Showing results by publisher "Recorded Books" in African American

Billionaire celebrity clients, anything-goes erotic nights, seductive betrayals—Desdemona Dean couldn’t wait to leave the high-end prostitution game behind. Now settled down with the only man she’s ever loved, Desi is getting the chances her shattered childhood denied her—and making her life truly her own. Until a basketball superstar publicly credits Madam X’s unmatched sexual services for his astonishing career. Add an anonymous tip to the police—and suddenly Desi is in the center of a social and tabloid media firestorm.

Paula Smith Harris has learned that the man she thought was her true love isn't exactly who he vowed to be. After enduring countless affairs, among other things, Paula decides that it is time to move on. However, getting away from her crazy, obsessed husband isn't going to be as easy as she hoped it would be. Meanwhile, Michael is fighting for his right to stay married. With the secrets that have been revealed and the pain that was caused, is there any chance for a reconciliation?

Turned Up is the third installment of the Hot Shot series. Hot Shot is back home in California. Operation Clean Up is his mission, but not his primary concern. He has been tasked with bringing down the Inglewood 13s gang, since they’ve been targeted by the FBI. This suits Hot Shot just fine, because the Inglewood 13s are also responsible for the murders of his parents and his brother. This mission gives Hot Shot the opportunity to do his job and get the revenge he seeks.

Twenty-seven-year-old King Barrett was born and raised in the trenches. After being abandoned by his parents, he found solace in the streets, alongside the gangsters and dope boys. Even after retiring from the business, he stayed close to his roots. One fateful afternoon, King and his best friend are in the wrong place at the wrong time and cross paths with a rival gang. Shots are fired, lives are lost, and a war brews. With only one option to protect himself, King has to lie low for a while.

Simone Alexander didn't mean to end up back in school. She's a chef, and a pretty good one at that but when she finds herself without a job or money, she asks a Magic 8 Ball if she should go to law school. Much to her chagrin, it says yes. When Simone cruises onto campus, she assumes she won't have to work too hard to do well. She never has before. But law school is not what she expected: the professors are intimidating, the classes grueling, and the other students seem to have their lives all mapped out.

Yonas “Nas” Kadir is a man of few words. He has learned the art of never showing his hand, which is a valued asset for a man who balances his life between dark and light. There’s not much he desires that isn’t as good as promised to him, which is why Dae Richardson can fight the attraction but will ultimately fall for his good looks and undeniable charm, or so he hopes.

Justice Barrett has only known the hustle his entire life. Being the provider for his younger siblings was tough for a young teenage boy. Having to get it out the mud, by any means necessary, he fell into a life of dealing. Within a few years, he was dominating the streets to the point several government agencies were looking to catch him slipping. Logan Gaines has been a ride or die since the day she fell in love with Justice. He spoiled her rotten. She was his twin flame. When they were together, trouble was sure to find them.

Dallas once believed in forever love, but that was before her marriage had hit a dead end. When Trenton Smith walks into her life, he’s ready to love her the way she deserves to be loved—only Dallas’ walls are up. In time she will know if he is merely history on repeat, or the kindred connection she’s been praying for. Sasha wanted nothing more than to have a baby with her fiancé, Hunt. After years of trying to conceive, she’s finally concluded that a baby may not be in the cards for her. Sasha begins to question her womanhood, and before long, it sends her into a fit of depression.

Renowned sound engineer Teagan Woodson prides herself on maintaining her professionalism. But guitarist Maxton McCoy challenges all her self-imposed boundaries. He’s too talented, too sexy…and too off-limits! Which is only confirmed when their innocent flirtation becomes an all-consuming affair and emotional demons from their past are resurrected. Soon Maxton’s fear of losing Teagan the way he tragically lost his sister threatens everything—including their album. Are they destined to become hip-hop’s latest power couple…or just a one-hit wonder?

Omega Addams thought it was a typical work day until a detour on the way home changes everything. She's almost killed, but an innocent bystander, Mitchell Franklin, takes a bullet for Omega during a gas station robbery. In the aftermath, Omega has no idea that God expects her to “pray it forward” until a spiritual battle unfolds before her eyes. Another innocent bystander is in trouble; unless Omega gets her prayer life together, others will die without Christ. It's a chain reaction that highlights the responsibility of a Christian—hot, cold, or lukewarm.

Private investigator Shawn West is stunned when the attack victim he rescues is Addy Williams—the one woman he never forgot. She’s turning a quiet upstate New York town inside out to bring her missing sister home by Christmas. Shawn offers to help if she'll provide a cover for his own investigation into a suspicious company in town, but can they work together to find Addy's sister…or are they already too late?

Ainsley Voss is an assistant—not a seductress. So why the steamy fantasies about taking Atlanta music mogul Grant Woodson to bed? She knows the sexy bachelor was burned by his last office romance and won’t go down that road again, especially not with a single mom. Until a storm leaves them stranded. Alone. Together. But once they’ve crossed that line, is there no turning back?

When Montana Dixon returns home to Memphis, she’s given the opportunity to financially secure her future for the rest of her life. With that opportunity comes a commitment of marriage to a man she’s never spoken a single word to. Having sworn off love, Montana is okay with an arranged marriage for the sake of business—until she runs into her ex—the man who showed her how love can hurt.

Raphael Waters grew up accustomed to being in a constant state of survival. When he becomes the muscle for known street figure, Rah, he believes his life has taken a turn for the better. That is until a string of unfortunate circumstances leave Rah missing and Raphael grasping for answers in the streets of the concrete jungle—once again. A chance encounter with the intriguing Alex Gatts promises to be the life-changing turnaround he needs.

Nyah: As a journalist her life relies on facts. Right: As a protector his job is to keep those facts hidden. When lines get blurred and things aren’t what they appear to be, the only thing you can trust is what you can feel: Vibration.

American Book Award-winning author Tananarive Due's second collection of stories ranges from horror to science fiction to suspense. From the mysterious, magical town of Gracetown to the aftermath of a pandemic to the reaches of the far future, Due's stories all share a sense of dread and fear balanced with heart and hope. In some of these stories, the monster is racism itself; others address the monster within, or other universal struggles set against the supernatural or surreal. All of them are written with Due's trademark attention to detail and deep characterization.

The World is Full of Champions spans more than thirty years from the ’60s to the late ’90s in race-torn Philadelphia as two proud Black families—one wealthy, the other not—confront major change when tragedy strikes and the daughter of the working-class Smythe family falls in love with the son of the affluent Whitman family.

Janae McEntire has suffered enough loss to not want love again. Even without the desire to love, Janae can’t help but consider how much better her life would be if she allowed the right man to love her. While her heart tells her that man is Tyreek Roberts, Janae’s mind tells her to steer clear of him. After seeing his brother, Kahlil, find happiness and love, Tyreek decides he’s ready for the same. Mister Teacher has a past that demands he tie up a few loose ends before he can obtain his happily ever after with Janae.

Kevin Powell is one of the most prolific and acclaimed American writers, thinkers, activists, and public speakers of the past three decades. His writings are important contributions to our national conversations on race, gender, class, politics, pop culture, celebrity, hip-hop, and the past, present, and future of the United States.

After their ill-fated fling quashed her dreams, small-town chef Philippa Gayle’s onetime rival-turned-lover Dominic Crawford upended her life. But when Philippa’s forced together with the celebrity cook on a project that could change her life, there’s no denying that the flames that were lit years ago were only banked, not extinguished. Can Philippa trust Dominic enough to let him in … or are they just cooking up another heartbreak?