Marie L. McKinnie

Owen Santiago hasn't been dealt the greatest hand in life, with one tragic event in particular changing her for seemingly forever. Not willing to let the hardships drag her down, she presses forward, making herself happy the best way she knows how and by any means necessary. Owen is perfectly happy, or so she thinks, and believes the last thing she needs is a man, especially one as masculine, handsome, bold, yet undeniably sweet as Conquer. But what she soon realizes is there is a vast difference between men and little boys.

Rhythm Mitchell is a single mom who works, comes home, and spends time with her son. Her last boyfriend hurt her bad, so she swore off men and had no problem being alone. She stays away from drama unless necessary, and her worst enemy is her best friend's sister. Zahra feels like Rhythm has been around too long, which interfered with bonding moments with her sister. Zahra and her sister can’t stand one another, but when she needs Kalila’s help, will the animosity they have toward one another stand in the way?

For as far back as she can remember, Fatima Ward has been told that she would be a doctor. She has never challenged that path and secretly fulfills her love of telling stories online. While working on a fan fiction story using real-life rapper Jericho, she finds comfort in a new reader as her personal life implodes around her. Jericho was born Jaren Young in Brooklyn, New York. Basketball was his first love, but an incident in college ripped that dream off from him. He turns to his gift of writing poetry and becomes one of hip-hop’s top emcees after just one album.