Crenshaw Kings

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. Prime, professional gangsta and heir to a historically Black financial institution, is the man to see in Los Angeles, and especially Crenshaw, a neighborhood in South Central, and also the place Lisara now calls home. He has money, means, wisdom, bravado, and the handsome looks to go with it. The only thing missing is that one woman in his life … despite the fact that he is in a relationship with his child's mother, Nori. When he literally breaks into Lisara's home, he is faced with an attraction that he can't quite get over. And when he learns she needs saving, in the name of holy matrimony, he is all too willing to be that savior. Having endured then beat a life-threatening illness, Prime feels leaving Lisara on the table in favor of Nori wouldn't be taking advantage of his second chance at life. So while Lisara is in it for the assistance, Prime is out to convince his betrothed that there is no better man for her than him. But what happens when the woman he's risking it all for turns out not to be thewoman he thought she was? And what will happen when Prime's trail of broken hearts leads to turbulence and tragedy for Lisara? Find out in this tale of love, betrayal, secrets, and intrigue and what happens when a woman goes from a man of God to a man of God and the streets.

Things in life are never for certain, but one thing that will always be a constant is the love between star-crossed Couture and Khari. Couture Yates has always followed life's rules by the book, never once rebelling until she met Khari Compton. The handsome but tortured young boy who immediately stole her heart, only to misuse and abuse it time and time again. Nothing or no one could ever pry her from his grasp, not even his own mother, until tragedy struck, changing the course of her and Khari's lives as they knew it. With such devastation looming over their once troubled but hopeful relationship, Couture often struggles to move past it no matter how much she tries. And when she learns that Khari still believes in the life they both once dreamed of, she realizes he may have been the man for her at one point in time but not so much anymore. Khari Compton, the once reckless, hot-headed ladies' boy, is now a successful, rich, famous, and handsome grown man. Though years have gone by and the women beckoning for his attention have multiplied, his heart still belongs to his teenage love, Couture. Only now, he has tunnel vision so solid that any woman attempting to penetrate it is simply wasting their time, which he has no problem verbalizing to them himself. So it's no surprise that when Couture hits the ground running, he is all too willing to catch her and all too willing to prove to her once and for all there is no one better for them than each other. But with fiancés, fake and real, in the mix, along with jealousy, powerful adversaries, and longtime critics of their relationship, the two find themselves on a difficult road to rekindle. In this story of second-chance love, secrets, and redemption, you will witness how a teenage love so intense and so concentrated can stand the test of time, battles, and some formidable forces.

Scotland Craig had an easy and somewhat privileged life until she traded it all in for the love of a thug. The sheltered beauty had no idea what she signed up for, finding herself trapped in a loveless and abusive relationship years later, and with no one to turn to. Isolated from family and friends because of the one man she thought would be her happily ever after, Scotland is depressed, broke, and a shell of the woman she used to be. But when her man does the unthinkable, it is the last straw, causing Scotland to make a huge gamble in the name of revenge. But when that retaliation follows her home, adding yet another problem to her already hefty plate, Scotland must figure a way out of the hell she now calls life. And when a sexy gangsta enters her world, reaching a hand out to save her, she is tempted to take it, not realizing he's close to everything she feels is ruining her life. Lequay Compton, the laid back, handsome and charming gangsta, has only ever had love for the almighty dollar. With multiple successful businesses and an impenetrable drug empire, money literally ain't a thing. Women have always been an afterthought and something to enjoy when he has the time, so long as it doesn't interfere with his cash. This is much to the chagrin of his close homegirl, waiting in the shadows for their friends-tolovers story to commence. However, when Lequay has two chance encounters with the same woman, unknowingly, he finds himself drawn to her or them, no matter how many curve balls are thrown his way; the biggest one being his lack of freedom. Always determined and never one to quit, Lequay is steadfast in his attempts to make a seemingly unattainable woman attainable. But when he and Scotland finally figure out just who they are to one another, things take a turn for the better and the worse … for some. In this story filled with secrets, twists, and good Black love, you will witness the undeniable bond between two people who are fated to be together. And how nothing or no one, not even themselves, can keep them apart.

