Four Stories. For Love.“Acceptable Losses” by Nia Forrester: Quentin is in the middle of a separation from his wife that seems to have no conclusive end in sight, while Lena is stuck in Single Girl Hell. The only respite either of them have is their regular coffee dates, while working on shared projects at a very demanding job. Sick of hearing about Lena’s semidisastrous attempts to couple-up, Quentin decides to fix her up. With his brother. Seems like a perfect solution; after all, his brother is a decent enough guy and Lena deserves that. Perfect ... until it appears that the fix-up might actually work.“Blind Expectations” by Jacinta Howard: Aristotle once said the only thing constant in life is change. Or was that Confucius? Whatever. People are fluid—they come into your life for a while, and when it’s time for them to float on, Leah has no qualms waving goodbye. The only exception is her neighbor and best friend, Trevor. When all else fails in her crazy world, Trevor is always there, reliable, steady… real. But then one night a heated argument leads to a revelation that shakes Leah to the core. Suddenly, Leah is forced to make a choice. But will her heart survive her decision?“Blackbirds” by Lily Java: Once upon a time Sydney Tarr and Elliott Vance were friends: fast friends, ride or die, pledge of allegiance, take it to the mat, “friends”. And the fact that Sydney loved her friend more than she should didn’t matter until finally... one unusual and spectacular night, it did. It mattered very much. Still, not every story is a fairy tale is it? Friends do part -- sometimes forever -- but, not always.“Blur” by Rae Lamar: Jade Warner is back home. The bad part? Starting over. The best part? Reconnecting with Kyle Malone. Picking up where they left off years ago, it feels just like old times...except for the mutual attraction and questionable feelings, which are all brand new. For Jade and Kyle, it’s unthinkable to hook up given the history of their fail-safe friendship, but anything can happen when you live under the same roof...

    Or was that Confucius? Whatever. People are fluid—they come into your life for a while, and when it’s time for them to float on, Leah has no qualms waving goodbye. The only exception is her neighbor and best friend, Trevor. When all else fails in her crazy world, Trevor is always there, reliable, steady… real. But what happens when friendship blossoms into something more? Can Leah and Trevor's relationship survive the change? Or will the weight of blind expectations cause them to lose the one thing they love—each other?

    She is convinced that she has it all - money, a blossoming career in marketing, and a last name that opens every door in Washington, D.C. Is it good looks and charm... Tremaine Henley is a former playboy, turned single father, who seems to have everyone hanging onto his every word. He wants to be seen as more than just a handsome face, but can’t seem to get anyone take him seriously. At first meeting, both Ayda and Tremaine believe the other has everything. Tremaine sees Ayda as the woman of his dreams because she’s beautiful and high-powered. At the same time, Ayda sees Tremaine and automatically determines that he’s a heartbreaker who can have any woman that he wants. Their attraction is strong, but so are their insecurities, which threaten to keep them from ever seeing that their truly fortunate for having found each other.

    This is three sexy stories, about three women, with a focus on how one night of mind-blowing intimacy can change it all. If you’re looking for a sweet, tender love story… this ain’t it. (But I still think you’ll enjoy it! <3 )

    But when his team captain’s father is murdered just before the start of the season, he quickly learns coaching high school basketball in the inner city is a lot more than just drawing numbers and arrows on a dry erase board. Struck by the tragedy of her father’s murder, Carmen Wellington is faced with the tough decision of keeping her life away from home or coming back to her hometown to support her little brother through his senior year of high school. It’s a decision that will change her life in more ways than one, especially with her brother’s handsome basketball coach in the picture. Carmen is supposed to be focused on what’s best for her and her family. Nasir is supposed to be focused on what’s best for him and his team. But with those two worlds colliding and an undeniable attraction developing because of it, the two can only hope for more wins than losses...

