Original. 15,000 first printing.

    Shanice is just a young vibrate teenage girl that is trying to focus on graduating college and making something out of herself. When she meets Money, a young rapper that captures her heart and changes the course that she is directed in, instead of only doing her she does him, but will loving him get her burned in the end? JaeCia is going through the motions being that her dad is locked up and her mother doesn’t care about her. She finds solace from her crazy world in TJ, someone who has always been there for her but will she allow her heart to open and be loved? Amora is living her days in hell, hiding secrets left and right but trying to keep a cool exterior. She just wants to be loved and focus on school but when she meets Bangga she finds herself doing things she would have never done and telling him things she never would tell even her two bffs. Will Bangga he be her diary? Or will their pages be burned?Authors Shantay, Yanni and Lola Bandz weave together a story of young love, heartbreak, truth and lies and will have you asking yourself is it worth it to really love a thug in this 1 part of a 2 book explosive love series. Come find out why Every Girl Needs a Thug.

    It's put sisters Ta'Shara and LeShelle on opposite sides of the street game, where blood means nothing and loyalty doesn't last long. It's also got Yolanda, an ambitious drug mule, and Melanie, a police detective, caught up with the same man--the notorious hustler Python. These four women think they've got the game figured out, but the one man they have in common will have them living double lives and wondering who will come out on top. Forget what you heard about East Coast/West Coast, 'cause real vendettas are born in the Dirty South."Diamond's ear for street talk comes across loud and clear . . . a violent and profane tale, which launches a gritty new series. The divas here are realistic characters, and the pacing zooms . . . one of the best constructed street lit stories of 2010." --Library Journal"A nonstop, hard-hitting page-turner." --Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker

    What she doesn't know is that the messenger is harboring another shocking secret that they aren't quite willing to let her in on just yet. Feeling confused and overwhelmed, she turns to the only person who has had her back since her first love was murdered, even though unsure if he'd be willing to involve himself due to the circumstances. In addition to such a heavy weight, suspicious leeches resurface, ready to suck Camarih and her beau dry unless she complies with their wishes. Little does Camarih know, their seemingly harmless attempt at extorting her is much deeper than she may think. With a flourishing career that's only growing, Tony doesn't have as much time to zone in on what could soon be a very detrimental and possibly deadly train wreck that is his personal life. The saying more money more problems has definitely began to ring true for the handsome thug, who although has a bigger bank account, is still that same street boy at heart. By saying that, a couple extra zeros on his paycheck hasn't stopped the gangsta from laying out a few when it comes to his respect. Will the deeply in love yet completely opposite couple be able to stick together and trust one another, or will outside forces finally weave their way into a union that has seemed unlikely from the get-go? As Make A Killing becomes more and more successful, it's only right that that success be accompanied by jealousy, unrequited loves, and envy. With new people entering the building, tension arises, relationships are broken, and betrayal becomes a part of day-to-day life.

    In part one of Young Love in Memphis: Heart on Reserve – Grace, Braille, and Jessica begin their journey into womanhood. Grace’s life had never been normal. She grew up with a father who showed his love only through providing and protecting, and a mother who was so submissive that she allowed her husband to keep her from giving Grace the love and nurture every young girl needs. When Grace was sixteen she left Memphis to be with her boyfriend, Andy. Almost two years later, Grace finds herself sneaking back into Memphis, praying her parents and Andy never find out. But Andy does. And he refuses to let her go easily. Braille grew up with a single mother. Her entire life has centered around loving her Mother, getting good grades in school, and becoming a Nurse. A flat tire on one of the hottest days in Spring causes her to meet Lorenzo, a young dope boy whose life is going down a completely different path, and her life is changed forever because of it. After watching her sister love, lose, and die because of it, Jessica vowed to never fully commit herself to love or a man. Then she met Cameron. And his love and gentle pursuit of her changed her mind. When Cameron left for college she thought she could get back to her normal routine of enjoying life and messing around with whoever she wanted to, but Cameron didn’t want to let her go so easily. As she tries to enjoy her last year of high school and maintain a long distance relationship she meets Vega, Lorenzo’s best friend. Their encounter leaves her in a love triangle she’s not sure she wants to get out of. In this captivating series, these girls are all left with two options – live and love while they’re young, or place their hearts on reserve to live wild and free. Which will they choose? Join them in part one to find out!

    But when it comes to her giving the same in return, she falls short. Irulan wants to feel a connection, but all she keeps getting is relationships full of emptiness. After tying on one too many drinks, a simple joke turns into a bet that Irulan never intended to follow through on. Falling for one of her closest friends was not in the cards for her, especially since that friend is Mason Andrews. Mason Andrews is strong, confident and as handsome as they come, but he struggles in the love department. He has yet to find a woman that can give him everything that he needs, but he’s working overtime to hide the way he feels about a certain someone. Mason has known Irulan since they were teenagers and he’s trained himself to believe that there’s nothing romantic between them, but one night of curiosity proves him wrong. Now, Irulan and Mason are forced to deal with their feelings for each other, but a past fling is determined to keep them apart. With trouble on the horizon, Mason and Irulan must fight harder than ever before. Will they be able to handle what’s coming their way? Or will their happily ever after end before it even begins?

    A passionate encounter causes Mercedes more problems than she relalizes. With her guards down, her life is violently put on the line.

