Book picks similar to
Sweet Bitter Freedom by David Canford


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The Real Dopeboyz of Dade County


Lucinda John - 2018
    The art of dealing the best quality drugs to the neediest crack head took patience, precision and street smarts qualities Kason “Kaotic” Lafleur had down pack. Inheriting the family business from his uncle, Kaotic becomes a self-made millionaire by producing the purest coke and skillfully smuggling them into the US without lifting a finger. With a take charge attitude and boss mentality, Kaotic, the leader of the Dade County Goonz (DCG), only concern is money. To him, if it didn’t make money it didn’t made sense. Not even the slew of women he has encountered during the many rendezvous has the ability to shift his attention. Getting him to care and love was practically unachievable and non-existent until he met her… ​ ​Serenity has it all; beauty, brains and a bank account with more zeros than she knew what to do with. From the outside looking in, Serenity has it together. Her life is goals to many except no one knows the demons she faces. The fear of love forces her to use men for sex before tossing them aside. Her wild behavior mirrors the pain she’s truly going through, the pain no one can understand, pain that is uncontrollable until she met him… ​Love can be so beautiful yet painful in the same sense. Kaotic struggles with the adjustment his heart forces him to make as he allows a broken woman into his life, one who is so harmless, but can potentially cause him and his organization so much damage. Serenity struggles to keep secrets hidden, secrets that could potentially cost her- her life.

A Bitch's Bad Side


Kawand Crawford - 2015
    Lady Sondra and her family. Shortly after Lady Sondra is released from doing a ten year stint in Bellevue Mental Institution, tragedy strikes close to home testing her bad side and putting her on a vengeful mission for blood. Things go horribly wrong when she attempts to recruit her twin sons Rahmel and Jahmel to embark on a mission to build an untouchable drug empire all the while trying to keep her daughter Mahogany on the straight and narrow path. Lady Sondra is just one incident away from being sent back to the place she’s vowed never to visit again. Drama and betrayal send her spiraling down a dark bumpy road of no return. Get to know the Bells and learn all of the family secrets as you and those who betray Lady Sondra experience “A Bitch’s Bad Side”

After They Go


J. Mercer - 2018
    The second stunted by her sister's shadow. The youngest propelled by desperation. Gwen is the oldest of four children in the Aaldenberg family, and the one who seems to have it all. She's also most desperate to escape. Betta, having nursed their dying grandpa for the past three years, is anxious for Gwen to go, so she can finally have reins to the family business. And Esmerelda, viciously determined to follow in Gwen's footsteps, vies for popularity as a freshman in high school, only to learn she must sell her soul, reputation, and most prized possession for acceptance. When Gwen's fiancé moves to town, Gwen does her best to resign herself to a local life, while Betta struggles for meaning without the store. In order to carve out a place for herself, Betta must decide to what lengths she'll go in order to become her own person, and Gwen must decide what's more important: her sister or her future. Can this family pull through their disappointment, jealousy, and regret? Or will they cling so tightly to their desires that it ruins them?

And A Meadowlark Sang


Jen Pretty - 2018
    One woman makes a life for herself after tragedy. One vampire is hell bent on keeping his city streets free of violent rogues. Where they intersect… …a journey begins. Lark’s life is strange. Vampires roam among us undetected, except by her. She learned the hard way to keep her curse to herself and run at the first sign of trouble. Meditation and yoga have been the core of her sanity as she sets down roots in the city she calls home. When she is suddenly backed into a corner, its fight-or-flight time, but a huge secret is lurking beneath her skin. One that will change the course of her life, forever. The time for running is over. But will the price of her new purpose be too high?

Promising My Love to a Boss 3


Käixo - 2017
    Caught between two men she once loved and the one who holds her heart, now. With a baby on the way, she has to face the music and deal with the karma she brought onto herself. Confined in total darkness with little to no food or water, her thoughts become her refuge… But those same thoughts haunt her with the demons from her past and the hateful actions against her baby sister. Seemingly all hope is gone, Salimah slowly gives up. Wishing she’d thought things through. Is life worth living? Tyrone is caught between a rock and a hard place. Once the brother with all the answers, he’s left broken-hearted and discarded. Torn between the facts and his feelings. How could the same girl who he loved and claimed to love him double cross him? Did he miss the signs? Now, his brothers are in jeopardy and Tyrone is partially to blame. Even through this, Torin, the same brother he attacked and belittled is the only person he trusts during this trying time in his life. Will Torin be the bigger person and help his brother or will he hold a grudge and hang him out to dry? A rocky past unraveling itself leaves Fatima in a rut. Defying Torin’s wishes and snooping around The Windy City for answers. Left handcuffed to a bed, Fatima must come to grips with all the secrets she’s kept from Torin. From her sneaking out of the house to meet with his estranged sister to keeping her pregnancy a secret. With Torin ten steps ahead of her there’s no room for lies and games. Not to mention, she and her best friend are on the outs, leaving Fatima with nobody to run to. Will she open up to Torin about everything she’s been up to or add more gasoline to the fire? Crack open Promising My Love to a Boss 3 and find out how these stories unveil. There’s no love in these streets and the city that hates itself will swallow you whole.

