Years of suppressing my truest desires and most prominent needs in our relationship had my emotions all over the place, heart hardening and every element that made me a woman seem like a flaw. The softness that I was founded on wasn’t welcomed. Over the years, I’d managed to dilute my vulnerability, conceal my pain and deal with my feelings alone. I was merely a shell of the woman that I’d entered the relationship as. But, today, I was reclaiming my power.| This is a novella. |

Retired hitwoman Celine Briggs loved few people in this world; Her husband Caleb, and her ex-handler, Brian Devereaux. When Celine took her marital vows, she exchanged the life of guns, drugs, and violence for the peaceful life as Caleb's wife. However, not all things buried stay hidden.

Meet Trent Bailey, who is fighting for the right to continue his stellar professional football career after enduring striking legal woes in the recent past. Trent cannot and will not blow his second chance for anyone; after all, this is the blessing he's been praying for. After receiving confirmation that staying focused is all he needs, it's what he aims to do. No distractions. That's until he bumps into two unexpected overnight guests.

For Nala Stanton, love has not always been kind. She fell in love with a façade, and now she's desperate to free herself before it's too late. When opportunity arises, she takes it, even though being found would surely bring her a death sentence. Armed with a new identity and half a million dollars in stolen drug money, she disappears to start a new life for herself. For six years, she's had the freedom she craved, but that is all about to change when he is on her trail.

Dr. Dresden Xavier moved his family back to his hometown of Monroe City after an unfortunate tragedy. Searching for an escape from the reality of grief and depression, Dresden buries himself in a grueling medical research project that could yield life-changing results. What was supposed to be a short-term partnership with the professor of nursing at Monroe University quickly morphs into a case study of love … or maybe just an experiential error.

I met the love of my life when I was ten years old. Ever since Talulla Evans walked up to me with her gap-toothed smile and told me her name means "princess," I've been entranced. For the last twenty years we've been there throughout each other's storms. And somewhere along the line I fell in love. Deep in love.

Harlow Shaw feels naïve for believing in happily ever afters, but she craves a love that lights her up. She thinks she has it all with her boyfriend—Until his promising baseball career overshadows their relationship, and he asks her a life-changing question. It causes her to wonder if what they have is all she ever truly wanted. Harlow is yearning for more than the curated life she is living. A trip to Bali, a move to Seattle, and an alleged burned cup of coffee lead her to a friendship she didn't know she needed and a love so deep she can feel it in her bones.

Being the girlfriend of a successful rapper isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Rhythm Baker, a successful occupational therapist, held it down for Raheem, her boyfriend of three years, without much complaining. After moving across the country to support his career and their relationship, Rhythm has grown increasingly uncomfortable with Raheem's inappropriate behavior and inflated ego. Feeling disrespected, unappreciated, and unheard, she moves out of the home they share, ending their relationship. Despite his recent moves, Raheem isn’t willing to let her go so easily.

Saira Wright is a prominent Black romance author who has been signed to the most prestigious publisher of African American works, Brownstone Literature. Her career has been successful for the past five years. However, she’s in a slump, and so are her sales and reviews. The romance she has been known for seems to be zapped out of her stories and her love life. Eager to get Saira back on top of the charts, her publisher has given her an ultimatum—write a chart-topping holiday romance or be dropped from the publishing house. There’s only one problem: Saira strongly opposes penning holiday books.

DaVinci is a fighter, fighting for more than just a title, but to stay out of the shadows of a family he didn't choose. Fighting was all he had until he encountered a woman just as driven and unfulfilled. Aria has never believed in happily ever afters or that mushy love that turned people into whole different folks. Instead, she was grounded, photographing by day and cuddling up with her bulldog by night. Surely that isn't a life, but it and her on and off again fling with an ex seem to be enough. That is until the fighter finds himself jabbing into her life.