    It’s not the life that she would choose for herself, but she knows that she cannot put her family to shame. China and her girls Ryder, Q, and Jewels are four of the most notorious chics in Queens. Growing up in the same part of town they were known for cutting and shooting chics and dudes when pushed to the limit. They had looks to kill and could draw in any man. Unbeknownst to her, when China hooks up with a pimp, the reputation that she has tried so hard to upkeep is tested. When thinking with your heart and not using your head, you fall victim to things that are clearly a task that you can’t handle. China is put in a situation where her friendships, family and relationship is at risk ending with her losing some of her loved ones. Find out what Silent Cries is really about as you go inside China’s twisted world of betrayal

    New to LA with a couple mil to flip, Grey opens South Beach, the newest addition to the Los Angeles club scene. In the midst of starting his business, he meets an exotic beauty by the name of Nakami. Enamored by her beauty and fiery personality, Grey courts her not knowing that her father, Hero, is the biggest drug lord on the West Coast. Nakami and her father prove to be the connect that Grey needs in order to get back to his hustle. But at what cost? Kimani Summers, Grey's younger brother, is making a name for himself in the modeling industry and is also pursuing a career in acting. When he hears that his brother has relocated to LA, he's not happy. Knowing Grey and the trouble that tends to follow behind him, Kimani is reluctant to interact with the brother he hasn't seen or talked to in over five years. Hesitantly taking Grey up on the invitation to attend the grand opening of his new club, Kimani meets Nakami's best friend, Blu. After losing the last woman he loved tragically, Kimani doesn't want to fall for Blu, but he can't help it. When these four lives are intertwined, things get crazy! And when everything is all said and done, friends will become enemies, business and personal relationships will crumble, and lines will be crossed that will affect the lives of all parties involved.

    Keisha Ervin's After the Storm- Mo and Quan have been together for eight years and they've survived it all. But a storm is approaching and all of the secrets they've kept are about to be revealed. This time, will Mo and Quan be able to weather the storm? Danielle Santiago's Allure of the Game- Arnessa is on the come-up, making moves and moving weight, attracting the unwanted attention of Suef, whose blocks are hit hard due to Arnessa's success. When Suef threatens Cenise, Arnessa's little sister, Arnessa focuses all her energy on eliminating the threat. Preoccupied with Suef, will the Allure of the Game claim Cenise when Arnessa least expects it? Quentin Carter's The Fink- When Phelix Mitchell is released from prison 25 years early after testifying against his best friend, he finds out something that he was told as a child Nobody likes a tattle tale is more than just a saying. Consumed by guilt, Phelix makes the ultimate sacrifice to try to right a wrong. T. Styles' Cold as Ice- Pepper Thomas is a straight A student living in a rough part of Southeast Washington DC., who manages to stay away from drugs, violence and crime. That is, until next door neighbor and drug dealer Ice's home is robbed. With newfound evidence that can be held for ransom, can Pepper be as Cold as Ice? Leo Sullivan's B-More Love- Ashley is an innocent high school senior about to enter college. Jamal is a young thug, born and bred in Baltimore's West Port Projects. Ashley dislikes the thug, refusing his desire to help when Ashley's mother becomes ill. However, a tragic event brings the two together and in order for Ashley's mother to have a chance at living- someone must die!

    She'd lost everything behind her infidelity but no matter what, she was determined not to give up. She wanted her life back. She wanted her husband back too. But he wasn't making it easy. And on top of everything else, she still had to deal with the infamous Polo. They say that sometimes a person can be a blessing and a curse and there are those times that what looks like a mistake, could actually be a blessing in disguise. The problem is that no one ever realizes it, until it's just too late. Lies are told and secrets unfold and Sassi finds herself in more mess and more trouble then she knew how to get herself out of. Who can she trust? Who should she love? And more importantly, who in the heck is Vanessa? What happens when the truth doesn't actually set you free? What if it damn near kills you instead? A woman must always remember you are playing with fire, when you allow you husband's best friend into your bed.

    

    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.

    After Tamar damn near killed Rozalyn a little over a year ago; the couple decided to cut their losses and move on. Rozalyn does her best to become a better, independent woman being she no longer has Tamar to depend on. She goes to school, opens her own beauty shop, and is even thinking of starting her own clothing line. Everything is going good especially when she meets Messiah; he sweeps her off her feet and shows her what true love is. Tamar feels since he's gotten rid of all of his enemies he's ready to jump back in the game. With a new lady on his arm, things are looking up and of course the cash is flowing nicely. That is until Messiah comes home and looks to reclaim his spot as the King of Miami. Messiah is messing with Tamar's paper and his woman. With the two men fighting for the crown and the girl; things will get rather ugly. Who will Rozalyn choose in the end? The guy that she bared three kids with and has gone through hell and back with, or the guy that treats her better than royalty? A choice must be made, but will that choice be a deadly one? This is the end and endings aren't always happily ever after.

    Born on the flip side of the hustler's game, she is the child of a fifteen year old drug addict who places her in a trash dump, with a note that read, please forgive me... my mother`s only fifteen... Well that is of little consolation to Vera as she lives her gold diggin' life full speed ahead, only to come to a crashing halt when she realizes that she can run but she can't hide; and facing up to the Flip Side of the Game is the only way she will survive.