Presley Evans has been labeled as promiscuous ever since she was a teenager and it has unfortunately followed her into adulthood. Being painted as someone she isn't, for as long as she can remember, has taken a toll on the young beauty, numbing her whole being. Couple that with the hurtful secrets she's harboring from the world, no one would blame her for her desensitized attitude. But when she meets a handsome NFL player who offers her an arrangement she can't turn down and one that would ignite the spark she's been missing for so long, Presley can't help but to oblige. She learns quickly though, that there are still pieces left of her heart that can be broken and he'll be the one to do it. Shakur Compton, the young, good-looking, rich and well-known wide receiver of the Los Angeles Gremlins is on top of the world. He's got everything a man his age could ask for, including a beautiful woman by his side. The fact that she used to belong to his older brother, and that his close knit family can't seem to accept her, are issues he feels are minuscule in the grand scheme of things. Life is good. But when the two learn of some life-altering news, the foundation of their relationship begins to crack and bleed in more ways than one. Shakur is unsure of who to trust after some startling information comes to light, all the while having to juggle several moving parts in his life. It becomes not only a lot for the young footballer, but for wifey by his side as well. Teyaira Harper has been unlucky in love ever since she laid eyes on Lequay Compton. Having bet everything on him, she was devastated to learn that she was never a part of his game plan. But when his younger brother Shakur swooped in to save the day, she couldn't have been happier having finally run into a man who valued the woman she's always portrayed herself to be. Right then and there, she vowed to protect this new love at all costs. What she didn't count on though, was that sometimes relationships are more than exotic trips, intimacy, and shopping sprees. There can also be trials, tribulations and tests. And when faced with the ultimate trial, Teyaira begins to lose her footing in a once stable union. However this time, she promises not to go down without a fight. In this love story saturated with secrets, lies, and betrayals, these lovers learn that some of the greatest loves can come from the strangest places, while others were never meant to bloom at all. *This is a standalone novel. However reading "Love Letters from a Gangsta" before this one is recommended for ultimate reading experience.*

Analicia Chase at one point had it all, a great family and a loving, talented boyfriend. But with the death of her father coming shortly after the loss of her boyfriend's dream, along with his usual tenacity, and a recently developed strained relationship with her sister, things have been rough. They only worsen when a stranger comes into her life, throwing it completely off course. With everything around Analicia crumbling by the day, defeat begins to consume her. That is until she's given an offer she can't refuse... but should. When she steps up to the plate, entering a world unfamiliar to her, it threatens everything she thought she knew and wanted out of life. But when life gives you lemons, sugar, and even the pitcher, you'd be a fool to not make lemonade. However, when jealous, tireless, traitorous exes are thrown into the recipe, said lemonade can turn sour quickly. Bashar Compton, the handsome, intelligent, lawyer with thug appeal has always known two things; that he would become a criminal defense attorney and that he would spend the rest of his life with his high school sweetheart and baby's mother Nixi Andrews. But when Nixi pulls an inconceivable stunt, he is fed up. Having sacrificed his peace, desires, sanity, and even sometimes his loved ones for the better part of fifteen years, Bashar decides to do something he never thought his heart or mind could fathom... force his once upon-a-time true love to get right or get lost. This is a lot of change for a man who has had the blueprint for his life drawn up since he was a kid, and when a beautiful, sane woman comes into his life by happenstance, it makes things even more difficult. But what Bashar doesn't realize is that Nixi isn't ready to give up and is willing to do whatever is needed to rekindle with the one man she knows she can't live without. The same man who has no doubt loved her through all of her antics and irrationalities. And in her defense, her baby daddy has always given in to her. In this romance filled with love, unquestionable chemistry, and a healthy dose of insurmountable betrayal, Analicia, Bashar, Nixi, and a few others find out what happens when you take the path of most resistance to find happiness. *This is a standalone novel and can be read on its own. However, for the full experience, start with The Marriage Favor*

Yolani Ian has always been one of God's favorites when it came to her professional endeavors, but the same cannot be said when it comes to love. It seems like every man she runs across is either threatened by her success, jealous of it, or cannot deal with such a hectic schedule. But whatever their reasoning, they all seem to resort to being unfaithful. Coupled with the fact that she is battling an undiagnosed and debilitating condition that most men find burdensome, the songstress begins to believe that true love just isn't in the cards for her. Having had enough of being mistreated, Yolani vows to focus on her career and her career only until a man can prove that not only can he understand her real life, but that he is mature enough not to fall for any woman with a pretty face and an abundance of assets to match. So when she meets a well-known playboy, famous for his one-night stands, and baby mama drama, Yolani finds it comical and slightly infuriating that he is hell-bent on making her his. What she soon realizes though is that everything isn't always what it appears to be, including him. But with an overbearing family, fanbase, and jealous contemporaries, Yolani will learn just how difficult obtaining real love is. Cemone Compton, the cocky, aggressive, and promiscuous NBA player for the Los Angeles Bulldogs is living life to the fullest. Or at least he was until his bed-hopping ways left him with two baby mamas and a set of ghetto twins to match. And his violent behavior, on and off the court, garnered him and his team much negative publicity. Always one to have and get whatever he wants, when he sets his eyes on the most beautiful and talented woman, he is sure he's ever seen, he decides to simply make her his. However, what the handsome ball player doesn't realize is that this woman is far different from what he is used to. But one thing this talented shooting guard hates more than anything is losing, especially when it's the woman of his dreams, so he sets out to do whatever and whenever just to have her, allowing nothing to stand in his way. Find out in this story filled with healing love, shocking reveals, betrayal, and jealousy, just what a man in a deep, all-consuming love will do.

