He lives by one rule. Never change for anyone. In his world, loyalty is rare, survival comes first, and love is just another risk he can't afford. But she slips past every boundary he's built, and walking away stops feeling like an option. She knows better than to fall for a man like him. Still, she's caught between the life she's trying to build and the chaos he drags her into every time they collide. It's toxic. It's addictive. And every moment together pulls her further from the exit she swore she'd take. Neither of them bends. Neither of them lets go. But when the streets start closing in and consequences turn real, love might not be what destroys them-survival might be. ⚠️ MATURE THEMES: This fictional urban romance contains graphic violence, strong language, and explicit sexual content. Intended for mature audiences only.

Detroit is ruled by two names: Lorenzo and Monique Lyon. Monique has become one of the top five fashion designers in the world, with her luxury label House of Monique worn by A-list celebrities, politicians, and even foreign royalty. Her empire is global - Paris, Dubai, LA - but Detroit is her castle. Lorenzo runs the underworld with polish and precision. He still controls the city's drug flow, but his real money comes from handling criminal favors for wealthy white elites - celebrities, CEOs, tech giants - who need things done off the books. His flagship hotel now features an exclusive extended casino wing, where fortunes are won, deals are made, and secrets are traded. They are rich, powerful, dangerous - and untouchable. Together, they are a power couple who live by one rule: Never be disrespected. Never be disappointed. The Game Two

Rumi "Rue" Monroe was a girl who grew up too quick and too soon. When her parents died, all she had left was herself, her overworked aunt, and bills they could never quite outrun. Fresh out of a relationship after catching her man in bed with another woman, Rue is exhausted working herself to the bone, drowning in responsibilities, and done with men altogether. She keeps her head down, minding her business, praying life gives her something better than struggle and disappointment. She isn't looking for love, danger, or anything that can break her again. Until she meets him. Nazir "Naz" Creed is the coldest man in the city a quiet storm with a reputation that speaks louder than he ever needs to. Running the streets with his brothers built him an empire people fear and respect in equal measure. Naz moves with precision, loyalty, and violence when necessary, and he's never cared about much outside money, power, and keeping his circle alive. But then he sees Rue. What starts as a chance encounter turns into a collision neither of them can walk away from. Rue's sweetness clashes with Naz's darkness, her broken hope meets his guarded heart, and suddenly the city's coldest man finds himself warming to the one girl who wasn't looking for him in the first place. And the streets? The streets don't like when the wrong people start caring about each other.

Nia learned to pour her heart into food when words failed her. But there are some things no recipe can fix. When a wedding reunites her and four former friends after years of silence for some and limited contact for others, old wounds reopen and buried feelings refuse to stay hidden. Not everyone deserves forgiveness. And not every love story starts where you expect.

In the early 1990's of a small Texas town, an aspiring bull rider and the spirited daughter of a wealthy Oil Landman bump heads. Her father's itching to snag his family's land, while the Bailard's refuse to sell. Their differences should be like oil and water, but instead, they spark a love affair that gives everyone around them the blues deep down in their souls. A blues that not even the light, sweet smell of bluebonnets can heal.

"I know I ain't perfect, but you know I'm still gon' try"

Tika Foster is a superstar singer with everything, except the love she likes to sing about. Rico is a rising star on a major league baseball team and has had a longtime crush on the hot diva. So unlucky in love, Tika wants to give up dating, until she meets Rico who forces her to see herself for the first time. The chemistry between the two is instant, but the timing for them to be together is hectic. Can they make a relationship work with all eyes on them? November 2024 30-Day Challenge #2 Contemporary Lit (11/25/24) #1 Cardinals (3/3/25) #2 St. Louis (11/21/25)

When Johanna and her sister inherit a grand old house in the middle of The Ville neighborhood in St. Louis City they find a roommate to help with the upkeep of the house. Tristan is a young man that does not believe in romance or dating or desires any relationship. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, even if they are so wrong together. #1 BWBM 12/22/24 #3 Contemporary Lit 7/8/24 🏆AMBY 2024 ROMANCE TOP PICK🏆