Contemporary African American Fiction

Hearts are broken and healed. Scars, both physical and emotional, are formed. Happiness is found, then lost, then found again. Over the course of a year, these sisters face shattering blows and remarkable triumphs as they embark on a journey, figuring out that pesky little thing called love.

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.

When it comes to business, Mr. Black Los Angeles, Dante Powell believes in planning down to the smallest detail, and that includes the Juneteenth festival he's spearheading. His personal life is another matter, however. He lives by one simple rule—no strings, only flings. But he didn't count on the one night of explosive passion he shared with Jayana Cole or seeing her again.

Once upon a time, in a small town, lived a young girl who was abandoned by her mother. She was left with a pensive heart because she watched her father die at the hands of his brother. Beauty was left to fend for herself, along with the heartache of having not a soul to genuinely care for her. Daily, she would dream of being rescued by a prince, and he would take away the pain her past life caused. Until this day, Beauty still had those same dreams as she slept. Yet, instead of the knight in shining armor, the tribe of fairies delivered Tuson.

Chicago. Ezekiel Edmonds relishes silence. Wounded from his days in foster care and now a single dad to a deaf little girl, the talented mechanic prefers spending time with cars instead of people. But when he meets his child’s lovely new teacher, his emotional defenses run out of gas. Cheyenne Simmons is passionate about helping the hearing-impaired. Determined to win a grant to start her own school, the fierce deaf instructor is unprepared when a student’s shy father disarms her with his kindness.

Walker Jareau prided himself on being a player. Women came a dime a dozen, and he was like a revolving door... until he met the one woman who threatened to swipe his player card—Jorja Sandifer. The beautiful dancer captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her. It didn’t take long for the friends with benefits to migrate into an unconventional relationship, laced with a bit of toxicity. Feelings developed, and neither wants to come clean until Jorja has had enough.

A kingdom of vicious princes, court intrigue, and wickedly dark desires. Years searching for a woman to share, and along comes Madison. The African American journalist stumbles into three princes' plot. Falling into bed with three princes isn't in Madison's job description. Once they taste perfection, the three men won't let go. They always get what they want. Now, they want her, forever.

As a plant scientist, Shana thought she had all the skills she needed to run her grandmother’s plant shop. But when she received the foreclosure notice for the store, she realized it would take more than a love of plants to bring in the cash. When her cousin suggested a plan for her to revive the failing business, she’s on board—until she realizes it involves a major social media campaign. The problem is that she’s anti-social in real life, and on the internet.

Even the saved struggle when navigating their way through love. This much could definitely be said for the Fold family's middle child, Jadalynn. Having met when they were just 12 years old, Jadalynn and Andrew experienced some of their best and worst moments together. Falling in love was inevitable as they grew older and remained close. And falling out of love was just as certain when the two finally bumped heads.

With a career he loves, being engaged to the love of his life, and some unexpected good news things couldn’t be better for Errick Martin. Errick realizes some things are too good to be true once the news is revealed of a baby.… Torn between staying or leaving Errick makes a rash decision changing everyone’s future. Will it make things better or worse?

Gaia Wilson: I wanted nothing to do with him. His eyes were lifeless. His demeanor cold. His actions too harsh. Ricardo Carter wasn't the kind of man you fell in love with—he was the kind you ran from. Ricardo "Rocco" Carter: I wanted everything to do with her. Her eyes were full of life. Her demeanor soft. Her actions thoughtful. Gaia Wilson was the kind of woman you fell in love with—she was the kind you ran toward.

Law and Zuri met in the most unconventional way, but their connection was straight out of a storybook. It was genuine, poetic, and undeniable. However, haters will always ruin it. Learning what truly sent Law her way, Zuri cut off all ties with the man who had finally reminded her of what truly being unconditionally loved felt like.

Essence best-selling author Daaimah S. Poole delivers the scandalous and sexy goods her fans can’t get enough of in this sizzling tale of women trying to score. Adrienne Sheppard isn’t raking it in as an NFL star’s baby mama, so she’s looking to get wifed. Zakiya Lee is pregnant by the NBA’s hottest new player, but fame is wearing her out. And sports reporter Cherise Long has a pro athlete picked out too—but he happens to be Adrienne’s man.

Olena Day’s first love died tragically, and her college boyfriend left her for nother woman. Now a successful, independent 43-year-old,she begins a passionate relationship with Matthew, a man 18 years her junior. Can a relationship finally end happily-ever-after for Olena—or will it be torn apart once again?

Syre Reign has always been seen as the family screw-up. Wherever he goes, his reputation as a hothead with repeated run-ins with the law precedes him. From a young age, Delilah Gold has groomed her sons and nephews to take over her online empire. Everyone has a place in the family business, even Syre as the head of security. Now that Delilah is retiring soon, she sets a plan in motion to merge her family dynasty with the infamous Black family through a marriage of convenience.

Betrayal hurts worse when done by the ones you showed the most love to. The saying couldn't be truer for the Priest Brothers. In this finale, the three men learn more about themselves than Duke could've ever taught them. While Krypt is figuring out who the woman was that hit their stash spots, Khrome is learning what it really means to be a single parent. It was never in his plans, especially this way. With a pending homicide case hovering over his head, Kavalli promised to never let another woman catch him slipping. He didn't care how solid she seemed.

De'nia is a budding young model with baggage. She spent her young adult life running from her family's past and love. Even though she's trying hard to run away from the past, it keeps finding her. Avery is a fast-rising clothing designer who was just left by his high school sweetheart. Devastated by the lost, he made sure that his company was the best it could be. He found himself buried in work, until he started working on a project with De'nia. Together, Avery and De'nia embark on a journey that exposes them to danger, faith, trust, friendship, and patience.

Cameron is back and unlike you've ever seen her before. From strip clubs to car-theft rings, you've journeyed with her from girlhood into womanhood, but the drama isn't over just yet! New faces and new situations make this new installment the most riveting of the entire series!

I was marrying the love of my life, only he didn't see me in the same way. Falling for my fiance hadn't been the plan, but when did things ever go as planned? They were promised to one another before birth. Their marriage will solidify an alliance more than a decade in the making. Neither expected for love to find its way into their hearts well before they said I do. She craved his heart and he was more than willing to give it.

At eighteen and against her father's wishes, Amyris moves to another country, hoping to make her dreams a reality. Before she can hit the ground running, her life takes a turn she hadn't expected after meeting and marrying Ivo Yannik—a man who lured her into the union under false pretenses.