Book picks similar to
Keeping You Close by Celya Bowers


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Pretenses


Keith Lee Johnson - 2004
    They next day, another high-ranking member of Washington's elite circle is killed - and soon government officials are being picked off one by one. The FBI is clueless. Who is doing the killing? And, more importantly, why? Enter Phoenix Perry: a tough, smart, and savvy FBI Agent known to hold her own against even the most lethal of criminals. Phoenix is supposed to be working on a serial rapist case, but is hand-picked by the President to find the identity of the assassin. Soon Phoenix finds that the two cases may be related - and that the culprit knows her every move.

Can't Say No


Bette Ford - 2007
    He's also a notorious, no-good player—the wrong kind of man for a woman with big responsibilities. But at a mutual friend's lavish wedding, passion and curiosity get the best of maid of honor Vanessa, and Ralph reveals himself to be the best man in more ways than one.Ralph has had more than his share of women, but none has captivated him like Vanessa. To convince her that his player days are behind him, he'll have to show her what kind of man he truly is. He'll have to fight every inch of the way to break through her defenses and claim the blazing ecstasy they both want . . . and show her why she can't—and shouldn't—say no.

The Office Girls


Sylvester Stephens - 2008
    When the newspaper runs an article he finds offensive to African American men, he writes a rebuttal, which offends so many women it gets him fired. Michael then sets out to write a book that proves corporate women are just as scandalous, competitive, and insensitive as their male counterparts. But when he manipulates events to get hired into an office that is staffed by all women, events quickly spiral out of control. As romances sprout like weeds and Michael finds himself fighting for the women he works alongside, rather than against them, the question is whether he will be able to focus on his work, keep his flings a secret, and achieve the success he has always dreamed of. In turns hilarious, sobering, and eye-opening, The Office Girls tells the story of every woman who works in the corporate world and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The misogyny, sexual harassment, and gender inequality faced by these characters will ring true for all women who have experienced corporate America.

His Love Match


Shirley Hailstock - 2014
    She's just given up finding her own dream man. Until an internet dating site matches her up with her ideal mate. Too bad he's someone she already knows…. In college, Scott Thomas was the big man on campus—arrogant and full of himself. So why is one kiss from the high-flying bachelor making Diana's toes curl? A failed trip to the altar has cured Scott of believing in storybook endings. So he's stunned when someone meets his unattainable requirements for romance. The brainy bookworm he knew has morphed into a beautiful, desirable woman. But Diana isn't ready to trust him. And then Scott unveils his secret. Now Diana wonders if she'll forever plan strangers' weddings and never her own….

Baller Dreams


Tasha Macklin - 2012
    He is forced to make a number of decisions that will change his life. Choosing school over the mean Detroit's Eastside streets, the sudden reality of his poor circumstances make him painfully aware of the fortunes that can be made if he embarks on the career path of a hustler. Deciding that he wants to be a baller, Dre meets and forms an alliance with an older, very beautiful female named Destiny. Unbeknownst to him, she had a secret and motive that draws her to him, which causes her to assist him in making all of his plans reality. Dre and his closest friends will create a clique called the Eastside Syndicate and set a hustle in motion like Detroit has never seen. No one else in the city will be able to compete with the murder and muscle game that they release upon the streets. However, when he falls in love with another and finds himself at odds with Destiny, the beautiful temptress who helped to make his dreams come true will stop at nothing to bring Dre and the organization that he created to its knees. Dre has everything that a hustler could ever want. Only when the tide turns, he will quickly realize that the dream life he once lived was no more than a nightmare in disguise.

What's Real


Daaimah S. Poole - 2005
    Janelle has had it with her boring job as assistant manager at a clothing store. As for Natalie, with a baby to take care of and a husband who won't even change a diaper, she need a time-out. Tanya is just looking for a good time and a man with a big, thick... wallet. Given the chance, these girls like to play, and their playground of choice is Miami. Almost as soon as they hit the beach they find themselves drawn into a fast-moving, flashy world of rappers, ballers, celebrities, and VIPs with cash to burn. But before thid wild ride of over, they just may find that all that glitters ain't gold and a good reality is worth way more than a fleeting fantasy.

