Book picks similar to
Ashes by Taisha S. Ryan


african-american
hero-works-at-a-youth-center
contemporary
fight-for-love

Smooth Operator


Risque - 2010
    But there’s a catch: His superior is his gorgeous wife Payton, who “discovered” Lyfe when he was a mere delivery man and brought him from the mean streets to the boardroom. Though Lyfe’s more than proven his mettle, Payton never lets him forget who’s in charge.Arri is a secretary by day. But at night, this voluptuous honey secretly earns extra cash to support her junkie sister’s five-year-old son by operating the Web site, ASmoothOperator.pro. With her webcam, she bares all for the men who log on. But besides the guys who pay for their pleasure, Arri has no connection to men in real life. Her past is too painful, and she doubts she’ll ever be able to trust another man again—until she meets Lyfe, her new boss, and soon to be her lover. But will they both be able to break free from old wounds and forge something solid? It will be a challenge to protect their present bliss from Payton’s vindictive nature and from an unexpected menace, who threatens to tear Lyfe down and ruin every good thing—on the job and in the bedroom—he and Arri have tried to build.

Torn Between a Goon and a Gangsta


Jade Jones - 2012
    Despite their shared past, when they’re pitched against each other in their battle to win Nikki’s heart, they find themselves tragically torn apart. Meanwhile, with Nikki herself conflicted and unable to choose between the two men, the situation finally begins to come to a head and they find themselves on the run as greed, betrayal, and heart ache pull the three of them in different directions.Will Dre and Hassan be able to resolve their differences? And will Nikki finally make her choice?Or will it end in catastrophe?With over 100 five-star reviews, “Torn Between a Goon and a Gangsta” brings all the best of urban fiction in a rollicking ride full of drama, betrayal, and unexpected twists!

A Love Story


David Weaver - 2011
    His sexual IQ routinely leaves women speechless, addicted, and craving for more. When he finally meets his match, Lisa Lee, she turns his entire world upside down while smiling in the process. Confused, he gains clarity and learns the greatest lessons about love from the most unlikely of sources; an impressively beautiful bank robber named Alicia.

All I Want is that Hood Love


Mercedes G. - 2015
    Twenty-four year old NaTaysia is convinced the only man that is capable of loving her is her handsome, sophisticated husband JaMel Taylor. JaMel is the only man she has known emotionally, physically and mentally. That is, until she runs into the notorious De’Carlos Banks, known to the streets as Mega. His cockiness, craziness, and thug demeanor is just too much for her to resist. NaTaysia finds herself head over heels for Mega when he opens her eyes to a life only one can imagine. JaMel is a businessman who has a few secrets of his own. He loves NaTaysia more than he loves himself but finds himself in a world of trouble when his manly instincts takes over and he can no longer fight temptation. Mega is a known Boss in every city he touches down in. Owning the drug game for over a decade, he has the world in his possession. The only thing missing is someone to share it with. After being captivated by NaTaysia, he is determined for them to be together by any means.

For You I Will


Chelsea Maria - 2018
    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.

Diamond Life


Aliya S. King - 2012
    . . Set in the highest ranks of the music industry’s fame machine, Diamond Life is an intoxicating story of love, sex, ambition, money, betrayal, and the surprising realities of making it big. Alex Maxwell’s career as a journalist and celebrity ghost writer is taking off, despite the slightly embarrassing authorship of hip-hop super-groupie Cleo Wright’s memoir. And while Alex’s star is on the rise, it pales in comparison to her husband Birdie’s multiplatinum debut and world tour. Slowly but surely, everything they swore would never happen begins to come true, like leaving Brooklyn for a mansion in suburban Jersey and letting a reality TV crew into their home. Birdie is confronted time and again by the sexy groupies who pursue famous rappers like heat-seeking missiles and he’s forced to make some life-changing choices. Meanwhile, aging rapper Z, in recovery from drug addiction, is too busy trying to repair his marriage to leave much time for his son Zander, newly signed to Z’s label and struggling to maintain his appeal in the wake of a domestic violence scandal with his diva girlfriend Bunny. Record label president Jake is trying to deal with the death of his wife, multiplatinum R&B artist Kipenzi Hill, by drowning his sorrows in alcohol and women. When he meets Lily, a beautiful, quiet waitress, he can’t get her out of his head. But Lily has her own problems to handle and she wants nothing to do with the fame, drama, and baggage that Jake carries with him. This juicy follow-up to Aliya S. King’s Platinum is a scintillating roman à clef that takes readers behind the curtain once again for the real scoop on the biggest players in the hip-hop game—and the first ladies who hold them together.

The Chase


Xyla Turner - 2015
    She is an introvert, does not go out much, but receives sexual maintenance from a neighbor whenever she wants. A chance meeting with Xavier, who is a rich play boy that likes to invade her space, bite and spank her. Xavier is a venture capitalist, who owns many businesses, buildings and has ties with people all around the country. He is used to getting what he wants from women and despite Xena's defenses; he seems to wiggle in and momentarily traps her under his spell.After their first meeting, Xena spent most of the time running away, but still somehow felt drawn towards him. Soon she gave in, liking that Xavier was possessive and showed her an abundance of interest. However, there were several times where he crossed the line. Eventually, his possessiveness goes from endearing to overbearing, and trust becomes an issue. Needing space, Xena heads out of the country to clear her mind. However, on her return she learns of Xavier's hidden secrets that put her safety in jeopardy.Will Xena be able to forgive and forget the wrongs that have been committed against her privacy. Will Xavier become the man that Xena needs and win the battle between lying to her again and telling her the truth? Will he risk giving up his obsession to possess her in order to prove how he truly feels?

