Sylvia “Suvie” Allen certainly can’t complain. After
nineteen years of marriage, her husband, Emory, can still make her
laugh. And her two adolescent daughters have managed to stay out of
trouble, resisting the temptations of the streets. At forty-six, Suvie
is content with the present, the future looks good, and the past—well,
into every life a little rain must fall. As a teenager, Suvie suffered a
deep betrayal caused by both her best friend, Dorothy—and her first
love, Philip. The hurt and loss were devastating, but Suvie healed and
came out stronger for it. And besides, what’s past is past, and now is
her time in the sun. But it isn’t all up to Suvie, as she discovers one
fateful day when her ringing doorbell reveals the one love that still
haunts her…
Mel and Adrienne Jordan had the kind of marriage most
couples only dream about. Mel had abandoned his womanizing ways to
settle down with the smartest, sexiest woman he’d ever met—and had
absolutely no regrets. Neither did his wife. Between caring for their
infant daughter and tending to their small but lovely home in New York
City, Adrienne didn’t have time to think about the singing career she’d
pursued and then abandoned years ago. Landing a recording contract had
once been her greatest ambition—but she hardly ever thought about it
anymore. Life was that good. But then one day a fire sweeps through
their home, killing their beloved daughter—and nearly destroying their
marriage. Convinced that he is to blame for the tragedy, Mel returns to
the mean streets of his youth—and indulges in the drugs, drink, and
women he finds there. Adrienne works long hours at a tedious job,
desperate to get ahead—even though she’s not really sure where she’s
going. As they drift further into their grief—and away from each
other—Mel and Adrienne start to wonder if they can ever reclaim what
they had. And they soon realize that their greatest challenge will be
trying to save the one thing they had always taken for granted: their
love.
In the
foothills of northern Trinidad, during a dry season more intense than
any in memory, men and women struggle side by side in the cramped
communal yard of a hillside neighborhood…
Myra, a proud, sensuous, hardworking woman who finds
blessed release in her own restless desires; Odile, Myra’s defiant
teenage daughter who risks her one chance to escape the family’s
poverty; Sebastian, Myra’s senile father who has begun to follow his
fantasies into a world of trouble; Slim, Myra’s worthless street vendor
boyfriend who spends as much time seducing young women as he does
selling cheap trinkets; Jacob, the once-famous West Indian stickfighter
who thought the hero in him was long dead, until he meets Myra. And
Rory, the boy next door whose desperate need for Odile’s love may
destroy everything before the rains come.
Older sister Jasmine, a postal worker in Richmond,
Virginia, is working hard, saving money, and waiting for the right man
to walk into her life. And in fine-dressing, smooth-talking attorney
Derrick, she thinks she’s found him. Derrick is generous, gorgeous, and
oh-so-sexy. But all it takes is some pointed questions from Jasmine’s
shrewd granny Big Momma to expose her man as nothing more than a lying,
drug-dealing hustler. Refusing to admit she’s been played, Jasmine
chooses to remain faithful to Derrick while he’s doing time. That is,
until she finds him in a clinch on visiting day with his baby’s momma,
Wendy. Derrick’s big mistake with Wendy pushes Jasmine even further
toward the arms of good friend—and good man—Dylan. But when yet another
baby momma comes into the picture, Jasmine will have to decide whether
the right love is worth the complications that come with it…
Mattie Dinkins lives her life surrounded by
mirrors—not for vanity's sake, but to assure herself she is real. The
illegitimate, velvet-dark daughter of Dominic Evers, a prominent,
pass-for-white businessman, Mattie sees her father once a week when he
visits the candy store she works in. His denial of her every other day
of the week cuts so keenly that she is afraid that one day she will
simply disappear.
Jonah Reyes was saved from a life of poverty by a
scholarship to an elite private school—and by the prosperous man who
took an interest in him. Raised in Dominic Evers' home, the
light-skinned, half-Spanish Jonah became the man's surrogate son, his
protégé, and finally his business partner and son-in-law when he marries
Dominic's legitimate daughter, Justice.
Tanya Black has everything a woman could want: a
fulfilling career, a beautiful daughter, an elegant home, and a
handsome, charismatic husband who is pastor at a prominent Baptist
church. And yet, none of it can hide the growing turbulence in her
marriage.
Her husband Curtis's remoteness, his selfishness
where she and daughter are concerned, and his corruption when it comes
to the church are making Tanya doubt what she once cherished. How can
she respect a man who's preaching simple values while he's grabbing
money and power behind the scenes?
