Book picks similar to
Teenage Bluez: A Collection of Urban Stories by Marketa Salley


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A Broken Girl's Journey


Niki Jilvontae - 2014
    She is forced to endure unthinkable turmoil and pain at the hands of those who are supposed to protect her, leaving her battered and broken time after time. Lakea's life is just one tragedy after the next, pushing her into a pattern of violence and rebellion. Then one day she meets Jeremy and he gives her something she has been searching for her entire life....unconditional love. As Lakea continues to struggle with the harsh realities of her environment, she and Jeremy become closer, however tragedy strikes again, shattering her heart and dreams, while turning her world upside down. Lakea is a broken girl with a long hard journey ahead of her. Does she have what it takes to overcome? Or will she always be broken?

Allure of the Game


Danielle Santiago - 2009
     Twenty-year-old Arnessa didn’t grow up on the streets. But when her mentally ill mother abandons her and her older brother is murdered, Arnessa has no choice but to hustle just to keep herself and her little sister alive. Kisa “Kane” Montega, on the other hand, has a wonderful marriage, two beautiful children, and lives in a stunning home on the outskirts of Charlotte. Her cousin, Kennedy, has spent two years away from the volatile music industry, focusing on her children and building a solid foundation with her rap star fiancÉ, Chaz. But in spite of their success, both Kane and Kennedy are gravitating back to their old ways and the game they thought they’d left behind. After a chance meeting, Arnessa goes from being a low-level dealer to partner in their cartel. But the bigger their empire gets, the more haters they have to contend with—and the more each one of them stands to lose. Sexy, suspenseful, and unflinching, Danielle Santiago’s Allure of the Game gives fans exactly what they’ve been hoping for—a deeply satisfying conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy, packed with insight into the mean streets she knows so well.

A Hood Chick's Story


Lashonda Devaughn - 2007
    When it felt like the world had finally changed the hand that she d been dealt, reality continued to creep up on her. With a mom on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and an alcoholic crack-addicted father who use to beat her mom in front of her, who could blame Tiara for finding a family on the streets. Tiara s loyalty to her friends was undeniable. The crew consisted of, Tiara, Tamika, Shavon, Renee, Ke Ke and Karen. They jumped, robbed and fought other girls who stood in their way. When trouble surfaced, the crew had no problems with getting their hands dirty. Tiara was faithful to her crew handling any drama that presented itself. But when jealousy get s the best of friends, things continued to get ugly. With an older brother Tre James wrapped deeply into the streets becoming a drug dealer at 13, their younger brother Sharod had no choice but to admire both Tre and Tiara s lifestyle. Tragedy continued to hit home and Tiara s life continued to go down hill. She lost people who she loved and trusted the most to death, jail or betrayal. From welfare, section 8, jail, drugs, abusive relationships and lies, Tiara s future seems uncertain. Will she finally rise above the drama that meets her at every corner, or remain trapped in the jaws of the hood? Brace yourself as Tiara James takes you on a rollercoaster ride in her footsteps, in her hood, telling her story.

Denim Diaries 1: 16 Going on 21


Darrien Lee - 2008
    Sixteen-year-old Denim Mitchell refuses to accept her parents' disapproval of her romantic feelings for Andre Patterson, whom she has loved since childhood, and things are made even more complicated by a lie, a party, and a bullet.

City Lights


George Sherman Hudson - 2011
    Real and his lady, Constance, were living in the lap of luxury, with fancy cars, expensive clothes and a million dollar home until someone close to them alerted the feds to their illegal activity.At the blink of an eye their perfect life was turned upside down. Just as Real was sorting things out on the home front, the head of Miami's most powerful Cartel gave him an ultimatum that would eventually force him back into the life he had swore off forever. Knowing this lifestyle would surely put Constance in danger, he made plans to send her away until the score was settled but things spiraled out of control. Now Real and Constance are in a fight for survival where friends become enemies and murder is essential. Atlanta's underworld to Miami's most affluent community—no stone was left unturned as Real fought to keep Constance safe while attempting to regain control of the lifestyle he once would kill for.From the city of Atlanta to the cell block of Georgia's most dangerous prison, life under the City Lights would never be the same.

