The Feds labeled her the Queen of Tax Fraud, and accused her of defrauding the United States government out of twenty-one million dollars. The streets called her the 1$t Lady. BET gave her the title TRAP QUEEN. Whatever the label, RASHIA WILSON wore it well because she was undisputedly a BO$$ CHICK and Tampa Bay's most well-known female HOOD STAR. Like many around the way girls, Rashia was born into a desultory struggle of which she saw no way out of but to hustle and grind. Along the way, she was used by man after man, and she was in and out of jail for an array of crimes and money schemes. But, when she crosses paths with a particular street entrepreneur, Rashia quickly goes from hood rat status and groupie to SUPASTAR. With her newfound celebrity and ill-gained wealth, Rashia is courted by many of your favorite rappers, entertainers and professional athletes, and she's giving up the tea in her steamy relationships with many of them. Unfortunately, with the fame comes a plethora of haters and the Feds, who are always watching. When Rashia's rock star life takes a drastic turn for the worst, will THE LIFE OF A HOOD STAR be worth the long prison sentence that awaited her?

Twelve-year-old Madeline believes she can perform miracles. And her biggest one to date is saving her father from an avalanche. But, unmiraculously, he divorces Madeline's mother after his recovery, writes a book about the avalanche, becomes a celebrity, and marries Ava Pomme, a renowned tart maker.When he leaves, Madeline is left with her mother, who is slowly coming undone; her hypochondriac little brother, who spends his days worrying about air-bag safety; a house that is falling apart around her; and no clue how to perform the miracle that will fix it all.Amidst ballet lessons, insufferable recipe experiments for her mother's Family magazine column, and a life-changing trip to Italy, Madeline learns the true meaning of faith and family in this moving novel by acclaimed author Ann Hood.

In the third book in the Desperate Hoodwives trilogy, a pimp, a killer, a playa, and a drug dealer struggle to get their game right in a sizzling novel where leaving the life and trying to go straight is a deadly option. Tavon, better known as “Sweet,” would pimp his own mother—and he does. Convinced that the prostitution game chose him, Sweet loves his high-rolling life. But when he unexpectedly becomes a father, will Sweet be able to choose between the family trade and his grown, not-so-innocent daughter? After ten years in prison, the drive-by Demarcus committed still haunts him. Determined to stay above the law, he’s found Allah, promised to change his ways forever, and finally do right by his girl, Zoey. But when an opportunity arises that will set him and Zoey right for life, Demarcus may have more faith in his killah reputation than the Koran... Kaseem runs every single drug going in and out of Bentley Manor. His empire provides clothes, cash, and his satisfaction of his wifey, Quilla—along with the company of other ladies, of course. But when Kaseem’s crew becomes more violent, will he be able to escape the life—and the gangsters—he created? The best playa on the block, Rhakmon can get a woman to do anything he wants. His latest girlfriend, Shaterica, lets him steal, lie, and cheat—smitten to be under his spell. But when Rhakmon’s devious deeds are finally brought to light, the revenge Shaterica plans may ultimately be more horrible than anything he could have imagined... From the ladies who brought you Desperate Hoodwives and Shameless Hoodwives, the streets of Atlanta are hotter than ever with drama, sex, and danger—profilin’ four men desperate for anything but their hood life.

“[An] enchanting journey through Ann Hood’s early fascination with reading.… Book lovers will find Morningstar irresistible.”—Lynn Sharon Schwartz, author of Ruined by Reading Growing up in a mill town in Rhode Island, in a household that didn’t foster a love of reading, novelist Ann Hood discovered nonetheless the transformative power of literature. She learned to channel her imagination, ambitions, and curiosity by devouring ever-growing stacks of books. In Morningstar, Hood recollects with warmth and honesty how The Bell Jar, Marjorie Morningstar, The Harrad Experiment, and The Outsiders influenced her teen psyche and introduced her to topics that could not be discussed at home: desire, fear, sexuality, and madness. Later, Johnny Got His Gun and Grapes of Wrath dramatically influenced her political thinking while the Vietnam War and Kent State shootings became headline news, and classics such as Dr. Zhivago and Les Misérables stoked her ambitions to travel the world. With characteristic insight and charm, Hood showcases the ways in which books gave her life and can transform—even save—our own lives.

