Then the way to fame was leading him toward a mistake that could send him straight to hell...She never looked back.Lies, drugs, too many men-- golden skinned singer Topaz Black would do anything to get a hit to the top of the charts, even walk away from her friends and family. But surrounded by greed and lust, the love the longed for seemed to be slipping away forever.He broke all the rules.Brought up in South Central L.A., movie producer Gunther Lawrence learned early how to get the wealth and women he wanted-- and to turn his back on his roots. Now, blinded by Hollywood's glitter, his illusions may shatter when he discovers who really controls his career.As their lives touch, ignite, and explode, three talented African-Americans pursue fame at any cost...and the price may be their happiness...or their lives..An alternate selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club

    For a 17-year-old, Amina has a decent life. But after meeting her father and 23-year-old brother for the first time, things take a turn for the worse. Amina ends up alone, trying to fend for herself and save her boyfriend, Kayne, from 3 years in jail. Amina must prove her loyalty to Kayne, but can you be a Down Chick without being locked down yourself? This is a question that never crosses Amina’s mind, leading her to make the ultimate mistake of her life. Author Mallori McNeal began writing Down Chick at age 14, during the summer before she began her first year in high school. She completed Down Chick and was accepted for publishing at age 16. Mallori currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

    Her memory loss continues to hold her recollection hostage as she constantly deals with Child Protective Service, a distant boyfriend and a crush on her Stick Up Kid neighbor, Gerron. If someone does not clue Ginger in or her memory doesn't come back, Ginger will go down for reasons she doesn't have one clue on. To top it off, a local thug named Bodie, who use to "Run & Gun" with Gerron, has turned enemy and kidnapped a close family member for ransom. The only way Gerron can raise the money is by doing what he does best, by taxing other people. But because his name rings out in the DMV area, he has to take his talents elsewhere. Las Vegas is the perfect place to get paid. But time is not on his side.

     In the city of Charlotte, North Carolina something unpredictable is brewing... Meet Kane Forrester, also know as Killa Kane, a man whose just as dangerous as his moniker might sound. He rules the streets of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County along with his adopted brothers. He's a man who has no use for strippers until he meets one who flips his thinking upside down. Enter Teegan Andrews, beautiful, smart and unafraid of Kane. All she wants to do is finish her degree and take care of her ailing mother. She has no time for relationships or drama until one of the biggest drug dealers in the city becomes determined to make her his. Along for the ride is Tasha, Teegan's best friend, as well as Marcus, the adopted brother of Kane who have a messy relationship of their own. This is the first book in the Kingpins of Charlotte Series.

    Frighteningly fierce, raw, and completely unpredictable, this coming-of-age adventure is woven with emotional intensity. A Deeper Love Inside is written in the words of Porsche Santiaga, Winter’s sharp-tongued, quick-witted younger sister. Porsche worships Winter. A natural born hustler, Porsche is also cut from the same cloth as her father, the infamous Ricky Santiaga. Passionate and loyal to the extreme, Porsche refuses to accept her new life in group homes, foster care, and juvenile detention after her wealthy family is torn apart. Porsche—unique, young, and beautiful—cries as much as she fights and uses whatever she has to reclaim her status. Unselfishly, she pushes to get back everything that ever belonged to her loving family. In A Deeper Love Inside, fans will encounter their favorite characters from The Coldest Winter Ever, including Winter and Midnight. Sister Souljah’s soulful writing will again move your heart and open your eyes to a shocking reality.

    A passionate encounter causes Mercedes more problems than she relalizes. With her guards down, her life is violently put on the line.

    After running away with a friend, the two run straight into the arms of a pedophile in disguise, who lures the two girls into a life far too mature for their twelve-year-old minds. Held in captivity for months, the girls are finally set free when a neighbor exposes them. But what should have been a happy moment for Kiki actually sends her on a life path that quickly spirals out of control.

    At twenty-two years old, Jholee had given up everything, including her full-time hours at school, her apartment, her expensive bags, and her car after her drug dealing dad's indiscretions put their family in a bind that blindsided them all. With everything that Jholee had given up, that still wasn't enough for her family to get back to normal, and after her dad shut down the thought of her taking her clothes off for money, she only had one thing left to sell: her virginity. Kiandre 'TK' Kincaid has had the Jacksonville streets secured when it came to moving weight, but after years of watching his father make money off women lying on their backs, he decided to try his hand at building his own legacy without stepping on them to get there. In order to make his dreams of owning a strip club a reality, TK finds himself moonlighting at his father's sex shop from time to time. When circumstance leads him to working the front desk, it's there that he meets the very impressionable Jholee. After realizing that Jholee isn't cut out for being a sex worker, he trashes her application and literally takes matters into his own hands. Jholee and TK's worlds collide faster than they both would like to admit, but just as there are things keeping them together, there are just as many pulling them apart, including but not limited to Jholee's best friends, Riley and Octavia, her parents, TK's parents, and TK's girlfriend Cheyenne. But there is something about fate: You can't stop it.

