Book picks similar to
Ashes by Taisha S. Ryan


african-american
damaged-dark-hero
unexpected-pregnancy
urban

California Connection


Chunichi Knott - 2008
    This doesn't leave much time for friends, but she'll always make time for Touch, the local hustler. He's been her friend since grammar school, when they made a lifelong pact to look out for each other. Lucky for them, their promise has never been put to the test--until now. When Michael Burroughs arrives on the scene from L.A., he floods the East Coast with top-notch product, and quickly earns his title as the California Connection--Calico for short. He's also a smooth brotha with a knack for getting whatever he wants out of women then tossing them to the side. When he meets Jewel, sparks fly, and things quickly spin out of control. Touch knows how Calico operates and doesn't want to watch his friend get used and abused. Little does he know, he doesn't have to worry about her, because Jewel has a few tricks of her own. When Calico shows his true colors, Jewel knows just how to get revenge. Will her plans backfire, or will she be the last woman standing?

The Preacher's Son


Dahlia Rose - 2014
    Being the son of the preacher meant that everyone looked to him to be the good guy. He was supposed to marry the sweet, prim, and proper apple pie girl. He didn’t want to be that guy, and no matter how many times he tried to break out of the mold, people managed to drag him back in. The only thing that kept him sane was spending time with Angelica Edwards. Everyone called her Angel. She was a spicy temptress who managed a club in Georgia. Even though they were from two different worlds, when he was with her, his life felt full and happy. She was one hell of a dancer, and her kisses were sugary sin. But when Angel showed up in Jasper to let him know he’d be a father, it turned the town on its ear. With her spicy I don’t give a fuck attitude and sleeve tattoo, she was the last person his mother wanted him to marry, let alone have a child with. But Angel gave him a choice—be the man they both wanted or the man everyone expected him to be. One would give him the happiness he desired, and the other would drive her away. To him, the answer was easy, but that didn’t mean the road to happiness was peaches and cream. It was littered with obstacles they would have to face.

Ghetto Love


Sonovia Alexander - 2013
    She has a love and hate type relationship with everyone she’s in contact with including her three children. She knows that she hasn’t been the perfect mother, but due to unfortunate circumstances in her life with her children’s father, she tends to take her anger out on the ones that love her the most. Lisa is Pam’s twin sister and the total opposite. She’s also the mother of three children and finds herself taking the fall for her sister due to mistaken identity. Knowing that her sister has always envied her, she finds out a few secrets that have been kept from her and the rest of the family. Ghetto Love is the true meaning of love and hate. Hating a person one day, ready to stab them in the back then waking up to them the next day as if nothing happened. Take a look into the world of these twins and find out how this love and hate relationship turns out.

Christmas with the Millionaire Cowboy


Joann Baker - 2012
    The only thing she hated worse than being thought of as his stepsister, was being the overweight girl that couldn't possibly catch his eye. Ryan Jacobs felt not one ounce of brotherly love toward Penny Shepherd. And it was getting harder to pretend that he did. What he did feel was something so raw and powerful that it ate away at his gut a little more each day. With Christmas fast approaching, will these two hearts find a bit of holiday magic?EXCERPT:Ryan left the house as fast as his cowboy shod feet allowed. He had to get away before he did something crazy like kiss Penny until they both ran out of breath. He wouldn’t even need the damn mistletoe hanging in the doorway to pretend.He was tired of pretending.He wanted to drag her beneath the Christmas tree and see just how naughty he could be. Ryan didn’t know what he’d been about to say and was torn between being angry at his stepmother for interrupting them and grateful that she had. The touch of Penny’s hand on his face had gone straight to his groin.Two of the cowboys gave him a wide berth as he entered the barn. He knew why. He’d been like a bear with a sore paw for the last few months. Ever since Penny had gone on a date with the rancher next door. At last count they’d went out over six times. Which was six times too many.The thought of Penny with another man made him crazy. The thought of another man tasting her lips or touching her in all the intimate places he longed to, made him murderous. He still smelled her delicious fragrance. It was drowning him, tantalizing him, seducing him. Lord, help him, that’s what he wanted to do to her. Seduce her. Make her lose all those inhibitions and hang-ups he knew she had about her size.

Crew


Tijan - 2018
    You pretend everything is normal.Or you can be crew.You insult us? We hurt you.You hurt us? We really hurt you.And if you screw with us, we will end you.My name is Bren.I'm the only female in the Wolf Crew--the best, fiercest, and most dangerous crew there is--and we have a rule: There's no falling in love.Well... too late.*This book contains mature young adult situations.*Full-length novel. First book in a series.*Book ends at 95%. Two bonus chapters are at the end.

