Contemporary African American Fiction

Quentin Robinson is in his second year in the NFL, and he has records to break and points to make. With his relationship on the rocks, Quentin starts to think that, during such a pivotal point in his career, he should remain single. Doing a good deed puts him in the path of Melody Lane, a grieving single mother who only wants the best for her son. Quentin sees so much of his mother in Melody that he can't help but offer to help her in any way he knows how.

For the town of Rose Valley Hills, the wedding to commemorate the love between Nova Cane and Chapel Wilson was slated to be the event of the decade. With a guest list of over 300 people RSVP’d to be in attendance, everyone who was anyone would be there. At the final wedding rehearsal, Nova shares a truth that can potentially end their marriage before it even begins.

Tori’s afraid, but putting forth her toughest exterior to forge ahead with the mess she’s made. And Ashton? Well, he’s confused and angry. It’s his last semester, one that had been planned meticulously by himself and others well before she even knew what a Panther was. Will Tori can fight her way out of the quandary she’s created at BSU? Will Ashton’s well-planned future be derailed by the new underdog-turned-"banger" on campus?

Suvi Summers never had luck in the love department. Failed relationship after failed relationship leads her to an unforgettable interview with the matchmaking service. Blaze Snow was a ladies' man. He’d never had any trouble finding a woman, but keeping her was a different story. When his best friend signs up for a matchmaking service, he goes for moral support but ends up in an interview of his own. Neither of them expects to gain much from the service, but when they meet at the alter a few weeks later, they are forced to come to terms with feelings neither of them were prepared to reveal.

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.

Sometimes, you just need someone to help you see things in a different light. A shift in the angle.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Just when things seem to be going well, a curve ball is thrown at Tae causing Brenna to take a step back from their situation. Now becoming a father, Tae puts all his attention on his son, ignoring the yearning inside of him. Brenna thinks moving on is the key to her problems, but what she soon learns is the heart wants what the heart wants. The only question between them is can Brenna put aside her issues with Tae's newfound fatherhood to give them a real chance?

Dakota Buck, a rough-around-the-edges music executive, strides through life calling the shots with an aura of grit. Yet beneath his rugged exterior lies a complex man shaped by a past marred by betrayal and disappointment, leaving him guarded against true connection and trust. Although willing to open his heart, Dakota yearns for a bond that transcends the superficial or nothing.

Ariella and Caleb were never meant to last… She’s the ambitious workaholic constantly trying to prove herself. He’s the charming bad boy with a troubled past. Their love story could only ever have been temporary. But when Ariella’s company faces a crisis, Caleb is the only one who can save it. Now they’re forced to work together, fighting their attraction, and the pain of their old wounds. With her heart torn and her career on the line, Ariella must decide who to trust and what she truly wants.

Raising four very different daughters on her own in rural Arkansas wasn't easy for Miss Pearly Bell. And she's always regretted that the sisters went their separate ways for good - and never wanted to see each other again. But when Pearly is stricken with a terminal illness, she summons them all home - determined to somehow help them get right with each other and forgive.... But that means dealing with past secrets and lies first.

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.

If there is one thing Constance Hawkins is good at, it's working hard. Her dad was in a car accident that paralyzed his legs, and her sister Charley is in her sophomore year of college. With her mother not in the picture, Constance started working to help her family at a young age. Now, at twenty-six years old, she has a good job working at a bank. Until her awful boss, Sandy, decides to let Constance go because of cutbacks.

For Saundra Smith, life is seemingly perfect. With a home of her own on the horizon, her teaching career set to begin soon, and a loving relationship with her longtime love, Langston, life couldn't be any more perfect...until she's blindsided by news that turns her perfect world upside down. Langston made a mistake - a costly mistake. As if cheating on Saundra wasn't devastating enough, he also confesses to having fathered a child with the other woman.

Born and raised in Atlanta by a father who blames the family rift on music, Amara Johnson’s talent for guitar and passion for poetry have always been just that: talent and passion that she channels into her work as a music teacher. When her estranged grandfather—a man known as much for his raspy, soulful blues songs as his perplexing personality—passes away, Amara discovers a collection of old letters, journals, and a tattered photo that offer more questions than answers.

Still reeling from her husband’s untimely death, Deborah Robinson needs a fresh start. So she decides to pack up her family and return to her grandmother’s ancestral home on Cavanaugh Island. The charming town of Sanctuary Cove holds happy memories for Deborah, and, after she spies a gorgeous stranger in the local bakery, it promises the possibility for a bright future. Dr. Asa Monroe is at a crossroads. Ever since the loss of his family, he has been traveling from one town to another. When he meets Deborah, the beautiful bookstore owner with the sunny smile, Asa believes he has finally found a reason to stay in one place.

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.