Book picks similar to
Giving Up the Dream by J.L. Campbell


romance
african-american-fiction
lendme
contemporary-womens-fiction

Our Lady of Joy


Valery Keith - 2015
    One of only two Emotion Conduits in that world's history and the only one to have survived to maturity, Lira struggles to adapt to being an unprepared cultural icon while coping with the loss of her only family, safeguarded by her violent and troubled Guardian, Rease and her loyal dog, Night. Discovering her gone, her widowed father Jonas must confront his own dark past, forcing him to return to a life he had thought abandoned long ago. Aided by his criminal contacts and spurred on by a prophesy foretelling global conflict in a world without war, he races to save his beloved little girl once more, just as he did when she was an infant. Surrounded by allies and enemies, unable to tell them apart, Lira soon learns she must determine the course of her own life or remain a pawn in this new world. Written for readers of all ages and filled with tasteful romance, intrigue, drama and adventure, Our Lady of Joy is the first book in a series of seven novels, all of which will be available for Kindle download no later than 1/1/16 so that the series may be enjoyed by readers in its entirety without delay.

Blinded


KaShamba Williams - 2003
    Being the first person in her family to gain a high school diploma, she has set the tone for greatness. But her prominent future becomes so nebulous that she turns to the streets for guidance and support. She soon realizes that the ''life'' of fast money and frivolous behaviors has not only plagued her, but other family members as well, suffering the same issues that were handed down for generations. In spite of her failed attempts to overcome her problems, she's determined to triumph once again.

Love Like Crazy


Megan Squires - 2014
    She’s not waiting on the handsome prince with his white horse to come to her rescue. But even though she’s not waiting on it, that doesn’t stop nineteen-year-old Lincoln Ross from driving straight into her heart with his teal and white campervan and his too tall stature and perpetually goofy grin.It’s difficult to believe in a happily ever after when a happy now is quite hard to find. But Lincoln gives Eppie hope that despite the odds, a true and unconditional love might actually be out there. A revised fairytale. A new kind of love story.But then again, that might just be plain crazy.(Love Like Crazy is an upper YA novel.)

DEAR SOUTHERN BELLE: A Curvy Girl Romance (SINCERELY YOURS Book 15)


Lana Dash - 2021
    

My Husband's Wife


Nick Haskins - 2019
    However, the handsome, successful dentist known as Dr. Reynolds was nothing more than a calculated, clever fraud that said "I do" one too many times. Matching wedding rings, identical Range Rovers, and two expensive brick homes purchased in the same neighborhood were all part of his double life.Dr. Reynolds sold Katie and Courtney a dream that didn't belong to either of them—a dream he'll confiscate without warning in an ending not even the wives could see coming . . .

Runaway Love


Té Russ - 2018
    Everyone except herself. When it lands her in the hospital, she has no choice but to follow doctor's order: decompress. When her best friend helps her "runaway from home", her only plan is to chill out and enjoy her long overdue time off. But an unexpected visitor on her doorstep and her sexy as sin neighbor shake up those plans. Those stony glares and razor sharp tongue of hers may intimidate other men, but Lucas LeRoux is unfazed by them. He knows beneath that tough exterior there's a softness, like the curves of her body he felt when she accidentally landed in his arms. He's determined to make her his and he's just the man for the task of tearing down the walls she's built up and get her to finally let her hair down and enjoy life, not just manage it all of the time.

Dirty To The Grave


Karen P. Williams - 2010
    Cashmere, brings you this dark street tale. Follow the highs and lows of Cha, Goldie, and Red, who come together for fun, laughs, and sometimes treachery in Long Beach, California. For these three ladies, survival was always about getting over by using lies, deceit, and sex. But when a plan goes dangerously wrong, Cha and Goldie take a step back out of the life. Cha desperately wants to rid herself of the demons of her past so she can at least feel normal enough to raise her son, Omari. Goldie ain't feeling the hood life anymore. She's tired of going from man to man, and knows her parents are rolling over in their graves at the life she chose for herself. Red craves the streets, and will cross anyone, friends included, to get what she wants. She steps deeper in the game, making her dirtier than she already is--so dirty that she will betray both Cha and Goldie, leading to horrifying consequences. Dirty to the Grave goes harder than Karen Williams has ever gone, with an explosive ending that will shock you and make you wonder: Are your friends really your friends? They say life is hard from the cradle to the grave, and once you think people can't get any dirtier, they do!

