Contemporary African American Fiction

Michael St. John II loves women and women love him. Even though his two best friends, James Thomas, and Matthew Phillips II married and fathers, he has no intentions of following in their footsteps. When he met Tamara Walker, Dianna, James’ wife best friend, she was the first women he had ever met who was just like him. Tamara loves men and men love her. She did not want to be in a relationship with anyone and she and Michael became the best of friends when James and Dianna have major drama in their lives before marrying. Bonding with each other while going through the family crisis made ...

Bruce was threatening to expose a big secret of the Yoshida family—he wasn't Lee's biological father. Aside from Lee's CEO title on the line, the real hurt was the identity of his real father. That was about to shake the entire family upside down. Also, Lee has been keeping certain details about himself from Constance. Eventually, he'll have to come clean which terrifies him that he could scare her off for good.

Five years after his beloved wife's death, wealthy Quentin Chambers still hasn't returned to the church or his music ministry. Even his home is now devoid of music, and without his attention, Quentin's five children are getting out of control - until his mother stepsin and hires him a live-in nanny. Montana is pretty, compassionate, church-going, and even has a beautiful singing voice. The children take to her right away, and soon enough Quentin finds his heart opening to faith - and love - once more. But not everyone loves Montana....

Lily Fredericks has many fears, but losing out on the love that Devin Booker is offering to her on a silver platter is number one on that list. Aware of her intense feelings for the man ten years her senior, Lily comes to a decision, but not before Devin ups the ante.

When Desa Rae Jenkins ended her tumultuous relationship with Roc, it seemed like the appropriate thing to do; but now she's second-guessing her decision. Roc moved away to Kansas City, leaving street life back in St. Louis up to the brothas who can handle it. He continues to live his life on the edge, though, and when he returns to St. Louis, Desa Rae shows up at his doorstep to reconcile. Roc is reluctant to go there with the one woman who ripped his heart from his chest.

Essence best-selling author Vanessa Davis Griggs is not afraid to tackle controversial subject matter in her faith-based fiction. Forever Soul Ties follows Butterfly and Ethan - two high school friends mired in unhappy marriages. After a chance encounter, they embark on an illicit affair. But when Butterfly is found out, stress is placed on her already struggling marriage and her standing in her church.

Tia, Ton'ya, and Tammi are not only making moves in the game, but they're doing it in the bedroom too - and anywhere they need to get what they want. Tia is quick with her razor-sharp mouth, and she carries an equally sharp razor to slice a throat if need be. Ton'ya is loyal to a fault but will fight back if threatened. Tammi is the brains of the operation. They have collected more bodies than a Manhattan hooker working the lower East Side. What happens when the heart gets in the way of making money?

Daisy Baker has a kind heart, a fierce mind, and a brave spirit. Those qualities were what caught the attention of firefighter, Ayden Parker. Every Wednesday at noon for two years straight, they meet the same way, inside of Luxe Flower Boutique, where Ayden makes the same purchase each time. One question, complimentary flowers, and a promise was all it took to shift the dynamic between the two. And right before their eyes, a romance began to bloom.

Can you handle the truth? If your significant other came home and told you they had someone else but they still loved you…would you agree to a polyamorous lifestyle? Don’t be so quick to say NO. You never know until it happens to you. Meet Yani…she’s a pampered princess who’s married to Dash. The honeymoon period has worn off and marital issues ensue. Most couples turn to therapy but not his couple. Dash drops a bomb on Yani and tells her that the only way to fix their marriage is to accept his girlfriend…into their home. This reality check stuns Yani into fighting for her ...

Keyon has been through more than enough drama in her young life. She tries to put as much distance between her and the past in Louisiana, taking the opportunity to move to Memphis with her longtime boyfriend, Casimere. Adjusting to their new home, Keyon thinks she’s finally getting the life that she deserves. But is she? Has she truly left behind all the things that caused her pain?