For better or worse… That was the promise Denver and Kensa made, but it’s a sentiment they’ve somehow lost along the way. What started as a passionate wildfire has diminished to a flicker, all but snuffed out by unspoken fears, perceived betrayal, and a complete breakdown in communication. Can either of them tuck their ego away long enough to rekindle their flame?

He's every woman's dream. Thanks to his humble beginnings, he's edgy, outspoken, and determined to win. Holt is also the highest-paid wide receiver in the league and well worth the money he's paid. Not only is he worth millions, but he's also physical perfection. That alone has every woman willing to do any and everything he asks. Well… every woman except one, Sutton Kelly.

Shy, bookish, and admittedly awkward, Lily Greene has always felt inadequate compared to the rest of her accomplished family, who strive for Black excellence. She dreams of becoming a children’s books editor, but she’s been frustratingly stuck in the nonfiction division for years without a promotion in sight. Lily finds escapism in her correspondences with her favorite fantasy author, and what begins as two lonely people connecting over email turns into a tentative friendship and possibly something else Lily won’t let herself entertain—until he ghosts her without a word.

Hearts are broken and healed. Scars, both physical and emotional, are formed. Happiness is found, then lost, then found again. Over the course of a year, these sisters face shattering blows and remarkable triumphs as they embark on a journey, figuring out that pesky little thing called love.

The day Lisara Compton caught her husband in a rather compromising position changed her life in a way neither she nor her sons ever saw coming. Realizing too late that divorcing him would cause a domino effect of turmoil, she is now forced into an uncomfortable life that she can't seem to stay afloat in. With her eldest son acting out and a nonexistent ex-husband, Lisara feels things can't get any worse. That's until her ex betrays her and their son in a way that leaves her in need like never before. It seems she just can't catch a break, until she meets him.

Meet Randi Burnett—she’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, and she works for the bride. Missing groom? Intoxicated in-laws? Crying ring-bearer? You name it, she wrangles it. Too bad her personal life isn’t thriving like her side gig as a bridesmaid for hire. Recently dumped, Randi throws herself into her biggest challenge yet when she’s hired as a maid of honor and pretend best friend for an ice queen bride. There’s just one problem—the best man is infuriating, overprotective, and anti-marriage.

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.

Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel - The Vipers. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses. Yes, sold me. They own me now. I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant.

Beckett: If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart.

I'm addicted to my stalker. He watches me at night, sneaking in through my living room window and making my blood turn to ice. I feel him all around me as chills snake down my spine. Each night he becomes bolder, getting closer and welcoming himself into my bedroom, feeding his addiction.

Elodie Perry is poised to be the small screen’s newest “It Girl”. Following the mega-success of the last time they worked together, it’s a no-brainer to bring her back in front of a camera with Shaw Bridges. The audience had plenty to say about their smoking hot chemistry on-screen, but their real-life romance was kept strictly behind the scenes.

Billie Hopkins is discontent living life for her mother. The painter and baker spends her days working at her family’s business. Even though she wishes she could change her life, she doesn’t have the motivation to do so… Until her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her and gets engaged just six months later. Worse, his fiancée wants to hire Billie to bake their wedding cake. That seems to be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back and forces Billie to do something different with her life—even if it’s just for three days.

Controversial relationship podcaster at night and psychology professor by day, Chicago Benton has never been afraid to follow his own rules. Raised by an emotionally unstable mother and dealing with women who played too many games taught him only to depend on himself. Love was only optional. Striving playwright Indigo Lyriq moved to New York on a wing and a prayer that her work would be seen on a Broadway stage one day. Raised by an aunt because her parents didn't want her, and dealing with an abusive relationship taught her to never rely on a man. Love was a luxury she couldn't afford.

I had my chance at a family and it was stolen from me. I was told I was a joke, so that's just what I'll be. But then she gives me news that turns my whole life upside down. Nina Williams is my second chance at a family, and she might just be the missing key to my heart. I just need to prove to her I'm not the joke I pretend to be.

