Book picks similar to
Hold You Down: A Matin Novel by Dominique Thomas


aa-romance
black-fiction
crime-suspense
surviving

V2: More Power (There's Power in the V)


Takerra Allen - 2015
    Now, here lies the aftermath. Val is finally living life – the one she never imagined but somehow is more content than ever in. Still beautiful, still ambitious, and still…self-destructive. After all it took to arrive at happily ever after, will she be able to keep it? Or is it impossible for her to love anyone as much as she loves herself? Vickie has bounced back quite well. Adjusting to new imperfections, she is moving through her weaknesses and relishing the second chance at life. When a new friend comes to surface around the same time her past catches up to her, what will happen? Especially when the truth is unveiled. V2: More Power takes you deeper into the lives of the renowned Bell sisters as they journey through experiences of passion, hardships, secrets, and deceptions. In the end, we will finally get the answer to the question left burning in our minds from the previous installment... How much Power does the V truly hold?

Just Can't Get Enough


Cheris Hodges - 2007
    She gave it all up to gamble on her talent, and found success she'd never imagined as one of New York's hottest painters. But when she returns to her South Carolina hometown to care for her ailing father, she gets an even bigger surprise. That "bow-legged" neighbor's boy she used to play with has grown up into Darius McRae, a lawyer who gave up the D.C. fast-lane to get back to his roots. Now, Darius' dark-chocolate build and slow, easy smile are proving to be just as tempting as any city lights...The last thing Darius was looking for was a relationship. He'd been burned by too many women who put finance over romance--including his conniving ex-girlfriend Cortina. But Celina's sense of humor and unpretentious ways are igniting more than his passions. And when Cortina starts stirring up a mess of trouble, Darius will do whatever it takes to show Celina a home-grown love is a dream worth everything...

Bitter Sweet


Monica Walters - 2014
    Growing up a ward of the state since the age of three months and having no family, hasn’t been a walk in the park. She endures physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her foster parents, but somehow manages to become a college senior with a double major and hold down a job at the police station as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. However, the last semester of her senior year has brought about some challenges that only the strong can survive. After meeting who she believes is the man of her dreams, Shawn Taylor, can she hold it together with all her issues, to keep him? Shawn Taylor has always been the one to take care of everyone. After the death of his mother and having an absentee father, Shawn is forced into early adulthood at the age of fourteen. His hero mentality, however, pushes him into the wrong lifestyle. Selling drugs for the biggest dealer in Beaumont helps Shawn take care of his elderly grandmother and gets him and his brother Devin through college. Now a struggling photographer and artist, he’s offered a job that could get him out of the game. Will it also cost him his family, his new love with Serita, and most of all, his life?

The Illest Na Na


Tamika Newhouse - 2013
    This season meet Brianna and Natalie. Best of friends but both deal with similar issues they both desire a man who isn’t actually theirs. Episode one- Meet the cast, get wrapped up in the sex, and guess the next secret as the drama unfolds as the Na Na rips havoc on these characters lives.

Restraining Order 2: A Tragic Love


Ca$h - 2016
    With a loaded gun in his hand, he threatens to kill her, himself or them both. If Julz is able to escape this frightening nightmare, will she realize that continuing to love her psychotic boyfriend might cost her, her life? It’s been said that love conquers all but the deep rooted problems that haunted Choppa made it much too dangerous for Julz to hold on to that hope. In the past, her heart beat strongly for him and her body craved his touch entirely too much that a RESTRAINING ORDER hadn’t been able to keep them apart. So, what will happen? Will they finally find the happiness they seek with each other? Or will their story turn out to be A TRAGIC LOVE?

Addicted to His Pain


Latoya Nicole - 2017
    She's determined to make her family proud and to be a success. Auri, has everything planned out until she meets Sosa. Even though he's the last thing she needs in life, she finds herself hypnotized by his chaotic lifestyle. She's quickly caught up in his lies and deceit. But Sosa has an ulterior motive for being with Auri, Will she catch on before all is lost?? She's on the verge of losing everything she's worked hard for when she finally hits rock bottom. Right when Auri is to the point of giving up on life she runs into an old friend Deleon who's determined to save her. He sees her and what her life has become and he attempts to get her back on the right path. But as the saying goes, once a good girl is gone bad, she's gone forever. That seems to rang true as Auri is starting to pull Deleon down. Will he continue to fight for the love he feels is there or is Auri too far gone to be saved and run back to the arms of Sosa and the life that she knows. Take this emotional ride with Auri, Deleon, and Sosa and find out how addicted a girl can be to a man's pain.

A GANGSTER'S GIRL


Tati King - 2016
    Tired of her crazy mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend she longs to live on her own where she is free to do what she wants. Sly is a young notorious hustler whose looks and street charm immediately attract Ty'esha. He becomes her ghetto knight in shining armor one day when he gives her the one thing she’s been longing for; her freedom. But did Ty’esha jump from one evil to the next? It isn’t long before she realizes that Sly is much more dangerous than she initially thought and begins to second guess their relationship when he turns abusive as well. But the money and the lure of danger keep Ty’esha around. It isn’t until her life is threatened that she finally gets the wake up call she needs. But is it too late? One thing nobody ever told Ty’esha is that once you get with a gangster there’s only one way out. Will she survive being a gangster’s girl?

