Book picks similar to
A Down Chic by Mallori McNeal


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Keyshia and Clyde


Treasure E. Blue - 2008
    Blue–acclaimed author of Harlem Girl Lost and A Street Girl Named Desire–is back with a heartbreaking urban love story of two star-crossed lovers up against the dirtiest dealer Harlem has ever seen.Knocked up by a Southern preacher, Keyshia is sent to live with her aunt in New York, but after a horrific act of violence, the timid young woman becomes ice-cold–turning tricks and finding comfort in a crack vial.Clyde and his two brothers find themselves living with a family friend after their mother is shot by their own father–leaving her institutionalized and unable to communicate, and him behind bars. Clyde’s older brother leads a decent life, working as a bank manager and trying to keep Clyde off the streets, but Clyde’s younger bro is the coldest killer in Harlem and takes every opportunity to involve Clyde in his infamous robberies-turned-blood baths.When Keyshia and Clyde meet, they are instantly drawn to each other. Forced to pay back a large sum of cash to one nasty Harlem kingpin or risk the lethal consequences, Keyshia and Clyde use their tight game and their loyalty to pull off the impossible. And when Clyde is falsely accused of a bank hit, Keyshia vows to stick by her man–no matter the cost.Praise for Treasure E. Blue’s A Street Girl Named Desire:“Treasure Blue continues and solidifies his position as the true heir to Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines. A book full of gritty realism, violence, drug abuse, and hope; the book is simply off the damn hook!”–African American Literary Book Club “Drenched in drama, drugs, vengeance, power, pain, envy, love and hope . . . all the elements needed to satisfy [the] desire for a good read.”–Urban Reviews

Southern Kings


K.C. Mills - 2017
    Their circle is tight, and no one comes before family. Keys being the oldest holds the family together since all they have are each other. However, each brother often takes the leading role when it comes to business and life decisions. Together, they run an empire that has allotted them money, respect and power, which of course fuels tensions and has enemies lurking in the shadows. Either way, they stand tall and they stand together. After surviving a traumatic childhood, all three brothers are left a little unstable, with hearts of stone. It drives them to succeed in the streets, but creates a void where matters of the heart are concerned. Yetti especially was dealing with some serious demons, one of which was forced by his mother choosing his life over hers. His past has made him unwilling to open up, and his motto in life has basically been hit and run as far as women were concerned. Their only benefit to him was to satisfy his needs. No connection, no emotional commitments. Reelle was exactly what Yetti needed, although neither of them realize it at the time. She is the ying to his yang, so to speak, and the peace in the middle of a storm. After being burned by the one person she put her all into, Reelle, much like Yetti, had no plans to give her heart away, but unfortunately the universe had other plans. Keys is set in his ways and enjoying life by his own terms. His status has placed him in the position to have just about any woman he sets his sights on until he runs across Asha. Their first encounter was one for the records. She took control and forced him to play by her rules This only fueled Keys’ curiosity and had him chasing her for more. Asha has no intention of being any man’s fool, not even the infamous Keys Masters. As much as she’s drawn to him, she fully intends to make him earn a role in her life, but little does she know, that attitude is what wins him over. Hayes is the baby of the family and seems to have it all together, with a long term girlfriend and beautiful baby girl, you’d think life should be perfect, however new struggles seem to be finding the two of them daily. These brothers and the women they’ve crossed paths with have a few life lessons to learn. It could either make them or break them especially when you add jealousy, and envy from outsiders. The streets aren’t kind when it comes to matters of the heart and defending your empire. Hopefully they will all find their way out with their hearts intact.

A Hood Legend


Victor L. Martin - 2004
    When Menage Discovers that he has a flare for flipping stolen cars into more cash then he can handle he befriends Dwight who helps him with his operation. What Menage soon learns is that when doing shady business, shady characters lurk where you least expect them. Follow Menage as he balls outta control, outrunning the law and bullets that may bear his name.

