Urban African American

Essence best-selling author Keith Lee Johnson's popular series continues with this fourth book, which reaches back to unearth the roots of JohnnieWise's family tree. On the eve of her arranged marriage in an African village, a 16-year-old girl elopes with her fiancé's younger brother. But the lovers are captured and sold into American slavery - and the girl wonders if she'll ever see her man again.

Andre Chin (King of Spades) knows the rules of the game and believes he has everything under control. Porsha, his fiancée, has legally transformed Chin’s illegal business into a legitimate empire, but she soon has plans of her own. Tony Moreno, his partner, keeps a deadly watch as the sins of Chin’s past suddenly threaten the success of their future.

Shiloh, Anthony, Jaheim, Talin, Elijah, and Trent have so many things going on outside of the family that there is little time to keep a watchful eye on the princess of the Carter family - baby sister Olivia. All that changes when the secret life she's been hiding comes to the forefront, causing a couple of her siblings to feel some type of way. Whether they're for her or against her, the Carter men try to deal with what Olivia has going on, all while trying to handle their own drama.

Chyna is on a murder-mission hunt for the crooked lawyer who double-crossed her uncle, and the latest addition to the family brings her one step closer to that sweet revenge. This ruthless queen-pin owns the day and the night. Mother Nature herself can't interrupt her cash flow. But when bad calls are made and her chief female "escort" goes missing, it's time to set things off.

''It's the penthouse or the morgue.'' This is the philosophy adopted by Keshawn Wilson, a.k.a. ''K-Dawg',' self-proclaimed lord of the streets. Keshawn is the youngest of five kids and one of only two that doesn't belong to his mother's husband. As a little boy he feels the distance between he and his stepfather, and life becomes increasingly difficult for him as the years pass. His childhood and young adult years are spent in a home for boys and state prison, where he serves time for manslaughter.

After his son was kidnapped, Tyree Johnston’s marriage to Mia, the love of his life, fell apart. Now, two years later, Tyree has their son Kyan for the summer, and he's unprepared for Mia’s return to their hometown. Trying to move forward with his life, Tyree finds himself stuck between what his heart wants and what his head says is right. Mia left for Paris the minute her divorce was final, but when her sister-in-law tells her that Kyan needs her, Mia is on the first flight out. It’s time she faced Tyree, so they can try to come together as co-parents for their son's well-being.

Samariah doesn't want to share her shine with anyone. She'll do anything to get what she wants, even if that means sabotaging her best friends' relationships. Bria speaks her mind and is as real as they come. She has been with David since freshman year of high school, and they are madly in love. Will that change when a baby is introduced into the picture? Monique is too naive. She tries to see the best in everybody. She finally gets the man of her dreams, only to discover he has been harboring a secret. Will the love she has for him keep them together?

Love happens when you least expect it. Derrick knows this all too well after falling for Kea, his best friend’s girlfriend. But as fate would have it, he has just found out the love of his life is also his sister. Derrick is devastated by the news, but the beautiful and alluring Trinity is more than eager to help him forget about the turmoil he’s going through. Little does Derrick know that Trinity has her own secrets, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep them buried.

It’s been four years since the tragic suicide of Yadira Cruz. Thirty-eight year-old correctional officer Sean Daniels’ life was finally on the right track. He was married to the beautiful Milan; he had a successful law enforcement career, a supportive family and great friends. But when Sean’s ex-lover, Brandi Wallace, suddenly re-enters his life, he sees everything that he worked so hard to build flashing before his eyes.

Johnny Washington is a ruthless survivor, a Black teen raised on the streets of LA, a battlefield of broken families, rival gangs, and minimum wage—all under the cold, watchful eye of the men and in blue. But Johnny's found a loophole. He knows the freight yards like the back of his hand. He and his crew, Josh and Buddy, hit them often, stealing just enough to get by. Until Josh is gunned down by a security guard, who gets his brains bashed in by Buddy. Out of options, Johnny turns to Elliot Davis, a local kingpin who recruits and exploits Johnny's sister until she's no longer useful.

