Book picks similar to
Secrets: In These Mean Streets by Lashonda Devaughn


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Down With the King of the South


Diamond D. Johnson - 2019
    She’s well known throughout Miami, but most know her as Giovonni “Trip's” girlfriend and baby mama. They have a ghetto love story. The two of them had been together for almost twenty years. They have a love that most people would ask Jashae just how the hell does she do it? Not because love is hard, but because Trip is in prison serving a life long sentence, for a murder that he committed years ago. Then, you have Toddrick King, known in the streets as “Miami.” Women will pretty much sell their souls to be with a man like Miami. Not only is he a well-known retired boxer, but he’s handsome, rich, and he knows how to treat a woman. Two things are stopping Miami and Jashae from being together, and that’s Jashae’s love for Trip and because Miami and Trip were once friends. Then, we have Mahogany, Jashae's best friend. Such a beautiful woman, with such an ugly soul. Mahogany can literally have any man in the world that she wants, but she’s not too fond of falling in love. Well, that’s until she meets Miami’s cousin, Jabari. Will Jabari be able to change Mahogany’s outlook on love? Does Jabari even want love himself to change Mahogany’s mind on such a thing? Although this is a love story, it’s deep; it’s sad; it’s dark, it’ll make you question why certain things happen in life. For Jashae, one would think that losing her boyfriend to the system was the worst thing that could happen to her, but who would have ever thought that something else would happen in her life that would make that situation seem minor?

Wifey's Next Hustle


Kiki Swinson - 2014
    She ventured into selling high-end cars such as Ashton Martins and Rolls Royces at a luxury car dealership in South Beach, Florida. Her clients consisted of wealthy cats that consisted of Hedge Fund Investors and dope boys. The dope boys brought in the most money. In fact, Kendrick Miles was her best customer. He kept her pockets laced and she felt indebted to him. So when it came time for her to show him her appreciation, she didn't hesitate to pay up. But when she finds out that her debt came at the expense of someone else's life, Kira is forced to call in reinforcements.

Breaking Dawn (Love Under New Management #1)


C. Monet - 2019
    Being the owner of the hottest strip club isn't easy when you have men coming attempting to tarnish something they didn't create. While running her business, she is also tasked with raising her son. She's focused on getting everything she wanted. Love is around the corner waiting to knock on her door, but she doesn't plan on answering. Andre Caine has his eyes set on Dawn's business but isn't prepared for the fight ahead. Walking in he thinks this will be an easy move until he meets Dawn face to face. She's unfiltered and not afraid to let him know who's the boss. He's now tasked with keeping it strictly business or fighting a love like he's never imagined. Both Dawn and Andre are unsure where this meeting will go but one thing for sure is he plans to break Dawn down either to love her or take her business. The choice is hers. Will Dawn let her guard down? Will Andre back off when he finally gets to know her? This is the first part of the three-book series Love Under New Management. This will be a standalone series.

The Ungrateful Bastards


T. Styles - 2015
    Styles (Black & Ugly, A Hustler's Son) with the benefit of her expertise! Funny, Dramatic and most of all highly entertaining!

Cash Money


A.J. Rivers - 2005
    New to the game, they will have to make a choice that threatens to end their friendship and their lives. Meanwhile, across town, B.J. - a young hustler who has the game all figured out - is determined not to fail and trusts no one. When things take a turn for the worse, he finds himself alone and searching for the one thing he never had.What twist will forces these three people to cross paths? Who will make it out in the end?

Trickin'


Brandi Johnson - 2012
    She's determined to come up, and she won't stop until she does. Nothing is going to stop her from getting the hottest clothes, the finest men, and money to burn. Easily influenced by her conniving girls Shayna and Quiana, Ra'Keeyah resorts to shoplifting, stealing married men's credit cards, and passing bad checks to get what she wants. Ra'Keeyah is struggling to stay on top, and she has sunk to an all-time low when she meets Brick. He's a savvy, street-smart hustler who will surely take her young heart for a ride and make her want to change. Will she be able to resist, though, when Shayna comes to her with an idea that is sure to keep their pockets on swole? This idea could cost the girls a little more than they bargained for, along with teaching them that not everyone is to be tricked!

A Gangster's Melody 2: A New York State of Mind


Sean A. Wright - 2012
    Yet, he knew deep down that if he ever had to make that hurtful decision again, the outcome would remain the same. Life must go on, money has to be made and only the strong will survive. Tiffany has spent the last four years of her life regretting the day she fell in love with Travon. Back then, she was too naïve to realize that everything in life comes with a price and unfortunately for her, the price she paid was her freedom. Will Tiffany ever have a chance to make Travon pay for ruining her life?

Finessers 3


Lucinda John - 2015
    Chad finds himself battling with his heart and ego when he is under the impression that his wife has set him up . In this twisted finale, the snakes are sneakier than ever as they try to finesse anyone to get to the top. New motives are in play, secrets are revealed and lives will be at stake. Who can you really trust, when everyone around you has only one purpose for you? You can't finesse no finesser, or can you?

