American Contemporary

Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul - the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the Whole Foods generation. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter's dreams. Together with Walter - environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man - she was doing her small part to build a better world.

I’m a Straight Police Officer, but I’m falling for a 19-year-old JOCK. Officer Landon Never in a million years did I imagine that stopping a speeding car one morning would thrust me into a wild encounter that would change the trajectory of my entire life. When I pulled over Trent, a 6'9 African American college basketball player who also happened to be a rich bad boy who had no regard for the law, I didn’t anticipate that his muscular frame that oozed sex appeal and deep voice would have me weak in the knees and questioning my sexuality. His flirtation and bribe to perform a naughty ...

Today should be one of the worst days of 17-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Sienna Shaw thought she’d found forever when she met the wealthy and charming Tyir Willis. For months, Tyir wined, dined, and wooed Sienna until she agreed to relocate to be closer to him. In the blink of an eye, Sienna’s would-be fairytale love is snatched away. Being a single mother was never on Sienna’s list of things to do. When her prince charming turned out to be a frog, she’s left to figure out how to navigate through motherhood alone.

Vance Hale has everything. A ridiculous amount of money, an Ivy-league education, and a 1,000-watt smile that can charm the designer dress right off a girl. He’s also going to have a future that includes me—whether he wants it or not. I don’t care that he’s trying to reform his playboy ways, or that he made a bet to go 90 days without the touch of a woman. I’ve spent the last decade planning my revenge and I need a partner in crime. This gorgeous, cunning man should do fine.

Rochelle is a gorgeous sista who finally decides that instead of doing wrong, she wants to do right. Unfortunately, in the environment that she grew up in, doing right is a hard task to accomplish. It takes some trial and error, but she eventually gets her life on track…meaning by God’s grace, Rochelle is finally able to turn her failures into successes. When she meets a brotha who has the right ingredients to steal her heart, she soon finds out he’s already taken. But Rochelle’s a praying type of sista—she’s vowed to give God her all. Even though the man she’s fallen for is ...

Juleena doesn't know who she can trust anymore. She is truly in a battle of her heart over family. Who does she choose, and what does she do? Her brother has always been her right hand, someone she could trust with her life. When that changes, who can she truly depend on?

Phate (/fāt/) - a strong feeling of resentment toward a member of the opposite sex, which eventually compels both parties to be drawn to one another in love. Ray Ray never got over what happened to her on the night of her high school prom. Ten years later, she’s grown, successful, and single… sort of. She’s playing the field, talking to two guys at once, but failing to make a move toward either of them. Insert De’Veon, the blast from her past. De’Veon is also grown, successful, and somewhat single. Naija is vying for his attention and desires for more between them. Right before ...

Alexis Monroe and Jaceon Palmer were college sweethearts. They’d planned their lives and were set to get married until Jaceon reveals a change in the plans they had for the future. Hit with the devastating blow that he no longer wants children, Alexis breaks things off. Years later, she is married with a beautiful daughter and pregnant with her son. Tragedy strikes when her husband is killed in an unsolved hit-and-run accident. After struggling through her pregnancy and dealing with her grief for a year, Alexis realizes she needs help.

New York Times best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey returns to a character he created in his celebrated novel of erotic daring, Pleasure. Four years have passed in the life of Nia Simone Bijou, and she is approaching the height of her artistic powers. A film she has written is poised for international success, the studio is eager for a sequel, and the media are fascinated by her work. Yet her imaginative mind is wandering.

Upon finding out Belly has been unfaithful, Blaise realizes that bringing yet another child into the world with a womanizing manipulator isn't ideal, so she must act accordingly. In the second installment, Belly learns that Blaise is a far cry from the sit-by-the-phone women he's used to. His suave demeanor, charming ways, and calculated words fall on blind eyes and deaf ears when it comes to the heartbroken and now callous Blaise. However the ever so determined Belly is always up for a challenge.

