Contemporary African American Fiction

After opening a cultural community center in the heart of Chicago, Porter Crowne is determined to make The Blackout Fest the best Juneteenth celebration yet. Especially when chosen as Mr. Black Chicago. Partnering with influential members of the community will ensure its success. However, if you aren't following the plan, you're in his way just like the curvy, feisty vlogger who argues with every suggestion he has.

Remi Wilson is a true Army brat. As the the daughter of a General, her life’s plan was set in motion from the minute she took her first breath. The expectations are simple: Be the ideal general’s daughter and marry an Army officer. Not once has she considered deviating. Why would she when following the plan will lead to a blissfully bright further that mirrors that of her parents.

Thalia, a 25-year-old wild girl gone good, moves back to her old neighborhood after a failed engagement and manages to catch the eye of the town's most wanted man - the incredibly sexy, single, devoted, and charismatic Reverend Isaac. Not only is there a large age difference between Thalia and the middle-aged pastor, but he also happens to be the father of Madison, her best friend since junior high school. Madison isn't trying to deal with her father dating anyone after her mother's death.

Gaia Wilson: I wanted nothing to do with him. His eyes were lifeless. His demeanor cold. His actions too harsh. Ricardo Carter wasn't the kind of man you fell in love with—he was the kind you ran from. Ricardo "Rocco" Carter: I wanted everything to do with her. Her eyes were full of life. Her demeanor soft. Her actions thoughtful. Gaia Wilson was the kind of woman you fell in love with—she was the kind you ran toward.

She cheated with one of her best friends' husbands - and turned scathing publicity into cash-money celebrity. But Jessa Bell has reformed. She's trying to make amends to those she did wrong, and she's started a successful business catching rich unfaithful spouses. Her agents are beautiful lost girls who get a shot at the good life. And when Jessa's sizzling affair with private detective Hammer turns into love and marriage, she's sure she's finally doing things right, until she catches Hammer sleeping with one of her agents just months after their wedding.

When you’re sitting in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on the biggest sporting stage in the world and see the man of your dreams, he’s nothing more than a distraction. But there’s nothing like this type of distraction. And nothing like a little mental motivation to show up and show out when someone has their eyes on you. At least that's what my sister thinks when I meet professional basketball player Devin Grant, a two-week distraction that could turn into forever.

An Essence best-selling author, Rochelle Alers also boasts a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and Zora Neale Hurston Award. Sweet Southern Nights continues the Eaton family saga, which finds Dr. Levi Eaton far from his Northern roots, volunteering at a Kentucky clinic. There he meets Angela Chase, whose sultry Southern hospitality is just what the doctor ordered. But as their relationship deepens, Angela worries Levi may discover the secrets she’s been hiding.

Tia, Ton'ya, and Tammi are not only making moves in the game, but they're doing it in the bedroom too - and anywhere they need to get what they want. Tia is quick with her razor-sharp mouth, and she carries an equally sharp razor to slice a throat if need be. Ton'ya is loyal to a fault but will fight back if threatened. Tammi is the brains of the operation. They have collected more bodies than a Manhattan hooker working the lower East Side. What happens when the heart gets in the way of making money?

With Snow reappearing, Legendary finds himself off his game, causing him to ignore all that is happening around him. Little does he know, Snow is on the hunt for vengeance, and the chance to have her family back. Legendary's sister throwing a wrench in their relationship was not in Promise's forecast when she agreed to do her hair. Promise knows that Legendary will never be with someone who doesn't get along with his family, but excusing his sister's disrespect isn't something Promise is willing to do.

Cheryl Robinson, a bright voice in African-American fiction, delivers a fresh tale of love in the modern world. Porter is a handsome Detroit firefighter who just got burned by his cheating girlfriend. Winona is a single mom who is getting by despite an old secret that haunts her. When Porter and Winona meet, they must face their pasts to allow their present romance to grow.

Life has never been easy for Pastel Saint, but she isn't afraid of hard work. This has always been Pastel's attitude until the load she's carrying threatens to break her. One day she's on the verge of falling to pieces when an unlikely party presents her with a silver lining in the form of a proposition.

Maven Edwards was raised on the ruthless streets of Detroit but makes it out in one piece. An executive in the music industry, he has fortune, fame, and good looks, but an ice cold heart from time spent in various orphanages. Maven isn't looking for love, or even one female to share his wealth and success with. He is a bona fide ladies' man. The more arm candy he has to flaunt at celebrity parties, buy high-priced gifts for, and take on luxurious trips, the better. He's all about building his brand, making money, and collecting beautiful women who can coexist as sister wives.

All hail to the West Coast, where its natural resources of breathtaking beaches, smokable trees, and beautiful women are unlimited. From the freezing top of Mt. Denali in Alaska to the fly-ass architectural marvel of California's Golden Gate Bridge, the region is one of the most desirable places to visit on Earth. But for a problematic girl like Temper Chey, it's a prison, and she's dying to be freed.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Brenda Jackson ignites fierce passions within her devoted fan following. Her Steele series features an African-American family whose members find love in the least likely places. Here, gift shop owner Stacey Carlson harbors secret fantasies about her sexy landlord Eli Steele. Looking to change his playboy image, Eli thinks proposing to Stacey is a good way to start. Their arrangement is supposed to be strictly business, but when real sparks fly between them, Eli begins reconsidering his stance.

It has been a year since Jillian Novak ended their affair - a year that left Dr. Aidan Westmoreland determined to win back his lover. He knows they shouldn't have to keep their relationship a secret, and he'll follow her around the world to prove it. Fourteen days on a cruise ship - just Aidan, Jillian, and the deep blue sea - and a passion that won't be denied.

On the surface, Corinne Thomas has the world at her fingertips. Adventurous by nature, her daring persona allows her the freedom to take risks and live her life, at times, in complete anonymity. But there is something that lingers deep down that, if brought to light, could stir the masquerade Corinne's built for herself. For the past few weeks, exchanges with a certain someone wreaks havoc on her ability to maintain a solid pretense.

"We'd had to be cut free of our mother's womb. Abby and I were fused, you see. But here's the real kicker; Abby had the magic, I didn't." Now adults, Makeda and Abby still share their childhood home. The surgery to separate the two girls left Makeda with what feels like an even worse deformity: no mojo. The daughters of a celestial demigod and a human woman, Makeda and Abby were raised by their magical father. Today, Makeda has decided it's high time to move out and make her own life.

Siblings Brenda and Brian Andrews think their good looks, money, and charm should afford them the pick of the litter among the abundant singles scene in Atlanta, and they've never been too shy to sample. Unfortunately, all pawns in their single life games aren't playing nicely, nor are they willing to take being manipulated lying down. As though they aren't dealing with enough, the doorway to hidden family secrets is suddenly slung open when their alcoholic, philandering, and often abusive father's body is discovered floating in their parent's pool.

From her first days at Virginia’s Hampton University, impressionable, creative Nia falls smitten with Chris Eidos Alleyne, an athlete and a scholar. “Love is sweet nothings and beautiful promises”, Nia writes in her journal. What her girlfriends know, and her mother doesn’t, is that Chris’s expression of love is deeply physical. Wielding powerful charisma, Chris soon has Nia abandoning innocence for experience.

In Rhonda Bowen’s breakout debut novel Man Enough for Me, Jules Jackson has her life under control. There’s no man in the mix - until Germaine comes along, and she falls hard. But when Jules discovers Germaine is hiding something big from her, she starts digging for answers. Soon, everything starts falling apart, and Jules must decide to take her new love on faith or risk losing it all.