African American Contemporary Romance

Beautiful disaster. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of her. Who hurt you? The first question comes to mind when I open my mouth to greet her. Although it wasn't the easiest to reach, I knew her heart was pure. Gentle to the touch yet stubborn as a bull, she made it hard to resist her. Unintentionally, she sank her hooks in me. She was the calm before my storm. A thunderous, darkening storm with lightning that graciously exposed the paternity of my brother and me. Though the gloom of it all lingered above both our heads.

Most people wouldn't accuse me of being a good person, but most people don't understand me. Hell, I'm not sure I understand myself sometimes. All I know is that my life has been a challenge, and the day-to-day grind of all wears me down. I graduated college with a degree in marketing, and have just been brought on to be an intern at an ad agency. Contrary to the chaos in my home life, things are looking up . . . until I learn that Kendrick Kennedy will also intern for the same agency.

Atlanta, Georgia, 1950–Michael can’t believe his eyes as he watches the man he loves marry a woman from the back row of Mount Zion Baptist Church. When the beautiful couple is pronounced man and wife, he leaves his home in Georgia for the chance of a better life in New York City. Alexander is just trying to exist in Queens, New York. Although his family is aware of his unnatural attraction to men, they adore him. The price of hiding his true identity from the rest of the world leads to a deep and painful loneliness for Alex, even in the bosom of a loving family.

Winnie sees it one way. Jonathan sees it another. Where will the decision land?

Cheyanne Taylor has seen and experienced the evil that comes from the love of money. She was born to parents who chased wealth and status more than they prioritized nurturing and loving her. Thankfully, her billionaire grandfather adopted her and provided the stable home she needed. After years of toxic relationships with men of wealth or who used her because of hers, Cheyanne decides to keep her identity hidden.

Dash Everly aka D-Roc, to his fans, is living his dreams. Growing up in the projects wasn't easy, but the scars of his past fueled his drive for success. It's all falling into place, but something's missing. Some unexpected news leads him back to the woman who left a mark on his heart all those years ago. He's determined to stake his claim regardless of her circumstances.

The first time Lamont Day ever felt love was hen he saw her. Katori Nichols has loved him since before either of them understood what love truly was. With a love so perfect and all consuming, Lamont and Katori never expected things to fall apart, however they learned the harsh lesson that sometimes love is not enough. Five years later, fate provides a second time for them to get it right. Their lives have progressed but their hearts have been in limbo, but buried secrets may threaten to ruin their last chance at getting it right.

To young Neeka Perry, Denny is one thing. In the streets, he's a whole other entity. She was brave enough to love both sides, upside down, all around, and back again. He provided her with all a girl could believe she dreamed of—security, desire, and, most enviably, genuine love, all wrapped up in gold and diamonds. He removed her far from the course of her ordinary college girl lifestyle and swept her into his world of whimsical madness. For this and more, her love went beyond loyalty. She was devout… devout to him. But is there such a thing as too much passion? Can you love someone too much?

A TARGET BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ A GMA BUZZ PICK ∙ A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF 2024 ∙ AN AMAZON BEST MYSTERY OF THE MONTH ∙ A SARAH SELECTS BOOK CLUB PICK A fast-paced, completely delightful new mystery about what happens when parents get a little too involved in their kids' schools, from...

On the surface, it appears that Sunny has got it all: looks, money, a beautiful home, a healthy daughter, and friends who love her. But Sunny has a secret—something she hasn’t even told her best friend. The truth is Sunny is unhappy. She still misses her beloved Dorian and worries that no other man will ever captivate her the way he did. She’s dated some very powerful and successful men since Dorian’s death, but will she ever find love again?

Embria Taylor is an expert on fixing the lives of others but can’t seem to make sense of her own. When a handsome stranger forces his way into her world, she quickly learns that being open to new possibilities just might be the missing ingredient to securing her happily ever after. Rahshon Allen is a man that speaks his mind and makes no apologies for who he is or how he feels. Those characteristics are what land him right in the middle of the chaos that seems to be just what he needs to escape his dark past.

Solomon takes care of his people. All he expects in return is for everyone on his team to remain solid. Anyone who refuses to show loyalty no longer earns his favor, and family is not exempt. Kaori Randall embraces one concept: love and be loved. She is raised by parents and grandparents, who are examples of happy, healthy relationships. Kaori has high expectations when it comes to her own happiness, which makes the failure of her own love life a huge disappointment.

Aspen is used to getting whatever and whoever he wants, and he doesn’t expect that to change when he meets Malaysia, the sister of the woman his brother is pursuing. Though the attraction and chemistry between Aspen and Malaysia are immediate, there is one thing standing in their way—Malaysia’s boyfriend. When things grow toxic between Malaysia and Peyton, Aspen steps in as her protector. Protecting her physically provides the opportunity for Aspen to prove he can protect her heart and mind as well.

From New York Times best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey comes this sexy novel brimming with the steamy voices of three desperately intertwined lovers. Dickey centers the story on an L.A.-based writer who is obsessed with gorgeous, nubile Nicole - the very same woman who left him at the altar just three years before. Nicole is torn between her ongoing love for him and her passion for the beautiful Ayanna.

Two children from Sierra Leone, Liberty and A’shai, are brought together by chance, only to be forced apart by the most inevitable and tragic fate. Ashley & JaQuavis bring us this classic love story set against modern life’s most horrifying realities.

Sailor Addison wants one of the only men who refuses to end up in her bed. Rival Hassan is determined to convince Sailor that what she wants extends beyond a one night stand. One night. Too much to drink and Sailor Addison finds herself married to a man she only meant to seduce. As an attorney with an undefeated record, Sailor knows how to talk her way in and out of any situation, except this.

As the CEO of Building Bridges LLC, Bri is driven by determination for success. However, while planning the wedding of one of Chicago's hottest couples, Bri's focus is shifted when the strum of a nocturnal voice captures her attention. Being an empath has empowered her sense of compassion for others, so she's not only drawn to him because of his broken heart but also from a fierce attraction that sparks her interest and tap dances on a groove on her heart. Getting involved with someone who's not open to love may prove to be the most difficult road Bri has ever journeyed.

Claiming to only want the best for her, they are often overbearing in their tactics to ensure her safety. Now that she's approaching thirty, she feels like it's time to branch out and find a life and a love of her own, but not without much protest from the men in her family.

Being more than a Daddy’s girl has always been the goal. Finding herself outside of being the baby proved itself to be the hardest thing. He seemed familiar. Something safe, someone she knew she could let her guard down around. A man that wasn’t just around because of what her last name could offer. The car she drove wasn’t the only thing that moved fast.

Mary Monroe is the author of Essence best-sellers including The Upper Room. Here, she examines the emotional webs that are woven between friends, lovers, and families. Carmen Taylor is absolutely dependable; she feels responsible for everyone she knows. It will take one reckless night to make Carmen realize that she might be able to lay her burdens down and take a chance on real happiness.