Book picks similar to
Civilizing Chengdu: Chinese Urban Reform, 1895-1937 by Kristin Stapleton
china
cities
east-asian-history
ge
Jessie’s Story: Heroism, heartache and happiness in the wartime women’s forces (The Girls Who Went to War, Book 1)
Duncan Barrett - 2015
Mary and Olive had already been told they were going to an ack-ack training camp in Berkshire, and she crossed her fi ngers, hoping that she would be setting off with them. Finally, the corporal came to her name. ‘Private Ward,’ she called out. ‘Anti-aircraft.’At that moment, Jessie couldn’t have been happier. She was joining the artillery, and would soon be giving the Germans what for.”In the summer of 1940, Britain stood alone against Germany. The British Army stood at just over one and a half million men, while the Germans had three times that many, and a population almost twice the size of ours from which to draw new waves of soldiers. Clearly, in the fight against Hitler, manpower alone wasn’t going to be enough.Eighteen-year-old Jessie Ward defied her mother to join the ATS, leaving her quiet home for the rigours of training, the camaraderie of the young women who worked together so closely and to face a war that would change her life forever.Overall, more than half a million women served in the armed forces during the Second World War. This book tells the story of just one of them. But in her story is reflected the lives of hundreds of thousands of others like them – ordinary girls who went to war, wearing their uniforms with pride.
Smitten by A Boss: Keveen and Kamerra
Melissa Monae - 2018
Things had been going well until someone tries to come and take over what he worked hard for. Messing with his lively hood brings out the beast in him and he reminds people why they call him the king of the swamp. While things are changing in the streets Big Keeve is ready to make changes in his relationship. The only thing La’Asia was with him when he first started so he felt the need to keep her around. Kamerra trots into his life and has him seeing things in a whole new light. La’Asaia had sights on Big Keeve since they were younger. She always saw the hustle in him and knew he would make it big. She took the opportunity to sink her claws in him early and ride the wave. Now 6 years later she has the money, respect, and the man of the streets. The only problem with that is the secrets she has been hiding are threating to be exposed will be detrimental to her life. Kamerra is like any other good hardworking woman that wants to be loved. She thought she had that with her ex Brent, but he hurt her in a major way. Now her reason to live is the love of her life Collin who is 5yrs old. A man is the last thing on her mind but when she cross paths with Keeven she is Smitten. Not being able to shake the sexy man she explores a friendship with him. Things heat up between them and all is going well until something from her past sends everything spiraling out of control. Manuel (Maggs) has been running things beside his brother and friend for years. One rule he lives by is never commit and trust these women. He believes after he busts her down he must leave, and never once has he stayed the night. All that changes when a baby situation comes to play. Just as the idea of trying to make things work for the baby he gets the shock that sends him on a deadly mission. With all the lies, deceit, hurt, and danger will any of them make it out to tell the story? Go on the journey to find out if Kamerra will be Smitten by a Boss or die behind her past.
Female Hustler Part 4: All I See Is The Money...
Joy Deja King - 2017
As she struggles to get her personal and professional life back on track, she uncovers the truth that will change everyone's life forever, including her own. Aaliyah finally embraces Angel as her sister and life seems to be picture perfect as she prepares for her upcoming wedding to the love of her life. But with Justina lurking in the background, determined not to let Aaliyah have her happy ever after ending, will she make it down the aisle? In Female Hustler Part 4, friendships are torn apart, new alliances are formed as love and war could potentially tear everyone apart.
Fallon and Wali: Rescued by a Savage
Saja Jay - 2017
Born and raised in Somalia, she yearns to be loved and free in a world far away and nothing like her own. But living under the roof of her overprotective strict parents, she knows that what she wants is nothing more than a dream, and it could never be her reality. That is until her forbidden love interest, Shadi, an older man who she's grown to love and trust, promises to give her everything she’s hoped for and more. After an incident with her father goes too far, Shadi vows to protect Fallon and give her her heart’s desire if she agrees to run off to America with him. Thinking that the perfect life awaits her, she agrees with little hesitation, but what happens the second her feet land on the pavement in NYC is something she never expected. Being abandoned by the man she loves, Fallon is thrown in to the harsh world of drugs and sex trafficking. Her instincts jolt her into survival mode, and she has every intention of beating the odds and escaping with her life. Wali is the savage king of the concrete jungle who commands respect with his presence alone. To the world, he’s a ruthless thug with no heart, but raising his younger sister Yaya by himself, he develops a soft side that only a select few get to see. When fate brings him to Fallon, something about her piques his interest and he wants nothing more than to get to know the girl behind the sad eyes. When something tragic happens to someone he loves, Fallon becomes a distant memory, and Wali is on a mission to destroy and conquer. Join Fallon and Wali as they try to survive the mean streets of New York and the hand that they’ve been dealt. Find out if Wali can be Fallon’s knight in shining armor or will she end up having to be his?