Rich Girl Problems (Millionaire Wives Club)


Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker - 2013
    Whitaker's Millionaire Wives Club are back for a third season of explosive lies, forbidden sex, and scandals like you've never seen before!Step into the world of cable TV's hit reality show and meet new bride and new mother Milan, who finally has everything she's ever dreamed of. Problem is her perfect life doesn't work for TV. What will she do when the producer threatens to fire her? Editor-in-chief Chaunci isn't feeling the fame and the last thing she needs is to share the spotlight with her worst enemy, newcomer Journee. Socialite Journee expected her eighty-two-year-old husband to only live four days past their wedding night, but it's been four years. And just when it seems that he's ready to meet his maker, his son--Journee's ex-lover--shows up. Hair care mogul Vera is struggling with her failing marriage and the last thing she needs is her drug-addicted mother to further ruin her life or her image. Jaise is finally standing by her man. But will she live the life she thinks or will it cost her everything?

Wide Open


Tanzania Glover - 2021
    Hate the game. Soon-to-be retiring NFL player Beau Mitchell had just about given up on his ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, but after pulling off a miraculous win he’s now set his sights on an even bigger prize.Dating a player is completely out of the question for the beautiful and ever so elusive sports journalist Tatum Rogers. but Beau’s persistence and a debt with dire consequences might just make her consider moving her goalpost.

Spend My Life with You


Donna Hill - 2011
    But being primary caregiver has meant putting her own dreams on hold. Preston Graham is about to change all that. From the moment they meet—at an estate in Baton Rouge—Lee Ann can't stop thinking about the ambitious, seductive junior senator from Louisiana.All his life, Preston has focused on only one thing: rising up the political ladder. Marriage isn't even on the ballot. Until Lee Ann. The passion she arouses is hot, irresistible…and all-consuming. Can he convince the senator's daughter to toss her hat in the ring—by giving her heart to him and a love that comes only once in a lifetime?

Where the Heart Is 2


Cristina Grenier - 2015
    Despite his promises to find another job in another hospital so they could move, Simon is still working long hours in the same place, leaving Jamie to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to raising their daughter. As if that weren't hard enough, their relationship has become somewhat long distance, and Jamie spends time driving back and forth between the house in their hometown and Simon’s apartment in the city with their screaming baby girl in tow after spending time with her sick mother every week. They both find themselves tired and irritable, more often than not, and their lack of communication just makes misunderstandings and fights happen more often than either of them have the time or energy to deal with properly. When Jamie finds out that none of Simon's friends know anything about her or their baby despite how long it’s been, she has to ask herself once again if trying to make something work with Simon is the right thing to do or if she’d be better off following in her mother’s footsteps and going it alone.

The Arcade


Judy Turner - 1992
    But a terrible event changes everything for her. Marj cooks and waits tables at the wine bar, under the watchful eye of Martin, a chef of undoubted genius, despite his passion for women. Why has he never noticed Marj, though?As the shopkeepers struggle to make a living, each of them finds their life changing over the course of one eventful year.

Charge It to the Game


Tonya Blount - 2011
    Fly, beautiful, and quick-witted Storm doesn't chase money-money chases her; But it wasn't always that way. Born into poverty then later abandoned by her mother Storm was raised by her mentally abusive drug-addicted aunt. After partaking in acts that no child should even have to witness; Storm survives her turbulent childhood and stands stronger than ever. Soon Storm begins to feel that her life is complete; she has the money, the life, and a wonderful man who gave up his womanizing ways just t be with her...

