Contemporary African American Fiction

Brady Bledsoe and his mother, Carmyn, have a strong relationship. A single mother, faithful churchgoer, and the owner of several successful Atlanta beauty salons, Carmyn has devoted herself to her son and his dream of becoming a professional football player. Brady has always followed her lead, including becoming a member of the church's "Celibacy Circle".

Delightfully mixing inspirational romance and contemporary fiction, Vanessa Davis Griggs’ novels are gripping emotional rollercoaster rides. Here, aspiring event planner Melissa Anderson falls for the handsome, successful Marcus Peeples. But there’s a catch—he’s divorced—and Melissa struggles to reconcile this withher spiritual beliefs.

Connoisseurs of edgy, contemporary African- American fiction find the novels of Wallace Ford prime offerings. In this riveting sequel to Ford's The Pride, a powerful and unscrupulous investment banker learns the hard way that what goes up must come down. Ever since Gordon Perkins made off with his partners' money, he's been living fast, but losing even faster.

Cheryl Robinson, a bright voice in African-American fiction, delivers a fresh tale of love in the modern world. Porter is a handsome Detroit firefighter who just got burned by his cheating girlfriend. Winona is a single mom who is getting by despite an old secret that haunts her. When Porter and Winona meet, they must face their pasts to allow their present romance to grow.

National best-selling author Rochelle Alers gets listeners’ hearts fluttering with this warm contemporary romance. Xavier Eaton is in Charleston, South Carolina, to start a new phase in his life, teaching at a military prep school. The last thing on this ex-Marine’s mind is settling down. But when he walks through the doors of the Sweet Persuasions pastry shop and sees owner Selena Yates, love, it seems, is all he can think about.

When Skylar starts planning a huge charity auction at the resort, it's Rio's job to keep an eye on the prized art she collects from donors. Though he's not blind to Skylar's beauty, Rio is nothing if not professional - and he refuses to make a move. But when a mysterious stranger enters the picture - and puts Skylar's life in danger - Rio attempts to protect her - only to be told, in no uncertain terms, that Skylar is capabale of taking care of herself. Her brazen independence is enough to drive Rio crazy - with desire.

There's always a man around the corner, and church trustee James Black should know - he's usually that very man. Meet a deliciously dysfunctional family in this riveting new novel, filled with intrigue, sex, and surprises.

Trapped in cupid's web, Erika fought to shed no more tears over another failed relationship. She wanted more. Grieving over his own heartbroken issues, David held grudges, and was content with keeping women away from his heart. He desired less. Now, as time provided new opportunities in Erika and David lives, they crossed paths and embraced the desires to trust again.

Crowds of paparazzi destroy Penelope's quiet life, and when it's all too much there's only one man she can turn to: Matt. He promises to take her in and keep her safe. Matt has the kind of money that can make all of Penelope's problems go away, but should she trust him? Can she get her life back without breaking her heart, or will she discover that a happy ending with Matt is just a dream?

At 19 years old, Celess and Tina are at the top of their game. They’ve got the looks and the bodies to attract attention from men wherever they go—and they work it. From New York to Philly to Vegas, they hit all the clubs and every big party dressed to kill. And they don’t pay for a thing—not with men like O, Tariq, and James lining up to buy them designer clothes, the hottest jewelry, and luxury cars.

High school chemistry teacher Shelly Lewis is looking for love, passion, and companionship. Given the extra padding on her petite frame, she figures settling for companionship and deep caring would be enough. That is until she meets Jase, who sets her on fire and keeps the fire within her burning brightly. But she thinks she's better suited for someone more reserved and less handsome...someone like her widowed neighbor Drew.

With her youthful appearance and light skin, African-American high school counselor Patricia knows how it feels to be an outsider in her own world. And when a biracial 15-year-old boy becomes the target of neighborhood bullies, she's determined to help him. One of New York's most successful men, Morgan Baxter feels totally at home in a corporate boardroom. But being a single father to a troubled teenager is a far more daunting challenge. Patricia Gilbert seems to understand his son - and him.

Champaign and Zyair have been together for five years, and they're feeling the need to rekindle the erotic spark between them. When they decide to invite a third person into their bedroom, neither one of them realizes how much their lives will change. What starts out as one night of experimentation becomes an obsession for Champaign, who decides she wants to experience that kind of passion again and again.

Twenty-three dollars and 11 cents - that’s all that 35-year-old Chloe Davis Michaels has to her name after she is driven from her home and career as a jet-setting Hollywood publicist, desperate to protect her unborn child from her crazed newlywed husband. She thought she had it all. Now Chloe seeks refuge in her Midwestern hometown to “get prayed up” by the women in her family. Chloe’s impromptu homecoming takes us into the world of eight African-American women who make up the Davis clan - three mothers and five daughters, including Chloe.

Gray finds himself torn between anguish and ecstasy when another Lalia-sitting assignment is placed in his hands; he's asked to hinder Malcolm's advances and subdue the paparazzi, while wrestling with his smoldering desire to get Laila in his bed. Will this assignment cause him to disclose feelings that may sever their friendship and jeopardize his career?

Kai Lewis is a TV reporter with the inside scoop on Detroit's juiciest corruption scandals. Years ago, her affair with Frank Anderson, the very handsome but very married lead news anchor, had taken her body, soul, and career to new heights. But Kai's thrill ride with Frank ended in an unspeakable tragedy. Now, she avoids his advances, despite the deep feelings she still has for him.

Publishers Weekly called award-winning author Michele Grant's Heard It All Before a ''scorching debut.'' This sequel follows Roman Montgomery's charming brother Beau, who shows up at his sister's Dallas condo looking for a place to stay. Instead, he finds her new roommate, Belle - equal parts attitude and beauty - who wants nothing to do with Beau's pretty-boy act. But when she offers him a job, Beau sees a chance to make something of himself - and prove he's more than just a pretty face.

Since receiving a text saying their husbands may have cheated on them, Jaime, Aria, and Renee have been trying to move past the heartbreaking situation. But regardless of whether the text was a lie, the three can’t deny that the way they see their husbands—and themselves—has changed.

In Kenya, when a young American man falls in love with the sophisticated daughter of an African chief, their marriage is strong. But tradition will soon put their union to the supreme test. Gripping and soulful, A Woman's Worth is a tale of cultural divisions, emotional wounds, and a love that struggles to transcend them.

When Julie hears her favorite cousin is in town, she's ready for girly nights, glamor, and gossip. But when she learns her distant cousin Melina is also around, things don't seem as exciting. Melina is a conniving gold digger, and not the kind of woman you'd want to leave around your man! So how will the "too kind for his own good" Steven hold up?