Blue returns with a gritty against-all-odds urban fairy tale set in the same unforgiving neighborhood as that of his breakout debut novel Harlem Girl Lost. Desire was born on the streets of Harlem–literally. Her mom, a crack-addicted prostitute, delivered her on a bitter winter’s night after turning a trick and being brutally beaten by the john. Taken from her mother by the state, Desire grows up unwelcoming foster homes, until a local Good Samaritan takes her in. With Miss Hattie Mae’s love and Christian guidance, Desire gains confidence, joins the church choir, and discovers that she’s got a set of pipes–which soon attract the attention of hip-hop’s biggest exec. But the road to superstardom is paved with dangers and temptations: drugged-out, violent rappers, untrustworthy pro athletes promising romance, and vicious drugs. Despite her phenomenal success and Miss Hattie Mae’s kindness, Desire seems destined for a fall from the top that will slam her back onto the pavement where her mama left her–until an unexpected angel picks her back up. . . .

    A tale of good girls and gold diggers, Adrienne, Zakiya, Tanisha and Cherise are about to find out that getting rich comes with its own price - and it may be more than they ever want to pay.

    For a 17-year-old, Amina has a decent life. But after meeting her father and 23-year-old brother for the first time, things take a turn for the worse. Amina ends up alone, trying to fend for herself and save her boyfriend, Kayne, from 3 years in jail. Amina must prove her loyalty to Kayne, but can you be a Down Chick without being locked down yourself? This is a question that never crosses Amina’s mind, leading her to make the ultimate mistake of her life. Author Mallori McNeal began writing Down Chick at age 14, during the summer before she began her first year in high school. She completed Down Chick and was accepted for publishing at age 16. Mallori currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

    Louis ducking the FEDS on dope charges. When he relocated, he stepped his game up even another notch. He turned up on all the major hustles. He was getting money in every way- from moving work, robbery, and even pimping. He was getting it on all cylinders.Initially he ran a clique called the Duffle Bag Crew- the men on the team were beasts, and were comprised of Zane, Mack, and Dizzy. They hit every go-getter that liked to floss that paper. And they went hard all the time whether they needed the money or not.But sometimes you can’t send a man to do a woman’s job. Dallas set out to find a different breed of bitch. Not the kind that lie down and spread them wide to eat, but the kind that blew your fucking head off and took what the fuck she needed to survive. He had to train them well though so they would know he was the master. If he didn’t one of them bitches might bite him and takeover his whole operation.Shannon, Jasmine, Nisha, and Jay Baby are his thorough-breds. These women are headed to a world much bigger than what they were use to. Will money change them? Are they in over their heads dealing with Dallas? Can Dallas be trusted? Find out what happens when love, money, and trust gets tangled up in this gripping street masterpiece.

    She is heir to a throne of deceit, lies, and betrayal.Her father, Darnell Clayton, has made money hand over fist by pushing drugs into every junkie and crackhead in the DMV. He wants his legacy of murder and mayhem to live on through his only child.YaYa and her life-long best friend, ShaNiqua “NiQue” Watkins, were bred to run the streets of DC with a ruthless hand. Unfortunately, during their reign of power, family secrets are unearthed. A fierce stream of terror, sex and lies rock the very foundation Darnell has built.http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-DNA-ebook...

    With households to maintain, families to take care of, and men to seduce it’s a wonder how these ladies find time to piece together a scheme of all schemes to put them in a position of power. But when the real mastermind flips the script on the ladies, it will risk their lives and test their friendship…THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF SECTION 8

    Now they're adults, thirty-three-year old women who are as different as can be. But they have one thing in common: they have never given up on the idea of one day finding each other. . .In "More Than This," by Donna Hill, we meet Leticia, whose time in group homes sharpened her street smarts and taught her to use her good looks to her advantage. Now she's on top of the world, ensconced in a lush apartment in the heart of New Orleans. Leticia knows what men want--she runs the most elite call girl operation in the Parrish. But when she learns that the new sheriff in town is planning a raid, she decides to close up shop, have some adventures, and find her family. She soon discovers that one of her sisters is a jazz singer slated to appear at Lincoln Center. Leticia buys a ticket--and gets much more than she bargained for. . .Parry "EbonySatin" Brown's [title tk] follows Jamilla, adopted by an upstanding family who loved her like their own. But despite a life of privilege, Jamilla was always haunted by a sense of foreboding. As a way to escape her demons, she turned to writing. Now she's landed a six-figure book deal. But Jamilla's joy is clouded by a series of disturbing dreams triggered by a woman she saw on television--a jazz singer with her face. . .In Gwynne Forster's "The Journey," Clarissa Holmes Medford has finally decided to kick out her cheating husband--and pick up her guitar. Maybe she can sing her way out of the unhappiness and poverty that have plagued most of her life. When she records a well-received demo, it's just the beginning of a fascinating journey that will take her far from home, and expose her to a captivating new world--and an audience that may include the family her heart has always longed for. . .

