Book picks similar to
Hard Candy by Amaleka McCall


african-american
fiction
paperback
books-i-have

The Block


Treasure Hernandez - 2012
    He has a father he looks up to and an older brother who keeps him under his wing--until the day his father crosses a line that changes everything. Tone is forced to enter a world he knew nothing about. Detective Abraham is obsessed with power and money, so he has figured out a way to play on both sides of the tracks when it comes to organized crime. The only thing stopping him from making it to the top spot is Santiago, one of the most feared suppliers in the country. Santiago's only weakness is his daughter, Serena. Detective Abraham develops a plan that involves his son, Tone, getting close to Serena.Against his better judgment, Tone goes along with his father's plan and sets out to win Serena over with his charm. What he hasn't planned on is Serena turning the tables and stealing his heart. Now Tone is faced with choices that leave him questioning his loyalty to his family.

All Up in My Business


Lutishia Lovely - 2011
    But jealousy and competition threaten to tarnish their picture-perfect image. Playboy Toussaint is a risk-taker, determined to expand at a record pace. Levelheaded family man Malcolm insists on challenges Toussaint's goals. And at home, there's more brewing than grits and collard greens.

Bruised - PT 1


Azárel - 2005
    She is a nice girl with an attraction to the wrong types of men. No one seems to understand why she would get involved with a notorious criminal. After settling into a dangerous relationship with Devon, her life takes a drastic change for the worse. Caught between his material gifts and controlling behavior she searches for a way out. The battle to save Carlie from Devon's grip puts the lives of many people in jeopardy. By the time she realizes that force is needed when going up against Devon, it is too late. Carlie's fight to stay alive will keep you on edge. Will she give in? Or die trying?

The Circle: Rain's Story


Treasure Blue - 2014
    The Porters. Honing their robbery skills since their youth, were introduced to the intricate world of armed bank robbery, diamond heist and murder by their mentor and confidant Smtty, to perfection. Fearless and daring, the Porter family pulled off dozens of licks, reaping them millions over the years. But, on the eve of their retirement, ready to leave the dirty life behind them, the unthinkable happens, changing Rain and her once close knit family forever, as every federal agency submerge and arrest all her siblings. Alone, Rain wages an all out war against the City of Baltimore in order to free her family, but a sudden turn of events will soon make her suicide-like mission to free them even harder than she ever imagined

The Circle: Autumn's Story


Keisha Ervin - 2014
    This fast pace book picks up where the last begin, highlighting the young lady, Autumn as she tries to get to the border and escape the feds. Keisha Ervin delivers a sure fire classic.

Game Over


Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker - 2001
    Will she learn that love is all she needs or will the love she has be too much for her to stand? Only knowing the life of gold diggin', hustling men and rejecting love, Vera has suddenly found herself in a world where her game has "flipped... and slipped through her fingertips." While trying to retrace her footsteps in search of where her game could be, Vera discovers that the love she has for Dr. Taj Bennett won't let her go, the hatred that she has for her drug addicted mother is not easy to live with, and ghosts from her past won't seem to die. Get ready, get set, and run with Vera as Tu-Shonda Whitaker spins a plot explosive, passionate and humorous tale that is destined to be an urban classic!

The Circle: The Beginning


Ashley Antoinette - 2013
    A family of criminals at the highest level. On the eve of their exile from the life of crime...It all goes bad. These brothers and sisters ho on the run from the law and are on a wild run to the border before they authorities capture them. This page turning, face paced, and sexy short gives you the introduction to a legendary series.

Momma's Baby, Daddy's Maybe


Jamise L. Dames - 2005
    This Essence bestseller from an author to watch takes an unforgettable look at love, lust, and secrets that can break hearts--and destroy homes.

