between loyalty and fear, Jamie realizes she cannot be Andrew’s miracle and makes a decision that rips them apart. Can the hand of grace reach into their broken lives to bring redemption to all that has been lost? Saltwater Taffie by Janice Thompson … Taffie Carini enjoys working in her family’s candy store on the Atlantic City boardwalk, but she’s unsure about managing the store after her parents’ impending retirement. When repairman Ryan Antonelli makes a service call at Carini’s, he’s irresistibly drawn to more than just the candy. Can Ryan help Taffie save Carini’s Confections, and will they find sweet love together in the process?

This is How I Die: Collected Poems


Kat Savage - 2017
    Mad Woman, Anchors & Vacancies, Redamancy, and most of Throes are sectioned here to take you on a journey. From madness to love and the heartache in between, it's all here.

Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set)


Marian Lanouette - 2014
    And holiday kisses...the Season of Magic. Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with five romantic stories filled with fun and forever after.Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly (Marian Lanouette)Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne has her rethinking her rigid set of rules as sparks flare between them. A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently. Matchmaker Matchmaker by Bobbi LermanWith Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring a cynical heart back to life. Holiday Disaster by Vicki BatmanThe week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Clause. This Christmas is a disaster. Yuletide Bride by Gerri BrousseauThe Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride.

Santa's Naughty Helpers


Kim LubbersCedar Rose - 2020
    A Christmas Themed AnthologyFeaturing a wide array of short stories, novellas and bonus content from: Elizabeth Knox, K.C. Stone, Pepper North, Amy Davies, Cedar Rose, Jen Talty, E.C. Land, Evan Grace, Krista Ames, Ashlynn Mills, Lizzie James & Amanda Kaitlyn.

Kiss Off: Poems to Set You Free


Mary D. Esselman - 2003
    For anyone who's been let down by life and love, these poems reveal that the most important person one can fall in love with is oneself.

Natural History


Dan Chiasson - 2005
    This collection suggests that a person is like a world, full of mysteries and wonders–and equally in need of an encyclopedia, a compendium of everything known. The long title sequence offers entries such as “The Sun” (“There is one mind in all of us, one soul, / who parches the soil in some nations / but in others hides perpetually behind a veil”), “The Elephant” (“How to explain my heroic courtesy?”), “The Pigeon” (“Once startled, you shall feel hours of weird sadness / afterwards”), and “Randall Jarrell” (“If language hurts you, make the damage real”). The mysteriously emotional individual poems coalesce as a group to suggest that our natural world is populated not just by fascinating creatures–who, in any case, are metaphors for the human as Chiasson considers them– but also by literature, by the ghosts of past poetries, by our personal ghosts. Toward the end of the sequence, one poem asks simply, “Which Species on Earth Is Saddest?” a question this book seems poised to answer. But Chiasson is not finally defeated by the sorrows and disappointments that maturity brings. Combining a classic, often heartbreaking musical line with a playful, fresh attack on the standard materials of poetry, he makes even our sadness beguiling and beautiful.

Irresistible at Christmas


Tamara FergusonPatrice Wilton - 2019
    Lila made a decision to stick by his side. But in order to go forward, she had to confront an issue from her past.Home For Christmas: Cynthia Cooke, USA Today bestselling author: Melanie returns to Pineville to renovate her old home and turn it into an Inn. With the help of the contractor who had taken so much from her in the past, she discovers what was lost in her old house, holds the answer to what’s been missing in her heart.Keep Me Warm: Alicia Street, USA Today bestselling author: Can a small-town working girl make it work with a wealthy jet setter, when their relationship suddenly changes from enemies to lovers?Miss Christmas: Stephanie Queen, USA Today bestselling author: Scarlet is too independent to play Cinderella, but when she enters the Miss Christmas pageant she has trouble resisting the Prince Charming of the Regal family--who happens to be running the pageant.Christmas Con: Rachelle Ayala, USA Today bestselling author: Two ex-cons pose as stellar success stories to swindle a grandfather to change his will for Christmas.Courage To Celebrate: Taylor Lee, USA Today bestselling author: Luke and Ava face their biggest challenge yet. In the past they found the courage to dare, the courage to love and the courage to triumph. Now they have to decide if they have the Courage to Celebrate.Christmas Wish: Patrice Wilton, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: When confirmed bachelor, Byron Watts meets school teacher, Meghan Shaunessy and her 4-year-old autistic boy, he’s met his match. Can these two stubborn people overcome the pain of their pasts and learn to trust the healing power of love?

