Book picks similar to
Building Commons and Community by Karl Linn


community
social-theory
urban-planning
community-arts

Trippin' Off A Crazy Hood Love


Kelly Marie - 2018
    There are no women who would do anything to have a balling boss or street king. And there are no dope boys! This is a story about love and how unpredictable it really can be. Meet Immanuel ‘Manny’ West, a pretty boy, ladies’ man, who prides himself on bagging the baddest women Harlem has to offer. He is a player and makes no apologies for it. His reputation as the man who loves too many bitches to settle down doesn’t stop women from throwing themselves at him. He knows he has a rep to keep and would rather die than be seen with a chick who wasn’t up to his standards… that was until he crossed paths with Rai-Elle. Rai-Elle isn’t your typical hood beauty that catches all the niggas’ eyes, the one who the bad boy sees and just has to have no matter what. No, Rai-Elle or just Rai, as she liked to be called, spent most of her life being invisible. And when people did see her, they saw a dude from her tomboyish looks and swag. What started out as a defense mechanism ends up being the same thing that Manny likes about her, even though he doesn’t want to. Will he knock down that wall she so desperately hangs on to or will he allow his friends, his rep and the pressures of life to walk away from the one woman who may not look like she fits him but is everything he ever needed nonetheless? Then there is Gideon West, Manny’s younger brother, who is following in his brother’s footsteps of having the baddest females on his arm. One day he comes across Lyriq, a chick who could never get the time of day from him just from how she looked and dressed. A friend dares Gideon to talk to her, and not being one to back down, he accepts the dare. But unintentionally, he ends up falling for Lyriq in a way he never saw coming. But what happens when Lyriq discovers the truth just as Gideon finds himself unable to live without this girl? Find out what happens when these two brothers encounter women they never thought they would even look twice at and try to deal with the way they are trippin’ off a crazy hood love.

King Of The Streets 2


Belleza - 2020
    

A Love That Belongs Together


Candi B. - 2018
    She’s on her way to being great. Having the one person who has always supported her, was making it possible. She feels like there’s nothing that can stop her. What happens when she’s stopped, and lost? Regaining who she is unlocks secrets of epic proportions. What happens when the one who’s always been there for her, hurts her? Will who she once was crash and burn under all the scrutiny and drama surrounding her, or will she rise up and reign supreme? Jahquil Duvall is the one everyone wants. He’s the man who unlocks the realness of a song by placing it in motion. By being one of the biggest choreographers in the industry, his name holds weight. Dancing, and his woman, are his two greatest passions. Tragically, he loses one in the most unbelievable way. Restoring what he felt he’s lost, is the hardest thing, but at the same time, he feels it’s worth it. Fighting to get back what some deems as impossible, is a fight he doesn’t plan on losing. But when there’s an unknown force against him, will he prosper? Or will the damage done be too much to recover from? In this intriguing standalone, trials and tribulations push those to the point to prove whether ‘A Love That Belongs Together,’ is worth the fight.

Long As You Know Who You Belong To 2


Bri Noreen - 2015
    She was saved for a reason, and that reason unknowingly lands Grey's enemies with vendettas he'll never see coming. Grey is happy with his new love and business is booming, but where there's more money, there is always more problems. Kimani's career has taken off, but behind closed doors, he's still a mess over losing Blu. When a new beauty enters his life, he thinks he's ready to move on. But is he? Or is he going to be forever stuck on a woman that he knows is never coming back? Get ready to 1-click on part 2 on tomorrow for another crazy round of drama!

Twisted


Ni'cola Mitchell - 2011
    Enraged and torn, Dionni goes on a hiatus from Las Vegas to clear her mind and get her heart back in order. Dionni’s much needed vacation is interrupted once she is informed that Tiana, her other best friend was found raped, beaten and now in a coma. Without any family around, Dionni has to return home to face her past while trying to put the shattered pieces of her life back together.Will the demons of Dionni’s past allow her to be free or continue to keep her twisted?Twisted is the highly anticipated sequel to Over and Over Again.

Love From a One Night Stand


Trinity - 2015
    Until one night she meets Ghost a bad boy rapper with a play boy image. A one night stand with him changes her life forever. Kevin (Ghost) Jackson is a bad boy rapper who loves the party lifestyle and dealing with different women. He never thought he would settle down, until he gets Angel pregnant and is forced to slow down. Everyone disapproves of his relationship with Angel including his mother who makes him choose. Embark on the journey with Angel and Ghost as all the odds are against them to find true love. Will they become a family? Or will they allow people to get in the way of their true happiness?

All I Need is Loyalty 1, 2, & 3


Tabitha Sharpe - 2017
     When it came down to something they both wanted, Jamila always stepped aside to feed Porshay’s pitiful, low self-esteem, that is until Arcani “Loyalty” Ducane blows into their lives, stirring up a whirlwind romance and gives birth to a feud between the girls that could end in a deadly brawl. With loyalty on the line, are the girls willing to lose their friendship over this handsome stranger, or will Loyalty lie with the fist by the end of this deceitful three-part series?

I Wanna Love Somebody 3: The Finale


Nique Luarks - 2017
    Secrets are revealed, breaking bonds and exposing hurt she’d buried a long time ago. The only sure thing in her chaotic life is her blossoming love for Kai. He's everything she needs, and she's everything he's never had. But will Kai's past hinder their growth? Things seem to be finally falling into place for Kenya and Cole. They are both learning to love and trust again. Their only issue is Cole's hot temper and Kenya's rebellious nature. In order for them to work, someone has to be willing to compromise, but who? In this last installment of the I Wanna Love Somebody series, we say goodbye to the characters we have all grown attached to. But before they go, they teach us that love really does conquer all. And even though it can feel like a losing battle most times, we all wanna love somebody.

