Book picks similar to
Youngin' by Arlene Brathwaite
african-american
african-american-literature-fiction
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A Brooklyn Love Affair: Vixen & Gino's Story
Tya Marie - 2015
The fiercely devoted one she uses for her best friend, the one of a lover and confidant to her fiancé, and the real one she keeps reserved for looking in the mirror and battling her inner demons. Life is fairly normal for Vixen until her verbally abusive mother reenters her life, dredging up traumatic childhood memories, and bringing a handsome stranger into the mix with her devious antics causing Vixen to reprise her role as caregiver and bread winner.Gino Romano is infamous for many reasons: his notoriety for being one of the youngest king pins in New York City, the cold manner in which he handles business, and the notable political ties he's managed to create along the way through "profit sharing." However, the most prominent thing he's known for is the ice fortress he's built around his heart. Because of his past, Gino keeps women at an arms length, believing it hard to find one who could accept the scarred past he comes with. Until he lays eyes on Vixen.Brought together for all the wrong reasons, Vixen and Gino find a common ground that not only develops into a budding friendship, but sparks a love affair. From the moment they become one they must fight to protect their love from those who plan to destroy it by any means necessary, one of which being the very reason Vixen ran away from home ten years ago in the dead of night.Will the forces determined to see Gino and Vixen destroyed win? Or will their love prevail? Set in a spicy Brooklyn backdrop, A Brooklyn Love Affair brings to life pain, forgiveness, and the never ending possibility of finding love.
Flexin' On My Ex with A Boss 2
Jenica Johnson - 2018
She finally feels that she’s able to move on from her past and fully focus on being with Bash. Her rocky relationship with her mother-in-law is still being tested but, for the sake of her relationship with Bash, Yah-Yah continues to turn the other cheek. With a little help, she’s able to start up her own business and that keeps her occupied so she couldn’t see the obvious. When she finds out what’s been happening in front of her eyes, will she return to the old her or will she remain the woman she worked hard to become? Bash is in love and he can no longer hide the fact that Yahria is going to be his wife. He thought he finally found the right woman after the death of his child’s mother. Yah-Yah helped him get his life back in order but he seems to battle with keeping his woman happy and his mother too. Bash is forced to make some major decisions as it pertains to his personal and love life. Will he choose correctly or will he play it safe? When you fall in fast, it will either crumble or stand strong during a test. Which will it be with this couple?
Restraining Order: Some Men Can't Take No For An Answer
Ca$h - 2016
A young, rich, thuggish hustler who has the city on lock. All he needs is the right woman to come home to. But life has taught him that women are a pleasure. They are not to be loved, and they definitely can’t be trusted—until he meets her. JULZ has already been hurt and damn near broken by a man. Falling in love again is not on her list of things to do. She’s just trying to repair her life in a different city and care for her son. Damn a man—until she meets him. Immediately, she is attracted to Choppa’s rugged sex appeal and his cocky manner. Not only does he make her wet, he treats her like a queen. But everything that glitters ain’t gold. In the middle of a passion that is as hot and as dangerous as an inferno, Julz discovers some things about Choppa that frightens her. But will he let her walk away? Or will he put her in the same chokehold he has on the drug game? To get away it may take much more than a RESTRAINING ORDER.
The Cocaine Princess Part 1
Rio - 2013
Raised by her father, a ruthless Mexican drug cartel boss, and her mother, a strong-spirited black woman with an MBA from Harvard, it's no surprise that when Alexus graduates from high school text books to kilos of cocaine and heroin, she quickly becomes one of the best to ever do it in the dope game. After her father, Juan "Papi" Costilla, is sent away to federal prison, Alexus soon finds herself in Michigan City, Indiana with her mother, Rita Mae Bishop. With $250,000 in cash and 48 kilos of pure cocaine--stuffed inside large soup cans and smuggled into the country through her family's drug tunnel-- Alexus sets out to build herself a BMF-like drug-dealing ring, utilizing the connections of her numerous lovers to maximize her bankroll. But will she survive the wrath of the Costilla cartel when a portion of it turns against her? Find out in...
