Things are definitely looking up. She has her own business. She has the love and support of her family and friends. There’s no man in her life and hasn’t been for months, but that’s a non-issue. All that matters, is that her business is moving in the right direction. She is on cloud nine. Contractor Nathan Stemble is a grouch of a man with a horrible attitude and a huge chip on his shoulders. He has neither the patience nor the time for companionship and even less time for life’s physical pleasures. People in general are a pain to deal with and if that person just happens to be a woman, multiply that pain by ten. It’s been a year since he’s dealt with one and the way it’s going, it will be another year before he even considers it. All that changes the day he meets Kallie. After a not-so-pleasant introduction and even less pleasant early interactions, they find themselves on the best date of either of their lives. A night of passion, and bunch of confusion begins their journey towards love. Nathan needs a lot of healing that only Kallie can provide. Through it all, she forges through, forcing him to deal with his demons. He might not have wanted a woman before, but he definitely needs Kallie to help guide him through issues he’s refused to deal with his entire life. If she can get him to face his problems head on, maybe-just maybe, she can make him better.

    Then to her dismay, her parents call and insist she bring her fiancé home to Virginia for the holidays. With Christmas only three weeks away, Zanaa better find a fiancé quick, fast and in a hurry, otherwise, her family’s going to have every eligible bachelor in town lined up at the door. In a state of panic, Zanaa ask Scott Simmons to marry her. Only it isn’t a real proposal—it’s just to get her family off her back. Except the man she just propositioned, her sexy next-door neighbor, is all too irresistibly real. And now that Zanaa has made the first move, the videogame entrepreneur has every intention of taking the relationship all the way.

    But while Jalila is describing the hilarious details of her latest encounter over brunch with her girlfriend, another diner overhears her story and makes her an offer she can't refuse. Television producer Keenan Armstrong believes Jalila's search for love would make a hit reality show. Suddenly Jalila's the star of Queen of Hearts, with a string of fine bachelors vying to win her attention--though it's Keenan who's really turning up the heat. But before the big finale, Jalila will have to figure out what's real, what's fantasy and what's truly worth fighting for....

    For years she’s given up on her dreams to keep peace within her family, but now she’s ready to pursue the life she wants. With one small window of opportunity she’s given room to do just that, however, not everyone is happy for her. Facing the repercussions of her decision from her family and a surprising diagnosis that’s threatening everything she’s been working for leaves Melanie wondering if her dreams were ever supposed to be anything more than a dream. Then enters Kamali James – a natural born nurturer and a man who has been a giver and lover all of his life… until he crosses paths with the beautiful Melanie Moore. Melanie doesn’t have time for a relationship, let alone the emotional strength to deal with everything she’s going through. Will she let Kamali in to be the rock that she needs and continue pursuing her dreams, or will she give up on everything... including him?

    So when the ceremony is over and the reception starts heating up, Freddie blows off steam with a little champagne--and a lot of the best man, Cleveland Alexander. It was definitely going to be just a one-night fling, 'cause no woman in her right mind would fall for that man's arrogant, self-centered self, no matter how caramel-fine he is.  .  . She's The One Woman He Can't Live Without.  .  . As a hard-core bachelor, Cleveland Alexander was strictly all about beddin' and forgettin'. And the only reason he let Ms. Winfred Barker call his bluff was to put her stuck-up attitude in check. But once he sees how complicated and caring she really is, he'll do anything to help solve her problems--and convince her that the love between them is a lifetime of real.  .  .

    . .. Summer Fever by Donna Hill Nina Forbes is excited to house sit in the Hamptons-but her handsome neighbor, Barbados native Ian Harrison, excites her even more. Soon the two are sharing conversation, kisses. . .and sizzling sleepovers. Ian promises to keep in touch after he returns home in the fall. But as the days pass, Nina fears their passion was just summer fever. . . One Hot Summer by Niobia Bryant After a high-profile divorce, event planner Simone "Love" Lovey swears off dating famous people. . .until sexy star athlete Maleek Trenton enters her life. Their romance is bliss, but Love again finds herself amid paparazzi, groupies-and calls from a woman who claims she's involved with Maleek, and has intimate details to prove it. . . Too Hot To Handle by Zuri Day Choice McKinley gets stuck in an elevator during a blackout, on the hottest July 4th ever. That she's locked in with gorgeous Trey Scott only adds to the heat. Soon, relief from the high temperature requires clothing removal and sultry kisses. But Trey doesn't know Choice is his boss's off-limits daughter-and Choice doesn't know Trey is a wanted man. All that will come after the doors open to reality. . .

    But five years later, their impetuous marraige had ended in heartbreaking divorce....and Lauren Taylor found herself haunted by memories of sensuous tropical nights and a happiness that was just out of reach.

