At least it was, before the murders started. Megan Montaigne has always secretly wanted to be a forensics investigator. The small-town library director has just begun rebuilding her life after tragedy tore it apart less than a year ago, and is happily settling into her new apartment on the top floor of the library by the river. But when a local celebrity turns up dead, the time has come to put her sleuthing fantasies into action. Has she unwittingly invited the murderer into her own home? And will she be able to prove her innocence before she becomes a victim herself?

    Her sister sets her up on a blind date and to her disappointment; her date is scorching hot and smart. An irresistible combination!!Kris had no plans to go on a date while he was on a business trip but was there to cover for his buddy who could not make it. He could not believe his luck--he did not want the night to end.With passion fueling, the casual night they never expected to be anything explodes into a reckless night powered by desire they have never felt before. She leaves behind the man who set her entirety ablaze knowing there was no future to the thrilling night. She could not let anyone get close to her heart, a heart recovering from bruises of her past.Will a reckless night lead to something meaningful? Will Varsha find the man who will love her while fueling her every desire?Follow Varsha's and Kris's life as they give a reckless night a new life and build a future together.

    Who will come out on top? “Family isn’t everything; it’s the only thing,” has been the code Tyrik Anderson, aka, Tye has lived by since his first child came into the world and breathed his first breath twenty-one years ago. However, just because Tyrik lives by codes and morals, that doesn’t mean his son Shy does. When Tye’s connect Carlos is viciously robbed, Carlos vows vengeance against all involved. Circumstances causes Tye to exit the game, however, he soon learns that he’s more involved now than ever before. Tye has no idea what’s going on around him, but he’ll soon find out that the same person he’s willing to take a bullet for, also happens to be the same one behind the gun. Although raised by one of the city’s most respected drug dealers, Shy just can’t seem to stop fucking up. Cars, clothes, and trust funds aren’t enough to an ungrateful Shy, who seems to would rather trade the streets over his comfortable lifestyle. Instead of listening to his father, Shy chooses to embrace the streets with his two friends Drama and Rum. Up to no good, and with ill intentions, they soon begin what will ultimately be a bloody war in the streets. Tye’s daughter Tasha seems to be doing it all right, and to her, it’s finally paying off. Enrolled in college and successfully running her dad’s business, she still finds time to make room for love. Rich is like a dream come true to a naive Tasha. However, just like her father and brother, he’s tied to the streets in more ways than one. More titles coming soon from UPTOWN BOOKS. If you enjoy reading titles by MESSIAH RAYE, check out his colleague SHONTAIYE

    Sweater Robinson moved to Atlanta with nothing but $300, a dream, and a dark past she wanted nothing more than to forget about. Just when things are starting to look up, someone from her past returns, forcing her to choose between love and loyalty.Royalty Jackson is often hot and cold due to his abrasive personality, but one thing that’s certain is his love for making convenient cash. Getting money by any means necessary is the motto he stands firmly by, and he’ll do whatever to get it even if it means turning on his friends and loved ones.Lady Carter has a lackadaisical attitude when it comes to most things until a life changing event forces her to make a difficult decision. Will her outcome be the happy ending she always envisioned?Capricorn “Cap” Daniels is usually a man of very few words. However, he has no choice but to finally speak up for what he wants. After all, closed mouths don’t get fed…but falling in love brings consequences and conflict.Deception and betrayal are at an all-time high, and ‘loyalty’ is simply a word. Will these four friends be consumed by jealousy, distrust, and greed or will they make it out unscathed?