Chasing Destiny


Eric Jerome Dickey - 2006
    She can handle just about anything she meets on the road - but this time she might be headed for a crash.

The Wrong Side Of Love


Charmanie Saquea - 2015
    After breaking up with her manipulator of a boyfriend Trae, all she wants to do is focus on becoming a RN. Things change when the king of Detroit, known as Zeek enters her life. Dealing with Zeek brings some drama to Coco’s life that she never saw coming. Zeek is the type to get whatever he wants when he wants it and things are no different when he sets his eyes on the young and beautiful Coco. It's hard for Zeek to resist a good girl with a good head on her shoulders, even with him keeping his ex girlfriend Chanel around for his pleasure. When the Feds start sniffing around and things get hectic for Zeek, he realizes one of the women in his life has been working against him. Although she was labeled the problem child out of her and her sister Coco, all Jayliah really wanted is to be loved. After becoming pregnant young and refusing to have an abortion she was exiled by the very people who had sworn to love her no matter what; her family. Facing motherhood alone, Jayliah quickly realizes all she has is Coco until Tariq works his way into her life. On the brink of her fairy tale ending, Jayliah’s word is shook once again when the father of her child makes a sudden appearance and soon her life starts spiraling out of control. In this tale of love and deceit people will find out that you can’t trust everyone, especially those closest to you.

Trapstar


Blake Karrington - 2011
    A constant reminder of her mother’s indiscretions, Brianna is unwilling to continue to be the target of her step father’s anger. She leaves her suburban life style for the streets of Charlotte NC. In true Charlotte faith Brianna is linked up with Treshawn Nash, a local hustler. Tre has lived the alternate life; raised by his grandmother who showered him with love in the midst of violence, drugs, and poverty. The two are made for each other. Brianna provides the genuineness and innocence Tre has longed for. While he gives Bri the unconditional love she desperately needs. However, when tragedy strikes their world is turned up side down.

The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa


Kayla Perrin - 2001
    Now, ten years later, they seem to have it all. Jessica is in the limelight, a TV personality whose star is on the rise. Ellie is an optimist, happily engaged in the quest for love. Shereen is a stunning and powerful executive, and Yolanda, the strong-willed leader of the group, has defied her roots to capture her vision of the American dream. But years before, these four women banded together to keep a devastating secret-and now, ten years later, someone will do anything to see the secret brought to light. None of them anticipated the consequences of keeping the secret-and now, someone is trying to shatter all their lives. Intense, powerful, page-turning, and emotional, The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa will keep you guessing and will make you think about the depths of friendship, the price of loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood.

love and gunplay


K'wan
    He's one step closer to home, but it may as well have been a world away. Animal is still a wanted fugitive, and getting to New York undetected proves to be trickier than he thought. This all changes when he meets an old friend of Red Sonja, a New Orleans refugee named Diamonds.Diamonds promises to provide Animal with safe passage from Miami to New York and all the firepower he will need to settle his blood debt, but he also brings something far more valuable to the table, the name of the man who shot Gucci. Diamonds holds the key to unlocking the mystery of what really happened that tragic night in Harlem, but the information comes at a price.Animal finds himself swept up into a deadly game of cat and mouse set in the glamorous Miami underworld of sex, drugs, and violence, where cash is king and death is always lurking. His only ally is a mysterious stripper named Reign, who harbors a secret of her own that threatens to change everything.

A Hood Affair


Shmel Carter - 2013
    Shaneice, bka Neicee and her boyfriend Quentin, known as Q takes you on a whirlwind of surprises. Q loves Neicee with everything in him, but he can't remain faithful. Neicee is from the hood and she grew up the only girl of 6 kids. She was determined to never have to go back to the hood. Despite where she is from, she graduated from law school and has built the reputation as the baddest hood lawyer to ever grace the streets of Charlotte. Now, someone is out to kill Neicee. Could it be one of Q's sideline hoes? Unbeknownst to Q, Neicee has her own secret. Will Q lose Neicee or will she remain his ride or die chick?

Caesar's Charm (Caeser's Charm)


Cassie - 2014
    That is until he met Charm Johnson. Charm had been single for two years due to an abusive ex and was scared to give Caesar together a shot. When these two decide to give each other a chance someone will stop at nothing to break them apart. Tragedy strikes causing grief and harm. when it's all said and done will they stay together or do they go their separate ways? Cassie gives you a tale of love, lies and deceit.

A Love I Can't Hide (A Love Series Book 2)


A.C. Taylor - 2016
    But when it comes to her giving the same in return, she falls short. Irulan wants to feel a connection, but all she keeps getting is relationships full of emptiness. After tying on one too many drinks, a simple joke turns into a bet that Irulan never intended to follow through on. Falling for one of her closest friends was not in the cards for her, especially since that friend is Mason Andrews. Mason Andrews is strong, confident and as handsome as they come, but he struggles in the love department. He has yet to find a woman that can give him everything that he needs, but he’s working overtime to hide the way he feels about a certain someone. Mason has known Irulan since they were teenagers and he’s trained himself to believe that there’s nothing romantic between them, but one night of curiosity proves him wrong. Now, Irulan and Mason are forced to deal with their feelings for each other, but a past fling is determined to keep them apart. With trouble on the horizon, Mason and Irulan must fight harder than ever before. Will they be able to handle what’s coming their way? Or will their happily ever after end before it even begins?