The Block


Treasure Hernandez - 2012
    He has a father he looks up to and an older brother who keeps him under his wing--until the day his father crosses a line that changes everything. Tone is forced to enter a world he knew nothing about. Detective Abraham is obsessed with power and money, so he has figured out a way to play on both sides of the tracks when it comes to organized crime. The only thing stopping him from making it to the top spot is Santiago, one of the most feared suppliers in the country. Santiago's only weakness is his daughter, Serena. Detective Abraham develops a plan that involves his son, Tone, getting close to Serena.Against his better judgment, Tone goes along with his father's plan and sets out to win Serena over with his charm. What he hasn't planned on is Serena turning the tables and stealing his heart. Now Tone is faced with choices that leave him questioning his loyalty to his family.

Love From a One Night Stand


Trinity - 2015
    Until one night she meets Ghost a bad boy rapper with a play boy image. A one night stand with him changes her life forever. Kevin (Ghost) Jackson is a bad boy rapper who loves the party lifestyle and dealing with different women. He never thought he would settle down, until he gets Angel pregnant and is forced to slow down. Everyone disapproves of his relationship with Angel including his mother who makes him choose. Embark on the journey with Angel and Ghost as all the odds are against them to find true love. Will they become a family? Or will they allow people to get in the way of their true happiness?

What Hurts the Most


Tynessa - 2015
    Being in a relationship with ladies' man, Jay'vion, Asia is ready to throw in the towel. Jay'vion is the true definition of the song 'Can't Raise a Man.' Having a hard time being faithful and committing himself to Asia, he finds himself alone and lonesome. The last woman has approached Asia for the last time, and though letting go might be the hardest thing she's ever had to endure, she knows it's something she has to do. What hurts the most is falling for another man when you already have one of your own. Tangela has always lived by the rule of loyalty, even if her man is serving a five-year sentence. When she meets irresistible, fresh out of prison Quintez, she knows to stay far away from his kind. Little does she know, whatever Quintez wants, he gets. That includes her. Will Tangela continue to be loyal to her man, or will Quintez be one temptation she will not be able to fight? This is one rollercoaster ride you don't want to miss.

Angel


Teri Woods - 2006
    With nothing to lose and the world to gain, she embarks on a quest to rule the gritty streets of our nation's capital, by taking over the rough and rugged DC drug trade.Guile, cunning, and ruthlessness are her tools, while death, destruction, and deception are her trade. Her quest to conquer the shady underworld is brought to a cataclysmic halt by a horrendous act against the one person who brought her any semblance of sanity, her baby sister.With revenge on her mind, Angel sets out on a bloodthirsty quest to avenge the one person in life whom she truly loved. The clock is ticking, the police are on her trail, and a shocking betrayal threatens to send her to prison for life. Will Angel avenge her sister's shocking torture and manage to escape the clutches of the determined detective Sean Jones? Will she find out who her betrayers are, before it's too late? Will she get her life together and move on? Or will she suffer the same fate that she has dealt to so many others?The stakes are high, the players are ruthless, and the result of failure is death.

Stained Cotton


Quentin Carter - 2004
    His brother, O bon, finds himself having to survive the game of being his only sibling. Together they'll navigate you through a single tale of lies, lust and revenge. Two very unpredictable endings will teach you why it's called Stained Cotton.

A Good Girl and a Hood Millionaire


Khadijah J. - 2020
    Being the good girl that she was, she had never smoked, drank, or done any drugs a day in her life. She had never even had a boyfriend, nor a first kiss. Pilar never found anyone worthy until one eventful night where she ran into one of the most sought-after men in her town. Legacy Powers came from an unstable household and had to practically raise himself and the adults around him. Known for his striking looks and charming demeanor, he kept three women in rotation and ran from commitment. That was until he ran into a rare beauty that set a fire in his once cold heart. Despite these two being total opposites, they find themselves incredibly drawn to each other like a magnet. After the first mishap on the first night they met, time quickly passes as they try to forget each other. However, what’s meant to be will be, despite what the journey throws at them. Could Pilar handle Legacy’s lifestyle and was Legacy ready to let his past life go? Will these two figure it out together or end up going their separate ways after the chaos ceases?