She entered the ring to settle a debt. He dragged her out and claimed her as his prize instead. Talia is thrown into a brutal underground fight club to pay off her cousin’s mistake. Alone, terrified, and completely unprepared, she is shoved into the ring like meat for slaughter. But before the final blow lands, a man steps from the shadows. Alexei, a Bratva enforcer with ice in his eyes and power in every breath. He stops the fight, but not out of mercy. He takes her. Not to save, but to keep. Alexei is cold control made flesh. Everything he does is calculated and precise. But Talia tests...

When you’re sitting in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on the biggest sporting stage in the world and see the man of your dreams, he’s nothing more than a distraction. But there’s nothing like this type of distraction. And nothing like a little mental motivation to show up and show out when someone has their eyes on you. At least that's what my sister thinks when I meet professional basketball player Devin Grant, a two-week distraction that could turn into forever.

Holland Davenport is ready to go beyond her small-town existence. Her plan involves moving into an apartment in Charleston—not inheriting a run-down brownstone in Brooklyn from a relative she never knew. Yet in a burst of daring, Holland meets the challenge head-on, moving to New York to learn more about her family and renovate the place. Add to that a gorgeous next-door neighbor who turns out to be a board member at her new job, and she’s definitely out of her depth.

In this first ever short story collection, New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray takes us on five steamy, sexy adventures. From a timid, dowdy duckling who turns into a confident, sexy swan which sends her into the arms of a handsome artist; to a bridesmaid’s explosive encounter with the best man; to an unproven actress who is being wooed to the stage by a handsome Broadway director.

The Texas rancher and Navy SEAL who fathered Bristol Lockett's son died a hero's death...or so she was told. Yet when Laramie "Coop" Cooper strolls into her exhibit at an art gallery three years later, he's very much alive - and still making her pulse zing. The all-consuming chemistry between them is as undeniable now as it was then, but Bristol won't risk her heart - or their son's. Little does Bristol know he's determined to win over his unexpected family at any cost!

Lance Christopher is a semi-reformed thug who was lucky enough to run into the right connection to propel him to the top. His success, of course, hasn't come without its fair share of bloodshed, problems, and disappointments. A dangerously ungrateful brother who won't shake his street mentality and a money-hungry ex who tricked her way into his heart are just some of the issues he faces that money can't seem to fix. Lance doesn't want much more, just peace and a woman who can relate to him and help him battle the demons he faces.

As the owner of WTZB broadcast station, Avery Michele was determined to make her grandfather's legacy thrive, even if her duties included being in front of the camera for Chicago's hottest events. However, Avery didn't foresee catching the eye of one determined bachelor. And after accepting his invitation to lunch, an unexpected craving for more than nutrition storms her with heat that takes her breath away. But with life outside of her profession shifting in the wrong direction, the thought of disappearing is the impetus that makes Avery run away from love.

Ashley Ryan never doubted that her husband, Devon, was the love of her life. Even now, three years after Devon died in a car wreck while on a business trip, Ashley can’t bring herself to move on. But when her girlfriends surprise her with a getaway to beautiful Catalina Cove, Louisiana, she gets the shock of her life when she encounters a man - bearded, more rugged than before, but unmistakably her Devon. “Ray Sullivan” moved to this quiet coastal town after waking up in a hospital with amnesia.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Brenda Jackson ignites fierce passions within her devoted fan following. Her Steele series features an African-American family whose members find love in the least likely places. Here, gift shop owner Stacey Carlson harbors secret fantasies about her sexy landlord Eli Steele. Looking to change his playboy image, Eli thinks proposing to Stacey is a good way to start. Their arrangement is supposed to be strictly business, but when real sparks fly between them, Eli begins reconsidering his stance.

Sixteen-year-old Bethany Greene, though confident and self-assured, is what they call a late-bloomer. She’s never had a boyfriend, date, or first kiss. She’s determined to change that but after her crush turns her down cold for Homecoming—declaring her too inexperienced—and all her back-up ideas fall through, she cautiously agrees to go with her best friend’s boyfriend Jacob. A platonic date is better than no date, right? Until Saylor breaks up with said boyfriend.