Contemporary African American Fiction

Tamina's childhood revolved around one person, her best friend, Markus. Ever since he moved across the street, she had been fascinated by him. They played ball together, went to school together, and hung out at the corner store all the time. Everyone at school would say they were together, but Markus never said anything. Tamina wanted to be with him, even if it was against her mother's wishes. Markus' father was a big time gangsta, but Tamina was sure Markus was nothing like him, until she came home from school one day and saw him getting put in the back of a police car.

Criminal Investigator Braylon Wexler has arrived in Hilton Head Island to dutifully serve his country on Paris Island Military base. As soon as he arrives the calm he's been longing for is pleasantly shattered by the tantalizing stormy presence of Sandella Summers. She is an unexpected surprise that stirs a hot longing in him, like a hot poker through blazing coals.

New York Times best-selling author Connie Briscoe finally delivers the novel fans have waited 10 years to have. The sequel to Sisters & Lovers, Sisters & Husbands picks up with Beverly well into her 30s and finally engaged to the perfect man. But when her sister's marriage falls apart days before Beverly's wedding, she starts to fear that marriage just doesn't work. Can Beverly pull herself together, or is she destined to call off yet another engagement?

Marcus Major, author of the Blackboard best-seller Good Peoples, crafts this fun, stylish and delightfully perceptive tale of four best friends, an oath - and one very special young woman. Colin, Dexter, Ibn, and Michael have been inseparable since college. Besides sharing similar interests, they have someone very important in common - Erika. Erika is the little sister of a friend who died, and they’ve promised to watch out for her.

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.

There's nothing like brotherly love, and the love Terrell shared for his younger brother, Montrell, was like no other. Four years after Montrell was born, Terrell witnessed the death of his father who was shot down in the front yard of their house. Terrell held his father in his arms and watched him as he took his final breath. Since his father was no longer there to protect him, Terrell had to take over his position. That day, Terrell made a pact to protect his family at all costs.

At 35, Destiny Day is at the top of her game: she's the shrewdest and most ambitious sister walking around in a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. But when she meets Taye Crawford, an independent financial advisor, Destiny finds herself moving in a direction she never anticipated.

Daisy Parker is Jasper's lover and mother to Jay, his nine-year-old son. But when Jasper doesn't come home one too many nights, Daisy decides she's had enough. But Jasper hasn't been partying; he's been murdered. In shock, Daisy is further devastated to learn that Jasper was married and has left everything to his wife. Now without a home or a job, Daisy must figure out a way to support herself and Jay. And when a sexy ex-boyfriend resurfaces, Daisy's life becomes even more complicated.

A New York Times best-selling author and award-winning journalist with publishing credits in Essence and Vibe, Aliya S. King uses her experience covering celebrity culture to create juicy tales of sex, ambition, and betrayal. In Diamond Life, Alex Maxwell’s rapper husband, Birdie, sees his album go multiplatinum - but life in the spotlight might be too much for his marriage to withstand.

Thirty-something writer Regina lives in Harlem with her four-year-old daughter. And no matter what she does, drama follows her wherever she goes. Her world is thrown for a loop when shady Little Joe re-enters her life looking for some action. Unfortunately, her lingering feelings for her congressman ex-husband aren't helping either.

Blackboard and Essence best-selling author Francis Ray has been honored with the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, as well as the EMMA and Golden Pen Awards. Here, she continues the saga of the Grayson family with Morgan's story. Mother Ruth Grayson is pushing her son to get married, but he resists - until he meets Phoenix, a beautiful artist with a secret.

Vanella Morris is extremely happy with her long-time boyfriend, Alton. But Vanella is also uneasy and apprehensive about making the big commitment. The time has come to make the decision of her life: walk away now from this good thing, or convince Alton that, by living together, the marital bliss he longs for can still be theirs.

When young millionaire John Sebastian decides to win back the great love of his life, he vows to succeed no matter what it takes. But he soon realizes that he will have to prove himself worthy of her.

He's Miami's hottest new MVP. She's the woman who makes it all worthwhile. I brought us to Miami, my engagement ring on Roxie's finger, and nothing feels better than this woman by my side. She keeps me home, keeps me grounded, and having her with me on this new journey means everything. I'm well aware of what Roxie's given up to come to Miami with me: an entire other life, and any sacrifices I've made are none compared to that. This woman is made for me and I am for her, and if we can get through what we dealt with in college, I think we'll be golden here.

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.

An Essence best-selling author, Rochelle Alers also boasts a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and Zora Neale Hurston Award. Sweet Southern Nights continues the Eaton family saga, which finds Dr. Levi Eaton far from his Northern roots, volunteering at a Kentucky clinic. There he meets Angela Chase, whose sultry Southern hospitality is just what the doctor ordered. But as their relationship deepens, Angela worries Levi may discover the secrets she’s been hiding.

Billionaire Londoner Steven has moved to America to expand his house renting business. Here he meets Julie, an African American woman who may just be the person to help him get the properties he's after. But will this business relationship be all that blossoms from the time spent together? Or will something a lot more personal occur?

All my life, I've been a man-magnet. Everywhere I go, guys drop at my feet. After all, I have a perfect body, insatiable sex drive, and a razor wit. I'm also modest (can't you tell?). Trouble is, I've never been lucky in love. I only attract guys who forget their wallets and show up to dates wearing #@%#-stained clothes. With my best friend's wedding around the corner, I finally decide enough is enough. I'm not only going to find the perfect date to her wedding, but I'm going to find Mr. Right: a gorgeous man with a great sense of humor, a chiseled bod, talent in bed, and a big...(ahem) wallet. Is that too much to ask? If all goes right, my quest will lead me into the arms of my perfect match...or will it?

Essence best-selling authors of Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, the husband/wife team of Chiles and Millner use a dramatic “he said, she said” approach in a novel that carries listeners right into the hearts of two lifelong friends. Aaron and Nina grew up on the same street and have been best buddies for 25 years. Now they wonder if they might ruin their relationship if they make room in it for passion and romance.

With day and night personalities, what else could you expect to experience when you encounter the Humphries twins Seleste and Simone? Chaos! That's right, nothing but chaos! One loves to live in the moment while the other loves to plan for the future. What would happen if the roles were reversed? Circumstances place the sisters in a situation that makes one question if she made the wrong choice. Will Erik Rivers realize that the switch was made? Who is able to capture the love of his heart?