At least not for Nori Davis as she basks in the single life which includes frequent happy hour visits, lots of alone time in bed with her “favorite things”, and of course being sought after by guys she’s not interested in. But when she’s caught off-guard by a man who’s a little different than usual - on a mission a little different than usual - she can’t help but to get lost in his seemingly impossible potential no matter how hard she tries to fight it. Maxwell Watson doesn’t have time for a serious relationship. Between opening a lounge, being the owner of a lounge and… the lounge, there’s just no room for anything beyond it. Still, when he notices one particular patron who is palpably dissatisfied with his business, going after her for more information isn’t even a question. And when more turns into a whirlwind of energy neither can deny - turns into an encounter that can’t be forgotten - Nori and Maxwell find themselves attempting to navigate what can only be identified as love at first… spite.

    Those who truly want and deserve to have their hearts protected always seem to come up short. That has been Simira’s experience and for that reason her focus is on the only person who has ever loved her unconditionally, her son.Ebo and Simira have given up all hope but that is when things begin to turn in their favor. When you stop looking for and expecting love, it occasionally finds its way to you.

     Nia Winston, a young high school principal, stands in a fan line at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, hoping to get Justin Ray, the hottest R&B singer, to donate to her non-profit. When they meet sparks fly, or maybe it was just Nia's imagination. Until Nia has a surprise meeting with Justin, a month later while she is in Atlanta and Justin asks her to spend one week with him no strings attached. Wanting to escape her own problems back at home, she agrees and has the most passionate time of her life. As real love develops inexplicably between Nia and Justin, she can no longer hide the truth. And when her truth threatens to harm Justin's white-hot career, she leaves him one night with only a goodbye text. Two years later, Justin unexpectedly comes back in her life, demanding answers. All of her emotions come rushing back, but is she ready to give up everything she cherishes for a man she knew for only one week and a world she never wanted?

    I guess that might be the thing that makes you the person you are... How you survive.”When Miami music writer Destiny Michaels learned her childhood friend, the always cool and collected Brian Jace, was moving from their hometown of Phoenix to Miami, she wanted to do cartwheels across Ocean Drive. Brian has always been able to counter Destiny’s annoying tendency to overthink things, and he’s the only person she knows with a love for music that’s as intense as hers. However, when he arrives, she quickly realizes there’s been a major shift in their formally platonic relationship. And no matter how scared she is about taking things to the next level, their feelings only intensify. But just as she begins to believe that real love can exist outside of sappy romantic comedies, Destiny is forced to question everything she thinks she knows about life, including her new feelings for Brian. She soon discovers that while we can’t control some things that happen to us, the power of unconditional love, once accepted, can make life better than okay.

    

    Years later, through hard work and sheer force of will, she had provided a good life for her daughter and started a successful home for teenage mothers and their babies. But from the moment television producer Garrett Lawrence began a story on the teen center, Dione's hard-won confidence was shaken. How could a man she found so attractive and intelligent be so cynical about unwed mothers? Battling her conflicted emotions, Dione would have to defend the work she believed in - even if it cost her a love that promised a lifetime of happiness.Garrett didn't think much of "irresponsible" teen mothers. He knew firsthand the misery of being given away and searching for the acceptance he never could seem to find. Although he found himself drawn closer and closer to Dione because of her independence and passionate determination, his painful past kept getting in the way. Now Garrett and Dione must find their way to each other through a search only the heart can undertake—and only love can bring.

    Claire had his eyes set on Selah Winston almost immediately. Since meeting her at his brother’s wedding, he felt the sparks that jumpstarted his dormant heart. The connection was instant and undeniable. Whenever he’s near Selah, he feels a sense of home and security. He knows Selah is feeling him too, but she denies their connection and insists she has nothing to offer him but friendship. She’s busy rebuilding her life after struggling with drugs, depression and family issues. She has no time for anything or anyone else. Or so she thinks. She doesn’t know how persistent St. Claire men can be, apparently…Major ‘somewhat’ concedes to her request. He’ll give her friendship (for now), a little bit of space (for now) but it doesn’t thwart his original goal to make her his woman. Everyone has family issues. He knows that all too well. From his perspective, the best way to handle them is to work as a team to help each other overcome their problems. In helping her, he may have found the remedy to his own complications and a new beginning he never saw coming.