    By any measure that is, except her own. Ivy Livingstone has entrée into Washington DC’s political elite, lives in an exclusive neighborhood and sends her son to a sought-after private school. But her beautiful life is a gilded cage. She is independent, but alone. And unfortunately, very few men are confident enough to believe they are in Ivy’s league. Eli Thomason has all the confidence in the world, except when it comes to his own judgment about women. And his attraction to Ivy Livingstone proves him right. She is everything he shouldn’t want: a woman above his station and beyond his means. He overreached once before and still lives with the heartbreaking consequences, so why does he find it so difficult to leave Ivy alone? And if their own baggage isn’t enough, Ivy and Eli have to contend with circumstances around them that seem to confirm their worst fear: that the bond they’re beginning to build can’t possibly last.

    Now, thirteen years later, Alice is tall, stunning, sensational...and a genuine movie star who goes by the name of Desirée LaCroix. And passion's flame starts smoking again when she sees that handsome Marcus still has it going on. But is it Alice or her famous Hollywood persona who's got his beautiful brown eyes wide open?Marcus's own heart has gone through major achin' since back in the day. And the reappearance of Alice/Desirée seems to spell bigtime trouble. Still, this proud, sexy sista could make Marcus forget the pain and his promise not to let a fine face and figure turn his head ever again. And even though the lady's got drama -- and there's serious danger doggin' her trail -- this could be the time for cautious Marcus to commit to a perfect love that he once let get too far away.

    The past nine years have brought her fame, fortune and supermodel status, but they haven't lessened her regret at leaving her high school sweetheart behind. A chance encounter proves that Austin Reynolds definitely hasn't forgiven her. But it also becomes clear that some flames just grow hotter with time… The handsome real estate mogul has one broken engagement on his résumé, but Janna was the only one to ever steal his heart. Their incredible connection reignites an undeniable passion in them both, and workaholic Austin rediscovers his lighter side. But soon another can't-refuse offer beckons Janna overseas. Will it be déjà vu…or is their love finally ready for the spotlight?

    Though she knows it won't be easy turning their bachelor-pad mansion into a home, she is determined to handle any obstacles, while maintaining a separate life for herself and her daughter. But Alexis isn't at all ready for the red-hot chemistry crackling between her and Telford—or the fact that she's suddenly caught in a maze of unexpected secrets and deep mistrust. But if she and Telford find their way through it—together—can they both embrace the love they so deeply desire?

    After watching her mother suffer from the abuse of her father for years, Raleigh decided love would never be worth the possibility of pain. Haven Jackson didn’t have a normal childhood growing up. He didn’t experience the love and nurture that his friends received from their mothers, or the guidance and teachings they gained from their fathers. It was because of his lack of a loving family that Haven made finding a wife to love his priority. There’s just one problem–the woman he chose to love doesn’t want to have anything to do with it or him. The second Raleigh laid eyes on Haven she knew he would be trouble. He stirred up feelings within her that no other man ever had. Between her pushing him and his offer to love her away, and him pulling for her to give him and his love a chance… someone is bound to fall. The question is… which one will it be? Will Raleigh fall into Haven’s love and find peace in what she’s been running from for years? Or will Haven fall for Raleigh and find himself shattered by her inability to catch him or pick him up?

     To say Deluxe Moore hasn’t had an easy life would be a huge understatement. Her main complication? LaCross Paul, the walking temptation determined to make her his. From the streets to the sheets, Luxe learns that Black Friday was never about shopping, and if Cross has his way, she’ll be asking for a repeat performance by Cyber Monday. Special Note: If you enjoyed Claimed By Crayson (To Marry a Madden), you’ll enjoy these High Life short stories.

    She's tired of being overweight, she's had it with her overbearing family, and she's fed up with settling for any guy who'll have her--especially since she caught her boyfriend cheating with her best friend.  But working out and avoiding delicious food is easy compared to resisting the charms of Los Angeles' hottest personal trainer, JaJuan "Night" Simmons. Six feet of chiseled muscle and fine chocolate, he's challenging her body in all the right ways--and proving there's a sensitive, caring guy under the good looks. Their shared career goals of promoting health and fitness bring them even closer together. But D'Andra feels it may be too much of a good thing. After succeeding in taking command of her life, can she risk losing control of her heart?

    Even when a sexy stranger sweeps her onto the dance floor at a gala awards event, the twice-burned PR director vows not to let down her guard. Siobhan doesn't count on Justin Cartwright's persistence as he dissolves her doubts and slowly wins her trust with a passion that tempts her to believe in love again. Justin is a man with a plan: partner with Gray Home Safety to deliver his new cutting-edge product to the market. But the tall, sensual beauty is derailing all his best intentions. Then he discovers who she really is. Now he stands to lose everything…unless he can convince Siobhan that nothing matters more than their blossoming relationship—and the future they can build together.