Anastazia Chase has always had her life perfectly planned out. But what she didn't plan for was to be wrapped up with her current man Cedric. What started out as a potential fairytale romance quickly changed to the opposite, leaving Anastazia to become a woman she barely recognizes. When she realizes life won't ever change with him, she makes a shocking decision that sends her life into a tailspin. With unexpected consequences following her actions, Anastazia finds herself in need of assistance. And who better to assist her than a handsome thug not only with means but an appetite for her. Asif St. Thomas, the handsome, no-nonsense kingpin and new CEO of historically black institution St. Thomas Financial hasn't always had it easy. Witnessing his unhappy father and a mother who would only pay him mind if his father explicitly told her to, has caused him to become detached and distrusting. Despite this, there has always been something about his sister-in-law's sister that intrigued the young gangster. So when he sees she is up for the taking, he wastes no time--especially since he needs her as much as she needs him. Per usual though, their union isn't met with approval from everyone and when the naysayers from the shadows come out into the light, the couple must cleverly combat them. In this romance filled with black love and a few spilled secrets, you will observe two souls that have been tethered together since the first time they locked eyes. *This is a standalone novel but is a part of the Crenshaw Kings interconnected series*

Kabrina Kenneth had no complaints when it came to her life. She had the career of her dreams and the man to go with it which was something she deeply coveted coming from her particular background. But when her dream life turns into a nightmare literally overnight, Kabrina's anger and hurt causes her to make a huge mistake. Feeling like she can't catch a break and is doomed to pay for the sins of her mother, Kabrina does whatever she can to hopefully rectify what that one night of betrayal, anger, and sadness has caused. But because that mishap is better known as Unique Compton, she realizes it will be harder to fix. Unique Compton, the handsome, charming, and flirtatious up and coming actor has always lived life on his own terms. Refusing to follow in the footsteps of his brothers before him, Unique vows to never lead a traditional, boring, monogamous lifestyle. Equipped with two girlfriends, a role on a popular show, and an aura that makes most women become putty in his hands, Unique feels like his life is set. But underneath the sexy smile, pretty eyes, and light hearted demeanor he must constantly deal with his beefing significant others as well as a work situation he wants to take to the grave. To make matters worse, the pretty girl who makes his heart beat a little faster named Kabrina, has entered his life in a way he never imagined, making things, namely his love life, all the more difficult. And even more so when she connects him to a person he had long ago tried to forget. In this romance filled with secrets, jealousy, and unexpected love, you will experience what happens to a man so hellbent on avoiding true love, that he ends up falling head first right into its trap.

Banks St. Thomas, well known as the daughter of street legend Prime, loves everything about her life except for her overbearing and controlling brothers. However, now, the young beauty is all grown up, having graduated from college while making her way up as a respected ballerina, and is the only boss in her own life... much to her brothers' chagrin. Grown up Banks no longer cowers under the strict words of her siblings and lives life on her own terms how she wants, when she wants, and for as long as she wants. And when she reconnects with a former but intense crush from her teenage years, she is tempted to engage in everything she couldn't back in the day. Unlike her fantasies from when she was younger though, the relationship is intense, exciting and addictive, but the risk is all the same. Because though Banks is a grown woman, the man she has set her sights on is still prohibited in her household but sadly, she doesn't truly care. Low, the handsome, focused, yet tortured drug dealer hasn't ever really had it easy. Growing up with an unreliable mother who can't stay off the bottle, he's always had to look out for himself and the siblings his irresponsible mother would eventually bring him. Being a quasi-parental figure to his baby sister and troublesome teenage brother, while coming into his new role as head of a lucrative and fast-moving empire, the last thing Low needs is to be wrapped up in an all-consuming, concentrated romance with a woman he was told time and again to never even look at. Unfortunately for Low, once he has stepped foot into the beautiful but outlawed and unfamiliar waters that is Banks, he finds it difficult and utterly impossible to not only stay afloat but locate an escape route. Even worse, he doesn't want to no matter the dangerous outcome. This love like no other has turned him into a monster, ready to protect it at all costs. In this forbidden love story filled with tension, angst, undying loyalty, and a bond unlike any other, you will witness what happens when the universe attempts to tear two people apart that have bound themselves together and refuse to let go no matter what.