Girls From da Hood

For Unique, life is good until her dope-dealing boyfriend, Took, is arrested and winds up in jail. Now she's broke as a joke' trying to put every petty hustle into play to chase hard times away from the door. With an empty refrigerator, a stack of bill piling up, a tenth grade education, a big butt and a smile, it doesn't take long for her to learn to pull the wool over the eyes of any fool who's blinded by her good looks. She's sure that one day some guy's slip-up will be her ultimate come-up, and her days of nickel and dime swindles will be a thing of the past. Unique knows that every scandalous chick has her day, but doesn't realize that her day will come too! If luck were money, Nina Thomas would be one broke sister. After taking a stab at stripping, she finds herself once again on the wrong end of a bad choice. Now she's on trial for murder, and the consequences of spending too much time with the wrong folks might just end up costing her life. Anyeh is out for revenge, and with the help of a secret friend on the other end of her cell phone, known only as "my baby," she just might get what she wants. She's after Diablo, the most well-known hustler in Virginia. He's one careful brother; but in the end, his feelings for Anyeh might just be his undoing.

Imagine coming home to find a farewell note, an empty refrigerator, a disconnect notice from the electric company, and an eviction letter giving you thirty days to vacate the premises-all without a job to fall back on. Well, that's what happened to Africa Evans, a shy, insecure woman without a back-up plan. From one bad choice to another, Africa leans on love as an escape from her dilemma. But, for this girl from da hood, tough love may prove detrimental to her well-being. Harmony isn't the person everybody thinks she is, and she damn sure ain't the person she wants to be. Leading the double life of good girl / wanna-be bad girl, she hooks up with Nikko, the son of a notorious hustler and hood legend. He introduces her to a whole other side of the game. As if living a double life wasn't hard enough, Harmony now finds herself living a triple life-a life she never thought wanting to be a girl from da hood would bring. Unique's conniving mind hasn't changed a bit since the old days in the hood. Scheming is something that comes naturally to her. All her life she has been molded into the worst kind of woman: a straight-up hood rat who has no dignity when it comes to a dollar. She'll do anything she can to get what she wants. Unique isn't working for squat. If it is true that hard work builds character, then she is one no-character-having bitch. Why should she, as a pretty as she is? She believes that a man will take care of her, and if he doesn't, then she will just take it by any means necessary.

In the third installment of the runaway hit series, Girls From Da Hood, street fiction veterans, KaShamba Williams and Mark Anthony, are joined by newcomer MadameK, as they turn up the heat with fiery stories that will leave the reader breathless. KaShamba Williams returns with those feisty Brooklyn gals, Fire and Marcy (Girls From Da Hood 2) as they find out what life in Miami has to offer them. It couldn't have been easy for them as they watched their mother's heroin abuse take her to a near death experience. No matter what others thought of her, Fire and Marcy loved her to death. Loved her enough to put their own lives on the line to stand up against the men that committed such a gruesome act. Miami's heat won't be enough to stop Brooklyn's Finest from getting revenge the sweet and simple way. Stripping in one of the hottest clubs in the country affords you a nice "hood rich" living. Well, that's how it is for Latisha Lovely and her roommate, Lexi. With nothing but money on their minds, the two agree to take part in a more lucrative hustle than stripping. But when things start to turn bad, Latisha and Lexi must decide to either becomes Snakes or Snitches. In Star Quality, R&B diva Star Marshall is the envy of every women and the desire of every man. However, her superstar status doesn't come without problems. Onstage and in the studio, she is a puppet, controlled by her record company, manager, and the whims of her fans. But behind closed doors, Star turns the tables, engaging in a secret life that, if exposed, could cost her everything, including her sanity.

Veteran authors Ashley and JaQuavis offer up their first solo efforts, and they're hotter than ever! Along with Ayana Ellis, they introduce listeners to some "real sistas" who know how to get what they want at all costs. For these women, if it's dangerous it just means the payout will be that much sweeter.Offering up their trademark mix of sex, drama, and intrigue, Ashley and JaQuavis' stories will leave you guessing until the shocking endings. Add that to Ayana Ellis' intense story of lies, betrayal, and deceit, and you get Girls from da Hood 4, a collection you won't be able to put down.