Good Girl With A Dope Boy Fetish 2
Porschea Jade - 2017
Having two of the most important people in his life fighting for theirs, it begins to turn his heart cold. Not knowing which way to turn, he starts his man hunt for the ones responsible for hurting them. When things take an unexpected turn, O’Hajee may just have to sacrifice everything in the name of family and love but a few bumps in the road put his trail on ice, can he manage to find some level of normalcy? Or will he be lost to the streets for good? Siya’s on the run of her life, after not only crossing Myeke but Deuce as well. Proving the saying ‘money is the root of all evil’ true, she flees New York and takes refuge else where. But when she begins to realize the error of her ways, she will go back to fix the damage she’s caused at any cost. Even if she has to pay with her life. In this next installment, the crew is in for the ride of their lives as family ties are tested. Promises are broken and new dangers lurk around every corner. Can they withstand the storm that’s beating down their doors? Or will they fold under the pressure?
Seven Minutes in Heaven: A Hood Love Story
Elle Kayson - 2019
All she wanted was to get into the nursing program of her dreams and make her parents proud. The last thing she had time for was guys, and especially not bad boys like nineteen-year-old Liam Maxwell. Liam had quickly risen from a corner boy to the heir-apparent of San Antonio’s most infamous drug runner. He didn’t have time for the distraction of a relationship—his main goal was proving himself worthy of inheriting an empire. When Taleah and Liam’s paths cross one night at a house party, they find themselves reluctantly playing the game of Seven Minutes in Heaven. What they experienced that night in a dark closet change both of them. Unable to stay away from each other, Liam and Taleah decide to take a chance on love, but not everyone in their lives is thrilled. Will the young couple survive the forces arrayed against them?
Pregnant By My Mother's Rapist
Niki Jilvontae - 2017
Meet Kaniyah aka Na Na the product of a 12-year-old mother and invisible father who finds herself trapped in a hopeless situation. All of her life NaNa was forced to suffer for the sins of others all while trying to figure out who she was. With no dad, a volatile relationship with her mother, and support only coming from her brothers and uncles, NaNa goes out into the world searching for what she never had... True Love. When she meets Anthony she thinks that her prayers have finally been answered but she couldn't have been more wrong. Her quest leads her right down a bumpy road filled with abuse, lies, deceit, and murder that she has no way of escaping. Come on this twisted thrill ride with Na and find out how she became.... PREGNANT BY HER MOTHER'S R*****!
A Street Legend and His Ridah
Ebony Diamonds - 2017
She is loyal to her family, her friends, and definitely her man. When her loyalty to the wrong man leaves her with a broken heart and an arrest record, she swears off men and vows to focus on herself. Her new attitude is short lived once she finds herself in a forced business relationship with the rude, arrogant, and oh so sexy Chy’Rique West. Chy was well known on the streets of Washington, DC. Some might call him a legend. The aura of power that he exudes along with his bad boy good looks make him irresistible to women, and he takes full advantage, leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. He would love to change his cheating ways and make his family work with Julisha, the mother of his two-year-old daughter, but the dog in him just won’t stop barking. Although he loves her, it isn’t enough to make him fully commit. Chy is convinced that no woman alive can completely capture his heart, that is until the woman he intended to kill becomes everything he ever wanted.
Married to the Connect 3
Miss Candice - 2018
He was determined. His by any means necessary attitude has gotten him far but what happens when he's faced to kill an innocent child? In an effort to save his own life, could he take the life of someone who has yet to live their life to its fullest potential? One thing for sure, Quentin comes out of that situation alive. Sadly, taking down Kenny is the least of his problems. After being raped at the hands of one of Quentin's enemies, Simone bounces back better than ever. In the midst of Quentin's war, she has no other choice but to. Unfortunately, suffering for Simone is far from over. After experiencing yet another tragedy at the hands of one of Quentin's enemies, will she be able to bounce back like before? Or will Quentin's reckless and unpredictable lifestyle push her away? And into the arms of another man perhaps? Part three of Married to the Connect is full of plot twists, heartbreak, bloodshed and turmoil. With so much standing in the way of their union, will Simone and Quentin finally make it down the aisle? Or will the loss of a loved one send them down an even slippier slope?