For the Love of the Hustle


Shaunta'e - 2014
    After getting caught reenacting what she sees, she runs away from home and seeks refuge in the streets of East Hammond,IN where she becomes vividly exposed to the rugged street life. Cuz: A focused hustler who's recently released from serving a 5 year sentence. Cuz places Precious under his wings, but only if she agrees to earn her keep by any means necessary. On their rise to power they encounter Shree, LaToya, Sonya, and Neicey. All five women have the same agenda needed for their journey at hand and agrees to live by Cuz's creed. "Never bite the hand that feeds you, unless that hand tries to slap the taste out of your mouth." Shaunta'e Howard is a new author to the game of books. Although she has been writing all her life this is her first release. She is a very outgoing young woman from Hammond, IN via Chicago, IL. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Devry University and a MBA in business from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a mother of a 15 year old son and 5 year old daughter. In her spare time she enjoys reading, dancing, and any activity involving family and friends. Look forward to Shaunta'e bringing more your way. This is just the beginning.

The King Cartel: Love & War


Frank Gresham - 2014
    DAMAR KING, the heir to the throne, is a young, brash leader who is intent on solving the riddle of his brother's murder and taking the organization to new heights. And whoever opposes him will be eliminated with no regard as he searches for the enemy from within his own crew.When the hidden opposition becomes strong, Damar becomes stronger, and the gunplay becomes fierce. However, the treachery that surrounds him is just as lethal as Damar's gun.To avoid the snakes that slither in his garden, Damar learns he must use brain over brawn as loyalties are forged and broken to remain on top.Will Damar learn that lesson in time? Or will his enemies bring him down to his knees? Will the burgeoning love that sprouts amiss all of the bloodshed become Damar's strength or his ultimate weakness? The only thing that's certain is that nothing is sacred in Love and War, and that Damar will go to any means to protect THE KING CARTEL.

The Real Block Wives Of Atlanta


Sevyn McCray - 2013
    They are stronger, smarter, and wiser than they ever knew. And when it comes to the man that you love, there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to be with him. Meet The Real Blockwives of Atlanta...

Superstar


Joy King - 2008
    Then you met the femme fatale of all industry chicks, Chantal Morgan, as she desperately tried to go from Hooker to Housewife. Now prepare yourself for the ultimate showdown as their lives collide in Superstar. The sequel to the bestselling Hooker to Housewife.

Rozalyn 6: The Finale


Shan - 2014
    Rozalyn is now facing the hardest time of her life after taking the life of her once best friend Latoya. If that isn't enough, Tamar still isn't ready to be the man that Rozalyn needs him to be and after all they've been through, she's ready to give up. Tamar has been hit with some of the greatest news of his life. He's finally at a point where nothing or no one can stop him from staying on the top where he belongs. But what happens when Rozalyn, and the new woman in his life that he's grown to care deeply about, pulls him in two different directions. With the demands they are giving him, Tamar knows that he has to make a choice. But will it be the right choice or will it be too late? With everyone close to Tamar gone, he's forced to build a new team; Kevin, Black, and Neek are ready to put in work and get money with Tamar. But with Kayla on Kevin's back about a new drama-filled situation that arises, Kevin is finding it hard to keep focused on everything that's in front of him and is contemplating walking away for good. Neek, Starr's husband is doing everything possible to keep his wife happy. After catching Starr in a compromising position and breaking things off with her, they are now ready to patch things up and make their relationship work for the sake of their daughter. With this new opportunity in front of them, there is no way things couldn't go right. But will all Neek's efforts be too little too late? The couple you love are have brought back some familiar faces you've seen before and the drama has never been this intense. Will Tamar and Rozalyn get their happily ever after and if so, will it be with each other? Will Kayla ever get the chance to walk down the aisle? And will Starr and Neek's marriage be able to withstand everything that's thrown at them?

Heartless


Cachet - 2013
    At the tender age of eight, her mother sold her to men in order to supply her drug habit. After her mother overdosed, Brandy was sent to live with the father she never knew, who promised to give her the world, only to rape her and put her out on the track.While working one night, she meets a gentleman who changes her life and makes her believe that someone finally has her best interest at heart. Soon after falling in love with her savior, she finds out that he’s not the man she thought he was. Fed up with being lied to and used, Brandy vows to never again let another person get close enough to hurt her. Revenge leading to a stacked bank account isn’t enough—she wants more.Coming up with scheme after scheme, Brandy steps on quite a few toes. While doing that, she begins to make enemies along the way; some chalking up their losses, while others want payback in blood. Take this journey filled with drama, sex and lies with Brandy, and see if being Heartless brings her a life of wealth or death.

TYCE 3


Shareef Jaudon - 2012
    The once unshakeable enforcer slash irristible ladies manis now an expectant father! Angelique is pregnant with theirbaby however the fairytale ending may have to waitbecause Dallas is mad as hell with dangerous plans of relationship sabotage. Life continues to throw Tyce curve balls but will he strike out and lose his new family? Will his ex girlfriends vengeance break up a happy home? You would think having a baby for the very first time is enough responsibility but pile on the cruel intentions of a love sick female and you have one helluva stack.Join Tyce for the ride of a lifetime as he uncovers lies, makes tough decisions, and protects the ones he loves. All while being swagtastic and snacking on an endless supply of sweet Skittles. It's game time baby...are you ready?