Three Kings Cartel
A.J. Write - 2016
These brothers are known for their looks, charm, and crazy ways. There’s Jace, Jackson, and June, and in that order. The females lose their mind when the brothers grace them with their presence, but none have yet to capture any of their hearts. Tragedy struck them when they were young, and ever since then their hearts have been closed off to any female.Jace recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend, Jalysa. He didn’t love her, but he kept her around. He knew she wasn’t the one, but he was the one for her. Jace doesn’t care about much but family and his money. He had to be a man before his time to take care of his family. Jace wasn’t looking for love until his heart stumbled into the palms of India. There’s only one problem. Jalysa isn’t ready to let Jace go.India moves to Baltimore in hopes of getting away from her ex-boyfriend Tank. She is ready to start over. It’s a good thing she had friends in Baltimore. India and Jalysa have been friends most of their lives, and Jalysa welcomed her with open arms. India has never been one to step on anybody’s toes until she meets Jace. India tries to keep her distance but can’t help how she feels. Tank is lurking in the shadows for his chance to claim what’s his again.Read this story of love, deceit, and heartache. Will Jalysa ever let Jace go? Will Tank ever get what he feels belongs to him? Will India and Jalysa’s friendship remain the same once she moves to Baltimore? Who’s love will prevail in the end?
Malcolm Powers: The Beginning (Bankroll Squad Prequel)
David Weaver - 2013
His bloodline was of power, and he felt that it was only right that he reign as the most powerful Power family member to date. With a soft spot for women and a sore spot for snitches, he set out to lay down the foundation of his character from the streets of Houston to the city of Atlanta. **13,000 word short story****Also, make sure you pre-order Bankroll Squad 4 on Kindle**
Rap Star Wifeys Miami: Season 1
Love N. Lee - 2013
When given the opportunity to collaborate with popular rapper AK, she can’t believe her luck. But a taste of the limelight comes with consequences… ones her newfound fortune and fame may not be able to pay.Lavisha yearned for the good life since growing up in the rough neighborhood of Deepside. When she hooked up with rapper Yamajesty Brown as a teenager, she became acquainted with the good life. However, tolerating his drama and growing drug habit isn’t worth it… or is it?Sonya has always believed if it’s too good to be true, it probably is… even when it comes to her man, Amari “AK” King. She has the perfect man in him but her insecurity threatens their relationship. After a tragedy, Sonya feels them growing further apart and suspects that another woman has stolen his heart. Is it just her imagination? Sonya’s determined to find out and she’s not giving up without a fight.This juicy tale proves that being the wifey to a rap star comes with more than just exotic cars, designer clothes, and money… the material possessions that are bragged about in songs. It’s deeper than rap… this is reality… everything is not always as it seems.
Money Makin' Mamas 2
Silk Smooth - 2013
Chyna, Karrine and Simone don’t believe that a mother who brings you into this world can take you out of it, and they continue to play with fire. Making money through video porn doesn’t seem to be enough, and when one of the sisters finds herself in a sticky situation with a previous, high-paying client that she robbed, Mama will be called to come to the rescue. Captain save-a-hoe is not in Taffy Douglas’ profession, but kickin’ a li’l ass now and savin’ some for later is. The love for her daughters will be tested, and Taffy doesn’t know if she should forgive or forget the betrayal she never saw coming.
