American Contemporary

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in - it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly White, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi - or Izzy, because “it’s easier this way” - and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity...and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In 2014, Ian Haney Lopez in Dog Whistle Politics named and explained the coded racial appeals exploited by right-wing politicians over the last half century-and thereby anticipated the 2016 presidential election. Now the country is heading into what will surely be one of the most consequential elections ever. Some want to focus on racial justice head-on; others insist that a race-silent focus on class avoids alienating white voters. Can either approach build the progressive supermajorities necessary to break political gridlock and fundamentally change the country's direction?

Pascha St. Claire has nothing to live for. After five years, her once-loving husband, Raymond, decides to end their marriage. He’s unable to deal with her mental health, significant weight gain, or the idea that she cannot seem to birth him a child. She returns home one night to find her belongings on the curb and the locks to her home changed. Her pleading falls on deaf ears as Raymond has made the decision to end their marriage. With no other option, Pascha is forced to leave and never look back.

Through the darkest tunnel comes the light, but for Caesar King, there is nothing but more darkness on the other side. After the failed attempt on his life, he is afraid that the Pact of the Five Families is no more. He can trust nobody. Whoever murdered Barry is now aiming for Caesar's crown, and the only way to flush them out and figure out who's responsible is to go to war...with everybody.

Kennessey Kiarra has the perfect life, but she quickly discovers everything that glitters isn’t gold. Her mother disappears in the dead of the night and quickly thrusts Kennessey into adulthood. Bills are due, depression invades her veins, and she finds herself responsible for herself and her younger sister, Kyndall. Kennessey struggles to keep her head above water while trying to quench an insatiable thirst. Her obsession proves to be more of a problem than relief for her, though. Will she find a way to thrive, or will her ravenous thirst consume her?

Unsettled… That is the word Desire Chambries uses to describe how she feels. Although her preschool students bring her joy, her personal life needs resuscitating. She’d love to get married, but the dating scene lacks quality men. Most were barely boyfriend material and definitely not fit to be someone’s husband. At thirty-five years old, her hope of finding the man of her dreams and becoming a wife is fading fast, as is the idea of having children of her own. One lonely Friday night, after being stood up for the third time, she sees an ad for Arranged Hearts on social media.

It was over! Keila’s marriage with her husband, professional basketball player Jahlil McKnight, was finished. She was ready to walk away and never look back. During her separation...all Keila wanted was to finally feel good again. She found goodness in the arms of another man. ​Who is this person? None other than Jahlil’s best friend, Rafiq Jones. It wasn’t even supposed to get deep as Rafiq was just a friend. ​However, a wild set of circumstances lead them to a forbidden night between the two that turns into multiple encounters. But somehow — someway, Keila goes back to Jahlil ...

Imagine matching on a dating app with the guy of your dreams. Tall—check. Handsome—check. Financially responsible—check check...and he happens to live in the same city as you. That's what happens when Jru Amber matches with Crew Tims. They both know they're the perfect match on paper, but both of them are far too busy to see if the connection is real in person. That is, until they both end up on the same flight, at the same time, going on vacation.

Jamison Jareau has suffered a terrible loss. His wife of eighteen years passed away the day she gave birth to their son. Consumed with grief and guilt over her death, Jamison has thrown himself into work and raising his four children without her. Two and a half years have passed since he lost his soulmate. The kids are growing up and Jamison realized he needs a little more help with them than he wants to admit. At the urging of his mother-in-law, he seeks a live-in nanny to alleviate some of the stress of being a single parent.

Catch my gaze means your eyes better always find mine.

Since receiving a text saying their husbands may have cheated on them, Jaime, Aria, and Renee have been trying to move past the heartbreaking situation. But regardless of whether the text was a lie, the three can’t deny that the way they see their husbands—and themselves—has changed.

Kazimir, the head of the Bratva, has come to New York to find the person who murdered his loyal washer. Nicknamed The Russian Lion because he's credited with over 200 kills, the death of his washer is enough to start a dark and deadly war. Unfortunately, Emily falls on Kazimir's radar. Her brother is suspected of being involved in the murder, and she's determined to do everything she can to save him.

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny‚ but not important emotions, like love. His family knows better - that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

Dr. Trisha Raje is San Francisco’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon. But that’s not enough for the Rajes, her influential immigrant family who’s achieved power by making its own nonnegotiable rules: Never trust an outsider, never do anything to jeopardize your brother’s political aspirations, and never, ever, defy your family. Trisha is guilty of breaking all three rules. But now, she has a chance to redeem herself. So long as she doesn’t repeat old mistakes.

At the celebration of her best friend's wedding, Claudia Stevens is trying to sort out her tumultuous emotions, regarding the groom's best man and brother, Jaden Alexander Rose. What started as a platonic relationship, has turned into a battle of wills whenever they find themselves together. Their heated exchanges have risen to the surface, and desire spills over on contact. However, Claudia fears she is not enough to be on the arm of a prestigious benefactor like Jaden. And Claudia is sure that's why he's friend-zoned her.

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 ...

For seventeen years, the Army has been Nakara Dakota Willer's saving grace. Dakota has excelled, ranked, and changed her life for the better. As a decorated Chief Aviation Officer, she encompasses the skillsets and fortitude to handle any challenges, except, him. Omari Kreed is a legacy. Born from a line of Kreed men who have served the highest ranks means his future in the Army is not only expected but destined. Regardless, his journey will be his own. Unlike the Kreed men before him, his mindset on acquiring Aviation wings.

Loving Simone Garrett Hallowell and Simone Williams were college sweethearts. Their promising future came crumbling down because of a drunken mistake, causing Simone to walk out of his life. Garrett moved across the country on a journey of self-discovery after losing the love of his life. Simone had no choice but to move on after their breakup. She focused on raising her daughter, working, and getting her master’s degree. An unconventional meeting has Garrett on a mission to make Simone forgive him and their love a second chance. Will he be able to make Simone his again, or will she ...

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers - not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed into a ceiba tree, leaving them with more questions than answers.

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.