Outlaw by Roy Glenn
In his latest novel, Roy brings back the character of Mike Black.  Mike is jailed for murder, but did he do it?  Detective Kirkland, the man who would like nothing more than to see Mike jailed forever, might be the only one who can prove him innocent.

Talk to the Hand by Darrien Lee
Nedra and Donovan have been best friends since college, but what Nedra doesn’t know is that Donovan has been in love with her the whole time.  Both are involved in other relationships and Donovan begins to realize that Nedra’s current boyfriend would rather see her dead than with Donovan.

Back on the Block by Felicia Madlock
The murder of her foster mother brings bitter and angry Recy Banks back to her old block.  Her return home conjures up all the old demons she’d been trying so hard to escape from.  She is now caught between the police and drug dealers fighting for control of the streets.

If There Be Pain by Gloria Mallette
Kyle Lawson is the player with everything: a house in Brooklyn, a successful business, and way more women than he can handle.  His mother wants him to settle down and his gay sister wants him to impregnate her girlfriend.  A tarot reader warns him that one of the women in his life will bring him great danger – what will he do?

Thug-a-licious­ by Noire
Andre “thug-a-licious” Williams is escaping the ghetto with promising careers in both the NBA and as a rapper.  This is a good thing since he has nine children by nine different mothers.  But the true love of his life is Carmeisha, who goes to college and has her own business.  Dre experiences a terrible tragedy – will Carmeisha throw everything away in pursuit of revenge?

Dirty Red: A Novel by Vickie Stringer
Rejected by her mother, abused by her father, Raven “Red” Gomez sees every relationship as a way to play someone out of his cash – she cons her boyfriend out of his music royalties and to her, children are nothing buy commodities.  No one can beat Red at her game – will she get her comeuppance?

A Hustler’s Son by T. Styles
Janet Stayley has always been attracted to hustlers.  Little did she know she would find one in her fifteen-year old son.  Brought up in an environment of drugs and violence, Janet’s son kills in self-defense.  As the game gets way too hot for mother and son, they plan one last hustle. 

Daddy’s Little Girl by Brittani Williams
Giselle is the eighteen-year old daughter of a drug dealer who also marries a drug dealer.  After being incarcerated for murder, she realizes that she’s paid too high a price for her lifestyle.  Mimi has never been attracted to drug dealers, but falls in love and marries one.  Giselle and Mimi cross paths and the plot unfolds in a most unusual way.

Missed Opportunitiesby LaTonya Williams
Monica, Tamara, Darla, and Brandy are four young women from different backgrounds who must learn to face the consequences of their actions and choices.

Annotations and recommendations by Tanya Walsh, March 2007