    He is falsely accused of rape. And in a blink of an eye, his entire career ruptures into shambles. From heavyweight champion to now a convicted felon with a tarnished reputation, he must now find a way to rebuild everything he’s ever worked for. By any means possible. Even if that means volunteering at a women’s shelter. So, when his publicist introduces him to Sharese Wilson, the bossy CEO of a non-profit organization for battered women, things take an interesting turn. For Sharese “Reese” Wilson, her life is her career. And being the boss, she doesn’t have time for any games. At all. So, when her friend, Yasmine, offers her the ridiculous idea of involving Cameron with her organization, she immediately refuses. He is everything she’s against. Arrogant, misogynistic, promiscuous, and most of all…a rapist. Yet, their attraction is undeniable. Before they know it, they find themselves tangled in a web of lust and hot passion, with both hearts caught in the middle. Now what are they to do? This is definitely not what they bargained for.

    You fall head over heels in love with him. Dr. Sienna Jameson grew up with a crime boss as a father and is not looking for a man with the same occupation. But Streets is cute… and sweet… and everything in between. How is she supposed to resist his charms while craving everything about him? Streets is just trying to do his job. Hooking up with the boss’s daughter is not in the job description, but after spending some time with Dr. Jameson, he’s not so sure he can stay away; however, the circumstances dictate that he must. What to do?

    Like some of the most beautiful music ever written, Riley lives her life to the rhythm of no regret. Blessed with everything she could ever ask for—a loving and supportive family, and a fulfilling career—the only song Riley hasn’t been able to complete is one about love, which has yet to come her way. Being married with children is high on Riley’s priority list, and at the age of twenty-eight, she's starting to wonder if the family she’s always pictured isn’t in the cards for her. Just when she's ready to put down the pen, Riley meets Zaire, the father of a pair of precocious twins she teaches. With his uptight and serious demeanor, Zaire is the polar opposite of Riley, which proves to be a turn off at first. However, Riley becomes intrigued by the solemn Zaire, and is determined to find out why. The more time she spends with him, the more she realizes that he could possess the love she’s always wanted.

 Zaire Holland is a revered graphic designer who has spent his entire life working hard to have it all, and at the age of thirty, his efforts prove to be successful. He has a beautiful wife, a set of beautiful twins, and is at the top of his field. Of course, no love story can prevail without tragedy, and Zaire is at the receiving end of it, losing his wife in a fatal car accident. Left to raise his one-year-old twins by himself, Zaire throws himself into taking care of them and making his job the spouse he sorely missed. His mother and brother attempt to make him slow down and heal properly, maybe even put himself out here, but Zaire refuses and spends the next four years of his life on autopilot. He doesn’t see himself dating or marrying ever again because he's already lost the love of his life. She was it for him. Then he meets Riley.

 Will Zaire allow Riley to break down that wall and love him like only she can? Or will he succeed in pushing her away for good?

    While avoiding love and relationships she finds comfort in an unlikely place. Her new work assignment may put a wrench in her plans to avoid love.Career driven and workaholic Grant has been under his dad wings since high school preparing to take over the family business. Now that he has become CEO he is determined to expand the company to every major city. His new contract has him focusing less on work and more on love. Never one to shy away from a challenge Grant is instantly attracted to Ivy and will stop at nothing to be with her. Will Ivy open her heart and take a chance on love again or will she continue to keep her heart closed off?

    Hoping that things would evolve, Cassie gives longtime friend Rock a try. Dealing with baby mama drama, his constant lying, and her own hangups with love have proven to be a challenge. Cassie loses her patience and is ready to give up. Throw in the dysfunction of her family, Cassie needs an outlet as she shuffled through her shitty life. This release she seeks just might be what’s needed to escape her reality, even if it’s just for a minute. However, this situation can make things worse for her emotionally or it can help her face those things about herself she wanted to ignore. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride as Cassie tries to figure out her life with the support of her friends and family—the ones she actually can stand. Will she finally confront the tumultuous relationship she has with her mother? Will Rock prove to be the man she needs? Or will the sticky, but oh so very erotic, quandary she finds herself in ruin her journey to love?

    She lives her life loudly, unapologetically, and free until a devastating betrayal rocks her world. Deciding she is off men for the foreseeable future, she puts her focus on her career and building her brand instead. That is until she shares a kiss with a handsome stranger that makes her want to risk it all. Model turned actor Zion Masters is intrigued by the gorgeous woman that kissed him then ghosted him. Unable to get her off his mind he vows to make her his if they ever cross paths again. Fate lends a helping hand when a close friend calls in a favor that he reluctantly agrees to. Will he be able to convince her to take a chance on him or will the heatstrokes he gives her be too much for her to handle?