Shortly after a dismembered torso was discovered by a pond outside Philadelphia in 1887, investigators homed in on two suspects: Hannah Mary Tabbs, a married, working-class Black woman, and George Wilson, a former neighbor whom Tabbs implicated after her arrest. As details surrounding the shocking case emerged, both the crime and ensuing trial - which spanned several months - were featured in the national press. The trial brought otherwise taboo subjects such as illicit sex, adultery, and domestic violence in the Black community to public attention.

This novel begins with Rich instantly being a mark with a death sentence placed on his head. He’s faced with his biggest nightmare when secrets are revealed that he thought were buried. While Lisa spirals out of control more than ever, Marisol and Rich battle their way to be the top dog in the industry that has made their lives a living hell. More than ever, they learn that karma is a vicious cycle. The lifestyle of fast money and luxurious things will never prepare them for the new drama that is about to unfold.

Tony Wacko and his beloved Camarih return for one more go-round of endless drama. Although the couple has proven time and time again that their bond is unbreakable and not to be toyed with, jealous old lovers, lovesick flings, and confident newcomers seem to have a hard time getting the message. Dating a man in an industry where women constantly throw themselves at him is hard for any woman to deal with. While most simply chalk it up to being just a part of the game, Camarih refuses to accept such, taking things into her own hands.

Lamont "Hood" Mason is a fearless 19-year-old gangsta who was born and raised in the projects of Brooklyn, New York. He was an abandoned child who roamed the city streets and fought hard for survival. The only thing constant in his young life was the safety of a Brownsville barbershop owned by a father figure called Fat Daddy. The barbershop is where Hood comes of age, but cutting hair isn't the only thing Fat Daddy has going on.

Drugs turn out to be a way of life for Rich, a powerful, sexy Drug Lord hailing from Washington, DC. His desire for fast money and the extravagant things that it brings puts his family in harms way. Soon, his ego forces him to leave his castle and empire to expand business on the West Coast. His decision to leave his love ones behind at the mercy of his enemies turns out to be catastrophic. One by one, each of Rich’s children spiral out of control.

Have you ever craved someone so bad that you’d be willing to do anything? Meet Dominique Lewis, a foul, hardboiled go-getter who spends most of her days yearning to be just like her sister and plotting to take her man. For her, it’s all about money, sex, and power. Although she possesses the perfect physique and sexy features, her lifelong dream is to become a household name. She vows to get what she wants by any means necessary.

After he takes the fall for the murder of a gay soldier, Shun is dishonorably discharged from the marines. He does his time and then, with no place to live and no job prospects, he’s forced to return to the hood, where his cousin Phil takes him in. Phil is a hood-rich hothead who pays little attention to those he believes are his followers. Shun is ready for corporate buyers and more lucrative products, but will Phil go along with his plan? When a woman enters the scene, things go from bad to worse. Blood turns cold and jealousy breeds foul play.

Khian "Khi" Prince has the ladies going crazy. He's a certified boss with what seems to be the weight of the world on his shoulders. After failing at love twice, Khi's not ready to give up yet, and when he runs into Cuba Lance, he's certain he has finally gotten it right. But when Cuba shatters his heart all over again, will Khi give up on love once and for all? Daelan "Dae" Prince is the ultimate bad boy. With the love of his life and their five-year-old son by his side, Dae seems to have his happily ever after. But things are never what they seem.

Considered an unlikely pair, Marcus, the reformed dope boy, and Nikki, the pampered princess, have undeniable chemistry. Problems arise when only one of them is willing to be honest and acknowledge the obvious attraction. Because she doesn't feel that he fits into her world or the plan she has mapped out for her life, Nikki curves Marcus without hesitation from their first encounter. Unable to see past her fears, she doesn't realize that rejecting him just may cost her the man she was meant to spend her life with.

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.