Say It Ain't So


La Jill Hunt - 2009
    With his talented voice, pretty boy looks, and good guy charms, Warren Cobb quickly rose to the top of the Gospel music charts with hit after hit after hit.But what's the Sensual Seductress to do when she's riding in a car that's involved in a terrible crash? And what's the Prince of Praise to do when he's the one driving?All hell breaks loose and the rumors start to fly; lives are threatened, and the truths are untold in a drama-filled tale that could only come from the imagination of La Jill Hunt.Urban Books presents Say It Ain't So. Because every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future!

Jezebel


Jacquelin Thomas - 2008
    Now it’s time to really put her talent to work. Her ticket out of Mayville is Traynor Deveraux. A trusting pastor with a brilliant career ahead, Traynor doesn’t realize that his cunning new bride isn’t just dreaming of a new life, but running from an old one—and from an irredeemable reputation that could destroy their futures.Seduced by the material possessions that come with position and power, Jessie soon uses her wiles to move her unwitting husband to the forefront of the country’s leading ministry. She’s prepared to do it by any means possible—including sex, lives, betrayal, and blackmail—all the while building nothing more secure than her own private hell. And when the walls come tumbling down, Jessie Belle will pay a price she never imagined, and discover one last chance at redemption and forgiveness she never expected.

In Sheep's Clothing


Mary Monroe - 2005
    Facing a future of cooking, cleaning and unsatisfying sex, Trudy decides to make some changes while she still can.

Coke Dreams


Arabia - 2012
    They were all born and raised in Washington D.C. The young women filled their days with finishing their senior year of high school; while at night they were the stars of the hood. All the women hated them and all the men wanted them. They managed to stay as far away from all the drama that went on in the hood as possible. With college in their near future, life for the foursome couldn’t get any better. That is until love unexpectedly finds them and knocks them down. With everything going so right they are all floating on cloud nine. Confident their lives were headed on the right path, they felt like nothing could go wrong or bring them down. But true to the Law of Gravity: What goes up must come down. When tragedy strikes and love comes between them it creates a downward spiral that no one could have saw coming. A war is on the rise and they find themselves caught in the middle of it. They are now battling each other and fighting for love. But, when it’s all said and done who will be left standing to live the life of their dreams.

The Hidden Wife


B.M. Hardin - 2016
    Something Blue. He Chose Me. But WE Chose You." Tiffany, "Strawberry" Parks has it all. The perfect house. The perfect career. The only thing that she is missing is the perfect husband. She failed at love her first time around, but she vowed that her next marriage would be her last. But who said that she would even have a choice in the matter? Love finally comes her way, and Strawberry is in love like never before. But something isn't right. It seems as though the closer and closer she gets to happily-ever after, the more someone seems to be trying to get her attention. Does someone know her secret? Strawberry learns the hard way that sometimes love is patient. And sometimes love decides to be kind. But sometimes love is just plain ole' stupid and other times it's blind. But the love that Strawberry feels is real; but can her new husband say the same? Or is there already someone that he loves more....that also has his last name? Just because it can't be seen, doesn't mean it can't be heard. Have you ever seen what happens, when you fail to keep your word? To love and honor or to deceive and betray? When vows and promises are broken, there is always a deadly price to pay. ****Also check out my new upcoming release "The Good Listener"**** TEXT BMBOOKS TO 22828 TO JOIN MAILING LIST

The Man Without Rules


Tyffani Clark Kemp - 2013
    There isn't a woman who doesn't want the notoriety of being in his bed. When he crosses paths with Mariss Red at one of his clubs, his interest is quickly piqued, and he sets out to make a play for the confident beauty. But Mariss is married, and she has no desire to lose what she loves for a one night stand with the indulgent playboy.When an attempt is made on Mariss' life, Sebastian rushes to her side. Those closest to him know that it's only a matter of time before his new infatuation causes him to crash and burn.For a man who lives on the edge, the Rules of the chase become clear at the start. If he wants to win Mariss, he will have to play on her turf. Boundaries and all. The harder Sebastian tries, the more Mariss refuses, and the harder it gets to keep his control. The Man Without Rules finds himself changing to be worthy of the one woman who has ever told him no.

Have I Told You Lately?