In The Arms of a Savage 2
K.L. Hall - 2017
Raquel has always been one to play by the rules, but after her first taste of hood love, she drops her old life without a second thought, including her friends and the ashes of her last failed relationship. When her ex-fiancé, Derrick, comes to Miami in search of answers, she’ll be forced to answer the who, what, when, and why of her new life. What will she do when he asks for a second chance now that she’s already given her heart away to Law? She knows the savage in Law cannot be tamed, and it will only be a matter of time before he’s out for blood. Can she play her new role and hold him down, or will she leave Miami and go back to her old life? The most valuable lesson Law ever learned wasn’t from his parents; it was from the streets: whatever comes your way face it on your feet, come hell or high water. Now he finds himself enraged and in jail with his back against the wall. Law knows his set up was not random, but by design. All roads lead to Shiya. Although he's managed to stay clear of the judicial system thus far, he just may have to clean up the mess his brother created, even if that means doing a bid for a trigger he didn’t pull. As he prepares to beat his case, Law will become a menace on the streets of Miami, and show his enemies exactly why they call him “Law.” He soon becomes the most sought-after man by friends and foes, alike. It’s no secret that the only thing that has Blaze’s heart is the streets. He’s content with living his life on the edge, making sure his family’s empire continues to thrive, and the Calloway name remains respected. Blaze will always be his brother’s keeper, so when he learns of Law’s imprisonment, he sets out on his own path of revenge. Under his reckless exterior, he finds himself yearning for the love his brother shares with Raquel. When a one-night stand results in a positive pregnancy test, he is forced to put his priorities in order. Is he mature enough to wean himself off his fixation with exotic women and money? Just when Shiya thought she was going to become Mrs. Calloway, she experienced the most embarrassing moment of her life when he stood her up at the altar. Now all she’s left with is a million-dollar ring and a scorned heart. With rage as the underlying factor, she plans to settle her debt with the man who broke her heart and the woman she knows he left her for. When she opens Pandora’s Box, her devious plot could put more than just the Calloway family at risk. This love story is dripping with lies, bloodshed, and secrets, some stretching back over twenty years. When lines are blurred, it becomes harder for everyone to see who their true enemies are. After all, love is a strong emotion, but then again, so is hate. In the end, you’ll see if Miami’s new favorite couple can weather the storm.
Legacy of Lies: Over the Fence in Laos
Henry G. Gole - 2019
Operating from camps in places like Kontum and Dak To, Special Forces recon men risked their lives behind enemy lines on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and Cambodia, conducting missions whose detection often meant death or something worse. Officially, they did not exist. Their government denied that they were operating in “neutral” countries; Hanoi denied the very existence of the Trail. If killed or captured in Laos or Cambodia, the Green Berets would be reported MIA or KIA—in Vietnam. They fought for each other and for their honor as soldiers. It is 1970. The United States Government is seeking a way out of the war “with honor” via a face-saving program called “Vietnamization.” This is the story of the fate of the recon men and the missions they conducted while highly skilled and motivated NVA hunter-killer teams pursued them on the enemy’s home turf. A recon team discovers a choke point on the enemy’s line of communication. For every day the Trail is blocked, enemy support of forces in the south is set back a month, giving South Vietnam a leg up. The special operators in Kontum are given the mission to do just that. There is a rub; the American president and his government must have “plausible deniability.” Therein lies the legacy of lies. “Very few authors have captured the action, intrigue and backstory of the secret missions as well as Colonel Gole does in ‘Legacy of Lies.’ A must read for those seeking the precursor to today’s military support to sensitive activities.” —Michael S. Repass, Major General, US Army (Retired) Special Forces “Gole’s novel is Fantastic! The best part, the top to bottom approach—from the White House, JCS, CINCPAC, MACV, down through SOG, right to the One-Zero firing tracers to mark his position for Covey.” —Colonel, USAF, (Ret) Tom Yarborough, author and decorated Covey pilot for SOG
The Real Dopeboyz of Dade County 2
Lucinda John - 2018
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Kaotic decides that he's going to "fix" Serenity but unbeknownst to him, he causes more damage than he does good.At her all time low, Serenity is forced to carry a child that she fear will end up like her. Hitting rock bottom, Serenity puts everyone and everything she loves in jeopardy. Although, Kaotic is doing everything in his power to deliver her, Serenity finds herself at the point of no return.The very thing you love can be the very thing that kills you... Kaotic understands this first hand as he find himself doing things out of the norm for Serenity putting himself at risk.The cosmic pull is not in Kaotic and Serenity's favor as they find themselves in a toxic situation with no way out...except apart.
A Hood Affair 2
Shmel Carter - 2013
Someone is still after Neicee and the they continue to race against the clock to find out who it could be.
From the Back: The Thirst of a Sneaky Bitch
T.C. Littles - 2014
But the thirst of a sneaky bitch breaks this friendship up. What lies will be told? What games will be played? What will be the ultimate play? After reading "From the Back", you'll most certainly be watching your back.