Then Curtis goes too far, and Tanya's confronted with
the worst betrayal a woman can face. Plunged into a bittersweet journey
of discovery, she suddenly finds herself learning painful new lessons
about love, loyalty, and sensual temptation...and discovering the wisdom
to celebrate the victories that are hers alone.
Tamra and Charles have known they were meant for each other ever
since they were kids. But past hurts and doubts about the future
have taken a toll on their thirteen-year marriage. Seeking answers,
Tamra leaves Maryland for New York and embarks on a spiritual
journey into her past. As she grapples with a decision that could
change her life forever, she draws strength from the experience of
two indomitable women: her mother, Virginia Henry, who struggled to
make a better life for herself and her daughter; and her
grandmother, Big Mama, the proud matriarch who held her family
together when everything else was falling apart.
Moving across three generations and a world of
changing times, Chesapeake Song is a richly rewarding story
of family, love, sacrifice…and the powerful ties that bind.
Every Bitter Thing Sweet picks up where Carrington's
previous book, A Thirst For Rain ends. This is a story of three
generations of people struggling to make better lives for themselves on
the island of Trinidad. Rory and Odile have not seen one another since
an awful incident that drove them apart several years ago. Now Rory
delivers drugs to pharmacies and is having a halfhearted affair with an
older married woman. His mother disappeared years ago leaving him alone
with is father Saul, a sadist who pawns off Rory's possessions to buy
alcohol.
Everything Bitter Sweet is a believable and ultimately
hopeful story despite the oppressive poverty and personal demons against
which Carrington's characters struggle.
At the heart of the story is Annette Goode, a shy,
awkward, overweight child who keeps a terrible secret. Mr. Boatwright,
the boarder her hardworking mother has taken in, abuses her daily.
Frightened and ashamed, Annette withdraws into a world of books and
food.
But the summer Annette turns thirteen, something
incredible happens: Rhoda Nelson chooses her as a friend. Dazzling,
generous Rhoda, who is everything Annette is not—gorgeous, slim, and
worldly—welcomes Annette into the heart of her eccentric family, which
includes her handsome and dignified father; her lovely, fragile, “Muh'Dear;”
her brooding, dangerous brother Jock; and her colorful white
relatives—half-crazy Uncle Johnny, sultry Aunt Lola, and scary, surly
Granny Goose.
In this haunting
and powerful new novel, national bestselling author Mary Monroe
revisits Annette Goode, Rhoda Nelson, and the other
unforgettable characters she introduced in God Still Don’t
Like Ugly.
After a five-year separation, Annette is ready to take tentative
steps to re-establish her friendship with Rhoda, but has her
troubled girlhood companion come to terms with her past? It is a
necessary reunion—and one that will change Annette’s life
forever…
Twenty-four year old single mom Shonda Robinson may not be the wisest
woman around—and she’s definitely not the most discreet—but she knows a
good thing when she’s got it. That good thing is her love for Malik
Moore, and she intends to keep it—at all costs. But she’s not alone. In
addition to having a good job, and knowing just how to show Shonda a
good time, Malik also has a pregnant fiancée. He may be in love with his
baby-on-the-way, but Shonda is sure he doesn’t feel the same about his
bride-to-be. She can see the unhappy writing on the wall because she
knows only too well what a troubled relationship is like. And with a
wedding in the works, Shonda is seriously considering causing some
trouble of her own.
Pregnant with her second child, Kimberly Vanessa Brown has got a
career, a college degree—and enough common sense to know that her
boyfriend of three years, Malik, isn’t ready for fatherhood. Until he
surprises her with a marriage proposal—in a jewelry store, no less. Now
it seems that Kim has got her man too. At least for the moment.
In Soul Mates
Dissipate, her sizzling
Essenceâ and Blackboard bestseller, and its
smoking sequel,
Never Again Once More, Mary B. Morrison blazed a new
trail in African American erotic fiction. Here, in her all-new
novel, her sassy, unstoppable heroine vows to marry money and
status. The problem is that the lover who comes with them
refuses to make a commitment.
With its poignant
portrayal of the kind of “just friends” relationship nearly
everyone has experienced, this tell-it-like-it-is novel traces a
woman’s personal journey through dangerous betrayals and
uncensored passions to the finding of emotional courage...and
the true riches of life that money can never bring.
Las Vegas is pumped to the max on the night the much
hyped heavy-weight title fight hits the Strip. With charismatic newcomer
Joaquin Muhammed taking on popular champ Tyler Jeffries—and the added
attraction of platinum-selling rapper King Diamond giving a warm-up
concert—the streets are buzzing with fervid fans, millionaires,
celebrities, hiphoppers, pimps and players—all on a delirious pre-fight
high.
