Book picks similar to
Love Me, Yours Truly by A. Marie Johnson


black-fiction
hot-buttered-soul
jaded-dark-inside
novella

Afterburn / Aftershock


Sylvia Day - 2013
    Never bring politics into the bedroom. In a way I did both when I took Jackson Rutledge as a lover. I can't say I wasn't warned.Two years later, he was back. Walking into a deal I'd worked hard to close. Under the tutelage of Lei Yeung, one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, I had picked up a thing or two since Jax walked away. I wasn't the girl he once knew, but he hadn't changed. Unlike the last time we'd drifted into each other's lives, I knew exactly what I was dealing with... and how addictive his touch could be.The inner circle of glamour, sex, and privilege was Jax's playground--but this time, I knew the rules of the game. In the cutthroat business world, one adage rules all: keep your enemies close and your ex-lovers closer...

Promiscuous Girl: Keyasia and Wale


Nicole Jackson - 2016
    No, she wouldn’t stop believing in love, because she’d witnessed it firsthand with her parents. Her father loved her mother to death, and it showed. Therefore, Key knew that true love existed, but history had also shown her that guys typically took forever to get their shit together. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to love a man past his flaws and all. She hadn’t learned to be that accepting, and didn’t know if she ever would be. Therefore, she felt this overwhelming sense of needing to be selfish, and put her needs first. Basically, do exactly what those niggas do. Whatever the hell she wanted."

Texas Paladin


R.O. Lane - 2017
    He finds out the three men still alive who were involved and dedicates his life to bringing them to justice. The story takes place in 1880 Texas, a harsh land with an equally harsh code of justice. The outlaws fight back, seriously wound Jubal, and flee into the West thinking their adversary is now dead. But Jubal is not dead. He recovers with help from Maddy Hastings and seeks out each killer and takes care of business. The Texas Rangers were among the toughest lawmen ever in the West, and Jubal Coe proves to be one of the very best.

Falling Into You


Maureen Smith - 2008
    She’s there to explore the risqué world of strippers, not her own sexuality. But when wickedly sexy Vince Gray orders a drink and a private audience with her one night, Rebecca soon finds herself having the hottest sex of her life. Unbeknownst to her, Vince has been lying about his true identity. Will Rebecca’s discovery of his deception spell the end of their scorching love affair?Falling Into You is a 26,000 word erotic novella that was originally published in 2007.

My Way to You


Lyndell Williams - 2018
    Immediately intrigued by Regina’s beauty, Simon becomes increasingly enthralled and ultimately risks his friendship to have her for himself. Social justice writer and activist Regina Kent is usually cautious and savvy. Yet, unable to resist her attraction to the handsome Simon, she plunges into a torrid affair, knowing that she chances angering big brother and her less tolerant followers, many of whom will not accept that one of their most popular pro-Black bloggers is dating an Asian man. As their clandestine romance evolves, Simon and Regina fall deeper in love. Making sure that things stay between them becomes progressively impossible, and neither knows how much longer they can keep Marcus in the dark and the world at bay.

Happy Pants Cafe


Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - 2014
    And what are they searching for? It’s not coffee. And it’s not pants. It’s true love, and everyone who goes, finds it!So what, exactly, is the café’s big secret? Harper Branton, a columnist for the San Francisco Tribune, who’d sooner believe in unicorns than in true love, is about to find out. And it’s the perfect story to save her train wreck of a career.Too bad she’s got competition. He’s sexy, he’s arrogant, and he thinks she’s crazy. ("What kind of person doesn’t believe in love?") And this coming from a man!When these two rivals go head to head, it's more like a WWF smackdown. A shared history binds them in wonderful, terrible ways quickly turning their duel into more than just a fight for a story. Will they tear each other apart for the win or end up as two more satisfied Happy Pants customers?Note: Stand-alone story

Bound by A Gangsta's Love


Miss J. - 2020
    

The Niece of His Highland Enemy


Alisa Adams - 2021
    Laird Fergus Brodie has just suffered a terrible and unexpected defeat, but even so, he can not leave a poor lass helpless.Fergus takes Moire, who is half-conscious, with his ship across the Highlands to the Isle of Skye, where his clan resides. When they settle in, Fergus feels like he has a scared animal in his room who can trust no one! Fergus is torn by his defeat, and taking care of Moire works as a therapy; If the lass can recover from her horrible past and forget the pain, maybe he can forget the man who caused him so much anger and shame.But as the days go by, the word revenge echoes louder and louder in his head, and the name of “Ronald Campbell” burns his soul like hellfire. Trying to focus his thoughts elsewhere, as Moire is getting better, he tries to learn more about her. The girl has lost her parents and does not know where most of her siblings are, but Fergus admires that she is still vigorous. All she has now, Moire says, is her uncle and protector, Ronald Campbell...As soon as Fergus hears that Moire is one of the Campbells, he makes unholy thoughts. The lass deserves nothing but rest and safety, but what if he can use her to get close to Laird Campbell and get his revenge? This will be a huge risk, but Fergus is prepared to die rather than disappoint his people and live his life in shame. He only promises not to harm Moire in the process.The two begin the journey back to Moire’s home, but Fergus is not prepared for what he will encounter. The Campbell clan is suffering under the rule of Ronald, and Fergus feels that he must take this man down not only for his clan but also to save the Campbells too. The only problem is that he is now caring for the lass too much, and fate will make him decide between completing his plan and saving Moire.