Julius Gallalucci's plans have all fallen through, leaving him stressed and scrambling weeks before his album release and tour announcement. When the pressure becomes too much, he and his team duck off to Eastover to revamp and recharge. What he didn't plan for was his world to clash with a wide-eyed beauty who would prove more of a muse than a distraction.

After eight years with her husband, Shalaine Brunson has reached her breaking point. Without a job, she knows her exit has to be strategic. However, before she can leave on her own, the decision is made for her. One traumatic event is all it takes for Shalaine to realize that the person she was married to wasn't who she thought he was. Becoming a single mother overnight is far from easy, but that's not the worst of the curveballs that are thrown at Shalaine. One of the changes in her life consists of moving to a less than desirable neighborhood.

Mega and Ruth Manfield are back in a way that you have never experienced. In this closing of a saga, you will see the couple navigate experiences and circumstances that were unforeseen and almost unbearable. What happens when the most unserious and comedic Mega is met with a darkness that threatens to overtake him? What happens when Ruth is pushed into a darkness that makes her question everything that she ever believed?

It’s been years since Dr. Imani Kemp has returned home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia. As Tallahassee’s most sought-after OB-GYN, she doesn’t have much time for anything else. But when her mom announces she’s marrying a man she just met on a dating app, Imani knows she has to put a stop to it immediately. Let her mom be hurt again after the disastrous way her last marriage ended? Absolutely not. Always her protector, Imani won’t rest until her mom sees reason. She just never expected sparks to fly with the groom’s son.

Lies. Speculation. Deceit. Trust Ashley James went from being on top of the world to under it in less than eighteen minutes. With his back against the ropes, he had no choice but to isolate until further notice. When he returns to the ring, he’s a new man. A better man. A man that one woman had been praying for all along.

How long does someone have to be out of your life before your every waking thought doesn't revolve around them? Olivia Harding bulldozed her way into my life at twelve years old. She broke my heart at nineteen and I haven't seen her once in the thirteen years since. She chose her career over me. And now, because life is cruel, I'm praying that she gives me a chance to help her save it. The smart thing to do would be to keep my distance, to keep it strictly professional. But I've never been smart when it comes to her.

Alanis Kapri is living the American Dream. As the star quarterback of the Carolina Hurricanes, life is luxury. Unfortunately for Alanis, he’s considered the NFL’s problem child. One too many negative press runs have landed his head on the chopping block. He’s been given an ultimatum: clean up his act or be cut from the team. Reluctantly, Alanis agrees to the terms. However, when the team hires him a reputation management consultant, the last person he expected to see was her.

Returning to my small hometown after I crashed and burned in the city is bad enough. Having my lifelong rival, Wes Stryker, rub it in my face doesn't make it easier. Even worse, I'm hired to help him pull his family's distillery out of a rough patch. Oh, and I'm forced to be his roommate. That means dealing with his annoying flirting and one-upping all day, every day. He's unbearably cocky, and his dimpled smile charms everyone with a pulse—except for me.

Jace Dawson is less than a year away from accomplishing everything he's spent the past decade striving for. Not only has playing professional football been the dream since he was a kid, the financial incentive isn't one he could walk away from even if he wanted to. That is, until a chance collision has the unexpected outcome of making Jace realize he might want something more than the goal he's spent most of his life pursuing. Might want someone more.

Rumpled and ragged was not how architect Ari James envisioned kicking off her first day at a new firm. And few things can top the horror of her new—and extremely hot—colleague walking in on her at the worst moment ever. Learning that she’ll be working with him on the project that’s supposed to get her career back on top makes it harder than ever to focus on her big comeback.

Getting his way has never been a problem for Reese Jareau. That is, until what he wanted was seemingly unattainable. The baby of the Jareau family has fallen in love with a woman who’s already involved. What started as a work relationship soon turned into a friendship. But what happens when attractions run deep, emotions are high, and lines are crossed? Now, Reese is fighting to love a woman who loves him but can’t seem to leave her current situation.