Rise of a Kingpin's Wife
Vivian Blue - 2015
Also known as Andrea Johnson, inmate number 194340. Shade was just released from a federal penitentiary, and headed back to St. Louis. She only has two things on her mind, getting back on top of the game. And, getting back the person who put her in that cage. There’s fire in her soul, because her ex-boyfriend Jefferson was the one who put her there since she wouldn’t tell on her best friend Mike. Shade’s loyalty to the code of the streets, and the love of her friend didn’t give her any other option, but to go to prison. Now faced with putting her life back together, and reconnecting with friends, Shade quickly sees that her best friend Tia, which happens to be Mike’s fiancée, doesn’t share the same sentiment, which was evident when Shade was locked up. And, her other two best friends Cali and Renee know that there’s an underlined envy that Tia carries around against Shade. But, when the truth comes out about why Shade went to jail, Mike’s lust for Shade begins to surface. And, Tia sees it from a mile away. While out celebrating Shade’s release, she meets a handsome Jamaican man named Kingston. He’s captivated by Shade’s beauty, but when he finds out she’s just released from jail, his intrigue and obsession begins. They exchange numbers with the possibility of hooking up later. The only interest Shade has in a man right now, is to use him for what’s in between his legs. Because, she’s on a mission, and a man would only complicate things. But what she doesn’t know is that her life is about to change forever.
Redd & Izzy: An Unexpected Love
Lady Lissa - 2018
When she meets Bryce, she thinks that she has found the man of her dreams. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that the man of her dreams was really a devil in disguise. Bryce, a charming, equally hard-working man with some deep emotional problems stemming from his childhood. Bryce has grown up in an abusive childhood with a father who not only abused his mother, but him also. His childhood scars run deep. Not seeking help to deal with his issues only makes matters worse, especially when he starts to take his frustrations out on Izzy. Redd, Izzy’s best friend’s brother, is one of the biggest drug lords in the Baltimore area. His money runs long but he travels a lot and doesn’t have time to chill on the regular with women. As it turns out, the one he has his eyes on is Izzy. When the two of them finally decide to take their friendship to another level, they realize what’s been missing in their lives all along. They’ve been looking for a love that was right under their noses the whole time. LaLa is Redd’s ghetto fabulous baby mama who is all about the money and will get it by any means necessary. LaLa isn’t scared to call the child support office or get into other stuff to get what she wants. She decides that a prison pen pal she meets on Facebook is what will make her happy. She definitely wasn’t ready for the trouble that ends up on her doorstep. What happens when trouble comes knocking on LaLa’s door? What happens when a tragedy hits to close to home for Bryce? Will Redd and Izzy get their happily ever after or will her past come back to haunt her?
The King Brothers: Rise Of An Empire
Dream - 2017
They were known around the slums of Chicago as The King Brothers. Love and loyalty was the foundation they stood on top of. The King Brothers raised each other while watching their mother finesse the streets. Vice, the oldest brother only valued two things out of life, his family and his money. As he grew older he realized that there was more to life than hustling, kicking it with his trigger finger soldiers and training his pit bulls. He now desired something of substance…a woman… that could become his wife. Boosie was what you would refer to as “more than what meets the eye”. It wasn’t a secret that he loved the streets and the streets loved him back. But once his daughter is born he’s ready to wrap up the fast life for the sake of being around to see his baby girl grow older. Coming home from a five year bid Angelo only had one thing on his mind and that was money. Money ruled everything in his small world even while he was locked down. Whereas the other brothers are itching for retirement, Angelo is just getting started with rebuilding the King’s empire. Vidal, the baby of the bunch is also the troubled child. Picking up his first gun at eight years old everyone around him saw that he was headed for self-destruction…except his brothers. New-comer author, Dream is hitting the ground running with this explosive, mind-blowing page turning series that is guaranteed to grasp your attention. The King’s Brothers are a group of hustlers like no other. When the blood is no longer thick and loyalty is being tested what do they do? Their mother’s past comes back to haunt them and leaves the lives of the ones closest to them in jeopardy. Will the King brothers ever be able to look at their precious mother the same? Will Vidal take heed to his brothers advice and slow down in the fast lane? Will Angelo fall in line and stay out of trouble? Boosie’s only concern is his daughter so will he be able to balance business and being a father? Vice is who makes the decisions but with someone new in his life he’s ready to be done with the game.