The Preacher's Wifey


DiShan Washington - 2013
    From athletes to politicians, she's been with them all. When Byran Ward, a wealthy pastor, enters the scene, Allyson could not be more excited. Never one to pass up an opportunity, she turns on her charm and soon finds herself sharing his bed and swiping his Platinum American Express card. Beyond his physical attraction to her, Byran has his own agenda. He's vying to become the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, a ten-thousand-member congregation that is sure to give him more of the prestige and notoriety he craves. He matches all of their qualifications except for one: he needs a wife. Knowing that Allyson is a certified gold digger, he makes her an offer she can't refuse. She can have the life of luxury she desires, an instant social circle of well-known pastors' wives, and anything else she needs to act the part. The only stipulation is she must always remember it's just an arrangement. It's a facade; it's not about love.No one is more surprised than Allyson when she discovers the material perks are not enough to satisfy her. She develops real feelings for her new husband, and she soon wants more attention and affection than Byran is willing to give her. Allyson is left with a decision. Does she give it all up for true love, or does she stick it out and try to prove that money can buy you happiness? The Preacher's Wifey is a well-written, page-turning, intense drama that will stay with you long after you read the last page.A wonderful story of growing faith and learning how to rely on God, this novel is full of messages of God's love and forgiveness. This is DiShan Washington's best work yet. Bravo! --Essence bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray"

Tangled


Harlow James - 2019
    Tony—my confidant and the bartender I made friends with when I moved to Emerson Falls, Oregon—pushed me to have some fun, a word I’ve forgotten the meaning of since I was betrayed three years ago. But that deep red hair and those curves on that woman drew me in. After life-altering sex, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never see her again. But it seems the universe had other plans. Now we work together and I’m feeling things I never thought I could feel again. Before I know it, we’re so tangled up in each other, these feelings I’ve avoided for years come rushing back, and I feel like I’m on top of the world…That is until a ghost from my past threatens to tear my happiness apart once more. Olivia: I’m thirty-one and single, again. After catching my boyfriend with his dick in his secretary, I take off and head back home to Emerson Falls, reuniting with my family and my three best friends after years away. An out of character decision of mine to have a one-night-stand leads to the best sex I’ve ever had in my life with a man that makes me want more than just orgasms from him. Lucky for me, we cross paths again when I realize he’s actually one of my new co-workers. After a push and pull of emotions, he finally admits he wants more with me, and I fall—hard. Just when all the pieces of my life feel like they’re finally falling into place, fate stirs the pot and threatens to shatter our romance. The threads of our lives were woven so tight, neither one of us thought that the edges could fray. Now the question is, can we untangle the mess and find our happily ever after?

Back for Seconds


Ginger Voight - 2015
    But she didn’t expect her husband to cheat on her either. She packs up her kids and heads home to Mom—who happens to own the most popular restaurant in town. Joely immediately throws herself into emotionally charged cooking, and her passion-infused sweets are an instant hit.Xander Davy, the much younger, good-looking, smooth-talking restaurant manager, can’t help but notice the new, attractive addition to his kitchen. The only problem, as he sees it, is that she doesn’t seem to know how desirable she is. He quickly decides to remind Joely what it means to feel like a sensual woman again. Xander’s shameless pursuit makes Joely’s soon-to-be ex rethink letting her go. He uses the children to try to get Joely back, but their sixteen-year-old daughter has other plans. She’s fallen head over heels with none other than Xander, who has his sights set firmly on her mother.In BACK FOR SECONDS, author Ginger Voight serves up a heaping amount of sensuality and angst in a tale of sexual and personal awakening, one that examines reclaiming womanhood no matter where you are in life.

Something Real


Aja Cole - 2019
    A cautious graphic designer who lets her pride make her agree to a crazy engagement… Add the undeniable chemistry that’s between the two of them, and what could possibly go wrong? Or maybe...right? Shayla So there I was. Minding my business at my temporary job and ignoring the morning after soreness from getting dic*** down. And then he walked in. The same he that just walked out my front door this morning... The same he whose name I didn’t even know until a few minutes before he left... Funny how these things go, eh? Something Real contains a lovable cast of characters, a generous heaping of spice and a dash of sweet; the first standalone centering around Atlanta’s new hockey team and the fun that comes with them. Trust me, this is a fake engagement love story that you don’t want to miss!

If Only For One Night


Victoria Christopher Murray - 2018
    

Seasons of Fidelity: Season Two


Takerra Allen - 2018
    With bitter endings come new beginnings. The cast of Seasons is back and in the same place we left them – within their individual worlds yet again without the delirium their coexistence brings. That is, until a blow knocks the cosmos out of synch and unites them under punishing circumstances for another round of emotional TAG. Justice, Dice, Aleeya, and Yael will all have to share space again. What will happen when they come face-to-face with such unfinished affairs? Meanwhile Ray and Regina are suffering a devastating loss that will either bring them closer together – despite already being in committed relationships with spouses to lean on – or put more distance between two old friends who haven’t quite learned one another again. Season 2 is a Ferris wheel of emotions, that in the end, will leave some brought back down to solid ground and some left sitting in the clouds. Others just may be let off the ride altogether. Get comfortable and fall back into the world of this complex cast. Seasons of Fidelity has been renewed for a second season!

Because of Jenny


Brad Neaton - 2018
    They meet in an unlikely way, but soon discover they’re kindred souls. A heroin addict, Jenny is also caught between wanting to escape life and wanting to live. Despite circumstances conspiring against them, Eric takes a leap of faith and decides to try and help Jenny. The two become an endearing pair, connecting through shared struggles and a mutual desire to overcome life’s myriad challenges, and they embark upon an adventure that seems destined to fail.Funny, irreverent, insightful, tragic, and raw, Because of Jenny explores many of life's deepest questions while shedding light on what remains a little known epidemic. An unflinching portrayal of addiction, love, and resilience, it's a book you'll never forget.