Urban African American

When 27-year-old Jakiyah Smith left New York after a failed relationship, she had no plans of returning, but the death of her sister has forced her to come back. Now Jakiyah must help to care for her sister's child, but she soon finds herself surrounded by drama. German, the man she thought she would be with forever, is still with the woman he left her for. To make matters worse, Jakiyah's mother is the side-piece's newest friend.

Once again, Carl Weber brings together two literary divas for empowering stories about big, beautiful women. "Lights, Camera, Action" by Treasure Hernandez: Janiyah Wade is a successful plus-size model who almost loses it all when she is sent to prison for three years. Then things work in her favor and she is able to kick-start her career again, but her union with her husband, Gun, is about to be exposed for all to see.

Nearly every two minutes in America someone is sexually assaulted. Olivia Collins, an urban author residing in the heart of the hood, knows this better than anyone. Working hard to repress her own issues, Olivia encounters Noah, an underprivileged foster kid who views himself as a number, a statistic. As the awkward duo gets to know one another, secrets about Noah begin to unfold while unraveling Olivia’s resolve and forcing her to deal with her own demons.

After tragedy strikes her home, Heavenly Jacobs must rely on her beauty and street smarts to survive on her own. Her choice to ride for the wrong man ultimately lands her in prison, where she decides to re-strategize her game plan for when she is released. Eartha Davis was exposed to much more than she should have been from a very young age. Between her mother, a bonafide gangster with a sexual preference for women, and the influence of the streets, it was just about impossible for Eartha not to embrace all that was going on around her.

Still a Mistress explores the gritty world of good girls gone bad, lured by money and men. A year after the tragic death of her family, Oshyn is still trying to piece together what’s left of her life. While struggling to return to a drama-free world, she is optimistic about her future. Little does she know that her cousin, Chloe, has reappeared to finish what she started: a vindictive cycle of mayhem.

Dollie and Corey are the couple that have everything stacked against them. They are the epitome of the expression “opposites attract.” Dollie works as a secretary for a top-notch lawyer, and Corey spends his time in the streets, running a low-key drug operation. Dollie stands by her man in spite of his flaws, while he does time in jail. When he gets out, he lets his true colors show, leaving Dollie hurt and confused. Tenosha has been lying back in the cut, waiting for her turn with Corey....

Amina “Mimi” Washington thought she had life all figured out when she moved to Atlanta and got the family and the material things she’d always dreamed of. But when things took a turn for the worse, Mimi ended up in big trouble. Now she has come out of a coma and finds herself in a hospital bed, with no recollection of how she got there. When she discovers what happened to her, will she be able to handle the truth? Troy is busy searching the streets for Kaylin and the children with Mark and Jayden’s help. They search all over, but with no luck.

A life filled with fast money and violence lands 23-year-old Candice Holmes in a witness protection program. When she finds out that no one is capable of saving her from the wrath of the ruthless family she is scheduled to testify against, she finds herself on the run. With nowhere to hide, Candice ends up fleeing to New York City where she is introduced to Daddy - who owns a house where little girls are doing big things. Candice soon realizes that the street life she left behind is nothing compared to what goes on at Daddy’s House.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and if that woman is Nikki Bell, then that means everyone better jump outta the way. After giving up dancing at The Pink Palace and settling down with her family, Nikki believes she could have a normal life. She soon finds out she is wrong, and now, her past is back to haunt her. When things start to go downhill fast, she learns that Malachi Turner, a notorious drug dealer and the new owner of The Pink Palace, is the man responsible for destroying her new life. Nikki has no choice but to confront him.

Being Kennedi Kramer, the main girl of drug Lord Sharrod Jones, has its ups and downs. The jewels, cars, and furs were a way of life until tragedy struck, destroying their empire and landing Kennedi in an unlikely situation. Soon, she decides to leave everything she once knew behind, including her son, to start a new life on the West Coast. In comes Malcolm, a powerful celebrity with a lot of drama and secrets of his own. As things spiral, Kennedi works hard at keeping her dark past hidden, but there’s nothing that can protect her from the mark Sharrod has put on her life.