The Ugly Side of Me


Nikita Lynnette Nichols - 2015
    It was lust at first sight, and Rhapsody isn't going to let young Malcolm leave her presence without a promise to fulfill her fantasy.Malcolm had no idea when he accepted Rhapsody's invitation to her bedroom that he was selling his soul to the devil. Malcolm thinks he can bed Rhapsody and simply walk away, but she is not one to settle for a one night stand. Rhapsody goes to desperate measures to keep her cub extremely close to her. Gifting Malcolm a very expensive SUV, filling his belly with home cooked meals and funding a trip to Cancun are just a few of the tactics that Rhapsody uses to ensure that Malcolm spends his nights in her bed and no one else's. However, when Rhapsody finds a mysterious package on her doorstep containing proof of Malcolm's betrayal and deception, she seeks revenge and seals her own fate.

In My Girls I Trust


Brandi Johnson - 2010
    Their loyalty to each other has no boundaries, until it starts to affect India's relationship with her boyfriend. Will she have to choose between her friends and her man, or will he chose for her?

Dirty Money Honey


Erica Hilton - 2011
    The Patsy. The Heist Vegas never saw coming.... At only twenty-five, Honey has a long list of exes in her life; an ex-con father, an ex-husband, and an ex-career as an ATF agent. Playing the cards life has dealt her, she's now working as a blackjack dealer in one of the most profitable casinos in alluring Las Vegas. Soon, her life's training is put to good use as Honey develops a master plan to get that dirty money!The city is taken by surprise when an armored truck is high-jacked in broad daylight on a sweltering hot Wednesday. Normally prepared for anything and everything, the Las Vegas police are baffled by this blatant crime, and pressure from the public and casino owners drive them to desperation.Honey and her crew of loyal followers pull off one of the most rewarding and masterful heists in Las Vegas history, but not everyone will get to enjoy the loot. Someone has to take the fall.

Emotional Rollercoaster: A Long Island Love Story


Ionaa - 2014
    After years of mental abuse and blatant disrespect she learns that moving on might just be in her best interest. Luckily for her, she meets a handsome man named, Honest. He's someone that's simple, yet so different. This within itself attracts her to him even more. However, there is a problem. By quickly moving on with him, Yonnie learns that overcoming her love for Si will be no easy task. With her best friend Kay riding shotgun through all of the drama and chaos with her, Yonnie quickly learns that her life is being tested. Make sure that you're seated and restrained, because Emotional Rollercoaster is going to take you on a fast paced, uphill ride with vertical loops and winding turns that are sure to leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.

The Criss Cross


Crystal Lacey Winslow - 2004
    She's independent, street-smart and the daughter of a prostitute. Living in the mean streets of East New York and Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn shes forced to make a living the only what she knows how. When a wealthy, South African diplomat asks for her hand in marriage things seem to get brighter. Until she realizes that the soft-spoken, reserved, gentleman is pathological, kinky, and sadistic. One day she meets a mysterious stranger who approaches her with The Criss Cross. Is The Criss Cross her ticket to a better life? Or will The Criss Cross ultimately become the double cross? Wait! The Criss Cross isn't done yet! The old gang from Life, Love & Loneliness have some unfinished business to resolve. In this page-turning novel see how the drama unfolds for Lyric, Lacey, Madison, Joshua, and Estelle.

Get It Girls: A Harlem Girl Lost Novel


Treasure Blue - 2011
    When she and her three best friends venture out on prom night, they’re drunk on young love and excited for their college plans. But a tragic incident turns a night of high school achievement into a crime scene, and Jessica and her girls are left with bloody hands and shattered futures. After spending years paying off a debt that wasn’t theirs, Jessica and her friends return to Harlem to find it very different from when they left. Crack is now king, and its destruction has left their families in ruin and their neighborhoods consumed by its peddlers. Jessica takes a stand, and her friends are there to back her up when demons from the past come beating down their doors. Now Jessica and the girls must pass the ultimate test in order to preserve their lives, their families, and their Harlem.