Make It Last


Christine Gray - 2020
    ​I’m gut punched. I have to fight hard to control my breathing. Her one question holds all my dreams, wants, and needs. **** ZAHN- “Do me a favor.” ​ Four words to fuck up my already fucked up world. Although I’m dealing with enough shit, my dumb ass agrees. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be standing face to face with her; the Naomi Henson. Oh, the countless times I wacked off to her growing up. I should be on a cattle drive, yet here I am, training her to ride horses for a role. I don’t doubt my friend asked for this ‘favor’ knowing damn well I wouldn’t pass up the chance of possibly teaching Naomi how to ride a beast of my own. It’s Austin’s way of forcing me stick around, to deal with people that are more like lingering shit on the bottom of my boots. Yeah, it’s time I dealt with these fucker of the past…and hopefully, I’ll get a sweet piece of Naomi as my reward. **** NAOMI- Washed up. Has been. Past her prime. All the phrases that has been used to describe me and my acting career. I guess you can add reformed crack head and whore to the list, too. No one is to blame. Well, many are, but complaining won’t change the nature of the beast that says that a man in this industry can work till he’s wheeled out, with wrinkles and a shady past. However, a female actress, no matter how great her talent, has a limited shelf life. The doors her age doesn’t close, her mistakes being played out in a constant loop will. I faced the hard facts that it’s a man’s world in Hollywood a long time ago. Being 42 years young is a death sentence in the industry. Yet, here I am. Completely godsmacked at the offer of the role of the century. We’re talking leading lady, Oscar worthy. Then fast forward to- “Can you make it last?” ​ What the hell am I saying? I’m here to train for my comeback role, not for whiskey and a roll in the hay. Now this good looking, tall, 48 year old joker that seems to say all the right lines from the raunchiest Native American romance novels is fucking me up. Zahn Ewing needs to get a clue. I’m just faking it in hopes that I make it, again. If he knew, I mean really knew my history, my secret, he would understand why I pop pills just to be able to look at myself in the mirror. He would understand why I, of all people, don’t deserve a second chance at anything…and I damn sure don’t deserve the likes of him.

I Like My Women BBW


Cole Hart - 2015
    He was tall and dark, with hazel eyes and a strong tattoo-adorned physique. Raised in the streets of Atlanta, he came with a thug reputation and a fierce attitude. After being in and out of prison, this time he came home with dreams of being the next Floyd Mayweather, ready to go legit with the only legal talent he possessed, boxing. However, King had one problem, and that was his baby’s mama; Harmony. She'd also had dreams for him, and she wanted him to go back to the King he was in the past. She wanted her Trap King so she could be his Trap Queen. King knew Harmony was ratchet and constantly caught up on street gossip and the opinion of others. She had definitely been his number one until the day he met Delishus in a grocery store parking lot before he went to prison. She was thick, had curves for days, and had an even better heart. She was the true definition of a beautiful black woman. He couldn't resist her, and when King went to prison, she stayed down with him the entire time– but so did Harmony. She felt as though she'd had too much invested into him to let any other woman steal her man away from her. Even though King liked his women BBW, his baby mama wasn't giving him up without a fight, even if somebody’s life depended on it.

Kings of the Underworld: Monroe: Rise of the Phoenix King


Annitia L. Jackson - 2019
    After years of being away from them, he comes back to avenge his father’s death and finds out he could be losing his mother as well. He finds himself thrown into a race against time to find a cure for his mother, as well as fighting against a prophecy he is destined to repeat. Lawrynn thought she was alone in the world, until she finds out she has a sister she knew nothing about. Being a Kanima means she is sworn to protect the people who matter the most to her, and she vows to find her sister, Latoya. Problem is, Latoya is trapped in the Forbidden Realm, a place where nothing but pain and destruction exists. Lawrynn and Monroe are in a race against time to save both of the people they love, while battling a growing love, deadly enemies, and realm of death. Will they succeed or end up losing everything that matters the most to them, including their souls?