Book picks similar to
BLACKBONE by Caryn Lee


urban-fiction
street-lit
goodreads
2nd-reading-challenge

Truth Hurts, Lies Kill


Raymond Francis - 2013
    After committing a crime that forces him out of his home state of South Carolina, he finds himself all alone in the streets of Philadelphia. Without a familiar face to turn to, SK is forced to learn to survive. Miraculously, with all the odds against him, SK manages to make ends meets. Life is good, until a regrettable incident changes everything. Drama and suspense filled, SK’s journey proves the harsh reality that the Truth Hurts, but Lies Kill.

Gangstress


India - 2013
    She wanted to be a bitch that hustled, bottom line! She watched in awe as her father became notorious on the vicious streets of Detroit and silently waited for a shot under his umbrella. After tragedy strikes her family, Janelle is black-balled to the bottom. However, she’s determined to re-gain control of the streets and take possession of the throne. The underworld ain’t never seen a female boss like her. Hold on tight, as you are about to embark on a ride unlike none other! The breathtaking tale of the one and only Jane Doe is sure to leave you speechless.

FROM SUGAR TO SHIT


Mr. 777 - 2014
    DJ feels he can't trust anybody...not his right hand man, not his down ass bitch, not even his little brother, who wants nothing more than to follow in his very footsteps. DJ, like most gangstas, runs his empire with death at the end of his trigga finger, taking no shorts and no slips. Even though JJ is the cause of him being on top, envy and ill feelings in his heart, towards his baby brother influences him to just enough to justify his actions. Didi, DJ's main chick, does everything in her power to get DJ's ass to reach back for JJ, who's now homeless, living on the streets of Waterloo, Iowa, as a bum at the age of fourteen. Hate, envy, and pride, set in his eyes, blinding him of seeing past DJ's wants; and his wants only. JJ, refusing to ask for his brother's help, takes it upon himself and jumps into the drug game, learning as he comes up. No matter what JJ does, he can't hide his rapid come up from his brother. DJ, having so much hate and envy in his heart towards JJ, he puts his focus more on keeping JJ broke, than running his own empire, which crumbles, right beneath his feet. What will the end of such an ordeal bring?

The Way It Is


Nicole Jackson - 2014
    Raquel and Tae were both born into the hood. Their mothers were both babies having babies, so from the beginning the odds were stacked against them. At an early age Raquel knew that she wanted more for herself, but somehow her circumstances always stood in the way. Tae grew up in an unconventional home, with little to no guidance. With these set of circumstances the two friends attempt to find their way in life. Raquel thinks that she has found solace in Kevin. He’s the one for her, but after a dreadful night their lives are forever changed. Without her backbone, can she really handle this cold cruel world? Tae loses so many close to her, and is afraid to let anyone in, until she meets Eric. Eric is the exact opposite of anything Tae’s ever experienced. So, now that she’s found a real man, can she become woman enough for him? Raquel and Tae may appear to be average hood chicks, but they have an extraordinary story to tell. The good, bad, and ugly is a part of life and just simply The Way It Is.

Bittersweet Revenge


Dynasty Dawson - 2013
    INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS!!!Cadence, Meadow, Lexi, and Tegan have it hard living in a residential facility located in Youngstown, Ohio....and you won't believe the bizarre things that unfold behind closed doors.

The Diary of Nancy Grace


Starlette Summers - 2013
    Emotionally, physically and sexually abused by the hands of her own mother, revenge is looking bitter sweet as Nancy faces her own inner demons, one being her best friend.

Deceit, Lies, & Alibi's


Shontaiye - 2015
    An orphan who grew up in the gritty streets of Philadelphia, his life changed when he found his soulmate Shaleea. Noah has it all: a thriving string of businesses, a smart and beautiful woman, and a bank account full of illegal cash he managed to obtain during his years of crime. However, like the typical man, he foolishly lets a moment of pleasure cloud his judgement. A lustful encounter with Eve seemingly unravels his picture-perfect life overnight. Noah soon learns that an emotional side-chick that doesn’t know her place, is a woman that can dismantle the strongest foundations and destroy even the strongest men."Eve, who also happens to be an escort, knows the rules of the game when she steps in to play, but she quickly decides she no longer wants to play fair when her heart determines she wants rich and handsome Noah, all to herself. The problem is: the feelings aren’t mutual. To Eve that is something that can be changed through strategy, with her going deep into her bag of tricks to ensure she gets what she wants.Beautiful and educated, Shaleea is every man’s dream come true. Unfortunately, those qualities aren’t enough to keep Noah’s eyes from wandering. Struggling to come to grips with his infidelity, Shaleea soon falls into the arms of an unsuspecting suitor who is willing to go to great and dangerous lengths to have her all to himself. Lust rules in this street tale, creating a messy playing field for all involved. When love and lust intertwine, will love conquer, or will jealousy and envy destroy everyone in its path?

