She's trying to hold everything down while her baby daddy serves a ten year bid for drug trafficking. The last thing she's looking for is love. Between working and taking care of her daughters she's stretched thin. One night by chance she meets Jaeshawn, a thug in his own right. Jaeshawn aka Larry Bird runs everything from New York to Virginia and everything in between. All he wants is a woman to call his own, but that woman isn't his baby mother, Kaysha, who wants to make her family work. Kaysha and Jaeshawn have a one year old son, Keyshawn who Kaysha uses as a pawn against Jaeshawn. Maddie is in a hateful relationship with her man, Jared. Jared is mentally and physical abusive, and has a terrible jealousy problem. He forbids Maddie to hang with her best friend, Tiara, and keeps tabs on everything she does. When Tiara introduces Maddie to John, an Arabic God , who is also Jaeshawn's right hand, she doesn't think it will go far, but boy is she wrong. Jared, Dyron and Jamal are all friends and have one thing in common: Dread. Dread runs Queens and has an beef with Larry Bird. But when Jared , Dyron and Jamal start landing in trouble, and Dread is the common denominator, things go haywire. When Tiara enters Jaeshawn's world one cold winter night, his entire worlds changes. He sees her right to take the throne beside him as the trap king's wife.

    For a 17-year-old, Amina has a decent life. But after meeting her father and 23-year-old brother for the first time, things take a turn for the worse. Amina ends up alone, trying to fend for herself and save her boyfriend, Kayne, from 3 years in jail. Amina must prove her loyalty to Kayne, but can you be a Down Chick without being locked down yourself? This is a question that never crosses Amina’s mind, leading her to make the ultimate mistake of her life. Author Mallori McNeal began writing Down Chick at age 14, during the summer before she began her first year in high school. She completed Down Chick and was accepted for publishing at age 16. Mallori currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

     God has a lot to lose after keeping his wife a secret from Reese all this time. He's in love with the beautiful, charismatic, highly educated doctor but once his skeletons jump out of the closet, he might just lose her forever. However, he's not willing to let her go so easily. But with someone out to destroy him and his empire, he might have no other choice but to surrender his love. Unbeknownst to Nas, he's in the middle of it all. The key to figuring out who's on a mission to take out the Taliban Gang is with him. From the moment he stepped foot onto New York soil, a domino effect of murders, lies, and deceit began. He finds out who his brothers are, but things only get worse from there. He also manages to get Vasii, the girl of his dreams, but what happens when he finds out she's the sister of an old fling? Will he be able to keep her? In the middle of the hailstorm, Young is determined to steal Alexa's heart. He's successful in making her fall in love, but there's just one issue... he isn't like most men. When he loves, he loves hard. Young honestly can't help his possessive ways, given the circumstances, but Alexa may not be ready for it. Then again, she's just as crazy about him as he is her. They're both keeping secrets in the meantime... secrets that could get somebody hurt. Who are the DeLeneau Brothers, really? And are the women they're in love with who they claim to be? Everyone will be shocked to realize they've been dating so close to home. But more importantly, love can blind you from snakes. Who's going to mow the grass and reveal all? Find out in The Plug Next Door II...

    When Wise is locked up and sentenced to fifteen years, he tells Emery to go on with her life if it’s meant to be they would get back together. Now years later Emery is happy with a career and family of her own, when Wise is released earlier than expected he sets off to do what he said he was going to do, find Emery. Emery’s heart belongs to Wise but it also belongs to her husband. Now she is forced with the hard decision to choose between the man who was there with her from the start through everything and the man who picked her up when she didn’t have anything or anybody. Who will Emery choose? Filled with sex, betrayal and drama

    In the tradition of Victoria Christopher Murray, G'Orge-Walker moves in a stunning new direction with this powerful, thought-provoking novel about a fallen woman's path to redemption.

    

    His plan is to enjoy his retirement, open a restaurant, and remain a bachelor for life. But when he is unexpectedly put on mandatory medical leave, he decides to visit his sister and her family...not realizing fate is about to take him on a trip -- not just out of town, but toward his own heart.In Philadelphia, Keaton is reacquainted with Dr. Meridan St. John, his sister's pediatrician. Meridan is seemingly the perfect woman -- smart, bold, and beautiful. Why can't Keaton attract her attention? He soon learns that Meridan is haunted by something in her past -- and though Keaton can read her better than anyone else, he cannot figure out the cause of her nightmares and fears. Things become even more complicated when Jacob, her jealous childhood friend, arrives in Philadelphia and threatens to expose all the dark secrets of her past. Worried that Keaton will not believe she was innocent in her situation, she does the only thing she can...run. Thus, Keaton must decide -- does he follow her, and get to the truth, or does he leave the woman he loves to her own dark nightmares?Penetrating in language and powerful in meaning, "When Hell Freezes Over" is a remarkable story about how accepting the past is the only way to make a future.

    Then the way to fame was leading him toward a mistake that could send him straight to hell...She never looked back.Lies, drugs, too many men-- golden skinned singer Topaz Black would do anything to get a hit to the top of the charts, even walk away from her friends and family. But surrounded by greed and lust, the love the longed for seemed to be slipping away forever.He broke all the rules.Brought up in South Central L.A., movie producer Gunther Lawrence learned early how to get the wealth and women he wanted-- and to turn his back on his roots. Now, blinded by Hollywood's glitter, his illusions may shatter when he discovers who really controls his career.As their lives touch, ignite, and explode, three talented African-Americans pursue fame at any cost...and the price may be their happiness...or their lives..An alternate selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club

    She didn't give a fuck about men and she only cared about their money. She swore that the way that she lived was the only way, and often attempted to convince her close friend Samantha to give up on having a traditional love, and join in on her Ghetto Girl Games that she plays. Shockingly engaging, and filled with jaw dropping scenes that will leave you speechless. The lustful infatuation for money, and the unbelievable thirst for the shiny life will keep you shaking your head at these women. And in case you were wondering...if you sell your food stamps so that you can go to the club; then you are also playing Ghetto Girl Games. But that's just the game for beginners, so check out these pros and how they navigate through life in the projects.