Cuffed By A Kingpin


Heiress - 2017
     Compton Banks is the sexiest most rudest man you will ever encounter that has just been crowned, King of Cali. When their worlds collide, they are forced to agree to live together in holy matrimony. After a fatal incident that left Cali alone with a target on her back, she has to secure her family business and survival by any means necessary. Not knowing that the man that is necessary will mean more to her than she intended. After taking over the family business, Compton is determined to make sure his empire thrives with greatness. Nothing or anyone could take his focus away from his money and his business. That is until Cali barges into his world and his heart. Both individuals never intended on falling in love but things happen. Was it just an agreement or will Love become a factor. Loyalty is tested, trust is broken and hearts are shattered. Will these two learn to coexist for the sack of their agreement? Or will they break ties and put their lives and their empires at risk? Find out in the hood fairytale of Compton and Cali.

Dime Piece


Tracy Brown - 2004
    On one hand, she has found happiness with the love of her life, Raheem "Rah-Lo" Henderson. He is unhappily married with children, and Celeste is his well-kept secret. He loves Celeste without question, proving his affection for her by financing her dream- a beauty salon called Dime Piece. But when Rah-Lo is incarcerated for his part in a brutal crime, his right hand man Ishmael Wright is left to hold down the fort. This causes him to come face to face with the feelings he has secretly harbored for Celeste for far too long. While Rah-Lo's away, will Celeste and Ishmael give into their passion for each other, or will their loyalty to Rah-Lo stand in their way? Meanwhile, Dime Piece is the setting for tons of drama between hairstylists Charly, Nina and Robin. The ladies vie for one man's attention and the fireworks begin. Dime Piece is packed with drama, love triangles and passionate encounters. The question is, which of the ladies will ultimately be the one and only Dime Piece?

Daddy Dearest


Kevin Bullock - 2012
    He regulates where she goes, what she watches on T.V and who she hangs with. He knows that Cataya hates him, but his fatherly instincts won't allow him to lighten up, or confess to his guilt.Now that Cataya is a senior in high school, she has been living with her father's mother ever since her own mother had been found murdered twelve years prior. She has very little contact with her mother's side of the family, but has learned through them the truth surrounding her mother's unsolved death.She proves that she's cut from the same cloth as her father when she formulates an icy plan that would punish Hammer for the role that he played in her mother's death. But she gets side tracked when Hammer escapes from prison and give the real meaning to Daddy Dearest.

The Wife of a Hustler


Porscha Sterling - 2015
    But the thorn in her side is his babymama, Trinity, who still loves him and makes no effort to hide it. Although Vanessa loves her husband, there is only so much of his conniving baby mother that she can take. Especially when another person enters the picture.While Ty is in Miami helping Trinity take control of her brother's Haitian drug cartel after he is locked up by the Feds, Vanessa meets Mayhem, a sexy rival hustler in NYC, who is after everything Ty has. Like Ty, he is a sexy thug; a self-made millionaire who earns his living off moving dough in the streets. The only difference is that whereas the family life gave Ty a heart, Mayhem doesn't have one. And it's something about his cold-hearted, rough nature that causes Vanessa to want to risk it all.Ty is trying to juggle the two women in his life and at the same time fight off Mayhem who ignores the rules of the streets and is steadily attacking Ty's empire. With Ty's mind on helping Trinity in Miami, his focus isn't on his family or his wife. By the time he tries to get himself together, it may just be too late.