    Her childhood friend Tracie is a computer expert whose personal vendetta backfires. Eva is a jurist but uses men to hide her pain and mask her childhood tragedy, and her cousin Tina wears a sweet exterior but takes risks that threaten to jeopardize her professional career. Kevin and Aaron are sexy twins who go to great lengths to get the women they want; and Angelo, gorgeous and ambitious, lets nothing stand in his way to accomplish his career goals, even at the expense of friends.Pilar is a beautiful but naive orphan who overnight is catapulted to fame; and Denene, a woman scorned, is determined to wreak havoc in the lives of those she feels has wronged her in some way. From the heart of Los Angeles to the South of France, In Laws and Play Cousins tells a story about love and heartbreak, success and envy and the price it ultimately commands.

    Noother thrill came close enough to shake her--until she met Captain James Colton and found a reckless passion thatled to fifty-five hours together as husband and wife.When they went their separate ways, Sydney's heartunderstood what her pride refused to admit--that someday, somehow, fate would reunite them.But no one imagined that it would be a matter oflife and death....When Sydney's plane was shot down over enemy territoryon a routine reconnaissance flight, James and his crewwere deployed on a dangerous search-and-rescue operationwhere every second counted. But James was not onlygoing in after one of the military's finest pilots--he wasalso racing to save the womanhe loved.

    She unselfishly places the needs of her son, Matthew, above her own. Although she tries to convince everyone that she's happy with Jesus alone, Matthew handpicks the perfect present for her--a husband. Everything about the man her son chooses is perfect, except for his past. Micah Stevenson is excited when he learns the son of the woman he has been praying about wants him to join their family permanently. Believing Pamela Roberts is his soul mate sent from God, Micah pursues her. Once he is certain of her love for him, Micah reveals his dark history, shaking the foundation of the once loving and stable relationship. Trust is broken as judgments and prejudices threaten to deny the couple's destiny. Will the man he used to be prevent Pamela from loving Micah for the man he is now?

    The plan sounded like a good idea until she realizes their personalities crash harder than a drunken driver with his eyes closed. As the mission continues, Yvonna s rapidly deteriorating health threatens success. Will she complete what she set out to achieve, or turn against the people who swore to help her? Does she make it out alive? Or will she finally succumb to death? For the first time in the HISTORY of urban literature, the choice is yours. Choose wisely as this is, Shyt List 5: The Finale.

    Rock's a reclusive hitman and "cleaner" who's been in service to Candy's father for years. He takes her in, and together they vow to avenge the murders. When she turns eighteen, her plans go into effect as she knocks off all her father's enemies, one by one, going up against some of the most dangerous killers in the game. But has she put her trust in the right hands? Or is she destined to face the same grisly fate as the rest of her family?

    This funny, sexy book has something for everyone!

    Then the way to fame was leading him toward a mistake that could send him straight to hell...She never looked back.Lies, drugs, too many men-- golden skinned singer Topaz Black would do anything to get a hit to the top of the charts, even walk away from her friends and family. But surrounded by greed and lust, the love the longed for seemed to be slipping away forever.He broke all the rules.Brought up in South Central L.A., movie producer Gunther Lawrence learned early how to get the wealth and women he wanted-- and to turn his back on his roots. Now, blinded by Hollywood's glitter, his illusions may shatter when he discovers who really controls his career.As their lives touch, ignite, and explode, three talented African-Americans pursue fame at any cost...and the price may be their happiness...or their lives..An alternate selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club

    This Essence bestseller from an author to watch takes an unforgettable look at love, lust, and secrets that can break hearts--and destroy homes.