You've seen them in print before, and their books are hot, hot, hot! Now see what Edd McNair, Keisha Ervin, and Brenda Hampton can do when they join forces to bring you three stories in the latest installment of Girls from da Hood.Being married to notorious gangsta rapper Sean Pynn isn't as glamorous as it appears to be. Behind closed doors, Queen is dealing with knock-down drag-out fights, verbal abuse, and neglect. When her bodyguard, Ahsim, comes into the picture, things change in a hurry.When a man thinks his woman is cheating, he keeps tabs on her. When a woman thinks her man is cheating, she calls Jakki. Rochel "Jakki" Thomas' way of catching a man in the act is a little risky, but she's worth every penny.Niecy Brickhouse and her twin sister Naquel are living the glamorous life-until Naquel is shot by their older sister's boyfriend. Everyone is calling it a suicide, but Niecy knows the painful truth about her sister's death, and it sets her on a dangerous, self-destructive path. Will she be able to overcome her depression, or will her new life on the streets be the death of Niecy?

This collection is full of gritty stories of strong, spirited women who deal with everything from homicide and drugs to all sorts of turmoil-all while showing the men of the streets of Brooklyn that they are not afraid of anything. Perhaps the edgiest of all the Girls from da Hood books, this drama-filled installment follows a drug fueled crime operation, which could put the girls and their extravagant lifestyles in permanent danger. But these girls from da hood are trying to find a way out of their troubles, by any means necessary. Featuring doomed romances, fast cash, hustlers, tragedy, and dreams of escape, these are tales of tough, resilient women who cope with drugs, murder, and mayhem-and show the men of the streets what they're made of.

Cheyenne and Kelsi grew up together in the hood. They' re best friends who've always had each other' s backs- until Cheyenne' s father is released from prison and Kelsi can' t resist his advances. Their scandalous affair might do more than just tear apart a friendship, it could destroy Cheyenne's whole world. Angela Farmer’s early childhood was filled with neglect and abuse at the hands of her drug-addicted mother. Not even the love and support of her foster parents could totally erase her painful memories. In an effort to rid herself of her demons, Angela makes it her mission to protect others, but her methods strike fear in the hearts of the people around her. Eva is a good, churchgoing girl who seems to have the perfect life, until she’s wrongly accused of embezzling from her clients. Caught up in a struggle to prove her innocence, she is forced to face the grittier side of life. She enters into a sexually charged world fueled by power, murder, and greed, where she must adapt if she’s going to survive. Eva wants to remain true to herself and everything she’s been taught in the church, but like Jay Z says, “When church is over, life begins."

Urban Books' popular Girls From da Hood series is back, bringing listeners more dramatic tales about the lives of some tough, resourceful women who can hold their own when things get rough on the streets. This time, family bonds are put to the test. Jakki and School Boy are more than first cousins; they're best friends and partners in crime with a reputation for getting theirs by any means necessary. The pair are ultimately forced to defend not only their family name but their loyalty to each other. With both wanting to stand at the head of the table, Jakki and School Boy feud, proving that there's definitely no honor amongst thieves-family or not. Sani, a well-known female gambling house owner, is at the top of her game, but after she decides to inject phony currency into her business, all hell breaks loose. Guns are drawn and opposing forces take sides. Luckily for Sani, her father and her brothers are well versed in the operations of the underworld. With millions of dollars still to be claimed, all the wolves come out, and the hunting season begins. Will the love of that mean green shatter families and friends, or will the players prove that money can't buy everything?

Urban Books' popular Girls from da Hood series continues its gritty street drama in this twelfth installment, featuring urban fiction superstar Treasure Hernandez and rising stars Katt and Paradise Gomez."Short Stacks" by Treasure Hernandez: Honey has been working them streets for El-Jihad, selling his wares and keeping up her end of the bargain. He warned it was "three strikes and you're out," and she has already come up short twice. Now Honey and her goons meet up with DeAngelo, who refuses to pay back his loan. If she can't come up with El-Jihad's money within days, it will be her head on a platter."Street Life Johnny's in Love" by Katt: Strawberry has been a rather lucrative ho for Larry "Sir" Smalls; however, she's been at it for a minute, and it is starting to have an effect on her mind and body. When she meets up with an old high school friend, Sir beats her nearly to death. Her friend rescues her, but will Sir let her go without a fight? "Payback" by Paradise Gomez: Jackie spent fifteen years in the state pen for stabbing the fool that had the audacity to put his hands on her. Now she's home, trying to turn her life around, but it's hard to get a job as a violent ex-con. Her aunt, the powerful queen of a drug cartel, turns up and takes her in. Soon, an all-out war between the aunt and the fool who put her in prison breaks out. Will Jackie resort to the same violence that got her locked up?

