For Lux, her father was her world and anything he said was law as far as she was concerned. When her father got sent away to prison she put her dreams of being a doctor on hold to run her father's casino. What she thought was going to be a short term career turned into her new lifestyle.Unfortunately, it also turned her into someone she no longer recognizes. For Sevyn, her father was her first love, but the only problem was that he didn't love her back. The lack of love and affection his displayed caused Sevyn to turn cold & compete with her sister. In her eyes, the only way to her father's heart was to show him that he was better than Lux in all aspects of the business. Both of these ladies are lacking something that isn't brought to the light until a hostile encounter with Eyce & Quincy occurs. From the beginning, Eyce see's Lux for what she really is & does everything in his power to show her that it's okay to put her happiness first. Lux is reluctant about dealing with Eyce because she knows her father won't approve. Unbeknownst to Quincy and Sevyn, they are a match made in heaven. Whereas Sevyn is certifiable crazy, Quincy is calm, cool and collected. With these two it is nothing more than a physical thing until Quincy discovers something about Sevyn that no other person has.

    At twenty-two years old, Jholee had given up everything, including her full-time hours at school, her apartment, her expensive bags, and her car after her drug dealing dad's indiscretions put their family in a bind that blindsided them all. With everything that Jholee had given up, that still wasn't enough for her family to get back to normal, and after her dad shut down the thought of her taking her clothes off for money, she only had one thing left to sell: her virginity. Kiandre 'TK' Kincaid has had the Jacksonville streets secured when it came to moving weight, but after years of watching his father make money off women lying on their backs, he decided to try his hand at building his own legacy without stepping on them to get there. In order to make his dreams of owning a strip club a reality, TK finds himself moonlighting at his father's sex shop from time to time. When circumstance leads him to working the front desk, it's there that he meets the very impressionable Jholee. After realizing that Jholee isn't cut out for being a sex worker, he trashes her application and literally takes matters into his own hands. Jholee and TK's worlds collide faster than they both would like to admit, but just as there are things keeping them together, there are just as many pulling them apart, including but not limited to Jholee's best friends, Riley and Octavia, her parents, TK's parents, and TK's girlfriend Cheyenne. But there is something about fate: You can't stop it.

    Instead of going away to college or turning up every weekend, she spent her days behind the counter at McDonalds. With a mother fighting Lupus and bills that had to be paid, Azuri put her life on hold to be whatever her mother needed her to be. A night working the late shift changed her life. It was the day she met Kashmir “Gotti” Banks. Gotti is an arrogant, smart mouthed boss from Harlem and used to getting everything he wanted, that is until he met Azuri. Love ‘em and leave ‘em had been his way of life for the past twenty five years. Chasing women was never his style and being caught, had never been Azuri’s style. The chemistry between the two was far more than either of them could ever imagine. Not sure if Gotti is good for her, Azuri built a wall up that he was determined to tear down. A day at the Rucker started a whirlwind romance between the two, but will they have a happily ever after? Lies, drama, murder, sex and deceit threaten to destroy the union the two have built. Will their love stand the test of time? Or will too many lines being crossed, tear the two apart? Find out in this juicy tale, unlike anything you’ve ever read...

    Being determined to care for those that she loves draws her to a new city. Luckily for her, she ends up scoring a win by getting a position at the Alcatraz of the South - Angola, Louisiana State Penitentiary. What seems like a promising job, turns out to be something that she has never experienced. She gets sucked in by a force she never knew existed. He's domineering, dangerous, powerful, and of course a thug that you just can't get enough of. This romance will pull you in from the very first page, and will have you wanting more Casanova... find out how Cassidy copes with this possessive force in Casanova & Cassidy: Thug Relationship Goals.

    To deal with the pain, she becomes her alter ego the rapper and lyricist, Shy-Ray. Rapping and her friendship with Raymond got her through the tough times during her younger years. After years of friendship, something else started to brew between the two, they ended up falling in love. As the years go by, the love grows stronger and Shia is forced to make a decision that will cause a dispute within the family. Raymond Vance, has a few secrets of his own. At a young age, his sister’s husband took him under his wing to train him to become a “Hit-man”. He is in love with Shia, but he hides it from everyone else in fear of destroying "The Fam" until one day him and Shia both act on their feelings. Raymond puts his trust with O’shea on the line, but Shia is harboring a secret, she has someone else in her life, rapper Milli. Milli is in love with Shia and will do anything to keep her in his life even if it means putting his rap career on the line. With Shia’s life in the spotlight a lot of events take place that will cause a strain on her rapping career and her new relationship with Raymond? In this fourth installment, a lot of secrets are revealed and relationships are tested in this gritty tale of young love. A lot of choices are made and Shia and Raymond are both left with decisions that could hurt each other and their families. They will both learn the term “Don’t Come Looking for Love”.

    The oldest of four girls. Graduate of New York Law School, two years earlier than expected, at the top of my class and apple of my father’s eye. After years of hard work and dedication, I’m finally rewarded by being able to sit in on one of the biggest trials in the city, being handled by the district attorney himself. I’m excited and terrified about working with him. After all my years of dreaming, the time has finally come. But then I met him... Luke “Outlaw” Murray. The youngest of six boys. Graduate at the top of his class at hood university where he got his degree in the streets. Certified in Street Nigga-ology. He’s rude. He’s arrogant. He’s abrasive and he’s… did I say he was rude? He’s everything I don’t want in a man. Everything I shouldn’t want… until I do. And this... this is a story about us. But beware, because it's not your average love story.

