But, he's unaware that Lynise has no plans to let him go that easy.

    Will she learn that love is all she needs or will the love she has be too much for her to stand? Only knowing the life of gold diggin', hustling men and rejecting love, Vera has suddenly found herself in a world where her game has "flipped... and slipped through her fingertips." While trying to retrace her footsteps in search of where her game could be, Vera discovers that the love she has for Dr. Taj Bennett won't let her go, the hatred that she has for her drug addicted mother is not easy to live with, and ghosts from her past won't seem to die. Get ready, get set, and run with Vera as Tu-Shonda Whitaker spins a plot explosive, passionate and humorous tale that is destined to be an urban classic!

    In this edgy urban tale from the author of "Daddy's Little Girl," two best friends are divided by secrets and find themselves fighting to survive.

    An introduction to the next installment of K'wan's widely popular Hood Rat series.

    Alex has been interviewing celebrities and hangers-on long enough to know all that glitters isn’t gold, so she’s determined to get the real scoop. Still, it’s not going to be easy to get past the wives’ gilded cages... Beth Saddlebrook, wife of aging rapper Z. They have three beautiful boys and a seemingly endless supply of cash. But Beth spends her days trying to keep Z off drugs and fielding calls from women hollering she’s just a “small-town white bitch” and claiming to be carrying Z’s baby. Only one person understands what she’s going through... Kipenzi Hill, multiplatinum-selling R&B artist and Beth’s best friend. Her relationship with rap star and record label president Jake is an open secret in the industry. She knows Jake loves her, but he’d rather break up than publicly acknowledge it. Now she has learned that the newest (and much younger) R&B sensation Bunny has been signed to Jake’s label. Josephine Bennett, wife to Jamaican singer and Überproducer Ras Bennett. Josephine doesn’t just want to spend her husband’s money, she wants to contribute. Her fashion company is finally starting to get media attention when her husband admits to something she’s suspected all along — he’s fallen in love with another woman. Cleopatra Wright, every man’s dream girl, a video vixen with a story to tell and scores to settle. Cleo’s got that thing no one can put a finger on and no man (or woman) can resist. Some would call her evil or misguided or both, but Cleo always moves with a purpose and she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants...Alex realizes she may have more in common with these women than she’d like. What if this is a glimpse of how her life will be if Birdie finally gets signed to a major label? Stuck between her loyalty to this newfound sisterhood and her obligation to write the truth, Alex is forced to rethink everything she knows about work, friendship, and love.

     Mozelle did not want to get married and, for certain, she did not want twelve children. She didn't even want one child. Mozelle dreamed of getting a good job, of buying herself a car, and of traveling across country a carefree woman---nobody and nothing hanging onto her skirt tail. That is until tall, dark, handsome Randell Tate, twenty-two years Mozelle's senior, showed up in church that fateful Sunday morning, winked at her and threw Mozelle's world off balance. She fell under Randell's spell and her once imagined dreams for her future were no more. Three months later they wed and Randell carried Mozelle across the threshold into The Great Depression. As one child became four Mozelle saw that Randell was not the man she thought she married. Against all odds, Mozelle set her sights on buying a piece of land and building a house to put a roof over their heads. To realize that dream, Mozelle was going to have to squirrel away her pennies and in the end, build her house with her own two hands---husband or not. l Abiding by her parents' teachings, Mozelle stays loyal and faithful in her marriage to Randell, although Randell holds no vow sacred. The hard bed that Mozelle's father had warned that she had made for herself by marrying Randell, became less and less comfortable to sleep in, but Mozelle found comfort in turning to the Lord to see her through the storm. Mozelle is every woman who squares her shoulders and vows to rise above a bad marriage and the excruciating poverty that binds her. Blessed with true grit and a strong backbone, Mozelle stands her ground and sways with the breeze of disappointment and the winds of deprivation. Mozelle's determination and her unshakeable faith in God, like the supple branches of the weeping willow tree are strong and unbreakable, thereby proving that Weeping Willows Dance.