    Ontavious is all that she’s ever wanted with the good looks, great career, and a humble spirit. Unlike her ex, he’s the type of man that she believes can hold her down and remain faithful. After finding the man of her dreams, she’s suddenly faced with a situation that could cause her to lose everything she’s built with him. Because of Sparkle’s new secret she has to make a decision on whether she wants to continue moving on with her new man, or resolve the issues between she and her ex Sayveon. She’s faced with a number of problems that have her confused, but she thinks she can handle it. When her troubles overwhelm her, Sparkle tries to be strong and not fall weak, but it’s not easy.Stephanie, is the older sister of Sparkle and is proud to say that she’s drug free. After living on the horrible drug infested streets of Jackson, Mississippi, she’s now ready to start a new life and be the mother she hasn’t been to her two boys. Although she’s hyped about starting over and tries to run from her past, it chases her and test her strength. Stephanie has to deal with several issues that will make or break her. This survivor of drug- abuse finds herself put in a predicament where she’s fighting for her life, hopefully she’s strong enough to make it through.Sayveon, the Boss, is back and more trifling than ever. When his child’s mother, Sparkle walks away from the long relationship that they once shared leaving him to be a bachelor, he finds one groupie after another. Not only is his swag on a hundred but his nice looks are too which draws the women to him. He may be a magnet for the women, but an enemy is drawn to him too and isn’t backing down. Sayveon finds himself in a few deadly situations and the person after him is out with one mission, to body him. So he stays strapped and ready to go, but if he’s caught slipping he may be the next victim of the streets. The second installment of Trifling, finds these characters facing huge obstacles. Some will overcome their situation, but a few will be busted for being just plain ole’ Trifling!

    Ruth Wyatt grew up in an orphanage after she lost her parents in a stage coach robbery. The family had thought she had also died in that robbery until 16 years later, someone told her cousin that they had seen a girl who could be his sister. From there, the family tracked her down and sent her a train ticket to come home. But it wasn't as easy as that.

    Steamy, sexy, and 'to the point' stories that are available to you now, in one place and at one price. This boxed set is for the New and Original Xyla Turner fan. Most of these stories are no longer available and many were in other sets. This opportunity is not only a first of its kind, but available for a limited time only! If you want to catch up on how Xyla's newest characters came to be, you must read this! What is included: - Undertones - Forbidden Target - Hazard - Company Secrets - The Client - Diego - March - F Student - Judge Me - Strut Plus bonus materials that include samples of Xyla's latest releases and HINT, HINT: Duncan's Pride (2.5) Don't miss this opportunity. It will not last long! You can see more like this book with the following titles: Trent | Duncan | Carter | Declan | BOMBSHELL | Across the Tracks | Take A Knee | Always Right | Cole | 10-80: Line of Duty | 10-99: Line of Duty | Extraction | Power of the Pen | By Chance, No Choice | Undertones

    The damsel, a.k.a. Chelsea Andrews, thinks he’s as crazy as the creep on the bus! Soon after, through a happy coincidence, Matt rents the apartment next door to Chelsea. At first she can’t believe her new neighbor is the reincarnation of Psycho’s Norman Bates! But she soon discovers that the most dangerous thing about her charming new neighbor is the damage he’s inflicting on her heart.Or is it? Not long after Matt moves in, strange romantic notes begin showing up at the art gallery where Chelsea works. Then she’s followed home from the bus stop late one night, and her apartment is broken into. Despite her growing feelings for Matt, all the evidence points to him as the culprit. Is Matt the kind, funny, sincere man she’s falling in love with, or is he some kind of flowery-letter-writing stalker? Will the real Matt Malone please stand up?

    Animal proves to be a quick study under his new mentor and takes to the game like a fish to water, but the real test is when a snitch causes the fall of several key underworld figures and Animal is called upon to silence him. With nothing but a gun and his wits Animal must now do the impossible, kill a man who is under police protection or die trying.

    - Blinded and Grimey have both been Essence Magazine best-sellers for Triple Crown.- Kashamba is considered one of the rising stars in Street Fiction.

     She was chaos. Serene Daniels was her name. After losing the love of her life she climbed into a dark hole and vowed to stay there until death greeted her. She had a vice and it filled her emptiness on most nights. Serene wanted to move forward, she desired happiness but didn’t know where to find it. One night, while out with friends she meets Corik, who sweeps her off her feet without having to try too hard. It took her awhile to realize that he wasn’t the one and when she did, he showed his true colors. In the midst of drama, here comes another man singing the same tune as Corik and she refuses to give him the time of day even after he rocked her world for one night only. Rex, however, is a different type of man. He’s rare, rough and incredibly sexy and he refuses to give up on Serene. Something tells him that she’s the one. In Serene Chaos, friendships are tested, hearts are broken, lives are changed and as tragedy strikes will Serene walk out of the fire blazing?