    Two small time hoodlums turned big time entrepreneurs, these Cali boys are just trying to get it at any and all costs. But when greed, betrayal, and a plan gone wrong comes into play, these two friends' very foundation is shaken. Can they stay afloat in spite of it all, or will they lose what they worked so hard to build together. Shayla Edwards is a spoiled little rich girl who's always walked the path that was chosen by her wealthy successful parents. However, things become a whole lot interesting when she meets a sexy D-boy that changes her entire life forever. Romeo is everything Shayla's ever wanted in a man, but will she be able to tolerate the dangerous life he lives? Kimberlyn Lopez was used to living the lavish life before her fiancee Cool was locked up on drug charges, leaving her to take care of their 2 year old son. If things aren't bad enough already, they really become complicated when Desmond, an old flame, comes back into the picture. With his smooth, charismatic appeal, Desmond has always held a part of her heart even while they were apart. But will Kimberlyn be able to tolerate his career choice--and the possibility of losing him as well? If things are complicated enough, they really heat up when Cool gets the early release he was anticipating. <"Flawless" will take you on an emotional roller coaster, that'll surely have you questioning just how far you'll go for love.

    A constant battle to sustain his hustle in the streets of seven cities becomes a more complex task, as a new hustler from Florida orchestrates a low-key takeover. Lust, betrayal, disloyalty, selfishness, and greed all fuel an imminent explosion as these events unfold—setting the stage for A RUMBLE IN VA!

    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.

    Reigning king of the streets Julez Payne traded in his banger for the briefcase, and couldn't be more content. And when he puts a ring on the pretty little finger of the irresistible Noelle, life seems to be perfect. Sounds too good to be true? That's because it is. Noelle's far from the ideal housewife and Julez secretly has his own battle of temptation that he's fighting in the dark. So when the mansion walls come tumbling down, all of the skeletons lurking in the closets come spilling out for all to see! And who's there to witness? Enter scene Slim and Jordin. This couple's had their share of rough times and things don't seem to be looking up. Fresh out of prison, Slim struggles to stay on the straight and narrow while Jordin deals with her own insecurities and a hidden desire for the passion that Slim leaves her lacking. Praying for a miracle, Jordin hopes to live a life as lurid and luxurious as her gorgeous best friend Noelle and wealthy husband Julez. But when suppressed desires from the past resurface, Jordin finds out in a Restricted world, everyone has ulterior motives, even her! This sophisticated novel gives you your own personal magnifying glass, allowing you to take a close look into the lives of four dynamic heroines who are all bound by their lies, restricted by desires, and freed by indulgence...The soaps have been revamped and brought to life in the pages of this love thriller! Warning: Proceed with caution, you are now Unrestricted!

    Mekhi knew from the first moment he saw Rylee that she would be his wife. He doted on her and placed her on the pedestal that she deserved to be on. He cherished her. Or so Rylee thought. Rylee’s picture perfect life became a cracked glass frame when Mekhi’s true intentions were revealed.  As fate would have it, Zyra’s brother Zyrian is standing in the wings preparing to put the glass pieces back together again.  Will Rylee be willing to walk away from all that she has ever known with her husband Mekhi? Will she be willing to swim in new uncharted waters with Zyrian? Will Mekhi fight for who he believes rightfully belongs to him and only him? Will Zyrian’s persistent interests complicate Rylee’s thoughts? With a host of supporting characters and Mekhi’s extreme disdain for Zyrian, the situation gets more complicated at every turn. Will Mekhi be able to stop Rylee from committing what he considers the ultimate sin with Zyrian or will his secrets run her right into the arms of the man that he despises the most?

    The chance meeting of Capo turns things from upside down to good all around. Take a ride with Jonnae as she realizes your first love isn't always real love & that hood love can be a good love.

    At the end, you may even feel "Salty" yourself! To some, the city of Los Angeles is the home of the "Angels"; "that's bull crap", says the characters in this ghetto soap opera. Los Angeles for them, is the home of the "Scandalous" and only those that's down for and ready for whatever will last........... Jazz is a seventeen year old, sassy, diva who strives to carry herself with class and dignity. Thanks to her ego struck boyfriend, and envious cousin, she soon finds out that classiness will get you nowhere, but humiliated and heartbroken. Peter went from a nobody to a somebody: money, cars, and big butt light skin girls now make up his worth. Peter isn't blind to the fact that he is being used; he just doesn't care. It's not until he steps on the toes of a known grimy gangster from Compton, that he realizes how dangerous these females really are. Pam can tell you first hand that "love don't love nobody", and that you have to love yourself first. After all, love is the reason she contracted the incurable. Follow the drama as it takes you on a world wind of events that will leave your mouth open and have you lusting for more. alanasbookline.org facebook.com/SaltyAGhettoSoapOpera