In the middle of the match, a shot rings out and
Jeffries goes down. Not exactly a fair fight, muses Martha Chainey, the
buff and tough ex-show girl who makes her living transporting large sums
of unreported cash for casino owners. In the uproar that follows,
Chainey is yanked aside by Victoria DeGault, the owner of the Riverhead
Casino. Seems somebody snatched the 5 million dollar side bet Victoria
was holding. If Chainey can recover the loot, there's a cool 250 grand
in it for her.
Sister Betty always wore a big cross hung around her
tiny wrinkled neck, carried a much too big Bible, and constantly smiled
for no apparent reason. The children had heard that no matter what the
situation was, she would just clasp her petite hands together, look up
toward heaven, and give you a smile. Sometimes while laying her hands on
your head and praying, her false teeth would fall forward. Before they
hit the floor she would snatch up the teeth by their metal hook. She’d
put them in her pocket and keep right on smiling showing her pink
rubbery gums. Every so often, she mumbled some words that she claimed
only her and God understood, but would benefit whomever she prayed for…
Sister Betty hasn’t been the same since God called
her on the phone back in ’84. A devoted member of Ain’t Nobody Right But
Us—All Others Goin’ to Hell Church, she’s always looking after the
welfare of her fellow congregants—and it’s a big job, considering
they’re none too good at looking after themselves—or each other. With an
ATM and a Blessing Dispenser in the church vestibule, and Sister Ima
Hellraiser in her path, Betty’s got her work cut out. Still, doing His
will is what it’s all about for Sister Betty—and seven of her most
hilarious and inspirational adventures are gathered in Sister Betty!
God’s Calling You, Again! a soulful treat from Pat G’Orge Walker for
fans of God, gospel, and good times.
After eighteen years of firm faith, Roger McKenzie
is questioning his calling as leader of the gospel choir, The Triumphant
Voices of Praise. Not only have the Voices failed to achieve the
commercial and critical success he craves, relationships between the
choir members are unraveling, turning the once harmonious group into
disillusioned and bitter strangers.
Tyrone Thomas, Roger's cousin, has always been his
best friend and staunchest supporter. Tyrone also adores his wife,
Georgie, and can't understand why she's intent on driving a wedge
between him and Roger. For Georgie's part, there's something about Roger
she doesn't trust. And while she has the uneasy feeling he's hiding
something, she's been keeping secrets of her own—ones that could destroy
her cherished marriage. Pampered, privileged Margaret Hall-Stuart sings
like an angel, but her up-town airs alienate the other members of the
Voices. Margaret's determined to make a play for Roger—until someone
else in the group opens her eyes to a world she's never imagined.
When Roger begins to receive hateful, anonymous
messages, the whole choir is plunged into an ordeal that tests their
spirits. It's only by facing their pasts, their demons, and their
limitations that each of them can overcome the obstacles within…and
reach new heights of celebration and success.
A rich, emotional story filled with compelling
characters, Testimony is at once shocking, inspiring, and
satisfying. Once again, Felicia Mason shows why readers and critics have
made her one of contemporary fiction's most beloved authors.
Mama Ruby may not be all crazy, but she's at least
halfway there. She's known for taking things that aren't rightfully
hers, like her best friend's stillborn baby—a tiny brown girl that she
brought back to life with her legendary healing hands and christened
Maureen. She's also rumored to have done away with her husband (True, he
deserved it, but still.) Some fear her. Others try their best to avoid
her. But most everyone agrees the devil has got hold of Mama Ruby's
soul.
With her God-fearing neighbors watching her every
step, it's all Mama Ruby can do to stay ahead of the law. One desperate
night, she flees to Goons, a dirt-poor migrant settlement in the Florida
Everglades—and, strange to say—it feels something like home. There's
folks she likes (the low-down, wild-eyed Fast Black), folks she mostly
loves (like Big Red, her law enforcement “connection”), and more than a
few folks she just plain can't stand. Through it all, she remains
downright nuts about the one gift God gave her—her precious daughter
Maureen.
In all the world, only
two things are important to Marge Hairston: her work as a journalist,
and the three children she raised alone after her husband's death.
Handsome Drogan, tempestuous Cassie, and gentle Sharon share a warm
affection for each other, and a profound pride in their mother, who
turned The Woodmore Times into North Carolina's most influential African
American newspaper.