Regret the Day I Said Yes: Too Late For Sorry


Regina Swanson - 2016
     That thing called LOVE can turn your entire world upside down and knock you on your ass in the blink of an eye. Alan has done the unthinkable and just might have burned any chance of reconciliation with his wife after leaving her stranded and flown home with his mistress. Regret the Day I Said Yes: Too Late For Sorry is a story about a group of couples who think they have found the answer to having a happy lifelong marriage. Bailee & York and Tiffany & Damon have been secretly swinging for years. As they see their friends' marriages on the brink of disaster they encourage them to give it a try to spice things up. While it all seems logical at first, time later reveals that every choice has a consequence; Good or bad, their actions can come back to haunt them. Can these marriages be saved? Can these friendships be rebuilt? Have you ever regretted the day you said yes? Sometimes it's too late for sorry.

The Girl in The Wall: A Riveting Haunted House Mystery Boxset


Alexandria Clarke - 2021
    Rumors fly about the mysterious death of the children’s father, and when strange things happen at night, Jamie and the children must confront the horrors that haunt the house.The Haunting of Riley WatsonTrapped in a haunted ski lodge by the season's worst snowstorm, Lucia deals with the consequences of a mysterious murder.When Lucia Star, a fake psychic and desperate for cash, takes a job at a ski lodge in the mountains of Vermont, she ends up in the middle of a real-life haunting. Soon, the ghosts are out in full force, and Lucia is stunned to discover she's one of only two people who can communicate with them. Can Lucia give the spirits what they want?

Twisted Intentions


B.M. Hardin - 2020
    Are you willing to do whatever it takes to get it? Ms. Merci Miller is. And after surviving her worst nightmare, finally, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. She sees something she isn't supposed to see; a crime. But she finds a way to use pain to her advantage this time. Her intentions are pure. And just a little bit twisted. And for a while, things are just as sweet as forehead kisses. And then, suddenly, Merci is reminded of her past, and forced to face her biggest fear. "He's back, Merci. Your worst nightmare is here." But the man who hurt her is supposed to be dead. Or is it all in Merci's head?

What's Best For Me 2: Unapologetically Me Series


Danesha Little - 2020
    

Money Over Errythang


Jai Ellis - 2012
    After all, she'd been groomed for this moment from the day she was born.The money and power are hers by default, but Money will have to earn the respect of the streets, especially the men that feel they should be in her place. Her father made it look easy, yet it's anything but. Power struggles and betrayal are par for the course as Imani transforms into one of the most impulsive and ruthless queen pens the streets have ever seen. Determined to stay on top, nothing and no one will stand in her way, not even the man that steals her heart. Join Imani on her dangerous journey and you'll discover that sometimes it's not the people who change, it's the mask that falls off.

I'll Always Belong to You


Bianca - 2016
    They are smart, successful, and run their own business. Dr. Monae, and Dr. Erica are married to successful men while Dr. Grace is swearing off men. Dr. Monae is married to one of the most powerful men in Texas, Governor Greg Johnson, who is so consumed with looking good for his peers that he neglects his wife needs. When she starts having eyes for someone else, will she risk her career, and family just to feel loved? Dr. Erica knows that she could be more successful than she already is, and while working towards that goal, she neglects her husband, Bishop Duncan, needs, which is a need for children. When her husband starts to roam, will Dr. Erica, put her own selfish needs aside to give her husband what he so desperately wants? After Dr. Grace catches her soon to be ex-husband in a compromising position, she is done with love and throws herself into her work, until she meets Exodus. Will she be able to put her work aside and try to love again? Secrets, lies, and betrayal seems to be the theme in these three friends professional and personal lives. Will the secrets that each of these friends are holding ruin their lives, or make their bond stronger? This steamy novel full of lust, love, and lies is sure to leave you wanting more.

It's Like Candy


Erick S. Gray - 2007
    When she falls in love with Eric, one of her victims, all she wants is to find her baby sister, and settle down with her new love. But River soon becomes a prisoner of her dangerous world. And escaping it may cost her more than her life.By the time she turns sixteen, Starr is working for a pimp and turning tricks daily. But when an assault by one of her "dates" lands her in the hospital, Starr meets a woman who wants to help her change her life. Starr's heart is too hardened to believe in second chances, but soon she begins to long for more than selling her body just so she can survive. However the game does not give up its players so easily.Enter Eric's cousin, Yung Slim, fresh out of jail after seven years. He's looking to reclaim the streets and take care of some old grudges. When Yung Slim goes to battle, Eric—torn between his love for River, his ties to his cousin, and the lure of the streets—gets in too deep. When the war breaks out on the battlefield of the streets, who will be left standing?

Lies and Alibis


Tiffany L. Warren - 2013
    Dionne's music mogul husband, Rod Knight, is having an affair with a stripper/rap artist named Peach. Sydney's turning thirty, and Lucas, her old flame from medical school is trying his best to get back in her good graces. It's going to be a long road for Lucas, because Sydney can't get the image of him cheating with her sorority sister out of her mind. Oldest sister, Camille has named and claimed a financial blessing straight from the throne of grace. So what if the blessing came from the Bingo table and the slot machine? That doesn't mean it wasn't God, right?When the lies and alibis come to light and spiral out of control, it's going to take a lot of prayer to put everything back together again. Lies and Alibis is a novella.