    Lavished with expensive jewelry, exotic getaways, and, most important, her first love, Blossom's life is transformed. But her fairy tale is quickly ended when a murder occurs -- meant for the two lovers -- and Dude's emotional pain and controlling temper cause him to change his attitude toward Blossom. Soon deceit casts a dark shadow over their relationship, and Blossom is left feeling abandoned and betrayed -- but still hopelessly in love. A portrait of life in urban black America, Blossom takes us on the rocky journey of falling in love with a street hustler, where tomorrow is never guaranteed -- even for Blossom, a woman full of such life and promise.

    With loving men of power comes drama and jealousy. Can Briana and Persia handle everything that comes their way or will they crack under pressure? They say that love is forever but is forever enough?

    From #1 Essence bestseller, ReShonda Tate Billiingsley, a touching and funny story of faith, love, and tenacious friendship.

    Sweater Robinson moved to Atlanta with nothing but $300, a dream, and a dark past she wanted nothing more than to forget about. Just when things are starting to look up, someone from her past returns, forcing her to choose between love and loyalty.Royalty Jackson is often hot and cold due to his abrasive personality, but one thing that’s certain is his love for making convenient cash. Getting money by any means necessary is the motto he stands firmly by, and he’ll do whatever to get it even if it means turning on his friends and loved ones.Lady Carter has a lackadaisical attitude when it comes to most things until a life changing event forces her to make a difficult decision. Will her outcome be the happy ending she always envisioned?Capricorn “Cap” Daniels is usually a man of very few words. However, he has no choice but to finally speak up for what he wants. After all, closed mouths don’t get fed…but falling in love brings consequences and conflict.Deception and betrayal are at an all-time high, and ‘loyalty’ is simply a word. Will these four friends be consumed by jealousy, distrust, and greed or will they make it out unscathed?

    Carmen Taylor finds her life spinning out of control when her best friend Desiree begins dating Chester Sheffield, the man Carmen has loved for years, and when Desiree gets pregant with his child, Carmen commits a reckless crime of passion that forces her, along with Desiree, to make some difficult choices that will change their lives forever.

    An even better listener. And handsome as heaven on earth. He is God's Gift to Women. Julian Payne gets into bed with millions of women every night. As an after-hours radio talk-show host, Julian captivates his female audience with his deep voice and sensitive spirit. Women can't get enough: They call in, begging for his advice about love, lust, commitment, and betrayal. Julian provides his listeners with the blunt male perspective, and he always has the right thing to say. But when it comes to his own romantic life, or lack thereof, he's at a loss for words. A widower and father to ten-year-old Samantha, Julian wants nothing more than to settle down again with the right woman. Just when he thinks he's found her in Dr. Terri Ross -- smart, stunning, and with her own counseling practice -- Julian is confronted by a ghost from the past: Olivia Brown, a woman with whom he had a one-night stand. Suddenly Julian finds himself in a situation with a woman who's determined to win him over...or make his life a living hell. Michael Baisden's hottest offering yet, God's Gift to Women is a compelling tale about the consequences of sex with a stranger.

    She cannot forgive him for breaking her heart, but can she really learn to let go? More importantly, will he allow her go?

    She is a nice girl with an attraction to the wrong types of men. No one seems to understand why she would get involved with a notorious criminal. After settling into a dangerous relationship with Devon, her life takes a drastic change for the worse. Caught between his material gifts and controlling behavior she searches for a way out. The battle to save Carlie from Devon's grip puts the lives of many people in jeopardy. By the time she realizes that force is needed when going up against Devon, it is too late. Carlie's fight to stay alive will keep you on edge. Will she give in? Or die trying?

    No one outside of his crew is safe from the death and destruction that ensues, and it isn't long before the streets bow to his will. On the other side of the city, as Chez's legend flourishes his longtime enemy Mann's hatred grows to explosive proportions. Unable to except what he sees as disrespect when one of his partners is murdered by a member of Chez's crew, Mann contacts his cousins in New York and enlists their help in his scheme to avenge his homie and steal Chez's shine in the process. When Supreme and his brother's arrive, the already deadly streets get even hotter. Not even Mann is prepared for the storm that he has begun, and when it is all over Chez's whole world will be turned upside down.