Sweet and Sassy Christmas - A Time for Romance


Mimi BarbourSusan Jean Ricci - 2017
    Eleven holiday romances to captivate and seduce. NYT & USA Today bestselling authors have joined together to bring you tales from early America, abandoned puppies, military heroes, doctors and more. Get a warm drink, find a comfy seat, and enjoy an armchair cruise into the world of Christmas lovers and their unique stories. Mimi Barbour ~ Together for Christmas ~ Is her spirit enough to win over the workaholic she's invaded? Taylor Lee ~ Blue Christmas ~ Even blue Christmases can be Red HOT! Jacquie Biggar ~ The Sheriff Meets His Match ~ When a jaded sheriff is drawn to an exasperating woman in trouble, anything can happen. Dani Haviland ~ Catching Christmas ~ Only love could be sweeter than freedom. Natalie Ann ~ Road to Reality ~ When dreams come true! Mona Risk ~ Her Christmas Cruise ~ The fiancé is a cheater and the wedding is off. But the would-be honeymoon may be her best Christmas present! Cynthia Cooke ~ A Wolf Magic Christmas ~ Come to us, Rena. We've been waiting for you. Tamara Ferguson ~ A Kiss Beneath a Christmas Star ~ Will the magic of a Christmas kiss convince two future stars that fate has always meant for them to be together? Susan Jean Ricci ~ The Sugar Ticket ~ Two midlife adolescents learn how to gently overcome their marital hurdles, especially with Christmas and a special birthday on the horizon. Alicia Street ~His Christmas Promise ~ A sweet romance about a losing a dog and finding love at Christmas. Suzanne Jenkins ~ My Christmas Romance ~ Life changing events during Christmas prove you never know what the next day may bring, including a chance of love.

Nirvana: Pieces of Self- Healing (Poetry & Prose)


Michael Tavon - 2017
    The author discusses, regret, anxiousness, racial issues, craving for love, and much more. Tavon gets deeply personal and introspective, in hopes of helping those who are in need of self-healing too. "Entrapped inside your Heart-shaped box For lonely years You’ve left me here To survive off hope and tears I know your return is unlikely Unlike me, You have a gift Of hurting others with a smile Luring your victims Into the traps of your eyes I enjoy this place Although it’s often cold It has pockets of warmth In your Heart-Shaped Box I’ll forever be stored Waiting for you Love me more Than August loves to storm."

Touched with Fire: An Anthology of Poems


Jack Hydes - 1985
    This anthology has two main objectives: to introduce students to a wide range of poetry in English from the last 400 years, and to provide them with guidance on how to approach poetry examinations. The poems are divided into six collections, not by theme or by historical period, but as satisfying small anthologies of twenty-two poems each. Clear guidance is given on what is expected in an essay for a poetry examination, and actual answers are reproduced which help the student analyse what kind of response gets good marks and why.

An Invitation to Poetry: A New Favorite Poem Project Anthology


Robert Pinsky - 2004
    For readers devoted to poetry, it offers illuminating examples of the infinitely various ways a poem reaches a reader.In both the book and the videos on the accompanying DVD, poems by Sappho, Shakespeare, Keats, Whitman, and Dickinson as well as contemporary poets are introduced by people from across the United States—a construction worker, a Supreme Court justice, a glassblower, a marine—each of whom speaks about his or her connection to the poem. Their comments are variously poignant, funny, heartening, tart, penetrating, and eccentric, showing some of the ways poetry is alive for American readers. An Invitation to Poetry will inspire a fresh experience of poetry's pleasure and insight.

It's Either Me Or Her 2: A Side Bitch Story


Tiece - 2016
    With a new hit single out, featuring a sexy rapper by the name of Yung Gunner, she’s certainly making waves of her own. She’s in a good place, and just wants to live drama free while enjoying her life. However, with Brooke using she and Chase’s unborn baby as a ticket back in his life, things can get real ugly at any given time. Chase is feeling good about the decision he’s made. Being with Rayne makes him happy and it keeps him focused. Now all he wants to do is be the hottest producer around, while taking Rayne’s career to the top. And with the signing of Yung Gunner to his record label the only way from here should be up. But dark secrets began to surface that threatens to end his relationship with Rayne and bring his entire empire down. Brooke is quickly learning that she can’t play with fire without getting burned. Skeletons in her closet start falling out all over the place leaving Brooke feeling vulnerable. With her ex-lover, Q popping up in Atlanta things quickly spiral out of control as she attempts to run from her past. There is only one problem with that. Q is not letting her out of his eyesight until he gets what she owes him and some. Will Chase and Rayne hold it together? Or, will Brooke find a way back into his life? Find out what happens when two women are both in a race for one man’s heart in, It’s Either Me Or Her 2.