A Gangster and A Gentleman


Kiki Swinson - 2012
    . .I Need a Gangsta Kiki SwinsonMelody Goldman isn't about to let her rich, cheating, ungrateful husband walk out and leave her with nothing. Fortunately, ex-con Scotty Harris has no problem disposing of her problems in exchange for plenty of cold, hard cash--and hot, hard sexing. But when Scotty crosses one line too many, Melody's revenge will be a hustle he never saw coming . . .Gentlemen Prefer Bullets De'Nesha DiamondSuccessful publicist Blake Scott survived by playing the Hollywood game. . .and keeping far, far away from her gangsta kingpin father. But now the only person who can protect her is his enforcer, Eli Hardwick. Good thing this thug cleans up real nice--and is even better when he gets down and dirty . . ."Kiki captures the heat of the streets." --Wahida Clark"Diamond's hairpin plot twists, snappy dialogue, sultry sex scenes, and colorful, often hilarious characters keep the pages turning." --Publishers Weekly on Heist

Chocolate Sangria


Tracy Price-Thompson - 2003
    Although she has a very light complexion, she is proud of her blackness, even as she takes a beating from the very sistahs she tries so hard to emulate. Her only friend, Scooter Morrison, is an upwardly mobile brother who also happens to be young, gifted, and gay. Then a chance encounter with two fine Puerto Rican men changes Juanita’s and Scooter’s lives in ways they could never have imagined. There is Conan, a hardworking man who wrestles with both his love for Juanita and his guilt over his brother’s death; and Jorge, an unscrupulous bad-boy thug who has no problem using what he’s got to get what he wants, until he comes dangerously close to getting scorched by his own flames.Fast-paced, suspenseful, and unpredictable, Chocolate Sangria explores the hearts of two lovers who get caught in the great cultural divide—and the devastating consequences of keeping secrets, telling lies, and betraying those you love.

The House That Hustle Built


Nisa Santiago - 2015
    Pearla is a born hustler, and Cash was born to steal. Pearla sets her sights on Cash and motivates him to take his petty crimes to the next level.Together, the two get money throughout the tri-state, while friends and family want to be upgraded without putting in work. At first, the couple makes it rain in the hood, taking care of those they love, but a hustler always knows when to draw the line.Suddenly, Pearla proclaims the ATM closed, and a quiet storm begins to brew. When the beggars can't beg anymore and the borrowers can't borrow anymore, friends become enemies. Words and bullets are exchanged, leaving The House that Hustle Built under attack and at risk of collapse.

Project Queen


Teresa D. Patterson - 2010
    Using her body and beauty has earned her the title, “Project Queen”. She’s got it, and was born to flaunt it! She’s determined to break away from her abusive mother, and leave her impoverished lifestyle far behind.When she begins dating a notorious drug dealer, she assumes all of her problems are over. She couldn’t be further from the truth. She finds out that beauty is only skin deep, and all of the money, spinning rims, and glitter, can come at a violent price.

Criminal Minded


Tracy Brown - 2005
    When he meets Zion, a product of the New York City foster care and prison system, Lamin knows that he has meet the perfect partner in crime. Together, they build a huge narcotics empire.Then, Lamin falls hard for a beautiful girl named Lucky. Lucky makes Lamin realize that there is more to life than cash and more cash. When Lamin goes legit with a career in the entertainment industry, Zion tries to keep their business going on both the street and the boardroom. It's not long before Zion becomes the target of a corruption scandal involving murder, extortion and money laundering. Once the dirt is exposed, will Lamin and Zion be able to remain one step ahead, or will their paper chasing days haunt them forever?

Power


Deja King - 2013
    Their mutual determination to escape their poverty stricken existence fueled a friendship that was unbreakable. But as they grew from to boys to men, the trappings of the streets introduced them to a life of crime and endless money. Those same streets may end up being their ultimate downfall. Can two men share all that power or can there only be one?

All I Want is Everything


Daaimah S. Poole - 2007
    Poole took readers on a wild, sexy ride with her novel Ex-Girl to the Next Girl. Now in All I Want is Everything we meet a young woman with a hot voice and superstar dreams... Talented Kendra Michelle Thomas always dreamed of becoming a singing sensation. At high school talent shows, she moved people to tears. Everyone thought she'd be the next Mariah Carey. But between Kendra's father abandoning her mother, her mother's alcoholism, and a tragedy that lands Kendra and her siblings in foster care, there's not much opportunity for making dreams come true. Before Kendra knows it, she's twenty-five-years-old, working as a bartender, and trapped in a relationship of convenience. She knows something's gotta give... Determined to break into the industry, Kendra takes her small savings and makes a demo. Her gift and personality soon get her a manager, a series of gigs, and finally a recording contract- plus a check fat enough to move her family into a house, and then some. But when a turn of events lands her right back where she started from, she'll have to make a choice: sink back into obscurity- or discover what she's really made of...