Erosa Knowles - 2011
    “Tell me when’s the right moment to tell another person your past bullshit, your damn secrets that you don’t wanna face, your skeletons?” His eyes skewered hers. Everyone claimed to want to know shit, but there was a price to the telling.“I know people who marry and never share some of their secrets,” he said, inching closer. “A lot of shit dies with them. How do you know when it’s right to share? Because I’ve no idea how to ride that train.”The pink tip of her tongue leisurely moistened her lips. “I think when you care about someone, you build to a level of trust and you take them into your confidence.”A level of trust, female bullshit.“Yeah, but that’s the problem. It’s easier to give your body, than your deep personal shit.”She ducked her head.He continued speaking in a low whisper. “I mean the real stuff that’s close to your heart. The fucked up shit everybody keeps locked up. Most folk don’t get close enough to ever see the dark places inside.” He watched her swallow hard.“So I ask again, how do you know when’s the right time.” He leaned next to her ear and whispered. “After how many dinners, or dates? Before or after we fuck? What’s the magic number that opens the door to my personal shit, ‘cause I damn sure ain’t telling everybody my personal business.”His voice remained conversationally low, calm, while nerves jumped and pulsed at the thought of sharing some of the things he’d done in the past. He’d rather buy anything she demanded, or take her anywhere in the world, than fully open up and let her see some of the dark places in him. Shit, he didn’t like to look inside and rarely did.She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t about everybody. It’s about you and me.” She pushed his chest. He stepped closer.“Okay, what signals do I get to let me know I should trust you with my shit? You ready for that?” They looked at each other.Her eyes slid to his chest. “I don’t know.”“And therein lies the root of our problem.” He dropped his arms.She shivered.“You want me to tell you everything without securing my trust. Why should I bare my soul to you? What would you do with the knowledge? Trust me? Or judge me?” He pulled back and stared into chocolate pools of light. Whatever this was between them marked him. He’d never considered telling a woman he dated about his past. The price of admission, Red called it.“It’s like leaving pieces of your soul around and that’s too damn dangerous to do on a small tip.”

Suddenly Blue


Tressie Lockwood - 2014
    She's getting older, and she can feel her eggs turning to powder. Six months ago, she broke up with her ex when she caught him cheating, she kissed their talks of getting married good-bye and nursed a broken heart. Ryenne runs into Shane Allen whom she's had a light flirtation going on with. Shane is sexy as hell, but he's also only twenty-eight. Ryenne would never think of getting involved with him. She's not going through a midlife crisis, and she's got nothing to prove. Shane has wanted Ryenne for a long while, and now is the perfect time to take the flirting to something more tangible. He will stop at nothing to have Ryenne, even with the threat of losing his job working for her dad. What neither of them expected was for Ryenne to get pregnant. Ryenne is thrilled she's going to be a mother, but embarrassed for everyone to find out about her sexual activities. Relationships with family and friends are threatened, and work is on the line. Can Ryenne overcome the issues and her doubts to find her own brand of happiness?

Broken


K. Webster - 2014
    She is about to graduate with an Architecture degree and marry her-All American baseball star-fiancé. When she catches him in bed with another woman, her world is turned upside down. Left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, she takes on a new persona—a promiscuous one. This new role protects her heart from ever being broken again. Andi now lives by a set of rules. The game? Sex with a new pawn every weekend. Every Friday, she sets her sight on a new sexy, successful man to play along—no strings attached, please. When Monday rolls around, she kicks them to the curb and moves on. It has helped her get through the pain of her past—that is, until she meets Jackson. The mysterious Jackson is excited to play her game. He too has had his heart broken in the past and isn’t looking for a repeat. Eventually, hearts get involved and Andi wonders if the game is still worth playing. Will she look for a new pawn or will she break the rules with Jackson?

Long As You Know Who You Belong To


Bri Noreen - 2015
    New to LA with a couple mil to flip, Grey opens South Beach, the newest addition to the Los Angeles club scene. In the midst of starting his business, he meets an exotic beauty by the name of Nakami. Enamored by her beauty and fiery personality, Grey courts her not knowing that her father, Hero, is the biggest drug lord on the West Coast. Nakami and her father prove to be the connect that Grey needs in order to get back to his hustle. But at what cost? Kimani Summers, Grey's younger brother, is making a name for himself in the modeling industry and is also pursuing a career in acting. When he hears that his brother has relocated to LA, he's not happy. Knowing Grey and the trouble that tends to follow behind him, Kimani is reluctant to interact with the brother he hasn't seen or talked to in over five years. Hesitantly taking Grey up on the invitation to attend the grand opening of his new club, Kimani meets Nakami's best friend, Blu. After losing the last woman he loved tragically, Kimani doesn't want to fall for Blu, but he can't help it. When these four lives are intertwined, things get crazy! And when everything is all said and done, friends will become enemies, business and personal relationships will crumble, and lines will be crossed that will affect the lives of all parties involved.