    The product of a loving, middle-class- two-parent home, she knows nothing about going without the basic necessities in life. The life Dream lives, is exactly that to the less fortunate: a Dream. Gift-ed with the finer things, Dream’s only concern is finishing school and finding a good man who will someday make her a mother and a wife. Dream knows exactly who and what she wants and she refuses to settle for less. When she meets Drake, Dream is immediately swept off her feet and falls victim to his charm and irresistible touch. Drake is everything that Dream has ever wanted in a man and more than she ever expected.The moment Drake saw Dream; he secretly claimed her as his woman and made a vow to have her by all means necessary. Drake’s desire to have Dream as his own, has him willing to give up the life he lives in the streets and settle down. However, it’s not easy to walk away when you’re a Boss and others depend on you to survive. Drake’s brother Breeze is fresh out of jail after doing a two year bid and he needs his help. Marked as a weak link by the members of the Chicago Cartel, the crime family that raised and reared both Drake and Breeze, Breeze is depending on Dream to help him solidify his place in the family. Determined to show himself worthy, Breeze accepts the challenges required to earn the “Family’s” trust. Ready and willing to die for his seat at the round table, Breeze refuses to let any thing or any one stand in his way. However, what he didn’t prepare for was meeting Bey.Bey is beautiful-bold and straight forward. From the mo-ment she met Breeze, she managed to get under his skin with her, “no holds barred” attitude and slick tongue. At times Breeze finds himself wanting to slice her throat, at others he wants noth-ing more than to kiss and caress every inch of her body. The two of them discover what makes them complete opposites is the very thing that makes their connection just right.Drake and Breeze are on their way to having everything they ever wanted. From money to love. However, when you make your living off an illegal hustle, the road to success is tainted, often stained with blood and guarded by opposition and enemies who want nothing more than to take what’s yours. How will Drake and Breeze stand, when their enemies come for their lives and their money? How will Dream react when she discovers the shady side of Drake’s business? Can Breeze and Bey overcome their differences to become the ultimate power couple? Find out in this gritty, drama-filled, urban love story, presented by Cole Hart and written by African- American, author, Princess Diamond.

    Something they avoid committing. For me, Sin is a place. Club Sin, to be exact. That’s where I met an alluring woman named Rose. We had one night together. Identities concealed. Absolute freedom. Until the truth came out about who she really was. Sadie Mitchell, my best friend’s little sister. Now, we share a secret, and she’s hell-bent on keeping it hidden. But I have another secret for her, too. It wasn’t just a one-night stand for me, and I’m just as determined to make her mine. **Made For Sin is a steamy standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.**

     *** My name is Lizzie Connelly, and I have it all. The gorgeous apartment. The new job most women would rip out their own souls for—working for Margaret Emerson at Emerson & Taylor. I have one of those lives you’ve always dreamt about, the kind you only see on HBO. But, the thing is, that life is a lie. A façade. It all started with one call. “Everything you know about your story—your father’s story—is a lie. It’s up to you to uncover everything.” One call, and I turned my world upside down to dig my way into Margaret’s life—the woman who I’d never laid eyes on until recently. My stepmother who took everything after my father died fourteen years ago. The plan was simple—figure out what role she played in my father’s death and expose her to the world. But here’s another thing: simplicity doesn’t exist, and my plans are flawed from the beginning because I never anticipated Oliver. Sexy, too smart for his own good, and infuriating, he’s the one person who could blow my plans to uncover Margaret. She’s his mother, and in another life, that would have made him my stepbrother. I want to pretend that none of that matters, that I can simply finish what I came to do without sparing him a second glance and another thought. Like I said, though, there’s no such thing as simplicity. My real name is Gemma Emerson. And this is my story.

    But now that I have her, she’s never getting out. She didn’t belong in this world. But no way in hell am I letting her leave. Not until she’s wearing my ring. Not until she has my child. This town is mine and I take what I want. Nobody gets in my way. Especially not some nosy reporter looking for her big break. At first she was just another girl whose name I can’t remember. But that was before she left me so hard that it hurts. So hard that I needed release. She thinks she can just insert herself in my life. She doesn’t realize I’ve got a different insertion in mind for her. And now that she’s stepped into my world… There’s no way in hell I’m letting her leave. Not until she’s wearing my ring. Not until she has my child. Not until she's mine. Wicked is a full-length, standalone romance novel with steamy hot sex, NO CHEATING, strong language, a happily every after ending and NO CLIFFHANGERS. Contains dark and disturbing themes, and over the top sexiness that may be uncomfortable for some readers.