    Since the age of 15, he has sacrificed his happiness and placed his dreams on hold to make sure the one he cleaved to the most lived out their dream. Being a producer under his best friend's record label came with a lot of perks… except true love. His desires for love went beyond the lyrics he wrote. He craved it like the air he breathed. Landon Carter had it all. The money, cars, clothes and a plethora of women. Being COO of a major record label, Landon has seen first-hand the lengths women will go to just to attach their name to his. Tired of the lies and deceit, he takes his heart off the market and hardens it instead. Set out on being struck by Cupid's arrow, Andre opened himself up for love unlike his best friend Landon. Only thing, well person, stopping him is a Kenyan beauty by the name of Dafina whose own insecurities cause Andre to rethink if the fight for true love is worth it. Being the scrooge of love, Landon thought the black ice surrounding his heart would never melt. That is… until he meets an unlikely spirit housed in the woman he least expects that causes him to rethink the true of meaning love.

    An unexpected event sends her reeling - even more so when a pregnant mistress steps forward. Marcel survives a divorce, but there’s no solace when he loses his only child. Love has caused Donna and Marcel nothing but pain, but it may be the only thing powerful enough to heal their broken hearts. ●●●●● EXCERPT ●●●●● She cried out in shock and reflexively wrapped her legs around his waist. Marcel backed her against the counter and set her on top of it. Now they were the same height. He looked into her eyes and smiled when he saw Donna’s expression of shock and wonderment. Her legs were spread wide to accommodate him. With the counter supporting her, he was able to release her ass and undo the buttons on his shirt. Donna watched, still somewhat in a daze. She barely felt him lift her off the tiles. And she wasn’t a small woman. She knew he was strong, but… Marcel got his shirt off, and everything became crystal clear. Of course he didn’t have any trouble lifting her. Under the bright lights in the kitchen, Donna saw that every muscle he’d been hiding under his tee-shirts was as beautifully sculpted as she imagined. His massive pectorals were the most impressive, but his arms and shoulders were equally enticing. Every bulge fought for her attention. Donna wasn’t aware that her mouth hung open. Marcel stepped closer, and she held both hands up – not to stop him, but to feel the goose bumps that were scattered across his chest. She sucked air between her teeth the moment her hands came in contact with his dark flesh. He was so hot. And hard! She felt his powerful muscles ripple beneath her fingertips. She felt his heart thumping strong against his sternum. Her bottom lip slipped into her own mouth as she fondled him at will. His nipples were big and dark. She couldn’t resist tasting them. Marcel’s hand moved to the back of her neck as she ducked down and suckled his nipple unexpectedly. He looked up to the ceiling and took a deep, slow breath. Donna licked one nipple, and then the other. She sucked them both and nibbled them softly. She stopped when the heaving of his chest became more pronounced. She looked up at him, her lips wet, her face flushed with heat. “I want you,” he said. “I need you. Now.” His eyes were low and drunk with passion. The yearning between Donna’s legs was white hot. She nodded and grabbed hold of his shoulders, so he could help her off the counter. ●●●●● © Keith Thomas Walker

    

     “I don’t believe in fairy tales; only acquainted with reality. I understand there are people who are genetically damaged in the womb. Some of these people, like me, are destined to be alone. We’re too strong willed; our power too potent and can destroy all around if wielded.” Jackson Q. Hunter isn’t your average 26 year old. Forced to be a man before his time by his well-connected, extremely resourceful, and very wealthy father, Jackson is especially conversant on commitment and crowning a woman. “Fairy tales don’t always have to be a forsaken concept. Sometimes it’s a matter of viewing it from the right perspective. Sometimes you have to simply choose a more suitable illustrator. Even we haunted cynics can find liberation in the mendacity of fairy tales. Sounds like your demons would fit nicely in my haunted closet with the rest of my iniquities.” As secrets are unveiled and nightmares illuminated, see what they learn about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness when they find redemption through their mirrored self-exiled darkness.