    Although the sisters are as different as night and day, they were taught by their father that it's always family over everything. Diem, the foul-mouthed tycoon and oldest of the three, can't seem to balance her multimillion-dollar business and personal life at the same time. Never one to back down from a challenge, her world is flipped upside down when the brother of a close friend unexpectedly catches her attention and has her questioning whether it's possible to have a romantic relationship while managing an already chaotic life. Drea has always had a thing for hot boys with big toys, especially since she totes one of her own. Whether she's at her flower shop making beautiful floral arrangements or at the gun range perfecting her skills, this quiet storm never misses her mark. That is, until a mysterious and sexy ally comes into her place of business and knocks her off her square. Ophelia loves only three things in this world: her family, her bikes, and the club. Nothing or nobody has ever come between them. She has a temper known to go from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds, but riding and restoring bikes help to ease her mind. The two pastimes easily turn into three when a restoration job goes from strictly business to extremely personal. These ladies demand respect, not only for themselves, but for their club as well. When enemies start to surface, personalities will clash, and family motives will be questioned. Will the pressure cause these Angels to fall, or will they rise to the occasion like they've done time and time again?

    Raquel and Tae were both born into the hood. Their mothers were both babies having babies, so from the beginning the odds were stacked against them. At an early age Raquel knew that she wanted more for herself, but somehow her circumstances always stood in the way. Tae grew up in an unconventional home, with little to no guidance. With these set of circumstances the two friends attempt to find their way in life. Raquel thinks that she has found solace in Kevin. He’s the one for her, but after a dreadful night their lives are forever changed. Without her backbone, can she really handle this cold cruel world? Tae loses so many close to her, and is afraid to let anyone in, until she meets Eric. Eric is the exact opposite of anything Tae’s ever experienced. So, now that she’s found a real man, can she become woman enough for him? Raquel and Tae may appear to be average hood chicks, but they have an extraordinary story to tell. The good, bad, and ugly is a part of life and just simply The Way It Is.

    He has the success portion mastered through hard work, education, street smarts and straight hustle. After hitting a massive roadblock with his girlfriend, Gina, he is forced to get off the highway to travel a different route. Will that route lead him to a love that's as sweet as Pie? Phy (Pronounced Pie) Washington who is of no relation to Khiaere has made the decision to move back home to be close to her mom. This is a move she didn't want to make, but it was necessary. A late-night run in with an old college friend may be just the motivation she needs to make the decision to actually enjoy her new life in Mount Pleasant, SC. Will this reconnection be the answer to her lonely heart, or the cause of a murder charge? Trell Smith is a man about his business. If it doesn't make dollars then it won’t make sense. Period. With no room for females because they can’t be trusted, there is an ice box where his heart used to be. Will someone be able to melt that ice and get the most vital organ pumping to the tunes of love? What does he do when love catches him off guard? Will he fight love like a G or surrender like a man? Tae Laing is the hottest interior designer on this side of the Mason Dixon Line. She steps out on faith and decides to move to Charleston, SC to start her on design firm and be close to her best friend. She’s not looking for love or commitment. With a traumatic past, love is all she ever wanted, but is she worthy? What do you do when love comes rudely knocking at your door and you didn’t send for it? Will an unacquainted love bring happiness in the lives of people who are unsure of what love is? Will the block that hinder win the battle, or will love flow victoriously? Will outside elements threaten what they may build, or will all threats be eliminated? Find out in this Charleston Love Story.

    Money is never a problem for these sexy big beautiful women and neither is getting a man.Darleen doesn’t really like her current occupation, but she loves the money she makes from doing it. What happens when an out of work Darleen devises a plan to rob the man that she previously worked for? Can she manage to push a different kind of weight other than her body, or will she need to call in reinforcements?Nora loves her job at the hospital and takes her position very seriously. After she gets fired for not reporting an incident involving her fellow co-worker, will she dust off the wanted ads and look for a new employer or will she, along with the help of a sexy corner boy named Bugsy and her new Plus Size Modeling Agency, team up with her two best friend and flood the city with a different kind of prescription?Take a ride with these three women as they get a firsthand look at all of the craziness that comes along with building a drug empire and trying to stay on top. "Thickums" is not just another name for BBW, it's a lifestyle.

    This Essence bestseller from an author to watch takes an unforgettable look at love, lust, and secrets that can break hearts--and destroy homes.

    When the newspaper runs an article he finds offensive to African American men, he writes a rebuttal, which offends so many women it gets him fired. Michael then sets out to write a book that proves corporate women are just as scandalous, competitive, and insensitive as their male counterparts. But when he manipulates events to get hired into an office that is staffed by all women, events quickly spiral out of control. As romances sprout like weeds and Michael finds himself fighting for the women he works alongside, rather than against them, the question is whether he will be able to focus on his work, keep his flings a secret, and achieve the success he has always dreamed of. In turns hilarious, sobering, and eye-opening, The Office Girls tells the story of every woman who works in the corporate world and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The misogyny, sexual harassment, and gender inequality faced by these characters will ring true for all women who have experienced corporate America.