Born with a plastic spoon in her mouth, Cecilia S. Johnson walks you through her diverse and often traumatic upbringing that led to her becoming one of the most compelling young figures in the conservative movement. Orginally from a small trailer park in Southeast Arkansas, she moved to the rough inner-city of Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 10. Ultimately adapting to her violent neighborhood and graduating from one of the lowest performing schools in the state, she felt herself floating through life with no real direction until stumbling upon the conniving world of politics where she fell in love with it. Through politics she was led to her other passions of helping others, particularly women, entrepreneurs, and youth. A true purging of her soul, Cecilia opens up about her battles with low self-esteem, suicide attempts, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of those she's trusted, the sadness and disappointment caused from the verbal abuse of those against her political beliefs, and the moment her world seemingly ended as she watched every breath of life leave her 3-year-old daughter as she sat by her hospital bed. This page turner is the ultimate story of a survivor determined to make each day better than the last and help others along the way.

The whole gang is back in the highly anticipated sequel of It is What it is a Hood Love Story. Everyone has a past filled with secrets. The question is will the person you're with, love you the same when they find out your deepest and darkest secrets? This time around love will be entangled with hidden skeletons and everyone has them. Whose love is strong enough to overcome secrets and whose relationship will fall by the wayside? Carlos hasn't exactly been a choir boy; but no one can deny the love he has for Lucky. Is love really enough when his past indiscretions have left permanent scars on Lucky's heart that are now manifesting through distrust and insecurities? Can Lucky let his previous mistakes stay in the past or is she bound to let it ruin their future? When we last left off in an act of jealousy and mistrust Lucky set forward a chain of events that left both her and Los in handcuffs. Is this the last straw? Or can their love survive this test?Both Keema and Jah are living the life they'd always dreamed. Husband and wife are now parents to a bouncing baby boy and another blessing on the way. The newlyweds soon find out that life isn't as perfect as they thought it would be. When Keema is suddenly contacted by someone from her past, will she end up letting this individual sabotage her future?Ty and Nice are finally together and she couldn't be happier. With the honeymoon phase of their relationship over she's finding out that balancing her career and home life isn't all that easy. Especially, when outside forces seem to keep trying to pull them apart. With Mia creating Baby Mama drama in epic proportions and a dark secret threatening to ruin their relationship could their relationship survive?

A sophisticated and suspenseful novel about the poignant lives of two women living in different eras. On the day John F. Kennedy is inaugurated, Claire, an uncompromising young wife and mother obsessed with the glamour of Jackie O, struggles over the decision of whether to stay in a loveless marriage or follow the man she loves and whose baby she may be carrying. Decades earlier, in 1919, Vivien Lowe, an obituary writer, is searching for her lover who disappeared in the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. By telling the stories of the dead, Vivien not only helps others cope with their grief but also begins to understand the devastation of her own terrible loss. The surprising connection between Claire and Vivien will change the life of one of them in unexpected and extraordinary ways. Part literary mystery and part love story, The Obituary Writer examines expectations of marriage and love, the roles of wives and mothers, and the emotions of grief, regret, and hope.

Drama is no stranger to Tiara James. When it felt like the world had finally changed the hand that she'd been dealt, reality continued to creep up on her. With a mom on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and an alcoholic crack-addicted father who use to beat her mom in front of her, who could blame Tiara for finding a family on the streets. Tiara's loyalty to her friends was undeniable. The crew consisted of, Tiara, Tamika, Shavon, Renee, Ke Ke and Karen. They jumped, robbed and fought other girls who stood in their way. When trouble surfaced, the crew had no problems with getting their hands dirty. Tiara was faithful to her crew handling any drama that presented itself. But when jealousy get's the best of friends, things continued to get ugly. With an older brother Tre James wrapped deeply into the streets becoming a drug dealer at 13, their younger brother Sharod had no choice but to admire both Tre and Tiara's lifestyle. Tragedy continued to hit home and Tiara's life continued to go down hill. She lost people who she loved and trusted the most to death, jail or betrayal. From welfare, section 8, jail, drugs, abusive relationships and lies, Tiara's future seems uncertain. Will she finally rise above the drama that meets her at every corner, or remain trapped in the jaws of the hood? Brace yourself as Tiara James takes you on a rollercoaster ride in her footsteps, in her hood, telling her story.

"A collection of short stories that makes it possible to be proud to be human." Carolyn See, "Washington Post"

Falling in love was never part of Larissa's plan, especially with a thug. Meet Larissa Bradshaw, a strong-willed hardworking girl. After her parents turn their backs on her she closes her heart to love and becomes determined to make something of herself despite her situation. She meets Messiah "Money" Lawson and everything changes. Messiah is an up and coming boss in the streets. He's a nigga that's respected and feared by all. From the moment he first sees Larissa he has to have her. The two share an instant connection and can't seem to get enough of each other. Messiah's lifestyle and desire for money brings jealousy, temptation, and violence threatening to ruin what he and Larissa are trying to build.Follow Larissa and Messiah on their journey of ups and downs as they fight for the love, loyalty and life they always wanted.