Love & War


Jackie Chanel - 2013
    Raised by her former supermodel mother, Caprice was supposed to follow the path that her mother’s stilettos left. Until a letter from her father, mafia don; Domani Bonatelli, changed the course of her life.Four years later, living in New York City, Caprice abandoned the life she had once cherished and focused solely on obtaining what her father has... power.At 22 and fully engrossed in a life of crime, Caprice has a job to do. Protect the Bonatelli name and family business at all costs...but what exactly will it cost her?

The Illest Na Na


Tamika Newhouse - 2013
    This season meet Brianna and Natalie. Best of friends but both deal with similar issues they both desire a man who isn’t actually theirs. Episode one- Meet the cast, get wrapped up in the sex, and guess the next secret as the drama unfolds as the Na Na rips havoc on these characters lives.

Red Bottom Bitches


Cole Hart - 2013
    Together, he and his elegant lady friend Madame moved from The Motor City of Detroit and into Atlanta, GA with a million dollar blueprint. The only thing about the plan was that it required a few down ass women in order to seal the deal. Gucci Red, Trish, and Moet all fit the description to do the deed: Fly enough to please the eye, slicker than sly with the mouthpiece to fit any occasion, and ready to get paid.

Long As You Know Who You Belong To


Bri Noreen - 2015
    New to LA with a couple mil to flip, Grey opens South Beach, the newest addition to the Los Angeles club scene. In the midst of starting his business, he meets an exotic beauty by the name of Nakami. Enamored by her beauty and fiery personality, Grey courts her not knowing that her father, Hero, is the biggest drug lord on the West Coast. Nakami and her father prove to be the connect that Grey needs in order to get back to his hustle. But at what cost? Kimani Summers, Grey's younger brother, is making a name for himself in the modeling industry and is also pursuing a career in acting. When he hears that his brother has relocated to LA, he's not happy. Knowing Grey and the trouble that tends to follow behind him, Kimani is reluctant to interact with the brother he hasn't seen or talked to in over five years. Hesitantly taking Grey up on the invitation to attend the grand opening of his new club, Kimani meets Nakami's best friend, Blu. After losing the last woman he loved tragically, Kimani doesn't want to fall for Blu, but he can't help it. When these four lives are intertwined, things get crazy! And when everything is all said and done, friends will become enemies, business and personal relationships will crumble, and lines will be crossed that will affect the lives of all parties involved.

Street Solider


Shantel N. Williams - 2016
    With her mother on drugs, she has to work the block to keep food on the table for her sibling and herself. Now at 18 years old, she is ready to leave the street life behind and focus on college. It has always been her dream to get out of the slums of Mississippi and move on to a better life. All of that changes when the infamous Romario Jones sets his sights on her. Standing at 6'3, smooth light brown skin, mesmerizing light brown eyes, and a fly swag to match, Romario Jones has always been the ladies dream catch. Things only gets better when their former mentor, Hypno, steps down and hands Romario and his friend Jace, his drug empire. Thing quickly unravel as jealousy, love, and tragedy strikes. Jace won't stop at nothing until he gets back what Romario has stolen from him. Can Eniyah survive the grimy streets of the Sip while also steering clear of her growing feelings for Romario, or will she stay in the game that she is fighting to get out of?

Thug Luv


Jazmyne - 2013
    He became the doting father that his twin girls needed and turned his back on everything including love. Out of nowhere, he meets hardworking attorney Aaliyah Bailey who has him feeling a way he never thought he would ever feel again. Ace gets forced back into the game when he starts receiving notes and pictures that convince him that the original love of his life could still be alive. What is Aaliyah to do now that he might find his love and put his life back together without her?Is Aaliyah ready to ride or die for her man? Or will it all be for nothing?

I Am The Streets


T.L. Joy - 2015
    Success, beauty, and money. Yet everything drastically changes when she receives one phone call that will turn her life upside down. Now forced to return to the very place that she abandoned, can Na'Tiva cope with the cold mean streets of Akron?Find out what happens in part one of the hot new urban series from T.L. Joy!

She Use to Be the Sweetest Girl


Linette King - 2016
    It comes from those you would have never expected it to come from, like your friends and sometimes your family. For Nichole Jackson it came from both. Amber, Nichole and Bianca had been best friends for a few years but neither of them really knew the other. They all pretty much only shared the information that they wanted them to know. The scariest thing to have in your life is a best friend that doesn’t really like you. With a friend like that, who needs enemies? Darnell (Murda) Jones runs the streets of Memphis with an iron fist. He prides himself on leaving no stone unturned by killing off any and everyone that poses a threat to his empire. His organization came first until he ran into a damsel in distress, literally. All of a sudden, his focus began to drift away as the overpowering need to save her took over. When life constantly throws you hardships, it changes you. Follow the She use to be the sweetest girl series to find out how quickly it changed Nichole Jackson.