    But he was the one thing that she didn’t mess around with…he was a cop. Law doesn’t care about Alauni’s attempts to stay away from him. He knows what he wants, and given the way that her body responds to him, he’s pretty sure that he can get it. But his need for her goes beyond the physical. He sees Alauni in a way that she doesn’t even recognize. He knows her heart, and he’s determined to convince her that he can take care of it. But when he finally steps into her world, he soon realizes that it might be more than what he bargained for. What happens when it’s no longer just fun and games, and things get real? Will Law be able to handle the challenge and be all in? Or will Alauni give him every reason to walk away and never look back?

     Marcus Forde, Jr., is the heir apparent and CFO of his father’s multi-million dollar wealth management firm. He’s wealthy, strong-willed, lives in his father’s image, and gives him unyielding loyalty. For as long as he could remember, he’s modeled himself after this one man, to a fault. Until it all crumbles... Unfortunately, the faults of his father become a scandal that threatens to ruin the family name, which makes them call on Charlisse Lageaux, a no nonsense crisis management expert that can make all of this mess go away. Her first order of business is to protect what is left of the Forde’s diminished empire. To Charlisse, all of these wealthy men are the same, but while working with Marcus to clean up this mess, she notices that there’s more to the reckless, rude, and heavily guarded finance magnate than meets the eye.

    After being hurt countless times by men, she shut her innermost feelings and desires off from men. Focusing on being happy with herself was her main agenda. Having a great job at the federal prison and owning her independence, Shana has everything. However, when she meets Red Anderson at the Houston Livestock Show, everything changes. Life has finally become worth living for Craig 'Red' Anderson. Having a horrible childhood, then growing up a ward of the state wasn't exactly a cake walk. After a chance encounter with a cowboy, his life is changed forever. Channeling his energy into learning to be the best steer wrestler in the world, Red Anderson is able to push out all the negativity in his life. Honing his skills and learning from the best, Legend Semien, Red becomes a force to deal with in the rodeo arena, but in life, another force brings him to his knees. Shana Albert comes in Red's life like a whirlwind and swallows him whole. Fighting demons of their past, it seems that Red and Shana face drama at every turn and difficulties of that drama threaten to tear them apart. Both being stubborn, opinionated individuals, causes unnecessary rifts that put their relationship on the line. Will Red and Shana finally figure out what loving one another is all about? Or will they decide to cut their losses and chalk it up as a lesson learned?

    Supportive friends? Check. Beautifully planned wedding? Check. Faithful fiancé? No check!Minah Samuels just found out that her boyfriend and soon to be husband has been anything but faithful. The invites have gone out, the seating arrangements have been solidified and the dress is getting the final touches from the seamstress. What is she to do? Call the wedding off and move in with her best friend Malakai until the world makes sense again. Malakai Daniels just moved back into town just in time to be Minah’s knight in shining armor and help her through this devastating blow. She’s always been there for him, and in turn he’s always been there for her. A kiss during a weak moment awakens feelings and urges that neither can control and only one wants to act on. Malakai is all in for taking their relationship further but constant road blocks from Minah hinder the progress. Can she let go of her fears and allow him in?

    Charles Hester, aka Dripping Chocolate, is mouth-wateringly fine, but he came with two baby-mamas, a prison rap sheet and plenty more drama. Charles swears he’s on the right track now, and it’s not like Nicole doesn’t have baggage of her own. She’s struggling to raise three children, and one of her exes might be a stalker. Can Charles and Nicole find happiness, or is their wild ride destined for failure? Anything’s possible when you give in to the possibility of true love…

    Their chemistry is off the charts and they can’t resist giving into a night of passion together. Neither of them expected to see each other again after they parted ways...but fate seemed to have other plans.

    If erotic content and short stories are not your cup of tea, then this experience is not for you.

     Sumeera Robinson refuses to settle for less than she desires, even if what she craves is the sexy, smart, and charming Nicolas Jenkins-Moore. At her age, she wants marriage and a family, not the empty promises Nick offers. Yet, there is just something about the man that makes moving on nearly impossible. As the new senior manager of Jenkins & Sons Construction, Nick’s five-year plan is on track with marriage and starting a family at the bottom of the list. Sumeera is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside, but not even she can entice him to abandon his carefully plotted road to success. That is until she walks away without looking back, leaving him yearning for her presence in his life. Nick is determined to convince Sumeera that he wants the same things she wants. But will an unexpected development keep them from the life they desire? Or will fate bring them closer than they’ve ever been before? Love Under Contract is book 1 in the Jenkins & Sons Construction series.