You Were the Love of My Life: A Hood Love Story


Dominique Thomas - 2015
    He has his woman, his position as head of his family lucrative drug business and he still has rapping. Life is going good until it isn’t. Secrets that his mother kept hidden from him while she was alive comes out while a family enemy hell bent on revenge surfaces to take Kasam and his brothers down. Erin is in college pursing her dreams while being with the man that she loves. Life is almost fairytale like until things come out to show her that Kasam is no Prince Charming. Erin has to decide if she can deal with groupies and infidelity while trying to manage her own life’s issues. A storm is brewing. Danger is headed Kasam and Erin’s way as people are out to tear them apart. For two people who are so much better together than they are apart will they crumble under pressure or will they prove to the world that they are indeed meant to be together? Erin and Kasam first appeared in Hold You Down

Stealing The Pastor's Daughter


Edwina Fort - 2021
    

Hard 2: Thirst for Blood


Anjela Day - 2013
    Everything the legendary duo has built is on the line due to the jealously of past loves, friends and even family. Obtaining money, power, and respect is never easy, but The Alton’s prove it that holding on to it is even harder.

I'm Feeling Myself: Bad Bitches Only (I'm Feeling Myself: Bad Bitches Only 1)


Chrissy J - 2015
    Being one of the baddest chicks in Brooklyn, Elite used what she had to get what she wanted. All she needed was her money or so she thought until Genesis came along. Genesis' swag was impeccable and although he was falling for Elite, her reputation on the streets prevented him from making her his girl. Through the drama and turmoil, Elite and Genesis finally take a chance and make it official, but will it be too late for their love to prosper? Take a ride with this power couple and see how it all goes down!

King Michael: The Dark Angel


Neicy P. - 2019
    after he puts his life and everything else on the line one last time for his family. 
 One failed attempt on his life after another is thwarted but right when he believes that all hope is lost, he sets his eyes on Ariella. One glance and he knows that she is his true destiny and come hell or high water, he won't allow anyone to steal the bright future he now sees that he can have with this queen by his side. 
 Ariella, a strong, independent boss in her own right, has always followed the rules and never questions the edicts and decisions of those ranked higher than her. She unquestioningly takes on the assignment to bring King to his knees. What she doesn't expect is for her feelings to overcome her faith and blind her from the truth... or is it that she was deceived and now her eyes are finally wide open? 
 King Michael and Ariella have an instant, undeniable attraction to one another, but the question is, are they truly destined to be together or will Ariella carry out the orders of the elders sacrificing her and King's chance at a happily ever after?

From the Projects to a Rich Thug's Mansion


Sonovia Alexander - 2017
    She was born into a life of poverty that she never asked for. Her mother dropped her off at the local fire station as a newborn and her father could have been any of the local crackheads that she passed by on the daily. Jumping from foster home to foster home and living a life that gave her nothing, she was tired of it, she wanted more. She deserved more– she desired to live the life of the rich and famous.  Nothing was more memorable than the day she met Boogie. Boogie had the paper, the cars, the money, and the drugs that could help her with her come up– until an unfortunate turn of events happen to Boogie. There’s a new dealer on the block… and her name is Swiss.