The Last Kings 2: Long Live The King


C.N. Phillips - 2014
    With a heart black as night and an itching trigger finger she has vowed to make Ray's murderer's blood rain over the city of Detroit. However currently sitting as the new king of the city Khiron is backed by the Dominican Cartel and is proving to be untouchable. Sadie is a secretly relocated to Miami and takes Ray's place as the head of The Last Kings. Recruiting a few new members and making new money the cartel is revived and ready to go up against the worst to reclaim Detroit. In the midst of it all a war is budding between the Italians and Dominicans and Sadie has already chosen her allegiance. The Last Kings is back guns loaded and ready to make one last bloody movie in the streets.

The Wright Kind of Love: Toby & Niecey


Genesis Woods - 2017
    A chance meeting at one of the lounge bars that he owns, was all it took for him to fall head over heels in love with her. Fast forward two years later, Toby and Niecey are happily engaged and ready to become man and wife. That is, until her ex boyfriend Will pops back up into the picture causing some trust issues between the two. The only man that could possibly cause ShaNiece Taylor to ever doubt her love for Toby is the man who she will always know as her first love; William “Big Will” Davis. Their childhood romance wasn’t an ordinary fairy tale love, but it did come close. The on again, off again relationship was a normal routine for them until Will fathered a child with her twin sister LaNiece. Even with all of the drama centered around that situation, can you fully take your love away from someone, after years of giving it away so freely? When you stop listening to your heart and start to entertain the thoughts in your mind, don’t be surprised if you end up loosing the best thing that has ever happened to you. One night of pleasure can lead to a lifetime of regret, especially if it isn’t the right kind of love.

Dream and Drake 3: A Cartel Love Story


Princess Diamond - 2017
    Having no memory of who Drake is, Dream does not think there is a possibility that he could be her child’s father. She only has memories of her ex-boyfriend, Spencer. Therefore, in her mind, Spencer is her child’s father. Spencer is thrilled about Dream being pregnant, since he plotted to impregnate her while she was unconscious. Drake is furious that the love of his life does not remember him and threatens to never speak to her again. Drake’s attitude towards everyone, including his cousins Quay and Fresh, is relentless and unapologetic. His stubbornness nearly costs him his life. Channa seeks revenge on everyone who gets in her way. Realizing how manipulative and selfish Channa is, Drake sets a plan in motion to divorce her, even if that means living with her until the court date. Conversely, Channa refuses to go down without a fight. She plans to take Drake and Dream down the dark road with her. Dream continues to ask questions about Bey, who is still missing. She makes an effort to find her, once she is well enough. Is Bey still alive? If so, who will be the one to save her? Will Dream ever remember Drake? Will she be happy when she finds out who fathered her child? Or will she live out the rest of her life with regret? Dream and Drake 3 will leave you speechless!

Deceit, Lies, & Alibi's 2


Shontaiye - 2015
    Still trying to win Shaleea back and end his relationship with Eve for good, Noah finds that a new threat lingers in the air. When startling revelations are made by everyone around him, Noah finds his back against the wall and willing to risk everything to have things the way he wants. Going back to the old Noah he does what he knows best: seize through force. With Mann's newfound wealth going to his head, he feels that he can have whatever he wants, even if it means taking it again. Things get blurry when that something he wants happens to belong to someone else that will do anything to keep it. What started off as revenge has Shaleea up shit's creek with no paddle. A storm is brewing and she finds herself right at the center. Refusing to be left out in the cold, Eve is still hell bent on having Noah for herself. However, when her plan to get Noah backfires, Eve finds herself back to square one but this time with baggage. She shifts her focus to retribution but this time the stakes are higher and she soon finds out who she's playing with, and just how serious the game has gotten.

A Hustler's Promise 3


Jackie Chanel - 2014
    They're experiencing life like they never knew was possible. From the safety of their gated community, their world is copacetic. Until news from home rocks their world. Released early from prison, King's only mission is to regain control of the throne and take care of the people who crossed him. And Washington Heights knows there are only two people who can make that happen. Loyalty is tested, friendships lost, and the strength of Jaicyn and Rayshawn's relationship is questioned. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?

Karmyn's Chance at Love


Bree - 2016
    Karmyn is a girl who doesn’t know love. She never had any friends and barely spoke a word. Her mom was an addict who never showed her love. She was sent to live with her dad when she was just fourteen years old and Karmyn was happy with that. She found out she had an older brother and was excited to know that she had a family. A family to love her, embrace her and treat her like she belonged somewhere. Things never turn out as planned. Karmyn’s dad is a ruthless pimp with a past and his only interest in Karmyn is to sell her to the highest bidder. Because of the people closest to her, Karmyn thought she would never find love. She felt like love was hiding from her…. until she met Chance. Chance is a survivor. With no parents and an evil aunt, Chance has to do whatever he can to survive in the streets of Brooklyn. He meets Karmyn and he finds a friend in her. One night, he discovers that his boss has been killed, and he meets a lady that would change his life forever, Tru. She took him under her wing and treated him like family. He finally has a steady place to lay his head and to call home but it came with a price, his friendship with Karmyn. Will Chance be able to balance his new family and his friendship with Karmyn? Will he be the one to show Karmyn what it’s like to be in love or will he break her heart like everyone else in her life? Can he be Karmyn’s Chance at Love?