    Just when she thinks the nightmare can’t get any worse, her father is charged with the crime. Rachel will do anything to prove his innocence, but her loyalty is tested to the limits when she crosses paths with Nicholas Hunter, the ruthless prosecutor bent on sending her father to prison… Nick Hunter is thirsty for justice, a man made cynical by the horrors he experienced in childhood. He shows mercy to no one…until he encounters Rachel Calloway, the first woman ever to make him question his convictions. From the moment they meet, a forbidden attraction sizzles between them that neither can ignore.As danger lurks in the shadows, Rachel soon finds herself in the biggest fight for her heart…and her life.Ghosts of Fire is a 97,000 word romantic suspense novel that was originally published in 2002.Praise for the Romantic Suspense Novels of Maureen Smith“…a haunting, suspenseful story that documents Maureen Smith as a writer of considerable promise and ability” — Midwest Book Review on Ghosts of Fire “Few authors pen work that is so thoroughly engrossing the characters leave a lasting impression” — Romantic Times on With Every Breath“…keeps you guessing and hoping that these two will get together and find the perpetrators responsible…one of the best romantic suspense stories I’ve read in a long time” — The Romance Readers Connection on A Heartbeat Away“With a deft touch and solid cast of characters, Smith gives equal credence to spicy romance and nail-biting suspense on her way to an explosive conclusion” — Publishers Weekly on Whisper My Name“Smith weaves a captivating tale of mayhem and murder…a romantic suspense thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page” — San Antonio Express-News on Whisper My Name“…a tense page-turner that will further enhance Smith’s reputation in the romantic suspense genre—a reputation that is well deserved” — Romantic Times on Like No One Else

    

    She's the owner of a booming private school in Miami, her relationship with her man Mitchell is promising and life couldn't be any better. Or so she thought. A chance encounter with one of her students' father turned her world upside down. She never expected to fall for the King of the streets.Single father, Kayne Grant is feared by many and wears his title as Florida's Connect proudly. He rules the state with an iron fist like any Jamaican Rude Bwoy would. Nothing moves period, without his approval. He has a lot of money, power and respect. He also has his fair share of women. But when he meets the beautiful, complicated and feisty Danity, who also happens to be the owner of his daughters’ private school, she gives him a run for his money.Follow Danity and Kayne on their roller coaster ride of a relationship. What happens when a good girl falls for a Rude Bwoy? Will she be able to tame the beast in him? Or will his many women and ties to the streets tear apart their perfect fairytale?

    With her mother on drugs, she has to work the block to keep food on the table for her sibling and herself. Now at 18 years old, she is ready to leave the street life behind and focus on college. It has always been her dream to get out of the slums of Mississippi and move on to a better life. All of that changes when the infamous Romario Jones sets his sights on her. Standing at 6'3, smooth light brown skin, mesmerizing light brown eyes, and a fly swag to match, Romario Jones has always been the ladies dream catch. Things only gets better when their former mentor, Hypno, steps down and hands Romario and his friend Jace, his drug empire. Thing quickly unravel as jealousy, love, and tragedy strikes. Jace won't stop at nothing until he gets back what Romario has stolen from him. Can Eniyah survive the grimy streets of the Sip while also steering clear of her growing feelings for Romario, or will she stay in the game that she is fighting to get out of?

    Even if that means killing anyone and anything standing in her way.Once again these two couples try weathering the storm they call Gangsta Luv.

     Raised in the heart of the hoods of Brooklyn, 18-year-old LeTavia was the oldest of two children looked after by their grandmother after their mother ran out on them. Built with a strong sense of responsibility, it was this trait that pushed her to protect Deshaun Banks, aka Gunplay, the very first time she laid eyes on him. Gunplay, a born hustler, ducked into a local food spot, hoping to dodge the police that were searching for him but what he found inside ended up being more than he expected. When LeTavia immediately assisted him by attempting to hide him from the cops, he not only avoided being placed in prison for the rest of his life but he found the one woman who he would learn is loyal to him from Day 1. Or is she really? Five years later, Gunplay is released from prison and runs into the person whom he owes his freedom to. Now 23 years old, LeTavia is a full grown woman and just as desirable to him as she was the day they'd first met. Immediately, Gunplay sets his mind on making her his but Quisha, the chick who held him down for five years of lock up, isn't having that. Cutta was the king of the Harlem streets before Gunplay was locked up and, after his release, he's even more powerful. When he hears that Gunplay has been released, he has one goal in mind and that's to end Gunplay's life for a betrayal he blamed Gunplay for years ago. But when fate brings him into contact with LeTavia, his plans take a turn that even he didn't expect and the result threatens to tear down everything that LeTavia and Gunplay have built. Is real love always loyal love? When the rules of the streets are mired by the desires of the heart, the results can be treacherous and, oftentimes, deadly.

    So where did she go wrong? How did she go from vacationing in London and planning to go to Paris with her husband, to having her heart broken? How far will she go to exact revenge for the hurt and deceit done to her by the very ones she called her friends?

    Kylei is seeing what it's like to be married to one of the most popular rappers in the industry. The women, the money, the fame and the heartache. After issues conceiving she is having troubles with holding on to her husband. Lux's constant infidelity is taking its toll on her and their relationship. With an impromptu visit back home, things change for Kylei but she doesnt know if its for the better or worse. With Jace Sinclair trying to make his way back into her life will her marriage to Lux survive before it could even fully florish? Lux is hurting and his outlet is getting him into more and more trouble. All he wanted from his wife was one thing and she can't even give him that. But that's not all that's bothering him. The secret he's been harboring is taking a toll on him as well; he has a secret child with his wife's best friend. Torn between his wife and the mother of his child, Lux doesn't know what to do. But what happens when the secret he's been holding in, is out in the open? Will his love for Kylei be enough to keep her around or will she be gone for good?