He Exposed Me to the Real, Now I Hate Lames 2


Natavia - 2016
    Everyone has a secret agenda of their own that can ruin relationships and friendships. Only the strongest survive and the weak are exposed. Ashanta Scott finally got to her breaking point, when she had no choice but to leave Kwenya behind. She escapes to Mexico where she meets a stranger named, Jesse. Jesse takes Ashanta under her wing and shows Ashanti just how strong she is deep down, and how to seek revenge on those that crossed her. When Ashanta comes back, she isn't the same timid woman she once was, and in place is a scorned woman out for blood. Without Ashanta, Kenya goes down a road of self-destruction. Kwenya is out for blood and won't stop until he finds out what happened to, Ashanta. Rakita has plans of her own, she knows that without Ashanta in the picture, she can get Kwenya back into her life. Will her plan work or is it too late? Desi has plans of her own, to expose those who crossed her. She comes up with a plan that might cost her, her life. After Bishop finds out the truth, will it be too late to rekindle the love between him and Desi? The plot thickens, in the second installment. As only the strongest survive and the weak are exposed. Who will come out on top? Only way to find out is to join the crew and to see who is real in this urban tale of deceit, heartbreak and revenge.

A Hustler's Son


T. Styles - 2006
    She never knew she would find one in her 15-year-old son, Kelsi. Surrounded by violence, drugs and lies, Kelsi murders in self-defense. Suddenly Kelsi becomes charged with the new-found feeling he associates with becoming a man, and feels he can take on anything, including his mother's cheating lover. The heat of murder ensues and Janet feels it's time to make a permanent move out of Maryland. Before doing so, she plans one last murder which, if goes as planned, could ultimately be worth millions. To top it all off, Janet has not revealed to her son the biggest secret yet.

Jump Off Bitches


M.J. Sparks - 2013
    Meet Kenya, Bird and Deidre. Three chicks with three very different stories. First up to bat is Miss Kenya, the self titled classy and fashionable down south chick with sass for days. She is a working single mother and student, who after two years of a shelved sex life, feels her frozen hot pocket is overdue on getting scorched. After a long and strong relationship with herself and “her toys”, her desire for human contact has become imminent. Being pulled in so many different directions, she barely has time to date, much less carry out a relationship with someone, but she can not shake the nagging urge to hit the sheets with someone other than Mario, her favorite vibrator. She quickly sets her sights on an unlikely target the father of her son’s best friend, who also happens to be married. Things get very hot and sticky, but is she bold enough to go all the way? While Kenya is trying to figure out if she will be a side chick, her best friend, Bird is engulfed in a battle against a side chick trying to keep her husband. She is ready to get down and dirty and go to all out war for her man, but after finding herself fighting a losing battle, she jumps ships and lands into the arms of another man. Determined to find out if the old adage of getting over one man by getting under another reins true, Bird finds herself in the crossfire.

From the Pole to the Palace 2: A Love Nobody Expected


Diamond D. Johnson - 2016
    As the days go by, Jameeka realizes that Levi isn’t the man she thought him be, but it’s too late because she’d already done the unthinkable, and Seth would never get back with her in a million years. Now that Seth and Dreka finally are in a committed relationship, is it enough for her to leave the pole alone and finally settle down in the palace where she belongs? Dreka promised herself that once she let those three words, I love you come out of her mouth, that she would hang up her dancing shoes, but is that true? In addition to everyday relationship problems, she is now faced with deep, dark secrets that she thought she had left behind in her past, but she now has to bring those secrets to light. This second installment is filled with drama, laughter, and secrets. Some will make it out in the end, but others won’t.

Project Queen II


Teresa D. Patterson - 2010
    When she enters their lives, she brings along chaos and mayhem. She desperately seeks the love that her mother, a woman who cares more for drugs than her own flesh and blood, couldn’t give. She only knows how to show and feel love by opening her legs. A night that begins as partying and fun turns into horror. The events that transpire blacken Della’s heart. She vows that the pain inflicted upon her will be inflicted back on her attackers. She will pay them all back - with a vengeance. What happens when her obsession with getting even causes her to spiral out of control?

Hold U Down


Keisha Ervin - 2002
    For Unique a.k.a. Nique, Kiara, Kay Kay and Zoe, tomorrow isn't promised, love doesn't exist and men ain't shit. Stealing cars is their hustle and their way of doing it is Simply Unique. But jealousy, greed, love and envy are lurking in the shadows. For only the strong will survive and the weak shall fall. Unique knows this but the game of love has won her over. Once she decides to leave the only hustle she knows for the man she loves, her drama begins. When loyalty amongst family is questioned and their fate is unanswered, who will hold who down?