Six months after her husband Germaine ran off with her two boys, Niquole Wright has a sweet tooth for revenge. Even more selfish and devious than before, Niquole will stop at nothing to get her kids back and make her husband suffer. Her street-savvy personality mixed with her no-nonsense attitude has Niquole believing she has free reign to screw anyone who gets in her way. Soon, someone unexpected reenters Niquole’s life and seems to be one of the many obstacles slowing her down and threatening to ruin her plans. Will the grimy road that Niquole travels finally cut her off for good?

Despite the beautiful home, expensive cars, and huge bank account, Skye’s marriage to pro football player Sandino Washington is seriously flawed. After years of being a victim of domestic violence, Skye is caught between their extravagant lifestyle and his controlling behavior, but knows she has to get out. In a desperate attempt, Skye flees the abusive marriage with her three children in tow, and vows never to go back. She even begins a new life with a new identity, but lives in fear, knowing that Sandino won’t rest until he finds them.

Martin Jones' life was marred by violence from when he left the hospital as a newborn. As he grew older, his hatred and mistrust of authority figures only intensified, fueling his rage and inner turmoil. Martin couldn't understand why he harbored so much animosity, but with the help of his wise and nurturing Mama Jones, he was determined to find answers and make a positive impact. But as he navigates through the treacherous and unforgiving world, Martin realizes how brutal and unforgiving it truly is.

Several years have passed, but Sylvia McMillan still can’t run and hide from the truth that continues to tear at her soul. Her love for Jonathan Taylor, her ex-friend’s husband, remains. Jonathan has moved on, though. In less than six months, he plans to watch his new bride cascade down the aisle as they join hands in holy matrimony. He’s not about to let Sylvia’s slickness derail him again - but then again, how can he resist the one woman who is willing to honor every single one of his wishes?

Upon the sudden and tragic death of his father, Tory’s marital bliss comes to a halt. His wife, Nya, and his family members try to help Tory cope with the pain of losing his father, but instead of choosing to have his arms around Nya, Tory chooses to have his lips constantly around an alcohol bottle. Tory vanishes, and Nya looks for him with the help of local law enforcement and a hired private investigator. Unfortunately, no one turns up anything.

Clay has never depended on anyone but himself. Having been to prison twice, the veteran criminal feels he has nothing left to lose. He rules his small territory of the Detroit drug scene with an iron fist, acting as the police, the judge, and the jury. Clay is without remorse. Anyone who crosses him or jeopardizes his freedom will be dealt with, and justice will be swift. Clay has always been cursed with a short-fuse temper, but this time it causes him to make a mistake that could bring him down for good.

A young military couple from Indiana is separated by a deployment and haunted by secrets. Shamar Jackson, a sergeant in the US Army, struggles to maintain a long-distance relationship, while his wife, Jelisa, fights to escape the past she never told him about. Lies and deceit stand to ruin this young couple's family, but will the truth make things better or worse? Still tied to the streets, Shamar is determined to keep his family intact by any means necessary. After returning home from war, he is now faced with the fact that the battlefield has been at home the whole time.

Terrell wasn't raised in the corrupt streets of Detroit. After being abused and left for dead by his violent, psychotic father, he was raised by his aunt and uncle in a loving home in the suburbs. But he never lost touch with his mother, whose selfish scheming sparked the fire that led to that fateful night when Terrell became disabled. Now that he's an adult, his tainted bloodline has other plans for the wheelchair-bound teenager.

Mike Brown, South Side’s resident crackhead, made a deal with the devil. He sold his soul, and now he’s got nowhere to go but down - and he’s determined to take a few others down with him, including two prostitutes and a disillusioned police detective.

Love continues to fail Nia and with the arrival of her daughter she doesn’t have the time or energy to pour into her failing relationship with East. Money is no longer the only thing on her mind; her daughter is. Nia realizes that family is above everything else and so she steps back from the demands of being a boss and running her own company. Torn between pride and his past, East uses the poor excuse of “not being enough” for his beloved Nia as the reason why he’s not around.