But even a family as close as the Hairstons can be torn
apart when crisis hits—as it does when Marge is taken seriously ill. And
when she insists that one of her children abandon a comfortable and
successful career to continue her work at the paper, Drogan, Cassie, and
Sharon suddenly find their cherished close relationships unraveling.
An absentee
father from a “no good” family, Tyrone Stokes was imprisoned for
shooting a man in a convenience store. His wife, Pauline, saw
her chance to end their marriage and raise their son, Marcus, on
her own. Now Tyrone has returned to Brownsville, Louisiana, to
discover that his boy needs help—help that Tyrone is desperate
to give, if he can only figure out how.
Marcus has been
convicted of the rape and murder of a young white girl. An
execution date is set, and the rumor in town is that the
Governor will refuse clemency. Tyrone is convinced that Marcus
is innocent—but he is also wracked by knowledge of all the ways
in which he has failed his son. Then there’s the stack of
evidence against Marcus, plus the testimony of two eyewitnesses.
Against all these odds, Tyrone sets out to keep Marcus alive—and
perhaps put his family back together again.
In vivid and
evocative prose, rich with the rituals and rhythms of Southern
life, Ernest Hill has created a cast of characters made
unforgettable by their flawed humanity. Raw, compelling, and
searingly honest, Cry Me A River is a testament to the
strength that can be found in love and family loyalty, and the
ways in which it can save us.
Where There's A Will Shirley
Hailstock, Margie Walker, Bridget Anderson, Shelby Lewis,
with Donna Hill
From four of
today’s most exciting writers comes a compelling collection of
stories about a group of sisters whose lives are about to take
an unexpected turn...
For Maxine,
Morgan, Taylor, and Samantha Chambers, being the daughters of
Liberty, Georgia’s most respected private investigator was a
double-edged sword. As the founder of the state’s only African
American-owned PI firm, Henry Chambers was revered—but now that
he’s passed away, his girls hope to put his dangerous business
behind them. When their father’s will is read, however, the
sisters discover that each has inherited a case of her own to
solve ...
Margie Rose
Walker’s “Curtains” introduces Maxine, a successful Houston
banker who intends to make this her last trip to Liberty. Then
someone takes a shot at her, and she meets Sgt. Lucious Kimble.
He’s a man whose energy screams “cop”, and whose good looks
scream things Maxine hasn’t thought about in way too long. Now,
if only she can stay alive long enough to reacquaint herself
with the personal side of life. Because someone is clearly
holding a deadly grudge against her father—and is resolved to
take it out on Maxine ...
In “Redemption,”
by Shelby Lewis, oldest sister Morgan is the only Chambers
daughter to turn down a case. The
police-sketch-artist-turned-ballet-teacher wants nothing more to
do with law enforcement—until her dance students start getting
murdered—by a killer who promises she’ll be next. Morgan has a
hunch her father’s death is the catalyst. It’s a hunch that will
lead her right back to Liberty, to fulfill her his last wish—and
uncover one of his greatest secrets ...
In Shirley
Hailstocks’s “The Bad Penny,” Taylor, a corporate lawyer, plans
to be on a plane back to New Jersey right after the reading of
her daddy’s will—until she’s saddled with the case of a missing
woman. Taylor always wanted to be like her beloved father—and
now she has her chance. But once she starts asking questions, it
becomes obvious that someone doesn’t want her finding the
answers. Because in another year, the family of Savannah
socialite Susan Hilliard Frasier can declare her legally
dead—and start spending her fortune
In “Identity
Crisis,” by Bridget Anderson, sister Samantha follows the trail
of a man who’s far from the well-to-do investment advisor he’d
like his clients, his fiancée, and her wealthy relatives to
believe he is. But as a publicist for a record company, Samantha
knows all about self-promotion—and false advertising. Soon
enough, she’s going undercover to expose the truth about a
callous con man
Emotional and
absorbing, these page-turning stories explore the lives of four
fascinating women who learn that they may be more like their
father than they thought—and that sometimes true happiness comes
from embracing the past—not running from it.
“If you can walk,
you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing.” “Don't start
none, won't be none.” “If you don't stand for something you'll
fall for anything.” Whether it was in the church on a
hard-shined wooden pew, or around the kitchen table after,
listening to the wisdom of mothers and fathers, aunts and
uncles, grandparents, friends, and leaders, the messages of the
proverbs resonate in the souls of most African-Americans—a sweet
refrain heard through striving, reaching, loving, and living. In
this powerful collection of stories based on African,
African-American, and Biblical proverbs, some of today's most
exciting new African-American writers tackle the unifying
themes, delicious wit and undeniable wisdom of the proverbs,
making them sing for a whole new generation.