To Everything A Season


Sherri Schaeffer
    While she strives to adapt to Amish life, she bonds with the family, especially with two of the Yoder siblings: Jacob and Becca.Jacob, the eldest son, refuses to baptize and join the church, and according to his frustrated father, lacks direction. He not only faces a grave physical challenge resulting from his actions that June night, but also harbors a secret that threatens to upend his family and community. Becca is 16, entering her rumspringa, the time period when she is free to explore the normally forbidden modern world. When Taylor returns to her Philadelphia penthouse, Becca accompanies her for the summer and for the first time is exposed to city life—museums, music, technology, restaurants, fashion, even religious faiths different from her own.Taylor mentors Becca’s city fling and helps Jacob conceal his secret, actions that jeopardize her relationship with the Yoder family and her father. As the two cultures clash, both families struggle to determine whether the deep ties that bind them are greater than the differences that may tear them apart. Ultimately, Taylor, Jacob and Becca must answer for themselves: Are we more than what we do for a living or where we’re born? And if so, what price, if any, is too steep to walk away from family expectations?To Everything A Season is a perfect book club selection—smart and sophisticated women's fiction that invites discussion as well as touches the heart.Awards for To Everything A Season:2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Multicultural Fiction category12th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards, Finalist, Multicultural Fiction category

TJ's Last Summer in Cape Cod


Garfield Whyte - 2016
    Some will like it.... some wont but its all fiction and TJ just wanted a good time for his last summer back home. NOTE ... Uncle Peter cheats on his wife, so if you will have issues with this, then this is not the book for you. It's all fiction, with some youthful exuberance. We were all young at some time in our lives and we may have made mistakes too.One last wild summer before college. TJ always spent the summer with his uncle since he was 15. He looked forward to spending time with Uncle Peter and all the adventures he got to experience. But now he was 18 and this summer was going to be different; he had a girlfriend whom he could not bear to leave behind. During those past summers, TJ had been the sole witness and confidant to Uncle Peter and his endless shenanigans with the different women in his life. As such, TJ felt Uncle Peter owed him and it was time to collect; it was time for Uncle Peter to return the favor and cover for TJ. To TJ's delight, Uncle Peter was more than eager to comply and he even came up with the perfect plan for the two of them to spend time together without TJ leaving his girlfriend's side. Follow the wicked adventures of this duo as TJ finds himself at a crossroads between being an honorable man or the ladies' man his uncle groomed him to be. Was it worth it when summer ended? That will depend on whose side you are on.Some readers focus on Uncle Peter's cheating ways and less on the crux of the story which is, the unique bond between a nephew and and uncle as well as your sins will find you out.

Power Trip


Treasure Malian - 2013
    Upon starting her first year of law school she meets 3rd year student Cameron Carter. Almost immediately, they find themselves extremely attracted to one another. However, Cameron has a host of secrets and a complex occupation, which he tries to keep from Skye. Through an unlikely turn of events, Skye finds out about Cameron’s secret life and is forced to choose between true love or her own wellbeing.

The Dressmaker


Benita Brown - 2007
    When her mother dies, Melissa is offered a home by wealthy Lilian Winterton, but she soon realises Lilian wants an unpaid seamstress. Treated as a servant by the Wintertons, Melissa is befriended by Reenie, a kitchen maid, and they enjoy dressing up in Lilian’s cast-off clothes. Wearing finery, Melissa meets handsome young artist James Pennington, but she runs away, frightened he will guess her true status. Scandal follows and Melissa is unfairly thrown out on to the streets. Can the rags of her life be sewn into riches...?

The Last Resort (Mapton-on-Sea Book 1)


Sam Maxfield - 2017
    Then meet the grandmother who raised her. Foul-mouthed, outrageous, orange-haired Gina Pontin. Two women who couldn’t be more different. When Gina has an accident the two of them are forced together in the last place Stella wants to return to. But as the June temperature soars in more ways than one, they, and the residents of Mapton-on-Sea, are in for an explosive summer no one will ever forget. 'The Last Resort has laugh out loud moments, tenderness and real heartbreak. This is a story of family and friendships which, ultimately, is as warm as the golden sand we feel between our toes. Great stuff. ' LeftLion Magazine

Mama, I'm In Love With A Thug


Mercy B. - 2015
    However, nothing ever came of the sparks that had been ignited. Four years and a college degree later, Sanchez is finally ready to stake his claim. Against her mother's wishes, Kamey takes a daring chance on falling in love with a Thug. Drugs, jail, and a slew of deranged side chicks quickly become Kamey's reality. With the odds stacked against her, will her love for a Thug prevail?

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.

Restraining Order: Some Men Can't Take No For An Answer


Ca$h - 2016
    A young, rich, thuggish hustler who has the city on lock. All he needs is the right woman to come home to. But life has taught him that women are a pleasure. They are not to be loved, and they definitely can’t be trusted—until he meets her. JULZ has already been hurt and damn near broken by a man. Falling in love again is not on her list of things to do. She’s just trying to repair her life in a different city and care for her son. Damn a man—until she meets him. Immediately, she is attracted to Choppa’s rugged sex appeal and his cocky manner. Not only does he make her wet, he treats her like a queen. But everything that glitters ain’t gold. In the middle of a passion that is as hot and as dangerous as an inferno, Julz discovers some things about Choppa that frightens her. But will he let her walk away? Or will he put her in the same chokehold he has on the drug game? To get away it may take much more than a RESTRAINING ORDER.