Three Urban Books authors have teamed up to bring the drama in this latest installment of the popular Girls from da Hood Series.Get It, Get It! by Ms. Michel Moore: Monica was conceived on a pile of dirty clothes in the corner of a trap house. Cursed with a mother who worshiped the crack pipe more than her children, she quickly learned a Detroit reality: Get it how ya live or die trying. The young teenager is forced to beg, borrow, and steal to make sure she and her siblings survive to see another day. Cutthroat and conniving, Monica will make it, no matter who she has to step on or step over.You Can't Break Us by Treasure Hernandez: Voodo and his girl, Moni, are inseparable. Like a modern Bonnie and Clyde from the hood, they let no one, even family, get in their way. When the people they do "around the way" business with turn out to be verified snakes, the ruthless couple gets revenge the only way they know how-street justice. With the law in hot pursuit, it's Voodo and Moni against the world, just like they always knew it would be.So Far Gone by Katt: Sometimes love is the best feeling in the world, but the wrong kind of love can turn you into an entirely different person. When good-girl-turned-bad Renee gets together with Keithon, it's them against the world, until the streets get to talking and their fairy-tale relationship turns into a full-blown nightmare. Karma steps in and has her way with the couple, and their lives will never be the same.

Two Essence® bestselling Urban Books authors have teamed up to bring the Motor City drama in this latest installment of the popular Girls from da Hood Series. All the Way In by Treasure Hernandez Born into the struggle, Sonya Mills and Melody ‘Ham’ Tatum are far from living the good life. They're missing meals, have no clean clothes to put on their backs, and are forced to sleep in abandoned houses. There are zero possibilities in sight for a legal come-up for either young woman. The desperate teens have no choice but to beg, borrow, and steal if they hope to survive on the savage streets of Detroit. In a twist of fate, the pair link up, adapting a bloodthirsty, anything-goes, what's-yours-is-mine attitude that they inflict upon all they come in contact with. Sonya and Melody are made of no sugar, no spice, and definitely nothing nice! Escaping a Thug's Love by Ms. Michel Moore The Dexter Linwood Area is one of the most notorious neighborhoods in Detroit. Sable Turner and Mike Mike Sims were both born into that pure madness. When they fall in love, the young couple soon becomes DLA royalty, and they embrace all the chaos that comes along with it. Whenever he rocks, she rolls. If she hustles, he will grind. Their gangsta lifestyle is picture perfect until Mike Mike starts popping pills and getting high on the regular. Soon bills are not getting paid, vehicles are being repossessed, and shutoff notices are the norm. The last straw is when Sable's jewelry mysteriously comes up missing. Now the hood princess wants out of their toxic relationship. Will Mike Mike let her go?

Three of Urban Book's most exciting novelists team up to tell the tales of the streets and the women who run them. Summer Fling in New York (Racquel Williams): It's something about them island boys that have the American girls going crazy! Good girl Naomi is intrigued by this stranger, who makes his intentions clear from the moment he lays eyes on her, and will stop at nothing to get her attention. However, her heart and her mind are in turmoil as she's tempted to give him a chance. There's only one problem: another man holds the key to her heart. Trini is a boss in the streets of New York. Snatching up Naomi seems easy at first, but he soon realizes that she's not your average female, and he will have to work twice as hard if he wants to get her. Nothing goes as planned, and the idea of scooping up the woman he desperately wants might be in jeopardy when an unexpected situation arises. Will Naomi give in to Trini's demands, or will she find out that all this boss has to offer is good sex and lots of headaches? Thot Girl Summer in Chicago (Na'cole): Sex, lies, money, and deceit are the laws a true thot lives by. Tisha Santana is no exception to the rules. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she lived a tough life. Coming from a broken home, she saw her future being just as hopeless. That is, until she met Marcel, the man who stole her heart. After two years of being together, Marcel became property of the Feds. Coming to grips with his twenty-year sentence, Santana decides it is time to move on with life. However, this time around, she isn't looking for a man or love. Thot Girl Summer in Detroit (T. Friday): Best friends Trina McKnight and Eve Santana were young and beautiful with banging bodies. Thinking that sleeping with men to pay for their lifestyle would be a piece of cake, things slowly start falling apart for them. Meeting Candy is a dream come true until the friends realize they no longer have any control over their own bodies or lives. After a tragic event, Trina fights hard to get her future back on track. Can she leave the lifestyle that she's so familiar with and start all over with a new love interest?