Cookie and Meeko: A B-Town Luv Story
La'Tonya West - 2015
After doing so much dirt in the streets of Atlanta the only option left for the twenty-six year old dope boy is to leave or end up in an early grave but everyone knows that relocating doesn’t change who you are. Being a hustler at heart, it was nothing for Meeko to come to the country and quickly have everything on lock. Him, his brother, and their new team have money flowing in like water and with the money comes women, willing and ready to do anything for a chance at being the main chic of a well-paid dope boy. Problem is Meeko only has eyes for one woman... Cookie. Cookie’s the complete opposite of all of the women that Meeko’s dealt with since arriving in Boykins, including his baby mama Shy. Quiet, hardworking, intelligent, and simply determined to have more than what her non-supportive family envisioned for her. She’s also been able to stay away from the BS of the small town. That is until her and Meeko’s paths cross… she’s exactly what Meeko feels he needs in his life but his fast paced, chaotic lifestyle isn’t what she wants or needs, which causes her to initially ignore all of his attempts to pursue her. After trying her best to deny and fight the chemistry that she and Meeko obviously have, Cookie finally falls victim to his southern charm. The two couldn’t be a more perfect match but when the town starts talking and word gets out that Cookie is the new lady in Meeko’s life, she will have to endure his ratchet baby mama and what seems like never ending drama in order to hold the title of ‘wifey’ and it won’t be easy. With everything and everyone against them, can love really conquer all?
A Trap King's Wife
Jahquel J. - 2015
She's trying to hold everything down while her baby daddy serves a ten year bid for drug trafficking. The last thing she's looking for is love. Between working and taking care of her daughters she's stretched thin. One night by chance she meets Jaeshawn, a thug in his own right. Jaeshawn aka Larry Bird runs everything from New York to Virginia and everything in between. All he wants is a woman to call his own, but that woman isn't his baby mother, Kaysha, who wants to make her family work. Kaysha and Jaeshawn have a one year old son, Keyshawn who Kaysha uses as a pawn against Jaeshawn. Maddie is in a hateful relationship with her man, Jared. Jared is mentally and physical abusive, and has a terrible jealousy problem. He forbids Maddie to hang with her best friend, Tiara, and keeps tabs on everything she does. When Tiara introduces Maddie to John, an Arabic God , who is also Jaeshawn's right hand, she doesn't think it will go far, but boy is she wrong. Jared, Dyron and Jamal are all friends and have one thing in common: Dread. Dread runs Queens and has an beef with Larry Bird. But when Jared , Dyron and Jamal start landing in trouble, and Dread is the common denominator, things go haywire. When Tiara enters Jaeshawn's world one cold winter night, his entire worlds changes. He sees her right to take the throne beside him as the trap king's wife.
I Am That Bitch
Cinnamon Brown - 2014
She understands the rules and ways of men and uses them at every opportunity to get what she wants. But all of her successful game playing came to a screeching halt when she ran into Carlos Seguin, a young and handsome Mexican billionaire. She thought he was just another mark; just another married man she could play and milk for some serious paper. Enter Lesha’s world as she learns too late that game recognizes game; and when love is involved, rules get broken, boundaries get crossed, and nothing is ever what it seems.Nothing is off the table, not even her life.
Dice
T.N. Baker - 2007
Rollin' dice is an everyday hustle for Wasuan, and he's one of the best the hood has ever seen. No one can defeat him. That is, until he stumbles across a dude from the same hood named Tone who has just as much confidence, a little too much mouth, lots of cash to back it up, and a strong desire for Wasuan's girl. When Wasuan is challenged and the stakes grow high, he finds himself caught out in deeper waters than he can swim in, with Tone dangling three options: pay up, take your last breath, or sacrifice something much greater...his girl, Enychi. But when Enychi agrees to spend one night with Tone in order to save her man's life, she finds herself caught up in an unwilling love triangle like the streets have never known. Love, betrayal, lies, sex and money are just the beginning in this scandalous tale, where loyalties are put to the ultimate test. In this new novel, T. N. Baker takes the term "sheisty" to a whole new level.