Showing results by narrator "Shari Peele" in All Categories

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Brenda Jackson has won numerous awards for her contemporary African-American romances. In Jamaica for a well-deserved vacation, city planner Darcy Owens is stunned by the sight of a chocolate-skinned god in the distance. Upon closer inspection, however, it turns out this dream man is York Ellis, an arrogant ex-cop - and notorious bachelor - Darcy knows all too well. But when her life is threatened, he offers her protection and sparks begin to fly between them.

Architect Maxwell Devers is laser-focused on winning the contract to build a new cultural arts center - his biggest project yet. But as a single dad of a beautiful baby girl, he has to find some help if he's going to stay on track. Yvonne Markham is thrilled to get her first nanny assignment. She knows the high-paying job will speed her progress toward owning a child-care center of her own. Maxwell's daughter is a delight, and she quickly comes to love the bouncing baby girl. Falling for her handsome new boss, however, was not part of the plan....

For three decades, the Seaside Cafe has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the cafe - and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes - creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese - and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections. After striking up a conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club.

No one turns out luscious pies and to-die-for cakes like Marvin Carter. Few outside of the family know about his baking skills, but working as a restaurant line cook is getting old fast. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to win start-up money from a major cooking contest and launch his own business. But his prime competition is making things hot for him in - and out - of the kitchen....

No one is going to tear down the farmland that's been in Crystal's family since the turn of the 20th century - especially not the multimillion dollar suits behind Welco Industries. And until Welco's president meets with her, Crystal wages a fiery one-woman protest to prove she means business. When he finally appears, Douglas Wellington III is far from the elderly curmudgeon she expected. Crystal issues a challenge: spend one week on the land he wants to destroy. He agrees, if only to be alone with her.

Jackie Blue is a hard-working, ambitious, young black editor. She looks forward to her weekly meetings with the Black Pack, a small group of African-American professionals with ties to the industry. These connections have helped place her on the fast track to a coveted executive editor's position, but she still faces an uphill battle against the predominantly white trust-fund babies. When her boss is suddenly murdered, Jackie finds herself in police custody and facing her greatest challenge ever.

This second installment in her D.C. series features the continuing saga of best friends who overcome difficult childhoods to find professional success, but still struggle with chaotic personal lives. As Sherise Robinson puzzles over who fathered her daughter, Erica Kent endures a difficult family reunion. Meanwhile, Billie Carter flounders in the aftermath of a nasty divorce.

Is a real man too hot for a pampered diva to handle? For Kaitlyn Strong, life has been a fun-filled free ride, all expenses paid by her wealthy father. As for relationships, why would Kaitlyn want to give up the fabulous single life? But after she goes on her most outrageous spending bender yet, she's informed it's time to make her own way. For a shocked Kaitlyn, that means getting a job - and an affordable apartment to go with it.

From Essence best-selling author Cheryl Robinson comes an uplifting novel about three sisters who rediscover each other—and themselves. After 13 years in Hollywood, Alicia abandons her dream and returns home to Detroit. Hope is still seeking the truth about her husband’s disappearance. And Heaven is ensnared in an abusive relationship. It takes an earth-shattering discovery, a lucky lottery ticket, and a near-fatal encounter to bring these estranged sisters together.

Nothing invigorates the five Carter brothers more than an honest day's work - and the right women to come home to at night. Douglas Carter never expected the summer job he took at the post office 10 years ago to become his career. But now, at 28, he has zero regrets. He's happy to have a regular paycheck, good friends, and a sweet plan for retiring early. If only his cute but oh, so uptight new coworker felt as content as he does.

Best-selling author Niobia Bryant draws enthusiastic praise from fans and critics alike for her unique brand of contemporary urban fiction. In The Hot Spot, 40-something Zaria Ali is diving back into the dating pool following the meltdown of her 21-year marriage. She’s got her eyes and her heart set on Kaleb Strong, but at 26, is he too young for her? Kaleb is looking to settle down with the right woman - and he’s about to show Zaria that age is nothing but a number.

When middle-aged divorcee Emily Yancy moves home to be with her ailing mother, she's not expecting to find romance. But Aaron Merritt is a handsome doctor with all the right moves - except when it comes to the bedroom. Then there's Teddy Simms, her former crush whose only skills seem to lie between the sheets. What will Emily choose - happiness or sexual fulfillment?

Best-selling author Zuri Day crafts sizzling romantic tales that leave listeners yearning for more. Love in Play finds the curvaceous and wildly successful Dominique Clark finally feeling in charge of her life - until she meets Jake McDonald, her son’s gorgeous football coach. Their first encounter leads to several passionate nights, but out of the bedroom there’s no issue they won’t butt heads about. Dominique’s good sense tells her to end it, but something in her heart says this game might be worth the risk.

Happy in marriage and motherhood, Sherise is back at work and ready for a big promotion to White House press secretary - until an incompetent rival gets the job instead. Something's dirty and Sherise is going to get to the bottom of it... Billie's law career is thriving, and she's newly engaged. But between her fiancé's disapproving mother and his angry ex-girlfriend, Billie's plans for the future may be put on hold - permanently...

Paris Simmons-Holyfield is facing a dilemma - she's pregnant but she is not sure who the father is. After spending a night with Darius Connors, her ex-colleague, the baby could belong to him, but she doesn't want to ruin her marriage. Darius has his own problems. His wife, Tiffany, has kicked him out. But he doesn't want to give up on his marriage just yet - even if Tiffany has found company in the arms of Clarence Walker, the Minister of Music at Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center.

Vanessa Davis Griggs’ Blessed Trinity novels tackle tough questions of faith with humor and honesty. The sixth entry in the series, The Truth Is the Light features the return of the always-entertaining Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center congregation. Here, the flock’s newest member is causing quite a stir, but he’s not the only one bringing drama into the church house.

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.

Nationally best-selling author Vanessa Davis Griggs helps spread the Word with powerful fiction for the faithful. In The Other Side of Dare, Paris Simmons-Holyfield finds her marriage of seven years stressed to the breaking point when she works toward adopting nine-year-old Jasmine. Her husband Andrew and her father oppose the adoption. And while Paris has her suspicions as to why, it soon becomes clear that Jasmine is the key to a long-buried secret. Now Paris must overcome tests to her faith and marriage as she searches for the truth.

Xavier Whitted, CPA and city council candidate, is excited to get away to the Crystal Coast for his best friend's wedding. He is shocked when he runs into his high school sweetheart there, the only woman he ever truly loved. Dr. Imani Grant is just about ready to open her own dermatology practice when old feelings for Xavier resurface. Imani isn't willing to let him back into her life, until Xavier starts a new campaign: win Imani back - no matter what it takes.

Celebrated author Cheris Hodges pens romantic tales that hit all the right notes. In Recipe for Desire, Marie Charles’ party-girl days come to a screeching halt with a DWI arrest and a totaled Jaguar. Sentenced to 500 hours of community service at a local women’s shelter, her only bright spot is a fellow volunteer, TV star Devon Harris. But Devon wants nothing to do with Marie and her selfish ways - until her work at the shelter has her turning over a new leaf.