In the wake of a devastating teen pregnancy that left her childless and heartbroken, Vashti Alcindor left Catalina Cove, Louisiana, with no plans to return. Now, more than a decade later, Vashti reluctantly finds herself back in her hometown after inheriting her aunt’s B and B. Her homecoming gets off to a rocky start when the new sheriff, Sawyer Grisham, pulls her over for speeding, and things go downhill from there.

Dakota Buck, a rough-around-the-edges music executive, strides through life calling the shots with an aura of grit. Yet beneath his rugged exterior lies a complex man shaped by a past marred by betrayal and disappointment, leaving him guarded against true connection and trust. Although willing to open his heart, Dakota yearns for a bond that transcends the superficial or nothing.

In the world of creativity, Lore Reed shines as a beacon of boundless imagination, her sculptures and paintings capturing the essence of emotion and beauty. Raised in a household where freedom and exploration reigned supreme, Lore’s carefree spirit knows no bounds. Yet beneath her artistic façade lies a longing for stability and family. With a daughter to nurture and a heart ready to embrace love’s allure, Lore sets out on a journey of discovery that promises to redefine her life forever.

Four people face a winter storm in the wilderness. Two have lost their way. One has lost his purpose and one has lost his soul. Headed home for Christmas vacation, Ruthie, a quiet professor, crosses paths with Moose, a football coach, on an icy, blocked road in Western North Carolina. Amid a winter storm, they unknowingly take shelter in a killer’s hideout. Escaping under fire, they flee into a frozen, snow-covered forest. Trying to find their way out and shake the murderer, they dodge bullets each day until the temperature drops and the world turns quiet. Then, they set up camps to ...

Kelaya Harper knows two things when it comes to Hezekiah Perez. One, she loves him. Two, they can never be together. They are from two different worlds and blending them will be a tragic misstep. Hezekiah knows his heart belongs only to Kelaya and will do anything to prove that they are meant to be. Just when he thinks they are finally locked in, everything implodes and he fears his life will never exist with the love and balance he craves.

Reese Moore is a member of Greater Hope Worship Center and a member of the women’s ministry. She made some mistakes early in life and now she is left to raise her eight-year-old son Kase alone. Her dreams of being a lawyer have been put on hold as she struggles to juggle her responsibilities. When Reese finds a new fortune with her friends, she thinks it’s the answer to her problems, but it’s only the beginning. Joy Winters has been living with the consequences of a decision she made that changed her relationship with her daughter Kassidy and her ex-husband Roman does nothing to make ...

Rene is a force to be reckoned with after finding out her uncle Kingston Marshall has been shot. The entire family is out for blood. Rene will not rest until she finds Elizabeth Waters. Samuel Smith knows his wife will stop at nothing until Elizabeth is brought to justice. It’s time she pays for what she has done to their family. Samuel feels guilty. He knows he has to find Elizabeth before Rene finds out the truth about his love affair. Elizabeth will stop at nothing until she wins the heart of Samuel Jacobs. Playing mind games with him and everyone else, thinking she is unstoppable, ...

Ciyah James has fallen out of love with love. Simply put, love isn’t shit; these men are for everybody, and she was over it. Period! She’s tired of heartbreak and competing for a trusting relationship with her boyfriend’s boyfriends. Five years ago was the last time she would give another man her heart. Now gated walls guarded her heart, and her precious jewels were clad locked. Her mission is never to let anyone in. Ever again. Zino Valentine has had his share of letdowns, which has caused his heart to harden. To him, women came a dime a dozen, and he didn’t have a problem passing ...

The Great Recession, institutional dysfunction, a growing divide between urban and rural prospects, and failed efforts to effectively address immigration have paved the way for a populist backlash that disrupts the postwar bargain between political elites and citizens. Whether today's populism represents a corrective to unfair and obsolete policies or a threat to liberal democracy remains up for debate. To respond to today's crisis, good leaders must strive for inclusive economic growth while addressing social and cultural issues, including demographic anxiety, with frank attention.