Cuffed by A Black Billionaire


Khadijah J. - 2019
    But what if your past has affected you so bad, that you no longer believe in love? From adolescence, Kentrell Rockwell, had learned first hand the power that love held. Kentrell decided at an early age, that he never wanted to experience that side of love after watching a loved one experience heartbreak. Growing up extremely handsome and intelligent, he had no problem getting any woman that he wanted. Add on the factor of him making money, they flocked Kentrell, but he held eyes for his woman and his child. There was love, but there was also heartbreak, which was all Aliyanna Ray knew since a teenager. Somehow, she pushed passed all the obstacles life threw her way, and went on to become a pharmacist. After thinking she found love, she soon realized that she was sleeping with the enemy. Picking up the pieces of her broken heart, she continues to move forward. Unfortunately, she runs right into what the doctor ordered. When they first met, they both were skeptical of one another. But after spending a weekend together, they were interested, but still guarded. Aliyanna was scared of falling, she had been hurt in the past, and been through a lot of stuff as a child, that she still carried into her adult life. Was Ken capable of being everything she needed and more? Or will this be another result of a hurt people hurting people?

Chief and Freedom 2: Love In The Back of a Bando


Dama Cargle - 2017
    The consequences of their actions made everyone around them vulnerable to the wrath that was heading their way. Chief is riddled with bullets and his queen is missing. However, there wasn’t a man alive who was going to get away with shooting Lucci’s little brother and live to tell about it. He sets out on a warpath, and the entire state of New Jersey is his war zone. Anybody can get it. Things are falling apart with one enemy after the other revealing themselves and coming for the throne Chief sat upon. Freedom was new to Jersey, and since her arrival, the city has chewed her up and spit her out. Nonetheless, when Chief crowned her, she thought all was well with the world. She soon learns that there is a price that comes with being the wifey of the boss of the underworld. Because of Chief, she is now in the hands of the enemy where she endures the unimaginable pain. Things happen to her that she wouldn’t have wished on her worst enemy. Her captor is very familiar to her, and that leaves Freedom asking questions about what is really going on. Find out what happens when friends become enemies, and loyalty is tested. War has been declared, and the whole city is the battlefield.

His Heart Ain't Loyal


K.C. Mills - 2016
    He’s street raised but business minded. Being part owner of a Harper’s, a successful bar and grill, affords him a certain lifestyle and plenty of women who want to share it with him. Larken is young and paid, and in no way interested in settling down anytime soon. Family secrets have a way of curbing his appetite for commitment, and he has no issues with that whatsoever. Sydney knows what she wants, she just can’t seem to get all her cards lined up to make it happen. Life somehow keeps getting in the way of her future plans. Sydney’s only focus is finishing school and starting her career, which leaves no room for relationships of any kind. The down side is that without a car and a job, she doesn’t have the ability to make that happen. When both are snatched from her because of a shady business deal, she’s at a loss and struggles to figure out her next move. Larken just happens to be in the right place at the right time and offers a solution to Sydney’s current situation. The two have no intention of making any kind of connection, but sometimes you find just what you need when you aren’t really looking. Will Sydney tame Larken’s wild side, and will he prove that he’s worthy of her time? Or have the two crossed paths at the wrong time, rendering them incapable of the love that neither of them know that they’re missing.

Tamed by a Beast 2: An Urban Love Story


Indigo Love - 2017
    Will she be able to get away, or will she become Ramos’ next victim? Jamir’s put in a position where he makes another enemy who becomes a real threat. Due to that, he puts killing the man in the picture with Kay on the back burner...for now. His hit list is getting longer; however, he’s not moved. That only makes him go harder. On the hunt for Yummy, he finds out that the plot thickens with her and she’s planning to take him down by any means necessary. Will he find her before she gives him up to the FEDS, or sends someone to murk him? Keeping DEA Agent Daniels on his payroll is also proving to be a waste when he admits to not having a way to keep a warrant from being issued for his arrest. With that looming over his head, he tries to focus on protecting Kay, as well as keeping his own life and freedom intact. He also notices a drastic change in Kaylen that he never saw coming. Kaylen is frantic to find her sister Kylie, who has been taken by DFACS and returned to her unfit mother Connie. In the process, she is attempting to cope with what has happened to Laila. Feeling like everything is too much to bear, she decides to shed the layer of innocence that was once her shell. Now, she feels the burning desire to get vengeance, even if it means she must commit the act of murder herself. The hate she feels for Yummy is festering and all she wants to do is end her life. It starts to become an obsession. However, Jamir wants her to stay out of it and let him handle the situation. Will she back down and let her man be her voice of reason, or will she stick to her guns? Was Kylie’s decision to go back to her mother a big mistake that she’ll regret, or has Connie really made a change for the better? With the chaos surrounding Jah and Kay on one hundred, it’s a fight for these young lovers to stay alive and in love. Will they come out on top in the end, or will one of them, or both, be added to the growing body count?